trbe

ElleSlnerian

Vol. LXVII

MAY 1956

No. 281

MICHAELMAS TERM

School Officers

Captain of School M. U. Newbold

Prefect of Hall .......................................•................................ '" C. E. Nash

Prefect of Chapel J. O. Jewiss

School Prefect E. H. Fraser-Smith

Captain of Rugby Football G. E. Stringer

Vice-Captain of Rugby Football C. E. Nash

Captain of Squash M. U. Newbold

Captain of Shooting J. M. Castle

Sacristan J. M. Castle

C.S.M's C.C.F C. E. Nash and M. U. Newbold

Librarian W. D. Hewitt

Secretary of Rugby Football C. H. Mooney

Secretary of Cricket , , K. J. Ransford

Secretary of Shooting M. Ghandehari

Secretary of the Seven Club M. U. Newbold

Secretary of the Ellesmerian Society C. F. Potter

Secretary of the Thespians : W. D. Hewitt

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VOL. LXVII. No. 281

School Notes

At the beginning of term M. U. Newbold assumed the office of Captain of School; C. E. Nash was appointed Prefect of Hall and J. O. Jewiss Prefect of Chapel. E. H. Fraser-Smith was made a School Prefect.

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We welcome to the Common Room Mr. N. R. Ainscow, M.A., St. John's College, Cambridge; Mr. L. C. Lay, B.A., London and Mr. J. S. Kendal, B.A., Trinity College, Dublin. We extend our best wishes to them and hope they will be happy at Ellesmere.

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As is customary, three films were shown in Dining Hall this term. They were Doctor in the House, The Malta Story and The Conquest of Everest.

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A School Concert was held in Big School on Saturday, November 5th. The school were entertained by various instrumentalists and vocalists, who, under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Reynolds and Mr. R. A. L. Lumley, proved that the musical ability of the school still retains its high standard ~espite the loss of many musical enthusiasts.

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We regret to announce the death on October 22nd of the Reverend Cyril C. A. Whitworth (S.S.J.E.) who was Chaplain here in 1916. We will all remember the interest he took in the School's activities when he visited us last term.

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The Chaplain, five servers, and twenty choristers represented Ellesmere in the reception of Saint Hilary's as a new Woodard School, at Chester Cathedral on October 18th.

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On the morning of Remembrance Day, C.S.M. Nash laid a wreath on the War Memorial.

The School was represented in the afternoon by tne C.C.F. and Scouts at the Commemoration Service in Saint Mary's Church, Ellesmere. The Service was followed by a march-past and the salute was taken by Lieut.-Col. Kynaston, D.S.O.

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The foundations of a new block of formrooms have been laid this term in front of the" Hope Room." It is hoped that they will be completed within two years.

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A half holiday was granted on All Saints' Day.

MAY, 1956

THE ELLESMERIAN

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Thirty-eight candidates out of forty-five were successful in the Certificate 'A' Part I examination held on Tuesday, December 13th, and twenty-one out of thirty-four passed the Part II examination. All thirteen signallers who took the Signals Classification examination on November 15th passed .

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The annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols was held on the last Sunday of term. As in previous years all who attended were greatly impressed by the beauty and reverence of the service. The Junior Carol Service was held on the following day.

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On returning to School at the beginning of term we were all pleased to note that a new heating system had been installed in the Big School.

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The Shakespearian Society's production this year was the Merry Wives 0/ Windsor. Mr. C.

Howard deserves great credit for producing the play so successfully; praiseworthy also are the set designers. The orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Lumley, added a romantic and professional touch to the three performances.

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Field Day was on October 20th. The C.C.F. directed their operations on Lord Kenyon's estate at Hanmer, whilst the Scouts spent the day climbing in the vicinity of Llanarmon and Corwen.·

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The First Fifteen Captained by G. E. Stringer have had a very successful season winning seven out of their thirteen matches. Full colours have been awarded to T. Ashley, C. H. Mooney, J. M. Parry, R. R. Pollitt, C. P. H. Tolson; and Half colours to K. J. Ransford, P. E. Flint, R. D. Chance, T. H. Gray and D. H. Bishton.

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The open meeting of the Ellesmerian Society was held on November 19th when the school was entertained by Cecily Arnold and Marshall Johnson in an .. Elizabethan Evening."

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The First Fifteen beat the Old Ellesmerian team by nineteen points to six; the School's Second Fifteen also beat the Old Ellesmerians' second team on December 3rd .

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Talbot won the junior rugger cup and Wakeman the senior cup.

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VOL. LXVII. No. 281

House Notes

MEYNELL Captain of House Vice-Captain ... House Prefects

E. H. Fraser-Smith (School Prefect) K. N. Jones M. S. Turner, C. R. Hutchinson S. Rogers, R. D. Chance

K. N. Jones, M. S. Turner J. M. Parry R. D. Chance I. W. McIndoe and M. D. Lee

Senior House Colours Captain of Rugger House Secretary Captains of Juniors

Captain of Junior Dormitory Junior House Colours Captain of Running

P. M. Johnson

D. C. Wolverson M. E. Turner

At the beginning of the term we welcomed E. H. Fraser-Smith as Captain of House; K. N.

Jones and M. S. Turner were appointed House Prefects.

As last term's House Notes did not include most of the results of the Athletic Sports, it should be noted that we retained all three Athletic Cups-the Sports Cup, the Standards Cup, and the Relay Cup; and the Middle Victor Ludorum was won by J. M. Heath-on the whole a good performance.

The house was extremely well represented this year in the School rugger. J. M. Parry (Full Colours), R. R. Pollitt (Full Colours), R. D. Chance (Half Colours), D. Bishton (Half Colours) and E. H. Fraser-Smith played for the 1st XV. In the 2nd XV Meynell had E. H. Fraser-Smith (Captain), N. A. C. Cope, D. F. Wain and M. S. Turner. In the Colts, B. E. P. Beeston (Captain), J. A. P. Ray, W. C. Pheysey, J. M. Heath, J. N. Bevan, P. M. Johnson and J. R. Ellis (two games) payed during the season. B. E. P. Beeston and J. A. P. Ray were awarded Colours. Meynell claimed I. W. McIndoe (Captain and Colours), M. D. Lee and J. F. Abbott in the Under ISs. In the Under 14s, D. R. Abbott, P. Roberts, G. W. K. Webster, J. E. Hosegood, R. A. Benson,

R. G. Willis and G. M. Furniss were from Meynell.

The Inter-house Rugger competition proved exciting and fairly successful for Meynell Seniors.

In the first match, in which our forwards were rather outplayed by a much heavier pack, we lost 8-3 to Wakeman. However against Talbot we were allowed to playa more open game and won 13-0. In the last game we drew 3-3 with Woodard-a game in which the conditions did not suit us and it was only a magnificent drop-kick by Beeston that allowed us to share the points and enable us to finish a clear second in the League. In the Junior House Rugger we again did weIl considering the youth of our team. We lost to Talbot 13-6 and to Woodard 5-3 but beat Wakeman 6-5.

On Sunday, December 11th, the annual house party was held. As usual the ping-pong table bore its customary appearance for these occasions, mainly through the generosity of the parents and the dayroorn was efficiently decorated through the exertions of J. N. Bevan and J. M. Heath. After some restful and original" party pieces" had been performed, E. H. Fraser-Smith brought the party to a close by awarding Senior House Colours to K. N. Jones and M. S. Turner and Junior House Colours to D. C. Wolverson. To these we offer our most sincere congratulations.

Finally we must bid farewell at the end of this term to K. A. Ackerfeldt. He has been a most lively and enthusiastic member of the house and we all send our best wishes to him for the future.

R.D.C.

MAY, 1956

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TALBOT

Captain of House House Prefects

J. o. Jewiss D. Hewitt, D. Meredith, R. F. Boote

Senior House Colours The Prefects, J. A. Jones

Junior House Colours A. E. Friend, H. J. Godwin, A. E. Coombs, G. W. E. Binks, J. M. Standring

Captain of HouseRugger J. O. Jewiss

Captain of Running W. D. Hewitt

In last term's compilation, the not infrequent remark was made that the House Spirit had once again risen and had proved itself with especially pleasing results in the sporting activities of the House. This was not just the vain boast of a member of the house wishing to increase the morale of his fellows (as is generally the case with these remarks) but was a genuine statement of fact, and, if this term has not been an outstanding one from some points of view it has at least served to substantiate and prove that statement.

At the beginning of term we were fortunate to have J. o. Jewiss (the only remaining Prefect), as our Captain of House; the remainder of the Senior Authorities being new to their posts; the term was, however, free from any major disturbance.

At the other end of the house we welcome a large consignment from Junior House and several boys who are new to the school. Already some of them have made useful contributions to House activities and presage well for the future. J. A. Jones was put in charge of House maintenance and R. E. Gaunt supervised indoor games.

The House made its usual contribution of players to all School rugger teams, with an especially liberal donation to the Junior sides. J. O. Jewiss, already a full colour, C. P. H. Tolson and P. E. Flint represented the Blues most honourably in the 1st XV,'and we must offer our congratulations to Tolson on gaining his Full C010urs and to Flint on gaining his Half Colours.

The Junior House team put up three splendid efforts and were justly rewarded by winning the Junior Rugger Cup. Here special mention must be made of the fine performances of A. E. Friend, the Captain, and of A. E. Coombs who scored most of the tries, not forgetting the good kicking of J. F. Newport.

A somewhat light and inexperienced Senior team approached the competition with a certain amount of trepidation and a great deal of determination. Our rivals in the first match seemed to underestimate the strength of the backbone of our team, namely the 1st XV hooker, serum-half, and inside centre threequarter, and in a game of vicious tackling and snap chances the Blues, spurred on by the fine example of Jewiss, the Captain, who placed two very fine kicks between the posts, carried off the honours and a good deal more respect. This latter factor was very evident in the next two matches when two much heavier teams gave us no chances, and we were beaten in both games; but not before we had acquitted ourselves quite honourably from a competition in which the standard of rugger played was unusually high.

During the term the craze for painting dayrooms reached the top floor, and, under the skilled leadership of J. R. Barlow, who also supplied the paint, it was used in Talbot dayroom with remarkably good results. In a very short time, all the lockers were expertly painted in good, light colours, and the House is much indebted to Barlow and his assistants for their work.

Our furniture purchases during the term amounted to one rather old but pleasant table, and,

there is still much room for more armchairs and settees. . .

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VOL. LXVII. No. 281

We offer congratulations to D. Meredith and J. A. Jones on being awarded their well-earned Senior House Colours, and to A. E. Coombs and G. W. E. Binks on being awarded their Junior House Colours.

Perhaps the unhappiest event of the term is the loss of one of the House's most popular " stalwarts" who leaves us at the end of this term, namely J. A. Jones. In whatever sphere of activity he has been, he has given of his best, and it is with sincerely great regret that we see him leave us, and we wish him the very best of luck in whatever he may do.

With the smell of fresh paint in the air, with the dayroom heavily swathed in beautiful decorations and with several weary bodies still covered in grease-paint seeking rest in our comfy chairs,

a very successful term came to an end. W.D.H.

WAKEMAN

Captain of School Captain of House Vice-Captain of House House Prefects

M. U. Newbold C. E. Nash

G. E. Stringer T. Ashley, J. M. Castle. M. H. A. Boldero, R. J. C. Hartley

M. U. Newbold, C. E. Nash G. E. Stringer, T. Ashley

J. M. Castle. R. J. C. Hartley, T. H. Gray Captain of Rugger G. E. Stringer Captains of Junior Dormitory D. E. Forgrave, C. J. M.

Hunter

... C. B. Elliott, J. G. Williams ... R. Norbury, C. B. Elliott, W. J. Allen, J. G. Williams, M. J. Horne, F. Berrisford, J. A. Tunnicliffe

C. R. Moore

Senior House Colours

Captains of Juniors Junior House Colours

House Secretary

The spirit of the House has been high, and this has been apparent both" at home" and on the rugger field.

We were well represented in the Ist XV by Stringer and Nash (old Colours), Ashley (new Colour), Gray (Half-Colour), Hartley and Newbold, and in the Colts by Bevin and Rhodes (both being awarded their Colours), Berry, Pritchard and Dickinson.

In spite of its inability to win any of its three House matches our particularly young and light Junior team played good rugger and kept the game open. The threequarters-conspicuous amongst whom were Ball and L. P. Davies-were outplayed, with the result that the fighting spirit of the forwards-led on by Norbury and Berrisford-was of no avail to them. Even the plucky play of the full back, Clayton, failed to keep out the opposing teams. .

On the other hand the Senior Team won all three of its games, in spite of the fact that Ashley was injured during the second. The team was excellently led by its Captain, G. E. Stringer, and this was shown in the encouraging play of the younger members, particularly Bevin and Dickinson. The Senior Team retained the cup.

The House Party was an outstanding success, due mainly to the quality of the acts which ranged from a beauty competition to a version of" Animal, Vegetable and Mineral" and from a murder scene to a " hula-hula" dance. This last act was very cleverly and amusingly executed, and the two grass-skirted" girls" were soon seen sitting in the guests' laps. These" girls" were in no sense of the word under the influence of House" spirit "I

The Old Wakemanites' Fund has proved very successful and has provided many extra comforts for the Dayroom.

Ashley, Cohen and Gardner leave us at the end of term. Ashley, with his keen spirit, has done much for the House, We wish all three the best of fortune in the coming years.

C.R.M.

MAY, 1956

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VALETE

T. ASHLEY. Wakeman House 1951-1955; House Prefect 1955; Senior House Colours 1955; Captain of Juniors 1953; Junior House Colours 1953; Captain of Junior Rugger and Junior Cricket 1953; 1 st XV Rugger 1955; Colours 1955; Colts Rugger 1952-53; Captain and Colours 1953; Under 14s 1951-52; 2nd XI Cricket 1953-55; Colts Cricket 1952-53; Colours 1953; G.C.E. '0' Level 1954-55 (5 subjects); Fine Arts Club 1955; Certificate 'A' (both parts) 1954; L/Cpl. 1954; Cpl. 1955; Sergeant 1955.

WOODARD

Captain of House Vice-Captain of House House Prefects

M. Ghandehari C. H. Mooney K. J. Ransford, W. G. J. Hughes, D. E. K. Thomas

M. Ghandehari, C. H. Mooney, K. J. Ransford, S. A. Taylor, R. J. Clee, J. D. Worrall,

J. C. Jacques, F. A. Petter Johnson (vii), D. S. Harty, D. K. Reid, H. Ghandehari, P. J. Wrangham, H. Rees

W. G. J. Hughes C. H. Mooney J. M. Preston and J. D. Catlin

Senior House Colours

Junior House Colours

House Secretary Captain of Rugger Captains of Juniors

Considering that the House is the smallest in the school, we have had a fairly good term in the sporting sphere.

In the Junior Rugger, under the able captaining of J. M. Preston, an under 15 Colour, we managed to come first equal in games with Talbot but second on points.

In the Senior Rugger, we have not been so fortunate, although we had a few members of the First XV, namely C. H. Mooney, K. J. Ransford, F. A. Potter, and C. J. S. Jacques. We lost to all three Houses although we played very well. K. J. Ransford is to be congratulated on being awarded his 1st XV half colours and G. H. Mooney on being awarded his full l st XV colours.

At long last the Dayroom has cast off its" railway station waiting room" look, and with the new" living room" look, the House now lives in comfort. Not long after the beginning of term Mr. and Mrs. Ratcliffe, parents of a boy in the House, presented the House with five settees and ten armchairs. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them very much indeed for such a splendid gift, which is appreciated by all.

Mr. Johnstone, father of a member of the House, also presented curtains for the windows and we would like to thank him very much too, also the many other kind people who gave various items to the House. Under the supervision of M. Ghandehari, several members of the House painted the lockers and accessories and this too has brightened up the Dayroom.

The House Party was a great success this year and thanks must be paid to D. E. K. Thomas and C. F. Potter for the hard work they put into it and also thanks must be paid to Mrs. PughLewis for helping us in the catering problem.

At the beginning of term, W. G. J. Hughes was appointed a House Prefect, and during the term, J. D. Worrall, R. J. Clee,C. J. S. Jacques and S. A. Taylor were presented with their Senior House Colours and Johnson (vii) and Harty were awarded their Junior House Colours. We offer our congratulations to them all.

. This term, we have had a fair share of promotion in the C.C.F. and all are to be congratulated on their good efforts.

We congratulate also Graveley, Whitehead, Blackburn, Wassail, Jacques and Preston on passing Cert. 'A' Part II, which this year was of a very high standard.

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. In the School Shooting VIII's we are weII represented and congratulations must be paid to

M. Ghandehari on his appointment as Secretary on the Shooting VnI.

There have not been many other spheres in which we could distinguish ourselves as this is the Winter Term and there are not many activities.

At the end of term we lose several members of the House, namely R. J. Clee, J. D. Worrell,

C. J. S. Jacques, D. G. Wassall, S. A. Taylor and S. G. Mawer. We extend our hearty best wishes to them in the future.

W.G.J.H.

VALETE

J. D. WORRALL. Junior School 1947-50; Woodard House 1950-55; Junior School Cricket 1949; Junior School Colours 1949; Colts Cricket 1952-53; Junior House Colours 1952; Colts Colours 1953; Cert. 'A' Part I, Part II 1954; N.C.O. 1955; Second XV Rugger 1954-55; G.C.E. '0' Leve11955; Senior House Colours 1955; School Shooting VIn 1955.

J. C. S. JACQUES. Woodard House 1952-55; Captain Juniors, Junior House Colours, Under 14's Cricket, Under 14'5 Rugger, Colts XV, C.C.F., Cert. 'A' Part I and II, School Shooting VIII 1955 ; G.C.E. '0' Level 1955 ; Senior House Colours 1955.

R. J. CLEE. Junior School 1948-50; Junior School Cricket 1949; Woodard House 1950-55; Junior House Tennis 1950-52; Senior House Tennis 1953-55; Senior House Squash 1954-55; School Tennis Team 1953-55; Cert. 'A' Part I, G.C.E. '0' (3) 1955; Senior House Colours 1955.

Junior House

Head Monitor Monitors

E. T. D. Leadbeater D. G. Hanson, F. P. Hodgkinson, R. A. Ball, P. H. Ward

Football Cup Shooting Cup All-round Cup House Colours

Stuarts Stuarts Stuarts

E. T. D. Leadbeater, D. G. Hanson, R. A. Ball

F. P. Hodgkinson, J. M. Nickson

It is pleasing to be able to record a term of fine weather which enabled us to be out-of-doors so often and to complete our football fixture list with but one cancellation owing to sickness.

The programme of the Junior Ellesmerian Society was again both varied and interesting and members of the Society instructed us on topics ranging from the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance to the practical details of washing up. The Society's guests this term provided items of quite exceptional interest. Mr. Jackson showed us some films he had taken himself of the School buildings and activities over the last 15 years, while towards the end of term Mr. M. U. Newbold and Mr. C. E. Nash presented an account of their stay in Newfoundland last summer, illustrated by lantern slides of considerable merit. We are extremely grateful to all three gentlemen for so willingly coming along to entertain and inform us.

The Shooting Cup fell easily to the Stuarts who won the competition with a smaller total than has previously achieved success. We congratulate them on being the holders of all five Cups.

We also congratulate Leadbeater, Hanson, Ball, Hodgkinson, and Nickson on being awarded their House Colours; Leadbeater and Gould on winning Star prizes and the Ward brothers and Wells on receiving prizes for modelling. We would like to thank Mrs. M. Menges who has presented an attractive standard lamp to the Junior House library on the occasion of N. M. Menges leaving to go to school in South Africa.

The Junior Carol Service took place in the School Chapel on Monday, 19th December. We were very pleased that it was so well supported by parents and staff.

Finally we wish to extend a warm welcome to the new members of the Staff. Mr. N. R.

Ainscow, who has taken over the Cubs; Mr. J. S. Kendall and Mr. L. C. Lay who are already taking an enthusiastic part in our activities.

R.E.B.

MAY, 1956

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SOCCER NOTES

The term has been a good one in many ways.

There has been little interference from the weather and sickness and, although the match at Packwood Haugh had to be cancelled owing to sickness there, seven games were played.

Of these four were won: Cathedral School, Chester 3-1 (a) and 5-2 (h); King's School, Chester 2-0 (h) and Packwood Haugh 2-0 (h).

In the other three games we lost to the King's School at Chester by 3 goals to one, and having held Prestfelde to 3 goals to 2 at home were swamped 9-0 at Shrewsbury. This side contained some boys with much football ability and also somewhat older than our Under 12. Next year

we hope an under 12 fixture may be specially arranged. \ .

Hodgkinson (Capt.), Hanson (Vice-Capt.); Johnson and Nickson were awarded their colours. Others who played in the XI were: Ward, Parker, Leadbeater, Moreton, Gwilliam, Walker, Nicol, Rothwell and Bloomfield.

The Stuarts won the Cup, which was again played for on a league system.

I should like to thank Mr. Kendall and Mr. Lay for the enthusiasm they have shown and the help they have given with the senior club sides this term.

W.E.W.S.

Chapel Notes

On the second Sunday of the term was observed the Feast of Dedication, and we were fortunate to have as preacher the Rev. H. H. Follis (O.E.). The following Sunday was the Thanksgiving for the Harvest, and Te Deum was sung. On Remembrance Sunday we joined in the afternoon service in S. Mary's Church, and we were delighted to find that the Provost was the preacher. In the morning the Headmaster conducted our own service of Remembrance in front of the War Memorial, and Cadet C.S.M. Nash laid the wreath on behalf of the School.

Other visitors to the Chapel this term have included the Rev. Canon H. H. Dibben (Rector of Staveley), the Rev. Michael Browne (C.A.C.T.M.), and the Rev. J. Davies (Eaton Hall O.C.S.).

On the .last Sunday of the term took place the service of Nine Lessons with Carols, conducted by the Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Shrewsbury, who once again found time to be with us for this occasion, to our great pleasure.

G. E. Stringer, during the term, relinguished his position as Sacristan, having served with outstanding loyalty and faithfulness for over a year. In his place J. M. Castle has been appointed.

, S.C.

Chapel Music and Choir Notes

The major reconstruction of the Choir at the beginning of term was carried out with considerable thought and care, and it is much to the credit of all singers that the singing right from the start was able to reach so surprisingly high a standard. In replacing nine altos, tenors and basses, who had left, by singers who had been singing treble almost right up to the end of the previous term is no mean achievement. Our plan was to err on the side of simplicity in the music, but at the same time trying to pay even. more attention to detail and finish than had sometimes been the case in our more adventurous days. This paid dividends almost immediately, and by half-term we were back with many old favourites such as Stanford in C, Rejoice ill the lord, and a sizeable portion of the Christmas music from Handel's Messiab spread over two Sundays. By the time the Carol Service came we were singing together most happily-though we could not help missing a certain depth of tone from the bass department, and sometimes there was. a little hesitancy in the tenor line. But we are more than optimistic in our hopes for the future.

On St. Luke's day, October 18th, a selected body of singers sang with representatives of all the other Woodard School Choirs of the Midland Division in Chester Cathedral, at the reception into the Corporation of the school of St. Hilary, Alderley Edge. We all thoroughly enjoyed this experience of fellowship; and since this is the second occasion within the past eighteen months when we have participated in such a choral meeting, we cannot help feeling that it is an excellent idea, and surely one which would rejoice the heart of our Founder.

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The congregation's singing throughout the term has been most encouraging; much of this is due to a number of stalwarts whose response to continued appeals for not only hearty, but good, congregational singing has shown others the way. We are all encouraged by this, and it makes possible the provision of congregational parts to much music which would, hitherto, not have been a practical proposition in keeping with the standards of singing to which we have always been accustomed in Chapel.

During the Summer holidays R. S. Caney, T. J. Ganz and G. E. Stringer represented Ellesmere College at the Royal School of Church Music's annual Cathedral Course held, this year, at Lincoln Cathedral for a fortnight. It is sad for us that the further experience they will have gained there will not be of profit to us since they all left us last term; but we are very proud of the representation which Ellesmere has had at these highly" selective" courses over the last four years.

We welcome the following newcomers to the Choir this term: L. A. Lamb (Choral Scholar from Lichfield), H. R. E. Clarke-Lomas, R. D. Gould, A. G. Platt, D. H. Pratt, R. J. Reeves, J. A. Smith and J. D. Stretton (all trebles); J. R. D. Billington to the basses, and (from retirement) J. A. P. Ray, also to the basses.

R.A.L.L.

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

The Carol Service in Chapel on December 18th was particularly memorable for those of us privileged to be present at it for the first time, yet for others too, as it takes place year by year, it must surely remain a constant source of inspiration, and a fitting introduction to one of the most important and moving periods in the Christian year. The hushed and crowded Chapel .. lit by candles only, and with the Crib the centre of all eyes by the altar, once more provided an appropriate setting for the unfolding of the ancient Christmas Story, as it began to the sound of a clear treble voice outside singing: .. Once in Royal David's City stood a lowly cattle shed." The procession of the Magi, the account of Christ's birth as it was read and sung, all led up to the climax of the last of the carols to be rendered by the choir alone, when we looked ahead to Easter, and the Infant King" Conquering Death, its bondage breaking."

The choir sang as well as ever, keeping together, and with confidence and expression. The trebles were very effective with their descants and soloists. Carols sung included such favourites as .. Ding-Dong Merrily on High," .. I Saw Three Ships come Sailing In" and" On Christmas Night all Christians Sing." Two Basque carols, though not well known, were nevertheless very pleasing: .. The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came," with its soft humming accompaniment to the soloist, and" The Infant King," with its dramatic climax.

This service has now become a tradition at Ellesmere, and an integral part of the life of our community, and our thanks are due to all those who by their efforts made it possible.

N.R.A.

Junior Carol Service

To be present for the first time at a Junior Carol Service was indeed a rare and memorable experience. The Chapel, beautifully lit by candlelight, provided a wonderful setting and atmosphere, and music for organ with oboe accompaniment from the Christmas Oratorio, an admirable prelude to the simple and dignified procession of the Kings with which the Service began. The first reading from the familiar Christmas story attained near perfection and the rest was told with a refreshing simplicity. The carols, both the well-loved and the less familiar, were sung with pleasing sweetness and restraint-the melancholy .. rallentando" in the last but one verse of .. Good King Wenceslas " was especially beautifully realised; and the whole-hearted singing of .. Adeste Fideles " and the final triumphant Processional Hymn expressed the gratitude of the congregation privileged to be present on such a moving and memorable occasion.

L.C.L.

MAY, 1956

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" Reason, you rogue, reason, think'st thou I'll endanger my soul gratis?"

" Have 1 not stay for him, to kill him? Have I not at de place I did appoint?"

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The Merry Wives of Windsor THE CASTE

JUSTICE SHALLOW

ABRAHAM SLENDER, his cousin SIR HUGH EVANS, a School Master MASTER PAGE

MISTRESS PAGE ...

ANNE, their daughter

WILLIAM, their son

MASTER FORD

MISTRESS FORD

SIR JOHN FALSTAFF... ... ...

BARDOLPH { }

PISTOL his followers

NYM .

ROBIN .

THE HOST OF THE GARTER INN DOCTOR CAIUS ...

MISTRESS QUICKLY, his nurse FENTON

SI MPLE, servant to Slender

RUGBY, servant to Dr. Caius ... ...

JOHN { servants to }

ROBERT Mistress Ford

T. W. B. Barnes

C. F. Potter

D. Meredith P. J. Hedges

C. H. Chambers R. J. Collett D. G. Parker J. A. P. Ray W. D. Hewitt C. R. Hutchinson S. Rogers C. E. Nash C. P. H. Tolson P. L. Speer J. O. Jewiss D. E. K. Thomas J. C. Chapman J. B. Topping D. G. Wassail J. A. Lee C. V. M. Jones P. M. Unsworth

The Play produced by Mr. C. Howard

The Music and The Orchestra under the direction of Mr. R. A. L. Lumley

The Orchestra

Violins: J. R. D. Billington, S. S. Caney, J. Pugh Lewis, Mrs. J. E. Reynolds 'Cello: Mr. J. E. Reynolds, Piccolo: R. A. Lomax, Flute: R. D. Chance Oboe: P. B. Billington, Clarinet: Mr. M. S. Richards, Trumpet: R. Ashcroft

The Music

Overture: Miniature Overture (Charles Woodhouse) Entr'acte:" Happy. Days "(W. H. Reed)

Interlude: "Merry Wives" (R. A. L. Lumley)

Dance: Sellenger's Round (Traditional)

The Dance arranged by Mrs. J. W. Nankivell

The Make-up by Mrs. J. W. Nankivell, the Rev. Skene Catling and Mr. G. B. Jackson

The Costumes by Citizen House, Bath, and the School Play Wardrobe, under the direction of the Rev. Skene Catting, assisted by R. F. Boote and P. M. Johnson

The Scenery designed and painted by C. R. Hutchinson and D. Meredith in the School Art Room, under the direction of Mr. R. A. Brown

Stage Carpenter: Mr. J. Edwards

Stage Hands: M. R. Blackburn, G. M. Hannah, P. R. Lewis, T. B. Rawlings Electricians: Mr. W. E. W. Smith, with M. U. Newbold, J. E. S. Robson Stage Managers: M. V. L. Oliver, W. G. J. Hughes

Seating Arrangements and Stewards: Mr. H. P. Cooper with E. H. Fraser-Smith, J. M. Castle, K. J. Ransford, and B. E. P. Beeston, D. H. Bishton, S. S. Caney, M. R. Chapman,

M. D. Cohen, T. H. Gray, R. f.' C. Hartley, J. A. Jones, R. R. Pollitt,

D. E Wain and J. D. Worrall .

Secretary to the Society: Mr. W. L. Sumsion

The excess of Income over Expenditure for the Shakespearian Play was £53 9s. 6d., transferred to the Chapel Completion Fund Account.

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The Merry Wives of Windsor was written around 1600, in the middle of Shakespeare's dramatic career. No attempt was made to link the play with others in which Falstaff appeared; it is said that Queen Elizabeth asked to see Sir John in love, and this is the hastily-produced result. For Falstaff fans this is a pity, for Shakespeare radically altered his conception of Falstaff's character. Gone is the zestful buffoon of Henry the Fourth, and we are left with what Hartley Coleridge called" a big-bellied impostor." Where is the man who cried, .. Give me life!", and in his age. identified himself with youth? .. You that are old consider not the capacities of us that are young." The man who welcomed a .. scrape" as an exercise for his wits, and even fell asleep behind the arras while hiding from arrest on a capital charge, now dithers when trapped in Ford's house,and can think of nothing more constructive to say than, .. What shall I do? For God's sake devise something." The reason for this change is not that Shakespeare had grown tired of Falstaff, but that he had become concerned to extol the importance and greatness of kingship: Henry the Fifth, written just before The Merry Wives, is a pageant of England's glory under the young king, who has renounced his riotous youth. The Archbishop of Canterbury sets the scene:

.. The king is full of grace and fair regard . .

The courses of his youth promised it not. The breath no sooner left his father's body But that his wildness, mortified in him, Seem'd to die too: yea, at that very moment, Consideration like an angel came,

And whipp'd the offending Adam out of him, Leaving his body as a paradise . . ."

Soon after this we hear of Falstaff's death. How, indeed, could Shakespeare leave Falstaff alive as a reproach to the king with whom he had spent so many hours of dissipation in Eastcheap? and when asked by Queen Elizabeth to revive Falstaff, how could he, after his eulogy of kingship, show the same man, the lovable companion of the young Henry V's salad days? The Falstaff of The Merry Wives is a different man who bears the same name by royal request. Once this is realised, we can detach The Merry Wives from the false context in which it has been placed and consider it with less prejudice.

It is in fact a very amusing comedy, and Mr. Howard's production (the Shakespearian Society's sixtieth) maintained the humour at a high level. In this the producer was aided by first-class principals who allowed their parts to carry them along with apparent ease. C. R. Hutchinson was outstanding in his acung of Falstaff. I disagreed with his interpretation of the part: Falstaff is not, in The Merry Wives, a very engaging character, and never lovable (as he is in Henry the Fourth, in spite of, or perhaps because of, his faults) and Hutchinson made him too genial, too like a Father Christmas. Falstaff, viewed dispassionately, is a lecherous drunkard, and in The Merry Wives we are not intended to sympathise with him. An American scholar has tried to present him as a direct descendant of the Vice of the medieval morality plays; in the histories this is nonsense, but in The Merry Wives there is at least some foundation for the theory. For we must not feel sympathy for Falstaff, or many of the comic incidents cease to be comic. It is only because the old knight is a butt for our laughter that we find his greasy journey in the buck-basket amusing. In the earlier plays we laugh with him as he successfully escapes from tight corners; in The Merry Wives we laugh at him discomfited. However, Hutchinson acted very well: his portrayal of Falstaff had a unity and ease so convincing that his slightest gestures, though carefully studied, seemed natural. It was a pity that there was no room inside his costume for a few more cushions.

1. C. Chapman, as Mistress Quickly, was also very good. He seemed just right in the partquite at ease and delightfully natural. (This ability to appear natural on stage is unusual in schoolboy actors, who generally wear their borrowed character awkwardly). Particularly enjoyable was his .. Latin accidence" scene with Sir Hugh Evans and William. .

We now come to consider the comedy team ofT. W. B. Barnes, D. Meredith, D. E. K. Thomas and J. O. Jewiss. Barnes, as Justice Shallow, was quite adequate and always amusing, as were the rest of the team. But in an attempt to repeat his last year's success in Much Ado he also repeated exactly the same stance, gestures, etc., and was to all intents and purposes a reincarnation of Verges. What was worse, Jewiss and Thomas (Host and Dr. Caius) copied his stance of feet apart,

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knees bent, and the contagion spread to most of the rest of the cast. Anyone who imagined himself to be a comic character automatically adopted this position, the Ellesmere Comic Pose, 1955. Meredith (Sir Hugh Evans) provided a refreshing exception: in one scene he was the only upright person in a row of rheumatics.

The merry wives themselves were. played well by C. H. Chambers and W. D. Hewitt, but were .not really merry enough: they were pleasant and happy, but lacked that final touch of jollitytoo courtly, in fact, for Windsor wives, as they tripped sedately about the stage: not even the loading of Falstaff into the basket could disturb their dignified bearing. (Incidentally, it was a pleasant surprise to see costumes for Henry the Fifth amongst the clothes in the buck-basketthey added a dash of Gothic to an otherwise Elizabethan mixture.)

Among the minor characters, C. E. Nash and C. P. H. Tolson made Pistol and Nyrn into most satisfyingly dissolute drones; and P. J. Hedges and J. A. P. Ray played the husbands in a way that made it quite obvious who wore the breeches in their households; neither character deserves much sympathy: Ford descends to wearing a false beard in order to keep track of his wife, and Page, when presented with an unexpected, but most worthy, son-in-law, grudgingly mutters,

.. What cannot be eschew'd must be embrac'd." .

Particular mention must be made of the scenery, which was magnificent. Praise is due to Falstaff and Sir Hugh Evans who painted it: they need not have worried lest Holbein should turn in his grave. It was quite the most imaginative and pleasing scenery that has been seen on Big School stage for many years. It was a pity, however, that the otherwise excellent team of electricians could not have arranged the lighting to illuminate the backcloth more evenly.

The orchestra was quite up to last year's standard, but I felt that some of the music was rather too teashoppy. Surely Byrd or Tomkins, for instance, would have been more appropriate than Charles Woodhouse and W. H. Reed? Mr. Lumley's Interlude, The Merry Wives, was delightful, but not so catchy as his Much Ado of last year: in fact, I cannot remember the one, and cannot forget the other!

But, as usual, all detailed criticism becomes relatively unimportant when the performance is considered as a whole. After all, I saw two performances and several rehearsals, and had more chance to find fault. I thoroughly enjoyed the play, and am inclined to think that it was the best production for years. Perhaps next year's will be even better.

J.M.S.

School Music

The Half-Term Concert took place on Saturday, 5th November. The School Orchestra attempted its most ambitious music yet with Schubert's Marche Militaire and the Andante from the same composer's Symphony in C major; in addition, they played a lively March by Charles Woodhouse (by now almost regarded as the orchestra's "signature tune") and instrumental ensembles played music by Lulli and Handel. Treble voices from the Choir, the Remove and the Shell forms were heard in songs by Bach, Handel and Schubert, and a pleasant diversion was a groups of rounds from the same singers. Instrumental solos there were-c-R. Frenkel and D. E. K. Thomas both being accorded much applause for their contrasted styles in piano solo playingboth of them extremely competent performers; others were brave enough to let us hear solos on the piccolo, trumpet, clarinet, violin and French horn. A group of descant recorder players deserve an honourable mention for providing gentle strains upon this instrument now gaining popularity once more. The music staff provided music for two pianos and piano duet, and we were all grateful to Mr. Ainscow for giving us the opportunity to raise our voices with his in an infectious little ditty. A Choral Group trained by Mr. Ferris, gave us some very pleasant singing both with and without piano accompaniment.

A large party of enthusiasts travelled to Shrewsbury on Wednesday, 16th November, to hear the Shrewsbury Orchestral Society'S Concert conducted by Frederic C. Morris,' Esq., M.B.E. The programme consisted of Weber's Overture Euryanthe, Bizet's first L'Arlesienne Suite, Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Haydn, and Dvorak's 4th Symphony.

Through the kindness of the Ellesmerian Society, the whole school were able to attend the Open Meeting on 19th November when Cecily Arnold and Marshall Johnson presented All Elizabethan Musical Evening in costume. We now feel rather more fully informed as to the exact nature of viols, virginals and lutes.

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Also under the auspices of the Ellesmerian Society. a small party of boys attended the Ninth Annual Music Festival of the Oswestry Choral Society at the Garrison Theatre on Saturday, 26th November. Here we heard the first three parts of Bach's Christmas Oratorio and some miscellaneous items provided by the soloists. We were especially impressed by the singing of Norma Procter and David Galliver; and not so impressed by the accompaniment of the oratorio being provided upon two pianos which were scarcely in tune with one another.

A small orchestra again provided" live" music for the Shakespearian Society's annual play, and the players thereby gained further valuable experience.

The Organists' Society travelled to Liverpool on Saturday, 22nd October to hear Evensong in the Cathedral followed by an Organ Recital by Dr. H. Goss Custard; this commemorated the 29th anniversary of the opening of the cathedral organ, as well as being the last recital to be given by the cathedral organist prior to his retirement in his 85th year. He played works by Bach, Bossi, Cesar Franck and Widor, We were pleased to be joined in Liverpool by a former College organist, R. P. B. Billington, now working in that city.

R.A.L.L.

Rugby 1st XV

The team has shown much improvement this year; and, apart from one or two lapses, has played with much spirit and determination.

The forwards, with Nash and Stringer outstanding, have worked well with the threequarters, of whom Jewiss has shown much possibility as a centre-threequarter; this happy state of affairs has been made possible, of course, by two good half-backs, Mooney and Tolson.

The threequarters, for the first time, have played as a threequarter line should; and have made good use of the supply of the ball given them by the forwards. This fact is adequately demonstrated, as, out of the total of thirty-four tries scoresd, eighteen are shared by the two wingthreequarters, seven by the other backs, and nine by the forwards.

ELLESMERE v. RYDAL

Played at Ellesmere at the very beginning of the season, on a hard dry ground.

The score was hardly representative of the game as Ellesmere more than shared the territorial advantage. The first half was evenly matched, with the Ellesmere pack slightly on top; however the threequarter line never functioned well, and let go many opportunities: the Rydal threequarter line made better use of their chances, aided and abetted by week tackling in the Ellesmere centre defence.

In the second half the Ellesmere pack was well on top; but Rydal benefited from mistakes which Ellesmere were too slow to cover, and took every opportunity to increase their lead. The Rydal goal kicking was of a very high order, every try being converted and one penalty goal.

Ellesmere 6, Rydal 21

Nash I penalty goal.

ELLESMERE I'. BIRKENHEAD Played at home on a hard dry ground.

The first half proved fairly even with Ellesmere looking the better attacking side. The change made in the threequarter line had the desired result and the line proved far more coherent and capable of penetration.

Birkenhead were unlucky to lose a forward early in the game and they were unable to stand the pressure of the last fifteen minutes when Ellesmere constantly switched the direction of their attack, thus allowing the wings to score several good tries.

Ellesmere 17, Bit ken head 0

Ransford 2 tries, Nash 1 goal, Parry 2 tries, Ransford I dropped goal.

ELLESMERE v. WREKIN Played at Wrekin with conditions ideal for fast open play.

From the start the Wrekin pack were dominant in every department and only very good tackling, aided by some rather indeterminate threequarter play, kept the score down. Despite the amount of possession Wrekin had, at half-time the score was 3-3.

B

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In the second half the ding-dong struggle carried straight on, with Ellesmere defending gallantly --especially noteworthy was Parry's tackling of the Wrekin right wing. Not until the closing stages of the game did Ellesmere succumb to the ever-increasing attacks set up by Wrekin; and only then to the extent of a goal and a try.

Considering that Wrekin had a practically uninterrupted supply of the ball from tight, loose, and line-outs, the Ellesmere team must be congratulated on the way in which they fought back.

Wrekin II, Ellesmere 3

Nash I penalty goal.

ELLESMERE v. COTTON COLLEGE Played at Cotton on a firm pitch, but a cold damp day.

The first half was very even, and it was quite noticeable that the weather conditions were affecting the handling and passing of both teams. Ellesmere looked to have the stronger back division, but unfortunately they were rarely able to overcome cold hands and a slippery ball. The forwards played well in the line-outs, but were obviously not binding, and therefore not pushing properly in the set serums.

The second half showed little incident until the last fifteen minutes, when Cotton put in a strong counter attack, threatening the Ellesmere line on several occasions. The Cotton forwards, scenting blood, were dominant both in the loose and set scrurns ; but Ellesmere defended sufficiently well to maintain their lead.

Ellesmere 8, Cotton 0

Stringer 2 tries, Nash I goal.

ELLESMERE v. LIVERPOOL R.U.F.C.

Played at home on a firm ground, but a greasy surface. "

Ellesmere, with a re-organised pack, started well in the first half, and were soon eleven points up. It looked, at this time, as though Ellesmere would be easy winners, for the backs and forwards were working well together. In the second half however we saw a very lackadaisical start by Ellesmere, justly punished by Liverpool who scored two tries and converted both; this, plus a penalty goal, put them in the lead 13-1 J. At last Ellesmere were roused-but too late; having gained the initiative, Liverpool defended stoutly, withstanding all efforts to penetrate their defence.

Ellesmere II, Liverpool 13 Ransford I try, Gray I goal, Gray I try, Parry I try.

ELLESMERE v. LIVERPOOL COLLEGE Played at Liverpool on a firm dry pitch.

This was a fairly contested game in which Liverpool took their chances arid Ellesmere allowed theirs to go a-begging.

The forwards were fairly evenly matched throughout the game, but the Liverpool backs--on the day-were the more dangerous. The Ellesmere threequarters had a very definite off-day, passing and handling being unbelievably bad; this led to the Ellesmere play becoming ragged in general and a score seldom looked likely. Mooney, at outside half, broke through well on two occasions, but with only one man to beat he passed wildly, giving Liverpool time" to recover; these missed chances proved costly, for Liverpool won 11-0.

Ellesmere 0, Liverpool II

ELLESMERE v. KING WILLIAM'S, I.O.M.

Played at Ellesmere on a firm dry pitch.

The game started off at a fast pace and remained fast and furious throughout. King William's had the heavier pack and consequently gained the majority of possession; their backs however were never really penetrative enough to avoid the Ellesmere cover defence.

With no score at the end of the first half, King William's redoubled their efforts, but, apart from one or two uneasy moments, the Ellesmere defence more than held good. The latter half of the second half saw Ellesmere taking over the offensive role, forcing King William's back on to their

MAY, 1956

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own line and keeping them there; from this however came tragedy: heeling quickly from a set serum the King William's centre kicked for touch but failed to find it; the Ellesmere full back failed to gather, and the King William's forwards, following up extremely quickly, heeled the ball from the resulting loose serum; the ball went straight across the King William's line for a try rather more than half-way out. The kick was missed.

Ellesmere 0, King William's 3

SeRUM DURING MATCH VERSUS KING WILLIAM'S SCHOOL

ELLESMERE v. KING'S SCHOOL, WORCESTER

For the first ten minutes Ellesmere played very badly and Worcester, taking advantage of this, scored an early try. Ellesmere retaliated and equalised, and then scored again, only for Worcester to score a penalty goal making it 6-6 at half time.

In the second half Ellesmere started off well but after gaining a substantial lead they slacked off, as has so often happened in the past, allowing their opponents to draw far nearer to snatching success than they should have done.

Ellesmere 19, King's, Worcester II Ransford 2 tries, Mooney I try, Chance I try, Nash 2 goals.

ELLESMERE v. H.M.S. CONWAY Played at Ellesmere on a firm dry pitch.

Ellesmere started this game well, and soon looked like scoring. Mooney opened the scoring by cutting through from the Conway twenty-five, and shortly afterwards repeated his earlier effort to score again. Immediately after this, the Conway captain and centre-threequarter was injured, and remained virtually a passenger for the rest of the game.

The second half saw more good open play with the Ellesmere threequarters running and handling well, apart from a knock-on on the Conway goal line. Conway with Johnson now on the wing, defended stoutly, and came back very strongly in the closing minutes of the game to score an unconverted try.

Ellesmere 15, Conway 3 Mooney 2 tries, Parry 2 tries, Jewiss 1 try.

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ELLESMERE v. MERCHANT TAYLORS, CROSBY

Ellesmere were unfortunate to lose the services of Stringer, their captain, for this game, and this undoubtedly affected the play of the forwards as a whole.

Ellesmere started off this game looking very lethargic, and in fact, apart from one good break by Mooney, which put Chance in for a try, continued to do so for the remainder of the first half. Merchant Taylors mainly relied on kicking the ball forward and following up, to make ground; and from one of the rushes the outside half, although surrounded by practically the whole of the Ellesmere pack, managed to force himself over for a try, which was converted. Their second try came from a well-executed " push-over" which caught Ellesmere napping.

fn the second half, having lost the lead, Ellesmere showed a little more life, but bad defensive play allowed the Merchant Taylors' left wing to run through the middle of the Ellesmere forwards and score their third try. Though they tried hard Ellesmere never looked like wiping out this deficit, and there was no further score.

Ellesmere 3, Merchant Taylors 13

Chance l.jry,

ELLESMERE r. OLD ELLESMERIANS

This was an entertaining game to watch, although the School beat the Old Boys fairly convincingly.

In the first half, before the Old Boys became in anyway concerted in their endeavours, the school ran up a reasonably formidable lead.

In the second lialf, however, things became far more even, and towards the end of the second half the Old Boys came back very strongly scoring a well deserved try and penalty goal.

, Ellesmere 19, Old Ellesmerians 6

Ransford 3 tries, Ashley I try, Nash I try, Pollitt 2 goals.

ELLESMERE v. RUTHIN Played at Ruthin on a wet but still firm pitch.

Ellesmere, although enjoying a territorial advantage, took most of the first half to settle down.

In the last moment of the first half, despite some very good defensive work by Ruthin, Ellesmere scored a converted try.

In the second half Ellesmere were more on top and added a further three tries and a penalty goal to their score. The forwards played a much better game in the second half, which enabled their threequarters to come into action more frequently-which, of course, led to more tries.

Ellesmere 21, Ruthin 0

TEAM CHARACTERS

G. E. STRINGER, 1st XV Captain, 1st XV Colour 1954, second row forward.-Stringer has proved a good captain and has made every possible effort to improve the standard of rugby in the School. His play has been of a high standard, spoilt only by his tendency to " die" with, rather than pass the ball.

C. E. NASH, 1st XV, Vice-Captain, l st XV Colour 1954, lock forward.-A good hard working forward. His play in the line-outs has been exceptional this term, and his covering and backing up have both been well up to standard.

J. O. JEWISS, 1st XV Colour 1954, centre threequarter.-Jewiss was brought into the centrethreequarter position from full-back. His play has fully justified this move; his handling, passing, defence, and defensive kicking being above average for a schoolboy.

T. ASHLEY, 1st XV Colour 1955, second row forward.-A good hard working forward, who showed up well in the line-out. His play was sometimes spoilt by a tendency to over-excitement.

J. M. PARRY, 1st XV Colour 1955, left wing threequarter.-He has always played with dash and determination, but lacked just a little in speed. His tackling has been first class; an object lesson for any would-be rugby player.

C. H. MOONEY, 1st XV Colour 1955, outside half.--An attacking outside half with a good dummy and side-step, plus an exhilarating burst of speed. His defence has tightened up this term, but could still improve, especially when the team is under pressure.

R. R. POLLITT, 1st XV Colour 1955, full back.-A steady player with a good kick and sound positional sense. His main fault is his slowness on the turn, in recovery.

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C. P. H. TOLSON, 1st XV Colour 1955, serum half.--With Mooney, Tolson has proved a most effective link between the forwards and threequarters. His service, on most occasions, has been quick and accurate. As a serum half he must always bear in mind that the quicker and more accurately he can get the ball away, the better serum-half he is.

RANSFORD, J. K., Half Colour 1955, right wing threequarter.--He should turn into a good wing-threequarter when he learns to go for the line with determination. His play this term has been good on the whole; only marred by occasional lapses in attack and defence.

FLINT, P. E., Half Colour 1955, hooker.-Flint has proved a quite adequate hooker, and his play in the loose this season has improved greatly.

GRAY, T. H., Half Colour 1955, wing forward.--A good hard working forward. His tackling and falling on the ball have both been of a high order. He should, next season, develop into a very good player.

CHANCE, R. D., Half Colour 1955, centre-threequarter.-Chance has linked up well with Jewiss in the centre, and they have proved an effective combination. His main faults are: a rather hesitant

approach to tackling, and a tendency to lob his pass. .

BISHTON, D. K., Half Colour 1955, wing forward.-A keen and enthusiastic player. He is quite fast and has often demoralised the opposing outside half. He is sometimes astray in his backing up.

POTTER, F., prop forward==A hard worker and fearless faller on the loose ball. He should by next year, if he puts on a little weight, be a very useful forward.

HARTLEY, prop forward.-He has tried hard and settled down well as a prop forward. His tackling needs some improvement.

THE XV 1955

R. R. Pollitt*; J. M. Parry, Chance, R. D.*, J. O. Jewiss, Ransford, J. K.*; C. H. Mooney",

C. P. H. Tolson*; Hartley", Flint, P. E.*, Potter, T. Ashley, G. E. Stringer (Capt.), Bishton,

D. K.*, C. E. Nash (Vice-Capt.), Gray, T. H.*

... A vai/able next season

Also played.-Newbold, Peel, Jacques, Howard, Fraser-Smith.

Result

6-21 Lost

17-3 Won

3-11 Lost

8-0 Won

11-13 Lost

0-11 Lost

0-3 Lost

19-11 Won

15-3 Won

3-13 Lost

19-6 Won

21·0 Won

Won 6 Lost 6

Points against 95

Opponents v. RYDAL SCHOOL ...

v. BIRKENHEAD SCHOOL v. WREKIN COLLEGE

v, COTTON COLLEGE

v. LIVERPOOL R.U.F.C. v. LIVERPOOL COLLEGE

v. KING WILLIAM'S, LO.M.

v. KING'S SCHOOL, WORCESTER v. H.M.S. Conway ...

1'. MERCHANT TAYLORS', CROSBY v. OLD ELLESMERIANS

v. RUTHIN SCHOOL

Played 12 Points for 122

Place Home Home Away Away Home Away Home Home Home Home Home Away

COLTS XV

The season opened with a match away to Priory Grammar School, resulting in an easy win for Ellesmere. The ground was bone-hard and the game and conditions favoured the backs who handled the ball well and got good service from the serum. The next match against Rydal, at home, also resulted in victory after a very hard and well-fought match. Whilst the pack and halves played well, the threequarters seldom moved as a line. Victory was again ours at home to Birkenhead, but the team as a whole played badly compared with the former matches, the tackling was poor and cohesion non-existent.

The match at Cotton, played in cold wet conditions, resulted in an 18-0 result in favour of Ellesmere. The forwards played well and the backs did their share, particularly in defence, although the bitterly cold conditions made handling extremely difficult.

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The first defeat came at the hands of Liverpool College when the XV was beaten in no uncertain manner 29-0. The team took a long time to settle down and for a considerable part of the first half the tackling was poor and the defence indifferent. The pack was much lighter and in consequence the backs only saw the ball when in defence. In the second half the team played much better and, although still out-pushed and out-weighted, defended valiantly until the final whistle.

The next three matches, Wrekin, H.M.S. Conway and Merchant Taylors' all resulted in wins for Ellesmere, and it was pleasing to see that certain alterations had strengthened the team; the defence was much tighter and the backs were swinging the ball about more.

Finally, the last match of the term was away to Rydal and a hard-fought battle once more resulted. The rugby was not of such a high standard as in the previous match, the high wind being mainly responsible, but possibly the fact that both teams looked upon it as a .. needle match" also had an effect. At half-time Ellesmere, playing with the wind, were leading 6-3 but this lead was not enough, and finally they lost 12-6. Honours were now even, a victory for each team and each had scored a total of 20 points in the two matches. Will there be a decider next term?

B. E. P. Beeston has captained the side well, ever ready to urge his men to greater efforts; his kicking has been invaluable and his running hard. He must, however, learn to tackle with more certainty. Varey, and latterly Dickinson, have filled the outside centre berth, both playing well but both tending to pass a little late. The wings Heath and Griffiths have tackled excellently and run well, although Griffiths must curb his tendency to slow down when trying to beat a man. Bevin, at stand-off and Johnson (v) at serum-half combine together well and Bevin has displayed, on a number of occasions, that he can find, and exploit, openings. He should use the cut inside more which he does so excellently. Johnson, ever-willing to fall at the feet of opposing forwards, must try to lengthen his pass, to give his backs more room in which to move. At the start of the season Sanders (iii) played at full-back, later to be displaced by Varey.

The forwards have, in the main, played 'hard and well. Ray (ii), the vice-captain, Pritchard and Pheysey form a compact front row, whilst Rhodes and Tabrizi are now beginning to produce a good solid push from the second row. Bevan, at lock forward, has improved steadily throughout the term; Berry and Flewitt have broken quickly and taken their opportunities whilst playing at wing-forward. Rhodes, Ray and Tabrizi have been particularly useful in the line-outs and it has been pleasing to see the whole pack moving quickly in the loose. Possibly the biggest fault is the lack of consistently tight packing in the loose, thereby allowing an occasional break-through.

In summing-up it would be churlish not to congratulate the team on a good term's rugger, but at the same time there is no place for complacency, for there are many departments in which the team can, and must, improve. The" warming-up" exercises before each game have proved of great value and, throughout the term, the team has followed well its motto .. Play Hard."

Colours were awarded to B. E. P. Beeston (Captain), J. A. P. Ray, D. B. Rhodes and M. J.

Bevin. F.J.T.

RESULTS
v. PRIORY G.S. 22-0 Won Away
v. RYDAL SCHOOL ... 14-8 Won Home
v. BIRKENHEAD SCHOOL 8-3 Won Home
v. COTTON COLLEGE 18-0 Won Away
v. LIVERPOOL COLLEGE 0-29 Lost Away
v. WREKIN COLLEGE 14-6 Won Home
v. H.M.S. Conway 19-6 Won "Home
v. MERCHANT TAYLORS' SCHOOL 16-8 Won Away
v. RYDAL SCHOOL ... 6-12 Lost Away
HOUSE MATCH RESULTS
SENIOR
WAKEMAN v. Talbot Won 15-0
v. Woodard Won 9-0
v. Meynell Won 8-3
TALBOT I'. Wakeman Lost 0-15
v. Meynell Lost 0-13
I'. Woodard Won 9-0 MAY, 1956 THE ELLESMERIAN 21
WOODARD v. Meynell Drawn 3-3
v. Talbot Lost 0-9
v. Wakeman Lost 0-9
MEYNELL V. WOODARD Drawn 3-3
v. Talbot Won 13-0
v. Wakeman Lost 3-8
Position Points
1 WAKEMAN 9
2 MEYNELL 4
3 TALBOT 3
4 Woodard 1
JUNIOR
WAKEMAN v. Woodard Lost 0-3
1'. Talbot Lost 3-16
1'. Meynell Lost 5-6
WooDAlm v. Talbot Drawn 0-0
v. Meynell Won 5-3
v. Wakeman Won 3-0
MEYNELL v. Woodard Lost 3-5
v. Talbot Lost 6-13
v. Wakeman Won 6-5
TALBOT v. Meynell Won 13-6
v. Wakeman Won 16-3
v. Woodard Drawn 0-0
Position Points
TALBOT 7
2 WOODARD 7
3 MEYNELL 3
4 WAKEMAN 0
J.T.C. Notes We were lucky to find ourselves in September with three of last year's sergeants still with us, and with a plentiful supply of competent N.C.Os. to fill the gaps in the different platoons. Consequently training started quickly and the examination results at the end of the term were good. Field Day was held early, and we had a fine day for our visit to Lord Kenyon's estate. The day was spent mostly in routine fieldcraft for the Pt. I and Pt. II examinations, though the junior cadets took part in a platoon scheme in the afternoon. The feature of the day, though, was the different initiative tests carried out-and carried out most successfully-by members of the Cadre.

Remembrance Sunday was wet, and in the event only two platoons and the Band went to Ellesmere Parish Church for the afternoon service. After the service, however, the weather was fine enough for the March Past to take place, and once again the Band, most efficiently trained by Mr. Eeles and D. M. Nash, won" golden opinions from all sorts of people." The Last Post in church was blown by Buglers Billington, Parry, Ashcroft and Cope.

The Corps is very grateful to Capt. Ross Wallis and Mr. Davies, who each presented a silver bugle to the Band during the term. Capt. Ross Wallis's bugle will be presented annually to the leading bugler: it was won this year by Cdt. Billington (ii). At the same time, Cpl. Peel won the

silver drum competition to become the leading drummer for the year. .

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In September Capt. Howard, assisted by C.Q.M.S. Rogers and L/CpJ. Wilson, took over the " Q " Stores so that C.S.M. Page could give more time to our shooting. This reorganisation seems to be working well, and we confidently expect a higher place in the Country Life shooting competition this year. When the new" Q " Stores/Orderly Room is completed a further division of labour should be possible on the administrative side.

At the end of term all thirteen cadets who entered for the Signals examination passed-an extraordinarily good result that reflects great credit on the boys themselves and on their instructors, Lieut. Smith and C.S.M. Newbold. The Pt. II examination, conducted by the K.S.L.I., proved itself once again to be the most difficult hurdle in a cadet's career, but nearly 70 per cent of the candidates passed, thanks largely to the tireless work of Mr. Fletcher and Sgt. Stringer. Cdt. Bevan was top. Cdt. Pheysey came top of the thirty-nine cadets who passed the Pt. I examination, and Cdt. Tunnicliffe was the best of those who passed the Recruits' Test.

The following promotions were made during the term:

To be C.S.M. Sgt. Newbold, Sgt. Nash.

To be C.Q.M.S. CpJ. Rogers, CpJ. Meredith.

To be Sgt. CpJ. Ashley, Cpl. Barnes, CpJ. Fraser-Smith, Cpl. Ghandehari, CpJ. Hedges, CpJ. Hewitt, CpJ. Jewiss, CpJ. Thomas.

To be CpJ. L/CpJ. Beeston, L/CpJ. Boldero, L/CpJ. Boote, L/CpJ. Castle, L/Cpl: Hutchinson. L/Cpl. Jones, L/CpJ. Peel, L/CpJ. Ransford.

To be L/CpJ. Cdt. Wilson, Cdt. Worral, Cdt. Chance, Cdt. Billington (ii), Cdt.

Potter (i), Cdt. Taylor (ii), Cdt. Hatherill, Cdt. Stokes, Cdt. Gardner, Cdt. Gaunt, Cdt. Loxham, Cat. Varey, Cdt. Sayer.

Senior Scout Notes

At first, with David Birch having left, it looked as if we should be having a poor start to the year, but a number of enthusiastic juniors have joined us, and the two new P/Ls., though not very experienced, have been eager to do well, and the term has seen a considerable advance. Systematic teaching and testing of First Class subjects, though difficult to do, and at times rather less than exciting, with only one officer, has shewn good results. Field Day saw us on the hills between L1anarmon and Corwen, and rather damp. On Remembrance Sunday, we joined (again damply) in the parade to the Parish Church.

Michael Cohen leaves us this term, having been a P/L. for one term only, but long enough to make us sorry that he will not be with us for the rest of the year.

I S.c.

Scouts

This has been a very pleasant term for we had a large number of keen recruits and by the beginning of November the troop was fully organised with its usual six patrols. We were able to take part in the parade to Ellesmere Church on Remembrance Sunday and, in spite of the rain, the marching and general turn-out of the Scouts was if possible better than ever before.

Most of the term has been fully occupied with instruction in, and the passing of, tests and it is very pleasing to announce that J. F. Abbott and F. Berrisford have been awarded their First Class Badges whilst still under 15. They have also won the" All Round" Cord.

O.H.C.

Shooting Notes

At the beginning of the term, the shooting enthusiasts were so great that it was decided to try and raise two shooting eights. The idea was taken up keenly, but unfortunately this number did not prove satisfactory due to the lack of practice for both teams.

Many matches were fired during the term, but in most cases the opposition proved just a little stronger; consequently only two matches were won.

Next term the first eight will be practising for the Country Life competition, so we look forward to an interesting shooting season.

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J. M. Castle (Capt.), J. N. Bevan, M. H. A. Boldero, N. A. C. Cope, M. Ohandehari (Sec.),

R. J. C. Hartley, P. J. Hedges, J. C. S. Jacques, J. A. Jones, C. H. Mooney, C. E. Nash, W. R. B. Parkinson, J. M. Parry, D. W. Peel, and J. D. Worrall represented the School in matches.

We must thank C.S.M. William Page for devoting so much time and energy in trying to bring us up to scratch.

M.O.

Squash Notes

This term the average standard of School squash has dropped considerably, probably because of the good weather we have had. Most of our squash players have had a very full programme of rugger, and have had no time for serious practice; in fact, on many afternoons the squash courts have been nearly empty. However next term we hope to have a fully trained team ready to meet any opposition.

M.U.N.

The Seven Club

At the beginning of the term M. U. Newbold was the only remaining member of the Club, and six new members were elected: E. H. Fraser-Smith, C. E. Nash, O. E. Stringer, K. N. Jones,

R. Wilson, and W. D. Hewitt. M. U. Newbold was to act as secretary for the term.

On October 11 th, Newbold gave an informal talk to the Club on his travels with the B.S.E.S. through Newfoundland. On October 25th the Club was very pleased to welcome back an old member of the Club, Mr. Royston, who read a paper entitled" Para-Normal Psychology." The last meeting of the term was held on November 8th, when the Headmaster read a model paper to the Club entitled" Introduction to Studying Socrates."

R. Wilson has been appointed Secretary for the remainder of the year.

M.U.N.

The Ellesmerian Society

President: O. B. Jackson, Esq.

Honorary Vice-Presidents:

Rev. Skene Catling and Messrs. C. Howard, J. W. Nankivell, R. A. L. Lumley, J. Hunter-Watts, F. J. Tippett, F. E. Sutterby, V. H. Howard, R. A. Brown

Vice-President: M. LI. Newbold

Secretary: C. F. Potter

Assistant Secretary and Treasurer: D. E. K. Thomas

Committee Members: C. E. Stringer, C. E. Nash, W. D. Hewitt, C. R. Hutchinson

It is pleasing to be able to write that once again the Ellesmerian Society has had a most successful term, with meetings of wide interest and a contrast that only this Society can give.

The first meeting of the year was held on September 24th in the Lecture Room when the elections were held. Mr. M. U. Newbold was elected Vice-President, Mr. C. F. Potter, Secretary; Mr. D. E. K. Thomas, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer; and Messrs. W. D. Hewitt, C. R. Hutchinson and C. E. Nash to the Committee.

On October 1st the film Cry the Beloved Country was shown. The film, taken from the brilliant novel by Alan Paton. made one realise even more fully the terrible situation between Black and White. The first debate of the term was held on October 8th. The Motion before the House was: .. That in the Opinion of this House Freedom is Possible in Modern Society." The motion was proposed by Mr. C. F. Potter, seconded by Mr. S. Rogers, and opposed by Mr. C. E. Nash, seconded by Mr. J. E. Castle. Mr. Potter said that as Christians we had been endowed with free-will and that fact alone was a proof that freedom was not only possible but essential. Mr. Nash thought it impossible because man had been enslaved by machines. The debate did not offer many noteworthy points and was below the usual standard.

On October 15th Dr. Mostyn Lewis paid us another welcome visit. This time he gave a talk on " Over the Pyrenees on a Lambretta." The photography was quite brilliant and Dr. Lewis lectured with his usual good-humour.

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It was very pleasant to have a lecture given by a member of the Society, Mr. C. R. Hutchinson, on October 22nd. Under the title" Could Do Better Myself," Mr. Hutchinson spoke on art, special music having been chosen with the help of Mr. Lumley to help gain the atmosphere of the pictures. A clear explanation and a thoughtful choice helped to make the evening most enjoyable.

On October 29th there was a reading of Arnold Ridley's play The Ghost Train. Although the play was somewhat outdated the standard of reading was high and the production was very fast. Many thanks are owed to Mr. Hutchinson for producing one of the best play readings for some time.

On November 5th there was no meeting as the half-term concert was being held in Big School, but on November 12th the second Debate of the term was held. The motion before the House was" That the Modern Female is an Improvement on Her Victorian Predecessor." Mr. Thomas proposed the motion and once again caused great amusement. Mr. Meredith, speaking for the opposition, denounced the modern female saying that she was" fast and vulgar" and completely devoid of conversation. Mr. T. Ashley seconded Mr. Thomas and thought that the modern woman had made herself better than her predecessor in that she had become independent and an individualist. The best speech of the evening was made by Mr. T. W. Barnes who put over his numerous points with the utmost confidence and conviction. He disliked very much the fact that the modern woman insisted on interfering in the man's field of activity by " wearing their pants and drinking their beer."

There was an Open Meeting in Big School on November 19th when a musical evening entitled: ." Musical Scenes in Costume" was given by Miss Cecily Arnold and Mr. Marshall Johnson. They depicted a typical Elizabethan Scene which they did most realistically, with witty conversation and excellent music. The school appeared to enjoy the entertainment and at the end there was an overwhelming flood of people to view the instruments and chat informally with Miss Arnold and Mr. Johnson.

On November 26th Messrs. Nash and Newbold, who earlier in the year had the honour of _ being selected to go on the British Public Schools Exploration Society's Expedition to Newfoundland, gave a talk, illustrated by coloured lantern slides, on their experiences when there. Mr. Newbold's photography was brilliant and the talk extremely interesting and well constructed.

On December 3rd the third debate of the term was held. The motion was" That in the Opinion of this House there is Justification for the Colour-bar." The speakers were Mr .. S. Rogers, proposing, seconded by Mr. M. D. Cohen; Mr. D. G. Wassail, opposing, seconded by Mr. M. Ghandehari. By far the best speech of the evening was given by Mr. Ghandehari who gave a vivid and moving picture of the position between White and Black. The motion was defeated by a majority vote.

The final meeting of the term was held on December 10th when Mr. Robert Vahey, a former member of the School, who has since been to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and in Repertory, gave a talk on the theatre. The evening was a great success and we wish Mr. Vahey the very best of luck for the future.

There have been several outings this term. On September 28th we visited Powis Casale, the home of the Earl of Powis. On November 9th, in conjunction with the Fine Arts Club, we visited the Van Gogh Exhibition at Liverpool. A most informative afternoon was spent on November 16th when we visited the English Electric Company at Stafford. On November 26th a small party went to hear Bach's Christmas Oratorio at Oswestry.

The attendance throughout the term has been very good and the standard of meetings high.

In the New Year Session we hope for a further series with similar success.

The Thespians

C.F.P.

Owing to the priority given to school play rehearsals, in which the majority of our members were involved, the Thespians have been able to hold only one play-reading this term. The play read was The Burning Glass by Charles Morgan. The reading was a success and special mention must be made of the rendering of the parts of the scientist and his wife by C. R. Hutchinson and C. F. Potter respectively

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It is evident, however, that the Society prefers a play of swifter action and entailing a larger cast. The readers must however be complimented on the fact that they held the interest of the non-reading members to the end, and it was generally agreed that the Society had benefited from the reading of a topical, if rather gloomily philosophical, play. The only new member this term was T. W. B. Barnes, who has already proved himself a worthy member of the Society. It is hoped that the Thespians will gather more frequently next term, and further strengthen the reputation of this flourishing Society.

W.D.H.

Meteorological Notes

A new feature this term has been the display of Daily Charts produced by the Meteorological Office at its Headquarters at Dunstable. On these charts the movements of fronts can be clearly seen and a general situation and forecast are given.

Our own readings here have shown that this has been a fairly dry term. Rainfall has only been measurable on about one-third of the days during the term and has amounted to little over five inches. There was no rain at all from 12th November until 8th December. Something went wrong with the weather for Corps activities for, although Field Day was dry, Remembrance Sunday and the days chosen for Cert. 'A' were none too pleasant.

We had some early frost (120 air) on October 16th and some very high pressure (30.25 in. mercury) in mid-November gave the heaviest frost of the term (200 on the 18th of that month).

Several inches of snow fell during the night of the last Monday of term and frost, following only a partial thaw, made conditions very unpleasant particularly for those going home by car.

The work of the recorders-Blackburn (ii), Gardner, Robson and Ray (i) seems to be most appreciated during very warm or very cold spells. It is a pity that on one or two occasions their work has been spoilt by someone tampering with the instruments.

W.E.W.S.

Young Farmers' Club Leaders: Mr. C. Howard, Mr. J. W. Nankivell Chairman: B. E. P. Beeston

Hon. Secretary and Treasurer: J. Pugh Lewis Committee: D. F. Wain, J. A. Jones, J. M. Heath. W. Pheysey

We have had five meetings this term and one outing.

The term began with a .. Top of the Farm" contest which provided a very interesting meeting and it-is hoped to hold more similar contests next term to find the team which is Top of the Farm.

We were fortunate this term to be given two lectures. The first was by Mr. Whittal, manager of F. H. Burgess (Leominster), who talked about General Farm Mechanization, a subject of great interest in this mechanical age, and one which interested the whole audience. He also offered to arrange for the Club to visit the Ferguson factory at Coventry, and arrangements have now been made for some members to visit the factory on January 12th.

The other lecture was by Mr. Swain, the senior lecturer at Walford Farm Institute near Baschurch. He talked about the life at Walford and showed a film about the life of a student there during the year's course and the type of work done. This was of special interest to certain members of the Club who had visited it two years previously.

We had one film show this term, the main one was about the mosquito, the shorter ones being about the leather-jacket and the codlin moth.

The outing was to the British Sugar factory at Allscott near Wellington. The party spent a most enjoyable afternoon going around the factory where they saw sugar beet being made into sugar which was ready to eat, everybody being given a small sample packet as a souvenir of the

v~~ .

We are very sorry to be losing J. A . .Tones at the end of this term and we wish him the best of luck in his farming career.

J.P.L.

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Aero Modelling Club

We have had a successful term as far as the building of models is concerned, the Club having recovered quickly after its loss of members last year. Apart from Hammond smashing up his scale Cowper Swift and Horne flying a small but speedy control-line plane there has been very little flying.

M. Ghandehari has built a large Wakefield Rubber Duration Model with which he hopes to beat Mooney's record of I minute 7 seconds. Gazdar has built a five foot span glider. Ahmad has built an .. Impeller" Sabre and Horne has become a member after making a very good job of a Luscombe Silvaire. Hammond has built a large Delta wing model which is designed on the basis of the Vulcan.

With these models and all the other ones we hope to put up a good show on Speech Day.

F.M.H.

The Railway Society

The five vacancies in the Society were filled at the beginning of term by the election to membership of Berrisford, Hollway, Lucas, Willett and Wroe.

On September 28th the members of the Society and a few other boys visited the British Transport Commission Engine Building and Repair Works at Crewe (an account of the visit appears below).

Two lectures have been given. One by R. Wilson on " Block and Automatic Signalling," which was illustrated by diagrams and a demonstration track, and the other by J. D. Blackburn on .. Narrow Gauge Railways in Wales," with particular emphasis on the Festiniog Railway which was re-opened a short while ago.

We are grateful to the Ellesmerian Society for the loan of the Epidiascope.

VISIT TO CREWE

After meeting our guide at the Main Offices we walked along the old Chester line and came to the paint shop. Here, besides new and recently repaired locomotives being painted, we saw several historic locomotives including the one which took part in The Titchfield Thunderbolt. We then proceeded to the steel foundry, where we saw steam hammers and drop hammers, and then to the heavy machine shop where the frames of locomotives are made. Before going to the erecting shop we saw how the boiler is made and tested.

In the erecting shop, where the number collectors had a very busy time, we saw locomotives being lifted by two 50-ton overhead cranes and moved to another part of the shop for different parts to be replaced. One bay has already been given over to diesel locomotives, and we saw two shunters and a main line diesel (No. 10201) being repaired although as yet none of this type has been built at Crewe.

After passing through the machine shop, in which small items like nuts and bolts were made, we reached the iron foundry just in time to see the final casting of the afternoon.

Here a most interesting visit ended and we arrived back at College just before six o'clock. Officials this term have been: President, W. E. W. Smith, Esq. Committee: J. D. Blackburn,

M. R. Blackburn, R. Wilson, S. W. W. Davies, and D. C. Wolverson.

R.W.

The Chess Club

At the end of last term, unfortunately, we lost many valuable members of the Club, among them

P. M. Hellberg and Q. R. H. Dodd.

The Club has continued to meet once a week in .. Miss Collins' " form-room this term. Among the new members two have shown a remarkable knowledge of the game, namely J. V. Howard and R. Frenkel.

Unfortunately, there have been no postal chess matches this term owing to the fact that the

Club has not been able to produce a team. .

The meetings held this term have been mainly instructive, but there have been some very interesting games played by members, and it is encouraging to see that the standard of chess is not deteriorating although the membership may not be so strong.

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Finally, it is hoped that next term a little more enthusiasm will be shown by all towards chess, as there is a cup at stake, and every House has an equal chance.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our President, Mr. Kingsland, for taking such an interest in the Club although the Secretary, w. G. J. Hughes, has presided at most meetings this term.

W.G.J.H.

The Cine Club

The film Life at Ellesmere was continued during the term, though not as successfully as in the previous term. There didn't seem to be the same eagerness in the Club, as there was in the Summer Term.

It was decided to have a News Bulletin. Every month 50 feet of film would be taken showing the outstanding events at Ellesmere during that month. Also many of the home and away rugger matches were filmed, and we are hoping to produce a Rugger Special. Already 80 feet of this film has been taken.

About half-term a meeting was held when J. D. Blackburn showed to members of the Club two films which he had taken himself in North Wales. The photography in them was of the highest standard.

Towards the end of term all filming was abandoned owing to the School Play, bad weather, and various other activities. However it is hoped that some film will be taken of the School Play.

The Club would like to thank J. D. Blackburn for the loan of his camera and for the time he has devoted to the Club; also to all the other people, who have in any way contributed to the success of the Club this term.

M.D.C.

The Musical Appreciation Society

The Society has got away to a good start this term under the directorship of two of our new masters, Messrs. Lay and Ainscow.

The aim of the Society is to give people a chance to listen to good music, which has not really been possible before.

There have been two open meetings during the course of the term, both of which have been well attended. At the first, Puccini's Madame Butterfly was played and was greatly enjoyed by all. At the second meeting miscellaneous music was played, the centrepiece of which was Ravel's Bolero.

E.N.H.

School Library

The first week of term was spent straightening up the chaotic mess caused by the installation of a new heating system in the Library during the holidays. In spite of all the patient care taken to ensure that all the books were well wrapped up and protected in preparation for the invasion of workmen at the end of last term, ten shelves of books were emptied all over the library. When, however, order had finally been restored, the Library settled down to a fairly peaceful term, disturbed only by the rather startling introduction of an Orwellian window in the Library door, installed roughly at shoulder height, thereby enabling certain members of the community to cast their first glances upon the serenity of the School Library.

Several very valuable additions have been made to our shelves this term and, on the whole, the Library has been treated with due respect, and, if certain people would only alleviate the task of the Librarians and cleaners by replacing reference books after use, there is no reason why the Library should not further strengthen its already high standard and be much more used by all members of the School.

W.D.H.

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NASH'S TENT

ApPROACHING BASE CAMP FROM THE LAKE

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B.S.E.S. NEWFOUNDLAND 1955

The excitement of flying the Atlantic for the first time had worn off after being delayed for three days, but the twelve hour journey provided plenty of time to think of the future and not remember the past. We were about to spend all our holiday in Newfoundland with fifty-four other

boys exploring and living rough. .

The countryside was very pleasant, a rather rolling wasteland with the odd peak no higher than our own Scafell Pike. The many swift-moving rivers, with their numerous waterfalls, were well hidden in the valleys by dense forests of pine, all being rather stinted in growth and not like their tall publicised Canadian brethren.

Water dominated. Everywhere there were rivers, lakes, ponds or bogs. Each night was spent trying to dry out the soaked clothes over the fire. The quickest way to travel was along the rivers, and crossing was not infrequent with the clear warm water gaily swirling about your waist and even your shoulders. Rucksacks had to be perched perilously on top of the head or sent privately by raft.

We lived under canvas the whole time, but when groups went out on marches, such luxuries as poles were left behind as striplings were so common, or even the tent could be suspended from the larger trees.

The whole expedition was split up into five small parties of nearly a dozen boys. These groups then catered for themselves and lived under the one rcof, This roof was made by interweaving small branches into a criss-crossed pattern of small trees strapped on to large trees sunk into the ground. This provided an admirable Heath-Robinson-Crusoe shelter. Old provision boxes were made into seats, tables, racks, cupboards and many other useful implements depending on need and the originators' ingenuity.

One of the parties produced a survey map of about twenty square miles of land around the base camp, over a period of the first four weeks. This was done accurately with the proper equipment by the boys working in pairs, over certain strips of the ground, camping and staying quite independently wherever it was the most convenient. The map was later presented to the Canadian Ordnance Survey.

The other parties marched around the country covering on an average ten miles each day for periods of a week, and then returning to base. This enabled a choice to be made for the Long March party. A dozen of the hardiest members spent two weeks on the march, eventually over 150 miles;

Such walks as this proved to be very strenuous, and although the food was dietetically sufficient, there was a great lack of bulk, and a feeling of emptiness was universal. The meals always consisted of biscuits, butter and cheese with extras, such as porridge for breakfast and stew for tea. On seven of the fifty days there were a few delicious extras, corned beef, potato and fruit. Everything was cooked on the big log fires. Wood was so abundant it gave a strange satisfying feeling to rush off and fell the nearest tree.

One fire in the camp had to be kept alive every night in case of a sudden accident, and it was quite an ordeal to while away the night with only one companion and the cries of the loon and the fox.

All the animals were very elusive. Tracks would appear by your very tent in the morning but very few animals were seen. Sometimes the odd one was surprised in a thicket or watched through binoculars. Amongst those registered were the moose, caribou, bear, lynx, "fox and the common beaver. Also the osprey and the white-tailed eagle were frequently seen wheeling in the sky whilst the loon, the great northern, was a common sight on the lakes.

After this initial first five week period was over, the boys reorganised into special parties.

Although meteorology had been recorded all the time more wind experiments were undertaken. Botanists and entomologists continued collecting all day and not only at the odd moment. Geologists camped out, producing maps of rock outcrops, and zoologists and ornithologists went searching and recording for days on end.

Links with our own country were kept up through our wireless sets. Vast trees were stripped and transplanted and made into aerial masts. Our signals reached as far afield as Germany, the U.S.A., Canada and Catterick, Smaller sets gave us contact amongst ourselves. The presence of lona was expected after hearing of its destructive path but only high winds and torrential rain registered on us. Another interest was the faint bright lights in the north on very clear nights, often seen, but very much later realised to be the Aurora.

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CROSSING SANDY HARBOUR RIVER

PARADISE RIVER

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The huge lakes and rivers were brim full of fish and our diet was supplemented with many varied species of trout. Salmon eluded us even when we reached the estuaries.

At the end of our stay everyone was ready for going home, but the atmosphere of complete freedom and independence made one rather wish to be able to return again in a few weeks.

Back once more into the typical Canadian life with the small straggling villages and the one road or railway connection, it was a moving scene as we were pulled away from the village where we had swiftly made connections, by the very tall powerful engine gaily ringing the characteristic bell, as we all sang together.

Once at Gander airport we were pushed on to our plane quickly and, as we rose into the sky, the large red sun popped over the horizon. A long journey, a bounce at Shannon, and we were down in London at midnight.

Two months had passed since we were last at home. Over fifty days, but everyone had provided pleasure and an experience maybe only offered once in a lifetime.

M.U.N. AND C.E.N.

USING THEODOLITE UNDER A SURVEY BEACON AND THE WIRELESS SENDING BACK THE ANGLES TO BASE

THE LAST LAl'

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Motor Morals in Japan RULES FOR MOTORISTS

At the rise of the hand of the honourable policeman stop with rapidness greatly. Do not pass him or otherwise disrespect him.

When a passenger of foot hove in sight tootle the horn trumpet melodiously at first. If he still obstacles your passage tootle him with large vigour, and express by word of mouth a warning, .. Hi, hi."

Beware of the wandering sow that he shall not take fright as you pass him. Do not explode the exhaust box at him. Go smoothly by.

Give space to the festive dog that makes playsport in the roadway. Avoid entanglement of the dog with your wheel spokes.

Go smoothly on the grease mud, as there lurks the skiddy demon. Press the brake of the foot smoothly as you roll around the corner and save collapse and tie up.

Thank you honourably.

What Have I Done?

The road was long and weary; I walked with a sodden tread. The sullen air around me

Stank with the breath of the dead. Filthy dust on the ruins,

A yellow haze round the sun, And barren desert before me. Oh God! What have I done '1

I stood on the end of the roadway. The desert was red, like rust. About me, what once were people; Dust had returned to dust.

The last living man, they'd call me,

If their skinless mouths held tongues. But they died, in the heat of man's folly, And God forgave their wrongs.

He left me alive in the desert

To think upon what I have done And I walk on in the yellow dust, And the filthy, changeless sun.

I stepped off the end of the roadway; The sand beneath me swirled,

And I looked back in the sunlight, On what had been a world.

I looked back in the desert, And, looking back, I wept.

And He, in His mercy, forgave me For what I had done-and I slept.

R.S.

Midi and Back par L'Autostop

The 9th of August, a few days after the rigours of the military vacation, found two demented individuals in the pouring rain, endeavouring to obtain a lift from Cannock to the south coast of England. With the assistance of vehicles belonging to a noted sandpaper firm and a not so prominent margarine manufacturer, Slough was reached. A long walk brought Mike Turner and Noel Jones clear of the town up to a transport cafe, from which a van conveyed the two across some of the lesser spoken of parts of London at a very unwise speed. The night was spent in the accursed town-of Strood, close to the Medway river. Despite certain interruptions by two detectives concerning half of the party, who had merely taken a stroll through the town a few hours before

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dawn, an hour's sleep was obtained. The actual sleeping site was in a thistle-infested bomb site car park, bordered by a steelworks, a station, a river and the docks. With little further adventure the village of Lydd was reached; the night was spent in a farm outbuilding on some very solid sacks of grain. Despite a dismal newspaper report concerning one of the ferry firm's planes having had a landing mishap, a slow but safe crossing was made the next day.

The first stoppage in France resulted in a complete overrunning of the pair by hordes of very large Continental ants. With the acquisition of a bottle of cheap wine, we set out from Calais. A fat Frenchman gave us a lift in his van, and proved to have a definite anti-English bias, assisted by descriptive gesticulations, which were disturbing at our rapid speed. A second lift, in a van, was paid for by the unloading of its large cargo in a thunderstorm and by apprehensive fears, when the driver had made a rough detour through a field to avoid a fallen tree.

Mike Turner accomplished his hat-trick when he hitched a huge American ex-W.D. lorry, driven by two reckless young Frenchmen. With Noel balanced on the gear lever and Mike perched on the useless handbrake, our journey was abruptly terminated by a front tyre burst, and consequent ploughing of the side of the road by the large wheel, until the lorry dug itself to a stop. The drivers climbed and we jumped out of the smoking lorry. Little daunted, we continued in another storm and had a lift in an ex-army lorry still in its original khaki. We slept the storm out in a barn in a coalyard in Abbeville, and in the morning had to climb through some freshly placed barbed wire. That night we woke up only three times. After a 5 mile walk an Englishman from Khartoum in a Morris Minor drove us to North Paris. We crossed the capital by Metro. Another 8 mile walk brought us upon some women in distress, with a puncture. We helped them, but, before we had gone very far, we had another puncture. This one was repaired and at midnight we reached Auxerre and slept in the railway station main hall, with the permission of a night porter. Breakfast was shared with the buffet proprietor, including his potato soup. In two lifts we covered another 150 miles, despite having had a minor collision with a horse and cart in Macon. A 13 mile walk earned us an even longer lift of over 180 miles, which would have been longer but for a broken fan belt. Another walk brought us upon an English family with a caravan, and we were crammed into their already overloaded car. With the added treat of a picnic the south coast was reached at Frejus, but Fate struck again when a speeding cyclist tore alongside the caravan, marking it deeply. After hearing some good old English oaths we departed and headed for the sea. En route we came upon an R.A.F. Flight-Lieutenant, who invited us to sleep free next to his tent on a local camping ground. During an evening stroll we came upon a bullfight, with an extortionate entrance fee. With military stealth we crept under various fences and came out at the feet of two gendarmes; a regulation crawl brought us behind them and we asked them about the bullfight. Little impressed by the fight we went away, and saw free a circus, a dance and a burst water main, not forgetting an unfortunate motor-cyclist who had had poor brakes in an emergency.

Although we had neither tents nor sleeping bags we found the nights in the south fairly warm.

The only disadvantage was the noise of millions of crickets. The next day we split up to go to the Italian border. Despite Noel's half-hour start, he was soon passed by a grinning Mike in the back of a dilapidated van owned by a peach farmer. Mike then hitched a Volkswagen in Cannes and then a new Packard convertible. After walking up the mountain out of Nice 5 miles past Villefranche, he had a lift on the back of a French boy's brakeless bike down the other side through a busy town. By getting on a bus, sleeping and getting off it quickly, he arrived at his destination without spending any money at 4.30 p.m. Noel arrived at midnight, sleeping on the tables of a pavement cafe, having trudged up the same hill out of Nice and through a North African military camp, with the assistance of a Citroen over the Maures massif, accompanied by a bikini-clad passenger, and a Swedish Mercedes, having walked in all nearly 12 miles.

To our surprise we met the next day, and then followed several days of complete lazy happiness, swimming in the gorgeously blue sea (usually in areas reserved for top class hotels), eating and drinking like ex-kings with the emphasis on cheapness. We then left the Midi and headed back to Paris as quickly as possible. A Bentley and a Ford took us to the airport atLe Touquet; we crossed the Channel again, and once we were- in England it was relatively easy to hitch home. Three weeks had passed since we had left England, and 2,000 miles covered, costing nothing more than the modest sum of £25 each.

K.N.J AND M.S.T.

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Thoughts on Traditional Jazz

First we must differentiate Jazz from that which is not. It is not the popular music which is here to-day and gone to-morrow. It is not the Dance Band music such as that played by the rowdy pseudo Mr. Music! Ted Heath, or the quieter Joe Loss. As the Morris Dancers and Country Ballads constitute our English Folk music, so do Jazz and the Blues singing constitute that of southerly Northern America. There are two kinds of recognised Jazz-the original Traditional Jazz which was first recognised about 1900 and the Modern Jazz which came into being about 1949 and is derived from a totally different source. Traditional Jazz has its roots set as deep and deeper than most of the Folk musics of the world. It is from the African jungle, from the intricate drum rhythms that Jazz is derived. Brought over by the slaves it was taken up by brass bands, it then evolved into the music of Morton and Oliver and finally into its latest stage of evolution in the hands of Lu Watters and Chris Barber. The slaves found that it eased their burdens when they sang and so the work songs came into being. These and the blues, which were songs which contained the sadness of their enslavement, were influenced by the English Hymnal and Ballads to produce the genuine blues. To finish off we are going to quote Constant Lambert, who said .. The hot Negro recordings still have a genuine and not merely galvanic energy, while the Blues have a certain austerity that places them far above the sweet nothings of George Gershwin." With these few thoughts we hope we have cleared up certain of the misconceptions regarding Traditional Jazz.

M.S.T. AND K.N.J.

" More Hiking than Hitching"

Off to Switzerland! The car swung away onto the London road heading south at 60 m.p.h.

A few minutes later we were heading north again, the driver having forgotten his sun-glasses.

Midnight at Dover saw two weary figures embarking on the Dunkirk car ferry. It was chilly at 4 a.m. the following morning as the same two even-more-weary figures disembarked and began to tramp through the docks into the still shattered town of Dunkirk. Lille was reached by nine o'clock and a hospitable shopkeeper gave us French cigarettes and beer-before breakfast! The rest of the day was one big hangover. With sore feet we reached the youth hostel at Valenciennes by four o'clock, helped by two French students. We went to their chateau in the evening and were honoured with a six course meal and breakfast the following morning.

During the three days' trek towards Switzerland our sleep and meals were irregular. We waited one evening until the roof had been put on a half-constructed house, watching the workmen over a bottle of wine, and then occupied the best bedroom. Sheltering in the archway to a French courtyard another morning we were asked to have lunch with the proprietors of the building. It was a glass works and we were presented with two cut-glass wine glasses each proudly bearing our names, John Jewiss and Rodney Hutchinson.

We reached Switzerland on August the fourteenth and stayed in Basle; the next day, thanks to the kindness of a young German couple (with whom we could converse only by signs), we were taken to the door of the charming youth hostel at Rotchus on the banks of Lucerne.

After a lazy and luxurious time for three days, on John's birthday, 18th of August, we set off towards Wassen, but luck was out. By five o'clock we had reached Altdorf via the Axenstrasse. By six o'clock we had been reduced to tramping. After another long hour we reached the town of Bristen where was supposedly the youth hostel. It was, however, conveniently situated at the top of a 3,000 ft. vertical mountain. By 8 p.m. we reached the summit. The next morning we descended the 3,000 feet in the back of a van and tramped onward. Luck was still out, and at mid-day we boarded a train to Lucerne and thence to Interlaken where we determined again to relax. It was there we visited a friend who insisted on our dining with him at his hotel, despite our bedraggled appearance. The following morning the three of us took a train to Grundlewald where we were whirled up to 7,000 feet in a chair lift. With the brilliantly sunlit peaks of the Jungfrau at eye level we ate a magnificent lunch on the terrace of the restaurant of Fust. Our very generous and hospitable host returned to Interlaken and in the mellow of the evening down in Grundlewald we drank Chartreuse in a gaily exotic atmosphere.

The Swiss gentleman who picked us up in Interlaken at 11.50 a.m. informed us that he had an appointment in Berne (a mere 35 miles away) at 12 noon-Ugh!

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The next day with difficulty we reached Pontalier at dusk and, after waiting nearly all the following morning on the roadside, we managed to get to Dijon by nightfall.

The next day. a hopeless 9 hours ... life went on. The roads became longer, the rucksacks weightier and our feet sorer. On top of all this came money trouble-a £10 traveller's cheque and nowhere to cash it. After a cold night in a wet cricket-infested field we had half a cigarette each for breakfast, boarded a train to Paris, and then faced the bill!

In Paris we lived extravagantly, spent everything and perforce returned to England where, at Newhaven, we swore religiously (or rather irreligiously) at the customs and arrived in London at 8 a.m. There, hungry and dejected, we borrowed £2 from a friend and roamed the sweetest mile-home.

After 2,000 miles, we feel we can more sincerely sympathise with the escapists of the last war who were obliged to traverse France.

Incidentally, we did it for pleasure! !

C.R.H. AND J.O.J.

Market Lopping-Hardesty

(APPENDIX 116)

The turret tolls the knell of parting day, The vintage cars wind slowly back to lea, The cleaners homely plod their weary way,

And leave myself to think, .. It's beans for tea."

They chatter, clatter as they flow In tins, back to the giver,

Some may come and some may go, But ours go round for ever.

There's a breathless hush in the hall to-night Beans to eat and toast to spin,

An empty plate, just one light,

An hour to go, and your last tooth in. Yet it's not for the life of a starchy coat Or the selfish thought of Christmas fame

But their skinny hands on their bare-bones smote, Play up, pay up and give us game.

We take our manners from the ape, Our habits from the bear,

Indulge the loud unseemly gape And never brush our hair.

I know not whether rules be right Or whether rules be bad,

All that we know who stay at coli. Is that we're going mad

For every day is like a year

And that's what makes us sad.

But the privilege and pleasure That we treasure beyond measure

Is to run on little errands up to shut the Iron Gate.

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fiS
LC8P.AA.Y 0
illill
_. .. ..,'\ Prorao,eel pOl'"t,.o.i~ fa .. ~,,@.

lew .. r c.erri!lor

The. '])U..ptlft Art

MAY, 1956

THE ELLESMERIAN

By the shores of lab and stable

Near the shining golf course water Stood the huts-type army standard(Brother of the Parry standard).

Dark inside them rose the rifles

Rose the brown and dusty lokkas Rose the guns with chains upon them Brightly hoping for the Tuesday

The one and only awful Tuesday Sound the bugle, Hail! Oh Tuesday!

The play is done, the curtain drops Slow falling, and applauses swell,

A moment yet the actors stop

And look around to say farewell. Now they quickly change and go, Always pushing amongst the sway, And show as they remove their mask We're always glad to get away.

No Peace for the Wicked

I push, and heel!

Turn, and wheel! Grab, and even pull!

In fact I charge about the field Just like

a raving bull!

I jump and fall!

Scream, and bawl!

Fight, upon the ground

I even chase along the line Baying,

like a hound!

I punt, and kick!

Swerve, and trick!

Aught! but damn near fly.

But yet in spite of all this lot, I've never

scored a try!

N.B. Thoughts

This term we have seen a change, Some excavating by the Range.

In the history master's garden,

Not for relics though, I pardon, But, to build, so I've been told, New classrooms, to replace the old.

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This has caused a lot of fuss, They've even brought along a bus, Cement-mixers, barrows, lorries, Digging holes, as big as quarries. They'll be here a year or more, Growing soon, a great eye-sore. Built fully, when I have gone,

I'll not be a lucky one,

Being treated by this change, To be educated near the Range.

ANON.

Acknowledgments

The Aluredian, The Ardingly-Annals, The Birkonian, The Caldeian, The Cottonian, The Crosbeian, The Denstonian, The Gresham, The Herefordian, The Hurst-Johnian, The Icenian, Lancing College Magazine, The Ruthinian, The Salopian, Liverpool College Magazine, The Wellingburian, The Worksopian, The Wyecliffe Star.

LENT TERM

School Notes

The three films shown to the school in the Dining Hall this term were Trouble ill Store, The Ringer, and Genevieve.

'"

'"

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Although Ellesmere experienced bad weather at the beginning of the term, the annual steeplechase was run as usual on Saint David's Day. Meynell retained the Cup and M. J. Bevin was the first senior home.

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Wakeman retained the All Round Cup, with Meynell second.

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*

Field Day was on March 8th. The C.C. F. spent the day in an area two miles north of Ellesmere and the Scouts on Lord Kenyon's estate at Hanmer.

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The Wakeman Squash team, captained by M. U. Newbold, won the Squash Cup by beating Meynell in the first round and Woodard in the final.

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Ellesmere sent two teams to compete in the Seven-a-side competition at Whitchurch on March 14th in which eleven other teams were taking part. The "A" team were victorious in winning the Cup, but the" B " team were unfortunately beaten in the second round. A Seven-a-side team will play in the Manchester University competition on April 7th.

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We congratulate P. E. Flint, T. H. Gray and K. J. Ransford on being awarded their full tugger colours this term.

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A Pontifical Mass was celebrated on February 12th in which the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Provost, took part.

*

*

*

*

M. U. Newbold has been appointed the Captain of Cricket for the second season.

,..

,..

,..

,..

The open meeting of the Ellesmerian Society was held in Big School on March 17th. The school were fortunate in hearing the Welsh International wing forward, Clement Thomas, lecture with the aid of films on his recent tour of South Africa with the British Lions Rugby team .

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...

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*

The unfavourable weather conditions prevented the first XV from playing a great deal of rugger this term. As the ELLESMERIAN goes to press none of the School teams has been beaten yet. The seven-a-side league system was that used for the house matches this term and resulted in Wakeman winning the senior matches and Talbot the junior .

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,..

,..

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The Inter-House Chess tournament resulted in a win for Meynell, Wakeman being runners-up .

,..

,..

,..

...

On March 23rd, twenty-one of the twenty-six candidates passed Cert. A, Pt. II, and nine of the ten entrants for the Signals Classification on March 27th were successful.

House Notes MEYNELL

Once again the snow did not fail to visit us in the Lent Term and, as a result, rugger was limited to five weeks. It was decided that the house rugger cup (formerly hockey cup) should be contested in the form of a seven-a-side league in which each house supplied an "A" and .. B " team. In the senior matches we did not fare so well as we might have done at one stage, and, even though the" B " team won two of its three games, Meynell finished only third. The junior teams must be congratulated on the effort and amount of courage they showed when facing teams far larger and older than themselves. Yet in no game was either team easily defeated, and in fact Wakeman only beat them by one point in the league table for third place. Once again we were well represented in the School rugger teams and our house captain, E. H. Fraser-Smith, is to be congratulated on gaining his half-colours, and J. M. Heath and W. C. Pheysey their Colts colours.

We retained the Steeplechase Cup in grand fashion under the leadership of M. S. Twiner and his two able assistants, D. F. Wain and K. N. Jones. In the Senior race Meynell had eight in the first eighteen and the Juniors also did extremely well in having six in the first twelve. Also a special word of praise must go to G. M. Furniss who won the Junior Steeplechase.

Under the captaincy of R. R. Pollitt, our Squash team were unlucky to meet Wakeman in the first round and, after a gallant attempt, in which R. R. Pollitt won his game and J. C. Clay made Newbold, the captain of school squash, fight every inch of the way, finally losing 3-1, we lost 2-1. N. A. C. Cope and J. M. Parry were chosen to shoot for the School Shooting VIII in the Country Life competition.

As the ELLESMERIAN goes to Press before the end of the term, we must hope that Meynell puts up a good show in both the House Music and the Chess Competitions.

During the term there have been several items of entertainment for the house, mainly through the goodwill of our Housemaster. A Whist Drive for" those capable of playing" was arranged during the cold period, and suitable prizes were awarded to the winners and losers. Besides this a sausage party was held in the middle of the term and, for the following one or two days, the strange but refreshing odour of bacon and sausages issued from the Day Room. On the last Saturday of term, the Juniors were entertained with a short film show-cum-party in the Day Room.

Once again the spirit and enthusiasm of the House as a whole has enabled the term to pass very smoothly, and we can only hope for this to continue in the future.

R.D.C.

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TALBOT

The exceptional brevity of this term has rendered it somewhat more hectic than it might otherwise have been. One thing followed another in an endless chain of matches, competitions and races, and in the midst of all these frenzied activities the usual topic for House Notes this term, the weather, may well be overlooked. Actually the weather this term has been very favourable and all matches were able to be played off in good time and in reasonably good conditions, thus avoiding the usual last-minute rush of matches played on pitches inches deep in mud and water. The good conditions did, however, fail to bring much success to Talbot's sporting activities this term, with the notable exception of the Junior side's victory in the Seven-a-Side House matches.

Although the Juniors ran well in the Steeplechase, giving Talbot second place, the Seniors lapsed after a good start and Talbot was finally placed third, the cup going to Meynell. In spite of great efforts and rigorous training runs, we did not seem to possess quite the same amount of running strength as the other houses, but with a very strong group, at present in the middle of the house, we may expect better things next year. In the House squash matches we lost to Woodard, winning only one of our three games, and once again Talbot were out of the running for a cup which has eluded them for some considerable time. In the Senior Seven-a-side House matches, we once again fared none too well, coming last in the table with only one point to our credit. But once more the Juniors compensated for the Seniors' brave efforts by narrowly winning the Junior competition. A strong Junior "A" team won two of its matches and drew the other, but it is to the remarkable support of the Junior" B .. team, who drew two of their matches and won the vital last one, that much of the credit is due. Playing their own peculiar brand of rugger they baftled their opponents by their unusual tactics and, after the last match, they were able to walk proudly off the field knowing that they had clinched the cup for Talbot.

Elsewhere Talbot has had a very happy term. An appeal for a fund to purchase a new wireless was launched at the beginning of term, and by half-term the fund was nearing its goal of twenty-five pounds, and soon after it was reached. It was a magnificent effort, nearly everyone contributing, and the Day Room is at last graced by an attractive and efficient radio.

Near the end of term Senior House Colours were awarded to R. F. Boote, and Junior House Colours to J. M. Standring. Also we must congratulate P. E. Flint on being awarded his 1st XV Colours and D. S. Varey his Colts Colours.

Changes in the Day Room this term have, unfortunately, been few. Apart from the repair of the Table Tennis table the House maintenance squad has barely functioned, but we hope for better things next term when they may have more time. However, thanks to the initiative, generosity and interest of a certain parent, at last the Day Room possesses three attractive and functional light-shades in place of the odd assortment of light-dampers which used to hang in the room.

Finally we look forward to next term, hoping for more successful sporting achievement sand for increased social activity in the House.

W.O.H.

WAKEMAN

We set out at the beginning of term determined to hold the array of cups-seven in numberwhich we gained in the Lent Term of 1955, and as yet we have lost only one of those cups, the Junior Rugger, and even then only after a hard struggle.

House spirit has again been at its highest: even the shocking weather has failed to dampen it! All four Rugger teams played extremely well in the new seven-a-side system, but our particularly young Junior Teams could not retain the cup, even though they played good, open rugger. The Senior teams on the other hand, won five of their games and drew the sixth with Woodard, and thus retained the cup.

After two very close and thrilJing matches-in the semi-finals against Meynell and in the finals against Woodard-M. U. Newbold, M. J. Bevin, and J. M. Castle (Capt.) won the Squash CUp. However we were not so fortunate in the Steeplechase, in which we came last. Nevertheless congratulations must go to M. J. Bevin, who won the Senior Steeplechase after winning the Junior for the last two years, and to J. Bloomfield who came second in the Junior.

Our social activities have also been abundant: early in the term there was a sausage party for the Senior Dormitory; for once this paid for itself. A" Round the World Tour" was held for

MAY, 1956

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those in New Dorm, and a Military Whist Drive for Junior and Senior Dormitories. At the Pancake Parties held before Shrove Tuesday many people made use of the rugs which the Housemaster had foreseeingly placed over his carpet.

The Library, now that J. B. Topping has taken charge, has at last been put in order: many of the books have been removed-lock, stock and barrel-and some readable ones put in their places. After much encouragement the cleaning supervisors have at last started" Operation Arnold "-the washing of the Day Room walls, and their efforts are proving quite fruitful.

The results of the Chess Competition, which has been going on for what seems ages, have not yet been obtained, while the Shooting Competition has been postponed until next term. The fate of the Music Cups has not yet been decided upon: T. J. Ganz, the previous Director of House Music, has been invited back to play the accompaniment to the Unison Song.

At the end of this term we lose P. W. Samuel, to whom we wish all success.

C.R.M.

WOODARD

When the House begins a new term with a handicap of having nearly twenty members less than any other House, although it may not achieve any great successes, it deserves praise for doing well in the activities in which it participates.

This term we have done remarkably well in the sporting sphere, although we have not managed to achieve any success with the Rugger Cups.

We came second in the Steeplechase Cup. Our Seniors ran very well and among those who gave a fine performance are M. R. Blackburn, J. M. Edwards and K. J. Ransford, who came 2nd, 3rd and 5th respectively. The Juniors did not do so well but Davies (viii), Mullock, the Pollard brothers, and McEvoy deserve praise for their individual successes.

In the Chess Competition, we once again failed to gain any great success. The captain,

W. G. J. Hughes, and second board, P. J. Hedges, did not manage to produce many points towards the total owing to the strong opposition of the other Houses, but the third board, R. W. Taylor, had remarkable success in winning all his matches. We congratulate him on this fine achievement and hope that next year he will repeat this and win for us the coveted cup.

We had a very good season in Rugger as well. In the Rugger League we came second in both Senior and Junior Leagues. The Senior "A" team, captained by C. H. Mooney, beat Meynell "A" 6-0, drew with Wakeman "A" 8-8, and beat Talbot "A" 13-5. The Senior" B " team, captained by M. Ghandehari, lost to Meynell .. B "0-5, lost to Wakeman" B " 0-11, and drew with Talbot " B" 3-3.

The Junior "A" team, captained by J. M. Preston lost to Talbot 3-6, beat Wakeman 3-0, beat Meynell 3-0. The Junior" B" team beat Meynell 3-0, beat Wakeman 6-0, and drew with Talbot 8-8.

Unfortunately, there have been no House Plays this term. There were no sausage parties this term in strict observance of Lent. The House Shooting was cancelled until next term owing to the shortage of time this term.

In the Squash Cup, we again came second 'to Wakeman after a very fine match in the finals.

In the semi-finals we beat Talbot 2-1, D. E. K. Thomas beating Gaunt, Sanders losing to Hewitt and M. Ghandehari beating Siriyodin. R. Graveley, the Captain, was unfortunately unable to play in the semi-finals owing to illness. In the finals we lost against Wakeman 1-2. R. Graveley lost to Newbold 2-3, D. E. K. Thomas lost to Bevin 1-3, andM. Ghandehari beat J. M. Castle 3-0.

We congratulate D. E. K. Thomas on being appointed a House Prefect at the beginning of March; F. Radjy on receiving his Under XV's Colours; F. A. Potter (i) on being awarded his Senior House Colours; and H. Ghandehari (ii), D. K. Reid (ii), H. Rees, and P. J. Wrangham on being awarded their Junior House Colours. K. J. Ransford must also be congratulated on the award of his full Rugger Colours and F. A. Potter on being awarded his half Rugger Colours. M. Ghandehari, C. H. Mooney, and P. J. Hedges were chosen to shoot for the School Shooting VIII in the Country Life Competition.

Unfortunately at the end of this term we lose three Senior members of the House, W. G. J.

Hughes, F. A. Potter and P. J. Hedges. We wish them every success in their future careers.

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VOL. LXVII. No. 281

VALETE

G. HUGHES. Junior House 1945-49, Woodard House 1949-56; Hon. Sec. Chess Club 1955-56; Capt. of House Chess 1955-56; G.C.E. '0' Level (9) 1953; G.C.E. 'A' Level (2) 1955; Sub-Prefect 1955; House Prefect 1955-56.

P. J. HEDGES. Woodard House 1952-56; School Choir 1953; Cert. A Pt. I and II 1954; L/Cpl. 1954; CpJ. 1955; Sgt. 1955; Capt. House Shooting 1956; School Shooting VIII 1954-56; Marksman 1955; G.C.E. '0' Level (5) 1954; Sixth Form 1955-56.

F. A. POTTER. Woodard House 1952-56; Senior House Colours 1956; Capt. of House Swimming 1955; One-length Free Style Record 1955; 2nd XV Rugger 1954-55; 1st XV Rugger 1955-56; Half Rugger Colours 1956 ; Cert. 'A' Pt. I and II 1953-54 ; Signals Classification 1955 : LICpl. 1955.

W.G.J.H.

JUNIOR HOUSE

Head Monitor Monitors

E. T. D. Leadbeater P. H. Ward, P. C. Gould, F. S. Moreton, C. P. Baldwin Steeplechase Cup (Senior) ... Steeplechase Race (Junior)

All-round Cup

Normans Tudors Tudors

Once again the Lent term, on account of sickness and bad weather, has proved disappointing from the point of view of outdoor activities. However, the Steeplechase races, held on 20th March to avoid sickness, aroused great enthusiasm and provided the usual excitement. This year two races took place one a .. Senior" and the other a .. Junior" event, although no-one was barred merely by age from entering the" Senior" race. The first runner home, J. A. Platt, arrived in a time of 8 min. 42 2/5 sec. but, as the Cup is awarded on a" House" team basis, the winning team was the Normans. In the Junior race the winning time was 9 min. 8 415 sec. and the winning .. House" the Tudors.

On l Oth and 11th March the Junior House Dramatic Society presented Clive by L. Du Garde Peach which was well received by an audience of parents and members of the Staff. We are most grateful to all who assisted with the production in many ways.

On account of time taken up by play rehearsals, the Junior Ellesmerian Society has not had so full a programme as last term, but we were fortunate in having Mr. Revell to speak to us once more, this time on the subject of" Sheep and Wool in England in the Middle Ages," which we found most interesting and instructive.

Star prizes were won by D. Bridge and K. Whiteman and prizes for modelling were awarded

to the Ward brothers and R. G. Fenwick. .

R.E.B.

Examinations

The following candidates supplemented their Certificates in December last. Latin: Newbold, Robson, Wain, Wassail, Oliver. Mathematics: Cohen, Jones. K. N., Blackburn, J., Cope, Gardner, Jones, C. V. M., Jones, R. A., Taylor, Ghandehari. General Science: Jacques. Geography:

Jacques, Jones, J. A. English Language: Jacques, Lee, J. A., Peel, Ransford. English Literature:

Jacques, Jones, R. A. History: Taylor.

Chapel Notes

Visitors to the Chapel this term have included the Rev. Claude Underhill, Vicar of S. Peter's, Mile End, the Rev. Sholto Douglas, Vicar of S. Anne's, Derby, and formerly Chaplain of Bloxham, the Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Rev. H. C. C. Bowen, S.C.F., Senior Chaplain of Park Hall Camp, and the Rev. R. J. C. Lumley, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Oswestry. We were disappointed that the Rev. Nicolas Graham, C.R., was not able to come, but hope that it will be possible for him to visit us next term.

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The Rev. Claude Underhill has presented the Chapel with a handsome missal stand, made by himself from fragments of a door, a pew, and the pulpit of the bombed church in Cephas Street. It is decorated with the arms of the School, the dioceses of Lichfield and London, and the keys of S. Peter, and is thus a visible token of the link between us and the parish in Mile End. It is in use on weekdays.

The daily Celebration during Lent does not seem to have been as well attended as in some years, but the congregations for Compline on Saturday evenings has been larger than usual, puri~g the term, forty candidates began their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which will be administered by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield on June 3rd.

THE NEW MISSAL STAND.

S.C.

Chapel Music and Choir Notes

The standard of congregational singing this term has been well maintained and we have, on several occasions, used music which alternated between Choir and Congregation-with good effect.

Three Organ Recitals have been given this term: the first by Mr. Richards, the second by Mr. Philip Lank, of Oswestry Parish Church (who is our new visiting music teacher) and the last by Mr. Lumley. In the final programme, S. W. W. Davies and L. A. Lamb were the treble duettists.

The Choir's work has been steadily progressive-our most demanding anthems probably being the chorus Behold the Lamb of God from Handel's Messiah on Passion Sunday, and John Ireland's Greater Love on Palm Sunday. Mention should be made of R. D. Chance's very moving singing of the alto aria He was Despised, also on Passion Sunday; and of the short solos by S. S. Caney (baritone) and L. A. Lamb (treble) in the anthem on Palm Sunday.

Throughout the term each department has been most ably led, and I should like to pay tribute to the" team-work" which has been obvious within our ranks; this makes light of many difficulties which we should otherwise meet, and often ensures success in face of heavy odds. Especially was this so during the term when, from time to time, sickness reduced our ranks, but not, apparently, our efficiency.

We welcome E. H. Beavan to the trebles, and thank P. L. Speer for his past services on retiring from this department. Otherwise our personnel remains unchanged.

R.A.L.L.

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Rugby

This term, the second half of the Rugby Season, has been a most successful one. The standard of rugby played has invited much favourable comment; notably that of Mr. I. B. Barter, an Old Ellesmerian, the Chairman of the Swansea R.F.C. Committee, and" Clem" Thomas, the Welsh international and Swansea captain, his son-in-law, who very kindly came to Ellesmere to watch the 1st XV play, and give the School a most interesting and beautifully illustrated account of the British Lions' tour in South Africa, of which Mr. R. C. C. Thomas was a member.

All the matches played have been won, including the Whitchurch seven-a-side competition, and all have been games where the handling of the ball-after all the most thrilling and essential part of rugby-has kept the game open and resulted in enjoyable rugby to watch, and to play.

BIRKENHEAD PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS XV Played at Ellesmere on a firm dry pitch.

This proved to be a fast open game which the School won quite convincingly.

The ball was thrown about and handled well by both the threequarters and forwards, and several very good tries resulted from these combined movements. The forwards against a much heavier pack played very well-particularly in the loose-so that we had possession of the ball most of the game. The backs thrived on the supply, and the continual covering tired the defence, thus paving the way for the tries which were bound to come.

Ellesmere 26, Birkenhead Park 6

Parry 2 tries, Ransford 2 tries, Mooney, Chance, Beeston, Nash, Beeston 1 goal.

BELMONT ABBEY Played at Ellesmere on a firm dry pitch.

Here again the School gained a convincing victory by good open play with forwards and backs combining. The Belmont Abbey team were unwilling to trust their backs, who were lining up defensively even in the Ellesmere half. This caused a certain amount of scrappiness, but as Ellesmere gained a majority of possession from tight and loose serums, and line-outs, the game was kept open by good running and passing-except for the opening period-by the backs. The half-back combination worked very well, except that Mooney was inclined, probably owing to the permanent proximity of the opposing defence, to run too far across the field.

One must congratulate Belmont on their very vigorous tackling, and the way they fought back right to the last moment and almost to the last man.

Ellesmere 27, Belmont 0

Ransford 3 tries, Tolson 1 try, Jewiss 1 try, Chance 1 try, Nash 1 try, Pollitt 3 goals ..

LIVERPOOL R.U.F.C. "A" TEAM

This match played on a greasy pitch was a very hard fought and enjoyable game. Liverpool brought quite a strong team which played very good open rugby, and never hesitated to throw the ball about.

After being six points down very early in the game, Ellesmere drew level by scoring a penalty goal and an unconverted try. The match proved very fast with attack constantly switching from end to end, and early in the second half Ellesmere built up what seemed to be a commanding lead. This lead, however, was not to last; in the final quarter of an hour Ellesmere wilted under the Liverpool onslaught, and conceded two tries in quick succession, neither of which were converted. The closing minutes became tense and exciting as Liverpool strove with might and main to score the winning try; but Ellesmere just managed to keep their line intact.

Ellesmere 14, Liverpool 12 Ransford 2 tries, Parry 1 try, Pollitt 1 pen. goal, 1 goal.

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H.M.S. CONWAY Played at H.M.S. Conway on a dry hard pitch.

Ellesmere took a considerable time to settle down in this game, and never at any time showed the life and zest that had been so apparent in this term's previous games.

The forwards were lethargic and often yards behind the Conway pack in the loose play. The threequarter play lacked bite, and far too many elementary mistakes were made, which resulted on one occasion, in the opposition receiving a .. gift" try.

In the second half there were signs of revival, in fact, just enough to win the game.

Ellesmere 14, Conway 9·

Parry 1 try, Ransford 1 try, Mooney 1 try, Pollitt I pen. goal, I goal.

WHITCHURCH SEVEN-A-SIDE COMPETITION Two teams were entered for this competition, an "A" and a" B " team.

The" B " team were unfortunate enough to meet one of the finalists in their first game and were knocked out; the score being 15-5. Even so, the" B " team played very badly, the tackling and general play were very weak and there seemd a distinct lack of fighting spirit.

The "A" team met Adams Grammar School in the first round whom they beat 10-3, Longton H.S. in the second round 8-0, Shrewsbury in the semi-finals 11-0, and Sand bach in the final 14-6.

The winning of this seven-a-side was most pleasing, especially the way in which it was done.

The seven played very good rugby, the combined movement and passing often being a joy to watch.

The measure of superiority, in most of the games played, is shown in the total of 43 points for and only 9 against.

Ransford 6 tries, Nash 2 tries, Stringer 2 tries, Mooney I try, Jewiss 5 goals.

RESULTS

Opponents Score Result Venue

v. Birkenhead Park 26-6 Won Home

v. Belmont Abbey 27-0 Won Home

v. Liverpool R.U.F.C. 14-12 Won Home

v. H.M.S. Conway 14-9 Won Away

Four matches played, four won. Points for 81, against 27

WHITCHURCH SEVEN-A-SIDE Adams Grammar School Longton H.S.

Shrewsbury

Sandbach

Points for 43, Points against 9 The following have been awarded 1st XV Colours: K. J. Ransford, T. H. Gray, P. E. Flint. The following have been awarded Half Colours: Potter. F. A., Hartley, R. T. C., FraserSmith, E. H.

1st Round v. 2nd Round v. Semi-Final v. Final v.

10-3 8-0 11-0 14-6

Won Won Won Won

2ND XV

FIXTURE LIST

Home v. Rydal School 11-3 Won

Home v. Lindisfarne ... 9-22 Lost

Home v. Priory School 11-0 Won

Away v. Grove Park 20-3 Won

Away v. Lindisfame 0-31 Lost

Home v. Liverpool College 3-17 Lost

Away v. Whitchurch G.S. 0-16 Lost

Away v. Merchant Taylors 0-24 Lost

Home v. Old Ellesmerians I r-a Won

Home v. Whitchurch G.S. 6-12 Lost

Home v. Oswestry R.U.F.C. 0-24 Lost

Played 11, Won 4, Lost 7. Points for 71, against 160

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After a promising start to the season, during which three out of the first four matches were won, the team fell away in a very disappointing manner, although we were handicapped by injuries to a large extent, and half way through the season had to reorganise the pack through first team calls on players.

In nearly, every game we have more than held our own in the forwards, particularly in the serums and line-outs, but there has been a marked slowness in the loose, and this has allowed our opponents to turn defence into attack far too easily, and so get out of difficult situations quickly! The tackling and going down on the ball also leaves much to be desired, and this applies even more to the backs. Far too often it has been left to two or three members of the team to do the tackling, and this has resulted in many cases in big gaps in the defence, with one opponent going through the middle of the field and scoring. In the back line there has been a lack of penetration, and in several matches, after having gained as much as 60 per cent possession in the serums and line-outs, there has been no reward in the shape of points. This was particularly noticeable at Whitchurch and Merchant Taylors. The handling of the backs also needs improvement although there were signs of this towards the end of term.

Among the forwards, Wain, Fraser-Smith and Jacques (when not on 1st XV duty), Topping, Peel, and Jones, have all played consistently well, while Turner, Hatherill, Newbold and AI Turki did well when coming into the side later in the term. Hatherill particularly hooked extremely well, although his play in the loose needs to be improved. Newbold's whole hearted play for the full seventy minutes could well be copied by other members of the team, as there was a most noticeable decline in confidence and .. fighting spirit" whenever our opponents scored early in the game. Among the backs none did better than Graveley, who in several matches was the only one to look really dangerous. He needs more confidence in himself however. Ghandehari and Worrall played well on occasions, but Ghandehari's defence is suspect, and he lacks that little extra speed, while Worrall needs to .. play with his head" more, though his tackling was possibly the soundest of all the backs. Two changes later in the term brought in Stokes at serum half, and Forgrave as full back, and both these players show promise of much better things when they have had more experience. The service from the base of the serum was much quicker when Stokes was serum half, though he lacks Hewitt's kicking ability, and his passing is not as accurate. Hewitt on the other hand was too slow in getting the ball out, with the result that a never very strong back line had even less chance of finding the openings. Cope should make a winger with more experience, his big failing at the inoment is his handling of the ball, but he should improve when he gets more used to the changeover from wing-forward.

Of the matches themselves, the best displays were against Priory and Rydal, whilst that against Grove Park was good, but here the team was strengthened with the first team players. Against the Old Ellesmerians the team showed much improvement and this was maintained in the match with Whitchurch when only bad handling in the back line prevented us winning. Against Lindisfame away, the team played very badly against a very good team. It was an appalling day with pouring rain and sodden ground and the handling of the Lindisfarne team in these conditions was amazingly good. The worst displays were against Whitchurch G.S. away, and Merchant Taylors, where we more than held our own in the forwards, but were still well beaten. Against Oswestry R.U.F.C. we were outplayed by a far bigger and heavier side.

Jones (vii), Taylor, Howard and Edwards also played in the team, J.S.K.

COLTS

For much of the term the bad weather seriously curtailed the rugby activities and the Colts XV had only two matches, one at the start of the term and the other at the end. The first against Priory Colts results in a win for College. The game was not outstanding. The second game against Conway also resulted in victory for College. This was a very hard-fought game in which the backs were very closely marked. Nevertheless both tries were scored on the wing, the ball travelling well along the line.

Thus a fairly successful season was brought to a close. It is interesting to note that the team, which has remained substantially the same for three years, as the Under 14's, Under 15's and Colts have in that time scored 377 points with 142 against, losing only five matches. It has never been a team with two or three outstanding players but has obtained these results using fifteen sound players working together as a team. They still have much to learn, there could be better tackling, marking, and straighter running, but they are to be congratulated upon the results. The team spirit has always been excellent and the motto" Play Hard" strictly and well kept.

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RESULTS

Priory Home Won 13-3

Conway Away Won 6-3

Further colours this term were awarded to J. M. Heath, D. Varey and W. C. Pheysey.

F.J.T.

. UNDER 15 XV

Not once this season have we been able to field a full side, yet the reserves we have played have done so well that seven of the ten games have been won; several of these boys will undoubtedly be challenging for a place in the team next year. Throughout the season there has been a steady improvement in the attacking play of the backs, and this has brought three convincing victories this term. The team has been built, as all rugby teams must be, round two reliable half backs. Friend has always given a good service from the base of the serum and his defence has been firstrate; McIndoe has handled, kicked and passed adequately, and has now eradicated a tendency to run across and so crowd his threequarters. His defence, too, has been very good. Binks and Coombs, the centres, have just started to run powerfully: Binks has improved more obviously than any other back and he appears to have a natural body swerve and an eye for a gap, but his defence is still suspect; Coombs is faster and his defence is better, but he still tends to run into trouble rather than away from it and then rely on brute strength to carry him through. His passing is poor too, and so Godwin and Wrangham have not had the chances they might have had. This link has been further weakened because the wingers' own handling has not been very good; much passing practice is still necessary! Standring missed many of the early matches, but his tackling, handling and kicking have been good recently, and if he will only learn how and when to fall he will be a most reliable full back next season.

The pack has constantly changed and this has produced greater untidiness forward than we had expected, but individually many of the forwards have distinguished themselves. In particular Radjy, a newcomer to Rugby, has quickly picked up the rules and has proved invaluable in the line-outs, out jumping comfortably most of his opponents. He has been admirably supported by two fine front-row forwards, Preston and Abbott, and by Norbury at lock, who has kicked very well, shown considerable life in the loose, and used his weight effectively. Berrisford has not yet properly mastered the art of hooking, but he has played well in the loose; Wootton, a second-row forward, started the season well, lost most of his fire, but improved again towards the end. Of the others Rees, Lee (i) and Elliott have all played adequately at wing forward though none has yet established himself completely in the position.

The best characteristic of the team as a whole has been the tackling and covering in defence.

Apart from the disastrous Wrekin match when the full back and both centres were absent, only 34 points were scored against us in nine games. The whole side, of course, deserves credit for this, but Friend and McIndoe, especially, have covered and tackled extremely well. The worst fault has been the lackadaisical way in which the side has started: all too often our opponents have been allowed to score first, and while it may be heroic to fight back and win, it is not sensible Rugby.

The following boys have played for the Under 15 side: asterisks indicate colours.

I. W. McIndoe* (Capt.), J. M. Preston* (Pack-leader), A. E. Friend", G. W. E. Binks*, A. E. Coombs*, J. M. Standring*, J. F. Abbott*, F. Radjy*, R. Norbury", F. Berrisford, H. Rees, P. J. Wrangham, A. J. Wootton, C. B. Elliott, M. D. Lee, H. J. Godwin, R. W. A. Walker, W. J. Allen, J. A. Tunnicliffe, R. A. Johnson, H. Ghandehari, D. S. Harty.

RESULTS

3 Ellesmere

3 Ellesmere

5 Ellesmere

31 Ellesmere

3 Ellesmere

8 Ruthin

3 Ellesmere

3 Sand bach

20 Grove Park

20 Belmont Abbey

Priory School Grove Park Sand bach Wrekin Ruthin Ellesmere Priory Ellesmere Ellesmere Ellesmere

6 5 8 6 6 9

18 3 5 o

F.E.S.

D

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UNDER 14 XV

The selection of the fifteen best players from a cIubside of thirty-five young "unknowns" must, of necessity, present difficulties. In this case there was actually less trouble than was expected and a team, full of promise, soon appeared. In matches however its early promise was not fulfilled.

Lindisfarne were defeated twice, by fairly comfortable margins. Liverpool, man for man the heavier side, won their match convincingly.

The remaining four matches (against Wrekin, Rydal twice, and Merchant Taylors) were all lost. In no case was the margin more than four points and it is a disappointing fact that all these games might have been won with better and more determined teamwork.

Parker (iv) captained the side. Davies (ii) and Ball (ii) achieved a reasonable measure of success at halfback. In the forwards Abbott (ii) and Newport were outstanding. Newport's excellent place kicking deserves special mention.

The following represented the School during the season:

D. G. Parker (Capt.), J. F. Newport (Vice-Capt.), D. L. Ball, G. D. Butterworth, L. P. Davies, D. R. Abbott, M. J. Tanner, P. R. Ratcliffe, R. A. Benson, J. E. Hosegood, R. J. Collett, G. R. Willis, M. S. Geddes, J. D. G. Catlin, G. W. K. Webster, P. Roberts, R. P. Davies, G. M. Furniss.

RESULTS
Ellesmere 8 Rydal 9
Ellesmere. 14 Lindisfarne 0
Lindisfarne 6 Ellesmere ... 13
Ellesmere 3 Liverpool ... 36
Ellesmere 9 Wrekin 11
Ellesmere 8 Merchant Taylors 12
Rydal 9 Ellesmere 5
V.H.H.
HOUSE MATCHES
RESULTS
SENIOR CUP JUNIOR CUP
'A'Teams 'A'Teams
P. w. L. D. Pts. P. w. L. D. Pts.
Wakeman 3 2 0 1 10 Talbot 3 2 0 1 10
Woodard ... 3 2 0 1 10 Woodard 3 2 1 0 8
Meynell 3 1 2 0 4 Wakeman 3 1 2 0 4
Talbot 3 0 3 0 0 Meynell 3 0 2 1 2
,'B'Teams 'B'Teams
P. w. L. D. Pts. P. w. L. D. Pts.
Wakeman 3 3 0 0 6 Woodard 3 2 0 1 5
Woodard ... 3 1 1 1 3 Talbot 3 1 0 2 4
Meynell ... 3 I 2 0 2 Meynell .'. 3 1 2 0 2
Talbot 3 0 2 1 1 Wakeman 3 0 2 1 1
RESULT (points total) RESULT (points total)
Wakeman 16 Talbot 14
Woodard 13 Woodard 13
Meynell 6 Wakeman 5
Talbot 1 Meynell 4
G.E.S.
The Cross Country Race More enthusiasm (though hardly enough to make it popular) was shewn for this event than in many previous years, possibly assisted by the fact that the weather seriously interfered with the normal games programme. At the beginning of the term a short course of instruction was provided for House captains of running and their assistants, with the idea of shewing them how a team could be trained for a race. This seemed to interest those who took part, and demonstrated that there is more to running than merely padding round one of the" grinds."

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In spite of plentiful rumours, based on mysterious Land Rover trips around the neighbouring countryside, the course remained unaltered. This is, however, no guarantee that it wiII never be changed, for consideration is stilI being given to the matter, with the view of reducing the amount of road running that has to be done. There was, however, one innovation, namely a massed start on the road outside Bottom Gate. This, whilst usual for cross country events with a big field, was new to the School, but is likely to be continued, since no serious objections have been raised.

The day of the race was bright and dry, though there was a very stiff and chilly wind blowing.

The winning times in both Senior and Junior events were extremely creditable in these circumstances, and surprised the organisers considerably. A" standard" time for the race was evolved on a sliding scale of adding a previously agreed number of minutes to the time returned by the winners, thus taking in to account variations in weather and course conditions more completely than is possible with a fixed standard previously announced.

A final word of thanks is due on behalf of the competitors to F. J. Tippett, Esq., who supervised the whole event, and to M. O. Fletcher, Esq., and those gentlemen who assisted him by being

responsible for all the arrangements at the finish. S.c.

THE EVENTUAL WINNERS IN BLUEBELL WOOD.

ALONG THE CANAL.

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RESULTS INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

Senior: M. J. Bevin in 29 min. 4 sec. (add 7 min. for Standard time) Junior: G. M. Furniss in 21 min. 54 sec. (add 5 min. for Standard)

JUNIOR RACE

Meynell Talbot Woodard Wakeman

Points 39 58 101 148

Standard

Points 19 17 10 10

Woodard Meynell Wakeman Talbot

SENIOR RACE

98 106 155 186

20 21 19 19

Meynell Woodard Talbot Wakeman

COMBINED AND FINAL RESULT

145 40

199 30

244 36

303 29

TEAM RESULTS SENIOR

Total 20 41 91

138

78 85 136 167

105 1 st 169 2nd 208 3rd 274 4th

Woodard Meynell Wakeman Talhot
Blackburn 2 Jones 7 Bevin .. , 1 Platt 8
Edwards 3 Beeston 10 Stokes 4 Tolson ... 9
Ransford 5 Wain 11 Gray 15 Warbrick 12
Sanders 6 Turner ... 13 Castle ... 23 Rawlings 28
Taylor 19 Parry ... 14 Jones 24 Flint 30
Johnstone 20 Heath ... 16 Elliott ... 25 Home ... 32
Potter 21 Johnson 17 Dickinson 27 Unsworth 33
Moeney 22 Clay 18 Nash 36 Friend 34
JUNIOR
Meynell Talbot Woodard Wakeman
Furniss 1 Griffiths 3 Davies 11 Bloomfield 2
Eddowes 4 Cartwright 5 Mullock 15 Nankivell 25
Whitley ... 6 Garside 8 Pollard 16 Tunnicliffe 26
Willis ... 7 Coombs 13 Pollard 17 Davies 27
Bell 9 Davies 10 McEvoy 18 Ball 31
Roberts 12 Whitehall 19 Ghandehari 24 Collett 37
The final result is obtained by subtracting the total number of Standards gained from th~ 'team
total. This figure is the final score of the House.
Shooting The whole term was concentrated on bringing the Shooting VIII up to scratch for the Country Life Competition. However, three matches were fired during the course of the term (10 rounds application) with reasonable results.

The first match was against the .. Ellesmere Rifle Club" at Ellesmere College range on February 19th, the result being a victory for the visiting team by one point.

The next match took place on March 4th against a combined" Ellesmere and District" team, with an overwhelming victory for the School team.

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The third match was arranged for March II th, and eleven of the" Oswestry Shooting Team" were invited to shoot against the School team plus three reserves.

The scores were: Oswestry XI 445, Ellesmere College XI 477.

We must thank C.S.M. W. G. Page heartily for his tremendous interest in the shooting team and for arranging in his free time the above matches at the school.

The Country Life Competition was fired on Friday, March 16th, under the supervision of Major F. E. Sutterby, and C.S.M. W. G. Page. Unfortunately the scores do not represent the strength of the VIII, as every member had a score below his usual standard.

J. M. Castle, the Captain, must be congratulated on being awarded the Shooting Prize for his performance in Country Life.

Rank Cpl.

Group

10 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Snap 27 30 26 27 28 25 20 25

Total Landscape

Rapid 41 39 38 45 43 42 40 43

Name J. M. Castle .,. C. E. Nash

M. H. A. Boldero P. J. Hedges .,. C. H. Mooney

R. J. C. Hartley J. M.Parry ... N. A. C. Cope

The Cadet pair were M. Ghandehari and D. Peel.

M.G.

Total 78 74 69 77 76 72 65 73

584 125

M.G.

Squash Notes

This term we have sadly missed our annual fixture with the Teddybears and have played no matches. However the House matches have provided a very close competition, and excited an enthusiastic crowd in the gallery to cheer wildly the fast, hard hitting, if not always accurate, squash. The cup was in the balance until the very last match in which Newbold played Graveley, and after a very close and hard-fought match Newbold emerged the winner 9-2,8-10,6-9,9-4,9-4.

Bevin beat Thomas 4-9, 9-4, 9-6, 9-5 Castle lost to Ghandehari 4-9, 8-10, 6-9 The Cup thus went to Wakeman.

RESULTS SEMI- FINALS

Wakeman beat MeyneIJ 2-1

Woodard beat Talbot 2-1

FINAL

Wakeman beat Woodard 2-1

M.U.N.

School Music

Most of this term's efforts have been directed towards the House Music Competition which is reported more fully elsewhere.

Far greater use might be made of the Practice rooms by many junior pianists, and this was very apparent when I inspected the playing of everyone towards the end of this term, and found the playing of the juniors, in particular, to be of far too Iowa standard. Consequently the Junior Instrumental Prize was not awarded this year. It is very noticeable that those boys whom I do see making regular use of the Practice rooms are those who do manage to produce some results. All this will be taken into account when awarding the House Points for the Music Competition next year-progress throughout the whole year, and not just during one term.

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A very well-attended (and apparently well-received) end-of-term concert was given on the last evening of term. This is no mean-achievement on the evening after the House Music Competition has taken place, and no items are repeated. The instrumental playing was of a very high standard and congratulations are due to the various soloists-pianists included. An interesting item was a movement from Mr. Richards' own recently-composed Clarinet Sonata, which he played, with Mr. Lumley accompanying.

A party went to the Shrewsbury Orchestral Society's concert on 21st March. This was not a well-built programme, and we enjoyed the Handel overture to Berenice and the finale from Mozart's Divertimento movements most. The Dvorak Serenade for Strings never really " got going," and the Frank Bridge Suite for String Orchestra was under rehearsed. Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings-a lovely work in a contrasted programme-was played in the wrong place in the programme, when we were tired of hearing slow tunes. Miss Isobel Baillie sang various Mozart operatic arias with the orchestra, and a group of songs by Delius, Bax, Hamilton Harty and Richard Strauss with piano accompaniment. Again, the only one which was really enjoyed by the" full-to-capacity " school audience (as it was on that afternoon) was her encore-Schubert's The Trout. We do feel that the Shrewsbury Orchestral Society lost a golden opportunity for enthusing its audience on this particular occasion, and it was all the more regrettable when the composition of the afternoon audience was taken into account.

The following took the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Examinations in the various grades in March: S. S. Caney, Violin, Grade III; P. B. Billington, Oboe, Grade IV; R. Frenkel, Piano, Grade VI. All passed, with P. B. Billington achieving a" Pass with Distinction."

R.A.L.L.

House Music Competition

The House Music Competition took place on the evening of Monday, 26th March, when the adjudicator was Malcolm J. McKelvey, Esq., M.A., B.Mus., F.R.C.O., Director of Music at Wrekin College.

This year has seen the institution of " House Points "-a system whereby every boy in the school who is learning an instrument earns points for his House during the course of his normal term's work. Thus, the Competition becomes much more of a House effort than in the past, and the lead of one House over the others may well be decided by points earned before the evening of the competition itself, and not only by the prowess of the evening's soloists-who are, naturally, the best performers available in the different Houses. In actual fact, the four Houses started almost even, with Meynell and Woodard tying with the same points, and with Talbot and Wakeman one point behind them and each other.

In the course of the evening, Meynell pulled well ahead with a total of 171 points--made possible by the award of the full total of 50 points (an unprecedented happening) to P. B. Billington for his playing on the Organ of Schumann's first Fugue 011 B.A.C.H., by the award of 48 points to R. Frenkel for his wholly admirable playing of the Pastorale from Scarlatti's Sonata in D minor; and by the third high marking of 47 for the Ensemble's playing of Handel's Minuet from Samsonthis being really a joy to hear. Woodard came second with a total of 142 points, special mention again being made of E. N. Hallewell's organ-playing of Stanford's Prelude in G. minor, Op. 60 (45 points), and D. E. K. Thomas' playing of Debussy's Clair de Lune (44 points). Wakeman and Talbot came third and fourth, respectively, with totals of 112 and 111 points. In every case, the Ensemble playing from each House earned a word of praise for this most important-and most difficult-branch of musical activity.

In the Vocal section the singing was again of a very high standard. The Part Song was especially difficult to judge, and the points awarded were as follows: Meynell 96, Talbot 93, Woodard 91, Wakeman 83. In the Unison Song the difference in merit became rather more apparent, and here Meynell scored 84, Woodard 78, Talbot 64, and Wakeman 60. The combined results gave Meynell a leading total of 180, with Woodard second (169), Talbot third (157), and Wakeman fourth (143).·

The Vocal and Instrumental awards announced for award on Speech Day were: Junior Vocal =-S, W. W. Davies; Senior Vocal-S. S. Caney; Junior Instrumental-not awarded; Senior Instrumental-J. R. D. Billington and P. B. Billington.

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The devoted teaching of Mr. J. E. Reynolds was referred to during the evening by the Headmaster, the Adjudicator and the Director of Music. Long may he be with us skilfully imparting the fruits of a life of musical experience, and spurring us on to even higher achievements!

R.A.L.L.

C.C.F. Notes

The Easter Term is never an easy one for the C.C.F. for it is short and the weather is generally bad. The examination platoons have been more than usually handicapped this year, for the term has been even shorter than usual, and the snow of the first five weeks made normal training impossible. In addition both platoons have had to cope with the extended syllabus, but they have made good progress under Sgts. Stringer and Barnes, and we hope that the R.W.F. will find the standard high again.

Field Day was fine and reasonably warm. Capt. Owen kindly allowed us to use his estate, Plas-yn-Grove, and for the day's training we were pleased to welcome back again 2/Lt. Scholfield. now serving with the R.A. in Merionethshire. Capt. Howard organised the Cadre scheme and he was much helped by Major Butterworth, the Officer Commanding R.A.O.C. Depot, Elson. The honours of the day went, undoubtedly, to Cdts. Chambers and Preston.

The new Q Stores is now nearly complete and we hope to move in at the beginning of next term. We are grateful to the contractors, Messrs. Barlow & Sons, and to the Secretary, T. & A.F.A. for the rapid completion of this building which will appreciably lessen our present administrative problems.

Senior Scouts and Scouts

Scouting activities this term have been mostly carried out indoors owing to influenza and to the prolonged spell of wintry weather. Nevertheless much useful instruction was received. The Seniors concentrated chiefly upon First Class Tests, especially First Aid, whilst the Scouts themselves, in addition to signalling, first aid and map work, had several intriguing puzzles to unravel

which had been carefully thought out by the S.M. .

On Field Day the Seniors did a useful day's work helping to prepare the site on Lord Kenyon's estate, near Hanmer, for the Welsh Jamboree is to be held this summer. The Seniors under the S.M. (S.S.) are going to be present there also. The Scouts will probably have a training week at the Wrekin in early August.

O.H.C. (G.S.M.)

The Seven Club

E. H. Fraser-Smith read a paper on .. Coal." At the second meeting R. Wilson discussed "Transport 1946-66." The third paper was given by C. E. Nash on .. Mountains and Sea." All meetings were held in Mr. C. Howard's room. The Club is twenty years old this term.

The Ellesmerian Society

The first meeting of the term was held on Saturday, January 21 st when the Chaplain presented another of his programmes of films. This time the films shown were The Gospel of Stone, and A City Speaks, a film directed by Paul Rotha, showing the growth of Manchester.

A week later the first debate of the session was held. The Motion before the House was .. That the Introduction of Machinery has done more Harm than Good." Mr. C. R. Hutchunson proposed the Motion, seconded by Mr. K. N. Jones, and was opposed by Mr. E. H. Fraser-Smith and Mr. J. P. Ray. The Motion was defeated by 43 votes to 12.

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On February 4th there was a version of the Panel-Game" Any Questions?" This proved to be most entertaining and of a very wide interest, the subjects discussed ranging from Bigamy to the drowning of Wales. The Questions were answered by a panel consisting of members of the Society, namely Messrs. J. O. Jewiss, D. E. K. Thomas, C. F. Potter, D. Meredith, N. A. C. Cope,

S. S. Caney, D. Blackburn, C. P. H. Tolson.

The second and final debate of the session was on February 11 tho The Motion before the House was" That the United Kingdom is not entitled to remain in Cyprus." Proposing was Mr. C. H. Chambers and Mr. C. V. M. Jones; Opposing Mr. M. H. A. Boldero and Mr. T. H. Gray. The debate was not a great success, nobody bringing up any points of particular importance. The Motion was defeated by 32 votes to 22.

The Playreading this term was An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley on February 18th. Mr.

Hutchinson produced the play with as much care as usual and many thanks are due to him for a most successful reading. An original touch was the invitation of F. E. Sutterby, Esq. to be the guest reader and he was very good in the title role. J. C. Chapman was also extremely effective.

Mr. C. E. Nash presented four films of general interest on February 25th. They were In on the Beam, a film showing the use of radar, Science in the Orchestra, English Criminal Justice, ahd The New Earth, which told of the reclamation of the Zuider Zee. These proved to be the most successful Scientific films that had been shown for some time.

On March 3rd Wing Commander Bayliss gave a lecture entitled" Impressions of the U.S.A." . The speaker had a most informal manner and gave a very clear and unbiased picture of the exact type of life led in America.

Mr. W. D. Hewitt arranged a musical evening for March l Oth. He invited four speakers to give their views on the music they liked best, and to say why they liked it. Mr. E. N. Hallewell and Mr. R. W. Frenkel spoke on behalf of the more serious type of music and were strongly opposed by Mr. M. S. Turner, speaking for traditional jazz, and Mr. T. W. B. Barnes, an enthusiast for modern jazz. All the speakers illustrated their points with gramophone records, the most controversial of these being Stan Kenton's This Modern World, presented by Mr. Barnes.

There was an Open Meeting of the Society in Big School on March 17th when Mr. Clem Thomas gave an account of his experiences in South Africa with the British. Lions' Touring Team. This was most informative and gave examples of splendid rugby.

The final meeting of the year was a Mock Trial which was arranged and produced by D. E. K.

Thomas and C. F. Potter on March 24th. Messrs. P. J. Hedges and S. L. Evans were the barristers and Mr. T. W. Barnes the Judge. The main success of the evening was that it enabled a large amount of members to take part.

After this meeting had ended the Society adjourned until the Michaelmas term. The 1955-56 session has been a most successful one and those members of the Society who have had their last meeting will feel that their experiences in it have been beneficial.

The Thespians

C.F.P.

During this short, and consequently somewhat hectic, term, the Thespians found occasion to hold only two meetings. The first was held on March 4th, when, in the welcome, if somewhat overpowering, warmth of the President's room, the Society revelled in the delights of Noel Coward's Hay Fever, this play lending itself particularly well to reading. For the second meeting, on March 18th, we read George and Margaret by George Savory, another comedy, written almost in the same style as Hay Fever, dealing with the daily life of a somewhat eccentric family and their affairs. There was a marked improvement in the standard of reading, and, contrary to expectation, the reading was a success. At this meeting we were honoured by the visit of Mr. C. P. Vernier, our former secretary, who is now up at Magdalen College, Oxford.

Next term we hope to read plays entailing a large cast and of a less hilarious nature, thus giving wider scope for the readers, and giving us the opportunity to invite guest readers, a practice neglected SO far this year.

W.D.H.

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Meteorological Notes

Our lot this term has been a very varied one. We, the recorders, have trudged to our little box, in the teeth of blizzards and in the beautiful spring sunshine.

We came back on the 21st January and within forty-eight hours it was snowing, the depth reaching three inches. From then until the end of February, we had only eight days free from snow on the ground.

There has been a great deal of frost this term, the lowest temperature reached was 2.50 F. or 29.50 of ground frost. This was accompanied, on 3rd February, by a reading of 25° of air frost. The maximum pressure for the term was 30.3 inches of mercury on 9th February.

Apart from the snow, we have had a very dry term, the maximum rainfall being .65 inches on

January 22nd. .

March has started off well, with temperatures well into the fifties at times, cloudless skies and brilliant sunshine, and perhaps we may look forward to a very pleasant summer, comparable with that of last year.

J.D.B.

Aeromodelling Club

Although we lost another two of our members at the beginning of the term, we have filled their places and one more by electing D. E. Bode, J. G. Evans and B. Sanandaji. Hannah has rejoined after a nine months' absence and is building the Fokker Biplane, a scale model.

Bode built a control-line 'plane which was passed and he was elected into the Club, Evans built a Rubber duration model and Sanandaji made a good job of his Free Flight Power Model and is now making a Stunt control-liner. We are getting back to the usual standard as far as the number and size of the models is concerned, but unfortunately we have done little flying, but there are high hopes for next term-the Aeromodellers' season.

The interest for the hobby in the school is rapidly increasing and there are hopes for a bigger club and that, we hope, will entitle us to a larger club room.

F.M.H.

Young Farmers' Club

Because of the shortness of the term the Club has been able to hold only three meetings.

The first was a Lecture by Mr. Barton of Spillers on " Breeding and Feeding," in which he explained current breeding and feeding practices and the reasons for their use.

The second was a film: show, when we saw Overland Adventure, a film about the Round Australian car trial which had some excellent shots of the Australian landscape and its inhabitants.

The third meeting was held on March 18th when we had a Lecture by Mr. D. A. Stokes of Ellesmere. The Lecture was" Farming Past, Present and Future," in which he gave us a general outline of farming throughout the ages and how it is affected by the Government of to-day.

During the Christmas holidays, on January 12th, a small party of boys and parents succeeded in reaching the Coventry offices of Massey-Harris, Ferguson Ltd. by various routes, despite the prevalent load conditions.

Here we were met by two guides and after coffee and biscuits we were informed that we were first going to visit" crankshafts." This turned out to be a part of the factory which machined crankshafts, and here we saw some very accurate instruments used for testing the balance of these components.

In the same factory we also saw the machines used for making the engine blocks and various other components which were assembled there as complete engines, the factory being filled with the noise of these engines under test.

After an excellent lunch we visited another factory of the Standard Motor Company, who make Ferguson tractors under contract. Here we saw the assembly line iii operation, all the various components coming together to form a tractor. At the time when we visited the factory they were working on an order from Yugoslavia for Ferguson tractors fitted with Perkins Diesel engines.

After tea the party went their various ways, having enjoyed a most instructive day.

J.P.L.

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Chess Club

The Chess Club has managed to exist for yet another term, but it has been a great struggle, as the enthusiasm for Chess in the school has declined rapidly during the past three months.

There have not been any great events in the Club this term except for the annual House Chess Competition. The results of this are published later.

The Club has held several meetings during the term in " Miss Collins'" form-room and attendances have been fairly high in comparison with the number of members in the Club.

At the beginning of term, it was more of an achievement than anything else to reach the advertised rendezvous since the snow, ice, thick mud, and large craters (illuminated by lamps fortunately) made transport almost impossible.

Once again, our thanks go to Mr. Kingsland for the time and energy he has spent in taking a keen interest in the Club affairs, and we hope that his enthusiasm for Chess will continue for many years to come.

Unfortunately at the end of this term we lose two members of the Club. W. G. J. Hughes, secretary, and P. J. Hedges. P. J. Hedges has been a keen member of the Club now for some years and his Chess playing has reached a high standard, having played for Woodard House as No.2

and 3 board for two years. I

W. G. 1. Hughes has been secretary of the Club for the 1955-56 season and has spent a great deal of time attempting to encourage enthusiasm for the game, with limited success. He has played for the last two years as No.1 and 2 boards for Woodard House.

We wish these two members every success in their future careers and hope that their interest in Chess will not be " dampened" by their scientific work.

To fulfil the position of Hon. Secretary, the Club elected R. Taylor unanimously, and we all hope that with him we have managed to " fill the gap," and that his enthusiasm will encourage us all to make true the saying that, " Chess is the most intellectual game in the world."

In the Chess Cup Competition, Meynell were represented by E. H. Fraser-Smith (Capt.),

R. Frenkel, P. M. Johnson (v); Wakeman-M. H. A. Boldero (Capt.), Topping, G. M. Hannah; Talbot-G. Sadler (Capt.), Siriyodhin, Rawlings; and Woodard-W. G. J. Hughes (Capt.),"

P. J. Hedges and R. Taylor. .

The results at the time of going to Press are: Meynell has n, Wakeman 6!, Woodard 6, and Talbot 2, which means that Meynell and Wakeman are" in the running" for the Cup with Woodard 'i good third. The final results will appear in the next edition of the ELLESMERIAN.

W.G.J.H.

The Fine Arts Club

The Club met on Sunday, September 25th at 11.30 a.m. in the lecture room. D. Meredith was elected Assistant Secretary and Treasurer in place of W. P. Clegg, and seven new members were proposed and subsequently elected.

On October 15th a small group formed a sketching party, despite the weather; and on November 9th, in conjunction with the Ellesmerian Society, thirty-six members from the two Societies visited the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, to see an exhibition of the work of Vincent Van Gogh. Any discomforts due to the weather or to the long journey were amply rewarded by the exhibition itself. The rain and gloom of a dull November day were replaced by the sun-drenched colour which blazed from Vincent's pictures, and we were warmed by the fire of genius.

We are sorry to lose T. Ashley this term, for whom we have always had a great admiration as an artist of considerable character.

C.R.H.

Cine Club

This term, the Club has been very busy, both in and out of doors. We started off the term with a showing of all the Rugger films we had made last term, to the School teams.

The first major event was a showing of the film of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle's The Lost World.

This film, supported by a College Newsreel and The Silent Death, was shown to the Junior and Senior Schools on the weekend of February 5th.

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The second show open to the public was on Saturday, February 18th, when J. D. Blackburn showed a colour film taken in Scandinavia. This film was greatly helped by the use of a soundtrack made by E. N. Hallewell. To support the main picture, Cavalcade of War, and a comedy, Why Sailors go Wrong, were also shown.

The third and final show of the term took place on Sunday, March 18th, when a film which had been taken of the Steeplechase, and the Seven-a-side House Matches was shown. This was however but a small part of the show. The main items were some 16 mm. sound films, both in colour and black and white, shown continuously by means of two sound projectors, one owned by A. J. Wootton, and the other obtained by J. D. Blackburn. We are very much afraid that this may have proved to be the last public show given by the Club.

We have been very active outside as well as inside. We have filmed some school matches as well as the Senior seven-a-side house matches. But by far the most important open-air activity was the filming, on St. David's Day, of the Steeplechase. A great deal of planning went into the film, and in all, 100 feet was exposed. We had two cameras on location, one rushed here and there by E. N. Hallewell on a bicycle, and the other mounted in a van procured and driven by J. D. Blackburn.

We are very grateful to E. N. Hallewell for some very effective sound tracks; to A. J. Wootton,

R. Ashcroft, J. D. Blackburn, and Mr. Birkett for the loan of projectors; to all the music staff for their help in many ways; and to Mr. Jackson, for no shows could have taken place without his help.

R.A.

Engelberg 1956

Last January, for the second successive year, a party of boys accompanied by the Headmaster and Mr. Ferris embarked on a Winter Sports Holiday in Switzerland. It had been intended to travel by air, but owing to difficulties in timing our return journey to coincide with the flight schedules, this idea had to be abandoned and we travelled 2nd Class by rail and boat instead. The Channel crossing was very rough and sea sickness claimed a number of victims, but in other respects we had a most comfortable journey and arrived in Engelberg feeling very fresh.

An hour or two later everyone could be seen trying on skis and making the first cautious descents upon the nursery slopes. Stance and posture at this stage tended to be a little unconventional, but it was not long before we had acquired a sense of balance and could exercise some control over the speed and direction of our descent. An added attraction to the pleasures of the nursery slopes was provided by the ski-lift, which demanded a certain degree of skill and care in its use and gave endless amusement to any who cared to stand by and watch the victims being hauled relentlessly to the top in a variety of uncomfortable positions.

Apart from the ski-ing, there were great opportunities for toboganning, both on the surrounding slopes and on the official luge run, where thrills and spills at high speed were to be had for the asking. Unfortunately (7) the bobsleigh run was not open during our stay as it was considered too icy and dangerous, but we did see the British Olympic Team and their bobsleighs in Engelberg on one occasion. There were ample opportunities too for skating, on the large open-air ice rink, and for those who found any of the above-mentioned activities too strenuous there was always

the chance to indulge in a grandfatherly game of Curling. .

Most of the mornings were taken up with ski lessons, but in the afternoons we made a number of outings, usually by cable car, to Brunni, Gerschnialp, the TrUbsee and the Jochpass, these last two being the most spectacular. In recalling these excursions and those made during our ski-ing holiday of the previous year when we went up to the Jungfraujoch, one cannot. help but admire the skill and ingenuity of the Swiss whereby, in their feats of engineering, they have made the most difficult mountain peaks accessible to all but the totally infirm and bedridden.

After a hard day's activity in the open air, there was no lack of evening entertainment for those who had the energy for it. On one occasion a party visit was made to the local cinema, and on two other occasions we went to a" Schweizerabend," where we saw displays of Swiss Folk-dancing and Flag-throwing, and heard Swiss music, songs, and yodelling, together with a demonstration of the Alphorn.

On the day before our departure for England, a ski-test was held and the Headmaster, together with a number of boys who, only a few days previously would have been classed as beginners,

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gained their Bronze Badge. A few more, who had been with the previous year's party, began to shew real proficiency and won the Swiss Silver Badge as well as the first badge of the British Ski Club.

Our last afternoon was spent, as planned, shopping and sightseeing in Lucerne, but in fact Engelberg had proved such an enterprising little village that very few of us had much money to spare for anything except essential food and refreshment. The return journey was improved by a perfect sea crossing in springlike sunshine, and we reached London tired and penniless, but with no doubt in our minds that the venture will be repeated next year.

BADGE WINNERS

Bronze.-The Headmaster., D. R. Abbott, M. H. Barrett, D. Bishton, S. W. W. Davies, J. M.

Heath, S. N. Tabrizi, D. S. Varey, R. Winn, A. J. Wootton.

Silver.-J. F. Abbott, F. Berrisford, H. Rees.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge receipt of the following magazines and apologise for any inadvertent omissions: The Aluredian, The Ardingly Annals, The Denstonian, The Hurst Johnian, The /cenian, King Edward's School Chronic/e, The Leodiensian, The Salopian, The Wellingburian, The Worksopian, The Wycliffe Star, The S.S.M. Quarterly, The Barrovian, The Moretonian.

Editorial Board

Chairman: H. P. COOPER, ESQ. Vice-Chairman: D. MEREDITH

Tr~asurer and Editor of O.E. Chronicle: J. W. NAN KIVELL, ESQ.

House Representatives: R. D. CHANCE, W. D. HEWITT, C. R. MOORE W. G.. J. HUGHES,

O-E. CHRONICLE

Officers of the Club, 1955-56

PRESIDENT

T. WINFIELD

VICE-PRESIDENT

J. P. EDWARDS, C.B.E.

TRUSTEES

J. H. BARKER, H. W. BATEMAN, C. H. SCOTT, A. C. SHEPHERD, M.e.

LOCAL SECRETARY

LONDON K. A. H. ROGERS, 21 Links Road, Epsom, Surrey

MANCHESTER P. G. GRIFFITHS, 287 Bramhall Lane, Davenport, Stockport

LIVERPOOL R. KENYON, 291 Church Road, Litherland, Liverpool 21

BIRMINGHAM P. SNAPE, 10 Uplands Avenue, Bradmore, Wolverhampton

CARDIFF R. G. W. SAUNDERS, 16 Dumfries Place, Cardiff

HON. TREASURER

J. E. MANGNALL

Nuholme, Ashton Lane, Ashton-on-Mersey, Sale, Cheshire

JOINT HON. SECRETARIES

J. W. NAN KIVELL AND W. L. SUMSION The College, Ellesmere

EDITOR: O.E. CHRONICLE J. W. NAN KIVELL

THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE ICditoriaI ~otes

61

Enclosed with this Chronicle is an important notice, to which the attention of all members is drawn. Please note the Agenda for the Annual General Meeting to be held at the school on Saturday, 19th May, and details of events to be held during the Whit week-end. Where a reply is requested, an early application should be made, e.g., to play in cricket and other matches (see page 77). The notice refers to the Annual Dinner. Last year, this was attended by over a hundred members, but large numbers such as these can only be dealt with if the Dinner organiser knows of your possible attendance well in advance. Will you, therefore, assist us as much as possible?

'"

The success of these dinners in post-war years has been due to the growing enthusiasm of the Club. But they have entailed very considerable organising and we have been most fortunate to have had as our Dinner Organiser, C. H. Scott. Last summer and for many winter months he was exceedingly ill, but he has made such a fine convalescence, he felt able to accept the unanimous request of the Executive to be our Dinner organiser in 1956. Once again, we take pleasure in thanking him for his signal services.

'"

'"

We would like to congratulate our sister school at Worksop on reaching its jubilee last summer and on the happy ways in which they commemorated the event. Their Jubilee book, which has been so beautifully edited by Mr. H. de Beanland, refers sympathetically to several O.Es who were members of the staff at Worksop sixty years ago. C. D. Penn alone survives, but many of us will remember the Rev. B. R. Hibbert, for so long Hon. Sec. O.E. Club, and D. R. Evans whose thirty years as Secretary here has now been outshone by the thirty-seven years of W.L.S.

'"

'"

Since the school was opened, no family has been more continuously associated with our social and sporting functions than that of the Brownlow Towers, of Ellesmere House, and we are sure that all O.Es will hear with deep regret of the death of the eldest daughter of the family, Miss Sylvia Sophia Towers. She had been a visitor to the school throughout her life. Her first public engagement here was the giving away of the school sports prizes, over fifty years ago. The town of Ellesmere has experienced the loss of a great personality-and the school one of its oldest friends.

The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee held a meeting after the Rugger matches on 3rd December. In the unavoidable absence of the President, H. S. Wynne-Jones presided. The Hon. Treasurer reported on the health of the Club's finances, and was authorised to invest up to £500 before March 31st.

Cyril Scott was congratulated on the success achieved at the last Annual Dinner. Much

sympathy was felt for him in his illness. .

It was decided to nominate as Vice-President 1956-57, the Revd J. W. J. Steele, C.B.E., Hon, Chaplain to the late king, and A.C.G. 1st Army and Western Command. Steele had a great career at Ellesmere, especially in cricket, athletics and rugger. Later, he played for Hampshire and the Army. He retired from the Army two years ago, and is now Rector of Tarrington and Stoke Edith, Hereford.

A report from the chairman of the Trustees of the Chapel Completion Fund was given by the Hon, Secretary. It was noted, with distress, that the Fund mounted slowly, and concern was felt about its condition.

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THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE The O.E. Rugger 1955

Two XVs were organised and both games were excellent to watch, for they were very keenly contested. Although the school won both games, the O.Es were pressing strongly, and only most determined tackling prevented several scores in the last few minutes in both games. In fact, the pressure in the second half was greater than in the first half-a very unusual feature in an O.E. game. The weather was exceptionally brilliant.

It was unfortunate that a broken leg prevented Graham Twist from playing, but Denis Clarke, despite his now venerable age, led the team with great vigour. Others playing included D. G. Lewis, John Winn, R. W. Anderson, Colin Smith, W. H. A. Brown, D. J. Latham, P. Clarke, N. Cooke, G. Hilton, A. M. Johnson, M. J. Berry, P. Griffiths, D. M. Muzio, W. Thomas, A. Hewitt, J. R. Moss, J. Warham, D. Wynn (Capt. of 2nd XV), C. Ryley, W. Sanders, W. R. Rogers, J. Downes, T. Latham, J. Baldwin.

An excellent dinner was served in the Bridgewater, Hotel at 6.30. A number of O.Es could not be accommodated, owing to pressure of numbers in the hotel dining room. In addition to the members of the team, there were present several members of the Executive, and a large number of visitors. There were no speeches. It was agreed that it would be advisable to play the match in the Spring term, when the bulk of the club and University games are over, and when travelling conditions are likely to be better. A plaintive secretary begged all members of the Club to reply to his letters, to read the notices in THE ELLESMERIAN and to apply to play in games against the school as early as possible.

The Ellesmerian Fifty Years Ago

Llbrary-->" The completion of the new classrooms now sets free the so-called Boys' Library for its destined use . . . amongst the gifts-a gift of a table from E. C. Lindop, President of the O.E. Club" is recorded. [Lindop, our oldest O.E., subscribed £100 to the Chapel Fund, fifty years later than the gift recorded.)

Oxford Locals.-[38 candidates, 26 passed. Amongst the successful were E. Baron, F. Broadbent, D. W. Lee, E. B. Holmes, all later prominent in the Club, and T. S. Louch, who sent £105

to the Chapel Fund this year.] -

SchooIOfficers.-Captain of School and Football, F. Broadbent; Captain of Hall, R. EatonShore; Prefects, F. W. Wood, T. N. Dagnall, N. A. Kay.

1st XI Football.-Played IS, lost 6. Goals: for 55, against 38. Team: F. Broadbent, T. N.

Dagnall, M. Christopher, N. A. Kay, E. Baron, S. E. Towill, E. Cross, H. M. Adcock, F. W. Wood,

E. S. Roberts, D. W. Lee.

lst XI Hockey.-Played 10, lost 3. Goals: for 39, against 29. Team: F. Broadbent, T. N.

Dagnall, E. Baron, W. Briggs, R. G. Williams, H.M. Adcock, D. Forest-Bell,-D. W. Lee, H. T. C. Lloyd, R. Eaton-Shore, M. Christopher.

O.E. Intelligeneev+B. C. Lindop, on behalf of the Club presented a " handsome half-hunter gold watch, suitably inscribed" to the Secretary of the Club, the Rev. B. R. Hibbert. H. Wilberforce-Bell has passed 8th in the Military Subjects Examination for University Candidates and has been gazetted to the Connaught Rangers. G. A. D. Harvey played for Ireland in the International XV matches this season .. A. G. Morris played for Wales in the International Association matches and was appointed Captain. Amongst the marriages recorded were those of E. C. Colbeck and T. Oc.Cclbeck.

Chaplain.-The Rev. T. E. Stevens was presented with a Smoker's Cabinet on leaving the school. The Rev. J. W. Rodgers was appointed to succeed him.

The Play: Much Ado About Nothing.-Amongst the cast were C. C. Henderson, S. C. M.

Isbister, D. R. Evans, T. Hedworth, E. Baron, W. F. W. Shields, R. Eaton-Shore, M. Ll. Wynne.

Cadet Corps.-" The Provost's Belt [for the best Cadet in shooting] was won by Cpl. J.

Allison. The beautiful Dormitory Challenge Shooting Cup, which was kindly presented by T. Lawson Roberts, an Old Ellesmerian of the Bengal Light Horse, has been won by the Heywood (Yellows). "

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The Photographs in this issue are reminiscent of ancient days at Ellesmere. "The Headmaster 1904" is an enlargement of the central figure in the" School 1904." The photograph has been given to us by the Rev. R. Eaton-Shore. It has an especial interest for us, as it includes the only photograph we know that exists of the headmaster, the Rev. I. Robson, whose memory arouses such varied emotions in O.E s of the 1903-7 vintage. One correspondent said" E.I.R. was never a • boy's man' like Heddie (to be seen in the photograph to the right of Robson) or Beviss Thompson, and it was perhaps unfortunate that he followed this beloved headmaster. E.I.R. always seemed to do things which annoyed the boys. He started off on the wrong foot by making a junior prefect (C. A. M. Gambier) Captain of School. He put Ellesmere town and' Mother D's' out of bounds, so that this' forced' boys to break the rules, as they continued to go there by circuitous ways in spite of the prohibition. Of his scholastic ability we had never any doubt; in fact we used to apply to him the remark of Festus to Paul (Acts 26, v. 24). His discipline was the rule of the rod and never had the swish of the cane been heard so much within the walls of S.O.C .... "

THE HEADMASTER, 1904

Eaton:Shore writes of the photograph->-" To the left of E.I.R. is Heddie, then W. B. Hume, science master, old' Gobbo ' and Captain O.T.C., then J. S. Bailey, a six-footer from Glasgow, a very good goalkeeper; then C. de B. Durand, a Channel Islander, a good actor; then A. S. Webster, for two separate periods on the staff and now a vicar in the Midlands; then S. C. M. Isbister, later in holy orders; then Martin Smith, shortly to be captain of school, football and cricket. T. C. Keyworth, the first bugler-major, and then T. H. st. George Harpur (see p. 68 50 Years of Ellesmere). On the extreme left are D. J. Dagnall and' Massa' Menlove. To the right of E.I.R. is D. Cragle, later in holy orders who returned to the staff when Heddie was H.M.; then C. H. Rees, and J. F. Meredith, a six-footer and Captain of everything. Others included

E

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THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE

-. Purser, W. E. O. Rutter, E. S. Nicholson, then Captain of football: -. Purser (ii), with two • probationers' at the end, standing-H. S. Pugh, • Father'· and Captain of School, and F. R. Coggan. In front of a little group in the top right-hand corner is H. S. J .• Sally' Jones" one of the principals of the Donga Gang." D. W. " Dumpy" Lee and" Dad" Broadbent are in the back row.

The School turned from rugger to soccer in 1904 owing to the drastic fall in numbers. By 1906, there were only just ovei 100 in the school. Ten years later it had jumped to 200. Rugger re-started in 1913.

THE SCHOOL, 1904

THE O.T.C. GUARD OF HONOUR BEING INSPECTED BY THE MARQUIS OF CAMBRIDGE, 1923

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65

The third photograph has an almost historic interest. The Ford on the left was the first taxi of Tims, the Garage. In 1923 they bought the new splendid one seen on the right of the picture, and it was this one which had been ordered to meet the Whitchurch train to bring to the school the Marquis of Cambridge, Queen Mary's brother and his wife, the daughter of the first Duke of Westminster, whose munificence enabled the School to build Big School and many other buildings here. It was the Duke who was mainly responsible for the appointment of Prebendary Talbot as Provost. Mr. Mooney, father of Mooney was also in the train, and he commandeered the first car, which tore up to school. So soon as it appeared, Capt. E. T. Stealey ordered the Guard of Honour to .. present arms," and to his surprise, Mr. Mooney found himself honoured in a way he thought a little unusual for a new parent. After he had been recognised by the Headmaster, the Guard just had time to reorganise itself before the old" Tin Lizzie" arrived with the august visitors. Mr. Mooney withdrew and took the photograph reproduced here. The Marquis and Marchioness can be seen between the two cars; the Headmaster, the Rev. T. H. Hedworth, is on the left. Later in the day, the Marquis opened the new science buildings, now" the old labs," and the new rifle range-he fired the first shot and scored a .. bull," of course. Later, the Marchioness presented the prizes, including one to young Mooney, U.III Divinity. There are two Mooneys in the school to-day, sons of the divinity prizeman. Neither has yet emulated his parent in that direction, though readers of this year's rugger notes will see that the elder is not without merit on the rugger field.

O.E. News in Brief

C. D. Penn writes with pleasant enthusiasm of the last magazine. Penn is referred to in the Worksop Jubilee book; he is the only survivor now of the original staff at Worksop, which he joined from Ellesmere sixty-one years ago.

I. W. Jones, who gained First Class Honours in Architecture and has finished a course in Town Planning goes to the Middle East for a year or so as a Town Planning consultant. He writes of his sister's marriage to Lieut. J. Warren. Peter Harries was best man. Harries is doing a hospital" house job" at Bury St. Edmunds. Warren is with his regiment at Bury.

Capt. D. Suckling, A.D.C., Governor and C.LC., Tanganyika has greatly enjoyed his very active first few months of hard work, travel and organising" chores." He finds time to play some tennis and squash.

Bryan Bayly, for many years a member of the Staff, has resigned his post as Secretary of the Worcestershire Cricket Club on his appointment to the Headmastership of Glebe House School, Hunstanton.

J. Hewitt writes too briefly of his full days at Cambridge. He gained a second in " Mays," sang in Schutz's S. Matthew Passion in Kings, runs for his College VIII and has been offered a run with the University Cross-Country team, plays rugger for his College-Jesus, and also some squash and badminton. Much of the long" vac " he was with the North of Scotland HydroElectrical Scheme at Loch Slinn; and he participated in the annual race up and down Ben Nevis, coming third in the English team in the fifteen mile race, earning himself a bronze medal. He sees Hedda Matine-Daftari, .. Pug" Johnson and of course J. Savage, who once again took the school play photographs, some of which are reproduced in this issue. Hewitt now lives in Twickenham.

Innes .. Garnett" Lloyd is working for the B.B.C. Television service, and shares a fiat with Herbert Ellis. J. Ellis is in Suva with the B.A. Tobacco Co.

Major-General W. A. Goodman, C.B., D.S.O., has retired from the Army and lives at Bealings Holt, Little Bealings, near Woodbridge.

Miss Helene Rogers of Oreland, Pennsylvania would gratefully receive any information O.Es could give her of the schooldays of her grandfather W. I. Rogers, who entered Ellesmere in 1895.

J. Robinson is in business in Hythe. He visited the school for the first time in thirty years last

October. His brother lives at Earl's Court and is also in business. .

S. B. Dutton, I.S.0., writes that his brother Cyril Dutton has retired to live in Rondebosch, C.P., after spending many years in Johannesburg (where also Major-General Wakefield and J. Long now live). He was a Consulting Engineer on the Rand. Dutton refers to the death of a boy at Ellesmere during a summer afternoon in the '90s. He was playing a game of junior cricket near the sandy banks, now terraced when" suddenly to our horror we saw the whole bank subside

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THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE

with a dull rumble. As all of us knew it was honeycombed with boy-made caves, and had seen boys playing there, we instantly raised a shrill alarm. Almost at once, the 1st XI came to save the lives of any who were engulfed, as these caves were used for picnicking-mostly vilely cooked cocoa and biscuits. Hastily getting shovels they hacked away. He who worked most frantically and who was to our juvenile minds the hero of the day was the professional Boot; he it was who discovered a protruding leg. I well remember noticing how vigorously he tugged at it, so much so, Caunter the boy, was flung violently from Mother Earth-he was saved. Ultimately Boot discovered the lifeless body of young Rose. There was a very impressive funeral a few days later, when the whole school turned out to follow the bier .... Boot, as far as I can remember, was a long lean earnest, serious, steady sort of man and a good leader."

The Rev. J. W. Pughe-Morgan visited the school in September. He came to Ellesmere in its second term, was in the Reds and played in the 1st XV for four years. After leaving, he became a Probationer, and when on the staff continued his good work on the playing fields and the trackhe was the Victor Ludorum one year. In 1891 he went up to Oxford where the Rev. E. B. Layard, a former member of the staff was chaplain at Pusey House, H. T. Parry was at Worcester College, A. W. Green at New College, H. Hampshire at Hertford, W. B. Allen and P. Swindells at S. Catherine's-not a bad record for a six year old school! He returned to the Staff for a year in '94, when his three brothers were at school, O. L. Pughe-Morgan and J. A. Pughe-Morgan (who had a son J. at Ellesmere in the 'twenties) now both dead and R. B. Pughe-Morgan, once bank manager at Chippenham and now in a nursing home in Paington, Devon.

M. E. J. Garnett (son of Colonel E. Garnett), Oriel; I. Milne, F. D. Godbert, I. C. Howard, St. Peter's Hall; C. P. Vernier, Magdalen; C. Ganz and T. Ganz at University, and J. M. Jeffs, Trinity, are in residence at Oxford.

R. Atkins took his Final Law Exams in November. J. M. Anderson also endured the same test. C. E. V. Ryan, very well remembered as an outstanding school cricketer, has now retired from tea planting in Ceylon, which he has enjoyed since 1919. He is farming in Guernsey. His brother G. J. Ryan now holds an important post in the Head Office of the A.A. in London, and lives in Aylesbury. Their cousin, J. H. C. Ryan died of fever in Burma soon after leaving school. The Rev. Cyril Whitworth, just before his death, referred with delight to meeting C.E. V. in Ceylon.

W. Rucker has made fairly satisfactory progress after experiencing a very severe motor accident last November.

H. Lawton, a contributor to the Chapel Fund, is still working at Shaftesbury. His brother is in Manchester.

D. Savidge is with the E.M.I. Institutes in London on a 3 year course in electronics. He has met P. Hockenhull.

G. Pyatt, B. Taylor, George Stringer, "Trapper" Jenkins and I. Brooks (Technical) are all at Manchester University this year. A. Hinchliffe is at Bristol, studying medicine. J. Cox is at Durham University, Newcastle branch, studying medicine. Also at Durham is D. M. I. Paterson.

C. J. Squire is at Liverpool University.

The Headmaster, when in Switzerland this winter, met the sister of H. Griffiths, who is a director in various businesses. His brother, W. L. Griffiths, was killed in the first World War.

R. C. B. Sudlow now has two children, a boy and a girl. P. Lloyd, former Captain of School, also has two children, both boys.

J. L. Low is working at St. Lawrence Hospital, Chepstow. K. E. H. Abel is a student apprentice with B.T.H. D. Wyn-Williams has had a spell of journalism before entering a bank.

H. W. Bateman hopes to be present this Whitsun tide for the Annual Dinner. As Editor of the Salisbury Diocesan Directory he finds much to keep him occupied in his retirement. He still lives near Shaftesbury.

J. E.N. Hedin, now 6 ft. 6 in. tall, writes from Los Angeles, where he now lives and works with a firm of wholesalers. He recalls with joy the days at Ellesmere under Dr. A. V. Billen, of Tom Phillips (now Colonel, R.A.S.C.), the Brockwells and Dr. de Gregory.

It was good to hear J. V. Dakin" a well-known Shropshire farmer" as the B.B.C. rightly stated, broadcasting from Shrewsbury at a large meeting. He and his brother are prominent farmers. J.V. has held high office in the. N.F.U.

H. J. Clee for so many years a County hockey player and golfer has again been made President of the Shropshire Golf Union. His son left Ellesmere this year.

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61

J. A. Swindell sends the Editor a photograph of 1899 of himself and A. C. Whittle. Swindell, partnered by G. A. D. Harvey, won the Tennis Cup for the Blues, the first time" Conqueror" won.

M. F. Abraham sent a generous gift to the Chapel Fund from the U.S.A. where he has been travelling as a Commonwealth scholar. He will be at Duke University in N. Carolina before returning to Kenya, where he is a Forest Officer.

P. Everall has returned from Canada after being in business there; to work in London. His father J. W. Everall is a director of several important aircraft firms.

M. J. Batchelor shares a flat with W. F. Shaw in business in S.E. London, and W. Foden, who works for his firm, Fodens Ltd. in London. Both P. Howells and T. Hughes of Tenby saw much of them when they were in business houses in London for training. Both are now in W. Wales.

The Rev. J. Taverner, Vicar of Middleton, Derby, noted that there are several O.Es living in his neighbourhood, whom he hopes to meet soon. He married an Abbots Bromley old girl. His brother works for the Staffs. County Council as an Agricultural Adviser.

We regret to announce that Barbara, wife of Colonel H. B. Hudson, late Indian Army, has died.

We send him and his family our deep sorrow.

Wyndham Phillips, married, with two children, has left the Sarawak police and is now serving in the Kenya police. His brother, Peter Phillips has four children; he is an accountant with De Havillands. John Phillips is in business in Liverpool.

R. J. P. Edwards, Sarawak police has been on leave in England. He recovered from a serious illness early enough to spend a week at Ellesmere, and was present at the Nine Carol Service and the play. M. Crosbie and his wife came north with him. Brian Edwards, Malayan police, is on leave in England. His father is President, O.E. Club this coming year.

W. H. A. Brown, in business in St. Helen's has met R. Knowles, studying electrical engineering at B.LC.C. Ltd. Others Brown meets are A. Bryant and J. B. Forster, also in business in his district.

We offer our sympathy to H. V. Johnson, who has lost his wife after nearly fifty years of married life. We have placed in the archives a photograph he has sent of a .. Choir" team, a Soccer XI, which included Little, Doherty, Wainwright, Blunden, Tonks, Willis, Schofield, Grey, Hamilton, Cant and himself; also a photograph of himself and J. A. Swindell, which shows the clothes of boys in the 'nineties perfectly.

E. Herd is working as a pharmacist in Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia. He is married and has one daughter, Fiona. Mr. J. Barton, of the University of Melbourne has seen P. Atkinson, who works in Melbourne.

M. Berry is with his father (also an O.E., as was his grandfather) working in their business, Philatelists and Album Publishers.

R. W. Thomas is a Pilot Officer, R.A.F., stationed at Tern Hill, Salop. B. C. Stroude broke his ankle during an enthusiastic assault course, and has been for some weeks in the military hospital in Chester. He is serving with the Cheshire Regt., as is Capt. Dwight in Germany where G. M. Tomlinson was until he transferred to the Eaton Hall O.T.U. A. A. Robinson is enjoying the Army P.T. course. He intends to become a P.T. instructor after completing his University course at Exeter. M. Dod is with Signals, II th Armoured Division, B.A.O.R. He has been fortunate enough to see much of Germany, Holland, Belgium and France. He has a cousin in the school now.

Captain R. Graves, R.A.S.C., has returned from the U.S.A. where he was one of two British Officers posted to the U.S. Army Helicopter School. He is now intimately connected with helicopter training in this country. His elder brother, Dr. J. Graves, has returned from Malaya where he has been serving with the Colonial Medical Service. He has two children.

J. R. D. Sproson is with the 6th R.T. Regt, stationed in MUnster. A hand injury prevented him from playing rugger, or boxing before Christmas. "Our barracks here remind me somewhat of Ellesmere! Each squadron occupies a block approximately the size of the school building, with a long corridor on each floor. The terrain about the camp, though much flatter, is not unlike that around the school." Sproson met Lieut. J. Taylor, R.H.A., when he played against his regiment in a rugger cup match.

J. S. Hockenhull spent a year in business in Liverpool before doing his national service in the R.A.P.C. B. Sharpe is serving with the Cheshire Regt.

J. S. Oliver and W. Rowley are both serving in Cyprus; S. Faiz is in the Colonial Service in that Colony.

F

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Capt. D. R. Donisthorpe, R.A., is stationed at Barnard Castle. A. Brown is in the R.E. Squadron Leader J. H. Eaton-Shore, stationed at the Air Ministry, meets Squadron Leaders R. Morris and N. G. Ashcroft frequently. Morris is with the Ministry of Supply doing research work on guided missiles, and he has visited the Australia missile ranges. Ashcroft is in the Directorate of operations.

Wing Commander H. R. E. Rumsey was in charge of movements, H.Q. Tactical Air Force in Germany. Squadron Leader E. E. W. Lloyd-Jones is in the Legal Branch and has been in the Middle East. R. Slayter has greatly enjoyed his first two terms at Cranwell.

E. Phillips was in a platoon commanded by Lieut. R. Moss, Royal Warwicks.; R. Tolley is in the same Regiment, serving in M.E.L.F.

Capt. Jenkyn Jones, R.A.M.C. is the father of another daughter, their second. He wonders if R. S. Atkinson (who qualified from Leeds) is working at a B.M.H. in Germany. Jenkyn is at Hannover.

Michael Watson, Intelligence Corps, has been at the School of Linguists, Caterham. K. Lay is at Catterick Camp. J. B. Huxley is at Eaton Hall O.C.T.U. Sec.-Lieut. J. W. Scholfield, R.A., is stationed at Tonfanau, Merioneth.

Major-General H. S. Wakefield retired from the Army after over 45 years' service. He has seen service in most parts of the world since the S. African War, but he has rarely been in this country. He is now in business in Johannesburg. In a letter he recalls that he " was one of those who developed scarlet fever in the last term of 1896. I seem to remember H. W. Bateman also being in the sick ward. A number of us spent Christmas there and were well looked after." General Wakefield inspected the Cadet Force at Rondebosch when the present writer was there. "We in

S. Africa were delighted at the results of the Cricket Test Matches."

Lieut. D. Howard, R.A., is still at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham. R.

Garnett passed out high in the list at the R.M.A., Sandhurst this term. A. S. Moore also passed out higher than when he entered.

Capt. A. A. Jilani, recently promoted, is now at H.Q., 106 Brigade, Sialkot, Pakistan. His brother is in the R. Pakistan Air Force.

D. Laughton, R.A.Ch.D. is still serving in Kenya. He may be returning to parochial life this year. Lieut. P. Garmon-Jones, R.A.M.C., is attached to the XI Hussars, and is serving in Malaya.

A. E. Rowland qualified last year as an associate, I.C.A., and is now serving in the Intelligence Corps In Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. His brother M. R. Rowlands has nearly completed his service in the Royal Corps of Signals. He has been in Jordan for some time.

Major B. F. B. Gaskin, IOth Royal Hussars, was in Ellesmere with his wife in January, after spending two years with the Somaliland Scouts. He has also spent two years in Germany and one year in Lebanon in recent years.

R. H. Dutton is at the Radar Research Laboratories in Surrey. D. Kennard is in the R.N.A.S. at Eglington, N. Ireland. P. W. Leaney trains at Tonfanau with theR.A. R. E. Brown serves in the R.E. Lt. R. C. Bird has joined F. Howard at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham. P. W. Bond is in. the R.A.F., at Patrington, Hull.

David Jones, in practice as a solicitor in Oswestry, plays regularly for Welshpool R. U.F.C.

T. Wilfiams plays for Shrewsbury R.U.F.C.; P. L. Clarke for Winnington Park; A. G. Grant for his regiment, The King's Regt.; D. Pritchard for the Welch Regt.; R. Anderson for Manchester; P. I. Philcox for Sevenoaks; D. E. M. Johnson for Eastbourne; A. M. Johnstone for his College; J. Hewitt for his College at Cambridge; W. H. A. Brown for St. Helen's Club; J. Winn for Birkenhead Park; C. Smith for his College; E. P. Jenkins for Oswestry; J. R. L. Martindale for Liverpool; M. Berry for Rosslyn Park; G. G. Twist, of st. Helen's and Lancashire, broke his leg early in the season and did not play this year after October; I. B. Barter is chairman of Swansea R.U.F.C. Selection Committee; A. D. Hewitt plays for Stoke R.U.F.C.; J. E. Powell is playing regularly for the 2nd XV and occasionally for the 1st XV of H.M.S. Worcester; J. N. WeedaU played for Chester College regularly until he dislocated his shoulder; G. Pyatt plays for a Manchester University team; E. J. C. Bygott plays regularly for Huddersfield 1st XV; N. H. Davies plays for Chester; T. Ashley is a member of the Richmond R.U.F.C.

Keenly interested in Round Table International are H. E. Roscorla, Chairman of the Cardiff Table, and P. Howells, Chairman of the Tenby Table. Both welcome O.E. visitors to their deliberations.

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69

Sedad Faiz, brother of Suha, has retired from the Legal Branch, Colonial Service and after practising for a while at the Bar in London, has returned to his home in Cyprus for an indefinite period;

Q. Dodd joins the family business in N. Wales~ R. P. Billington also joins a family business in Liverpool. W. P. Clegg teaches temporarily in a prep. school before going to university.

We are grateful to R. Lloyd Jones for a three year gift from Connecticutt of The New Outlook, an elaborate Californian quarterly.

V. D. Royston read a paper to the Seven Club this winter. He has met J. W. Dowen who came to school in 1934.

M. A. Cooper, son of the Rev. D. Cooper is at the C.R., Mirfield, after a successful university career at Durham. He won the Maiden Scul1s Cup at Durham Regatta. He has visited the Revd. S. H. Sharpe, Vicar of Boroughbridge, so wel1 known to many O.Es as chaplain here.

P. I. Philcox, still playing rugger for Sevenoaks, finds time for amateur theatricals; he acted recently in The Late Christopher Bean. O. Hobbs was a prominent member of the El1esmere A.D. production of its annual pantomime this year.

N. H. Davies has just joined the Club as a Life Member at the new subscription. Heis married.

Amongst the O.Es he meets in the Wirral are J. Miln, J. Winn, .. Baccy " Cole and P. Hoffman.

I. B. Barter reminiscing with the Editor about his rugger days said that the first game he played for Swansea was against Cardiff 2nd XV, when T. Stafford was playing for Cardiff 2nds. Barter played for Swansea for twelve successive seasons and was frequently a reserve for Wales. He has been a member of the Swansea Cricket and Football Club for 35 years, for 20 years a member of the Selection Committee and Chairman for the last six years. His son-in-law (Barter has two daughters) is Clem. Thomas, Welsh International and member of the British" Lions" and his brother-in-law is the old international Roy Jones. Barter was one of the better threequarters we have had at Ellesmere-in one match he scored six tries, still a record. He also, at Ellesmere, was an outstanding tennis player and with W. B. Curran played sparklingly, He is a member of Council, Welsh L.T.A., and has often played in representative games, at which game his daughters excel, his younger daughter having won the Junior Champion four times. Barter has played much badminton, represented Wales in bowls and still keeps up his attachment to the violin. He has the distinction of organizing the only rugger tour behind the" Iron Curtain" when he took the Swansea team to Rumania last year.

A. G. Prodger, a contemporary of I. B. Barter, andan excellent athlete in all' games, now a games master in Amersham is to be congratulated, for his younger son played full back for Oxford in December.

R. Carver, County squash player for Staffs, reached the quarter-finals in the Welsh Squash Championship, last November. He is a now a qualified surveyor.

T. Shepherd son of A. C. Shepherd. M.C., past President and Trustee of the Club, and Town Clerk of Mansfield, is now working in the Town and Country Planning Dept. of the Cheshire C.C., having spent two years in New Zealand after coming down from Cambridge, when he graduated in Architecture. His brother, A. G. Shepherd is with the Colonial Development Corporation, as an accountant in Barbados.

E. M. Whalley visited the school in October. He is in business His brother hopes to qualify in law-Sheffield University-this year.

R. C. Sandground has been appointed sub-editor of the Daily Express, Glasgow edition. He visited Ellesmere in an interesting car of vintage quality.

P. Nuon is another O.E. who has joined the Club at the new subscription level. Nunn is in the jewellery trade in Manchester.

Dr. A. Rogerson has been at the Children's Hospital, Southampton for a time preparatory to entering general practice. He and the Rev. R. Eckersley hoped to meet B. R. C. Edwards when he arrived on leave from Malaya. He was at Dr. Courtenay's wedding, as was" Eggie " Ellis. The Courtenays spent their honeymoon in Majorca. Tony's brother, T. Rogerson, and his cousins Don and Neville are" in" Cotton in Manchester. Peter is a housemaster in a boarding school in

. India.

V. B. Insley is engaged to be married to Miss Jane Goldsmith and his job as land agent will entail his living in Plymouth for some years.

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THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE

T. A. Bell, married, with a five year old son, is now living in Romsey, Hants., which is more convenient for him now that he is based on Southampton. He is Third Officer on the Queen Mary.

T. Ashley is working for Twentieth Century Fox Film Co., in the recording department.

C. Ganz is President of the Oxford University Conservative Association. He is at University College, where his brother, T. Ganz a freshman, is also in residence. Timothy, as organist and choir master, arranged a Carol Service in his college chapel before Christmas. We must also congratulate Carl on being elected to the Library Committee of the Union. R. Jeffs is spending a fifth year at Trinity, doing research.

P. Harris is at St. John's School,' Johannesburg. He plays for the school hockey Xl; squash he greatly enjoys also.

J. Wells is engaged to be married. He is a Conservative party agent. G. Sale has written a book on French Racing-to be published in August.

The Rev. R. E. Price writes of his memories of Captain John Brunt, V.C., M.C;, Sherwood Foresters, who was killed just after the action for which he was given the V.C. .. I knew him when he was still at school and our paths crossed subsequently during the war. We were together for a short time not long before he won his 'fame and fell. He never changed, but only developed according to his early form." A recent book on the inns of Kent has a section dealing with the one named after John, and a brief biography of his short, glorious life.

W. W. Baker has gained diplomas in Agriculture from Harper Adams and also the N.D.A.

He is farming at Aston, near Nantwich where he often sees P. Bevin, C. Newport, W. Newport, K. L. Irving. Baker was at Harper Adams with D. E. Roberts, President of the Students Union, now a poultry adviser in the South of England. Roberts was best man at Baker's wedding and

P. Robinson, cousin of the bride, was an usher.

B. H. Legat is happily successful in business in London.

S. A. W. Philcox has retired and is living near Deal in a bungalow overlooking the sea. His son lives in Rochester.

T. F. Jones has decided to settle in Australia. His brothers become well known in farming circles in S.E. Shropshire.

J. R. Steiner, keenly interested in motor car racing and rallies, is in the motor business in

Liverpool. He married fairly recently after his return from a business stay in the U.S.A. .

We are happy to record the engagement to be married of Mr. G. G. P. Thompson, whom many will recall as a former member of the Staff.

Alistair Macleod-Smith is nearing the close of his present tour of duty in the Pacific. He is in the Colonial Service, at present in the British Solomon Islands.

K. L. Nicholson is the County Analyst at Stafford. J. Senior is with the Eagle-Star Insurance Co. ill the Midlands.

Colin Smith of Morecambe has qualified as a solicitor, is engaged to be married and is now practising in Leicester. Colin West has been awarded a King George VI Fellowship to the U.S.A. This valuable award is greatly coveted and we send our congratulations to West on this further mark of academic success. He gained a First Class at Birmingham University before he was commissioned in the R.E. He completes national service this year and goes to America in the autumn to work at advanced studies in oil engineering.

Brian Rothwell is doing National Service in the R.A.F. in Laarbruch, B.A.O.R. K. Crane is in the R.W.F.

K. A. C. Blease has been in Africa in the Colonial Service for some years. He has recently been transferred from Northern Rhodesia to the Treasury in Kiduna, Northern Nigeria. He was lucky enough to be present at the great Durbar staged at Kaduna in honour of the Royal visit. He wrote" Had a dozen of the finest pageant masters in the world been commissioned to design a spectacle of colour variety, dignity and solemnity, with emphasis on variety, they would never have been able to conceive the most infinitesimal fraction of that variety and density of colour we saw. Many of the horsemen from the Sokoto, Bornu and Adamarva Provinces were in chain mail with helmets which are said to have been handed down from the Crusades. It was indeed a magnifi-

cent spectacle." '.

P. Stringer has made a good recovery from the dreadful motoring accident he endured a year ago, and he has had to put up with much hospital treatment. He is still walking in .. irons." He reads geology for a doctor's degree at Liverpool; he gained first-class honours last year in his bachelor's degree.

THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE

71

J. D. Joynson has gone to live in Southern Ireland. G. B. N. Alder finishes his service this June, he was commissioned in the R.A.S.C. and he has been accepted by UniJever as a junior trainee. D. Wassail is articled to a firm of solicitors in Walsall.

M. F. Abraham writes that his October magazine was sent from Kenya,where he is a Forestry official to the U.S.A. He was awarded a Commonwealth Fund Fellowship last year to study current regeneration methods practised by the U.S. Forest Service and to study certain aspects of sylviculture which would assist to solve some of the difficult problems in Kenya forestry. Whilst in the U.S.A. he has carried out extensive field trips in the South, South-eastern and Western States-22,000 miles in under 7 months! He has spent much time at Duke University in North Carolina. He is, later, taking up a post at Eldoret on the Kenya-Uganda border.

D. H. Evans is a sergeant in the 20th Training Battalion, Australian Army, in Victoria. He has seen the two younger Towers brothers, both teaching in Victoria, at Benalla. He hopes to leave Australia in a year or two and return to business in England.

W. R. Smith has left Canada to take up a post as a Designs Engineer with Arthur G. McKee and Co. in their Petro-Chemical Department in Cleveland, U.S.A. He finds that in America work comes first and last, personalities are forgotten and men work together to complete the job in the shortest time possible. He has spent his holidays at Miami in the last two years.

P. Ford, Barrister-at-Law, has become Legal Assistant to the Secretary of Crompton Parkinson Ltd.

Wing-Commander H. R. E. Rumsey, R.A.F., has been appointed to command No.3 Movements Unit, Embarkation, at Liverpool.

J. Salt is learning to become a Purser in the Mercantile Marine. J. Addison has been posted to the Far East. He serves with the R.A.F. P. Odium has left the R.A.F. Regiment, and joined a firm of motor car distributors.

Local Dinners 1955-56

The Mimchester Dinner. Held at the Queen's Hotel on 12th November, 1955. This was the first organised by P. G. Griffiths, the Local Secretary, since the retirement of H. T. Barron. The numbers were not so great as in previous years, but this was caused by many extraneous factors. All agreed that the organisation of the secretary at short notice was admirable and J. S. Allison referred warmly to his work when proposing his toast. All present appreciated Griffiths' enthusiastic remarks in his reply. Barron proposed the toast of the President, who had made his long journey especially to attend the function. T. Winfield responded, expressing his thanks at being present at Manchester, where obviously keenness had long been apparent. J. E. Mangnall proposed" School and Staff," and the Headmaster responded. R. Heady proposed the Visitors' toast and Mr. T. McKnight responded. Those present included The President (1907), The Headmaster, P. Clegg (1947), R. B. Butterworth (1923), B. V. Bancroft (1928), R. H. Mason (1939), K. R. Twemlow (1942), A. Twemlow (1943), P. Wardle (1943), D. A. Bancroft (1920), F. G. Pyatt (1950), J. A. Baldwin (1948), J. E. Mangnall (1918), G. Haworth (1919), P. G. Griffiths (1934), R. Heady (1926), H. T. Barron (1926), P. Snape (1924), B. C. Tustain (1939), J. W. Scholfield (1948), Brevet Colonel J. S. Allison, M.B.E. (1916), P. Hodson (1945) and three guests.

The Birmingham Dinner was held in November last at the White Horse Hotel, Birmingham.

It has been decided to hold this dinner in the autumn in future. Once again, this was an admirably organised function, fully photographed by the ubiquitous G. J. Phillips, who has kindly given the Club a series of the pictures he took that evening. V. D. Royston proposed the toast of the President (T. Winfield) present for the week-end from S. Wales with J. T. McCubbin from London. The President replied. H. S. Whittle proposed" School and Staff." The Headmaster replied. N. A. Plummer proposed the Visitors; Prebendary E. E. F. Walters and Bryan Bayly replied. Those present also included the Local Secretary-to whom too little thanks were accorded for his admirable arrangements and generosity, H. J. S. Hilton (1892), G. J. Phillips (1923), A. D. Hewitt (1941), D. P. Shelley (1939), F. W. Wood (1902), G. F. Woodward (1925), J. C. Copeland (1916), F. C. Ling (1916), H. G. Wilks (1914), K. L. Nicholson (1931), S. C. Bradley (1922), H. L. Horspool (1929), W. D. Webb (1923), W. H. Edwards (1929), P. Bebb (1939), J. A. Edwards (1931), D. J. Latham (1944), J. E. Wells (1939), M. J. Smith (1944), C. B. Ryley (1946), F. ·A. Dakin (1928), C. E. Ward (1928), P. K. Myers (1947), T. C. Spratling (1940), R. M. Carver (1942), E. Ledsam (1919), H. T. Barron (1926), the Rev. L. E. <;:a,lIer (19~5) and J. W. Nankivell (1912) Joint Hon,

72

THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE

Sec. O.E. Club, who had come from Ellesmere that evening. There were also three other visitors.

The Cardiff Dinner was held on 26th November, 1955, at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff. The President, T. Winfield in the chair. The arrangements made by the Local Secretary were admirable. The Headmaster and J. W. Nankivell were present from Ellesmere, and there were several other -guests. J. T. McCubbin came from London and" Winnie Griffiths" from Manchester. J. T. McCubbin proposed the President's health, and T. Winfield in his reply, as a South Walian expressed his deep satisfaction to see so many Ellesmerians present in his capital city. I. BruceBarter (1918) proposed" School and Staff" and the Headmaster replied. The Hon. Secretary too inadequately thanked R. J. W. Saunders for organising the dinner. Others present included R. E. Brabyn (1916), B. Curran (1918), S. W. Dickenson (1939), I. Rhys Davies (1917), T. V. Davies (1939), Dr. A. R. Davis (1937), I. M. Evans (1934), H. Griffiths (1932), H. J. Gray (1914), Capt. R. Graves (1941), K. Halewood (1943), P. Halewood (1942), T. C. Hughes (1939), N. Fletcher (1916), W. P. Howells (1941), G. Merlin-Jones (1917), J. Lyndon-Jones (1918), Dr. J. M. M. James (1942), J. S. Pritchard (1930), M. Pritchard (1930), H. Roscorla (1933), M. G. Thomas (1939), W. A. Thomas (1939) and J. M. Wills (1938).

Liverpool Dinner was held at the Stork Hotel on3rd March. Despite the manifest labours of the Local Secretary, R. Kenyon, few members responded to his invitation to meet, but those who came enjoyed a most pleasant evening. Unfortunately, the President was unable to be present, and J. E. Mangnall acted as chairman, and responded tq the toast of the Club, charmingly proposed by R. W. Raby. Colonel Hollway, O.B.E. proposed" School and Staff," and the Headmaster, the principal guest, responded. The Secretary of the Club was .also a guest. Those present also included T. Platt (1949), P. Nunn (1928), C. E. Russell (1928), M. A. Doughty with three guests, J. M. Scarrett (1947), E. Rothwell (1948), P. Scott (1938), H. T. Barron (1926).

~asomdc ~otes

At the September meeting of the Old Ellesmerian Lodge, Bro. H. T. Barron was installed as Worshipful Master. The Lodge was again honoured by the presence of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Shropshire, also by the Worshipful Masters of Old Denstonian Lodge, Hurst Johnian Lodge, and Old Worksopian Lodge, the first time for some years that three other Woodard School Lodges were represented at one of our meetings at one time. This was a very happy and successful meeting which augurs well for the coming session.

On October 8th, 1955, we again attended Lodge, when Bro. J. T. Parsonage went through his Third Degree. The work was singularly well performed, and the new W.M., W.Bro. H. T. Barron, was very dignified and confident in carrying out his duties, in which he was ably assisted by W.Bros.

Mangnall and Barker. . _

These two meetings were marked by the pleasure felt by the Brethren at the presence in their new Provincial capacities of W.Bro. W. E. C. Ledsam, Provo Deputy G.D.C. and W.Bro. S. H. Tims, P.P.G.Std.Br., who were invested with their new honours by the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Lord Forester, at the Provincial Grand Lodge held last July, when a small but proud body of O.E. Lodge Brethren were present to see them thus promoted.

If any Old Ellesmerian is interested in the Lodge, the Secretary, R. W. Raby (" Fernlea," Leighton Avenue, Parkgate, Cheshire), will be very pleased to hear from him.

Births

Capt. Jenkyn-Jones-a daughter, SaUy Anne, 25th May. N. H. Davies-a daughter, December 1954.

A: Macleod-Smith-a daughter on 6th November, 1955.

Dr. A. Rogerson--'-a son, Michael, autumn 1955; their third child. T. Rogerson=-a third child, a son, June 1955.

R.-- Sale--a son, his fourth child, December 1955. D. Sale--a son, his second child, December 1955.

R. J. W. Saunders-a daughter .. Victoria Elizabeth, born 17th October 1955. R. Walker-a daughter, at Chelmsford.

THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE

73

Marriages

D. P. Shelley married Miss Valerie Mann Wilson in February 1955, sister-in-law of A. D. Hewitt. J. Warren, XX Lanes, Fusiliers to Miss Glenys Jones at Haverfordwest, 3 September 1955, sister

of I. W. Jones. Dr. P. Harries was the best man.

K. R. Twemlow to Miss Audrey Parkinson on 21st July 1954.

Dr. P. Courtenay in November. E. Ellis was best man, and Dr. A. Rogerson was present. P. Garmon-dones, R.A.M.C. was married last April.

P. Halewood to Miss Jane Rowse at Radyr, Glam., in autumn 1955.

T. Vivian Davies to Miss Jeanne Eleanor Treharne of Cardiff, March 1953. W. W. Baker to Miss Mary Alice Langley at Wrenbury on 24th August 1955.

Obituary

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Harold Wilberforce-Bell, K.C.I.E., D.L., J.P., died on 24th January after a serious illness lasting some months. By his death, the School and Club have lost a devoted friend, an active worker for its welfare and a keen follower of its fortunes since he left the school fifty or more years ago. He and his two brothers-also to become soldiers; the younger, to be killed in action in the first world war, had the outstanding distinction to be awarded the first M.C. in history-were in the Blues. Hal was a sound scholar, a keen athlete and a prefect. He went up to Pembroke College, Oxford, from school and then was gazetted to the Connaught Rangers in 1905, having previously won his College colours for rowing and association football. The main interest in his professional life began in 1908 when he transferred to the Indian Army, but in the following year he entered the Indian Political Service. He was again in military service, when he fought with the Gurkha Rifles in the 1914-18 war. He returned to India in 1917 to join the staff of the Northern Army, and in 1918 became assistant Military Secretary to the C.LC., India.

After the war, he resumed contact with the school, and took a keen interest in the wonderful record of O.Es during the first world war, but he himself retired from the Army and for twenty years was immersed in the complexities of the diplomatic life of the then Indian Empire. He was stationed in Aden, Western India, the Punjab, and Central India. In 1928 he was appointed Deputy Political Secretary to Government, and in 1930 became Political Secretary; In 1933 he was President at Kalhapur and Agent to the Governor General of the Deccan. For five years before his retirement in 1939 he was President in the Punjab states. Throughout these years, he kept in touch with the school and articles of great variety bear witness to his many-sided interests.

He settled in the ancestral home, Portington Hall near Howden, after his retirement from Government service, but his was a life of ceaseless activity; especially devoted to the cause of education and youth services. A Deputy Lieutenant and magistrate in the East Riding, a governor of Hull University College, a vice-president of the East Riding Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association, of the Red Cross Society and of the Playing Fields Association, chairman of the Hospital Management Committee and of the Hull Borstall Institution, he continued to serve the community in retirement as efficiently and brilliantly as in office. When he was elected President of the Club three years ago, he showed his affection for his old school to the full. Not many weeks passed by without a long interesting and stimulating letter to the Secretary on some aspect or other which would benefit the Club. He was mainly responsible for the initiatory steps which led to the Club causing to present to the school the Grant of Arms, and it was he who formally handed the Grant to the Provost and Custos. He, too, initiated the .. 1955 Chapel Completion Fund." The last sentence written to the writer of these words only a few weeks ago when referring to the relatively weak response to the Appeal were" The great thing is-do not lose heart or hope." He was confident that the Appeal would succeed, if only we kept before us the principles, which he so ably expressed in his Presidential address to the Club.

He was born in 1885, a year after the school was founded, the eldest son" of Captain H.

Wilberforce-Bell, a Military Knight of Windsor. He was, therefore, in his 71st year when he died. To his wife, whom he married in 1912, and his surviving brother, we send our deep sympathy in their great loss.

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THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE

P. A. Hall died suddenly on 4th December at Limpsfield, quite unexpectedly as his health had recently been good. Few O.Es were better known to the pre-war generations, for not only was he a brilliant editor of this magazine, a master of versatility in the classroom (where to this day his lessons can be recalled by many of his former pupils) but above all he was the editor of our Jubilee book, Fifty Years of Ellesmere. Essentially a shy, almost diffident man, he was at his best with a few close friends. His penetrating intelligence was perhaps a terrifying thing to the pretentious and orthodox, for he had a verbal mastery which could puncture pomposity most precisely. His outstanding characteristic was his intimate love of the school, and it was a tragedy, not only for him, that ill-health caused his leaving when still a young man. After a period of rest he resumed teaching, but was never quite at home in any other school.

Philip Hall came to Ellesmere, in the Blues, in 1916. He showed those qualities of mind and spirit in form and" dorm" which were to develop so quickly after he left, first to teach in Prep. Schools and then at Ellesmere. He was a frequent contributor to Punch (one of his articles was .. acted" at an Eton Speech Day) and to the B.B.C., where he was one of the pioneer writers for Children's Hour. Some of his wittiest articles can be read in this magazine when he was its editor. He joined the staff in 1930, and left in 1939. Throughout this period, he was Senior English master and for many years, House Master of Woodard. No house master was more certain that his house was the best in the world, so much so at times that duller dogs in other houses received from him less than they often thought they deserved. His interests were varied. His mind was packed with peculiar statistical information and he was adept in solving crossword puzzles. He had a wonderful gift for remembering old boys, and could rattle off at will their ages, initials, date of entry and school record. All who remember him will wish to send their sympathy to his mother, now more than 90 years of age, his sister and brother in their sad bereavement,

The death of the Rev. Cyi il Whitworth, S.S.J.E., whose visit in the summer and his photograph in the last issue is remembered, died at Cowley in October last. He was chat lain at Ellesmere in the first world war. His selfless devotion was apparent from his first day and his influence was as enormous here as it was to be in his subsequent career in Africa, India and Oxford. He loved Ellesmere and greatly rejoiced in his renewed contact with the school. We, who knew him, will ever remember him with gratitude.

We regret to announce the death of W. W. Twine the headmaster of a Liverpool preparatory school which was evacuated to Ellesmere in 1940. He taught at the school for a short while, before returning to Crosby.

The Rev. Harry C. Bateman died at Kingston, Jamaica, after a year's illness, on 3rd February, 1956. Both he, and his brother E. F. Bateman, came to Ellesmere in 1886. He was a prefect and probationer, and Captain of Rugger before he left in 1893. He was one of six boys who responded to a sermon of the Headmaster, the Rev. J. Bullock, to become a missionary in India, and it was the Head who financed him at S. Augustine's College, Canterbury. For many years after ordination he worked for the S.P.G. in India, and later of Kingston, Jamaica, where he spent the rest of his life. He is survived by his brother, one daughter and three sons. Many of his contemporaries will remember Bateman, for he was a boy of great character and popularity and all O.Es will wish to remember his life of service to the church overseas.

o .E. Chapel Completion Fund 1955

S. M. Hollway (1922) H. T. C. Lloyd (1901) G. I. J. Lloyd (1940) M. E. J. Garnett (1949) H. N. Sharpe (1946) John Hibbert (1940)

ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS SINCE AUGUST 31st 1955 £ s. d. I 0 0 10 0 0 138 2 0 0 5 0 0 3 3 .0

H. S. Wynne-Jones (1943) M. A. Cooper (1939)

M. G. Morgan-Wynne (1943) T. S. Louch (1905)

F. M. Towers (1936)

£ s. d.
10 0 0
5 0
2 2 0
105 0 0
10 0 0
0
0 ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS BY DEED OF COVENANT

W. R. Goodman (1912) 2 0 0 R. V. H. Settle (1912)

C. T. Snape (1924) 5 0 0 R. W. Raby (1916)

H. Lawton (1918) .. , 2 2 0

THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE Changes of Address

75

GARMON-JONES, P. and D. (1939), Bryn-y-Maen Vicarage, COLWYN BAY. TURNER. W. (1939) 16308 McKinnon Road, Surrey Centre P.O .• B.C .• Canada.

PUG HE-MORGAN. Rev. T. W. (1885). Fosbrooke House, Clifton Drive. L YTHAM. Lanes,

SWINDELLS. H. G. (1915). Croes Howell, Rossett, near WREXHAM. .

MULLINER, P. (1928),48 Devonshire Gardens, Cliftonville, MARGATE. MATTHEWS, R. G. (1944). Wilnecote Cottage, Wilnecote, TAMWORTH.

BATCHELOR. M. J. (1940), Grange House, Grange Road, Woodthorpe, NOTTINGHAM. DAVIES. J. A. (1943). Herbrandstone Hall. MILFORD HAVEN. Pembs.

LLOYD, G. 1. L. (1940), 76 Roland House, Old Brompton Road, S. KENSINGTON, S.W.7.

KEATINGE, L. R. H. (1913), The Lodge, TISBURY. Wilts. .

SHARPE. H. N. (1946). Tarapaca 140, Miraflores, LIMA. Peru. S. America. JILANI. Capt. A. A. (1935), O.S.O.E., H.Q., 106 Brigade, SIALKOT, W. Pakistan. HEWITT. J. J. (1950). Devoncroft, Oak Lane, TWICKENHAM, Middx.

SHAW. W. F. (1942). 18 Brunswick Gardens. Kensington. London. W.8. SHEPHERD, J. G. (1930), 11 Shepherds Way, RICKMANSWORTH, Herts. BOUCHER, J. A. (1893). " Donnybrook," Cefn Mount, D1NAS POWIS, Glam. GIBSON. R. E. (1932), " Rowans," 9 Manor Avenue, PENWORTHAM, PRESTON. JONES, Ronald (1944), Bradeley Hall, Haslington, near CREWE.

WATSON-TODD, M. (1949), "Shirley," 15 St. Mary's Road, Huyton, Lanes. BROWN. W. H. A. (1945), Cairnsmore, 8 Hortington Road, ST. HELENS. Lanes, PHILCOX, S. A. (1910), Shepway, The Rise, KINGSWAY, near DEAL. Kent. PHILCOX, P. I. (1941), 20 Watts Avenue, ROCHESTER, Kent.

MUZIO, D. M. (1944). The Rectory. North Runcton, KINGS LYNN. Norfolk. ROWLEY. R. T. (1942), Harlegin, Heath Road, UPTON-BY-CHESTER, Ches. SMITH. C. F. (1949), Rotherwood, Westfield Terrace. NEWPORT-ON-TA Y, Fife. NICHOLSON. K. L. (1931). 12 Park Avenue. STAFFORD.

MORGAN. C. D. (1947). 45 Honey Avenue, Toronto, ONTARIO. CANADA. HERD. E. I. (1939). 1/24 Spruson Road. Neutral Bay. SYDNEY, Australia. FOREST-BELL. D. (1900), P.O. Box 825. Grimsby, ONTARIO. Canada. GASKIN. B. F. B. (1926), Broadfield House, MAGHULL, Lanes,

MOSS. J. R. (1945). c/o Barclay's Bank Ltd .• 38 Market Street, CREWE, Ches. HILLIAR. J. P. (1946). c/o Marshallstown, Downpatrick, Co. Down. N. Ireland.

GEE. S. R. (1925). c/o National Provincial Bank Ltd .• Station Road. Llandatf North. CARDIFF. PHILLIPS, J. R. (1943). 26 Halsall Road. SOUTHPORT. Lanes,

SMITH. T. A. (1952).17 Walliscote Road South. WESTON-SUPER-MARE. Somerset. BELL. H. (1942). Paindisford Lodge, Pitminster, near TAUNTON.

BELL, T. A. (1939), 5 Lee House, Broadlands, ROMSEY. Hants.

POWELL, I. E. (1952). 4 Selworthy Road, Birkdale, Southport, Lanes,

INSLEY. V. B. (1938). " Whiteacre," 4 Southwell Road, PLYMOUTH.

SMITH. W. R., Apartment 1, 1055 Cove Avenue, Lakewood, Cleveland 7, Ohio. U.S.A.

Addresses Unknown

K. B. Halley (1909), B. A. Manners (1939). T. V. Davies (1940), R. J. Addison (1950), Baddeley. G. M. (1939), A. R. W. Baddeley (1937). Crosbie, M. (1940). T. V. Davies (1940), H. Jones (1934), A. R. T. Hesketh (1942), Kidd. J. V. (1928), P. Lloyd (1936), P. I. Mather(1926). J. P. Parsonage (1943), J. R. M. Robinson (1937), J. R. Shaw (1939), T. A. Smith (1952), A. M. Tasker (1943), E. A. Tasker (1940), L. M. B. Vickers (1923), R. Walker (1940), A. S. Lewis (1943), Collard, R. J. (1928), Lloyd-Jones, E. E. W. (1929).

76

THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE New Members

HINCHLIFFE, A. (1949), Ash Lea, 22 Mossley Road, Grasscroft, near OLDHAM. GANZ, T. J. (1949), Sea Pines, 9 Langford Court, SWANSEA.

WAKEFIELD, H. S. (1896), Major-General, C.B., M.C., 702 Grant National Building, Rissik

Street, JOHANNESBURG, South Africa.

ABEL, K. E. H. (1951), Eryl, 73 Chester Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. BILLINGTON, R. A. B. (1950), Regent House, 31 Regent Street, Leek, Staffs. CANEY, R. S. (1951), Springvale, Micklow Lane, Loftus, Saltburn, Yorks. DICKINSON, T. E. (1949), Rowallan, Park Drive, Blundellsands, Liverpool 23. GLOVER, L. V. J. (1948), The Crown and Anchor Hotel, Stone, Staffs. KNOWLES, C. R. (1948), Mayfield, Hard Lane, St. Helens, Lanes.

MENGES, N. M. (1952), 1 and 2 Quadadrome Flats, Kennilworth, Capetown, S. Africa. PARKER, A. G. (1948), Abermere, Lodge Road, Walsall, Staffs.

ROBINSON, A. A. (1949), 102 Stonyhill Avenue, Blackpool South Shore.

ROWLEY, W. R. (1949), Harlequin, Heath Road, Upton-by-Chester.

SALT, M. A. (195 I), Plemont, Gaiafields Road, Lichfield, Staffs.

STRINGER (ii), G. EDW. (1948), 14 Marlfield Road, Grappenhall, Warrington.

WALLACE, C. H. (1949), Guillit Close, Gullet Lane, Kirby Muxloe, near Leicester. GOODMAN, W. R. (1912), Majoc-General"C.B., D.S.O., M.C., Bealings Holt, Little Bealings,

Suffolk.

LAY, E. T. K. (1946), Severn Brow, Old bury, BRIDGNORTH, Salop. EMERY, F. M. (1950), Bodhyfryd, Seaborne Road, HOLYHEAD, Anglesey. SLAYTER, R. P. (1950), Sunnyside, Bolter End, near High Wycombe, Bucks. SAVIDGE, D. (1949), Swanstone Court, Little Dilwyn, Hereford. HELLBERG, P. M. (1945),40 Borrowcop Lane, Lichfield, Staffs.

LEE, J. A. (1952), Globe Inn, KELSALL, Cheshire.

DODD, Q. R. H. (1946), Stansty Park, Wrexham.

COHEN, M. D. (1951), " Torksey," 7 Holden Road, SALFORD 7. WATSON-TODD, G. R. (1949), 15 St. Mary's Road, HUYTON, Lanes, WORRALL, J. D. (1947), The Woodlands, Calveley, TARPORLEY, Ches. NUNN, P. J. C. (1924), " Shapinsay," Oak Drive, BRAMHALL, Ches. JONES, J. A. (1948), Arclid Hall Farm, SANDBACH, Ches.

TAYLOR, S. A. (1952), Cromer House, Cromer Road, BURY, Lanes, ACKERFELDT, K. A. (1953), Agirvagen, 3 Lidingo, STOCKHOLM, Sweden. WASSALL, D. G. (1951),149 The Crescent, WALSALL.

JACQUES, J. C. S. (1952), c/o Mrs. Bowler, 22 Fairfield Avenue, Droylesden, near Manchester. HEDGES, P. J. (1952), 177 Hardhorn Road, POULTON-LE-FYLDE, Lanes,

o .E. Colours

Tie, striped pattern, best quality Rayon Tie, striped pattern, Silk and Rayon ... Tie, striped pattern, Pure Silk ... Square, striped pattern, Rayon

Square, striped pattern, Rayon and Silk Square, striped pattern, Pure Silk

Tie, new design, Rayon and Silk

Tie, new design, Pure Silk

Square, new design, Rayon and Silk Square, new design, Pure Silk ... Cravat, new design, Rayon and Silk

£ s. d. 7 6 11 0 15 6 1 0 1 11 6 2 7 6

14 0 1 2 0 1 7 6 3 10 0 140

... o

III '" >

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LENT TERM, 1956

School Notes Meynell House Talbot House Wakeman House Woodard House ... Junior House

G.C.E., December 1956

Chapel Notes and Chapel Music Rugger-lst XV ...

2nd XV

Colts XV

Under 15 XV Under 14 XV House Seven-a-side

Cross Country Race Shooting

Squash

Music

C.C.F.

Scouts

The Seven Club EIIesmerian Society The Thespians Meteorological Notes Aeromodelling Club Young Farmers' Club Chess Club

Fine Arts Club

Cine Club

Engelberg 1956 Acknowledgments

Page 38 39 40 40 41 42 42 42 44 45 46 47 48 48

48 50 51 51 53 53 53 53 54 55 55 55 56 56 56 57 58

CONTENTS

MICHAELMAS TERM

School Officers School Notes House Notes

Meynell Talbot Wakeman Woodard Junior

Soccer Notes Chapel Notes

Chapel Music and Choir Notes

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Junior Carol Service

The Merry Wives of Windsor School Music

Rugby 1st XV

Colts XV

House Match Results J.T.C. Notes

Senior Scout Notes Scouts

Shooting Notes ... Squash Notes

The Seven Club ...

The Ellesmerian Society The Thespians Meteorological Notes Young Farmers' Club Aeromodelling Club The Railway Society The Chess Club ...

The Cine Club

Musical Appreciation Society School Library ...

B.S.E.S. Newfoundland 1955 Motor Morals in Japan What Have I Done?

Midi and Back par l' Autostop .

Thoughts on Traditional Jazz .

" More Hiking than Hitching"

Market Lopping-Hardesty (Appendix 116) No Peace for the Wicked

N.B. Thoughts

Acknowledgments

Page 1 2

4 5 6 7 8 9 9 9

10 10 12 14 15 19 20 21 22 22 22 23 23 23 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 27 27 29 32 32 32 34 34 35 37 37 38

THE OLD ELLESMERIAN CHRONICLE

77

Cravat, new design, Pure Silk

New design Blazer Badge, embroidered by hand Blazer, striped pattern, tailored to measure ...

Blazer, navy in single or double breasted styles, stock size, or

tailored to measure from £4 7 6 to 9 9 0

Postage and Packing on Tie, 4d.

Square and Cravat, 6d.

Prices quoted are for purchase tax as in force at present.

1 18 6 3 3 0 5 15 6

Agenda

Agenda for the Annual General Meeting of the Club on Whit Saturday, 19th May, J956.

(a) Minutes. (b) Hon. Secretaries' Reports. (c) Hon, Treasurer's Report and consideration of Balance Sheet. (d) Election of President and other officers. (e) The O.E. 1955 Chapel Completion Fund. (f) Any other business.

The Meeting will take place in the Lecture Room at 4.30. The Executive will meet at 2.30 p.m. The Dinner-will be at 6.30 for 7.30, in Hall. Programme for the week-end will follow past custom.

Whit Sunday.-Chapel 8.15 a.m., 10.25 a.m., 5.30 p.m. Shooting-ll.45 a.m. Those wanting to shoot, write to I.W.N. 2.15 p.m., tennis or squash, please write to I.W.N. 7.15 p.m., squash or tennis, please write to I.W.N. 2 p.m., golf at Aston, please write to P. Snape direct, or via I.W.N.

Whit Monday.-Cricket at 11.15 a.m. Those wishing to play should write immediately to I.W.N.

Please reply to C. H. Scott directly about Dinner on enclosed sheet.

Golf Club

The Cyril Scott Challenge Cup competition will be played on SUNDAY, JUNE 24th. Lunch will be served at 12.45 p.m. and play will begin at about 2 p.m. If you can come to play in this increasingly popular function, please write to the Secretary of the Golf Society, PETER SNAPE, 10 Uplands Avenue, Wolverhampton.