XX111. 



f 



paper was read by Mr. J. S. Udal in the hall, a resume of the accounts 

 contained in Hutchins' and Coker's works, describing the principal 

 features of the house and the families in whose possession it has been. 

 It is sufficient to notice here that Parnham formerly belonged to the 

 Strode family ; on the death of Thomas Strode in 1764 the estate devolved 

 to Sir John Oglander, of Nunwell, in the Isle of Wight, who married a 

 daughter of Sir John Strode. The arms of Trenchard, Wadham, 

 Strangways, Strode, Poulett, etc., are contained in the head of each light 

 of the hall windows. Over the hall chimney are the arms of Oglander 

 quartered with Strode, impaling the Royal arms of the Fitzroys. In the 

 drawing room is an original portrait of Richard, Lord Cromwell, Vicar 

 General of Henry VIII., and another of Gregory, Lord Cromwell, 

 his son. 



Leaving Parnham, the drive thence led to Netherbury, which was 

 reached shortly after 4 p.m. Here the church, which is of Perpendicular 

 style, contains a marble tomb with an effigy surmounted by an original 

 helmet, to the memory, it is supposed, of one of the Mores, Bails., of 

 Melplash, and a very fine inlaid pulpit of Jacobean date. The Vicar, 

 the Rev. W. W. Gildea, brought from the parish chest a number of 

 ancient deeds and charters dating to the reigns of Ed. I., Richd. II., 

 Henry IV., and Elizabeth. By the kind invitation of the Vicar and his 

 wife the members partook of tea at the Rectory. 



Melplash Court was next visited. This is an old Tudor house, now 

 used as a farmhouse, and the occupier, Mr. E. G. Legg, conducted the 

 members round the building. Over the chimney piece of the parlour, 

 carved in oak, are the arms quarterly 1 and 4 England and France, 

 2 Scotland, 3 Ireland, arid the motto of the same is on the scroll beneath. 

 At the sides are the initials J. R. Over the tall chimney piece in stucco 

 are the arms of the Poulets, and below on a scroll, " Ames Loyaulte." 

 The chapel, now used as a dairyhouse, the barn with its simple braced 

 and strutted oak roof, and the old stone dovecote formed other objects of 

 interest. After leaving Melplash Court the outdoor programme for the 

 day was completed and Bridport was reached about 6.15. 



At 6.30 p.m. Mr. W. Coif ox, of Westmead, entertained the whole party 

 at a cold repast in the Town Hall of Bridport, at which about 60 persons 

 were present. After the repast was concluded, the President having 

 proposed the customary toast of the Queen, begged to return thanks, on 

 behalf of the members present, to Mr. Colfox for his hospitality. 



At 8 p.m. a special evening programme had been prepared by the 

 committee of the Bridport Institute as an additional welcome to the 

 members of the Dorset Field Club. The ground floor of the Institute 



