A Day's Climbing in Snowdonia .. 35 Sahara Expedition — Easter, 1980 36 Norway, 1980 .. 38 Cairngorms, 1980 .. 40 Combined Cadet Force

drove into Bergen to do our final bout of souvenir hunting. Bergen rewarded our attention by again raining on us. We then returned to the campsite for our last night in Norway.

Next morning we drove back into Bergen and joined the queue for the ferry. The ship left on time and we sailed down to Stavanger. We stopped there for an hour, and as we left we had an awe-inspiring view of the "Alexander Kielland", the giant oil platform which had capsized in the North Sea. During the evening there was a disco on board which was attended by nearly all members of the party, and once again the sea gave nobody any problems. At Newcastle we disembarked quickly, and after a drive down what seemed a luxurious road (the A19) we reached York and our much longed for hot baths. To Mr. Hughes and, especially, Mr. Daniel go all our thanks for this immensely enjoyable and interesting trip.

D.R.K. and C.J.E.B.

CAIRNGORMS 1980

We had set out on the Sunday after the end of term, in mid-morning. By the time we were to get to the Cairngorms at about 5 o'clock we would only have an hour's walking time before dark which would force us to set down camp only a little way into the Ben Avon range. This is on the south side of the massif, near Braemar. On the Monday we would have to walk a lot further and it would be hard because of an increasing depth of snow.

As it was, when we woke up on Monday morning it was snowing very heavily, which meant that it would be even more tiring in soft snow. So we set out about 10 a.m. in very poor conditions : snowing, cold, with poor visibility. Luckily the track was very well marked, despite being covered in several inches of snow. As it was the first day, my ruck-sack was very heavy, probably 6o pounds, with bits hanging on it everywhere, rattling against each other every so often.

Indeed, it was very hard going in the soft, wet snow, and I was thankful for any rest possible. In this way we made very slow progress and so didn't reach the ideal place for our second night's camp. Because of the bad weather it would not have been possible to camp exposed on the mountain slopes, so instead we sheltered in a valley.

It was nearing 4 o'clock by this time and the pace was getting slower and slower. There was a general vote that we should stop and set up camp in a pleasant, sheltered valley with Scots pines around us.

It had been snowing all day up to now, though it stopped for the evening as we set up camp — so that was a help. But we still had to dig out many inches of snow to form a base for our tents, which obviously meant a few cold hands and toes. However, this didn't take all that long; and soon brews were on the boil to warm us up again after a long, strenuous walk. Jonathan Winchurch.

COMBINED CADET FORCE

In 1974 we decided to close the Army Section of the Contingent because it was becoming too small to work well, but we always intended to re-form it when the time was right. So it is very pleasing to record that the Army Section came back into existence this year, under the command of Lieutenant Tooms who has brought into the Contingent his special knowledge and experience from the Regular Army, most recently as a key member of the Cadet Training Team. We welcome Mr. Tooms to this appointment and we hope that the revived Army Section will now go from strength to strength. 41

A Combined Cadet Force, however, depends in a very large part on the enthusiasm of the cadets themselves; in fact, without this a Contingent has no reason for existence; and in the long process of getting the Army Section going again, we should acknowledge the determined efforts of Corporal James Binns who, in the summer term of 1979, when he was in the Royal Navy Section, patiently enlisted support among boys who were not necessarily in the CCF so that he was able to convince the officers that there really was a demand for the revival of the Army Section. This was a good example of Initiative and of enthusiasm supported by action.

So at the Annual Inspection on Tuesday, 13th May, all three Sections were once again on parade. The weather was good, and the Inspecting Officer, Group Captain R. H. Wood, O.B.E., R.A.F., the Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Linton-on-Ouse was very pleased with what he saw, not least with the welcome displayed in signalling flags on the mast. The Group Captain trusted himself to the jack-stay rigged across the river by the Royal Navy Section: we do not recall any previous Inspecting Officer doing this, and happily all was well.

Before the end of term, Lieutenant Commander B. J. Bulcock assumed command of the Contingent, and we wish him success and hope that he will have the active support from his colleagues in the Common Room that he will greatly need as the numbers in the Contingent grow. It is very easy to criticise the CCF as having no obviously useful function, or even of encouraging militarism, just as it is easy to question the value of many other activities in a school; but the fact is that the CCF gives to many boys something that to them is worthwhile and challenging, and any school that is privileged to have a Contingent would be very foolish to let it dwindle and die for lack of support from its masters.

Sub. Lt. Roberts who has been a great asset to the Naval Section with his sea-faring background unfortunately left the School at the end of the year. His energy, drive and humour will be missed.

The Contingent thrives, with more cadets going to camps and courses than for many years and with the bright prospect of a close association with the Green Howards, the Regiment to which we are now privileged to be badged in the Army Section. It has been a great pleasure and help to have had many visits from Second Lieutenants Barker and Denison, who were both prominent members of the Contingent and who have been giving their spare time to help with the training of the Army Section. At the Annual Inspection they presented a plaque bearing the Green Howards badge, and this will be permanently placed over the CCF notice board.

This association with a famous Regiment reminds us how much we depend on the Services for their interest and support; we thank many members of the Services during this year; the Cadet Training team who have identified themselves with the Army Section; and the visiting officers and NCOs from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. In return we hope that we are able to uphold an interest in the work of the Armed Forces and to provide an opportunity for some boys to see if their future might be found in the very varied and responsible life that the serviceman must be prepared to undertake if he is good enough for it. D. G. C.

THE ROYAL NAVY SECTION

The section has enjoyed a successful year, thanks to the inspiring leadership of Cox'n Lodge, who, together with his team from the Middle Sixth, particularly PO Bleasdale, has set high standards in industry and enthusiasm, encouraging greatly the younger cadets. An additional training aid has this year been the arrival, on permanent loan from the Royal Navy, of the 27 foot 43

motor cutter, "ARETHUSA", whose usefulness has been demonstrated both in parade time, and on a full-day exercise during the Christmas term. On that occasion, the flooded river made for an unusual and exciting excursion to Linton Lock and beyond. It is encouraging that various courses sponsored by the Navy have again been taken up by several members of the Section, who have returned with qualifications which include certificates in sailing proficiency very costly to obtain through civilian sources. H.M.S. Caledonia has again been helpful in allowing us the use of its finely situated expedition centre at Da11, on the shores of Loch Rannoch, for a June weekend, and the facilities of the ship for a week in the Summer, and a long-weekend in November. The boating, swimming, and shooting facilities remain the most popular attractions at H.M.S. Caledonia — though a day at sea on a mine-hunter, with its cunning electronic devices expertly used on a realistic exercise, was certainly stimulating. The Dall weekend was this year noteworthy for its production of two rival rafts, which, on first launch, proved to be unseaworthy, depositing their occupants unceremoniously into the Loch. But, with modification, stability returned, for fishing and exploration, the former unfortunately unsuccessful, and not supplementing at all our Navy diet of eggs and steaks expertly prepared by LS Bird. At School, Cox'n Lodge has modified and refurbished the stores, which were warmly complimented by the Inspecting Officers. He has also brought a sense of quiet involvement, sound organisation, and clear forethought to much that he has achieved, and we are most grateful to him for his outstanding leadership. Not least, he has set high standards for his successor, P.O. Paveley, whom we congratulate on being the youngest section coxwain for many years. We all wish him success.

R.J.B.

ROYAL AIR FORCE SECTION

The Section has had a successful and busy year with 47 cadets on parade at General Inspection when Group Captain R. H. Wood, 0.B.E., of R.A.F. Linton-on-Ouse was the Inspecting Officer.

The training programme during the year has again been varied. The highlights have included an excellent night exercise at Strensall last November (surely the first night exercise when almost everything has gone to plan?) visits to the assault course at Strensall and a visit to R.A.F. Linton-on-Ouse in June. Group Captain R. H. Wood, the Station Commander, is an enthusiastic supporter of the C.C.F. and we look forward to continued close co-operation with R.A.F. Linton-on-Ouse.

The biggest disappointment must be the lack of Air Experience Flying. One group of cadets has now had its flying cancelled seven times because of 1 bad weather/lack of pilots/aircraft unserviceability. They were due to fly in April, 5979 and are still waiting. Their frustrations are understandable.

The Proficiency results were again satisfactory. The following cadets passed Part III: J. Burr, H. Coe, S. Bellamy, F. M. Simpson, J. R. Oglesby (credit), S. Bradley, P. A. D. Critchley, T. Hills, S. M. Midgley, J. Nield and D. A. Beaumont. The following cadets passed Part II: J. Kendall, R. Young, P. Stancer, F. Topham, S. Cotton. Proficiency work involves a considerable amount of hard work and the cadets who passed are to be congratulated.

The Section sent F/Sgt. Hewitt, Sgt. Brown and L/Cdt. Oglesby to R.A.F. Wildenrath in Germany and L/Cdt. Burr and Cdt. Young to R.A.F. Gibraltar at Easter. We congratulate Sgt. Wallhead and Cpl. Giddings on the successful completion of their Gliding Courses.

The Section again took part in the Assegai Shooting Trophy open to all R.A.F. C.C.F. Sections and we came a creditable twenty-eighth out of the seventy-three Sections in the competition.

The Summer Camp was held at R.A.F. Locking near Weston-super- Mare. The following cadets attended: L/Cdt. J. Burr, L/Cdt. J. R. Oglesby, / 44

L/Cdt. F. M. Simpson and Cdts. P. N. B. Chapman, M. Dobie, S. P. Wood, N. D. Hopton, J. W. Shanks, R. 0. B. Gardner, P. J. Kelly, T. C. K. Hyde, A. F. M. Stone and M. G. Wise. The Camp was, as usual, both busy and interesting Almost everyone had two air experience flights from Kemble, home of the Red Arrows. Most cadets managed to see round the Red Arrows hangar and sit in the cockpit of a Red Arrows Hawk as well as seeing them give a breath-taking display. L/Cdt. F. M. Simpson and Cdts. J. W. Shanks, P. N. B. Chapman and R. 0. B. Gardner all did some gliding.

L/Cdt. J. R. Oglesby excelled himself on the range and was one of the two cadets to gain an R.A.F. Marksman's badge out of the sixty-one cadets attending the Camp.

We did well in the inter-schools competition considering the average age of St. Peter's cadets was between two to three years younger than that of other schools attending the Camp. And while we would rather forget about the drill competition we surprised everyone, including ourselves I suspect, by coming second in the Five-a-Side football. The team led by Cdt. N. D. Hopton consisted of: Cdts. R. 0. B. Gardner, M. G. Wise, T. C. K. Hyde and S. P. Wood. The team played with rugged determination and skill against teams physically stronger and taller than ourselves. Everyone enjoyed the Camp and returned home tired-out after an eventful week.

Wg. Cmdr. D. G. Cummin retired at the end of the summer term after thirty years of service to the C.C.F. We shall greatly miss his dedication and guidance and we wish him well in his retirement. We congratulate Lt. Cmdr. R. J. Bulcock on taking over as Contingent Commander and we look forward to a continuing revival of the C.C.F. under his leadership.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the NCO's, and in particular F/Sgt. J. R. Hewitt, for their enthusiasm and help this last year.

R.G.G.D.

ARMY SECTION

The re-forming of the Army Section was enthusiastically welcomed; in fact since the beginning of this term we have attracted no less than 38 cadets. The majority of cadets are IIIrd and IVth formers with a few Vth and VIth formers who have been promoted. The following cadets have been promoted to Corporal: J. Lawrence and A. Fawthrop while the following have been promoted to Lance Corporal: N. Clayton, J. Binns, M. Reed and J. Jones.

The section has recently received confirmation that its members can wear the Green Howards cap badge. The badges will be presented by the Commanding Officer of the Green Howards at the start of next term during a day visit to the Green Howards' Regimental Headquarters at Catterick. Here thanks must be expressed to Second Lieutenants Barker and Denison of the Green Howards who left the school two years ago and have helped us so much in laying the foundations for a relationship with the famous Regiment.

Because of the obvious problems facing a newly formed organisation, the section has had little opportunity to learn about the Regular Army; however, due to the R.S.M's. (Sgt. Major Tooms) enthusiasm in organising various courses we have already learned how to erect bivouacs, shoot, dismantle and clean both the American and British .303 gauge rifles, dismantle and reassemble Bren guns and, of course, how to drill. We have also had a very informative display and talk on modern infantry weapons laid on by the Cadet Training Team, and hope to arrange several trips to the assault course at Strensall in order to test our cadets' ability at climbing over walls, jumping ditches, swinging on ropes and other Tarzan-like activities. We have also arranged for an eight-day Annual Camp at Catterick to take place at the start of the summer 45

holidays; an event to which we are all looking forward with great enthusiasm. Here we thank the ever enthusiastic Cpl. Maggs who has been, and hopefully will continue to be, an invaluable help to the section. We welcome Sgt. Shaw who has undertaken to help instruct us in the military training we require.

It was with regret that we learnt that Wing Commander Cummin, Officer Commanding St. Peter's School C.C.F., will be leaving at the end of the Summer term to enjoy a well earned retirement. We thank him for his years of service and wish him all the best in the future. We must also congratulate Lt. Commander Bulcock on his appointment as the new Officer Commanding and we wish him every success in the forthcoming years. Craig Lawrence.

C.C.F SHOOTING

At the beginning of September, James Hewitt was made captain for the year and, as usual, the winter and spring terms were fully occupied with the extensive use of the .22 miniature range for the options. During these two terms special emphasis was put upon weapon training and the innovation of term leagues was moderately successful.

The National Assegai competition for R.A.F. contingents was entered for the second consecutive year. The team of four, J. R. M. Hewitt (capt), D. A. Beaumont, N. J. Hall and F. M. Simpson had an encouraging result considering the age of the greater part of the team, occupying twenty eighth place in the country.

During the Spring term nine new shots from the third form joined the club and numbers were again boosted by a further intake in the summer when full-time shooting operated.

Yet again we suffered from a shortage of open ranges at Strensall. However, an evening spent sighting the rifles on the 3om open-range paid off the next day when two teams were entered for the N.E. District Skill-at-Arms meeting. The two teams consisted of: J. R. M. Hewitt (capt.), M. A. Lodge, D. A. Beaumont and D. J. Paveley. L. G. Bleasdale (capt.), C. G. Broadbent, T. R. Boorman and P. A. Kell.

Fifteen teams from ten north-eastern schools entered the competition and, as last year, the first team occupied third place in the deliberate shoot at 200M and 3oom. In the last match, a falling-plate, knock-out competition, both teams reached their respective semi-finals with the first team winning convincingly in the final. Following this win, the first team success for several years, full colours were awarded to David Beaumont and David Paveley and were re-awarded to Lawrence Bleasdale, James Hewitt and Mark Lodge.

No team was sent to the County of Lancaster R.A. Meeting at Altcar, primarily due to the close proximity of certain '0' and 'A' level G.C.E. Exams. It is, however, hoped that a team will attend this and the Bisley meeting next summer.

The School's internal competition was, as usual, held at the end of the summer term. This produced the following results:

Green Howards Cup (individual deliberate) J. R. M. Hewitt Falling Plate Cup (Individual snap) J. R. M. Hewitt Recruit Cup (under 16 individual) D. C. M. Sweetman House Aggregate Cup Dronfield

At the end of term it was announced that Clive Broadbent would be captain of shooting next season and that Paul Kell would be the new Armourer.

We are, of course, all very grateful to those members of the staff who have helped run the shooting club this year. However, our special thanks go to Mr. D. G. Cummin whose additional help has made many of our visits to the open ranges possible. We wish him every enjoyment in his retirement. J.R.M.H.

TRIP TO GIBRALTAR

The R.A.F. Station at Gibraltar was the host for this year's Easter Camp. Two Peterites, Robert Young and Jonathan Burr, joined other C.C.F. members at Gatwick Airport on the morning of the 27th of March. By 14.00 hrs. the group were in Gibraltar and enjoying their first taste of the warm sunny climate. After a lunch in the camp canteen the cadets were assigned to quarters and then formed into Flights of about 15. There are contingents from all three services based on the "Rock" and the cadet camp was assisted and entertained by all three.

Friday started with a practice on the firing range. This was followed by a trip around the harbour in an R.N. launch. A major N.A.T.O. exercise had just ended and the harbour had a variety of Royal Navy ships at anchor. The view from the launch was magnificent and very inspiring. During the afternoon an orienteering exercise kept everyone busy.

Saturday was initiative day when the Flights had to build a raft with old oil drums, ropes and any other materials that could be found on the beach. A look around a Nimrod aircraft completed the day.

Sunday was a sight-seeing day around the Rock, and with the aid of an information sheet we discovered many interesting places.

On Monday the group was entertained by the 2nd Light Infantry. A strenuous walk up about three miles of steps was followed by gym tests and a trip around the assault course. A look at modern weapons concluded the day with the Army.

By this time the hot sun had started to take its toll (90°F one day). One member was confined to his bed, not a Peterite I hasten to add. As a comfort to this bed-bound cadet a request was played upon the camp radio by B.F.B.S. whose studio was conveniently situated near our group's dorm.

Tuesday saw the cadets in our flight on a trip abroad an Air Sea Rescue launch to explore the coastline of the "Rock". We also had an interesting look at the equipment on the launch: radar, sonar, radio and navigation and rescue aids. More sunbathing followed.

On Wednesday morning we had a flight in a Wessex Royal Navy Helicopter which was noisy but exhilerating. The view was something to remember. This was followed by an afternoon to spend those last few pennies and to chat to the local inhabitants.

On Thursday the Flight looked around "H.M.S. Kent", a Destroyer, and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel.

We then thanked Squadron Leader Major D. Lacey, the Officer in Charge, and all who helped to make the stay interesting, before flying home in a 727 of Dan Air during the afternoon.

Jonathan Burr.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD SCHEME

Since the last report, Neil Pattison, Sandy Day, Kenneth Murray, John Lethem, Richard Craig, Ian Wiggle and Simon Wetherell have achieved Gold Awards: congratulations.

At a presentation in the Drama Centre on Saturday, r7th November, 1979, Mr. Mike Hutchinson of the York Award Centre gave out certificates to 29 Bronze Award winners and ro Silver Award winners. We are grateful to Mr. Hutchinson for giving of his time in this way; and offer congratulations to all those who have gained Awards. The commitment of time needed is becoming greater, the more so with modifications recently introduced in the Scheme: it is pleasing to see so many capable of sustaining the effort and initiative required.

Silver Award Expeditions took place in the Autumn half-term; with the Cycling group proving that there are two sides to every valley, but nothing like a fifty-fifty chance of the group and the supervisors being on the same one at the same time. A long evening's search ended after much wrangling with a secretive Telephone Information Service: we finally got the number we needed to discover that the boys were safe.

The First Aid Course in the Spring put us further into debt to the St. John Ambulance Brigade. In return, it is pleasant to record that some of our boys acted as judges for a St. John's swimming sports in our pool; and others have performed the same service for York Scouts and Cub Scouts.

Despite considerable difficulties of their own, York Fire Brigade have again put on courses for us at Bronze and Silver level: we are grateful.

On average, I suppose the weather has been right for the summer expeditions : one blazing, sun-stroke special and one cancellation for fog and pouring rain: at the time of writing, we are still trying to fit in the Bronze Expedition Assessment weekend. I am looking forward to that: the Practice weekend was perhaps the most successful yet, owing to excellent help from groups of Sixth formers.

But after all, perhaps the best summary of the work of the Scheme came out of the York Award Associations Annual Presentation at the Guildhall on Friday, 25th January, 1980. The School was well represented. The Earl of Swinton made the presentations.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD PRESENTATIONS IN THE GUILDHALL ON FRIDAY, 25th JANUARY

Paul Aagaard gave the following speech which, for reasons of space, has been edited. He outlined some of the activities of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and spoke of its benefits.

Certainly my Duke of Edinburgh Award experiences have given me an enormous amount of benefit over the last three years. To look back, projects that initially appeared to be ordinary turned out to be unexpectedly exciting and have been of great value to me. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is not only a much cherished Award which stands you in good stead when applying for a job, or filling in a University UCCA Form, but it involves you in a wide range of interests. The Award Scheme attracts many different people mainly because of its versatility, even people with physical disabilities can enter the Scheme as there are special concessions made for them. There is practically nothing that you can think of which cannot be incorporated within the Award. It breaks down all academic divisions allowing both the less intelligent, and the brightest candidates to excel themselves outside the classroom.

Perhaps the most ambitious part of the Course at all three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold is the Expeditions. For this I chose cycling as opposed to walking.

My Silver Assessment Expedition, for example, took me on a circular route from Harrogate across the Pennines going through Nidderdale and Wensleydale. The total distance covered was 115 miles. For my Bronze Award I had been on a camping and cycling trip around Cornwall.

In the Interests Section of the Bronze Award I collected a portfolio of brass rubbings from many churches in Yorkshire and also further afield. This proved to be quite an expensive hobby, as most churches charged anything from sop to £3 for the privilege of rubbing a brass.

The hobby was extremely interesting — it is exciting to find complete and original old monumental brasses, and one learns from them a little of the life and traditions of previous generations which is, I think, fascinating. 49

Another interest which I knew nothing about was Marquetry. This was a hobby I started for the Silver Award and which I still pursue. The purpose and validity of the Interest Section of the Award soon became apparent in that one could pursue either an interesting hobby, or embark on something which one knew nothing about, or perhaps had never even heard of before.

The Service Section of the Award I found more and more interesting as I went up through the Scheme. At the Bronze level I attended a Course on First Aid which taught me something about dealing with common body injuries. At the Silver level I attended a Fire Service Course which proved to be most useful. Again in this section of the Award you are not expected to remember everything that has been said and repeat it "parrot fashion", treating each lecture as a classroom lesson, but you are expected to assimilate the main gist and above all get some enjoyment out of the Course. At Gold level the Service Section features much more strongly in the Award. You are expected to help younger members of the Scheme and do rather more

important ventures on your own. I have helped on Bronze Assessment Expedi-

tions — camping out with one or two groups. I also helped at York Minster on the Information Desk. When I arrived I did not feel exactly informative about the Minster. I soon found out, however, that the information necessary

comprised largely of . . . where the nearest toilet and pub were .. .

At Gold level an extra section is necessary to obtain the Award — namely the Residential Activity. For this I attended an Acorn Camp. These camps are run by the National Trust and cater for anyone over the age of sixteen. Each year the National Trust issues a booklet with all the available camps in at different National Trust Properties. Usually they last for one week and you help to restore the property in some way. The Trust are very careful who they allow on these camps and demand a note of recommendation from some reliable source. Once on the Course the Leader has to submit a report on each person at the end of the week and for working on the camp you are given an

Acorn camp Volunteer card, which enables you to get in free to any National

Trust Property for one year. I attended a camp just south of Chester in Wales

at Chirk Castle. On the camp there were ten boys and ten girls ranging from

the ages of 16-25. The leader was a police sergeant and the assistant leader a Leeds university student. Much of the castle had been restored, but one wing was still in the process of being restored. Our camp turned out to be really enjoyable and made for a great week. Our main jobs on this camp were:

painting the endless iron railings which bordered the castle and grounds,

and re-building the "ha-ha" stone wall, a "ha-ha" wall being distinct from a free standing stone wall in that it leans against a bank of earth on one side. Everyone worked surprisingly hard but the real sporting turn came when tourists arrived, in their hundreds. The other members of the group the had 1 amazing stories to tell about the fun they had in other camps with the tourists. One of the best stories was how they chained their feet whilst working on

their job and they put up a sign which read "Please do not feed the prisoners" apparently the result was most effective as tourists gave them a wide berth.

We did not try this one but we did put up a notice saying "We are unpaid and hungry — please donate" . . . unfortunately we only thought of this on the last day, but nevertheless we got £12. Then perhaps the plan got a little out of hand because a coach load of Old Age Pensioners insisted on giving us two large cardboard boxes of food which we felt a little guilty about. On two evenings in the week we had dinner in the Servants Dining Hall — a lovely

atmosphere with big log fires. On the last night we spent our £12 on refresh-

ment for a Barbeque which we held in the Castle gardens. The week was a

great success and I have booked another camp this year.

To view the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme as a whole, I see that it brings from within a person many different talents which he or she may or

may not have known were there. It offers young people in the United King-

dom and in the other Commonwealth Countries a challenge and an opportunity to expand one's leisure activities. On these criteria I think the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme is an excellent award to have in one's possession and, unlike other awards, it has not become out-dated and old fashioned but has very much kept pace with the youth of today.

THE HARRIS SCIENCE SOCIETY

After Mr. Philip L. Harris had left the School for the first time the School's Science Society was disbanded. It wasn't until early in the Summer term this year that it was decided to re-form the Society. Deb Pal immediately proceeded for form a Committee consisting of house representatives and other enthusiastic members.

Soon the committee started to meet regularly to discuss and eventually decide what form the Society should take. All decisions being, of course, backed by the Headmaster, who took it into his own hands to contact Queen Margaret's of Escrick to see if they wanted to hold joint meetings, as was done previously by the Senior Science Society.

It was again during these meetings that a unanimous decision was made to ask Mr. Harris to inaugurate the Society, and to subsequently use his name for the Society.

Douglas Williamson and Deb approached Mr. Harris, and after convincing him that it was not a practical joke, a constitution for the Society was delivered to the Headmaster.

Meanwhile, Deb, who by now had assumed two roles of chairman and secretary, worked very hard to obtain material for the opening meeting.

On Wednesday, 4th June the Committee, Mr. Harris and the Headmaster met for a short informal chat, in the Rhodes room before the first meeting.

About 4o people attended the opening meeting which Mr. Harris opened with a short speech, in which he, among other things, wished us luck and thanked us for naming the Society after him. His speech was followed by three interesting and informative films on energy and nuclear power.

Thanks are especially due to Deb Pal, for his hard work and enthusiasm in getting the Society on its feet, the Headmaster's secretaries for their typing of correspondence, the Headmaster for his complete support at all stages and Clive Broadbent and Mike Shipley for printing the membership cards. Jason Schofield.

THE NORTHCOTE PARKINSON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The society's programme this year has spanned a wide range of subjects and the popularity of the society has continued. Talks with relevance to the `A' level syllabus have included : "Fascism in the Thirties" by Mr. Trythall of York University; "The Origins of the Second World War" by Professor

Carr of Sheffield University; and "The Enlightenment" by Professor Hampson of York University, while talks on more general topics have included : "The

Phoenix Park Murders" by Tom Corfe and "A Historian Researching into

Medieval Women's History" by Dr. Biller of York University. The questions resulting from these talks were always interesting and not a few heated dis- 0 cussions occurred with their presenters. The Balloon Debate was, as last year, both hilarious and enjoyable and many incisive questions were fired at the competitors. However, by presenting