No. 104. JULY, 1947. VOL. XXXVII.

FIAT LUX.

NOTICES.

    The next number of The Pharos will appear about 30th January.
Contributions must be submitted to the Editor not later than 15th
December.
    We acknowledge with thanks Ruym, The Ashfordian, The Langtonian, The Harveian, The Bordenian, The Anchor, Faversham Grammar School
magazine and The Beccehamian.
    Copies of the current issue of The Pharos or of back numbers which are in stock, may be obtained from the Editor, price 1/-.
    Autumn Term, 1947. The Autumn Term will begin on Wednesday 10th September, and end on Wednesday, 17th December.

EDITORIAL.

    Congratulations to all who have contributed articles to this issue: it has needed real resolution to sit down and write in a heat wave such as we have had this term. Please do not be discouraged if your efforts has not been printed—I am glad to report that I have had twice as much copy as I could print. Try again and perhaps in the next issue you may have the transient joy of seeing your work in print!
    This issue, too, sees a new burst of energy by the Old Pharosians. The thanks of the School are due to Mr. E. F. Prescott who, at very great inconvenience, stepped in some eighteen months ago and undertook to act as Secretary until a successor should have been elected and installed in his stead. Such a successor has been found and duly elected at a Special General Meeting, held on 6th June. Our best wishes go to Mr. A. S. Lewis, who has undertaken a formidable task and who will need every possible help from all Old Pharosians if he is to achieve his object—to revitalise the association and to make it worthy of its Alma Mater. Will all Old Boys please help as he suggests and one of the first things to do is to become a member of the Association. In this connection, I have to thank, on behalf of the School, Capt. E. J. Leeds of Herne Bay, New Zealand, who has sent me two magnificent volumes of photographs and letter-press on New Zealand for inclusion in the School Library. The present Geography Master would like all Old Boys who are working abroad to note particularly this item of news.
    Now that we are reduced to two issues a year, there is bound to be some incongruity from time to time—cricket news when winter is with us, Christmas Pantomime and late football news in a heat-wave as at present Inevitably too, there can be little of the "Derniere Heure" since we have to go to press a month before issue. So if you have to wait until Christmas to read about the Athletic Sports, and the Inter School Sports, please don’t blame the Editor.
    Once again, I have to express my grateful thanks to L. VI. Arts who have done most of the real work which has resulted in the publication of this issue.

SCHOOL NOTES.

Speech Day is fixed for Friday, 21st November, when the Prizes will be given away by Mrs. Martin, and the Address will be given by the Hon. Norman A. Martin, Agent-General for Victoria, Australia. This visit is of special interest since Victoria, by her generous gifts, has expressed in practical form her anxiety to help Dover through a difficult period.

Before this magazine appears, the School will have said good-bye to Mr. L. C. Hyde who has been with us for two years. Not only has he left his mark in the classroom and the Geography room, but he has played a prominent part in the revival of School Dramatics and of School games. Members of the Junior Soccer and Junior Cricket XIs will long remember his keen help and interest, while all of us will associate him with the Aladdin pantomime which we so much enjoyed last Christmas. We warmly congratulate him on his appointment as Headmaster of the County Modern School, Calne, Wiltshire, and he takes our best wishes with him.

We are also losing Mr. J. L. Mott who is returning to Oxford to complete his full University course. We are indebted to him for his help as Mathematics Master at a difficult time and for his readiness to assist in games. We look forward to hearing of his further success.

Our congratulations must go to M. Freer (VI Science) who was recently awarded an Exhibition at Reading University where he is making up a course in Agricultural Science.

LONDON TO DOVER-BY SEA.

We bought Jennffer Jane at Hampton Court, where she had been laid up during the war. She had been converted from a Morecombe Bay prawner into a 50/50 cabin cruiser, and she appealed to us very much. We were bursting with eagerness to get her round to Dover, and as soon as a new set of sails had been made, and the weather looked favourable, we boarded her with blankets and provisions and prepared to start. That was a great moment—the engine after some attention started at the first swing of the handle, and all hands surged on deck to cast off. But we were not to escape so easily; the Jennffer was stuck fast in the mud, and the combined efforts of four men and
a 30 h.p. motor failed to move her. No wonder, the bilge water was nearly level with the floorboards! Pumping quickly put this right and we were soon under way.

After much shoving and pulling we eventually got the mast up—only to find a few hundred yards farther down that we could not pass under Hampton Court Bridge, so down it came again—with a mighty crash that nearly split the coach roof in two. From then on the going was easy, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves; gliding down the river under easy throttle, watching the pleasing variety of river craft that passed on either side. Dusk was just closing in on us as we tied up to a handy buoy off Richmond to wait for the weir to open. We lit the cabin stove and had a hot meal and a rest before going through the Richmond "Curtain" and continuing our journey. Our only guide now was the outline of the trees against the sky, and an occasional light where a boat lay at anchor; but we made good progress, reaching Gravesend about 3 a.m. Here we brought up for the night and turned in for a much-needed rest. We slept like logs until seven, when a passing tug rolled us out of our bunks and sent the boom crutches flying over the side to be seen no more. However, we were glad to make an early start, as we still had seventy miles to go before we reached Dover, so after a hearty breakfast we set the sails and cast off. We were anxious to see how she behaved under sail, and she fully came up to our expectations—making a good seven knots with the engine ticking over to help her. Soon we felt the heavy swell coming in from the open sea and the motion began to have its effect on us. We were almost glad when we ran aground—mainly through the fault of not seeing buoys clearly with the limited horizon at our disposal, and being without charts or compass. We were soon off, however, but immediately we got going we ran aground for the second time. When we did it yet again my father almost lost confidence in himself, but no further mishap occured. We made good progress round the North Foreland, using both engines and the sails, and we soon had Deal lights over our starboard bow. There was quite a sea running in the Channel, and we were all glad when we entered Dover Harbour just before midnight, after a most enjoyable trip.

R. T. BURBRIDGE. U. IV.

A VISIT TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM.

On entering the Science Museum such a collection of interesting things meet the eye that it is rather difficult to know where to start. The body of the hall contains a variety of locomotives including the original “Puffing Billy,” and some of the first motor cars, which would cause a great deal of mirth on the road to-day.

The first flying machines are very interesting, but look weird contraptions beside the latest models used during the war. Amongst this collection is a section of a German flying bomb.

In the basement there is the children’s section containing a variety of working models and a door which is operated by a ray. Many of the exhibits have a button at the side which when pressed sets the machinery in motion.

There are several other floors, each containing objects of great interest including the earliest, types of photography, but one would require at least a week to see everything.

B. T. PHILPOTT Upper II.

SCHOOL SOCIETIES.
1st CADET COY. C.P. (F) RE.

The steady fall in numbers since the return from Wales has curtailed the work of the Unit very much, although more equipment is available than ever before (including a new issue of great coats for the coming winter). The senior cadets are making efforts to remedy the deficiency.

Early in January the War Office Travelling Wing visited the Unit for two Friday parades but the snow prevented further visits to complete the course. These visits will be made later.

In two recent inspections the unit has been complimented on the state and care of its rooms. This reflects credit on a number of senior N.C.O’s. for the care taken and work done.

A.E.C.

AIR TRAINING CORPS.

    This term has seen a revival of interest in the A.T.C. and an increase in the strength of the flight to 28. Several of the senior cadets are approaching Proficiency standard. On 10th May, twenty cadets travelled to Manston R.A.F. station and had a tour of East Kent in an Anson. Further opportunities for flying will occur later. The Annual Camp this year will be at Upwood in the middle of August.

Boys over 15½ are reminded that satisfactory membership of the A.T.C. guarantees entry into the R.A.F. for National Service, and that all boys now have the chance of a permanent commission in the R.A.F. via Cranwell.

GEOGRAPHY SOCIETY.

Lectures were continued at fortnightly intervals to the end of the Spring term. Among our later speakers were Mr. Darby on his North American tour, Mr. Hughes on conditions and prospects in the East Kent Coalfield, and Mr. Donald Grant on T.V.A.

A start has been made during this term with out-of-doors activities. A party of sixth form boys paid a visit to a meteorological station at Nonington and another party of senior boys hired an East Kent bus for a Saturday morning to view the local scapes and vales.

Other excursions of this type are in prospect and we have plans for visits to local farms. The lectures will be resumed in the autumn.

K.V.R.

ORCHESTRA.

After its success in the Christmas pantomime, the orchestra returned from the holidays to settle down to the business of practicing for the future; much hard work was done, and at the end of the term we played in the hall for the parents’ “Open Evening. This performance brought to a conclusion a very pleasant and successful season, a season in which we gained many new members, made new friends, learned new pieces of music and revived some old favourites, and one in which we improved our standard considerably.

We should like to thank all those who gave up so much of their time to practice, and especially that gallant band of friends who, in spite of the bitter winter weather, came up to the school so regularly on Thursday evenings. We hope that we shall all be together again next September, and for many seasons to come.

PAN.

HOSPITAL FUND.

Last term contributions from all forms amounted to £21 8s. 10d. The target for the year is £50. Last year just over £57 was raised. Of this about £24 has been sent as donations to various hospitals and societies, leaving a balance of about £33.

Lower V. and Middle III. ran very successful “Lucky Dips” in aid of the fund, the charge being 3d. per dip. Lower V. had a quantity of South African sweets in their dip, which added to the attraction of many 1st formers, plus a few of the older boys.

Thanks are due to Mrs. King for the valuable help she gave to Lower V. in preparing their “dip,” also for the sweets and the loan of the “tub.”

With the receipt of £1 1s. which was sent to the London Association for the Blind was a very appreciative letter, which was “word perfect,” typed by a by a blind shorthand typist; no doubt you have seen the letter on the notice board. Other donations to various
hospitals and societies are shown below.

THE JUNIOR DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

The recently formed Junior Dramatic Society, consisting of boys drawn from the Lower School and directed by seniors, presented its first play, “Treasure Island” before a Lower School audience. The performance was lively and interesting, and gave promise of even better productions in the future.

The play was produced by D. G. Weaver, who also adapted the script from Stevenson’s well-known book. Other officials were:—

Others taking part were B. Oakley, I. Robinson, D. Bradley, R. Walker, D. Whall, A. Kime, A. Salisbury, C. S. Pepper, A. Foster, A. Avery, B. Stanley, F. Fisher, D. Storey, C. Newby, M. Bodian, B. Walford, W. Wise, J. Floyd.

Stagege Hands—B. W. Bomfrey, K. A. K. Lott, M. Steadman

The object of this Society is to give the Lower School some share in the increasing Dramatic work in this school, and also to provide the Dramatic Societies with a steady flow of tested actors. For reasons it is to be hoped that the Society will continue to flourish and keep up the standard set by this first production.

CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING.

    The first runs for very many years were held during the autumn term. As four o’clock became darker, the wind fiercer and the mud more adhesive, so the practice become more exclusively pursued by the scientific Sixth. Literary types in their warm library saw multi-coloured shapes disappear over the misty hills.

Spring proved to be a little late this year and the final race had to be put back to the last morning of term. House Captains pressed their blandishments upon the rank, and file and sacrificed themselves to the cause. Middle school questions can be very searching. In all,
there were nearly fifty runners.

The race was over Whinless Down to the Borough Boundary Stone and back to School where a final lap was run to the applause and comment of the assembled multitude.

M. Freer led from start to finish and was strongly followed home by Cain and Simmons. Buckland won the Powell Cup by a narrow margin over Maxton. Thirty-five boys accomplished the race in the standard time of eighteen minutes; Alexander was thirty-fifth which shows that the race is not only to the swift.

Detailed results—
            1. M. Freer (Country) 14 inns. 15 secs.
            2. Cain (Maxton)
            3. Simmons (Buckland)
            4. Belsey (Maxton)

Aggregate position of first six boys in each House—
            1. Buckland 56
            2. Maxton 65
            3. Town 97
            4. Country 100

“ALADDIN.”

Printing problems limited the reporting of the Christmas pantomime in the last issue to a photograph. This photograph is, however, a considerable comment in itself; it is both a pleasing reminder of a successful undertaking and a symbol of the quality that ensured
success.

Add to the eighty figures in the photograph a few absentees and not a few helpers with make-up, ushering and the like, and the total must easily have exceeded a hundred. A modest cast of ten rapidly swelled to include choir, orchestra, dancers, gymnasts and solo instrumentalists. Among the willing throng and unperturbed by the diabolical detonations engineered by a Sixth Form chemist, the stage staff performed miracles.

Nothing but hard, combined effort could have produced such an achievement in the short, space of one term. Born early in September, this robust infant survived the inevitable tug-of-war between author and producer, to emerge battered but triumphant. The agonised wailings of its teething troubles (no reflection on the school orchestra intended) yielded to the combined persuasion of Mr. Hyde, an indefatigable producer, and Mr. Willis, an inspiring director of musical operations. A few weeks of ruthless nursing and the sturdy youngster leapt to a maturity which inspired some and delighted all.

Mr. Ashford’s lively script, without forgetting the public audience, was spiced with private allusion. Headmaster, staff, prefects, secretary and ordinary human beings—all contributed material for pointed comment.

The stage management was admirably directed by Eade and Marsh, with Rampe in charge of the electricians, and Cheeseman attending to costumes. Webber survived pitiless abuse during rehearsal—the normal lot of prompters—to carry out a thankless but
important job without fault.

A tuneful, well-balanced choir, aided by an augmented School orchestra, provided the musical element and the performers in the show added yet a further touch of variety.

Finally, the play itself. The most commendable actor was probably Woodhouse in the title role; he sustained a difficult straight part without the easier character exaggerations. Granger excelled as the Emperor Hocus-Pocus and Weaver was a suitably sinister Wicked Uncle. Whall, as Princess Sweeti-Pie, sang delightfully and Talbot (Widow Twankey) acted with gusto. The minor characters all acquitted themselves nobly.

There were naturally faults—an occasional lack of face and a tendency to fidget—but these were insignificant beside the many virtues of the Show. The crowded ensemble scenes were a fine justification of school dramatics.

PHYSICAL TRAINING NOTES.

A small, but enthusiastic gathering of parents and boys was present when the Inter-House P.T. Competition was revived on Wednesday, 11th June, after a lapse of eight years.

Teams representing the four houses competed in a series of free-standing and apparatus exercises, vaulting and agility work.

Mr. Howard, Physical Training master at Harvey Grammar School, Folkestone, kindly acted as adjudicator and awarded the Inter-House Trophy to Maxton House and the more recently presented Pascall Cup to L A. Hobbs (VI. Arts) for the best individual performance.

The Headmaster welcomed all visitors and announced that the Inter-House Cup would be presented on Sports Day and the inaugural presentation of the Pascall Cup on Speech Day.

D.R.B.

INTER-HOUSE DRAMATIC COMPETITION.

As a further incentive to house-spirit, a dramatic competition was included for the first time this year among those already existing in athletics and games. A “panel” of four members of the Staff was available for technical advice, but apart from this, the one-act play selected by each House was to be produced and acted by the boys themselves. A system of points was drawn up to assist the Staff in their adjudication, and in spite of rehearsal difficulties and clashing interests, the last two days of the Spring term saw the presentation of four plays of a surprisingly high dramatic standard, Country’s “Something to Talk About” (produced by R. Carter) won a merited first place with its amusing collection of character-studies, among which may be mentioned Hancock’s convincing faithful family butler complete in gorgeous night attire.

Maxton gained a close second place with “The Rehearsal” (produced by myself) in which the most striking feature was the colourful Shakespearean dress, for which various parents deserve special thanks.

“The Boy Comes Home” (produced for Town by J. Woodhouse) was a topical phantasy on demobilisation, in which Humphries as the Cook stood out as a particularly happy piece of casting.

Buckland’s “The Dear Departed” (co-produced by D. Cheeseman and A. Bade) ventured successfully into Cockney dialect, but lacked co-ordination in spite of its actors’ valiant efforts in difficult parts.

As all four plays were in a light vein, the introduction of a more serious note would have provided welcome variety, but perhaps this will be remedied next year with even more satisfying results.

J. S. GRANGER (VI. Arts).

RUGBY.

Owing to the weather, only two 1st XV. matches were played this season. One against Chatham House was lost by the usual margin, but the other, against Sir Roger Manwood’s, was won. For the first time a Colts (under 15) XV. was organised and they won their only match against Sir Roger Manwood’s. During the Easter Holiday a school team played in the Dover R.F.C’s. seven-a-side competition and reached the third round (1st round a bye, 2nd round no opponents), and put up a satisfactory show against more experienced opponents.

The most satisfactory feature of the season, however, was the enthusiasm shown in the House Competition for the Ebbw Vale Cup. Each House turned out two XV’s. and the winners were not known until the last match had been played (in freezing rain) when Buckland finished one point ahead of Maxton. Buckland Colts deserve special mention for their keenness: seventeen boys turned up in awful weather for their last deciding match, whereas other teams were usually short.

The following have turned out for the school 1st XV.:—Collard (Capt.), Freer, Bailey, Crouch, Butler, Sharp, Carr, Sutton, Stock, Alexander, Rampe, Moorecroft, Ellen, Simpson, Gallagher, Edgington, Cain, Beer, Eade.

OPEN DAY.

On the 26th March this year the first Open Day since before the war was held, and was certainly a great success. It was enjoyed by the boys who took part as well as by the parents; by the former because they could walk about school doing almost as they liked, with no cause to cast a disapproving eye on them, and by the parents because it gave them an insight into real school life.

The most interesting part of the school was probably the physics laboratories, where many experiments were in progress. Besides being able to look on, visitors were able to use some of the apparatus and have it explained to them. The explanations of the principles of radar must have astounded some visitors as much as they did those who pounded them. The physics laboratories were filled with general aparatus, including a much-used intelligence testing machine, while in the geography room was mainly light apparatus, and in the chemistry laboratories, amongst other things, some German radar equipment.

The thing about which most were concerned was the talk in the hall on “Careers,” by Mr. Agnew, of the Headmasters’ Employment Bureau, and many must have found it very enlightening. This as preceded by a recital by the School Orchestra, much enjoyed by
those who wandered into the Hall, with the original intention of resting their feet.

Among the other places on view were the form-rooms, with form-masters provided for consultation, and the stage. The few who managed to find their way to the latter were not disappointed, especially those who saw the pantomime.

Very welcome refreshments were provided in the dining-hall, adjacent to the workshops. Here the sort of work done in school time was in progress. In the gym. a P.T. display was held, which only a few managed to see owing to the limited accommodation, and its distance from the main part of the school.

VI. Economics contributed to the success of the evening with "Diagrams on Britain’s Economic Position.”

To quote a parent, “I thought it was most interesting walking round and seeing the different things that go on.”

D.F.C. VI. Sc.

HOUSE NOTES.
Buckland House.

During the last few months the House has fared quite well.

After a considerable struggle in the finals, the East Cup Soccer Team managed to gain the Cup for the House for the first time since 1943.

The House Rugger Matches, which were also played last term, showed that both of the teams were above the usual standard.

The enthusiasm shown for Rugger was not shared by Cross Country Running; despite this the small team entered produced good results.

The House Dramatic Society was not very successful; there were various reasons for this, and it is to be hoped that the experience gained will help to improve next year’s result.

At the moment, prospects for Swimming and Athletics do not seem too bright, but we hope that the necessary effort will be made to ensure success for the House in these fields.

A.B.

—:—

Country House.

Although we have played only against Buckland this term, the results show that Country House have high hopes of winning the House Cricket Competition.

We were not so successful at Rugger, only finishing third to Buckland and Maxton. This was due to a number of the senior boys leaving during the Christmas term.

The East Cup team was very unlucky to be beaten by Buckland in the first round replay. However, the House Junior Cricket Team is particularly strong and we all feel confident that Country will once again win the cup.

Country won the inaugural presentation of the Dramatics Cup, a notable achievement considering the high standard of performances. The play “Something to Talk About” was ably produced by Carter and Borley.

Congratulations also to M. Freer on winning the Cross Country, a fine performance indeed.

With greater effort throughout the House we shall be back in our old position once more . . . on top.

P.C.D.A.

—:—

Maxton House.

I take this opportunity to thank the House for the keenness shown throughout the past half-year, and especially to congratulate the Rugby XVs on their fine performances. The Colts gave a very fine contribution towards an effort to win the cup, but despite their record of total success in all their games, we were not quite able to achieve this distinction.

The Cross Country Runs were well attended by Maxton House and it is with some satisfaction that I am pleased to single out the following who deserve special mention for their performance in the Competition: R. Cain and D. Belsey together with J. Martin, who although he is only a Third Former was well to the fore at the end of the race.

Cricket is now in full swing and although nets have been fairly well attended, it is felt that even more could give time to improve themselves, for slackness in any form must not be allowed to continue the House is to rise to the standards shown in Rugby, Running, and Soccer.

Training for Track Running and Field Events is now in progress and it is hoped that all boys of Maxton House will take advantage of each and every opportunity to train for the School Sports. Get your points for the Standard tests, and let us put Maxton House on top in the House Shield!

B. C. RAMPE,
House Captain.

—:—

Town House.

The weakness of the House in the upper part of the School is reflected in its lack of success on the ‘Rugby field; in spite of valiant efforts, the 1st XV. was completely out-weighted by the heavier teams of the opposing houses. The condition of the Colts was similar to that of the seniors, although they were more successful.

In the Junior School, Town is rapidly gaining in strength, and it is to be hoped that in a few years time we shall be able to hold our own against our present victors. Congratulations to those juniors who got into the final of the East Cup Football Match last term.

Two new fields of activity have recently been opened to the House; in the Cross Country Running we took third place, and in the Dramatic Competition the standard set was quite good.

For the future it is to be hoped that the House will have a successful cricket season, and that on the athletics field we shall continue the good work which was started last year.

J.R.M.

A DAY’S FISHING.

On a nice sunny day my friend and I set off for a day’s fishing. We rowed out round the Prince of Wales Pier and anchored out near the wreck.

I succeeded in casting out one line successfully but the next two got in a hopeless mess. After half-an-hour’s fishing my friend caught a nice huss which was two feet long and weighed two and half pounds. The fish were coming in now and we were pulling them up as fast as we could throw our lines out. It wasn’t a bit boring as we could watch the Cross Channel boats when we were not catching fish. All good things must come to an end, as we found when our bait ran out.

We slowly pulled up our anchor and pulled into shore again. Anyway we had the delightful thought of school next day. In that day’s fishing I caught forty pouting and my friend caught one huss, one dab, and thirty-six pouting. It was not a bad day’s fishing for
nine penny-worth of bait.

J. R. MUNRO. M. IV.

SHIPS CALLING AT DOVER.

Dover Harbour is one of the largest harbours in England, with four piers about one mile long. The harbour was built between 1903 and 1910 at a cost of £3,000,000. It is constructed of huge granite blocks weighing many tons. Part of the Prince of Wales Pier is made of granite but the other part is supported on steel piles. This pier was put up about 1896. The outer half of the harbour is very deep and some of the largest liners used to call, here before the war, mainly from foreign countries, e.g., Holland, America and Germany, although some Union Castle liners called here. At the present time the Holland West Africa line send ships here most regularly. Two of them are called the Alnastelkirk and the Maaskirk. These are fairly big ships of between five and six thousand tons. They carry some passengers and a lot of cargo. A considerable amount of mail is landed here. Sometimes the number of bags runs into thousands. The liners usually anchor in the eastern part of the harbour and the Dover Harbour Board’s tug Lady Brassey goes alongside and brings off the passengers, mail, and cargo.

The cross-channel boats are also very important at Dover. The names of the steamers that are usually stationed here are Prinses Josephine Charlotte, Prince Charles, Prince Baudouin, Isle of Thanet, Canterbury, Invicta and Biarritz. These steamers are between 2,000 and 4,000 tons. They can accommodate between 800 and 1,200 passengers plus cargo, mails, and up to 14 cars. During the war they were used for carrying troops and consequently got into a very bad condition. That is why very few services are running now. The journey to Calais (which is 22 miles) takes 1½ to 2 hours, and that to Ostend (68 miles) 3½ to 4 hours. In 1936 as many as 600,000 people went to Ostend and 400,000 crossed to Calais. The Autocarrier can take 25 cars to Calais, and some S.R. cargo boats bring over fruit, Vegetables and flowers.

Some timber ships used to unload in the docks before the war and grain ships in the Granville Dock. Quite a lot of colliers arrive for Messrs. Hoare, Gothard & Bond and Hawksfield with coal from Newcastle. Before the war some tankers used to unload oil at the Eastern for ships calling here.

But it will take years to get back to pre-war conditions again, as much repair work has to be done.

M. J. FOSTR. U. IV,

FORM NOTES
VI. Arts.

—:—

Upper VI. Science.

As the day of the Higher Certificate Stakes approaches, it is only natural that interest in the outcome of this important event should become keen, and it is in the hope that these brief notes may be of use to possible punters that they are now offered. The entrants speak for themselves:—

C.B. out of JAIL by ACCIDENT.

“I think I can definitely say that the Stakes will take place in June, and there will probably be several "entrants unless there are less than two."

A.W.T.E. out of BED by EIGHT O’cLOCK (P.M.)

“I am very confident that the Higher Stakes this year will be won by one of the entrants, and if I do not come in first I will have failed to win the event.”

R.C.H. was interviewed by our representative:

OUR REPRESENTATIVE—” And what do you think of your chances in the coming competition, sir?

R.C.H.—"Yes."

O.R.—"Oh, I see: you feel that it might be anybody’s race?"

R.C.H.—"Yes, certainly; I don’t mind who has it. You can have it."

O.R.—"Thank you very much, I’ve always wanted one."

R.C.H.—"Don’t be ridiculous.

Owing to the unfortunate indisposition of our representative, no further interviews were carried out (in fact, O.R. was carried out!)

The trainers are all very confident (yes, but they don’t have to take it!), in fact the Head trainer himself has been heard to say that if all the entrants did twice as much work in half the time, one or two of them might not fail too badly—high praise indeed from that quarter.

The entrants are all showing the usual restiveness on coming up to the wires, with a tendency to rear on their hind legs and knock their heads on the wall, but it is hoped that this is only transitory. We have at least had a good Easter holiday. (I took mine on a Saturday) and most of the entrants have avoided overtraining, a grave mistake the consequences of which we do not underestimate.

It is very pleasant to feel that the runners-up will not be forgotten, since we understand that some kind gentlemen in Whitehall have very generously offered us employment; in fact they have been almost embarrassingly insistent on our joining their organisation which is, we are told, a sort of glorified Boy Scout movement.

We have taken as our motto that glorious statement of Newton “The vanishing subtenses of the angle of contact of all curves which have finite curvature at the point of contact, are ultimately in the duplicate ratio of the chords of the conterminous arcs,” and it is with this noble and inspiring maxim ringing in our ears that we bring to an end this short chapter in the history of Upper Sixth Science.

All communications should be directed to

C.J.S.B., Turf Accountant,
U. VI. Sc.

—:—

Lower VI. Science.

The Easter term having been most uneventful, little of this issue of the Pharos will be taken up with news from the above.

The weather so interfered with rugby that only two school games were played, giving us little chance to display our prowess. In the latter game Sir C.C. contrived to hurt his knee, and has found it an admirable excuse for doing homework on Wednesday mornings. Although he makes some terrible blunders at times, Sir Colin is an expert scientist, and last term invented a new alloy, primrose steel.

The ice-cream van on the school hill must surely have been frowned upon by the authorities, so we really were surprised when a white-coated type was observed about the school. We later learned he’d come to teach us French.

If the minds of those in Upper VI. were not so obscured by woodlands and fogs they would have nothing at all to worry about at the end of June.

The latest addition to the form should do well after he has served his full four or five years in the Sixth. As it is, his ideas about wind-power are amazing.

At the other end of the age scale someone has at last come down to earth, after a mighty up’eaval.

—:—

VI. Economics.

The form actually managed to survive the Easter holidays and return to school once again with all intentions of working very hard during the current term. Soon after the term had commenced a new member came to our form, having gained a School Cert. We all had our doubts as to whether or not he was an army deserter or whether the army did not
require his valuable services. It is now with great regret that we learn that this noble member will very shortly become Private Sutton. We had only been pursuing our studies for a very short period when D. A. Webb left us to join the Royal Navy.

We are very proud of having in our midst the captain and vice-captain of the school 1st XI. cricket, namely, D. J. G. Butler and P. Alexander respectively.

One of the most discussed topics of the term has been Dr. Dalton’s budget, probably because it has its effects on the greater part of the form being, as we are, so keenly interested in the economic position of Great Britain in the world today.

P.D.P.

Lower V.

We wish our ex-form mates every success in their task next July and give a welcome to the new entrants. We also say farewell to members who are leaving.

Three of our number played in School Rugger matches and at the time of writing one plays in the Cricket XI., and we have the hope of a few more gaining the honour.

In the latter part of last term our form was turned into a money making concern; this was made possible by the hard work of a certain “Big Business Man” and the aid of wood shavings. The work was not in vain and we are still top of the hospital donation list. The other monitors carry out their duties very well, too well in the eyes of a certain group of so-called “slackers.”

STOCK.

—:—

Middle V.

Once again School Certificate has loomed up on Middle V’s horizon. But this year it is a much stronger M. V. who tackle, the great problem. There is a great range of experience of School Cert. in this form, from several old retainers who seem to have taken a liking to the form to the latest arrivals from Lower V.

We have been able to get together quite a good cricket team and have commenced by defeating Upper IV., with Grabham making a good stand. The whole form was glad to see T. A. Sutton succeed and although now in the high and mighty Sixth, he is still a frequent and welcome visitor.

B.G.V.

—:—

Upper V.

And so our last few weeks as one complete form draw to a close. The heavy burden of the General Schools Examination will be on us before this edition of the Pharos is published. Who can tell how many of us will not be able to stand the strain and will fall by the wayside? Some are optimistic and say we shall do better than our predecessors—others say something else!

Anyhow the twelve remaining old comrades who first met in Upper I. way back in Ebbw Vale in September, 1942, and the twenty new boys will be separating at the end of the term. Some will go down to the noisy lower corridor near the staff-room; some will move to the more peaceful surroundings upstairs; others will leave either to go to other schools or to earn an honest penny. Some may even decide that to stay in the Fifth Form is more convenient.

The form has left its mark in the school. Several members have played for the school in football and cricket. There are a number of enthusiastic Army and Air Force cadets among us. Others, with less physical energy, have devoted themselves to other school activities. R. J. Carter is to be congratulated on his fine handling of the Country House cast of “Something to Talk About,” and deserved to win the competition for his House. About five of us were concerned in the re-creation of the Junior Dramatic Society. In short, the ambassadors of the form have pushed their way into every School Society.

D. GIRAUD WEAVER.

—:—

Lower IV.

Apart from using the top of the Form Room cupboard as a shoe display shelf while certain members of the form were shoeless during a Maths, and English period, nothing of importance has happened to us since the publication of the last Pharos.

A Table Tennis club was started under the management of Downs. The meetings were held after school, but the club ceased to exist after the passing of a school rule which stated that "ping-pong" clubs would hamper the cleaners.

Tate has left us to join the Middle Fourites, and we wish him Good Luck in his new form. His place has been taken by Cooper, while his “Homework Monitor” title has been accepted by Goldsack.

Well, as I have told you all the happenings of Lower IV. I will wait until the next Pharos, hoping that by then I shall have more news for you.

B. C. KEMP.

—:—

Middle IV.

The inhabitants of Middle IV. Form room are quite a merry lot, and among us we boast a few sportsmen. We have three representatives in the 2nd XI., Grabham, Heathcote and Evans. We had four newcomers in our form last term. Referring again to our sporting record we beat the Lowers at cricket in our only match so far, the score was 109 to 20. On the whole, even in French, we are progressing, and dreading the thought of School Cert.

A. NOLAN, (Middle IV.)

—:—

Upper IV.

We were sorry to lose two of our old comrades at the beginning of this term but we welcome the new members to our "happy throng."

We have a new Form captain now, Hedgecock, and as usual, a new homework monitor who has been very satisfactory, so satisfactory that he is now a blood enemy of some of the staff.

Upper IV’s. cricket team has not had much chance to shine this year, but we did beat Lower V. although we lost to Middle V. Kremer is our captain and he has batted and bowled well. Upper IV. has several keen athletes too, some will undoubtedly enter the house competition at the end of the year, and there are one or two probables to represent the school. Several of these athletes have got “standards” and will probably get a good few more.

At the commencement of this term it was suggested that a form magazine be started. It was, but there have been only two contributions so there has not yet been a copy!

Last term we collected the lowest sum of money for the hospital, this is no achievement to boast about but rather to conceal—however, we are making a great effort this term, and I don’t think Upper IV. will be bottom of the list this time.

When the next issue of the Pharos comes out, Upper IV. will be Upper V., and that means School Cert. Form, so you can guess how we feel now the dreaded exam. is drawing nearer.

B.A.

—:—

Lower III.

The form is beginning to settle down to summer sports. We have welcomed to our midst two more boys. Four members of the form played Rugby for their House Colts XV. We were very sorry to see Peyton and Wise were to leave us. Peyton had been form captain and Hedgecock took his place. The form’s Hospital Fund had a very large increase during last term—18/6d. I am afraid there is no more to tell about Lower III.

J.W.

—:—

Middle III.

We started this term with three new members in our midst, and we are looking to them to help us with our cricket, as up till now we have not done very well. We now have five of our number in the School choir and several belong to the Cadets. Homework has not been too bad, but it is said that the form is slacking! As funds for the Hospital collection had been low, we organised a lucky dip, which proved successful, enabling Hyam, the form Hospital collector, to present a larger sum than usual. We hope to show an improvement all round next term. I would like to add a word of thanks to the boys who elected me form captain.

J. B. M. PURSEY (Middle III.)

—:—

Upper III.

Since the renewal of our labour, our form has been swelled by the arrival of two more brethren. A visitor would probably think that there is more homework done during the dinner hour and between lessons than at any other time. That visitor’s thoughts would be confirmed if he knew how we did our homework. Our form-monitor is Grant, who has distinguished himself by being threatened with the sack at least twice. Our celebrated absentee monitor is Becket who daily makes his pilgrimage to the Secretary’s office. Pongo is growing stronger and one day we shall teach him the principles of mathematics and how to play cricket. In cricket our 1st XI. defeated Middle III’s. 1st XI. by ten runs. The middleite’s 2nd XI. managed to amass the stupendous score of six against our 2nd XI., who defeated them easily. We have not yet played Lower III.

A. ROGER HORSFIELD.

—:—

Lower II.

Our form are all pleased cricket is with us again. We voted Hughes to be our captain once more and Carley as vice. We also chose a new homework monitor.

On Parents’ Day two teams from our form and two from Middle II competed in a sort of relay. The team from our form won. During the past term we have lost two boys, Weir and Moore, but we have Since then gained another one, Evans.

J. BROWN.

—:—

Middle II.

We commenced a new term with most of us looking forward to it.

Two new boys joined us from Form Lower II. McManus went to Upper II, and in him we lost a good all-rounder, both in work and in sport.

We have done quite well on the football ground, and I think we shall do equally well in the cricket field this season.

Four boys are in the School Choir.

Two teams represented our Form in the Gym. on "Parents' Open Day," and some boys worked in the work-shops.

C. S. PEPPER,
Form Captain.

—:—

Upper II

The second half of our year in Upper II. has been uneventful so far. We have welcomed Jacobs, McManus and Burton to our midst; they have swelled our numbers to thirty, a large family for Mr. Smith to keep.

We seem to have consumed an enormous amount of Latin this term.

We have won the greater number of our cricket matches so far and hope to do better in the future.

N. R. STREET.

—:—

Lower I.

At the beginning of this term, three boys went into Middle I, Richards. Fitzpatric and Allison; in their place we welcome Taylor Hughes and Flower. Our homework monitor is Burville, who satisfies the form.

There was not much, trouble in electing the cricket captain, Stokes. Most of the form like football better than cricket.

We have not advanced quite so well with our Hospital Fund as we did last term.

We have one boy in the school choir, Taylor.

Sellars has made a good form captain. We shall have more to say in the next edition of the Pharos.

J. NASLEN.

—:—

Middle I.

We have been at this school for nearly a year now and we are looking forward to the summer holidays.

We are all very fond of cricket and hope to beat Upper I when we play them.

A. M. BAILEY.

—:—

Upper I.

Our form has now comfortably settled down. None of us ever gets lost now.

Taylor has arrived from Pembrokeshire, Russel from Austria, and Holland from Middle I.

We have had no form matches this term so I cannot say much about that. We hope to do better with cricket.

Wilford, our homework monitor, is seated nicely at the back, so that he cannot easily be seen.

D. JERVIS.

THE ICY FINGER.

"Hello Mrs. Huggs said Mrs. Higgs to her next door neighbour.”

"Good morning” she replied “What sort of a night have you had”?

"Terrible! I’ve been very scared—someone kept tickling me on the nose, I wish I knew what it was” “Oh” said Mrs. Huggs shivering all over “I-I-I- don’t underst-t-t~nd! Look, we will sleep together tonight, my husband is on night duty so it will be alright.”

That night the two ladies went to bed at 10 o’clock and waited. Sure enough the icy finger reappeared but tickling Mrs. Huggs this time “Ho-o-o-o-o its got me” she screamed. Mrs. Higgs nearly jumped out of her skin. “Are you alright? No reply! They both lay shivering till morning.

Next day the builder knocked on the door. “There’s a slate missing on the roof. After this bad weather I should think its been leaking.” Mrs. Higgs left the man standing aghast and ran to her neighbour.

It wasn’t (gasp) icy fingers after (pant) all, it was water dripping from a leak in the roof.”

“My goodness,” said Mrs. Huggs,” to think that we missed a good night’s sleep over a drop of water!"

D. T. TAYLOR. Lower I.

THE BATTLE OF MATAPAN
28TH MARCH, 1941, WHICH RESULTED IN THE SINKING OF THREE
ENEMY CRUISERS AND TWO DESTROYERS, TOGETHER WITH OTHER DAMAGE INFLICTED ON THE ENEMY.

H.M.S. Warspite, Flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet, lay at anchor in Alexandria Harbour on 27th March, 1941. The ship was a hive of activity as we were preparing to go to sea, and there was a certain tenseness and expectancy in the air. This time rumour had it that something big was in the offing and there was much speculation as to what it was.

As the cable was drawn inboard and was clanking into the cable locker, I (in common with my messmates), was hoping that we would really be able to do business with the ‘Italian Navy which Mussolini had boasted was master of the “mare nostrum,” instead of having the usual attention from the Luftwaffe and Regio Aeronautica during our "club” runs to Malta through “bomb alley."

We slid out of Alexandria Harbour at dusk and we’re then told the great news, that units of the Italian Fleet were at sea, and that we were going out to intercept and bring them to action if possible. Everyone was widely enthusiastic, for here was a chance at least again to make them sorry they had entered the war. The general trend of remarks by our “matelots” was to the effect that we’d make them wish they had stuck to selling ice cream. Not a very complimentary thing to say, but I think most of us regarded the Italians as a nation of ice-cream vendors and opera singers. Perhaps it was unjustifiable, but however, as I remember it, propaganda aided and abetted this outlook.

During the next day aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm, operating from H.M.S.  found the enemy, who, chasing a force under Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Daniel Pridham-Whippell, had been led towards our Striking Force. They carried out torpedo attack’s, as a result of
which a Littorio class battleship was seen to have received several hits and her speed much reduced.

Now was our chance to catch the Ities who by now were legging it for home, but with reduced speed owing to the lame duck in their ranks.

Our Striking Force consisted of the battleships Warspite (Admiral Sir Andrew B. Cunningham), Valiant, Barham, Aircraft Carrier Formidable and destroyers, and during the late afternoon our own Swordfish aircraft was catapulted off. The crippled ship was found and shadowed by it and it gave me quite a kick to know that our own air-craft was sending us reports. It was almost the personal touch I thought, because both the pilot and gunner were Petty Officers in the same mess as myself and jolly good chaps too. The pilot was known to us all as “Ace,” a nickname we gave him after his exploits during
the engagement with German destroyers at Narvik. The observer too was a well-liked officer.

As night came, we knew it would be a night action. Naturally there was a lot of speculation amongst the uninitiated as to the time we would engage the enemy. However, we closed up to action stations and waited.

My action station was just beneath the port six-inch batteries, and the first intimation I had that things were beginning to happen was an order shouted to guns’ crews at about 22.15. A few minutes later the ship lurched as we fired a broadside of 15in. shells and the party was on.

Between salvos our Commander broadcast from the bridge over the ship’s speakers telling us exactly what was happening, and we were greatly elated when he told us that our first target, which was the Cruiser Fiume, had been split wide open and was belching flame. Our next target was the Cruiser Zara which was similarly dealt with. Then enemy destroyers delivered a torpedo attack, and as we turned away to avoid the torpedoes our six-inch batteries opened fire on them, scoring many hits. Shortly afterwards we broke off the action because our destroyers were going in to attack.

All that could be heard down below was the hum from the engine room, and there was the smell of cordite fumes in the stuffy atmosphere. Then there was the buzzing noise as the speakers were turned on, and the Commander proceeded to give us a résurné of the situation. It was most amusing (for us), as after we had disengaged, the ranks of Tuscany proceeded to indulge in civil war, and for a long time afterwards there could be heard heavy gunfire and gun flashes seen in the distance.

However, the job was still unfinished and our meat was the battleship. For part of the night we kept up the chase, and there was great enthusiasm shown by all to get to grips with her. Unfortunately she had given us the slip and I shall always regret that we didn’t catch up with her.

During the middle watch I was having a cup of cocoa in the Mess and hearing the stories of those who were actually eye witnesses of action. One Petty Officer who manned a director told me that the Destroyer Greyhound illuminated the first cruiser at about two miles range, and it was the most incredible sight of unpreparedness he had ever seen. All her guns were trained fore and aft, and through the glasses he clearly saw an Italian sailor clad only in a pair of white shorts walking along the upper deck.

About 07.00 the next day we passed through the scene of the engagement. Our wash turned up many bodies floating in the water, some of which were clad in life-jackets. There were numerous groups of sailors sitting on rafts and as we passed by some waved frantically while others just stared. The last I saw of them was when two of our destroyers stopped to pick them up.

My thoughts at this time were very mixed, for whilst I had no time for Italians as a whole, I thought of those hundreds who must surely have perished leaving behind them in Italy a trail of sorrow which nothing could ever obliterate. The answer to all such thoughts I suppose is covered by the expression “c’est la guerre.”

We steamed back into Alexandria Harbour during the afternoon followed by other units, when suddenly we were all serenaded by every ship in the harbour, from the largest merchant ship to the smallest waterboat, sounding their sirens. A fitting tribute I thought.

That night there was much celebrating ashore and I shall always remember the heated arguments that took place between members of the ships’ companies of the battleships as to who hit which Italian cruiser first, etc. That was typical of our matelots, each one of whom was always proud of his ship and what she had done and could do.

As for us of the Warspite, well, we were justly proud of the old lady and satisfied in the knowledge that we had again successfully done our stuff.

G. V. GRAEME,
Ex P.O. (Writer), R.N.

“STANZAS FROM THE FRENCH.”
or Upper Sixth’s Lament on the days before Higher.

“UPLANDS,”            
BUSHY RUFF,        
NR. DOVER.    
12th June, 1947.

ARCHIE S. LEWIS.