C.C.F. Notes

Pallanza on the vehicle ferry. A certain amount of spray came on board and caused a little dampness and a good deal of hilarity, but this was only a mild foretaste of our journey from Pallanza to the Borromean Islands soon after in open motor boats. This was quite the most amusing event of the whole trip, for one of the boats, especially, threw spray all over itself in quantity, even at the reduced speed necessary. The boatman, a wizened and inscrutable old fellow, added a good deal to the merriment by his remarkable resemblance to a well-known strip-cartoon sailor. The Borromean Islands are so celebrated as tourist centres, that some of us did not expect much, but in fact they well justified a visit. We only passed by Isola Pescatori, but it looked most attractive and tourism has evidently not driven out the fishing industry. Isola Bella was our goal and we must have seen it at something near its best. Some of the rooms of the Borromean Palace were well above expectation, especially the great hall with its glassy marble floor, and the Tapestry Gallery. But the gardens were even better, and in their formal arrangement with regular beds, sculptures and terraces provided an interesting contrast with the more "natural" ones at the Villa Carlotta. We came back to Como around the southern end of the lake, with stops at Baveno and Stresa.

The journey back to England was pleasant and uneventful, and we were welcomed with enthusiasm by the Customs at Southend, where they showed the greatest interest in our purchases.

Altogether, a good tour, and one that would bear repetition.

An important feature noticeable at the end of the second term of the School year has been the full attention given to Recruit Training under Captain Gaastra. After two terms a short passing-out ceremony was arranged at the last parade, and a very smart and effective standard had been reached.

The Signals Section's 12 Set has been in very frequent operation, and contact has been made with an impressive range of schools.

With very few C.C.F. examination commitments this term, training has progressed well, much of it outdoors, as the weather has been better than usual at this time.

MAIN EVENTS

LOTH FEBRUARY.

Captain the Hon. M. J. H. Allenby, of the 11th Hussars, gave a lecture on the Army, and brought a fine array of armoured vehicles to be inspected and explained.

Because of the time taken on the vehicles, the march-past at which Brigadier W. W. A. Loring, C.B.E., was to have taken the salute, was cancelled.

17TH MARCH.

Lieutenant-Commander R. M. P. Came, R.N., of Royal Air Force, Linton-on-Ouse, visited the Contingent, and took the salute at a march-past.

DRONFIELD TROPHY.

At the end of term the points stood as follows :Manor-137. Rise-130. Queen's-129. Grove-127. Temple-101. School-100.

SUMMER CAMP.

The Annual Camp will be at Westdown, near Tilshead, Salisbury Plain, from 28th July to 5th August.

PAGEANT.

A new pageant, on the theme of "Combined Operations", is being devised by Sergeant Barton and Sergeant Crowther, to take place on the nights of 23rd and 24th July.

R.N. SECTION

This term P.O. Mathews has been in charge of the R.N. Section, and, considering his responsibilities in the band, he has performed his tasks most creditably. Ldg. Sea. Evans has been appointed 2 i/c.

At the beginning of the term the Section was augmented by the arrival of 13 recruits who had recently passed the A.B. Exam., making a total of 43. Normal training has continued, but, with the revised syllabus, the emphasis for the Naval Proficiency Certificate has been on practical training, and more of this than usual has been carried out. Of the eight who took the Exam., five were successful.

The damaged whaler was transferred from the river to the precincts of the Rise during the Christmas holidays, and repair work by certain boys has already been started. This boat will be used for seamanship exercises. A new whaler has already arrived at Naburn and it is hoped to have this in full use during the Summer Term, though a final decision regarding its moorings has not yet been made.

R.A.F. SECTION

With nine members in the N.C.O. Cadre, we expect a good number of trained N.C.O.s to instruct later in the optional R.A.F. subjects of the new Proficiency Test.

Most of the general instruction has been in the Army subjects of the Proficiency Test.

Annual Camp will be at R.A.F., Benson, near Oxford, from 28th July to 7th August.