THE
VIGORNIAN
JULY 1950
Left to Right Standing : Guard (E. B. James); Earl of Worcester (A. G. Jackson) ; Sir Richard Vernon (F. D. A. Burns); Prince Hal (J. D. L. Griffiths); The Earl of Westmoreland (J. D. Farmer); King Henry IV (M. A. Pocock) ; John of Lancaster (J. W. Masters) ; Sir John Falstaff (D. K. Kennedy). On Ground: Sir Walter Blunt (M. J. C. Secular); Harry Percy, surnamed Hotspur (H. M. P. Davies).
Bardolph (J. S. M. Robinson) ; Seated: Mistress Quickly (J. D. L. Griffiths) ; Behind her : Gadshill (P. R. Lowes) and Conspirator (J. R. G. Pringle) ; Prince Hal (J. D. L. Griffiths) ; Peto (J. R. Hopkin) ; Francis (N. J. Case-Green) ; Poins (H. J. Davies) and Falstaff (D. K. Kennedy).
CRICKET— 1st XI, 1950. Standing : W. F. Jones, M. G. H. Leeke, A. N. George, G. J. Hollister-Short; Seated: R. F. Godsall, A. G. Jackson (Vice-Captain), J. H. Whitehead (Captain), H. E. Howell (Secretary), M. J. Morton. On Ground: K. Hitchcock, T. A. Brown.
ROWING, 1st IV, 1950. Standing: D. R. P. Bushby, T. Hughes-Williams. Seated: K. J. Beard (Captain), R. H. F. Carlyle, Esq., H. M. P. Davies. On Ground: R. J. Chinery (Co*).
THE VIGORNIAN THE WORCESTER CATHEDRAL KING'S SCHOOL
CHRONICLE
TA MEN AIAAKTA MAN9ANO, TA A'ETPETA ZHTil, TA A'ETKTA IIAPA 8EON HITHSAMHN.
Vol. XIII.
JULY, 1950. CONTENTS.
School Notes... OV
Page ... 560 ... 561 ... 561 ... 562
NPWC •
563 564 564 564 565 565 565 567
Births O V Day
Henry IV Part 1 House Notes : —
Tredennyke House Cricket :—
Averages
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Rowing :— Regatta Athletics Cross-Countrv
Sf<R
568 568 ... 569 569 ... 569 ... ... ... ... ...
570 570 571 571 571
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572 572 574 574 574 574
Fives P.T Competition Rugger 1950. Fixtures, 1950-51 C.C.F. Shooting Red Cross Art Circle Literary Society Music Society Debating Society Chess Competition Vlth Form Club Valete Contributions Correspondence
No. 178. Page ... 576
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EDITORIAL.
things can never really be learnt till they have been exper-
or taste not the Pierian Spring " wrote Pope. Life here as evervwhere else, is not understood until we work
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THE VIGORNIAN.
our hardest, and give of our best to everything. School life is very full, and it has much to give us. If we are to avail ourselves of this, we have to work for it. We are profiting by the work of those who have gone before us, and it is for us to keep the vintage unspotted, increase it, " enlarge it to a wider usefulness," and pass it on to our successors " a better place for our having been in it." Nor does our work end there. Those who have worked hard in and for the School, knowing it even as they are known, find that they are brought to the necessity of continuing to give when they have left. O.V.s serve best when they create an atmosphere of interest in the School, keep themselves informed of its doings, supporting it in every way they can. Moreover they remember that they represent the School wherever they go; the School is judged by the men it produces : " For every tree is known by its own fruit." And so, let us ripen to a true fullness while we are here. Let us begin to realise ourselves what we are, and begin by loving the School as the biggest single influence—single even in its diversity—on pur " selves," shaping us, giving us much loveliness in itself, but teaching us to love beauty and truth in other fields. If we love the School thus, we shall find that it gives us its own reward.
SCHOOL OFFICERS. H. M. P. Davies Head of the School School Monitors : H. M. P. Davies, M. S. Lewis, R. F. Godsall, M. G. H. Leeke, J. H. Whitehead, M. A. Pocock, A. I. Taverner, H. E. Howell, B. L. Nicholas, J. D. L. Griffiths, P. M. Bluck, A. G. Jackson, D. K. Kennedy, K. J. Beard, J. N. Bulman, D. R. P. Bushby, F. D. A. Burns, J. D. Farmer, G. J. HollisterShort. Heads of Houses :— School House H. M. P. Davies Castle House M. G. H. Leeke The Hostel M. S. Lewis Tredennyke H. E. Howell Chappel House B. L. Nicholas R. F. Godsall Creighton House Captain of Cricket J. H. Whitehead Vice-Captain of Cricket A. G. Jackson H. E. Howell Secretary of Cricket Captain of Boats K. J. Beard Captain of Football M. S. Lewis Secretary of Football M. G. H. Leeke J. H. Whitehead Captain of Fives Captain of Athletics H. M. P. Davies G. F. Hartley Secretary of Athletics Captain of Boxing D. K. Kennedy Secretary of Swimming A. Green Editors of The Vigomian :—H. M. P. Davies, B. L. Nicholas, D. K. Kennedy, A. G. Jackson. Librarians :—M. S. Lewis, G. F. Hartley, F. D. A. Burns. Secretary of the Art Circle K. J. Beard M. A. Pocock Secretary of the Literary Society H. M. P. Davies Secretary of the Music Society President of the Debating Society J. D. L. Griffiths Secretary of the Debating Society D. K. Kennedy
July, 1950 SCHOOL CALENDAR.
19 Beginning of Term. 22 School Communion. 29 Literary Society: " Dangerous Corner," J. B. Priestley. Feb. S Music Society : Records—W. R. Hartley, Esq. 12 Art Circle : Mr. Morgan—" Craftsmanship." 13 Entertainment: Mr. Forrest Whitely. 19 Literary Society : Miss Ursula Wood. 22 Ash Wednesday: School Service in the Cathedral. 26 Music Society : Mr. Sinclair Logan. 28 Danish Gymnastic Display at Birmingham. Mar. 1 Boxing Competition. 4 Cross-Country Races. 5 Art Circle : Italian Renaissance Architecture —Mr. H. P. E. Davis 6 Lecture : Railways—Mr. H. P. E. Davis. 7 German Plays—Birmingham University. 12 Literary Society: " Major Brassbound's Conversion" and " Androcles and the Lion "—G. B. Shaw. 14 Field Day. 16 Lecture: The Royal Navy—Lt.-Com. Marchesi, R.N. 19 Music Society : Performer's Evening. 24 School Confirmation Service. 25 Triangular Sports Fixture. 26 Art Circle : Modern Architecture-^-Mr. Gorst. 29 Piano Recital: Madame Famadi. 30 Certificate ' A ' Examination. April 1 & 3 School Sports. 4 End of Term.
Jan.
May 2 9 & 11 18 21
Beginning of Term. Visit to Worcester Porcelain Works. Ascension Day : Cathedral Service. Art Circle: " Monumental Brasses and Brass-Rubbing "—The Precentor. 25 H.C. French and German Oral Exams. 26 Piano Recital: Irene Kohler. 27 First Industry Reports. June 4 Music Society: Mr. G. Clinch, O.V.— Gramophone Recital on Opera. 9-13 Half-Term. 15 School Choir Festival—Gloucester Cathedral. 16 P.T. Competition. 16-18 Friends of the Cathedral. 17 Second Industry Report. 19 K.S. & C.E. Examinations; S. C. French Orals. 20 Junior School Examinations; Field Day. 26 H.C. Examinations Started. 29 C.C.F. Inspection. July 8 Third Industry Report. 10 Speech Day. 13 S.C. Examinations Started. 15 O.V. Week-End. 22 School Regatta. 28 Section Shield Competition; Shooting Competition. 28 & 29 Henry IV, Part I. 31 End of Term. 31-Aug. 9 C.C.F. Camp—Oswestry.
THE VIGORNIAN.
July, 1950 SCHOOL NOTES.
The most notable achievement in the School Year we have just completed has been that of B. L. Nicholas. It was announced in College Hall on March 27th that he had been awarded an Open Scholarship in Modern Languages at Worcester College, Oxford. This is the first Open Scholarship the School has won since 1938. In recognition of this, the Headmaster granted the School a half-holiday a few days later. The year has been exceptional in many other ways also. At the School Sports at the end of the Easter Term, 5 School records were broken and this term the 1st XI had 7 successive matches unbeaten, while the 1st IV beat four crews to reach the final at Marlow, losing by the narrow margin of 4 ft. The 1st VIII did very well in the ' Country Life ' Shooting Competition, coming second among 18 schools. On May 26th we were privileged to have yet another visit from the distinguished pianist Miss Irene Kohler, who gave a recital illustrating the history and development of piano music from Bach to modern times. Her interesting introduction to the pieces as well as her brilliant execution were much appreciated by an attentive audience. On June 15th the School Choir went to Gloucester to take part for the first time in the Annual Festival for Public School Choirs. Nine other Schools took part. Our thanks are due to Mr. Day, who expended so much time in-preparing the Choir. At the beginning of the term the long-promised tour of the Worcester Porcelain Works took place; two parties were conducted round the works on the 9th and llth of May in a -most able and interesting way. Thanks are due to Miss Campbell for arranging the visit and enabling us to gain some inside knowledge of an industry that is on our back door-step. In January we welcomed to the staff, Mr. W. R. Hartley, who replaced Mr. Macdonald in the Modern Language department. We are grateful to him for the time he has given to out-of-school activities, especially in the spheres of cricket and music. An event of some importance occurred in the cricket match against Belvedere College when J. H. Whitehead in his last and sixty-fourth consecutive appearance in the team, completed his thousand runs for the 1st XL He also shared a record century stand for the third wicket with R. F. Godsall. These two able performers both with five season's service in the team will be sorely missed next year. « * * The School attended Cathedral service as usual on Ash Wednesday when the preacher was Dr. Shepherd, and on Ascension Day when the preacher was Dr. Brailey.
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In our last issue we welcomed the Dean, Dr. Beck, on his becoming a member of the Governing Body. We can now announce that he has become the Chairman of the Governors, succeeding Canon Armstrong; his first public appearance in this capacity was on Speech Day, when his obvious interest in all that concerns the School, as well as his fluent and witty speech, was enough to assure us that the destiny of the School could not be in better hands. * * * Durinb the course of the Easter term the following gained places at Oxford University : G. J. HollisterShort (New College), J. H. Whitehead (New College), H. M. P. Lorenz (Christ Church). The following were awarded King's Scholarships on the results of this term's examinations C. A. W. Ive (Gorse Cliff); P. J. Bulman and D. R. Mills (King's School). The following were awarded exhibitions : J. H. Dickinson (Glenhow School), J. C. B. Lotes (St. Michael's, Tenbury), D. H. W. Harding (Harcourt Preparatory School), G. I. Owen (King's School). The Head of the School, H. M. P. Davies, had the privilege of attending the ceremony and luncheon when Mr. Winston Churchill visited Worcester on May 20th to receive the Freedom of the City. On February 13th, Mr. Forrest Whitely came to College Hall, and with him he brought an extraordinary range of musical instruments. He talked for some time on sound production, and then related this to the assortment of rattles he had. He finished by playing an electronic instrument which he did not touch once he had started it. On March 29th, Madam Farnadi, " that distinguished Hungarian pianist ", in the words of The Times, came to College Hall and gave us a fine rendering of works by Liszt, Brahms and Chopin. Her performance was interesting, her style being that of the country where these composers lived and are most studied. We are most grateful to Mr. Hartley for making the arrangements. * * * Uunfortunately the Swimming Sports which had been fixed for July 27th had to be cancelled because of the possibility of infantile paralysis. These notes being written at Camp we can finish them by saying we have been in very good quarters and are having a very good camp. We beat Monmouth at 7-a-side Rugger, and two Malvern teams at Basketball, winning the Battalion Competition, but losing in the final of the Camp Competition. We have also co-ordinated some hockey talent to beat several sides, losing in the semifinal of the Battalion Competition. A full account of our ' doings' will appear in the next issue of The Vigarnian.
563
THE VIGORNIAN. O.V. NEWS.
We have heard news of the following O.V.s :—M. J. Cutler (School, 1942-46) and E. B. Wootten (Creighton, 1941-47) were in the Worcester Rowing Club Maiden Crew which won Section A of the Evesham Journal Challenge Vase. P. Gessner (Castle, 1947-49) is at Battersea Polytechnical College, London University. He has been playing for the ' A ' Rugger XV. He recently met D. F. Jones (School, 1945-49) at the Law Courts. The latter is working for Inter Arts (B.A.) externally, and hopes to be at Oxford University in October. I. K. Dinsdale (School, 1937-41) is now serving with the de Havilland Engine Co. as Technical Representative. A. J. Dash, C.I.E. (School, 1897-1905) is leaving the counter for Pakistan to resume his duties as Chairman of the Public Services Commission. Sqdn./Ldr. E. W. Wootten, D.S.C. with Bar (Day Boy, 1933-36) has been awarded the Air Force Cross. In 1948 he led the R.A.F. team which demonstrated jet aircraft in Denmark. J. Papps (Creighton, 1937-42) has been appointed an Agricultural Assistant to the Depot of Agriculture, Tanganyika. * * * J. S. Wyatt (School, 1937-39) has been in the R.A.F. as a trained pilot in S. Rhodesia and S. Africa. Later he went to Palestine with the R.A.F. Regiment. He studied architecture at the Architectural Association in London, is now working in the Architect's Department of Western Region, British Railways and has assisted in designing several new stations. R. E. Thomas (Castle, 1922-26) has now left India (and banking) and taken up stockbroking in Natal. He recently secured a seat on the Johannesburg Stock Ex-, change and is now working in Pietermaritzburg as manager of a branch of a Johannesburg stockbroking firm. He says the life there is extremely pleasant and there is a wonderful future in the country if it can only shake off its political and racial troubles. P. C. P. Raban (School, 1932-36) is now Area Secretary, Toe H, N-Western Area, covering parts of Cheshire and Lancashire. He has also been appointed President de 1'Association de Talbot House, Poperinghe. T. F. Sutton (School, 1938-42) is working in Market and Economic Research in London, and finds it a most fascinating job. He has written a small book, which has been published by his firm, on " Self-Service in Great Britain."
July, 1950
The Rev. A. L. E. Williams (Castle, 1907-11>, Vicar and Rural Dean of Bournemouth has been appointed an Honorary Canon of Winchester Cathedral. J. D. Potts (School, 1944-48) joined the Civil Service last year and has so far got on quite well. J. F. Lavender (School, 1930-37) is now Assistant Master at St. Peter's School, York, and is Rugger and Rowing Coach. C. M. Lavender (School, 1930-39) is an Analytical Chemist with British Drughouses. F. H. Yarnold, M.B.E. (Day Boy, 1923-30) resigned from the Home Civil Service and has recently been appointed Bursar and Clerk to the Governors of the two Merchant Taylors' Schools at Crosby, near Liver•pool. * « « G. E. Churchill (Natland, 1919-26) has been appointed Chief Education Officer for Northants. P. W. Brotherton (Chappel, 1946-49) is in the R.A.F. at Halton and P. C. Brotherton (Chappel, 1946-49) is doing tractor work on his father's farm. C. R. Sampson (School, 1940-42) has been studying in Dublin and recently spent a term in Cologne. A. C. Morgan (Day Boy, 1926-31) is a Chartered Surveyor and on the Executive Committee of the Devon and Cornwall Branch of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. During the war, he was with the Admiralty Lands Branch and when appointed to Devonport in 1942, he found a colleague was another O.V.— S. G. Fowler (1919-22). He succeeded him in charge of the Devonport office, left the Admiralty service and went to Exeter in 1947. When playing cricket with Exeter Club, he has played a few games with F. Lawry, O.V. (1933-35), who is in the Home Office at Exeter. L. F. Burgis, C.M.G., C.V.O. (1904-08) retired from the Civil Service in November 1949 after 32 years' service. After leaving King's School, he became Private Secretary to the late Viscount Esher. He served in France in the 1914-18 war with the 6th Black Watch and in 1917 was appointed Private Secretary to Lord Hankey, when Lord Hankey became Secretary to the War Cabinet. Thenceforward Mr. Burgis became a permanent member of the Cabinet Secretariat, rising to the rank of 1st Prinicpal. In such capacity, he served many of the principal Officers of State for 32 years. He is probably unique in being made a permanent Civil Servant—eligible for a pension—without ever having passed a Civil Service Examination. When at School he was a prominent athlete—playing inside-left for the best (soccer) XI the School ever produced—and winning every event under 16 at the Athletic Sports.
July, 1950
THE VIGORNIAN.
J. R. Laird (Chappel, 1945-48) has been commissioned in the R.A.S.C. with effect from February F« 1950 and is serving overseas
564
CULLIS—BALDRY.—The engagement is announced between Walter George Cullis (Day Boy, 1938-41), son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Cullis of Worcester, and Patricia Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Baldry, also of Worcester.
J. C. Rose (School, 1943-48) has just completed his first year at King's College, London; he is reading English. MARRIAGES. J. H. C. Phelips (School, 1920-29) is a Solicitor and Deputy Clerk to Worcestershire County Council and Deputy Clerk of the Peace for Worcestershire.
BUTTON, T. F. (School, 1938-1941) on 23rd June 1950, to Anne Fleming. * * *
J. E. Cocke (Chappel's, 1942-44) has recently graduated B.A. from Wadham College, Oxford, with Third Class Honours in the School of Modern History. Since taking his degree he has been reading Theology at Oxford; in August 1950 he goes to the Theological College, Wells, Somerset, for two years, in preparation for Holy Orders. * * «
CURTIS, D. M. (Day Boy, 1937-41) on April 22nd, 1950, to Jean Hammond. * * « C. M. LAVENDER (School, 1930-39) on August 29th, 1949 to Cherrie Wilson. * * *
R. H. Phillipson (Castle and Tredennyke, 1945-50) has been awarded a Newcastle City Major Scholarship and is going to London University in October.
COOK, D. J. (School, 1942-46). The marriage took place on August 8th, 1950, at St. Swithin's Church, Southsea, of D. J. Cook to Yvonne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Larves, of Southsea, Hants.
J. B. Walls (School, 1941-48) is now Assistant Manager of the Hotel Casa Blanca, Montego Bay, Jamaica, B.W.I.
PHELIPS, J. H. C. (School, 1920-29) to Jean Agne Grieg Wilson, of Guildford, on. July 8th, 1950.
At the Annual General Meeting this year the Committee of the Club was constituted as follows :— J. B. Cavenagh (1904-1909) (Chairman) President. L. M. Bailey (1927-1933). R. J. Castley (Hon.) (Assistant Master 1903-1934). G. S. Clinch (1926-1931). J. C. Flay (1919-1924). H. H. Holmes (1915-1922). A. R. Harrison (1920-1922). J. H. C. Phelips (1920-1929). The Rev. G. H. Sharpe (1907-1915). M. E. Webb (1915-1920). Headmaster: F. R. Kittermaster. S. D. Strong (Hon. Sec.) (1906-1914). Secretary: H. E. NICHOLLS, " School House," King's School, Worcester.
THORNE-CORDES (School, 1926-30) on June 2nd at Whitstable, Kent, Philip Arthur, only son of Mrs. Thome and the late Mr. H. S. Thorne, to June Kathleen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Cordes. WATERHOUSE, R. B. W. (School, 1934-37) on November 30th, 1949, at St. Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta, to Christine Wilhelmina, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Meerdinck, of Ardenhout, Amsterdam. PAINTER, J. R. (Castle, 1939-42) to Kathleen Frances Bond, on February 14th, 1950.
BIRTHS. ENGAGEMENTS. CURTIS—STOCKWELL.—The engagement is announced between William Roger Curtis (Day Boy, 1939-42), youngest son of the late Dr. C. F. Curtis and Mrs. Curtis, of Prince's Avenue, Droitwich and Christine Marion, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stockwell of Croft Terrace, Penrith. PAPPS—SWINNBRTON.—The engagement is announced between John Papps (Day Boy, 1937-42) eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Papps of Worcester and Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Swinnerton of Pedmore, Stourbridge.
DENCER, D. (Day Boy, 1932-38). To his wife, Carmel, a son, on March 19th, 1950. * * * BENDAIX, A. J. (Castle, 1935-39). To his wife, a daughter, Christine. * * * BENDALL, D. C. (Castle, 1936-40). To his wife, a son, Peter. * * * MoRGAN.^On March 30th, 1949, to Dora (nee SproulCran), wife of A. C. Morgan (Day-Boy, 1926-31), a son.
565
THE VIGORNIAN.
July, 1950
OBITUARY.
THE CRICKET MATCH.
Ernest William Price, on February 12th, 1950. He was an Alto Lay-Clerk in Worcester Cathedral Choir for many years and died at the age of 82 after a short illness.
The game was played almost throughout in a slow drizzle, which made conditions most unpleasant. The Old Boys scored 207 (Manion 60), and for the School, Jackson took 6-82. Jones, W. F. was the only School batsman who offered any resistance, and he carried his bat for 29, out of a total of 59. In the second XI game, the O.V.s were dismissed for 25, and the School scored 104-4 before play ended.
Arthur Taylor. He was Assistant Master at the King's School from 1918 till 1935, when he retired. He died on February 6th, 1950, at Worcester Royal Infirmary. The Rev. John Martin (1878-83); died at Bromyard on December 10th, 1949.
ALEXANDER BRENT-SMITH, 1889-1950. The sudden death of Alexander Brent-Smith on July 3rd has deprived the musical world of a distinguished musician and composer. He was a chorister in the Cathedral Choir from 1900-1903 and was at the King's School from 1904-1907. On leaving there he studied music with Sir Ivor Atkins, and was Assistant Organist of the Cathedral from 1910-1912. During that time he composed a Pianoforte Concerto which was performed at a Festival Choral Society concert, with the composer at the piano. In 1912 he was appointed Music Master of Lancing College, where, for well over 20 years, he did outstanding work in that capacity as many old Lancing boys have testified. He was a prolific composer and while at Lancing produced many large scale works, including a Symphony, Concerto and Cantatas, some of which have been performed at the Three Choirs Festival. After leaving Lancing in the 1930's he worked assiduously at composition and produced two Operas—" The Captain's Parrot " and " The Age of Chivalry," the first of which was published last June. In addition to actual composition he wrote extensively on music and contributed many brilliant and witty articles and essays to the Musical Times, Music and Letters, etc. One of his essays had the honour of being included in a collection entitled " The World's Best This brief and inadequate account of his life by one who had the privilege of his friendship for many years will, it is hoped, be of some interest to old boys who were his contemporaries at the School. E.F.D.
O.V. DAY.
O.V. Day was held on Saturday, July 15th this year and most inclement weather prevailed throughout. The match was played to the bitter end in the rain and guests huddled in the pavilion for tea. At the dinner in the evening the weather was ignored by more than 120 who heard cheering news of the School from the Headmaster and L. M. Bailey (1927-33).
THE ROWING RACE. Rowed on the Deanery course; won by the School by 1} lengths. There was a high wind blowing upstream causing large waves which however did not prevent the race. The Old Vigornians this year put out die best crew for years, their crew having been together for about three weeks. The crew consisted entirely of members of the Worcester Rowing Club. Both crews went off to a fairly good start and for the first 50 yards there was very little between them. However the School soon got together and began to go up. For the best part of the course the School were held to threequarters of a length, but the O.V. cox was rather erratic and by the Water Gate the School were leading by a good length and a half. In the final spurt the School gained a little more distance to win comfortably.
SPEECH DAY. Speech Day this year was held on July 10th. As usual much preparation had been going forward during the previous weeks, and as a result, an exhibition of School Art and activities was arranged throughout the New Buildings, and the School Garden was at its best. Early in the day, the weather was considered too changeable to have tea in the garden, and so it was arranged in the Cloisters, by kind permission of the Dean. At 2.45 in the afternoon, College Hall was packed to capacity, accommodating over 800 to hear the speeches. The Dean, Dr. W. E. Beck, took the chair, for the first time since he became Chairman of the Governors, and our Speaker was Admiral Sir William Tennant, who recently became Lord-Lieutenant of the County. We reprint the following by courtesy of The Worcester Evening News and Times :—• " The Headmaster recalled that last year for various reasons we had done without a Speech Day and after referring to the School's excellent Football record, he added that if .we had had a Speech Day at the end of June this year he would have reported the best Cricket season we had ever had. Until the Worcester Royal Grammar School game, we had won every match and had been looking forward to an unbroken run of success. Mr. Kittermaster reported a series of successes in rowing, and revealed that for the first time since the war, the School had a third IV on the river. The second
July, 1950
THE VIGORNIAN.
four was so little slower than the first that we were thinking of having an VIII. In athletics, the Headmaster continued, the most notable achievement of the year was by H. M. P. Davies, Head of the School, who had established School records for the quarter-mile, the half-mile and the mile. In addition Davies had won the School Cross-Country race for the third time. The C.C.F., he said, had a very good report last year. The Shooting VIII was placed second and won bronze medals in the Country Life Public Schools' Competition. For the first time the C.C.F. was now commanded by a Colonel. There has undoubtedly been a big improvement in the standard of work throughout the School, said Mr. Kittermaster, referring to the scholastic side. Special mention should be made of the fact that B. L. Nicholas not only won a State Scholarship last year, but an Open Scholarship in Modern Languages this year—a year earlier than he normally would have sat for the examination. During the past year, he stated, three boys from the School spent a term at a school in Germany and three German boys came here. The experiment was a success and it is hoped it will be continued. ' The School Societies,' he observed, ' continue to flourish.' The School music was shortly to be properly co-ordinated, as the Governors had agreed to the appointment of a Director of Music. Referring to the death of Mr. Alec Macdonald, Mr. Kittermaster observed that the School had suffered a loss from which it had not yet recovered. Mr. Bentley, he said, was retiring from Castle House, after long and faithful service there, and Colonel Shepherd was to succeed him." After the Headmaster's speech, Lady Tennant presented the prizes, and also the medallions the Shooting VIII had won in the Country Life Competition. Admiral Sir William Tennant, in his address, said he had seen something of all the countries in the world,and in the last 10 or 11 years, had travelled a quarter of a million miles. " By and large, I prefer England to any of them " he added. " And in England I have not found a better corner than Worcestershire." He hoped we would always take a great pride in our School and Country. In our generation we have a tough job ahead. If there were anything wrong at the present time, he thought it was that quite a number of people were content to jeer at " the old school tie " and at tradition. Until they found some substitute, he did not think that any of them need jeer at tradition." After the speeches, tea was served in the Cloisters and at 5 o'clock, a P.T. Display took place on College Green. This was followed at 6.15 by a Concert under the direction of Mr. E. F. Day. The School Choir performed " Phaudrig Crohoore," by C. V. Stanford, and the fifth of George Herbert's " Five Mystical Songs," set to music by Vaughan-Williams. In between these, various members of the School gave a short recital, pianists and violinists taking part. We give a list of those who received prizes in the afternoon.
566
PRIZE LIST. Vlth Forms— B. L. Nicholas (English, German, French); H. M. P. Davies (History, Reading); D. T. Tudge (Latin); A. I. Taverner (Mathematics); R. F. Godsall (Geography); J. D. L. Griffiths (Biology); M. A. Pocock (Art); R. G. L. Griffiths and J. E. Rowley (Divinity). Vth Forms— M. J. C. Scoular (Divinity, French, History, Geography, French, German, Latin); C. H. Shouler (Latin, Biology, Mathematics); G. E. J. Beckmann (Reading, Chemistry); D. L. Cummings (Divinity); P. Marshall (Reading). Removes— E. Rippier (Divinity, Latin, Art); A. R. Hunt (Reading, Mathematics); D. J. Cook (Divinity, Form Subjects); D. J. T. Parry and M. T. Baker (Form Subjects); K. B. Stevens (English); J. P. B. Lee (French); N. T. Vincent (German); C. L. Selwood (Art); J. S. M. Robinson (Reading). IVths— R. A. Jones (English, Latin, Mathematics); F. T. Price (History); P. B. Isherwood (Geography); P. V. R. Shannon (Divinity); R. D. Hawkins (French); P. J. Prowse (Art, Reading); A. J. Bufton (Reading). Lower School— R. N. Hughes (English, Divinity, Mathematics); M. J. R. Hill (French, Mathematics); T. J. Coventry (Reading, Art); C. R. Day (French, History); D. J. Curry (Geography); D. J. English (English); J. R. Brown (Divinity); P. Beresford-Jones (Reading). Music Prizes— H. M. P. Davies (Piano and Organ); T. F. Hastie (Piano); J. S. Rippier, E. Rippier, A. J. Armstrong (Violin); W. James (Junior Singing); J. T. Proctor and P. R. Spencer (Mrs. Kittermaster's Prizes); M. N. Gee and R. M. Turner (Form Subjects Art). Yates Prise— J. N. Bulman. Medals for Shooting—• C. S. M. Nisbet (Capt.), Sgt. Whitehead (Marker), Sgt. Bulman, Sgt. Howell, Cpl. Morton, L./Cpl. Monger, L./Cpl. Hutchinson, L./Cpl. Tilt, L./Cpl. Milton. Physical Training— J. H. Ford, A. Green, R. L. Rowley, J. H. N. Bennett. Mrs. Henry Wood Prizes— Upper School—F. D. A. Burns, G. J. Hollister-Short, A. Green. Middle and Lower School—S. H. Beswick, M. T. Baker. Goodman Essay Prize— J. D. L. Griffiths. The Headmaster's Prize— H. M; P. Davies.
THE VIGORNIAN.
567 HENRY IV—Part I.
That the choice of ' Henry IV' as a School Play is ambitious, no one will deny; that it was the Headmaster's choice few could be surprised for his predilection for comedy has amply manifested itself in the past, and surely here is comedy in abundance. But the interest lay not so much in the choice of play as in its interpretation and presentation. So powerful is the comic under-plot that any producer must ensure that the ' chronicle history' does not merely become little more than a ' Tapestried hanging to serve as a background to groups of living personages.' That the producer was fully alive to this problem was evident from the start. Apart from creating an atmosphere of mediaevalism, the back cloth, admirably executed by the Art VI, seemed to offer the assurance that here was all the ' Tapestried hanging,' there was to be, and that the ' chronicle history ' would unfold along-side the under-plot without in any way being overshadowed by Falstaff and his associates. For the full understanding and appreciation of any production, much depends upon the interpretation of character. Herein lies the producer's secret, for his aim, especially in this play, should be to delight. ' Henry IV ' is indeed rich in humour and psychological power which reveal themselves through the characters of both plots. The attention of the audience alternates between the serious scenes in verse and the comic scenes in prose, yet there is an unmistakable bond between both in the contrast between the cowardly Falstaff and the Hotspur of ' honour," and in the delineation of the Prince's character so essential to the main plot. Falstaff, far from separating the two plots, infuses unity into the work as a whole, more especially when both parts of ' Henry IV ' are considered as a single play. But it has been justly said that the play without Falstaff would be no play at all. This then was the main point of interest in the School production. It takes a bold man to play Falstaff—for Falstaffs are mostly born and seldom bred. Of Falstaff the rogue, the Tavern Haunter, that fat and dissolute Knight, Kennedy's interpretation was frankly excellent; his actions and mannerisms, that disarmingly broad smile, his gait upon the stage (added to which, it must be appreciated that in such a gargantuan task never once was he prompted), all were quite excellent. That his voice was barely full enough for the part, that, like so many of the caste, his voice came from his throat rather than from that ' pudding belley,' must be pardoned. He made us laugh and enjoy him, and there was infinite craftiness in his every movement; he was indeed that ' vital rogue.' That Falstaff and Prince Henry were at home together on the stage and understood each other was apparent at once. J. D. L. Griffiths gave us a polished performance as Prince Hal, the ' madcap Prince of Wales.' His voice was clear and he acted with confidence and naturalness, but considering his own remarks. ' so, when this loose behaviour I throw off And pay the debt I never promised,' one felt, perhaps, that his behaviour was too gentle-
July, 1950
manly, too princely and not sufficiently self-eloquent of that ' looseness' so clear to his own conscience. That he is neither hero, thinker nor friend makes the part all the more difficult to play, and as an all-round performance perhaps the laurels should go to Griffiths for this part. R. G. L. Griffiths had clearly understood Priestley's dictum that ' Mistress Quickly is the mother of a great line of comic cockney landladies.' His interpretation of these cockney parts is always a delight, and it is a pity we do not see more of him; he has that natural turn of the head, that look and just that inflection of the voice to make the part live on the stage in all its authentic vigour. So many are the dramatis personae that it is beyond the scope of this account to mention even half the caste by name. But it must be said that the other characters of the under-plot acquitted themselves creditably, especially Case-Green as the harassed Francis. H. J. Davies was often difficult to hear and was sometimes too lively on the stage, but he gave us a convincing Poins nevertheless, and was admirably suited to those sack-imbibing Eastcheap ruffians, Bardolph and Peto. There is comparatively little action in this play, the interest, as has already been remarked, depending mainly on the characters, but special mention must be made of the Gadshill robbery and Falstaff's ' army.' The use of the auditorium for dramatic entries is a welcome liberty. In this scene it added much to the effect of the robbery and Falstaff's sudden flight was remarkably convincing. Near Coventry, however, the innovation, though amusing in itself, was less convincing. Did not the company ' with but one shirt between them' enjoy their plight too much ? And did not this detract from the essential humour in the contrasts so obvious on the stage, and take from Falstaff's lines the very essence of the scene ? It was the rib-scratching little imps with their sticks and shovels that brought the laughs ! But what of the ' Chronicle History' ? H. M. P. Davies was swift to strike that defiant note. Here was the quick-tempered, impatient Hotspur in all his rashness. ' Fie upon this quiet life. I want work '—so says Prince Henry of Hotspur, and Davies sustained this mood throughout—a difficult part to play. Hotspur the fighter, intripid, honourable. ' Tell truth or shame the devil'—all these points of his character were splendidly portrayed by Davies, but criticism must be levelled against him for repeatedly snatching his words, and often talking so fast it was impossible to keep up with him; but it is difficult to be quick-tempered on the stage if words too are not to come quickly. The secret lies in racing those words which are incidential to the main theme, and taking longer over the essentials. But his performance as Hotspur was a fine one, always alert, dignified, arrogant. Truly a Percy. The last of the main characters to deserve special mention, and far from least, is Pocock. Not only did he with Johnson design and execute the hangings and backcloth, already commented upon, but he played the part
THE VIGORNIAN.
July, 1950
568
of the King with supreme dignity. There is little in this play which brings out the real character of Henry IV, the professional politician ' over whose bier no tear was ever shed '; he is to us just Henry the King, and Ppcock amply portrayed him as Shakespeare presents him to us. Though it is a temptation to shout for fear of not being heard in this unsympathetic Hall, yet there was in the opening scene, itself stately and majestic, a monotony of tone in Pocock's voice, which was not so apparent in later scenes, when he seemed able to vary and modulate his voice quite surprisingly and effectively.
at Bristol, where they are teaching in the same school.
Of the rest, Jackson in a small but important part, was suitably the scheming, malevolent Worcester, and Scoular promising as Blunt. Beckmann, as Lady Percy, was as good as one could wish, though it is all too slender a part for one who has already proved his talent on the stage. Hughes-Williams was a very convincing Glendower, and, as Lady Mortimer, T. E. Thomas was quite delightful, though his pretty song in Welsh would have been far more effective without the help of Farnaby.
The Valete will contain too many names from School House, yet it is with great pride and thankfulness that we shall study the long list of distinctions and achievements that have been gained for us. May their careers be as fruitful elsewhere.
As an introduction to the play, the music from Hoist's Planet Suite was barely sufficient in volume, though suitably appropriate to the theme. Walton's ' Agincourt' music, as an accompaniment to the low red lights playing upon the grotesque images of the Bayaux tapestry, created the atmosphere of battle and produced just that sinister calm before the storm which was needed. In a production of this magnitude so much is taken for granted—the costumes, their correctness and their fitting, the make-up which can never please both front and back row, the stage-management, the lighting and the hundred and one odd jobs that the audience neither see nor, often, realise. Therefore a special word of congratulation is due to Mrs. Kittermaster and Miss Campbell and all those who worked unceasingly to support producer and actor alike. But it is to the producers, the Headmaster and Mr. Wilson, that the last word must go. No praise nor words could speak so eloquently as the applause of the audience itself. To hold so large and varied an audience for three hours with but one break is an achievement; to direct and produce so intricate a play in three weeks is a prodigy. Of the two parts of Henry IV, Dr. Johnson says ' Perhaps no author has ever in two plays afforded so much delight." Might he not also have said, ' Perhaps no producers have ever in this play afforded more enjoyment and pleasure ? ' J.M.C.
HOUSE NOTES. SCHOOL HOUSE. HOUSE MONITORS : H. M. P. Davies, J. H. Whitehead, M. A. Pocock, J. D. L. Griffiths, A. G. Jackson, J. D. Farmer, M. J. Morton, D. K. Kennedy. At the end of the Easter term A. N. Nisbet and H. M. P. Lorenz both left. The former is now in the Scots Guards, from which he has twice come on leave to visit Worcester, while the latter has joined his brother
The out-of-school activity of fishing has carried on under the auspices of Mr. McTurk, not without success. A stretch of the Leigh Brook has now been leased, and a special expedition was arranged to Captain Evans' water at Knightwick during the mayfly season. There were no new members of the House at the beginning of the Summer term, but there will be about a dozen new arrivals in September to fill the places of those of us who are departing.
CASTLE HOUSE. MONITORS : M. G. H. Leeke, K. J. Beard, D. R. P. Bushby. This term will always be remembered by members of the House for, to our great regret, Mr. Bentley is retiring after eighteen years as our Housemaster. Many know him only from his famous and often feared Latin periods, but only those who have been members of the House can fully appreciate the attention and energy which he and Mrs. Bentley have devoted to all which goes on within our walls. His enthusiasm for sport will be remembered, especially in the rowing world, and often has he told us that he watches House rugger matches infrequently because he usually becomes too excited. In appreciation of his loyalty and long service the House, with the help of a number of O.V.s wishing to make a small presentation, finally decided that a cheque would be most acceptable. We conclude by wishing Mr. and Mrs. Bentley good luck and every future happiness is our gratitude for their service to us. The very best of luck also to those departing to embark on their careers, and a happy holiday to all those returning. We hope you will remember Mr. Bentley's last words of advice : cherish and uphold the traditions of your House, and above all be loyal to your Housemaster. If you do this, the future will be as happy for you as the past has been for us.
THE HOSTEL. HOUSE MONITORS : M. S. Lewis, D. Canin, J. N. M. Davies, J. English, Vines. Since the last issue of The Vigornidn we have lost Ward-Booth and Pritchard and have been joined by Hughes from Choir House. At the end of this term we bid farewell to Lewis, Canin, R., Davies, J. N. M., Cooper and Griffiths. We wish them success in their careers. English, Davies and Vines have been appointed House Monitors. Although losing in the first round of the cricket House matches to Castle House, the game was notable
569
THE VIGORNIAN.
for the performance of H. B. Shouler who took 7 wickets for 30 runs in 18 overs, of which 10 were maidens; this performance gained him a place in the Under 14 side. For the first time for three years our rowers are numerous enough for us to put a four on the river, a junior four which lost its race by a half length. A week before the end of the Summer term we learnt with regret that Matron's mother had had a seizure and that although she has recovered she is bedridden. This means that Matron has had to leave us; we are all very sorry that she had to go so suddenly. Finally we wish all success to our candidates in School and Higher School Certificates.
July, 1950
First we will deal with our academic successes. We have already given our congratulations to Bums upon his acceptance at Hertford College, Oxford, but now we must extend them also to G. J. Hollister-Short who has been accepted as a Commoner at New College, Oxford. To both these and to our House Captain, R. F. Godsall, who is leaving us after a long tenure of office let us give our best wishes. We naturally wish all other members of the House good fortune in their various enterprises. Godsall, Hollister-Short and V. G. Evans have represented us in the 1st XI, while Green played a part, no doubt invaluable, in winning the renowned Silver Pot at Derby. Finally we must thank Mr. S. R. Sheppard for the attention and energy he has devoted to our affairs and we wish him every success as the Director of Castle's destines. We wish both him and Mrs. Sheppard the best of luck and an enjoyable holiday.
TREDENNYKE HOUSE. HOUSE MONITORS : H. E. Howell, P. M. Bluck, J. H. Ford, T. A. Brown, M. J. Bran. Having said good-bye to Phillipson at Christmas we did not think that we should lose anybody else until the end of the Summer but Mawbey left us at Easter to join the Navy. Then ten days before the end of term, Howell departed to study for his 1st M.B. examination in Manchester. We were very sorry he could not remain with us for the end of term activities. Being a rather young House we were not very surprised that we have had no notable successes on the sports field though we have high hopes for the future. It seems to be rather late but we would like to congratulate Howell on getting his 1st XV colours and more recently on being reawarded his cricket colours; congratulations to T. A. Brown for being awarded his 1st XI colours. Our only other members of school teams this term are three in number and play for the Under 14 XI. We were hoping to retain the Swimming Cup this term, but unfortunately the sports were cancelled. It is fairly certain that the results of the examination will be known when these are printed, but all the same we wish success to those who have taken certificate examinations this term.
CREIGHTON HOUSE. MONITORS : R. F. Godsall, A. I. Taverner, F. D. A. Burns, G. J. Hollister-Short, C. Cartwright, A. Green, G. A. Johnson. Since it is the duty of House Notes to inform us briefly about matters which might otherwise have escaped notice, let us plunge at once in medias res.
CHAPPEL HOUSE. HOUSE MONITORS : B. L. Nicholas, J. N. Bulman, G. V. Thome, G. F. Hartley, A. N. George, M. V. Thome, W. F. Jones. Since these Notes last appeared the House has met with reasonable success in the various School activities. We followed up pur victories in the Senior Rugger by being unbeaten in the Belows Competition and now hold both Cups for the first time in most people's memories. In the P.T. Competition our team under Hartley's leadership were runners-up, while Sgt. Bulman led a rather unwilling and completely unpractised section to second place in the House Competition. Of our cricket it will be sufficient to say that we did our best but had the misfortune to be drawn against School House. However, as the Headmaster has so often emphasised when referring to the School as a whole, it is not individual failures or successes but the general spirit which makes or mars the reputation of a House; and it is in this respect that every member of the House, with or without academic or athletic talent, has a contribution to make. While many are doing their best there are a certain number who show not only indifference to the House but bring it a bad name by their behaviour and attitude in school affairs generally. House loyalties can, of course, be carried too far and obscure more important things, though in a large dayboy house whose members all lead lives outside the School, such excess is unlikely; but if the thoughtless "few can amend their behaviour and the whole House determine in all matters to steer a middle course between sluggish indifference and clannish enthusiasm, the future need hold no anxieties.
July, 1950
THE VIGORNIAN.
570
CRICKET. FIXTURES AT«JD RESULTS.
Wed., July 12th Sat., July 15th Wed., July 19th
1ST XI. Ground Opponents Home L. M. Bailey's XI Worcestershire County Club and Home Ground Magdalen College School (1 1 .30 a.m.) Home Bromsgrove School " A " XI Home Hereford Cathedral School Home Home St. Edward's School 2nd XI Malvern College " A " XI Away Sebright School Away Away Dean Close School Home Shrewsbury School 2nd XI Worcester Royal Grammar School (11.30 a.m.) Away Away Bloxham School Home Old Vigornians (11.30 a.m.) Belvedere College (11.30 a.m.) ... Home
Sat., June 3rd Wed., June 7th Wed., June 21st Sat., June 24th Sat., July 1st Wed., July 12th Sat., July 15th
Malvern College Colts " A " XI Hereford Cathedral School Sebright School Dean Close School W.R.G.S Bloxham School Old Vigornians
Sat., June 3rd Wed., June 14th Wed., June 28th Wed., July 12th
3RD XI. Malvern College Colts "B" XI ... Home King's School, Gloucester Home Away King's School, Gloucester Bloxham School Away
Lost ABANDONED. Won (4 wkts.) Won
Wed., May 31st Wed., June 21st Sat., July 1st Wed., July 5th Sat., July 15th
Bromsgrove School ... Belmont Abbey School W.R.G.S Sebright School Hereford Cathedral School
UNDER 1 5 COLTS. Away Home Home Home Away
. Lost CANCELLED. Lost Won (7 wkts.) CANCELLED.
Sat., May 27th Wed., June 7th Sat., June 24th Wed., June 28th Sat., July 1st Sat., July 8th Wed., July 12th
Bromsgrove School Downs School Allstone School Sebright School W.R.G.S Down's School Bloxham School
UNDER 1'f COLTS. Home Home Away Away Away Home Home
Lost CANCELLED. Drawn Won (7 wkts.) Lost Won Lost
Date Sat., May 13th Sat., May 20th Wed., May 24th Sat., May 27th Wed., June 7th Sat., June 10th Thur., June 15th Wed., June 21st Sat., June 24th Wed., June 28th Sat., July 1st
2ND XI.
...
This season has been one of the best the School has known for many years. At the beginning of the season, the 1st XI had a run of 8 matches without defeat, and its final record :—played 13, lost 4, drawn 1, won 8, is a most creditable performance. The batting of the XI has been much better than in previous years, and upon only five occasions has the whole team had to bat. A concerted effort on everyone's part (Howell 45) put up 156-8 declared against the Club and Ground in a match which provided an exciting win for the School— our first against this team. Against Magdalen College School in an all-day game the batting was not so safe,
Home Away Home Home Home Home Home
Result Lost
For 75
Won 156-8 decl. Won ' 1 3 2 Won (7 wkts.) 42-4 Won (3 wkts.) 93-7 Won (2 wkts.) 93-8 Drawn 120-9 CANCELLED. Won 102-7 decl. Won 132-7 decl. Lost Lost Lost Won (8 wkts.) Won Won CANCELLED. Drawn Won Won Won
Against 143 120 99 32 92 89 141 43 70
148 90 59 129-2
150-6 133-9 del. 207 69
71 144-9 decl.
56 28
106 153-9 decl. 86 104-4
21-4 130 43 25
65
83
118-7 69
92 56
33
150-6 decl.
53 52-3
55-7 47
67
75-5
81 34-3 31 72 33
5-1 33 34 23 63
but fortunately Whitehead made an excellent 70 not out, and the eighth and ninth wickets doubled the score, giving the School a winning total. After being 83-3 against St. Edward's School 2nd XI in reply to their 89, five wickets fell before the total was passed, but this was exceptional. On a difficult wicket at Malvern the School did very well to force a draw, Godsall playing very well for 36. Howell has opened for the School consistently well, and his 49 against Dean Close School, and 41 against Shrewsbury School 2nd XI, both contributed largely to hard-earned victories. The two games in which the batting was not successful were : the Grammar School
571
THE VIGORNIAN.
July, 1950
match—except for Leeke, who scored a hearty 48— *G. J. HOLLISTER-SHORT. He has bowled his slow leftwhere 148 was entirely inadequate on a good wicket arm off-spinners with accuracy and success. Much in an all-day game; and the Bloxham match, where, improved in the field and on one occasion, brilliant. however, Godsall played his best innings of the season *T. A. BROWN. Opens the bowling with medium infor 42. swingers which are very effective when he can find a The final match against Belvedere College (a touring length. Erratic on the field. side from Belfast) saw 117 put on for the 3rd wicket— *W. F. JONES. Has developed into a useful opening bat something without precedent in most people's memorand is a keen fielder. ies—of which Godsall claimed 63 not out and WhiteM. G. H. LEEKE. A hard hitting batsman who has head 46 not out. played some useful innings; inclined to play across The bowling this year has been very steady, at times the line. excellent, and slipped up only against W.R.G.S. and K. HITCHCOCK. A stylish batsman—he must learn to Bloxham. hit the ball harder and not let nerves get the better Against Bromsgrove School " A " XI, on a very of him. slow wicket, Brown gave the ball plenty of air, and * Colours. took 5-16. In the St. Edward's game the bowling was too much for our opponents, Jackson taking 7-35. In the games against Dean Close School and Shrewsbury AVERAGES. School 2nd XI it was excellent. In the former, Brown, BATTING. swinging the ball very late, took 5-16; and in the latter, Inns. N.O. Total H.Score Av. Jackson produced his best analysis of the season: 6.5 248 12 2 63« 24.8 overs, 1 maiden, 7 for 14. On a slow wicket against Godsall 267 13 70» 24.27 2 Belvedere College, Jackson and Morton together took Whitehead Howell 10 0 237 49 23.7 all ten wickets; Jackson 7-26, Morton 3-37. Leeke 6 1 70 48 14 After a bad start against L. M. Bailey's XI, the Jackson 1 11 123 20 12.3 fielding became considerably smarter. Against Dean Jones 1 13 135 32 11.25 Close School, Hereford Cathedral School and Malvern George 11 3 70 23 8.75 College " A " XI, it reached high standard. In the Morton 2 48 11 5.33 Malvern game, 7 wickets fell to catches and Godsall Hitchcock 17 5 0 3.4 had three extras behind the stumps, having previously claimed four against Hereford. This high standard fell * Not Out. off somewhat after the Shrewsbury match, and did not wholly return until the last match of the season. BOWLING. The 2nd XI have been unbeaten this season, having Overs Mdns. Runs Wkts. Av. won five of their six games. Much of this success has 138.5 27 382 51 7.48 been due to good bowling, and upon one occasion, Jackson 26 175 ... 82 21 8.33 Phillpott, one of the opening bowlers, took 5 wickets Brown George ... 83 23 214 15 14.26 for no runs, in six overs. 8 Morton ... 81.8 296 19 15.57 The 3rd XI won two of their three games, and the HoUister-Short 68.16 16 181 11 16.36 Colts XI, though they did not produce convincing results, played very well indeed. CATCHES. ... 3 Brown ... 2 Whitehead ... 5 Jackson IST XI CHARACTERS. Howell ... 4 Hollister-Short 3 Jones ... 1 Morton ... 4 George ... 2 Leeke ... 1 *J. H. WHITEHEAD. A very keen and able captain. It is Behind the stumps Godsall has : caught 6; stumped 6. largely due to his energy and splendid example that the side has had such a successful season. HOUSE MATCHES. *A. G. JACKSON. He has bowled consistently well with Again this year these were played on the knock-out excellent results. Very good in the field and a useful system, the matches being of two innings. They were number 7 bat. completed only on the last Saturday of term. *H. E. HOWELL. Has developed into a very sound opening In the final, between School House and Creighton bat. Very good in the field. House the first innings ended a tie at 100 each. In the *R. F. GODSALL. He has kept wicket with energy and con- second innings, School scored 139, and dismissed siderable success. Has developed a hard off-drive Creighton for 43, thus winning the Cup for the second which he plays with confidence and ease. time in succession. *M. MORTON. Only found his true form towards the RESULTS :—• end of the season, mainly because he could not find 1st Round. Creighton's beat Tredennyke. and maintain a correct length. Very good in the Castle beat Hostel. field and a useful bat. School beat Chappel's. *A. N. GEORGE. He has not bowled with the same fire 2nd Round. Bye, School. as he did last season and has been erratic at times. Creighton's beat Castle. Very good in the field and has the makings of a stylish bat. Final. School beat Creighton's.
July, 1950
THE VIGORNIAN. ROWING. FIXTURES, 1950. 1ST IV.
Date Venue Res. Margin Wed. May 24 Magdalen Col. Sch. H Lost 1J lengths Mon. May 29 Evesham Regatta A Lost Easily Derby School. ... A Lost 5 feet Sat. June 3. Monmouth Wed. June 7. Hereford ... H Won I- lengths Sat., June 10. Cheltenham Col... A Won ! lengths Clifton College ... Won i lengths Wed. June 21. King Edward VI School, Stratford A Won 1 length Fri. June 23. Marlow Regatta... A Abingdon ... Won } length Wallasey ... Won 5 lengths Sat. June 24. Clifton (Semi-Final) Won 2 lengths Monmouth ... Won 5 lengths Canford (Final) ... Lost 4 feet Sat. July 15. Old Vigornians ... Won 1 j lengths Rowed 13, Won 9, Lost 4. 2ND IV.
Date Venue Res. Margin Wed. May 24. Magdalen Col. Sch. H Lost 1J lengths Sat. June 3. Monmouth Sch.... A Won ij lengths Wed. June 7. Hereford School... H Won easily Sat. June 10. Cheltenham Col. A Won 5 lengths Clifton College ... Won easily Thu. June 15. Worcester Blind College 1st IV... A Won 4 lengths Wed. June 21. King Edward VI School, Stratford A Won easily Sat. July 8. Derby Regatta Maidens ... A Nottingham and Union R.C. ... Won 3 lengths St. Neot's R.C. ... Won 3 lengths Newark R.C. (SemiFinal) ... Won 2 lengths Pengwem R.C. (Final) ... Won J length Rowed 11, Won 10, Lost 1. 3RD IV.
Date Venue Res. Margin Sat. June 3. Monmouth School A Won li lengths Wed. June 7. Hereford School... H Won 3 lengths Sat. June 10. Cheltenham Col. A Lost J length Clifton College ... Won 4 lengths Thu. June 15. Worcester Blind College 2nd IV.. A Won 3 lengths Rowed 5, Won 4, Lost 1. This season Mr. R. H. F. Carlyle and Mr. R. D. Knight coached the club for a very successful and creditable season. Mr. R. H. F. Carlyle, who became Senior Rowing Master taking over from Mr. S. D. Strong, after his long service to the club, coached the 1st and 3rd IV's while this term's new coach, Mr. R. D. Knight, whom we welcome to the club, coached the very successful 2nd IV. Both our coaches have had notable rowing experience themselves and it is very certain that they have the power to transfer their experience to their crews. The club now has the largest membership ever, with an increase of about twenty boys on last year's 36.
572
Most of this number consists of first year members who under the coaching of Mr. R. C. Pedder and Revd. C. A. Crofts have shown that the School in future years can rely on some talented and well-practised oarsmanship to maintain or raise our present high reputation. It should also be noticed that this season has been the first since the war that the School had put out three crews. 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD IVS.
H. M. P. Davies, as Captain of Boats, was the only remaining member of last year's 1st crew. However, the prospects did not appear to be very bad, since we had four of the five members of last season's unbeaten 2nd VI and also the cox. Two or three outings were arranged in the autumn terms for what at first was thought, and certainly would have been this year's 1st IV. However, T. R. R. Walker, the stroke, unexpectedly left and this was a grave blow to the prospects for next season as no natural stroke was left in the School. This term, therefore, started in an uncertain fashion, as the 1st VI had no stroke and the 2nd VI only had a captain. Eight oarsmen had therefore to be " made " to complete the three fours, all of which were unaccustomed to slides and had had no racing experience with the exception of Bushby and J. N. Bulman, who had both rowed in their respective House crews. The former was ultimately chosen to fill the vacant position in the 1st IV. An example of the trouble which Mr. Carlyle took to get his crew " comfortable " is shown by the fact that all but Bushby at one time or another rowed at " stroke " and also that Hughes-Williams the eventual "stroke" rowed in every position in the boat! His reward is that the 1st IV was undoubtedly outstanding in recent years, and was the first to carry the School's name to the Finals at Marlow for 20 years, coming within four feet of the Cup. At the beginning of the season, prospects were very disheartening. We did very intensive practice for the month before our first race, but despite all our efforts we remained five individuals, and not a crew. Our stroke was analysed into a large number of the 32 movements given in the text-book but we were limited for time because of duties and so did not have as many long practices as we wished. As a result, we lost to Magdalen College School by a length-and-a-quarter. Magdalen had rowed during the Easter term, but we were slow to get our hands away, and were very short. We were not much improved at Evesham a few days later. We were drawn against Derby School, but half-way down the course a collision occurred. We were slow to restart and bow was held in by the bow-wave of a steamer. Whatever accidents occurred, we did not row well and still remained individuals and not a, crew. We were somewhat improved at Monmouth. We started badly, but made up a length and a quarter of their length and threequarters lead in the middle of the race. We continued to pull up, but at the finish, we were beaten by 5 feet, Monmouth holding on well to win by the closest margin of their season. By the next race we had managed to gain some windcourse steadiness and retained a length. We were not pushed however and beat Hereford on our own water by 4 lengths. Two days later, the turning-point of the season came. We were due to row at Tewkesbury on Saturday, June 10th, and apart from the advantage of rowing in our
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THE VIGORNIAN.
own boat, it was thought a good half-term plan to row down on the Friday. We achieved this with considerable stress and strain, breaking our journey at Uptonon-Severn for rest and refreshment. It was exceedingly hot, and we rested about every 400 strokes but our rowing time was about 2 hours . As so often in rowing, we struck form suddenly and our paddling next day was in a completely different class. Not only were we told it looked better, it felt immeasurably improved. Drawing the inside of the bend, we drew away from Cheltenham and concentrated on racing Clifton. We pulled well away, but misjudging the course, took the boat to a finish too soon, and carrying on, lost one of the three length's lead we had gained. On the following Wednesday week, we rowed Stratford in pouring rain, on a very short course. We had to keep the rating above 36 all the way and won by a length. Two days later we went to Marlow. .
July, 1950
the result, but Canford had it by 4 feet. It was a great race to have been in, win or lose. After this, our only fixture was against the O.V. crew which is reported elsewhere. In the meantime, Mr. Knight had coached his prospective 2nd crew and transferred them from "fixed" to " slides." His crew got together quicker than the 1st IV and we can say that they too would have been unbeaten if their first opponents Magdalen College •School had not had the distinct advantage of rowing in the Easter term. Their record of 10 wins in succession is a credit to their coach, Mr. Knight, and he must be heartily congratulated for coaching his previously unexperienced oarsmen into a crew of a very high standard. The 3rd IV being a very young crew did extremely well to win all but one of their races, and this is another achievement to the credit of their coach, Mr. Carlyle. Next year, under such expert coaching we expect to obtain even better results. We have a great advantage in that four IVs this year have had the experience of rowing on slides and of those sixteen oarsmen, only five will have left the School. In the School Regatta, 9 crews raced in light IVs, several houses entering one or more crews for the Junior IVs, on fixed seats.
MARLOW REGATTA. We arrived in good time on Friday morning and went for an outing before lunch. We found some difficulty in " sitting the boat" and 3's rigger seemed loose and was giving him trouble, but we saw the course and impressed our cox with its requirements. Our first race was that evening; we had been drawn on the Bucks DERBY REGATTA. side, with Abingdon School in the centre and Wallasey Grammar School on the Berks side. As a climax to a successful season the 2nd IV, entering We were down half-a-length on the start, 3's rigger for the maiden fours Challenge Vase at Derby Regatta, proving difficult, but a strong 20, and good coxing on won the event in an entry of 17 crews. The course is the first bend, slightly in our favour, made up this threequarters of a mile and besides three slight bends, distance and put us a length ahead. Abingdon mean- there are one or two bays which (if not avoided) might while gained on Wallasey. The middle part of the course easily be fatal in a close race. As the IV arrived in the morning, an outing was arwas wearing; we were answering ' 10 ' with ' 10 ' and Abingdon came within half-a-length, but with a strong ranged, and we paddled over the course. In our first finish we came in threequarters-of-a-length ahead of two races of the afternoon we met Nottingham and Abingdon. Union Rowing Club and St. Neots Rowing Club; by In the second round we were drawn against Monmouth holding these crews at the start and putting up the pace and Clifton. Previous results are interesting. Monmouth before the half way mark, the School won easily and on had beaten us on the Wye, we had beaten Clifton, who both occasions went in at the finish at a paddle. In the semi-final the School met • Newark Rowing had beaten Magdalen, who had beaten us. It shows how previous results can mislead, and how much the row Club, who were a much heavier crew and looked quite down to Tewkesbury had done for us. formidable in their other race. The School went down We had the same Bucks side position and again ' 3 ' on the start, but after about a quarter of a mile altered slipped his button. Unfortunately as a result we swung this to a half length lead, and from the half mile post inwards, and as Clifton did so at the same time, we the School drew away slowly and won by two and a halt crashed. The judge blamed both crews, and we re- lengths, without ' taking the boat home.' Fortunately for us our hardest race was our last, started. We did our best start for the Regatta and soon got a length lead on Clifton, Monmouth being a when we met Pengwern Rowing" Club in the final. This little behind. We gained more as we passed the Abbey, was an exciting and open race all the way. The School and Monmouth, trying to gain on the finish, did not have again lost on the start, but went up again to a half length enough water to pass on the inside of the last bend, lead before the second bend which favoured Pengwern, and crashed, holding back Clifton as we finished com- from there onwards it was neck and neck with both fortably ahead. Clifton thus had the misfortune of crews going flat out, with never an advantage to either damaging completely new oars on both sides of their side. Then in the last hundred yards the School put in a very good ' take her home,' to win by half a length. boat. The crew hit the peak of the season's training and In the Final we met Canford. It was the hardest race of the season. There was a strong downstream wind adapted themselves to centred seats quickly. Although and fast conditions prevailed. Both crews started well, the School crew was probably the lightest in the regatta and at a very high rating, 43 at one time, we drew and was rowing against club crews every time, what threequarters-of-a-length ahead. We held this for a was lost in weight was won on length of stroke and short time, but Canford's excellent rowing and slightly training. heavier crew, told very slowly through the race. " In Lastly a word on the coxing of P. N. Burgess; he the final spurt," the Daily Telegraph wrote " both crews coxed extremely well over what was a tricky course and were so tired that they seemed to have trouble in getting but for his enthusiasm and exhortation in the last their oars in and out of the water." Neither crew knew race the result might have been very different.
July, 1950
THE VIGORNIAN.
574
SCHOOL REGATTA. Mr. Pedder and Canon Crofts have been very generous This year, House races were on a much larger scale. with their spare time and have made sure that the Crews raced in classes for Senior IVs, on slides, Junior juniors have had a good grounding. In previous years, IVs, on fixed, Senior sculls, on slides borrowed from the the 1st and 2nd IV provided coaches for these and Worcester Rowing Club, Junior sculls, on fixed, Cox's rowing suffered accordingly, but now we can be very sculls, on fixed, and there was also an extraordinary grateful that this uninteresting work has been well done. Sports prospects are risky things, having a larger event known as the " Cricketer's Pairs," in tubs. These rowed on various courses and there was a staff and club, we can now look forward with increased heavy entry, especially in the sculls and Junior IVs. The confidence to better rowing and more and bigger fixtures. value of the latter as training for the Juniors was inCREWS. estimable. Their style was questionable, but their enThe following have been awarded their 1st IV colours : thusiasm was keen. The heats were rowed on the Boathouse course, taking K. J. Beard, T. Hughes-Williams, D. R. P. Bushby. The following has been awarded his coxing colours : the whole of the week previous to Finals Day. As a result, in the Senior IVs, Castle and Creighton met R. F. Chinery. The following have been awarded their 1st IV "caps" : on the Saturday, the former winning by 5 lengths, and in the Junior IVs Chappel ' B ' beat Castle by a canvas. M. A. Pocock, J. N. Bulman, D. R. Leonard, A. Green. The following has been awarded his coxing cap: The Senior Sculls final was won by Tilt, from Hopkins, both scullers going very cleanly and with some P. N. Burgess. 3rd IV: Bow, J. Maxton; 2, J. N. M. Davies; 3, style. In the Junior Sculls, Rippier and Reid fouled each other, and after a re-start, Rippier won a furious R. R. S. Clegg; stroke, J. E. Rippier; cox, A. R. King. race by half-a-length. The Cox's Sculls resulted in a victory for the 2nd IV, Burgess winning from Chinery by 4 lengths. Although much keenness was shown in the sculling, very few seemed to realise the value of a straight course. ATHLETICS. Many had obviously been practising hard, and either did not know they should, or did not bother to, steer on a CROSS-COUNTRY RACES. mark, and as a result, many races were not as clear as they might be. Mr. Cash's able organisation again ensured a smoothWe would not mention the ' cricketer's pairs' in running time-table on the afternoon of this year's Crossthe same breath, but their coxing was of a very high Country races. The Courses for this year were someorder. Several crews seemed determined to inspect what different. They all began and ended at Battenhall both banks at once and succeeded in crossing over Convent, thus providing fast starts and finishes. The sides several times during their race. As a result, Junior course followed the usual route till the shootingHartley and Fifield, coxed by that noted savant, Nicholas, range was reached and then followed a track from the won the finals. The cox not only dived in without wait- corner of that field to the railway bridge nearest the ing to be thrown in, but did so in the semi-final also. barracks, returning along the railway line past the old The turn-out was amusing, yellow soccer jerseys com- finish and back on to the ash-track again (3 miles). bining well with mortar-boards and swimming-trunks, The Intermediate runners followed this course onto and these activities did much to relieve the depression the road and then continued along to Norton Church, occasioned by a steady downpour of rain. turning left under the railway bridge at that point, Despite these diversions, the Regatta promised well then returning along the ploughed fields to the old finish for the future; the whole Club had taken part in some and to the Convent (4 miles). event or other and 36 oarsmen, out of a membership The Seniors followed their old course on to the Perof near 50 had raced in IVs of some sort, gaining experience. Some will have 2 or even 3 more years' rowing shore road, turning off slightly sooner, and arriving at Norton Station after about 2J miles. They then did and we hope this will bear fruit in the future. a mile of gradual uphill ploughed field to the old finish Our most sincere thanks go to Mr. Carlyle for his and so home (5 miles). The running conditions were intense drive for more widespread rowing. If more not fast, a fall of rain in the morning having made the oarsmen come forward, we can look forward to the " plough " heavy going, but good fresh clear weather day when School VIIIs will have a solid reputation. prevailed in the afternoon. His enthusiasm and initiative have been responsible In the Senior race, H. M. P. Davies took the lead for a proper School Regatta among other things, and a net result of 23 races won, as against 6 lost. He has from the start and drew away from the Tump onwards, been workably backed up by Mr. Knight, who has winning in 32 min. 34f sec. H. J. Davies won the whipped up the 2nd IV into a fine crew. They may Intermediate race comfortably, finishing stylishly in not always have appreciated the intensity of his train- 27 min. 17J sec. Langford ran well in the Junior, and ing in other than the practical way, doing the miles finished well ahead in 18 min. 29 £ sec. themselves, but on looking back, they cannot fail to be The Team races were won by School and Creightpn grateful to him for keeping them very hard at it. Nor with good grouping in the Intermediate and Junior was their coaching slog-work alone. They learnt many classes. School won the Senior, gaining 1st, 6th, 7th and intricate manoeuvres to improve their handling of the llth places, and also the Intermediate with 1st, 3rd, boat, and found themselves looked after most carefully 4th and 5th places; while Creighton Senior won the from blisters to stretcher-straps. Junior with 1st, 2nd, 4th and 9th places.
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THE VIGORNIAN.
SPORTS. The result of Mr. Cash's labours in organising School Athletics, and providing equipment began to be seen this year when on the Sports Days, April the 1st and 2nd, 4 Senior records were broken, and a 5th equalled, 6 intermediate records were broken and a 7th equalled, and 8 junior records broken and a 9th equalled. The middle and junior records only go back since Mr. Cash started keeping his own records three years ago, but they show a steady improvement and promise for the future. In the Senior class, H. M. P. Davies' performance in breaking records in the quarter-mile, half-mile, mile, while reflecting credit on him personally, must also be regarded in a wider sense. It gets the School some of the right sort of publicity and is an indication of the British trend away from specialisation on the track. His best track distance would probably be three miles, but while at School, fancy training methods without experienced guidance are not to be encouraged so much as general fitness and keenness to try hard at several distances, preferably varied with field events. In this sphere, H. E. Howell, beat the previous year's winner with a very good throw of 89 ft. 8 in. in the discus, having a margin of 19 ins. School House equalled the relay race record time of 1 min. 46 sec. BatonSchool, but still leaves much to be desired in many ways. In the Intermediate division, K. J. Beard broke records in the half-mile, Weight and Discus events. E. B. James did the same in the Javelin; H. F. Bennett, in the High Jump, and Bushfield in the Long Jump. School House equalled their own record of the year before in the Relay, only 1 second behind the Senior record, be it noted. The Juniors were even more prolific in raising their standards. J. R. Hopkin raised the existing records in the 220 yards, 75 yards hurdles, and long jump events, equalling the record in the 100 yards; Ingamells and Van Ryssen raised the records in the quarter and halfmile races respectively; Vines beat the previous year's winning throw by nearly 14 ft. in the discus; King raised the high jump record by half-an-inch, while School House beat down the time for the 4x110 yards relay race by 3f sees. The team Challenge Cup and Shields in all three divisions were won by School House. Mr. Cash's labours provided as usual, faultless organisation, and our warmest thanks go to him and also to the groundsman, who was not favoured by the weather, and who yet produced as fast a track as was possible under conditions which at times left the heavy roller stuck fast in the mud. On the first day of the Sports for the first time, the Cup generously presented for the mile race by Mr. T. Smith, father of the recent head of the School, was competed for, and the first of the replicas of this Cup, to be given each year, was presented to the winner of the mile race, H. M. P. Davies, who had just beaten his 1949 record. Mrs. Kittermaster very kindly presented this Cup and those gained on the Final Day. Her action rounded off a markedly successful term's athletics and we hope that the very satisfactory keenness, enthusiasm and determination shown were in some measure a reward to Mr. Cash, who alone is responsible for such success gained by his initiative, resource and increasing labour. H.M.P.D.
July, 1950
The following summary of results is taken from the official records : — SENIOR DIVISION. Event
1st
2nd
3rd
Time/Distance
100 yds. Sahlburg Ford Davies J. N. M. 11 3/5th sec. 220yds. Sahlburg Hartley Davies J. N. M. 25 4/5th sees. 440 yds. Davies, H M.. P. Sahlburg Hartley 55 2/5th sees.* 880 yds. Davies, H. M. P. Sahlburg Jackson 2 m. 10 sec. * Mile Davies, H. M. P. Leonard Fifield 4 m. 46 sees. 120yds. Hurdles Schleiffer George=Ford 19 l/5th sees. Weight Sahlburg Whitehead Green 35 ft. 9i ins. Leeke Farmer 89 it. 8 ins. * Discus Howell Javelin George H.-Short Fifleld 116 ft. 2 ins. .High Jump George Bluck Brown 4 ft. 10t ins. Long Jump Bluck DaviesJ.N.M. Burns 17 ft. 7 ins. 4x220 yds. Relay School Tredennyke Chappel, Sen. 1 m. 46 secs.t
Event
1st
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION. 2nd 3rd
100 yds. Brushfield Slater 220 yds. Campbell,A.J. Bushby 440 yds. Cox J. B. D. Birbeck 880 yds. Beard Kennedy Mile Beard Davies, H. J. 110 yds. Hurdles Heath=Wrigley Bennett Weight Beard Brushfield Discus Beard Brushfield Javelin James, E. B. Heath High . Jump Bennett Brushfield Long Jump Brushfield Canin 4x220 yds. Relay School Castle
Time/Distance
Kennedy 12 sees. Sexstone 27 7/10th sees. Slater 65 sees. Cox, J. B. D. 2 m. 161 sees.* Cox, J. B. D. 5 m. 22 2/5th sec . Cartwright Heath Maxton
18 3/5th sees. 36 ft. 6 ins.* 96 ft. * 118 ft. 3 ins.
Sexstone
4 ft. 9 ins. *
Bushby
16 ft. 2i ins.*
Creighton
1 m. 47 secs.t
JUNIOR DIVISION. Event
1st
100 yds. HopkinJ.R. ^20 yds. HopkinJ.R. 440yds. Ingamells 880 yds. Van Ryssen 75 yds. Hurdles HopkinJ.R. Weight Cosgrove Discus Vines Javelin Colman High Jump King, J. Long Jump HopkinJ.R. 4x110 yds. Relay School
3rd
Time/Distance
Cosgrove King Van Ryssen Stokes
2nd
Stokes Ingamells Stokes Scurneld
12 sees, t 26 3/5th sec.* 65 2/5th sees. * 2 m. 33 sees. *
Evans, V.G. Vines Marshall JonesJ.D.
Cosgrove Van Ryssen Ingamells James, K.
12 2/5th sees.* 35 ft. lit ins. 100 ft. 1 in. * 86 ft. 10 ins.
Clissold
Marshall
4 ft. 8i ins. *
Cosgrove
Van Ryssen
15 ft. 7 ins. *
Chappel
Creighton
56 4/5th sees. *
t Record equalled.
* Record broken.
N.B. — Records in the Middle and Junior Classes of only three years standing.
July, 1950
THE VIGORNIAN.
TRIANGULAR MATCH. Our yearly triangular fixture with the Worcester Royal Grammar School and the Crypt School, Gloucester, was held on our own ground this year, on Saturday, March 25th. In the Senior class, W.R.G.S. came first, and we came second, while in the Junior class we won with a comfortable margin of 16 points, the Crypt School coming second. In the Senior class, only 3 of our entrants were unplaced, points being scored 5, 3, 2, 1 for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places respectively. Our sole winner was Davies in the mile, who won that convincingly, however. We gained 3 seconds, Beard, Bluck, and Sahlberg in the 880 yards, long jump, and 440 yards respectively and our scoring, though not distinguished, was steady. In the Junior class our success was steady and distinguished. Some very good running by Hopkin secured us first place in the 100 yards and hurdles, and he was also second in the long jump, while other firsts were won by King, Cosgrove and F. W. James in the high jump, shot put, and long jump. In past years we have suffered because we have not had any satisfactory entrants for the field events. This has been largely remedied, but unfortunately, a very full tims-table makes it impossible to fit in senior javelin and discus events, although we now have our own equipment for practice. In the high jump event, our best jumpers were from .our own under 17 class, and though good at their age, and better than our seniors, outclassed by our visitors. The juniors show much promise for filling up these gaps and as a generation brought up with the new equipment and under Mr. Cash's direction grows up we can look with a great degree of confidence to being able to acquit ourselves even better in future years. H.M.P.D.
FIVES. This year there has been an attempt to return to a full Fives fixture list. Five matches were played during the Easter term, and four of these were won. This season, fives balls were once more in plentiful supply, and consequently the game was much more extensively played. The School Fives Four this year was : Whitehead, J. H., Godsall, R. F., 1st Pair; Morton, M. J., Raderecht, P. S., 2nd Pair; all of whom were awarded Fives Colours. The first match was on February 8th, against Hereford Cathedral School, at Hereford. This was won quite easily, the 1st Pair winning 15-2, 15-4, 15-5. The 2nd Pair, 15-3, 15-6, 15-2. The next game, on the 1st March, against Malvern College " A" Four, was lost by a narrow margin of points, 80-97. This was the first time the Four had played on indoor courts, and, in this case, courts somewhat larger than the School's, so that their performance was creditable. On the 8th March the School played the Grammar School. The 1st Pair, after losing the 1st game 13-15, won their next two games, 15-10, 15-9, while the 2nd Pair won, 15-4, 15-5, 15-9. A triangular match was played at Hereford on March llth, against Hereford Cathedral School, and their Old Boys' Four. The School won both their matches easily.
576
The pre-war fixture against Bromsgrove School was revived and played at Bromsgrove on March 22nd, and was won, without the loss of a single game. 1st Pair beat Bromsgrove 1st Pair 15-7, 15-8. 1st Pair beat Bromsgrove 2nd Pair 15-6, 15-7. 2nd Pair beat Bromsgrove 2nd Pair 15-5, 15-10. 2nd Pair beat Bromsgrove 1st Pair 15-6, 15-0. The House matches were again played on the knockout system, and were won by School House. They took place on March 18th. Owing to illness, neither The Hostel nor Tredennyke were able to put out a team. Results : Chappel House beat Creighton and Castle House, and were then beaten by School House. We would like to thank Mr. McTurk for his interest in the game, and his help in arranging the fixtures, and Mr. Franklin for the time they have both given so generously to the School Four. BOXING NOTES. During the Easter term the prospect of the School Boxing Competition and a match against Bromsgrove ensured a keen attendance in the gymnasium on training nights. Again this keenness was especially noticeable in the smaller boys from Choir House, who were seldom absent and were all eager to take part in the Competition. This was held on Wednesday, March 1st, and consisted of 14 bouts, each of 3 rounds, the heaviest contestant weighing only 9 st. 7 Ib. The cup was deservedly won by S. Allsopp of Castle House, who skilfully boxed an opponent larger and heavier than himself. Thanks are due to Sgt. Barrett for refereeing and procuring the judges. The match with Bromsgrove was unfortunately cancelled at the last minute as most of their team were ill. but we look forward to meeting them next term, when we hope to begin a good season on the solid foundation built up last winter. D.K.K. P.T. COMPETITION. The Physical Training Cup was contested on Friday, 16th of June. The event took place on College Green and was judged by Sergeant Barrett and some members of the Local Police Force. All the teams had practised hard and the result was a fine display of team-work. The winners of the Cup were the Castle House team, Chappel House being the runners-up and School and The Hostel tying for third place.
RUGGER, 1950. FIXTURES. Wed., 8 Feb. St. Edwards, Oxford 2nd XV. Cancelled. Sat., 15 Feb. Worcester ' B ' XV. ' A ' won 11-8. Wed., 22 Feb. Worcester Teachers' Training College ' A ' XV. Home. Drawn 3-3. Sat., 25 Feb. Shrewsbury School. Away. Lost 8-3. SCHOOL v WORCESTER TEACHERS' TRAINING COLLEGE ' A ' XV. Played on Perdiswell, Wednesday, 22nd February, 1950. Drawn 3-3. After our heavy defeat the previous term, the Training College sent an ' A ' XV to play in this match. The
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THE VIGORNIAN.
School won the toss and played with the wind and slope in the first half. During the first half the threequarters again failed to find their true form and no score resulted. At the outset of the second half the School was subjected to a great deal of sustained pressure and an unconverted try was scored against us. But after some twenty minutes the School took play to the other end of the field where Taverner scored a try which was likewise unconverted, but although the School continued to attack, no further score could be made. The game was very hard and well contested throughout and again the School must have won had the threequarters found their best form, or had the forwards given better service during the first half, and not been so completely over-played at the beginning of the second.
SCHOOL v SHREWSBURY SCHOOL. Played at Shrewsbury on Saturday 25th February, 1950. Lost 3-8. The pitch was very wet for this game and prevented accurate handling of the ball. This gave pur opponents, expert exponents of the dribble, a distinct advantage which we never overcame. At half-time the School were a goal down despite a sound defence in which Morton was outstanding. In the second-half the School had most of the play after an early break through had increased our opponents' lead* but despite consistently good forward play which kept the ball in our opponent's' 25 ' for most of the half we could only score once, from a push-over after a fiveyard scrummage. In spite of further pressure the School were unable to increase the score and Shrewsbury ran " off " worthy winners. * * * SCHOOL v WORCESTER ' B ' XV. Played on Perdiswell, Saturday, 18th February, 1950. Won 11-8. For the greater part of this game the School played one man short, J. R. Hopkin being injured after fifteen minutes' play. Worcester ' B ' won the toss and played against the slope in the first-half. This half was evenly contested. The School threequarters never settled down and during this period Worcester scored a try which was converted. In the second-half the outside play was much improved, while the pack won a superiority in the tight and loose which enabled them to give a better service. After ten minutes' play, Bluck scored for the School, his try not being converted. Almost immediately Worcester ' B ' recovered their lead with an unconverted try. After a further ten minutes' play the School leftwing combined well for George to score a try which was converted and again just before time Bluck ran over for an unconverted try which gave us the lead for the first time and won the match. In this game our forwards performed very creditably; although lighter man for man, and one man short, Lewis leaving the pack to take Hopkin's place on the wing, they wore down the opposition and outlasted them. The threequarters played very well indeed in the second half and had the first-half been as good a very convincing win must have resulted.
July, 1950
FIXTURES, 1950-51. 1950 Sat., Oct. 14. Hereford C.S ... Away Sat., Oct. 28. Dean Close ... Away Sat., Nov. 4. Trinity College, Oxford " A ' XV Away Wed., Nov. 15 Bromsgrove 2nd XV ... Home Sat., Nov. 25. W.R.G.S ... Home Wed., Nov. 29 Bloxham School ... Home Sat., Dec. 2. Cheltenham College 2nd XV. ... Home Wed., Dec. 6. Ellesmere College ... Away Sat., Dec. 9. O.V.S ... Home Wed., Dec. 13 Magdalen C.S ... Home 1951 Sat., Feb. 10. St. Edwards, Oxford, " A " XV.... Away Sat., Feb. 24. Shrewsbury School Home O.V.S wishing to play in the O.V. match on Dec. 9th should write to the Secretary before Nov. 15th.
C.C.F. There were no special parades for the Easter term and the Corps continued with its weekly Saturday morning parades. The Cert. ' A ' squad continued to attend T.A. Headquarters for their work on the 25-pounders. The termly Field Day was held at Eastnor Park and the West Malverns, when theory previously learnt was put into practice. The end of the term brought yet another Certificate ' A ' examination and a satisfactory proportion of the candidates were successful. Owing to the increased numbers of the Corps, two companies have now been formed. ' A ' company being the more advanced members, and ' B ' company, the juniors. On the introduction of this system, Sgt. H. M. P. Davies was promoted to A./C.S.M., ' B ' company. The summer term saw the departure of C.S.M. Nisbet, who now reveals himself as a regular in the Scots Guards, Sgt. Leeke filling the vacancy of C.S.M. ' A ' company. There was considerable enthusiasm over the special parades this term. The first of these was Empire Youth Sunday, when the whole contingent attended a service and afterwards marched past the Mayor. The band also paraded, displayed a smart turnout and gave a good performance. Field Day was held on Castle Morton Common. Throughout the day emphasis was laid upon the methods of platoons in attack. Demonstrations were carried out by No. 1 Platoon of ' A ' Company. The Annual Inspection this year took place on July llth. Brig. J. Gifford, D.S.O., was the inspecting officer. After the customary march past and inspection he watched the various platoons in training, including the Post Cert. ' A ' squad who demonstrated their skill on the 25-pounders. In his address afterwards, Brig. Gifford said that cadet training was most important; it carried great weight when boys went into the regular army or embarked on National Service. The Brigadier concluded by saying that he would ask for a half-holiday as a reward for our labours—a gesture which was welcomed with three hearty cheers. To end, let us wish all those leaving us this term the very best of luck during their service training and to those attending the Annual Camp at Oswestry, fine weather and an enjoyable time.
July, 1950
PROMOTIONS. Jan., 1950. Sgt. Davies, H. M. P. to A./C.S.M. ' B ' Coy. Drum-Major Bulman to A./Sgt. Cpl. Lorenz to A./Sgt. Cpl. Burns to A./Sgt. Cdt. Jackson, A. G. to A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Davies, J. N. M. to A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Johnson to A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Kennedy to A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Nicholas, B. L., A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Raderecht, P. S. to A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Holmes, D. A. to A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Thome, M. V. to A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Bushby, D. R. P. to A./L.Cpl. Cdt. George, A. N. to A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Brown, T. A. to L.Cpl. May, 1950. Sgt. Leeke to be C.S.M. ' A ' Coy. Cpl. Howell to be A./Sgt. Cpl. Pocock to be A./Sgt. Cdt. Hollister-Short to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Beard, K. J. to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Green, A. to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Jones, W. F. to be A./L.Cpl.
July, 1950. L./Cpl. Beard to be Cpl. L./Cpl. Jackson to be Cpl. L./Cpl. Hartley to be Cpl. L./Cpl. Brown to be Cpl. L./Cpl. Jones, W. F. to be Cpl. L./Cpl. Whitmore to be Cpl. L./Cpl. Bushby to be Cpl. L./Cpl. George, A. N. to be Cpl. L./Cpl. Johnson to be Cpl. Cdt. English to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Hitchcock to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Hutchinson to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Milton to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Monger to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Davis, B. to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Bolton to be A./L.Cpl. Cdt. Tilt to be A./L.Cpl. Certificate ' A.' Part I. Bond. Birbeck. Davies, H. J. Dodsworth. Maxton. Minter. Redwood. Sheppy. Samouelle. Tudge. Williams, E. F.
578
THE VIGORNIAN.
Part II. Beard. Bennett. Green, A. Hutchison. Taylor, B. C.
SHOOTING NOTES. The outstanding shooting success of the year has been the gaining of second place in ' Class B ' of the Public Schools' ' Country Life' Competition. This equalled the old record for the highest place, set up in 1946.
The high score was due to a big improvement in the landscape shooting, in which the total was 163 out of 192. ' Snap ' shooting was also good, 215 being obtained out of 240. The VIII received ' Country Life' bronze medals, which were presented by Lady Tennant, on Speech Day. Five ' Country Life' postal matches were shot during the Easter term, four of which were won; the fifth being lost by 32 points to the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. This term the VIII has concentrated on .303 shooting, practising for the ' Chichester Cup,' which was shot on 3rd June. As usual, the competition was shot at Tyddsley Wood range, near Pershore, conditions being ideal. Scores were lower than usual, the School coming third, with 402 points compared with 419 points last year. Throughout the term, .22 classification has been in progress, supervised by Mr. Sheppard, Mr. W. Thomas, and Mr. Bailey. Those who have failed to classify should give heed to the words of Brigadier Gifford, the ininspecting officer at the Annual Inspection, who stressed the importance of good marksmanship in the Corps. ' COUNTRY LIFE ' COMPETITION. Group Rapid Snap Landscape Nisbet, A. N. 42 Morton, M. ... Bulman, J. N. 45 Hutchison, P. D. Howell, H. ... 28 Monger, G. H. Milton, B. P. ... 48 Tilt, G. R. ... 55
Totals
349
Grand Total
215
163
782.
' COUNTRY LIFE ' MATCHES. King's School v For Against King's College, Taunton ... 631 629 All Hallows School ... 670 665 Sutton Valence 670 618 R.N.C. Dartmouth 664 666 667 590 Stonyhurst
Result Won Won Won Lost Won
' CHICHESTER CUP ' COMPETITION. 200yds. 500yds. Total Malvern College .. Bromsgrove School King's School Sebright School
235 235 198 196
230 213 204 186
465 448 402 382
The House Competition, organised by Mr. Bailey, was won by Castle House. The team possible was 200 points, Castle House obtaining 182, with a clear lead of 46 over the runners-up, School House. The Individual Cup was won by M. G. H. Leeke, after a re-shoot with K. J. Beard, both of whom obtained 49 out of 50 in the Team Competition. Result. 1st Castle House. 4th Creighton House. 2nd School House. 5th Tredennyke House. 3rd Chappel House. 6th The Hostel. J.N.B.
579
THE VIGORNUN.
RED CROSS. WORCESTER ' 501.' Mr. Cooke has unfortunately not been able to be with us on many occasions this term, so that our lectures have been less interesting than usual; however much useful practical work has been done, especially on Field Day, when the time available made possible the treatment of more complicated cases than we are usually able to practise upon. The impossibility of obtaining a medical practitioner for our lectures continues to debar us from entering for examinations in the numbers we should do, but some of us are able to attend lectures with the Castle Street Detachment and take their examinations there. During the Easter term, illness hampered our work considerably by necessitating the repetition of lectures for the benefit of those who were away. M.S.L.
July, 1950
At the third meeting, the reading was divided and while the seniors read G. B. Shaw's ' Major Brassbound's Conversion,' the juniors read his ' Androcles and the Lion '; both plays were found amusing and were well read. At the last meeting we read through Henry IV, Part I, which is to be produced at the end of this term as the School Play. We should like to thank the Headmaster and Mrs. Kittermaster very much for the use of their rooms during the year.
MUSIC SOCIETY. The Society continues to have well-attended* meetings and we have tried with some success, to give some variety to our programme. We keep our scanty stock of gramophone records in reserve and although a few people are very generous and regular in their support of the Society by giving records, I should like to appeal to past as well as present members of the Society to help ART CIRCLE. us by giving records to form a respectably varied library. Sunday, February 12th saw the first of our meetings With such records as we have, we opened our meetings when Mr. Morgan gave us a lecture entitled " Crafts- last term. Mr. W. R. Hartley, newly-arrived amongst manship." Mr. Morgan brought along a number of us, gave us a lecture-programme which was originally examples of the different types of wood joints which were intended to be on opera. Our stock was insufficient of value to those members who take carpentry as a hobby. however, and Mr. Hartley not only contented us, but The next meeting on Sunday, March 5th gave us regaled us with a selection of Arias and Overtures, inthe pleasure of meeting once again Mr. H. P. E. Davis who cluding some of his own. had previously sent a list of architectural periods from Mr. Sinclair Logan came to us on February 26th, and which the Society chose Italian Renaissance Art. Mr. gave us a charming selection of folk-songs, accompanyH. P. E. Davis in his familiar style and with perfect ing himself at the piano. He included folk-songs of many illustrations gave us a most enjoyable evening and one countries in his programme, including some from the which was of great instructive value for those taking Appalachian backwoods, France, Germany, and the architecture as an examination subject. North-Western Isles of Scotland. His programmes On Sunday, March 26th, Mr. Gorst, A.R.I.S.A., a have always been popular, and this one no whit the less. local practising architect, gave us a lecture on " Modern The Society entertained itself on March 19th when Architecture." His lecture was most interesting and we had our termly performers' evening. Many of the though he found much opposition to his modern ideas Society members played the piano and violin, and sang. from some quarters of the Society, many members The Finale was a duet by Schubert played with much were impressed by the form and ideas of Modern Archi- gusto by Mr. Hartley and Davies. tecture. This was shown by the barrage of questions For our last programme we had records again, and which he received, and which he parried successfully ! had an enjoyable evening listening to works by Elgar, Our Summer meeting this term was held on Sunday, • Sibelius, Grieg and Mozart. May 21st, when the Precentor very kindly came along In the Summer term, members of the Society opened and gave us a lecture on his hobby—brass rubbing. our proceedings by presenting their own records. He entitled his lecture : " Monumental brasses and brass Much resource was displayed in finding information rubbing," and it formed a very pleasant and amusing about re'cords thus presented, and it is felt that such evening. programmes are valuable in this way. We end by thanking Miss Campbell for the work Our last meeting of the year was for a programme by she has done to make possible our meetings and lectures Mr. A. G. Clinch, O.V., who had a large stock of opera and also thanking the Headmaster and Mrs. Kittermaster records, from which he selected a programme. After the for their kindness in allowing us to use their rooms. advertised programme was over, he invited us to choose KJ.B. our own, and so we had a very pleasant evening. In the Easter term, when Madame Farnadi came to the School, Mrs. Kittermaster very kindly invited LITERARY SOCIETY NOTES. members of the Society to come and hear Madam At the first meeting of the Easter term we read a Farnadi, the evening before she played to the School. play by J. B. Priestley, entitled 'Dangerous Corner'; Some 25 of us did so and we are most grateful to Mrs. although the rather mystic theme of this play was not Kittermaster for her kind invitation. But not only for universally understood, a fair amount of amusement this are we grateful to Mrs. Kittermaster; it is through was afforded by the number of female characters in the her kindness that we meet in the comfort and taste of cast. her drawing-room, and the Society owes much to her For the second meeting, we were very fortunate to work behind the scenes in arranging programmes. Her have with us Miss Ursula Wood the well-known poet, knowledge of the taste of our members outlines a secrewho gave us some of her views on modern poetry, with tary's term of office, and keeps the programmes at a balsome very refreshing readings which included several ance between the intensity of the specialist, and the of her own poems. vague wishes of the less demanding listener.
July, 1950
THE VIGORNIAN.
DEBATING SOCIETY. Under the auspices of Mr. Ferrar the Society continued to hold meetings throughout the Easter term, the officers and committee remaining the same as for the Christmas term. The first meeting was in the form of a Hat night. This proved far more lively than the previous meeting held at the beginning of the Christmas term. The motions were very much more suitable to the occasion, being in a lighter vein altogether, and the meeting was a great success. The next meeting was a debate on the motion that " To spare the rod is to spoil the child." This was proposed by R. G. L. Griffiths and J. B. Robins and opposed by J. E. Rowley and M. V. Thome. The principal speakers spoke well and there were a few good speeches from the floor. The motion was surprisingly defeated by nineteen votes to two. The last meeting of the term and of the year was rather different. An imaginary submarine was lying on the bottom of the sea, unable to rise to the surface. In it were five passengers but only one ascape apparatus. Each passenger represented a different walk of life and each had to put forward his claims to escape as being the most useful to the community above. The five were a politician (J. H. Whitehead), an entertainer (M. V. Thome), an artisan (Mr. Hartley), a scientist (Mr. Ferrar) and a schoolmaster (H. M. P. Lorenz). After some very amusing speeches, the artisan was voted the right to escape and accordingly rose to the surface. This meeting was very well attended by both the staff and members of the School and was a great success. Meetings of the Society were temporarily suspended during the summer term, but it is hoped that the Society will continue to flourish next term. In the past the Society has carried on for one or two terms and then petered out. A Debating Society plays an important part in every school and we hope that this time the Society has come to stay.
J.D.L.G.
CHESS COMPETITION. There were sixty-four entries for the competition which was held in the Easter term. J. E. Rowley, A. R. Hunt, A. G. Jackson and P. R. Lowes reached the semifinals. In the finals, Jackson beat Rowley, thus retaining the Cup for School House. The competition was not without surprises, one or two " experienced " players being knocked out in the first round, while S. C. Graham of Choir House succeeded in reaching the fourth round before being defeated by the eventual winner.
J.D.L.G.
Vlth FORM CLUB NOTES. Looking back over the past two terms, it is difficult to single out any meeting for particular mention. Perhaps those meetings which were run solely by the Club without the aid of a speaker were the most popular. In this category we had a " Hat Night," a debate, a sports evening and a film as well as the two dances. As a result we had only two speakers, both of them during the Summer term. First we had a talk by Mr. Grieves, who gave us an interesting insight into the
580
problem of town planning in Worcester. Later Mr. Langdale came and let us into some of the secrets of banking. Having arrived at the end of the year it is gratifying to report that the Presidency of the Club has returned to the King's School. At the Annual General Meeting, which was held after the Tennis Tournament, on June 30th, K. J. Beard was elected President. Congratulations 1 and the best of luck for the coming year. P.M.B.
VALETE. DECEMBER, 1949.
Upper Sixth. JONES, R. R. (Castle, 1947-491. School Monitor, 2nd XV Football 1947-48, 1st XV 1948-49-50, 2nd IV Rowing 1948, 1st IV 1949, Cpl. C.C.F., S.C. 1949. To Australia. PHILLIPSON, R. H. (Castle and Tredennyke 1944-49). 2nd XV Football 1948, 1st XV 1949, S.C. 1947, H.C.S. 1949. To King's College, London. WILKBS, B. E. (Chappel's 1943-49). School Monitor, 1st XV Football 47,48,49, (Cap 1948-49), 1st XI1949, Sgt. C.C.F., S.C. 1948. To structural engineering. Lower Sixth. AGER-HAHHIS, R. E. (School 1942-49). 1st XV Football 1948-49, 2nd XI Cricket 1948-49, 1st VIII Shooting 1947-48-49, S.C. 1949, L./Cpl. C.C.F. Exchange Student to Germany 1949. To Estate Agency, Reading. ATTWOOD, J. M. (Creighton's 1945-49). S.C. 1949. CALLAN, B. E. (Creighton's 1944-49). Cpl. C.C.F., S.C. 1949. PARKINSON (Castle 1944-49). S.C. 1949. PHILLIPS, J. B. (Creighton's 1945-49). S.C. 1949, L./Cpl. C.C.F. RICHARDSON, T. J. (Castle 1943-49). School Monitor, 1st XI Cricket 1948-49, 2nd XV Football 1947, 1st XV 1948-49-50, 1st VIII Shooting, L./Cpl. C.C.F., Secretary of the Art Circle, S.C. 1949. To Caledonian Insurance Company. UNDERWOOD, E. J. (Creighton's 1947-49). 2nd XV Football, S.C. 1949. To School of Navigation (Merchant Navy), Southampton. Upper Fifth. MALPASS, J. (Chappel's 1943-49). NORMAN, J. M. (Creighton's 1945-49). L./Cpl. C.C.F. PRITCHARD, D. (The Hostel 1946-49). House Monitor. 2nd XI Cricket, 2nd XV Rugger. TURNER, R. G. (Chappel's 1944-49). Sgt. C.C.F, 1st VIII Shooting. WARD-BOOTH, R. M. (The Hostel 1943-49). House Monitor, 1st XV 1948-49 (Cap 1949). Student farmer. WOOD, C. M. (Creighton's 1945-49). House Monitor, 2nd Cricket 1946-47,1st XI 1948-49, 2nd XV Football 1945-46-47,1st XV 1948,49,50, Cpl. C.C.F., S.C. 1949, Middle Fifth. BREWER, G. (Creighton's '1945-49). HOARE, M. G. N. (Chappel's 1945-49). To R.A.F. LATTIMORE, A. C. (Castle 1947-49). LEAHY, A. N. (Castle 1944-49). 2nd XV Football 1948. To Art School, Malvern.
581
THE VIGORNIAN.
Lower Fifth ' B.' MAY, P. (Chappel's 1947-49). WALKER, T. P. R. (Castle 1946-49). 1st IV Cox 1947-48, 2nd IV 1949, 1st IV 1949, A./Cpl. C.C.F. WILLIS, I. (Creighton's 1946-49). Others. BROTHERTON, P. C. BROTHERTON, P. W. DAVIES, N. R. JONES, W. R.
SHERMAN, M. J. DAVIES, L. H. ROWBOTHAM, A. R. SMITH, P. J.
EASTER, 1950. Upper Sixth. HOLMES, D. A. (Chappel's 1942-50). King's scholar, School Monitor, Captain of Chappel's House, L./Cpl. C.C.F., S.C. 1947, H.S.C. 1949. LORENZ, H. M. P. (School 1945-50). King's Scholar, S.C. 1947, H.S.C. 1949, Sgt. C.C.F., 3rd XV Football, House Monitor. LETTICE, C. M. (Chappel's 1943-50). House Monitor, S.C. 1947, Cpl. C.C.F. NISBET, A. N. (School 1945-50). School Monitor, Captain of Shooting, C.S.M., C.C.F., 1st VIII Shooting 1945, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50. 2nd XV Football 194748-49, 1st XV 1949-50, S.C. 1947. To Army. Lower Sixth. CARRELL, D. J. (Castle 1947-50). 2nd XV Football 1949-50, S.C. 1949. SEXSTONE, P. A. (Castle 1947-50). S.C. 1949. TAYLOR, B. C. (Castle 1944-50). House Monitor, 2nd XV Football 1949, S.C. 1949. To Agriculture. Others. BROWN, D. C. BRAMICH, J. N. BOYLE, I. M. GEORGE, A. L.
HIGGINS, J. B. MAWBEY, P. A. 2nd XV 1949. PARKER, G. D. WOODHOUSE, M. J.
CONTRIBUTIONS. A SCHOOLMASTER ABROAD Germany 1950. To go by cargo-boat sounds both crude and uncomfortable. In actual fact if one goes this way to Hamburg the discomfort is limited to the physical smallness of the boat which means vigorous motion in roughish weather (which we had), with the additional hazard of raw hides in the forward hold (which fortunately we hadn't). Apart from that it is considerably more comfortable than 3rd class travel by the usual route, there being no change, no nights on wooden seats, and only one frontier. In this way one arrives in Germany well-slept and wellshaven, thumping in a leisurely way up the magnificent Elbe in a frame of mind full receptive to the impressions that one has come to gather. But of course it is very easy, as a traveller, even if one has one's eyes wide open, to mistake the obvious for the important; and much of what one sees, and still more of what one is told, requires cross-checking with other facts and other sources. Also, in the case of Germany,
July, 1950
one must be aware of certain facts which dominate present-day life there. First, about a quarter of the adult population in the Western Zone is unemployed. Any superficial evidence of economic prosperity is brought up sharply by this grim statistic. The unemployment is not of course itself a fundamental cause but is a symptom of the two prevailing evils of shortage of money and lack of trade. The shortage of money is the product both of the war and of the reform of the currency. When the currency was reformed in 1948, the object was to restore the value of money. This was indeed done, the value of the new marks being no less than ten times that of the old; or if you happened to look at it the other way if you had previously a fortune of 10,000 marks you now had one of 1,000. The result of this drastic deflation was twofold. In the first place goods of all kinds returned to the shops and the black market folded up almost overnight. To that extent normal commercial life was restored by the simple expedient of making money as rare as goods. However, all economic activity depends in the first instance on capital, and the scarcity of money means also scarcity of capital. This means that trade and industry cannot be restarted which in turn means no work. The parks and squares of Hamburg are full of able men just hanging about or gambling; and those who remember England in the early 30's will recognise the other little symptoms such as the plurality of " sandwichmen " and " Old Moore's." These conditions are further aggravated by the political situation, which cuts off Western Germany from her natural trade with Eastern Germany and Eastern Europe. Secondly the feeling of insecurity thus generated in the economic field is felt even more acutely in the political one. Russian troops stand about 20 miles from Hamburg; the forces of the Western Powers are manifestly inadequate; and the strategical moment fraught with danger. Actually we are of course all of us in great danger and London is scarcely less likely to be destroyed than Hamburg in the event of a real war. However the position seems at any rate more acute to the German, and he is clearly living in a great state of nerves. Thirdly the German always somewhat subject to an inferiority complex, is still suffering from the shock of defeat with its blow to his self-respect, and its aggravation of his sense of guilt. This gives him an urgent need for self-vindication, and leads him to say a number of unpleasant and childish things both in public and private. Fourthly, and this comes nearer to being a permanent factor than any of the other three, the Germans, as lovers of order, are fundamentally pre-disposed towards an authoritarian system of government. This does not proceed solely from innate militarism; it proceeds equally from a kind of fussiness, an over-riding desire for things to be done properly. Therefore the Germans will only become convinced democrats if they can see that democracy is efficient—and that, alas, democracy, as exhibited by the allied occupation and foreign policy, has not shown itself. It is quite clear that the majority of Germans are still walking about hoping that somebody will tell them what to do; and that is a state that is both pathetic and dangerous. In Hamburg, as elsewhere in Germany, all food is unrationed and with the recent exception of sugar, freely available in the shops. The prices are in general what our food prices would be without subsidies (e.g., butter 3/- a Ib. bread 8d. a 2 Ib. loaf); though, in fact,
July, 1950
THE VIGORNIAN.
what with the poverty and unemployment, many foodstuffs are out of reach of the poor. The only really fantastic prices are those for coffee and tea (about 25/and 40/- a Ib. respectively). Naturally most people drink substitutes, i.e., either imitations, or more agreeable alternatives such as beer, which has now returned to its pre-war gravity. And of course the greater the gravity of the beer, the less that of the consumer. Frankly, it is a lot better stuff than the present English variety; nor do you ever have to drink it tepid. The food prices are reflected in the prices for meals. A meal in a restaurant costs from 3/- to 10/- according to where you go, and how many courses you have. The 3/- variety would be a single but substantial dish in a cheap establishment. Once again, if you order coffee you must be prepared for its costing you 2/6 a cup ! At any rate it is all there. And one may well ask oneself how the defeated Germans have managed to do so much better than we. The answer is two-fold. First, even Western Germany contains very large areas of agricultural land, and is not very far off being selfsupporting. Of the really basic food only wheat and sugar have to be imported in any quantity. Secondly it has to be admitted that the German workman puts in rather more work for less money than ours. This is partly because he is a little more industrious by nature, and partly because he is in far greater danger of unemployment and real poverty. Also the return to normality is due to this very same desire, already mentioned, of having things done properly, which refuses to make a habit, as we still tend to do, of war-time shortages and sloppiness. Gastronomically Germany ranks fairly high (certain obscenities excluded ! ), though of course after France; and in general North Germany is superior in this respect to South. Meat is expensive, but of good quality, being mostly home-killed. The German housewife makes comparatively small quantities of it into very substantial dishes with potato salad, dressed beans, pickled cabbage, etc. In fact the sheer quantity of German meals is something of a problem for the English stomach. And apart from the major forms of meat, the housewife' has also a variety of other possibilities. In particular the large selection of sausages and cooked meats and excellent cheese helps to solve the problem of supper. As has already been said, the Germans like, and insist on. clear instructions. Many German paths are labelled : FAHRHADWEG. FUSSGANGERN IST AUSZUWEICHEN. This means, in effect, that cycling is permitted, but, should a cyclist meet a pedestrian, the latter has right of way. In England it remains a matter of private arrangement. Similarly, certain carriages on the railways are set aside for the SEVERELY DISABLED PROVIDED WITH OFFICIAL PROOF. Evidently there is to be no bickering as to whether a man with one leg should sit down; he must have the official document. However, not all fussiness is valueless. It is for instance a great convenience to be able to consult, at most main stations, a little chart which tells you exactly where on the train the third class carriages to e.g. Munich are going to come in. Also the indicator which tells you when trains depart from the station you are at, also tells when they arrive at the places where they stop. When you move from North to South Germany, particularly to Bavaria, you naturally find yourself making comparisons; though actually the differences aren't very striking on the surface. The food has already been described as just a little less good; meat a little
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more nobbly, sausages a little more greasy, and not quite the same genius for bread-making. But it is all very good all the same; and the beer, especially if you go to Munich, second to none. But there are of course real differences. Whatever may be the rights and wrongs of German unity there is no doubt that, linguistically and racially, there is a distinct cleavage between North and South Germany. The Bavarian people are more of the round-headed, stocky, alpine type. They are at once more excitable, less dull, and less reliable than the North German, besides being predominantly Catholic. The language they speak is, from the vocabulary point of view, not very different from the North. Perhaps a hundred words of those in common use are actually different; and a rather larger number are different in form (e.g. MADEL for MADCHEN). But the way in which the language is used is imprecise, and even sloppy. Much of the articulation is done with very rounded lips which produces a rather booming and " hot potato " effect; and in ordinary speech many words are clipped, mutilated and even omitted. Frankly Bavaria is not to be recommended from the linguistic point of view, unless staying with really educated people. But of course, scenically, it is one of the most beautiful. Nuremberg, where I stayed in Bavaria, was, both literally and metaphorically, a gingerbread city. Not only were gingerbread and pretty toys made there, but it had street upon street of the old, overhanging mediaeval houses. It was the city of Albrecht Durer and of Hans Sachs, and of many wonderful mediaeval craftsmen. It was also of course the Mecca of the Nazis, where scores of thousands of Germans rallied annually to worship Might, and enjoyed doing it. Whatever may have been the justification—and one can't help at this later stage thinking it a pity—it was decided to blot out the cultural heart of Nuremberg. And indeed the whole area has been almost completely swept away. If any of the old houses remain it is only an odd one here and there, as though by accident. When one surveys the present scene, it is not hard to accept the fact that Nuremberg is the second most severely damaged city in Germany. Dresden, in the Russian Zone, comes first, and Berlin third. It is also a frightening reflection that the majority of this terrific devastation, including the obliteration of the centre was carried out in a single night, 2nd January, 1945. The two famous churches of St. Sebaldus and St. Lorenz were severely damaged, but a recognisable part of the edifices was left standing. These are now being painstakingly restored, to house again some of the moyable works of art which were kept underground during the war. But for this, as for other purposes, the supply of money is small and fitful. Some statues and windows for instance are still walled up for lack of funds even to demolish the casing. Apart from the drawings and paintings of Albrecht Durer, many of which are in the museum, the two great figures of Nuremberg's fifteenth century glory are Veit Stoss and Peter Vischer. Veit Stoss was a truly wonderful carver in wood. Mostly out of pale lime-wood, his work is as near to the living flesh as one can imagine. In faqt, like Durer, he was, in his field, one of the first masters to strive after real anatomical correctness. It is said that, for his crucifixions he used to study fresh corpses—in those days a highly suspect and dangerous occupation.
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Peter Vischer achieved a similar perfection as a caster of bronze. Once again a most concrete verisimilitude in this very difficult technique. You cannot really carve bronze. You have to think it all out in the mould, inside out. However with neither of these artists was the artistry limited to faithful representation. In the work of both of them there is a most wonderful feeling for design and space, as though the work had been executed in a single, instantaneous inspiration. It is wonderful how this was retained through all the difficulties of execution. It took Peter Vischer and his two sons 11 years to cast the Tomb of St. Sebaldus, and yet it has retained all its unity of conception. We have never really returned to the serene perseverance of such artists. This reference to Germany's past reminds one that we are still, as ever, in the presence of history. Germany today is a depressing reminder that the making of history is almost impossibly complicated. It is one-of those horrible ironies that, at the time that I write, the last workmen carrying out the demolition of the German armament industry are almost colliding in the corridor with the blue-printed architects rushing in to rebuild it. However, it is all too easy to rush to the opposite conclusion, and say that it was foolish to have defeated Germany (or presumably to have fought her at all). It may well be that the hazard of events has placed the Germans in a controlling position in Europe today. But that does not in any way mean that they have also become morally fit to hold such a position. They have as yet no real liking for moral freedom, and they have a lot of old scores to pay off. The moral is not that, in the last war, we made the wrong choice. We had no real choice; unless we should have marched with the Germans into Russia, which would have been extremely difficult to justify to the Almighty. The only moral that clearly emerges is that wars all too often achieve precisely the opposite of what was intended; and the more destructive they are, the more clearly is this demonstrated. A BON ENTENDEUR, SALUT ! H.F. A LONDON FOG. Mysterious mists slide silently round Street corners, lamp-posts loom dimly before One, their light shining scarcely to the ground. A tree looms up, another, then a door. Marble Arch is just distinguished, Nelson Poises unseen on his pedestal, and Eros waits patiently, wings spread wide, none See him with his stone bow clasped in his hand. No lights gleam brightly in reflection on The river. Waterloo Bridge is draped in Thick grey folds of misty murk. But upon The bright face of Big Ben, the mist is thin, Slowly the thick fog moves itself away, To make way to its master, light of day. THE INTERNATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION. On Saturday, May 13th, I paid a visit to the Stamp Exhibition held at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London. It was held in the Great Room which is a very big hall in the basement. I went in through the main door and down thicklycarpeted stairs. As I came into the hall itself I was very
July, 1950
surprised to see so many cases containing stamps and also all the dealers' stands were there displaying their goods in glass topped counters. Some of the dealers had stamps ranging from a halfpenny to five thousand pounds. I will now say something about the stamps themselves. First of all came the stamps of Great Britain which ranged from the 1840 penny black to the 1950 King George VI Universal Postal Union. Going back to the penny black I saw one or two made up sheets and the dies, proofs, drawings, pictures and many blocks of the stamps. Then there was the twopenny blue which also had one or two made up sheets, proofs, drawings, etc. Then came a few stamps printed but never issued which were more beautiful than some of the other stamps this country has issued. Next came sheets of stamps such as whole sheets of the Queen Victoria five pound and pound stamps, then a few blocks of five and ten shilling stamps and then came the stamps of Edward VII, stamps with printings of De la rue, Somerset House and Harrison. Then came George V printings, including those of De la rue and Bradbury Wilkinson. The De la rue stamps are much the best printings as they are- much clearer and have better colours. The George VI stamps of Great Britain are not very beautiful and a few that were not issued were much more beautiful than most of those that were. These stamps are all exhibited in the ' Post Office Collection' which of course has only the stamps of Great Britain. In the frames of other collectors are the stamps of Aden to Zanzibar. It was well represented with the Pence issue of Ceylon and also with stamps of the U.S.A. There were also stamps on different subjects such as animals, trains, etc. In the Great Britain Exhibits there were a good many envelopes with amusing pictures; and some with penny red stamps on them. Air stamps were also very well represented, especially those of the U.S.A., and they were also very well written up with notes on the perforation, the printer, printing and catalogue number. When the silver wedding and U.P.U. stamps were issued, collectors discarded them as they are all the same and I doubt whether they will ever be collectors' pieces. Now comes the ' Court of Honour ' which was formed of ' The Post Office Exhibit," and a few pieces from the ' King's Collection.' I have already described the ' Post Office Exhibit," but I will say something about the ' King's Collection." First of all were one or two Mauritius which are priceless and then many other rare Great Britain stamps which I did not have time to see. The temptation to buy the stamps on view was very great, as you became jealous of the other collectors' frames. T. J. Mumford, IV ' A." CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editors of " The Vigornian." DEAR SIRS, What did Welsh supporters do when Wales beat England at Twickenham this year ? What did the crowds at Portsmouth Harbour do when H.M.S. Ameythyst returned ? They cheered ! They didn't clap, they cheered, and they cheered people who were
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THE VIGORNIAN.
worthy of being cheered. Clapping is merely a polite way of acknowledging something or somebody. Let the School be allowed to acknowledge its winning teams in the good old British style—with a cheer, and then the applause will reach the standard it ought to reach. Yours, " INDIGNANT."
To the Editors of " The Vigornian." DEAR EDITORS, Those O.V.s who have attended the annual dinner of recent years may have observed the gradual deterioration of the rendering of the Old School Song. This may be due to the increasing gravity of the beer, which I very much doubt, but we usually start off in too high a pitch and finish up in about ten different keys. I and many others feel that the old song is worth polishing up a bit, and I made a few suggestions to our Secretary some time ago that if we could form a male voice choir of O.V.s to lead the singing this might be useful and possibly form a very pleasant interlude at the dinner. Unfortunately apart from getting the words typed out, and having the assistance of Mr. Caves at the piano, I was unable to organise the " Heavenly choir " which our President inadvertently introduced at the last dinner, but I now have copies of the music arranged for male voices by Mr. Edgar Day, and I would be willing to organise a choir of O.V.s and fix a few practices in time for the next year's dinner. There should be quite a number of singers who would be willing to come forward, so would volunteers drop me a line, the sooner the better, say whether you sing Tenor, Baritone or Bass and make up your mind to come to the O.V. Dinner next year. Mr. J. Caves would, I am sure, be willing to play the piano again and I think our old friend Mr. H. E. Nicholls would be willing to put us through our paces with the music, as I am no conductor and only sing a little. Yours sincerely, JOHN E. SEABRIGHT.
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Clayesmore School, Charlton Marshall, Blandford, Dorset. 20th February, 1950. The Editors of The Vigornian, King's School, Worcester. DEAR SIRS, I have often noticed in The Vigornian complaints of the lack of O.V. news, and I heartily agree that, within reason, the more O.V. news the better. To adopt the suggestions in the letter from ' Two O'V's ' in your issue of December 1949 would, no doubt, bring us more O.V. news, but their remarks on the encouragement of a really active O.V. club raise certain questions in my mind. It always seems to me that the ideas of what is wanted for an O.V. club by former day-boys and by former boarders must diverge. Your correspondents decry boiled shirts and balls; this is all right for old dayboys, but what old boarder is going to travel miles to attend an open-necked bun fight or a lounge suited hop ? I am not so sure that Old Boys' clubs ever really work. There is no community of interest, only a past in common, and this past pervades the whole atmosphere. First, there is the tragedy of promise unfulfilled, the decent chap, once in the VI form and good at games, who, for some wretched reason, has decreased in stature, is half the man he was, and doesn't know it, or, worse still, does know it. Then there is the other side of the medal. Mugwump was always a fool and everybody ragged him, but now he is doing well, full of pride and filthy lucre. Consciously or unconsciously a comparison is drawn and, like other comparisons, tends .to be odious. Naturally O.V.s should hang together; were we not commanded to love one another ? But Our Master was too wise even to suggest that we should all like one another. ' Liking ' is a tender plant. Don't let us herd together because we are O.V.s. The next thing will be that, in the name of bonhomie, we shall be singing cheap and vulgar songs in College Hall. No. Broadly speaking all the best Old Boys' clubs exist only to organise an annual dinner (in boiled shirts); an annual cricket match or the like; perhaps a ball (not dance); possibly a religious service; a contribution to the school magazine; and last but not least, to stop the Hon. Sec. having too many idle moments. Yours sincerely, R. G. MEERS, O.V. [We regret that it was necessary to cut part of this letter owing to its great length.—Eds.]