The Vigornian December 1976

Page 1


The effects on the school of the Government's decision to abolish the Direct Grant system are described n full in a separate article.

There have been severa changes on the Governing Body this year Mr H G Pitt has been succeeded as Chairman by Mr. A. M. Grier, C.M.G., who was until recently Manager of the Redditch New Town Corporation Canon Turnbull's place as a Chapter representative has been taken by the new Archdeacon of Worcester, the Ven J C Williams, while Mr Michael Adams, formerly Deputy Director of Education for Gloucestershire and the father of a young OV, has been nominated by the Chapter n place of Mr J Barclay

In Apri 1976 Mr. Harry Bramma left to take up his new post as Organist of Southwark Cathedral During his 12 years as Director of Music here he had transformed the musical life of the school, and although he had combined the post with that of Assistant organist of the Cathedral, it was clear that by the time of his departure music in the school had developed to such an extent that a full-time Director was desirable Mr Malcolm Drummond, M.A., Mus.B., F.R.C.O., has been appointed to this post Mr Paul Trepte, whom the Chapter had appointed at Easter as Assistant Organist, took over Mr Bramma's teaching in the school for the summer term, and continues as a part-time member of the Music staff

In July 1976 Mr A L Cubberley left to become Head of Classics at Sevenoaks School, and we also said good-bye with regret to Mr. J . F. Dawson after a year on the English Staff. In September 1976 we welcomed Mr R D Hunt, and Mr M C M Cantinelli, who has taken Mr Helliwell's place for a year under a teachers' exchange scheme Mr R Hemingway and Mrs V E M. Bailey left the staff of the Junior School, and have been succeeded by Mr. J . D. Hill and Miss S H Deighton-Gibson

We congratulate Mr and Mrs Towner and Mr and Mrs Turner on the birth of sons and Mr and Mrs Diamond and Mr and Mrs Baseley on the birth of daughters.;

We also congratulate the winners of Oxford and Cambridge awards last autumn, to whose names must be added those of Adrian Partington, who in July 1976 won the St George's Organ Scholarship tenable at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, and the Royal College of Music; Geoffrey Webber, who has gained his A.R.C.O at the age of 17; and Timothy Minton, who has opened the new year of Oxbridge awards by winning a Choral Studentship at St John's College, Cambridge King's Days took place on Thursday and Friday, May 27th and 28th At the Junior one the prizes were presented by Lady Talbot On the Friday the preacher at the Commemoration Service was the Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Revd Michael Mann (since appointed Dean of Windsor) The afternoon was treated as an "open day", with exhibitions, demonstrations, and so forth, and tea was served in a marquee on College Green.

In view of the Prime Minister's recent complaint that schools were not producing sufficient scientists and technologists, t s interesting to note that of the 101 entrants to the VI Form this year, 55 are taking two or more science subjects (including Mathematics), and 46 taking two or more arts subjects. The corresponding figures last year were 45 and 57, but it is too early to say whether this constitutes a significant "swing"

Since one s often asked what boys and girls do when they leave the King's School, the following summary of the "destination" of leavers in July 1976 may be of interest:

THE END OF DIRECT GRANT

1976 will be remembered for one of the most wantonly destructive acts in the history of education in this country — the abolition of the Direct Grant system As indicated in last year's Vigornian, the Governors of the King's School, being faced with the unacceptable alternative of absorption into the loca comprehensive system with consequent loss of autonomy, felt obliged to opt for ful independence This means that while all those boys and girls who had entered the Senior School before September 1976 will continue to benefit from free places, grant-aided fees, and the fee remission scheme, those who enter after that date will pay a full economic fee For the next six years, therefore, the King's School will be in a transitional state — Direct Grant as regards a diminishing number of grant-aided pupils, and independent as regards the remainder

Although the Government has put strong pressure on Local Education Authorities not to take up free places at independent schools, a curious situation exists in Worcester No plans have yet been approved for reorganising the City schools on comprehensive lines, so the 11 + selection procedure will continue at least in 1977, and possibly in 1978 also Since the County Education Committee have always relied on the King's School for some of its grammar school places, they will be obliged to continue to take up a considerable number of free places here until the reorganisation process is completed We are happy that our long-standing association with the Loca Authority should be reprieved, if only for a short time

Meanwhile, in order that the school may continue to offer an academic education to at least some able boys whose parents could not afford the full fees, an Endowment Fund wil be built up from which assisted places and bursaries can be offered to as many boys as funds permit Further details of this scheme will be published in 1977

Apprehension has inevitably been felt about the impact on the school of inflationary increases n fees combined with the loss of grant. It is therefore encouraging to report that we started the schoo year in September 1976 with a larger number on the school roll than ever before n its history: 721 (including 83 under-11s in the Junior School) There are 219 in the VI Form, including 18 girls, and the senior boarding houses are full to capacity.

ECONOMIES

In September 1975 the Headmaster created the Economies Committee, whose brief was to examine and recommend to the Headmaster possibilities for reducing expenditure and the benefits gained from this

The Committee is made up of staff and sixth formers, the Chairman is Mr Anderton and the other members are: Mr Bridges, the Bursar, Dr Rail, Mr Helliwell, Mr Bentley, and Mr Thompson, and from the sixth form: Pryer, Duckworth, Liz Carrington, Pugh, Walkley and Scott

To date they have recommended replacing light bulbs with strip lighting, and most important of all, that the boys should clean the New Block during the term This had its problems, but is now working satisfactorily Topics now under consideration include: central heating fuel consumption, stationery and books, better school furniture, and better catering arrangements Anyone with any new ideas should see Mr. Anderton, as every saving helps.

The Committee has since been looking into the problems of saving water, but there seems very little that we can do about this in the school, although we will still do our best to cut down our consumption

U S I

THE NEW BUILDING

The new building, which is situated behind School House on ground previously occupied by the Rifle Range, the Carpenter's Shop, the "Pre-fab", and other useful but unsightly premises, is already taking shape It wil contain on the ground floor a dining hall and a kitchen with al the associated store-rooms, offices etc., and on the upper floor a Modern Languages Centre and a staff dining room

To OVs who remember the inconvenient chain of inter-connected dining rooms at different levels and all served by one tiny and antiquated lift, there is no need to explain why a new dining hall is urgently needed The new building will enable us to introduce a cafeteria system, which we hope will combine flexibility of service and choice of menus with economies in time and staff It is intended that the hall should also be usable for lectures and informal drama and music — though we realise that t s impossible to achieve an all-purpose acoustic

Since it is desirable that the kitchen should be serviced from Severn Street rather than from College Green or Castle Place, and equally desirable that the dining hall and kitchens should be on the same level, the whole building will be at a lower level than School House or the two class-room blocks. In the quadrangle thus formed, the change of leve will be effected by terracing and steps.

The Modern Language Centre will consist of four class-rooms, a Language Laboratory with eight positions, and astore-room. Three of the class-rooms wil be equipped with induction loops which enable a group wearing headsets to pick up the words from the tape-recorder, allowing maximum flexibility within the room The eight-position Sixth Form Language Laboratory wil allow for group and individual work.

The remova of the kitchen and dining rooms from School House will make a considerable amount of space available for other purposes, some of which has already been ear-marked for an extension to the Music School

The contractors are working to a tight schedule, but it is hoped to complete the building before the end of the summer term, so that it can be equipped and ready for use in September 1977 D.M.A

KING'S SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE REPORT

Phase 3 of the Development campaign was launched in October 1974 with a target of £140,000 to provide a much needed new dining hall and additional teaching space for the School

The campaign so far has raised or been promised (in the form of covenants) over £55,000 and as a result of this encouraging start, the Governors have signed a contract with the builders, who commenced work in July, with completion due in the middle of next year.

One of the most encouraging aspects of this phase of the campaign has been the contributions by Old Vigornians and this has been entirely due to the efforts of the O.V. President Mr. L M (BILL) Bailey O V who has written hundreds of personal letters to O.V.s

Other money-raising events during the year have ranged from functions in private houses to a very successful School fete which raised over £5,000

If you are an O V who has not yet contributed, please think seriously of taking out a covenant, however small, or making a donation On the other hand if you are a boy at present in the School, could I suggest that you tactfully approach your parents to make certain they have likewise contributed.

Offers of help or suggestions for money raising activities are always welcome; please contact the Bursar (phone 23990) or Mrs. J . G. Barlow.

The first time that I went into Harry's house in 1963 and saw an empty claret glass delicately placed on the lavatory cistern, I realised that here was a man who cared little for the orthodoxies of life, a man without affectation W e all have our own memories of Harry Most of mine are visual ones: the collar of one of his vast array of raincoats turned up to meet the saggingirim of his somewhat self-consciously rustic tweed hat; the Gargantuan roasts of pork, done to perfection, which would lie on his groaning table, waiting to be cleft into three or, at the very most, four slices, which, if they lacked the finesse of a West End restaurant, certainly had dimensions that would not have disappointed that Rabelaisian hero; the pictures that I shall carry to my grave of Harry discussing the menu for our annual Bachelors' King's Day Lunch and announcing solemnly, as if the idea were coming to him for the first time, that he thought he would just go down to Denley's and get a rolled shoulder of pork ("I always go to Denley for my pork" was a main clause n the conversation which we would all wait for and then silently congratulate ourselves on not being disappointed); the staccato laugh which more than once brought a full School House Dining Room to an inquisitive hush; his appearances in Staff performances either being dragged into College Hall on a luggage trolley dressed as a bandsman and coaxing the Prelude to the Meistersingers from a wheezing harmonium or dressed as a mischievous schoolboy in St Alban's blazer and shorts

One of Harry's joys during his time in Worcestershire was the countryside which he came to know very well He is a great walker, and he had several well-worn routes, most of which had the added attraction of old ale and sandwiches too

But there is, of course, another side to Harry — the musician and the schoolmaster He joined the school in the vintage year of 1963, and not long after added the post of Head of the Music Department to that of Assistant Organist, which he held at the Cathedral The Music Department very quickly acquired a sense of self-respect and became transformed into what is now — a lively department that reached excellence in both performance and academic work

Here too Harry's methods were, to say the least, individual Many is the A-level pupil who has had to peel the vegetables whilst learning the intricacies of the counterpoint of Johanh Sebastian Bach or the Twelve Tone Rows of the more perverse of modern composers, because the Dean was coming to supper and the host was a little behind with the preparations 11was an informal approach, but it was an approach that worked well, and one which endeared him to his pupils He never grudged time to help a boy and showed intense persona care for his progress — kindness, encouragement for the most part, but he was never afraid to shock the smug of the freewheeler with a few well-chosen Yorkshire words, whose import, if not their exact meaning, was always very clear; but he was always fair. One of Harry's greatest gifts was his ability to recognize and foster real talent previously unnoticed or neglected — an eye for the natural musician

Harry has no time for humbug or pretension: the dilettante has no place in his universe, and this is why he has had such success at Worcester He demanded — and generally got — complete commitment, rightly believing that excellence in music depends on this. A visit to some of the most important organ-lofts in the country would demonstrate the effectiveness of this belief: a good number of those lofts are occupied by Harry's pupils

For most people, however, Harry wil be remembered at Worcester for his public concerts, and rightly so, for without him we should not have had such commendable performances of Haydn's Creation Britten's St Nicholas, the Verdi Requiem—and so many others

If this has read like an obituary notice, there s perhaps a reason for it. In many ways, Harry's departure marks the end of an era, an era which will be remembered for a very long time

1976 was both a great and sad year for music at King's ; the sadness because of the loss of Mr Harry Bramma who has gone to be organist and choirmaster of Southwark Cathedra in London He was once named, by a lay clerk, as one of the three great men the city of Bradford had produced, alongside J B Priestly and Frederic Delius.His last two concerts with the the school choir were "The Seasons' by Haydn and in the Spring a performance of 'St Nicholas by Benjamin Britten. The latter was a substitue for 'Belshazzar's Feast by William Walton which was planned for the Summer concert but, due to Mr Bramma's appointment, had to be put off and a lesser work put on instead, in his last term.

Harry Bramma's two-fold job, Assistant Organist of Worcester Cathedral and Director of Music at King's has now been split-up: — Paul Trepte, from New College Oxford, taking over the Cathedral position, and we welcome Malcolm Drummond as Head of the Music Department Mr Drummond left his position as Assistant Directtor of Music at Christ's Hospital to come to our school to teach general, as well as O and A level music, and he s also taking over the school choir and wind band

The year has been an exceptionally busy one as regards to music: besides the Key's Society concerts (which now number 15), we have had the usual choral and orchestral concerts as well as our two 'firsts': a rock concert and most notably the first public performance of a major work written by a member of the school:' Lament over a City by David Billingham We also had Nicholas Cleobury, an O.V., conducting at a promenade concert this year, and he is coming to give a concert in the Autumn term in aid of the Development Campaign

There was also a concert given by a few members of the school of Holy Moses' by Chris Hazel and 'Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo' by Michael |Flanders ' and Joseph Horrovitz which, under the direction of Peter Sandon and Geoffrey Webber, was performed by a small choir accompanied by rhythm and bass guitars, piano, organ and percussion.

KEY'S SOCIETY

The Key's Society has continued to flourish throughout the year — a fact that is demonstrated by the ever-increasing audiences There were four concerts arranged by boys from the School: Geoffrey Webber, David Billingham, Adrian Partington and Julian Slater each organising an evening's music One of the main attractions of these concerts has proved to be the small choir At Geoffrey Webber's concert, the choir really came into its own performing '"Horrrortorio" by Joseph Horovitz This work was very wel received

Due to the popularity of choral items with Key's Society audiences, the invitation concert this year was given by "Opus 5" who provided an enjoyable evening of both sacred and secular works

We are very sorry to lose the founder of the Society, Mr. Roger Hemmingway, who has left to become Director of Music at Howford Lodge School, and very grateful to Mr J L K Bridges for taking over Mr Hemmingway's position as Chairman of the Society

Last term the schoo group Fine gave the first every rock concert n College Hall For the first part the audience were entertained by Mr John Parricelli and friend, who sang a few folk songs, and he finished off with a piece of electric guitar work, of his own composition.

Then Fine came on, and went straight into their set, which varied from B. J . H. to Deep Purple Fine had a good sound and good lighting looked after by some enthusiastic roadies There were a total of five encores which included the immortal 'Smoke on the Water', probably the best number of the night.

All n all, it was a most enjoyable evening thanks to: Paul Wiffen —guitar and vocals; Chris Roe bass; Geoffrey Webber — keyboards; Neil Haddock — drums; and Mark Phipps — rhythm.

Bill Booth

BILLINGHAM AND BEETHOVEN

The orchestral concert of the Summer Term was a truly memorable occasion in the history of school music The outstanding feature was a full-scale orchestral work by David Billingham — 'Lament over a City". The composer demonstrated a remarkable confidence n the use of modern classical techniques — polytonality, whole tone scales, twelve note rows and complex rhythms developed by 20th century composers, notably Stravinsky, Berg and their disciples In many ways, it reminded me of contemporary American writers like Charles Ives and Roys Harris (although I understand that Billingham is not familiar with their work) "Lament over a City" began with a striking motif which was developed intensely both on an intellectual and emotional plane Repeated hearings have made the reviewer increasingly aware of its tight construction. The only section which fails to convince is the transition from the dark, slow section to the triumphant assertion of "O h God our help in ages past" The scoring of this work is as striking as its composition, and the performance by the school orchestra was a splendid response to a most difficult challenge

The concert continued with a complete performance of Beethoven's first symphony — the most ambitious purely orchestral work every played by the orchestra with minimum outside help The first two movements were full of vigour in the spirit of Beethoven rather than 18th Century composers, but by the finish, the mood was rather too relaxed The wind playing was first-rate and the strings coped well with difficult passagesand, all in all, the two conductors, Geoffrey Webber and Alan Young, secured a highly creditable performance I do think, however, that the orchestra should retune before each movement If the Berlin Philharmonic s not above retuning for every movement, why should King's be so coy? Nevertheless, a remarkable evening

R.C.G.

David Billingham
"FINE" MUSIC

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE KING'S SCHOOL PRESS?

The Winter term of 1975 saw the beginning of the School'sfirst newspaper During English lessons Mr Hope suggested the idea that Lower Remove A should produce a newspaper for the School It was greeted with enthusiasm by most of the form, but it took several weeks to materialize. We elected volunteers to cover different topics such as sport, news and features and they spent the next two weeks looking for materia that would interest the rest of the School Mr Mr Hope typed the stencils over a weekend and on the following Tuesday the printing team met and the first issue began to roll off the press.

The first copy went to Miss Baldwin (a privileged lady indeed) and a number were set aside for the boarding housemasters, Headmaster and residents for immediate distribution.

Next day everybody wanted one and soon we were all selling madly By the end of the day all 180 copies printed had been sold We had included a crossword and a prize was offered for the first correct answer Thanks to early selling on Tuesday night, Andrew Townsend was able to present the correct solution on Wednesday morning!

In the second edition, pessimistic letters from the Upper Remove were printed with optimistic counters from Mr Hope During the selling, there was a great outcry from our customers — the price had risen 100% The first issue had been sold at the bargain price of 1p This issue also saw the start of a series of interviews called PROFILE ON . . . the new masters. Our first victim was Mr. Peter Petherbridge, who hasn't been the same since

Our next issue was a bumper Christmas edition. We produced a four page extravaganza with a mathematica crossword devised by David Clements which, after trial, turned out to be insoluble

The new term brought changes in management. Mr. Hope started to shrug off the job of editor so that we could run the paper almost independently Cartmel and Harris (our first LRB member) were chosen as editors and Mr Hope still did the typing and helped n the printing

The next issue's circulation was lower, due to the omission of a crossword, so one was hurriedly prepared for the next issue

Finally, the 6th edition came along, but owing to pressure of work, Mr. Hope couldn't type it in time It was postponed for a week

The next week t was postponed again and then the vital spark went out

If any Lower Removes this year would like to carry on where we left off, then please contact Mr Hope or any member of last year's Lower Remove A, who will be glad to give you their advice

VICHY

The Vichy exchange trip again took place this year, with the slightly increased number of 23 King's School members travelling as a group at Vichy at Easter and having their French correspondents back in July This year, for the first time, we undertook the journey from Worcester to Vichy in one day, leaving at 5 a.m. by coach, crossing the Channel by hovercraft and completing the trip by rail, arriving at Vichy n the late evening

The group stayed for nearly three weeks in, or around, Vichy, the members of the party living in the homes of their correspondents The French were on holiday for a fortnight of this time and on the remaining days our group members had the chance to go into school with them, an opportunity which many seixed with interest, though glad not to have to spend their whole time enduring the very long French schoo day During the three weeks some of our group went off on holiday with their French families, others stayed in Vichy All reappeared at the rendezvous on the final morning certainly thriving on the French cuisine and looking forward to the return trip via Paris

We spent our usual night n a Paris hotel on our way home, and had the chance of a good look at the city, with some organised visits and a period of freedom for members to arrange their own programme. We left Paris at mid-day, Apri 10th, and took the train and boat home. As one member said, "The only real way of going to France is by boat" On the return journey, he had plenty of time to think about it, and plenty of experience of crowds and luggage-carrying It was nice to have the Everton Goldliner waiting for us just beyond the customs at Folkestone!

Our thanks to Michael Homer for being such a helpful assistance supervisor and for staying with the group in Vichy. We hope his memories of his trip were as happy as when he went on the first two Vichy trips in 1970 and 1971 We hope everyone enjoyed themselves Come again one day!

DRAMA .

Despite a fairly abysmal performance at Worcester, the production of the one-act play "The Hole" by N F Simpson was a resounding success when entered for the British Theatre Association Festival of Community Drama. Reviewing the performance, the adjudicator praised every aspect of the production in such terms as " a blisteringly good performance", "brilliant", etc!

The cast had a good rapport, both between themselves and between the audience, which made the play move along like a house on fire Fears that such an odd play as "The Hole" would be lost on the Droitwich audience were groundless, and the audience all enjoyed the performance—not only the specially planted supporters, but others as well

In his review the adjudicator mentioned all the actors. Perhapsthose worth a mention here are Richard-Harman and Peter Brinsley for their acting; Ceilia Van Oss and Frances Childs, as Mrs Ecto and Mrs Meso— two singularly common women; parts far outside their normal range which they carried off to a T; and David Lambert for his directing.

The production took place in the competition, winning a rather ridiculous trophy looking like a cigar box This win put the play in for the second round at Malvern, where it was not successful, and we shal not dwell on it here

SEVENS

Following last year's "Fives", a group, this summer, performed three short plays Pinter's "The Dwarfs" was way beyond the comprehension of cast and audience alike The actors suffered dismally from Mr Pinter's lines and a lack of knowledge of them A younger group then performed! "No Why" , a gnomic and obscure piece, which had the audience in stitches It was well done, especially for so young a group of actors The last play was Chekhov's "The Bear" Celia Van Oss gave a beautiful performance, and David Lambert as Smirnov was just n character, and played extremely well The riotous arguments between the two were very well performed An interesting I and entertaining, though very mixed, evening spent in that den of antiquity, the Old Library

THE HOLE" AT DROITWICH

QTTJELL 0 by William Shahespean

Sports Hall In the Round The set—red and silver scaffolding—effective and ascetic in daylight and with no audience, but what would it look like alive and at performances? A cage cutting up the round into segments of separated action or an interwoven structure in which the elements are enmeshed completely to form lago's web?

And so came Roderigo and lago; the absolute fool and the hatred-eaten worm Both sharp and clear but lago a touch too warm, too young, too active maybe, for the slow simmering cancer that becomes his whole being, unrepentant and entirely unruffled in the centre of his metallic weavings

And now Othello stormy and passionate, but like thunder, the low powerful voice faded and rumbled into the distance, sometimes indistinct and unclear. Emilia, strong and convincing, a good voice and an emphatic performance, marred by an unrealistic death Cassio, insipid and stylised fop No man is this to have tamed the Turk by Othello's side Desdemona, sweet and injured with a clear yet often faint voice Bianca, too, impressed as did Gratiano and the Duke

Others, some good, some indifferent, with wooden features and textbook voices, but then we are a school and our talents are necessarily limited, therefore each to his part

Unfortunately, through my eyes, the girders broke up and pigeonholed the play, too many shadows on faces in speech, too many clashings and bumpings of swords and people, although I felt that a little more usage of the set would have undoubtedly improved these drawbacks

So the play didn't really hang together, although sections were memorable The inevitable end was expected, arrived, and passed by with conviction lacking where the passion should be screaming silently through every action and word.

I did enjoy the performance but was more impressed by the immense work rate rather than the sophistication of the production Remember, finally, that this s one layman's view and that his wife thoroughly enjoyed the evening and disagreed with him on many points—as I am sure many others will

D.E.H

Last season the 1st XI was at times responsible for some very good hockey An example of this was the excellent match against Bromsgrove in which the home team, led by R J Savage, defeated their opponents 7-1 Unfortunately this form was not consistent The match against Hanley Castle was poor and resulted in a 1-3 defeat mainly due to the two main problems which faced the team during the season, namely the inability of both the backs to supply the forwards and the forwards, once they had a scoring chance, to actually get the bal into the back of the net The match against Bromsgrove was good in this respect and all scoring chances were taken If the team had been playing as well against Hanley Castle and most of the other sides, the results would have been improved considerably

The fact that the overal standard of play this year was better than in previous years was demostrated in the sports hall with the 4-a-side competition. The winners were Hostel II with runners-up Choir and Wulstan Hoste also retain the Lampitt-Slack Trophy for the outdoor 6-aside competition

R J Savage must be congratulated for earning himself a place in the county team at U19 level He was responsible for the winning goal in the final of the Midlands county championship competition to earn Worcestershire the title N Sutton and A M Townsend also played for Worcestershire at U16 level.

For the school XI Savage was naturally a very useful player and captained the side well throughout the season Both he and G W Henry were very solid on mid-field, and at times held the side from being badly beaten. The forward line still has a lot to learn but there is stil time to mature with only two members leaving this year and two good players readily available to replace them J.Russell in goal was the only other MVI player, and next year the team will be almost the same, and consequently will be stronger against sides which next year will be, for once, no older than they are

The 1976 season was for the most part quite successful. Unfortunately, the first few matches were too early n the term for us, and because we were not properly prepared for competition we did rather badly

After these initial defeats against Wycliffe, King Edward's Birmingham and Marlborough, the members of the Club became very determined to win the rest of the matches Many more boys turned up for training during the week, and we began to assemble a team of very good swimmers

The highlight of the season came at the Worcester Swimming Club annual gala. Here our Under 16 and Senior teams won the Worcester Schools Team Relay Championship, and our Under 16 B team came a very close second

The junior swimmers also had a successfulseason, and a great effort was sustained throughout the season which culminated in a school Under 13 relay team swimming for the county

With this abundance of young talent combined with the talents of the older members of the Club, I am sure we shall have an even more successful Club next season.

I would like to thank N Schalefor his efficiency and charm as Captain of the Club, and R Davis for his outstanding work as Secretary

B.A B

The Senior team had another successful season, winning all their games except one against Dean Close The U16 team unfortunately were not able to retain the Worcester Basketball Trophy, but otherwise had a successful season as well

Many thanks to D Ching who was awarded half colours for his hard work as Secretary

A. P. Robinson

Captain

As far as the results were concerned the team was not very successful The only match won during the season was against Christ College, Brecon However, it is worth stressing that the majority of matches were very close in terms of points' difference The team consisted of relatively young players al of whom, with the exception of Miles Parker—to whom I would like to express my sincere thanks—will be available next year. Of these, Julian Brand—a steady, ever-improving player — deserves a mention, as do Simon Brand, Richard Dean, and Matthew Annable, al of whom are young and promising players With the increasing membership of the Tennis Club, and with five players out of last year's six available, there is a strong possibility of a promising, fruitfu season for 1977 I would like to take the opportunity to express the team's sincere thanks to Mr Bentley for the running and coaching of the team, and to Dr. Rail for transport to away matches.

Tennis.

BOAT CLUB 1976

The 1976 season started with high hopes, butdueto illness and other factors these were unrealised There was a very promising start inthehead of the river season with Julian Snow excelling at Marlow and Worcester sculling 'heads'

At the start of the Spring term three crews were formed: a first VIII, a colts crew and a junior colts crew Thefirst VIII andcolts went to Gloucester, Worcester and Reading 'heads': the first VIII came 2nd, 4thand2nd, andthe colts came 3rd at both Gloucester andWorcester in their respective divisions.

The five days at the National Water Sports Centre provided very useful training for thefirst VIII but it showed that changes hadto bemade inthecomposition of the crew, andasa result a new crew was formed with three members of thecolts eight, which inturn became a four

The first VIII went to Evesham, Gloucester, Worcester, and Hereford schools and National Schools regattas, but, despite improving greatly over the season, never had much success

The only victories for the Boat Club in theRegatta season were provided bythejunior colts who won theBirmingham junior and Tewkesbury invitation regattas.

We offer our thanks to theClub's Captain, Nick Moss, andto theother senior members ofthe first VIII: Messrs Hopkins, Alsop andWallace as well asto thecoaches Mr. Gabriel and Mr Watson and also to MrThompson and Julian Baker who together did a great deal for novice rowing

The year was anexceptional year forthe Old Vigornians: David Edwards rowed inthe recordbreaking Oxford crew inthe Boat Race, David Townsend represented Great Britain inthe coxless fours in theOlympic Games in Montreal andGraham Mulcahy won the Wingfield sculls on the Tideway

We can but reiterate ourthanks to Mr Bailey and the 0 V Society for the money which they donated to the Boat Club in order to purchase thenewfour. Tosupplement this kind donation a 'sponsored row' wasalso organised in the Spring term which, thanks to the large turnout and generosity of thesponsors raised over £500

M.M.-S

H.D.H.W

Last year, after a period of inactivity, the King's School Sailing Club was, in effect, restarted (although officially it wasnever closed down).

The Club's fleet consists of six boats, namely, three Fireflys, a Cadet, a Heron anda Mirror Dinghy. TheMirror is used, with a Seagull motor, asa rescue boat.

Due to theaforementioned period of inactivity only oneof the Fireflys canbesailed; all the others are in need of refits. However, under the auspices of Mr Roslington this situation will soon be remedied

During thecoming year, it is hoped that courses will beembarked on by the sixth form members, in preparation for the R.Y.A. Dayboat Certificate examinations.

Although the Sailing Club isa sixth form games option, members aredrawn from the whole schoo (except St. Albans).

Every time I look at the timetable and think how tempting it would be just to shuffle our Saturday morning into Friday afternoon and the odd P R., it makes me wonder just what the school thinks we get from those few odd hours each Friday It makes me wonder how far itis believed that the range of options offered is either representative of our interests, or gives usa chance to widen them Heading our list isthe C.C.F This, like so many other "choices" is just an a ideal opportunity for those of us who delight in theartificial status of two stripes, and the freedom „ „ ° , to bawl at the Removes, to indulge themselves ? *

Sometimes it seems that Friday afternoons are either a great chance for self-indulgence, ora ' a great waste of enthusiasm The former encourages the establishment to pride itself that itis fulfilling basic needs by opening al the school facilities for our use, while the latter is quietly forgotten about

However, nobody isinterested in nothing, so why doso many people choose an activity where they hope to have the least possible asked of them? Perhaps one reason isthe attitude in which the choices are presented; for example, many people may well want to learn about car maintenance, yet it comes under the wing of the C.C.F. Communist Russia immediately comes to5^Ti mind as a country where privilege is only available if one fits into the system and is a good party nl member If one fits in, one can live happily, but freedom of the individual isstrictly limited This is 7a so with Friday afternoon activities In 13 out of 26 choices "applicants must beapproved by the r £ Master in charge." " _ i

Someday someone will work outa system we can all behappy with, but until then perfection ? 2 is as elusive as ever

THE UNDERCROFT CLUB 1975/fP

The 1975/76 Undercroft Club was, in fact, able to boast of an addition to its entertainment facilities, in the form of a new deluxe dartboard to replace the rapidly deteriorating board, in which*!?., no darts had been able to penetrate unless hurled at velocities exceeding themach number ' Nevertheless, this addition was about al that the committee had any cause to boast over (fS throughout the year, for the rest of the Club's amenities and entertainments fell way short of their f re expected potentiality f'%,

For instance, thesnooker table, in reasonable condition at the beginning of the year, 'M* 1 deteriorated rapidly through misuse, until it became impossible to play a precise game upon it; the >;? '$ television repaid the cheapness of its purchased price by continually malfunctioning; theClub's § c discotheque/dances failed due, to a large extent, to the low quantities, if any, of available alcoholic^ 1 ! } refreshmem and an embarrassingly early closing time imposed bystaff members among the I « boarding houses — and as for the bar, after assurancesof serious attempts being made to secure J n ^ its acquisition, it died a remarkably quiet and secret death Small wonder, then, that the com- ° : mittee, genuinely optimistic and excited about the potentia of the Club at the start of the year, metft j towards the end of their term of office frustrated and apathetic about the whole thing ^ h

To be fair to staff involved with the Club's activities, directly or indirectly, they did at least V ^ present their reasons for opposing and over-riding Club policy The reason, for example, why the r> , disco/dance could not be extended a mere hour, to finish at 11.30 p.m rather than at 10.30 p.m (a>.< time when everyone could be, and usually still were, down at the pub) was because that had been the finishing time agreed by the very first committee at the time of the Club's inauguration o Unfortunately, the 1975/76 committee hadn't realised that the Club's rules and regulations were to jremain static and unchanged from the moment of their first conception, despite changing needs of ' a changing membership, butthought, rather, that the members of staff who announced at the §! beginning of the year that the Club was to berun by the middle-sixth for the middle-sixth — with as ~< little staff intervention as possible — were in fact sincere in their statements As the year wore on, however, it became increasingly apparent that the crucia issues, theissues centra to the Club and • K its success (such as the dances and thebar), were, infact, always firmly in thecontrolling hands of to members of staff, who, like shepherds, whilst allowing their flock to roam at wil in certain fields, ? had first set boundaries across which the flock must never be allowed to stray U It is about time, then, that the Undercroft Club either becomes a Club run bythe middle-sixth # for the middle-sixth, or stops pretending to be that which its present name would indicate, but ooo rather adopts the now more appropriate title of' Middle Sixth

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li-~5 5 [4<OJ-^KA

The staff tutors and sixth form are taking part in a venture aimed at counter-balancing the effects of intense academic specialisation, which so often limits a student's horizons of knowledge to those fixed by today's curriculum and examination syllabus Thus the general studies course provides opportunities:

(i) to introduce ideas and approaches not traditionally associated with the school curriculum;

(ii) to allow development of the emotional life; "for they have been taught to know, but have not been allowed to feel" (A S Neill speaking of students);

(iii) to integrate knowledge and techniques from what are usually classified as separate disciplines;

liv) to inculacate in students an awareness of themselves as thinking, feeling and acting beings; to learn to respect, consult, to aid each other and so develop a habit of mind which may last throughout life;

(v) to encourage the capacity for arriving at independent, critical judgments.

To encourage such objectives, courses have been planned which deal with open questions, and ask both staff and students to examine their values and reflect on their personal experiences The courses should also reflect that the schoo is only part of a much wider community; school learning must not be in isolation, but must involve contacts with society as a whole, and be a preparation for life after leaving school The method of thematic teaching, which has been adopted, involves relating units of knowledge into an overall conceptual pattern and has many advantages in trying to achieve our aims It focuses on providing a range of methods and materials, and so offer much choice with a flexible timetable; both structure and flexibility are inherent n the system. It also leads to an awareness of the interdependence of critical and creative work

Introducing any new system invevitably presents problems and challenges Fresh materials have to be tried and new techniques pioneered The present tutors and sixth formers are as such participating in an experimental situation Initially the students ability to share the teachers' appreciation of the overall conceptual pattern may be limited The staff are required to develop a consultative guiding role instead of the more familiar traditional expository one Students may feel hesitant to involve themselves in projects and experienceswith which they are not familiar. After all, the '0 level courses are not an adequate preparation for guided, individual, learning skills, and there has been, on behalf of some students, a reluctance to work without the constraints of an obvious 'stick or carrot' We would hope that general studies encourages the development of the skills of a student, so essentia to us all whatever our future roles may be

We have had the opportunity to study real situations confronting us as individuals and as members of a wider community by means of role-play, simulation-business games, by visits to schools, factories, building sites, and special centres for the handicapped In addition we have had the benefit of hearing the experts point of view by way of film, and visiting speakers,who have so generously given of their time. Such experiences cannot be measured by simple examination, they are assets accruing, which will enhance our awareness and help develop sympathy with our fellow beings

The course must be a co-operative exercise, requiring a willingness to open one's mind, and accept the challenge of developing more than just the academic components of the personality The course has been organised with a conviction that the issues raised are real, and the skills explored complement the 'A level courses Recent research on the brain indicates two hemispheres, the left hand side governing logical, linguistic, analytica linear functions; and the right hand side, expressive, intuitional, holoistic and synthetic functions I see it as a responsibility that we as a school attempt to develop both sides of our brain equitably

A year ago we had heard that we were to be employed as guinea pigs in the Lower Sixth for a revolutionary new experiment in General Studies This was apparently to substitute the exhausted anachronism, suffered for so many years, by the teachers and the learners, all of whom were more preoccupied with the serious business of 'A' levels We had also watched the ebullient Mr Allum raising round the school in an ecstasy of enthusiasm at the beginning of term, trembling with anticipation of events to follow and scattering mysterious, multi-coloured sheets of duplicated articles onto the lawns n his excitement We settled back to see what would be done with us

The first matter was an introduction to the idealism of the revolution: this was to be our course, and it would develop our personalities, etcetera — like all idealism, it seemed to be wondrously flawless, but its practicability proved disappointingly suspect.

This was not our course We were very closely guided throughout, quite understandably, of course, because substantial freedom would have resulted in hardly any work being done by anyone: in effect, no General Studies course can belong to the students, as they do not see it as an important enough entity within a curriculum essentially designed for training in the art of passing exams.

Mr Allum expected us to learn respect for each other and mature our capacity for aiding each other In fact, we worked less together on projects than we do during the usual lessons, when there is ample opportunity for the development of these qualities The disciplines which some staff talk of encouraging through the new schme are al either learnt already at school, or are gained outside it n encounters with others Those who fail to communicate and learn competence n this way are also destined to fail in the General Studies course

These criticisms are of principle, not of management: obviously teething troubles n the administration are inevitable, and the course is certain to improve next year when the less helpful speakers, films and outings wil be eliminated and replaced. However, one more general fault was that there frequently appeared to be little or no relation between the acquisition of certain desirable characteristics and the activities themselves It is unthinkable that the romantic educational philosophies of A.S Neal could be implemented even in part at King's because almost everyone here s too reactionary: there was frequent inadequate understanding of the methods and aims involved, leading to confusion among both staff and pupils as to what was being done and why, Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the new courses wil be more popular and infinitely more valuable than the old One aim certainly achieved was to broaden the experience of life of the average sixth former, and tor many, the highlights of the academic year were visits which enabled us to have contact with those about whicn we would normally be in complete ignorance, especially at centres for the homeless and the rehabilitationof criminals Most sixth formers are grateful to Mr Allum for his efforts, and wish him every success with his General Studies in the future

THE BULL

Uncontrollable ability to massacre the few

And yet, have you been attacked by a bull?

My massive shoulders heaving with rhymic destruction But compressed I am, though clumsy I seem Lumbering power translates into agile speed When rage and frenzy cause the need.

U4B

Compact awareness.

Screaming chains round my soul.

Imprisoning coils around my body,

Veins filled with awareness

Acute throbbing fills the sky; Perception tumbles from each area of life.

Crude transcending, Neither the desire nor the ability to stop.

Some human light bulb

These bands around my neck

Should reveal what state I'm in.

THIRD DEPRESSION

We slid between the sheets of mother glass, And entered the passageof write

The colours flashed past us, the roundabout kept spinning And we faded, children of the night. . .

(Night)ly we followed the stream, dazzledby the lines, Paradoxical but in fours

Or was it five, the picture fades willowy

(We) dreamt of pandemonium and knew its feel. Cream and blood, stained on stainless steel..

(Steal)ing days that had slid between the hours

The lanes passing under lake

Or was it crimson, the past dies like Like a broken promise

Then I left you but you follow still So I closed the gate but the gods were on your side . . .

(Side)ling up to me, the royalty did not inflect, The universal constant to the ninth root And in the nursery the children cried not stopping To catch their breath again

(Gain)ing ground we found the field, "Raise you to the top"

Once there, I will sleep in my screams, Till I wake and wrestle with my futures, one by one.

PICASSO'S 'MAIA WITH SAILOR DOLL'

Her face was split. Her mind was torn between two powers. Peace.

War.

(schizophrenia)

There was an internal battle. War was the decided master. But war on what? Or whom?

Destruction to the sailor doll, a victim cradled in her arms. The poor sailor doll with blue eyes that cried in a sad grey face which matched its blue jacket.

And so ten armies went to war. Limbless and broken the doll lay on the brown floor.

On this brown floor, against a white background, sat a pretty girl, with sparkling violet eyes, (violate eyes) fair hair in ribbons, flamboyant blue dress.

Little girl, why do you sit in a cold desert with a blue smile and your hair tied in ribbons?

She is waiting for a new doll to declare war on.

Adam Bench

Upper Remove

A. P.
Paul Wiffen

me gals

"Hey! Did you see Shirley talking toAdrian today? They were standing by the river and . . . " Well, what would life be like without the local scandal being breathlessly related atevery overcrowded communa meeting in one of the studies, over a cup ofthe best instant coffee? From our feminine point ofview, it would not be worth living without some gossip to gape and laugh at, to pull to pieces and resolder. Plus, of course, discussionson the latest talent inSt. Albans.

Don't misunderstand me Life for us is not one big observation When the familiar clock chimes for the end of break, all gir talk ceases and we once again prepare to cautiously and somewhat nervously face the majority male population for lessons

As one of nine new girls, coming from an all girls school, Ifound quite a difference n lessons. Instead of stating what we think in discussions, we are invisibly compelled to keep our mouths shut for fear of looking stupid or saying the wrong thing, however much we have seething arguments locked Inside us dying to break out An inescapablequestion directed atus from a master is enough todiscover a self-conscious stuttering resemblance to a pillar box Anyway, as we were warned by our colleagues with a year's experience behind them, whatever we said in the first few days would be flung at us for the rest of our time there

It's difficult to decipher whether it is the Masters or the boys that are the most fearsome Having had no previous experience of masters, Ifound them terrifying, unpredictable and to some extent amusing Some like to pretend that the female sex isnot present and some fall over their feet to single the girls out and to be extra polite and sometimes almost biased towards them, which is perhaps unfair to the males, if not embarrassing for the girls Others, however, carry on quite normally, treating us like the boys with the inability to curb swearing and other similar habits, which is perhaps the most welcome type making us feel least like outcasts.

However, one can hardly feel an outcast, when, as predicted, the second question asked you at the school was ''can you act?' Whereupon one was immediately dragged into auditions whether the answer was n the affirmative or not. Then there is the Wednesday afternoon sports, when the girls avoid the rugby but do join in with badminton, swimming and squash Of course, the Friday afternoon activities are not to be forgotten Girls partake in welfare, bridge, drama and driving, not to mention the brave members ofthe CCF proving to be 'one ofthe lads and truly part of a splendid school

a momentary lapse on the partof the greatlexicographer

'This reminds me ofthe ludicrous account which he gave Mr Langton, of the despicable state of a young gentleman of good family "Sir, when I heard of him last, he was running about town shooting cats. And then inasort of kindly reverie he bethought himself of his own favourite cat, and said, "but Hodge shan't be shot: no, no, Hodge shall not be shot".'

(Boswell's 'Life ofJohnson', Vol II, p 452)

77?e rational Doctor lived in a thinking life When words and things were bound in certainty. Beta the facts were hard and kidabfe, Above, the stars arrived and left on time And dare not interfere.

Imagination had fled underground And Fancy's docile pleasures took her place: The sprig of holly on a pensive pudding. And merest daisy-chain of thought.

How then did human minds make what they saw? Did they perceive then falling greeny wings, And Autumn's fine graduations on a leaf. Her dying yellows mixed with rotting browns, Her dripping wet affections, windy clouds. Her greyness, grimness, after Summer greens?

Imponderables persist though colours fade: One graceful cat can tilt the Universe, Soft smoothly creeping amongst argument And definitions in a learned mind To wander in an old man's reverie.

J.F.D

Old Vigornian News

O.V NEW S

Bill Bailey, our President and his wife Kathleen, are to be'congratulated for their splendid efforts in writing several hundred letters to 'young O V.s during the past year urging them to support the School's Development Campaign with covenant donations. As a result of their joint efforts the magnificent sum of £15,000 has been raised Thank you all for your support

The Committee also wish to place on record their thanks to the many O V.s who have contributed to the Club's Bursary Appeal. Already the fund has contributed towards the financial assistanceof a boy n his last year at School.Ex-schoo rowers will be pleased to know that the Club have given £500 to the King's Schoo Boat Club for the purchase of a new 'four'

The annual O V Ball held in College Hall in May was another success despite complaints by some that the band was too loud! Do try and come along to the next Bal and bring along a party to swell the numbers.

Some years ago it was decided to invite ladies to attend the Club's annual reunion dinner This decision has led to a resurgence of interest in this event which was again a success n September If you have been unable to attend n recent years please make a special effort to attend the 1977 dinner The Secretary would be grateful to hear news/information about O.V.s for inclusion n the 1977 Vigornian The deadline is October 1st

Finally, congratulations to all those who have obtained their degrees or admissions to universities or colleges of further education We wish them well

Please address all correspondence to the Hon Secretary, T E A Mackie, 116 Laugherne Road, St John's, Worcester WR2 5LT Telephone: Worcester 412874

IMPORTAN T DATE S FO R YOU R DIAR Y

Annual O.V. Ball, College Hall, May 20th 1977. Annual Dinner/AGM, Saturday, September 17th 1977 Cathedral Service, Sunday, September 18th 1977

O.V NEW S

ADCOCK, R J (Choir) After qualifying in medicine at Middlesex Hospital, spent a period in Bermuda and Newfoundland Now back home training in radiotherapy

ANSLOW, A C (H.63-73) After completing training at the Royal School of Military Engineering, posted to Northern Ireland with 35 Engineer Regt Expects to go to Royal Military College of Science to study engineering in Autumn 1976 for three years

BAKER, A. S. (Ca.63-68) Now a doctor working at Bristol. Met Malcolm Brook (Ca.64-69) in Glasgow when both taking exams His brother Gerald (Ca.64-69) is married and working as a doctor n Ainsdale, Yorks

BAYL1SS, R W (Sc.57-64) Married January 1976 Still teaching maths at St Paul's School

COULTER, S R (Sc.57-66) Continuing to practise as a chartered town planner and is now leader of the forward planning group of Wyre Forest District Council at Kidderminster. Living in Worcester and would welcome visits from contemporary O V.s

COX, R (Cr.64-71) Head of German Department, Dover Grammar School Married with son, Daniel, born October 1975

DAVIE, A G (Cr.52-61) Working as a research chemist for an American company at Sandwich, Kent Married in 1968, one son, Alistair, born August 1976

DENISON, A. I. (Sc.69-74) Working for H.M. Customs at Kennington, London—fifty yards from the Oval (Business telephone 01-735 9233)

DURRANT, P S G (Choir 61-66) Working for domestic heating appliance manufacturer as personnel manager. Recently moved with wife and two-year-old son to Lichfield.

EMBLING, P M K (H.28-31) Recently retired from the Board of one of the Davy International engineering companies

SMITH, B J (Ch.52-60) Consultant food technologist working in rural Derbyshire Wife, Gill, has an art gallery.

FEGAN, A (Sc.63-68) Awarded a Master of Science Degree in Air Transport Engineering by Cranfield Institute of Technology Now working in Holland, to the maintenance and reliablity department of FokkerVFW International

FOSTER, B. M. (Chappe 64-68) Qualified as chartered accountant in 1971. Now working as company secretary to Lloyd Cooper Ltd., Dudley Son, Adam, born April 1976

FRANKLIN, R A (Chappel 43-49) Elected a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers in March 1976 and President of the Leicester Centre of the Institute for the year 1976/77.

GARDEN, T. (Cr.52-62) Has spent the past year as a student at the Army Staff College.

GEE, M (Cr.50-57) Has formed a Midlands Accordion Club and would welcome any O.V.s Address: 146 Birmingham Road, Kidderminster

GRAVES-MORRIS, Dr J W (Sc.27-33) Has now retired from the National Health Service after thirty years n general practice Now employed by D.H.S.S as Chairman of Industrial Injuries and War Pensions Board

HARPER, P R (Sc.66-70) Qualified as a chartered accountant and now working in Stourbridge Married with a baby daughter, Samantha, born July 1976.

HARRIES (Ch.49-55) Managing director of a building firm. Daughter, Cordelia, born n August 1974

HOULBROOKE, J P (Ch.62-67) Qualified as a solicitor in 1974 and s now in practice in Exeter

HUGHES, P. M. (Bright 67-75) Began a graduate course at Trinity College of Music, London n September 1975

HOWARD-DAVIES, T (Cr.50-58) Director of a wildlife scheme in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, involving game management and safari hunting

JEFF, W. J. F. (24-31) Retired after 21 years as H.M. Inspector of Schools.

JOYCE, B G (Cr/Ch.62-69) Gained Honours Degree n Applied Biology at Salford University Working for Ph D at Tenovus Institute, Cardiff

LAWSON, N G P (Sch.43-47) With 33 Squadron RAF, Puma helcopters, as ground liaison officer, RAF Odiham Would welcome news of contemporaries

LEEMAN, B N T (Ca.59-64) Undertaking research at Leicester University He has recently returned from Africa where he was gathering information from liberation groups and was twice detained by Tanzanian security forces

LEVER ATT, G (W 55-64) Lieut R.N Commander of 1,600-ton partol submarine Narwhal. Married, one daughter Parents live in Brittania Square, Worcester

MULCAHY, G A (Chappel 59-65) Head of Biology at Emmanuel College, Wandsworth Rowed for Great Britain in the quadruple sculls at the 1975 World Rowing Championships at Nottingham

NEEDHAM, R. (Br.54-62) Still working for the M.E.B. Living in Worester and still performing on the stage and playing rugby.

NICHOLLS, B A Has taken his family to Punjab, India, for a year, working in a mission hospital

NICHOLLS, J C (Br.62-69) Working on the Thames Barrier project Married, first child expected Spring 1977.._Still involved with rowing; member City Orient R.C

NICHOLLS, M. E. First year physics student, Birmingham University.

NICHOLLS, V. A. Third year medical student at Westminster Hospital.

OWENS, J G (62-69) Having spent a year teaching, now working as an actuarial student in Liverpool

O'NEILL, M J (Cr.45-50) Appointed general manager, Birmingham Citizens Building Society, July 1976

PREECE, P (Sc.55-63) Still with the British Embassystaff in Tokyo

PHELIPS, J H C (Sc 20-29) Retired in April 1976 from the post of Chief Executive Officer to Hereford and Worcester County Council

RYALL, K. G. (Sc.48-56) In partnership with brother in firm of builders and plumbers merchants in Cardiff, where he has worked since leaving school

SEXSTONE, B J Living in Western Australia and currently chief chemist for Swan Brewery Co Ltd

SKILLMAN, J F (52-53) Treasurer of the Edward Winslow Trust Address: 1 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201

SUTTON, J (Sc.33-37) Professor of Geology at Imperial College, has been appointed Vice-President of Royal Society and a trustee of the British Museum of Natural History

SUTTON, T. (Chappel 38-39, Sc. 39-41) Moved to Tokyo in 1972 to head J. Walter Thompson advertising agency in Japan

THOMAS, O F (Sc 61-66) Has been appointed a project manager of the E.M.I Brain Scanner at Radlett Shortly moving to Harpenden

THORNE, C. J. L. (Ch.69-74) Commencing fina year at Royal Military College of Science. WYNNE, A (Wul.65-72) Currently catering manager of Brooks Club, St James',London Also marketing consultant to a group of London hotels

WADLEY, L G (Cr.58-63) Back in U.K and working with Barclays International, Poole, Dorset Second daughter, Nicola, born June 1976

WATKINS, J (Ch.52-59) Working in Saudi Arabia (Eastern Province) Stil playing hockey and golf WHITEHEAD, J (Ch 53-58) After spending nine years in Zambia, moved to South Africa Now n Hong Kong with Melchers (H.K.) Ltd., P.O Box 713, Hong Kong Would like to contact any O.V.s in the area

YORK, A E (Ca.52-59) Working as director of a building and civil engineering company near Leicester In 1975 was elected a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Daughter, Katherine Elizabeth, born April 1976 Sister for Christopher and Matthew EDWARDS, R (Creighton 52-61) After leaving school, entered the Law Profession and finally became a Law Costs Draftsman, i.e draws Bills of Costs for Solicitors Now living in Evesham, Worcestershire, and would be pleased to hear from other members of the Law Profession. Telephone Number sEvesham 45435

O.V. Cricket Club

A summer to remember Rather like some of those magic, far away ones n say, "The Once and Future King" Unfortunately the disappearance of this remarkable summer also held a touch of unreality, with little cricket or sunshine in the month of September

Despite the end of this happy seasonvery few fixtures were cancelled between April and August, and this enabled most players to record their optimum form in at least one match. Perhapsthe top individual performances were centuries by Colin Gray and David Smith, and 67 wickets and 481 runs by Mike Southall John Wadley managed his highest season'saggregate with over 900 runs

Certainly the outstanding memory of 1976 was a maiden overseas tour This was entirely through the efforts of our good friend Mr. Edward Turner, who was kindness personified during the twelve day tour of Malta G C Fifteen Old Vigorians made the journey and, besides winning all six matches, they were entertained with visits to places of interest and leisure We have decided to repeat the tour in 1977 and any O.V cricketer reading this report is most welcome to joint the party The cost will be about £100 for the fortnight, and those interested should contact W F Jones at 111 Beresford Road, Worcester

It is not often that our secend eleven takes place of honour, but, under the guidance of John Potter, it had a fine season, winning nearly half of the matches played John Potter also continued to do our accounts in his usual exemplary manner and the club is greatly indebted to him

Alec Mackie also registered a fine double with over 800 runs, and another year as Chairman and Match Secretary of both elevens

We congratulate Keith Francis on his many performances for Worcestershire 2nd XI, and for finishing top of our 1st XI bowling averages Roger Savagealso deserves a special mention for his selection to play for Kent 2nd XI

Looking forward to next seasonwe hope to celebrate the club's thirtieth playing seasonin a modest way Certainly t s intended to erect one set of sightscreens, if only to assist the increasing number of old O.V.s in our ranks.

The Old Vigornians' Cricket Club is intended for the benefit of all past and present members of the King's School, and school leavers are invited to contact the Club should they wish to play our most excellent English pastime of cricket

As in many seasons past we are sincerely grateful to our many tea ladies; the Headmaster and Governors; our Vice President, and of course Sid Prosserfor preparing our wickets on what is still one of the best looking grounds in Worcestershire

Club Committee for 1976

T. A. Mackie

J. Potter

J. C. Haywood

P. Petherbridge

R. A. Vincent

W. F. Jones

Chairman

Hon Treasurer and 2nd XI Captain 1st XI

Leading Averages for the 1976 Season

1st XI Played 48, Won 19, Lost 6, Drew 23, Cancelled7. 2nd XI Played 17, Won 7, Lost 3, Drew 7, Cancelled1

1st XI Batting

1st XI Bowling

2nd XI Batting

2nd XI Bowling

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Besides our normal Luncheons and Teas we serve Coffee and Cakes all day 9am — 5-30 pm.

Some of our bestManagers spentayearortwo in the Sixth Form

If you've stayed on at school and passed Foreign Exchange or Securities work, for 'A' levels, we'll pay you the same as if you had example already spent a year at the Midland. And right from the start you'll get salary That's a year's seniority - and perhaps one increases every year, step nearer to managing your first Branch. We've produced a brochure about life with But first you'll need a professional the Midland About prospects, pay, variety and qualification. At the Midland we encourage you extra benefits. Get your copy now by writing to all the way to your Institute of Bankers Diploma the address below - a recognised professional qualification -

be enjoying with day release facilities to help you with

career with some of the your studies That's another step nearer

friendliest, most helpful people in British You may even decide to specialise

in

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