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The Vigornian July 1937

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THE VIGORNIAN THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL KING'S SCHOOL CHRONICLE TA MEN AIAAKTA MAN9AN12, TA A'ETPETA ZHTiJ, TA A'ETKTA IIAPA 6E«N HITHSAMHN.

No. 148, Vol. XIII.

JULY, 1937.

CONTENTS. Editorial School Calendar School Officers School Notes House Notes ... Rowing Notes ... ... ... Cricket Notes O.T.C. Notes Band Notes Shooting Notes Swimming Notes ... ... ... Scout Notes Coronation Jamboree P.T. Camp P.T. Competition " Richard of Bordeaux " Speech Day School Concert O.V. News Births, Marriages, Engagements, etc Further Notes on Henry Bright Valete Salvete Library Science and Engineering Society King's Scholarship Examination Oxford Letter Contributions Empire Rally of Youth Correspondence Contemporaries

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Page 13 14 14 14 15 17 19 23 25 25 26 26 26 27 28 28 28 31 31 32 23 34 34 34 34 34 34 35 37 38 38

Price Is.

EDITORIAL. Once again we are counting the days as yet another School Year is drawing to its close. We have lived through the hectic enjoyments of Speech Day week-end, the battle has been either lost or won against those dreadful dragons, the Certificate Examinations, and now many of us are starting to bianco our packs and fill our kit-bags for the final ten days at camp. But what of the feelings of the School as the termend approaches, what are its reactions ? The juniors, packing away their books with obvious delight, are probably looking forward to a really enjoyable holiday of which every minute will be filled with new excitements and new interests, while the older ones are perhaps looking forward to going abroad for the first time or to some other new experience. And then there are those who are going away, taking with them all their precious belongings, to enter another and an even greater school. Some of them may be going into offices, some may be going to become apprentices and some will be passing on to the universities. Personal experience alone can reveal what these last few weeks have meant to those whose lives have for the past four or five years been bound up here with that of the school, with its games, its activities and all the hundred and one seemingly petty little incidents of its everyday life, of which they will soon be no longer the partakers. Some of those who are leaving try to conceal their emotions beneath a cloak of nonchalance, but at heart they must all feel the same sense of bewildered regrets. Perhaps they are taking " prep" and they think of the days when they used to drowse over their books during that hour and three quarters which always seemed so interminably long, and of how they used to pass surreptitious messages on minute


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THE VIGORNIAN.

slips of paper to their next door neighbour, and of that time when the monitor happened to look up and catch them in the act—and of the sequel. These and a thousand other such associations fill their minds, and they realise how great must have been the effect upon them of these last few years, in which the courses of their whole lives have perhaps been shaped and in which their characters have gradually been moulded by the surroundings in which they have lived and by the companions with whom they have associated. As for the surroundings, could one desire any better than those which we have around us here : the beauty of the College Green, overshadowed by the glorious dignity of the Cathedral's gothic walls, the peaceful quiet of the School Garden with its cheerful flower beds, its wide lawns and its plashing fountain, the solemnity of the quadrangle with its moss grown sundial and the glory of the river and of the broad playing fields that lie beside its banks. Such environments as these help to inspire us with that graciousness, which our Speech Day visitor so earnestly admonished us to encourage, and that uplifting of the mind in preparation for the tasks which lie before us. Little wonder that Henry James, as he watched " the waning afternoon far aloft on the broad perpendicular field of the Cathedral spire . . . stood wondering as to the effect on a man's mind of having in one's boyhood haunted the Cathedral shade as a King's Scholar and yet kept ruddy with much cricket in misty meadows by the Severn."

July, 1937

SCHOOL OFFICERS. - J. F. Lavender. Captain of the School - S. N. Hackwood. Captain of Cricket - M. B. Davies. Secretary of Cricket - J. F. Lavender. Captain of Boats - A. Fairgrieve. Secretary of Boats - A. Fairgrieve. Captain of Shooting - E. M. F. Bearcroft. Secretary of Shooting - S. N. Hackwood. Captain of Gym. Captains of Houses :— - J. F. Lavender. School Gouse Castle House - B. S. Eckersley. Hostel . . . - S. O. A. M. Lock. - W. N. Bryer. Chappel's House Creighton's House - F. J. Curtis. School Monitors—J. F. Lavender, B. S. Eckersley, D. B. Steward, W. N. Bryer, S. O. A. M. Lock, F. J. Curtis, S. N. Hackwood. Editors of The Vigomian—J. F. Lavender, B. S. Eckersley, P. T. Halliley. Librarians—B. S. Eckersley, S. O. A. M. Lock, J. Sutton, D. Briggs, H. W. Hinds.

SCHOOL NOTES. It is impossible to begin this term's School Notes in any other way than by a reference to our Coronation SCHOOL CALENDAR. celebrations. Given a whole holiday to do with as we pleased, many of us listened to part or all of the broad5.—Boarders return. Wed., May cast ceremony, and went the round of the City's own celebrations, which catered for all tastes, and were of a „ 6.—Ascension Day. School meets. Thurs., very high standard. We were allowed to stay put until 11 p.m., to see the riverside illuminations, which were Tues., „ 25.—Field Day at the Old Hills. of an entrancing beauty, and to watch the Illuminated Thurs., „ 10.—P.T. Competition and Display on Boat Procession. Our delight was increased by an unrehearsed incident—the simultaneous explosion of College Green. all the fireworks in the firework boat, with a long series Sun., June 13.—Half Term. of staccato reports and multicoloured flares. We must add, that no one was hurt, and that the boat was an Sat., „ 19.—1st IV at Marlow. extremely aged, and not very valuable one, lest our amusement should seem out of place ! Fri., July 9.—Speech Day. * * * Annual inspection of O.T.C. by We look forward to the four days' extra holidays in Lt.-Col. 'Newth. honour of the Coronation. Prize-giving in College Hall. « * • Final of House Races. A brand-new Union Jack appropriately put in its Sat., „ 10.—O.V. Day. appearance on our flag-pole on Coronation Day. It Cricket Match v. O.V. certainly looks smarter, and does more credit to its surroundings than did the old one, which was becoming O.V. Dinner in College Hall. much the worse for wear. Mon., „ 12.—Certificate Examinations start. * * * On Thursday, June 10th, we held our inter-house Mon., „ 26.—O.T.C. go into camp at Strensall, Physical Training Competition—with a difference. Yorkshire. This year it was held on the College Green, before a Exeunt Omnes. large audience of parents, and was concluded by a very fine massed Physical Training Display, in which the whole school took part.


July, 1937

THE VIGORNIAN.

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Mr. A. D. Franklin had the great misfortune to go HOUSE NOTES. down with bronchitis about half-way through this term. SCHOOL HOUSE. He was greatly missed by us in his absence, and we were overjoyed at his reappearance, just in time for Speech HOUSE MONITORS : J. F. Lavender, J. Sutton, D. B. Day. His place was very ably filled by Mr. A. L. Steward, M. B. Davies, A. Fairgrieve. Socket, who did yeoman work in coaching some of us at a most critical time—just before Certificate Past members of the house will be sorry to learn examinations. that we have not been doing quite so well in the athletic * * * line recently, and that our mantelpiece ornaments have The morning of Speech Day was anything but been considerably depleted. However, we may console promising. A fine drizzle early stopped at about 8.30 ourselves with the knowledge that we still retain those a.m., giving place to lowering clouds. The Corps cups which are most coveted in the School, such as the marched down to the annual Inspection on the Cricket- Rugger and the Rowing Cups, and by the time this field without event, and we began to hope that the appears in print we also hope to have the Cricket Cup. weather would hold out. Our hopes were soon dispelled. We were rather unfortunate at the beginning of the In about a quarter of an hour, the rain came down in term in losing the P.T. Cup by one point. However, tropically torrential floods, and kept it up for about we will not grumble, and offer our heartiest congratuhalf an hour, when it decreased to a steady downpour. lations to Hostel on the fine show they put up in winning We went into College Hall in the afternoon for PrizeCup. Our team consisted of: J. F. Lavender giving, prepared for the rain to continue all day, but the A Fairgrieve, D. B. Steward, N. W. Richards, when we came out—lo and behold !—the sun was (leader), shining from a blue sky, and the stage was set for a C. M. Lavender, J. D. Reynolds, J. H. Trap6. According to expectations, we also lost the Individual most enjoyable tea in the garden ! O, our capricious Shooting Cup, which we have held for some time. This climate. * * * rather gloomy state of affairs was relieved, however, by We were delighted to see both Mr. Rammell and Mr. the winning of the Rowing Cup after an excellent race on Speech Day. Our crew was: C. M. Lavender Castley on Speech Day. (bow), A. Fairgrieve, J. F. Lavender, D. B. Steward * * * The Fifth and Sixth Forms have each enjoyed a most (sir.), R. S. L. Walters (cox). Of these J. F. Lavender and Fairgrieve were in the pleasant visit to the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-on-Avon, this term. The Fifth form went 1st IV and the remainder in the 2nd IV. to see Hamlet, and the Sixth, King Lear. As these were We have been unusually well represented in the both in connection with examinations, we are forced to cricket teams this year, with four members of the 1st admit that even the latter are sometimes a blessing ! XI and two of the 2nd XI, as well as several promising The Classical VI also went to see'the Greek play at members of the Junior sides. As a result of this we Bradfield. stand a very good chance of winning the Cricket Cup, * * * and have beaten Chappel's, Castle House, and We are sorry to say that our genial groundsman, Creighton's at the time of going to print. We cannot boatman, and general handyman—who could we mean leave this subject without a word of praise for Davies, but Lloyd ?—has left us this term. He had become who has made large scores in all three matches, and was almost an institution, and specially endeared himself twice most unfortunate in failing to reach his century. to our hearts by the force of his brilliant repartee. At the end of the first day of the Swimming Sports * * * we were leading on points, and we hope to retain our The School is being represented at the Duke of York's advantage and win the Cup again. Camp by M. B. Davies and A. R. Pettigrew. This year we are sending 16 to camp, but only one * * * section, owing to the fact that there are considerably The School is well known for the many sides of its more N.C.O's. than cadets in the house. However, life. The July issue of the National Farmers' Union we feel sure that this section will be well in the running record brings to light something entirely new. We for the Shield. congratulate M. H. Anstey on leading the Worcestershire Finally, we should like to wish everybody an Team which gained 2nd place in the Young Farmers' enjoyable Camp and pleasant holidays, and the best of Stock Judging Competition at the Three Counties "uck to those who are leaving us. Show. * * * We learn that the rooms in the Edgar Tower, which for the last fifteen years or so, until the building of the CASTLE HOUSE. new Art and Geography Rooms, were used by the Lower HOUSE MONITORS : B. S. Eckersley, S. N. Hackwood, School, have been lent by the Dean and Chapter as A. J. Bendall, E. M. F. Bearcroft. the temporary office and headquarters of the newly founded Worcester Branch of Sea Cadets. By far the most important event in the history of the * * * louse this term is the fact that it has been painted. Professor Malcolm Osborne's dry-point engraving of Castle House, we naturally think, is always by far the Mr. Creighton is being exhibited at the Royal Academy smartest of the houses, but now, resplendent in its thit year, and is reproduced in " The Royal Academy new cloak of green and white, it exceeds all description. Did someone say something about Hostel having been Illustrated." painted, too ? Well of all the . . . . (Censored, Eds. Vig.\).


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THE VIGORNIAN.

Apart from trying to avoid walking under ladders and putting our hands on all the wet paint, however, we have had a very busy term. The P.T. Competition was the first big event and the house squad must be congratulated on putting in a lot of hard work. It is only a pity that it could not have been better rewarded. The individual Shooting Cup was won for us by E. M. F. Bearcroft, and Hollyer (who had the same score but fewer bulls) was the runner up. The next honours must go to the junior rowers who succeeded once again in retaining the cup, despite a valiant effort by School House to steal it from us by beating us in the Tub IV race. The senior house crew, under Mr. Bentley's able tuition, did well to give a very good race to a considerably heavier School House crew. The house cricket team (captained by Hackwood) has been unfortunate so far in its matches, but they still have one more match to play. Two events have still to be decided, the Team The Shooting Match and the Swimming Sports. prospects seem quite sound in both cases. Hackwood and Folley are to be congratulated on representing us in the 1st XI throughout the season, the former in the capacity of Captain, and A. J. Bendall and Glover on obtaining their 2nd IV colours. E. M. F. Bearcroft, G. C. Bearcroft and Hollyer have represented us in the Shooting VIII. This year no less than twenty members of the house are going to camp at Strensall. This figure represents a third of the whole Camp contingent and we feel that it must be very nearly a record. The two House Shield sections will be commanded by Cpls. E. M. F. Bearcroft and A. J. Bendall, while another Castle House section will be under Cpl. Lavender. Glover and Lodge are to be congratulated on their promotions to be lance-corporals. And it only remains for us to wish everyone a very enjoyable holiday, both at Camp and afterwards, and to wish the best of luck to " all who here shall meet no more."

HOSTEL. HOUSE MONITORS : S. M. Lock, J. D. H. Sayer, F. E. V. Cant. There were two newcomers to the Hostel at the beginning of this term, and the present numbers are the highest for over three years. As it seems unlikely that any of us will leave for about a year, we naturally have great hopes in the future. Probably our greatest triumph this term was the winning of the P.T. Cup, for which Lock was in many ways responsible through his excellent leadership. Keen and thorough practice enabled us to turn out a team easily equal to any we have hitherto produced. Kemp, a new boy last term, was by far the smallest in the whole competition, and deserved the applause he got for clearing the horse, almost as high as himself. There has been a gratifying revival in cricket, which has to a certain extent restored our prestige in this sport. At the time of going to press we are very optimistic about our chances in the House matches. Contrary to

July, 1937

expectation, we easily beat Chappel's, considered one of our most formidable opponents, by four wickets. In Shooting, although no one of our three representatives in the 1st VIII succeeded in obtaining the individual cup, we still entertain great hopes for the House Cup. Garnett distinguished himself by an extraordinarily fine performance when shooting for the school in the Chichester Cup Competition. Our Rowing IV was easily as good as, if not better than, last year's, and gave the winning crew a very difficult task. The external appearance of the house has been brightened by a new coat of paint, and a new addition made by the words " The Hostel " in gilt over the front door. A regretable spell when there were no members of Hostel in the School Choir has been broken this term by four, whose example, it is hoped, will encourage others to join. Lock was among the party sent to attend the Rally of Youth at the Albert Hall, when Lord Baldwin made his last speech as Prime Minister. We are sending nine boys to camp, and we hope that the result of last year's competition for the Section Shield, in which we lost by | a point, will this time be reversed. The sick room has not been used this term. May everyone keep fit in, and enjoy, his holidays !

CHAPPEL'S HOUSE. HOUSE MONITORS : W. N. Bryer, P. Neale, H. W. Hinds. We returned this term without any changes among our members except the appointment of Hinds as House Monitor. The term opened with the results of Cert. " A." We should like to congratulate our members who passed and we hope we shall have more entries next year. Our P.T. team which was led by Neale supported by Bryer, Hinds, Nicholls, Kendall, Caldicott and G. Smith was placed fourth in the P.T. Competition. The House has been represented in both cricket elevens, with two members in the 1st XI and four in the 2nd XI. We have lost two House matches and won one. We congratulate D. J. Harris on winning a King's Scholarship. Eight members of the house are attending Camp at Strensall and we hope they will have an enjoyable time. We realise now that our first year has passed as a House, and although we only hold two cups we have tried to be represented in every branch of sport and as so few of our members are leaving we shall be a much more formidable rival to other Houses next year. Finally, we should like to wish those who will not return next term the very best of luck in the future.


THE VIGORNIAN.

July, 1937

CREIGHTON'S HOUSE. HOUSE MONITORS : F. J. Curtis, A. R. Pettigrew. This term makes our second as a complete house unit. It is clear to us that the idea of two separate houses among the Day Boys of the school is developing strongly. This term we have supplied four cricket colours for the school, Baldry having won his 1st XI colours and R. G. Davies, Phillips and Hayes their 2nd XI colours. Our house team which consists of Baldry (Capt.), R. G. Davies, Phillips, Hayes, C. F. Bryer, J. B. Ewins, Roberts, Martin, H. J. Checketts, Bubb and Glover has played at the time of going to print, two matches, beating Hostel and being beaten by Chappel's House. It was a great disappointment to the rowing members of the house when it was found that owing to the absence of Evans, Creighton's house could not put a light four on the river and we ask more members of the house to take up rowing next year to remedy this. Two of the crew, Pressdee and Rich, went to make up a scratch tub four which gave School House, the winners, a close race. Our Cox, G. E. S. Jones, also coxed this four. We wish to congratulate Curtis on getting his 1st IV colours, Pressdee on winning the Junior Senior Sculls and to sympathise with Rich who won his first heat

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easily, and had the misfortune to have his stretcher strap break just after the start in the semi-final of the junior sculls. The house P.T. team consisted of Curtis as leader, Pressdee, Hoddinott, A. R. Pettigrew, H. J. Checketts, Walker and C. F. Bryer and obtained a total of 69 marks. This year the house hopes to have a tent in camp, having six cadets and one lance-corporal. We wish to congratulate F. J. Curtis and A. R. Pettigrew on obtaining their Certificate " A's" and Curtis on his subsequent promotion as Lance-Corporal. To the three boys leaving, A. R. Pettigrew, Hayes and Walker, we wish all future success. A. R. Pettigrew we understand may be going to Birmingham University and we hope he has success with his studies. We wish to remind all non-members of the O.T.C. that there is a recruit squad next term and they are helping the School, the House and themselves by joining the Corps, not to mention their Country. Lastly, may we ask all boys who can possibly manage to play full games next term to do so, as the extra practice made possible has a marked effect on our House and ' Belows ' team.

ROWING NOTES. FIXTURES AND RESULTS. Date. Opponents. Rowed at: 1st IV. June 5. Hereford School ... ... Hereford ,, 9. Monmouth School ... ... Worcester „ 15. Cheltenham College ... ... Worcester „ 18. King's School, Canterbury ... Marlow

Lost 3J lengths. Lost 2 lengths. Lost 4 lengths. Lost 2 lengths.

2nd IV. Hereford School 2nd IV ... Hereford Monmouth School 2nd IV ... Worcester Cheltenham College 2nd IV ... Worcester Clifton College 2nd IV ... Clifton

Lost 4 lengths. Lost 1J lengths. Lost 1 length. Lost 3 lengths.

June 5. „ 9. „ IS. „ 22.

At first sight it seems depressing to have to record yet another season of defeats, but we may console ourselves with the thought that we have touched bottom, and there are not wanting signs that we are definitely on the up-grade again. The most gloomy pessimist would find it hard to deny that if we had been less unlucky we should have won at least one race this year, for in spite of the disadvantages from which we suffered at the beginning of the term the crew continued to improve throughout the season, and their race at Marlow was probably the best rowed by a School crew for the last two or three years. The chief cause of our failure was the lack of practice in the Easter term, for the river was continually flooded, and it was impossible to launch a boat, so that by the time of our first race we had had barely three week's practice. However, with three members of last year's crew, we had the making of a good IV ; but, just as the crew was settling down, Holland had to leave, and a new stroke had to be found. Garnett was chosen, and though he stroked the boat well he lacked the weight and experience of Holland, and is rather young for the 1st IV.

Result.

Halfway through the season, we made a very advantageous change in our tactics, dropping the stroke well down after the first minute and concentrating on moving the boat instead of trying to keep up a fast stroke. This answered very well, and if we had rowed against Monmouth as we did against Cheltenham and Canterbury we should probably have beaten them. The 2nd IV this year were a very inexperienced crew, and were also rather disorganised by the calls of the 1st IV upon their personnel. In spite of this, however, they rowed some very good races, being only narrowly beaten both by Monmouth and by Cheltenham. They endeavoured to row as fast a stroke as possible throughout the race, and this policy, though rather hard on the one heavyweight in the boat, paid them quite well, except that it robbed them of the ability to make a really spirited challenge when necessary. As in the 1st IV, only one member of the crew at present intends to leave, so next year should furnish a successful season. Junior rowing has been proceeding satisfactorily, and the general standard in the Regatta was good.


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THE VIGORNIAN.

We offer our warmest thanks to Mr. Strong for all the time and trouble he has expended in coaching the 1st IV, and also to Mr. Bentley and the Headmaster for doing likewise with the 2nd IV. We take this opportunity of congratulating P. H. Jackson on winning the Senior Sculls at Marlow, and on reaching the semi-final of the Diamond Sculls at Henley, in which he was beaten after a very plucky race by Hasenhol (Austria), the eventual winner. lit IV Characters :— (Bow) F. J. Curtis (10 st. 0 Ibs.) has rowed with much keenness. He has still to learn the value of a good finish and correct timing. (2) A. Fairgrieve (12 St. 6 Ibs.) rows a very fair style, and with another year's development he should become a really good oar. (3) J. F. Lavender (12 st. 10 Ibs.) as Capt. of Boats has had no luck in results of races. He has, however, put in a great deal of keenness for the rowing in general. His luck in winning races may change when he rows on slides at Oxford. We wish him the best of it. (Stroke) J. M. Garnett (list. Slbs.) has filled the position of stroke in the boat very creditably. With his experience of this year's racing, he can be expected to become a very reliable stroke next year. (Cox) M. O. F. Bridgman (6st. 4 Ibs.) acquitted himself well in all the races, in fact his steering was extremely good. There is no doubt that races cannot be won without weeks and weeks of preliminary practice as a crew. This year, with only four weeks of practice before the first race, has had its inevitable result. The 1st and 2nd crews, as a whole, never got really well together, and a host of smaller faults could have been very easily put right if plenty of time had been available for tubbing in the earlier part of the year. In looking back a little to the results of the School races in the past few years it is obvious that the failure of preliminary training during the last two or three years in the Easter terms has had very serious results, and whether it has been due to inclement weather during that term or various other reasons does not really matter. It is obviously not fair to those responsible for training the crews and to school rowing as a whole to allow these conditions of preparing crews to continue. 1st IV RACES. 1st IV v. HEREFORD SCHOOL 1st IV. Rowed at Hereford on June 5th. The School had the town side of the river, and though Hereford had the better start and gained nearly a length in the first minute, hung on very pluckily. At the end of about three and a half minutes' rowing there was still scarcely daylight between the boats, but just above the bridge Hereford produced a fine spurt, to which we were unable to reply, and drew away to win by about 3J lengths. 1st IV v. MONMOUTH SCHOOL 1st IV. Rowed at Worcester on June 9th. The School had the boathouse side and led from the start, rowing a very fast rate. Mpnmouth were rather rattled by this, and after two minutes the School were leading by nearly a length. Just above the boathouse, however, Monmouth spurted magnificently and rowed right

July, 1937

past the School crew to win a well-judged and exciting race by two lengths. 1st IV v. CHELTENHAM COLLEGE 1st IV. Rowed at Worcester on June 10th. Cheltenham, who had a very good crew this year, steadily increased their lead throughout the race, and won fairly comfortably by about four lengths. However, the School, striking a slower rate than they had previously been accustomed to, rowed well and greatly improved on their previous form. * * * PUBLIC SCHOOLS CUP, MARLOW. For the third year in succession we were drawn against King's, Canterbury. The race was rowed at 7.45 on Friday evening, the School having the Bucks station. Canterbury got a lead of about a length in the first minute, which they gradually increased to nearly three, but the School, rowing with commendable length and drive, gave her a couple of " tens " during which they gained some ground, and eventually lost by two lengths. The School rowed well in this race, and were by no means disgraced by their defeat, as Canterbury were a good crew, and subsequently beat Monmouth and gave Winchester quite a hard race. Winchester, who eventually won the Cup, beat Cheltenham by only three feet in the first heat. Our thanks are again due to Mr. and Mrs. Holland for the hospitable manner in which they entertained us, adding immensely to our enjoyment of the week-end. * * * PROSPECTIVE 1938 IST IV v. A KEBLE COLLEGE IV. Rowed at Worcester on Wednesday, 24th July. The school crew striking a faster rate than the Keble IV went up quickly and were a length ahead at the end of the first minute. This lead was kept until opposite the Worcester Rowing Club' Boathouse where a welltimed ' ten ' enabled the school crew to draw right away and win by 4 lengths. We are greatly indebted to the Keble IV who so kindly gave us the opportunity of trying out next year's 1st IV under racing conditions. Crew : Bow F. J. Curtis 10 st. 0 Ibs. 2. D. B. Steward lOst. 131bs. 3. A. Fairgrieve 12st. 61bs. Stroke J. M. Garnett list. Slbs. Cox M. O. F. Bridgeman 6st. 41bs. 2nd IV. The following were awarded their 2nd IV Colours : I. Glover (bow), C. M. Lavender, A. J. Bendall, D. B. Steward (str.), R. S. L. Walters (cox). 2nd IV RACES. 2nd IV v. HEREFORD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL 2nd IV. The race was rowed on Saturday, June 5th, at Hereford. The School chose the side opposite the boathouse. Our crew did not adapt themselves to the boat, with the result that they never really settled down. Hereford, a much heavier crew, got well away at the start, and at the end of the first minute were a length ahead. The School held them here for a while, but weight and length told, and gradually drawing away, Hereford crossed the line four lengths ahead. 2nd IV v. MONMOUTH SCHOOL 2nd IV. Rowed at Worcester on Wednesday, June 9th. The School lost the toss and obtained the boathouse side.


July, 1937

THE VIGORNIAN.

With an excellent start, the School was half a length up at the first bend. This lead, however, was lost by our crew taking the boathouse bend too wide. Taking advantage of this, Monmouth spurted ahead, and were soon leading by a length. The School held them here, but seemed unable to decrease the distance, and Monmouth went on to win by a length and a third. A good race, somewhat marred by inexperienced coxing at the Boathouse bend. 2nd IV v. CHELTENHAM COLLEGE 2nd IV. This was rowed at home on Tuesday, 15th June. This race was an example of the long, steady stroke opposed to the short, quick one. The School lost the toss, and got the boathouse side. At the end of the first minute both crews were level; but Cheltenham, with their long sweeping stroke drew away from our crew, which was striking a very fast rate. At the railway bridge Cheltenham were a length ahead, but the School, " taking her home" in fine style, finished only threequarters of a length down. This was by far the best race of the term, and one feels that we might have done better with a slower and longer stroke. 2nd IV v. CLIFTON COLLEGE 2nd IV. The race was rowed on Tuesday, June 22nd, at Clifton, over an S-bend course which provided ample opportunities for the coxes. The School won the toss, and chose the side opposite the boathouse. Clifton had the inside of the first bend, and drew away in the first half minute ; our crew dropped further behind by taking the bend very wide and going too close to a sewer outlet. Going down the straight Clifton took our water, and by the end of the second minute were a length and a half ahead. Taking the inside of the last bend, and exploiting their superior weight to the full, Clifton spurted to the finish, winning by three and a half lengths.

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behind Castle House. All three crews were striking a fast rate, but School House managed to increase their lead with a " ten " opposite the Diglis Hotel, while Castle House drew slightly further away from Hostel. Along the School Garden however, Hostel made a great effort and drew up almost level with Castle House. These two raced very hard over the last stretch, and eventually, after a tremendous struggle, dead-heated three-quarters of a length behind School House. The race was rowed in an unusually fast time, and was one of the best seen on Speech Day for many years. JUNIOR. The Junior Rowing was won by Castle House with 14 points, School House being second with 12 points. A pleasing feature of this year's regatta was the entry of two tub fours by both School House and Castle House, and a scratch IV also competed. The following were the results of the finals :— TUB IV's. School House beat Castle House by 1J lengths. School House. Castle House. M. O. Ewen. M. B. Knapp-Fisher. P. L. B. Hollyer. P. Bagenal. S. D. Ellison. J. Sutton. H. Rice-Jones. N. W. Richards. M. O. F. Bridgman (cox). R. S. L. Walters (cox).

SCULLING Cox's Class : M. O. F. Bridgman (H) beat R. S. L. Walters (S.H.) easily. Junior Class : J. D. Poths (C.H.) beat F. M. P. Benson (C.H.) easily. Junior-Senior Class : J. H. Pressdee (Crei.) beat J. C. Bird (H.) by three lengths. Senior Class : E. M. F. Bearcroft (C.H.) beat J. Sutton (S.H.) by two and a half lengths. In the Tub IV race, Castle House were unfortunate in catching a crab at the start, which lost them half a length. School House, who had the advantage in weight and length, managed to increase this lead gradually during INTER-HOUSE ROWING CUPS. the race, and successfully withstood a spirited challenge SENIOR. The race was rowed over the Deanery Course on from Castle House to win by li lengths. Both crews Speech Day, July 9th. The competing crews were rowed well, and should provide plenty of promising Hostel, who had the School side of the river, School material for next year. In the sculling races, there were no close finishes, House (holders) in the middle and Castle House on the other side. Castle House gained a canvas lead over the and with one or two exceptions the standard was not other two almost at once, but they were rapidly over- very high, but every competitor displayed gratifying hauled, and at the end of the first minute School House keenness. J. F. L. were about half a length in front, with Hostel close A. F. CRICKET NOTES. 1st XI FIXTURES. For. Against. Result. Ground. Date. Opponents. 81 83 for 2 Lost Home Sat. May 22nd Worcester City 2nd XI 71 for 3 67 Won Home Sat. „ 29th Worcester Nomads 188 for 6* 95 Won Home Wed. June 2nd Malvern Colts Scratched Home Sat. 5th Warwick 59 60 for 8 Lost Home 9th Monmouth Wed. 71 72 for 6 Won Home Wed. 16th Norton Barracks 53 209* for 5 Lost Away Sat. 19th Dean Close 47 50 for 5 Lost Home 23rd Bloxham Wed. 104 for 8» 163 for 4 Draw Wed. 30th Hereford Away 184 121 Won Wed. July 7th Norton Barracks Away 142 144 for 9 Lost Home Sat. „ 10th O.V's. * Declared.


20

THE VIGORNIAN.

The weather has been much kinder to us this season and only one match has had to be cancelled, and that through illness. We are very grateful to Mr. Meade-King and C. S. M. Cooper for their untiring efforts in coaching the 1st and 2nd XI's. We are glad to see that the pavilion has been painted, even although the painters caused some confusion at the beginning of the term. We should like to thank Mr. Ward for taking such an interest in the Colts this year. They have been successful in winning all their matches this season which speaks well for the future school XI's. We hope to have eight old colours next season and this coupled with the fact that there will be great competition for the last three places make our prospects for next season quite bright. * * * The following were awarded their 2nd XI colours this season :— W. N. Bryer, J. D. Reynolds, H. D. Poths, J. R. F. Kendall, J. C. Phillips, R. G. Davies, D. Caldicott, B. D. Hayes, A. J. Kirkwood, D. C. Fox, M. Orchard. * * * We have adopted the American system for the house matches this term and so far it has proved a great success. There are still two matches to be played and the result lies between School House and Hostel. * * * 1st XI Characters :— S. N. HACKWOOD. (Captain). As Captain and the mainstay of the bowling, he had a heavy responsibility to bear. His bowling was at times just lacking the venom so necessary for winning matches, but his figures for the season are impressive, specially as he suffered greatly from lack of support from his change bowlers. His captaincy in the field improved in the course of the season. M. B. DAVIES. (Secretary). His average hardly represents his value to the side. He lacks the suppleness of limb necessary for class batsmanship, but he took a great step forward in learning to place his back foot on die line of the ball in playing his back strokes. His fielding was always safe, even if rather lumbersome. P. NEALE. His absence for over half the term was a great blow to the side, specially as on his return he immediately showed good form both with bat and ball. However he still does not quite appreciate the foolishness of not hitting bad balls for four. M. E. NICHOLLS. A much improved batsman, as far as his off-strokes are concerned, but still weak on his legs. A short ball outside the leg stump must at all costs be hit for four, and not pushed round for a single. However, he played some very useful innings going in No. 3. J. H. FOLLEY. As a bowler he has the supreme virtue of an accurate length, but needs to bowl with more imagination, if he is to be more than a stock bowler. Much can be done by studying the weaknesses of the batsman, against whom he is pining his brains and skill. Towards the end of the season, he showed promise as a batsman, and his general keenness should bear good fruit next season. F. E. V. CANT. He is unable to concentrate sufficiently to make any substantial progress, either in batting or

July, 1937

bowling. The desire to score runs is greatly to be encouraged, but is totally ineffective unless coupled with the ability to select the right ball to hit. Moreover a ball can be hit as hard by a controlled stroke as by a dare-devil slash. His bowling is too variable in length and direction. J. H. TRAPB. He had a disappointing season, specially as at the beginning of the term he appeared to score innumerable runs in the nets. All his strokes suffer from the domination of his right hand. He knows how to hit the bad balls, but he must show more respect to the good ones. A. W. PICKFORD. A young wicket-keeper and batsman, who should be very useful next season. Both in his keeping and batting he tends to take his eye off the ball at the last moment, but this should easily be cured with greater experience. A. E. BALDRY. A batsman of limited technique but possessing a certain doggedness which has enabled him to play several useful innings. He must resist the temptation of scooping at off-balls, and learn to place his feet nearer the line of the ball in all his strokes. J. FREARSON. A promising batsman, who can suit his methods to the state of the game. He would make many more runs if he could learn to place his weight over the ball, which involves a greater use of the left arm in all his strokes. S. O. A. M. LOCK. The composition of the side did not give him much scope as a batsman, but he should have gained useful experience for the future. As so many others, he allows his right hand to dominate hit strokes. THE SCHOOL v. WORCESTER CITY 2nd XI. Played at home on Saturday, May 23rd. Resulting in a loss for the School by 8 wickets. The School went in to bat and were dismissed for a total of 81. Worcester City went in to bat and obtained the necessary runs with the loss of only 2 wickets, Jenkins making 46 not out. THE SCHOOL. A. W. Pickford Ibw b Underbill, 2 ; A. E. Baldry c Morgan, b Jenkins, 7 ; M. E. Nicholls st Morgan b Jenkins, 14 ; J. H. Trapd c & b Jenkins, 0 ; M. B. Davies b Underbill, 9 ; F. E. V. Cant c Bradley b Jenkins 13 S. N. Hackwood b Underbill, 7 ; J. H. Folley not out 11 H. D. Poths c & b Underbill, 2 ; W. N. Bryer b Collier, 7 B. D. Hayes b Underbill, 2; Extras 7. Total 81. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. Jenkins 17 4 40 4 10 Underbill ... 18.4 4 32 S 6.4 Collier 2 0 2 1 2 WORCESTER CITY 2nd XI Jenkins, not out 46; Morgan c Trapg b Hackwood, S; Davies c Bryan b Folley, 5 ; Underbill, not out, 12; Extras, IS; Total 83 tor 2; Smith, Clappe, Lane, Bradley, Collier, Harber, Lythgoe did not bat. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. Hayes 9 3 20 0 — Folley 7 4 7 1 7 Hackwood ... 11 2 23 1 23 H . D . Pothi . . . 2 0 9 0 — Cant 2 0 7 0 — Nicholls ... 1 0 2 0 —


July, 1937

THE VIGORNIAN.

THE SCHOOL v. THE WORCESTER NOMADS. At home on Saturday, May 29th. Worcester Nomads went in to bat first on a medium wicket and were dismissed for 67 runs, F. Clarke being the only person to withstand the attack, making 26 not out. The School then went in to bat and made 71 for the loss of only 3 wickets, Baldry, Nicholls and Trape', all batting well for the School. WORCESTER NOMADS. M. C. Bailey b Hackwood, 6 ; A. D. Arbuckle Ibw Hackwood, 2 ; J. C. Neilson c Baldry b Hackwood, 1 ; H. J. C. Davies b Folley, 9 ; J. Clarke not out 26 ; W. Wilshaw b Poths, 2 ; F. J. Roberts c Pickford b Poths, 0 ; D. Mann c Poths b Folley, 0 ; H. D. Lamboume c Davies b Poths, 0; A. L. Hay b Folley, 5; L. J. Payne run out, 0. Extras 16. Total 67. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. Hackwood ... 10.4 4 20 3 6.6 Folley 12 5 20 3 6.6 Poths 4 1 7 3 2.S Nicholls ... 2 1 4 -— — THE SCHOOL. A. W. Pickford, run out, 1 ; A. E. Baldry b Roberts, 18 ; M. E. Nicholls, not out, 28 ; J. H. Trap6 b Bailey, 23 ; M. B. Davies, not out, 0 ; F. E. V. Cant, S. N. Hackwood ; J. H. Folley ; H. D. Poths ; S. O. A. M. Lock ; W. N. Bryer, did not bat. Extras 1. Total (for 3 wkts.) 91. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. 6 1 15 1 15 Bailey ... Roberts 3 1 19 1 19 Arbuckle 5 — 15 — — Lambourne 5 — 4 — — 3 — 17 — — Neilson THE SCHOOL v. MALVERN COLTS. Played at home on Wednesday, June 2nd. After winning the toss the School went in to bat and thanks to a fine innings by Nicholls, who missed a century by 9 runs, the School declared at 188 runs for 6 wickets. Malvern then went in to bat and were all out for 95, on the last ball of the game. THE SCHOOL. A. W. Pickford c & b Fisher, 17 ; A. E. Baldry c Hempstead b Schofield, 14; M. E. Nicholls st Gerahty b Noel, 91 ; J. H. Trap6 c & b Schofield, 5 ; M. B. Davies Ibw b Fisher, 13 ; F. E. V. Cant, not out, 27 ; S. N. Hackwood b Noel, 1 ; J. H. Folley, H. D. Poths, S. O. A. M. Lock, W. N. B. Bryer, did not bat. Extras 20. Total (for 6 wickets) 188. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. Taylor ... 10 2 39 — — 1 43 2 21.5 Fisher ... 11 Schofield 8 4 15 2 7.6 5 - 14 Hempstead 7 1 23 Chesterton 4 - 22 Button ... Noel ... 1.1— 12 MALVERN COLTS Sells, run out, 3 ; Gerahty c Pickford b Hackwood, 10 ; Button b Cant, 16 ; Schofield, run out, 17 ; Fisher Ibw

21

b Hackwood, 17 ; M. Dammers c Lock b Folley, 6 ; Hempstead Ibw b Cant, 0; Taylor Ibw b Nicholls, 7 ; Noel, not out, 5 ; Chesterton b Hackwood 0. Total 95. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. Hackwood ... 14 3 34 3 10.3 Folley 14 8 23 1 23 Poths 2 — 14 — — Cant 8 3 13 2 1.5 Nicholls ... 4 2 6 2 3 THE SCHOOL v. MONMOUTH SCHOOL. Played at home on Wednesday, June 9th. The School went in to bat first, and started disastrously by losing 5 wickets for only 6 runs. But thanks to some hard hitting by W. N. Bryer, the School were eventually all out for 59. Not a very enterprising effort, but certainly better than appeared at the start. Monmouth then went in to bat and obtained the necessary runs for the loss of 7 wickets. THE SCHOOL. A. W. Pickford Ibw b Richards, 0 ; A. E. Baldry b Richards, 1 ; M. E. Nicholls b Richards, 5 ; M. B. Davies Ibw b Richards, 0 ; J. H. Folley b Kidd, 0 ; J. Frearson b Richards, 2 ; F. E. V. Cant b Richards, 13 ; J. H. Trap6 c Weekes b Richards, 0 ; S. N. Hackwood c Weekes b Palmer, 9 ; S. M. Lock, not out, 7 ; W. N. Bryer c Holmes b Williams 20. Extras 2. Total 59. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. Richards ... 19 9 16 7 2.3 Kidd 9 2 19 1 19 Holmes ... 5 — 15 — — Palmer 3 1 3 1 3 Williams ... 1.2— 1 1 — Humphries ... 1 — 3 — — MONMOUTH SCHOOL. Holmes c & b Hackwood, 7 ; Weekes b Hackwood, 10 ; Arthur c Hackwood b Folley, 10 ; Palmer c Pickford b Folley, 0 ; Ehrenreich c & b Hackwood, 10 ; Wass b Hackwood, 0 ; Richards c & b Nicholls, 14 ; Ellis, not out, 2 ; Williams, not out, 2 ; Humphries and Kidd did not bat. Total 60 for 7. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. Hackwood ... 12 3 31 4 7.75 10 3 13 2 9 Folley Nicholls ... 1.4— 6 1 6

THE SCHOOL v. NORTON BARRACKS. Played at home on Wednesday, June 16th. Norton Barracks batted first on a medium wicket and were dismissed for the meagre total of 70, thanks to excellent bowling by Hackwood who took 8 for 34, R.S.M. Graham being the only one to bat with any confidence. The School faced a poor attack and had little difficulty in passing the total of the barracks, with five wickets in hand. NORTON BARRACKS. Sgt. Baker c Lock b Hackwood, 0 ; Pte. Perks Ibw b Hackwood, 4 ; Sgt. Dalloway c Nicholls b Hackwood, 12 ; Sgt. Mills b Hackwood, 0 ; R.S.M. Graham c Davies b Hackwood, 25 ; Pte. Layton c Nicholls b Hackwood, 1 ;


22

THE VIGORNIAN.

Pte. Abrahams Ibw b Folley, 1 ; L/Cpl. Copson b Hackwood, 6 ; L/Cpl. Wood c Lock b Folley, 16 ; Sgt. Woodley, not out, 3 ; Cpl. Martin c Lock b Hackwood, 0. Extras 2. Total 70. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. Hackwood ... 7.3— 34 8 4.25 7 2 34 2 17 Folley THE SCHOOL. Pickford Ibw Dalloway, 5 ; Baldry b Baker, 21 ; Nicholls Ibw b Baker, 17 ; Davies c Baker b Halloway, 0 ; Trap* b Baker, 7 ; Cant, not out, 8 ; Hackwood, not out, 13 ; Folley, Freason, Lock and Bryer did not bat. Extras 1. Total 72 for 5. O. M. R. W. Av. Dalloway ... 10.3 2 34 2 17 Baker 10 1 37 3 12.3

THE SCHOOL v. DEAN CLOSE SCHOOL. Played at Cheltenham on Saturday, 19th June. Dean Close won the toss and decided to bat on a very hard wicket. Two wickets fell quickly for only 15 runs. Then Jones and Wakeling stayed in until after the tea interval adding 125 before they were separated. Having scored 209 for the loss of 5 wickets they declared. The school then went in to bat and never really looked like making the runs, and were all out for 53 of which Nicholls made 24. DEAN CLOSE SCHOOL. Jones, W. R., not out, 98 ; Westbrook b Hackwood, 0 ; Crawford b Hackwood 6 ; Wakeling c Cant b Poths, 60 ; Gibson, run out, 4 ; Jones, B. E., b Hackwood, 17 ; Wigley, not out, 12 ; Jones, E. L. Johnston, Harper and Page did not bat. Extras 12. Total (5 wkts.) 209. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. Hackwood ... 18 4 50 3 16.6 Folley 22 5 79 — — Poths 4 — 22 1 22 Cant 6 — 32 — — Nicholls ... 2 — 14 — — THE SCHOOL. Nicholls c Johnston b- W. R. Jones, 24 ; Baldry b Wigley 2 ; M. B. Davies Ibw b E. Jones, 0 ; Pickford Ibw Wigley 1 ; Cant b Wakeling, 2 ; Hackwood b Crawford, 1 ; Trape c Wakeling, 1 ; Folley c Wakeling b Crawford, 4 ; Lock b Wakeling, 6 ; Frearson, not out, 6 ; H. D. Poths c Wakeling b Westbrook 1 ; Extras 5. Total 53. BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. W. Av. 10 B. E. Jones 20 20 9 7 Wigley ... 14 4 W. R. Jones 4 4 7 Wakeling 6 2 3 Crawford 4 2 Westbrook 1 0 0 THE SCHOOL v. BLOXHAM SCHOOL. Played at Worcester on Wednesday, 23rd June. The School went in to bat on what looked like a batsman's wicket. However, five wickets fell with only 11 runs on the board, but the tail wagged and the school were eventually all out for the poor total of

July, 1937

47. Bloxham then went in to bat and with 5 of their wickets down for 20 runs, it seemed as if there was still a slight chance. This stand was never broken and they passed the school's total with the loss of 5 wickets. THE SCHOOL. Baldry b Hobley, 4 ; Pickford b Williams, 4 ; Nicholls Ibw b Hobley, 0 ; Cant b Williams, 1 ; Trape c Benfield b Williams, 0 ; Hackwood b Hobley, 6 ; M. B. Davies c Parke b Gardner, 6 ; Frearson c Birse b Williams, 10 ; Lock, not out, 7 ; Folley b Gardner, 1 ; Poths b Williams, 2. Extras 6. Total 47. BOWLING ANALYSIS. N. O. M. R. W. Av. Hobley... 1 11 5 13 3 4.3 Williams — 13.1 8 16 5 3.2 Gardner — 6 2 7 2 3.5 Eastwood — 3 1 4 — — BLOXHAM SCHOOL. Parke c Folley b Hackwood, 4 ; Gardner b Folley, 7 ; Williams Ibw b Folley, 0 ; Scott b Folley, 1 ; Birse, not out, 19 ; Coker b Folley, 0 ; Boutflour, not out, 17 ; Extras 2. Total (for 5 wickets) 50. BOWLING ANALYSIS O. M. R. W. Av. Hackwood ... 10 2 23 1 23 Folley 10.5 4 20 4 5 Cant 1 — 4 — — THE

SCHOOL v.

HEREFORD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL. Played at Hereford on Wednesday, June 30th. The school batted first on a good batsman's wicket. The side was considerably strengthened by the return of Neale who made 66. The school declared at 184 for 8 wickets, leaving Hereford about and hour and threequarters to obtain the runs. Thanks to some fine batting by G. L. Smith who made 79 not out, Hereford had made 163 runs for the loss of only four wickets when stumps were drawn. THE SCHOOL. P. Neale c Hayden b Peat, 66 ; A. W. Pickford b Hastings, 2 ; M. E. Nicholls Ibw b Hayden, 0 ; M. B. Davies b Rickets, 28 ; A. E. Baldry b Peat, 16 ; J. Frearson, run out, 41; S. N. Hackwood st Moot b Hayden, 6 ; F. E. V. Cant c Ricketts b Peat, 17 ; J. H. Trape, not out, 2 ; J. H. Folley, not out, 0; S. M. Lock, did not bat. Extras 6. Total (for 8 wickets) 184. BOWLING ANALYSIS. W. O. M. R. W. Av. J. M. Hastings... ... 7 2 11 1 11 J. D. Hayden ... — 12 1 63 2 31.5 — 6 — 21 1 21 M. Ricketts D. G. Jones ... — 6 — 16 0 — o. — 57 3 19 E. H. Peat G. J. Williams... 2 3 — 10 0 — HEREFORD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL. G. L. Smith, not out, 79 ; J. D. Hayden c Cant b Hackwood, 9 ; K. David c Hackwood b Neale, 5 ; E. H. Peat c Pickford b Neale, 31 ; G. Williams b Cant 4 ; K. H. L. Scougall, not out, 21 ; G. E. Howls, J. M. Hastings, N. L. Mort, M. Ricketts and D. G. Jones, did not bat. Extras 4. Total (for 4 wickets) 163.


July, 1937

THE VIGORNIAN.

23

BOWLING ANALYSIS. THE SCHOOL. O. M. R. W. Av. P. Neale c H. Morgan b Ravenhill, 0 ; M. B. Davies c S. N. Hackwood 15 4 50 1 50 Berkley b Ravenhill, 22 ; M. E. Nicholls Ibw b Summers, J. H. Folley ... 6 0 21 0 — 0 ; A. E. Baldry c & b Ravenhill, 33 ; F. E. V. Cant c P. Neale ... 10 1 47 2 23.5 H. Morgan b W. F. Morgan, 6 ; A. W. Pickford Ibw b F. E. V. Cant ... 5 0 31 1 31 Anstey, 12 ; J. Frearson b Ravenhill, 3 ; Hackwood c & b * * * Ravenhill, 0 ; J. H. Folley, not out, 33 ; S. O. A. M. Lock c sub. b Ravenhill, 4 ; J. H. Trape b Ravenhill, 11 ; THE SCHOOL v. NORTON BARRACKS. Extras 18. Total 142. Played at Norton Barracks on Wednesday, July 7th. BOWLING ANALYSIS The School decided to bat first on a very hard wicket. W. O. M. R. W. Av. Unfortunately Neale received a ball from Lt. Myburgh Summers 12 2 51 1 51 on the temple soon after the match started and had to P. Ravenhill '.'.'. — 23.410 39 7 5.5 leave the field. Lt. Myburgh took himself off after this W. F. Morgan — 4 — 9 1 9 incident and if he had continued to bowl the match Anstey 2 12 4 25 1 25 might very well have taken a different course. The OLD VIGORNIAN'S. school were all out for 184, Folley, Nicholls and Neale F. Morgan b Folley, 14 ; H. M. Morgan c Folley b (who later returned to finish his innings) all batted well. W. 24 ; R. E. Summers c Trap6 b Hackwood, 34 ; The Barracks then went in to bat and were all out for Neale, F. H. Bridgman b Hackwood, 22; W. N. Berkeley b 121. Hackwood 5 for 50, Cant 2 for 8. Hackwood, 0 ; P. Ravenhill Ibw b Hackwood, 3 ; G. THE SCHOOL. Taylor b Neale, 2 ; L. E. Tyrell, not out, 8 ; R. Anstey P. Neale c Kempson b Dalloway, 34 ; M. B. Davies b b Folley, 9 ; J. P. Raban c Nicholls b Neale, 7 ; R. C. Baker, 10 ; M. E. Nicholls Ibw b Wilson, 39 ; A. W. Hicks, not out, 13. Extras 8. Total (for 9 wickets) 144. Pickford Ibw b Dalloway, 10 ; A. E. Baldry Ibw b BOWLING ANALYSIS. Baker, 9 ; J. Frearson st Perks b Dalloway, 15 ; S. N. W. O. M. R. W. Av. Hackwood c & b Dalloway, 5 ; F. E. V. Cant c Kempson, Hackwood ... 16 4 42 4 10.5 b Baker, 16 ; J. H. Folley c Sanger b Dalloway, 26 ; ... — 10 — 43 2 21.5 Folley ... S. O. A. M. Lock c Dalloway b Baker, 0 ; J. H. Trape', Cant ... ... 4 11 not out, 3. Extras 17. Total 184. Neale '.!'. ... — 11 1 40 3 13.3 BOWLING ANALYSIS. * * * W. O. M. R. W. Av. BATTING AVERAGES. Myburgh ... — 3 1 6 — — Innings Runs Not Highest Average Baker — 18 3 51 4 12.6 Out Dalloway ... — 21 2 84 5 16.8 1. Neale ... 3 100 — 66 33.33 1 5 1 26 1 26 Wilson 2. Nicholls ... 10 218 1 91 24.22 NORTON BARRACKS. 3. Folley ... 7 75 3 33* 18.75 Sgt. Dalloway Ibw b Hackwood, 24 ; Cpl. Sanger c 4. Frearson ... 6 77 1 41 15.4 Nicholls b Hackwood, 1 ; Lt. B. Wilson b Hackwood, 1 ; 5. Cant ... 9 103 2 27* 14.71 Pte. Perks c Cant b Hackwood, 28 ; Sgt. Baker c Lock 6. Baldry ... 10 125 — 33 12.5 b Neale, 18 ; C/s Ham b Neale, 3 ; Lt. J. Myburgh, 7. Davies ... 10 88 1 28 9.75 run out, 16 ; R.S.M. Humphries c Lock b Hackwood, 5 ; 8. Lock ... 5 24 2 7« 8.00 L/cpl. Wood c & b Cant, 1 ; Pte. Kempson, not out, 2 ; 9. Trap<5 ... 10 52 2 23 6.5 Pte. Abrahams c Hackwood b Cant. Extras 14. 10. Hackwood 9 48 1 13* 6.00 Tntnl 1 Ulal 191 1^1. 11. Pickford ... 10 54 — 17 5.4 BOWLING ANALYSIS. * * * O. M. R. W. Av. Hackwood ... 12 — 50 5 10 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Overs Mdns. Runs Wckts. Average Folley 7 1 23 — — 1. Nicholls ... 11 3 32 3 10.66 Neale 6 — 26 2 13 2. Hackwood 126 26 357 33 10.81 Cant 1.4— 8 2 4 3. Neale ... 27 2 113 7 16.14 * * * 4. Folley ... 106 32 298 15 19.86 THE SCHOOL v. OLD VIGORNIANS. 5. Cant ... 28 3 106 5 21.20 Played at home on Saturday, July 10th. The school won the toss and started disastrously by O.T.C. NOTES. losing 2 wickets for 1 run. Then Davies and Baldry offer our heartiest congratulations to Capt. Strong took the total to 31 before the next wicket fell. With onWe being awarded the Territorial Decoration, which 7 wickets down for 88 runs things did not look very bright. However, Folley came to the rescue with a was presented to him by Col. Newth after the Inspection. * * * lively innings of 33 not out, and the school were evenThe Corps this term continues to increase, and we tually all out for 142. The O.V's. then went in to bat and scored 82 for 2 before the tea interval. However, have departed from our usual custom by enrolling immediately after the tea interval wickets fell rapidly nine recruits, who are coming on well under the instrucand with 9 wickets down they wanted 8 runs to win. tion of L/cpl. Hinds. * * * In spite of the bowlers' superhuman efforts the last This year we are sending a contingent of sixty to wicket remained firm and the O.V's. won the most camp at StrensaJl, Yorks. Very few of us have been exciting match of the season by 1 wicket.


24

THE VIGORNIAN.

there before, and we are all looking forward to the Yorkshire countryside as a pleasant change from the familiar Aldershot training areas. * * * The Contingent was inspected on Speech Day, July 9th, by Lt.-Col. A. L. Newth, D.S.O., M.C., T.D. Proceedings on the field were spoilt by heavy rain, but all those in possession of Certificate " A " were given a thorough test on landscape targets in the gym. and also on the sandtable. In his address, Col. Newth emphasised the necessity of physical fitness, and urged boys leaving school to join the Territorial Army. The official report is not yet to hand. * * * At Camp this year we are making a new departure by entering a team for the Camp P.T. Competition. Squads consist of sixteen men and a leader, and the best two teams of each camp are judged by a travelling Board which makes the final award. * » » On Sunday, July 3rd, N.C.O's. and the Camp P.T. Squad were allowed to attend the Army " At Home " at Norton Barracks, and everybody spent an instructive and enjoyable afternoon. * * * *

FIELD DAY.

Field Day this term took place in the Old Hills Area. The contingent marched put to Powick Bridge with the Band, and completed the journey by 'bus. An attacking force under Sgt. Eckersley, consisting of three platoons under Sgt. Hackwood, Cpl. Steward and Cpl. Bearcroft advanced against a force under C.S.M. Holland consisting of two platoons under Cpl. Sutton and Cpl. Richards. The defence force occupied strong positions covered by a brook, and the attack advanced with No. 1 Platoon on the right, No. 2 on the left, and No. 3 in reserve in the centre. No. 1 Platoon was held up by one section in a commanding position, but No. 3 was brought up to their assistance and after a brisk engagement the defence were driven back to the high ground in rear, the final objective. The attack next advanced in the same formation as in the first phase, but this time No. 2 made a wide encircling movement on thel eft flank. No. 1 Platoon was again held up by heavy fire from sections concealed in the gorse, and No. 2 was only able to progress slowly. No. 3 were again brought up, but this time the enemy were only forced to retire with great difficulty. The final assault was fairly easy, owing to the failure of the defence to cover vital ground. The defence were driven out, and made a counter-attack which would have been more successful if the leaders of the assaults had kept better direction. * * * Nominal roll of ex-cadets of King's School, Worcester, Contingent, O.T.C. who have been appointed to commissions in the T.A. or S.R. of O. for the period from 1/4/36 to 31/3/37. Name. Unit. Date of appointment (in London Gazette). Maitland, R. J. B. S.R. of O. Royal Artly. 1/7/36 Allen, D. W. M. 65th (8th London) Fd. Bde., R.A.T.A. 23/1/37 Craze, M. R. Felsted School Contgt., O.T.C. 5/2/37

July, 1937

Promotions and Appointments Set. Fairgrieve to be C.S.M. L/Cpl. Davies Corporal. L/Cpl. Lavender Corporal. L/Cpl. Bendall Corporal L/Cpl. Lock Corporal. Cdt. Trap6 L/Corporal. Cdt. Glover Cdt. Lodge Cdt. Dobson Cdt. Curtis Cdt. Bryer For Camp :— Sgt. Eckersley C.Q.M.S. Cpl. Steward Sergeant. Cpl. Sutton Sergeant. The following were successful in Part II (Theoretical) of the Certificate " A " Examination :— Bird, J. C. Hollyer, P. L. B. Bryer, W. N. Lodge, R. L. Curtis, F. J. McEachran, P. Dobson, R. M. Pettigrew, A. R. Ewen, M. D. Poths, H. D. Folley, J. H. Trape, J. H. Glover, I. Wedgwood, K. This brings our total percentage of successes thi» year to 93 per cent., a record for the School. J. F. L. * » # We have received a very interesting letter from E. G. Knapp-Fisher (School House, 1929-33), who is now at St. Michael's Mission, Sterkspruit, Cape Colony, describing his work out there and the hazards of South African roads. We very much regret that space, however, will not permit us to publish the whole letter in the current issue. O. T.C. AT THE CORONATION. The decorations have come down. The lights on the river have ceased to shine. In short the Coronation is over, but some brief note should be made of the festival in London as witnessed by three members of the O.T.C. Coronation morning found several hundred cadets assembled in Eaton Square. We sat on the pavement, we filled the porches and doorsteps, we encumbered the steps leading to the kitchen door. Noble Lords issued in all their finery from their houses to find their way blocked by a mass of khaki. Shocked footmen tried to drive us away. Postmen attempted in vain to deliver their letters. But no one really cared. It was Coronation Day. Soon we fell in and marched off to our positions at the Victoria Memorial. By a devious route through the Gardens of the Palace we reached the top of Constitution Hill. As we marched down the sanded expanse, carrying an incongruous assortment of raincoats, paper bags and newspapers, we succeeded in raising a cheer from the sleepy crowds in the stands. It was at this point that the true spirit of the Day caught us. The sanded road. The never-ending succession of banners, blue and scarlet. The bright tunics of the Guards lining the route. All these colourful spectacles combined to create the feeling of majesty and joy.


July, 1937

THE VIGORNIAN.

After ten weeks the scenes that can be remembered are inevitably disjointed. We still remember the gorgeousness of the Indian contingent ensconced behind us (This gorgeousness proved a mixed blessing as it attracted every photographer from that huge crowd. There were several thousands of them and they all walked on us as we sat on the pavement). We remember too, the blushes of the solitary policeman who dared to ride a bicycle along the route. The skill of the Sergeant Major who with exquisite ease manipulated a pace stick along the pavement in front of the Palace to find the position for the markers of the Guard of Honour. And the Guard itself. It consisted of detachments from the three services. Each detachment arrived headed by its band and took up its position in front of the Palace. Then the procession itself. The stream of cars issuing from the Palace in which we could recognise Princess Juliana and Prince Chichibu and Blomberg. Then the Prime Ministers with their police escorts. At ten o'clock the road became filled with an unending cavalcade of Life Guards who filed from Constitution Hill into the Palace Forecourt. Their magnificent band appeared. The state coach rumbled into die Palace from the Royal Mews. At ten-thirty at the sound of the electric bell which, we had learnt, heralded any important happening, the procession of the King and Queen moved on. As the band played the National Anthem, the sun made his sole appearance of the day and the coach passed down the Mall to the accompaniment of a wave of cheering. This was the climax of the day. All else seemed outshone by the magnificence of the moment. Throughout the next few hours there was plenty to entertain us. We saw the carpet and hangings being laid out on the Balcony of the palace. Scouts from Nigeria and Burmese women walked past us as we sat on the pavement. Strange uniforms were to be seen. The magnificence of the Indians could be admired. We heard the salute in St. James Park and saw the wild birds from the Park wheeling above us when they were disturbed by this unusual interruption of their peace. Then in the rain the procession returned. The Guardsmen took off their capes and sloped arms. Long columns of men in Mr. Duff Cooper's new blue uniforms went past. Finally in rain heavier than ever the crowned King and Queen arrived home again. As the coach entered the Palace we rushed forward towards the gates to await the eagerly hoped for Royal appearance on the balcony. We were amply rewarded. Their Majesties appeared in their crowns and robes and stood in the rain waving to die cheering crowds below. It was a fitting conclusion to that memorable day. J. S. BAND NOTES. Our thanks are due to Mr. P. H. B. Sprosen, O.V., who has presented his own drum to the O.T.C. engraved as a Challenge Trophy to be awarded to the best side drummer of each year in the future, the name to be engraved on the drum. Mr. Sprosen was the first drummer of the Band when it was formed, and he won the Camp individual drumming competition at the O.T.C. Tidworth Camp the same year that the Band took first place in the Band - Competition.

25

Unfortunately the band was unable to perform on Inspection Day owing to the rain, which came down heavily just after the arrival of Col. Newth. The Drum Major of the 1st Batt. Worcs. Regt. visited us this term and went so far as to say that the band had improved considerably since last year. So there is every hope of adding yet another first place to those already gained in the past at O.T.C. camps. S. N. H. SHOOTING NOTES. The first part of the term was given over entirely to practice for the VIII with a view to the Chichester and W.R.A. Cups. Owing to the early dating of this competition we were only able to visit the open range once, though several practices were put in on die 30 yards range, including a ten-a-side match with the Depot. There is little doubt that the score returned at Sutton Park would have been better if more practice had been possible. We must, however, congratulate Cdt. J. M. Garnett on winning the bronze medal for the highest individual score excluding the members of the winning team. His score of 63 out of a possible 70 was the second highest score of the day, being 2 points behind the top scorer—^a Malvern cadet. Cdt. W. G. C. Bearcroft was 3rd widi a score of 61 and he also obtained die highest individual score at 500 yards with a score of 33 out of a possible 35. The individual cup was diis term shot for on die 30 yards range and consisted of 8 shots at a 25 yards decimal target. This was won by Cpl. E. M. F. Bearcroft widi a score of 66 out of a possible 80. Cdt. P. L. B. Hollyer was second also widi 66, but was only given second place since he had scored fewer bulls than Bearcroft. The rest of the term was divided between Classification and Practice for the House Competition. There are at present 14 1st class and 16 2nd class shots in die Corps. The shooting of the corps as a whole has been disappointing and there is as a result no great reserve of talent. Chichester and W.R.A. Cup Results : 200yds. 500yds. Total. Cdt. J. M. Garnett ... 32 31 63 Cdt. W. G. C. Bearcroft 28 33 61 Cdt. P. L. B. Hollyer 29 29 58 Cpl. D. B. Steward ... 28 28 56 Cpl. N. W. Richards 23 28 51 L/Cpl. F. E. V. Cant 27 24 51 C.S.M. A. Fairgrieve 26 24 50 Cdt. H. D. Poths ... 26 20 46 219 Grand Total ... 217 436 Chichester Cup Results. H.P.S. 370. 1st Malvern College 236 2nd Bromsgrove ... 236 3rd King's School 219 4th Grammar School 204 W.R.A. Cup Results : H.P.S. 740. 1st Malvern College 478 2nd Bromsgrove ... 446 3rd King's School 436 4th Grammar School 398


26

THE VIGORNIAN.

July, 1937

SCOUT NOTES. Easter Camp. As in former years, a few senior Day Boy scouts took advantage of the Easter Holidays to hold their first camp of the season. This year they were fortunate in gaining permission to camp in Eastnor Park, the site of the coming Coronation Jamboree. While in camp they were visited by Commander Spreckley and were able to do a small service to the local Association in executing some preparatory work for the Jamboree. The weather was extremely favourable for the time of year and those who were able to attend the camp soon grew to appreciate the wonderful charm of the Park and to look forward to revisiting it at the Jamboree SWIMMING NOTES. (a full account of which will be found elsewhere). * * * Although so far this term the river has remained at Summer Term. almost the same level and has allowed us to bathe consisAfter the excitement of the Jamboree we managed tently, the weather has not encouraged bathers, and on the whole attendance at the baths has been small. Now to settle down to the routine of the Summer Term and, that afternoon School finishes earlier it was hoped that as in former years, weekend camps have been held at there would be more time for bathing, but this has not Claines (by the kind permission of Mr. Creighton) and been the case. Next year we hope to see many more at Teme's Mouth. Each patrol has had at least two week-end camps, but it was very disappointing to see boys at the baths, especially in the senior forms. so few Day Boy scouts at the Day Boy half term camp. This term nearly 20 boys have passed their Baths Test, We hope they will wipe out this blot on their reputation and over 30 their River Test; 17 boys have been taking in future years. On the other hand it was pleasing to instruction in life-saving, although at the moment we notice the revival of the old custom of Day Boy patrol do not know with what success. The figures show leaders in taking out their own patrols separately for that Swimming Instruction is well up to the standard of week-end camps. former years. Field Day. On Friday, July 2nd, a swimming match was held No actual Field Day activities were held this term, with the College for the Blind, the College winning but instead the day was devoted to the transfer of by 20 points to 7. The results of the events were as camping material to Claines and to the training of new follows :— scouts in the rudiments of tent pitching and camping. Summer Camp. 1. Free Style Sprint (50 yards). Once again about twenty scouts are going to spend Dead Heat : D. S. Blane (B.C.), G. L. Bay (B.C.) the first ten days of the Summer holidays at Finsthwaite 3. A. Fairgrieve (K.S.) Time : 31£ sees. and their spare time at the moment is given to preparation 2. Diving. for that event. 1. P. J. Seed (B.C.) 33 points. This year we are taking two foreign scouts with us, 2. P. T. Halliley (K.S.) 32 „ a German and a Swede, so that for any would-be modern 3. G. C. Rutter (B.C.) 29 „ language adepts the camp will serve a double purpose ! 3. Relay Race. H. W. H. 1. College for the Blind. 2. King's School. B. S. E. Time : 65 sees. * * * 4. Plunging. THE EASTNOR CORONATION JAMBOREE. 1. D. Praeter (B.C.) 34' 6" 2. F. E. V. Cant (K.S.) 33' Hi* The Coronation Jamboree for the scouts of Worces3. M. E. Nicholls (K.S.) 29' 4" tershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire was held in Eastnor Park by kind permission of Lord Somers, 5. Breast Stroke Sprint (50 yds.). deputy Chief Scout for England, on the Saturday, Sunday 1. D. S. Blane (B.C.). and Monday following Coronation Day. It was held 2. G. L. May (B.C.). for the primary purpose of enabling as many scouts as 3. L. C. Jones (K.S.) Time : 42.8 sees. see the Chief Scout, but it also proved a It is hoped that this match will become an annual possible to opportunity to demonstrate to him the high event, and further stimulate interest in swimming in favourable degree of efficiency in camping and pioneer-work which the School. we try to maintain in the Midlands. Results of Sports :— There were over 2,000 scouts in camp for the whole Castle House 63 points. of the Jamboree and more than 10,000 Scouts, Guides School House 45 „ and Cubs were present on the Monday, the most Creighton's House ... 20 ,, important day of the Jamboree. We took six patrols Chappel's House ... 17 „ for the whole of the week-end, making a total, with the Hostel 8 „ senior patrol, of thirty-five scouts in camp. Every D. B. S. Scout was not able to come, however, and those not B. S. E. lucky enough to be in camp for the whole Jamboree E. M. F. B. came out for the day on Monday. Results of House Competition : 1. School House 248 pts. 2. Hostel 237 „ 3. Castle House 184 „ 4. Chappel's 109 „ 5. Creighton's 97 „ In conclusion we should like to thank Lieut. J. H. L. Burnett and C.S.M.I. G. A. Cooper, for all the time and trouble they have taken with this term's shooting. A. F. E. M. F. B.


July, 1937

THE VIGORNIAN.

We were given a good site high up on the side of the hill allotted to Worcestershire scouts and by three o'clock on the Saturday afternoon we had settled in and were preparing to enjoy three days of new excitements, new interests and new experiences. To those of us who had camped in the Park at Easter, our first view of the familiar surroundings presented us with a shock, for instead of the vast expanse of green the ground had taken on a new appearance. The whole park seemed to be dotted with white tents, looking for all the world like giant mushrooms which had sprung up in the night. In place of the one solitary camp fire which we had seen at Easter, we saw now countless myriads of bluish wisps floating up between the trees and everywhere there was the hum of human activity. We soon got used to the difference however, and, after tea, those of us who were not needed to go and help with the building of the rope-bridge, which we were constructing in conjunction with the College for the Blind Troop, set out on a tour of the camp. On Saturday night all troops were left to their own resources and we held our own camp-fire which was run by Eckersley and went extremely well until a display of fireworks at Eastnor Castle distracted our attention. Finally we gave way and moved to where we could get a better view of the display. Sunday, like Monday and Saturday was an extremely hot day and although two rehearsals for the Pyramid of Scouting were held, every opportunity was taken to rest and prepare for the strenuous day which we knew Monday was to be. On Sunday afternoon we all attended a service at which the Bishop of Hereford gave the address. In the evening a very good Camp fire was held at which, however, we were only spectators. Nevertheless, we gleaned quite a number of useful ideas from the efforts of other troops. Monday was full of events from start to finish. The Chief Scout paid an unofficial visit to the Camp in the morning and went round inspecting the various bridges which had been constructed over the stream. He was obviously in extremely good spirits and at least two members of the troop were fortunate enough to catch this informal glimpse of B.P. going round, followed by the Chief Guide and Lord Somers and the Camp Chiefs and Commissioners. He tried all the bridges himself and we were extremely proud to see that he did not miss our effort. " Had again ! Not even a single 'Granny'," was his remark as he inspected the exceedingly efficient and stout bridge erected by the joint efforts of Worcester Scouts, which we believe, is being left in position at Lord Somers' own request. He also inspected the special Camps^-the Camp incorrect in every detail, which provoked a considerable amount of amusement, the Camp correct in every detail, the Camp in the trees which was constructed by Herefordshire Rovers and the Camp without Canvas. All Monday morning Guides, Cubs and more Scouts poured into the Park and began to rehearse the various stunts which they were to perform in the afternoon before the Chief Scout and Chief Guide. At 11.30 a.m. we had our last rehearsal of the Pyramid of Scouting and, after snatching a hasty lunch, we were all back in our positions waiting to begin the march of this great Pyramid of Youth. All the Scouts, Guides and Cubs in camp took part. On the brow of a hill we formed up in a triangle with the Scouts in front, then the Guides and lastly the cubs. Each line con-

27

tained two less than the one in front of it until at the end was one cub marching by himself. At a given signal the column began to move over the brow of the hill, at the foot of which was one bell tent and a few scouts, representing the Brownsea Island Camp of 1907. As the huge Pyramid of 1937 descended, so the tent collapsed and became engulfed in the huge movement of 1937. The Chief Scout was on a dais at the foot of the slope and he, together with the Crown Prince Michael of Rumania and the Chief Guide, witnessed what must have looked exactly like a moving pyramid as the column walked down the slope of the hill. The Chief Scout then spoke to us, introduced us to our Royal Visitor and then complimented us on the efficiency and scoutlike nature of the Jamboree. Afterwards, the Chief Scout walked through the Jamboree on his way to the Castle, his route being lined all the way with scouts, all eager to catch a glimpse of him. We returned to Worcester soon after tea on Monday, having spent three glorious days in camp. The Jamboree was exceedingly interesting and we gained many hints on camping from seeing other troops in Camp. It also brought home to us the fact which we are sometimes, perhaps, apt to forget, that we are not the only Scouts in the World and that we have a duty and service to perform in return for all the joys we get out of Scouting. We were very pleased to be able to welcome the Headmaster in camp with us for one night, particularly as it gave us an opportunity of showing him what the Scouts can do.

H. W. H.

P.T. CAMP. This year the Contingent sent six of its members to the twenty-fifth annual O.T.C. Physical Training Course at Aldershot, namely, Sergt. Fairgrieve, Cpls. Steward and Richards, L/Cpl. Bendall, and Cadets Garnett and Trap£. We were placed in No. 5 Section with eight representatives from Cranleigh School, and one from King's School, Wimbledon (the latter, incidentally, filled many of our leisure hours with the strains of his saxophone). The experience was new to all but one of us, and by the end of the Course we were all agreed that one has to go to P.T. Camp to realise how much work and pleasure can be crammed into a single day, and this is the best recommendation we can give to those who are thinking of going next year. By way of experiment this year we had an occasional period of P.T. according to Board of Education Tables, and we welcomed the variety contained in them, although noticing that the squad was less under the supervision of the Instructor than in the Army Tables. However, it was generally agreed that the " B. of E." Tables were far superior as far as getting the last ounce of energy out of every man was concerned. Owing to a complaint registered last year that those taking the course did not do enough work themselves, we had fewer demonstrations and lectures than last year, but those that we had were thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated, especially the " Black and White" Boxing demonstration, the trapeze and swimming, and the agility demonstration. Some of the evolutions performed in the latter demonstration were truly amazing !


28

THE VIGORNIAN.

We were very impressed by the thoroughness of the arrangements made for us, and the completeness of the care token of us, and even if the beds were a little hard, the food more than made up for it. The Course was thoroughly successful and thoroughly enjoyed by all of us, and we recommend all those who are interested in going in future to make every effort to do so, for the service they will do both to themselves and their school on their return. D. B. S. P.T. COMPETITION. The P.T. Competition took place on College Green on June 10th, and in conjunction with it the whole School gave a display of massed P.T. The Competition was judged by C.S.M. J. Mitchell, who expressed himself well satisfied with the standard of the performance. Each team gave a good display, but it was evident that the result lay very closely between School House and Hostel. This was shown by the judges' decision in favour of Hostel by one point. Both teams are to be congratulated on a very fine display. The massed P.T. was very well done by all those taking part, and was much appreciated by the parents who were watching. It is to be hoped that this will become an annual event. Results of House Competition :— 1st Hostel 89 points 2nd School House ... 88 3rd Castle House ... 79 4th Chappel's House ... 72 „ 5th Creighton's House... 69

"RICHARD OF BORDEAUX." On Monday, April 5th, Mr. Macdonald produced his third play in College Hall, again choosing a modern play on a mediaeval subject, Gordon Daviot's " Richard of Bordeaux." The play was a good choice for the School, as it contains so many worth-while male roles and only one important female part. There was a record audience of over six hundred, including many distinguished visitors and friends of the School. The entire play centres round the young king Richard, and its success depends almost entirely on the capabilities of the actor playing the part. It was particularly fortunate therefore, that Eckersley, besides possessing the necessary talent, was already well acquainted with the play. He gave a fine display, sound and restrained for die most part, yet never failing to rise to the occasion in'the more emotional scenes. He brought out very well the petulancy of the young king, and was most convincing as the " hysterical youth throwing the cushions about in his rage," while in the final scene he completely captured the sympathies of the audience. He never allowed his articulation to be marred by the simulation of emotion, and never over-acted ; it was a thoroughly sound and capable performance. The difficult part of Anne of Bohemia was ably played by McEachran, who made a graceful and convincing queen. The two villains of the piece, Richard's uncles Gloucester and Arundel, were well portrayed by Steward and Richards, while Bolland quite naturally assumed the part of the bluff Henry of Derby. Gloucester was

July, 1937

perhaps made more of a comic character than the author had intended, and Arundel might have been rather more forceful, but they made an adequately unpleasant pair of villains. A minor triumph was scored by Halliley as Maudelyn, the King's Secretary and faithful friend. He avoided over-sentimentalising the part, and playing with quiet sincerity and restraint gave one of the best performances of the evening. Hinds, as Robert de Vere, Richard's elegant young friend, and Sutton, as the dashing Mowbray, were both refreshingly gay and debonair, while Lock as the crafty Archbishop and Davies as the diplomatic Lancaster were more than adequate. Some excellent comic relief was provided in the street scene in which all the actors gave a whole-hearted display which was much appreciated ; Reynolds and Kirkwood, though subdued, did all that was required of them as Burley and de la Pole, and Wedgwood and Knapp-Fisher made the best of the other two female parts. Altogether it was a memorable performance. Mr. Macdonald is to be congratulated upon maintaining the high standard which he set with " St. Joan" and " Murder in the Cathedral," and we may rest assured that next year's production will be of equal excellence. CAST. Maudelyn—a page, later the King's Secy. P. T. HALLILEY Another Page P. D. FOURDRINIBR Richard II B. S. ECKERSLEY Anne of Bohemia—his Queen ... P. MC£ACHRAN Thomas, Duke of Gloucester 1 .. D. B. STEWARD T~.U_~ 1~\.,1.~ _r T «. *. V* John, Duke of Lancaster f runc r i M. B. DAVIES Edmund, Duke of York J "* A. J. BENDALL The Earl of Arundel N. W. RICHARDS Thomas Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury S. M. LOCK Michael de la Pole—Chancellor ... A. J. KIRKWOOD Sir Simon Burley—-the King's Tutor J. D. REYNOLDS Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford ... H. W. HINDS Mary, Countess of Derby K. WEDGWOOD Agnes Launcekron— Waiting Woman M. B. KNAPP-FISHBR Henry, Earl of Derby—son of Lancaster A. D. BOLLAND Thomas, Lord Mowbray ... J. SUTTON Sir John Montague A. FAIRGRIEVE Edward, Earl of Rutland—son of York ... D. DENCER A Doctor J. H. FOLLEY Lord Derby's Page W. P. PATERSON A Man in the Street M. E. NICHOLLS A Second Man J. H. PRESSDEE A Third Man D. L. SHELTON A Woman D. H. JONES A Second Woman E. L. PRITCHARD The Voice of the Bird J. G. GREEN Stage Manager ... S. N. HACKWOOD Produced by ... MR. ALEC MACDONALD SPEECH DAY. (Acknowledgement is made to the Worcester Evening Times for the use of their report of the Speeches). The weather on July 9th, though not so fine as that traditionally associated with our Speech Days, was at least an improvement on that of last year, when heavy rain poured all the afternoon. This year the rain exhausted itself on the O.T.C. Inspection in the morning, and the afternoon, though grey, was dry.


July, 1937

THE VIGORNIAN.

The Dean presided at the proceedings in College Hall, and the Governing Body was also represented by Bishop Duppuy, Canon Hutchinson, Canon Briggs and Mr. J. R. Anthony. Apologies were received from Archdeacon Peile, Mr. Cyril Bailey and Mr. Maurice Webb. Before asking the Headmaster to read his Report, the Dean first apologised for his own oversight in arranging the Annual Festival of the Friends of the Cathedral on the same Saturday as that of the O.V. Reunion, and secondly spoke appreciatively of the way in which Mr. Wilding had thrown his energies into the life of the School during his first year of office. HEADMASTER'S REPORT. Mr. Wilding prefaced his report with a tribute to the Rev. C. Creighton, who, he said, had made his task as light as possible. He read a telegram he had received that morning from Urbino in which Mr. Creighton sent " Good luck and best wishes," and said that the late Headmaster's mark was to be observed not only in the outward growth of the School, but, more important, in the lives and characters of the boys who had passed under his influence. Mr. Wilding also acknowledged the help and encouragement he had received from the Governors, staff and boys, and assured the gathering that he would do his best to uphold the trust reposed in him, of which he was deeply sensible. " The fathers will want to know about the work, the mothers about health, and the Old Boys, I suppose, will want to know about games," said Mr. Wilding in dealing with progress made during the year. He first satisfied the mothers by assuring them that health had been extraordinarily good. Then he appeased the anxiety of the fathers with the announcement that work had been no less encouraging. He mentioned J. Button's scholarship at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, T. E. D. Beavan's gold medal for Clinical Medicine at Birmingham University, E. G. Knapp-Fisher's 1st class in Jurisprudence at Oxford, as showing that the curriculum was not cast in any narrow mould. Such diversity of talent, he proceeded, was equally noticeable among the Old Boys. The School had during the past year, supplied the Chief Secretary to the Government of Palestine, the City Engineer of Lincoln, and the Bishop of New Guinea. Mr. Creighton's gift to the School of the art and geography rooms had made the tenancy of the Edgar Tower no longer necessary. They were grateful for the use of it in the past, and while the work would doubtless proceed more efficiently in the new rooms, they could not leave the Edgar Tower without feelings of regret, and it would still continue to be regarded as in a sense the gateway of the School. Closing his summary of the year's work, Mr. Wilding said with such a record as the last twelve months had shown, the future could be contemplated with a quiet confidence. While it was true that numbers were not necessarily the barometer of a School's success, it was pleasing to note that the roll was now higher than it had been since just after the depression of 1931.

FOURTH CENTENARY PLANS. For some time, the Headmaster continued, the School had been thinking of an appropriate way to celebrate it» 400th birthday in 1941. Alternative playing fields for use in the winter, when the river was in flood, had

29

provided the answer to the familiar question put by so many parent* : " What do you want for your birthday ?" Through the kindness of local clubs the School had been able to borrow grounds, but it would be a splendid thing for them to have extra fields so that games could be placed literally on a solid basis. He asked parents to give the matter earnest consideration and to respond generously when an appeal was launched for the purpose. THE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE. Mr. Wilding made some important observations on the School Certificate when he recorded that the percentage of successes last year in the Higher Certificate was 70 and in the School Certificate just over 80. " The School Certificate," he said, " is intended to be a test of a boy's ability in about six or seven subjects, just about two-thirds of his way through the school. I would ask parents to remember that it is entirely wrong to look upon it as a school-leaving certificate. It is nothing of the sort. I would ask you to remember that the remaining one-third of the boy's career is very often far more important than the first two-thirds. " The School Certificate has a great commercial value and the Higher Certificate has very little. I would ask you, however, to look beyond bread and butter, and, even at great sacrifice to yourself—and I know what sacrifice it is at times—to try and allow your sons to remain at school for at least a year after School Certificate. It is at this time that boys pass from the letter to the spirit of learning, and it is at this age that a boy can learn, even by mistakes, to take a position of responsibility and develop powers of leadership and initiative which will make him not only a better wage earner but a better man." THE YEAR'S ACHIEVEMENTS. Mr. Wilding spoke with pride of success in various branches of School life. The O.T.C. especially had enjoyed an outstanding year of achievement. The Rugger XV. were rather young, and although they played with plenty of enthusiasm many victories were not to be expected. However, the majority of the side were remaining at School and would be available next season. There was an encouraging increase in the number of learners at boxing. The shooting VIII broke the School record on the miniature range, and on the open range they had their best team for ten years. At cricket the 1st XI. had won or drawn as many matches as they had lost, while the under IS XI was still unbeaten. Referring to the School^ rowing prowess, he mentioned amid applause, that P. H. Jackson, O.V., won the senior sculls at Marlow, and reached the semi-final of the Diamond Sculls at Henley, his conqueror eventually winning the event. He complimented Mr. Macdonald on his production of " Richard of Bordeaux " last term, and went on to urge more boys to learn musical instruments so that they could have an " all-School " orchestra. During the year the Scientific and Engineering Society was formed, and their activities embraced visits to neighbouring factories—a useful supplement to work in the laboratory which enabled the boys " to see the trees as well as the wood." Mr. Wilding alluded to the useful connecting link between boys and employers formed by the Careers Advisory Bureau, of which good use had been made. Since last year another House had been formed owing


30

THE VIGORNIAN.

to the large number of day boys. This step had been fully justified by results, Creighton's and Chappel's having already shown themselves capable of winning House Cups. The success of the change was due in large part to the House Master, Mr. Thomas, and the Captains. DR. VAUGHAN'S ADDRESS. The prizes were then distributed by Dr. W. W. Vaughan, M.V.O., lately Headmaster of Rugby School. Not content with the conventional smile and shake of the hand, Dr. Vaughan had an apt comment or a friendly question for each recipient, and so gave a practical example of the quality that in his address he was to describe as " graciousness." At the beginning of a memorable and characteristic speech, addressed with charming adroitness to parents and to boys at the same time, Dr. Vaughan said that such functions were not only prize days but also opportunities for fellow workers to rejoice together and to make resolves together. He would suggest to parents that there were three stages in the lives of those in whom they were most interested. The first important stage was that of school life. No doubt sometimes those at school thought that school was a place where there was a certain amount of irksomeness, but as they went up the school those restraints were redeemed by the responsibilities put upon them and by successes in work and games. The blessing which a school gave to those who had been under its shelter was one that endured through life. The second stage was the five years following school life, spent by some at the University and by others starting in business. That was the stage in which they would come across loneliness and disappointments as well as successetf. Universities seemed from a distance places of good fellowship, but those who had been to them knew that life there might be full of loneliness, whereas at school it was almost impossible to be lonely. It was possible also to be lonely in business, even in a crowded room. In this stage also they would meet with painful perplexities. The third stage came between the ages of 22 and 27 or thereabouts, and was possibly the most critical stage of all and one for which school life had been preparing them, although they had hardly been aware of that preparation. In that stage some of the foundations of their life, religion and character often developed cracks which had to be filled up with the concrete of experience, and that concrete could not be bought in any shop. Sometimes, even, they had to begin again in that stage and lay entirely new foundations. In this stage the parents had to help their sons tactfully, for in spite of the young men's apparent self-confidence and willingness to instruct their parents they were still seeking for help though perhaps too shy to ask for it. Success in these last two stages depended a great deal on what had happened at school. In life it was always the next stage which tested the work of its predecessor —the last year of school life, for instance, was tested by the first year of freedom. At school boys were quickly praised or blamed, but in the world they often did not get any praise or blame at all. It was true of most of the professions that the man who got on between the ages of thirty and forty was the man who had been able to work between the ages of twenty and thirty without the encouragement either of praise, or—for that too was often encouraging—of blame.

July, 1937

GRACIOUSNESS. He suggested to all that they should try to cultivate the quality which one expected to find in girls' schools (but did not always find even there in these days)— that of graciousness of manner, which was the natural expression of a gracious mind and a gracious soul. But it should be graciousness not confined to friends and those above one, but to foe as well. There was such a great difference between giving gracious help and giving ingracious help. A vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Vaughan on the motion of Canon Hutchinson, who said they were indeed fortunate to have listened to a speech by " one who has stood out in the whole school life of our time." Replying, Dr. Vaughan said he appreciated those words, especially as they came from one who had such a right to pass judgment on others. There were very few people in England who had done so much for education as Canon Hutchinson, whose influence he had traced in many places and in many classes of the community. Dr. Vaughan concluded by asking for the customary half holiday for the boys. The Headmaster and Mrs. Wilding entertained the company at tea in the School Garden, after which the final of the House Challenge Cup was rowed, details of which appear elsewhere. There was an exhibition of the year's work in the Art School. THE PRIZE LIST. Bishop of Worcester's Divinity Prize : B. S. Eckersley. Maurice Day Classical prize : K. B. Dyer. School Latin Prose prize (Archdeacon Peile) : P. T. Halliley. School French prize (Canon Briggs) : J. F. Lavender. School German prize : H. W. Hinds. School Mathematics prize (Bishop Duppoy) : R. Anstey. School Science prize (in memory of Samuel Southall, O.V.) : J. Sutton. George Nash History prize : B. S. Eckersley. James Nash Classical prize.—Upper V. K. Wedgwood. Canon Cronshaw Divinity prize.—Upper V : M. B. Davies. Fifth Forms German prize : R. H. Bough. Fifth Forms French prize : J. D. H. Sayer. Fifth Forms Mathematics prize : P. L. W. Shovelton. Fourth Forms Mathematics prize : M. H. Anstey. Accidence prizes—Latin.—VI : J. D. Reynolds. Upper V : R. H. Bough. Lower V : J. G. Green. Upper IV: R. S. L. Walters. Middle IV: A. W. Pickford. Lower IV: J. Frearson. Greek.—VI : J. D. Reynolds. Upper V : J. D. H. Sayer. General Knowledge (the Dean of Worcester).—VI : J. Sutton. Upper V : J. M. Garnett. Lower V : P. E. Hulme. Upper IV : P. D. Fourdrinier. Middle IV : R. W. Beckett. Lower IV : V. R. S. Beckley. Lower School : W. J. Tolley. Reading Prizes (Canon Hutchinson): Senior, H. W. Hinds ; Junior, W. J. Ward. Music Prize (E. F. Day, Esq.) : C. A. Myers. Junior Singing : D. E. Carstairs. School Drawing Prize : R. M. Dobson. Drawing Prizes (R. L. Sedgwick, O.V.) : Upper IV : R. W. Stevens ; Middle IV : G. W. Mann ; Lower IV: L. W. Lewis.


July, 1937

31

THE VIGORNIAN.

Mayor of Worcester's Prize (Proxime Accessit in K.S. Examination) : W. H. B. Key. Yates' Prize for best Certificate " A " in O.T.C. : M. B. Davies. Mrs. Henry Wood Essay Prizes : Sixth Forms, B. S. Eckersley, J. Sutton ; Fifth Forms, D. Dencer ; Fourth Forms, P. D. Fourdrinier. In addition to those who gave special prizes, contributions to the Prize Fund were made by the following : Aid. C. Edwards, Mr. E. O. Kay, the O.V. Club, the Precentor and the Headmaster. THE SCHOOL CONCERT. The Concert this term was executed on a more jovial note than has been the custom in past terms, and the result was that a day which had begun with a somewhat damping of enthusiasm revived to finish in true summer term style. The programme was opened by the ballad " The Jackdaw of Rheims," by C. S. Lang. This work provides as much variety for those who sing it as for those who listen to it, and the Choir delivered its various shades of expression with the firm conviction that comes with familiarity. It was soon obvious that Mr. Day had maintained and even improved the standard of the Choir, and the obvious interest that it took in the work was reflected in the audience. Next M. Stanley, O.V., sang two songs : " To Anthea," by Hatton, and " When Dull Care," by Leveridge. The latter was so popular that as an encore Mr. Stanley sang the last verse again. The best praise than can be recorded of the admirable way in which Mr. Stanley sang the songs is that at the moment of going to press the School is still humming the tune of the last song, such was the impression it made ! To end the first part of the concert Mrs. Hutchinson's Trio gave an excellent rendering of the first movement of Mendelssohn's Trio in D minor. The Trio consisted of Mrs. Hutchinson, pianoforte, Mrs. Lamb, violin, and Miss Broome, 'cello, and temporarily took the place of the School Orchestra, which at present is rallying its forces within the School and will reappear, it is hoped, in the near future. Hitherto unfamiliar to School Concert audiences, the performance of the Trio was looked forward to with interest, and, by those who remembered Mrs. Hutchinson's accompaniment of the Choir last winter, with anticipation. The Trio did full justice to the work, and was eagerly awaited in the second part of the concert. The Choir continued after the interval with the madrigal " It was a lover and his lass," by Thomas Morley. An old favourite, it was sung crisply and lightly, Mr. Day bringing out the fine quality of an unusually strong and powerful choir by the quietness of its rendering. This was followed by Dvorak's Trio in B flat, excellently played by Mrs. Hutchinson's Trip, whom we look forward to welcoming many times in future. Then S. N. Hackwood sang " Old Mother Hubbard," by Victor Hely-Hutchinson, set in the manner of Handel, which was applauded with enthusiasm, and as an encore he sang " The Vagabond," by Vaughan Williams. Hackwood is now expected and welcomed by School and guests alike ; may we hope to see him following Mr. Stanley's example as an O.V.?

The Concert was brought to a close by the Choir singing Mr. Day's unison song " England Arise," the words by Edward Carpenter. In this stirring work the Choir excelled itself, and the last verse had to be sung again as encore. Praise is due to Mr. Day not only for so creditable a work, but also for conducting the Choir so ably. It was indeed a fitting close to an excellent and enjoyable concert.

O.V. NEWS. G. F. C. Ashdowne (Hostel 1922-1925) has this year been appointed to the staff of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, as Organizer. The Institute is responsible for the welfare and training of about 1,000 persons, and the post of Organizer entails travelling all over the country. * * * K. Ault (Natland and Hostel, 1930-34) successfully graduated from the R.A.F. College, Cranwell, on Dec. 18, 1936, and is now commissioned as a Pilot Officer, and serving at No. 114 (Bomber) Squadron, Wyton, Huntingdon. * * * D. Bain (School House 1927-1931) is now a fully qualified traveller for his firm and a trip to Bristol in connection with his job unfortunately prevented his coming down for O.V. Day. *

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O. R. Craze (Day Boys, 1926-1930) was ordained Deacon by the Bishop of Worcester in the Cathedral on Trinity Sunday. He is now serving in the Parish of Wollaston. * * * J. T. Darch (1927-1932) was granted the Diploma of Faraday House Electrical Engineering College, and also graduated at the Institute of Electrical Engineering, at the beginning of this year. He is now working as a junior engineer in the Battersea Power Station. He says that it is very hard work, but has good prospects. K. Derbyshire (Day Boys, 1928-32) has recently taken up a position as Technical Assistant to the Bangor Gas Department, Northern Ireland. *

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L. C. Dickens (Castle House, 1926-1930) is now in the firm of Kennicotts, in the water purification line, and hopes to join the firm's Indian Staff towards the end of the year. * * * A. L. Flay (Day Boys, 1922-1930) has now passed Section C in the April examinations for Associate Membership of the Institute of Civil Engineers. E. L. R. Gilson (Castle House, 1929-1934) is now working in Siam, for the Anglo-Siam Corporation. He writes cheerfully of walks 3,500 feet up to inspect roads, and of wild elephants raiding the camps. He also has the advantage of having an O.V. ' boss ' though unfortunately he does not mention his name.


32

THE VIGORNIAN.

R. I. Graham (Castle House, 1923-1926) has, since the beginning of the year, been an Assistant Solicitor in the office of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. * * * E. J. Grainger (Day Boys, 1924-1927) writes : " The first informal Dinner of O.V's. living in and near Winchester took place at the City Restaurant on Monday, June 14. Those present were : P. Woodhouse, D. J. Hall, P. Rabon, and E. J. Granger. We propose holding another next October, and would be pleased for anyone else to join us." * * » O. Greenfield (Natland, 1920-1925) for Sf years Assistant Solicitor to Mr. j. H. F. Burke, of Bellevue Chambers, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, has taken a similar post with Messrs. H. Ernest Sargent and Son, 56 and 57 Queen Street, Wolverhampton. * # » P. H. Jackson (School House, 1927-1930), of the London Rowing Club, reached the semi-final heat in the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley. He was leading his opponent, the Austrian Hasenohrl, for the first half of the course, when he had the misfortune to be overtaken by cramp in the arm, and had to abandon the race. Hasenohrl, whom the " Times" rowing correspondent describes as " one of the most perfect scullers seen at Henley," won the Sculls on the following day. » * * Revd. O. G. O. Larr (1899-1905), son-in-law of the late Canon Chappel, who for some years past has been Vicar of Market Rasen, near Lincoln, has been appointed by the Bishop of Lincoln to the neighbouring Vicarage of Woodhall Spa. * * * Revd. G. H. Sharpe (1907-1915), who was recently appointed to the Vicarage of Lindridge, preached in the Cathedral on the Sunday morning following O.V. Day. *

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W. G. Spencer (Hostel, 1932-1935) has got his commission in the Supplementary Reserve of Officers, XX the Lancashire Fusiliers. He hopes to put in his first month's training in a few week's time. THE O.V. DINNER. The Fortieth Annual Dinner of the Old Vigornians' Club was held in College Hall on July 10th, following the annual meeting in the VI Form Room. The chair was taken by Lt. Col. S. G. Simpson, O.B.E. (1892-9), and the Club entertained as its guest of honour the Dean of Worcester, the Chairman of the Governing Body. Replying to the traditional toast of " Prosperity to Worcester Cathedral King's School, which was aptly proposed by W. F. C. Underwood (1903-7) and followed by the singing of the " Floreat," the Headmaster repeated a summary of the School's achievements during the year, which he had described in detail on Speech Day, and referred in generous terms to the warm way in which he had been welcomed. He had, he said, already had the gratifying experience of hearing a boy refer to him as " the Old Man "—an honourable title which he hoped in time to deserve.

July, 1937

The Dean was called upon, and spoke with humour of the difficulties which both he and the Headmaster, as comparatively " new boys," found in remembering the many names and faces that they were expected to recognise. He illustrated the point with a story told of one of his predecessors, Dean Gott (whose absentmindedness earned him the nickname of " Dean Forgot") who, after making sympathetic enquiries after the health of the " dear father " arid then of the "dear mother " of an acquaintance he thought he recognised, only to learn to his embarrassment that they were both dead, made further enquiries and discovered that he had been addressing the Duke of Connaught. C. E. Abell (1897-1902) briefly proposed the health of the Chairman, which was drunk with musical honours, and Col. Simpson proceeded to speculate wittily and modestly on die motives which had led to his being invited to fill that office. He said he felt like that seventeenth century Vigornian Hannibal Potter, in the History of the School, who, " although a person of a very timorous nature " was " forced by circumstances " into a responsible public position. The dinner was attended by 48 members, who greeted with loud applause the reading by the Chairman of a telegram from Arezzo (whither Mr. Creighton had apparently moved from Urbino since the previous day): " Good wishes—Floreat Schola." O.V. GOLF CUP. Medal round played at Boughton Park on Saturday, July 10th, 1937. R. B. Barker ... 84—17=67 1st H. H. Holmes ... 87—14=73 2nd D. Littlebury ... 92—18 = 74 3rd A. Roy Harrison ... 78— 3 = 75 4th OLD VIGORNIANS' CLUB SUPPLIES. Blazers 45/Sweaters (plain or cable) ... 15/6 Slipovers 10/6 Silk Squares 10/6 & 16/6 Woollen Scarves 10/6 Ties (poplin) 4/6 Ties (silk) 4/6 Straw Hat bands 3/Cluff Links 2/6 When ordering Blazers or Sweaters please state the chest measurement. ENGAGEMENT. ASHDOWNE—MENZIES. George F. C. Ashdowne (Hostel, 1922-1925) to Betty Mavis, fourth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Menzies, of St. Alban's Avenue, Dominion Road, Auckland, New Zealand. MARRIAGES. ABELL—SAILLY. Charles Edmund Abell (Day Boys, 1897—1902) to Dorothy Eileen, younger daughter of Revd. and Mrs. Sailly, the Rectory, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, at St. Mary's, Blessington, by His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, assisted by the bride's father.


July, 1937

THE VIGORNIAN.

BIRKMYRE—GARROOD. A. N. Birkmyre (Day Boys, 1922-1924), to Rosy Ghiberti, daughter of Mr. Henry Garrood, of Ledbury, and the late Mrs. Garrood, on April 3rd, 1937, at Ledbury Parish Church, by the Rector of Ledbury. CONAN-DAVIES—MALET. G. W. S. Conan-Davies (1909-1913), Colonial Administrative Service, Dares-Salaam, son of Revd. J. T. Conan-Davies, vicar of St. Johns, Worcester, to Ermyntrude Virginia St. Lo. Malet, daughter of the late Sir Henry Malet, Bart, D.S.O., and Mildred, Lady Malet, of Washford, Somerset. HOLMES—STRATTON, Harry H. Holmes (Day Boys, 1915-1922), to Joan, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clement Stratton, of The Brackley, Knighton Road, Leicester, on April 10th, 1937, at St. Mary's, Cadogan Street, London. SCHOFIELD—POWELL. I. Schofield (Day Boys, 19121914), Colonial Administrative Service, Nigeria, to Gladys Mary, daughter of the late S. N. Powell, of Bombay and Calcutta, on April 7th, 1937, at the Church of the Assumption and St. Gregory, London, W.I., by the Rev. Fr. L. J. Walker. BIRTHS. HOPKIN. On April 17th, 1937, at Singapore, to Angela, wife of D. A. B. Hopkin (Castle House, 1922-1929) —a son. JACKSON. To the wife of P. J. Jackson (School House, 1927-1930)—a daughter. DEATH. We deeply regret to have to announce the death, on June 14th, at Karachi, of Lieut. M. R. A. Ainslie (Castle House, 1923-1926).

SOME FURTHER NOTES ON HENRY BRIGHT. Through the kindness of two correspondents I am enabled to make some emendations and additions to the account of Henry Bright (1562-1627, Master from 1589 to his death) in my History of the King's School). Mr. A. R. Bayley, of Malvern, calls attention to the fact that it was not Henry Bright's son who was afterwards Master of Abingdon School, as, following Leach without verification, I stated in a footnote to p. 93. A Henry Bright, D.D., was Master there from 1758 to 1774, and Mr. Bayley has sent me details of his notable career. In 1774 he became Master of New College School, Oxford, and died as Rector of Bicton and Vicar of Chedlehampton, Devon, in 1803 in his 79th year. It is no doubt through confusion with him that our Master has so often been referred to as " Dr." Bright. His relationship to the family is not known, but Mr. Allan H. Bright, of Barton Court, Colwall, the present head of the family, tells me that he has always been recognised as a relative and is traditionally known as " Black Harry." Mr. Allan Bright corrects my account of his ancestor in several important particulars :

33

(1) Henry Bright's father was a hosier and glover in Worcester, and there is a family tradition that when Queen Elizabeth visited the City in 1575 the thirteenyear-old Henry had the honour of presenting her with a pair of silk stockings. (2) The house at Brockbury which Henry Bright bought in 1609 was rebuilt in 1698 on a smaller scale, and in 1738 was faced with brick. Though still the property of Mr. Bright, it is no longer the family residence but is now a farm house on the estate. (3) The Penn MS. Armorial of Worcestershire is stated by Grazebrook to have been in his own possession (Heraldry of Worcestershire p. li) and not in that of the College of Arms, as I unaccountably said on page 91. Enquiry has so far failed to trace its present whereabouts. However, there is much less reason than I thought for discrediting the alleged grant of arms to our Master himself. A grant was made, as I said, by Ryley, the usurping Norroy King of Arms during the Commonwealth, to Robert Bright, son of Henry, and this is cited in the grant to Lowbridge Bright by Clarenceau in 1779, which Mr. Bright has shown me ; but the family certainly bore the same arms at an earlier date, and most probably during Henry's lifetime, for they are impaled on the arms of the husbands of his four daughters in Mathon Church (Cliffe), Hereford Cathedral (Harford, second husband), Dormington Church (Brydges), and Worcester Cathedral itself (Dobyns, first husband). The only excuse I can offer for not having observed at least the last of these is that the tablet is placed high up in a dark corner of the north aisle, and was, at the time I wrote, almost illegible with age. Early in the present year, Mr. Bright caused this monument, and that to Henry Bright himself, to be carefully and worthily restored, with the tincture of the crescents corrected from or to argent, by Miss Elsie Matley Moore. (4) In The Beaufort Progress in Wales, by a Mr. Dingley, (privately printed for the Duke of Beaufort in 1864) there is an account of the Bright monument in Worcester Cathedral, to which is added : " In the Free School is said to be his statue of stone, holding a rod and a boy kneeling. His son now living A.D. 1683 is the Robert Bright of Colwall in Herefordshire." I refrain from comment on this provoking statement, except to observe that the Robert Bright who was alive in 1683 was our Master's grandson ; his son (whose name was also Robert) died in 1665. (5) There is said to be in the Bodleian Library a copy of Aristophanes with manuscript notes by Henry Bright, but this I have not yet had an opportunity of examining. (6) I might add the following detail that I came across recently while collecting material for a Register of the School : In 1625 one Dorothy Goldwell, wife of John Goldwell of Broadwas, was indicted " for forcibly entering and disseizing Henry Bright, Clerk, of his dwelling house at Broadwas. A true Bill." (Quarter Sessions Rolls 1591-1643, Worcs. Hist. Soc., II, 391). Henry Bright was Rector of Broadwas from 1591 to 1606, but it is curious to find him in possession of a house there as late as 1625. A. M.


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THE VIGORNIAN.

VALETE. Modern VI. Holland, A. D. (1932-37). School House. School Monitor. 2nd XV Rugger, 1934. 1st XV Rugger, 1935-6. Second IV Rowing, 1935. 1st IV Rowing, 1936. Captain of Hockey, 1936. King's Scholar, C.S.M., O.T.C. Cert. " A," March, 1935. Anstey, R. (1930-37). Chappel's House. School Monitor. 2nd XV Rugger, 1935-6. 2nd XI Cricket, 1936. Librarian. Cadet, O.T.C. Cert. " A," 1936. Inight, K. F. (1932-37). Creighton's House. Middle IV. King, J. B. (1932-37). Chappel's House. SALVETE. Lower V. Key, W. H. B. Castle House. Middle IV. Coles, J. H. Castle House. Goer, R. A. Hostel. Wyatt, J. S. School House. Lower IV. Benson, F. M. P. Castle House. Bray, V. A. School House. Lower School. Martin, I. Chappel's House. Parker, S. H. School House. LIBRARY. The following new books have been purchased for the library :— SAINT OVERBOARD Leslie Charteris THE EIGHT CROOKED TRENCHES Francis Seeding Dorothy Sayers HANGMAN'S HOLIDAY UNNATURAL DEATH Dorothy Sayers WILLIAM'S HAPPY DAYS ... Richard Compton A particularly fine set of " Punch," running from 1841 to 1934, have been bought for the Reading Room. These books may be regarded as a very valuable acquisition and it is hoped that those who use them will always bear this in mind. The following officials have been appointed for the Michaelmas term : Senior Librarian, S.O.A.M. Lock ; Librarians : P. T. Halliley, S. B. Harris, R. T. L. Allen. B. S. E. THE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING SOCIETY. It was decided last term to form a Science and Kngineering Society. Owing, however, to its immediate popularity, it had to be restricted to eighteen members of the Upper School. The Committee consists of:— R. T. L. Allen (Secretary), J. Sutton, A. R. Pettigrew and C. M. Lavender, with Mr. Pedder as President. The aim of the society is to visit factories and works of interest in the neighbourhood and to hold discussions and lectures by members on anything connected with science or engineering. Last term we visited the City Electricity Works and Spreckley's Brewery, around the latter we were personally conducted by Mr. Spreckley and Mr. Ross-Mackenzie.

July, 1937

Between these two visits we had an interesting lecture on Wireless by R. T. L. Allen, E. M. F. Bearcroft and F. E. V. Cant, but this term, owing to the various occupations of the members, we have had only one lecture on Photography, by J. Sutton, A. R. Pettigrew and N. W. Richards. However, in future we intend to make up for time lost in the summer, by increased activities in the Christmas and Easter terms. R. L. L. KING'S

SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION. JUNE, 1937. The following awards have been made :— To a King's Scholarship : D. J. Harris. Proxime Accessit: W. H. B. Key. (both of King's School, Worcester). Entrance Exhibitions : R. G. E. Wharmby. (Alpha Preparatory School, Harrow). A. J. Wilson. (Ryeford Hall, Stonehouse, Glos.). OXFORD LETTER. To the Editors of the Vigornian. OXFORD, JULY, 1937. Sirs, We have at last summoned the energy to tell you something of ourselves. If it is not too late to go to print we should like to show by this letter that we have not forgotten you. The term has been very busy and, apart from the work that some of us have been doing, there have been innumerable activities to take up our time. First the Coronation which was duly celebrated in our own style in spite of pouring rain. Eights week you have doubtless heard about. Then followed an impression of many woebegone and oppressed looking individuals in full academic dress going to their ordeals in the Schools, after which there was an atmosphere of festivity and relief. But you will be more interested in the Oxford O.V's. themselves. We beg leave to speak in the first place of two of our number who have actually gone down :— P. BOWLES (Hertford). Has been living in London and appears to be prospering. We congratulate him on his engagement. Has been seen in Oxford from time to time. Has not yet taken that slimming course. J. C. M. CONNER (Keble). Was with us for a short time. Is still much the same. Produces the occasional verse but is otherwise getting a little more civilized. R. C. HICKS (Keble). Has formed the pernicious ' morning coffee habit." Rows. Those two things account for his mornings and afternoons. Possibly works a little in the evenings, but who knows ? There are punts and canoes on the Cherwell. J. F. LISTER (Keble). Is very seldom seen. But in common with the rest of the College breaks out periodically to break the monotony of the ' barracks.' Is otherwise quiet. Walks with his head on one side in the approved manner.


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THE VIGORNIAN.

July, 1937

A. J. N. RICHARDS (Hertford). Has presumably been working for Schools. Broke out once on May 12th and fell off the top of a car. Won a College sculling race. J. L. WARREN (Hertford). Still plays chess. Is a member of the Corbie Club which, we believe, has other activities besides playing cricket. We suspect some sort of Devil's Club but hope it is not political. All of which we leave you to believe or not just as you wish. Finally, we send our best wishes to all who are taking exams, and good luck to all of you who go to camp. Yours, OXON.

CONTRIBUTIONS. THE LAST OF THE JEHU-BONG. Many miles away in jungle town, Where the Jumba-Jumba grows, Lived a little old man with great big feet, And little old turned up toes. He had lived for over a thousand years— His name was the Jehu-Bong, On Saturday nights at the big-chief's lodge He would strike his Jumba gong. One Saturday night he sounded the gong (The sun was just going down) The sound of it throbbed all over the bush And echoed throughout the town. At the call of the gong the tribesmen came, As a man they started to wail; And far away as the sun went down The big chief went for a sail. Then the Jehu numbered the tribesmen thereSaid the Jehu " Where's the chief ?" But the chief was foundering out to sea— His canoe has struck a reef. A messenger came to the Jehu-Bong " M'Clonga the chief is dead !" The Jehu uttered a terrible groan— " I'm undone," the Jehu said. " Now M'Clonga's dead," said the Jehu-Bong, " I must find a Jumba tree, " And there in its shade will I kill myself " Where M'Clonga's tribe shall see." Then he ran in haste to a Jumba tree, And beneath its boughs he danced : He danced the terrible funeral dance, While the tribesmen round him pranced. In his frenzy he seized the Jumba gong, He waved it over his head ; Then, falling upon his Jumba-wood spear, The little old man fell dead.

They buried him there by the Jumba tree, The M'Clongas mourned him long ; . And never was seen such a sight as this— The last of the Jehu-Bong. Improbus Anser.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON. The sunshine burns us to the bones, The wind is still, the clouds are rare— A penny glitters in the air, The captain yells out " Heads " and groans ! The toss is lost, and they will bat And we will bake upon the field Until our fate is surely sealed, And then, at last,—well, what of that ? Out stroll the umpires with the bails ; We wander forth a motley band To chuck the ball from hand to hand Till each in his position quails. Two stalwart lads with bats and pads Come saunt'ring forth to cook our hash And ev'ry ball to cut or smash For us to stop, the dirty cads ! The bowler bowls his breaking ball And curses when it goes for four (The first, methinks, of many more !) To bounce upon the " pawy " wall. And so the batsmen won't be budged ; The ball is ever flying round Both in the air and on the ground, Mid catches dropped and throws misjudged. At last is heard a welcome snick, The cry goes up, " How's that ! How's that !" (I'm sure he touched it with his bat) " Not out," the umpire answers quick. A groan goes round our weary side, A murmer glides from lip to lip, (That umpire sure gives me the pip !) And wroth the bowler bowls a wide ! So ev'ry ball the batsmen slam Until at last the captain spoke, A casual word he says, " That's oke ! " You've had enough to-day, so scram !" —So you were wrong, all you, you see, Who thought a match I talked about, For practice game it was throughout! And now (whoopee !) we're off for tea. Longstop.


THE VIGORNIAN.

36 DOLCE FAR NIENTE.

It was a Sunday afternoon In June, When the whole town Seemed drowned in quiet repose : Then suddenly arose A faint, low hum Like the roll of a distant drum, and in the clear Of the blue I saw a speck appear. It was an aeroplane Which fain, Like an angry bumble bee, Would rouse me wilfully From my peaceful sleep. Its speed was fast As it passed Overhead, And then it vanished from my view In the cloudless blue Of that Sunday afternoon In June

DRILLING IN COLLEGE GREEN. A recent visitor from Oxford to College Green subsequently wrote to his host: " When I looked out of your windows and saw the school O.T.C. drilling under the cathedral, I thought various thoughts and some of them came back to me as I was doing this piece of translation from the Latin . . . I can see that in one or two places it is of the sixteenth century, not the twentieth, but if there is the remotest chance of its being of any use to any of these young men who may be inituri praelium themselves, I wish it could be made available for them." The translation follows of a prayer made by Erasmus of Rotterdam 400 years ago for a young man about to go into battle. Almighty King of Sabaoth, that is, of Hosts, who through thine Angels thereto appointed dost govern the wars as well as the peace of nations, and who gavest courage and strength to the youthful David that he, being little, unarmed and unused to war, might assail the mighty Goliath with his sling and overthrow him ; if we are fighting in this present war for a just cause, if it has been forced upon us, then I pray first this prayer, that thou wilt turn the hearts of our enemies to seek for peace, that no Christian blood be spilt upon the earth; or that thou wilt cast upon them that fear which men call panic ; or that with the least shedding of blood and the least hardship the victory may fall to those whose cause is the more approved by thee ; that, the war being shortly ended, we, with concord in our hearts, may sing hymns of triumph unto thee, who reignest in and over all things. Amen. This and other prayers for young men are found in a collection which Erasmus prepared in 1535. The original runs as follows :— INITURI PRAELIUM. Omnipotens Rex Sabaoth, hoc est, exercituum, qui per Angelos tuos as ad delegates provinciarum

July, 1937

cum bella turn paces administras, quique David adolescenti & animum & vires addidisti, ut pusillus, inermis bellique rudis, immanem Goliath funda adoriretur ac dejiceret; si justa de causa, si coacti militiam hanc militamus, primum illud precor, ut hostium animos cpnvertas ad studium pacis, ne quid Christiani sanguinis effundatur in terram; aut terrorem quern panicum appellant injicias ; aut quam minima sanguinis jactura minimoque incommodo victoria contingat iis, quorum causa tibi probatior est, ut, cito finito bello, tibi concordibus animis cantemus triumphales hymnos. Qui regnas in omnibus & super omnia. Amen.

REVEILLE. On Field Day, Inspection, and other days which the O.T.C. claims for itself, it is the custom in this School for the first four buglers to blow " Reveille " in the Quadrangle, ostensibly to awaken the School. How this custom arose is hard to discern, yet whatever the weather, on these days you are bound to find them there : five young men, four in a line and one to command, with a blanket or mackintosh thrown over whatever clothes they have snatched up, standing stiffly to attention in the middle of a lawn next to a maple tree, blowing a rag-wrapped bugle to wake a School, of which every member is already out of bed, either joining the crowd who stand along the paths, or one of those who crane from every dormitory and study window, " Buglers,—T'shun ! Reveille,—Ready !" There is a chink of brass chain as four bugles swing up. " Sound !" The notes sweep out, sharp and clear, echoing among the surrounding buildings, repeating themselves in a zig-zag of sound as they escape between high walls to the green and to the river. I like to watch the faces of the onlookers now. There are those who look as though they are in pain, others who are sad, some look interested, wondering how they get different notes with nothing to press or pull, still more who do not look at the buglers, but who seem to be listening for something which is too faint to be heard clearly. There is not a movement among the watching crowd, not a whisper. The cold wind may blow among them, or the frost may bite, but they may not budge until it is finished and the last, high calling note has faded into silence. And then the crowd relaxes, there is a stir of feet on the pathway, shouts, coughs, whistling, the heads go in and the windows come down with a bang. The School returns to a final bout of cleaning before the bell for Prayers, and breakfast. Why did they all come out ? Why get out of bed to stand in the wind half-clothed, or lean dangerously out of a high window with the rain pelting down on one's neck ? What is the fascination of those ragtag buglers, that holds so many in its spell, silent and motionless ? There seems to be something fine, something unexpectedly stirring in the whole thing, it appeals to the


July, 1937

THE VIGORNIAN.

Englishman to see those fellows defy the elements to serve the School, and it has that military significance which never fails to rouse the hearts of boys. And there is also that touch of the bizarre, which, in common with the man playing the drum in a Salvation Army band, will cause a crowd to collect in any country under the sun. But only in England would everybody come, in any weather, in any clothes, at a quarter past seven in the morning. But then,—" Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun " . . . Noel.

THE EMPIRE RALLY OF YOUTH. On May 18th, this term, four members of the School went up to London to take their places in the Empire Rally of Youth, held at the Albert Hall in the evening. The party was composed of Eckersley, Bryer, Lock and Curtis, and as two of us were in London for the first time, the day was employed in a tour which lasted until the Rally, at seven o'clock. As we entered the Hall we were confronted by a huge assembly of young people : there were boys and girls from every region where England is spoken of as the " Home Country " ; and the countless rows and lofty tiers of moving heads testified to the faithful devotion which our Empire pays to its King and Emperor. Soon after we had taken our seats, we were drawn to admiration by the playing of the Dagenham Girl Pipers, whose stirring music raised in our hearts emotions appropriate to the occasion. We fully sympathised with the unfortunate drummer who nearly lost her stick among the girls from Canada. We then heard " The Royal Albert Hall, London, calling the Empire," and it was perhaps now that we began to realise the true importance of the occasion. Next we were bidden welcome to London by the Rt. Hon. Lord Snell, who briefly outlined the purpose of the Rally. The Chairman, the Rt. Hon. L. S. Amery, M.P., was able to give us a thrilling surprise when he announced that the Duke of Gloucester was coming to pay us a surprise visit. And sure enough, he came in a few minutes later and was welcomed by a round of cheers which threatened the foundations. In a short speech, he said that he brought their Majesties' best wishes for the success of the Rally and their hope that we would carry away the happiest recollections of Coronation week and of our stay in London, and he concluded by saying " that we are proud of our Empire not because of its size, its wealth, or its power, but because we feel it is the greatest factor for good in the world and peace." Other speakers were the Rt. Hon. Earl De La Warr, Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, Sir Firozkhan Noon, High Commissioner for India, and the Rt. Hon. J. A. Lyons, Prime Minister of Australia. When these had finished speaking, we all joined in " the Children's Song," by Rudyard Kipling, and never had those simple words been sung with such whole-hearted sincerity. Then we settled down in our seats for the Prime Minister's Speech, which was, as he told us, his last in office before a public audience. As he rose to speak, there was something about him that distinguished him as a great man. It was not,

37

as with Saul, that he stood " head and shoulders above the people," it was in his bearing, that seemed to speak of years of hard work in the service of his country. He was greeted by a burst of ringing cheers that echoed like thunder round the Hall. It is, of course, impossible to record here the Premier's speech verbatim, or to describe the way in which his simple rhetoric drew immediate applause from the thousands of his audience, but a few points he made are worth noting for all time. He spoke of the duty we owed continually to our country, that we must always devote ourselves, in the words of Edmund Burke, " to bring the dispositions that are lovely in private life into the service and conduct of the Commonwealth, so to be patriots and not to forget we are gentlemen." We are the governors of the future, he said, trustees of a trust we are to hold for future generations. The King is a symbol of the union, not only of an empire, but of a society, which is held together by a common view of the fundamental nature of man. He finished by admonishing us "to use men as ends and never merely as means, to live for the brotherhood of man, which implies the Fatherhood of God." And we rose as one and cheered him till our throats cracked. The last speaker was Alfred Noyes, 'who concluded with his " Ode to Youth," which he had written especially for the occasion. The Rally was ended in the most impressive manner by the singing of the National Anthem, accompanied by Dr. Bullock, at the organ, and a third verse especially composed by Alfred Noyes. The next day were were up early, in order to be in time to see their Majesties the King and Queen drive in state from Buckingham Palace. We had tickets for seats in a stand round the Victoria Memorial, and we were anxious to get good seats. It was, however, a dull, sodden morning, and we arrived to find ourselves faced with the prospect of two hours in the open before the drive was to begin. I think it speaks well for the spirit of the youth of this country, that there was not a moment's doubt as to whether we should stay or not: we stayed, along with an ever-increasing multitude of country-men. It came as no surprise when the police loud-speakers announced that the drive would not be accompanied by all its customary pageantry, but that a closed car would be substituted. About half-past twelve we saw the Guards at the Palace gates present arms, and a moment later we were all standing on seats, hat and stick waving above our heads, shouting ourselves hoarse. Their Majesties very graciously leaned forward in their car, so that we might catch that glimpse which would mean so much to all those who had come thousands of miles to see the focus of the Empire. After lunch, rested and refreshed, we set out for Westminster Hall, where we were to take part in the Service held in the Abbey nearby. After choosing the most circuitous route possible between Trafalgar Square and Westminster, we were just in time to hear Parry's " Coronation Anthem," which preceded the Service. The Archbishop of Canterbury was the preacher, and the crowded hall turned out to be admirably suited to his voice when broadcast. He preached upon the necessity of holding to God in these troubled times, and he emphasised the importance of God as the most absolute constituent of our lives. After the Service, we were paid the touching compliment


38

THE VIGORNIAN.

of a personal visit in the Hall by the Archbishop himself ; he came, he said, to see us for himself, and to give us a few words of encouragement and good wishes for our stay in London. We acknowledged this courteous gesture with three mighty cheers, for it is these little extra considerations for others that often make the greatest impression. Afterwards we were conducted through the Close into the Abbey itself, to admire the lavish decorations of the interior, and gaze in wonder upon the very thrones in their original positions for the ceremony of the Coronation a week before. After tea, we indulged in a further tour of the most prominent places of interest, and after paying a visit to the theatre to counteract the effects of too much solemnity, we were more than ready for bed. We had just gone through two days crowded with new sights, with visions of ancient pageantry and with manifold contacts with peoples from distant lands.

July. 1937 CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editors of the Vigornian. Sirs, Would it not be possible for a Table Tennis Club to be formed in the school. There are many who would welcome such a club and it would make a welcome break from the ordinary winter term sports. It is suggested that a table might be placed in the gym and that an inter-house competition be held once a year. A small terminal subscription might be paid to cover any expenses. Yours, etc., J. H. P. R. F. K. B. D. H. R. G. D. CONTEMPORARIES. We acknowledge with thanks the following contemporaries, with apologies for any accidental mistakes or omissions : The Bloxhamist, The Cheltonian (2), The Moulstonian, The St. Edward's School Chronicle (2).


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The Vigornian July 1937 by King's Worcester - Issuu