THE
VIGORNIAN
DECEMBER
1949
Extension to New Buildings.
SCHOOL XV., 1949-50. Back Row: C. M. Wood, H. E. Howell, A. N. George, A. N. Nisbet, T. J. Richardson, T. H-Williams. Seated: A. I. Taverner, B. E. Wilkes, M. S. Lewis, R. R. Jones, R. M. Ward-Booth. On Ground: K. J. Beard, P. M. Bluck, R. H. Phillipson, F. D. A. Burns, G. F. Hartley.
THE VIGORNIAN THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL KING'S SCHOOL CHRONICLE TA MEN AIAAKTA MAN8ANO, TA A'ETPETA ZHTO, TA A'ETKTA IIAPA 9EON HITHSAMHN.
DECEMBER, 1949.
Vol. XIII. CONTENTS.
Page Editorial 540 School Officers 541 School Calendar 541 School Notes ... 541 Alec Macdonald : " In Memoriam " adLaudem ... 542 O.V. Notes 543 Engagements 544 Marriages ... 544 Births ... 544 Letters 544 "The Coast" 546 Obituary 546 House Notes :— School House 546 Castle House ... .: 547 The Hostel 547 Tredennyke House 548 Chappel's House 548 Creighton's House 549 Rugger : Fixtures and Results :— Notes 549 Characters 550 Accounts of Matches 550 House Matches 552 Cricket Prospects 552 Rowing Prospects 552 Boxing 553 C.C.F. 553
C.C.F. Camp Shooting Sea Scouts Red Cross Music Society Art Circle Literary Society Debating Society Pottery Vlth Form Club Valete Contributions Correspondence
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EDITORIAL. In this world of changing values, one sometimes wonders how people around one seek to conduct their lives. At School here, everybody is, or should be, full of plans for the future, and rightly so, but while determining methods of fulfilling these plans they may not consider how they are actually going to carry on " this business of living " at the same time. This is important because it is frequently the case, that people have the prospect of qualifying, obtaining a post, and. then working up to a certain level. That is material. AH the time they may be doing that, they have to go on living with their neighbours, giving, taking, and fitting in with the community, setting their own standards of conduct. Here a little self-criticism should follow because you must either consciously or unconsciously set those
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THE VIGORNIAN.
December, 1949
standards at your own level. And the time must come when you find the task impossible without reference to some outside standard. The easiest thing to do is to compare with other people, and it is here that one learns, when at school, to admire some, to reject others, and to learn what friendship should mean (though I do not say it should be founded on admiration). With some people, it is plain to see that their standards are not measured by themselves or by anyone else, but that they go by an absolute standard which is outside their own material interests. They seem to have that within them which enables them to mix with the world and yet not be of the world—in the sense that they are not contaminated by it. Often they are so strong that they •are an inspiration to others, by the mere fact of their existence. And it is their standard which we must grow to understand while we are here at school. Otherwise we shall in some sense do nothing but find we are : " Living and partly living."
Nov.
SCHOOL OFFICERS. Head of the School H. M. P. Davies M. S. Lewis Captain of Football M. G. H. Leeke Secretary of Football J. H. Whitehead Captain of Cricket H. E. Howell Secretary of Cricket D. K. Kennedy Captain of Boxing A. N. Nisbet Captain of Shooting J. N. Bulman Secretary of Shooting H. M. P. Davies Secretary of Athletics Secretary of Fives J. H. Whitehead Heads of Houses :— School House H. M. P. Davies M. G. H. Leeke Castle House The Hostel -* M. S. Lewis H. E. Howell Tredennyke House D. A. Holmes Chappel's House Creighton's House R. F. Godsall School Monitors :—H. M. P. Davies, M. S. Lewis, R. F. Godsall, M. G. H. Leeke, J. H. Whitehead, D. A. Holmes, M. A. Pocock, A. I. Taverner, T. J. Richardson, H. E. Howell, R. R. Jones, B. E. Wilkes. Librarians :—M. S. Lewis, G. F. Hartley, F. D. A. Burns. Editors of The Viganrian :—H. M. P. Davies, B. L. Nicholas.
SCHOOL NOTES. It is our pleasant duty to open these School Notes at the beginning of the School year by extending a warm welcome to Canon W. E. Beck who as Dean of the Cathedral is now a member of the Governing body. Canon Beck was installed in the Cathedral as Dean on October 1st, many members of the School being present as King's Scholars and otherwise. He was swornin as a member of the Governing Body on November 28th, having previously made a complete tour of the buildings with the Headmaster. He is fast getting to know and be known by members of the School. We would like to assure him that we wish him a long and happy stay with us. * * *
Sept. 20 Oct. 1 2 9 16 24 24 24 30
SCHOOL CALENDAR. Beginning of Term. Installation of Dr. W. E. Beck as Dean. Art Circle. Mr. E. Billingham. Literary Society : " Oliver Cromwell," John Drinkwater. Music Society : Dr. Logan presenting records. Lecture : " The Army as a Career." Lecture : " Van Gogh," Mr. E. Prins. Art Circle: " The Art Treasures from Vienna," Mr. E. Prins. Literary Society: " Hassan," Flecker.
6
7&8 13 15 20 22 25 27 28
Dec.
1 4 5 14 15 & 16 16 & 17 18 19
Music Society : Miss M. Wiley, Flute and Piano. Common Entrance. Art Circle : " Cave Art," Mr J. M. Cash, " Hamlet," at the Northwick Cinema. Literary Society: " The Ghost Train," Arnold Ridley. Field Day : Bringsty and Bromyard Commons. Lecture : " New Zealand," Mr. A. C. Browne. Music Society : Performer's Evening. Governors' Meeting: Swearing-in of the Dean, Dr. W. E. Beck. School Certificate. Art Circle : Member's Night. Entertainment : Mr. E. Sewell. School Dance. Certificate " A." House Suppers. School Carol Service. Memorial Assembly for 'Alec Macdonald.
To the teaching staff this term, we welcome Mr. N. D'o. Harmar, who is teaching French and German in the Upper and Middle School. His help in Rugger organisation and presence at meetings of the Sunday evening societies are appreciated as of one having the interests of our community at heart. Also Mr. R. D. Knight has joined to teach mathematics in the Upper School. He was good enough to play to the Music Society at one of our meetings and we are grateful to him for doing so. Mr. H. Knight came among us for the last four weeks of term to teach German and French. In College Hall this term, we have had a series of singularly varied lectures. On October 24th the way was cleared for many of us wishing to know the best way of disposing our National Service by a lecture on " The Army as a Career." The talk provoked many questions and the broad outline of Army Organisation was explained. In marked contrast on the same afternoon we heard Mr. E. Prins again, who spoke on " Van Gogh." He had many excellent reproductions arranged for us, and though the efficiency of the epidiascope was impaired by ineffective black-out, there was no mistaking his enthusiasm for his subject nor yet the need for us to find eut and use the cause of it for ourselves. His lecture to the Art Circle is reported elsewhere. .
December, 1949
THE VIGORNIAN.
On the morning of November 5th, the School saw a film on Ski-ing and Mountaineering, given by Herr Otto Purer, who has won the Kandahar race three times and has climbed the Matterhorn as a guide an incredible number of times. His films showed the stages necessary in learning the technique of both ski-ing and climbing, and showed some experts at high-speed in the former. The photography was excellent and included some wonderful scenery. * * * On November 16th most of the School went to see the film; of " Hamlet," then showing at the Northwick Cinema. Although we wouldn't presume to criticize it here, much discussion did occur afterwards under the stimulus of General Periods in the Vlth Forms. Mr. A. C. Browne's lecture, " New Zealand," on November 25th interested one and all. As he explained himself, the clarity of the atmosphere ensured the brilliance of his photographs (on slides), and he had painted the slides himself, memorising the colours for the purpose. His lecture was limited to a discussion of North Island, New Zealand, but nevertheless he talked on Maoris, volcanic phenomena, scenery, vegetation, mountaineering, interesting biological survivals and population in an equally informative manner providing food for thought and speculation. On Monday, December 5th, Mr. E. Sewell, the wellknown school entertainer, came to College Hall and had us laughing from the word go. His repertoire included much sleight-of-hand and a bewildering sequence of card tricks and finished with two short puppet shows. On Wednesday, December 14th, the Annual School Dance was held in College Hall to the music of Dennis Wheeler's band. During the course of the evening a bouquet was presented to Mrs. Kittermaster from the whole school, in appreciation of her work for the School and its members. A pleasant feature of the evening was the growing prevalence of evening dress as compared with the war years. * * * On the evening of Sunday, December 18th, the School Carol Service was held under the baton of Mr. E. F. Day. It was notable for a charming selection of Carols which were faithfully rendered by the choir with its usual lusty vigour. The madrigal group sang two sets of Carols, the last, " The Glad Noel," by its leader, Dr. Sinclair Logan. The collection, taken afterwards, was divided between Dr. Barnardo's Homes and the School's Mission, The New Guinea Mission. The Second Extension to the New Buildings has been going up slowly during the term, and we have a photograph of them at the beginning of this issue. Those who haven't seen them must imagine them as continuing on from the Art Room and Geography Rooms in the space between them and the Day-boys' Changing Rooms. • * * B
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An outstanding achievement has been that of B. L. Nicholas who was awarded a State Scholarship on his work in the Higher Certificate examination. He wasgiven it to London University, but he has declined the offer in order to try for an Open Scholarship to Oxford. In the same sphere, it has been very welcome to hear that F. D. A. Burns has been granted admission to Hertford College, Oxford. It is fining to close these notes with these indications of achievement^in the past and promise for the future. ^
O.V.S. ALEC MACDONALD. " In Memoriam " ad laudem. 1898—1949. The School suffered a grievous loss by the death, on December 17th of Mr. Alec Macdonald. He had been ill for some time in Southbank Nursing Home and the thoughts of the School had been with him since he had first entered to undergo treatment. It was felt that the School Memorial Assembly should be in no sense denominational and that he would have liked the form it took in College Hall on Monday, December 19th. This was a series of readings from poems he loved, interspersed with some of his favourite hymns. We give it in full here :— Readings. Little Lamb Blake Underhill Immanence Hymn. For Mercy, Pity, Truth and Love Blake Myers Readings. Surrender to Christ Spring. G. M. Hopkins Hymn. Forth in thy Name. C. Wesley ADDRESS. Hymn. How shall I sing that Majesty. Mason Readings. From " Ode to the West Wind." Shelley From " Adonais." Shelley Hymn. Love Divine. C. Wesley Readings. From " Rugby Chapel." ' Arnold From " Sohrab and Rustum." Arnold Hymn. Jerusalem. Blake PRAYERS. The Headmaster's address, so moving to us all, is given below. Whenever a man dies, there is a double feeling: sadness and rejoicing. So it is now with us : sadness, because of the loss we suffer as individuals and as a school, but also rejoicing, first that our friend has shuffled off these mortal coils, has won his immortality, and is beginning a new and greater life with more exciting work to do; and also rejoicing and thankfulness for all that Alec Macdonald has done for the King's School. And because this is a gathering to honour his memory and to thank God for his work in this School, I should like your thoughts of him this afternoon to be full of thankfulness for what he has done for the School, and of rejoicing for having been privileged to know a man of such high standards and fine sensibilities. We sometimes forget that it is as natural to die as to be born. Men must endure their going hence even as their coming hither. Ripeness is all. " Ripeness " means that a man has made the most of his life; and if we can say that about any man, surely we can say it about Alec Macdonald. I am not going to speak about his many interests, his fine and varied work, outside
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THE VIGORNIAN.
the School; I shall not even be able to speak of all that he has done in it. But as we become fully conscious of our loss, we realise how greatly we have to thank God for haying directed the life of Alec Macdonald back to ' the King's School 16 years ago. All we have willed, or hoped, or dreamed of good shall exist, Not its semblance, but itself. No beauty, nor good, nor power Whose voice has gone forth, but each survives for the melodist, When eternity affirms the conception of an hour. The high that proved too high; the heroic for earth too hard; The passion that left the ground to lose itself in the sky— Are music sent up to God by the lover and the bard. Enough that he heard it once. We shall hear it by and by. In the same way, the work that Alec Macdonald did at this school will endure. No one in this generation has dqne as much as he to keep the flag of beauty flying at this school. He was not the conscientious, efficient schoolmaster; but he was something much rarer and more valuable. He was able to kindle sparks. That is the real gift of the teacher; for the sparks may flare up into great fires that cleanse the whole of a man's life. His interests were the things that endure : creations of the mind and spirit of man, the true study of which cannot fail to convince us of the guiding hand of a creative God—poetry, painting, architecture, literature, music, and the story of the aspirations and endeavours of man that we call history. Where there is no vision the people perish. It is the same with any society, Efficiency without vision is no use in a school. Alec Macdonald's great contribution to this school was that he had the vision to see what really counts in education, and the power to kindle those sparks of interest and excitement that often blazed up into fires giving boys a feeling for beauty that lit up the whole of their.lives. There are many ways in which we can think of Alec : as the Historian of the School, as a wise and enthusiastic member of the O.V. Club committee, as a producer of plays; we can think of his beautiful reading of poetry, of his teaching of language and literature. His Remove form will think especially of his recent enthusiasm for the Form Periods he began with them this term. We all have pictures in our hearts of those whom we know and love; but, assembled as we are in this hall that he loved so well and where so many of his sensitive play productions took place, many of us must be thinking of him as he was when he was occupied with one of these plays. I can see him now, his hair a bit awry from his efforts, prowling about the hall, patient, but with gloom all over his countenance because a scene was not going quite right. Then suddenly he would dart, with that curious loping stride of his, up onto the stage, take two or three parts himself, make a few other suggestions, and start the scene again; and as he saw something approaching what he wanted coming to life on the stage, his whole face would light up, and he would be as full of gratitude and praise for the performance as if it hadn't been nearly all the result of his own work. Again I can see him striding up onto the stage at the end of one of his plays, to acknowledge the well-deserved applause of the audience, obviously delighted that his production had given such pleasure, but never taking the credit
December, 1949
to himself; always publicly congratulating the actors he felt had done particularly well. Those of you who have acted and worked with him know why people respected him and felt it a privilege to work with him. It was because his standards were invariably of the highest; because he always insisted on the best, and scorned anything that was cheap or second-rate or material. Whatever he may have lacked, Alec certainly did not lack the most important thing of all: a sense of values, and a determination that nothing but the best would do. He knew that this is what really matters to a man. Because he valued beauty and truth, he has given for ever to this school something for which we can never be too thankful; because he valued beauty and truth, he was able to face the death he knew to be coming with quiet confidence. When the end came, and he stood alone, as4 we all must do, in the presence of his maker, to reply to the question we all shall have to answer: " What use have you made of the talents I gave you ? " Alec Macdonald could hold out his hands, and show beauty in the one and truth in the other. Let us think, as beauty and truth are thus met together in one spirit, of God's countenance lighting up, just as Alec's used to do in the presence of something lovely, and of Alec's immortal spirit starting on a new and more glorious life to the sound of the words, " Well done, good and faithful servant." O.V. NOTES. D. Briggs (Day Boy, 1931-36), passed his final examination in August, 1949, and has been elected an Associate of the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants (Inc.). He is at the City Treasurer's Office, Worcester. J. D. Gerard (Hostel, 1922-25) has been employed by Gerard Bros. Ltd., Nottingham since 1925 and is now Joint Managing-Director. J. H. Waylen, M.B.E. (Castle House, 1925-30) has recently been appointed Deputy Governor of the Portland Borstal Institution. B. J. Mallet (School House) has been playing rugger for Oxfordshire. It was observed that he played against Surrey on November 2nd. Rev. K. Wedgwood (School House, 1935-39) has been appointed Succentor to Derby Cathedral. He was previously at St. Martins, Worcester, and had been in charge of St. Philip and St. James, Whittington. A. R. Kemp has obtained a B.Sc. in Chemistry and is now studying for M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering at King's College, Newcastle. * * * J. A. Taylor Milton (School House, 1944-47) is in Malta, serving in a light cruiser. He has been there over a year. « * »
December, 1949
THE VIGORNIAN.
K. Papps (Day Boy and Hostel, 1943-47) is with a family draper's business at Cheltenham for a year and then expects to go to London for four years. P.. W. Badams (1926-29) was in June 1949 appointed Secretary of the Midland Bank Executor and Trustee Company (Channel Islands) Ltd., St. Helier, Jersey. J. E. Blackford (Creighton's, 1942-49) is studying engineering at Loughborough College. Frederick Weil (Day Boy, 1939-40) has obtained the LL.B. degree of London University. G. H. Blackford (Creighton's, 1943-47) won the Findlay Memorial Trophy for Maiden Sculls at Stratford Regatta and the Worcester Rowing Club Sculling Vase in 1949. N. Richardson (School House, 1934-41) obtained the degree of LL.B. (Birmingham) in 1948 and was admitted as a Solicitor in October 1949. J. W. Ager-Harris (Castle House, 1942-48) is out in Egypt. Writes cheerful newsy letters and seems generally to be getting on well. We hear from other sources that he has gained a commission. ENGAGEMENT. A. H. MACKENZIE (Castle House, 1939-44) to Veronica Anne Watchorne. MARRIAGES. WOLFSON, L. G. (Day Boy, 1942-45) to Ruth Sterling on November 14th, 1949. * * * P. W. HUGHES (Creighton's, 1941-46) to Gillian Louise Harrison. * * * M. V. H. DOWSE (Day Boy, 1935-40) to Betty Overton. * * * R. ANSTEY (Day Boy, 1930-37) to Betty Stephens, 4th October, 1949. BIRTHS. R. SMITH (Day Boy, 1929-33)—on September 26th, 1949, to Elsie (ne'e Gardiner)—a son (Raymond). * * » R. CARTWRIGHT (Day Boy, 1938-44)—On July 28th, 1949, at Nairobi to Nora (ne'e Ashmore), wife of Capt. R. Cartwright, R.E.—a son. » » *
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GERALD A. BAKER (Day Boy, 1930-33)—On December 17th, to Mary (ne'e Hirons)—a daughter. FLT.-LT. I. CROWLEY—On 6th December to Joy (ne'e Nicholls) at No. 8 Military Hospital, Rinteln, Bttckeberg, Germany—a daughter.
CAMBRIDGE LETTER. To the Editors of " The Vigornian." SIRS, We held a preliminary meeting of the Cambridge O.V.s on November 30th in the Rev. Knapp-Fisher's rooms to discuss our activities. During a most excellent tea, we arranged provisionally the date of pur Dinner next term, discussed news and drew up this letter. There are six O.V.s in this very much overcrowded University, four, having survived the ordeal of the tripos, remain from last year, and two have joined the group. Rev. Knapp-Fisher (School House 1928-33) of Oxford, has come to St. John's from Cuddegsden to be Chaplain. We feel it to be a great advantage to have an O.V. more permanently in residence than Undergraduates. He takes a lively interest in University Rugby Football as well as the varied duties of College Chaplain. J. V. Beckley (Castle House, 1936-39) is also at Johrfs on a Colonial Service Course to read agriculture. This is his first visit to England since he left King's for South Africa in 1939. W. T. Andrews (Trinity) is in the third year of his English tripos course. Once again he was unable to come to the meeting so we can give very little information about his activities. A. Hambling (John's) is now a member of the Madrigal Society—a great " May-week " attraction. He has given up Rugby this season in favour of Rugby Fives which he believes will give him more time to read history. R. A. Irving (Trinity) continues his studies in Natural Sciences. Unfortunately he finds the weather too cold for early morning sculling so instead he plays squash, which he says you can play by yourself! M. Trede who is reading medicine is in his third year. He is another music enthusiast and plays first violin in the University orchestra. In. spite of these activities he still finds sufficient time to paint. G. L. S. Rankin (Fitzwilliam) has gone down this year to continue his studies at Guy's Hospital, London. This term has been particularly interesting both in climate and activities. The rain spoilt the Earl Haig Poppy Rag, yet even so, several thousand pounds were collected for the fund and there were many amusing sights to be seen. November 5th came and went with never a murmur, much to the relief of the authorities. Cambridge has seen some particularly lively sporting activities—the inter-varsity relay races, and the Rugby match versus Coventry being the high lights. We have been very lucky with shows and concerts this term, so that there has seldom been a dull moment. We wish you at School and all O.V.s a very happy Christmas and send best wishes for the New Year. Yours Sincerely, CANTAB.
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THE VIGORNIAN.
SANDHURST LETTER. To the Editors of " The Vigornian." SIRS, This term has seen two more O.V.s in our midst in the persons of J. Carroll and A. W. S. Hargrave. Of the other O.V.s, N. G. P. Lawson, and D. C. Tyson have just passed out and are now commissioned. At the Sovereign's parade, F.-M. Sir W. Slim (C.I.G.S.) deputised for the King. Lawson has been promoted to Cdt. L/Cpl., while Tyson reached the elevated rank of Cdt. Junior UnderOfficer. As yet neither of them know their regiments. A. R. Wiseman has just finished his Intermediate Term and next term he will be a Cdt. Junior UnderOfficer until he passes out in July. On account of our being in different companies it is very difficult to meet and compose a letter between "us —hence the poor efforts of our scribe. However, in the future, if our numbers continue to increase, we shall make an endeavour to let you know of our existence at R.M.A. Sandhurst. It is with great regret that we hear of the death of Mr. Macdonald. It only remains for us to wish the School and all O.V.s « Happy Christmas. Yours Sincerely, SANDHURST.
EDINBURGH LETTER. To the Editors of " The Vigornian." SIRS, We accept with pleasure the invitation of the Editors of The Vigornian to write a letter to this issue and those forthcoming, and with this bidding we extend the hospitality by inviting other Old Vigornians, whether already hibernating in University Colleges, or those intending to take up some faculty or other in the near future, to contact anyone of us at our respective colleges. So far we number only three, though one has an inkling that the scent of others has not died out over the distance from College Green—only that they are too well hidden amongst so many thousands. May they come forward to help swell the " nucleus " of this present Sassenach band, who would welcome a Scotch element. Reminders are firm and frank that Bannockbum is but a stone's throw away, whilst Culloden does help to alleviate an awkward position. Now. to news and views, situations, work and play. Assuredly we can put ourselves under the old saying of " Back to the Land," for with two members in the College of Agriculture and one in The Royal (Dick) Veterinary College we have a firm foundation on which to discuss affairs of Agricultural and Veterinary livestock problems. From here onwards it would be best to put each individual under close scrutiny. J. V. T. Wilson (School House, 1938-1942) (College of Agriculture). In his second year of the Combined Agriculture and Dairying Course with but one to go. Cocking a wary eye on some March finals that spell the passing of another milestone. Definitely not counting his chickens before they hatch I
December, 1949
Entered the College in October 1948, after completing some practical work on the land and four years in the Royal Armoured Corps. Still talks loud and vehemently of " those days in Italy," even more so when the Scottish wintry blasts descend. Attends the Agricultural Society meetings regularly, listens to facts and figures, but cannot convince anyone that English farming standards will bear comparison with those " across the border." Manages to turn out for an Edinburgh Rugby team on a Saturday and allows no work to interfere with this appointment, though at times he has admitted defeat when College excursions call for his attendance. Seen regularly at the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College for lectures, socials and even more so with fellow Agrarians over a cup of coffee during those periods between lectures. States he does work when the spirit moves, though frankly prides himself as a Sassenach who has the audacity to guide the Scotch around their own capital. G. G. Bulman (Chappel House, 1942-1947). Has served in the Royal Artillery and is now following J.V.T.W.'s footsteps at the College of Agriculture, but, being in first year does everything but touch agriculture. Spends a lot of time studying tram-car numbers in the hope of shortening distances between " digs " and the Botany and Zoology Schools. Sports himself in " The Variables "—a University team, of uncertain worth as the name indicates, though it does not dp credit to his form of play. Confesses that life is enjoyable, is meeting with success and finds the week-ends a perfect rest cure. As to the latter we would wish to learn the secret. T. G. G. Griffiths (Creighton House, 1939-1947). Yet another old soldier, who, contrary to modern trends has become de-mechanised from Armoured Cars to domestic animals. Fully enjoys the sport of Rugger and is seen turning out for a Royal (Dick) Veterinary team on the Saturday afternoons. Has somehow managed to squeeze into membership of the Agricultural Society for its Wednesday meetings, though he confines his attendances to " non-mechanical " functions only. For ever announcing his intentions of a prolonged celebration of demob, at the earliest opportunity.— This, no doubt, is a point that we can all bear well in mind. Seemingly this is how Bulman finds life enjoyable, " especially at week-ends " ! We turn away from University buildings and College to seek H. P. E. Pereira at the Castle. The climb is stiff and his office hard to find. Let him speak for himself from that busy sanctuary : H. P. E. Pereira (School House, 1920-1924) is Curator of the Scottish United Services Museum at the Castle. He spends his time learning Scots and dealing with visitors from the Scottish Regiments. Fortunately the Scots seem to have taken kindly to the idea of a Sassenach in charge, or at any rate they haven't sent round the fiery cross. Among the thousands of visitors during the summer there were a few from Worcestershire who made themselves known. " Ramillies " the dachshund still accompanies him everywhere as in the old days of Cert. A." A general point in conclusion. We note with pleasure the re-equipment of laboratories and the strengthening of the science medium in the School.
December, 1949
THE VIGORNIAN.
Maybe we are not inspired or even intended to be budding chemists in our respective Faculties, though one fears that here in Edinburgh the powers that be go not far short of seeing one attains that Zenith ! Thus we say : " It serves you well to get the groundwork well covered whilst those opportunities are at hand." We bid you an " Au Revoir," with all good wishes for Christmas and a most prosperous " Hogmanay." EDINBURGH.
"THE COAST." " West Africa—thE white man's grave." This phrase may be quite romantic to many people—to others it may sound somewhat sinister. To those of you at school it may even savour of adventure. I have lived out here only for a year, in which time I have visited the provinces of the North, South and East; I have travelled by jungle roads, and by air, in many parts of the colony, and it can be truly said that Nigeria is sinister, is adventurous, and (rather reservedly) is romantic, but it is not " the white man's grave " which it- used to be. Modern medicine has made great strides in the battle against malaria and yellow fever. But the efforts of the missionaries have not yet abolished cannibalism. Sinister ? If you travel inland you may well see a large notice beside the bush track, saying " Beware of Elephants." Adventure ? Few can deny that it is a wonderful sight to observe the rising moon, climbing aloft above the silhouetted palms, and wreathed in the swirling night vapours of the tropic forest—but whether this can be regarded as romantic rather depends upon one's imagination and outlook. One must take into consideration the incessantly biting mosquitoes, the monotonous croak of the frogs, and the ominous splashings of crocodiles on the river mud banks. It is surely a refreshing thing—if one may use such an adjective—to find that in these modern times, there still exists the sort of things which fired the imagination of such writers as the authors of " Treasure Island " and " Robinson Crusoe." The great continent of Africa is still a Dark Continent. The humid climate has given " the coast" its unpleasant reputation. For a great part of the year a heavy rainbelt releases itself, deluge upon deluge; the equatorial sun shines down upon the soaked earth like some relentless burning glass; the steam rises; vegetation flourishes; man finds himself in a state of perpetual perspiration in this overheated greenhouse of the globe. Along the greater part of the Coast of West Africa there runs a sandy beach which must rank among the loneliest and most spiritually desolate in the world. Its shimmering strip is seemingly endless; it stretches on and on like a ribbon of eternity and, like eternity, it is quiet and yet foreboding. On one side the curling breakers of the South Atlantic sigh to and fro against its length; on the other lies the dense greenness of the hinterland. There is little that lives along this beach. High water mark leaves a marginal line of driftwood, stems of mangroves, bananas blackened by salt water, dead star fish, and empty shells. For sea birds, for man, it is an unfrequented waste. And yet it is a place of peace and solititude, refreshing in its very nothingness.
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It is a place where time does not seem to count, where the years stand still for ever. Very different, however, are the bustling Europeanized towns which, at intervals, break this vast coastline—points where the Western World has established itself in a modern panoply of shops, factories, motor cars, electric fans, docks, and all the rest of it. Such places have attracted large and ambitious populations. Here one finds the happy and the dissatisfied, the indigent and the rich, the blessings and the shortcomings of education—in short, all the ingredients which go to form any city of this century. If one wants to see—or sense—Nigeria, one must travel inland, through the forest belts, to where quiet mud villages, beside quiet rivers, still differ little from those of the past centuries, where canoes are still hewn from solid tree trunks, and where clothes rationing is unnecessary because the wearing of clothes is also unnecessary. Talking of clothes, imagine yourselves wearing three rugger jerseys, six pullovers, a leather jerkin, a big fur coat, three pairs of underpants, three pairs of riding breeches, and a pair of gum boots, busily hay-making in some English field on a really hot June afternoon. If you can truly imagine that, you will be able to gauge how hot it feels out here at the height of the dry season when one is wearing nothing but a towel and trying to write these few lines for the School Magazine. J. D. EVANS, Major, R.A.S.C. Nigeria, Dec. 1949. (Castl« House, 1927-1934).
OBITUARY. P. F. DAVIS. Many O.V.s who were at Choir School under the beneficent rule of Mr. P. F. Davis will be grieved to hear of his death, on December llth, after living for 6 years in retirement. He had come to the Cathedral Choir School in 1923 and worked there until he retired upon its amalgamation with the King's School in 1943. Many old choristers were present at the funeral service in the Cathedral on Wednesday, December 14th, and we should like to extend our sympathy to Mrs. Davis who was his kind helper in the Choir School.
HOUSE NOTES. SCHOOL HOUSE. MONITORS : H. M. P. Davies, J. H. Whitehead, M. A. Pocock, A. N. Nisbet, J. D. L. Griffiths. At the end of last term we said goodbye to D. F. Jones, who is now taking an external degree at London, and H. M. P. Davies. However, a pleasant surprise awaited us this term in the person of the latter, who had unexpectedly returned to Captain the House once more. Davies is to be congratulated on becoming head of the school, as also is Pocock who has been appointed a School monitor. This term, three of our members, R. E. Ager-Harris, A. G. Jackson, and J. E. Rowley are away in Germany. Three German boys were originally corning to stay with
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us, but only one, J. Hansen, managed to arrive this term. Hansen very quickly settled down and has become a very valuable member of the House. Fortunately, he soon proved a very able rugger player, which atoned a great deal for the absence of Ager-Harris and Jackson from the house-team. We have had several letters from the boys in Germany. They seem to be enjoying themselves, and learning German so thoroughly that they are forgetting their English ! As far as sports are concerned we have been well to the front. A. N. Nisbet and T. Hughes-Williams have been respectively awarded and re-awarded their 1st XV colours, and M. J. Morton, J. Harris and G. S. W. Thomas, their 2nd XV colours. Well done ! In the inter-house tournament we came third, which is much better than we were expected to do, and we have every reason to be satisfied with the performance put up by our House team. Three members of our House were in the boxing team of five that went to Bromsgrove, H. J. Davies, and D. K. Kennedy being responsible for the School's two wins. Congratulations go to Kennedy on being appointed Captain of Boxing. We continue to be well represented in the Corps, having ten N.C.O.s in the House including the C.S.M. All members from this House who took Certificate ' A ' Part I passed and only one failed in Part II. A very creditable performance. We also give strong support to all the Sunday evening societies and the newly formed Debating Society; in fact, we provide all the officers, except one, of all the societies. On the academic side, we learn, from the results of the School and Higher Certificate exams held at the end of last term, that from this House, four boys gained Higher Certificates and five boys, School Certificates. To all those taking examinations in the near future, we wish the best of luck. Finally, may we thank Matron for enabling us to have a disease-free term and wish her, Mr. and Mrs. McTurk and the members of the House, a happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
CASTLE HOUSE. HOUSE MONITORS : M. G. H. Leeke, T. J. Richardson, R. R. Jones, K. J. Beard. At the end of last term we were sorry to lose Smith, Gessner and Dew. Smith, the late Captain of the School, is now serving his conscription in the R.A.S.C. in which he is doing very well, while Gessner is studying chemistry at London University and Dew is doing well as an assistant-professional golfer. We also had to say good-bye to another of our members who left during this term, Parkinson, who is to become a reporter. We wish them all the best of luck in their future careers. Leeke must be congratulated on succeeding Smith as Captain of the House and Richardson and Jones on being appointed School Monitors. Beard must be congratulated on being made a House Monitor. The result of the House Cricket Cup was not as satisfactory as we had hoped but it gave some of our more junior members experience against 1st XI bowlers, an experience, it was pleasing to note, that by no means intimidated them.
December, 1949
The result of the House Rowing Cup was more satisfactory as we beat School House, after a good race, by 2J lengths in the final, Bushby successfully substituting for Jones who had broken his wrist, and we were by no means sorry to see the rowing cup back on our mantle-piece after its absence of a year. We put up a good show in the House Swimming Competition but the absence of Jones with his broken wrist was felt among the team, especially as it considerably slowed down our team in the relay race which decided the sports. The House finished fourth. In the P.T. Competition we again came fourth, a rather disappointing result which we hope to remedy next year. Congratulations to Jones on being " capped " for this season, and also to Richardson who was re-awarded his 1st XV colours early in the season. We must also congratulate Beard and Carrell on being awarded their 2nd XV colours and Beard, who gained a place in the 1st XV for the closing matches of the season, and was unfortunate not to receive his colours. Congratulation to Leeke on being appointed Secretary of Rugby. The House as usual provided many members of the School XVs. We had five regular members of the 3rd XV, three regular members of the Colts XV and three members of the Under 14 Colts XV. Most members of the House were surprised to meet a new face when they returned to School this term, as the departure of our last matron, who was very popular in the House, was not generally known. We hope that she is enjoying her new life at Malvern College and is as popular as she was with us. As it will now be realised the new face was the new Matron, whom we sincerely welcome to her new post and hope that her stay will be long and enjoyable in this House. We hope that she has enjoyed her first term and sincerely thank her for keeping the House so fit during her time with us. The House has now more members of the Sixth Form than it has had for many years. This is due to the number of members who took and successfully passed their School Certificate. Congratulations ! Two of these members need particular mention, Taylor and Gessner, who gained two of the best certificates of the year, the latter gaining an exemption from Matriculation, an especially notable achievement when it is remembered that he has only been in this country for three years. At the end of term we are saying good-bye to Richardson, Jones, R. R., Leahy, Walker, Jones, W. R. and Sherman. Three of these are for "export only"; Sherman is emigrating to East Africa with his family, while the Jones' are leaving the country to join their parents in Australia. We wish all these members success and happiness in their future life. We welcome all the new members of the House all of whom were in the junior houses of the School before this term. In conclusion we should like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Bentley to whom we are all indebted for yet another term of careful attention to all our troubles. We would like to wish them and Matron a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. THE HOSTEL. HOUSE MONITORS : M. S. Lewis, R. M. Ward-Booth, D. Pritchard, R. Canin. After saying farewell to Minton and Puddepha at the end of last term, the House has moved on its way through a fairly uneventful term.
December, 1949
THE VIGORNIAN,
Congratulations go to Pritchard and Canin on being appointed House Monitors, while Lewis once again returned as Captain of the House. In the field of sport, Lewis is to be congratulated on being appointed Captain of Rugger, and WardBooth on being re-awarded his 1st XV colours, and gaining his cap, for the season. Hill has achieved the distinction of Captaining the Under 14 Colts. At the beginning of the term we welcomed into the House four new boys, Shouler, H. B., Beaumont, Granger and Wilson. This means that we are slightly overcrowded, numbering two more than last term, and 29 in all. As far as school work is concerned, the rather unsuccessful quest of our School Certificate candidates was counteracted by Lewis who is to be copgratulated on obtaining Higher Certificate. This term has seen a great increase in the representation of the House in the C.C.F., partly due to the Scouts being disbanded, and now only the very young members of the House are not concerned. At the end of the term we have to say good-bye to Pritchard and Ward-Booth, who in the past have both given a great amount of their time to affairs of the House, and we wish them every success in the future. As a final note we should like to thank Matron for her services to the House. To Mr. and Mrs. Pedder, and to all members of the House we extend our wishes for a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
548
Since we took up residence here almost the whole of the interior of the House has been redecorated. The dining room has been successfully tackled this term. For this we owe thanks to Mr. Bailey who has worked very hard, and long, to this end. Mrs. Bailey has had a busy term too, for when we were without a cook she stepped into the breach and fed us very well indeed. We take this opportunity of thanking her on behalf of the House. Instead of leaving it to the end of these notes, we wish them both a Merry Xmas. As can be imagined with twenty-eight in the House we have a veritable fleet of bicycles and for their storage we have been granted some new cycle sheds. They are very efficient except that as yet they lack a roof. We were sorry to hear of Langstone's unfortunate accident near the end of term, but can now say he is well enough to join in the end of term festivities. We sign off these notes by wishing the best of luck to Phillipson, Neil and Leighton Davies in the future.
CHAPPEL SENIOR. MONITORS : D. A. Holmes, B. E. Wilkes, B. L. Nicholas, G. V. Thome, G. F. Hartley, J. N. Bultnan. Our first duty in these notes must be to congratulate the House Rugger team on winning the Seven-a-Side Competition, and not having a single try scored against them. Special praise is due to George, Wilkes and Hartley for this fine performance. We have been well represented in all the School XVs. Our congratulation! TREDENNYKE HOUSE. are also due to Holmes and Wilkes who have been apMONITORS : H. E. Howell, P. M. Bluck, R. H. Phillipson, pointed School Monitors and to Bulman who has proved a most capable and efficient Monitor in his first term J. H. Ford. We now fly the flag of new management, as P. W. of office. Prestage, our House Captain last year, left us to take up We are well represented in the Corps with two serfarming. We are now under the watchful eye of H. E. geants and several other N.C.O.s; seven members of Howell. the House were successful in Certificate " A," Part I During the term we have heard from J. L. Bradley and four in Part II. In academic affairs our outstanding who is now in the R.A.F. at Padgate, in the company achievement was Nicholas's State Scholarship; we of D. N. Puddepha and A. J. R. Perkins. offer our congratulations to him and also to Rigg, As all the prep, school boys have now left, or joined Hopkins, W. F. Jones and Madge for passing School the ' House' our numbers have increased by leaps and Certificate with varying degrees of success. bounds to 28. Also we have a new Matron and a new On the whole we can look back on a satisfactory Cook. The former came to us from Bromsgrove. The term, though there are a number of boys in the House cook who has come from Germany, has provided us with whom we still feel are not pulling their weight quite as an interesting and variable diet when we feed at Treden- much as they ought to be. We mention no names but nyke. hope those concerned will read this and take note. Owing to the dissolution of the Scouts the majority Another unsatisfactory but apparently unavoidable of the House eagerly dons khaki once weekly. We thing is that the House is once more becoming uncongratulate Brown and Mawbey on their success in wieldy in size, having become almost as big as when it Cert. 'A.' was split into junior and senior sections two years ago. We were surprised at the beginning of term to be the We are still using the junior section of the House as a only House in the School to have four members of the training ground for future monitors, the present 1st XV. This happy state did not last for long because occupants of the positions of junior monitors being of the injury of P. M. Bluck. After various lapses during Fifield and M. Thome. the season we finish with three members in the team. We have little news of former members of the House We were also represented in the 2nd XV by Brown and to offer; however, we hear that A. N. H. Marks is Mawbey. Pringle and Bran were in the Under 15s and enjoying his National Service as a Sergeant in the Perigo in the Under 14s. We congratulate Ford, Bluck Educational Corps and G. G.' Bulman, Captain of the and Phillipson on being awarded their 1st XV colours. House two years ago, is taking a course of Agriculture In the House matches, however, we did not do very at Edinburgh University. well, losing most of the games. Our Under 13 Js however, Finally, we would like to thank Mr. Bilks for another had a 100% record. term's care of our affairs and to wish him and the whole In last term's notes we were too late to include mention House a happy and a prosperous New Year. of Howell's achievement in sharing the Individual Shooting Cup with Richardson.
THE VIGORNIAN.
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CREIGHTON SENIOR. MONITORS : R. F. Godsall, A. I. Tavemer, F. D. A. Burns, G. J. Hollister-Short, C. M. Wood, C. Cartwright, A. Green. Since this term, as always, is exclusively given over to Rugby football we are glad to say that the House has not lacked representatives in both the 1st and 2nd XVs. We must congratulate Taverner on being awarded his 1st XV cap and colours and Wood and Burns on being re-awarded their 1st XV colours. We have had five members in the 2nd XV, four of whom, Cartwright, Phillips, Campbell and Hollister-Short have been awarded their 2nd XV colours. Since the House " 7-a-Side Rugby Competition" has been concluded we have to admit that we failed to gain a high place, but since the side was weakened for several games, we may, perhaps, be excused somewhat. We must congratulate Burns, F. D. A. on securing a place at Hertford College, Oxford. There are several School Certificate candidates this term, and to them and to any other members of the House who are engaging in any enterprises we wish the best of luck. Taverner has become a School Monitor this term, while Cartwright, Green and Wood have been appointed House Monitors.
December, 1949
Our Housemaster, Mr. Sheppard, has recently been promoted to the rank of a Lieutenant-Colonel and we wish to congratulate him on this merited success and wish him and Mrs. Sheppard a very Happy Christmas, and a Prosperous New Year. RUGGER. The first XV has not been quite so successful as last year but has done better than was at one time expected of it. The threequarters have not been of a high standard as a line but forward play has, on the whole, been very good indeed. The second XV have had an average season and by reason of the keen competition for places in the 1st XV have usually played up to standard. Their first game, against Bromsgrove, however was very disappointing. The side later made amends for this by winning the home fixture. The third XV has been well led by Griffiths and has shown much more enthusiasm than in the past. They have been unpredictable in their performances but have played several excellent games. Colts XVs this year have been of a high standard but while the Under 15s started poorly they kter ran into their true form against Magdalen. The Under 14s, ably captained by Hill, started well but disappointed later, eventually restriking to a winning form.
FIXTURES AND RESULTS. 1ST XV.
Date Sat., 8th Oct. Sat., 15th Oct. Wed., 19th Oct. Sat., 22nd Oct. Sat., 29th Oct. Sat., 5th Nov. Wed., 16th Nov. Sat., 19th Nov. Sat., 26th Nov. Sat., 3rd Dec. Sat., 10th Dec.
Opponents Belmont Abbey Magdalen College School ' A ' Worcestershire Police XV Dean Close Cheltenham College 2nd XV Hereford Cathedral School ... Worcester Training College ... Bloxham School W.R.G.S Bromsgrove 2nd XV ... O.V.s
Wed., 12th Oct. Sat., 15th Oct. Sat.,.22nd Oct. Sat., 29th Oct. Sat., 5th Nov. Wed., 16th Nov. Sat., 19th Nov. Sat., 26th Nov.
Bromsgrove 3rd XV Sebright 1st XV Dean Close Bromsgrove 3rd XV Hereford C.S. ... Magdalen C.S. Bloxham School W.R.G.S.
Sat., 8th Oct. Wed., 12th Oct. Sat., 29th Oct. Wed., 2nd Nov. Sat., 19th Nov. Sat.. 26th Nov.
W.R.G.S. Bromsgrove 4th XV W.R.G.S. Dean Close Bloxham Bromsgrove 4th XV
Ground Away Away Home Home Away Home Away Away Away Away Home
Result Won Lost Won Won Drawn Won Lost Drawn Lost Won Drawn
For 14 5
Away Home Away Home Away Home Home Home
Lost Lost Lost Won Won Lost Lost Drawn
3 3 3
Away Away Home Home Away Home
CANCELLED Lost Won Lost 'Lost Lost
14 8 3
20 8 3 3 13 3
Against 3 27 3 3 3 3 46" 3 17 3 3
2ND XV.
10 12 9 0 6
34 21 14 5 0 21 3 6
3RD XV.
5 9 11 6 9
36 6
14 8 20
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UNDER 15 COLTS XV. Ground Away Away Away Away Away Home Home Away Home
Result Lost Lost Lost Lost Drawn Won Lost Lost Won
For 3 '0 0 0 6 25 0 3 13
Against 24 36 22 10 6 3 8 20 3
UNDER 14 COLTS XV. Home Away ... Home Away ... Away Home Home
Won Won Lost Lost Lost Lost Won
9 6 0 0 5 6 12
0 0 12 6 15 35 0
Opponents
Date Sat., 15th Oct. Sat., 22nd Oct. Wed., 2nd Nov. Sat., 5th Nov. Wed., 9th Nov. Wed., 16th Nov. Sat., 19th Nov. Sat., 26th Nov. Sat., 3rd Dec.
Sebright Belmont Abbey Dean Close (Under 15J) Hereford C.S Bromsgrove Magdalen C.S. Bloxham W.R.G.S Bromsgrove ... ...
Sat., 15th Oct. Wed., 2nd Nov. Sat., 5th Nov. Wed., 9th Nov. Sat., 19th Nov. Sat., 26th Nov. Sat., 3rd Dec.
Bloxham Hillstone Down's School Bromsgrove Down's School W.R.G.S. Bromsgrove
... ...
...
1st XV Characters. M. S. LEWIS (Captain). Unselfishly relinquished his place in the scrum to fill a gap in the wing, where he played with vigour and intelligence. A very good second-row forward. B. E. WILKES. A great " steadier " to the side at scrumhalf, playing his best games when things are going wrong. Has rendered immense service to school football—playing 42 consecutive matches for the XV. A mature and wise player. R. R. JONES. An excellent wing-forward, and good leader of the pack when called upon in the captain's absence. His covering defence saved many dangerous situations. A. I. TAVERNER. A very good hooker, and a lively, bustling forward in the loose, who always plays with his head. R. M. WARD-BOOTH. A forward who has never spared himself at all, and whose real ability is seen to its best advantage towards the end of a hard game. A particularly lively player. F. D. A. BURNS. A vastly improved stand-off half, with speed and good hands. His defence has come on greatly; slightly lacking in self-confidence in attack, where he doesn't appear to realise how dangerous he might be to the opposition. C. M. WOOD. A strong, hard-running player, who would be a good wing three-quarter if his sense of 1 position would improve. Played mainly at full-back,! where his kicking was very valuable. Prefers to tackle from the side. T. J. RICHARDSON. A very solid and hard going secondrow forward, particularly good in the line-out. Always thorough in the loose. His place-kicking has greatly improved, and served the side well. T. HUGHES-WILLIAMS. A solid type of forward, with a very good tackle; is developing a poor habit of waiting inside the loose scrums. Has played some very good games. A. N. GEORGE. An intelligent centre-three-quarter, very good in defence and with a useful and powerful kick. Tends to hold the ball slightly too long in attack.
...
A. N. NISBET. Improved steadily as the season went on, and is now a determined, thorough-going forward. Some of his tackles in the closing places of forward rushes have been first-class. R. H. PHILLIPSON. Served the scrum solidly and reliably through the season in the front row. Always up with the ball, and prepared to fall. A good forward. P. M. BLUCK. Has been unlucky on two counts—a leg injury, and haying to play out of his true position as a wing. His handling has not been reliable, but his tackling and falling have done the side very good service. H. E. HOWELL. Played always with intelligence as a centre three-quarter, but was much handicapped by his lack of speed. He made a great effort to improve his defence, which was brave throughout the season. G. F. HARTLEY. As a wing three-quarter played with sense, though was inclined to lack the " devil " which might have given him more tries. Is enormously improved on last season's form. His defence has been good. K. J. BEARD. A powerful forward who is always on the ball and in the loose scrums. Good in the line-out. Should be very valuable next year. ACCOUNTS OF 1st XV MATCHES. W.C.K.S. v. BELMONT ABBEY SCHOOL. Away—Oct. 8th, 1949—Won, 14-3. This game was played away owing to the baked condition of the School ground. Perhaps a desire not to suffer from the effects of lack of training prompted the team to start off at half speed, and for the first twenty minutes our smaller opponents were the more dangerous. During this period our forward play was bad and the halves showed little co-ordination and Belmont deservedly took the lead with a somewhat fortuitous try. The School now began to play more as a team and before half-time Bluck scored a try which Howell converted. There was more improvement in the second-half, and with the ball getting back to the three-quarters more often, Wood and Hartley scored unconverted tries. Later Wood scored again from a quick pass from Tavemer in the line-out.
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W.C.K.S. v. MAGDALEN. Away—15th October.—Lost, 5-27. The chief factor in this game was the speed and superiority of the opposing wing three-quarters. The game was played in ideal conditions and the School forwards dominated the play; our halves were likewise superior and consequently the threes had a large number of chances which, however, they made very little of. The game opened with a Magdalen winger intercepting a ass and going over to score near the post; the kick iiled. The game continued with our forwards attacking and being repeatedly driven back by the raids of the Magdalen outsides. However there was no further score until half-time; but after the interval, the Magdalen wingers could not be held and a succession of tries resulted. Towards the end the School rallied and Wilkes scored from a scrum; Howell converted.
E
W.C.K.S. v. A WORCESTERSHIRE POLICE XV. Home—Oct. 19th.—Won, 14-3. For this match the School, owing to injuries, had a new three-quarter line which, considering that it had not practised together and that the ball was wet, handled very well. The School attacked from the start and after about twenty minutes Lewis scored between the posts; the kick was missed. Until half-time play was fairly even but just before the interval the Police obtained a penalty. After half-time there were several good movements. George made two excellent openings from which Wood and Lewis scored, the second of these tries being converted by Richardson. The School continued to attack and Lewis scored again in the closing minutes. Though all the scoring came from the threequarters, much of the credit for this victory must go to the forwards who consistently outplayed a heavier pack. W.C.K.S. IST XV v. DEAN CLOSE SCHOOL. Home—Oct. 22nd, 1949—Won, 8-3. For this match Burns replaced Morton in the stand-off position. Owing to the wet conditions it was mostly a forwards game and though Dean Close had, as anticipated a very strong pack, the School forwards were quite equal to their task and in the first half, when the wind was behind, Ward-Booth scored between the posts, from a forward-rush; Richardson converted. The School continued to press hard but not until the second half did we score again; following an excellent rush Wilkes scored from a scrum after dummying two opponents. With the score 8-0 Dean Close rallied and a forward scored after a good kick which found touch a few yards from our goal-line. The forward struggle continued and we were still well on top at the end of the game. W.C.K.S. v. CHELTENHAM COLLEGE 2ND XV. Away—Oct. 29th. Drawn, 3-3. For the first time this season we met a pack heavier and faster than our own and consequently the brunt of the game in the first half fell on the three-quarters. The S.chool at first attacked with vigour and twice came near to scoring, but in the main we were on the defensive, and shortly before half-time a Cheltenham forward s cored direct from a line-out after a good three-quarter'
December, 1949
movement. After half-time play was almost exclusively in the Cheltenham half, and Ward-Booth scored from a forward-rush. However our opponents, especially at full-back, were so sound in defence that there was no further score; two possible penalty-kicks were also missed. For the School, Wood at full-back played a fine game, frequently coming up into the threes and being unfortunate not to score. W.C.K.S. v. HEREFORD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL. Home—Nov. 5th.—Won, 20-6. There was rain for some hours on the morning of this match and consequently handling was difficult; however after a few minutes Hartley scored after a good movement and Howell converted. Almost immediately Hereford scored from a penalty. The School continued to attack and Lewis, Wood and Burns scored before half-time, to give us a lead of 14-3, Just before half-time Burns had to go off the field after a collision and the revised three-quarter-line could not settle down. Even when Burns returned the co-ordination showed little improvement, many passes still going astray. .Another penalty scored by Hereford had the effect of making our three-quarters co-operate rather better and in the closing minutes Wilkes and Burns scored. To sum up, the game was won by isolated and individual efforts rather than any sustained team-work. W.C.K.S. v. WORCESTER TRAINING COLLEGE. Away—Nov. 16th.—Lost, 8-46. The day for this match was calm and dull, ideal for three-quarter play. It soon became obvious that our opponents were heavier in the scrum and faster outside than the School team. This speed soon began to tell and intercepted passes were mainly responsible for a score of 22-0 against us by half-time. To add to our difficulties, George went off after a kick in the face and could not return, and Ward-Booth was also off for twenty minutes. Several reshuffles in our three-quarter line could not improve our defence but our attack now looked a little more dangerous. Nevertheless tries continued to be scored against us at frequent intervals and the forwards deserve praise for never giving up in face of superior opponents; towards the end of the game, Jones scored for the School from a forward-rush, to end a game in which we were unlucky but not disgraced. W.C.K.S. v. BLOXHAM. Away—Nov. 19th.—Drawn, 3-3. This game was played in appalling conditions, fog reducing visibility to less than the length of the pitch at the beginning and getting thicker during the course of play. The School forwards attacked strongly, but frequent penalty kicks interrupted play. The first half produced a penalty goal on either side, the School's being kicked by Richardson. In the second-half the forwards attacked once more and Lewis all but scored after a cross-kick from Morton; Richardson was. also unfortunate in hitting the upright well above the bar with a penalty kick. The aggressive play of the School continued with forward-rushes and cross-kicks but we could not score again. A draw was a fair result, for though our forwards had a marked superiority, the opposing backs were safer both in defence and handling.
December, 1949
552
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W.C.K.S. ». W.R.G.S. Away—Nov. 26th.—Lost, 17-3. This game was played in good conditions but this was not to our advantage as it facilitated the handling of the superior opposing backs. However the School started attacking and Bluck was unlucky not to score after a good run. Subsequently the play was for the most part in our own half but the defence showed no signs of giving way and only one try was scored against us before the interval. After half-time the Grammar School centres scored three tries, one of which was converted. The defence was now wilting considerably but an excellent run by Wood enabled Bluck to score in the corner. Shortly after this the Grammar School made things certain with another try from the left-wing and were still attacking at the end. The game was one in which, behind equal packs weak backs were opposed by strong, with obvious results, and the' School were lucky not to have been defeated more heavily. W.C.K.S. v. BROMSGROVE 2ND XV. Away—Dec. 3rd.—Won, 13-3. There were considerable changes for this game, Lewis and Leeke returning to the pack in the absence of Jones and Nisbet; Hansen and Wood were the wingthree-quarters, with Bluck at left-centre and Whitehead at full-back. Play from the start was in the Bromsgrove half, and Hughes-Williams scored after repeated lineouts near the opposing goal line. With the wind in their favour, Bromsgrove prevented further scoring till halftime, and a misunderstanding almost allowed them to score. Our score was increased in the second half in spite of a certain lack of cohesion -among the forwards. Wood and Wilkes scored tries, both of which were converted. Bromsgrove achieved a penalty goal but otherwise looked unlikely to score. Whitehead at fullback played an especially sound game for the School and made some good kicks for touch. W.C.K.S. v. OLD VIGORNIANS. Home—Dec. 10th.—Drawn, 3-3. The O.V. team which had promised to be very strong was weakened by last minute withdrawals and had to be supplemented by two members of the School, Leeke and Carrell. The School started on the defensive and it soon became obvious that our opponents' backs were much faster than our own, though they not unnaturally lacked co-ordination. They used this speed to carry the ball into the School half with their feet after passes had been dropped and after one such long rush the School were penalised near the posts for Wilson to kick a penalty goal. A little later Richardson scored a penalty for the School under similar circumstances. In the second half both defences were alternately hard-pressed but no score resulted. The School were handicapped by temporary injuries to Burns and Ward-Booth, but it could not be said that a draw was an unfair result. O.V, Team : T. H. Burgess, J. Clayton, J. P. McGill, C. L. Davies, A. Hambling, B. A. Wilcox, M. J. Williams, P. C. Underwood, P. Henshaw, D. Carrell, H. Coldicott, M. Leeke, R. Lambert, P. Clifton, M. Underwood. HOUSE MATCHES. As last year, the House Matches were played as sevena-side. All played all and a points system decided the positions, 2 being awarded for a win and 1 for a draw.
The competition was won by Chappel's House who were unbeaten; Castle House were runners-up. The points were scored as follows :— u o,
8-
I •S o
1 I
2 Chappel's 2 2 0 2 Castle... 2 0 0 1 2 School... Creighton's 0 0 2 1 0 0 The Hostel 0 0 1 — 0 Tredennyke Chappel's House also had the distinction of not having had their line crossed. The standard of play this year was very high, much intelligent use being made of available material. The Colts engaged seemed to be playing football of a higher standard than in the past. The competition was marred by the fact that School, Creighton's and The Hostel had to field depleted teams in in the first two rounds owing to the absence from School of players who were taking external examination ; but this did not affect the final positioning to any great extent, if at all, and certainly did not detract from the performance of the winners.
CRICKET PROSPECTS. Last year's editorial on the subject of cricket prospects was brimming with optimism in view of the number of old colours available. Results however did not come up to expectation, and were in fact very disappointing. A big proportion of the XI had had considerable experience but did not all strike form together. We shall face next season with practically the same nucleus of stalwarts, as we have had in the past two or three seasons and consequently we again " should " win most of our matches .. Perhaps—who knows—we really shall, next season ? Our main strength will be in bowling, but we shall have to find two or three aggressive batsmen—the latter at the moment are non-existent; at anyrate we look forward to another enjoya.ble season.
ROWING PROSPECTS. A bleak December afternoon with the wind whistling through every crack is a poor time to assess the prospects of the coming year; and no more excuse is needed for bemoaning the unexpected losses that spoil the settled hopes of the summer holidays for a superlative showing next season. R. R. Jones, who with much bluster and ballyhoo beat up the spirit of a dull looking second four into a reality that persisted through several changes of crew; and T. P. 'R. Walker, who outgrowing his coxing days showed every sign of becoming a useful stroke with a proper sense of the individuals behind and the true rhythm within, and no more ready to give way to his rivals than to put his own cap on at other than a determined rakish slant whoever requested this minor orthodoxy—both, both are now certainly leaving.
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THE VIGORNIAN.
No indeed, this is no time for pipe dreaming: and some at least of those that shall be put to the test at Marlow were spending last summer, with scanty encouragement, pulling alone their fixed seat fours and whiffs and giving way to every lordly coached crew that contested the restricted room at the landing stage. It is on such as these that every club must depend— who, having ceased to surprise as tyros, or unpicked by a happy chance, have worked their own way through the mortification of the middle crews now with a sense of the river no coach could teach are ready for the relief of the slide and ripe for honour—ready now for the grammar of the stroke. Our season depends on them and whether they are prepared for a month in the spring to become beginners again in tubs. Who would care to foretell ? For the future there is promise of good. Sufficient staff is ready to give every budding oarsman something better than the two outings a week, and dissolve the myth of 1st four coaching for beginners that can only be true of a school that can afford winter rowing. If twenty sound youngsters come forward they can make of the future what they will and spending this summer avoiding crabs in tubs may make possible for us before they leave the aim of every school on a river—to row in eights. They shall be those that expect no individual distinction—no centuries—no hat-tricks—but the finer remembrance of having been one of a crew, worn out —-but holding-on and working together, whether to win or lose—making true the boast of the song :— ' For, as everybody knows, Worcester is a school that rows." R.H.F.C. BOXING NOTES. The gymnasium has been pleasingly full this term on those evenings after school when it has been possible for the boxers to have some sparring and get into training. Again it has been the younger members of the school who have been regular in their .attendance, for in the Christmas term there is always the question of rugger practices to be considered as far as the senior boys are concerned. It is certainly to be hoped that the smaller practitioners of " the noble art," who are now so keen, will not lose interest as they progress through the School. Earlier in the term we were pleased to hear that Bromsgrove School would like to hold a contest if we could arrange to take a team there. The result was that on December 1st five of us, Jones, Davies II., Leonard, Kennedy, and Beard, accompanied by Sergeant Barrett travelled to Bromsgrove. Of the five bouts fought, the School won two (Davies II and Kennedy being the victors) but the boxing was by no means of a low standard. As there are prospects of another match next term, when the School Boxing Tournament will take place, we hope that more boys will come forward to train in the near future. D.K.K. C.C.F. NOTES. We should like to open these notes by congratulating our C.O. on his promotion. The activities of the contingent this term have been confined to the normal Saturday morning parades
December, 1949
except for the termly field-day. For this the contingent was split up—the senior platoons going to Bringsty Common whilst the juniors went on to Bromyard Common. It was 'an ideal day as far as the weather was concerned and everyone appeared to enjoy himself. The Certificate " A" examinations were held on December 15th and 16th. The results, generally speaking, were good, though a number of cadets were found to be weak on the practical application of their knowledge. The following candidates passed :— Part I. Brewer. Burrows. Beckett. Carrell. Cooper. Sexstone.
Cox, J. B. D. Heath. Fifield. Hollebone. George, A. L. Hopkins. Griffiths, R. G. L. Jones, M. Hargrave, P. Mawbey. Shouler, C. Wrigley.
Part II. Bolton. Bushby. Davis, B. Davies, J. N. M. Hitchcock. Johnson. Milton. Monger. Underwood, E. J.
Matthews. Prothero. RiggSecular. Scurfield. Yamold.
Brown. Brushfield. English. George, A. N. Jones, W. F. Kennedy. Thorne, M. Tilt. Ward-Booth.
Promotions. A./Sgt. Davies, H. M. P. to be. Sgt. Cpl. Taverner to be A./Sgt. Cpl. Turner to be A./Sgt. Cpl. Hughes-Williams to be A./Sgt. Cpl. Griffiths, J. D. L. to be A./Sgt. L./Cpl. Jones, R. R. to be A./Cpl. L./Cpl. Pocock to be A./Cpl. L./Cpl. Farmer to be A./Cpl. L./Cpl. Lettice to be A./Cpl. L./Cpl. Ford to the A./Cpl. L./Cpl. Callan to be A./Cpl. L./Cpl. Walker to be A./Cpl. L./Cpl. Leonard to be A./Cpl. Cdt. Cartwright to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Phillips to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Norman to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Whitmore to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Yates to be A./L.Cpl.
A.N.N.
C.C.F. CAMP. The annual C.C.F. Camp was held at Kinmel Park, an R.A. training depot near Rhyl. As there was a record attendance of 130 cadets from the School, the contingent was split into four platoons, two in the senior wing and two in the junior. The senior wing was for cadets who had passed Certificate ' A ' Part I, and the instruction was more advanced than that of the junior platoons. We were accommodated in tents of varying sizes, on sloping ground, so that except for one occasion we were quite dry. The one occasion was on the night on which the senior wing attempted to carry out ' Night Operations.' The operation was to have been an exercise in patrolling but owing to the rain the spirit of the patrols was rather damped, and the operation was cancelled after two hours.
December, 1949
THE VIGORNIAN.
Apart from this night and the ensuing morning, however, the weather was excellent. A novel feature of this year's camp was the ' March Discipline' competition. This was for the platoon that marched the best while moving about the camp during six days of training. The School contingent did very well; No. 3 Platoon won the junior wing competition and No. 1 Platoon came third in the senior. The N.A.A.F.I. tent was as usual very popular, often being packed to capacity in the evenings. Those who could not elbow their way into the crowd, could spend their time and money in Rhyl, as there was a bus service to the camp. On the whole everybody enjoyed himself and it is hoped that another new record for attendance will be established at next year's camp, which is to be held at Oswestry. J.N.B.
SHOOTING. This term's fixture list has been smaller than usual, partly because we did not enter the local N.S.R.A. League, and partly on account of the last minute cancellation of several " Country Life " matches. We hope to remedy this deficiency next term. We have shot four " Country Life " matches, three of which were won, the fourth being lost by 32 points. As usual we entered the " Public Schools' J.T.C." competition but only succeeded in coming thirty-sixth with 697 points. The winners were 75 points ahead with a score of 772 points. One N.S.R.A. match was shot versus Harrow School and was lost. During the term Mr. Sheppard has spent his Wednesday afternoons coaching a number of the younger boys. The results have been very promising, and with practice some good marksmen should emerge. For this, and in many other ways we are indebted to Mr. Sheppard. We have recently obtained the latest " ParkerHale " sights for the three Lee-Enfield ' Morris ' tubed rifles. The new indoor 25 yards range, which is the next building due to be erected in the School, should much improve the general standard of shooting. We are sincerely thankful to Mr. Thomas and Mr. Bailey for the time they have spent in the supervision of shooting throughout the term. RESULTS. ' Country Life ' Matches. Team Possible, 680. Individual Possible, 85. For Against Result King's School .. 625 542 Won v. Rugby School 555 Won .. 633 v. Stonyhurst College .. 635 667 Lost v. R.N.C. Dartmouth .. 643 612 Won v. Edinburgh Academy N.S.R.A. Conditions. Individual Possible, 100. Team Possible, 800. Place Score Public Schools J.T.C. Corn697 36th petition For Against Result 761 Lost King's School v. Harrow School 700 J.N.B.
554
SEA-SCOUTS. This term six boys from School House and one from Castle, wishing to continue scouting, have joined the new St. Martin's troop of sea-scouts. Meetings are held on Mondays and Fridays between 7-0 p.m. and 8-30 p.m., also there will be week-end camps during the summer term, the troop's camping ground being at Abberley. At the moment the troop is collecting funds to enable it to buy two new kayaks and a medium sized sailing dinghy. This summer twenty-one boys from the troop are going, for two weeks, to a scout camp in Holland. The troop has two H.Q.s; one is next to St. Martin's Church, and the other is near the river; all the troop's boats are kept in the latter.
T.E.T.
RED CROSS. WORCESTER 501. Again this term Mr. Cooke has continued to give much of his spare time to talk to us on Saturday mornings. We appreciate this very much. We have two new members this term, bringing our' numbers to 12, of whom the majority are in the Fifth Form and should remain for some time. Owing to the large number of away 1st XV matches this term, much of the work has fallen on Corbett, who has conducted nearly half of our periods, producing a marked improvement in the practical work of the detachment which had unfortunately been below the standard of theoretical knowledge. This deficiency is now remedied. We are hoping to arrange for a series of lectures next term by a medical practitioner, to enable us to take more exams; this shows no sign of being any easier than before and we must hope that it will be found possible to arrange mutually convenient times. T.S.C. MUSIC SOCIETY. This term we have held a series of well-attended meetings with much co-operation from members of the Society, O.V.s and the staff. At the first, we were appreciative of the kindness and performances of A. Hambling, O.V., and E. E. Price, O.V., who sang and played the clarinet respectively. The programme also included Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor and Dvorak's 'Cello Concerto. Dr. Sinclair Logan was with us for our next meeting. He talked about a selection of records which we then heard with a widened understanding. At our next meeting Miss M. Wiley was the soloist in a varied programme of Flute and Piano music. She played to a large audience and produced an attractive sequence of encores to lengthen the programme. Our last meeting was a mixture of requested records and performances by members of the Society. We were glad to have the services of Mr. R. D. Knight who played a Mozart Sonata, and the Rippier Brothers gave us two individual performances. To close, I know members of the Society will wish me to express our thanks to Mrs. Kittermaster for her kindness in allowing us the use of her drawing-room, and her work for the Society in contacting soloists and arranging programmes. It was no light task and we owe her much for it.
555
THE VIGORNIAN.
ART CIRCLE NOTES. The first meeting of the term took place on October the 2nd. Mr. Billingham came to give us a talk entitled " The pleasures of sketching," illustrating his talk with some of his own sketches; some of the most remarkable being of the small farmsteads of the Yorkshire Dales. Mr. Billington explained the technique that he used in his sketches and also some of the awkward situations which arose while he was trying to sketch, such as labourers of country districts who took a dislike to being sketched. He said that often he had walked along behind a man sketching as he went. One of the most amazing things that Mr. Billingham told us was the speed with which a sketch could be done. The second meeting of the term was held on Monday, October 24th. Mr. Prins gave us a lecture on the Vienna and Munich pictures which were exhibited recently in London, and to which, the Art Circle had an expedition last term. This meant that we now had first hand information about some of the treasures that were shown. Unfortunately it would have been impossible to have spoken on all of the exhibits owing to the shortage of time so that Mr. Prins chose a representative selection. Mr. Prins opened his talk by emphasising the fact that it probably wouldn't happen again that two such great exhibitions should be shown in the same town at the same time. The third meeting of the term took place on Sunday, November 13th. Mr. Cash gave us a talk on " Cave Art." Cave Art is a subject which we haven't approached before, so that we were all breaking fresh ground. Unfortunately Mr. Cash didn't get as far with his talk as he had hoped because of the shortage of time. However, we should be glad to have Mr. Cash to come along again to finish his talk. Our fourth meeting, which took place on Sunday, December 4th was something entirely different from the oth^r three. At this meeting all the members of the Society were asked to bring along a picture. Each member then gave a short talk on the picture saying why he liked or disliked the picture. Lastly, on behalf of all the members I should like to thank Miss Campbell for all the work she has done in arranging our meetings. Also our thanks are due to the Headmaster and Mrs. Kittermaster for kindly allowing us to use their rooms for our meetings.
LITERARY SOCIETY. This Society still attracts a large gathering for its readings, and it is pleasant to notice that the company is now so much more varied, and not so largely limited to School House, as has been so often the case in recent years. For our first meeting this term we read ' Oliver Cromwell' by John Drinkwater. This was a suitably serious note on which to start, and everyone responded well in their reading. For the second reading we read ' Hassan ' by James Elroy Flecker, and on account of the very large Dramatis Personae, several boys read two or even three parts. Delving into the intrigues of an Eastern Royal harem and slave market, assisted by Fletcher's very vivid and amusing descriptions, proved an excellent evening's entertainment for us all.
December, 1949
At the last meeting we read the ' Ghost Train ' by Arnold Ridley. This was found to be an easy play to read and was therefore quick moving, thus allowing everyone to appreciate the humorous qualities of this melodrama, as was obviously the author's intention. On the same evening the Juniors read ' Androcles and the Lion' by Bernard Shaw. Lastly on behalf of the whole Society may I thank the Headmaster and Mrs. Kittermaster very much for so kindly allowing us the use of their dining-room for our meetings. M.A.P. DEBATING SOCIETY. The Debating Society was revived this term under the auspices of Mr. Ferrar. At the first meeting, officers were elected, J. D. L. Griffiths being elected President and D. K. Kennedy, Secretary. A committee was also set up consisting of representatives of the various houses and two representatives of the Fifth1 Forrns. The remainder of this meeting was devoted to a hat night. This meant that names were taken from one hat and motions from another, each motion then being proposed and opposed. The motions, however, proved rather too serious, only one being really suitable. On the other hand, the speeches were good. The first debate was on the motion that " An aristocracy is not essential for the well-being of a community." Both sides put forward strong arguments but the motion was heavily defeated by thirty votes to three. It seemed that most of the people present had come with fixed ideas in their heads and refused to be swayed by any arguments put forward by the principal speakers. The debate was a success, however, in that it revealed eloquence from the most unexpected quarters. Advantage was taken of this for the next debate when the principal speakers were all members of the Vth forms. The motion was that " Modern pastimes and amusements are responsible for juvenile delinquency." The opening speeches were quite good, and when thrown open to the house, the debate became quite lively, although there was a tendency to wander from the point. The motion was defeated by fourteen votes to thirteen. The last debate of the term was on the motion that " Money was the root of all evil." This was not a great success, the motion being defeated by fourteen votes to seven, after a rather spiritless evening. There was also a supplementary meeting of the Society, when J. Hansen, our German visitor, spoke about his school in Germany. This was followed by a discussion, during which questions were asked and comparisons made between Hansen's school in Germany and the King's School. However, it was not until after the discussion had officially finished that argument became really heated. The Society will continue to meet next term, when we plan to hold three meetings and possibly to arrange a mock-trial. Finally we wish to thank Mr. Ferrar for giving so much of his time towards the advancement of the Society and its activities. J.D.L.G.
December, 1949
THE VIGORNIAN.
POTTERY. Last winter it was announced that the long-awaited supply of clay had arrived, and had been placed in a room in the headmaster's house which was kindly loaned to those who desired to make pots. The pottery class was first taught to make coiled pots, and attendance was enthusiastic, notably among the younger members, who, however, found some difficulty in confining the clay to the room provided. The two potters arrived in the Easter term, but only the seniors began work with them, while the rest continued making coiled pots and animals. Unfortunately the School does not yet possess a kiln, and the pots have to be sent to Malvern for firing and glazing, but it is hoped that this deficiency will soon be remedied. The pottery stall was in great prominence at the School Fete in the summer term, and a large number of pots, of various sizes and dubious shapes, were sold. We all feel very grateful to Miss Campbell for her expert instruction and hope the quality of our work in the future will show that this has not been profitless. H.M.P.L.
SIXTH FORM CLUB NOTES. This term began well with the usual influx of new members and fresh officials. J. R. Williams of the Grammar School was elected president, the members of the committee for the King's School being P. M. Bluck and M. A. Pocock. Mr. Kittermaster led a discussion at our first meeting on : " Is Novel Reading a Waste of Time ? " We came to the conclusion that it all depended on what sort of novels one read and that light reading offered a source of relaxation. On October 21st we were entertained by Miss Wiley from the Girls' Grammar School who played the piano and by Dr. Logan from the Blind College who sang to his own accompaniment. Later in the term Mr. Downe, also from the W.C.B., gave us a very interesting talk on " Humour," illustrated by some excellent examples which we had not heard before. The annual Youth Magazine was held at the W.C.B. on November 18th. We saw the usual variety of sketches with some musical interludes; in the latter the College for the Blind outshone everybody else with two pianists; one of them played classics and the other successfully imitated Charlie Kunz. The dance was held at the W.R.G.S. on December 2nd; part of Trevor Brookes' band supplied the music. We would like to take this opportunity to point out to various members of the School who seem to have a mistaken idea of our activities, that the aims of the club are purely cultural. Next term the meetings include a Film Show and a Hat Night. It was hoped to hold a holiday dance before Christmas but a £10 bill from last year's Christmas Dance was unearthed and so we have had to cancel the holiday meeting. P.M.B. VALETE. Upper Sixth. ATTWOOD, D.'J. (Creighton's 1943-49) 2nd XV 1949, Higher Certificate 1949. BLACKFORD, J. E. (Creighton's 1942-49). House Monitor, 2nd IV 1948-49, Higher Certificate 1949.
556
BRADLEY, J. L. (Castle and Tredennyke 1943-49). Cpl. J.T.C., House Monitor, Higher Certificate 1949. COOPER, T. J. G. (Creighton's 1942-49). 2nd IV Cox, L./Cpl. J.T.C. HALLIDAY, M. J. (Creighton's 1946-49). JONES, D. F. (School 1945-49). Captain of Boxing, C.Q.M.S., J.T.C., House Monitor, 1st XI Cricket 1943, 2nd XI 1948, 1949, 1st IV Fives 1948, 1949. LAFLIN, K. W. (Creighton's 1941-49). School Monitor, King's Scholar 3rd XI 1949, Cpl. J.T.C., Higher Certificate, 1948,1949. To St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford. MINTON, J. E. (The Hostel 1944-49). 1st XV 1948-49, Cpl. J.T.C. PUDDEPHA, D. N. (The-Hostel 1943-49). School Monitor, Captain of Football 1948-49, Cpl. J.T.C., Editor of The Vigornian, 1st XV 1947-48-49, 2nd XI 1947-48. SMITH, B. T. C. (Castle 1944-49). Captain of the School, Castle House, Boats, Athletics, Boxing; Sec. of Football Editor of The Vigornian, Sgt. J.T.C., 1st XV Football 1945, 46, 47, 48, 49, 1st IV Rowing 47, 48, 49, 2nd IV Rowing 1946. Lower Sixth. DAVIS, J. W. T. (Creighton's 1946-49). 1st XI Cricket. FRANKLIN, R. A. (Chappel's 1943-49). L./Cpl. J.T.C. PRESTAGE, P. W. (School and Tredennyke 1941-49). School Monitor, Capt. of Tredennyke, Sec. of Rowing, Swimming and Art Circle, Sergt. J.T.C., 1st IV Rowing 1949, 48, 2nd XV Rugger 1948. Upper Fifth. GESSNER, P. C. (Castle 1947-49). 3rd XV Rugger, School Certificate. MEREDITH, S. J. (Chappel 1945-49). 2nd XV 1948-49, 2nd XI 1949, School Certificate. O'NEILL, M. O. (Creighton's 1944-49). School Certificate. SCALES (Chappel's 1942-49). School Certificate. WASHBROOK, R. W. (Chappel's 1944-49). Middle Fifth. DEW, M. C. (Castle 1946-49). School Certificate, 2nd XI Cricket 1948-49. HUMPHREYS (Chappel's 1942-49). LYCETT, G. A. (Creighton's 1943-49). LEE, M. E. D. (Chappel's 1943-49). VENABLES, D. J. (Chappel's 1944-49). SALTER, M. L. (Chappel's 1945-49). O'BRIEN, D. D. (School House 1946-49). Lower Fifth. JOYNER, B. A. (Creighton's 1947-49). Wilkes, H. J. (Creighton's 1947-49). Upper Remove 'A.' CAVENAGH, P. (School 1946-49). 2nd IV Cox (1947). Upper Remove ' B.' RICHARDS, O. A. (Creighton's 1942-49). Lower Remove ' B.' CLARKE, F. W. (1947-49). Fourth ' A.' THOMAS, G. J. (Creighton's Junior 1946-49). Others. THORNE, P. G. (Choir Day Boys 1947-49). UNDERBILL, J. B. (Creighton's 1944-49). WRIGHT, M. B. (Chappel's 1948-49). HARWOOD, M. J. (Choir 1949). FEARNLEY, D. C. (1949).
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THE VIGORNIAN.
CONTRIBUTIONS. LIFE IN LANDERZIEHUNGSHEIM, SCHONDORF. At the time of writing, it seems a very long time ago since we boarded the train for Munich at Victoria Station, but in reality it is only three and a half months. Yet living in a strange land with very few familiar customs, tends to make the English way of life seem very remote and distant; and at the moment we are eagerly looking forward to the prospect of plum-pudding in England on Christmas day. At 11 o'clock on Monday morning September 5th, with the prospect of thirty hours' travel in front of us, we left London. We had a good journey, although we only managed to sleep for about two hours. We received our first surprise in Frankfurt am Maine at 6 o'clock on Tuesday morning, when the door of our compartment was opened, and a man walked in carrying in his hand what appeared to be a piece of lead-piping. He then proceeded to ask us if we were three English boys going to a German school on the Exchange-system. We replied in the affirmative, yet with a secret fear of having violated some continental law (the piece of leadpiping being uppermost in our minds). However he soon dispelled the one fear, by replacing it with another and more imminent one. He told us we had three minutes in which to prepare something to say for the Frankfurt radio. He then informed us what kind of questions he would ask us. He went out and came back in about three minutes, during which time we had discussed what we should say; but to no definite purpose. He then began to talk into the piece of lead-piping, which, we came to the conclusion, must have been a microphone. However, we survived this ordeal, and so continued to Munich, in which much bomb-blasted city we arrived at 3 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon. We were met by Mr. Natan, together with a master of the German school, and two of the three boys who were to have gone to England instead of us. For the rest of Tuesday and most of Wednesday, we toured Munich, and in the evening of the latter day we drove by 'bus to Landerziehungsheim, Schondorf a/Ammeriee, Upper Bavaria, Germany, in which we were to spend the Autumn term. One of the things which impressed us most in Munich, was the difference between German and English manual workers. The German workers seemed to work as if they had something to achieve and were not, as most British workmen waiting for " knocking-off time " : what is more we did not see anybody taking time off in order to drink tea during work-hours ! They work longer hours, yet are paid about half as much as the average wage of a bricklayer in England. The school with which the exchange took place is situated on the bank of lake Ammersee about thirty miles south-west of Munich. Its numbers are a hundred and sixty, including about twenty day pupils. It is a coeducational school, because, owing to lack of boys during the war, it was necessary to take girls in order to keep the school going. We soon became used to the routine of the school, which was as follo'ws :—Rising-bell at seven o'clock; at seven-twenty-five all the boarders assembled in the school hall and heard either a piece of music played by one of the numerous pianists, or a poem or piece of prose read by one of the masters. At 7.30 we went into breakfast which was typically continental, consisting of coffee, one roll, some black bread (which is in reality brown, and is very good for children even if not so tasty as white
December, 1949
bread) and jam. After breakfast we had to make our beds, and at 8 o'clock school begins. There were three lessons in the first part of the morning which lasted until 10.30, when there was a break of twenty minutes during which time a " second breakfast " was to be had. This usually varied between bread and butter and hot milk, and a kind of " porridge," which is really nothing like porridge as we know it; but the dictionary definition for the German word is porridge, so we must perforce call it porridge. From 10.50 until 12.30 there were two more lessons and at 12.35 lunch. This was always the best meal of the day, but it consisted of far more vegetables than, an ordinary English meal. We only ate meat once a week and that was always on Sunday. The food on the whole was much better served than at King's but was not so varied. After lunch until 2.30, each boy had to remain in his room, either to sleep, or to occupy himself quietly. This pe/iod of inactivity was known as " die Ruhestunde " (quiet hour) and was immediately followed by one and three-quarter hours of manual labour, or an afternoon in one of the workshops for carpentry, lock and key making, bookbinding, and pottery. Each boy had two afternoons a week in one of the workshops and two afternoons doing manual labour, which was usually gardening. This work finished at 4.15 and at 4.30 we queued for our tea, which consisted of two rolls. At 4.45 the " Arbeitstunde " (prep.), began. The six lower forms worked under supervision ifi their classrooms and the two highest forms by themselves in their rooms. Prep, finished at 6.45 and at 7 o'clock there was supper, which was usually a cold meal, but quite often there was hot milk to drink with it. After supper one's time was one's own except on Mondays and Fridays. On the former evenings the whole school was divided into groups of ten or twelve, each under the leadership of a master, who chose a subject for discussion, which is accordingly debated. These groups were known as " Kameradschaften," and once a term each group had a " Wanderung " (a walking tour or wandering) of three days when the groups went off to spend some time in the fresh air. Most of the groups went to the Alps which were only forty miles away to the south. We three were in the same group and walked about 35 miles during our trip seeing the famous Roman Catholic churches of southern Bavaria. They were all either Baroque or Rococo or Roman in style and to our more modest and Puritan taste they mostly seemed like the over ornamented concert halls of the late Victorian era filled with so much bric-a-brac; although to be fair one must admit that they were beautifully painted, and that one could not help being amazed at the exactness of detail in the paintings on the ceilings which were really a marvel to behold. We lived very simply during this tour; the first night sleeping in a youth-hostel, and the second in a hay-barn which was luckily very warm. Unfortunately, hay has the drawback of harbouring those who are unwelcome. On Friday evenings there was either a concert or lecture or film which it was compulsory to attend. The school had its own orchestra, and there seemed to be far more interest taken in music but not in the other arts than at King's School. As regards sport, we had facilities for playing games on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons, and on the whole of Sunday, but there was no time for
December, 1949
THE VIGORNIAN.
sport on the other days. The sport consisted mainly of inter-class games in football and handball, a game unknown in England, but nevertheless quite a good one. Sport was not compulsory, and there was never any if it were raining except for table-tennis which we played when we could. The school has three hard tennis courts of its own and until the end of October we usually played on Sundays and Saturdays. A. G. Jackson distinguished himself by winning the school tennis tournament, and also played for the first handball team. R. Ager-Harris concentrated on athletics until it became too cold, and performed several feats of note in the school sports. All the boys were called by their Christian names, and the German boys couldn't understand why we called each other by our surnames. We tried to explain that there were five hundred boys in our own school and that it would be impossible to call each boy by his Christian name, 'because so many had the same name. To which came the reply that there were twenty-six Peters in Schondorf but they were nevertheless each called Peter. We had no reply for that. Discipline was a subject about which we were very interested. There is no discipline in the way we know it and when it came to endeavouring to explain the monitorial system and corporal punishment, it was like trying to teach a frog to sing soprano. The boys elect their own head of the school and also a group called " the ring " which consists of 8 people who make the necessary regulations. We saw no written rules, but a set can be obtained on request from the " ring." Every boy is on the same level of authority as his neighbour and there are no special privileges for anybody. There are no specific bounds, except that no boy is allowed outside the school grounds after 9 o'clock in the evening. The familiarity between the masters and boys is one of the things that amazed us most. It was possible to talk about anything with them, and one felt that one was talking to a friend rather than a master. This lack of strict discipline and privilege etc. : is quite obviously the swing of the pendulum to the opposite extreme, after twelve years of strict Nazi regime with all its fascist institutions and police regulations. Yet we can only hope that it does not bring the creed of " Deutchland uber alles " back into their minds again. The educational system seems to be a fairly good one, and in some ways the new English educational programme for next year resembles it. There are eight classes in which it is absolutely necessary to stay a year in each class. No boy, however good, can be raised to a higher class after only one or two terms, but must complete the whole school year in the class in which he started. This system makes sure that no gaps are left in a boy's education, and that it is continuous the whole way through from start to finish. There is no school work in the afternoons, but we think that it makes a boy work harder in such time as he has for school work, because his mental energy is not called upon to work the whole day, and can apply itself more assiduously to the tasks of the morning. Another thing that was different from what we are used to was the sleeping accommodation. There was only one big dormitory in the school, and that was for the smallest boys who are called " Frosche " (Frogs). For the rest, each boy sleeps and works in the same room. In the three highest classes, only two boys share a room, but in the lower ones, sometimes three. or four work and sleep together. These rooms might be described
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as bed-sitting-rooms, for want of a better word; but they are certainly much more homely and comfortable than a large and draughty dormitory. (Incid_entally, the German boy's picture of an average Englishman, is of a man wearing plus-fours, complete with golfing cap, who is complaining bitterly about the drought, the weather, and his intolerable indigestion). One thing which we did lack, and missed greatly was a hot bath. There were hot and cold showers, but it was always necessary to walk to another building in order to take these, and it was rather inconvenient and bothering to have to walk perhaps two hundred yards there and back before one could clean oneself. We washed in cold water in the mornings, and when shaving was necessary, we had to heat the water ourselves, or fetch it from the kitchen. However, we are no longer afraid of washing in cold water. There was no inter-house sport competition, and the school sports were held for individual honours. But the school had many athletic matches and sent representatives to meetings at Munich, in some of which, it had a fair amount of success. The school also has its own cinder running track, and most of the apparatus for athletics. The governing of the school was mostly done by the boys, and only when it was really necessary, did a master interfere. Another custom which we found very interesting was that on the report of each boy, there is a sentence concerning his character, which is drafted by his class-fellows. Each class holds a session for this purpose, and one by one each boy goes out, and his faults and good points are discussed. The object of this is to make each boy realize the main faults in his character, in the eyes of his comrades, so that he may accordingly reform them. It is all done on a friendly basis, and there is no trace of spitcfulness in it. At the beginning of December there was a festival which is known as ' St. Nicholas,' It is a day of general importance throughout Bavaria, and in the Laudheim the boys put on a complete play about the masters, in which many of them were imitated, and some of the impersonations really good. We thought it very funny and an exceedingly good idea. We have seen much of the surrounding countryside and have also ascended (in the mountain railway) the highest mountain in Germany, ' Die Zugspitze." We have been sailing on the lake which is about ten miles long by about two miles wide. The school also has its own sailing club, with about five boats. It has been a great experience for us, and we suggest that if any of the younger boys in King's receive an offer to go, if the Exchange continues, that they do not hesitate to say yes ! For it is a very good school, and we have really enjoyed ourselves. In conclusion, we would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Natan, who originally conceived the idea and who made and carried out the arrangements : and also our thanks to the Headmaster for allowing the exchange of pupils. Even if we have missed a term's work (and rugger) at Worcester we have gained far more in general education and experience, and a broader outlook on life than in a year's normal work, and last, but not least, we have learnt some of the German language as it is spoken ! R. E. Ager-Harris. J. E. Rowley. A. G. Jackson.
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THE VIGORNIAN.
SONNET. The blazing ball behind the stark and straight-stemmed pines Sinks down, suffusing golden clouds with ruddy glows. Man from his labour softly, quickly, home-ward goes. Day from the Earth is gone; thus, too, a thousand times. But now rise writhing river mists, swirling among The willow's wispy streamers trembling on the brink, Still eddying slowly upward till they start, and sink Again, dissolving over shadowy pools o'er-hung By brittle branches. Gradually the ground grows chill. Soon, cold and silent, night's proud Queen sails into view And fluttering frozen flakes drop down, descending to Earth's sleepy surface, so erasing all day's ill. So shabby sinful man must surely pass away, And, through the grace of God, be cleansed, 'gainst Judgment Day. D.K.K. THE HEAT WAVE, 1949. Upon a summer's morn in Lincolnshire. Beneath the lofty chestnut's shade : the rays Of that bright orb, as in the latter days, Did shine relentlessly across the mire To where the church with tower—though yet no spire Adorned it as in the surrounding leys— Arose upon a knoll amid the haze Of heat which nought save sloth did e'er inspire : I sat unheard upon a fallen oak Enthralled by Nature's ordering of men, And how, through Her, 'twas God himself who spoke To teach them how to rule the marshy fen. Then turned—and gazed entranced towards the Soke And contemplating yet, took up my pen. M.S.L. CORRESPONDENCE. To the.Editors of " The Vigornian." SIRS, Your remarks in the last issue of The Vigornian about the lack, of news concerning O.V.s came as no surprise to us, as we have already in our short term as O.V.s come to the conclusion that there seems to be a great deal of apathy among those who have left the School. Thus faced by a challenge from present members of the School, let us go further with a few suggestions.
December, 1949
Perhaps a small committee of O.V.s would form an editorial board to run a column of particular interest to former members of the School. There may. be some who have a particular flair for journalism (we can think of one or two) and who would be prepared to devote part of their spare time for this task. We leave that idea to be discussed whenever and wherever O.V.s meet. We are members of an O.V. Club, to which we have paid a subscription as is the practice for members of any club. There the similarity ends, for what one associates with the word " club " does not apply to ours. We have no clubroom where we can chat about our past and present experiences, where old acquaintances can be renewed, and where one can take part in a game of billiards or snooker. This is, perhaps, the best way for Old Vigornian news to be circularised, whereby more support would be forthcoming for the Club's very infrequent activities. Those who witnessed the poor attendance at the O.V. Ball will understand our meaning. We put before the School authorities the following idea. Is it not possible for a room in the School buildings to be put at our disposal ? It does seem a pity that the localinns are made the centres of O.V.s' meetings, because they have no room of their own. Some members are just a little frightened by the stiffness and formality of O.V. activities, and we have heard complaints of the frigid atmosphere at the Ball. Let us say that members should not stop away because of this, we need them to break down that barrier of formality which descends as a cloud whenever a dance becomes a ball, lounge suit becomes evening dress and a few words become a rambling discourse. One way in which O.V.s get together is through the O.V. Cricket Club, which deserves far more support than it gets. We ourselves are members and have enjoyed many games, which give us an opportunity to give our troubled minds a rest from their mental efforts. At this stage, may we say that it was regrettable that we should twice arrive at the School ground to find two teams already playing on the pitch that was to be ours ? More regrettable was the fact that neither of the teams had relations with the School. We trust that we have presented a few criticisms for others to discuss, and may we ask that they will be discussed seriously, for we write what we believe to be true and what we think should have been said before ? Many thanks for the use of your columns. Yours faithfully. Two O.V.s.