THE SHIRBURNIAN

Trinity 1991

'We are on a perilous margin when we begin to look passively at our future selves, and see our own figures led with dull consent into insipid misdoing and shabby achievement.' George Eliot, Middlemarch

Editor: J. M. Nurton Art Editor: R. W. R. Hillier Assistant Editors: M. R. Chantrey, A. M. C. Crawford, D. L. J. de Belder, R. Hands, A. J. D. Seddon Photographs by:

M. Chantrey, P 11 J. Goodden, nn ~. Ill, II.SI A. Davey, PP 69. 10 J. Hawksley, rr 2R. ,o R. Dymock-Maunsell, nn29.n M.P.O'C., PP IJ. 14 N. Gardner, pp7. 45 J. Ricketts, nn n. J~

There are a number of photographs whose provenance we have been unable to establish. We apologise to those photographers who have not been credited with their work.

Shelleys Printers, Sherborne - music and drama for scientists; technology and botany for artists - than other schools and how Editorial lucky we are. But there really does seem a case for more compulsory subjects. A close look at our education might reveal a The model is, of course, Europe, where eveyone large number of faults; and the results achieved speaks our language and pays for our culture, so by that education might provide debate about its they must be better educated. However, in this Land improvement. However, in the democratic roller­ of milk, honey and butter mountains, the problems coaster that emphasizes particular issues at will, can be seen. Take three groups of students: those recent attention has been turned towards our who want to learn, and enjoy everything; those who examinations. On the one hand we have the want to be vets and hate philosophy and theology; discrepancy between the Prime Minister's com­ and those who want to be priests and hate biology pulsive thoughts on qualifications and his qualified and maths. One can foresee difficulties in England thoughts on compulsory testing. On the other where prejudices against some subjects might lead hand, an issue which has occupied much more of to reluctant learning, and the traditional negative our mental conversation recently is that of A levels, choosing based upon the 'I want to give up ... ' AS levels, the Sixth Form and the world outside. philosophy would become redundant. There would To suggest that reform of the system is necessary be no giving up, and more significantly, no is to state the obvious. Firstly, there wiJI always be wanting. failings and shortcomings in anything that is seen as This element of choice is fundamental to sixth difficult or repressive. Secondly, the failings are all form study, which is and no doubt will remain a too evident in a system which auracts only 15C1/o of mauer of exercising options. Unless people can all pupils and then provides them with a narrow, study what they want, they will not study at all, specialised education which negJects a great deal of which is roughly the same result as what we have at educational experience, with the result that most the moment. The system must compromise between school leavers in Britain have low qualifications permitting people to study those subjects that and, more importantly, little knowledge beyond interest them and encouraging them to learn a wide GCSE and everyday common sense, two concepts variety of skills. A compromise: the word embodies closely related. so many difficulties and forced solutions. There is little wrong in general with people's Inevitably there will be problems, and a new system choices: it is not through their own decisions that will always initially be unpopular. But if freedom they seal off the dripping tap of knowledge. With exists within the compromise, then there is room just three (or, if one is particularly fortunate, four) for manoeuvre and development. The present sixth A levels, the distant prospect of a career which form syllabuses arc only accepted because they have involves them all and associated hobbies, it is become normality. unsurprising that most students leave school with a Pupils studying, say, six subjects are clearly thorough, albeit soon forgotten, understanding of going to know less about them than those studying their own interests and an ignorance of everything three. With less time and work, standards will else. Perhaps this is an opportunity to be indulgent inevitably be lower. However, the subject is not and remark that schools like Sherborne offer rather confined to the syllabus and if initial study pro­ more opportunity to invest in different subjects motes further voluntary interest then this must be

2 regarded as a success. The AS philosophy syllabus addition subjects, such as general studies and (an option studied, at present, by only six boys) is a general theology, which are studied reluctantly at very solid and interesting introduction to a complex the moment might be more popular if they had subject, but it is only an introduction, incor­ some sort of aim, some sort of standard of achieve­ porating a study (far from comprehensive) of only ment. A subject which involves an examination and six texts. Yet with this introduction there is the consequently provides an indelible mark on a basis, and the encouragement, for much deeper student's history is inevitably. though unfor­ study. Thus the study of this syllabus allows one to tunately, going to be more appealing to the pro­ be able to understand a much wider literature in the spective scholars whose university offers tend to discipline. Without this classroom introduction, read more like expressions of pain - AAA - philosophy might appear (as perhaps it is) incom­ than consonantal mechanical noices -DDC - . prehensible, uninteresting and useless (as perhaps it How often do we hear questions such as 'Will this is). come up in the exam?'; 'Will we be tested on this?' The same must be true of so many other sub­ Perhaps this gives us a greater insight into jects, which only the most conscientious and adven­ what Mr. Major meant in his comments about turous discover. Perhaps there is a connection here qualifications. They do represent what someone with the Prime Minister's thoughts on qualifica­ knows, did know, or has known. But they are only tions: it is not the qualifications that matter so one way of showing this and other experience can much as the work Lhat has been done by the person produce equall y favourable results. Qualifications qualified. show a level of knowledge gained but they also Devoting two years of one's life to studying sub­ show a limitation, and beyond that limitation there jects which one can find no use for in later life may is no evidence of ability. It is study beyond the initially appear pointless and yet the system has syllabus - often voluntary study - that actually much to commend it: there would be greater oppor­ reveals the strength of a pupil. · tunity to study 'practical' subjects, regarded as If we are to have primary school children being academically dishonourable after the age of about examined from the age of seven and an elaborate 12; there could be structured classes in areas in national curriculum to ensure that they all learn a which Shirburnians seem to want instruction: wide variety of subjects, it would be a pity then to personal finance, good manners, behaviour and force them to give up the majority of those subjects etiquette; a broader curriculum might offer the or, alternatively, let them give up all of them. Far variety needed to start Shirburnians working; better to offer a wide range of courses - incor­ benefit could be obtained by studying, for example, porating practical as well as traditionally academic physics and theology - two rarely combined A subjects - to provide a widely ski.lled, broadly levels. educated populace. The objection that the standard There are certainly very important subjects would be lower is groundless: those who want to about which there is a high degree of ignorance. study just a few subjects in detail can do so at Philosophy is one - a subject interesting for its university. Those who do not will have, instead of own sake and yet also a very useful study for so unemployment benefit and criminal records, an many other areas: both arts and sciences. ln extensive, multi-coloured education.

3 mightily entertained: and the Abbey again hosted the Musical Society, which performed Brahms' Diary German Requiem. Alas, this was done in English, I imagine because Mr. Ellis speaks excellent German and couldn't face the prospect of dealing with 180 Someone I know, ordinarily empowered to choristers most of whom don't have this advantage. make decisions, tells me that he would not take But it was a noble success. Having sung in it my them in a corridor. Nor yet in the street, I say, opinion is naturally objective. which is where I was when I rashly agreed to write The U6 were put quite early into post­ this Diary. Later on, in conversation with another examinatfon mode, so were able to relax and no Sherbo me luminary, I suggested that it could turn doubt enjoy the delights of the U6 dance; Lyon out to be largely fiction. He seemed to think that thoughtfully provided their annual jumble sale on there'd be nothing new in that, nor would it the same day so that the lads could get their gear for necessarily be a disadvantage. I mention this solely the evening. for the benefit of historians in the 21st century, who Behind the scene many things happen which might make the mistake of regarding this primary nevertheless affect the lives of Shirburnians present source with rather more seriousness than it and to come. The Blue Book mentioned the F & GP deserves, long after this pen has ceased to move. meeting, which I suppose is unintelJjgible to most (Pause for sad and sober reflection.) I don't worry who read it. ll is the financial sub-committee of the that present Shirburnians will so regard it; I am Governing body, and it is they who take the major perfectly well aware that few of them will read it. planning decisions; the effect immediately is that Enough of the preamble, designed to allow me the mooted tenth house is not going to be built to collect my thoughts and to dissuade you from in the near future. In the wider sphere the Secretary reading further. Probably one will prove ineffec­ of State was hatching all sorts of new plans and tual. abandoning others, so that it is hard to see whither The Lent Term is a pusillanimous little affair; education is going in the next few years. The most scarcely half a real term, some would say. Yet much immediate concern for those doing exams was happens, or, at least, is supposed to. For the third whether their spelling would be penalised; first yes, 'experimental' year the 5th and U6th faced trial then no, then maybe. The answer is that if what's exams right at the start of term, and many of the written is unintelligible, you get no marks for it. staff fondly imagined that since these involved This seems wholly reasonable, after several months' them in so much work it would be fair that such discussion. would also be the case for the examinees. The The Diarist is, traditionally, anonymous, like staff's incipient decrepitude around week four sug­ the prefactory writer to Crockford's. Perhaps not gests that the fond imaginings were ill-founded. wholly anonymous, but often unsung, is the Nonetheless, the usual predictions were made, to be member of staff who runs The Shirburnian and ignored by the Exam Board and to be analysed in who, for a good proportion of the term, finds that detail by those so disposed. Whole forests will The Shirburnian runs him. Patrick Haigh has done disappear in consequence! the job for many years, and I would like to As for the rest, what to say? Later there are acknowledge here on your behalf the enormous doubtless reviews a-plenty, perhaps a word or two amount of work and concern which he bas brought about games will creep in here and there, and the to the job, and the quality which under his guidance Chronicle will Chronicle. It makes the Diarist feel a the magazine has achieved. This is his last edition. bit redundant! Four houses decided that there was So there we are. Not so much a Diary, more a nowhere near enough to do in such a long term, so ramble through the bran-tub of one's brain. I have offered house plays; four ditto concerts, Abbey and decided that writing is easy; you sit and stare at a Westcott offering both. As well as this musical blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form richness, Anthony Hopkins asked in a L6 lecture on your forehead. whether Music is a language, and did so with elan which ensured an attentive audience which was also The Sherborne Diarist

4 Obiter Dicta

Boy: 'What did you want to do when you left school, Sir?' D.C.B. (Careers Master): 'I wanted to leave school.'

Matthew Austen: 'There are more mirrors in my study than in the whole of Abbeylands.'

Boy (at the end of the lesson): 'Can we stop, Sir?' J-M.P.: 'If you want; but I'm not going to stop talking.'

Same boy: 'Are you listening to me or not, Sir?' J-M.P.: 'No, I'm not actually.'

S.H. : 'What is wrong with Cleopatra is not just that she's a woman.'

Son of R.P.P. (10): 'But what exactly is a prostitute?' Son of J.R.G.B. (13): 'It's the opposite of being a Catholic. N.E.F.: 'Feudalism ... was one of the issues which caused major constipation in the eleventh century.'

S.H.: 'There's nothing as mature as a dead body.'

P.C.E.: ' I'm so glad the girls have been able to hold their own against the boys.'

S.F.W.: 'Taking GCSEs is just like prostitution.

A.K.J.M. (Answering a question on what happens in U6 General English): 'It all depends on the master you teach.'

S.P.H.H. (to his Upper Sixth): 'If ignorance is bliss, l can't think why you're all looking so miserable.' Boy: 'Did you hear about that massive police-raid on the acid-house party down on Lenthay during the holidays?' G.D.R. (indignantly): 'It wasn't that big!'

S.K.W.: 'This lesson is for those of you who thought logarithms were a lumberjack contraception method.'

Report attached by Prep. School to Common Entrance script: 'He is dyslexic, but no extra time has been allowed. Innately bright. Mathematicaly (sic) dyslexic (Dyscalcula).

5 THE CHRONICLE

Music

D. H. Caesar (m) gave a tuba recital in Bournemou1h on 25th March and as a result has been awarded the Junior Recital Certificate of the Guildhall School of Music.

H . D. L. Davies (m), J . P . Kershaw (b), G. T. Manland (f), D. W. Price (e) and H.J. C. Twyford (e) have been playing in the Dorset Youth Orchestra.

The following were awarded distinctions in Associated Board Examinations:

Name House Instrument Grade Mark J. B. H. Reed h Percussion 5 133 R. Hands b Harpsichord 8 132 R. S. G. James f Clarinet 6 131 H. W. L. Glass e Violin 6 130 C. w. Lees e Trumpet 8 130 H. J. C. Twyford e Viola 8 130

Sport

Hockey: C. J. Sman (g): Dorset Under 16 XI. A. M . Crouch (m), N. J. Henderson (f), A. D. Nurton (m): Dorset Under 14 XI.

Rugby: A. C. Dibben (f) played for The Eagles Rugby Team on their tour of south-west France.

Cross-Country: E. C. A. Raymond (m) won the Dorset Under 20 Championship and came second in the South-West Championships. J.P. W . Chubb (b) and B. P. Oliver (m) represented Dorset in the All-England Cross-Country Cham­ pionship.

Cricket: J . L. Pexton (c) played on the South Glamorgan Schools' Under 19 1our of Australia during the Easier holidays. G. W . Garrett (a) has been selected for 1he Dorset Under 16 team tour of Canada in August, 1991.

6 Orienteering: G. M. Evans (b) has been awarded Avon County Orienteering Colours.

Badminton: M. R. King (d) and N. M. Lamb (d) won the Somerset Schools' Badminton Leagues.

General

D. H. Edwards (a) has been accepted by the National Youth Theatre. B. W. Morris (f) has been awarded a Flying Scholarship. E. M. N-R. Holme (b) has won a Scholarship from British Gas. J. G. W. Conlin (b) won the Dorset Under 15 Chess Championship.

Compiled from information supplied by Housemasters, the Director of Studies, the Director of Music and the Masters in Charge of Sport

7 The Act

bY RICllll'tl Ungrtdll ll lakes considerable injtiative and much courage to perform a screenplay with little or no previous stage history. The freedom of inter­ pretation can prove a hindrance, and difficulties in translating material intended originally for the screen only become most apparent after a good deal of hard work has already been expended. More­ over, John Hodgkinson 's sudden but grave illness meant that the burden of production, originally to be shared, had to be shouldered alone by Rupert Oymock-Maunsell. His achievement, and that of his cast and production team, thus becomes doubly clear. Audiences on successive nights enjoyed some intriguing theatre. Two potential dangers lurked in the script: both can be guessed from the title. One was that the weight of self-reference in the play would become stifling. All four characters achieved self-distancing and self-suppression in a variety of ways, and per­ formances ramify. Thus Paul Clarke and Nigel Wraxall had to act actors acting or not acting in one sense but definitely 'acting' in another, and so on.

The other, not unconnected, potential problem was cliche. 'This is Auschwitz', we are told. Paul Clarke managed to look bemused; not so the audience. And since when has Frink been a Gentile name? In fact, the curtain opened upon a large, well­ furnished room that could have been anywhere from the Carpathians lo Crown Cottage. On stage came two actors, begjnning, in a desultory way, to prepare for the night's performance. They loo are ignorant of the location, and the exploration of the pressure that this puts upon them I found one of the strongest features of the play. Trains arrive, troops are heard marching, there are air-raids, but these things only increase their uncertainty. What type of performance will be required? 'Clowning's safer,' said Paul Clarke early on. He seemed to have a point. Certainly the brief scenes of slapstick showed him and Nigel Wraxall most at ease with each other, on the first night at least. Frink and Hansen are professionals, partners in a variety act, using theatre as a form of going underground to escape confrontation with a Nazi regime. One is a communist, the other finally affirms himself a Jew. The script admittedly focuses on the tension between them as much as on any rapport or complicity. But sometimes, un­ certain pacing and rapid changes of mood made the gap between the characters open implausibly wide.

9

meal on stage, encroaching on the dialogue to just the right extent, is no small task. Many ideas meet in the part of Steiner, played by John Carlyle-Clarke. He worked hard to hold the different strands together, but finding the right tone, and suitable conviction, was a challenge. Steiner is supposed to be a Nazi, with theatrical training, also a high official in the concentration camps, known to the common soldier as the Army Saviour. He creates a play out of a Jewish mock­ trial of God, and lures Frink and Hansen, old theatrical acquaintances, to take part in it. How dangerous can Steiner be made to be, in a sequence of speeches that do little more than sketch a credo? Coherence was a problem, and it was hard to believe that this was a target not made of too many handfuls of straw. By the time The Shirburnian appears, this pro­ duction will be on its way to Edinburgh, a sign of deserved success, one, moreover, recognised by the play's author, who was present on the final night. This, perhaps, is all that need be said.

M.J.B.

The Guinea Pig

bY warren Chatham-strode The Abbey House Play

I can't help wondering, as I write this review, how Read would have done it. Read is the guinea­ pig in Chetham Strode's scholastic play, and it is his progress through the school and, moreover, the house that is presented in The Guinea-Pig. He is a working-class stereotype, and inevitably his Individually the quality of the performances was character conflicts with the public school very high. From an opening dialogue that is uneven stereotypes at Saintbury School: this is the central in tempo and often inconsequential, real person­ issue in the play. The challenge is of 'opening doors ality emerged. In Hansen (Paul Clarke) there really wider', and this is epitomized by the disagreement was kindness, humour and conviction, overlaid un­ between the housemaster, who wants to spend predictably by fear. His sudden bursts of apparent­ money on a new school hall - a grand symbol, and ly undisciplined energy seemed right, and it was the tutor who prefers bursaries for orphans. Read possible to sense their danger. Frink was a part that also challenges the system which, in his initially seemed to play perhaps too much to Nigel housemaster's phrase, aims to 'turn them out to a Wraxall's strengths. The script makes him a man pattern', for Read does not fit that pattern: he 'with the appearance of authority', and Wraxall wants work not sport, girls not boys, wisdom not conveyed how vulnerable that authority was, even wealth. when it has to be reasserted in the final scene: tone This and much more was brought out of a play and gesture were impressively controlled. which relies heavily on cliches, and humour that is As the white-faced valet, the most consummate unsustained and predictable. It was a pity that 'actor' of all four characters, Guy Cubitt gave a many of those in the audience found some of the performance of suitably unobtrusive excellence. At more moving moments amusing and this lightened one point his lines verge on Beckett-parody: he the atmosphere. However, this did not detract from rescued them. And to set and clear an elaborate Mr. Wellby's skilful and stylish direction. The

11 abrupt beginnings and endings of scenes were effec­ (Lucy Awdry) successfully softened the harshness tive in portraying the five years which were squash­ of public school life with her compassionate, sym­ ed into a couple of hours. The final, candlelit, scene pathetic and cleverly restrained manner. She was a formed an appropriate background 10 an open and perfect complement to Hartley and played the sickeningly happy ending. The almost repetitive pseudo-upper-class wife glued to her motherliness punctuation of knocks on the door and buzzes with just a touch of irony. Lynne, her daughter from the telephone took the play right into a house­ (Louise King), was pleasantly emotional, naive and master's life. yet sensible, more comfortable with her father than Read was thoroughly self-confident and defiant her future husband. and it was this that was most evident in Alastair There were some very interesting minor perfor­ Crawford's performance. However, the out-of­ mances which by turns, albeit sometimes brieny, place Read is invariably nervous and this produced created the atmosphere for the play. Christopher a contrast which Crawford conveyed excellently: Colby and Clare Witheridge played Mr. and Mrs. when threatened, he spoke the awkward, unnatural Read with just a hint of caricature, and were 'Sir' that is so familiar to any schoolboy in trouble, cleverly placed, both literally and metaphorically, and when he gained confidence, notably when below the socially superior Hartleys. The sycophan­ Lorraine, the tutor, showed a genuine interest in tic head of house (William Cook) successfulJy him (an enquiry after his girlfriend - 'Was she repelled the audience with his irritating manner. good looking?' - a question about his father and, The headmaster (Nicholas Sherwin) was well cast most effectively, an interest in his books), then and was very impressive at being calmly dominant, Read became the cheerful, relaxed character that he though he had a tendency to over-emphasize. truly is. Crawford was aided by the detail of his All of the actors benefited from Mr. Wellby's clothes - scruffy, cheap and inferior. fine directorial talents and Simon Barrington's The bridge that ultimately connects Read with equally fine management of the stage. The set was the establishment is the house tutor - youthful, nicely balanced and proportioned, and firmly sensible and broad-minded. Lorraine (Robert revealed the age of the play (as did the pro­ Crawford) was the ring-master co-ordinating the vocative music) but seemed to be slightly lacking in other acts; he was the only character who did not go originality, particularly given that the two studies through a significant change and he always main­ were so similar. The costumes were also effective, tained an ideal balance between wisdom and sen­ although some of the suits were noticeably iU­ sitivity. Fortunately Abbey House possessed an fitting. The only disappointment for me was the actor of outstanding ability who was perfectly cast. lack of originality and real force in the script, Robert Crawford gave a very controlled perfor­ something which was, however, made up for in the mance, his presence always felt but never imposing portrayals of the characters. on the other characters. He fitted naturally into the It would be a pity that (for reasons of originality part, from the awkward limp to the gentlemanly and light entertainment) houses resort to such habits. trivial and insignificant plays were it not for the fact Hartley, the housemaster (Robert Hands), was that they continue to be performed to such a high the symbol of the traditionalist conservatism of the standard. Abbey House made the most out of a school, and naturally was the enemy of Read in the play that was unoriginal, predictable and first act. However, Read exposes his faults leaving frustratingly unfunny. I think Read would have Hartley more aware of himself at the end of the enjoyed it (he was genuinely interested in studying play, when he remarks that ' It isn't that I object to literature) although he would have seen a gross change. The truth is that I can't change ... I exaggeration of real life, and an all too perfect con­ can't adapt to new ideas.' Hands was effective in clusion. He would no doubt have recognised the portraying Hartley's genuine feelings - in a quality of the acting and would have drawn com­ dishevelled ending and in the tenderness within his parisons between the 1940s and the 1990s. If so, he family which had been so skilfully suppressed in the would have found very little similarity between the earlier acts. Indeed, the role of Hartley does not two schools (Saintbury and Sherborne) and even really warm up until the second act, and till then less between his housemaster's pompous lack Hands was prone to stand awkwardly and move of understanding and Mr. Wellby's masterful uncomfortably and this undermined the excellent production. quality of his voice. The place of the family alongside that of the James Nurton school was an important theme, and Mrs. Hartley

12 Lndeed, there was much to praise: bold and colour­ ful touches were prevalent throughout the play. Accidental Death of The set was particularly striking: police bollards and a cordon of security tape gave a boundary to an Anarchist the stage, and a drape with the openjng lines of the play emblazoned on it hung at the back. These gestures of boldness and emphasis found echoing expression in the acting. bJ Dario Fo The plot, simple enough to grasp as one watches the play, is curiously difficult to summarize, a fact that indicates the ingenuity of the script. At the The Westcott House Plav beginning, a Police Inspector, Bertozzo, announces the death, in suspicious circumstances, of an anar­ Dario Fo's success with Accidental Death of an chist at the local police station. He is then seen Anarchist has made him the most performed living questioning a character called the 'Maniac', but is playwright in the world, and in many ways it is not baffled by the Maniac's clever talk and unwittingly djfficult to see why: he writes simply, humorously allows the Maniac licence to roam his office. The and with a style to which an audience can easily Maniac seizes this opportunity to play havoc with relate. This, his most celebrated play, has a curious the police files and effect an 'escape' from the attraction through its satire and crude language. It station. The word 'escape' is used advisedly is easy to comprehend and there need be no here, for the Maniac returns in the second scene, thoughtful reflection on the text. ln short, the play disguised as a magistrate, to quiz the other appeals to a wider spectrum than many plays do, Inspector, Pissani, and the Superintendent about being accessible to the masses but perhaps offensive the death of this anarchist. He exposes brilliantly to the purist. It is probably for that reason that I the many flaws in the police argument, giving Fo an feel disinclined to see the play again, and not opportunity to comment at length on the corrupt­ because I found MPO'C's production lacking. ness of the Italian police force.

13 After some lime, the journalist Feletti arrives policemen free and they, corrupt to the last, hand­ at the station, determined to unearth enough cuff him to the rail, condemning him to die. information to make a 'scoop' for his paper. The I liked the production in many ways. One of the Maniac changes coat once more to aid the police ideas which I felt worked part!cularly well was the against the scandal-mongering journalist, and substitution of Jerusalem in place of the Italian this seems to be working until Benozzo makes a national anthem, the song which closes the first act reappearance, recognises the true identity of the and opens the second. Credit in no small amount Maniac and tries to expose him. This is firmly therefore goes 10 che director, MPO'C, for his resisted by Pissani and the Superintendent, ideas on the text and his handling of his actors, believing he will ruin the whole situation. none of whom let him down. Frustrated, Bertozzo produces a gun, threatening The accors - in true Westcottian fashion this to shoot the other policemen unless they let him was an all-male cast - were all well suited to have his say. He reveals who the Maniac really is their roles, and this was particularly true of the and has the policemen in the room (Pissani, the acting of Hadleigh Graves, the Maniac. His was the Superintendent and the Constable) handcuffed to a largest role, and he was able to combine swiftness rail. The Maniac, realising his chance for freedom, of speech (never slurred) with sharp movement and produces the detonator for the bomb which Bertoz­ a commanding presence on stage. At times one zo had brought in with him, has that policeman sensed his identity was not always clear (as the handcuffed too, and leaves the room with the bomb Maniac is not tied down to one type of character), set to explode and Feletti the only one free. The but this was a minor objection, and I enjoyed play closes with a 'choice' of endings: either Feletti Graves's performance immensely. runs out, leaving the policemen to die, or he sets the The two Inspectors contrasted in both approach and personality. Colin Keatinge took the role of Bertozzo, and drew on his natural nerviness 10 pro­ duce a bouncy, super-sensitive policeman. His perpetual motion dovetailed well with the Maniac's smooth talking, although at times one felt there could be a Jillie more variation in his acting. His counterpart, as Inspector Pissani, was Alistair Harris. There looked 10 be a danger of over- 1ypecasting here when he announced himself with a punch to Bertozzo's jaw, but this was merely a fai;ade; he was always acting a defensive role, and he succeeded in finding the right lone, and a range of facial expression that added greatly to the originality of his performance. Harris was at his most entertaining in concert with the Superintendent, Richard Masters, whose limp-wristed caricature was another super touch. The audience were greatly amused by his aside during the major scene change during the ftrst act. Masters gave the impression of enjoying himself all through the performance. Charles Dolman played the Constable. His part is small but he was a good counterfoil lo the main actors; unobtrusive and refined, he looked at ease with his role in a way 1ha1 suggests he will be able to take on larger and more demanding parts in the future. Felelti, played by Piers VeUacott, was per­ sistent and irritating in the true paparazzi style, adding an extra dimension to the play and pro­ viding its absurd climax .. Westcott have built up an excellent reputation for their house plays; a combination of good choices of texts and well-cast, talented actors have made their plays well worth seeing. That reputation certainly remained intact after their performance of Accidental Death of an Anarchist. It was a triumph.

Robert Hands

14 with every expectation of seeing his hero un­ tarnished - as good as the reports he had heard of Journey's End him. And the naive devotion, the willingness to please, and an ardent desire to prove himself a man were communicated clearly. Stanhope, despite being an effective captain, had become an alcoholic bV R. c. Sherrllf as a consequence of his experiences at the front. It was with a controlled blend of rage and shame that The Dlabv House Plav he regarded Raleigh's arrival in his company: rage at the sudden intrusion of this token of the old world; shame in that their relationship must Journey's End is an exciting and moving play. undergo a realignment - he was no longer the Remarking upon its suitability as a school produc­ hero that Raleigh held him to be. Hugh Pugsley tion risks the misconception that it is a simple and handled these subtle demands with great effect. undemanding piece: it is not. But set entirely in the It is easy to become fatigued with a play whose British trenches, days before the Ballle of St. Quen­ every scene involves some dramatic climax, and tin in 1918, it is not as far a cry from an English there is a risk of overaJJ natness if these are not public school, March 1991, as it may seem. played with varying degrees of intensity. By a con­ Although the action covers just four days, the trolled letting of blood Pugsley inflicted on characters' histories are extensively portrayed. The his audience something sharp, rather than a play focuses upon the developing relationship bet­ massively exhausting burden. Osborn, played by ween Captain Stanhope, war-hardened and heavy­ Nicholas Joly, was perhaps too consistent in his in­ drinking, and Lt. Raleigh, a boy fresh from public tensity; but as the sage-like figure around whom the school. It was at school that these two first met, and emotions of aJJ his company jerked and changed, formed that relationship between a junior and he was convincing and solid. His nostalgic recol­ senior boy whose driving force is hero-worship. lections of teaching and of foraging for plants in The attitudes established in the past are crucial English forests created the atmosphere necessary in determining how the characters interact during for achieving the contrast between the old l.ife, and the time spanned by the play itself. 1n this respect, life at the frontline. Hugh Pugsley as Stanhope, and Anthony Binnie as With few moments of weakness, the dialogue Raleigh, were excellent. Raleigh arrived at his post was taut and gripping. Particularly successful were

15 moments like that of the announcement of the date the most obvious of facial expressions. It was only of the offensive, where calculation of pause is in the final scene, when Stanhope was stooping crucial. Another was lhal in which Stanhope con­ over Raleigh's body, and a candle was dangerously fronted the hypochondriac Hibbert. Outmoded ex­ close lo his face, that one could see what detail one pressions like 'topping', and such encouragements had been missing. The other weakness was in the as 'the only decent thing a man can do' seem to casting, of Lt. Hibbert in particular. He was played come very naturally to Stanhope. Both he and by Nicholas Shearer, who performed admirably. Raleigh handled the final scenes exceptionally. But the unfortunate effect of having a person of his Moving moments can be embarrassing and size, and tone of voice, playing a part like Hibbert Raleigh's death brings about a reconciliation or is that the audience react in a manner entirely un­ affirmation of affection between the men which, if called for by the play itself. They do not laugh at uncontrolled, could well be soppy. Sentimentality the nature of Hibbert as revealed through his was well checked throughout. The movement at the Lines - for those cannot provoke more than a con­ end of the play is far more tumultuous than the temptuous grunt. They laugh because those lines slower first acts, an imbalance in the script which are uttered by a person absurdly unsuited to them was overcome in the performance. and the character whom he portrays. That distor­ Two aspects of the production flawed its tion of response to character detracts from the ultimate effect. The first was the lighting, which production as a whole. was dismally inadequate. A trench-like atmosphere Despite this, there was no instance in which the was stunningly created: furniture was rugged and audience's attention was permitted to flag. ll was a minimal, and communal disorder was punctuated polished production, and as enjoyable as such a with those few homely objects that soldiers might depressing play can ever be. be expected lo carry about with them. It was also realistically dim - too dim to discern more than Richard Dyson

16 has used the story of the 'ghost train' to keep people away, and it has worked, so they try again The Ghost Train with this unwelcome group. All credit must go to Mrs. Patricia Harris, the director, who made a sensible decision at the stan, br Arnold Ridler and that was to make it a spoof. There was no way, given the type of language, that this could have been played seriously to an audience at a boys' Thll Lron HOUlll PIH public school. It worked very well as a comedy, and this came through in the casting, from the principal Perhaps it is because I am a Cornishman myself characters to the softly-spoken Jackson (Miles that I found this story chilling and compelling, but Jones) and the silent PC Smith (Marcus d'Apice). this would not be a satisfactory explanation for why One of the most difficuh things in school acting l found it to be a good production. I say this is making the people who know you forget that they because the play is not only a Cornish ghost story, know you and thus allow them to concentrate on but it is also a story of smugglers (an old family the character you are portraying, and this demands trade), even though they are caught. The set was a convincing performance; an audience full of of the small waiting-room of a wayside Comish friends is harder to play to than one of strangers. station called Fat Vale. A small group of passengers From the beginning, Paddy Moreton showed the is forced to stay the night because their train (the audience he was Saul Hodgkin, at home with his last one of the day) has had its communication cord pipe, fluffy beard and stereotyped Cornish accent. I pulled by a young man who claims to have lost his mention Paddy because he happened to be the rirst hat. He eventually reveals that he is a Police Inspec­ to appear, but he set an example most managed to tor investigating the gang of smugglers. The gang follow.

17 Inevitably, some will find it easier than others, one of these being George Keightley. George con­ quered my preconceptions playing Teddy Deakin, Professional Theatre the Police Inspector who makes himself unpopular by stopping the train and, even more so, by crack­ ing jokes all the time. He could have done with ELIZUETH'S LAST STHD more voice changes to avoid patchiness in his humour, but he injected a lot of life into the pro­ Iola RH duction. Unfortunately he was not as convincing If one expected 1his performance 10 fall short of the when serious, but this hardly mattered as the focus programme's claims of 'ludicrous absurdity', coupled was more on the stronger peformance of Clair with 'controlled lunacy', one was certainly disappointed. Rochester. This was an intense performance for In a masterpiece of mime, Nola Rae proved, if proof were such a light-hearted production, but it worked well needed, that she is an artist of the highest calibre. Even a in its contrast. Her change from innocent to basic grasp of the plot highlights the adventurous nature of an undertaking such as Elizabeth's Last Stand. For in criminal was very surprising but no less convincing this mime there was only one character, a middle aged for that. Her fellow smugglers, James Pratt and single woman, who, 10 offset the tedious na1ure of her Christopher Smart, were slightly overshadowed but mundane everyday life, engaged in a fantasy of the most gave enjoyable performances, though the latter exrraordinary nature, imagining herself 10 be Elizabeth I. appeared a little too nervous to enjoy his own. The juxtaposition of lifestyles, from the grind of the As a sub-plot, the development of the married everyday 10 1he elevated finery of regal existence, can be compared throughout with the similarities in character of relationships was pleasant to watch. The newly­ the two women. Both women are essentially unfulfilled weds (Henry Chappell and Jo Richards) were rather and unhappy and in their own ways distanced from nor­ touching in their search for understanding, always mality. This potentially unfeasible combina1ion of ideas is trying to please one another, though it was clear explored and achieved brilliantly in a performance both that they cared deeply for each other. Happy entertaining and humorous. A simplistic set proved deceptive, as clever use of endings are always pleasant to watch, and that of costume and props in several functions added to the the Winthrops (Emma Noake, James East) was no ludicrous nature of the play. A tea cosy doubling as exception, though I feel they worked better Elizabeth l 's wig is an example of humour imparted together when they hated each other, because through everyday objects, a feature common in the per­ James was better as the automated, proud formance. Having begun her peformance from within the rows of the audience, Nola Rae continued to place businessman than the romantic. There were no such a marked emphasis on audience participation which, problems in Jessica Rushwonh's portrayal of the coupled with improvisation. proved tremendously spinster Miss Bourne. Though she spent most of the popular with the audience. An ahogether rounded perfor­ time sleeping, it was an extremely humorous perfor­ mance, the mime was enhanced by both excellent lighting mance while she was awake. and sound effects and the dynamic nature of Nola Rae's I had heard m1sg1vmgs from the cast expressiveness. If one is to find a fault within the perfor­ mance. it is that it placed a possibly overbearing historical beforehand, especially about lines, but few mis­ emphasis on the life of Elizabeth I. Although the bctter­ takes were evident. Most of those that there were known events of Elizabeth's reign, such as the discovery merely added to the spoof humour, for instance of the potato, were introduced and dealt with successful­ Henry Chappell's cap gun getting stuck in his ly, I felt the subtler emotional upheaval experienced by pocket (though I understand that he thought he had Queen Elizabeth on the execution of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, was lost 10 a scciion of the audience. shot himself in the foot the night before!). I was However, despite this, the performance was appealing impressed to note that when a window was cracked 10 both young and old, with sustained humour rather than broken, the script was ever so slightly throughout. Eliwbeth 's Last Stand proved successful also changed to fit in with that; a small point, you might in a school context, a factor not always considered by think , but it is the mark of a thinking actor and, I touring companies and refreshing to see. feel, a hallmark of the production. It was a good Alistair Harris team performance, including those backstage and involved in the preparations, and that is very important. This is never going to be a classic of MISS JULIE English literature, nor will this production be one of the best the School has seen, but it was very ran Optic Theatre company entertaining, being both funny and scary, and all credit goes to the ac1ors and 1he director. In his preface to Miss Julie, Strindberg states that in it 'life is seen from more than one viewpoint'. Bearing this in mind, it at first seems a very courageous decision by A avid Carter Pan Optic's Dominic Cooke 10 rework a complex Swedish tragedy into a Caribbean background. However, having seen the production, it is easy to make 1he mistake of thinking that the play was originally set in the colonial Wcs1 Indies, so well does it fit into the strained society where native superstition and frustration are pitted r# against colonial dominance. 18 The play relates the events in a plantation owner's As I have said, most of the plot is told as a narraLive house on a carnival night, and explores the human and this did lead to rather dull and tedious patches. relationship of master/servant well. The two main However, the actors did well to maintain a little energy characters, Miss Julie (the daughter of the house) and even at the most dire moments. The fact that the play Jean (her father's manservant) become intimate, and only keeps moving at all must surely be a credit to Karen Ford realize the full horror of their situation the following and Bernard Brown, the players, who gave strong perfor­ morning. Corrine Manin portrayed Miss Julie's alternate mances at all times. I would say, however, that certain feelings of complete helplessness and a desire to remain aspects of character f would not have been able to glean aloof very well, and her interaction with Linford Brown, without reading 1he r~ume in the Powell Theatre who played Jean, served well 10 highlight the intensive programme. social pressures of a colonized society. The third actor, This may have been the fault of the direction, but Heather Gillespie, played her minor role well, despite otherwise Harry Landis did a marvellous job. He brought slight lapses in her accent, when she did not seem 10 know 10 the play a sense of movement 1ha1 it certainly needs, whether she was in Birmingham or Barbados. and this aspect was helped considerably by the width of What really brought the production to life was the the Powell Theatre stage, which in past productions has pace at which the actors carried it through. They managed hindered focus. to convey the heady atmosphere of a highly-charged All in all, I think Brackenbury Productions have Caribbean carnival night very effectively, and a clever use pulled off a tremendous feat with a dull script. I did not of sound effects aided them here, alerting the audience 10 really enjoy the play but I am sure its reception would be a a mob, never seen but continually heard, approaching the lot warmer in a non-school environment. This should not, house. I hope, dissuade the Theatre Manager from booking 'un­ The atmosphere was only really interrupted when the seen' plays as it is plain 1ha1 some will be very successful. actors carried out a seemingly unnecessary and prolonged scene change which only succeeded in disrupting the Jonathan Fawkncr action and boring the audience. The set was adequately changed by an imaginative use of lighting - especially silhouc11ing some of the more macabre action in the play. The aim of the production was to bring a classic text 10 a contemporary audience, and Pan Optic certainly STREET BEAT achieved this, while at the same time providing a very vivid insight into nineteenth century colonial life. Remould Thealre company

Jeremy Allan Srreer Bear wast.he result of two writers, Rupert Creed and Peter Spafford, working next 10 the men and women of the Humberside Police Force for nearly six months. This research produced 1925 pages of typed interviews, which had to be reduced to a play only two hours long. HCOUHER II THE WILDEHESS Everything was included in this play. The plot follow­ ed a new policeman from his nervousness on his first day Brackenbury Productions on the beat, 10 his family problems and through many of the pressures of the job. The play was almost too full of The absence of reviews on the billing for this produc­ different experiences. The writers had too much material, tion obviously did not dissuade the Theatre Manager and had failed 10 cut enough out, and this left the play from booking it. Perhaps it should have done because the skipping from scene to scene very quickly. play was not really suitable for school consumption. Not The play was saved from confusion and failure by ex­ that the play was visually dull, far from it. The set, con­ cellent design and acting. The set was simple, but well sisting of a twelfth century interior, was large and strik­ thought out. When the actors used it, it changed from a ingly realistic. If the standard of the set was anything to convincing police station, to a mortuary, a street, and a go by at the beginning of the play, the audience was in for squad car. The simple design meant no scene changes, a treat. However, a play that uses one set only must be and so the play moved quickly. The five actors very quite riveting, especially for a large school audience, in effectively played policemen, criminals and policemen's order 10 retain interest. Although the story is quite wives, with minimal costume changes in between. To my interesting, Hugh Carr, the play's author, chose to con­ mind the best pan of the design was the use of the lights. centrate on the plot through the reminiscences of the two Between scenes the lights were dimmed sharply. This gave characters. This did not obviously provide much visual a clear 'cut', and cleverly avoided any confusion. stimulation, which the school audience could have done The play dealt with serious subjects, from the police with, to create more interest. point of view. We saw the anger and exasperation a The story concerns Peter Abelard and his pupil, policeman gets when a criminal is allowed to walk free. Heloise, and the scandal that surrounded their romance. We felt the feelings of betrayal caused by an internal Abelard was a much respected cleric who was at the police investigation, and the immense strain put on him forefront of twelfth century learning in Paris. He would by the public on one side and his superior officers on the have been assured a brilliant future in the church but for other. his passion for Heloise. As a compromise he married Light relief, which was well earned, consisted of three Hcloise in secret and incurred the wrath of her uncle songs and a few jokes. The songs were well-wriuen, lively Fulben, a canon of Notre Dame. Fulbert exacted his and fun, while the humour was basic, but funny. Without revenge by having Abelard castrated. Abelard Lhen aban­ humour a policeman would not be able 10 do his job, and doned Heloise and joined the Benedictine Order, oblivious this would have been a dull play. 10 his wife or newly-born son. After Abelard's departure, The play was realistic in every way, from the police Heloise, in accordance with her husband's wishes, terminology 10 the policemen's ha1s. A policeman's job is becomes a nun and it is in the somewhat non-conformist his life, and it is not an easy one. They have to protect and convent, in which Heloise has become superior, that the control a public that is certainly not always on their side, two meet again after ten years. Abelard is wracked by and I was left admiring people who can do such a difficult guilt, but Heloise cannot acept his excuses. job with the humour and intelligence shown in the play.

Ben Oliver 19 conductor. In quieter moments, space was left for gracefulness and poise, and if the wind chords were Sherborne School not always quite evenly graded, then put it down to a single rehearsal and a wickedly difficult acoustic. Musical Society Enter the chorus. Their first lead in the Haydn was a confident and sunny unison (more thoughtful planning from PCE?) and their phrasing was as im­ maculate as their turn-out. Only occasionally were 1991 was the year of Johannes Brahms. On the semi-quaver details lost to the cavernous volumes sixth of February - earlier in the academic ye.ar of the building, and the basses especially pointed than usual - the Musical Society, a chorus of one their line with fine articulation at Te gloriosus. hundred and eighty voices these days, combined Strong will from the conductor and moderation with soprano and baritone soloists and an orchestra from the orchestra achieved a nice balance between of forty-five players to perform the Tragic Overture forces. A brief change of mode and tempo for Te and the German Requiem, separated before the ergo quaesumus, and then back to pacy vitality for interval by Haydn's Te Deum for the Empress Aeterna Jae cum sanctis. Confident that the chorus Marie Therese. would be equal to the challenge, PCE chose 10 So much for the annals. For those lucky enough disregard the moderato instruction. And so it to be present in the Abbey, this was an evening of proved. There was precise dove-tailing at Per memorable performances. In the Haydn, which is singulos dies, another imposing unison at Dignare all exuberance and coruscation, Paul Ellis had Domine, accurately pointed semi-quavers at chosen the perfect foil for the sombre, more in­ Domine sperari and exquisite intonation from the trospective, darker colourings of the Brahms works sopranos in the chromatic intervals of sine peccato. on either side. And yet, despite the differences in The orchestra provided surging momentum and, tone, style and scoring, there was an underlying as the musical thought became more concentrated, connection. For Brahms had undenaken an intense exciting suspensions, syncopated entries, study of the oeuvre of Haydn during the very diminished sevenths and a fugue flashed past. After decade when he was intermittently at work on the a dramatic hush at non confundar, strength was Requiem. Indeed he kept about him reminders of gathered for the final confident assertion. The the older master: a bust on the mantel-piece, the Abbey audience moved to chat and stretch their original manuscripts of six string quartets on his legs as happily, one guesses, as the Viennese court shelves and what was allegedly Haydn's own square in 1800 would have left the Hofburgkapelle on its piano in the corner of his living room. This was way 10 luncheon, confident in the knowledge that a programme of which Brahms would have ap­ God was in his Heaven and all was right with the proved. world. Vigour, intensity and high drama characterized The German Requiem is Brahms' most extensive the performance of the Tragic Overture, as the work. Of its seven movements dating from 1857 to orchestra responded to the clear intentions of the 1868, the second was written as a memorial for the

20 l composer's mentor, Robert Schumann, and the to obscure much of the detail. Not so in the fifth, the last to be incorporated, was his response graceful intermezzo which lies at the heart of the to the death of his mother. Two generations have work. Here all was clarity, shapeliness and lilt, with passed since the Haydn, and we have entered a dif­ a special moment for the altos at 'yea, blessed ... '. ferent world: the colours are no longer the whites In number five, the soprano Julie Kennard, the and gilts of praise, glory and Easter vestments, but other half of this talented husband-and-wife team, the browns and purples of doubt, introspection and soared above some ravishing string-playing, stoic resignation. displaying purity of line and variety of tone, The work rises from the depths - a pulsing although 'and your joy' might perhaps have been tonic pedal with marvellously sombre scoring for given more sweetness. The great climaxes in the divided violas and 'cellos above the double-basses. penultimate movement were immensely exciting: As the argument unfolded, the tenors found just the baritone was oracular in 'Behold, I show you a the right emphasis for the plan~ent Bbb on 'tears' mystery' and chorus and orchestra were triumphant and the whole chorus blended mto a rich gold at in 'Now death is swallowed up in victory'. The 'shalJ reap in joy'. In their turn the sopranos swept second great fugue (tempo again firmly under up effortlessly (or so it seemed) to the climactic high PCE's thumb) fared much better with the entries A at 'they shall be comforted'. clearly articulated. If the stamina of the chorus was Paul Ellis found a suitably relentless tempo for being tested, as it surely must have been, there was the macabre funeral march in three time and the little evidence of strain. The last movement, a muted strings and voices in bare unison responded reflection of the first in Brahms' great scheme, to the sinister mood. When the fortissimo state­ revealed some tasteful ensemble-playing from the ment came, its eerie intensity chilled the spine. brass and sensitive shaping from the altos, as, with Later, in a change of tone, the basses brought a passion spent, the final phrases lapsed again into F springy assurance to 'And the ransomed of the major and serene resignation. Lord'. while the orchestra might not have been en­ It had been a marvellous performance for which tirely content with the ensemble of the final aJJ those present in the Abbey owe a debt of ritenuto. grateful appreciation - to soloists, orchestra and The baritone soloist, Michael George, declaimed chorus, but above all to Paul Ellis whose overall the third movement with dramatic power and an conception it had been and whose skill as a choir­ attractive immediacy; his uuerances alternated hap­ trainer bad elicited these wonderfully expressive pily with the comments of the chorus. However, patterns of sound. Some may remember 1991 for although the fugue on a pedal point for six pages is the Gulf War or the Grand Slam, some even for the undoubtedly an intellectual tour deforce, it always Ribble Valley by-election, but it should be no sur­ causes problems. Indeed, it may never sound as prise if, from an appropriate distance, seventy-five good in performance as it looks on the page. Shirburnians recall 1991 as the year of Ein Despite the very deliberate tempo chosen by the Deutsches Requiem. conductor, the volume of the orchestra, the thickness of the scoring and the acoustic combined C.A.J.K.

•·

21 Alasdair possesses a remarkable quality in that he can play long rubato passages with freedom and 'Cello Recital spell-binding expression, yet still maintain a sense of rhythm that enables an accompanist to follow him with ease. His accompanist here, Miss Jennifer Coultas, must be doubly thanked, firstly for ILISOlll STIH&f making it to the concert at all - she was ill with ·nu all week prior to the recital - and secondly for the nawless performance she gave on the piano. All those fortunate enough to be present at this, Alasdair is most fortunate to have such a dedicated Alasdair Strange's first recital, wimessed an and skilled accompanist to work with and I wish outstanding performance. It was for him a them both the best of luck for further recitals (most tremendous test of character and nerves which he notably, ' Young Musician of the Year') in the embraced with an almost arrogant seJf-coafidence. future. Thanks are also due to Owen Clarke, His repertoire, despite its unfamiliarity, never at without whose organization the recital would have any time lacked variation or depth. In fact, every never taken place. person in the audience would have had some idea of The collection, in aid of the Rumanian Children the grandeur and seriousness of the works being Appeal, raised a generous £250. performed and have fell bound to treat them with respect. Daniel de Seider The Sonata in E major by Fran~ois Francoeur (a composer of little renown) is a piece in which emotion and sentiment are given strong prominence and, apart from a few minor discrepancies in intonation, he rose to this challenge very well. I particularly enjoyed his sensitive phrasing and shading in the largo Cantabile movement. With the initial bout of nervousness quickly Concert Club overcome, he gave a stirring recital of Schumann's Fontosiostacke, Op. 73, played with characteristic expression and liveliness. ln the final movement, Rosch und mil Feuer, there was brilliance, zest Andrew Lloyd Webber to Johann Sebastian and real drive, suitably received with unanimous Bach - such is the range of the Concert Club, applause. which opened this year with 'Love Changes In the Martinu, I could imagine some critics Everything' and closed with a quartet on period preferring a slightly safer recital but Alasdair's level instruments. Between, a string orchestra, an of spontaneity and dare-devilry had a thrilling extremely powerful pianist and a coolly elegam effect on all. The 'Variations on a theme of guitarist. Paganini' is a very demanding piece, including alJ the tricks possible with the 'cello - a virtuoso's feast! A few notes were groped at and, now and again, the piece seemed to need just a little more time to breathe but none of these smalJ quibbles was important enough to mar enjoyment of playing so strongly felt, and so energeticalJy as well as sensitively executed. Dynamic contrast and control Cantabile tackled Webber and, as with all the of speed over difficult rhythmic passages was items, they brought to it a polish which never exemplary. faltered. Their visual sense is striking, as they After the interval, there was a palpable sense of choreograph their movements stylishly and have freshness about him and I noticed that his 'cello a wide range of costumes. Their 'uniform' of sounded even better in tune - fully warmed up. extravagantly zipped jackets (each, of course, per­ One was made acutely aware throughout the whole sonalized) creates an identity which they skilfully of Brahms' Sonata in F, Op. 99, of the driving manipulate. So, in songs like 'Java Jive' or impetus behind the piece. The tumuhuous opening 'Swinging at the Cotton Club' the group success­ came across with quite exceptional warmth and fully acted out humorous scenes. With good fervour and the following Adagio offetuoso sus­ lighting, they were equally able to communicate the tained, (despite its sombre gravity), a compelling pathos in 'Scarborough Fair' or Kurt Weill's 'Jene intensity which was never for a moment alJowed to t'oime plus', sung with Gallic vehemence. This was relax. In its turn, the Allegro mo/to, perhaps even a polished evening, which was sophisticated both in more grandiose in style than the previous Allegro singing and movement. The programme was well­ passionoto, brought the recital to a rousing end. balanced; even in the B.S.R., in the midst of

22 earnest past Headmasters, 'Cantabile' created a A solo guitar performance has a quite different responsive atmosphere. atmosphere from that of a solo piano. Guillermo Fierens' recital was the highlight of this season for me. Mr. Fierens, an Argentinian who studied with Segovia, has a strong stage presence whkh focuses the attention of the audience intensely upon the guitar. The concentration of the audience was testimony 10 his character and technique, the latter The Budapest Strings is made up of graduates stunning yet unobtrusive. So, the glittering runs in from the Franz Liszt Academy; the quality of play­ 'Fandaguillo' by Joaquin Turina filled the B.S.R., ing was as high as anyone had imagined. The pre­ while the beauty of his interpretation of a Bach cision of their intonation and their range of tone Chaconne came from his control and deliberate were exploited in another intemgently-chosen pro­ understatement. The two sets of Preludes and gramme, which played upon different facets of the Etudes by the Brazilian Villa-Lobos showed Mr. ensemble. The sheer energy of playing in a Con­ Fierens in quite a different climate, bringing out the certo for Violin, 'Cello and Strings by Vivaldi car­ sensuous qualities of the guitar. The charm of his ried through the whole concert. Two other Italian introduction to each piece and the beauty of his works followed: a concerto by Donjzetti and a playing made this a memorable evening. charming piece by Respighi. The Ancient Airs and Dances date from 193 1, but evoke a timeless rustic quality. The group brought out the contrasts in the piece, from the rhythmic to the melancholy. The highlight of the evening was their performance of Bartok's Divertimeno for Strings. Written only eight years after the Respighi, it inhabits a rufferent Finally, another ensemble. Music Antiqua from world, more aggressive and more intense. In the Cologne are a highly respected group in the field of particularly intense mo/to adagio, the Budapest Early Music. The group focuses on baroque music Strings communicated all of the dark undertones in played on period instruments. It was refreshing this, their native repertoire. to hear a whole programme played on such instruments: the freshness of the players' approach relieved any potential tedium in a pure diet of Ger­ man Baroque music. The two pieces by Telemann particularly took on life in a performance that swept the audience along with its acute sense of rhythm. The Russian pianist Boris Beresovsky had been booked to play in Sherborne, but, as he won the Tchaikovsky Competition last year, hjs foreign engagements had to be cancelled. The Frenchman Gabriel Tacchino replaced him. His performance of an arrangement of pieces from Prokofiev's Romeo These five concerts showed the importance of and Juliet was stunning. The crashing chords of always broadening the range of groups and 'Montagues and Capulets' were as menacing as any individuals hfred. Adventurous programming orten orchescral version, with the projecting power of the pays off: much of the audience was genuinely piano superbly harnessed. In Prokofiev's Third delighted by Guillermo Fierens' recital. Next season Sonata, Mr. Tacchino linked the same emotional promises just as much diversity, as well as the con­ power with intellectual restraint to give a highly sistent quality of musicianship seen in all this year's charged performance. Two pieces by Chopin and concerts. two by Liszt (including the dazzling 'Tarantella' from Venezia and Napolr) completed the evening. Philip Purchase

23 (5) A Wednesday afternoon a couple of weeks into Envoy term. The master presiding. The 'board' present. Well, not all of them. Percy has had to do a rush job on his already-Late extended essay. Well, how can we discuss design if he isn't present? How are the reviews from last (I) A weary schoolmaster at 11.30 one Sunday terrn? Why haven't we got one for the Joint evening towards the end of term - any term, Concert? Can anyone think of anyone who was every term. Two empty glasses and an elegant at the concert - we must have a review? What decanter of whisky ready on a table. The ideas for articles? What have you come up schoolmaster behind his desk, poring over with? We had a survey a couple of issues ago. many sheets of paper pasted with photographs No, four accounts of holiday travel activities and columns of print. A knock at the door. is enough. Well, please try to mobilize your Enter a second schoolmaster. Not a social ingenuity before next week, otherwise it will be meeting for a drink to put the world to rights, a very thin issue. but the laborious business of checking the (6) The first Wednesday afternoon of term. The pasted-up sheets of the school magazine before JCR quiet room. Members of The Shirburnian they go to the printers - deadline the next day! editorial committee all present and early. A (2) The same study any night for the previous week schoolmaster comes in, takes a seat and begins or so. Late. Often very late. A weary school­ the proceedings. What was the reaction to the master sits behind his desk. In front of him a last issue? You sense that most people liked the stack of papers - page proofs of the school cover. Some complaints about the change of magazine. Each line, each word, each letter page lay-out. Mr. Smith is going to write a reply needs to be checked. Have the printers got it to that letter about General Studies. But essen­ right? Check spelling, punctuation, type-face, tially we feel quite pleased with the last edition. headings, spacings, etc . . . Correct errors. Well, now, this term. Robert, what ideas have Double check. Put back into envelope for next you for the design concept? You must day's return to printer. remember that some semblance of continuity is important. There is also the matter of cost - (3) A week earlier. Frustration. Deadline has we cannot afford too much colour. passed. Where are all the articles? Why are we still missing a house report? Write yet another (7) 'Miscellaneous ... Shirburnian - SPHH'. reminder note. The creative writing is not really Thus the entry in the Blue Book. There is Jillie very good. Should we let this article go to print more to be found anywhere to indicate that, in as it is, or does it need some editing and addition to the often numerous personnel listed revision? Why can people not write legibly or on the first page of The Shirburnian magazine have the courtesy to get articles typed? Phone a each term, there is another and ut1erly essential colleague: can we let this phrase be printed or is person who nurses - more often drags - it likely to cause offence? What was the name each issue towards its publication. The Master­ of the theatre company that performed that in-charge. For the last six years - eighteen awful adaptation of Scoop? issues - that post has been filled by SPHH, or less anonymously as he deserves, Patrick (4) A Wednesday afternoon. The quiet room in the Haigh. The eighteen issues themselves amply JCR. A group of senior boys and a master demonstrate the very considerable changes and presiding over a meeting. The atmosphere developments that have taken place over that generally pleasant. Various boys report on period. But however much the look and content various successes and failures. I have got three of The Shirburnian have changed, there has poems from George Wordsworth: they aren't been one thing that has remained utterly con­ very good, though. Unfortunately Mr. sistent: that is the integrity which Patrick Haigh Charlton says he hasn't time to do his sports has brought to the often extremely difficult job report. Two Lower Sixth formers have said be bas undertaken. The scenarios above are not they're writing a 'Viewpoint' on Closer fictional but represent just a few of the stages Relations with the Girls' School. Move on to which the 'magazine' must be taken through artwork. We haven't any. Peter Reynolds was for it to become the magazine. The one con­ supposed to be doing some illustrations for the stant factor in all of these scenarios is SPH H title pages: he's decided he can't think of any himself. That anonymous almost-back-page ideas. Sigh - philosophically. So, there it is. entry in the Blue Book represents what must be Tinge of irony in voice: What about quite understandably the limit of most people's photographs? Toby took his camera down to knowledge as to the nature of the job - it is a the matches last Saturday. Good. But he'd role that is mostly in the background and rather forgotten to put in a film. Not good. isolated. Correcting page-proofs is lonely and

25 intensely concentrated work but it needs to Sir Alec Guinness playing the eponymous hero, with be done. And if further testimony to the their own version of this early Smiley book. Jt is not immensely high standards Patrick Haigh a spy thriller but shows our hero turning his talents brought to the magazine is required, it is worth to detective work during a break from his other noting that in all his eighteen issues the errors activities. As le Carre himself wrote the film-script, and slips amount to no more than can be one can only assume that he was happy with counted on the fingers of one hand. That all transformation of novel to film - particularly as this is true I can amply testify. I was the other he rejected the effort of the original screen-play schoolmaster in scenario one (and the whisky writer (thereby causing Anthony Hopkins to with­ was, as always, excellent); I saw the light draw from the role of Smiley). It has often been the burning in SPHH's study when I was returning case in the past that a poor novel has been to my house in the early hours; I was the col­ 'adapted' effectively to produce a rather better league phoned for my view on doubtful film, tightening up on weaknesses of plot and material; I was present as a kind of rigbt-band­ uncertainties of characterisation and substituting a-few-times-removed-man at the Wednesday good photography and sharp editing for literary aftenoon meetings. The Shirburnian has had longueurs. But sadly, this was not the case with A distinguished presiding worthies in the past Murder of Quality. but none more dedicated and none who have In truth, it was a depressingly feeble affair in effected such a metamorphosis, subtle yet which even a dazzling galaxy of stars seemed undeniable, than Patrick Haigh. No-one can be (understandably) incapable of striking any light in in any doubt that the magazine has never been such a dismal firmament. The director seemed to in such good health as it is now. And this article operate between falling back on cliches (shadowy is, I assure you, the only one in eighteen issues characters emerging out of the fog) and totally which has not been subjected to the dis­ inconsequential shots (one thinks of a view from criminating consideration of SP HH. He now the Abbey tower of Smiley and 1he police detective retires as Master-in-charge and we salute his walking in The Courts) clearly designed with the achievement. intention of adding some much-needed variety and interest to the proceedings. I suppose !he scene with J.H. Mad-Janie at her 'devotions' in the abandoned church was reasonably 'atmospheric' though one Footnote: Sadly, it would have 10 be a hand with a has seen it better done in vir1ually every third-rate prodigious number offingers. (S.P.H.H.) Hammer Horror movie. (Incidentally, why didn't they get Vincent Price to play Smiley?) But why it was necessary to shack-up in Sherborne School for three weeks or so is beyond me: the hordes of boy extras hardly featured at all and the sense of a school simply never emerged. (What did we need the Everyman scenes for, anyway?) One would A Murder of have thought that the opportunities offered by Sher­ borne School's buildings, powerfully atmospheric Quality in themselves, could have been exploited very much more. Would it not have been a good idea to develop the Housemaster's relationship with his boys rather more; could Tim Perkins have been created as a fully credible character instead of a bJ John le Carre cypher - after all, he is a pivotal figure in the plot. And so one could go on: it was all so pedestrian, so routine and so lacking in inspiration directed bJ Oavln Miiiar crnames) or imagination. Well, what went wrong? I'm afraid that the blame for the failure of the piece lies squarely with A Murder of Quality was John le Carre's second le Carre himself. The plot of the original novel is novel - and it really is not very good, to put it singularly inept largely because le Carre is incapable kindly. Why he should want it to be resurrected of providing either convincing motivation or, more now is hard to tell, as it can hardly do much LO importantly, suspects with any credibility. Too enhance his reputation. Perhaps he was talked into many of the characters are merely there as possible it by the film company: if so, it's a pity he hadn't suspects - but le Carre never really develops been a little stronger and withstood whatever flat­ plausible motives for them to be considered as tery or financial incentive they proffered. Thames suspects. And thus the thrill, the mystery and the Television decided to follow up the series of pleasure in watching a master-detective unravel the 'Smiley' thrillers produced over the past few years, twisted threads of the case simply fail to emerge.

26 Perhaps le Carre's introduction to the new edition Tamburlaine-like authority with the impression of a of the novel (where, to give him credit, he does cultivated artistic sensibility. True, the portrait was acknowledge some of its weaknesses) gives us the almost a parody (1've no doubt it was intended to clue: it isn't really a detective novel per se but a way be) but Ackland transformed it into a sensitive of taking a swipe at Sherborne in particular and the examination of failure and frustration, of the public school in general. And we all know that le tragedy of a schoolmaster trapped in a world he Carre is an 0.S. and we know, too, that there is an would clearly love to escape from. I don't think for honourable literary tradition of exposing public one minute that le Carre intended this and it was school barbarism in fiction. I can't say that this ironic that the character clearly meant to exemplify gives the novel a strong sub-text and it was clearly the corruption inherent in the public school system something that the film-makers did not wish to should, through Ackland's acting, be the one push to the centre of the film. Perhaps one might character with whom one could sympathise. One of have hoped that le Carre would have attended to the most memorable moments in the film comes weaknesses in the novel when he came to write his when Ackland ruefully considers the masters all screen-play; but no: as The Times' critic com­ 'middle class bores with aristocratic pretentions' mented, 'it was an effort to lift an eyebrow in sur­ - it's funny but it docs have the ring of truth prise when the murderer was finally unmasked.' about it, too. indeed it was. For most Shirburnians or Sherborne people the No expense had been spared in casting, but real interest was in seeing town and School on film. one's sympathy went out to the actors faced with a Boch emerged as less auractive than they are in script in which so much of the characterisation was reality, though I must admit that the grotesque downright rudimentary. David Threlfall sobbing nature of the BSR stage had been disguised with a into his handkerchief became a tedious bore: of masterful economy and to great effect. I know course he didn't do it, the wimp never does! Ronald many people had Murder of Quality parties in front Pickup in his natty bow tie must have been short of of their television sets and even competitions, to see a bob or two to be persuaded into his non-part, how many Sherborne places and faces they could blandly appearing as the staff philanderer with a spot, had been arranged: I fell into a lethargy variety of women. And Mad-Janie! Well, this was a before I'd got to twenty! Still, congratulations to positive embarrassment which would have been those members of staff, and those in the town, dismissed as preposterous even in a third form whose homes have been enhanced with what the essay. I always thought Billie Whitelaw a discerning film company left behind: it is just as well that rates and discriminating actress: Beckett may be dead, have been abolished otherwise the (rateable) value but does she have to stoop so low? Glenda Jackson of Hyle House would have shot up with the gave a cameo version of her famous virago addition of that conservatory! One felt that so (recognisable from her Elizabeth R and to be seen much more could have been made of the character­ again soon when she plays the Member for Hamp­ ful locations in Sherborne and that perhaps the stead) but one's heart really went out to Denholm photography could have been less prosaic and Elliott. What could he do with this bland and utilitarian: even the shots of the School Courts ghost-like Smiley except go through a range of seemed to be minimalised almost to nothing. feeble gestures and stock facial expressions: Perhaps if I had been an outsider and not so well perplexed, concerned, bewildered, intrigued, aware of the potential that might have been unyielding and, when none of these seemed to fit exploited, I would have found the whole thing more the bill, he had recourse once again to the all­ absorbing in visual terms. It was certainly pleasant purpose bland bemusement. No wonder Anthony enough but one felt somehow disappointed. Hopkins turned the part down! It would be wrong to end by dismissing A There were, however, two fine performances. Murder of Quality as less than reasonable, mild The first was from an actor whose screen debut this entertainment, though I could not help but feel that was, Ben Davis. Ben's exquisitely timed and con­ le Carre has made very great progress indeed since siderf'd performance is bound to turn him into a this early novel. As a film, though, it could have star and already I believe the offers are coming in. been so much better, and it is no credit to either His phrase: 'An erection, Sir,' a frivolous and author or director that they failed to lift it on to a impertinent reply to a question from his teacher, more elevated plane. If you missed it, don't worry has so exactly the right tone of adolescent - it will be shown again, though there is bound to frustration-cum-risque wit that it was not surprising be a better alternative on another channel. If you to find that he was, in fact, a member of The Green are, though, irresistibly drawn to watch it, then at fourth form. least do your ironing at the same time: the film will The other performance of stature was that of hardly be so compulsive as to cause you to burn a Joss Ackland as the Housemaster who did, in fact, hole in your shirt. Sadly, so much television is just do it! Le Carre has clearly conceived this character the same nowadays. as one of that breed of private-income, gentleman public school masters who combine a kind of J.H.

27 Drawing the Iron Curtain

He who does not travel does not know the value of Man. Our minds pondered this Moorish proverb as we sat anxiously in Victoria station one hazy summer's evening; there we were, two innocent, naive and ex­ cited school boys, equipped only with a shoe-string guide to Eastern Europe, tooth-brush and English A level text, about to embark on a journey - a journey that would take us far beyond the green fields of Britain, the windmills of HoUand, and the black forests of Germany. Indeed, far beyond the limits of the comfortable Western democracies into the depths of a delicate and uncertain region struggling to find its feet in the aftermath of hurling off the communist parasite. So, what would we find when we reached our destination? Would we be greeted by joyous crowds, celebrating the death of communism, and rapidly settling into political pluralism and a free-

market economy? Or would fierce nationalism be boiling up the old ethnic soup? Would we meet con­ fusion, scepticism, disillusionment, bitterness? Had the destruction of the socialist regimes been a com­ plete sham? Or, worst of all, had the grisly shadow of the Great Bear fallen on her rebellious satellites, with gruff boots and T-34s waiting in the wings? Natural optimism and vague images of gleeful crowds created by media coverage gave us a favourable impression of the situation, but we had litLle idea of what to expect as our train whistled quietly away from the sunset. The journey itself was the first indication that everything wasn't necessarily to be as we thought. The extent of our preparation had consisted of mad dashes around London securing visas, train tickets and train bookings. These strenuous exercises had lulled us into a false sense that all had been done and we could sit back and relax. The first leg of our journey was to burst this smiling illusion rapidly. Our attitude to our fellow travellers changed rapidly as the journey progressed. When we first settled down for the relatively short journey to Dover, our attitude was to meet and share. With true English courtesy we offered our seats to a small group of buxomly American girls - admit­ tedly the reason for this generosity was also through curiosity, since they were sporting red and white T-shirts with socialist symbols and slogans, and brandishing leaflets decorated with the faces of Marx and Lenin. We enquired their destination and when they replied 'Eastern Europe' we were at a slight loss for words. They didn't feel the revolution had gone far enough.

28 When we tumbled on lO the platform of Berlin which had apparently not been touched since the Bahnhoff late afternoon Lhe next day, tired, with war. The shops also had less variety of goods. East parched lhroats and empty stomachs, having Berlin had certainly suffered from the Communist changed trains three times, and having listened regime and, despite the recent liberalisation, there to a lengthy and highly feminist version of the was a gloomy atmosphere about the place - Communist manifesto, our view of travelling had especially in view of the future. slightly changed. From then on the first priority However, we did meet a young man from when boarding a Lrain was to secure four seats with Munich on the U-bahn who was crossing into East Ben Elton determination, even if it meant dis­ Berlin for the first time to meet his great-aunt, guising ruck-sacks as people until the lights were something, he said, that would have been difficult dimmed. We consoled ourselves with the concept two years ago, and impossible four years back. that organisation is a generaJly inherent quaJity Another enthusiastic West German spoke of the - some people have it and some don't. And cer­ immense feeling of happiness he had that Berlin tainly if you don't acquire it young then you was once again one city, and that soon Germany never will. However, since, as we soon learnt, may become one nation again. 'It is not possible for organisation and travelling are certainly not incom­ someone who is not German lo even attempt to patible, we began to regret this mutuaJ short­ imagine the great emotion, the immense pride we coming. Realising that we would have to book feel.• He went on, 'We have born the scar of another train to Warsaw we spent the night in Nazism, the humiliation of defeat and division Berlin. - these are not easy burdens .. and now ... and Berlin at the time was still in the midst of now, I am so happy! So very happy.' celebrating the tearing down of the wall which had After finally securing a ticket through a divided the east from the west, parents from thoroughly complicated and inefficient system, we children, brother from sister, for nearly thirty set out on a twelve hour journey to Warsaw. lf the years. The imminence of Roger Water's concert trip to Berlin had been a novelty, this was to be a on the remains of the Wall, ensured the presence much more daunting experience. The train was of people from many countries and a carnivaJ heavily over-laden and all the seats had been taken; atmosphere. We had enough time to visit some of we squatted in a crowded corridor. The smells of the more famous landmarks, such as the notorious sweat, sausage, and sweet tobacco were unbearable Check-Point Charlie, where crowds seethed backwards and forwards unhindered - unimaginable a few years ago - and the Branden­ berg Gate with its access restored; a brief glimpse at the Reichstag and more lengthy ones at a variety of Bierhalls where frothy moustaches already blabbed about reunification. Arriving the next day at the railway station, we soon discovered that our train was due to leave from a station in East Berlin. A frantic dash by U-bahn over the Spree - the river that runs aJongside much of the Wall - was to be in vain. We noticed as we crossed the river how the bridges destroyed in 1964 had been recently rewelded - some were still in the process of being rebuilt. The parts of the Wall which had not been packaged for American tourists stood precariously along lhe river bank - isolated blocks in the fifty yards or so of dusty no-man's land, now rife with children playing football and occasionally venting their anger on the detested masonry. A few heavily graf­ fitied watch-towers still stood in the wasteland, in memory of all those who had failed in desperate bids to cross the great divide and fallen in the process. The differences between West and East Berlin were more numerous and marked than we had imagined: whereas the West was buzzing and lively, the East was obviously drab and gloomy. From the U-bahn we got a good view of a residentiaJ area - the housing was poor and dilapidated. Frequently we saw patches of wasteland and rubble

29 was; accommodation, food, drink, cigarettes. Czechoslovakia and Hungary were not quite as bad as Poland, but they were still cheap by Western standards. In Warsaw we had a three course dinner and wine for less than two pounds each, and in Prague beautifully crafted silver necklaces only cost £5, while T-shirts were less than 80p. The black­ market was useful, but rapidly got tedious with shifty characters continually approaching you in the street murmuring, 'Change? Change?' to the extent that it took some restraint not to give them a physical reply. Our first night in Poland was far from pleasant. Surprisingly most of the passengers had got off the train in the country and as we approached the capital we had little idea which station was Warsaw Centrale - one might have thought that there would have been a large notice saying 'Warsaw Centrale', but no such luck. Unfortunately, the doors on Polish trains have this rather malicious habit of closing automatically in unision at a moment's notice. So the best we could do when we pulled into the first station was dangle out of the door with one foot firmly planted inside the train. Unfortunately, this was not sufficient to determine the location of the platform, and it was only when the machine shuddered out of the station that we in the intense heat. Dogs barked furiously at caged noticed that this was where we were meant to have chickens, and the passengers talked violently in disembarked. between taking sturdy draughts out of dubious We ended up on the last train into a suburb looking canisters. The train trundled through the which was well off the elaborate map in our guide endless Pomeranian pine forests - it was easy to and certainly not a peaceful region. The police imagine political fugitives desperately scrambling in in the station had shiny machine guns slung over and out of the trees, ferocious blood-bounds and their shoulders, and, imagining they might not take men in tin-pot helmets hard on their heels . . . kindly to us crashing on the station noor, we sought It was with some trepidation that we watched a a place to sleep elsewhere. Having passed a man bruised man being dragged down the train by two lying in a pool of blood with two men leaning over grey guards - we simultaneously put our hands to him and heard some unnerving screams, tension our passports. was high. We argued furiously, a trait that was Morale plummeted as the reality of our situation to occur whenever we found ourselves in a tight dawned - we were to arrive in Warsaw Centrale situation. However, in those situations you also with no bed and no money. Having been told about really value the presence of a companion. the thriving black-market we cautiously leaned over The very next day we were woken up at 5.00 to one of our gurgling companions who had just a.m. by an angry female tram driver - we bad launched into a highly lugubrious folk song and ex­ slept in the middle of a tram turn-about. We soon plained 'dollars for zloty' - Polish currency. The witnessed an example of business competition; response was overwhelming - several Poles ex­ having clambered into one taxi, the driver of citedly huddled round us crying: 'Dollar! Dollar!' another shouted furiously at our chauffeur - we and waving handfuls of withered notes at us. We set were obviously meant to be his customers - to up shop and in a few minutes we had exchanged which the latter responded by producing a short about £15 of hard currency for 180,000 zloty. We length of iron with which he chased his opponent felt like millionaires as we clutched so many 1,000s; up the road. The victor returned triumphant and it was only when we had consulted the guide that we proceded to take us on a hair-raising, high speed car discovered 10,000 zloty was only $1 and so we had ride to the youth hostel, where we collapsed in been cheated. ln a fit of fury we were about to go relief. and sort out those who had ripped us off, when we Warsaw is not an attractive city. It was levelled were warned that they were big-time Warsaw to the ground by the Wehrmacht after the ill-fated gangsters. We retreated into our cabin, tongue in ghetto uprising in the closing stages of the war, cheek. while the Red Army shamefully stood by on the From then on we became efficient at dealing on opposite bank of the Vistula, making no attempt to the black-market. The people wanted hard currency come to the aid of the Polish resistance - some· so much in order to travel abroad and buy luxury thing which, along with the Katyn massacre, is par­ goods. We were amazed at how cheap everything ticularly responsible for Polish resentment of the 30 Russians. Therefore, all the buildings are post­ leader who symbolises the nation's resurrection war - ugly blocks of socialist architecture. The after more than a century of bondage to foreign only exception is the Old Town, which was pains­ powers. In the middle of the great square stands the takingly reconstructed in its original 17th and 18th Linen Hall, which contains small souvenir shops as century style. The Old Town square is particularly well as haberdasheries and wool-sellers; the number impressive with its lavish and elaborately decorated and variety of these stores is bound to multiply with masonry. It was there that we watched a film on privatisation and a greater influx of tourists - Warsaw's destruction and supposed recovery after hordes of whom had not, much to our relief, the war - however, the presentation of a deter­ discovered this idyllic city. mined national spirit was rather thwaned by There was something quite magical about sitting endless shots of Red Army CCCP tanks victorious­ at dusk in a quiet cafe, to the side of this elegant ly rolling into the city with a stirring Tchaikovsky town square, hundreds of miles from England, accompaniment; the Russian propaganda was gently sipping at a gJass of Polish vodka. Every blatantly apparent. hour the blissful silence is broken by a piper who Tbc Solidarity movement, led by the all-smiJing, blows a haunting melody to each of the four winds all-dancing, working-class hero, Lech Walesa, is from the crown-encircled spire of a huge Gothic meant to have cast off the Communist yoke - we church. He ends on a plaintive high note, as if received a very different impression. During our ex­ abruptJy cut off, which we were told was in tribute tensive survey of political opinion we patronised the to one of the trumpeter's forebears who attempted 'Akwarium Club', where hot jazz mingled with hot to warn his fellow citizens of a Tartar auack but talk in a notorious dissident hang-out. At the was suddenly silenced by an arrow in his throat. bar we received an impassioned spiel on the It was from Krakow that we made a piJgrimage horrors of post-war Poland, which, according to to the little town of Oswiecim and the Nazi concen­ our informant, was infinitely worse than the Nazi tration camp, Auschwitz, where the wrought iron occupation: 'It is terrible when you have Germans gate still proclaims the greatest lie in history, Arbeit torturing and murdering Poles', he exclaimed, 'but macht Frei - work is freedom. It was a particular­ at least that is almost conceivable; when it's ly sunny and peaceful day - which made the Poles torturing and murdering Poles, well . . . ' impression all the more jarring. The intense Enquiring about sunny Solidarity, he gave a cynical atmosphere of Auschwitz and neighbouring laugh: 'Is that what the West believe? Is that what Brikenau cannot be described, only experienced. you really believe?' he enquired; and then with just Czechoslovakia was completely different to a slight ironic lilt he explained: 'Do you know who Poland. Prague combined beauty akin to Krakow really make up Solidarity? Communists - ex­ with an ecstatic atmosphere. Unlike Warsaw it was Communists. They've sapped the nation of any not flattened during the war and the 20th century wealth and now they arc happily introducing has been skilfully made to fit in with the fifteenth, capitalism, ready to make a fortune in business sixteenth and seventeenth. The architecture is a investment.' Unfortunately, that was to be our mixture of imposing Gothic cathedrals and castles fill of cynicism, as the drummer launched into a and small, twisting cobbled streets and squares. The fifty-bar break, something he had obviously been magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral and the gloomy looking forward to with relish judging by the Hradcany Castle tower over the whole town. We violence with which he hit the skins. spent most of our time in the lively Old Town In reality Poland is suffering from acute Square, which has a fascinating multi-dialJed, economic backwardness. Progress made under the medieval astronomical clock. It was here, amongst government of Mazowiccki is bound to be stymied the buskers and dancers, that we met exciting tales during the presidency of Walesa - his charisma of individual escapades at Wenceslas Square when thinly disguises political incompetence. He may be the Communist authorities were overthrown. able to stir crowds, but it won't be long before the Prague was a great relief as far as com­ people see that what they really need is a strong munication went. With true British arrogance we parliament and not a passionate leader, and bad left London with the notion that everyone on especially not one who can boast - and does - the Continent spoke some English; in Poland we that he has never read a book and doesn't intend to. realised how wrong we had been. Scraps of French Warsaw is a grey town, and it does often rain; but and German didn't get us far and when ordering then again, in the end, sunshine will always follow food we had to resort to drawing chickens in rain. various stages between capture and the cooking On the route to Prague we stayed at Krakow for pot. However, in Prague many more people spoke a couple of days. The original capital of Poland, English and we were able to have much more this beautiful city has little in common with its suc­ animated conversations. Travelling in Eastern cessor. Krakow was spared the scars of war and Europe certainly taught us the value of knowing remains in perfect baroque splendour. Lines of foreign languages. Polish kings arc entombed in the vaults of the Czechoslovakia had progressed the most out of Wawcl, a vast brick fortress that rises over the the countries we had visited. Visas were no longer spires and gables of the city. Pride of place amid the necessary to enter the country and presidentiaJ elec­ royalty goes to Josef Piludski, Poland's inter-war tions were in progress during our stay. We met 31 some American Czechs who were v1s1llllg their a flat conglomeration of brooding nineteenth cen­ homeland for the first time since 1968 and some tury apartments intersected by stately boulevards; members of the now redundant Charter 77 move­ Buda, to the West, is rocky and hilly, a city of for­ ment who had recently been released from prison. tresses, patrician houses, and lazy suburban Czechoslovakia is the most secure of the villages. Travelling by cog-train and chair-lift over fledgling East European democracies, under the the hills was a wonderful experience. Castle Hill, adept leadership of Vaclav Havel. A long time where we had the fortune to stay over much of the political dissident, Havel recognises the rea.l prob­ visit, preserves a charming district of impeccably lems faced by his country with the introduction of a restored churches and pastel coloured palaces. free market. He is intelligent and seems open­ Unlike Prague and Warsaw, the western minded - during a visit by the Dali Llamah he influence is very strong in Budapest and the influx meditated with the exiled guru for over four hours, of tourism and hard currency has introduced a much to the dismay of the public. However, bis certain prosperity. Expensive German motor cars popularity with the people is unquestionable and jostle for parking places with the more usual junky was illustrated in the presidential elections where Russian Ladas: and queues form not outside his victory was almost unanimous. grocery stores, but the latest branches of Benetton, Budapest, last city of the West or the first of Adidas and the inevitable Macdonalds. Hungary's the East, was the last stop of our travels. It was advance is due to the so-called 'GouJash Com­ here that we were expecting to stay in the house of a munism' first pursued by the Kadar regime in contact in the British Consul, who was away on the sixties, which combined central government holiday. Having been living in rough conditions for planning with a market economy. The political two and a half weeks, we were looking forward to transformation to political pluralism is complete sleeping in a comfortable bed and not being kicked and the present government is preparing a complete out of bed at the crack of dawn by those butch transition to capitalism. However, Hungary is not a matronly types you tend to find in Youth Hostels. rich country; it does not have the industry and Arriving early in the morning we blearily made our resources of Czechoslovakia and the process of way to the British Embassy, where we were to pick change is bound to be slow and difficult. This will up a key to the house. not be aided by the attitude of the people, who have After a tiresome trek around the city, and a long tasted Western riches and believe prosperity will wait for it to open, we burst in eager to meet some come immediately and effortlessly. our fellow countrymen and set foot on a patch of Our visit to Budapest was highlighted by a dip in England in those foreign parts. The embassy staff, one of the famous thermal baths. These spas date however, were not so pleased to see us, since, with back to the time of the Turkish occupation in the our usual fortune, the key had been lost amidst the sixteenth century and have treated the results of piles of paperwork. In order to disguise this fact over eating and drinking ever since. The experience and appease our impatience, we were ushered into a was worthwhile, but I think an aspirin and a glass lavishly decorated room, where two prim business­ of water are preferable for hang-overs and men perched uncomfortably on a huge leather sofa. indigestion. The night was lit up by bright lights Draped in grimy clothes and with the stench of a and loud music; and deceptively traditional looking fortnight on the move, we began to recount our wine-bars harboured strip joints and numerous tales to these bewildered city gents. Eventually, the Romanian refugees. The Hungarians have learnt secretary revealed the bad news and rapidly offered how to make the most of the tourists. to put us up until the owner returned. A depressing twenty-hour rail journey took us It was an amazing relief to be amidst western back to Ostende - although this time we were household comforts; hot foaming baths, record prepared with our own sausage and a bottle of player, a full fridge, and rolls of soft Andrex. Tokai, a delightful sweet Hungarian wine. lt was Travelling cheaply really makes you appreciate with a mixture of relief and regret that we viewed these luxuries. Having washed our dirty carcasses, Dover's white cliffs again. Two hardened travellers shaved off our beards, and relaxed, we set off stepped off the train at Victoria that rainy in search ~f the local delicacy. One of the more summer's evening. There is no longer an Iron exciting aspects of travelling is sampling the Curtain cordoning off Eastern Europe. A new traditional dishes and local wines. Hungary, of European bank was opened this month in London course, is the home of that fiery dish Goulash. to organise financial aid to the Eastern European However, the sensation resulting from mistaking a countries and it will probably not be long before pod of paprika for a piece of tomato was not they are invited into the European Community pleasant and it took several glasses of water to itself. The Cold War winter is over and spring has quench the flames - all highly amusing to the finally penetrated this valuable region. We were natives. there as the snowdrops were poking up there Budapest is not as beautiful as Prague, but it has heads - today the daffodils are in full bloom. a strangely seductive atmosphere, resulting from a Rupert Dymock-MaunselJ blend of West and East. The city is divided into two and Joe Hawksley halves by the Danube; Pest, its commercial half, is 33 being sentenced to death by the courts - or out­ side the law - for example 'disappearances' The World Outside through death squads. Often torture and executions are related, as in the case of a Central American trade unionist - whose name and country I have withheld for fear of retribution. The government had tried to silence him because he was ralking about human rights abuses, proper health care, democracy and the high-handedness of the military. His family home was watched day and night. Police officials tried to make him confess to his crimes through beatings. His aunt and uncle were killed when a death squad sprayed his house with bullets one night. His only son was kidnapped at school by the military and, in return for his son's freedom, he was forced to nee to Europe. On a recent visit to my local Amnesty group I heard this trade unionist speak. One week later he was rung TMl'IW YHl'S 01 AlftntllW 1n1ern1t10Rll up by the military and told that his son had been Amnesty International was founded in the summer killed - because of his talks in Europe. IL later of 1961 following an article in The Observer on transpired that his son had not been killed but tbat 28th May. Amnesty International was awarded the the military were trying to instil enough fear into Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its 'activity for him about what might happen to make him stop his the defence of human worth against degrading talks. treatment, violence and torture'. Amnesty Inter­ An incident like this might read Like a novel, national has formal relations with the United but, for the second of Amnesty's categories, the Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organisation cases often seem as if they come from the land of of American States (0.A.S.) and the Organisation make believe. of African Unity. Ever since leaving Sherborne School I have been involved with campaigning against human rights abuses through an organisation that is having its 30th anniversary this summer. That organisation is Amnesty International and like any other cam­ paigning body it consists of individuals like you and me. Amnesty International has been described as 'an effective and popular movement of well meaning and stubborn people who wilJ not go away or shut up'. Amnesty brings together more than I. I million individuals from more than 160 countries into a single campaigning body, trying to bring an end to human rights abuses wherever they may occur. Its policy is simple, easily applicable and threefold: - an end to torture and executions - fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners - the release of 'prisoners of conscience' - prisoners imprisoned because of their beliefs, sex, colour, language, or ethnic origin who have neither used nor advocated violence. Torture and executions can take different forms. Torture can consist of many things, including the deprivation of food and light, rape, electric shock treatment to sensitive parts of the body, beatings, the breaking of bones, the forcible removal of hair from the body, boring into the body with an electric drill and the stubbing out of This image of a face behind bars with a dove in the cigarettes on the body. Executions can take place foreground is by Pablo Picasso - an early supporter of both legally through the law - for example people Amnesty International.

34 -- ·~·- - · ·-·... ) ) ) --

Amnesty International seeks fair and prompt because of their beliefs, sex, colour, language or trials for all political prisoners around lhe ethnic origin who have neither used nor advocated world. Some of these people are politicians and are violence. Teachers, doctors, lawyers, politicians detained because of their speeches and opinions. and students are often 'prisoners of conscience'. For example, in Laos, in south-east Asia, 33 Sometimes the families and relatives of such people politicians were arrested in November 1975 and are also detained and they in turn become even today they have never been charged or 'prisoners of conscience' themselves - as in the brought before a court. (Could you imagine the case of Maria Gillespie. uproar in this country if a prisoner was held for Maria was married to a trade unionist in the 15 years without being charged?) Others are 1970s and together they lived in Argentina. individuals who have their cases politicized by Her husband was denounced on government-run events outside their control. For example, as I write television as an enemy of the state. Fearing torture this at the end of May, the first Palestinians and and death at the hands of the military, he fled Kuwaitis accused of collaboration with the Iraqi across the border into neighbouring Uruguay. A regime during the eight months occupation of week later the military turned up at Maria's door Kuwait, have just been put on trial in Kuwait. As and, finding her husband gone, arrested her in his The Guardian reported, the trials were 'a cruel place. She was sentenced to 95 years in jail (17 of farce. There was no evidence, no witnesses, no time those for national security reasons) for being for defence, no reason given for the verdicts, and married to a trade unionist who had evaded the military. She was held in a cell with a 1m2 floor no right of appeal.' Similarly, in a case held in space for nine months, only being allowed out for Cnina two montns ago, where two students were on brief walks around the exercise yard. She was raped trial for political crimes (for which you can be often, beaten frequently and fed irregularly. sentenced to death), the two were not allowed to Gradually her conditions improved as she was call any defence witnesses because the judge said adopted by Amnesty International as a 'prisoner of 'the courtroom was too small'. conscience', and after an ordeal lasting 13 months The final category of prisoners that Amnesty she was released. Many years on she now lives in International campaigns for are termed 'prisoners England and from her appearance today you would of conscience' - people who are imprisoned not know what she had had to endure.

35 Her case, along with so many others, tells much about human rights abuses in general and about Amnesty lntemational's work. Singing on the Rhine Amnesty International believes that by focusing on the plight of an individual, or a group of individuals, it can bring about releases and an end to sufferings. Its methods arc simple: to embarrass '" &utnMY Flett Trtt the government or authorities responsible to such an extent that they take action. Letter writing, On Sunday, the 17th March, a team of 40 Sixth petitions, visits, and general media attention - Formers, led by Dr. Tommis, Dr. Ferrario, Mr. anything that is courteous, effective and legally Kelley and Miss Millar, set off on their coach allowed is used. Amnesty seeks to create pressure journey to Koblenz in the Middle Rheinlands of on behalf of the victims and believes that when West Germany. Fifteen hours later we arrived at enough people learn about a person in prison for Bad Salzig, our place of residence for the week and, his or her opinions, or one who is undergoing having unloaded all our chattels, we were 'briefed' torture, the result will be a public outcry to which by Dr. Tommis. The main aims of the week were to no government will be able to turn a deaf ear. expand our geographical knowledge, to provide us Maria was not released through the courts in with a better understanding about tackling our A Argentina, but because holding her became too Level Enquiry and to introduce us to a number of embarrassing for the government. Individuals geographical techniques that were new to us. Much around the world wrote letters to the Argentine inspiration throughout the trip was gained from the authorities expressing concern about her imprison­ advice: ment and her treatment. Vigils and meetings were held around the world and the ensuing newspaper ' Listen and know for a day; see and know for a articles were sent to Argentina. She received week; do and know for a lifetime'. 600 Christmas cards wishing her good luck and The first full day was spent in Koblenz, a city of support. On the day of her release she was shown just over 100,000 people and the regional capital of all the letters that had been sent to the Argentine the Middle Rheinlands. The main objective was to authorities about her case. She estimates that in examine the growth and structure of a typical Ger­ total 36,000 letters were written on her behalf over man city, in this case from the old Roman nucleus. those 13 months. In Maria's case those letters made (The city derives its name from the Latin confluen­ all the difference. tia, indicating its situation at the confluence of two In the 1990s Amnesty International is even more of Europe's greatest rivers, the Rhein and Mosel.) effective, with good organisation, fax machines and Many kilometres were covered on foot as we were increased membership. ln more than one-third of allocated specific urban transects in the morning all of Amnesty's cases we know of an improvement and in the afternoon we closely analysed the struc­ . .. torture is stopped ... rood is given ... families ture and functions of the central business district. are allowed to visit ... doctors are allowed access Koblenz proved to be a busy and thriving centre, as ... executions are cancelled ... or a prisoner of witnessed by the Lohr Centre - one of the largest conscience is released; and in none of the cases is a indoor shopping centres to be built in Europe in the deterioration reported. past five years. It contained, on three floors, At the start of this article I said that Amnesty everything that a shopper might need from super­ International is 'having its 30th anniversary this markets to quality jewellery. summer' - I didn't use the word celebrating. Despite the awful rain, the day was rewarding as That's because the 30th anniversary is more a time we managed to collect some interesting and for reflection than for celebration. One third of valuable information, which was put to good use in all the world's countries still torture people and our three-hour follow up that evening. We had one half of the world's countries execute managed to obtain a general picture of the spatial prisoners. There are an estimated 500,000 prisoners structure of this industria.1 and service centre based of conscience in the world today. The target of a on first-hand experience, for which there can be no world with no human rights abuses is an ideal, but substitute in the classroom. working towards that ideal is a necessary and easy Day two brought a complete contrast. The rain thing to do - especially when there is an Amnesty stopped; the sun shone; the temperature escalated group within the School. and we saw for ourselves the fantastic rural land­ scape of the Rhein Valley with an outward journey Andrew Steven down the west bank and a return journey on the east bank. We visited a number of picturesque Ger­ The author of the above article left Abbey/ands man towns with their crenellated castles perched two years ago and is presently at the University of precariously on precipitous rock outcrops with sites Warwick studying History. He helps run the univer­ commanding the vital river link between the Europe sity's Amnesty International Group. heartland and the North Sea. Whether in Boppard,

36 Bingen, Rudesheim, Bacharach, St. Goar or St. precinct much of the central citY. was bombed in the Gonshausen we were transported back to cbe war and much of the architecmre that replaced the medieval period when religion and defence vied original was monolithically concrete and visually with each other for pole position in influencing the uninspiring. We were given the option of visiting layout of the settlement. Naturally, the functions one of two major museums: the Roman-Germanic are today much more oriented towards the tourist Museum (of particular interest to those taking and part of our task was to examine the impact of A level Ancienc History) or the Walbraf-Richartz tourism on the range of functions available in each and Ludwig Museum (a museum of classical and settlement. In some cases the impact was negligible. modern art). Reports testify that both were well Bacharach, for example, retained much of its worth a visit and one of our brethren even parted medieval charm. By contrast, Rudesheim was like a with 120 DM (c£40) to buy a book on art. Such a German Blackpool without the tower (and sun!); varied day was marred slightly by non-stop vertical the infamous Drosselgasse must have the highest rain. density of beer cellars of any German town. After the rain came the sun, fortunately. Naturally, we soaked up the ambience. Although no-one would have complained about After two days of studious application we were another day 'holidaying' we were here to work, and rewarded with the 'freedom' of proper tourists by a day four was spent away from towns and split into visit to the city of Cologne (Koln). lt provides us two sections. The morning was used to study some with a further example of the structure of a German vineyards on the banks of the Mosel, which pro­ city (but on a scale ten times bigger than Koblenz) vided us with data on micro-climates and in the and the opportunity to take in the 'culture' of Ger­ afternoon we visited the Bernkastel wine cellars. many. The medieval heart of the city (the Aldstadt) Those who have visited the Mosel Valley will centres on the towering black magnificence of the appreciate that every centimetre of south or south­ cathedral (though the interior was too disappoin­ westerly facing slopes is given over to viticulture tingly stark) but around this focal point we (mainly the Riesling grape) and it was our task to discovered the Veedel - old ecclesiastical parishes examine the very small differences between climates that retain a particular identity such as St. on north and south-facing slopes. Surprisingly, Severinus with its local shops and street cafes. Few temperature differences on a March day can be as cities in Europe can have so many 'quarters' each much as 3°C - a not insignificant amount for an with its own particular characteristics but each cen­ early crop when sustained over several weeks. The tred on the local church. Beyond the cathedral central wine cellars for the Mosel long since entered

37 Lhe technological age with their 20,000 litre stainless special and the food, although rather English in steel vats aligned in regimented ranks for as far as style and lacking in quantity, kept our stomachs the eye could see. After a little wine-tasting from rumbling. The evenings were mostly taken up (honest!) the return journey seemed remarkably by follow-up work but on some occasions we did quick and painless. have about -l4 hour to get out and explore the 'night Despite preparations for our return journey in life'. the afternoon, the final day, Saturday, was used to Late on the Saturday afternoon after a shower study a tributary of the Mosel (in the Hunsruck and change of clothes we commenced our long trip Massif) with each group given the task of measur­ back to England (a 16 hour journey), where we ing valley and stream flow characteristics from arrived early the next morning, enabling most boys initial tributaries (first order streams) to the to get their parents out of bed before dawn. main river (a fourth order stream). Good weather This was no holiday, but the trip was enjoyable enabled most of us to remain dry but because we and successful. We experienced 'Geography' in the were to depart at about 5.00 p.m. the follow-up had field and should have learned much that will stick in to be delayed for the start of the summer term back our heads 'for a lifetime'. Many thanks are due to at Sherborne. all the staff, to Mrs. Tommis for acting as matron Finally, l think a brief description of our accom­ and to her two young daughters for their help with modation, base town and social life should be the more difficult academic tasks with which we made. Bad Salzig was a fairly small town which were faced. appeared to be founded on tourism, but since we were visiting 'out of season' was fairly quiet. The Justin Ricketts and S.T. hotel was adequate for our needs, but not anythfog

38 typically French project, one that in this country wouJd probably have been converted into a theme Half-Term in Paris park with doubtful financial backing. A trip to study the Revolution wouJd not be complete without a visit to Louis XIV's palace of Versailles, which, although spectacularly Paris in the Spring: the Eiffel Tower looking impressive, was largely responsible for the isolation over the Champs de Mars, Sacre-Coeur lit up on of the ruling elite from the real France. It is easy to the horizon, and blizzards. But alJ this was a world understand that Louis XVI found it difficult to away as we gathered on an icy cold morning at escape from the influence of his court when he only some ungodly hour to await our train and begin the left Versailles twice before the Revolution: once for journey to Paris. Adminstrative error and a tube his coronation at Rheims, and for one brief visit to fire were to hold up three of the party, but we even­ the naval harbour of Cherbourg. tually all arrived, and found time for a brief, scene­ After an excellent lunch, and a perfunctory setting tour of the major sites. check that the tennis court was closed, we arrived Friday saw the start of the trip proper, with J J B at the palace itself. Versailles is awe-inspiring, setting his relentless pace around the capital. Paris espousing the typical French style of imposing was remarkably free of tourists unwilling to travel man's will upon nature, with formal gardens, and given the unstable Middle East situation, but other rich ostentatious decoration - one room was reasons for their absence sprang to mind as we furnished entirely in silver, later sold to finance stood in front of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the royal debt. Room after room of gold leaf and where last year the coaches of Japanese tourists Rococo decoration almost became overpowering, were bumper to bumper, in a driving snow storm. and the gardens themselves, and in particular those Despite our pleas, we carried on regardless, taking surrounding the Royal Palaces of the Trianon and in La Sainte-Chapelle, built by St. Louis to house Petite Trianon, were on a far more manageable the original crown of thorns, and the Concierge, scale. These palaces, built to house royal mistresses, famous prison of the Revolution. It was here that are much more functional, giving the impression Marie-Antoinette spent her last months; and the chapel, scene of the last banquet of the Girondins, is now poignantly dedicated to the memory of the royal family. It was not just the tourists who had taken fright at the fear of terrorism, and we found the desecrated church of St. Genevieve, the Partheon, resting place of the favourite sons and daughters of Republican France, closed to us. A busy first day ended at the Musee Canavalet, social and cultural museum of Paris, but particularly good on the Revolution. It was packed with particularly in­ teresting sources, of the type that the •A• level course unfortunately makes so little reference to. From there it was on to experience the various culinary delights of the city ... The crowds had already gathered at the Royal Palace of the Louvre when we arrived next morn­ ing, and even the new entrance system, with its famous glass 'Pyramid', seemed unable to cope fully. Inside, we were steeped in the artwork of France, confronted, literally, by influential paintings of Restoration France, and in particular Delacroix's Liberty guiding the people, which Louis-Philippe felt he had to buy, but prevented it from being seen as it was too revolutionary. We also tapped the rich vein of the National Archives, with many important original documents on show, and finally the Musee D'Orsay, the home of the nation's Impressionist collection. It is housed ---"-.... . in a building that has been skilfully converted to maintain much of its original character as a mainline Paris station, yet to be both functional and create the elusive 'right' atmosphere. It is a

39 that perhaps they were once lived in, and it is here Grecian design in brown alabaster is, to the more that Marie-Antoinette had her folly - a specially cynical mind, more reminiscent of an Art-Deco constructed hamlet to allow her to dress as, and act ashtray. out the life of, a peasant in a manner that is so il­ And so our time in Paris drew to a close; we lustrative of all the worst features of the Ancien embarked upon the journey home, at each stage Regime. expecting to be delayed indefinitely by the after­ Our time was limited on the final day, and we math of the Victoria Station bomb that morning. ended with a visit to Les Invalides, the Bourbon Problems, however, seemed 10 melt away before us monarchy's equivalent of the Chelsea Pensioners' as we travelled on, much to the displeasure of some. hospital, now the home of the National Army We came away from Paris, I hope, more familiar museum, and site of the tomb of the Corsican with the events and ideology of that particularly Bandit, Napoleon I. This, housed in the old significant revolution, but also, (some more than hospital chapel, is little more than an enduring others), more experienced in aJI forms of Parisian monument to the myth of Napoleon, a myth he life and culture, a perspective that must be growing himself created from his exile on the island of St. in importance. Our thanks to J J B for all his work Helena. The walls of the crypt are lined with claims in organizing yet another successful trip. of his achievements, most of which have little foundation in truth, and the tomb itself, a huge Hugo Robinson

40 The population of Jordan is about 3.5 million of Jordan which 95% are Muslim and 50Jo are Christian. Many Christians disobey the commands of their religion, and this is the same with Muslims, so it is not impossible to find Muslims drinking alcohol. The country caught In the crosanre The literacy rate is about 75% compared with 40% of Saudi Arabia, a far richer country. About 500/o of lhe population speaks and understands English I arrived in Sherborne, in 1988, thinking lhat reasonably well. everyone knew as much about Jordan as I did Jordan is a major player in the Arab-Israeli con­ about England: quite a lot. I soon discovered that I flict. Palestine was joined to the Hashemite was very mistaken; I was met with questions like: Kingdom of Jordan before the Israeli occupation of 'Have you got a harem?', 'Have you got a wife?', 1948. Jordan houses the largest proportion of the 'Have you got arranged marriages?' or 'How many Palestinian refugees and has a large percentage of oil wells have you got?'. Some of these questions Palestinians in its population; this got>s some way to were posed for humorous purposes but some were explain Jordan's stance on the Gulf Crisis. out of genuine naivety. I find it shocking, con­ Jordan has always enjoyed good relations with sidering the extent of today's technology and means the West, and when the Gulf Crisis began, strain of conveying information, how little people know was brought on these relations. It could not alienate about each other. I decided to write this article to itself from its trading partner, Iraq, as it was try and clarify these misconceptions that people economically dependent on it. It could not ignore carry not only in society but due to their mis­ the opinions of so large a proportion of its interpretation of set text books. population, so Jordan had to stand with Iraq. 70% Jordan is a small country of about 37 ,890 square of the population are Palestinians. and as they saw miles of area which is just a bit smaller than in President Hussein their last chance of regaining England. It is bordered by Syria from the norlh, their homeland, they took his side. The remaining Saudi Arabia from the south, lraq from the east 300/o of the population chose him as the lesser of and Palestine (Israel) from the west. Jordan is a two evils and because they had had enough of the poor country whose economy depends mostly on double standards of the West; for 43 years a people tourism and on the export of phosphate which is have been deprived of lheir homeland, they have present in abundance in the Dead Sea. It is Iraq's suffered humiliation, hunger, homelessness and trading partner and while Iraq supplies it with oil, almost loss of identity; a whole generation has as Jordan does not have enough to satisfy its own grown up in refugee camps, and for twenty-four needs, it allows Iraq the use of its only port, Aqaba years a United Nations resolution calling for on the Red Sea. This port was particularly impor­ Israel's withdrawal from the occupied territories tant for the safe import of military equipment to has been ignored and neglected. So bitlerness was Iraq during the 1980-88 Iran War. bound to arise, to see the West spring to its feet and Just like England and America have many want to implement the United Nations' resolutions differences in their cultures, this is true for the when it suited its purpose. It is no surprise that lhe countries of the Arab world. Lebanon and Saudi Palestinian issue should be tied in with the Gulf Arabia, for example, share very little, Tunis and Crisis. Although I am sure that President Hussein's lraq have little in common, as have Jordan and main concern was not the restoration of Palestine, I Kuwait. The differences stan with the dialect which lhink that his argument is not without base. That is varies greatly from one part of the Arab world to not to say that I am for linkage between the two the other. The major differences rest mainly in the problems, but Israel has as much right to Palestine fact that there is a vast differenc.e between the as Iraq has to Kuwait. The Israeli claim to Palestine financial resources of some countries and others. rests on their pinpointing a point in time when the Saudi Arabia, for example, is one of the richest Israelites had a kingdom for a few hundred years in countries in the world, where concepts such as Palestine, before and after which the land belonged arranged marriages and having four wives are not to the Philistines (the ancestors of the Palestinians). alien, but they are not widespread either, and if Iraq's claim to Kuwait is also based on pinpointing they exist, it is only among the poorer and less a timespan of a few years when Kuwait, which had civilised parts of those countries. Some Arab previously been a self-governing emirate, was a part countries are very liberal in their outlooks. of the province of Basra in Iraq during the rule of Lebanon is probably the most liberal: a woman lhe Ottomans. could quite happily walk around in a mini skirt I wish people would take more trouble to without running the risk of being arrested on the try and lean about other peoples' culture and grounds of indecency. In Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, traditions. I think that very little effort is made in however, this would be unheard of! that direction when there are now the means of

41 doing this with the greatest of ease. During the Gulf in fortune and soon Charlie Barke was playing the War I felt that not enough was said for the other first of three nice fish, all taken on a fiery orange side or the argument; we were alJ the victims or creation. Wingfield Digby was still finding fish propaganda. We should take more time to try and elusive but a move to the top lake changed his for­ learn the other side's point or view and reserve tune and he too added to the team's catch. judgement until such a time when we are fully At 4.00 p.m. fishing ceased and the weigh-in was aware of their reasons and their minds. completed. Sherborne came fourth out of the twenty-three schools participating. Our group FadiKawar should have been higher but for some dubious tac­ tics by higher placed teams, which isn't what fishing is about. Simon Evans was placed fourth overalJ, as well as winning the prize for the largest Brown By Nymph or Dog-Nobbler Trought caught (41bs 12oz) and he claimed a new fishing reel and an electric iron - yes, an electric iron - as his prizes. Charlie Barke came nine­ 6.45 a.m. on the first Sunday of term. Not a teenth out of sixty-nine, his three fish weighing just time when the blood is at its thickest, but we were under 6 lbs and he, too, won an electric iron! Will going fishing and there was excitement in the air. Wingfield Digby finished thirty-second out of sixty­ Breakfast, taken on the run in DP J's kitchen, was nine but was delighted to have a prize of some rues soon over and in no time an abundance of tackle and a priest to replace one that he had just lost. was piled into the car and we were off to Stafford So, a thoroughly enjoyable day; good company, Moor Fishery in Devon to take part in the annuaJ some fun and some exasperation and ten lovely Independent Schools' Fly-fishing Competition. fish, literally in the pink of condition. Most Our three-man team consisted or Simon Evans (h), memorable though, the race of the young boy from William Wingfield Digby (d) and Charlie Barke (d). Edgarley Hall which seemed to say 'What have I Stafford Moor is hjgh up to the west of Tiverton done?' as, whipping the lake lo a foam with less and our early start ensured arrivaJ in plenty of time, than expert casting, his fly landed at his feet, where the journey having been full of the fishy taJes as it was seized by the largest fish of the day, a rain­ only fi shermen can telJ - and believe. Bright sun bow of over nine pounds. The fish was booked, but didn't augur too welJ, but a stiff breeze made up so was the boy, who will be a fisherman for life. for it and promptly at 10.00 a.m. the teams were released to begin fishing. Unlike last year when D.P.J. numbered pegs were allocated and changed systematically each hour, this year was a less satisfactory free-for-all with less carefuJ rotation of places from which to fish, a system more open to abuse. In the event, Simon Evans and DP1 found themselves on the higher of the two lakes and in almost no time Simon was playing fish of about a As Others See Us pound, hook on a Pheasani tail nymph. A much larger fish soon followed, taken this time on a blackish lure. DP J then caught two fish taken on a home-tied nymph; Simon caught ms third, another Parcapuona or Sharllorna grand fish of nearly five pounds, to match his second. This one was also caught on a lure, a more The Dally 1a1aar1Ph. 1932 colourful one this time. As Simon was walking back to weigh his fish, DP J hooked his third and forty 'No visitor to Sherborne,' wrote the journalist, minutes after the competition had started two Sher­ 'can fail to be st ruck with the beauty of its borne fishermen were weighing in their aJlotted mediaeval buildings or the generaJ atmosphere of catch of three fish each, the first fishermen to do peace that permeates the place.' Little has changed: so. We then went to encourage the others, who the buildings that are discussed remain, there is were fishing from the dam at the lower lake. that tranquillity in the town. Nearly fifty years on, Casting into a stiff breeze was djfficult and is the perception of the scribe still essentially true Wingfield Digby's sinking line turned out to be a Loday, or has Sherborne moved on much from the floater, which didn't help at all. On the hour a Depression-hit Thirties? change of stance 'twelve paces clockwise' produced 'Sherbome' I he claims, 'does not flaunt her no change in luck, but we were amazed at the beauty.' Perhaps he might have reconsidered inability of some of the teams to count properly that judgement, were he to see the conglomeration which meant that proven hot spots weren't vacated. of buildings that surround the Couns, thereby The second change, an hour later, brought a change allowing the soft sandstone edifices to stand out as

42 aesthetically pleasing against the rather more blunt erections around. Then, there was no Turing Block, no Grove, no Sports Hall, no JCR, no New Music On Exchange School a curtailed Central Feeding (no more than a gymna~ium al that time), no BSR extension, and so on. Back in 1932, Sherborne's beauty was not Hall a Term In au11rre affected by garish modern architecture and the burning desire displayed in recent years for more The prospect of spending half a term abroad and yet more building. seemed, at the lime, exceptionaUy appealing. Yet, The article gives a thumbnail sketch of the we discovered that as the day got nearer, we began School's history from the days when King Alfred to question our delight at leaving Sherborne for five was supposed to have attended the School to the weeks. year in which the article was written. Naturally, As we 'historically' left the shores of Folkestone sport (and rugby in particular) makes an e~try behind us, on Saturday, 26th February, ~991 , some relatively early in the piece; the moo.d of the lime of our enthusiasm turned to deep amoety at the was still geared towards games, and ll shows. "!"he thought of speaking someone else's native language School was playing regular rugby fixtures against for such a period. However, we were reassured Downside, Blundell's, Radley, Dulwich, Tonbridge by Rory's humour and Ali's confidence and, and Marlborough. Three of those six survive today. eventually, we arrived in Paris more ready to face H. D. Harper (headmaster 1850-77), runs the our challenge. article, is said to have bred 'a race of sturdy During our five minute rally/tour through scholar-athletes, giving a lead which has been Paris our drive brought home to us the truth of followed continuously since his day.' The author Fren~h driving. But the excitement of the capital claims that Nowell Smith (headmaster 1909-27) soon drained away as we headed for Auxerre. We fostered a 'faint flavour of Winchester' within the became quieter as we steadily approached our final School; this is scarcely true of today. He also lists destination. The tension came to a peak when we some of the school customs: 'the boys wear straw turned into the bus station to see aJI our prospective hats all the year round', 'there are few, if any, families waiting for us. We were unsympathetic3:1ly bounds', there is 'a very ancient annual fair called torn away from each other by our respecttve Pack Monday Fair, which the School are not families thinking it was the last we would see of encouraged to attend.' It is easy to draw com­ each other for quite some time. That night, we parisons with the present from those ~tat.ement~. , didn't know what had hit us; but, then again, Amusingly, he states that the word Sh1rburni~n neither did Auxerre. is a 'pitfall for the unwary speller'; yet a captwn We spent the weekend in our temporary new two columns away reads 'Sherburnians outside homes and prepared ourselves for the shock of their chapel'. At least he never falls into the trap of school on the Monday morning. We learnt that the misspelling the name of the town 'Sherbourne'. eleven of us were split between the three schools in The article ends with a glowing tribute to the Auxerre: Hamish, Rory, Richie, Olly and Simon au qualities a Shirburnian of l~e Th~rties displ_ayed: Lycee Jacques Amyot; Toby, Ali and Bob d St. 'The old Shirburnian . . . 1s easily recognisable Josef and Harry, Jerry and Steve dons une anywhere by his complete _absenc~ of . self­ autre' All of us went through the nightmare of consciousness his modesty, his genuine friend­ el~ves hi~ introducing ourselves to the thirty or so in liness and capacity to put up a fine show in a our class. Simon had the greatest success in 'settling tight ' corner without fuss. He is that rare in' with his class owing to his charm and wit. phenomenon, a man of action possessed of a The French teenagers were, on the whole, very distinct bias towards aesthetics. He both runs and welcoming and enjoyed the novelty of our presence reads. And this happy spirit is in great measure due in their schools. We were 'encouraged' to do the to the quite exceptional cameraderie that exists majority of the subjects th~t ~hey do for th.ei~ bac between boys and masters. Happiness seems to be but as we found this too dtfftcuJt, we spec1ahsed! the keynote of the place. Perhaps it is the key to the After a mere four days of school, we were for­ solid success Sherborne has attained.' Would, I tunate enough to have a two-week break because of wonder, a Daily Telegraph journalist offer a similar the French education system. Luckily, thanks to the view of a 1991 Shirburnian? effort and generosity of our families, we were able to cover more of France: Toby took to the Alps Robert Hands with Veronique; Ali sampled Brittany's rainfall We are grateful to Mr. Richard May, who was in with Nathalie· Richie visited Paris tout seul; Olly Harper House between 1928 and 1932, for sending trekked down' to Nimes with Elodie; Harnish wine­ us The Daily Telegraph supplement of ~2th tasted on Bruno's vineyards; and Rory 'partied December 1932, containing the article (one in a hard' with Edwigga chez lui. series on Public Schools) from which this material We returned to school and were surprised at the is drawn. amount of French we had picked up. This enabled

43 'So, Perkins, learnt a 'Well, I don'r know about that, Sir, bit of French, eh?' but I got a good tan and the chicks were pretty hot!' ~ ~

us to enjoy life more, as the French appreciated our Tour Party: Ali Woodward, Si Jones, Olly speaking their language well. We made more Richardson, Rory Heron, Richie Stephens, Toby friends and discovered that the French were Hancock, Hamish Macaskill, Harry Harutunian, extremely concerned to see if we were happy or not. Steve Clark, Bob Harris and Jerry Hopkins. We found ourselves becoming just another person in the French community of Auxerre. Of course, we Hamish Macaskill and Toby Hancock couldn't fully 'blend in' but whenever any of us met respective French friends around Auxerre, they always wanted us to join in with them and we think this was one of the many things that we appreciated in the French. As the last two weeks went by, we found out that we were all able to meet on Wednesday and An American in Paris Monday afternoons because we weren't required for extra-curricular activities at school. Our meeting point became the Cafe Cordelliers where Every good group trip or tour has its allolled we held boccing sessions and congratulations must times each day when people are free to go about as go to Ali with a record of ten in one afternoon. they please, pursuing their own interests or what­ Thus, the five weeks that we envisaged having to ever suits their fancy. This year's History trip to endure passed by very quickly and enjoyably. rn Paris provided just enough free time to satisfy those fact, we were rather sad at having to leave as we felt who still had energy enough, after taking in the it had become a second home. Yet it must be said scheduled sights for the day, to venture into the city that it wasn't all just fun. lt is fairly bard work to see and do even more. attempting to conquer the French language and People who have been to Paris before know that requires a large effort on your part. But, you will the cheapest and quickest way to get around is on find it improves your French and your effort will be the Metro. Similar to London's Underground, the rewarded. Those contemplating doing French for Paris Metro was our historical and cultural link to an A level should seriously consider going abroad the city. rt took us all around. One adventurous - it is a huge advantage. We have all found it a group ventured into the heart of the Paris red-light great benefit and we trust you will. district via the Metro to see what they could see. Some of us came away with fond memories and Indeed, for them it was a trip to be remembered. intentions of returning; others felt they had not for many new sights were taken in off the beaten enjoyed it to the full, and one came away with a path of academics. But while they were peeping 'phone bill! Comme on dit en Franfais, 'Salut, through Pigalle, I was en route for a rendez-vous l'annee prochaine'. with my mates from the coinciding Art tour. But

44 they never showed up; their excuse being that they sometimes even two. The second on our trip came were asleep ... a likely story. lt was all for the when J. Nurton attempted to bypass the Metro better, though, for my fellow historians and I had a ticket system. ' I can't understand this. Rollo never chance to catch Paris by night from part way up the had to pay once and I get caught my first time,• said Eiffel Tower, and admfre the Arc de Triomphe a distressed James. Two hundred francs poorer, he before retiring that night. learned a lesson. Another night the Metro took some of us to the T. Evershed and J. Reid had varied success cinema in search of more relaxing evening enter­ encountering other female students during the tour. tainment. Highlander II, presented in our native After launching into a plausible chat-up line, tongue, was all we could have hoped for to end a Trevor abruptly paused, adding 'By the way, do full day of historical pursuits. But for some the you speak English?' night's activities were far from over. Table football By the end of the trip all our cultural and championships accompanied by a host of drinking historical appetites were no doubt sufficed. The games at a Parisian pub kept some members of the snowball fights in between museums during the group on the move until late; perhaps too late in day made an already successful trip under our some cases. An unfortunate pair became victims of knowledgeable leaders even more lively. Pleasantly street crime late one night while returning to fatigued and academically satisfied, we returned to the hotel. The muggers were courteous, though, in school quite happy with our experiences. asking them kindly Lo hand over their wallets. Every trip has at least one unlucky occurrence. And Jordan Daniels

45 1992 - Your Future houses. We shortened the session, and returned to the Powell Theatre, where we called upon a number another Filled DIY? of presidents to report back. One raced through the list of proposals declaring unanimity on every issue (a remarkable achievement in a European On Wednesday, 20th March, Sherborne hosted context!); one was not there; one approached the a conference for sixth formers, largely organised by task with a show of Oippancy, greeted by sarcastic the UK Centre for European Education and by the applause, which ridiculed the entire exercise; and, European Movement. The morning's programme finally, one produced a lucid and intelligently consisted of two lectures and a short film, and the argued report which demonstrated what could, and afternoon was devoted to a 'Council of Ministers should, have been more generally achieved. Simulation Game', which I shall describe below. This was the first occasion on which I have felt For the day, about eighty members of our Lower ashamed to teach at Sherborne. Sixth were joined by a total of fifty sixth formers But it highlighted problems that have come to from other schools. The consequences of European bedevil our life and work, and two in particular: union are of great importance (and, one might firstly, an arrogant disregard for what is outside our assume, of equally great interest) to all of us; the own sphere of experience, and an alarming degree event should have been valuable and enjoyable; but of parochialism; secondly, a reluctance (or even I found the afternoon session, at least, probably refusal) on the pan of many to engage with an the most embarrassing experience that I have had in academic or intellectual challenge. More and more ten years at Sherborne. we spoonfeed, and more and more the impression The morning session went well; the first seems to be that education (at least the academic speaker's talk was wide-ranging and full of infor­ part of it) can be handed over carefully packaged mation, and was backed up by an excellent set of and neatly presented, posing as few problems as slides; and the video was funny. However, a few possible to the recipient. There exists an increasing­ warning signs were already there: such as the buzz ly pervasive assumption that all that really matters of irritation when it was announced that lunch in sixth form studies is teaching obviously and would be ten minutes later than usual; and the fact directly aimed at making a high A level grade as that only two boys asked questions, one of them easy to auain as possible; and it is a very dangerous received with loud sarcasm by the audience. one. For if we do not each our sixth formers to We had asked on a number of occasions for work independently, to tackle problems for details of the Simulation Game, but its deviser and themselves, to take the trouble to read carefully and organiser had not felt it necessary for it to be to think about what they read, and not to rely on us prepared in advance (or for a teacher to be put in to provide easy explanations, then we are seriously charge of each group). He has run this activity at failing in our duty 10 them; for these things, similar conferences throughout the country; and together with developing an ability to see beyond it works. A set of proposals were to be debated the narrow limits of our own preoccupations, and, (including the very controversial one that the in short, to think for ourselves, constitute the very EC should have a common foreign policy); those essence of education. present were divided up into groups, each group I sense that, at this very moment, pens are being representing a panicular country, and they were sharpened in readiness to point out that the pen­ given information sheets describing in detail their ultimate day of term was not a suitable time for task and also their country's stance on the various such a conference, that we should have had a issues. For about half an hour the participants were microphone for the second speaker, that we should to discuss how best to present their country's point have provided much more preparation and of view, and then they were to move into different guidance for the afternoon session, that there groups, each containing one representative of each should have been a teacher present in each room to country, and the proposals would be debated. provide explanation, that members of other schools Undeniably, the issues involved were quite com­ were not impeccable in their behaviour ... With plex and sometimes explained in quite difficult hindsight, I am aware that I could have done terms. But what followed revealed a great deal several things differently; and it must not be about the participants. In both halves of the ses­ overlooked that a number of boys made extremely sion, a few groups rose impressively to the valuable contributions, either in groups or in the challenge; in the second half in particular, much plenary session. Nevertheless, there can be no depended on the president that they elected, and excuses; the events of the day -' 1992, Your some very effectively instilled a sense of purpose Future' - showed up a narrowness and an indif­ and urgency. Other groups, after less than a quarter ference which are a serious indictment of us all, and of the time allocated, were playing hangman or which, I suggest, represent a challenge that as a watching TV, and, not long afterwards, some community we must work hard to overcome. decided that, as they had completed the game to their own satisfaction, they could return to their P.T.S.

47 Or IOI? not a problem that will disappear, either, for until this generation, and others that follow it, realise that there is more to education than a set of Dr. Such's article about the conference emitled qualifications, then they will remain deluded and '1992 - Your Future' raises many interesting misguided. points. Some, 1 believe, are alarmingly accurate, but there are some issues which he raises that seem Robert Hands to me to be untrue and, perhaps, unfair. First, he states in the opening paragraph that European union and its consequences are, 'one might assume, of ... great interest'. This is a false • assumption, for not everyone is concerned with the world around them - although, admittedly, they ought to be - and it would be especially wrong 10 believe that schoolboys are going to be Where do our Prtorttles lie? unanimously supportive of a conference on Europe; they will not be. Regrettable though it is, the modern product of independent education is I often wonder how highly this School regards often of this apathetical nature. the relationship between a boy at this School and He draws attention to the fact that only two his parents and family. I am fortunate enough to boys asked questions in the morning session. come from a loving and caring family where 1 am Should he, I wonder, be surprised at this? There always made very welcome. It is thus with some was, for non-modern linguists at least, absolutely scepticism that I read in the school rules: no preparation for this conference. It is scarcely 'Exeats will not be granted to those ... • astonishing that after a lengthy dissertation on Europe, much of which (I expect) was not under­ This outlines the over-used but seemingly incon­ stood or taken in by the audience, largely through sequential punishment of 'gating'. but does the ignorance, people were reluctant to ask questions word 'granted' not seem woefully inappropriate? on a subject about which they knew little and had What right has the School to deny a boy the liberty just been 'brainwashed' about. of visiting his home or, perhaps more painfully, a The Simulation Game, J concede, was a disaster. parent the right to see his son? I find this particular­ It may have been successful at other conferences, ly repelling when I consider that most parents but when some of the staff were struggling to work forfeit a great deal to send their children to a school out how the game was played, it was unsurprising which, for the most part, provides a much better that the pupils, too, found it problematic. A basic education than its state-supported equivalent. lack of interest in the topic ensured its failure, I The rule book continues: would argue, and that lack of interest was not at all due to boys' indifference about Europe, but 'School activities, such as matches, play and because they had not been allowed to develop an concert rehearsals ... take priority.• interest in the concept. Indeed, the boys in the I fully understand that the School has to accom­ Lower Sixth who might well have enjoyed the day modate those who choose not to take an exeat, but the most were the ones, ironically, who were surely, on those weekends designated exeats, there absent: the modern linguists abroad. should be some alleviating of the School's pro­ But it is where Dr. Such comes to the problems gramme. I would not consider myself a sports which 'have come to bedevil our life and work' that fanatic, but I do enjoy representing the School, and I feel he hits the mark straight on. Shirburnians are I do respect any employment of my (however extremely parochial, in general, refusing to receive limited!) talent; but when I am told that J 'have to anything from outside their own sphere or to par­ play on Saturday' on a previously planned exeat ticipate in something intellectually. It is part of the weekend, when I intended going home, I feel, and trend in education of pupils wishing to be 'spoon­ my parents feel, angry, annoyed and somewhat fed' rather than engaging in the pursuit of perplexed. Why can the School not accommodate knowledge through enthusiasm alone. I am not all who wish to take an exeat? sure, however, that Dr. Such is being fair to himself I began this term playing for the 4th XI, and and his colleagues when he states that 'we are found myself down to play on an exeat weekend. I failing in our duty to them'; it is not so much the am sure I was not alone when I was told I would be fault of the teachers but of an attitude of mind needed to play 'especially as we would be low on which tends to exist in the perceptions of the numbers'. If the School is low on numbers, why independent school pupil - everything ought to be does it insist on fielding four senior teams on an handed to them on a plate. This is where the state exeat weekend? I also believe that the reason so few school system scores highly, for those who do well people are willing to play team sport is because it in that system are usually highly motivated. It is takes up exeat weekends.

48 On the particular weekend in question, there rugby players. We use the Upper far too much in were 12 of the 13 cricket teams playing; a six-school the Michaelmas term; every Tuesday and Thursday athletics competition (at home - thus requiring a (almost without exception) the ground is used by number of boys as officials); four tennis teams the 1st and 2nd XV for practising, whilst there will playing and an away sailing match - at Pang­ be the Saturday match day and probably the short boume. I duly played and my parents, deciding that Friday session as well. That over-use, or, rather, they would thereby get me home more quickly, ab-use, lasts for just under fifteen weeks con­ came down from Oxford to watch. The game lasted tinuously. Grass that is chewed up never gets the 5 hours, and I arrived home, exhausted, at 9.15 chance to grow again properly, and so we reach the p.m. Cynics might argue that they should not have present situation, where the cricketers have to sent me to school at Sherborne if they lived so far suffer a poorer quality of outfield, and the rugby away - but surely it is a tribute to the School that players lack grass to play on. its catchment area is so large. I did notice that last term no hockey was played Why can the School not provide one weekend, on the Upper, which was welcome (the ground has when there is no sport, when boys can, if they wish, not been really necessary for hockey since the spend time with their parents? It is especially im­ institution of the all-weather surface). but I think portant for those in the Lower School, for whom that we need to give further consideration to con­ exeats are particularly looked-forward to. serving our best pitch. I can appreciate the need for Of course, the School must accommodate the the rugby players to gain experience of playing on needs of all its boys - but surely the links Lhat a the Upper before school matches, but 1 do not see boy has with his family are of utmost importance. that it is necessary to hold every practice on the Why can the School not service them? No academic ground, ad infinitum. There are other vacant opportunities would be lost, nor would any pitches further afield, which are less well used, and experience of competition (there are only two which serve just as useful a purpose, especially if exeats per term). What would be gained would be a 'skills' are being practised. strengthening of this most precious of liaisons. It is We have a duty to the next generation of Upper the relationship with one's family that is the most sportsmen to preserve the fine playing field that was successful expression of love and warmth that one bought from a local butcher in the mid-nineteenth has experienced by the age of eighteen. Unfor­ century. I hope we can fulfil it. tunately, for those gifted (or not) enough to be engaged every weekend, it is in danger of being Robert Hands damaged.

Ben Keeble •

a ereenhlll Fir away

As a united Europe approaches, and there is a The Upper need for a united world after such tragedies as the Gulf War, noods in Bangladesh and starvation in Ethiopia, communication and understanding 'The Upper' has been synonymous with between the differing peoples of the world is Sherborne sport for over one hundred years as the paramount. ground upon which the School plays its rugby and It seems that it is most important to learn to cricket. Well-drained and with a smooth surface, associate with people of a different nationality at an the ground has been of infinite value to countless early stage. generations of Shirburnian sportsmen. Yet now, I One might imagine that, particularly at Sher­ feel, the Upper is being over-used and becoming bome School, with the wide range of foreign too worn. The evidence lies in the scarred patches language courses available, the 'communication of mud that are currently to be seen in the cricket gap' is more than sufficiently bridged. outfield, and in the 'bald patch' just outside the However, I do believe that linguistic capability pavilion. It is not conducive to good cricket, as in a particular language does not immediately bring these areas are liable to cause fielding problems knowledge of those who speak that language as a (irregular bounce, mainly) and it is not going to native tongue; understanding of foreign culture, help the rugby teams when autumn returns, as mud tradition and character enhances knowledge of a poses many more difficulties than grass. studied language. So where does the problem lie? Whose fault is I do not want to suggest that there is a lack of it? Principally, I would argue, it is the fault of the the aforementioned point at Sherborne School.

49 However, this is where I must reflect on the title Therefore, the importance of doing the right sub­ of this article. There seems to be a kind of 'cold jects needs to be stressed as you wiJl probably be war' between the boys of GreenhiJJ and the other narrowing the path towards your future career. boys of the School. However, quite apart from future considerations, Surely, with so many boys of a foreign A levels in the sixth form must remain at the heart nationality 'on our doorstep', particular studies in of school life because, in the end, it is the results languages should be integrated with the boys from which, above all, affect your future. Greenhill? This would not only enlarge students' Within the block system, the majority of likely linguistic knowledge, but it would also speed up the combinations are covered: there is no problem with learning of English for Greenhill boys. opting for entirely science-oriented subjects, for At the moment, as far as 1 can see, the only example. Yet, when we analyse the arts subjects, immediately noticeable connections between the we observe certain restrictions which inhibit boys of GreenhilJ and the other boys is the uniform several sensible, complementary combinations. For that we wear and place where we eat. example, in the next academic year the combination I have seen much friction between the two of Greek and History will no longer be possible, 'sides' in the form of arguments, scuffles and although I know of one present Lower Sixth jeering, largely due to misunderstanding or dis­ student who successfully opted for it. In the event respect of one another. This misunderstanding that someone should wish to make this particular could easily be dissolved by social meeting and choice, it is likely the matter could be resolved shared studies; it would be beneficial to aJJ con­ owing to the relatively small numbers of students cerned. taking Greek. However, perhaps the combination Perhaps the third form language awareness of Music and Art should be given more con­ course and specific general studies could include sideration. These two subjects are certainly com­ contact with boys from Greenhill? plementary, and there have been students in the It is ironic and sad that in such a relatively com­ past, and there will be those in the future, who fortable and rich atmosphere at Sherbome School, enjoy and are good at both subjects. Yet for there is a gap between people of different some reason they find themselves in the same block, nationalities, and I hope that a change can be making the study of both impossible. Among the made. subjects in 'Block C', there are four which onJy appear in that particular block, and therefore they Alexander Neill cannot be studied together. Latin, German, Theology and Physics all find themselves in this situation and, as a result, some art or classics­ orientated combinations cannot be undertaken. • The perfectly reasonable and plausible combination of French, German and Latin will, therefore, no longer be available. It would be unfair to argue that a good system is BlocklnD A-level Choices not provided, but we must remember that some complementary and popular selections are not per­ mitted within the structure of the system. ls there a It is certainly true that the block system gives 'a feasible solution to these difficulties which prevent wide variety of possible A level combinations of some students from pursuing their interest in a sub­ subjects', as the new, revised A level courses ject? Although it would involve a lot more 1991 booklet says. However, there will remain organisation, the creation of an extra block for limitations as a result of 'setting' and timetable con­ these few subjects which provide problems would siderations. I can appreciate the logistical problems be welcome. This would assist in eradicating the which the organisation of such a timetable must difficulties and dilemmas with which the rigid struc­ create, and in most cases it must be said a com­ ture confronts some students. It would provide an plementary combination of subjects is available. even broader option for sixth form work, and Yet, there still exist certain would-be popular com­ it would even enable some students to enjoy, for binations which are not possible as a result of the example, the study of both Mozart and Matisse framework of the system. simultaneously. The importance of selecting the right com­ bination of subjects at A level is paramount. Not James Freeth only will it prevent you from undertaking a subject in which you are uninterested, but it may also have some bearing or relevance on your future. In many cases, your A level choices will influence your choice of subject to read at university, which, in tum, could prejudice your ultimate career in life.

50

In the anarmatb 01 a Dhona call

I sit here Chewing thoughtfully on a nail Rubbing an irritated eyelid While sunlight streams Golden globes hanging on my eyelashes Pondering as l clean an earhole Should I write and what should I If I should at all? I could write of my feelings On telephone ca11s Or whether some people Should Jive at all Or who they're all throwing stones at Or when the milk runs dry Or whether Elvis is dead yet Or, when pigs will fly But I don 'l and I sit here longer With my nails bitten down to the bone And the sun still streams in through the window And l still fell very alone.

Pete Thomas

You·va all beard Ibis batore

Heathland and conifers meet in diversity, Unique in their form, and baked in the sun, Siskins and pipits share air with the honey bee, Beneath glossy pines foxes stealthily run.

The air tricks in summer, shade quickly eroding, Drowsy butterflies flit aimless over the heath, In evenings the woodcock are seen to be roding Whilsl nightjars rattle and wingsnap beneath.

So limited now, but small patches remain, These too are threatened, you've a11 heard this before - But to make way for housing, the car and the train These too must suffer - act now if not before.

Jon Dunn

53 Una booia Farrov111ra

Un jour je suis alle au guichet. 'Bonjour monsieur, je peux vous aider?' 'Un billet simple a Paris.' 'De quelle classe?' m'a-t-il dit. ' De deuxieme class, s'il vous plait. Le train, ii part de quel quai?' 'Du numero deux aujourd'hui.' 'C'est bien celui de ce cote-ci?' 'Non, numero deux est de l'autre cote. Je vous souhaite, monsieur, une bonne joumee. • 'Le train arrive ici avant midi?' 'Oui, 11 y a un rapide a ooze heure et demie.'

J'ai trouve le cafe et j'y suis entre. Tout de suit j'ai commande un cafe au lait. 'Dans deux minutes,' m'a dit la femme polie. 'N'attendez pas la, vous devriez etre assis.' 'Mais ca fait combien? Je veux vous payer Avant d'aller m'asseoir,' ai-je ajoute. 'Un cafe au lait - cinq francs, merci.' 'Un billet de cinquante est tout ce que j'ai pris. Excusez-moi, madame, je suis desole. Donnez-moi quarante et gardez la monnaie.' 'Ah, monsieur, vous etes tres gentil. Je vais vous donner un petit biscuit.'

'Formidable!' a haute voix ai-je crie. 'Je vais siirement bien m'amuser!' J'ai bu le cafe puis la femme a servi Encore trois tasses et elle m'a souri. 'II n 'y a rien a boire pendant le trajet.' 'Merci madame. Ah! J'entends un sifflet. Mon train arrive et je m'en vais d'ici, Je serai chez moi des cet apres-midi.' Tout d'un coup, lorsque je me suis leve, J'ai eu un probleme et je me suis depeche.

Le train est arrive et ii est reparti, Mais moi je l'ai manque - je faisais pipil

54 Horse Dreams

In a meadow he stands, last of his kind, Asks melancholy, 'Where did we fail?' Left alone in the confines of his mind Each day is the same - eat grass, swish tail -

' My ancestors carried the Romans out; If we could build empires, bow could we fail?' Assailed now by nagging equine doubt 'What did we do wrong?' - eat grass, swish tail -

'We carried the pious when they had to pray; If we were crusaders, why did we fail? And what of our legacy left here today? Horsepower in engines.' - eat grass, swish tail -

Jon Dunn

The Dead Black Dawn

The clouds of hate boil into the sky - A reeking black column blowing five miles high. And a child weeps, lost and forlorn, As its small poisoned eyes survey the Dead Black Dawn.

The sickly plague-ridden moonbeam wanes, As the memories of sorrow glower from blood-red stains. Across the sky broods the angry dark storm As the ravaged land awakes to the Dead Black Dawn.

The miseries of the rape, once begotten By the 'evil hordes', will never be forgotten; They crawl across the land, war-tom, Howling their anguish at the Dead Black Dawn.

Richard Townsend

55 PHI must present or pass

Sister Bernadette Won't you come and dance with me I want to see your skin On the floor tonight. It doesn't really matter That the show's moved on There's plenty left to make this history.

Sister Bernadette In through the wind in lace tonight The flowers dried and blowing in the breeze Cooling the shimmering bodies Moving in the shadows, moonlit on the terrace The past can't Live without the present passed Can't you see the flames tonight Inner feelings, still surround The images of sound and sight The hidden creatures of the night Break through the twilight, gather round And twisting, turning, soflly move Across the floor and without sound Sister Bernadeue is in the past.

Pete Thomas

56 Winier Sandmarllns

It is fair to say that nobody knows Quite exactly where the housemartin goes In winter when duck-ponds bob with ice floes. l have a theory I dare to propose; They flee to their timeshares, far from the snows And leave us all here with frost-bitten toes.

Jon Dunn

57 hopes of success may not have been unduly high. Dauntsey's School were comfortably dealt with in Hockey the first game, followed by an excellent 2 - 2 draw with the Gloucestershire champions, Cheltenham College. Another draw followed with Exeter lSI XI School, but, as we were now in the semi-finals, the result had to be decided on penalty strokes. A The summer tour to Australia seemed a long 5 - 3 victory was not only down to our boys always way away as the lst XI squad returned to Sherborne finding the net but also on the excellent goalkeeping for pre-term training with the weather obviously skills of Andy Rutherford. The divisional final starting as it meant to continue: wet, cold and pitted us against Millfield (Somerset champions) windy. The expectations for the XI were high, who were obviously confident that they could based on the quality of hockey and success dispose of us as easily as they did in the school previously gained in the southern hemisphere, plus match. Peter Hammond Giles and Andy Robertson the five boys who toured alongside Findlay Hughes, again played well at the back, with Simon Watling the captain. showing excellent form, in spite of his injury, at The first match against the Occidentals, centre half. Consequently Millfield found us a very although lost by the odd goal, showed bow well we different proposition. A penalty corner was con­ could play, providing no mistakes were made in the verted to give us a lead which was retained until defensive third of the field. Downside, on a very the last few minutes, when our opponents broke soft and difficult shale pitch, essentially ended away to level. The nerves were again stretched to even, although at one point the more direct breaking point as the second penalty stroke contest methods used by our opponents looked to be more began. Possibly the practice from the semi-final effective than our more patient and methodical helped: again the first four strokes were converted, build-up. A good spell of results then followed: an which left the two captains to finish. The Millfield excellent win over a strong Dorset side: a positive stroke was saved by Andy Rutherford and Findlay performance against Bryanston; and a rather one Hughes, despite his injury, converted. sided affair with Monkton Combe. This obviously The Oxford Hockey Festival proved to be very gave everyone the required confidence to approach successful, with wins over strong opposition in The the first stage of the Nationwide Tournament at Leys, Uppingharn, Wellington College and Felsted. county level in a positive manner. A very early Thoughts now began to swing towards the national morning game resulted in an easy win over finals to be held in Coventry and how best to Hardye's, followed by a single goal victory against prepare for such an event when the majority of the Bryanston, who possibly may have felt unlucky, sixteen squad were playing cricket. Add to this the having hit our woodwork on more than one difficulty of not having a full size playing surface occasion. The final with Queen Elizabeth's, Guern­ on which to practice. The first game at Coventry sey showed our hockey at its flowing best, with drew us against the defending champions, Sir Tom Sutton, Luke Baker and Chris Colby William Berlass School, Marlow, who had not only operating well as an attacking trio, giving the XI a won the tournament twice at 16 group and twice at first ever win in the County Championship. Little the senior level, but had just returned from Holland hockey was then played until after half term as the where they had been crowned unofficial European snow descended over southern England wiping out champions. An early goal by Chris Colby did not only practice time but also the block fixture wonders for the confidence of the side. Another against King's Bruton. goal followed, only to be pegged back by two Another good spell followed with a creditable penalty corners from their senior international, win over a combative King's Taunton, and a loss to Simon MickHn. A late goal by Tom Sutton gave us the Taunton Cherubs, who included Rob Hill, the a victory which I am sure no one would have bet current GB and Havant player at centre half. This any money on. T his performance certainly rates as game showed how to make and take chances: the one of the best seen by a Sherborne side over the visitors with around six chances scored three and past decade. the School with a dozen could only score one. A The euphoria of victory was bound to have an similar story followed at Taunton, who were only effect, although the drubbing from Havant Hockey allowed two shots at goal and came away with a Club came as a surprise as they had drawn their two-all draw. The final games, versus Millfield and first game. Chances were there to be taken; Canford, were disappointing, not because they unfortunately, the goalkeeper came out on top on were lost, but rather the way we played to lose each occasion, whereas the home keeper was left them. Mistakes were continually made in defensive with little support from his defences. The final areas which obviously allowed the opposition in qualifying game against the northern divisional both cases to maintain pressure and find the net. champions required a draw for Sherborne to go for­ The divisional tournament at Bournemouth was ward to the semi-final stage on the following day. looming and, as preparation was far from perfect, In true fashion the home supporters' nerves were

59 slretched to the limit as we proceeded to give away a thanks to Findlay Hughes for alJ his help, both on multitude of penalty corners. Fortunately, we and off the field; and to GCA and Gavin defended these very well and gradually began to Featherstone for helping make this a most suc­ frustrate their highly talented front line. On one of cessful and enjoyable season. the few forays into their half a goal was squeezed out of a penalty corner to give the breathing space Team: W. F. F. Hugh es (Captain). A. M. Robertson, required. Although the opposition drew level our A. J. Rutherford, P. D. Hammond Giles, M. J. Pearce, goal remained intact to give us a place in the semi­ S. C. G. Watling, P. B. Kassulke, A. R. Baines, T. W. Suuon, L. Baker, W. H. A. Chappell, C. J. Colby. finals against Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe. This game showed the physical effort Also ployed: B. Richardson, M . A . Hammond Giles, which had been required for the previous day when J. W. G. Guy, A. C. M. Hart, F. M. J. Costeloe. two midfield mistakes were exploited to the fullest to give them a comfortable two-goal cushion. Dur­ Results: Played 12, Won 4, Lost 6, Drawn 2. For 23, Agains1 23. ing the second half our sharpness returned and con­ sequently we began to dominate both at the back Occidentals L I - 2 and in midfield, but unfortunately could not get Downside D 2 - 2 behind their very impressive sweeper. Dorset w 2-0 Possibly our season could be summed up on a Bryanston w 3 - 0 level of expectation: when the XI were expected to Monkton Combe w S - I King's Taunton w 3 - I win we often failed to excel. There again, under Taunton Cherubs L I - 3 cup competition we proved to be both highly Taunton D 2 - 2 competitive and also, as shown at the Nationwide Mill field L I - 3 tournaments, successful. A season which initially Pilgrims L I - 2 promised much most certainly exceeded all Can ford L I - 4 Exeter expectation, which is great credit to all the boys L I - 3 who played for the XI throughout the term. My D.A.S.

60 kicking technique and as his confidence increased cons l be learned to dominate his circle. Perhaps his outstanding performance was in saving match­ The season began with a disappointing draw at winning penalty flicks in the Nationwide Anglia home to Downside, who were the only team vic­ Tournament at Canford. He showed courage and torious over us the previous season, and continued immense concentration to ensure the team pro­ to Bryanston with a closely-fought contest. In this gressed to the area finals of the competition at match we fought back with a depleted team to earn Bournemouth. a two-all draw, though a hit from the half-way which hit our post nearly allowed their following C. J. Smart forward to snatch a gift winner. We thus went to Chris set a fine example both as a player and a cap­ the Dorset Nationwide Anglia Tournament without tain. Time and again he was seen to be covering a win. The worst game of the season, against dangerous breaks by the opposition. His timing of a Hardye's, was narrowly won, and we improved tackle was superb. Perhaps his greatest asset was his enormously to defeat Bryanston with a well-taken distribution of the batJ, when he was able to goal by Giles. Canford was our opposition in the transform a defensive situation into an attacking final, a talented team. They struck early and it option with an accurate and well-weighted pass. He needed a Costeloe penalty flick to level the score, contributed enormously to the success of the side, and a post and a crossbar to keep it level. both on and off the field. I am grateful for his con­ Displaying considerable coolness we won on tribution and congratulate him on leading the team penalty flicks, with a special mention to Guy to such a successful season. Shirley, who prevented several Canford attempts P. D. Reid from counting. Peter forced his way into the side at right back with Next came a 2 - 1 win over King's Taunton, in some determined performances in the early season which we played wetJ and earned the victory against practice games. He proved an automatic choice by a formidable side which went ahead. Determination the end of the season. What he lacked in athleticism and commitment brought us back, and we showed he more than made up with enthusiasm and hard what we were capable of. The performance against work. He improved his positional play as the season Taunton was less pleasing, though the scoreline progressed. He tackled firmly and was particularly shows a decisive victory. Defence and halves good at intercepting passes by the opposition. He combined effectively, but the forward line only played a major role in the team's fine defensive converted a fraction of their chances. record. Our most satisfying win was a home trouncing of Millfield, with delightful hockey and two early F. M. J. Cosreloe goals from Guy opening the route to victory. Jeremy showed considerable skill and pace which Cossins and two skilful goals by Robertson com­ he harnessed to good effect at left-half. He pre­ pleted the rout. Another meeting with Canford ferred a defensive role rather than supporting finished I - I; again we can say that we had a cer­ attacks. However, on the occasions when he did tain degree of luck, but it acted as a finale for a suc­ threaten the opposition goal, be proved what a fine cessful, unbeaten season. It was just unfortunate striker of the ball he was by scoring some important that fixtures versus King's Bruton and Monkton goals. He was the first choice for taking penalty Combe were cancetJed. nicks which he accepted with confidence and Only the Nationwide Anglia West of England coolness. Tournament remained, and an easy win over a J. D. Brad/ord weak Dauntsey's side, plus a harder trial against John showed outstanding stick control and was Plymstock, brought us to the semi-final. Here capable of individual brilliance but too often failed we met Cheltenham College in a thirty-minute to use his skills for the overall benefit of the team. encounter, in which we fought our hardest, yet He tried to dribble past one player too many when narrowly lost to a debatable penalty nick decision. he had committed the defence, to leave attacking This left us weary and disappointed, but many of team-mates unmarked. He converted to centre-half this talented side can look forward to a place in and possesses the potential to be the ideal pivot major teams next year. Many thanks must go to from which to switch defence into attack. I hope Mr. Nurton for all his commitment to the team. the experience this year will convince him of the contribution he can make to school hockey in the Christopher Smart future. Team rromes B. R. Maidment Ben started the season needing to make significant G. D. M. Shirley contributions to secure a regular place in the team. Guy confirmed his pos1uon as first choice goal­ It says much for his attitude and dedication that he keeper with numerous important saves in several achieved this and played a significant part in the close-fought games. He worked hard to improve his success of the side. A clean striker of the ball, he

61 showed good v1s1on in attack and was always C. J. S. Firebrace prepared lo work hard in defence. Rarely beaten Charles was an extremely determined and for pace, he was always able lo prevenl dangerous enthusiastic member of the squad. His skill auacking situations developing down the left side improved with every game and he never failed to of the pitch. give IOOo/o effort. He lacks vision on the field, which S. W. Giles results in passes either going aslray or being Simon was the regular left wing, occasionally intercepted. However, with his attitude he should switching to centre forward when required. His challenge for a position in the senior teams next year. greatest asset was his ability to strike the ball cleanly which proved particularly dangerous as his C. A. Cartier and S. R. Everard accuracy improved. He scored some excellent goals I was most grateful for the contribution both of which gave the opposing goalkeeper very little these boys made to the success of the Colts learn. chance of stopping them. A greater commitment in They were always prepared to play when there were the circle to go in hard on the loose ball should injuries or other boys were unavailable. Much of result in him becoming a very dangerous attacking the success in the Nationwide Anglia Tournament player. can be attributed to lhe contribution, both on and off the field, of these two boys. A. J. Robertson Alistair has considerable natural ability as a hockey Finally, a word of thanks must go the Mr. Allen player and was always dangerous in the circle. for umpiring the 'difficull' games, regardless of the Perhaps too often he attempted to dribble the ball weather; appreciation for lhe coaching provided by into the net rather than slriking it early. His close bolh Mr. Scou and Mr. Featherslone, again in control was good bul he must concentrate on all weather conditions; and to all those parents improving his vision and playing the ball into space who braved the elements - your support and for others to run on lo. His work rate improved encouragement was greatly valued. during the season which suggests he will contribute to the demands of the higher level of hockey in Results: Played 6, Won 3, Drawn 3. which he should be involved over the next couple of years. Downside D 2-2 Bryanston D 2. 2 A. S. Cossins King's Taunton w 2 - I Alistair proved somewhat impetuous and too easily Taunton w 5-0 became fruslrated under pressure. This resulted in Mill field w 4-0 Canford D I - I him forsaking his skills and resorting to some rather agricultural hockey. A fierce competitor, he must M.D.N. learn to channel his aggression and instincts into working with and for his colleagues. He can hit the ball with considerable power but too many shots 2nd XI flew wide or the target. He has the potential lo become a talenled centre-forward. The success of a team is normally judged on its record and an unbeaten record can hardly be bettered. The J. W. G. Guy season started slowly with a scrappy victory against John disciplined his game as the season progressed. Downside. Good wins were then recorded against below­ He struggled to appreciate lhe tactical awareness of par opponents. Unfortunately, the season ended with two his role as inside forward early in the season. He draws, the first against a Mill field side which we should was prepared to li slen lo advice and gradually have bearen easily; and the second against a good adapted to the requiremenls of the learn rather than Canford side. The members of the distinguished XI were as follows. concentrating on his individual performance. He The man behind the mask was Ben Richardson, who learnt to release the ball earlier in attack to set up pulled off many impressive saves and looks destined for a goal scoring opportunities for others. I was pleased 1st XI place next year. At the back. Marcus Chan1rey was with his progress and believe that we have yet to see as solid as ever. His coolness under pressure made up for the best or him as a hockey player. his lack of pace and he proved 10 be superb at stopping short corners. The man who hit the short corners was the G. M. Sutton other back and the captain, James Persse. James was a Guy used his pace lo good effect on the right wing. great leader and inspired us with many grea1 goals from short corners. On paper the side looked to be weak in the He still has a tendency lo creep in-field rather than halves, but 1his was soon to be proved wrong. Si Thomp­ stay wide, with the inevitable result of giving both son played well at right half until he disappeared to Spain himself and his colleagues less room in which to at half-term. His place was filled by Tim Brock who, for attack their opponents on a one-to-one situation. the most part, played out of his skin. At centre half John Guy showed good control of the ball on his stick Davies learnt the skills well and was soon distributing the ball to good effect. Left half was again to be the position and was totally unselfish. He could perhaps be a for Chris Hart. His tackling left a lot of right wings little more selfish in the circle as he has all the without the ball and his attacking skills proved to be very atlributes to become a consistent goal scorer. helpful even if his Bart Simpson haircut got in the way!

62 The inside combination of Will Wingfield Digby and 3rd JU Andy de Mestre proved very decisive on a number of occasions and their running off the ball was the best part The 3rd XI this year managed to c.ontinue Last year's of their game. successful Lower with another winning season. The term On the wings we had Andrew Galsworthy for the first had boded well when Phil Brown, renowned more for hi s half of term and then the second Upper Sixth member of golf than intellectual cunning, was appointed captain, the team, Ed Playfair. Both controlled the left wing well making up for what he lacked on paper with a fine season and played with great maturity. The right wing belonged at left back. Sunny Yiu, the omnipresent and difficult-10- to Will Cook: his pace was blistering and when the ball miss goalkeeper too had an excellent season and to him was put across, a goal quite often followed. Stu Gillet! must go much credit for the season's score sheet. Phil and was top scorer with eight goals, one ahead of the captain Sunny, abetted by the flamboyant but solid Chris Croft at (bad luck James!) and he soon found the space at centre right back gave the team a sturdy foundation. forward and began to use it well; however, he was The names Doug Glenday, Ed Holme, Justin Larby somewhat unlucky not 10 find the goal more often. and Tim Brock (the lauer two interchanging between 2nds The team's thanks go to Mr. Allen for being a grand and 3rds, before the former headed off for sunnier coach and umpire(!) when he turned up, and I'm sure his climes, and the !alter secured a regular place in the 2nds), sense of humour will be missed by all except for those in supplied the forwards with ample goalscoring chances, his Ancient History set. Thanks must also go to the !st XI even managing to score occasionally themselves. They for being such fine opposition in practice and to Mr. Scott also proved very capable in the not so glamorous role of and Mr. Featherstone for the odd useful tips. helping out in defence. To finish, I think the award for 'hardest man of the After losing our lef1 side attack (Will Wingfield Digby team' must go to James Persse, for he did not wear a and Ed Playfair) at half term to the 2nds, one of the more tracksuit once all term. I guess it just shows what Vaseline annoying aspects of the Lent Term, one wondered if we can do for you. would find sui1able replacements. In David Caesar and Nor Asham the team found equally as capable replace­ Team (from): J. A. J. Persse (captain). B. Richardson, ments who combined with Ben Morris, John Reid and M. R. Chantrey, S. C. G. Thompson, T. S. Brock, Gyles Haigh-Austin to show that goal scoring isn't really J. G . R. Davies, A. C. M. Han, W. H. Wingfield Digby, that difficult at this level, if you hit enough shots on goal. A. E. de Mestre, A. A. Galsworthy, E. H. L. Playfair, Also featuring up front was Nick Barber, promoted 10 the W. B. A. Cook, S. Gilleu. Lower from the 1st XL The matches themselves were immensely enjoyable Results: Played 8, Won 6, Drawn I. Goals for 31. against 9 with the seven and eight goal routs that some produced, like Monkton Combe before half term, Taunton and Downside w 2 • I Milton Abbey 2nds after. Perhaps the best match was a1 Bryanston w 3 • I Canford where we met by far our strongest opponents Monkton Combe w 8-0 yet. Having been down 1wice during the first half, it was King's Taunion w 2 - 0 not until David Caesar levelled at 2 • 2 that we began Taunton w .S- I playing our finest hockey of the season to eventually win Milton Abbey, 1st XI w 6 • I 4. 2. Millficld D 3. 3 After such an enjoyable season, both on and off the Can ford D 2-2 field, it remains for me to thank Mr. Brooke without whose umpiring, skilful coaching and sense of humour Stuan Gillett the whole season might have been very different.

63 Team (from): S. Yiu, P. C. F. Brown (captain), C . Croft. of our usual eleven. This led 10 a shaky beginning against D. A. Glcnday, E. M. N-R. llolme, J. J. B. Larby, T. S. Brock, both the 4th XI and Milton Abbey, as we were suddenly W. H. Wingfield Digby, E. H. L. Playfair, D. H. Caesar, deprived of space. Coming to terms with this situation Nor Asham, B. W. Morris, J. P. Reid, G . J. Haigh-Austin, was the greatest challenge of the season, and meant that N. D. Barber. the defence were hard pressed at the beginning of both matches. Credit goes to Jon Stocken in goal for the skilful Results: Played 6, Won 6. way in which he used his feet, and also to the skills of Dave Williamson-Jones for the way he used his. On Bryanston w 6-0 finding our feet, we were able lo mount a spirited Monkton Combe w 7 - I coumcr-auack and, when they remembered to take it with King's Taunton w 4 - I them, the forwards were able to make good use of the Taunton w 8-2 ball. Just as the team had really begun to work together, a Millon Abbey 2nds w 7-2 twist of fate meant that both of our remaining matches Can ford w 4-2 were cancelled, bringing the season to an abrupt end. Many thanks to RCFG for his coaching in the face of Jonn Reid great danger and for all his work in raising a team.

John Reid's own achievements should nol go Tt!Om: J. F. Stacken. T . C. Arnold (captain) D. J. Williamson­ unrecognised. He scored sixteen goals in six matches, Joncs. E. C. C. Madgwick, M. A. Warren, P.J. Moreton, some of quite breathtaking quality, and outclassed every P. R. Thomas. A. W. Cann, J. 0 . Prall. J. L. Pexton, opposition defence he cncoumcred. He will be missed. 0 . H. Edwards. M.J.B. Results: Played 2, Drawn 2.

4th XI D J • 3 Millon Abbey D J. J 41h XI Can ford Cancelk'

64 Team (from): M. C. N ArneU, A. R. Campbell, C. A. Carlicr, The next two weeks saw a weak Monkton Combe side J. N. Chantrc), S. R. Everard, C. J. S. Fircbracc, P. D. R. Fire· beaten into submission and a Bruton fonurc cancelled due brace, M. C. Geddes, J. F. C. Hart, M. B. T. Hitchings. to rain. Then came the real test, against a King's Taunton A. J. Mills, T. G. Rankine, M. T. Trcad,.cll, R. S. EvettS, side, supp0sedly the strongest on the circuit, who beat us H. C. Mildred, N. J. Shearer. 5 - I in the Mini Colts. We went to King's with our minds set on revenge and victory. The game that followed was Rt!Sllfts: Played 6. Won 4, Lost I, Drawn I. Goals for 28. dose and hard-fought, with us spending most of the game against 6. in their half but always looking vulnerable to the sudden breakaway goal. Both sides were unfortunate to miss the Bryans ton 0 I. J net several times and the game, disapp0intingly for both King's Taunton w 3. 2 teams, ended in a scoreless draw. We returned to Taunton Taunton w 11 · O the following Saturday and beat a mediocre Taunton Milton Abbey A w 3. 2 School side 3 • I, followed up by a solid victory over a Mill field w 10 -0 strong Millfield side a week later. Can ford 1 0 · t This was followed by the most exciting, nail-biting encounter against Canford where we scored two early M.A.W. goals, and, thinking we had the match won, relaxed. They scored four goals in ten minutes and it looked as if our unbeaten season was coming to an end. However, we showed real determination and courage in pulling back to Junior cons a XI 4 - 4 and finally winning with a last-minute penalty-flick . The season saw us start out as a good side and finish as A season which finished up unbeaten was ended in fine a very good one. From the slight confusion at the start of fashion by an excellent 7 - 0 defeat of Clayesmore, on a tbe term emerged a side that played mature, p0ssession day when it seemed that most of both teams' players hockey, feeding the wings and, if no option was available, would have preferred to watch the rugby Grand Slam playing the ball back, across the field and up the other decider between England and France at Twickenham. flank until a gap opened. This tactic was We started out against Downside, playing a style of executed calmly and collectively to great effect, especially hockey usual to the beginning of a season and managed to against tougher opp0sition, shown dearly by our goals emerge as victors comfortably. Next came Bryanston, record of thirty gained and only eight conceded. always tough, competitive opp0nents, against whom we And so on to the players: Steve Temple in goal was got off to a 2 - O start, but relaxed and allowed them to always reliable and quick to see when to run out and beat get back into the game. However, in the dying moments a forward to the ball. He also seemed to have an uncanny of the game we sneaked one in to win the match. knack of saving penalty flicks!

65 The back two of John Wheatley and Jonty Butler finishers. Simon Johnson was so good at pretending he remorselessly hounded opposition forwards, showing a was utterly lethargic that opposition backs left him alone rare perseverance. John Wheatley was always, and to score sixteen superb goals. William Worrall looked sometimes thankfully, in support of any attacking move. good down the left and put in plenty of effort, while Pete Jonty must be thanked for countless goal-saving tackles Richards also looked good but didn't. Anthony Pinkham and unselfish play. A mention also to Ross Smith, who added an extra dimension to our game with his right wing deputised on occasions and was always quick to tum pace, while Robbie James had the skill to make up for his defence into sci ntillating attack. Graham Lawes/ Andy lack of weight. Black and Will Hargrove as the outside halves always The half line was a problem area. Charlie Grime in gave IOOOJo and worked hard to be both up in attack and his first term of hockey at the School was excellent, but back in defence. Although without glory, their roles in the Andrew Todd had the skill without the pace, Nick team were priceless. Edouard had the tackle without the skill, and Andrew At centre half, Mark Hammond Giles was the Black had the pace (at times) and hit without the tackle. I backbone of the team. His penetrating runs and am sure they will all learn and develop further next year to individual skills were exceptional and his tackling a very become fine players. Between them they had the lot. reliable aspect of his all-round play. At the back James Steele-Perkins led by example; The wingers, Bash Bakari and Duncan Craig, showed before moving to centre half, Ross Smith was as solid as a both pace and aggression in beating their opposite men. rock; and Jock Fraser, although resembling a participant Although not always used as much as they could have in 1he Baute or Bannockburn on his wilder days, was as been, they made sure something exciting happened devastating on grass as weedkiller. He publicly admitted whenever they were. that his skills would be ready for the astro by the year The two inners, Paddy Holmes and Toby Wright, 2000. were always dangerous in attack with their close skills We never had problems with the grass in the 'D' and, as a result, were both rewarded with a few spec­ being cut up si nce 'Larry' Mason was wont to shout very tacular individual goals. loudly: 'Get them out of my area.' When the opposition David Thomas at centre forward added to this potent failed to take the hint, he stopped most things. Many strike force. His stick skills were good and, as the season thanks also to Toby Couzens, Dan Taylor (one game, one progressed, his positional sense improved considerably. goal) and Barney Bell for playing so well when required. Finally, our warmest thanks go to Mr. Whiteley, who I am sure that some of this team will end up in the !st not only taught us how to win hockey matches but also XI, and equally certain that all will continue to enjoy their how to enjoy our hockey. Also, huge thanks to Mr. Scott, hockey. They were a pleasant, polite and keen side, Mr. Reynolds and last, but definitely not least, to Mr. allhough they would refuse to admit 10 the last adjective. Featherstone for his time and advice. Many thanks to Gavin Featherstone and DAS for expert coaching and to J PW for all his hockey knowledge Team (from): D. M. A. Thomas (captain). S. Temple, and help. R. H. Smith, J. D. V. Wheatley, J. N. Butler, G. w_ La"cs. A. J. Black, W. P. Hargrove, M. A. Hammond Giles, Team (from): J. A. Steele-Perkins (captain), S. R. Johnson. B. A. Bakari, D. J. Craig, P. A. J. Holmes. T. E. S. Wright. P. J. Richard~. W. R. Worrall, J. R. W. Mason, C. J. Grim<", N. C. Edouard, A. M. Pinkham, R. H. Smith, A. J. Black. J. B. Fraser, R. S. G. James, G. W. La.,.es, G. A B. Todd, Results: Played 8. Won 7. Drawn I. Goals for 30. against 8. T . J. Couzens, J. N. Butler. B. A. Bcb. P. A. J. Holmes, D. T. U. Taylor. Downside w 3 - t Bryanston w 3 - 2 Monkton Combe w 6 - 0 Results: Played 8, Won 6, Lost I, Drawn t. PoinlS for 43, King's Taunton D 0 - 0 against S. Taunton w 3 - I Mill field w 3-0 Downside w 3 - I Canford w 5-4 Bryaruton D I· I Claycsmorc w 7-0 Monkton Combe w 8-0 King's Taunton w 4 - t David Thomas Taunton l t • 2 Milton Abbey 'A' w 5 - 0 Mill field w 16 . 0 Can ford w 5 - 0 Junior Colts I XI G.D.R. The Junior Colts year is always a learning year. Those boys and teams that learn quickly excel. We did not. To draw against Bryanston and lose 2 - I against a poor Ullfer 14 a Taunton side was a demonstration that talent is not always a key to success. The U.14 class of '91 was one of great enthusiasm Having said that, a record of Played 8, Won 6, Drawn and potential; thus it was a matter of some disappoint­ I, Lost I; Goals for 43, Goals against 5, was not bad. To ment to both players and coach that this team saw good defeat Millfield 16 - 0 was possibly a record and to beat result.s disappear in the last minute or so of Li me. The Milton Abbey A's 5 - 0 was an excellent result. main aim of the season was to develop in the team the The replacement for Graham Lawes, a fine distributor awareness that the game can be played much more effect­ at centre half, soon lost to the A's, was a problem we ively if possession is retained and the ball is passed never really solved, a.lthough Ross Smith was a splendid around, rather than hit blindly upfield and chased. To defensive centre half who struck the ball very hard. Our their credi1, by March they appreciated the value of this strikers, when they received the ball, were excellent approach and endeavoured to apply it where possible.

66 Throughout the term there was no shortage of oppor­ a couple more occasions before full time. It was par­ tunities to score but we were unable to convert these con­ ticularly gratifying that Graham-Brown found his scoring sistently enough. So it was particularly pleasing to finish touch at the end, putting away five in that last game. on a high note by putting eight goals past Clayesmore, My thanks must go to DAS and Gavin Featherstone when we had let teams of a comparable standard off the for coaching support and to Mrs. Fisher, GCA and J PW hook earlier in the season. for umpiring games. I must also thank the boys for their With such a short term the first game, against hard work, good humour and patience with me. Downside, was upon us before we were ready and our Jack of preparation was clear. When we got ahead we Team: A. M. Crouch. C. J. Hallam. G. S. Halliday, A. C. Dibben, never really consolidated our position, only raising our P. C. H. Harvey, N. J. Henderson, 0. J. Sutton, game after each goal against us; and our game lacked M. A. M. Buchanan, A. W. Graham-Brown, G. R. Shaw. organisation, particularly in defence. The following week T. R. Maciver. against Bryanston, with a number of changes at the back, we began to look safer. There was still much to do but a Also played: B. D. Tatham. J. D. Ambrose, A. D. Nunon. significant step forward had been taken. Sadly this game W. P. W. Bristow, A. J. Dowdeswcll. C. A. J. Martin. was one where our lack of finishing proved decisive. With the onset of the bad weather, we missed the games against Results: Played 7, Won 2, Lost 3, Drawn 2. Goals for t 8, Monkt0n Combe and King's Bruton which ought to have against t4. provided us with the opportunity to settle the team and score some goals. Wilhout these matches we went out Downside D 4 - 4 against King's Taunton after half term as raw as we had Bryanston D I - 1 been in mid-January. This was a disappointing game in King 's Taunton L 2 - 3 which we only really began to compete late in 1he second Taunton w 3 - 0 half. It is to the credit of our defence that we were still in Mill field L 0-4 the game at that late stage and to the tireless efforts of Can ford L I - 2 Buchanan that we had enough of an attack left to Clayesmore w 8-0 threaten their lead. After a 1horough pos1-mortem and a great deal of P.J.McK. hard work, we went to Taunton the following Saturday and produced the sort of hockey that we had always look­ ed capable of playing. In goal Hattam had his best game, never losing control of his own circle; and Henderson and Under 14 B Shaw combined to dominate the left hand side of the pitch. The only caveats were that we failed to make full This was a spirited and talented B XI and more than a use of Sutton on our right wing and we still lacked the match for all but one set of opponents. They learned to 'killer instinct' in a scoring situation. It was, however, a play a sound, reliable passing game and used it to great shame we had not found this kind of form early enough in effect in their matches. Needless to say there was no the term to have it established before taking on the shortage of enthusiasm for the chase and to be so con­ tougher opposition. Against a Millfield side that had vincingly undefeated was a just reward for their hard swept all before them we produced our most spirited per­ work. Like their counterparts in the A XI, they enjoyed formance of the season. Two mistakes in defence cost us their hockey and, for both myself and Mrs. Fisher, two goals, the other two were as a result of outstanding they were great fun to spend our afternoons with. Com­ individual skill. At the other end we were unlucky not to fortable early wins against Downside and Bryanston set get at least one of our own, with Graham-Brown catching the tone for the rest of the term. There was much to be out all but their goalkeeper with the pace and angles of his learned from these first two games and, as with the A XI, running. Henderson played exceptionally well to shut out it was disappointing to miss so much hockey in the three the Millfield right wing; Halliday and Dibben worked all weeks before half term. afternoon to cover each other and prevent Mill field from After the break and a little rusty we took on King's creating scoring opportunities; and Shaw once again pro­ Taunton. This, ending as only a draw, was 'the one that ved he had the stamina to defend and attack whenever he got away', a slip which I feel sure will be put right next was called upon to do so. This game also saw Crouch, the year. The following week at Taunton normal services captain, begin to fulfil his potential in midfield. All that were resumed but only after a difficult start when, despite was required was a little more confidence in his own having dozens of chances, we were only I - 0 up at half abilities. time. These chances included one off the stick of The following week against Canford was dis­ Dowdeswell that must have come close to smashing the appointing, with the team feeling deprived of the victory upright. Against Millon Abbey we conceded the second that all the opponu.nities in the opposition circle should of only four to get past us all season. At the other end we have provided. The disappointment was made all the were equally successful adding four more to the growing more bitter by the goal conceded in the closing seconds tally. The 3 - I win over a strong Millfield side was par­ which denied us even the satisfaction of a draw. However. ticularly satisfying as they were highly rated by their spirits were raised for lhe final game against Clayesmore. coaches. The win over Canford at the end of ihe season Crouch dominated the centre circle and at last released was somewhat narrower than those to which we had the combined attacking flair of Messrs. Harvey, become accustomed but was enough to secure the Buchanan and Sutton on the right. All three had had their unbeaten record for which the players are to be con­ undoubted skill stifled for much of the season simply gratulated. Cook was an enthusiastic captain who, much because they had not seen enough of the ball. On that to his own relief, found his goal-scoring touch at the right afternoon gaps in the defence were created through which time; Wood donned the protective gear and made great they ran to set up or score goals. On the other side of the strides as a goalkeeper; Nurton combined with Ellerbeck pitch Maciver also had a good game beating defenders as and Ambrose to maintain the solid defence; Montagu and he had all term and delivering the ball to his centre for­ Warren, as right and left halves, were to be seen closing ward's stick. In fact he came off towards the end to give out opposing wings one minute and starting an attacking Cook his A XI cap and he provided the scoring pass on move the next; Reeves grew in stature with confidence

67 and his passing and distribution skills showed promise; Messrs. Martin and Luard ran 1hemselves into the ground beating defences and creating opportunities; Dowdeswell Sailing combined particularly well with his captain to take the ball into the circle; and lastly Bristow was always on hand to pick up a rebound and get in a shot. My thanks to Mrs. Fisher, whom I hope is now a per­ manent member of the U.14 coaching team, for her help The Tour to law En1l1nd mid-week and for looking after the B XI on match days; and to the team for 1he way they played and for their patience with me. On Tuesday, 2nd April, seven Shirbumians and Team: S. R. J. Cook, H. R. Wood, A. D. Nurton, two masters set off for Boston, Massachussetts on J. M. D. Ellerbeck, J. D. Ambro~. D. W. Momagu, the school sailing team's tour of New England. C. B. Rc:cvcs, J. W. J, Warren, P. J. Luard. A. J. Dowdeswcll, Over two weeks we sailed against five schools and W. P. W. Bristow, C. A. J. Martin. the Naval Academy (NAPS), whilst completing a circuit of Southern New England. ALso playtd: C. D. Barron, B. D. Talham, E. A. Bellew. The idea was first born two years ago, when, Resu//s: Played 7, Won 6, Drawn I. Coals for 19, having performed well in the first British Schools' agains1 4. Dinghy Racing Association (BSDRA) Champion­ ships, we felt that a tour would be possible. Team Downside W 4 - O racing at school level is strongest in America and Bryans1on W 2 - 0 King's Taunton D I . I this was the proposed destination. Two American Taumon W 3 - 0 schools which we we re to visit came over for the Millon Abbey W 4 - I second BSDRA Championships and promptly Millfield W 3 - I thrashed everyone. We were obviously to learn a Canford W 2 - I great deal. The team lost some good sailors from P.J.McK. 1989 but as a result of much time spent practising and competing, it was a strong team that left England in April. Under 14 c The first few days were not spent racing but As the mini-bus slid 10 a quiet halt on the red carpel, looking around the beautiful city of Boston. This is the Head of School moved forward to open the door for probably one of the most 'historic' places in me to step down. Behind him was the Headmaster and the America, since this is where the independence Chairman of Governors, kneeling. movement began. In fact, one feels rather con­ As I stepped from the mini-bus a shaft of sunlight spicuous as the guide tells one that such and such a came out from behind the clouds. For a moment the assembled masses were silenl, their long vigil over ... for place was where the brutal British were defeated. some this had been their fif1h day of waiting to catch a The city contrasted with Washington (which I had glimpse of the team and myself. visited with the Chamber Orchestra last year) in In the silence, a whispered voice ... 'That can't be the that it was a much more human place . . . Chaplain of Sherborne School. I bear he's well over forty. Washington was too clean! Boston was the only This man looks a mere twenty-seven.' large city we were to visit on the tour. One of the 'Ah well,' came the reply. 'You know what those eager sportsmen of Sher borne are like.' first things that struck me was the incredible diver­ As I waved, a roar of excitement erupted from the sity of cultures: there was a Chinatown, an Irish thousands around us. quarter and an Italian quarter (you expected the 'It's good to sec you. Sir.' said the Lord Lieutenant Mafia to pop out at any time). Our visit to Boston quietly. 'I know,' I replied, as humbly as I could. concluded with a splendid sail in Harvard Univer­ As I raised a hand for silence, I indicated that the sity boats on the Charles River, right in the shadow umpire might approach. of the Boston skyscrapers. 'Two balls?' I asked gently. The following two days were spent at Tabor 'I beg your pardon?' he stammered blushing. Academy, south of Boston on the coast. Our stay at 'We shall play with two balls,' I repeated as the Head­ this famous centre for school team racing was in master passed me another grape. 'I presume you at Bryanston do know the new rules?' many ways the most memorable part of the tour. I realised I had shocked them and that they had not The school boasts among one of the best coaches I been prepared for such modern thinking. have come across, with the very American name of ' It's all part of the new GCSE 1hinking to hockey,' I Talbot Baker, Jnr. In fact, we didn't end up racing said. 'In order to save time we use two balls in order to get this school, both teams deciding that the time through the game twice as fast.• would be better spent practising with each other. Alas they are so behind the times at Bryanston that we had 10 continue in the old fashioned way ... one ball and They made us feel extremely welcome and the two two halves instead of the more modern two balls. one teams quickly got to know each other. The facilities half. But then, that's the modern, thrusting Church of of the school are enviable. The sailors can be on the England for you ... water ten minutes after lessons. Any rate, I suppose you want to know something From then on we were to go to a different school about the game ... every other day, travelling first west through R.P.P. Newport RI (of America's Cup fame) and New (No. Thar's enough hockey - S.P.H.H.J 68

London before going nonh to Hotchkiss (NW Con­ Of particular note is the Sunday brunch, lasting necticut) and then back to Boston again. The from 9.00 to 12.00 ... mind you, they are up earlier sailing was fantastic wherever we went (from the than us every other day! sea off Newport lo a mountain lake at Hotchkiss) The boarding schools have dorms instead of especially since our trip coincided with the hottest houses and no housemasters (as such) and therefore spring weather ever (we had been expecting hypo­ I don't imagine the same kind of 'house spirit'. thermic conditions). We won three of our six races Saturday nights really reminded me that the in a region that has a strong tradition in team Americans can't drink. Perhaps this explains why racing. Part of this success must surely have been Americans are much more open and welcoming - due to our time at Tabor. they act like we do when we are drunk! I'm sure Of the schools we visited, three are prep (that is, Tim was thinking of this after the Hotchkiss sailing public) schools: Tabor Academy; St. George's, captain rallied the whole school in support of his Newport; the Hotchkiss School; and two are high dancing at the dance competition he 'accidentally' schools: Rogers, Newport and Fitch, New London. entered on the last Saturday night. We visited the campus at Fitch and it looked a lot A very noticeable difference at the schools was more impressive than British comprehensives, their attitude to sport. They have no concept of a especially in its facilities, which were comparable major sport and so many sports are available and with Sherborne's. Whilst al the high schools we are pursued to a high level of excellence. Perhaps stayed with parents of boys in the sailing team for this reason, Americans are very keen about which was very interesting in both cases. There is a sport and it is an important part of school life. To drinking age of 21 in the USA so Americans do not give an example, Tabor sailors practise six days a 'go down the pub'; instead they 'hang out', go to week for two hours and are up every Friday at 5.30 the cinema or play basketball or American football a.m. to practise light weather sailing! The rowing in the park. We tried to teach them rugby, they crew also practised every day at 4 a.m. tried to teach us football and neither side succeed­ The two weeks we spent out there were very ed! All three prep schools were mixed and, memorable and we hope to see some of the teams although there were some similarities to Sherborne, again in the near future at the Third BSDRA the differences were also evident. Tabor was Championships. We are particularly grateful to possibly the least strict, while at Hotchkiss there Coca-Cola (Japan) who provided financial support was expulsion for a first-time drinking offence. The and six cases (144 cans) of Coke at every school! food was of a very high standard wherever we went. Thanks also to SKW who put in a lot of time

70 planning. He was, in fact, planning so hard that he to have represented the School at the top level for almost forgot to get his American visa! Also thanks four years. I hope he enjoyed the season. His cap­ to AJY who drove us everywhere {S KW having taincy was generally positive and efficient: I thank forgotten his driver's licence ... ); AJY deserves him for his support. There was some uncertainty constant thanking for all he does for the sailing as to whether he or Mark Brodie should play first club. string. After the Blundell's match, Mark settled for The team has qualified for the Third BSDRA second string and made a very good job of it too, Championships against excellent competition and winning all his school matches at that position. our results there will surely be due to our two weeks Interestingly, in the two adult matches, Jesters and in America. Pilgrims, Mark played the same individual - Patrick Macintosh, of Macintosh Trophy fame. As Results: Raced 6, Won 3, Lost 3. far as the two matches went, Mark pressed Patrick much more convincingly at the second fixture, the Rogers High School w 3-0 Pilgrims match. Mark's rivalry with Hamish on the SL George's, Newport L I - 2 NAPS L 0-2 squash court continues into the summer term; cer­ Fitch High School w 3-0 tainly the team gained some benefit from this Phillips Academy, Andover w 3-0 rivalry. Hotchkiss L 0-3 Other stalwarts to whom we bade farewell Alexander Davey included Ewan Sangster (injured at the end of term while playing basketball) and Tim Nicholson. Their good natured contributions on and off court have been appreciated over the years. Ewan's final match, at King's Taunton, proved to be something of a talking point when he was somewhat out­ manoeuvred by a thirteen year old county player. The contrast in sizes of these two players was quite I diverting! My sincere thanks must go to our secretary for Squash the '91 season - Jon Laidlaw. His own perfor­ mance on court improved quite dramatically, and be won all his school matches, including Blundell's! Furthermore he won his Pilgrims match, and went down creditably at 2 - 3 in his Jesters match. Always calm and helpful, Jon seemed to attract quite a following off court! Always ready and willing to play in the 1st V was Robert Tyrwhitt-Drake; and more than capable too, as his results showed. But most memorable was his match against J. Flemming at King's Bruton: he certainly kept us guessing until the last point. Other regulars in the Colts team included Edward Oldrey, Toby Collis, Charles Donald and Charlie Scott-Malden. The Junior Colts team relied on the good offices of J. Deehan, N. Lamb, M. Hillier, B. Laidlaw and G. Adams. These two younger teams won their matches against Blundell's while the 1st V went down 2 - 3. But we are getting closer. Clifton, Marlborough and Milton Abbey pro­ vided few obstacles for the teams, though the Colts VU match against King's Bruton was a close vic­ tory. Our real downfall came with our last match against King's Taunton. But, all in all, an enjoyable With the end of the squash season in March term's squash, greatly enhanced by the expertise of 1991, we bade farewell to several stalwarts from the Nick Topman and the support of David Ridgway: 1st V; and a very congenial evening it proved to be my thanks to them both. I leave the last word to the at Silversmith's: it wa.s a time for looking back over Jesters Club: 'We thought the standard of squash past glories and trying to forget the various was very high and obviously Nick Topman's Blundell's fixtures - at 1st V level at least. coacrung is paying off. It was also good to see that As the Jesters Club pointed out, it was quite an the boys all fought to the last point and none of achjevement for our captain, Hamish Maclellan, them gave up the struggle.'

71 /st V Results: Played 8, Won S, Lost 3. The factors contributing to this success were Blundell's L 2 - 3 several. More boys than ever before chose the ~noo w 4 - 1 sport, giving us greater depth of talent; two of this Milton Abbey W 5-0 year's Lower Sixth entrants were good players King's Bruton W S-0 around whom we could build; Major Oak took Marlborough W S-0 over the training and coaching of the 1st XI, J esters L 0-5 King's Taunton L 2-3 inculcating more soccer knowledge than had Pilgrims W 3 - 2 previously been the case; hard work on the grids and a willingness to respond to advice paid Colts V Results: Played 4, Woo 4. dividends; an alteration to our traditional for­ Blundell's W 3-2 mation proved a sound idea. Clifton W S-0 As can be seen from the statistics, the first two Milton Abbey L 3 - 2 games were close, on paper al least. We relaxed Marlborough W 4 - 1 rather more in the later stages than we should have done and were nearly caught out, by Downside in Colts VII Results: Played I, Won I. particular. A comfortable win against Bristol King's Bruton w 4-3 Grammar was most welcome after a series of poor performances in recent years. Confidence grew and Junior Colts V Results: Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1. the team played increasingly well, demolishing a Blundell's w S-0 competent Old Shirburnians side. 'A triumph. for Marlborough w 5 - 0 complacency' is a fair description of a nondescript King's Taunton L 2 - 3 draw al Warminster. We led, relaxed· and lost our way. We showed a lot more steel and determination H.H.D.P. at Shaftesbury, but paid a heavy price, losing two regulars for the visit of Clifton, traditionally our toughest opponents. An early onslaught brought a Soccer goal, then another and, although we were pegged back by one, we held out for a famous victory. The staff dented the School's pride by coming back from 3 - 0 down as the 1st XI indulged in their relaxation technique once more. An average Foster's side was clinically dispatched to round off the season in fitting style. Who were the stars of the side? They were few and they were many, for the team played well as a unit in its best games, transcending the individual contribution of a playmaker, goalscorer or stopper. It would be as invidious to sing the praises of an elite as it would to choose a single aspect of each player's game. Suffice ii 10 say that the habitual fashion of giving colours to a select few seemed in­ appropriate, so honours were bestowed upon the whole Isl XI squad, namely Douglas Lamont, Tom Maidment, Nick Greenstock, Toby Macpherson (captain), Steve Lawn, Toby Jones, Jerry Boucher, Greg Imfeld, Colin Keatinge, Mburu Kiereini, James Alderson and Max Honer. Spare a thought for the 2nd XI. As has been said 'When you kicked off and strung three passes above, they remained unbeaten and were also a fine together without us touching the ball, I thought side. Indeed, several of them would normally have "This isn 'l Sherborne we're playing against." ' held down a I st XI spot. From the statistics it is Undoubtedly a back-handed compliment, but a apparent that they played less games, scored more remark from the seasoned coach of one of our goals and conceded less than the Isl XI. You can't rivals which underlined what the home manage­ do that unless you can play a bit. Regular con­ ment team already knew: that this year's side was as tibutors to the ranks of the 2nds were Yomi good a soccer side as any that the School has ever Animashawun, Ben Reed, Paddy Evans, Ed produced. Indeed, the side went unbeaten, and is Clarkson (captain), Richard Parsons, Dave Carter, the first to do so. Add to that the fact that the 2nd James Firebrace, Ben Patten, Mark Jackaman, XI was also undefeated and there was a warranted Matt Couzens, Dan Fletcher, Ade Lufadeju, Matt air of satisfaction with the past and optimism for Quiatkowski and Steve Coleman. the future to be discerned in the club at the end of The list of those to whom I am indebted grows term. annually as soccer's profile and popularity grows in

72 the School. David Oak was an invaluable asset - somewhere between five and twenty-five boys can an inexhaustible supply of enthusiasm, advice and usually be seen practising rugby's truncated ver­ ideas. CV JF marshalled the 2nd X I with his usual sion. In a sense, this is what Sevens was always efficiency, and put theory into practice by scoring meant to be about - an end of season festivity for both the O.S. and the Staff against the 1st XI. participated in by those who are still standing RK, GT, STo and STr created order out of chaos and wiUing after a long season. This particular for the up-and-coming and the beyond-the-pale. approach to competitive sport, however, does not MLM administered adroitly. Thank you all for a tend to produce tournament winning sides. Irish successful but also very enjoyable season. international sides of the past were advised to 'go out for a run' in the week before the game and 1st XI Results: Played 9, Won 7, Drawn 2. Goals for 33, asked to bring their own shorts, yet still achieved against 17. some success. Today's school Sevens team is for­ midably prepared and clothed in corporate Kjng's Taunton w 2 - I Downside w 4 -3 uniform. Bristol Grammar School w 4 - I With this in mind, we have tried to introduce Old Shirburnians w 9-4 Sevens lower down the School and held the first Warminster D I - I Sherborne U14 Tournament in 1989. Sixteen teams Shaftesbury w 3 - 2 from as far apart as Swansea and Harrow attend Clifton w 2 - I this now and one would have to go far to find such Staff D 3 - 3 Foster's w 5 - 1 high quality rugby at this age group as has been produced over the last three seasons. Elsewhere, 2nd XI Results: Played 7. Won 5, Drawn 2. Goals for 38, Sherborne sides appeared in seven tournaments and against I I. in only one did we fail to win our qualifying group. One final, two semi-finals and two 'last-sixteens' King's Taunton w 6 - I Downside w 7 - 3 were achieved. The U 14 seven lost in the final Bristol Grammar School D 2 - 2 of our tournament to an impressive RGS High Warminster w 7-2 Wycombe side. The U 16 seven looked one of the Shaftesbury w 5 - 0 best sides at QE Barnet but lost narrowly to the Clifton D 3 - 3 evenual winners, RGS Guildford. At Rosslyn Park, Foster's w 8-0 the seniors led Haileybury 6 - 4 in the last sixteen D.B.C. play-off with full-time seconds away. Alas, the touch-line was painted too narrowly and an opponent squeezed away from the front of a line­ out to steal the glory. Sevens I look forward with much hope to the next two or three Sevens seasons and would like to see Sher­ borne regularly appearing in the last sixteen of national competitions. I am grateful to Nick Barber, Toby Macpherson and Jeremy Boucher, who have been loyal enthusiasts and good companions over the past three seasons. l am also much indebted to AMD and P JMcK for their help, advice and sacrifice of unsociable hours.

Those who played: SENIORS N. D. Barber, N. J. 1. Greenstock, 1. E. G. Boucher, I S. C. G. Watling, T. D. Macpherson, 1. F. C. Hart, E. J. Sangster, R. 1. A. Durie, T. K. W. Maidment, R. D. 1. Swanton, 1. F. Daniels, M. H. D. Greenwood, J. W. N. Lloyd, C. J. S. Firebrace, G. M. Sutton. Ul6 J. F. C. Hart, J. A. B. Claydon, N. G. Maciver, A. J. Mills, D. J. Craig, F. M. J. Costeloe, C. 1. Smart, 5 G. M. Sutton, J. S. Ridout. Sevens is the 'Cinderella sport' of the Lent term at Sherborne. It relies on both the goodwill of the Ul4 masters in charge of the major sports teams and on A. C. Dibben, O. J. Sutton, M. J. Cox, C. J. Hattam, G. S. Halliday, N. J. White, A. W. Graham-Brown, the keenness of those boys who still have the energy E. A. Bellew, S. H. Coad. left after a hockey or soccer session. Nevertheless, as the sun sets on a bleak winter's afternoon, R.E.H.

73 started cautiously and then blossomed into a highly aggressive doubles player. He must remain calm Fives and not rush his shots and, also with three years in the team, should form a good combination with either Jeremy or Nick. Enthusiasm at the Junior end of the School was great - thanks to the effervescent Paul Carling. The Colts team played with great determination and, with James Deehan and Cameron Waaler, prospects are bright for the next few years. My thanks go to Paul Carling for all his help, the cleaning staff for having the courts in impec­ cable condition for matches, the catering staff for the teas and, last but not least, to alJ the players who still show that the game is played in the true spirit of sport.

House Matches: Senior: Harper Junior: The Digby Richard Green Trophy: Mark Dougal (Harper) M.J.C.

Term started with the hardest opposition possible. Clifton, winners of the West of England Cross-Country Schools - at all levels - came down with a Colts team as their first team, and easily defeated the young Sherborne side. Blundell's followed the next weekend with the result being much closer. Extremely valuable experience was gained by the two younger members of the team, who at this stage of the season were tiring rapidly from the weight of shots being played by their opponents. Just before half-term, the Jesters should have been for the weekend, but failed to honour the fixture. Their match manager has been sacked! After half-term, the enthusiasm grew as there was a great improvement in all players' form. By dint of hard practice and playing against good opposition - the Old Tonbridgians, Rugby Fives Association and the Sherborne Pilgrims - close results were recorded in all three matches, but age and experience told in the end. Colston's were defeated. Mark Dougal grew in stature as a player - par­ ticularly at singles, where he began his final school encounter with an unbeaten record. He was playing James Fussell - ex-Lyon House and the British Universities Doubles Champion. The match was After last season, in which a lack of team close, 15 - 10, but the experience of the champion success was rather more prominent than anything proved too much. My thanks to Mark for his else, one could be forgiven for hoping for leadership and encouragement of the younger something a little more memorable this year. players. Jeremy Field has become a very consistent Jndeed, if this was the case, then disappointment player; with another two years to go, he is becom­ would not be a word that would spring readily to ing a fine player and, with another year's growth mind. and strength, should be exceptional. Nick Maciver As always, we began the season with a fairly has three more years in the side and, with his speed comfortable and convincing win at Monkton about the court and added strength, will prove bard Combe. Here I feel it necessary to mention Ben to beat. He will need to work at his game, making Carlton-Paterson, who found himself, at a day's sure he concentrates on his left hand. Nick Hyde notice, running in the U.20 relay, a task which he

74 executed with considerable determination and follow, but no doubt at the hands of a very careful maturity. With the whole team having returned for Mr. Gibson, Mr. Thompson and Mrs. Thompson the Lent Term only three days previously we per­ (whose secretarial skills again proved a great help to formed well above our capabilities although the my job) and, of course, with Mr. Harris at the immortal Marcus Wheeler's record failed to fall helm , Cross Country will cenainly continue to and still stands. thrive and I sincerely wish the sport and everyone Verily the next hurdle was the North Dorset concerned the very best of luck next year. Championships, in which Carlton-Paterson again showed promise by finishing 3rd in the U .15 backed Ed Raymond up by Bradley Preston who was seventh and Andy Lewis who was ninth. In the Colts it was Will Hadley who came fourth, Tom Clarkson fifth, Alex Lowe tenth and Bruce Evans thirteenth who Fencing showed themselves to be a cut above the rest; whilst in the seniors Ed Raymond won, Ben Oliver took the silver and Jerry Chubb the bronze in a gruelling race. This, as usual, led on to the County Champion­ ships at Lytchett Minster; and here Ed Raymond became County Champion with Ben Oliver just missing out on the medals in fifth place. Jerry Chubb also gained his county vest, by finishing in a very creditable ninth place, as did Will Hadley in the Colts race. It was at this stage of the season that runners came up against a more formidable opponent, the weather. For at the South West Championships it was the snow that the select few found themselves competing against, with great success. Ed Raymond finished runner-up in the seniors whilst the other county runners, Ben Oliver, Jerry Chubb and Those loyal to the sport rally the newcomers at Will Hadley, qualified for the All England the beginning of each year, starting the season off Championship in which they all achieved creditable with a high level of interest. As the season pro­ performances. gresses the 'easy-optioners' are weeded out by the However, it was the team performances that pace and skill they thought weren't needed. were the most notable part of the season with Sher­ We have been fortunate this year to have had bome winning no less than eleven team titles and plenty of professional coaching, both by Neil achieving four seconds. In these results it was the Brown and Marcia Lee. We are also grateful to Mr. consistency of Ed Raymond, Ben Oliver and Will Farr for his regular coaching and encouragement. Hadley, backed up by such runners as Jerry Chubb, At the end of last summer we lost half of our Tim Pearce and Alex Lowe that made such results experienced competitors. The loss of such a 'chunk' possible. is shown by the inexperience of our first team and Having mentioned these people, I think I should has resulted in people fencing slightly above their outline our last match, the Wellington Trophy, in standard. However, this should prove useful in a which, in the Juniors, we took 2, 3, 4, and 6 in the couple of years to come. Our younger members shape of Ben Calton-Paterson, James Timmis, have started off on the right foot and will soon Chris Martin (a protege from the hockey pitch) and dominate the circuil. Ali Robertson and Luke Guy Evans. It was a fitting climax to an excep­ Hobbs deserve mention for consistent wins. tionally rigorous season. The interest in fencing has increased in my two Having outlined the main achievements and suc­ years here, as has the equipmenl. Mr. Hope still sets cessful runners, what more is there to say apart high-speed records en route to matches, and future from outlining the other aspects of the season - U6 fencers need not be worried about previous from the rather irregular and amusing approach of 'Stick ' time being eaten into by away matches. the team mascot, Dave Morel, to the cunning absenteeism of Jules Perowne. From the inspiring Results - Michaelmas 1990 and Lem 1991: Played 16, and new found talent of Jon Kershaw to the equally Won 3, Lost 11. inspiring Algy Sim it is without a doubt that this Individual Results: was the season that was. Probably one of the most A. J. Robertson: Won 6, Lost 5, Drawn I. successful that I can remember and, judging from L. A. B. Hobbs: Won 12, Lost 4, Drawn I. the names on a host of cups and shields that filled my study, one of the best ever. A very hard act to Edward Holme

75 and then from the middle of August to the Middle of December. Consequently, the cricket season was A Sesquicentenary of split in two. In 1872 the authorities changed their methods and the current three-term system was Sherborne Cricket adopted. Boys would run the games (Sherbome here was out of step with the rest of the country in this As mentioned earlier in this issue, 1991 marks respect). They did so even as late as 1889, before the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the first masters, in the shape first of cricket professionals, recorded cricket match at Sherborne. It may seem and later members of staff, began to help out. strange to juxtapose such an article beside reports In 1874 the School made its only appearance at on the Lent Term's sporting activities, but while the Lord's, playing the Yorkshire school Rossall and summer months are still with us it seems the right winning by an innings and 25 runs; H. M. Mer­ time to commemorate this date. riman made 105 and then took 5 for 25 in Rossall's David Gibbs, author of the pamphlet entitled A second innings. The Upper was levelled in 1869 and History of Cricket at Sherborne School, wrote: properly drained in 1883 . A pavilion was con­ 'The first recorded cricket occurred in the month of structed in 1877. It seemed as though cricket was August, 1841, when a series of three matches was thriving. However, there was trouble around the played between the Boarders and the Day Boys on corner. During the 1880s, facing rivalry from the Lenthay. Each match is recorded in The Sherborne rugby players (who had superseded the cricketers in Journal. The scores are low but the teams were Xi­ importance in the School), and with a poor a-side (by no means universal at this time) and the administrative system, the School's cricketing for­ fixture seems to have become a regular event in the tunes plummeted. Added to the Young libel case calendar, for the first edition of The Shirburnian (culminating in his resignation in 1892), this comments: "The match generally causes great represented a grave difficulty. However, the excitement in the School." ' appointment of a professional, S. Painter of The first external fixture and, incidentally, the Gloucestershire (a contemporary of W. G. Grace) first inter-school fixture Sherborne played, was on in 1889, worked the trick and Sherborne was back Lenthay Green (the site of the modern Carey's, it is in business. believed) in September, 1846, against Bruton The period leading up to the Great War was a School. The School lost by four wickets, the marvellous one for games. Sherborne exploited this opposition aided by a member of the Bruton staff, atmosphere - prevailing nationally - and began a Mr. Linthwaite, playing for them. The match was to arrange more inter-school fixtures, against Well­ repeated the following y~. Sherborne winning by ington, Bradfield, Malvern, St. Paul's, Tonbridge 131 runs, and seems for a time to have been a and Radley, as well as further club fixtures. One regular fixture. Matches with the Town were also notable visitor to The Upper for several years at the being arranged. rum of the century was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, In 1856, the School acquired the field that is the author, who played for the lncogniti. There was now known as 'The Upper', rented from a local much travel involved, but th.is was regarded with butcher at £33 per annum, through the diligent interest and excitement by the authorities rather searching of H. D. Harper, then Headmaster. Yet than the concern for the teaching time lost that the game had not really caught on, either in Sher­ today's staff would show. The return to the School borne or nationally; pitches were frequently poor in of G. M. Carey in 1897 was also a factor in the quality and gambling was much associated with the resurgence of cricket as a sport. Both a Colts Xl game. It was not until the 1860s and 1870s that and a 2nd XI were introduced in the 1900s, giving Sherborne established itself both as a school of greater depth to the cricket strength of the School. standing in the country and the game of cricket The outstanding figure of the early twentieth established itself in the School. century was A. W. Carr. He won eleven caps for In the 1860s, aided by the construction of a England (captaining his country on six occasions) railway line through the town, Sherborne began to and played for Nottinghamshire for many years play regular fixtures with club sides from places before being sacked by the county for supporting such as Shaftesbury, Salisbury and Bournemouth. Jardine's 'bodyline' bowlers. He was not universal­ In 1865 the first 'proper' inter-school fixture took ly liked at Sherborne either, for The Shirburnian, place, against Clifton (a match which was tied, a while acknowledging his brilliance, found fault feat repeated IOI years later between the same rwo with his 'great recklessness'. Carr's career was con­ schools). The fundamental problem was one of troversial and even bizarre, but he remained a fine school terms, then known as 'halves', which ran cricketer. There were other memorable players from the middle of January to the middle of June from this era, and before it. Most famous of all was

76 probably F. E. Lacey, later knighted for his services golf; the added importance of A levels and to cricket and who was secretary to the M.C.C. for academic qualifications meant that cricket became many years. Others were W . H. Game, an Oxford short-changed, in comparison to rugby. Boys drop­ Blue and Surrey batsman, who scored a record 281 ped out, either to work or to play other, less time­ against Motcombe House on The Upper in 1871, consuming, sports. cricket worldwide was also R. W. F. Jesson, who played for Hampshire just being changed, by the Packer revolution, and so prior to the war, who took 93 wickets in two it was changed at Sherborne. Lesser numbers seasons for the XI (1903-4) and P . Eglington, wbo (although perhaps no less enthusiasm) and less time scored nearly 1500 runs in two seasons on The for playing was the result and although today there Upper (1899-1900). are many teams playing each Saturday, there just is Following the Great War, cricket changed, as not the time to give to cricket as there was before did many things, there were more pitches and more without jeopardising boys' academic chances. pupils, bu1 never many bowlers of quality. One of Of course, the School has thrown up good Sherborne's great strengths is its batting production players over the last forty years: of late one thinks line - often attributed to the benign nature of the of N. H. Peters, playing county cricket with Surrey, Sherborne wickets and their sustained excellence of T. D. W . Edwards and J. G. B. Fish, fine for batting purposes - and likewise its weakness, cricketers of the mid-Seventies, of A. R. Wingfield the lack of really good fast bowlers. This was Digby (of Minor Counties fame), of P . M. S. Slade, never more true than in the inter-war period. a batsman one year and then a devastating pace J. A. Nunn, R. Eglington and P . H. F. Mermagen, bowler the next, of the Rydon brothers, of G. W. L. Courtenay, D. P. T. Deshon and A. Kardooni and S. W. D. Rintoul, of S. J. Leeke M. R. G. Earls-Davis are all names that spring to and J. L. Pexton (the Welsh connection), and mind: all were batsmen, and aJJ went on to play finally, of S. W. Stevens, who took 55 wickets in county cricket. Indeed, Mergamen scored 863 runs 1990, the bowling record. Yet so few have gone on in 1930, an aggregate never before or since bettered. to play first-class cricket; the School perhaps There were some bowlers: R. G. Forbes-Bassett does too much for these burgeoning cricketers, in took 54 wickets in 1923, equalling the school record giving them a secure start and an excellent coaching set by G. R. Birks in 1900 (and only beaten last year facility, all of which is lost once they leave school. by S. W. Stevens) and H.J. C. Bashford, who took 'Our's not to reason why ... ', I suppose. 51 wickets in 1938. Neither played the game to any It would not be right to close without men­ level after school. Consequently the school was tioning those individuals who have helped to run involved in a frustratingly large amount of draws the game at Sherborne, bearing in mind that I during this period. have already talked about Carey and Walford. When cricket resumed properly (although E. J. Freeman was the man who dominated the throughout both world wars cricket was played) game for much of the first half of this century, after the Second World War, there was a new per­ being professional and head groundsman for 36 sonality on The Upper: M. M. Walford, an Oxford years (until recently, the two jobs went hand in Blue and a Somerset batsman. Walford, ever since, hand). He and his successors, both professionals has played his part in shaping Sherborne's young and groundsmen, have done admirable jobs in cricketers, even today. Yet, the name that was on ensuring that the standards are maintained. The everyone's lips at this time was D. S. Sheppard, umpires too, in particular M. R. G. Earls-Davis, currently the Bishop of Liverpool. Sheppard, a who hung up his ringer last year after a long brilliant batsman, scored just under 1300 runs in his association with cricket on The Upper. And the two seasons in the XI, although he started his career coaches, notably D. J. W. Bridge, who have been with two ducks. In 1947, he recorded an average of responsible for making the Sherborne XI the 78.60, the highest ever. In the same summer he respected one it is on the circuit. made his debut for Sussex and won twenty-two There will always be changes, but Sherborne, I caps for England before deciding upon the church believe, has weathered the storm that threatened as his preferred career and dropped out of cricket. the game twenty years ago, and come out on top, as D. C. P. R. Jowett was a fine slow bowler of about demonstrated by the tremendous season of 1990, this time, complementing the useful left-arm spin of when the XI recorded the most wins in a season J. S. W. Lush. ever. It may not be the most popular game in the During the next few decades, Sherborne's School, but it is the oldest, and still has a future, cricket fortunes fluctuated, for little apparent whatever the wiseacres may say. reason. The major challenge came at the end of the sixties, when cricket came under increasing cross­ Robert Hands fire from those who wished to play other summer sports, such as tennis and athletics, swimming and

77 SCHOOL House

Yet again the length of the Lent term produced very few barriers for School House, with typical enthusiasm setting in early in the term. With Yomi taking the place of Pete Spink as Head of House and tbe new leadership of Mr. Meek firmly established, School House proceeded to cruise through yet another eventful term. The Upper Sixth and Fifth forms returned with little but the prospect of their mocks to welcome them, but time was still found for other activities as the signs of hard work began to show. Among the academics Nick Hole and Dickon Edwards received Oxbridge offers. Paddy Firebrace won the Spanish prize and Ben Harrild came in the first three with a Gold Certificate in the NatWest School Mathematics Challenge. In a slightly broader field, School House triumphed when Holmes Rogers, Rupert Hillier and Andrew Jackson became the first Shirburnians lo receive the Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award. On the sporting side, School House spread its talents far and wide, yet again dominating the world of weaponry with Ed Rogers, Simon Giles, Dan Rogers and Robert Fidgen winning both the Senior and Junior Shooting trophies; and on the Basketball front Yomi and Ben Biswell led the first five, with Ben completing two years of captaincy by taking them to victory in the Dorset Championships. In Hockey both Chris Hart and Jonathan Davies received their colours when playing in the 2nd XI; and a little further down the School Charlie Firebrace should be men­ tioned for scoring a record number of six goals in one game when playing for the Colts 'A's. In the fourth form Ben Wilde, Simon WoodhalJ, Ed Drummond and Ben Wallis formed an intrepid orienteering team and, armed with map and compass, fought their way to victory in the Somerset Orienteering Championships. In Rugby Sevens both Alex Mills and John Claydon played for the first seven; and in Squash, Mark Brodie took on yet another term in the position of No. I and soon claimed the Individual Squash Macintosh Trophy. On the Football field Yomi played in goal for the 1st XI and Mark Jackaman and James Firebrace played for the 2nds. Over on the county cricket ground, Geoff Garrett was selected for the Dorset U.16 tour lo Canada, so special congratulations must go to him. On the more glamorous side of school life, Varujan Harutunian had the fortune of winning a holiday to France, so he disappeared in the second half of term, claiming to be on an exchange; a joke we've heard many times before. On a more permanent note, I'm sure I speak for the whole House in wishing James Singleton all the best at his new school. Meanwhile, back here at School we all battle on with the prospect of the summer term and its long bot evenings spent hunched over desks, but many dream of times when exams lie in the past. So with our dreams we all departed for a long-awaited but well-deserved Easter holiday.

Rupert Hillier

79 House

Good afternoon. Welcome to the final leg of the Sherborne 50 Guineas. We have been fortunate with the weather so far, with just a touch of rain yesterday 10 give the turf that linle spring 10 protect the riders from any falls. The jockeys from Abbey House were seen out early this morning testing the ground and leading their horses round the course. The offensive purple and black colours worn by the team were banned yesterday, despite violent opposition from the Housemaster, because of the damage they cause to eyesight. It was a particularly harsh decision by the ruling body considering that for eleven members of the team it is the last time they will run the course. The dressage was performed yesterday afternoon with the final being contc~ted by two Abbey House entrants; all the other houses failed to make the standard. The Housemaster's horse, 'The Guinea Pig', performed superbly under his expert tuition. It left the crowd in tears. howling for the judges 10 give it fi rst place, until The Act took the stage. Trained and directed by Rupert Dymock-Maunsell , its performance left the audience in stunned silence. The judges were thrown into turmoil. Civilization dropped its veneer; it was wigs off and everyone for himself. It took tear gas and heavy doses of Aristotelian philosophy to quell the riots. Jonathan Conlin's individual performance is worthy of note. A smart move by hi~ knight ~ent the Dorset judges wild. They have since included him in their Chess team. We must now turn back 10 the main event of today, the Great Sherborne Credit Trophy. The riders are now in the gates, the starter has finished his tea and is striding purposefully towards the course. The gates are raised - they're off! And it's a fantastic start by Chris Colby with a brilliant back-stroke, reverse, 90° swing, he has dismounted two of the Westcou riders and is now leading the field. However, it appears that there are others who are equall) willing to play unfairly. Using a new Donnay, graffiti-injected squash racquet (£60 from most respectable spons shops), J on Laidlow is making a mockery of the rest of the field and closing fast on our leader. Such conduct cannot be tolerated and they arc about to be removed and awarded Isl XI Hockey and Squash colours resp«tively. There is some disturbance on the course that you'll probably have noted in the bottom left of your screen. There appears to be some confusion over the closing of the Cross-country section of the course. You'll notice that the Housemaster is down there SY.inging his bicycle in large vicious circles at anyone who comes near him. The House's two most prestigious runners arc with him: Jeremy Chubb who ran in the National Cross-country Championships and Gu) Evans who represented Avon at Orienteering. It appears that one of the stewards has moved in and disarmed Mr. Wellby with a collected edition of Dick Francis. If we turn back to the race proper you'll see that we arc now reaching the final stages and Abbey House is right out in front with the last fence to be jumped. The U6th are leading their House and 1he jockeys are steadying their horses for the final leap. But, Disaster! All the horses have refused. The jockeys have dismounted and are moving forward to examine the fence. Yes, it is definitely higher than they thought. I'm afraid it looks as if we'll have to wait till mid-August to find out the results of the race. Turning to 1he House, we are approaching an important milestone in the development of our fine old buildi ng. Appalling to hear, but someone has decided to improve it; Abbey House will be radicall y changed. However, fear not, inside information has revealed 10 us that traditional Abbey House architecture will be preserved. Dorset County Council has already put in a bid 10 gain Mr. Wellby's permission to turn 1he outside studies into a fine set of public conveniences. Likewise, we have heard of a contest between Dartmoor and Borstal for the old blueprints of the Abbey House studies which they want to use to build their new B wings. That's all from Nero for this year. Remember, he will always be with you, playing his music through the ages.

Robert Crawford

80 The

With the prospects of war, mocks and a term of cold windy treks down Hospital Lane, things were not looking up for the majority of The Green returning from the holidays of Christmas 1990. I say 'majority' because there were the several Lower Sixth Modern Linguists who returned with the more desirable prospect of spending the second half of term 'studying' abroad; but, all in all, things picked up, and The Green managed quite a rewarding term. The House continued to be well represented in School sport: six House members played for the 1st XI Soccer side, which was unbeaten. Nick Greenstock captained the Rugby Sevens side at Rosslyn Park, with Jamie Hart also playing; Rory Heron was selected for the Great Britain Youth Sailing Team, as well as travelling to America with Rupert Gleadow on the School Sailing team tour; William Parfitt became a Licensed race rider, and Robert Tyrwhitt-Drake and Robin Durie played for the 1st Squash team. To return to life on the home front: Boris evidently had a few problems keeping up with the cold weather which, mercifully, caused the cancellation of the Cross­ country and, as was said earlier, after half-term a third of the Lower Sixth went abroad. Paul Clarke and Guy Cubitt gave admirable performances in The Act in the Powell Hall, while, on the battlefield, members of The Green continued to give equally gallant performances in 'Night Ops'. Finally, in the last few weeks of term, we lost, to various maladies, our Assistant Matron, Joan and Tutor, J H. We look forward to their speedy recovery and return.

Toby Clay

81 More than anything it seemed a term of comings and goings. Foremost were those parents who went to the GuJf and who caused us such anxious moments. None could have been braver in their concern for their parents than Andrew Baines and Richard Rogers, while the rest of us shared their anxieties by long hours glued to the ceaseless news broadcasts. What a relief at the cessation of hostilities. Further goings took place amongst the Lower Sixth, half of whom vanished to the corners of the Con­ tinent for their language exchanges, followed near the end of term by geographers to the Rhinelands for field work, while David Carter managed to fit in a trip to the National Youth Theatre before departing for Alicante. There were shorter departures also; the Upper Sixth never seemed to be here because of travels to inter­ views all over the land: George Lilley went home - but that's another story; and al the end of term Matron left to take back her old job at Cheltenham Ladies' College. Each weekend there seemed to be an exodus as Lynxbedecked tyros, hair carefully dishevelled, departed for dinners at SSG or dances elsewhere, or were out trying to explain away the reports from Parent/Master meetings. Even the Third form were at it - the pre-dawn pike fisherman caught fish, the tour of the Police Station (The Bill is the most authentic - that's official, unless, of course, you can remember Z Cars), and the end-of term trip to the 1812 Overture at Poole where we managed to lose no-one and Charlie Venne didn't lose us. Chief among the comings were those of the architects and engineers plotting lines and levels and making us think that something might be going to happen even if we don't know when. The absence of many Lower Sixth didn't deter the weekend fair sex invasions, ('Don't worry Si, Dave's only looking after her for you'), while a steady stream of prospective parents kept DP J busy. For those who stayed around, life was its customary mixture. Andrew Baines and Matthew Pearce were stalwarts of the 1st XI, while James- Persse claimed greater prestige as Captain of the 2nd XI. The term prize for self-restraint went 10 Justin Ricketts, who spent the entire term on crutches and resisiea aJI temptation to hit a ball. Simon Spring nearly managed to do the same in the Junior Hockey Leagues. The U.16 XI, captained by Ben Maidment, won the Inter-House Hockey Com­ petition, but the Seniors' exit was rapid from the six-a-side event (we would claim our first two teams to be abroad at the time). Sadly, we relinquished the Shooting Cup to School House, coming second in both age groups; but we rejoiced in the award of the top Music Scholarship to Dan Brazier. David Thomas, as Marilyn Monroe, overcame James Gower (the Queen) and Giles Greenwood (Gazza) in the Chataway Balloon Debate and claimed he owes it all to his legs. Record claims of a different nature came from the inmates of outside study No. 6, who amassed thirteen School detentions between them in one week. At least we know where they will be for the first few weekends of next term! Nick Hyde, Fourth form, won his School Colours for Fives and Stewart Paterson the Harper Prize for Commendations. Dom Old grew the longest hair and Rupert Evetts worked hardest at his image - plus fa change ... James Persse went as Head of House, Neal Croft came in his place and Mrs. Susan Latimer, from Devon, will be joining us next term as our new Matron. Yes, definitely a term of comings and goings.

82 Everyone can remember Lhe length and weather of this term: however, for those suffering from amnesia these facts will be found almost everywhere else in the magazine. Term had hardly started when it was decided that House assemblies should happen every week day, thus giving AGFF more chances to dismiss the assembled throng with: 'Go, cats.' Little of note occurred during the early stages of the term, except for the unfor­ tunate departure of Darrell: we wish him well. As half-term approached, the House was trained in arctic temperatures for the Inter-House Cross-country Competition under the guidance of Tim 'sadism' Pearce, who was to be seen all term running around the games pitches in his 'Drakar-Noir' T-shirt. The competition was, however, cancelled to the great regret of AGFF, who says he would have particularly relished the author having to run. At half-term, Matt Austen stepped down as Head of School, and Harry Twyford took over as Head of House from Ben Keeble, although Harry has hardly spoken yet in House Assembly, and Ben can still be seen stuttering and turning red. Around half-term, many members of the House were struck with the seemingly perennial 'flu epidemic, which did not, however, prevent some members of the House (mainly 5th form) from going on the Art trip to Paris. At half-term, Dan de Beitler and Jez Hopkins left for Germany and France respectively; and the only news we heard during the rest of the term of these two linguists was a postcard from Dan saying that he was living with a German Socialist with dyed green hair. The House Concert was almost the highlight of the term. Many took part, par­ ticularly in the House Choir. The coacen was much enjoyed by all, particularly the 3rd form, who received their House Colours. Harry Twyford, Charles Lees and Harry Glass received distinctions in Associated Board exams, and Harry Glass was awarded an internal Music Exhibition. The true highlight of the term was, however, the ritualistic shaving of AGFF's beard in aid of Comic Relief, which was watched ia the Courts by many. For half a day we therefore had a Housemaster with half a moustache on one side of his face, and half a beard on the other side. We must now come to that scourge of Wallace House: sport. Although Ross Smith was the only player in an A's side, we sported Sunny Yiu as the 3rd's goalkeeper, and others played for various less major teams. The House U. l 6's team, however, made its way to the Plate final (despite only nine players), but were narrowly beaten by Westcott on penalty flicks. Finally, we must thank Dr. Hamon for the House shop; Mrs. Clarke the assistant Matron, the various House prefects (the entire U6th except for three members) and obviously the Fishers for running the House generally.

Blake Bennett

83 Although the Lent Term was short, Abbeylanders, as usual, did not find themselves short of things to do. Hockey was the main sport and here we represented ourselves well, with Tom Sulton and Andrew Robertson gaining places in the 1st XI and no less than seven 3rd formers playing for the Mini Colts A at one time or another. The fact that Abbeylands won the U. 15 Hockey Cup and the Leagues Hockey Cup and came second in the 6-a-side Competition has been attributed by some to the transformation of the Bargeyard into an Ice Hockey arena during the cold spell of the term. After years of neglect and gathering dust the House manclepiece now has a significant covering of silver. Of course, Abbeylands is a djverse House and we do not occupy ourselves solely with mrunstream activities. Alastair Robertson continued the family sporting legacy by winning a place in the final of the National Foil Championships for Fencing; and Will Hadley achieved fourth place and twelfth place in the Dorset U.17 Cross­ country and the Southwest Cross-country respectively. On the cultural side, the House Concert was yet again a great success, with all the musicians in the House contributing. Although many instruments are played by members of the House, the clarinet and violin seem to be by far the most popular, as a result of which items were played by a clarinet quintet, and a violin quintet, which eventually turned out to contain seven performers. Phil Purchase, Nigel Husaunndee and John Goodden gave impressive farewell performances, while Andrew Law showed precisely why he has got into the second round of the 1991 BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition. 'Roger' Upton's first three notes as a solo euphonium player came as a considerable shock to accompanist Dave Shead, the audience, and the player himself, but his subsequent performance showed the standards expected from years of practice! The evening ended with a Grand Finale by the Swing Band and throughout the concert the 3rd form showed much musical talent. Congratulations go to Ben Morris who was awarded a nying scholarship which will give 30 hours of free flying tuition in the Cambridge area and allow him to put into practice some of the skills he has learned al his father's feet. During the term, the House took delivery of a computer and monitor compatible with the School's main computer, but it will probably take years of teaching by Ed Moyse before the Housemaster becomes computer Literate!

84 House

Lyon House's start to 1991 was as positive as ever; for the Upper Sixth and Fifth forms the intensity with which they had 'worked' over Christmas was tested with mock A levels and GCSEs respectively. For the rest of the House the prospect of a short term with no exams was pleasant and Jent more time for creative activities. On the Hockey field, Andy Rutherford and Henry Chappell exerted themselves for the 1st XI and were both rewarded with their Colours, completing the trio of major sports Colours for the former. A mention must also go to Chris Smart for his competent captaincy of the Colts A's. In minor sports Lyon was also well represented in the 1st teams for Sailing, BasketbaJJ and Golf. On the cultural side this term saw the annual production of the Lyon House play in the compact but unique setting of Lyon's 'sweat house'. Special thanks must go to Mrs. Harris, who spent a great deal of time wrestJing with a difficult script and an impossibly difficult cast. With the help of an admirably authentic set the play went well on each of the three nights and mention must go to James East, George Keightley, Henry Chappell and Paddy Moreton for their performances. The Lent term also gave rise to the annual House Jumble Sale and sincere thanks must go to all those whose help was most appreciated in collecting once again an im­ mense amount of jumble. The sale raised, in total, £500, which was split and given to the Red Cross Gulf Appeal and the S.S.A.F.A. This term the House welcomed Zaid Bashir to the ranks of the Third form and at half term Olly Richardson and Stephen Clark left to taste the particular delights of France; at this time also Hugo Robinson handed over the unequable pleasures of ' Head of Houseship' to Trev Evershed and got down to concentrating on achieving his offer of three A's from Cambridge. With the prospect of chocolate eggs and skiing holidays the term ended with the positiveness with which it had been executed.

George Keightley

85 The end of Lhe Gulf War bas focused auenrion on the future of Lhe United Nations, specifically on who will replace ihe Secretary·General, Javier Perez de Cuellar, when he retires at the end of this year. It is an unwritten rule that the UN's highest civil servant will come from one of the world's smaller nations and it is with this in mind that this House report is wriuen. If they're looking for a technocrat to face the challenges of the new computer age, they need go no further than J ohn Rowe who has already been involved in national competition 10 wrest one of the five Arkwright awards given for especial ability in technological studies. But there is strong lobbying for a more international perspective and here the money is on Simon Evans who overcame two thousand rivals to win a place on Project Trust and a placement in a school in Zimbabwe for his gap year. William Duke, whose truly monumental art work (see the centre spread of last term's Shirburnian - eat your heart out Linda Lusardi) could win a place in the lobby of the New York building, has in fact been persuaded 10 redecorate the Senior Common Room at Balliol College - which he should do with E's! H is running men had already peopled the imagination of the revellers at the Upper Sixth Dance or was it the effects of that wicked o range squash cup? But to return 10 the contenders for the coveted UN job. Fin Hughes. with his captaincy of the Hockey XJ, refined in the alembic of the Australian tour. must be in con­ tention on the basis of his management or his West End neighbour. Andy Rutherford, a job that even the redoubtable Dag Harnmerskjl)ld would have thought twice about. There again captaincy and leadership is something that runs through Westco11 like the le11ers through Brighton Rock (and Graham Greene's death was one of the few famous events in the year that did not have a Westcoll connection). We provided the captains for all the teams 1ha1 were worth any salt and presented the most difficult challenge, so congratulations to Jerry Costeloc and James Steele-Perkins. But surely one of the prerequisites of the UN job must be a fine and firm grasp on the art of political statement and if that is the case then the director and cast of what has been one of the most accomplished House Plays in the last ten years at Sherborne (I parenthesise in hushed tones of O'Connor, Masters, Vellaco11, Harris, Dolman, Graves and Keatinge) must be expecting the envelope with the hallowed hallmark to be slipping through the letter box any day. Accidental Death of an Anarchist, for it is that production that we hymn, was as fine a training ground as any for the honing of the ambiguities of power and authority and its dispensation. And with David lcke now seemingly out of the running for charismatic sporting leader the way is clear for Ben 'Bishbosh' Bishop, but the MCC had already spo11ed that when they called him up in the middle of the term for rheir course for pro­ mising cricketers (one of rhe very few sane judgements that they have made in the past years). Music for the ceremonial occasion could be provided by any of the performers at the House Concert (and I won't mention Richard Dyson here who seems to have a place reserved for him in every Ho use report). Penultimately, if the drains go anywhere in the world, who finer to deal wirh it than the inhabitants of Rotten Row who spent a considerable time during the term noating from one end of the Black and White 10 the other? To end on a more spiritual note: Westcou were asked to look after, in its entirety, the first end-of-Lent Term service which they did with due pomp and liturgical panache. Even belier, we were able 10 send some money 10 the iris Fund - in fact a cheque for over £500 (rivalling the effectiveness of UNESCO). So the next time that some political commentator or preten­ tious analyst tells you of the chances of Babacar 'Babyface' N'Diaye leaving the African Development Bank for the Secretariat of the UN, smile whimsically and echo the words of the great man and say 'Let them come to Westcott'.

86 When calculating the success of a house over the period of a term, it is possible to quantify the result by the use of the function: A(achievements) - D(disasters) x W(weeks) = S(success); 'S' being the variable of the expression, a positive figure can be interpreted as a good term: equally, a negative figure shows a term's conclusion to be little short of calamity. Whilst trial exams for both fifth and Upper sixth forms may have added an unidentified figure of either 'S' or 'D', the sporting fields must surely have tipped the balance favourably: 1st XI Hockey had two firm representatives in Pete Hammond Giles and Paul Kassulke, whilst all other 'A' sides had at least two Digby rep­ resentatives; winning the Senior Hockey 6-a-side Competition was a gratifying con­ clusion to the term for the House. Once again running was upheld by Ed Raymond and Ben Oliver, both of whom reached the National Championships; and the soccer pitches were graced with the presence of both Steve Lawn and Douglas Lamont in the Jst XI team. Hamish Maclellan, Ewan Sangster and Tim Nicholson contributed to three-fifths of the School Squash team, and also won the Senior Squash Cup; P hil Brown justified his selection to the P ublic Schools' Golf Tour to the U.S.A. with excellent performances. The function of 'S' was boosted considerably by an addition to our House boards not seen since M. N. B. Thompson in 1976: our very own Hugh Pugsley, after an unrivalled election campaign, was promoted to Head of School to the satisfied agree­ ment of his constituents. His style was further seen in his acting in the House play: Journey's End was the summit of Lent's achievements, with Nick Joly, Anthony Binnie, Ed Robertson and Nick Shearer all showing their thespian skills to be of a high 'S' standard. Socially, the Digb~ \Jpper sixth are pleased to announce that this year they actually had more girls·than boys at their dinner: a phenomenon unheard of in years before, which, no doubt, led to the pleasant atmosphere to be found thereat. Finally, we must wish our best to Conor O'Callaghan and hope he is most successful in his future.

87 H OLD JUI SCRIMBLll8 11 THE TROSSACIS or UP the Airy Moun111n

I wasn't sure I could do it. Late middle aged nab had accumulated with my life style, and I was a stranger to these mountains. Ahead lay two 'Bens' of about 3000 feet, and everything would be on my back. Also might the natives be unfriendly? I had heard tales of over zealous gamekeepers, and had visions of being woken to find myself looking the wrong way up a twelve bore. The first problem was the car. Where should I leave it? I drove into a small town near my mountains and parked in front of the police station. Perhaps it would start a hue and cry after a couple of nights? If the police were consulted Lhey would not approve of my plan. Also I had this absurd waterproof Clint Eastwood style hat. It would make walking out of the town something of an embarrassment. Perhaps a Jay-by would be better? No, there were too many attractive valuables in it. Van­ dalism and Lheft need not be restricted to England. So I had to chance a farmyard. The first farm looked gloomy and shut up, the next was wide open. A small boy came hurtling towards me on his bike surrounded by dogs. He fell off with ease, and stood up with a wide grin to say: ' How can I help you?' (Is this to be the basis for my first sermon?) Having explained that I might be back the next day, or the day after, I set off into the hills. It was about 15 miles over these two Bens and about 1.30 p.m. My kit seemed absurdly high tech for the task - a mixture of old and new - a Fi rst World War compass of my father's - a pack frame of wood from the late 50s - a 1991 state of the art bivouac, stove and dried food packet that would have been enough for the Himalayas. As I slipped unseen into a tall spruce wood, just as dusk was falling, I knew I could do it.

J .R.L.

88