Old Peterite News

Saturday, 29th July. 11 a.m. : Speeches and Distribution of Prizes by the Earl of Scarbrough in the Clifton Cinema.

Afternoon : Cricket Match continued. Boat Races, School v. Old Peterites. Sunday, 30th July. 8-15 a.m. : Holy Communion. 11 a.m. : Commemoration Service and Sermon by the Bishop of Knaresborough.

Full details will be circulated to parents and Old Peterites.

COMMEMORATION

Commemoration will be held this year on the 28th, 29th and 30th July, when the Earl of Scarbrough will be the School's guest of honour. An outline of the programme for the three days is given above, and further details will be sent to O.P.s in due course. The O.P. Dinner and the Annual General Meeting of the Club will be held on the Friday, the 28th. We would stress the importance of a large attendance at the Annual Meeting. Only on this occasion in the year can the Committee and the Head Master have an opportunity of ascertaining the views of O.P.s in general on matters affecting the well-begin of both the Club and the School. We hope that as many O.P.s as possible of those able to come to Commemoration will make a special effort to be present at the meeting.

There will be the usual Cricket Match (Friday and Saturday, 28th and 29th July) against the School, and any O.P.s who would like to play for the Old Boys' XI should apply to David Anderson, Rokeby, 10 Brampton Road, Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire. It is hoped to arrange for three O.P. Fours to row against the School, on Saturday, the 29th. K. H. Rhodes, at the School, would be glad to hear of any who would like to take part. Coxes, of course, will be wanted.

O.P. LONDON DINNER

The London Dinner is fixed for Wednesday, 8th November, at Brown's Hotel. Applications for tickets and further information should be made to A. B. Cooper, 137 Longland Drive, Totteridge, London, N.20.

M.B.E. FOR A. C. RODGER

We published in our last issue the details of the commendation, by the O.C. Cyprus District, Middle East Land Forces, of the courage and devotion to duty of 2nd Lieut. A. C. Rodger (The Rise, 1942-46) in rescuing six civilians from drowning during the floods in Cyprus in December last. We are glad to record that Rodger's gallant action has been recognised by the award of the M.B.E. The announcement 3

appears in the Gazette of 1 1 th April, in which his "superhuman feat of physical endurance and determination" is cited. Rodger went to Cyprus in August, 1949, after serving with the Berlin Air Lift. ITEMS

Stuart Macpherson (1942-46), who passed out of Cranwell in December last and is a Pilot Officer stationed at Leeming, played for the R.A.F. XV as scrum-half against the French Air Force in Paris on Easter Saturday. The French won 6 0. Macpherson played regularly for Cranwell and was awarded his colours. * *

We congratulate John Rodgers (1919-25) on being, as far as we know, the only O.P. member of the present House of Commons. He was elected as Conservative Member for Sevenoaks in the recent General Election. How far this happy result was forwarded by a fanciful picture drawn by Norman Yardley, speaking on his behalf, of England's Test Cricket under a Ministry of Sport, must be considered doubtful. It certainly elicited a devastating (and, we fear, obvious) retort from Mr. Emmanuel Shinwell. Incidentally, we noticed that in the brief biographical sketches which The Times published of the Members of the new House of Commons, Rodgers was described as having been educated in France. We do not know the source of The Times information or the duration of John Rodgers' period in France, but we do hope that in six years St. Peter's inculcated a sufficiency of education not to be entirely eradicated by a sojourn on the Continent.

* * *

We go to Press just as Norman Yardley's book, Cricket Campaigns, has appeared in the book shops. We are not able to offer any comments, since we have not had the opportunity of more than a cursory glance. But we would take occasion to congratulate him on its publication and on the highly eulogistic notices which have already appeared, in the daily Press. He may be assured that his book will be widely read by Peterites and Old Peterites. He has presented a copy to the School Library.

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A. S. Rymer (1916-21) has had a notable period of office as Sheriff of York, which, by the time these notes appear, will have expired. Among the many noteworthy events of his year we would mention his flying visit to New York, in company with the Lord Mayor, in the interests of the York Festival of 1951. Rymer will, of course, continue his chairmanship of the Festival Committee, and we who are in touch with York affairs are conscious of the good work he is doing in this capacity.

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Pat Walls (1940-44) is now at Dar-es-Salaam in the service of the Tanganyika Cotton Co., which he joined after completing his war

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service. We print elsewhere an account, sent by his mother, of an encounter he had with a python, which has many interesting features. * * *

We are more than pleased to have letters from those whom we can only describe as "Very Old Peterites". A letter from the Rev. G. B. Bardsley (entered September, 1879), "a day-boy some seventy years ago", as he describes himself, is evidence of an enduring interest in the School (and The Peterite) which we find very gratifying. Mr. Bardsley, who writes from the Homes of St. Barnabas, Lingfield, Surrey (the address may be of interest to any surviving contemporary who may chance to see this), encloses some verses he has written. We gladly print them below. They have the great merit of sincerity and if their adherence to the rules of scansion and the conventions of versification strike the modern mind as old-fashioned, let the modern mind think it over :

REMINISCENCE I stood on the walls of old Ebor at the close of a summer's day, Watching the slanting sunbeams on her timeworn Minster play. They kissed each painted window and touched each sombre side, Till he blushed 'neath their caresses with an answering glow of pride. I watched the silvered river into the city creep, As loath to hasten onward to her tryst with the hoary deep, Skirting the verdant gardens where the ruined Abbey stands, Roofless now and crumbling as left by despoiling hands. Thy old time walls once echoed the tramp of the legions' feet; And have not Ouse's deep waters mirrored the Norseman's fleet? Whilst centuries in their passing have set their mark on thee, With many an ancient building to spell out thy history. Time with its many changes has caused me afar to roam, But my heart in its quietest moments returns to my boyhood's home. G. B. BARDSLEY.

OBITUARY THE REV. WALTER NOEL HILL

We regret to record the death at Helmsley, on 19th December, 1949, of Walter Noel Hill. He entered St. Peter's in January, 1891. He held the livings of Reighton with Speeton (1917-29) and Bugthorpe (1929-35). Ill-health enforced his retirement, which he spent first at Pocklington and finally, from 1946, at Helmsley. He was 73. DR. GEOFFREY WILLIAMSON ETCHES

The sudden death of Geoffrey Williamson Etches, at the age of 42, on 20th November, 1949, was a tragedy which must have been grievously felt by his wife and three children. He was at St. Peter's from 1917 to 1922. Both his father (also a doctor) and his grandfather were at St. Peter's, and it is expected that his only son will join the School in September next. For 18 years he had been in practice at Wombwell and was highly regarded by his colleagues in the profession. 5

THOMAS TURTON PETERSON SHERWOOD

The death of T. T. P. Sherwood occurred at Cyprus Street, Wakefield, in January, 1950. He was at St. Peter's from 1895 to 1900. He had been in business in Wakefield for 50 years as an auctioneer and valuer and was a prominent member of the City Council. He was keenly interested in the theatre and managed the Wakefield Opera House. He had been prominent in Yorkshire Rugby and played for the Castleford and Wakefield R.U. Clubs. In 1901 he gained his county cap, playing three-quarter for Yorkshire. Later he became a member of the Committee of Wakefield Trinity and was vice-chairman in 1921. He leaves a widow and one son.

SIR RICHARD CLIFFORD TUTE

The death occurred suddenly and unexpectedly of Sir Richard Tute (St. Peter's, 1889-93) at the Victoria Club, St. Helier, Jersey, on 27th February, 1950. He had but recently returned from the Bahamas, where, from 1932 to 1939, he had been Chief Justice. He was the inventor of the Tute ranging protractor for artillery. BIRTH MILLER—On 10th May, 1950, at Kenilworth, Blackburn Road,

Brighouse, to Margaret Joyce (nee Webster), wife of R. L. Miller, a daughter, Carolyn Leslie. [1935-43.]

MARRIAGES EASTWOOD—SCOTT.—On 24th February, 1950, in London,

Major Boris James Eastwood, M.B.E., R.A.S.C., of London, W.1, to Junior Comd. Edith Livingstone Scott, W.R.A.C., of 105 East

Claremont Street, Edinburgh, 7. [1930-36.] DODGSON—DAVISON.--On 24th May, Gilbert Michael Dodgson, of London, to Miss Mary Catherine Alicia Davison, of Eastfield,

Dringhouses, York. [1941-47.]

OLD PETERITE SQUARES AND TIES

The St. Peter's School Shop ask us to draw the attention of O.P.s to the fact that O.P. squares and ties can be supplied at 15/- and 5/ respectively, and will be sent on receipt of the price, plus 3d. posta Orders should be addressed to A. T. Howat, at the School.

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE LETTERS OXFORD. May, 195

Dear Sirs,

The Hilary Term is perhaps more harassing than any other; emerges from the aftermath of Christmas and the New Year w i startling rapidity; the undergraduate greets it with jaundiced eye, b before he can utter a word in protest he is plunged into a spate

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activities. The rowing men perform the contortions known as Torpids, or -Toggers" in the vernacular, whilst the inter-college knock-out competitions, or "Cappers", are played off by their respective partisans with no little enthusiasm.

Those with Schools looming ahead in June gaze out of their windows at the rain, which usually falls in truly Mancunian proportions, and return to their books secure in the knowledge that there is little to seduce them from their self-imposed shells.

We feel it incumbent on us to refute a recent article in the press purporting to explain why Cambridge had been more successful in the Boat Race for the past few years. It was based on the extraordinary argument that Cambridge men, predominantly scientists, were more active than those at Oxford, the majority of whom read the Arts, and were ipso facto distinctly idle. This is obviously part of some dark plot engineered by "the other place" to discredit us, and should be treated with hearty contempt.

Various O.P.s have attempted to erect an "Iron Curtain" between their dubious activities and our enquiries. However, a modicum of information has been elicited from them and is presented for your disapproval.

Teddy Denison (B.N.C.) has once more transferred his abode. Claims to have spent the term completely immersed in Law. Muttered a few dark hints about a "break-out" in the last week.

John Rayson (B.N.C.) has been working on the theory that if he satisfies his tutor this term he will be able to play cricket without let or hindrance next term.

John Oxley-Parker (St. Edmund Hall) plays a recorder with the University Musical Society and a "hot" piano in the Junior Common Room.

Robin Sykes (St. Edmund Hall) was dismayed to find himself in a boat just before Torpids, having proclaimed his intention of turning his back on the river.

Robert Hey (New College) is taking Schools next term and lurks indoors with a huge pile of books, thereby betraying commendable seriousness of purpose.

W. S. Samuels (Wadham) has been observed, on a sunny day, carrying an umbrella through one of the less salubrious districts of the town.

John Denison (Worcester) escaped without a scratch when the taxi in which he was returning to his lodgings after a Bump supper crashed and turned over.

Geoffrey Mountain (Wycliffe Hall) played hockey for the Hall. An authority on the ancient Universities and the City of Birmingham.

M. R. Waddingham (Pembroke) seems to frequent trains, is taking Schools this summer.

Peter Andrew (Keble) captained his College hockey team. Spends his time in the laboratories following the pleasant occupation of glassblowing.

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