THE MID-PIDDLE VALLEY. 11. 



THIRD SUMMER MEETING. 



THE MID-PIDDLE VALLEY. 



Tuesday, August 1st, 1911. 



There was an attendance of over 80 members, the President, 

 the Hon. Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, and Assistant Secretary 

 being also present. 



WATERSTON MANOR. 



The carriages drove through Dorchester, along the London- 

 road and up Slyer's-lane to Waterston Ridge, commanding a 

 glorious prospect of the Dorset downs and dales. Descending 

 the Ridge and swinging round to the right, the party came to 

 Walterson or Waterston Manor, the mellow-hued Elizabethan 

 mansion which, but a short time ago, passed from the hands 

 of Lord Ilchester to those of Mr. G. Vernon Carter, who has 

 evidently found a labour of love in the careful conservative 

 restoration of the house and in the laying out and beautifica- 

 tion of the ground. Such a house, one of the most ornate 

 and interesting buildings in the " Wessex " country, well 

 deserved this taste and trouble being lavished upon it. The 

 members were delighted alike with the grounds and with the 

 house, which, in warm ancient brickwork, a study in lichened 

 reds and purples and in mellow stone, presents a very feast 

 of colour. 



The PRESIDENT said that Mr. Vernon Carter, who was sorry 

 he could not be there that day, had prepared a few notes on 

 the house, and these he asked the Hon. Sec. if he would 

 kindly read. 



The Rev. HERBERT PENTIN read as follows : Waterston (or 

 Waterson, as it is now called) was formerly Walterston, and before 



