Issuu

Che Ukjornian. THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL KING'S SCHOOL CHRONICLE "ret fiev oiSaKTa fjarOavw, ra 3' tiipera £»/rfc, ra ft' tvkra wapa dear ip-i/ira/ii/r

JULY,

No. 125. VOL. IX.

Contents. ... ...

Editorial ... ... School Notes School Calendar ... ... School Officers ... ... The Concert Vigornaria ... ... The School Orchestra Sports P.T. Camp 1929 ... Cows Salvete ... ... ... Valete The Field Club ' * Wisdom ' * ... ... Cricket O.T.C Shooting The Rowing Fund K.S.W.R.C Rowing Notes Prize Day, Friday, July I2th O.V. News O.V. Dinner " Bruin the Unfortunate " Imagination ... ... Contemporaries ... ... Oxford Letter Correspondence

.-.

...

... ...

...

... ...

655 656 656 656 657 658 658 658 659 659 659 660 660 660 661 667 668 669 669 669 671 674 675 675 fyjf, 676 676 677

PRICE is.

1929.

editorial. Nothing, we think, ought to have a more important place in the School Magazine than the subject of Mr. Rammell's retirement. We cannot talk patronizingly of " years of faithful service " and " a record of unswerving devotion " : let that task be to those who so admirably summed up Mr. RammeH's career on Speech Day : they said all that was proper to the occasion, and Mr. Rammell himself would be the last person to desire a repetition of that praise now. All the same we think a word should be said about Mr. RammeH's connection with the games of the School—a side of his career that was only touched upon in the speeches, and which to the boys of the School seems to need a more prominent place. Both Mr. and Miss Rammell were very energetic supporters of County Sport. Miss Rammell led the Worcestershire Ladies' Hockey Team for several years, and Mr. Rammell was one of the founders of the Worcester City Rugby Football Club. Moreover they were both very well known as Lawn Tennis players in Worcestershire before the War. They did not, however, confine their activities to the outside world. Mr. Rammell has been a keen and enthusiastic helper in all the School Games. It is entirely due to him and his continued keenness that the standard of Fives in the School is as high as it is at present. He has showed unflagging interest also in the School Cricket, right up to the present day, and may always be found on the field on every half-holiday coaching and playing in the games. It may also be of interest to know that when the

THE VIGORNIAN.

656

School played " Soccer," on different occasions Mr. Rammell played in every different position on the field, in matches. He also played Rugby for the School, and captained Trinity College, Oxford. Now that he is too old for more strenuous forms of exercise he may be found at odd times upon the Golf course, where he is often more than a match for younger players. It is difficult to imagine the King's School without Mr. Rammell. In every activity he has for years been an invigorating ally. But it is for more than this that his departure will be regretted. His cheerful personality has inspired everyone who has been in his House or Form, or to whom he has given advice. It is Mr. Rammell's personality in the School that will be missed, and it is hard to find words in which to express our regret at his departure and gratitude for all the long period of his association with the School. We do not hesitate to say that Mr. and Miss Rammell will live in the hearts of all who have known them, not only for their better known service amongst us, but, to quote the poet's words, for ... " That best portion of a good man's life : His little, nameless, unremembered acts Of kindness and of love."

School Dotes. We welcome Mr. A. W. Farrand to the Staff as Assistant Science Master this term, to take the place of Mr. J. W. Crichton, who has gone to Dulwich College. * * * It is a long time since the O.T.C. has indulged in a trip down the river. The journey by boat to Pixham Ferry was enjoyed by everybody—likewise the Field Day on the Old Hills. Rowing seems to be coming into its own now that the Club has been equipped with new boats : this season there was a marked increase in the numbers of the Rowing Club, and every afternoon people are to be seen in—and out—of whiffs. * * * We follow with interest the growth of the new Hostel and Castle House Changing Rooms. They are the first signs of a series of innovations which, it is hoped, will be completed by next term. The scheme includes a new gymnasium, the old one to be converted into a combined Carpentry Shop and Day Boys' Changing Room, since School House are going to take possession of the old one. In this connection it seems a pity that the building operations necessitate the removal of the creeper on Castle House walls. This used to be one of the most beautiful sights round the School during the Autumn. * * *

At last we have got rid of the musty and cumbersome Museum, and had the gallery in College Hall equipped with good oak shelves, a splendid long table, and an armchair for the use of Librarians—all the gift of Mr. Rammell. We are extremely grateful indeed for this parting act of generosity : it is an improvement which will be appreciated as long as College Hall remains standing.

Scfcool Calendar. Mon., Apr. 29.—Boarders Return. Tues., 30.—School Meets. 9 a.m. Sun., May 5.—School Communion. 8.45 a.m. Thurs., 9.—O.T.C. Field Day at the Old Hills. Sun., June 9.—Half Term Week-end. Fri., 22.—First Four at Marlow. Thurs., July 4.—Missionary Service in College Hall. Rev. H. A. Jones. Fri., 12.—Speech Day. Distribution of Prizes in College Hall by T. E. Rammell, Esq. Final of the House Races. Concert in the Hall at 8.0 p.m. Sat., 13.—O.V. Day. Inspection of O.T.C. by Col. Popham. Cricket Match v. O.V. O.V. Dinner in College Hall at 8.0 p.m. Mon., 15.—Certificate Examinations start. Wed., 17.—Swimming Sports. Mon., 22.—Final of the House Matches. Mon., 29.-—Exeunt Omnes. O.T.C. depart to Camp at Tidworth Pennings.

School Officers. Captain of School Captain of Cricket Secretary of Cricket Captain of Boats Secretary of Boats Captain of Shooting

D. A. B. Hopkin. M. J. Balch. C. J. R. Partridge. D. A. B. Hopkin. C. F. Ashheton. J. H. C. Phelips. School Monitors—D. A. B. Hopkin, E. W. Parsons, F. H. Yarnold, J. H. C. Phelips, P. Beaumont, M. J. Balch. Captains of Houses— School House - J. H. C. Phelips. Castle House - D. A. B. Hopkin. Day Boys F. H. Yarnold. Hostel E. W. Persons. Natland G. H. Ridley. Editors of the Vigornian—E. W. Parsons, D. A. B. Hopkin, J. H. C. Phelips. Librarians—D. A. B. Hopkin, E. W. Parsons, F. H. Yarnold, O. R. Davies, C. F. Assheton, C. H. Yeomans, K. M. Chatterley.

THE VIGORNIAN.

Che Concert* When a Choir has been practising a great work for two terms, one may expect something great at the performance. Accordingly it was a large audience that assembled in College Hall on Thursday, April 4th, to hear the School Choir's rendering of Brahm's Requiem; and they were not disappointed. The performance was in every way worthy of the School: the leads were keen and vigorous, the Choruses well sustained and with that life that is so essential to good Choral singing. Too often in the past the Choir has been " stodgy " and unresponsive, but this time, in spite of the fact that the Hall loses its ringing echoes when full of people, the whole performance seemed to live. Claude Brown, who never fails us in the hour of need, came to play the accompaniment, and the Headmaster very kindly lent us his piano. The Rev. S. J. A. Evans, whom many will remember for his rendering of " Polypheme " in " Acis and Galatea," came again to take the baritone solo. The trebles also deserve honourable mention: the Vigornian's policy in the past, of running down the trebles, has often been only too justified. At this concert, however, they not only redeemed themselves, but also set a considerably higher standard than usual, which we hope others will be not slow to follow. The broken voices are necessarily rough and untrained at their present stage, but except on a few high notes, the tone was even and mellow throughout. Mr. Nicholls again stepped into the breach and filled the alto part, a section of the Choir which has been very weak for several terms. The opening chorus, " Blessed are they that mourn," was sung with great sympathy, both in the " pianissimo " at the beginning, and in the climax " For the Spirit shall give them comfort." " All flesh doth perish as the grass " can under no circumstances fail to be impressive, as also " Lord make me to know what the measure of my days may be." These were well sung, but it was with the joyful passages that the Choir had most sympathy. The magnificent exultation in " Death, O where is thy sting? " the thunderous reiterations " Where? " leading up to that noble fugue of praise, " Lord thou art worthy," with which the performance ended; these passages were a veritable triumph of spirited and vigorous singing. The Choir deserve our heartiest congratulations, and especially Mr. Day, whose untiring zeal and unflagging energy can bring out the best in them. It seems fitting that a word should be said here about the nature of the works chosen for performance at School concerts. Objections are continually being raised, especially by those members of the School who are not in the Choir, about the unfitness of religious works like the Requiem, the Messiah or the Elijah, for a breaking-up concert. These objections were ably met by the Headmaster in his speech after the Interval. He pointed out that the purpose of the Choir was not so much to provide an entertainment as to study good music. The singing of a work like Brahm's Requiem was more than an evening's performance : the careful study of the music, the gradual insight into the meaning and inspiration of it that came

657

from long practice during the previous term, would be an education that the Choir would never forget. Those of the audience, therefore, who found the music too difficult and serious must endure in the knowledge that they were being bored in a very good cause, remembering that the Choir does occasionally descend to their own level and give them the amusement they want. The second part of the programme was intended to satisfy the desires of the audience. The Choir appeared in somewhat lighter vein to sing a Part Song, and the Rev. Evans sang a selection of songs which were much appreciated. Mr. Day's piano solo was very tuneful and deservedly encored. The Sea Shanties, on the other hand, which should have been good, somehow failed to come off : there was no life or swing about them, and the singers didn't " buck up " till the very end. A notable gap in the programme was the absence of the Masters' Humorous Quartets. Somehow no School concert seems quite complete without them : we hope they have not retired into their shells for good ! But lest we should end on a note of disappointment, and there was certainly no such feeling in the air as we sang the National Anthem, let us again express our warmest congratulations to Mr. Day, the two visiting O.V., and the Choir, on a very excellent performance. The programme was as follows :— PART I. REQUIEM

Brahms

The School Choir. Conductor—Mr. E. F. Day. Soloist—Rev. S. J. A. Evans, O.V. Accompanist—C. Brown, O.V. PART II. 1. PIANOFORTE SOLO—Polonaise in B. Flat Chopin Mr. E. F. Day. 2. SEA SHANTIES collected by R. R. Terry (a) " Billy Boy." (b) " Time for us to leave her." (c) " Blow my Bully Boys, blow." 3. SONGS, (a) " Der Musensohn " Schubert (b) " To Althea " Parry (c) " Tim, an Irish Terrier "...Charles Wood Rev. S. J. A. Evans, O.V. 4. PART SONG—" The Sheep Shearing "...Somerset Folk Song, arranged by Cecil Sharp The School Choir. 5. SEA SHANTIES collected by R. R. Terry (a) " Johnny come down to Hilo." (b) " The Shaver." (c) " Goodbye, fare ye well." THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

THE VIGORNIAN.

658

Viaornarta.' We understand that some rowers, when out in " whiffs," are not satisfied with catching crabs in the ordinary way but prefer to dive in for them. * * * Many reasons are put forward for filling the vacant recesses of the radiators in the class-rooms with waste-paper, the most plausible being that it is to keep them from freezing. We question the success of this charitable object. * * » Some enterprising people have made gallant efforts to establish a reference library on the steps in the New Buildings. The Headmaster is most unsympathetic. * * * Various opinions are expressed as to the dusty card in the roof of the College Hall; some think it is a dish-mat, which one of the monks threw when playing quoits after breakfast. While on this subject we wish to express our wonder that anyone has dared to mutilate one of the chief characteristic of the Hall by dislodging two of the darts in the roof. * * * It was rumoured after the sale of our valuable museum that the Headmaster was made an A.M.I.E. (auctioneer's degree?). We are assured that there are no grounds for such a supposition unless it be the excellent way in which he carried out that office. * * * Judging from some of the " Release Drills," the motto of the Life-Saving Class seems to be " lose life to save it." It is something at any rate to have brought in the patient's dead body. * * » Worried citizens are rumoured to be asking the Dean and Chapter to pave College Green with re-inforced concrete : there is danger, they say, lest the boys who walk round it so energetically make the footpaths into trenches. * * * A mysterious egg made an appearance in the garden of " No. 9 " the other day. The most brilliant conjecture is that it was laid by Sir Alan Cobham's aeroplane. * * * It is hoped that visitors during " O.V." week-end appreciated the attempt on the part of the " School of Modern and Industrial Art " to beautify Hostel and Castle House for their benefit. A few from our own number have essayed to assist in the societies' laudable aims, but with painful consequences : at least so we gathered from certain noises heard in the Sixth Form Room. * * * The prevalent complaint in the Modern Sixth seems to be brain-fag. However, they have plenty of " private reading " periods during which to recover from this distressing complaint.

Cbc Scbool Orchestra. Mrs. Winifred Hill has kindly offered to be director of a School Orchestra which will definitely meet next Winter Term under her direction. It will meet every Sunday at twelve noon, for about three-quarters of an hour, after the morning service in the Cathedral. The orchestra will be for Strings only, and all (including those who are not actually pupils of Mrs. Hill) who can play either the violin, viola or violoncello are cordially invited to join, whether they are beginners or advanced students. Those intending to join (except Mrs. Hill's present pupils) should give their names to A. H. S. Powell as soon as possible. It is hoped that a performance of the School Orchestra will take place in December.

Sports. This year the Sports were able to be held in the Easter Term and the track was in good condition. But performances were on the whole mediocre, with the exception of the Under 15 High Jump, won by Royle ii, at a height of 4ft. Sins. Results :— House Shield—Castle House. Senior Victor Ludorum—D. A. B. Hopkin. Junior Victor Ludorum—A. P. Shrimpton. FIRST DAY (APRIL IST). Throwing the Cricket Ball (Open).—ist Cale, and Batch. 87yds. i ft. Throwing the Cricket Ball (Under 15).—ist Dixon, 2nd Louch. 65yds. ift. J-Mile (Open).—ist Hopkin i, 2nd Davies i. sysecs. J-Mile (under 15).—ist Shrimpton, 2nd Dixon. 2mins. 33secs. High Jump (Open).—ist Molony, 2nd Hopkin i and Gawn. 4ft. gjins. High Jump (Under 15).—ist Royle ii, 2nd Thompson. 4ft. Sins. Long Jump (Open).—ist Carter, 2nd Gawn. ijh. 7ins. Long Jump (Under 15).—ist Morgan ii, 2nd Thompson. I4ft. Jin. 100 Yards (Under 13).—ist Nicholls, 2nd Bryer. i4secs. J-Mile (Open).—ist Hopkin i, 2nd Molony. amins. Ssecs. SECOND DAY (APRIL 3RD), ico Yards (Open).—ist Cale, 2nd Hopkin i. 113-58608. 100 Yard (Under 15).—ist Royle ii, 2nd Richards. 12 3-ssecs. Relay Race (Senior).—-ist Castle House, 2nd School House, 3rd Day Boys. imin. 47secs. Relay Race (Junior).—ist Castle House, 2nd School House, 3rd Day Boys. imin. 58 4-5$ecs.

THE VIGORNIAN. O.V.'s Race.—ist Palmer, 2nd Maund. |-Mile.—(Under 16).—ist Gawn, 2nd Payne. 3mms. 58 i-5secs. Pole Boat Race.—ist Castle House, 2nd School House. One Mile (Open).—ist Hopkin i, 2nd Davies i. smins. losecs. One Mile (Under 15).—ist Shrimpton, 2nd Clark, smins. 25S6CS.

Consolation Race (Open).—ist Meers. Consolation Race (Under 15).—ist Rawlings. Tugs-of-War.— 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Natland beat School House. Day Boys beat Hostel. Castle House beat Natland. Castle House beat Day Boys. O.V. beat School. D.A.B.H. D.W.A.M.

P.C. Camp, 1929. A Physical Training Camp immediately suggests to the mind endless days of monstrous P.T. done in an atmosphere of the Camps attended by the School every Summer. Such ideas are entirely erroneous. Physical Training only occupies a comparatively small period of the day's work—at the most two and a half hours. The remainder of the day is occupied in Swimming, Boxing, Athletics generally, and demonstrations. An approximate programme perhaps gives the best and simplest idea of what the course is like :— 8.0 a.m. Breakfast. (You get up when you like.) 9—10.45 a - m - Work, ii—12.45 a 'm. Work. i—2 p.m. Lunch. 2—4.30 p.m. Work. 4.30—5 p.m. Tea. 5.15—7 p.m. Voluntary work. 7 p.m. Supper. 10—ii p.m. Lights out. There is nothing of the " Camp " atmosphere about the course. One sleeps in a bed (with sheets). The food is perfect—supplied by N.A.A.F.I. Aldershot and all theatres and cinemas are in bounds. Uniform is never worn. But in no way is the Camp " slack." The first three days reduces one to a pulp : then a gradual resuscitation begins. All work is concentrated : every exercise must be done thoroughly, no matter how many blunders are made. The majority attend Voluntary P.T. every night: any sort of exercise is allowed; passball is played each evening, after which there is bathing. The Baths are very large, and heated : spring-boards, and an infinity of high dives. The object of the course is to instruct N.C.O.'s so that they may pass on what they have learnt to others. But what is taught more than anything is the extreme value of P.T., twenty minutes of which, if done thoroughly, is infinitely

659

more beneficial than a two-mile run. But—and this is perhaps the most important point—it can be absolutely useless unless every single person in the squad makes up his mind to do the exercises thoroughly. For P.T. is essentially an individual recreation : you are benefiting nobody but yourself. The instructor in charge of the squad cannot tell how much concentrated effort each person is putting into the exercises. His business is to see that the exercises are done correctly, and to keep the squad interested. An effort has been made this term to make Monday afternoon's P.T. brighter. Next year a new table will be taught at Aldershot, and those who attend the course will have an opportunity of making it even brighter still.

Cou>$. The flies were just there. They were not a particular nuisance ; but one swished one's tail because other cows did and it made humans say, " Poor beasts, how dreadfully they're worried by the flies! " If one were asked what one thought of flies, one would sit down thoughtfully and drawl, " Oh—about flies—well, I haven't really thought." That is the cow all over, and, in an atmosphere of freethought, where the donkey complains out loud when he swallowed a thistle of anything but the softest variety, cows are particularly attractive. The cat swears, if you move it out of the sun; the pigs know quite well where they do not want to go, though they have no constructive policy. But cows placidly allow themselves to be driven along dusty roads, to be hooted at by motors, and killed in the slaughter-house, with hardly a murmur. Sheep follow their leader, but cows go mildly wherever they are driven. The sun was setting and the farmer's boy arrived, whistling a tune. With meditative chewing of cuds, the herd lumbers to its feet and slowly plods towards the grey buildings of the farm. J.H.C.P.

Saloeie. Upper IV. Coombs, D. E. M. Hostel. Middle IV. Rawlings ii, T. H. Castle House. Lower IV. Darwood, I. Hostel. Fletcher, K. R. Hostel. Second Form. Parry, D. F. School House. Stretton ii, J. G. Castle House.

THE VIGORNIAN.

66o

Vakk. Modern VI. Cowles, F. B. (1926-29). Castle House. 2nd XV Football 1928. L/Cpl. O.T.C. Cert. " A " 1929. Rabjohns, P. D. (1921-29). Day Boy. Upper V. Ford, B. L. (1926-29). School House. 2nd XV Football 1927, ist XV 1928. 2nd XI Cricket 1927, ist XI 1928. ist IV Fives 1928, Captain of Fives 1929. L/Cpl. O.T.C. Cert. " A " 1929. Lower V. Bailey, F. E. G. (1924-29). Day Boy. Davis, H. E. (1924-29). Day Boy. Grist, C. H. (1923-29). School House, and XV Football 1928. 2nd IV Rowing 1928. Cdt. O.T.C. Remove. Anthony, R. C. (1928-29). Day Boy. Cdt. O.T.C. Upper IV. Mayhew, E. C. (1923-29). Castle House. 2nd XV Football 1928. Cdt. O.T.C. Mi3dle IV. Lamb, A. R. (1927-29). Day Boy. Second Form. Veel, J. K. (1928-29). Day Boy.

Cbe field Club. For the benefit of those who may not know, it will not be irrelevant to explain how the so-called " Field Club " is hardly a club and has nothing to do with fields. The anomalous name dates back to the time when there really was a Field Club, whose members used to spend a few half-holidays, in the Summer, ranging woods and commons for wild flowers and birds' eggs. Parallel to this study of wild life there grew up another section who interested themselves in Architecture under the guidance of Mr. Franklin, paying visits to neighbouring churches and studying the styles of different periods. Time passed; the "bug-hunters " gradually fell away, and the " church-goers " eventually became the only representatives of the club. As such they have carried on the name ever since. Of late there has been a drop in the numbers owing to a tendency of the expeditions to degenerate into mere bicycle rides. After the second trip it was decided to take the matter more seriously, so the last two were more or less made into lessons, the members taking their own notes. The first expedition was to Hartley, Broadwas and Cotheridge. The first of these has some good Norman work in its north and south doorways, and a fine isth Century tower of red sandstone; but undoubtedly its main interest lies in the remains of i3th and i4th Century wall-paintings. The decoration of the chancel gives a good idea of the appearance of the average mediaeval church. Broadwas has work of the i2th and I3th Centuries, but it's south chapel of the Decorated Period has more interest, and there is a fine arcade of two bays.

About a fortnight later we visited Dormston, Grafton Flyford and Upton Snodsbury. Dormston church has a half-timbered i6th Century tower, and a good wooden porch. In the chancel wall is embedded the head of an ancient churchyard cross, with an almost perfect figure of Christ. Upton Snodsbury's main interest lies in its font, with symbols of the Evangelists, and its fine 15th Century tower. On June isth we went to Holt and Shrawley. Holt has some of the finest Norman work in the county, especially in the doorways, with carvings of animals and grotesque heads, and in the chancel arch. The last expedition was to Kempsey, where the fine cruciform church has examples of 13th and i4th Century work. The chancel and south nave arcade belong to the earlier period, and there is an east window of five graded lancets. We cannot conclude without a word of thanks to Mr. Franklin, whose keenness in sacrificing his afternoons in this way has made the expeditions possible. We hope that his enthusiasm for the cause will be awarded by growing interest in the years to come.

"ttlisdom." Up the steps of the great Hall moved an enormous throng, slowly, ceaselessly towards the immense double doors, looming up ominously, to be lost in the misty gloom of night. One thought was in the minds of all: what awaited us in that awesome place? Up and up we moved, a company of boys and men and women—aye and some grey-headed too, all borne along in the tide which made irresistibly for that gloomy portal, that towered ever nearer. A strange company we were : silent, haggard, all draped in black; I think it was some sacrificial dress and we the victims. And now I had reached the door, and when my eyes had grown accustomed to the gloom I perceived that we were in a building of such gigantic proportions as passed belief. Imagine a procession of ants in a cathedral: that was how that place appeared to us. The roof was lost from view in the blackness of a vast height; the far end seemed a mere speck in the distance, lighted not from windows but with a lurid glow that seemed to fill the place, though it came from nowhere. Suddenly all the vast tumult was hushed, and on the awed silence of millions there broke a still small voice, which like the light was everywhere, yet had no source. And the voice said " What do you know? " And from above and below answered other voices, whispers borne upon the stillness, " Yea, what do we know," and again, " Where shall Wisdom be found? Where is the place of Understanding? " And the place was plunged in black darkness, and the earth rumbled beneath our feet, and the air was filled with weird, rushing Shapes. And then I knew it was a Hall of Death ; a revealer of ignorance, where Wisdom was the supreme test: and then too I became conscious how utterly ignorant I was.

THE VIGORNIAN.

Cricket^ The term started badly. The two batsmen to whom we looked for runs failed repeatedly, the bowling was erratic and without sting, the fielding, with few exceptions, poor. But after half-term there was a distinct change for the better. The Captain and Morgan began to find something like their old form, the bowling improved greatly ; and the fielding, while never good, was at least keen. At the end of the season we can say that though the record has not been a successful one, it has been much better than was threatened by the first two matches—and at least we did beat Hereford. * * * CHARACTERS OF THE XI. M. J. BALCH (Capt.) A good forcing batsman, with rather unsound defence. Fair fielder. Improved bowler. C. J. R. PARTRIDGE (Secretary). A promising left-hand slow bowler, whose performances have hitherto not come up to promise. Neat fielder ; might be really good if he were quicker in starting. Has made runs on occasion. F. CALE. Hard hitting batsman; safe field. Medium

661

left-hand bowler, who would be much better if he made use of his height. J. H. L. BEARD. Sound wicket-keeper, with a good style and plenty of pluck. Coming on as a batsman. A. C. MORGAN. Sound, but slow, as a batsman. Slow, but not very sound, in the field. L. C. DICKINS. Bowled with some success in the latter half of the season. Fair fielder. R. H. GAWN. Active in the field. Vigorous with the bat, but without much discrimination. M. H. CULLEN. Promising slow bowler. Must learn to set his field for his bowling, and also how to alter it for different batsmen. F. H. YARNOLD. Bowls keenly, but without much success. Ground-fielding uncertain. D. M. COUZENS. Has not had much success, but should come on. F. H. G. BRIDGMAN. Careful batsman, who watches the ball closely. Has not many punishing strokes. *

IST XI FIXTURES, 1929. Ground. Result. Home Lost Home Lost Won Home Home Lost Away Lost Won Home Away Lost Home Lost Home Won Away Won Home Lost

Date. Opponents. Wed., May 22.—Norton Barracks Sat., „ 25.—Worcester City C.C. Sat., June i.—Worcester Nomads Sat., ,, 8.—Dean Close School Sat., ,, 15.—Malvern Colts „ 22.—The Staff Sat., Wed., ,, 26.—Warwick School Sat., ,, 29.—Mr. Rammell's XI Wed., July 3.—Hereford C.S. Wed., 10.—Norton Barracks ... Sat., 13.—Old Vigornians

THE SCHOOL v. NORTON BARRACKS. Played at the New Road Ground on May 22nd. The School won the toss and went in first. But a lack of of experience and indifferent batting was no proof against the he good bowling of Captain Shepherd and Cooper. The School X>1 were all out for 39. Norton Barracks passed our total with nine wickets in hand, and were all out for 104. THE SCHOOL. R. H. Gawn b Cooper A. C. Morgan c and b Cooper ... ... M. J. Balch b Shepherd F. Cale b Shepherd L. C. Dickins b Shepherd J. H. L. Beard c Le Marquand b Cooper C. J. R. Partridge b Shepherd F. H. Yarnold b Shepherd M. H. Cullen b Cooper ...

...

u ii 7

* *

For.

Against.

38 3S 95 98 138

107 29S for 6 9i 224 for 6 224 for 5 87 141 146 123 56 240 for 7

193 for 4 46 142 125 153

145 for 9

K. M. Chatterley b Cooper WJ. L. Readman Extras

i 2

Total BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. Cooper ... 12 3 18 Capt. Shepherd ... 11.4 4 18 NORTON BARRACKS. C.Q.M.S. Singleton c Beard b Chatterley Mr. Rose st Beard b Partridge

Capt. Shepherd b Cale C.S.M. Cooper c Beard b Cale

Col. Carleton b Cale

•*8

Av. 3-6 3-6

w. 5 5

...

28 6 21

8 a

THE VIGORNIAN.

662

Pte. Le Marquand c Beard b Dickins

"\ 4

4 ^

Total

Partridge Yarnold Chatterley Balch Gale Dickins

) J)

Did not bat

107

BOWLING ANALYSIS, o. m. r. ... 9 2 23 ... 6 o 32 ... 4 o 17 ... 4 o 14 ... 3.2 i 12 ... 2 o 6

w. 2 o i I 4 2

Av. 11.5 — 17 14 3 3

* * *

THE SCHOOL v. WORCESTER CITY. Played on the New Road Ground on May 2$th. The School won the toss and put the visitors in. The City made 295 for 6 and declared at the tea interval. C. W. Knowles played a very good innings, his 161 included 8 6's and 20 4*5. The School's fielding and bowling was very poor. On the School going in to bat Cale was soon out and everyone followed and were all out for the small total of 35. THE SCHOOL. M J Balch b Harber . . . . F Cale b Rabjohns A C Morgan b Rabjohns... L. C. Dickins c Collier b Rabjohns R H Gawn b Harber J. H. L. Beard b Harber F H Yarnold Ibw b Rabjohns F H G Bridgman b Harber K. M. Chatterley not out C J R Partridge run out M H Cullen b Harber Extras

i 7

BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. ... 6 i 15 ... 5 i 18

Partridge Yarnold Cale Dickins Balch Gawn Cullen Chatterley

... 295

BOWLING ANALYSIS, o. m. r. ... 6 40 o ... 6 20 o ... 10 77 i ... 7 59 o ... 8 27 i ... 2 12 i ... 8 37 o ... i 13 o

Av. — 10 77 59 27 — 37 —

w. o 2 i i i o i o

* * *

THE SCHOOL v. WORCESTER NOMADS. Played at the New Road Ground on June ist. The Nomads, losing the toss, were put in first, and after some very weak fielding on the part of the School, were dismissed for 91. After starting badly, there was a stand for the third wicket, made by Dickins and Cale ; after this fall there was a. rot which was stopped by Beard. The School eventually won by one wicket. THE SCHOOL.

4 i

C. J. R. Partridge st Armstrong b Chignell ... M. J. Balch Ibw b Hughes

L. C. Dickins b Hughes ... R. H. Gawn st Armstrong b Hughes ...

... 23

F. H. G. Bridgman b Hughes M. H. Cullen not out F. H. Yarnold c and b Potter W. L. Readman b Potter Extras w. 5 4

Av. 3 4-5

8 161

... 62

Total

WORCESTER CITY. S P Collier b Yarnold C. G. D. Smith b Yarnold C. W. Knowles b Cullen P J. Cuff c Morgan b Dickins ... G. C. Cox b Balch

Total (for 6 wickets, declared)

Total

Harber Rabjohns

T. R. Jones J. Harber D. Rabjohns

Chignell Hughes Arbuckle Duckworth Potter

BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. ... 8 i 26 ... 14 4 22 ... 3 o 17 ••• 7 i 26 ... i T n

w. i 7 o o i

Av. 26 3-H

663

THE VIGORNIAN. BOWLING ANALYSIS.

WORCESTER NOMADS. W R Chignell b Partridge

S 27 10

G N Day c Beard b Dickins A D Arbuckle b Partridge M S Taylor b Dickins G. C. L. Hughes st Beard b Partridge T G J Potter Ibw b Partridge H D Littlebury b Balch

21 2 12

i 12

o o o

F B. Duckworth not out ...

Total

Partridge Balch Cale Dickins Cullen Yarnold Gawn

o. ... 8 ... 17 ... 7 ••• 5 ... ii ••- 3 ... i

m. o 4 o 2

3 ° o

r. 54 44 41 9 40 2 S 5

w. o 4 o l

i ° o

Av. ii 9 40

THE SCHOOL. A. C. Morgan c Wakeling b Sainsbury ... F. H. G. Bridgman b Sainsbury ... M J Balch Ibw b Young L. C. Dickins c and b Sainsbury

4 17 12

3 o 23 o o

BOWLING ANALYSIS, o. ... n ... 4 ... 5 • • • 7 ••• 5

Partridge Yarnold Cale Balch Dickins

m. i o o ° o

r. 36 10 12 '5 12

w. 4 o o 3 3

Av. 9 — — S 4

M H Cullen Ibw b Milton F. H. Yarnold c Wakeling b Milton K. M. Chatterley c Dyer b Annett Extras

I1*

Total

6 18

* * *

BOWLING ANALYSIS.

THE SCHOOL v. DEAN CLOSE. Played at the New Road Ground on June 8th. Dean Close went in to bat and started off well. No one could get any wickets, and S. G. Wakeling played a faultless innings for 74. The next two wickets fell rapidly but J. S. Wigley, with his 61 not out, quickly ran up the score. Dean Close declared at the tea interval, the score being 224 for 6 wickets. The School went in to bat after tea, but did not look like making runs and were all out for 98, G. O. Sainsbury taking six wickets for 16 runs.

DEAN CLOSE SCHOOL. S. G Wakeling b Balch E. G. Righton c Partridge b Dickins ... C. G. Wigley c Morgan b Cullen A. J. W. Clarke c Bridgman b Balch J. S Wigley not out R S Dyer c Beard b Balch A Milton Ibw b Balch .. E. J. Annett not out P. J. W. Tranter \ B. M. Young \ Did not bat G. O. Sainsbury J Extras

...

22 7

... ...

o. 10 3

m. 5 i

Young

...

Milton Annett

... ...

10 5

i o

r. 16 9

w. 6 o

Av. 2.67 —

31 2

2 I

15.5 2

* * *

THE SCHOOL v. MALVERN COLLEGE COLTS. Played at Malvern on June isth. The School won the toss and batted first. The first wicket quickly fell, but a stand was made for the second wicket, putting on 60 runs. The early promise was not fulfilled and the side was all out for 138. Malvern then went in to bat and made use of the bowlers' unfamiliarity with the undersized ball. Hamilton played an excellent innings, retiring at 114. Malvern, making 224 for five wickets, declared.

THE SCHOOL. II

Total (for 6 wickets, declared)

Sainsbury Righton

... 224

A. C. Morgan run out

...

•>« 2

M. J. Balch run out F. Cale c Kirk b Hamilton R. H. Gawn st Addy b Gallimore J. H. L. Beard b Hamilton L. C. Dickins b Gallimore C. J. R. Partridge st Addy b Kirk M. H. Cullen b Gallimore ...

9 9 2

THE VIGORNIAN.

664 F H Yarnold st Addy b Kirk Extras

...

•

...

.•-

-«.

•*.

•••

••• 138

Total

Cornu Byars Hamilton Gallimore Kirk Aitchison

BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. ... 8 i 36 ... 6 2 19 ••• 7 ° 34 ... 7 i 29 ... 3-1 o 13 ... 2 2 o

w. i o 2

3 2 o

Av. 36 — *7 9.6 6.5 —

THE STAFF. T. E. Rammell c Balch b Partridge G. A. Cooper c Beard b Yarnold G. K. Tattersall c Couzens b Dickins ... R J Whittaker run out F. B. Thomas c Gawn b Dickins A D. Franklin c and b Yarnold ... R. J. Castley c Morgan b Dickins A. J. Bentley not out T. H. L. Burnett c Partridge b Dickins R. W. Castley b Dickins A. W. Farrand Ibw b Dickins E. F. Day b Dickins Extras

MALVERN COLLEGE COLTS.

Moss Bragg Bent Addy Kirk

Total

Did not bat

Total (for 5 wickets, declared)

Balch Cale Dickins Yarnold Partridge

BOWLING ANALYSIS, o. m. r. ... 6 60 o ... 8 71 o ... 3.5 30 o ••• 3 33 ° ... 3 27 o

BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. E. F. Day ... 9 2 26 F. B. Thomas ... 9 3 25 R J. Whittaker ... 4 o 20 G. K. Tattersall ... 10.8 i 57 G. A. Cooper ... 3 i 15 R. J. Castley ... 5 o 14 R. W. Castley ... 2 o 21

... 224

w. Av. o — 1 7 1 2 15 o — o —

THE SCHOOL v. THE STAFF. A. C. Morgan c Cooper b Castley (R. J.) F. H G Bridgman b Tattersall ... ... ... M J Balch b Tattersall L. C. Dickins Ibw b Thomas ... ... ... F. Cale not out ... ... ... ... ... R. H. Gawn M. H. Cullen J. H. L. Beard C. J. R. Partridge Did not bat F. H. Yarnold D. W. Bain D. A. Couzens

... ... ...

46 29 82 17 4

Av.

0 2

28.5

O I

3 0

13 o 18 8 o 35 7 i 2 O I

8-7

BOWLING ANALYSIS, o. m. r. w. Av. F. H. Yarnold ... 13 4 23 2 11.5 C. J. R. Partridge ... 4 o 12 I 12 F. Cale ... 2 o 4 o — L. C. Dickins ... n-8 ° 35 7 S M. J. Balch ••• 4 i n o — * * * THE SCHOOL v. KING'S SCHOOL, WARWICK. Played at Warwick on June 26 on a hard wicket. The School won the toss and decided to bat first. The School collapsed against the bowling of Burnett and Swann, the former taking 4 for 17 and the latter 6 for 20, and were all out for 46. Warwick soon overtook our score and were all out for 141. The fielding was quite good but the bowling was rather poor. WARWICK. Barnacle c Partridge b Dickins Burnett b Dickins Dickson c Partridge b Cale Jemm c and b Partridge ... Macaskie run out ... Neale c Gawn b Cale Wade b Balch Fleet c A. Morgan b Dickins Dodd not out

Total (for 4 wickets, declared)

...

193

Swann b Cale Extras Total

141

665

THE VIGORNIAN.

Cale Dickins Yarnold Balch Partridge

BOWLING ANALYSIS, o. m. r. ... 8.5 o 24 ... 14 3 33 ... 2 o 13 ... s o 27 ... 9 o 34

w. 3 4 o i i

THE SCHOOL. A. C. Morgan Ibw b Burnett F. H. G. Bridgman c Barnacle b Swann M J Balch c Neale b Swann .. F. Cale c Macaskie b Swann L. C. Dickins c Burnett b Swann R. H. Gawn c Barnacle b Swann J. H. L. Beard c Fleet b Burnett M H Cullen c Neale b Swann C. J. R. Partridge c Dickson b Burnett F H Yarnold Ibw b Burnett

Av. g 8.25

Yarnold Dickins Balch Cale Partridge Cullen

27 34

0 7

BOWLING ANALYSIS, o. m. r. ••• S 2 20 ... n 2 40 ... 2 o 23 ... 10 i 39 " - 3 ° *7 ... 1.5 o 4

THE SCHOOL. A. C. Morgan c and b Spreckley F. H. G. Bridgman b Dr. Bunting M J Balch b Spreckley F. Cale b Spreckley

w. o 3 o 3 3 i

Av. — 13.33 — 13 5-^6 4

6 6 .

0 ...

17 O I 10

o 9

Extras

M H Cullen b Taylor C. J. R. Partridge st T. E. Rammell b Spreckley ... J H L Beard not out F. H. Yarnold c and b Spreckley D. A. Couzens c Record fa Spreckley Extras Total

Burnett Swann

BOWLING ANALYSIS, o. m. r. ... 12.1 5 17 ... 12 4 20

w. 4 6

» » *

THE SCHOOL v. T. E. RAMMELL, ESQ.'S XI. This was played on June 29. The School won the toss and batted first. The School made 142. W. F. Spreckley took 7 for 59. The tail-end made the runs. The first wicket fell at 72 but the rest came out for 74. It was a very exciting finish and ended in a win for Mr. RammeH's XI by 4 runs.

Total

2 20

w. i o 7 2 o

A V. 18 — 8•42 13 •5 —

THE SCHOOL v. HEREFORD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL. Played at the New Road Ground on July 3rd. We lost the toss and fielded first. The first wicket fell at 36 and they were all out for 123. The fielding was keen but the bowling was weak. The School's first wicket fell at 9, but Morgan and Balch carried the score to 52 before they were parted. The School just won by 2 runs after a very exciting match.

T. E. RAMMELL 'S XI. Dr. E. L. Bunting c Dickins b Partridge G. R. Taylor c Gawn b Cale ... ... R. I. Graham b Dickins V. P. Clift b Cale W. F. Spreckley c Couzens b Cale C. LI. Garnett b Dickins ... ... .. Col. F. L. Footner b Dickins M. R. Craze b Partridge C. I. Record st Beard b Partridge G. K. Tattersall not out T. E. Rammell b Cullen Extras

5 it 3« 23 i

142

BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. G. R. Taylor ... 8 o 18 V. P. Clift ••• 3 o 4 W. F. Spreckley ... 14 2 59 Dr. E. L. Bunting ... 13 3 27 M. R. Craze ... 3 o 10 * * *

Av. 4.25 3.33

2 IS 2O

HEREFORD. ..

32 40 ii 9 2

J W S Scougall r u n o u t . . . R H Jerome b Balch R B Thomas b Balch H G Vale Ibw b Cullen S. B. Harrison Ibw b Cale

... 17

24 12 O

22 O

D C Gregory b Balch E. C. N. Adams c Couzens b Cale J. A. Richards Ibw b Cullen A. H. Harrison c Dickins b Cale

146

. . .

9 25 10

o o 2

Total

123

THE VIGORNIAN.

666 BOWLING ANALYSIS Dickins Gale Balch Cullen

... ... ... ...

o. 8 13 9 7

m. 2 2 3 o

r. 17 45 28 31

w. o 3 3 3

Av. — IS 9-33 !°-33

Dickins Cale Partridge Balch

THE SCHOOL. 2 3O 2O

L. C, Dickins c Gregory b Jerome

5 30

M H Cullen c Vale b Gregory C. J. R. Partridge c Jerome b Vale

8 7 5

Total BOWLING ANALYSIS, o. m. r. A. H. Harrison ... 13 5 18 E. C. W. Adams... 4 i n H. W. Cutler ... 2 i 9 J. A. Richards ••• 3 o 12 R. H. Jerome ... 6 i 26 H. G. Vale ... 4 i 13 D. L. Gregory ... 5 o 24 * * *

Av. 6 — — — 8.66 13 12

w. 4 3 i i

THE SCHOOL. A. C. Morgan c Major Lemon b Sheppard J. H. L. Beard c Shepherd b Sheppard M. J. Balch c Lemon b Shepherd F. Cale b Shepherd L. C. Dickins b Denton ... R. H. Gawn c Freeman b Denton F G Rowe Ibw b Denton C. J. R. Partridge not out M. H. Cullen b Denton D. A. Couzens Ibw b Cooper F. H. Yarnold b Denton Extras

125

w. 3 o o o 3 i 2

BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. ... n i 25 ... 7 2 15 ... 4 o 16 ... . 1 0 0

Av. 6.25 5 16

•••

10 i 43 22 8 22 O

...

16 4 12 1 Id

Total

TC-5

BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. Capt. Sheppard ... 12 o 58 G. C. Cooper ... 9 I 35 Cpl. Shepherd ... 4 2 6 C.S.M. Denton ... 8.5 i 39 »

w. i I 2 5

Av. 58 35 3 7.8

THE SCHOOL v. NORTON BARRACKS. Played at Norton on July 10. Norton won the toss and batted first. The first wicket fell at 4. The bowling and fielding of the School was good. Norton Barracks were all out for 56. On the School going in to bat Beard was soon out with the total at 3. Then Balch and Morgan carried the score to 38 before they were parted. The innings ended at 153, the School winning quite easily.

THE SCHOOL v. THE O.V.'S The O.V. 's batted first; Sherwood's 32 included one 6, five 4's, and three 2's. Hodgson and Garnett hit merrily, the former making 98 and the latter 74. The School's fielding was not very good. The O.V. 's declared at 240 for 6. The School went in and made 145 for 9. Dickins went in third wicket and was undefeated at the end, having made 23.

NORTON BARRACKS. C.Q.M.S Singleton b Cale Mr. G. C. Cooper b Partridge Capt. Sheppard b Dickins Major Lemon run out Corpl. Collidge b Dickins .. Pte. Bradley b Cale Sergt. Freeman b Dickins Corpl. Castleton c Balch b Dickins C.S.M. Denton c Gawn b Balch Cpl Shepherd b Cale Cpl. Judge not out ... Extras

OLD VIGORNIANS. C. LI. Garnett c Morgan b Gawn ... C. J. Record c Partridge b Dickins ... L. S. K. Ford c Yarnold b Dickins

Total

... ...

74 7 13 0*

C. V. Hodgson c Dickins b Cullen G. W. Rowland b Cullen R. I. Graham b Cullen G. O. S. Boole not out

... 98

M. R. Craze M. S. Taylor

) f

Did not bat

Total (for 7 wickets, declared)

. . . 240

THE VIGORNIAN. BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. Dickins ... 10 o 70 Partridge ... 4 o 21 Cale ••• 3 i 9 Balch ... 6 i 30 Cullen ... 8 i 81 Yarnold ... 2 o 27 Gawn ... 3 o 16 THE SCHOOL. A C Morgan c and b Hodgson .. F H G Bridgman b Craze M J Balch c Rowland b Craze . .. F Cale b Graham . . . .. L C Dickins not out . R. H, Gawn b Ford .. .. C. J. R. Partridge c Taylor b Sherwood J. H. L. Beard c Sherwood b Hodgson ... D. A. Couzens c Rowland b Ford ... M. H. Cullen c Sherwood b Ford F. H Yarnold not out . .. Extras . .

w. Av. 2 35 o — ° — I 30 3 2 ? o — i 16

...

... 38 .. i ... ... 22 .. ... 12 . 23 12 i ... ... 10 ... ... o 5 ... ... o . . . . 21

Total (for 9 wickets)

Sherwood Craze Graham Hodgson Ford

BOWLING ANALYSIS. o. m. r. ... 8 2 28 ... n 4 23 ... 6 o 13 ... 7 o 35 ... 9 o 27 * » *

145 w. i 2 I 2 3

Date. Opponents. Sat., June 8. — Dean Close 2nd XI Sat., „ 15. — Malvern Colts 2nd XI Wed., „ 26.—Warwick School 2nd XI Wed., July 3.— Hereford C.S. 2nd XI Sat., ,, 13. —Old Vigornians 2nd XI

Av. 28 11.5 13 17.5 9

As is usual in the Summer Term, training is carried out with a view, first to the Annual Inspection, and secondly to Camp. The Field Day was held on Ascension Day, May gth, in the Old Hills area. *

BATTING AVERAGES. Highest Innings. Not out. Score. Runs. Balch Morgan Cale Dickins Gawn Partridge Beard Cullen Bridgman Couzens Yarnold

...

... ii ... ii 10 10 ... 10 ... 10 ... 9 ... 5 ... 10

i 39 i 23* i 23* i 31 i 23* i 18* o 29 i 12 2 7 * Not out.

ATI.

231 170 116 "3 93 86

15-45

1 1.6 "•3 10.3 9.67 8.ii 7.22 6.77 3-66

73 6S 61 '4 26

3-2S

BOWLING AVERAGES Dickins Cale Balch Cullen Partridge Gawn Yarnold

... ... ... ••• ... ••• ...

o. 87.5 77.1 67 35 61 S 44

m. 12 8 10 4 3 i 6

r. 336 349 299 193 280 33 203

w. 29 18 IS

9 12

Av.

"•37 19-39 J9-93 22.44 23-33

50.6

* * *

2ND XI FIXTURES, 1929 Ground. Result. Lost Away Home Lost Won Home Lost Away Home Won

o.c.c.

667

For. 37 64 for 9 81 for 8 89 153

Against. 171 for 9 164 for 9 72 129 47

The VIII were third this year in the Chichester Cup Competition and also in the match with the same schools in the open ranges at Kidderminster at the meeting of the County Rifle Association. A very large percentage, also, of the corps, have been put through the Empire Test in the Miniature Range. A more detailed account of Shooting appears elsewhere.

In the early part of the term shooting in the 30 yards full range was carried on assiduously, with occasional visits to Tyddesley Wood to the open range.

The Band have been working hard again this term and are becoming more and more proficient. They are not yet quite up to the standard set last year, but have still time to improve before Camp, where we anticipate they will do well in the Band Competition.

THE VIGORNIAN.

668

Great credit is due to Under Officer Hopkin and Sergt. Molony and to every member of the Band for the work they have done and the progress they have made. «

The results of the Examination for Cert. " A " held last term were received early this term. Nine candidates were successful, making the number for the year 17. The standard of the examination has been raised: not only are the questions more difficult, but a higher percentage of marks is required. It is some consolation to unsuccessful candidates to know that they received sufficient marks to have passed before this change. The contingent go to Camp at Tidworth Pennings on July 2gth. We are again allowed to take only 60. An application to be allowed to take more was refused owing to the limited accommodation in O.T.C. Camps. The Annual Inspection was carried out on July I3th by Col. R. S. Popham, C.M.G., D.S.O. (Commanding i43rd Infantry Brigade), in place of Col. Buchanan-Dunlop, who was originally to do so. He expressed himself as being very pleased with the " turn out," marching and steadiness on parade, and satisfied himself that N.C.O.'s had a good knowledge of tactics and were able to handle their platoons or sections in open formations. His official report will not be received until next term. The following were awarded Cert. " A ": Blandford, H. F. Grist, C. H. Bowles, P. Meers, R. G. Carter, R. S. Thorne, P. A. Cowles, F. B. Yarnold, F. H. Flay, A. L. The following promotions and appointments have been made: Sergt. Molony to command No. 2 Platoon. Sergt. Beaumont i to command No. 3 Platoon. Cpl. Phelips to be Sergt. and to be Platoon-Sergt. of No. i Platoon. Cpl. Ridley to be Sergt. and to be Platoon-Sergt. of No. 2 Platoon. Sergt. Davies to be Platoon-Sergt. of No. 3 Platoon. L/Cpl. Flay to be Cpl. and to command No. 3 Section. L/Cpl. Carter to be Cpl. and to command No. 4 Section. Cadet Meers to be L/Cpl. and to command No. 5 Section. Cadet Thorne to be L/Cpl. and command No. 9 Section. Cadet Blandford to be L/Cpl. and to command No. 10 Section.

Cadet Bowles to be L/Cpl. and to command No. n Section. Cadet Yarnold to be L/Cpl. and to command No. 12 Section. » * » FIELD DAY. This term, on Ascension Day, May gth, we took a steamer as far as Pixham Ferry, near the Old Hills. Here we disembarked and divided into two parties, one commanded by Under-Officer Hopkin marching to Debbenham's Green, the other commanded by Sergt. Molony going along the Upton Road. The main tactical scheme was that Sergt. Molony's party was an advance guard protecting an Eastland Force crossing the river at Pixham Ferry. Under-Officer Hopkin's party was to dislodge this advance guard in order that the Westland Force might prevent the crossing of the river by the Eastland. But, owing to a mistake about zero hour, the Westland Force arrived upon the ridge before the Eastland had taken up their position. In consequence of this, the Westland Force fought a rearguard action and were forced back upon their base, losing two sections. They, then, began to advance again and finally, making good use of the cover, dislodged the Eastland advance guard from the position which they had gained. It was noticed that the junior commanders made ample use of the cover at their disposal, but on both sides there was too much shouting. After tea, we embarked on the steamer at 5.30, reaching Worcester at about 6. We were favoured by a fine day and everyone appeared to enjoy the operations.

SbooNng. In the " Country Life " Competition, the result of which was published at the beginning of this term, we were 32nd out of 41 entries. This was a poor result; however, this term the VIII have again shown that form on the Miniature Range is not an indication of form on the 30 yards or Open Range. After rapid-loading drill with dummy cartridges and plenty of practice on the 30 yards' Range, a high standard of rapid-shooting was obtained, although the grouping never seemed to show much improvement. In the competition for the Chichester Cup at Norton Barracks we were third, the scores being : Bromsgrove School ... ... ... 543 Malvern College ... ... ... 528 King's School, Worcester 507 Royal Grammar School, Worcester ... 502 In this competition Beard distinguished himself by gaining the highest individual score of the four teams, 79 out of a possible 85 points. We were only able to have one practice on the Open Range at Tyddesley Wood, but in spite of this we were

669

THE VIGORNIAN. again, third in the W.R.A. Public Schools' Competition at Kidderminster. The scores were : Bromsgrove School ... ... ... Malvern College King's School, Worcester Royal Grammar School, Worcester ...

Cbe Routing fund. The following subscriptions, received since the publication of the Vigornian in April, are gratefully acknowledged :—

423 407 365 348

£ s. d.

It was arranged that we should count our score at Kidderminster in a match against Bloxham School, which we lost by 52 points. School shooting badges were awarded to Phelips, Beard, Flay, Meers, Rowe, Waylen, Chatterley, and Bridgman. Meanwhile on the Miniature Range many cadets were practising and being classified under " Empire Test " regulations. There are now 19 first-class and 12 second-class shots in the O.T.C. The Individual Shooting Cup was won by Meers, with a score of in out of 120 points. In conclusion we wish to thank Mr. Whitaker and C.S.M. Cooper for their help both to the VIII and to other members of the O.T.C. on the Range. J.H.C.P.

Anonymous ... ... ... ... ... 10 o Mr. J. Bankes ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 0 Mr. A. P. Bolland, O.V 1 i Mr. J. H. L. Burnett 2 2 Mr. R. E. Coomber, O.V Mr. A. F. Drake, O.V I I Mr. A. L. Garratt, O.V I I Mr. F. M. Goddard, O.V 10 6 Mr. W. G. Harrison ... ... ... ... i i o In addition to these, we are also very grateful indeed to Col. Albert Webb, O.V., and Mr. G. K. Tattersall, for very kindly adding a second donation of £10 each, which brings the sum of money up to what was required for all that has been carried out in connection with this Fund. Mr. H. Edwards, of Kinver, Staffordshire, has presented the Rowing Club with a Flagstaff and Flag, a gift which we were in need of, and one which is very much appreciated. The Flag was flown for the first time on Wednesday, June 26th, on the occasion of our races with St. Edward's School, Oxford, and evidently brought us good luck.

K.S.UI.R.C. FIXTURES 1929. Opponents.

Date.

Where Rowed.

Result.

1ST IV.

June 5.—Monmouth School ,, 15.—Hereford Cathedral School ,, 22.—St. Edward's School, Oxford „ 22.—Winchester College

Worcester Hereford Marlow

Won by 2j lengths. Lost by i length. Won easily. Lost by about 3 lengths.

Tewkesbury »» Worcester Monmouth

Won easily. Lost by $ a length. Won by 3^ lengths. Won by 3 lengths.

Worcester

Won by | length.

2ND IV.

June 18.—Clifton College 2nd IV ,, 18.—Cheltenham College 2nd IV „ 26.—St. Edward's School, Oxford, 2nd IV „ 29.—Monmouth School 2nd IV 3 RD

IV.

June 26.—St. Edward's School, Oxford, 3rd IV

Routing Rotes. Despite the fact that in some cases our hopes were not fulfilled to the extent we expected, the past Rowing Season can undoubtedly be called a successful season. When we say a successful season we mean not so much successful in our races against other Schools, but successful, with a regard to both Junior and Senior Rowing in itself. Thanks to the generosity of those who have made the Rowing Fund such a success, junior rowers this term have had hitherto unparalleled facilities for Rowing and Sculling.

They have shewn their appreciation of this fact by their continued keenness and enthusiasm throughout the season, and by the exemplary care with which they treated the boats; and it is hoped that this last will become traditional. The standard among the junior rowers has been very high this season, both in fours and in sculling, and some very keen races were seen at the end of this term, both in the junior House fours and in the sculling races. Hostel won the junior House fours, beating Day Boys in the final by a quarter of a length, after a very excellent

THE VIGORNIAN.

670

race, in which Day Boys led for the greater part; Hostel being a heavier crew managed however to get ahead by the finish. A notable improvement in the junior rowing this season is the development of the high finish on to the chest, which in past seasons has been a difficulty. The chief fault among the juniors, and also among seniors, is the body swing ; which is correct in only a few cases, the majority swinging far too much out of the boat. Though caused by more complicated reasons among seniors, amongst juniors it is almost entirely due to pulling with the arms, in an over-keen desire to do work, and the application of this work in the wrong place. The first four, though it did not come up to expectation, managed to score a good win over Monmouth by 2j lengths, but lost to Hereford by one length. The second four are to be congratulated on a very successful season indeed, and the third four also won their race this year against a much heavier St. Edward's Oxford crew. We would like to thank Mr. Strong, Mr. Bentley, and Mr. Burnett, for coaching to ist, and and 3rd IV's respectively this season, and for the time they have given up and the trouble they have taken; also Mr. Farrand, who has given valuable assistance in coaching senior boats. IST IV CHARACTERS. (Bow) D. W. A. MOLONY (list. olbs.). Has improved in style very considerably during the season, and has rowed well in all races. (2) A. H. S. POWELL (list 61bs.). Has still a good deal to learn with regard to swing and finish, but has every chance of becoming a good oar. (3) D. A. B. HOPKIN (i2st. 61bs.). His racing experience has been of much value in the boat. He has captained the rowing for three years, which is an exceptional record, and the keenness and enthusiasm shown has set a high standard for his successor to maintain. (STROKE). J. G. GEORGE (tost. i2lbs.). Shows promise of becoming a reliable stroke, and has gained useful experience in having stroked both winning and losing races this season. (Cox). R. P. ROYLE (751. 61bs.). Has done creditably again this season both during practice and racing. The crew as a whole was one beyond doubt possessing great power but the pace of the boat was at times rather disappointing, especially when racing. This was due to a lack of steadiness forward, especially when rowing with a following wind, which resulted in the crew getting out of time. A powerful crew, therefore, were handicapped in speed by the power not being applied in the correct way and at the right time. It is hoped that junior rowers will take the trouble to understand this criticism, and realize that power alone is not enough to make a fast crew. *

* #

SCHOOL v. MONMOUTH. Rowed at Worcester on Wednesday, June 5th. The School won the toss and chose the Pitchcroft side. Neither boat had advantage at the start, but at the end of a minute the School led by half a length. They kept this lead round the Dog and Duck bend. Coming down Pitchcroft, however, Monmouth, rowing at a slightly faster rate, but beautifully together, drew up, and began to go ahead, leading by nearly a length at the Rowing Club. Here George put in a good spurt, to which Monmouth was unable to respond, and the School went right away, and spurting well at the end won by 25 lengths. A feature of this race was the excellent stroking of George in his first School race.

SCHOOL v. HEREFORD. Rowed at Hereford on Saturday, June 15th. Conditions were very fast, a strong stream running aided by a stiff downstream breeze. The School had the town side. Hereford were very quick off the mark and led by nearly a length at the end of a minute. The crews drew level down the course, Hereford gaining slightly. George spurted just before the bridge and the School went up well. They were unable to keep this steadiness however, and could not get within more than a quarter of a length. A few yards before the finish, " 3 " in the School boat caught an untimely crab, and Hereford went past the finish a length ahead. Hereford fully deserved their victory, for they preserved their steadiness despite the very strong wind, and made their boat run. The School, however, became very unsteady and ragged, and developed a bucket, due to the wind, and then, though possibly exerting themselves to a greater degree than their opponents, stopped their boat so badly that they got less pace.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS CUP AT MARLOW. The School was drawn in the first heat of the Public Schools Cup this year with Winchester and St. Edward's School, Oxford, and owing to a large entry of schools this year, our heat, together with five other heats, was rowed off on the Friday evening. Winchester took the lead fairly early, and were just clear of us after two minutes. This they increased steadily and won easily by about three lengths. We led St. Edward's from the start and beat them quite comfortably by some lengths. We would like to offer our heartiest congratulations to Hereford, our old rivals, who won both their preliminary heats, beating Tonbridge, Bedford and Winchester, and eventually winning the final, in which they beat Cheltenham by two lengths.

THE VIGORNIAN. 2ND IV.

Bow. MEERS R. G. A good steady oar. Has rather a short reach but plenty of power and can always be relied on in a race. 2. RIDLEY G. H. A fairly good oar. Was inclined to get short in a race, but when he gets over this, will be really good. 3. JACKSON H G. N. Has worked hard and is developing on right lines. He has had great difficulty in a tendency to swing out of the boat, but he has overcome it and has been very useful. 4. ASSHETON C. F. A very useful and experienced stroke. Cox. HARRIS D. P. C. A very good cox, whose skill and experience have been, to a large extent, instrumental in the success of the crew. The second IV have had a very successful season. Their first race was against Cheltenham 2nd IV and Clifton 2nd IV, at Tewkesbury. Clifton were in difficulties early in the race, but a good race was rowed with Cheltenham. We led for the first half of the course and were a length ahead at half-way. From that point Cheltenham gradually drew ahead, and in spite of a good spurt on> our part near the end, won by half a length. The next race was against St. Edward's, Oxford, and was without incident. We won by 3J lengths. At Monmouth we lost the choice of sides, but had the lighter boat. The race was even over half the course. We were then slightly ahead, but from that point drew away and won by three lengths. A notable feature of this race was the excellent coxing of Harris in a course which was new to him. * » » 3RD IV. v. ST. EDWARD'S, OXFORD. This race, which was rowed at Worcester, resulted in a creditable win for the School, who were rowing against a considerably heavier crew. We had much the better of the start and a good first minute saw us nearly a length ahead. At the City Rowing Club St. Edward's spurted and gained a little but after that we kept our lead to win a well-judged race by threequarters of a length. The crew has shown great promise throughout the term and should provide good material for next year. They have been very well together as a crew and have come on well individually.

Prize Dap, fridap, 3ulp 12th. (Adapted from the account in the " Echo.") The annual prize-giving was held at the College Hall. The Dean of Worcester (Dr. W. Moore Ede) presided, supported by the Headmaster (Rev. C. Creighton), the Mayor

671

(Col. A. Webb), the Archdeacon of Dudley (Canon S. R. James), the Archdeacon of Worcester (Ven. J. H. F. Peile), the Town Clerk (Mr. S. Southall), and Mr. T. E. Rammell, who distributed the prizes. The Dean remarked that he had been present at the speech day for many years. They had had many persons of different kinds coming to distribute the prizes, but this year it was much more than prize day, it was Mr. RammeH's day. There was a well-known song about " Forty Years Onward," sung in one of the great public schools, but he wanted them to look not 40 years onward, but 40 years back, to the day on which a quiet, unassuming young man came to Mr. Bolland, and was appointed his Housemaster. His name was Rammell. He soon showed he had a marked capacity for teaching, and he was put in charge of the Lower Fifth Form. He had not only made himself useful in School, but out of School as well. He was excellent at cricket, a formidable opponent at fives, good at football, excellent at golf, and at skating would beat anyone in Worcester. It was therefore quite natural that he should be asked to take charge of the games, and those adults present who were also Old Boys would know how much he did for the games. He gave a practical illustration of his interest in the games by erecting and giving to the School a magnificent cricket pavilion. (Applause.) Mr. Bolland left, and Mr. Chappel came, but Mr. Rammell remained. Then Mr. Chappel left and Mr. Creighton came. Mr. Rammell still remained. For all those years he had shown a great interest in everything that was for the welfare of the School. Twenty-seven years ago he opened Castle House, and generations of boys remembered with gratitude his influence when he was master of the House and they were pupils residing in it. Many of them would remember for years to come the Sunday evening readings he used to conduct. It was not a matter of common knowledge that he took members of the House for holidays at the seaside, and that some of the boys owed the possibility of continuing at the School or going on to the Universities to the quiet generosity of the Head of Castle House. But the good work that had been done was as much Miss Rammell's, and it was a matter of satisfaction to them to know that Mr. Rammell was going to leave behind him that very valuable half of him called Miss Rammell. (Laughter and applause.) The King's School and its welfare had been the great interest in Mr. Rammell's life. He might have moved on, but his heart was in> the School, and he remained on taking an interest in it and the scholars, and helping the successive headmasters a very great deal with his knowledge and assistance. Two years ago Mr. Rammell qualified to receive a pension under the regulations of the Education Department. Most persons would have taken that pension and gone, but not so with Mr. Rammell. He remained on at the Castle House, and continued to help in the School as unpaid assistant. He also used that independent position to give a great deal of help and assistance in teaching the boys Latin. They had had nearly 40 years of honourable and faithful service rendered by Mr. Rammell, and on behalf of the Governors he (the Dean) desired to offer him sincere thanks. He had been

THE VIGORN1AN. in the best sense of the word, " a jolly good fellow " for 38$ years, and they hoped he would have health and strength to enjoy his retirement and to play many more games of golf. (Applause.) The Headmaster said that as he had often pointed out one of the disadvantages of holding the Speech Day in July was that announcements relating to the results of the certificate examinations of 1928 came rather late. Last year the School secured nine higher certificates which was a larger number than that School had ever won in one year. He had often said that the results at the School would compare favourably with any school of the same size, and he had discovered that there was not a single school in England of their size which had secured as many as nine certificates. It was also satisfactory that the higher certificates were distributed over three branches of study. He only hoped that they were going to do as well this week. He was afraid that they were not. The School Certificates were up to the usual standard. The Lower Certificates were inferior, and as the Board of Education advised them, they were not taking the examination this year. The Honours List was a very notable one. They were honoured by the presence of the Mayor of Worcester, an Old Boy, who was earning golden opinions for the way he was carrying out his duties as Mayor. Apart from one epidemic the general health of the School had been exceedingly good. There were one or two developments in connection with the School which he would like to mention. He thought it must have been the object of his predecessors to aim at the highest ideals and let other things come afterwards. There was a proverb that cleanliness came next to godliness. He rather suspected that their first aim was godliness, and that it had been left to him to increase the cleanliness. The first thing he had had to do was to provide adequate changing accommodation for the day boys. They were now building adequate changing rooms for two houses. They hoped shortly to have well appointed changing rooms in all the houses. Another development was that the School had been able to acquire the land that lay in front of the School House down to the tow path, and in course of time he hoped that it would be possible to make there a garden partly for himself and partly for them. He hoped that some progress would be made by next year, and that, he was sure, would be a great acquisition to the amenities of the School. Another notable development had been the increase in the equipment of the School rowing club to which many of them had generously contributed. Thanks were due to Mr. Strong for the interest he had taken in the matter, and to Mr. Southall for the generous help he had given. (Applause.) There was yet another new development. He referred to the changing of the gallery at the back of the College Hall from a dusty dilapidated pretence of a museum into a thoroughly well-equipped school library. That was a very great advantage to the boys, and it was once more due to the munificence and liberality of Mr. Rammell. He was very glad indeed that it had not fallen to his lot that afternoon to attempt in any way to sum up all that the School owed to Mr. Rammell. He would be totally unable to

fulfill that task. He was a firm believer in the value of tradition in a school—a living tradition and not a dead and lifeless thing that stifled new growth and new development. They had traditions that went back to St. Wulstan and of which they were proud. If he had been in any way successful ire carrying on the traditions of the King's School in a living way it was due to Mr. Rammell's coaching more than to anything else. He was proud to number himself among Mr. Rammell's pupils. Before he took up the headmastership he had a good many conversations with Canon Chappel and he learnt from him the support and help he could expect to get from Mr. Rammell. Mr. Rammell helped him over a great many difficulties, and he had been able to rely on his loyalty both to the School and to himself personally. Mr. Rammell had given great help in establishing the boarding side of the School. There was practically no boarding side when he came. With the aid of Miss Rammell, he had built up, first of all in. School House, and secondly in Castle House, the tradition of the boarding side in the School. The Castle House tradition was a very valuable element in the School. When the speaker first came to the School he was fortunate in having as Captain of the School a Castle House boy, in Martin Webb, and now he had another in Denis Hopkin. There had been no better Captains of the School. The Castle House tradition was to be handed on next term to an Old Boy, of Castle House, Mr. Strong, and the boys and their parents could be sure that the Castle House traditions would be well maintained. The Dean said that it was due to the generosity of the Headmaster that the land in front of the School House had been acquired, and while the Governors were doing some of the improvements, they would not have been able to carry them all out had it not been for the Headmaster undertaking at his own expense the erection of the new gymnasium. THE GRIM EARLY STRUGGLE.

Mr. Rammell, after distributing the prizes, replied. He confessed he was overwhelmed with kindness. He was touched by the kindly thought which had resulted in his standing there. Referring to the history of the School, he said there were very few present who realised through what dark days it passed during the last ten years of the last century; and he considered himself as well qualified as anyone to speak of them, not merely because he was the sole relic of those times remaining to the School, but because he had the great pleasure of knowing very well Mr. and Mrs. Bolland and Mr. and Mrs. Chappel. Mr. Bolland did a great deal of good for the School, but they could not realise how severely handicapped he was with regard to accommodation. Constantly they had to have three classes at a time in the College Hall, and for half of his time he did not have a House nearer to the School than St. John's. The whole of Worcester owed his memory a debt of gratitude for the foresight he showed in opposing the suggestion that was made by leading citizens to amalgamate the King's School with the Royal Grammar School. He fought that battle single-handed and won it, and each school had been able to maintain its own individualism and tradition and

THE VIGORNIAN. develop along its own lines. In 1896 came Mr. Chappel, and found n boarders. When he (the speaker) looked back on those days, he felt that a less resolute man would have given up in that grim struggle, but by strenuous work, splendidly supported by the Dean and Chapter, he introduced one improvement after another and finally, after five years, School House began to show dangerous symptoms of overflowing, and he (the speaker) was the first to benefit by this success. In 1902 he opened Castle House with seven boys and and the next term there were 25. Soon after two other boarding houses were opened. As regards his own House, all those who had passed through it would agree that any success it had achieved had been due almost entirely to the untiring devotion of his sister. It was a great pleasure to both of them to be able to hand on the House in an efficient and satisfactory condition. So long as the School had the good fortune to retain the services of its present Headmaster its success would be assured. The Mayor proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Rammell for distributing the prizes. Archdeacon James seconded, saying that he had noticed particularly the good relations which existed between Mr. Rammell, Miss Rammell, and the boys, the School generally, and the old boys. When old boys came down the first person they asked for was Mr. Rammell. The boys gave cheers for the Dean and Mrs. Moore Ede, the Headmaster, and Mr. and Miss Rammell, and sang " For he's a jolly good fellow." PRIZE LIST. Bishop of Worcester's Divinity Prize.—VI, Parsons.

Rev. N. F. McNeile's Divinity Prize.—Upper V, O. W. J. Farmer. George Nash Divinity Prize.—Lower V, A. P. Shrimpton. Maurice Day Classical Prize.—Senior, VI, E. W. Parsons; Junior, Upper V, W. R. Graves Morris. James Nash Classical Prize.—Lower V, G. P. L. Taylor. School Latin Prose Prize (Canon Lacey).—E. W. Parsons. School Mathematical Prize (Archdeacon Peile).—O. R. Davies. School French Prize (Mrs. Ernest Day).—T. O'D. Lumley; School Certificate (S. W. Whitehouse, Esq.), J. E. A. King. School German Prize.—R. A. W. Langfield; Lower Certificate, A. L. Flay. School Science Prize (S. Southall, Esq.).—D. A. B. Hopkin. Archdeacon James Accidence Prizes.—VI, Latin and Greek, F. H. Yarnold ; Upper V, Latin, H. Baylis ; Greek, P. Headeach ; Lower V, Latin, D. W. G. Steele ; Remove, Latin, L. V. Podesta; Upper IV, J. F. E. Rawlings; Middle IV, N. M. Dickins.

673

General Knowledge (The Dean of Worcester).—Upper VI, P. Bowles; Modern VI, J. F. R. Jones-Williams; Upper V, A. D. Baly; Remove, R. S. Carter; Upper IV, R. L. Thomas; Middle IV, E. A. Lamb; Lower IV, J. N. W. Chambers; Lower School, J. L. Warren, Archdeacon Spooner's Recitation Prizes.—Senior ist, C. V. Hodgson; Senior 2nd, H. G. A. Maund; Junior, P. D. Wilkes. Music Prize (Sir Ivor Atkins).—D. A. B. Hopkin. Mrs. Henry Wood Essay Prizes.—Senior, first prize, S. M. Bate; second prize, O. R. Davies; highly commended, O. W. J. Farmer, H. G. A. Maund, J. R. R. Jones-Williams. Extra prizes for good essays: T. S. Broadhurst, G. D. I. Rushton, G. S. Clinch, W. F. Cox, J. H. Waylen. Junior first prize: K. M. Chatterley. Extra prizes for good essays : E. P. R. Rushton, I. C. M. Conner, K. F. Bartrip. Holiday Reading Prizes (Canon Cronshaw).—Upper V, O. W. J. Farmer; Lower V, J. H. Waylen; Remove, K. M. Chatterley; Upper IV, G. H. Nicholls; Middle IV, A. R. E. Thomas; Lower IV, B. H. B. Hopkin; Lower School, L. M. Bailey. Drawing Prize.—M. J. Haywood. Special Prize for the Best School Certificate.—J. E. A. King and A. V. Parsons. Mayor of Worcester's Prize (Proxime Accessit in K.S. Examination).—G. B. Torrens. Honours won by members of the School since last prize day.—E. W. Parsons, Classical Scholarship, Brasenose College, Oxford; F. H. Yarnold, Classical Schblarship, University College, Oxford; H. E. Wood, Passed into Woolwich ; C. V. Hodgson, Passed into Woolwich; D. M. Birkmyre, Passed into Sandhurst; C. P. Longland, 2nd Class History Tripos Part I, Cambridge ; C. J. O. Blackall, 2nd Class Mathematical Moderations, Oxford. Winners of Certificates of the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board, 1928.—Higher Certificates in Classics: E. W. Parsons (Distinction in Ancient History and Literature), J. H. C. Phelips, F. H. Yarnold. Higher Certificates in Modern Studies : J. F. R. Jones-Williams, T. O'D. Lumley, H. P. D. Raban, D. M. Birkmyre, W. J. L. Severn. In Natural Science: J. C. Palmer. School Certificates : E. C. A. Bang, H. F. Blandford, S. G. Bond, F. H. G. Bridgman, F. B. Cowles, W. F. Cox, O. R. Craze, L. S. Daniels, R. H. Egar, O. W. J. Farmer, M. J. Haywood, P. Headeach, J. E. A. King, W. R. Graves-Morris, A. V. Parsons, A. H. S. Powell, G. D. I. Rushton, K. C. Stocker, G. P. L. Taylor, G. E. Walker. Lower Certificates: A. D. Baly, P. Beaumont, F. W. R. Claxton, A. L. Flay, D. P. C. Harris, R. G. Meers, W. L. Readman, A. P. Shrimpton, G. P. L. Taylor, F. T. C. Williams. London Matriculation.—W. E. A. Brown, D. A. B. Hopkin. Certificate A won by members of the O.T.C. during the past year.—P. Beaumont, H. F. Blandford, P. Bowles,

THE VIGORNIAN.

674

W. E. A. Brown, R. S. Carter, F. B. Cowles, A. L. Flay, B. L. Ford, C. A. Grist, R. G. Meers, D. W. A. Molony, E. W. Parsons, J. H. C. Phelips, A. H. S. Powell, G. P. L. Taylor, P. A. Thome, F. H. Yarnold. Besides those who gave special prizes which stand to their names, the following gave contributions to the Prize Fund : Aid. C. Edwards, Mr. C. J. Houghton, the O.V. Club, the Precentor, and the Headmaster. THE CONCERT. The School Choir appeared in the evening in somewhat lighter vein than usual, as befitting the Summer Term. Edward German's comic opera " Tom Jones " abounds in sprightly airs and rollicking choruses and tender love ditties—in the same style as his " Merry England," which the Choir sang a few years back, though with less of the heroic about it. Unfortunately there have been very few opportunities of practice this term, so that they were unable to attempt more than to the end of Act I. What there was, however, proved quite successful. The Chorus sang with great heartiness ; C. I. Record's baritone was fine in the name part, and rang splendidly through the Hall; R. Chignell was convincing as Squire Western, and Sophia were excellent in their r61e of maidenly modesty (the heroine being sufficiently important to be taken by ten trebles). The Second Part of the entertainment consisted of Songs —all by O.V.—the famous Masters' Quartet, and a pianoforte solo by D. A. B. Hopkin—deservedly encored. The whole concert was an all-school performance, all the soloists being O.V., and incidentally every item in the second part was encored with great enthusiasm, especially G. Shaw's songs. Here is the full programme :— PART I. " TOM JONES " (Selection) Edward German THE SCHOOL CHOIR. CHARACTERS :— Sophia (Squire Western's daughter), taken in Chorus by C. A. Hartill, G. D. Holder, T. F. Higginson, A. W. Smith, R. E. Summers, G. E. Rackstraw, J. H. Reynolds, E. C. Luscombe, R. F. Handy, A. M. Penny. Tom Jones C. I. Record, O.V. Squire Western R. Chignell, O.V. Accompanist C. Brown, O.V. Conductor E. F. Day PART II. i. SONGS—" The Sorcerer's Song " " The Pale Young Curate " S. D. STRONG, O.V. 2.

PIANOFORTE SOLOS—" Arabesque " " Waltz in A Flat " D. A. B. HOPKIN.

Sullivan Debussy Brahms

. SONGS—" The Wheeltapper's Song "... Wolsey Charles " The Fishermen of England " " The Sergeant-Major " G. SHAW, O.V. . QUARTETS—"Turtle Soup" Byng Johnson —" The Flirt " /. Frederick Bridge Messrs. H. E. NICHOLLS, E. F. DAY, A. D. FRANKLIN, G. K. TATTERSALL. (In this programme the encores have been inserted)

O.V. Hews. G. H. Wilford was the officer commanding the Honourable Artillery Company's Team which lost the " Daily Telegraph " Cup by two points only at the London District Rifle Meeting at Pirbright in April. The H.A.C. Team beat the teams of nine battalions of the Brigade of Guards, and six Territorial Teams. The cup was won by the 28th Batt. London Regiment (Artists' Rifles). * * * Basil Adlington obtained his F.R.C.S. Edinburgh in September, 1928, and not his M.R.C.S., as erroneously stated in the last issue of the Vigornian. He obtained his M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.England, when at King's College Hospital, London, in 1924. * * * H. C. F. M. Fillmore has been appointed Deputy Town Clerk of the County Borough of Bury (Lanes.). * * * Owen Smith, who passed his final Law Examination a few months ago, has obtained a position as managing clerk to a firm of solicitors at Blackburn. * * * J. A. Partridge is at Kelham Theological College. * * * J. E. R. Wilford is second officer of the Union Castle Line's s.s. " Sandgate Castle," at present working between the Cape and New York. * * * H. M. Wilding has recently joined the firm of Joseph Stephenson and Co., of Queen Victoria Street London, E.C. * * * C. V. Hodgson was selected to play for Woolwich against Sandhurst this year. » * » BIRTHS. WILFORD.—At Mazoe, Southern Rhodesia, to Mary, wife of T. J. Wilford, M.C., British South African Police—a daughter. CAVENAGH.—To the wife of Bernard Cavenagh—a son. » * * DEATHS. It is with great regret that we announce the death, on May gth, of the Rev. N. F. McNeile, Vicar of Brafferton, Helperby (Yorks). He had been a good friend of the School for very many years, and was the annual donor of one of the Divinity Prizes.

THE VIGORNIAN.

O.V. Dinner. The Old Vigornians' Dinner, which was held in the College Hall on Saturday, 13 July, was proably one of the most enjoyable held since the Association began. The occasion was marked by the presence of Mr. and Miss Rammell as guests of the Club. During the evening a presentation was made to them by the Chairman, Col. Albert Webb, in which a great number of Old Vigornians and friends connected with the School had joined to show some definite mark of gratitude and affection on the occasion of their retirement. It had been gathered from Mr. Rammell that any testimonial that might be made to him should mainly take the form of a gift to Miss Rammell, to whom, as he emphasized in his speech at the dinner, he owed so much during the long time he had been at the School. The presentation therefore consisted of an Austin " 7 " motor-car to Miss Rammell and a personal gift of a pair of Zeiss binoculars to Mr. Rammell. The signatures of the contributors to this presentation were bound in a volume and presented to them at the dinner. The dinner was marked by happy recollections of School life with Mr. Rammell and many tributes were paid both to him and to Miss Rammell. The occasion was marked also by a record number of Old Vigornians being present. A complete list of these, numbering eighty-three, is as follows :— Abell, C. E. Gettings, F. W. C. Graham, R. I. Arthure, B. A. J. Bain, A. G. Graves-Morris, C. Bates, T. Graves-Morris, H. W. Bates, M. Hallett, M. M. Beach-Hicks, R. M. M. Harrison, F. L. Beavan, R. M. Hodgson, C. V. Bennett, W. G. Holloway, B. Bird, E. E. Holmes, H. H. Boole, G. D. S. Hopkin, G. R. B. Bolland, A. P. Hopkin, C. B. Burnett, J. H. L. Hopkins, T. M. Car less, R. Hughes, J. S. Castley, R. J. Jones, F. G. Cavenagh, J. B. Littlebury, J. E. B. Chamberlain, J. T. Littlebury, H. D. Longland, P. Cockle, D. J. Coverdale, H. S. Looker, R. A. S. Creighton, Rev. C. Oram, H. E. Daniel, R. Phelips, A. S. Davey, T. A. Rammell, T. E. Drake, A. F. Rammell, Miss. Edwards, J. B. Record, C. I. Every, G. Rees, L. Ford, L. S. K. Rees, E. J. Franklin, A. D. Roberts, H. L. Garnett, C. LI. Rogers, J. A. W. Gerard, J. D. Ross, K. N.

Rowland, G. W. Sherwood, E. S. Simpson, S. G. Southall, S. Stanton, E. F. Steward, F. L. Storrs, O. T. Strong, S. D. Strong, S. V. Strong, P. N. W. Tattersall, G. K. Taylor, M. S. Thomas, R. E. Thomas, F. B.

675 Underwood, W. F. C. Watkins, A. E. Webb, F. Maurice. Webb, W. Harold. Webb, Albert. Webb, G. H. Whitaker, Rev. R. J. Wilford, G. H. Wingfield-Digby, J. R. Winterton, C. Wood, R. N. Wood, J. L. Woodhouse, P. H. B.

" Bruin, the Unfortunate." Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. The following story is as it was related by the Captain's brother:— " During the war, it was a common thing for sailors to have pets, and so it was with the crew of one of His Majesty's battleships on duty in the Black Sea. Their pet, however, was one of unusual size and habits ; it was nothing less than a bear—a white bear. This bear was perfectly domesticated and docile ; but it still enjoyed some of its old habits, for every day it had a swim in the sea, the cold water suiting it splendidly. On board this ship was the Admiral, and it was to him that a captain, who had just been appointed to the command of another baHleship in the vicinity, was going to pay a formal visit. There was a guard of honour with the Admiral, ready to receive him, all resplendent in their decorations, and everything seemed to add solemnity and awe to the occasion. The visiting Captain's pinnace drew near, and now he is mounting the ladder, dazzling the eyes of the onlookers with his gold braid and rattling medals. Now it happened that Bruin had been taking his accustomed swim, and seeing the ladder, decided to mount it too; so when the Captain was about half-way up, Bruin followed him. He had no gold braid, peaked hat or chinking medals, but he seemed just as important and his hairy chest was swelling with pride. Now the guard of honour, standing smartly to attention, had seen Bruin, and a smile of half-smothered amusement broke the stern lines of their faces : the Captain noticed this, and was somewhat taken aback, but before he could realise what was happening, Bruin, who was now just behind him, had shaken his wet body, and completely drenched him. Alas! How forlorn and dull his former brilliance looked ! How could he meet the Admiral in such a condition? So back he went in his pinnace like a wet butterfly. " Bruin's bed-sitting-room was in the forecastle, and one day, when he was wandering round, he got into one of the turrets and couldn't get out. And it was only after superhuman efforts on the part of the sailors, headed by his nurse (one of the crew) that they extricated him. Now in a turret there are numerous speaking-tubes and

THE VIGORNIAN.

676

other iron instruments protruding; it was found afterwards that Bruin, in walking round, had been somewhat interested in these, and had knocked them completely flat. " All good things, and bad ones too, come to an end, and so it was with Bruin. He loved milk, and was in the habit of having three-gallon casks given him, into which he would punch a hole with his nails, and drink through it. One day he strayed into the store-room, and seeing some casks, thought they contained milk; so he punched a hole in one, in his efficient way, and drank the contents. Alas for Bruin ! It was not milk, but paint: thick green paint! That was more than even Bruin's inside could stand, and he had to be lowered into the sea for his last bathe—a monstrous corpse."

looked at himself in the glass. A sigh of relief; there was no swelling. Was he sure? Didn't his chest feel a little— yes, it was, it was ! The swelling was beginning! Such is man's imagination. He collapsed limply in a chair; and as he sat there his eye caught a bottle on the washstand, " Straw Hat Cleanser. Poison." He hesitated and thought for a moment: why not get it all over? Anything was better than lingering agony. He suddenly became resolute; seized the bottle, and drained it at a gulp. . . . The doctor was just concluding his evidence in the crowded court. The coroner spoke. " So you find nothing in the physical condition of the deceased to warrant his taking this action? "—" None at all. He may possibly have suffered from bilious headache or rheumatic pains, but beyond doubt nothing worse."

Imagination. As Mr. William Anderson gazed at the shelves of his favourite second-hand bookshop, his eye caught a large and pretentious volume entitled " The Household Doctor. Hints on Health for All." It was the kind of book he thought every man ought to possess. Suppose some little thing went wrong, and the doctor was out. What mightn't it develop into, if you didn't know what to do about it? He was that sort of man, very nervous and excitable, always apt to make too much of the unimportant. Lately he had been a little worried with slight headaches, and also with twinges of rheumatism, and was in a great state of trepidation as to how they might develop. He opened the book casually, as it happened at the Diseases section. The first words that caught his eye were in heavy black print: " Hecyarhosis Pericarpitis." He read the paragraph that followed: " This disease, infrequent in Europe, but nevertheless sometimes occurring, when it is often mistaken for something less serious, is one of the most terrible pestilences prevalent among the human race. It begins mildly, then gradually increases in violence, periodically causing outbreaks of exceedingly severe internal pains, culminating in a long drawn-out agony which finally ends in the death of the sufferer. Symptoms " Here Mr. Anderson was tempted to lay the book aside; he was somehow afraid of what he might learn, but he overcame his scruples and read on : " Symptoms : At first slight headaches; these continue in violence and soon begin to be accompanied by aching pains in the sides and legs, somewhat akin to rheumatism. After a few days a swelling begins on the chest, scon causing great suffering." Mr. Anderson dropped the book with a bang; then mechanically picked it up again, and, replacing it, left the shop. His brain was in a turmoil. Headaches! Pains in the side ! He had those ! Nervously he put his hand on his chest. No, there was no swelling ; but then he wouldn't feel it anyway through his clothes; perhaps it had already risen ! He tottered home meditating in terror all the time on the thought of the awful agony, the lingering death, the pain. When he got home he undressed and

Contemporaries. We acknowledge the following contemporaries, with apologies for any accidental omissions:—The Felstedian, The Bromsgrovian, The Aluredian, The Wyggestonian, The Monktonian, The Limit, The Herefordian, The Reddcomb College Magazine, Constantia (the Magazine of La Martiniere College, Lucknow), The Decanian.

Oxford tetter. To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, Lack of ink must make this a very brief epistle, but anything rather than be like Cambridge and hide ourselves in Paradisal obscurity from guilty consciences. They never attempt to write a letter to you. This term is always to be distinguished from its two predecessors by the fact that in it we hold our now annual dinner. This time we had an especially noteworthy one, for Mr. Rammell had, at very short notice, accepted an invitation to be our guest. The dinner was in every respect a conspicuous success. Mr. Blackall started the evening's fun unusually early : in fact we had only got as far as the soup. The particular occasion for mirth was his inability to keep a precariously-placed monocle out of the soup. We suspected at once that Mr. Churchill had a hand in the business. Over the port in Wadham Mr. Craze proposed Mr. RammelPs health in a speech exactly suited to the occasion and the wine. For a brief moment everyone became serious and our guest's toast was solemnly drunk. His reply was in every way apt and inimitable. We all agreed that the evening was one of the most pleasant we had spent. Compared to this little function, the other events of the term paled into insignificance. Eights Week was no doubt

THE VIGORNIAN. glorious, but as your correspondent and many of his colony were doing schools a week later, we know little about it. There, no doubt, is the truest reason for the brevity of this letter : we were working and are tired. M. R. CRAZE (Hertford) was particularly tired, but he was always ready with a word of encouragement when he met any of us, and he played cricket with the zest of younger men. C. J. C. MOLONY (Queen's) deserves well of us. As captain of his College Boat Club he had his work cut out. But not only did he stroke his boat finely : he worked splendidly for schools. Any success he has gained is thoroughly deserved. K. N. Ross (Merton) never forgot the claims of learning in the lures of punting and playing tennis. A great success in the social life of the colony. G. E. CHURCHILL (Hertford). Another splendid example of the true Vigornian. Rowed in his second eight in a way that went to the heart of his tutor, and worked in a way that cut the boat club to the quick. C. J. O. BLACKALL (Merton) did an unusual amount of work, but his gramophone was still heard in the land. A splendid force at the dinner. J. B. EDWARDS (Wadham), a great social figure and lent us his rooms after the dinner. His quiet dignity and majestic carriage prevented any damage. C. I. RECORD (St. Edmund Hall) deserves all our congratulations by getting a choral scholarship at Magdalen, whither he goes next term. A fine character, sirs, and a mighty ensample to us all. T. O'D. LUMLEY (Keble) is believed to have stated that he is Captain of the Keble Tennis VI. We will tell you in our next letter if this is true. A pillar of the Hibernian Club. D. J. COCKLE (St. Edmund Hall) in his quiet, facetious way has established himself among us, and, apart from his politics, is quite spotless. Told the best story at the dinner. L. S. K. FORD (St. John's) has surmounted all his difficulties and plays cricket as well as ever. Threads his way through the mazes of Theology, and is getting a reputation for joviality. Altogether you see, sirs, that our parents and the School ought to be proud of us. Yours, etc., OXON.

Correspondence* To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sirs, May I through your columns convey my warmest thanks to all the contributors to the magnificent gift presented to my sister and myself at the O.V. Dinner. I did not say nearly enough on that occasion to those who were present, and there were a great number who could not attend. We

677

have their names in the unique and beautifully arranged album which accompanied the gift, and which records an amazing catholicity in the donors which is most affecting. In fact, everyone's kindness during those three memorable days of the Reunion, whether shown in person or by letter, has touched us both very deeply, and we shall always have delightful and proud memories of that time. I feel that this expression of thanks is quite inadequate, but I hope to answer some more letters in course of time. Yours faithfully, T. E. RAMMELL. Castle House, King's School, Worcester, I5/7/29To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sir, In the speeches on Prize Day a brief allusion, was made to the Sunday Evening Readings of Mr. Rammell. I would like here to say and I am sure Vigornians (mainly Castle House) both past and present, will support me in expressing gratitude for these readings, which have always been most popular, and remain as one of the most prized remembrances of the days when I was a small boy in the class-room. I most sincerely hope that with Mr. Rammell's departure this excellent custom will not die out, and that some member of the staff will continue these readings, which have been enjoyed to such an extent by Vigornians for so large a number of years. Yours truly, Vox POPULI. Castle House, King's School, Worcester. To the Editors of the " Vigornian." Dear Sir, May I beg that, as was suggested in your last issue, no exhumation be performed upon that defunctity the Debating Society. School Debating Societies, are universally admitted to be a bane, and, excellent though their aim may be, they cannot be said to do any good. Therefore say I, let sleeping dogs lie, and, if anyone really does wish to improve himself, educate himself, enjoy himself, and do something for the School, let him come and join the School Choir, which is always ready to receive recruits ; recruits especially, who do not desert, when the choir is half-way through some big work, as has happened in the past two terms. With all apologies, Yours truly, D. A. B. HOPKIN.