peesident's addeess. 327 



for twelve members, having the previous night sent notice to 

 the Secretaries that he declined to provide dinner beforehand for 

 the Club, as the number of members who might probably attend 

 could not be guaranteed by them. I do not mention this inci- 

 dent for the purpose of censuring the landlord, but for the 

 purpose of drawing attention to the inconvenience that is caused 

 by the neglect of members of the Club to inform the Secretaries, 

 as requested in the notices of the meetings, of their intention to 

 be present and to dine, or not, at the place appointed. After 

 this conference, at which it was found impossible to appoint any 

 place or hour for dinner, the members present left the town of 

 Blaydon and entered the valley of the Elaydon Burn. Soon 

 leaving the region of fire-brick and other kindred manufactories 

 behind them the fresh foliage of spring (as yet unmarred by the 

 smoke of the brick and other works in the neighbourhood) 

 greeted them in the little valley. With the exception of two 

 rather heavy showers the day was fine. Many of the spring wild 

 flowers were found in bloom, though nothing new or rare was 

 observed. 



Leaving the valley at the hamlet of Blaydon Burn the party 

 went through the fields by the footpath to the road leading 

 through the village of Barlow, at which village some slight re- 

 freshment was obtained in view of the uncertainty of getting 

 any dinner. Passing afterwards through High Spen the party 

 arrived at a neat little wayside inn called ''The Bute Arms." 

 Here a halt was made soon after five o'clock. Some two or 

 three of the party preferred pressing forward to Eowland's Gill, 

 to catch the 6.20 train to ^Newcastle. The remainder, after a 

 short wait, and having restored their energies with a substantial 

 tea, visited the Chopwell Woods. By enquiry at the woodman's 

 cottage permission to enter the woods was obtained. Bather a 

 dearth of bird-life was noticed. One nest ("Willow Wren's) only 

 was seen. Emerging from the wood near Lintz Ford the party 

 then struck the high road and enjoyed a very pleasant evening's 

 walk to Bowland's GiU in ample time for the 9.28 train to 

 N'ewcastle. 



No formal business was transacted at this meeting. 



