36 



(general Srnnm^ Qmcursunts, 1911. 



On the 17th May, a large party of members went 

 Tarrant Valley, by train to Blandford, whence brakes conveyed 



them first to Buzbury, a pre-historic camp and 

 fortified hill-town 360 feet above sea level ; during lunch Mr. 

 Brownen described the place. About eight acres are still enclosed 

 by a rampart and ditch, and within the enclosure indications of pit 

 dwellings are visible, and some pre-historic pottery was found by one 

 of the party. The foundation of this camp is attributed to the 

 Iberian or Stone-weapon man of the long barrow age. At a later 

 time these settlers were driven over the Wilts border up the Tarrant 

 Valley and out of the county by Celts from Gaul armed with bronze 

 weapons. From Buzbury the party moved on to Tarrant Rushton 

 where they were received by the Rector (Rev. J. Penny, m.a.,) who 

 kindly gave light refreshments, showed his magnificent collection of 

 geological, botanical and entomological specimens, and the 13th 

 century church containing many features of great interest. The 

 party then drove down the valley past Tarrant Keynston to 

 Tarrant Crawford and the site of Tarrant Abbey, of which the 

 only remaining relic is the old iVbbey barn. Mr. G. Galpin 

 here read a short paper on the Cistercian Abbey or Nunnery. The 

 Parish Church of St. Mary was next visited and the Rector (Rev. 

 P. Wingate) described its points of interest. The party then went 

 on to Spettisbury and after tea climbed the ramparts of this ancient 

 fortress and returned home by train. 



This very interesting excursion was made by about 



Cuffnen" 311 7° mem b ers on tne x 4 tn J une > by train to Brocken- 

 hurst, one section driving direct to Beaulieu Abbey, 

 the other halting en route at Hatchet Pond to search for botanical 

 and zoological specimens. After lunch in the ruined cloisters, Mr. 

 Brownen gave an account of the Abbey in the ruins. The whole 

 party then drove by Tantany Wood and Matley Bog to Cuffnells 

 where they were very kindly received by the owner (R. Hargreaves, 

 Esq., j. p.). Cuffnells was the residence of Mr. George Rose, a 

 friend of King George III, who honoured the house with occasional 

 visits. The interesting fact was mentioned that Mrs. Hargreaves 

 was the original of " Alice " in " Alice in Wonderland." Sir 

 Daniel Morris assisted Mr. Hargreaves in pointing out the various 

 trees, etc., in the " Wilderness." Among them were some very fine 

 specimens of Sequoia 100 feet high planted within the last 50 years ■ 

 other majestic trees are Wellingtonia, the giant tree of California, 

 Abies Nobilis, and large Portugal laurels in flower. A Himalayan 

 rose, in full bloom, climbing over a lofty Cryptomeria, was very 



