House Notes

HOUSE MONITORS : The Grove: J. C. DENT, M. J. F. EVERITT, G. B. PULLAN, J. E. SMITH,

J. WHITTAKER, M. J. WOOD. The Manor: R. D. PALFRAMAN, H. W. J. RIGG, S. H. STOREY, J. B.

WEIGHTMAN. The Rise: J. E. B. ANNEQUIN, D. COVERDALE, E. G. DIXON, L. C. M.

LOCHORE, M. B. MARKUS, H. P. G. SHAW. School House: A. W. DRIVER, J. M. HOLT, P. S. LUMBY, M. S. MILNE,

C. V. ROBERTS, C. K. SMITH. Temple: J. E. FAWCETT, B. MEREDITH, G. W. RILEY, S. J. WHITE. GAMES CAPTAINS : Captain of Rugger: A. N. WYATT-GUNNING. Captain of Hockey: J. T. ANKERS. Captain of Boats: J. WHITTAKER. Captain of Shooting: H. W. J. RIGG. Captain of Squash: M. J. WOOD. Captain of Fencing: C. V. ROBERTS.

EDITORS OF "THE PETERITE" : D. G. HILTON, R. D. PALFRAMAN, E. ROBINSON, R. D. WHEATLEY,

J. T. ANKERS.

THE GROVE

Under entirely new management, we returned this term, confident that we would play our usual important part in the School's activities. We hope that these notes will show that this confidence was not misplaced.

Our new Head of House was D. I. Fletcher, and M. J. F. Everitt, G. B. Pullan, J. E. Smith, M. J. Wood and J. C. Dent were appointed House Monitors. All but one of our new boys came from the Junior School, so they soon settled down and entered fully into the life of the House. Later in the term G. V. Plester joined us and soon fitted in with the rest of us. Many of last year's Seniors had left, but everybody pulled their weight, and soon the House was taking its full part in the term's activities.

As greater opportunities were given for developing hobbies this term, we improved our hobbies' room by buying a large number of tools, and after their arrival the peace of the House was continually being broken by muffled hammerings and bangings from the cellars. The House Library continued to flourish and the majority of its books are now housed in a new glass-fronted bookcase, a great improvement on the old methods. T. A. Foy was appointed House Librarian, and has performed this duty with great efficiency. Also, three dart boards were installed at the beginning of term and these were often in use. 17

As usual we can report a substantial lead in the Work Cup competition, and, as we have more examination candidates than usual this year, we have high hopes that it will not be long before the Cup returns to its rightful position on our shelf.

At the end-of-term concert, the Grove was well represented and we would especially like to congratulate R. Shepherd, W. B. Hawkins, and E. Turner on their performances. D. K. Hodd sang solos in both the concert and the carol service. A good performance.

Although we had to relinquish both the Junior and Senior Rugger Cups, it cannot be said that we let them go without a fight, and we have no reason to feel down-hearted about our efforts. In the Junior competition we lost 5-3 to School House in the semi-final. This was a very close match and with a little luck the result might have been reversed. However, we congratulate School House and thank them for a good, clean game. Our Senior team was held to a draw in the first round by Manor, and it was only after a very close game that we managed to beat them in the replay. We played better against Temple and managed to get well on top in the second half to win 15-0. The score might have been larger, but our Captain had forgotten how to kick goals from in front of the posts ! For the final against Rise we prayed for dry conditions, which would suit our open type of play. But it was not to be. The rain came down in torrents, and the Rise forwards, revelling in the wet, soon clinched the game. We finally lost 14-0. Only ducks could have really enjoyed themselves on that day, and our hope is that the Rise retain their duck-like qualities in the cricket House matches.

As usual we were well represented in the School teams. D. I. Fletcher was awarded his 1st XV Cap and W. G. A. Maxwell, M. N. Coates and G. B. Pullan were awarded their 1st XV Colours. M. J. F. Everitt played for the 1st XV and was awarded his 2nd XV Colours, as was J. S. Megginson. C. M. C. Burdass captained the Colts and was awarded his Colts Colours. Megginson was awarded his Shooting Colours, and M. J. Wood captained the Squash team. Coates, Megginson, Burdass, and J. C. Dent were awarded their House Colours.

Finally, we must say farewell to J. S. Megginson, who rounded off his school career by gaining three Colours in his last week at School. We wish him all success.

THE MANOR

We must first make an addition to the notes for last term. P. J. Williams left unexpectedly during the holidays to take up a career in commercial art, and we now wish him every success for his future. At the beginning of this term, since we had lost only four "old hands" altogether, we were able to approach the new school year with 18

confidence. At its close we may say that this confidence was justified, for the House is in a happy and prosperous condition.

One improvement made during the holidays which we were very pleased to see was that our unsightly back-yard had been cemented over (some people have been heard to mention yard-cricket again already) and a commodious cycle shed erected there. The accommodation of cycles, particularly in the Summer Term, has caused much difficulty in the past. For these benefits we are very grateful to the authorities and also for the several sets of lockers and shelves which have been fitted in the House in the course of the term. In addition, a number of chairs were purchased by the House fund and money was allocated for private decorating.

Attention during the Christmas Term is, of course, focused on rugby, and the Manor has been well represented in the School teams. Rigg thoroughly deserved his 1st XV Cap and we must also congratulate Greenwood and Raylor on their Colours. De Little was awarded 2nd XV Colours.

In the Junior House matches our team was rather inexperienced and did well to hold a strong Rise side to 17-3. It seems to be our regular lot to encounter Grove in the preliminary round of the Senior division, and this year was no exception. Our first attempt ended in a well-contested draw, with one try to the credit of each side. In the replay we were without our Captain, Raylor, who had been injured in the first game, and Grove eventually won, 6-3, by making more use of their superiority in the backs. The margins of our defeats have been steadily reduced over the last four years and we look forward to beating them •ext season. "Crash hero is Old Peterite." So ran the headlines of the evening newspaper one day in November, and we discovered with pride that it referred to an old friend, J. B. Nicholson, who left the House just recently. When an R.A.F. bomber crashed on the ScarboroughBeverley railway line near where Nicholson was working, with admirable presence of mind he stopped an approaching train by waving his jacket, and so prevented a further disaster. He then returned to assist in rescuing the crew from the wreckage.

The Manor's turn to provide a programme for a Science Society meeting occurred during the term, and our budding scientists put up quite a creditable show. Wood gave an interesting lecture on cacti, and Saville on the tape-recording machine, into which a very hesitant and reluctant De Little was persuaded to speak, to the amusement of the audience. Finally Weightman talked about flying, a subject in which he is fully qualified, since he obtained his pilot's licence last holidays.

The House evidently possesses musical talent as well, for at the School Concert, Ford, Marsh and Macdonald performed with distinction in the orchestra, and other Manorites were conspicuous on the vocal side.

THE RISE

At the beginning of a new school year we should like to congratulate James on being appointed Head of House, and WyattGunning on his appointment as a School Monitor. Our congratulations to Coverdale, Dixon, Shaw, Markus and Lochore, who join Annequin as House Monitors.

Our efforts in the classroom were shown by the result of the Work Cup, in which we came a very close second to Temple—whom we congratulate. With a little more conscientious effort from the Junior part of the House we might easily have seen this coveted cup on our shelf. In connection with this we should like to congratulate Lochore on passing the written part of the Services Examination.

It would be too lengthy a process to record all those Risites who have represented the School teams, but special mention must be made of Wyatt-Gunning, who has captained the 1st XV so enthusiastically. We congratulate James, Lochore and Reid-Smith upon the award of their 1st XV Colours, and Annequin and Coverdale on the award of their 2nd XV Colours.

The Junior House team lost to Temple in the semi-final after giving a most creditable display. In the Senior competition we beat School House in the semi-finals, and thus qualified to meet the Grove in the final. Fortunately the conditions favoured us, and the forwards, under the inspiring leadership of Wyatt-Gunning, laid the foundations of a comfortable victory—we had won the Rugger Cup at last ! This success proved to be the highlight of the term. As a result Coverdale and Reid-Smith are to be heartily congratulated upon the award of their House Colours; as also are Lewis, Moore, J. R., Bolton, Kettlewell and Ibberson, upon the award of their Junior House Colours.

Now that Thursday afternoons have been set aside for hobbies; two House societies have taken the opportunity and exploited it to the full. The Railway Club has been very active, and Ackroyd, Claydon, and Ibberson deserve special mention for their ambitious work in this respect. The Philatelic Society has met weekly under the guidance of Nendick. The members are few but very keen.

We are grateful to W. G. Huntley's (1938-43) offer of a 1940 house photograph. The only two missing groups now are 1929 and 1933, and we appeal to all old Risites to have yet another look in their lumber rooms.

To mark the occasion of our winning the Rugger Cup, Mr. Crews offered a prize for the best poem depicting the final. There have been a number of good entries, and we shall submit the winning poem to the critical editors—they might even publish it.*

* We regret that space forbids. —Ed. 20

As we have given School House so many good ideas in the past, perhaps we may be permitted to take a tip from them. We ask all present Risites to give one book to our Library.

The Rise has given good support to the Debating Society, as indicated by the number of speakers from the House this term.

We have been visited by several Old Risites and hope to see more in the near future—This term's visitors were : I. U. Warrington (1945-50); M. G. Goodburn (1946-51); D. T. Simpson (1947-51); M. S. Douglas (1935-39); J. E. Stuart (1943-48); I. S. Bishop (1946-49); and F. D. Browne (1947-50).

After so successful a term, we can look forward to the new year with confidence.

SCHOOL HOUSE

For the third year in succession many members of the House took leave of us in the summer, so that at the beginning of the term we again welcomed a strong batch of Juniors. They have rapidly made themselves at home in the House, have learnt its routines, and have added their enthusiastic support to every kind of House and School activity. In short, we feel that they have made a promising start and we wish them a happy and successful time in our midst.

With reference to offices in the House this term, we must first congratulate Hilton on his appointment as Head of House, and Roberts, Driver, Smith, C. K., and Lumby on their appointment as House Monitors. Holt and Milne received House Monitorships at half-term.

On the rugger field we can make the naive claim of having lost to the winners in both House events. The Senior House team, though playing extremely well, lost 8-0 to what seemed, at least on paper, a vastly superior Rise team. The Junior team scored a narrow victory over the Grove, but failed in the final before a strong Temple side. As a result of the matches, Roberts, Nelson, Hudson and Wetherell, P., gained their Senior House Colours, and Firth, Young, Ridley, Wetherell, 0., and McCallum their Junior Colours. The School teams contained a liberal sprinkling of Housites, noticeably the Colts teams. Hilton was re-awarded his 1st XV Colours; Driver, Wetherell, P., and Hudson gained their 2nd XV Colours; and Macpherson and Wetherell, 0., their Colts Colours. In addition Nelson played for the 2nd XV, and Firth gained a place in the Senior Colts team, as did Bell, Clayton, Jackson, E. A., Nesham, Pacey and Willstrop in the Junior Colts team.

With the arrival of the bad weather we were thrown back upon our own resources to keep ourselves occupied. Squash, chess, and table- 21

tennis competitions were organised, and Nelson, Clayton and Young were the respective winners. Many members of the House availed themselves of the fencing classes, and we are glad to note the interest shown by the Juniors in this sport.

In the field of hobbies, as opposed to relaxations, we have much to report, and first we must mention the excellent production in Big Hall of "The Monkey's Paw" by a team of Middles enthusiastically led by Middlebrook, P. W. Although originally intended for a limited audience, the interest shown was so great that the whole School eventually attended. Willstrop, Rice, Thomas, Ridley and, of course, Middlebrook himself, gave most polished performances, but warm praise is due to Roberts, who moulded the production in its final stages. The setting was designed by Howat, J., assisted by Simmons and Wheatley, J. P., and the properties were organised by Leonard and Lewis, J., all of whom are to be complimented on the results of their work. Taylor, P. J., was the prompter, but fortunately his services were not greatly called upon during the productions.

Special mention must also be made of the very considerable use to which the Hobbies' room has been put this term. Hudson has ably organised the equipment, and we would express our thanks to Mr. Hawkins who, by his help and encouragement, has enabled many of us to make a good start in carpentry.

This term a small Stamp Club has been started, and Leonard has been appointed Secretary. The latest stamp catalogue has been acquired and, although only informal meetings have been held so far, it is hoped next term to invite an occasional outside lecturer.

The House Library has, this term, taken on a new lease of life. Soon after the beginning of term an appeal was made for new books, and, as a result of this, over sixty volumes have been presented by members of the House. We wou'd thank the donors for their prompt generosity and would hope that by the beginning of the Easter Term there will be no Housite who has not made a suitable contribution. Holmes, the new Librarian, assisted by Thomas, has carried out a most thorough reorganisation of the Library.

With reference to music, we note with pleasure the ever-increasing number of Housites who are members of the Choir, the Choral Society, or the School Orchestra. We would also mention the success of the fortnightly House Proms. this term, which, keenly organised by Howat, J., have been well attended and, we feel, enjoyed by all.

At this juncture we would have preferred to bring our report to a succinct conclusion, but our conscience compels us to refer to the present low position of the House in the Work Cup Competition. Those outside the House might smugly suggest that we are not 22

particularly gifted with grey matter. Let us give the lie to this falsehood in the coming terms, but it will demand real determination and hard work by every member of the House.

It is far from our intention, however, to conclude these notes in a minor key. Despite the difficulties over games this term, the House has maintained its enthusiasm to the end, and we feel that there is an ever-growing eagerness to join in and to accept responsibilities. With this spirit we need have no fears, but may look with confidence to the future.

TEMPLE

After the first week of customary excitement, the House, though under new management, rapidly settled down to work and the normal routine. Ankers, Robinson and all the House Monitors are to be congratulated on their appointments, and we hope they will have a successful year of office.

The only Inter-House events this term took place on the rugger field, where we met with considerable success. In the Junior event we were triumphant, and most impressively so. Fitness and teamwork, for which Robinson can take much of the credit, were our two greatest assets, and it is fitting that as many as seven people were awarded their Junior House Colours after the match. They were Atkinson, Heap, Jesper, Johnson, Simpson, Sutton and Welsh, J. M., and we offer them and all the team our congratulations. In the Senior competition we were knocked out by the Grove in the first round, though our inexperienced team, minus Bough and Taylor, played far better than the score suggests. We congratulate Fawcett on the award of his House Rugger Colours, and our conquerors on the excellent rugger they at times produced, in spite of the atrocious conditions.

We have been well represented in School teams this term; Robinson is to be congratulated on being appointed Vice-Captain of Rugger, while Ankers and Taylor both gained their Colours. White captained the 2nd XV and we congratulate both him and Bough, who was awarded his Colts Colours.

Off the sports field, Templars have been equally prominent in School activities, and we contributed much to the success of the School concert and the carol service.

This term we say goodbye to Haw, Bradford, Shearburn, and Mortimer, and we thank them for all they have contributed to the House, and wish them every success in the future.