managed to convey some of their enthusiasm to the audience. And for the performers themselves it was a great experience to have sung such a great work. Special thanks must be given to our two soloists, Mrs. Kemp-Welch and Mr. Ockenden. We are fortunate in having singers of such talent in our midst and their presence at our concert lent distinction to the occasion. The second part of the concert was in less serious mood. The Choral Society sang a number of better-known carols. Every member put everything into his delivery ! The "Octet" gave us a very polished rendering of "Christmas is coming" and "Little David play on yo' harp", both of which were received very well by the audience. They are to be congratulated On an excellent performance. A special word is due to the Orchestra whose very strenuous work is so often overlooked. Some members of the audience probably little appreciated the work that had gone into the production of what was called on the programme "The Orchestral Interlude". This work, slight in itself, represented the result of a term's hard rehearsals on the part of the violinists, who performed here without outside help of any kind. We would, however, like to thank all the visiting instrumentalists who formed the majority of the Orchestra for Messiah and the Carols. Jones also deserves a word of congratulation for his confident handling of the continuo part on the piano. During the past year the Choral Society has been under the able secretaryship of S. M. Badham, to whom we can attribute a large part of the success of this and previous concerts. We extend to him our hearty thanks and send him our best wishes for the future. D.N.L.B.
THE DEBATING SOCIETY The first meeting was an open meeting, and the motion that "This House deplores British Policy in the Middle East", was topical. Mr. D. G. Cummin suggested three reasons for supporting the motion. The Government had encouraged the French to pursue a bad policy, and in so doing had shattered the bi-partisan spirit of British Politics, at the same time destroying much good-will with the U.S.A. P. A. Morris, opposing, appealed to any latent Tory instinct in the House. The respective seconders, M. B. Wilson and G. V. Plester, dealt with Cyprus, viewing the situation from different angles. There were several speeches from the floor, and after Mr. D. K. Crews had pointed out that the Government had no policy in the Middle East, the motion was carried by 79 votes to 16. "Civilisation is only skin deep" was the motion proposed by M. L. Bywater at the next meeting. Both Bywater and his seconder, T. M. Jenkinson, seemed deeply convinced, the one maintaining that with29
