C.C.F. Notes

Three of the attractions of the Festival were the Ballet des Champs Elysees, from Paris, the Scottish morality play, "The Thrie Estaits", and the Glyndebourne Opera Company. I saw all three on successive nights, which gave me an opportunity of comparing their particular and contrasting merits.

The Ballet des Champs Elysees is a talented young company—it was only started in 1945—in which the emphasis is on originality, and the constant search for something new—"Not to create is to stand still; not to be ahead of one's time is to fail". I was most impressed by "Les Forains", or "The Travelling Showmen", the story of a troupe of entertainers who come to a town, erect their stage and, after practising, present their show—clowns, acrobats, conjurors and all. After the show, the entertainers are unrewarded, and go sadly on their way. It is a simple but beautiful theme, which lends itself well to the ballet.

From the first fanfare of trumpets I knew I was going to enjoy "The Thrie Estaits". Colourful spectacle is always a delight, and there was plenty of it in the Scottish play; comedy, too, was abundant, and was provided chiefly by the three clowns, who represented the Vices, Flattery, Deceit and Falsehood. The play was in the Scottish tongue—I bought a copy of the text afterwards—and (except for last year's Festival), had not been performed since 1554. The original, which took nine hours to perform—presumably with intervals for refreshment—had to be considerably shortened. The stage, in Elizabethan fashion, was surrounded on three sides by the audience, and all the entrances and exits were made through them.

With the , Glyndebourne Opera Company's production of "Cosi Fan Tutte", we went from partially unintelligible Scots to wholly unintelligible Italian. It was an impeccable performance, and, with Mozart's tuneful music, the fragile delicacy and artificiality of the production was pleasing to ear and eye.

When I look back on my sojourn in "Auld Reekie", I recall two things in particular : first, of course, the Castle which dominates all things; and then the gay crowds of people—not only Scots, but people from every corner of the earth. For no barriers of sea or race kept anyone from the message the Edinburgh Festival speaks to the world. P. J. R. MASON.

THE C.C.F.

Most of this term has been devoted to training on the parade ground as there has been no Certificate "A" Examination to prepare for.

The Corps has been greatly assisted in drill by Regular N.C.O.s from the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, to whom the Corps is affiliated. Parties of Cadets and N.C.O.s went to Strensall Barracks once a week where they learnt how to drill in a rather different manner from what we have been used to.

The main feature of the term was the Annual General Inspection, which took place on 14th June. The whole day was devoted to this inspection, which was carried out for the first time by a Naval Officer, Vice-Admiral Sir Wilfred 'Patteson. The Admiral appeared impressed by the smartness and keenness of the Corps and particularly the Naval Section. After the inspection the Admiral saw different units of the Corps carrying out training, and he witnessed an exercise on the river by the Naval Section.

The recruits have progressed very satisfactorily this term. All of them have passed out and will join their House Platoons next term.

The Naval Section have had a satisfactory term and in the A.B. examination, which was held in June, everyone passed. There are 17 new recruits in the Naval Section this term who have been preparing for their examinations.

The latter part of the term has been devoted to the Inter-House competitions, and the Fernie Cup was very deservedly won by School House. The Cup for the best recruit squad was won jointly by School House and the Rise.

C.C.F. CAMP, GANDALE, 1949

This year eighty went to the Annual Camp at Gandale, double the number attending last year. The authorities had been ordered to run the camp on a staggered basis. Schools came and went as they wished over a period of four weeks. We coincided with the peak period, from 26th July-3rd August, When there were well over 2,000 cadets under canvas. The experiment was not, in our opinion, a success. It was impossible to have any continuity in the training; for example, we started off our field training with a ten mile route march—hardly the best way to harden the feet for the rest of Camp !

The Band, very ably led by Drum Major Thompson, distinguished itself by leading the contingent into Camp in grand style. The Camp Commandant did us the honour of coming out and taking a salute. It was a revival of an old pre-war custom and seemed to delight a number of people. The Band also showed that it was quite capable of filling another role by marching with the column on the 10 mile route march.

After the first few days it became obvious that the staggered training system was not very satisfactory, and we decided to arrange our own. We challenged Gresham's School to a battle. The weather was ideal, and judging by the amount of "blank" fired, and thunder flashes thrown, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and gained experience in minor tactics. We, of course, won !

C.S.M. Griffiths mounted our guard at the Guard Competition. We were placed second—a great achievement. The Drill Competition was held on a very wet evening. Sgt. Slegg entered his own Training Platoon, and after a very keen competition was placed fifth.

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We entered teams for every inter-school sports competition, and had a fair measure of success. The Athletic team of six, headed by Sgt. Graham, managed to win the Challenge Cup after some really strenuous running. In the six-a-side soccer, our Senior team, captained by Sgt. Slegg, were unfortunately knocked out in the semi-final, while the Junior team, under Cdt. Jagger, went through to the final. By far the hardest fight, however, was the semi-final of the seven-a-side rugger, when we met Leeds Grammar School. After four lots of extra time we lost by a try. We look forward to avenging this next season on our home ground.

Though the general opinion was that the Camp was not quite as enjoyable as 'the previous one, eve ne entered into the spirit of things and as a Unit displayed excellent "esprit de corps".

R.N. SECTION CAMP

This year the R.N. Section spent its camp period on board the Fleet Aircraft Carrier "H.M.S. Implacable" at Portsmouth. As part of the Ship's Company was on summer leave, it was not possible for the ship to put to sea, but many facilities were thrown open to the R.N. Sections from the nine Public Schools which were represented, the total number of cadets present in the ship being approximately one hundred.

The whole contingent was quartered in one of the Ship's Company Messes, for the cleanliness of which the cadets were entirely responsible. The School R.N. Section slung its hammocks each night in one of the after 4.5 gun casemates, and though this was regarded by some as a rather unusual "dormitory", the whole party soon settled down to naval ways.

The activities organised throughout the week were many and varied. There was first a trip in the Battle Class Destroyer "H.M.S. Saintes", which was undergoing Bofors Gun Trials. This was followed by visits to a Submarine Base, an M.T.B. Base, boat work in Whalers and control of a Motor Fishing Vessel. The Aircraft Carrier itself was given a thorough inspection, including Engine Rooms, Boiler Rooms, Hangar, Compass Platform, and its Aircraft Direction equipment, including a Warning Radar Set. The whole contingent witnessed the ceremony of "Colours" each morning, and on Sunday attended a special service on board "H.M.S. Victory", Nelson's Flagship, for which the C. in C. Portsmouth was present.

The camp was a great success and was enjoyed by every cadet who attended. Perhaps Leading Seaman Whitehead expressed the reason for this when he said, "We were messed as Seamen, and, as a result, entered unconsciously into the Naval spirit". Indeed, the camp represented for everyone a week of real naval life.

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