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YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT BARNARD CASTLE. 



Magnificent weather favoured the gathering of the Union at the old- 

 world town of Barnard Castle during the Whitsuntide recess, and, although 

 the party was not a large one, the increased cost of travelling and restricted 

 service of trains doubtless accounting for this, those who found themselves 

 at liberty to attend the excursion had ample recompense. Military duties 

 prevented the attendance of the President. Several members of the 

 Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club attended the excursions. 



Headquarters were at the King's Head Hotel, which is reputed to be 

 the hostel where Dickens stayed while working up his famous book, 

 ' Nicholas Nickleby.' 



Immediately behind the hotel are the remains of the twelfth century 

 castle founded by Bernard Baliol. The most conspicuous feature is the 

 Keep, or Baliol 's Tower, which is in a good state of preservation ; a great 

 portion of the grounds are under cultivation. Opportunity was taken to 

 inspect the Norman doorway of the Parish Church, which doorway shows 

 toothed ornamentation. An interesting time was also spent in an in- 

 spection of a portion of the contents of the Bowes Museum, an ornate and 

 imposing building in the French Renaissance style. Housed in the 

 museum are valuable oil paintings, in which the English, French, Spanish 

 and Italian schools are well represented. There is also a magnificent 

 collection of china, porcelain, glassware, ivories, crystals, brass-work, and 

 old coins. 



On Saturday, the party was under the guidance of Mr. J. P. Robson. 

 Taking the path along the south side of the river an inspection was made 

 of the remains of Egglestone Abbey, a picturesquely situate ruin, which 

 dates from the early part of the thirteenth centur}^, being then inhabited 

 by monks of the Premonstratentian order. The views from the Abbey 

 Bridge, with its battlemented parapets, were delightful, as was the walk 

 along the riverside to the meeting of Greta with Tees. The charms of 

 Rokeby Park were likewise enjoyed, the arboreal features being especially 

 satisfying. The day's excursion was brought to a close with a walk along 

 Brignall Banks, where the beauty of the woodland and wealth of wild 

 flowers recalled the verse of Sir Walter Scott's poem : 

 ' Oh, Brignall banks are fresh and fair 



And Greta woods are green ; 

 And maid may gather garlands there 

 Would grace a summer queen.' 



The site of the Roman Camp was inspected, the outline of which was 

 well defined, especially the vallum and double ditch on the north side 

 The remains of old Brignall Church mark a peaceful spot, and it was noted 

 that the oldest tombstone dated back to the year 1693. 



On the following day opportunity was taken to revisit a portion of 

 Upper Teesdale, Mr. F. S. Hare acting as guide. From Middleton-in- 

 Teesdale the party drove to Langdon Beck, crossed the rough pastures in 

 the vicinity of Cronkley Scars, and there saw to perfection the exquisite 

 beauty of Blue Gentian {Gentiana verna). The walk was continued 

 along the beck to its junction with the Tees, the scramble amongst the huge 

 boulders and rocks which intersect a portion of the path calling for care 

 and agility ; thence through the Juniper scrub to High Force, where the 

 scenic charms were greatly appreciated. 



The whole of Monday was spent in an investigation of Deepdale, a 

 beautiful wooded valley, through which runs the Deepdale beck, the waters 

 of which at the head of the valley fall in picturesque fashion over the rocks. 

 Mr. Bailey acted as guide. 



The usual meeting was held at the close of the excursion in the Castle 

 grounds, Mr. W. N. Cheesman, J. P., F.L.S., presiding. Three gentleman 

 and the Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society were elected to the 

 membership of the Union. Sectional reports were given, concluding 



1918 July 1. 



