THE PETER1TE Vol. XXXIII
SEPTEMBER, 1941.
No. 298
EDITORIAL. The past term began with a note of sadness, for in its early days we had to mourn the passing of the Very Rev. H. N. Bate, D.D., who had been Chairman of the Governing Body since he became Dean of York in 1932. All of us were deeply sensible of our indebtedness to his wise and devoted stewardship, though perhaps few, and only those in the closest touch with the administration of the School's affairs, can measure to the full the great loss which St. Peter's has sustained by his death. We publish elsewhere an obituary note written by the Head Master. The Summer term, as the records of the following pages reveal, was one of vigorous activity. The great deeds on the cricket field were, perhaps, the dominant feature, and we can refer with justifiable pride to the most successful season we have had for many years. The XI succumbed on only two occasions, to exceptionally strong Army teams, and its keen, fighting spirit, due in no small measure to the inspiration of Mr. Jackson, proved more than a match for all our school opponents. To the spectators on the bank —and we were fortunate in having so many home matches— the season was one of unmitigated joy. It will not easily be forgotten. It occurred to us that, in a cloud of vaguelydefined war aims, this was one of the things for which we were fighting. For generations now this same green bank has dominated this same green field, and batsmen have gone down from this pavilion, and returned to it, too, for congratulations or condolences. It is all part of our way of life, and it is for the right to continue in it that we are fighting. It is a way of life which stretches far back into the centuries, and we shall not believe that it can end abruptly. The broad highway does not lead over the cliff edge. The spirit which will preserve these decent things was manifested in the magnificent response of the School to the York War Weapons Week. Over £2,500 was contributed in the week, during which, modestly as it proved, we had set ourselves to collect £1,000. A special word of thanks is due to Mr. P. P. N. Fawcett, not alone for the enthusiasm 1
