Old Peterite News

indeed, is on the other foot. To struggle courageously against your high birth, your titles, and the portraits of your ancestors, and to overcome the suspicions of the Common Man, to whom long lineage is a personal affront, 'that you must toil and strive to do'. If you have gained the respect and honour of your fellow-countrymen and especially our people of York, it is because of your own sterling character and your own outstanding ability.

But I shall weary you, Sir, and indeed my audience, and I must bring my speech to an end. I would add only this, that it is a great pleasure to me, a young man on the threshold of life, to pay my tribute to one whose work has been proved by the test of time. And so to you, a son of Eton, by common consent the most renowned of our schools, I, on behalf of St. Peter's of York, by far the oldest of all, give greeting. We are told that England's most distinguished general overthrew Napoleon and won the battle of Waterloo on the playing fields of Eton. We too can boast that on the playing fields of St. Peter's one of our number, in a contest of beating a ball with a piece of wood, against Australians and (alas) West Indians, learned— to be defeated.

But I must be serious at the close of my speech. We indeed, while through the long centuries we have trodden the ancient ways, have gone forward not without glory. When, Sir, we regard your high honours and your great services to the state, can we doubt that the glory of Eton is assured and that she will flourish for all time?

THE OLD PETERITE DINNER

The Annual Dinner of the Old Peterite Club was held on Friday, 28th July, at "Betty's Restaurant". After the Dinner a Presentation of a Chiming Westminster Clock was made to Lt.-Col. H. C. Scott in grateful remembrance of his thirty years' service to the Club as Hon. Secretary. The presentation was made on behalf of the Club by the Hon. Secretary (Mr. K. H. Rhodes), and Lt.-Col. Scott replied with an entertaining speech, filled with sparkling reminiscences of the "highlights" of his long period of office.

The toast of the School was proposed by the Rev. H. N. Hodd and replied to by the Headmaster. The toast of the Club was proposed by Mr. E. S. Jeffs and responded to by Mr. A. B. Cooper.

The following were present :—

Anelay, W. P. Atkinson, J. M. Atkinson, P. S. Atkinson, R. E. A. Black, V. M. Brown, H. Beetham, S. H. Burgess, N. B. Burgess, L. Battrick, A. Burnett, N. R. Burdass, C. U. Burdass, J. U. Bown, F. R. Blenkin, J. N. Border, A. P. Chadwick, F. J. Carlill, F. Chantry, W. Clegg, M. T. Crombie, G. N. P. Crews, D. K. Cooper, A. B. Daniel, I.

Dodd, R. E. Dixon, H. L. Dean, J. Dook, J. McL. Dee, C. C. Emmett, R. G. Easten, J. A. Fairweather, C. C. Frank, C. Garth, R. M. Gray, R. V. C. Grindrod, C. 0. Goode, C. D. Grove-Stephensen, J. C. Gossop, E. R. Harrison, N. B. Hudson, C. K. Hutchinson, R. L. Huntley, W. G. Harding, R. F. Hardisty, D. Hillyard, E. J. Hillyard, F. H. Hearfield, J. Harper, K. R. G. Hannon, J. A. Hodd, H. N. Hanson, J. A. Harnby, F. B. S. Jeffs, E. S. Knowlson, D. W. Lewis, T. J. Leigh, P. V. Lee, B. Miller, R. L. McDermid, N. G. L. R. McDermid, R. T. W. Matthews, P. G. Newdick, F. N. Norwood, D. Oxtoby, G. H. Parker, R. Pattinson, J. L. Penty, J. R. Powell, W. W. Ping, A. W. Rayson, J. C. M. Rumfitt, D. T. Roy, M. T. Robson, H. C. Rhodes, K. H. Ringrose, P. F. Rucklidge, J. M. Saville, J. Sykes, P. H. Sykes, P. R. Smith, G. D. Stuart, J. E. Sedman, F. P. Scott, H. C. Shepherd. C. S. Stanley, R. M. Stanley, J. D. Smith, G. W. Short, A. A. Sheriff, E. Simpson, J. L. Steele, P. M. Stratton, W. A. Tate, D. H. Thompson, D. W. Troop, J. G. Whitelock, P. R. Watson, R. D. Wright, A. T. H. Wilson, K. W. Walter, D. Wade, P. T. Wilson, D. Watson, A. Whitehead, J. A. The Headmaster. The Head of the School (J. B. Mortimer)

THE OLD PETERITE CLUB

The 59th Annual General Meeting of the Old Peterite Club was held at the School on Friday, 28th July.

A motion that retiring members of the Committee should not be eligible for re-election until a period of one year had elapsed was fully debated and eventually rejected.

Brigadier C. C. Fairweather was elected a Vice-President of the Club. The Rev. H. N. Hodd and P. F. Ringrose were elected to the Committee in the place of Brigadier C. C. Fairweather and D. Norwood, who retired in rotation.

The suggestion that the Club should be represented on the Governing Body was discussed at length and a resolution to this effect was carried nem. con. The Headmaster undertook to convey the terms of this resolution to the Governors as soon as possible.

The institution of an alternative Old Peterite tie, more suitable for wear with a dark suit, was discussed and approved by the Meeting.

The accounts of the previous year were submitted and approved.

THE OLD PETERITE LONDON DINNER

As announced in our last issue the London Dinner will be held on Wednesday, 8th November, at Brown's Hotel. Information may be obtained from A. B. Cooper, 137 Longland Drive, Totteridge, London, N.20.

ITEMS

In the course of the summer holidays H. B. Greenwood (Day Boy, 1908-14) visited the School after a prolonged absence from England. For some 25 years he has lived in California. His address is 372 San Salvador St., San Jose, 12, California. * * *

G. F. Tendall, well remembered by many O.P.s as a notable master at the School, is living at the Villa Marie Francois, 5 rue du Lac, Cannes, A.M., France. He acts as organist at the English Church, and Mrs. Tendall sings in the choir. This news we have gleaned from J. B. Gedge, who called on Mr. and Mrs. Tendall in the course of a holiday on the Riviera. We are asked to convey an invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Tendall to any O.P.s who may be in or near Cannes to stay with them for a few nights 'if due notice is given'. They send greetings to O.P. friends, from whom they would welcome letters. In a recent letter Mr. Tendall expresses his appreciation of "The Peterite" and congratulates "all who contribute to make it the live and interesting publication which it is today". * * *

E. A. G. Harrop (Temple, 1926-33) has been appointed Assistant Traffic Superintendent, Headquarters, Nairobi, East African Railways and Harbours. He has been associated with railways since he left School, when he joined the L.N.E.R., North Eastern Area. After service in district and headquarters offices he was selected for special training in 1939. After war service (he was a Captain in the Royal Engineers) he held an appointment with the Railways Branch, Transport Division, Germany, and was concerned with rail and inter-zonal movements in the Berlin area. At the time of his new appointment, in March this year, he was stationed at Wuppertal as Railways Branch representative. * * *

We congratulate Lt.-Col. Noel Blenkin, M.O. (1901-06), on the award of the T.D.; and Captain C. J. Lynch (1933-37), 1st Dorset Regiment, on qualifying for entrance to the Staff College by the War Office Examination held in February, 1950. * * *

John Saville (1914-19) appears as a Justice of the Peace for York in the list of new magistrates published on 18th September, 1950. He takes an active part in the life of the City, and is Vice-Chairman, York Executive Council, National Health Service, Chairman of York Boys' Club, and a member of the 'Merchant Adventurers' Company. * * *

Major S. Anderson (1911-21) has retired after 30 years' service in the Territorial Army. For 28 years he served with No. 213 Medium Battery of the 54th Medium Brigade, York, and for the last two years commanded "P" Battery, Harrogate. On his retirement he received presentations both from the Officers and the Other Ranks of his Company, as well as from his old York Battery.

We congratulate G. A. Radford (1939-48), who, following his father's footsteps, is making a career on the stage, on his debut in the West End. He has a part in "Reluctant Heroes", which, at the time of writing, is playing at the Whitehall Theatre.

O.P. BADGES, TIES, ETC.

We are asked to publish that the following are available at the School Shop :- O.P. ties ... 5 / 6 O.P. squares ... ... 15/- 0.P. blazer badges in silver and gold ... 21/-

They may be obtained at the above prices, plus 3d. for postage, from Mr. A. T. Howat, at the School. OBITUARY

We are sorry to record the death, in September, of J. H. Hilton Robinson (1897-99) at his home, Foulsyke, Loweswater, Cockermouth, Cumberland. He was a member of the O.P. Club and maintained an undiminished interest in the School. We regret very much the severance of another link with nineteenth century Peterites. SILVER WEDDING

We congratulate Mr. and Mrs. D. Norwood (School House, 1909-18) on the celebration of their Silver Wedding on 15th August. They were married 25 years ago at Kirk Michael, I.O.M. ENGAGEMENTS

The engagement is announced between Richard Guy, only son of 'Mr. and Mrs. F. Bryan Crowther, of The Knowles, Fixby, Huddersfield, and Ann, youngest daughter of 'Mr. and Mrs. Leslie H. Stott, of Parkleigh, Queen's Road, Oldham. [School House, 1942-46.]

The engagement is announced of Trevor, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Middleton, of Graham Park Road, Gosforth, and Anne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Waugh, of Westfield Drive, Gosforth. [School House, 1940-44.] MARRIAGES BUCKLER—NORTHCOTT. On 26th August, at Emmanuel

Church, Plymouth, Lieut. Frederic Noel Buckler, R.N., to

Constance Mary Northcott. [School House, 1930-42.] JAQUES—WILSON. On 1st August, 1950, at St. Columba's

Church of Scotland, Knightsbridge, by the Rev. R. F. V. Scott,

D.D., Stanley H. Jaques, of Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancs., and of

Manila, Philippines, to Sarah (Sadie) Wilson, of Dromara, County

Down, Ireland, Member of H.'M. Foreign Service. [School House, 1928-36.]

NORWOOD—WHITTELL. On 17th August, Michael Norwood, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Norwood, to Marjorie Whittell. [School

House, 1937-44.] SMITH—DUCK. On 27th May, at St. Stephen's Church, Acomb,

York, G. Dennis Smith to Margaret Duck. [The Rise, 1935-42.]

BIRTHS TOMPKINS.—On 17th July, at the Alexandra Nursing Home,

Plymouth, to Gabrielle (nee Trinkler), wife of Douglas Tompkins, a daughter (Marion). [1940-41.] WRIGHT.—On 24th September, at the Purey Cust Nursing Home,

York, to Patricia (nee Bellerby), wife of Alan T. H. Wright, a son (Richard Michael Alan). [1932-38.]

OXFORD LU1 1 bR

(We regret that at the time of going to press no corresponding communication has been received from Cambridge.)

OXFORD. October, 1950.

Dear Sirs,

It is always a little difficult at the end of a long, and possibly chequered, summer vacation to recapture something of the spirit of the Oxford Trinity Term. At any time it would be almost impossible to describe adequately the atmosphere of unhurried, open-air enjoyment, mingled, for some unfortunates, with a brief period of sharp anxiety in the Examination Schools; but now, at the start of a new and very different term, the task appears unapproachable. The character of of the whole University seems to have changed whilst we have been away, as if it had put on some thin grey cloak as protection from the rigours of the winter ahead. The Cherwell looks cold and rather sad beneath the rain, and only a nest of empty, neglected-looking punts, lying behind Magdalen, serve to remind us that, not so very long ago, the same river was thronged with carefree people bent on wasting yet another day. The photographers' windows still display groups of weary but very happy revellers on their way home after one of the many Commem. Balls; but it is somehow hard to believe that it was in this same city, and less than four months ago, that we danced till 6 a.m.

However, the winter terms are not without their lighter side (even if the next Eights Week is not until May, '51) and there is a purposeful expression in the eyes of the solid-looking individuals in rugger kit, who have replaced their quieter colleagues in white flannels.

Before we present the meagre facts which we have succeeded in extracting from some of the O.P.s who were in residence here last term, may we offer two rather more reliable pieces of information which may be of interest to some of the Oxford O.P.s?

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First, despite the gloomy announcement appearing above the impressive array of initials, N.G.L.R.McD., in the October, '49, issue of "The Peterite", it is now possible to obtain Oxford O.P. ties and squares from Walters, 10 The Turl, Oxford. These are the genuine article—gold keys on an Oxford blue ground.

Second, it is proposed to hold an Oxford O.P. Dinner on Saturday, 4th November, which the Headmaster has promised to attend. If there are any past members of the School and the University who would like to attend, will they please get into touch with P. R. Sykes, at St. Edmund Hall, before 26th October.

Several O.P.s have quite succeeded in avoiding or ignoring all requests for information. We presume they were with us last term. In the faint hope of shaming them into some semblance of activity, we place their names and Colleges at the head of the list :- Robert Hey (New College). M. R. Waddingham (Pembroke). Geoffrey Mountain (Wycliffe Hall). Peter Robson (B.N.C.). G. C. Norris (Worcester).

A little more is known of the activities of the following :-

J. H. Oxley-Parker (St. Edmund Hall) managed to play his recorder, learn to punt, and swim for the Dolphins despite the threat of an examination to be taken at the end of term.

W. S. Samuels (Wadham) seems to have become hopelessly involved with amateur dramatics. Was seen leading a horse off the stage in a Wadham production of "Much Ado about Nothing".

Peter Andrew (Keble) enjoyed what he himself described as "the easiest term I'm ever likely to have". Was frequently seen watching cricket in the parks, playing tennis on the Keble courts, and drifting lazily up and down the Cherwell.

John Denison (Worcester) claims to have been working. Played a form of cricket with the Worcester Rustics C.C. and a prominent part in the Worcester Commem. Ball. Having achieved a History degree, is now going down to make soap.

E. A. K. Denison (B.N.C.) also claims to have been working, and has certainly achieved a "2nd", somehow. Was Secretary of the B.N.C. Hornets C.C., an office demanding a person of almost limitless capacity—for alcohol ! Organised an exceptionally enjoyable evening for some of the Oxford O.P.s and N. W. D. Yardley.

J. C. M. Rayson (B.N.C.) appears to have averaged seven hours cricket per day. Was elected a member of the Authentics at an early stage. • Cheerfully admits having done no work at all. Joined heartily in the St. Edmund Hall Commem. Ball.

P. R. Sykes (St. Edmund Hall) played quite serious tennis for S.E.H. and very light-hearted cricket for the Teddy Bears C.C. Became a fair hand with a punt towards the end of term. Worked very hard on Tuesdays.