House Notes

P. Megginson is to be congratulated on the award of his Colts colours. The Junior Colts team contained four members of the House. M. J. Kent rowed for the School in the 3rd boat.

On the tennis court we managed to survive the 1st round by beating Temple, but unfortunately we were beaten by School House, the eventual winners, in the semi-final.

As on sports day last term, again we had to be content with playing second fiddle to the Rise in swimming. We achieved what at one time we considered the impossible by surviving the new style preliminary heats without losing one person and so started on the actual day with a full team—the only House to do so. We gained five first places. Two of these were records : D. C. Parry's win in the Junior 50 yards free style, and the Junior relay team's in their race (beating the existing record by 3 seconds).

Our greatest success of the term was the winning of the InterHouse Singing Competition for the first time since the Grove was reformed. Even to the less musical of us the singing of the House choir was brilliant, and one could almost feel the roof of the Big Hall straining on its timbers as the House sang the Unison song with the enthusiasm and confidence of a trained choir. We must here thank Mr. Wicks for his help in training our choir and take the opportunity of our own special farewell to him. We wish him all good luck in his new post.

In a more academic field we all continued to make good progress with our studies. At the time of writing we are lying second in the Work Cup Competition but we hope that, with the results of the term's examinations, the Work Cup will once again adorn the Grove hall. We must congratulate the following on gaining prizes on Speech Day : M. J. Baddeley, J. M. Rollinson, T. G. Stephenson, D. A. Stabler, D. Kirby (2), D. W. Pickup, D. C. Parry, and R. A. Field.

When we returned this term we had the pleasure of seeing the senior dormitory with a new look. It had been painted and it seemed almost a shame to use it as a dormitory. We must also say "thank you" to a few Seniors for so ably redecorating two studies at the top of the House. Under their "foreman", J. E. M. Quickfall, the work was done well and with remarkable skill for amateurs.

Finally, as at the end of every year, we must say goodbye to many of our number who go out into the wide and wicked world. We hope that they will continue to visit us as do many of their friends who have left before them. Old Grovites are always welcome and we look forward to seeing them at Commemoration and other times in the year.

THE MANOR

In the middle of term our Matron, Mrs. Broadbent, found it necessary to leave us. In remembrance of her services, the House presented her with a clock, and we wish her luck in the future. To ply the darning needle in her stead we welcome Mrs. Featherstone and hope that she will be happy with us.

After the outside painting was completed, the House took on a new appearance to the passer-by, but the arrival of the painters caused the cessation of that traditional Manor sport, yard cricket. When they left, the acquisition of a billiards table by the Senior Study acted as a counter-attraction to our most experienced professionals.

The examinations this term reminded many of the need for hard work, and despite the usual pessimistic remarks we have every reason to hope for pleasing results. We had three prize-winners at Speech Day; Ford won the instrumental music prize, and Brocklebank and Wood, C. D. M., both won form prizes.

Though the Summer Term is full of sporting events, the Manor has not been able to achieve any noteworthy successes. Manorites, however, took a prominent part in the School boating; R. A. Jackson (the Captain of School Boats), J. A. Jackson and Saville all won their 1st IV colours, and Carr his 2nd IV colours. On the cricket field Lapidge won 2nd XI colours and played several times for the 1st XI. J. R. Jenkinson also played for the 2nd XI, Liversidge for the Senior Colts, and Chadwick was Captain of the 'Junior Colts. The House Senior team were beaten, as was expected, by an extremely strong School House XI despite a gallant 50 by Lapidge. The Junior team beat the Grove in what proved an exciting match, thanks mainly to the bowling of Brocklebank and Ridley, but lost to the Rise, whose high score was unbeatable. Chadwick (the Captain) and Ridley were awarded Junior House colours.

The shooting team were expected to do well, and did, being equal first with School House. In the shoot-off, however, the more consistent shooting of our opponents got the better of us. Although vigorous Errol Flynn tactics were used by our sabre exponent, the House fencing team lost to Temple in the semi-final. The tennis, too, went badly against us when we lost to the Rise, but perhaps the less said about that the better. It was to little avail that our representatives braved the Arctic temperatures of the swimming baths, for we only managed to come fourth in the sports, but there is good hope for the future in the promising efforts of some of the Juniors.

The Fernie Cup, the thought of which is like a cloud hanging over every member of the C.C.F., always provides its quota of amusing incidents. This year proved no exception when, although we came second equal with School House, one section leader got himself caught on a barbed wire fence and in his efforts to extricate himself got both himself and his section lost.

There is a wide variety of hobbies in the House at the moment, as can be seen from the number of Manor entries in the Hobbies Cup. These included woodwork, pottery, and photography, all of which brought complimentary remarks from the judges.

Finally it is with genuine regret that we have to say goodbye to such a large number of Manorites, all of whom have played their part in all the activities which go to make a House a happy community. We hope that they will have every success in the future.

QUEEN'S HOUSE

Our first year as a House has now ended and we can pause to look back on our achievements. They call for modest satisfaction rather than elation, for the major prizes have continued to elude us. Yet we have made our mark in the School, and in the Summer Term have been very near to success, even if we have not succeeded ih grasping it. We have not lacked talented individuals and good leaders. With a little more determination and more enthusiastic support from all the rank and file, we shall soon win our victories.

We had high hopes this term of winning the Music Competition, the fencing, and the Junior cricket. In the first, our team was well trained by Dunwell and Crossley and acquitted itself admirably. It was placed first in the part song and second in the unison; but in total points it was narrowly beaten by the Grove. Why the fencing team failed to live up to its reputation and its own confident expectations still remains a mystery; but they succumbed to their closest rivals, Temple. The Junior cricket team won their way, as expected, into the final and appeared to "have the match in their pockets"; but their batting collapsed and our last reasonable hope of success had gone. This was clearly due to excessive caution, and it is to be hoped that we have at least learnt our lesson. In the end we had to be content with a half share in the Burton Cup.

The House can, however, take pride in the individual successes of its members. Bough, Captain of the 1st XI. won the Fielding Cup and the Squash Cup. Atkinson was Best Individual Shot in the Shooting Competition, Heap a first-class stroke in the School 1st IV, Burrows a successful opening bowler in the 1st XI after rapid promotion from the Senior Colts. In fact, we were well represented in all School teams during the term. It is only in swimming that we seem to be deplorably lacking in talent. Can we not do something in the coming year to correct the impression that day-boys are less keen on swimming than boarders?

On Prize Day, too, we were well represented. Congratulations to Barton (Chemistry Prize), Shanks (Archbishop of York's Prize for Classics), Bloomfield (Music, pianoforte), Morton (General Knowledge 36

and Reading), Swain (Form Prize, Remove). Barton and Shanks crowned their achievements with "distinctions" in Chemistry and Greek respectively in the A and S level of the G.C.E.

Inevitably this term we lose some of our members. To the leavers, Dunwell, Bough, Crossley, Shanks, Baines, Brown, R. G., Bingham, and Wright, we extend our best wishes and hope they will always follow our fortunes closely in these pages. We have plenty of talent and enthusiasm left and if we can pass some on to the dozen newcomers next term it will not be long before we are able to report more spectacular progress.

THE RISE

The merry month of May heralded the return to School, to familiar surroundings, to important examinations, to energetic rowing and to placid cricket. The last stretch of the school year had been reached and for half a dozen Risites it was the last return. During the first few weeks the Rise garden basked in seasonable sunshine, but after this brief warm spell, as all know, Summer quitted the place abruptly. In spite of the weather, the Rise was unperturbed. The term was one of moderate and satisfying success in all spheres of activity.

First, the Rise garden received a fair share of the weed-killing substance, which was sprayed all over the School grounds. Its success was soon visible, perhaps some other toil will be initiated for breakers of the peace. Towards the end of term the House received a coat of paint, a timely freshening-up for Commemoration. Our bicycle sheds have been further extended and the problem of bicycle accommodation is now solved. A remarkable event occurred about midterm, our House Master acquired a new car (nouvelle non point neuve). The vehicle gives an impression of speed quite alien to the old car !

The sporting activities of the Summer Term see the final efforts to win the Oxford Cup. A hard-fought tennis match, the final against School House, denied us this trophy. We lost by five games to four, after beating Queens and Manor in the preceding round. In the Senior House cricket matches, meeting the Grove—and in particular a gentleman called Kirby—we lost by a comfortable margin. The Junior House cricket provided success. After an interesting and not too one-sided match against the Manor (we won by 50 runs), we went on to beat Queen's by 10 runs in the final. Having only scored 55 runs, the Risites had Queen's all out for 44 thanks to some energetic bowling by Wroe. Irvin must be mentioned for his 95 not out against the Manor, whilst Spedding batted well against Queen's.

Shooting provided another success. For the second year in succession, we won the Aggregate Cup to which the whole House had contributed. The House shooting team came very near to success, being only one point behind the winners, School House.

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There has been much enthusiasm for swimming and not confined to the Juniors, as is generally the case; a quick dip for the more hardy before breakfast, though begrudged at first, became quite popular towards the end of term, and may have influenced the success of our team in winning the Kazerooni Cup for the third successive year. In another aquatic sphere, the canoes built during the Winter had several successful outings on the river and were a popular exhibit at the Hobbies Exhibition. Burden retained the Hobbies Cup, or at least half of it, for a further year, and we do congratulate him on the wonderful models that he has made.

In the bustle of Commemoration eve we were visited by some stranded Canadian students whom we accommodated in the studies, fed in a Common Room and entertained, with imagination, afterwards.

For service to the House, Roe was awarded his House colours this term, and Powell, Wroe, and Speddings, junior House colours, Wheatley, Kettlewell, and Lewis left for a trip to Canada shortly before the end of term and by reports so far received are having a wonderful time.

To Wheatley, Ibberson, Nendick, Claydon, Grainger, and 'Hudson, who are leaving, we extend our best wishes for the future and also to our Assistant House Master, Mr. Cummin. In appreciation for all that he has done during his four years with us, the House presented him with an antique pewter tankard.

SCHOOL HOUSE

The House assembled at the beginning of term full of optimism, particularly as regards its chances of winning the Oxford Cup.

We were again well represented in the School teams, and thus it was no surprise when we won the Senior cricket without much difficulty. D. A. Macpherson is to be congratulated on being made Vice-Captain of School cricket, and Willstrop on the award of his cap. Mitchinson was reawarded his colours, and Nelson, Clayton, Holmes obtained theirs. Ridley was our sole member of the 2nd XI, and he is to be congratulated on the award of his colours. Mackintosh and Sharp were members of the Colts XI, whilst Macpherson, D. G., Beaumont, and Robinson, were in the Junior Colts. We were unable, however, to win the Junior cricket, being vanquished by Queen's, who also defeated us in the fencing. In the House tennis we reached the final with little difficulty, where we encountered our old rivals, the Rise. This was perhaps the vital final of the year; a win and the Oxford Cup was ours, or if we lost .. .. After a very exciting match we succeeded in winning by 5 games to 3. To clinch matters, however, our shooting team won the Wilson Cup in a match with

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the Manor. Griffiths (who was a member of the School shooting team which won the White Rose Cup) was a model of consistency, obtaining 59 points out of 60. The Recruit Shooting Cup was won for us by Collins.

The House was also represented in the boating crews, Gardner being awarded his 2nd IV colours and Donaldson his 2nd IV coxing colours. McCallum and Howat, J. N. T., were members of the 3rd IV.

For their part in helping the House to win the Oxford Cup, Mitchinson and 'Pacey were awarded their House colours.

When the swimming came along we were relieved to know it was not a deciding factor in the Oxford Cup as it has been in previous years. We had to be content with third place, although McCallum gave some very good performances.

If we can justifiably boast about our games record, we must continue to tell a sad tale regarding our position in the Work Cup. In spite of this, we feel that there has been a greater atmosphere of endeavour, particularly among those taking examinations, and we hope they will be successful in lifting us off the bottom rung of the ladder.

Our entries in the Hobbies Cup were few but the lack of quantity was made up in quality, for Howat, C. G., is to be congratulated on winning half of the cup for us. It is hoped that next year the House will have quantity as well as quality.

In the Music Competition, although our unison song was above average, we had not enough experienced voices for the part song and unfortunately finished last. We will be back next year trying to win a cup that has so far eluded us.

Our Fernie Cup team did very creditably as escaped prisoners. They were unfortunately seen on the road by a scout car and would doubtless have been first but for this; they finished second.

Macpherson, D. A., and Wetherell are to be congratulated on their appointment as House Monitors. We wish them luck in carrying on the good work next year.

Finally we must say goodbye to those members of the House who are leaving at the end of this term. We thank them for all they have done for the House which resulted in success. We wish them all luck in the future.

Another School year has dragged or shot to its close, depending on the individual point of view, and parents now have to undergo eight weeks of what schoolmasters have to put up with for the greater part of the year. Templars now scatter to their various holiday haunts, serenely confident that they have worked their hardest and played their hardest, and hoping against hope that masters will think the same thing.

Looking back, we cannot say that we have had a successful year as far as pot-hunting goes, but that is scarcely surprising. On the credit side, the choas, which everybody confidently forecast would ensue when the lesser half of Temple became Queen's, has not materialised. We have even had one or two successes ! For instance, Temple is leading in the Work Cup up to press and we did at least beat Queen's in the Oxford Cup-5 points to 0 !

For this gratifying and totally unexpected feat we have to thank Staines and his gaggle of intrepid sword-swingers who, contrary to all expectation, filched the Fencing Cup from under the noses of a far stronger Queen's team. Staines and his team are to be congratulated; notably Morris who in the course of the competition must have wielded practically every pointed weapon except a toothpick. The rest of Temple sport is a rather less joyful tale. Both cricket teams were drawn against School House and both accepted their fate philosophically by getting out of the whole embarrassing business as quickly as possible. Cricket R.I.P. The six stooges who were told to go and play tennis against Grove had similar ideas. The younger end of the House buzzed about the baths with great gusto, and helped to amass a total of 32 points in the sports, but the more senile members obviously rather disapproved of the whole thing. Finally, shooting and that erstwhile perquisite of Temple, the House League Cup, must be regretfully added to the mouldering pile. Still, our size—or rather, lack of size—is always a convenient excuse, even though our lowly position in the Music Cup came as a considerable shock—especially to those would-be Carusos taking part !

However, let us not wallow in woe too much. After all, eighteen choice samples of potential officer material won the Fernie Cup for Temple by evincing a diabolical and somewhat disturbing ability to live outside the law for an afternoon in the Bad Lands of Acomb and Poppleton.

As usual, Templars contributed manfully to the general life of the School this term. Johnson played cricket, we think, for the 1st XI and received his colours, and Crowe, P., and Taylor, P. G., periodically joined in the fun. Taylor captained, and Crowe was a member of, the 2nd XI. Taylor was awarded his colours. Timms also played. Ward's hulking figure was much in evidence whenever the Senior Colts turned out. Beckitt stroked the 2nd IV who, we

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trust, thoroughly appreciated this kind and thoughtful action. Sometime in the term Seaton waggled an oar for the phantom 4th IV and Gosling was charged with pointing the boat in the right direction. Staines fenced for the School and received his colours.

Little else of note happened in this term poisoned by examinations, although Taylor would doubtless like us to mention his gallant attempt to wake up a dead language at Speech Day. Otherwise, life, as they say, pursued its even tenor and Temple's first year under changed circumstances came to an end. For several members of the House it also meant the end of their School career, and Taylor, P. G., Head of House, Timms, Welsh, J. M., Welch, Crowe, P., Seaton, Sutton, Hardie, and Wharram, all carry our good wishes with them as they speed on their giddy way to the wild life and tinselled gaiety of Catterick and Padgate. Finally, if a personal note may be allowed to intrude for a moment, the writer of these lines is one for whom the happiest days of this life (?) have come to an end, and he would like to pass on his sincere condolences to the next unfortunate saddled with the task of recording the deeds and misdeeds of Temple House.

As we go to press we learn that Timms and P. G. Taylor have gained State Scholarships in Modern Languages and Classics respectively. We offer our heartiest congratulations.

THE WORK CUP, 1953-54

For the first time the competition resulted in a tie. Queen's and Temple were joint winners with 65.8 points each, followed by the Grove with 57.4, the Rise with 57, the Manor and School House.

THE HOBBIES CUP

The annual judging for this cup took place, as usual, on the Friday afternoon of Commemoration, and aroused considerable interest. We missed the Chairman of the Judging Committee, Colonel Blenkin, who unfortunately was unable to attend through illness, but were delighted to welcome his wife. Mrs. Blenkin was well briefed by her husband, and together with two other Old Peterites, Canon Hodd and Mr. John Saville, formed a most capable and interested team, entering most thoroughly into the whole spirit of the competition.

The results were as follows :— lst---A tie between C. G. Howat and last year's winner G. P. Burden. (C. P. Howat submitted a design for a modern Fleet, which included pictures, specifications and plans all designed by himself.