C.C.F. Notes

inexperienced Dronfield side was rather flattering and we entered the Semi-Final against Grove as underdogs. But a great team effort in the second-half against the wind resulted in the only try of the game by Robinson, well converted by Lockwood.

Although considered "no-hopers" in the Final by our opponents, it was fate, not Queen's, which proved our downfall. Weakened by the unfortunate absence of Robinson and conceding an early try, Temple rallied and pressed the Queen's line for long periods without just deserts. Fate again intervened as Bainbridge and Bowie collided and the gallant 131 were only finally subdued by an individual break by Coverdale. Mention must be made of Mitchell, playing his first game at full-back, where he made hardly a mistake.

The Junior team was outclassed and went down 38-3 to a superior Rise side. The Chess team, captained by Bainbridge, also lost to Rise, 3-2.

Congratulations to Bowie on his place at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and to Lund on his place at Balliol College, Oxford.

The House Play next term is Wesker's "Chips with Everything"; we look forward to it, and to your support. J.R.L.

During the past year, the Army Board has been reviewing its policy in relation to the CCF; and although its findings concern Army Sections in particular, they will certainly affect the general Ministry of Defence policy and therefore Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Sections.

The most likely changes will be in Proficiency Training, and already experimental syllabuses are being tried with the object of encouraging more imaginative and more interesting training. The style of uniform is also under review, and changes may be expected in Army Sections.

In a wider field, it may be that membership of the CCF could come to be regarded as a positive part of training for those who seek entry to the regular services, and could thus reduce the actual training time required for former CCF cadets. Such a change, which has only been put forward as a proposal, would obviously affect only a few cadets, since only a small proportion enter the regular services; but the importance of the idea is that it gives some indication of the value that could be attached to the CCF by the Services.

Meanwhile, after a term during which the weather gradually restricted activity, we look forward to outside work in the better weather, with our newly acquired rubber boats with outboard motors coming into use on the river.

Future dates to note: Arduous Training, April 10th to 17th. Army Camp, July 13th to 21st. It is expected that everyone should attend at least one of these activities as part of his Proficiency qualification. D.G.C.

R.N. SECTION

At the beginning of the Christmas term, fifteen boys asked to join the Section bringing the total strength up to 44 cadets.

The new entry, Nelson Division, worked through an interesting training programme, with L/Seaman Irving taking charge. Twelve boys in this Division have volunteered to visit our parent establishment, H.M.S. Caledonia at Rosyth next Easter. New uniform for all the cadets in this Division should be here for January.

Collingwood and Rodney Divisions continued to work for Proficiency and Advanced Proficiency respectively. Most of the instruction was given by Coxswain Littlefield, C.P.O. Keefe and Lt. Maw. Visiting instructors from H.M.S. Caledonia for drill, pilotage and fire-fighting have been arranged for next term. AB's Young and Gray were promoted L/Seamen.

Our contacts with H.M.S. Caledonia have become much stronger through the efforts of our liaison officer, Engineer Lt. J. Prior, who paid us a visit early in the term. We are grateful to him for supplying our needs whenever possible and also to the Gunnery Officer, Lt. G. Chew, who is responsible for our Advanced Proficiency Examinations.

It was very encouraging to see so many members of the Section applying for Annual Camps next year. Royal Naval establishments to be visited will include:— Clyde M.F.V. H.M.S. Caledonia. H.M. Boom Defence Depot, Lock Ewe. H.M.S. Dryad—Navigation. H.M.S. Excellent—Small Arms. R.N.A.S. Lee on Solent.

Lt. Maw attended the Conference for Naval Sections, CCF, held at H.M.S. Dryad in November. Most of the agenda discussed we are doing already. One suggestion made was for a new type of "rig" for parade days and for travelling to camp, consisting of : —beret, No. 8 shirt, seaman's jersey, No. 2 trousers, gaiters, boots (shoes for travelling), negative belts. This was not received with great enthusiasm at the Conference or in our own Section. Most people felt that for all the hard work required to keep the "square rig" smart, this was the uniform which really identified them with the Navy and it should be retained.

J.E.M.

ARMY SECTION

Both the Proficiency and Recruit sections were split into small groups under an N.C.O. for instruction which was carried out during the term.

Lt. Bulcock arranged a very successful night exercise with the usual noises and pyrotechnics that one associates with his CCF activities and the cadets had a very interesting evening. J.N.G.