F. R. Logan. B.Sc.
K. P. Barneit,M.A.
A. H. Aldridge, M.A., D.F.C.
D. Anderton, M.A.
A. L. Stacey, M.A.
I. R. Turner, B.Sc.
M. J. Points, M.A.
T. D.R. Hickson, B.A., M.Inst.P.
J. L. K.Bridges, B.Sc.
R, C. Gabriel, M.A.
L. B. Day, M.A.
I, Brown, Dip, P.E.
G. N. Leah, M.A., Ph.D
R. AD.urn, B.Sc.
M. W.Bentley. Cert.Ed.
E. R. Burkill, M.A.
S. R.Davies, Cert. Ed.
T. E. Walson, M.Inst.P.
P. G.Diamond, B.A., M.Phil.
P. C. Thompson, M.A.
M. Young, M.A. (Careers)
A. G. R. Kncen, D.F.A., D.A.E.
P. J. Basetcy, Dip. H/craf!.
T. M. D,Crow, M.A.
D. E. Hope,B.Sc.
P. L. Petherbridge, Cert. Ed.
M. J. Roberts, B.Sc. (Careers)
J. M. Roslington, B.Sc., M.Inst.P.
R. D. Hunt, B,A.
•Mrs. M. A.Nott,B.Sc.
Revd, P. Hammersley, B.D. (Chaplain}
MUSIC
J. M. R. Drummond, M.A., Miis.lt.. F.R.C.O.
A. M. Milne, M A
P. G. L. Curie, M.A.
A. L. Hirst, B.A.
R. F.Humphreys, M.Sc.
A. J.Gordon, B.A.
B. Griffiths, B.Tech.
E. Reeves, M.A.
Miss S. E. Rouse, B.Sc.
•Mrs. D. E. Hammersley, B.Sc.
D. T. Naish,B.Ed.
•J. Bartle,B.Sc.
•Mrs. M. J. Brown, Cert.Ed.
N. A. Faux, B.A.
M. Homer, B.A.
T. Mason, B.Sc.
•Mrs. C. F. Roslington, B.A.
M. A.Stevens, M.A.
•Mrs. D. Wake, Dip, A.D.
A. S. Young, D.R.S.A.M., L.R.A.M. 'P. Trepte, B.A., F.R.C.O.
Dip. L.O.C., Cert. Ed. and 22 Visiting Teachers
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Master-in-Charge - H. G. Searle, D.C.P., Cert. Ed.
Miss M. F. Bradfield, B.Ed. K.M. Burt, B.Ed. Mrs. P. Herbert, B.A.
Mrs. S. L. Searle, Cert. Ed.
SCHOOL MONITORS
Hea d o f th e Schoo A J Hobso n T J Ashb y Secon d Monito r D C Hudso n R M Baco n A Clemen s
Yvonn e Hale Elene Karvi k P F W Whitehea d S J Harris S J Rimme r A C J Windso r S J Hooke r A , A Searle P.M Woo d T C Luca s
HONORE S SCHOLA E
G H J Evans
M J Gunto n M Holme s A C Macleo d J H Point s J E W Stephen s N A Youn g
Exhibitio n in Engineerin g a t St John' s College, Cambridg e Ope n Scholarshi p in Moder n Language s a t Th e Queen' s College, Oxfor d Instrumenta Scholarshi p a t Worceste r College, Oxfor d
Ope n Scholarshi p in Geograph y a t Queen' s College, Cambridg e Exhibitio n in Geograph y a t St John' s College, Oxfor d
Ope n Scholarshi p in Geograph y a t St John' s College, Cambridg e
Ope n Scholarshi p in Engineerin g at St John' s College, Cambridg e
JUNIO R KING' S SCHOLARSHIP S
G R Becket t K Fielding
J D Huber t N Kaltsoyanni s S P Lewi s B, d'O Marti n (Music ) J P C Sawye r
EXHIBITIONS
A J Kin g (Music )
G R Ko k (Music ) A Lawso n T C Owe n E J F Simpso n
Th e Kin g Th e King
Th e Kin g Th e Kin g Hawfor d
Ttie Kin g Hawfor d s Schoo s Schoo s Schoo 's Schoo Lodg e s Schoo l Lodg e
Th e King' s Schoo l
Th e King' s Schoo
Th e King' s Schoo
Th e King' s Schoo
Th e King' s Schoo
If anybod y ha d tol d m e as I sat o n th e platfor m of Colleg e Hall som e fifteen or sixtee n years ago , playin g a concert in whic h the King' s Schoo l Choi r wa s featured , tha t I should no w be a regular occupan t of tha t sam e platfor m in a ver y different capacity , I shoul d hav e bee n incredulous , even perhap s a trifle caustic An d yet , no w tha t I a m here th e whol e situation ha s a strangely re-assurin g feeling , almos t on e of inevitability No t onl y wer e there a numbe r o f visits t o
Worceste r as a musicia n in the early sixties, but I also worke d in close collaboratio n in th e early seventies wit h an OV, wh o wa s m y resident Hous e tuto r at Oundle Furthermore , m y years as a Choriste r in Salisbury Cathedra l an d as a resident in Salisbury Cathedra l Close wer e perhap s a prope r preparatio n fo r th e Trollopian experienc e of settling into Colleg e Green an experienc e all the richer fo r ou r incredible goo d fortun e in bein g offere d numbe r nine as th e ne w Headmaster' s residenc e — a quit e beautifu l house an d on e whic h wa s th e hom e fo r som e fort y years o f th e distinguished seventeent h centur y Worceste r compose r an d organist , Thoma s Tomkins Ad d t o this an incredibly generou s welcom e fro m Romey an d Davi d Annett , fro m th e Governin g Body , fro m th e Bishop , fro m th e Cathedra l Chapter , an d fro m Staf f an d boys , no t t o mentio n a hos t o f incredibly generou s Old Boys , an d yo u have a situatio n where , havin g bee n in Worceste r fo r precisely on e hundre d an d thirteen days , bot h m y wif e an d I feel tha t w e hav e been here fo r years I can pay th e Schoo l no greater compliment , fo r after eightee n extremely happ y year s at Oundle , it wa s askin g a lot to fin d happines s here so rapidl y an d so effortlessly
King' s is o f course a very differen t school fro m th e exclusivel y boardin g (and exclusivel y masculine! ) schoo l tha t I hav e left A tentativ e review o f th e situation after m y first "hundre d days " finds muc h t o enthus e over Abov e all ther e is a splendid sens e of corporat e identity at King's , a genuin e prid e in the place whic h is founded , I suspect , o n a subtle blen d o f tangible an d intangibl e contributor y factors Tangibl e an d positiv e are the qualit y an d commitmen t of th e teachin g staff, a commitmen t whic h ha s mad e a real impressio n upo n me Likewise th e confine d geographica l ocatio n of the School : attractive thoug h it migh t in som e way s be t o have mor e space fo r expansion , I suspec t that the compac t natur e of th e Schoo l is a real benefi t in term s o f corporat e solidarity Less tangible , bu t nonetheles s crucial t o th e blend in m y opinion , is th e proximit y of the Cathedra l and th e genera l character o f Colleg e Green Th e impac t o f this is n o doub t mor e often at sub-consciou s rather tha n consciou s levels, thoug h fo r th e Choristers an d indee d for the King' s Scholars , ther e is of cours e a mor e direct relationship , bu t I believe tha t this elusive environmenta l factor is not t o b e underrated in th e establishmen t of the genera l tone set at King's
Wha t change s lie ahea d then ? T o this as yet, I hav e n o clear cut answer It is n o complimen t t o a Schoo l that is already in excellen t shap e t o thro w one' s weigh t abou t wildl y withi n moment s of arrival Rather I prefer t o ru n th e risk of criticis m such as tha t proffere d b y President Lincol n whe n he harangue d General McLlella n fo r his fits of "th e slows" , rememberin g well th e crypti c commen t o f Frederick the Great o n the emergen t Josep h II — " a talented youn g man , wh o coul d g o far Suc h a pity tha t he alway s takes the secon d ste p befor e the first"
O n the practical fron t of capital developmen t w e hav e t o weig h wit h care the agonisin g conflict of priorities that is inevitabl e wher e to o man y worthwhil e scheme s compet e for too little money Sinc e the last 'Vigornian ' a majo r modernisatio n programm e ha s bee n commence d in Choi r Hous e an d a super b addition has bee n mad e to th e Library in th e Edga r Tower Thi s really is a high-ligh t o f th e Schoo l now Meanwhile , the Governor s are continuin g th e battle wit h th e Plannin g Authoritie s t o exten d th e Physics an d Chemistr y Laboratories in th e Winslo w Block Beyon d this the conflic t o f option s an d priorities is intense Th e Ne w Block is simpl y inadequat e for th e numbe r of day-boy s in the Senio r School the Middl e Schoo l (no w divided int o smaller sets) urgentl y needs additiona l teachin g space as doe s th e Physical Educatio n Departmen t whos e problem s woul d be supremel y solve d if w e coul d raise sufficient mone y to cove r the existing swimmin g pool Th e remaining Boardin g House s are in need of modernisation , an d drama , itself a flourishin g aspec t of life here, urgentl y need s if not a forma l theatre at least a large area suitable for rehearsals an d experimenta l productions
The n there are mor e theoretical areas of debate, uncertaint y and controversy
A s th e demis e of th e Worceste r City free place s schem e at King' s seems likely in the non e to o distant future, shoul d w e or shoul d w e not involv e ourselves in th e ne w government' s "Assiste d Places Scheme" ? Wha t mean s ca n w e fin d to stimulat e ye t furthe r interest in an d commitmen t t o ou r Endowmen t Fun d fo r bursaries, whic h will enable us t o subsidise fee s fo r deserving case s an d thu s off-se t th e withdrawa l of the Local Authority , for w e are passionatel y committe d t o th e valu e an d validity of th e social mix at King' s tha t has traditionally obtained
An d then , mor e fundamenta l still, is the kind of educatio n w e provide really all it migh t be? Ou r academi c success is mos t noteworth y an d th e seve n award s last Christma s a splendi d tribut e t o it This is clearly important but o n its ow n it is not enough Som e month s ago I wa s struc k b y an article b y Ronald Dunca n in a Sunda y newspape r in whic h he mad e som e trenchan t points : "Educatio n toda y has go t lost in th e issue HowXo teach an d has entirel y lost sight of what t o teach It trains peopl e t o earn their living whic h is not the sam e thin g as teachin g the m ho w t o live Consequentl y man y people are qualifie d onl y t o collect a pay-cheque , bu t are unqualifie d in the AB C of living The y achieve material affluenc e an d spiritual poverty In thi s sens e th e entire countr y is a Distressed Area" Ar e w e producin g peopl e wh o are no t onl y capable of succes s bu t also of fulfilment?
Clearly ther e are majo r decision s t o be taken o n thes e an d man y other matters , decision s whic h wil l be non e th e easier in th e curren t climate of economi c instability an d rapidly changin g conventions
Perhaps w e shoul d tak e comfor t fro m on e of th e mor e outrageou s dictum s of Coun t Metternich , wh o blandl y averred tha t "n o matte r is so easily settle d as tha t whic h appear s t o present insupreabl e difficulties" Certainl y th e futur e fo r King' s has never looke d brighter, largely du e t o th e work , vision an d determinatio n of m y outstandin g predecessor A s I look t o th e futur e I not e wit h regret tha t I have missed by th e meres t whiske r th e chanc e of workin g wit h Wil f Thomas , whos e distinguishe d caree r in th e Schoo l (an d particularly St Alban's ) ende d wit h his retiremen t last summer Meanwhile w e welcom e as full-tim e member s of staf f Mr D T Naish Mr N A Faux Mr M Home r (OV) Mr T Maso n and Mr M A Stevens and as part-timer s Mr J Bartle Mrs Mauree n Brow n an d Mrs Diana Wake Mrs Brow n is organisin g game s an d physica l educatio n for the Sixt h For m girls an d Mrs Wak e is teachin g potter y so the female representatio n o n th e staff, referred to by Davi d Annet t last year, continue s t o grow Finally w e congratult e Mr Hickso n o n his marriage t o Mis s Sheanag h Deighton-Gibson , an d Mr an d Mrs Burkill an d Mr an d Mrs Roslingto n o n th e birth of daughter s an d Mr and Mrs Bentle y an d Mr an d Mrs Petherbridge o n th e birth of sons
A M Milne
TH E DEVELOPMEN T COMMITTE E
A s this issue o f th e Vigornia n is bein g prepared fo r publication , a fund-raising activit y in th e for m of a 'Christma s Quiz ' is in progres s throughou t th e School Wh o is thi s Developmen t Committee , whos e nam e appears at th e to p of the Quiz , an d wha t doe s it do ?
Man y parent s could , of course , somewha t ruefully answer ! Th e Developmen t Committe e is a committe e of parents , old boys an d ex-parent s who , togethe r wit h the Headmaste r an d th e Bursar, try t o raise fund s t o financ e Buildin g Projects fo r th e School The Developmen t Committe e is no t responsible fo r plannin g ne w projects But , whe n it has bee n agreed that a ne w projec t is desirable an d feasible , th e Committe e tries to raise th e funds In this wa y over th e pas t twent y years a su m o f no less tha n £400,00 0 has been gathere d together ; an d it has bee n this mone y whic h has enabled th e Schoo l t o build th e swimming-pool th e sports ' hall the ne w block th e refector y an d languag e block It has also pai d fo r the organ the re-organise d musi c schoo l an d a host of othe r improvements A start has also bee n mad e o n a Bursary Fund ; at the momen t this stand s at som e £61,00 0 an d a fe w award s have in fact already bee n mad e fro m it It is true tha t th e greater part o f th e fund s com e fro m generou s covenant s whic h man y of th e schoo l parents have bee n goo d enoug h to give Bu t in tota l a surprisingly substantia l su m has bee n raised by the fetes an d th e othe r fund-raisin g events In the last fete n o less tha n £8,000 wa s raised Every contribution whethe r small o r large has had its part in this splendi d result
Wha t are w e gatherin g fund s fo r now ? It is probabl y n o secret that it is hope d t o exten d the laboratories house th e Middl e Schoo l mor e adequately , cove r th e swimmin g pool , build a smal l theatre , bridge the river on e day!
RUGB Y - 1st X V
Afte r th e initial week' s training at th e schoo l prior t o th e start of term , hope s wer e hig h fo r a successful season Results wer e in fac t fairly eve n wit h a n equa l numbe r of game s wo n an d lost Onc e agai n a notabl e victor y ove r Th e WRG S wa s achieve d bu t onl y b y th e barest of margins , 13-12 Ian McArth y score d a penalt y onl y second s fro m no-sid e bu t gav e us all a heart attack whe n it bounce d of f th e pos t first befor e goin g ove r fo r th e final points Individual s agai n wer e outstandin g wit h th e tea m bein g led by Darryl Jeline k whos e commitment , driv e an d skills wer e admire d b y everyon e excep t b y th e selector s at th e final Englan d trial Other s t o represen t th e schoo l at Count y level an d abov e wer e R Salt (scrum-hal f an d fullback) , D Hudso n (wing) , R Subbiott o (centre), R Pite (hooker ) an d S Preece (lock)
For mos t thoug h th e highligh t of th e year wa s th e Paris tou r wher e thre e game s wer e played and won an d a n extremle y strenuou s programm e of sightseeing left everyon e shattere d bu t happy A last minut e hitc h almos t left everyon e strande d at th e schoo l befor e th e part y left bu t ou r thank s mos t g o t o Mr H Jeline k fo r makin g it possibl e in th e end
3rd X V RUGB Y
Played 10 Wo n 5 Los t 5
Fact On e — Thir d X V rugb y is alive an d wel l in King' s Schoo l an d is n o longe r a joke
Fact Tw o — Th e enthusias m and spirit in th e Third' s squa d is better tha n at an y tim e in th e past five years
Fac t Thre e — A surprisin g numbe r of 2n d X V member s an d th e od d 1st X V playe r hav e playe d 3rd X V rugb y withou t feeling an y sense o f disgrace
Fact Fou r — Som e 1st an d 2n d X V member s still look o n 3r d X V players wit h disdain
Fact Five — man y 2n d X V players n o longe r feel secur e abou t their 2n d X V places
Fact Six — Th e futur e look s goo d fo r 3r d X V rugby
Conclusio n — Thank s are du e to all thos e wh o hav e helpe d t o stimulat e an d engende r th e enjoymen t o f rugb y in th e 3r d XV ; t o P Woo d ou r to p score r wit h 3 6 points , t o K Cobur n wh o showe d us wha t coul d be , in th e first matc h against Dea n Close , b y scorin g tw o tries; t o E MacMillan' s trust y boot ; t o an ever increasin g strengt h in th e secon d ro w fro m S Claydo n an d R Johnson ; t o all wh o playe d an d committe d themselve s to an d gained th e honou r an d dignit y o f representin g th e School
Than k yo u all
D.E.H
UNDE R 16 RUGB Y
Du e t o th e lack of regular weekl y fixtures , th e tea m failed t o practise as ofte n as the y shoul d and as a result di d no t produc e th e results anticipated Th e absenc e of R Westle y a t full back wa s greatly felt fo r h e wa s playin g fo r th e First X V durin g th e season Th e tea m di d however , manag e t o reach the final o f th e Worceste r Count y U1 6 competition , wher e the y lost a closely fough t gam e t o W.R.G.S Durin g th e Easter Ter m the tea m starte d wel l b y winnin g th e King' s Schoo l Seven s competition Unfortunatel y the y wer e unable t o kee p u p thi s for m an d lost at bot h th e Herefor d an d Oxfor d Sevens
Thre e member s of th e side represented th e Count y U1 6 team ; N Hales, R Westley , an d Ian Blackburn Peter Camplin g wa s selecte d later in th e season Thank s mus t be give n t o Mr Davie s wh o gav e u p his free tim e t o coac h an d referee
U1 4 RUGB Y Played 13 Wo n 7 Lost 6 Draw n 0
On e coul d describe last yea r as a typical U14X V rugb y season Occasionall y th e side playe d som e very goo d rugb y t o beat sides convincingly Unde r this headin g woul d g o th e win s agains t Christ College, Brecon , Th e Chas e Hig h Schoo l an d Herefor d Cathedral The n cam e th e heav y defeat s agains t th e larger school s of K.E.S Birmingham , Solihull an d Warwick Thes e annua l drubbings , fo r som e reaso n or another , ten d t o be against muc h larger oppositio n and are rathe r predictabl e affairs T o thei r credit th e side di d
creditable
High Park Schoo l b y 16 point s t
Toward s th e en d of th e seaso n on e or tw o player s bega n
maste r th e fundamental s o f forwar d play, notabl y Pitt an d
joined th e Schoo l at th e beginnin
Everton , McClatchey , Powel l an d DeBlaby
o th e full Wit h Roger s at fly-half thes e players shoul d prov e a n effectiv e threequarter s uni t nex t year
T CLU B
Th e yea r wa s starte d wit h considerabl e enthusias m in th e clu b bot h fo r eight s an d sculls Th e firs t eigh t bega n trainin g in th e winte r ter m an d wer e rewarde d whe n the y cam e secon d t o Shrewsbur y Schoo l at Worcester Hea d of River A t Glouceste r Sculler's Hea d J Pearson wo n th e U1 6 divisio n an d A Hobso n wo n th e U1 6 sculls at Worceste r an d Herefor d Scullers ' Heads Mr Watson , also representin g th e School , wo n th e Vetera n C Sculls at Worceste r Sculls Head
Durin g th e Easter holida y th e 1st Eight squa d continue d t o train o n a rowin g cam p at Cambridg e wher e the cre w spen t man y hour s rowin g wit h th e Fitzwilliam Colleg e Eight Th e squa d are very gratefu l t o Mr Hirst wh o gav e u p som e o f his holida y t o loo k after them
Early in th e regatta seaso n th e 1st Eight ha d a clos e race wit h th e City o f Cambridg e in th e Senio r C Eights final at Bewdle y Regatta Th e first rac e wa s a dea d hea t an d in th e secon d th e 1 st Eight lost b y a fe w feet Unfortunately , th e 1 st Eight wer e force d t o borro w boat s to race in whe n their eigh t suffere d structural damag e whic h coul d not be repaire d locally an d th e lack of fund s prevente d th e purchas e of a badl y neede d ne w boat Later in th e season th e eigh t split int o tw o fours , th e L6th fou r gainin g victor y at Ironbridg e Sprin t Regatta
Meanwhile , Mr Gabriel' s U1 6 fou r achieve d succes s b y winnin g at Avo n count y Herefor d School s an d Birmingha m Regattas , an d J Pearson wo n th e Junio r Scull s at Worceste r Regatta
Th e U1 5 eigh t also ha d a ver y promisin g season Afte r bein g losing finalists at Tewksbur y an d Birmingha m regattas , th e cre w di d exceptionall y wel l t o com e 4t h in th e final of U1 5 eight s at th e Nationa l School s Regatta
Finally th e first fou r wer e victoriou s at Burto n Regatt a in th e summe r holidays
Th e novice s have show n themselve s t o b e ver y kee n an d will hopefull y mak e a goo d squa d fo r futur e years Boa t Clu b maintenanc e wa s also muc h neede d thi s year wit h man y annoyin g damage s sometime s keepin g trainin g t o dr y land 1st VIII : Bo w — D Taylor , N Hawkes , S Hemming , T Lucas , P Wells , T Ashby , R Subiotto Str A Hobson , Co x - B Artus , Res — D Ramsden , N Holmes
Ove r th e past coupl e of season s w e have employe d th e tacti c of battin g secon d t o wi n man y games Thi s year, althoug h w e continue d t o 'pu t Bides in ' w e did no t hav e the batsme n capabl e o f chasin g a targe t in a set time Jef f Spicer batte d extremel y wel l throughou t th e seaso n but his ofte n lone contribution s wer e neve r enough Thi s mean t tha t ou r game s against Wrekin , Warwick , Christ's Colleg e Brecon Bablake an d Solihull all ende d in draw s fo r whic h w e mus t tak e responsibility Wit h a little mor e applicatio n an d though t fro m th e early an d middl e orde r these wer e game s w e coul d have won Th e O.V.' s continu e t o be th e School' s 'bogey ' side an d dismal battin g performance s sa w us lose b y 183 run s an d 123 run s in our tw o game s agains t them Goo d win s wer e recorde d agains t Malver n College , Bromsgrov e Schoo l an d the Gentleme n o f Worcester Ou r openin g attac k of Davi d Hudso n an d Crai g Presto n bowle d wel l throughou t the seaso n wit h little luck, the y wer e abl y supporte d b y th e off-spi n of Joh n Buckle y and Peter Campling , th e pick of th e bowler s wa s Ji m Coombs , wh o finishe d th e seaso n wit h 31 wicket s at a n averag e of 16 - 38, an excellent performance , whic h include d figure s o f 5 - 69 against th e X L Club, 5 - 4 7 agains t th e O.V.'s , an d 4 - 3 4 against th e Gentleme n of Worcester It wa s pleasing t o see som e of th e newcomer s t o the side doin g well In particular, Nic k Hales ' wicket-keepin g and th e excellen t 63 no t ou t of Marti n Foar d agains t th e Gentleme n of Worcester Finally, m y thank s to Peter Woo d wh o di d no t enjo y th e best o f season s personally , althoug h w e did see glimpse s of wha t he is capabl e o f agains t Wreki n College an d Christ' s College, Brecon He captaine d th e side wel l an d set a hig h standar d wit h his fielding P.P
Results of Matche s
v Wrekin College: Wreki n 208 - 3
King' s 144 - 4 (P Wood50N.O. , J Spicer 30)
Matc h draw n
v Warwick School:
Warwic k 172 - 5 (D Hudso n 3 - 48)
King' s 79 - 8 (J Spice r 39)
Matc h draw n
v Malvern College:
Malver n 129 - 8 (C Preston 2 - 2)
King's13 1 - 5(J Spice r 57 N 0. , M Thompso n 24)
Wo n b y 5 wicket s
v Old Vigornians:
O.V.'s21 0 - 9 (J Coomb s 5 - 47)
King' s 27
Lost b y 183 run s
v Christ's College, Brecon: Breco n 93 - 3 (J Coomb s 2 - 35)
King' s 143 - 7 (P Wood41 , M Thompson31 )
Matc h draw n
v K. E.C. Stourbridge:
K.E.C Stourbridge7 2 - 7 (P Campling 2 - 7)
King's70(N Hales 24N.O. )
Lost b y 3 wicket s
v W. Ft. G. S.
King's3 7 - 2(N Hales 17 N.O.)
Matc h abandone d
v Bablake School:
Bablake 137 - 7 (C Preston 3 - 30)
King's6 5 - 2 (J Spicer22 , N Hales2 0 N.O.)
Matc h draw n
v Solihull:
Solihull 165 - 6 (D Hudso n 2 - 28)
King's6 4 - 7(D Hudson22 )
Matc h draw n
v K. E.S. Birmingham:
K.E.S 175 all ou t (Coombs 3 - 31 , Camplin g 3 - 47)
King's5 6 (J Coombs2 0 N.O.)
Lost b y 119 run s
v Bromsgrove School:
Bromsgrov e 136 (J Coomb s 4 - 52, J Buckley 3 - 29)
King' s 139 - 8(M Thompso n 55 N.O. D Hudso n 33 N Hales29 )
Wo n b y 2 wicket s
v Gentlemen of Worcester:
Gentleme n o f Worceste r 189 (J Coomb s 4 - 34, J Buckle y 3 - 49)
King' s 193 - 6 (J Spicer75 , M Foard6 3 N.O.)
Wo n b y 4 wicket s
v XL Club:
X L Clu b 194- 6 (J Coomb s 5 - 69)
King' s 146 - 6 (J Spicer49 , P Wood2 5 N.O., M Foard24 )
Matc h draw n
v Worcestershire Club and Ground:
Clu b & Groun d 21 5 - 3 (J Shaw 2 - 24)
King' s 128 - 5 (J Spice r 60 N.O.)
Matc h draw n
v P. L. Petherbridge's XI: P. L Petherbridge' s XI 108 - 7 (J Buckle y 3 - 3)
King' s 177 - 7(M Thompso n 64, N Hales 55 N.O. , J Spice r 25)
Matc h wo n b y 69 run s
v O. V.C. C.:
O.V.C.C 20 9 - 4
King's86(N Hales 19)
Lost b y 123 run s 2n d X I REPOR T
Played 9 Wo n 2 Lost 2 Dre w 4 Abandone d 1
Th e secon d X I go t of f t o a n inauspiciou s start t o th e seaso n b y bein g bowle d ou t fo r 47 b y Wreki n an d thu s losing b y 107 runs
Howeve r thi s wasn' t a pointe r fo r th e rest o f th e seaso n an d th e battin g an d bowlin g rapidly improved , whic h enable d us t o dra w wit h Warwic k an d bea t Brecon Momentu m
wicket
th e battin g durin g th e seaso n wer e 101 b y Marti n Foard , an
s
an 80 by Richar d Westley , agains t Solihull an d Stourbridg e respectively Th e brun t of th e bowlin g wa s bor n b y Stephe n Hobbs , Bo b Ganderton , Joh n Sha w an d Davi d Rogers , wh o toppe d th e average s wit h 16 wicket s at a n economica l 9.44 run s apiece Th e wicke t keepin g wa s shared b y And y Searle an d Nick Hodgetts Secon d X I colour s wer e awarde d t o Marti n Foar d an d Mik e Baxte r wh o captaine d th e side
Finally thank s mus t g o t o Mr Naish an d Mr Griffith s fo r th e tim e the y devote d t o coachin g an d umpirin g an d fo r makin g th e season a very enjoyabl e one
M.C.G.B
U1 4 CRICKE T
Played 11 Wo n 7 Lost 4
Th e unde r 14's ha d an enjoyabl e an d successfu l season wit h perhap s on e majo r disappointmen t whe n the y lost t o W R.G.S o n the Count y Groun d in th e final of Th e Cricketer Colts Competition Havin g pu t th e oppositio n ou t fo r 125, wit h d e Blab y roundin g off the inning s wit h a hat-trick , w e wer e certainly in wit h a goo d chance , but wit h tw o of ou r early batsme n somewha t surprisingl y ru n ou t nobod y wa s able t o establish themselves , an d eventuall y th e inning s petere d out rather feebly
In general , this wa s a side of som e potential Occasionall y the y wer e held bac k b y slo w scoring , wit h batsme n no t bein g quic k enoug h t o judg e th e half-volley or long-hop , bu t self-confidenc e is involve d here as wel l as judgment , an d o n th e whol e the y played commendabl y straight , an d wer e mor e ofte n ou t throug h miscalculation s of lengt h or directio n tha n throug h playin g across th e line Rogers , a thoughtfu l captain , wa s th e mos t matur e o f th e batsmen , wit h a style an d range of strok e tha t alway s mad e an innings fro m hi m a pleasure t o watch H e average d nearl y 40 over th e season , an d is clearly a goo d prospect De Blab y playe d a numbe r of valuable innings , as di d Jone s an d Woodward , an d in fac t mos t of the tea m mad e useful contribution s at som e stag e of th e season
Th e attac k wa s well-balanced , wit h de Blaby usuall y lookin g hostile an d ofte n receivin g goo d medium-pace d suppor t fro m Rogers an d Mackie th e left ar m spin of Andrew s frequentl y trouble d batsmen an d he ha d a ver y successfu l season Ball an d Jone s wer e othe r spinner s wh o coul d develo p wel l wit h mor e opportunities Morgan th e wicket-keeper too k som e goo d stumpings an d wa s alway s read y t o stan d u p t o th e mediu m pacers whic h wa s refreshing
Finally on e shoul d complemen t th e scorer Cawdell o n maintainin g a n unusuall y high degre e of accurac y an d neatnes s in his work
Th e followin g playe d for th e team : D Rogers , D d e Blaby , K Andrews , R Woodward , R Jones , P Mackie , P Kirby , D Ball, M Morgan , M Shaw , H Ticehurst , A Bell
M.J.P
TENNI S 1979
Played 5 Wo n 3 Los t 2
Du e t o th e unavailability of several key players becaus e the y ha d external examination s in th e summer th e tea m wa s unabl e t o continu e th e succes s achieve d durin g th e last tw o years Th e first tea m players hav e playe d wel l b y an y standard s an d hav e show n grea t determination Particularly courageou s have bee n th e femal e member s o f th e first VI , Patience Buckle r an d Harriet Willcox , wh o fo r th e first tim e in th e histor y of th e school , have eac h foun d a regular place in th e first VI , fo r the y hav e no t onl y bee n competin g against all mal e team s bu t hav e ofte n playe d wit h partner s the y hav e no t played wit h before M y admiratio n also extend s t o thei r partners , Ewa n MacMilla n an d Ti m Hooker , wh o hav e no t onl y ha d t o adjus t t o th e differen t typ e o f gam e but have also ha d t o suffer at th e hand s of th e mor e vociferou s spectators , fo r who m som e of th e player s appear t o b e mor e worth y o f commen t tha n th e gam e itself
Th e secon d pair o f Joh n Sear an d Rober t Davies has prove d valuable onc e agai n thi s season remainin g undefeate d in all their matche s in whic h the y playe d together Wit h their presen t ability already exceedin g th e highes t standard s of an y schoo l team th e prospect s fo r th e futur e are very promising A s wel l as playin g in schoo l matches th e first pair of Simo n Bran d an d Richar d Dea n also entere d th e Unde r 19 Midlan d Countie s Tenni s Tournamen t hel d in Birmingha m an d di d wel l t o reach th e semi-finals bein g beate n b y th e eventua l winners
I woul d like t o tak e thi s opportunit y t o than k all th e member s of th e U 16 Tea m wh o also achieved a hig h standar d this season , an d Mr Bentley , wh o no t onl y organise d th e matche s bu t also willingl y gav e u p his Saturda y afternoon s t o transpor t th e teams
S M Bran d
U16
BASKETBAL L TEA M
Th e Unde r 16 Basketbal l Tea m compete d ver y successfull y in th e Worceste r an d District School s League King' s wer e onl y beate n twic e durin g th e seaso n an d finally finishe d a close secon d t o Nunner y Wood
Th e tea m wa s wel l led b y Nick Hales wh o wa s also responsibl e fo r organisin g fixtures Muc h of th e team' s success wa s du e t o his talente d play o n court , enthusias m an d organisation H e wa s admirabl y supporte d b y a stron g squad Th e mai n stalwart s in th e startin g five wer e Davi d Young , Richard Westley , Davi d Bernie , Nigel Lawso n an d Joh n Bracey Joh n is this year' s Unde r 16 Basketbal l captain Contribution s wer e also mad e b y Richar d Ferguson , To m Hodgson , Hug h Jeffrey , Ti m Pain an d Ra y Duggins Ray wa s responsible fo r muc h of th e scorin g administration
D.T.N
U16 HOCKE Y
Th e first matc h of th e season wa s approache d dubiously , fo r it wa s against a refor m school Afte r a lon g journe y w e arrive d t o a gruf f welcome Th e opponent s had tw o master s playing , t o tr y an d maintai n order, bu t I a m no t sure tha t on e wa s no t th e dirtiest player o n th e field However , w e wo n 3 - 2, wit h their tw o rather fou l goals
Th e secon d matc h wa s against Worcestershir e U16 Count y Hocke y Tea m in th e for m of Nunner y Woo d (havin g 9 count y players) Thi s w e lost ver y courageousl y 1 - 4
Th e thir d wa s a one-side d 5 - 0 wi n agains t Kin g Charles Kidderminster Thi s matc h wa s basically wo n b y Joh n Vincent , wit h a fin e display
Th e fourt h wa s th e return against Nunner y Woo d whic h wa s rather mor e of a disaster tha n the first match losing 0 - 5 Th e weathe r coul d be partl y blame d for half-wa y throug h th e secon d half it bega n t o sleet an d snow
Th e last gam e wa s against the refor m schoo l again Thi s gam e wa s played wit h a bit mor e fervou r tha n th e first, includin g a penalt y strok e t o the m whic h Andre w Clarke save d well However , w e lost 1 - 0
Thu s ende d a reasonabl y successfu l seaso n fo r an U1 6 tea m lacking practise Outstandin g play wa s fro m Joh n Vincent , Marti n Foard an d Mar k Lake Man y thank s t o Mr Gordo n fo r gettin g th e tea m off th e ground
Played 5 Wo n 2 Draw n 0 Los t 3 Goals fo r 9 Agains t 12
B.J.V
G
Th e swimmin g team s compete d strongl y at all ag e groups Th e unde r 14 an d unde r 16 team s wer e particularly successful Ther e wer e man y excellen t individua l performance s bu t it wa s th e willingnes s o f all swimmer s t o help ou t in less favoure d stroke s tha t typifie d th e excellen t tea m spirit throughou t the club On e majo r honou r wa s gaine d b y th e unde r 16 relay tea m o f Bernie , Westley , Blakewa y an d Edward s wh o wo n th e Looke s freestyl e relay cup Davi d Bernie an d Joh n Brace y represente d th e Schoo l at count y level
Th e Schoo l swimmin g sport s wer e also keenly contested In th e senior swimmin g sport s Hoste l Hous e dominated , winnin g th e intermediat e an d relay cups Ne w schoo l records wer e establishe d in fou r events
Class swimmin g lessons wer e bot h enjoyabl e an d successful Man y boy s gaine d award s in persona l survival Unfortunately , eve n mor e coul d hav e bee n achieve d if th e poo l ha d bee n available at th e beginnin g of th e summe r term
D.T.N
FIVES CLU B REPOR T
Thi s year wil l g o dow n in th e history of th e Fives Clu b as th e on e in which , after Jame s Coombs ' expression s of sardoni c resignatio n in last year' s Vigornian , th e Bursa r finally decreed 'le t ther e b e light! ' Fortunatel y his decre e wa s hear d no t onl y b y chao s an d darknes s bu t by a tacitur n an d highl y efficien t electrician wh o equippe d bot h court s wit h excellen t lightin g in little tim e an d wit h n o fuss Th e consequence s fo r th e clu b are significant : no t onl y ca n member s play into th e small hour s if the y wish , bu t in additio n th e clu b is established o n a far mor e prominen t basis tha n before Suc h permanenc e will be appreciate d b y tw o member s o f th e English Departmen t at least, who , ironically, are probabl y largely responsibl e fo r the dange r facin g th e clu b throug h structural collapse Th e wall s of bot h court s are incompletel y covere d wit h plaster an d are in nee d of repair — soon Perhap s th e nex t decre e will be 'Le t ther e be plaster! W e live in hope Whateve r th e stat e o f th e walls Fives continue s t o be playe d b y member s of th e schoo l fro m th e fourt h for m t o Hea d o f Departmen t and in m y opinion th e longe r it is played th e better It is an excellen t and enjoyabl e gam e in itself an d provide s th e schoo l wit h a n attractive touc h o f th e unusual In an educationa l syste m wher e school s are in competitio n tha t is presumably beneficial
R.R.G
SAILIN G CLU B
Th e Sailing Clu b is a fast-expandin g club , wit h te n member s in th e VI For m an d eigh t associat e member s (those wh o are lowe r dow n the School) T o allo w fo r thi s w e no w have fou r operationa l dinghies : three Firefly an d a GP 14 o n loa n fro m on e of th e Members In addition , since w e are affiliated t o th e Sever n Sailing Club , w e hav e th e use of a 'club Lark Sailing take s place o n Wednesday s durin g game s at th e Sever n Sailin g Clu b o n th e River Avo n nea r Bredon' s Norton Th e activities cove r bot h racing fo r th e experience d an d trainin g fo r th e ne w members O n on e col d an d we t Wednesda y afternoo n last season , ou r fibreglass Firefly, called 'Toffy ' an d built b y member s o f th e Clu b th e previou s year, wa s officially 'measured' , durin g whic h it ha d t o be capsized t o prov e th e worthines s of th e buoyancy Tw o victim s wer e 'volunteered ' t o d o thi s b y Mr Roslington ! Thi s enable s us t o race the boa t at meetings , bu t it wasn' t until th e Summe r Ter m tha t w e used this privilege whe n Julia n Coble y (crew) , Stuar t Burrow s (helmsman ) an d Mr Roslingto n set off early o n Sunday , 10t h Jun e t o compet e in th e Midland s Firefly Ope n Meetin g at th e Edgbasto n Reservoir Unfortunately , w e cam e wel l dow n in th e fiel d o f twentyfive very determine d boats W e did , however , redee m ourselve s a fe w week s later b y winnin g a n even t at Th e Sever n Sailin g Club Durin g th e Winte r whe n th e weathe r forbad e sailing, maintenanc e wa s carried ou t in th e 'hut at School , includin g th e repair of an old trailer, wit h th e invaluabl e aid o f a parent, Mr Padden Thi s mean s w e can no w mov e boat s t o an d fro m th e Sever n Sailin g Clu b wit h little troubl e (no mor e lifting boat s ont o the roo f o f th e Schoo l Lan d Rover!)
W e are lookin g forwar d t o a full season this year, th e Clu b bein g mor e operationa l tha n ever before Stuar t Burrows , Captai n of Sailing
Th e Edgar Tower , whic h wa s built in th e thirteent h centur y as th e grea t gate of th e monastery has house d th e Schoo l Librar y since 1969 It wa s the n tha t th e Trustee s finance d th e refurbishin g o f tw o old classroom s in th e Towe r wit h ne w shelving lighting an d fitte d carpet A gallery wa s adde d in th e followin g
1970 containe
tha t amount Th e rate of borrowin g bega n t o increase rapidl y as man y ne w an d interestin g book s wer e adde d
of 1978 th
wer
tightl y
Library accommodate
KEYS ' SOCIET Y
Th e Societ y has ha d a n eventfu l an d extremel y successfu l year thank s t o th e hard wor k an d cooperatio n o f all thos e connecte d wit h th e Society , th e year' s concert s have bee n o f a ver y high standar d wit h th e arrangement s becomin g mor e an d mor e esoteric Bu t perfectio n is b y n o mean s th e Society' s sol e ai m an d w e like t o see as man y peopl e involve d as possible so ensembl e musi c is heartily encouraged , thoug h life is mad e very difficul t fo r us wit h th e absenc e of a bassoo n player Thi s make s it impossibl e t o get an y win d ensembl e of an y consequenc e together
It ha s bee n encouragin g t o see a growt h in ou r audience s an d w e ow e muc h t o thos e loyal member s wh o attende d despite hazardou s sno w an d ice condition s last winter
Th e Societ y Choir ha s been a sphere of majo r interest thi s year, an d unde r th e 'worl d weary ' Andre w Skirro w it achieved a ver y hig h standar d of performance Howeve r th e repertoir e becam e harde r an d harder an d vaultin g ambitio n began t o extrac t its vengeance Th e general atmospher e of hysterics whic h usuall y pervade d th e rehearsals wa s replace d b y bout s of flaring tempe r and singin g ceased t o be enjoyable Wit h the difficulty becomin g greater th e organiser s of th e concert s bega n to spen d man y sleepless night s worryin g abou t th e ensuin g performance Perhap s w e shoul d hav e stuc k t o madrigals !
Th e first concer t of th e year is alway s th e hardest, especially so for Stephe n Kin g an d Stephe n Harris, wh o at th e last minut e ha d t o tak e ove r fro m Chris Morgan Wh o coul d blam e the m the n fo r producin g a programm e o f items recently performe d in th e Schoo l Musi c Competition Ther e wa s muc h amusemen t fro m th e concer t give n b y Mar c Bench , fo r th e boiler in Colleg e Hall had blow n u p an d a last minut e mov e t o th e Musi c School , blackboard s staring in th e background left us wit h th e feeling tha t h e wa s performin g fo r a class o f pupils Th e tw o concert s arrange d b y Chris Morga n an d Andre w Skirro w wer e a grea t success bu t in man y way s it wa s th e last concer t arrange d b y Joh n Davies tha t prove d t o be th e clima x of th e year' s activities A buffe r super wa s hel d after th e concer t an d wa s enjoye d immensely particularly b y thos e wit h a partiality t o wine Al l in all it wa s a n excellent wa y t o clos e th e year an d th e Keys ' societ y woul d like t o than k all parents an d friend s wh o helpe d t o mak e it so
Joh n Davies
COLLEG E GREEN '
In th e Autum n of 1978, th e Schoo l wa s t o see th e first issue of 'Colleg e Green' , a magazin e devised b y Mr Hunt Ther e wa s a vas t amoun t o f goo d creativ e writin g in the Schoo l goin g t o wast e throug h lack of an effectiv e mediu m o f presentation Also , sinc e th e demis e of Th e King' s Schoo l Press, ther e ha s bee n no wa y o f informin g 'th e public ' o f activities in the School , or of opinion s an d ideas
Ther e are poems creative stories articles o n different aspect s of the School as wel l as matter s of wide r concern reviews of books concerts theatr e visits an d also competitions
'Colleg e Green ' exists as a Friday afternoo n activity wit h a staff of seven Ther e are onl y tw o typewriter s available, an d this severel y limits th e frequenc y wit h whic h w e can appea r — at presen t onc e a term An y offer s of typewriter s woul d be mos t gratefully accepted Richar d M Baco n
H FOR M DEBATIN G SOCIET Y
SIXT
Havin g disappeare d wit h Sean Ryan , th e Societ y has bee n reincarnate d unde r th e auspice s of Paul Renney Debate s hav e bee n held in th e Old Library an d th e old Masters Commo n Room , a popula r location
Topic s hav e range d fro m a belief tha t "I n vie w of the repressiv e an d racist regim e o f th e Sovie t Union Britai n shoul d withdra w fro m the 1980 Olympics" throug h "Religio n is a n insult t o th e rational mind " t o "Th e pursui t o f equality has gon e to o far"
Bot h pupils an d member s of staff hav e spoke n in the debates ; it is hope d tha t soo n w e wil l be able t o dra w o n gues t speakers fro m outside as wel l as co-ordinatin g wit h othe r school s in th e locality
W e loo k ahea d t o a flourishin g (an d continuous ) futur e fo r th e society
th e Colleg e Green side o f th e Edgar Towe r int
Library Th
architect' s plans, include d a n elegant ne w gallery an d shelvin g
light oak A carpe t o f sof t mos s gree n wa s fitted T o complet e th e improvements , th e centra l heatin g syste m wa s renewe d b y Moder n Heatin g o f Malvern Th e re-wirin g of th e buildin g an d installation of ne w lightin g wa s undertake n by H.G Perry Ltd (Electrical Engineers) of Stourbridge Th e fourt h roo m
as
classroom s in Englan d
still
e
Hun t hold s his English classes Thi s roo m wa s also decorate d an
carpete d t o matc h th e Library Th e Library is no w ope n
weekday
10.00 a.m t
4.00 p.m unde r th e supervisio n of the Librarian, Mauree n Kings , wh
assisted b y a tea m o f voluntar y helpers, t o who m w e woul d
to express ou r gratitud e fo r their wor k durin g th e past year A growin g collectio n of referenc e book s is bein g develope d t o supplemen t th e facilities fo r studyin g in th e Library, an d particular attentio n is bein g paid t o th e general readin g requirement s o f th e Middl e School Th e lendin g stoc k is expandin g o n t o th e ne w shelves an d will ultimatel y reach a tota l of abou t 12,500 books Thi s is th e appropriat e place to than k th e man y people , staff, present pupils , Old Vigornians , an d friend s of th e School , wh o have so generousl y donate d book s t o the Library Al l suc h contribution s bear a n ornamenta l bookplat e inscribe d wit h the donor' s name
W e are no w able t o hol d discussions General Studie s Group s an d poetr y evening s in th e Library an d ma y possibly hav e smal l dram a production s in time Recently, th e English Departmen t have successfull y held a Gree k Evening an d a Frenc h Evening whic h include d th e literature an d musi c of thos e countries , plus th e appropriat e wines
Th e Library is no w a beautifu l an d valuabl e asset t o schoo l life situate d in a uniqu e position Visitors t o th e Schoo l an d t o th e City wh o ventur e up th e twist y Towe r stairs are very impresse d b y its delightfu l combinatio n of th e ancien t an d modern W e wer e recentl y pleased t o welcom e a part y of visitors fro m U.S.S R. an d also Mr Donal d Sinden , researchin g sites fo r his Televisio n series o n English Architecture
In Decembe r 1880 'Th e Vigornian ' mentione d tha t th e Library "whic h fo r som e year s stoo d frownin g in a n unuse d corne r of th e schoolroom " wa s t o b e reorganised Now , almos t a hundre d years later its transformatio n is complete , makin g th e Library a plac e of whic h w e can be justl y proud Mauree n Kings/Yvonn e Hale
SCHOO L PAPERBAC K BOOKSHO P
Thi s year has see n change s in th e bookshop , not least du e t o a chang e in management Simo n Clay an d Richar d Baco n no w wor k part-tim e because of extr a duties, an d w e are mos t gratefu l t o the m bot h fo r 'showin g us th e ropes' , especially Simo n wh o has worke d wit h th e booksho p fo r thre e years
In addition , ou r stoc k has expanded , an d w e hav e ne w shelvin g an d tw o revolving stands A trip wa s mad e t o ou r supplier' s wholesal e showroo m in Leamington , wher e over 20,00 0 titles are displayed It is hope d t o mak e this trip a regular featur e o f th e booksho p calendar I woul d like t o than k Joh n Morri s an d Michae l Booth , Assistan t Managers , Gu y Jenkins , Hu w Jeffer y (ou r hop e fo r th e 'eighties ) an d lastly, Mr Hun t wh o ensure s smoot h negotiation s wit h ou r wholesal e contact Paul Beech , Manage r
SHOOTIN G CLU B
In Marc h this year th e old shootin g clu b wa s reforme d t o mak e use o f th e ne w rifle rang e built alongsid e th e dinin g hall Th e clu b wa s supervise d an d coache d initially b y Mr Stace y an d Mr Brown , an d b y th e en d of th e Summe r ter m w e ha d a schoo l team Thi s tea m has entere d a British School s Small-Bor e Rifle Associatio n Leagu e an d its standar d of shootin g is still rising Th e clu b meet s an d shoot s o n Monday s an d tea m practice s are o n Thursday s an d Fridays Th e tea m consist s of G H Jenkins , B Lee, M C Underwood , N B P Lawso n an d J L Morris W e woul d like t o than k Mr Stace y fo r his invaluable tim e an d hel p in runnin g th e club J.L.M
R.M.B
Afte r th e stuff y confine s of th e landrover th e coo l Wels h ir cu t
throug h t o ou r marrows W e set of f o n th e first stag e o f th e ' Expedition ' fro m Llanbed r wit h a feeling of anticipation W e had warme d u p b y Crickhowell mainl y becaus e w e ha d eate n ou r complet e chocolat e ration Our grou p wen t a slightly differen t wa y fro m th e others no t becaus e of som e masochisti c sightseein g desire but throug h a simpl e anonymou s map-readin g error Anywa y w e got to see som e nice sheep ! W e arrived at th e first campsit e abou t seven in th e evening It mus t have bee n th e mos t windswep t par t o f Wales
Withi n fou r hour s of arriving w e ha d som e nice lukewar m substanc e prepared mos t of whic h wa s donate d t o th e "increas e th e qualit y of Wels h sheep' s breakfas t charity" Eventually w e manage d t o hypothermiat e ourselve s t o sleep an d awok e unrefreshe d th e followin g morning Afte r man y hour s o f rucksac k packin g instructions w e stuffe d ou r equipmen t int o th e bag s in abou t thre e minute s an d hobble d of f o n stage two Clear blue sky brigh t sun rolling hills: perfec t settin g for joggin g acros s th e Blac k Mountain s wit h thirt y pound s of kit Th e first hail stor m hit us at abou t eleven o'clock W e wer e in a treeless wastelan d an d coul d no t see ou r frostbitte n hand s in fron t of ou r frostbitte n faces It stoppe d an d w e foun d ourselve s near a quarry O n th e ma p there wer e tw o quarries on e t o th e Nort h o n th e rout e an d th e othe r t o th e Sout h definitely off th e route B y som e accurat e surveyin g w e deduce d tha t w e wer e in th e vicinit y o f th e latter of these W e followe d a n ice-col d streem , mostl y walkin g in it, t o an area of Forestr y Commissio n firs W e pushe d throug h thes e after climbin g variou s barbe d wir e fences Th e secon d campsit e wa s located o n a disuse d railway an d w e foun d t o our extrem e surpris e an d delight tha t w e ha d bumpe d int o th e line abou t 2 k m sout h of th e site Our 'lon g cut ' had turne d ou t t o be a shor t on e an d w e ha d th e cam p organise d befor e th e othe r grou p arrived It wa s decidedl y nipp y an d w e retired into ou r equall y nipp y tent s at abou t four-thirty It wa s extremel y difficult t o sleep becaus e of th e col d bu t someho w w e manage d it
O n th e secon d mornin g w e wer e rudel y awakene d b y th e unexpecte d arrival o f som e high-spee d projectiles o f a n ova l nature Havin g succumbe d t o forces to o grea t t o withstan d the y released their cold , viscou s content s whic h slid smoothl y dow n th e sides of And y Pitt' s tent , freezing all th e while "Goo d morning! " said Ro n th e sharpshooter "He y And y you r tent' s all eggy" , observe d Georg e Evans tactfully
It ha d snowe d heavily in the nigh t an d I had unwittingl y left m y boot s outsid e an d the y wer e filled wit h a mixtur e o f sno w an d ice
Th e Land-Rove r arrived an d Mr Brow n jumpe d ou t enthusiastically
It wa s decide d tha t becaus e of th e heav y snowfal l th e missio n woul d be terminate d as th e third section woul d have been th e roughes t in spite of th e weather W e weren' t complainin g anywa y an d eagerly climbe d int o th e Land-Rover O n th e whol e it ha d bee n a successfu l expeditio n an d it wa s agreed tha t ou r hardshi p had bee n sufficien t to pass tha t particula r sectio n of th e Silver Award
M P Peac h
TH E UNDERCROF T 1978-79
On e of th e Senio r Committe e has bee n heard t o sa y "Th e less w e are called upo n th e better thing s usually are" , an d 1978/7 9 seeme d t o be a goo d year fro m this poin t of view
Th e Clu b is divide d in attendanc e durin g the da y fo r th e dayboy s generally use it durin g schoo l hours whil e th e boarder s ten d t o congregat e ther e after prep Thes e arrangement s are no t intentiona l (or obligatory) bu t th e tw o 'sides' mingl e freely wheneve r th e opportunit y present s itself usually at Undercrof t 'functions' Thes e parties happe n abou t three times per term an d girls fro m othe r Worceste r school s are invited Ther e is usually a disco an d a bar of limited proportions an d th e proverbial 'goo d time ' is ha d b y all Name s fo r th e parties suc h as "St Valentine' s Da y Massacre ' an d 'Armageddon ' sprin g readily t o mind
Durin g th e Easter holiday th e kitche n wa s repainte d an d a large wall poste r wa s pu t u p in the mai n room an d it is hope d tha t nex t year' s member s wil l continu e th e 'facelift ' process I woul d like t o than k the Senio r committee Mr Points Mr Burkill an d Mr Turne r fo r all their advic e an d help bu t particualrl y Mr Points wh o bor e th e brun t of noise fro m ou r parties bu t wh o wa s neve r totall y inflexible abou t finishin g hours
I woul d also like t o than k th e followin g people fo r thei r help , for they wer e no t all committe e members : Chris Morgan , Nic k Hodgetts , Phil Rothwell , Mar k Brockway , Nick Holmes , Phil Wells , Keit h Wightman , France s Smart , Ti m Lucas, Stev e Hemming , Ji m Grey Dav e Ball, Mik e Perkins an d And y Thomas
R F Underwood , Chairma n 1978/78 9
Visits hav e continue d throughou t th e year, an d I hav e received variou s appreciativ e letters — as wel l as less appreciativ e comment s fro m th e unfortunat e member s wh o walke d lon g distance s withou t result fo r th e thir d wee k running Th e Summe r Ter m is severely restricted now , an d th e change d Field Da y arrangement s hav e taken mor e time : bu t w e ca n still mee t mos t commitments , an d ther e is little sig n of an y lessening of their number It is heartenin g t o see the enthusias m of Fifth For m members , an d th e responsibilit y an d initiative — an d sympath y — show n b y th e Grou p as a whole
K.P.B
KING' S WARLORD S Th e Club afte r movin g int o a ne w roo m in th e bowel s o f College House has settle d dow n an d a permanen t meetin g plac e has given rise t o som e promisin g wargaming Durin g th e year apar t fro m numerou s interna l activities th e Clu b has ha d tw o matche s against othe r clubs bot h of whic h wer e wo n wit h all th e member s excelling themselve s o n th e day O n a mor e sobe r note w e mus t say goodby e t o five of ou r founde r members all o f who m hav e serve d th e Club admirably W e hop e tha t the y wil l continu e wargamin g whereve r the y ma y be Finally as always w e are lookin g fo r ne w member s fro m th e Senio r School
R Duggin s (LV D
SIXT H FOR M CINEM A CLU B
Thi s seaso n is goin g t o be differen t fro m th e previou s one s in tha t ther e are goin g t o be a fe w improvements For example , w e are goin g t o sho w ou r first cinemascop e film Thi s doe s no t mea n merely orderin g a differen t film , but a ne w lens an d a ne w scree n mus t be equippe d t o cop e wit h th e larger pictures Th e improvement s in th e Clu b naturall y attrac t mor e member s an d w e hav e nearl y 400 member s fro m th e five school s (wit h abou t 150 fro m KSW) If the numbe r o f member s continue s t o increase in th e future , th e Club will have t o fin d bigge r halls t o accomodat e th e audience
Althoug h to o man y member s is a problem , it also mean s the Clu b ca n hav e a bette r 'income' Wit h this, w e ca n bu y mor e ne w equipmen t an d furthe r improv e th e standar d of projection In the futur e th e Clu b ma y acquire anothe r projecto r so tha t ther e will be no interruptio n whe n spool s are bein g changed I thin k th e Clu b is goin g t o have anothe r goo d seaso n unde r the guidanc e of Mr Day , an d th e projectionist s are also tryin g their best so tha t everyon e ca n enjo y a goo d film
Projectio n Team : S Harris, A Clemens , N Hales, J Larkin
Soun d Technicians : D Ramsden , P Skevingto n Catering : Harriet Willcox , Rachel Da y
B Lee
PHOTOGRAPHI C SOCIET Y
Th e Photographi c Societ y is on e of th e largest an d mos t active societies in th e School , bu t still man y peopl e kno w little abou t it or eve n of its existence
Th e last tim e th e Societ y wa s o n public display wa s o n King' s Da y last year W e pu t o n a display of photographs , no t jus t th e very best o f th e mos t senior member s of th e Society , bu t also photograph s fro m ou r mos t junio r an d inexperience d members Severa l peopl e wer e surprised at th e qualit y of th e prints
Th e Societ y is alway s expandin g an d ha d really outgrow n our small darkroo m in th e art block Whe n th e visual-aids roo m becam e virtually redundan t whe n Passey Hall opened , th e Societ y foun d itself a ne w home Th e ne w darkroo m has thre e enlarger s wit h muc h mor e wor k surfac e area Ther e is also a small studi o attache d whic h will b e ver y usefu l fo r portraiture
A lot of har d wor k wen t int o th e creatio n of th e ne w darkroo m by member s of th e Schoo l an d especially b y Mr Day It is no w almos t complet e an d ready fo r use b y all wh o are members
Th e membershi p fee has unfortunatel y gon e u p t o £1.5 0 per ter m du e t o th e increase d cos t of materials Even so , it woul d be hard to fin d an y othe r clu b or societ y whic h offer s so muc h fo r suc h a small fee
SCIENC E SOCIET Y
Th e stunnin g advance s in technology , especially in electronics, hav e enable d ou r member s t o tackle project s far mor e ambitiou s tha n coul d hav e bee n dream t of fou r or five years ago Thes e advance s have also enable d ou r equipmen t t o becom e a great deal mor e versatile an d sensitive In spite of havin g ou r premise s share d wit h th e Ar t department , th e deman d fo r membershi p o f th e societ y is still increasing
C.C.F RA F SUMME R CAM P
Onc e again this year has brough t a large increase in th e C C F numbers Mos t noticeabl e is th e continua l growt h in the numbe r o f boy s who , havin g enjoye d their Basic Training , have opte d t o carr y their experience s t o th e mor e advance d level o f Apex Thi s tim e som e 40 Fift h year student s hav e joine d up fo r anothe r three term s of training
Anothe r encouragin g sigh t is tha t of 9 senio r N.C.O.' s an d 14 junio r N C.O.'s , representin g th e largest number s since th e star t of th e Corps Ther e also seem s t o be a growin g interest in th e C C F amongs t th e girls Thi s year w e have bee n luck y enoug h t o welcom e 8 recruit s t o ou r ranks
Th e C C F as a whol e has been ver y activ e this year Durin g th e Easter Holiday s a part y wa s take n o n an adventur e training cam p at th e Ol d Chape l in Sout h Wales , an d in th e summe r Mr A Stace y led a part y t o Capel Curi g Trainin g Cam p in Snowdonia
Ther e has also bee n som e dedicatio n o n th e part of individuals
Signals , combat , enginee r an d moto r transpor t courses wer e all wel l attended , an d W.O.I I A Windso r attende d th e 8t h Unite d Kingdo m Lan d Forces 14 da y Leadershi p Camp
Othe r activities hav e also com e t o light thi s year Thank s t o Mr
Hope th e C.C.F Climbin g has restarted wit h renewe d vigour utilising th e facilities o f th e schoo l climbin g wal l an d payin g frequen t visits t o Symond s Yat
Also , wit h th e openin g o f th e ne w .22 rifle range belo w th e dinin g rooms , th e schoo l rifle tea m has onc e mor e go t underway , thoug h as ye t n o fixture s hav e bee n arranged It is hope d tha t thi s will be possible in th e near future
I onl y hop e this tren d o f increasing C.C.F importanc e wil l continu e an d I hop e all th e ne w recruits wil l enjo y themselve s an d fin d th e experienc e rewarding
W.O.I I A C J Windso r
EASTE R CAM P 28 MARC H - 4 APRI L 1979
Afte r a delay of on e hou r w e set off, arrivin g at the Old Chape l afte r dark W e settled in, in th e loft an d floo r aroun d Gerty (th e Aga) The n arrangement s fo r th e followin g day' s expeditio n wer e made Th e nex t morning , after abou t six hours sleep, ou r party, led b y Dav e Ramsden , set ou t o n its 30 mile wal k at 0900 Th e wal k too k th e group , o f abou t 10, fro m th e Old Chapel t o Blae n Onnean Whe n w e arrived w e wer e greete d b y a froze n hors e an d ever y weathe r conditio n know n t o ma n excep t sunshine New s reache d th e walker s fro m rovin g master s abou t a mild case of exposur e (not indecent ) sustaine d b y a membe r of th e rock climbin g party Th e nex t da y wa s a slight improvemen t o n th e nigh t befor e (no t tha t muc h coul d b e worse) W e trekke d acros s a vast expans e o f heather, arriving at To r Pantea u statio n in th e early afternoon Ther e w e wer e visited b y a n Arm y Office r wh o questione d us Tha t evenin g ther e wa s a n orienteerin g course , so kindl y set u p b y Mr Brow n an d Mr Dennison
Th e followin g day' s weathe r wa s goo d as w e climbe d Pen-yFan Th e Roma n Roa d wa s half covere d wit h a layer of sno w whic h w e ha d t o pick ou r wa y through , the n o n t o th e en d of th e walk
Tha t evenin g th e majorit y of th e part y left fo r Breco n t o g o t o th e cinema this bein g th e nigh t th e tw o group s wer e together However thos e member s goin g o n th e wal k wh o ha d no t go t a complet e ten t ha d t o sta y behind
Th e followin g mornin g th e othe r part y set out It wa s ou r tur n t o g o climbin g u p at Llangattoc k cliffs Th e climb s tha t day progresse d fro m eas y t o difficult Suddenl y at abou t 1530 th e heavens opene d an d it poure d wit h rain
Bac k at th e Ol d Chape l Mr Naish remaine d his cool self, apar t fro m on e instanc e whe n he cleaned ou t th e T y Bach
Tha t evenin g th e climber s slept in muc h mor e comfor t withou t th e othe r rabble milling around
Th e followin g mornin g Mr Stace y too k a grou p caving Afte r abou t 2 Vi hour s of subterranea n slipping slidin g an d crawlin g throug h inche s of water w e wer e thoroughl y soake d an d mudd y bu t happy
In th e afternoo n climbin g continue d as th e othe r half wen t underground It wa s here tha t th e funnies t inciden t of the cam p too k place Dav e Ramsde n starte d t o abseil bu t his fee t stayed still an d his bod y continue d on H e ende d up sitting agains t th e rock face
O n th e final da y w e wen t o n a gorg e wal k wit h Mr Hope Th e strea m starte d off as a small dribble in a forest , the n becam e a wid e flowin g river Th e forc e o f th e wate r wa s disappointing However , Davi d Morri s foun d extem e pleasure in wadin g throug h thig h hig h water
Tha t evenin g ther e wa s ye t anothe r orienteerin g cours e o f abou t 8 miles Thi s wa s quit e eas y apart fro m on e checkpoin t in Llanbedr wher e som e kids stole th e car d punch Kevi n Morga n and Joh n
William s wo n in a tim e o f 1 hr 20 minutes
Th e followin g mornin g everythin g ha d t o b e spick an d spa n befor e leaving Th e buse s wer e loaded , an d after Mr Naish too k som e snapshot s w e departed
Thi s holida y wa s ver y enjoyabl e an d I a m sure tha t everyon e wh o wen t woul d like t o than k Mr Stacey Mr Brown Mr Dennison Mr Hope Mr Naish an d Chris Lockley
Thi s year th e RA F Summe r Cam p wa s at RA F Stanbridg e nea r Leighto n Buzzard RA F Stanbridg e is a non-operationa l station , whic h mean s it has n o aircraft It is a communication s centr e bein g the link betwee n th e nationa l an d internationa l communicatio n network s of th e Arme d Forces Despit e th e seemin g dullnes s of th e lack of aircraft, w e carrie d ou t several exercises, mos t o f whic h wer e enjoyable Th e majorit y wer e connecte d wit h RAF bu t som e wer e generally usefu l fo r futur e occasion s in life On e suc h exercise wa s th e fire drill in whic h th e group s compete d fo r th e fastes t tim e t o get a fire hose operative W e wer e also show n ho w t o use differen t type s of fire extinguisher On e othe r useful exercise wa s th e map-makin g exercise, wher e w e ha d t o mak e a ma p of RA F Stanbridge Thi s exercise helpe d t o give on e an understandin g o f th e lie o f th e land, although , in fact , since th e boy s of Brighto n Sixt h For m College had duplicate d map s of th e Station , all th e map s produce d wer e straight copie s o f these ! Th e weathe r wa s fin e throughout , except , of course , o n th e da y w e wen t flying Fortunatel y th e rain did no t quit e preven t us fro m flyin g at RA F Abingdon , whic h wa s quit e a n interesting statio n sinc e Jagua r aircraft are service d ther e an d thes e wer e flying around Beside s th e exercises w e also manage d a numbe r of visits W e visited th e Shuttlewort h Collectio n an d th e RA F Museu m at Hendon , whic h ha d a goo d collectio n
DUK E O F EDINBURG H GOL D Thi s year onl y thre e peopl e wh o ha d complete d their Silver award s decide d t o carry o n an d attemp t their Gold The y wer e Davi d Hudson Stev e Darwel l an d Mik e Baxter Th e expeditio n side o f th e awar d ove r 'wil d country ' wa s carrie d ou t in th e Breco n Beacons Th e practic e expeditio n too k plac e in th e last weeken d of November , whic h mean t it wa s very cold Th e actua l expeditio n wa s carried ou t in th e first wee k of April , whic h mean t it wa s still quit e cold Th e expeditio n member s wer e accompanie d b y Angu s McQuee n (of Pennin e Wa y fame ) t o mak e u p th e number s t o th e statutor y minimu m of 4 Thank s mus t be give n t o Mr Brow n an d Mr Petherbridg e fo r th e tim e the y gav e u p t o supervise us, eve n thoug h it gav e the m a goo d excus e t o sampl e th e hospitalit y in ever y pu b in Breco n an d th e surroundin g area
Th e service side wa s mad e u p o f tw o parts For th e first 1 / 3 w e decorate d a n old lady' s bathroo m an d th e rest of th e tim e wa s mad e up b y helpin g t o teac h peopl e at Unit y House , th e da y centr e fo r th e physically handicappe d in Worcester , t o read , write , coun t an d tell th e time
Th e residential wee k wa s spen t at Wallingto n Hall in Northumberlan d o n an Acor n Camp , whic h prove d t o be mor e interestin g tha n wa s expected , if onl y du e t o th e rather varie d an d perhap s slightl y eccentri c peopl e encountered
Th e interest an d physica l activit y part s are being complete d as this article is writte n an d so hopefull y in th e no t to o distan t futur e th e Palace an d th e right han d of th e Duk e will be real an d no t imaginary M.B. D.H. S.D
CHES S CLU B
' Markin g time ' is possibl y th e politest wa y of describin g th e Chess Clu b last season W e di d hav e tw o teams bu t th e chanc e o f havin g all twelv e boy s in th e righ t place at th e right tim e verge d o n negligible Thi s wa s exemplifie d b y th e fac t tha t for on e matc h th e captai n forgo t t o tur n up !
Bu t th e seaso n muddle d o n unde r th e careful, if sometime s despairing , guidanc e o f Mr Anderton , an d w e achieve d acceptabl e results in all matche s du e t o th e fac t tha t all ou r players are goo d — bu t no t all at th e sam e time , so w e normall y wo n 3 Vz -2V2. Bu t lo an d behold , no-on e wa s mor e surprise d tha n I whe n w e wer e tol d tha t w e had , in fact , wo n bot h th e U1 8 an d U15 divisions
Thi s seaso n ou r meeting s wil l be u p in th e Edgar Towe r o n Monday s after school an d so th e tea m will again be reminde d ho w all th e pieces mov e befor e ou r first matc h in th e Sunda y Times '
Tournament S o if yo u kno w ho w man y square s there are o n a ches s boar d o r eve n ho w man y sides ther e are in a gam e — com e alon g — we ' re no t a bunc h of chess-ma d introverts
A H Panto n (Secretary )
Sittin g here in Edgar Towe r lookin g straight int o Wag' s expressionless face Th e three pen s o f m y mates bobbin g u p an d down
I'm thinkin g abou t dad' s ne w stere o musi c centre an d th e Beatles
I'm thinkin g abou t m y job in th e future Being a car mechani c and manufacturin g fantastically brilliant sport s cars M y luxur y £50 m
hous e wit h finge r touc h button s so tha t anythin g woul d com e whe n I
wanted I thin k abou t hot coco a an d wha t I'll have fo r tea Perks an d Wa g comin g t o sta y fo r th e weeken d keeps o n ringin g in m y head
Sittin g at hom e wit h th e washin g machin e violently gainin g speed It make s m e thin k of m e in a racing car wit h all m y fan s screaming Th e othe r cars are comin g u p close t o me an d m y car (designe d b y myself) is reachin g its to p spee d o f 24 0 mph I see th e chequere d flag wavin g furiousl y at me "I'v e won! " Th e crowd s giv e m e a standin g ovatio n as I drive int o th e pits an d a Ferrari drives ou t t o d o its last lap I rev th e car u p an d accelerat e of f t o d o m y lap o f honour Th e washin g machin e stopped
M y min d looke d at ou r Himalayan-lik e garden Ther e wa s I trudgin g u p Moun t Everest wit h Chri s Bonningto n in fron t of me
Dauntin g thought s of th e Abominabl e Snowma n crushin g m e wit h its foot o r a n avalanch e ruining ou r hope s of ever gettin g t o th e summit
The n I thin k of m y sister Yuck ! I thin k back t o th e man y fight s w e hav e had , wit h her screamin g her hea d off whil e I stic k a plaster over th e places sh e has bitten m e o r pricke d deep int o m y skin I look at Stuar t Wrigh t countin g ho w man y word s he has writte n whil e the rest o f us tr y an d mak e hi m forget A coupl e of day s ag o m y sister droppe d ou r ca t o n to p of her hous e (whic h w e mad e last Sunday ) an d th e doo r fell of f an d th e ca t pu t her foo t in th e mil k an d spilt it all over th e cushion Bu t no w at a tremendou s cost th e cardboar d bo x has bee n mended
wer e playing Congratulatio
tea m wit h spirit an d energy fo r scorin g vital run s whe n neede d an d taking vital wicket s whe n crucial H
batting b y J Mackie , T Owen , L Field an
IN HOSPITA L
Hospitals have white sheets, high beds, hard mattresses, The patients have nausea, dizziness, visitors.
Doctors, nurses, white coats, thermometers, Noisy trolleys rushing back and forth.
Drips, drugs, disinfectant smells.
Nausea is sickness, dizziness, sleep. Hospital food washed in soap and water. People cleaning everywhere, under, over, around me. Home at last! Relief and comfort. In front of a fire, Drink at hand, The
bowlin g o f A Turner , E Simpson , L Field, an d A MacKelvi e addin g to th e
an d did no t let the side dow n — congratulation s t o all
D.E.H
U12 CRICKE T Played 8 Wo n 3 Draw n 3 Lost 2 A talente d side had a goo d term , in whic h th e highligh t wa s
In th e famil y I a m quit e famou s fo r m y sleep-walking On e nigh t I sleep-walke d fro m m y bedroo m all th e wa y downstairs Tha t is th e en d of m y little essay but I will be bac k soo n P Statha m LIV U13 CRICKE T A ver y successfu l year culminatin g in winnin g ou r division in th e Tavener s 8-a-side Competition However , ou r journe y t o th e semifinal wa s less successfu l an d w e lost o n runs per wicke t average althoug h scorin g mor e runs in tota l tha n th e Ombersle y
R.F.H
For m y Sixth-Formers , leaving
('For the n are the y trul y monks , whe n the y live b y th e labou r of their hands , like ou r father s an d the apostles' The Rule of St. Benedict)
Daybreak is a sick child, coughing, coughing, coughing. You nurse her, I tend the tin-can vapourizer, spooning viscid decongestant spirit on its stone reservoir. It laps it while our febrile child guzzles orange. I exchange wax blocks, strike a match; again, her infected chest tracts spasm, coughing, coughing, coughing. I watch the taper like a vigil keeper, astigmatism smearing; musk-rose odours, and odours of clove and coal-tar hallucogenic to the sleep-starved mind: through her coughing, coughing, I hear stone-mauls dressing a fire-cloven megalith, hoggin buttered on a brickie's hawk, air-hoses bogging aggregate in shuttered ribs, wet grit churning.
Full circle: little more than her age, I listened, nightly, to my father, dying in the little cornflower-blue back bedroom, years of work and Park Drive hawking through a bronchus flooded with phlegm like a worked out seam, lungs scoured and lethal as the acid-vats that called him daily to the traffic-jammed arteries, the bile-green canals of Birmingham's blackened heart. Mornings, he lay like a crumpled candle-end, washed-out, Robin-blued wyncyette pyjamas still buttoned to the collar, bolstered and vigilant for death. I remember squatting on our front palings as men in black barathea appeared, their cream Daimler ambulance boasting the Corporation's achievement of arms: an upraised hammer celebrating the marriage of Art and Industry, a peasant-skirted, palette-toting hipster pledging a cow-gowned factory hand.
At noon Istroll this cool stone hall, patrolling the rows of your lowered heads. Memorials cut in heart-oak illuminate the flukes of\ebensraum that fired and honed this close-grained fine precision tool, our tongue, your gift: Beauchamp Courtney. and best, Chevalier-Cream, sublimating sex in Provencal roses; Brodribb Wagstaff, aethlings of the Blood-Axe; Win tie Tree. and Plum, broad-clothed yeoman scrumpy drinkers. I saunter in sunlight that falls through leaded lozenges on their gold-tendrilled roll, falling like a blessing on your lowered heads. Rising above us all, in roseate sandstone on the eastern wall, sits a headless Christ in Majesty.
I pause, musing on the medieval master mason who crafted this eroded Romanesque relief, and an image of my father rises.
He wears the labourer's stigmata, squat-rump, gorilla-shuffle, stretched arms. And 0, those arms: vein-grained, thrice-puissant power-packs, weathered dead-shores, all make r from wrinkled elbow to the hammer-blued finger nails of the hand that gloved my sparrow-fingers like a warm loaf in St. Martin's market, how many years ago ?
I'll bet the old boy kept this for himself. Let the journeymen horrify the gargoyles, let the indentured lad fiddle a vine-cluster, chamfer an architrave
The Christ was his.
He chose his flawless blocks, chalked his model, fisted for days with bolster and maul.
And all the while, unbeknownst, at this river-crossing on the edge of Europe, the errant water-born seed of Renaissance struck roots in his blood-gravel, blossomed in the kingdoms of his body, Vita Nuova bit his chisel-tip until the still-stiff-sitting Saviour's mantle flowed as we see it now, from shoulder to lap, falling in folds with the sprezzatur a of a Beatrice's love-loosened gown.
On his scaffold, stopping to brush the flints out of his beard, he would ease his eyes in this green Benedictine light, as now, here and there along the rows, seeking for a word, you raise your eyes toward his b/oodstoned Christ, pause, as if catching the Creator's whisper that issues still from this dressed Triassic sand-dune, then bow your heads again, bend your backs toward the living rock — and work.
Roger Hunt
SPRIN G I N WOMEN' S SURGICA L
Air, bank-note crisp, dutches at me.
Nuzzles soft curves, Buffets shyly maturing womanhood And frosts soldier-straight hairs Parading to attention along Faded khaki arms.
Leaf-naked twigs scream away From the storm's hungry snorts, Writhing in ice-touched agony to Northern Lights' game of Musical Hemispheres.
Primroses masquerade as Butter-pats, snuggled in Jacket-potato undergrowth.
Wherein no booted foot must tread For fear of disturbing their Saffron meditation: they Contemplate their stamens.
Anaesthetised into sterile coolness, I swim mindlessly over Trees, primroses and Sleep-silent soil, Waiting for release from The first incision.
They have laid me out under Snow-drop linen, While I wait for surgeons in Spring-green smocks and masks, Gaping widely in green smiles. Waiting, snow-white, As I would for the Resurrection, Or a fairy-tale.
These trees, What do they talk about As they whisper furtively in Rain-soft breezes?
Do they plot a rebellion Against the tyrant-king, Safe in his bush-murdering castle, Where no trees grow?
Perhaps, in lullaby awe, they comment On the primroses, naive in Leaf-curling, root-clinging slumber.
Maybe they too are waiting. Crushed by an army of Nether/and beetles, they stand in Linen-like snow, Anaesthetised by winter and waiting for the axe-man's scalpel: Waiting for re/ease, Like me.
Cath y Robinso n M 6
HIGHWA Y 85
Above, the stilted amber lights, Bridge of concrete gossamer spans a path That paint, white-hot, directs a line Towards another sleepless night. Sign-directed peace that drives me on To reach another sign and taste
The nauseous fumes of thoughts That, in their sulphide stench, suffocate tame reason and spur
My passage to greater haste.
Deserted highway hell.
Conscience fights to tell the lust for peace
To rest, restore her to obscurity.
To cease and play some other game.
C Covin s U 6
PHOENI X Darkened room, And shadowed corner, Hold no fear; For battled age and impetuous youth know none. Alone in the firelight, The blue-uniformed figure. Medals, That glint like fool's gold. Tokens of worthless strife. Two tiny lamps glow in pallid shadow, Gazing at the fire.
There, Midst the flames, Springs forth a child. Tall and fair; Proud, In the golden light; Running through burning coals. Running, Darting, Shooting, Twisting, Killing, Falling; Winged paradise bird. Flapping the grime. Boiling Crimson, That spurts into Golden Flame.
Life that drains away into The Fire. Gone.
Consumed with dying Ember. Returning to the cradle In Death.
The lamps are Dim.
Tartan-rugged knee Lies still.
The unsound clock Ticks to a halt: In morbid silence.
The fire has gone out.
E. Kemp U. R. B.
A SOGG Y SAG A
Water , wate r everywher e an d no t a dro p t o drink,
An d so begin s a saga tha t ca n onl y mak e on e think
W e ha d fo r years an d years , it seemed , complaine d withou t avail
T o en d th e constan t drippin g fro m ou r ceilings, pail by pail
Th e Winslo w Block , w e crie d an d cried, is drivin g us quit e mad ,
An d so the y sent fo r architec t wh o sent repor t quit e bad
W e though t tha t the y ha d filed their plans t o rectify th e matter ,
Unti l w e heard work' s t o b e don e instea d of natter, natter
Let' s wait' , the y said, 'till summe r come s an d weathe r wil l be fine ,
No t realising tha t ou r poo r luck woul d follo w usual line
An d so on e day w e hear d a soun d of hobnai l boot , to boot ,
An d bits of roof cam e tumblin g dow n whic h fairly mad e us hoot
W e hear d th e stone s descen d like rain throug h all the drainpipe s wide ,
An d thought s of rapid stoppage s welle d u p in us an d cried
A t first w e heard a plaintiv e cry fro m Mary' s Chemm y Lab, They'v e broke n rudd y fa n fro m fum e cupboar d the y have
Bu t roofin g boy s kep t o n an d o n excep t whe n the y left off
Whic h seeme d t o us fo r day s an d days fo r weathe r t o get rough
S o the y coul d take a holida y t o get bac k all their power
T o continu e wit h their poundin g o n th e roo f fo r hou r by hou r
An d no w at last at long lon g last w e notice d n o mor e noise
A s workme n quickl y packe d awa y their teapot s an d their toys
An d all their junk fro m building s lip, Wa s tippe d right int o Eden' s skip
Yea , eve n barro w too k a fall
whic h too k awa y som e wal l an d all
Wit h bate d breat h w e waite d rain
Whic h soo n cam e roarin g like a train
T o test th e wor k tha t wa s completed
T o wha t a sight w e wer e all treate d t i
Water , wate r everywhere ,
Even runnin g dow n th e stair
Chemm y prep , roo m floode d out ,
W e though t w e sa w som e big fat trout !
Physics labs wer e no t exclude d
Whe n wate r fro m th e pipes exuded
An d Schoo l Sarge cam e wit h rubbis h bin
T o catc h th e wate r falling in
Bursar! Bursar ! w e all cried
All ou r patienc e sorely tried ,
'Brin g th e workme n bac k again' ,
Specially as w e though t 'mor e rain'
An d as w e though t it just a plot
The y foun d th e drain pipes filled wit h grot
No w Denni s tries wit h all his migh t
T o tr y an d rectif y ou r plight ,
But sad t o say wher e his fee t trod ,
The y ha d t o call in Dynorod
Bit b y bit th e gro t cam e out
W e all waite d fo r th e trou t (n o luck)
Rain an d rain it poure d som e more ,
An d covere d General Scienc e floor
So up agai n the y climbe d t o roof
'Twa s the n the y foun d th e awfu l truth
Wate r tan k hous e doo r stuc k fast ,
Ope n t o th e rainstorms ' blast
Still wate r poure d in Physics Lab
Thing s wer e lookin g prett y drab
Ah , the y cried , we'v e foun d a plug ,
An d dow n cam e wate r glug , glug , glug
Anothe r pip e the y foun d t o prod ,
An d onc e mor e sent fo r Dynorod
Can' t ge t roun d corner , forema n cried ,
A s drain pip e ben d h e ha d espied
You II hav e t o ge t a plumbe r fas t
A s weather' s likely goin g t o last
Plumbe r cam e in thre e days ' tim e
An d fixe d ne w ben d (can' t fin d a rhyme)
Alas, th e boar d tha t he pulled of f
Has left th e pip e in ope n trough
One da y mayb e afixed twil l be,
Oh wha t a gloriou s sigh t t o see
An d so thi s tale is still no t ended ,
Min d akimbo , slightly bended
E.T.B
TH E JUNIO R SCHOO L - ST ALBAN S
Unlik e previou s years, there wer e n o ne w staff t o settle in at th e beginnin g o f th e Schoo l year
Th e Harves t Festival Service wa s hel d in th e Schoo l Chape l an d there wa s a fin e display o f fruit, vegetable s an d groceries Thi s foo d wa s the n distribute d b y a fe w of th e boy s t o som e of th e needy , elderly peopl e living in th e Worceste r area
Th e Carol Servic e held in College Hall too k a different for m this year It incorporate d a musica l interpretatio n o f th e Nativit y Story , called "Holl y fro m th e Bongs" , in whic h all th e boy s too k part
Th e Variet y Concer t in th e Easter ter m provide d a goo d evening' s entertainmen t fo r parents an d friend s an d great enjoymen t fo r th e boys Mone y fro m th e ticket sales provide d a goo d telescop e fo r us e b y th e boys Th e pla y produce d durin g th e Summe r ter m wa s
"Th e Kin g Wh o Too k Sunshine" Mone y donate d after thes e performance s wa s use d t o bu y stage make-u p fo r futur e events
Durin g th e Summe r term , th e boy s bega n in earnest t o raise
mone y fo r th e Actio n in Distress projec t tha t w e are sponsoring Variou s swee t sales, jumbl e sales, boo k sales, no t t o mentio n varie d sponsore d event s an d a "jamboree" , provide d mor e tha n th e £125
whic h w e hav e promise d ever y year, t o hel p build a schoo l in Burundi , East Africa , an d t o educat e th e childre n there
Toward s th e en d o f th e Summe r term th e third for m spen t a fe w night s campin g at th e Old Chapel Fortunately ther e wa s a break wit h traditio n an d the y ha d goo d weather Th e boy s all enjoye d th e experience althoug h it wa s by n o mean s jus t a holiday wit h the m
workin g a lon g day gettin g u p wit h th e birds
Club s an d out-of-Schoo l activities continue d t o flouris h throughou t th e year Thes e activities include d Natural History Chess Modelling Stamps Recorder Sports Tennis Ar t an d Craft Swimmin g an d Drama
Th e Cricke t tea m ha d a successfu l year , an d for th e secon d year runnin g wo n th e Eleven-a-Side Worceste r Are a Primary School s Competitio n an d so wa s awarde d th e Knowle s Cup
Goo d academi c results wit h all th e Junio r Schoo l boy s passin g th e Junio r Entranc e Examination s fo r th e Middl e School complete d a successfu l an d activ e year
Junio r Schoo l Prizes wer e awarde d t o th e following :
For m I Charles Annabl e For m III
Mar k Lewi s Jame s Partridge
For m II Stuar t Dunca n Christophe r Hadley Matthe w Hutching s Charles Line
Simo n Mee s Bruc e Valp y General Knowledg e Prize: David Ogle
M.F.B
TH E SE A
The sea is a monster pale and grey, Surging and splashing every day, Eating men when really cross, And throwing boats upon the rocks.
The sea is a friend, deep and blue, Happy swimming for me and you, Children splashing on the shore. The sea is smiling, giving more.
The sea is important, grand and strong. Bearing ships on journeys long. Taking people to foreign sands. And changing goods from land to land.
The sea is fragmented all over the world. Roaring and foaming, flat and cold, Housing fish eating their tea, What a wonderful thing is the sea.
A SUMME R STOR M
It was a beautiful summer day, And the sun was shining bright, The black clouds slowly gathered, And it went as dark as night.
The rain fell large as coins, And the lightning started flashing, People ran for shelter. As the thunder started crashing.
Simo n Cather y I
TH E CONCORDE' S DEPARTUR E
As the adventurous passengers embark, And settle comfortably in the luxurious seats, The dart-like gliding bird swoops Into the everlasting pool of milk.
The arrow flits through the delicate bloom Of chalk-like, flowery clouds.
The streak of speed performs its miracle, As the illuminated screen entertains the fascinated people, The contented holiday lights up.
Christophe r Hadle y IIIB
Marti n Blakewa y Michae l Evans
Mar k Jenkinso n Richard Lamber t David Mac k Smit h Adria n Palme r
PURPL E
Like a sunset, dark and bright,
Like a dawn, ending the night.
Like a house with tile and brick, Like an ostrich that gives a kick.
Mar k Lewi s IIB
