C.C.F. Notes

Farm Manager. Eight teams judged three classes of Jersey cattle and the competition was won by P. R. B. Megginson's team. Tea was very kindly provided by Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Sneesby in Kirk Hammerton.

On 2nd December Mr. McAndry showed a film from the Yorkshire Farmers' Bacon Factory on pigs and the equipment needed for various aspects of pig farming. It also traced the life of the pig after it left the farm for the factory until it arrived on the table, both as bacon and pork, and as ingredients of pork pies.

The final meeting of the term consisted of a fanning quiz and debate. The quiz was divided into a senior and junior competition, the former was won by R. D. Burdass and J. F. Middleton, and the latter by R. L. High and P. B. Burbidge.

The subject of the debate was "This House considers there is a place for a horse on every farm". It was proposed by A. H. Sneesby and opposed by P. R. B. Megginson. The motion was carried by four votes.

During the term we had to say goodbye to J. A. Stark. We wish him every success in his farming career and thank him for his work on the Committee.

Though there have been several changes over the past few years to the "training cycle", the Christmas Term is still the starting point for the main intake—this term the number of new recruits was over 80. Sgt. Pacey lost no time in organising the new Recruit Company. The Promotion List was, as usual, large, and it was very satisfactory to see so many of the camp appointments confirmed. Camp is still the initial testing ground for new N.C.Os, and this year we were fortunate to have such a promising collection. Many justified their selection in the course of the term's training. The R.A.F. Section supplied the Senior N.C.O., and it was not long before C.W.O. Johnson was setting a very high standard of turn-out and discipline throughout the whole unit.

As a result of requests from the Houses a great effort was made at the beginning of term to provide sufficient locker accommodation in the C.C.F. Stores for all uniforms. After the provision of the furniture Sgt. Lewis undertook the difficult task of allocation. It took time and was working well by the end of term. Yet another labelling system is being tried out !

It can now be reported that the Section Stores are now complete and thoroughly re-organised. Apart from the individual Service

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Section and Specialist Stores, which have been very well arranged this term, there is the main Training and Clothing Store in the old hut. A/Sgt. Varley has kept the new Armoury in excellent order.

The efforts to produce a "Queen's Commission Board" have continued, but it is proving a more difficult task than was anticipated. A number of Old Peterites have kindly sent in their particulars, but there must be many more.

Training in the middle of the term was severely interrupted by the 'flu epidemic, but in spite of many absentees parades continued, as, indeed, they always do.

On 12th October we were delighted to welcome Commander Pringle, R.N., of the J.C.E. at the War Office. His visit was very brief and informal but he was able to see the progress made, particularly in the R.N. Section. He seemed very impressed with the Seamanship Room and made some very helpful suggestions about the signalling equipment for the mast.

A Certificate "A", Part II, Examination was arranged at the end of term for the squad who, for one reason or another, had failed to obtain a certificate last year. The new marking system was tried out for the first time—it was certainly more tidy than in the past and the Examiners succeeded in producing a very fair result. It is noteworthy that a real effort is now being made to make the examination of a higher standard, dependent more upon ability as a potential leader than upon a grasp of some technical facts.

There has been a lively interest in signalling, but the standard reached by the young recruits was disappointing, and a complete revision of the present training system will have to be considered next term. The Signals demand a high standard and cannot afford to "carry" those whose sole ambition is to play with a "walkie-talkie" set. It is regretted that more able operators for the Inter-School transmitter have not been trained up sufficiently to keep our earlier contacts. It is not always appreciated that loss in efficiency here means loss in prestige. The Unit Signallers have a very good name to maintain. Praise must be given here to the most efficient way in which Cpl. Clough has organised and maintained the Signal Stores. In fact, the most notable achievement of the term has been the tremendous improvement in the administering of all the Section Stores. Storemen N.C.O.s have accepted their responsibilities most readily, and we hope they will maintain this high standard.

Our thanks are again due to our three outside instructors. C.S.M. Deakin, the Drill Instructor for the depot of the West Yorkshire Regiment, has again been assisting with the drill, and B.S.M. Webster from the 269 Field Regiment, R.A., has continued to visit the R.A. detachment whatever the weather. 49

With the beginning of a new school year the R.N. Section, like most departments of the C.C.F., has undergone re-organisation. J. R. U. Leishman has been appointed P.O. i/c and under him most of the appointments have been changed. However, by appointing the R.N. Stores Rating (M. G. Kay) and the R.N. Writer (D. A. A. Lamb) towards the end of the Summer Term, the administrative side of the R.N. Section was already "under way" as soon as term started. This is a procedure to be adopted in future years.

During the term bad weather has prevented much of a practical nature. An attempt was made to take out the whaler, but floods ., prevented the boat party from even getting across the river. 11 On account of illness, only three, M. R. Leonard, M. W. Bolton, and A. M. Marsh, sat for the P.O. Examination, and all were successful. In the Leading Seaman Examination, eight took the examination and three were successful. The Signals Examination for the Leading Seaman candidates will take place early in the Easter Term.

At the end of the term the R.N. Basic Section took the A.B. Examination, and it is pleasing to note that all candidates were considered to be up to standard. These were therefore enrolled in the R.N. Section and appeared in No. 3s on the last parade of term. In the Easter Term they will be allocated to either Nelson or Rodney Divisions which will parade separately.

This term a special word of commendation is due to Kay, who (assisted by Lapidge) has the Stores organised in a manner which would satisfy any .S.K.O.; to D. C. Pattison and C. Howat for the success of their instruction to the recruits; and finally to P.O. Leishman who has maintained a fine level of smartness and all-round efficiency.

R.A.F. SECTION

For the first time, a member of the Section has become the Senior N.C.O. of the Contingent, and we congratulate Warrant Officer R. N. Johnson on his appointment.

Flight Sergeant E. S. Portlock became the N.C.O. in charge of the Section, with Sergeant 0. C. Wetherell and Corporal J. R. Jenkinso in charge of Flights.

The results of the written examinations last Summer were sa factory, and four Cadets gained Advanced Certificates.

During the term No. 1 Flight visited Royal Air Force, Linton-on . Ouse, and had the opportunity of seeing some up-to-date aircraft, and methods of airfield control. The use of films in the instructional programme has proved valuable, and we hope to use them more when they are available. Instruction from the Army Instructor in the power of command has been useful for N.C.O.s and potential N.C.O.s.

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