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The front cover stars Charlie Spedding, O.D. (S.H. 1965-70) winning the London CONTENTS Marathon in May 1984. This magnificent achievement came just four months after Headmaster's Notes his first ever marathon which took place in Houston, U.S.A. and where controversially he had also been placed first. Hardly had our applause died down School Facts before Charlie took to the roads again, this time in the cauldron of Los Angeles and House Notes the Olympic Games. It is history now but he became the first ever Dunelmian to win an Olympic medal when he took the bronze after the enduring twenty-six miles. Speech Day Charlie, we salute you as the most outstanding athlete this school has been Chapel Notes privileged to educate and we wish you good fortune and happiness in the future. Floreat Dunelmia! Reviews Societies Pursuits Original Contributions C.C.F. Sport and Recreation 5.09. O.D. News ollw ettl r e s u

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1 Headmaster’s Notes Including Staff Notes

There has only been one change in the achievement, one hopes that those in the surely go to an Old Dunelmian; Charlie staff ranks during the last year, Mr. school at the moment will have observed Spedding, who was at School between Kay’s departure to become Director of the splendid example of hard work set by 1967 and 1972, having won the London Music at Chigwell being recorded their predecessors and set out to emulate Marathon earlier in the year, ran with elsewhere. His replacement is Mr. N. E. them. great distinction for Great Britain in the Gleed, who was educated at the Since my Speech Day report, Dunel- Olympic Marathon. None of you who Cathedral School, Bristol, before going mians have continued to travel to the far were fortunate enough to watch the up to Trinity Hall, Cambridge as an corners of the globe. The rugby players whole race on television will ever forget Organ Scholar. After doing his Post had an enjoyable and successful tour of an epic contest and Charlie ran the race Graduate Certificate in Education at Australia, while the joint Oun- of his life to secure the Bronze Medal. It Durham University, Mr. Gleed taught for dle/Durham expedition to the mountains must surely be the first Olympic Medal four years at the King’s School, Canter­ of the Hindu Kush enabled five boys and won by a Dunelmian; perhaps even the bury, being Master in Charge of two Masters to experience a lifestyle as first Dunelmian to compete in an Academic Studies in Music and also the different from their normal routine as Olympic Games? Chorus Master. We also welcome Mrs. could be imagined. We look forward to M.A.L. Anne Farrow, M.A., A.L.A., to be our seeing the lecture and slide presentation first professional Librarian. Mrs. Far­ which will be made of their trip. Other row, having read English at Liverpool, boys were to be found on Biology trips in THE FUTURE then went on to do an M.A. in Library the mountains of Skye, or sailing in It was at the Summer Meeting of the and Information Studies at University minesweepers off the south coast, or Governors that the decision to admit girls College, London and was awarded her gliding in the air above R.A.F. Manston to the Sixth Form in September 1985 was A.L.A. Mrs. Farrow has worked as a or winning trophies at the Army Camp at taken, and an announcement to that ef­ School Librarian in Leicestershire and Beckinham, Lincs. It is good to see that fect came shortly after. It is hoped to ad­ we hope that that very important area of many Dunelmians value the Summer mit 20 girls to the Lower Sixth in the School will blossom as a result of her Holidays as a time in which they can pur­ September 1985 and so increase the size expertise. Also joining the School this sue activities which the busy pace of life of the Sixth Form in 1986 to 160, 40 girls term, to become House Tutor of The Caf- at School makes difficult. and 120 boys. The girls, two-thirds of finites is Mr. P. J. Jackson, who is return­ Two sporting events which occurred in whom will be boarders will be accommo­ ing to Durham to study for an M.A., hav­ the Summer Holidays are deserving of dated in Numbers 1 and 2 Pimlico. The ing been awarded his B.A. in Geography mention before we lay the year to rest. Governors have expressed their inten­ at Hatfield College. He has a P.G.C.E. On the cricket field, Michael Roseberry tion of limiting the admission of girls to from Cambridge and will help with was honoured by being selected to cap­ the Sixth Form and such a move, break­ games, particularly swimming and water tain both the English Schools Cricket ing as it does the tradition of many hun­ polo in which sports he has had par­ Association side and the M.C.C. side. It dreds of years, was not a decision which ticular success. We give them all a warm must surely be rare for a Lower Sixth was reached lightly. It will mean that welcome and hope that they will enjoy Former to be accorded this honour and numbers in the School will rise from our living and working in Durham. he continued to set records by scoring present 330 to over 370, but Durham will Completing the academic year 1983/84 two centuries at Lord’s on successive always be a small School, where every came the “O” and “A” Level results. The days. He finished the season by returning pupil and every member of staff can “O” Level results were pleasing, with a from playing rugby in Australia to be a know every other member of the com­ pass rate of over 73 per cent. Although, member of the Durham Minor Counties munity. I am sure that we as a School of course, it is gratifying to see those at side, which won the Minor Counties have much to give to and receive from the top of the year achieving their seven Championship, while he has been the girls. We look forward to 1985 confi­ or eight grade A’s, it is equally rewar­ selected to tour the West Indies next dent that all the valued standards and ding for a Schoolmaster to witness the January and February with a Young traditions of the School will be main­ success of those who through sheer hard England side. As splendid as M ichael’s tained and that the presence of girls will work have made the most of their poten­ achievements are, the pride of place for only enhance the life of all. tial and have achieved the limited achievement during the summer must M.A.L. number of successes which will enable them to go on to the career of their choice. In general this year, justice was done and those who worked hard achiev­ ed the success they hoped for. This was equally true at “A” Level where the results can only be described as outstan­ ding; the pass mark of over 91 per cent being the highest we have ever achieved, success being achieved right across the whole range of subjects. Ten of the 66 boys concerned have returned to attempt entry to either Oxford or Cambridge. With nearly 40 per cent of the grades gained being either A’s or B ’s, a large number of boys were able to take up the offer of a University place at their first choice. In a year which probably saw the greatest pressure on University places ever, this indeed, was a splendid

2 School Facts

J. Strong, K.S. (S), Head of School. K. W. Alexander (S), Head of School House. S. M. Baker (L), Head of Langley House, Christmas ’83. P. M. Deegan (P), Head of Poole House. A. P. Hutchinson, K.S. (C), Head of The Caffinites, Christmas '83. C. M. McGilvray (S). P. A. MacIntyre (L), Head of Langley House, Easter and Summer '84. C. M. Allen (L). B. M. Hume (C). D. M. Carrier (P). R. Cherry, K.S. (S), M. C. T. Milner (C). R. M. Storry (C), Head of The Caffinites, Easter and Summer '84. M. S. Clarke (L). A. W. Baines (C). J. A. Brown (L). A. A. Harris, K.S. (P). H. R. B. Massingberd-Mundy, K.S. (P). M. A. Roseberry (C).

3 House Notes The Caffinites

The Caffinites had very much pleasure CAFFINITES HOUSE CAROL SINGING we sang most of the carols for the last in welcoming Mr. Rodney Thomas as the time. The Head of House was glad to be new Housemaster and wish both him and On the evening of Sunday, December 11 able to forsake his recorder (used to his family much happiness. Sadly Mr. Ed­ 1983, after Chapel, eleven Caffinite Fifth pitch the carols) in favour of the piano, wards, the House Tutor, is leaving The and Shell formers, Mr. Edwards, Mr. and although the singers were probably not Caffinites but will still remain a promi­ Mrs. Thomas, and the head of House, set so appreciative of the resulting noises nent figure about the School. During his out on an evening of performing from that instrument. stay in The Caffinites he has contributed Christmas Carols to any member of staff Whilst not up to the musical standards much especially as regards drama, who was sufficiently tone deaf to want to of the Chapel Choir, the House Choir still hopefully he will still keep in touch with listen. Wrapped in hats, gloves, and managed to enjoy its evening out, an the House. Mr. Best (ex House Tutor) also scarves, and suitably armed with evening of cooperation and generosity made his presence felt in the House! The torches, paraffin lamps and carol books, from staff and boys alike, an evening of Caffinites were also pleased to welcome the group departed from Private Side to warm cheer on a cold winter’s night, a very talented organ scholar from the be greeted by the first snows of winter: a and, above all, an evening worth University, Mr. Leonard’s contribution to happy omen surely! After several hectic repeating. the House was great, he was a major link weeks of rather random practice, and in the smooth running of the House. doubts as to whether or not the venture A. P. Hutchinson On the sporting field The Caffinites could take place, the fifteen-strong had what must pass as a fairly average “Caffinites House Choir” felt confident year. Perhaps the best moment was wat­ to put its skills to the test, although due to ching M. A. Roseberry lead the senior doubts whether or not the event would Cricket team to victory. A. W. Baines re­ take place at all, there had been no time mained dominant on the running track. to plan any collection of money for The House Leagues Rugby was won con­ charity. vincingly by The Caffinites but unfortu­ Musically, the evening had its nately the rest of the House Rugby failed successes and failures. “Ding, Dong, to follow the winning streak of the Merrily on High” won notoriety as the Leagues. Towards the Junior end of the carol which so impressed the Head­ House a general high standard of sport master (our first stop) but which fell at was achieved. The Middle swimmers its third and fourth hurdles chez A.E.B. won the Bradley Relays. Rowing, and J.S.L. But, between these disasters, Athletics, Cross Country Running and we ran lustily through our “repertoire” Squash were all of a high standard. of about ten carols, and were grateful for Over the past few years The Caffinites the kindness of all the staff upon whom has produced some very good individual we called, most of whom requested a sportsmen. For the past three years the second carol, and some even a third. The Captain of Rugby have all been Caf­ culinary generosity of N.M., J.R.M., finites. M. A. Roseberry has been domi­ A.E.B. and J.S.L. must also be mentioned, nant in School Cricket and this year cap­ as this combined with the falling snow tained the English Schoolboys. In 1983-84 and the chiming voices to produce a The Caffinites supplied the Captains of scene which could well have come the three major School sports, Rugby, straight from Dickens. Rowing and Cricket. The Caffinites ob­ The climax of the evening, after two viously produces Leaders!! wearying hours, was undoubtedly in the Academically The Caffinites fared Gedyes’ new home. Not only were we well and our success was spearheaded welcomed in for even more “refresh­ by the news that A. P. Hutchinson had ments”, but the Gedye family joined in as gained an Open Scholarship to read Law at Trinity College, Cambridge. The musi­ cians performed well in School concerts and in the Music Competition. The actors under the careful guidance of Mr. Ed­ wards were able to be involved in the highly professional School productions. Caffinites have participated and en­ joyed the many and varied activities pro­ vided by the School. I hope this will continue. It only remains for me to wish Mr. Thomas and The Caffinites good luck for the future. R. M. Storry

4 House Notes Langley House

It has been a sound year for Langley in all aspects of School life. Sense and good nature have been prominent and have led to a good House atmosphere. This was well illustrated in the House Outing to Bamburgh. Academically the House was well balanced and in the Upper Sixth good results are expected to yield Oxbridge potential. This was indicated at Speech Day. As in the School itself sport has played a large part in the daily routine. Indeed Langley was well represented in most School teams and at most levels. House teams had a lot of spirit no more so than the Langley House 1st XV who though on paper decidedly less skilful challenged Bungites right to the last. Un­ doubtedly the most successful House rugby team were the Junior Colts who though they lost at XV’s proved unbeatable in the VII’s winning all their matches. Thanks must also go to those in the other teams especially the House League team who enthusiastically turned out for Langley most weeks. Perhaps the most notable sporting achievement was that of the 1st Fives IV who for the first time in Langley’s history won the Senior Fives trophy. Equally as pleasing was the development of an ac­ tive Fives community in the Lower House and I hope in the future Langley can re­ tain this trophy. Good performances have also been seen in Cross-country, the exceptional ef­ forts coming in the Dunelm and Middles. In Basketball with two very successful Junior teams and in the rowing the good nature and sportsmanship which the lat­ ter competitors exercised throughout the House regatta deserves special note and attention. As was the case last year Langley eagerly awaited the House singing com­ petition with “Geordie Hinney” and “It’s Different for Girls" lined up, in what was a close competition Langley got the worst of the Judges favour to finish second. Finally I must convey my thanks to the House Monitors who with myself worked as a team in the best interests of the House. I hope such a trend may be con­ tinued. To Mr. Hewitt, Mr. Best and Mr. Baty for their constant effort throughout the year, and to everybody for a very en­ joyable year. Peter MacIntyre

5 House Notes Poole House

The past year has seen a renaissance POOLE HOUSE BED-PUSH Durham School Minibus. in Poole House. Sport has been played £1,200 was raised at the end of the with our usual determination and grit, On Saturday March 17, after weeks of proceedings. The bed sponsored by whilst in the House, the apathy of recent feverish preparation, the Poole House Welsh confectionery Ltd (Paul G. years was dispersed and replaced by a Bed-Race had arrived, for it was Durham Burgess's Team), was a fast, sleek, mean new-found spirit and character. School Charities day. This was all made machine that easily beat the heavier On the games field, though our success possible by the boys of Poole house look­ more sluggish rivals. has been limited, the House has put in ing for personal sponsors. Together with It was a very good fund raising some sterling effort from grass roots the tremendously hard working effort of occasion and Poole House raised more level upwards. However, it should House tutor Mr. Quigley, the committee, than all Ihe other Houses put together. perhaps be noticed that the victories which consisted of a “boy” from each As one person quoted “Never in the have been achieved through team year, and the bed teams united effort to field of bed pushing has such a techno­ participation; hence our notable suc­ find company sponsors for their respec­ logical advance by so few (Poole House) cesses in the Bradley relays, the Swimm­ tive beds. given benefit to so many.” ing standards and the Middles Cross- Many companies sponsored the event We would like to thank our sponsors Country. Yet, there have been some ranging from W aters & Robsons Ltd. Soft very much for their support: outstanding individual performances; H. Drinks of Morpeth to Colbeck Edible Oils The Durham Companions Club; R. B. Massingberd-Mundy’s second and fats. Camerons Breweries; Dunelm Run victory; four rugby players It was a dull day. However this Waters & Robsons Ltd; were all selected for Durham County; depressing side was totally over­ Colbecks Ltd; and P. A. Standish’s victory in the Mid­ shadowed by the great determination of Lowry Construction Ltd; dles Run. Finally, although victories the teams to be successful and to Appleyard plant and Van hire; were not forthcoming in all School sports complete the course as quickly as Welchs Sweets; they were played with a renewed vigour, possible in the allocated time. For, every Ibbitson’s Meats; which exemplifies the Poole House doc­ team wanted, so much, to be able to Direct work tops; trine of “it’s not the winning but the tak­ donate as much as possible for such a Elvet Game Centre; ing part”. worthy cause. Trimmers Hair Fashions; Academically and culturally, it has Fifty per cent of the money raised Dryburn and St. Margarets Hospitals. been a good year for Poole. Arguably, the went to the N.S.P.C.C. and the other fifty high-point of the year was the breaking per cent towards the purchase of the C. Robson and G. Brudenal of the Bungites stranglehold on the Music Competition thanks to D. J. McNeaney and his band of stalwart musicians. Whilst not winning, the House song “That’s Living Alright” was “sung with great gusto. At Speech Day, Poole House was also admirably represented. The new “Poole House Spirit” was typified by an outstanding effort on Charities Day. The race itself raised well over £1,000 far exceeding any other single house effort. Thanks must go to Mark Quigley for his efforts here. His organisation in this effort and the House generally, has endeared him to every member of Poole House by his easy-going manner. In this, he has been ably abetted by Paul Kunzer, whose friendly de­ meanour has made him popular with all the boys. Finally, our thanks must in­ evitably go to Mr. and Mrs. Copeland, who have masterminded the great Poole House upsurge, with their kindness and warmth to every boy in the House. It is to their credit that the House retains its friendly atmosphere and its inimitable character. Long may it continue! P. M. Deegan A. A. Harris

6 House Notes School House

This was an unforgettable year for swimmers to their inevitable victory in what is already a very special House. the Gala. The Dunelm Run saw fine per­ Firstly, the myth that Bungites is a rat- formances from Jimmy Phelps and the infested ruin was finally laid to rest with Captain, Jonathan Duckfield as we the addition of a magnificent video room fought our way to victory for the very and library to our wood-panelled first time, while on Sports Day, Giles common room, complete with the long Rogers and Magnus Willis were among lost portrait of Henry Holden. Secondly, many outstanding individuals who the widespread belief that Bungite helped the athletes add five more interests revolve exclusively around trophies to Margaret’s silver collection. sport was conclusively proved to be with­ And although John Whitfield’s cricketers out foundation; on the musical front, were unable to cope with a mysterious Alex Sawyer’s long weeks of careful tail-end Caffinite batsman and Rodger preparation saw us victorious in the Hope’s senior fives team lost narrowly to House Song, while Nick M arshall’s Langley, the oarsmen under Philip “Eruption” very nearly won the Brantingham ensured that Bungites Classical section; on the social side of finished the year in what is very much things our football and Breakfast Choral becoming our customary position. societies flourished, while our House Throughout it all the House was Entertainments actually managed to do always friendly, relaxed and cheerful; some entertaining, not least in the case there were four School Monitors during of Mr. MacLeod; finally in the academic the year (and five the day Adam Jones field there were two excellent Oxbridge beat everyone out of Chapel), but our places for Edmund Grimley-Evans and success was really due to a unique team Richard Cherry, and on Speech Day our of adults for whose unfailing dedication Sixth Form succeeded in carrying off we were all extremely grateful; our fourteen of the twenty senior prizes. heartfelt thanks, then, to Mr. Paul Nevertheless, the House still found Corbett, to Mr. Tom Percival, to time to dominate every major sporting Margaret and to both Gillians, and, of competition. Despite the tragic loss of course, to Gordon who might well permit two House league matches, rugby himself to sit back and smile at the end of continued to be successful at every level an incomparable year. under the astute captaincy of Ken Alexander, who also managed to find K. W. Alexander time from his revision to lead the f. Strong

The new common room.

7 House Notes Ferens House

FERENS HOUSE IN SCOTLAND were spread out before us, from Arran in Andrew Nicholson and Paul Chan the south to Ben Nevis in the north — worked out a short route, and were both As in 1983, Ferens House made full even those who had complained all the back at Ferens in a little over half an use of the School’s outdoor study centre, way up kept quiet for a few minutes and hour, beating the first of the monitors, at the village of Ford in Argyllshire, at admitted it was worth it! Mark Briggs; from then on the less fit but the end of the Summer term; the Lower Then Mr. “Suicide” Bird took over. He rather damper participants returned, Remove party was away for five days, led us along a tricky ridge to a second until after two hours, S. A. Wiles, R. A. and were followed by the Upper Remove summit, and then took us straight down Slack and G. P. Lambert, a sophisticated for a similar period. This year’s the mountain side on what he assures us but leisurely trio, walked in, just ahead expedition had two major advantages was a sheep track to deposit us as nine­ of Karl Ritzema, who had been lost only over last year — the new School minibus teen heaps of jelly at the minibus. After twice and had come prepared with ruck­ which enabled us to travel further afield that experience, even Mr. Everatt’s sack and food for a major expedition. and be more adventurous in our activi­ driving seemed tame. The trip was The average time, 1 hour 2 minutes ties, and the Scottish weather which put rounded off by an evening visit to Oban, and 13 seconds, was rather slower than hardly a foot wrong, and sent us which for the first time in anyone’s expected because of the rain and scurrying for emergency supplies of sun experience was warm, sunny and certainly fooled most of the sponsors, but tan cream. welcoming. despite the rain the morning was On the first full day for the Lower The Upper Remove visit followed the extremely successful and raised £261.12 Remove, we broke in our tender feet by a same pattern, although with a half day for the Tyneside Leukaemia Research gentle 15 mile stroll over the hills to less, the 15 mile walk to Auchendrain Association. Auchindrain Folk Museum, where we was replaced by an eight mile route visited reconstructions of Scottish crofts march on the first afternoon; this J. D. Everatt of the last four hundred years (some so coincided with the only rain of the week, cold and dark that they reminded us of and gave Mr. Pointing a good chance to the Ferens House TV room). begin his considerable repertoire of The second day was divided between complaints. The other activities were as FERENS HOUSE MUSIC the physical challenge of rock-climbing successful as with the earlier party, and and swimming in the warmish (?) waters although the views were not as clear, the Our new Director of Music, Mr. of the Gulf Stream at Crinan Ferry. The sense of achievement was just as great. Nicholas Gleed, seems to be re-shaping training on the climbing wall of the Bud- The whole experience left its mark on the music department. Our Tuesday worth Sports Centre proved invaluable everyone, for the different activities and afternoons have taken on a completely to some, and the general speed and challenges provided us with opportuni­ new look and the standard, we hope, is standard of the rock-climbing was ties which few of us had met before. Our ever rising. impressive. Mr. Ralph Clough, the thanks to Mr. Everatt, who organised us Mr. Kay’s production of the “Jonah instructor again impressed us all by his ruthlessly, even when he had difficulty Man Jazz” in the Christmas Term was kindly persuasiveness, and the measure getting us out of bed; to Mr. Bird and Mr. highly successful and members of the of his success was that everyone Quigley, who pushed us up and down lower remove are looking forward to completed at least one climb and one mountains, sabotaged the rowing boat, next year's production. abseil, and over half the House got up the and made us sweep the cow field clean; Mr. Bird, assisted by Mr. Leonard, Tiger (a mild V.5 for those in the know). to Mr. Maughan who, surprisingly, did directed the music for the musical But the third day proved to be the coup not meet a single sister in Scotland; to “Nero” at the beginning of the summer de grace. After a very early start we Mr. Pointing who made up for his lack of term. The show was produced by A. A. drove the 35 miles to the head of Loch fitness by his good humour and his Harris K.S. Those days of involvement in Awe, where we visited the Cruachan willingness to join in the fun; and finally "Nero” were eventful, giving us all an in­ Power Station — unlike the monstrosities to Major and Mrs. MacNay whose sight into singing, acting and generally on the N. E. Coast, this is built two-thirds generosity made the whole visit possible. working together in a group. Music is of a mile inside a mountain under 1,200 starting to play a leading role in the lives feet of rock. It is approached down a long J. D. E. et al of Ferens House boys. What with tunnel, which opens out wide into a vast learning theory, playing instruments and cavern hollowed out of the mountain, and singing, the boys are gaining a good power is generated by dropping water knowledge of a wide range of music. The from a reservoir high on the mountain THE NINE BRIDGES RUN — FERENS next step (which some have already side onto the turbines below. It looked im­ HOUSE begun) is for individuals to become pressive, and was worthy of the setting skilled performers and increase their for a James Bond film. When we emerged On Sunday June 3, the whole of Ferens listening repertoire. into the sunlight we were horrified to House took part in a novel cross-country The opinions are varied, though on the find that we had to climb the mountain run whilst aiming to raise money for whole it is considered that music will above the power station Ben Cruachan, a Leukaemia Research. Each boy had to improve their social status in the future! mere 3,695 feet. This looked a short cross the nine bridges over the River Others have yet to be convinced. If Mr. distance on the map, but we soon dis­ Wear between Milburngate and Shin- Gleed continues to spring-clean Ferens covered that the absence of contour lines cliffe, collecting nine tickets on their House music, we are sure that nothing was because the mountain was so steep way; they could choose their own route, but good can come of it. that the contours would have been too but were strictly timed and the average Perhaps in the future, more skilled close together to be indistinguishable. time for the whole House was calculated. musicians will have started their musical After four hours of hot, steep and The boys had been selling guesses at 20p careers in Ferens. exhausting climbing, to be rewarded each, and prizes were awarded to the with an unforgettable view. The whole of five nearest. I. S. Pillai the south-western highlands and islands Despite the appalling weather. M. Dennison

8 House Notes

FERENS ROCK-CLIMBING FERENS RAILWAY DAY FERENS COOKERY CLUB 1984

It was Mr. Bird's kind idea at the start On Saturday 28th April the boys of This past year has seen the beginning of the Summer term to take boys in Ferens House along with three members of the Ferens Cookery Club. Expected to Ferens House climbing on the artificial of staff set off for one of the most be for both Upper and Lower Remove, it wall on the end of the Budworth Sports spectacular train rides in England. The has been constricted to only Lower Centre for one evening a week. The first Carlisle to Settle line is shortly to close Remove would-be chefs, but it is hoped week was quite funny because an awful because of the cost of repairs on a that next year, this year’s Lower Remove lot of us had problems. I had great viaduct along the route. The idea was to will bring along members of next year's difficulty trying to get my hand behind see the beauty of the Pennines from this Lower Remove making the club truly a my head to grab hold of a huge brick that line for the last time. Ferens Cookery Club. We must thank 1 thought I couldn’t miss, and one or two So the group set off at 8 a.m. in the Mrs. M. A. Shearer for all her voluntary boys had to be half dragged up the wall. morning half asleep on a coach ride to help in the running and super­ After a few weeks, a group of four Newcastle train station. There they vising of the club which is held on people, Paul Murray, Paul Chan, Philip caught a train to Carlisle, but things did Wednesdays from 2.30 p.m. until 4.00 Boyd and myself, went with Mr. Bird to not work out as planned. Half way to p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. on Peel Crag, up by Hadrian’s wall, one Carlisle a train ahead broke down, giving Saturdays in Mrs. Shearer's kitchens. evening, and did an 80 foot “difficult”. us a delay of one and-a-half hours. We started our year’s cooking making (The gradings go “easy”, “moderate”, Would they catch their train? It some simple culinary concoctions which “difficult”, "very difficult”, “severe”, appeared that when they arrived in although fairly basic still incurred some “very severe”, "extremely severe”.} Mr. Carlisle the train to Settle had left ten problems. Gradually though, throughout Bird “led” the climb and set up a loop minutes earlier. Isn’t it just typical of the year we progressed through the system using two ropes (in order to feed British Rail. The question now was what cookery books eventually becoming more the end of the rope back down to the next to do? Mr. Everatt suggested a football and more experienced in the arts of climber), and despite Philip Boyd getting match but everybody had spent their confectionery, bakery and cookery until stuck half way up we finished the climb money. Mr. Keeton (not very pleased we became rather dab-handed at in time to get back to Ferens (a little late) with the situation) went to see the Station cooking and well into the routine of before dark. Master. Mr. Keeton stood his ground and kitchen capers. A few weeks later, Richard Clements, after frantic negotiations with British The climax of our cooking year was a Paul Murray and myself got up one Rail officials we were offered two meal which was prepared for certain Sunday morning at 5.45 a.m. to return to alternatives. More than half the group members of staff. Our cooking was done Hadrian’s wall for a whole day’s opted to go straight back to Durham in groups and so each group prepared its climbing. Mr. Bird borrowed Mr. Rose’s (what wimps!) Those with a bit of what own meal on a separate night. The Lower car to get us there, and while Mrs. Bird Mr. Willings calls "ompir” took the Remove was split into four groups. The sketched, the four of us set off for the second alternative and tried to catch up first group to make a meal was the day rock. First of all we did a "difficult” with the train we ought to have been on boys’ group to which they invited along which seemed more like a “very severe” in the first place. Mrs. Shearer; Mr. N. MacLeod and the at that time in the morning. Then we While we waited for the next move present head boy J. Strong, K.S. The meal went on to do a “very difficult”. I some of us went for a walk to see the was a thorough success as were the particularly enjoyed this climb because I sights of Carlisle. other groups' meals and all those invited had to take out all the karabiners and Those of us going on picked up the were said to have enjoyed them whole­ “chocks" that Mr. Bird had used to Glasgow express which was both late heartedly, although it is thought the protect himself on the way up. and full. So we squatted in the corridors added extra of wine helped a little. Then we tried our first “severe”. Mr. all the way to Lancaster! There we took So there isn’t really an awful lot more I Bird found it hard enough, but the holds yet another train to Keighley just in time can say about Ferens Cookery Club this were quite widely spaced so that it was a to see the steam train we should have year only that I hope next year’s cooking good deal more difficult for us. Richard been on coming back from Howarth. We will be equally successful, and many Clements had one attempt at it and came had time for the driver and fireman to thanks to Mrs. Shearer. back down and so did I, and then I show us over the locomotive before decided to go and fetch the packed finally catching the CORRECT return Matthew Dennison lunches from the car. When I got back train via Settle to Carlisle. At last we Paul Murray had done it and Richard were able to enjoy the views we'd come was nearly up. Our last climb was a all this way to see. Luckily it was a fine “very difficult" with a nasty overhang in clear evening. FUND RAISING EVENTS a chimney near the top. This was quite We were only 20 minutes late getting unpleasant, but not as scary as when the to Carlisle this time. During the Autumn of 1983 I was loop on Mr. Bird’s rucksack broke while Two more changes of trains saw us asked by the Headmaster to set up a it was being "dragged” up the rock face back in Durham ready for the weary Committee whose aim was to raise and it fell about thirty feet and landed on walk back to school from the station at £2,000 towards the purchase of a School a branch over Richard’s head! about 10 p.m. I don’t know what the Minibus by Easter 1984. After meeting On the way back Mr. Rose's car others did with their day, but we representatives from each House, we exhaust pipe broke, but we were still thoroughly enjoyed ours. Many thanks to decided to expand our horizons and able to get back in time for Chapel. Mr. Keeton for organising the day and aimed to raise enough to send at least 50 I would like to say, on behalf of all then salvaging a great trip from the per cent of the money to charity whilst those that went rock-climbing, thank you wreckage of the British Rail timetable. still managing to contribute our share Mr. Bird. towards the minibus. To this end we Report by O. W aters designated Saturday, March 17 1984 as Andrew J. W aters (Lower Remove) M. West a fund-raising day and asked each House

9 House Notes

to organise one event, so that by the other events, but by means of various middle of the Easter term the following other short activities, the House raised a programme had been drawn up: respectable sum. Friday, March 16: Langley House were In all respects, the day's events were organising a Buffet and Entertainment in successful and although some money the Luce Theatre for parents and from sponsored events took a little time friends. to collect, by the end of the summer term, Saturday, March 17: School House the balance sheet stood as follows: Tetrathon — a sponsored event in which Poole House (Bed Race) £1,047.92 each member of the House aimed to take Ferens House (Sponsored Walk, 1983) part in four athletic events (swimming, 800.00 cross-country running, basketball and (Carnival) 365.91 gym tests). School House (Tetrathon) 492.40 Poole House Bed Race at 2.00 p.m., at Langley House (Entertainment) 294.02 3.00 p.m. Ferens House Carnival in Big The Caffinites (Entertainment) 244.43 School with various stalls, teas, etc, at This meant that the School had raised 7.30 p.m. the Caffinites Entertainment in £3,244.68, of which half was presented the Luce Theatre. to the School Minibus Fund, and the rest As the term progressed, some of these to various charities. The charities which events advanced rather more than benefitted were: N.S.P.C.C., Save the others, depending on the extent to which Children Fund, The Ethiopia Drought they caught the imagination of the Apeal, and New Brancepeth Youth Club, members of the House. Undoubtedly the a total of £1,622 was distributed amongst most successful event in this respect was them. the Bed Race organised by Poole House, As for the minibus, a similar amount for almost the whole House was involved was added to the money already raised and a great deal of sponsorship was by the sale of Christmas cards, indivi­ attracted from outside the School (since dual donations and a collection at the this event is reviewed elsewhere, I will O.D. (London) Dinner, so that the dwell on it no more, except to offer con­ School’s contribution was a handsome gratulations on its success). £2,200. The Langley House Entertainment I would like to express my thanks to all relied heavily on the House Tutor, those who took part in any of these Richard Hewitt, and Mrs. Baty, but events, especially the House Tutors and attracted a good turn out, especially of Mr. Rose, for by hard work and parents, and the entertainments pro­ enthusiasm we achieved both our targets vided by members of the House proved and generated plenty of enjoyment on the both popular and of a good quality. In way. terms of promoting good relations within the House and of involving parents and J.D.E. friends on a House basis the evening was a great success. School House’s Tetrathon was successful in another way, for although it was basically a non-spectator event, a surge of enthusiasm was engendered at the last moment, so that it was financially very rewarding to those who took part. The Carnival organised by Ferens House relied on a large number of people passing through Big School during the afternoon, attracted by other events. The stalls and sideshows included a highly successful cake stall organised by Mrs. Gedye, a treasure hunt, cockroach races, darts and busking, but the most popular event was the “Sploosh Machine”, a diabolical contraption which enabled members of the School to use their accuracy with a tennis ball to soak School Monitors, members of staff, and even one Housemaster with buckets of very cold water. The large crowd around this machine ensured that it alone accounted for almost £100. The Cafffinites’ entertainment in the evening was rather less attended than

10 Speech Day Report by the Headmaster Mr M. A. Lang

Speech Day: Saturday, May 26, 1984 phasise that all the results have to be candidates are being put in for both Ox­ evaluated against the background in ford and Cambridge, both for the fourth Report by the Headmaster, which they are set. Durham School is not term examination and for the seventh Mr M. A. Lang a highly selective academic institution. term entry. As a result of the examina­ We certainly ask the boys who come here tions, an Open Scholarship was won by Mr. Dean, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and to produce a reasonable standard of E. T. Grimley Evans to read Mathematics Gentlemen, I add my welcome to that of work in the Common Entrance Examina­ at St. John’s College, Cambridge. An Ex­ the Chairman of the Governors. We are tion, or in our own examination for the hibition was won by E. P. Green to read delighted to see you all here today and 11 year olds, but I would emphasise that Biology at Trinity College, Cambridge, may I offer a special welcome to our the outstanding results which have been while A. P. Hutchinson was awarded an Speech Day guests; Dr. and Mrs. Davies. gained in the last three years have been Exhibition to read Law at Trinity Hall, Dr. Duncan Davies was educated at the result of consistent hard work over a Cambridge; R. P. L. Cherry was also Liverpool College and Trinity College, long period of time, often for many hours awarded a place to read English at Jesus Oxford and entered I.C.I. in 1945. He of the day, both by staff and pupils. Last College, Cambridge. Edmund Grimley became the Research Director of the year’s “A" Level results amply reward­ Evans has also distinguished himself General Chemical Division in 1961, and ed the hard work put in by that year again in the Mathematical Olympiad and then the first Director of the I.C.I. Petro­ group. They achieved a pass rate in “A” is one of the last 11 in the country in the chemical and Polymer Lab, before going Level of nearly 88 per cent with Ancient running for a place in the British Olym­ on to become the General Manager of History. French, German and History all pic team of six for the Olympiad to be Research at I.C.I. During this time he obtaining a 100 per cent pass rate. held in Paris later this summer. We have held visiting Professorships to Imperial Geography did particularly well with 15 also during the course of the last year College, London and also at Oxford. In out of the 24 boys taking this subject ob­ taken part in two nationwide academic 1977 he left I.C.I. to become Chief Scien­ taining either an A or a B grade. Indeed, challenges. Last September we were one tist and Engineer at the Department of over one-third of the grades gained were of the Schools chosen to play the radio Industry. While Dr. Davies was at I.C.I. A’s or B's, while nearly 60 per cent of the game: “Top of the Form” and after a he had as a close colleague, one of our grades were either an A, B, or a C. With comfortable victory in the first round, we Governors; Sir Geoffrey Gilbertson, who Universities demanding higher and had the misfortune to lose narrowly to an by a strange coincidence was our chief higher grades, this can only be a cause excellent team from Selkirk in the next guest on Speech Day last year. Sir Geof­ for some quiet satisfaction. There were round. The Schools Challenge team, hav­ frey spoke to us about the pace of the three boys who obtained four straight A ing battled its way through the local technological revolution in our society grades, while the “S” Level results were rounds, finally represented the North and how a School such as ours should our best ever, with the 16 distinctions East at the national finals in Blackpool play its part in it. I am sure that Dr. and 11 merits more than doubling our and there we were defeated by a very Davies will continue that broad theme to­ previous best. Lest it be thought that we strong team from Bury Grammar School, day and I know of no man more capable have concentrated our efforts on too nar­ who went on to become the National of doing so, in an entertaining and row a field, it is worth adding that over Champions. constructive way. 70 per cent of the Upper Sixth also pass­ Although success in these competi­ May I also welcome as comparative ed General Studies at Advanced Level tions is, of course, encouraging, we value newcomers to the School Governing and all in all, they achieved an average much more highly the sheer taking part Body; Mr. Malcolm Sadler, an Old Boy of of 3.27 passes per head. and indeed, the preparation for these the School and an Accountant in The "O" Level results were equally challenges is as important as the com­ Newcastle, who is unfortunately not with pleasing, again they were probably our petition itself. I am sure that all our suc­ us this morning, because of a recent second best set of results ever, the pass cess academically can be explained not operation, but to whom we send all good rate being a splendid 77 per cent. The only by the intelligence and hard work of wishes for a speedy recovery and to best candidate achieved 11 grade A’s, the pupils concerned, but also by the en­ Canon Tony Hart, a new member of the but the average number of passes per thusiasm, the excellent knowledge and Chapter, who has become Archdeacon of head was a worthy 7.23 and it was pleas­ the sheer professionalism of the staff. I Durham. We hope that they will enjoy ing to note the particularly high success gladly pay tribute to their skill in this and their work with the Governing Body of rate in Mathematics, a subject which many other fields. the School. these days is of vital importance. This During the year, there have been few Before you have the pleasure of listen­ year we entered all boys in the Lower changes of staff, Mark Allinson, the New ing to Dr. Davies, it is my duty to report Sixth for the Science in Society “AO" Zealander, who was a House Tutor in on all that has happened since Speech examination, which is part of the Poole House, helping with P.E. and Junior Day last year. In a School of this sort, a General Studies course and 62 out of 64 Science returned to New Zealand, hav­ very large number of activities take candidates passed, with 20 grade A’s ing given richly of his talents to the place, both simultaneously and consecu­ among them, a result which promises School. He has been replaced by Mark tively and to list them all, as well as be­ much for their results this summer. Quigley, our second New Zealander from ing tedious, would make us all very late Success in “A” Level had raised our Otago University who has rapidly for our lunch. I must then be selective, hopes for those young men who returned brought his different, but equally rewar­ but where better place to start than with to take the Oxbridge examinations and ding gifts to bear. Behind the scenes we last year’s examination results. We have we were not disappointed. As I am sure have lost in the Finance Department, read much in the papers recently of you will know, the academic world in Ox­ Mrs. McGarry, who in her quiet way, accountability and the desirability of ford has recently given birth to a new ad­ always brought her calming influence to Public Schools publishing their examina­ missions system which will come into bear on the intricacies of the financial tion results. I am always delighted to talk operation shortly, while Cambridge is, world. During the course of the year, we to any parent or prospective parents for the moment continuing with its old said goodbye to Mr. Edward Kay, who about our results, and indeed, I am very system. This may well lead to changes in had been Director of Music since 1974; proud of them. I would however, em­ our future policy, but for the moment Edward had enriched the musical scene

11 Speech Day

here in Durham, both at the School and there. Although we may not have filled on to play for the England Schools U19 in the City. A man of many talents, he their heads with many new facts in the side and was awarded the national brought to the musical world a catholic dull sense of the word, I am sure that we Wetheral Award for the best all-round taste which enabled those who were in­ managed to open their eyes to wider Schools cricketer in the country, many terested in music at Durham to spread horizons and enabled them to find out a congratulations to him. This season has their wings in many different directions. great deal about themselves and their started equally well with the 1st XI being We saw him leave to become Director of surroundings. That visit will be repeated undefeated as yet in School matches and Music at Chigwell School, Essex, with this year and a new group of boys from Michael has already scored some 600 some regret and send to him our best the Lower Sixth will also be using the runs in what has been some beautiful wishes for a happy and successful time Study Centre during the term. cricket playing weather. The 1st XI and a at his new School. He has been replaced Basil MacNay, as you know, was the crowd of O.D.s, parents and friends went by Mr. Nicholas Gleed from King’s original owner of the Highland Cattle to Barbados for a three week tour of that School, Canterbury and in the few short Fold and I am sure he will be pleased to island in August and they had a most en­ weeks that he has been here he has know that under Norman MacLeod’s ex­ joyable and beneficial trip. The 1st XI already made his mark, not least by his cellent managementship they have had a won about as many matches as it lost and superb playing of the organ in Chapel. most successful year. Angus, the bull, certainly learnt a great deal about play­ We have been fortunate for the last which stood with the herd until February ing on hard wickets. The season ended in two terms to have with us as Artist in was sold at the Oban Show along with a the middle of September when our Residence, Mr. Graham Tunnadine and heifer, who won first prize in her class thoughts had turned towards playing he has been exploring the use of the com­ and was reserve female champion. rugby at School, when Warwickshire puter in Graphic Design and Fine Art. He These last few months have seen the sent a team to the playground to play a has been programming the B.B.C. Com­ birth of six new calves and the Fold now benefit match for Tom Collin. Tom, who I puter and the Edinburgh Turtle, a robotic stands at a healthy 13. The Society as hope is here today has been with us for pen on wheels to manipulate figurative well as having an Annual Dinner held its many years and it is he who laid the drawings inside the computer and using third Annual Show yesterday and we are foundations of our success on the cricket the turtle to draw them out on large grateful to Mr. Archie Galbraith for com­ field, a tradition ably carried on by our pieces of paper. I hope that some of you ing to judge. They will be exhibiting at present coach, Mike Hirsch. I am will have seen his Exhibition in the Ex­ the Royal Highland Show from June delighted to say that a splendid game of hibition Room and also admired the work 17-21 and at the Great Yorkshire Show cricket followed by an excellent Dinner, produced by some of the boys during the from July 10-12,1 am sure the boys would produced over £1,700 for Tom Collin. year. be delighted to see parents on either of When finally the sight screens were put Missing from our ranks since January, these occasions. away and the rugby posts erected, we has been Bill Allen and his family. They Drama has gone well in the School found ourselves blessed by good weather have been basking in the sun in Australia over the last year, with five major and an outstanding group of boys at the and we have in their place, on an ex­ productions in the last six months. Two top of the School. Not that the younger change for five terms, Mr. Peter Jarvis, Shakespearean plays have been per­ ones were to be outdone, for the U14, from Wesley College, Perth. He has formed, one by the Upper Fifth and one U15 and U16 teams all had excellent already proved himself to be a tower of by the Lower Fifth and both reached an seasons. However, it was at the top of the strength in the School and has been a excellent standard. “Rosencrantz and School that a group of young men came marvellous example of the good that Guildenstern are dead”, the difficult together, who under the inspiration and these exchanges can do. Tom Stoppard play was performed most leadership of a man whom many think is Indeed, part of education, a most im­ entertainingly by the Upper Sixth last one of the best coaches of the schoolboy portant part is that broadening of vision December, while the main School rugby game in this country, welded which occurs not only at School, but out­ production has been “Oh What a Lovely themselves together into a first and se­ side it. I am thinking in particular of the W ar”. This was noticeable for the way in cond XV’s of exceptional talent. The 2nd holiday activities which occur so fre­ which the younger elements in the School XV won all their games, including a rare quently. For instance, during these last played a full part in what was an am­ defeat of Ampleforth at this level and Easter holidays there were at least six bitious and very successful production scored well over 500 points in doing so. groups of boys away on activities which and, of course, the youngest of all had With the wingers scoring over 50 tries can only have enriched their lives. Some their turn this term when Ferens per­ between them, they clearly believed in 14 boys and Masters were to be found in formed a most intriguing and obviously the concept of open rugby. the mountains of Scotland on an Adven­ enjoyable production of the musical The 1st XV, not to be outdone, played turous Training holiday, while ten boys “Nero”. Next term heralds the re-in­ some of the most attractive rugby it has were playing rugby in the National Seven troduction of House plays and it is now been my pleasure to watch. They did not a Side competition, 39 of the Lower clear that any boy who has an interest in win every match; indeed, with a School Remove Upper Remove and Shell spent the theatre has the opportunity of acting of our size, playing mainly Schools con­ four days in France, while another 29 in, or helping with, at least one produc­ siderably larger than ourselves and in­ were skiing in Italy. Six boys were in tion each year. cluding amongst the opposition some of Germany at an R.A.F. camp and another Moving now to the sporting side of the the best sides in the land, who could ex­ dozen were to be found working hard at School, I am delighted to be able to pect that of them, but they won all save the Rowing Camp at York. I am grateful report that the School has had one of its three of their matches and in doing so to those Masters who enable the boys to most successful years ever. Last year’s scored over 600 points. The previous take part in these activities and I am sure 1st XI, despite the miserable start to the record for the number of tries scored by that the visits are of immense value, like season, was a most successful side, hav­ a player during the season was 20 and the visits to our Study Centre in Scotland. ing only one reverse to spoil its record. while Richard Maddison on one wing Last July the boys of Ferens House spent Michael Roseberry made over 800 runs, scored 27 to surpass this record, Kenny four days at the MacNay Study Centre in including a double century against St. Alexander on the other wing annihilated Ford and thoroughly enjoyed their time Bees and also took 48 wickets. He went it with the magnificent total of 42 tries in

12 Speech Day

the season. Our reputation for the game ourselves, showing perhaps the ex­ everybody. Congratulations to the of rugby has always been high and last cellence of rugby in the North in general editorial staff. year we received nationwide publicity and the North East in particular. We Two other events of note which occur­ which was well deserved. Altogether shall be hoping to demonstrate this ex­ red during the Easter Term and will during the season, 14 boys represented cellence to the Australians, for a party of doubtless be fully reported in next year’s Durham County at U16 and U19 level, 35 boys will fly out on July 29 for a three DuneJmian were the Boat Club’s while Peter McIntyre, who formed part week tour of Australia, based on Sydney christening of its new boat and the of an excellent pair of centres with the and Queensland. We wish them every Charities Day held at the end of March. captain, Ben Hume, played in the North success and hope that they enjoy both A group of parents and O.D.s formed of England trial. the rugby and the experience of that themselves into a committee to buy a new The tale of success continued in the great continent. Four for the Boat Club and within five Easter Term, when the 1st VII won three Also a long way from Durham at that months they had raised over £3,000. At a competitions during early March before time will be the joint expedition we are Dinner held in February they presented repeating last year’s win at Oxford. We mounting with Oundle to the mountains the Four, built in our local boatyard and had high hopes for the Rosslyn Park Na­ of the Hindu Kush. Led by Mr. Lee, the named the “Sir Geoffrey Gilbertson” to tional Sevens and these were amply expedition will spend eight weeks, climb­ the lucky members of the School Boat fulfilled. Despite crippling losses through ing, exploring and doing scientific work Club. I am delighted to say that it has injury, so that by the end of the competi­ in Pakistan and we hope that this trip already won several races for us, in­ tion only three of the first choice team will be the forerunner of many more. cluding helping to retain the Malcolm were playing, they reached the last four If that is so then I am sure the Dunel­ Richardson trophy. This was a superb in the Festival Competition, being nar­ mian will send a reporter along. I have example of the effect that a determined rowly defeated by Ampleforth, the even­ been told by many of you that the last edi­ group of people can have on the School tual winners in the semi-final. Incidental­ tion was one of the best ever and it was and we are most grateful to them for ly, the four semi-finalists were Sher­ certainly a beautifully produced their gift to the Boat Club and for the ex­ borne, Rossall, Ampleforth and magazine which had something in it for ample that was set to the rest of us.

13 Speech Day

We attempted to follow this example taken a step forward and a very large Two other young men who have also later in the term, when we held a number of boys in the School play won international honours this year are: Minibus and Charities Day. As I am sure regularly, some of them to a high stan­ James Moody, who represented England you will recall, the Durham School Socie­ dard. The Fives team, well led by Simon in the Show Jumping ring, and O.D. ty which was a small offshoot of the O.D. Berg, and the Basketball squad won the Stephen Brown who has been selected Society, at the end of last year re-consti­ vast majority of their matches, while the for the Great Britain Triathlon team. He tuted itself as the Friends of Durham athletes have had a successful year with will undertake consecutively, a School. This organisation is open both to the general standard rising steadily and marathon run, followed by a five mile 0.D.’s parents, past and present, and all some outstanding performances on the swim in the English Channel, followed by friends of Durham School and we hope to track, particularly from Andrew Baines. a 70 mile cycle race, ending in Paris. It’s see the membership grow and grow. The The Cross-Country runners had an ex­ quite exhausting just to thing about it! Friends of Durham School, while being cellent season and I was delighted to see This last year has then been a success set up as an organisation whose aim is to the number of boys who took part in the both inside and outside the classroom, help the School by raising money, both in Swainston and Dunelm Runs. The what then of the future? No School can the short term and in the long term, has Dunelm was won for the second year in stay exactly as it is. If Old Boys returning this as only one of its aims. Perhaps more succession by Hugh Massingberd-Mundy to the School found things exactly as they important is the aim of fellowship which and it is rumoured that he has hopes of were 30 years ago, there would soon be its hopes to engender amongst the sup­ following in the footsteps of another of no School for them to return to. We must porters of the School and to this end it our O.D.’s now right at the top in the long evolve and we must, of course, think will be holding a function early in Oc­ distance running world. As I am sure carefully in which direction we would tober at School to which all Friends will many of you saw on your television sets wish to go. I was much heartened to see be warmly invited. I am convinced that or read in your papers, the London the new building arising at Bow as that this venture is one which deserves to suc­ Marathon this year, that great event can clearly be seen as a willingness of ceed and the Governors and myself will with over 18,000 competitors, which has the Governors to look at the material certainly give it our wholehearted sup­ fired the imagination of many, was won needs of the School. Here, however, we port. As a first gesture, the Friends of by O.D. Charlie Spedding. Charlie, now must be careful to make a distinction bet­ Durham School made a magnificent 31, started his running career with Mr. ween that which is essential and that donation of £2,000 towards the cost of a Gedye here at Durham in the early '70's which we would love to have, but cannot minibus and encouraged by this help the and we are quite delighted to see the suc­ afford, if we wish to keep the fees at a boys set out to raise more. A Charities cess which this distinguished O.D. has reasonable level. One of our North Day was held at the end of March, the had just recently. He is a splendid Yorkshire Roman Catholic Schools has aim being to raise £4,000 so that we advertisement for the North East in been fortunate in having two million could donate £2,000 to the Minibus Fund general and Durham School in par­ pounds to spend on a new Craft, Design and £2,000 to charity and this aim was ticular, with his tremendous determina­ and Technology Workshop. We do not largely achieved. Each House laid on an tion overcoming all his injury problems. have the ability to call on such resources, event, the most successful of which was We wish him the best of luck in his quest but we must enter the world of Craft, the superbly organised Poole House Bed for an Olympic medal. Design and Technology and update our Race, which raised over £1,000 in what was a most exhausting afternoon’s rac­ ing. We are very grateful to those parents and companies who sponsored the vehicles in this race, many of whom had hours of intensive work spent on them. All the other Houses contributed well and the Grand Fete held in School, as well as being a most joyous occasion, who can forget the sight of Mr. MacLeod being drowned by a bucket of water, raised a considerable sum. As a result of the endeavours of both the Friends and the boys at School and with some help from the Governors, we were able to pur­ chase a minibus and it arrived on April 1. It has been well used this term and I am sure that a very large number of ac­ tivities which in the past would not previously have been possible because of the cost involved, will now be open to small parties of boys. In particular, it has already been used for transporting the smaller sporting teams for their matches, while it is rumoured that the Lower Remove, having enjoyed their Geography trip to a Brewery have attempted to book it again for a repeat visit. Among the other sports that did well last year; Squash under the capable organisation of Mr. and Mrs. Gedye has H. R. B. Massingberd-Mundy — Winner of the Dunelm run for the second successive year.

14 Speech Day

computers as well as continually SPEECH DAY PRIZES 1984 PRIZES AWARDED AT ASSEMBLY ON upgrading the living conditions of the SATURDAY, IANUARY 21, 1984 boys providing better classrooms for the The Bishop Lee Prize for Divinity J. Strong, K.S. SCHOOL HOUSE academic teaching. I am sure that the The Scott-Latimer Prize J. L. Bumby Governors will give considerable thought for Modern Languages J. Strong, K.S. P. A. Combe to our material needs, while we who The Senior Prize for S. P. Foster have the privilege to work here must con­ English Recitations J. Strong, K.S. P. A. J. Moody tinually look for ways of changing for the The Hodgson Prize for English P. Sanderson better every aspect of our School life. I Shared J. Strong, K.S. was much heartened to see the C.C.F. The Gawan-Taylor Prize for English Essay widening its sphere of activities and par­ Shared J. Strong, K.S. POOLE HOUSE ticularly pleased to see them aiming to The Hodgson Prize for English M. J. Allen Shared M. P. J. Hutchinson C. M. St. J. Clements play a much larger part in the life of our The Gawan-Taylor Prize for English Essay T. C. Collins local community. Already a small party Shared M. P. J. Hutchinson D. M. Drysdale of boys work regularly in the Cathedral The Green Prize C. G. S. Johnson to assist in a very small way with the for Classics M. P. Merrington R. F. Redpath maintenance of that magnificent building The Jackson Prize C. N. Sandford and there are plans to widen the scope of for Latin Prose C. M. McGilvray C. G. Thompson our community service. Durham boys The Woodward Prize I. Wombwell should be found regularly helping with for Greek Prose A. A. Harris, K.S. C. J. Wright the mentally handicapped and assisting The Robert Dunn Cup for Drama A. A. Harris, K.S. FERENS with children’s reading in Primary The Senior Prize M. Dennison Schools. We are continually seeking to for Music is shared by D. J. McNeaney R. Foreman broaden the range of School Societies and A. J. A. Sawyer A. M. Nicholson and I am delighted to see that many The Gough Prize M. A. Peacock societies report an upsurge in atten­ for English Verse D. J. Ross I. S. Pillai dance during the last year, while The Ker Memorial Prize I. M. Smith academically we are continually review­ for Modern History B. M. W. Devlin O. F. W aters ing the curriculum to identify areas of The Ker Memorial Prize need. The contact between parents and for Ancient History A. M. Jones CAFFINITES The Metcalf Prize C. J. Baines School moves closer all the time and I see for Mathematics E. T. Grimley Evans, K.S. the Friends of Durham School as one N. Blackburn The Lowson and Salkeld Prize J. R. Board organisation through which this goodwill for Chemistry E. T. Grimley Evans, K.S. 0 . Brown can be channelled. We must be true to The Henry Smith Prize for Physics J. D. N. Gedye our great tradition, but we must con­ Shared E. T. Grimley Evans, K.S. C. D. P. Harrington tinually build on that tradition. Mr. The Henry Smith Prize for Physics J. Hartill Dean, Ladies and Gentlemen, we will Shared A. J. Craig, K.S. D. A. Openshaw endeavour to carry out those aims during The Richardson-Bunbury Prize for N. G. Woolley the coming year. Modern Languages S. J. R. Maddison, K.S. J. F. M. Zair The C. H. A. Howe Prize for Practical Skills M. A. Blenkinsop LANGLEY HOUSE The Fifth Form History S. G. Birkwood Project Prize R. D. Evans N. R. Gray The Morley-Wells Prize 1. C. King for Geography K. S. Salthouse A. J. Reed-Purvis The Ian Nuttall Prize W. D. K. Todd for Biology M. S. Gale The Junior Prize for Music S. J. Anderson The Junior Prize for English Recitations Shared A. H. F. Armstrong and and W. D. K. Todd The Senior Prize for Art N. J. Marshall The Junior Prize for Art J. Killick The Sydney Dunn Trophy for the best black and white photographic print S. C. Joyce The Prize for the Creative Use of Modern Technology P. H. Drysdale The Ferens House House Prize for English Recitation M. Dennison The Bell Twins Prize in the Lower Remove M. Dennison

1st IV with the new boat bought by the Parents’ Association.

15 Chapel Notes

The sermon at the O.D. Service after Orphan Fund. A collection made by a of the Sixth Form. There was a large the end of the Summer Term was Carol party from the choir was also sent attendance and much useful ground was preached by the Vicar of Bardon Mill, to Murray House. covered. the Rev. J. E. Linton, O.D., whom we were During the term a new pattern was A finishing touch to the improved very glad to welcome back some weeks started for Leave weekends. Instead of acoustics of Chapel was given by the later to preach at the School's Harvest returning for Evensong at 7.30 p.m. boys installing of a third speaker at the west Festival in October. As usual the O.D. were invited to a voluntary service of end under the gallery. This had made a Service was well supported. Compline at 9.30 p.m. This quiet and considerable difference and the problem Soon after the Christmas Term started reflective ending to a busy weekend of hearing easily now seems to have been it was a great pleasure to invite Canon C. seemed to be much appreciated. solved. H. G. Hopkins to celebrate at Corporate At an Evensong in Abbey during the We extend our very best wishes to the Communion on September 25. This Easter Term Mr. J. S. Lee was installed following whose children were occasion served to mark the 50th as Deputy Headmaster by the Dean in a christened in Chapel during this last anniversary of his ordination (October 8) simple but effective ceremony. The School year: Mr. and Mrs. P. F. Charlton, and by a strange coincidence was the School said farewell at the end of the Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Cutty, Mr. and Mrs. 25th anniversary of the Chaplain's term to Mr. Edward Kay, Director of A. E. Bird, Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Wilson, ordination, and Mr. S. Croft, who had Music, and I should like to take this and Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Everatt; and also helped with the teaching of Divinity the opportunity both to thank Mr. Kay for all to the following who were married in previous year, was ordained that that he did for the music in Chapel in Chapel: Mr. and Mrs. I. Gordon, Mr. and morning. particular, and also to extend a very Mrs. J. P. Hadden, Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Thanks to the efforts of Boys and Staff warm welcome to his successor Mr. Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. G. P. Trotter Chapel was richly decorated for the Nicholas Gleed who joined the Staff from and Mr. and Mrs. R. Webster. Harvest Festival, and the customary King’s School, Canterbury, at the Preachers have been: during the distribution of the Harvest offerings was beginning of the Summer term. Many Christmas term, Canon A. D. Chesters, much appreciated by old friends of the changes have already been made in the Diocesan Director of Education, the Rev. School and by some of the Physically choir and it is hoped in the near future to J. E. Linton, the Rev. D. Osborn, Vicar of handicapped. The School observed rearrange the seating in the chancel. Southbroom, Devizes, the Archdeacon of Remembrance Sunday on November 13 We were very fortunate in the Auckland, the Ven. J. D. Hodgson, the when the Head of School, Jonathan Summer term to be able to avail Chaplain; during the Easter term, the Strong, laid a wreath at the altar and the ourselves of a generous offer from the Rev. Dr. D. Jasper, Chaplain of Hatfield Last Post was played by Mr. W. J. Bishop of Jarrow to officiate at the College, the Chaplain, the Rev. Prof. Watson. It was a moving occasion. Confirmation service. The late appoint­ Kinglsey Barratt, the Headmaster; The Christmas Services were well ment of the new Bishop of Durham had during the Summer term, the Rev. A. W. attended. Some 1,300 parents and given the Bishop of Jarrow a heavy Hopkins, R.A.F., retd., Canon C. H. G. friends were in Abbey for the Carol programme, and we were delighted that Hopkins, the Headmaster of St. Bees, the Service and nearly 200 came to the Holy he could find the time to come to the Chaplain and the Headmaster. Communion service on Christmas Eve. School. Fourteen boys were confirmed. In conclusion I should like to say a very Mr. D. Baty read the lesson for the O.D.s The collection from the Confirmation sincere “thank you” to members of staff, at the Carol Service. The collections service was sent to the school of St. to boys and to all who have contributed were sent to the Cheshire Home at Augustine's Mission at Penhalonga in in so many ways to the services in Murray House, to the Rev. Nigel Stock, Zimbabwe. During the term a group of Chapel. O.D., in Papua, N.G., to Finchale the Durham Samaritans held talks and J.R.M. Training College and to the Clergy discussions on their work with members

16 Music and Drama

MUSIC concert of their own and other popular CHRISTMAS CONCERT 1983 Although the Christmas Concert has music. If only they had managed to borrow a microphone and another ampli­ declined neither in terms of its quality Although finding themselves in the nor its quantity (see separate review), it fier we might have been able to really rather more cramped conditions of the appreciate Nick’s quiet and sensitive has not towered as high above the Luce Theatre as opposed to Big School, musical depths around it as in former delivery of the words! this year’s musicians ensured that the years. This year has seen an upsurge in Another Poetry and Music event, in same could not be said of their style, as the number and variety of lunchtime the form of a Victorian Evening (see an eventful term for music was brought recitals and the inception of a series of separate review), was followed later in to a close with this highly successful Poetry and Music evenings which have the term by a varied and highly enjoyable concert. proved most popular, particularly concert of solo music performed by The tuning problems for the Brass amongst the middle forms of the school. Simon Anderson (Piano), Simon Reed- Ensemble, which opened the proceedings The year began with three “staff” Purvis (Trumpet) and Alexander with the famous “Trumpet Voluntary”, recitals. The first was a lecture/demon­ Armstrong (Baritone). went practically unnoticed as they set stration on the Autoharp, given with The Summer term saw three the mood of enthusiasm which not even great expertise and considerable wit by innovations, perhaps the most striking the most cynical listener could deny the our visiting guitar teacher Mr. Paul being the lunchtime concert given by the performers. Now it was up to the Wind Jennison. Mr. Kay gave a recital on the entire Upper Remove of pieces that they Group to counter power and brilliance “mighty Wurlitzer” in chapel, giving themselves had composed in their class with lyricism and impeccable intonation boys a rare chance to hear some organ music lessons during the year. These . . . well, A.E.B.’s arrangement of pieces in their entirety, without the pieces were obviously much enjoyed by LeGrand song “What are you doing?" necessity to leave chapel after the first those who attended. was most lyrical and next year will minute or so, and Mr. Bird gave a recital The second innovation was a Poetry assuredly see the culmination of Mr. of solo songs. and Music evening on the subject of Bird’s hard work over intonation. The The first Poetry and Music evening, “Time”, that was written and presented odd “peep” from the flute section may “The Faces of W ar”, presented by by four members of the Lower Fifth. It is also be eradicated. Richard Cherry, Antony Harris, Paul hoped to give every year group the The Luce Singers gave a tight per­ Hutchinson and Alex Sawyer, was a chance to present at least one such formance of two Negro Spirituals (Mr. considerable success (as was the free evening in the Luce Theatre. Edwards taking the part of Noah; coffee and biscuits in the interval!), and Finally, we had (inevitably?) an “Who’s Det Shevin'?”). “Street Music”, so was its successor on “Love”, written "alternative” event entitled “NOT a a young person’s guide to busking, gave and presented by Cherry, Hutchinson lunchtime recital”. Curiously, the only Paul Hutchinson the chance to show off and Sawyer less than a month later. thing that distinguished this from the his high notes as the “lofely lifely Alex Sawyer and Robert Wood “real” recitals was that Alex Sawyer piccolo”. His German accent could do brought together wood and wind, forgot to produce a programme and with a bit of attention, though. accompanied by A.E.B., to give a recital almost failed to introduce himself or the The Early Music Group played their of music for flute, clarinet and piano, music. Nevertheless, he acquitted him­ programme from “A Midsummer Night’s and the high-spot of the term was surely self very well, as did his accompanist Dream” and, in the last piece, the performance of Cesar Franck’s Mr. Jonathan Leonard, in the song cycle “Pastime”, Alex Sawyer proved that, Violin Sonata given by our violin teacher “Let us garlands bring” by Gerald Finzi while Hutch may make an excellent Mr. Julian White with his accompanist and five songs from “Frauenliebe and piccolo, he's got what it takes to be a Neil Beardmore. leben" by Robert Schumann. We hope, foghorn. Four numbers played by the In the Easter term, Nick and Paul in view of his choice of songs, that he is eminently listenable-to Teashop Quintet Marshall, with a guest appearance from still intending to compete for a Tenor followed, though the tea at times may Jonathon Duckfield as “The Boxer”, choral award in September, and nothing have had beer added. The Chapel Choir entertained us to another highly polished higher! then made its debut at a Christmas Concert with two folk songs arranged by Seiber. Mr. Bird’s saxophones were in fine voice for two arrangements of tradi­ tional tunes and Alex Armstrong made his mark on Durham School with a witty and tasteful rendering of “The Gasman Cometh”. Alex Sawyer, Robert Wood and A.E.B. gave a spirited performance of Shostakovitch's “W altz” for flute, clarinet and piano, but were denied their rightful place in the programme (“That’s the last thing anyone’ll want to hear at a Christmas Concert”) by the Red-Hot Peppers, who played us out in their own traditional way. A successful concert but, it must be noted, not without its intonation problems in the larger ensembles. That is not an invitation to cry, “Havoc!” and let slip the snide remarks, for to remedy such a fault is by no means an easy task. Nevertheless, it is something to be taken

17 Music and Drama

very seriously by all the school’s of the performance, she may have seen a Drama now is a timetabled subject in musicians when preparing works for the programme lying on a neighbouring the lower end of the School — everybody future. table. At the top of the programme it will therefore when they enter the School is Finally, we would all like to thank Mr. have said “Durham School, 1984 — A introduced to basic dramatic skills. Over Kay and Mr. Bird for their hard work. Victorian Evening”. the year most of the classes taking We look forward to seeing the new ideas This would have explained everything drama have performed a Lunchtime of Mr. Gleed, who will no doubt continue to her, and as she turned to go she saw Drama session; sketches and improvisa­ the steady upward trend of all music that Jonathon Strong thanking people for tions devised and produced by the boys this school is fortunate enough to be coming. She was very impressed and on themselves, this too has proved to be witnessing. going out she remarked; very enjoyable. I hope that “Lunchtime Alex Sawyer “What a marvellous school this must Drama” will become a far more regular be — I shall have to send my daughters feature next year. here!” The Drama Club is now, at last, under THE VICTORIAN EVENING “I’m very sorry”, Strong pointed out, way. An evening event which enables “but this school is a boys’ school.” those particularly interested in drama to On a dark Thursday night in the heart “We shall have to do something about work seriously at various aspects of of the Easter term an old, weary, travell­ that" she may have said, as she stomped dramatic skill. The large number of ing woman may have been staggering, off ambitiously. younger boys who are members of this lame with fatigue, lost amongst the crags Club is very encouraging. of the North. If she had sat down after Alexander Armstrong (Shell) Next year the introduction of House her last hope of shelter and prayed, she plays will give everyone the opportunity may have heard faint strains of music to involve themselves in some way in and seen the glowing of a dim light. On drama. Each House is going to perform a following the sound and the light, she short play of their own choice with the might have stumbled into the Luce DRAMA 1983/84 (Summary of Events aim of involving as many boys as Centre. this year) possible. I hope that this will prove a She would have been puzzled as to lighthearted “fun” way of “doing” where she was — it certainly couldn’t This year, I think has seen great steps drama and something that will become a have been a theatre anyway. She had, as forward in the drama in the School. We regular event in the School. if by answer to her prayer, hobbled to a have had five productions in the Theatre: The School plays for next year have large drawing room full of tables set for A Midsummer Night's Dream performed been planned and I hope they will be as tea. The music was definitely Victorian, by the Lower Fifth; The Merchant of enjoyable as this year’s offerings. the “set” was definitely Victorian, even Venice by the Upper Fifth; Rosencrantz Overall, I have been very encouraged the clothes were Victorian, and the and Guildensterm are Dead performed by the interest and support that has been whole idea was ludicrous and very by the Drama Society; Nero performed shown for drama — it should be a very Victorian. The lady was ushered to a by the Ferens House boys and Oh What a important aspect of any school’s table. Lovely W ar as the main School play. All curriculum and I think the importance By now, she should have worked out these productions although not of an that is now being attached to it here is that the six people spread around the amazingly professional standard, have becoming increasingly evident. huge leather sofa could only have been shown an enthusiasm for drama which performers. In fact they were none other looks good for the future. D.C.K.E. than Mr. Julian White, Mr. Jonathan Leonard, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Alex Sawyer and myself; and the gentleman who loomed professionally over the piano was the great Mr. Kay. As the lady may have sat back, enjoying the music, poetry and general atmosphere of late nineteenth century Britain — including a number of duets and dramatic pieces by Sullivan, Offenbach and other Victorian composers, she would have been served rich delicacies like cucumber sandwiches and cakes. However, little would the lady have known that the sleek, tall waiter who was passing around these mouth-watering delicacies was none other than Jonathan Strong — our own Head of School. The lady would have been over­ whelmed as the marvellous harmonies of “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”, from the Gilbert and Sullivan opera “Iolanthe”, drifted over the tables of the visitors (or audience), as this was obviously the finale. As the light became clearer at the end

18 Music and Drama

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM able, and Abigail Moss from the Johnston and unable to leave the stage due to the School, made a very attractive and con­ narrowness of the exit — very amusing!). On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, vincing Queen of the Fairies. The enthusiasm generally is a very October 17, 18 and 19, the Lower Fifth The "clowns’, I think, gave the good sign for the future of drama in the performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream audience a genuinely amusing per­ School — the connection with the in the Luce Theatre. For many this was formance — P. Jones as Bottom was Durham Johnston School has proved to the first appearance on stage so nerves excellent, and the others too (C. Wright, be a great asset; their interest and were on edge and the adrenalin was L. Ryan, H. Pearson, J. Bumby, P. support has been a great help to us here. pumping hard, but it was evident from Drysdale) showed great enthusiasm for The fact that near 50 boys and girls were the start that those on stage were comedy (Hal Pearson’s great moment involved in this production speaks for it­ enjoying themselves. The play had been came when he found himself as ‘W all’ self — overall a very enjoyable evening! shortened considerably in places to make it more appropriate for the age group concerned and consequently there were no mammoth speeches to learn. There were some very convincing performances — C. Gatenby provided the audience with a very autocratic Thesus and the young lovers, Lysander and Demetrius (C. Johnson and Stephen Forbes) were played with enthusiasm. B. Dale was a marvellous “ancient” Egeus, full of Scottish fire and brimstone! One of the most professional per­ formances of the production came from G. Foster who played Oberon. He has a great stage presence and has a superbly clear voice for effective drama. N. Robinson played a lively Puck — a little quiet at times but nevertheless enjoy­

19 Music and Drama

“ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN sense. achieved. The Christians were played ARE DEAD” The sad thing about the production with great “composure" by boys who was that the audience was so small. That included Julian Nelson, Philip Newton, In pursuit, as ever, of “A” level set two Oxbridge candidates in their Andrew Nicholson, Adam Parker, texts, a Durham School group attended a examination term should have coped Matthew Peacock, Oliver Peel, Karl performance at the Gulbenkian Theatre with producing a demanding play, Ritzema, Stephen Rogers, Ian Smith, this summer, by Newcastle University learning such long and very tricky parts, Simon Smith, Ian Stewart, Andrew students, of Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and putting on a performance of this Waters, Owen Waters, Mark West. The and Guildenstern are Dead. It was in the standard within a week or two of sitting courtiers at Nero’s palace were course of this evening that Mrs. Lyons their papers, is most impressive; it is a obviously enjoying their role and played watching with a professionally critical pity there were so few among the boys to the parts with great “gusto” — these eye, was heard to murmur, “It makes one applaud and enjoy, and a greater pity included Simon Birbeck, Philip Boys, Lee realise just how good Richard Cherry that the School seems not yet to Brennan, David Brown, Paul Chan, was.” She was referring, of course, to recognise that appreciation of dramatic Richard Clements, Steven Coverdale, the production of this play at Durham excellence is taken for granted in many Alan Elliott, Matthew Dennison (of School the previous December, compara­ schools with which it habitually classes Margaret Thatcher fame!) James Doyle, tively disadvantaged in all such minor itself. This was the best School produc­ Michael Erickson, Richard Foreman, matters as costume and lighting, but tion since "The Caretaker”; it deserved Paul Frame, Gary Hardman, Tom possessing two things that the University greater support. Hornby, Simon Mark, Paul Murray. players did not have: genuine acting Ian Pillai provided the production with talent in the three main parts, and a Margaret Forey a very suspicious narrator, dressed in producer (Cherry) with a sure feel for dark cloak and hood with some dramatic effect and for the play. extravagant but effective make-up and Richard Cherry as Guildenstern and Geoffrey Lambert played the part of Alex Sawyer as Rosencrantz were Nero with great enthusiasm and skill — evenly matched in their firm grasp of the NERO {Summer Term 1984) he obviously has a great talent for the play’s pace and point. Rosencrantz, is, stage as he kept the audience rivetted perhaps, slightly the easier of the two Another Ferens success hit the stage thoughout his performance. parts; that we were never conscious at the beginning of the Summer term — Overall congratulations must go to during the difficult opening scene of any this time of production of Nero by Paul Antony Harris for producing such an drag in the action, or any longeurs in Drayton: “Rome has become decadent excellent and enjoyable performance — Guildenstern’s lengthy attempts at self- and the Emperor Nero burns down the well done all! reassurance, says much for the city. To avoid suspicion he accuses the virtuosity of Cherry’s performance. The new Christian sect and turns the anger dialogue moved naturally and lightly, of the mob on them. However, the Roman with timing unobtrusively skilful. Yet people are so impressed by the com­ from two such veteran actors this came posure of the Christians that they as no surprise; the revelation of the eventually direct their anger upon the evening was Alex Armstrong, perfectly Emperor who is driven to take his own cast as the player, and displaying an “life”. This “tale” provides an ideal instictive stage presence reminiscent of opportunity to involve as many of the Simon Ibbitson's Feste of a few years boys as possible, and this was certainly ago, and quite remarkable in a 14 year old. But he was ably backed up by the remaining players, notably Robert Evans as Albert, whose only fault was that he did not look sufficiently brow-beaten and undernourished: perhaps a certain Biology teacher should have been called upon to assist in this. The crowd work, with the players was always well handled. Mr. Edwards as Hamlet looked the part splendidly, though I must confess to finding the intermittent appearances of one obviously older (and, by pure chance, larger) character had a somewhat disconcerting effect upon the willing suspension of disbelief with which we accepted the schoolboy cast as men (Albert, of course, always excepted). The only weakness in the production was the lack of regality in Claudius and Gertrude; when Rosencrantz remarks of the Shakespearian protagonists, “When it comes to the point we succumb to their personality”, it was only of Hamlet and Peter Dobson’s Polonius that this made “N ero.”

20 Music and Drama

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE such as policemen, foreigners with limps THE DRAMA CLUB and ghosts — all managed to develop an The Upper Fifth (with the Lower Fifth) interesting variety of sketches involving As from September 1984, the following staged a Shakespearean production set characters. Ian Wombwell provided boys will form the Theatre Committee: during the Easter term; their choice was us with a suitably frightening ghost and Peter Jones, Alex Armstrong, Andrew The Merchant of Venice (possibly some­ Keith Hunter gave us the typical Hay, Paul Wilkins, Gavin Foster, Duncan thing to do with the forthcoming “O” Inspector Clouseau involved in a case of Ross. level exam!). The Theatre was full for all “Ghostly Hauntings”. Guy Brudenell The aims of the Club are as follows: the performances which proved to be obviously has a talent for the dramatic 1. To allow boys who have a real interest thoughtfully and enthusiastically pre­ — he played the part in the sketch of a in drama to pursue the development of sented. As with the Lower Fifth a large bewildered police officer with great acting skills through workshop number of this year group were involved conviction. sessions. and help was provided with the female The Lower Fifth earlier in the year 2. To invite students/lecturers from local parts from the Johnston School (to the produced a sketch involving a Gorilla, a universities to give workshop sessions rescue again!). vicar and a murderer and came out with and talks on drama. Another set construction success from an incredible tale. Peter Jones played a 3. To arrange visits to Theatres and Graeme Jones presented a suitable back­ maniac husband who finds his wife in plays on a regular basis. ground for the actors who all showed a love with a Gorilla (Paul Drysdale). .. all 4. To have one major trip each year to certain sensitivity to the parts they were very thought provoking stuff. The Upper London; visits to drama schools, playing. Duncan Ross was a very austere Sixth, consisting of Stephen Wiles, theatres, etc, could be included in the Antonio and Gavin Foster a very Richard Slack, Guy Rhodes amongst programme. “dashing” Bassanio. Convincing per­ others performed a short sketch 5. To help plan the School’s drama formances from Richard Kallagher, attacking people who bought foreign programme over the year and help run Adam Ramsay, Simon Anderson and cars — including. . . the Theatre. Richard Hornsey paved the way for the Watching these sketches is a very 6. To reorganise and maintain the entrance of Carl Rhodes as Shylock. His enjoyable way of spending twenty costumes, props, lighting, make-up, performance was suitably “nasty” and minutes after lunch and an appropriate etc, in the Theatre — the introduction merciless and certainly very compliment to lunchtime music. of a Theatre management group who accomplished. David Harbottle provided would be responsible for set construc­ the audience with much amusement with D.C.K.E. tion and organisation for each play is his portrayal of the Prince of Morocco essential. and praise must go to the make-up 7.To help organise rehearsal department for his amazingly blackened programmes and general use of the face! Stuart Elsy was a superbly DRAMA CLUB Theatre. arrogant Arragon and of the two comic 8. Above all to stimulate interest in characters, Mark Rodmell as Launcelot Thanks to the influence of David drama in the School and encourage and Neil Storey as Old Gobbo provided Edwards, Drama in Durham School has boys to join the Club and see what us with a laugh a minute! taken on a new lease of life. Last year drama is all about! There were many supporting roles in there were five major plays and this term 9. The Committee will oversee the the production, thus giving others a a Drama Club has come into operation. general running of drama in the School chance to taste the enjoyment of working The Club hopes to organise several and will help me enormously to try and on stage and it is much to Gill Lyons trips to places such as the Royal achieve a more definite structure to credit that she managed with the help of Academy of Dramatic Art in London and drama. Robert Evans and Carl Rhodes to stage a theatres. The Club also hopes to bring in very successful and enjoyable produc­ members of the University Drama D. C. K. Edwards tion. department to widen the scope of our activities. Although the Club only numbers about 20 regular members at the moment, we hope to increase its’ LUNCHTIME DRAMA influence throughout the School over the next few terms. The Committee of five This year has seen the introduction of boys will help Mr. Edwards to plan the short sketches at lunchtime performed annual drama programme in the School and produced by the boys themselves. as well as organising regular theatre The Lower Remove have staged two such trips to plays in Newcastle and the sur­ shows. We have seen a take-off of Grand­ rounding area. stand with a superb Dickie Davis in Tom There have already been several Hornby and a very accurate Peter meetings this term which have consisted O’Sullivan in Gary Herdman. Mathew mainly of evenings, working in groups on Dennison has got Margaret Thatcher various aspects of improvisation and we completely “sewn up” — he has intro­ were privileged to have two students duced her twice much to the enjoyment from RADA who came up to run some of the audience. We have seen a “Guess drama sessions with us. the Pop Group” a “Quiz Show” Committee: Peter Jones, Alex “Supersnob” and many other amazing Armstrong, Duncan Ross, Gavin Foster, and varied sketches. Andrew Hay and Paul Wilkins. The Shell produced a variety of sketches based on particular characters, Peter Jones

21 Music and Drama

“OH, WHAT A LOVELY WAR”

In the third week in March, the School Dramatic Society, with the valuable help of seven young ladies of the Johnston School, presented “Oh, What a Lovely W ar”. It is usually credited to Joan Little- wood, though it was originally devised by Charles Chilton. Joan was not averse to taking over the works of others, rather as Handel “borrowed” other people’s tunes, and adapting them to her own vigorous mould. It first saw the light of day in 1963 at Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop at Stratford (East London not on Avon). Many will recall Sir Richard Attenborough's pier head production on television. A work of sad irony, it is a brilliant piece which presents war and its futility as a pierrot show — a sequence of bitterly comic “turns” — “We’ve got songs for you, a few battles and some jokes — I’ve got the whip to crack in case you don’t laugh” pronounced the smoothly Brylcreamed Master of Cere­ monies, Barry Dale. The rest of the comparatively young cast were well cast. Jonathan Duckfield as the Company Sergeant Major was authentically like many I remember from my own National Service! Guy Rhodes’ facial expressions were well matched by Anthony Harris — entirely convincing as an Eastern potentate, resplendent in a blue dressing gown. Alex Sawyer per­ formed with effective unpleasantness quite beyond the parameters of his normal character. The complacent ineptitude of the '14-18 General Staff was well portrayed by a goodly team. The stiff dignity of Michael Clarke as Wilson, the languid drawl of Brendan Devlin as Haig were enriched by good performances by Robert Evans (Robert­ son) and Jonathan Hay (Rawlinson). As a military purist my eyebrows rose several times with the licence taken with uni­ forms and rank badges, but the intention was all. The Johnston School girls were delightful to look at but less easy for all to hear — they are less familiar with the acoustics of the Luce. It was good to see a Housemaster’s daughter Gillian Clayton, treading the boards, but my ladies’ Oscar would go to Louise Beaumont as the nurse — particularly effective in the war workers’ trio ensemble. The “back-up” team helped to make the performance as successful as it un­ doubtedly was. Particular mention should be made of Mr. Tom Percival’s slides which gave a valuable extra dimension. Alas for us, the last night was Edward Kay’s swan song, apart from two Chapel services. He prepared and con­ ducted the small four-piece orchestra

22 Music and Drama

with his customary vigour (including David McNeaney in a role new to me as double bassist). It was a worthy finale to E.J.K.'s career with us as Director of Music, marked as it has been by his un­ failing good humour, sympathetic encouragement, his breadth of interests and talents and his quite prodigious energy. The master-minding direction was in the capable and inspired hands of Mr. David Edwards. Making good use of lighting and sound never lacking in pace and with a dramatic ending, it all added to richly appreciated good theatre for which we were all grateful.

B. Phillips

JOAN LITTLEWOOD’S “OH, WHAT A LOVELY WAR”

Cast: Barry Dale, Paul Drysdale, Peter Jones, Jonathan Duckfield, David Drysdale, Anthony Harris, Michael Clarke, Alex Sawyer. Paul Wilkins, Robert Hay, Robert Evens, Chris­ topher Wright, Guy Rhodes, Gavin Foster, Brendan Devlin, Adam Jones, Rachel Maddison, Louise Beaumont, Gillian Clayton, Angela Eden, Catherine Bell, Hazel Pollard, Susan Ledger.

Produced by: David Edwards.

Musicians: Jonathan Zair, Robert Wood, Andrew Bird, David McNeany. Music directed and arranged by Edward Kay.

Technical Crew: Nicholas Woolley, Oliver Combe, Charles Baines, David Openshaw.

Stage Manager: Graeme Jones.

Properties: John Watson.

Slides: Tom Percival.

Photography: Jonathan Lee.

Programme Design: John Watson.

Tickets: Andrew Pointing.

Poster: Graham Tunnadine.

Presented by kind permission of Doris Thorpe on behalf of Joan Littlewood Publications Ltd.

23 Music and Drama

O What a Lovely W ar’

24 to 01 C. Baines. Societies

SIXTH FORM SOCIETY REPORT THE DUN DUBH HIGHLAND CATTLE consists of ten beasts; our stock bull, four SOCIETY cows and three bull calves and two Yet again this year the Sixth Form September 1983-September 1984 heifers. Society has been lucky enough to have Attendance at the Society Dinner in engaged a series of lectures that have all In the fifth year since Major Basil the Easter Term doubled and for the first been most interesting, though in very MacNay, O.D. gifted the Highland Cattle time it was a traditional Burns Supper. different ways. The first of these talks to the School, the Fold and the Society Our annual Highland Cattle Show was given by Mr. T. Percival who have continued to go from strength to attracted an outside entry and thus delivered a most enlightening speech on strength. As in '82-83 membership has ceased to become strictly ‘internal’. the American Civil War. To illustrate his never dropped below forty boys, operat­ Increasing interest in the Fold has lecture he had brought along some slides ing in teams on a House basis, and meant we have been able to sell stock taken at the time of the conflict and these ranging from the Upper Sixth to the when we wanted to through private were very helpful, adding much realism Lower Remove. Although in vacation sales, but we are now in the position of to the talk. time Messrs. Kingston, Maughan and having to fend off potential buyers or we Next came a very different lecture Booth continue to keep a vigilant eye on would have no Fold left! At the Royal from our new Deputy Headmaster, Mr. J. the Fold, we have been particularly lucky Highland Show, a leading Highland Lee, and an old boy from his previous in a team of dedicated Dayboys who have breeder was eyeing our bull calf Jock School, Robert Taylor, who is now come in twice daily in the holidays, with possessive interest and beginning to studying at Durham University. With the including half terms and leave week­ jangle the silver in his sporran. We had help of some very beautiful slides, Mr. ends to look after the beasts. to tell him we hoped Jock would be our Lee told of the Oundle Mountaineering For the first time in our history we stock bull in 1985 but if the breeder came Expedition to the West China border. He have exhibited at four Agricultural to Oban in February 1986 . . . regaled a captivated audience with tales Shows, including the Royal Highland. This February we returned to the of a country and culture so very different During part of the Summer Term we had Oban Spring Show and Sales, conveyed from our own, and it is pleasing to know fifteen beasts in the fields, thirteen of by Mr. Brian Cracknell, father of twro of that similar expeditions are now to be whom were bred in the Dun Dubh Fold, our members. In his generosity, open to Durham schoolboys; a few indeed two by Major MacNay in Argyll, the dedicated driving, support in all aspects are going on a joint venture with Oundle other eleven by the society at School. of the operation, including extra-mural to Pakistan this summer. By retaining the best young male of activities, he proved a worthy successor Our third talk, evidently inspired by each crop for one season’s breeding we to our former "carrier”, Mr. Alan the Headmaster, was on the subject of have managed to avoid the vagaries and Kingston. Ann, 1st of Dun Dubh, came hunting and was given by a Mr. Lester, a expense of A.I. Last year’s stock bull, first in the young heifer class and was member of the Field Sports Society. Mr. Aonghus 3rd of Dun Dubh sired seven judged Reserve Female Champion of the Lester was most helpful and engaging in calves before we sold him at Oban. show. She went to Mrs. M. H. Whyman, his conversation and his generosity with This year we sold eight beasts, two of Harrogate, for 180 guineas. Mrs all kinds of leaflets was quite amazing! them for slaughter, the remainder to fly Whyman also bought Aonghus, sire of On this evening everyone was certainly the flag of the breed, the Fold and the seven, for 435 guineas. influenced by Mr. Lester’s very thought- School across the North East of England. At Oban, to support and advise as provoking views. At the time of going to press the Fold usual, was Major MacNay who sowed The final talk of the year was given by Mr. M. P. Weston, O.D. who talked very humorously and at some length about the perils of being an English Rugby selector. Indeed it was pointed out by him that Mr. MacLeod, our revered patron, had taken the opportune step of inviting him back to Durham for the first time after an English defeat at the hands of the Scots! Having said this Mr. Weston’s talk was indeed well appreciated, as were all the lectures this year. Let us still hope for an increased attendance next year. In conclusion I would like to thank Mr. MacLeod for his great help and patience in providing speakers for the Society. I would also like to thank Mrs. MacLeod for providing such lovely food for the House delegates and speakers after the meetings.

I. F. Greenshields Secretary

Ruaridd, our stock bull.

26 Societies

the seeds for two new projects, namely On Friday, May 25 the Society held its Massingberd-Mundy, J. Bumby, G. that the Society needed an office in third annual Cattle Show and Mr. Archie Cracknell and N. MacLeod were in which to keep its records and conduct Galbraith from Ormsary, Argyll, was the attendance. In 1984 the Centenary Year correspondence and that as it was the judge. He is an old friend who has given of the Highland Cattle Society, and the Centenary Year of the Highland Cattle us much support and advice from the day Bicentenary Year of the Royal Highland Society, the Fold should exhibit at the the Fold came to Durham and has an Show, the competition in the Highland Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, unrivalled knowledge of the breed as Sir classes was fierce as all the noted Edinburgh. Inspired by his eloquence, N. William Lithgow’s Chief Stocksman. He breeders of Highlanders made a special C. Tilly, H. R. B. Massingberd-Mundy and proved an excellent judge and gave his effort to exhibit. Mrs. McPhail’s Bhaltair A. Cracknell returned to School, opinion of the beasts and the reasons for 2nd of Hungerhill was Supreme measured up the Byre and with the aid of his decisions, over a loud hailer supplied Champion and she received the Wm. John Herbert and the Maintenance Staff by a former member of the Society, Chris Teacher Centenary Trophy from Her and the gift of a filing cabinet from Walker, O.D. Ceit, (presented by Poole Majesty the Queen who is Patron of the Canon Massingberd-Mundy achieved the House) came first and won the Ford Cup; Highland Cattle Society and has her own first objective; then with the willing Marie Mhor (the Caffinites) came second Fold of Highlanders at Balmoral. We permission and support of the Head­ and won the Michael Scott Cup, and were very pleased that Ceit came fifth master set about organising the second. Eilidh (School House) was placed third, and Ruairidh sixth in their respective Shortly afterwards the Society held its winning the cattle cane. We are classes and brought back their share of annual Dinner entertaining a large fortunate that that renowned breeder the prize money to Durham. number of guests. Thanks to the brilliant and judge of cattle, Captain Ben Coutts On July 9, Ruairidh, Fiona and her calf suggestion of our Catering Manager, Mr. has promised to judge our Show next at foot went to the Great Yorkshire show, P. Wilson, it took the format of a Burns year. As usual it will take place on the (the sixth year that the Fold has Supper. In the Exhibition Room with a Langley Drive at 4.30 p.m. on Friday, 24 exhibited there), and Ruairidh won the blazing fire and by candlelight the May 1985, the day before Speech Day. third prize in the Bull class. Haggis was piped in and addressed in All boys, parents, staff, friends and During the three days and nights of the the traditional fashion. The Immortal visitors will be most welcome. On June 17 Show fifteen of our members and Chris Memory was proposed and toasted, the Mr. John Cracknell, deputising for his Walker, O.D. were responsible for President gave his report, the Secretary brother, transported the bull Ruairidh showing and tending the beasts. proposed the health of the guests and the with Ceit and her calf Jock to the Royal Thanks to the initiative and Headmaster replied. Highland Show at Ingliston. N. Tilly, H. organisation of Mr. Brian Cracknell the entire fold of ten beasts, with ten of our members, went to the Sedgefield Agricultural Show, another “first” for the Society. It was a most successful operation and good for the Fold to be on show so much nearer home than at Harrogate, Edinburgh or Oban. In the Highland Class “the stockman with beast” prize won by G. Cracknell with N. Tilly 2nd and S. Atkinson 3rd. In addition to the two beasts sold at Oban, Peigi and her calf Catriona were sold to Mr. David Keeting of Castle Eden; Suisan and calf Iain, (delivered by John [Iain] Booth) were sold to Mr. Roseberry of Penshaw. Morag was sold at a local Mart. The story of Cirstinn is an example of the tremendous support the Society enjoys from numerous parents and friends, many of whom are un-named in this report. She was one of the five beasts gifted by Major MacNay, and the Doyenne of the Fold in recent years and was the winner of many prizes including a first at the Great Yorkshire Show. Mr. John Tilly bought her, and his aunt, Mrs. M acFarlane had kindly volunteered to keep her in comfortable retirement at her home in Castle Eden. Before the transfer could be effected our Vet, Mr. Lowe, felt she had become to feeble to be moved, and reluctantly, we decided that this was the end of the road for her. Thanks to the good offices of Mr. Jewitt, she went direct to the abbatoir and Oban Highland Cattle Show, February 14, 1984. Ann, Reserve Champion, female. N. C. Tilly avoided the indignity of the rough and (president), H. R. B. Massingberd-Mundy (secretary), A. Cracknell (treasurer). tumble of a sale at a Mart. And so with

27 Societies

the help of three fathers and one great sport should not be used as a political was the choice of name, since our aunt of present Dunelmians, a solution weapon.” Several people saw this as a ignorance about pop groups is consider­ was found to the problem of humanity to chance to use the debate as a weapon for able. We are now slightly better in­ an old friend on the one hand and the forcing their views on sport or politics, formed. necessity of running the Fold as a viable but this led to a fairly constructive The society held six meetings in its financial concern on the other. In place argument. The stagnancy seemed to first two terms, with attendances of Cirstinn, Mr. and Mrs. MacFarlane arise when the floor was asked to ranging from 16 to 2 (this meeting have had Marie Mhor and her calf remove the support from their heads and adjourned to 22 The Peth and became grazing on their land during the summer raise their hands — a common mildly festive). Among other things, the holidays. reluctance it seems. This, of course, does Culture Club has discussed current A very generous gift of fertilizer from not mean that the most light-headed R.S.C. productions, watched Frankie I.C.I., thanks to Mr. N. Prynne the Head people are keenest to speak. The result: Howerd in the B.B.C. “All the world’s a of their Agricultural Division, has en­ School House: For Caffinites: Against stage” series, listened to a record of sured that we have had exceptionally R. Kallagher M. Rogers Dylan Thomas, and heard John Lawson good crops of hay in the last two years G. McWilliams S. Hopper talk about American literature and Mr. which have been made for us by Mr. Abstentions: 4 Morgan about Gerald Manley Hopkins. Henry Sedgewick and his family — two Thanks to P. Marshall for I hope before long to learn how far the of them O.D.’s. chairmanship. society has met the wishes of its most All in all it has been a very exciting The second debate was a highly regular attenders, and in what ways they and rewarding year but none of the interesting contest between Poole and would like it improved. In particular, achievements recorded would have been Langley over the issue “This house suggestions about increasing active possible had it not been for the dedicated believes that moral standards in this participation by boys themselves will be hard work and enthusiasm of all the country have reached an unprecedented most welcome. members of the Society throughout the low”. year in fair and foul weather. Sexual morality was exploited by Mr. M. Forey A splendid lead from the senior boys Brown and this exploitation was in turn has resulted in a willing and energetic used by Mr. Gillette as a finely handled response from all members of the Society counter-weapon — Result — a victory and the Dun Dubh Fold continues to for morals and Poole House who thrive, while always when needed we proposed the motion. At the end of the have the invaluable support and advice Summer term an enlightening balloon of our Farming Consultant, Mr. Alan debate was held in the Luce THE TRISTRAM SOCIETY 1983-84 Kingston. (Wednesday, July 27) with Durham High School joining us for the afternoon the Sept. 28 Office bearers candidates being a member of the 1st XV 1983 “Faraday — The Man and — Mother Theresa — H.R.H. Prince His Science”, demonstra­ President: N. C. Tilly William — Deng Xiaping — J. McEnroe tion lecture by Prof. Dolder, Secretary: H. R. B. Massingberd-Mundy — Boy George. The debate was heatedly Newcastle University. Finance Officer: A. Cracknell contested if slightly less conducive to Oct. 19 “Let’s Build a Satellite”, Treasurers: N. Blackburn and P. Graves questions from the floor. All the six main demonstration lecture Committee: S. M. Rushton, J. L. Bumby, R. speakers were excellent with a mixture given by British Aerospace D. Evans, A. D. J. Ramsay of rehearsed, well-planned speeches and in the City Hall, Newcastle. Holiday Stockmen: R. D. Evans, T. E. T. impromptu pity-seeking arguments. At Nov. 14 “Detecting Earthquakes Truelove, S. W. Atkinson, J. R. Shepherd. the first vote the 1st XV player, Boy and Nuclear Explosions”, George and Prince William remained, demonstration lecture by N. MacLeod the latter played by J. Gillette went on to Dr. Cyril Isenberg at New­ win. Once again many thanks to the High castle. School for joining us, and rounding off an Jan. 19 “Mountains, Mires, and interesting terms debating. The 1984 Midges”, slide lecture by committee hopes for many new faces to Peter MacIntyre and John make their appearances at debates next Fisher, about their Skye year. Field Trip. DURHAM SCHOOL DEBATING Jan. 26 “From Icarus to Star Wars SOCIETY R. J. Kallagher (President) — 1,000 Years of Manual (Summer Term report ’84) Flight”, film. Feb. 15 “Physics and the Mary The new committee came into effect at Rose”, lecture by Dr. W. the start of this term and, having been Darbyshire of Sunderland revised by Mr. Percival now consists of Polytechnic at Durham Uni­ R. Kallagher [President), S. Hopper (Vice- versity. president), M. Rogers, M. Anderson and CULTURE CLUB March 15 “Hand Built by Robots” A. Brown. film. Three debates have been held this This new venture is still, I hope, President: Professor David Bellamy. term and with the help of Messrs. evolving. A suggestion made last Chairman: Mr. W. J. Best. Morgan, Percival and Best the society is Christmas that a literary society should House Representatives: A. W. Baines (C). enjoying a new lease of life! The first be formed met with more response than I J. N. Whitfield (S). meeting was held on May 15 1984, the expected. Also unexpected at first — to D. A. Valks (L). motion being “This house believes that the Headmaster and Mr. Lee as well — D. M. Carrier (P).

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NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY for future outings. Any boy who is SIXTH FORM MATHEMATICS interested is very welcome to come CONTEST This year has seen much interest in along. activities relating to Natural History, Thirty-two schools took part this year particularly among boys in the Shell. The A. M. Rose and the organisers decided that as an greatest interest has been in Fossil experiment they would not restrict hunting. Mark Salisbury (Shell R.N.H.) schools to playing against those writes: geographically nearest to them in the “The Natural History Society has had early stages of the competition. We a few fossil hunting trips to several managed to keep team changes to a different venues. The first quarry we RAILWAY SOCIETY minimum and the team reached the semi­ visited was at Coxhoe. It was a disused final for the second time in the life of the part of a larger quarry. When we were After two postponements the visit to Contest which has so far taken place on there we were looking for fish fossils. Scotland planned for July 1982 finally nine occasions. Because it was the first time many of us took place in December 1983. A few days Stage School Points Durham had tried fossil hunting we were pretty before the trip we discovered that Mr. School unsuccessful. The next trip was a waste Jarvis, who had just arrived from 1 Sedgefield Comprehensive had to heap from a colliery, this was Leamside Australia in exchange for Mr. Allen, had withdraw from the competition and conceded the match Colliery. Here we were looking for plant a true feeling for railways and were most 2 Bede School, Sunderland 21 32 fossils. For about just half an hour we happy to have him join the party of three 3 Heathfield Senior High, looked around and then we struck a gold O.D.’s, thirteen boys and myself. The Gateshead 11 24 mine of fossils. It was an area about party travelled by H.S.T. to Edinburgh, Quarter- twenty feet long, packed with fossils of visited Haymarket M.P.D. and then con­ Final King Edward plants. Every slice through the rock had tinued by D.M.U. to Glasgow, the usual Comprehensive, Morpeth 22 26 at least one fossil in it. We found many push-pull having broken down. Semi-Final Royal Grammar School, examples of tree bark, small weed-type The walk from Queen St. Station to St. Mewcastle 33^ 23 plants and leaves of ferns, all preserved Rollox Works will be remembered for the Team: A. J. Craig, E. T. Grimley-Evans, A. H. Hall/C. D. Jackson, D. J. McNeaney/J. M. Whitfield, exactly in the rock. Quite a few boys took near loss of one member engrossed in back a large rock to work on during the buying Edinburgh rock for his mother holidays. and for a series of approximately half a In the Summer term we went to dozen traffic lights, all of which failed to NATIONAL MATHEMETICS CONTEST Coxhoe again; this time we went to the show other than red to pedestrians. St. active part of the quarry where there Rollox itself proved both large and This year the 32 members of the Sixth was a higher chance of finding fossils of interesting with a number of class 27 Form taking Mathematics, one other with fish. We found fish fossils, but only a locomotives and various E.M.U.’s and an interest and one member of the Upper few. They were all in very good condi­ coaches undergoing complete refits. Fifth were entered for the Contest tion: on some you could see if the mouth From here on the weather turned wet gaining scores as shown below. was open or closed when it died. We and the walk from St. Rollox to Eastfield Score Number of candidates found a few fossils and a few false M.P.D. (in which was standing ETHEL 3) 10-19 1 alarms! We found many more at the and thence to Bishopbriggs station could 20-29 1 active site than we did in the inactive have been classified as arduous training. 30-39 8 site. The fourth place we visited was Three out of the day’s five miles walking 40-49 7 Redcar beach where we searched for took place in heavy rain. Shortly after 50-59 10 ammonites. We found imprints of large leaving Queen St. one member decided 60-69 3 ammonites where someone else had that his sufferings should not pass un­ 70-79 2 already been and taken them away. We recognised and maintained a level of 110-119 1 found one ammonite which we carefully complaint rarely surpassed within the (one absent) took out and brought back. We also confines of Durham School. Despite the found many small shell fossils called weather all went according to schedule, E. T. Grimley-Evans having scored “Devil’s toe nails”. But the rarest find by evening all was forgiven and the more than 105 out of 150 qualified for was a belemnite: when living it was a guests at numerous Christmas parties the British Mathematical Olympiad and squid-like creature. Most boys who have will have been regaled with tales of after taking the three and-a-half hour been on a fossil hunting trip are bitten by adventure. exam, was invited to take the Further the fossil bug and want to go again; also Consequent upon the announcement of International Selection Test — another quite a few boys now have their own intention to close the railway from Settle such exam. Consequently he was placed collection at home, and are very keen on to Carlisle a journey over the line was in a group of 11 people who did further finding out more about fossils and organised last April for the members of problems by correspondence course and enlarging their collection.” Ferens House and details of the trip from whom the final I.M.O. team of six A small number of boys are equally appear elsewhere in this issue. As the was chosen. However, his luck was not in keen on bird watching and Freshwater closure had to be delayed to allow a and he was not selected. Biology; since Christmas there have been public enquiry, it was decided that a As a result of his excellent achieve­ trips to Hurworth Burn Reservoir (near second tour would be organised for other ment the previous year in being chosen Trimdon), Brasside Ponds (near Durham members of the school in July, in the hope first reserve for the International itself) and Bearpark Bog (unromantically that disaster would not strike twice. Mathematical Olympiad team Grimley- named, but a fine place to watch water- A visit to Derby B.R.E.L. has been Evans was invited with all other and heath-loving birds). organised for December 15 1984. N.M.C./B.M.O. prize winners to receive Durham is an excellent centre for all his prize in September 1983 at the Royal these activities and there is much scope D.K. Society.

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The Sixth Form Art Group Study Day After seeing this exhibition the party wall, in this case) and attached to the in London were given a guided tour of selected climber to stop him from falling. The wall modern abstract paintings, and is built in three pitches, becoming more This trip of March 8, was arranged seemingly incomprehensible subjects difficult from left to right. The easiest just in time to see the magnificent exhibi­ were brought to life by the explanations pitch has most holds and doesn’t take too tion of Venetian Art at the Royal of colours, shapes and symbols, given by long to climb. The others have fewer Academy. The catalogue of the exhibi­ a very charming guide. holds and the most difficult climb has a tion stated that there is no city quite like Modern Art for decoration was seen at large concrete crack which is used to Venice. Generations of travellers and Tottenham Court Road Underground practice “jamming” your hands and feet tourists have been seduced by its beauty: Station where some large mosaics by the in. When we had become fairly painters, musicians and poets from all Scottish sculptor Edward Paolozzi had competent we made the climbs more over the world have been inspired by it. recently been installed. The colourful difficult by only allowing ourselves the Through all the many glorious epochs of images were inspired by modern use of certain holds. On some occasions, Venetian art, the Genius of Venice was technology and the Tottenham Court when we had climbed up, we fixed our most alive in the Sixteenth Century. Road sales pitch. There were diagram­ ropes to a descendeur and abseiled Some of the greatest of all Renaissance matic digital watches, saxophones, down. artists: Titian, Giorgione, Veronese keyboards and liquid crystal displays, all The highlight of the term’s climbing Tintoretto lived and worked in this “the of popular appeal and in the spirit of came when, at four o'clock in the most triumphant city”. It was they who cash ’n’ carry. morning, six of us went to Stanage Edge developed the unique character of with Mr. Lee and Mr. Bird. After Venetian art and made it the most attrac­ travelling for two hours and sitting in the tive and appealing of the Italian car for two and-a-half hours waiting for Renaissance schools. Their sumptuous Rock-climbing the rain to stop, we finally left the car use of colour and light and the originality with the equipment and headed up to the' of their subject matter, sensual and The beginning of the Summer term edge. Mr. Lee went off with Oliver poetic, determined the course of saw the dawn of an exciting new activity Combe, Simon Foster and Christopher European painting in the centuries to for several boys in the Lower Fifth. Rock- Sandford while Nicholas Woolley, James come. climbing is the fascinating new sport Bumby and I prepared to climb with Mr. By contrast, the party then went to the which has been taught us by Mr. Lee and Bird who had chosen a climb graded Tate Gallery, which is beautifully sited Mr. Bird over the past few weeks. “difficult”, which he “led" up with on Millbank overlooking the busy River Our first week was spent with some Thames to see the first comprehensive "basic training” when we were taught exhibition ever devoted to the pre- various knots (such as the "bowline” and Raphaelite painters of the period the “figure eight”) and shown several 1840-60. These were English painters pieces of equipment that a modern rock- and works by Holman Hunt, Dante climber should know how to use (chocks, Gabriel Rosetti, Millais and Burne-Jones “friends”, etc). Then we were taken up were strongly represented. to the artificial climbing wall at the end Millais “Opelia” and Hunt’s “The of the Budworth Centre where, under Hireling Shepherd” were two of the strict supervision, we learned how to popular pictures with their fascinating climb and belay: belaying is where the details of nature surrounding the figures. rope is fed (over the bar at the top of the

L6 Field Course Skye 1983. The “Tourist Bishop Middleham Quarry — L6 Field Work. Route” to Spar Cave.

30 Pursuits

James Bumby belaying him from below. difficult" climb in three pitches (stages). Given extra confidence by the fact that On the way up he used different chocks Mr. Bird led up the first pitch and I the rope had held him, he tried again and which he jammed into the rock face and followed removing the few chocks that he this time climbed right up to Mr. Bird. I fed his rope through karabiners attached had used. When we had all climbed that followed him up, with several hints from to them so that if he slipped he would be pitch and were sitting on the ledge all more experienced climbers who were held by James and wouldn’t fall very far. attached to a big sling, Mr. Bird set up a standing nearby. Nick was about to have On reaching the top he fastened himself belay for the next pitch which contained another go when a heavy rain shower to the rock and belayed Nick as he the “crux” (the most difficult part). broke out and he had to climb down as climbed up taking out the chocks on the Meanwhile, the others had finished the rock near the crux became too way as they were no longer necessary climbing a rather stagnant chimney slippery to climb on. The two groups met because Mr. Bird was now belaying us climb and had come to watch us. After up and we headed back to school, very from the top of the rock. Just as Nick was Mr. Bird had climbed the second pitch pleased with the day’s climbing. reaching the top I heard a shout and and had set up a belay above, Nick Since then, several of us have been looked round to see Mr. Lee dangling off attempted the climb, but to no avail. His practicing leading cilmbs on the the rock face, having fallen about five foot kept slipping out of a wet foot hold artificial wall. You don’t have to know a feet after slipping off a wet foothold and and so when his arms were tired he thing about climbing to join the club, but being held by Simon Foster. When I climbed back onto the ledge and allowed if you are interested, you like a challenge looked back Nick had reached the top, so James to try. James managed to stand up and are willing to work as part of a team, I prepared myself for the climb. It was on the foothold but just as he prepared to it’s great fun and well worth trying. quite difficult and I had to wedge myself go further he slipped and fell back onto Barry E. Dale into the narrow chimney at the left hand the ledge, scaring the wits out of me. (Lower Fifth) side in order to work my way up to the ledge just below the top. From there it was easy to reach the top and I was very pleased at having conquered my first rock face without many problems. After James had climbed up with relative ease we packed up the gear and went down to find another climb. Mr. Bird chose the “Flying Buttress”, a “very

Bishop Middleham Quarry — one of the very few Co. Durham sites for this rare orchid. L6 Field Course Skye 1983. The Black Cuillins in the distance.

31 Pursuits

Holography Computer Art experiments with the use of a digitiser. The exhibition at the end of term took On May 16 a group of boys At the beginning of the Spring Term, place on the stage in Big School and accompanied by Artist-in-Residence Mr. Graham Tunnadine, the School’s featured “Man with Card” and “School­ Graham Tunnadine and Mr. W. }. Best third Artist-in-Residence began his boy at desk”. The end of term lecture went to the Royal College of Art in investigations into Computer Art. The was memorable for its variety in presen­ London to make a white light hologram of computer is now a well-established part tation and the discussion on the use of previously chosen objects and to visit an of our lives, and we are familiar with the computer as a new tool, allowing new exhibition of Holography in the British Computer Studies in the school ideas to emerge, new ways of expressing Science Museum. curriculum, computer games and ideas and really getting to grips with the On arrival at the R.C.A. the group was computer graphics, but what part has it use of technology. divided into two. During the morning to play in the hands of a creative artist? A.R. session one group went to the Science We were fortunate to find one of the few Museum whilst the other group remained artists working in this field and so Mr. THE LONDON VISIT to make their holograms. Martin Tunnadine came to Durham from the Richardson who is working at the College Fine Art Department of Middlesex Poly­ On February 24 this year, the non- to develop the artistic potential of technic where he had recently completed geographers of the Lower Fifth set off in holography introduced the group to the a thirty foot high Trojan Horse made a mini-bus bound for London. There were technique of making a white light reflec­ from paper and designed on a computer. ten of us in all and the journey down was tion hologram. Laser light is passed A newcomer to Durham he was at first quite tiring. We all, however, had enough through a photographic plate on to an fascinated by its geographic layout and energy left for a very interesting tour of object. It then reflects off the object on to the large loop of the river, and this the National Theatre in the afternoon. the plate, combining with more incident formed the basis of his first work when After about an hour being shown over light to form an interference pattern on he used the Turtle Robot coupled to the the Theatre, we left for Selborne in the plate. The plate is then developed B.B.C. Computer to draw dogs walking Hampshire — chez Mr. Edwards — and black paint is sprayed on the back to over a large scale map of Durham. where we were to stay. Mr. Jarvis dealt reflect white light incident on the plate. The viaduct also impressed, and the with the eating arrangements, whilst Mr. The reflected light produces an inter­ computer was programmed to draw a Edwards arranged the sleeping quarters. ference pattern which simulates a three- series of arches in perspective. This On Saturday morning, we set about dimensional image of the object, either in resulted in the massive “installation” the sightseeing walkabout arranged by front (pseudoscopic) or behind created in the Exhibition Room at the end Mr. Jarvis taking us through Hyde Park (orthoscopic) the plate. of the Spring term. Durham School has to Oxford Street, on through Mayfair to During the afternoon session the never previously experienced such an Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, groups exchanged their activities so that exhibition. All who entered the room Whitehall, Horse Guards, St. James’s everyone was able to make a hologram to were overwhelmed by the sheer expanse Park, past Buckingham Palace and exhibit in the Exhibition room on Speech of paper and were made to feel part of finally back to the Albert Hall. The Day. The exhibition at the Science the show rather than merely looking at afternoon was occupied with a visit to Museum was a splendid display of works pictures in the traditional sense. the R.A.F. Museum at Hendon after and included two pieces created by After this success Mr. Tunnadine was which we returned to Hampshire for the Martin Richardson. offered the chance to continue working night. M. Gale amongst us during the Summer Term and Sunday was a leisurely day. We set off he further enriched our visions by for Winchester at about 10.00 a.m. We extending the range of his thinking and visited the old town and the school and

G. Tunnadine, computer artist in residence, Easter '84. The London visit.

32 Pursuits

looked around the cathedral where Jane another person to add to the list of before going up to Cambridge. Edmund Austen’s grave is marked by a brass addicts for the sport. writes: plaque. Overall, this was undoubtedly one of "Well, I’m entering the last five weeks Leaving Winchester, we travelled on the most enjoyable ski holidays had by of my wanderings and I thought I would to Portsmouth. Here, we visited H.M.S. many — a good atmosphere; fun, lively drop you a line to let you know that I am Victory. We also attempted to see the and . . . very interesting! still alive. I started off with a job on a Mary Bose, but it appeared that too citrus farm (about 90 acres of oranges, many other people had the same idea! D.C.K.E. grapefruit and mandarins) where the Then it was on to Brighton for a bit of work was thoroughly enjoyable, except expensive enjoyment on the sea front. perhaps for the bullock castration per­ Monday was another busy day, 1984 FRENCH TRIP formed in 33° (C) heat with a kitchen beginning with a visit to the Stock Ex­ knife! The farmer took some trouble to change in the morning. There was a very This year a party of 30 boys from explain the system to me and I also did interesting lecture and a film. Our final Ferens and the Shell year set off to some budding, transplants and spraying stop was at St. Paul’s Cathedral where Deauville situated on the North Coast of (the plants — not the bullocks). It was all we took a trip up to the Whispering France. The journey in the ferry was irrigated land, the system being very Gallery and further up to the Golden rough but we all survived it. After a tire­ ancient and accordingly leaky. Being the Gallery. The Lantern itself was some journey in France, we arrived at general 'Hey you!’, I spent many an hour unfortunately closed. We were to have our hotel in Deauville at 9.00 p.m. By this digging up the pipes. gone on to the London Dungeons, but time we were famished and tired out so “The cows were kept on a small regrettably our time ran out. we ate, and went to bed. property (only 10,000 acres, the next We arrived back at school at 9.00 p.m. On Sunday we explored the shops of door one being, 250,000). To me, it was having enjoyed ourselves very much. Deauville, using our knowledge of French filled with kangaroos, thorns and dead and we carried on with our project work. emus. The farmer had a violent, almost C. Wright That afternoon we all went swimming or psychopathic hatred of kangaroos and to the cinema or to the football match. On emus and after a few days of fence Monday we climbed aboard the bus and repairs and trying to locate lost cows I SKI TRIP 1984 PFAFFENHOFEN, our bus driver Eddie took us to Bayeux. could understand his urge to exterminate AUSTRIA On the way we were held up on the them! motorway by the French farmers during “Tasmania was the friendliest and This Easter the ski trip took us all to a their strike. We enjoyed ourselves most beautiful state. I walked 24km and little village just outside Innsbruck in looking around the tapestry at Bayeux 12 hours through temperate rain forest Austria — thirty boys and three masters and the cathedral, although our packed that I found absolutely ‘mind-blowing’. made the journey out; twenty-nine boys lunches weren't that good! To follow ‘the track’, marked with pieces and two masters returned! The next morning I dragged myself out of epiphytic yellow plastic, required Apart from one broken leg (Julian of bed to go to Paris even though I'd had great powers of imagination and a well- Spencer) and one broken thumb (Justin no sleep the night before because of my padded posterior. Unfortunately, my Garrod) our holiday was injury free. The bedroom companions Tahir Iqbal and camera ‘blew a fuse’ and I lost all 32 snow conditions were superb; the Robert Johnson. After the three hour photos I took in the forest, mainly of weather was equally glorious. The skiing journey to Paris we climbed the Eiffel fantastic ferns and fungi of incredible on the Axamer Lizum runs provided Tower and admired the view. Eddie size and colour. many who had not been skiing before guided us through safely in the bus in the “At the moment, I am doing my utmost with a marvellous opportunity to become middle of the hectic traffic round l'Arc to end it all on a scuba course with the '“addicted", and for those who had been de Triomphe. We then went shopping nebulous idea of diving off the Barrier before to improve on their addiction! there. Reef later on. Having survived burst The outstanding skiers were obviously On Mars 28, nous sommes alles a capillaries in my nose and ears yester­ the Forbes brothers, who showed us all a Trouville, here we looked around the tiny day, my buoyancy-compensator inflation wiggle or two on the slopes and Andrew souvenir shops. After we went to Le button jammed, shooting me like a cork Cracknell who, fired by the beer at the Havre and into the Hypermarket there. from a bottle from 30ft down in a couple Schwarzer Adler, managed to keep up On Thursday we returned, again we of seconds. Still, I have seen some with the two "mini Klammers". The rest got up early which didn't agree with too marvellous life so close — sea anemones, of the group could all ski the ex-Olympic many of us. The journey was smooth but sea squirts, sponges, sea slugs, one Women’s downhill by the end of the holi­ tiring but we’d all enjoyed ourselves. shark, a myriad of dazzling fish . . . the day and all, including Peter Inglis, list is endless. If I survive the next four returned home with some form of medal. Simon Forbes and David Innes dives I’ll make the Reef which I've been It was very unfortunate that John told is better!” Watson had to return home early with Edmund Green Julian as he was beginning to show signs GREENS IN AUSTRALIA Sydney Youth Hostel of being able to turn left to complement Australia his obvious inclination to veer to the right I thought that this year’s Biology notes July 16 1984 — many a time did we leave him slipping in the “Dunelmian’’ should take a break down the slope on his backside having from reporting on the wilds of Skye and abandoned his skis at the top! take you to a more southerly latitude. Michael Maughan showed us all a Edmund Green won an Exhibition to read thing or two in Ski Class . . . he set a Biology at Trinity College, Cambridge in marvellous example of showing us all September 1984 and I thought readers how to pursue the frauleins at rapid might be interested to hear how an speed down the men’s downhill run — Oxbridge biologist spends his “year off”

33 Original Contributions Pleasures and Poetry

THE EMPTY HOUSE but it simply strolled off into the dry, was disappointed when the door did not The boy popped his head around the grassy hedge with a sound like creak; but his eyes widened at the sight side of the stone pillar. He twitched his whispering voices. The walk up the drive before him. He moved inside and inhaled nose to adjust his round spectacles and seemed endless. Each step the boy took the view. It was like a morgue with every surveyed the scene: nothing. increased in length until the last twenty piece of furniture shrouded in white. The The long driveway was empty apart yards which he finally ran. He hit the stillness was overwhelming as he shut from a large pheasant sitting quite close wall and spread his arms out against the the door behind him. to him. His heart thumped inside his warm stones. Being close to something Up above him, the pale amber sunlight chest and he silently wished that it solid made him feel safer again. Then he gleamed through the huge windows and wasn’t quite so loud. He swallowed twice stood back and returned to reality — he raced in streams across the landing. He to get rid of that feeling in his throat; it was there, at the house, him! climbed a few of the stairs and stretched was so dry he feared it would close up. He moved into a shadow and felt up his hand amongst the beams of light. He let his eyes drift up the long drive concealed again. The chill darkness As it moved, it seemed to change shape and he grinned at the patterns made by made him shiver and he rubbed the goose and texture until it was almost not his the late-afternoon heat which still flesh on his forearms. He stood still and hand. He climbed the rest of the stairs danced on the surface. And there it was, listened to the pure silence; but there and was rewarded with the glorious at the end, right at the other end, the was a sound within the silence — the sound of several creaks. house. It seemed so big even from where noise of nothing. Now his mother had told As he reached the top and his eyes he was. The huge grey stones were him that nobody would be in, the house peered over the bannister he could see frightening; they lumbered skywards to would be empty. He simply had to collect the door marked “Library”. He stood still form an almost human shape and to give the book. But this was it — his chance to for a moment just to reassure himself. He the house a thick-set appearance. see the house, the house which had filled could hear a clock ticking and could He moved out from behind the pillar, his head with ideas of wonder and fear, almost feel its vibrations. He moved up to straightened up momentarily and then joy and sadness. the door and pressed his cheek against tried to look small again in case he The boy tentatively went up the two the beautiful grain of the wood. The should be noticed. His large eyes were steps and put his hand on the door knob; ridges were there, but only very gentle moving wildly, trying to take in every­ it felt like cold ice in his fingers but he and so perfect. thing at once. He took a small step grasped it firmly and with a final glance The door was stiff and heavy; the boy forwards which disturbed the pheasant, over his shoulder, pushed it open. He struggled but finally conquered it. He choked on the room’s dusty air and coughed. The sound of his voice was like a searing hot coal in ice; it cut through the emptiness and then hissed through the silence to fill every corner of the empty house. There on the table in front of him lay the book. It was only small but was magnificent in its leather case; the boy rubbed his palms over the surface as he stared up at the vast shelves of books. All those pages, all those words. He felt small like one of the grains of dust which floated silently around him. He picked up the book and seized it greedily, feeling like the possessor of some discovered treasure. He walked backwards out of the room, breathing in the musty air. He turned and walked back on to the landing. And then the silence was broken, pierced by a hideous laugh, followed by a low, deep chuckle. The boy’s face drained; his knuckles turned white as he griped the book. He spun round and began to run downstairs. The staircase seemed so much longer; his legs wouldn’t move him quickly enough. His heart throbbed so violently that he felt his chest would burst. He swung open the front door and crashed face first into the cool evening air. His eyes smarted as he leapt down the steps and tears flowed over his soft cheeks after being trapped in his metal glasses frames. His small hand gripped the book as he stumbled down the drive and his head pounded with his mother’s terrible words: "The house will be empty”.

A. T. Hay (Shell). J. A. Brown

34 Original Contributions

THE SUMMER TERM he was hyperactive in all but one depart­ “old” people, and he cursed his own Beginnings and endings. The Summer ment — his studies. complacent stupidity. A feeling of numb Term, the long stretch to the ultimate The first exam was on Monday, today emptiness filled his whole being as he goal — the end of another School year, was Sunday and still Jenkins was realised that he had failed and that it for some their last. But what a stretch. distracted. Work had become repulsive, was now too late to work. The long hours The beginning of long, hot weeks, a lazy even nauseous, to him. His mind had he had spent in the sun had drained his period, the heat and the last nights become stale. mind completely, and, as a bitter tear lulling the pupils into an undeserved Rising on Monday morning he still felt formed in the corner of his eye, he heard relaxation, a rest that they can ill afford. supremely confident that his natural the words: “the brightest boy in the Exams, so very important, seemed so ability would carry him through, it never class”, echo around his head as if to near, looming large, and yet, upon reflec­ entered his mind that a little hard work mock him. tion, another hour in the sun could not be would only have been beneficial to him. that precious. Those in their last term The examination room seemed T. J. R. Lines know too well how vital the exams are, formidable and almost frightening, the spelling freedom, release, from the papers already distributed, but confines of the rigid school rule book, reversed, on the grim rows of desks. The giving an opening to the much sought boys trooped into the overbearing school THE FOLLY after outside world. But the grass so hall, none speaking, none daring to The heretic stands erect and proud green, so relaxed, the mosquitoes disturb the heavy atmosphere of doom. The axeman by his side swarming so effortlessly, the birds Jenkins took his seat and removed his A platform rises up above singing nonchalantly, without a care in pens and pencils from his pocket, waiting The Catholics in their pride. the world, all combined, created an for the signal which would allow him to From the side a priest walks out; atmosphere so conducive to a sense of begin. Once given the room's deathly Disgust shows on his face laziness, sloth, anything but the silence was briefly shattered by a The monotony of his hell black robes necessary hard work. rustling of paper as manuscripts were Is broken by some lace. Easing into a deckchair on the playing reversed. Jenkins, once settled comfort­ The blessing is short, and to the point fields Jenkins looked well pleased with ably, began to read the questions set The heretics head is bowed. himself. He was the brightest boy in the before him. class, or so he was continually told by his His heart pounded anxiously, Silence falls, like darkest night teachers both in class and in his reports. desperately, he began to sweat and felt a No more religious glee He had worked diligently over the past rising lump in his throat, for as he For everyone in that tumult knows two years and felt that he owed himself a thumbed through the questions he They are killing the Trinity. debt of pleasure and that he should be became horribly aware that he was able to put his feet up during the last two unable to answer any. He knew the facts The axe, like a commandment weeks before his exams, which he would but could not discover the answers in his Rose over the crowd: and falls. pass, he reassured himself, with the head and the more he thought the deeper Blade hits wood minimum of effort. these facts slipped into his subconscious. The aim is good The cricket so engrossed Jenkins that He began to curse. He cursed the long The heretic has died. he decided to spend the whole afternoon sun filled days and the distraction they watching, and relaxing, in the sun. Inside afforded, he cursed the security of the A. J. Reed-Purvis his conscience told him that he should be working, but a strong will had never been one of his better points and so he continued to spectate. The blue sky, so deep and pure, numbed his mind, the slight breeze blowing away any feelings of guilt, he did not need to work, after all. He was the brightest boy in the class. The boy scanned the scene around him. The crowd at the match had no worries, they were all “old” in Jenkins’ eyes, they had taken their exams and were secure. The old man, a respected old boy, with the straw hat and walking stick looked so serene, not a care in the world. The parents that clapped both frequently and loudly: they were secure, well established, they were so relaxed. He was envious and wished himself into their shoes, the prevailing atmosphere of security and relaxation continuing to effect, even infect the boy, for it was as if those around him that day had given him their safety like a disease, a disease which rapidly became malignant. The two weeks passed in glorious sun­ shine, and inglorious distraction, for Jenkins. He would swim, run, row, indeed P. C. Lodge (Shell).

35 Original Contributions

THE EMPTY HOUSE felt somehow it would hardly be softly with a faintly pleading tone in my The empty house had stood alone in necessary. soothing voice, smiling kindly at him as I solemn isolation since as long as I could The old man shifted uneasily in his sat back with an air of expectancy. remember; deserted and long since chair, his weary, mournful eyes still But my efforts were to be dashed fallen into disrepair, its walls of fixed intently on the congested surface of moments later by a sudden sharp knock crumbling sandstone had been over­ my desk. Did he realise, I wondered, the at the door, and I could do nothing but whelmed by weeds and hungry ivy until intense difficulty I had encountered in look on with intense annoyance as the its vanquished doors and windows proving he had owned the house over stubborn old man sank despondently seemed to gape in blank dismay. Across thirty years previously? Not that it was back into his chair. The pathologist's the fields beyond it had come an even anything, I reasoned, in comparison to report, I felt, could have waited and I more hostile enemy, the tar-and-rubble the problems which had faced me in was preparing to be somewhat short monster of a wide and costly bypass; attempting to discover something about with my secretary until I recognised a indeed the house’s sad remains would the last mysterious years of his late wife. distinct sense of urgency in her mumbled have long since disappeared had not Even now I knew little; I had found apology. “What is it?” I questioned her problems of a macabre nature seen fit to neither records nor information about hurriedly, completely unable to conceal intervene. her death, for she had, so it seemed, kept my extreme agitation. "It’s the tests,” The suspected cause of all these herself to herself in her ten years in the she retorted hastily, “He’s just problems was at present sitting lost in secluded house, and the only tangible completed them.” “And he thinks?” I gloomy reverie, staring sadly at the mass fact upon which I could draw was that it urged her violently, almost beside myself of police papers which were strewn was assumed by all that she had left the with emotion as her clear positive voice across my desk. Old, grey and sullen, he district with her husband those thirty threw me utterly into confusion; “He was an unlikely looking murderer, I must long years ago. And since her husband thinks the body’s been there over seventy admit; but his pitifully wrinkled face appeared to have reached his new abode years.” expressed rare extremes of stress and without her it seemed reasonable for the She left as swiftly as she had come, torment which to me seemed to act like most amateur of detectives to assume and I struggled desperately to force my an unspoken confession. It had been by that this was fairly conclusive proof of thoughts into some sort of coherence. 1 no means easy to track him down; parish his guilt. watched the old man attentively as he records are inaccurate at the best of I looked at him sympathetically, looked with timorous hope towards the times and it had been fully thirty years reading the acute distress and the long open door before turning his earnest since he had left the forlorn stone house years of incessant worry in the pale blue gaze beseechingly to me. And I was glad to the mercy of the elements. The empty of his tired eyes; I hoped fervently that he had not confessed; he had served out house; I smiled wryly at the grim he would swiftly acknowledge the almost his thirty long years of tortured anxiety, recollection of how the robust demolition merciful end to his thirty years of very and now, as the machines stood hesitant crew had discovered to their great dubious freedom, and confess. He on the verge of burying his secret for consternation that the house had never, seemed to read my thoughts, and looked ever, far be it from me to deny his mind after all, been empty. Apart from the fact up at me wonderingly, like a wounded finally coming to rest. I looked into his the body was female and that it had been animal about to be put out of its misery; sad, imploring eyes and smiled openly there some considerable length of time I his sorrowful eyes had grown wide with with a nod towards the open door; he knew nothing, but although I awaited the emotion as he fumbled to express him­ hesitated briefly, his eyes flickering in pathologist’s report with keen interest I self. “It would be best,” I murmured confusion before he rose unsteadily to his feet and moved silently towards the doorway. He turned for a moment, and his weary eyes shone with a sincere gratitude. And I pictured those crumbling walls disappearing for ever beneath the all-conquering by-pass, and smiled wryly to myself; for after all, the house was still by no means empty.

J. Strong

D. R. H. Smith (LVI). R. Maddison (UVI).

36 Original Contributions

WHERE GOES THE SACRED KAO TREE MAGAZINE RESPITE In the West a golden phoenix rose Love is a myth; the age-old con A blinding light, up in the bright green It doesn’t exist in me sky In these dirty streets of my trivial life And to the South a silver vulture sows Pain is all I see. The egg shaped kao seeds of Aldernigh. The road to satisfaction To my North there lies the boundless Seems never guaranteed ocean The meaning of one of life’s greatest Where on an ice pink spear of jagged gifts rock Will never again be freed. An Eagle sits, who, with a fluent motion Dives, into the rocking w ater's gentle There is no bond in a shot-gun marriage shock. Going out with the girl next door. Permissiveness has lost all that But in the East the black-edged sunlight And simply given us more. Touching a while on glory, passes by And man will rape D. R. H. Smith (LVI). Not shining out upon the diamond And man will kill height For the sake of curious hands. The ruby studded peaks of Aldernigh. The world has lapsed In a sexual death SOLITUDE DISTURBED or IN PURSUIT I sat, upon the W estern sheet of ice Spreading filth to growing demand. OF SALMON My eye towards the ancient towers of On a rock there sits a man peace Whatever happened to the meaning of Gazing through a starlit film Floating high, as if in dreams of spice life Searching the unknown crevices below. Watching for our city without cease. With man and woman bound. For what he looks, nobody knows When love provided a beautiful sense. Except the shady being we see If I see nothing, soon I must return It seems to me that those now tense Sitting. My six-fold limbs must lead me on to Magazine respite instead have found. rest His tired hands rest in his lap For while the azure candle slowly J. H. Duckfield A shrug signifies one more failure. burns He rises, slowly, unsure of footing I realise that, throughout all, I am life’s Testing the strength of age-old guest. supports. But then, in a second, a mere second I lit a purple flower ’gainst the wind He sees! It’s black flame chilling me, lest should THE REVOLUTION the thaw The days of the saints, the days of the A flash, a glimmer, gone in an instant; With fatal tendrils, through my powers A young man’s eyes explore the depths martyrs thinn’d Are gone, gone with the winds But see no more Find me unawares, unusable my claws. Unnaturally he leaves his rock Of time and technology. Youth in his eyes, a new vitality The advance of the robot, laser and all Two years of never-ending nights have Spreads throughout. Has come, transforming a landsape of I endured evolution Seven thousand evil days of cruel exile He will not return. Into a revolution of change . . . Kept from Aldernigh. I have n’er cured Change, change, the priests will look He will soon be dust, but My hoping that my world, Oh back To his unknown son, it is important. Aldernigh, was not defiled. He has seen the silver flash And say, with regret of the race he yearly sees. Their ideas have gone, gone In the East a golden phoenix sets Disappearing into a history of myriad He will not forget. Dulling the light of the dark green sky wonders And in the South no silver vulture lets Of unknown cultures and legends J. H. Duckfield Us see the kao tree, and so I die. And they will say D. J. Ross The world has not benefitted From the evilness, hellishness Of the modern society, from the modern invention Which are so evident today. They will have made their point, in a chorus of unheard cries. But for good or for ill The revolution will continue Relentlessly pushing aside the wonders Of this astonishing creation And ultimately Destroy them.

P. A. J. Moody (LV). N. J. M arshall (UVI). Owen Brown

37 Original Contributions

JERUSALEM? THE EMPTY HOUSE And did those feet, in ancient time He was walking slowly up the lane, not Walk upon England’s mountains green wishing to hurry, content to simply enjoy And was the holy lamb of God the warm Spring sunshine, without In England’s pleasant pastures seen: marvelling at its rarity. He glanced at the For if it was, then all may see ground, noticing that the paving stones That God’s not from another land were still slightly damp from the rain of That he belongs to you and me the previous evening and had been And Britain sits at God’s right hand. smoothed gradually over the years by the Thus did the countenance divine shoes of countless people, so that now, Shine forth upon our clouded hills; under the lethargic light of the morning But was Jerusalem builded here sun, they were shining faintly with a Amongst our greedy, evil wills? silvery greyness, like a lake on a cloudy morning. As he strolled lazily along he We have our bows of boiling blood tried to imagine the number of people We have our arrows of desire who had cursed their way up to the We use them to destroy all good church since he had made that same And bathe ourselves in hell’s own fire: steep ascent. And then the church bells We cannot cease from murd'rous fight chimed, beckoning now as they had done Nor can our sword sleep in our hand; then. He counted eleven, the pause Can we still build Jerusalem between chimes seemingly becoming In England’s green and pleasant land? respectively longer, so that after the R. Maddison (UVI). D. J. Ross tenth he waited agonisingly for the next, adapted from “Jerusalem” by W. Blake knowing full well that it would sound, as sure as the day. IN LINE FOR SENILITY r ~ " When he reached the top of the Should I remember childhood dreams? cobbled lane he pushed open the sturdy Days when the sun's bright rays shone little gate, feeling the narrow grain of the down oak and stepped into the refreshingly And danced on backs of boys so brown cool shadow of the church. Nothing had Laughing and splashing in the stream changed as far as he could see and he approached the two closed doors of the Or should I treasure in my heart church, barely visible in the hazy That first real kiss from one so young; dimness of the porch, stopping for a The pure, sweet taste left on my moment on the shallow steps, tongue. remembering how he had grinned And misery felt in times apart. proudly at the lens of the camera all those years ago. And should I ponder my first leap Upon entering the church he peered From childish dreams to adult sense; about himself, his eyes unaccustomed to And after having felt so tense the shady interior; but, except for his The reassurance gained from sleep. presence, the church stood empty. He sat down in a pew near the back of the Or, should I contemplate the days church next to the aisle, once his aisle. Those precious moments long gone by. The man felt that, for a few minutes at And shed just one tear, as I lie least, he and the church belonged to each Upon my back, wrinkled with age. other. The grey walls, unimposing and J. H. Duckfield N. J. M arshall (U VI). handsome, were to be his world, his mind’s play-ground, wherein his thoughts could wander undisturbed. While he was in this state memories started to filter through him, gradually emerging like the first flowers of Spring, but not so beautiful, almost painful, fired by his new found oneness with the church. It was the very splendour and shine of his memories that hurt so in the realisation of the tart parody of them his life had now become. All the glory and fulfilment of his wedding day pierced his mind, forcing an intense dejection to well up in his stomach, as images reverberated through his mind, wounding his very soul. The sense of loss, of the irretrievable was upon him and had en­ gulfed all. The memories shone like stars in the dark and sombre sky of his present

38 Original Contributions

life. Yet it was the same church, the PAPER same aisle and at the same altar that I work with paper all day long they had stood, she with that beautiful I write on it and scrunch it up face, almost cloudy behind the gentle And curse it when my prep is wrong unrevealing veil. He remembered the And slot it in my bulging pile. flowing majesty of the silken white dress and how his bride had stood, poised The teacher takes my paper in delicately upon entering womanhood, And writes on it and hands it back slightly apprehensive as to what her new And in red pen are all my sins life might hold. For me to learn and re-translate. His mind raced on, unable to stop, as the memories haunted him, becoming So why is life so centred round more vivid and poignant by the second. That huge white mass; that boreing He remembered how, before his mound marraige, he had pined to feel the warm Of paper? Perched upon the desks of security of their togetherness. Ah! the clerks sweet taste of what had been. He felt And generals and typists. vacant and hollow, a victim of deprivation, like an old uninhabited I realise now that life will still house. For many years be paper bound Again, though, his mind was drawn, as And trees will still pass through the if by a magnet, to his memory, at present mill the dominant part of his whole existence; Until our thoughts are stored M. S. Robson (LVI). his raison d’etre. Together for ten whole elsewhere. years, they had scaled the dizzy heights of marraige. His mind would leap from T. Cherrett one image to another, latching on to one, THE TROUBLE WITH WRITING tasting it and then discarding it for POETRY another sweeter one. Back they came as The trouble with writing poetry if his very presence in the church had Lies not with the beat or with the opened the flood-gates of his memory. He metering. sifted through the various images as one The trouble with writing poetry would old, faded photographs of half Lies not with the finding of time. forgotten faces with half-remembered names, sorting the good from the bad, The trouble with writing poetry treasuring, as it were, those most in Lies not with the spelling or the editing focus. of. All of a sudden he was brought The trouble with writing poetry sharply back to reality by the loud, full Lies not with, the punctuation or, sound of the church bells chiming twelve. rhythm? He swallowed hard and sighed deeply, G. P. Lambert (UR). taking a look about himself. The sunlight The trouble with writing poetry streamed through the large stained glass Lies not with the name of the poem window at the far end of the church, Or of the finding of something to rhyme illuminating myriad particles of dust; but The trouble with writing poetry this almost divine spectacle appeared Lies not with the length of the verse. blurred through the watery transparency of the tears resting The trouble with writing poetry precariously on his eye lashes. He rose Is only to do with and walked slowly to the doors, his The inspiration. sorrow mounting as he felt he had left an important part of himself in the pew. Yet Owen Brown upon opening the door the sunlight poured down all over him, as if cleansing his whole body, with its soothing beams. Small birds twittered and chirped gaily in the trees above his head, filling the warm air with their bright, cheerful music. Having taken a deep breath, the man hung a smile beneath his empty eyes and walked away from the empty house.

Miles Hutchinson

Winner of the Sydney Dunn Trophy, S. C. Joyce.

39 Original Contributions

THE SQUARE SHEEP DOG AN UN-NAMED THOUGHT The street lights change Published by a national computing I saw the diadem of peace Through their triple phase journal. A sparkling prize of diamond worth And the Square’s life is momentarily Old Jason’s second golden fleece suspended 10 REM "SHEEP L'OCi" The greatest hope in all the Earth; Surrounded by its concrete foundations. 20 DIM K4)' D1M b< 4 ) : DIM c< 4 But hidden, and as yet unknown :<■ FOR r.=i TU 4 - LET *+1 ’ LET c< n >«0 ' LET To those who rule, upon the throne. At sold out yesterdays, NT +1• NEXT n And chirps at her fortune, returning 30 LET x«10' LET *=10 I saw a distant piece of land Content to the statue’s crumbling head. 40 LET t«0 Now flowering, nor bearing fruit 50 LET _i)" 'Twas torn, as if by giant hand 60 LET 1%*• IF THEN P We give to it it’s crown of thorn. As time slowly trickled by, like RPER 4 90 IF THEN PAPER 6 rainwater 35 IF THEN PAPER 6 I see a future far away Through the gratings inset 97 BORDER 1' CLS Where man has learnt new self-control Now blocked — 100 FOR n=0 TO ?• READ POKE And can, in everlasting day The pigeon now is free to bathe. IJSR "P"+n,<1 NEXT ri' DATA BIN U, Seek onwards, to a further goal BIN 10000000,BIN 10000100/BIN 11 Which takes away the burning sword 000111,BIN 01111111,BIN 01111102 Will the cycle begin again? ,BIN 01000100,BIN 01000100 And brings him closer to his Lord. Until green turns to red 110 FOR n-0 TO ?' READ 1 ; POKE And living — USR "o"+n, <1 ; NEXT n ' DATA BIN 0, D. J. Ross BIN 0,BIN 0000010,BIN 01111111,B Cries for solitude? IN O1111110,BIN 01000100,BIN 010 00100,BIN 01O00100 M. N. Hossain-Ibrahim 120 FOR rt«0 TO 7 ‘ READ 1 : POKE USR NEXT rv DATA BIN 0, C.N. BIN O0000001,BIN 00100001,BIN 11 Sir Cellebad of Gantesville Once met, upon an English hill Herd your wandering sheep into the Another knight sheep dip, controlling your sheep dog Who with sword bright with the cursor keys. Do not run into Did challenge him them but bark at them from a safe A fight to win. distance. Sheep Dog was written for the 16K “I’ll have you know”, the knight did say Spectrum by Ian Wombwell of Bishop "I've sworn to kill a Duke today Auckland, County Durham. And then to rule A tyrant cruel O’er all his men ’Cause I hate them.” TRAMP He turned his head slowly like an old “I’m not a Duke”, replied Sir Cell' dog. “Now I must go, so fare you well!” His dirty grey curls filled with grit and And off he rode sand. With helm of gold Sunken black eyes stared blankly from But what a blow dug-out pits Knight had a bow At the grimy creases which grinned on his moving hands. Hard luck Sir Cell’! His figure stood like a cane whose back D. J. Ross was smashed A defensive stance portraying his inner C. J. Baines (LV). soul Mouthing words to new ghosts from his past Explaining his pitiful, non-existent role.

This tramp, a void, who lived an empty life. Took another gulp and drowned some other pain His hands outstretched, wrapped round a bleeding rag Stumbled and swung and turned his head again.

J. A. Brown Langley House

40 Sport and Recreation

1st XV REPORT being repeated from the resultant kick RESULTS By N. J. Willings off so that after two minutes play the “I have a dream” were the immortal score was 12-0. The very powerful V . O.D. XV 72— 24 WON words of Martin Luther King. Ideals and Alnwick Colts side who were very much v. Whitehaven G.S. 70— 8 WON standards are peaks normally never better up front were demolished and v. Dame Allan's 50— 6 WON achieved by players and coaches, stunned by our inventive back play and v. Ampleforth 3— 12 LOST however they wish to play the game. I slumped to their only defeat of the v. St. Bees 41— 7 WON have to say that this past season has season 42-3. v. Edinburgh Academy 8— 6 realised all my ambitions regarding the A long trip to Dorset where Sherborne (Abandoned) coaching of rugby football. Fifteen man defeated us 12-8 again had no lasting ef­ v. Alnwick Colts 42— 3 WON running rugby is a bandied expression in fect. Had we not scored from our own v. Sherborne 12— 28 LOST many quarters and whilst my philosophy line with the only set piece ball we won v. Felsted 32— 8 WON may not be everyone's cup of tea I all afternoon? Half-term had finished v. Ashville College 53— 3 WON believe in trying to win with style, flair and already the School's points scoring v. Giggleswick 75— 9 WON and pace, with the latter three more im­ record had been broken. Felsted, visitors v. Sedbergh 6— 13 LOST portant than the winning. We did not win from Essex were beaten by sheer pace v. Durham County 39— 14 WON every game, which is good, for if we had whilst Giggleswick having held the v. R.G.S. 50— 7 WON our fixture list would not have been School to 18-9 at half-time succumbed to v. Barnard Castle 28— 3 WON strong enough, but my goodness did we some scintillating running in the second v. Chosen Hill (Glos.) 46— 6 WON play with style. The boys’ attitude was half which enabled us to reach 70 points P:15; W:12; L:3; F:627; A:157 excellent for whilst trying to win they for the third time. Sedbergh, at home and never let their standards drop and found in front of a large crowd (600?) proved N. J. Willings more pleasure in their pursuit of once more the bogey team and alas our entertainment — both for themselves backs deserted us for the only time dur­ and for the crowds who thrilled to watch ing the season giving us our third and them. final defeat. A magnificent record break­ Having opened the season with two 70 ing 50 points against Newcastle R.G.S. point victories, in one we came from paved the way for the final game against behind 22-24 at half-time, there was a another touring side from Gloucester. buzz of excitement as if something The latter are renowned for their special was at hand. A defeat away to uncompromising approach to the game Ampleforth in gale force conditions and one expected a tough battle but the could not quell the rising tide of en­ final score of 46-6 speaks for itself and thusiasm and against St. Bees in the very this remarkable XV bowed out in a style next game came the fastest score I have to which we had become accustomed. ever seen timed at six seconds, the dose

1st XV 1983-84.

41 Sport and Recreation

HAWKS XV stretch, bringing the score to 20-7. resulted from the drop-goal kicking Looking back on the 1983 season of the It was the captain’s privilege to score prowess of the opposing stand-off 2nd XV (The Hawks) it is not so much the the last try of the game, demonstrating against Fyling hall 1st XV and from a tension of each match that comes to by his example that when the side was in decidedly mediocre performance against mind, as the dazzling display of sure­ a punishing vein it was ruthless. We R.G.S. Newcastle. handed and fleet-footed rugby football came down from the heights in the match A large selection of players that the spectators were offered on against Barnard Castle and achieved a represented the team and victories were Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. meagre score of 30-0. Against the based more on solid team performances Paul Deegan’s backs and Allan Valks’ Durham County U16 side — our last than on outstanding individual achieve­ forwards never once faltered and went match — we ran riot over the opposition ments. The small pack had difficulty in from strength to strength, ending the — all the stops were pulled out, with winning line-out ball but scrummaged season with the score of: Played 11; Won Jonathan Strong streaking through the well and the back row of Dunn, Berg and 11; 516 points for and 39 points against County defence to score tries that were Craig or Adamson were quick to win — a most positive testimony of a side equal of many a 1st XV try. second phase possession. Such stalwarts eminently capable of scoring points and There is a photograph of Peter as Dobson, Anderson and Bennett were of defending its own line with rigorous Blackburn scoring the last try of the never far behind to consolidate. At half­ determination. season, which typifies the Hawks style of back Baker improved but still tended to The first two matches against Durham play — one player is in possession in full choose the wrong option while Stewart, Johnston and Dame Allan’s brought flight and has a string of terrier like despite his allergy to training, proved to scores of 62-0 and 67-3, with John players in full support. It was always 15 be a talented running and kicking stand­ Whitfield kicking 36 of the 138 points. man rugby football, with all players off. In the three-quarters Dadds played Easy meat before the big match — being fully involved and believing that consistently and Forbes and Briggs were Ampleforth on the Playground. Minor they were going to win. both strong runners and hard tacklers. tragedy struck — the captain, Paul We were fortunate to have some of Thanks are due to Peter Bennett for Deegan, had sustained a shoulder injury last year’s 2nd XV players in the side, his enthusiastic captaincy of the side and before the match and was unable to play, Tim Lines, a very gutty and nippy scrum to Howard Dickenson for his help and but he was more than amply rewarded half, whose game matured immensely. expertise in the first half of term. by seeing one of the most rousing sights John Lawson, prop forward, whose for over a decade in the history of aggression and determination became Durham School 2nd XV rugby. At half- more and more effective as the season COLTS RUGBY time Ampleforth came from behind to wore on. And we felt undeniable P ll; W 7; DO; L4 score a try in the 33rd minute, bringing confidence in the front row composed of the score to 10-9 against us. However, on Graeme Shaw, Guy McWilliams and After a very good start to the season, retaking the field, it soon became obvious Philip Brantingham — no match was including a victory over Ampleforth, that the Hawks were not going to have going to be lost with these three untiring after a tremendous struggle, we, unfortu­ any more points scored against them; battering-rams. nately lost D. R. Brown, our No. 8 within two minutes Tony Appleton and So congratulations to Paul Deegan, the Forward with a broken collar bone. In Andrew Baines had run in a couple of Captain and Alan Valks, the pack leader, the same game, M. Pearson, scrum-half tries and a long drawn out 20 minutes for producing a side that was a joy to be and captain, fractured his wrist and this saw no score until John Whitfield struck associated with and may it not be too disturbed the balance of the team again with a brilliant penalty kick from long before we see such a 2nd XV once enormously. the touchline and stretched out the lead again take the field. The following However, there were still some good to 20-10. Tony Appleton thought that was played: team performances to follow and not enough and weaved his way through P. M. Deegan (Capt.); T. J. R. Lines, S. J. perhaps the most memorable was a mass of opposition to score the final try R. Maddison, W. Dobson, J. Strong, A. against Grange School. Although we lost of the game, to end 24-10. Appleton, A. W. Baines, M. W. Briggs, D. it was an exciting end to end game, with On Saturday against St. Bees after our A. Valks, P. Brantingham , T. G. an emphasis on fast flowing rugby. The elation we nearly came unstuck and we McWilliams, G. Shaw, J. D. M. Lawson, season finished with two good wins only achieved a victory of 20-7. The next P. Blackburn, J. N. Whitfield, J. C. Phelps, against R.G.S. Newcastle and Barnard two matches against Stockton and N. Swales, A. J. Craig, R. J. Stewart, R. Castle and on balance, the playing Conyers were massacres, with scores of Maddison. record rightly reflected an above 60-0 and 66-0. Our Yorkshire opponents N.K.L. average season. Ashville and Giggleswick could offer S. Lee developed into a good attacking little and we romped home with scores of FALCONS XV full back. He came into the line well and 54-3 and 38-6. The second big match Although the Falcons lived somewhat was an excellent last line of defence. away at R.G.S. brought back a certain in the shadow of the two more senior XVs However he must improve his punting to tension with the opponents kicking a they also enjoyed an extremely success­ really improve his game in this position. penalty in the 32nd minute of the first ful season, winning six out of the eight A. M. W. Forbes and G. Rogers were a half to bring the score equal at 7-7. Peter matches played and scoring over 200 formidable pair of wingers and both Blackburn got annoyed at this and points. More importantly, the team scored some excellent tries. The main powered his way over the line with one played the same running game which attacking strength of the team lay in this of his blistering runs lo score a much characterised the senior game and made area, and N. Blackburn ably deputised needed four points. John Whitfield their matches a pleasure to watch. This on several occasions. L. Mallen had a further stretched our lead by scoring six style was exemplified by a 50 point win good season in the centre and developed points with his by now self assured goal over Heathfield 1st XV in the opening a very fast pair of hands and good and penalty kicking. Baines showed us game and further big wins over Ashville support play. R. Hornsey and S. Hopper how to rub it in by opening up a wide gap and Stockton Sixth Form College. The both played at centre with courage and on the wing with one of his runs at full only disappointments of the season determination but lacked that extra yard

42 Sport and Recreation

of pace which could have made them appeared to be rather drousy and half 15-a-side games played. An away game more decisive. awake, perhaps they had not got over the at Nunthorpe played in fine firm J. Salway and P. Leonard had their bus trip down to Harrogate. In the last conditions, the Clubs methodically and moments at scrum half and worked ten minutes Ashville scored two tries efficiently went about building up a really hard to improve their basic which put them beyond our sights. rather large and impressive score. techniques. J. Salway certainly looks to In the Giggleswick match it was a Unfortunately we had one injury, one of be a good prospect for the future. S. game for the forwards. They were the backs left the field with cuts to his Whitfield had a very good season at physically big, both in size and weight. face, when asked if he was feeling stand-off half. He can pass well, make We did not win much ball in both line alright all this tough talented midfield breaks, kicks safely and has a sound outs and scrummaging therefore our player could reply was “Me mum’s defence. When he learns to choose the backs only had limited possession with gonna kill me.” right option, he will be a very good which to do anything. It showed us that So on to the seven-a-side games, the player. we would have to try and improve our set biggest problem faced by Paul and R. Lally, D. Colbeck and J. Wilson were piece play. The third loss came against myself was splitting the players we had a very sound front row. Compared with Sedbergh. The teams played an open, up into an A and B team, as any one of many sides, they were not very big, but attacking game of rugby. The score line them could have fitted in to either side. what they lacked in strength, they made belies the true gap between the teams. We did make a decision and our first up in excellent technique. J. Reed-Purvis Sedbergh on the day took their chances fixture was the Festival of Sport with and R. Maddison were great contrasts at well. We attacked well and defended Barnard Castle. Our A team played well, lock; Reed-Purvis was a good well especially in our tackling. if not quite the traditional seven-a side scrummager and tenacious around the The team then came back with a game and finished up beating Barnard field, whereas Maddison guaranteed victory against Grange and then the Castle A in the final. The B team lacking excellent service from the line-out. In the closest game of the season came with the the pace of the A team performed well absence of Brown, the back-row was match against Yarm. In this match the enough to come in third. rather depleted, but M. Naisbitt score line kept changing from side to The A. M. Bain Memorial Sevens was deputised really well and was one of the side. It was a hard match and the our next and last seven-a-side most improved players by the end of the forwards played well and kept to their tournament. Again the A team season. S. Snowball had a good season task well. It was in the closing minutes performed well and up until the semi­ on the blind-side considering that he had when Phillips’ quick thinking put us final had easily beaten all of their missed the whole of the previous season. ahead with the winning try. opponents. Meeting Barnard Castle in With a little more pace he should become The penultimate match was against the semi-finals the A’s seemed to falter an accomplished player. The real find of R.G.S. We had our Captain out for this and after a close game that they should the season was N. Chapman, who played match having received a knock in the have won easily defeated Castle in the on the openside. Although small, he was previous match. Yet again we had to last minute with a try to win a place in quick and tenacious in defence and when rearrange our team. Ryan who was the final. his handling improved, very dangerous in moved to flyhalf had a brilliant game and The laurels of the day however go to attack. his kicking in this match is worthy of the B team who played determinedly R. Lally, R. Maddison, A. M. W. note. But unfortunately it was again a throughout plugging their way through Forbes, L. Mallen and G. Rogers all forwards game and the same old the opposition teams to meet what played for the Durham County U16 XV problem arose, namely that the appeared to be their Waterloo in and R. Lally and R. Maddison were opponents were heavier and taller and in Barnard Castle A in the quarter finals. In reserves for the North of England Trial. the end this told. a tremendous game the B ’s pulled out all The last match was against Barnard stops to cut back an early lead and run “B” XV Castle. This was another close match out the eventual winners and gain an There were only three games this term and with ten minutes to go the score was easy run through to the final. and although heavily defeated by 8-3 and still any one’s game. Unfortu­ This concluded the season, a very Sedbergh, the side did play some good nately they scored first and eventually successful 15-a-side season and seven-a- attacking rugby. Many boys really won 20-3. If we had scored first then I side season, which at this grade can only improved their own level of skill and this think the end result would have been mean strength in the School's rugby as a was very apparent in the House matches reversed. whole. Many thanks to Captain A. at the end of term. M.J.M. Clayton, pack leader, Baker and to the Our thanks must go to Mr. M. Allinson, talented players around them who go to from New Zealand, whose coaching and make up a team. enthusiasm were a great inspiration to CLUBS R.M.Q. all. Paul Corbett and I took over the Clubs G.C. Rugby side at the beginning of the winter DURHAM SCHOOL R.F.C. TOUR TO term from Bill Allen, who had gone to AUSTRALIA JUNIOR COLTS RUGBY Australia. We inherited from Bill a very The tour party assembled on a sunny PI2; W7; L5. For 221; Against 127 successful and well drilled side, a bunch afternoon at the School and after a while of lively lads not without considerable of consternation over who got which The season began well, winning five talent. jacket, etc., we were under way to games in a row. All five were convincing We were scheduled for three 15-a-side Gatwick. The coach trip found us in good wins especially against Henry Smith and games towards the beginning of term and spirits and was uneventful apart from Dame Allan’s. Then came three consecu­ the traditional seven-a-side games to some nefarious farmyard smells filtering tive games where the team seemed to round the term off. Unfortunately, in, all attributed to Richard Storry. We lose their grip upon their game. The however, due to adverse weather settled in to the Garuda Indonesian game against Ashville was very disap­ conditions at the start of the year we Airlines flight and after some 24 hours pointing. Everybody in the first half only managed to get one fixture of the we arrived in Sydney via Zurich, Abu

43 Sport and Recreation

Dhabi, Singapore, Jakarta and Denpassar, Bali. On arrival at Newington College we went our own way to explore our new habitat and had our first taste of the gassy, freezing cold liquid served in much too small glasses which the “Aussies” call beer. It didn’t take us long to develop a taste for this however and that afternoon we met our first hosts refreshed after the journey. The next day we had our first tour training session in very hot weather which left Peter Blackburn, not the fittest of our group, gasping for a fag under a tree, British knotted handker­ chief on his head. At nights the group, including masters, sampled the sights and sounds of Sydney nightlife — namely the King’s Cross area, the Soho of Sydney. Mr. Keith Douglas however did not seem too enthralled with this, falling asleep during one of the shows, earning himself a hefty fine, quite the opposite of Tony Appleton who had to be held down. The more conventional sights were also visited and someone had to explain to Michael Roseberry later in the trip what that white spiky think was in front of the harbour bridge — the Opera House! The games were played on very hard surfaces despite heavy watering by groundsmen and in sweltering heat, the former causing some nasty grazes. The new Sydney schoolboy football rules were played due to a serious neck injury incurred in a Newington game a few weeks earlier. There was no pushing in the scrum, no breaking away by flankers, a territorial advantage in static mauls, or other only serving to stilt and slow the game pathetically. With these factors and good, hard Australian play against us, both teams lost, the First’s 11-10. The First’s were unlucky especially when Kenny Alexander would have scored but for a “Kangaroo” bounce of the ball which left him standing and the crowd laughing. The next leg of the tour was a short one, to the other side of Sydney to meet Port Hacking Rugby Club. These were an extremely friendly and fun-loving people who wined and dined us to success, one group of us were taken to one of the more seedy establishments in Sydney for a meal where Richard Storry demon­ strated some peculiar skills with his teeth. Here we played two extremely fair, good natured, but tough games which the Firsts lost, but the Seconds won. During one game, a local dog showed a certain affinity for John Whitfield’s tour bag and left its mark upon it. We were sure some underhand Aussie had trained the animal for revenge.

44 Sport and Recreation

That night a couple of free kegs of beer were generously laid on for us and after a few jars of nectar we taught the Aussies to sing. We sang for a good few hours solidly to which, the hosts had no reply. After the Club closed groups of us made our own entertainment with the hosts and some ended up at the local Rugby League Club where a game of nude rugby was played at about 2 a.m. — Union versus League. So ended a memorable night. The next day we had a 17 hour coach journey to Brisbane which did no good to our by now delicate frames especially when Jimmy Phelps insisted on bringing an extremely smellydog muck on the bus via his shoe. We were hosted by Brisbane Grammar School where some of us were taken to see our first marsupials in a local wildlife park. There were kangaroos which let you scratch their chests, dopey koalas, hyperactive Tasmanian Devils and obese wombats. The Seconds here easily beat a young side, but the Firsts found it tough going and again closely lost, our back line still finding it hard to fit together. The next couple of free days were spent at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, sunbathing and swimming in the strong waves. It was here that most of our injuries were incurred. Eric Thomson twisted his neck and had to wear a collar for the next week or so. After a journey during which we climbed 2,000 feet we arrived at the Downlands School, Toowoomba, where our new hosts had instructions from one of the rugby coaches to make sure we had a good hangover for the match. This went according to plan and on the first night a house party was laid on for us, most of which Kenny won’t remember because he was flat out. However it was most memorable for John Lawson as he met his perfect match and promptly fell in love. Throughout the tour the play was hard and raking in the mauls was taken as the norm but here it was taken too far and this with some below average refereeing made for two successively violent games, one fight in the Seconds game spilling into the crowd. The Firsts again closely lost, the Seconds drew 3-3. Returning southwards, after a painful parting for some, our next port of call was the Armidale School where we were put up in a Youth Hostel. On the first night after visiting the local bars we returned to go to bed and John Adamson having chosen a top bunk climbed in and suddenly found himself on the bottom bunk as his bed collapsed much to the amusement of the others. In front of a large and enthusiastic local crowd the Seconds won and the

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First fought well and came from behind Douglass for making a marvellous adven­ made for a happy return for those who to draw 11-11. ture possible. played in last year’s winning side. As On returning to North Sydney hosted Peter Dobson was becoming a habit now, the group by Warringah R.F.C. in a hostel close to games saw us scrape through to the last the famous Manly and Bondi beaches eight. During the first match Peter Rafn many of the Upper Sixth rang home to 1st VII injured his knee, no chances were taken find out their “A” Level results. There Squad: Hume, Alexander, MacIntyre, and David Carrier played his first sevens then followed a night of celebration or Roseberry, Oliver, Shaw, Baines, Storry, game for Durham School. The final commiseration, both with the same net Deegan, Lishman, Carrier. rounds brought out what was to be the results. After a memorable and successful 1st finest sevens exhibition of the season. In the morning it was found that XV season, hopes were high for the 1st Our quarter finalist opponents touched Garuda Airlines had neglected to put us VII during their tough schedule of seven the ball once and spent most of the game into their Computer and therefore had no tournaments. The first test came soon under their own posts. The Semi op­ seats booked to Bali. After a few days ar­ after half-term against Sedbergh in the ponents seemed content on watching the ranging, while we took the ferry up the A. M. Bain Memorial Sevens which were game played well out of their control. harbour to Sydney centre, Nick Willings hosted by Durham. Both sides met as The Final, in which we converted finally booked the 2nd team and the in­ finalists in the rapidly failing light on Top another 50 points, was a formality and jured on a flight a day early. This meant Ground. Evenly matched, a 20 minute definitely one of the best performances I that they missed the final match, which battle ensued with a couple of untimely have played in. the Firsts won and the 3rd Australia v. errors splitting the teams. Finishing up The Morpeth Sevens was eagerly New Zealand Test which New Zealand on the wrong end of the result was very awaited but unfortunately the team was won. The first had seats by one of the disappointing but hopefully the ex­ forced to make changes. This showed in corner flags at the Test and saw all the perience would strengthen our resolve its play and together with myself having action. for the remaining tournaments. to be replaced through injury it totally Meanwhile the rest settled into the Three days later the VII took on the upset their rhythm and the VII struggled four-star Hotel Sonur Beach at Bali. A might of the County Schools, to try and into the final. Only through gutsy tackl­ few hired cars and explored the island regain the title lost last year for the first ing by Richard Storry, aggressive runn­ with its paddy fields, beaches and a huge time in seven years. In the opening game ing and a fighting spirit all round did we volcanic crater three miles wide with a our 2nd VII beat last year's winners Bar­ manage to secure the Morpeth title in a mountain and lake inside it. While driv­ nard Castle and proceeded to make the hard and draining competition. ing through the rural areas, all work semi-finals. The first VII made it into the We had one more tournament before stopped and the locals waved and final against Brinkburn from Hartlepool. we made our annual assault at the cheered us by making us feel like royalty. The game was won not in the satis­ Rosslyn Park National School Sevens. Most people hired motor bikes (some factory manner to which our standards The competition was the Oxford Open in like Chris Lishman falling off them) and had risen, even so, the competition had which last year we won Group C. This, visited beaches like Kuto Beach complete served the purpose of building con­ our second year, and with a gruelling with soft white sand, blazing sun, palm fidence, especially in the new members four days in London ahead of us we trees and 12 foot waves in a sea as warm of the side. decided to enter the next group up, B, of as a bath. The West coast was the home of the Open. Again the VII scrambled Philip Brantingham while driving his Keswick Sevens, and the Lake District through their qualifying games into the car failed to notice that the street he was on was one way only and after driving the wrong way up it was confronted by the local constabulary armed to the teeth. His court case is pending. The evenings were spent at excellent but cheap restaurants and local night clubs where Mr. Maughan seemed keen to fraternise with the natives but refrain­ ed under threat of serious injury from Mr. Corbett, and extortion from the boys (Mr. Maughan is soon to be married). Some of the first team arrived at Bali on the penultimate day leaving four boys and Mr. Willings in a hotel in King's Cross, Sydney, who seemed to enjoy themselves equally as much. They rejoined the group on the flight home where we kept the rest of the passengers amused, especially a party of Italians, to one of which Simon Berg pro­ tested undying love. On arrival at Durham we all went our separate ways and an excellent tour was over. I am sure all the boys on the Tour would like to extend their thanks for the patience and organisation of Messrs. 1st VII — Winners: Durham County, Keswick, Morpeth, Oxford. Runners-up: A. M. Bain. Semi­ Willings, Maughan, Corbett and finalist: National Schools, Rosslyn Park.

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final at Iffley Road. Every match is as CRICKET opened the batting with determination easy as you make it, and this final which It has been a most enjoyable and and sound technique, but never really went into extra time of sudden death was successful cricket season, blessed played the big innings to boost his confi­ one of the toughest, and most exciting. In perhaps with the best weather for some dence; his day will come. S. C. Hussain the end a switch in the backs enabled considerable time. With hard, fast batted well after an inconsistent patch in Peter MacIntyre to nip in for the winner. wickets from as early as April, it was not the middle of the season. Having This took us to four tournament wins out surprising that lots of runs were scored accepted his position at number four, he of five, a great achievement. and that it was often very difficult to get has proved to be a fine stroke player with Now our preparation and build-up was a result. However, we did manage to win excellent timing. He also captained the complete and we stood against the best eight matches by the end of the season side during Roseberry's absence and in England at Rosslyn Park. The team and in most of the others, we were in the showed fine judgement. R. J. Stewart picked itself with Baines, Rafn and driving seat throughout the match. recovered well from a winter injury and Deegan all missing. The first competition It is very easy to become engrossed in although never fully fit, proved to be an over two days was the Open. In farcial statistics and results and perhaps the exciting player. There is real talent here conditions of rain and mud our slow start most important thing is that individuals and next season should see it blossom became our downfall and astonishingly improve their own game during the with both bat and ball. R. A. Sowerby for us and many of our London sup­ course of a season. I hope that all who and P. D. Marshall are a very promising porters we did not qualify. We had a day performed for the First XI did feel that opening attack, although they had few off and got down to business again in the they had made some significant helpful wickets to bowl on. Sowerby Festival (one term rugby schools). After improvements in both attitude and tech­ bowled in a much more thoughtful two minutes of the opening group game I nique. Inevitably with the game of manner as the season progressed and left the field with what turned out to be a cricket, some had many more opportuni­ Marshall eventually worked up a broken rib and a punctured lung. The ties to prove themselves than others and genuine pace and developed some team drew the game and needed to score this is where the team aspect becomes aggression. S. M. Berg overcame his 30 points in the last game to qualify, they very important. By the end of the season, early season problems to play some scored them all in the second half, and all the batsmen and bowlers had useful innings and was a fine fielder. W. we were through. I had to sit rigidly and contributed in a positive and successful Dobson was probably the most improved watch, having played my last game for manner and felt part of a motivated team batsman in the side. As the season Durham School. Rupert Oliver joined the unit. progressed, his confidence increased wounded and the seven who remained It is now a well known fact that M. A. and he played some really aggressive standing took the field against Roseberry is a very fine cricketer, and innings. M. J. Oliver played a couple of Ampleforth two games later in the semi­ this season he has fully lived up to his spirited knocks early in the season and final with Nick Willings running the title of “M.C.C. Young Cricketer of the H. R. B. Massingberd-Mundy bowled touch. A disallowed try of Kenny’s and Year” award. He has batted extremely very accurately when called into the an unmistakable forward-pass which led well and scored over 1,000 runs, side. J. S. Salway and S. H. Whitfield, to their winning try sealed our fate. A including six centuries. His bowling has both Colts, played well and show much great achievement for the School in the been aggressive and thoughtful and he promise for the future. circumstances yet a disappointing end to sets high standards in the field. He has In a season, with many highlights, so many great memories with Durham improved in these areas as expected but perhaps a few should be recalled. A School Rugby Football Club. this season he has added a new beautifully controlled hundred, before dimension to his game. He has been an lunch, by Roseberry, at Ampleforth in a Ben Hume excellent captain both on and off the game totally dominated by the batsmen field. His tactical appreciation is of both sides, on an excellent wicket. The developing well and he is always looking accurate seam bowling of Stewart and to learn. His season at the helm for Massingberd-Mundy to bowl out Hatfield Durham School, stood him in good stead College for 64 on a damp wicket. The for the end of the season, when he lead wrecking of our own batting by an the England Schools XI with similar aggressive Sedbergh attack backed up success, as well as scoring two hundreds by fine fielding. Chasing 250 runs against for them. the Pilgrims and getting them with three The side was well served by its three wickets and two overs to spare. Being senior professionals. C. D. Ive proved to paid the compliment by St. Peter’s, York, be an aggressive stroke player and by by leaving us two hours to score 260 the end of the season, he had his leg spin runs; so often in the past the boot has bowling under much greater control. P. been on the other foot. And finally, the C. Rafn is an excellent wicketkeeper and fine fast bowling of M. Fletcher, J. has also developed into a fine attacking Alderson and A. D. Bell, in the O.D. batsman. J. N. Whitfield batted with Match, showing that Dunelmians are much more authority and responsibility going on to play a good standard of this season and it was good to note a real cricket. improvement in his fielding. Both P. C. For me, it has been a pleasurable Rafn and J. N. Whitfield played for the experience to take a relatively County U19 XI, and with C. D. Ive, their experienced and certainly talented 1st experience will be greatly missed next XI, in what has been an exciting season. season. There have been problems, but generally The rest of the team are all available the boys have responded in a most next season, so there will be some depth, positive manner and have been keen to as well as continuity. A. R. Gibson learn. I would like to thank C. Rhodes for

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his accurate scoring and his general 1st XI RESULTS 1984 v The Pilgrims cricketing knowledge, and also Mr. N. J. v Durham University 2nd XI The Pilgrims 250—4 dec. Willings for all his help, but particularly Durham University 195 all out Durham School 251—7 (Roseberry 56, his umpiring of many 1st XI matches. We (Roseberry 4-34, Sowerby 4-59). J. Whitfield 44, Hussain 64) are all greatly indebted to Mike Hirsch Durham School 199—6 (Roseberry Won by 3 wickets for his fine coaching of not only the 1st 110, Hussain 40) v Fettes XI, but cricket throughout the School. Won by 4 wickets Fettes 122 (Roseberry 4-39) There are very few boys who do not v Howletch, Peterlee (45 overs) Durham School 123—3 (Roseberry 60) respond fully to his enthusiasm and great Durham School 246—3 (Roseberry Won by 7 wickets knowledge. He sets high standards and is 159) v St. Peter’s, York very successful in getting them. We hope Howletch 211—7 St. Peter’s, York 259— 2 dec. to see him for many seasons to come. Won by 53 runs Durham School 176— 3 (J. Whitfield 98 G.C. v Barnard Castle n.o.) Durham School 261 — 3 dec. Match drawn (Roseberry 99, Ive 64) v R.G.S. Newcastle Barnard Castle 215—3 Durham School 203— 9 dec. (Hussain Match drawn 40) v Dame Allan’s (40 overs) R.G.S. Newcastle 81—8 Durham School 257—6 {Roseberry Match drawn 112, Rafn 45) v Durham County U19 XI Dame Allan’s 186 (Roseberry 4-22) Durham County 201 (Ive 5-46) Won by 71 runs Durham School 203—6 (Stewart 58 v Ampleforth College n.o.) Durham School 251 — 9 dec. Won by 4 wickets (Roseberry 103, J. Whitfield 64) v St. Bees Ampleforth College 205— 5 Durham School 222—7 dec. (Salway Match drawn 49, Ive 61) v Hatfield College St. Bees 192—7 (Sowerby 4-75) Hatfield College 64 (Stewart 4-12, Match drawn Massingberd-Mundy 4-21) v Old Dunelmians Durham School 65— 4 Old Dunelmians 151 {Sowerby 7-60) Won by 6 wickets Durham School 108 v Sedbergh (40 overs) Lost by 43 runs Sedbergh 119 (Roseberry 8-32) Durham School 61 Lost by 58 runs v Giggleswick Giggleswick 138 (Marshall 5-32) Mean, moody, magnificent. The captain of the Durham School 141—0 (Roseberry 100 XI, the captain of M.C.C. Schools, the captain n.o.) of England (Schools) Cricket. Won by 10 wickets

1st XI. Richard Sowerby — opening bowler. Sport and Recreation

E.S.C.A. UNDER 17 COMPETITION — Semi-Final COLTS Sponsored by Barclays Bank v Abbott Beyne (45 overs) A highly successful season was 1st Round Durham School 139—9 enjoyed by the Colts who were ably led v Howletch, Peterlee Abbott Beyne 141—7 (Sowerby 4-24) by John Salway, with Stephen Whitfield Match conceded Lost by 3 wickets as his lieutenant in the field. The batting 2nd Round was particularly strong with a great deal v Seaham (30 overs) This has been a new venture this of depth whilst the bowling relied heavily Seaham 77 (Marshall 4-12, Roseberry season, and although it caused several on the combination of medium pace of 4-9) fixture problems, generally it was quite Dent and spin from Whitfield and Durham School 81— 3 (Stewart 40 n.o.) successful. The competition was based Clayton. Won by 7 wickets on a limited overs pattern and many of The season opened against Barnard 3rd Round this side have past experience of this Castle, where on a poor track we v Hermitage type of cricket, having reached the final amassed 231—3 in less than two hours, Match conceded of the Lords Taverners Competition at Knowles and Whitfield realising 147 for 4th Round Edgbaston two years ago. the second wicket. With such a good total v Yarm (45 overs) In the first six rounds of the behind us the bowlers had confidence Durham School 231—9 (Dobson 63, competition, although there were many and Barnard Castle were bowled out for Berg 57) anxious moments, each game was won 105 with Whitfield taking 6-33. Dame Yarm 113 (Roseberry 6-22) quite comfortably in the end. The Allan’s came next and Knowles again Won by 118 runs highlight of the competition from our was to the fore with 74 n.o. as we 5 th Round point of view was the North Regional amassed 174—5. In reply Dame Allan’s v Duchess School, Alnwick (40 overs) Final played at Headingley. For nine of had no answer to the left arm spin of Alnwick 105 (Marshall 3-29, Stewart the team, it was their second appearance Whitfield who took 8-4 as Dame Allan’s 3-22) on a Test ground, in two years. This time crashed to a total of 20. Ampleforth is Durham School 107—0 (Roseberry 81 they were determined to be successful always a big game but this side were not n.o.) and although Wath School, Rotherham, in the mood for charity and having Won by 10 wickets had other ideas we managed to get home bowled out Ampleforth for 131, we 6th Round in a close and exciting finish. knocked off the runs for only two wickets v Hymers College, Hull (45 overs) The seni-final and final were played on down. St. Peter’s York batted for 51 Hymers College 162—8 (Roseberry successive days at Barclays Bank overs for 149—7 leaving us 32 overs and 5-23) grounds in London. Unfortunately we lost whilst we scored 128—4 which was res­ Durham School 163—0 (Roseberry 139 to Abbott Beyne School in our semi-final, pectable but we should have been more n.o.) in a game we really had the ability to win adventurous. The R.G.S. was the last of Won by 10 wickets but on the day it was not to be. the regular School fixtures and we 7th Round (Northern Regional Final) — We would like to thank Barclay’s Bank scored 153—9 before bowling them out played at Headingley for their kind sponsorship and in for 120, thus enabling the Colts to be v Wath School, Rotherham (45 overs) particular their kind gifts of bats, pads, unbeaten in School matches. However Wath School 171—8 (Sowerby 4-37) etc., after the final two matches. two other games were played which Durham School 172—6 (Roseberry 76) were both lost in case we had visions of Won by 4 wickets grandeur; one against a strong St. John’s College side and also against a Tyneside Schools XI where, without our experienced “stars” Salway and Whitfield, we scored 181—5 with Clayton scoring 93 n.o. and captaining the side very well in Salway's absence and making a good declaration enabling a super finish with Tyneside scoring the winning runs five minutes from time. Altogether a highly successful season with some excellent cricket and mature performances. Congratulations to Salway, Whitfield and Knowles who all represented Durham County at U15 XI with great credit and to Salway and Whitfield in particular for making my job easy. N.J.W.

Results; v Barnard Castle Durham School 231— 3 (Knowles 97 n.o., Whitfield 64) Messrs. Roseberry, Hussain and Marshall receiving their awards from Colin Cowdrey after the Barnard Castle 105 (Whitfield 6-32) semi-final of the Barclays Bank competition in London. Won

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v Dame Allan’s Clubs Cricket 1984 Clubs (Under 14 XI) Durham School 174—5 (Knowles 74 The Clubs had a rather disappointing P13; W4; L7; D2 n.o., Bew 41 n.o.) season. Technical weaknesses and a lack v Barnard Castle (H) Dame Allan’s 20 (Whitfield 8-4, of patience in building an innings meant Durham 89 (J. D. N. Gedye 22, J. Clayton 2-0) that the side often struggled to muster Greaves 23) Won one hundred runs. C. J. Greenshields, Barnard Castle 93—6 (J. Zair 3-25, J. v Ampleforth who captained the side, was the only A. Brown 3-24) Ampleforth 131 (Whitfield 7-54) batsman to show any consistency, Lost by 4 wickets Durham School 132— 2 (Whitfield 59, although J. D. N. Gedye and J. Greaves v Dame Allan’s (A) Knowles 44 n.o.) also made some useful contributions. The Durham 106 — 7 dec. (C. J. Won batting line-up looked much stronger Greenshields 40) v St. Peter’s York when A. G. Clayton and M. P. Willis, who Dame Allan’s 65—9 (J. Zair 3-16, J. A. St. Peter’s 149—8 (Clayton 5-44) played in the Colts side, were available. Brown 3-13) Durham School 128—4 (Salway 38, This was also true of the bowling. The Match drawn Whitfield 27, Knowles 26) presence of Clayton with his off-spin v Ampleforth (H) Drawn added variety to an attack entirely Ampleforth 195— 7 dec. (J. A. Brown v R.G.S. composed of medium-pacers. The 3-65) Durham School 153— 9 (Whitfield 33, bowling, however, was of a much higher Durham 101 (J. D. N. Gedye 67) Salway 29, Jewitt 22) standard than the batting. J. A. Brown Lost by 94 runs R.G.S. 120 (Whitfield 4-84, Knowles took over 30 wickets and he was well v Scarborough College (H) 2-12, Clayton 2-22) supported by both A. J. Barnfather and J. Durham 78 (C. J. Greenshields 38) Won Zair. Scarborough College 80—4 v Tyneside Schools The highlights of the season were a Lost by 6 wickets Durham School 181— 5 (Clayton 93 hard-earned victory over a strong v Seaham Comprehensive (A) n.o., Willis 32, Knowles 28) Giggleswick side and a narrow defeat in Seaham 56 (J. Zair 4-5) Tyneside Schools 182—6 (M. Scott 72 the last over against Easington in the Durham 60— 5 (M. Willis 25) n.o.) semi-final of the Durham County section Won by 5 wickets Lost of the Lord’s Taverners competition. v Sedbergh (H) Encouraging features of this year’s Sedbergh 187—7 dec. (A. Barnfather Clubs were the number of players not 3-67) able to make the side who proved to be Durham 51 reasonable cricketers and the Lost by 136 runs enthusiasm with which all approached v Giggleswick (H) practices and matches alike. In conse­ Durham 88 quence most players improved signifi­ Giggleswick 48 (M. Willis 3-13, J. Zair cantly over the season and there is every 3-3) hope that they will develop into a more Won by 40 runs formidable side at Colts level. v Hookergate (H) A.H.M. Hookergate 77 (A. Clayton 3-13) P.J.K. Durham 78— 1 (A. Clayton 22 n.o., M. Willis 30 n.o.) Won by 9 wickets v St. Peter’s (H) Durham 31 St. Peter’s 35—4 Lost by 6 wickets v South Tyneside Schools (H) S. Tyneside 64 (A. Barnfather 4-26, J. A. Brown 4-35) Durham 50 (C. Baker 23) Lost by 14 runs v Lawrence Jackson (H) Durham 73 (M. Willis 20, A. Barnfather 20 n.o.) Lawrence Jackson 42 (J. A. Brown 6-19) Won by 31 runs v Easington Comprehensive (A) Durham 110— 9 (25 overs) (M. Willis 28, J. Greaves 40) Easington 111—7 (24.5 overs) Lost by 3 wickets v R.G.S. Newcastle (A) R.G.S. 121— 6 dec. (A. Barnfather 3-38, J. A. Brown 3-18) Durham 108— 5 (C. J. Greenshields 45 n.o.) Colts XI. Match drawn

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The Senior A Team CROSS-COUNTRY ideal. There was a very thick covering of The dignity of Senior A cloaks two The Club this year had a healthy snow and conditions were rather dozen of the less expert gamesmen who number of members, although the majori­ treacherous. Another major upset was gathered regularly on bottom square to ty were combining their talents with that the course was not well marked, improve their batting and bowling. other sports. perhaps the markers were so cold that Accurate fielding remains a mystery. The first event came in the form of a they looked for warmth in more Enormously encouraged by the triangular match between Durham hospitable surroundings! Ampleforth enthusiasm and intuitive advice of Johnston School and Durham University won the match with only 40 points, Bar­ D.C.K.E. and D.R.B., the bowlers learned 3rd VIII. This proved to be an interesting nard Castle just beat us into third place, to aim at, or at least near, the stumps, encounter between the Club’s top three only three points separating us, 71 points and the score book speaks well of Valks, runners, Clarke, Massingberd-Mundy to 74 points. Notable runs came from Lowe, Wood, Storey, Forbes, Lawson and MacIntyre. On this occasion MacIn­ Massingberd-Mundy who beat Clarke and Allen. tyre came home first, Massingberd- (fourth) and seventh positions respec­ Batsmen could only remain at the Mundy third and the Club Captain tively. Rhodes improved and came in wicket for four overs, so that all could fourth. Other notable and promising runs ninth. bat. The resulting term aggregates range came from Oliver who finished sixth and The next School match was an “A” from an anonymous 1 to Alan Valks’ 79. Standish and Rhodes who came home in VIII match against Giggleswick. Our top David McCourt scored 55 before joining 11th and 12th positions respectively. At runners were representing the Area in the Second XI set (yes, we were a the end of the day Durham Johnston the County Championships held at Bishop springboard to higher things), while School came third with 102 points, Auckland. It therefore gave an oppor­ Peter Blackburn and Sunil Maini just University second with 43 points and tunity for other members of the X-C Club missed a half century. Durham first with 37 points. One major to represent the Club in a School match. The season closed early because of problem that arose this term was that Again there was the problem of lack of exams and other fixtures, but it had had the better runners such as Oliver and markers and due to this oversight some its good qualities: humour, generosity MacIntyre were not officially runners, runners went the wrong way. We lost the about yielding place and a willingness to but were borrowed from other sport accept the judgement of myopic and disciplines when they were free and not inexpert umpires. committed in other events. For the record a number of the Senior The match against St. Peter’s, York A’s played in the side against Grey was cancelled because their riverside College S.C.R. Our side came second. course was waterlogged. Unfortunately D.R.B. the rearranged date clashed and therefore there was not an individual match against St. Peter’s, but we did meet them in the N.E. Schools Championships. The second match and probably the hardest of the season was a triangular match with Barnard Castle and Ampleforth. Conditions were far from

Clubs XI. H. R. B. M-Mundy winning the Dunelm Run.

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fixture by eight points, 35 points to 43 j t points. Oliver came home first for the W if “A” VIII in third position followed by Johnson in fourth, Gothard fifth. The triangular match against R.G.S. and Dame Allan’s turned out to be close­ ly contested, especially over second and third. Dame Allan’s arrived and were one runner short so we nominated G. Taylor to become a temporary member of Dame Allan’s. R.G.S. came home first with only 35 points. This was without a couple of their better runners partici­ pating. Durham School 1st VIII came se­ cond with 75 points and Dame Allan’s third with 76 points. Clarke was away at an interview and therefore Massingberd- Mundy came home first in sixth position, Standish tenth, Rhodes 13th, Carr 14th and Gothard 15th. The Festival of Sport this term was against Barnard Castle but due to their 1st VIII being away on a Tour there were no senior races on this day. The final School event was the N.E. Grammar Schools Championships. This year the venue was Tynemouth. The course mainly taking place on sand. It turned out to be one of the outstanding performances of the season by the Club. Twelve schools entered and at the end of the day Durham School came third. We „ . beat Barnard Castle who had beaten us s cross coun rV earlier in the season. St. Peter's we also beat as they finished in seventh position. The main reason for the excellent result was our close packing in the race. Massingberd-Mundy was seventh, Clarke 14th, Rhodes 17th, Johnson 30th, Gothard 46th. The winners of the event were R.G.S. with 55 points, second were Burnside with 102 points and Durham third with 166 points. Another notable event was the Col­ leges Cathedral Relay. The School were invited to run and out of 35 teams we came second. The team consisted of MacIntyre, Oliver, Rhodes, Standish, Clarke, Massingberd-Mundy. A number of boys represented the Area in the County Championships at Bishop Auckland. Innes ran in the Junior Race; Standish in the Intermediate event and Clarke and Massingberd-Mundy in the Senior Boys race. Both Clarke and Massingberd-Mundy were selected to run for the County against Cumbria and Northumberland. Due to their perfor­ mances both were selected for the All- England Schools Championships, but due to climbing commitments Massingberd- Mundy could not run, but Michael Clarke for the second year running ran in the All-England Schools Championships.

M. J. Maughan

U15 cross-country.

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JUNIOR CROSS-COUNTRY There was a very large Junior cross Country Club in the Easter term of 74 Lower Fifth and Shell formers. Teams at Under 14 and Under 15 levels competed in a variety of conditions including deep snow and hard ice that made running up Mount Joy almost impossible. Unfortu­ nately the weather was apparently too much for two of our five opponents (St. Peter’s, York and Richmond) who found it necessary to cancel fixtures. Competition for team places was keen among the Under 14’s. D. Innes (Capt.), J. Zair and J. Hartill in their second year on the team were joined by newcomer J. Hall who managed to come in first against both Barnard Castle and the Johnston School and came second only to J. Bumby (U.15) in the Junior division of U14 cross-country. the House Runs after half-term. He might have run even better had he not elected to race wearing track suit trousers so often! Others who ran well were J. Moody, J. Brudenall and A. Maddison (an almost inseparable Poole House trio) and S. Readdie. Several others ran for the team when Zair and Hartill were in­ jured, including J. Killick, C. Clements and J. Parven. The Under 15’s did not have such a good season. The general impression was that the triers in this age group are not the fastest runners, and the few good runners don't like to be seen to be trying. As Captain, S. D. Forbes was able to generate some enthusiasm on match days, and C. Baines (who will be young enough next year), C. Wright and M. Loose turned in some good perfor­ mances. J. Bumby, winner of the Junior House Runs, although not officially a Cross Country runner this year, was co­ opted onto the team against Barnard Harehunters chase. Castle and achieved a fine second place.

RESULTS Under 15 v Johnston School WON 32-Unfinished v Barnard Castle LOST 55-27 v Giggleswick LOST 10-24

Under 14 v Johnston School WON 19-44 v Barnard Castle LOST 45-33 N.G.E.G./A.E.B./D. Innes/J. Hall

HAREHUNTERS CHASE There were four of us running from Durham in the race, N. Tilly, H. Massingberd-Mundy, J. Bumby and J. Moody. The race was again run at Masham, Yorks, and sponsored by Theakstones Breweries. We were split between the two teams from the Wear- dale beagles, four people being in each House runs: Individual and team awards. team.

53 Sport and Recreation

The race got underway and we were THE SWAINSTON RUN THE QUARRYHEADS RELAY all doing very well, in quite high places, This was a close, exciting race this Eighteen teams of four competed in when the leader took a wrong turning year, with James Bumby finally getting this annual inter-House fixture early in under the direction of a course marshall, the better of David Innes in the last half March. Although the times were a little who later disappeared! This meant that mile. Both the total entries and the slower than last year it was a keenly most of the beagle team ran only half the overall standard were up since last year. fought battle all the way, with only ten course. Meanwhile the stragglers com­ Congratulations to all who took part, in­ seconds separating the first two teams. pleted all the course. As a result the race cluding the first ten, listed below. was declared null and void and so 1st J. Bumby (S) 26.09 1st: Caffinites A team everyone was given some Theakstones 2nd D. Innes (P) 26.26 R. Speed 5.37 Old Peculiar to drown their sorrows! 3rd I. Hall (P) 27.08 P. Young 6.20 H. R. B. Massingberd-Mundy J. Hartill (C) J. Hartill 5.54 5th J. Brudenall (P) 27.19 J.Zair 5.37 A. Maddison (P) 23.28 J. Moody (P) 8th J. Parven(S) 27.49 THE DUNELM RUN S. Readdie (L) 2nd: Poole A team 10th R. Speed (C) 28.27 J. Moody 5.43 S. D. Forbes 5.59 1st H. Massingberd-Mundy Also derserving congratulations are N. Robinson 5.57 2nd P. MacIntyre Crispin Holliday and Steven Blows who J. Brudenall 5.59 3rd M. Clarke have run in all four Swainston runs since 4th R. Oliver the inception of the event in 1981, im­ 23^38 5th P. Standish proving each year. The event is entirely 6th C. Rhodes voluntary, and. like the Dunelm Run, it 3rd: School A team succeeds because so many middle-order J. Parven 5.33 runners do their best year by year. Their C, Gatenby 6.01 records are: P. Moody 5.51 C. D. S. Holliday C. Murphy 6.02 1981 35.29 (57th) 23.45 1982 32.02 (32nd) 1983 31.06 (13th) 4th: Langley A team 1984 30.36 (22nd) S. Readdie 6.00 N. Green 6.13 S. R. Blows J. Smith 6.29 1981 38.10 (72nd) G. Foster 6.03 1982 34.32 (58th) 1983 32.38 (29th) 24.45 1984 30.39 (23rd) Record held by Poole in 1982: 21.49 Good luck to them in the ''Dunelm'' Fastest lap recorded (1982): 5.15 (H. next year. Massingberd-Mundy) N.G.E.G. A.E.B.

Dunelm Run — The start.

54 Sport and Recreation

SQUASH The record of the year’s Squash shows that we played some 37 matches in all, winning 17 and losing 18. These figures are misleading in some ways, especially as in the Autumn term we played several “friendlies” where the opposition was selected to be, if anything, just a little stronger than our own teams. Emphasis has been on team-building for the future (which shows in the Under 14 results) but we have tried also to keep the senior and Under 16 teams going. This eventually paid off when the Under 16 team at least found form and en­ thusiasm in late February, and the seniors finished their season by playing well at Sunderland and bringing off an exciting 5-0 victory against Durham Squash Club. Simon Berg, Lee Mallen, Marcus Dadds, Jonathan Bew and John Salway all improved enormously in the space of a few weeks, and as they are all coming back next year there could be a basis for a reasonable 1st team. Damon Ive has usually been No. 1 for the 1st team. He was the only player whose im­ provement came early in the season; he had some notable victories against ex­ perienced opponents and played in several county matches for Durham Under 19’s. Dominic Carter’s style and talent were evident every time he played, U15 sl,uash but it was a pity that he like so many of the others didn’t find his best form until the last few matches of the season. The Juniors are doing well. Age groups are different for the County Leagues and for School matches; thus John Gedye plays for the Under 16’s in the County Leagues but for the Under 14’s in School matches. David Innes, Andrew Clayton, Alan Barnfather and Glyn Blows are all progressing well and there are some useful keen reserves. Gedye, Innes and Blows have all been to County Coaching though this seems to have been less well organised than in the past and has not provided much motivation. The same three boys with Barnfather, J. Doyle and M. Peacock competed in the County and Area Closed Championships, gaining valuable experience. Thanks are due to Mrs. Gedye who has coached the Under 14’s and Ferens regularly, and the Under 16’s occasional­ ly. Also to Mr. Lee who has taken a group of seniors and Under 16’s to Durham Squash Club each week for a hard competitive session. Geoff Maddison, O.D.; Peter Farrage, O.D.; David Richardson, John Shaw, Roddy Dethridge and many others have helped to en­ courage our players by providing the right kind of opposition on more than one occasion. Darren Beaty, one of our most promising players for some years, who should have been the regular School No. U14 Squash V.

55 Sport and Recreation

3, has been out of action all season Under 14 Team: P9; W7; L2 Swimming Report through injury but he has been a willing Players: J. D. N. Gedye (Capt.), D. E. W. The year promised to bring to an end and efficient marker in several of the Innes (Capt. for League fixtures), A. G. the School swimming careers of several home matches. Finally, many thanks to Clayton, G. C. Blows, A. J. Barnfather, J. of our stalwarts who have in some cases Mr. Wilson and staff for all the early, A. Smith, J. Doyle, J. R. Board, C. J. Green­ comprised the first team for the past four late or special meals laid on for players shields, f. F. M. Zair. years. This would be their last chance to and teams, often at quite short notice. register victories and set records, and House Matches hence the motivation behind training Teams and Results Senior Final came from wanting to "go out with a 1st Team: P8; W2; L6 Caffinites beat School 3—2 bang”. Players: C. D. Ive (Capt.), D. C. Carter, Second Teams Final With all the matches bar one being R. P. L. Cherry, J. D. N. Gedye, S. M. Berg, School beat Caffinites 4—0 away, this no doubt deterred many L. C. Mallen, J. S. R. Bew, J. S. Salway, M. Junior Final would-be swimmers, particularly at E. Dadds, Y. Sarnaik. Caffinites beat Langley 3—2 Intermediate level. However, a regular nucleus at all three levels approached Under 19 Team: P8; W l; L7 Open Championship each match with enthusiasm and a will­ Players: C. D. Ive (Capt.), D. C. Carter, Final: D. C. Carter beat C. D. Ive 9-2, ingness to diversify their events. R. P. L. Cherry, S. M. Berg, C. D. Davis, B. 9-3, 6-9, 5-9, 9-4. A long drive to Worksop proved to be M. W. Devlin, M. P. J. Hutchinson, G. A. J. Middles Final: J. D. N. Gedye beat J. S. well worthwhile as the U14, U16 and 1st Rhodes, M. E. Dadds. R. Bew 1-9, 9-7, 9-6, 2-9, 9-4. teams all gained extremely decisive vic­ Junior Final: J. D. N. Gedye beat D. E. tories to start the season in fine style, Under 16 Team: P6; W4; L2 W. Innes 9-6, 9-4, 9-6. and this was almost repeated at Bootham Players: J. D. N. Gedye, L. C. Mallen, J. Ferens Final: J. Doyle beat S. N. Monk School — only their strong U16 team S. R. Bew (Capt.), J. S. Salway, R. P. Lally, 9-5, 9-4, 9-3. prevented a Durham sweep. J. B. Mather, R. A. Hornsey, D. E. W. N.G.E.G./P.J.K. The John Parry Relays were held at Innes. Leeds Grammar School and although the senior medley relay of Chris Lishman, Ken Alexander, David Brown and Eric Thompson just failed to duplicate last year’s win (Barnard Castle just getting the edge), it was a sign that things were moving in the right direction. The senior freestyle squad (with Tim Lines replac­ ing Lishman in the above quartet) finish­ ed fourth after an impressive heat swim. Although the junior squad finished seventh in both of their events, places in the final would have been assured had competent turns been the order of the day. Shortly after this came the high point of the swimming season in London — the Bath and Otter Cup. All the early morn­ ing training sessions paid dividends for David Brown when he won the 50m but­ terfly at the Pre-Bath St. Paul’s meeting, and Tim Lines, especially, showed his sharpness in relay sprints with some astonishing bursts of speed. Next day unfortunately started with a rather indifferent freestyle relay perfor­ mance in the Bath Cup. The 44 yard pool proved to be more than a match for Alex­ ander, Thompson, Lines and Brown, as they failed narrowly to make the Alder­ man Cup Final (a partitioned contest for “small” schools). However this was just the motivation that was required for the Otter Medley Relay that night! Swimm­ ing as though totally different people, the foursome of Chris Lishman (backstroke), Ken Alexander (breaststroke), David Brown (butterfly) and Eric Thompson (freestyle) put together a performance which this writer regards as the finest he has ever witnessed from Dunelmians. With each member swimming two or three seconds faster than expected, all

56 Sport and Recreation

my expectations were surpassed as they Iain Anderson and the best “non­ D.S.A.C. finished in the top dozen in the country specialist” Andrew Clayton. Speech Day D.S.A.C. this season has had a record — no mean achievement! A fitting also saw the completion of a 24 hour number of members, 68 in all. Due to this epitaph for the School stalwarts who Marathon Relay which, although ex­ number two new positions were created, leave this year. hausting, raised a good deal of money, a Vice-Captain of Track and Field and a The season finished with matches at and fostered an atmosphere of fun and Secretary. J. Strong was Captain, C. M. Sedbergh {an overall loss — but due to in support. McGilvray Vice-Captain of Field, A. Ap­ no small part to extremely “risque” judg­ Next year we welcome Mr. Jackson pleton Vice-Captain of Track, and A. W. ing!), wins for the 1st and U16 at St. and his swimming expertise to Durham Baines Secretary of the Club. The Club Peter’s, and the only home match — a School. was to rely upon these officials plus hectic triangular v. Giggleswick and My thanks to Ken Alexander for his senior members of the Club to help run Pocklington. Inspired by our new lane Captaincy, Peter Oliver for turning up the Club. ropes, the U14 and 1st scored impressive for us (rather than cricket), Mark Lowry There were two problems this season. wins, with U15 and U16 losing narrowly. for training incredibly hard, and the The first, lack of coaches, and second, Gala Day saw many impressive perfor­ wretched individuals who threw me into motivation. The former problem was the mances, especially by David Brown, Dar­ the pool — my watch is still faulty! major one, there was myself and the ren Beaty and Brian Mather, with the J.A.W. Headmaster from time to time. This is "most improved” swimmer being judged when the senior boys came to the rescue. They took the Junior members for train­ ing which worked out well. But still this is not a satisfactory situation and must be solved soon. The second problem was the usual one of motivation. Some boys were interested in other things when they should have been performing Track and Field. As the Headmaster said in his opening speech at the beginning of term “everybody needs a balanced diet of work and sport”. Apart from these two problems the season progressed reasonably well. The first School match came against Pocklington at both senior and inter­ mediate age groups. Looking at the seniors the match was rather close and we were narrowly defeated by 71 points to 64 points Notable performances came in the form of A. W. Baines with four firsts (100, 200, 400m and long-jump); Clarke who was first in the 1,500m with a time of 4.24, Carter first in the high- jump, second in the Shot with a put of 11.59m and Brown who came first in the Discus. The intermediates were not so close to victory but it must be remembered throughout this report that the majority of the intermediate team are 1st swim team. only first year intermediates and will theoretically perform better next season. A. Forbes did well in this meeting coming second in three events. Unfortunately for the Club he did not recover from this meeting and did not perform for the Club again. The second event on the Calendar was the Area Championships which were held at Framwellgate Moor Comprehen­ sive School. The juniors and inter­ mediates in action only. In the junior events there were two excellent perfor­ mances. Willis came second in the triple­ jump with 10.64m and also third in the 200m with 26.2s. In the 800m Parven came fifth with a time of 2.29.9. In the intermediate events there were the following promising results. Rogers came first in two events, the 100m with 11.5s Junior swimming team. and in the long-jump with 5.85m. Hopper

57 Sport and Recreation

came second in the triple-jump with first. The two Macs came second in their dar was the County Championships, 11.99m, Standish third in the 3,000m, respective events, McGilvray in the Shot again the venue being Gateshead Inter­ Bumby fifth in the 1,500 S/C, Foster sixth and MacIntyre in the 800m. national Stadium. The School supplied in the hurdles. The next School match came against Durham Central Area with the majority The next meeting was against R.G.S. at Sedbergh at intermediate and senior of the senior boys team. We were very three levels, U15, intermediates and levels. The senior match was very close successful and at the end of the day seniors. We lost all three events but right up to the final 4 x 365m relay Durham Central won seven out of the came close in the U15's series. If we had event. We won at the end of the day by eight possible trophies. On the track won the 4 x 100m relay in the senior 74-71 points. The intermediates lost. Rogers came third in the intermediate event we would have drawn. The scores Rogers again was victorious in the 100, 100m while Baines won the 100m senior were in U15’s 64-71 points, interme­ 200 and long-jump. Hopper also first in in a time of 11.7. Other County Cham­ diates 52-86 points, seniors 65-73 points. the triple-jump, second in the long jump. pions came in the form of Strong in the In the junior event there were two J. Lee and Al-Amin did well in the javelin 110m hurdles, MacIntyre in the 800m outstanding performances by McRae in to come second and third respectively. In and in the Field Brown at the Discus. Se­ the shot who was victorious with a put of the seniors Baines romped home with cond positions were achieved by Dadds 9.33m and Willis who came first in four three firsts in the long jump, 100 and in the triple jump, Maddison in the events plus the relay. In the interme­ 200m. Other runs of note came from javelin, Oliver in the 1,500m, and Carr in diates there were good performances by Clarke who won the 1,500m in a time of the 110m hurdles. Rogers who came first three times, 100m 4.24.1 and McGilvray who won the shot The last School event for the U15 and — 11.8s, 200m — 24.6s, long-jump with a put of 11.34m. Also Oliver manag­ U14’s came with a triangular match with 5.74m. Hopper came first in the triple­ ed a creditable second in the 800m as did Barnard Castle and Pocklington. The jump with 11.55m and Standish came se­ Appleton in the 200m. venue was New College track which ac­ cond in the 1,500m. The seniors produc­ The final School match was a counts for the unusual distances of 300m ed the best race of the day between triangular match at Gateshead between and 600m. We came third in both age Oliver and MacIntyre in the 800m. The Barnard Castle and St. Bees. The groups. In the U14 the highest position former just pipping the latter at the tape. intermediate event was a closely con­ we could achieve was third and this was Maddison came first in the javelin with tested battle against St. Bees and Bar­ Stephenson in the Javelin, McRae in the 42.85m. We dominated the high-jump nard Castle. The end result was that St. Shot, Parven in the 1,500m, Robinson in with Dunn first, 1.70m and Tilly second, Bees won by 4 points. Notable runs in the high jump. 1.65m. Baines continued the season with this age group came from Foster who In the U15 Parkin came first in the three firsts in the 100m. 200m and 400m. was first in the 100m hurdles in a time of high jump with 1.40 and came second in The triangular match against Welbeck 16.7. Rogers had to settle for three the Javelin. Mather, another partly con­ and Worksop took place during half term seconds in the 100m, 200m and long verted swimmer, won the Discus. Bumby and due to this some of our competitors jump. He was beaten in the 100m by was second in the 600m and 1,500m. were unable to turn up. Despite this both Underwood who is representing Durham Three members of the School, Baines, teams did well considering we were not County in the All-England Schools Cham­ Brown and Dadds represented Durham at full strength. The intermediates came pionships and by Hunter in the 200m who County in the triangular match against second and the seniors lost. Looking at is also going to the Nations. In the senior Cumbria and Northumberland. Brown the results for both age groups Rogers event we came first with 115 points, St. and Dadds both created new School continued his run of wins with three Bees second with 111 points, Barnard records in the Discus and the Triple more in the 100m, 200m and long-junp. Castle third with 60 points. In this event Jump at this event. Ryan did well in the 400m to come se­ A. W. Baines broke the School record in There on the whole it has been a cond. Hopper dominated his event and the 100m with a time of 10.9. He was also reasonable year for D.S.A.C. The seniors won with a jump of 11.47m. Maddison, a first in the 200m in 22.6s and first in the are young as are the intermediates and newly converted swimmer, won the shot 400m with 52.0s. Other firsts came from this shows promise for the future. with 11m. In the seniors Baines won the MacIntyre in the 800m, Brown in the M.J.M. 100m and 200m. Oliver won the 400m in Discus and McGilvray in the Shot. a time of 56.3, Brown threw 32.95m to be The next event on the Athletics Calen­

D.S.A.C.

58 Sport and Recreation

THE BOAT CLUB

The strength of the Boat club this year is the result of three main factors — the ability and willingness of the boys to train hard and compete with vigour, the support of very energetic and caring parents and the availability, hard work and skill of the coaching team. It has undeniably been a happy and good year, in which each age group has given of its best to further the cause of D.S.B.C. We welcomed Mark Quigley from New Zealand to the coaching team and his ever-pleasant and hard-working presence have brought so much spirit to the U15 group, where the A crew achieved four wins and two very narrow defeats in finals. He worked hard also on an U16 “O” level group, who never really came alive, despite his constant offer of coaching. If he worked hard, then Miss Tracy Burns also from New Zealand, worked no less so. She has devoted practically all her free time to the Bungite IV who, along with R.N.H.’s VIII, have been the main spearhead of our attack. She has brought her con­ 1st VIII winning at Durham Regatta. summate skill and knowledge of rowing, as well as her humour and toughness to bear on this crew, who have had a hard season competing against a strong R.G.S. crew, who are all year round oarsmen. An early victory came from the IV when they won the Senior C trophy at the Tyne Head. At York Head they came 9th out of 22 (2nd in their class) and did well to come 16th at the Schools Head (8th in their class). A very heartening injection of enthusiasm was given to the boat club by R.N.H.'s VIII that he had formed early on in the dark winter months. This crew rowed in the York Head and finished 11th out of 15, in the company of Elite and Senior B VIIIs. They rowed in the Schools Head and finished 40th. In the H.O.R. the school was 305th out of some 390 crews. The VIII quietly and methodically pursued its training plan and when they returned in the summer term after the York spring holiday training camp, they had a new look. At York Spring Regatta we got a shock to see how fast and competent they looked. They were a joy to watch at Durham Regatta and they won the Senior The 1st IV. C trophy. But it was at Tyne Regatta, in the three-lane final, that the VIII most impressed. They saw off the opposition in no uncertain terms to win Senior C who has followed the progress of the VIII Durham and York Summer Regattas, but again. Decimated by “O” level absentees will have happy memories of a were disappointed to be just a little too and injuries a composite VIII of stern technically fine and physically powerful short of power to beat the R.G.S. crew. four plus a J15 bow four rowed at crew, stroked by a first class oarsman, So it was with the greatest of delight and Talkin Tarn Regatta and performed Charles Porter. surprise that at Talkin Tarn Regatta the gallantly against a much older, heavier The Bungite IV had meanwhile clocked IV beat R.G.S. by one length to win and more experienced crew. Anyone up its 3 Senior C wins at York Spring, Senior B IVs. No greater tribute can be

59 Sport and Eecreation

paid to them and their excellent coach, RUGBY FIVES REPORT Tracy Burns. They saw it right through to the end and finished on a high note of The 1984 season was not as successful triumph. Well done the crew and stroke, as was hoped, due to the departure of the Johnathan Williamson. coach, Mr. Allen, to Australia. Turning now to Junior River, the The first match of the season was the Master in charge of rowing was given a traditional fixture against the very welcome 50th birthday present by University. This year the match was the U16s, U15s and U14s, winning hands narrowly lost by three points but the IV down against all the St. Peter’s crews. put up a gutsy perform ance. P. The U15 IV, stroked by Garin Foster, MacIntyre and myself managed to beat gave a shattering performance on Satur­ both the University 1st and 2nd pair but day at Durham Regatta to beat the City the consistency in the rallies was lacking crew by two feet. Having settled that from our second pair. The 2nd match of score, on the Sunday the J15 IV won the season was against Sedbergh which again. The U14 IV gave a fine per­ again was narrowly lost mainly through formance of rowing to win the trophy. the lack of consistency from both the 1st At Leeds Regatta, both the J15s and and 2nd pair. J14s won easily over crews from The only away match of the season Lancaster Grammar School, thereby was against Giggleswick. Without P. winning the Victor Ludorum. The J15s, MacIntyre the IV was considerably having been defeated by City at Wans- weakened and partly due to the wet beck Regatta, now turned the tables to conditions of the court both pairs found it beat their opponents by two feet at very difficult to get into the game. Talkin Tarn Regatta. The last match of the season was Meanwhile the school J14 crew, against Merchiston and we finally stroked by Robert Johnson, rowed well to managed to succeed in the victory that win the trophy, from two other Durham the IV had worked so hard for. So it only School crews, demonstrating the ability remains for me to thank the other three in depth and enthusiasm of rowing at this members of the team: level. P. M acIntyre, R. Hope and K. The Senior River House rowing pro­ Salthouse for their efforts during the duced some exciting races and Bungites term and I only hope that next season did not find their path to victory so will be a slightly more successful one — assured as they would have liked it to be, with or without a coach. but after a gallant attempt by Langley House, Bungites went on to win the Simon Berg (Captain for 1984) Senior IVs. They were too strong for any opposition in the VIIIs and they had a comfortable win. Junior River was remarkable for its high standard of rowing, with the Middle IV victory going to Langley. The Junior IVs final was not rowed — Langley accepted Bungites objection and thereby gave the victory to Bungites by default. Richard Storry must have had a happy season. Our one “A” level candidate, he has stepped into competing crews at the drop of a hat and has sculled creditably at regattas. It is fitting that he should have taken the No. 6 seat in the VIII in the final regatta of ther term. Captains of Boats of his merit are hard to come by and yet there is an equally fine young man being appointed to the Captaincy for 1984/85. Congratulations to Philip Brantingham and many thanks to Richard Storry for his fine leadershp. May I take this opportunity of expressing our thanks once again for all the hard work put in by the Parents Committee in buying us our new fine IV, the Geoffrey Gilbertson.

N.K.L.

60 C.C.F.

Warcop, Welbeck College, Feldom and capsized. The end of the course was ARMY SECTION Summer Camp reached with the team keeping the raft afloat rather than vice-versa. Inspection Day, Colts Canter & 7 L.I. The first notable event of the summer Watermanship was next and the assault The Army Section has if anything term was the Upper Fifth field weekend boat was competently taken around the prospered in the past year and at the on Warcop Practical Training Area from course. Spirits were only here dampened present time has a renewed potential April 29-30. This commenced with a when it was brought to our attention that greater than that seen for some time. short navigation exercise over no more the junior team had in fact attained a The highlight of the Christmas term than five miles. The rest of the afternoon better time than our own! The day’s was Inspection Day with the contingent was given over to preparation for the events concluded with the assault course under the capable hands of R.S.M. night patrols which were to be conducted demonstration and competition in which Milner and the Army Section itself under as a test under the Cadet Training Team. average times were scored. This was C.S.M. Dobson. The platoons in turn There were three patrols under the followed by the orienteering briefing in paraded under C/Sgts Deegan, Lawson Lower Sixth N.C.O.s with the Upper the Great Hall and then we were kindly and Maddison. The Inspecting Officer Sixth acting as enemy. On completion of shown around by our two teams’ host (Air Commodore G. Bacon, R.A.F.) was the patrols, which were notable for their cadets. The next morning saw the met by a Quarter Guard under the R.S.M. success in general terms and the fact competition over the new confidence which took the form of the N.C.O. Cadre. that the platoon radio net held up, the course (which was little more than The day continued with regular training patrols returned to a platoon hide defen­ another assault course rather than being with the N.C.O. Cadre supplementing sive formation and sentries were posted. a test of confidence). This was after this by taking to such things as the They were probed throughout the night Richard Kallagher had put forward some climbing wall. by the Upper Sixth with stand-to’s being interesting ideas on tent design. The final Saturday October 16 saw the Army intermittently called, with varying event was orienteering in Sherwood Section put in a team for a march and degrees of response as the night pro­ Forest in which the senior team did not shoot competition, namely Exercise Colts gressed. The next morning saw an register the best of times but in which Canter ’83. In the words of the respective assault course competition and .303 Combe and Foster distinguished them­ flyer “The aim of the exercise is to test firing on the 30 metre range before selves. The weekend was enjoyed by all the fitness, stamina and shooting skills of returning to school. and on the whole respectable results A.C.F. and C.C.F. teams and to test the Soon after term started Matthew were attained. navigational skills and leadership of Milner joined the Q.L.R. on exercise at “A” Platoon had a field day from June A.C.F. and C.C.F. team commanders.” Tern Hill near Crewe from May 7-9 as 10-11 at Feldom. The weekend involved These precepts were met with varying they did mechanised training in prepara­ testing of self-reliance, orienteering, a degrees of success. The team set a fast tion for their departure to Germany to “wide game” to fill in the evening and march time (not least because of time join B.A.O.R. in this role. section battle drills after an N.C.O. keeping errors which led to us moving "A” Platoon continued training and demonstration on the Monday morning. rapidly in someone’s (?) belief that 100 eventually passed their weapons test to minutes meant one hour!). The inspection go on to training for their weekend at J. Gillette and falling plate .303 shoot passed Feldom. without too many problems, but sadly the Meanwhile “B” (Recruit) Platoon, com­ initiative task of all things showed us up prising the Shell, formed and commenced with negative points being scored! The training at a steady pace in anticipation competition therefore ended as some­ of their Recruits Test with a degree of what of an admitted let down but it was variation in the form of weapon training and map reading. May 12-13 saw the annual competition at the Royal Military College, Welbeck. Two teams went, one from the Lower Fifth and one primarily from the Lower Sixth. The day before we left a practice shoot was conducted at Albemarle Barracks with 7.62 S.L.R.s. After our arrival at midday the first event for the senior team was the command task (the junior team did not do this event) which involved putting up a triangular structure with logs and poles whereby only three points of contact were allowed with the ground. The team set a fast time and this was followed by the march and shoot which was won. This involved doubling in formation over 1 \-2 miles followed by a .22 shoot (the S.L.R. range being out of action). The seniors then went on to raft building, which went smoothly until an ex-member of the R.A.F. Section tried to fly to the opposite bank, with the result that the rest of the “crew” and the raft

61 C.C.F.

our first attempt and Colts Canter ’84 is Freefall Parachuting to Cruising Thetford, Stanford, Giitersloh and looked forward to with heightened Munsterlager interest. The term, however, was perhaps more Another event of perhaps more long­ notable for its holiday activities. The holidays also saw two members of term significance was the participation Matthew Milner had a particularly busy the Lower Sixth, then Corporals Baines in a weekend exercise over half-term by month which centred primarily around and Gillette, leaving adventurous Gillette and Gibson with the 7th The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment (the training for courses or attachments. Battalion, The Light Infantry. This is the regiment he hopes to join). April 9-13 saw Andrew Baines spent a week (April local T.A. unit, and it is hoped the school him attending the Royal Artillery 4-11) with B.A.O.R. in Germany attached will involve itself more with it (7 L.I. have Potential Officers Parachute Course at to 3 Battery, 47 Field Regiment, Royal already provided various items of kit on the Joint Services Parachute Centre at Artillery. The regiment is based in request). This particular exercise took Netheravon, living in the officers mess at barracks at Giitersloh but it was only a place upon Catterick Training Area and Bulford Camp near Salisbury. The matter of hours before he left there to involved patrolling, the establishment course comprised basic freefall join the battery in their annual live-firing and maintaining of a platoon hide, night parachute training and involved five exercise on Munsterlager Training Area. patrols, stand to’s and attacks, a dawn jumps. It included complex ground train­ The regiment is equipped with 105mm march, platoon attack and clearance ing centred around ’chute packing (each Abbot Self Propelled Guns and he through a wood and very little sleep! The Potential Officer packing his own to jump returned with talk of Charge 5, the exercise involved the handling and use of with). This originallay took anything up devastating effect of proximity shells S.L.R.s or S.M.G.s which made a change to three hours, but by the end of the and the drinking habits of the Royal from the .303s at school. 7 L.I. have course this had been reduced to twenty Artillery. He is currently thinking of invited the school to continue attending minutes. Although the course was run by joining the Gunners. similar weekends (which are useful for the Royal Artillery the instructors were John Gillette spent the ten days (April learning untaught military skills and primarily from The Parachute Regiment, 2-12) on the 13th United Kingdom Land drills) but unfortunately most fall within Royal Marines, The Royal Green Jackets Forces Leadership Course centred on school holidays. Finally, of equal and the S. A.S., the pilots coming from the Wretham Camp B near Thetford in significance was the transfer from D.L.I. R.A.F. Ground training took one and-a- Norfolk. The ensuing training (as part of to L.I. badges and an emphasis is to be half days after which jumps commenced. 1st Section, Flanders Platoon, Suffolk put on the concept of “The Regiment”. The P.O.s course had a 100 per cent Company) took place on Stanford The Easter term saw the ex-N.C.O. success rate with no broken bones or Training Area. The course included Cadre, having passed through, moving last-minute refusals (as compared to a instructional periods on weapon either to “A” Platoon (L.V.) or, if going to Sandhurst Officer Cadet Cadre in which handling (S.L.R., L.M.G. and G.P.M.G.), Pakistan in the summer, the armoury, to three refused to do a second jump whilst shooting, map reading, the assault help sort the mountaineering stores. still on the ground). course, signalling (primarily Clansmen J. Gillette After that the R.S.M. took part in P.R.C. 350’s) tactics up to platoon level, Exercise Channel Rose 4 from April plans and orders, tactical watermanship 24-30. This was for Potential Officers of (which included raft construction and The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment and the use of assault boats) and tactical heli­ comprised a sail-training exercise and copter training. There were lectures on crossing from Gosport to Cherbourg. It leadership, careers advice and several took place on H.M.S.T.Y. “British films on tactics and orders progression. Soldier”, one of the army’s Nicholson 55 One afternoon included an all arms foot 12 berth yachts based at the Joint equipment display which involved every­ Services Sailing Centre, Gosport. Colonel thing from Blowpipe and Milan J. A. C. Bird O.B.E. was the officer in simulators to pneumatic drills. There charge of the course. The crew were cadet lecturettes and inspection comprised mostly under-graduates and instruction including the construction of the aim was for them to get to know their “bed blocks”. The assault course was future fellow subalterns in the Q.L.R. visited several times and there was a During the week the yacht visited Cowes, confidence course, parts of which were Weymouth and Cherbourg. Whilst 50ft up and all with no nets. Other, less crossing to Cherbourg it was discovered active, events included a chilly Sunday that one of the officers, M ajor Gordon morning Church Parade, a Beating of the Guest, was an O.D. and a former Retreat by the Band of the 1st Battalion Pooleite, having left Durham in 1968. The (Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire) rest of the trip passed without problem The Royal Anglian Regiment (the host save for once running aground on a sand battalion) and on a more sombre note a bar. lecture was given by a captain and sergeant of The Parachute Regiment and J. Gillette a captain of The Royal Marines on their parts in the Falklands campaign. The lec­ ture included their own very moving slides, those of the aftermath and casualties of Goose Green being particularly so, and the Para Sergeant’s description of his section being pinned down with casualties at Goose Green Mastering the self-loading rifle. was particularly emotive. Competitions

62 C.C.F.

included room inspections (as our Junior team C.C.F. — R.A.F. SECTION — EASTER Platoon Sergeant was Scots Guards our O. J. Combe CAMP IN GERMANY bed blocks, etc, were more involved than R. C. de Courcy The trip began at Durham Bus Station. those of other platoons), orienteering S. D. Forbes The six of us (Flight Sgts. Truelove, (which Flanders won), an S.L.R. falling S. P. Foster Hossain, Burgess and Corporals plate (in which 1st Section provided R. L. Spencer Redpath, Reed-Purvis and Rhodes) and Flanders’ team) and the assault course A. D. Taylor (Captain) our C.O. (Sqn. Ldr. Curry) were in high (which is partially through a swamp) spirits, looking forward to arriving in with battlefield simulation in the form of Germany. The ensuing coach journey of smoke, thunderflashes and other pyro­ The EXERCISE COLTS CANTER six gruelling hours to Luton Airport and technics. The most important aspect of ’83 team the enforced wait of five hours at the air­ the course, however, were the exercises, port somewhat dampened these spirits. one eight hours (officially) and two 24 R. N. Chapman Thankfully, with the discovery by one of hours. These involved section tactics, P. M. Deegan our number of an arcade game, the time platoon tactics, various drills in the hide P. L. M. Dobson (and our money) soon flitted away. Our as well as section attacks, platoon A. R. Gibson long trip was not yet over however, after attacks, night patrols and ambush J. C. Gillette a pleasant flight on a chartered plane to setting, navigational exercises and house J. D. M. Lawson R.A.F. Wildernath, we discovered we clearances. They involved tactical river R. Maddison had another three hour coach trip to our crossings (using assault boats) and the M. C. T. Milner own camp at R.A.F. Giitersloh. tactical use of helicopters and all the M. S. Robson The time was well spent in getting to drills involved with them. Although 1 R. A. D. Taylor know some of our companions of the next Anglian was the host battalion there D. A. Valks week, and also seeing some of the were D.S. from most regiments and corps countryside. None of us knew what to (Dettingen Platoon, for example, was run expect in the way of accommodation, as primarily by Paras and were prone to The N.C.O. Cadre on passing out previous English camps had usually been find themselves on early morning runs). endured under canvas. We were all Flanders’ Platoon Commander, Captain 1st Cpl. Gillette pleasantly surprised, and relieved, to Ross (who had been Milner’s Commander 2nd Cpl. Robson find ourselves accommodated in well the year before) was 1 R. Anglian as was 3rd Cpl. Baines furnished dorms. We had been travelling 1 Section Sergeant, Sergeant Bowden, L/Cpl. Berg for almost 14 hours, and so had our first who is expected to be at Proteus when L/Cpl. Gibson and last quiet night of the stay. we go there for summer camp. L/Cpl. Kallagher Because of the bases operational Summer Camp is to run from July L/Cpl. Kendrick status, most of our time in Germany 16-23, at Proteus in Nottinghamshire. L/Cpl. Lowe would not be spent on the base, but on The camp will include watermanship, L/Cpl. Williamson visits to various nearby locations. Prob­ orienteering, use of the .303, including L/Cpl. Young ably the highlight of these visits was the live firing, a march and shoot and an one we made to the East German border. assault course competition, two night Here our British guide took us to various exercises, section attacks and tactics as locations along the border, and at every well as football, climbing and canoeing. location we showed the inquisitive Other holiday activities will include Milner attending a Royal Marines Commando course from July 23-30. Robert Maddison is to attend a simlar A.T.3 course from July 29-August 3. All that remains is to wish Matthew Milner luck as he embarks on Standard Military Course No. 37 at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, on September 3 1984.

J. C. Gillette.

Teams entered for the cadet competition at THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE WELBECK ’84

Senior Team Sgt. J. C. Gillette Cpl. A. W. Baines Cpl. M. S. Robson L/Cpl. R. J. Kallagher I. C. Anderson R. N. Chapman The L.M.G. in action during a Section attack.

63 C.C.F.

guards our “bare” thoughts, while being C.C.F. — R.N. SECTION at Garelochhead, four spending Ports­ informed of the numerous and varied mouth Navy Days on H.M.S. Invincible barriers erected to prevent East I must begin this report with a vote of this has to be the busiest summer for the Germans crossing to the West. thanks to Sub. Lt. David Edwards for the Navy Section for some time. It is a tribute Our other trips included one to the effort that he gave to the Navy Section to the character of the cadets in the sec- Mohne Dam, which the Dambusters had during 1982/83. His Dramatic commit­ ton that they are willing to “have a go” successfully breached (it has since been ments elsewhere in the School have at something different. repaired). Here our friendly dorm meant that he had had to retire from Something different happened during associates — a contingent of Scots, active service on Thursday afternoons, the Easter term when the Royal Navy endeavoured to converse with the locals, however reports have been heard of School’s Presentation Team visited us. enquiring about the occasion — their sightings of this naval officer in Teesdale Their arrival by helicopter on the play­ questions were not well received. We on Field Day. An area renowned for its ground was both spectacular and also visited the beautiful towns of rare species. interesting. We were treated to a full Munster, Rothenfelde and Harsewinkel I am pleased to say that David has flying display of the Wessex, together where apart from going swimming we been most ably replaced by Sub. Lt. with an absailing demonstration and a saw a twenty foot high, quarter mile long Andrew Pointing. Andrew’s personal mock sea rescue. This formed the curtain hedge. knowledge of the Navy, and naval raiser for a presentation in the Luce While on camp (in common with matters has been most welcome. Centre of the Royal Navy’s role today. previous camps, the food was excellent, During the course of the year we also In the Michaelmas Term the section but little in the way of free time amuse­ lost our coxswain; Michael Clarke. I am was inspected as part of the Contingent’s ments), we were kept busy with daily sure that he did not really want to leave annual inspection, and we were “sweathours”, as well as shooting and us, and we were sorry to see him go. honoured to have as our guest frequent visits to the duty free shop. We Michael was an excellent coxswain who Commander Mike Norman, A.F.C. As an were taken to several sections on the impressed us all with his enthusiasm. We O.D. he has shown a great interest in the base and warmly welcomed by the men wish him Good Luck in his interview with section and is a fine example for the at each. The undoubted highlight of these the Admiralty Board. He has been cadets. visits, was the one to the Puma helicopter replaced by Neil Storey, who already We have also been visited by the squadron, where after a talk on the and despite his exams, is proving to be Naval member J.C.E./C.C.F., Commander squadron’s role, we all had a trip in a an efficient leader of great potential. Julian Osborne and Ian White, O.D. helicopter. Of course I must also thank Chief (Bungites) at present serving on one of The other helicopter squadron Ingrey for his unflagging support H.M.’s nuclear submarines, both of stationed at the base flew Chinook heli­ throughout the year. With his expertise whom spent time talking about the Navy copters, but because these were away on he has come to our rescue on many with the boys. exercises we were unable to have a occasions. The usual round of Navy activities flight in one, although during one of our Unfortunately. I cannot at the moment have occurred this year. Both field days section’s visits we visited their hangars write in glowing terms about any time in Teesdale were successful and the Sun­ and were shown the aircraft and told spent at sea this year, we have not yet day sailing excursions have attracted a about its activities. been. However eight cadets and two steady number of sailors with cadets The visit to one of the bases of two officers are looking forward to a week at Storey and Shepherd being keen and Harrier flying squadrons was just as sea on the fleet tender Alnmouth in increasingly proficient. enthralling. The tour of their hardened August. She is based in Plymouth, and we A new activity offered this year in shelters with their four foot reinforced hope that, weather permitting, we will conjunction with the R.A.F. section has concrete walls and then of the aircraft have a pleasant cruise along the south­ been Scuba diving. Unfortunately limited they housed was for many of us just as west coast. to ten places, it has been a highly interesting as the helicopter flight. With three cadets going on general successful and popular course, and our Another notable visit, was that to the camp to Britannia Royal Naval College, thanks must go to Colin Fraser, O.D. R.A.F. Dog section. This was a sobering Dartmouth four sailing at H.M.S. (Caffinites) for his expert tuition. occasion for us all as we were told of and Caledonia, one shooting at H.M.S. shown the ferocity of the dogs. Cochrane, one on adventurous training R.N.H. The whole atmosphere of the camp was friendly and relaxed. Our Scottish friends did much to liven up the evenings when unfortunately there was little do do. It is undoubtedly thanks to their friendship that many of us felt as we did each morning, although I doubt we would have missed the chance to share in the revelry. Thus finished an unforgettable week, in which we learnt more of the R.A.Fs role and had a taste of the “spirit” of Germany.

M. N. Hossain-Ibrahim

And some home-made rafts floated better than others!

64 C.C.F.

Joint Durham School/Oundle School thanked for the week, and also the C.T.T. well as faces from the all too familiar 1st Adventurous Training Camp at and the Old Oundelians many of whom Royal Anglian or “Vikings” who all on Crianlarich we pass on our regards to in Pakistan. Summer Camp came to know). On the last day of the Easter term 15 After a tiring week everyone set off Wednesday involved morning boys and five members of staff left from Scotland in trucks and landrovers, practices for Mad Gallop and the Durham for a small, lonely village in the the Oundle School bus having broken exercise itself which involved section West of Scotland. J.S.L. and Robson, down, our characters well and truly attacks (using S.L.R. and L.M.G.) and, for Baines, Gibson, Dadds and Massingberd- built! Maddison’s section, a half mile run in Mundy left very early to arrange camp; Andrew Clayton (Lower fifth) webbing. A.E.B. also set off in early morning to “Dark Encounter” took up all pick up a landrover. J.C. left after lunch SUMMER CAMP ’84 Thursday and that night. It involved the with Gillette as navigator and Shepherd, Summer Camp was originally establishment of a hide, two Recce Truelove, Foster and Harbottle freezing scheduled to take place at Proteus Camp Patrols (led by Kallagher and Gillette) in the back of a “four tonner”. He made in Nottinghamshire but, owing to that and a night snatch patrol which was a the journey in record time, taking about Camps use as a police barracks during success. The night was spent in bashers. the same time as J.A.B. and G.C. who the Miners strike, we established our­ The following morning saw a return to journeyed up to Scotland in the luxury of selves from July 16 to 23 at Beckingham the range, a unique medical a train with Anderson, Berg, Clayton and Camp just inside Lincolnshire. What demonstration and stretcher race Maddison. follows is a more or less chronological provided by “Geordie” whose “heart We arrived in rain to find a rather account of what happened. started pounding as soon as I saw the dilapidated (Not by Y.H.A. standards! Monday 16th saw our arrival upon O.K. bus come in the gate”, and who Ed.j youth hostel which was to be our which we almost immediately changed proved a Durham Supporter thereafter. home for the next week. The dorms were and set off for the range at Proteus to He was ex D.L.I. and was one of many small and there was a distinct lack of hot familiarise the younger cadets with the who felt attached to our badge and green water. “But men don’t need hot water” .303 (and hence also started our beret which also proved the excuse for was the cry from the staff, and “It’s all association with the back of a four establishing a new practice record on character building stuff” was the most tonner and Mr. Hewitt’s driving which the assault course that night (also run by common phrase used by Oundelian on the whole was quite sound and well Sergeant Martin). elders. received). Our arrival back at camp also The next day saw rock climbing at The following days were filled with a coincided with the arrival of Oily Combe Haversage (one of the instructors having variety of activities to suit everyone. who was travelling independently. been at Crianlarich with John Gillette Canoeing was popular until people The next day saw us taking to the lake and Andrew Clayton) which was enjoyed received a ducking in the icy Scottish at Welbeck College for watermanship by all and then that night, the team went waters, but we were now used to cold training. This involved various races on to win the assault course and knock water! The rapids accounted for one with both assault boats (which the eight seconds off the old record (and smashed canoe and one broken nose. Sergeant Major’s (Bobby Maddison) incite further talk about the bugle badge Mountaineering and snow climbing were section took to) and rafts (which John and the Light Infantry — “you should be also popular, with Harbottle nearly Gillettes smaller team of “Welbeck cleaning those weapons at twice the falling in Glencoe, only to be saved by a Veterans” took to). The watermanship speed of sound”). corporal from the C.T.T. (Cadet Training was run by Sergeant Martin of the Royal Sunday saw a trip to Lincoln around Team). Engineers who had worked with Bobby’s the Cathedral but unfortunately only half The juniors were taken on an over­ father in Germany and remembered he canooed owing to a race on the lake that night expedition by G.C. and J.A.B. and and Tony as younger lads (and when afternoon. pitched camp at 3,000ft. The seniors, Tony might have been even smaller!) On The evening saw five rounds on both Gillette, Robson and Dadds set off alone completion of the watermanship we the S.M.G. and 9m.m. pistol but sadly on a three day camp but returned looking headed for the Dukeries to teach night “Vivien” never found his G.P.M.G. rather disheartened after only two. patrol drills in preparation for the Finally Monday saw our departure Skiing, organised by Cpl. Jones (of the night’s exercise, “Night Owl”. After a and tradition was followed with Walid C.T.T.) was also popular. Unfortunately, confusing briefing back at the camp Al-Amri and Richard Kallagher being the tows of White Corries, Glencoe were Maddison and Gillette set off on an un­ first asleep. only open for three days. orthodox reconnaisance of the training Major J. A. Burgess The last day saw a “bog-hop”: an area which resulted in a beforehand Major G. Clayton orienteering course on the barren hills of knowledge of ambush points, etc. The Captain P. J. N. Copeland Scotland. The course was about eight patrol itself was a success, the most not­ Lt. R. N. Hewitt R.N.V.R. miles long and took about six hours. The able aspect being the Snatch Squad, led C.S.M. R. Maddison first Dunelmians home were Clayton and by “Gunner Pike” Chapman and the C/Sgt. J. C. Gillette Foster. degree of realism added to t+te river C/Sgt. R. J. Kallagher All the Old Oundelians, including Rob crossing by certain cadets in the Shell Cpl. R. N. Chapman Taylor, were a great help to the staff. screaming and rolling around as a result W. H. Al-Amri “Moynee”, the bulk of a chef who of being unaccustomed to the effect of A. G. Clayton seemed rather frightening at first turned .303 blank on the ears at close quarters. O. J. Combe out to be a very good cook and on the last The patrol itself was accompanied by S. P. Foster night produced an excellent meal Sergeant Dowden who was John N. R. Gray including haggis and topside of beef. Gillette’s Section Sergeant on the N. Green J.S.L. and D. Dew did most of the U.K.L.F. course (he also saw his Platdon R. A. Knowles organising and were extremely efficient, Commander and Matty Milners before A. Maddison while J.C. and G.C. sorted out the him — Captain Ross — as well as cadet N. K. Sengupta washing-up rota. All staff must be members of his platoon and section as B. D. Taylor J. Gillette (Lower Sixth)

65 O.D. News Including Meetings & Letters

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY replied to the toast given by Peter Bain- son, M. A. Turner, D. Ward Thompson, S. The London Dinner bridge. The preacher at the Commemora­ Wheatley, A. Armstrong, S. J. Ibbitson, The 1985 Dinner of the London O.D. tion on Sunday, July 15 was Canon T. C. D. F. Kenmir, P. J. Puckering, J. A. Reay, Society will be held on Friday, March 15, Ledgard. The following O.D.'s and staff D. M. Shaw, P. A. Smith, I. P. Sparham, J. 1985 (on the eve of the Calcutta Cup attended the Dinner: M. Thompson, M. J. Usher, E. R. L. Match at Twickenham) at the East India Welch. Sports and Public Schools Club at 16 St. G. M. Bell. The Headmaster, P. T. Bain- James’ Square, SW1. Surgeon Rear Ad­ bridge, J. A. Brett, E. D. Dawson-Walker, LONDON O.D. SOCIETY miral J. Cox, O.D. (1942-46) will take the V. Ferens, G. S. Hamilton, C. H. G. The London O.D. Dinner was held on Fri­ Chair and the principal guest will be the Hopkins, H. Kirton, T. C. Ledgard, B. R. F. day, M arch 16, 1984, at the East India Headmaster. Any O.D. not on the mailing MacNay, C. F. Meikle, J. D. Peele, C. W. Devonshire Sports and Public Schools list should contact Jeremy Thompson Surtees, A. Todd, C. F. Anderson, A. Bar- Club. The Chair was taken by J. S. Elliott, (1967-72) at 32 Wymond Street, Putney, raclough, E. R. Berry, R. Burgess, I. Cole, O.D. and the Headmaster and P. J. N. London SW15 1DY. Telephone 01-788 D. R. Cole, E. G. Dodds, G. S. W. M ar­ Copeland (Housemaster of Poole House) 0733. shall, G. B. Pattison, C. V. Scott, J. A. were the principal guests. The following Wintersgill, C. B. Young, D. Baty, G. S. attended the Dinner: The Yorkshire Dinner Bell, M. J. R. Bennett, J. S. Christie, G. W. B. A. Black, G. S. W. Marshall, G. S. A Yorkshire Dinner is held annually at Clark, M. de Redder, D. H. Hird, J. H. Hamilton, D. W. Limon, G. Whitehead, J. Boroughbridge in October at the Three Jacob, E. B. Sadler, W. L. Taylor, R. D. Cox, G. M. Bell, R. P. M. Bell, G. Verden Horse Shoes Hotel. The Dinner Secretary Thomson, K. Wheatley, W. Sparrow, J. B. Anderson, G. W. Clark, L. R. Todd, R. G. is C. N. Hobson, 3 Hengate, Beverley, Clarke, P. W. Ferry, D. J. Hayward, G. W. Margrave, T. M. Ridley, D. Mackenzie, G. North Humberside HU17 8BL. Telephone Hedley, N. MacLeod, R. J. Malden, J. R. Potts, W. G. Oakley, D. E. Oakley, M. J. 0482 883543. Any O.D. who is not on his Marsden, G. Morrell, R. A. Parkin, D. A. Thistlewood, P. Evans, W. L. Crick, J. S. mailing list, particularly anyone who has Raine, C. A. Smith, C. N. B. Young, A. M. Thompson. J. R. W. Salkeld, M. N. Carey, just moved into the Yorkshire area, is Abraham, M. N. Carey, G. Clayton, J. H. D. C. Parr, G. H. P. Grenfell, R. M. P. asked to make a point of contacting him. Croasdell, H. B. Crowhurst, J. E. Duggan- Grenfell. W. H. W. Swales, I. Cole, W. S. Keen, F. R. D. Fenning, R. E. Hepple Frost, E. S. Whitehouse, J. E. H. Dykes, L. The O.D. Reunion Wilson, S. Lamb, R. McWilliams, J. R. W. G. F. Dykes, C. W. T. Thorp, P. A. G. The 1985 O.D. Reunion will be held on Salkeld, R. F. J. Wylie, K. A. Christensen, Sliwfko, P. N. Stevenson, M. W. Sharp, J. the weekend of July 13/14, 1985. On the N. S. Booth, R. H. Ayton, C. Bailey, W. J. M. Salter, P. G. Wickham, H. W. Young, 13th an O.D. XI will play the School and Best, D. A. Boyd, N. W. Brown, T. J. A. G. Sutton, B. Webster, T. H. D. Green, the Annual Dinner will be held in Big Brown, P. J. N. Copeland, N. K. K. S. Brunton-Reed, K. A. Brunton-Reed, School. The preacher at the Service on Coulthard, M. R. Fletcher, N. G. E. Gedye, W. L. Taylor, D. Baty. the 14th will be the Rev. M. J. D. T. Pindar, G. R. Rutter, T. N. W. Thistlewood. Further particulars will be Salkeld, D. V. Scott, N. ). Willings, P. J. O.D. Golfing Society posted to O.D.’s, except for those living Wright, A. D. Bell, P. S. Bell. J. A. V. Eighteen O.D.’s took part in the Annual abroad, early in June. Duell, A. J. Edge, W. Hammond, R. G. Meeting at Brancepeth on Friday, July 6. Margrave G. C. Pennock, T. 1. Percival, On a still, bright day some fine golf was O.D. Golf D. K. Sample, P. G. Staveley, R. Thomas, played by Anthony Bennett who won the The Annual Meeting of the O.D. Golf­ L. R. Todd, A. H. Morgan, G. M. Hodgson, Willan Bowl with 37 points from John ing Society will be held at Brancepeth on D. E. James, K. S. Moore, J. B. Portwood, Davison, John Minto, James W ebster and Friday, July 5. Details will be sent to all P. J. Rutter, D. L. Swinburne, C. E. John Webster who shared second place O.D.’s on the mailing list. New members Thompson. H. J. Thompson, R. J. Thomp- with 35 points. would be most welcome and should send their names and addresses to John The Annual General Meeting Webster, 3 College Close, Dalton Piercy, The Society’s A.G.M. was held at Hartlepool, Cleveland. Telephone Hartle­ School on Sunday, July 15. A definite pool 32081. decision was made to order O.D. cuff­ links, and a design was agreed, thus en­ O.D. Lunches ding, it is supposed, a topic for discussion O.D. Lunches will be held at Northern of many years’ standing. The Officers of F.C. on Monday, December 3, 1984 and the Society were re-elected, except for at School on Monday, M arch 25, 1985. the Hon. Auditor, C. M. Watts, who felt Those interested should contact C. W. that the Auditor should not be an O.D. Surtees, 34 South Street, Durham. Tele­ Nominations were invited for the Office phone 48396. Details of the December of President which would become vacant 1985 Lunch will be included in the invita­ next year when Michael Bell would tion to the O.D. Reunion. Attendances retire after five years without possibility have been bigger than ever recently. Ob­ of re-election. viously the exhortation to publicise them The accounts showed a surplus and has not fallen on deaf ears. were agreed subject to audit. It was good to see that the Hon. Treasurer, Malcolm O.D. Meetings 1983-84 Sadler, had recovered sufficiently from a The O.D. Reunion serious illness to be at the meeting. The Annual Dinner of the O.D. Society Among items discussed under Any was held in Big School on Saturday, July Other Business it was agreed to open the 14, 1984. The President, Michael Bell, Jonathon Alderson (O.D.) opening the bowling School Store from 4.30 to 6.30 p.m. on the took the Chair, and the Headmaster for the O.D. XI. Saturday of the O.D. Reunion.

66 O.D. News

Election of the President know, in having access to the in­ Nazareth, and he went again to the Notice is hereby given under the rules language, the extraordinary slang, in be­ synagogue, as his custom was, on the of the Society that any O.D. unable to at­ tween q u fait with the local conventions. Sabbath Day, and stood up for to read. tend the A.G.M. on Sunday, July 14, 1985, Witness any conference of fellow-profes- There must be many boys who learnt may send by post nominations for the Of­ sionals, be it parsons chuntering away at Durham, in this chapel, how to stand fice of President of the O.D. Society pro­ about what David Dunelm-to-be said or up and read, and who learnt, at this vided that such notice be received not didn’t say about the Virgin Birth and the school, the value of custom, and member­ later than June 15, 1985, by the Hon. Resurrection , or schoolmasters on about ship in a body, and who went on to find Secretary, the O.D. Society, Durham resources, or farmers and the milk sub­ that scripture can be fulfilled in men’s School, Durham DH1 4SZ. sidy, or business men talking their kind ears. of shop. School, I believe, is one of those things O.D. Lodge And no shop is more a closed shop that you appreciate even more when you Another very enjoyable and successful than the world of a public school. Public leave it. And what there is of value there dinner was held by the Old Dunelmian School — its jokes so private and its you enjoy most when you pass it on. I Lodge in Big School on Friday, July 13. language so schooled. One thing at, say, thought it a good think that when Old John Liddle succeeded Malcolm Oliver as Charterhouse, and quite another at, say, Boys’ clubs were fashionable before the Worshipful Master. Durham. We had the green book, do you war we never had one in the games Four members — Jack Marsden, John remember? With everybody’s names in world. There were Old Novocastrians, Armitage, George Nimmins and Raymond it, and dates of birth, and form, and Fettesian-Lorettorieus, Watsonians. Casebourne now hold office in the house. At Sedbergh the book was brown. O.M.T.s, The Old Blues (Christ’s Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham. A There was the ritual of the buttons in our Hospital), Old Paulines (my father’s social evening held by the Lodge had day, and climbing aloft to sing the school school) and many more in the rugby raised a substantial sum divisible bet­ song, and the painful lesson to be learned world alone. But there seemed to be an ween the School and the Masonic Educa­ that having at length mastered the tune unspoken understanding that O.D.’s did tional Fund. of “Floreat Dunelmia” it was a capital not form a club as such, but would help offence to be caught whistling it in the to strengthen the game in the clubs, The Sermon preached by Canon T. C. corridor. Tradition, convention, custom, mainly in the North East, of course, but Ledgard at the Annual Reunion on July extraordinary slang. What did it all do through them the game in general. 15, 1984: for one? I believe, quite a lot. I always feel, in my own field, that a “And he came to Nazareth, where he I believe it is possible to under-value churchman's witness is more valuable had been brought up: and, as his custom convention and tradition. If the proof of when he brings a Christian attitude and was, he went into the synagogue on the the pudding is in the eating of it, there is influence to bear in, say, Rotary, of the Sabbath Day, and stood up for to read.” nourishment to be gained from the eating Lodge, or in the Officers Mess, or the Luke 4, 16. too; and enjoyment; an almost aesthetic N.F.U. or whatever, than within the cosy “I first had to get used to the extraor­ kind of pleasure at that. Under the old confines of a mutual admiration club in dinary slang.” The words were those of fagging system in which some of us were the parish hall with the vicar presiding. the Hon. Janet Astor, Old Carthusian, ag­ brought up, life was pretty hellish, let’s It was not for nothing that the Lord’s ed 22, reported in an article in The face it for two years to start with; but friends were called Apostles, sent they Times, reminiscing about her time at what a sense of privilege one gained were, to bring good news and to spread Charterhouse. when the two years of servitude were the Spirit, into their world. They were to “I first had to get used to the extraor­ accomplished, Jacob’s 14 years commit­ be like salt, “Ye are the salt of the dinary slang. ‘Are you going to hash? ment to Laban was as nothing in earth," he said. meant classes. ‘Ban co’ was prep. ‘C rack’ comparison. And we are sent into ours. It is good to was the tuckshop. And 'hag' was poor old Corporal punishment is perhaps out­ gather once a year to remember what we matron. All the masters were just known moded today and there is plenty to be learnt of the lesson of life and of living in by their initials, though one classics said against it. Indeed one can under­ this place. It is nice to be able to para­ master was always called ‘au n tie’. We stand the attitude of one parent, a phrase our text in this way, and to think were tested on this knowledge during our mother, who wrote to her son’s head­ that it really has an on-going implication: first term.” master, saying "You should understand "They came then to Durham, where they Reading all this, and marvelling at the that my son is an exceptionally sensitive had been brought up, and, as their thought of girls actually being at boys’ child; there will never be any need to custom was, they went into the chapel, schools, and not just seen once a year at punish him; if by mischance or misunder­ on the Sunday morning, and stood up for the dance with the local high school (and standing he should be in a scrape it will to read, and were able to feel it to be certainly not having any idea of an im­ be quite enough to cane the boy sitting true, that the scriptures are still this day pending invasion of the sixth form next next to him and so frighten him.” being fulfilled in men’s ears.” year), one was irresistably reminded of Nonetheless, there was a sense of expia­ Durham School, albeit without any girls, tion after a lamming, of a debt redeemed, General News looking back from, alas, a good deal more a slate cleared. If school slang was often G. S. HAMILTON (1921-24) attended the than 40 years on, and thinking of the silly, it was good to use. There was a Memorial Service for the Lord Wakefield dreaded fags exam, and recalling the ap­ sense of family, of belonging, one was of Kendal in Westminster Abbey on palling if unwitting social solecism of ap­ learning the value of being identified November 15, 1983. Gerald has been a pearing in grey trousers instead of with a good cause, of doing things member of the Harlequins Club, of which striped with one’s black jacket, and, together, of service to one’s community, W.W.W. was President, for many years. crime of crimes, a button undone, one’s and respect for people, and appreciation It would be hard to think of a more first term. of excellency. Convention. There is pret­ famous name in rugby football than There is a mystique in school life. In ty good authority for believing all this. William Wavell Wakefield. It was any social grouping there is something For the Lord Christ himself came back to therefore no small honour that Sir Carl approaching privilege in being in the where he had been brought up, to Aarvold (1920-25) should have been ask­

67 O.D. News

ed to give the address — “beautifully the number of “Spuggies” there were. informed of the movement of food prices. composed and splendidly delivered” — On hearing the word “Spuggies’’ I asked C. SPEDDING (1965-70) won the 1984 at the Memorial Service. him which part of England he came from London Marathon, an outstanding On March 2 this year R. F. Kirby and he replied “Newcastle”, and as I achievement which was augmented (1914-18) recollected in a letter to Gerald was born at Wallsend we were soon in when he won the Bronze Medal in the that he played against Wakefield on the conversation, during which I remarked Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles. Playground against Sedbergh in 1916. He that I went to Durham School. “So did I,” M. J. STEEL (1960-65) having recently remembered tackling him — “very pain­ he replied, and it actually turned out that had business visits of representatives ful”. Durham lost that game but Kirby our times at School overlapped! Dennis from Haltwhistle and Shincliffe would was too modest to mention that he played went to Durham from 1921 to 1924 star­ welcome further visits from old friends the following year on a side that beat ting in the Grove and later moving to and Old Dunelmians. His address is c/o Sedbergh by two goals and two tries to Bungites, whilst I started School in 1918 Harrisons and Crosfield (Sarawak) nil. and left in 1922, also in Bungites. SDN.BHD. P.O. Box 128 Kuching, K. A. ABEL (1939-43) who has been Strange, but true! Sarawak, E. Malaysia. Deputy Lieutenant for the County of M. L. KINNERSLEY-TAYLOR (1964-67) W. D. F. SURTEES (1967-70) was ap­ Dorset since 1977 was awarded the studied Electronic Engineering at pointed Conservative Agent for the Suf­ C.B.E. in the 1984 New Year’s Honours Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic. The folk Coastal Parliamentary constituency List. course included several Industrial Train­ in January 1984. S. R. H. BROWN (1967-72) is now living ing Courses one of which was with the JOHN WHITE (1936-43) had two of his in Huddersfield where he is married and B.B.C. In 1972 he joined Tyne Tees pastel paintings accepted and hung in has two children. He is a Financial Television Sound Department as a this year’s Royal Academy of Arts Sum­ Controller within the Cardo Engineering trainee “sound engineer”. In 1974 he mer Exhibition. Group p.I.e. and is a Fellow of the In­ joined Grampian Television at Aberdeen D. I. WONG (1972-75) received from the stitute of Cost and Management and in 1983 was appointed Head of Vi­ Faculty of Science of the University of Accountants. sion Engineering at Grampian. He is a Glasgow the degree of Doctor of S. BROWN (1969-73) was a member of keen radio amateur (Call Sign GM3WTA) Philosophy in June 1984. the British Triathlon Team of four that at and has recently established two-way H. W. YOUNG (1942-47) was awarded the beginning of June ran from London to communication with the Antarctic the C.B.E. this year on retiring from the Dover doing a marathon each, swam the Survey Station on Adelaide Island. He Royal Navy with the rank of Captain. Channel swimming five miles each, and married in 1980 and is living at From 1978-81 he was Head of Naval cycling from Dover to Paris. The British Inverarie. Technical Intelligence and from 1981-83 team won the cycling and Stephen was J. D. POUNDER (1960-66) received the Director of Naval Manning and Training the only one to complete the swim. degree of Bachelor of Education (Engineers). J. H. A. COULSON (1920-24) and his wife (Honours) In-Service at Neville’s Cross C. N. DUNN (1970-78) is now with a Mer­ Felicity are living happily in Spain, in Centre, New College, Durham on May 30, chant Bank and living in London. February Robert Hall published his 1984. latest book called “Perish the Thought” P. S. K. RENSHAW (1941-47) has been Engagements under his pen name John Bonnett. He appointed Rector of Ewelme in Oxford. G. C. WOODS (1969-74) is to be married describes it as “a detective story of the The 15th Century church, almshouses in October to Miss Emma Godwin at old-fashioned ‘classical’ kind. No blood, and school were the gift of Alice, W orcester. no violence, no incest — so suitable for Duchess of Suffolk, granddaughter of the girl guides and headmasters. He says it poet Chaucer. Among former Rectors Marriages may well be his last. Perish the thought! were Charles Henry Hall (1807) later to C. N. DUNN (1970-78), son of R. Dunn, In May 1983 the Anglo-Spanish Society become Dean of Durham and William Master at School 1970-77, to Miss Morag for whose Quarterly Review he has writ­ Van Mildert (1813) later Bishop of Wemyss on September 8, 1984 at St. ten a considerable number of articles Durham. The rector of a nearby parish in Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. presented him with its Marques de Santa his care — John Howson — also become R. K. SINTON (1968-73) to Miss Susan Cruz Award for 1982. Bishop of Durham in 1628. The priest’s Thompson on July 14, 1984. H. B. CROWHURST (1965-71) is living prayer desk is near a memorial window permanently in France teaching English to Howson bearing the familiar arms of Births to the French and French to the English. the Bishop of Durham. To BEVERLY and RANALD LAW (R. J. S. R. I. R. DEES (1918-22) writes from the R. C. SAMUEL (1947-52) has been award­ Law 1964-69) a second daughter on “Village of Happiness, Natal, South ed the C.V.O. (Commander of the Vic­ February 9, 1984. Africa”: Seven years ago I retired and torian Order) as well as the C.M.G. that came to live at this village, which is a was referred to in our last issue. Deaths complex of cottages and rooms for G. J. SIBBETT (1969-74) received the G. VERDEN ANDERSON (1923-28) died retired and elderly people, set in degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1982. on March 28, 1984 aged 74. beautiful garden surroundings just out­ R. K. SINTON (1968-73) in partnership C. R. DEANE (1919-22) died on February side Margate on the South Coast of Natal with his wife is starting a retail jewellery 22, 1984 aged 79. some 100 miles south of Durban. About business in Queen’s Square, Newcastle T. J. FARBRIDGE (1919-24) died on April three months ago a newcomer arrived, a upon Tyne. 8, 1984 aged 76. Mr. Dennis Matthews, and moved into a ). M. SLATER (1951-56) who is a Doctor G. GRIERSON (1918-22) died on October room close to those occupied by my wife of Agriculture who works for the 24, 1983 aged 78. and I in what is known as the Main Com­ Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and S. G. HALL (1923-26) died on October 7, plex of the Village. Now it is my habit to Food has just been appointed Senior 1984 aged 74. put seed out for the wild birds every mor­ Economics Adviser and will head the M. H. JONES (1914-17) died on May 17, ning, and shortly after his arrival, Den­ M.O.A. Food Economics Unit one of 1984 aged 84. nis was watching me and remarked on whose duties is to keep the government J. L. KIRKUP (1926-29) died on November

68 O.D. News

11, 1983 aged 70. John Arthur King Martyn and the opportunities for young people. J. A. K. MARTYN (1917-21) died on June Padma Shri, J. A. K. Martyn, O.B.E., He was described by Stuart Bell, M.P. 27, 1984 aged 80. was Headmaster of the famous Doon as "the finest newspaper editor I have G. O. RICHARDSON (1926-31) died on School in India. known. He edited a newspaper that still March 16, 1984 aged 71. In 1938 The Times described the Doon believes in traditional values, that M. SHARMAN (1959-55) died on May 8, School as the “Eton of India", but believes in providing news stories that 1984 aged 47. although the comparison is apt up to a are objective, not laced with comment, F. SWAN (1899-1906) died on January 26 point, it was never an immitation of an and where the news is not reduced to aged 96. English public school, but a distinctive frivolity.” J. A. TATE (1927-31) died recently aged institution, a school that educated A memorial Service was held in 70. Indians to be cosmopolitan yet proud to Hexham Abbey. E. WILLIAMS (1924-28) died on July 5, be Indian. 1984 aged 74. Born on August 15, 1903, at Sedbergh, The Rev. John Alexander Tate where his father was a house-master, he John Tate left School in 1931, and from OBITUARIES was educated at Durham and St. John’s Selwyn College, Cambridge went to Graeme Verden Anderson College, Cambridge where he took a Cuddesdon College, Oxford, and was G. Verden Anderson was a close double first in history. He was a master ordained in 1940. He served as Curate friend of George Mackenzie and followed at Harrow from 1924 to 1934. and Vicar in several parishes on him to Durham from their Prep School in In 1935 he went out to India with Tyneside and from Kennington, London, 1923. While in Ralph Le Fleming’s House Arthur Foot from Eton to start the Doon went to be Sub-Warden of the in North Bailey a very serious illness School where he was a housemaster Community at Wantage because a heart prevented him from taking part in games from 1935 to 1947 and Headmaster from condition meant that he was living close at School, but forged a very strong bond 1948 until his retirement in 1966. His to death. Yet in his sixties he embarked of friendship with Ralph until the latter’s unassuming friendliness and the way he on a new career as a School Chaplain at death. From Magdalene College, was able to integrate into Indian society North Foreland Lodge, Basingstoke. He Cambridge, he went into the family without losing his own cultural identity has been described as a “rock to the papermaking business. For many years were qualities for which he will always young” and as an “ordinary” priest who he was an active member of Fife County be remembered. exercised an “extraordinary” influence Council, especially in the field of A lifelong friend and admirer of Kurt over the many, many people whom he education. Throughout his life he Hahn and his educational ideas, he befriended during his ministry. remained a staunch O.D., a staunch incorporated many of Hahn's reforms friend, and a generous benefactor of the into the Doon School. A keen explorer The Association of Representatives of School. It was on his return to Scotland and mountaineer, John Martyn made a Old Pupils Societies from the London O.D. Dinner in March first ascent of Munkial, but his greatest 1983 has been the busiest year for the this year that he became ill and died a contribution to mountaineering was the Association of Representatives of Old few days later. introduction of young Indians to moun­ Pupils’ Societies since its formation. The taineering as a hobby. repeated threats by Neil Kinnock and Samuel George Hall. From 1956 to 1978 he was unofficial other Labour Party leaders against the S. G. Hall went into Lloyds Bank Ltd representative of the High Commission continued existence of Independent after leaving School in 1926 and was for Dehra Dun District and helped many Schools were taken very seriously. transferred to India in 1933, remaining British Residents with their repatriation Meetings were held in new areas. In the there for 20 years as Manager or Sub- problems. mainly agricultural East Midlands, Manager at Simla, Chowringhee, He was the first chairman of the Uppingham being the host school, there Bombay and Calcutta respectively. From Dehra Dun Cheshire Home and was greater unawareness of the danger 1935 to 1940 he had a most successful afterwards for 20 years Managing than in the large urban areas. Delegates rowing career. Stroking crews that won Trustee of the Cheshire Homes, India. received a rude awakening about the trophies often in record time at Rangoon, He was appointed O.B.E. in 1958 and potential collapse of their quiet Bombay and Calcutta. He returned home India honoured him with an equivalent educational world. In South Yorkshire in 1953 and retired in 1969 as Manager distinction, the Padma Shri earlier this there were no illusions. At Silcoates in Malvern where, before and after year. School, the Headmaster, John Baggaley, retirement he played a very active part spelled out the basic problems; no in the local community. He was Michael Sharman compromise by the degenerating State Treasurer of Manor Park Club, Malvern The untimely death of Mike Sharman system; even sporting activities in Red Cross, the Malvern Festival Theatre at the age of 47 has brought forth many decline, so that bridge with the Fund, the Elgar Society, Malvern tributes to his boundless energy and to independents was lost. But memories of Horticultural Society, the former the dedication and skill he brought to the the old style grammar schools drove Malvern Opera and Ballet Club, the profession of journalism that he so much discerning parents to the few Priory Restoration Fund, the Abbey loved. independent schools in the area. These School Appeal, Malvern Chamber of After launching the P o n tela n d were now in better financial and Commerce and the Miss Smallwood O bserver as a private venture two years physical shape than ever before. The Society. In 1972 he was elected to the ago, he had continued his duties as editor heart warming message was well Malvern Hills Conservators Board. Until of the Hexham Courant until only a few comprehended. his death he was a governor of Malvern weeks before his death, and was about to Then came the landslide Election College, Chairman of the Society for start a new newspaper in Gosforth. He result. The Labour threat was deferred Ladies in Reduced Circumstances and was involved in a lot of charitable work for at least some years. But it is still very Chairman of the Management Committee and was recently heavily committed to much there, especially under a new of the Red Cross Home for the elderly in the TORCH Appeal to help the disabled. leader. What now for AROPS? Lord Malvern. He was also keenly interested in sport Beloff and other speakers emphasised

69 O.D. News

that the Independents must take the lead 117 Tunstall Road accommodating 50 per cent of their in bridging the gap with the State system Sunderland complement after her loss and prior to and with the parental public. John Izbicki Tyne & Wear them being repatriated. at the A.G.M. discussion session SR29BB During the period of the conflict I was suggested possible ploys: use of sporting Dear Mr Macleod, promoted Master, but was unable to take facilities in term time and in holidays; I am sorry that I am a bit late in up my first command until the ship re­ special educational courses for Sixth passing on information about O.D.s turned to the UK. Formers and even for parents; shared serving in the M.N. or R.N. My first command was R.F.A. Sir entertainment and community activities. I was in Caffinites from September Lancelot; whilst on her we spent four Problems abound; security, Staff involve­ 1945 to December 1948 and left to enter months in the Falklands/South Georgia ment; extra costs. But the opportunities the M.N. I initially attended the Outward area and then back to the U.K. for runs to must be taken during the present Bound School at Aberdovey and then an Ihe continent and various Army “breathing space” and Independents introductory period at the South Shields Exercises. must be prepared to pay for public Marine and Technical College before At present I am just about to take goodwill in the future. Old Pupils’ serving my Apprenticeship with Shell command of R.F.A. Sir Bedivere. She is at Societies who ignore the danger and Tankers. On obtaining my Second Mates present at Gibraltar undergoing refit, on think it will never happen must accept its Certificate, I joined the Royal Fleet completion we return to the U.K. and real possibility and do something about it Auxiliary Service and have served with then take up various duties running for before it may be too late. them since that date. I attended the the Army. At the A.G.M., held at Croham Hurst S.S.M. & T. college for all my I am enclosing a photgraph of B.F.A. School, Croydon, Graeme Cranch (K.C.S.) certificates, obtaining my Masters Sir Lancelot and will be forwarding stood down after four years as Certificate in 1959 on completion of under separate cover some posters I Chairman. He was replaced for 1984 by which I had a year at college attempting have been able to obtain showing various John Zinn (Lancing) and will remain on Extra Masters. classes of R.F.A.s undertaking a variety the Committee. T. J. W. Barnard During the South Atlantic Conflict I of tasks which our fleet performs with (Sherborne) and Mrs. A. Reid was serving as Chief Officer on R.F.A. the Navy and the Army. (Westonbirt) were elected to fill Resource. During that period I met Committee vacancies. In addition, Commander Mike Norman whilst he was Yours sincerely, Angela Norman (Lancing) was elected to visiting his officers and crew from John H. Wallace represent the views of the many Sixth H.M.S. Sheffield, as at that time we were Captain R.F.A. Form girls now gracing H.M.C. schools.

The East India, Devonshire, Sports and Public Schools Club Ltd., 16 St. James’ Square, London SW1Y 4LH This excellent Club (at which the London O.D. Dinner is now regularly held) offers very good terms to young members. Under the J7 special entry scheme the School may nominate any boy providing he is 18 and applies within six months of leaving School. An entry fee of £65 will cover membership until the boy reaches the age of 25 (inclusive of V.A.T.).

R.F.A. Sir Lancelot.

70 Tom Collin Benefit M atch. Tom Collin’s XI v. W arw ickshire C.C.C. September 1983.

TOM COLLIN TESTIMONIAL FUND

INCOME EXPENDITURE Donations 892.67 Brochures 70.00 (including Brochures) Ties 116.34 Sale of Ties 420 Invitations/Printers 44.95 Advertising 240.00 PA System 75.00 Dinner 1,300.00 Dinner 780.00 Presentation to T. Collin 1766.38 £2,852.67 £2,852.67

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