260 Report of Meetings for 1891. By Dr J. Hardy. 



Preston Tower, on the opposite side, rises from a wooded 

 height, and thither through the courtesy of Miss Baker Cress- 

 well, the company next proceeded. The Tower and adjacent 

 mansion, and spacious farm-house, are well screened by trees 

 and shrubs, and encircled by walks ornamentally margined, a 

 well cultured garden and enlivening grassy lawns and open 

 spaces. In front of the Tower are some specially thriving 

 Cupresms Lawsoniana, and Thujopsis horealis, very prettily 

 feathered and profusely foliaged. 



It is a wonderful steep ascent to the summit of the Tower, 

 but nearly every one surmounted the spiral stair, where the 

 hidden mechanism of the clock, whose face is displayed in front, 

 is enclosed. The sound of the clock is heard all across the 

 district. The view from the top was down to Beadnell and North 

 Sunderland, and then away by Warenford, Bellshill Planting, 

 and beyond it Has Castle hill, but no farther — Cheviot being hid 

 by fog. A notice of Preston Tower and its owners may be 

 found in Appendix I. 



The following dimensions of remarkable trees in this vicinity 

 were communicated by Mrs H. B. Cresswell to the late Mr G. 

 C. Atkinson, and recorded by him in the " Natural History 

 Transactions of Northumberland and Durham," vol. v., (1873) 

 pp. 78 and 87. 



Ellingham Estatefi. Silver Fir. Girth at a height of 5 feet, 

 12 feet 8 inches (Dec. 1872). Preston Tower. Ash. Girth at a 

 height of 3 feet, 12 feet. Sycamore. Girth at same height, 11 

 feet 8 inches. Spanish Chestnut. Girth at same height, 7 

 feet 8 inches. 



The order is now passed for return, and most chose the lower 

 road, by which route much of the country in its central parts can 

 be prospected, of which one obtains little or no idea from the 

 railway or the Great Northern Public Eoad. Brunton grounds 

 and those of Doxford Hall and Falloden were seen, and then 

 Kock and Rock Hall and Pennington, and then at length from 

 the height at Denwick Lane end, the view comprehended Brox- 

 field, Silvermoor, Harlow Hill and Peppermoor, Golden Moor 

 and Denwick, concluding with Brizlee Tower and Hulne Parks. 

 The whole drive was most exhilarating. 



Very few birds were visible during the day, here and there a 

 few Lapwings and Partridges. A want of bright sunshine. 



