34 
A pleasant walk across the fields led to Shipstal, where the party 
re-embarked and went up the Wyche Channel, and then by Ram’s 
Horn Lake entered the upper “ tail ” of Sou' Deep Channel, and 
on to Ower Quay, where they again landed. 
It was from Cleavel Point, a short distance eastward, that, 
until the reign of Queen Anne, when the traffic was diverted to 
Swanage Bay, most of the Purbeck Marble and Stone, after being 
hauled from the Quarries through Corfe and along the rough 
tracks over the heath, was for centuries shipped off in lighters 
lor use in so many of the cathedral and conventual churches of the 
land. The quaint custom is still observed every Ash Wednesday 
by the Ancient Company of Purbeck Marblers and Stone Cutters 
of kicking a football and carrying a pound of peppercorns from 
Corfe to Ower Quay and presenting both to the tenant of Ower 
Farm, who receives them on behalf of the Lord of the Manor 
of Rempston, as tribute for the keeping open of the wayleave 
across the heath on the chances of its ever being used again. 
From Ower Quay a walk was then taken for about a mile and 
a half across the heath to the famous Gull Decoy Pond, which 
the party were enabled to view by the courtesy of Captain 
Marston, R.N., the lord of the manor. For many years the black¬ 
headed gull has been strictly preserved from all depredations in 
a large pond fringed with flowering rushes and studded with 
wooded and reedy islets, making an ideal resort for this gregarious 
bird. It is computed that about 2,000 pairs have nested here 
this season, some rearing two broods. Steps were re-traced to 
Ower Quay, and a short ride brought the party to the house¬ 
boat—the Mayflower—where a welcome tea awaited them. 
At the invitation of Mr. C. Hall, the proprietor of Green 
Island—the old St. Elyn’s, which, with Ower, belonged to the 
Abbey of Milton—most of the party landed there and inspected 
his rock-garden, and also specimens of the ancient bones, pottery, 
quern stones, worked flints, and other relics dug up in various 
parts of the island, generally at a depth of about three feet under 
the black, peaty soil. 
The boats then steered their way homeward down “ Sou’ 
Deep,” passing Newton’s Bay, round Brownsea Island, into the 
Main Channel, and on to Poole Quay, thus ending a most enjoy¬ 
able day. . 
Sherborne. An excursion was made to Sherborne on Wednes¬ 
day, June 25th, by 53 members. Leaving 
Bournemouth by the 9.40 train for Sturminster Newton, from 
whence they went in brakes by road to Sherborne, where thev 
were met by Colonel Sir William Watts, K.C.B., a member of our 
Society, and one of the Governors of the School, who had kindly 
made all the arrangements for seeing the principal buildings. The 
party proceeded first to the School, where Mr. W. B. Wildman, the 
historian of Sherborne, gave an address. 
