XXX. 



Celtic Tumuli of Dorset, written by Dr. Wake Smart ; this will be found 

 at p. 55 in this volume. A paper was afterwards read on Forde Abbey 

 by Mr. J. S. Udal, printed at p. 136 of this volume. This paper was 

 intended to serve as a guide to the members before visiting the place on 

 the morrow. Finally the Rector of Chard, the Rev. Prebendary Buller, 

 gave a description of the architectural features of his own parish church 

 prior to conducting the members over it the next morning. The following 

 are the chief points to which he alluded : The parish church of St. Mary, 

 Chard, was founded by Jocelyn Trotman, called Jocelyn of Wells, who 

 was Bishop of Wells from 1206-1242. He seems to have rebuilt Wells 

 Cathedral, and portions of the nave, transept, and choir are his work, 

 whilst the chapel attached to the Bishop's palace also owes its origin to 

 him. He was buried in the midst of the choir of his cathedral in the year 

 1242, after occupying the office of Bishop for a space of 37 years, " God," 

 says Fuller, "to square his undertakings, giving him a long life to his 

 large heart." Of the original church the diocesan surveyor considers there 

 is only one stone remaining. The present building was erected between 

 the years 1400 and 1410, and is in the Perpendicular style of architecture. 

 It is not by any means in the first rank of Somersetshire churches, but 

 nevertheless has a character of its own. It is quite unadorned, yet the 

 colour of the Ham Hill stone of which the arcades are built impart a 

 warmth to the whole. It is 120 feet in length and forty-six in breadth, the 

 nave being divided from the aisles by six arches on each side. There are 

 three hagioscopes, or squints, in the church, and the circular staircase, 

 which led to the rood screen, is still in place, although every vestige of the 

 screen itself has disappeared. The two transepts were originally used as 

 side chapels ; one belonged to the chantry of the Virgin Mary, the other 

 to the fraternity of St. Catherine. Each chapel had its altar, and the 

 remains of the niches containing figures, which formed the reredoses, are 

 now to be seen in the church. There are also remains of a piscina on the 

 south side of the chancel. The font is of the same date as the rest of the 

 church, and is ornamented with quatrefoils and the Tudor rose. There 

 are few monuments in the church, and these of no special importance. 



The meeting closed at about 10.15 p.m. 



WEDNESDAY, JULY 13TH. The town of Chard possesses several objects 

 of interest of its own, and, time being limited, many of the members made 

 a very early visit to some of them. The factories, which are engaged in the 

 manufacture of curtain lace, employing several thousand hands, are owned 

 by Messrs. Gifford, .Fox, and Co. and Wheatley and Co. The process is a 

 curious one, and the machinery employed is very complicated. The 

 Grammar School owes its origin to a deed poll, dated May 24, 1071, signed 



