As I look back on my years at King's, I do so inevitably with a double perspective.
First and foremost, of course, I focus on the year just accomplished, one where yet again there has been much to celebrate. The academic excellence of the School was splendidly summarised in the achievements of eight of its members in winning awards to Oxford and Cambridge for October 1983and eight in winning places for entry. It is also exciting to record that, for the second year running, a scholarship has been won to Imperial College London and it was gratifying to learn, from a piece of research instituted by I.C.I., that King's is one of the foremost schools in the country in producing under-graduates to read engineering.
Elsewhere, the by now customary breadth of activity and commitment has continued. Pride of place in sporting achievement must go to Peter Beaumont, who represented Great Britain in the under nineteen crew at the World Rowing Championships in Italy, whilst for the fourth time in five years one of our rugby XV achieved a final trial at national level. Meanwhile, similar distinction must be accorded to Edward Kemp, whose play, "The Iron and the Oak", won first prize in the under-21 division of the National Playwright competition, organised by the National Youth Theatre - something that came as no surprise to those of us who enjoyed the play's first production at King's last Summer. Dramatic and musical creativity has again been a major feature of the school year, most notably perhaps in the superlative Spring Term production of "The Boy Friend".
The year has also seen striking developments in terms of resources. Computing is making a subtle but highly effective impact in numerous Departments, the covering of the swimming pool and the construction of new Changing Rooms on the Playing Fields has greatly improved our sporting amenities and the work now being undertaken on Number Twelve, College Green and on St. Alban's is part of an important programme designed to increase the attractions offered by the School both at junior and at Sixth form level in the highly competitive educational world of both City and County.
At a time like this, however, I hope I may be forgiven for concluding with the longer perspective. We have loved our years at the School and wish it every success under my successor. It is not for me, of course, to attempt to measure my contribution over these four years. I believe that much has been achieved but much has yet to be done. As I move, I shall take with me a host of happy memories. Amongst these will certainly number the cathedral service for the Royal Maundy, a number of memorable productions, several sporting highlights, the joy and privilege of playing the Schubert quintet in College Hall with Felix Kok, likewise of playing with Humphrey Lyttelton here last January alongside my own Big Band and finally, but by no means least important, Edward Patey's superlative sermon on my first Senior King's Day, more than matched, I may say, by Tom Baker's deeply sensitive sermon on my last. As I recently wrote in "Browneye", an under-ground magazine and one of the year's better innovations, my most powerful long-term memories of my time at King's will be a blend, made up of the beautiful surroundings in which I have lived and worked and the generosity, creativity and kindness of my many friends here.
Andrew Milne
Dr. John Moore
This term we welcome Dr. John Moore to the School as Headmaster in succession to Mr. Andrew Milne.
Dr. John Michael Moore was born in 1935. He was educated at Rugby School and at Clare College Cambridge where he was a major scholar obtaining first class honours in the Classical Tripos Parts I and 11; followed by a Thesis on the manuscripts of the Greek Author Polybius for which he received a Ph.D.
He was appointed to the Staff of Winchester College where he served until 1964; when he transferred to Radley where he has been Head of Classics since 1966 and Director of Sixth Form Studies since 1974. He was House Tutor at Radley 1964180.
His interests are painting, travel, gardening, walking and writing; having written four books and sundry articles.
His wife, Jill Mary Moore was educated at Perse School, Cambridge, Winceby House School, Bexhill-on-Sea, and the Royal Academy of Music, studying speech and drama. She has held various teaching posts throughout the UK, Switzerland and in Sweden. Her present post, teaching English as a Foreign Language, is at St. Clare's Hall, Oxford.
Mrs. Moore is an ex-Chairman of the Oxford Consumers' Group and, since November 1982 Chairman of the Consumers in the European Community Group.
In May 1983, Dr. Moore recorded some initial feelings about his new position:
By the time you read this, we shall know each other a great deal better than we do at the moment. It is a strange business to sit down and attempt to summarise one's feelings about moving to a new school when one is still deeply involved in the most hectic patch of term in one's present incarnation. What can be said is that my wife and I are excited at the prospect of coming to Worcester, and touched by the warmth of the welcome which we are receiving from all directions.
The combination of the King's School, the Cathedral, the City and the country round about makes the prospect very alluring. I am deeply aware of the importance and complexity of the task which my wife and I are taking on. We have had entrusted to us a school with a long and fine tradition and high standards, and that at a time when the pressures on the independent sector are considerable. This is a challenge which is stimulating. We hope to work with all of
you to maintain the school's distinguished record both academically and in all other fields; it will be our aim for the King's School to continue to be a happy and successful community devoted to high standards and fully justifying the postion of esteem which it enjoys locally and nationally.
We are lucky to inherit a school which is in good order; we intend that, with the help of all of you, it will continue to be successful and in the lead as education develops in the future.
John Moore
Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Milne
In welcoming our new Headmaster and his wife we must not neglect to say goodbye and thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Milne.
Andrew Milne's term of office may have been short, but much was achieved under his leadership. For instance the School has gained No. 12 College Green, a building which has already proved an asset and which will be of greater and greater value as the massive renovation programme comes to an end. Major improvements have been carried out in St. Alban's, new Changing Rooms have been built on the School Field, the Old Chapel in the Black Mountains has been bought, the Swimming Pool has been covered.
On the academic side the School achieved its best results ever in 1982183 in terms of Oxbridge and A levels. Leading the School into participation in the government's Assisted Places scheme, and very successfully revamping 'Conference and Common Room' have been other sides of his achievement.
Musically the School has been very active on both the classical and the jazz fronts during the Milne administration. Mrs. Milne of course has made a major contribution to the School's music. One hopes also that her dedicated and determined efforts to re-open the ferry will prove of permanent benefit to those crossing to the School fields. Not an unimpressive catalogue of achievement in a few short years. What I am sure they will be remembered for best though, by a great many people, is their unfailing good humour, friendliness and warmth. We thank them in particular for that and we wish them the best of good fortune in the future.
P.G.L.C.
And Farewell to....
Mr. Jim Baytle
Mr Andwu Kir~en
Mr. Tim Crow
Mr. Uavd Pemherton
Mr. Unvd filton
This year we say farewell to five of our colleagues as well as the Head Master. Jim Bartle came out of retirement to aid the Maths Department in its hour of need and will be sorely missed for his considerable experience and willingness to help his pupils. His quiet, gentle humour and good nature are real losses to the Common Room. Our best wishes go to him in his final(?) retirement.
Andrew Kneen's retirement was like the man himself, unfussy and modest. He was an artist for whom The Guardian was required reading and could discourse on an amazing range of unlikely topics however remotely they touched on his own subject, while staff room banter often revealed opinions that were forcefully held.
His main interest lay in the teaching of painting, art history and architecture but he never gave any real hint of idols. (The only remembrances are of him enthusing about I.K. Brunel - the engineers' artist.) He will be most remembered for the set designs of numerous school productions, the conception of these often being his own and increasing in ambition with the years. Like any artist he was at his best under pressure and there is a vivid memory of him painting 8 life-size portraits of boys in 4 afternoons of intensive painting for the set of Ruddigore. It says much that one of the boys bought his.
Andrew was an intensely private person of whom - now he has gone - we really knew very little. However, those of us who visited him at home were granted some privileged insights into the enigma from the autobiographical paintings which adorned the walls of his home. All who paint have a dream and Andrew was no exception. He wished for nothing more than a country cottage and a patch of land on which to enjoy his 'Good Life'. In wishing him and his wife, Myrtle, a happy retirement, we add our hopes that his dream will soon find fulfilment.
I'm assured that what is more or less a complete exodus from the English Department - Roger Hunt last year and now three more valued colleagues this - is attributable to a series of coincidental factors rather than to my own badtempered regime. To say farewell to so many is both a rueful and a happy experience; each of those who have gone has made a unique contribution to our corporate life and each, in his own way, is moving on to other kinds of important fulfilment.
From the moment I met Tim Crow I knew that we were in for something special. He wore a suit that day, the trousers a touch generous at the base, the sleeves of the jacket attached with Velcro, the tie unrestrained; he talked enthusiastically, even passionately, about what he wanted to do; even then he was all initiative, imagination, energy and commitment. Those who have known Tim and Joanna during the past ten years will have their own memories and appreciations of their contribution to the life of the school. From perhaps thousands of personal and professional moments I recall with both pleasure and gratitude working with him in close collaboration on several dramatic productions; his standards were of the highest, his insights original, his techniques disciplined, his industry boundless. That King's School drama has enjoyed such a distinguished reputation in recent years has been largely the result of his very considerable effort and talent. I know the casts of The Crucible, Tomrny, View from the Bridge and countless more warmed to, and still do so in retrospect, the discipline and the fun of rehearsals presided over by Tim's unflappable professional concern and performances willed on by his agitated if silent repetition of the script as they moved with his imparted grace from one scene to another. This is but one area of school activity in which his very substantial abilities flourished. Many felt the benefit of his personality and scholarship in the classroom, too; a lecture on The
Counter-Culture leapt from one music machine to the next, through The Beatles and The Who to Kierkegaard and Nietsche and all stations in between; a fourth form group sat together in the 'dentist's waiting room' sharing the hopes and fears of their assumed roles; the sixth form laughed with frustration as they tried to find their way through Lear's heath while Tim refused to give them the 'answers'. There was always joy as well as industry in his classroom. There were few people and places untouched by his influence. He is a natural games player; he always took the honours in our weekly game of fives, stroked the ball to the boundary in the occasional game of cricket with such easy grace and natural timing that he might have been playing daily for months, just looked a 'natural' in any sporting context and was always able and enthusiastically willing to pass on the detailed techniques of his trade. The activities of the Christian Union flourished under his leadership and he leaves there, too, a legacy of understanding and commitment which is motivated by thought, study and discussion rather than dogma.
I suppose it's not surprising that a man of strong conviction and ideas should wish to change the direction of his life after ten years here. Tim always believed there was a divinity that shaped his ends; at two o'clock one morning on the M6 the school bus, loaded with actors returning from a theatre visit to Manchester, runs out of petrol; a pause, a car behind stops, a parent of a boy in the school who chances to be passing proffers a spare can of petrol. All is well; our 'rough hewings' are made smooth. That is Tim's experience in less frivolous, less trivial instances, too, and he has felt it right now to acknowledge in a more practical way what is for him divine guidance. He is, simply, one of the finest colleagues I have known and been privileged to work with; he will be much missed. He goes to his new work with our warmest gratitude for the past and our highest aspirations for his and his family's future.
David Pemberton's move to Manchester Grammar School after three years here is clearly a good move for both Pauline and him and they, too, have our affectionate good wishes for their future there. Again, they will be missed. David is, in the best sense, a thoroughly 'professional' colleague, always well prepared, willing to tackle new challenges with real commitment and drive; he moved with ease, in the course of a teaching day, from the pastoral duties of a fourth form master to the sixth form class with its intellectual demands, and from the rehearsal for a play to the needs of the 2nd XI; always his affable and conscientious personality presided, informed by a wry but generous wit. To undertake, as a relatively inexperienced member of staff, to direct as demanding a production as Kes was in itself a bold move; to achieve it with such noted success was remarkable. He took on the responsibility of The Vqornian and made of it an attractive and worthy school magazine. It's not difficult, in enumerating his contributions to the life of the school, to see what a gap his going has left. It would be both invidious and dishonest to say we shall not fill it - that's how schools operate. But his role in initiating as well as in continuing the life of King's School, is unique and positive; we're very appreciative of it.
David Fulton is a man of considerable intellect; the breadth of his reading, particularly of the modern period, coupled with a shrewd and incisive mind, make him a formidable scholar. Those who were privileged to spend a relaxed evening with him admired and enjoyed the lucidity of his eloquence and the quickness of his wit. That he was really suited to the more heady intellectual environment of a university was confirmed by his appointment to the staff at Edinburgh where I know his talents will be appreciated. Perhaps 'too little and too lately known', David goes North with our very best wishes.
So we are the poorer for their going. We are, though, as individuals, less important than the whole. King's Schoolwhatever that really means - will go on. Already, though the names are different, the spirit is the same; I, or someone like me, will be writing the same sort of obituaries for the new young men who are already planning, late at night, plays and things, getting excited by possibilities and, no doubt, in due course, frustrated by constraints. For the moment, we can celebrate what, in their several ways, Tim and the two Davids have done to advance the cause. There would have been no general progress without them. P.G.D.
....And welcome
For those who keep up to date with Common Room changes, this year may prove more than normally confusing. As well as welcoming our new Head Master, Dr. John Moore, we also warmly greet six new members of the staff.
The English Department has seen the largest facelift with the arrival of Anthony Clemit, Stephan Le Marchand and John Meth.
Anthony Clemit was born and brought up in Northumberland. He read English at UCL, and went on to complete an M.A. in English and French Literature at York University. Before joining us at King's he taught French and English at St. John's School, Northwood. His interests include Drama and related activities, theatre and music.
Stephan Le Marchand comes from Jersey and read English and Theatre Studies at the University of Warwick. Between 1979 and 1981 he trained to be an actor at The Bristol Old Vic. From 1981 until he joined us he worked as a professional actor.
John Meth was born in North London and was educated at the City of London School after which he went to the University of East Anglia in 1980. His interests include theatre and television and he has taken part in the National Student Drama Festivals of 1982 and 1983 and in the Edinburgh Fringe of the same years. He is an armchair 'Spurs' supporter and has a secret ambition to become a Pinkerton Detective. It seems quite obvious that the excellent reputation of drama at King's is to be further enhanced.
Oliver Barton is our new addition to the Maths department and his acting talents and writing and composing talents will also be called on in the near future. Other interests lie in Calligraphy, food and drink, and microcomputers. He was educated at Cheltenham College and Magdalen College, Oxford and his teaching experience is extensive, ranging from Kingston Grammar to Churchill Comprehensive near Bristol.
The Chemistry Department is compounded of many varied personalities and Andrew Haigh completes the current formula. Educated at Arnold School, Blackpool, and Queen's College Cambridge where he studied Natural Sciences, he will be a valuable complement to the school's sporting life. His interests lie with tennis, hockey, badminton and squash and he is also a keen amateur photographer.
Finally, graphic evidence of our ubiquitous Common Room is portrayed by the arrival of John Exton from Clarendon College, Nottingham. Trained as a graphic designer, he has had 8 designs exhibited at the Design Centre, London, and has produced work for the Welsh Arts Council, The Post Office, Penguin Books, North Wales Association for the Arts and various other organisations. As a teacher he has worked in Hull, Nuneaton, Hereford and Nottingham (not to mention a borstal!). Recently married, he and his wife are writing and illustrating their own poetry and prose and hope to inaugurate a press in the near future at their Ross-on-Wye cottage.
Welcome to you all and may you enjoy a long and beneficial stay with us.
M; Anthony Clem Mr S
Mr. Andrew Haigh
Mr. John E&t on
CCF 1982-1983
We welcome the return of Mr. Hope after his year in the USA, and are pleased that he has resumed his command of the RAF detachment. The RAF section has, since his return, been increased considerably in numbers, and this year many more recruits will be taken in at the start of the Upper Remove year.
Numbers in the Army Section remain well above establishment strength, with an encouraging number of senior cadets volunteering to remain in the contingent to act as senior NCO's. This year the CSM was P. Essenhigh and the senior Staff Sergeant H. Jeffery. These two set a very high standard in enthusiasm and effective instruction, an example which was quickly followed by the other senior NCO's. Cpls Matthews and Brunyee received very satisfactory reports after attending the HQ UKLF leadership course in the Easter holidays. RSM Parker of the Cadet Training Team again organised a successful Cadre for the training of junior instructors. We are sorry that Mr. Parker will be leaving us this year after too short a stay. We shall be welcoming his replacement in December.
The Adventurous Training Camp attended by 25 boys was held in the Easter Holidays at the Old Chapel. Mr. Griffiths was responsible for its successful organisation with the help of SRD, MAS, RFH, ALS, and Mr. Denison (OV) who continues to take his holidays with the King's School CCF - an arrangement which we very much appreciate. Summer camp was at Sennybridge where 35 boys enjoyed an excellent week's training organised by HQ Wales. The weather was very hot and a series of competitive exercises were carried out in almost tropical conditions. The contingent did particularly well against strong opposition, to finish second in both the March and Shoot and the Orienteering and third in the .303 shooting. Mr. Denison was with us again at summer camp, and thanks are due to him, as well as to IB and ALS for helping to make it such a successful week. Our thanks to Major General R.C. Keighley Commander Western District for taking time to visit us at Sennybridge.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S SILVER AWARD
Expedition in the Black Mountains/Brecon Beacons
After converging in the playground at 9.30 on the Friday morning it didn't take we macho mountaineers long to realise there was a female contingent from the WGGS. (I wonder why Mr. Mason didn't tell us beforehand.)
A decaying KSW minibus eventually dropped us just outside Crickhowell, where we waved goodbye to civilization for the next three days. Arriving at Crickhowell for about 12.00p.m., we decided that as we had walked miles (at least two) we should take a short break and a sandwich. Two hours later we left Crickhowell stopping quite a few times before reaching our very secluded camp site, (on the map it was plotted on the right of the road, in reality it was two hundred metres up a hill to the left). At about 5.00p.m. tents were pitched, water was pitched and a wholesome meal was had by all, varying from Pot-noodle to tinned beef stew. Our heart-warming camp fire was lit and our first night under the stars went off(!) very well.
After waking to the smell of bacon, sausages and black pud frying in grassy fat we rose, ate, cleared up the debris and started on our seemingly endless journey on the long and winding road. The welcomed end was a huge anticlimax when we discovered the mountain we had to climb ('Gully' had enough trouble tackling the mole infested field previously). Thereafter we discovered no-mans-land for about five miles before reaching an almost civilized quarry road
4 A member of the RAF section before attempting to $fly.
which we took to arrive at the lunchtime meeting place where we saw Michael Morgan (invalid) for the first time since breakfast. He apparently had cartilage problems. It then came to our attention that he was to spend the second night at the Old Chapel (surprise, surprise, that's where the girls were staying). As the groups began to disperse after a hearty lunch ranging from Pot-noodle (I think that's all Faulstroh ate) to bread and soup; Mr. and Mrs. Mason left with Hopalong Morgan for a glass of medicinal vimto (spelt with six X'S).
After discovering hills with gradients of a size only discussed in one of Mr. Turner's lessons, we made it, exhausted, to our final camp site. (Mr. Mason had obviously chosen our camp sites carefully for we had all the mod cons like a brick shed, a hump back bridge where drivers tried to see who could fly the furthest and a polluted stream.)
The last day was not without fun; we had Roman roads, ridges, streams, reservoirs and 1in 3 hill to conquer. But we all made it, in the end, to the Mountain Centre, our pleasant mountain ramble over. Thanks go to Mr. and Mrs. Mason for all their help and understanding, making for an enjoyable and worthwhile week-end. Thanks also go to the girls who looked after Mike so well on the Saturday evening.
Gareth Wilding
Michael Morgan
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH GOLD AWARD
This year the DOE Gold Award Group went to the Derbyshire Peak District for the final expedition, a fifty mile trek across wild country, to be completed in four days and including a special project to be carried out in the field. Apart from the occasional dense mist, we were extremely lucky with the weather, so that the statutory waterproofs were not needed. After an exhausting first day, during which we seemed to trudge up and down twelve foot deep peat groughs for miles on the top of Bleaklow, the rest of the expedition proved relatively uncomplicated. The following morning, having been plagued the night before by midges, we crossed Midhope Moors and encountered some Army cadets who were stumbling around looking for nonexistant triangulation pillars. Having put them back on the right track - it's always good to get one up on the CCF - we hiked down to Edale, the centre of the Dark Peak and spent the next day exploring the valley. The only problem arose when one female member of the group insisted on practising animal husbandry by feeding sheep on top of Hollins Cross which ensured their unwelcome company for lunch! After spending the night at a beautiful campsite at the foot of the peaks we completed our expedition with a memorable morning's walk around the Kinder Plateau.
For the service section of the award, members of the group worked in a variety of different fields such as caring for mentally handicapped patients or helping with educa-
tionally backward children on a one to one basis in a school environment. Practical assistance led to an appreciation of the needs and problems of others in our society.
In the skills section, activities followed ranged from pottery to clarinet playing and singing to home-brewing. Our thanks go to Mr. Mason for the unselfish giving of his time, especially during the holidays, and for his guidance and eternal optimism throughout the year.
Tim Owen
DUKE OF EDINBURGH GOLD AWARD
When, on Fridays, we appeared in the Lower Sixth Common Room wearing scruff kit we were asked every week, 'Where are you going?' Our reply, 'Powick Hospital', was invariably greeted with disbelief. The local 'loony bin' has quite a reputation. To our surprise and relief the days of padded cells and straight jackets are, despite popular myth to the contrary, well and truly over. Powick is still, however, a formidable place. It took us a month or more to become acclimatised to the grim Victorian buildings and the characters they hold.
Mrs. Green, Head of the Occupational Therapy Department, very kindly gave up her time to find the most suitable activity for us. She placed us in charge of two patients with whom we were to establish relationships as a step to involving them more fully in the communal activities of the hospital. We feel proud that over the year we have contributed to the success achieved with our two patients. They are, naturally, far too institutionalised for release, but they are contributing more fully within the hospital. How long this improvement will last is unknown but our Gold Award service has at least temporarily improved the lives of two of our'most unfortunate citizens.
G. Beckett and T. Tufton
Sailing Club
If you enjoy getting wet, cold and wearing flashy boots, then the Sailing Club is for YOU!
This has been an auspicious year, with first the Sailing Club Dinner, the making of a Sailing Video, and a 100% race success record.
The Sailing Club Video, which we believe to be the first full length production to have been made using School equipment (so the English Department can go jump in the river!) was shot on a particularly gusty October afternoon. We were meant to be racing against the Girls' Grammar School, but due to the very windy conditions, we merely battled to keep the boats upright. Yours truly managed to split a sail, and back into the river bank, smashing the rudder, much to Mr. Roslington's delight. However, the cameraman, Jonathan Ballard, managed to get some excellent pictures, and after spending several afternoons in the video room (Mr. Roslington's sitting room) editing and adding commentary, we managed to put together a twenty minute production. This was 'unveiled' at Christmas at the first Sailing Club Supper, an event which we hope will become an annual occasion.
During the Easter holidays a party went on a two week sailing cruise in the Greek islands, and this expedition is covered in another article, so on to the 100% race success record. Tnis was epitomised by our resounding victory over King's Gloucester S.C., by 13 to 26, in two races. The team of three boats consisted of Helmsmen Jon Main (Cap'n), Guy Beckett and Andrew Griffin, with crews James Shepherd, Simon Lewis and Jonathan Ballard.
Sailing takes place during most weekends and Wednesday afternoons for Sixth Formers.
For the 83184 season, we are pleased to announce that the
"The
Fled " at Brrdon 1s Norton
new Captain of Sailing is Guy Beckett, with Secretary, James Shepherd.
Finally, our thanks go to Mr. Roslington for carting us to and from the water, running the races, mending the boats and attempting to stop us from wrecking them.
Andrew Griffin
Hon. Secretary
Greek Sailing Holiday - Easter 1983
This year, the annual King's School sailing expedition ventured into foreign waters, taking part in a flotilla yachting cruise around the Saronic Islands of Greece. As a brief outline, the holiday was to last two weeks during which time the flotilla would make its way, some 200 miles, from Epidavros to Astros, under the guidance of a lead boat. The lead boat was there to help out with any difficulties that arose and as its name implies, lead the way!
By the time we arrived at Epidavros harbour, the tiny port from which our 'luxurious' yachting cruise was to begin, the tiring journey had taken its toll of our enthusiasm. This culmination of one and a half days travelling was something of an anticlimax, for four weary mariners-to-be.
Over the next few days we accustomed ourselves to the cramped conditions on board the twenty-eight foot yacht 'Shadowfax' that was to be home for the next two weeks. The ship's crew consisted of Jason Holloway, Dave Boulton, James 'Sparky' Shepherd and Julian Warren, with John and Caroline Roslington as our Skippers. We soon realised that there was a good deal more to sailing than one may initially expect, and we began to appreciate the skill and experience of the Roslingtons.
Initially dull weather prevailed but after a few days the Mediterranean sun broke through, and as the clouds lifted and our sailing experience grew, so our enjoyment of the holiday increased. Our planned route was to take us from Epidavros to Astros stopping at Poros, Hydra, Spetse and Naplion among other places. Most of the ports at which we stopped were small and untouched by twentieth century urbanisation, with the notable exception of Naplion, which is one of the larger Greek towns. Perhaps the most popular ports which we visited were Spetse and Hydra. Spetse is a small, picturesque island, forested to a large extent, with many scenic views. Whilst on Spetse, we hired six mopeds and circumnavigated the island. Julian was the only casualty, managing to fall off four times!! He wheeled in what was left of the moped, his usual grin missing for once, but had only to pay the equivalent of £2 for damage, his pride probably being more damaged than the bike! Hydra in
contrast, had only three motorised vehicles, relying for the most part upon donkeys for transport. As it was such a small island, fresh water had to be brought in, and drinks were very expensive.
One of the reasons for Hydra's popularity among us could have been that the sailing conditions around there were the best we encountered, giving us the most enjoyable and invigorating experience of the holiday. With a good wind and a warm sun too, the sailing made the holiday more than worthwhile, although on one particular occasion the wind became just too much, reaching force seven, and we were very relieved to reach the safety of a nearby anchorage. This particular episode did not end here however, as we discovered to our dismay that we had fouled the anchor on a huge chain running along the seabed. It was only because another member of the flotilla came to our aid that we finally managed to free the anchor.
Of the fourteen days we were to spend in Greece, about half were free days, during which we were free to do as we wished. This meant we had some time in which to journey inland to visit a few of the monuments of ancient Greece. Our first trip inland was to the amphitheatre at Epidavros. This is one of the best preserved amphitheatres in the whole of Greece, with superb acoustics. The faintest murmur from the stage was audible in the most distant row of stone seats.
Towards the end of the two weeks, we were able to spend a day at Mycenae, supposedly the burial place of Agamemnon. Although only ruins remain now, during the era of the ancient Greeks, Mycenae was the most important city in the Gulf of Argolis, and a major Greek town. Of what is left, the tombs are the most complete, several of the major ones being almost totally intact. These tombs are entered by means of a covered gateway, leading to a single large hemispherical room, in which both body and possessions were left. After burial, the entrance would be sealed to prevent pillaging of the treasure within. The most famous feature of Mycenae is the Gateway of Lions, obtaining its name from the carvings of two lions above it. They dominate the gateway making it an imposing sight, as one walks through, moving on to the Royal graveyard.
On the penultimate day before departure, a flotilla race was organised. The race route was to take us from Koilas to Astros, across the Gulf of Argolis. It was a beautiful day, if slightly lacking in wind, and at the scheduled time of twelve o'clock, the final gun went, beginning the regatta. It soon became clear that it was a two boat race between 'Shadowfax' and 'Andromeda', the other boats competing soon being left behind. Right up to the latter stages of the race we were neck and neck, and at several times we seemed to be edging away. However, as the end came in sight, the wind dropped giving the lighter 'Andromeda' the advantage, and allowing them to creep ahead. Thus victory was snatched from 'Shadowfax' at the last moment and we finished a close second.
That night Mr. and Mrs. Roslington went for a meal leaving us in charge of the boat. Our meal was to consist of the leftovers of a bar-b-cue organised for the flotilla but which we had missed. Also left over from the bar-b-cue was a significant quantity of wine, which we had orders to dispose of. Thus our menu ran: Ratatouille .in red and white wine, followed by strawberry whip with red and white wine, all washed down with a glass or two of red and white wine! Sparky, obviously suffering from depression after the race, could not contain himself, and feeling the effects of the wine, proceeded to fall asleep across three bunks, and
despite our efforts would not budge, nor could we arouse him.
The next day involved cleaning the boat ready for our departure. We did have time for a final sail though, a very pleasant voyage, and a fitting end to a memorable holiday. We learned a great deal about sailing, and for this knowledge, and the holiday as a whole, we should like to express our gratitude, on behalf of all four of us, to Mr. and Mrs. Roslington who made the whole thing possible.
David Boulton
Jason Holloway
Postscript
The 'skips' wish to return the compliments in full measure with their thanks to an excellent crew and very good company. My gratitude in particular goes to the four anchor menlgalley slaves who made my cruise far less strenuous than usual, despite a cold and futile plunge to the murky depths after that recalcitrant hook! It should be noted that the command of the 'Shadowfax' passed to the Four in toto (navigation too) at the end and here we all are to tell the tale!
Caroline Roslington
The KSW Christian Union
Usual responses to a mention of the Christian Union are either a politely inquisitive glance, a suppressed giggle or just a completely blank face and the question "Oh. Has King's got a C.U.?"
I dread to think how people picture the C.U., but I would agree that nearly all of them would be wrong. We are not people who sit around looking depressed and talking about a loosely defined entity called 'God'. We are just people who have a living and real relationship with God, the giver of all peace and love. We are not special nor are we an elite clique. Our relationship with God is a gift we've received, a gift that is on offer for all willing to accept it.
The C.U. welcomes anyone who is genuinely interestedwe try and include many varied elements of worship, sharing and learning. Our programme is a varied one of prayer discussions, speakers, music, films, trips, singing (any good voices particularly welcome!), fellowship and worship. This year will be an important one for us, in trying out new ideas and methods. One new idea is the introduction of a junior C.U., the God Squad, which we hope will be operational in the not too distant future. We also have plans for a few large public events to explain what we're doing to those who have misconceptions. We're not a 'religious' group because it's not religion we offer to God, but a real deep-down love. Don't hesitate to come and find out what it's all about - we have a very enjoyable and profitable time together - no Latin, no incense, no candles, no cassocks - just Faith.
Mike Parker
Sixth Form Cinema Club
With an ever increasing number of members the cinema club can afford to hire more popular films as the 83-84 list proves, with no less than eight big cinema hits. The standard of the shows became progressively better throughout the last year using a graphic equaliser to shape the sound to each venue, and two projectors to eliminate stoppages between reels.
Projection team: J. Ballard, M. Eaves, K. Scherrnuly. Sound Crew: J. Larkin, A. Brook, S. Cawdell.
Roadies: A. Hockton, C. Wallbanks.
Many thanks must go to Mr. Day for making everything possible and to Rebecca Day for Interval refreshments.
A.N.B.
Skiing
The skiing season never seems to finish at King's now for no sooner had we returned from our first do it yourself venture to Kandersteg in Switzerland than the organisation ground into action to find hotels in Austria for 1983. Tony Halford (OV), now owner of Aston's Coaches, proved invaluable in searching Austria and finally we settled on an hotel in Soll for January and Oberau for Easter. Doing it yourself of course, means negotiating hire rates for skis, boots and passes and also finding teachers. The latter have proved to be excellent, both in leading skiing and also in helping to 'entertain' the parties. Rick Knowles, Nick Turner, Rupert Short (all OV's) and Nick Longland and Robin 'Vods' Graham (St. Paul's, Cheltenham), have improved everyone's skiing and it is because of their skill and enthusiasm that we now take almost 100 pupils skiing each year. Mr. Homer, of course, was 'holidaying' in Austria during the year and by some chance always managed not to be teaching in Vienna when we were there. A great deal of the work is obviously left to him when we have to converse in German.
Both Soll and Oberau proved to be very successful though how fifty came to be booked on a 49 seater coach to Soll still remains inexplicable to me! I also found that Mr. Hope, who ran the Oberau trip at Easter, brought me back an extra bill for a fire extinguisher - something to do with advanced training for the instructors! We now have a growing list of very good skiers, some of whom have helped with teaching. These include Paul Bassett and Steve Dodds, both holders of our highest grade of Gold Honours.
STOP PRESS: Bookings for 1984 are well over 100. I may well be sitting on the floor again!
LB.
The Old Chapel
It was originally discovered by David Annett nearly 20 years ago during a walk in the Crickhowell district and the concept of the King's School Outdoor Activities Centre was born. Inquiries led to the Glen Usk estates and a lease was negotiated for twenty-one years. It was primitive, with no amenities, but a dedicated band of teachers (primarily Paul Cattermole) and boys carried out extensive work and the old stable became a kitchen and a sleeping loft was added including a rope trick fire escape. A Rayburn stove completed the cosiness and various groups ranging from Houses to CCF, and activities from geography fieldwork to drama camps, have all benefited from its addition to the school's facilities.
Some years ago tentative moves were made to see whether it could be purchased once the lease ran out and this year finally saw the purchase completed. Now that it is ours, plans for its use and future development can be established without fear of future disruption. The Governors were to have visited the Old Chapel in the summer but were unable to do so and it is hoped that such a visit will be soon so that potential and costings can be assessed. It would be pleasant to have piped water and a toilet but there are physical and economic difficulties. Other possible changes may include the provision of more accommodation but such decisions will depend on whether it is felt that the school will be better served by its primitivity rather than possible future home comforts.
Of one thing we are certainly sure - the Old Chapel is a unique asset to the school and development of its use through schemes such as the Lower Remove weekly courses must surely be beneficial to the educational development of pupils and staff alike.
DEH
VISITS
Lower Sixth Economics Trip to Bulmers
The most difficult task of the day was to bribe our teachers and housemasters to sign our absence cards to go 'cider drinking' but eventually we set off (without the non-starter David Maye) in an unhealthy Merc with only half an exhaust!
Only two minutes late we massed into the smokey glass and low chaired foyer to be met by an extremely tolerant Chris White (well he had to be, taking 15 Lower Sixth around!) Mr. Peter Prior - ex-chairman - forcefully put across the points of business team work to a few while the others watched the clock hands creep round to coffee time. This came at 1la.m. and we had biscuits - wow!
Fed and watered we trooped through the rain to the factory floor where nothing was happening due to 'regulation checks' (well at least that's what they told us!) then onto the renovated steam train (one of Mr. Prior's brainwaves) to watch a P.R. film.
Next - no it wasn't the visit to the bar - it was down the cellars where the smells had quite a 'distilling effect'!
Up on the surface and back on the (stationary) train we began the tedious task of sampling abley instructed by Mr. 'E' Mason. Somehow we survived and also managed to force a little of the food down, but Dani still insisted that the train kept moving!
Around 2p.m. (very approximate) Mr. C.P. White's tolerance was put to extremes as he talked about training schemes, although I have doubts if anyone really realized what the training was for. After tea and more biscuits Mr. Stuart Randall under the dubious title of 'Group Planning Accountant' took a bemused attitude to us but battled on bravely about 'Tropical Fizz', a non alcoholic drink.
The Merc did get us home in almost one piece and all in all it was a very good and educational(?) trip.
Thanks to all.
Jane Kinnersley
Bulmer's - Teacher's Viewpoint
In recent years 'The Vigornian' has carried a report on the now annual Lower Sixth Economics trip to Bulmer's. Inevitably, the reports have tended to concentrate on the intake of the company's products and the meal provided. This is certainly the most enjoyable part of the day and the company's generosity is greatly appreciated. But more
important is the contribution made to the education of the students and Bulmer's, or more particularly their staff, are no less generous in the time and effort made here.
Economics is the science of wealth; how resources are allocated in order to produce the many different goods we all want, how much should be produced and how is all this production to be distributed. Obviously, any Economics course involves looking at firms as one of the operators in the economic system. It is at this stage of the course that visits to industry are important. It is clearly much better to be able to relate theory to practice. Ideally several firms should be visited but time, as always, is a scarce resource and students do also visit local firms as part of their General Studies course. Bulmer's was chosen because they were willing to host us, they are a nationally known firm but small enough and independent so that their activities can more easily be assimilated. The prospect of a chance to sample some cider also appealed.
Several of the Bulmer's staff have spoken to us over the four years we have visited the Hereford factory. Mr. Peter Prior, until recently Chairman and still an active director, has always provided a stimulating talk on 'Leadership in Industry' and attempted to explain why Bulmer's has good industrial relations and a marvellous record in improving productivity. In the last three years we have done a case study before the visit: should Bulmer's launch "Ossie Drinks Ltd's 'Tropical Fizz"' on an unsuspecting British Public. According to the marketing men's optimistic forecasts the answer is yes but what if they are over optimistic? The calculations are done and implications considered before the visit which provides the basis for a useful talk and discussion with the Group Planning Accountant in which the use and relevance of economic theory is clearly brought out.
These and other talks and discussions provide raw material for classwork and essays after the visit. How much each student gets out of the visit depends on the individual. It does help to bring the 'real world' into the sometimes theoretical world of economics. On the broader front it gives students some insight into the world of industry where many will make their careers, but even if they don't, a world which will be important to them as the 'wealth proucers' of the country. And the verdict of 75 lower sixth students over four rs is that Dry Special Reserve is the est product with one strong vote for Dry Woodpecker! T.
Mason
4 Photo: Nkholas Stephens
During the summer holiday of 1983, Carolyn Timberlake and Sarah Lord spent 8 weeks on an archaeological dig with a difference. This one was on Baffin Island in the very north of Canada. They were very fortunate in being offered 2 sponsorships from the Young Explorers' Society and accompanied Carolyn's uncle to excavate for eskimo tools dated between 800B.C. and 1000A.D.
"Our journey was by air all the way, first to Montreal, then Frobisher Bay and finally by Twin Otter to a rough landing strip by the first site. We also used a Helicopter for a short journey. The two sites we were on were slightly different in their scenery. Saatut was surrounded by low undulating hills with lots of permanent snow-ice whereas at Nunguvik we had tremendous views of high peaks and glaciers, sweeping right down to the sea which was liberally sprinkled with ice flows."
With only three people on the dig what did you do with your free time? Did you get lonely?
"Not really, there was always plenty to do. We read a lot, masses in fact. Initially we thought we'd run out of conver-
sation after three days or so but we never did. We would go for walks, making sure we remembered the bear scarers which were flares, and we took loads of photographs."
liid you miss anything?
"No, not really, although the first hot bath back in Ottowa was a real delight after seven weeks of freezing cold water. Even the midnight sun wasn't really a problem, we just dropped straight off to sleep when we went to bed."
An extract from a diary explains a typical day.
" 'VCY 652 Pond Inlet - This is Saatut Calling'
'Saatut, Pond Inlet - Good Morning Father Mary .....'
Our day started with the news that yet again we would be unable to move to Nunguvik due to fog and snow at Resolute Bay. So we set off in thick coats, waterproofs, boots and thermals for another day's excavation, with trowels, notebooks, labels and polar bear scarers. It was cold!
We scraped away layer after layer, sifting through the soil until suddenly a harpoon head appeared, number 42, another Dorset artifact, another label to be written out, another position to measure. This was to be repeated again
and again until we had to suppress the urge to rebury the finds to save the endless measurements.
At seven p.m. chaos was brewing in the cooking tent. Would it be succulent beef and onion chunks or a tin of sausages? Suitably subdued by our supper we walked lazily along the shore to a deserted Inuit camp. The Inuit were camping further along the coast, hunting for seal and narwhal. The ice was back, blown by the wind onto the shore. At least it kept the mosquitos away.
The sched. (radio call schedule) was at 9p.m. - no traffic. We listened to the World Service and then went to bed."
Were there any dangers to watch out for?
"Not really. We did get attacked by Arctic Terns which would dive bomb us and try and slash at our heads with their beaks. It was frightening at first but we got used to it.
There was plenty of wild-life to see - seals, snowgeese, caribou, narwhal and lemmings but fortunately no polar bears though they do come into the area. We had the flares with us, which we always carried, and there were also two dogs, a husky and a stray and they were there to scare the bears off as well."
How did you get on with your primitive living conditions for such a long time?
"It was not easy to get up in the morning, knowing that you had a wash in frozen water to greet you. We had plenty of good clothing for artic conditions and the temperatures got quite high during the day so it wasn't too bad. Food was tinned and the dogs ate seal blubber. We did meet some eskimos up the coast and traded some tea and sugar for some seal liver which was beautiful meat, really rich and delicious, a great treat."
And the most memorable things?
"Oh, the very still, quiet evenings with the sea an absolute flat calm. We'd not known such extreme peace and quiet. The carpet of fragile, delicate summer flowers - it was incredible that such variety and beauty and delicacy could exist there. And Ottowa too - a beautiful, clean and spacious city. We spent a week there. A lot of the artifacts we found will be studied in the First National Museum in Ottowa. Some of them will actually be back in Britain too, some in Cambridge and some in Aberdeen."
BY LOT ISLAND UNGUVIK
Californian Visit to Worcester
On the last day of the Summer Term a party of 38 Californians (33 students and 5 adults) arrived for a week's stay in Worcester. Their visit followed the successful trip to the East Coast of the United States by a party from Worcester in 1982. These trips are not direct exchanges; they allow greater flexibility while still permitting participants to experience life in a home in a different country.
The Californian visitors were hosted by families of pupils of both The King's School and Worcester Girls' Grammar School. During their stay various trips were arranged including visits to Bath, Warwick Castle, Stratford (including a meal and a performance of Julius Caesar), H.P. Bulmer's, Blenheim Palace and the Worcester Royal Porcelain. When they left Worcester the party had a few days in Paris before another home-stay in Kent which was used as a base for sight-seeing in London.
The visitors certainly seemed to enjoy their stay in Worcester and in general the host families also enjoyed the experience of having a young American in their homes.
Another visit to the East Coast by Worcester School pupils (including 9 from King's) will take place at Easter 1984 and it is hoped to arrange a trip to California in 1986.
Hopeful participants are advised to start saving now!
Mason
As what seemed like the ninetieth bag was dragged down the front stairs towards the waiting Bedford and Mercedes, we began to wonder whether we would ever make it to Wales. Eventually we all clambered aboard, amid various cries of encouragement from the "send-off" party who had gathered to watch us go. After distributing the lunches, we settled back to discuss the reputed horrors and delights of the coming weekend, which was indeed to be a memorable one. Our last contacts with civilisation were stops in Hereford and Abergavenny, in which such vital necessities as firelighters and marshmallows were added to the luggage. An exciting wind up the mountains off the main road at Crickhowell brought us to the Old Chapel. We overcame our misgivings about the isolation and primitiveness of the building as we were whisked off by the Middle Sixth to our various chores, including collecting firewood and water but most importantly of all setting up the "loo", under the expert supervision of Ali Blackburn and Sue Pinnick.
Sadly, due to circumstances beyond our control, like torrential rain for example, the outdoor barbecue had to be cancelled, but this was made up for by the improvisation and culinary expertise of Dani Foster, Jenni Lacey, Sara Armstrong and Charlotte Hooker who coped superbly under trying conditions so that by 8 o'clock salad, hamburger, sausages and bacon were spread before us. After supper,
Dani innocently suggested a game of 'Give us a Clue' with no idea of what was to follow. With such titles as 'Jemima Puddleduck' and 'No sex please, we're British' performances worthy of an Oscar were delivered by Jane Kinnersley and Nina Lees among others. The hilarity continued until around midnight when we decided that considering what awaited us in the morning we should all get some sleep. So with sleeping bag in one hand and torch in the other, we dispersed to various corners of the Chapel.
The following morning after breakfast we started to do the clearing up including the unenviable task of 'packing up' the loo, bravely undertaken by Sue, Ali (again!) and Lianne Greaves. We then set off for the riding stable at Llangorse under the expert guidance of Nina for a morning's pony trekking. Here, as each beginner was confronted with a seemingly deliberately unco-operative mountain of horse, cries of despair drifted across the valley. Once they were mounted they were not much happier, as the ponies took them for a trek, only pausing at unexpected moments for mouthfuls of grass. Despite the anxiety, nobody actually parted company with her gallant steed and, after a quick gallop for the more experienced, everyone agreed it was a morning well spent, although some of us did experience a little difficulty in sitting down later.
After a rather cold picnic by Llangorse Lake, we returned to the Mercedes and Bedford and set off for the comforts of home. We would have had an audio-visual record of the proceedings, but unfortunately the camera crew experienced minor technical problems, pouring rain, bad light and so on, which resulted in a totally blank tape!
Our thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Roslington for taking us. Catherine Mundell and Charlotte Hooker, Lower Sixth
T.
College House Goes to Wales
':..not such a !pod den &er all!"
Through Foreign Eyes
I had never been to Worcester before I went there as an exchange teacher in September 1982, appointed to teach German (and initially also some French) at the King's School. From the beginning, both the school and the city made a very good impression on me, and in retrospect I can say that the ten months of my professional activity there were a very pleasant and instructive period of my life. I was very fortunate in finding in Mr. Andrew Milne a Headmaster who had great understanding of any concerns that I brought before him, and I am very grateful to him as well as to my Head of Department, Dr. Gordon Leah, for the benevolent advice and clear leadership with which they helped me to smooth away some difficulties I originally encountered in organizing my teaching and adapting it to the needs of my new students.
The warm welcome extended to me by Mr. Milne was all the more engaging as the Headmaster turned out to be well versed in Austrian history, about which it was a pleasure to hear him tell anecdotes. He had even written a book on the important Austrian statesman Metternich, who, incidentally, was forced to flee to England by the revolution of 1848. As for the city of Worcester, I found that it had only two very marginal associations with Austria, both having to do - not surprisingly - with music: 1)In 1826, members of the Rainer family came from the Tyrol to London to sing and dance, spreading on that occasion the newly created Austrian Christmas carol "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" (Silent Night, Holy Night) to British audiences and homes. Their mountain farmers' costumes (with brown leather trousers, green loden jackets and felt hats, and gaily coloured shirts and cravats) must have appeared rather
exotic to their hosts; at any rate they inspired an artist of the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company to model after them a set of charming figures, and I was delighted to see a photograph of these china "Tyrolese" in the booklet "The Story of Royal Worcester", which is on sale in the magnificent Dyson Perrins Museum. 2) For curiosity's sake, I should like to mention that on the central column of the Chapter House of Worcester Cathedral the half-effaced inscription VIENNA BOYS can be found. These traces were left by the famous Vienna Boys' Choir when, a few years ago, they toured England and also sang in that beautiful auditorium. Of course, those boys were not supposed to engrave anything on that column, and their naughtiness in making those scratching.; should not be imitated.
Being a member of the teaching staff of the King's School gave me, I think, a good insight into the working and the organization of an English Public School. I had to come to terms with a great many unfamiliar features of school life, e.g. in Austria we have a different way of marking, almost no afternoon classes, no school uniforms, no prep plan, no Heads of Department, no day student Houses, and the teachers move around to the different form rooms while the students stay put; on the other hand, in Austria lessons start earlier in the morning, there is much more direct contact with parents (for whom teachers are available for one hour every week), there are elected student representatives in every form, more things seem to be regulated by laws and official directives (e.g. the many obligatory written and oral tests that have to be held), and the students are examined by their own teachers on all levels of achievement (including those corresponding to the English 0- and A-Levels); moreover, Austrian students don't specialize in the last two years of their schooling, but study 12 or more subjects up to the age of 18 or over. I was fortunate in that I was aided in making all the necessary adaptations by the very friendly and helpful attitudes of my colleagues as well as by the reasonably good-natured and considerate character of my students.
Very pleasant aspects of being at King's School, whether as a student or as a teacher, were certainly the neatness and the charm of the buildings surrounding College Green and the immediate proximity of the beautiful Cathedral as well as of the somewhat scanty ruins of the medieval Abbey and Castle. College Hall I found particularly attractive, and the regular morning assemblies held there - with hymns being sung, prayers being said, and admonitions or prizes being given by the Headmaster or Second Master - are potentially inspiring moments of community experience and at the same time individual contemplation. Personally, I had the good fortune that, thanks to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral, I could lodge in the Old Palace Coachhouse Flat, a very quiet abode with a lovely view across a small park on to the river Severn and beyond it to the extensive rugby and cricket grounds of the King's School. Walking through the Cathedral and its Cloisters, it did not take me more than five minutes to reach the school. Hundreds of times I took that way, and only rarely did I fail to admire in passing the glorious "Creation" window at the west end of the Cathedral or to give a fraternal thought to the man buried in the Cloisters under a simple stone slab bearing the inscription MISERRIMUS. As the Dean of Worcester, The Very Reverend Tom Baker, explained to me, he was a canon of the Cathedral who, at the change of dynasty in 1689, refused to give up his Catholic convictions and was deprived of his living for not adopting the Protestant line which was then again the only one politically admissible. He died in great misery, but his dying wish, that he - "Miserrimus" - might be buried in the place indicated, was respected. I wonder whether one day a dramatist or a novelist will use this promising subject as
material for a work of literature.
One facet of school life by which I was most deeply impressed were the extra-curricular cultural activities, especially as far as music and drama are concerned. I remember with great pleasure the superb student performances of Harold Pinter's "The Birthday Party" under the direction of David Pemberton, of Fritz Hochwaelder's (a great Austrian dramatist's) "The Strong Are Lonely" under the direction of Tim Crow (a literal translation of the title of this play "Das Heilige Experiment" would be "The Sacred Experiment"), as well as of Sandy Wilson's musical "The Boy Friend", directed by Peter Diamond, who led his numerous student actors and actresses to a triumph of precision and hilarity. A very fine literary and social event was the Irish Evening organized by the English Department in the Edgar Tower Library, and musical highlights in College Hall were a jazz concert of Mr. Milne's Big Band with Humphrey Lyttelton as guest soloist and Haydn's "Creation" performed as a school concert under the conductor Adrian Partington. In the "Creation", the bass voice was sung by Paul Thompson, one of the mainstays of the Common Room, whom I had also the opportunity to admire in one of the leading roles in Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance", when this was performed at the Swan Theatre by the Great Witley Operatic Society. Also certain events of a different kind I recall with great satisfaction: an excellent Christmas Dinner at Hostel House, a very cheerful revue called "Christmas Crackers" in the Old Library, a field trip with students to the Royal Forest of Dean Centre for Environmental Studies, and a trip with colleagues to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre to see Willy Russell's comedy "Educating Rita".
Living in Worcester, I soon became aware how aptly the geographical area around it is called the Heart of England. I found Worcester an ideally situated point of departure for trips of exploration to many places of interest. Of those I visited, I should like to point out only three relatively nearby ones which have interesting associations with Austria: 1)I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the cold water cures in Malvern were developed by Dr. Wilson from 1842 onwards on the model of similar spas in Austria which this hydrotherapist had studied, and that the present Holy Well building (constructed in 1843) was based on a design from the Austrian spa of Baden. 2) At Eastnor Castle (near Ledbury), the Great Hall contains three painted shields of the late 15th century. They are of Tyrolese origin and decor-
ated, from top to bottom, by two horizontal red stripes separated by a white stripe, which are the Austrian colours (red-white-red).3) A collection of Hapsburg memorabilia can be found at Coughton Court (a little north of Alcester), owing to the fact that a member of the family who owned the estate, Miss Mary Elizabeth Throckmorton, was lady-inwaiting to the tragic Empress Elizabeth of Austria. Among other items, there are to be seen various orders conferred by the Emperor Franz Joseph on Miss Throckmorton as well as, enclosed in a locket, a rose bud from the wreath laid by the Emperor on his wife's coffin after her assassination in 1898. In me, these piously preserved mementos of Austria's "Victorian Age" could not but stir a touch of patriotism.
In conclusion it is my desire to thank all those who contributed - by their help and advice, their good-will and understanding - to making my stay at the King's School a fruitful and enjoyable experience. I developed a great respect and appreciation for the long working hours and demanding activities of the teachers and housemasters whom I got to know, and I was much impressed by the very high standard of the examination questions that were set for the students taking their 0- and A-Levels.
Of course, such a large place of work and encounter as the time-honoured and tradition-minded institution of the King's School is almost necessarily also a breeding ground for antagonisms and rumours of different sorts, and not all can always go well for everybody. As an epitaph on all relevant instances of discord and disappointment, of which I was lucky enough to have a very insignificant share only, no words seem to me to be better suited than those expressed by Mr. Milne in the interview he gave to the King's School's own student magazine "Browneye": "I take comfort in the knowledge that human nature somehow manages to keep in the forefront of the mind memories of that which is happy and amusing, rather than that which is cruel and malicious." Paraphrasing another statement made by the Headmaster, I proceed to add that my most powerful long-term memories of my time at King's will be a blend, made up of the beautiful surroundings in which I was privileged to live and work, and of the friendships and acquaintances I established both among my colleagues and among my students.
Dr. Erwin Reiner Schottenfeldgasse 10 A-1070 Vienna Austria
Fridau Riverside bu BertiL OLin
The First XV 1982-1983
Played 21 Won 16 Drawn 1 Lost 4 Points For: 373 Points Against: 190
This was the most successful season for fifteen years, achieved at a time when the fixture list is much more demanding than in the past.
The team was very experienced, with very few having had no 1st XV rugby during the previous season. One of the main qualities that was displayed was that of durability. Time after time they came from behind to snatch victory in the final quarter, usually with some dazzling open rugby.
There were several memorable moments during the year, the first being in the opening match in which Stuart Preston converted Tim Hooker's second late try, to snatch victory 12-10 against Queen Mary's, Walsall. This was a great morale booster, which encouraged the team to reverse a 12-0 deficit at half time, into a 12-16 win, to record the first victory at Brecon for 12 years. Other highlights included the taking of the unbeaten records of Wrekin College (14-12 away) and King Edwards School Birmingham (17-6).
The greatest victory, however, was that over Worcester Royal Grammar School. The margin of victory of 22-4 was the largest ever and what was more satisfying was in the manner of triumph, in a splendid display of open rugby, with the wings, Guess and McClatchey scoring all four tries.
Another memorable match was that against the Old Boys, a team made up of the very best of the previous three first XV's. Once again, after withstanding early pressure, the wings shared five tries, to win 25-3.
Of the four defeats, only two were due to indifferent performances. After the euphoria of beating Brecon away, the game against King Henry's, Coventry was somewhat of a hangover and brought the team back down to earth. Our defeat at the hands of Belmont Abbey, by one penalty goal
was disappointing, as the mud and rain did not exactly help our style of play. The two other defeats were both very entertaining games, which could have gone either way. A bad start against Warwick could not be recovered and we lost 14-9, and despite leading 14-4 at half time against Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bristol, they played some superb rugby in the second half, to swamp us 33-14, they were later named as Rugby World's "School of the Month".
As a team, there were no weaknesses and for once, the fifteen-a-side season did not have a great deal of injury problems. The pack did not often dominate at scrum or lineout, but always gained a lion's share of the loose ball through the back row, of Kevin Morgan, Tony More11 and Jim Hodgson. The props, Paul Essenhigh and Andrew Brunyee improved immensely during the season and gave valuable assistance to Peter Kirby at hooker, who never lost a tight head count. Peter Robbins, Paul Witherick and latterly David Bishop proved to be hard working, driving forwards who provided effective support to the back row, when the second phase ball was won.
The back line always played effectively as a unit. Every player had the talent to create try scoring opportunities. Richard Everton's tenacious play around the base of the scrum often had opposition half backs in trouble and his distribution to Stuart Preston at fly half was consistently good. Stuart's contribution in leading the side, kicking the goals and showing good tactical awareness was invaluable. Michael Morgan's astute distribution often created more chances for others, than he received himself, and along with 7'lm Hooker's direct running and hard tackling the centre combination was an effective contrast in styles. Duncan Rogers' positional switch to full back, proved to be extremely successful. He invariably displayed the complete range of skills expected in such a position and his entry into the line,
often created tries for the wings. Guess and McClatchey fully justified the decision to play 15 man rugby and it still amazes me that neither gained selection for the County side during the season.
Seven other members of the side did play for the County team, and it was quite obvious from the first game that Tony Morell could gain further representation. After five county games and four other trials he was eventually selected for a final trial. He played well and was pleased to be included in the squad to play Rosslyn Park Colts but disa~r~ointed to be named as substitute. However. after this &he the selectors delivered him a cruel blow, by omitting him for the squad from the Internationals, after he had been eiven to believe that he was in.
U This was one of very few disappointments during an exciting and enjoyable season. The spirit that was built up, due to success was remarkable and after a while the team took the field, fully expecting to win. I am hopeful that this confidence will be continued with the seven returning members, under the captaincy of Peter Robbins, next season. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the large band of parents who helped in many ways, not least in their enthusiastic but sensible support on the touchline. M.J.R.
The First XV Tour 1982
This year's tour of Devon was notable more for the off the field games than the two games of rugby that were played. Five minutes after arriving at Allhallows School, the whole team had been photographed in various poses.
Tony Morell, although unable to play rugby due to injury, took a very active part in games of "basket rugby ball". As a result, when the games came to be played, half the side had been injured by Tony and the other half were suffering from heavy colds.
The games were both rather miserable affairs, but gave good examples of the great team spirit and "will to win" which had been built up during the season. Against Allhallows, in mist, mud and driving rain we came from behind, to snatch a 10-10 draw with Tim Hooker scoring a late try to save the day. The following day, the match against Exeter was played in a near gale force wind; a 4-3 lead at half time did not seem to be enough, as we began to defend into the wind. However, the "team spirit" again held things together and Tim Hooker again scored a try, to give us a 10-3victory. After the match, Stu Preston became very excited when we realised that we had now recorded the longest unbeaten run of any King's School First Fifteen.
The two games sapped the energy of every player. The after match celebrations were placed in jeopardy by the lack of stamina shown by the veterans Kev Morgan and Stu Preston. However, on returning to the hotel (Allhallows Gym), Stu had obviously had a strenuous time judging by his dishevelled appearance. Rob McClatchey was dying for a shave and Kev Morgan was singing "Don't be so selfish" by the Sleepers.
Mike Morgan and Dick Everton starred in the off the field games - Dick as the chairman and Mike as the most incompetent player, his patting on the head of Mr. Roberts, caused general amusement, rivalled only by the "phantom mooner" who remained anonymous.
Derek Naish, wanting to keep in practice, chatted up the only two females we saw on tour, much to Graham Guess' annoyance.
Finally, but most important, many thanks to Mr. Naish for driving us around and special and enormous thanks to Mr. Roberts for his organisation and exceptional tolerance.
Duncan Rogers
The First V11 1983
This year's Sevens was dominated by injuries to key players, a strenuous itinerary, but mainly Mr. Roberts' inability to start the mini bus. However he still claims that pushing the bus round the playground before each tournament is good scrummaging practice.
If, and when, we did get to tournaments we certainly looked the part. Grey tracksuit bottoms, new KSWRFC sweat shirts and Benny hats made our appearance more impressive than our play. However we did have our moments, when we defeated last years' Rosslyn Park runners up at the same tournament this year and in giving Cwrntawe a good run for their money. Graham Guess really entering into the spirit of things lost his head on one occasion but found it again hard up against the head of his opposite man!
The only other aggressive play occurred in a chip shop at Oxford a few days later. Mr. Roberts, concerned about further injuries to his team, stepped in and proved he was a better diplomat than a driver.
Although we didn't win a trophy, we reached two semifinals and the quarter-final at Taunton, one of the major tournaments of the Sevens programme. When things weren't going too well, the team's morale was kept high by a quick round of "Bog Man's Trilby", Mr. Roberts' favourite card game. Another morale booster was a card game invented by Mr. Roberts. By the way Sir, your sulking in the mini-bus was justified, we were cheating and will refund your losses later.
The most successful and entertaining times were spent on the touchline of other matches, giving support in various manners, which undoubtedly they could have done without.
We did not manage to repeat the form showed during the fifteen-a-side season, mainly due to the amount of injured players, but no one could question that we were in unbeatable form off the field!
R.D.E.
T.R.H.
2nd XV
The season followed the pattern of recent years: not a lot of victories, a large turnover of players, a few players earning promotion to the Firsts, and many others being groomed or blooded for next year's First Fifteen. The team started with a resounding loss against Queen Mary's Walsall. Then there was a good win over King Henry V111 Coventry, and a very narrow win, but equally satisfying, against Solihull School (8-7). Thereafter wins were few and far between - an excellent first half against a very strong RGS side, but, as happened on numerous occasions, their backs outpaced our rather pedestrian three-quarters in the second half.
When the pack was at full strength it matched most teams. The back row, in particular, of MacPherson, Sitch and Simpson gave many fine performances. Duncan MacPherson, who captained the side for most of the season, led the team well even in its darkest moments; Ed Simpson on more than one occasion was the outstanding player on the field, and there were few better hookers than Russ Matthews.
For some games Under 16 players were introduced into the side and this not only strengthened the team but provided them with good experience in senior school-boy rugby.. TEAM: MacPherson (Capt), Phillips, Matthews, MacKelvie, Dudley, Westley, O'Hara, Sitch, Simpson, Bishop, Jones, Rankin, Lewis, how, Dobb, Cox, Owen, Ticehurst, Suckling, Anders, Pitts.
3rd XV
The season, though not a great success on the field, was a most enjoyable one. Team spirit remained high through the winter months and practices were regularly attended even in the most inclement conditions. Of the sixteen games played only 4 were won, perhaps the most satisfying of these being the 14-10 win against Solihull, who in the past have recorded many large scores against us. It was a tight game with rugged defence alternating with some excellent threequarter running, both teams enjoying a clean and entertaining contest. The OV game also proved a crowd puller, and far more demanding for the home side than they expected. Eventually their super fitness resulted in taking the honours. John Shervington's speech at the after match dinner also proved that 3rd XV players have much extracurricular brain power to bestow upon an unsuspecting world. Many were called and indeed many were chosen to play but to name all would fill the page. However some mentions must be made. Hugh Jefferey, Mark James, Henry Ticehurst and Mark Thompson were all 'Real Thirds', contributing much to the entertainment while John Shervington's weighty responsibility as captain was discharged with elan and imagination!! (Oh! Those impromptu penalty moves!) Clive Guest managed to fit in a couple of games between darts matches and Steve CampbellTyler managed to fit in a few scrums between breaths. James Giscombe was a real discovery, his tackling at full back probably reducing our points against total by half. Thanks are due to all who contributed and once again proved that rugby can be fun all the time, even when losing.
D. Hope
U16 XV
Unfortunately the season was a poor one, the team losing all of its fixtures. The results were disappointing because the team included players of calibre such as Preston, Mackie, Wilding, Bowley and Bromley; but the loss of Marshal1 through injury for most of the season was a blow from which the forwards never really recovered, and the three quarters were always short of guile and the extra yard of pace that is needed to beat a man.
Preston captained the side enthusiastically and several players performed for the 3rd XV with distinction. D.P.I.
This was certainly one of the best, if not the best, under 15 team in recent years. Their success was built on talent, both in the forwards and backs, allied with hard work and excellent team spirit. This enabled them to win 15 games of 21 played and score 553 points to 115 against. If the results are not spectacular this was because the strength of under 15 rugby generally was very good. This is not a coincidence; playing against strong teams week in, week out is bound to improve the quality of rugby played.
The climax of the season came in the last two matches. Belmont Abbey, previously unbeaten, were defeated 12-4 and then Old Swinford, who had previously knocked us out of the County Cup were defeated 39-0. This left the team unbeaten in the Spring Term during which they conceded only 4 points in 5 games. Earlier in the season the best performance was against Warwick, where a defeat the previous season by over 30 points was reduced to a seven point defeat. The sustained and determined defence shown on that day would be difficult to equal in any level of schoolboy rugby.
The side was well led by Dominic Cotton. He set a good example in practices and matches by hard work and encouraged the rest of the team to play to their best. He formed part of a formidable back row which also included Paul Bassett, who was always to be found near to the ball, and John May, who, at number eight, controlled the ball well in the scrums and was quick to any break-down. In the second row Adam Blackmore and Dan Hubert provided both weight and strength and were unstoppable as maulers and in forward rushes. The front row is the most important part of the set scrum, particularly at this level. In this area the team had 3 hard workers, Leo Addis, David Mack Smith and Simon Jevons. Jevons, the hooker, always gave 100% effort and played with no little skill in both tight scrums and loose play.
Martin Blakeway provided a good link between forwards and backs, learning to read the game increasingly well; releasing the backs, playing the ball back to the forwards or deftly kicking for touch as appropriate. At outside-half Tim Brown proved an outstanding tactical kicker and improved as a runner and passer as the season progressed. He also took over as the goal-kicker during the season; this was one major weakness in the team. Probably the player with most potential was David Ogle. He is a strong runner and is developing a fine tactical awareness and does not hesitate to tackle. Either Jurrien Heynen or Matthew Norfolk accompanied him in the centre; Jurrien is a good tackler and elusive runner; Matthew, while s6wer in pace, perhaps has a better sense of the game. The wingers were usually Richard Wilkes and David Lam. Although not the fastest of runners they played their part. At full back, Alan Fordham was always safe both in fielding the ball, tackling and clearance kicking.
Several other members of the squad deserve a mention because, in other years, they would have been regular members of the 'A' team, notably Turner and Williamson, who deputised ably in the forwards when required, and John Heynen, who played in most positions in the backs.
The 'B' team played six matches, winning four, notably a 32-4 victory over Worcester R.G.S.
A successful and happy team whom it was a pleasure to coach.
T. Mason
S.R. Davies
U14 XV
The major success of the U14 season was that over 40 boys represented the school at 'A' and 'B' team levels. Besides the immediate value to the boys concerned, I am confident that
the now regular 'B' team fixtures will have the effect of boosting First XV squads in the long term.
The 'A' team played with spirit throughout the season and were a pleasure to coach. There were many notable contributions. In the front row, Leek divided his time equally between hooking and visiting the W.R.I. Fortunately the team had a reliable alternative in Adams. 'Coolcat' Crossley was the first fashion conscious prop and in the boiler house of the scrummage, Hall and Bryer were stalwart performers. 'Man Mountain' Bryer was a particular inspiration to the forwards. In the back row, Thompson's attitude was first class, while 'Chin' Bowley, 'Ivor' utility Mills and Jones made their mark.
Cooper and Duncan formed a reliable and reversible halfback pairing. In the centre, Captain Mees was outstanding, his tackling in defence and flair in attack being vital to the team's success. The ever present Preston (no relation to the others) completed the midfield duo. On the wings, 'Byron' Straker was the leading try scorer, while in contrast, 'Boogie' Powell became a legend in his own lunchtime for his aversion to scoring. Mayfield completed the regular line-up.
Played 20 Won 9 Lost 9 Drew 2
Mees: 14 tries, 1 pen., 6 con.
Straker: 16 tries.
D.T.N.
U13 XV
This was an excellent season, played by a group of talented players and should prove to be an outstanding side for the future if they all continue to develop and are encouraged to continue.
Results show them to have been the most successful U13 side for many years but it was the manner of some of the victories that gave hope for the future. The team suffered only three defeats - two of which came after the Christmas break, but for most of the season the only score against them was a try. Eventually the side scored 510 points and had 56 points scored against. Everyone who played in the team did well, but special mention of the captain, Bayliss, centre Butterworth, wing Mitchell, scrum-half Ghalamkari, and forwards Wood, Edginton, and McCarthy must be made. All played major parts in every game and should provide a sound basis for the First XV in a few years' time.
Success in fifteen a side does not necessarily mean success in 7's but in the three tournaments that we entered we were the winners. They were: Worcestershire, Solihull and Cobham House, an outstanding climax to a very enjoyable and unforgettable season.
Played 16 Won 13 Lost 3
I.B.
Tennis 1983
The untimely wet weather coupled with the unavailability of key players meant the 1983 season was not very profitable. Teams were sent to Malvern College and KES Birmingham but were not at full strength suffering defeats in both cases. On a happier note, Jim Davies and Chris Elliott reached the semi-final of the Midlands U-19 Tournament, and John and Jurrien Heynen did equally well in the U-16 Tournament. The team was much the same as the previous season with Andy Leow, John Buston and Edwin Simpson all playing their part.
Our thanks must go to MWB for his encouragement through what proved to be a disappointing season.
C.R.E.
Cross-Country
The season began very successfully with a victory over the seven other schools competing in the West Mercia Schools Cross-Country League, in which the WRGS and Malvern
College also ran. league consisted The senior team participating in this of David Brown ICapt). Simon Lewis. ~ . ,, ~ominicBooth, Bruce Martin (all represented the City of Worcester at U-20 level), and there were also spirited performances from Richard Tallis and David Bayliss, Jeremy Galbraith, Chris Bennett, Geoff Woodger and Robert Richards. Tallis and Bayliss also represented the city at Intermediate level.
The Berrows' Trophy race in February promised to be a close race from the start. Although there were injuries to several of our key runners, we managed to give the WRGS a very good run, losing by only eleven points.
At the end of this promising season, full colours were awarded to Simon Lewis, Dominic Booth and Bruce Martin, and half-colours to Richard Tallis and David Bayliss. Bruce Martin
CRICKET
1st XI 1983
Playing Record:
Played 14 Won 9 Lost 3 Drawn 2 Cancelled 8
This was the 1st XI'S most successful season for many years. If weather conditions had been better in the early part of the season - only two games were played before half-term - the results might well have been more impressive. An attacking and enterprising approach to the game, combined with an excellent team spirit, produced the results the team deserved and Duncan Rogers must take credit for his capable and thoughtful leadership.
The early season weather conditions restricted outdoor practice to six-a-side games on the hard tennis courts and it was not surprising that the first two away encounters were lost at Dean Close and W.R.G.S. after being dismissed for 42 and 83 respectively. The first victory came in another lowscoring game when the School narrowly defeated King Edward's College, Stourbridge, by two wickets.
Some of the batsmen found their touch in a two-hour run chase at Solihull when the School had to be content with a draw, 29 runs short of their target of 197 with two wickets remaining. The game against the Old Vigornians will be remembered best for a fine unbeaten 96 by Stuart Preston which gave the team their first victory over the O.V.'s for over twenty years.
The third and last defeat of the season was suffered against a strong King Edward's, Birmingham XI, the School batsmen having no answer to King Edward's England schoolboy leg spinner, who took seven cheap wickets.
Worcestershire Club and Ground fielded a side which included seven players who had first class cricket experience and the School XI performed most creditably to earn a draw, Adrian Suckling taking five wickets and Stuart Evans scoring an unbeaten 44, after the openers had withstood a barrage from the pace attack.
The match against Bromsgrove was closely contested, the School recovering from 80-5 to reach the required total of 172 with one wicket standing.
The home victory against Bklmont Abbey was the start of a spectacular run of seven consecutive victories, including wins over two strong club sides, the XL Club and the Gentlemen of Worcestershire.
There were some notable personal performances during the week. Opening batsman Richard Jones scored 65 not out, 66, 56 and 41 on successive days; James Mackie confirmed his great promise for the next two years, hitting a maiden half century in the win against Kelvinside Academy and following this with 67 against D.P. Iddon's XI. Nick Fisher produced his best effort of the season - 7 for 31 against Iddon's XI - while Kevin Andrews took 6 for 58 against Kelvinside and 6 for 59 against Belmont.
Andrews, Jones and wicket keeper Michael Morgan were selected to play for the Worcestershire Schools Under 19 XI. D.P.I.
1st XI Averages
1983
Batting
2nd XI
Because of the atrocious weather during April and May, the 2nd XI was able to play only seven matches during the whole season out of a possible sixteen. Nevertheless, even allowing for exam commitments and the lack of practice, some worthwhile performances were turned in and a good team spirit prevailed. Lawrence Field and Marcus Jones provided valuable opening stands on more than one occasion, while the middle order of Nick Sanders, Philip Mackie, and Patrick Cotton were often able to chip in with commendable scores. Yet, all too frequently, the lack of quick decisive scoring, meant that the bowlers had to concentrate on containing rather than attacking. Peter Kirby was unable to live up to his successes of the previous season, but Duncan Cameron-Mitchell and Paul Keegan deservedly picked up a number of wickets by tight, accurate bowling, while Nick Kaltsoyannis relied on pace, frightening the life out of the lower order batsmen, not to mention the wicketkeeper! For the Record, the team notched up wins over K.E.C. Stourbridge and Solihull, but narrowly lost to K.E.S. Birmingham, with the remaining matches ending in draws. Our thanks go to Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Pemberton for their valuable assistance, optimism and enthusiasm throughout the season.
Tim Owen
2nd XI Averages
3rd XI
Last season saw the advent of a new light in King's cricket, the arrival of the 3rd eleven. The team consisted of would-be Ian Bothams, drawn from the rugby playing ranks of the Middle Six. We played three matches, winning those against KES Birmingham and Bromsgrove but having limited success against the Royal Grammar School. Those who played regularly included A. Meacham, R. Everton, T. Hooker, G. Guess, J. Shervington, M. Thompson, A. Morrell, K. & R. Schermuly, D. Money and P. Essenhigh.
Finally, a word of thanks to Mr. Roberts, who kindly arranged the fixtures and officiated as well as driving the mini-bus with noticeable skill.
J. Shervington
U16 XI
Played 5 Won 4 Lost 1
The school under-16 cricket team continued to take part in the evening league organised by the Worcester Cricket Association. The early-season bad weather had a significant effect on the final positions and we finished second to the Worcester City Club, without playing them.
The side had considerable strength and could perhaps have achieved an even better position; poor fielding contributed to the one defeat against Worcester Nomads. Mackie and Cameron-Mitchell scored most runs, but Sanders, Butler, Ranganathan and Booth all made significant contributions. Amongst the bowlers there were seven wicket takers, and altogether eleven players shared the bowling.
Sanders captained a side which always seemed to enjoy its cricket. This was evident in the final game against Evesham which resulted in a win with two balls to spare. There was much good cricket from both sides, but perhaps the highlight was a very fine catch by Butler at extra cover.
Congratulations are due to Cameron-Mitchell for his selection and success for the county under 16 side.
The following played: Sanders (captain), Booth, Burnham, Butler, Cameron-Mitchell, Cotton, Fisher, Gulliman, Jaques, Jeavons, Mackie (wicket-keeper), Money, Ranganathan, Warner.
R.F.H.
U15 XI
For the first two thirds of the season there was very little to encourage anyone to carry on the game of cricket. What matches were not lost because of the weather were lost through rather inept batting performances. Totals of 78, 70 and 80 are not enough against opposition the calibre of Dean Close, WRGS and Solihull. Only wins in 20 over matches against more modest opponents saved this part of the season from total disaster.
However in the last few matches came wins against KES Birmingham and Bromsgrove and near-wins against Belmont Abbey and Kelvinside Academy. The game against KES Birmingham typified the team's fondness for dramatic reversals. The top order batsmen had gone even more cheap ly than usual and the score stood at 18 for 6. Then Blackmore (40) and Blakeway (23) batted with much restraint and good sense and the total reached 103. That was too much for KES since Jevons (4 for 13) and Brown (4 for 11)produced their best performances of the season. The most surprising player in the team was Badsey whose cross-batted swipes were effective against Dean Close but
no-one else, and who on three occasions took five wickets including a hat trick against Bromsgrove. At some time in the season everyone enjoyed some success but with too many of the players such success was all too rare. Thanks to Mike Anslow for his cheerful and efficient scoring.
M.A.S.
U14 XI
This was certainly a team with talent and all round strength. Just how strong they were it is difficult to say because of the loss of 8 matches in the first half of the term. This meant that opponents like Malvern College, Warwick and Bablake were not played. Had these games been played it would be easier to guage the relative strength of the team, but more important it would have given these young cricketers further match practice to help their development: there is no substitute for experience in the middle.
Although the record of seven wins and only 2 losses in 12 games looks good it must be said that most of the victories were against usually weak opposition. They only managed to draw with WRGS, Solihull and KES Birmingham and lost to WRGS, in the Taverner's Trophy final, and Bromsgrove.
As a team their main fault was not to attack the bowling and get on top of their opponents - they were dictated to too often. The bowling was always accurate and often penetrative. Of the individual players Simon Mees and James Mills were head and shoulders above the rest. Both scored over 200 runs and took over 20 wickets. At times they bowled very fast for boys of their age and Mills, especially against Belmont Abbey, hit the ball very hard. Mees played slightly more cautiously but has some good shots. Mees also captained the side, a job he did at times with great distinction, at other times he tended to let things slip a bit, but he has the potential to do the job well.
James Cooper was the next best batsman; he regularly gave the innings a sound start. He plays straight and with more experience will score a lot more runs. Tom Preston sometimes opened with Cooper; after a good start to the season he disappointed, but with renewed confidence will also do well. Mark Rogers was the other opener used; a correct watchful batsman who again will score more runs as he matures physically. Besides keeping wicket with increasing ability as the season progressed, Simon Duncan also scored some useful runs to put him fourth in the batting averages.
The third bowler to take over 20 wickets was Simon Thompson with his accurate left-arm spin. He is willing to learn and experiment, another who could do well in the future. His batting also proved useful at times even if it is a little unorthodox. David Taylor actually topped the bowling averages with his well-flighted in-dippers. These deceived lesser batsmen and with greater accuracy could take wickets against stronger ones. Preston and Neil Mayfield also bowled steadily at medium pace. Preston was accurate and could be relied upon to keep the runs down but Mayfield usually proved more penetrative.
The others to play were Robin Bishop, Richard Roe, Richard Laney and Andrew Underwood. All made a useful contribution, the bat at one time and all fielded well - the fielding was certainly a strong point of the whole side.
Coward, Flower-Ellis and Underwood shared the scorer's duties which they always did conscientiously.
In summary a team whose true potential has yet to be fulfilled, who play their cricket with enthusiasm, enjoyment and in the best traditions of the game.
T. Mason
U13 XI
Played 10 Won 6 Lost 2 Drawn 1
Abandoned l This was a very successful season for the side based on an
enthusiasm for cricket which was heartening considering that half of the season was washed out. When we did get going individual performances were erratic but the team held together well with excellent back-up and support from all and a very pleasing record of achievement was the result.
The opening pair of Kirkland and Packwood looked very solid and Packwood proved to be a capable anchor for the side around which the others built an innings. This was particularly the case in the County Cup Semi-final against Old Swinford when his unbeaten 37 not out enabled the middle order batsmen to establish a respectable score which the opposition only gained on the penultimate ball of the match.
This, the final game of the season, was easily the best all round performance illustrating a welcome development of the sides determination and maturity. Buttenvorth was an efficient captain, handling his bowlers well. Although he made several useful scores only once did he produce his usual form but later in the summer made some excellent score for the county side.
Our enthusiastic attack needed to concentrate on its accuracy on many occasions but some fine spells were produced on occasion with Annable's 5 wickets for 4 runs against K.E.S. Birmingham, and Packwood's 4 for 9 against Sladen Hill being the highlights. Those who played were: Buttenvorth, Kirkland, Packwood, Anthony, Ghalamkari, Owen, Huntingdon, Annable, Fordham, Mullen, Holloway, Willows, Bayliss, Clee, Vaughn, Hobbs.
D.E. Hope
Staff Cricket 1983
The main entertainment of King's Day was a 30 over confrontation between the Common Room and DPE Rogers' XI of school leavers. Such a belated start to the season provided the perennial excuse for poor form although in two notable cases this measure was unneccessary. Thanks to the PE Department, in the form of D.P. Iddon and D. TraffordNaish, victory was achieved with 3 overs to spare. Celebrations were conducted over the sandwich tray and Peter Jones was heartily congratulated on producing a pitch which saw its first ball of the season rise above stump height. Commiserations to the elegentally attired T.M.D. Crow who was imprudent enough to be caught off it. Following last year's humiliating defeat at the hands of Chase H.S. Masters' XI a more resolute performance was required and the opposition were duly skittled out for 84. The variable line and length from the left arm of M.A. Stephens produced looks of surprise from the batsmen and consternation behind the stumps. This particular story would continue into the season. T. Naish was in good form with the bat once more and was warmly applauded for running out the immobile D.P. Iddon - the only member of the side who would admit to wearing a surgical corset!
Pershore Plums, led by the famed Fudger - no less redoubtable than in last year's review, were unable to entertain us this year so the match was played at New Road under T. Mason rules (20 overs rather than simply on time). Once Fudger had recovered from this intrusion of modern style cricket, a good game was enjoyed, won by the Plums. In an uncharacteristically un-Barrangtonian innings, the home captain attacked the youthful bowling in a manner rarely witnessed outside U14 nets. A penultimate over of seam and swing from R.F. Humphries (producing 1 wicket and conceding 13 runs) assisted both sides to reach the pavilion before nightfall.
The less said about the match against KES Birmingham the better other than to record a disappointing 55 run defeat.
Our only away match of the season took us to the sleepy
hamlet of Himbleton. We arrived in convoy to find the opposition numbered approximately 3. Would this be an opportunity for scorer P.C. Thompson to make his debut? Would Susan Rouse join Himbleton on the field? With every fall of a wicket another player arrived at the ground and by the time the innings closed at 87, thirteen Himbleton men were assembled to play. The visiting skipper was most generous in allowing M.A.S. to bowl in a ploy designed to give the opposition more runs. An over of full tosses brought 2 wickets for 1 run. To the accompaniment of the howls of his supporters, M.A.S. proceeded to ruin the game further with an innings of 36, perforating a short offside boundary with annoying regularity. So much for village cricket!
The truncated season tottered to its climax with a rearranged fixture against the Lamb and Flag. Inspired by vociferous partisan support, the opposition scored 102 in dusky conditions. The staff reply was confident and several batsmen scored quick runs before Pembers (promoted to No. 6 in his final match) attacked the bowling with a spectacular ferocity. He doubled his aggregate score for the season in one shot and thus the real business of the evening was resumed much earlier than was expected.
Sincere thanks go to P.C.T. for scoring and to S.E.R. for collecting flags; to D.E. Hope for making the doorstep sandwiches for the last game of the season; to Tony Harris for operating the refreshment counter; to P.K. Winter for sneaking out of St. Albans on rare occasions; to M.J. Roberts and S.R. Davies for playing a game which is unnatural to them; to B. Griffiths for borrowing everybody else's flannels; to all the boys who made up numbers when members of Common Room were unavailable and to the staff cricketers themselves without whose dirty knees much soap powder might have been saved.
Vigornia
The Boat Club
Captain: S. Dobb
Secretary: P.R.K. Beaumont
Coaches: A.L. Hirst (Master ilc)
R.C. Gabriel
T.E. Watson
N.A. Faux
R.A. Fleming
G.W. Allen
For the senior squad this was a year of many close races and some wins. The "Dick Griffin" coxed pair was the most successful boat, engined most of the season by Peter Beaumont and Ed Simpson. Once again Peter trained for international selection, eventually racing at two in the G.B. Coxless Four which won Silver - failing to overhaul the East German favourites by a whisker. This was a tremendous achievement. Our congratulations also go to Thomas Solly who steered the G.B. Coxed Four to third place in the Petite Finale, and to A.L.H. for his well-earned appointment as Assistant Team Manager of the A.R.A. Junior Squad.
Our involvement with the National Squad in the last two years should have opened the eyes of those who have dreamt of aquatic glory. The quantity and quality of the work required from September onwards - on land as well as on water - is not for the faint hearted. (It is significant that most success came to those who had dedicated themselves to stamina as well as strength training in the Autumn.)
This year the Vth and VIth Forms were treated as one large squad from which all sorts of combinations trained and raced. Their Senior C eights' unsuccessful duel with Hereford at Ironbridge was just one of many heart-stopping thrills of the summer. At National Championships Ed Simpson and John Howell, coxed by Michael Evans, just failed to reach the final of their event - which they should have done had they not raced their first heat with one rigger 3 cm too long, the other 3 cm too short. But we learnt-our
The Upper Removes raced in Fours mainly because three of the best athletes were born two or three weeks too early. These old men raced as Novices at Birmingham and Ironbridge while the others raced as J15's. At Birmingham one crew came a close second in their event, while the others lost a seat when on the point of winning. It was at Ross in August that David Mack Smith, Matthew Norfolk, and Nicholas Glossop finally won the Novices, helped on this occasion by 13 year-old Mark Branton from Worcester R.C. Although most of this age group did not row competitively (or perhaps for this very reason?) their technique did improve significantly so they look forward to greater success next year.
The Lower Removes were full of promise. There were so many of them that they were coached as three squads, training in rotation. Their enthusiasm increased as the year went by - as their end of summer Fours competition showed. This involved all the oarsmen, and a repechage system ensured plenty of racing for everyone. We are delighted that so many of them took advantage of the sculling coaching during the holidavs.
Finally, a note of thanks to Worcester R.C., and to G.W.A. in particular, for showing hospitality to a large number of our oarsmen throughout August and for taking them to Stourport, Dartmouth, Gloucester and Ross regattas.
Senior Squad
Peter Beaumont
Stuart Dobb
Edmund Simpson
Paul Essenhigh
Thomas Solly
These boys won all the events listed below apart from Coxed Pairs at Ironbridge Regatta, when John Howell paired with Edmund Simpson.
Hereford Schools Regatta
Won Schools Fours beating:
King's School Chester in the 1st round by 2 lengths, and Strodes College by 3 lengths in the final.
Won Schools Coxed Pairs beating:
Hereford Cathedral School by 2.5 lengths in the 1st round, and King's School Chester in the final by 3 lengths.
Hereford Regatta
Won Schools Fours beating:
Pangbourne College by 1.75 lengths in the 1st round, Avon County Schools by 6 lengths in the semi-final and Strodes College by 2.5 lengths in the final.
Ironbridge Regatta
Won Senior B Coxed Pairs beating:
Ironbridge by 1.5 lengths in the 1st round, and Merchant Taylor's School by 2 lengths in the final.
Won Senior A Fours beating:
Hereford Rowing Club by 2.5 lengths in the final.
Ironbridge Sprint Regatta
Won Senior A Fours beating:
Hereford Rowing Club by 1.5 lengths in the 1st round, and Loughborough University by 6 feet in the final.
Nottingham International Regatta
Won a silver medal in Junior Coxless Pairs, in an event containing all junior crews going for selection for the Great Britain Team.
National Schools Regatta
Won a silver medal in Junior Coxed Pairs. The final included St. George's College, Eton School, Tiffin School and Forest School.
National Championships of Great Britain
Peter Beaumont won a gold medal in the Great Britain Coxless Four.
Thomas Solly won a gold medal in the Great Britain Coxed Four.
Peter Bcnltrnont Tom Sdly A1c.r Hlvst
Beaumonf 7s ji)vrr.fh jkom the Lqft.
Tom SolLy - an Englishtrlan Ahroad
Scenes from a Night's Dream
Late night
D.J. Drawls while curtains draw
Lights dim, bodies collapse into darkness
Beside you unread books collect
While thoughts of tomorrow fester
Lazy music hums through your lips
As eye-lids push for total eclipse
You wonder what it's like
In the dead of night
How many sit thinking of
Lonely lives with radio friends.
A lazy calm descends
Trees of an irridescent green
Decorate the unreal scene
The ground, a luscious meadow, Is filled with people
One sits on a white steed
Purity is his creed
And the bells ring out
Another sits under a tree
He begs you to speak
And the bells ring out
Then you look up
With the glorious sun in your eyes
You cower under an apple tree
You believe in what you cannot see
Then you fall senselessly .... Into a crystal waterfall
Under ...Under Deeper ...Deeper
While Neptune smiles sardonically
Water covers your body, And yet this place is strange.
Eyes catch the white walls
Polythene doors and meaningless signs
The smell of the sea is replaced by T.C.P.
Then you go under ...gasping
Now a field of wheat,
Over there, a cloaked figure stands
A bloody scythe in his hands
He raises his head slowly
Hollow eyes fill you with fear
And you run ...
He is always there
Reaping his crop
Every cut kills
From eight million Jews
To a father of two in a van
Still no one cares
A mushroom clouds your mind
As you wonder who'll be left behind
Then you start to drown, Gasping, panting down
You awake to a blood red dawn, Showing over fields of corn, The meaning is a long way away
Yet the scenes are here to stay
Paul Wright
Air Raid
Everything is quiet, too quiet, The coal black, ragged shore, Waves lapping against the shore, A figure flits from shadow to shadow Like a phantom, unnatural to the landscape, A canvas on an artist's easel.
The toneless wail, air raid warning, Lights in the town disappear, Darkness envelopes.
The fugitive now runs, A torch pierces a cone of light Into the nothingness ahead.
Droning sounds as the moon alights the blackboard sky, Watching, seeking.
The formation of 'planes in viewed, Like two-dimensional cutouts
Silhouetted against the silver background.
Now the lighted beams fuse and reach their goal, An enemy 'plane is spotlighted, a ready target for the guns.
The staggered repetition of machine gun fire
A 'plane is hit, it explodes into a shower of gold sequins, A giant firework. It falls fluting, then collides with the earth, Another insignificant life taken.
More metallic clicks,
Another 'plane meets its doom, Fan-shaped spines of light are formed, Searching anxiously, A devil of destruction cascades to the ground, Exploding, flinging sparks.
The fugitive is flung to the ground, Sprawled on his back, A building shatters and falls Like a heap of toy bricks, More lives to the cause of mans' greed.
More explosions, gas, Choking, acrid smoke, whispering, hissing, People in shelters donning gas masks.
Then all is still again, The raid is over. Sad faces emerge
Perceiving the flattened landscape, Crushed concrete, Unstable snapped off ribs of iron, Flaked plaster, Steel girders.
Each nation hammering nails into the other until The enemy cracks, tilts, totters and falls
To the mercy of the other's power. Jeremy Rix
Singles and Returns
I never really seemed to know where I was going. I don't mean geographically; Malvern Link to St. Helens' Junction via Birmingham New Street, Shrub Hill and Liverpool Lime Street was easy enough, even for a small boy of ten to negotiate, though I did once hand in the wrong half of a return ticket at Peaseley Cross and had to help the stationmaster rummage through a sack of rejects in search of the right one. We didn't find it; I made two legs of a return journey on the same single ticket, suitably endorsed, of course, by Mr. Jones. No, that was O.K. My problem was that I was lost, personally, philosophically, if you like. You see, there was school, an old G.W.R. hotel full of passages, towers, corners of intrigue, massively and, I suspect, grotesquely Gothic. Instead of Divinity we measured the school playing fields, swapped stories about the Headmaster's absconding with the new TV set, raced jauntily at a lethal vaulting horse under the critically quizzical gaze of C.P.O. Hirons and I even wore a false nose in the supper queue and was sent to bed for what was called 'trying it on'. It was a world where little boys were king; the Everest to go for, a seat in the front row of the Cricket XI photograph or the vast leap from dormitory window ledge to a heap of coke straggling on the far side of a ten foot 'ravine' full of dustbins: my summit was to break into the Deputy Headmaster's study one evening when I had been banned from prefects' supper and make off, sweating with fear and breathless from running, with the size 10 galosh, or overshoe, which he was reputed to use for all kinds of eccentric purposes. I sank it in a pond near Welland and returned to school triumphant, guilty but undetected, much preferring the agonies of that escapade to the obligatory Sunday evening Scotch egg and flaccid lettuce that I'd missed. No mention of academic honours, you will note; Eton and St. Osbert's were light years away as time stood still in a glow of runs scored or tries missed, daring tales of a first kiss and repeated speculation as to why a rather mature Indian boy was allowed to have baths by himself.
Home was O.K. too, but in a very different way. My mother, perhaps interpreting my diffidence on arrival home as ecstasy at the sight of a steak and kidney pudding rather than a sort of extreme spasm of culture shock, rolled and prodded the dough into more and more enticing shapes at the beginning of each holiday to prepare what she fondly called my 'favourite food'. I was nearly thirty before I had the heart to tell her the truth. Our house, the vicarage, overlooked a graveyard full of scrubbed white cherubs, harps, urns and green stones; 'sadly missed', 'together with the Lord', 'blessed are the pure in heart' were the euphemisms of bereavement stamped as clearly on my memory as they were etched in the fine marble of family tombs - Parrs, Lowes, Finches and Parrys. Jack and Jim, a kindly monster of a man, face covered in warts and bubucles, dug the graves, sometimes five a day; the wall of the vegetable garden which separated the rhubarb from their work - fine rhubarb it was too - was just high enough to support their weight. 'Honions', said Jack one day as my father hoed and scraped his way through a regimented row of Ailsa Craig, 'Honions. Hi could heat han honion just like hi could heat ha happle.' Though he said this countless times my father failed to take the hint. It was a mining community where the front room was reserved for lying-in; the wash house full of dolly tubs throbbed with the plunging of steaming red elbows on Monday morning and you were always invited to 'walk right in'. The vowel a, of course, was always short; if you had a bath in the house, you took one of those. At Malvern, though, we bathed and laughed. They laughed at me when I wanted to run down a passage; it all seemed pretty illogical to me, and confusing.
No, the point I'm making is that the two worlds didn't meet. I suffered a massive, though brief, dislocation at the beginning and end of every term and holiday as I tried to get hold of the habits, standards and behaviour of my new environment. The train provided that 'frail travelling coincidence' in between. Not that the experience was one for real people either. There was, for instance, always an abundance of kindly old ladies to put me off at the right stop; I'd rather have put up with anything, even my mother's moistened handkerchief rasping at the solidified egg at the corner of my mouth than those kindly old ladies. When my surly responses to their well intentioned gambits finally silenced even the most dogged of them, I'd slip away into what I came to enjoy as an unpressurised world of ideas, anonymous, relieved for a few hours from the search for meaning and identity. I could enjoy, without obligation, the activities of the carriage cleaners at Lime Street Station. There were putter-onners and taker-offers - Doris would lay the polish, inches thick, on the big yellow handles. Elsie never quite made it, however; I always took great weals of Brasso with me, etched into grey, metallic-smelling palms. But what really matters, I suppose, is that my career as an aesthete began here. I learnt my first poetry by heart, that is, apart from the General Thanksgiving and a chunk of Proverbs, sitting on Colwall Station:
They come as a boon and a blessing to men, The Pickwick, the Owl and the Waverley pen and I've had reason to be thankful for that incomparably useful information ever since. I fashioned telling jingles from what the G.W.R. was pleased to serve me: (this to be sung with Handelian brio and many flourishes)
To stop the train in cases of emergency Pull down the chain Pull down the chain
Penalty for improper useFive pounds.
To what improper uses, I wondered, might an emergency chain be put? One of my great uncles used to take photographs to go in railway carriages - those sepia fabrications, usually mildewed in the corners, which were supposed to seduce you to Ventnor or Aberystwyth with never a mention of old men in black trilbies, shirt sleeves and braces and the bottoms of their trousers rolled - my first experience of high art.
Too soon it was all over. Through the oval spy glass in an otherwise opaque world, the moss and grime of a railway rock face. The fumbled rituals of the last minute wash in the lollopping waters of the splashless bowl, the corrosive smell of the near-boiling belches from the tap, and the quaint fear that details of my most intimate activities might suddenly appear for public scrutiny beside the platform at Edgehillthese the prelude to saying 'hello' and, thus, too, 'goodbye', and more strange moving hiatuses between two disparate worlds. I don't mind telling you that if ever a psychiatrist gets me down on his couch and probes he'll come up with what I can already tell him - that the hidden depths of a complex personality were formed years ago in those singles and returns.
P.G.D.
Music Report - 1982-83
The first function of the year was the House Music Competition adjudicated by Tim Brown, Director of Music at Clare College, Cambridge. The winners were Creighton House. The School Concert on 19th November consisted of a large part of Handel's 'Messiah' conducted by Adrian Partington. Since the Festival Choral Society had made a break with their tradition of doing this work in December, it made a welcome opportunity for us to do it ourselves. At the end of the term the Junior School had their Christmas celebration in the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral. The Senior School term ended with a Carol Concert in College Hall, in which the more serious Christmas items were balanced by such frivolities as the Wind Band playing the 'New Moon Waltz' and some members of staff performing a version of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'. In between these events there were also the annual scale-playing competition, a lunch-time concert by the violin pupils and the Keys concerts, of which the 50th concert was an entertaining and informative lecture recital by Professor Ivor Keys on the music connected with Mozart's childhood visit to London.
There were two further Keys concerts in the Spring Term and members of the school also took part in a concert with the Cathedral Choir on February 5th. There was a further lunch-time concert, provided this time by the guitar pupils and the Junior School gave a musical evening on two successive nights in the Passey Hall. Various items learned during the Saturday morning music club run by Robin Thurlby were performed, as well as some songs sung by the Junior School Choir. In the Senior School, work on Haydn's 'Creation' for the concert in May was balanced by rehearsals for the production of 'The Boy Friend'. Although the purely musical demands of this were not comparable with 'The Bartered Bride' performed two years ago, it nevertheless required an exact sense of style and timing which provided many valuable lessons for those taking part as well as being an enjoyable experience. The performances filled the last full week of the term and to have followed this with the proposed concert of pieces by the school orchestras and wind band would have been inappropriate. Accordingly this was postponed to the start of the Summer Term.
During the Easter holidays, Andrew Lawson succeeded in winning an Associated Board Piano Scholarship and one of the items he played for this, Schumann's 'Abegg' Variations, was included in the postponed programme, which took place on Friday, 29th April. The final item, a Concerto Grosso by Handel played by the Chamber Orchestra and conducted by the Headmaster was possibly their best performance to date. Ten days later we were delighted and impressed by a concert given in College Hall by the Alastair Mackerras Chamber Orchestra from Sidney Grammar School in Australia. Although not a specialist music school, but certainly having a well-equipped music staff and a supportive Headmaster, they clearly showed what an excellent standard can be achieved. The School Choir completed a substantial amount of work for the year with their performance of Haydn's 'Creation' Parts I and I1 on 13th May. A representative number from the choir however also performed in the Anthem for Senior King's Day, an &part setting by Palestrina of a Whitsun text, 'Dum Complerentur'. Also in May the final Keys concert of the year on 20th May was followed a few days later by a similar programme at The Royal National College for the Blind at Hereford, which was well received. Although the Senior School were then mainly engaged in exams after half-term, the Middle and Junior Schools still had events at the end of term. The Middle School Music Competition on 25 June, adjudicated by John Butt, Organist of St Catherine's College, Cambridge, was won by lower 4C. It was a pleasure to be able to use the Cathedral Chapter House again for this.
The Junior School ~roduced'Ahmet the Woodseller' at the start of July, using the dining hall for this enjoyable mixture of drama and music. Finally the Middle School presented their annual Entertainment Evening in the Sports Hall on the very hot evening of 4th July. A gratifyingly large audience, requiring many more chairs to be brought, came to hear the programme of music and reading based this year on mainly 17th Century themes.
Looking back on the year, it has been pleasing to see the School Choir building more firmly on the work of the previous year and on the benefits that have come from better attendance and an extended and acknowledged practice time each Tuesday. The fact that 'The Boy Friend' made moderate demands, musically, also meant that we were able to continue the choir's rehearsals throughout the year and so maintain the vital element of continuity. This in turn brings up the question of the traditional two-yearly operatic production. Although there may be certain advantages in the fact that people are accustomed to its regular appearance, there is no doubt that an opera production is too demanding to allow scope for School Choir rehearsals as well. Yet to have a regular break in the choir's activities for two terms out of every six inevitably undermines the work that has been done in the preceding four. In addition there is a!ways the problem of whether the right singers are available. Even more than with plays, it is impossible to produce a work of this kind if the singers do not have the proper range or character of voice. To think that these will present themselves conveniently every two years is plainly unrealistic.
The programme note for 'The Boy Friend' pointed out that the 1981 production of 'The Bartered Bride' represented a break with our tradition of doing only Gilbert and Sullivan operas. 'The Boy Friend' too was an attempt to cover another area of ground than that allowed by our tradition hitherto. Undoubtedly a musicodramatic production, and especially a real opera, has much to offer the musical life of the school. But it is only one aspect of musicmaking and must be balanced with the other areas which ought to be maintained. And to obtain these benefits, the piece needs to be a work of real quality. But the number of such operas that a school can perform is limited, very often because these works require voices that will not have developed till some time after the school leaving age. The many lightweight operettas and, it must be said, musicals that abound are no alternative, since they require just as much work on the whole for far less worthwhile return.
From a musical point of view therefore, there are several factors to be considered. The important needs of continuity in existing areas, the availability of possible singers and, just as important, the commitment of all those prepared to be involved in the production to both the musical and the dramatic aspects of the work. In these circumstances, the two-yearly tradition is also something which cannot be consistently maintained and the decision when to do the next production needs to be related instead to whether or not the right conditions have arrived.
J.M.R.D. July 1983
16th January 1983 - Humphrey Lyttelton in Concert with the Milne-Macdonald Big Band "Jazz!" - Many young people, people from our generation, would wince at the thought of attending a jazz concert. It would be considered an event for older people who, lacking in rhythm, aren't able to cope with today's "pop" music. It is surprising to many of us, who are privileged enough to come to a school like King's, that so many people don't even know what jazz is, or what it sounds like. I personally feel sorry for them, and even more sorry for those who won't give themselves a chance to open their horizons by accepting or experimenting with new ideas, or in this case 'old' ones, in order to become more interesting people.
However, here at King's we had a wonderful afternoon on Sunday 16th January when Humphrey Lyttelton and the Milne-Macdonald Big Band gave us a piece of their mind, wearing striped pyjama tops and blowing away at their instruments. I wasn't the only one who shed a tear or two, and I certainly wasn't the only one who couldn't keep still in my seat!
The Band was formed in 1968 bv Andrew Milne and Hugh Macdonald, Professor of Music at ~lasgowUniversity. BOZ~ combine a love of jazz with a wide involvement in classical music. Many of the Band's members have been with it for ten years or more and their enjoyment of the music that features in the repertoire and of one another's company are significant factors in the Band's success - so much so that a whole host of highly distinguished soloists have been happy to work regularly with the Band, amongst them Humphrey Lyttelton, whom we were fortunate enough to have with us on the day of the concert.
Humwhreu Luttelton in Colleae Hall bu Leslie Daw
The line-up of the Band is four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, piano, bass and drums and the repertoire includes classic standards from the Ellington and Basie libraries, more recent scores by John Dankworth, Harry South, Ken Gibson and others, together with compositions and arrangements by Hugh Macdonald himself.
The Band is made up of people with very different ambitions and outlooks, including two photographers, a policeman, a computer programmer, a dentist, an accountant, an engineer, two doctors, two teachers and of course Hugh Macdonald and Andrew Milne.
The Band occasionally plays for dancing, but only in circumstances where its commitment to the jazz priority is understood. More typical of the Band's appearances have been concerts in any number of schools, theatres and concert halls. Typical venues have included Oundle, Uppingham and Stowe Schools, Clifton College, St. Catherine's College, Oxford, the Arts Theatre Cambridge, The Three Choirs Festival in Worcester and the Roundhouse in London. The King's School, Worcester can now be added to Humphrey Lyttelton and the Milne-Macdonald Big Band's list of successes.
Listening to music is like learning another language with one exception, we can all understand it and communicate through it, either by sitting back and enjoying it, or by playing for people to listen to - it is the language of friendship.
Rebecca Martinez-Squires
The Boy Friend
The lights come up, the coughing stops and those who are still talking are stunned into silence as tens of brightly clothed young ladies leap on stage. This is just one of the endless stream of production numbers, that sparkle and cheer even the gloomiest corners of College Hall. For Sandy Wilson's musical comedy brings a light relief to midexamination blues.
The plot is very simple, boy meets girl and fall in love: but that is not what makes this jolly jaunt into the 1920's fun, it is the music and the eccentric characters, making us laugh and tap our feet at nearly every moment.
In every play there are the parts that are sure to win. One of these is Maisie, played by Alison Nott, who is the giggly little rich girl all the boys are chasing. Another is Mark Jolly's Lord Brockhurst, mixing the innuendo with the cheeky daring of an elderly, upper class gentleman. Robert Milner aquits himself well as Percival Browne and Andrew
Photo: Alan Chan
Rankin adds a touch of mime with his three minor characters. But it is the two central characters, Kate Ogden as Polly and Jonathan Sandilands as Tony that must take the prizes, showing that they can act and sing equally well.
The songs and dances carry the play along nicely, with, for a change, everybody seeming to show that they are enjoying themselves by smiling and giving their all. Even when, at the fancy dress ball, Edwin Simpson arrives as a Second World War pilot the audience is so enthralled that nobody notices.
The lighting and scenery were very effective, to the extent that I felt a little sorry for the orchestra, who were absolutely marvellous, being hidden behind a selection of potted plants. However this didn't seem to mar their performance.
So as The Boy Friend ended and the audience applauded, we were left with a happy feeling and many tunes running through our heads.
Andrew Nunney
The Boy Friend
Sandy Wilson's light hearted musical "The Boy Friend" came to the London stage in 1953 at the Embassy Theatre and then graduated to the West End in the following year to run for 2,078 performances; its appearance as a schools production thirty years later, accompanied by a full house on each of the five nights of its presentation serves as a testament to both its popularity and to the quality of this rendition.
"The Boy Friend" is a gentle parody of the 1920's, it leaves no room for subtle implication or dramatic storyline and instead depends on its qualities as a piece of entertainment to give it theatrical standing. The basic story depends on the kind of misunderstandings that characterise most television comedy; in this case Tony - played by John Sandilandsthinks that Polly-Kate Ogden - is a mere sectretary, whilst she, in reality a wealthy heiress, is led to believe that he is both poor and a thief. Fortunately for all Tony proves to be the lost son of a wealthy old lecher, admirably played by Mark Jolly - this was, indeed, an excellent piece of casting. This somewhat lightweight plot is complimented by an orgy of proposition, which culminates in a massed midnight engagement.
'I'he way in which the limitations of a small stage were overcome in the presentation of a big musical was as impressive as the enthusiasm of the cast as a whole, and only served to highlight the excellence of the co-ordination and composition of the dance routines throughout. Kate Ogden proved herself an ideal choice for the part of Polly, idealising all the qualities of the '20's belle and displaying a truly admirable talent in all aspects of her performance. The major roles were supported by an eager chorus of guys 'n' gals: Paul Bradburn portrayed the drawling and drooling American Bobby Van Husen to a fine degree of excellence as he sang, danced and kicked his way around as much of the stage as he could safely reach. Douglas Bowley gave an extraordinary life to his non-speaking character with such devotion that one night he hurled himself at the audience, purely in pursuit of real Theatre though. Rick Ormerod and Joyce Renney similarly shone in their roles as lesser lights. Peter Diamond and Brian Griffiths must be congratulated on this production, which is truly outstanding in the list of school productions, yet ultimately the praise must rest with a genuinely enthusiastic and talented cast.
Peter Colby
The Strong Are Lonely
In the March of this year Mr. Crow was responsible for the production of a unique play, "The Strong Are Lonely". It was unique in that the entire cast was made up by members of the Upper and Lower Removes. These years not only provided the cast but also the backstage team with Peter Flower-Ellis always having something to do as floor manager. Working with just as much competence was Rebecca Martinez-Squires who was responsible for costumes and make-up and also providing advice for the occasional star who was polishing up his lines.
The main cast provided a wealth of talent everywhere from the leading role to the smallest part, and everyone worked hard together and there were no disagreements.
The play itself, by Fritz Hochwaelder, an Austrian playwrite, was about a large group of Jesuits in the state of Paraguay under the leadership of a stubborn but rather rash Father Provincial. However there are a number of people who disagree with the Jesuits' principles which eventually leads to a battle which sees the wounding of the Jesuit leader who eventually dies.
It could be said that it was a play of morals and there is undoubtably a subtle but meaningful motto in the plot. In the closing stages of the play, when the Father Provincial was lying on his death bed lit only by candles and with the murmuring of latin prayers as the father breathes his last words it can only have stirred the soul of anyone in the audience.
However the main thing is, that everyone enjoyed thoroughly the sense of achievement and we could boast a full house on every night.
James Cooper
The Birthday Party
There are few cakes better suited to bake in the Old Library oven than Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party. Take a raised dais, eight production-scarred flats, several horrific rolls of wallpaper from the Andrews family, a sideboard with woodworm but no weasel from Mr. Grafton, a fluffy carpet from Mr. Bentley, a sofa from College House foyer, a coffee table from the Common Room, a comfortable chair from Dr. Rouse, a noisy vacuum from Mrs. Pemberton, an orange tree from Mr. Murday, six thespians in search of a show, Nick Stephens in search of a drum, Nicholas Owen in search of a prompt, Edward Kemp in search of an interpretation and D.A.P. in search of an audience and you have all the ingredients of a dramatic gateau which you know you shouldn't eat but can't possibly resist.
There is no easy way to serve Pinter to a modern audience. Grand-guignol symbolism and claustrophobic sets fight to undermine the comfortable perceptions we have of our own lives. Just as Stanley's sea-side security is destroyed by the intimidating representatives of an enigmatic organisation, so the audience is unsettled by verbal and physical abuse and successive coups de theatre. There is a strong need to keep symbolic interpretations fluid, to make the characters credible products of this symbolic world and to capitalise on Pinter's many theatrical coups. An impressive cast opened the play to its many levels of interpretation and in moving between pathos and humour displayed genuine theatrical talent.
Robert Millner's Stanley was both sympathetic and repulsive in the true Pinter spirit. Whilst Gabby Downing's forceful Meg pampered him with burning toast and gravylike tea he drooled in vain over Lulu, the curvaceous girlnextdoor played with tantalising bravado by Annabel Murday. Kevin Andrews as the sanguine Petey sensibly observed this household from behind his copy of The Guardian and his futile attempt to stand against Goldberg and McCann admirably captured our sense of despair at Stanley's abduction. Kester Fielding's controlled McCann
provided a perfect foil for Jo Dow as Goldberg. It is rare to witness a young performer who commands such a stage presence yet Jo Dow's characterisation of the menacing Jew captivated attention for every minute he was on stage. Memorable for excellent individual performances and for its haunting effect on the audience, The Birthday Party was not to be missed.
I dreamt of blue eyes Hard as steel; A golden mane And sapphire skies, The ocean's crystal azure peal And forgot my dream of passion's thane.
I dreamt a dream clear and keen, A shining vision devoid of lust And sin and the darkest obscene Thoughts that dreamt of man and mortal dust.
I dreamt of power and dreamt of will, Dreamt a vision that flickers In the depth of thoughts to kill. Dreamt my dreams of ebony swastikas. Stanley Brotherton
Annabel Murclay in The Birthday Party
photograph by Alan Chan
ST. ALBAN'S HOUSE
Sunday
The old, weatherbeaten masonry still supports the sturdy frame of precious bells. Clappers, not light, strike the lips of the twelve bells all consecutively. Shutters swing open, the sound is let out, like a champagne cork bursting suddenly with liveliness. Echoes din the surrounding houses leading down the long narrow street, up to the bridge.
Memories swing to and fro, from side to side, their only chance of being looked at comes from within a parish magazine. Inscriptions, like withered stone, lie forgotten on the same, never-changing scenery of a lower belfry.
The clock ticks on, cogs always on the move, always going, but yet still returning to the old, disfavoured place. Golden rays mingle with the polished silver of low framework, making many mixtures of clear colours, as the sun, like the cog, returns to the original place.
Years of many happenings, many achievements almost hang suspended by the bells, for they are the sole survivors of the years left behind. Fragments of these, though, still live on bell boards hung up in the ringing chamber. Colours stay the same, red on blue, green on white, the only disappearing act they perform is at their lives' end; the end of probably an exhausting and tiring number of years, living suspended by a wheel.
Modern implements seem to be killing off the traditional way, towers are being left unattended, unmanned, to die a natural death of rot and decay, like a withered log. Some things, though, seem to be doing towers good; memories are being recorded for the benefit of other people. Clocks, in earlier styles seem to be re-appearing, full of the old liveliness in towers. Achievements, as well as members of joining lists, to be added on to the wide variety already known. Slowly, and successfully the old life is returning into "the hearts" of towers, and many of them are again being re-used and re-prepared for new use.
Gareth Brock, Form 3
St. Alban's Soccer
Played 22 Won 12 Drawn 4 Lost 6
A most enjoyable season for all concerned with the team being most enthusiastic and eager to learn and compete. The importance of teamwork was constantly stressed, and many games were won through the sheer desire to succeed.
This is not to say that the skill factor was overlooked. Several boys proved themselves to be more than competent in basic technique.
Considerable progress was made over the duration of the season, aided by regular coaching and competition.
This year's team should benefit greatly from the experience gained throughout last season.
The following boys were regular team members: 'P. O'Neill, 'D. Bull, S. Chadney, I. Savage, 'D. Merlin, 'J. Townsend, 'S. Burke, M. Wheeler, M. Westley, 'T. Sanders, K. Kilmartin, J. Sadler, A. Thomson, A. Duncan, D. Jordan 'School colours awarded.
St. Alban's Cricket
An encouraging, even if somewhat inconsistent set of performances.
Potentially, the team could develop into a powerful unit. There are several promising players who should improve tremendously over the next year or so. The team reached the finals of the local &a-side competition which gave them the opportunity of playing on the ground of the Worcester County Cricket Ground.
The team was beginning to take shape prior to the end of the Summer Term and, once basic weaknesses are ironed out, and powers of concentration improve, they could bring some success to the school.
Played 6 Won 3 Drawn 1 Lost 2
The squad of players:
'S. Chadney (Capt), 'A. Thomson, 'K. Norman, N. Savage, M. Richards, J. Richardson, D. Bull, N. Adams, S. Willmott, R. Leah, A. Duncan, J. Townsend, T. Sanders 'School colours awarded.
Junior School Rugby
Rugby was introduced for the first time to the Junior School this season. After only four practice sessions the team took to the field at The Downs, Colwall, and in a very entertaining match lost narrowly 10-8. The boys achieved a tremendous amount in so short a time.
Those who played:
P. Buston, D. Jordan, D. Bull, P. Kwan, N. Savage (Capt),M. Wheeler, N. Adams, S. Willmott, J. Townsend, M. Richards, T. Sanders, A. Duncan, D. Merlin, J. Lumsdon, M. Westley.
Results :
v. The Downs Lost 8-10
v. Hillstone Lost 8-10
v. St. Richards Won 50-Nil
v. Hawford Lodge Lost 12-24
v. The Elms Won 16-Nil
v. Winterfold House Lost 6-15
Christingle Service - Christmas 1982
For the second year running, King's Junior School held a special Christingle Service in St. Alban's Chapel.
The Church of England Children's Society have revived this ancient Moravian custom in which families gather to celebrate the coming of Christmas.
During the service members of the third form were presented with a 'Christingle' in return for a purse of money collected over the previous three weeks. We all sang carols by the light of Christingle Candles and enjoyed a delightful guitar duet performed by Simon Chadney and Richard Chong.
Thankfully we were able to send a substantial sum of money to the Church of England Children's Society home in Solihull.
We plan to organise a similar celebration this year and hope it will be an equally enjoyable experience.
Paris
Twenty-three boys plus four members of staff left St. Alban's, parents and Worcester at the unearthly time of 5.00 a.m. on the morning of the 28th March. The party was heading for a five day educational visit to Paris, although the term educational has to be seen in its broadest context, as the main aim was to provide some real experience of the country, to use the French that had been taught and to savour the atmosphere.
That the trip was a great success is due to the excellent behaviour of the boys, the fine weather, and the hard work of the staff who accompanied them. The itinerary included all the sights of Paris, a boat trip on the Seine, Paris by night and a trip to Versailles. We very much hope to be able to raise a party for another visit in 1985.
P.K. Winter
Mr. Conway's Visit
Today Mr. Conway came to our School with some of his animals. IT, 1D and 2L saw him first then 2M, 3WR and 3WS. He brought with him one amphibian, one reptile, one bird and one mammal. Mr. Conway's first animal was an American Bullfrog. Its legs are twice the size of its body and
it is greatly camouflaged. Its eyes and nose are on top so it can see through the water. One of its worst enemies is man because we go out shooting them for their legs.
Next came the Indian Python which can be 6 or 7 feet long and swallow an antelope when fully-grown but, Mr. Conway's was only half grown. We were allowed to touch him and he felt smooth and soft, not hard and rough.
The racoon is a thief but he looks very nice. It was on a dog's lead as they are the same size. Mr. Conway's racoon was shedding its coat as summer is coming and it only needed a light coat. It is a beige colour with black rings on the tail.
The eagle-owl comes from India and perches on high cliffs so its camouflage looks like loose pebbles and cracks. The owl can turn its head 320 degrees to a humans head, which can only turn 180 degrees. The owl's eyes cannot move up, down and across like a human. Its eyesight is very good, it can see a small mouse from 5 miles away. The reason it is called an eagle-owl is because it has a strong hooked beak like an eagle.
A. Ellison Form 1
The Rain
Rain against the window, Glittering in the light, Pitta-patta against the glass, Shimmering in the night. Cold rain icey rain, Stinging against our face, Biting rain, whipping rain, Makes you hurry and race.
Simon Phillips Form 2
The Autumn Wind
Tender golden leaves float in the gusty wind, The soft sparkling streams flow happily on the jutting rocks.
The wind howls gently, plucking the diamond rain from the fluffy clouds.
The reign of the ruthless wind will never end.
Daniel Jones Form 2
Snow
Dangerous, drifting, snow lying thickly, Light as a swan's feather, Sparkling like jewels in the winter sun, Crunching under foot, Silvery, lit by the moon, Silent and muffling, Fluttering like a white bird in the sky, Covering everything in sight, Under its white blanket.
Matthew Griffiths Form 1
Spring
The cold, iced-over brook takes form, And returns to a life of currents fair and slow. Rats and moles awake from their long ordeal, Of outsleeping the cold, wintry nights.
Under the slow melting snow, daffodils retain their awaited image,
To look up at the trees presenting their pink blossomed buds.
Snowdrops lie beaten on the moist ground, Half-dead by the drowning snow of yesterday.
Spiders' webs glisten; and, along by the bank of the brook, grow their long branches to reproduce shadows on the ice-cold water.
Water boatmen leap at their first challenge since the winter cold.
Everything begins to change, Re-shaping nature, for the awaiting summer.
Gareth Brock Form 3
V The Park Party
D Upper Remove Potters by Bertil Olin
THE EIGHTIETH REUNION
The Annual General Meeting
The A.G.M. was held on Saturday, 17 September at 6.40 p.m. in the Old Library. The President, Group Captain T. Garden, was in the Chair and welcomed Dr. J.M. Moore, the new Headmaster. There were 23 present and 19 others sent their apologies.
The Hon. Sec., M.R. Craze, reported that the Committee had met in November, February and June. In June they had made a presentation of Worcester Porcelain to Mr. and Mrs. Milne and made Mr. Milne an Honorary O.V. In February they had decided to print a new O.V. Register in time for distribution in July 1984. The last one had appeared in January 1974 and contained 2190 names. This would name over 3000. Walter Cullis had agreed to help him with the technicalities of publication.
The Hon. Treasurer, O.R. Craze, circulated the Accounts for 1982. Income was £3145, but Expenditure exceeded this by £40, because the contributions to the improved Vigornian Magazine had been doubled. The meeting unanimously adopted the Accounts and passed a vote of thanks to O.R. Craze and the Hon. Auditor, J.I. Wagstaff, who was present.
The President thanked the whole Committee for their hard work and proposed D.T. Howell as his successor. J.P. Pimley seconded and the motion was enthusiastically carried. D.T. Howell then took the Chair and on the Club's behalf and his own thanked the retiring President for his services and his example. Further elections followed: J.D. Reynolds was re-elected as Vice-President; M.R. Dudley was elected as Vice-President; A.F. Partington, D.L. Green and Catherine Boulton were elected to the Committee.
Dr. Stephen Strong, past President, read from a letter sent to him by the Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge; it was the College's intention to put a memorial plaque to Archbishop Philip Strong, K.B.E., C.M.G., D.D., in the Chapel. There was to be a Memorial Service at 12 noon on 21 October at St. Paul's Knightsbridge at which the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury would be present. The O.V. Club would be represented.
The Annual Dinner
A record number of 188 sat down to Dinner in College Hall at 8 p.m. after the Annual General Meeting. Group Captain Garden presided and the Rt. Hon. Peter Walker, M.P. for Worcester and Secretary of State for Energy, was the Chief Guest, with Mrs. Walker. The other Guests were Mr. A.M. Grier, Chairman of the Governors, and the Hon. Mrs. Grier; the Headmaster and Mrs. Moore; the President of the Old Elizabethans' Association and Mrs. Sawyer; Michael Morgan, Head of School, and Rosalind Goodrich, College House's Head Girl. Many 0.V.s also had their own guests.
After dinner the Vice-President, A.J. Wright, proposed a toast to The Health and Prosperity of King's School and Dr. Moore replied in what Parliament would call a maiden speech. He had been in Worcester only three weeks and looked forward to making a full year's report at the Dinner of 1984. The President toasted the Ladies separately and then the Guests and Peter Walker replied in a speech full of fun and devoid of controversy or political shop. The Club is most grateful to him for accepting the invitation as long ago as November 1982 when observers were expecting an October 1983 General Election. Then he had been Minister of Agriculture. Now he was Minister for Energy.
Sill's of Cheltenham catered and served dinner most admirably and it was good to see the Medieval Refectory filled to capacity. Late applicants for tickets had had to be refused with regret.
It was good to see many present masters there and, among retired masters, Mr. and Mrs. Annett and Mr. Ferrar. It was good also to see O.V. girls. Our chief thanks go to Roy Padden, the Dinner Secretary, and Mrs. Padden; to Mrs. Pimley for, amongst other things, a superb floral display on the stage and to all who arranged the Hall and stayed late clearing everything away.
Hostel House O.V. Birthday Party
As well as being the Club's Eightieth Reunion, the day marked the Eightieth Anniversary of The Hostel as a King's School boarding-house. It was in September 1903 that the newly married Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Castley received their first boys. To celebrate this fact, Mr. and Mrs. J.L.K. Bridges were At Home from 6 p.m. to all ex-Hostel 0.V.s attending the Dinner and to their guests. Over seventy accepted the kind invitation and the house reverberated with animated conversations. Mrs. Pedder was there and Mr. and Mrs. R.D. Knight, who had enthusiastically supported the plan and had written to many of their own Hostel 0.V.s about it. Mrs. Norah Hunter (n6e Castley), who was born in the house in 1905, had hoped to come, but in the end could not. Two tables in College Hall were reserved for the seventy and undoubtedly this Birthday Party was a prime factor in the record attendance there. The initial idea, it should be said, came from P.A.D. Brown (H.49-55). The thanks of their guests go to Mr. and Mrs. Bridges.
The Sunday Morning
The Sung Eucharist at 11 a.m. in the Cathedral on 18 September was attended by the School with King's Scholars and Queen's Scholar, Headmaster and Second Master, in the procession. Many 0.V.s were there too. A.F. Partington (66-76) played the organ. R.A. Franklin (4549) was the Crucifer and L.R. Huband (43-46) the Verger. The Epistle was read by the new President, D.T. Howell (53-61).and the Sermon was preached by the Vicar of St Francis, Dudley, i the Rev. T.E. Thomas (46-55).The Cathedral was crowded. Afterwards Mrs. Moore entertained 0.V.s and their ladies in 9 College Green, newly furnished but otherwise the same as in these last four years. It is astonishing how quickly Dr. Moore and Mrs. Moore are getting to know people and we look forward to a healthy and educationally prosperous future.
The O.V. Committee 1983-4
President
D.T. Howell (53-61)
Chairman J.P. Pimley (37-39)
Headmaster Dr J.M. Moore
Vice-Presidents: J.D. Reynolds (3539)
A.J. Wright (57-65)
M.R. Dudley (51-59)
Hon. Secretary
M.R. Craze (19-25)
Hon. Social Sec. R.T. Padden (4&52)
Hon. Treasurer
Hon. Auditor
Development Campaign
O.V. Cricket Club
O.R. Craze (2&30)
J.I. Wagstaff (52-61)
P.C. Underwood (42-47)
T.E.A. Mackie (47-56)
Elected in 1981: Yvonne Hale (78-80)
Elected in 1982: M. Homer (68-73)
F.B.H. Woolley (56-61)
R.H. Blakeway (48-55)
A.I. Denison (69-74)
Elected in 1983: A.F. Partington (66-76)
D.L. Green (6570)
Catherine Boulton (80-82)
Births
D.R.W. BRYER (H.51-62). To Margaret (n6e Bowyer) and David at Oxford on 19 August 1983 a daughter, Helen Elizabeth Charlotte.
D.H. CHAMP (C1.61-68). To Susan-Anne (nke Baker) and David at St Albans on 31 December 1981 a son, Jack. P.A.CONGRAVE (B.62-72). To Wendy and Philip at Ronkswood Hospital, Worcester on 5 February 1983 a daughter, Jennifer Hazel.
J.G. COOK (H.52-57). To Diana (n6e Hodge) and Jeremy at the West London Hospital on 5 March 1983 a son, Joseph Henry.
S.M. CROWCROFT (W.62-69).To Glenys and Stephen on 11 February 1982 a daughter Julia, a sister for Laura.
A.F. PARTINGTON (S.66-76). To Claire (n6e Crane) and Adrian in Worcester on 11 June 1983 a son, Thomas Frederick John.
A.J.H. RICHARDSON (H.63-67). To Carole and Andrew in Huddersfield on 4 March 1983 a son, Thomas.
M.A. THACKERAY (B.64-71). To Angela (n6e Tovey) and Mark at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading on 22 April 1983 a son, Sam.
S.M. TOMLINSON (H.63-70).To Joanna and Stephen at the Middlesex Hospital on 21 December 1982 a daughter, Louise.
T.S.WRIGHT (DB.42-46). To Toni (n6e Denman) and Thomas on 15 March 1982 a son Ronald Robert Morak, a brother for Caroline Margarethe.
Engagements
H.A.CAIRNS TERRY (Ch.70-75) of Maisemore, Gloucestershire to Miss Anita Elizabeth Dowsett of Higham, Gloucestershire.
M.G.L. CURLE (C1.62-72) to Miss Shirley Redpath of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
J.M.FLAUX (C1.63-72) to Miss Matilda Gabb of Canterbury, Kent.
N.R.GREGORY (W.70-75) to Miss Yoke Lin Ong of Damantara Heights, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
W.M. HEWITI' (Ch.69-73) of Stone, Staffordshire to Miss Carol Susan Peppe of Canaan, Connecticut, U.S.A.
DR M.S. TOLLEY (S.61-70)of Dore, Sheffield to Miss Sarah Hanbury Tenison of Clytha Park, Gwent.
SURGEON LT. CDR. P.G.N.G. WILLIAMS (Cr.60-68) of Droitwich to Miss Elizabeth Anne Day, Q.A.R.N.N.S., of St Cross. Winchester.
Marriages
Dr R.J. ADCOCK (Ch.59-67) to Miss Caroline Grant on 9 April 1983.
M.L. ALDRIDGE ((21.67-77)of Malvern and Miss Jacaueline Boon of ~oddenham,~rbadwason Teme at ~riadwas Church in July 1983. Mark's best man was M.R. Phipps (W.70-77)
ANGELA M. CAMPLING (Co.7678) to Robert Jolyon Magor of St Minver, Wadebridge, Cornwall at St Augustine's Church, Dodderhill, Droitwich in August 1983.
Dr D.W.T. CHING (H.71-76)to Dr Avril Elizabeth Boyd on 26 July 1983 at St John's Church, Fairfield, Liverpool.
A.V. COOK (C1.57-66)to Miss Alison Mary Green in April 1983 at St Nicholas Church, Dormston, Worcs. His best man was D.C. Hewitt (Cr.59-66)
T.J.DAVIS (B.71-78) to Miss Catherine Robinson (Co.78-80) at St Martin's and St Peter the Great's Church, London Road, Worcester on 20 August 1983. Sarah Foley (Co.7880) was Cathy's chief bridesmaid.
J.L. DERRY (B.6572) to Miss Sheena Lauckner on 22 August 1981 in Oxford.
P.R.J. HARDYMAN (C1.65-72) to Miss Cynthia Best at Holy Trinity Church, Skipton on 25 July 1981. M.K.J. Hardyman (C1.68-75)was his brother's best man.
T.P. KING (Ca.69-72) to Miss Susan Margaret Dawson at Collaton St Mary Parish Church, Paignton, Devon on 25 September 1982.
M.J. LEANG (Ca.62-67) to Miss Virginie James at L'Eglise de Grignan, Dr6me, France on 31 July 1982.
J.G. OWENS (B.62-69)to Miss Susan Ann Bell at the Coign, Woking on 9 July 1983.
C.J. PICKFORD (S.6570) to Miss Rosemary Money at Bedford on 16 April 1983.
P.J. TAYLOR (W.69-76) to Miss Audrey Elizabeth Hargreaves in Pershore Abbey on 30 April 1983.
CELIA VAN OSS (Co.7577) to Charles Randall on 14 May 1983 at the Church of St Mary and St Bartholomew, Cranborne, Dorset.
M.W. VERITY (C1.71-76) of Newland House Farm, Droitwich to Miss Sandra Jane Steele of Chapel Farm, Netherton at St Mary's Church Elmley Castle in July 1983.
LOUISE WARD (Co.7577) to Kevin Mortimer Gerald at St Katherine's Church, Wormington, Broadway, Worcestershire on 4 September 1982.
M.B. WILKES (W.72-77) to Miss Karen Ann Davys at St Mary's Church, Bickleigh, Plymouth on 9 October 1982.
D.J. WILLIAMS (Cr.63-70) to Miss Zena Bonner at All Saints Church, Hampton on 29 May 1982. His best man was his brother C.G. Williams (Cr.6673) and the bride's father, the Rev. D.R. Bonner, officiated.
Deaths
COLONEL H.S. BAKER (Ca.18-19)at Sherborne, Dorset on 28 February 1982 after a long illness. From his own father's engineering business he went into the Army and commanded front line R.E.M.E. workshops in World War Two. On retirement he farmed near Yeovil. To his son Dr A.S. Baker (Ca.63-68)and family we extend our sympathy.
J.A.J. CAVES (DB.13-17) on 27 October 1982 at his Malvern Link house after a long illness. He was in business in Worcester till 1925, then in Torquay till 1950, then in the motor trade in Malvern till 1977. An outstanding singer, he often sang solos at Edgar Day's School Concerts. To his widow Gladys and her brother R.A. Constance (DB.17-20) and nephew R.P. Constance (DB.49-56) we offer our sympathy.
D.E.J. COURT (Ca.49-52)at Stafford on 20 September 1982. He left a widow and four children, to whom we send our sympathy.
E.F. DAY (Master, 20-51) on 16 March 1983, aged 91. He served in the King's Royal Rifle Corps 1914-17 and was badly wounded in 1916 on the Somme. He was Assistant Organist in the Cathedral for fifty years, staying in Worcester to look after a handicapped older half-brother. His thirty years as the King's School's music master were made notable by the annual Christmas concerts and by the perfection of his individual tuition. A shy man, he was infinitely patient. A humble musician, he was nevertheless admired by Elgar himself. His sense of fun came out in the quartets he and Franklin and Tattersall and Nicholls sang at the old school concerts to uproarious applause. All are now on the other side.
Dr, O.P. GILES (07-14) on 21 April 1983, aged 85. He was christened Oliver Pemberton after his great-uncle, a famous Victorian surgeon. He served in the Royal Field Artillery in the 1914-18 War and qualified in medicine in 1924. As a G.P. in Stourport on Severn, he helped to found the Lucy Baldwin Maternity Hospital. He lived at Horton Manor, Hanley Swan for his last 28 years and was the perfect family doctor.
THE REV. A.J.C.B. GILL (S.19-23)on 20 July 1983, aged 78. A Christ Church, Oxford Chorister, he left the King's School with an Open History Scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford. From St Stephen's House, Oxford, 'Father Colin' grew into a notable High Church priest at St Alban's, Holborn and St Magnus the Martyr, London Bridge. He was Master of the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham 1973-82. The Bishop of London conducted his Funeral.
LT. COL. P.H. JACKSON (S.27-30),late The 60th Rifles and The 10th Hussars (P.W.O.), on 5 February 1983 in Cirencester Memorial Hospital. He was an Olympic and Empire Games oarsman with the London Rowing Club,
though more distinguished at school as a member with his brother G.N. Jackson of the great pack of forwards in 1930 which had H.S. Clarke at its heels as scrum-half.
MAJOR R.J. LITTLE (Cr.41-45), Royal Engineers, on 7 February 1983 at Gillingham, Kent. A Worcester boy, he called his Dorset home Vigornia.
ARCHBISHOP P.N.W. STRONG (Ca.09-17) died in Australia, just before his 84th birthday, on 6 July 1983. He was Bishop of New Guinea 1936-62, Archbishop of Brisbane 1962-70 and Primate of Australia. In retirement he lived in the Cathedral Close at Wangaratta where his former chaplain The Very Rev. D.L. Thawley (S.38-42) is Dean. His last preaching engagement was on Easter Day before the Prince and Princess of Wales in Australia. Curiously enough his nickname at school as a boy was 'the Bishop'. He served in France in the Royal Engineers and after Cambridge became a vicar in Leeds and Sunderland. He was C.M.G. and K.B.E. In London a Memorial Service was held for him at St. Paul's, Knightsbridge on 21 October 1983. A great soul.
G.K. TA'ITERSALL (Master, 22-30) died in April 1983, aged 83. He had been a boy in Cuthbert Creighton's house at Uppingham School and Creighton brought him to the King's School to teach English and coach the Rugger. A light-weight back row forward, he captained Worcester RFC and played for the county. He left to be Schools Secretary of Toc H, but later returned to teaching English at a Northamptonshire prep-school, Spratton Hall, while running his own market garden as well. In his sixties he could still hop into and out of an empty dustbin! A complex and magnetic character, much loved by his pupils and colleagues.
W.O.H. WOODROW (DB.21-27) in Norwich on 27 September 1983 after a long illness.
Pre-War Vigorians
Dr B.A.J. ARTHURE (S.17-22) was in the School Fives IV in 1921-22 and an early member of the Jesters Club and Rugby Fives Association and he recently contributed an interesting article to the Rugby Fives Association Journal on his Winchester Fives days at the King's School.
THE REV. W.J.H. BANKES (S.22-25) after 50 years as a priest is living in retirement at the College of St Barnabas, Lingfield, Surrey. He was an R.N.V.R. and then an R.N. Chaplain from the outbreak of war, sometimes shorebased, often at sea and torpedoed once. He is a cousin of the Strongs.
F.C. DAVIS (Ca.06-11) was honoured by Country Life in 1983 with a special Dinner to mark his ninetieth birthday. He had contributed articles on antiques for many years and was formerly the Times Antiques Correspondent. His books include 'Glass' and 'Victorian Patrons of the Arts'. He was Captain of the School in 1909-11,Meeke Scholar of Hertford College, Oxford and an Infantry Officer in the 1914-18 War.
THE REV. A.J. DAY (07-14) retired from his Mersham Vicarage in the Leicester Diocese in his 80th year in January 1982 and is living at Ashby de la Zouch.
B.S. ECKERSLEY (Ca.30-37) has retired from practice at the Bar after 33 years, but is much in demand as an arbitrator in commercial disputes.
W.H.B. KEY (DB.37-39) is Second Master at Bethany School, Goudhurst, Kent..
S.M. LOCK (H.3538) has retired from teaching modern languages and lives at Scawsby, near Doncaster with his wife and their twelve-year old son. He graduated at Birkbeck College, London after war service in the Royal Engineers and ended up as Head of Modern Languages at the Judd School, Tonbridge.
SIR JACK LONGLAND (S.19-23) was a judge of the 1983 W.H. Smith 'Young Writers' competition, now in its 25th year. There were over 20,000 competitors. He and Lady Longland have four children and five grandchildren. Lady Longland's father was Arthur Harrison, who rebuilt the Worcester Cathedral organ in the 1920s.
A.S. PHELIPS (S.20-25) has moved from Kent to Pershore while his brother J.H.C. Phelips (S.20-29) has moved from Colwall and gone to Streatley, Reading to be nearer his daughters, Mrs Ellen Pearce (S.74-76)and Mrs Wolfendale.
J.C. PHILLIPS (DB.3537) is Director of the new Elgar School of Music in the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel in Worcester, lately restored.
CANON J.P.C.P. Raban (S.32-36) retired in 1983 from the Chaplaincy of the Countess of Mountbatten Unit and from being Rural Dean of Southampton.
J.D. REYNOLDS (S.3539) spent the last quarter of 1983 in Canada, Newfoundland and Australia.
J.G. STRE'ITON (Ca.29-34) retired in 1977 from the South Australian Public Service, where he was Assistant Branch Manager in Victoria for the S.A. Department of Tourism. He and his wife live in Moonta, S.A., but do a lot of travelling.
S.D. STRONG (Ca.06-14 and Master, 20-58) shares a birthday with Prince William on 21 June and in 1983 celebrated his 87th. He was the first of the three brothers tolcome to the King's School.
F.D. SWIFT (DB.2533) has moved house from King's Sutton to Long Hanborough, Oxford.
Pos't-War Vigornians
DR R.J. ADCOCK (Ch.59-67) is in General Practice at Belper in Derbyshire.
S.N. ALEXANDER (H.72-78) teaches Geography and is a Boarding Housemaster at the Vale of Catmose Community College, Oakham, Leicestershire.
H. ALLSOPP (Ca.46-54) was with the Lancashire Mucation Authority 1964-76 and is now with Kent as Principal Assistant for Higher and Further Education. He also administers the National Youth Training Scheme for the unemployed. He and Anne have three children, Jonathan (17), Kathryn (14) and Matthew (10), all with Rammell as a second name. Miss Rammell brought both Allsopp boys up in the war and after at Whittington.
J.G. ARTHURS (DB.4348)has been a Primary School teacher all his working life. Edgar Day taught him the organ and piano and in his will left him a miniature score of the Dream of Gerontius autographed by Sir Edward Elgar.
B.M. ARTUS (C1.73-80) graduated in July at Aberdeen University in Land Economy and is working for Bonsor Pennington (Chartered Surveyors) at Richmond, Surrey.
R.M. BACON (B.70-80) is reading Politics at the London School of Economics and edits the student newspaper there. In the summer of 1982 he worked in the Cayman Islands Government sewerage department.
Dr A.S. BAKER (Ca.63-68) is the Senior Registrar on Orthopaedic Surgery at Plymouth and is due to move on to Bristol.
F.C. BARLOW (W.57-67) is the senior partner in a firm of . Chartered Surveyors at Weston super Mare and Bristol.
M.A. BEASLEY (B.71-76) is an Assistant Librarian in the Natural History section at the British Museum.
DEREK BELL (S.51-58) won the 1982 Driver of the Year award of the Guild of Motoring Writers as the winner for the third successive year of the Le Mans 24 hour race. The Award is for 'courage, individual flair, skill and endeavour'.
A.J. BENTALL (Cr.53-64) is Head of English at the Lanesborough Preparatory School, Guildford. The Cathedral choristers come from that school and Andrew Millington (Cr.68-70),as Cathedral Organist and Master of
the Choristers, spends some time each week teaching there.
D.W. BLUNDELL (Ch.48-55) is Manager of the Financial Planning Department (Southern Region) of the Equitable Life Assurance Society. He and his wife have two sons at Sheffield University.
B.K.W. BOOTH (S.68-75) is working at the Greenwich Museum.
Dr B.H. BOYLE (Cr.57-67) qualified in 1973 at the Guy's Hospital Medical School and is now in a country practice in the Waverley Valley on the Norfolk and Suffolk border. He and his wife Alexandra (n6e Osborne) have a son and a daughter.
W.A.G. BRIDGENS (Ch.61-68) is a petrochemical engineer with Exxon and lives at present in the U.S.A. He and his wife have three daughters.
P.A.D. BROWN (H.49-56) is an Area Officer and Senior Operations Manager with Warwickshire County Council. He and his wife have three daughters, two of them at London University. He sails and he paints.
D.R.W. BRYER (H.51-62)has since 1981 been co-ordinating Oxfam's programme in Africa. He is based on Oxford, but .travels a good deal in Sub-Saharan Africa.
M.E. BUNDRED (Ca.72-77)graduated in Civil Engineering at Portsmouth Polytechnic in 1982 and is working for Alfred McAlpine in an opencast coalmine near Johannesburg.
S.J. BUNDRED (Ca.69-74) has moved from National Coal Board H.&., South Midlands Area, near Ashby de la Zouch, to the Kinross Gold Mine in the Transvaal for one year's training in Gold Mining techniques. A.D.B. Skinner (Ca.67-74) and Alison Skinner, n6e Heath (Ca.71-73)are his neighbours and N.S. Hales (S.76-81) is thereabouts too.
H.A. CAIRMS TERRY (Ch.70-75) turned to Accountancy after graduating in French and German at Durham University in 1980. His fianc6e Anita is a graduate of Exeter University and a trainee administrator in the National Health Service in Plymouth.
D.H. CHAMP (C1.61-68) is Chief Engineer at Automated Library Systems and lives in Welwyn Garden City. After graduating in Physics at Sussex University in 1971, he spent a year in Polymer Research and then began a career in Electronics.
Dr. D.W.T. CHING (H.71-76) is specialising in Cardiothoracic Medicine at the Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool and his wife is in General Medicine at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
S.N. CLAY (B.70-81) has started the clinical part of his Medicine course at Birmingham University. Spent the summer at Toronto, Canada.
C.J. CLAYDON (W.77-82)entered the R.M.A., Sandhurst in January 1983 on the Standard Military Course and was commissioned in The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in August 1983. His brother M.N. Claydon (W.70-79) is already an officer in the same Regiment.
STEPHEN CLEOBURY (Ch.58-67) is happily settled with his family in Cambridge where he is Director of Music and Organist at King's College and Conductor of the University Musical Society. His King's College Choir toured Australia and New Zealand this last summer.
N.A. CLULEY (Ch.60-67) is still teaching Economics at Solihull School where he is the Careers Master. He is also in regular fellowship with a local Pentecostal church.
A.C. COLE (W.69-74) has become an associate partner in Banks and Silvers, Estate Agent and Surveyors. Since 1980, he has managed their Northfield office.
P.A. CONGRAVE (B.62-72) founded in 1979 Minster Microcomputers, based on Stourport on Severn. They install and service and program business computer systems.
A.D. CONWAY (Ch.74-77) joined the Warwickshire Constabulary in April 1981 and plays Rugger for them. He is stationed at Stratford on Avon.
A.V. COOK (C1.57-66) works for Kay's in Worcester. He married last April.
J.G. COOK (H.52-57) lives in London and has a marketing consultancy business. He and his wife Diana both ran in the 1981 and 1982 London Marathons and in 1983 he was the racing director of the event, in succession to Chris Brasher and John Duley. He is Captain of the Ranelagh Harriers.
S.M. CROWCROFT (W.62-69) is now working for I.C.I. as senior development engineer for their pharmaceutical division. He and his wife Glenys have two daughters, Laura (3) and Julia (1).
W.G.H. CULLIS (S.38-41) repeated his 1981 London Marathon in 1983 and completed the course in 3 hours 53 minutes, raising E75 in sponsorship for St George's Church, Worcester.
P.J. CUMMIN (Ch.60-69) is working in the U.S.A. (5 Concorde Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts).
T.J. DAVIS (B.71-76)has moved from Worcester to Swindon on promotion within W.H. Smith's Management Services Division.
A.I. DENISON (S.69-74) now runs the Central London Training Centre of H.M. Customs and Excise. He commands a London Army Cadet detachment with the rank of Captain and has again helped the King's School C.C.F. at their two camps.
Dr J.L. DERRY (B.6572) graduated in Medicine from New College, Oxford in 1979 and is now a General Practitioner. His wife Sheena is the sister of D. Lauckner (Ch.60-65).
G.R. DONALDSON (Ch.57-61)is the Buying Director for a frozen food company and now lives between Spalding and King's Lynn. Would be pleased to hear from any 0.V.s in this area.
J.B. DOUGLAS-HAMILTON (Ca.5666) has taken up an appointment in the Sovereign Base Area Customs Service in Cyprus at Akrotiri.
S.C.P. DRAPER (B.72-77) began his third year at Bath Academy of Art by making a four-month exchange visit to the Cooper Union College, New York. He is a sculptor.
S.N.W. DUPERNEX (Cr.64-71) is working as a systems designer in the computer department of Laura Ashley Associates. He and his wife have two children.
J.A. EIDINOW (49-54) analysed the West German Federal Election on Radio 4 last March in an excellent Analysis programme.
J.S. FARDON (H.70-75) is working at Pottersbury Lodge School, Towcester, Northants, a Steiner school for maladjusted children.
A.M. FEGAN (S.64-68) migrated to Australia from Netherland in 1981 and is happily settled in Melbourne as manager of the Planning Department, Trans Australia Airlines.
M.S. GIDDINS lW.73-78) is Chief Clerk in the Oxfordbranch of the Geds ~erhanentBuilding Society.
S.J. GILLMAN (Ch.62-66) has left the Merchant Navy with the rank of Chief Officer and the Master Mariner's Certificate. He now lives in Minehead and plans to be a fruit farmer. He and his wife have a daughter aged 2.
Dr A.R. GREEN (Ca.57-62) is Assistant Director of the Medical Research Council Clinical Pharmacology Unit in the Radcliffe Infirmary at Oxford and is an examiner in physiological sciences in the University.
D.N. GREGORY (W.71-76) is the Food and Beverage Manager in London in the Great Northern Hotel.
N.R. GREGORY (W.70-75) is working in Hong Kong as Assistant Vicepresident of Deak Perrera.
P.G. GWYNN-JONES (C1.42-45) runs a London restaurant
called Pomegranates at 94 Grosvenor Road, S.W.1.
P.R.J. HARDYMAN (C1.65-72)is a design engineer with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at Dounreay and lives in Thurso, Caithness.
BRIGADIER P.F.B. HARGRAVE (H.44-52) is Director of Army Recruiting at the Ministry of Defence and in March 1983 was appointed Colonel of The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment.
R.I. HARLEY (W.64-71) is now Chairman of the O.V. Cricket Club. He works in Droitwich for Insight Inspections and was recently in Indonesia on business.
M.W. HARMAN (Cr.49-55) is married with three children and lives in Sussex. After 20 years as a B.B.C. engineer he has joined a company with interests in satellites and is its chief engineer.
THE REV. P.M. HARRIS (Ch.65-70) and his wife Miranda have established a Christian Field Study Centre and Bird Observatory in Portugal with the object of strengthening Christian witness and caring for the environment.
W.M. HEWIlT (Ch.69-73)met his fiancke while working at a flower pot factory in Connecticut, U.S.A.
J.B. HIGGINS (DB.49-50) is the Religious Education master and Community Service organiser at Leominster Middle School. He was one of the earliest students at Worcester Training College and specialised in Divinity and History there.
N.P. HILEY (Cr.69-76) appeared on the B.B.C. TV programme 'Secrets' as a researcher into Government Archives.
A.J. HOBSON (H.7680) captained the Magdalene College, Cambridge Boat Club in 1982-3and won a University Trial Cap.
S.J. HOOKER (H.76-80) graduated in Applied Physics at Hull University with a Lower Second and is now working for Nuclear Enterprises Ltd., a Thorn E.M.I. company near Reading.
L.R. HUBAND (DB.4346) after over 30 years with Heenan and Froude has become a verger in Worcester Cathedral. D.C. HUDSON (Ch.7581)passed out of R.M.A. Sandhurst in December 1982 and is an officer in the Royal Engineers.
M.R.C. HUGHES (Ca.67-72) graduated with honours in Electrical Engineering at Swansea University and is a computer programmer and systems analyst with Plessey in Liverpool. He married Angela Johnson in 1978 and they are both active in the English Folk Dance and Song Society, a far cry (he says) from his Castle House accordion days.
R.S. HUME (5354), English-Speaking Union Exchange Scholar that year, now heads the Law Office 'Hayes and Hume' at 138 South Rodeo Drive, Beverley Hills, California 90212, U.S.A. He would like to hear from old friends.
P.J. IRVING (B.7577) gained his F.R.C.O. at the July 1983 examination and was awarded both the Turpin Prize and the Durrant Prize. The good news was sent to him by the Secretary of the Royal College of Organists, Stephen Cleobury (Ch.58-67).
MAJOR A.L.O. JERRAM (Cr.50-55) is serving in the Sudan as an instructor at the Sudanese Staff College in Omdurman.
J.J. JERRAM (Ch.50-58) lives in St Albans and works in London as Financial Controller with Standard Telephones and Cables.
Dr T.C. JERRAM (Cr.52-61) lives in Ilkley and divides his time between Menston Hospital and Leeds.
R.H. JONES (B.61-70) works in the Highways and Transportation Department of the Hereford and Worcester C.C. and is more particularly concerned with public rights of way.
A.J. JUDD (Ch.56-66) completed his M.A. course in
Landscape Gardening at Sheffield University in 1980 and runs his own Landscape Design and Contracting business in Worcestershire.
M.H. JUDD (Ch.63-73) is an architect and married and living in Brentford. In London cricket he meets K. Francis (W.68-75),A.J. Cook (B.68-75) and A.S. Jinman (Cr.68-75).
S.J.F. JUDD (Ch.68-70) lives in Croydon and is a partner in a firm of solicitors.
T.P. KING (Ca.69-72)took a Business Studies Course at the South Devon Technical College and then entered the motor trade at Newton Abbot. He is now the Managing Director.
M.J. KIRK (Ca.53-63) has left Marconi's at Chelmsford and moved to another G.E.C. company, English Electric Valve Inc. of New York (7, Westchester Plaza, Elmsford, N.Y. 1052, U.S.A.). He is sales manager in the U.S.A. for their high power klystrons.
Dr N. KOEHLI (Cr.70-74) plays tennis for the Worcester Club and for the Hereford and Worcester County.
N.R. LEE (W.64-65) lives in Canada at Morrisburg, Ontario, where he is Financial Executive with an industrial company, having previously been a manager in the Bank of Nova Scotia. He and his wife have two sons.
S.W. LEE (W.64-67)is Head of Education Transport for the Hampshire County Council and lives in Winchester.
M.A. LEES (Cr.4555) owns the antique business at Tower House, 1 Castle Place, Worcester.
T.C. LUCAS (S.72-79) rowed 4 in the L.M.B.C. V111 that went Head of the River on the last night of the May races at Cambridge. In March he had rowed in the Cambridge Lightweight crew against Oxford, a race which was inaugurated by B.K.W. Booth (S.68-75) amongst others.
P.G. LYNCH (Ch.73-80) has begun a four-year course in Musical Instrument Technology and Electronics at the London College of Furniture and is himself a guitarist. Did well with the cricket bat too as Club Chairman and opening bat with the Wayfarers C.C. in Worcestershire.
A.C. MACLEOD (Ca.71-78)has turned to Accountancy after graduating in Geography at Cambridge and is with Price Waterhouse in London.
ANNABEL MACLEOD (H.72-74)lives near Wantage and is working for Oxford Medical Computers. In 1983 she
journeyed to Europe and Canada and Brazil to commission equipment.
C.J. MAPP (DB.53-58) is General Manager of John Wallwork Ltd, commissionaires of the Swedish Volvo car manufacturers since 1958. A Manchester group, they have branches in Kidderminster and Worcester.
G.E. MA'ITHEWS (W.71-78) taught in a Mission School in Zimbabwe and then spent a year at Imperial College, London in Engineering, but has now migrated to the London School of African and Oriental Languages to do a degree course.
J.Y. MILNE (H.50-58) is Lord of the Manor of Marnhull, Dorset and an entrepreneur currently building up a wholefood restaurant chain called Bountiful Goodness. Married with five children and two grandchildren.
W.Y. MILNE (S.51-57) is married with four children and lives at Paisley in Scotland. He lectures on Civil Engineering and Computing at Paisley College.
R.H. MOORE (W.70-77) graduated in Electronic Engineering at Southampton University in 1981. He is now a senior engineer with Schlunberger Membrain, a small electronics company in Wimborne, Dorset. He lives near Blandford Forum.
K.J. MORGAN (B.74-82) spent the nine months after Christmas 1982 at R.M.A. Sandhurst on a Short Service Commission Course before going up to Oxford.
R. MOSS-NORBURY (S.57-60)has been in North Vancouver since 1970 and currently manages a restaurant there. He and his wife have three children, Geri (16), Pat (15) and Vanessa (8). He coaches boys' soccer in the winter and plays cricket himself in the summer.
M.V.B. NELSON (H.57-68) is married to Patricia and they have a son (6) and a daughter (4). They live at Lancaster, where he has a dental practice and does hospital work.
J.G. OWENS (B.62-69) is working as a corporate planning analyst for the Wellcome Foundation in London. Previously he was a computer programmer, but gave it up to be trained for a year at Clarendon Church, Hove for leadership in the charismatic churches.
J.H. PARRY (S.6&73)qualified as a Surveyor in 1980 and is currently working in the District Valuer's office at Redbridge, East London and living in Barking. He is in touch with S.A. Cowper (W.63-73) and T.C. Rolt (S.69-73)
D.D.B. PEARCE (B.62-72) lives in Worcester and works in Computers.
C.J. PICKFORD (S.6570) graduated in History at Leicester University in 1973 and is an Archivist in the Bedfordshire County Record Office and living in Bedford. A keen bellringer still, he has published articles in the Ringing World.
R.M. PI'ITS (B.63-68) has his own Broking business in Worcester.
G.M.Y. POWELL (Ca.46-52) is a Chartered Surveyor and Mortgage Controller with the Anglia Building Society. He and his wife have five children and live near Towcester, Northants.
I.G. RAYERS (Cr.70-77) graduated in Biochemistry at Bristol University in 1981 and is working in the Computer Department at Kay's in Worcester.
P.M. RENNEY (Cr.78-80) rowed in the First and Third Trinity third V111 at Cambridge and toured Italy in the Trinity College Choir.
A.J.H. RICHARDSON (H.63-67) lives in Huddersfield and is a Sales Manager with the Automotive Division of Holset Engineering and travels to France, Spain, Italy and West Germany.
C.H. RICHARDSON (H.6570) lives in West Byfleet, Surrey and is a Buyer with Burton's the Tailors.
CATHERINE M. ROBINSON (Co.78-80), now Davis, was before her marriage a Social Service worker with Hereford and Worcester County Council.
J. CLIFFORD ROSE (S.4348) played King Minos in the
B.B.C. Radio 4 serial dramatisation of Mary Renault's 'The King Must Die' and was Ishakin in 'Murder at the Red October', a crime serial.
D. SANDON (B.67-77) is with Lloyds Bank and moved this last year from Worcester to Southwark and from the Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir to Harry Bramma's in Southwark Cathedral.
D.A. SHEFFER (Ca.5560) is an Economics graduate and a Chartered Accountant and works as a Fund Manager with Robert Fleming and Co. in the City.
S.F. SHIPMAN (W.74-79)is working as a plant biochemist for Fison's in Nottingham, but hopes to return to the Worcester area with his wife in 1984.
M.C. SMITH (B.69-79) rowed in the L.M.B.C. fourth Lent V111 and fifth May V111 and both crews won their oars.
GARY C. STEPHENS (Ch.74-80) is at Bristol Polytechnic studying for the Diploma in Valuation and Estate Management and has lately been joined on the same course by his brother Gavin C. Stephens (Ch.73-83)
R.F. SUBIOTTO (Ca.73-79)is studying at the University of Paris in the fourth year of a course leading to a double degree in English Law and French Law.
T.F. SU'ITON (S.38-41)has left Japan and is now Chairman of EA International Incorporated, part of the JWT Group (Advertising), and is living in Paris.
SARAH TALBOT (Co.77-79)was Vice-President of the Oxford University Women's Rowing Club and won her second Full Blue at bow in the First V111 against Cambridge.
P.J. TAYLOR (W.69-76) ran in the 1981 London Marathon and completed the course. He is a Computer Programmer with Kay's in Worcester.
M.A. THACKERAY (B.64-71) is working as a Planning Officer in Reading, Berkshire.
N.M. THACKERAY (B.66-73) works in Droitwich for Insight Surveys.
THE REV T.E. THOMAS (S.46-55)again had a wonderful season with bat and ball in the Worcester Diocesan Clergy XI which reached the Church Times Cup semi-finals. Has now moved to the Exeter Diocese as Vicar of St Maurice's, Plyrnpton.
CAPTAIN C.J.L. THORNE (Ca.69-74) retired from the Army in December 1983 and starts the New Year as a Projects Engineer with Belling Lee Intech Ltd of Enfield, Middlesex.
Dr C.J. TOLLEY (S.61-69)is Organist and Assistant Master at Winchester College (NOT a medical doctor as wrongly reported last year).
M.W. TOWNLEY (Cr.73-80) rowed in the Christ's College, Cambridge second Eight in both the Lents and the Mays, both crews winning their oars.
TESSA TWINBERROW (Co.77-79) crowned her two-year Language Secretarial course at Worcester Technical College by winning the Silver Medal of the Royal Society of Arts. Sir Harry Secombe presented it to her in London.
THE REV NOEL VINCENT (H.4555) is now Senior Producer, Religious Programmes, B.B.C. North Region, based on Manchester. He and two radio producers provide programmes for all the B.B.C. national networks. He mostly works on TV.
R.A. VINCENT (Cr.52-62) is Principal Chief Clerk to the Manchester Crown Court, having joined the Lord Chancellor's Department in 1972. He and his wife and two sons live at Bramhall, Cheshire.
D.G. VIVIAN (C1.72-82) entered R.M.A. Sandhurst in January 1983 on a Short Service Limited Course, completed in time for him to go up to Oxford in October.
J.D.T. WALL (S.6570) has been Classics Master and Deputy Head at Grenham House School, Birchington on Sea and is now moving to Durston House, Ealing in the same capacities.
LOUISA WARD (Co.7577), now Gerald, graduated at Bristol University and turned to Accountancy. She came ninth in a field of over 3000 Part I candidates for the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
J. WAUGH (S.78-82) is reading for an Honours Degree in Economics and Accountancy at Edinburgh University.
S.H. WETHERBEE (Cr.6570) graduated with honours in Agriculture and is now managing a 2000 acre farm, both dairy and arable, at Brinsop, Credenhill, Hereford.
M.B. WILKES (W.72-77) gained an Honours Degree in Urban Land Administration at Plymouth Polytechnic in 1980 and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1982. After holding positions in Birmingham, Plymouth and Paignton, he has returned to Worcester as Office Manager to Roger Wallett, Estate Agent.
C.G. WILLIAMS (Cr.66-73) is teaching mathematics at Kingsdale Comprehensive School, South London.
D.J. WILLIAMS (Cr.63-70) is a Planning Manager at London Transport's Chiswick engineering works and lives at Hampton.
THE REV P.E.F. WILLIAMS (C1.46-52) has left Christ Church, Tolladine and is now in the Coventry Diocese as Rector of Exhall with Wixford and Vicar of Temple Grafton with Binton.
A.J. WRIGHT (Cr.57-65) is President of the Worcester Rotary Club and flew to Toronto in June for the Rotary Convention.
THE REV T.S. WRIGHT (DB.42-46)was Rector of Hartest with Boxted and Somerton and Rural Dean of Sudbury and has lately moved to the Clare Deanery to be Vicar of Denston. He continues to be a Minor Canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
University Examinations
Five Vigornians gained First Classes in 1983 and all five were at Cambridge. Among the freshmen D.S. Forrester (Queens') gained a First and D.A. Rogers (St John's) a Second in Natural Sciences, while M.G. Mitchard (Trinity) gained a First in Mathematics. In a longer list of second year men S.R. Young gained a First and R. Sabey (Caius) an Upper Second in Computers. S. Kings and J.M. Nott (both St John's) had Upper Seconds in Music, A.J.P. Sandison (Jesus) an Upper Second in Medical Sciences, Lorna Mackinnon (New Hall) an Upper Second in Natural Sciences and M.W. Townley (Christ's) an Upper Second in Geography. Lower Seconds went to J.M.T. Davies (St John's) in English, P.M. Renny (Trinity) in Law and M.J. Ahmed (St John's) in Engineering.
In their Final Examinations T.H. Edwards gained a First in Economics and was one of the top five who won University Wrenbury Scholarships. M.C. Smith (St John's) gained an Upper Second in the same Tripos. J.H. Coombs (Jesus) gained a First in Physics and Theoretical Science. The remaining five all gained Upper Seconds: M.W. Lloyd (King's) in Natural Sciences; J.C. Rogers (St John's) in Geological Sciences; T.C. Lucas (St John's) in Geography; Belinda Worlock (Trinity Hall) in History, and R.R.G. Pite (Trinity) in English.
We saw three Vigornians in the Oxford Final Honours Class Lists and all gained Seconds (the class is not divided at Oxford): M.L. Brockway (New College) in English; M.J. Gunton (The Queen's) in French and German, and Sarah Talbot (New College) in Zoology. We apologise for any inadvertent omissions.
O.V. Golf
Old Vigornians wishing to play in either the Grafton Morrish Trophy at Olton, Solihull or in a match against the Old Elizabethans in Worcester, or in both, should contact Simon Pimley at 45 Salisbury Grove, Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1YE. (Telephone, in office hours: 021 233 1711).
