House Notes

Temple: R. T. CLARK, R. DUNWELL, J. C. M. HERRING, P. G. TAYLO R

D. K. TIMMS, C. M. WARD.

GAMES CAPTAINS : Captain of Rugger: P. G. TAYLOR. Captain of Hockey: J. E. FAWCETT. Captain of Boats: C. W. THOMPSON. Captain of Shooting: J. B. WEIGHTMAN. Captain of Squash: M. J. WOOD. Captain of Fencing: J. G. HUMBLE.

EDITORS OF "THE PETEPdT :

R. D. WHEATLEY, P. G. TAYLOR, C. K. SMITH, M. J. QUARMBY

T. A. FOY.

THE GROVE

For an Easter Term the weather has been unusually good; we have, however, had our share of "flu" during the occasional bad spells, especially amongst the junior members of the House. As usual, the term has been a busy one with much to do in the little time available, and, as always, The Grove played a prominent part in all School activities.

The Grove "scientists" had no sonner returned when they were called upon to give an evening's entertainment at the Science Society. The lectures, given by R. Shepherd, P. L. Bardgett and R. F. Scales, proved a very enjoyable evening for all members.

The work of the House has continued to flourish, and many points were obtained towards the Work Cup by members of the fourth forms and below, though the results of the trial exams. were somewhat disappointing.

Several members of the House performed in the Concert held at the end of term, and we would especially like to congratulate R. Shepherd, W. B. Hawkins, and E. H. Turner on their individual performances. 4

The House chess team were unfortunate to be drawn against Temple in the first round of the Inter-House competition, and they were narrowly beaten 3-2.

The boaters followed what seems now a tradition of watching the honours go to another House, but this lack of success was in no manner due to lack of effort. Squash, however, has never been stronger in the House, the Squash Cup easily being retained for .10

another year. N. J. Magson and W. G. A. Maxwell won the Junior and Intermediate competitions respectively, and the runners-up in all three competitions were members of The Grove. M. J. Wood captained a successful School team and W. G. A. Maxwell and G. B. Pullan also played. The only Grove representative in the shooting team was T. A. Foy, and we would like to congratulate him on the award of his colours.

One of the main features of the School 1st XI this year was its effective forward line, and as four of the five were from The Grove we feel that the House has no little share in the success of the team. G. B. Pullan and M. J. Wood were awarded caps, and W. G. A. Maxwell and C. 1 M. C. Burdass, colours.

Under the inspiring captaincy of C. M. C. Burdass nearly all the House spent an energetic last three weeks of term scraping together as many points as possible towards the Athletics Shield. On Sports Day, however, we found that both Rise and Temple were too strong for us, and in spite of creditable performances by W. G. A. Maxwell and ID. P. Huger, we could only finish third.

C. M. C. Burdass is to be congratulated on his appointment as a House Monitor during the term.

THE MANOR

The Easter Term is always one of vigorous athletic activities, but it seemed impossible at the beginning of this term that The Manor could play any effective part in them. At the first assembly, many members of the House looked much the worse for wear. Was it the effect of a happy Christmas or the thought of the new term? Subsequent events, however, proved that first impressions cannot be trusted.

As expected, we again completed the boating double by winning the senior and junior divisions. We were extremely lucky in having the same oarsmen in the senior boat as last year; only the cox needed training. Apparently his education had been slightly neglected, as he tended to lapse into his own idea of how many ten strokes were. Both crews were quite apprehensive before the races in view of the disgrace if they were beaten, the senior crew keeping their eyes on the Temple boat especially. In the final of the senior division we did meet Temple, but, alter a good race, we won by about two lengths. The 2nd crew beat The Rise comfortably in the junior division final.

The cross-country came and went, resulting in eight hobbling members about the House, and the loss of the Cross-country Plate. We have no regrets in losing it, as we did come second, and Temple's team were really good. We must congratulate Humble and Elston

on coming 2nd and 3rd respectively in the race—not a bad performance at all. Elston was awarded his House colours for this and last year's performances. In the Inter-House squash competition we somehow managed to reach the final, but, of course, we had to step down to The Grove then. A. T. Booth got his hockey cap and R. J. De Little his hockey colours for their efforts in the School hockey team. We are pleased, as it shows that the House does have members who do not take boating.

In the athletics the House as a whole was unsuccessful, coming last in the Sports, but Bulmer deserves special mention for his personal successes in the intermediate events.

The Reading Room is now much more efficiently illuminated by strip lighting, which Ford has so kindly given to the House. We appreciate this gift to the full; it really does make all the difference.

There is a vogue among the present generation in the House to work off surplus energy endeavouring to square dance, or something, in the Big Hall. We do not know quite what happens in there, but occasional visits to the School buildings at nights raise qualms as to their safety, since the whole place seems to bounce a good two inches in time to the strains of "The Dashing White Serjeant" or the "Virginia Reel". No doubt next term will reveal a seasonal decline in this "sport", but its popularity is such as to tide it over to next year.

THE RISE

The success of the Easter Term depends largely upon the weather, which normally curtails outdoor activities. However, this year the weather has been kind to us, and we have been able to play our part in all games. The Rise had three members in the 1st Hockey XIReid-Smith, Moore, J. R., and Gudgeon—who are to be congratulated on their colours. Reid-Smith also won his cap for goal-keeping, which caused rumours of a transfer to some First Division club. Lewis, Butterworth, Shaw, Wheatley, Applewhite, and Grainger played for the 2nd XI.

Our first two ventures in search of points for the Oxford Cup met with little success. The squash team lost to School House in the 1st round, despite the victories of Reid-Smith and Moore, J. R. Much enthusiasm and energy was put into the preparations for the crosscountry, and the team, although fourth in the competition, ran well. Wheatley, a fine captain, was most unlucky to fall on the way home, when placed fifth.

The boating crews, which were rather on the light side, lost to the winners in both divisions : The Manor. The senior crew fought hard, but lost in the semi-final. The junior crew reached the final, after 12

a victory over The Grove, and missed their annual catch of crabs. The chess team won their first match since 1947, beating Manor 3-1 in the semi-final. Temple, however, won the final 3-2, after we had given them several shocks; none of their members of the School chess team won.

As usual the last three weeks of term were occupied with standards. The Rise, by a tremendous effort, reached an average of 13.14 per boy, beating the previous School record of 12.96 established in 1950. On Sports Day we only secured first place in three events and the senior relay, but so many other places were gained that Temple, the second House, were unable to cut very far into our lead gained on standards. To celebrate the victory we awarded Butterworth his House colours. Finally, Reid-Smith proved a magnificent captain : he endowed the House with the great spirit which is a necessary armament for all teams in their search for victory.

SCHOOL HOUSE

The Easter Term is well known for its many and diverse activities, and this term has been no exception for the House. In ten brief weeks we have seen the playing fields thronged in turn with rugger, hockey, and athletic enthusiasts, while the river has been the scene of arduous training for the boat races. Indeed, too, a brief period of bad weather added a variety of novel activities in the form of "one minute, please" sessions and the like.

This term we are to congratulate J. M. Holt on his School Monitorship and Nelson and Walton on their House Monitorships. Besides this and the addition of one new boy, Bell, D. J., whom we welcome to the House, there have been no material changes since last term.

As usual the House has been well represented in the hockey teams : Crosskill and Hudson attaining to the 1st XI, while the 2nd XI drew its captain, Walton, and three members, Macpherson, Holmes and Nelson, from our ranks. In the junior rugby XV, too, we played our part, Ruddock and Sharp gaining places, while Mackintosh played at least once. Willstrop was not only chosen for the School squash team, as was Nelson, but also succeeded in winning the senior squash competition, thereby adding a silver cup to his collection. A pleasing augury for the future was the achievement of our cross-country team, young as it is in years and experience, which gained 3rd place in the final assessment. Subsequently Gardner was awarded his senior and Hawat, C. G., his junior House colours.

Despite all the efforts of our rowing coach and captain Gardner, the 1st IV lost to Temple in the 1st round, although the 2nd IV reached the semi-final after beating Temple by two feet. After gaining 2nd place in the athletic standards our comparative weakness 13