Old Peterite News

A meeting of the General Committee of the O.P. Club was held at the School on 8th December.

At the request of the last A.G.M. the Committee considered Whether the time of the laying of the wreath on the Memorial Shrine during Commemoration should be altered, but it was decided not to change the present time, i.e., 10-30 a.m. on the Saturday of Commemoration.

It was also decided that at the 1963 Annual O.P. Dinner a bar be arranged in the School Gymnasium as the accommodation in the small dining hall was considered to be inadequate.

A report on the School Development Fund Campaign, 1962/3, was given by the Head Master. The Club's representatives on the Campaign Committee under the Chairmanship of Major-General J. C. Latter are the President, Hon. Secretary and Dr. G. E. L. Graham. The members were pleased to hear that £21,280 had been promised by some 95 subscribers and that work on the building of the new boarding house—"Dronfield House"—was to commence on 1st January, 1963.

It was with regret that the Committee heard of the impending retirement of Miss Margery Stonehouse who had been the Head Master's Secretary for a period of ten years, and it was decided to send her a small gift as a token of the Committee's appreciation of her services to the Club, and in particular the organisation of the annual dinner at the School.

Regional dinners will be held as follows: — N.W. Region: 8th March, 1963, New Millgate Hotel, Manchester. Birmingham: 10th May, 1963, Queen's Hotel, Birmingham. East Riding: 31st May, 1963, Highfield Country Club, Driffield.

NOTES

The next meeting of the General Committee will be held at the School on Saturday afternoon, 2nd March, at 5-0 p.m., following the annual hockey match between the School and the Club. If any O.P. has any suggestions to be placed on the agenda will he please let the Hon. Secretary, T. J. Lewis, at 25 Clifton Road, Runcorn, know by the 18th February, from whom O.P. crested neckwear is available, as follows: — s. d. All-silk crested ties ... 19 6 each + postage 4id. Rayon-reppe crested ties 11 9 each + postage 41d. Bow ties (silk) 11 9 each + postage 4id. Batswings (silk) 19 6 each + postage 4-id. Squares (silk) 60 0 each Cravats (silk) 34 0 each

COMMEMORATION, 1963

In accordance with a suggestion made at the A.G.M. in July the Head Master has kindly agreed to offer accommodation for Old Boys in a Junior School Boarding House during Commemoration. A charge of 12/6 a night for Bed and Breakfast will be made to cover expenses. As accommodation will be limited early application to the Bursar is advised; priority will be given to members of the Old Peterite Cricket XI. 40

NORTH EASTERN DINNER

The Annual North Eastern Dinner was held at The Three Tuns, Durham, on Friday, 19th October. The following were present:— J. A. Hanson R. M. Deas. (President). M. J. Frith. The Head Master. W. Graham. G. W. A. R. C. J. Griffiths. Alderson. T. M. A. Griffiths. N. R. Barton. J. T. Harding. J. T. Brockbank. D. C. Holmes. H. Brown. W. G. Huntley. K. Brown. R. L. Jobling. R. T. Clark. A. J. King. P. A. Crane. G. R. March. W. R. Dalkin. M. McCallum. J. B. Doyle. F. J. Pacey. F. W. B. Pacey. W. E. Potts. D. Rayner. D. Reavley. K. H. Rhodes. C. G. Rob. J. N. Roe. D. T. Rumfitt. D. N. Simmons. W. Strike. T. E. Thomas. K. Varley. M. Wye.

WEST RIDING DINNER

The Annual West Riding Dinner was held on Thursday, 1st November, at the Leeds Club. The toast of "The School" was proposed by the President of the Club, and, in the unavoidable absence of the Head Master, Mr. A. E. R. Dodds responded.

The following were present:— J. E. B. Annequin. A. J. D. Foster. J. E. Moore. J. N. Bamforth. P. Gibson. R. C. Moore. S. H. Beetham. S. Gibson. A. W. Ping, Esq. W. j. Bottomley. J. Gillgrass. K. H. Rhodes. J. D. Brewin. M. Hallas. A. M. Robson. J. C. Brisby. J. A. Hanson. P. J. F. Robson. J. Burdon. E. J. Hillyard. T. Smart. R. T. Burdon. J. A. Hunter. G. D. Smith. T. H. Burdon. 0. Hunter. P. Smith. M. Butterworth. D. Kirby. D. A. Stabler. A. Cawood. M. C. M. Lochore. M. G. Staveley. A. E. R. P. S. Lumby. C. B. Wainwright. Dodds, Esq. D. Lyth. J. D. Ward. A. Dykes. Rev. N. G. L. R. J. C. G. Wheeler. R. A. Field. McDermid. R. A. B. Wood. W. T. J. Forsythe. C. Metcalfe. D. S. Yeadon.

NEWS OF OLD PETERITES

R. G. BINGHAM (Temple, 1949-56) hopes to obtain his Ph.D. at Leeds

University in February with a thesis on the "Time Variations and

Structure of the Nucleonic Component of Cosmic Ray Air Showers".

He has been doing research into the ultra-high energy region of Cosmic

Rays and is intending to do space research in the United States. 41

C. G. HOWAT (School House, 1950). Lieut. C. G. Howat, R.N., was awarded his B.Sc. (Eng.) Honours Degree (2nd Class upper) as an external student of London University in July, 1962.

J. D. SWALE (Temple, 1943-46), who is Director of Music at St. Peter's

College, Adelaide, has been appointed Organist and Choirmaster of St.

Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide. Since going to Australia he has broadcast several organ recitals and done a television series on which he introduced and conducted programmes of Christmas carols. One of his carols was sung at the Festival of Nine Lessons in York Minster this year.

ENGAGEMENTS

CRANE—BANKS. Peter A. Crane, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Crane of York, and Wendy, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Banks of York. (Temple and Queen's, 1951-57.)

CROWE—MELLAND. Robert Ensell, younger son of Mr. Eric and the late Mrs. E. Crowe, Stockton Lane, York, and Alexandra Cecilia, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Melland of Kingskerswell, South

Devon. (Temple, 1954-59.)

GREGORY—MATHEWS. Christopher, son of Dr. and Mrs. T. W.

Gregory of Aglionby, Carlisle, and Gill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

N. L. Mathews of Solihull. (The Manor, 1952-57.)

HICK—ROBINSON. Robert Michael, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. F. L

Hick, 16 The Horseshoe, York, and Christine Mary, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Robinson, 104 Heworth Green, York. (School

House, 1945-54.) HODGSON—HARTLEY. R. A. Hodgson, "Hycent", Chapel Road,

Bridgwater, Somerset, and Gwynneth, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

E. Hartley of Wombwell, Barnsley. (School House, 1950-59.)

HOWAT—HUGHES. Lieut. C. G. Howat, R.N., B.Sc., 6i St. Peter's

Grove, York, to Jennifer Mary Hughes, 41 Forest Avenue, Plymouth. (School House, 1950.)

HOWAT—PICKERING. P. W. Howat, 6 St. Peter's Grove, York, to

Judith Anne Pickering, 28 Westminster Road, York. (School House, 1954.)

MARRIAGES

LIVERSIDGE—WRIGHT. On 24th August, 1962, at Selby Abbey,

John Franklyn to Gillian, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. Wright of Selby. (The Manor, 1952-55.)

MORETON—DUFFY. On 7th September, 1962, at St. Peter's, Bottesford, the Revd. Harley Moreton to Ann Louise, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Duffy of Stanmore, Middlesex. (School House, 1939-46.) 42

DOOK.—On 23rd January, 1963, at B.M.H., Singapore, to Sue (née

Thompson) and Lieutenant Commander J. M. L. Dook, Royal Navy— daughter (Amanda Jane). (The Manor, 1937-46.)

HARNBY.—On Christmas Day, 1962, at Stratford-upon-Avon, to Moira (née Macpherson) and Bryan, a son (Paul Nicholas). (Temple, 1939-44.)

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS' OLD BOYS' GOLFING ASSOCIATION

A preliminary meeting to set up this Association was held on 17th November, 1962, at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, when it was reported that 75 public schools had written welcoming the idea.

The Association, having been brought into being, then decided to hold a National Public Schools' Old Boys' Golf Competition, the first meeting, if possible, to be held at Woodhall Spa.

A Working Committee has been set up to decide the form the competition should take and the date and venue. At the time of going to press no details are available on these last three points or whether it is intended to hold a meeting this year. It has been suggested that each school enter three pairs—the winner to be determined by play from scratch on a knockout basis.

There have been some replies to the request in the last "Peterite" for players interested to contact the organiser: —

P. Crowe, Esq., 95 Stockton Lane, York, but not enough have been received to enable the suggested full team to be fielded. It would be appreciated if more keen golfers who would like the opportunity to represent their Old School would write to the above address.

THE O.P. GOLF COMPETITION, COMMEMORATION, 1963

It is by no means too early to enter this year's competition, and it is hoped that all who entered last year will again be competing and bringing a friend along to play as well. The only qualification for this friend is that he must be an O.P.

The next edition of "The Peterite" will contain full details of the competition. Meanwhile all golfing O.P.s are urged to send their entry

to : —

P. Crowe, 95 Stockton Lane, York, after this article has been read. Prompt action now will save you from forgetting.

Any golfing O.P. who has any suggestions to make about the O.P. competition is asked to contact Philip Crowe. 43

CAMBRIDGE LETTER

Cambridge.

December, 1962.

Dear Sir,

May we begin by apologising for the long break there has been in our correspondence. There are perhaps two reasons; firstly, the pressure of work, the hectic life here and our own sloth; secondly, we are puzzled as to what sort of letter you require. For, if our purpose is to tell you about Cambridge which is presumably what the last long preamble attempted to do, then we are unsuited to the task. For no-one can adequately say what Cambridge is like, since Cambridge is what you make it. There is scope here for anyone whatever their talents. However, we shall resort to the original form of letter, and tell you what those men who are up here are doing, as far as we know. Here, also, we must point out that some of the things mentioned here may seem a little eccentric, but it is our earnest endeavour to make this letter interesting. The majority of us, you may be certain, work, eat, sleep, talk and behave most of the time in a very ordinary fashion.

David Gee (St. John's: Maths.) is an active member of the Methodist and Astronomical Societies, unconcerned with athletic pursuits. T. D. F. Anderson (Selwyn : Theology) is fond of a suave, black smoking jacket, non-committal about sporting activities, and disdains bikes in favour of taxis. He is a progressive Anglo-Catholic, who visits many parties and knows an actress at the A.D.C. P. Stuttard (Sidney Sussex: Natural Sciences) studies feathered birds, which together with his main course occupies all his time. Peter Collins (St. John's: Law) claims to have been unchanged by Cambridge, and plays Hockey. Regarding his first remark, may we beg all who come here to be themselves in this artificial life, and not try to mould themselves according to what someone else thinks they ought to be. T. P. N. Fawcett (Clare: Classics) is a frequent tea-time host to hungry O.P.s, and an energetic member of Clare Boat Club and the Union. Tony Butland (St. Catharine's: Engineering) provides Bolton with coffee, and spends a good deal of time with the O.T.C. He has continued the tradition of Guy Fawkes by blowing a hole in a friend's ceiling with a thunderflash. Tim Layfield (Emmanuel: Classics) is known as an organisation man, having run the Societies' Fair. He plays soccer, hopes Mr. Harding doesn't read this page, and visits Manchester periodically to see an Aged Aunt. Charles Ibberson (Emmanuel: Law) rows energetically and is Secretary of the College Junior Common Room, an undergraduate body which provides facilities for undergraduates to relax and ostensibly mediates between the undergraduates and the College authorities. David Slade also rows when he's not playing Hockey against Women's College, and has raised his Exam. Class in Tripos—an excellent achievement. Tony Crossley is doing research into something your correspondent can't spell, and how to survive matrimony. Robert Bruce (Emmanuel) plays Rugger and tiddleywinks, and seems to be enjoying the social life here. Dudley Cook and Larry Vaigo emerge but rarely from Downing, where they drink coffee, preparatory to rowing many miles up and down the Cam. Ed. Sedman is cultivating a moustache, and Roger Peverley rides a motor bike very earnestly from his digs in Warkworth Street to an unknown destination. Jack Franklin lets O.P.s meet in his room in Emmanuel, and

appears to work hard. We know nothing of Read at Peterhouse, except that he studies Classics, or of Gildener at Churchill. We are glad, nevertheless, to see an O.P. in at the start of this fine college—which looks very impressive even at this stage in its construction.

Well, sir, this is all we know of our number up here, and apologise to those omitted, if any. We trust this is satisfactory, and would like to wish •he School all the very best in every sphere of activity in the future. Yours faithfully, THE CAMBRIDGE O.P.s.

LEEDS LETTER

Leeds University.

December, 1962.

To: The Editor, "The Peterite". Dear Sir,

A Peterite was once heard to remark "If I can't get into Oxbridge then I don't want to go to University at all". Implicit in this purblind statement was the view that only "quiet collegiate cloisters" would be a fit setting for the education of a potential "officer and gentleman" and that the "other" universities had nothing to offer at all. This attitude arises from a lack of knowledge about provincial universities, for, whereas much has been written about Oxbridge life, the milieu of the Redbrick universities has received little attention. This is alarming because the public schoolboy experiences a greater shock and has to reorientate himself more radically at a provincial university than at Oxbridge.

The locale of a large civic university like Leeds is a far cry from the affluent, somewhat self-satisfied cosiness of York, and the draughty vastness of the Headrow contrasts sharply with the comfortable intimacy of Coney Street. The university itself is large and it is this aspect of provincial university life that strikes the public schoolboy most forcibly. At a public school (that is, an independent boarding school) a boy lives in a tight, largely introspective and class-conscious community. Throughout his career many people in authority take an interest in his work and development. In a large departmental university (a much more illuminating term than the largely inaccurate "Redbrick" expression) the position is very different. It is often said that the undergraduate sinks or swims in his first year at university and at a non-collegiate university it is very easy to sink—and almost unnoticed at that (indeed, this sad fate befell two of our number last year). The Peterite who leaves school with little selfvolition will fail at any university, and more quickly and easily at a large civic university where the student is left largely to his own devices. Although impersonality in many forms usually follows in the train of growth, the large university is in many ways better able to cater for the individual's academic needs than a smaller institution. There is a very wide variety of courses and Leeds has been one of the pioneers of General and Combined courses in this largely anti-specialisation era in education; we have our schools of Law and Medicine and also various idiosyncratic individuals such as the Research Fellow in Television Studies. Finally, for the graduate there are a large number of specialised departments giving wide opportunities for research.

The public schoolboy who comes to Leeds departs from a Christian environment and enters a predominantly non-Christian undergraduate society, with the result that the faith of the "Nominal Christian", that is the Christian whose faith has been based largely on conformity to a religious routine and to whom Christianity has been a habit rather than a faith based on fundamental conviction, is found to be ephemeral in the extreme when faced with an antipathetic atmosphere. The individual is thrown back on his own resources and has to quarry out a faith for himself rather than have it imposed through a system of compulsory churchgoing—though this lays the vital foundations for a strong faith in later

life.

At all universities the spirit of scepticism and the voice which asks "Is this true? Is this fair? Is this right?" is fostered and Leeds is no exception. The most overworked word in the University is probably "Why?", and stemming from this there is a critical attitude towards the "status quo" and often a radical dissatisfaction with it, leading often, at Leeds, to a Leftist proclivity in politics. The large civic universities have long been trying to free themselves from the legacy of their Victorian origins and the attitude of mind hinted at above, together with new buildings, new courses and a broadly based student body (including a large proportion of foreign students) is helping to create a new image: an image resting on the principles of experiment, individualism, progress and commitment (an important quality in an increasingly apathetic, "don't know" (and often "don't care") world).

At most provincial universities the student body has greater personal freedom than at Oxbridge. The size and departmental structure of such universities means that the student is under much less surveillance academically and socially than at collegiate universities, and accordingly has got to make his own decisions and to supply his own driving force for work and everything else. Nethertheless, lest the wrong impression be created, it must be pointed out that academic tutorial supervision, to some degree, is an integral part of all courses here, is greater in the Arts Faculty than in the Science, and increases in the former as Finals loom nearer. Furthermore the undergraduate has the choice of living in digs, a flat or a Hall of Residence (ranging from the quasi-collegiate Devonshire Hall to the luxury housing-estate, known as Bodington Hall). But now to turn briefly to more particular and less serious topics.

The two main O.P. gatherings of the term were at the West Riding Dinner and at Tim Smart's room afterwards—on which occasion that unfortunate gentleman was struck on the head by a door. Nearer the end of term the smog entered our lives, our lungs and our rooms and did not !depart for four days, during which time nobody saw anybody and M. G. Staveley temporarily gave up smoking Woodbines. It took us a whole term to recover from the initial shock of finding two Gibsons (one large, one small) in residence; the large one has an unnerving habit of bellowing greetings across silent libraries. Various other vestiges of news have been extracted under torture from our associates and we present a compendium of these here.

D. S. Atkinson is politically quiescent at present. After an extensive tour of the Common Market countries (he is now a Beaverbrookian) he spent the summer in Sweden (and returned with progressive views). He played agricultural cricket, or more correctly (perhaps), played for the Agricultural Society at cricket.

J. C. Brisby now sports an enormous, all-embracing red beard which he grew while on a visit to Turkey last summer. At present he is assisting in the renovation of a barn near Leeds. We presume he is going to live in it.

R. A. Field was re-elected Treasurer of the Boat Club, plays the organ at various churches, and owns a magnificent cellar (or flat) over the floor of which he periodically spreads his latest car in an effort to make it go faster or, perhaps, just go. Motor mad.

A. J. D. Foster, a new arrival, has started off well and plays squash regularly for the second team. He went into Bodington but we don't expect that this will do him irreparable damage.

S. C. Gibson bought a car the day before the purchase tax reductions with the loot from his year's practical farming. Performed in the Agrics. ploughing match and apparently tried to plough up the main road but was unsuccessful.

C. W. Gough is now Secretary to the Hockey Club, as is C. W. G. Groundwater to the Boat Club. The latter (horribly fit) rows in the first eight.

T. E. H. Smart now lives in feudal splendour in Devonshire Hall after "digging" last year in company with five agnostic Socialists (says it did him good). He spent the summer near Florence and has found a secret method of making female company compatible with work.

J. C. G. Wheeler is Secretary to the Squash Club and leads a progressive social life, but in spite of this he works hard.

Messrs. R. A. B. Wood, A. M. Robson, P. Gibson and W. Bottomley have been spied travelling at high speed in and out of the Union. Fothe sake of peace and safety we will say they are all working hard and leading the lives of scholars and ascetics.

Finally, may we wish the School every success in its multifarious activities and assure you of our support when it is needed. Yours sincerely, THE LEEDS OLD PETERITES.

LONDON LETTER

The Editor of "The Peterite".

University of London.

Dear Sir,

After many years of delay the Old Peterites of London University have at last determined to send you a letter.

There are, in fact, four of us here, so far as we can ascertain, but, before we talk about ourselves, we would like you to bear with us while we say a little about our University. It is a large body, being of about 29,000 members and, in fact, is the biggest in the United Kingdom. We are not going to assert that it is the best university, as that presupposes some measure by which to judge universities: no such measure exists. Indeed, 47

there is even considerable discussion as to the purpose of a university. Here our founders have given a basic purpose. The aims of the founders of the various Colleges clashed considerably: Bentham looked forward to a utilitarian society led by University College; King's was founded to propound the High Church and High Tory view; while, across the road, the London School of Economics was founded by the Webbs, to help to bring about a socialist utopia. Other colleges were founded for other reasons, but in all there is a functional purpose.

It is intended to equip students to lead useful lives not only in the possibly narrow confines of their own professions but also as regards society in general. Too often graduates, after three or more years' academic study in an isolated university community, have no comprehension of the problems facing the rest of society. Moreover in most cases the mind swiftly loses its flexibility after one has left university; increasingly one tends to associate with those of the same background and interests and to look down upon the rest: hence there comes that deep, disturbing division between those of culture and those of no culture. Yet this is quite ridiculous: the universities are training those who must ultimately become leaders in their particular fields, who must lead those who have not been to university: can you lead those whom you do not understand, or for whom you have no sympathy?

Here in London we believe that, partially at least, we overcome this difficulty. Apart from all the other advantages of living in London, there is the estimable one of being a part of a large city. There is not the narrowing effect of being continually in the company of "intellectual equals": one is continually rubbing shoulders with an amazing variety of people—in such circumstances it is hard to be an unrealistic academic. This is exceptionally stimulating and of inestimable importance to anyone who looks beyond his degree.

The situation is, of course, exploited by the more socially conscious faculties especially: the budding vicars in the theological faculty can be seen running youth clubs and old age pensioners' gatherings all over town, while the lawyers give free legal advice—to anyone who will take it—at an institution known as Poor Man's Lawyer. Others help, and learn, in a multitude of other ways.

All these opportunities are in addition to the usual advantages of a university. Here you can take a degree second to none in standard, have a social life which is as active as you care to make it and, if you must, indulge in any sport you wish. But, sir, we detain you too long and, with due modesty, of course, forthwith turn to our own doings.

R. G. Carr (originating, we are told, in The Manor) has been elevated to the heights of the Theological faculty on the 'C' corridor of King's. He claims that faith alone can transport him across the Strand in rush hours (when is there not a rush-hour?). He assures us that he has not yet taken to burning incense and we did notice that last time we saw him— on a Victorian bicycle of dubious origin—he still was not wearing a biretta.

D. Sykes (also from The Manor) appears to have burrowed his way into the depths of the Engineering labs. in King's, from whence he emerges only to wend his way through country lanes to Balham ("Gateway to the South"). We really have little news of him as he departs on the appearance of Old Peterites.