House Notes

THE GROVE

After a quiet beginning the term ended with a flourish of activity mottled with success.

With doubtful material we plunged into the House Singing Competition, and after concentrated practice under the careful guidance of W. E. Jones, we triumphed with "Sir Eglamore" in the Unison section, thus repeating our performance with it six years ago. Unfortunately, however, there was not adequate support from the Part Song to keep us in the lead.

It did not prove to be our year for cricket, although the Junior House team survived one round. Our lack of cricketers was balanced by a strong set of boaters. Brown, Bruce, Jones and Wheeler rowed for the 1st VIII throughout the term, while Evans managed to stay in the 4th IV. It was this core, supported by Bach, Lee and Jowett with Marshall as cox, that first beat School House by eight lengths and then The Rise by five lengths (after a false start), and finished up by beating The Manor in the final by a convincing two lengths. As a result of their contribution to this achievement, Brown and Marshall were awarded House Colours.

Alexander's example and enthusiasm made the most of limited material in the House swimming, and many will have benefited from his stirring work.

Evans, Bennitt, Batty and Clarke all figured in the prize-giving awards at the end of term and we congratulate them and also Wheeler on winning a State Scholarship. We thank him, together with the other Monitors, for their services to the House last year, and hope that all the leavers will return and visit The Grove some day.

THE MANOR

The House did not prove to be as adept at retaining cups this year as it had been at winning them last, and it was unfortunate that we were forced to defend one of our most coveted trophies, the Senior Boating, without the assistance of Bywater and J. R. Brown. Nevertheless, the House eight, excellently stroked by Parkin, confounded the pessimists by reaching the final. Even Read seemed satisfied! For his efforts in this and in other House activities T. E. H. Smart was awarded his House Colours.

The cricketers were fortunate in not having to defend a cup, but in spite of a back-bone of 1st XI players and a good sprinkling of Colts the team was beaten by a strong Rise side. For their contribution to House Cricket, Higgins and Nettleton were awarded their Junior House Colours.

The Hobbies Cup, which we had begun to look upon as the personal possession of P. J. Holmes, was wrested from him after two years. In a way this is a good thing, as nothing should now stop him from winning it next year.

The Kazerooni Cup was only relinquished after a great fight, and R. L. Bruce and Parkin are to be congratulated on some particularly fine swims.

The term ended with a very successful House Party. Looking to next term we wish Brown the best of luck as Captain of School Rugger. We wish all those that are leaving us all good fortune in their future careers and thank them very sincerely for all they have done for the House. We say a special goodbye to Muller, our visitor from Germany, who in a very short time became an active and popular member of the House. 16

The monitorial body was increased to seven at the beginning of term with the appointment of J. C. Lacy.

This term was probably the most outstanding Summer Term the House has known since it was founded, for both the Senior and the Junior Cricket Cups were won, the first time Queen's has performed this "double"; and these successes paved the way for us to win the Oxford Cup for the first time, though only by the narrow margin of two points. Our success in the Senior Cricket was chiefly due to the performances of the three members of Queen's who were in the 1st XI: J. A. Shouksmith, Jesper and Reiss. Reiss took 15 wickets in the two matches, and together with P. Hunt, who made a hard-hitting 32 not out in the final against The Rise, was awarded his House Colours. The success of the Junior team may be attributed mainly to Mitchell, who scored over 80 in each round and took half the wickets, Cloughton, who proved a useful batsman and capable captain, and Clayton. Mitchell, Clayton and D. Hunt were awarded their Junior House Colours.

The House Shooting Team, led by J. R. Shannon, who is to be congratulated on his fine performance at Bisley, did better than ever before, coming a very close second to The Rise. With so few oarsmen in the House, the boaters put up creditable performances in the House races against good opposition, and Anfield was consequently awarded his House Colours and Ward his Junior House Colours.

The term also had its disappointments, particularly in the Singing Competition, where we could only manage third, though many of the School expected us to be declared winners. Anfield put in a lot of bard work for this competition and certainly deserved better results. The Fencing and Tennis teams both lost in the first round and the swimmers did not come up to expectations.

On Speech Day several prizes came our way, and Anfield brought further distinction to himself by becoming an A.R.C.O., only the second boy to do so while still at St. Peter's. .

Only six members of the House are leaving this summer: three monitors, J. A. Shouksmith, Wightman and Anfield, and in addition Neal, Bowling and Popplewell; thus a large number of Senior boys are staying on and they should be able to ensure that the House has another successful year.

THE RISE

As usual at the beginning of the Summer Term singing and fielding competed for attention. The singing, at any rate, benefited, for, with Kirkus as choirmaster and Mr. Waine as director, we managed to win the Inter-House competition. Our rendering of "When icicles hang by the wall" was more coolly received than the part song, "My bonnie lass she srnileth".

Both the House cricket teams reached the final, but both were soundly beaten by Queen's. Individual feats were the highlights : an undefeated century by Harding and a hat-trick by Rowbottom added lustre to the performances of the Junior team, while M. E. Robson, with four wickets in an over, including the hat-trick, demonstrated the virtues of accuracy. Baker kept wicket admirably for both teams. Rowbottom, Harding and Eatough received Junior House Colours for their efforts. 17

Pattinson, Baker and Moss managed to hold on to the Fencing Cup, largely owing to a particularly meritorious performance against Temple in the semi-final. The Shooting Cup also found its way to The Rise, and, for their exploits and general services, Poynor and M. E. Robson were given House Colours.

Despite Kirkus's efforts, the House boats were handicapped by the numerical as well as physical weakness of our oarsmen, and Mann's tennis team could not retain the cup. However, towards the end of term Kirkus's consistent and varied contributions to the House's competitive effort were recognised by the award of Colours

Although suffering as usual from summer apathy, the Discussion Group continued to be of benefit to many, and two evening meetings were held at which Mr. Wilson and the Chaplain addressed the gathering, assembled patiently there, as throughout the year, by C. J. Parker.

Kemp has run the House Library throughout the year, during which 22 books were added. Our thanks are due to Kemp for keeping a useful source of fiction in order and for his enthusiastic captaincy of the successful league cricket team.

A "Risite" was produced for the second time, in a rather more carefully written, if less luxurious form. Poynor deserves praise for the tenacity of his efforts, and the various Old Risites are warmly thanked for their financial help. Copies of the magazine are available to Old Risites on request.

So, after a particularly fruitful year, the usual break-up of the body monitorial left behind the memory of great consideration for the good of the House, and the hope and expectation that The Rise will continue to prosper.

SCHOOL HOUSE

One new boy, Maslin, joined us this term and swelled the already over-populated Junior Common Room. The dwindling number of fullylimbed chairs was a constant reminder that the Juniors were very much on top of each other.

The trophy shelf, due to be reinforced for next year's replenishment, witnessed more emigrants than immigrants. It was graced by one new arrival, however, in the shape of the Tennis Cup, which represented a personal triumph for Robinson, who continually inspired a responsive and talented team in their crushing victories.

In other activities, however, we were not so successful. Two starstudded Rise teams completed the double over our Junior and Senior Cricket Teams and our House League Team failed to emulate the prowess of its predecessors. Two young and comparatively inexperienced crews fought hard in the House Boating Competition, now held in the Summer Term, but succumbed to stronger, more experienced crews, despite Taylor's efforts from the tow-path.

The fact that we were unsuccessful in the House Singing Competition—never our forte—must not detract from the splendid amount of effort that was put into the rehearsals. Williams deserves special thanks for the work and inspiration he put into practices. 18

Hopes of retaining the House Shooting Cup were dashed but the House has a number of young and promising marksmen and should do well in future years. Congratulations to Grieves on winning the Recruits Shooting Cup.

Despite the efforts of Rhodes and his Swimming team we were not able to prevent Temple from taking the Cup. For a diversity of services rendered on the games field Rhodes was awarded his Senior House Colours.

It is appropriate to attach a note to the above in appreciation of Anderson as Head of House for two terms. He was most loyal to me and to the House and, without noise or fuss, was able to command the respect he deserved. We wish him a great success in his future.

A.T.H.

TEMPLE

The first inter-house event of the term was the Singing Competition, which to everyone's surprise was won by a boarding house and we had to be content with second place. Our Music Director, Hunter, however, later made up for this set-back by composing an anthem, which was sung by the Choir. We congratulate him.

The House Fencing Cup was our next target, and we really believed that this trophy, which had eluded us for years, could not escape us again. Of course it did, although Brown was later awarded the Senior Foil Cup. Another individual accomplishment came when Humpherson won the Donegal badge for shooting, and then achieved further success in winning the Individual Shot Cup.

We lost to School House in the final of the Tennis Cup after beating The Grove and Queen's in earlier rounds. We turned to boating for our first House success of the term, for, following a disappointing performance by the Senior eight, the Junior crew deservedly won the Junior Cup. On the cricket field we also did well, for, thanks to two stalwarts of Game Three, we managed to secure the Yeomans Cup. Moreover, Woodruff was awarded the Fielding Cup.

The end of term provided no less interest, beginning with Eggleshaw being judged the winner of the Hobbies Cup. On Speech Day we really excelled ourselves, 15 prizes in all going to Templars. At the final House meeting A. M. Robson was awarded his House Colours in recognition of his services over a long period. To complete a successful term our swimming team under Brisby triumphed in the Sports.

Finally, we say goodbye to our leavers, and wish them every success in the future.

The Cup was won by Queen's. The following are the detailed results: —

Points School Awarded Grove Manor Queen's Rise House Temple Senior Rugger ... Junior Rugger ... .. • 20 so - — 10 — - so - — 10 — — — Senior Cricket ... 20 - - 20 - - — Junior Cricket ... ... so — — so — — — Rowing (1st Division) ... 20 20 - - - - — Rowing (2nd Division)... so — — — — so Athletics, 1st ... 20 - - - 20 - — Athletics, znd ... ... so — — — — — so Cross Country, 1st ... so so — — — — — Cross Country, 2nd Swimming, 1st ... 5 ... so — — — — — _. — — — ._ 5 so Swimming, znd ... 5 — 5 — — — — Squash ... ... so — — — so — — Tennis ... ... so — — — — so — Shooting (Team) 5 — — — 5 — — Fencing ... ... ... 5 — — — 5 — — Junior Long Run, 1st ... 5 Junior Long Run, 2nd ... 2 — — — — — 2 — - — - 5 -

187 3o 15 42 40 20 40

THE CHAPEL

Throughout the term the daily worship of the School goes on, with its cycle of psalms and hymns, its continually changing prayers and its daily readings, which have come this term from St. Matthew's Gospel. Besides this normal round there were a number of outstanding services.

Ascension Day occurred very shortly after the beginning of term. There could be no question of a whole holiday so soon. So we were able to have our Sung Communion on the day itself, without any sense of hurry.

Our Whitsunday Communion was prefaced by a special voluntary Compline on the Saturday evening with a short meditation on the hymn "Come down, 0 Love Divine".

It was not possible to go to the Minster for the St. Peter's Service. None the less we had our own service in the Chapel with special lessons representing the life of our own Patron Saint. The lessons were read by House Monitors and the Head Master.

As in the past the climax of the School year was the Commemoration Service on 30th July, at which the sermon was preached by an Old Peterite, the Rev. J. C. Houghton. To him and to our other visiting preachers, Canon P. J. Lamb, the Rev. A. J. McMullen, Canon H. A. Wareham and the Rev. E. P. Jones, we offer our warm thanks.

We must express our gratitude also to T. D. F. Anderson and T. E. H. Smart, who were devoted Chapel Monitors, and to R. G. Carr, who gave unfailing help as Sacristan, to the Choir and to those who continually helped behind the scenes arranging flowers, moving books, cleaning brass and silver, washing altar linen. We are most grateful to them all. N.K-W.

At a meeting of the Chapel Committee held on Sunday, 23rd July, the Collections were allocated as follows:—

LOCAL. York Diocesan Board of Finance York Diocesan Ordination Candidates ... ... Organ Fund, New Church of Holy Redeemer, Acomb Family Service Unit ... ... ... ... York Boys' Club ...

CHURCH. £ s. d. to 0 0 25 o 0 25 0 0 25 0 0 5 0 0 Church Army ... ... ... ... ro o o Historic Churches Preservation Trust 5 o o Royal School of Church Music 5 0 0

MISSIONS. Universities' Mission to Central Africa ... 20 0 0 Missions to Seamen. ... ... ... ... to 0 0

SICK AND DISABLED Imperial Cancer Research Fund ... ... 25 0 0 British Limbless Ex-Service Mens' Association 5 0 0 British Empire Leprosy Relief Association ... ... io 0 0 York and District Deaf and Dumb Benevolent Society 5 0 0 Sunshine Fund for Blind Babies and Children ... 5 0 0 British Epilepsy Association ... ... ... 5 0 0 Maghull Homes for Epileptics ... Yorkshire Association for Care of Cripples ... ... ... 5 IO 0 0 0 0 National Spastics Society (York Parents Committee) Multiple Sclerosis Society (York Branch) ... 7 7 I0 I0 0 0

OTHER CHARITIES National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children ... ... ro 0 0 Inter-Church Aid 0 0 Bishop Willis Teacher Training College, Uganda (Library Appeal) 5 0 0 Edwina Mountbatten Trust ... ... ... ... ... 5 0 0

£275 0 0

CHAPEL ACCOUNTS, 1960-61

Receipts.

£ s. d. Expenditure.

s. d.

Balance ... 20 6 0 Donations from Chapel

Collections:

Committee ... ... 345 0 0

Christmas Term, 196o 204 4 7 O.X.F.A.M. (St. Olave's

Easter Term, 1961 93 2 9 Lent Collections) ... 25 14 0

Summer Term, 1961 ... 117 16 I I Subscriptions: Grant from School to 0 o Friends of York Minster ... 6 6 0 S.C.M. in Schools ... 2 0 0 Expenses: Visiting Preachers ... 2 2 0 British Legion Wreath ... 2 2 6 Farris (wine, wafers, etc) 15 I IO Printing ... ... ... 17 2 II S.P.C.K. (Confirmation Books, etc.) ... to Petty Cash ... ... 6 Balance in hand 12 1 4 4 9 3 17 5

£445 io 3

It is not often that the Choir is connected with weddings, but this term was enlivened by two. We were honoured in being asked to supply an alto, J. R. Anfield, to the Choir of the Royal Wedding in York Minster, and we were also honoured by being asked to supply a small choir of 12 for the wedding of Clive Lewis, 0.P., in Sandal Church, Wakefield. The selection of this small choir was difficult, but at any rate one member was selected partly because he was able to drive the party home in the School bus after the ceremony! The names of those who took part were : —trebles: A. D. Bailey, P. J. Flint, G. F. Eastough, J. A. Eatough, A. C. Milnes and P. R. Scholefield. Alto: J. R. Anfield. Tenors: J. D. A. Platts and J. A. Shouksmith. Basses: W. E. Jones, A. J. Neal and I. T. Parkin. The music included "God be in my head", Walford Davies, and "Rejoice in the Lord alway" (The Bell Anthem), Purcell.

The Choir Outing was as enjoyable as ever and took place on a fine, but not too warm, day at Scarborough on Monday, 26th June.

Musically there were three outstanding events. One was the very successful R.S.C.M. Festival for Schools in Ripon Cathedral on Tuesday, 13th June. This took the usual form of a rehearsal lasting about 90 minutes followed by 4 o'clock Evensong. Another was the singing of the Commemoration Service in which the trebles made a valiant and successful effort to manage their ageing voices and, supported by the rest of the Choir, gave a splendid account of the anthem "How lovely are thy dwellings", Brahms. The third was the composition of an anthem, specially for the Choir, by a senior member, I. T. Hunter. It was sung, unaccompanied, on 16th July.

The music sung during the term included : — This joyful Eastertide—Dutch Carol. Vaughan Williams in D minor (Communion Service)*.

Oculi omnium—Charles Wood. Coelos ascendit hodie—C. V. Stanford. Come Holy Ghost our souls inspire—A=00d. Walmisley in D minor (Evening Service).* Rejoice in the Lord alway—Redford. Ireland in F (Te Deum).* Greater love hath no man—Ireland. O thou the central orb—Charles Wood. Stanford in B flat (Evening Service). Give us the wings of faith—Bullock. God be in my head—Walford Davies. I look for the Lord—I. T. Hunter (first performance). How lovely are thy dwellings—Brahms. Stanford in B flat (Te Deum).* *—With the school.

"OASIS"

Now in its fourth year, "Oasis" offers a collection of prose, poetry and illustrations of a much higher standard than we have seen in the past. There has been a swing away from facile schoolboy humour towards contributions of a more serious kind. Furthermore there is only one item, and that a small one, that has been borrowed from another author. Many of the pieces in the magazine are of the angry young man variety, in 22

which are expressed feelings of boredom, frustration, contempt, futility, gloom, and despair. It is impossible to agree wholeheartedly with the points of view put forward, but their proponents do have some valid points to make, and this they do well both in narrative and in argument.

All is not pessimism however; among other things there is a spot of science fiction, a charming fable and a dialogue cleverly mad enough to have won a prize in an "Observer" competition.

All the serious poetry is written in free verse and is therefore not as good as it might have been had it conformed to some metrical pattern; it is much easier to write good poetry in metre. Also, too many poems start well but collapse towards bathos at the end.

I would wish to end on a note of praise, for I feel that this is a praiseworthy effort; it is sad that there are so many boys whose attitude towards "Oasis" is apathy tinged sometimes with contempt.

D.R.G.

HOUSE SINGING COMPETITION

(As seen by Shell B)

On the first Sunday of term the House representatives met to accept the minute handicap (Benn) and to choose the music. It was agreed that of the 12 songs in each class offered for choice, last year's losers should have first choice.

The conductor plays a very big part in winning the competition (Croft-Baker). He must have a sense of leadership; he must choose the right team from his House ; must see his team knows when the practices are and where (Hyde). He has to interpret the piece of music (Day); he has to see that his team is singing in the right spirit of the song (CroftBaker). The House that starts practising first has an advantage (Oliver).

On Tuesday, 23rd May, the School assembled in the Memorial Hall to witness the singing contest (Norbury). The order of singing had been decided by lot. Dr. Douglas Fox, O.B.E., formerly director of music of Clifton, took his place and, after being introduced by Mr. Waine, rang his bell for the competition to begin. Queen's started with a jaunty little part song (Wilson)—four parts, four voices, one only for each voice (Benn). They were followed by the other Houses, of whom The Manor had their heads in their copy too much (Key). The Houses that sang from memory gained here.

The unison was easier to follow and to criticise. If you listened closely you could tell that some Houses did not bring the words out clearly (Wright). Temple's swinging performance "got my feet tapping", as one member said afterwards (Bilsborough). One feature that may have lost some marks for one or two Houses was that they were standing a little too far back on the platform. This led to some words not being heard. I think Queen's stood a shade too far back (Willstrop). School House's rumbustious song wasn't quite robust enough (Wilson). The Rise made sure of getting good tone in both their performances and deserved to win (Coles). The audience liked the guitar in Queen's unison song (Lumley-Holmes).

After the singing Dr. Fox, our honoured judge (Key), was asked by the Head Master to give the adjudication. Dr. Fox judges partly by 23