486 REPOET ON FIELD MEETINGS 



On reaching Beltingham a halt was made in order to examine 

 the old church of St. Cuthbert, described by Tomlinson as 

 being the only one in Northumberland which is entirely of the 

 Perpendicular style of architecture. More in keeping with our 

 purpose were three venerable yew trees in the burial ground ; 

 these are supposed to be upwards of 400 years old ; one of 

 them a few feet from the ground measured 16J feet in circum- 

 ference. Proceeding a short distance we arrived at the entrance 

 to the grounds of Ridley Hall, permission to enter them and 

 traverse the woods having been kindly granted by the Hon. 

 F. Bowes-Lyon. We were met here by the head gardener, Mr. 

 Furlong, and under his guidance inspected several fine trees, 

 he drawing our attention to certain minute forms of insect life, 

 from the ravages of which some of the trees were suffering, 

 particularly some of the beeches. 



In the bright sunshine the hall, with its lawns and orna- 

 mental shrubberies, presented a charming outlook ; so also 

 did the lake near the path leading to the Ridley woods, 

 the surface at the time being covered with the beautiful 

 inflorescence of the Water Ranunculus, and over it ever and 

 anOn flitted dragon flies and other interesting forms of insect 

 life. 



Our way now led through the woods for some considerable 

 distance. These were chiefly interesting for the great variety 

 and luxuriant growth of the trees, and gave excellent oppor- 

 tunities to observe them in full foliage, namely, planes, 

 birches, oaks, limes, elms, beeches, ashes, pines, chestnuts, 

 and poplars. Ferns of various kinds and wild flowers of 

 the sylvan type were seen in great profusion. 



Crossing the stream by a rustic bridge Planky Mill was 

 reached, when, after a brief halt, we proceeded on our final 

 stage, the route now lying through meadows and by a pleasant 

 path shaded with trees. Arriving at the foot of the stony 

 and somewhat fatiguing ascent to Staward-le-Peel, we were 

 delighted to find a luxuriant growth of the comparatively rare 

 Vi'cia sylvatica or Wood Vetch then in full blossom. 



