235 



YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT GORMIRE LAKE 

 AND THIRKLEBY PARK. 



The second excursion of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union for the 

 year 1887 was held, in response to the special invitation of the 

 President, Sir Ralph Payne-Galhvey, Bart., at Gormire Lake and at 

 his fine seat at Thirkleby Park. The weather throughout the day 

 was of the brilliantly fine character which has prevailed throughout 

 June and July, and the resultant very dry condition of the ground 

 was unfavourable to some branches of research, and equally 

 favourable to others. Nearly all the members and associates who 

 had possessed themselves of the President's invitation to dinner, 

 about 120 in number, arrived at Thirsk Junction Station between 

 nine and ten o'clock in the forenoon. Here conveyances were in 

 readiness for all who had ordered seats beforehand from Mn W. 

 Gregson, who had kindly undertaken the charge of that part of the 

 arrangements, and to whom the Union was accordingly highly indebted. 

 The start was made about ten, and soon after eleven the whole party 

 were at Gormire, having passed through Thirsk and Sutton-under- 

 Whitestonecliffe on the way. The remarkably picturesque and 

 beautiful situation of the Lake, one of the very few large sheets of 

 water which the county of York possesses, was a surprise to most of 

 the members, who had never anticipated being introduced to so 

 lovely a spot. For about two or three hours the visitors scattered 

 themselves over the whole of the little depression in which Gormire 

 lies, visited the neighbouring woods, ascended the steep escarpments 

 of the Hambleton Hills or the lower heights of the low hills which 

 shut in the valley on its western side, and investigated its flora and 

 fauna with more or less and varying success. Some who wished to 

 investigate the Lake itself had a large boat pushed out into deep 

 water, only to find, alas, that it leaked very rapidly, and the attempt 

 had to be abandoned. At two o'clock the conveyances were again 

 in requisition, and the party were driven to Thirkleby Park, the 

 decoy being visited on the way. 



At half-past three dinner was served in the spacious riding-school, 

 the President and host occupying the chair. His genial chair- 

 manship, and the most kind and assiduous attentions paid to 

 the members by Lady Crallwey, who assisted in seeing after their 

 comforts personally, will not be forgotten by any who w^ere present. 

 In addition to Sir Ralph and Lady Gallwey, there were also present 

 the Hon. G. E. and Lady Louisa Lascelles, Captain and Lady Cecilia 

 Turton, Mr. Abel Chapman, and other friends specially invited to 

 meet the Union. At the close of dinner, the Rev. William Fowler, 

 M.A., the senior vice-president of the Union, proposed the health of 



Aug. 1887. 



