Hilsea The winds of change

The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph series No. 21 Hilsea - The winds of change by John Sadden, School Archivist

Published by Portsmouth Grammar School in 2010 on the 125th anniversary of the School’s In memory of first use of Hilsea Playing Fields Neil Blewett 1954 - 2010

Cover photographs, l to r: PGS v Old Portmuthian rugby team, c 1956; Senior School Sports Day relay race, 1955; 1st XI hockey team, 2001-2. Illustration: detail from PGS v Old England XI match at Hilsea, June 2005, by Jocelyn Galsworthy.

The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 1 Hilsea – the winds of change

Traditional sports like football, cricket and boxing have been played for centuries but it was not until the Victorian era that standard rules were introduced. In public and grammar schools, sport was increasingly valued and encouraged image to be supplied for the development of good moral character. Portsmouth Grammar School Headmaster, Alfred Jerrard, regularly advocated sports as contributing to “the healthiness of body and mind which is the glory of English boyhood”. One perceived practical benefit was that youthful energy was expended on competitive play rather than “other harmful attractions” (as one schoolboy put it in a Portsmouth Grammar School debate in 1890).

A scandal at the School in 1888 resulted in several expulsions for “forming unsuitable associations” and “frequenting unsuitable places” like “billiard saloons and refreshment bars”. Cricket (unlike, evidently, billiards) was synonymous with good sportsmanship and fair play, and “playing the game” the mark of a true gentleman. Jerrard, perhaps mindful of the School’s catchment area, settled on the prospect of turning out “good fellows, and useful ones”. Meanwhile, those boys who did not qualify for scholarships, or whose parents were unwilling or unable Hilsea Playing Fields past and present. On their marks (above) are starters in the quarter of a mile handicap race to afford school fees, went to schools that tended to restrict physical activity to dull c. 1885, while the race is almost won (below) on Sports Day in 1998. drill and repetitious physical education, perhaps reflecting their pupils’ future place in an industrial capitalist economy.

Up until 1885, East Hants Cricket Ground in the upmarket Saxe-Weimar Road area of Southsea (renamed Waverley Road during the First Word War) was the place where PGS boys played the game and developed their “good fellow” qualities. Staff stumped up for the rent for the Ground out of their own pockets until burgeoning demand for building land resulted in it being auctioned off. Clearly the value of sports had its limits when set against the relentless drive for progress and profit. The wickets were removed for the last time and the foundations of Taswell Road laid, the only remaining grassy area today being Wimbledon Park.

Hilsea Playing Field c. 1902

Monograph No. 21 3 It was fortunate that the playing grounds at Hilsea – the property of the War Office for 11 runs, and PGS won by nine runs. It was customary, at this time, for a few - became available to the School on a part-time basis, an arrangement quickly masters to play alongside pupils in representing the School. secured by the Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth, General Sir George Willis. The fields had once formed part of the City’s northern land defences known as the The winter game at this time was rugby, though it was Hilsea Lines. soon to be replaced by soccer, largely because of the lack of suitable rugby schools to play against. The thin As a garrison town and Britain’s premier naval port, Portsmouth had many sports image to be fixture list included Burney’s Academy at Gosport, facilities and pitches for the armed services, provided to help ensure that men were supplied HMS Marlborough, Eastman’s College and the Isle of fighting fit. And, over many years, the School has nurtured excellent relationships Wight College. There was also a reported lack of player with the armed services to the benefit of many generations of boys. The Army, for commitment and a reluctance to train with the school example, allowed the School to use Governor’s Green for cricket practice, and the struggling to field three XVs, and so the decision United Services Ground for Athletic Sports, though, in the early days, “coaching Alfred Wood c.1900 was taken to embrace soccer. Several names feature was so diligently pursued that it became a nuisance to the USG authorities”. prominently in PGS sports at this time, including At that time, the Hilsea site was about half its present size, the ramparts were Norman Pares, who joined the School as a Classics teacher in 1881. An Old derelict and teams changed in a shed. Headmaster Jerrard proclaimed it “a Etonian, he played in the F.A. Cup final of 1879 and brought his enthusiasm for capital ground for Saturday matches” but unsuitable for weekday sports because soccer to the School; he is also credited as having sown the seeds for the formation of its location four miles from the School. Transport by horse-drawn tram was of Portsmouth Football Club. Alfred Wood, a former PGS pupil who served the organised by the Games Club and a cheap-rate was negotiated for boys who school as a science teacher from 1888 to 1901, was a Hampshire cricketer, played made it a point of honour to travel on the open upper deck whatever the weather. for the school teams in both cricket and soccer, and also for Portsmouth Football The inconvenience of its location was to become a recurring feature in its history Club alongside his friend, local GP, Dr Arthur Conan Doyle. Wood, described by (as commented on in The Portmuthian) along with the impression that Hilsea Julian Barnes in Arthur and George as a “fellow with the possessed its own unique climate - almost invariably wet and windy – which honest look of a pharmacist”, went on to become the added, one imagines, to the character-forming qualities of the sports played there. author’s loyal and trusted secretary.

Despite its recognised benefits, school sport at this time was not compulsory, Cricket scoring books in the PGS archive reveal though the Headmaster and his staff did everything they could to encourage that Conan Doyle played at Hilsea alongside Wood participation .One disincentive was the cost of Games Club subscription. The during 1888-90 in matches against the School. He entrance fee for athletic sports events were set by the Games Committee and, in was opening bat for the South Hampshire Rovers 1895, were 6d (2.5p) for the first event, 4d (1.7p) for the second and one shilling on all three occasions, though match reports in The and sixpence (7.5p) to compete in all events. The games subscription was three Portmuthian make no comment on his individual shillings (15p) per term in the football season, and four shillings (20p) to play performance. In 1890, he demonstrated his bowling skills, taking six wickets in the first innings in an cricket. By the mid 1920s, the entrance fee had been dropped in favour of voluntary Sir Arthur Conan Doyle subscriptions. exciting contest, beating the School by seven runs. Later, in the summer of 1896, against a backdrop of the overgrown ramparts and The first cricket match took place at Hilsea on 25 April 1885, a nail-biting the sound of willow on leather, Conan Doyle returned as a spectator, giving encounter between A.H Wood’s XI and G Nicholson’s XI which ended in a tie, an ad hoc interview for the school magazine. each side scoring 71 runs. The second match between the First XI and the 2nd XI (with Masters) ended in victory for the first XI. The first match against an external opponent took place the following week, but the school was soundly beaten by the Naval engineer trainees of HMS Marlborough (based in Portsmouth Harbour). Conan Doyle’s entry in the Honour was restored the following week in an exciting match against the Royal school’s cricket scoring book, 1888 Artillery. Cooke’s “underhand bowling” was “very destructive” taking five wickets

4 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 5 Two professional cricketers were employed as groundsmen at Hilsea towards passed P.B. Wake by he might have reflected on the advantages of training, though the end of the 19th century, the “steady and civil Smith”, who had played for in some circles training was considered “ungentlemanly”. The previous year, only Lancashire, and Hargreaves, who was appointed in 1882. At this time, class five runners out of seventeen managed to complete the mile race, comprising three etiquette meant that groundsmen, who were also professional sportsmen rather laps of the field. than “gentlemen amateurs”, were relieved of any initials or first name and were known, not without affection, by their surname only. A writer in The Portmuthian of March 1896 had no such reservations about the ethics and advisability of training, publishing some no-nonsense advice and As well as preparing the wickets and training tips for boys who wanted to excel: maintaining the ground, their duties included Have a cold or slightly tepid sponge bath every morning followed by a brisk towelling. coaching. James Henry Hargreaves was a Dietary advice was simple: formidable batsman who played for the school, For a few days before the Sports, extreme care should be taken not to drink more than is the town and Hampshire County. His School quite necessary, and on the day itself the lightest possible food should be taken not later cricketing career was summarised in one than three or four hours before an event. This precaution will avoid “stitches” in the side match report from 1906: “Hargreaves as of yore and improve the wind. did yeoman service and was the backbone Appropriate sports gear involved some customising by a female member of the of the team”. He reportedly took as much family: pride in the Hilsea ground’ as he did in his The Jersey should be of Indian gauze, opening in front rather than towards one side. Get own batting performance, though his casual your sister to bind the opening and the neck with silk of a distinctive colour; the sleeves attitude to playing in the school team belied too, should be bordered with some silk, and they should be short not quite reaching to the his professionalism. One account describes elbow. The running drawers may be of flannelette, coming just below the knee... how, after working on the ground Hargreaves sat down on the bank and fell asleep. He was Perhaps it was the reluctance of boys’ sisters to do the sewing that prompted James Hargreaves c. 1900 awakened by the captain and without donning Hargreaves to set up an “athletic outfitters” in the High Street in 1894, opposite pads or gloves went in and made 127. the current Senior School. Mrs Hargreaves, who provided refreshments at Hilsea, later ran a sweetshop next door. After James’ death in 1922, a year after retiring, the Perhaps some boys’ attempts to emulate this achievement prompted a regular business was built up by successive generations of the family. visitor to Hilsea to write to The Portmuthian in 1896 asking, “Why is it that only little boys go into bat with neither pads or gloves?” The correspondent received Contrary to current advice when sprinting (which recommends relaxed hands), short shrift:“We believe that this display of apparent lunacy is due either to sheer The Portmuthian advised that: Corks firmly grasped in the hand are useful, especially in laziness, or to a false idea that it indicates ‘heroism’. The result, however, is by no sprinting, and they enable you to employ to greater advantage some of the muscles that means heroic, for as soon as the ball comes anywhere near the legs, these ‘heroes’ are used in breathing. invariably funk it badly and retreat from the wickets, with the result that they are The lack of the handy preparatory warning, “On your marks!”, encouraged alertness: soon ignominiously bowled.” All races should be started by report of pistol or by the single word “Go,” for when a man is toeing the line, he is expected to be ready, and it is his fault if he is left on the mark. The groundsman’s duties appear to have included organising the annual Athletic In practising starts, do not at first attempt to go at full speed, but take care that each leg Sports at Hilsea. The Hampshire Telegraph commended Smith for his managing of moves forward in a straight line. the 1887 events, while Jerrard and his staff acted as stewards. An estimated 2,000 spectators watched boys compete in the traditional running and jumping events, The Headmaster’s repeated encouragement to go to Hilsea, expressed in words as well as throwing the cricket ball and muddling through the obstacle race. Two rather than by pistol, appears to have fallen on deaf ears on Sports Day in 1891. years later, in the quarter mile open race, P.B. Wake looked like winning, but, ten The Portmuthian reported a poor showing of spectators stating that there were yards from the tape, was seized by cramp in his stomach and fell. As the world “about 500 people in the ground” (over 400 of whom were taking part). A reduction in entrance fee for competitors had doubled the number of entrants, and the

6 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 7 number of events was also increased. It also led to “a series of keener and more interesting struggles”. Apart from the usual running, jumping, throwing, bicycling and hurdling, an egg and spoon race “attracted the largest number of entries and produced most enthusiasm amongst the spectators”. Mayoress Lady Pink (her image to be supplied name, not appearance after taking part) presented the prizes. Other novelty events, including sack races, potato races and jockey races, were tried at different times to attract more participants and spectators.

Perhaps it was the poor turnout that led to the vast majority of events being held at the United Service’s (Men’s) Recreation Ground in coming years. A “large concourse of spectators” enjoyed the sports and rousing music from a military Hilsea Arches c.1919 (reproduced by kind permission of Portsmouth City Council Libraries.) band there. The editor of The Portmuthian commented that the relocation meant that the “weary journey to Hilsea is avoided”, but that it should bring in more spectators which would offer “greater encouragement for the competitors to go in A year later another poet is thwarted in his attempt to return from Hilsea. He waits and win”. But, he added, there were “disadvantages in using a ground that is not by the Arches and, one after another, the trams rattle past, full up. He curses his our own, and which lacks the picturesqueness of Hilsea”. The choice of the United luck and seeks solace in chain-smoking cigarettes. Services Ground as the venue for the main Athletic Sports Day was popular with participants, with preliminary heats and “some of the more uninteresting events” Such frustration with public transport may go some way to account for the lack of being held at Hilsea on the Saturday before Sports Day. This also served to free up spectators willing to venture to Hilsea. One deterrent for cyclists was the danger Hilsea for cricket matches. posed by tramlines; in 1929 a ten-year old boy described how, while cycling to Hilsea, his front wheel got caught and he was thrown over the handlebars. In May 1894 the Mayor, whilst presenting prizes at Sports Day, said that he hoped during his year in office to obtain a recreation ground for the School nearer than A writer in The Portmuthian, in the summer of 1898, tempted parents and friends of Hilsea. This did not materialise, and the complaints continued, finding expression the school’s cricketers with the promise of “animated scenes and plenty to interest in novel ways. Musing on waiting for a tram to Hilsea, one unknown poet in and amuse in the relative skills of the school teams”: The Portmuthian is driven to use shockingly bad language (for 1917)... If so inclined, visitors may watch in the centre of the field the decorous and scientific And if I minutes wait, say three, batting of the 1st XI; or if this be of too high an order of excellence for the ordinary Impatience I can smother, mortal to appreciate, they may rest their attention on the freer and less pedantic cricket No wrongful words proceed from me, of the 2nd XI. Elsewhere they may witness the slashing and fiery play of the 3rd XI, and I simply murmur, “Bother!” their doughty opponents, whilst hard by the members of the 4th XI, with solemn mien and anxious look, wage war with the turbulent hordes of the next XVIII (presumably If seven minutes and a half, the number of cricketers remaining) . Yet, once more, if all these fail to please, we can I still do nothing worse recommend the argumentative and dialectic cricket of the smaller boys....To all these Than utter with a mirthless laugh attractions, on a hot afternoon may be added Mrs. Hargreaves’ very excellent ices and tea. A somewhat heavy “Curse!” Some more training tips appeared in The Portmuthian in 1902, and athletes were But if by barely fifty yards advised to avoid ices, however excellent their provenance, along with pastries and I miss the said “B” tram, sweets. Again, a cold bath was recommended early every morning, together with It’s absolutely on the cards, “a fortnight’s dumb-bell exercise” which made“a capital beginning” to the training I frankly say it, ****!! regime. At a time when some people believed smoking was “good for clearing the lungs”, and the OP Club was holding “Sports Day Smoking Concerts”, the advice

8 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 9 When the day did come, General Sir George Willis, the man who had arranged the School’s use of Hilsea, was quoted in the Portsmouth News as saying that “fighting is the finest sport on earth.”

The House system was introduced at this time specifically to promote participation in sport and esprit de corps. A Debating Society motion in 1912 questioned the national emphasis on sport. The proposal, “That the great interest taken by Englishmen in games leads to neglect of their more important duties and tends to be a source of national incompetence” was defeated, with examples from history being quoted by one boy “that shew that our past greatness was due to our forefathers’ superiority in various sports”.

School cricket fixture lists of this period heavily feature locally based (adult) military teams including the Army Service Corps, the 9th Cyclist Brigade and the Royal Field Artillery. The School’s superiority in soccer during the war was Walter Hammond cigarette Walter Hammond at Simon Gray at Hilsea c.1948 demonstrated with conviction when Portsmouth Secondary School was beaten 20- card, c.1935 Hilsea, c.1918 4, though an understated write-up in The Portmuthian reported that the forwards given was unequivocal:“Avoid smoking like poison”. “almost outclassed the opposing defence”. The popularity of cigarette smoking at this time was not entirely due to public transport. The close association with sporting heroes and men of action cannot A revival of interest in rugby in 1908, apparently prompted by boys attendance have helped. One such hero was Walter Hammond, who joined the School in at an Australian match against the United Services, inspired many to take up 1916. He played football for the First XI, foot fives (which had been pioneered at the game in the playground; some staff appear to have been sympathetic, and, the School), and in cricket distinguished himself as a “natural hitter”, also coming organised a rugby match at Hilsea during a half-day holiday that had been granted first in the “throwing the cricket ball” event on Sports Day in 1916. He went on to by the Mayor. This was deemed “a great success (with) only three players escaping become what is generally considered to be the best English batsman of the 1930s. injury”. His record as bowler, batsman and slip-fielder included 50,000 first-class runs, 167 hundreds, 732 wickets, 819 catches and 85 Test matches. He also featured on at Despite this interest, soccer was thriving and during the First World War 140 boys least six cigarette cards of the type eagerly collected by schoolboys. Another famous put their names down and paid to take part in Saturday football out of a total Old Portmuthian who played cricket at Hilsea, just after the Second World War, school roll of 316. Other activities centred on Hilsea at this time included paper was Simon Gray, playwright, notorious nicotine addict and author of The Smoking chases. In 1916, the “hares” (boys with satchels stuffed with shredded paper) were Diaries. given a six minute start from the top of Portsdown Hill and followed a route via Purbrook through nine miles of ploughed fields, hedges, mud and streams ending One imagines a certain amount of coughing and wheezing at Sports Day in 1906 at Hilsea. The environmental impact of the litter and a hundred boys, or “hounds”, when the OP Club tug of war team took on the School, though the match was over stampeding through farmland is not recorded. Chases at this time required very quickly. The Portmuthian records that “the Old Boys had a very easy job for considerable stamina, with distances covered reaching up to 24 miles. “Blinding their team must have averaged per man little short of 14 stone”, reflecting, perhaps, hail” did not prevent one chase setting off in 1913; The Portmuthian speculated that a very different approach to training than that recommended. In the same year, an the trail had been washed away when “the party arrived back at Hilsea some time arms race of a different sort was initiated by the launch of the first Dreadnought later, wet to the skin, but still, we believe, cheerful”. No evidence was offered to from the stocks at Portsmouth Dockyard. War was becoming more likely, and boys substantiate this belief. were encouraged to take part in sports, to use the gymnasium and to join the Cadets so that, when the day came, they would be fit to “play the Great Game”. During the First World War, Chestnut, Scots Pine and Fir trees were planted

10 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 11 on the ramparts overlooking the playing fields to disguise the gun positions A single cold water pipe provided rudimentary, but bracing, washing facilities and fortifications from German aerial reconnaissance. In the event, the City and there were no perimeter railings, so boys could walk over the ramparts and experienced only one Zeppelin attack, in 1916. Sports Day was cancelled for the down to the moat. When it froze in winter, the moat was used, unofficially and duration, and Athletics prizes suspended, replaced by “the upholding of the honour dangerously, for skating. of one’s house”. It did not resume until 1921, at the United Services Ground. Before the Tramways Band wound up proceedings with the National Anthem, the Mayor William Gladdon was appointed groundsman and cricket coach at Hilsea following presented the prizes, thanked the military authorities for the use of the ground the acquisition, and on at least one occasion he was summoned to help fish “which was far more accessible and convenient than Hilsea”. out a boy who went through the ice. On the field, a great many of the School’s outstanding cricketers owed their skill to his teaching. Complaints about Hilsea’s remote location and lack of facilities continued, and the United Services Ground was first choice for many events and activities. In April In March 1931, the City of Portsmouth sold an additional eight acres of land 1928 the School Cricket Club affiliated to Hampshire County Cricket Club, one to the School, paid for by Sir Heath Harrison, a wealthy ship owner, Alderman of the incentives being that the nets of the Men’s Recreation Ground would be and County Councillor, and the Parkhouse family which ran Landport Drapery available for practice. Bazaar in Commercial Road. At the same time, the casements and ramparts were leased to the School for a period of 999 years. The bastion conversion and ground improvements could now begin in earnest, and within six months the facilities had been transformed. The opening of the pavilion took place in the pouring rain by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Walter Gleave on 10 June 1931 and the School Sports, which was to follow, was postponed. Pupils stood outside crouching under parents’ umbrellas, wet and miserable, clad in white flannels and sopping sandshoes, impatiently awaiting the end of the speeches and the hot refreshments that had been laid on. The Bishop of Portsmouth, Neville Lovett, reassured the crowd that “it wouldn’t always rain” at Hilsea, and observed, philosophically, “that it is better it should rain today than on a day when there is a big cricket or football match”. The Portsmouth News reported cheering from the “delighted schoolboys and their parents and friends” as the golden key was turned and the new pavilion opened.

The refurbishment included three fives-courts, changing rooms and bathrooms for home and visiting teams, an Old Boys’ room, tuck shop, changing accommodation Tug of war. Lower School Sports Day, 1929. for 200 boys, tea rooms for a hundred boys, a kitchen and store rooms. The bathrooms were tiled with white glazed bricks and boasted state-of-the-art baths which could accommodate twelve boys, showers with “electricity throughout” and In October 1927, the School bought Cambridge Barracks and the land to the hooks to hang-up clothes; “everything that the tired and hungry athlete would rear of the Hilsea ramparts, representing half of the present playing fields. wish”, enthused The Portmuthian. Headmaster Walter Barton was active in raising funds from the local community and businessmen to finance the £10,000 deal with the War Office. Chairman of the With the outbreak of war in 1939 the playing fields were requisitioned by the Royal Governors, Councillor Frank Privett, played a major role in converting the buildings Navy as outstations of HMS Excellent, the Naval Gunnery School at Whale Island, and land for use by the School, supervising the work and loaning workmen from and HMS Phoenix, the Firefighting School. Casemates were also used to house fire his own building firm. The derelict casemates and the remaining land were not appliances for use by the (civilian) Fire Service, which was based there, and the made available until 1929. Up until then a draughty, ramshackle tin shed served as playing fields were used to organise groups of firefighters and bomb disposal teams the pavilion with a small kiosk adjoining it for the sale of lemonade and sweets. before they were sent into the blitzed City. Royal Marines were also trained in

12 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 13 preparation for an anticipated invasion and the Royal Artillery manned anti-aircraft guns. Seven air-raid shelters were erected around the perimeter of the fields. At different times during the war, Hilsea was occupied by all three armed services and inevitably the heavy use took its toll and the condition of the ground deteriorated.

After the war, the Col. R H Willis (who become the Second Master in 1947) was very keen to organise a formal reopening of Hilsea Playing Fields, to which parents would be invited but was thwarted by the state of the ground, and the lack of information about when the Navy would vacate the site. A meeting of the Games Committee in May 1946 discussed its “woeful condition”. The drainage system had been damaged and a plough was hired to turn over a part of the ground (where the RAF had tethered a barrage balloon) so that the grass could be re-sown. The restoration of iron railings (removed as salvage to help in the war effort) was Hilsea pitch plans for cricket and rugby 1949-50 also considered, as there was a reported problem with trespassers. Fives was “at a standstill” because of the impossibility of obtaining balls, and the cricket nets were in a poor condition. Having taken great pride in the maintenance of the Hilsea pitches, the five years of neglect and damage caused Gladdon considerable distress, and he retired soon after the war. Mr Bulbeck replaced him and eventually managed to restore the pitches to something approaching their pre-war condition, while Mrs Bulbeck took on the traditional role of groundsman’s spouse of preparing and serving the teas. of the school). The following season the rest of the school followed and a symbolic The debate of the merits of rugby over soccer had been debated before and was rugby match between a XV drawn from the soccer players (who had been unbeaten summarised in an article in The Portmuthian in 1930 which suggested that PGS in their final season) against the school rugby XV ended in an honourable draw. would fail to make the grade as a top notch public school if it continued to play Some senior boys continued to play soccer unofficially on Sundays as “The PGS soccer rather than “the real public school game”. The writer argued for a return Exiles” at fields near Eastern Road. Soccer continued to be played in the Lower to the game that had last been played at Hilsea in Victorian days. One of the School in keeping with practice at other public schools where, after learning obstacles had been a practical one – Hilsea was considered too small at the time, soccer skills, it was believed that boys would be better equipped to master rugby. barely managing to accommodate four football pitches. The 1931 extension, which However, an observer, commenting on the poor standard of soccer in the 1951 increased its area by eight acres, appears to have made the switch to rugby feasible. season, partly blamed the pitches at Hilsea, saying that “the long grass necessary for rugger does not make soccer-playing for beginners any easier”. At this time a Upon the School’s return from its wartime sojourn at Bournemouth, Headmaster photograph of a water-logged Hilsea rugby pitch was published in The Portmuthian Lindsay announced the decision to adopt rugby as the School’s winter sport, but with the caption, “What do they mean, ground unfit...?”, suggesting that the length met with some opposition, not least because it was made when all the athletic and of grass was not the only problem. playing members of staff were absent on war service. Another objection was that only five rugby pitches would be accommodated at Hilsea, as opposed to seven Both Col Willis and Donald Lindsay were keen advocates of team sports, but were soccer pitches, though it was pointed out that this would mean only a decrease less enthusiastic about individual athletics. However, the immediate post-war of four in the number of boys who could take part in games simultaneously. The condition of the ground at Hilsea invested cross-country with a new importance introduction was led by a new master, FM Fogarty, and was staggered so that in as a means of exercising boys. The building of the Wymering housing estate was the 1946/47 season, rugby would only be played by Juniors (comprising two-fifths deplored by a member of the Games Committee as it interfered with the cross country course on the final run into Hilsea. A new course east of Cosham was

14 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 15 suggested, but the presence of hot baths at Hilsea would still require the course to end there. It was decided to investigate the cost of hiring a bus, so that the course could start and end on Portsdown Hill, and boys could then be transported back to Hilsea. It was customary at that time for a master to accompany the boys around the course, to set an example and provide encouragement. Long-serving English teacher Mr Poole, who had carried out this role for twenty years, eventually requested that a younger member of staff take it up. By the 1970s, a less gruelling three-mile cross-country course had been introduced which was confined to the Hilsea Bastion area. Smith House winning the tug of war Lower School Sports Prize giving, 1947 on Sports Day, 1947 The adoption of rowing as a summer sport was promoted by Lindsay as being for boys over the age of 16 who had “plainly shown their uselessness at cricket”. Southsea Rowing Club agreed to provide boats and facilities, obviating the need for the School to provide tennis facilities at Hilsea. Tennis enjoyed a low status at this time, reportedly regarded as “a woman’s game” by the very manly Col. Willis.

The lack of spectators for school teams at Hilsea– perhaps caused in part by the cost of travelling there - was of renewed concern in the austere, post-war years and the desirability of making attendance compulsory for some events was discussed and approved by the Games Committee. A complaint about the cost of bus fares, and a suggestion that costs be covered by the school, was dismissed by the Headmaster.

While it had been the custom to hold Lower School Sports Day in June, in 1947 Lower School Sports Day May, 1948 Hilsea Lower School Sports it was decided to hold it earlier in the year so that it “did not interfere with the recorder’s table, 1949 cricket”, giving some indication of the sacrosanctity of the summer game. A loud hailer was used for the first time. Col. Willis had long been frustrated by boys’ inability to be in the right place at the right time. In 1929, he had called for “better In 1948 the colourful scene of bunting, ladies apparel, the vests and shorts of arrangements to be made for ensuring the presence of competitors at the starting competitors in the spring sunshine was, for the first time, graced by a large number post of races when they were due to start”. The loud hailer was a great success of competitive dads who had gathered for the first ever “Fathers’ Race”, the running enabling “every boy to hear clearly and exactly what he had to do”. No excuses. of which “caused great amusement”. They were congratulated for their courage “to face the critical comments of their sons”, and commended for “showing their sons A heavy pewter, quart tankard, elaborately engraved, personalised and awarded that they could still run”. The number of boys who reassured their dads that it was to A W Street for coming second in the half mile race on Sports Day in 1894 gives the winning, and not the taking part that mattered, is not recorded. some idea of the value placed on being “good at sports”, as well as, perhaps, attitudes to underage drinking at the time. One wonders what capacity of tankard By 1950, an unusual grievance was aired in The Portmuthian. “Too many of our the winner received. Later, ribbons were awarded but, by the late 1940s when post victories have been of the run-away variety,” complained player J M Smart after the war austerity was at its most austere, they were replaced by a card designed by art 1st XV won 15 of its 18 matches in the 1949/50 season. The problem was the lack teacher Wally Bartle sporting the school crest. No doubt this reinforced the notion of quality opponents but, Smart reasoned, better fixtures would surely come if the that it was not the winning that was important, but the taking part. School continued to win, especially against the 2nd XV of other Public Schools. In contrast, a rather blunt report of the Latter House Junior team’s performance appeared in 1959: “...played like a small pack of sheep. Had they remained awake all the time, we would have won the cup outright...”

16 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 17 From the mid 1950s, PGS established itself as the leading rugby school in Hampshire. A similar rise in standards of top-level cricket also took place in the post war period and, on an average day, between 150 and 200 boys played the game at Hilsea. H M (Mike) Barnard played many outstanding innings for the School and the newly formed Hampshire School’s team before beginning a fifteen image to be year career with Hampshire in 1952. It was fitting that a supplied testimonial match for Barnard in 1968, featuring many fellow professionals, was held at Hilsea. Barnard, who belonged to the first rugby-playing generation, also achieved distinction in soccer, playing regularly for Pompey between 1953-1959. The CCF glider at Hilsea, 1962 Mike Barnard c.1949 Headmaster Lindsay launched an appeal so that further improvements could be made at Hilsea, including an extensive scheme of tree planting, the main aim being to provide a badly needed wind-break at the far end of the green. The presence of more trees would have Proud mothers at a Combined been welcomed by Field Club members who met on the ramparts in the 1950s for Cadet Force inspection,1960s birdwatching, and as a base for trips to Portsdown Hill and Farlington Marshes. Flight of a different sort took place at Hilsea when the Old Portmuthian Archers image to be supplied set up their targets and competed against other clubs between 1951 and 1957. Lord Montgomery at Hilsea, May Several members wanted to make an attempt on the National Flight record, and 1963 there was a proposal that lying on one’s back, putting the bow across the feet and pulling the bow string with both hands would increase the chances of beating the record. Whether this method was attempted is not known, though being described as “an American practice” may have been a deterrent. Another type of flight witnessed at Hilsea was organised by the Air Section of the Combined Cadet Force which operated a small, manually catapulted glider that provided “short, yet often alarming” flights over the field. Hilsea has seen many events in its long history, and Hilsea has also been the scene of much impressive military pageantry, perhaps the has been the meeting place for many clubs and groups, including the School Scout most notable being the centenary of the formation of the School Cadet Force which Troop (the 42nd Portsmouth), which was formed in 1930, and held weekly meetings was celebrated in May 1963. 450 boys on parade and 1500 spectators enjoyed fine in the summer. In 1972, on the centenary of the first ever FA Cup final, the match weather, with refreshments served in the largest marquee ever seen at Hilsea. The was re-enacted on its turf by members of the local Royal Navy Field Gun Crew. Inspecting Officer was Field Marshall the Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.

School athletic sports day took place at Hilsea in the post-war years up until the late 1960s when it was relocated to Alexandra Park. This move appears to have had a positive effect, both on performances, with many records tumbling, and on attitudes to athletics in general; it appears that up until this time, coaching was still considered “unfair” by some. Attitudes were changing. In the 1960s, tennis started to be recognised as a serious sport, due in no small part to Gareth Perry’s enthusiasm and coaching skills. Old Portmuthian Archers at Hilsea, 1951 FA Cup re-enactment at Hilsea, 1972

18 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 19 playing with great distinction for the First XV with sterling support from the touchline:

When we played weekend matches, all the fathers would be on the touchline, including mine, who was always shouting First XV rugby training, 1993 Rugby at Hilsea in 1982-83 season out in a booming voice that could be heard above all the others, “Go, PGS, go!” It was a complete embarrassment at the time and I would think to myself, “For God’s sake, shut up!” But now I look back I think it was wonderful that they were always there.”

PGS v. OP rugby team, c.1956 In the mid 1980s, more than 250 boys were representing the School at various levels, and PGS reinforced its status as the In the summer of 1972, a 52 acre site was identified at Barton’s Copse in Havant as image to strongest rugby-playing school in Hampshire under coach a promising new location for the School, to be paid for by selling off the school’s be supplied and master in charge of rugby Neil Blewett. main site and Hilsea Playing Fields for development. Though the plan had some local opposition, it went as far as Portsmouth City Council granting planning Headmaster Tony Evans, keen to provide an alternative for permission for residential development on much of Hilsea, but a slump in the boys less inclined to rugby, introduced hockey as the sport for value of building land, together with some local opposition to the relocation led the spring term from 1985. Cricket, too, was thriving with Jon to the School board agreeing, in 1975, to retain the playing fields and to remain in Ayling, who achieved more than 2,000 runs and 130 wickets Neil Blewett, 1992 Portsmouth “for the foreseeable future”. for the School, going on to join Hampshire.

As a first year pupil, Roger Black discovered that being a In the early years of co-education, games provision for girls was limited, though good sprinter at Hilsea had its advantages: this improved as the number of girls increased from the mid 1980s. Girls were initially able to choose between netball at Hilsea, or squash at the Mountbatten On games afternoons the boys would arrive – either by bike or bus – some while before the teachers did. As first years, we were known as “turds” and we were soon introduced to the great PGS tradition of turd-bashing, which involved the older boys chasing us all round the pitch before whipping us mercilessly with rolled up towels. But they could never catch me… Roger Black, 1984

This was in the 1970s, when there appears to have been little recognition of the serious effects of bullying, and that some traditions are not acceptable. While at PGS, Roger’s first love was not running, but team games and especially rugby, Pre-prep Sports Day, June 1984 Sack race at Sports Day, 1998

20 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 21 image needed

Mrs Frances Fawcett and Mr Derek Fawcett, 1992

Hilsea Fawcett Parvilion architect’s drawing Centre, but while provision had been made for separate changing rooms, they reportedly had “holes in the walls”. An appeal launched in 1976 raised £200,000, some of which helped to provide modern changing accommodation. Rounders, tennis and hockey were also encouraged, though some girls chose to do community service whilst the boys were at Hilsea.

The newly established Pre-Prep School began to hold its Sports Days at Hilsea, School Rounders Team (year 7), 2006 featuring some new novelty races never before seen there, including the fiendish “Egg and spoon backwards”.

The ramshackle kiosk where Mrs Hargreaves served up her ices and teas has long gone. Today, the famous Hilsea after-match teas are provided by Sue Craig in the Fawcett Pavilion. Opened in 1992, the state-of-the-art pavilion was built on the site of the main gun ramp, and is named after the generous benefactors, Derek and Frances Fawcett. Currently, rugby union, hockey, netball, cricket, rounders, tennis, athletics and cross country are all offered at Hilsea. The Great Storm of 1987 caused considerable damage, with eight trees lost, but ground staff kept disruption to a minimum. Today, the grounds continue to be kept in tip-top condition by Bob Wheeldon, following in the footsteps of Smith, Hargreaves, William Gladdon, Bulbeck, Moseley, Cyril Turner and Brian Fagan.

As the infamous winds blow out Hilsea’s 125 candles, it is worth reflecting on what the Victorian groundsmen would have made of the Fawcett Pavilion, the all-weather hockey pitch, the use of Hilsea as a venue for a sixth-form drama production, or the Field Club’s attempts to attract bats to nest in the ramparts. But while facilities have been transformed, new sports introduced and different ways of using Hilsea been tried, there is one, enduring constant. What Smith and Hargreaves would recognise is that timeless spirit of sport; the entertaining of risk, Hilsea u15 rounders 1999 Hilsea u12 netball 1999 the contemplation of failure, the dissolving of egos, the drive for self discipline, the sparking of inspiration, the quest to be the best and, when it all comes beautifully together, the sheer, transcendental joy that is sport.

22 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 23 This delightful poem appeared in The Portmuthian in the summer of 1899. The anonymous contributor was clearly a classical scholar with a sense of humour and a strong affection for watching cricket at Hilsea. The Roman lyric poet, Horace coined the phrase, “carpe diem” – “pluck (or seize) the day” – his call to live the moment, to enjoy one’s youth.

The Hilsea Horace

Care not to ask, my anxious friend, (Such fruitless quests avail you nought), The date this present term shall end, Or what your terminal report.

Sweet youth is yours, the term’s nigh fled, All but the present hour forget; A truce to what you might have said Or done : a truce to vain regret.

But on this bank, beneath this tree, Where cool the southern zephyrs blow, Stretch careless-wise your limbs, and see The restless course of youth below.

Set from the vulgar herd, yet near Enough to view the distant road, To mark the scorcher’s wild career, The creaking car’s topheavy load.

To Mrs. Hargreaves’ motley stall, We’ll speed some kid who passes near, And while we watch the wickets fall, We’ll temper praise with gingerbeer.

While Griffin* bowls with fierce intent, And breaks perchance the stump he takes, Another on destruction bent, Breaks ne’er a stump, yet stumps and breaks.

Quaff deep, we’ll pledge that youngsters’ game, Their keenness captivates my soul ; Each exercising lungs and frame

Jerrard House 1st XI at Hilsea Playing Fields, 1929

24 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21 25 With bowl and ball – more bawl than bowl.

And should Apollo’s beams glance coy Through dun smoke-drift from Portsea Isle, We’ll still quaff deep our mineral joy, And bask in Atkin’s* sunny smile.

* W.B. Griffin and G. Atkins of the First XI.

26 The Portsmouth Grammar School Monograph No. 21