Janus, Volume 5, Number 1 - Spring 1956
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EDITORIAL
FOR THE LAST two months the whole School has been held in suspense by the presence of builders on the site of the new school buildings. There was a strange mystery about the place because for a long time there was not a sign of activity to herald the beginning of the buildings. Then one day work began on a wooden shack, and at once there arose a great controversy as to what its use was. The workman lavished great care over its construction, and it was thought by some that the building was to become a rest-house where the workers might retire after completing their quota. However, this was not the only shack to go up, and by the time the main work really got under way there was almost a small township of huts and shacks. Nevertheless we understand that each one has a specific use and contributes to the successful running of the whole site.
Mechanism arrived in the form of a huge red bulldozer, and in no time at all this veritable leviathan was busy ripping up the "ferns" and levelling the ground for building. The project is now well under way, and the first part of the scheme should be finished within the next fifteen months. The immediate, job on hand is the removing of the top-soil and the levelling of the ground preparatory to the laying of the foundations of the first block. In fact by the next issue of Janus the shell of the first block should be up.
The whole scheme entails the construction of two great blocks. One is a teaching block and consists of an assembly hall, classrooms, a science laboratory and a workshop, while the other comprises four dormitory blocks (i.e., one for each house), a kitchen and dining annexe and a boiler house. The first building to go up will be two of the dormitory blocks.
Since the last issue of "Janus" two members of the Upper Sixth have been provisionally accepted at Universities - one at Cambridge, the other at Bristol. These two are the first boys from our School to achieve that distinction, and we sincerely hope that they will be followed by many from succeeding generations. University life, once open only to a very privileged minority, is now within the scope of any boy with the determination to succeed. Obviously because of our youth as a school we are relatively unknown, but as more and more boys from our ranks go up to Universities we hope Woolverstone Hall will be looked upon as a good breeding ground for University candidates.
At the end of the Christmas Term, 1955, the School lost the services of Mr. and Mrs. Mathews, who, though one could hardly credit it to look at them, reached their time for retirement. In his time Mr. Mathews had been a birdman, one of those intrepid air-ship navigators, who risked their lives every time they left the mooring mast, but for the past thirty-six years he has dedicated his life to training young men for the sea. His last four years have been spent with what to him was the "new school," and his unstinting labour has been of great assistance to the successful running of the School.
In his retirement at Grays (within siren hoot of the Thames) he will spend his days increasing his already extensive knowledge of the poets, bird-watching and walking in the Essex countryside. We extend our warmest wishes to them and wish them the very best of luck in the future.
CHAPEL
AFTER CHRISTMAS it was decided that the spiritual needs of the School could best be met by corporate services each week in the gymnasium. Our own form of service has been evolved, and these services have now become a regular part of School life.
Twenty-six boys in the Church of England were prepared for Confirmation by the Rector of Woolverstone, the Rev. F. W. Lambert, and the Confirmation Service was conducted by the Bishop of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich on the 11th March. This was followed next morning by a most inspiring Communion Service attended by over 80 boys. The School is most grateful to the Rector of Woolverstone for preparing these boys and for his arrangements for a corporate Communion Service.
SCHOOL COLLECTIONS
THE SCHOOL COLLECTIONS for charitable purposes have continued at the same level. The House collections are a little uneven and the Junior House is to be commended for the high level of its collections. At Christmas it was decided that we should make regular donations to the Save the Children Fund, and to this end an eleven year old boy in Germany, who has just won a scholarship to the equivalent of an English Grammar School, has been adopted. It will be most interesting to keep in touch with him as he grows up and I hope it will be possible one day for him to come and see us in England.
These collections are well worth while. It is so easy to find so many worthwhile causes which require help, grows up, and I hope it will be possible one day for him to come to England to see us. but the main difficulty is to decide where help can best be given. As a matter of principle we will help young people and children, and I hope the School will be as generous as possible. However hard-up we may feel ourselves at times there are always people far worse, off than we are.
ON SUNDAY, February 12th, 1956, the School Choral and Orchestral Society gave a performance of Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Bach's Christmas Oratorio (which in its complete form is a set of six cantatas originally designed to be sung on six separate days during morning services over the Christmas period). The soprano and alto solo parts were sung in unison by four of the younger boys; Abrams, Bennett, Durrant and Mann. The tenor part of the Evangelist, telling the story of the birth of Christ, was taken by Martin Brown, and Mr. I. M. Richardson sang the bass solos.
The choruses and chorales were sung by the Choral Society (consisting of boys, members of Staff and their wives, and friends of the School), augmented by a few members of the Ipswich Bach Choir. The Orchestra drew its members from among the boys, and from Masters and their wives, but also from much farther afield. Strengthened by members of the Staff of the Suffolk Rural Music School, it also drew trumpeters from Surrey, oboists from Stowmarket, and a timpanist from Clacton. Mr. L. W. Woolford played the continuo part.
Altogether this performance was made possible by a most unusual willingness on the part of many different people to co-operate together in spite of many difficulties. Some rehearsals were held in London during the Christmas holidays. Most of the rehearsals just before the performance were held at a time when we were having frightful weather, and roads were dangerously icy under the snow. We should be particularly grateful to all those friends who came to help because of their love for Bach's music. And above all we owed this fine musical experience to the enthusiasm and indefatigable work of Mr. Merlin Channon.
In general the solo work was not quite as good as the choruses and chorales, except that Mr. Richardson sang with maturity, beauty and authority. The Evangelist, unfortunately, was suffering from a heavy cold, but persevered nobly and at times with a fine tone in the difficult part of the narrator. The sopranos and altos displayed every now and again that lovely quality which only boys' voices can achieve. The great choruses and chorales were magnificent and moving, particularly "Ah! dearest Jesus," "The Lord hath all these wonders wrought," and "Thee with tender care."
The Orchestra played with enjoyment and affection. One marvelled at the success of the trumpets in their difficult part, admired the flowing, sustained melody of the strings, and gloried in the loveliness of the woodwinds.
This performance was the first of what will be a series of annual productions of major works for chorus and orchestra. We owe a great debt to Mr. Channon for what he has already done; it is certain that time will increase that debt, and we can look forward to an increasing richness in the musical life of the School.
OVER THE PAST few years the School Dramatic Society has built up for itself a fine reputation, and its latest production, "The Devil's Disciple," by G. B. Shaw, maintained the high standard. The production has been subject to many difficulties, because of its clash with the major musical work also put on this Spring, and it is a great credit to the producer (Mr. Rowland) and his cast that such a polished effect was obtained in so short a time. As is now usual, two performances were given, one to the School and one to the parents, and the applause at the end of each performance showed how well the production was appreciated.
"The Devil's Disciple" is a difficult play to stage effectively, but in most cases the cast tried most expertly to get into their parts. Because of his fine performances in the past, we now tend to expect a very high standard of acting from McCulloch, and in this respect we were not disappointed. McCulloch is a "natural" on the stage, and with the flicker of his eyebrows, the wave of his hand or the well-placed sigh he really lives his character. The debonair, devil-may-care attitude of the play's hero, Richard Dudgeon, is particularly suitable to McCulloch's style of acting (compare his last part as Ivan Alexandrovitch Hlestakov in the "Government Inspector") and his performance was a pleasure to watch. In Rosen I think we have an actor of no small merit, and although he is new to acting (he had a small part in the "Government Inspector") his performance as the bitter - tempered, puritanical mother (a second Mrs. Clennam) was first-rate, and one could readily appreciate why Dick Dudgeon turned to Diabolism to escape her tyranny. Cox performed admirably as the Presbyterian minister-turned-militia-leader. and I thought the best scene in the play was when he was frantically struggling into his riding boots before fleeing the town to escape being captured by the English soldiers. Begg, who played the stupid Christy Dudgeon, deserves praise, for it is not a particularly easy task to act and look the fool unless one is type-cast.
The weakest part of the play was undoubtedly that of Judith Anderson, the minister's wife, and it is all the more unfortunate since she is one of the key characters of the play. The part is very difficult to play, and it is made all the more difficult when a boy has to try and identify himself with this pretty, sentimental character. Unfortunately Boyd never looked like convincing us, and his part, which to be successful must be played with great sincerity and feeling, fell flat and wooden. He was expressionless and lifeless and passed even more into the background because of the fine acting of his fellow actors. The smaller parts were played with conviction. I quite liked Durrant as the scruffy-looking Essie, and we received two fine studies in English soldiering from Szepesy as General Burgoyne and Workman as Major Swindon.
Those responsible for the sets and special effects for the play deserve nothing but praise. The lighting was cleverly used, and the five scene changes were excellent. The first scene in the dingy interior of the Dudgeon home was very well done, and the use of the shutter to let in the morning light was extremely effective. Likewise the cell scene was very realistically portrayed.
The main thing that struck me about this production was its tone and atmosphere, and possibly in this respect it may be criticised. The play is set during the War of Independence, when passions were roused on both sides to shooting point, but this sense of revolution between the American fighting for the Rights of Man and the Englishman efending British Dominion was never achieved. One got the feeling that both sides were a slap-happy bunch who could get on quite well on their own and did not want any help from outside, thank you. Uncle Titus (Kuptz), the "upright horsedealer," looked as if butter would not melt in his mouth and if Christy and Uncle William were of the same calibre as the Springtown militia, General Burgoyne need not have worried at all, however suspicious he was of the English soldiers' marks- manship. The atmosphere was of a very jolly and happy bunch, and for better or worse the whole point of the play lost its significance. It is quite probable that it was better for the audience that the emphasis of the play was changed, for although the play had become more of a comedy, I still overheard one boy grumble: "Not so many jokes as last time, was there?"
CRICKET COACHING - EASTER, 1956
DURING THE Easter holidays five boys from the School attended a cricket coaching course organised by the Suffolk C.C.C. This year it was held at Woolverstone, and the coaches were T. L. Livingstone and K. Andrews, of Northamptonshire, and Mr. Wilson from Holbrook. I am quite sure that everybody who came enjoyed the course a great deal and, apart from the cricket, it was a pleasant experience to meet and live with boys coming from different parts of the country. It is also very noticeable that the play of our own participants has greatly improved as the result of two successive Easter coaching sessions. One can only hope the improvement will continue.
A WEDDING CEREMONY
WHEN I WAS still a kid, my father used to take me to weddings. To me they all seemed an organised chaos, so I used to attend these functions for one reason only; to enjoy myself. The Mohammedans hardly ever go to the bother of inviting their guests; it is understood that if you happen to be passing by, you can walk straight in. As a result, the house and yard used to be crowded with all the races, Indian, English, Negroes, Chinese and even Portuguese. The surprising thing is, no matter how poor the hosts are, there is always enough food, and usually some had to be thrown away after the reception which lasts for at least six days. The usual menu consists of currie, rice, roti (this is a kind of pancake) and mutton - curried mutton, roast mutton, fried mutton, grilled mutton, every kind of mutton. This is because the Moslems regard pigs as scavengers, and the Hindus' sacred animal is the cow.
There is hardly any similarity between an English wedding and an Indian one, save that the ceremony takes place in a Holy Place. My father was privileged to be invited to a wedding once, and unluckily for me, he thought it would be a good idea if I accompanied him. I hated going anywhere with grown-ups. You had to be careful what you said and did. Anyway, I did not have much say in the matter. I had to go whether I liked it or not.
We were among the first to arrive, but a half-an-hour later, there was hardly any elbow room. Not having any wedding cars as in England, the bride and groom had to walk to the place where the ceremony was to take place. They did so with a long procession trailing behind them, beating drums, clanging cymbals and chanting. This was the custom and it blended perfectly with the twittering of the colourful tropical birds and the swaying palm trees. To the Englishman, it would all seem ridiculous and out-of- date, but to the Mohammedan, it is a necessary part of the wedding. Without this, the wedding would be incomplete.
Thus they would proceed to the Mosque, and as the bride and groom entered the Holy Place, the drumming, clanging and chanting automatically ceased. (As yet, the groom had not seen the bride.) Before entering, we had to take off our shoes and wash our feet. At first, this seemed very peculiar to me, but my father explained that it was the custom. I saw the pundits and sahdus dressed in their "langotis" and turbans, bidding everyone, "Salam wal-a com," which is Indian for "Good afternoon."
I sat down next to my father, and it all seemed incredibly quiet to me. I tried to ask my father what it was all about, but he motioned me to be silent, later explaining that the pundit was then making the bride and groom man and wife. There was a mumbling noise which came from the pundit, but I could not understand because it was Hindustani and practically inaudible. I saw the groom nod and say something which sounded like "Gee" (Hindustani for "Yes"). The pundit then turned to the bride, and after he had finished mumbling, I saw her nod, saying "Gee."
The veils hiding the bride and groom were then lifted and they saw each other for the first time. Although I was not supposed to look at them, I saw an expression on the groom's face, half-happy and half-sorry. He put his hand through hers and led her out of the Mosque. As they were walking between the kneeling figures of the congregation, the sound of drums and cymbals reached my ear. Then everyone bowed again and again, and when the singing began, the kneeling figures stood up and walked outside to join in the moving procession.
We walked back to the bride's house where the reception was being held, and by the time I reached the house I had learned both the words and tune of the chant. Though I did not know what the words meant I still joined in.
Once the groom was at the house the trouble began. He wore the most extraordinary head-dress which he would not take off unless he was paid to do so. The innocent victim was his father-in-law. Taking off the groom's head-gear was one thing, but the father-in-law also had to pay him to eat. If the groom thought he was not paid enough, he would not eat, and no one else could eat unless he did so. But this was only customary, so the groom usually settled for a small sum. Once the groom started to eat, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. There was dancing and eating, more dancing and more eating, being continued for several days.
My father had to leave during that night, but, needless to say, I stayed at the reception. I stuck to my motto, "Enjoy yourself while the mutton lasts." It seems, however, that a certain sahdu took a liking to the same piece of meat that I had had my eyes on all night, because, as I tried to pick it up, I felt myself being picked up, and before I knew where I was, I found myself deposited outside - muttonless. Rising from the dust, I angrily eyed the place where I thought the sahdu would be, and to my sheer and infinite joy, I saw him being deposited outside by a larger and even fatter pundit, who, evidently wanted that particular leg of mutton. Happily, I turned and found my way home to tell my experiences to my father.
THE FIRST SNOWFALL OF WINTER
THE WIND whines through the gaunt, black trees, decaying leaves are blown into eddies around their lifeless boles. Twigs, whipped from the trees with a crack, tumble reluctantly to the wet, brown earth. The sky is grey and overcast with darker, black wisps scudding across. Then suddenly the snow begins to fall, slowly, faltering at first, then faster and faster, frenziedly spiralling to earth. The large sparkling flakes blot everything from view. The trees are gradually transformed; each branch, each black twig carries a delicate tracery of lace. Magically the swirling whiteness has even adhered to the upright tree-trunks. The ground becomes carpeted with a thick, crisp layer, accentuating every irregularity of the landscape. Bushes and shrubs, hitherto dull and uninteresting now form a glistening shape in sculptured white.
Along the roads, cars crawl and slither, cautiously seeking the concealed way. The chained wheels bite into the road and throw up a denser flurry of snow. A lone occupant peers anxiously out of the semi-circle cut on the windscreen by a racing wiper; trying to pierce the world of swirling whiteness. In the village, the snow on the road has been tramped down to a glass-like surface and discoloured with oil and petrol.
Thatched roofs and gabled porches, the pillar-box and garden rollers assume grotesque, impossible proportions. In the desolate gardens a few hardy perennials make a speck of colour in the white vista. A party of muffled children braving the flying snow, drag dry, warped toboggans to the nearest hill. A 'bus, hours overdue, comes slithering to a halt at the 'bus-stop. As the impatient, would-be passengers have waited, their steaming breath has formed a pall over the 'bus-shelter. In the 'bus it is wet and stuffy. There is a smell of wet rubber and mackintoshes, many being worn for the first time, mingled with strong tobacco smoke, these combining to make a malodorous fug. People wriggle uncomfortably as icy drops of melted snow trickle relentlessly down their warm backs.
In the towns, the settling snow has turned to dirty, discoloured piles of slush. The ever-helpful Corporation has scattered ashes and gravel which grate unpleasantly when trodden into the slushy snow. The traffic streams by less cautiously here, spattering grumbling pedestrians as they pick their way through the slush.
Shop windows emit a welcome, warm glare of light into the prematurely dark afternoon of umbrellas and galoshes.
People caught unawares in this heralding of winter, scurry from doorway to doorway, briskly shaking off the annoying flakes of snow. The snow is, however, falling less frenziedly now, but on reaching the ground it is immediately engulfed in the morass of traffic-pulped snow. In the country, the mad rush of falling snow finished, everywhere is completely and utterly still. Lofty crags, sheltered dales, forests and parks, are all shrouded in impressive silence. A weak wintry sun shines through a cottage window to warm itself by the fire, the smoke from which winds out through the chimney, blue-black against a dazzling white background. Already birds and rabbits have made their neat tracks in the frozen waste. From afar off joyous shouts come clearly to one's cars on the frosty air.
Winter is here!
THE AQUATIC ART FOR THE BEGINNER
HAVE You ever watched a non-swimmer in the swimming baths? Witness the patronising sneers he is given by all the tried swimmers around him, who have entirely forgotten their own uneasy beginnings. They are easy to notice. Walking along by the edge of the bath is supposed to inspire confidence in even the weakest-hearted. Alas for the non-swimmer! He cautiously sidles down the side, keeping the farthest distance possible away from the water without exactly climbing up the side of the cubicles. He looks at the narrow ledge separating him from disaster, and shudderingly turns his mind away from thoughts of what would happen if someone else wanted to pass him on the inside, leaving him tottering on the brink of disaster. Fearfully he hugs closer to the cubicles. Finally, accompanied by a sigh of relief, he reaches the shallow end.
Creeping closer to the edge, he looks over, wondering how it is possible to get in. Turning round, he asks the nearest person, usually a bluff and hearty swimmer how deep it is. The water, which is in reality only three feet deep, seems two or one foot to the swimmer, and six or ten feet to the non-swimmer.
A good way of avoiding going in but not looking like a non-swimmer is to stand on the end, looking as if you are there with a friend, whom you could choose from the crowd of swimmers who are striking out from one end to another.
A word of warning. Never hug yourself if you are cold. A person who crosses his arms in front of him and hunches his shoulders never looks like a swimmer. If you feel cold walk from one end to another, hoping you look as if you are choosing a spot to jump in.
Also never wear a swimming costume which changes colour or shade of colour when splashed. A black one is best, as it doesn't show spots, a sure sign to some eagle-eyed swimmer you haven't been in.
Finally never go near the diving-board. Otherwise you will inevitably find yourself mixed up in a queue. and find yourself tottering on the edge of a board, some hundreds of feet above the water and nothing is more embarrassing than having to turn away and climb down stared at by hundreds of eyes.
("From personal experiences.")
FILM MAKING WITH PUPPETS
ONE DAY last year I was invited to go and watch a film being made with puppets. My first thought on entering into a gloomy and uninspiring hallway was that it was all rather drab. However, this feeling was dispelled when I entered a room which was littered with an assortment of theatrical props. The first thing that caught my eye was the preparation of a scene in which a princess was to wave from the walls of a castle to a young man.
The filming staff took great pains to make the wave of the princess seem natural, which is extremely difficult to do with even the best of puppets. In the other corner of the room a few people were busy preparing a scene of a Castle Throne Room. Suspended above this were some planks on which the manipulators of the puppets stood in order to move the puppets to any place on the set. One of the manipulators was a boy of fifteen. The staff of this particular set seemed to be extremely jovial, and puppetry must be very thirsty work for they consumed innumerable cups of tea. To the layman it is surprising the amount of money and time taken up in making a smallish film of this kind.
This particular film which I saw in the making, a pot-pourri of King Cole, an amorous princess, and the story of coal, was intended by the Gas Board for publicity purposes.
BEAUTY UNLEASHED
WITH SEEMINGLY placid concentration, her beady eyes for ever scanning the ground far below, the snow-white falcon, strangely beautiful in the soft, grey light of dawn, wheeled above the cold mud-flats. All at once she ceased her circling, hanging motionless except for an occasional flick of her wing-tips. With a careless-looking roll, she dived, her whole body quivering as, with outstretched talons, she fell upon her unfortunate victim - a sheld-duck. But even a Greenland falcon may miss its mark, for, with a scream of rage the white queen tore past the previously unsuspecting duck. She pulled out of her dive just above the murky water and climbed shakily back to a safe height to look for her prey. The latter, however, had taken flight and was lying, quaking in a clump of oddly placed reeds at the water's edge.
The falcon waited, but the duck remained in the clump. The hours drew on; yet still, high in the sharp mid-morning air the falcon waited, a mere dot in the azure sky, until the hapless fugitive, searching this way and that with his sad, frightened eyes, broke cover and cringed its way across the mud-flat.
Triumphantly the hunter again dived, this time straight to her mark. The fowl wavered for a brief moment before plummetting, silently into the soft mud in a cloud of feathers. The victor landed beside the deceased and ate her fill . . . .
The falcon held her ground for some weeks, in fact even the peregrines fled from her fearful onslaught. However, on a certain mid February evening, just before dusk, she was hovering above a curlew that was busy picking morsels from the mud, when out of the mist appeared a stranger, swooping down upon the Arctic bird's intended prey.
The latter whistled in anger and descended upon the intruder, a female Marsh Harrier with a family to feed. The trespasser stopped her dive, uncertain, hesitating as to whether or not she should fight. But remembering her young and seeing the hostile manner in which her opponent was approaching, she waited until the falcon was almost upon her then suddenly she twisted to one side, allowing her furious rival to dive past. Immediately the Harrier was on her tail, mercilessly tearing those proud feathers from their owner.
To a casual spectator the battle might seem only two birds scrapping. But a terrible conflict was in progress, and the victory would determine riparian supremacy. Falcon and Harrier fought and chased each other, until, as the sun was setting, the defeated monarch from the icy north fell from the sky on to the fresh, green grass at the river's bank, where she lay, motionless. A trickle of warm blood discoloured her noble breast. No sound disturbed the surrounding woodland, as with a final shudder she breathed her last.
A ROOM WITH A VIEW
IT HAD rained all night but now at ten o'clock in the morning the sun was breaking through. As I looked out of my window I could see the main runway lying like a shining strip of steel. Suddenly, there is a noise that seems to blot out all other thoughts - it stops and again it starts and into view, like a gigantic monster, comes the Valiant, gleaming in the sun - faster and faster until the wheels leave the ground and it is airborne. Away it flies gathering speed until it is a mere speck in the distance.
I thought of the pilot and navigator whom I knew so well, looking like spacemen in their flying kit.
Then a voice interrupted my thoughts. "Chris has called for you to go and play table-tennis."
Away with aeroplanes. Let me get my blazer, bat and balls. This is good enough for me just now - but later on. Who knows?
A VISIT TO WATTISHAM
A PARTY of boys and two Masters visited the R.A.F. fighter base at Wattisham on November 24th, 1955. The day was bright although occasional showers persisted. We left the School at 1.45 p.m. and, although the ride was not as long as expected, we did not arrive until 2.30 p.m. The entrance was recognised at once by a souvenir of the Battle of Britain - a Spitfire S.M.411.
We were welcomed at the Headquarters by a flying-officer, who showed us various places of interest. After a short meeting in the briefing room of 257 Burma Squadron, we made our way out of the building. To our delight, a camouflaged Hunter F.2 of 263 Squadron taxied past. The pilot waved to us as the cockpit canopy had been pushed back. A few moments later there was a roar, and the next thing we knew, the plane had left the runway. Turning round, we noticed a long line of Meteor night fighters, Marks 11 and 14, of 152 Squadron.
Our attention was then attracted by the officer who accompanied us to the Meteorological Office and Control Tower. We went upstairs and found ourselves in a room littered with maps and pictures. We were first shown the weather forecast sheet with expected weather conditions. Then the officer introduced us to the system of communicating with, and finding out the location of, pilots. I am not quite sure whether we understood everything, but we got the general idea.
After this lecture on Meteorology, we went up on to the roof of the Control Tower. Hunters and Meteors were continually taking off and landing. There were also Radar machines at the ends of the runway. To our right we noticed a large area of stone with the recognition letters WT (Wattisham) and a T-shaped figure denoting in which direction the runway was being used at the time. The letters WT are to enable the pilot to know the name of the station from the air. These signs are visible from a great height.
Leaving the roof, we went into the Control Room. Here we stayed for a few minutes watching the operator communicating with pilots. We went straight from here to the hangar of No. 257 Squadron. We saw a Hunter F.2 being repaired in three parts; the tailplane, the engine (Armstrong-Siddley Sapphire) and the remaining part, namely the nose and wings. The planel had the ejection seat removed and it was parked against the wall (with the cartridge removed). The flying officer told us stories of the seat and how it works. It is the best in the world, made by Martin-Baker, and the Americans are quite envious of it. Then we moved over to another Hunter of the same squadron, this time in one part, on the other side of the hangar. We took it in turns to look inside the cockpit, where the flying officer sat explaining the instruments. While this was going on, some of us went outside the hangar where a Meteor F.8 was turning round after coming in after a landing. It was pleasant to feel the blast of hot air in our faces on this wintry afternoon. When we had all looked inside the cockpit, we moved to another hangar, where numerous Meteors were being repaired. Noses, tanks and engines had been removed and showed many of the complicated electrical components of the aircraft.
A quarter of an hour having elapsed, Mr. Richardson informed us that it was time to leave. Reluctantly we departed in the School van, carefully eyeing the Spitfire as we went out. We arrived back at school about 5.20 p.m., feeling what a good afternoon we had had, thanks to Mr. Richardson and Mr. Rowland.
I. SUTER and N. O'LOUGHLIN (IIIA)
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B. PHELPS (IVB) |
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A forceful sky of hard, metallic, grey J. R. TWEDDLE (IVB) |
FIRST XV Even the slightest improvement in the standard of play shown by the First XV during this past season will, I think, make us one of the most dangerous school teams in our part of the country next term. There is room for improvement in every position and a heavier, taller and older team ought to revenge itself upon those school teams who have beaten us this season. By far the most encouraging side of the Rugby was the increased number of contestants for team places. Altogether twenty-seven people played in First XV matches but only three played in every match. There was very much of a "trial and error" look to the side, boys were continually being switched around but with favourable results. Bauer, undoubtedly the finest wing-forward in the school, filled a widening gap in the three-quarters and was improving in every match. Byrde replaced Warren at scrum-half, but the latter unexpectedly became the most efficient full-back of the season. Marriot and Spicer both appeared from nowhere to command regular places in the team. The all-round play was better than before. We have Northgate and Woodbridge Schools to thank for teaching us the use of the forward passing movement. The handling in the pack was safer, and in the majority of matches they gave their backs an efficient service both from the scrum and the line-out. However, their tackling was very poor, letting down he rest of the team on several occasions, especially in the match against Emmanuel College, Cambridge. The outstanding pack players were the leader Cox, "Iron-man" Hunton and Begg, all of whom were awarded their Colours, the latter in his first season of School Rugby. |
FIRST XV MATCHES
Points For 404, Points Against 163 |
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In the three-quarters Workman continued to originate most of the breaks, and his tackling saved the day on many occasions. The weaknesses of the backs were the tackling of both wings and the sometimes aimless kicking of the centres and fly-half, but this latter fault was easily corrected. There were many changes, but perhaps in the last match we had our strongest back division - Warren, George and Bauer, McCulloch and Marriott, Workman and Byrde. The Second XV played satisfying Rugby in their few games, but unfortunately never had any opposition to test their true ability. The team was strong in all positions, particularly in the backs, and was used as a training-ground for some of the Colts. Their successes illustrate again the strength of the First XV's reserves. The teams as a whole would like to see an increase in the number of spectators at home matches and a similar increase in the amount of voluble support. Six people were awarded Colours. It is hoped that these awards will encourage more people to use their ability to better advantage - better for themselves and for School teams. I. McCULLOCH (VI) |
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COLTS, XV The Colts' XV. had a very successful season, winning all their ten games during the Christmas term. Unfortunately, their two fixtures during the Spring term were cancelled. The pack, although on the light side, worked hard and well to obtain a fair share of the ball for their outsides, who ran hard and penetratively to score heavily. Coutts captained the side from outside-half, and the pack was led by Szepesy. Collins, D. Bailey and House played well in the three-quarter line and Townson, Szepesy and Walmsley stood out in the pack. Many points were added by the goal-kicking of R. Pope, the full-back, and by inside-half Markham. B.D. |
UNDER 14 XV The team had a very successful season, defeating allcomers save one. Smith, as captain, was a tower of strength, always bringing out that little extra something when the situation demanded it. As the season progressed he managed to introduce a greater cohesion into the play between backs and forwards, which in turn produced more impressive performances. In the front row of the pack Poyntz hooked consistently well, and was ably "propped" by Mayer and Wells. Snell and Glaysher soon realised the requirements of second-row play, especially in the loose, and developed a technique and understanding of the game which rescued the team on innumerable occasions. Although trying hard, Golebiowski has as yet not realised the full implications of lock-forward play. When he learns to follow up more consistently then he will find room in which to exploit his determined running. Head and Vinall often tackled well as blind-side wing forwards, but must learn to support their threes more consistently in defence. At scrum-half Blake was always courageous, and often devastating in his tackling. His passing, often from seemingly impossible positions, supplied that smooth service which is essential to any back division. Kohler continued the fluency of passing from pack to threes, while not having as yet the necessary burst of speed to make a dangerous opening. Stirling, with elusive running, and Fletcher, with determined bursts, were a successful contrast in the centre. Each combined well with his wing and made many openings for the fleet Ferguson, Miller and Filtness. Ferguson developed considerably as an attacking wing, but will do better when he has learnt to pass back inside. Miller often made the line when it would have seemed a doubtful chance, and Filtness ran well to score several tries. J. Williams, at full-back, caught and tackled adequately, and was lion-hearted in the face of marauding forwards. His kicking, although not long, was safe. I trust the many lessons of the success of combined team play will be remembered and observed in their future play. P.H.J. |
Points for: 271 Points against: 50 |
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On the whole it was an encouraging and enjoyable season. Blair-Hickman, who captained the side from the lock-forward position, set a high standard in forward play. He was well supported in line-out, tight and loose play by the tireless work of Newsham, Alden, Driver and Rock. Behind the scrum, Gentry and Prendergast struck a happy partnership as half-backs, but they must both learn that, by falling on the ball, many tries can be saved. In the centre Leach and Banwell were elusive runners, but were inclined to cut through away from their partners. They also need to tighten up their defence. Alden's change from the scrum to centre three-quarter during the latter part of the season added strength to the back division. He ran straight and hard, while his defence was sound. Wort and Havard were two speedy, determined wings. Goody proved himself to be a competent full-back. His handling and tackling were safe, if not outstanding. D.E.P. |
Johnstons seemed to be unfortunate all through the season. Certainly the score in their match against Corners was not a true reflection of the game. Johnstons in that game played very well to their "blackboard tactics" of kicking up to Corners' "twenty-five" and then backing the ball. Their match against Hansons was the best of the season, and one sometimes wonders how they didn't score two or three times in the last five minutes. Hansons indeed had an off season, scoring only two points from three games. They put up their best showing against Johnstons, which match I have already mentioned. At one time in the match against Halls they seemed to be set for a clear victory, and one can only credit Halls for a splendid comeback. A word about the champions. As usual, the call of the day was open football, and it will be noted that a clear majority of their points came from the wing positions. Corners' pack was not given much chance against anybody, but contrived to give a very regular service to their threes, who found enough gaps to run up a comfortable score on each occasion. There was nothing spectacular in any of their matches. The only thing worth noting is the record score made against Hansons. B. WORKMAN, VI |
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Results: Nobody will deny that the best side won the competition. In a straightforward knock-out contest they disposed of the champions in a rather unspectacular match, and went on to a very clear-cut victory over the other finalists, Johnstons. Of the four houses Halls were the only side to show any thrust and fire, and fully deserved their victory.
B. WORKMAN, VI |
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SUFFOLK A.A.A. CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP AT R.A.F. WATTISHAM
The School entered junior and intermediate teams for the race which was run on Saturday, March 10th. The junior race was first on the programme and was run over a course of two miles, which included two rather uninspiring trips around a bomb-disposal compound. The School's first individual position was sixteenth and the team result, in a very fast race, was sixth out of nine. As only two teams competed in the intermediate race the certificates showing that the School came in second can hardly inspire much pride in the hearts of the participants. Although the team ran the race in good spirit, the superiority that Holbrook gained for themselves by training hard all the year round became only too evident.Holbrook has a cross-country tradition to uphold - they held the cup for two successive years before Wattisham took it off them the year before last - and last year they took the trophy back. Woolverstone has no such tradition to enthuse interest into its cross-country activities, but, I believe, once some distinction has been gained in this particular field of sport, then the School will be able to inject into its cross-country running some of that enthusiasm which has helped it to make a name for itself in local rugby and cricket.
SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY
This year's cross-country was run on a day which was, perhaps, a little too hot for most people, but it was run in the best of spirits from beginning to end.
This year's individual honours must go to Walmsley (Johnstons), who, taking the lead on the Cathouse Road, never looked behind and went on to win by 100 yards from Workman (Corners) and Byrde (Hansons), in a new record time. His was a well-deserved victory, for which he trained most diligently, and he is to be congratulated most heartily.
The junior champion this year is Stirling (Hansons), who won by 20 yards from Hammond (Johnstons) and Hickman (Halls).
The championship was won by Halls, whose junior team put up a convincing display to win easily from their nearest rivals, Johnstons, only totalling 93 points against the 141 points of the second team.
In the senior team race Hansons came out clear winners, totalling 82 points. but as Halls' senior team ran second, and Hansons junior team ran last, last year's champions had to be content with second.
MUSIC SOCIETY
AMONG THE winter activities of the Music Society were a number of meetings of the newly formed Music Club to listen to short informal concerts. The first of these was given by Mr. and Mrs. Channon (trumpet and clarinet) accompanied by Mr. Woolford (piano). The programme included "Sonata in Bb" by Arne, Howard Furguson's "Short Pieces for Clarinet and Piano" and "Concertino for Trumpet" by Knudage Riisager.
The second concert was given by Mr. Thornbery (flute), a Master at Ipswich School, Mr. Richardson (bass) and Mr. Woolford (piano). Mr. Thornbery played "Sonata No. 5" by Handel and a Sonata by the 18th century Flemish composer, Loeillet. Mr. Richardson sang groups of songs by Handel, Schubert and Schumann.
An informal School Concert took place in December, in which a large number of boys performed. Among the items of quite a high standard were two piano pieces played by Nawrot (piano) and an item by N. O'Loughlin (clarinet). The Wind Players played part of Matthew Locke's "Musick for His Majesty's Sackbuts and Cornetts" and the School Orchestra accompanied carols sung by the Choral Society and the audience.
A Festival of Lessons and Carols was given at the end of the term, in which the Choral Society sang extremely well. They also took part in a similar service at Woolverstone Parish Church.
The Spring Term was largely taken up with preparation for J. S. Bach's "Christmas Oratorio," but one most interesting meeting of the Music Club took place when Mr. O. W. Lane, the Ipswich violin maker, gave a talk on his craft. Unfortunately, this was badly attended, but those of us who were there thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mr. Lane.
Two visits to the Celebrity Concerts at the Gaumont Cinema, Ipswich, were made by a party of senior boys. The first programme given by the London Orchestra conducted by Alec Sherman included Beethoven's 7th Symphony and his 5th Piano Concerto with Gina Bachauer as soloist. The second concert was given by the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by George Hirst. Among the items played were Richard Strauss's tone poem "Don Juan," and Symphony No. 2 in B minor by Borodin. Clive Lythgoe was the soloist in Schumann's A minor Piano Concerto.
Although an independent criticism of the Choral Society's performance of the Christmas Oratorio will be given elsewhere, I think special mention should be made of the hard work that the members put in to make the standard of the performance such a high one. Messrs. Richardson, Woolford and Burney freely gave of their time in helping, and the soloists, Abrams, Bennett, Durrant, Mann and Browne spent many hours practising their parts, as well as singing in the choir. Great credit is due to them.
ART CLUB
SOME OLDER members have made an encouraging start with oil painting, and seem to find this a most stimulating medium. A group has also started bookbinding, a craft which should be a useful auxiliary to the work of the printers. The Club would be most grateful for the gift of any unwanted objects which could be used as material for still life painting and drawing. For example large sea-shells, pieces of cloth or fabric, old ornaments of interesting design, and other bric-a-brac.
PRINTING CLUB
LAST TERM was spent in the production among other things of tickets and programmes for "The Christmas Oratorio" and "The Devil's Disciple." We are producing Birthday Greeting Cards at the moment and have in preparation the material for our first book, or perhaps booklet.
SAILING CLUB
REGULAR SAILING continued during the Autumn Term until the icy November blasts drove us into the Modelling Hut for the winter. There a loyal band of seniors refitted all the small boats, and spent many a pleasant afternoon in the warm while the snow lay deep outside. A new Cadet mast made for "Happy" as a result of a well-known accident, and new Firefly bow-checks are in process of completion.
The whalers were also repainted by a hardy group of Fourth-Formers under the guidance of Mr. Smith, and the whole fleet looks very trim now that we have taken to the water once more. The summer programme which promises to be very full has started with perfect weather for "shaking down" the boats. Four House matches are to be run, and we have matches with Gresham's and Ipswich. In addition to this, the Sailing Club hope to join in the Sea Cadets long week-end in June. We have only one regret, that the long-awaited rescue boat will not be with us for a few weeks, and we shall have to continue temporarily with our outboard motor. May we have clear skies and fair winds for a successful and enjoyable term's sailing.
MODEL RAILWAY CLUB
A very successful winter session has now finished. In the senior lay-out, the main line has been completed to the second high level terminal. Here the station buildings are taking shape with a main road over the station on a bridge complete with a Belisha Crossing and flashing lights. A large factory is being made to hide, the controller at this station.
The Third Formers have begun a portable Hornby lay-out. The first section is virtually complete with a country station, a small goods yard, a signal box, etc.
As the Club grows older certainly more skill is being shown by members and more care is being taken of equipment. Further expansions are planned for next winter and the only problem facing us is what will happen when the Nissen hut which houses the Model Railway Club is demolished. However, that is a problem for the future.
SINCE THESE notes last appeared four Able Seamen, Glass A., Brown, Moss and Hunton have passed the examination for and been rated Leading Seaman. This event marks an important stage in the development of the Unit. It is hoped that some of these Leading Seamen will be able to take the examination for Cadet Petty Officer at Portsmouth during the summer holiday. In January, A.B. Byrde, Daniel, Dawson and Glanville braved the weather and went to Portsmouth for a week's Gunnery Course in H.M.S. Excellent, as a result of which they were awarded 1st Class Gunnery Badge.
Apart from the normal instructional syllabus, the chief activity during the Spring Term was the preparation of the whalers and pinnace for use during the summer.
Maynard and P. A. Williams with their crews worked steadily, often in very cold weather, to have the whalers ready for the end of the term and they succeeded, so that the boats were ready for use right from the start of the Summer Term. The pinnace has had a complete refit and engine overhaul and is now in first-rate condition.
The Sunday Training Cruises which were, of course, discontinued during the winter months have now been resumed. A full programme of cruises was planned and the first two of this term, on May 6th and 20th, were carried out in the whalers, and much valuable experience in sailing was gained.
On March 19th, Cunningham and Cochrane Classes were examined for Able Seaman, and the following Cadets passed and rated: House, Phelps, Campling, Rosen, Williams, A. P., Maynard and Stanton.
There was unfortunately no Shooting until the beginning of this term and it has not been possible to enter for any competitions this year. However, plans for the range here are now completed and it is hoped that next September will see the range in use.
Swimming has been a popular activity this term and so far twenty Cadets have passed their Swimming Test, thus becoming entitled to wear the S.C.C. badge on their swimming trunks. In competition, our team at the Zone Swimming Gala at H.M.S. Ganges on June 3rd gained equal points with the Ipswich Unit, thus sharing the Zone Swimming Trophy which has been held by the Ipswich Unit since it was presented five years ago. The following Cadets were selected to represent the Zone at the Area Swimming Gala at Banbury on June 16th: Byrde, Tucker, Munro, Dawson, Tyrrell, Leeson, Stringer and Campling. Unfortunately, Byrde and Munro will be unable to go so that their places have been taken by Hunton and McMaster.
The annual Admiralty Inspection took place on Monday, May 28th. The Inspecting Officer, Cdr. Luckett, DSC., RN., spoke very highly of the smart turnout of the Unit and of the tandard of seamanship knowledge displayed, but he was not so complimentary about the ceremonial side of Unit activity. This needs, and will receive attention during the coming year.
In the competition for the Inter-House Cadet Cup, the only part of the competition so far completed is Corners' seamanship evaluation. The remainder of the competition will be fitted in where possible during the term.
A small week-end camp of twelve boys was held at Wrabness on the Stour from June 1st to June 3rd. The success of this camp, which was enjoyed alike by Cadets and Officers, was due in no small measure to the assistance of Mr. Hanson, who gave great help with the equipment. Without this help the camp could not have taken place, and all who went are most grateful for it.
The Unit is to receive a 25ft. motor cutter on loan from the Admiralty. This, when it arrives, will be a most valuable addition to our fleet, as there are many operations for which the pinnace is too large and heavy on fuel to be used efficiently.
The number of Cadets in the Unit has dropped to fifty, which is a much more manageable figure from the point of view of efficient instruction. We have parted company with a umber of Cadets who have found our demands too exacting, and we have now a smaller and better Unit of keen Cadets who are not afraid of a bit of hard work. A small new-entry class, Edinburgh, will be embodied on June 22nd, and another, Frobisher, on September 22nd. These classes, which will both be small, are expected to keep the strength of the Unit steady around the fifty mark, until additional instructors - Cadet Petty Officers, are available.
The Old Boys' membership continues to rise as more recent Old Boys join the Association.
- RAYMOND BOYCE is working as a clerk with Charringtons, and from his account of his multi-various tasks keeps the wheels turning.
- VICTOR GILBERT is with Lloyds Bank, playing regularly for their "A" XV, which he finds faster, rougher, and tougher than School Rugby. He tells us that Terry Day has joined the Finchley Rugby Football Club.
- MICHAEL GORDON-SMITH is with Whittingham and Mitchels, Ltd., a Marine Engineering firm near his home at Woking, specialising in small ships for export. He, too, has joined the Rugby Football Club at Esher.
- PETER WILSON is on the high seas, probably in Australia now, on the m.v. "Condesa."
- NIGEL GOULD is working in Bletchley.
- NOEL JONES is busy with a Catering Course at Brighton.
- MICHAEL HARDY is finding life interesting with the Colonial Survey studying for his Photographic Examinations.
- RONALD VIZARD is with the General Electric Company and he tells me he is working far harder than he did when at school.
- JOHN SCARBROW is with the Blue Star Shipping Company, hoping finally to go into Customs and Excise.
- FREDERICK MOUGHTON is in the laboratories of a textile factory at Great Yarmouth.
- TERRY DAY is working with a printing firm on the costing side and meets D. Woods and Norman Lamb quite often.
- BRIAN BASS is thoroughly enjoying himself at sea on the m.v. Deerwood having been to America and back three times.
- FRANCIS LYONS was last heard of in Bremerhaven, where his ship is being fitted.
- JOHN ASHWORTH is at H.M.S. Collingwood continuing his apprenticeship and is Captain of the Establishment's junior national basketball team.
- C. FISHER Writes from Canada and is expecting to be married in September.
- DAVID R. BROWN was last heard of on his way to Australia and wrote from Port Said where his ship had engine trouble.
- DAVID HARDING has joined the Police Cadets and is, for the time being, stationed at Kentish Town.
Finally, a welcome 'phone call was received from John Cook's mother, who was in London. She told me that John will be leaving school in June and hopes to go to the American Navy College with a view to joining the American Navy. He had been chosen from his school for a three-day visit to Cincinatti under a scheme sponsored by the Rotary Club.
And so the Old Boys' Association grows and these notes get longer. With so many Old Boys playing rugby football I hope that in the not too distant future the Old Boys will come down and play the School.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We gratefully acknowledge the receipt of magazines from the following Schools:
Northgate G.S., Ipswich School, Colchester R.G.S., Woodbridge G.S., Dr. Barnardo's at Parkeston, H.M.S. Fisgard and Ottershaw Park.