19 
REPORT OF THE FIELD CLUB FOR THE YEAR 
1897. 
Durino the past season twenty-three rambles have been undertaken by the 
Field Club, and the average attendance shows the interest in these walks to be 
well maintained, if not on the increase. The districts visited were much the 
same as in previous years, with perhaps only one notable exception. This was 4 
visit to a Bee Farm in Kent, which had been kindly arranged by Mr. Brice, the 
Hon. Secretary of the Kent and Sussex Beekeepers’ Association, and which 
promised to be of exceptional interest. The day, unfortunately, turned out very 
wet, and only two persons essayed the walk. We hope, however, that Mr. Brice 
will see his way to give up a Saturday next season to conduct this ramble for us. 
A number of members of the Ealing Natural Science Society joined, by 
invitation, a ramble from Hanwell to Northolt on May io. This walk was most 
happily arranged, there being less than one hundred yards of walking on the 
roads in the whole distance of six miles. On this occasion advantage was taken 
ol an almost disused footpath across a hay field. This alone would have fully 
justified the walk, for only by preventing our public footpaths from falling into 
disuse can we hope to keep them from the grasp of landlords, too often ready to 
help the decay of rights of way. On June 19, the few persons whose heads were 
not so much turned by the excitement of the Jubilee as to render such an under- 
taking dangerous, walked along the banks of the Lea from Rye House to Ware 
This, though one of the most distant places visited, is always a favourite walk. 
On July 17 the valuable brasses in Stoke D’Abernon Church were inspected 
and admired, and the old Manor House was viewed with interest ; and on the 
24th a walk in conjunction with the Lambeth Field Club was taken, the chief 
feature of which was a most delightful ramble through the splendid oaks of Ash- 
stead Woods. The Nether Hall ruins near Rye House were visited on August 
28, and a carefully compiled and deeply interesting paper on the subject was read 
by Mr. Gerish. This splendid example of Tudor architecture, had it been allowed 
to decay in the ordinary course of nature, would have been far more complete 
than is at present the case. A large part was pulled down, and this work of de- 
struction was discontinued only on account of the labour and expense necessary to 
demolish so well-built a structure. In a walk such as that undertaken on Septem- 
ber 4, from Ham Farm to East Croydon, it is difficult to realise that smoky London 
is but a few miles distant. The pine woods, the bracken breast high and the 
heather in full bloom forming a purple carpet beneath one’s feet constituted a 
sight not to be easily excelled and not to be iorgotten. Those who did not take 
part in this ramble missed a very great treat indeed. 
A full account of each of the season’s rambles, interesting though it would no 
doubt be, is impossible in the small space at our disposal. No notes are given of 
the fauna and flora seen on these occasions, as it is considered by some, and with 
no little reason, that the publication of such information would only be an invita- 
tion to the collector to make raids on those rarities which it is one of the chief 
objects of the Society to preserve. 
It is much to be hoped that next season will see more members willing to 
undertake the conduct of these rambles. Some of our guides have arranged and 
personally conducted as many as one a month throughout the season, and they 
would no doubt be glad to receive some help. New guides would also mean fresh 
routes, a great desideratum if the present interest in the Club is to be maintained. 
We have already the promise of a long day’s excursion to Burnham Beeches, and 
trust that many will be able to avail themselves of this opportunity of visiting 
one of the most lovely spots within easy distance of London. 
In conclusion, a reminder as to the utility of these walks will not be out of 
place. Gilbert White was essentially an outdoor naturalist ; his book is almost 
entirely a record of observations made in the open air, and if we wish to follow 
up his work and investigations we have in these rambles a ready means for the 
gratification of that desire. 
Ernest A. Nash, 
Hon. Sec. Field Club. 
