THE VIGORNIAN
FIRST VI
H. G. VAILE
P. A. D. BROWN
J. L. M. FLETCHER
R. D. KNIGHT, Esq.
L. R. M. STIMSON
R. D. F. ANDERSON
SCHOOL OFFICERS
Head of the School R. Thorn
School Monitors
Heads of Houses :
School House
Castle House
The Hostel
Choir House
Chappel House
Creighton House
Captain of Football ,
Secretary of Football
Captain of Boats
Secretary of Boats
Captain of Cricket
Secretary of Cricket
Captain of Hockey
Secretary of Hockey
Captain of Fives
Captain of Athletics
Captain of Shooting
Secretary of Shooting
Secretary of Swimming
Captain of Boxing
Editor of The Vigornian
Assistant Editors
Secretary of Debating Society
Secretary of Art Society
Secretary of Music Society
Secretary of Literary Society
Secretary of Science Society
I. A. Dickinson, H. B. Shouler, P. A. D. Brown, D. P. G. Westgate, R. L.·Rowley, H. G. Vaile, P. L. Costeloe, A. J. Tinkel, A. J. Moody, J. A. Wilding, H. Meadows, J. L. M. Fletcher, D. F. Bretherton, R. D. F. Anderson, K. G. James.
I. A. Dickinson
H. G. Vaile
· H. B. Shouler
· P. L. Costeloe
D. P. G. Westgate
R. Thorn
I. A. .Dickinson
· P. L. Costeloe
H. G. Vaile
R. D. F. Anderson
D. P. G. Westgate
H. B. Shouler
K. G. James
P. J. Randle
P. L. Costeloe
R. Thorn
R. D. F. Anderson
P. J. Barrett
J. L. M. Fletcher
· R. L. Rowley
P. A. D. Brown
D. P. G. Westgate, R. Thorn, H. G. Vaile, P. L. Costeloe, R. L. Rowley.
A. J. Bufton
P. A. D. Brown
H. G. Vaile
R. L. Rowley
C. G. Jones
Secretary of Natural History Society G. Langstone
Secretary of Christian Union
M. R. J. Claxton
Secretary of Chess Club . M.Day
Librarians
R. N. Hughes, D. P. G. Westgate, A. J. Tinkel, H. D. Watson.
HONORES SCHOLAE
R. THORN. Open Exhibition in Modern Languages at Exeter College, Oxford. State Scholarship in French and German
M. RAWLINGS. Meeke Scholarship in History at Hertford College, Oxford. State Scholarship in History.
M. RoWE. State Scholarship in Physics and Mathematics.
R. A. JONES. State Scholarship in Mathematics and Physics.
D. P. G. WESTGATE. State Scholarship in Modern Languages.
W. D. C. INGLIs. Royal Navy Scholarship.
P. A. CRELLIN. Royal Navy Scholarship.
VALETE: Spring Term
Sixth Form: LANGSTONE, G. A.-(January 1948). Chappel House.
Upper V: WITHEY, R. G.-(September 1949). Chappel House.
Upper· Remove A: McTuRK, R. W. MORGAN-DAVIES, D. L.
Upper Remove B: BARRs, P.
Upper IV A: PEGMAN, M. B.
Upper IV B: DANIELS, D. C.
Lower IV A: BEDFORD, J. L.
THE VIGORNIAN
The Worcester Cathedral King's School Chronicle
TA MEN MAN0ANO, TA ZHTO, TA nAPA 0EON HITHIAMHN
VOL. XVI No. 1
EDITORIAL
The sun has down on another school year and for some of us we have seen it set for the last time. Our school careers have come to a close and, if the saying be true, the happiest days of our life are over - but
the future must be the judge of that.
We have been seen to crawl out of the examination room, already con
templating our possible failure and cursing ourselves as the "bloomers" that we had made glared out at us as we summed up the prospects of having convinced the examiners that we had some idea of the subject in hand. But our studies have been only a small part of our education as a whole, and we may console ourselves by saying that form-room education is nothing more than what is left when we have forgotten the facts. What really comes to mind at this time is whether we are satisfied that we have had the best out of our school and that we have endeavoured to put our best into it. School life has many treasures to be sought after and we only gain from the school what we must necessarily put into it in we have done that, then we can be satisfied that our years here have not been wasted and we can be proud to have been members of the King's School. ,,-<
We feel that the introduction of the new school uniform is a wise and needed innovation in the dress regulations. The general public must judge a school by the behaviour and tidiness of its members when they. are outside the school, and now that a conspicuous uniformity has been introduced, there must necessarily be instilled in each and every boy an alert sense of responsibility towards his school. He cannot fail to catch the public eye and must bear himself in a way which is befitting to the uniform which he wears and the school he represents.
tLooking back through the past Vigornians we came across this prophecy, made in the early days of the Boat Club: " There are indications that rowing is getting the hold on the King's School that it ought to have, if for no other reason than that it is the interest of the School that it should do so. Some day it will attract the attention of the public as one of the principal rowing schools in the country." Since that day the Boat Club has progressed steadily over the years, enkindled by the spirited enthusiasm which its members have always had. Today it has fulfilled that prophecy. The School has distinguished i itself by bringing home the Public Schools' Challenge Cup from Marlow 1. three times in five years and by winning eighteen open regattas in the same period. Assuredly the School has attained its peak in fours, and the future must see a new era in which a King's School eight will fight its way to the top
of the Public Schools and bring home the Princess Elizabeth Cup from Henley. I But this will take time and must remain for the present as another prophecy
in the pages of the Vigornian.
Apart from the satisfaction of seeing one's own work in print, it cannot
be over-emphasised how great is the value of contributing to the pages of the Vigornian. Above many other assets it is able to give confidence in writing and increase one's ability in literary expression. It is hoped that the example set by the large Contribution Section of this edition will encourage members of the school to make full use of the medium of the Vigornian whilst they still have the opportunity.
o.v. NEWS
P. J. HEARNSHAW (Castle House) says that he is busy chasing tse tse flies and hunting wild buffalo, though they are getting few and far between in a very overcrowded Nigeria. He says that, fr.om the Nigerian point of view, the Royal Tour in the Winter was a wonderful success. He helped ina minor way by making a track through sixty miles of jungle in order to transport horses to Kaduna for the Royal Durbar.HEARNSHAW is Director of the Veterinary Department of the Northern Region of the Nigerian Game Reserves.
D. L. THAWLEY (School Hpuse 1938-1942) has recently been appointed Minister of the Ecclesiastical District of St. Michael and All Angels, Andover.
PAUL WOODHOUSE (School House 1918-1926), a schoolmaster by profession, is a City Councillor of Winchester and has been appointed Mayor of Winchester for the present year. Apart from his work on the City Council he has a number of other interests in the life in the city. He is a Governor of King Alfred's College and a member of several Masonic bodies, and has held the Office of Master of one of the Lodges. The little spare time he has is devoted to the editing and publishing of the "Hampshire Review."
O. ROMILLY CRAZE (Day Boy after serving for five years as Vicar of St. Peter's, Worcester, is to take up an appointment as Rector of St. Peter and St. Paul's, Upton-on-Severn. Mr. Craze is honorary chaplain to the local branch of the RA.F.A., and does a great atnount of welfare work for the Association and its members. Since 1952 he has been private' chaplain to the Bishop of Worcester.
NOEL VINCENT (The Hostel 1949-1955) is doing his National Service in the Worcestershire Regiment. He passed out of Eaton Hall in the last week of June and is going to Jamaica in January.
oil: oil:
J. S. M. ROBINSON (School House 1944-1954) is doing his National Service in the Royal :Marine Commandos out in Cyprus. Recently, he passed his Life-Saving Test and a: week later, whilst sun bathing on the beach, saw a man in difficulties in the water. He rescued and revived him. The action was seen from H.Q., and Robinson was specially commended in Orders. He would have been decorated had he not forgotten to find out the man's name!
A. L. E. WILLIAMS (19°7-1911), ;Vicar of Bournemouth and Honorary Canon of Winchester, has been appointed Bishop of Bermuda and Dean of Hamilton.
Group Captain J. R. A. EMBLING, D.S.O. (Hostel 1926-31) has been appointed Commander of the Eastern Sector, Fighter Command, with the acting rank of Air Commodore.
B. L. NICHOLAS (Day Boy 1943-50) has been appointed Reader ill French Literature at Kings College, London University. :11=
R. S. HUME (School House 1953-4) is studying Medicine at Stanford University, U.S.A.
THE VIGORNIAN
BIRTHS
M. J. WELLS (School House 1937-1943)-to his wife, Audrey, on October 29th, 1955, a son (David James).
'*' '*' '*'
B. PAPPS (Day Boy 1940-1943)-to his wife, Joan, on July nth, 1956, a daughter.
'*' '*' '*'
R. J. LITTLE (Day Boy 1941-1945)-to his wife, Mollie, on April 14th, 1956, a son.
'*' '*' '*'
T. J. RICHARDSON (Castle House 1944-1949)-.to his wife, Janetta, on April 11th, 1956, a son (David William).
'*' '*'
A. HARGRAVE (School House 1944-1948)-to his wife, Elizabeth, on' February 19th, 1956, a daughter.
'*' '*' '*'
D. WEBB (Day Boy 1944-1947)-to his wife Dorothy, on May 25th, 1956, a son (Martyn Albert).
ENGAGEMENTS
M. J. M. SHARMAN (Castle House 1943-1946) to CECILIA HUTToN of Larbert, Stirling.
MARRIAGES
P. C. UNDERWOOD (Day Boy 1942-1947). On June 16th, 1956, to MISS CONSTANCE MARY BRowNE;' at Hallow, Worcester.
'*' ' '*' '*'
P. G. F. HIGGINSON (Chorister 1936-1939. The Hostel 1939-1942). On December 17th, 1955, to MISS MoYRA CATHERINE GLERSIL, at Nairobi, Kenya.
'*' '*' '*'
J. G. PYE (Day Boy 1940-1945). To lOAN VERNOICA HARDING of Worcester, on 1st September, 1956.
DEATHS
H. NICHOLLS, who, for many years, held the office of School Carpenter, died on March 27th, 1956, aged 78 years.
'*' '*' '*'
T. J. G. COOPER (Day Boy 1942-1949). Lieutenant, Royal Navy, was, killed in a motor accident in Cornwall on 25th May, 1956.
'*' '*' '*'
G. A. COOPER (C.S.M. retd., Worcestershire Regiment) died at Pershore on 7th July, 1956, aged 69 years. C.S.M. Cooper joined the Worcestershire Regiment in 1905. After his retirement in 1927, he served for 20 years as Instructor to the School Training Corps.
tSPORT
ROWING
The First IV this season was made up of four Juriior oarsmen (A.R.A. status) of varying experience. The crew welded together fairly easily in the first three weeks of tenn, though it was not all easy going, as the style which developed was rather different from previous years and the members of the crew were not equally experienced However, the crew was fit for racing short courses by the week-end of Worcester Regatta.
The result of the local regatta was promising, the School winning the. newly presented John Brittlebank Memorial Trophy for Schools; they then went to Hereford the following Monday and brought back their Schools' Cup also, to complete a week-end "double."
At half-tenn the First IV decided to accompany the Second IV to Shrewsbury (all paying their own fares and entrance fees). There the First IV lost by half a length to Wallasey Grammar School over a very short course. This first defeat served as a stimulus and the IV practised hard during the next week prior to Stratford Regatta. Thete they were successful in winning the Annie Davies Cup in three races, the only hard one being against King's School, Chester, whom they beat by one length.
The crew improved still further the next week and went to Marlow with morale high. The first race on the Friday proved the hardest, the School beating the Nautical College, Pangbourne, by only half a length and Reading School by one length. Owing to a strong head-wind the time was very slow, min. 27 sec., but was nevertheless the fastest time recorded for the event on both days.
The first race on Saturday was rowed on much the same lines as the one on Friday. The School lost half a length on the ,start, due mainly to nerves, but made it up and took the lead in the next twenty strokes never to lose it again and finished 1 t lengths up on a much improved Monmouth crew The final was rowed against Sir William Borlase School and the IV's old rivals, Wallasey Grammar School. For a change the IV stayed level, doing a better start, and gained a slight lead over Wallasey which they gradually increased till it was at a maximum of 12 lengths at the half-way mark. At the threequarters Wallasey sprinted, pulling down the School's lead to half a length. Twenty strokes from home the School stroke took her away and the IV finished one length ahead to win the Schools' Cup for the third time in five years.
The following Saturday the IV split up into two pairs for Monmouth Regatta, but met with no success.
The Second IV was a long time in settling down and working as a crew. They lost in the first round both at Worcester and Hereford regattas by small margins. But their defeats all went to supply the experience they needed to do well in open regattas, and during Half Tenn they went to Shrewsbury and won the Maiden Fours event in three hard-fought races. The following Saturday at Stratford they really ;found fonn, rowed three hard races, deadheated in one and reached the final of the Junior Fours event. In the final
they were beaten by a fonnidable Ariel crew by- two lengths.
At MoIimouth, rowing for the Schools Cup in· place of the First Boat, they met a good Monmouth School First IV and lost by one length after a courageous effort.. The Second IV now seemed to be losing the fonn they had striven so hard to gain in mid season and two days later lost to King's
School, Gloucester First IV by two and a quarter lengths.
The present Third IV were originally the Fourth IV, but owing to the rather less vigorous training programme of the Third IV they beat them fairly convincingly and were promoted to Third IV. After this they improved by leaps and bounds, on the way scoring a near miss at Stourport Regatta when they lost in the semi-finals of the Maiden Fours to King Edward VI School, Stratford, First IV by only three quarters of a length. However, at Monmouth Regatta they finally found success, winning the Maiden Fours
THE VIGORNIAN
event against strong and much heavier ppposition. This is only the second time a King's School Third IV has won an open event at a regatta. The Fourth IV were never really fit enough to hold off the present Third IV, but keep the consolation of having won more races than they lost. Sincerest thanks are extended to MR. KNIGHT for all the work he has done repairing the rather ancient boats the Club possesses anq for his excellent coaching, reflected by the success the Club has obtained. Thanks are also extended to MR. FRISBY for the work he has done on the Fourth and Fifth IVs. Finally, all 1955-1956 members of the Boat Club wish to express their gratitude to all the parents of former School oarsmen and to the many other friends of School rowing, together with those O.V.'s who made possible the purchase of our motor canoe. We feel sure that all those who contributed to it will feel amply rewarded in knowing that our win at Marlow this year was in no small measure due to the closer coaching and increased mileage now made possible by the launch.
THE 1ST IV
This has been one of the best IV's the School has ever had. It was at the peak of its form at Marlow and worked like a machine.
H. G. VAI1.E. The Captain of Boats has this year stroked the IV. He has made an excellent stroke, having both the right rhythm and the right temperament. In addition he has proved an excellent Captain and organised the Club admirably.
R. D. F. ANDERSON. At" 3 " Anderson has again proved himself a firstclass oar; his style and strength have been invaluable in giving cohesion to the crew.
J. L. M. FLETCHER.Together with Anderson his great strertgth has given the boat the power required to make a really fast crew. He is less elegant than some others but fitted in very well indeed.
P. A. D. BROWN. After some early difficulties he settled down at Bow and was able to get much of the rhythm and style which came rather more easily to the sterrt half of the boat. At Marlow he was perfectly in time with them, and that takes some doing at Bow.
L. R. M. STIMSON. Much of the crew's success has been due to his firstclass coxing. He has never got worried or lost his head ina race and has steered some extremely good courses.
1ST IV FIXTURES
Date: Opponents:
Sat. May 19th:
Venue: Result: Distance:
Worcester Regatta Won School IV's
Worcester Royal Grammar School Won Easily
Prince Henry's'Grammar School, Evesham 'Wort 3 lengths
W.C.K.S. 3rd IV... .' Won 4 lengths
Mon. May 21st:
Hereford Regatta Won School IV's·
Hereford High SchoQl Won Easily
Monmouth School Won 2 lengths
Hereford Cathedral School Won 2t lengths
Sat. May 26th :
Hereford Cathedral School H Won 3t lengths
Sat. J tine 2nd:
Abingdon School ... H Won 3 lengths
Wed. June 6th: Monmouth School A Wash-out
Sat. June 9th:
Shrewsbury Regatta:
Wallasey Grammar School
Sat. June 16th:
Stratford Regatta
Derby School
King's School, Chester
Wallingford Grammar School
Fri. June 22nd :
Marlow Regatta
Nautical College,
Reading School
Sat. June 23rd :
Monmouth School
Reading Bluecoat School
Wallasey Grammar School
Sir William Borlase School, Marlow
Sat. July 14th:
G.V's.
ILost i length
Won School IV's
Won 2 lengths
Won I length
Won Easily
Won School IV's
Won i length
Won I length
Won It lengths
Won 3 lengths
Won I length
Won 3 lengths
H Won It lengths
2ND IV
Races won: I!. Races lost: 5.
3RD IV
Races won: I!. Races lost: 3.
4TH IV
Races won: 6. Races lost: 2.
5TH IV
Races won: 2. Races lost: 1.
SCHOOL REGATTA
The heats for the Regatta were rowed off in the week preceding G.V. day and the semi-finals and finals were rowed on G.V. day. The G.V's. put out a rather better crew than in previous years, and the 1st IV could only beat them by I t lengths over half a mile. The standard of racing was high, although there were only four entrants in the Senior House IV's. In the final of this event School House beat Castle House by d- lengths, School House being the favourite and the-more expetienced crew. In the final of the Junior IV's, Castle House, after a hard race with School House, just beat the Hostel by 3 feet. The sculling Was of a high standard on the whole, the final of the Cox's Sculls being the most exciting, in which J ackson beat Stimson by only t length.
The final results were:
Senior IV's.-School beat Castle. It lengths.
Junior IV's.-'Castle beat Hostel. 3 feet.
Senior beat Moody. Easily.
Junior/Senior Sculls.-Reddick beat Baldwin. Easily.
Junior Sculls.-Wilshaw beat J ackson. 2 lengths.
Cox's Sculls.-Jackson beat Stimson. ! length. '
First Four Colours:
THE VIGORNIAN COLOURS
R. D. F. ANDERSON (re-awarded).
J. L. M. FLETCHER.
P. A. D. BROWN.
First Four Coxing Colours:
L. R. M. STIMSON.
Second Four Colours and First Four Caps:
R. L. ROWLEY.
W. D. C. INCLIS. P. MOODY. C. G. HOOK.
Second Four Coxing Colours:
First Four Caps:
A. D. L. MILLS (re-awarded First Four Coxing Cap).
B. E. JONES.
C. A. ELLIS.
G. M. EASTHAM.
D. H. COTTON.
First Four Coxing Cap:
R. L. VAILE.
CRICKET
As can be seen from the scores, this has not been a very successful year, largely because the members of the team did not strike form together. D. P. G. WESTGATE led the side after two years as Secretary and set an excellent example by maintaining an average of thirty-three.
Of the first three matches, two were lost and one resulted in an unfavourable draw. The first victory was against Hereford, whom we bowled out on a wet wicket for eighty-nine. The match against Magdalen College commenced at 11.3° in drizzle and biting cold. They were finally dismissed for 160 after being at one stage 140 for 5. Once again, however, our batting let us down as WESTGATE'S early dismissal seemed to demoralise the following batsmen. Against Malvern the School declared at tea with the s'Core at 165 for 4, WESTGATE again playing an attractive innings. The opening bowlers again failed to capture an early victim and two very aggressive batsmen were allowed to dictate affairs to such an extent that they scored the necessary runs in under two hours. We were able to beat the Grammar School mainly because of an excellent bowling spell by WHITEHEAD, J. A.,. who finished with an analysis of 6 for 17. The match at Warwick was rained off, but we were able to have a full day's play against the O.V's, who turned out a strong side and beat us convincingly.
The Batting Cup has been awarded to D. P. G. WESTGATE, and the Bowling Cup has been awarded jointly to J. A. WHITEHEAD and J. C. WOODALL. In the House Competition Choir House beat Chappel in the final by seven wickets.
RESULTS
Opponents
L. M. Bailey's XI (Brown 32, Costeloe 32)
Dean Close School (Costeloe 22) Bromsgrove School (Westgate 35)
THE VIGORNIAN
Worcestershire County Club and Ground· Lost (Bufton 28, Woodall 4-32)
Hereford Cathedral School Won (Westgate 31, Woodall 5-18)
Magdalen College School Lost (Mackie 30, Hazeldine 34)
Malvern College " A " XI Lost (Mackie 38, Westgate 43)
W.R.G.S. ... Won (Whitehead 6-12)
Warwick School Abandoned ! (Westgate 30 not out)
Old Vigornians Lost
(Mackie 44)
2ND XI
Opponents Result
King Edward's School, B'ham Lost
Belmont Abbey School 1st XI Draw
Bromsgrove School Draw
Hereford Cathedral School Won
Malvern College Colts "A" XI Draw
Sebright School Won
W.R.G.S .... Won
WarV':ick School Won
Old Vigornians Lost
3RD
XI
Opponents Result
Malvern College Colts " B" XL Draw
King's School, Gloucester 1st XI Abandoned
UNDER 15 XI
Opponents Result
Bromsgrove School Lost
Hereford Cathedral School Won
King Edward's, Stourbridge Won
W.R.G.S Lost
Warwick School Abandoned
- UNDER 14 XI
Opponents Result
King Edward's School,B'ham Won
Bromsgrove School Won
The Downs School Won
King Edward's, Stourbridge Won
Sebright School Won
The Downs School Won
W.R.G.S .... Won
Warwick School Lost
For Against 70-7 130-7 Dec. Rain Stopped Play 87-9 For Against 79 133-'-3 Dec. 144-8 Dec. 71 83 54 44 45-6 66-4 Rain Stopped Play For Against 112-8 Dec. 95 90-6 Dec. 28 91-8 Dec.
ATHLETICS
It often surprises the indolent how much can be achieved by spontaneous enthusiasm disciplined by consistent and determined training. The outstanding achievements this year of a comparative few cannot have failed to inspire many to train more seriously.
Of the 'few,' ROGER THORN deserves special mention. But for his enthusiasm, it is unlikely that a team would have competed in the Midland Public Schools Athletic Meeting; it is certain that there would have been no match against the Training College. Furthermore, without his leadership and inspiration the results would not have been what they were. .
At Birmingham, against strong opposition from many schools drawn from a wide area of the Midlands, THORN won the Mile in the fast time of 4 mins., 35.2 secs. ADAMS was second in the Half Mile; BRETHERTON, ROWLEY and WEEKES were third in the Steeplechase, High Jump and Javelin respectively. Against the Training College THORN ran a very fast Half Mile (the Mile was unfortunately cancelled). ROWLEY distinguished himself by winning both the High Jump at 5ft. 4ins. and the Weight with a put of 36ft. lin. FOWLES won the Hundred Yards and SHOULER the Javelin. The School won this match with a score of 61 points against 52.
Two further achievements of THORN cannot pass without mention. At the London Athletics Club's School· Cup meeting at the White City in April, though placed second in the Mile, he returned the same time as the winner, 4 mins. 24.8 secs. Later in the summer at Plymouth he returned the even faster time of 4 mins. 22.8 secs.
Finally, the School Sports. The response to the limited training facilities was disappointing, but as usual on the two Sports days competition was keen and the results by no means discouraging, po fewer than seven records being broken. Perhaps the most remarkable performance was that of JAMES, N. who, while competing in the Middle Sports, broke the School Long Jump record with a leap of 19ft. 6ins. Other records are indicated on the table of results.
A glance at some of the performances in the Middle and Junior events is sufficient to encourage one to look ahead with some optimism. One thing is certain: in the two new officers of the club, ADAMS as Captain and FOWLES as Secretary, the School has not only two most promising runners, but two who one feels will do much for Athletics in the future.
In conclusion, we must mention with gratitude, the splendid work of MR. LANE, the groundsman, who spent so much time preparing the field for the Sports Day.
ATHLETIC SPORTS 1956
Hundred Yards Fowles Weekes James, K. Skeates I I secs. 220 Yards Fowles Rowiey James, K. Hazeldine 24t secs. Quarter Milet Adams Fowles Bretherton Dickinson 54 secs. Half Milet Thorn Adams Bretherton Sheffer Im. 591s. Milet Thorn Adams Bretherton Sheffer 4 m ·35 S Hurdles Skeates Cos telae Rowley Barrett 18ts .. High Jump Rowley Costeloe Hughes Jones, C. 4ft. IO!in. Long Jump James Costeloe Fowles Skeates 19 ft
Putting the Weight Rowley Shouler Costeloe Hazeldine 34ft. sin.
Javelint Weekes Shouler Skeates Whitehead 148ft. 6in. Discust Rowley Costeloe Weekes Shouler 104ft. 2in. Relay Chappel Creighton School Choir lID. 39.8s.
THEVIGORNIAN
SUMMER, 1956
MIDDLE JUNIOR
Time or Time or Winner Distance Winner Distance
Huridred Yards Bowkett III secs. Austen 12 secs. 220 Yards Full 2St secs. Austen 28 secs. Quarter Mile Potter 61 secs. Dyer 59! secs.
Half Mile Howard-Davies 2m. 13.3S. Dyer 2m. 241s. Mile Howard-Davies srn.8i-s.
• Hurdles* Potter 18t secs. Havely 12t secs. High Jump Ellis 4ft. 9 in Austen 4 ft . 7lin .
Long Jumpt James, N. 19ft. 6in. Austen 16ft. jlin. Putting the Weight* Bowkett 41ft. 9in Brown 40ft. Ilin. Javelin* Hayden II 1ft. 9in. Woolley Il6gt. Ilin. Discus* Potter 95ft. Ilin. Dyer 83 ft , Relay Choir Im·4 8is. Castle 54 secs.*
* Denotes standard reduced in these events. t Denotes new School record.
RESULTS OF INTER-HOUSE COMPETITION
I. Chappel 4 6 Choir 51 Castle 56
2. School 43 School 33t School 33
3· Creighton 23 Castle 29t Choir 23 " Choir 19 Creighton 15 Creighton Junior 17
4·
5· Hostel 9 Hostel 10 Hostel ·2
6. Castle 3 Chappel 4 Chappel Junior 0
HOCKEY
This year, the team enjoyed its most successful season so far. It was possible to extend our fixture list by arranging matches with Prince Henry's G.S. Evesham and the O.V's. The main weakness lay in the wings, though this was partially overcome by some fine inside-forward play from BROWN, I. C. In general, the half-back line was the strongest section, while steady full backs and a good goalkeeper helped to form a solid defence.
RESULTS
v. P.H.G.S. Evesham: 1st XI Won 1-0 2nd XI Lost 2-3
v. Hartlebury G.S.: 1st XI Won 2-1 2nd XI Won 4-0
v. Hanley Castle G.S.: ' 1st XI Drew 0-0
v. P.H.G.S. Evesham : 1st XI Lost 1-2
V. P. G. L. Curie's XI : 1st XI Drew 3-3
v. Old Vigornians : 1st XI Lost 4-5
THE VIGORNIAN
COMBINED CADET FORCE
This year, General Inspection was held on the 21st June. The inspecting officer, Brigadier G. E. Peck,D.S.O. (Commander 88 A.G., RA.C., F.D.) T.A., while giving the customary address, said that he was impressed by both turnout and keenness. .
The Field Day was held on 29th June, ' A ' Company going to Bringsty and ' B ' Company to Bromyard Down. The usual manoeuvres were carried out under somewhat cloudy skies.
For this year's Camp we moved up to Gandale, near Catterick, as guests of Northern Command for the first time.· Despite at least one complete soaking, the camp was very successful. This was in no small measure due to the good organisation of the Durham Light Infantry.
For several years past, the contingent has· been highly commended on its marching on the Sunday March Past. This marching to our own band for the first time since the war, our previous high standards of marching were surpassed.,
A squad of N.C.O.'s and Cadets won the Camp Drill Competition, narrowly beating Haberdashers, Aske, last year's winners.
The band was somewhat unfortunate in that it rained heavily during their display. They were finally placed third out of four in their section of the Band Competition.
On the Sunday, a sports meeting was held in Catterick Stadium. Although some members of the School Athletics team were not at Camp, the contingent put up a very creditable performance, and finished second to Ampleforth.
PROMOTIONS
Tbe following Promotions were made on the 17th January :Cpl. Dickinson, I. A ... . A/Sgts. Cadet Fletcher, J. L. M. " Costeloe, P. L. " Davis, A. G. " Tanfield, J. G. B. Ljcpl. Randle, P. J. " J ones, R. A. Moody, A. J. A/Cpls. " Jones, C. G. . .. AjLjcpls. " Brown, I. C. " Meadows, H. " J ameson, R W. " Wilding, J. A. " " Westgate, D. P. G .... " Vaile, H. G. " Hughes, R. N.
The following Cadets were promoted to AjLjcps. on the 26th April :Bretherton, D. F. Varney, J. E. Inglis, W. D. C. Hazeldine, R. J. . Milne, W. Y. Bufton, A. J. Moody, P. Tinkel, A. J. Daniels, E. L. Anderson, R. D. F. Thorne, W. P. Whitehead, J. A. Langfield, J. W. Rawlings, M. H. Powell, R W. Hook, C. G.· Procter, J. L. Holden, N. H. McLean, C. M. Reynaud, C. B. Gordon, R J.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
DEBATING SOCIETY
Owing to an already overcrowded calendar the society was limited to three meetings during the spring term.
At the first, the motion debated was that" to wear one's hair long is the civilian's privilege." The motion was carried by a large majority, thanks mainly to a spirited speech from MR. NATAN.
At the second meeting the motion debated was that " gentlemen no longer exist." The speakers were Messrs. COSTELOE, WESTGATE, ROWLEY and JERRAM.
For the final meeting we visited the Alice Ottley School and debated the motion that " women have altered the course of history more than men." Our representatives were Messrs. R. THORN and G. LANGSToNE.The meeting was a grand success, due in no small part to the chairmanship of MISS MARTIN, who quickly dispelled any verbal barrier that may have existed due to the visitors' natural shyness.
In conclusion, we look forward to the coming season with a meeting for the first time with the Malvern College fot Girls, and looking back we thank MR. JOHN for his interest in the Society.
LITERARY SOCIETY
In the Spring term four meetings were held in the Headmaster's drawing room, at which" King Henry IV," part one, and" A Winter's Tale" by William Shakespeare were read, also "Everyman in his Humour" by Ben Jonson, and "The Sport of Kings" by Ian Hay.
MUSIC SOCIETY
On the first Sunday of the Spring Term, MR. WEST gave an illustrated talk on "Variations" in music, showing their origin and use. The second meeting of the term drew the biggest for a long time, when MR. KNIGHT and MR. SUTCLIFFE gave a programme of piano duets. It is hoped that these popular programmes may be continued in the future. MR. WATKINS-SHAW, of Worcester Training College, gave an illustrated talk at the third meeting, on the subject, "What is Music made of?" MR. SHAW, who is librarian at the famous Music Library of St. Michael's College, Tenbury, certainly. did justice to his reputation by giving such an instructive talk in his interesting manner. The final meeting saw MRs. KITTERMASTER'S drawing-room packed to bursting-point once again for the annual" Member's Night." The standard of playing was very high, the items varying from solo instruments to solo and harmonized voices.
The School Choir. has had r:egular practices throughout the year under MR. WEST'S direction. In the ,Summer Term it once again attended the RS.C.M. Public Schools Festival at Gloucester Cathedral, parts of the programme being broadcast.
Grateful thanks are offered to MR. WEST for all the work he has done in the School Music Department, especially in connection with the School Orchestra, which is now taking definite shape.
THE ART SOCIETY
In the Spring term the Society had three talks, all of varying natures. The first was by MR. A. MARKS, O.V., who gave a most enjoyable evenings talk on "What Clay Can Do," with lantern slide illustrations and some personal exhibits of porcelain.
THE VIGORNIAN
MR. J. SEBRIGHT, O.V., R.I.B.A., gave us an illustrated talk on " Building and House Design," and showed the Society examples of plans and drawings such as have to be made before a site is cleared for building.
A very good talk on "Humour" with ample illustrations was given by MR. FERRAR, and the evening was one of many laughs-particularly at MR. FERRAR'S own attempt at drawing cartoon illustrations.
The Society's activities are extended now into the Summer term, when they take the form of Architectural and Sketching parties to places in and around Worcestershire. The first expedition went to Whitbourne Court, where a wide choice of landscape provided some picturesque studies.
The visit to Coughton Court, the ancestral home of the Throckmorton family, was more in the historical and architectural line and there was barely time in which to make a few brief sketches after a detailed tour of the lovely mansion with its famous gatehouse and beautifully restored interior.
The last party visited Sudely Castle, another home of great beauty set
amidst glorious parkland.
These expeditions are only possible by the special arrangements of MRS. KITTERMASTER, and the Society is most grateful to her.
CHESS CLUB
In the Spring term the First VI completed their fixtures in the 1st Division of the Worcestershire Schools League. Results were as follows:
v. King Edward's School, Birmingham (draw 3-3).
v. Prince Henry's Grammar School, Evesham (lost 2t-3t).
v. Blind College, Worcester (lost d--4t).
v. Malvern College (won 3i-2t).
v. King Charles School, Kidderminster (won 4t-It).
Our position in the League is not yet known.
The Second Team comfortably beat the Sacred Heart College, Droitwich. The Under IS'S results were:_
v. Prince Henry's Grammar School, Evesham (won 5-1).
v. Sacred Heart College, Droitwich (won 6-0).
v. Worcester Royal Grammar School (won 4t-It).
v. Malvern College (won3t-It).
Their only defeat was against King Edward's School, Birmingham.
M. DAY and S. C. GRAHAM played twice for Worcestershire Schoolboys, on boards 2 and 3 respectively.
With the invaluable help and encouragement of MR. BALLANcE we look forward to another successful year of Chess.
SIXTH FORM CLUB
The meetings this term began with a " Brains Trust" held at the Alice Ottley School. The panel, to whom we are greatly indebted for answering our questions so explicitly, consisted of a member of the staff of each school.
The second meeting was hdd at the Girls Grammar School. This time we were given a most interesting lecture on the « Outlines of Psychology" by DR. WESTGATE. The third meeting of the term was held at the Alice Ottley School, where the club enjoyed the Annual Summer Dance.
The last meeting of the year was, as usual, the Annual General Meeting. At this meeting the heads of the schools concerned explained why the club was being closed down. MR. KITTERMASTER said that during the past ten years the club had been slowly drifting from its original cultural aims, and would, therefore, be temporarily closed down. MISS RODEN said that the fact that the club was closing down now could not be any reflection upon this year's committee. She added that this had been one of the better years that had been enjoyed by the club over the last ten years, due mainly to an excellent choice of meetings.
"
VIGORNIAN
The eagerness of the heads of the schools concerned to find a substitute for the club indicates that they realise how valuable a part of our education was fulfilled by this organisation. It was agreed to leave the cash balance for the use of the new club, when it should be formed. We would like to express our hope that such a substitute will be found quickly, and will be as enthusiastically supported as the Sixth Form Club has been.
SCIENCE SOCIETY NOTES
The second complete year of the Society has now ended with the membership of the Society nearly double that of last year.
The first meeting of the Spring term was once again a film show in College Hall. The films shown were :
(1) « The Enquiring Mind."
(2) « The Anatomy of a Dog Fish."
On February 20th a party of Senior members of the Society visited Worcester Gas Works. We were shown around the whole of the works, but the greatest interest was shown in the Chemistry Laboratories.
The last meeting of term was held in the Visual Aids Room, where MR. CRAWFORD gave an illustrated talk on his thesis « The Errors in Marking Mathematics Papers." This talk was appreciated very much by the Senior members of the audience, who started a very interesting discussion on the subject.
The first meeting of the Summer term was the most important meeting of the year, when a party of about 30 boys visited the Annual Exhibition at Rolls Royce, Derby. We saw both the Car and Aero Engine Divisions of t,he Company and also the outline of the workings of the Apprentice Training School. The Company provided us with an admirable lunch after the conducted tour.
On Monday, July 2nd, the second meeting was held in College Hall when the films:
(1) « The Veteran Car Rally."
(2) « The Third River."
(3) « The Story of the Sparking Plug." were shown.
The last meeting of the term was a visit to R.R.E. Malvern. A large party once again attended, and all thoroughly enjoyed their visit round this Government establishment.
. Finally, we thank MR. FRISBY for his continued interest and enthusiasm throughout the year.
CHRISTIAN UNION
The Christian Union has seen another successful year, in which interest in the Union has grown, and many helpful criticisms have been put forward.
At the first meeting of the Spring term, Canon Briggs gave the first of two talks on « The Making of the -Bible," dealing with the Old Testament. At the next meeting, MR. CRAWFORn addressed us on « The evidence for the Authority of the Bible." At the final meeting, CANON BRIGGS gave his second talk, this time on the New Testament.
At the first meeting of the Summer term, MR. I. LLOYD-JOHNSTONE, the eye specialist, showed the film « Flower of Tibet." Afterwards, DR. CLARKE, who was in Tibet helping with the shooting of the film, answered questions on the film and on Tibet in general.
At the next meeting a film-strip was shown on the work of the Scripture Union in India and Pakistan. At the third meeting, MR. C. GORDON SINCLAIR, another local eye specialist, spoke on « The need fora Christian to Stand Firm." The final meeting took the form of a general meeting when plans were discussed and next year's programme drawn up.
We should like to thank M.R. H. M. BALLANCE most sincerely for his continued help and assistance.
THE SCHOOL FETE
There was no Speech Day as such this year, as Saturday, 9th July, was primarily a day designed in such a way that much money was to change hands for as long as possible - in favour of the School.
Parents, friends and boys assembled in College Hall at noon to be welcomed by the Governors. The Chairman of the Governors, the Dean of Worcester, in his opening address dwelt on the modern problem of automation and on the value of Education in meeting the need for creative and useful leisure. He pointed out that, in this present age, so many of life's values had been reversed -those that were of lasting importance, truth, trust and service, had been replaced by those of a more transitory nature, such as popularity, speed and glamour.
In conclusion, the Chairman paid tribute to the work of Canon Briggs in connection with the School and Education as a whole. He was sure that everyone would join him in wishing Canon and Mrs. Briggs the best of luck in their retirement.
The Headmaster made his Annual Report in which he pointed out that the School had little to show in the way of Scholarships this year, but that the academic work of the school was not to be judged by this alone as last year's General Certificate Examinations returned a hundred and twenty-nine passes out of a hundred and forty-one entries. He continued by informing us that the school had been inspected by the Ministry of Education earlier in the term, and that before leaving to make their report, the inspectors conveyed to him a well-satisfied impression of the school and its work.
Passing on to Sport, he said that the school had obtained two major honours in the past year: ROGER THORN had distinguished himself and the school by recording the winning time for the Mile Distance at the White City Public Schools Meeting, but he was placed second on a "photo-finish" judgement. He also won the same event at the Midland Schools' Meeting in Birmingham and FOWLES won the hundred and two-twenty yards sprint at the same meeting. The other major feat was the school's great victory in the Public Schools' Challenge at Marlow Regatta.
Concluding his report the Headmaster then unfolded the most important news of the day, which was the reason why a fete was so necessary this year. He said that in the coming school year there were to be over a hundred boys doing Advanced Certificate work and the larger percentage of them were pursuing the Sciences. This demand was a heavy taxation on the already overcrowded Science Department and presented a problem of considerable urgency. At present there were only four laboratories, all built in the days when the school numbered about a hundred, and there were now over five hundred in the school.
To do justice to the expanding Science Department the school would have to build accommodation at a cost of thirty-six thousand pounds, a sum which could never be raised on the school's income. Our only hope was to obtain a grant from the newly-formed Industrial Trust (a fund set up by several large industrial concerns for advancing financial aid to schools with progressive science departments warranting such aid). The Headmaster told us that he and one of the Governors had been negotiating with the Fund's Committee, and had succeeded in persuading them of the dire need of their help. An inspection of our science accommodation was carried out by one of their representatives and an offer of twenty-three thousand pounds was made, on the condition that we raised a third of the cost.
This was the crux of the whole matter: either we raised twelve thousand pounds before the end of the year and so had the handsome gift of two-thirds of the cost, or else we had no further claim on the Fund's help. The fete was being held to help reach that target. That afternoon and the near future would determine the whole future of the school. At this time the school had reached a crucial point in its history and its whole future lay in the balance of fate: if the money could be raised, then the school would stand foremost amongst the Public Schools as having the most advanced science facilities in
the country; and, failing our target, we would have to continue to struggle on our own resources.
After MRS. BRIGGS had given away the prizes the Head Boy thanked CANON and MRS. BRIGGS, on behalf of the school, for their kind generosity and help to many of the boys of the school, and for their lively interest in the school and its functions : he told them that now that they would be leaving us (on CANON BRIGGS' retirement from the Chapter) they would both be missed very greatly by the boys about the Green who had come to know them personally and for the cheery wave and smile that always greets them. In conclusion he expressed the school's thanks for the unending and unselfish help of MRS. KITTERMASTER in the organisation of the Fete: to her the school was deeply indebted. I
Afterwards the gathering left the Hall with 'hearts full of the' urgency of the Headmaster's appeal, and the breezy but not unpleasantly cool afternoon in the school gardens was enjoyed by everyone and proved to be a great success. There were stalls of all varieties, sideshows of much ingenuity and complexity and a fortune teller to· brighten the hearts and financial future of our generous donors. The Sixteenth Century" Play of the Weather" by John Heywood was acted at the bottom of the slope leading to the watergate in true mediaeval fashion, and MRS. KNIGHT skilfully turned a tricky play into an effective production, typified by good period acting full of gusto. Further entertainment was provided by other members of the school, who produced a polished Marionette Show and attracted large audiences to its various performances. Teas were admirably organised and served in the dining halls, and ice cream and fruit juice was sold about the grounds throughout the afternoon. In all, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and the weather did not cheat us the whole day long.
To name those who gave so generously to the stalls and all those who helped organise and run the activities of the day would require more than one edition of the Vigornian, so we extend our warmest thanks to them all. However, we cannot fail to give special praise to the Chairman of the Committee, MRS. KITTERMASTER, who always works so hard and graciously for the school, in ensuring that this third School Fete was the great success that it had to be.
The members of the Societies, whose meetings have been held in the Headmasters drawing-room, would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Kittermaster for their kindness and interest.
THE VIGORNIAN
CONTRIBUTIONS
A HISTORY OF THE CASTLE AT WORCESTER
Worcester sprang up at the head of the tideway of the Severn because here there was the only fordable spot for miles on the river. The ford was of the greatest impottance as it linked the main roads of the county with those of Wales.
Originally" the rude huts which by the Severn lay" were without defence from raiders, but it soon became apparent to the inhabitants that whoever commanded Worcester also commanded the important ford across the river. Thus the Christian missionaries, who had converted the heathen populace, raised the level of the eastern bank and enclosed it with an earthen rampart and a wall of wood. Within its bounds sprang the first Monastery of St. Peter, and here the Christians lived in peace for a short time until the raiders attacked them.
During the latter half of the loth century pirating was rife in the Western country: the Danes, Norsemen, Irish and Welsh plundered and fired the little monastery town only too frequently, leaving as fast as they had come, by the river. But the faithful band of Christians did not lose heart so easily and in the reign of Alfred they petitioned their King that they might raise a substantial mound on their tump so that they might defend themselves better. Alfred replied: " that for the love of God and for St. Peter and the Church at Worcester, at the Bishop's request I command that a burrh at Worcester be built."
Very little is known about the ' burrh ' which was subsequently raised, except that it stood a height of some eighty feet. It was situated to the south of the ford on the site of the lower lawn in the Cathedral King's School gardens. The nature of the ' burrh ' can only be inferred from that of known fortifications elsewhere in the country, and from the topographical layout of the east bank of the Severn. The majority of ' burrhs ' built in Alfred's reign were large, flat-topped, moated mounds: but a moat could not have been constructed round the' burrh ' at Worcester since the levels were not suitable, the river being considerably lower than the east bank upon which the mound was heaped: the water would have drained away and it would have been necessary to fill the ditch by raising the water from the river.
Now, whether a " castle," in the term as we know it, really existed at Worcester is a question which raises a great deal of doubt. There is no record whatsoever of any building in the nature .0£ a castle ever having been erected on or near the ' burrh,' as there is neither licence granting its building nor material evidence to prove its existence. It is almost certain though, that a true castle did not exist in pre-Norman times since no Saxon defences extended beyond the " burrh ' fortifications in vogue at that time. The idea of there having been a castle in Saxon times may have been due to a misinterpretation of the historical record written by St. Oswald, describing Worcester and its Monastery. He describes the Monastery as being inside the "castle" rampart, such that the earthen rJimpart and the buildings within it formed the castle. It can now be seen how the misunderstanding arose, since in St. Oswald's document there is the word " castellum " which has been translated
as " castle," when in actual fact a " castellum " is a fortified enclosure, which fits the context more correctly.
The enclosure then, as it stood in pre-artillery days, was an extremely well-defended structure. On the west side was the Severn itself, to the south was a brook which curled its way round the base of the mound before draining into the river and to the east there was an effective expanse of swamp which made an attack from this side very unpleasant.
After the Norman conquest it is said that a castle was built. To quote Green: "the first Castle here of which any mention is made, is that which Urso d'Abitot built. The area, which is now the College Green was, in Norman times, the outer ward of the castle behind which, to the south, was
the inner ward, or the fortress itself." The outer ward, of course, was seized from the Monastery but was returned again, on the day of King John's interment, by the Pope's Legate and the Earl of Pembroke.
The uncertainty as to whether a Norman Castle really was constructed is again created owing to the further use of the word "castellu,m" in the preserved documents. What we do know for concrete fact is that the Normans added a ditch to their predecessors' moatless ' burrh,' and in so doing constructed it through part of the monastery graveyard, which resulted in great protest to the Archbishop of Canterbury and much abuse across the forecourt to the" castle"! As a result the land was hastily returned (though the ditch remained) and the monks built a wall dividing the monastery from the castle. This wall is still partially preserved to the rear of The Hostel and Castle House and no doubt the foss itself traversed the length of one of its sides.
Urso held two positions under the Crown at Worcester: he was Sheriff
of the county and tenant of the King's demesne manors. There was no Earl of \Vorcester, and Urso assured for himself the noble privileges of this peerage. But suddenly there appeared a denouncement in an Anglo Saxon Chronicle of 1074 that Urso did not possess the Castle but that it was under the jurisdiction of the Bishopric. This document is certainly no mis-statement since a record
describing an incident during Rufus' reign substantiates the truth of it. It is written that an uprising against Rufus brought an influential band of men from Hereford and Shropshire to Worcester with a force of fighting men. St. Wulstan was greatly perplexed" as the castle had been entrusted to his keeping" and ordered the garrison out to put the raiders to rout.
On St. Wulstan's death in 1092 hi& successor did not gain control over the castle, but it passed once more into the hands of the Sheriff, Urso's son, Roger. Roger, however, fell into disfavour with the King by killing one of his officers and he fled for his life to France. It was at this stage' that the building on the mound passed into the Beauchamp family as Roger's sister Emmelineinherited the estates on his escape and then married Walter de Beauchamp. Walter received the Constabulary and Shirealty of Worcestershire.
It appears that Green's conception of the castle at this time was one of a great and imposing Norman structure. In actual fact the area on the top of the tump was barely sufficient to erect a keep upon, the "motte" having a diameter of only seventy-two feet.
The decay of the enclosure as it stood at the beginning of the thirteenth century may be' attributed to the inheritance of Warwick Castle by the Beauchamps. WOrcester was neglected for some time and it cost the city ,a great deal of money, as during the Barons' War in 1263 the Earl of Derbyshire attacked Worcester in force. The resistance was magnificent but the besiegers managed to capture the castle, and the town fell into their hands. The castle was never properly repaired after this skirmish. It remained in partial ruin until the Crown placed it in the' care of the Earl of Warwick.
At the end of the fourteenth century the Earl of Warwick relinquished it as he had no intention of ever ;taking up residence within its walls. .
From the end of the fourteenth century the castle ward was destined to be a prison until its final removal in the eighteenth century. But there ,is hardly anything on record of either its inmates or its state. There is, in fact, hardly any other building in Worcester of which we know so little., Before the sixteenth century .there were only passing references to the prison but in the reign of Queen Elizabeth we hear that there was a large number of inmates and that their life was rendered worthless by the terrible conditions under which they existed. Some of the prisoners who were involved in the Gunpowder Plot did 'not survive to see the outside of its four walls and many prisoners were moved to Worcester from London for execution.; Women were imprisoned there too; and we can infer from the record that one woman had had a child one and a half years after being interned. there, that the morals and disciplme of the warders was, pretty low.
1956
THE VIGORNIAN
At last the old prison was closed in 1830, when a new gaol was built to house the increasing numbers of prisoners with the increase in population. The stone was carted away for building and the Crown sold the 'burrh ' It was subsequently carted away and nothing was left by 1844.
All that remains of this historic site is part of the wall built by the monks and an embattled portion of one of the prison buildings which forms a part of the western wall of Castle House. Some Roman antiquities were recovered from the ground during excavation.
All that there is today to remind us of the past is a street name, a small mound of earth and a plaque. The street is Castle Place, the playground approach to the school, whilst the mound and the plaque are in the school garden, marking, as a perpetual memory, the oldest site in Worcester - the burrh and the ford which it so jealously guarded for many years.
P.A.D.B.
ONE FORM OF MUSIC
There are articles on Jazz in " The Times" now, so I see no reason why there should not be one in the Vigornian.
Jazz was started by uneducated American Negroes, freed from slavery, seeking musical expression. Their ideas of music came from plantation music, spirituals, minstrels, military bands, French Creole songs, the Negro Blues and work songs of the cotton fields. These went to form Jazz, together with the people's desire to play a music expressing their freedom. Therefore they played a free music based on spontaneous improvisation. They had no musical knowledge or printed music, but they had instruments. Banjos, guitars, string basses and drums they probably made themselves; comets, clarinets, trombones and horns were probably left behind by the emancipating Union Army after the Civil War and were probably doubly cherished for that reason. In the city of New Orleans particularly, about 1900, there were many Jazz bands. They played in the streets and at the many and varied dance halls. For a negro funeral a band was always hired. They would walk, playing slowly and mournfully, to the graveyard outside the city, but on the return march, as Louis Armstrong says "They'd just tear those horns apart." A good idea of the procedure is given by the record of Louis Armstrong's band, called" New Orleans Function." In the dance halls Rags and Blues were played instead of the Marches and Spirituals played on parades. What is played does not matter so much in Jazz but rather how it is played. The tune is subordinate to the individual player whereas in classical music the player is subordinate to the composer. Jazz bands use no music. A piece usually starts with all the band playing. The cornetist leads the way, playing the melody with his own interpretation; the clarinet weaves a green thread of countermelody round the scarlet thread of the comet, while the rhythm section keeps the warp and weft in place and the dark brown of the trombone fills in the harmony. After a prearranged number of bars, usually a multiple of sixteen or twelve, the ensemble finishes and a player can then make, in solo, an extempore variation of the original tune. After another prearranged interval, or just when he feels he has something to say, the next instrumentalist comes in. It is like a conversation and- the same rules apply to making Jazz as to making conversation. In fact it is believed that the word Jazz came from a French word "jaser" meaning" to chat."
The Golden Era of Jazz was the nineteen-twenties, when many fine records were made. The spontaneous gaiety of "Black Bottom· Stomp" and H Steamboat Stomp" is contrasted with the thoughtfulness of "Cannon Ball Blues" on an outstanding long-playing record by pianist Jelly Roll Morton's band. Another wonderful record by the Hot Seven includes ArmstFong's super-blues improvisations in "Melancholy" and "Wild Man Blues." That the Hot Seven were one of the best bands ever is shown by listening to the ensemble in " Potato Head Blues" from the same record. The Hot Seven consisted of piano, tuba, drums, banjo, trombone by Kid Ory, clarinet by J ohnny Dodds and Armstrong as comet
THE VIGORNIAN SUMMER, 1956
Mter years of eclipse behind the commercial Swing of the Thirties, New Orleans Jazz was revived in 1943, primarily by a group of enthusiasts who recorded music of such pioneers as Bunk J ohnson (born 1880) and Alphonse Picou (born 1879) who, for years, had played amateur Jazz around Louisiana They were fine musicians and the records were good, the best being the Johnson band's records of " Tishomingo Blues" and" Franklin St. Blues." These records set off the Jazz Revival and soon many bands were formed in England-some poor. Ex-Etonian trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton has done
more than anyone to raise British Jazz to the present level. The Queen and I Princess Margaret attend concerts.
In 1945, small spare-time improvising groups, including musicians out of the big Swing bands, began to spring up again and this was the birth of Modern Jazz. The Modern Jazzmen - notably Dizzie Gillespie, the late Charlie Parker and Thelonius Monk - were greatly influenced by composers such as Milhaud and Stravinsky, and thus Modern Jazz is more complex, based on chord sequences. Very good examples of Modern Jazz are on the Charlie Parker Memorial record, the instrospective "Easy Living" by trumpeter Miles Davis and the strangely beautiful "Summertime" by saxophonist Stan Getz. There is little collective improvisation in Modern Jazz, however, because being more intellectual and less extrovert, the musicians prefer playing solo.
There is a division amongst critics between Modern and Traditional, but in my opinion both styles, when played by small groups, have great scope. Modern Jazz has the more harmonic complexity, whereas Traditional is more contrapuntal because of its collective improvisation.
I hope that I have shown, without making extravagant claims for Jazz, that this music is worthy of interest.
R.A.P.
THE SIGN-POST
The brown and withered tendrils of ivy about the inn-door shivered and crackled against the rough stonework as the icy north-east wind howled down from the Arctic wastes. Snowflakes, borne by the fiercer gusts, dashed against doors and walls, and occasionally fell hissing among the glowing peats of the hearth.
With a protesting creak the door swung open, sending a stream of radiahce into the wild night, and a tall man stepped out, muffled in a dark travelling cloak, his head bowed against the fury of the wind. A gruff " goodnight " was said, the door creaked once more, and the shaft of light vanished, leaving the traveller to the blackness of the night.
tHe passed beneath the lintel of the yard-gate and emerged into a maelstrom of wind, which bowed the wind-break of pines and caused the lantern above the gate to swing and gutter as it beat with awful violence against the walls. Leaning upon his staff, the man made his way with difficulty up the gentlysloping track into the teeth of the gale.
Amidst a shower of broken twigs and pine-cones he passed beneath the trees and halted for a moment in the lee of a broken stone wall, then trudged out from behind it, staggering at first as he met the full blast of the gale as it swept across the open moorland. To either side of the road the heather tossed wildly, the mist drove by like battlesmoke, and the snow blanketed every rock and bank as it was whirled from the icy wastes where the wind was born. From time to time a pale moon appeared, now half-covered by driving wrack, now rushing across the sky naked and bright as a white crescent of fire. By its pale and ghostly light the man peered ahead, striving to pierce the streaming mist, his every step taking him farther from shelter. A long ridge loomed ahead, dim through the smoking mist, and up this he struggled, his cloak billowing furiously.
SUMMER, 1956
THE VIGORNIAN
As he reached the summit the wind, now freed from the restraint of higher land, tore at him with its full rage, roared among great gritstone boulders, lifted small stones into the air, and buffeted the man as though it resented the presence of a mortal in its domain. Then pale, shadowy, there loomed through the mist and driving snow the gigantic, ghostly figure of a cowled monk, standing with arms flung wide! The lower patt of the dread apparition was in blackest shadow, but the white face which glared at the traveller was like a grimacing skull, its eye-sockets, black holes in the white bone. The traveller stopped as though struck, then staggered back, flinging up an arm to shield his eyes from the awesome sight. Then, the first shock over, he stared at the figure, his face convulsed with doubt and terror. He grasped his staff tighter, stepped forward, then sprang back with a cry of horror as the figure appeared to swim towards him through the writhing mist! His mouth formed inarticulate words, worked convulsively, then he screamed hoarsely: " What do you want with me -I say what do you want?" There was no answer. In terror he shouted again on a higher key, but his words were tom by the gale : " Why are you here ? . What have I done ?"
" Done, done . . . . " the wind flung back at him, like an echo. Then, with a courage born of desperation, he leapt forward shouting an oath, and struck violently at the figure with his stick. With a crash the stout ash stave struck, and shivered to fragments. At the same moment the moon broke through the flying clouds, and left the man staring with slack jaw and glazed eyes at a white-washed sign-post, its arms pointing wide, while the wild wind roared about him, and the mist rushed past.
THE SWORD OF O'LEARY
The road to Worcester on August the 22nd, 165 I, was by no means easy going. It had rained the previous night, and in the early hours of the morning a detachment of cavalry had churned it into a sea of squelching mud. The cannons seemed to revolt against any suggestion of movement, and for miles behind mud-spattered crews could be seen, trying in vain to wrest their unwilling charges from the mire.
At the head of one sweating squad stood a heavily-built quarter-master, who was swearing at his men in a thick Irish brogue. His ancient but wellkept uniform was that of a mercenary, and the badges of previous campaigns· formed a large splash of colour on his sombre blue cloak.
" Who in 'Eavens name d'you think ye are. Blasted women ? You can't move damn twel' ton ar' a push 0' yourn finger, yer loons !"
It was, admitted quartermaster Harold O'Leary, no mean task, but his idea of encouragement was to rasp at those committed to his charge until the only feeling they had for him was cold hatred. That was his system: whether it was good or bad, he cared not. His job was to obtain the maximum amount of work from his company, not become popular.
He glanced about him with the eye of a practised soldier and thought he detected a movement behind a bush alongside the stream which ran parallel to the track. It was probably a sheep, but it would be his fault if it turned out to bea royalist straggler who might bring news of the Croinwellian entry.
" Two 0' ye go oot there a' see if there's a Charlie." He pointed in the direction of the brook, and made an ugly but meaning gesture across his throat.
Two of them, eager to stop hauling, walked across the field, and, much to his surprise, reappeared dragging behind them a weakly-struggling man, whose glittering sword showed that he was an officer.
" Gi' me 'is sword a' finish 'im off." O'Leary repeated the gesture and leered crudely at his captive.
" Take me to an officer, Quartermaster.".
"What d'you take me for?" O'Leary's anger increased. " Slit 'is throat - you 'eard what I said _. an' don't take the 'ole damn day about it."
The man, fearing the quartermaster more than their prisoner, carried out the order swiftly and efficiently, then handed his poniard to O'Leary, who viciously kicked the body into the gutter. " 'Ardy! Tell the Colonel ab art 'im - but don't say nothin' of 'is sword or you'll go the same way as 'e did."
The fellow hobbled up the road cursing. When he had gone O'Leary examined his booty: the scabbard was jewelled, and the hilt of ivory. The motto on the blade was in English -" Ne'er part with me, and I will be thy friend." Not by any means an unusual weapon, but one that would be of great use to any professional campaigner. He fastened it onto his belt after hastily crossing himself - for amazingly enough, O'Leary was a god-fearing man. Turning his attentions to the gun, he busied himself in the task of moving the unwieldy vehicle.
For eleven days O'Leary was in a state of perpetual unrest. His drilling became even harder, as news of won battles filtered behind the lines, and he longed to exhibit his skill as a military cOJl}mander. His newly-gained sword had already proved its worth in a duel, and the quartermaster's bloodlust grew stronger every day. '
When the orders to march finally came, they were none too soon in O'Leary's eyes. His energy redoubled and the slightest mistakes on anyone else's part would produce yet another oath from his apparently inexhaustible vocabulary.
As he walked behind the cannon, sword in hand, he felt in his element, and the growing excitement of the battle to come gave him an almost fanatical delight. The previous day he had gone over the workings of the gun with the care of a father and he felt assured that that at least would not fail him.
By ten o'clock on the morning of the third the force of Roundheads was assembled in Powick village, making last-minute preparations for the combat. Occasionally a cannon ball would fall nearby and flashes from the direction of the bridge indicated the position of the enemy. O'Leary's crew were busy loosing off rounds of grapeshot and peppering the river bank with roundshot from their muskets.
The signal to advance finally came at one o'clock. The guns were relinquished and an incoming patrol reported that the ground was clear. O'Leary, who was in charge of a band of musketeers, led them alongside the hedge to the bridge.
His mind was now wholly engrossed in the matter on hand and he revelled in the sensation. He radiated confidence in his own rough way, to those below him, and when the time came for action he set a standard which was not to be scoffed at.
He grasped his poniard with a perspiring hand and tried to swallow his impatience. He looked from the epigram on his sword to the river bank and then back to the epigram, waiting· for the word to be given to attack. He noticed shapes on the far bank which might have been men and wondered if they could see him.
Someone touched his heel and he rose soundlessly on his haunches. The musketeers fired a volley. With a rush, the whole army attempted to storm the bridge. O'Leary, who was in the first waye, hacked his way to the centre of the fray, relishing the experience of looking danger in the face. Suddenly he received a slash on the arm and his weapon fell from his hand and glittered in the waters below. O'Leary felt the pain of cold steel in his back, and in an effort to regain his balance, he plunged into the river. As his body hit the bottom the quartermaster reached for his sword and held it close to him. He thought of its past owner and how he had died. As death overtook him, he thought of the motto and how truthfully it had been borne out. His hand groped for the light but fell back as O'Leary breathed for the last time ...
J. M. RABAN. (Middle School).
THE VIGORNIAN
A HOLIDAY FOR FIVE POUNDS
Cycling is leisurely but strenuous, slow but not tedious, for although it affords a complete abandoning of the usual tenseness of modern life it allows one to absorb the beauty of one's surroundings. Such were the opinions of two schoolboys as .they set out one bright April morning. Ahead of them lay they knew not what.
As Worcester was left far behind our thoughts turned to our destination, London, the so-called " Capital of Vice." In the early morning air we made excellent progress, and the time passed quickly as we incessantly discussed our plans. Having passed through Broadway, and conquered the steep Fish Hill, our spirit was somewhat dampened and conversation became thinner. Perseverance against an unfriendly wind found us in dire need of sustenance near Witney in Oxfordshire, so we lunched. After a hot and tiring journey we eventually reached Streatley near Reading, where we spent the night at the Youth Hostel.
Next morning, having finished our tasks, we set off feeling somewhat sore after the previous day's exertions. Along the exceedingly picturesque Thames valley we made good progress with a following wind, reaching the historic landmark of Windsor Castle, from the walls of which we had our first view of London. Now the countryside was checked by an unending chain of chimneys choking the urban maze with grime. Onward we sped and before we could say "Reg Harris" we found ourselves caught in the chaotic crush of Oxford Street.
During our crowded four days in the capital there floated past our goggled eyes, the Tower, Sadlers Wells, the Festival Hall, expensive film shows, the Museums and the shops. On leaving, we both decided to free ourselves from the ties of Worcester as soon as possible.
Our· return journey was really wet and miserable - we had to choose the coldest and wettest day since February! To begin with, we missed each other at a pre-arranged meeting place, so we set out alone. But the rain overcame each in turn and deposited us in a dejected state at Oxford where, by the greatest fortune we found each other. After initial bickering over the sandwiches, which had been kept by one, thereby starving the other, we settled down to enjoy the last and most comfortable hop to Worcester - by the 4.55 train from London.
In spite of the wet ending, the experience of a cycling holiday has given us an independence which we will surely never sllrrender.
].L.P. & P.M.R. (Middle School).
'TWIXT HEAVEN AND HELL .....
It was a bitter day the wind whistled in the snow-covered fir-trees .. the icy waves lashed endlessly against the jagged rocks .... And on the cliff-side stood a woman thinking.
She held a letter in her hand she stared at the immovable black letters
She was to have been married in Spring ... they were to have gone to Italy afterwards no longer though.
She thought of how happy she would have been but not now.
She remembered the first night that he had met her at the New Year Ball then a new year was born .... now on the last day of December it was dying and as it was dying so she was dying
She looked down at the letter in her hands and up again to the cross-roads he hung there still, the wind blowing his tortured frame backwards and forwards backwards and forwards
He was gone! With a terrible sob she flung herself into the billowing sea ....
THE VIGORNIAN SUMMER, 1956
All was silent again the wind whistled in the snow-covered fir':'trees the icy waves lashed endlessly against the jagged rocks And on the cliff-side stood the Devil.
C.].W.A. (Junior School).
CORRESPONDENCE
To the Editor of The Vigornian ... Worcester. 24th July, 1956.
Dear Sir,
It is with' the greatest regret that I hear of the abandonment of the Sixth Form Club. The Club was probably quite unique amongst our Public Schools and its value as a contribution to the education of the boys and girls of the Member Schools was profound. Although its aims were, constitutionally, cultural, there was bound, nevertheless, to have been a strong leaning towards the social side, an only too natural tendency amongst young people. It cannot be doubted that the great popularity and success of the Club was in this direction and that in itself was a most valuable contribution to the general education of its members.
I sincerely hope that the Heads of Schools will bear this point of view in mind and that there wiP be born out of tlie strong feeling within the schools a new Club, which will be permitted to indulge in a freer social life to the well-being of all the schools concerned.
Yours sincerely, R. F. GODSALL (O.V.).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Editors beg to acknowledge the receipt of the following contemporaries, and apologise for any omissions ;The Wulfernian; The Monmouthian; The Wolvernian; The Worcesterian; King Edward's School Chronicle; The Herefordian; Belmont Abbey School Magazine; The Malvernian.