House Notes

each other's hands and feet, tightly frozen in a thick matting of snow, and the bright colour of our waterproofs weaving their way up impossible paths. We rested for lunch, but it was clear that with or without food a completely new route would have to be found. Both flesh and spirit were by now rather unwilling, so we turned for home—defeated, but at least fit to fight another day!

D.R.D.C.

UPPER TEESDALE

It was not a nice day!

Starting near Dufton with the mist at our boot tops we followed the Pennine Way to the crags of High Cap Nick. Following the now customary communal cup of coffee, we venture deeper into the cloud and bog following the course of Maize Beck. The day had been punctuated by explosive bangs which were by this time becoming rather too frequent and close for comfort. The source of these was a military range which was considerably closer than the map seemed to suggest. After following what could only be described as a rather circular and very wet route, we eventually descended beneath the clouds, which had to that time been our constant companions, and found ourselves heading for Murton, not far (well not very far) short of the bus. We passed some disused mines which were investigated inquisitively albeit briefly.

On crossing a bridge along the road, Mr. Du Croz introduced us to "Pooh-sticks" (the rules can be found in "Winnie-the-Pooh", A. A. Milne) Unfortunately Mr. Hamilton's stick sank!

I think we enjoyed the day, but it would not go down as one of the best.

D.H.H.

WALKING CLUB

A wide variety of walks have been possible due to the fine weather early on in the year; this makes walking so pleasant and bracing.

A walk along the edge of Sutton Bank in the warm weather of late May proved popular with the members of the Club, whose opinions of the walks are always readily available. We walked to the Kilburn White Horse past the gliding station where we were able to see gliding in progress.

In February we took a path from Thixendale across the Wolds to Wharram le Street passing through the site of the mediaeval village of Wharram Percy. The church, in a rather decayed state, is all that remains of the village buildings, but the East Riding C.C. masons were making repairs to the walls and roof of the church to help preserve it.

Early in the Summer Term we had a most exhilarating walk in blazing sunshine and clear skies on the moors near Saltersgate. We walked down through, and returned on, a track above the Hole of Horcum.

As the A level exams approached the frequency of walks decreased allowing time for mental exercise.

FIELD AND STREAM ASSOCIATION

Contrary to expectations, the Association has had a rather less active year than the last one and this may have been due in part to the fact that some members of the committee were in their final 'A' level year.

Thanks again to the kindness and hospitality of Mr. Morris, beagling has taken place on most Wednesdays and Saturdays during the Christmas and Easter terms with the Derwent Valley Beagles. Chris Clark served as a full time Whipper-in with the hunt and John Woodcock filled this post unofficially on one or two occasions. For two years now, Mr. Morris has provided transport for us to and from the meets, often necessitating a long detour from his normal route. We understand that this greatly appreciated service may no longer be able to continue during the coming season and so we must try to make alternative arrangements. It would be a pity if this much enjoyed activity had to cease because of lack of transport.

In addition to beagling, some films were organised during the Christmas Term, the most notable being one about foxhunting and one describing various aspects of falconry.

Our thanks are again due entirely to Mr. Riley for his continued interest in our affairs and for helping the beagling expeditions to operate so smoothly. We hope that in the coming year, some of the younger members will help to extend the scope of the Association in other directions.

C.M.A. G.A.H.

RADIO 5

Although the committee was small, consisting of Robert Flint and Nigel Dodd, enthusiasm was great in the Easter Term. There was broadcasting nearly every night, which reached its highest peak ever of nine sessions in one week. All the programmes were musical, and sometimes included poetry and interviews. Simon Robinson and Dave Smith gave their reviews on the latest albums in the "Sounds Show", which also featured recordings of many live bands. Mike Drucquer in his regular lunch-time show gave a wide range of Jazz. Other programmes that achieved regular appearances are as follows,

THE COLLINGHAM CHAPTER - Steve Hodges and John Pyrah.

THE FRUID BIRD SHOW - Roy Stephenson and John Hudson.

EXPORT - Robert Flint.

WORTHINGTON - Tim Elsworth. THE UNION SHOW - Pete Finegan and Martin Poynor.

THE TOP TWENTY — Various programmes — Andrew Reed, Ashley Cooper, Pete Strach and Martin Tree. 67

The light evenings of the Summer Term meant that most people preferred to be outside. Transmitting began four times a week, and this was gradually reduced until it was necessary to close down over the exams. In the last week of term, there were a number of four hour programmes consisting of a wide range of music, which included live appearances. Once again, it was the same people who contributed to these events. It is most likely, however, that next term will see the enthusiasm restored, as usual, for transmitting in the long, winter evenings.

R.F.F.

ELECTRONICS CLUB

The club was initiated at the end of the Easter term, and because of increasing interest in this popular field of science, there are now about twenty members.

The club's aim is mainly to try to encourage constructional projects and to make these more feasible by use of the laboratories and equipment. Advice is given at the meetings both by members and by Mr. Wise.

Club members put in many hours' work in preparation for the 1971 Science Exhibition with various ingenious projects such as metal locators, a light modulated transmitter and a synthetic sound generator. In the Winter Term : a series of talks by courtesy of York Amateur Radio Society: Film meetings, and it is hoped to have a visit to a commercial radio or TV station.

P.F.

GEOGRAPHY FIELD STUDIES

The study of geology is largely concerned with the make up of the Earth beneath its surface: the Astronomer is concerned with everything above the Earth's surface. It is not surprising that geography, basically the study of the physical and human factors of the earth's surface and their inter-relation, should incorporate a certain amount of geology and astronomy. Moreover the geographer is concerned with Land Use and all the ramifications this implies, with flora and fauna, with climate and transport and therefore inevitably with changing processes and with future conditions.

A "Field Studies Journey" is obviously much more than a chance to look at, say, a glaciated valley, and is certainly not bound to be pursued in a field. Those familiar sixth form visits to Stratford-uponAvon or Nottingham Playhouse contrast sharply with a sixth form field studies journey. Both have an end in view, to consolidate and make real by witness knowledge already gained in class. To the amateur drama critic the journey to and from the theatre may be a chance for a little discussion on the prospects and latterly the performance of the play but is broadly looked upon as something to be endured. For the geographer the journey to and fro is almost as important as the landform features and their consequents that are the purpose of the visit. 63

The usual procedure on such journeys is to stop quite frequently, alight from the Transit van and begin sketching, at the same time listening to an explanation of the feature and perhaps taking photographs. Four of the half dozen field study journeys that last year's middle sixth undertook during their two-year course incorporated features of glaciation. One journey may be described in detail.

The party set off from School heading southwards towards Escrick down the Esker, the course of a dried up stream beneath a glacier, on which the modern road has been built. We disembarked for an explanation by Mr. Coulthard of the Escrick Moraine south of Stamford Bridge; a hasty sketch was necessary here. The next stop was at Kirkham Gorge, a "beauty spot" and the site of a Cistercian monastery with the railway running to the coast at the bottom, but how does one explain this deeply gouged gorge in terms of geomorphology? The phenomenon was explained—a lake to the north of the gorge, enclosed by ice, had overflowed at this point and cut a gorge—this thesis may satisfy some in the form room but was indeed made real by actual observation.

The return journey incorporated driving along the East-West Spring Line settlements at the edge of the former Lake Pickering, a glacial lake, and observation and sketching in the Drunlin Zone south of Easingwold. The sequel to such an expedition is the clarification of diagrams and more thorough explanation in class.

The mapping of a small area results in a more limited but intense study of features in the field. The sixth form geographer is introduced to various mapping skills : a field may be mapped by using a standard length chain; a larger area by plane-tabling where the map is actually drawn on a table in the field, and the course of a river, road or railway may be followed (with the mapping of the areas to left and right) by a method known as compass traverse. These techniques may be combined, by the more experienced, with the measurement of height using the surveyor's theodolite or Indian clinometer to find the angle of elevation or depression.

In recent years the mapping of landscape features and the gauging of the processes that are actually but almost imperceptibly taking place in the features themselves has become an important facet of field studies. The expedition is planned carefully beforehand by experts in soils, surveyors and statisticians; the results measured in the field are analysed in the laboratory where it is hoped that the results will be interpreted to offer new lines of investigation. The constant change apparent in landform will always demand fresh maps; the utilisation of new measuring techniques is certain to increase the geographer's concern with the study of physical and human features in the field. E.R.W.

THE LINEAR MOTOR PROJECT

(M. J. S. Muncer, D. W. Grice, J. R. Slater)

Linear Induction motors are now being used in Japan to propel hovertrains, and are used to catapult aircraft off aircraft carriers. They have no moving parts, therefore friction is eliminated in the actual motor. Prof. E. R. Laithwaite of Imperial College, London, is one of 64

the leading authorities on these machines, which can also drive aluminium conveyor belts in industry. The information and plans needed for our project came from his book: "Propulsion without wheels."

Martin Muncer spent a great deal of time at the Graduate Workshop in York University milling out the slots in the laminated iron stator block, and John Slater and David Grice had the job of winding the half mile of wire into 21 coils.

After the initial difficulty of fitting the coils on to the stator block and unravelling the wiring diagram we managed to get the motor in full operation with only a few days to spare before the Science Exhibition. A framework was built to carry the motor which allowed it to run on an aluminium track on improvised roller skate wheels. The motor also fired pieces of aluminium-like bullets and launched an "aluminiumfoil aeroplane."

During the Science Exhibition every electrician in York seemed to grill us with questions which tested our knowledge of the motor to the full. In the summer term we carried out various tests to accumulate some statistics on its performance by measuring resistance, capacitance, current, and thrust at the expense of a few fuses in the science block. We also took the motor to York Technical College to get further readings on their three-phase system. We produced our own three-phase supply from the mains using large 100-microfarad capacitors which, according to various authorities, didn't exist! We came across other such problems, and had to overcome several minor engineering difficulties before we reached the finished product. D.W.G.

INDUSTRIAL VISIT

On June 24th a Lower-VIth Physics group visited the Heaton works of C. A. Parsons Ltd. in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where they make large steam turbines and generators. We saw several very large machine shops in which steel castings of up to 76 tons are milled, guided, pressed and assembled into generators of up to 600 megawatts. We were told that even the best generators were only about 30 per cent efficient. Each partly completed turbine had the name of its destination beside it, and the scarcity of locations in England testified to the company's excellent exporting record. The whole set thoroughly enjoyed themselves in both the factory and the bus. N.F.

HOUSE NOTES

DRONFIELD

The house has only had moderate success in the sporting field during the last two terms although several individuals have done well.

In the Easter Term Charles Caratini won the Dr. Slade Sabre Trophy and was also awarded his colours. David Taylor was also awarded his colours and was chosen to fence in the Irish Open Fencing Championship and reached the semi-final. The swimming team did quite well this year. 65

IITimothy Stead came second in the Senior dive and we came second in the relay which put us in third position overall. The very enthusiastic squash team captained by Robert Taylor did not do very well and were knocked out in the first round by Grove.

We have not excelled in cricket, although the Senior team, ably captained by Peter Wilkinson, beat Manor in the first round in which Nicholas Wishart did very well and scored over 50 runs. In the second round, however, we lost to Queen's, the favourites, who were the eventual winners. The Junior team lost in the first round to School House, who also went on to become the overall winners. Peter Wilkinson is to be congratulated on the award of his 1st XI colours.

The Tennis team was also unfortunate in losing in the first round to

Grove; the team was captained by Christopher Beall, who has also been awarded his 1st VI Tennis colours.

The enthusiastic and good spirited boaters have done very well this year. The IV is very varied and contains two 1st VIII oarsmen who have also been awarded their 1st VIII colours and took part in the Oxford to London Row, Neville Turton and Robert Taylor. The rest of the crew is composed of a Novice, Graeme Perks, and a 5th IV oarsman Timothy Stead. With this very mixed crew we got through

to the final, to the surprise of many, by beating Queen's and Grove, the present cup holders and the favourites. After interruptions by pleasure boats we lost by one length to School House. Robert Taylor is also to be congratulated on being awarded the Shackleton Cup for the most improved oarsman because he has reached 1st VIII standard after only two terms rowing. This keeps the cup in the house for the second year,

being awarded to David Broom last year.

Yard Cricket has continued to flourish vigorously, although hampered slightly this year by the weather. We have not succeeded this year in getting through all the plastic balls in York! It has been very pleasing to see that the house library has been used usefully and extensively during the last year. The selection of books has been continually growing and u4 the reference and fiction parts of the library are now very good and well

organised with the help of Christopher Beall, the librarian.

Neville Turton and Bassam Asfour have been awarded their House

Colours this term. At the end of this term we are sorry to say goodbye to John Clayburn, who is going to Uppingham in Rutland. Neville Turton, Bassam Asfour, Nigel Dodd and Robert Taylor are the only other certain leavers. We thank them for all they have done for the House

and wish them well in the future.

N.J.M.T.

GROVE

EASTER TERM

This was a good term for the house as a whole. Once again, our

achievements stemmed from a team effort and not from individual excellence.

C. J. Brown swopped places with Thomas MOIlers, one of the four German students who came to stay with us for a term. He had very little trouble fitting in to our weird ways except for numerous complaints

of the cold.

The Senior cross-country team was a credit to the House. The

various mutinies that marked early training never lasted and on the day the hard work that was put in by the team was evident from the result: second—just pipped by Queen's. All the team deserve to be mentioned. D. Dempsey, R. W. Little, R. N. Kerruish, I. W. Stephenson, D. C. Storie, R. J. Carson, T. N. E. Bowen and S. Robinson. The Junior team was disappointing but Hart ran well.

"The House play continues to flourish," and the production of "Funeral Games" by Joe Orton was an all-round success. Collective

teamwork in the small body of actors, T. N. E. Bowen, G. A. R. War-

nock, R. J. Carson and Julia Wise, and efficient stage work headed by

S. Robinson, coupled to a producer with professional ideas and a forceful approach, combined to make this an excellent presentation.

The term ended on a happy note with the Squash team winning the

cup. This was a great team effort led by D. M. Dempsey, who was awarded house colours along with S. J. Parker. The new television was a boon to brightening up wet days. C. D. Johnson left us and we welcome P. E. Thwaite, a first year senior. SUMMER TERM

The Senior House Cricket Team, captained by R. N. Kerruish, lost to

The Rise. Led by I. W. Stephenson, the Junior side did well to reach the finals for the second year running but were overcome by a strong School House team. This gives hope for next year. In the rowing com-

petition, the House IV lost the semi-finals to a more powerful crew, Dronfield, but were satisfied with their own performance. The Shooting

Cup was also lost. The team contained nearly the same people but

eventually they came second.

P. J. Dobbins retained the handicraft prize and S. J. Parker and R. J. Carson received the reading prizes. Three Grovites were involved in the video-tape film "Eh Joe" and a number of juniors took part in scenes from "Bartholemew Fair" which was presented to the Queen on her visit to York. J. H. Little even explained the play to the Duke of Edinburgh.

The dreary moments of exams could not mar a very friendly relation between the years, and this unity gave the year special notoriety, partly due to the hardworking and varied team of monitors.

From the sixth forms, A. T. Sykes, P. J. McMillan, R. J. Carson, R. G. W. Hamshaw and D. C. Smith all left, as well as a "lively" set

of fifth formers, S. Muirhead, M. P. Goldthorpe, R. C. Parker and S. D. Jeffrey.

We wish them every success in the future and wish the new Head of House the best of luck.

R.J.C.

THE MANOR

Three members of the House who left at the end of the Christmas term, S. Foster, J. C. W. Williams, and A. P. R. Dean, all gained places at Oxbridge, with J. C. W. Williams distinguishing himself by being awarded a Hastings Exhibition at Queen's College Oxford. The only other thing of note in the Easter term was the sharing of the fifth form General Knowledge prize.

The Summer term brightened up, with the Manorites in the Shooting Club winning both the House Shooting Cup and the Aggregate Cup. P. A. 0. Bell added to these triumphs by winning the Green Howard Cup. Not surprisingly R. F. Hornby (School and House Captain), G. S. Clarkson and P. A. 0. Bell were in the party going to the annual Bisley meeting.

In the C.C.F., J. A. G. Craven excelled himself by being awarded the Fernie Cup, for the most efficient cadet and for his efforts for the Contingent; he also won the individual instrumental prize for his skill on the trombone, playing Handel's "Arm, arm ye brave".

In the Senior House Cricket Competition we lost to Dronfield in the first round, but in the Junior the team did extremely well to beat Temple, and then lose narrowly to Grove. However, the senior league team won the Burton Cup, under C. D. Pallant's leadership. In Swimming K. D. J. McCarter distinguished himself, and D. J. R. Eddell unluckily broke his arm in the back-stroke. Since then a line of flags across the bath has prevented a similar occurrence. In School teams, J. C. P. N. Lightowler gained his 1st XI Colours, R. T. Tasker his 2nd XI Colours, and J. A. Croft and D. P. Atkinson their 1st VIII Colours; the latter coached the young House VI to victory over Temple, but the crew lost to the eventual winners School House in the semi-final. K. D. Bowler was captain of tennis, and C. M. Atkinson and M. H. Drucquer played for School teams.

Last, but by no means least, in the scholastic prize list we were well represented, and C. J. Clark, R. A. Copeman, A. D. A. Smith, D. M. Schofield, R. M. Harland, P. R. F. Townsend, J. S. Ray, and M. Powell are all to be congratulated on winning subject or form prizes. G.S.C.

We have a large group of leavers, and we thank them, and especially G. S. Clarkson, the Head of House, for all they have done for the House, and wish them every success in their future careers.

G.M.S.

QUEEN'S

The house holding the Oxford Cup is undoubtedly a successful sporting body. A second year of sustained effort allowed Queen's to retain this coveted possession; dominance in sport was not, however, our only success and perhaps not even our most important. Our combined efforts not only filled the shelf with silverware but made it a happy and friendly place in which to live.

At the opening of the Easter Term, R. I. Tulloch was appointed a House Monitor and E. R. Walker the School Chapel Monitor. In retrospect we congratulate J. D. Harrison and G. Hodgson on being awarded places at Oxford and Cambridge respectively.

The short cross-country season was both materially rewarding and enjoyable. In the senior race we won the team plate with the second lowest aggregate on record and with E. R. Walker winning the individual cup : the six running to count were all in the first thirteen. The Junior race tells a similar story: we won the plate with D. C. Spencer the individual winner in his first year.