Ube Ellesmerian

Vol. LIX. January, 1949 CONTENTS

Editorial Roll of Honour .. John Brunt Painting School Officers School Notes House Notes Chapel Notes Choir Notes Nine Carol Service Junior Carol Service The Play . Organ Recital Lecture. Recital .. Examination Results Ellesmere Fifty Years Ago
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No. 264

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The Seven Club The Ellesmerian Society Lecture - South with Scott The Thespians The Field Club Art Exhi'bitions .. Cambridge Letter Lancing College Centenary Public Schools and Works Camp C.C.F. Notes The Scouts Contributions Rugger Notes Squash Editorial Notes

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Editorial
It is our intention to inscribe the names of those. O.E's who gave their lives in the two world wars ona tablet more dignified than the present memorial boards. Plans are being considered to have a stone memorial tablet placed in the Ante-Chapel. We intend to give full details of the 'scheme in the next issue of THEELLESMERIAN. The scheme proposed does not, of course, supercede the plans already in being for the completion of the War Memorial Chapel. But it is out of the question to think of completing the chapel in the immediate future, mainly because of building difficulties, . partly because so small a portion of the £30,000 required has yet been subscribed. Nevertheless, it is possible now to place the names of the dead on a tablet more worthy than the present boards. To ensure, as far as we are able, that we have a correct list of those O.E's who died, we are printirig below the names at present on the list. If any our readers couId let the School authorities know of any omissions, or corrections, this would be appreciated.

Roll of Honour
1914 - 1918. M. A. Adams, H. M. Adcock, J. L. Allison, J. W. Andrews, J. E. Aston, R.. H. Ballard, J. R. Baron, W. E. Barrs, R. L. Bell, W. Bottomley, J. Bourn, I. D. Boyce, E. R. Breckell, R. L. Breckell, W. M. Bryson, W. S. Burton, H. R. S. Clarke, D. C. B. Cotes, A. Cotterill, E. C. D. Criggan, F. Cross, E. I. Crosthwaite, P. H. Davies, J. Eaton-Shore, H. L. M. Ellis,

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H. H. Fletcher, G. P. Ginders, J. R. Graham, B. V. Greene, W. L. Griffith, C. A. Gurley, N. M. Hughes, J. Huntington, W; J. ·H. Jackson, D. McC. C. Jacob, C. T. C. Jeffreys, D. L. Jenkins, D. H. Jenkins, R. R. Johnson, P. A. Jones, C. S. Jones, M. Keys, J. C. Lee, F. P. M. Leonard, H. P. Lever, G. F. H. Lloyd, St. G. O. Lloyd, G. G. Lomas, W. H. Lomas, N. Lyon-Mackenzie, D. H. G. J. Manley, P. J. Martin, J. McKinlay, E. S. Murby, T. S. Nash, F. A. Ninis, M. Ogden, H. M. A. Olphert, E. Outram, E. I. Owen, R. Packer, G. A. Park, P. Parker, C. P. Parkes, G. W. O. S. Patterson, F. T. C. Payton, G. H. Peacock, E. Perrin, R. P. Powell, C. G. Powell, C. E. Preece, C. H. Ramsell, G. Ranson, S. L. Revett, G. C. Reynolds, W. L. B. Richards, H. S. Roberts, J. Robertson, T. H. Robins, A. H. Rogers, H. W. H. Rudge, R. E. Rumsey, E. B. Schofield, H. H. Shearman, W. F. W. Shields, J. S. M. Shingler, D. A. Simpson, R. L. Skinner, G. R. V. Slater, P. S. Smith, D. Mc. Q. Smith, W. Stringer, B. H. Todd, A. J. T Topham, G. Warburton, P. B. Watts, F. W. White, R. P. Whittington-Ince, R. H. Wilberforce-Bell, F. A. Wilkinson, L. Wilson, W. C. Wilson, C. R. Wiltshire, J. F. Woodall, H. R. Worsley, T. G. Worthington, G. D. Young, Former Members of the Staff: H. R. Curtis, H. Curtis, R. W. Elverson, H. Moore. 1939 - 1946. E. A. Jelley, J. Casweli, R. Ambrose, D. R. B. Evans, K. E. Lovekin, E. F. Duncan, P. W. Jeffrey, M. F. Suckling, A. J. A. Llewellin, E. H. Parker, G. R. Bell, G. N. Higham, H. K. Lonsdale, S. R. M. Pugh, K. J. Pierpoint, P. F. Falwasser, J. N. Hickson, J. C. Carver, D. B. Yates, W. S. M. Hartley, W. M. Arkinstall, F. Dawson, J. W. Suart, J. R. Eyton-Morgan, T. K. B. Smith, E. F. Evans, S. C. Preston, F. B. Shaw, J. B. W. George, J. R. Taylor, P. N. Dobie, W. H. R. Young, G. F. Hopewell, D. P. Martin, E. A. M. White, R. Hilton, J. H. C. Brunt, J. McL. Rowlands, J. T. C. Hazledine, F. H. Koretz, R. V. Riley, G. T. Tustain, C. R.. Felton, G. B. Johnson, G. P. Thomas, R. Tomlinson, D. H. Kealey, J. C. Naylor, R. Tomlinson, J. E. Ford, J. C. Rea, JOHN HENRY COUND BRUNT V.C., M.C. A portrait of John Brunt has been painted and presented to the School by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Brunt, of Paddock Wood, Kent. This excellent likeness, now hanging by F'Ounder's Gate, is a constant reminder to us of his memory, so delightful as a boy, so memorable as a soldier. We are most grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Brunt for their kindly thoughts and generosity. Reference is made in the O.E. Chronicle to the memorial to be placed in Lincoln Cathedral by the Officers and Men of his Regiment.

School
Captain of School Prefect of Chapel Prefect 'OfHall School Prefects Captain of Rugger Captain of Squash Captain of Shooting Sacristan Librarians :

Officers

T. C. Hughes. D. E. Roberts. K. J. Crane. R. D. Viney, R. E. Farmer. K. J. Crane. R. D. Viney. D. G. Howells. R. V. Haygarth. R. E. Farmer, J. R. Williams, W. J. Walker, R. M. Jeffs, M. C. Cockin, J. M. Savage. C.S.M W. P. Howells. Secretary of Seven Club J. F. Lyle. Secretary of Rugger R. V. Haygarth. Secretaries of Ellesmerian Society J. F. Lyle, D. Q. Miller. Secretary of Thespians : .. J. F. Lyle.

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School

Notes

Mr. G. G. P. Thompson left the School at the end of the summer term. His boundless vitality arid never-ceasing enthusiasm for every activity in our lives made him most popular, and it is safe to say that he will long be remembered by those whom he taught French, Football and Cricket; and by his colleagues in the Common Room, where his vitality and fresh approach to life were always appreciated. Mr. G. Usherwood also left after but a year's stay. His work, notably with the J.T.C. Signals Section, was of great value. To both these gentlemen we offer mush happiness in their future careers. In their places we welcome Mr. W. A. V. Ireland, B.A. Cantab., L.-es-Geneve, whose vast experience includes service at Michaelhouse, Natal, Stowe, Eton and the B.B.C., where he held a most responsible post;: and Mr. Smith, B.A Oxon, whose work in the classroom, the J.T.C., and many other school activities has already made its mark. Lists of those who have already subscribed to the Chapel Completion War Memorial Fund and the John Brunt, V.C., M.C., Memorial Fund will be pubUshed in the next issue of 'I'm: ELLESMERIAN. The Armistice Day Observance Service at ,school was marked by a short, simple and impressive service in Ante-Chapel, held before 11 o'clock a.m. on November 7th, 1948. C.S.M. P. Howells placed the wreath of poppies at the foot of the War Memorial Board. The Provost and Fellows of the Midland Division held their meeting this term at Ellesmere. They met in the Library and lunched in Hall. Several Fellows visited the School during the term: the Provost, the Bursar, the Venerable the Earl of Cavan, Sir Offley Wakeman and Lord Kilcoursie.The last named and Lady Kilcoursie were present at the Service of Nine Carols. It was with much pleasure that we welcomed the visit of the Bishop of Auckland, O.E., who was at Ellesmere· fifty years ago. He was in England for the Lambeth Conference. He has written some notes for the O.E. Chronicle published in this issue. Reference to his sermon is made in the Chapel Notes. Many O.E's will have heard with regret that Serjeant Cross has been seriously ill. He has made a good recovery and was in his usual place In the Lodge and Tuck Shop during the term. Hewitson, too, was off duty for a spell, though he defies the years with indomitable humour. On the afternoon of Remembrance Day the School was represented by the J.T.C., the Scouts, the Cubs, and many members of. the Common Room at the impressive service held in the Parish Church. The Church was packed more closely than it had been for nearly forty years. Mr. Bayly was largely responsible for the excellent. arrangements made for the procession to and from the church, and his Band were smart beyond the ordinary. The Headmaster and the Chaplain took part in taking the service, and the School Choir sang beaUtifully the two unaccompanied anthems.

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House

Notes

MEYNELL HOUSE. Captain of House R. D. Viney <School Prefect). Vice-Captain of House ........•....... T. G. Archer. House Prefects J. M. Leech, A. M. Tasker, J. R. Williams. Senior House Colours .. The Prefects and R. G. James. Captain of Junior Dormitory B. M. Nichols. Captain of Juniors B. M. Nichols. Junior House Colours B. M. Nichols, J. R. Moss. Perhaps the most outstanding event of the Term has been the New Look which has been given to the Dayroom. After waiting a very long time for it to be redecorated, the House decided to do the job itself. Walls received new coats of paint, and the furniture, placed by tradition, has been moved to give more space for the various activities. The Room is pleasant to live in, and we all wonder why we did not do the work before. To Jones iii we owe a very great debt. In old overalls he has spent many happy hours painting: although there have been many helpers, he has been the chief Decorator. Tasker, also, whose charge the Dayroom is, has spent a great deal of time in improving the Room. The Senior Rugger Matches attracted as much attention as ever. We beat Wakeman by 9 points to nil in the Semi-Final; Parsonage scored two tries and kicked a penalty goal; in the final we beat Woodard by 9 points also, Parsonage, Tasker and Samuel each scoring one try. Both matches showed a good standard of Rugger, though the first was remarkable for the record number of penalty kicks awarded-23 before half-time-evenly divided, however! In the Junior Match we lost to Wakeman by one try in the second half after a hard forwards' game. Some of the smaller Juniors played very pluckily, especially those to whom the game was almost new. We congratulate the following on their appointments and achievements of the Term: Viney for being made House Captain and a School Prefect; Williams i for being made a House Prefect. Williams and James were given Senior House Colours, and Nichols and Moss Junior House Colours. Parsonage, Crossman, Kingston I and Ivey gained lst XV Colours; Tasker and James 2nd XV Colours; Nichols and Taylor v gained Colts' Colours; Samuel and Pearson played regularly for the 2nd XV, and Harrop, Suckling, Squire i and Simcock played in the Colts. After holding the Squash Cup for six years we lost it to Wakeman this term. Lastly, after some years' absence, the All-Round Cup has come to us from Wakeman -by two points. Various boys have played prominent parts in other ways: Winehester and Cockin have played on the organ before the Shrewsbury Organists' Association, and after Evening Services; Winchester plays regularly for Junior School Chapel in the mornings. Vahey once again is takirig the part of the Leading Lady in the School Play. We are grateful to Cockin and the other Librarians for spending so much time on the Library, arranging, checking and repairing. It is never an easy task, and they have done the work well. Cockin leaves us at the end of the Term, and we shall miss him in the House and Choir; he goes to be articled to a Solicitor. James i also leaves, and he will probably be in the Army soon. We send our good wishes with both of them. We welcome this Term to the House Coates, Black, Squire Ii, Lay, Mee and (fordon. Towards the end of the Term a House Party was held in the Dayroom, to which the Headmaster and. other members of the Staff were invited. Kind parents contributed supplies,and everyone enjoyed himself greatly. Songs were sung by different groups of

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boys, quite unrehearsed, and with some tunefulness; finally, carols were sung with fervour, and the party broke up. Several Old Beys have visited us this Term, Lumley-Davies, Browne iv, Towers ii and iv, the two. Webbs, Thernten, Royston and Heald Martindale. Lumley-Davies is selling cars at fantastic prices; Brewne in the Merchant Navy has been to. Australia since he was here last; Tewers iv, in the R.A.E.C., is coaching young soldiers fer Army Examinatiens-in every subject except Mathematics! Tewers ii, Martindale, Heals and the Webbs· are in various businesses in Ldverpool or Manchester; Thornten is .still at the War Office, Reysten is a future Lawyer. Ellis iv writes frequently: he is undergoing a Sergeant-Instructors' Course in the R.A.E.C.; Greenwood writes that he s going to. the H.M.S. Royal Arthur Training School in December. Finally, we wish to remember and be remembered by all Old Beys, hoping that they will spare the time and the petrol, either colour, to visit us whenever they can.

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TALBOT HOUSE.

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Captain of House (Prefect of Chapel) .. D. E. R'Oberts. House Prefects W. J. Walker, D. Q. Miller. Captain of Senior Rugger D. E. Roberts. Captain of House Squash R. Jones. Senior House Colours .... D. E. Roberts, W. J. Walker, I. G. Clarke. Captain of Junior Dormitory J. M. Scarratt. Captain of Junior Rugger J. M. Searratt. Junior House Colours .... A. T. Bryant, J. M. Scarratt, . J. Rees, R. Wynne-Jones. The loss of most of last Term's House Prefects, as well as a large number of keen seniors, at the end 'Of the School year, meant that we began this Term with a young House, but with a welcome influx of many new boys, including the biggest entry from our own Junior School which we have ever had. Of last Term's stalwarts, M. H. Lea is now a medical student at Edinburgh University, and P. Garmon Jones pursues similar studies at St. Mary's Hospital, London, where he was awarded a scholarship. W. B. Hartley has been rejected by the Army Medical Authorities, and is hoping to go up to Cambridge next year. The results of the July examination brought pleasant rewards for the labours <ifmost; but some, alas, were brought to face cruel facts. This Term D. E. Roberts has been a regular member of the First Fifteen in so far as various injuries to his legs would allow; while W. J. Walker and R. Jones have played keenly for the Second Fifteen, although Jones had the misfortune to fracture a wrist. C. West and J. M. Scarratt have played for the highly successful Colts' Fifteen. Our House Teams fought well against W'Oodard in both the Junior and Senior House Matches in the first round, the Junior game being particularly hard, but in both we had to acknowledge our superiors in the Rugger field. The same applied to our Squash Team. The House Dayroom has again undergone some re-arrangements which we feel are also improvements. Two more pictures have been added to the Talbot Art Gallery, while the Book-binding Squad have done more valuable work. A leading figure in all maintenance work has been D. Lea, but he leaves us this Term to take up farming. W. J. Walker will be much missed at the top of the House-he goes into his father's business-while I. G. Clarke goes to a Sea Training Course. To them and to C. J. Edwards, who leaves also, we extend our best wishes and hopes for success. At the time of writing the end of the Christmas Term draws rapidly near-the Old Boys' Match, the Carol Service, the Play: all the old familiar and yet ever fresh activities of Ellesmere at this season which seem to arouse so many nostalgic memories. By the time these notes reach you it will be 1949, and may it prove a good year for all BLUES, past and present! VALETE. W. J. WALKER.-Came September, 1944, left December, 1948. 2nd XV Colours in 1948. House Prefect in Summer Term, 1948. Thespian Society. Seven Club. "Hole in the Corner Red." Captain House Swimming in 1948. Vice-Captain of House. School Play, 1948.

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1949.

THE ELLESMERIAN
WAKEMAN HOUSE.

Captain of House .. T. C. Hughes (Captain of School), Vice-Captain of House .. R. E. Farmer (School Prefect). House Prefects J. M. Anderson, W. P. Howells, J. M. Jones, R. Mautner, D. G. Howells. House Colours T. C. Hughes,-W. P. Howells, J. M. Anderson, R. E. Farmer, J. M. Jones. Oaptain of Junior Dormitory P. D. Wilson. Captain of Juniors B. L. Koetser. Junior House Colours .. B .L. Koetser, A. N. Cook, P. L. Clarke, G. C. Davies, J. D. S. Bailey, P. E. Bevin. SUMMER TERM. If THE ELLESMERIAN had not gone to press a fortnight before the end of the Summer Term, our House Notes would have looked a little more imposing. In the last fortnight of the Term we won the J.T.C. Drill Cup, the Junior and Senior Tennis Cups, the Shooting Cup, and became runners-up to the Reds in the Water Polo and Swimming Cups, an excellent finale to a highly successful year. The J.T.C. Drill Oompetition was held four days after a Field Day, consequently the : smart turn-out and efficient bearing of the house platoon must be commented on.' Our thanks for this are in no small way rendered to. Rogerson, whose stentorian bellowings would have made the most brassy sergeant-major envious. On the tennis courts we made up for our deficiencies in 'recent years. G. D. E. Chaloner and N. Rogerson gained for us the Senior Tennis Cup after beating Woodard and Meynell; G. C. Davies and P. W. Leaney won the Junior Competition by beating Talbot and Woodard. In both the Swimming and Water Polo Cups we were-runners-up to the Reds, but our shooting team scored an unbelievable number of points and regained the cup. Our belated congratulations go to R. B. Cole for gaining his 1st XI Cricket Colours, to P. D. Wilson for his 2nd Xl Colours, and to P. A. Brown f-or his Colts' Colours. WINTER TERM. This has been a Term of considerable effort and not inconsiderable success. Although we lost the first round of the Senior Rugger Cup to the Reds, after a game in which we modestly affirm we did not disgrace ourselves, we won the Junior Cup after two excellent battles royal with the Reds and the Violets. Bailey must be congratulated on seoring the winning try in both games, but to mention any other individual would be a mistake; the whole team, and especially the small pack, played with a determination and spirit that was a joy to all beholders, and boded well for the future. We are well represented in the various School teams: J. M. Anderson, T. C. Hughes . and W. P. Howells are in the 1st XV; J. M. Jones, J. Hibbert, J. R. C. Roberts, D. G. Howells, R. Mautner and C. P. Morgan render yeoman service to the 2nd XV, and we 'have a formidable number in the Colts, Individual bouquets must be handed to J. M. Anderson and T. C. Hughes for their 1st XV Colours to W. P. Howells and J. Hibbert for their 2nd XV Colours, and to Leaney, Wilson, Bailey, Koetser and Nankivell for their Colts' Colours. Away from the sports field we have had an interesting Term. The Dayroom has been made more luxurious by the addition of some new furnitUre, even the ping-pong table has been repained-we bade a reluctant farewell to the crooked white line in the middle of the table, that 'has so often confused other houses in table tennis competitions.

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We adopted a leper, guaranteeing to pay £5 every year to cure him from this terrible disease. Mr. Jackson kept us well informed of his progress by a series of mysterious notices on the board, and the leper has now become affectionately known to everybody under the name of Buluku Clarke. He ill a native of Nigeria. J. M. Anderson has successfully undertaken the job of treasurer in this scheme and has raised over £10; howevervwe still have another £5 to raise. While congratulating Tom Hughes, our Captain of House, on his appointment as Captain of School, we bid him farewell as he goes to join the Army; Jones vii and Parkes are also leaving us; we wish them all good luck and God-speed in the future. VALETE. T. C. HUGHES (Wakeman), 1939-48. Captain of School 1948. Captain of House 1948. House Prefect 1947. House Colours 1947. Higher School Certificate 1948. School Certificate 1946. Seven Club 1947-48. 1st XV Rugby 1947-48. 1st XV Colours 1948. 2nd XV Colours 1947. 2nd XI Hockey 1948. J.T.C. Certificate" A" 1947. Corporal 1948. Shakespearian Society 1947-48. School Choir 1943-48.

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THE ELLESMERIAN
WOODARD HOUSE. Captain of House House Prefects

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K. J. Crane (Prefect of Ham. R. V. Haygarth, D. Pritchard, W. P. Jolley, P. G. Harries. House Colours K. J. Crane, R. V. Haygarth, D. Pritchard, C. W. Moncriefi'. Captain of Rugger K.J. Crane. Captain of Juniors V. Barnett. Captain of Junior Dormitory R. J. H. Whalley. Junior House Colours V. Barnett, G. Leech, . F. D. Godbert, A. S. Moore. We welcomed this Term Evans ii, Rogers iii, Higson, Rucker, Sumner, Hilton, Lymer, Jones xiii, James ii and Davies iv. Our Senior Rugger team contained four members of the First XV, five of the Second XV and three Colts. Of these, K. J. Crane is a first XV Full Colour and captain of the First XV, Haygarth (captain of the Second XV), Pritchard, Wallace and Poston are Second XV Colours, and Hartley (captain of the Colts), Leech and Whalley are Colts' Colours. In the House Match Semi-Finals we easily beat Talbot by 44 points to five, 'but in the Final were defeated 9-0 by Meynell after a hard struggle. The Juniors beat Talbot 3-D in the SemiFinals, but narrowly lost the 'Cup to Wakeman 5-3. We congratulate W. P. Jolley and P. G. Harries on their appointment as House Prefects, also Haygarth, Pritchard and Moncrief! on gaining their House Colours; and Leech, Godbert and Moore their Junior House Colours. In the first tie of the House Squash Matches we were unlucky to lose to.Meynell 2 sets to 1; in the second tie we were defeated 3-D ,by Wakeman. by

Corps interest is centred around Cert, "A," for which we have a number of candidates. R. V. Haygarth was, at the beginning of the Term, promoted to the rank of C.Q.M.S. Late in the Term we would like to congratulate M. A. Wallace on gaining his First XV Colours, P. G. Harries his Second XV Colours, and Nicolson his Colts' Colours.

VALETE. C. W. Mo;NCRIEFF (1944-1948), Colts' Cricket Team 1946. Coolts' Cricket Colours 1946. Junior House Colours 1946. School Certificate 1947. Second XI Cricket 1948. Second XV Rugger 194'8. J.T.C. Band. Shakespearian Society 1947-48. House Colours 1948. Certificate " A" 1948. C. TAYLOR (1944-1948). Under 13.6 Football Team 1944. School Choir 1945-47. Under 13.6 Cricket Team .1945. Junior House Colours 1947. Captain of Juniors 1947. Colts' Cricket Team 1947. SchooJ. Certificate 1948. Certificate" A" 1948. N. A. HARTLEY (1946-1948). Colts' Rugger Team 1946. J.T.C. Camp 1947. Colts' Hugger Colours 1947. Captain 1948. Junior House Colours 1947. School Certificate 1948.

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dUN lOR HOUSE.

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Head Monitor: D. M. Hannah. Monitors: C. E. Nash, J. M. Turner ii, W. J. Ellis i, H. G. Morgan iv, M. U. Newbold. Captain of Junior XI: J. M. Turner ii. Inter-Team Football Cup: Normans. All-Round Cup: Normans. H,ouse Colours: D. M. Hannah, C. E. Nash, J. M. Turner ii. Our digestion was somewhat exercised at the beginning of Term by the absorption of 31 new boys, but after a few weeks we felt that we had accomplished the task. We have had a considerable amount of practice in the digestive art, and our gargantuan appetite seems insatiable. We are very grateful to Mrs. E. Judson for so kindly presenting us with a cup to be held by the successful football team in the Michaelmas Term and by the winning Cricket Team in the Summer. The Junior XI has had a very satisfactory Term and has won most of the matches.

During the Term House Colours were presented to Nash and Turner ii, to whom we offer our congratulations. At the end of Term we lose Miss Evans, and wish her the very best of luck in her new post at Oxford.

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Chapel

Notes

At the beginning of this Term it was our privilege to welcome to the Chapel the Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Auckland, an O.E. who had not re-visited the School for some 50 years. What he said concerning his indebtedness to the School and the Chapel was so simple and unaffected that it cannot fail to have caught the attention of the most thoughtless. On the second Sunday of the Term we kept the Feast of the Dedication of the Chapel, and the Sunday following was our thanksgiving for the Harvest, when the Rev. G. S. Lloyd, the recently inducted Vicar of Ellesmere, preached, not we hope, for the last time. On October 31st the First Evensong of All Saints' was sung solemnly, and followed by a Te Deum, and on November 7th the clergy and choir took part,according to custom, in the Remembrance Day service in the parish church. The Term ended with the service of Nine Lessons and Carols, carried out with ceremonial that has become traditional at Ellesmere. Other visitors to the Chapel have included the Rev. Guy Furnivall (Chaplain of Shrewsbury), the Rev. R. H. Redfern (Missions to Seamen), the Rev. W. V. G. Griffiths (Rector of Hodnet), and the Rev. Philip Speight, C.R. Not only is Fr. Speight an old friend of the School, but he has recently been appointed to us as the representative of the Central Advisory Council of Training for the Ministry, for the purpose of advising boys contemplating Ordination, and assisting the Chaplain in their care. This appointment will perhaps give us a welcome excuse for seeing more of Fr. Speight. There has recently been found the first Chapel cash-book and service register, which contains interesting details of the earliest days of the Chapel. The fl:rst Celebration of Holy Communion was on S. Oswald's Day (August 5th), 1884,when the collection was £657 9s. 3d. The entry reads:-" Dedication of S. Oswald's College on August -5th and Celebration of Holy Communion by Bp. of Lichfield, the Visitor: Preacher the Dean of S. Paul; Assisting prelates, the Bps. of Hereford and Chester and Bp. Mitchinson, in the presence of the Founder of S. Nicolas College, the Provost and Fellows of Denstone, the Fellows of Lancing, and the Masters of S. Oswald's and S. Augustine's, Dewsbury. Celebration at 9 a.m. Dedication and Sermon at 12.30." The first Celebration for which the numbers of Communicants are recorded is S. Matthew'·s Day, 1884 (September 21st), when there were 9. The first Baptism was on April 4th, 1884, when .. in the temporary Chapel of S. Oswald's College, Ellesmere, in the presence of the whole school, Pryce Edward Hughes, of Stoke Castle Farm, Craven Arms," was baptised. On Whit-Tuesday of the same year we read: "First Confirmation held by the Bp. of Lichfield in S. Oswald's Chapel. 31 boys and 4 maid servants confirmed after preparation by Rev. H. Poole King." The following year 51 boys were confirmed, together with" six lads from Ellesmere." On July 14th, 1887,is the following sad entry:.. On the evening of this day Almighty God in his Providence took to Himself the soul of his servant Henry Hauks aged 17 by a sudden call to him when bathing in the White Mere. The following night his body was removed into the Chapel, where . it remained during a celebration of the Holy Comn. on the following morning, attended by the whole school and College-and about 11 a.m. was carried thence to the parents' home at Prees. The hearse that bore the remains was preceded by the school, the members of the Foundation, Masters and Chaplain and the Provost walking before the Cross, which was carried immediately in front of the deceased. The funeral at Prees was attended by the Chaplain, the Rev. W. Back, and Hibbert, Captain of the school, who carried with them many memorial wreaths from S. Oswald's to be laid in the grave of one who was affectionately remembered. At the Inquest held in the college on the 15th a verdict of accidental death by drowning was returned." There are many other details of interest to members of the School, past and present, to be gathered -from this book, but space forbids further quotation. S.C.

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To say that If Choir activities have proceeded much the same as usual this Term" would be true; but it would not be complete, for we have achieved many 14gh levels of perfor.mance, and there have been a number of memorable occasions. The beginning of Term saw us faced with the situation not uncommon at the beginning of the Michaelmas Termtreble voices broken during the non-singing period of the Summer Holidays, and other experienced voices having left us. However, we were fortUnate enough to be able to settle down almost immediately, otherwise we could never have attempted an anthem of the magnitude of Charles Wood's "0 Thou the Central Orb" on the first Sunday of Term, in addition to other new music at which we were working. Since then, we have gathered strength every day. We welcome to the trebles J. C. Grant (a newcomer), W. H. A. Brown, J. Byrd, M. J. Hele, B. H. Keenan, and D. J. Latham (all from the Probations); to the altos, J. M. Savage and N. H. Sharpe: and to the basses, R. W. Thomas, B. Done. G. C. Davies and J. Rees have gone into" retirement "-temporarily only, we hope. M. A. Doughty has led the trebles all the Term with confidence and skill. K. M. Lees and J. Jeffrey have proved themselves reliable leaders of the Cantoris side on occasions when divided treble parts occur, and they were strengthened later in the Term by the addition of C. D. Morgan. Soloists this Term have been M. A. Doughty, A. S. Moore and C. D. Morgan (treble); M. C. Cockin (alto), J. M. Anderson and J. P. Parsonage (tenor) and F. H. Brown (bas's). During the first four days of Term we again repeated the achievement of learning a new Eucharist setting for the first Sunday of Term-this time, J. Eric Hunt's "Missa Saneti Michaelis et Omnium Angelorum" in E fiat. The following Sunday we revived a setting new to all the present choir-Parry's Evening Service in D-and a fortnight later a new anthem, Quilter's "Non Nobis Domine," was sung with obvious enjoyment. One of the several high-lights of the Term was Purcell's" Bell" Anthem (If Rejoice in the Lord alway") sung by M. C. Cockin, J. M. Anderson and F. H. Brown. Another, the singing of two unaccompanied anthems in Ellesmere Parish Church on Remembrance Sunday; not a few appreciative comments were heard from members of· the "outside world" on this latter occasion. Within our own community, " And the glory of the Lord," from Handel's" Messiah," thrilled and moved many, as only this inspired work can do. Work for the Carol Service made considerable demands on our practice time, but we tried not to neglect our .. routine" work on this account. It should be a source of considerable satisfaction to know that the 'Choir in no way failed to achieve the high standard of performance and atmosphere of devotion which has characterised this service in the past. This year, one most ambitious piece of music was attempted-Herbert Howell's setting of Frances Chesterton's poem, .. Here is the little door "-and though many may have gone away with the feeling that they would like to hear it again before pronouncing their own judgement as to whether they "liked" it or not, there can be no question that it was superbly sung, and, for very many, succeeded in establishing that impression of "unearthly wonder" which it strives to convey. In a foundation such as ours we have the opportunity of embellishing our services with those devices which it is within our power to offer-be it colourful and impressive ceremonial, or of the best which music can offer. We do not do it for outward show or praise, but offer it to the Glory of God as the best of which we are capable. This makes one feel that the atmosphere of devotion which we strive to create in all our singing cannot be entirely lacking. But we must never forget that the primary duty of the Choir is to lead the singing and saying of the whole congregation at those points in the service wherein all are expected to join. It is with this object in view that we hold our weekly Congregational Practice, and shall continue to do so. By means of this, we were enabled to make a fresh departure from custom on the occasion of the First Evensong of All Saints' .Day, when the whole congregation joined in the singing of Stanford's Te Deum in B fiat. As occasion

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permits in the future we shall hope to attempt more of this type of music, arrangements having been specially made for use at Public Schools such as ours, by C. S. Lang (a former Director of Music at Christ's Hospital) whose Eucharist setting we already use, and which is very popular" with the congregation insofar as they join heartily in its singing as is intended. Incidentally, we were pleased to have a visit from Dr. Lang towards the end of term when he was in the district; several members of the choir had the pleasure of meeting him, and he was most interested in hearing about our Chapel music here, regretting his inability to be present at any of our services on this occasion. We hope we may welcome him at some time in the future. This Term we have to say goodbye to Tom Hughes and Michael Cockin. We shall miss the 'singing of both of them very much, for they have both 'been the kind of chorister with whom it is such a pleasure to work-one who can always 'be relied upon to do his full part, whatever the nature of it may be. We wish them every success in the future in whatever they may undertake. A complete list of the music sung this Term is given below.
U

Anthems.
TTinity XVIII 0 Thou the Central Orb" Trinity XIX Remember now Thy Creator Harvest Festival To Thee 0 Lord our hearts we raise" Harvest XXI Non Nobis Domine" Harvest XXII Seek ye the Lord" (unaccompanied) First Evensong of All Saints How beauteous are their feet" Remembrance Sunday .. Seek ye the Lord" The Souls of the Righteous" (both unaccompanied). (In Ellesmere Parish Church). Trinity XXV Greater Love hath no man" Trinity XXVI Rejoice in the Lord alway" U And the glory of the Lord" (U Messiah ") Advent I U He shall lead, His flock" (U Messiah ") Advent II (Trebles and Altos only).
U U U U U U U U U

Charles Wood Charles Steggall Henry Coleman Roger Quilter Palestrina Stanford Palestrina John Pullein John Ireland Purcell Handel Handel

Eucharist Settings:

Evening Service Settings:

Merbecke. Parry in D. Lang in E flat. Hylton Stewart in A flat. Hunt in E flat. Charles Wood in C. Hunt in F. Arnold in A. Nieholson in D flat. Martin Shaw's Folk Mass. Te Deum in B flat Stanford. 150th Psalm Stanford. Five-part Responses William Smith.

THE FESTIVAL

OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS.

If music in sweet concord sung, and candles dimly burning; if vestments rich and all the symbols of the Cradle in the Manger and of the adoration of the three Kings of the Orient;-~f these have any power at all to move the stony or indifferent heart, then surely it would not be a miracle past all believing or fulfilment, that here in this School-one of many dedicated to the Mother of God and to the Patron Saint of Children and of Scholarsthere should be a handful who, having heard and seen the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, should dare to live the prayer (so sweetly sung) imploring that the Babe Divine make in their hearts a quick well spring," and that peace and goodwill, charity, kindness and all forbearance make sweet as frankincense the life and spirit of this dedicated
U

community.

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and power of the best in man, full of a happy goodness, and revealing" a God-like amity." Yet" she is fair, and, fairer than that word, of wondrous virtues." R. G. Vahey revealed all these qualities, the wit, strength and beauty of Portia's character, spoken faultlessly and effortlessly. In spite of Professor Ridley, who found Shakespeare's Portia rather colourless, Vahey gave warmth and brightness in his performance. The part of Shylock was taken by J. M. Jones. Here was embodied the sordid care for money, the infernal fire of revenge, the lodged hate of Antonio, the deadly logic of a persecuted race, the fixed idea of justice and revenge weighing down even fatherly affection, until at last he departs into a deadful loneliness for 'having overlooked in his bond the blood which he so yearned for from Antonio. Fire, hate, avarice, cringing humility and wronged affection were well presented. The Duke of Venice was magisterially played 'by T. C. Hughes; the Prince of Morocco, with his .. shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun," was dearly taken by J. R. Williams. R. D. Viney gave to the part of the Prince of Arragon the arrogance, affectation and posturing suited to the character; the part of that .. agreeable rattle," Gratiano, whose "lSkippingspirit" never deserts him, was capably played by W. J. Walker; Salanio was played by C. J. G. Hoffman, who was gay, frivolous and sparkling by turns, D. Pritchard and W. P. Howells played Salanio and Salerio with understanding. Lorenzo, half-poet and half-scholar, who helps the heartless minx Jessica to rob her father as one critic has said, was played by K. J. Crane, who looked the part and sighed his amorous vows with feeling. Tubal, that fawning Job's comforter for Shylock, was taken by J. M. Leech. Launcelot Gobbo, the one obviously humorous part in the play, was taken by D. E. Roberts, a Venetian straight from the Shropshire Plain: he suited the part admirably. Old Gobbo, Launcelot's .. high-gravel blind" father, was played by J. R. Moss, who was fretful and fearful in turnonly a blind man would offer doves to Shylock! The 'spirit of peace to the embodiment of Hate!-Leonardo and Stephana were colourful attendants (D. M. I. Paterson and J. M. Savage); Balthazar, Portia's confidential servant, played by J. M. Anderson, sang two of Shakespeare's loveliest songs with clarity and beauty. C. R. Ganz gave vent to an accomplished mimicry in his part of the Clerk of the Court. The parts of the Magnificoes, those Chelsea Pensioners of Venice, were played by N. A. Winchester, J. G. Ivey, P. G. Harries and C. W. Moncrieff-denied speaking parts, they put everything into their entrance and exit!-Nerissa was cleverly taken by M. A. Doughty, who was witty, clear, pert,and mischievous: Jessica was attractively taken by K. M. Lees, D. C. Gregory and P. E. Griffiths were two colourful pages; A. E. Rowland and M. E. Rowland efficiently and silently waited on Morocco; and M. Samuel and P. D. Wilson acted as most superior attendants on Arragon. D. F. Howard and D. G. Twist were imposingly militarily as the Duke's bodyguards; finally C. T. Bonell, C. D. Morgan and K. M. T. Watson, ladies attending Portia, simpered, blushed and fluttered girlishly in the background. A Madrigal was sung during the performance by F. H. Brown, M. C. Cockin, M. A. Doughty, T. C. Hughes, A. S. Moore, C. D. Morgan, J. P. Parsonage and J. M. Savage. We are grateful to those many Electricians, Stage-hands, Make-up artists, and to the Prompter, and to Mr. Brown for giving us such rich scenery. But, above all, we are grateful to Mr. Howard for giving us so much lasting pleasure in this year's production, in which everyone played his part so ably.

RECITAL

OF ORGAN

AND

CHORAL

MUSIC

IN THE COLLEGE

CHAPEL.

On Saturday, November 6th, on the occasion of the visit of the Shrewsbury and District Organists' and Choirmasters' Association, Mr. Lumley, Director of Music, organised two recitals in the College Chapel: the first was devoted to organ music, sacred and secular; the second to sacred choral music, ranging from settings of the Choral Eucharist to anthems and carols. The organ recital was opened by Mr. Lumley's fine renderings of pieces by 18th Century composers-Buxtehude, J. S. Bach and John Stanley. N. A. W. Winchester then played the .. Andante con moto " from Mendelssohn's 5th Organ Sonata, and this rather mellifluous, rambling piece was followed by the rigours of Bach's Prelude and Fugue in

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C. Minor. This, in parts, somewhat overtaxed Winchester's ability to synchronise the pedal with the manuals: but the performance was a tribute to the high standard aimed at. M. C. Codon rose pretty ably to the claims made on his executive and interpretative skill by the "Preludio" from Guilmant's 3rd Organ Sonata in C Minor. It was a most creditable performance for a boy. Mr. Lumley closed the Tecital with Elgar's Fugue from the" Severn Suite," followed by compositions by Ambrose P. Porter, Organist of Lichfield Cathedral, and by Henry Coleman, formerly Organist of Peterborough Cathedral. The organ itself merits a passing word. This three-manual, all-electric instrument with detached console (built by Kinsgate Davidson of London) has a wide range of stops. The volume of tone is at times too great; but the completion of the East End of the Chapel should remedy this. A few notes in some of the registers seem not quite true in pitch and have a tendency to vibrate. The Choir and Choir-Master 'Ofthe College merited-and received-both praise and deep musical appreciation for their recital of sacred choral music. The first part of the recital was confined to what might be termed the routine work of any Cathedral or Collegiate Choir. Very pleasing was Eric Hunt's unaccompanied Communion Service and the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A flat by C. Hylton-Stewart. Ambitious and, on the whole, remarkably successful was the Choir's rendering of the involved polyphony of da Palestrina's" Seek ye the Lord." John Ireland's" Greater Love hath no Man," coming so near the end, found the Choir getting a little bit ragged and perhaps tired. But many of the passages received a studied and sympathetic interpretation. To a perhaps hyper-sensitive ear the Tenors tend to outweigh the other parts and to sing; on occasion, a trifle flat. The basses, 'too, at times, tend to be either too 'boisterous or too hesitant. Among the soloists, J. M. Anderson, with his lyric tenor voice, and M. A.Doughty, with his more ecclesiastical treble, made the deepest impression. Unqualified approval must, however, be given for the clean and clear sin·ging of the two unaccompanied carols with which the choral recital closed. In a short speech afterwards, Mr. Frederick Morris, Conductor of Shrewsbury Orchestral Society, thanked the Headmaster for allowing them to attend these recitals at the College, and paid tribute to the College Choir'S hard work, keen spirit and good singing. As Mr. Morris himself said, one could not fail to be impressed by the obviously enthusiastic co-operation existing between Choir and Choir-Master. Organ Recital. Rex Lumley (Director of Music). N. A. W. Winchester, M. C. Cockin (Organ Pupils). Prelude on the pre-reformation melody" Come Holy Ghost." D. Buxtehude (1637-1707). Fantasia con Imitazione and Fugue in D major. J. S. Bach (1685-1750). Suite for Organ from Voluntaries by John Stanley (1713-1786). (i) Introduction and Allegro. (ii) Andante rnolto expressive. (iii) Trumpet Voluntary. Andante con moto from 5th Organ Sonata. F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847). Prelude and Fugue in C Minor. J. S. Bach. (Both played by N. A..W. Winchester). Preludio from 3rd Organ Sonata in C Minor. A. Guilmant (1837-1911). (Played by M. C. Coekln), Fugue from the Severn Suite (arranged by Sir Ivor Atkins, Organist, Worcester Cathedral. Edward Elgar (1857-1934). Two Chorale Preludes:(I) On Tallis' .. Ordinal." (ii) On a Chorale. Ambrose P. Porter (Organist, Lichfield Cathedral), Rhapsody on .. Kings Lynn." Henry Coleman (formerly Organist, Peterborough Cathedral).

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7.

8.

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A Recital of Muslo by The College Choir. Unaccompanied Communion Service in F by J. Eric Hunt. (Kyrie, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei only). Unison setting of Creed and-Gloria by C. S. Lang. Kyrie, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei from Communion Service in D flat by Sir Sydney Nicholson. Unaccompanied 5-part Responses by William Smith of Durham-1588. Psalm XCIII to a chant by Gerald H. Knight, Organist of Canterbury Cathedral, and composed for Archbishop Temple's enthronement on April 23rd, 1942. Evening Service in A flat by C. Hylton-Stewart. The words on the anthems which follow appear overleaf. Two unaccompanied Anthems: .. Seek ye the Lord" (Alma Redemptoris Mater). G. P. da Palestrina <1525_:_1594) . .. The Souls of the Righteous." John Pullein. Two accompanied Anthems: .. How beauteous are their feet." C. V. Stanford <1852'-1924). .. Greater Love hath no man." John Ireland (b 1'879). Two Carols: A Carol of Adoration. Edgar Pettman . .. Shepherds in the fields abiding." Old French melody. Soloists:-Treble: M. A. Doughty, A. S. Moore. Tenor: J. M. Anderson. Bass: F. H. Brown.

LECTURE RECI-TAL. We are very much indebted to Miss Dorothy Hogben for her most inspiring and lively lecture on .. How to Enjoy Music." Miss Hogben played works ranging from Scarlatti to Michael Tippett to show the various ways in which simple tunes and other musical ideas can be put together, and pointed out the salient features of some of the music composed during the past two and a half centuries. . In the works of Scarlatti and still more in those of Bach we have the weaving together of two or more tunes played at the same time; this was beautifully illustrated by Scarlatti's .. Cat Fugue," in which the main subject suggests a cat walking along the keys. Bach's G major French Suite brought out the same point, and led naturally to the idea of a composite work (sonata, concerto, etc.), which developed from a collection of simple dances played one after the other, as in these old suites. Miss Hogben contended that those whose chief musical interest is in .. swing," should understand Bach, but this is not everyone's experience. The Scherzo of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata was given as an example of the .. A, B, A" form, which occurs so often, and Miss Hogben also played Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata, Chopin's A flat Polonaise (The" Revolutionary" Polonaise) and his .. One Minute" Waltz, some pieces by Schumann, and a very extraordinary and modern work by Michael Tippett. Perhaps the most universally appreciated of these was the Polonaise, of which we heard a particularly spirited performance, but we enjoyed all the compositions, even the Tippett, in spite of being told that we should probably not do so. There is no doubt that such a lecture as this, so ably illustrated, does help to make us think of music as a positive source of interest, and not merely a pleasant background to conversation-crooning out of a wireless set, and we hope that Miss Dorothy Hogben can be persuaded to speak-and play-to us again.

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Examination

Results

HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATES: G. Ellis, W. B. Hartley, R. V. Haygarth, T. C. Hughes, F. Williams, R. E. Farmer, P. Garmon-Jones, W. P. Jolley, R. G. Matthews, G. C. Sale. SUBSIDIARY: I. G. Clark, N. H. Davies, R. Davies, P. G. Harries, J. Hibbert, C. J. G. Hoffman, R. Mautner, P. Stringer, A. M. Tasker. SCHOOL CERTIFICATE: Bradley, Brigliadori, F. H. Brown, A. A. B. Browne, Bull, Carver, Chaloner, Cockin, Cole, Dodd, Hartley, Hasleton, Holland, Horsman, D. F. Howard, I. C. Howard, D. G. Howells, W. P. Howells, Ivey, James, D. H. Jones, R. D. M. Jones, Lamb, Leech, Long, Low, Miller, Parkes, Parsonage, Parton, Pearson, Pennington, D. E. Roberts, J. R. C. Roberts, Savage, Squire, Taylor, Turner, Twist, Viney. PASSED IN SUPPLEMENTARY SUBJECTS: Carver, Greenwood, Moncrieff.

ELLESMERE FIFTY YEARS AGO. RUGGER.The final of the Dormitory Match resulted in a win for the King Alfred over the Woodard by 75 points to nil. The Staff were defeated by the School XV by the only try. The most striking feature of the game was the series "-of brilliant rushes of the masters' threequarters." C. D. Harvey was Captain of Rugger. STAFF. "Mr. Forster, who has been Science Master and Secretary of the School since 1891,has left ... Mr. G. W. Coventry has been appointed by the Provost to succeed him." [In January, 1898.] "The Provost and Fellows have presented to Mr. Garland on his retirement from the office of sub-custos, a beautifully illuminated address . . . . [introducing] the latest pictures of the College, which will doubtless please Mr. Garland very much." "The Rev. B. R. Hibbert has left St. Oswald's and has gone to work in the Parish of Church Eaton, of which our Provost is Rector. [Tribute was paid to Hibbert's work at Ellesmere in the Speech Day report. Hibbert was to continue to playa great part in the O.E. Club, and has now, in retirement, the same keen interest as he had half a century ago.I "We sincerely regret the departure of Mr. Hare arid Mr. Lea .•.. Mr. Hare (Senior Classics) in the last decade of devoted work ... greatest achievement and his best memorial is the progress made in the levelling of the playing field." [This is the present Top Field.] "The following have been admitted scholars of S.N.C.: A. W. Clegg Whittle, F. N. Harvey, B. Codling." THE DEBATINGOCIETY." ... The President ·stated that some person unknown had S cut out of the Minute Book the rules of the Society . . . Lane proposed and Fearenside seconded "That a heavy vote of censure be passed on the person unknown, who cut out from the Minute Book the rules ... and that if that person is found to be a member ... he be at once ejected from the Society." [This motion was carried nem con., and the Society proceeded forthwith to elect a Serjeant-at-arms.] EASTER DAY. .. ... plain celebrations at 6.45 and 8. Choral Eucharist (Stanier in E flat, mixed with Merbecke) and Gaul's •No parting yonder' was beautifully rendered by four voices as a gradual The celebrant (Rev. B. R. Hibbert) sang the service throughout to festival tones .... The canticles at Solemn Evensong were Dykes in F and the proper Psalms to their Gregorian tones. The anthem, "Thine is the kingdom" (Gaul), was rendered with spirit." ATHLETICS SPORTS. "The Layard Challenge Cup this year fell to the Conqueror [the Blues], King Alfred being second.

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CRICKET. The Captain of School, C. D. Harvey, was also Captain of Cricket. The great Match was against the County. Assisted by three masters and the School professional, the School lost by 86 runs in a high scoring match. King Alfred [Reds] won the Dormitory Cricket Cup. " C. D. Harvey joined the staff in September, 1898." SWIMMING. "47 boys had swum across White Mere during the year." Medals were given to each by the Head Master. THE PLAY; When it was announced that Midsummer-Night's Dream was to be the play, a general feeling of Satisfaction was felt in the minds of all at the choice of a play so admirably suited for representation in a school such as ours [the reasons apparently were that there was no very exacting part and that there were people in the School who could sing music by Mendelssohn "PI>ssibIy the .greatest musical composer that has ever lived."] Eleven columns of criticism followed.

MEMORIES OF FIFTY YEARS AGO.

We are very pleased to have the following brief "essay" of ELlesmere fifty years ago. which the Bishop Of Auckland kindLy wrote just before returning to New Zealand.

To visit the School where one was educated whenever opportunity offers is one of the greatest tributes of loyalty an old boy can pay to the place to which, in all probability, he owes more titan to any other, save the home in which he was born and nurtured. To do this is, not only to renew memories, but also to gain new inspiration. But to do this after an absence from England of thirty-eight years is a privilege greater than words can estimate. It was my privilege to visit Ellesmere on my first return from New Zealand, to which country I went in 1911. To this privilege the Head Master kindly added those ()f assisting in the administration of the Blessed Sacrament and of preaching in the College Chapel. The Editor has asked me to write some reminiscences of my days at the School and I gladly do so. Fifty years ago the School, not the buildings, was the same school it is tod;u'. By that I mean in its ideals, its systems, its worship and its life. This is not to say that'the school has not progressed. But it does mean that the foundations laid in early days were so true that the superstructure built upon them was made possible and insured of stability. The material progress evidenced in the buildings of today, the playing fields, the increased numbers, is testimony, not only to those who have brought these things about, but to those who laid the first foundations. In 1897 there was no Big School, no Head Master's House, no permanent Chapel, no swimming bath, no pavilion. The Dining Hall was divided into two parts, one being used for teaching and one for meals. The temporary Chapel was in the crypt beneath the Dining Hall. The playing fields were being made and we all assisted in the making of them. It is not, however, of the buildings that I would write-it is rather of persons. Of the staff I remember with affection the Head (BevissThompson), the Chaplain, T. E. Stevens, B. a. Hibbert, F. Forster, Dormitory Master of Heywood, - Till, C. H. Lea, and A. W. Davies. Of contemporaries first and foremost, C. D. Penn, then Harvey (now Bishop of CasheD, A. S. Webster, T.e. Whittle, A. W. Tyley, and others too numerous to mention. During a brief visit to Bournemouth I made every effort possible to see Mr. Hibbert and C. D. Penn, but to my regret without avail. For the benefit of O.E's and for present 'boys there is one remembrance of Ellesmere I would stress. It is of the Chapel and its worship and what we were privileged to learn there, and especially the observance ()f Holy Days. It is to the Chapel and the Chaplain that lowe my first realisation of the call to Holy Orders, Though circumstances necessitated my working for seven years in a secular occupation, that first inspiration never left me. All that has since followed in my life had its beginnings there. And this is as it should be no matter what our work in life may be. The lives of O.E's are the real superstructure being built upon the foundations laid by Woodard and those who worked with him; the witness to the world of what Ellesmere and other Woodard Schools stand for, the harvest which each generation is permitted to reap,

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In my distant Diocese in New Zealand there are five schools, and in them I have tried to teach what Ellesmere taught me, and to give to them, feebly it may be, the inspiration which Ellesmere gave to me. IIi this way I hope 'past and present members of the College will feel that the influence of St. Oswald's is extending beyond the old land to the lands beyond the seas. "Pro Patria Dimicans "-the frontiers are not in Britain only, but .wherever Britain's sons may go. In distant missions of the Church there are days of difficulty when doubts assail; to what then do men look for inspiration and courage? To the place where they learnt to be men, and where, as at Ellesmere, they laid the foundations of a life in which God is given the first place. The best days, however, are not in the past but in the future. May we of the past, the boys of today, and the generations yet to come, be worthy of our heritage and hand it on enhanced by our service and by our ltves,

The Seven Club

This Term six new members had to be elected. T. C. Hughes was the only remaining member from last year. On account of his experience, Hughes read the first paper of the term-" James Boswell." It was an interesting paper, showing a good picture of Johnsonian London, and admirably assessing Boswell's genius. Although giving us a glimpse of Boswell's doubtful sallies into the high life of London, Hughes refuted Macauley's opinion of Boswell's character. This provided the basis for the discussion, which, owing to the nature of the subject, was not particularly lively. At the second and last meeting Mr. W. A. V. Ireland spoke 'Onthe B.B.C. Mr. Ireland explained the workings of the B.B.C. to illustrate his many points 'Of view, and left the subject to discussion. The discussion was exceedingly lively, and ranged from com- . mercialism to personal touch, and from jazz to the Third Programme. After a most enjoyably argumentative evening, helped greatly by Mr. Ireland's experience of the B.B.C., the meeting adjourned. Owing to the press of school events, especially the Shakespeare production, the third meeting, which was to have been a paper on .. Witchcraft and the Black Art," by W. J. Walker, was postponed. J. G. LYLE.

The Ellesmerian Society

This Term the Society has been fortunate enough to have as a visitor Admiral Lord Mountevans, who gave a vivid and memorable account of Scott's last expedition to the South Pole. The following elections were made: Secretary, J. F. Lyle; Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. D. Q. Miller; Committee, W. P. Jolley, I. C. Howard, R. G. Vahey, R. V. Haygarth; Editor of Onlooker, J. R. Williams, with J. F. Lyle, W. P. Jolley and C. R. Ganz. The Vice-President is R. E. Farmer. At the first meeting following the elections, on October 2nd, I. C. Howard and F. H. Brown presented a gramophone concert of light music by modern composers. The programme Included Prokofieff's dance, .. Love of Three Oranges"; Sibelius' ..Karelia " Suite; Elgar's" Word of Youth" Suite; and the Suite, "Bergamasque," by Debussy. The following Saturday there was a debate on the motion that .. Patriotism is pernicious and injurious to international relationships." C. W. Moncrieff proposed the motion, seconded by C. R. Ganz, who stressed the point that gallantry in war was based on self-preservation more than patriotism. He said that clearly International goodwill and national pride are incompatible. The motion was opposed by D. Q. Miller and R. G. Vahey,

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who pointed .out that British patriotism had overthrown the enemy. Speeches from the floor were by a large majority in favour of the motion, stressing that the war was instigated by the super-patriotism of Nazi Germany, and pointing out that only by Western Union can we check the power which Communism has gained by abolishing nation. The motion was lost by 27 votes to 31. . _ On the 16th of October there was a play-reading of a play lately revived on stage and screen=-" The Winslow Boy," by Terence Rattigan. We are grateful to the Chaplain for producing the play. Ronnie Winslow was played by P. E. Griffiths; Grace Winslow, his mother, by R. G. Vahey; Arthur Winslow, his father, by W. J. Walker; and Sir Robert Morton, K.C., by J. M. Jones. Other parts were played by C. J. G. Hoffman, M. A. Doughty, J. R. Williams, R. Mautner, J. M. Leech, N. H. Davies and J. M. Savage. D. Q. Miller was Narrator and Stage Manager. The following week the Headmaster kindly gave us a talk on The Classics and National Life," based on a speech by Sir Richard Livingstone. He demonstrated the need for increased study of the Greeks,even in translation. Such a return would benefit us greatly in polities, morals, and philosophy. On the. 13th November, Mr. Lumley, the Director of Music, gave a talk entitled "Meet the Orchestra." Mr. Lumley analysed the orchestra, describing each instrument and group of instruments, and explaining the function in a full orchestra. He illustrated his talk with records, and, in extracts, he showed how great composers have used the various instruments and blended them, and what peculiar effects can be produced by skilful 'Orchestration. Mr. Lumley ended by playing Benjamin Britten's Young People's Guide to the Orchestra." Mr. W. E. H. Smith gave a witty and interesting talk about The History of British Education." He described the function of the various classes of school, and explained the effect of the different Education Acts on them, and especially how the new one will affect the schools, The last meeting of the Term was the visit of Admiral Lord Mountevans, to which the rest of the School was invited. Owing to the number of people absorbed by the Shakespearian Society on Saturday evenings, and concerned in other-end-of-term activities, our season ended earlier than we had planned, but, on the whole, the Term has been a most successful one.
U U U

D. Q. MILLER, J. F. LYLE.

II

SOUTH WITH SCOTT"

U

The School should be much in the debt of Mr. Jackson and the Ellesmerian" Society for inviting so pleasing a lecturer as Admiral Lord Mountevans to speak to the Society and to their·invited guests, the Staff and the Senior School. The Admiral had a subject to relate of absorbing human interest, for no other Arctic or Antartic exploration equals the Scott expedition in drama, courage, disappointment and triumph: the triumph of the spirit of man over material hardship. The part the Admiral played in the expedition was a great one, but he subordinated his own aehievements to describing the central tragedy of his late leader-one of the three greatest men in all aspects he has known. The pictures of the expedition, brilliantly photographed by Ponting, the searching character studies of his colleagues, the intense companionship of the few amidst the vast wastes of snow and ice, the thrills and dangers, the sheer hard work required from all-these were topics which held a packed Big School in a manner not usual. Indeed, the rapt attention of his audience and the quickness with which it appreciated his points, grave and ·gay, was fitting tribute to the excellence of his lecture. His subject was vast; his hour and a half all too little for its fullde'Velopment, but, unhurrfed, quietly; modestly, he unfolded his tale of high heroism, suggesting here, expanding there, to the manifest delight of all. To Mr. Nankivell fell the honour of proposing a vote of thanks. It was rapturously given. Once again, we would like to congratulate the Society on their enterprise in asking the Admiral to come, and our gr~titude in being allowed to hear him speak.

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"The

Thespians"

A number of Sixth Form boys at the beginning of this Term founded a play-reading circle, .. The Thespians" (secretary: J. F. Lyle). Three readings were held when the following plays were read without cuts: "Juno and the Paycock," by Sean O'Casey; .. Outward Bound," by Sutton Vane; and" The Green Pastures," by Marc Conelly. The Thespians were greatly helped in the reading of each of these plays by the active co-operation of a member of the Staff. The Headmaster was good enough to take the leading role in .. Outward Bound," and his interpretation of the Rev. Thomson (the Examiner) was moving and sympathic. Mr. J. J. Millane, in the Irish dramatist's tragedy, played not only the leading part, but also greatly helped the Thespians in his coaching. In" The Green Pastures," banned in this country for more than a quarter of a century, Mr. G. F. Paxon was the guest of honour, and read the role of God. Thanks are due to Mr. Lumley and to Mr. Brown for their loan to the Thespians of armchairs, music discs and a gramophone, and to many other members. of the Staff for their friendly help and co-operation. It is proposed to hold three meetings a Term. Among future readings it is proposed to include representative pieces from the Greek Drama in English translation; as well as plays from the entire field of European Literature.

The

Field Club

This Term only three meeting-s of the Field Club have been held. The first took place on Monday, September 27th, at which the following were elected members: F. H. Brown, A. A. B. Brown, R. B. Cole, K. F. H. Dodd, N. A. Hartley, D. E. Roberts, C. Taylor and W. P. Jolley. The only outdoor meeting was held on Saturday, October 16th, at Bomere Woods, near Shrewsbury, where Mr. Wilson and three members joined the Caradoc and Severn Valley Field Club on a fungus expedition. Many interesting specimens were found, some of which were unidentifiable. Although time was short because of transport difficulties, a good time was had by all. As this was likely to be the only outdoor meeting owing to the lateness of the season, one or two indoor meetings were proposed. At these meetings, matters connected with Natural Science and History would be discussed and debated. It was emphasized that these talks would have to have a strictly practical basis, preferably as an aid to possible excursions during the coming season. The only one of these Indoor meetings to be held this Term took place, by kind permission of Mr. Ireland, in his room, on the 25th November. Mr. Wilson gave a talk on .. Collecting and Preserving Butterflies"; he described several ingenious methods for catching butterflies. After the talk, at question time, several ingenious pieces of information were added by country members. It is to be hoped that this kind of meeting will become a regular part of the Club's programme in following years. At the end of this Term we shall be losing N. A. Hartley and C. Taylor, who are both leaving to become sons of the soil. We all wish them the best of luck and hope that their short stay in the Club may benefit them somewhat in their future careers.

ART EXHIBITIONS. This Term we were pleased to see some of the work of the Royal Masonic Junior School; Bushey.' -- . - ., . , .. : The ages ·of the artists ranged between eight and twelve years. Two notable charcoal drawings were" Osprey" and .. Cavalier," both by twelve-year-old Kesteven. Two other subjects were .. Houses- by Night" and "Storm at Sea." These were attempted well, and some had a good design.

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The linocuts of the School Art Club were also of a high standard. As usual, at the end of this Term an Art Exhibition was arranged. The drawings and paintings were arranged in various sections=-design, poster, imaginative, etc. The most lively section was the design with plenty of bright colour. Mr. Brown exhibited four of his oil paintings. The subjects were of the local countryside. WYNTON WINCHESTER.

The
To the Editor of .. The Ellesmerian,"

Cambridge Letter
Cambridge. December 6th.

Sir, As we write Cambridge is swallowed up in the woolly wetness of one of its celebrated mists, into whose folds the ragged ends of another Term have just vanished. A Cambridge Term, we know, could be slipped into the waistcoat pocket of one of your gO-day feats of Ellesmerian endurance, but, even so, this end of term seems to have arrived before it was due, and we find ourselves once again precipitated into the outside world, to find it just a little more bewildered, a little more nationalised, and a little more indifferent to the disagreeable future than it was two months ago. The term's .. going-up "and .. goingdown" offer a hint of the way in which Cambridge becomes the exclusive centre of one's interest f'Or six months in the year"":"and a very pleasant centre it is when the rest 'Of our planet offers so unpromising a field for innocent merriment. We commend it to any who re thinking of the next step after Ellesmere. However, you must not suppose that we shut ourselves off from all outside associations here, as the regular meetings of O.E's show. Even the recent visitation of Graham Pearson and Tony Rogerson (respectively the human embodiment of a cloudburst and a plague of locusts) has quite failed to shake our affection for, and interest in, things Ellesmerian. It may be mentioned here that the rare letters from members of the staff are pored over as valuable and interesting documents. In our last letter we promised you statistics, but these insipid fruits of political and social mathematics abound only too freely, as it is nowadays, and you shall have none of them. Sufficient to say that we have been joined this year by a welcome influx of new blood, including Hugh Picton Thomas, Herbert Ellis and John Dean (Queen's), Dick Mewton (S. John'·s), Ted Insley and Tony Garrett (Clare), and Gerard Daltry (Trinity). To redeem our statistical pledge and gratify those of your readers who worship at the Gallup Poll shrine, here is a slight ecclesiastical calculation. A Corporate Communion for all old Woodard School men was held this Term, and was attended by almost 40-this means that over half the Old Woodardians in the University are still Christians enough to practice their religion before breakfast. An encouraging thought in a world which endeavours to persecute Christianity by its apathy. We very much hope that this may be the prelude to a regular event of this kind, as well as the foundation of more social intercourse between ourselves and our sister schools here. May we once again remind all Ellesmerians and O.E's of a ready welcome if they come to see us? We remain, sir, your obedient servants, THE OLD ELLESMERIANS IN CAMBRIDGE.

LANCING

COLLEGE,

,JULY. 1948.

N. Rogerson, P. Howells, M. A. Wallace, D. H. Jones and myself travelled with the Headmaster from Ellesmere to Lancing on the last day of the Summer Term to attend the centenary celebrations of the Woodard foundation and the centenary of the first

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Woodard School, SS. Mary and Nicholas College, Lancing. As we travelled from the station we saw standing high on the hill overlooking the sea the centre of the Wooda·rd foundation, the beautiful chapel of Lancing, of which all the Woodard Schools can be proud. During our stay there we were looked after liy members of Field's House, and were entertained in the evening to a most enjoyable party by the' Housemaster and the senior boys of the house. During the course of the party we were able to get to know the representatives of the other Woodard Boys' Schools. Saturday, July 24th, was the day set apart for the celebrations. Representatives from all the Woodard Schools were present and many other visitors connected directly and indirectly with the Woodard Schools. Holy Communion was celebrated by the Provost of Lancing at 8 a.m. The commemoration- service began at 11.30 a.m. This unforgettable service proved to be, as was intended, the climax of the celebrations. Not long after 11.0 a.m., the first procession left the Big School for the chapel. This consisted of the representatives of all the other Woodard Schools with their bannersQueen Ethelberga's School, Harrogate; Queen Margaret's School, Castle Howard; S. Katherine's, Taunton; S. Winifred's, Llanfairfechan; St. Mary's and S. Anne's, .A:bbot's Bromley; St. Michael's, Petworth; King Alfred's, Taunton; S. Cuthbert's, Worksop; S. Chad's, Den-stone; All Saints', Bloxham; S. Saviour's, Ardingly; S. John's, Hurstpierpoint; and S. Oswald's, Ellesmere; and the teaching staff of Lancing College. The Headmistress of the Girls' Schools and the Headmasters of the Boys' Schools followed in the second procession. The third procession consisted of the Fellows of the Society of SS. Mary and Aidan of York, SS. Mary and Andrew of Taunton, SS. Mary and John of Lichfleld, SS. Mary and Nicholas of Lancing, and the Right Honourable the Earl of Halifax, K.G., P.C., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., Fellow of the Society of SS. Mary and Aidan of York, and Chancellor of the University of Oxford. . In the fourth procession followed the Right Reverends the Lord Bishops of Chicago, Kansas, Madagascar, Newfoundland, Nyasaland, Korea, Honan, North-Western Australia, Bath and Walls, Derby and Bradford. The Right Reverend Bishops E. W. Sara, H. M. Horden, C. J. G. Saunders, H. Crotty, R. S. M. O'Ferrall and the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop Suffragan of Lewes. The fifth and last procession was made up of the choir of Lancing, the banner of SS. Mary and Nicolas, the School Missioner of Lancing and S. Michael's; the Chaplains of the Society of SS. Mary and Nicolas; the Archdeacons of Chichester, Lewes and Hastings; the Dean of Chichester; the Provosts of the Societies of SS. Mary and Adian; SS. Mary and Andrew, and SS. Mary and John; the Vice-Provost and Provost of SS. Mary and Nicolas; the President of the Corporation, the Bishop of Oxford; and the Visitor, the Bishop of Chichester. A hymn was sung by the congregation while the procession filed into their places, and amid all the splendour of the beautiful chapel and colourful vestments the dignified service took place. During the service the Registrar read the declaration of the wishes and intention of the Founder:.. Nathaniel Woodard, Clerk in Holy Orders, who was called to his rest on the 25th day 'OfApril, 1891,and whose body lies buried beneath this place, founded this college in the faith and fear of Almighty God, for the love of his church and the good of his 'country. And he left written over his own hand, a declaration of his intentions in so doing, to the end that none who may be elected Members of his Corporation may accept office in ignorance of his mind and purpose . .. He declared it to be his earnest wish and the object and intention of all the benefactors of the Corporation of SS. Mary and Nicolas that for all future time the sons of any of Her then Majesty's subjects should be taught, together with sound, grammar and learning, the fear and honour of Almighty God, the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost, according to the doctrines of the Catholic faith as it was then set forth in the Book of the Offices and Administration of the Sacraments of the Church of England . .. And he charged every member of the Corporation to use his utmost influence to defend and protect those his wishes and intentions for the glory of God, the exaltation of

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Faith, and the blessedness of their fellow subjects, as he or they should answer the same at the Day of Judgment. " And he declared that in laying this obligation upon the members of the Corporation, by virtue of the powers reserved to 'him in his Trust Deeds, he did it also in the name and by the wishes of many thousand ,good and self-denying Catholic Christians who had united with him in this work out of love for the souls of their fellow creatures, and from motives <Iftrue patriotism towards their country. "And he implored the Civil Government, of whatever sort-It might be, to respect the rights of property and of conscience, and not to set aside his statutes, which were given to secure the teaching of the Christian faith, pure and unadulterated, as they in England then enjoyed it. But if evil days should come and their property be seized by civil power, and be applied under specious prentences, to purposes other than those herein designated, the Provosts and other members <If the several Societies and Colleges should be exempt from their obedience and their engagements if they assisted not in, the wsrk of spoilation but peaceably withdrew with loss of goods, but under protest, and awaited the return of a reign of [ustice and truth." The President of the Corporation, the Bishop of Oxford, preached the sermon, after which came the commemoration of Benefactors, the Te Deum and the Blessing. The procession left the Chapel and returned to the Big School. Lunch followed almost Immediately, after which there were 'speeches by Lord Halifax, the President of the Corporation, the Provost, and the Headmaster of Lancing. The sports-were held during the afternoon. It was not an inter-school contest, but a performance to show what the Woodard Schools as a whole could achieve in athletics. The afternoon was well organised and most enjoyable, several new records for the Woodard Schools being achieved. The musical concert followed tea at 5.0 p.m. The concert began with various items composed and conducted by Old Boys of Lancing. Finally there was a performance of "St. Nicolas," especially composed by Benjamin Britten for the centenary. The soloist was Peter Peers, an old boy. The performance was an extremely enjoyable and impressive one. A most creditable performance by the boys and girls <Ifthe Woodard Schools in the choir assisted in making the work memorable. Girls and boys from the other Woodard Schools were invited by the Prefects of Lancing to a dance in the evening. No doubt present Ellesmerians will hear various tales about how the evening was spent. It will suffice to say that, although the evening began with a line of boys on one side of the hall nervously watching a line of equally nervous girls along the opposite wall, it ended quite liappilY. And so, late that night, a very tired but happy set of boys found their way back to the dormitory in Field's House. Holy Communion was celebrated at 8 a.m. the next morning and Solemn Eucharist at 10.30. We were kindly invited to a small informal party in the Housemaster's Room on Sunday evening, where we saw and discussed photographs of some of the boys and staff of Lancing at Ellesmere during the war, when half the 'school was excavated. On Monday morning, July 26th, we left Lancing where we had spent such a memorable and happy week-end. I do not think anyone of us present will ever forget those few sunny days at Lancing spent in celebrating-with our brother and sister schools -the centenary of the Woodard Foundation and that of St. Mary and St. Nicolas College, Lancing. ' R. G. MATTHEWS.

BIRMINGHAM

SCHOOLS AND WORKS CAMP.

Exaetly one \V,eeka1ter we had visited Lancing, on FddaY, July 30th, N. Rogerson and I travelled by special coach from Birmingham to Criccieth, with ninety-eight other boys, to spend a week in camp together. Fifty of these hundred boys 'had come from Birmingham works and fifty from schools, mostly public schools.

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The hot weather that we had enjoyed at Lancing continued until we were about ten miles from the camp site. Here it began to rain, and although we had very little ratn during the week, the sun did not shine at all while we were there. Not once, however, did it deter us from bathing in the sea two or three times a day. We were split up into sections, so that as far as possible there were five works' boys and five school boys in each section, headed by a section leader. . Every morning, except Sunday, when illere was a service, was spent on inter-section sports. These sports proved to be great fun and aroused great competition, nor did the team spirit or interest wane. The results of the sports were added to the results of morning kit inspection and the section's concert performances, thus giving a daily order of the winning section leading and the others in their various orders. The afternoons were 'spent in walking, going into town, or swimming, whichever the majority of the section preferred. Concerts were given by the boys and the staff every evening, and these were followed by full length films. The excellent food was provided by the Birmingham Civic Restaurants. Representatives were there from our two sister schools in the Midland Division-Worksop and Denstone. We had, however, very little time to get to know each other because we were in different sections. During the week a greetings telegram was sent from the camp to His Majesty the King and later a telegram was received from His Majesty's Private Secretary. The object of the camp was to bring together the public school boy and the work's boy, so that they might better learn and understand each other's views and outlook on life. The excellent organisation of the camp enabled both works' boys and school boy's to mix and play and work together, Thus we were able to spend an extremely happy week together. The camp was considered by all to have been a great success. On Friday, August 6th, we reluctantly returned by coach to Birmingham and thence home. R. G. MATTHEWS.

C.C.F.

Notes.

A change which has received little comment so far can be seen in the heading of these Notes: we are a J.T.C. no longer, but a unit of the Combined Cadet Force. Apparently, the change is really only in name, for training and organisation are still to be carried out on the established lines. The result of the Annual Inspection was highly satisfactory. Remarks by the Inspecting Officer are given here:Drill. The ceremonial parade was very well carried out. They were smart on parade, arms drill was good, and marching and bearing was also good. Discipline. Very good. Turn-out. Very good. General Remarks. The Ceremonial Parade was very good. It had been carefully practised, and great trouble had been taken to make it a success. The Instructional Parades which I saw after the Ceremonial Parade was also well carried out by the Cadet N.C.O's. These N.C.O's were alert and intelligent and did their work well and showed a good standard of leadership. They have a good Cadet Band which is voluntary and trains outside parade hours. The Cadets showed considerable keenness and interest.

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The War Office also congratulated all Cadets on the keenness shown. The Summer Field Day was held in the Welsh Hills near y.sgwennant. A detachment from Park Hall Training Centre acted as enemy "rebels," and the Contingent was organised as a Company to scatter them. The day proved a tiring one: the hills were hilly, the sun was hot, the distance was long, the N.C.O's hounded, and the enemy refused to be captured. Great feats were seen, however. One Section gallantly went off into the blue, another nearly was engulfed in a mire, a whole Platoon stormed a Heights of Abraham, but the enemy had disappeared when they got there, while yet another was nearly mown down by its own troops: then Lunch came to save the situation. After Lunch what appeared a Matterhorn was attacked, and here there was more success, for the enemy fled or were captured, and both enemy and attacking force met over a friendly tea. Though many faults appeared during the day, each Cadet felt what part he had to play in a Company Scheme, and the N.C.O's were given many opportunities for showing their powers of leadership and control. The Field Day this Term was held just beyond the Mere on a cold, very foggy and damp day. Platoon training was carried out in the morning and afternoon, 'and the day was, in spite of the weather, a great success. Two visits have been made to Park Hall this Term. On one Tuesday a party of 30 Recruits visited the Camp, and were shown as much as time would allow; on another Tuesday 30 Cadets fired Bren Guns on the 30-yaTd Range. 50 Cadets out of 51 passed Certificate "A" Part I Examination; 17 out of 22 passed Part II. Although this latter Is the smallest percentage of passes for many years, it is gratifying to know that the Examination standard has been raised slightly, for now Cadets have to work for the Examination, which has hardly been so in the past. Promotions this Term are as follows:To be C.S.M.: Sgt. Howells i. To be C.Q.M.S.: Cpl. Haygarth. To be Sergeants: Cpl. Walker, Cpl. Jones vii. To be Corporals: L/Cpl. Crane, L/Cpl. Leech, L/Cpl. Viney, L/Cpl. Tasker, L/Cpl. Hughes i.

Scouts
SENIORS. R. E. Farmer was appointed Troop Leader. It was rather strange at first not to have M. Lea at the meetings, for he had been T.L. ever since the formation of the Senior Scouts. Farmer, however, has filled the place admirably. Our Tuesday afternoons have varied from building ricketty and wet bridges across the canal, to signalling along Main Corrtdor, Much -of the Term 'has been spent in intensive firstclass work. . On the Field Day we went by 'bus to Llangollen, and from there had to make our own way in a straight line over the hills to Selattyn. We had rather a chilly lunch on top of a mountain, but everything went according to plans. From Selattyn we returned to Oswestry by road and took train to Ellesmere. JUNIOR SCOUTS. D. Q. Miller was appointed Troop Leader, and the following Patrol Leaders chosen: M. C. Cooper, E. Robinson, G. B. Alder, J. K. Miln, R. M. Wynne-Griffiths, D. Haig-Jones.

-<

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The month of October was completely taken up with Tenderfoot work and twentyfour recruits were enrolled early in November. On Sunday, the 7th of November, the whole Troop took part in the Remembrance Day Parade to- Ellesmere Parish Church. On the 15th November the Scouters, Troop Leaders and Patrol Leaders went to an instructional and social gathering, which the Commissioner, Captain Adam, held in the Ellesmere Town Troop Room. Scouters and P.Us from N.W. Shropshire were present and a very enjoyable evening was spent. The mild weather this Term has enabled us to have more outdoor Scouting than usual and many" wide" games were successfully held. On the whole we have had a good Term's Scouting.

THE SHROPSHIRE UNION BY CANOE. The canoe flotilla paddled from Tetchill Wharf at about 11.20a.m. on Friday, July 23rd, at least one hour behind schedule; thus we rendered the time-table inoperative right from the start, and thereafter, time, as well as the world news, did not disturb our peace of mind. The embarkation was remarkable for the behaviour of the Patsey crew, Who, having commandeered the smartest craft, .. acquired" the best paddles out' of another canoe, and· thenceforth prided themselves of their fast progress, as though their speed were due to their skill, and not a direct result of their base cunning. It took a day or two for the crews to get their sea legs and to learn to keep a straight course, Lyle frequently had his centre of gravity suspended over the ever-widening gap between the bank and the canoe, and Jolley, when not examining the bushes which overhung into the canal, made an habit of plunging into the water, and on one occasion he took the canoe and the reluctant Hasleton with him. The flrst lock we encountered was near St. Martin's, and with alacrity we carried out a portage. A short paddle in the .. pound "brought us to the next lock, and we performed our second portage, but not with alacrity. At Chirk we crossed the first aqueduct and then entered a tunnel which made Ellesmere's Long Tunnel look like a serviette ring. In the middle of this dark cavern, when the two ends looked like pin-pricks, the water offered tremendous resistance, and we paddled with difficulty through what felt like over-boiled Mornflake porridge, but we were assured that it was merely the ·bones of those who had been" done in " at that point. At the end of the tunnel we disembarked for the night. Our camp site was at the top of a cliff which had not previously been scaled by man, but has now been classified as ranking in difficulty between Nape's Needle and the Matterhorn. On the next day a steady paddle brought us to Llangollen, where a camp site was found near the town. Thi.s site proved a veritable window in Thrums from where we could watch the holiday crowd without being a part of it. This did not suit the left wing members of the party, whose great love of humanity demanded that they should be as far from it as possible. We rested at Llangollen for three days, bathed our blistered hands, visited Valle Crucis Abbey, and 'swam in the refreshing waters of the Dee,as the weather was becoming very hot. Each crew remained a distinct camping unit, and each soon assumed definite characteristics of domestic bliss, such as one finds in every community. There was the crew of the Flagship, Ian Howard, Carver and the Chaplain, where everything was carried out to the letter: rise at five bells and wash up at seven bells, with menus printed in triplicate and filed for reference. Then there was David Lea and Neville Davies in Ethel, a very modern home, in which the tin-opener was preferred to the Toasting-pan. The Crew' of Patsey consisted of Michael Lea and Farmer, rather middle class, with much bickering and nagging and polishing of the front door-step. Mary's crew, Jolley and Hasleton, were the slum dwellers. A slight' exchange of opinion is recorded to have taken place during the Bank Holiday, involving a small child, a mother, a canoe and Hasleton, at the end of which

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one could only conclude that all, except the canoe, hailed from Billingsgate. Jolley became most proficient with a punka, with which he kept feebly smoking the miserable fires .lit by Hasleton. His fame soon became known along the length of the canal, and at each camp site, crowds gathered to' marvel at his skill. La,stly, there was Lyle and Mr. Jackson in Mayhew, with a definitely county atmosphere, but of the Irish variety over such little matters as washing-up. A superior table was kept here, due to certain dealings in produce which had taken place before the trip began. We left Llangollen under a broiling sun, and paddled on our return journey on the neglected waters of this branch of the canal, beneath the willows and between water-lilies spreading across from bank to bank. At Ellesmere we called in at the College to take on more supplies, bath in the plunge, and bathe in the swtmmingbatb. We camped at Colemere, and walked in to Ellesmere to dine in the evening at the Bon Ton. At Grindley Brook, under a cruel afternoon sun that only mad dogs and Catlings would be out in, we met the first flight O'f locks. Mutiny was rife, but after a conference with the lock-keeper, and much groping in pockets, lock dues were paid, which would take us through all the locks to Chester. Permits, in duplicate for each boat, were made out, but our difficulties were not over, as we discovered the lock gates. After many enquiries we learned that there was a man in the village who might have an handle that he no longer used. Carver set off in pursuit and returned triumphant with the handle, purchased for four shillings. Hereafter, we looked forward to the locks as a welcome rest,requiring only the ,raising of the paddles and the putting of our backs against the balance-arms to open and shut the gates. The permits were placed in safe keeping, but by the next flight of locks had been mislaid, and we passed through on the strength 'Ofour honest faces. The crew of Patsey took to loading their craft heavily at the stern, so that threequarters of their keel was out of water. They were then at a loss to understand why they could no longer keep a straight course 'Or see where they were gomg, NO'one bothered to tell them. -At Huxleston, near Nantwich, we entered the main branch of the canal, and left the water-lilies and many of the beauties behind. Here we met the fir6t Shropshire Union narrow boat, with its butty boat in tow. Each boat had its cabin panels gaily painted with castle 'scenes and bunches of bright flowers, and each carried painted water jugs on the cabin roof. Quite a number of these boats were using the canal, showing that the system is not dead but, perhaps, is being slowly killed by the modern urge for speed, which seems to do the world not an ounce of good. At Tarporley our camping site had been arranged for us by F. W. Holland (O.E.), who brought us a very welcome gift of farm produce. The following day we reached Christleton, outside Chester, and pitched our last camp. The next day we said farewell to the canoes, as we loaded them on to a lorry which returned them to Chester. It is not possible to mention all those friends o·f the School and <If the Troop who helped with the planning and carrying out of this trip,but we must. record the trusting nature of Lt. P. Hunter Watts, R.E., who generously lent us' a canoe, and we cannot fail to acknowledge what we 'Owe to Frank Lea, Esq., whose generosity made the dream of such an adventure into a reality. G.B.J. OBITER DICTA.

I think I put it in my right boot. (S.L.H.). But I am paddling hard. (R.M.C'). One thing about this site, the lats can't be seen. (G.B.J'). I won't camp on this site, anyhow. (R.E.F. et at). I had this over from Tyfos,last year. (C.S.C'). Do you get anythin2 back on the bottle? (W.P.J.).

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Contributions
AIR AND VARIATIONS ON A NURSERY RHYM-E.

(With apologies to the 'shades of Chaucer, Milton, Pope, Gray, Wordsworth, Landor, Gerrard Manley Hopkins, and A. E. Housman).
Humpty-Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall: All the King's horses and the Ki1lg's men Could not put Humpty-Dumpty together again.

Variation 1

Whilom there was a parfit gentilKnight: Round was his corse, and Humpty eke he hyte. Ne could he not on firme lande stay, But sitten on a wall he wold all day, For Venus was his constellacioun, And Love did make him take this stacioun. Ons on a time his fame was wyde y-spredd In Christen lands for paynim blood he shedd: Full many a: lance had be brast in-two In Iistes and in bloody battles, too. One day throughout the kingdom was y-spredd The bruit that Humpty-Dumpty now was dead: Y-fallen was he from the lofty wall: Whereat the knights and lusty knaves all, And many a rout of lordes fresshe as Spring, With horse and harness loudly clatteryng, Her shieldes bright and helmes glltteryng, They rode as they mote yet to life restore And setten on the wall the wight so sore. . But vain they proven all her hye emprise, For Humpty they could doon no more servise.

o yonge folkes, learn ye from my tale! And give to God your heartes bliss and bale.
Variation 2
PARADISE LOST.

Upon a mural seat he - elevate Above his kind, nor mindful of the gods (Whom to defy is sure perdition) - sate In vain conceit. Him th' Almighty Power Hurled headlong flaming from the aerial post Precipitate in hideous ruin down: Nor did avail the muster'd arms of those Sent forth by the Anointed of the Lord To re-instate in vain pre-eminence Him who aspired above his peers to be, And emulous of gods. Variation 3
ESSA Y ON MAN.

Behold our hero balanced on a wall, Uncertain how to rise, or where to fall ! Too brave to fear the danger of a climb, Too cowardly t' embrace the true sublime I

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A moment he, the summit in his grasp, Greets with a smile, repudtates with a gasp, The broader prospect of a world unknown, Which nor his soul nor senses call their own. Thus Man, aspiring vainly to the skies, At last is doomed to fall, tho' born to rtse, A winged statue, see him greet the day! , His crown how bright! How dark his feet of clay! Variation " ELEGY For him no more the garden wall shall stand, Or summer foliage weave its soothing green, No rainbow brighten all the thirsting land, Or throstle sing his evening serenade. Oft did the garden with his laughter sound, His shouting oft the passers-by did stun: How jocund did he spurn the baser ground! How strove he to outshine the very sun! Let not pale Envy scorn his placid days, His harmless life and attitude serene: Nor Royalty disdain to deck with bays His brows unshadowed by the base 'or mean! Although to no proud eminence he rose, Although no armies moved at his behest, His throne though humble, and though low his pose, He earned no less his everlasting rest. Let those whom Fortune singled out for fame, who held above their lesser brothers sway, Let them recall how empty is a name, And that they, too, must leave the lingering Day. Variation 5 He sat upon the garden wall Above the rustic sty, I seldom thought that he would fall, And never that he'd die. A pearl, above the grunting swine, Half 'hidden in his nook: Fair as a trout, when only one Is rising in the brook. He sat secure, and few could know When Humpty ceased to be: The pearl is with the swine, and, oh ! The difference to me. Variation 6 Ah what avails the daring haste! Ah what the form so round? What every caprice, every taste That raised you from the ground?

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the King's good men May see, but cannot save, Your fall I weep: a last Amen I utter o'er your grave,

35·

o Humpty,whom

Variation 7

Look, look at Humpty-Dumpty, huddle-hunched o look at him, rotund, rubicund, Heeding the heaven-high cumulus, bunched On horizon-hovering! Look, star-stunned, He topples, tips, slips, slides, glides And falls, splinter-split. Darkling, he derides Foam-flinging, bit-bound, brave-brown Horses, men, regal regiment, sent Ah to replace, re-face, restore Star-high, emulous-eminent, Haul up, wall up him aloft, soft, once more! If kings, or men, or horses, Or swords or spear-s could save, I'd roam the world to call them, You should not ·see the grave. But now, since you have fallen And nevermore can rise, 'Tis idle to lament you: I dTY my smaTting eyes. I walk the lonely highway, And think, as needs I must, That you were clay and mortal, And dust returns to dust.

Variation 8

IGNOTUS.

II

CITIES LOST, AND LANDS BEYOND RECALL,"

Who has not heard of the lost continent of Atlantis? Perhaps the best known of the lost continents, its legendary position was beyond the pillars of Hercules, and Plato. tells of Egyptian priests who told Solon that it had been a flourishing state nine thousand years before he was born. Its armies were ·said to have over-run the Mediterranean lands, and ancient geographers reported that behind Atlantis stretched a vast archipelago of lesser islands. In England also we have our mythological land-Lyonesse, a state which old EngUsh chronicles describe minutely and without a shade of disbelief, telling ofIts sudden subsidence. into the sea. This land is said to have been situated beyond the Cornish coast, and the theory finds support in the presence of the Scilly Isles and the erosion of the Cornish coast. In Celtic mythology there is the Welsh" Avalon "-Kingdom of the Dead-the island of Avalon to which King AI:thur was carried after his last fatal battle. Both Lyonesse and Avilion are connected with the Arthurian romances-one the seat and one the resting place of the legendary English kind. The name Avalon means" the Isle of Apples," and this has an interesting connection with the .. Isle of Apple-Trees," the kingdom of dead heroes of Hebridean legend. Bran the Blessed sailed away from the Hebridean short shortly before his death, and reached the island, which lay far to the west, in the path of the setting sun. The legend of the apple may be explained by the fact that this autumn fruit represents the autumn or decline of man's life. . Mediaeval legend tells of a certain Antilla, or Island of Seven Cities. This island may have originated in confusion of the name Atlantis. It is mentioned in letters to Columbus,

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and is marked on an old map in the Grand-Ducal Library of Weimar. It is reported to have been colonized by Christian refugees led by the Archbishop of Opporto and six bishops, each of whom governed a city. Portugese tradition localizes it in the island of St. Michael, in the Azores. The "Isles of the Blest," or .. Fortunate Islands," were populated not by Gods, but by men given the gift of immortality. Blessed in the best tradition, it enjoyed everlasting abundance and summer, and is even mentioned by Hesiod and Pindar, Mediaeval cartographers sometimes refer to the Canaries as the .. Fortunatae Insulae." The inhabitants of this island lived among .. splashing, many coloured fountains, around which fly birds of dazzling hues and strange species." They lived like the Atlantean princes, in .. Stupendous palaces of ivory, gold and marble, filled with rich silks and costly spices, and waited on by servants as numerous as the grains of sand on the sea-shore, their ears eternally charmed by the music of the spheres, and their eyes opened to the wonders of creation and the deep." There are so many tales told of the Green Island of Mayda, or Ashmaide, that it is impossible to give a true picture in an essay this site. A famous legend is that of St. Brendan's Island. St. Brendan, born in County Kerry, is supposed to have voyaged .alone over the Atlantlc to this island, meeting many fabulous adventures on the way, much as did Maeldun, another Celtic hero, and it is thought that the two legends have been contused. One myth tells how Brendan landed on the Island of Silence, where the battle cry of a warrior was reduced to a mouse's' squeak. This island was also known as The Promised Land of .the Saints, whether as an earthly kingdom or an abode after death is not known. Confusion often arises between the two great South American races, the Incas and the Aztecs. The Aztec empire was larger than that of the Incas, and included the whole of Mexico. The remnant of the tribe made a heroic defence .of Mexico City against the longuistadores under Herman Cortes, who is eeputed to have taken from the city huge golden plates which completely covered the temple. The Incas were a Peruvian tribe, directly descended from the sun-god through the founder of the race, Manco Capec, who, with his three brothers, Caelic (salt), Uelic (pepper) and Auca (pleasure), was supposed to have entered the world through a cavern in a hill, known as Tampu-tocco, or .. House of Windows." According to legend, Manco was equipped with a golden rod, which would sink into the ground when the Promised Land was reached, and the capital of the Empire, Cuzeo, was founded in this way. The Inca, or ruler, at the time of the Invasion, was not Montezuma, as many people suppose, Montezuma II was the Aztec emperor who promised to fill the room in which he was imprisoned as high ·as he was able to reach with gold as ramson paid to the conquering Cortes. Growing impatient, Cortes slew him, causing the Aztecs to hide their gold, and thus founding the legendary treasure hordes so rife in present-day fiction . . Another popular South American legend is that of EI Dorado, .. The Gilded One," a name originally applied to a tribal High Priest who was annually coated with gold dust before the immersion in the sacred lake. The story degenerated to one of a fabulous city of gold where precious stones lay scattered in profusion, and this was believed, as we can judge from the voyages of Timenes de Quesada and Diego de Orday. A lieutenant of de Orday, Martinez, claimed to have been saved from shipwreck, carried inland, and entertaiiled by El Dorado himself. Thus grew tales of fabulous cities and wealth untold to lure the avaricious, the adventurous and the story-teller.

II

YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING

TO •••

One day I had nothing better to do than sit in £Tont of a wireless and twiddle the knob. There were three stations: one which we will call (A) was telling housewives how to take the lining out of a coat; another (B) was a talk on the care of babies; the last (C) was giving a talk on" Chemistry Experiments for the Home." This was the result:B: Now"grasp baby firmly, take ... A: .., a pair of scissors, and slit down the centre seam feel around . . . B: •.' ~ inside baby's stomach .•.

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C: .;. till you find in the top right-hand corrier a bottle of concentrated sulphuric acid. B: .. , Pour the contents into baby's mouth, and if he should begin to cry ... A: .,. sew it up. c: take three yards of magnesium ribbon, put it into .' .. B: baby's hand ... c: light it and stand well back . . . B: .. , tell baby to eat it, and if he refuses it, A: sew round the edges of . . . B: ,baby's eyes with . A: .,. a sewing machine . B: Take some Nestle's milk and add ... C: .. , highly conceritrated nitric acid and zinc oxide ... A: '" with three pins and one yard of thread . C: Take the mixture, which is highly explosive . B: ... and let baby . . . C: .., fling it in the fire . . . B: Again, should baby refuse, give him or her . A: a large patch of the best check tweed . B: to chew ... A: The efforts to remove . . • B: baby's legs . . .' C: meanwhile, will, I hope, have proved successful. A: If, however, the needle continues . C: ... to melt down into fatty acids . B: .. , put him on the table and give him ... C: .., a heavy blow with the hammer . . . A: .'. but do not forget to sew ... B: .. , the little darling's teeny-weeny mouth .... c: .. , to asbestos sheeting . . . B: Should baby continue to give trouble, put it over your knee ..• C: .. , sprinkle generously with fluorine hydrobromide ... A: .,. stitch up with stout packing-thread ... C: .,. place in a retort and bubble for two hours ... A: That is the end of . . . B: ... the dear little creature ... C: .,. and Chemistry for Junior Forms." H. W. LAMB.
U

ON EXPRESSION. The soul of good expression is an unexpectedness which, still, keeps to the mark of meaning, and does not betray truth." Fresh angles, new lights, but neither at the expense of significance, nor to the detriment of verity; never, in fact, just for the sake, of ·being unexpected. Hardly any figures in prose fiction seem to survive the rust of Time, unless burnished by happy extravagance, saved by a tinge of irony, or inhabited by what one may, call .. familiar spirit." The creations of such writers as Rabelais, Cervantes, Dumas and Dickens may serve to illustrate survival through happy extravagance; of Fielding, Jane Austin, Thackeray and Anatole France, through ironical tincture; of Tolstoy' through .. familiar spirit." We all understand happy extravagance, however incapable of it we may be; nor do we find any great difficulty in appreciating. the preservative qualities of an ironic humour which is very much a part of English character. .. Familiar Spirit" is a more mysterious affair. The 'characters in fictions who are inhabited by .. familiar spirit" are such as convince the reader that he might meet and recognise them walking the every-day world. Mr. Hardy's" Tess," Mr. Moore's" Esther," Mr. Bennett's" Elsie," and Mr. Well's" Kipps " are good English specimens of characters so endowed. But one may gather more easily from Tolstoy's creations in War and Peace and Anna Karenina,tban from any English
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examples, the nature of this quality. It demands an unself-consciousness rare in English and French novelists-perfectly simple expression, without trick, manner or suspicion or desire to seem "Clever,modern, aesthetic. .. Familiar Spirit," however, may inhabit a whole book and ensure its permanence, although that book contains no characters who remain in the mind, and probably the perfect example of .. familiar spirit", permeating both book and its characters is Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, which is as sure of immortality as any book I know. Over-expression brings forth what is known as journalese. The symptoms of journalese are the free use of cliches, and of artificial stimulation. Allover-expression, whether by journalists, poets, novelists, or clergymen, is bad for the language. By journalese I mean the use of words running beyond the sincere feeling of writer or speaker or beyond what the event will sanely carry. Take the text, .. The cat is on the mat," over-expression would produce something like .. Stretching herself with feline grace and emitting those sounds immemorially. connected with satisfaction. Grimalkin lay on a rug whose richly variegated pattern spoke eloquently of the Orient and all the wonders of the Arabian Knights. But beside the verbose and fiorid runs: another form of journalistic over-expression-the snappy head line, which has attained as yet greatest perfection in America . .. Girl of thirteen, denied fine garb, tries death leap." .. Navy Board holds Oil Quiz." .. J'okes on me says Angel of Film Star." .. Old Man Stork .a busy bird in Ruhr district." .. Acquitted murderer is through with girls." .. John 7 King Highball hits town." Behind such galapadingEngland still trails with leaden feet. .. Hotspurs beat Blackburn" may yet become .. Hots belt Blacks," .. Crippen hanged," .. Ole man Crippen treads ether," .. Lord Palmerston unwell," .. Pam punctured." We Engljsh, for all our habit of dropping into poetry, are .supposed to be an unexpressive race. Consider the Englishman speaking after dinner, he hums and haas, he twiddles his buttons, and one suddenly becomes conscious of a steady stream o.f sound. You say .. Hear, hear! " and the stream fiows on, neither rising nor falling, j!,lStflowing, flowing. Every five minutes you rouse yourself and murmur .. Ha-ha l " Suddenly you hear: .. But, ladies and gentlemen, I must not take up any more of your time." You rap the table, you seize your glass. Bjlt-Io I-he's off again! . And then, all at' once, it stops. It has dried up, he is sitting down. And what has he said? It has been a perfect example of under-expression. But give an Englishman something to do in which he believes-for who can believe in speaking after dinner?-and he will do it with a minimum of talk. Some few years ago painterscoineli the word .. expressionism." When asked what they meant by it, they became involved. and hot. At last a good painter made it clear. Expressionism meant expressing the inside of a phenomenon without depicting its outside in a way that could be recognised. So ends this wondering discourse, with an affirmation of belief in the vitality, variety, the supple strength and subtle tones {If our rich and ancient language; and of a hope that we may .come to use it better than it has ever yet been used, with a fuller sense of its, expressive power. D. Q. MILLER.

Rugger Notes

1948.

Captain: K. J. CRANE. Vice-Captain: D. E. ROBERTS. Full Colours: K. J. CRANE (1946), D. E. ROBERTS, T. G. ARCHER, J. M. LEECH (1947); J. M. ANDERSON, J. P. PARSONAGE, J. C. CROSSMAN, M. A. WALLACE, B. S. KINGSTON, T. C. HUGHES and J. G. IVEY (1948). 2nd XV Colours: D. PRITCHARD, R. V. HAYGARTH, J. M. JONES (1947); A. J. POSTON, W. P. HOWELLS, A. M. TASKER, R. G. JAMES, D. HIBBERT, W. J. WALKER, P. G. HARRIES (1948). If it cannot be claimed that the season has been a remarkable one in any way, it can at least be said that there have been a number of unusual features and that due eonsidera-

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tion of some of these leaves some feelings of encouragement and sense of achievement to offset the frustration and disappointments engendered by a .series of unfortunate circumstances and by a consciousness that some of the sadder features of the School's Rugger show no signs of being eliminated. Let us take the brighter side first-the 1st XV, while not winning anything like the number of matches that we hoped it would, showed some excellent qualities, more particularly a heavy and really sound pack of forwards who rarely failed to dominate the scrummages and line-outs; a general all-round defence in which marking, tackling, speed and intelligence combined to achieve a considerable improvement, on one of the main failings. of the last two seasons. A combination of these new defensive assets and the worth of the pack, together with a very sound pair of half-backs, was largely responsible for the relatively small excess of opponents' points over our own (excluding the Stonyhurst and New Brighton matches), and for the considerable improvement in these totals over those of the last two seasons. The number of defeats suffered by a minimum margin has been both encouraging and heart-breaking-we were one point behind King William's, three down on Wrekin, and only eight behind Trent; and, for the first time for many seasons, our own total points have exceeded three figures. The Second XV has had a pack of forwards which has been in much the same class as that of the 1st XV, but they have been sorely handicapped by a weakness at half-back and by an ever-varying and continually improvised threequarter line, constantly changing to make good the loans to the 1st XV and the terrible shortage of even reasonable centres, which is our greatest difficulty. The Colts, having professed an early conviction that their side was doomed to be the worst in living memory, produced a really excellent record,and, what is far more important, a well balanced XV which appeared to display more intelligence and Rugger sense than usua1. For once, too, it seemed to have some real constructive sense in attack and the back division should be of the greatest assistance to the School in a year or two's time: always provided that they are not lost to us before they reach these heights. Neither the Senior House matches (again won by Meynell) or the ordinary School club sides produced very much to enthuse over and neither seemed as good as last season, although 4th club side, under Mr. Ireland's enthusiastic guidance, learnt a great deal late in the Term, and appear to have some good forwards in the making. The most encouraging feature of all was undoubtedly the Junior House matches. The scores were all so close as to indicate virtually no great difference in the sides from first to last, and. each of the three games was played with magnificent spirit and a real intelligence and skill which made them all very much worth the watching. Victory (for the first time since 1943?) went to Wakeman, largely through their very able back division and through the good leadership of a . quite surprisingly efficient clutch of assorted forwards who were never expected to rise' to the heights that they achieved. THE FIRST XV. With eight members of the 1947 side available the XV began the season hoping to present a record somewhat better than in recent seasons. That they had some measure of success is clear enough and there can be no doubt that there was an improvement in their actual Rugger value which is not entirely supported by the simple profit and loss account. Only once-at Merchant Taylors-was there any sign of the old half-hearted apathy which has been apt to dog our footsteps in some recent seasons. The Rugger was vigorous, calculated and full-blooded, with any amount of enthusiasm which was never dimmed by the unceasing ill-fortune which beset our path. From the very beginning of the season injuries beset the path to real achievement, and with a School young and short of mature and experienced players there is anything but an unending stream of possible replacements to call on. The great weakness lay in the centre-threequarters where, as always, there was little real competition for places, and so, inevitably, little opportunity for proper practice and improvement. D. E. Roberts, the Vice-Captain and the only surviving member of last season's three-line, was never really fit through the season and suffered from a combination of a thigh muscle (which refused to mend) and a sorely damaged toe. Pluckily he played whenever it was in any way possible, and frequently when he should never have taken the field; but even so his appearances were limited to only nine games In fifteen,

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and in not a few of these he found himself virtually a passenger. Added to this, the necessity for nursing him for matches meant that he got practically no practice at all and he' was never able to show much of his real form as a result. With the sole exception of Parsonage, the remaining threequarters all badly needed example and leading, and this was Roberts's role. Unfortunately, even when he was there he was rarely able to do it and his confidence suffered in consequence. All too often the line took the field without him and the responsibility was too heavy a burden. Their defence was usually admirable enough, but they lacked thrust and an eye for an opening. Lack of confidence led to a state of agitation and to days when no pass ever seemed to be held, and they seemed heavyfooted and slow in reaction. Truly, there were happy occasions when things were much improved, but the inevitable reshuffling of the line from game to game gave no opportunity for them to settle down and acquire the confidence and understanding that they so obviously lacked. The pack, halves and full-back were never an anxiety and there were plenty of good forwards in reserve, several of whom would have walked into the side last year or the year before. It was really that we didn't monopolise possession of the ball, but far too much of our scoring had to be achieved by pouncing on our opponents' mistakes. The enemies were always the lack of experienced threequarters and the virtual impossibility of finding substitutes for the many injuries suffered in the back division. It is an adequate if cruel comment 'on the situation when one must report that twice we had to postpone 2nd XV matches for no other reason than that we were unable to field two XV's on the same day. The reserves simply did not exist!
CHARACTERS OF THE

'1st

XV •

•J. C. CROSSMAN (Full-Back>. Most reliable in all departments except that his kicking is apt to be left too late. Positions excellently and has very safe hands and a sure tackle . •J. P. PARSONAGE (Right Wing-Threequarter). Last season's Colts' Fly-Half, he has made a very good wing-threequarter who has been the best of the threequarter line. With good hands and a quick eye he runs very hard and fast. Has done much of the kicking and shows considerable promise. His tackling and falling have improved but remain the weak spots. . A. M. TASKER (Outside Centre-Threequarter). Inexperienced and with constantly changing partners he has had a very difficult time, although he has the makings of a far better centre than is generally believed. His main faults are weak handling and a tendency to slow up, but he has much commonsense, is a good kick, and is very sound in defence. tD. E. ROBERTS [Vice-Captain] (Inside Centre-Threequarter). Continual trouble with his leg has caused him to miss many matches and much vital practice, and .even when he has played he has never been nearly fit. This inevitably affected his performances and his confidence, both of which obviously suffered. Last season's regular placekicker, he was obliged to give up all .kicking. Despite all this, his experience was always valuable to the threequarter line and he deserves sympathy and also gratitude for continuing to appear whenever possible. W. P. HOWELLS (Left Wing-Threequarter). Did not quite fulfill his early promise and was rather disappointing. Can run fast and very strongly as long as the way is clear, but is too slow of reaction and lacks real determination when menaced. Kicks well and falls willingly. Tackling much improved . •J. M. ANDERSON (Fly Half). A very much improved player with excellent hands. His tackling and falling have been very good through the season. He has a beautiful understanding with Grane, runs straight and opens the game up well. It is a pity that his extreme lightness makes it difficult for him to cut through, although he still might achieve this with more thought. An indefatigible worker who has been one of the mainstays of the side; his biggest difficulty is that he is a poor kicker. ttK. J. CRANE [Captain] (Scrum Half). Has an excellent pass out from the serum, although he has had some periods of wildness. Does a lot of excellent breaking away on his own, but is inclined to spoil the effect of this by not getting rid of the ball until·it is too late. He is now far from small and when in the mood he is a wonder-

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ful spoiler at the base of the serum who gives his opposite number little chance. Kicks well and falls excellently when he feels so inclined. His tackling in the open is not as good as it was and he is sometimes slow to follow his forwards. Has made a very sound captain of Rugger and has led the side well. -T. C. HUGHES (Prop). Although he still remains clumsy and has poor hands he has got through a great deal of work and has improved on last season. Uses his weight quite well 'and is of particular value in tight serums and line-outs. tT. G. ARCHER (Hooker). Has continued to hook very well indeed and has also become a great attacking force in the open. Backs up really fast, handles well and is intelligent and always there. Only lack of weight and the fact that he tackles very badly indeed prevent him from being a first-class forward. His opportunism has been rewarded by his scoring more tries this season than any member of the side. A. J. POSTON (Prop). A well-built young forward who has improved very fast as the season has gone on. He thinks quickly and is clever as well as energetic, and is .sound in all departments. If he continues to improve he will become a good forward. *B. S. KINGSTON (2nd Row). This season's discovery; he was, last year, a rather weak Colts XV wing-forward who has now grown to be a large forward who is tall, heavy and fast, and who is one of the few who uses his weight. Particularly good in the line-out, he must learn to keep up even faster, and to improve his handling and defence. *J. G. IVEY (2nd Row). Although he has been a good forward he did not reach the form expected of him until the very end of the Term. He has good hands and reasonable speed, as well as very considerable weight and height, and until he really uses all of these he cannot be the fine forward that he well might be. *M. A. WALLACE (Open Wing~Forward). Although less conspicuous than some he is one of the most reliable and most versatile members of the side, whose spoiling and tackling stand out despite his being an all-round forward without any of the obvious weaknesses which beset some of his colleagues. The youngest of the side, he is not yet sixteen. Led the pack very well at King William's in Leech's absence. D. PRITCHARD (Lock). A converted full-back who has turned into a good forward who excels in the loose. A safe pair of hands, a good tackle and a strong kicker, he falls \ well and keeps up with the ball. Place kicks reasonably well. J. M. LEECH (Blind Wing-Forward). Leading the pack for his second season, he has done a great deal of excellent work, particularly in the open. He is always in the van in attack and has a good knowledge of the game. His tackling in the open leaves something to be desired. His leadership varied from the very good to the uninspired and 'dull, and he must beware of allowing it to become purely an automatic habit which puts his pack to sleep. t t - Full Colours 1946. t - Full Colours 1947. • - Full Colours 1948. The following also played for·the 1st XV on one or more occasions during the term:Threequarters: James A. J., Roberts V., Harries P. G., Samuel. Forwards: Haygarth R. V., Jones J. M., Howells ii, Hibbert J., Walker W. J., Warren.
1st XV MATCHES.

Wednesday, Oct. 6th. v. HEREFORD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL, at Ellesmere. DRAW 11-11. Neither XV showed very great fitness or polish in this our first match with Hereford. We led after 10 minutes play when Crane dived over from a loose serum. Archer touched down from a push-over shortly afterwards and Pritchard converted. Hereford showed much improvement after half-time and their threequarters ran and handled well against a rather ineffectual defence. Pritchard kicked a penalty goal. XV: Crossman J. C.; Howells I, D. E. Roberts, Parsonage, Roberts v; Anderson J. M.; K. J. Crane (Capt.): Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston, Wallace, Kingston, Jones J. M.; J. M. ~ec!L . Ivey J. G. was absent injured,

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Saturday, October 16th. v. RUTHIN SCHOOL, at Ellesmere. WON 16-3. Ruthin were unfortunate to lose a threequarter early in the first half. They made this good. by leaving their serum complete and playing without a full-back. Roberts played on this weakness and kicks ahead were responsible for much of our territorial advantage while the forwards got plenty of the ball. Parsonage scored a clever try after selling a dummy, 'and this was followed by a fine individual effort by Jones. A pushover try and a touchdown by Hughes following a kick ahead completed the scoring, with Pritchard twice converting. Ruthin scored a single try in the second half. XV; Crossman, J. C., Howells I, D. E. Roberts (Capt.), Parsonage, Roberts v, Anderson J. M., James, Hughes T. G., T. B. Archer, Poston i, Wallace, Ivey J. G., Jones J M., Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. K. J. Crane was absent injured. Tuesday, Oct. 19th. v. TRENT COLLEGE, at Ellesmere. LOST 0-8. In a tremendous forward battle on a very muddy pitch we obtained slightly more of the ball than did Trent, whose defence, however, was excellent although their backs were never happy in the conditions where, much harried by back row forwards, they were apt to take their passes standing still. There was no score at half-time. but in the closing stages of the game Trent kicked an easy penalty goal for a hooking infringement and followed this at once with a try whioh was converted. XV; Crossman J. C., Howells i. D. E. Roberts, J·ames, Parsonage, Anderson J. M., K. J. Crane (Capt.), Hughes T. C., T. B. Archer, Poston I, Hibbert, Ivey J. G., Wallace, Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. Saturday, Oct. 23rd. v. STONYHURST COLLEGE, at Stonyhurst. LOST 0-59. Our first match even with Stonyhurst was something of a debacle although our visit there was a most delightful experience. Much weakened by injuries, our defence, particularly in the centre, was no match for a fast, heavy and clever side who took full advantage of the. situation, and who must have given one of their best performances of the season. For once our forwards did not really do themselves justice and we saw insufficient of the ball. Our line was crossed fifteen times. Howells was injured in the first half and this added to our difficulties, as he was a passenger for the rest of the game. XV; Crossman J. C., Howells i, Samuel, James, Parsonage J. P., J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.J: Hughes T. C.; T. G. Archer, Poston i; Wallace M. A., Ivey J. G.; J. M. Leech, Hibbert, Howells ii. D. E. Roberts, Pritchard, Kingston and Tasker were all absent through injury and Jones was not available. Wednesday, Oct. 27th. v. NEW BRIGHTON R.U.F.C. "A" XV., at Ellesmere. LOST 0-33. XV; Crossman J. C.; Harris, Pritchard D.; Samuel, Parsonage J. P.; J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.)'; Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston i; Wallace M. A.; Haygarth R. V.; Walker, Hibbert, J. M. Leech. . D. E. Roberts, Howells, Tasker and Kingston were absent injured. Saturday, Oct. 30th. v. WREKIN COLLEGE, at Ellesmere. LOST 0-3. With the side at full strength again at last, things were very much improved and we had our best game with Wrekin for many years. Neither side appeared to have much penetration behind the serum where both defences were excellent, and the game resolved itself into a forward battle. Wrekin were unfortunate in losing their fly-half with a broken nose half way through the game. There was no score and nothing to choose between the sides until three minutes from the final whistle when Wrekin's right wing-threequarter slipped over for a try in the corner, following a loose serum on our line, his opposite number being at the bottom of the serum. XV; Crossman J. C., Howells i, D. E. Roberts, Tasker, Parsonage J. P., J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.), Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston i, Kingston i; Ivey J. G., Wallace M. A.; Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. Wednesday, Nov. 10th. v. LIVERPOOL COLLEGE, at Ellesmere. WON 6-5. We started well and a perfect threequarter movement finished with Parsonage touching down near the left-hand touchline after only five minutes play. After this the XV fell away and did not maintain the early promise, the threequarters looking anything but confident. After half-time play became scrappy, and Liverpool went ahead with.a converted try. A careless attempt to drop a penalty goal right under the posts went wide and

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the hectic situation was only retrieved in the nick of time when Anderson kicked ahead fr{)m a stray pass and just won the touch down. XV: Crossman J. C., Parsonage J. P., Tasker, D. E. Roberts, Howells i, J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.) , Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston i, Kingston B. S., Ivey J. G., Wallace M. A., Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. Saturday, Nov. 13th. v. MANCHESTER R.U.F.C. "A" XV, at Ellesmere. WON 9-3. A very wet day on Parry's Field. Archer scored all three tries after good rushes by the forwariis who played exceedingly well. Manchester scored a try in the second half. XV: Crossman J. C., J. P. Parsonage, Tasker, D. E. Roberts, Howells i, J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.), Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston i, Kingston B. S., Ivey J. G., Wallace M. A., Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. Wednesday, Nov. 17th. v. BIRKENHEAD SCHOOL, at Birkenhead. LOST 8-17. This was a very fast game and one of the best of the season. The forwards were evenly matched and shared the honours, but Birkenhead showed more thrust and ability behind thescrum. Howells opened the scoring very early with a fine determined run for half the length of the field. Birkenhead fought back and had a goal to their credit at the interval, after which they went ahead with two further unconverted tries. Maintaining our share of the play, which was" ding-dong" throughout, Crane broke away on his own to pass to Poston under the posts. Parsonage converted. The end of the match found Birkenhead attacking, with another try and a penalty goal to complete the scoring. XV: Crossman J. C., James, J. P. Parsonage, Tasker, Howells i, J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.), Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston i, Kingston B. S., Ivey J. G., Wallace M. A., Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. D. E. Roberts was absent injured. Nov. 20th. v. MERCHANT TAYLORS' SCHOOL, Crosby, at Crosby. LOST 8-22. This match was our worst display of the season. Merchant Taylors were a hardworking side, but had no great scoring potentialities and had we played up to anythingIike our expected standard the result should have read very differently. As it was the forwards were slow and lethargic in everything that they did, and, for the only time in the season, let us down without a shadow of an excuse. This was all the more ironical because for once the threequarter line gave the impression of being an alert and dangerous combination, fast-running, sure-handed and intelligent, with plenty of thrust. Parsonage scored a fine try in the corner early in the game 'after an excellent opening by Tasker, who later went over for a try of his own, which Parsonage converted. Alas, they saw little more of the ball! XV: J. C. Crossman, J. P. Parsonage, James, Tasker A. M., Howells W. P., J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.J, Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston i, Kingston B: S., Ivey J. G., Wallace M. A., Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. D. E. Roberts was absent injured. Wednesday, Nov. 24th. v. COTTQN COLLEGE, at Ellesmere. WON 16-0. A return to their proper form found the pack dominating Cotton throughout the game, while the threequarters improved considerably after an uninspiring start. The first try was probably the best of the season, nearly half the side handling the ball, with Leech finally' touching down far out on the left. Roberts followed with a touch-down under the posts and Kingston broke through on his own after a forward rush. Parsonage twice added . the extra points and also kicked a penalty goal. Cotton saw little of the ball but were always fighting and were good in defence. XV: J. C. Crossman, J. P. Parsonage, D. E. Roberts, Tasker A. M., Howells W. P., J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.), Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston A. J., Kingston B. S., Ivey J. G., Wallace M. A., Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. Saturday, Nov. 27th. v. WATERLOO R.U.F.C. "A" XV, at Ellesmere. DRAWN 6-6. XV: J. C. Cro-ssman, J. P. Parsonage, James, Tasker, Howells W. P., J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.), Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston A. J., Kingston B. S., Ivey J. G., Wallace M. A., Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. Howells, Anderson and Leech were all injured or unfit.

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Saturday, Dec. 4th. v. KING WILLIAM'S COLLEGE, at Castletown, Isle of Man. LOST 8-9. A comfortable air crossing in the pleasantest of conditions and Rugger on a pitch in excellent shape. The XV was again somewhat depleted and played excellently. Hard running by Henney, the home Captain, on the right wing, put King William's two tries up by half-time, but it was clear that we were full of fight and that we held the advantage forward. After the interval the forwards really rose to the occasion and .by speed and weight forced the King William's pack practically out of the picture. The reconstituted back division was not a great attacking force, so every effort was made to gain ground by kicking and by using the pack. This' quickly paid when twice in succession kicks ahead were quickly followed by quick heels from the loose serums ensuing. In each case Crane made ground on his own before sending Archer over for the touch-down. Both tries were wide out, but a fine kick by Parsonage converted the second, while he hit the upright with the first. Another good run by Henney brought a final try for Kirig William's, who thus snatched victory by a single point. XV: J. C. Crossman, Harries, Tasker A. M., J. P. Parsonage, Roberts v, D. E. Roberts, K. J. Crane (Capt.), Hughes T. C., T. G. Archer, Poston A. J., Kingston B. S., Ivey J. G., Wallace M. A., Hibbert J., Pritchard D. D. E. Roberts was absent injured. Saturday, Dec. 11th. v. OLD ELLESMERIANS, at Ellesmere. LOST 0-3. . A single unconverted try in the first half by A. D. Garrett who ran with great determination was' the only score in a very evenly matched battle under really terrible conditions. Open Rugger became impossible after the first ten minutes and players were unrecognisable in the mud, For the O.E'·sGarrett, Shaw and Towers were very active in the back division, while Martindale, Thornton and Edwards were always noticeable in a pack which failed to wear out in accordance with O.E. principle. The School were unlucky not to score on a number of occasions. Crossman played one of his best games on record. XV: J. C. Crossman, J. P. Parsonage, Tasker A. M., D. E. Roberts, Howells W. P., J. M. Anderson, K. J. Crane (Capt.), T. C. Hughes, Warren, Poston A. J., B. S. Kingston, J. G. Ivey, M. A. Wallace, Pritchard D., J. M. Leech. T. G. Archer was absent taking examinations. THE 2nd XV. The Second XV, who have now become quite accustomed to winning matches, had a very satisfactory season. They owed much to R. V. Haygarth, who was as admirable a captain as he has been secretary of Rugger, and to an excellent pack which, on its day, could give the First XV forwards a reasonable run for their money. Outside the forwards things were not so happy although the defence usually evoked very favourable comment. There was a weakness at half-back, and the threequarter line, never potentially strong, suffered equally from the 1st XV's constant demand for replacements and from injuries of its own. . The following played in the 2nd XV during the Term: Jones x, Evans I, Harries P: G., Mautner, R{lberts v, James R. J., Tasker' A; M., Roberts ii, Murch, Jones viii, Samuel, Moncrieff, Walker W. J., Warren, Pearson, Haygarth R. V. (Capt.) , Hibbert J., Jones J. M., Howells ii, B. S. Kingst{ln, Morgan iii, Farmer, Ridge and Jolley. Of these 24 players no 'less than 12 played {In one or more occasions for the 1st XV, while only Kingston and Tasker gained regular places in it. . 2nd XV. RESULTS. Oct. 16th.-Sandbach School 1st XV. (a). Won 10-3. Oct. 23rd.-Whitchurch G.S. 1st XV. (h). Lost 5-10. Oct. 30th.-Wrekin Under XVI's (a). Won 24-{). Nov. 10th.-Liverpool College 2nd XV (a). Won 8-3. Nov. 13th.-Priory School Lst XV (h). Lost 0-18. Nov. 17th.-Whitchurch G.S. 1st XV (a'). Lost 0-9. Nov. 20th.-Merchant Taylors' 2nd XV (a). Lost 0-10. Nov. 27th.-Priory School 1st XV (h). Lost 8-45. Dec. lst.-Sandbacb Scbool1'st XV (h). Won la-,o.

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COLTS' NOTES.

Although it was obvious that the material was to hand, the season started off shakily, for the game had to be learnt from its most elementary principles. There were the simplest rules to be absorbed: boys had to be taught how to kick, fall, pass and gather a ball before any semblance of Rugger could be played. For a time there was despair and desperation. However, the keenness of all to improve had its effect in the end, and after a great number of changes, a fairly businesslike team was discovered. Each match brought out faults: threequarters ran fast but across the field, or were selfish; forwards failed to heel a ball in their possession, or were slow moving about the field, tackling was delayed until too late, and players were inclined to watch another boy with the ball breaking through on his own. Only two matches, those against Cotton and Sandbach, both at home, really showed the team at its best all the time, and although a number of matches was won, it was only in the last few weeks of the Term that team-work rather than the individual was at all noticeable. Hartley was the only Colour left from last year, and as Captain he was entirely responsible for the excellent spirit that was a feature of this year's team. Very strong, and a very hard-working forward, he was the mainstay of the pack. He was always up with the ball, dribbling closely-an art tOQfrequently not acquired-tackling and falling as an inspiration to others. Nichols and Bailey were two other players from last year's team. The former, a second-row forward, seemed tireless, and though not very spectacular, could always be relied on. A sprain kept Bailey from playing for a month, but after this he very easily found his place as a centre. A very safe pair of hands, but a poor kick, he timed his attacks well ,thrusting and swerving at a gap, selling dummies or switching the direction of the attack. He was a very safe tackler. Wilson at fly-half was a clever opportunist. His handling of a greasy ball was always safe, and though inclined to take his passes standing still, he had plenty of dash, speed and intelligence. At times his place-kicking was of a very high standard. Leaney and Leech played excellently as wing-forwards, and their liveliness, 'speed and tackling were prominent on all occasions; Whalley, the other centre, after learning to take passes with two hands, developed a forceful attack, always running very hard and straight, and, if anyone was in difficulties, he was always there, appearing, apparently from nowhere. At the beginning of the Term the team had no full-back, so one had to be made. Koetser soon developed into an accurate tackler, never failing to gather a ball, and picking up a ball on the ground quite remarkably at speed. Nankivell, with a style of hooking quite his own, worked very hard during the Term, playing inteUigent Rugger; Nicolson and West were energetic and most useful in a line-out; Taylor v at second-row used his weight effectively in all serums, and his kicking was accurate and strong. Simcock, quite the smallest serum-half the Colts have seen for some time, always played fearlessly and well. No opponent was too big to tackle, his falling was plucky, knocks and blows seemed to have no effect on him. Bevin and Jones iv were two very fast, hard-working wing-threequarters, Their handling was unreliable at times, but both confused their opponents by their dash and speed, A word must be said about Harrop. He played in three matches on the wing. In the last two he scored three times, beating numerous opponents' by his speed, hand-off and swerve. If he had played always like this, a regular place might have been found for him in the team. The last match of all was watched by nearly all the School, and their applause had an inspiring effect on the team, for attack and defence were fautless, hardly a pass was dropped, and the opponents were out-played and out-manoeuvred. Form, therefore, came late, for if the team had always played like this, it would have stormed its way to victory in all matches. Colours were aw.arded to Leaney, Nichols, Wilson, Leech, Koetser, Bailey, Whalley, Taylor v, Nankivell, Nicolson and Jones iv.

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The results of the matches are givenbelow:v. Whitchurch Colts (away). Lost 3-16. v. Priory Colts (away). Won 9-6. v. Cotton Colts (home). Won 27-3. v. Liverpool under 16 (home). Draw v. Sandbach Colts (away). Won 10-5. v. Birkenhead Colts (away). Lost 3-8. v. Whitchurch Colts (home). Won 11-6. v. Priory Colts (home). Won 12-6. v. Wrekin Colts (home). Won 9-0. v. Sandbach Colts (home). Won 11-0. ELLESMERE IN IRELAND.

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3-3.

It seemed as if everybody still on the premises had assembled at Founder's Gate to see us off; not least the Headmaster, who expressed the warm good wishes 'Of everyone. The journey to Liverpool was beguiled by harrowing tales of storm and sea-sickness on the part of those who were not still picking fragments 'OfRenaissance Venice from lips and chins-so hurried had the departure been. The .. Ulster Prince" seemed more luxurious than we had imagined possible, and we soon found ourselves at home in the lounge, the shop, the restaurant and other public rooms. The crossing was an excellent one, and everyone reported having slept well. We docked shortly after breakfast, and were met on the quay-side by members of the Staff and XV of Campbell College, a beautiful school about 2 miles outside Belfast,standing in extensive and lovely grounds, to which we were taken by private 'bus. Here, after our 33 pieces of luggage had been counted (an event of repeated occurrence), there was just time to see something of the school before the match, which was fixed to start at 11.45, after photographs had been duly taken for the local press. The game was a hard-fought 'One,played before a large crowd, Parsonage scoring the school's try after an interception by Roberts. Although Ellesmere were hampered. by a slippery ground, and seemed to lack sparkle in their attack, due perhaps to the recent travelling, it was quite clear from this game that Irish schools do not regard rugger as a light relaxation, but as 'One of the very serious things in life. Their forward play is particularly hard and speedy. The final score was 11-3 in Campbell's favour. . After lunch we were taken to Stormont, the Northern Ireland Houses of Parliament, a white stone building imposingly sited on a hill, giving an excellent view over Belfast, and itself a landmark for many miles round. After 'briefly occupying the seats of the legislators, and learning how business was transacted, we were next taken to Harland and Wclfe's shipyard, where we were impressed with the size of everything (particularly the distances to be covered) and the noise necessary to·produce a ship. Amongst other vessels we saw" H.M.S. Eagle," the largest aircraft carrier afloat, and 18 other ships in various stages of construction, where, as we learned, before the war the slip-ways were seldom occupied by more than six. After a meal in Belfast and a short break to inspect the shopping centre, we were taken to the Ulster Group Theatre to see Drama at Innish, a comedy of Irish provincial life, acted with a gusto and attack which drew favourable comment from our dramatic critics. It was whilst we were waiting to go in to the theatre that we-had the experience of being told to .. move along" by three armed policemen, on the grounds that our party was too large to be safe. . We left Campbell after breakfast the next day, when we had our first experience of Irish rail travel, not altogether a favourable 'One;as a party of natives had placed themselves flrmly in our reserved compartment, from which they could not be extracted until at the next stop the entire station staff were brought into the dispute. The Headmaster of the Royal School met us at Dungannon station, and showed us the way to the school, situated almost in the centre of the small market town. It is largely a day school, founded in 1614, with some buildings remaining from the earliest days. After lunch, we walked about a mile to the ground, where more press photographs were taken, and a large and friendly crowd watched an exciting game. We were opposed by fast and

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tough forwards, and an excellent three-quarter line. The score 'Of 11-0 against us gives little indication of Ellesmere's play. Anderson, Harries, Tasker, James and Crossman were outstanding in defence, and Dungannon, though always dangerous, were usually checked. The line was crossed only twice (once converted), a penalty goal making up the remaining points. We missed two penalties-one in the" twenty-five," and directly before the posts! In the evening Ellesmere gave a small dinner at the hotel, to which had been invited the Headmasters, Games Masters, and Captains of Rugger of the schools visited, together with other friends of the tour, including J. J. Millane; Esq. (whose home is at Dungannon), G. Anderson, Esq. (one of the many Anderson relatives who were encountered at almost every stopping place), and A. H. Wallace, Esq., whose extensive business interests gave him an itinerary remarkably similar to our own. After dinner, the health of the school was proposed by A. B. Cartlidge, Esq., O.E. (senior master at Dungannon) in a witty speech of reminiscence-mainly of a boy with a large mop of hair and wayward habits, called Nankivell. 'Hughes replied, and Crane next proposed the Royal School; to which their captain replied, whilst A. de G. Gaudin, Esq., Headmaster of the Royal School, replied to the toast of the Visitors. The proceedings were diversified by a vigorously conducted religious campaign just outside the window, and the celebrated Landbeg drums, which latter aroused Ivey's professional jealousy. On Sunday morning we went to the parish church of Dungannon, and to our surprise and pleasure were warmly welcomed from the pulpit, and wished a happy tour. In the afternoon we were taken to Armagh, where we saw first the National Observatory, and Crane had the distinction of signing his name in the famous visitors' book below that of Eamon de Valera. Next we went to the Cathedral, where the leaders had the honour of being presented to Dr. Gregg, the Primate of All Ireland. That evening we were received by Mr. and Mrs. de Gaudin in their private house, and spent an enjoyable couple of hours there, during which Christmas carols were sung. We attempted a number of those carols sung at the end of the term, and even undertook the Three Kings of Orient with solo parts. Two of the choir soloists were actually present, whilst a composite third monarch was constructed from Hughes and Harries. The following morning we found that there had been a heavy frost, and that fog was sufficient to make the trains late. At Londonderry, we played Foyle College shortly after lunch, in a thick mist and on a rather hard ground. Ellesmere hardly did themselves justice on this occasion, and were quite unable to hold the forceful Foyle backs. Early in the game James received a cut scalp, and had to be taken to hospital. Fortunately he failed to convince the doctors that he had concussion, and after a few hours was about again. The school had arranged for us to stay with parents, friends and members of the staff in and around the town, so that we had the opportunity of enjoying Irish home life, as well as seeing the schools. That evening every host seemed generously to have planned some form of entertainment for their visitors, and Ellesmere could have been found all over the town. The next morning we were taken to see the Guildhall, where the Deputy Town Clerk welcomed us, and showed us some of the historic treasures of the city, in the course of which Roberts assumed the Mayoral robes, but was restrained from making any official utterance. From here we went by way of the fortifications to the cathedral of S. Columba, . where the Dean showed us the building, and told innumerable tales of the history of the town and the numerous relics guarded ,by his church. After lunch we were taken by 'bus to Buncrana, a small holiday resort just over the border into Eire. For many, this was their first experience of a customs barrier, and they would no doubt agree that on the return journey they were given a good insight in to how such things work. Our last night in Ireland was made memorable by the Foyle College end-of-term dance, to which we were invited. Most of the team made some attempt to dance, and a few achieved distinction (Wales is obviously a centre for the social arts). Many new friends were made at this function, and many promises to correspond were exchanged. The majority got to bed about 2 a.m., thinking rather regretfully of the match still to play. This· took place at Coleraine, and was perhaps the best game of the tour. The team, in spite of yawns and protests, never looked as if they had been up most of the preceding night, and played a hard game. Roberts in particular played the game of his life, until in the last few minutes he was obliged to retire with an injury. It was after this that the

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score went to 11-0 in Coleraine'~ favour. This was generally voted an excellent game. After a hurried meal, and a final performance of We aTe The EllesmeTe FiTst XV, we took train for Belfast, and made our way to the boat. We had, unfortunately, not been able to secure berths for this crossing, and night found us scattered awkwardly about lounges, bar and other suitable crannies, trying to get some sleep. The ship docked at Heysham at 6.0 a.m., and the ·party broke up there, with a final competition to see how far one could get on a platform ticket. . The whole tour was a wonderful experience that will not be readily forgotten, and we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all those people who. did so much for us throughout our visit. The hospitality and generosity of our Irish hosts is something that will be remembered at Ellesmere for a very long time. A special mention must be made also of K. J. Crane, who not only captained the side on the field, but accepted the social responsibilities of leadership with an aplomb that augurs well for the success of his professional career. Nor must we fail to record the telegrams, Utpian at the best, which encouraged us, and mystified our hosts wherever we stopped. Finally it must be placed on record what we owe to the enthusiasm and resolution of Major Bayly, without whose determination to overcome every conceivable obstacle, the tour would have shared the fate of many another .. good idea," and remained only a wish. This adventure, which is already entering the realm of tradition and legend, will be a fitting conclusion to his connection with Ellesmere rugger, and one of which he can be rightly proud. T.C.H. C.S.C. RESULTS:Lost 3-11 (Try, Parsonage). CAMPBELL. COLLEGE, Belfast THE ROYAL SCHOOL, Dungannon Lost 0-11. FOYLE COLLEGE Lost 0-20. COLERAINE ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION Lost 0-11. TEAMS. J. C. Crossman. J. P. Parsonage, James R. G. D. ·E. Roberts. Howells W. P. J. M.Anderson. K. J. Crane (Capt.). T. C. Hughes. T. G. Archer. Poston A. J. B. S. Kingston. J. G. Ivey. M. A. Wallace. Hibbert J. Walker. W. J.

Campbell.

J. C. Crossman. J. P. Parsonage. James R. G. Tasker A. M. Harries P. G. J. M. Anderson. K. J. Crane (Capt.), T. C. Hughes. T. G. Archer. Poston A. J. B. S. Kingston. J. G. Ivey. M. A. Wallace. Pritchard D. J. M. Leech.

Dungannon.

J. C. Crossman, J. P. Parsonage. James R. G. Tasker A. M. Howells W. P. J. M.· Anderson. K. J. Crane (Capt.). Pritchard D. T. G. Archer. Poston A. J. B. S. Kingston. J. G. Ivey. M. A. Wallace. Hibbert J. Walker W. J.

Foyle.

. J. C. Crossman. J. P. Parsonage. Tasker A. M. D. E. Roberts. Harries P. G. J. M. Anderson. K. J. Crane (Capt.), T. C. Hughes. T. G: Archer. Poston A. J. B. S. Kingston. J. G. Ivey. M. A. Wallace. Pritchard D. J. M. Leech.

Coleraine.

B.B.

Squash Notes.
This year School Squash has become far more prominent and has not, as in previous y.ears, become entirely overshadowed by Rugger. The School team consisting of R. D. Viney, R. M. Carver and R. Mautner, have played three matches and have been successful in' each of these. The firc&t atch versus the Common Room was of .. Five strings:' and .the other m two' were of .. Three Strings." The results of the matches were as follows:School v, the Common Room, played at Ellesmere on November 14th. Played on a handicap system.

JANUARY,

1949.

THE ELLESMERIAN

49

1. Headmaster beat R. D. Viney: 2-9, 9-7, 3-9, 9-7, 10-9. The Headmaster gave 5, owed 5, and gave 1 hand. 2. R. M. Carver beat Mr. B. Bayly: 9-0, 9-0, 9-5, 9-2. R. M. Carver owed 3. 3. R. Mautner beat the Rev. S. Catling: 10-8, 9-0, 9-5. No handicap. 4. F. H. Brown beat Mr. E. A. Wilson: 9-2, 9-2, 9-3. F. H. Brown owed 3 and Mr. E. A. Wilson received 2. 5. J. P. Parsonage beat Mr. G. F. Paxon: 9-3, 10-8, 9-3. J. P. Parsonage owed 3 and Mr. G. F. Paxon received 2. Result: The School won 4 sets to 1. School v. Wrekin College. 1. R. D. Viney beat J. B. Nichols: 6-9, 9-3, 7-9, 9-2, 10-8. 2. B. L. Peace beat R. M. Carver: 9-3, 7-9, 8-=--10, 9-5,9-5. 3. R. Mautner beat T. R. James: 9-7, 9-6, 9-1. Result: School won 2 sets to 1. Ellesmere College v. Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club (2nd Team). 1. R. D. Viney beat J. D. Carver: 9-6,7-9,9-7, 11-9, 9-6. 2. J. A. Lucey beat R. M. Carver: 9-2, 9-7,9-6. 3. R. Mautner beat A. Day: 9-5, 9--0, 1-9, 9-3. Result: School won 2 sets to 1. The mistakes made by the School team were those with which Squash players are familiar. In many cases players tried to make spectacular shots and 50 risked a point where a more straightforward one would have been safer and more effective. The serving was in most cases casual and as a result many advantages were lost. As is often the case in Squash, the hard shots were played well, but the simple ones were played casually, the head being in the air and the eye off the ball, instead of even greater concentration being employed to ensure the winning of the simple shots. The team had little or-no experience in matches, and it is hoped that during the course of more practice these faults will be realised and remedied. R.D.V. INTER·HOUSE SQUASH MATCHES. Wakeman beat Meynell in the final round of the Squash Cup by 2 sets to 1. R. D. Viney (M) beat R. M. Carver (W): 9-7, 2-9, 10-8, 9-3. R. Mautner (W) beat J. P. Parsonage (M): 3-9,4-9,9-2,9-5,9-6. W. P. Howells (W) beat M. Samuel (M): 9-7, 9-5,6-9,9-2. In the first round Wakeman beat Talbot 3 sets to O. Meynell beat Woodard 2 sets to 1. In the second round Wakeman beat Woodard 3 sets to O. Meynell beat Talbot 3 sets to 0, and in the Finals Wakeman beat Meynell 2 sets to 1. Woodard beat Talbot 3 sets to O.

Editorial

Notes

We acknowledge receipt of the undermentioned contemporaries: The Forum (Highgate), The' Lancing Magazine, The Denstonian, The Worksopian, The Aluredian, The Magazines of St. Winifred's, Moreton Hall, The Breconian, The Barrovian, The Gresham, The Salopian, The St. Edward's Chronicle, The St. Bees' School Magazine, The S.S.M. Quarterly, The Ardingly Annals, The Hurst Johnian, The King Edward's School Chronicle, The Cottonian, The Crosbeian, The Birkonian, The Bloxhamist, The Wellingtonian, The Wycliffe Star, The Leodiensian, The Wrekinian, The St. Chad's Magazine, The Caldeian, The C.R. THE ELLESMERIAN be published Termly. The Editors (J. F. Lyle, W. P. Jolley will and Mr. J. W. NankivelD will be pleased to consider articles and correspondence for the next Issue-sgolng to press on April 30th. Please write on one side of paper only.

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51

O.E.
January, 1949

CHRONICLE
No. 75

President: C. H. FIRTH' Vice-President: D. A. J. SEDDON Hon. Sec. and Treasurer: MALCOLMSTOKES,Haughton, Ellesmere. Sub-Secretary for Ellesmere: W. L. SUMSION, he College. T Sub-Secretary for Manchester: H. T. BARRON,Sheringham, Chatsworth Road, Ellesmere Park, Eccles. Sub-Secretary for Liverpool: D. A. J. SEDDON,Lyndhurst, Pinewood Drive, Heswall, WirraI. Sub-Secretary for London: K. A. H. ROGERs, 21 Links Road, Epsom, Surrey. Sub-Secretary for Cardiff: R. J. HEDLEY," Trees," Heol-y-Coed, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. The sub-secretary for Birmingham, A. G. Shepherd, has had to resign on his leaving the district for London. O.E. Annual Meeting-June 4th, 1949. O.E. Cricket Match-June 6th, 11 a.m. promptly. , (Those willing to play, please inform J. W. Nankivell as soon as possible.) The London Dinner will be held on Saturday, 19th March, 1949, the day England plays Scotland at Twickenham. If any known O.E. has not had a notice giving details of the dinner three weeks before the 19th March, he should write to the London sub-secretary, private phone No. Epsom 9945, Business No. Langham 3112. Address, 21 Links Road, Epsom. O.E. Colours. Blazer material is still unobtainable, but Davies and Sons, Scotland Street, Ellesmere, can supply O.E. Squares (£1 Is. Od. and 2 coupons), O.E. Ties (7s. 6d., no coupons). A better quality tie, costing ISs. 6d. will shortly be available. We would like to draw attention to the article on p. 22 which was written by the Bishop of Auckland, The Right Rev.' W. J. Simkin. His friend and contemporary at Ellesmere, the Right Rev. T. A. Harvey, is Bishop of Cashel. Many other O.E.'s of fifty years ago whom he mentions in his article have never lost touch with the School. . The Birmingham Dinner has been fixed for 29th January at Imperial Hotel, Birmingham. An account of this dinner, the London dinner and Liverpool meeting will appear in the May issue. The Editor of the Ellesmerian appeals to the older O.E.'s to send him any copies of the Ellesmerian; especially wanted are the years 1884-1924, but any spare copies will be welcome, except those of the past five years. Only one complete set of all Ellesmerians published is in existence. The Office has a partially complete set from 1914 only. The Houses have very incomplete series, so if any enthusiastic member of a house would like to send his old copies to his House Master, they would be welcomed. The Editor wants particularly the earlier issues and Numbers 228, 235, 239; 249. O.E. MANCHESTER DINNER. The Annual Dinner took place at the Grosvenor Hotel on 4th December. Over 80 O.E.'s signified their intention of being present, and the fact that only 68 of this record number turned up caused the Club needless expense, and the Secretary was justifiably disappointed and

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despondent. But the excellence of his arrangements, as all present testified, were not upset by this unfortunate lapse on the part of several O.E.'s. We hear that four turned up the night before! Even so, the number which sat down constituted a record. The President, R. T. Firth, was in genial form, and was ably supported by the retiring President, H. S. Wynne-Jones, and the Vice-President, D. A. J. Seddon. The School and Staff were represented by the Head Master and J. W. Nankivell. H. S. Wynne-Jones, despite mislaying his" horn rimmed spectacles" and having considerable difficulty with his notes proposed the toast of" The President" in his own amusing way. Among the many things he recalled from our President's " murky past" was a certain occasion when he was nearly expelled from the O.E.'s Club for committing the offence of sleeping in the Blues' dorm after the hectic Whitsun festivities. Luckily the powers that be at the time were overpersuaded by the officers of the O.E. Club. The President, in his reply, cautioned Wynne-Jones of the law of Libel and Slander, but thanked him for most of the things he had said. He told us that with the permission of the Head Master and the" help of Mr. Stracheyand Mr. Gaitskill-God bless 'em" he hoped that the Annual Whitsun Dinner would once again be held in the School Dining Hall this year and expressed the hope that all O.E.'s would rally round and make the occasion the " success it deserves." He also told the company of the efforts made to bring along to the dinner a personality dear to us all .:» A Gentleman who used to watch rugger matches wearing an • Inverness' and who used, occasionally, to come down to Nets and knock Hell out of the bowling and who could equally well knock Hell out of the seat of one's pants when one committed a tort=-I refer, of course, to Heady" (Rev. T. H. Hedworth). Unfortunately on the advice of his doctor and a miscalculation of his age on our part, he was unable to be with us, but he sent his dearest wishes to all present. The toast" School and Staff" was ably proposed by G. Howarth, who in a short, well received speech, took us back down the corridors of time to the pre-electric days when bats were a feature of the School and the Dining Hall lamps helped flavour our soup. Many famous personalities were recalled to us, not the least among whom were" Charlie" Beresford and" Wahwah" Cope. The Head Master in his reply, was also in the mood to be reminiscent, and made a speech that will be remembered by all privileged to hear it, for many a long day. He elaborated on Howarth's figures from the past, letting us in on many peculiarities of their lives that we boys knew little of. The wireless duel of Beresford and Cope was recalled and caused many a laugh; also the feuds and back-chats of the bridge parties in the Masters' rooms were revealed to us for the first time. He ended by bringing us sharply to earth again, emphasizing the need in presentday conditions for leadership and exhorted us all to play our part in the way we were taught at School and to be firm in our principles. Speech-making over, we sat down to enjoy the efforts of two artistes, brought along at " great personal expense" by the President, and so ended another thoroughly enjoyable dinner. Those present: R. A. Evans Prosser (Head Master); J. W. Nankivell, 1912; J. W. Allison, 1907; D. H. Bancroft, 1921; F. Bottomley, 1913; A. L. Bennett, 1939; B. K. Barratt, 1940; H. F. Barber, 1928; H. L. Barron, 1926; B. Bancroft, 1926; C. R. Derbyshire, 1921; R. H. Dutton, 1939; G. D. Fairley, 1933; R. T. Firth, 1924; J. R. Forth, 1924; A. Farrand, 1938; P. G. Griffiths, 1933; D. C. Hanson, 1941; P. G. Hanson, 1942; A. D. Hewitt, 1941; G. Howarth, 1920; R. Heady, 1926; J. P. Heald, 1936; P. C. Houghton, 1920; K. B. Johnston, 1936; G. L. Little, 1940; D. A. J. Lawton, 1915; F. S. Morris, 1923; A. T. Morris, 1932; R. H. Mason, 1934; E. Mangnall, 1918; H. Manley, 1913; J. R. Morris, 1942; S. J. Major, 1921; C. Parker, 1937; W. A. Pyke, 1941; R. T. Rowley, 1940; K. Rogers, 1921; H. J. Shearing, 1940; H. Sykes, 1939; D. R. Skidmore, 1938; W. Sutton, 1941; W. Smirk, 1922; D. P. Shelley, 1939; A. R. Syms, 1940; D. Syms, 1940; D. A. J. Seddon, 1921; R. S. Scaddon, 1909; W. J. Skelton, 1940; B. C. Tustain, 1939; J. Tunnicliffe, 1923; R. K. Taylor, 1942; A. D. Turner, 1937; L. M. B. Vickers, 1923; H. S. Wynne-Jones, 1900; G. W. Whitehead, 1931; D. Wynne-Jones, 1933. THE D.E. RUGGER MATCH. The match, played on 11th December, 1948, was mainly distinguished by the able playing of a scratch team under indescribably wet, cold, muddy conditions. Mr. Feist must have found it difficult to notice. who was who, for within ten minutes all were solid black mud, and it is a

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53

tribute to his skill as a referee that both sides commented on the superb way he controlled the game. We refer the reader to the Rugger notes for a more detailed account of the game. Here we would like to say only how very pleasant it was to see some well-known members of past Ellesmere teams playing as well as ever. Thornton of Rosslyn Park, captained the side. Garrett (who plays Hockey, not Rugger, for his College at Cambridge) scored a brilliant try-the only one of the game-Martindale (now playing for Liverpool) was better than ever, J. Shaw and N. Towers resumed their old positions behind the serum, Malone (of Waterloo) and Everall (who has played for his O.C.T.U.) were dangerous wing three-quarters. The pack included many new to that position, but Brian Edwards used his great weight [small boy to writer: .. Is that Bruce Woodcock in the back row?"] and Webb hooked with ability. Despite the conditions, it was a hard-fought, tough game, perhaps more pleasurable to players than to spectators; and this is as it should be. About fifty sat down to tea. To Mrs. Hendy and her staff, the visitors are grateful for a very pleasant Christmas tea-party. The team was as follows: K. Irving; P. R. N. Everall, O. Hobbs, A. D. Garrett, G. A. Malone; J. Shaw, G. N. Towers; J. Ward, R. Webb, G. Daltry, R. T. Rowley, R. Spratling, J. Martindale, B. R. P. Edwards, T. C. Thornton (Captain). A number of O.E.'s were present during the day. A. Ferrand, now in business; V. Royston, still at Liverpool University, where he sees many other O.E.'s. Royston now has a son, it may be remembered that he married John Hickson's sister. Two of the five Tate brothers were also watching. A. France, in business with T. C. Price of Ellesmere and Shrewsbury, G. Crow, A. Parsonage, D. Parrott and of course the Hon. Sec. of the Club, Malcolm Stokes were amongst the visitors. A number were also present at the Service of Nine Carols on Sunday, 12th December. Several O.E.'s sent telegrams of greeting on 11th December. R. Sinclair, who was to have played, was prevented by illness from travelling.
EDITORIAL NOTE.

The attention of all readers is referred to the list of O.E.'s who died in the two World Wars. Please send any corrections and additions to J. W. Nankivell, at the College, as quickly as possible. The Editor will always welcome news of Old Boys, (especially changes of addresses). Please send to the Hon. Sec. O.E. Club, the Head Master, House Masters or the Editor. The next issue will be sent to press on 30th April, 1949. O.E. NEWSWe regret to report that J. C. Naylor (1929) who was reported missing on D-Day in Normandy, is now reported killed in action. We also regret to report the death, suddenly, in October 1948, from heart failure of H. R. Coggan, who came to Ellesmere in 1902. S. Faiz (i) is now engaged in legal work in London. He took his degree (2nd Class Honours School of Jurisprudence) at Oxford this year. His brother A. S. Faiz (ii) is in the Colonial Service and has been seconded to the Gold Coast. W. C. Kynaston, after five years in the R.N.V.R. (Lieutenant, served in Home and Far East Stations) has been granted a permanent commission in the R.A.S.C. .. Boris" Everall has also been commissioned recently. Buddie Atkinson passed out from Sandhurst recently and is now with the R.A.S.C. He was" down-graded," owing to an injury to his hand. His father, R. B. A., is back at Street, teaching, after spending several years in London, where he was in business. R. Graves expects to " pass out" this term. Others at Sandburst include at least the following: W. P. Sheppard, D. R. Donisthorpe, N. L. Evans and F. Dwight. M. F. H. Ellerton's address is 6 Huntley Road, Talbot Wood, Bournemouth. A new address list of members of the Club will be printed shortly. H. R. E. Rumsey has now been given a permanent commission in the R.A.F. He is at H.Q. Bomber Command, High Wycombe, Bucks. . G. Fairley writes: "Last week-end [3rd November, 1948] we went over to Sheffield to Christopher Bowley's wedding. It was a lively' do' and his married life started with a bang. The bride was Kathleen Mary Marsden. After a holiday in the south, the happy couple are settling down at Chigwell, where they are lucky enough to have a house. Christopher passed his M.R.C.O.G. finals last July and now has an appointment at the North Middlesex Hospital-he was in attendance when the 'quads' were born there the other day."

THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE

Other news George sends includes the following: " I sa w'that Graham Towers was playing for the Cheshire ' A ' team the other day; I saw that John Carter [former Captain of School] was engaged to June Rogerson [sister of Peter, Don and Neville]; I see K. G. [Todd-now H.M.I. in Manchester], Ken Johnson (learning the catering trade), Dennis Eaton (now with I.C.I.) and J. Ogden (a flourishing solicitor)." George lives in Altrincham and kindly entertained the Head Master's car-load before the Manchester Dinner. Rhaidyr Jones is now working with his father at the Derwen Homes. J. Martindale is in business in Liverpool, as are the Webbs (market gardening) and J. Shaw. S. J. Diggory, after service with the R.A. Vet. Corps at home and abroad, has gone to Bangor University. R. N. Sinclair has also left the Army. Illness at the last moment prevented him from playing in the O.E. match-he plays for Nelson" A " XV. Sinclair was with the Somerset L.I. at Deolali and later was with the last British unit to leave India for Bombay, where they had a " grand send-off, and a great welcome both on docking at Liverpool and at their depot in Taunton." Sinclair is now in textiles in Nelson. Neil Minor has been doing a twelve-months' Business Administration Course at the College of Commerce, Leeds-G. N. Towers and P. Gillespie have also been on this course-and he hopes to have a certificate in Management Studies on completing the course. Capt. J. R. Thomas was expected to play in the O.E. match, but failed to turn up. He is now with the 14th/20th King's Hussars, at Catterick. G. Sale completed his preliminary training in the R.A.F. at Warrington and was afterwards stationed at Ramsgate. K. Aspland is the Secretary of the Standard Motor Company and hopes to see the Ellesmerian Society there one day. Flying Officer Noel Ashcroft writes: " Late in May I left England to join 82 (photographic Recco.) Squadron, based at Nairobi. This Squadn [as has been recorded in the Press, particularly The Crown Colonist and the B.B.C.] is engaged in the large-scale job of aerial survey and photography of large and mostly undeveloped territories. We are using a development of war-time radar to give us the greatest accuracy possible, so that map-reading tourists in years to come may not find an oasis where a mountain should be. Our Squadn. is spread over thousands of miles of East and Central Africa ... we are now in Takovadi, Gold Coast; I have so far seen Egypt, the Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, the Rhodesias, Bechuanaland, Nyasaland, French Equatorial Africa and Nigeria ... so far I have travelled 40,000 miles ... too many details to give any; suffice it to say here is one O.E. who is finding the peace-time life of an R.A.F. pilot quite as hectic and ' moving' as any he has experienced in recent years! ... Whilst at Nairobi, I met Roy Morris [see below] and Robin Hughes [stepson of O. H. Chapman and a noted cross-country runner-now' demobbed ']. Morris is a radar' boffin.' Kind regards to all at Ellesmere, especially to Mr. Feist." One of the happier results of the proposed Seven Club Dinner, to commemorate the hundredth meeting of the Club, was that we heard news of many former members. Amongst the many replies was one from the Rev. J. Raymond Davis, who is now in Sophiatown, Johannesburg. Father Speight when visiting Ellesmere spoke with pleasure of his close association with Raymond when he was at Roath. Father Speight is in charge of the C.R. House in Cardiff. Davis likes the life" the people and the work very much, but the tempo of life out here is rather hectic after lawabiding England." He is H. S. Wynne-Jones' nephew and cousin of" Tetchill " Jones. H. Bell, now of the M/V "Calchas " writes of his last trip with the" Adrastas," which brought home a large cargo of animals from Ceylon, especially elephants-twelve of them; also leopards,.mongoose, and cranes. He has recently been to New York and via Panama called at Java, "a place I am beginning to detest-gluttonous mosquitoes attending you" nightly. The Bell brothers had a party, after three years' absence, when they met at the end of the" Calchas' " journey. Other O.E.'s present were J. D. Clarke, R. A. Harding, F. Dwight and P. Roulston • . Michael Browne is on the S.S. " Menelaus" and he was at Ellesmere recently after his second trip. He has since been to China and Malaya and Australia-returning by the Cape and West Africa (cigarettes 50 for Is. 6d.). A. Grant, who may be going to Sandhurst, has been playing for Rosslyn Park Extra" A" XV. Capt. T. C. Thornton also plays for them, as does G. Lloyd. Grant played at Sandhurst one day and saw Dwight. R. T. Rowley is taking up Accountancy as a career. He is working in Chester. J. R. Long, who left last July, hopes to be admitted to the University of the Witwatersrand

this year.

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55

L. Daltry is at the School of Land/Air Warfare, Army Detachment, R.A.F. Station, Old Sarum. G. Ellis is at Bodmin and enjoying the life surprisingly. He is already a Sergeant. Reference is made on an earlier page to the John Brunt portrait, and to the Memorial Fund. The officers and men of his Battalion have had permission to erect two altar rails in Lincoln Cathedral to his memory. They are to be placed in the Services' Chapel of the Cathedral. Charles Edwards, who claims to be the" first of the aborigines" of 1884, wrote a card recently" In sight of Australia on • Tuscan Star.' Then New Zealand-home September-visited Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Malta, Cairo, Upper Nile, Khartoum, Lake Albert, Juba, Nairobi, Bulawayo, Salisbury, Johannesburg. Pretoria. Had long talk with Smuts, Sir Godfrey Huggins. On' Dollar' mission, selling livestock. Best wishes all Ellesmere-Primus 1884." His home is at Craven Arms. He is well known in farming, hunting and racing circles. R. M. Love has been awarded a two-year research scholarship at Liverpool. He recently graduated with first-class honours in Chemistry. Brian Edwards was unable to go up to B.N.C. Oxford, this year, but he hopes it may be possible next year. Roger Edwards is stationed at Ipoh, Central Malaya-he is in the Colonial Police. Their father, J. P. Edwards, returns to Malaya soon; he is Deputy Director of Forestry there. G. G. Shepherd is with a firm of Accountants (JoscIyn, Miles, Page & Co.) in which John McCubbin holds a senior position. His brother, J. Shepherd, is in India, surveying. We have just heard that he was married a couple of years ago, and he has a baby daughter. R. J. Hedley, sub-secretary for Cardiff, also in Accountancy, recently became a father-his son was born on 30th October. F. Fitt of Longsden, farms at Mick Lea. He was commissioned in the 53 Div., R.A.S.C. in the T.A. eleven years ago. He recruited a new Company at Rhyl in 1939, embarked for France in November 1939 and was evacuated at Dunkirk. Later he was promoted Major. He was in Normandy on D 5 Day, with the 1st Corps. He served throughout the Western campaign, was released in October 1945. Last year he was appointed O.C. ofa R.A.S.C. Coy, T.A. R. W. Griffith is with the K.S.L.I. at Chelsea Barracks and meets Peter Lloyd, Jenkyn-Jones, John James and John Graves. Peter Lloyd has been in hospital losing his tonsils. M. Batchelor is now in Germany. S. G. Woodworth has been in S. Rhodesia for two years. He can be .. reached" via Barclays' Bank, Salisbury. A. Dickinson of Wallasey is now at the University reading for an Arts degree. R. Harding is taking a London degree in Commerce at the Manchester High School of Commerce. J. M. W. Williams, after years of service in the Navy-mainly in the Far East-is now reading for a degree in Estate Management at London University. Whilst waiting to go to London he acted as a temporary Civil Servant. He sees Peter Browne, also at London, doing Dentistry. He writes: "The best of good wishes to Ellesmere. P.S.-I expect you will put' 0' at the bottom of this letter out of sheer habit and' Spelling! Williams-spelling!! '" Michael Abraham and John Chapman have both joined the Colonial Forestry service, the latter being posted to West Africa, the former to Kenya. Abraham was at Edinburgh and got his . B.Sc. at the same time as Chapman, who was at Bangor. D. R. Evans [see Ellesmere-Fifty Years Ago] still living at Woburn Sands, writes: .. Michael [J. Evans] and I are flourishing. We both flog the golf ball about whenever an opportunity offers itself. I won the Veterans' Cup last year with a handicap of 18, and I am through two rounds successfully this year-hope to pull through. Michael is down to 2. I think Scratch is looming ahead. I am 76 to-day (3rd October, 1948)-it is good going to be able to wield a club-length is lacking, but my short game is still fairly reliable-that helps." [Many old Violets will remember his .. short game" when he was Dorm Master!] We were pleased to see a photograph in a weekly paper of wide circulation of Mr. N. F. Byng-Johnson, standing outside his house, Sally Lunn's, Bath, and looking years younger than his age. Of other former members of the Staff we have news of Mr. Thompson, who has been teaching for a while in Bristol, of the Rev. E. E. F. Walters, Head Master of St. Chad's, Lichfield, and Mr. N. W. Frayling, also of Lichfield, both of whom came to the School Play; of Mr. F. B. Field, now married and living in Bath; of Mr. G. B. Cranwill, now retired from teaching; Mr. R. Woods, still at Downside and now the father of a second child, a boy; the Rev. S. H. Sharpe, Precentor at Ripon Cathedral, keeps in touch with many O.E.'s.

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J. E. Burleigh, who is serving his third year as an apprentice at Bristol Aeroplane Co. has been awarded the Founder's Trophy for 1948 for outstanding work in connection with the School, in which there are 600 apprentices. Two of Burleigh's brothers are still at Ellesmere. F. H. Sutherns became Senior Draughtsman at the Llanelly Foundry and Eng. Co. Ltd. and is now a graduate of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering. Later he took a post as Research Engineer on Turbine Materials at Metropolitan-Vickers, Manchester. His address is 37 Brynton Road, Aston Estate, Birchpark, Manchester 13. H. G. Ellis enjoyed his last few months in the Navy. He was in a destroyer which was going to be laid up in S. Africa. He had fourteen days' leave over Christmas 1947 at a Cape vineyard. At the beginning of February he began his northward trek to N. Rhodesia. "I managed to get a lift ... to Bulawayo. The arrangement was to share petrol and other expenses and driving. We had a very battered Ford V.8. We set out from Cape Town and climbed 4,000 feet up the Hex River Valley and then started across the Karoo. It was a very wonderful experience. There was literally nothing but mile upon mile of scrub, and of course fiat-topped hills. We arrived in Johannesburg 19t hours after leaving Cape Town, having covered 980 miles. My companion was a very tough Rhodesian, who didn't believein wasting time.... We then made the next 1,000 miles of the trip and I spent 5 weeks with my sister at Livingstone. My brother-in-law had just built a yacht which we sailed on the Zambezi." "Beak" Ellis is now at Cambridge. There are sixteen or seventeen in residence there this year. They meet for a monthly informal coffee party, and last term Canon Woodard arranged for a corporate communion service for the Woodard School Old Boys. Lieutenant Colonel T. Phillips is now A.D.S.T., T.A. at H.Q. Eastern Command, Hounslow. He has just entered his son, R. T. R., aged 17 months, at Ellesmere. Tom Phillips' brother and father are of course O.E.'so Phillips had just returned from a tour in Egypt-his son was born there. A. G. Cattell is now at Trowbridge at 103 Bradby Road. It is several years since we heard from him. His brother is a senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture. Two of the Keatinge family spent a day in Ellesmere this term. Desmond Keatinge was spending his holiday in England with Major Alan Keatinge, M.C., R.A.M.C., now stationed at Preston, where he lives with his wife and baby daughter. Keatinge iii is now in Dublin again, after many years in India. "Quartus" is in N. Ireland, where he is a well-known veterinary surgeon. " Primus" is a Colonel, R.A.M.C., stationed in the south. J. Price is now learning farming. His second brother is a " Vet," his elder, manager of T. C. Price & Sons, Hordley. A. France is now working with their firm's Shrewsbury branch. He was at Durham University for a year. D. A. H. Evans is now a director of a Manchester firm. G. Dickinson, after his service in India, entered his father's business, but a strained heart has compelled him to give up strenuous work. He now intends to specialize in Social Science, take a Diploma at Belfast University and then become a Child Welfare Officer. M. de V. Roberts had a spell at the Docks during the London Dock strike. He is now a Theory and Driving Instructor in the XII Royal Lancers. Michael Cooper is instructing in Gibraltar-he is in the R.A. J. D. Mason is in Eritrea. J. P. W. Ellis, having completed his training, went to S. Africa in the autumn in the destroyer H.M.S. " Achilles "-Home Fleet-calling at Freetown, Simonstown, Durban. He celebrated his twenty-first birthday during the trip-during which he also met the M.C.C. team in a Cape hotel. His brother, in the Army, left Ellesmere last term. The Rev. E. T. Stealey, Vicar of Ludgershall, is rarely able to visit the School now. Another well-known " Jnnior School " figure, L. M. N. Brockwell, hopes to be recovered this year from his serious illness due to being " ditched" in wintry water when serving with Coastal Cominand. H. P. Cooper has been in charge of the Junior School for several years now. Percy Bridden has left the Army, is now farming and hopes to go to an Agricultural College shortly. It is a long time since we had factual news of H. W. Bateman, for so many years devoted Hon. Sec. of the Club and constant visitor and adviser to countless Ellesmerians. He is now living at Shaftesbury. He retired from business two years ago. His house and his church were bombed out and destroyed, and he himself was reduced to a poor state of health. But the fact that he has cycled nearly 3,500 miles in the last twelve months suggests that he has recovered his strength. He hopes to retire permanently to Worthing. We wish him well and would like to assure

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him how happy we will be when he is able to resume his annual visit to 'Ellesmere. The Club owes more to him than perhaps to any other single man. Another O.E. who is frequently in Worthing is D. Whitaker. He recently became the proud father of a daughter. His brother's wife also gave birth to a daughter recently. G. G. Whitaker farms in Shropshire, as does D. J. Wynn, now captain of Whitchurch R.F.C., which has had an excellent season. The O.E. Club could organize a first-class branch of the N.F.U. from its members! And we would have A. J. Lee, for an immense number of years Secretary of the Ellesmere N.F.U. branch, as adviser and mentor. Stokes, Reeves, Edwards, Emberton, Parry, Bebb, Benson, Ward, Hockenhull, Parsonage, Batho, are names famous in Shropshire farming history. The Parton family are well known in their district too. The father, a well-remembered forward in the XV nearly thirty years ago, is not any lighter to-day. His elder son is now at Rease Heath Agricultural College; the younger is still at Ellesmere. Michael Watts has spent his term's teaching practice at Ardingly. He has greatly enjoyed his work there, for Ardingly is a very .. live" place these days. He returns to Cambridge in January. L. Marsden's father, of Morden, Surrey, occupies his spare time doing heraldic work, and he has generously presented the School with an example of his craftsmanship. Roy Morris has returned from a trip to Hong Kong and was off on another tour in late November. He has been twice to Hong Kong and once to M.E. and E. Africa. He writes of meeting Noel Ashcroft, of hearing of the Faiz brothers when he was in Cyprus. Roy flies in .. Iris," a 'plane notoriously known in the R.A.F., so if any hear of its imminent arrival on its regular tour of inspection, look out for the .. radar boffin." The London O.E.'s hope to meet regularly in an informal manner-no need to book tablesat the Holyrood Hotel, off Oxford Street. The first meeting is on 14th January and thereafter at monthly intervals from 7 o'clock onwards. We congratulate D. A. L. Davies on his recent marriage to Miss I. A. Muller. He took a " first" in Natural Science at Cambridge this year. He is a scholar of Caius College, but had his career broken by Army service-he was a Captain. H. P. Lacey hoped to go to camp with the R.A.M.C. Coy. T.A. of which he is a member. He broke his nose playing Rugger early in the season. Lacey is at Leeds University. We have little news of the vast number of O.E.'s doing medicine at other Schools, though snatches come of W. H. Lyle and J. A. Henderson from Manchester. W. A. Dawkins, Jenkyn-Jones and others at London. Liverpool is quiet too, though reference has been made to Love's great success. P. M. S. Pretty was playing for New Brighton in their match at School. V. Royston finishes his Law degree this year-the Vaughan brothers are also at Liverpool. Paul Dean is the only name we have from Oxford, except of course P. D. Henderson, though D. Laughton and M. Elston are both still up. Dean is at Exeter College-he is secretary of the University Conservative Club. K. F. Carlisle now lives at Gidea Park. He is in a bank-Martin's, Foreign Branch, London, His son, Christopher Antony, was recently born. Carlisle sees C. L. Heyne, now Borough Surveyor at Sudbury, Suffollc. D. J. S. Tyrer renews his invitation to any O.E.'s in Canada to visit him at 237 Strathearn Avenue, Montreal West, 28, Quebec . . John Senior and K. L. Nicholson were both married recently; John in October 1947 and Kenneth in May 1948. John married Miss Alice Ann Bailey, of Cambridge at Hove Parish Church, and Nicholson was the best man. He was married to Miss Margaret Ward Liversidge of Roundhay, Leeds, and Senior was his best man. Senior lives at Skipton-Nicholson at Roundhay. Peter Manning Smith, who first went to Harvard in September 1947 with the help of a Fellowship awarded by Rotary International, hopes to graduate in June 1949. He recalls with pleasure old Seven Club discussions with" Royston, Coward, Peter Rogerson and Terry Thornton active participants •... Over here, thought-provoking seminars are extremely popular. Americans love to hear the other feIlow talk and are prepared to thrash out an argument to some conclusion or compromise even at the expense of night starvation." Smith is working for the M.B.A. (Master . of Business Administration). There are 12,500 students in residence at Harvard, two-thirds of whom are graduates. There may be a tendency towards mass-produced education, but the system seems to work. Undergraduates are kept closely to set books and expected to accept the philosophies of their professors-in contrast to the approach at Oxford and Cambridge. Incidentally, Harvard is the Oxford of America, and is situated in Cambridge! In spite of the more popular

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American football, we have an active Rugby Club, with fixtures against Yale and Princeton." Smith is the Club's President and was Captain last-season. They go to Bermuda at Easter to compete in an Inter-University tournament. He was a schoolboy Golf International when Captain of Golf here and gained his 1st XV Colours. A. G. Shepherd has been appointed Assistant Secretary to the Colonial Development Corporation in London, a position of great importance in these days. Neville Rogerson, last of the family and third Rogerson Captain of School, is now in the XII Royal Lancers at Barnard Castle. He attended the Lancing Centenary celebrations with R. G. Matthews and was, also with Matthews, our representative at the Works-Public Schools camp. de V. Roberts is an Instructor at Barnard Castle. Neville writes that Peter Rogerson has been broadcasting on the Overseas Service of the B.B.C.-and has been Chairman-of an impromptu debate. Peter is up at Cambridge. . J. K. Allison was the Hon. Sec. of C. Washbrook Benefit Fund. A greater sum was raised for this benefit than had hitherto been made. Washbrook is to present to the School a cricket bat signed by the Australian Test team. 1. B. Barter, though still interested in Rugger [he was a keen critic of the lst XV at one match during the term!] now plays golf. His Achilles tendon trouble put paid to more active pursuits. W. L. Foden has gone to Australia to learn farming. The School XV met A. B. B. Cartlidge when touring in N. Ireland. D. S. Parrot has been playing Rugger for Wrexham. He joins the R.A.F. shortly. R. W. Slinger is still at Liverpool University. Colonel J. Spilsbury, whose stepson is at Ellesmere, is now living in Tasmania. The O.E. Lodge meets regularly in Manchester. A report of their activities will appear iii the next ELLESMERIAN. J. H. Barker, of course, is still Secretary.

Prll1ted by !rhe Shrewsbury

Chronicle,

Ltd.