Report of Meetings for 1887. By J. Hardy. 51 



There is a good section of Tuedian rock, bands of cement stones, 

 clays, shales, and sandstones above the bridge at Sharperton, 

 which is being undermined by the river, several of the trees from 

 the little wood overhanging it, being swept away. There is 

 another instructive section lower down the river. Mr Miller's 

 valuable Survey gives the particulars of both — p. \'6. Plantago 

 media, a limestone-plant, grows at Sharperton. The old "strong- 

 house " slated with sandstone slabs, and with walls six feet thick, 

 is still entire, and inhabited by the proprietor. Above the 

 doorway, according to Mr Dixon, are cut the letters 

 C.P. E.P. 1675. 

 EOGEE POTS. 



In 1663, Roger Pott was rated on an annual rental of £6, and 

 George Pott of £12 at Sharperton. {Book of Rates.) Several 

 of the adjoining houses apparently of equivalent age are now 

 dilapidated. Among their ruins, in passing, I got a glance of 

 an apparently carved stone, which Mr Nicholson afterwards 

 examined, and assures me is a delusion, and a trap for Pickwick - 

 ians. He was fortunate in finding something better, which I 

 willingly record here. 



" There is an old carved stone built into the wall of the saw-mill at 

 Sharperton. It is apparently the head and bust of a female figure, with a 

 sort of hood over the head ; and was discovered in an old stone-fence, some 

 years ago, at Sharperton, and built into the saw-mill to preserve it. The 

 stone seems very old. You cannot make anything of the features of the 

 figure, as the stone has suffered much from the action of the weather. 

 There is no inscription on it." 



Alwinton church was visited by the party on their return 

 route. The slope beneath which it is sheltered, called Parsonside, 

 is marked with great balk-like ridges ploughed by oxen, bounded 

 by equally prominent head-ridges drawn transverse to those on 

 the slope. The church has been recently refitted, greatly to the 

 advantage of its internal and external appearance. It is hoped 

 the Rev. H. E. Henderson will give the Club a paper on the 

 church, as well as on other local subjects. A holy water stone 

 was found in repairing it ; and other points of architectural or 

 ecclesiastical significance were brought to light or set in their 

 proper place during the process. In the foundation two large 

 blocks of stone dressed in a decussated manner, with much resem- 

 blance to Roman workmanship, were revealed. Examples of 

 Roman stones, crossed in a similar fashion, are preserved by 

 having been built into Hexham crypt. (See Dr Bruce's Wallet- 



