REPORT OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1897 139 



and stands on the ridge which here separates the Blyth from its 

 rival but tributary stream the Pont. To the north the village of 

 Whalton is seen, sheltered from the north winds by its trees 

 and the high ground between the Wansbeck and Blyth. 

 Farther away Simonside shows well against the sky. To the 

 south the woods of Kirkly, one of the few night rookeries, 

 were seen near at hand ; while west and in the line of our 

 route, Shaftoe Crags and Capheaton came well into view. 



The drive was continued along the ridge which forms the 

 south bank of the Blyth to Belsay and Belsay Castle. The 

 village of Belsay consists chiefly of an arcade of well-built 

 stone houses, a school, and commodious offices and residence 

 for the agent. Everything bears witness to the personal 

 interest of the owner. Sir Arthur E. Middleton, Bart., who, 

 as we proceeded by the carriage drive, received and welcomed 

 the Club at the old Castle. This is one of the most perfect 

 and imposing specimens of a castellated peel in Northumber- 

 land. It was undergoing careful and preservative restoration. 

 After a thorough inspection of the castle from the basement to 

 the beautiful umbrella which finishes the newel of the spiral 

 staircase and the battlements and turrets, under the inter- 

 esting and informative guidance of Sir Arthur himself, the 

 members were with difficulty enticed from the story in stone 

 to some of the not less interesting objects of natural history 

 and geology. Remnants of mural paintings were pointed 

 out, and drawings of the same, made by Messrs Leach of 

 Cambridge, were exhibited. The specimens were probably of 

 the 15th century. 



From the castle the members were conducted through a 

 wood to the west to some higher ground — the site of a 

 British Camp, and of the original village of Belshow. It was 

 explained that there was in times past a distinction between 

 Belshow and Belsey or Belsay ; the former denoting the hill on 

 which the village stood, and the other the mere or meres below. 

 It seems evident that the name is anterior to the Norman 

 Conquest, and possibly is older than Saxon. 



The walk was continued through the quarries of freestone 

 whence the stone for building the modern mansion and village 

 had been hewn, and which is partially laid out as a garden 

 for ferns and rock plants. Here specimens of a Fitzroya 

 pata^onica attracted great attention, having been imported 



