The Suttonian 1949 (Christmas Term)

SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL MAGAZINE

CHRISTMAS TERM 1949

SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL MAGAZINE No. 210 (No. 4 of Vol. XXVI)

CHRISTMAS TERM, 1949

Editorial

" youR school days, my boy, are the best part of your life." So runs the old cliche which we must all have heard several times with varying degrees of credence.

The chances are that the young boy just starting off on a scholastic career will envisage restrictions imposed upon him by dictatorial masters and prefects. He will doubtless have enemies in the school and will conceive a particular dislike for certain members of the staff. As he grows older he will probably smooth out his own private quarrels and will see the hitherto hated masters in a new light. He will agree that they cannot be blamed if his ideas differ from theirs. However, it is not until the time comes for the boy to leave that he really appreciates the joys of school life. As a senior member of the school he has to work with, rather than under, the masters and comes to regard them as his friends rather than as unfortunate necessities. His companions are by now either friends in the real sense of the word, or just friends in the colloquial sense. Rare and unfortunate is the boy who has lived through his school life at complete loggerheads with one or more of his fellows.

After all, he has to live with them for three-quarters of every year and for a school to be happy it must be living in perfect, or as near perfect as possible, harmony.

On the more material side of life we have at our disposal spacious playing fields, first-class tennis courts and a fine swimming bath. Nowhere else in life shall we encounter such wide facilities which are always available. Even those things which we are convinced are bad while we are at school turn out to be essential parts of a most pleasing picture when we look back on our life. It is traditionally English to grumble at something and, if nothing is wrong, something must be made wrong.

Whatever our opinions at the time, we must surely all be able to look back when we leave and find much that is good and enjoyable and little that is bad. Especially do we remember those friends whom we have made and who will scatter far from us for the last time. We can think of every one of them—" not weighing their merits, but pardoning their offences."

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102 School Officials

Head of School : J. W. Lewis School Prefects :

C. B. Kerr

N. R. Pearless

House Prefects : Westminster : St. Margaret's :

P. G. F. Bryant F. C. Carter F. R. Williamson 0. G. D. Goldfinch P. A. Payton

A. J. Knight J. L. Hough J. W. Bassett F. W. P. Bentley J. D. Lincoln H. K. Sawtell

Day Boys :

M. A. Whittaker C. M. Jefferies

S. W. T. Cullen

Sports Committee : The Headmaster (Chairman)

R. L. Kay, Esq. E. A. Craven, Esq. N. P. Bentley, Esq.

C. B. Kerr J. W. Lewis

Rugby Football :

C. B. Kerr (Captain) C. D. N. Harloe (Hon. Secretary) Fives :

J. L. Hough (Captain) Shooting :

F. C. Carter (Captain) A. J. Knight (Hon. Secretary) Library Committee :

The Headmaster (President) L. N. Harvey, Esq. (Librarian) N. R. Pearless (Hon. Secretary) J. AV. Bassett P. G. F. Bryant W. H. Jelpke 0. G. D. Goldfinch F. C. Carter J. A. Brazier Magazine Committee : 0. G. D. Goldfinch N. R. Pearless W. H. Jelpke (Editor)

P. G. F. Bryant Secretary of Societies :

J. W. Lewis

School Notes J. W. Lewis has been appointed Head of Westminster and Head of the School.

N. R. Pearless has been appointed Head of St. Margaret's.

N. R. Pearless and C. B. Kerr have been appointed School Prefects.

F. R. Williamson, 0. G. D. Goldfinch and P. A. Payton have been appointed House Prefects in St. Margaret's.

F. W. P. Bentley, H. K. Sawtell and J. D. Lincoln have been appointed House Prefects in 'Westminster.

W. H. Jelpke and F. C. Carter have been elected to the Library Committee.

Football Colours have been awarded to : C. D. N. Harloe, P. A. Payton, J. D. Lincoln, S. W. T. Cullen, J. L. Hough, B. H. Lewis, C. M. Jefferies, J. K. Randall, N. B. Tod, I. J. Lockhart, J. S. Fulljames, J. C. Hunter, J. E. C. Binks and I. N. Wilcockson.

2nd XV Colours have been awarded to : J. W. Lewis, F. C. Carter, A. J. Knight, H. K. Sawtell, R. WhittingtonInce, J. Moise, F. R. Williamson, P. B. Leonard, N. R. Pearless, A. Travers, J. A. Roper, M. Allen, J. W. Bassett and 0. G. D. Goldfinch.

Colts Colours have been awarded to : C. R. G. Cullen, J. Melvin, J. Harbott, P. R. Anderson, T. J. Aisher, E. J. Gower, P. D. Hull, K. Henniker, G. Hoeltschi, N. J. Noyes-Brown, P. J. Stubblefield, L. de Swart, D. J. Prior, B. L. Goodwin and T. R. Hills.

The following gained the Higher Certificate of the Oxford and Cambridge Joint Board : M. G. J. Bachrach, J. W. Bassett, F. W. P. Bentley, N. Gibson,

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J. W. Lewis, J. Robbins and H. K. Sawtell.

The following gained the School Certificate of the Oxford and Cambridge Joint Board : A. K. Bartlett, P. G. Baxter, M. F. Beaman, J. D. Bidmead, R. F. Budd, M. St. J. Candy, S. W. T. Cullen, D. J. Dixon, M. G. Earp, B. A. Fothergill, C. D. N. Harloe, S. A. Harrison, B. D. Hough, J. C. Hunter, C. T. Keeley, P. B. Leonard, B. H. Lewis, P. A. Long, P. N. Lonsdale, J. Moise, C. F. Northover, J. H. Overy, M. C. Parnell, A. M. Patton, J K. Randall and D. A. Waters.

We were sorry to lose C.S.M. N. A. Dumbrell half-way through the term.

He has had to retire due to ill-health.

We welcome in his stead R.S.M. W. A. Cummings, late of the Buffs.

We were delighted to learn that Mrs. Milligan, widow of the Rev. Henry Mawson Milligan, B.A., Headmaster from 1848 to 1860, when the old buildings were pulled down, is still alive and well. We are most grateful to her for the kind gift of a photograph of her late husband, which will be hung in the School Hall.

We thank the Headmaster for allowing us to have fireworks on the evening of November 5.

The Captain of Rugger wishes to thank all members of the staff who have helped with the games this term.

The Magazine Committee thanks all those Masters and boys who have contributed to this term's magazine.

We are very pleased to announce the reopening of the School Tuck-Shop in its new premises. We extend a cordial welcome to Mrs. Gravina, who has taken

over its management.

Valete The Magazine Committee apologises for not inserting the first three valetes in last term's issue.

K. C. Goonwnsi (D.B.-1942).-1942, Capt.

Junior Soccer, Junior Cricket XI; 1944, Under.

14 XI; 1945, Colts XI, Colts XV ; 1946, 2nd XI Colours, House XI; 1947, Cricket Colours ; 1948, House Athletics Team, House Tennis VI, Head of House, Sports Committee ; 1949, Athletics Colours.

R. A. H. STILL (D.B.-1943).— 1945, Junior Cricket XI ; 1947, Colts XI, Cert. " A," L/Cpl. in J.T.C. ; 1948, 2nd XI, House XI, House XV, Cpl. in J.T.C., J.T.C. Signals Classification ; 1949, House Prefect.

S. A. HARRISON (M.-1946).-1947, Colts XI Colours ; 1948, Cricket Colours, Cert. "A." L/Cpl. in J.T.0 ; 1949, Cpl. in J.T.C., School Cert. • N. R. PEARLESS (M.-1944).-1945, Colts XV Colours ; 1946, School Cert., House XV ; 1947, Cert. "A." L/Cpl. in J.T.C., 2nd XV Colours, House Prefect, Dramatic Society, Clerk of the Hunting Society ; 1948, Cpl. in J.T.C., House Tug Team, Hon. Sec. Hunting Society, Library Committee, Magazine Committee, Higher Cert , Kingdon Prize (Latin) ; 1949, Chairman of Hunting Society, Hon. Sec. Library Committee, Editor of Magazine, Kingdon Prize (Latin), Wheeler Prize (French), House Shooting VIII, House Athletics Team, Country Life VIII Team Leader, Head of House, School Prefect, C.S.M. in J.T.C. P. A. PAYTON (Bt. and M.-1945).-1945, Under-14 XV ; 1946, R.L.S.S. Intermediate Cert., Colts XV Colours, House XV ; 1947, House Swimming Team, R.L.S.S. Bronze Med., 2nd XV Colours ; 1948, Junior Athletics Team, School Swimming Team, House Life Saving Team, Bath Squad, R.L.S.S. Bronze Cross, House Tug Team, Football Colours, Cert. " A " ; 1949, Senior and House Athletics Teams, R.L.S.S. 2nd Bar to Bronze, Capt. House XV, House Prefect, Sit. in J.T.C., Public School Seven-a-Sides.

C. M. JEFFERIES (D.B.-1944).-1945, Art Prize ; 1946, Under-14 XI, R.L.S.S. Intermediate Cert., Under-14 XV ; 1947, Colts XI Colours, Colts XV Colours ; 1948, Junior Athletics Team, House Athletics Team, 2nd XI Cap, 2nd XV Colours, House XV ; 1949, House and School Athletics Teams, House XI, Cert.

46 A," Athletics Colours, House Prefect, Cpl. in J.T.C., Football Colours, Shooting

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J. E. C. BINKS (By. and W.-1945).-1946, R.L.S.S. Intermediate Cert. ; 1947, R.L.S.S. Bronze Med., Junior and House Swimming Teams ; 1948, R.L.S.S. Bronze Cross, 2nd XV ; 1949, Football Colours, School Swimming Team, R.L.S.S. 2nd Bar to Bronze, 2nd XI, House Swimming Team, L/Cpl. in J.T.C., Cert. "A." J. M. JUDD (W.-1946).

J. D. LINCOLN (L. and W.-1942).--1943, R.L.S.S. Elementary Cert. ; 1944. R.L.S.S. Intermediate Cert., Junior Soccer XI; 1946, Under-14 XV ; 1947, House Athletics Team, R.L.S.S. Bar to Bronze Med., Colts XV Colours ; 1948, Cross Country (Record) and Athletics Colours, Junior Athletics Team, House Shooting VIII, House Swimming Team, House XV, Football Colours, Cert. "A," School Cert., L/Cpl. in J.T.C. ; 1949, School Athletics Team, Public Schools Seven-a-Sides, School Swimming Team, House Life-Saving Team, Shooting VIII (Min. range), Sjt. in J.T.C.

Salvete FORM UPPER IV.—R. B. Brockhurst (Bt.), J. R. Gaunt (Bt.), A. M. McNish (Bt.), C. R. G. Shaw (H.), L. V. Vandersluys (Bt.).

FORM LOWER IV.--P. J. Cardwell (H.), L. F. M. de Swart (M.), E. J. Evans (H.), G. R. A. Harvey (H.) (brother of S. C. Harvey), P. Latham (H.), A. L. Trippet (H.).

FORM III.-P. J. Capon (Bt.).

FORM H.-J. R. S. Bailey (Bt.), T. E. Beechey (L.) (brother of R. M. Beechey), P. W. Beeslee (D.B.), C. Boys (D.B.), I. L. E. Chattin (D.B.), C. H. Daniels (1).B.) (brother of L. J. Daniels), D. A. Frost (L.), J. B. L. Green (D.B.), N. Harrison (L.), J. B. Hastings (L.), W. L. Hickmott (L.), R. M. Jefferies (D.B.) (brother of C. M. Jeffcries), S. Jeffery (D.B.), C. M. W. Kempson (L.), D. J. Maberley (D.B.) (brother of M. A. Maberley), A. J. Perkins (L.), C. M. Prior (D.B.) (brother of I). J. Prior), D. K. Robertson (L.), R. P. Rutter (Bt.), J. C. Swift (L.).

Library Notes

The following books have been presented to the Library this term : "The Robe," by L. C. Douglas, presented by B. R. Wohlgemuth, 0.5.; "The Development of Modern Medicine," by R. H. Shryock, presented by N. R. Fearless.

The following books have been purchased by the Library Fund :— " The Sea Shore," by C. M. Yonge ; "A Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases," by P. M. Roget ; " Heartbreak House " and " Androcles and the Lion," by G. B. Shaw ; "Behind Europe's Curtain," by J. Gunther ; " Chaucer's World," by E. Rickert ; "A Portrait of Canterbury Cathedral," by G. H. Cook ; "The Ocean," by F. D. Ommanney ; "English, a Course for Human Beings," by E. Partridge ; " Rome," by W. Warde Fowler ; Vol. II of" The Oxford Junior Encyclopaedia," ed. by L. E. Salt and G. Boumphrey ; Vol. II of "Pamela," by S. Richardson ; "Approach to Greek Art," by L. Seltman ; "The New Book of Flight," ed. by C. H. Gibbs-Smith ; "The Ilford Manual of Photography," ed. by J. Mitchell ; " Plain Words," by Sir Ernest Gowers ; " Shakespeare," by Ivor Brown ; " The Classical Movement in French Literature,"

by H. F. Stewart and A. Tilley ; "Great Morning," "The Scarlet Tree" and " Laughter in the Next Room," by Sir Osbert Sitwell ; "Religion," by N. Micklem ; " Australia," by G. Taylor ; " Africa," by L. S. Suggate ; "Religious Liberty To-day," by H. G. Wood.

Chapel Notes

We are grateful to Rev. J. IL Watt, Vicar of Chart Sutton, the Yen. A. Sargeant, Archdeacon of Canterbury, Rev. W. E. Purcell, Vicar of Sutton Valence, and Rev. J. G. V. Strangways, Vicar of Boughton Monchelsea, for preaching in Chapel this term.

The heating apparatus chose an unfortunate moment to break down but, thanks to mild weather, we have not suffered any great inconvenience so far.

A new system is projected and will, we hope, be installed before really cold weather descends upon us.

The Chapel Redecoration Fund is closed and the account settled. Again many thanks to all contributors.

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105

Scout Notes

T

HE Junior Troop has had a good and useful term's scouting. Of the twenty-eight new recruits who joined at the beginning of the term, only four have not passed their Tenderfoot tests. The Patrol Leaders have done a very good job in coaching their Patrols in the 2nd Class Tests and several 2nd Class Badges have been gained, and amongst the number are some of this term's recruits.

We have had several wide games when the weather has been favourable, and have also played a dangerous version of French and English, involving rugger tackling .

The annual Patrol Competition has been postponed until next term.

The Upper School Scouts have had very few meetings on Saturday evenings because of the number of film shows. The older members, however, have had two excellent hike expeditions on Sundays—the first, over to the Downs near Hollingbourne, where we cooked lunch ; the second, to Boughton Monchelsea, where the walk back was preceded by an invitation to eat as many apples and pears as we liked from a nearby orchard.

Only a few badges have been won this term, but several senior and junior members of the troop are nearing their 1st Class Badge—and some are on the verge of becoming King's Scouts.

The Upper School Patrol Leaders this term are : M. C. Allen, J. W. Nickolls, G. L. Plommer and P. F. Waller.

The Junior Patrol Leaders are : R. M. Beechey, R. M. Biggs, R. T. Blake, E. D. Harrison, A. H. W. Jones, R. A. Light, B. H. Lockhart, M. A. Maberley, P. J. Mair, M. R. Naylor, J. H. Thyne, J. G. L. Wall.

Scout Camp

Twenty-seven scouts, and N.P.B., E.H.B., E.R.P. and J.W.T. spent a gloriously fine week—excepting the last morning—at Angley Park from July 26 to August 2, where we enjoyed ourselves in the time-honoured way by bathing, fishing, exploring, rescuing Prince Charlie (by day and by night) and, last but not least, in cooking and eating ! We were very pleased to have T. E. Grice (0.S.) and D. P. Jeffrey (0.S.) with us for the last few days, and we were glad that the Chaplain could visit us on the Sunday.

The Tigers (P.L. D. M. Traherne) came out top on the morning inspections and the Upper School Scouts were invaluable in doing the heavy jobs about camp and in assisting with the organisation.

School Concert

December 3, the Choral Society gave an afternoon and an evening performance O N of most of the music of "The Mikado." On each occasion the audiences thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as audiences must when the music of the Savoy Operas is well presented.

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All the singing was unusually articulate, and the chorus gave an impression of liveliness and finish. Their performance was a gratifying reward for hard work well done.

Of the soloists, Mr. Thomson, who has a pleasant light baritone voice, had to struggle with one or two of the tenor songs which were set a shade too high for him.

Bidmead, thanks to an unusual resonance of voice, was exceptionally audible, and his expressions and gestures were effective, though the book in his hands somewhat hindered the latter. It was a pity he had not learnt his words.

Mr. Blatchley-Hennah, who incidentally made a real contribution by looking cheerful throughout and by publicly relishing the comic touches, was a great success as the Mikado. Although the performance was apparently intended to be purely of the concert type, Mr. Blatchley-Hennah did a great deal to make the show live by acting as well as singing. There can be little doubt that however clear the articulation may be, Gilbertian comedy has little chance of reaching the audience if there is neither action nor acting. Therefore, even though the performance as a whole was enjoyable for the music of Sullivan, one could not help wishing that it was surrounded by its context.

Goldfinch, who sang particularly well in the evening, and Pearless were satisfying in their respective roles—or perhaps one should say " voices." Yum-Yum was jointly and valiantly rendered by Prentice and Masham, and Budd earns special mention for his presentation of the ludicrous Katisha.

The orchestra, with Miss Ida Parish at the piano, gave the singers stalwart assistance.

Finally, any praise that has been lavished on any others must, of course, be shared

by Mr. Pierssene, since it was he who gave the concert form and instilled it with content. Appropriately enough it was he who, as conductor, was the focus of the audiences' final approbation. R. F. M.

Shooting Notes we have continued with our postal matches, the main object of all shooting W HILE this term has been to build up a strong team for next year's competitions.

In the postal matches we, with the remainder of last year's team and a few other promising shots, have been quite successful up to the time of going to press, but our scores have not been exceptionally high as some difficulty has been experienced in finding consistent shots to fill the bottom places of the team. However, with more practice and the choice of several new shots who have improved greatly during the term, we should do well in the Country Life Competition next March. All matches have been shot under Country Life conditions.

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Results of the Shooting VIII Matches :— Date Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 N.or. 19 Nov. 26

For

Opponents Blundells School .. ..

Bloxham School .. ..

Glasgow Academy .. .. ..

Kelly College .. .. .. .. .. ..

Oundle. .

St. Edmund's School (Canterbury) Taunton School .. .. ..

Monkton Combe School .. ..

St. Paul's School .. .. ..

Radley College .. .. ..

Cheltenham College .. ..

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

586 616 616 606 609 585 580 580 618 618 618

-

Against

Rcsult

613 591 565 586 622 502 613 466 532 629 579

Lost Won Won Won Lost Won Lost Won Won Lost Won

C.C.F. Notes to most members of the Contingent this term will be chiefly memorable P ROBABLY for two innovations : first, the induction of R.S.M./P.S.I. W. A. Cummings, until last August Depot Regimental Serjeant-Major of the Buffs, as the Contingent Staff Instructor ; and second, the new shade of "Blanco." Both have done a great deal to raise the uniform standard of smartness, in their respective spheres, of our general bearing and turn-out.

Elsewhere in these pages is revealed the fact that we have had to say good-bye to C.S.M. Dumbrell, who did so much for this Contingent after his appointment as P.S.I. halfway through the Winter Term of 1945, not only with regard to straightening out the war-time chaos of the quartermaster's stores, but subsequently in every department of the Contingent's activities. His loss will be greatly felt, and we wish him a rapid recovery and some locally congenial post that will permit him to keep up from time to time his connections here and accompany us on our excursions to Bisley. As his successor, we welcome Mr Cummings, and are more than confident that the good work initiated by Serjeant-Major Dumbrell will soon be carried through to fruition by the new P.S.I. A state of affairs described by the Royal Army Ordnance Corps as a "globular shortage" of blanco was seized upon by the 0.C., unable to obtain cupplies of the old khaki-green webbing cleaner, as a literally golden opportunity to change over to a shade of blanco approved by him and generally in use with the troops of Home Counties District, a shade crossed between " old gold " and " desert sand." As a result, the Contingent paraded en masse does appear cleaner than heretofore, and the "get on parade" drill accompanied by drums has become a ceremonial that visitors find quite impressive.

On the subject of visitors, a rather forcibly expressed complaint to the War Office by the O.C. on the lines of subsequently better publicised correspondence in the News of the World, independent in origin, had the effect of bringing down

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Brigadier M. H. ap Rhys Pry-ce, Deputy Director (Cadets), as a visitor on the occasion of a combined Certificate " A" Board and Field Day on November 15. Fortunately all the Certificate " A " Part II Candidates were successful, and Brigadier Pryce enjoyed what he saw of the " Battle," winch was a revival of Exercise " RED-LION," or an inter-House Platoon scheme in which the defending force represented a Brigade Headquarters defence platoon concerned with the protection of the School buildings against a force of saboteurs. After Lieut. E. N. Mackay had addressed the Contingent upon the way in which the exercise had been carried out, Brigadier Pryce gave a short talk on the importance of the C.C.F. in the contemporary scheme for National Defence. Successful candidates were :— Certificate A, Part I (Individual) : Class " W " (easy Pass) : Cadets Beaman, M. F., Betts, T. C., Budd, R F., Cox, S. J., Hawtin, J. H., Hough, B. D., Lockhart, I. J., Masham, B. S., Nickolls, J. W., Orringe, J. R. Overy, J. H., Plommer, G. L., Prior, J. D., Smedley, J. G., Williams, J. M. Class " X " (Pass) : Cadets Cullen, S. W. T., Freed, M. F., Goodwin, B. L., Gower, B. C., Johns, R. C. Certificate A, Part II (Section Leading) : Class " W" : Cadet Allen, M. C., L/Bdr. Booer, T. G., Cadets Clarkson, D., Pyne, F. G., L/Cpl. Smith, C. F., Wilcockson, I. N. Class " X " : L/Cpl. Binks, J. E. C., Cadet Murrell, V. J., L/Cpl. Shallcross, \V. PROMOTIONS

With effect from September, 1949 To C.S.M. : Sjt. Pearless, N. R. To C.Q.S.M. : Sjt. Lewis, J. W. To Sjt. : Cpls. Jelpke, kV. H., Bentley, F. W. P., Williamson, F. R., Lincoln, J. D., Payton, P. A. To Cpl. : L/Cpls. Kerr, C. B., Goldfinch, 0. G. D., Lonsdalc, P. N., Hough, J. L., Poole, J. B., Harloe, C. D. N., Robbins, J. L/Cpl. : A/L/Cpl. Hunter, J. C., Cadets Sawtell, H. K., Piper, ,t). J., Johnson, K. D., Travers, A., Binks, J. E. C., Randall, J. K., Roper, J. A., Bidmead, J. D., Tod, N. B., Jefferies, C. M., Booer, T. G., Wilcockson, I. N. A/L/Cpl. : Cadets Northover, C. F., Petters, R. B., Edgar, J. R., Padgett, B. S., Parrett, G.G., Moise, J., Shallcross, W. J., Smith, C. F. With effect from October 6, 1949 Actg. Cpl. : L/Cpl. Jefferies, C. M. L/Cpl. : Cadet Judd, J. M.

C.C.F. Camp, 1949 year the Contingent sent a party to St. Martin's Plain Camp, Shorncliffe, conT HIS sisting of two officers, the C.S.M./P.S.I., and fifty-nine cadets, only one of whom had attended a previous camp. Although there was a noticeable reluctance in many quarters to take part, it can be said that the majority enjoyed themselves and thought the experience gained worth the inconvenience. Special mention must be made of a small but enthusiastic band of N.C.O.s, whose assistance proved invaluable.

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For all purposes the Camp Contingent was split into Company Headquarters and two platoons. Mention should be made of C.S.M..Marchant, who took over the duties of P.S.I. on the departure of Sjt.-Major Dumbrell, and of Cpl. Jelpke, who acted as Company Clerk and Storeman. The advance party, under the command of Lieut. E. N. Mackay, R.A., consisting of the P.S.I. and six N.C.O.s, is to be congratulated on the excellent work it did before the arrival of the main body, thereby saving considerable time and trouble. L./Cpl. R. I. Muir (0.S.) rejoined the Contingent for the occasion, acting as medical orderly during the whole of our stay.

The normal routine of standing to kits was carried out daily, Cpl. Goldfinch's tent securing the least number of points against in the competition for the tidiest tent. Orderly corporals, mess orderlies, batmen and runners were provided daily by the duty platoon. In addition to these minor duties, the Contingent had to carry out camp duties, our day being that of arrival. These involved the provision of a camp night picket, consisting of a high proportion of the Advance Party, the main body appearing exhausted as a result of the journey, an orderly serjeant, adjutant's runner, orderly bugler and the camp fire picket, consisting of three N.C.O.s and twenty cadets.

Cadet Bidmead is to be congratulated upon being by far the most accurate of the duty buglers heard.

A varied training programme was arranged, and if all did not go according to plan, moderate success was achieved. An all-day scheme with the Contingent in defence against Eastbourne was carried out on Wednesday, July 27. The Paratroop Demonstration at Hawkinge Aerodrome, due to unfavourable weather conditions, and also the proposed visit to the Dover defences, were unfortunately cancelled, and a substitute had to be found for the latter, eventually taking the form of a defensive action against Tonbridge C.C.F. One morning was taken up by shooting at the Lydden Spout Range, all members of the Contingent firing at 100 and 200 yards, excepting the Bisley Party, who acted as Firing-point Instructors. On the night of July 29 the St. Margaret's Platoon were attacked by that of Westminster, the action taking place in the region of the derelict Dibgate Camp. The return battle with Eastbourne did not prove a success, the enemy drawing out at noon due to other commitments. In the afternoon of this (1ST the Contingent entered into the Guard-mounting Competition, doing very well to come in sixth, seeing that they had had such little practice and preparation.

A Church Parade and March Past were held on the Sunday, the salute being taken by the Deputy District Commander. After the parade, in recognition of his services with the Contingent, C.S.M./P.S.I. Dumbrell was presented with an inscribed silver cigarette case on behalf of the Contingent, and a silver propelling pencil on behalf of the Shooting VIII. C.S.M. Marchant made the presentation.

The Camp in general seemed to stimulate interest and smartness, and should have benefited those who attended to an extent that should be felt in the Contingent as a whole for some time to come. Finally, no account of this Camp would be complete without a word of praise for the Platoon Commanders and Platoon Serjeants for their efforts in maintaining their platoons cheerful and efficient.

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Society Notes T is again necessary, regrettably, to report a decrease in keenness for those societies which are functioning. One would almost have thought that after the constant warnings given in this magazine concerning the state of the societies, something would have been done. However, it has not and, thankfully, films have restarted this term, and they cover up some of the holes formed in the ranks of the societies, which have now reached such a state that only two can be termed " societies."

The Models Society continues to be the foremost with regard to the number of keen members, of which there are now about twenty. It has had a successful term but has missed those members, especially Beadle, who left at the end of last term ; their places have, however, been filled and the society is now bigger than it has been for the last three years. Much work has been done, and although not up to the old standard, experience has been gained. The Photographic Society is steadily gaining in popularity, and, owing to shortage of accommodation is not able to enrol all those who wish to join, with the unfortunate result that those who might have displayed some keenness in the society of their choice drift into one of the dormant societies, where they are of little value. A lot of work is being done and several prints of interest have been made, mainly of local scenes and events.

The other two societies, the Natural History and the Table Tennis, can only be termed glorified reading societies. The former has about sixteen members, but very few of them show any keenness whatsoever, and although it is true that it is the Winter Term, surely some cataloguing could and should be done. F. T. W. BlatchleyHennah, Esq., has kindly presented some scarabs and Roman mosaic stones which, it is true, have been catalogued and labelled. The Table Tennis Society has such an enormous membership that it has had to split into two halves, but 90 per cent. are non-playing members, who are in it merely to avoid being in the Reading Society, which still has as its members nearly half of the Upper School.

There are three root causes which may be said to have brought about this disastrous state of affairs. The first is the lack of variety to be found in but four societies. The second is the fact that most of the more senior members of the School either manage to belong to no society at all or are non-playing members of the Table Tennis society, and the third is that the apathy of the country as a whole to providing their own amusement appears to have filtered through to the School.

I

Hunting Society President. The Headmaster Vice-President : F. T. W. Blatchley-Hennah, Esq. Chairman. F. C. Carter Hon. Secretary. P. G. F. Bryant Clerk of the House : W. H. Jelpke Committee : N. R. Pearless, 0. G. D. Goldfinch, J. Robbins Guardian of the Gavel. J. C. Hunter

is said that records are made to be broken. This term the membership of the I T Hunting Society has soared to seemingly dizzy heights, the climax coming on November 22, when the attendance reached the unprecedented number of forty-two.

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No longer does the proposition battle with the opposition before a dozen rather bored members, who have come by force of habit, and several empty chairs. Now, on Tuesday nights there is a rush to obtain a seat, and no one is likely to speak unopposed.

At last those who have for so long been saying : "Yes, I will really come when . or : "I do really mean to join next term," have taken the plunge and at last the 'Hunting Society is an institution of which the School can be truly proud.

The usual meeting for the election of the officers for the term was held on September 27, resulting in the election of a new Secretary and Guardian of the Gavel.

Mr. Pearless was again elected Chairman, but later in the term he was forced to resign the post in which he had done so much towards the revival of the Society's fortunes, owing to pressure of work, preparing for a Scholarship. There were several suggestions made for debatable subjects which, when drawn up, provided an interesting agenda for the term.

The first routine meeting of the term was a "Boomerang Session," at which it was pleasant to see nearly all the new members. There was a wide range of subjects, including some of the topics which occur nearly every term, as" Nuts " and " Curves," and some new ones, as "Curried Eggs," " Monditis " and " The Sutton Valence School Black Tie." The following week we were given an extremely interesting and informative talk on "The Sudan, its Government and the Sudan Political Service," by K. D. D. Henderson, Esq., cousin to the Vice-President, and Provincial Governor of the Sudan.

We would like to thank the Vice-President for making the talk possible.

Tuesday, October 18, saw our first debate, in which Messrs. 0. G. D. Goldfinch and A. K. Bartlett successfully opposed Messrs. P. G. F. Bryant and F. R. Williamson, who put it to the House that it was advisable to have a Sub-Channel Tunnel. The most effective speech was that of the Vice-President who, speaking impartially, queried the main point of the proposition's speech, namely, the advisability of being linked with the French who, he said, were a most unreliable race.

A week later we heard a most entertaining talk on "New Zealand," by R. F. Mackay, Esq., whom we would like to take this opportunity of thanking. He dwelt on the nature of the country as a whole, the social conditions, the character of the people, and the scenery.

On Tuesday, November 1, the House threw out the motion that : "The time taken over Minor Sports in relation to that taken over Major Sports in this School is disproportionate to their importance." Once again the Vice-President, who was opposing, overshadowed the other three main speakers, who were all making their maiden speeches, which, it may be added, were of no mean standard.

A very interesting and closely fought debate took place on November 8 when, by eleven votes to ten, Mr. Robbins, seconded by Mr. Poole, convinced the House that this country had forgotten what it fought for. The proposer, in an excellent, and eloquent speech, put it to the House that we had entered the war for the sake of others, while now we were fighting for our own ends. The valiant efforts of Mr. Goldfinch and Mr. Leonard, making his maiden speech, who claimed that we had been and still were fighting for the freedom of the world, were of little avail,

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--A comparatively poor debate took place on the following Tuesday, in which Mr. Hunter and Mr. Bartlett, having spoken against themselves, without realising the fact, defeated Mr. Carter and Mr. Williamson in the motion that : "It is preferable to pay four shillings for twenty Players than fivepence halfpenny for a loaf of bread."

Perhaps it was mass sympathy, owing to the mess in which the proposition was involved, that defeated the opposition.

The last meeting, before going to press, was to hear the Vice-President deliver the first part of his " History of Sutton Valence School." This meeting, which was attended by the President, was a great success, and every member came away knowing very much more than before about his own School. The history, which dates from the foundation of the School to half-way through the last century, was accompanied by several photographs and diagrams. We must thank the Vice-President for providing this memorable occasion and, on closing these notes on an excellent term, hope that we shall soon hear more from him on the same subject.

0.0. D. G.

Cinema Notes

A

NOTICE, of a kind not seen since the Summer Term of 1948, was awaiting all who returned this term. It was to the effect that Saturday evening film shows had recommenced, a welcome event which had been made possible by the sale of our former projector, the deterioration of which had, for a long time, been very apparent, and the purchase of a new one.

The School Hall, where the shows now take place, provided a few difficulties at first. As it was hopeless to attempt to black it out, no show was given until the second week in October. The chief difficulty, however, was the sound, and considerable trouble was taken to position the loudspeakers suitably in a hall whose acoustics are far from ideal. The sound now is very much better than at first and, although every word is not distinguishable, nothing of importance is missed. The smaller problem of the screen has been solved by the replacement of the small one, which in a large hall would distort the film, by a large one, belonging to the Physics Laboratory, stretched on a collapsible wooden frame. When funds become more plentiful it is intended to get a roller screen.

Five shows have been given this term and it is probable that there will be another on the last Saturday.

On October 8 "The Overlanders " (Chips Rafferty) and "Flight for the Future " were shown. These were followed by— October 22: "Captains Courageous" (Freddie Bartholomew, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas) and" Spotlight on the Stars "(Tommy Handley).

This programme was well received.

October 29 : " Nicholas Nickleby "(Derek Bond). Due to the poor copy of the film, this show was very disappointing.

November 12 : " Trouble Brewing" (George Formby) and " Cinemagazines."

This, with excellent sound and, in the first film, complete farce, was the best show of the term.

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November 19 : "Treasure Island " (Jackie Cooper, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore) and "Spotlight on the Stars" (The Crazy Gang). This film was good as far as the sound went, but the American accent and Jackie Cooper, who was only too obviously trying his hardest to act, spoilt it.

On September 30" The True Glory," a war documentary, was shown, and another, "Tunisian Victory," has been booked. A number of Educational Films have been shown—mainly on Australia, the set region for School Certificate in 1950, while other subjects have included coal-mining and map projections. Some film-strips, also, have been shown.

Once again Mr. Keating, by his unending work supervising the shows, obtaining the films—and the new projector—must be given the highest praise. With him, however, go Brazier, Bartlett and Edgar who, aided by Tod, Johns, Parrett and Hull, have operated the projector. Finally, the invaluable assistance given by the local Gaumont-British agents and, in particular, their operator, must be mentioned.

Triple Bill in Lambe's

A

FIRST-RATE entertainment was provided by Lambe's-Bennett's-Holdgate's on the evening of December 14 before a packed house, which included visitors.

"The Hiding Place," by Clemence Dane, gave Lambe's an opportunity of dodging through windows, shoot and be shot, exchange secret formulm and identities, all in the presence of a legless V.C. Even conforming with candles and back-cloths was not beyond them. " Henreeka," or " The Principle of Archimedes," provided a flight of fancy by an unnamed, but not unknown, author for Bennett's to portray. It was indeed a masterpiece, with a laugh in every line and a " caste " which even included " Punch." Wit and waggery were beautifully blended.

To top off the bill came Holdgate's with A. A Milne's " The Ugly Duckling," produced by an Old Master and dressed as perfectly as a Cox's pippin. Without a word of a lie, as the saying goes, here was witchery and as pretty a piece of acting as one could wish to see. I would not have missed it for an ice pudding and—no names, no cat calls.

The following took part : Light, Lockhart, Mair, Naylor, Thyne, Wiggins ; Anderson II, Bailey, Biggs, Brockhurst, Capon, Funnel, Gaunt, McNish, Pendred, Rutter, Vandersluys ; Catchpole, Dahlstrom, Evans, Harvey II, Latham, Norman II, Ridgewell, Shaw, Trippett. J. H. K,

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Swiss Holiday

A DISTINGUISHED 0.5., with his wife and two sons, two not yet so distinguished

O.S. and two somewhat undistinguishable Suttonians (with a most distinctive sister) met the Fiihrer with wife and niece at Victoria on August 23. At Folkestone the seasoned advance guard, consisting of the mother and father (Deputy Fiihrer) of an O.S. with a third Suttonian and his very welcome cousin from Australia, were already aboard. So with fried eggs and bacon on the boat, in good company and perfect weather, the holiday began.

The night journey was warmed by the prospect of a cherry jam, butter, brioche and coffee breakfast at Basle. At Basle, too, our party was completed by one more O.S. and one more Suttonian who, disdaining the ways of common men, had left England earlier to stay two days in Paris. Lucerne was reached at 10.30 a.m, and there was the boat moored at her quay by the trees on the lakeside. On board, with a cow and her calf, Swiss children and holiday-makers, we watched the town and Mount Pilatus grow smaller and smaller, while the sun shone hotly and Lake Lucerne and its mountains, appearing gently from the heat haze, were bluer and lovelier than we had ever remembered. At each calling place the conductor on the boat sang the familiar string of names " Luzern-Hertenstein-Weggis-Vitznau-BuochsBeckenried-Gersau-Treib-Brunnen nach Fluelen " until we were at Beckenried with the Family Amstadt waiting to give us their warm welcome to the Mond. A week was spent in this quiet arm of the lake. The water splashed against the wall of the garden where we sat to drink tea or cafe-creme and eat cream cakes. The lake was swum in, fished in, rowed on and swum in again and on the boats before and after each day's climb even our recruits soon recognised as authentic magic the chant of " Vitznau-Buochs-Beckenried-Gersau-Treib-Brunnen nach Fluelen." The mountains were climbed by foot, funicular and lift. The sun shone all day and if there was rain it was at night, making the morning a deeply coloured haze of beauty for our delight--soft blue skies, vivid blue lake, green trees and greener mountain sides, where the deep wet grass was dotted with purple autumn crocus and blue gentian.

The first day took us to Seelisberg and tea in the sunshine on a terrace overlooking a part of the lake very different from our own ; then down, down through the woods to Ruth and so by boat back to Beckenried. Sunday, the day of rest, seemed to forget its function. We shall all remember the early cage-lift to the Klewenalp, the tiny church on the bare hill top amongst the cows and goats, its tinny bell and its mountain-dwelling congregation in their subdued best. Those who achieved it will also remember the beautiful but rough and long walk down to Beckenried which made them late for the enormous Swiss mid-day Sunday dinner, so that they must rush to catch the boat to Kehrsiten for the Burgenstock and the lovely walk to Buochs.

One of the attractions of the Rigi Kuhn day is that the boat takes one first to Vitznau, which for its smallness, its tall church spire against the steep wooded hillside and its Swiss-ness is, after Beckenried, our favourite of the Lake villages.

There are also the stalls at the top of the Rigi, the varying and all-glorious aspects of mountains and lakes and, for the real walkers, the Scheideggweg and famous drop down to Gersau.

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On Tuesday, N.P.B. and four boys decided to climb Niederbauen. This entailed using the box-lift which brings down loads of cheese and butter from the mountain.

Its capacity for humans is limited to four but, as John Cotton bagged the boot, all five, swinging in the fragile box high over deep valleys and hill tops, completed the perilous-seeming journey which brought them to the starting point of their climb and enabled John to bag his first mountain.

Instead of being climbed on foot, Frohnalpstock was, this year, ascended by chair-lift. Views from the top, as always this perfect year, were outstandingly clear and satisfying, showing Lake Lucerne with yet another shape and shore line.

Thursday meant good-bye to Beckenried, the green slopes, the orchards, the hay and our friends at the Mond. Sadly for the last time we heard" Buochs-EnnetburgenVitznau-Weggis-Hertenstein nach Luzern." From Lucerne as usual our reservations and travel arrangements worked without a hitch, even to the kind conductor who told us the right moment to be out on the carriage platform as the train climbed the Brunig Pass over to Brienz. At Brienz the sky darkened and threatened and as we reached our boat a fierce and crackling storm burst over the Brienzersee.

From below deck we saw the land blotted out, wind and rain in sheets tear across the water and swans come close into the lee for shelter whilst the small boat tossed and swayed at her moorings. The locals said there had not been such a storm on Brienzersee for fifty years. When the storm slackened the boat left for Interlaken, and half-way down the lake we looked up to see young David Cotton on the bridge, steering the boat like a seasoned salt, her nose still set straight for her destination in spite of her steersman !

The arrival at Wilderswil was in the aftermath of the storm, but a surprise greeting awaited us there ; for Alan Trimming (0.S.), staying in the village some weeks before, had thoughtfully left litres of wine for us to drink to his health, and a good holiday to ourselves.

Next morning, at Kleine Scheidegg, Jungfrau agreeably staged a good avalanche before our eyes and, the sun coining out hot and strong, the roar of avalanches was constantly with us, some of us walking down past Wengeralp to Wengen and others climbing the Lauberhorn and Mannlichen. These latter had a curious and inexplicable (or unexplained) adventure concerning rucsacs and a new mode of getting them down a mountain side, which meant they missed tea at Wengen, arriving only in time to assist bolting an enormous meringue.

Saxetental is one of our loveliest walks. This year we kept Sunday for it hoping, correctly, we should have it to ourselves. Saxeten is still unspoilt Swiss, and the valley with its green meadows and little paths that lead nowhere except to the next mountain hut, its deep woods and broad and rocky stream, is enchanting.

From Saxeten the climbers took recruits up to Abendberg and the remainder, glad to leave hot sunshine for cool trees, walked down by the stream back to Wilderswil.

Monday's early start was made in the promise of a day better than any before, and Murren was reached before nine o'clock. For the quieter folks the funicular to Allmendhubel took them high enough, and with the shining crystal of Jungfrau opposite and a warm heathery hillside to lie on, they were content, but the climbers had set their hearts on Schilthorn, so, booted and shirtless, they strode upward

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and after three and a half hours' steady work arrived at the top (9,754 feet), the highest point of the holiday reached on foot. When the idlers on the hillside had walked back to Grutschalp, the others joined them with stories of glorious climbing, wonderful air, snow, perfect mountain panorama and badly sunburnt backs.

On the day fixed for climbing the Faulhorn, Barbara, Elizabeth and Mr. Gardner decided to take train to the Jungfraujoch, a worthwhile decision for, in the bright weather, they obtained the views of fields of snow and ice and surrounding white peaks which we had lost in the mists of last year. Three of us (including our youngest) chose to visit the Obergletscher. We found that in twelve months the glacier had shrunk appreciably and the ice grotto no longer existed, but the tumbling, foaming stream and the winding path down the woods made the walk there and back delightful as always. The Faulhorn party, last seen merrily swinging off in relays on the Grindelwald-First sesselbahn-made-for-two, had disintegrated in the heat, and only five, including Angela, who thus bagged her first mountain, had reached the top, the rest staying at Bachalpsee to take photographs, sun-bathe, swim and play" on guard" with the cows.

The effects of long days of hard climbing in hot sunshine, many birthday celebrations, evenings at the Alpenblick with meringues, creme de banane and unlimited grapes and peaches were now beginning to show, and a day of rest was ordained before the two days' travelling began.

The sun still shone for the first lap of the journey home and Thunersee's ornate little villages and warm-coloured Thun with its castle so high above the town invited our time and attention as irresistibly as before. The farewell dinner at the Volkshaus at Berne was a meal so good in quality and quantity that our capacity, though willing in some cases, could not stay the courses. At 9.30, in Berne station, the lucky ones were installed in their sleepers, the others packed in their compartments, and it was good-bye or, rather, aufwiederseben, for the Fiihrerstock (during the week craftily and skilfully branded "Pub's Prod ") was now set for an American tour of the Italian Lakes. The Matterhorn was seen en route. Maggiore, Como Lugano and the sunshine were beautiful, but nothing was met to rival the strength of the pull of Beckenried and the Bernese Oberland.

The Archaeological Society

T

HE first clue we got was from a book by Mr. I. D. Margary, " Roman Roads of the Weald." In this he traces a lost Roman Road from Chart Sutton to Lympne, passing through Sutton Valence, where, he writes : " There are indications just east of the Maidstone—Headcorn Road, opposite the new Council School, of an old terrace leading on eastwards behind the houses." This terrace is at the bottom of Heaven Cottage orchard, so one Sunday in October Mr. Blatchley-Hennah and the Bursar collected a band of enthusiasts to start digging for the road.

At the outset we had a diversion. The gardeners reported that some time ago they had uncovered a piece of pavement in quite a different spot on " Bloody Mountains." So the party divided into two, some digging in the orchard and some on

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"Bloody Mountains." Soon the news came that the latter party had found something.

This turned out to be a layer of rock about a foot below ground. A grand controversy ensued : Was this a natural outcrop of hassock, or was it a road ? Opinion was divided.

Trenches and trial holes were dug all over the place, until the ground resembled a First World War battlefield. At length, to the delight of the scoffers, after hours of deep digging, which we can but hope will improve our next year's potato crop, expert opinion decided that it was an outcrop, and digging was suspended there. Some day we hope to solve the mystery of what the gardeners really did find.

The orchard party at first had no luck. They unearthed only loose stones and bits of broken tiles and flower pots. But one day they found what was beyond all doubt a piece of man-made pavement. Further digging disclosed a considerable length of paving running along the terrace. It is lightly metalled, with a surface of small stones laid close together, having a width of about six feet. Attention was then given to the sloping bank above the path. Here was found, some six inches below the turf, a layer of stones which appears to be artificial.

At this stage it was thought that we ought to have expert advice. Mr. Margary was approached and he very kindly consented to come over. He confirmed that what we had found was a typical Roman terrace road. He thought the stones on the bank had been artificially laid and that they might be a revetment to hold the bank in place, or an " agger " (the foundation on which Roman roads were sometimes laid). If it is an " agger," the road we have already found must be a subsidiary pathway with a more heavily metalled road above it. Further investigations must be made to decide this point.

But we are now working on a site that is likely to prove more exciting than the road. An aerial photograph reveals some significant markings on a field behind Chart Sutton Church, which we are now investigating with the kind permission of the owner, Mr. H. D. Hubble. Here we have unearthed the foundations of a building.

Experts from the Maidstone Museum are of the opinion that these are almost certainly Roman. Some bits of broken earthenware and two nails dug up on the site are probably Roman, and the discovery of an oyster shell about a foot below ground is significant, for the Romans were great oyster eaters. At the time of writing, sufficient progress has not been made for us to dogmatise on the exact date, but further investigations should soon settle the point.

This district should well repay archwological exploration. The fact that part of the school is built over a Roman cemetery ; that the alignment of this newly discovered road runs through the village ; the record of a battle between Romans and Saxons on our football field—hence the name " Bloody Mountains" ; the discovery from time to time of Roman relics ; all point to the probability of a Roman settlement in the district. The recent finding at Henniker Lane, just below the hill, of a valuable gold coin of Nero's time, has aroused people's—we will not say cupidity : let us rather call it archwological enthusiasm. But if any of our boys should unearth a Roman relic of real value, it will surely be some small recompense for the countless hours of hard, grinding work that generations of Suttonians have spent in trying to learn the language of its one-time owners.

M. C. W. T,

SUTTON VALENCE

118 Football

school v, Tonbridge School 2nd XV

Played at Tonbridge on very hard ground on Saturday, October 8, and resulted in a win for Tonbridge by 4 goals, 1 dropped goal, and 2 tries to 1 try (29 points to 3).

This result was a great disappointment to many of us who had hoped that a really good start might usher in a most successful season. There is, in point of fact, no reason why the season should not be a good one, if only the main lessons of this crushing defeat are brought home to those whose feeble defence on the school side brought it about.

Sutton scored first, after a good movement initiated from a heel from a loose scrum, and finished by a strong dash for the line by Jefferies, followed by a touch-down by one of the forwards, after Jefferies had been stopped close to the line. The same player should have scored another try almost immediately afterwards, but electing to cut in was tackled on the line, when a dash for the corner must surely have produced a try.

Shortly after tins Tonbridge scored a try and then a goal to give them a half-time lead of 8 points to 3. The second half was evenly contested until about ten minutes before no side.

Tonbridge had increased their lead by another try, but Sutton had several times almost scored and there seemed to be no likelihood of the terrible collapse which then occurred.

However, with Tonbridge getting rather more of the ball in the loose, they set up a series of strong attacks through our midfield defence of Sawtell, Knight and Lonsdale, who each utterly failed to get on to his man, with the result that even had Fulljames—or Lonsdale during the

last few minutes—taken one of our opponents, there were still many others ready to carry on.

Thi;; awful ten minutes produced 20 points against us and must have been very depressing to a pack of forwards which had worked well, with Kerr, Randall and Wilcockson outstandingly energetic and the first named a magnificent tackler, and also to Jefferies whose defence at wing three-quarter was adequate. A final word of praise must go to Cullen, who, from a position on the left wing, gave a huge opposite number no scope at all, and also managed to tackle other players all over the field when they had broken through. If anyone at Sutton ever did more as an individual and courageous defender, the writer has not yet heard of him. Let us hope that this signal example will be infectious and that all this hard and brave work will not be needed again when his colleagues have learned the lesson that Cullen gave them.

Team : J. S. Fulljmnes ; C. M. JeGries, A. J. Knight, P. N. Lonsclale, S. W. T. Cullen ; H. K. Sawtell, .1. A. Roper ; I. N. Wilcoekson, J. K. Randall, C. B. Kerr, B. H. Lewis, 1'. A. Payton, J. C. Hunter, J. L. Hough, J. D. Lincoln.

School v. London Scottish " B " XV

Played at Sutton Valence on Saturday, October 15, and resulted in a win for the School by eight tries to one (21 points to 3).

A reshuffle among the backs, bringing Fulljames to scrum half and Lockhart taking his place at full back, plus the return of a rampageous Harloe to the centre, gave the side more power both in defence and attack. Moreover, with the forwards in extremely good form as well, we were treated to a vastly improved exhibition of rugby football over the game at Tonbridge.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE The Scottish were not a very strong side, and after scoring an early try were rarely in evidence as attackers, while the School attack—both by backs and forwards—improved as the game went on and towards the end, when fitness told its tale, scoring became quite regular.

The game was a match until half-time, but later seemed to be much-needed attacking practice for the School. During the first half Cullen scored two excellent tries, both excellent examples of what to do when your opponents give you half a chance to pick up some miskick or missed pass. Jefferies also scored a good try on the right wing after all the threequarters except Cullen had passed the ball more or less at the right time.

The School had the wind and the sun besides their opponents against them in the second half, but set up a series of strong attacks and scored five tries.

Harloe's impetuosity gave them great thrust in the centre but he was—as a rule—rather too far up when taking passes, and several opportunities of further scoring may have been missed.

However, they all got on with the game and there was no hesitancy in going all out for the line.

One feature of the game was the School's place kicking—eight misses !

Cullen, Harloe and Jefferies each scored two tries ; Kerr and Fulljames each one.

Team; I. J. Lockhart ; C. M. Jefferies, A. J. Knight, C. D. N. Harloe, S. W. T. Cullen ; H. K. Sawtell, J. S. Fulljames ; I. N. Wilcockson, J. K. Randall, C. B. Kerr, B. H. Lewis, P. A. Payton, J. C. Hunter, J. L. Hough, J. D. Lincoln.

School v. St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate Played at Ramsgate on October 22.

Lost by 2 goals 2 tries (16 points to nil).

Although heavy rain had fallen all the morning, the conditions were reasonably good apart from a slippery ball.

St. Lawrence coped with this better than

119

we did and it was weakness in fielding and handling and lack of constructive effort which cost us the match. The forwards got their fair share of the ball in the scrums and Fulljames sent out good passes, but from this point the back play was uneven, passes being dropped or not finding their men. St. Lawrence, on the other hand, handled with greater confidence and were more thrustful in attack. Their first try came from a good break-through in the centre, and the second as a result of misfielding on our part, a dribble and an easy try. They scored two further tries in the second half.

The first was engineered by the forwards, and after a quick exchange of passes the ball went out to the three-quarters for their left wing to score in the corner.

The second was a repetition of the misfielding in the first half. Although the School rallied for a while in this half and had the opposition penned in their own twenty-five for some time, they lacked penetration, and the defence held. Kerr, Payton, Hough and Lewis were conspicuous among the forwards, Kerr especially being ubiquitous in defence, and Harloe did good work in attack and defence, though his defensive kicks lacked direction. It was by no means an uneven game, but St. Lawrence were just that shade better outside the scrum.

Team : I. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, A. J. Knight, C. D. N. Harloe, C. M. Jefferies ; H. K. Sawtell, J. S. Fulljames ; C. 11. Kerr, J. K. Randall, F. C. Carter, P. A. Payton, B. H. Lewis, J. D. Lincoln, J. L. Hough, J. C. Hunter.

School v. Dulwich College 2nd XV Played at Sutton Valence on Wednesday, October 26, and resulted in a win for the School by a try to nil.

Conditions were about as bad as they could be for this game. A north-west near-gale was blowing and, coupled with a steady downpour throughout, it made

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orthodox football impossible, and one takes off one's hat to all the players, both the touch judges and a " be-bereted " referee for the excellent show they put up for twenty minutes each way.

Sutton held a decided territorial advantage and if either side had to win on such a day they deserved their narrow success. As far as one could see both Binks at scrum half and Tod—who handled the ball magnificently under the circumstances at fly half—justified their inclusion in the side. To mention others would be invidious where both sides did their utmost under appalling conditions.

A final word of congratulation must go to the score or so of spectators who braved the weather to support the School.

They gave much vocal support and quite probably their help gave Sutton that extra encouragement to win the game Well done, spectators ! 'learn: I. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, J. S. Fulljaines, C. I). N. Harloe, C. TI. Jefferies ; N. B. Tod, J. E. C. Binks ; C. B. Kerr. J. K. Randall, 1. N. Wilcoekson, P. A. Payton, B. II. Lewis, J. B. Lincoln, J. L. Hough, J. C. Hunter.

School v. Dover College

Played at Sutton Valence on Saturday, October 29, and resulted in a win for the School by 1 goal and 3 tries to 2 tries (14 points to 6).

In the early stages, the School pressed vigorously, and only over-indulgence in the kick-ahead prevented our back movements from bearing fruit. Once, when a good passing movement did develop, we must have scored if Fulljames had not run on into a couple of defenders instead of handing on to the unmarked jefferies.

After the first 15 minutes Dover began a series of attacks, and finally scored a good try from a quick heel. However, both hookers began to lift too quickly, and Dover narrowly missed a penalty goal. They continued to have the better

of the play until, after 25 minutes the School attacked again, and Tod scored after following his own kick-ahead.

Harloe converted it.

The School attacked again, and heeled from a set scrum on Dover's twenty-five.

Binks tried to dodge the open-side wing forward, but was caught and brought down. Kerr smartly took his place, the ball was heeled again, and he ran round the open side which was now free of the wing forward, and handed on to Lewis, who scored as he was tackled.

After half-time Dover attacked sharply at the beginning of the second half, and the passing of their backs was clean and well directed. However, the defence of Tod, Harloe and Fulljames proved much sterner than that of previous combinations of inside backs, and the splendid tackling of Kerr made up for the ineffective marking of Jefferies on the right wing. Finally, their scrum half scored a good try, but the kick missed.

From both scrums and line-outs, Dover were getting possession of the ball, and continued to launch attacks, but the course of the game was changed when Cullen swiftly followed a kick-ahead, caught the full back, kicked the ball away from him, picked it up and ran over for a try.

It was heartening to see the XV really playing all out to win. Determination and stern corporate effort were not features of the first match or two. In the last few minutes Jefferies followed up well to score from a rather fortuitous kick-ahead, and this made up the final score of 14 points to 6. Territorially, it had been an even game, but the School had taken all its chances after the first 15 minutes of play.

TeamI. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, J. S. Fulljames, C. 1). N. Harloe, C. NI. Jeth,ries ; N. B. 'End, J. E. C. Milks ; C. B. Kerr, J. K. Randall, I. N. Wilcockson, P. A. Payton, B. H. Lewis, J. D. Lincoln, J. L. Hough, J. C. Hunter.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE •

School v. Cranbrook School

Played at Cranbrook on Wednesday, November 2, and won by the home side by a goal and 2 penalty goals to 1 penalty goal and 1 try (11 points to 6).

This was a first-rate game of football and one must not be deceived by the arge number of penalty goals into thinking that the match was played in any spirit other than that in which Rugby should be played. The margin of a goal to a try just about represented Cranbrook's superiority. They withstood a severe battering during the first half when Sutton had the help of a decided slope, and during the second half repaid the compliment by having most of the attack when the hill was to their advantage.

Conditions favoured open play and it is most difficult to describe particular movements in a game which fluctuated from end to end with refreshing rapidity. First Sutton had ill-fortune when Fulljames dropped the ball over the Cranbrook line, immediately to be followed by a similar happening at our end of the field after the Cranbrook left wing had given Jefferies a hand off, which should for ever discourage him from tackling high. So it went on ; thrust replied to by counter-thrust. Tod, at stand-off for Sutton, twice made brilliant interceptions and just failed to score, but the Cranbrook defence was sound and at half-time their credit margin was one penalty goal.

After half-time a reshuffle in the Sutton backs—quite unmerited in the opinion of the writer—failed to have any increased penetrative effect until Jefferies scored a try wide out and Harloe landed a lovely penalty kick to give Sutton the lead. Our advantage was short-lived, as the Cranbrook left centre scored a delightful cut-through try under the posts, shortly

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to be followed by another penalty goal.

This sealed Sutton's fate, and try as we might we could not make up the leeway.

To single out individuals for praise in such a game is really most invidious.

Payton's line-out work was first rate, Lincoln was all over the place from the front rank, and Kerr's tackling must have given several Cranbrookians a good shake-up. Tod played excellently and his smooth straight running at outside half is surely going to bear fruit one day. More than anyone in the School side, his play bears the stamp of future " class."

Fulljames played adequately, while Cullen as always was a " snapper-up " of chances and an unerring tackler. Finally, Lockhart at full back must have put up a personal record in catching the ball he didn't drop anything catchable—and although many of his subsequent kicks failed to find touch, this is a fault which can be remedied. His tackling and falling were also of a high standard.

It was a very good game and the better side, on the day, Just won.

Team : I. J. Lockhart; S. W. T. Cullen, J. S. Fulljames, C. D. N. Harloe, C. M. Jefferies : N. B. Tod, J. E. C. Binks ; C. B. Kerr. J. K. Randall, I. N. Wilcockson, P. A. Payton, F. rt. Williamson, J. D. Lincoln, J. L. Hough, J. C. Hunter.

School v. Tonbridge Club " Colts XV " Played at Tonbridge in rain and a high wind throughout and resulted in a narrow win for the club side by 3 tries to 2.

The weather conditions and attendant mud gave us little chance of exploiting orthodox tactics successfully, yet an attempt to do so was, so thinks the writer, the final reason for the loss of a game which, although evenly contested throughout, should have been a win for the School.

It was depressing to see quite decent heels by a willing pack of forwards result in loss of ground by backs who, after the first

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few minutes, rarely got on the move. The forwards—all of whom played well— usually gained ground when allowed to play their own game, and it was mostly due to them that with 15 minutes to go we had reduced a 3 points half-time deficit to a lead by 6 points to 3, and one felt that we would not lose. However, Tonbridge put in some good rushes and with their heavier backs playing well individually, we were in the end " pipped on the post."

Hough, Payton and Hunter were outstanding in the pack. Among the backs, Harloe appeared to enjoy the game, but Knight, deputising for Fulljames, was indecisive and rather weak in defence.

The main lesson that should be learned is that under greasy and wet conditions the main play must be by the forwards, the backs confining their efforts to defence and kicks ahead, until within striking distance of our opponents' line, when individual dashes are more likely to succeed than juggling with an elusively soap-like ball. It appears difficult for backs to realise their limitations under this type of weather conditions, but once in a while they must reverse their usual role and become the handmaidens of the forwards, instead of expecting all the fun and glamour of scoring for themselves. 'ream : 1. J. Lockhart ; (. M. Jefferies, C. D. N.

Harlov. A. J. Knight, S. W. T. Cullen ; N. 13. Tod, J. E. C. Binks; C. B. Kerr, J. K. Randall, 1. N. Wilcockson, B. If. Lewis, P. A. Payton, J. 1). Lincoln, J. L. Hough, J. C. Hunter.

House Match

The match was played on November 12 in a cold cross-wind that made the conditions anything but easy and resulted in a will for Westminster by two tries to nil.

Westminster attacked almost throughout the first half and their three-quarters had plenty of the ball, but opportunities

were lost either owing to some very wild passing by the centres or by a fatal cutin instead of a pass out to the wing after an opening had been made. The St. Margaret's defence, however, was very determined and the Westminster attacks never looked likely to bring any concrete result.

The second half opened with some strong St. Margaret's attacks originated by their forwards, well led by Payton.

The Westminster line, however, remained intact and the St. Margaret's forwards were driven back. Play remained hard and even between the forwards, but the St. Margaret's three-quarters never looked dangerous, while the attacks of their opponents were gaining in power.

Eventually Westminster took the lead by means of a rather lucky try after a run down the right wing by Knight, who found IIarloe up to take an inside pass near the line. The kick failed.

This score led immediately to a good run down the wing by 13assett after the kick-off and to some good open play by the Westminster three-quarters, in which Fulljames was prominent in making some excellent openings. Hough was prominent for some very fine dribbling efforts. The second Westminster try was fittingly scored by Kerr in the last minute of the game, after some strong pressure by the left corner flag.

After the match Mrs. James presented the Cup to Kerr, the Captain of Football and of the Westminster XV. Teams : Westminster : H. K. Sawtell ; A. J. Knight, C. D. N. Harloe, J. S. Fulljames, J. W. Lewis ; N. B. Tod, .1. E. C. Binks ; C. B. Kerr, J. K. Randall, It. Whittington-Ince, B. IL Lewis, P. M. L. Longford, J.1). Lincoln, J. L. Hough, J. W. liassett.

St. I■ largarct's : 1. J. Lockhart ; C. M. Jefferies, P. N. Lonsdale, S. W. '1'. Cullen, P. 13. Leonard ; A. 'Travers, J. A. Roper ; F. C. Carter, I). C. Dodd, I. N. Wilcockson, P. A. Payton, F. R. Williamson, J. C. Hunter, J. MoLse, N. It. Pearless.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE School v. King's School, Rochester Played at Rochester on November 16.

Result, won by 1 goal, 1 penalty goal and 1 try (11' points) to 1 try (3 points).

This was an interesting game in which both sides were evenly matched, and it was only towards the end of the second half that we were able to exert any marked superiority. As usual, we took too long to settle down and, profiting by mistakes in handling and fielding, Rochester attacked strongly. They almost scored in the first . few minutes when a bad kick by Lockhart was charged down. Our play then became a little more constructive, and in one good three-quarter movement Jefferies made a good run, but was well tackled. Rochester came back to the attack ; their handling was crisper and cleaner, and they were the first to score with a break-through at speed in the centre, and a well-timed pass also taken at speed. The kick at goal hit the upright. School now attacked in turn, and after some good dribbling by the forwards Fulljames missed a try by the narrowest of margins after following the ball over the line.

In the second half both sides attacked in turn, but the defence on both sides was good ; the close marking and hard tackling were features of the game.

Harloe at last brought the scores level with a penalty goal. The School forwards were now going all out, repeatedly clearing the line in dangerous situations and gradually wearing down the opposing pack. We took the lead with a good try

by Jefferies after one of our better threequarter movements,, and the final try was scored by Tod. The scrum had shoved several yards and, with a quick heel while the defence was still falling back, Tod cut through cleanly, and Harloe kicked the goal.

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Jefferies played a much better game on the, wing and Binks, though still a shade slow, showed some improvement at scrum half. Harloe did a lot of robust work, but still gave bad passes. All the forwards worked hard, Lincoln being particularly conspicuous in the forward rushes. Lockhart was disappointing at full back ; his fielding was uncertain and he was too often tackled in possession.

Team : I. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, J. S. Fulljames, C. D. N. Harloe, C. M. Jefferies ; N. B. Tod, J. E. C. Binks ; C. B. Kerr, J. K. Randall, I. N. Wileock.son, P. A. Payton, B. H. Lewis, J. D. Lincoln, J. L. Hough, J. C. Hunter.

School v. King's School, Canterbury Played at Canterbury on Wednesday, November 23, and won by the home side by 19 points to 3 (2 goals, 1 try and 2 penalty goals to 1 try).

Play started on a fairly firm ground with the exchanges very even, but after a short while King's began to gain the ball from the majority of scrums, both " set" and "loose," and commenced an attack which was more or less incessant for the whole game. It was this efficiency in gaining the ball and the opportunities it gave to the home backs; as well as denying our three-quarters a chance of attacking, that finally gave King's their large win. That they scored only three tries to our one is a tremendous tribute to the Sutton tackling and falling, particularly by all the backs and the majority of the forwards. Our defence drew tributes not only from the small band of Suttonians, past and present, who watched the game, but also drew unstinted praise from less partisan spectators.

The game was extremely fast, but one felt after Hough's try—scored after a magnificent forward rush of about 50 yards—had been equalised by King's, following a tragic blunder in front of our posts, that our more experienced

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opponents would win as they had already succeeded in monopolising the ball from the scrummages. The size of their score was augmented, and Sutton's difficulties were increased, by a large number of penalty kicks which were incurred by impetuous and impulsive forwards who became offside at crucial moments. It was to be expected that something of this kind would occur as we had so few opportunities of attack ourselves that that keenness to spoil our opponents' many passing movements outran discretion, with severe results.

One has little that one can write of individuals. If a courageous defence could have won a game, then it would have been ours to do so, but our attacking raids were rare and slow compared to those of King's School. Hough played an excellent game in the loose and his fair hair could always be seen bobbing about in the van of our dribbling rushes.

Kerr and Randall were usually there too.

Whittington-Ince, who has been playing very well in the 2nd XV, took Lincoln's place (due to a chill) and must have been surprised at the increased pace of the game. Nevertheless he made a good first appearance and by the end of the game seemed to have got the hang of things.

Certainly the more completely equipped side won, as it should have, but not a little glory remained for the Sutton side on account of its defensive play.

Team : 1. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, J. S. Fulljarnes, C. I). N. Harloe. C. NI. Jefferies ; N. B. Tod, J. E. ('. Binks : C. B. Kerr, R. Whittington-Inee, I. N. Wilcockson, P. A. Payton, B. H. Lewis, J. N. Randall, J. I,. Hough, J. C. Hunter.

School v. Cranbrook School

Played on the Upper on Saturday, November 26, and won by 15 points (5 tries) to nil.

Continuous rain for some days before had made the ground slippery in places

and though no rain fell during the match, the ball was not too easy to hold.

Except for a spell in the second half the game was dominated by our forwards.

They started with a great burst and for the. first ten minutes kept the play well in the Cranbrook half. Jefferies, had he been quicker off the mark, might have scored ; but from the ensuing scrum our pack pushed the ball over for a try, which was credited to Payton. After a period of more even play, during which uncertain tackling nearly let the Cranbrook right wing in, the game settled down again in the Cranbrook half and shortly before half-time the scrum again pushed the ball over, Kerr securing the touch-down.

On resuming, the game still went in our favour and Jefferies, gathering a loose pass and cutting in, caught the defence on the wrong foot to score near the posts. The kick, like all the others, failed. Shortly afterwards came the best movement in the match. From a scrum some forty yards out, Tod received a rather lobbed pass, but was quickly off the mark and made half an opening.

The ball reached Cullen via Harloe and Fulljames, and the latter was at hana for a return pass from Cullen. A ten-yard dash took him over. The Cranbrook outsides then began to see more of the ball and looked really dangerous. Twice a try looked certain, but on one occasion a pass was knocked on, and on the other the player slipped as he swerved round the full back. Relief came from a forward dribble and Tod, following up a long kick ahead, scored our fifth try. In the last five minutes Cranbrook set up another fierce attack, but grand tackling kept our line secure.

Mention has already been made of the good work of our forwards and where all played such a sterling game it would

SCHOOL MAGAZINE be invidious to pick out any individual member for special praise. Their heeling was very clean, particularly from loose scrums and line-outs. They were very quick up in the loose and tackled robustly.

Binks, though rather slow at times, gave an adequate service from the scrum, and Tod had no difficulty with the greasy ball. Harloe and Fulljames seemed to delay their passes with the result that the wings had few chances, but our outsides were faced by a defence as sound as their own. The kick ahead was not much in evidence ; when used, particularly in the first half, it was comfortably received full-pitch by the Cranbrook full back.

For us, at full back, Lockhart made no mistakes in handling. He found touch without fail and kicked a good length.

Team : I. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, J. S. Fulljames, C. D. N. Harloe, C. M. Jefferies; N. B. Tod, J. E. C. Binks ; C. B. Kerr, J. K. Randall, I. N. Wilcockson. P. A. Payton, B. H. Lewis, J. D. Lincoln, J. L. Hough, J. C. Hunter.

School v. H.M.S. Worcester

This match, postponed from earlier in the term, was played on the Upper on November 30 in ideal weather, and resulted in a win for the School by a goal and six tries to a try (23 points to 3).

From the start the School pressed, but after ten minutes' play an easy penalty kick was missed. Some keen tackling by both sides followed, but Jefferies, getting possession of the ball, turned inwards and just reached the line ; the kick failed. Some good defensive kicking

by Lockhart and Fulljames followed, but Worcester attacked determinedly and drew level with an unconverted try.

Sutton were now predominant in the tight, and some good work in the loose

by Randall took the game back to their line, where Kerr scored the only converted try of the game, Harloe being the kicker.

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After half-time Worcester began to press, but an interception and long run

by Jefferies took us still further ahead.

Tod, soon after this, broke clean away, only to be caught within three yards of the line. Some good work in the loose, however, led to a fine forward try by Lincoln, but again the kick went sadly adrift. Shortly after this the ball came quickly out from a scrum to Jefferies, who again avoiding all attempts to tackle him, scored prettily in a good (but vain) position ; the kick failed. Then Harloe, as though to atone, put Lewis in, but again the kick failed ; and finally, in the gathering gloom, Binks slipped round the scrum for a final score. This was a welldeserved win against a side flushed with a recent victory against no mean opponents.

Faults, of course, there were : tapping back from the line-out, occasional crowding out of a wing by holding on too long, but our hooking, low-trajectory kicking for touch by Lockhart, tackling and some spirited work by forwards in the loose, were most encouraging.

Team : I. J. Lockhart ; S. W. T. Cullen, C. D. N. Harloe, J. S. Fulljames, G. M. Jefferies ; N. B. Tod, J. %. C. Binks ; C. B. Kerr, J. K. Randall, I. N. Wilcockqon, P. A. Payton, B. H. Lewis, J. D. Lincoln, J. L. Hough, J. C. Hunter.

2nd XV Oct. 15 v. Tonbridge School 3rd XV. (Home.)

Lost, 3-26.

22 v. St. Lawrence College 2nd XV. (Away.)

Lost, 3-9. „ 27 v. Dover College 2nd XV. (Away.) Lost, 6-8.

Nov. 2 V. Cranbrook School 2nd XV. (Away.)

Lost, 3-9. „ 16 v. King's School, Rochester, 2nd XV. (Home.)

Won, 14-9. „ 19 V. King's School, Canterbury, 2nd XV. (Home.) Lost, 0-14. „ 26 v. Cranbrook School 2nd XV. (Home.)

Won, 5-3. „ 30 v. H.M.S. Worcester 2nd XV. (Away.)

Draw 0-0.

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--

-----

Colts XV

so that they were able to return to the

v. St. Lawrence College Under-15. (Home.)

Won, 15-0. v. Dover College Under-15.

(Away.)

Lost, 0-13.

Nov. 2 V. King's School, Rochester, Under-15.

(Away.) Won, 15-0. „ 19 v. King's School, Canterbury, Under-15.

(Away.) Lost, 3-25. „ 23 v. King's School, Rochester, Under-15.

(Home.) Won, 35-3.

Dec. 7 v. Cranbrook School I'nder-15.

(Away.)

Won 15-3.

10 v. Cranbrook School Under-15.

(Home.) o Won 22-3.

Team P. J. Stubblefield ; P. R. Anderson, T. R. Hills, E. J. Gower, B. L. Goodwin ; C. R. G. Cullen, G. Hoeltschi ; J. Melvin, J. Harbott, D. J. Prior, P. D. Hull. L. F. M. de Swart, T. J. Aisher, K. Henniker, N. J. Noyes-Brown.

attack with their energy unsapped.

Even a Test Match captain would have been pleased with the variety available, though perhaps not always so pleased with the actual performances. Whittaker, fastish, and running the ball away from the bat, contrasted with Parnell, who gave slow inswingers ; while Knight, as a stock bowler, had efficient foils in Tipple's leg breaks and Roper's lefthanders. There were others available, if necessary, but they were not often required.

The fielding was fair. A wicket-keeper had to be found, and when the final choice fell eventually on Goodwin he improved match by match. In the field generally there were too many who had to have places found for them, which made placing difficult. However, some excellent matches were held and several members were outstandingly good.

Oct. 22 „

29

Under-I4 XV Oct. 22 v. St. Lawrence College Under-14. (Home.)

Lost, 3-9.

Nov. 9 v. King's School, Rochester, Under-14. (Away.)

Lost, S-9.

School, „ 26 v. King's Rochester, Under-14, (Home.) Won, 6-3.

Dec. 7 v. Cranbrook School Under-14.

(Away.)

Won 6-3. „

10

r. Cranbrook School Under-14 (flonie.).

Won 21-0.

Team: P. J. Mair ; R. J. Chenery, B. H. Lockhart.

L. V. Vandersluys, C. J. Rayner ; B. J. Bartlett, H. Toter E. J. Evans, J. Melvin, It. '1'. Blake, It. Smeed.

C. It. G. Shaw, M. A. Maberley, 1'. Moise, T. E. Ridgewell.

Cricket Retrospect

The season recently ended was, on the whole, a more successful one than usual, both in the amount of cricket played and the number of successes achieved. Practically every game produced a result, and with losses and wins evenly divided, we can be reasonably pleased with the XI's performance.

The strength of the side was in its bowling and a glance at the averages will show that five bowlers each took about twenty wickets. Tipples, having a variety of persons on whom to rely, was able to distribute the bowling for short spells. This kept all the XI fresh

The side's batting was uncertain.

Sanders rarely failed but it was difficult to find an ideal opener with him. Tipples and Goodwin both hit hard and made several good scores, but the remainder were disappointing.

Tipples' captaincy both on and off the field was outstanding, and he made the best possible use of the talent available.

The Second XI was not very successful.

Hind had moments of success with both bat and ball, but on the whole this XI did not provide a keen struggle for places at the tail of the First XI, without which competition both sides suffered.

Colts had a variable season but there is plenty of keenness and talent available for the future. The Under-14 XI likewise had their failures and successes.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE O.S. Notes G. F. Whiteman, of The Hall, Tyler Hill, Canterbury, was at Sutton from 1870 to 1875. He retired from hopgrowing only two years ago.

A. F. S. Cotton (1922) has been appointed President of the Justices' Clerks' Society for the forthcoming year and of the Mid-Surrey Law Society.

On relinquishing his appointment as Clerk to the Epsom Justices last July after nearly twenty years' service, he was entertained to luncheon by the Justices and presented with an oil painting of a view of the Epsom Racecourse.

J. K. Reuterdahl (1924) is now in charge of the British Consulate in Vienna.

He hopes that any 03. travelling in Austria will accept the official invitation to register with him (see back of passport) so that he may get to know them.

Group Captain C. S. Moore, R.A.F. (1928), has gone to U.S.A. for two years.

His address is c/o R.A.F. Delegation, A.P.O. Base 680, Benjamin Franklin Station, Washington, D.C. J. Furniss (1933) ran for the Epsom and Ewell Harriers in Holland in their annual match with Hilversum in the autumn.

C. J. Bassett (1936) gained an Honours Degree (2nd Class) in Mechanical Sciences in 1939 at Cambridge. He held a commission in the Navy until invalided out in 1911. Since then he has been on the staff of the Esso Development Co., Ltd., as a Scientific Officer. He was married in 1947.

Lt.-Cdr. H. J. Lee, D.S.C., R.N. (1936), is in command of H.M.S. Cockade.

J. R. C. Matthews (1936) has been selected to play in the first English Rugby Trial Match.

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W. H. Yetton (1936) has left Singapore and is at Batu Gazah, near Ipoh, Perak, with the Malayan Tin Dredging Co., Ltd. G. A. Calver (1937) of the British Bank of Iran and the Middle East is now at Meshed, E. Iran.

D. A. W. Hewson (1938) passed his Finals of the Institute of Chartered Accountants a year ago, and has become a partner in his firm's office in Accra, Gold Coast.

R. J. Burns (1941) appears to be settling down happily in Ontario, where he is working with the Hobbs Glass Co. Address : 243 Edward Street, London, Ontario, Canada, A. M. James (1943) has been leading the Cambridge pack.

J. H. Scott-Wilson (1943), who is captain of the O.U. Cross-Country Club, has again been running with great success.

J. E. Sawtell (1943) is at Birmingham University.

J. M. Thomas (1946) is at Wye College.

K. M. Bell (1948) has been selected as an officer-cadet.

M. C. Parnell (1949) is an apprenticetrainee at the General Electric Co., Coventry.

O.S. Colours Orders for 0.S. Blazers should now be sent to Messrs. G. H. Lavey & Co., Ltd., Regent House, Maidstone.

O.S. Golfing Society Our Autumn Meeting was held this year at Bearsted over the week-end of October 1-2. We were blessed with perfect weather and the attendance of eleven convivial O.S. Except for perhaps a few more players there was little to be desired and the week-end was undoubtedly a great success. The writer can safely

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say this as he won the Sunday afternoon Stapleford Competition, with the assistance of several excellent rebounds from the trees to the right of the fairway. All rounds were run under Stapleford Rules and the Saturday afternoon round was won by Bob Martin. The latter followed this up by sharing the prize with Alan Trimming on Sunday morning.

Once again we were able to enjoy the bountiful hospitality bestowed by the Bearsted Golf Club on its visitors. One was returned to the first tee after lunch with a powerful desire to ride in one of those luxurious, if not elegant, perambulators wheeled round the course in the wake of Messrs. Cockerill and Martin.

Those present were Messrs. Alan Martin, Bob Martin, Bob Cockerill, Mason Apps, Gerald Ambrose, Peter Carlton, Dudley Light, Alan James, Alan Trimming, John Scott-Wilson and Peter Mor rish.

Please note that the Spring Meeting is to be held at Bearsted on April 1-2.

Any O.S. wishing to play please write to Peter Morrish, 1 Sefton Villas, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent.

The Boyd Quaich

The Boyd Quaich is a golfing trophy which was presented as a memorial to Major A. P. Boyd, M.C. (1935), and Dr. Q. D. Boyd (1934), who lost their lives within two months of each other in the 1939-45 war. The trophy is inscribed " To the lasting friendship of all nations," and the object of the tournament is to promote good relations among students.

The competition is held in August at St. Andrews, where the Boyds were students after leaving School. This year, in addition to representatives of British

Universities, the competitors included students from America, Sweden, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand and Eire. The tournament was won by F. D. Tatum, of Oxford, a native of Los Angeles. One year perhaps it may be won by some 0.S. student golfer.

O.S. Cricket Week With the third week in August came the annual descent upon the Sanatorium by the O.S. cricketers, cooks, bagmen and their like, to indulge once more in their quest to recapture some of their schoolboy zest for cricket and the kindred delights that accompany it.

Catering was once more done on community lines, and for once we were on a safe wicket as regards the state in which the Sanatorium was left, since the decorators arrived punctually at 8 a.m. on the morning of our last day to remove all traces of our visit and to give us someone to whom we could " pass the buck" of " kippers in the bath," and other similar crimes of which we are annually and unfairly accused.

Cricket commenced at noon on Sunday, August 7, v. The Old Cranbrookians, at Cranbrook. The game ended in a draw, in which both sides scored freely, and even if it did need a stubborn innings by the " Ancient of Days " to prevent the tail end getting some practice, we had a most enjoyable day with our friends and enemies in the Weald.

Then followed three defeats at the hands of St. Lawrence, Frank Foreman, and those perennial pests, the 0.M.T.s, who seem annually to devour our food, our drink, and our cricketers with equal avidity. The Captain then decided it was time he had a rest, and the side immediately started in a winning vein

SCHOOL MAGAZINE and thrashed Shorncliffe Garrison, when Robin Hearn made an excellent maiden century—the forerunner, we hope, of many more for him and for us. A loss at Ashford followed, and we wound up the week with wins against the Suttons and the Dragons. The former game was made memorable by Bill Hodges, who, after twenty-five years of watching us grow up, took eight wickets for very few, with huge off-spinners which had the village batsmen in great trouble on a dusty wicket. "Well bowled, Bill" became quite a password at the" Old Plantation" that evening. In our last game v. The Dragons we won by one wicket after dismissing our opponents for 120 runs in a most exciting finish. The Skipper— who appears to try only on Sundays— and Jack Taylor put on 23 runs, to win, for the last wicket, thus bringing to an end a most delightful and sunny week.

One doesn't worry very much about individual efforts in reports of O.S. matches, but John Gray rarely failed, and was a magnificent sheet anchor.

Robin Ream's century was no single swallow, and he made runs in most games ; Goodwin, from this year's School XI, played very well, and the experience gained will, we hope, be of help to him in the future. Several new faces joined our collection of " antiques " this year, and we hope that they enjoyed themselves enough to come again and to bring some pals with them. Finally, we thank the Headmaster for so kindly putting the School at our disposal, and to all those who annually put up with our weird and wonderful way of life when we visit Sutton Valence every August.

Next year's week, with the same opponents on the same day of the week, commences on Sunday, August 13. Put the date in your diary now and come and

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help us once more. Don't wait to be asked, but write to E. A. Craven at the School as soon as you know that you can come, RESULTS OF MATCHES. 0.5. v. Old Cranbrookians at Cranbrook on Sun., Aug. 7.

Drawn.

Old Cranbrookians : 235-6 dec. (J. H. Clark, 103 not ; E. S. Couchman, 39 not).

OS.: 185-5 (L. N. Harvey, 50; E. A. Craven, 38 not).

0.S. v. St. Lawrence Club at Sutton Valence on Mon., Aug. 8. Lost by 78 runs.

St. Lawrence C.C. : 230-7 dec. (F. A. Denbigh, 138 not ; J. Taylor 4-75).

OS.: 162 (K. C. Goodwin, 70).

0.S. V. O.M.T. at Sutton Valence on Tues., Aug. 9.

Lost by 9 wkts.

0.M.T. : 163-2 wkts. (J. B. Marriott, 04; L. W. T. Turner, 45 not).

OS.: 154 (J. H. Gray, 53; H. R. Hearn, 32)0.S. v. F. E. Foreman's XI at Sutton Valence on Wed., Aug. 10. Lost by 80 runs.

F. E. Foreman's XI: 220 (R. Pares, 95; F. I).

Playfair, 5-46).

OS.: 140 (D. W. Pitt, 32; J. H. Gray, 22).

0.S. v. 1st Btn. Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regt• at Shornclilfe on Thurs., Aug. 11. Won by 129 runs.

Queen's Own : 33 (J. Taylor, 5-14 ; D. W. Pitt, 3-12).

0.S. : 162-5 dec. II. R. Hearn, 107 (not).

0.S. V. Ashford C.C. at Ashford on Fri., Aug. 12. Lost by 54 runs.

Ashford CC.: 190 (Cameron, 62; Taylor, 4-61).

OS.: 136 (J. H. Gray, 48; H. It. Hearn, 32).

0.8. v. The Suttons (12-a-side) at Sutton Valence on Sat., Aug. 13. Won by 26 runs.

The Suttons : 158 (W. Hodges, 8-94 ; i. H. Gray, 3-49).

OS.: 184 (J. H. Gray, 87; H. R. Hearn, 47 ; Woodcock, 5-41; Hadaway, 4-36).

U.S. v. The Dragons at Sutton Valence on Sun., Aug. 14.

Won by 1 wkt.

Dragons : 120 (M. P. Nelson, 44 ; J. Taylor, 5-34 ; R. Taylor, 3-25).

OS.: 121-9 wkts. (E. A. Craven, 31 not).

Fixtures (Lent, 1950) Jan. Feb. 4 „ 18 „ 25

RUGGER 1st XV v. Tonbridge Club Colts.

(Home.) let XV v. Maidstone " A " XV. (Home.)

1st XV v. Saracens Gypsy XV. (Home.)

1st XV v. Wasps " B " XV. (Home.)

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SUTTON VALENCE FIVES

Feb. 1 1st IV v. Exeter College, Oxford.

(Home.)

8 1st IV v. St. Dunstan's College, Catford. (Away.) „ 11 1st IV v. Oxford University. (Home.) „ 12 Old Suttonians v. Oxford University.

(Sutton Valence.) „ 22 1st, 2nd and Under-15 IV's v. Alleyn's School. (Home.)

Mar. 1 1st IV v. Eastbourne College.

(Home.) „ 4 1st IV v. Old Strandians. (Home.)

11 1st IV v. Jesters. (Home.)

CROSS COUNTRY Feb. 11 v. Old Suttonians and Blackheath Harriers. (Home.) „ 21 v. King's School, Canterbury. (Away.)

Mar. 1 v. Dover College. (Home.) „ 2 Steeplechases (C, Junior and Under4 Steeplechases (A and B).

ATHLETICS (PROVISIONAL) Mar. 18 Sports Finals (1st day).

22 Athletics v. King's School, Rochester, and Cranbrook School, at Rochester.

25 House Relays.

29 Sports Finals (2nd (lay).

30 Baton Race.

Our Contemporaries The Magazine Committee gratefully acknowledges the receipt of the following :— The Aldenhamian, The Blundellian, The Cranbrookian, The Dovorian, The Edward Alleyn Magazine, The Fettesian, The Georgian, The Ipswichian, The Laurentian, The Mill Hill Magazine, The Portcullis, The Roffensian, The Rossallian, The St. Edmund's School Chronicle, The Sennockian, The School Tie, The Tonbridgian.

Births NEALE.—On October 27, 1949, to Ursula, wife of C. A. Neale (1932), a sister (Georgina Salida) for Caroline.

TAYLOR.—On September 23, 1949, to Edna Blanche, wife of R. Taylor (1933), a sister (Susan Blanche) for Michael.

WILSHER.—On July 20, 1949, to Barbara, wife of J. H. Wilsher (1939), a sister (Philippa) for Jill.

Marriages BOOER-DIXON. On September 24, 1949, Philip M. R. Booer (1943) to Betty Dixon.

DALGLIESH-PAGE.---On June 11, 1949, at St. John's Church, Woking, Peter Dalgliesh (1936) to Pauline, only daughter of Mrs. Pokorny and stepdaughter of Lt.-Col. J. Pokorny, of Dearnborn, Michigan.

SANDY-BRETT.—On July 9, 1949, at Hanistreet, Kent, E. W. J. Sandy (1940) to Marjorie Elizabeth Brett.

SILLARS - TRIMNELL.—On October 22, 1949, at SS. Peter and Paul, East Sutton, Flt./Lt. Robert Bensted Sillars, R.A.F. (1940), to Doreen Yvonne, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Trimnell, of Avening, Glos.

TIPPLES-LOOP.—On July 23, 1949, at All Saints Church, Staplehurst, Kent, Peter Tipples (1939) to Rosemary Nancy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Loop, of Coppwilliam, Staplehurst.

WRIGHT-UPTON.--On July 23, 1949, Ronald N. Wright (1940) to Janetta Upton.

Deaths ARCHBUTT. On October 18, 1949, suddenly in hospital, Peter G. Archbutt (1938).

PALMER.—On November 21, 1949, suddenly in London, Ronald H. Palmer (1939).

SCHOOL MAGAZINE Original Contributions

"The Tunnel " I suppose everyone who knows the

tunnel could tell you at once how many steps there are in each of its two stairs But in case you don't happen to know it, and have never asked anyone who does, I will tell you that there are thirteen steps in the upper flight, but only twelve in the lower flight, with a short landing between. And I should know. I used to use it many times daily during the war and got to know its topography almost blindfold. Going down to breakfast each morning I would take the steps six at a time (using the handrail), but in my more leisurely hours, two at a time was a more comfortable quota ; and if I was alone I always counted the steps.

I don't know why this was ; perhaps I needed psychological reassurance, perhaps I am abnormally ridiculous or perhaps everybody does it. Anyway, I counted, and knowing that I was going to take two at a time I only counted in even numbers. Now that worked splendidly for the top flight as I started on the second step and counted 2-4-6-8-10-12-13. But I invariably started the lower flight, which is deeper in the tunnel, and darker, on the first step, so that when my count reached twelve I was only on the eleventh step.

This required me to say something for the remaining one, and so I always finished that flight with thirteen also.

The game was a good enough one when you understood it, and it gave me a mathematical thrill to think that I could invent another step merely by taking a little thought. I imagined that I understood it—until one night. At night, owing to the black-out regulations, the lighting in the tunnel was dim ; so very dim as to be useless except as an

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aid to astro-navigation. And as I knew I could navigate the steps with my eyes closed as easily as with them open I never troubled to switch the lights on before going up or down. This night I have mentioned was at the end of the Easter Term. I was not in any hurry, and as I went down I used my normal 2-4-6-8-10-12-13 notation. The first flight was as usual, and I swung speedily round the landing ; but as I got to " thirteen" on the second flight I was suddenly flung forward and downward, as if by an unseen hand, ending up on the hard stone with a crash : and I thought I heard laughter, mocking. Someone pushed me, I thought, and struck a couple of matches, my last, to look around. There had not been a sound after my fall and the glazed walls reflected the light quite cheerily ; but no one was there. Bomb blast, I wondered ; and realised at once that it couldn't have been. Then I gasped : suppose I had counted the steps wrong ! It sounded incredible, but I had to admit that all the symptoms were there. Me counting them wrong ? I counting them wrong— no ! It just couldn't happen.

Remembering, however, about pride in relation to falls, I stood up and felt myself. Apart from two sore elbows I was little damaged, and I determined to go up the flight and do it again. Just to regain my confidence, I told myself.

I dawdled up without counting and then ran down : 2-4-6-8-10-12-13 . . . and hesitated on one foot. I should by rights be at the bottom. I put my foot down slowly—and drew my breath in quickly : there was still one more step By now I was worried. I went up one by one—thirteen. I came down one by one—still thirteen. There was no glimmer of light and I had no more

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matches. I was shivering and a bit frightened, so I gave it up and went hastily on my journey. I came up later by another way.

I did not tell anyone, because next morning on my way to breakfast there were definitely only twelve steps there. shook everyone by getting up early, and I took them one at a time. I never had another chance to go down after dark again that term. But I did bring my method of counting into line with mathematical reality.

During the summer it was never dark before I went to bed, and I left School at the end of the term. Slowly, as other things cropped up, I forgot about the incident. But sonic years later I was back there temporarily, and in the course of my sojourn I had occasion to go through a lot of old records relating to the parish.

We were, I remember, checking up on some of the more ancient of the School's benefactors, and in the pages of a volume dealing with deaths, funerals and wills of the early eighteenth century I came across the following entry, which brought that night in the tunnel vividly to my mind :— " On Saturday, April 2, there was buried Mr. Christopher North that was lately Usher at the Grammar School here. Mr. North had been at the School for over two years and was returning by night after a week of absence in Maidstone, he being on foot from Langley. He entered the School by the steps from the waste down to the yard, but was unaware that in his absence the second flight was made to join with the third, the stage between them being done away. He, thinking to know the way of the stairs did rashly descend too fast, and in stumbling did fall a good way and broke

open his skull at the bottom, being dead when they took him up."

After which followed, in a different hand :— "There was never anything by the wit of man so well devised, or so sure established, which in continuance of time hath not been corrupted."

I knew from my researches that the tunnel occupied the site of the old steps mentioned, and recollected that it had been March 27 when I had had my accident. I wondered whether Mr. North had also fallen on the night of March 27 (which is likely, as it would have been a Sunday), and speculated idly as to how many he would have taken at a time, and whether he counted every time or only at night.

Bon. The Deserted House

The house is empty now ; And, with gaunt, denuded gaze, Rears up to the skies its smokeless stacks, While round the door spring copious weeds.

No more, their hangings gone, do the windows smile ; No more to the door does the vendor come; And never again will the old gate slam, Shut by the tradesman's flying foot— Now that they are gone.

The rooms are bare now ; Their dusty boards and crumbling walls, Surrounding a void of emptiness, Do tell their tale of abandonment.

And, in the garden, where was a lawn Now thrives a wilderness Of tangled briars and avid tares, The homes of myriad creeping things— Now that they are gone.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE The fence is rotting now ; And through its ever-widening cracks Protrudes cold earth, and stones, Marking the grave of that deserted home.

A paneless window creaks in the wind ; A slate crashes down from the roof Where moss and lichen now hold their sway.

The owners are dead—the house is, too— DOGGO. Now that they are gone.

To the Memory of our Dead ARMISTICE DAY

They tell me : Sorrow suages With the passing of the years, Which gently stroke away the Scalding Tears.

They tell me that the Pages, Which every year I turn, Will fainter grow with Memories that burn.

But sorrow sometimes rages At the thought of those Our Dead, And tears return, like Drops of Molten Lead.

A Tale of Mystery and Imagination (With apologies to Edgar Allen Poe)

'Twas one night while I was sleeping that a pallid form came creeping, Woke me up with toil& ungentle and then walked towards the door.

Methought that I was dreaming for, with moonlight o'er him streaming, His figure, it was gleaming, dressed in clothes of days of yore ; But his gleaming, moonlit figure cast no shadow on the floor'Twas a ghost there by the door.

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The silence was unbroken, not a word by us was spoken, But with gaunt and ghastly figure he just pointed to the door.

Then, with finger indicating I should follow without waiting, With a bow ingratiating, that filled me to the core, With such horror and such wonder, he walked right through the door— Such a solid, oaken door.

For a minute I lay blinking, then, not leaving time for thinking, From my bed I leapt and swiftly, fiercely opened wide the door.

There the thing was, at me leering, and his look was through me searing, When he started disappearing, disappearing through the floor.

In a minute he had vanished, leaving markings on the floor— Leaving these, and nothing more.

To my bed returned I slowly, with my heart within me lowly, For my mind and soul were troubled, much more so than e'er before.

In the morn when I had woken, I felt that I was broken ; And I hoped with hope unspoken I'd not see him any more.

Then I turned and saw the markings he had left upon the floor— And these marks spelt : " Nevermore."

F. DE Lys.

Correspondence The Cambridge Letter Selwyn College, Cambridge.

November 21.

The Editor, Sutton Valence School Magazine.

Sir,—I am not at all certain how much space there will be for the Cambridge letter (more than Oxford, we hope)

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so I have decided to give you the material that you may decide.

friend Pat Turk : " Schools are hanging over me--will you do this instead ? "

We here in Cambridge were very glad to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Bentley, on Saturday, November 19. Mr. Bentley was our guest of honour at our reunion dinner this term. Present were D. and P. Scott, A. M. James, J. Allison, P. Hearn, R. Nation, D. Newell, C. Frere-Smith and myself. Unfortunately, J. B. ScottWilson, MacDerrnott, Weir and Maddison were absent.

The amusing thing was that Jim (an honest fellow) went to enormous trouble and expense to obtain J. F. B.'s services ; he had him to Magdalen and wined him and dined him lavishly before popping his question. J. F. B. (a pleasant rogue) simply put on an engaging smile and a new bow-tie and passed the baby to me over supper at the Municipal Restaurant —and he didn't even pay my one and fourpence !

Needless to say, James is playing Rugger for the Varsity and extremely well. Nation, Newell, Maddison and Frere-Smith were gladly welcomed, though we miss P. Morrish, who has now braved the wide world and is an Estate Agent at Ashford. A word about John ScottWilson he erroneously believes that his Downing boat will win the Fairbairn races this term.

Yours sincerely, K. STEVENS.

The Oxford Letter The Editor, Sutton Valence School Magazine.

Dear Sir, " The King asked The Queen, and The Queen asked The Dairymaid : Could we have some butter for The Royal slice of bread The same sort of thing occurred the other day—you, Sir, wrote to Jim and Jim spoke to J. F. B.: "Could we have a letter for the School Magazine ? " J. F. B. was busy and went and told his

Details of the more serious side of our lives will be found elsewhere, but there is another side. Jim still runs—as he puts it : " for fun and the University." He is just settling into the second year in his luxurious bachelor accommodation in the College. J. F. B. and I are "in digs " !

Brian Oakley rowed for Exeter in the coxless fours but has now dropped rowing for a time in order to get some work out of the way. He asks me to record his advice to would-be undergraduates to do their time in the Army before coming up— it pays in the long run. [For " Army " read " Forces "-- but we'll forgive him.]

Ian Watson is Captain of Exeter College Fives ; his other chief claim to fame, I think, is that of all those who so knowingly say: " The great thing is to get four hours' solid reading in each morning," he comes very near to achieving this ideal. (He has also got his week-ends very well organised —would-be undergraduates should write to him for his secret.)

Ah me '! If only there were forty-eight hours in every day.

Yours sleepily, THE ALDERNEY.

SCHOOL MAGAZINE 4560 Blenheim St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada. ly 25, 1949.

The Editor, Sutton Valence School Magazine.

Dear Sir,—Your Lent term number contained the obituary of two outstanding personalities and priests of God, the news of whose passing after the passage of some forty years has affected me greatly. I refer to the Rev. W. W. Holdgate and the Rev. R. E. Lewis.

I was Head Boy under Mr. Holdgate during the transition period that marked the change of Governorship and the building of the " new " School. Every morning before School my fellow prefect— N. S. Hewitt—and I walked round the new site with proprietary pride and joyous anticipation to see how much work the builders had accomplished the previous day. I think perhaps that we two were in a better position than anyone else to realise the inimitable pluck and patience that the Head was called upon to exercise during the years 1910-11.

Quite apart from the problems he must have had to face with the parents and Governors, he was not popular with either the boys or the Old Boys. He represented a complete break in tradition. In the person of Mr. G. L. Bennett he was replacing a man of vastly different type, whose name and actions had become almost a legend, and whom we all loved.

He was, to begin with, a parson, and his apparent mildness and affability were frequently misunderstood and misinterpreted. Nevertheless, as the months rolled on, we boys came to realise the truth of what the pupils of his (Hewitt was one of them), whom he had brought with him from Brackley School, knew as a fact, that we were dealing with no ordinary

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person whose benignity and humaneness, wholly genuine as they were, overlay an iron will and an amazing pertinacity.

I recollect how week after week he used to turn out in sweater and shorts for our Rugger games and shove in the scrum with the best of us, somewhat, I think, to the amazement of his colleague A. D. Innes (Little " I won "), whose native ruggedness in the opposite scrum often left its mark on the Head.

He was also an ardent astronomer and an accomplished mountaineer. I remember how on many a starlit night he would . steal up to our dormitory and whisper to Hewitt and me to follow him. Donning our overcoats we did so, and were rewarded by an hour of fascinating peering through his astronomical telescope on the School roof. But I could mention a dozen instances of his kindliness and consideration.

Slowly and with infinite pains he made headway, and we found that instead of sabotaging our precious traditions, as we had feared, he retained the best of them and built up a sane and sound policy of his own, nor was he too proud to seek and profit by the long experience of his second master, the late H. W. Hunting.

He would have been the first to admit the unflagging support and co-operation he received from Mrs. Holdgate, to whose cheerful kindness and hospitality, despite the care of a young family, we boys owed much.

Of R. E. Lewis, who tried persistently and none too successfully to teach me Maths, I have both painful and pleasurable recollections. He had a genuinely humorous bent, and a real liking for boys. Most of his witty sallies left their mark, its depth and durance depending upon the sensitivity of the target. We admired him as a fine sportsman and a

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particularly good Rugger player in his day, though that admiration was sometimes, I think, tempered with fear.

Out of school he was cheery and hospitable. A regular treat was to go on a rat hunt with him round his place just outside the village. The hedge surrounding his property was infested with rats, and armed with sticks we got all the sport we wanted.

His choir was a feature of S.V. in my day, and R.E.L.'s enthusiasm was unbounded. I belonged to it and I remember we did a spirited rendering of " 0 Mistress Mine " one Christmas, though for my part I don't think I did much more than open and shut my mouth at the correct intervals.

God rest the souls of these fine men.

Sutton owes much to them.

Yours very truly, R. B. WESTMACOTT.

the MAGAZINE, dated September, 1883, and presumably referring to events fairly early in Mr. Kingdon's headmastership, does not mention the word, while in School Notes in the previous issue (June, 1883) there occurs the following :— " Another story [sic] has been added to the studies, which the 6th now occupy ; and a new lavatory and bathrooms have been built beside them.

The lower studies have been converted into a place to keep boots and shoes and cricket clothes in."

I wonder if this was where Lambe's still keep their boots and shoes ?

I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, F. T. W. BLATCHLEY-HENNAFI.

St. Margaret's House, Sutton Valence School.

November 23.

Sir,--I should be glad if you would convey through your columns my sincere thanks to the many Old Boys and parents who have contributed to the Arthur Taylor Memorial Fund. I feel that the wonderful sum you have raised is a great tribute to the love and respect you felt for my husband. Those of you who knew us in latter years as a happy family, may know that with your generous help everything possible will be done to educate Elizabeth, Miranda and George in the way that A.T. wished.

Yours sincerely, JOAN TAYLOR.

The Editor, Sutton Valence School Magazine.

Sir,—At the moment I am engaged in a somewhat amateurish way in collecting material for a History of the School.

I wonder if any of your older readers can throw any light on the origin of the term" Show" ? The origins of " Chuck" (the word, not the substance) are lost in antiquity, but the former term must be of recent coinage. A reminiscence of the first " Study" published in No. 11 of

Narrowfield, Sutton Valence.

The Editor, Sutton Valence School Magazine.