THE VIGORNIAN
VOL. I CHRISTMAS, 1962 No. 2
THE STAFF,1961-196z
Headmaster: D. M. ANNETT
Second Master: H. FERRAR
D. FRANKLIN
N. E. DILKS
H. A. NATAN
S. R. SHEPPARD
B. J. McTURK
M. BAILEY
J. M. CASH
F. R. LOGAN
R. D. KNIGHT
P. G. L. CURLE
P.J. WARD
J. STEDMAN
J. H. FRISBY
R. H. WEST
K. P. BARNETT
D. VAWDREY
F. S. SUTCLIFFE
A. H. ALDRIDGE
M. SHAYER
J. R. BARRETT
T. L. VIVIAN
D. ANDERTON
A. L. STACEY
D. R. LEONARD
H. NEILL-
REv. B J. DICKSON
A. J. COLLINS
J. R. l'URNER
SIMPSON ,
J. M. BYRNE
H. G. SEARLE
J. E. SHEPHERD
M. J. POINTS
Junior School
W. THOMAs
.MIss E. E. TAYLOR
MRs THOMAS
SCHOOL MONITORS, 1961-62
Head of the School: P. N. MARTIN
Second Monitor: T. GARDEN
C. R. BARON
I. C. BARTLETT
R. M. BLOWERS
D. R. W. BRYER
P. M. H. CATON
N. M. CHAMBERS
M. FERRAR
J. S. W. GIBSON
A. R. GREEN
C. H. C. HAMBUN
A. P. F. JACKSON
R. H. F. METCALFE
R. W. NEEDHAM
J. M. A. PICKUP
R. S. SAUNDERS
G. SHAW
R. R. TILT
J. F. E. TROUP
HONORES SCHOLAE
N. R. HAVELY
T. FRENCH
K. W. WINDRIDGE
N. M. CHAMBERS
M. R. HAINES
Open Scholarship in English
Lincoln College, Oxford
Open Exhibition in Modern Languages
Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Open Exhibition in History Worcester College, Oxford
Meeke Scholarship in History Hertford College, Oxford
State Scholarship in Mathematics and Science
SCHOOL NOTES
WE CONGRATULATE the winners of University awards whose names appear on the opposite page. A number of boys also gained Industrial Scholarships and Studentships; these vary so widely in name and nature that it is invidious to decide which should be classed with University awards.
O.Vs of the 'older generation, who remember the school as numbering about 200, may be interested to know that we started the 1961-2 school year with 124 boys in the Sixth Form alone. The Sixth Form Society was reviveoin September 1961, after several years in abeyance, and now draws its membership from six Worcester schools.
Speech Day took place on Friday, June 8th. The Guest of Honour was Dr K. C. Wheare, Rector of Exeter College, Oxford, and the preacher at the Commemoration Service was Canon E. H. Patey of Coventry Cathedral.
Mr J. H. Frisby left in July 1962, after 12 years as Head of the Physics Department, to take up a Lectureship at Nottingham Training College. Mr A. J. Collins and Mr J. E. R. Stedman (Junior School) have also left. Sgt-Major Barrett has relinquished much of his' work in the Gymnasium, but continues to assist with the C.C.F., and with other administrative duties.
Mr M. G. East has been appointed to succeed Mr Frisby, and the O.V. representation on the Staff has been strengthened by the addition of Mr R. J. Hazeldine to take charge of Physical Education. We also welcome Mr T. D. R. Hickson, Mr A. R. Selby, and Mr D. E. N. B. J ones (Junior School), who was here for teaching practice earlier in the year.
Mr Edgar Day, who has taught Music in the King's School for over 50 years, resigned the post of Sub-Organist of the Cathedral in September 1962, after celebrating his jubilee. He is succeeded by Mr C. J. Robinson, who has also joined the school Music Staff in a part-time capacity.
Mr D. B. J. McTurk has resigned the Housemastership of School House, but remains on the Staff; his new home is at Malvern Wells. He has been succeeded at School House by Mr A. L. Stacey.
We offer our congratulations to four members of the staff on their marriages :-
Mr T. L. Vivian to Miss M. J. Hughes on April 14th.
Mr D. Anderton to Miss F. M. Lee on August 14th.
Mr H. G. Searle to Miss S. Hampton on August 18th.
Mr J. E. Shepherd to Miss J. C. Flugel on September 1st, 'and also to Mr and Mrs Frisby on the birth of a son, and to Mr and Mrs Sutcliff on the birth of a daughter.
In April Mrs F. R. Logan died after a long illness. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to Mr Logan and his family.
In September 1961 two new day-boy houses were created-Wwstan (Mr F. R. Logan) and Bright (Mr H. Neill). The choice of the former name needs no explanation, though St Wulstan's right to the first place in the list of Headmasters in College Hall is historically questionable. The name of Bright is not so well known, though Dr Henry Bright's Headmastership from 1589 to 1629 is described by Alex Macdonald in his History as "the golden age of the school ", for he seems to have raised it to a position among the greatest schools of the country. His epitaph can be seen near the North Door of the Cathedral, and he well deserves commemoration in the company of Chappel and Creighton.
I At the beginning of the new school year the school has been shocked
and saddened by the sudden deaths of three of its members, Nige1
Clark, who died during the summer holidays, and Clive and Mark
Stevens, who were fatally injured in a car accident on October 18th. We offer our deepest sympathy to their families.
N. P. CLARK
NIGEL CLARK DIED SUDDENLY on August 12th, at the age of sixteen, while he was on holiday in France. Some years earlier he had suffered from rheumatic fever, which had, as so often, left a weakness in the heart.
It was a grievous shock that death showd come so suddenly, and to one so young and full of promise. He had just sat his "0" Level Examinations and was eagerly looking ahead and planning for the career in stage-designing on which he had set his heart.
There is perhaps some consolation in knowing that he had been enjoying himself enormously in his holidays, first on a drama course, and then at leisure in a most lovely part of France where he is now buried. But the shock of his loss is none the less keen. He was an intelligent, lively and altogether charming person, who will be remembered with affection, and will be very much missed by all his many friends. K.P .B.
R.C.AND M.A.STEVENS
RODERICK CLIVE STEVENS came to the school in 1958 from St Johns and became a member of Chappe1 House two years later. He had many interests and was a particwarly active member of the Crown East Scout Troop. Although rather quiet his friendly and open nature made him many friends both in the School and outside. His younger brother Mark Adrian Stevens had only been with us for a few weeks. During that time he had already shown himself to be one of the most likeable boys in L.4.B. He was quiet, with a ready, slightly shy smile and a great of charm; but at the same time he had a sturdy independence of character and interests unusual in a boy of his age which together with an enthusiasm for taking his interests seriously seemed to promise very well for his future.
F.S.S.
THE DEVELOPMENT CAMPAIGN
THE FIRST-FRUITS of the Development Campaign can now be seenthe Swimming Pool. This was put in hand first, not because it was felt to be the most urgently needed item on the programme, but because the school already owned the site, and construction could therefore start immediately. It was hoped, and indeed we were promised, that the Pool would be ready by the end of June, but owing to the usual delays it was actually handed over by the contractors on the day after the end of the Summer Term. To our disappointment we shall therefore have to wait for next summer before it can be brought into use-though some hardy spirits took advantage of the warm spell at the beginning of October to have a swim. The pool measures 84 feet by 42 feet, and has a maximum depth of 9 feet 6 inches. Conflicting advice has been given about the most desirable form of diving platform; for the moment only a spring-board has been installed.
The surroundings of the pool cannot be brought into their final shape until the new Gym is built on the adjacent site, and unfortunately the prospects of this have. become more remote. Meanwhile the filtration plant has been installed in a temporary building, and the pool has been surrounded with canvas screens. Before next summer we hope to build a wall on the west side of the pool, and that wing of the gymnasium building which will contain the changing rooms, filtration and heating plant, etc.
Work is scheduled to start on the new building in Severn Street in _ January 1963. To make way for the new access road to the kitchen yard, the Medway Hut has been moved to a nearby site; the Carpenter's Shop, which will also have to be removed, is being left in situ as long as possible, so that carpentry classes can continue.
One of the pair of old houses in Castle Place has been evacuated, and as soon as the occupants of the other have been rehoused the site will be cleared in preparation for the building of the Tuck Shop and School Shop.
The donations, subscriptions, and covenants already received during the twelve months since the Campaign opened will yield a gross total of over £49,000. Nearly half of this sum has been given by parents of boys at present in the school, and about £10,000 by local industrial and commercial firms. The School Fete held on June 30th raised £1,309. We are most grateful to all those who have generously contributed, and also to the many helpers who have given so much time and energy to furthering the Campaign. Rising costs have forced us to increase our "target", and we are now aiming at a figure of £60,000 by midsummer 1963. Even this will not include the main building of the Gymnasium, so the work of money-raising must go on unabated.
Anyone who would like further information should apply either to the Headmaster or to the Campaign Secretary, 4 Castle Place, Worcester. It need hardly be said that contributions will be most gratefully received at the same address. D.M.A.
8,000 MILES EAST
• •• being the account of a year's voluntary teaching in Thailand by an O.V.
HOWEVER SHORT OR LONG, an account of an Oriental country always seems to introduce the object of its attentions as a " land of contrasts". But, like most cliches, this is true enough. However many times he is warned, the traveller will never fail to be amazed by the proximity of the dirty little ramshackle hut, which a dozen souls call home, to the dazzlingly ornate temple those souls helped to build; by a street where a number of prosperous civil servants drive in their long American cars past wretches totally unable to earn their living; or by a row of these same dilapidated dwellings with, believe it or not, a television winking evilly from within.
Bangkok has been called the "Jewel of the East" and, because of its network of canals, "The Venice of the East" . If you look at the larger thoroughfares or the splendour of the temples, these descriptions are indeed justified. On removing your blinkers, however, and looking at the setting, you will need to qualify their extravagance.
The geographer divides Thailand into four areas: the centre is an enormous plain in which sprawls the delta of the Chao Phraya--lriver. The East and North-East are occupied by an arid plateau, but the Northern area is cut by rivers and forms a pleasant mountainous landscape. Peninsular Thailand stretches down towards Malaya and consists of a spine of hills flanked by highly cultivated coastal plains.
Since I was assigned to teaching, most of my experiences were in the academic world. The school year starts in mid-May, the three terms being separated by holidays of only ten days or a fortnight, and the long holiday commences in March. It is so arranged because the hot season begins in this month and it would scarcely be possible to work until the thunderstorms of May herald the approach of the rainy season. Although the temperature rarely rises above 100 degrees, the high humidity makes life uncomfortable.
It was in July and so in the middle of the first term that I arrived in a school for two hundred boys, situated less than a mile from the NorthEast corner of the Gulf of Thailand and about sixty miles from Bangkok. It was the result of an attempt by the Ministry of Education to establish a school modelled on the English Public School. The teaching of English was departmentalized to a surprising degree, and I taught Comprehension and Conversation to each of five classes. Another Englishman was teaching Grammar and Composition, and a Thai teacher English Literature to these same classes. Despite the great emphasis laid on English by the authorities· and the fact that these boys had been learning it for six to eight years, the standards were low, not even comparable to those found in British colonies and ex-colonies, I was told.
In my leisure hours here I had access to a motorboat and saw porpoises and dolphins, flying fish and other novelties. Sharks were also seen off the coast from time to time.
By the end of the academic year, I had arranged to spend the long vacation at a school which rejoiced in the name of Serpnattitam School. It was attached to a leper colony near Chiengmai, in the mountainous North, and catered for the healthy children of lepers being treated in the colony. The first thing that I had to learn was that leprosy is one of the most difficult diseases in the world for adults to catch and, although it is inadvisable for young children to live with lepers, the pupils could visit their parents regularly. The slow and steady cures for leprosy which have now been developed are effective over a long period, but no cure has been found for the social stigma attached to the disease. There were in the colony a number of people completely cured, but since their disfigurements remained they knew they would be unable to settle in any community and had to stay on indefinitely.
Up in the mountains near Chiengmai is a large temple of some fame, and near it a permanent camp-site belonging to an American mission which has much influence in those parts. I spent two separate weeks on this site, helping to improve it, visiting the temple and going for walks to the village of a primitive hill-tribe in the neighbourhood.
On leaving Chiengmai, I did not return to my first post, for the Ministry of Education had decided to transfer me to another school in central Thailand for my last two months in the country. It was an enormous school with well over a thousand pupils, corresponding perhaps to a comprehensive school in this country. Since it was in the delta, which is the great rice-growing area, I was able to watch the process of ploughing and planting all round the small town in which I was staying. This final episode completed my experience of Thailand. I had seen most parts of the country, and each of the seasons and annual festivals once. It had given me a picture of how different life can be from the western idea of it, and whetted my appetite for more travel as soon as possible.
This, I think, sums up the advantages for the volunteer of twelve months serving under Voluntary Service Overseas, the organisation which arranged and sponsored this year for me. V.S.O. is always interested to hear from young men who have a year of their lives free for pioneer work in developing countries. It would be a year of your life thoroughly well spent from every angle.
M. R. ASHMORE
ROY AL NAVAL SECTION
THE SECTION HAS BEEN little affected by the recent basic changes in the structure of the Corps, and our activities over the past year have followed roughly the same pattern as before. '
During the Winter Term the section did three days' training at Cardiff, where we had opportunity to use the facilities at H.M.S. Cambria for practice in many aspects of seamanship.
Annual Training took place this year at H.M.S. Raleigh near Plymouth. Although the weather put a stop to several parts of ,the programme, we all enjoyed the sailing, boat-pulling, fire-fighting and shooting Lanchester machine-carbines and .303 rifles.
During the summer holidays two members of the section, P.O. Ferrar and A/B Williams, went on a fortnight's cruise on H.M. Minesweeper St David. They visited Bayonne in the south of France during the fortnight and had a most enjoyable and instructive time on both official and unofficial activities.
From time to time, however, one has the feeling that the Royal Navy is nd! very interested in making facilities available to us, and that they consider C.C.F. cadets rather a nuisance, an attitude which is not very encouraging. It is only through experience of the "real thing" that one can learn anything about the Navy as a career, and a little more interest in higher quarters would make the section's activities very much more attractive.
Nevertheless, it is true that the section offers opportunities to do something which is really worthwhile and which one will never have a chance to do again in one's life.
M.F.
ARMY SECTION
DURING THE PAST YEARS the CCF has developed from an army contingent to a force incorporating all the services, and now a further development has taken place, the formation of Motor Transport and Signals sections. These together with the civilian Scout troop and Civil Defence section provide a large choice.
The Armoury has also felt the" wind-of-change " and is at last fully equipped with Mark IV rifles.
In addition to the week by week training, which now takes place on Friday afternoons, there is an assortment of Expeditions and Parades.
Once a term a section of cadets sets up camp in the Black Mountains for the week-end. This is very popular and is always enjoyed even when it is flooded out.
All the Cadets who went to Germany expressed the wish to return next year not only because of the great experience but also because of the fun. The 7th Signals Regt. entertained the party in the Officers' Mess and there was a shooting match against the officers in which we were obviously beaten but not so badly. The party also joined in " Ground Zero X" a manoeuvre in the mud, barns and beerhouses of Westphalia.
Comments such as "very good", "more than pleased" and "most excellent" followed the Parades this year, the Remembrance Sunday, General Inspection and Annual Camp Church Parade. Group Captain Dodson arrived on the school field by helicopter for the General Inspection and, although the weather was very poor, the March Past was most successful and received a good report.
Annual Camp was held at Aldershot this year where the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment were the hosts.
The climax of the week should have been the visit to Portsmouth for "Navy Day"; however the torrential rain filled the cinemas and fun fair, though a few brave cadets were known to have ventured out to inspect the ships.
The night exercise took place in most interesting countryside which was nearly burnt down by an inadvertent flare. This year the traditional "army hot tea" actually was ready at the end of the exercise though in the form of cocoa.
There was a helicopter ride for a few lucky cadets; most cadets were able to fire the new SLR on the range and there were some enthusiastic "volunteers" for the Mounting of the Guard and I Fire Piquet.
One of the exercises was an Assault Course and after the contingent had been instructed and had run heats and a final, the contingent's best four cadets were challenged by Stamford College. In the first race Pountney won with Cox, J. M., fourth and in the second race Astill won from Cox, G. H., with the Stamford cadets trailing.
On Sunday, after the Church service, the March Past was taken by the G.O.C. Southern Command. This year it was to the sound of the DERR's Fife and Drum Band and was most effective.
Next year the contingent will be going to Stoneycastle, Pirbright, which is the home of the Guards.
With the Corps steadily improving and expanding, it is hoped that cadets will take part in more of the activities, particularly the Annual Camp.
BAOR EXPEDITION
A DOZEN ASSORTED CADETS and two Officers, Col. Sheppard and Capt. Thomas were entertained by the 7th Regt. at Herford in Germany.
Of the 5,000 Cadets travelling to Germany in the Easter Holidays, most of them seemed to be at Liverpool Street Station waiting for the Boat Train to Harwich.
All the travelling by train, boat and truck was interesting and enjoyable. The party crossed the Channel on a Chartered Ferry in two-berth cabins and docked in Hook of Holland. We then boarded a superb Dutch Railways train which took us 300 miles into Germany, to Herford.
At the camp we were installed in the Officers' Mess.
In the evenings we were challenged by the Officers to Shooting and a game called Shinty. Unfortunately we were not practised at these sports, but we were only beaten 800-1,000 in the Shooting Match and we even won one of the Shinty matches; Shinty is a hockey game in a gym.
On the· Sunday we visited the scene of the Dam Busters Raid at Mohne See.
Regularly once a day it rained but fortunately this did not affect us, though Cdt Quiney became a familiar sight in his gas cape (until he lost it 1).
During the day time we inspected the camp and its equipment and learnt of the organisation of a Signals Regiment.
The following week we took part in "Ground Zero X ", a manoeuvre between the Signals Squadrons and the Divisions Headquarters. For this we drew out Combat Kit and Sten Guns from a well-equipped Stores, then we split into pairs and each pair joined a different Squadron.
We had no work to do, we just inspected the regiment as it operated; as it was spread over So miles we each had an Austin champ to take us
We slept in wood piles and barns, though some of us were lucky enough to "find" billets in the villages. In one of the villages, the Officers' Mess was set up in the largest beerhouse, so that we still had good food.
Although we were going home to face the bill, the return journey was still very enjoyable.
ROYAL AIR FORCE SECTION
THE R.A.F. SECTION has had an extremely successful year in all respects.
At the start of the Autumn Term the following promotions were made: Sgt. Garden to Flight Sergeant, Cpl. Shaw to Sgt. and Leading Cadets Baron, Bartlett, Haines and Needham to Cpl. The programme for the term consisted of the usual compulsory subjects plus aircraft recognition (given by Cadets Quincey and Jenkinson) and morse practice. Halfway through the term Garden was promoted to Warrant Officer and Shaw to Flight Sergeant.
Field day consisted of a visit to R.A.F. Little Rissington, where the section spent the morning shooting on the station's range and was given a conducted tour of the establishment in the afternoon. Unfortunately no members of the section were given any flying, but some had a chance to use the Link trainer.
In December "A" flight took the R.A.F. proficiency examination and "B" flight the army proficiency test with· excellent results. Cadets Beauchamp, Kirk, Jenkinson, Quincey and Tomlinson all passed with Credit and Cadet McGrath with Distinction in the R.A.F. examination while the whole of "B" flight passed their army proficiency.
In the Spring Term "B" flight were prepared for the R.A.F. proficiency examination while "A" flight devoted more time to aircraft recognition, morse and dinghy drill in the newly acquired rubber dinghies.
Field day this term was a visit to R.A.F. Gaydon of Bomber Command. Here the section was able to have an inside view of both the Victor and Valiant bombers and every member of the section had a short flight in an Anson aircraft.
In March "B" Flight took the proficiency examination and were extremely successful. The results were a pass for cadet Bolland, credits for Stewart, Bramich, Wilesmith, Bucknall, Morrison, Pedley, Ward, Savage and Duffy, and a Distinction for cadet Rogers. . Annual camp was held at R.A.F. Waterbeach a few miles from Cambridge. Apart from lectures, shooting and numerous visits to various parts of the station, everyone "logged" one hour of dual Chipmunk flying. On the last day but one, an interesting initiative test was organized which involved some skilful navigation and a Is-mile walk, not to mention the crossing of a fast-flowing river in a one-man rubber dinghy. Meanwhile Cadets McGrath and Jenkinson had been on a C.C.F. gliding course at Kirton-in-Lindsay and both gained their A and B gliding certificates.
Farther south Shaw and Haines were completing the necessary flying training for their Flying Scholarships which they had been awarded at Christmas. Shaw trained at Cranfield in a Cessna IS0 and Haines at Oxford in a Piper Colt.
During the Summer Term most of the time was taken up preparing for the annual general inspection. On field day most of the section went to R.A.F. Filton where everyone was given an air experience flight in a Chipmunk.
Garden was successful in his application for a much sought-after Reciprocal Visit, for which he had applied in the Autumn Term. He left in July for a one month visit to America and became the first member of the R.A.F. section to be selected for a Reciprocal Visit.
In short, a very successful year with Garden's Reciprocal Visit, two Flying Scholarships, excellent examination results, and a very enjoyable annual camp.
INTERNATIONAL AIR CADET EXCHANGE 1962
ON JULY 18TH I LEFT BRITAIN to begin the trip of a lifetime. Flying first by R.A.F. Britannia to France and Germany we spent a night at Frankfurt where we were the guests of Rhein Main Air Force Base. The next day we flew, by a U.S.A.F. Boeing 707 to New York, landing at Idlewilde airport. Our first view of New York and America was from the coach taking us to our hotel. The awe-inspiring T.W.A. building at the airport was but a taste of things to come. We were shown to our rooms at the Waldorf Astoria-America's best hotel. With three cadets to each room we had our own bathroom, 7-channel television, radio, telephone and air-conditioning. Each cadet (there were 25 in the British party), received a flight bag containing presents from different manufacturers in the U.S. I was very taken with a cigarette lighter which was an exact miniature of a pepsi-cola bottle. There was also a pile of American flying magazines for each of us and details about our stay in New York. .
The number of things we did in our short stay in New York is too great to recount here; however some of the highlights I will mention. I met Brenda Lee when she changed the sign of Times Square to International Air Cadet Exchange Square, and met Sir Hugh Foot at the United Nations. The latter was the result of a private invitation by Sir Hugh to the British and Canadian Parties. There were in New York 135 air cadets from 21 different countries. We toured Broadway and Times Square, went to the top of the Empire State at night and looked at the fantastic fairyland of light below us. On our third day in the city we went for a boat ride around Manhattan Island, taking in the Statue of Liberty en route. In the afternoon we went to Radio City for a film and stage production. A grand military ball was held in the evening with Argentinian Miss Universe and Hawaiian Miss U.S.A. present. On our last evening in New York we had a sumptuous banquet at the world famous restaurant-Mama Leone's. The 20 courses included a whole roast chicken each and every cadet received a "John Glenn Medal".
Sadly we left New York and then flew to Logan Airport, Boston. As usual there was a large number of newsreel cameras to greet us and interview us. We were now down to 25, as each different country in the exchange was allocated a different host state-ours was Massachusetts. On our first day in New England we toured the Science Museum, saw the Planetarium in action, and were shown an experimental nuclear reactor, part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, actually at work. The following day we went to Boston to see the City Hall and the State House. We met the Mayor of Boston and the Governor of the state. The next few days were taken up with a mountain expedition. We went by coach to Mount Washington and climbed the 6,293 ft. the lazy way by the world's first Cog Railway. Once at the top we climbed down a mile and a half to a mountain hut. Here we spent the night and then climbed to the summit again next morning.
We spent two days at Otis Air Force Base and saw the latest aircraft and, by contrast, Mayflower II in dock at Plymouth. Five of us went swimming at the base and discovered we had been allowed into Caroline Kennedy's private session.
We left for Washington, flying back through New York, and there rejoined the parties from the other countries. Here we were given more time for private sight-seeing, though a tour of the city was laid on. This included the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Memorial. In the evening a full dinner and military ball was held. A trip to the Pentagon included a space-age briefing with the latest film of space achievements-and failures !
Our last day in Washington began with a tour of the White House, including an unscheduled meeting with the President. Mter saying a few words of greeting to us he came among us, shaking hands and asking questions. This was all purely spontaneous as until five minutes before he didn't know we were at the White House, so naturally we were all very impressed by his good will. The next day we began the trip home, flying to Newfoundland, then Prestwick and then Rhein Main.
At a banquet a cadet from each country taking part in the scheme told us of his experiences in whichever country he had visited. The countries between which cadets were exchanged were:-Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Great Britain, Greece, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and West Germany.
The trip was a most wonderful opportunity to further international relations. If the other countries of the world could get to know' one another as well as we cadets did there would be no problem about world peace.
T. GARDEN
THE SCOUT GROUP
Summary of Scouting activity for the year 1961/2 SUMMER HOLIDAYS 1961. The St Albans Troop camped successfully in the New.Forest at Brockenhurst. The weather was certainly not bad, although' we used no sun-tan lotion. Activities included hikes, backwoodsman training, cook's badge, expeditions through the forest, to the sea and to the Beaulieu Motor Museum.
The Senior Troop had a sailing party for a week on the Broads. We hired three delightfully fast Bermuda rigged yachts-without auxiliary engines of course. The weather was excellent, with plenty of wind and one day of driving rain. There were a few minor mishaps and many excitements.
AUTUMN TERM 1961. FIELD DAY. The St Albans Troop had a field day proper on the Malvern Hills : a vigorous wide game. The Seniors took a bus at a very early hour to North Wales, and on a gloriously clear day climbed the Glyders via the Devil's Kitchen, descending over Bristly Ridge and the north ridge of Tryfan.
SPRING TERM 1962. The Group was reorganised at the beginning of term. A new Troop for day-boys in the Middle School was started under Mr D. R. Leonard. This was called the 2nd King's School Troop and consequently the St Albans Troop was renamed the 1st Troop. The Rev. Brian Dickson joined the Group as Chaplain. A Group Committee was.formed consisting of the G.S.M., Mr T. J. B. Parkington (parents), Mr R. D. Knight (boarders), Mr F. S. Sutcliffe (dayboys), Mr D. R. Leonard (Old Vigornians) and the Chaplain (secretary). The 2nd Troop started with a membership of fifteen.
On Field Day the 1st Troop held a successful barbecue in the Malvern quarries, the 2nd went to Bredon and learned how to erect tents and light fires and the Seniors had a compass course and wide game in the Wyre Forest.
EASTER HOLIDAYS. The 1st Troop went to H.M.S. Foudroyant for a week of Seamanship and the Seniors organised a camp in the New Forest entirely run by themselves. An entirely successful experiment.
SUMMER TERM 1962. Field.Day had to be cancelled. However the 1st and 2nd Troops held a weekend camp at Elmley Castle and returned very sunburnt. Some of the Seniors went to Nash Court on a Venturer Course.
GENERAL TRAINING. 1st Troop (meeting on Friday evenings and some Wednesdays) : Tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st Class work; specialist work on weatherman and campcraft. 2nd Troop : Tenderfoot and 2nd Gass work. Senior Troop (meeting on Sat. mornings): 1st Class workresulting in 12 1st Class badges; specialist work in First Aid, meteorology, signalling, lifesaving.
FUTURE PLANs. In the immediate future there is to be a Group Camp at Cerne Abbas. The Black forest trek has had to be postponed as too few scouts were able to go.
Next term the Senior Troop is to be divided into two sections. One section will concentrate on 1st Class, First Aid, firefighting and Venturer work; the other (more experienced) section will attack Queen's Scout possibly taking in the Duke of Edinburgh Award on the way.
Mr J. H. Frisby is leaving the School at the end of the term. We are grateful to him for the work he has put in with the Seniors and are very sorry to see him go. Dr P. Simpson is joining the Group mainly to work with the Senior Section. We are looking forward to welcoming him.
DONALD ANDERTON, G.S.M. for the Group Committee
"LOOK BACK IN ANGER"
THE DECISION TO PRODUCE John Osborne's play" Look Back in Anger" in College Hall last March, was a controversial one and it is not intended to revive that controversy now. That the play would not be acceptable to everyone was obvious, but whatever one's views about the play, no one could deny the excellence of Mr Cash's production, the sympathetic and convincing performances of the members of the cast and the enthusiasm and ingenuity of Hugh Soden and the "back-stage" workers.
Mr Cash was indeed fortunate in his cast. Clive Hamblin,_ who undertook the difficult and complicated character of Jimmy Porter, gave as sustained and mature a performance as might be expected from a much more experienced actor. Never once did he lose his grasp of the situation, nor the audience their belief in him as a person. The same may be said of Katherine Jay's Alison. In school productions the audience is prepared to overlook the mistakes and tolerate the inadequacies, but here was an actress who was able to move her audience by her evident understanding of the part and by her carefully restrained acting. These two deserve special congratulation for their performances. David Morris as Cliff, Rita Sandford as Helena and Lester Wilson as Alison's father supported admirably.
The production moved with professional-like precision. The stage management was excellent and obviously a great deal of time and effort had been put into this side of the production. The open stage of College Hall had been transformed into a most realistic and effective set. The result of all this was probably one of the most convincing and sincere school productions that one could hope to see. The important thing seems to be: that it was a play put on by people who wanted to put it on, who were obviously enthusiastic about what they were doing and who because they were enthusiastic-and well directed-produced something that was extremely worth-while, even if controversial.
VISIT TO IONA-EASTER 1962
THE PARTY BOUND FOR IONA left Worcester in high spirits. After arriving at Glasgow on the night train from Birmingham, we stayed at Glasgow for 24 hours, lodging at the Iona Community Centre in Clyde Street. After breakfasting in Glasgow the party split up to spend the day as it wished, visiting any places of interest, which, with the majority of us, turned out to be one of the many local cinemas.
We had a fine day for the run to Oban which was our first taste of the wonderful scenery Scotland had to offer. The locks, glens and gorges of this area were remarkably picturesque. After a quick meal in Oban, we were once more off again, travelling by steamer to the island of Mull. We crossed the 50-mile length of Mull by 'bus, and because the driver acted as postman, paper boy and grocer to every hamlet on the island, the journey took no less than 3!·hours. The last stage of our journey was completed by ferry and we arrived at Iona to be amicably greeted by our host, Rev. George Charlton.
I think our first reactions were of surprise. After expecting a week of comparative austerity, we were surprised at the luxurious amenities, including hot showers, television and table tennis, not to mention the added attraction of a dozen pretty girls from Clackmannanshire.
After a meal, a few of us attempted to explore the island in the gathering dusk, while the rest stayed behind to have Scottish dancing thrust upon them.
The following day was mainly employed in preparation for 800 visitors we were to receive later, led by the founder of the Community of Iona, Dr George Macleod. We were soon to find that Dr Macleod is a most entertaining conversationalist, and the party had an enjoyable discussion with him on topics ranging from the C.N.D. to Trade Unions. Unfortunately he had to rush off early the next morning, but three of us were fortunate in meeting him again on the return journey.
The permanent craftsmen of the community were on holiday at the
time of our stay, so there was not an excessive amount of work for us to do.
Most afternoons were spent in exploring the island (with or without the company of the Stirling party) visiting such romantic-sounding places as Spouting Cave, Hermit's Cell and the Bay of the Martyrs. The evenings were spent in the refectory, usually around the record-player or the piano, always finishing off the evenings with a service held either in the abbey or in a small chapel which captivated one with its sincere charm.
The party from near Stirling left one day earlier than ourselves, the last farewells continuing until after midnight (please don't tell Rev. Dickson).
Our last day was spent by most of us doing odd jobs, ranging from destroying a rookery, the occupants having wrought untold damage in the neighbourhood, to weeding around the grave of King Duncan of " Macbeth " fame (Act II-Scene 4).
All too soon we had to return. Looking back over a week of glorious weather, we all regretted leaving the island. This had been an experience for all of us that we will always remember.
DAVE BRODIE
CHI-RHO SOCIETY
DURING ITS SECOND YEAR OF EXISTENCE, the Chi-Rho society continued its series of talk-discussions for senior boys in Bishop Stuart's house. Among those from whom we heard on these occasions were Mr L. Hugh Doncaster, talking about the Society of Friends, and Mr Francis Dickson, who persuaded us, little as we had thought it possible previously, that the term Christian Business-man is not self-contradictory, but that such people can and do exist. The talk by Mr Carver, the Vicar of Qaines, had unfortunately to be cancelled, but Mr Carver, who has recently returned from a visit to Moscow, will be speaking to us in the near future about his experiences there.
The highlight of the evening meetings was the discussion that took place on February 16th in the Lecture Theatre between the M.P. for Kidderminster, Mr Dance, and Mr M. C. Meikle of Pershore, on corporal and capital punishment. There was a good attendance for this
meeting, which became really heated at times, and most people came away thoughtful, if not convinced either way.
Among the films shown for the benefit of junior boys were Century Martyrs", the story of the American missionaries murdered a few years ago, by Anca Indians, " Singapore Story", which tells of the present Bishop of Birmingham's experiences in a Japanese P.O.W. camp, and, for seniors as well, a " Fact and Faith" film at the Boys' Grammar School.
Our thanks are again due to Bishop Stuart for allowing us to use his house for so many of our meetings. N.J.W. P.B.P.
LITERARY SOCIETY
IT IS MY FRANK OPINION that at present the Literary Society is neither one thing nor another. Originally, it seems, it was designed to combat the boredom of an English public school Sunday evening, or aimed to provide cultural entertainment for the boarders. But times change, and it is my contention that the image now created by the term "literary society" is no longer a vital image. For me it has something of the fallen idol about it, the feeling of Ozymandias.
However, that is not to say there is neither the desire nor the place for" literary" activity in the school. I believe there is in fact a considerable "potential". But the society must meet regularly, it must meet at a time when both day-boys and boarders can attend, and it must generate life from within. There is a place in everyone's life for serious study, for lectures, for the more formal aspects of education; but I believe the real function of a school literary society is to provide an informal atmosphere and a deliberate occasion for;people to meet on common or "neutral" ground to engage in any "literary" activity determined by mutual consent.
However I would like to thank Mr Natan for his admirable lecture on Thomas Mann, and was only so sorry it was poorly attended, for quite clearly Thomas Mann is still little known in this country. Other people were kind enough to take over the literary society in the Easter term, and their notes now follow. J.M.C.
On Sunday evening, the 18th February, the Society met in the Headmaster's drawing-room for a Prose Reading. Mr Cash was in the chair.
There was a wide and well-varied selection of material, including Bacon, John Wain, Troherne and E. V. Lucas, read, respectively, by Messrs Anderton, Stacey, Byrne and Dilks. The attendance was very fair and appreciative.
On the 18th March we met again, this time for a Poetry Reading, with Mr Dilks acting as Chairman. There was an even larger attendance on this occasion and again a varied choice of favourite poets :Browning (read by Mr Dixon), C. Anderton), Coleridge (Mr Barnett), Martin Armstrong (Mr Dilks) and Kipling (Mr Shayer).
The second half of the programme was devoted modern verse in a kind of cc Poetry and Jazz Session" provided by Mr Shayer and three senior boys.
We should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Headmaster and Mrs Annett for their continued interest and hospitality, and we look forward in the coming season to even more boys turning up andmore important still-participating.
FISHING SOCIETY
TWICE DURING THE WINTER TERM Colonel Davison very kindly gave the society permission to fish his water at Thorngrove Park. On both occasions several pike of considerable size were caught. Members of the society also had permits to fish the river at Croome where good pike-and tench-fishing was had. In the Spring Term, the Society once again went to Thorngrove where some more pike, the heaviest being between 4 and 5 lbs., were caught. In the Summer Term, the society went to Whitbourne Hall where a very enjoyable afternoon was spent catching trout. All through the year fly-tying and lure-making was carried out on Fridays in the biology laboratory.
R.K.P. E.C.D.D.
SCIENCE SOCIETY
OUR WINTER TERM'S ACTIVITIES consisted only of two film programmes, but by the Easter Term, after having searched through all the film catalogues, we were able to show four programmes which contained some very good films. The best of these was "Criticality" which showed by diagrams how a radioactive substance reaches the critical state when bombarded by neutrons. "Eye to the Future" showed the career of a student apprentice in a large chemical firm from the time I he left school to the time he left the University. "Schlieren" showed the I principle and applications of Schlieren photography. Other good films were "Refrigeration", "Crossing the Wyre" and "The Twilight Forest".
On Monday, March 19th, a group of 20 from the Upper and Middle 6th, visited Ward's Ltd, Engineering works at Worcester.
The Summer Term started well with an excellent talk by Mr Collins on "The Mechanical Principles of the Motor Car". There were two film shows during the term. The most interesting film was "The Peaceful Revolution" which described India's 5-year development plans. "Exort Marine Radar" demonstrated how radar is used by ships at sea.
Our main activity during the Summer Term was the exhibition in the Physics labs. on Speech Day. Exhibits included a Van der Graaf electrostatic generator, a meccano orrery, an electric bell inside a vacuum pump, a spectrometer. The chief exhibit was a wireless communication system which used a light beam as a carrier. .
On Thursday, July 19th, thirty boys left Worcester on a trip to BEA Engineering Works at London Airport and the Kodak factory at Harrow. During our visit to BEA we had a chance to inspect the 'I , interior of a Comet and Vanguard. Our visit to Kodak included two films and a short tour of the works.
Finally I should like to thank Mr Frisby and Mr Collins for the support and encouragement they have given. I should also like to thank W. J. Ford, A. R. Green and R. R. Tilt for showing the films .
R.G.N.
UNITED NATIONS SOCIETY
THE UNITED NATIONS SOCIETY first appeared in the school in October 1961 ; since then it has become accepted as a recognised school society. We have managed to build up a back-bone of staunch supporters, I enthusiastic though not particularly numerous, and it seems that the 'I society will remain in the school for many years to come.
Last year members of the school went to a very interesting talk by
Mr Christopher Chattaway at the Malvern Girls' College about the " Freedom from Hunger" Campaign. There was slightly less interest in a talk by Donald Groome who had personally followed Ghandi around India. This was held at the Quaker Meeting House in Worcester, and proved equally interesting. Mr Wilding, a visiting student-teacher, spoke on the prevailing conditions of poverty in North Mrica. By far I I· the most successful programme was two film shows shown on Friday I afternoons. I think it will be agreed that the best single film was I " Let My People Go"-an award-winning film dealing with Apartheid. ! Plans for the future include talks for and against England's joining the Common Market; setting up a small library of books dealing with World Affairs (not only the work of the United Nations); and more
Film shows.
P .C.B.
ART SOCIETY
LAST YEAR'S MEETINGS gave us the opportunity of attending varied talks and films. The meetings were of a gratifying standard and it was a pity that the school was not taking advantage of these opportunities.
The first meeting set the standard for the rest of the year with a most interesting and wittily presented talk on "The New Renaissance". Mr Paul Harris gave us a new insight into modern art by informative explanations of paintings shown with an epidiascope.
Mr Vivian covered three meetings with a demonstration of portraitdrawing and a two-part talk on the architecture of Rome. In the pleasant surroundings of the headmaster's drawing-room he drew a
pleasing portrait of a rather rugged personality as his subject. He tried to explain a technique that has been gained only by years of practice and the possession of a remarkable eye. The talk, entitled "The Eternal City", put into perspective the varied and. contrasting architecture found in Rome.
Two films were shown in the meeting between these two talks, one on Walter Sickert the other on Grandma Moses. An interesting film showed the versatility and skill of this internationally renowned painter of the aesthetic movement, a pupil of Whistler. The second film relied on light and musical effects to give interest to paintings by this naive
and limited but quaint American grandmother.
The society is grateful to the Headmaster and his wife for their interest and the use of their drawing-room. With the last meeting over, I thought it a pity the little artistic interest in the school would have to remain dormant until the next winter. I think we will enjoy equally interesting meetings this year with Mr Vivian's thoughtful arrangement and if more interest were shown by members of the school this could be a flourishing society.
PAUL M. BUNTING HON SECRETARY.
MUSIC SOCIETY
DURING THE YEAR, several meetings have been devoted to the appreciation of music on records. One of them in particular comes to mind since it involved not only classical music but also jazz and we were fortunate to find a jazz fan, Mr Stedman, in our midst, who provided some excellent opposition to Mr West.
Perhaps the most popular meeting throughout the year came from a visit byMr Benoy, the musical advisor to the county. He gave a very interesting talk on French music, and with the help of his daughter playing the cello, was able to cover a wide range of composers including 'l' Faure and Chabrier. \.
It was hoped that a concert would be performed during the Summer Term but owing to unforeseen circumstances it had to be postponed until this November. This, of course, has given the orchestra more ' .. time to polish up its repertoire, but it is still in need of more stringed instruments which are lacking in the school at the moment.
Our thanks once again go to Mr West for arranging the society and to Mrs Annett for the kind use of her drawing room. N.J.W.
THE FICTION LIBRARY
THE FICTION LmRARY has continued to expand during the last year. The technique of hard-covering paperbacks and Mr Dilks' numerous donations of bound books have enabled us to add considerably to the library. We have also recently received a number of books which had been sent to be rebound, and the results are very satisfactory.
It must, however, be admitted that the books are not very well treated. We feel that considerably more care could be taken of what is supplied for the common good. There is a shortage of responsible, :''..< patient librarians, which places a strain on those we have. Despite these minor difficulties we remain confident that the library will continue to expand and improve.
MATE IN TWO
THE FIRST MOVE IS INDIVIDUALISTIC: L. S. F. Blackstock won the' Junior County Chess Championship last year, which is the first time
someone from this school has won it since it started about ten years ago. King's School swept the board both in this and in the subsidiary competition which was won by C. Anderton. The school team was knocked out of the "Sunday Times" competition after three rounds. (I. P-.KB3, .....).
Development is important, since something must be done to provide more opportunities: it is hoped that we shall be able to acquire more sets in the near future. Timing, too, is an important factor in play : obviously clocks'would be helpful. (I ..... , P-K4).
The club meets on Tuesday and Thursday nights and anyone is welcome. Chess flourishes in the fourths, but, though the side is now strengthened with up-and-coming players, last year, in the centre of the club, the first team was not very successful in either .the Schools' or the Adult League. (2. P-KN4 .....).
The crowning event last season was the success of the Junior Team which won all its matches to retain the Under Fifteen County Championship for the second year in succession. (2 , Q-R5, mate !)
In closing, I would like, to thank Mr Anderton for all his enthusiasm and interest in the club.
T.C.J.
RUGBY FOOTBALL RESULTS, SEASON 1961-62
.. 1ST XV
Played 12, Won 5, Lost 5, Drawn 2; Points For 85, Against 54
v. Christ College, Brecon Home Won 9-0
v. Bromsgrove School Home Drawn 3-3
v. Hereford C.S.
v. Dean Close School...
v.
v. W.R.G.S.
v. Ellesmere College
,Won 18-0
Won 24-5
v. K.E.S. Birmingham Away Lost 6-9
v.
v. Bishop Vesey's G.S.
v.
v. Old Vigornians
2ND XV
0-8
3-3
Played 7, Won 5, Lost 2, Drawn 0; Points For 107, Against 29
v. Bromsgrove School Away Won 22-0
v. Hereford C.S. Away Won 27-3
v. Dean Close School... Away Won 33-0
v. W.R.G.S.
v. K.E.S. Birmingham
v.
v. Bishop Vesey's G.S.
3RDXV
Q-9
5-6
Played 6, Won I, Lost 5, Drawn 0; Points For, 37, Against 69
v. Bromsgrove School Home Lost 0-25
v. Hereford C. S. Away Won 28-3
v. Warwick School Home Lost 9-II
v. Lueton School Home Lost 0-3
v. Sebright School Home' Lost 0-21
v. Pershore Youth 'Home
U.16 XV
Played 8, Won 4, Lost 4, Drawn 0; Points For 58, Against 79
v. Christ College, Brecon Home Lost 0-17
v. Bromsgrove School Home Lost D-9
v. Dean Close School... Home Won 15-11
v. Ellesmere College ... Away Lost 3-33
v. K.E.S. Birmingham Away Lost 0-6
v. Warwick School Home Won 9-3
v. W.R.G.S. Away Won 25-0
v. W.R.G.S. Home Won 6-0
U.15 XV
Played 7, Won I, Lost 6, Drawn 0; Points For 38, Against 157
v. Bromsgrove School Away Lost 0-48
v. Hereford C.S. Home Lost. 3-8
v. Dean Close School... Away Lost 0-41
v. W.R.G.S. Away Lost 0-33
v. K.E.S.Birmingham Home Lost 12-15
v. Warwick School Home Won 15-3
v. Nunnery Wood School Away Lost 8-9
U.14 XV
Played 6, Won 5, Lost I, Drawn 0; Points For 86, Against 15
v. Bromscrove School Home Won 24-3
v. Hereford C.S. Away Lost 6-9
v.W.R.G.S.
REPORT, SEASON 1961-62
A QUICK GLANCE at the 1st XV results this season would seem to indicate that, at home, a fiercely partisan crowd proved too much for our opponents and assured our invincibility, but that away, the team was apparently too temperamental to produce their true form. However, as is often the case, the appearance of the scores is deceptive, for several of our opponents at home were weaker teams than average, (. and Dean Close, especially, were unfortunate in that two of their players spent a large part of the game standing on the touchline with injuries. We started the season with a very good pack and weak three-quarters; it was by our superiority up front that we won our first matches. The wings, Tutty and Morris, were given room to move by fast heeling, and the opposing backs were rarely given the opportunity to exploit the sometimes glaringly obvious defensive gaps among our own backs. This state of affairs was, however, not destined to last, fOf little by little the forwards were whittled away by injuries and' for other reasons.
Mter the first match Hamblin dropped out with a leg injury which proved so persistent that he was unable to play again for the School. Mter the match against Dean Close we were deprived for the rest of the term of the services of Connolly, by far the pick of the forwards. His utterly ruthless bear-like strength and determined running proved invaluable in the loose both on the attack and on the defence. In this same match Saunders received a knee-injury which kept him out for the next five matches-another forward whose presence was sorely missed. In subsequent games Tustian and Troup were also injured, thus leaving only three of the pack with which we started the season.
Injuries, however, cannot completely our failures. On a wet, blustery day we came to the match against the Grammar School full of confidence but little else. In the twenty-fifth minute, with a heavy, sodden ball, Pickup missed a penalty right in front of the posts, and from then on, nothing seemed to go right for the rest of the season. We were beaten that day in a hard forward battle by a very good team. Against Ellesmere two defensive mistakes in the three-quarters and missed penalty kicks led to another defeat. At Birmingham the standard dropped to the very depths. The home side scored two ridiculous breakaway-tries from their own half of the sort which a third XV would be ashamed to have scored against them. 9-0 down at half-time, the School fought back strongly after the break. The forwards pressed hard, but did not have enough penetration to break through completely. Certain tries were prevented by elementary handling mistakes by the backs and a mysterious disregard of the advantage-rule by the referee. In the end N eedham at last scored a good try and in the last minute put an easy penalty-kick over the bar. Another annoying defeat was that at the hands of Bishop Vesey's. We spent the major part of the game in their half but again the forwards had not quite enough punch to take advantage of their territorial superiority. Although we took the lead through an unconverted try by Lowson, they soon replied with a try which proved to be the first they converted in their season. In the last few minutes Sly missed a long, difficult penalty by a mere six inches, and we left the field defeated by 5-3. At Magdalen College School the story was much the same-a slight increase in speed when a pass was expected took their right-centre through a frail defence for an easy try which was converted. In an excellent run in which he beat at least three opponents, Millard scored what appeared to be a fine try, whose only reward was a penalty against us right on their very goal-line ! With the last kick of the match the Magdalen stand-off made the score 8-0 with a dropped goal. Enough has been said about the forwards as a whole, but mention must be made of the captain, Barrlett, who strove very hard with his voice and by example to hold his pack together in defence and to try to restore the team's confidence in attack. The best of the three-quarters was without doubt Tutty, whose devastating speed proved a prolific asset in the early matches. In the second half of the season, however, he had far fewer chances and seemed to have lost his zip. However, his defensive work was just as consistently effective. His flying tackles on opposing wings were a joy to watch and on several occasions he
prevented certain tries on the' opposite flank .. The centre-threequarters had little penetration and were weak in defence, but should' improve greatly with experience. Morris, on the left-wing, although fast, was too lacking in weight and positional sense to be a real success. At scrum-half, Meadows, although his passes were reasonably accurate, was often too slow to give Pickup at stand-off any chance for a break. Randle proved a cool full-back, sometimes too cool; his kicking was on most occasions accurate, but his tackling was,. to say the least, doubtful in its effectiveness. Another disappointing feature of this season's play has been the place-kicking, for neither Randle nor Sly seemed able to put the ball between the posts when it was really needed.
In this rather dismal picture there stands out one achievement of which the team can be proud. That is their victory over Warwick School, who came to play us with a reputation of near-invincibility. With two minutes left for play the score stood at five-all with both sets of forwards exhausted by a really fierce battle up front. Then, from a loose maul, the ball come out all along the three-quarter line to Tutty, who, taking the weary opponents by surprise with an astonishing spurt, flashed over in the corner for the best try of the season, thus making the final score 8-5 in our favour.
The performances of the other School teams were varied in their success. The 2nd XV, fortunate in having many players who were only slightly under first team standard, had a very successful season, in spite of having continually to give up players to the 1st XV. In their first three matches, against Bromsgrove, Hereford, and Dean Close, they scored 82 points against their opponents' 3, a very good effort.
The 3rd XV, although not very successful, usually appeared to enjoy themselves. The U.16 XV showed in general the same faults as the 1st XV, in spite of good play by Dailey and Burn in the pack, and by Whiting at centre-threequarter. The U.15 XV was usually not up to the standard of their opponents, although they made considerable improvement towards the end of the season. The U.14 XV had a very successful season and give, encouragement for optimism in the future.
FINAL BELOWS TABLE 1961
·HOCKEY 1962
Captain: C. E. RANDLE
Hon. Sec.: P. M. R. MILLARD
RESULTS 1ST XI
v. Hanley Castle 0-1
v. Solihull 4-'3
v. P.H.G.S. Evesham I-I
v. Bloxham
v. Hartlebury 0-1
v. Brecon 2-1
v. P. G. L. CurIe's XI 0-1
v.O.V.S. 3-2
v. P.H.G.S., Evesham 0-4 2ND XI
v. Hanley Castle I-I
v. Solihull 2-5
v. P.H.G.S., Evesham 1-4
v. Hartlebury 3-1
v.O.V.S. 2-5
v. P.H.G.S., Evesham 1-2 COLTS Xl's
v. P.H.G.S. Evesham "A" 1-2
v. P.H.G.S., Evesham "B" 3-0
v. Nunnery Wood "A" 0-3
v. Nunnery Wood "B" 3-1
v. Bloxham 3-0
v.Solihull 6--2
v. Brecon 9- I
v. Nunnery Wood "A" 0-3
v. Nunnery Wood "B" 3-3
As can be seen from the results we had a moderate season, winning three, losing four and drawing two. The team was very unlucky not to win more matches, particularly in the cases of Bloxham and Hanley. Against the former we hit the goal-post five times; against the latter we had most of the play but were robbed of victory by the brilliance of their goal-keeper. It was a pity that Mr. CurIe's patience and enthusiasm were not rewarded by better results.
The team at times played very well, though just when the forwards were beginning to "click" A. C. Lowson was injured and from then on we lacked the co-ordination to score the necessary goals. The defence was quite sound, C. Randle and P. Millard, having had the previous experience, played well, and J. Pickup was outstandingly for one in his first season.
Colours were re-awarded to C. Randle and P. Millard, and awarded to J. Pickup, N. Wright, K. Windridge and J. F. E. Troup. Pickup is to be congratulated on being selected for Worcestershire Schoolboys . in the inter-counties tournament.
In the House Matches Castle and Choir eventually had to share the cup, having drawn twice in the final, I-I and
The six-a-side tournament was again very successful and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The winners were once again the Staff..
P. MILLARD.
ROWING NOTES
THE BOAT CLUB continued its steady progress this season with the addition of a 4th VIII and a third Colts VIII, and also the arrival (only two months late) of a new boat for the 1st VIII. Again in the line of change, the 1st VIII tried out a set of oars which were approaching spade shape and found them very acceptable.
We succeeded in getting tubs on the water by February 1st (thanks to silglas and a low river), and had an VIII on the water two weeks later. During this fortnight two IV's were sunk by barges, fortunately with no fatal consequences to oarsmen or equipment. A 1st VIII was then selected which took part in the Reading Head of the River, where, starting at 43rd, they continued their upward trend finishing 39th of the 145 crews entered.
After re-organising at the beginning of the Summer Term the first regatta on the calendar was Reading Clinker regatta, attended this year by the 2nd VIII who lost their first race to Thames Tradesmen by half a length whilst beating Kingston R.C., in the event for Junior VIII's. Also there was the Colts VIII which lost to Thames R.C. in the first round of the Maiden VIII's. A week later, at Tewkesbury the 1st VIII beat Cheltenham College, the only other crew in the Senior division, by 2t lengths. The 2nd VIII lost a hard final in the Shell division to Cheltenham 2nd VIII having beaten Clifton Coll., Hereford C.S., and Kings, Gloucester. The Colts VIII won the clinker division in a good race with Cheltenham 4th VIII, a harder earned victory than that over Cheltenham 3rd VIII.
On the following Monday four crews descended on Hereford. The 1st VIII started by avenging last year's defeat by Bedford R.C., coming from behind to win by It lengths. In the final, Royal Shrewsbury School proved 2! lengths too strong for them. The 2nd VIII lost by a few feet the first round of the Junior VIII's to Bristol Ariel R.C. The Colts found a Hereford School 1st VIII more than they could cope with in the Maiden VIII's. In the same event the 3rd VIII were also put out early by Carmel College 1st VIII. The next Wednesday saw us at Hereford, once more, for the schools regatta. The 1st VIII were beaten in the semi-final after a very tough race won by Hampton Grammar School by l a length. Hampton went on to win the event from our 2nd VIII. The Colts "A" VIII brought the Colts cup back to Worcester for the third time in four years and the "B" VIII put up a creditable performance winning a very close first round race.
At Reading Amateur Regatta the 1st VIII, disappointingly, lost their first race to both other crews competing. The 2nd VIII got home by 2 ft. in their first race but lost to Clifton 1st VIII in the semi-final. The 2nd VIII went south again the following Thursday, to Pangbourne. Here they lost their first race to King's, Canterbury, but went on to reach the final of the loser's event, finally won by Shrewsbury. From there they went to Marlow where, in spite of a good practice outing, they lost once more to Cheltenham 2nd VIII.
The 1st VIII returned this year to the "Two Brewers" at Henley
and after some mixed quality outings early in the week set out in the Regatta with determination. Wednesday saw a 21 length victory over Winchester College, but Thursday saw them put out, as last year, by the Pangbourne Nautical College.
Mrs D. R. Leonard kindly agreed to present the prizes at the School Regatta. Amongst these was, for the first time, the Henley Shield, won this year by The Hostel, with a good performance particularly in the senior two IV's events. Thanks must also be given to Mrs R. D. Knight for her hard work on our behalf particularly in connection with the "Stopwatch Competition" which realised £110 some of which will be spent on new sculling equipment. N.J.M.
SCHOOL FIXTURE
v. Monmouth
1st VIII won by 4 lengths 3rd VIII won by 1 length Colts VIII won by I t lengths
SCHOOL REGATTA
Senior IV's The Hostel
Senior Sculls P. Langcake J /Senior IV's The Hostel J /Senior Sculls C. M. Ferguson
Junior IV's
Junior Sculls M. J. Parsons
Junior Pairs Choir Coxes Sculls C. E. Blatherwick
CRICKET CLUB. 1962 1ST XI
Captain of Cricket : J. PICKUP Secretary: D. MORRIS
For Against
Dean Close 166-5 dec. 74-8 Draw
Hereford C.S. 89-4 166-4 dec. Draw Pickup 97*
W.R.G.S. 113 135 Won Barlow 34
Bromsgrove 164-8 99-4 Draw Morris 35*
Ellesmere 92-4 172-8 Draw Southa1133
Magdalen 66-1 63 Lost Barlow 21
K.E.S.B. 208-6 dec. 127-4 Draw Pickup 64*
Monmouth 124-5 15 1-3 dec. Draw Pickup 71, Gibson 53
Warwick 97-5 95 Lost Old Vigornians 119 123 for 8 Won Redding 45 The Regiment 78 68 Lost Gibson 5-17
*Not out
We managed to play every match this season, although several were played in dismal conditions. Our first was at Dean Close School, which resulted in a draw, as did several of the matches which started after lunch. We managed to beat the Worcester Royal Grammar School in a close finish, despite the intervals spent in the pavilion sheltering from the rain.
There were plenty of runs scored at King Edward's School, ....••.. Birmingham, on a dry, hard wicket. The opposition reached two hundred in 4 hours for the loss of 6 wickets, while we replied with 127 for 4 in 21 hours. This included a firm innings from the captain John Pickup who left the field with 64 not out to his credit. The same player also had a fine innings in the Hereford match, when he declared with his own score standing at 97 not out.
The Old Vigornian match was perhaps the most memorable game of the season, and in another close finish the school won with two wickets standing, but with only minutes to spare. This was achieved by some colourful hard hitting by Redding.
Mr Searle, a minor county's opening bat, was a great help to the side in his first season, and with several members of the XI staying on this year we are eagerly awaiting the next season.
1st XI colours were reawarded to D. H. Morris, J. S. W. Gibson and J. F. E. Troupe and awarded to C. C. Barlow and M. F. Southall.
2ND XI
For Against
Sebright 47-7 113-7 Draw
Hereford 75 79-9 Lost Sly 7-34
W.R.G.S. 87-7 29 Won Sly 5-6, Goodyer 4-11
Bromsgrove 111-5 110 Won Redding 63, Potter 5-22
Malvern 132-8 133-2 Lost Aimes
Ellesmere 59- I 57 Won Sly 3-8
K.E.S.B. 131 134 Lost Goodyear 6-50, White
K.S., Gloucester 81-5 94 Draw (46
Warwick 95-9 147-9 Draw
3RD XI
Played 3, Won 0, Drawn I, Lost 2 For Against·
Ellesmere 39 82 Lost
K.E.S.B. 110-7 112-9 Lost
Lueton 149-6 105-9 Draw
U. 15'5
Played 6, Won 2, Lost 4 For Against
Seabright 24 75 Lost Stanley 5-5
Hereford C.S. 101-7 58 Won Stanley 6-11, West 55* • I i
W.R.G.S. 63 64-6 Lost Nichols 37 1
Bromsgrove 113-8 56 Won Stanley 7-10
K.E.S.B. 66 150-8 Lost
Warwick 118 123-4 Lost J ones S.S.
U. 13'5
The new group under the direction of Mr Turner. For Against
W.R.G.S. 55 72 Lost
Nunnery Wood 55 55 Tie
CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING
Captain: D. M. AsTILL Secretary: D. T. BARNES
THE CROSS-COUNTRY EIGHT had a fairly successful season, only losing once to a school side, Malvern College, in a close and exciting race. Of the other schools met, Bromsgrove were beaten narrowly, and Worcester R.G.S. and Hereford easily. Thompson, P. S., was the best individual runner, but the main strength of the eight lay in Astill, Bames, Colori, Moulder and Ryan, who packed well. Colours were re-awarded to Bames and awarded to Thompson, Bames, Colori and Moulder.
REsULTS :
February 3rd Worcester T. C. . ..
King's School "A"
King's School "B"
February 17th Malvern
February 21st King's
February 24th
March 3rd
March lOth Worcestershire Championships 1st Dudley Grammar 4th King's School
The school cross-country races were held on 17th February and the results were as follows :
Senior 1st Thompson, P. S. (H) I. Hostel 93 29 mins. 58 secs. 2. Bright 94 2nd Astill, D. M. (Cl) Castle 128 3· 3rd Ryan, P. D. (Cl) 4· Chappel 157 Creighton 177 5· 6. School 183 Wulstan 189 7· 8. Choir 202
Junior 1st Moulder, M. J. (Br) I. Bright 87
21 mins. 22 secs. 2. Choir 2nd Moody, R. B. (Ca) Castle 1°4 3· 13° 3rd Bunting, R. C. (Ca) 4· Chappel 157 , Creighton 163 5·
6. School 178
7·
Hostel 208
8. Wulstan 23 1
ATHLETICS
TO SUGGEST THAT the success of an athletics season is to be judged by one or two instances of individual prowess is quite deliberately to deceive the many who will read this magazine. "Successful" athletics should, in my opinion, be considered in terms not of victory, but of partaking. It is true that the element of victory is present in all contests; but what is so often absent in schools-.and this school is no exceptionis the opportunity for all people interested to take part in athletics seriously and freely.
Now opportunity implies at least a ground, and athletics without a ground is about as "successful" as a meal without food-all appetite and frustration. Last summer, a few hopeful and helpful people toiled and struggled with the Bathenhall slopes. A black circuit was marked out, a pit was dug, sand was bought, the field was from time to time cut. The Bursar was always co-operative, but the Bathenhall cupboard was all but bare.
Athletics in schools has for generations been taken to mean School Sports Days or little more. Groundsmen have for generations laboured, as indeed has Mr Lane and his assistants, like cooks before a banquet. But two days or two weeks feasting is strange remedy or compensation for the starvation or malnutrition of a whole term.
But perhaps all this is a thing of the past. Welcome indeed is news of the arrival of Mr Hazeldine and Mr Hickson. Never before has athletics had a more promising outlook. All that remains is to find a ground, a permanent home for athletics, a place where people can go when they want, to practise as they want. Then perhaps athletics in this school will become "successful"; at present this is not so.
J.M.C.
LAWN TENNIS
Captain:
C. E. RANDLE
THERE IS NOT MUCH progress to report this year, largely because we are still without our own courts. This necessitated turning away as many boys as we were able to accept into the club. Such a step, though unavoidable, is unfortunate ; at the same time it seems certain that when we have the facilities the game will flourish. What we really want is an all-weather hockey pitch that converts into hard courts in the summer. This thought perhaps is over-ambitious, but we are hopeful of having two grass courts on the school field next summer and this will certainly be a step forward.
The 1st VI played three matches this year with quite commendable results :
v. Solihull lost 2-4
v. Ellesmere won 9-0
v. Brecon won 61 2 -2.1 2
The team was :
1st Pair Randle and Frith 2nd Pair Johnson and Needham 3rd Pair Evison and Stokes
One of the highlights of the term was a most enjoyable day spent at the championships at Wimbledon.
SCHOOL SWIMMING SPORTS 1962
Under I6l Backstroke (2 lengths): I Coley (Ch.), 2 Steady (Cr.), 3 Fairhurst (H). 48.1 secs.
Open Backstroke (3 lengths): I Brazel (Ch.), 2 Assheton (Ca.), 3 Rowe (Ca.). 74.1 secs.
Under 15 Backstroke (I length): I Ferguson (S.), 2 Baker (Cr.), 3 Durrant (Ch.). 21.5 secs.
Open Butterfly (I length): I Beauchamp (H.), 2 Foster (C1.), 3 Braze! (Ch.). 20.5 secs.
Open Breaststroke (3 lengths): I Bartlett (Ch.), 2. Coley (Ch.), 3 Mclntosh (H.). 70.7 secs.
Under I6l Breaststroke (2 lengths): I Bunting (Co.), 2 Jennings (H.), 3 Haynes (Ch.). 51.4 secs.
Under 15 Breaststroke (2 lengths) : I Griffiths, T. J. (H.), 2 Torrens (Ca.) 3 Durrant (Ch.). 60.3 secs.
Open Freestyle (3 lengths): I Beauchamp (H.), 2 Brazel (Ch.), 3 Rowe (Co.). 61.5 secs.
Under I6l Freestyle (2 lengths): I Thompson (W.), 2 Fairhurst (H.), 3 Coley (Ch.). 40.3 secs.
Under 15 Freestyle (2 lengths): I Baker (Cr.), 2 Lockley (Ca.), 3 Ferguson (S.). 41.1 secs.
Open Medley Relay (3 X I length): I Hostel, 2 School, 3 Choir, 4 Bright. 65.7 secs.
Under I6l Medley Relay (3 X I length): I Hostel,2 Choir, 3 Chappe1. Castle disqualified. 66. I secs.
Under 15 Medley Relay (3 X I length): I School, 2 Hostel, 3 Castle, 4 Chappe1. 78.5 secs.
Open Freestyle Relay (4 X I length): I Choir,2 Castle, 3 Hostel and Bright (equal). 75.5 secs.
House points in order: Choir 89, Hostel 85, Castle 44, School 28, Creighton 14, Chappel I I, Bright 10, Wulston 8.
SWIMMING MATCH VERSUS DEAN CLOSE
The swimming team which went to Dean Close contained what could reasonably be called the elite of King's School swimmers, but they were not good enough for the fine swimming of the home school who were by far the more practised and obviously took the match far more· seriously than the visitors who have had only two hours a week of practising time. Maybe now the school has a swimming pool of its own our standard will reach greater heights and there will be no more fiascos like the swimming match at Warwick two years ago, and this Dean Close match. The team was :Seniors-Brazel, Beauchamp, Bartlett, Pickup, Assheton. Juniors-Coley, Baker, Foster, Thompson, Haynes, Ferguson. Fairhurst and Rowe, who would no doubt have been members of the team, were unfortunately ill at the time.
OXFORD LETTER
Dear Sirs,
All letters of this type strike many readers as either over-hearty or over-cynical and to the hardened observer of University letters this will be no exception. Due to the lack of any Oxford O. V. organizationa blessing in some ways, a curse in others-information about O.V's at Oxford is largely hearsay and very scant-y. With these reservations, we begin with :
David Cotton (Worcester-4th year chemist). Took the first part of his finals last year and is now working for part I!. Has been seen rowing by reliable witnesses.
Alan Webb (Worcester-2nd year P.P.E.). Another rower who rowed for Worcester first VIII last summer, though his training methods were not universally acceptable.
S. Chand (Balliol-2nd year P.P.E.) gives the impression of vast industry which seems to bring results. Has not been seen by anybody for some time which lends weight to the above impression.
Keith Fletcher (Magdalen-3rd year lawyer). A man of many parts who has coxed various eights with varying degrees of success. Renowned party-goer, bon viveur, etc., etc.
Derek Hook (Keble-3rd year historian). Seems to be worn down this year by the prospect of approaching finals. Has performed gallantly for Keble rugby team in the past but now haunts the libraries and possesses a permanently worried look.
Nick Byrne (Keble-2nd year geographer). Another pillar in the Keble rugby world-is now secretary. His beard seems to appear and vanish with the seasons, which makes identification difficult.
J. G. K. Fowler-Ellis (St Cath's-3rd year biologist). A man of mystery who seems to have vanished completely. Rumours of international incidents (apparently true) about an overland trip that he made to NjW. India are still coming in. Reputed to save vast sums out of his annual grant.
Clive Williams (Hertford). Flashed through the Oxford political scene like a meteor and is now "somewhere in Hertford". Apparently is a great party-giver but your correspondent has heard nothing of this, unfortunately. A second-year historian.
John Reddick (St Peter's College-3rd year modem linguist). Has not been seen or heard of.
Last year we lost Messrs Barrett, Thorne, Watson, Westgate and lones, the first-named taking some sort of job with the Coal-Board, while Brian Jones is still studying forestry after gaining two Boxing Blues and being vice-captain in his second year. A streamlined David Watson (after a term as rugby coach to the junior team of the school where he was student-teaching) and David Westgate are now teaching. These have been replaced by a vast crop of freshmen, of which the only one to have appeared to your correspondent for more than a second is Andrew J ameson (St. Cath's-·reading Russian and German). A somewhat unfortunate exit from Birmingham University was followed
by National Service with the R.A.F. in Berlin and his subsequent shock arrival here, where he is almost the "old man" of O.V's. His University career must be almost unparalleled and he is to be gratulated on his arrival. Eager to break into the Oxford jazz world and to re-enter what he thinks is the world of respectability, he is, in his own words, "finding his way in the academic jungle".
From this letter, a composite Oxford O.V. would appear to be a mixture of recluse, sportsman and hard-worker. The three attributes can be combined in some degree, though your correspondent, now in his final year, is beginning to find that the third is becoming increasingly necessary.
CAMBRIDGE LETTER
Dear Sirs,
The first duty of your Cambridge correspondent is the sad one of recording here the tragic death of lain Dickinson, killed in a railway accident on the continent last Easter. He is, and will continue to be, missed by a wide circle of friends, amongst whom he was liked and respected.
Cambridge Vigornians now number thirteen, of whom H. Meadows at Trinity is the senior. Having read Biochemistry for three years he has now persuaded the authorities to allow him to read medicine for another year before he moves on to a London teaching hospital. He has thus sidestepped the urgent problem now facing S. C. Graham (Queen's) and D. H. Smith (Trinity), both fully occupied with the exacting Natural Science Tripos, as well as J. J. Jerram (Selwyn), who finds time for rugby amid the welter of Economics, that of getting a job between now and June.
All the five second-year men except J. Langdon, reading Music and playing the organ in King's Chapel under the auspices of David Willcocks, are believed to be Engineers. The other habits of P. L. H. Pearson (St John's) are unknown-your correspondent has yet to meet him. R. A. Bailey (Trinity Hall) and A. R. Stevens (Pembroke) both claim to spend more time rowing for their Colleges than working. A. G. Wakley, like Pearson at St John's, on the other hand, in spite of representing his college at badminton, of which he has now been elected captain, and tennis, still found the resources to distinguish himself in last summer's examinations.
There remain only the four freshmen who, at the end of their first fortnight here, have so far signally failed to distinguish themselves. Blowers (St John's) and Nalty (Downing) as yet are better known in Worcester than in Cambridge. C. R. Slater (King's), who has spent the year toiling in a steelworks, and T. French, an Exhibitioner of Sidney Sussex fresh from six months teaching in the Black Forest, are both hoping that their having worked for a living will enable them the better to appreciate the carefree existence of a University.
Yours faithfully, CANTAB.
LONDON LETTER
To the Editors of the Vigornian
Dear Sir,
As you well know London is a vast city and you will doubtless appreciate the difficulty of tracing O.V's in the wilderness. We would therefore apologise for any misrepresentation or omission, and we hope that any offended O.V. will forgive us.
Since London is still the centre of the world, we have two sets of O.V's, those at the multitudinous colleges, and those fending for themselves in the midst of the bright lights.
Of the first group Hugh Soden and Colin Tustian are in their first year at King's and both are involved in rowing activities with the 1st VIII. Don Howell and Dick Saunders are at Imperial, Don in his second year and playing fives and Dick in his first year and playing rugger for a "B" XV. Tony Kemp is at L.S.E. and we gather that he returns frequently to Malvern to quench his thirst. He recently went to Germany as part of an experiment in International Living. Jim Randle is in his second year playing the 'cello at Guildhall and lives with Tony in a state of tension.
Roger Tringham is in his final year at University College and is pre-occupied with his hobby of the philosophy of fluids. Steve Cammell is at Wye (many miles away in Kent) in his final year of agricultural studies. He has recently returned from a tour of the D.S.A. and among his College distinctions he numbers Secretary of the Union, the dubious title of College Ram and stalwart of the bar. Arthur Braze! is in his final year at the College of Estate Management, Graham Wright in his first year of professional studies and Graham (Sav) Smith in his first year also. Arthur is Secretary of the Christian Union and swims and plays water polo on occasion while Sav is Captain of Chess and can usually be seen behind the College bar.
We gather that Mike West and Moss-N orbury are at Battersea, the latter having disappeared for a year's practical in a kitchen somewhere. Jerry Cartham, Roger Farnsworth and Mills were last heard of at Northampton and M. S. Bowling and C. D. Young at the Cesar Institute of Agriculture. Robin Toone and John Murray are thought to be medical students. Robin at Guy's and John at St Thomas'. Howard Vaile is said to have qualified from King's College Hospital. John Austen is rumoured to be around too.
Of those fending for themselves we have news of Mark Woolley, a police constable in Stepney and a member of the Metropolitan Police XV, Tony Conway is with Messrs Close and Cotton, Tony Baldwin is studying Law and Tony Jackson ·Accountancy. Peter Jones is down from Cambridge and in Re-insurance and Insurance Broking while Dick Jones has returned from two years in the U.S.A. and is with Chrysler. Needless to say he runs a large and somewhat flambouyant American automobile.
START OF SENIOR MILE
Richard "Lawson; although technically at Birmingham University is working as a chemist at Farnborough, Lance Stimson is with the British Home Stores at Southend and Jerry Lyon is believed to be something to do with the Stock Exchange. Tudor Howard-Davies is, we have heard, a sergeant with the Grenadier Guards.
David Clark is with a bank and although he lives near Southend he does a wonderful job in helping to organise the London Dinner. We believe that he has his own section elsewhere.
May we close with a plea. If we have missed anyone who would like to keep in touch would they write to G. C. S. Smith at 125 Warwick Road, London S.W.5, and likewise would O.V's coming to London, either to live or to College, also advise him of their whereabouts. In this way we hope to maintain our section of the O.V's .Club at maximum possible strength with the result that we are able to hold a few more informal gatherings as well as to swell the numbers for our already successful dinner.
Yours' faithfully,
LONDON
LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM
Sirs,
Since our last letter" from Birmingham. a new aCademic year has begun, with its usual quota of departures and new arrivals. We, the O.V's here, lost three of our number in July, but were delighted to see four new men come up three weeks ago.
The University itself continues to prosper and expand, despite a difference of opinion between the Government and ov-r Vice-Chancellor over the size of the University's annual grant. A magnificent new refectory puilding has been opened, and plans have been drawn up for extensive and much-needed new playing-fields. The City of Birmingham is, of course, its usual charming self.
With the term so young, the writer of this letter has lately been engaged in strenuous detective work, finding out just who is here and who has left. It is to be hoped that no reticent "fresher" from King's is still undiscovered, but, if there is anyone, I apologise to him.
Our senior members this session are :
A. D. Wallbank, who optained his degree in Metallurgy last year and who is now working for a Ph.D. .
G. M. Hewitt, who also obtained his degree (we hear a very good one) last year, has stayed on to do research in Genetics. This involved his :;: spending some weeks of the Summer vac. "over the hills and far away" searching for rare. insects and things.
The rest of us have still not the Day of Judgment. Those of us who are well on the way are :
D. J. Wheeler, final year Russian, who assures me that his academic career is in no way less brilliant now than it was at the time of our last letter. He is still an enthusiastic jazzman, and avoids ever looking depressed.
B. A. Nicholls, a "Medic." in the fourth year of his course, who is keeping up his swimming, and whom we were very glad to meet the other day, because only through him did I learn that we had two freshmen in the Medical School this year.
C. C. Butler, a final year Civil Engineer, whom we do not see around as much as we used to. This does not necessarily mean that he has started work already.
M. M. Challoner, final year German, who, if he is successful next Summer, hopes to stay on and do a Post-Graduate course in Education. Cynics say this is only to postpone having to work for his living for another year.
A. G. Williams, who is now in his second year as an electrical engineer, and who continues to amuse himself and be very useful as a member of the stage-staff of the Guild Theatre Group. This is more than most of us can say for ourselves.
J. C. Rogers, also in his second year as an electrical engineer, who is still living in Hall, and who is, therefore, one of only ten per cent. of Brum students. He is under contract with G.E.C., and tells me that he faces the future with confidence. He actually owns a car, but cannot afford to run it.
Our four freshmen, as yet, no doubt, still innocent and uncaring, are :
J. W. Taylor, of the German Dept., spent five months working on the continent before coming up, and is almost a "man of the world" already. He, too, is in Hall, and appears to be settling down well.
J. R. Meadows is in the Law Faculty, and has expressed an interest in sailing to a member of our staff. We warn him that the waters of the reservoir are very cold in winter.
P. I. McLauchlan and A. C. Jackson are our two freshers in the Medical School, but, unfortunately, we have no detailed news of either, for neither has been seen in the Bar yet.
That is, I hope, everybody, making a total of twelve. We wonder if we are the largest O.V. "colony" at anyone university. Should anyone be thinking of coming up here next year, we can tell you that .i" "Brum" is not such a bad place, and that we will be very glad to see you. f If any of you still at school would like to come up to Birmingham and look over the place before making any decisions, it is not so very far from the Faithful City, and I am sure that anyone of us would be glad .1 to act as host. We all send our best wishes to the school, and hope that , there are no mistakes or omissions in this letter.
Yours, etc., !
"BRuM."
EXETER LETTER
The University of Exeter has witnessed a gradual invasion by O.V'sin 1960 there arrived the first, in 1961 he was joined by two more and now our total strength is four.
The University is expanding rapidly and is spreading in a well-planned way over the estate. The building of Halls of Residence is in proportion to the number of students admitted, with the result that any person applying here has a good chance of spending at least two. years in Hall with its many benefits-social and otherwise.
All O.V's here are in Halls of Residence themselves and are successfully running the place from behind the scenes-John Hill in the German Dept, Tony Culver and Bob Castley in the Faculty of Economics and Peter Beasley in the Faculty of Law.
The University has a most delightful setting-the coast and the moors being only a short bus-ride away. The University, set on a hill, with its modem buildings and intense cultural and social life, contrasts strongly with the placid cathedral city.
Finally we would like to hear of any member of the school who is coming here for an interview and I am sure one of us will be on hand to show him round.
Yours sincerely,
JOHN HILL
ToNY CULYER
PETER
BEASLEY
BOB CASTLEY
THE O. V. RE- UNION 1963
AN O.V. COMMITTEE MEETING was held recently to discuss and arrange The Annual Re-union and Dinner to be held in June 1963. . It was decided that a special effort be made to provide a more attractive week-end. In the first place the quality of the dinner itself is to be raised. In order to achieve this a first-class Cheltenham caterer has been briefed, and a menu selected with great care, which should appeal to even the most discriminating.
The Annual General Meeting will no longer cast its shadow over this meal, because it has been agreed to bring this necessary function forward to 12 noon, at which time it is hoped that many more O.V's will find it possible to attend. Your Committee are hiring a room at The Diglis Hotel in which to hold this particular meeting. This is only experimental but it should encourage members to enjoy a friendly chat about the club's activities.
An O.V. Dance is to be held in College Hall on the Friday Evening. Mr John Pimley is planning this with great care and so a top-ranking Birmingham band has been engaged to assure us of good rhythm. The catering is being carried out by Ronald Sills Ltd, which in itself is a guarantee of good food and service.
The Committee are extremely anxious that this 1963 Re-union should be very successful, but this can only be brought about by a really large attendance of members at both The Dinner and The Dance.
H. H. HOLMES, President
O.V. NEWS
G. JACKSON, School House 1946-51, works for the Reed Paper group. Travels throughout Europe selling paper to packing factories. K. WILLIAMS has been awarded a first class honours B.Sc. at Birmingham University in pure maths. He is taking up a Teaching fellowship and Commonwealth Scholarship at Toronto University.
A. JAMESON, 1951-58. During his national service in the R.A.F.. be studied Russian and then worked in West Berlin. Later he became a courier and is now at St Catherine's, Oxford, where he is studying Russian.
B. R. PARSONS, Castle house, 1951-55, is working as a Purser for Cunard. Hopes to settle in New Zealand.
P. HAYDEN, Hostel 1951-56. Has returned to Southern Rhodesia to join the Customs and Immigration Department.
E. L. DANIEL, 1946-56. Has taken up a teaching appointment at · Calverton, Notts.
A. HARGRAVE, Capt., The Worcestershire Regiment. Is now at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham. r
D. J. CURRY, 1949-59. Went to Cranwell and was commissioned in \ August. Was seconded to the Sultan of Oman Air Force where he now (presumably) is.
N. R. ROWLING, 1952-56. Having completed his national service in the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, he is now working in Barc1ay's Bank.
M. S. ROWLING, 1954-58. Is now in his 2nd year Diploma course for Agriculture at the Essex Institute at Writtle.
J. D. FARMER, School House 1946-51. Has been with the Imperial · Tobacco Co. of India since 1958 and is assistant Secretary. Is coming home on leave in 1964.
W. F. R.MoRGAN, 1928-34. Married in 1960 to Jean Philbey -of · Bletchley. He is now chief Electrical Engineer of Baker Perkins Ltd, Peterborough.
M. PRESTAGE, School House 1941-45. Went to Seale-Hayne agri cultural College and then started farming -on his own. Gave up, and is now working for I.C.I. as an agricultural representative in North Devon.
NEW ARCHBISHOP OF BRISBANE
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
BRISBANE, OCT. 30
The Right Rev. Philip Strong, Bishop of New Guinea, was today appointed Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane in succession to Archbishop Halse, who died in August. The appointment was the unanimous decision of the 18 members of the election committee.
Dr Strong was born at Sutton-on-the-Hill, Derbyshire, and graduated at Cambridge. He was appointed Bishop of New Guinea in 1936. Known as the bishop who has been fighting black magic in the jungle of New Guinea for more than 20 years, he had a distinguished war career. He served with the Royal Engineers in the First World War. In the Second World War he refused to leave for the mainland as the Japanese invasion forces advanced, and he was one of the first to be fired on when the enemy attack started early in 1942. While he was going ashore at an isolated mission station from a .mission schooner, his launch was machine-gunned by Japanese aircraft. Dr Strong's brief-case was hit but he was not wounded. He was appointed C.M.G. in 1958 and is a member of the Legislative Council of Papua and New Guinea.
Reprinted from The Times
ENGAGEMENTS
E. L. DANIELS (1946-56) to Mary Sheppard of Southwell, Notts.
K. S. WILLIAMS (1954-59) to Carole Lowe of Worcester.
MARRIAGE
E. R. VINES (1944-53) to Jane Elizabeth Cover of Linton, Cambridge, on 15th September, 1962.
DEATHS
I. A. DICKINSON, School House 1950-56, on 17th March, 1962, as the result of an accident.
REv. J. A. CROFTS, 1924-27, late vicar of Alfrick, Worcester.
T. J. BIRCH, 1951-59, as the result of a car accident.
W. F. C. UNDERWOOD, 1903-07
W. F. C. Underwood, who passed away on June 18th, 1962, aged 71 years, will be remembered by everyone for the zeal with which he worked in so many and varied spheres. A very successful business executive, he held office as Chairman of both The Worcester and District and The County Coal Merchants' Association and was President of The South Midland Federation of Builders' Merchants.
A Freemason for 43 years, he was a Past Provincial Grand Warden.
I had the pleasure of working with Will Underwood in The Worcester Operatic Society, of which he became President, and also in The Special Constabulary, in which he rose to the rank of commandant, and it was my experience during those years that he was a tower of strength, a tireless worker but always very human and a staunch friend. With the passing of W. F. C. Underwood we have lost one of our greatest Presidents. H.H.H.
CHANGES OF ADDRESS
CAPT. H. J. KIRBY, R.N., Grayswood Vicarage, Haslemere, Surrey.
F. H. YARNOLD, M.B.E., FreetownTraining College for Teachers, Tower Hill, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
W. F. R. MORGAN, 9 Westwood.Park Close, Peterborough
LIEUT. J. P.B. LEE, R.N., 12 Tewkesbury Avenue, Fareham, Hants.
J. G. GEORGE, 9 Hustcombe, Whitehall Lane, Buckhurst Hill, Essex.
I. G. MILROY, 2 Field Way, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Hants.
I. VAN RYSSEN, 168 Dunstone View, Elburton, Nr Plymouth, Devon.
R. P. STEPHENS, 39 Kirkstone Drive, Elbury Park, Worcester.
M. WOOLLEY, I Waverley Crescent, Harrogate.
P. HAYDEN, Orchard Ho., Bredon, Nr Tewkesbury, Glos.
,oR J. W. MASTERS, 321 Station Road, Yardley, Birmingham 33.
R. F. GODSALL, 154 Landsdowne Rd, Worcester.
D. J. COOK, 57 Burford Rd, Evesham. .
P. D. HARRIS, Crewkerne, Sunshine Avenue, St Saviour, Jersey, Channel Islands.
A. O. AND R. A. HALL, 8 Offington Gardens, Worthing, Sussex.
A. HOWLE, 19 Preston Close, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham.
M. H. PRESTAGE, Casterbridge, Hill Crest Road, ·Barnstaple, Devon.
G. V. MARsHALL, Marley, 108 Derby Road, Bramcote, Nottingham.
Does anyone know the address of the following O.V's? If so
please let the Hon. Sec. know.
Bough, R. T.
Bradbum, E. N.
Burley, J. D.
Blake, M. 1.
Blain, J. A.
Blain, A. C.
Broadhurst
Brow, R. C.
Clinch, J. G.
Cavenagh, R. T.
Gavenagh, P. Chapman, C. Cox, H. C.
Carless, R.
Day, M. H. D.
Everard, J. D. Flayal
Fletcher, M. W.
Fifield, L. F.M.
Gillard, D. A.
)Gibbs, D. F.
Griffiths, J. D. L.
Griffith, R. G. L.
Henderson, D. G.
Holder, G. D.
1943-47
1917-23
1942-48
1942-45
1942-48
1942-45
1948-53
1943-47
1935-38
1946-47
1946-49
1938-40
193°-38
1917-19
1894-01
1947-52
1922-30
1951-56
1943-51
1947-54
1926-30
1943-50
1948-54
1954-61
1926-32
Hughes, C. P.
Jeans, D. M.
J ones, S. M. C. Jones, W.
King, J. R.
Leahy, A. L.
Leek, M. G. N. Luton, B. G.
Lindeman, R. G. N.
McAustin, L. J. McKenzie, A. H. Moody, W. A. Nicholls, G. H. O'Brien, D. D. Parkinson, I. Pendlebury, G. Richards, A. J. M. RIgg, C. Rigg, B. Robinson, J. S. M. Sherwood, E. S. Tausell, P. M. Thompson-Wood, L. Williams, R. A. Vincent, L. T.
1950-52
1902-09
1936-40
1909- 13
195 1-55 1944-49 1945-50 1955-57
195 8- 60 1933-36 1939-44 1940-43
192 5-33 1946-49
1947-5 1 1929-34 1944-52 1945-55 1944-54 1919-25
194 1 -44
1944-47 1945-55
O.V.
NOTES
I. Will any O.V. who is interested in the formation of an Old Vigornian Golfing Society please contact the Hon. Sec. If the demand is great enough it is hoped to try to enter for the Holford Hewitt Trophy.
2. At the recent Annual General Meeting members passed unanimously a resolution creating a Bursary for the sons of O.V's at the school or prospective pupils for the school. It was also decided to give £200 to the building fund.
3. O.V. News is rather thin this year because not many have sent in information about themselves-please try to fill up the form which is sent for this purpose. 'I 'J
OUR CONTEMPORARIES
WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH THANKS the receipt of the Jl)any Magazines
that have been sent to us. '
BARNSLEYS
Suppliers to
KINGS SCHOOL AND OTHER LEADING SCHOOLS, H.M. SERVICES AND CLUBS
Choosing a Career
If you have not already decided on your future career, it might interest you to know something of the prospects available to young men entering the Bank.
Opportunities. Of the young men now being recruited by Lloyds Bank one in every two will be required to hold managerial or other positions of responsibility and many will achieve this rank at 30 to 35 yearS of age. .
Prospeettl. A salary of £'4t500 or more is attainable if you possess good personal qualities, together with the character and powers of leadership necessary for eventual promotion to executive rank.
Training. A comprehensive training scheme, which includes courses at Residential Training Establishments, is in operation and it is the Bank's policy to encourage and to promote, through special salary scales, those young men who show promise.
Applications for appointments to the Permanent Staff, or for further information, may be made in person or by letter to the Staff Manager, Lloyds Bank Limited, Head 71 Lombard Street, London, E.C.3.