The Cantuarian 2021 by cobwebcreative

The Cantuarian 2021

CANTUARIAN | 2021

CONTENTS The Captain’s Speech Daisy Rex 6 Margaret Ellie Baldwin 8 Bee Hive Mike Cox 10 Check it Out James Woodhouse 14 Beyond Endurance Stanley Weir 16 Humble Pie Samantha Yeung 20 Face Time David Perkins 22 Why Maths? Richard Johnson 26 Prose Poem Honor Fox 30 And Breathe Dave Willis 32 King’s in Bloom Naomi Cray 34 Portrait of an Artist Ben Dickson 38 Memories of Maugham Nicolas Paravicini 40 Doctors are Philosophers Natalia Kharlamova 44 Praying for Peace Moh Tarraf 46 Jumping for Joy Olivia Yeung 50 Therein Lies the Magic Will Corbyn 56 You Smell Charles Sell 62 Rebecca Bee Billet 66 Iron Bell Matthew Bell 68 The Great Debate Wendy Lian 72 Good Betts Cathy Betts 74 House of Carlyon Lili Clifton 76 Building Blocks Jack Parnell 80 Japan Finn Cleghorn-Brown 84 A Figure Frozen in Time Téa Sand 88 Hermits of Harlem Cerelia Davis 90 A Sublime Duo James & Catherine Bennett 94 Portugal Peter Kirby-Higgs 98 King’s Week 104 Art Exhibition 112 From the Archive The Cantuarian 1921 122 Valete 128

CONTRIBUTORS Editor Anthony Lyons Photographer Matt McArdle Designer Cobweb Creative Archivist Peter Henderson Two Wise Men Ian MacEwen & Peter Roberts Cobweb Creative yvonne@cobwebcreative.org Matt McArdle Photography mattmcardle13@mac.com The Cantuarian info@cantuarian.co.uk

CANTUARIAN | 2021

editorial Memories of Maugham (Page 40)

ome people say being the editor of a school magazine is a poisoned chalice. Yes, it can be frustrating but when you are given carte blanche about the content the job can be full of delightful surprises.

artist explains his magnificent mural of Somerset Maugham OKS that was recently unveiled in the seaside town of Whitstable, where the writer was born, and Maugham’s grandson tells us what it was like to visit the writer, then globally revered, at his villa in the South of France. We also learn Even the briefest encounters with pupils, how the life of one OKS was transformed by riding colleagues, parents and OKS can produce a lively horses at school, and how another conceived long article weeks or months later, and ago an intense passion for the lifestyle serendipity proves your greatest and culture of Portugal, and gives us ‘Even the briefest a guided tour of his Mediterranean friend. Oddly it is often the pieces you encounters with commission as part of a clear editorial paradise. pupils, colleagues, vision that don’t materialise. parents and OKS One of the best editorial duties is So most of the following, apart from can produce a lively reading back copies of The Cantuarian article weeks or the annual regulars, is the result to find snippets that might interest of chats around the school with current readers, and in this respect months later.’ individuals of all ages and interests. As 1921 was rather generous. Although random as this may seem, we hope it still gives a the tone of the extracts we’ve included suits a true impression of the marvel that is King’s. Sadly, country that once rated itself supreme on the of course, because of lockdowns this edition lacks world stage, there is also a hint of melancholy. the range of photographs we would have liked. So beside a report lamenting the loss of digestive biscuits in a fire, there is a report on the delayed For example, we open with a moving account of building of a memorial to those former pupils who working in the NHS when Covid was raging by a died in The Great War. young doctor whose palliative care is matched by her writing skills. She is married to a member of After a few years spent reinventing The Cantuarian, the Maths Department. And we find out, from an we have now promised its genius loci, Peter interview with the new Head Gardener, why the Roberts, that next time we will work hard to make grounds at King’s are always so resplendent, even it appear, at long last, in the right calendar year. (this year) award-winning. There is also a study of Japan by a 6b pupil who simply loves Japan, and Anthony Lyons a duologue between two music scholars who Editor happen to be brother and sister. Elsewhere, a local The Cantuarian

King’s in Bloom (Page 34) 4

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You Smell (Page 62)

Beyond Endurance (Page 16) Building Blocks (Page 80)

Portrait of an Artist (Page 38)

King’s Week (Page 104) CANTUARIAN | 2021

THE

CAptain’s Daisy Rex

Speech

he King’s School, Canterbury, was founded in 597, making us the latest in a long, long series of leavers. But without sounding a little self-centred, the very occurrence of the commemoration service today, with all of you here, is up there as being the most significant of them all. Over our Sixth Form career we have faced a pandemic that has brought societies to a grinding halt on a global scale yet, in true King’s style, here we are!

is testament to what we are as a school – passionate. Regardless of whether we have been at King’s since the first year of the Junior School or, like me, since Shell, or since 2019 as a new 6b, what unites us all is the King’s spirit of being passionate about what we do.

The unfailing support of peers is testament to this, whether it be spectators at a wet and cold Saturday rugby match or friends listening to each other at a lunchtime concert. The point is that King’s When sitting down to write my speech, I read through those of my endorses the passion, love and commitment that all of us here are predecessors. Very quickly I was reminded of the King’s that Covid filled with. It fills me with pride to be at a school in which being busy has made almost unrecognisable, and so I made and doing what you love, whether it be hockey, the decision that after this introduction there is orchestra, science, drama or even beekeeping ‘About a thousand people to be no reference to Covid-19. is greatly respected and considered ‘cool’. The Captain of School’s speech is an intimidating task, to say the least. I think I’m supposed to include some profound life-changing quotations or preach to you in Latin verse (sorry, Headmaster), but I’ve decided to speak from the heart instead, as for me that’s what King’s is about. Without sounding too clichéd or overly sentimental, King’s means very much to me and very much to many of you here.

singing a school favourite at the top of their lungs in the Shirley Hall creates quite honestly an unrivalled atmosphere. I remember smiling to myself and thinking wow, what a school!’

The first time I was really hit by King’s was in our first-ever Congers assembly in Shell, which I can still remember vividly. I’m pretty sure no other school sings hymns like we do. About a thousand people singing a school favourite at the top of their lungs in the Shirley Hall creates quite honestly an unrivalled atmosphere. I remember smiling to myself and thinking wow, what a school! Now this may seem insignificant, but I think the attitude to singing hymns at King’s 6

CANTUARIAN | 2019 2021

Not only is this spirit evident within my peer group, but it is also embodied and fuelled by the compassion and drive that lies within all the teachers here at King’s. I often joke to poor Mr. Harrison that the personal life of a King’s teacher is close to non-existent. What I really mean is that our teachers give their lives to King’s; it is not a 9-to-5 job. The relationships between pupils and teachers are clear evidence of this. Our teachers are not merely academic educators but role models, advisors and perhaps even friends who we will stay in touch with us for many years to come. Looking back, an example for me of the deep-rooted and extended commitment and dedication of our teachers occurred in Shell. Like many of us back then I was a disorganised and chaotic nuisance, running around the house, probably causing havoc with friends,

‘I’ve decided to speak from the heart instead, as for me that’s what King’s is about. Without sounding too clichéd or overly sentimental, King’s means very much to me and very much to many of you here.’

after having spent the evening avoiding matron who had, quite rightly, been pestering me about bed-changing night. It was already about an hour past bedtime when I went back to my dorm and I was met by Miss Batty, a tutor in Luxmoore at the time, who climbed up onto the top of my bunk bed to change my sheets and make my bed. Now, as Miss Batty let me know, the takeaway from this was not that if you don’t change your bed your tutor will do it for you, but that the teachers care and their presence extends far beyond the classroom. I am abundantly grateful to all my teachers, who have not only been such a powerful influence on my life but also genuinely care about us. I want to thank the Headmaster and his team for their leadership of the school. It has been an impossible year in many ways but the Headmaster’s unfailing and wholehearted devotion is at the core of the school’s success, with his endearing and charismatic nature remaining a constant throughout. I still don’t understand how he knows every pupil personally. Without Mrs. Worthington the world of King’s does not function and without her we would not

be here now. Neither has had a day of holiday in over a year, and their ceaseless commitment stems from genuine adoration of our school. I also want to thank my friends and the whole 6a year. It has been a privilege to share the last five years with you. Similarly the robust house ‘Our teachers are not system at King’s, as all merely academic educators of you here know, is far more than a house; it is but role models, advisors a family. We leave King’s and perhaps even friends today set up for life, not just on a practical level who we will stay in touch with good grades (fingers with us for many years to crossed) and well-rounded come.’ characters, but bonded with friends for life, a far more precious sentiment than I’m sure any of us realise now. Captaining King’s has genuinely been the honour of my life. And as the great and wise philosopher, Winnie the Pooh, once said: ‘How lucky am I to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard.’

‘It has been an impossible year in many ways but the Headmaster’s unfailing and wholehearted devotion is at the core of the school’s success.’

CANTUARIAN | 2021

Dr. Ellie Baldwin, young doctor and wife of Maths teacher, Matthew Henderson, shares her experience of Covid.

‘I

’m sure it’s nothing to worry about; just a bit of chest pain.’

I look up and focus on Margaret. She’s a slim lady in her 70s unclasping her hands in order to fidget and try to make herself more comfortable on the hospital trolley she’s perched on. Her face, like mine, is half-obscured by a large hospital mask that keeps making her glasses steam up. She meets my eyes and shrugs. We both know she needs to be here because chest pain can be a sign of a serious problem and both her GP and husband have made her come in. But I get it: I wouldn’t want to be here either. We are in the middle of the A&E Department at 10pm on a Friday night. Even though the curtains round the trolley space are closed, we can’t shut out the sounds and smells surrounding us. We can still hear the patient two trolleys down who was brought in bleeding and bleary-eyed by two police officers while insisting loudly to be allowed to leave. And then there’s the patient opposite, vomiting into a kidney dish. The department is more than full, with a queue out the door and nowhere left to put patients who need to be seen or examined. The waiting time to see a doctor is six hours. Margaret has waited and now I’m here, a stranger hiding behind a mask, apron and gloves about to ask probing questions. I try to smile reassuringly, hoping she can recognise the expression when my eyes scrunch up and my mask rises when my cheeks lift. My face aches from forming exaggerated expressions, inhibited by my mask for the last eight hours, in an attempt to reassure my patients of the human being behind the scrubs two sizes too big and rustling PPE. I don’t know if it’s effective but I don’t know what else to do. I start by taking a history, asking questions about her chest pain in the same way I have done since medical school. Site, onset, character and so on, using the mnemonic SOCRATES. We are ten minutes in and I’m not worried about this chest pain. Before seeing her, I checked her blood results and ECG (an electronic tracing of her heart rhythm), which were all normal, and her answers to my questions are all reassuring. I’m down to my last few questions now before I can discharge her to go home. ‘Any cough?’ ‘Oh yes, but I’ve had that for ages. It’s definitely not COVID.’ She looks expectantly at me, waiting for the next question, but my scribbling pen has paused. I look straight back at her. ‘Tell me more about this cough.’ 8

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‘I take hers in both of mine, blue and gloved as they are, and we stay there, still and silent.’ It’s like going back to the beginning when I start exploring this new symptom. ‘A dry cough for the last few months; just a smoker’s cough.’ And she reassures me again that it’s really nothing to worry about. ‘That might be true,’ I say, ‘but let’s just get an X-ray to be sure.’ I examine her quickly but carefully, trying to block out the screams echoing across the department while I focus on Margaret’s lungs. I listen with my stethoscope as she breathes deeply. I can hear the regular lub-dub of her heart and her breath as it fills her lungs loudly and evenly except … maybe there, on the right. I listen again and compare the right with the left side. Maybe slightly quieter. She definitely needs an X-ray. She asks how long it’s going to be, eager to be leaving. It’s now 11:30 and my shift finishes in half an hour. I have one last job to do and I open up Margaret’s X-ray on the computer. The image loads and I hold my breath. There is a large fluffy white mass stuck in the middle of the black lung. Although she needs more tests to confirm a diagnosis, this is almost certainly lung cancer. Definitely something to worry about. When they try to teach you how to ‘break bad news’ at medical school, they emphasise the need to be in a quiet, private space with the patient and a loved one there in support. I look for a side room

argaret

but they are full of vulnerable, shielding patients. she firmly grips my hand, searching for support, Margaret’s husband is at home because relatives for reassurance in the steadiness and presence of can’t come into hospital. I don’t have the luxury of touch. time so I can’t ask for him to come in or arrange another time to speak to them together. I go back So much has been taken from us through this to Margaret and tell her that it looks as though she pandemic, including being able to touch the has lung cancer, and I pause. I people we love, to hug them and want to keep talking and fill the hold them tightly at moments of silence now echoing around the ‘...both her GP and joy or anguish, as greetings and curtains but I need to stop and or when we are at our husband have made goodbyes, give her space to hear me. To most vulnerable. The power of begin to understand this life- her come in. But I get touch, of simply holding a hand, changing news. impart emotion beyond that it: I wouldn’t want to can of words. I felt a poor substitute be here either.’ Margaret is initially calm. She for Margaret, a stranger standing asks familiar questions. Am in for a husband, a child or a I sure? Could the X-ray be friend. She had never properly wrong? What happens now? There is still so much seen my face and yet here I was playing this brief uncertainty and I have very few answers but when but significant part in her story, holding her hand I begin to talk about next steps, referrals and as the melee of A&E crashed around us. scans, she buckles. Her voice quivers and then she reaches out her hand. Slowly her grip begins to loosen, so I squeeze her ‘Please, doctor, can I just hold your hand?’ fingers briefly, then we let go. She raises her eyes I take hers in both of mine, blue and gloved as to meet mine and then together we take a breath. they are, and we stay there, still and silent while And we carry on.

‘So much has been taken from us through this pandemic, including being able to touch the people we love, to hug them and hold them tightly at moments of joy or anguish.’

CANTUARIAN | 2021

CANTUARIAN | 2020

e e B e v i H

Maths teacher, Mike Cox, who runs Beekeeping at King’s with Head of Biology, Elizabeth Lockwood, has kept bees for over 20 years. When he was himself a pupil at the school in the 1990s, his mentor kept bees in the actual spot where the school hives now reside. Outside of King’s he runs one of the largest Facebook beekeeping communities, with over 50,000 global members, aimed at supporting treatment-free beekeepers.

eekeeping has been running at King’s as a regular school activity since 2016. Groups of up to eight pupils visit the Cellarer’s Garden weekly through the warm months, monitoring and managing the hives, and in a good year extracting honey. Each year we breed from our existing colonies, and catch swarms to replace losses. The main focus of this activity is education, so we don’t typically follow commercial practices, such as feeding sugar and treating for diseases, which are designed to maximise honey yields. Some pupils have gone on to keep bees of their own outside King’s, after learning the ropes at school. The last two beekeeping seasons have sadly been quite disrupted by Covid, so we are looking forward to a more normal year in 2022.

deploring the collapse of beekeeping. Speculation as to the cause is rife, but no one really knows what is going on, or how to fix it.

These sound like headlines from the last decade or so, but Isle of Wight Disease (IoWD) emerged in 1904. By 1910 it had swept through the UK and beyond. The biology of the time wasn’t unable to identify the cause but beekeepers needed to respond. Through a combination of natural selection and careful bee breeding, strains of bees that were resistant to IoWD were raised and distributed nationally and internationally. By the 1920s bee populations were rebounding. It was a triumph of good animal husbandry and a demonstration of evolution in practice. It wasn’t until the 1950s Over the past 30 years beekeepers, and the bees that the cause of IoWD was identified – mites that themselves, have been battling a series of problems: reproduce inside the trachea of the bees, preventing parasitic varroa mites that spread viral diseases; loss them from breathing. Modern honey bees have of forage and habit; destruction of nest evolved narrower trachea, and so sites; and exposure to pesticides in ‘Groups of up to eight are near immune to the mites. the environment. Most of the threats pupils visit the Cellarer’s that make the news are not so much type of evolutionary response Garden weekly through This threats to honey bees as a species as to challenging conditions, and the warm months, they are threats to the livelihood of virulent diseases, is typical in monitoring and commercial beekeepers. What tends nature and has been observed managing the hives.’ to be missing from these discussions repeatedly in honey bees. Over is a recognition that honey bees as generations, spanning hundreds a species are resilient and genetically adaptable to of years, bees evolve to suit their specific conditions. changing conditions, which is how they have come The British Black Bee (a locally adapted strain of to thrive globally across vastly different climates and the honey bees) is known to fly in cold and damp geographies. I’d like to explore the history of bee weather where other strains would not. Italian bees diseases, and the lessons that beekeepers can learn breed prolifically in summer, making large colonies from the past. Isle of Wight Disease – the death of commercial beekeeping? A new disease has been identified, affecting bee colonies on the Isle of Wight. Beekeepers have lost 90% of their colonies, and over a few short seasons the problem has spread throughout the UK. The industry is in turmoil, wild bee populations have collapsed, and the newspapers are running headlines

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that collect large honey crops, but they can struggle through cool damp UK summers, and cold winters. Russian bees are observed to have hygienic traits that give them greater disease-resistance than others. In the 1990’s a new virulent pest reached the shores of the UK, the varroa mite. Varroa is an aggressive parasitic mite that feeds on both adult bees and larvae, and spreads rapidly from colony to colony. In sufficient quantities they can weaken a colony to the point of killing it, and even when they are not directly killing colonies they are a carrier of viruses that do kill. In the first ten years in the UK colony losses were brutal. Many beekeepers lost all their colonies year after year, and the wild populations collapsed. The beekeeping industry turned to modern scientific methods and a series of medications was produced that could kill

‘Over generations, spanning hundreds of years, bees evolve to suit their specific conditions.’ the mites without killing bees. Beekeepers were told that they must treat their bees, or they would die, and so routines of annual medication for hives became entrenched in beekeeping culture. To this day varroa mites, and the associated viruses that they spread, are still the biggest cause of colony-loss globally, and this despite widespread use of chemical treatments. So why isn’t varroa going the way of IoWD and dwindling into insignificance? The big change since 1910 was the shift in attitude away from traditional

‘Globally there is plentiful evidence that wild bee populations have recovered in remote areas without human interference yet managed hives are still struggling.’

CANTUARIAN | 2021

‘Typically treatment-free beekeepers accept that losing some colonies each year is an important part of the natural selection process.’

bee husbandry and selective breeding, to heavy reliance on chemical controls. Dependence on chemical treatments interferes with natural selection – unfit colonies that would have died off do not, so their genes are allowed to remain in the general population. With selection pressure removed, the bee population was unable to go through the rapid evolution that was seen with IoWD, and so bee populations today are still vulnerable. Globally there is plentiful evidence that wild bee populations have recovered in remote areas without human interference, yet managed hives are still struggling, and with no clear path to get off the treadmill of annual treatments.

irresponsible. Typically treatment-free beekeepers accept that losing some colonies each year is an important part of the natural selection process, and plan their beekeeping around breeding from survivors ‘Dependence on chemical each year. Progress is slow, treatments interferes with because not all beekeepers natural selection – unfit participate, but over time bees are less and less vulnerable to colonies that would have the mites and their associated died off do not, so their viruses.

In recent years increasing numbers of beekeepers have come to recognise the problems with conventional treatments. Common treatmentfree strategies now hark back to the traditional husbandry and bee-breeding methods that resolved IoWD, and genes are allowed to remain in the general population.’ depend less on chemical treatments. So next time you hear a horror Treatment-free beekeepers have story in the media about gained recognition and acceptance in hundreds of colonies, remember that honey bees traditional beekeeping circles over the past few years, have survived many catastrophes. Populations where they were previously viewed as neglectful and bounce back and recover. What may not stand the test of time are the practices of some beekeepers, where they work to oppose natural processes rather than work with them in concert.

‘What may not stand the test of time are the practices of some beekeepers, where they work to oppose natural processes.’ CANTUARIAN | 2021

Check It Out James Woodhouse (LN)

evaluates the different styles of chess. Yes, there are different styles of chess.

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ver the centuries multiple ‘schools’ of chess have developed. The first was the Modenese, which uses rapid deployment of pieces to attack the King from the start. It was followed by the English School, with its emphasis on more preparation, but its own era was dominated by Romantic Chess, a style characterised by bold, risky sacrifices in sometimes ‘attackat-all-costs’ games that lead to dramatic victory or defeat. Some top players make inferior moves just to begin these beautiful sequences, and the classic example of Romantic Chess is the immortal game played by Adolf Anderssen, who sacrificed his Queen and both Rooks to win with a checkmate. This flashy style was soon challenged by ‘Classical’ Chess, a much more strategic, slower and more defensive style, with its emphasis on building up a material advantage or gaining key positions on the board whilst capitalising on small opportunities. At the 1873 Vienna tournament, much like when Aeneas defeated Turnus in the last great blaze of Virgilian furor, Wilhelm Steinitz wrested Romantic chess from its top position and replaced it with the beginnings of the Classical School. This caused upset in the chess world, and Steinitz’s method was often branded cowardly and boring. Certainly, from then on, world-class chess lost some of the flare and panache that Romantic Chess had brought.

games, which often elicits a more calculating, modern style. Whatever the case, at least a gentlemanly approach to play does remain alive at the club. At the top level of today’s chess, the Romantic style would not survive because the sacrifices used to start sequences of moves always involve huge risk, and attacks on the King often neglect claiming key positions on the board or maintaining adequate defence – these faults are spotted by the current worldclass players and ruthlessly exploited by machine opponents. The inevitable march to victory that machines have ushered in, and the bulletproof nature of the world champions, has taken some of the excitement away from the game – indeed, the World Championship that is taking place this year began with five draws. The chivalry of 19th Century chess is also gone, where some moves would have been criticised for introducing more boring games, and where a sense of honour (albeit in a vague sense) once prevailed, modern top-level chess concentrates instead on the gunpowder-like pursuit of constant improvement alone – as it should.

This very same struggle of styles happens every week at the King’s Chess Club, run by Mr. Hutchings. His own style, very similar But there is yet hope for Romantic Chess, to Romantic Chess, is especially at King’s. challenged by the school The style itself is not a ‘There is still a place champion’s own, which weakness at the level for the risk-taking, closely resembles the achieved by the club: if modern chess consensus. one can be sufficiently beautiful attacks Although Mr. Hutchings is brilliant at the game, accompanied with a perhaps not as victorious the style (or elements as his opponent, he often of it) is a perfectly sense of panache and does win, and seems competent way to play, a chivalric attitude to always to be having the as demonstrated by most fun in any position, Mr. Hutchings. There is chess.’ which might be due to still a place for the riskthe exciting nature of Romantic Chess: with taking, beautiful attacks accompanied with so many sacrifices and attacks, whether a sense of panache and a chivalric attitude they end in victory or defeat, this style is to chess, which bring more excitement entertaining to play and watch. and entertainment to the game. In the recent Lichess.org inter-school qualifying I am told by Mr. Hutchings that not long tournament played by the club, the school ago the King’s Chess Club itself had a team came first in the pool, and even our ‘swashbuckling’, risk-taking style (perhaps champion (1st in the tournament) played inspired by the Romantic, medieval a few games of the King’s Gambit, a staple surroundings of the Cathedral and old city of opening of Romantic Chess, and seemed Canterbury) that resembled Romantic Chess. to be having great fun with it. So we can Whether this is still true is debatable, given rest assured that Romantic Chess lives on, our increasing use of artificial intelligence to although frequently challenged, at the King’s analyse positions and play against in practice Chess Club.

Why is this important? Well, the typical flare and excitement of Romantic Chess puts King’s on the map as having a noticeable, trademark style that features an unexpected element. It isn’t the perfect way to play, but it certainly brings more character to a game than simply being as close to a machine as you can be – and it was the world-class style in the 19th Century, so at the school level it’s a fantastic approach to chess. As King’s itself is a beautiful example of continuing an old tradition for its many and multifaceted merits, let us embrace this similarly admirable style as our own.

‘Romantic Chess puts King’s on the map as having a noticeable, trademark style that features an unexpected element. It isn’t the perfect way to play, but it certainly brings more character to a game.’

CANTUARIAN | 2021

Beyond

Endurance

We asked Stanley Weir (SH) to tell us what he enjoys most about the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, now 65 years old.

of E is one of the best bits of school. On our trip this year we walked five or six hours a day for two days, staying in tents at Birley’s overnight and eating ration packs. The goal was to follow the route given on a map and end up at a prearranged destination. We were put in small groups, which needed clear communication, trust between individuals, orienteering skills and a big dollop of common sense. Usually the trip takes place outside school grounds but due to Covid this could not happen. Major Vintner makes the whole thing happen, with the incredible Mr. Crane deputising. Both of them are absolutely top-class leaders and do a great job. They have bags of experience, having completed many D of E expeditions and humungous walks themselves. Major Vintner casually walks across Britain without breaking sweat, and Mr. Crane has taken part in mountain marathons all over Europe. D of E, which is entirely optional, can be daunting. When you’re presented with a map highlighting your route, you wonder whether you have the ability to go the right way and the mental strength to persevere and complete the job. Although the route may not look long compared to Vintner treks across Britain or Crane mountain marathons, it puts everything into perspective and reminds you that it could be an awful lot further. Inevitably you are bound to get lost at some point but as long as you remain calm you will find yourself getting back on track very quickly.

Why would anyone choose to do this? What is the point of walking through random fields and towns with the goal of ending up where you began and then spending a night in a small tent, potentially with someone you don’t like, instead of your comfy bed in dorm or at home? Well, D of E offers something different from everyday school life. It gives those taking part a chance to make their own choices and just be outside, which may sound like a very basic thing to say but given the hours spent by pupils in house and in classrooms nowhere near enough time is spent outside. D of E also offers a set of challenges different from those required in the classroom and

‘D of E gives those taking part a chance to make their own choices and just be outside, which may sound like a very basic thing to say but given the hours spent by pupils in house and in classrooms nowhere near enough time is spent outside.’ 16

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‘We were put in small groups, which needed clear communication, trust between individuals, orienteering skills and a big dollop of common sense.’ demands a different skill set. If you’re the sort of person who enjoys being outdoors with your mates, give D of E a go.

of independent and grammar schools across the UK. After the first year, 7,000 boys had started a D of E programme, and 1,000 awards had been achieved. In fact, the pilot In the post-war era, His Royal Highness the proved such a success that, by the second Duke of Edinburgh wanted to bridge the gap year, other small-scale pilots overseas and for boys between leaving formal education a programme for girls had also been set at 15 and entering National up. By then the number Service at 18, so that as of organisations and ‘Popularity has young men they would young people taking part continued to grow, make the best use of their had more than doubled. free time, find interests The D of E continued to with over 130 and acquire self-confidence evolve over subsequent countries and and a sense of purpose that decades and in 1980 the territories now would support them into age limit was extended their future and help them so that any young person offering D of E to become well-rounded aged 14 to 24 could take programmes.’ citizens. A pilot for The part. At this time, D of E Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programmes took on their Scheme was launched in February 1956. The current four-section format of Volunteering, programme at that time had four sections: Physical, Skills and Expedition, with an Rescue and Public Service; Expeditions; additional Residential section at Gold level. Pursuits and Projects; and Fitness. Initially the Popularity has continued to grow, with pilot just involved national voluntary youth over 130 countries and territories now organisations, but it was quickly extended offering D of E programmes as part of The to include Local Education Authorities, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, and a handful Foundation.

‘When you’re presented with a map highlighting your route, you wonder whether you have the ability to go the right way and the mental strength to persevere and complete the job.’ CANTUARIAN | 2021

CANTUARIAN | 2021

‘Although the route may not look long compared to Vintner treks across Britain or Crane mountain marathons, it puts everything into perspective.’

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Humble Pie Shells Salvete Prize Essay 2021 Samantha Yeung When I first came to King’s I didn’t exactly come on the basis of the school, but my ghost currently inhabits a section of the grounds. I was hired as a cook – hence my name, Nell Cook – for an elderly canon. My stint as a cook did not end very well, partly because I poisoned said elderly canon and his mistress out of pure jealousy. When they both died under mysterious circumstances, fingers were pointed at me. After some deliberation as to what my fate would be, a unanimous decision was reached. The punishment for the terrible offence I had committed was to be buried alive under the flagstones that pave the dark entry you know today. It all started when the canon invited his ‘niece’ to stay. I was always quite fond of the canon, if not too fond. He was a portly man of Latin and Greek and was known for having a merry eye. He was the one who gave me the nickname, Nelly Cook, from my previous name, Ellen Bean. It was also said that as his cook I had wondrous skill: my manchets were quite divine and my cakes were nicely browned. Then one day, on Whitsun-Eve, there came a coach, and out she stepped. At first, I bought into the lie that she was his niece; she did address him as her loving uncle, after all. But when he kissed her ruby lip, it suddenly occurred to me that they were a little less than kin and rather more than kind. I treated her as an object of suspicion and, to test my theory, in her bed I hid a set of poker and tongs from the fireplace. Six weeks passed – a lengthy passage of time, if you ask me. Six weeks and one day, to be exact, and I had yet to hear a single complaint from our guest. Totally unaware and desperate for answers, I decided to take matters into my own hands and collect the results of my experiment. Whilst she was out, I crept into her room and tore the blankets from her bed. Lo and behold! The poker and tongs lay in the same place I had left them, unheeded and undisturbed. My plan had come to fruition, but where on earth was his ‘niece’ sleeping? Nightfall covered the entire house in a blanket of silence. When I was making my way back to my quarters, after hearing some noise I stopped and

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stood by the canon’s door. I pressed my ear to the frame, listening intently and peeping through the keyhole. I shall not disclose what I saw, but it filled me with immeasurable outrage. Without thinking, I hatched a plan in my mind. I quickly set to work the next morning, baking a wonderful game pie I knew they couldn’t resist. My hand reached for some poisonous mushrooms and baked them into the pie. It served them right, I thought, for if I couldn’t have him no one could. The following morning their two chairs were unoccupied, marking their absence from breakfast. Less than thirty minutes had passed before a piercing cry rang through the house. It seemed their bodies had been discovered. With no escape, I was sentenced to death by premature burial. After restraining me, they dropped me into a wooden coffin. All I could hear was the tapping of nails, signifying the sealing of my confines. I felt myself being lowered into the pit. The rhythmic pattern of dirt being dumped into the hole was in tune with my pounding heart.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Piles upon piles of dirt. The weight accumulated, compressing my coffin six feet under. My throat was hoarse, and my fingernails were bloodied from my attempts to scratch the lid into pieces. The sounds of thumping were now gone. While I lay there for the next few hours, unable to do anything, my oxygen supply was replaced with the carbon dioxide I breathed out. My cause of death was asphyxiation. My body remains there to this day, under the flagstones that pave the way. It is said that on Friday evenings, at nine o’clock, I haunt Dark Entry, cursing some who walk past with death. This is all true. If you feel my hand rest on your right shoulder, don’t turn around and you’ll walk away comparatively unscathed. But if you feel my hand and do turn around, it would be foolish, for I will curse you with an untimely demise the following year. It’s my job. I go around cursing people. So, watch out for my hand next time you enter Dark Entry on a Friday night.

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e c a Time

A short history of smileys, emoticons and emojis by David Perkins, teacher of History.

ome people were puzzled back in 2015 when the Oxford businessman to communicate a pithy message to the factory floor English Dictionary declared the ‘face with tears of joy’ emoji or the doctor to consult with a pharmacist. They were supposed its word of the year. Had the OED lost the plot? Was an emoji to be used for serious and perfunctory business purposes. After really a word? Most linguists agree that a word is an individual unit a while phone companies gave in to demands for the domestic that conveys meaning: so, an emoji seems to fit the definition. The use of the telephone, but they imagined business-like usage such selection of an emoji for word of the year reflected the way that as ordering groceries or calling the police. Phone companies were technology is changing the way people communicate and relate horrified to learn that their residential customers were using to each other. Emojis have come to permeate phones for ‘idle chit chat’, said Fischer. ‘For a informal online communications. They began as a couple of decades, the phone company resisted ‘Change came global mode of communication only in 2011 but and tried to suppress the use of phones for those in the 1920s within four years were being used by an estimated purposes. There was real tension between various 90 percent of the online population. By 2015 companies and their residential customers, when the largest more than six billion were being sent every day. particularly women.’ Change came in the 1920s phone provider, Nonetheless, there are still some people who when the largest phone provider, AT&T, updated AT&T, updated its would rather die than, say, add EMOJI to the end its management and marketing. It began selling of a sentence. personal phone use to keep in touch with family, management and holiday greetings and maintain a person’s marketing. It began send In the beginning was the emoticon, a combination social calendar. Even so, phone companies still selling personal phone had hang-ups: they considered ‘hello’ a vulgar of colon and parenthesis that makes a happy face – :). Correct usage of emoticons was once the greeting. In the end, neither the worst fears nor use to keep in touch epitome of online sophistication :-) At the dawn of the highest hopes of the telephone came to pass. with family.’ the internet, lengthy lists were drawn up to help Instead, phone companies slowly accommodated people navigate cyberspace. The golden age of people by letting them use phones in the ways emoticons and acronyms lasted from the 1980s into the 1990s. they wanted. This is a pattern that would be repeated in later years. Nonetheless, the emoji has come along in the last decade or so as a high-definition emoticon coated with a patina of verisimilitude. Emoticons in the modern sense emerged from the 1960s. That tumultuous decade brought several complex issues to the fore – The history of telecommunications can tell us something about why race, war, women’s rights – and the tensions produced by these we are where we are today. There are some parallels between the development of the social use of emoticons and emojis in recent times and the development of the social use of the telephone in the early-to-mid Twentieth Century. In both cases developments did not happen entirely as corporate handbooks had envisaged. Another recurring feature has been that male-dominated telephone companies tend to overlook female customers. In America Calling, a Social History of the Telephone to 1940 (1992), Claude Fischer noted that in the first half of the 20th Century the telephone triggered a massive wave of anxiety. There was a concern that it would change society: the pervasive sound of telephone bells would destroy privacy, and relaxation would become non-existent. Many new users feared the telephone would ruin social interaction. Could the telephone bring about the downfall of modern society? Telephone usage developed in ways that corporate manuals had not expected. The first telephone networks were created for business rather than personal use. For instance, they allowed the 22

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cross-cutting cleavages in American society continued into the 1970s. It was at just that moment – in a very anxious decade – that a plain symbol of happiness exploded on the scene: a yellow smiley face. The smiley graced more than 50 million badges by 1972. It was a semiotic transmitter of a new and different way of looking at the world. The smiley became an emblem of the times, even if cloyingly superficial.

Tracking down who was first to do something can be far from easy. Some people claim Vladimir Nabokov was the true father of the emoticon. Nabokov was interviewed in 1969 for an article in The New York Times, and was asked, ‘How do you rank yourself among writers (living) and of the immediate past?’ His ‘It was at just that response: ‘I often think there should exist moment – in a very What is commonly considered the a special typographical sign for a smile first emoticon was created in 1963 anxious decade – that – some sort of concave mark, a supine by commercial artist Harvey Ball of round bracket, which I would now like a plain symbol of Worcester, Massachusetts. He was to trace in reply to your question.’ There happiness exploded originally commissioned to raise morale are some earlier candidates: possible at an insurance company: managers on the scene: a yellow examples of smileys have been noted in wanted employees to at least pin on a the King James Bible, a winking smiley smiley face.’ happy face after the company had gone in the transcript of a speech (1862) by through a stressful merger: ‘We want to Abraham Lincoln =|:-)= as well as :) in be the smile insurance company. This is how we do business Robert Herrick’s ‘To Fortune’ (1648): – pleasantly and with a smile.’ Ball did not trademark the image that could have made him extremely rich and instead Tumble me down, and I will sit received a total of $240 for his efforts. Upon my ruins, (smiling yet :) It was left to a pair of Philadelphia brothers, Bernard and Murray Spain, to make the smiley sensation go viral in the 1970s: their series of buttons, coffee mugs, T-shirts and bumper stickers added ‘Have a happy day’ to the image (or ‘nice day’) and trademarked that combination in 1971. The smiley swept across the land, and the Spain brothers took $1 million in the first half of 1971 alone.

However, these early instances of smileys are generally considered more likely typos than true emoticons :( However, there is a more plausible candidate out there. The American satirical Puck Magazine for 30 March 1881 published the following:

In 1971 Franklin Loufrani designed a smiley face as part of a newspaper promotion without, he claimed, ever seeing Harvey Ball’s creation. Loufrani registered it as a trademark in 80 countries. Ball later called Loufrani ‘a creep’. Loufrani’s claims on the smiley face incensed Ball. To promote what he said was the true meaning of the image, Ball launched World Smile Day in 1999 and trademarked the name, before his death in 2001. Harvey Ball’s legacy company – the World Smile Corporation – still sells genuine smiley products today. The smiley sensation withered in the mid1970s but rose again with the invention in the early 1980s of the emoticon.

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‘Emojis were originally envisioned as a shortcut for mobile users to use rudimentary graphics despite the painfully slow connection speeds.’

Just over one hundred years later, in 1982, Scott Fahlman, a research professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, introduced the emoticon as an electronic construct. He posted :) on the university’s electronic bulletin board. The bulletin board was part of what was perhaps the first virtual community. The Message Service Group, MsgGroup, was launched in 1975 as a central discussion point for the ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet. Fahlman codified the emoticons :) and :( as signifying ‘joke’ and ‘non-joke’.

as totally cute. They repurposed them for their own use and emojis went viral. DoCoMo declined to patent their emojis and so they were adopted across the board. Emojis became so pervasive in Japan that they nearly sank the Japanese launch of the Apple iPhone in 2009. The original iPhone had no emoji capacity and Japanese customers stayed away in droves. Apple quickly released an emergency local update. Apple didn’t initially see the emojis as anything other than a local Japanese curiosity but belatedly picked up on worldwide demand and emojis were introduced globally in 2011. At the same time Apple worked hand in hand with the other major Western technology companies to encode emojis from the multiple Japanese formats into Unicode, the universally accepted encoding standard. Standardisation and Westernisation paved the way for expansion outside Japan but arguably made emojis less attractive in Japan itself.

‘‘Fahlman codified the emoticons :) and :( as signifying ‘joke’ and ‘non-joke’.’’

When texting arrived on mobile phones in the 1990s the limitations of the technology at the time, together with the cost, made messages very succinct. This led to a whole new, albeit shortlived, set of spelling conventions: txtspk. The Japanese mobile company DoCoMo introduced proto-emoji in 1999 to give spare text messages an additional layer of expressive complexity. In comparison to modern standards, the crude matrix-dot designs are very basic: the monochromatic DoCoMo emojis shared the same basic concept but were a world away from the slickly produced, subtly shaded designs of today.

Emojis were originally envisioned as a shortcut for mobile users to use rudimentary graphics despite the painfully slow connection speeds of the era. Rather like the development of the common social use of the telephone in the early C20th, emoji weren’t used in the way corporate handbooks imagined. Emojis went viral among young Japanese women, women who saw the little faces and hearts 24

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Emojis have arguably been one of the biggest communication breakthroughs since people took to the Internet. For people who grew up on Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook, emojis were the perfect ‘boundary form’, as Mimi Ito, a University of California Irvine cultural anthropologist described it, because it combined both language and image. One novel but commonly observed aspect of emojis, compared to their predecessor forms of communication, is that they have a kind of built-in obsolescence – they are designed to be updated. In The Emoji Revolution: How Technology is Shaping the Future of Communication (2019), Philip Seargeant

‘In 1982, Scott Fahlman, a research professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, introduced the emoticon as an electronic construct. He posted :) on the university’s electronic bulletin board.’

notes that the built-in obsolescence aspect is something that has never previously been the case in communication systems: ‘In the past, people might have bought a new landline when they were tired of the design of their old phone or if they wanted to get one with whatever latest innovation was going around – inbuilt answering machine, say. But they didn’t have to upgrade the language they were using as well.’ For some traditionalists, emoticons and emojis – together with texting shorthand – signal an intellectual disaster zone but other commentators see these insouciant little guys as having a positive and democratic function. Is the luxuriant growth of emojis a sign of the apocalypse? Do abbreviations stunt language growth? Like early fears of the telephone, perhaps the concerns don’t quite ring true. Like the emoji, the telephone ended up not being used quite as the original corporate script imagined. The well-known historian of language, David Crystal, author of Txtng: the Gr8 Db8 (2008), has remarked: ‘The Internet is fostering new forms of creativity through language.’ David Crystal has also suggested that the now dated-looking emoticon lexicons created in the 1990s and early 2000s could provide an indication of where the emoji is headed. The emoji could prove an intellectual

cul-de-sac that is channelling users down narrow-gauge lines of thought and expression. It could be doomed as its users move on to the latest thing. But reports of the death of the emoji are most likely going to be exaggerated because people delight in the visual, and the emoji is possessed of an inherent – possibly unexpected – dynamism.

‘Reports of the death of the emoji are most likely going to be exaggerated because people delight in the visual.’

‘Emojis became so pervasive in Japan that they nearly sank the Japanese launch of the Apple iPhone in 2009.’

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Why

Maths?

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Dr. Richard Johnson, who teaches Maths, explains why he teaches Maths.

‘‘Whether it’s ‘Do I have time to take the cat to the vet before I need to do the school run?’, we endlessly perform small calculations that involve comparing numbers.’’

t is almost a running joke that every mathematical prowess, and clearly require Maths teacher hates hearing one more understanding of Mathematics than question above all others. The plaintive your average person who stopped shortly cry of ‘When will we ever use this?’ from after Pythagoras. However, there is a small, the back row is meant to send us into fits often strange, subset of society who study of dread as we desperately claim that every Maths purely as an end in itself. They don’t gardener starts by measuring out a pair of go on to become scientists, but continue intersecting circles and calculating how much merely to explore Maths for its own sake. fertiliser they’ll need. This is not entirely Why do these people exist? What drives true – partially because the them? scenario is so well known that pupils themselves It’s hard to justify the work ‘There is no denying they are doing on the basis largely avoid asking this that Engineers, because it would seem that it has applications. The rather predictable. Pupils Physicists and a host work being done by Maths and teachers also both researchers today is some of other scientists recognise the ridiculous way in advance of the actual live and die by nature of that discussion, sciences that will one day and in practice are largely use it. It is unclear just how their mathematical satisfied with the answer in far ahead Mathematics prowess.’ the picture. is, and estimates vary from roughly 200 years to There are genuine something closer to 50, applications of GCSE-level Maths that adults depending on which field you look at. To take encounter. It is extremely rare that someone an example, if in Physics one wants to work will consciously write down equations and out how much of a fluid is leaving a certain solve them, but the ability to manipulate space, one might use Green’s Theorem. numbers to work things out is surprisingly This gives a very neat way of reducing the prevalent in daily life. Whether it’s as simple problem of adding up all the flows to a as ‘Can I afford both the trousers and single simple integral, and continues to see t-shirt?’ or a more complicated question, applications in the workplace today. Green’s like ‘Do I have time to take the cat to the vet before I need to do the school run?’, we endlessly perform small calculations that involve comparing numbers. All of this the GCSE helped to train us for. A more pressing question that sometimes keeps me up at night is, Why do more than a GCSE? In particular, why would anyone study Mathematics at university? One reason to study Maths at a higher level is to prepare you to use it. There is no denying that Engineers, Physicists and a host of other scientists live and die by their

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‘Mathematicians are also scrabbling around in the dark. Often lacking a clear direction of what to look at next.’

Theorem was discovered in 1828. If one wanted to schedule a tournament so that teams only face each other once each, one might look to the works of Steiner to discover a possible structure. Steiner was, again, active in the early-tomid 19th Century. Time and time again we discover that the answers to even complicated modern-day questions rely on the mathematics discovered generations ago. It has been suggested that mathematics was therefore completed at some point in the past, but as human advancement continues we do seem to be finding new applications. For a more recent example, the work of Mantel in 1907 kicked off a new area of research called extremal graph theory, which initially seemed like little more than a peculiar bit of fun. With the growth of the Internet this has seen enormous interest in identifying what substructures networks must necessarily contain. By the time these questions started to be asked in practice in the 1970s and 1980s, however, they had, largely, already been resolved by mathematicians working decades before. There is a consistent narrative of Mathematics working out the answers before the other sciences get round to asking the questions. Is this happening because mathematicians are clairvoyants? Like Seldon in Asimov’s Foundation series, have we already worked out which direction humans are developing in, and thus are we able to anticipate what will be asked centuries in the future? The truth is disappointing. In reality, mathematicians are also scrabbling around in the dark. Often lacking a clear direction of what to look at next, they seem to be working in a variety of directions simultaneously. When real-life applications expand into the territory Maths has mapped out, it seems like a wonderful coincidence that mathematicians have paved the way, when the real tragedy is all the wasted work that has gone on behind the scenes exploring other routes that end up being unused and neglected. Of course, it is possible that one day we will also expand in other directions too, and there is reason for optimism here. With the increasingly interconnected nature of research, and improved archiving and searching methods available with digitisation of records, one might hope that work is less likely to be lost and thus (hopefully) one day everything will be of use. That happening in the lifetime of the original discoverer, however, seems less and less likely with every passing generation, as Maths moves yet further ahead of the other sciences. While this makes sense on a societal level, it raises the question of why individuals do Mathematics. If you asked an artist to create a beautiful work of art, but told them it would be locked in a vault for 200 years before anyone appreciated it, they might be reluctant to perform. So why 28

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are mathematicians happy to labour on things that will not be appreciated in their lifetimes? To answer this, we must consider what benefits being a mathematician brings. It is certainly indoor work with little heavy lifting, and is thus physically a somewhat comfortable life. There is also a certain satisfaction in doing mathematics that hopefully we can all relate to. Whether it is as simple as cancelling down fractions and watching something complicated become manageable in front of our eyes, or the joy of carrying out a neat integral substitution and everything cancelling beautifully, the feeling is the same. Extracting order from chaos is immensely enjoyable. Many things are, however, enjoyable – alphabetising books and hoovering a carpet might provide similar satisfaction from a job well done. That alone seems like an insufficient reason to pursue something as a livelihood. There is also the status that goes with Mathematics, which must be taken into account. It would be mad for me to claim that people look up to mathematicians, but it is interesting that they are afforded a sort of fearful respect. I recently asked the other doctorate-holders in the school what reaction they normally receive when people realise they have a doctorate. Those with either scientific or arts-based degrees found similar reactions – a nod of respect followed by an earnest attempt to engage with their topic, albeit typically through inadvertently condescendingly simple questions. If one has a degree in Marine Biology, for example, I suspect one can answer something slightly more difficult than ‘What is your favourite shark?’ Mathematicians,

however, seem to consistently receive the same response – a quick compliment about how clever we are, and then the topic is rapidly changed to something else. This is almost certainly driven by fear on the part of the other party that we might start talking about something incredibly boring, but it does feed into a mythos that somehow mathematicians are very intelligent. We must be special and we must stand out from the masses, if only we can engage with this inaccessibly elite subject. The truth is, again, disappointing, as anyone who has seriously looked into research Maths will tell you. When looking at a new problem one tends to start off convinced it is completely impossible, then to have one good idea, and finally conclude that it was trivial all along. Thankfully this triviality is hidden from wider society, who get stuck at stage one and thus credit mathematicians with somehow having the biggest of brains. On a personal level I suspect this continual flattery probably contributes a large amount to the motivation of most professional mathematicians, more than the wish to fulfil the needs of scientists yet to be born. There is a third reason that is often proposed. It is notable that mathematicians tend to be quite similar in their outlook, to be attracted to order and to seek structure in their lives.

There is a chicken and egg question here: do people attracted to order become mathematicians, or does being a mathematician create this affinity for structure? Regardless, once one has that inclination, Mathematics provides an excellent source for it. In an inconstant and ever-changing world full of grey areas and nuance, Mathematics is a reliable rock of certainty. We might change our mind about how we define nationality, or gender, or which acts are morally justifiable, but Pythagoras’s theorem will remain true. This comfort blanket is undeniably attractive to some, and forms the more socially acceptable reason to do sums without appearing desperately insecure. Overall, therefore, why do we study Mathematics? Clearly for many it is just compulsory, the GCSE being a universal requirement for most jobs. Studying beyond that is of benefit to society since mathematical research continues to be an important pillar of scientific understanding, and even though the maths community is largely working on problems far into mankind’s future, that is no reason to stop. When the call comes for solutions it is important that it is not mathematical ignorance that holds things up. It is also enjoyable. The process of solving questions itself is satisfying, and the subject matter is appealingly concrete in an otherwise fluid world.

‘If I were to be honest, I suspect it is really the wish for recognition and flattery that drives most of us. It is immensely satisfying to be thought of as smart.’

However, if I were to be honest, I suspect it is really the wish for recognition and flattery that drives most of us. It is immensely satisfying to be thought of as smart. Intellectual peacocking has a well established history and, if a wish for such fulfilment continues to drive future generations the way it has in the past, that may be no bad thing.

‘Why are mathematicians happy to labour on things that will not be appreciated in their lifetimes?’ CANTUARIAN | 2021

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Prose Poem by Honor Fox (WL)

The earth stares at the stars. Lying face up, Canterbury gazes blankly at the spinning stars and rushing clouds, but beneath the cobbled streets, beneath the boggy grassland, beneath the ancient oaks, hide myriad stories. Generations have worn away the ground, travelling from place to place. Pilgrims paying their homage to Canterbury Cathedral converse above the braying of their donkeys. Suited employees hurry through winding streets, their faces masks of solemnity, their briefcases and suits affirmation of their prestige. Schoolchildren’s laughter echoes around the town. The ground soaks in their stories and they flow through the city like the river. Sometimes muddied and indistinct, sometimes limpid and explicit, river grasses bend at the will of the river to entangle and intertwine these tales. The earth talks to the stars. The trees reach up to the sky, attempting to narrate their history, but in vain. The cathedral spire juts up starkly against the skyline, outstretched in its effort to touch the stars. Sunlight streams through the stained-glass windows, tainted red, green and blue. The stories depicted in the windows filter the light, bringing themselves life anew. Songs echo through the nave along with the resonant tones of the organ, and a single tone emerges above the clamour of harmonies competing for attention. This tone is the melody. The cathedral is more than a building; it tells a story. Monks would worship there, choristers perform in its chambers, and hundreds of lives gone by are contained in the crypt. To man, Canterbury Cathedral is an engineering wonder, a sacred site and, most importantly, it holds the history of Canterbury. To the vast sky it is nothing.

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And

‘‘Our culture has become mentally and visually fixated with increased screen time that negatively affects the nervous system, impairs the quality of our breathing and our ability to be ‘present’.’’

Breathe

Dave Willis teaches Tai Chi

because, he says, we need to restore balance to our lives.

ai Chi is a complex exercise system that originates from China, a mixture of Daoist and Buddhist philosophies that have been around for about three hundred years. It was originally practised as a martial art by the imperial guards of the emperor. However, the elements that give the movements their internal health benefits and meditation can be traced back four thousand years and are essentially Daoist in origin, but there is some debate as to the Buddhist influence, since this was a time of great cultural exchange between China and India.

My first teacher visited Canterbury hospital, asking each department if they would like him to teach Tai Chi. The chronic pain team said they could give him a space but had no funding, so he taught for free. After a few months, patients were showing progress with balance, walking and strength in their legs and an improvement in their general positivity and wellbeing. Eventually the team took him on and now there are three of us teaching regular classes all over East Kent. Although these classes cannot always fix the underlying condition, Tai Chi can be an excellent way of managing pain.

The sequence of movements, or forms, associated with Tai Chi take many years to learn and refine, as there are many layers that only arise through regular practice and the softening and opening of the body and energy channels. There are many different styles that are all variations and developments of each other and it is sometimes said that for the first fifteen years you are still considered a beginner! I took up this exercise for health reasons over twenty years ago and was amazed at what the movements did for my body and mind. I came to realise that my health issues stemmed from my body being incredibly tight and tense, and by slowly opening and releasing through Tai Chi I could get it moving internally again. My breathing was shallow but with diaphragmatic exercises over time I managed to soften, quieten and extend my breath and relax my nervous system.

Our culture has become mentally and visually fixated with increased screen time that negatively affects the nervous system, impairs the quality of our breathing and our ability to be ‘present’ to the body, lessens time for the mind to rest and become still, and degrades the quality of our sleep. This can lead to fatigue, burn-out, headaches and migraines. Our current lifestyle is dominated by Yang – pushing, stretching, over-exerting and giving everything 100% or more. In Tai Chi there is the ‘golden mean rule’, by which you only go to 70% of what you can do, and less if injured, since eventually by doing less you can do more. Our life is about balance because the mind and body need both activity and rest. There is a famous Daoist saying: ‘You become what you practise.’

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m o lo

King’s

B In

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The Cantuarian asked Naomi Cray (KD) to have a chat with new Chief Gardener, Ali Aitken. They met in a garden.

hat does your new job involve?

I’m in charge of the whole team so over the weekend I plan the week’s work for everyone then send it out so they know each day what their jobs are going to be for the morning and afternoon. Obviously, it never goes to plan, and extra things always get thrown in. What we’re trying to do at the moment is maintain the gardens. It’s Autumn now so our main concern is with lots of leaves that need raking up and clearing from high-traffic areas. Leaves on grass are not good for grass. But we do need them in the borders because they rot down and make a really nice mulch, although aesthetically it’s not pleasing when you’ve got a border full of leaves. Currently, we are also putting out our winter bedding, displays and bulbs, which is a joyful job. It’s mainly just maintaining the gardens and trying to improve them at the moment.

What would you say are the best and worst parts to the working environment at King’s and how is it different from everywhere else you’ve worked?

Before I became a gardener, I was a teaching assistant, so this was a complete career change. I worked with a different company before King’s, which involved going around people’s houses and doing their gardens. Here it’s nice because you can make plans to improve the school, whereas when you’re doing somebody’s garden you’re really just maintaining it. There’s a long-term plan here, which is nice, and I can have a vision of what the gardens are going to look like. The other big benefit is the stunning surroundings; the buildings are just amazing. It’s a beautiful backdrop I work with every single day, and I actually feel quite blessed when I see where I am because it’s gorgeous. King’s is such a friendly school as well, you know; all the

staff are welcoming and the pupils are as well. I find it a really lovely place to work, the friendliness especially – I think that makes it feel like we don’t just work for the school; we feel part of it. It’s really important to have that feeling of community.

What’s your vision for the school gardens in 5 to 10 years’ time?

Definitely going back to basics in the sense that we’re starting from the ground up, because I believe we are much more horticulturally knowledgeable these days. So, things like soil: if you don’t have a decent soil nothing will grow; you could put in the most expensive plant in the world but if it’s got not any goodness to grow from it’s not going to grow. We’re going back to getting some goodness into the soil and then nurturing our plants. Winter interest is definitely something we’re trying to build CANTUARIAN | 2021

‘The objective here for me is you guys and the staff – to bring you some joy.’ up, producing colour throughout the year in the school, because the pupils and staff are not here in the summer, which is when we have a lot of colour and variety. We’re also becoming more organic; I’m not a great fan of pesticides. Obviously we spray paths because there’s lots of weeds and it’s a huge area but as far as plants and things like that are concerned I would much rather encourage insects to do the work for us. That’s something I really am keen to do; I want to try and get the plants and feeders sorted so that we can get more pollinators, birds and insects into our gardens doing the jobs that they should be doing. Simple things like water butts using rainwater as opposed to water out of the tap – it’s free and it’s good for the garden. I think we really need to be more sustainable and environmentally aware. We’ve got two electric blowers but everything else runs on petrol at the moment. Obviously electric equipment is still very new so battery life is an issue for us because it’s a big site. Blowers will last about 40 minutes on one 36

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battery whereas petrol ones can go all day. Things like that we will be slowly changing as we become greener.

This year you helped win Canterbury in Bloom; what did you have to do for that and how’s it judged?

‘There’s a long-term plan here, which is nice, and I can have a vision of what the gardens are going to look like.’

It’s a community project and there were 25 different parts of Canterbury involved. It started off at St. Augustine’s in the actual abbey itself and places like Christchurch were involved and open areas like Beverly Meadows as well. The RHS [Royal Horticultural Society] judges come round, and they are looking to see a community pulling together to make it more beautiful and aware of rubbish and graffiti, as well as getting more colour and light into the city. We tried to make our gardens look as good as possible and told them what our plans were and what we’d done. The school played a small part, but it was lovely to be a part of something different.

What would you say the pros and cons of the job are?

The pros are definitely the beautiful surroundings, and the cons are that many of our plants have lacked careful nurturing so we’re chasing our tails a bit. For example, you need a proper plan for correct pruning, so you can do things at the right time of year, not get out the hedge-trimmers regardless of when it is. We’re trying to reverse everything, make sure it’s being done at the correct time; sometimes things might look a little bit shabby because, if we cut them we just cut out all the flowers for next year so it’s a work-in-progress. I’ve only been in this role for a month at the moment so there’s still loads of work to do; I’m fully aware that this first year is going to be really hard. I’ve got a little plaque at home that says ‘if you believe in gardening you believe in tomorrow’ and it’s true because what we’re planting at the moment – those bulbs will grow in our future.

Do you consider the job rewarding?

Definitely. It’s very rewarding. The other day I was up near Marlowe, and Mr. Harrison was doing a roll call, and there was a young girl sitting on a bench, and in the pots we’ve got some plants, Stachys byzantina, but they’re really soft and she was stroking them. That made my day, because that’s what I try to achieve – the plants are there for you guys to enjoy and they’re not just for looking at. Some of them are really tactile; it’s like grass: I can’t go past without touching it. That’s what we are doing this for; if somebody walks through Lattergate, say, and they’re feeling a bit down and the brightness or colour helps boost their spirits, then job done for me. If I get bit stressed all I’ve got to do is go and do some proper gardening, not running around doing managerial stuff, and I feel so much better. It’s so good for your mental health and wellbeing. The objective here for me is you guys and the staff – to bring you some joy. It’s as simple as that; if the grounds look nice so that when you walk through and aren’t even aware of it but subconsciously it helps you feel better then I’m happy.

‘I find it a really lovely place to work, the friendliness especially – I think that makes it feel like we don’t just work for the school; we feel part of it.’

Nice talking to you.

Thank you very much.

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t i ra

t r of an o P

t s i t r A In

Ben Dickson is a local artist who designed and painted a mural of Somerset Maugham for Whitstable in 2021.

am a portrait artist living and working in Whitstable. I paint portraits in designer’s gouache and make lino-print portraits. Although I’m a commercial artist, I used to be an art therapist and I have a particular interest in making images of famous people who have succeeded despite various struggles in their private lives. Living in Kent, I also have an interest in famous people with a local connection. I was the artist behind The Marlowe Theatre Cut Outs #marloweflatmates and I work on various other commissioned projects. Learning about his local hero status, I originally did a lino print of Somerset Maugham about ten years ago and was invited by WhitLit (The Whitstable Literature Society) to project that image onto the side of a local business, in the centre of Whitstable, during its annual festival. The event was so successful that we planned to make this a permanent fixture to re-connect this famous literary figure with his home town.

Maugham in his time was the most wellpaid writer in the world. As I worked on getting planning permission and finding a suitable permanent site for the mural, I read a lot more about Maugham’s amazing personal life and hugely successfully writing career. Several of his most successful books refer to Maugham’s difficult childhood in Whitstable, or ‘Blackstable’ as he refers to it. It’s fair to say that Maugham had many struggles in his early years but he went on to have an incredible life, working variously as a medic in WW1, a spy in Russia and a hugely successful writer. He also travelled all over the world as an independent visitor and famously led an unrepressed personal life. Having fund-raised on Go Fund Me, I was fortunate to gain a lot of local support from individuals and businesses, and in the late summer of 2021 I painted the actual mural, and the accompanying text was painted by local signwriter Gary Wells. Several willing volunteers also helped with measuring out the mural, and some painting. I decided

to paint the mural myself because it had became a labour of love after I’d taken two years to get the support and permissions. ‘Writing Is The Supreme Solace’ as a suitable literary quote was agreed with Nic Paravicini, Maugham’s grandson, who has also been a great supporter of the project. The actual painting is based on the original lino print with a style that reflects the relief-print feel. Because of his status as an amazing local cultural icon I would like to encourage a closer connection between Maugham and Whitstable, which has been somewhat lost over the years. It would be great to do some legacy projects, like having a ‘quote trial’ and other activities that would encourage cultural tourists to come and visit Maugham’s childhood home. You can see examples of Ben Dickson’s work at: www.originalportraitart.com and @bendickson_print

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Memories of

Maugham 40

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Nicolas Paravicini pays tribute to his grandfather, Somerset Maugham.

he name Somerset had been in my great-grandmother’s family for generations, but it was my grandfather who made it famous. It is my middle name, and my sons’ and their sons’, so I expect it will continue in my family for generations to come.

‘The Villa Mauresque was high up on Cap Ferrat, and the road was steep with many tight bends... My grandfather kept missing the gear change, and we would roll back to the edge of the road before he could engage the gear.’

Image: Maugham at the gate of Villa Mauresque, 1959.

put right before we could go and see him. However, starting in 1947 we would stay with him for two weeks every summer. We would leave London from Victoria Station on the Golden Arrow, cross to France by ferry and rejoin the train to Paris. There we would transfer to the famous Blue Train, which would take us through the night to the Riviera. The train was not air-conditioned and my sister and I were very hot in our thick English clothes. I remember I was not even allowed to take my tie off until we had reached the villa!

In 1940 my grandfather was asked by Winston Churchill to go to America and make speeches across the country telling the Americans what was happening in Britain, about which they were largely ignorant. My father had ‘On one occasion we gone to the war with his went to see him in regiment, and my mother Hollywood where he had become a nurse, only to find she was expecting was working on one her second child, my sister of the many films Camilla.

We finally arrived at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, where we were greeted by my grandfather, looking very cool in white linen shirt and trousers. His chauffeur, made of his books.’ Jean, who had been with My grandfather suggested him for twenty years, took my mother and I should everybody except my go to New York, which we grandfather and me in a duly did. In 1941 my sister was born there large Buick to the villa on Cap Ferrat. I went and we stayed for the next three years. We with my grandfather in a black Citroën, like saw my grandfather regularly in New York the French police had in those days. The gear and also staying with him in his house in lever stuck out of the dashboard and I don’t South Carolina. He loved children and would think it was a very easy car to drive. The often read to me. On one occasion we went Villa Mauresque was high up on Cap Ferrat, to see him in Hollywood where he was working on one of the many films made of his books. This entailed a three-day journey by train, which I found very exciting and still remember clearly. We returned to England in 1944, but my grandfather had to wait till the war was over before he could return to his house, the Villa Mauresque on the French Riviera. The house had a lot of war damage which had to be

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Image: Opening of the Maugham Library at The King’s School, Canterbury.

and the road was steep with many tight bends. We chatted away, but at every bend it was necessary to change down. My grandfather kept missing the gear change, and we would roll back to the edge of the road before he could engage the gear. Somehow we avoided going over the edge, but it was quite alarming, and it was a relief to reach the top. The villa was a large white building set in 40 acres of gardens which rose in beautifully tended terraces up from the house to a swimming pool at the top.

Below the house were more gardens and a tennis court, and beyond that were the garages and Jean’s cottage. The villa itself was built round a courtyard, where meals were often taken. The kitchen was presided over by Anette, who was considered the best cook on the Riviera, assisted by Marie – the former small and round and the latter tall and thin. Like most of the staff, they had been with my grandfather for many years, both before and after the war. My grandfather took his food seriously and would discuss menus with Anette. The dishes were elaborate, and some of the recipes had been brought back from far-off places where my grandfather had been on his many travels before the war. For us children coming from rationed England, it took a bit of getting used to. We, however, only joined the grown-ups for lunch, and had simpler fare for our supper.

Image: W. Somerset Maugham at his Cap Ferrat home, Villa Mauresque, 1950.

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My grandfather lived a very disciplined life. He would work in the morning till midday, and then talk to his head gardener before having a swim, which was when we would first see him. At 1pm we would assemble in the drawing room, a beautiful room whose walls were hung with wonderful paintings. My grandfather had two big collections, one

‘He would tell me tales of his travels and he would ask me how I was getting on at school. I treasured those times with him and they were never dull.’

of eighteenth-century theatrical paintings, and one of impressionist artists such as Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Monet and Matisse. There were also three paintings by Picasso, and in his writing room at the top of the house was hung the glass door painted by Gauguin in Tahiti. My grandfather would drink a dry martini and at 1.15 Ernest the butler would announce lunch. He would have a siesta after lunch and then work some more before taking a last swim. I used to find him alone in the drawing room around 7pm dressed for dinner playing solitaire. Sometimes he would abandon his patience and play chess with me. We always talked. He would tell me tales of his travels and he would ask me how I was getting on at school. I treasured those times with him and they were never dull. Many famous people, such as Churchill, Noël Coward and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, to name but a few, were guests at lunch and dinner. The conversation would always flow. My grandfather was a very good raconteur. He had had a stammer (a club foot in Of Human Bondage) all his life, but he had learned to use it to great effect when telling a story.

Image: Maugham and Churchill at Villa Mauresque, 1959.

I have the happiest memories of those summer stays at the Villa Mauresque, but they came to an end when I grew up and joined the Army. I saw him sometimes in London where he always stayed at the Dorchester Hotel, but, sadly, dementia started to attack his magnificent brain in the last few years of his life. In 1965 my grandfather died and I attended his funeral in Canterbury. It was presided over by the Dean of the Cathedral and the Headmaster of the King’s School, where his ashes are interred.

‘Many famous people, such as Churchill, Noël Coward and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, to name but a few, were guests at lunch and dinner.’

Image: Funeral in Canterbury, 1965.

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Doctors are Philosophers Science student, Natalia Kharlamova (HH), spent some time as an intern at a French hospital. Ars longa, vita brevis; occasio praeceps, experimentum periculosum, iudicium difficile. (The art is long, life short; opportunity fleeting, experiment dangerous, judgment difficult.) Hippocrates

n the middle of February 2021, I had the privilege of interning at the Ramsey Santé Private Hospital in Parly II, Le Chesnay, France. The Ramsay Santé Hospital is a private hospital chain founded in 1964 by the Australian entrepreneur, Paul Ramsay AO. Currently, this hospital chain is treating nearly three million patients and has become the leading private hospitalisation provider in France and Europe. My role was to work at the hospital to support both their secretariat and their Covid-testing facility at the hospital pharmacy. What follows is my first-hand impressions of the hospital and their staff, as they navigate the pressures of medicine during a pandemic. A hospital in France during a pandemic was not the chaotic scene I had imagined as conveyed by the press. Instead, I noticed few alarms, an aura of calm, with doctors and nurses moving quickly but never panicked. This was reassuring and highlighted the professionalism of hospital staff. My first three days were spent in the Department of Surgery. Whilst there, I witnessed the entire journey a patient takes from initial admission through to the operation room. Patients were taken on a multi-stage journey. The first stage was the reception of patients by the secretariat, who gather information for the anaesthesiologist and surgeons. It was good to see the digitisation of records, but so many paper forms for patients remain, including those relating to coronavirus and medical consent. In the past year, the secretariat’s role has been as gatekeepers and protectors of not just the specialists’ time but also their 44

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health, as the need for physical examinations is reduced. Those in the secretariat told me that it is not a monotonous job because each day is so different. Moreover, each patient has a different reason for a consultation, different medical condition, and different life story. Prior to one patient’s admission, I had been told by the secretariat that it was important to confirm whether they were taking anticoagulants. This medication prevents blood clots and should be stopped being taken before it leads to uncontrolled bleeding of a wound. I felt a small sense of victory as I answered questions about anti-coagulants using my A’ Level Biology knowledge. I enjoyed applying my theoretical knowledge to a discussion with a medical professional.

After the initial admission, a specialist would hold a consultation with the patient. In my case, I observed a consultation led by an anaesthesiologist. Before the patient entered the office, I noticed that the consultant was entirely dependent on the notes made by the secretariat. This moment underpins the essence of teamwork in medicine. The stages from registration through to surgery required everyone to fulfil their role. Each stage in the process leads to a higher level of decisionmaking, whose quality depends on the notes of all the previous stages. The anaesthesiologist asked the patient ever more in-depth medical questions: What medication do they take? Any allergies? Any fragile teeth? The last question seems so irrelevant; what have teeth got to do with

had become blocked with plaque due to atherosclerosis. In the second operation, an aortic valve was replaced by a suterless (i.e. stitch-free) heart valve called a bio-prothesis. Simultaneously, the second surgery also removed an obstruction of blood flow due to an abnormally thick heart muscle, which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. Although the medical aspects of surgery are interesting, it was the language and cultural barrier between me and the team that proved to be an unexpected challenge. I am a non-native French speaker studying science within a British curriculum, so I found myself constantly adapting to the French professional environment. Their terminology was particularly difficult to interpret, but my excellent When it was the patients’ turn to talk, I noticed supervisor, Anne Quandalle, patiently listened that there was hesitation. There seemed to to me and aided my efforts to adjust to the new medical language, as well as be a million questions worth behavioural and professional asking, but they had little time ‘‘Empathy and care expectations within the to ask. The response by the for patients showed French medical environment. doctor was calm, empathetic, that doctors have purposefully repetitive and reassuring. Paraverbal considerations beyond just The most important thing that I learned on my rounds was communication (i.e. pace, treating the ‘disease’.’’ that philosophical concerns tone) was equally important to were on equal footing with nonverbal communication in this exchange. It was emphasised to me that this medical concerns. Medicine, treatment and openness and understanding between patients operations are complicated and require more and doctors depends on trust and confidentiality. than just knowledge and skill. Doctors must be It makes patients feel that they are in ‘safe intuitive and possess excellent problem-solving hands’. This empathy and care for patients skills; any case could be a battle between showed that doctors have considerations life and death. Any doctor has an obligation to understand the meaning of life and the beyond just treating the ‘disease’. responsibility of protecting that life. Hippocrates On my final day, I was invited into the operation said: ‘A doctor is a philosopher too, since there’s room to view an operation in two parts. This not much difference between wisdom and involved being present in situ and not in a medicine.’ gallery, so I had to put on a sterile gown in a room adjacent to the operation room. When I entered My internship at Ramsey Santé Private Hospital the operation room, I found a patient being was a marvellous experience. Whilst I can see prepared for receiving their first dose of general that the road ahead to become a medical doctor anaesthesia and sedatives. Echoing around the is difficult and long, my experiences in France room was the clinking of glass syringes, while conviced me that medicine is the right path for air bubbles were knocked out of the tubes. All me. Compassion, expertise and teamwork are my senses were overwhelmed, especially by values that resonate with me. It is those values, the smell. The antiseptic iodopovidone literally coupled with scientific expertise, that result in positive outcomes for patients in one’s care. drenched the patient’s full body. any of this? Nevertheless, it is very important for an anaesthesiologist because when inserting a trach tube through the patient’s mouth for the lung machine, if a patient’s fragile teeth are accidentally knocked out, anaesthesiologists can get prosecuted. Therefore, explaining this to the patient and getting their written consent for the risk is crucial.

‘Doctors must be intuitive and possess excellent problemsolving skills; any case could be a battle between life and death.’

I witnessed two operations. The first involved the repair of a right coronary artery which

I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Tseneva-Tavares and the other supervisors who participated in my internship. They took the time out of their busy lives, during a pandemic, to ensure that I could be inspired by their work and the environment of the Ramsey Santé Private Hospital. CANTUARIAN | 2021

Praying for Peace Moh Tarraf (GL)

slamophobia is the act of being prejudiced towards the religion of Islam. It can take many forms, such as verbally abusing and physically harming those of the Islamic faith. The former includes Muslims being the target of countless prejudiced jokes and this sense of humour has been propagated in every environment from the school playground to the break-room in an office.

of Afghanistan by the Taliban, creating a significant number of refugees who are desperate to relocate to safer places but must sadly restart their lives with almost nothing. This cannot be the only perception of Islam. The Islamic religion preaches peace and brother/sisterhood. It wants its peaceful message to be received by Muslims, of course, but its values seek to be integrated within every society across the globe. Only a small minority of Muslims wish to inflict chaos and do so in the name of Islam. The vast majority seek to live in harmony with others and spread Allah’s virtuous message.

After the birth of the religion in 610 AD, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was discriminated against for his beliefs in one God, and he was called a liar ‘Too many people are and fraud, very often It is unpleasant hearing of under the impression people’s experiences with being subject to physical attacks and assassination islamophobia. I can relate that Islam provokes attempts. As a result, to some of these horrific violence and war due he fled his home city of experiences. It was not to many terrorist Mecca to acquire support easy for me to integrate for his beliefs, allowing myself into this country organisations.’ his religion to gather at first. In the playground, momentum and put an I was the subject to many end to his persecution. But even today, the stereotypical jokes, such as ‘go back to where Uyghur Muslim population is right now being you came from’ as well as insults reducing forced into concentration camps where they me to a mere terrorist. Having grown up in are tortured and bullied into renouncing a Muslim family and being surrounded by their faith. With no prospect of foreign Muslim friends, I felt safe and comfortable, intervention, the Uyghur Muslim population and I never imagined people would dislike is rapidly diminishing. me purely because I was slightly different. Islam is the second largest religion in the world with around 1.8 billion followers (24% of the Earth’s population). This religion has shaped the lives of many people, showing them a peaceful, more sensible and disciplined way of living. Islam’s core values and principles have spread across the globe, bringing life and colour to many areas. However, my religion has been cast in a distressing light. To begin with, too many people are under the impression that Islam provokes violence and war due to many terrorist organisations. Indeed, many attacks claim to be carried out in the name of Islam, a recent example being the forceful takeover

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At first, these things did nothing but frighten and sadden me, but as I grew up I began to take pride in who I was and realised that this form of abuse is not to be tolerated. Therefore, in an attempt to combat islamophobia, I founded The King’s School Canterbury Muslim Society with its chief aim to advertise the beauty of my religion to

‘I never imagined people would dislike me purely because I was slightly different.’

‘Even today, the Uyghur Muslim population is right now being forced into concentration camps where they are tortured and bullied into renouncing their faith.’

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‘As is the right of all other races, cultures and religions, Islam must be treated with respect, not with prejudice and fear.’

my peers. Over the past three years, through this society I have seen a significant change in people’s attitude towards Muslims at school, yet there obviously remains much progress to be made in people’s minds outside of school, since I have been the victim of insults on several occasions near my home. In Britain today, there are too many cases of islamophobia. They are generated by radical groups such as the English Defence League (EDL), the Scottish Defence League (SDL) and the National Front (NF), who openly protest against the arrival of foreigners in their country. They spread hate speech against Muslims, causing many of my faith to feel miserable and out of place. As a result, Muslims have a constant target on their backs and must endure regular threats. Moreover, no help is given from powerful figures, such as our Prime Minister, who publicly embarrassed the culture of millions by comparing Muslim women who wear burqas to ‘letter boxes’. Priti Patel, a second-generation immigrant, furthers this hatred towards Muslims and attempts to rid Britain of foreigners. This shows how islamophobia has embedded itself within our society, creating visible rifts between individuals. Muslims belong in this world. As is the right of all other races, cultures and religions, Islam must be treated with respect, not with prejudice and fear. Change must happen, and it must start with re-educating people who misconceive what Islam stands for. Change will occur once people accept that Muslims are in no way different from themselves. Change will ensue once people call out those who discriminate and who view Muslims as outcasts. For example, events like Visit Your Local Mosque Day should be promoted. Bonds must be built with the Muslim community and a sense of solidarity will then be created. Only then will a strong enough platform be formed to counter islamophobia. 48

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‘There obviously remains much progress to be made in people’s minds outside of school, since I have been the victim of insults on several occasions near my home.’

‘Bonds must be built with the Muslim community and a sense of solidarity will then be created.’

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Olivia Yeung OKS recalls how learning to ride horses at King’s changed her life forever.

orse riding isn’t just a sport for me. It’s my passion, my reason to get out of bed every morning, and the reason I kept going during times when I wanted to give up. Before my five years at King’s, I had never been around horses nor learnt to ride. However, I chose to start horse riding because it was a sport I never had the chance to experience in my life. I still remember my first lesson: I didn’t have the right shoes or gloves or a hat. I was just a 14-year-old, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, heading to an unknown location. Throughout my years of riding at Rooting Street, I had the opportunity to know many different horses, but there will always be a small number who made an impact on my life. Sienna, a bay pony with a cheeky personality, taught me to face my fears. I was petrified after falling off Sienna, and wanted to give up riding. My confidence around horses was completely gone. It is totally normal to be scared of horses, since they do have a mind of their own and weigh about half a tonne. However, I was lucky also to have met Cupcake, a grey pony with the kindest eyes, because she taught me to be confident and to build a partnership of trust with horses. I was able to regain my confidence six months after my initial fall. I can’t thank Cupcake enough because she is the reason I fell in love with the sport and with horses. Going horse riding is my way to destress and decompress, and every time I’m riding I subconsciously put my worries and life problems aside and fully focus on riding. Twice a week, for an hour, I feel fully happy and alive again. It resets my mind when I’m stressed or in a low mood. Apart from improving mental and emotional health, horse riding is also great for physical health. It is not uncommon for many to have the idea that we just sit there and the horses do all the work. Horse riding is most definitely a sport. It uses your arm muscles to hold the 50

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reins and control the head and neck of the horse, core muscles for balance, back muscles for posture, and leg muscles to propel the horse forwards (or backwards) and to control the body of the horse. It is true that horses have changed my life. Before I started riding, I never paid much attention to horses, or any other animal species. My interest was in aviation. From horse riding, as well as knowing Cupcake, I was fascinated by how horses moved around. I was amazed at how majestically and smoothly they were able to locomote despite the fact that they are a large animal. This then became a curiosity in other animal species as well as horses, and before long I had a new determination to work as a veterinarian in the future. When I first came to King’s in Shell, I was nervous about being in a new environment, and I struggled to find my own feet. Life seemed

Jumping for

Joy

to be heading in a million different directions, but ‘Perhaps I could do that one day?’ Thankfully I horse riding was always the one thing that kept never gave up because I knew, if I could get over me grounded and kept me going my sense of fear and regain my ‘Going horse riding forwards. The structure of the confidence, I would enjoy horse week with specific time slots for is my way to destress riding as much as the other sports meant I had to ride twice riders did. and decompress, and a week. This helped me with regaining my confidence after every time I’m riding Jumping forwards to my GCSE falling off for the first time. There I subconsciously put exam times: I did everything I was a while when I dreaded could to ride as often as possible, my worries and life horse riding as it felt like I was because I knew that was my way going nowhere and that I would of relaxing and taking a break problems aside.’ be frightened of horses forever. from studies. I remember there However, watching other riders accomplish things was a day when I got quite overwhelmed and I never thought I could do gave me a sense of hope: completely broke down while revising. I was crying

‘It’s my passion, my reason to get out of bed every morning, and the reason I kept going during times when I wanted to give up.’

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My first large-scale competition, held at Saddlesdane Equestrian Centre. I entered 2 rounds, came 5th out of about 50 competitors in one round, but fell off during my second round.

My first King’s Week Showjumping competition with Cupcake. We won 3 rosettes that day.

over the amount of stress I had given to overwhelmed with work and anxious myself, and I was worried about failing all the time. Then the pandemic came. exams. I was still tearful on the journey I could not go horse riding anymore to the stables but the because riding schools moment I got on the were shut due to the horse I knew I couldn’t lockdown. I became ‘Then the pandemic let my emotions get stressed out and came. I could not go the better of me. anxious from the horse-riding anymore By the end of the uncertainties and because riding schools my mental health lesson, I was smiling and laughing and felt declined. There was were shut due to the like I had recharged nothing I could do lockdown. I became my batteries. I was except wait patiently stressed-out and then ready to tackle for the riding schools anxious.’ revision again. to open, and when they finally did I got Fast forward to my final back on the saddle as year at King’s. My 6a year was not easy. soon as I could, and my mental health It was stressful because I was trying to improved. juggle four A’ levels, my application to vet school and preparing for interviews. Now I’m in my second year of the I was nervous about whether I’d be veterinary medicine course at the able to get a place at university or Royal Veterinary College. I still go not, since the chances of a successful horse riding several times a week and application were low due to the high recently started sharing a pony called number of applicants and limited Skye. I discover new things every time number of places available. I barely I see her, and I believe that anyone can had free time and I was always working learn something from interaction with till late at night. My work-life balance horses. Like us, they are all unique was not stable anymore. I was always individuals. 52

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Group lessons with 3 other riders, from left to right: Monet and Woody, Francesca and Jimmy, Cupcake and I, Charmayne and Sienna. We had a lot of fun together as a group during our riding lessons thanks to our great instructor, Jai.

Final jump from King’s Week Showjumping competition with Cupcake in 2017.

Cupcake and I in Remove.

Me riding Cupcake when I was in Shell - this is one of my very first photos of me riding.

Another photo of Bumble and me.

December 2018, I was in 6b. This was taken just before we went on a hack, from left to right, with Ms Rajska on Pringle, Dominique on Riley, and I was on a little pony called Bumble.

‘Now I’m in my second year of the veterinary medicine course at the Royal Veterinary College. I still go horse riding several times a week and recently started sharing a pony called Skye.’ CANTUARIAN | 2021

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Therin c Liesthe i g a M

Why Will Corbyn,

teacher of Classics, wants you to play Dungeons and Dragons.

HURSDAY NIGHT. Our intrepid band of they reached the backrooms by showing adventurers played by various King’s a willingness to spend large amounts of teachers have just left the city of gold on a magical plant capable of causing Saltmarsh. There, the group had investigated powerful hallucinations, especially among a rumour-clad manor on the moor known for the feline Tabaxi. strange sounds at night. While investigating the place, they had come across a naïve dwarf The party finally discovered the leaders of explorer in distress, called Ned Snakestone. this Tabaxi mafia ring gathered around a In reality, this scoundrel had tricked the restrained Tabaxi in Ned’s clothing. They party and stabbed the were arguing in hushed party in the back (both tones about antidotes literally and figuratively) ‘Surely there was a story and doses of potions. during a life-and-death ensued. After in students and teachers Battle confrontation which some memorable joining together to play a moments, such as a was tottering on a knife’s edge. In fact, it game which many people magical shockwave turned out that Ned that shattered every have heard of but few was a notorious wanted potion vial in the room, criminal in the area. a stunning betrayal of have ever played.’ Next week, the newest the Tabaxi underlings member of the party, a by their own leader dwarf named Bjorn Kegheart, played by Mr. and the last fleeing Tabaxi being knocked Katz, turned out to be a bounty hunter out to exactly 0HP by a punch to the face, the to capture Ned. party won out. With all the vials shattered, the group discovered the most recent batch Later in the city of Seaton, a group of Tabaxi of potion to be brewed – a potion of reveal(humanoid cat-people) bounty hunters had true-form – and administered it to Ned. To been teasing Bjorn for his inability to find their shock, he remained in cat-form: he had his target, and it transpired that they were been a Tabaxi disguised as a dwarf to begin sabotaging his reputation by spreading with. rumours connecting Bjorn and Ned. The party decided that they needed to turn the When Mr. Lyons discovered that the Board tables. Outside the Tabaxi headquarters, Game Society had a group of students playing which doubled up as a seedy nightclub Dungeons and Dragons, he could smell the called the Cat Scratch Club, the party’s makings of an article for The Cantuarian elven wizard, Theren No-Last-Name-‘Cos- brewing, especially when he found out He’s-Mysterious (played by Mr. Raine from that Dr. Johnson, the grand overseer of the International College), cast a ‘locate Wednesday’s board game activity, had taken object’ spell to find the distinctive knife with part along with the students. Surely there which Ned had backstabbed them, and it was a story in students and teachers joining was below the club. After sneaking into the together to play a game which many people establishment in an assortment of hastily have heard of but few have ever played. But assembled disguises (my favourite was then fate intervened. Dr. Johnson was pulled Ms. Warwicker’s character, Hippocleides, away to write about his specialist subject of dressed as a nun), they slipped in through a Maths (how dull!), leaving me to pick up the poorly-guarded side entrance. Once inside, pieces.

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‘As the game grew in popularity, it came into its own. It developed into a unique mixture of collaborative storytelling, improvisation and board-gaming.’

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‘‘Their goal isn’t to ‘defeat’ everyone else at the table, but make things play out in a plausible and exciting way.’’ So, as things stand, it’s up to me to tell you about what Dungeons and Dragons even is, and how to play. Now, to be fair to a certain scurrilous and flaky colleague of mine, I do have my own angle for talking about this subject. The first time I ever played the game was in Galpin’s as a sixth former, having joined the school to do my Latin and Greek A’ Levels. These days I play with other staff members, deceitful mathematicians among them, when the opportunity arises. So, where to begin? Chapter the First: What is Dungeons and Dragons? Dungeons and Dragons (aka: DnD or D&D) is a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) first created in the 1970s by Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax. Let’s break that phrase down. Game = an activity played for fun. Tabletop = played in person around a table, often with some sort of board or playing pieces. Roleplaying = each player has their own character and only makes decisions for that one character. Originally, DnD was all about recreating The Lord of the Rings and the many fantasy novels that tried to imitate it in the following decades. Players could step into the role of their favourite characters and create their own stories, which differed from or resembled the originals. As the game grew in popularity, it came into its own. It developed into a unique mixture of collaborative storytelling, improvisation and board-gaming. It works like this. One player is the Dungeon Master (DM) or Game Master (GM). This player is not the leader, per se, but controls everything that isn’t controlled by one of the other players. Their goal isn’t to ‘defeat’ everyone else at the table, but make things play out in a plausible and exciting way. Everyone else takes control of a Player Character (PC), sometimes with a pet or sidekick to boot. DM and PCs alike play through scenarios in which each ‘side’ must make decisions. Crucially, however, luck is also a factor. For in DnD, players must roll dice – typically a 20-sided die (D20) – to determine their level of success. The harder the

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challenge, the higher the number needed to succeed. This simple mix of making choices and depending on fortune creates a surprisingly simple yet engaging experience for all involved. I like to think of it as an interactive choose-yourown-adventure book that you create in person with your friends without any restrictions on your choices. Nothing else is quite like it – not books, not TV or film, not even video games. Chapter the Second: Why did/do I play DnD? The first session of DnD I ever played or ran was in the then-utility room of Galpin’s, now Matron’s office, and possibly some Shell dorms as well. It really was a case of the blind leading the blind. The 4th edition of DnD was famous (perhaps infamous), for its heavy emphasis on miniatures placed on a grid for keeping track of movement and distance, which was quite overwhelming for a new DM with no miniatures. It also didn’t help that I neglected to take into account the PCs’ ‘proficiency bonus’, a mechanic designed to reflect that the PCs have training at how to do certain things, such as use certain weapons, which resulted in the players at my table rivalling imperial stormtroopers for accuracy. Suspicious and superior glares from whichever sixth former was coming in to do some extra washing were definitely a part of the experience, but we needed the space for an enormous roll of roughly annotated graph paper and random knick-knacks standing in for miniatures. I fondly recall a thimble standing in for an elf at one point. Despite all this, we had a blast and continued regularly until the mid-year 6a panic made things less predictable.

But this doesn’t answer one question: where did I first learn about Dungeons and Dragons? To be honest, I couldn’t tell you. I think that DnD does hold a privileged position in the world of geeky culture, similar to Star Trek or Star Wars. If you have an interest in that world, you know that DnD exists. Nowadays, ‘geek chic’ is in vogue, with shows like Big Bang Theory and Stranger Things depicting DnD and geek culture in a favourable way. My own favourite DnD TV episode is from the show Community, even if it does tend towards presenting DnD players as lonely, depressed and overweight man-children with serious mental health issues. Looking back, I find this a little ironic, since current King’s students may have had TV as their gateway to DnD, whereas my first meaningful interaction with DnD was with a podcast back in 2009 before everyone and their mother had a podcast. In that podcast, a group of cartoonists from the webcomic Penny Arcade (the company that founded the well-known PAX conventions) and their friend Wil Wheaton (who played Wesley from Star Trek: The Next Generation) played the 4th Edition of Dungeons and Dragons, primarily as a novel marketing exercise. The group came to call themselves ‘Acquisitions Incorporated’, a respectable title for a group devoted to looting

valuable goods. The group dynamic pleasingly parodied real life corporate structure. Jerry Holkins played Ominifis (Omin) Dran, a divine cleric and thoroughly unscrupulous CEO of the group. Scott Kurtz played the put-upon dwarf fighter Binwin Bronzebottom, a vested member of Acq Inc always ready to slam his skull into a door for his friends. Mike Krahulik was Jim Darkmagic, another vested member of the company and a flamboyant wizard from a patrician family based in the fictional New Hompshire. Wil Wheaton played Aeofel (Al) Elhromane, the edgy, gruff eladrin (read: superfancy elf) with a penchant for divine retribution. He was Acq Inc’s unpaid intern, although CEO Omin later granted him the ‘status’ of ‘sub-employee’. These days, Acq Inc even has its own DnD books and miniatures, as well as crossovers with other boardgames, such as Clank, a game about snatching treasure from a dungeon and escaping before the slumbering dragon awakens and unleashes havoc (which does seem fitting). I suspect that most people’s first experience of DnD since that point has been through watching others play the game. On a personal note, the original DM of Acq Inc was Chris Perkins, senior story designer for DnD. Perkins is an inspiration for me. When I was 13, I devoured every article in his weekly series called The DM Experience and learnt a lot about storytelling in the process. The opening of this article was even stolen from the format of his articles: he would open every week’s article with a summary of last week’s game. I later listened to 141 episodes of Perkin’s livestream show ‘Dice, Camera, Action’ in podcast form, mainly travelling to and from work. DCA was due to be

‘Originally, DnD was all about recreating The Lord of the Rings and the many fantasy novels that tried to imitate it in the following decades.’

‘Nothing else is quite like it – not books, not TV or film, not even video games.’ CANTUARIAN | 2021

revamped under the title ‘T.O.R.C.H.’ in 2019, but that was delayed and fizzled out for various reasons. It seems that COVID was the final nail in that coffin. The show ‘Nights of Eveningstar’ was created as a replacement, but the only change to T.O.R.C.H.’s lineup was Chris Perkins, seemingly just to spite me. In summary, I have been regularly consuming DnD-themed media or partaking myself for the past thirteen years.

‘As for why you should try playing DnD, if you’ve already read this far, I’d wager that you’d enjoy it.’

Chapter the Third: Why should you play DnD (if you want to) and where to start? As for why you should try playing DnD, if you’ve already read this far, I’d wager that you’d enjoy it. Based on your own interests and personality, the reasons are many: to check off one entry on a geeky bucket list; to see if it lives up to the hype of being ‘the original TTRPG’, because you love fantasy fiction; to scratch a creative itch but in a structured and collaborative way; to make a start in improv without worrying about a stage and an audience; to emulate a podcast or livestream that you’ve been following for a while; to craft the most perfectly efficient bundle of health points and damage bonuses the world has ever known; to spend time with friends that doesn’t involve a screen and just ‘hanging out’ aimlessly; or to make new friends with similar, geeky interests. I could go on. But how to go about this? First, there’s the question of recruitment. The main challenges are simple: recruitment and working out the rules. Step one is to find three other people willing to play and available at the same time for at least two hours at a time. This is challenging enough at King’s. Moreover,

‘I fondly recall a thimble standing in for an elf at one point.’ 60

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especially as a teenager, approaching someone over a nerdy hobby can feel like a making a dark and terrible confession to a priest. But fear not. The first place that people usually look is their close friends. They have the advantage that you probably already know if they have DnD-adjacent interests. Even if they don’t, you might be able to persuade them to try something at least once, in which case you have acquired either a temporary guinea pig or a long-term convert. Each has their uses. The path of least resistance for DnD recruitment is going through channels related to DnD. Board-gaming activity? Check. Retro-gaming activity? Perfect. Classics Club? Fine choice. You might be surprised. I went looking for three or four players among the staff body and found nine. Nine! That brings us to step two. Taking the lead on organisation could bring with it an expectation that you’ll be the DM, the person most responsible for the story and the rules. For a new player, this can be intimidating. Again, be not afraid. For a start, it’s important to be honest with your group in terms of what you want and expect. If you want to be social secretary but not DM, just say so. Once you start playing, remember that being relaxed and having fun is the ultimate goal. In most cases, you simply need to say what your character would do in the current situation, then there might be a D20 roll. It’s that simple. On a more technical note, you have DnD 5th Edition, the most simplified set of rules yet. I would also advise running a prewritten module for your first adventure, ideally the DnD 5th Edition Starter Set. This fine and accessible creation is available for £19.99 or less from Waterstones, any LGS (Local Gaming Shop) or the wonderful world of the interwebs. As potential DM, I’d advise looking for a livestream or podcast of that exact adventure module. There are endless examples out there. For general-purpose DnD content to give you a sense of familiarity with the basic rules, Critical Role, a livestream show on twitch. tv, could do the trick. It’s the most popular DnD show ever by a large margin, with total per-episode viewership of 1.2-1.5 million. But at the end of the day, there’s only one way to learn and that’s by playing. You may start out wanting to be a PC but feel the call of the DM’s chair. You may start out in a classic highfantasy setting but discover that you would prefer a sciencefiction or horror setting, even if it means finding a different TTRPG. You may get into DnD looking for silliness and humour with friends only to become invested in what happens each week or fortnight. Frankly, I know what I like from DnD, which is why I tend to be a DM. What you enjoy most in DnD remains to be seen; you’ll never know if you don’t try.

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u o Y l l e Sm

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Charles Sell, a world authority on the human sense of smell, recently gave a talk at King’s. He says we all have a unique sense of smell and we don’t smell only with our nose.

hy don’t I smell like you? That’s not the most dignified question, perhaps, but it does have a useful double meaning, because every human being not only generates a unique body odour but also smells the world in a unique way.

the requirements of a pheromone since pheromones are defined as being species-specific. Variations in body odour between humans is dependent on both the types and levels of odorant precursors in each individual and also the types and level of different bacteria on the skin of individuals. These two factors are responsible for the wide variation in body odour between humans. The exception is that of identical twins. It has been shown that the degree of difference in malodour components of identical twins is similar to that between samples taken from the same person on different days.

The differences in perception of the same odour by The ability of tracker dogs to follow the scent trail of different individuals is even more striking and leads one specific human even when it crosses trails left by one to deeper understanding of the nature of human other humans is clear evidence that individuality. we each have a distinctive odour. Fresh human sweat is odourless Smell is probably the oldest of our and it is the action of bacteria on senses and is much more complex ‘We know that no two it that produces body odour. There humans will perceive an than most people would think. are many hundreds of different One common and very significant odour in the same way chemicals in stale human sweat. misconception is that odour is when presented with the a molecular property. Odorant There are several main groups of chemicals in this complex mixture. same molecular stimulus.’ molecules are certainly involved in One group contains fatty acids. the generation of odour but there Isovaleric acid is a key component is no simple connection between of foot malodour. One of the key molecular structure and odour. malodorant acids in underarm malodour is 3-methyl- Molecules of volatile chemicals enter the nasal cavity 2-hexenoic acid. The latter is sometimes referred to and are detected (or not, depending on whether or as schizophrenic acid because it was once proposed not the molecule elicits the perception of an odour) to be a characteristic component of the body odour by olfactory receptor proteins in a patch of tissue of schizophrenics but it is present in all humans. The known as the olfactory epithelium. The receptors are acid occurs bound to a protein in underarm secretions present in hair-like projections called cilia that are on and is released by the action of bacteria on the skin. the ends of neurones that run from the nasal mucosa The same is true of a second group of underarm through a bony plate at the base of the brain and malodorant molecules, the sulfanyl alcohols. These into a part of the brain known as the olfactory bulb. elicit an odour reminiscent of rotting onions and their However, the mental image that we call odour does release from human proteins requires the action of not exist at this level but only at a much higher part two different enzymes from two different species of the brain, the orbito-frontal cortex. It is here that of bacteria. Fatty aldehydes contribute the stale we become conscious of the phenomenon that we notes associated with hair malodour and a specific call odour. bacterial species is responsible for their generation from human fats. Androstenone is found in the body We each have about 10,000,000 receptor neurons odour of men but not of women, and is a much- and each of these have 10 – 15 cilia at their terminus studied malodorant. It has been proposed as a sex in the olfactory epithelium. The olfactory receptor pheromone in pigs and humans but it occurs in males proteins are located on these cilia. We each use of all mammalian species and so it fails at least one of about 400 different types of receptor protein and

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each neuron only contains one type of receptor protein. All neurons containing one type of receptor converge on the same place in the olfactory bulb in a structure known as a glomerulus. Each type of odorant molecule can activate a number of different receptor types and each receptor type can respond to a number of different molecules. Therefore, smelling even a pure single chemical generates a complex pattern of electrical activity in the olfactory bulb. DNA analysis has shown that individuals use different combinations of the range of known human olfactory receptor proteins and the variability is such that it is unlikely that any two humans use the same combination of receptor types. Therefore, even at this most basic level in the process, we know that no two humans will perceive an odour in the same way when presented with the same molecular stimulus. The complexity of odour perception increases as the initial signal pattern is interpreted by the brain. The output from the olfactory bulb goes to a part of the brain known as the piriform cortex. The bulb has already begun to process the signal but it is in the piriform cortex that something called an ‘odour object’ is formed. Brain areas dealing with memory can use this odour object to compare with previously experienced objects and so elicit a memory response. Memories are triggered before the person is conscious of smelling anything. Proust’s famous madeleine is an example of that phenomenon. Experience is an important part of odour perception. There are no physical reference points for smell as there are for other senses and we can only describe a smell by comparing it with other smells that we have experienced. We learn to smell, and experience of a wide range of odours and odour types is a crucial part of a perfumer’s training. Newborn infants have been shown to have no odour preferences and it is only through experience that we learn to decide between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ odours. For example, someone who associates the odour of eugenol (the key component of clove

‘‘Newborn infants have been shown to have no odour preferences and it is only through experience that we learn to decide between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ odours.’’

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‘The ability of tracker dogs to follow the scent trail of one specific human even when it crosses trails left by other humans is clear evidence that we each have a distinctive odour.’

‘Wine connoisseurs presented with wine poured from a bottle with a label indicating a cheap wine will rate it poorly even if the wine in the bottle is actually one of the finest.’

almost immediately. By the end of the lecture, all of the audience reported a bad smell and some had to leave the lecture theatre because of nausea. The liquid was, in fact, pure water.

‘Memories are triggered before the person is conscious of smelling anything. Proust’s famous madeleine is an example of that phenomenon.’

odour) with apple pies containing clove buds will find the odour pleasant, whereas another person who associates eugenol with unpleasant experiences at the dental surgery will consider it to be an unpleasant odour. Expectancy also affects odour perception. It has been demonstrated that wine connoisseurs presented with wine poured from a bottle with a label indicating a cheap wine will rate it poorly even if the wine in the bottle is actually one of the finest. Conversely, a cheap wine would be given a better rating if poured from a bottle with the label of a fine wine. A dramatic demonstration of this effect was given by a psychology lecturer who poured a liquid into a basin at the start of a lecture, having told the audience that the liquid was a dangerous substance with a foul smell. Students in the front row reported smelling it

Charles Sell Charles Sell’s research career has involved five different universities and he has 36 years’ experience of research with Givaudan, the world’s leading manufacturer of perfumes and flavours. This research included work in a multi-disciplinary team investigating how the sense of smell functions. Recommended further reading for those interested in the subject of smell and perfumery: C. Sell, Chemistry and the Sense of Smell (2014), John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken New Jersey, ISBN 978-0470-55130-1 G. M. Shepherd, Neurogastronomy (2012), Columbia University Press, New York, ISBN 978-0-231-15910-4

D. A. Wilson and R. J. Stevenson, Learning to Smell (2006), The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, ISBN 0-8018-8368-7 R. L. Doty, The Great Pheromone Myth (2010), The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, ISBN13: 978-0-8018-9347-6, ISBN-10: 0-8018-9347-X C. Sell, Perfume in the Bible (2019), Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, ISBN: 978-1-78801-7305 (This book is illustrated using, among others, many images of the medieval windows of Canterbury Cathedral, a reminder for OKS of their time at King’s.)

Context also affects odour perception. One example is the smell of isovaleric acid. Isovaleric acid is a key component of the smell of unwashed feet, as mentioned earlier, and also of cheese. If smelt in the context of a cupboard full of shoes, it will be described as unpleasant, but in the context of a delicatessen it would be smelt as indicating a good cheese. Our senses interact strongly. If a tasteless, odourless red dye is added to a white wine, even a wine connoisseur will be unable to describe it accurately because the red signal from the visual cortex changes the way the brain interprets the odour signal coming from the nose. (Most of what is referred to as taste is actually smell. The only tastes ‘The audience reported a we have are sweet, bad smell and some had to sour, salt, bitter and leave the lecture theatre umami.)

because of nausea. The

In summary, each liquid was, in fact, pure human uses a water.’ different combination of odour receptors and interprets the signals they generate differently depending on that individual’s experience, their expectancy at the time and the context in which they are smelling. It is essentially the combination of the first two of these factors that result in every human perceiving the smells of the world around them in their own unique way. We might all give smells the same description and this might lead us to believe that we have the same perception as others but this is unlikely to be so. Odour descriptions even of a single pure chemical, such as 2-phenylethanol, a major component of the scent of rose, are learnt. When given a sample of 2-phenylethanol, two perfumers will immediately identify it as 2-phenylethanol and so they are tricked into thinking that they each have the same mental odour percept. However, that is only because they have each learnt to give that name to the odour that they have perceived. Their individual perceptions are most probably different.  CANTUARIAN | 2021

Rebecca Reviewed by Bee Billett (MR)

absolutely adore the novel, Rebecca. It is in my top ten books and this is why. Daphne du Maurier is the queen of suspense! Every page you turn is toasted with tension. As for the characters, they are each a unique and memorable invention. First, Rebecca. Although she may not have any physical form in the novel, that doesn’t mean she isn’t there. Rebecca is said to be accomplished, stylish, ‘easy to love’ and ‘the most beautiful thing I ever saw.’ Everyone, it is said, adored her. Mrs Danvers is so obsessed by her that she is driven to madness. She is by far one of the most memorable characters in fiction and Mrs Danvers helps to make sure of that. Her obsession with Rebecca is reflected in almost everyone (though maybe not so intensely). In the 2020 version of the film, Bee (Keeley Hawes) describes the rest of the characters and herself as ‘mere mortals’, suggesting that Rebecca is like a goddess to all who know her. Rebecca is renowned for her scent of azaleas, and typically scent is connected with memories: just as her scent is strong and ubiquitous so is the memory of her. Much (but not all) of the novel is filled with the narrator’s thoughts and imaginings as well as what actually happens, quite like another of my favourite books, Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, which is a truly spectacular read that I recommend to all. Next there is kind, emotionally intelligent Frank; mild, loyal, harmless Ben; secretive, tempestuous, mysterious Maxim de Winter; Bee, with no emotional intelligence but a

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heart in the right place; and Mrs Danvers: the unforgettable comparisons between her and a skull intensify her aura of grief and rage. Of course, there are more characters to think about, like the servants, Jack Favell and the grandmother, but it would take pages to describe them all and it would be better by far to read the book yourself! Obviously I love the setting as well. Who can’t love Manderley, which du Maurier describes as a jewel in the hollow of a hand, the symmetry of whose walls nothing can destroy. It is the archetypal country house, which is one of my favourite themes in books and films: Howards End, Mansfield Park, Downton Abbey, Gosford Park and many, many more. We musn’t forget the shingle beach, the tortuous drive and the happy valley, which I’m sure everyone longs for. Rebecca is not just enjoyable but engaging. Take the Bluebeard theme: the young and innocent new bride, whose name we’re never told; the dead wife; the implied forbidden places (I won’t give anything away), and the unendurable temptation to go there, which is amplified by Rebecca’s faithful dog, who pines for her. It is Jasper who leads the narrator to one of the forbidden places, and signposts the emotions du Maurier is evoking. If you are a fan of Virginia Woolf, Agatha Christie, or just a book worm, then this is the novel for you: an entrancing and sinuous plot, and many haunting, imaginative, and glamorous characters and locations. What’s not to love? 

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Iron

Bell

Economics teacher and athlete, Matthew Bell, recalls the Kalmar Ironman in Sweden.

t was 05:30 on a Saturday morning. My alarm was set for 5:45 but the excitement and nerves of the relatively unknown had kicked in. I’d done all three distances before but never on the same day with a total target time of 12 hours. Half the battle is getting the nutrition right, so it was important to have a wholesome healthy breakfast of overnight oats, fruit and a strong coffee. Then out the door at 6am and a short 20-minute car journey to the athlete’s enclosure and the start of the swim. The air felt different that morning, as if you could touch the anticipation and energy drifting around. All the athletes were doing their last-minute bike checks, tapping the tyres to check the pressure. It was time to put on my race-ready tri-shorts, to babyoil my legs and shoulders so the wetsuit wouldn’t rub and was easy to take off; and try to remain calm before the 7:00 start. It was a frenzy of bodies, like a raft of penguins waiting their turn to brave the waters. The buzzer sounded and there was a huge splash as hundreds entered the cold Baltic Sea for the first leg – a mere 3.8 km swim. The water temperature was just right, between 12 and 15 degrees: not too cold and not too warm. The trained pros and open swimmers all like to swim in each other’s bubbles: apparently it creates a drafting effect. However, the battering of arms and legs was not to my liking, so I steered to the right, into clean water, which meant I could get comfy and enjoy the next

Pre-race day Ironman Kalmar 2016

75 minutes at my own pace and rhythm. Did it add a little unnecessary distance to the official swim? Yes, but I was happy. Now, I would love to tell you I saw amazing fish, and the sun was beating against the water, but it was grey and overcast, and the only life I could see were swimmers in wetsuits pounding the water. I remember checking my watch after 40mins and I had made a good dent into the swim, well over half-way, which gave me a little boost. Then, approaching the ramp, I surfaced from the water after 74 minutes, so pleased that the first bit was done. Into the transition zone before the bike ride. Most athletes try to make this process from out of the wetsuit onto the bike as quickly as they can. This was

‘The next leg, the one I’d put most training into, was a gruelling 180km, but at least this time it was on beautiful Swedish roads taking in a spattering of sunshine peaking through the clouds.’ 68

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End of Race Ironman Kalmar

not part of my strategy. Time for my second somewhat, thinking about the long drive breakfast – a pronutro, a Ready Break-style from Canterbury, through France, Belgium, cereal and protein shake. Feeling content, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and and having coughed up 11 then Sweden, 17 hours minutes of time, I got the of driving. At least the helmet and sunglasses on, Ironman would take less ‘The air felt different time than that and offered shoes ready, and wheeled the bike to the mount area. me the joy of not having to that morning, as The next leg, the one I’d be so focused. if you could touch put most training into, was the anticipation a gruelling 180km, but at I really enjoyed the first 100 least this time it was on and energy drifting miles but with about 13 beautiful Swedish roads miles to go I got into a rut, around.’ taking in a spattering of felt bored and just wanted sunshine peaking through to start the running leg. I the clouds. decided to stop for swift refreshment and a natural break. Looking I was crouched in the TT position, ready to do back, this was probably the best thing I battle with a swarm of cyclists. It was the days could do as I got back on the bike slightly before I possessed a power meter, so it was fresher, as though I’d stop for ages, but it time to adjust the heart rate with the goal of was only 2 minutes. I decided to embrace keeping it below 130 for as long as possible, the last 25 minutes, trying to take in as much and keeping a decent speed of 20mph. I got as possible from the people on the side of into my groove and pedalled away from the the road, the zipping sound of overbearing start/finish line. I was lucky to have a group wheels, people chasing their dogs and the of super supporters with me, who were crowds lined along the bank. I rolled into the invaluable on the day. The mammoth cycle finish, after exactly 5 hours and 30 minutes. included a full loop of Orland Island, just off Kalmar. The next 4 1/2 hours seemed to fly. Kalmar Swim It was a great chance to let my thoughts drift

‘I decided to embrace the last 25 minutes, trying to take in as much as possible from the people on the side of the road, the zipping sound of overbearing wheels, people chasing their dogs and the crowds lined along the bank.’ CANTUARIAN | 2021

They are quite strict here – you have to unclip from your bike before you enter the transition zone. Otherwise, well… I didn’t even want to think about a penalty, or even disqualification, so I got off well in front of that mark. My change was slick but there no time for afternoon tea. It was time to get the running shoes on and hit the road. Now I’ve done a few very crazy things in my day, but running a marathon after 180km on the bike? A first for me. Yes, 42.2km, or 26.2miles, was what stood between me and getting an ironman finisher’s badge. The pros always tell you that making the adjustment from bike to running is the one of the toughest things, because the muscle groups are different, and your legs feel heavy like two pieces of cold lead. Not today. My legs felt good, like I’d not been on the bike, fresh and raring to go. I had a spring in my step. I blinked and had covered the first 2km in a touch over 8 minutes, well above my target pace. But I knew this wasn’t sustainable and decided to slow down and go at five minutes per kilometre or, in old language, 8 minutes per mile to pace myself for the next gruelling 40km. The run was three equal loops of 14km. The first one seemed too good to be true. I felt strong and kept a good pace. I was through halfway in 1h 48.

I felt quite emotional at the end, not because I was tired but just because I’d accomplished this crazy ultra-triathlon. It gave me an overwhelming sense of pride, having finished something I thought would be impossible. It’s incredible what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. I do remember it was at this point all my body wanted was salt. At the food stand there was an almighty array of food on offer, but I lend over towards the chef and said, ‘Do you mind if I just grab a piece of steak?’ It must be the red-meat-eating South African in me that deep-down just needed the protein. I walked over to the shower area chewing on a steak.

So, that was the Ironman. You are probably wondering what it takes to get there, the start and finish line. I should start by adding that having 25 years of rowing training in my bones and muscles played a significant part in my preparation: being able to fall back on that core fitness, strength and resilience made a huge difference. However, with a view to doing such an event: I set myself achievable goals and did two half-ironman events and a stand-alone marathon. I knew I could always cycle 180 km, having done 100 miles on more than one occasion, and the bike leg would be the ‘easiest’ feat of them all. I always loved riding ‘I’ve done a few very crazy things in my bike. Next task, open water cold my day, but running a marathon after swimming: I was lucky enough to be 180km on the bike? A first for me.’ The roadside support was incredible. supported by Mr. Lister for a few laps My team were always on the right of the Lydd open water. Box ticked. corner or stretch of road when I The funny thing is I only swam half a needed a boost. As I finished the second loop I could feel I was slowing dozen times in preparation for the Ironman, since I realised the swim down. With 12km to go it was like a tidal wave. Whack. For the first wasn’t going to make any difference in the overall event. I entered time I stopped running and had to walk for a few metres. It was at this the Ironman 11 months before the event, giving myself ample time point I reminded myself that I was allowed to walk but never stop. to get strong and fit. Every week followed a similar pattern. Every day The next 10km was a bit of a painful blur, when I was trying to take started with 5-10mins of planking exercises, to ensure I had a strong on sugary carbs and flat coke. I had just passed through the 10-hour core. mark of the Ironman. With 10kms to go, at this point I was into what could be described a slow jog. Running seemed a distant memory. I was still having to walk every 5 minutes, trying get some energy back. I continued to say to myself, ‘Whatever you do, don’t stop.’ because I knew every step was one closer to the finish line. Into the last mile, which was in and around the city of Kalmar, I remembered the second promise I made to myself at the start: no matter what pain I thought I might be in (my legs were pretty damn sore), I was going to run the last kilometre on the cobbled streets and along the red carpet. Approaching the finish line, I could see the sun setting over the church clock tower in the distance. The epiphany of noise created by the crowds and the athlete zone fell silent. I gave the enthusiastic announcer guy a high five and strolled through the finish line, when he said, ‘Matthew Bell, you are an ironman.’ My name popped up on the screen in a time of 11 hours and 11 minutes. Job done!

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IRON MAN TRAINING ROUTINE Monday 6am One-hour morning run with Mr. Mawby with a target of getting as close to 15km as I could – something Mr. Mawby could do with ease, but this was my challenge.

Tuesday Gym: purely strength-aerobic without water. Warm up ergo of 2km. Then a tough 300 workout, designed to create Spartan strength: 25 pull-ups; 50 consecutive deadlifts of 50kgs; 50 push-ups; 50 box jumps; 50 floor-wipers holding a 50kg weight; 50 clean-and-press exercises with a 25kg dumbbell; 25 pullups; 3-minute warm-down on the rowing machine.

Wednesday (post-activities) and early Sunday morning 30- to 50-mile cycle ride.

Thursday Gym: 30 to 40 minutes of interval-based rowing.

Friday Rest day, as important as training.

Saturday (either before or after games) 60-min cycle, usually including interval-based training or deadly hill repeats. Three weeks before the event, I was told by an experienced Ironman athlete, John McAvoy, to complete an ironman over three days: a Saturday swim of 4km in the King’s School Rec pool; a Sunday 180km bike ride around London and Surrey; a Monday 18mile run, before calling it a day to prevent injury. It’s a serious challenge, not one to be taken lightly. I’m proud to have completed it but think one is enough. The only two thing I could probably have done better was getting in a few longer runs (over 20 miles) and focusing on a proper stretching routine.

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THW (This House Would) advertise debating to the whole of King’s, argues Wendy Lian (KD).

t was the final of the 2021-2022 Senior Inter-House Debating. On this occasion I participated as the only online debater, while isolating in the med centre with a 39-degree fever. This was a bizarre experience, which tells you a lot about me, 2021 as a year, and most importantly what debating means to me. (Spoiler Alert: my partner Izzy and I won that final for Kingsdown.) So, what was happening in the Senior Debating Final? A British Parliamentary (BP) style debate mimics debates that go on in the UK Parliament between the government and opposition. It involves eight people divided into four teams of two speakers. Two teams, an opening team and a closing team, speak on behalf of the Government side (aka ‘gov’, ‘proposition’ or ‘prop’) and another two on behalf of the opposition (or ‘opp’). Teams are assigned a side to argue and whether to begin or close out the debate for their side. However, in the end, each pair (not side) is ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th for their speeches. In inter-house debating only the top two teams advance to the next round. This unusual style, where debaters on the same side aim to outdo each other, can create some confusion. Even experienced debaters can sometimes forget their position. However, once the (slightly odd) process of arranging pairs and sides is sorted, all the fun kicks off! One of the things I love about BP is that it was never about how well prepared or how exactly your arguments are phrased. The motion is only released 15 minutes before the competition formally starts, so the assumption is that everyone will need to start their case holding a sheet of scribbled, brain-stormed notes. Day-to-day knowledge of what is going on in the world is so important that I formed the habit of reading the news every day. Good analysis and logic come next, with speaking style last. Although some points are awarded for good public-speaking skills, BP is much friendlier to debaters who do not fit the stereotype of naturally confident, extrovert and expressive. Clarity is what matters. In fact, many of the debaters at King’s are more introverted and often rather quiet in day-to-day life. But wait until you see them in a debate! One of the debating moments most precious to me involves an encounter with an OKS, Harry Trelawney-Vernon (Linacre), at the train station. He was the winner of Senior Inter-House Debating when I was in Shell, and already at university when I bumped into him. I was returning from my first external competition as a Remove. At that time, I had almost no confidence in myself, so I was unbelievably hesitant about whether to go to the competition. My roommate, knowing that I had looked up to Harry as a role model since Shell, encouraged me. She sharply pointed out that I could never become as good as him if I couldn’t even be brave enough to go and debate against people outside King’s. I told him exactly what my roommate told me, and received very warmhearted encouragement, as well as his signature in my debating notebook. From that point onward, I tried signing up for every external competition, with what he said echoing in my mind: ‘I am sure you will definitely do as well as me.’ 72

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Another turning point was when I had to advertise debating to the school for the first time. During World Mental Health Week, King’s held a ‘Yellow Fair’ with many stands. These stands would give out pamphlets, flowers, or simply advertise an activity helpful for mental health. I was asked many times, ‘How can debating, such a competitive and stressful activity, benefit someone’s mental health?’ I answered that it was an extraordinarily inclusive and supportive community, and later had a discussion about this with the coaches. They agreed that many students use it as a way to discuss issues they care about and as a way to vent pressure from other aspects of life. Some of my friends would come to debates with a strong feminist agenda, even though the motion could be on anything. It also boosts your confidence, whether or not you win the competition, since speaking in front of people takes a lot of courage. The relief and joy after finishing your speech are unbelievable. The benign influence of debating on the academic side of my life has also been enormous. The application of analysis is the key skill in BP debating, and applies to all humanities subjects that require evaluation. And the critical thinking required helps one form a more logical and reflective mind-set, which actually extends to STEM subjects, as well as to one’s everyday life. On a more personal level, debating has hugely improved my English. Coming to King’s I was in no way bilingual, having grown up and studied in China all my life. Unable to speak fluent English in 2018, I received Level 9 in both English Literature and English Language at the end of my GCSEs in 2021, and am currently planning to continue Classics at university, which is heavily literature-based.

The

Great

Debate Due to the nature of BP debating, winning the The door of the debating classroom really has a debate often requires very good cooperation whole new world behind it, a world where BP does within the partnership so there is no surprise that not stand for British Petroleum, a world which I many find a correlation between good partnership have been more than fortunate to enter. This is and growing friendship. After where the legacy and spirit of winning the final, I called my debating have been continued: debating partner since Shell, Izzy from coaches (who are OKS ‘The door of the Karen (also of Kingsdown), and that debated for King’s) to us, debating classroom and us as Senior to Junior. It is chatted until almost midnight, talking about how we first a wordlessly good feeling to sit really has a whole walked into the classroom in in Junior Debating Sessions as a new world behind it.’ 6b and help the young debaters 2018 knowing nothing about BP debating. We thought all the way in Shell or Remove, the same back to the very first practice way I was helped; and when the session, when we both sat there thinking BP is the new debaters tell me how they are desperate to green and yellow oil company, and thinking that turn into me, I tell them exactly what I was told THB (‘This House Believes’) is a typo of THC (a by Harry-TV. compound in cannabis). This is why I am determined to end this article People often say that experience is what matters the same way the email we sent to our debating in life but to me it’s actually the moments within coaches, Mr. Cox and Mr. Corbyn, ended: ‘We all those experiences, where a spark lights up and knew from a moment so ambiguous yet clear, brightens the memory, no matter how dim and debating had been, is still, and will continue to pale it is washed by time. For me, that moment be an important part of what characterises life at is when I stared at the Teams call page and cried King’s for us and an element that defines us.’ TH, with tears of joy when Mr. Cox’s voice announced as Izzy and Wendy, believes that Debating Club at Kingsdown House as the winning team for 2021. King’s, and the coaches running it, are wordlessly amazing. 

‘A British Parliamentary (BP) style debate mimics debates that go on in the UK Parliament between the government and opposition.’

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Good

Betts

Restaurant recommendations by

Cathy Betts (Mistress of Post), who is known at King’s for her good taste.

Buoy and O yster

Marga www.buoyan te doyster.com

Wheeler’s

Whitstable .wheelersoy st

http://www

erbar.com

Sankey’s Bar and Grill Tunbridge Wells www.sankeys.co.uk

KitseuWells

k ridg Tunb itsu.co.u k . w w w

ow lls e Tall .uk ge W t.co

rid ran Tunb restau w o ll w.ta

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The Poet

Matfield www.thepoeta tmatfield.co.u

Fore st

York www. ga food- ltreslo dg anddrin e.uk/ k.htm l

Read’s

Faversham www.reads.com

The Beaco

n Tunbridge W el ls www.the-bea con.co.uk

rren s The Wa l ge Wel

d nt Tunbri en.restaura r ewar www.th

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HOuse of Carlyon Lili Clifton, appointed Head of House, reflects on what Carlyon means to her.

t’s been a strange few years and now, in what I am lucky to consider members of Carlyon in my seems a matter of moments, my time at King’s year my closest friends. They allow me constant is almost over. I was always told it would pass reassurance and laughter, especially now the Remove quickly, but I never understood how quickly. It and Fifth bring us the broken pieces of furniture, doesn’t seem long ago that I was including a table used for a game in my oversized uniform, with my of cards: ‘Definitely not our fault. It ‘Our studies, like broach done up where it’s meant broke on its own!’ to be, walking through the door of dorms, become Carlyon to meet the people I would Like in any house at King’s, you flooded with décor see pretty much every single day for learn to understand the people that makes it our own around you, creating bonds that the next five years. will last way beyond time at school. space, even if it is a I remember our first study, a room Our studies, like dorms, become complete mess.’ where our year in house causes flooded with décor that makes chaos trying to find ourselves and it our own space, even if it is a our friends, doing minimal work while causing Mr. complete mess that in essence becomes a home Smiley, our housemaster, too many headaches away from home. through broken lights, broken chairs and the general racket of too many people in one study at one time. My fifth year began like any other year and then, in March, school life was turned on its head. The place I remember the fear of going into the kitchen to where we used to go routinely every day had become make a piece of toast in the morning to be met by the a place of unease, the future unbeknown, and what terrifying 6b’s. Although their height and presence Covid-19 was, and how much effect it would have on made them intimidating, they were just as immature all of us for years to come. Carlyon became digital as us, which made it far more amusing when you’d and we lost a connection that was so physical. Covid open the microwave to find an exploded highlighter. created distance between us and what the school was, intensifying the independence that as day pupils My Shell year gave me confidence in myself and a we learn quite early on. strong appreciation of a school I am lucky to be at, but the beautiful environment you’re in every day However, the knowledge that the people in Carlyon can end up passing you by without you realising. I were always there allowed us stability in a time of was fortunate to see this early on but my years at such unpredictability. Somehow 6b had begun and King’s still seem to merge into one. we were at the top end of the school, with A’ Levels The difference between Remove and Fifth is hard now to determine but the biggest difference is between Shell and Remove. Carlyon becomes a sanctuary, a place where I’ve ended up feeling most comfortable in my time at King’s, away from the chaos of work and general school life. It creates a distraction with the people who are around you.

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‘There is always Mr. Smiley, the backbone of Carlyon. His patience with us is beyond me. He has managed to keep Carlyon afloat on some quite treacherous waters over the past few years.’

and free periods or, as Mr. Smiley likes to call them, ‘study periods’, which meant even more time spent in Carlyon playing poker and bonding as a year group. However, this year also meant the now-normality of intermittent online school until we were able to experience a somewhat regular school life again, especially in the summer and being able to do things as a house again. Carlyon doesn’t only offer close friendships among those in your year. Bonds are created throughout the house, between our tutors, our cleaners, our matron and, of course, Mr. Smiley. Cheryl, our matron, joined Carlyon when I was in 6b after our beloved matron, Candy, left during Covid. Cheryl is perhaps the greatest addition to the house, creating a bond with every member of the house as a maternal figure to us all, always there for a chat and a hug if we need it. There is a misconception that day pupils don’t need a matron who plays this role but having someone like this in house to turn to when school just gets a bit too much allows Carlyon to be a space where we want to spend our time. Alena, our cleaner, has also had a huge impact on my time in Carlyon, always making me smile when I’m walking into house, even if it’s to tell me off about my messy desk. Her life fascinates me and she is one of the most inspiring people I’ve met. Of course, there is always Mr. Smiley, the backbone of Carlyon. His patience with us is beyond me. He has managed to keep Carlyon afloat on some quite treacherous waters over the past few years, even if it has caused him a few grey hairs. I know that the house is always eternally grateful for everything he does making Carlyon such a wonderful place to be. Carlyon will always be one of my fondest memories of my time at King’s. Before I move on, I want to cherish every moment I have before my time at school is over. I don’t want to overlook the value of school, which is easier said than done, especially in the current climate, with work, stress and general strain on relationships. However, I’m sure I will still look back at my time fondly, and my time in Carlyon even more so. 78

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Carlyon House - A History Former shops in Palace Street were used as additional accommodation for Mitchinson’s, as well as the Careers Department, in 2004-05, and informally known as Lipscomb. Carlyon became a separate day house in 2005. Its name recalls the evacuation of The King’s School from Canterbury to the Carlyon Bay Hotel at St Austell in Cornwall from 1940 to 1945. So far there have been two housemasters: Al Holland Mark Smiley

2005-17 2017-Present

‘Carlyon becomes a sanctuary, a place where I’ve ended up feeling most comfortable in my time at King’s.’

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g n i d l

i u B cks o l B

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Jack Parnell, Project Manager of the new Science block at King’s, explores the unique character of this building. something near to where we are at present. The logistical challenges are further compounded by the access being through the school’s main gate. We plan materials deliveries fairly meticulously but there are always challenges. These can cause delays to the build itself through no fault of the trades currently working on the site. They can initially seem innocuous, such s everyone is no doubt aware, there have as the concrete batching plant running out of the been construction works happening to the old correct-sized aggregate or having their computer Mitchinson’s Building at the main entrance of system fail, meaning that no concrete can be produced the school for some time. The planned construction because the weights of the individual components works included the demolition and removal of the old cannot be guaranteed, to sadly now Covid. These building, the construction of basement classrooms small delays can, and do, have the potential to and the construction of a two-storey structure above. cause huge knock-on effects. For example, with the One of the positive elements of the concrete batching not producing project is that, due to the location, the concrete on the required day, ‘Even though the there is little room to hide. This can the concrete wagon booked (which foundations will not be be seen as both a blessing and a is one of the few wagons that can curse. Sometimes it would appear seen again, they must be fit through the main gate) may not that nothing happens for weeks be able to attend site until two days correct and constructed on end and then, over the course later. This in turn means that the without error to give the delivery that was planned after the of a fortnight, the building process stability the building surges forward. The issue here is concrete placement will now have that without stable foundations to be rescheduled since both could structure demands.’ and secure footings the building now turn up on the same day. For itself will not be fit for purpose. anyone who has had to wait indoors Even though the foundations will not be seen again, for a delivery or a tradesperson only for them to they must be correct and constructed without error change the day at the last minute will understand to give the stability the building structure demands. the frustration and difficulties this can bring. We may As it turns out, this is a good analogy for life. Without be the only site in Kent where the aggregate being proper planning and preparation any enterprise will 10mm too large has stopped the works. struggle to succeed and, despite all the unseen work, this is needed to ensure that the product offered to The building itself also generates plenty of the end user is acceptable. challenges or, to put a more positive spin on it, ‘generates opportunities to allow us to show what Where we are sited within the school brings its own challenges. The building footprint basically takes up all the area of the building site. This means that space is at a premium. If you can imagine one of those handheld puzzles where the tiles need to be repositioned to create a picture, then that is

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we can achieve!’ Located within the confines of The King’s School it would, probably, be inappropriate to construct a building in the style of Paul Klee or a modernist erection such as Gothenburg’s Kuggen Building. However, without architectural practices pushing boundaries, all buildings would be remarkably similar. For a builder a square box would be the easiest solution. For an accountant or quantity surveyor the square box would be the most

‘Buildings are like living organisms. They grow and change to suit the weather conditions, be that the wet, cold or heat gain. They need to breathe and in turn also control their moisture levels.’

financially sound choice. A standard shape would give a higher degree of build- and cost-certainty and would lend itself to easy cost-effective, repetitive construction. But where would the challenge, the joy and the expression be in that? Buildings are like living organisms. They grow and change to suit the weather conditions, be that the wet, cold or heat gain. They need to breathe and in turn also control their moisture levels. If all of these are not carefully controlled, the building itself will not perform as expected. The new science building in the Mint Yard takes into account modern building practices whilst paying homage to its surroundings. The skeleton, or frame, of the building is made of reinforced concrete. While this is potentially not as immediately sustainable as a steel-framed building, which can be ‘multicycled‘, the concrete frame does

L-R: Matthew Bateman, Quantity Surveyor, Coniston; Patrick Devine, Director DDL; Will McKean, DDL.

‘The new science building in the Mint Yard takes into account modern building practices whilst paying homage to its surroundings.’

David Gray (L) & Alvydas Jankus (R) 82

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‘The King’s School will have a building that not only pays its respects to the rich history and surroundings, but is also more than suitable as an educational facility within today’s school.’

Alvydas Jankus (L) & Louis Danele (R)

‘The exterior of the building will be clad in hand-knapped flint... In fact, the building will be one of the largest modern, flintclad structures in the country.’

Before I continue to travel too much further down the Kevin McCloud or George Clarke route, and continue to sing the praises of help provide a thermal battery for the building, architects generally, I do believe that The King’s helping control daily temperature fluctuations School will have a building that not only pays its respects to the rich history and helping to dampen out and surroundings, but is changes in the building’s internal also more than suitable temperature. The exterior of ‘Without architectural as an educational facility the building will be clad in handpractices pushing within today’s school. The knapped flint, like Parry Hall and Galpin’s House, but the flint will boundaries, all buildings good news is that where the building is located the extend and wrap around the would be remarkably progress can be effectively external corners of the building similar.’ measured and once the to help ensure that the building, covered walkway has been whilst giving a nod to the history removed the feeling of space and style of the surrounding buildings, will not become their mere parody. that has been so very lacking will return and the It will be more of a pastiche, celebrating their school will have the use of a building of which architectural style and look while being able they can be rightly proud. to stand alone on its own merits. In fact, the building will be one of the largest modern, flintclad structures in the country.

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n a p a

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Finn Cleghorn-Brown (GL) is in love with Japan and explains why.

am fascinated by the culture of both Britain and Japan. My interest in my own culture needs no explanation but why do I obsess about Japan, when I have no obvious connection? Although I see Japan with the eyes of an Englishman, with some insights given by Japanese friends and teachers, I have studied the language, culture and history of the country for three years now, and want to tell you why.

an employee’s perspective, however, the benefits are few: you cannot leave your company to pursue other options or career paths; you are stuck working in a job with no chance of advancement; but you do enjoy increased job security and generous insurance options.

Japan is well known for its futuristic technology but what surprises many visitors is how technologically behind Japan seems to be: fax machines are still Take business and employment. Unlike in the West, in daily use, and only half the population owns a it is rare for people in Japan to leave one job for computer. Indeed, when I looked into applying to the another, even if they are offered a superior position University of Tokyo, I discovered I would have to send with greater benefits. It would simply be against in my application via snail mail. How is it, then, that in Japanese etiquette to do so. Once you are part of a a country where trains are never late and robots staff company, you are part of a family, or ‘clan’. This is hotel reception desks, there is still such outdated in stark contrast to our modern technology? The answer reveals Western notion of ‘a job’, where the some nice quirks. In Britain, a home ‘‘Once you are part of a employed rarely feels any loyalty is essential in the modern company, you are part of computer to the employer. The Japanese age, especially post-COVID. We a family, or ‘clan’. This is now need them more than ever for loyalty probably stems from the history of the ‘Zaibatsu’ (財閥), school and work. So we are shocked in stark contrast to our which were companies owned by modern Western notion of to hear that over half the people of a single influential family. When do not own one. In Japan, ‘a job’, where the employed Japan people joined these Zaibatsu, it however, it works fine because rarely feels any loyalty to Japan loves paper. Fax machines was like joining the family itself. Therefore, leaving the company still play the role of email in the the employer.’’ was equivalent to betraying your West and students still handwrite family. The interrelation between family and business their schoolwork. There are orthographic reasons can still be seen today: Yamaha, Nintendo and Suzuki for this, of course: students have to remember more still share names with their respective founders. than 2000 unique characters somehow! Also, there was no lockdown during the pandemic so there’s This intimate business culture is a mixed blessing. been no need for Zoom or Teams or Skype. (Just as From an employer’s point of view, the system has well, too, if you’ve ever used the mobile versions of few downsides: you rarely need to worry about your these video-call services.) Last, and most importantly, employees being poached by other companies; you many Japanese people do not own home computers don’t need to promote your employees; and you because state-of-the-art computers had already don’t need to pay them a competitive salary. From been a staple of the workplace for a long time when the smartphone arrived, and most smartphones can do the job of a personal computer just as well. So perhaps Japan is less technologically backwards than technologically thrifty.

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And in what ways is Japan technologically more advanced than the West? Perhaps one of the bestknown Japanese marvels is the shinkansen (新幹線) or ‘bullet train’. These 200mph travel icons are undeniably a masterful piece of engineering but the technology might be the least interesting thing about them sociologically. In 2017, when a Japanese train left twenty seconds early, Japanese Rail had to issue a formal apology. Such a timetabling gaff would be acceptable in the UK but in Japan the trains are so reliable the Japanese time their commute to the second and many people miss the train if it is so egregiously premature. The event made headlines. Meanwhile, in the UK, the last time I went on a train it was delayed by half an hour and I was not late for anything. Whereas in Japan planning is a national pastime, in the West our spontaneous problem-solving skills are equally well developed.

‘In 2017, when a Japanese train left twenty seconds early, Japanese Rail had to issue a formal apology... The event made headlines.’ Beyond the shinkansen, the Japanese contributions to the tech world are numerous. Take video games. When you think of games consoles, the same three names always pop up: Sony, Nintendo and Xbox. The first two are Japanese. And another famous Japanese video games company, Sega, is known for video game hardware such as pachinko machines. Pachinko (パチンコ) is a Japanese pinball game but also the primary form of Japanese gambling. Betting on games of chance is illegal in Japan but pachinko presents people with an innovative solution: pachinko parlours are gaming arcades

‘Many Japanese people do not own home computers because state-of-the-art computers had already been a staple of the workplace for a long time when the smartphone arrived.’

‘How is it, then, that in a country where trains are never late and robots staff hotel reception desks, there is still such outdated technology?’

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‘Japanese gambling with gambling does seem linked with underground crime, and pachinko, a beloved pastime in numerous cities, is a bit of a guilty pleasure.’

stuffed with clamorous machines on which winners are rewarded with pachinko balls. Here’s the trick and legal loophole: once you’ve won, you can go to a neighbouring shop and sell the balls. These pachinko parlours are, despite rumours that they are owned by the Yakuza (ヤクザ), the Japanese mafia, usually quite tame. Even so, such Japanese gambling with gambling does seem linked with underground crime, and pachinko, a beloved pastime in numerous cities, is a bit of a guilty pleasure. In the West, although gambling carries a social stigma, it is accepted that not everyone is a compulsive gambler. In Japanese society, however, such a distinction seems not to exist. So what about the influence of Japan on the West? ‘Anime’ (アニメ), the Japanese word for animation, is now one of Japan’s biggest exports, but while it’s renowned for its unique visual style I reckon its unique stories count just as much. No subject is too bizarre for anime. One of my favourite comedies tackles the thorny question, ‘What if the devil worked at McDonald’s?’ Of course, ridiculous premises like this are bound to pall if they’re all the film has got, but it’s the innovative plot and character development of this piece that keep one hooked. Of course you come across poor writing at times – a fault hardly unique to anime – but the films are

inexhaustibly resourceful. (If you get hooked too, wave goodbye to your free time.) And then there’s Japanese food, famous for the nation’s fish-fired longevity and popular with weight-loss fanatics and your average health-conscious Joe alike. You might have noticed Sushi in British supermarkets. Of course there are instant noodles, as well, that sell for the limited work they need to generate impressive flavour. Last but not least is Japan’s influence on design. Often, just the idea of Japan is enough to sell a design, much like a famous designer’s name. Even the Japanese language itself has its own design cachet, being used by Superdry (a British company) for its Japanese slogan ‘極度乾燥しなさい’, literally translated as ‘you must make it super dry’, although the slogan is broken in both grammar and diction. So, why does something as neutral as language hold so much value in the design world? Well, it’s down to ‘In the West we see Japan stereotypes. In as a futuristic society with the West we see expert engineering and Japan as a futuristic society with expert incredible modern design, engineering and and we see these always incredible modern when we see the language.’ design, and we see these always when we see the language. It is a remarkable testament to everything good about Japan that its language can be used like this. Think about it. If a company’s slogan were written in Russian, would the same respectable values rush to mind? Perhaps not. I hinted at the start that I am often asked, ‘Why Japan?’ Well, I hope I’ve answered that question. And I hope you will rejoice with me in the uniqueness of cultures and share my joy in their comparison.

‘And then there’s Japanese food, famous for the nation’s fish-fired longevity.’

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A Figure Frozen in Time My feet drag me to the floor And the crowd gives a deafening roar. Sword in hand, I make the last climb Before I become a figure frozen in time. I bare my teeth and give a low growl To my opponent, who returns it with a scowl. And I hear the death-bell ring its last chime Before I become a figure frozen in time. The battle is long; swords pierce the sky Until one girl lets out a horrific cry But I am oblivious; far too covered in grime To realise I will soon become a figure frozen in time. Then the mountain roars, Lava covers the moors, Hinges are ripped off their doors As Vesuvius speaks. Chaos envelops the arena in full, And each dog, horse, donkey or bull Has fled the scene to avoid the red slime, But will soon become figures frozen in time. As I watch the world around me die, My opponent is swept up, high into the sky. Then I fall to my knees, the end of my prime, And prepare to become a figure frozen in time. Téa Sand Winner of the Sebastian Barker Poetry Prize 2021

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Artwork by Sophia Y. CANTUARIAN | 2021

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Hermits of Harlem by Cerelia Davis Winner of the Somerset Maugham Short Story Prize 2021

Part 1 ‘Here are your oranges, Homer, already sliced up for you!’ exclaimed my brother as his feet uneasily crunched the debris underneath. The oranges had become a daily ritual for my brother and me, countless oranges being served to me day and night to keep with the new regime of 100 oranges a week. The acidic sweetness constantly resonated in my decaying mouth. Most days I simply stayed in. I sometimes wandered around our large house (ensuring I did not fall over), feeling the bumps and cracks in the surfaces. In the darkness I struggled to make out any colour or shape. Sometimes, if I felt in the mood, I would imagine the detail that might be carved into an object. I did this simply to try and see the world clearly once more.

echoed through the halls. There was only an occasional creak of a floorboard or the clatter of objects that came crashing down to the ground. I remember when I was going into a room that I hadn’t been in for some time. It was usually filled with trinkets and odd bits and pieces, but my entrance was blocked by piles and piles of thin, cheap paper that could easily be ripped, bound together by rough and bumpy string. Newspapers perhaps? I was finding it harder to reach objects since the passages were becoming blocked. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am worried for my brother as he has not visited me today and my stomach is beginning to growl in protest. I call out for him with a hoarse, dry throat but not a peep from him. My sight was Each moment that I precious to me. I could wait for him my mind still picture the piercing shrivels up and causes rays of orange-pink a painful headache, reaching across the almost as if someone horizon as if it was is prodding needles attempting to grab on deep into my skull. As to the Earth and remain I sit motionless in the there for just a moment room, while sailing on longer. What a joy it choppy seas, I stare at would be to see each the cold sea water and blade of grass dance dream of hydration in the howling wind! and I view the large However, each day a fish swimming just out blade of grass stopped of reach. I am sitting swaying, and a ray of there, dropping in and light let go of the Earth. out of consciousness. Each day grew longer with the summer sun and my mind Soon the light would Soon, the long wait started to be bored of the incessant silence that echoed through leave, and darkness will be over, and I will the halls. would take its place. The hear the blissful sound sun wouldn’t rise again. of footsteps as Langley I was scared of going blind. I was scared of the animals approaches my weak and ghost-like body, to hand over that hunt after dusk. I was scared of it all. a priceless glass of water. I will feel each droplet of water rush down my dry and swollen tongue to animate Each day grew longer with the summer sun and my my lifeless body. Not long afterwards I will hear a cart mind started to be bored of the incessant silence that making its way towards me and Langley shouting,

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Hermits of Harlem ‘Dinner’s served!’ My mouth will fill with saliva as I start to eat the piles of chicken and roast potatoes, on which I will lather thick gravy. Piles and piles of food. Flavourful food. Part 2 ‘Here are your oranges, Homer, already sliced up for you!’ I called out as I stumbled across the room towards him. I remember sitting on a table in our late father’s study, when I found a book with a thick coating of dust on top. It was labelled ‘The Best Home Remedies for the Worst Conditions’. My curiosity got the better of me and I quickly snatched it off the rickety bookcase and started to read the conditions and their cures, from polio to scarlet fever to blindness. The cure for blindness suggested 100 oranges per week and ever since then I have been strictly abiding by a regime that involves giving my brother oranges at regular intervals throughout the day. I’m hoping it won’t be long before he can see again! I have collected many trinkets over the years, from pebbles on a beach to old precious antiques. I have collected many warped bottles and holey cans as well as a baby carriage and an old X-ray machine. After my dear brother’s eyesight started to deteriorate and I found the cure, I started keeping newspapers so he would be able to understand what had been happening in the world when he was eventually able to see again. His condition of paralysis and blindness means we mostly stay inside and I care for him hourly. Once I was digging a tunnel through our belongings, and my ears pricked up as I unexpectedly heard objects fall and clatter to the ground. I noticed a foot hastily disappearing through the door and I swiftly darted into the room, only to see that a large pile of objects had vanished. The following week I heard another noise from the same room, and I found that another pile of my belongings had vanished. It was then that I started to hear noises and envisage people moving with objects around the house, but my brother didn’t believe they were there. As many burglars had attempted to steal what was ours, I placed more security around the house to prevent recurrences. I carefully stretched a thin piece of rope across some of the tunnels. If they dared 92

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to step into this house again their puny bodies would be crushed with piles of matter that would suddenly enclose them within seconds. In addition, every window was now barred to stop any means of entry. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A little earlier today, I sliced up some oranges and my feet fumbled across the wooden floor as I started out to give Homer his morning snack, through my tunnels of treasures. However, a piece of wire suddenly propelled me forward. An avalanche of news enclosed me in darkness and the space that I lay in has all but disappeared. I have been forced into a foetal position to protect myself while each second the piles slowly inch further towards the floor, crushing my poor body. My heart is now racing but my body is still. I am unable to move in what I now realise are mounds and mounds of… just junk. My breath is becoming hoarse. I focus on my shallow breathing. Just breathing. In and out. In aaan… Part 3 One year later… Death. Death is an inevitable event in the circle of life and knocks on the door when it pleases. The Collyer brothers succumbed to their inevitable fate in 1947. It was the strangest case I had ever known. On 21 March our police regiment received an anonymous call to complain about the smell of decomposition that was emerging from the dilapidated old house at 2078 Fifth Avenue. The absence of a doorbell and the windows being reinforced with large iron bars

After my dear brother’s eyesight started to deteriorate and I found the cure, I started keeping newspapers so he would be able to understand what had been happening in the world.

Hermits of Harlem

As I stepped out of the door for the last time, I noticed some oranges neatly arranged on a plate rimmed with gold. ultimately forced us to try to open the door by axe, but even that was not successful. Eventually, we managed to clamber inside by tossing lots of bric-a-brac out onto the street below. We were greeted by an assortment of more junk. Piles and piles of junk. In total there was around 120 tonnes of rubbish and memorabilia stacked to the ceiling in every room. Over the years there was so much stuff that the occupants had created tunnels to enable them simply to move around the house. First, we found the lifeless body of Homer Collyer, laying slumped in a chair. His stomach seemed as though it had been carefully stretched around his bones and could be pierced by a gentle tap. It was a shocking and tragic sight to behold. The general suspicion of murder started to emerge from the rickety old house because the brother was nowhere to be seen. Days went by while we sorted through their pointless belongings at a sluggish pace, while at the same time another team of detectives searched all over Atlanta for the now-infamous Langley Collyer. Eventually, after many weeks of grudgingly going through their many items, we finally came across the body of Langley Collyer in the house. First came his shoe. We hurried to uncover the body underneath

mounds of paper. Our hands were warped into spades and the paper became dirt as we shovelled to find the buried body. Our hearts pounded in anticipation. We tirelessly chipped away at each layer of debris. A large clang emanated around the room. Eyes darted back and forth at the prospect of a discovery. The final layer was taken away to reveal a breathless body. His spindly arms and legs were curled into a foetal position and hid his face. Langley’s glassy eyes were blotched with red dots and stared intently. The body had a rank and pungent smell, and I had no choice but to hold my head up high and pinch my nose. Maggots were wriggling through his pale blue, rotten and peeling skin. The maggots gave the illusion of breath as the chest steadily pulsated up and down. I remember the feeling of my lunch rising up, as well as the sensation of maggots wriggling through my own flesh. I wanted to shake them off even though I knew they were not there in reality. As I stepped out of the door for the last time, I noticed some oranges neatly arranged on a plate rimmed with gold. They were coated in dust. The blue mould crept over their dehydrated and shrivelled pores, which had become graves for maggots, just like the ones nearby, which were thriving as they swam through lifeless flesh. CANTUARIAN | 2021

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James (MO) and Catherine Bennett (WL), two of the leading musicians at King’s, had a chat about growing up playing music together, and apart, as brother and sister. Catherine: I’m trying to think how long we’ve been surrounded by music. James: It’s been a while but I think it’s hard to put an exact date on it – it was very staggered. Catherine: Yes, but instrument-wise I started violin aged 5. James: And I think I started playing ’cello at a similar age, and we both started at Trinity College London doing classes for children. So we started in a very similar place. Catherine: And this was all around the age of 4 and 5, but we did lots of music groups for toddlers so we were definitely brought up with music. James: I remember it was hard to do other stuff because, for these music things, once we started progressing and our teachers and parents recognised we ‘had a gift’, all the lessons took up a lot of time.

Catherine: I remember never being able to go to birthday parties because most of our musical activities were on a Saturday, so that was the first time I dealt with missing out on things that everyone else did, and at a young age that really affected my way of thinking about music.

‘That was the first time I dealt with missing out on things that everyone else did, and at a young age.’ James: And at that age it’s hard to tell what you really liked and what you wanted to pursue so after a few years you and I both had doubts, wondering whether we could be spending our time better. Catherine: But I think we can both firmly say now that we love music, even though we love different aspects. You prefer choir and singing while I prefer chamber music and

playing solo. We still have a deep connection to it and I don’t believe that would exist if we weren’t pushed at a young age by our parents and teachers. James: Definitely. I also think that once we moved to London things started to change. The year before, when I was seven, I joined the Temple Choir, which has been one of the best experiences of my life, but it did take a lot of time for all of us. You had to follow me around every Sunday and every other week day because you were too young to look after yourself. Catherine: I don’t think I had the same appreciation for music back then that I do now and so at the age of 5 it wasn’t the most exciting thing. I do remember liking the Christmas services and listening to your solos but, apart from that and the barbecues, I found it quite hard to take an interest. James: I don’t blame you, but if you went now I’m guessing you would have more of an interest. CANTUARIAN | 2021

‘After leaving Trinity we didn’t have a music school to attend so we were doing music courses at every possible moment.’ Catherine: Definitely. James: Also, I was at Temple for around seven years so I understand why you found it tiring.

seem like it, I think you are highly competitive and hate to lose but I don’t see that as a negative trait really.

Catherine: During that time the main focus was on you, which was hard because I was really discovering my passion for music. James: And after leaving Trinity we didn’t have a music school to attend so we were doing music courses at every possible moment and things started to get very intense. Catherine: I did the National Children’s Orchestra, which was highly competitive, and really motivated me to practise because every year I had to audition, but it was definitely an important part of my musical life since it put me among some incredible musicians. James: I think it brought out a very competitive side to you. I think you have always wanted to be the best, and even though you might not 96

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Catherine: Same, but I think it put a lot of pressure on me and I think that I developed a fear of not being good enough after playing in an orchestra with some of the best musicians in the country, and I’ve got to say I do still have that fear.

‘I became more comfortable performing because I was doing it every week and so I gained confidence a lot.’

James: Yeah, and I think I became more comfortable performing because I was doing it every week and so I gained confidence a lot and my singing was really developing. Catherine: Then I decided I wanted to attend a Conservatoire’s Saturday music school so after a while we joined the Royal Academy of Music for a few years. I was in the Primary Academy, which is where I met some of my closest friends to this day, actually.

James: And I did the main junior programme while also being the Head Chorister of Temple Choir, which was a lot, but eventually I had to leave the choir, which was quite sad for me after I’d been there for seven years. To me it was like another family and home, which had made me into a strong singer. Catherine: It gave you so many opportunities, thinking about it, like you got to travel round the world and sing in the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. Then you got to sing in Curlew River, which I remember getting awesome reviews. James: That was actually really cool. Catherine: It was a Proud Sister Moment. James: Leaving the choir wasn’t the end of my musical life but it felt a little weird at first not having to wake up early on a Sunday morning. Catherine: But RAM was fun when we did it.

James: Also my ’cello teacher there was amazing. Talking about teachers, I think the teachers we had really influenced us to make us who we are today. I’ve had many, many teachers because I’d change teachers every other year, which was hard, but at the same time I got to understand many different ways to perceive music from all my teachers, including my choir master.

a deeper love for singing.

Catherine: And I’ve only ever had two teachers: the one I had when I started Trinity, who was really hard on me but I think it paid off; and my current teacher, who I started studying with around three years ago when I first joined the Royal College of Music.

James: I think it was hard at points with us both doing stringed instruments as our first instruments because I can remember arguing whenever we did a duet and fighting over who used which room to practise in and who would lead our duets.

James: Yeah, and now I’m in my second year at Royal College, with singing as my first study and I’m doing ’cello separately at school. Royal College is really intense and I realised I’d prefer to spend the time doing something there that I’m just a little bit more passionate about. But I do still love ’cello. I just found

Catherine: I remember always saying: ‘I’m the violin; the violin does it!’ But you would say, ‘I’m the oldest so I know how to lead better.’ And we would never get anything done.

James: True.

James: I think it’s fair to say we’ve matured a lot as people!

James: Yes. It’s nice to have someone to tell you when rehearsals are.

Catherine: But looking back it’s weird to think that we started in the same place doing similar things, then moving on doing completely different things and eventually finding our way back to the same music school but studying what we love best.

‘‘I remember always saying: ‘I’m the violin; the violin does it!’ But you would say, ‘I’m the oldest so I know how to lead better.’ And we would never get anything done.’’ Catherine: Music definitely helped with that, I guess. Working with other musicians you learn to sit and listen but also learn to take a leap of faith and perform a piece you’ve only been learning for a week or so.

Catherine: But I think being able to play music with a family member makes the whole business more personal and heartwarming.

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Peter Kirby-Higgs OKS explains why Lisbon is his first port of call.

f you take a stroll through the Cathedral cloisters, admiring the heraldic shields that adorn the ceilings, you will, roughly in the centre, come across a collection of shields representing their nations. The Quinas of Portugal have pride of place, in the centre of the arrangement. The alliance between England and Portugal is the oldest unbroken military alliance in world history after six and a half centuries. This special relationship dates from the 12th Century when Templars commanded by Hervey de Glanvil, Constable of Suffolk, with a strong contingent of Anglo-Norman knights led by Simon of Dover and Andrew of London, helped the Portuguese Templars to liberate Lisbon from the Moors. They left Godfrey of Hastings as the first Bishop of Lisbon.

gallons of the stuff. Portugal and Britain were allies in WWI, which was a more disastrous experience for the Portuguese than for the English. Portugal was neutral in WWII, although they leased us the Azores for our submarines. The alliance still stands today within NATO. It was at the point of NATO bayonets, wielded by the Portuguese Comando regiment, that the illegal Communist government was ousted in 1975, after a blockade by the Royal Navy. Portugal today is a modern country with many characteristics that can surprise visitors, investors and neighbours. Why would you want to come to Portugal?

Portugal is extraordinarily user-friendly. The climate is well-known: temperate to hot. A long summer In 1373 John of Gaunt and his mate (later son-in-law), and mild shoulder seasons are perfect for surfers John of Portugal, signed the Treaty of Westminster and beach-layabouts, but also for golfers, who can and two years later the Treaty of Windsor. This play in a polo shirt when it is cold in the UK (avoid special relationship underwrote August). The food has been a wellmany military campaigns, including kept secret for decades but the the decisive defeat of a French and astounding variety of dishes and the ‘Portugal today is a Spanish force by the Portuguese, tradition of quality have become with the help of a contingent well-recognized by anyone who modern country with of English archers securing the many characteristics that is minimally adventurous. Visits frontier Portugal possesses today. by the likes of Rick Stein, Anthony can surprise visitors, Over half the ships that sailed in the Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay Great Armada were Portuguese. investors and neighbours.’ have served to divulge this. The Portugal had been occupied by Portuguese had been fairly discrete Spain and liberated itself in 1640 – about it. However, a well-known with English help again, of course. food author here published a book Wellington defeated the French in 1809 in Portugal with over 1000 recipes for Bacalhau alone. Pork with with the help of Portuguese regulars and militia, clams in the Alentejo is a tradition as well as lamb in which was the beginning of the end for the Grande several formats, bean stew in the North and a huge Armé. Later, in the 1830’s, Palmerston provoked variety of fresh fish everywhere: shell fish swimming the Portuguese civil war, supplying regiments of in rice (very different form Paella, more like a stew). ‘volunteers’ and General Charles Napier to ensure And Chicken Piri-Piri! Of course, there are tourist the Liberal victory. traps but Trip Advisor is a fairly reliable filter. In 1662, when Charles II required a suitable spouse, he opted for the daughter of the king of the immensely wealthy Portugal, Catarina. She arrived in London with a colossal dowry that included Bombay and Tangiers and a trunk full of a curious herb from China called ‘Cha’. We have since drunk several million

In the Seventies I published a theory about Portuguese cuisine, that ‘the quality of your meal is in inverse proportion to how much you are asked to pay.’ In other words, in the cheap local restaurants, the Tascas, you will get a better meal, not just a cheaper one, than in a fancy restaurant. Today there are a few

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exceptions, but the rule holds. Booze is generally cheaper than in the UK and the variety is essentially the same. Portuguese beer, for instance, has always been popular with Brits (it’s stronger than ours) and now the variety on offer has extended way beyond the traditional pilsner that is still the most popular. The wine has been underrated for too long, except for the port, of course. Portuguese table wine has undergone a salto mortale in recent years at the hands of a new generation of young winemakers. Wine exports are soaring, particularly the reds, which are similar to those from Southern Italy or Spain. Port has all but annihilated Spanish sherry in export markets. And, of course, the friendliness and honesty of the Portuguese people is well known and their reputation well-deserved.

‘In 1373 John of Gaunt and his mate (later son-in-law), John of Portugal, signed the Treaty of Westminster and two years later the Treaty of Windsor.’ Portugal was recently rated as the third-safest country in the world. One and two are Iceland and New Zealand, but they are miles away from anywhere. Street crime is rarer than it has ever been, violent crime extremely rare. Petty theft has gone up after Covid but is no worse than anywhere else in Europe and lower than most. The police are highly respected, smartly groomed and fair in their dealings with the populace: the old image of a potbellied louche chewing a toothpick has disappeared into distant folklore. Its last manifestation was in the McCann case, which was an embarrassing wake-up call for the authorities.

‘‘She arrived in London with a colossal dowry that included Bombay and Tangiers and a trunk full of a curious herb from China called ‘Cha’.’’

‘Hervey de Glanvil, Constable of Suffolk, with a strong contingent of Anglo-Norman knights led by Simon of Dover and Andrew of London, helped the Portuguese Templars to liberate Lisbon from the Moors.’

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innovative software design and other high-tech programmes.

‘The food has been a well-kept secret for decades but the astounding variety of dishes and the tradition of quality have become well-recognized by anyone who is minimally adventurous.’

Portugal’s public health system (SNS) has been transformed beyond recognition in the last decade. The European Health Consumer Index rates Portugal’s health system as equal to the UK’s. Portugal has been very successful with its spanking new Public/Private hospitals. Visitors to Portugal who do not intend to reside can still access the National Health System: however, Brits should check the current status of the process when planning a trip. Private health insurance can be got easily: Ageas/Ocidental is the most popular. Bupa is expensive here. Some years ago I participated in a pan-European project to evaluate the technological skills of the business communities of each member state. The technos in Brussels were surprised to hear that Portugal was no longer typified by cheap t-shirts and wicker baskets. They were already: 1) The country with the 4th highest mobile ‘phone usership in Europe; 2) The country with the most advanced computerized interbanking system in the world; 3) The country with the most advanced automatic motorway toll system. Today Portuguese is the third language on Facebook. Obviously, Brazil has much to do with this, but the Portuguese are over five times more Facebook-friendly than the Brazilians. Several universities, mainly in the North, have

The Portuguese are apparently less outgoing than the Spanish. They meet in cafés (usually to argue about football) where all forms of alcohol are served as well as excellent coffee. Pubs only exist where there are foreigners. The curious dichotomy, however, is that while the Portuguese spend more that virtually anyone else in front of the TV, they also feature way above the European average for visits to restaurants. You have to come here to figure that one out. Virtually every sport on the planet is practised in Portugal, with special reference to football, but also sailing, surfing, running, cycling, rugby, raquet and motor sports. The Portuguese have been world champions several times in roller-skate ‘Nightlife in Portugal hockey. Last week is largely confined to our town hosted the national Iron Man restaurants for all but contest, last Summer the singles.’ the world 49er’s and the SB20’s. Sports clubs have huge memberships: Benfica is the football club with the highest membership in world history, according to Guinness. Club membership is for life: members of my rugby club still lunch together after 40 years. Nightlife in Portugal is largely confined to restaurants for all but the singles. These have a choice from a wide range of nightclubs of varying respectability in most or all urban communities. Most cultural options like music and the performing arts can be found in the main urban centres; the offering is limited by UK standards

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‘Portuguese table wine has undergone a salto mortale in recent years at the hands of a new generation of young winemakers.’

and the quality can be classed as reasonable. This is not the case with museums: Portugal has a surprisingly impressive range, both in quality and variety. Excluding the temporary Covid restrictions, anyone can visit Portugal as a tourist and stay for three months with relative ease. In spite of Brexit, no tourist visas are needed for Brits. If you want to stay longer, or work in Portugal, you will need a residence permit. The process is straightforward and has not changed substantially after Brexit: you need to be financially independent or have a provable job offer, health insurance and a clean criminal record. Portugal does not have a phobia about immigrants since the government realized some years ago that the economy needs immigrant workers and investors at all skill levels. However, Portugal is not kind to malingerers: social insurance of any kind is strictly limited by the number and value of the claimant’s contributions while gainfully employed. If you’re unemployed and your rights to social insurance run out, you’re on your own. Salaries in Portugal are low. The legal minimum wage is still less than €700 per month. Job stability is undermined by poorly thought-through employment laws that more or less oblige employers to a high turnover of junior staff and, as in the UK, many employers flout the rules anyway. If you decide you want to work in Portugal, you will need to find a job with a foreign employer offering conditions superior to those of the local labour market. It is easy to set up your own business, though: bureaucracy used to be a serious headache here but has improved dramatically in recent years and the tax system for businesses is fair and even-handed. But no illusions: you will need good advice for any kind of bureaucratic interaction, business or personal. And a word of caution: don’t rely on the legal system. A civil suit that in the UK might take two months can take years here. This is one thing that successive governments have failed to resolve. If you

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‘They meet in cafés (usually to argue about football) where all forms of alcohol are served as well as excellent coffee.’

of other non-participating ex-pats. In the Algarve fish and chips is called ‘fish and chips’ and a pint is called ‘pint’. Portuguese decide to study here, the process is still fairly is easy to pick up, however, if you want to simple and anyone with good credentials will enjoy the life here fully, especially if you be welcomed by many universities. Fees are have studied Latin: you will immediately higher for non-Portuguese but still compare recognize much of the vocabulary. A word of favourably with UK rates. The academic warning: if you want to study Portuguese to interchange between UK and Europe was facilitate your experience here, don’t make compromised by Brexit but you can identify the mistake of learning from Brazilian audio. the best route for you by writing directly to While the written languages are virtually the the universities. same, the pronunciation is completely different, The best investment in more so than between UK ‘‘In the Algarve fish Portugal today is real estate. USA English. I found and chips is called ‘fish and Real estate is still about that the best way to learn half the cost of that in the and chips’ and a pint is was to find a Portuguese UK. Since 2014 values have girlfriend: she is still giving called ‘pint’.’’ increased substantially and me instruction after four are still increasing, driven by decades. foreign buyers. This is partly due to generous tax schemes to attract wealthy foreigners, So, if you want to visit, look for work here, some of which are still accessible. It is also or become a resident, use the OKS network due, frankly, to the quality of life for anyone and feel free to get in touch. As you know, with a half-decent income. For many the OKS network exists so that you can tap in nationalities security is a motive. Apart from to get advice from a colleague, or at least a the Brazilians, who have special immigration glass of port. status, the Brits are again the nationality with the largest number of current applications: this of course has nothing to do with Brexit. Like everywhere else today, you can survive in Portugal without knowing the language if you intend to limit yourself to the company

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Flore B.

Lily C.

Isis W.

Tim B.

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Josephine M. Bella R.

Elizabeth I.

Max E.

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Beatrice L.

Shirley F. Eliza M.

Rebecca D. Bijou F.

James A.

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m o r F e h t ARCHIVE (Reproduced with typographical errors, idiosyncratic punctuation and creative quotation intact!)

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THE CANTUARIAN. VOL. X.

JULY, 1921

NO. 6.

EDITORIAL. Summer once more is here.

Fain would we take up our pen to write of the ‘ Summer’s hourly mellowing change ’

of its twittering birds, and perspiring orchid-maniacs, and of all its other joys–and otherwise. But with all our Editorial firmness we resist our Editorial muse, and get to our Editorial business which is to present, in as unpalatable form as possible, a brief and complete summary of the main events of the day as pertain unto the school ; in other words to administer the Editorial Pill. In the first place our friend the Summer has brought with him a now familiar, but none the less unwelcome guest in the shape of the Diph. Langley House, which we hope soon to see out of its quarantine, is the only plague-stricken House ; yet even so, its visitation has seriously affected both cricket and rowing. The Cricket season has opened well, but we must own defeat to our old rivals, St. Edmund’s–they came, they saw - and also they conquered. Early in the term we had the great pleasure of entertaining some of our friends from Bermondsey, and a detailed account of all our doings will be found elsewhere. This visit has already done much towards strengthening the ties between the school and the club, and we are looking forward greatly to having them down again next year. The War Memorial is now proceeding apace, and the tireless workmen are always the centre of an admiring crowd, while ever and anon during School ‘ Nibbs ’ the prayers are enthusiastically drowned by delirious banging and sawing from below. However, despite this energy the Memorial cannot be finished in time for unveiling on Speech Day, for reasons explained elsewhere.

FIRE ! “ Fire ! Fire ! ” shrieked a small boy with a mouth full of bun, embracing a stone-mason as he took a header out of the Tuck-Shop into the War Memorial. A curl of flame was seen devouring the Digestive Biscuits (2d. on every tin sent back in good condition). Mrs. Benn was seen vainly pouring bottles of Cherry Cider and Raspberry Port on the conflagration ; a little help and all would gave been well. But no ! We knew our duties too well for that. We followed the exact steps we had practised in our fire drill. There was a general exodus from the Mint Yard, gym shoes were hastily donned and we were quickly assembled in the dormitories where a roll-call was taken. Fire-Chutes were taken out, and within three-quarters of an hour we had all escaped safe and sound from our dormitories, our only casualties being three Middle Front windows. The fire escape was rushed round from the Forens, but having found the ladder was unnecessary–it wouldn’t have worked any way–the squad with commendable presence of mind, propped it up against the contractor’s shed and left it there. Meanwhile the hose-parties had not been idle. The Grange side quickly ran their hose into the Parrots’ Playground, enthusiastically cheered by the occupants who assembled on the Headmaster’s rose beds. The School House with great success watered the lime trees. But in spite of all our noble efforts, we were doomed to disappointment. The Digestive Biscuits were all consumed. Eheu fugaces, bis cocti Huntli Palma!

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War Memorial. The Executive Committee regret very much that causes which they could not control–the coal strike, difficulties and delays at the Quarries, etc., etc.,–have hindered the completion of the work. It had been hoped that the Memorial might have been “ dedicated ” on July 24th, then on Armistice Day–but both proved impossible. The ceremony is now fixed for Monday, December 19th, at 2 p.m., even though the work may not be altogether completed by that date.

SPEECH DAY. As a last word, the Headmaster warmly thanked the staff of the School for their devotion and loyalty. The Dean, after reading the list of honours and distinctions gained during the year, remarked that the honours he had read out were not merely a list of names, but showed that scholars who had been educated at the School had distinguished themselves in various ways, in public life in England, in India, and indeed in all parts of the world. In a reference to the antiquity of the school the Dean humorously suggested that there was some doubt as to that being the 1300th anniversary of the School’s Speech Day. It was a fact, however, that the Cathedral was founded more than 1300 years ago, and the moment it was founded the monks at once recognised it as part of their duty to educate the children of what were called the “ gentry ” of the neighbourhood. Regarding the withdrawal of Mr. Drughorn’s proposed gift for Science laboratories, Dr. Wace said he thought it should be clearly understood that the scheme submitted by the intending donor had to be placed before the Board of Education for its approval. It was not of the Governing Body’s own choice, but owing to the decision of the Board of Education that they were obliged to tell Mr. Drughorn that they could not accept his gift. He (the Dean) noticed from the reports of the Speech Days, which had been appearing in the Press, that the great problem of every school was how to teach everything to all the boys. All kinds of subjects had to be taught, but whatever else they did, room must be found for cricket, football and games. He thought that rather too much was made of games to-day–certainly in the daily papers, where they saw reports of cricket, football, polo and other matches at much greater length than the parliamentary debates or the foreign news. Subsequently the Headmaster entertained some 500 guests at a garden party held on the Green Court.

CORRESPONDENCE. N.B.–The Editors decline to accept any responsibility connected with the opinions of their Correspondents. Name and address must always be given, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good fatih. Personalities will involve certain rejection. Letters should be written on one side of paper only. To the Editors of “ THE CANTUARIAN.”

Can it be through a feeling of shame–no chance I fear of one of unworthiness–that they omit to wear the gown and mortar board?

DEAR SIRS, We are endowed, as you probably know, with a splendid fives court. But the days are growing short, so that we cannot play much after 4 p.m. Would it not be a good investment for the school to put an electric light in it, and so encourage the noble sport.

Be the jeers of the small urchins never so loud, let the scholars revive this honourable and ancient custom, which we of the degenerate present have no right or call to abolish. Yours in suppressed indignation,

Yours in hopes,

NOT ONE OF THEM.

V’s.

To the Editors of “ THE CANTUARIAN.” DEAR SIRS, There flourished, in the dim mists of antiquity it must be confessed, a custom, nay perchance a rule, both pleasing and right, whereby the King’s Scholars who reside in the out-boarding houses were enjoined to wear the insignia of their status in their journeys to and from the school, bent on work.

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To the Editors of “ THE CANTUARIAN.” OVERWORKED SIRS, I have a small complaint for this page of multitudinous complaints. Could not the names of Exhibitioners be put up upon the board meant for that purpose? Yours etc., X. E. BISHONER

THE CANTUARIAN. VOL. X.

NOVEMBER, 1921

NO. 7.

EDITORIAL. “ Has anyone seen the Editor ? ” “ Editor what ? ” “ Edit,-or-if-you-do-not-get-the-September-Cantuarian-out-till-December-you-will-all-get-the-sack-spirit “ I can’t say I have noticed it lying about recently in the Editor’s office ! ” Such are the scathing remarks passed about that hard-working body the Editors. An Editor we believe means one who “ gives out,” but since nothing can come of nothing we are to presume that something has been “ given in.” This is where the argument breaks down. Apart from editing, acting as reporter–and greatest of all crimes–perpetrating the editorial the school expects the editors indulge in “ jeux d’espit.” After arduous editing there is not much “ jeu d’esprit ” left in an editor. The school itself is very reticent. It gives few articles, and fewer poems, and even these under great provocation. Christmas is coming, and the goose is getting fat. The Cantuarian too would like to put on a little flesh but it needs its equivalents of mangle-wurzels, bread-poultices, or whatever it is geese are fattened on. Surely Keats was thinking of an editor racking his head to supply what the school had not sent in when he wrote– O what doth ail thee wretched wight Alone and palely wandering ?

CAMBRIDGE LETTER. To the Editor of The Cantuarian, Sir, May we, exiles of Cambridge, crave a little of your valuable space to give an account of our doings, our omissions and our latest vagaries ? A motley crew are we, but one in exile. Since our last letter to you, some of us have bent before the Vice-Chancellor and stooped to take degrees, and others have had degrees thrust upon them through little fault of their own. Of these, Borham and A. G. D. West in their B.A. gowns are two of the more arresting figures of this town, so full of the truly picturesque. Moline, we hear, acquired a degree–we know no one who saw it happen–but it is whispered that he had to give it back again, as it was conferred upon him owing to some silly slip on the part of an

incompetent clerk. But this is, of course, too delicate a matter to bear investigation. Rumour has it Moline is now engaged in some plot to reduce Cambridge to a veritable Oppau, while he claims to be inventing a new gas. Anyway, but little is seen of him. The same may be said of others of the fraternity. Notably of Rigden, who until recently was a most energetic secretary to the club. But just as Cincinnatus having successfully concluded his wars fell back on this plough so Rigden after many a well won wordy conflict sunk back onto his typewriter and was not heard of again. The West brothers are here–No mere Theatre Bill Announcement but we seldom see them. Of the elder a tale is told of how, as President to the club, he personally warned each individual O.K.S. to attend the photograph

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CAMBRIDGE LETTER. parade at a definite time and place, but owing to the absence of two members of the club, had to postpone the event. Borham was one of the offending parties. He seldom keeps appointments unless the rendezvous chosen be the Baths. This is the house where he works and takes his recreation, in fact the house where, when not in College he may always be found. The other delinquent was Moline. Now the latter being was thought of a quiet and retiring nature, West organised a party to visit his rooms to effect a violent form of reprisal. Upon arrival at Moline’s Rooms in Magdalene the party decided to forego its call as it was evident that a field day was taking place inside, the movement of bodies of men was heard and also some movement of furniture. The College Porter informed the party as it left that it was Mr. Moline’s recreation hour and suggested that it was wise not to interrupt him just then. They say Morley studies geology, anyway he has been seen digging extensively in the sand on the Gogs-golf course. Juckes too is a golfer and of the freshmen literally the greatest addition we have had this term. He played in the rugger trials and plays regularly for Pembroke. He is a hard-working forward and trains on biscuits. His College Authorities found there was not room for him in the College and arranged for him to live on an island in Corfen–Parmiter is the other inhabitant of the island and they live in separate houses. No one ever calls there, but they call on each other and Parmiter is refurbishing his house with really robust furniture. You know Jucke’s passion for parlour tricks. J. D. P. plays rugger for Pembroke and has been badly bent and bruised lately. As a result of this he gave the game a rest for a time. This morning he was seen limping painfully on the left leg, so we assume he has started playing again or possibly someone has pulled his leg. Parmiter has suffered severely from the blues lately.

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Of the Medical Men Deighton is with us living in the town– also Budd our rallying centre – in fact the Father and Mother of us all. We have elected him president of the Club but he won’t believe it–so it’s no go. Mallinson played in the Fresher’s rugger match and ChildsClarke plays for King’s too. Halward is running for Jesus. Twells is taking an “ educational ” course up here–we don’t know what it is; but feel confident all O.K.S. would do well to take it. Telfer is a permanency we hope. He was appointed Dean of Clare some time ago. Ransome may be reading agriculture, anyway he was very interested in the turf before the 2nd October meeting. Breffit rows on the river and makes sweet music at other times. Palmer makes music at all sorts of times–generally at about 2 a.m. and should certainly be put into the river. Gough has a flute which he doesn’t use any more since a Memorandum was sent to the Tutor of C. C. C. signed by the entire College, requesting that the nuisance should be stopped. We should like to tell you about Budd’s new car, but he nearly ran us down with it the other day and if we did tell you about it he might make sure of us next time. Our tale is nearly complete but there is still Heming. We–as you–hold him in high honour as the man who with J. D. P. won the late war. But enough. Yours ever, EXILES OF CAMBRIDGE. P.S.–I thought much more highly of Heming before he–as secretary–got me to inflict this letter on you. I wonder what you think of him now.

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Ian MacEwen by Anthony Lyons

an MacEwen joined King’s in 2008 and spent thirteen years helping to bring the school into the 21st Century. Many of those years were spent on the Senior Management Team steering policy at the highest level. Knowing his eye for detail and his lucid and concise writing style, we asked him to share some of his favourite experiences. His first recollection is working with interesting, talented and creative colleagues. He says he started to understand the unique qualities and complexities of King’s through tutoring in Jervis under the excellent Housemistress, Lynda Horn, and by listening to the wise counsel of Bill Browning, Phil Fox and Simon Anderson. Helpful support also came from experienced colleagues such as Geoff and Bernie Cocksworth, Janice Reid, Richard Maltby, Marc Dath and Roy White.

And who can forget, Ian asks, King’s lunches, and the genius of Andy Snook, who always ensured that no school in the country enjoyed better food. Ian, of course, was a familiar witness of all things Sport at Birley’s, where he recalls wind that appeared to create its own unique vortex down the middle of the playing fields. And he recalls also many enjoyable afternoons spent coaching rugby, cricket and even lacrosse, always followed by the superb match teas on Saturdays. Above all, Ian cherishes in his memory the unique beauty of the Precincts. Arriving at the door of his Lardergate office in the still and quiet of the early morning, he always paused to listen to the birds, take in the scene and remind himself of the privilege of working in such a wonderful setting.

Ian worked closely with talented Registrars And, in return, the old place has special Rory Reilly, Graham Sinclair and James memories of Ian: his omnipresence from Outram in Admissions, and while creating a dawn to dusk seven days a week; his proper Marketing Department he enjoyed sang-froid and savoir-faire; his clear, wellthe creative company of Kieran Orwin and informed public speaking; his sporting David Hopkins, and felt lucky teaming up anecdotes, political expertise and bang‘I will never forget Ian’s cricket and with Sue Tingle and James Underhill to up-to-date analyses of the government’s politics stories over breakfast, a few of enhance the role of the Development Office. domestic and foreign policy, based on them too colourful to share in print.’ Ian had to liaise with Junior King’s and the voluminous reading; and his calm generosity new International College to bring the King’s with colleagues lacking his own maturity family of schools together more closely, and played a crucial part and objectivity. From the many tributes, formal and informal, that in planning developments that have transformed the face of King’s, Ian’s huge contribution to King’s has garnered, perhaps the words such as the stunning Malthouse conversion. of Sue Tingle sum him up best: ‘Ian was calm in the storm, the wise head who always gave you food for thought and great advice. He Ian was a wise and reliable guide in the classroom. He always found saw all the angles – you would always have missed some. He was a Politics sets stimulating and entertaining, and his enjoyment of political guru and pundit with an inside track.’ lessons was matched only by an impressive array of King’s talks. The last ‘live’ one that Ian recalls, just before the first lockdown in March Ian said recently that he recommends retirement, since he is reading 2020, featured Lord Charles Moore describing how he went about more, even some novels to complement his usual diet of sport, writing his majestic biography of Margaret Thatcher. Ian muses that history and politics. He has also been writing articles about politics. this is the first and still the only book that the former Editor of the Daily Telegraph has written. Personally, I will never forget Ian’s cricket and politics stories over breakfast, a few of them too colourful to share in print, and his Ian also fondly remembers watching the extraordinary confidence superb advice and kind support when we were relaunching school and talent on display during King’s Week. Jazz on a Summer Sunset publications together. Ian was to me a wise, alert, eloquent, diplomatic and Kidaco were his favourite events. And he recalls going to the and considerate colleague, whose cool common sense can perhaps Marlowe Theatre several times in March 2012 to see West Side be summed up in the words of Otto von Bismarck: ‘Only a fool learns Story, the most complex and memorable school production he can from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of remember. Ian also relished candle-lit carol services in the Cathedral, others.’ And it was such wisdom, and his expert knowledge of the and remembers one Junior King’s service in particular when a bucket school circuit, that helped ensure that King’s is now in such a strong of candles caught fire at the end of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ and position despite global events that seemed to have other ideas. a quick-thinking Katy Holland moved swiftly from the front row to carry off, stage-left, the burning bucket. CANTUARIAN | 2021

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Jamie Miller by Rob Sanderson

orn in Scotland, and so far Hungarian team who really was the boss of the epée. Not only was from home, Jamie created he instrumental in the building of the school’s new state-of-the-art and will leave behind one of Fencing Hall, but he also helped raise towards it £150,000. the most impressive legacies of any fencing coach in any school in the Jamie’s passion and drive are simply irresistible and that’s what country. He straddled both Junior made him such a good friend and colleague to those lucky enough to King’s and Senior know him. My encounters with Jamie were largely King’s for all 19 through King’s Week and the annual OKS match years with us. A ‘Jamie’s passion and drive on the Green Court. It was never a problem for steady rock in are simply irresistible and him to find OKS willing to come back and fence many students’ once again under his eye, and never a problem to that’s what made him lives, Jamie took beginners from the sports hall generate atmosphere and excitement. Jamie was such a good friend and in Sturry to international fencing competitions at always great fun to be with, organised, and most colleague.’ the Honved Club in Hungary and beyond. To list importantly insightful about those under his care. all those he coached to representing their country We are extremely sad that Jamie is leaving us after would be invidious; he would be embarrassed by the great length of such a massive contribution to the school, but we are excited for him the list. and wish him all the very best of luck for his new adventure in the fencing halls of China. Fiercely competitive, Jamie is also extremely gentle and humble, kind and perceptive. At the National, European and World Cup Championships it was clear how well-connected Jamie is, with almost every coach wanting to bend his ear and ask his opinion; he has wisdom, skill, patience and clarity of expression in abundance. His contribution to King’s sport was huge, but the difference he made to many a student’s life went far beyond any expectation of a normal sports coach. Students sought him out for counsel and found in Jamie a wise life-coach who supported them through thick and thin. He is a man with a huge heart who simply wants to help others, especially those who lack confidence. Many of these students have sent wonderful emails to Mr. Jamieson at JKS expressing their thanks to Jamie for his life guidance as well as his coaching. Beyond fencing Jamie is always up for a laugh. For 10 years on the annual Year 8 camp to Bude, Jamie would happily volunteer to dress up in a bin-liner for the fashion show to entertain on stage. When he invited the GB and Hungarian national teams to fence in the Malthouse, as an official opening of the new development that he had been so instrumental in making happen, Jamie dressed up as Athos to disarm d’Argtagnon with stylish bards, flamboyant parries and silky passata sottos, along with welltimed lunges, showing the 130

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Martin Robbins by Revd. Lindsay Collins Father Martin arrived in Canterbury ten years ago to take up the position of Assistant Chaplain. He came with a great deal of wisdom and experience from his years as an army chaplain and more recently as a school chaplain. Having trained with Father Martin at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, back in the 1990s and then, having had him shadow me at Kings’ College, Wimbledon, when he decided to investigate his calling from army chaplaincy to school chaplaincy, I was delighted many years later to have the opportunity of working with him here at KSC. No one could have made my transition from Sherborne School to KSC smoother than Fr. Martin. He not only warmly welcomed me but ensured that I got to know the many and varied parts of the school. It seemed that there was not an area of school life that Fr. Martin was not involved in, from academic teaching, pastoral work, helping introduce the Peer Listeners scheme into the school, running the Sixth Form Club and being a leader in the CCF as well as being chaplain to the whole school community.

Fr. Martin is remembered especially for his help with the CCF. Major Vintner recalls how, in true Fr. Martin fashion, he would not necessarily follow the script but interpret the plan, question the possibilities as only a philosopher could do, and then follow the path that he felt was the right one to tread. This was never truer than on a field trip with a map and compass when, walking with his groups, he often added a little extended detour to their planned route whilst taking in the scenery, definitely not lost but somewhat navigationally challenged! Whether it was supervising a CCF expedition, or accompanying a music trip, or giving Shells a tour of the Cathedral, Fr. Martin would make time to get to know the students in his care. He had a real desire to get to know people and a genuine interest in them and their world. He could discuss football, politics, relationships, religion, music or indeed anything else that the students brought up. It was no surprise, therefore, that he was a popular teacher, teaching across the Theology and Philosophy, and History and Politics Departments, all of which benefited from his intellect and his commitment to imparting knowledge and understanding to his students.

Over the past four years that I have had the privilege of working with Fr. Martin I have witnessed first-hand the spiritual presence he has had in the school. His office Fr. Martin engaged the students door was always open to anyone over the years with his tales of ‘His office door was always open to anyone who needed encouragement, a army life from his years as an confidential chat, bereavement army chaplain and it was not a who needed encouragement, a confidential support or just a break from the complete surprise when he spoke chat, bereavement support or just a break busyness of school life. Past pupils of his desire to return to that from the busyness of school life.’ were often in touch with him, ministry. The army chaplains that asking for help with a university we had preach in school over the dissertation or asking for him to past years all commented on what conduct their wedding or a baptism. He ensured that school worship an asset he was to army chaplaincy and how much he was needed was conducted with reverence and dignity whilst having a lightness back in that position. Sadly for us that means that we have lost a very of touch in his preaching that made it accessible to those from a faith special chaplain whose ministry at KSC will be missed enormously, and a non-faith background. but we wish him all the best in his new army chaplaincy role and hope that in the future he may visit us and share some new stories.

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Jolindi Jefferson by Mat Lister

n September 2008 Jolindi Smit joined King’s as a sports graduate specialising in Netball. The Director of Sport at the time, Roy White, remembers clearly asking her about her level as a player and as a physiotherapist. Despite representing her country at three different age groups in Netball, true to style she wore her ability and experience lightly. Richard Singfield, then Head of PE, confirms that she soon showed real teaching and sporting talent within the PE Department. It very quickly became clear that Jolindi would have a significant bearing on the direction of sport. Having been a physiotherapist at the High Performance Centre in South Africa, Jolindi had worked with many elite teams and individuals, including the Great Britain hockey and New Zealand cricket team, to name but a few. Her exposure to elite sport was unique and the invaluable skills she learnt during this time proved invaluable. In 2009 she started her role as Physiotherapist for the 1st XV, who went on tour to South America, where she quickly showed her weight in gold as every player remained fit and available for selection across all three weeks. She played a huge part in their unbeaten tour and subsequent successful home season. Jolindi remained an integral part of the sport porgramme for the rest of her career at King’s, but her impressive work ethic and ability to communicate through building genuine relationships meant that she soon expanded her role. In 2012, Jolindi became Deputy HsM of Bailey House. Zoe Allen, then Housemistress, could not have asked for a better colleague. Jolindi was the real ring master, keeping the circus in order; it was often thanks to her hard work and timely interventions that the show ran smoothly. As well as being highly confident, competent and professional, she was always caring, encouraging, supportive and good-humoured, putting the best interests of the Bailey girls first and foremost in everything she did. She offered her time and energy willingly, keen to cast a fresh eye on things and to come up with good ideas for improvements and initiatives. The Bailey open-air cinema was one of her ideas, for example, and became a fixture in the house calendar, bringing people together and raising lots of money for charity. She dealt with the girls instinctively, often spotting problems early on and intervening appropriately. She empathised with the overseas students and celebrated difference in a very genuine way that helped make everybody feel included. On first coming to Canterbury from South Africa, hilarious stories about her own cultural and linguistic integration include the one where she was tasked with giving a tour of the cathedral to a visiting rugby team. Her explanation of Henry VIII’s ‘lack of man hairs/heirs’ left the team somewhat confused, but the story demonstrates how seriously she tackles every challenge, but without taking herself too seriously. In fact, Jolindi is the type of person to see every experience as

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an opportunity to learn and move forward; her positive, encouraging approach to life is an example that benefitted everybody who had the pleasure of working with her here at King’s. Generous-spirited, thoughtful, and principled, Jolindi is sorely missed. Running numerous school trips meant that Jolindi, then Sport, Health and Visits Co-Ordinator, was my go-to from 2017. Her ferociously professional expectations of others meant that we were always the most prepared school trip in any resort. In fact, this meant that on every occasion we were ready for whatever was thrown at us. Indeed, whilst on tour in South Africa in 2015 we were alerted during our breakfast to a fire that had broken out in Tom Hill’s room. Whilst Richard Singfield and Mike Turner had the emergency under control, the boys calmly walked to the fire exit and were impeccable in the face of danger. Over a cold beverage later in the day, we all discussed how impressive the boys had been, only to find out later that Jolindi had been drilling them in emergency procedures since their arrival! Often, we were unaware of the hard work she put in behind the scenes, but this is just one example where her unfailing preparation for every eventuality ensured the best for all in the team. ‘Building an effective, cohesive team is extremely hard. But it is also simple.’ I was horrified when Jolindi highlighted this in a book that she gave to me entitled ‘Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team’ (Lencioni). My initial reaction was to think she thought me not a good leader which, when you realise that we were in all the same teams, some of which I led, could have been something of an issue! Of course, that was not her intention (I hope!), but instead she wanted to guide me to something that she had found very useful. Jolindi coordinated a team of professionals that meant that our pupils had the very best medical care and attention. To have her by my side at matches, running triage sessions and following up with specialists whilst also synchronising the Health Centre, first aiders, ambulance services, matrons, and teachers, really did make having a cohesive team ‘simple’. This was only possible because of her commitment and courageous persistent leadership; she was an outstanding practitioner and even better leader. Always driven to improve all that she was involved with meant there were difficult conversations at times, but the pupils were always at the centre of her determined approach to give them the very best. She made us all reflect honestly and with a view to the horizon as to what could be possible. To this day I am still contacted by other schools to ask for information on her pioneering approach and system for our Graduated Return to Play. Now Mrs. Jefferson, with two children, Jolindi is a superstar who set the bar high for us to strive towards ourselves in all that we do.

Stephen Winrow-Campbell by Matt Thornby

tephen arrived to take over running the Biology Department in 1998. It was obvious from the start that he had a deep passion for his subject. 23 years later that passion burns just as brightly. It was not uncommon for Stephen to have learned some new and interesting Biology and then burst into a classroom, albeit not when any teaching was occurring, to discuss what he had found. He had a knack for storing such information and using it to illustrate his lessons. I remember our residential 6a rocky shore ecology fieldtrips to Pembrokeshire. Stephen was really in his element or, should I say, his habitat. He did a Marine Biology degree in Wales and it has a special place in his heart. As soon as the tides allowed, Stephen would be delving into rockpools with an eager and fascinated string of pupils in tow. He really opened pupils’ eyes to the amazing adaptations of seaweeds and sea snails! Stephen love of Biology extends far and wide. I know he is a published author, but I suspect not many know that for a good number of years, after each Summer Term at King’s was finished, as the first Deputy Chair of the British Biology Olympiad he would escort the UK Team to the international event. He helped enable the UK to become a formidable global competitor and it led him from Australia and Argentina to Canada and Latvia, as well as taking him to a Buckingham Palace garden party. For his last few years at King’s Stephen moved from being Head of Biology to taking on the role of Head of Medical Applications. As typical of Stephen, he never did anything by half, and I know there are numerous pupils grateful for his support and knowledge. For many years Stephen was also Master in Charge of Fencing. He was a considerable fencer himself who had fenced at an international level as a schoolboy and even represented the Army one year at the Inter-Services Fencing Championships. I know he was equally happy seeing pupils fencing for fitness or competitively. Having said this, during his time in charge, the school produced numerous county, regional and international fencers. Stephen was a boarding house tutor for many years under the leadership of Paul Teeton before moving on to being a day house tutor with Phil Fox and then Emma Ladd. I know he loved being involved with both houses over nearly quarter of a century. Stephen loves the outdoors and I know he has plans for the next chapter of his life. He intends to explore more of Kent’s beautiful coastline and work on his and Susan’s garden (as the undergardener). 

‘As soon as the tides allowed, Stephen would be delving into rockpools with an eager and fascinated string of pupils in tow.’

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Kate Newsholme by Anthony Lyons

ate Newsholme (neé Findon) joined King’s in September Kate truly loved being in the English 2012. Looking back now, she claims that her interview Department, under three different success in October 2011, exactly one week after giving birth leaders, and enjoyed the company of to Megan (Libby arrived in 2015), is still her greatest achievement. On great colleagues who were, she recalls, the day, she wobbled over to the school from the Cathedral Precincts, so supportive of one another. She where she lived with her extraordinary husband, David, now Director loved being a boarding house tutor of Music at the Cathedral. Then she somehow taught two full lessons and getting to know pupils outside the and survived three interviews but couldn’t take the regulation tour classroom because, perhaps as the for applicants because she couldn’t walk that far. daughter of a muchAs a result, she says, she never really worked out beloved clergyman, ‘Her own passion and where some departments were. But naturally she she has always commitment when got the job. believed pastoral teaching surely came care in education must come first. She loved the Kate will be celebrated most, of course, for her humour and energy of teenagers, and her own from her conviction genius in the classroom, but we mustn’t forget passion and commitment when teaching surely that English Literature she was also a superb tutor in Jervis for her entire came from her conviction that English Literature is the greatest subject time at King’s and loved every minute of it, just is the greatest subject in the world. as the girls loved her. She was also a pioneering in the world.’ Head of Shell and then an efficient and creative Colleagues from the boarding house, the English Deputy Head of English from September 2016 to August 2019. She Department and the Common Room are unanimous that Kate followed that faultless administrative performance with a pastoral was uniquely impressive. Their praise would fill many pages, but role as Head of Teacher Development from September 2019 to essentially they wish to celebrate her fierce intelligence, acute August 2021, although for much of that time the school was teaching literary sensibility, unpretentiousness, pragmatism, efficiency, online during the pandemic and Kate was unable to carry out many refreshing honesty, impossible-to-emulate work ethic and, above all, of her progressive plans for the care of colleagues. In her spare her friendship. time she ran Shakespeare Corner during King’s Week for two years, the Remove event Speeches in the Chapter House for five, and the Although no ceiling in education, glass or otherwise, could ever annual Creative Writing journal Poetry and Prose for eight. restrict Kate, she has inevitably now returned to academia, and has just finished her first year of an Open University PhD on silence in Kate’s own memories of her busy life at King’s include both ups and Shakespeare, which involves reading the complete works from end downs but, as anyone who had the privilege of working with such to end. She is therefore, right now, in Heaven. I met her for coffee a complete professional will know, she met triumph and disaster recently and was thrilled to hear about her thesis, which is truly just the same. For example, she once agreed to oversee the rock original, but also delighted that she has not changed one bit. We concert after Sophia Gripari and Scarlet Pughe had begged her to do discussed some of her experiences as a student once again – critical so, and anyone can guess the sang froid required from the overseer reading, footnotes and bibliographies and the like. ‘Academics,’ she of that particular weekend event. And on two consecutive Fridays said, ‘don’t half talk a load of…’  Kate took one half of a whole 5th Form to the Globe Theatre in London to see The Merchant of Venice. Anyone who has taken a theatre trip, anywhere with anyone, knows that even once with a dozen pupils is a bit of a challenge. And in 2016, when she had just returned from maternity leave, she took over a fifth-form set that needed to produce five pieces of coursework, study three exam texts and learn the skills for a Language paper in just one and a half terms. Such was her scrupulous attention to detail and warm encouragement of the pupils that they all did well.

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Edd Flower by Mark Orders

dd joined King’s in September 2015. He was, of course, no stranger to the school since he attended between 1998 and 2003 as a boarder in Linacre House. After studying French at Exeter, and spending time in Canada and London, Edd completed his first teaching role at Battle Abbey School before joining the English Department under Anthony Lyons and becoming a tutor in Meister Omers. A popular and hardworking English teacher, Edd had the best interests of all students at the heart of his lessons. He deployed good humour, encouragement and high standards and expectations for all. Visitors to the Lattergate offices could find themselves listening in to his dynamic teaching echoing through the corridors and staircases. Edd’s talents were not just to be found in the classroom. He also made a fine contribution to sport as a rugby, football and cricket coach; he was a committed supporter of the Duke of Edinburgh Award; and he became a regular on many overseas trips and rugby tours. The Marlowe Society flourished under his leadership and it quickly developed a very popular reputation for stimulating discussion, with the added benefit of some fine wine. While he may have taught in the ‘Old’ Grange, Edd soon made the journey to the ‘New’. In 2016 he was appointed as Deputy Housemaster of The Grange in St. Augustine’s. This was a position he held for five years and one he often described as one of the most rewarding experiences he had at King’s. It was by coincidence the same boarding house that his father attended in the 1970s, and Mr. Flower Snr. was keen to impart some tips to ensure his son had a successful tenure. As he was my third deputy in three years, the house was craving some stability and he certainly delivered on this score. Edd’s time in the house will be fondly remembered as one of great fun and enthusiasm, but also dedication, a strong sense of discipline and the utmost reliability. Edd had an ability to deliver a sarcastic quip, to pupils and staff alike, that was often so cutting as to be missed entirely unless you were looking carefully for it. His talent to see through challenging situations was unrivalled, and although he might well have become frustrated the boys of the house always saw his best. Adeptly polishing even the most the turgid of personal statements, Edd was responsible for catapulting many 6a’s of The Grange to Higher Education greatness. It is a testament to Edd’s impact that even the most rebellious and reticent of the Shells became his biggest supporters. When he asked

a question he really expected an answer, and when he spoke he fully expected the boys to listen. He would ensure the house was the first in the Cathedral for Matins (except for the one time it failed to turn up at all) and that the ‘tunes’ were belted out with sufficient gusto in Congers, if not musical finesse. Known to be particularly tenacious, Edd had no qualms staying in the boarding house until the job was done and any concern had been put to rest. He had the absolute trust of the boys, and this made all the difference in allowing him to show real leadership in this role. From being the focus of house art, the target of a well-aimed wet sponge repeatedly delivered with some force by members of the 1st XV (all in aid of charity), to competing in, and winning, the staff/pupil inter-house cricket competition despite a sprained ankle, he made it his business to be fully involved in all house events. Looking back, it is quite remarkable how many areas of school life there are that Edd made a contribution towards. Not one to seek platitudes or reward, he would quietly offer his time to anyone that needed it – whether that was a colleague looking for help with an activity, covering for an absence or illness, or a pupil needing quiet support. His final years at King’s saw him take up a position on the Common Room Committee, revising the Shell English curriculum, and playing an important role in supporting the King’s Week Festival and running the pupil-led King’s Week Kitchen. Those of us that attended his talks to the Pater and Marlowe Society, or enjoyed listening to the inspirational speakers he encouraged to visit the school, will know that Edd had a real enthusiasm for Shakespeare. In particular he was fascinated by the history and culture surrounding performances through the ages, in London and across the world. Edd began studying for a masters degree in his final years at King’s, giving him further inspiration and motivation. Edd has taken up a teaching position at Taunton School and is working with another former tutor of The Grange, Mike Turner, who is now a Housemaster. I have no doubt that Edd will keep in touch with us here. Canterbury is a city that holds special memories for him, and as a true Man of Kent (or is that Kentish Man?) he wears his heart on his sleeve, and ‘Invicta’ tattooed on his upper arm. As a deputy during some challenging times I could have asked for nobody better than Edd – a reliable colleague but also a dear friend to me, and indeed to many of us. He leaves us at King’s with fond memories and having made a lasting impact. We wish him, Olivia and Marlowe (the cat) a very happy future in Somerset. CANTUARIAN | 2021

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Fleur Mountjoy by Rebekah Beattie

leur was an incredibly dedicated teacher of Drama at King’s, who always had her students’ best interests at heart. Her subject knowledge was excellent and she gave willingly of her time to help students of all abilities. From coursework assistance to her precise and confident direction of shows, our students knew that they could come to Fleur for guidance and care. One of Fleur’s theatrical passions is ‘Immersive Theatre’, and she channelled this wonderfully well into her annual ‘Immersive Experience Weeks’. Working with Bill, she would plan elaborate and ‘‘She would plan intricate mysteries for students to solve in beautifully designed elaborate and ‘rooms’. With only low lighting intricate mysteries permitted, students would for students to wear headtorches to explore each ‘room’, uncovering the solve in beautifully story as they looked through designed ‘rooms’.’’ precisely placed keys and clues. I know that these magical experiences will live on in her students’ memories and seeing them become so involved and invested in the stories was marvellous to behold. Staff were also encouraged to ‘play’ and it is a true testament to her hard work and creativity that these experiences were so successful. Fleur is a keen runner and lacrosse player and so was a great asset to games at King’s also. During the holidays, she could often be found running up mountains and taking on impressive long-distance challenges. She brought this boundless energy into the classroom and to her shows, and her students responded with enjoyment and vigour. A now-favourite ‘warm-up’ game, which she introduced to King’s, is the ever-successful ‘Eastenders Zip-Zap-Boing’. Cries of ‘You ain’t my mother / Oh yes, I am!’ still permeate the Drama Department, along with the inevitable raucous laughter! Fleur was a very dedicated tutor in Jervis for several years before becoming Deputy Housemistress in 2018. Unfailingly professional and highly dependable, she was an excellent second-in-command; the Housemistress always knew the house was safe in her hands whenever she was in charge. Her warmth, kindness and relentlessly cheerful personality made her popular with all. She was approachable, firm and fair and the Jervis girls knew that in her they had a solid ally. Her departure has left a big hole in our community and she is sorely missed, both as an excellent colleague and a lovely friend.

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