Thursday, July 16t/i. 



93 



building was saved from practical destruction some twelve years 

 ago by the efforts of the Eev. E. Gr. Wyld (then Vicar of Mere) 

 and Mr. C. E. Pouting, F.S.A. A Manchester surveyor had 

 actually prepared a specification providing for various alterations, 

 such as " Take out old stone windows and insert new ones with 

 deal frames 5x3, with oak sills, &c. " ! This was, however, 

 happily set aside through the efforts of the gentlemen named above, 

 and the chapel retains the fine tracery of its windows to this day. 

 From this point a walk across the fields brought the party to 

 MERE CHURCH, where The Vicar, the Eev. J. A. Lloyd, had 

 been for some time waiting for them. He described shortly the 

 chief features of the Church — the magnificent rood-screen, the 

 screen on the south and north sides of the chancel, the curious 

 bridge (lately restored) by which access is supposed to have been 

 gained to the rood-loft, the Jacobean seats, the two fine brasses, 

 and many other objects of interest which the short time at the 

 disposal of the company (owing to the breakdown already men- 

 tioned) made it impossible to inspect with the attention that they 

 deserved. The utilization of the chamber over the north porch as 

 a museum for the preservation of objects of interest connected with 

 the Church and town is an admirable idea. Amongst the most 

 interesting objects here exhibited are the remarkable church- 

 wardens' accounts and an alabaster slab sculptured with the 

 adoration of the Magi — found on the site of the castle. 



Leaving this interesting Church all too soon and driving under 

 the grand ironwork sign of the Ship Inn, the party proceeded to 

 STOURTON, where the BRISTOL CROSS was first inspected, The 

 Eev. E. H. Gtoddard reading some notes upon it prepared by 

 Mr. C. E. Ponting, F.S.A., under whose direction it has been 

 lately repaired and restored at the expense of Sir Henry Hoare. 

 The company were unanimously of opinion that the way in which 

 this work had been carried out reflected the greatest credit upon 

 owner and architect alike. 



A move was then made to the adjacent " Stourton Arms " for 

 luncheon, after which Mr. W. Heward Bell expressed the 

 thanks of the Society to Sir Henry Hoare for the kindness with 



