No. 111. FEBRUARY, 1951. VOL. XLI.

FIAT LUX.

==EDITORIAL.==

The list of awards in Speech Day programmes is of such formidable length that one at first doubts whether any aspect of school endeavour remains unrecognised. Yet one serious omission has been discovered. Among the prizes for outstanding contributions to out-of-school activities—Dramatics, Cadets, Art and Craft, and so on—there is none for Magazine work. This gap is to be filled, through the generosity of D. G. Weaver, a “new” Old Boy and a recent member of The “Pharos” Committee, by the annual award of a prize for the best contribution(s) in the course of the year.

While expressing our sincere thanks for this most acceptable new prize we are conscious that our appreciation could be far more effectively recorded by a marked increase in the originality and literary skill acted in our pages. Such an increase we confidently expect. In the meantime, it is gratifying to report that quite a large number of contributions have been received for this issue, especially from Sixth Formers, and among them especially from Science and Economics students. This last feature is both a retort to current strictures on “illiterate experts” and a challenge to the Arts side, for whom the “Pharos” ought surely to be an invaluable training ground.

Not that we wish the magazine to become a Sixth Form preserve. On the contrary we want it to be far more representative at all levels. It is by no means impossible for a Middle School boy, for instance, to write articles worthy of publication, either in the “Pharos” or in some more exalted sphere. Some boys at least have read and enjoyed “The Risky Quest,” an adventure story written by 14-year-old Noel Harrower.

The introduction of a Staff Section has nothing to do with the new Magazine Prize. They coincide by the merest chance. In any case, performances at Soccer and Table Tennis do not augur inevitable staff victory. It is pleasing, however, to notice extensions of Staff activities, if only to disprove the malicious assertion usually attributed to Shaw: “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.”

As an experiment we have reduced all signatures to initials. We invite the curious reader to hazard a guess at the age of the writer before consulting the Notes on Contributors.

Once again I must thank Assistant Editor Horsfield, with Bradley and Martin, for their co-operation in producing this issue. To their names I must now add those of Halsey and Makey, the new members of the “Pharos” Committee.

It is rather late to wish all our readers a Happy New Year, and very early to wish G.C.E. candidates every success in their examinations. Nevertheless, we do both.

W.H.M.

== EDITOR’S NOTES==

The next issue of the “Pharos” will appear early in July. Contributions should be submitted by the end of May.

*   *   *   *

We are indebted to the Editor of the Dover Express for permission to reproduce photographs of Mr. Baxter and Mr. Uncles.

*   *   *   *

The photographs of the School Athletics team and of the scene from “Julius Cæsar” are by Lambert Weston. That of “Evening Over the Straits of Dover” has reached us somewhat circuitously; it was taken, we understand, by a relation of J. Hopper, who left school last year. We apologise for not being able to make more explicit acknowledgment of such a delightful picture.

*   *   *   *

We acknowledge with thanks recent issues of our contemporaries, “The Langtonian,” “The Bordenian,” “The Harveian,” “The Manwoodian,” “The Anchor,” and “The Dovorian"; of the magazines of the Girls’ Grammar School, the Duke of York’s Military School, Faversham Grammar School, and—mysteriously—Guildford School, Western Australia; and of any others inadvertently omitted from this list.

*   *   *   *

Back copies of the “Pharos” are available at 1s. 6d. each.

== STAFF ROOM==
NOTES.

Major staff changes, anticipated in our last issue, have been the retirement of Mr. Uncles and the change to part-time status of Mr. Baxter.

*   *   *   *

Welcome to Mr. R. H. Payne, of Westminster College, London, and to Mr. S. F. Walton, of King’s College, Durham, who have joined us.

*   *   *   *

We miss Mr. Connelly, who has returned to Sweden, but have been glad of the temporary assistance of Mr. E. L. Woof and Mr. C. A. E. Wintour.

*   *   *   *

By the time this issue appears we shall doubtless have been joined by Mr. M. V. Salter, of King’s College, London, and Grenoble. In spite of recent uncertainties in recruitment to the French department, we venture to assume his arrival, and accordingly to welcome him.

*   *   *   *

A film strip on “Dover,” devised by Mr. Ruffell, promises to be a useful addition to the staff collection.

“THE PEN IS MIGHTIER..."

The School has often been pleased to welcome companies of actors, but never more than last November, when members of the staff presented this one-act play. The reasons for the pleasure were varied, and not all were closely bound up with a love of the drama; there were, for instance, a hitherto unsuspected relationship, a less surprising hint at the off-duty activities of one of the generals, and the formation of a new military unit (the Granadier Guards).

The War Minister kept to a now well-established tradition in being much more perturbed by thoughts of electors’ reactions than by the imminence of his death, for which (dare one say it?) he appeared not to care “two hoots.” Nevertheless, to judge by the sound of the explosion, the charge used to dispatch him appeared to have been inaccurately calculated. Lowdly was neatly played, but his piece of mock-heroic (well sustained to his exit) suffered by being played in red footlight and by a consequent remoteness from the rest of the play. The enemy general was suitably imposing and adequately suggested his kindly spirit, while the English general was portrayed with just the right blandness, detachment, and control over his efficient son.

The play itself sags in the middle under the weight of its own explanation, and this explanation was delivered in the course of perambulations which distracted further the attention of an audience none too ready for disquisition. But the whole effect was happy and pleasing; we hope this will be only the first of many such productions. We would add only a modified version of a popular exhortation: “Speak up to the back there!”

R.W.M.

CHARACTERS
(in order of appearance)

STAFF SOCCER MATCH.

Staff, 0; v. 1st XI., 2.

Before the Kick-off:

“You must be proud, bold, pleasant, resolute,

And now and then shoot as occasion serves.”

Staff Forward Line:

“We are poor little lambs

That have gone astray.”

“Villain! thy life, unless I miss mine aim!”

“Treacherous back, shall I not see the goal?

Reading Gaol, perhaps, no other goal!”

“What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?

Afterthought:

“Pray do not mock me:

I am a very foolish, fond old man.”

“'Tis better to have played and lost

Than never to have played at all.”

(With apologies to Marlowe and others.)

TABLE TENNIS.—28th November, 1950.

Staff, 3; Sixth Forms, 7.

Observe this boy, one of the privileged few permitted to witness the brutal sport of the evening. Note the anticipatory gleam which lights the eye, the restless body, the incessant glancing towards the door, the light and rapid breathing.

There is a smell of death in the air.

See how this pale but interesting sir rears back on the threshold, like a steer at the door of the charnel house. But he is brave; he has faced a terror worse than this, and lived. With a muttered “Open Evening!” he invokes aid from the gods, and enters.

A match is about to begin. Any match. Let us watch it.

A spotted youth is doing some ceremonial juggling with the ball under the table, but we who know are confident that the service will be won, not by the clear-eyed and distinguished gentleman at this end, but by the shifty-eyed young rascal at the—There you are! What did I tell you? His pal tosses the ball over, and, upon my word, as he turns away he has the nerve to permit an evil grin to twist his ug—But come, let us watch the game.

It appears that the clear-eyed-and-distinguished-gentleman is a bit out of practice. And not exactly over-trained. Listen, and you will hear him creak. However, he recovers the ball from the floor very neatly, counts up to five with hardly a mistake, and makes exceptionally clever use of the sleeve or the thumbnail to return the rockets sent over by the shifty-eyed-young Oh! well played, sir!

Very adroitly the C.E.A.D.G. has snicked one with the edge of the bat into the glare of the overhead lighting, whence it has descended unobserved upon the playing hand of the S.E.Y.R.

Had we time, we might evolve some sparkling jest relating the gentleman’s grip to the genflernan's profession, or even incorporating the words “ball-pen,” but at this moment the game is the thing.

A rally is in progress. With butterfly grace, the gentleman has leapt around the room to the cheers not only of his fellow fritillaries but also of those in “statu pupose.” The noise is so great that the arthritic creakings of his knee-joints can no more be heard than the conversation of a colleague at dinner. He has won the point! After striking the net-cord, the ball drops on the side of the scowling young delinquent, who now stands knotting his fists and breathing heavily, while the gentleman gazes back at him serenely, proud of his marksmanship but much too sporting to gloat openly.

When they change ends, the sportsman is actually leading, but the boys have cunningly used differential lighting, and, as they supposed, it is the older payer who is the more hurt by it. Perhaps he suffers from atrophy of the tensor and rhizoid ciliads in the middle retina, or “marker’s eye.

Anyhow, he drops point after point, and his opponent has taken to slamming the ball among the chairs near at hand. This imposes a frequent agony upon the veteran. Time and again he drapes his unwilling bulk over the unyielding furniture. His stertorous breath mists the polished floor as he gropes blindly for the wretched ball, and lie staggers back to the table with little veins standing out alarmingly from his throbbing temples and suffused countenance.

Through a red mist he struggles on. He wins a point or two by serving when his opponent is not ready, but the advantage lies with the unprincipled young bounder at the other end. The battle is already lost, and the gentleman has no more hope of getting away with it than the boy who forgets to have his hair cut for prize day.

The crack of his doom rings as loud as the fall of a chair during grace.

He crawls away to hide in some dark corner, scanning the faces of the boys and marvelling at the soft contentment which makes them almost pleasant to look upon.

But only for a moment. The baleful, predatory glare returns almost at once: another gentleman has taken the floor.

ANON.

FOUR SPITFIRES.
JUNE, 1941.

== RECORD AND REPORT==
SCHOOL NOTES.

Congratulations to all those, named elsewhere, who gained Higher or General School Certificates in last summer’s examinations.

*   *   *   *

Half-term has been fixed for February 16th-19th. The term ends on April 5th.

*   *   *   *

Lecturers since our last issue have included Mr. Gibson Martin, of the Iron and Steel Federation, on “Steel To-day and To-morrow,” and Dr. Joseph Mitchell, on "Racial Discrimination." The latter speaker—a former secretary of the League of Coloured Peoples, Olympic athlete, and West Indian cricket and soccer player—was himself a living testimony of the fallacy of racial prejudice.

*   *   *   *

Dramatic performances, visiting or visited, have included the Amersham Players’ programme of “The Bishop and the Burglar” and Chekhov’s “Proposal,” the Arthur Brough Players in Sheridan’s “School for Scandal,” and La Troupe Française (directed by Pamela Stirling) in “Le Barbier de Séville.”

SPEECH DAY, 1950.

Speech Day was held at the Town Hall on November 29th, the Rev Stanley Cooper, Chairman of the Governors, presiding. The Right Rev. F. D. V. Narborough, M.A., B.D., Lord Bishop of Colchester, gave the address and distributed the prizes.

After a selection of organ music played by Mr. Willis and the customary singing of “Land of Our Birth,” the Chairman formally opened proceedings. In his remarks he commented in particular on the installation of drying apparatus and the improvement in transport from Deal.

The Headmaster, reviewing a “normal year,” made special mention of the Whitehouse Memorial Plaque and the consecration of the Pharos Masonic Lodge. He paid tribute to Messrs. Uncles and Baxter, who had retired from full-time teaching service at the end of the school year, and welcomed Mr. Payne and Mr. Walton. Referring to sport, he recalled the outstanding achievements of D. G. Simmonds, and wished him every success in his future career.

In a forthright and energetic address, the Lord Bishop remarked that “sowing wild oats was the quickest way of becoming old fogies,” whose advice should accordingly be avoided. One should not, he urged, accept the following three common assumptions: that a drift to war is inevitable; that everybody wants something for nothing; and that certain disreputable things are “only natural.” He emphasised that religion cannot be turned on like the gas—"Remember now thy Creator.” His speech was warmly received.

In the course of the afternoon the School Choir delighted all present with two groups of songs. It was felt by many that the standard of singing, always admirable, was on this occasion very high indeed.

The Mayor of Deal, seconded by Capt. Powell, proposed a vote of thanks to the Speaker. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed by Mr. Gunn and seconded by Mr. Taylor. The proceedings closed with “ Forty Years On” and the National Anthem.

J.A.M., J.R.M.

(Worm’s Eye View: “As each boy’s name is called out he ascends the platform with what he thinks is a cynical smile. His mother titters in the audience as, to the roar of applause (if he is popular) or the polite handclap (if he is not), he receives his prize from the ever diminishing stack of books on the table, shakes hands with the distinguished visitor, and retires into temporary obscurity.”—B.D.)

PRIZE AWARDS, 1949-50.

Special and VI. Form Prizes :—The Good Fellowship Prize (given by His Worship the Mayor), D. G. Simmonds;

The School Certificate Prize (given by Capt. F. R. Powell), R. J. Forster;

Parents’ Association—The Special Endeavour Prizes, T. D. Heaver, J. F. Mummery;

The School Certificate Art Prize, E. T. Phillpott;

The Whitehouse Memorial (Scripture) Prize, J. A. Makey;
The Edward Ryeland Memorial (Physics) Prize, J. Welford;

The Thomas Memorial (Chemistry) Prize, C. T. Bilby;

The Clatworthy Senior Latin Prize, A. W. Bradley;
The Clatworthy Junior Latin Prize B. P. Reader;

The Tunnell History Prize (Senior), M. J. Bax;

The Tunnell History Prize (Junior), J. G. B. Goldfinch;

The Alan Paddock Memorial Prize (Middle School Good Fellowship. given by Col. A. Andrews), G. . R. Piggott;

The Cecil Cox Memorial Prize for Civic Responsibility (given by Major I. C. Austin), J. Hopper;

The Roy Sutton Memorial Prize (School Certificate English, given by Mr. and Mrs. N. Sutton), P. Waring;

The Lewi Kennedy Memorial Prize (Craft and Engineering, given by Mrs. and the late Mr R. C. Kennedy). E. W. Miller;

The Patrick Elworthy Memorial Prize (School Certificate French, given by Mr. and Mrs. H A. Elworthy), K. A. K. Lott;

The Frederick Ashman Memorial Prize (School Certificate Mathematics, given by Mr. and Mrs. H. Ashman). R. J. Forster;

The Sidney Fermor Memorial Prize (School Certificate Chemistry, given by Mr. and Mrs. C. Fermor), A. G. Jacobs;

The Pudney Prize for Economics (given by E. W. Pudney, Esq.). K. E. Lawrence;

The Reynolds Prize for Higher Certificate Geography (given by Mr. and Mrs.
C. L. Reynolds), D. G. Simmonds;

The St. Bartholomew Prize for Scripture in the Middle School, J. R. Taylor; The St. Bartholomew Prize for Scripture in the Lower School, J. W. Maynard;

The Rookwood Prize for Dramatics, F. K. E. Imrie;
The Upper School Reading Prize, J. E. Halsey;

The Middle School Reading Prize, R D. Clark;

The Lower School Reading Prize, P. C. Clements;

The Old Boys Cadet Prize, B. Watts;

The Staff Prize, P. F. Piggott;

The Headmaster’s Prize, C. T. Bilby;

The French Prize, A. W. Bradley;

The English Prize, M. J. Bax;

The Pure Mathematics Prize, J. Welford;

The Applied Mathematics Prize. C. T. Bilby;

The Biology Prize. F. H. Reed;

The VI. Arts Form Prize. M. I Edwards;

The Upper VI. Science Form Prizes, R. T. Jackson, P. H. Oldham;

The Lower VI. Science Form Prize, A. A. Norman;

The VI. Economics Form Prize, A. G. Wright.

School Certificate Prizes:—

The Geography Prize, J. E. Halsey;

The Physics Prize, A. J. Burton;

The General Science Prize, A. Pettet;

The Geometrical Drawing Prize, J. R. Peverley;

The Remove Form Prize, R. A. Green;

The Upper V. Form Prizes, M. J. Cheeseman, J. R. McManus;
The Middle V. Form Prize. R. G. Gibbs;
The Lower V. Form Prize, E. S. Wright.

Middle School Prizes:—

The English Prize, D. N. Jervis;

The History Prize. W. P. R. Brown;

The Geography Prize. M. H. Ford;

The French Prize, J. R. Taylor;

The Latin Prize, D. N. Jervis;

The Mathematics Prize. L. M. Manning;

The Physics Prize, G. R. Piggott;

The Chemistry Prize. L. M Manning;

The Art Prize. J. N. Hollyer;

The Craft Prize. B. W. Bomfrey;

The Upper IV. Form Prize, G. E. Ruck;

The Middle IV. Form Prize, D. A. Allison;

The Lower IV. Form Prize, P. W. C. Wilberforce;

The Upper III. Form Prizes, D. R. E. Philpott, D. C. Skinner;

The Middle III. Form Prize, A. G. Hockley;
The Lower III. Form Prize. D. C. Stephens.

Lower School Prizes:—

The English Prize, D. H. Doble;

The Languages Prize, G. Barrett;

The Mathematics Prize. J. W. Maynard;

The Science Prize, P. F. D. Morgan;

The Art and Craft Prize. R. L. Nutter;

The Upper II. Form Prize, J. R. Booth;

The Middle II. Form Prize, C. C. Marsh;

The Lower II. Form Prize, P. T. Mee;

The Upper I. Form Prizes, F. Duffy, T. Lang;

The Middle I. Form Prize, D. C. Price;

The Lower I. Form Prize. B. H. Wicks.

SCHOLARSHIP.

1949-50 CERTIFICATE LIST.

London Higher School Certificate:—

C. R. Bailiff, M. J. Bax (with exemption from Intermediate Arts),

C. T. Bilby (with exemption from Intermediate Science: Distinctions in Physics, Chemistry, and Applied Maths.),

A. W. Bradley (with exemption from Intermediate Arts),

M. J. Edwards (with exemption from Intermediate Arts),

P. G. Hearn, J. Hopper, F. K. E. Imrie, R, T. Jackson (with exemption from Intermediate Science),

J. R. Kenway (with exemption from Intermediate Arts),

K. E. Lawrence, P. H. Oldham (with exemption from Intermediate Science),

F. H. Reed (with exemption from Intermediate Science),
D. G. Simmonds, B. J. Skinner (with exemption from Intermediate Science),

D. G. Weaver, J. Welford (with exemption from Intermediate Science; Distinction in Physics),

A. G. Wright.

London General School Certificate:—

*Denotes exemption from Matriculation. †Denotes examination taken at Pembury Hospital.

PRESENTATION CUPS.
House Challenge Shield: Park House (House Master, Mr. W. W. Baxter: House Captain, D. G. Simmonds).
Ebbw Vale Rugby Cup: Park House (House Master. Mr. W. W. Baxter: House Captain. D. G. Simmonds).
The Tunnell Memorial Sports Cup: D. G. Simmond.
Senior Championship: Trophy: D. G. Simmonds.
Junior Championship Trophy: C. Clayson.

SOCCER.
1st XI.

The star performer on a variety bill is normally kept until last, for to go on after Gracie Fields would give little scope or encouragement to more moderate performers.

School football teams must, however, go on one after the other, and this season’s team must suffer by comparison with the stars of yesteryear. It is true that their record will bear inspection. They have pulled several games out of the fire by pluck and determination; and they have beaten some poor sides quite handsomely. But there has not been much good football.

Norman has held things together magnificently. On the only day when he was badly off form, the side lost heavily—the School’s first Soccer defeat by another school in several seasons. Jackson and the other defenders have worked hard, and their tackling has been as forthright as anyone could wish. But positional play has been poor and constructive ball service to the forwards as common as strawberries in January.

When Price has played he has made a great difference to the forward line. In his absence there have been five triers, each aiming to score by matching his individual skill and pertinacity against the opposing defenders.

They have been a good lot of boys, but not a good team. Colours have been awarded to R. T. Jackson (captain), A. A. Norman (vice-captain), and B. E. Argent. The following have also played:—

Malais (goal); Jenkins, Fisher (full backs); Eade, Janaway, Burville (half-backs); McManus, Gilday, Price, Piggott, White, Watkins, Halsey (forwards).

K.H.R.

Results.
 

Postscript.—The team gave its best performance after the end of term, when it held a strong Old Boys’ team ~o a draw.

2nd XI.

With six matches won and three lost, the season has come to a very satisfactory conclusion. Because of 1st XI. demands it has been impossible to field the same team twice running, but, in spite of this, the players have for the most part co-operated well.

Malais, our French goalkeeper, has shown himself a difficult last line to pass, and the defence, in which Sellars and Burville deserve special mention, has been sound. In spite of continual positional changes in the forward line, goals have not been lacking, the season’s tally being 58. Pain has played steadily on the left wing, and Reader, at centre-forward, has worried his way through most defences.

In a strictly “off the record” game against the 1st XI. in midseason, we were beaten only by the odd goal, scored during extra time, and that by a member of the Staff.
 

Players: Litchfield, Malais, Wright. Sellars, Burville, Stanley, Janaway, Ledner, West, Reason, Holland, Watkins, Reader, McCalden, Pain, Halsey.

J.E.H.

Colts.

Procrastination has been the thief of success. It made the forwards reluctant to shoot from more than ten yards’ range, and so nullified much useful approach work. It made the defence reluctant to challenge an opponent until he was within ten yards of the goal, and so gave the goalkeeper extra practice he could well have dispensed with. Far too many constructive ideas were conceived without taking opponents into consideration, so that many pipe-dreams were transformed into nightmares for those who were reluctant to risk a knock. Much greater determination, much more fighting spirit, will be needed if results are to improve.

Regular team: Litchfleld; Ashdown, Ellis; Clayson, Ramsden (captain), Thomas; Sellars, Miller, Hadley, Ibell, Willcox.

Other players: Fuller, Ledner, Kirk, Mockeridge, Pressnell, Dunford. R.W.M.

Junior XI.

The analysis this season does not do justice to the side. Two matches, one expected to be a certain victory, were cancelled, and we were badly hit by injuries. Nevertheless, even if the results were disappointing, it was a very enjoyable season.

The outstanding forwards were Jones and Abbott, the former having to be brought from centre-hall owing to the weakness of the forward line. The positions of centre-forward and inside-left have never been adequately filled, although numerous people have been tried. Latham, at outside-left, was speedy, but lacked good ball control and centring power. Rogers, Stevens, and Marsh filled the half-back line competently, while Mackenzie and Dawson played excellently as backs. Gibson, in goal, although beaten numerous times, has played well.

T.D.H.

(Heaver, as captain, has kept the side together by his keenness and has been most reliable in doing the less pleasant duties of his office.— J.A.C.)

SCHOOL SPORTS.

Of the many parents and friends at the School on July 12th, looking forward to an enjoyable afternoon’s sport, few indeed expected such a high standard to be reached. No less than nine new records were established.

The meeting was dominated by the outstanding performance of D. G. Simmonds, winner of the Senior Championship Trophy. Having opened the proceedings with a fine win over the hurdles, Simmonds accomplished the most remarkable feat of the afternoon by covering 100 yards in "evens" (10 seconds), equalling the second best British junior performance for 1950. Following this with a record-breaking dash in the 220 yards and a comfortable win in the 440 yards, he then showed that his abilities were not confined to track events by gaining a position in putting the weight.

Jackson, after creating a new record in the 880 yards, ran a well judged mile to smash the existing record by 8 seconds. The advantages of modern technique were exemplified by Jenkins, who used the "Western Roll" to break a 14-year-old high jump record. Two new events which aroused considerable interest were throwing the javelin, won by Hearn, and throwing the discus, won by Carran, who also shattered his weight-putting record with a stupendous putt of 43ft. 5in.

Although senior events aroused most excitement, mention must be made of Clayson, who dominated the “under 14” group; of Ramsden, in the 14-15s; and of Grieves, in the 15-16s.

Our thanks are due to the Parents’ Association, which kindly provided the loud speaker van; to the kitchen staff for the excellent refreshments; and to the groundsmen for the lay-out of the track.

P.G.H.

Results.

Cricket Ball.—Under 14: 1 Clayson, 2 Jones, 3 Mockeridge.

Over 14: 1 Skinner, 2 Gilday. 3 Evans.

High Jump.—14-15: 1 Woolhouse, 2 Sellars, 3 Ramsden.

15-16: 1 Kelly, 2 Piggott, 3 Margeson.

Long Jump.—Under 14: 1 Clayson, 2 Mockeridge, 3 Ellis.

14-15: 1 Ramsden, 2 Sellars, 3 Flower.

15-16: 1 Grieves, 2 Margeson, 3 Burville.

Over 14: 1 Simmonds. 2 Hewitt; 3 Jackson.

880 Yards.—Over 14: 1 Jackson, 2 Forster, 3 Wright.

120 Yards Hurdles.—Over 14: 1 Simmonds. 2 Hearn. 3 Kelly.

80 Yards.—11-12: 1 Dawkins, 2 Gray Wright, 3 Dedman.

12-13: 1 Latham, 2 Crush 3 Maynard.

100 Yards.—14-15: 1 Ramsden, 2 Sellars, 3 Johnson.

15-16: 1 Grieves, 2 Piggott, 3 Kelly.

Under 14: 1 Mockeridge, 2 Davies, 3 Imrie.

Over 14: 1 Simmonds, 2 Hewitt, 3 Evans.

Javelin.—Open: 1 Hearn, 2 Jenkins, 3 Skinner.

220 Yards.—Under 14: 1 Mockeridge, 2 Clayson, 3 Ellis.

14-15: 1 Ramsden, 2 Sellars, 3 Presnell.

15-16: 1 Grieves, 2 Piggott, 3 Gilday.

Over 14: 1 Simmonds, 2 Hewitt, 3 Evans.
 

High Jump.—Under 14: 1 Clayson, 2 Imric, 3 Davies.

Over 14: 1 Jenkins, 2 Hearn, 3 Halsey.
 

Mile.—Open: 1 Jackson, 2 Forster. 3 Avery.
 

Discus.—Open: 1 Carran, 2 Hearn, 3 Norman.

440 Yards.—Under 14: 1 Clayson, 2 Painter, Ellis.

14-15: 1 Ramsden, 2 Miller, 3 Sellars.

15-16: 1 Grieves, 2 Piggott, 3 Hadlow.

Over 14: 1 Simmonds, 2 Wright, 3 Jacobs.
 

Weight.—Open: 1 Carran, 2 Hearn, 3 Simmonds.
 

House Relay.—Under 14: 1 Priory, 2 Frith

14-15: 1 Park. 2 Priory.

15-16: 1 Park, 2 Astor. Open: 1 Park. 2 Astor.
 

Senior Championship Trophy.—Simmoods.
 

Junior Championship Trophy.—Clayson.
 

House Challenge Shield.—Park House.

INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETIC SPORTS.
July 22nd, 1950.

1950—the best year for athletics in the history of the School. Not only were seven records broken on Sports Day, but the Athletics Team went on to win the triangular match with Chatham House and Dover College for the first time.

The only Junior win was that of Grieves, who ran the 100 yards in 10.8 seconds. Conspicuous senior performances were those of Carran (putting the weight) and Jenkins and Smith (javelin). Jenkins also won the high jump, with Halsey third—a particularly encouraging success, as this event has not hitherto been a strong point.

Jackson won the mile without much difficulty and was placed in a very close finish to the half-mile. But surpassing all these performances was the individual achievement of Simmonds. Sports Day had prepared us for his victories in the 100 yards and hurdles; he went on to win the long jump (in which Hewitt did well to gain second place) and to snatch a dramatic victory for the Senior relay team. The School were lying third, 16 yards behind Chatham House, when Simmonds took the baton, with 220 yards to go. He did the impossible, reaching the tape first, amid intense excitement.

Our thanks go to Dover College for arranging a very enjoyable
meeting.

A.W.B.

Results.

Putting the Weight.—1 Carran, 4 Heam.

100 Yards Senior: 1 Simmonds.

100 Yards. Junior: 1 Grieves.

Throwing the Discus: 3 Carran.

High Jump Junior: 2 Kelly.

Half-mile: 3 Jackson.

High Jump Senior: 1 Jenkins, 3 Halsey.

Long Jump Junior: 5 Gilday.

Quarter-mile Junior: 3 Ramsden, 5 Piggott.

120 Yards Hurdles: 1 Simmonds, 2 Hearn.

Quarter-mile Senior: 4 Wright (A. G), 5 Jacobs.

One Mile: 1 Jackson, 4 Forster.

Throwing the Javelin: 1 Jenkins,  2 Smith.

Long Jump Senior: 1 Simmonds,  2 Hewitt.

Junior Relay: 2 Ramsden, Margeson. Kelly, Grieves.

Senior Relay: 1 Hewitt,  Evans, Grabham, Simmonds.
Result of Match:
1 - Dover Grammar 117 points
2. Dover College 89 points
3. Chatham House 80 points

CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING.

Adverse weather has hampered this branch of sport throughout the term, but has not dampened the keenness of the “regulars,” who have already played havoc with a turnip field and levelled the furrows of several ploughed fields over which the School course winds its barbarous way.

The monotony of training runs was broken by an enjoyable “hare and hounds,” in which Imrie and Martin led the hounds a fine chase over an interesting course. Towards the end of the term a much depleted School team drew at home with Hythe Harriers, Forster finishing first in the fast time of 22 mm. 55 secs.

The regular “plodders” were on one occasion joined by eleven keen spirits who, having been informed that soccer players would derive untold benefit from a gentle run across country, needed no encouragement whatsoever, but eagerly set off at a fine pace, running as far as the pylons, hobbling on to the boundary stone, and staggering back to the changing rooms.

Prospects for the spring term are indeed bright; we have firm reason to believe that the team now training for the Kent Junior Championships will prove the strongest yet fielded.

P.G.H.

1st Cadet Company C.P. (F.) R.E.

With the approach of winter Cadet work has been curtailed to theoretical tactics on the Magnetic Blackboard. Automatic weapons have been dealt with, and it is to be hoped that, when lighter evenings come, some Cadets will show improvement in elementary fieldcraft tactics. We all wish success to C.Q.M.S. Blackah, who has left us to join the Royal Marines.

A.F.H. A/C.S.M.

School Flight, 354 (Dover) Squadron, Air Training Corps.

This term numbers have risen to over 60, most of whom attend parades regularly. Cadets who have successfully completed their basic training are now working for Proficiency Certificates. Instruction is now available, thanks to Messrs. Smith, Coveney, Cowell, and Denham, in three courses: Aircrew, Engineering and Fitter Trades, and Radio and Electrical Trades. Of the seventeen Cadets who have passed the Proficiency Examination, some are taking it again in a different section, while the rest are undergoing Advanced Training.

This year’s summer camp was again held at Thorney Island, where we benefited from improved organisation by the R.A.F. (No pre-breakfast P.T., for instance!) As before, food was good, and the N.A.A.F.I. tent was available during the day. We enjoyed trips to “Pompey” and Hayling Island, instructional films and lectures, firing on the rifle range, and flying in Ansons.

On Remembrance Sunday a number of Cadets attended the open air service at the Dover War Memorial.

A coach-load of Cadets of the School and Town Flights flew at Lympne Airport on November 19th, each Cadet having about half-an-hour in the air.

A few Senior Cadets are attending a Sunday gliding course at Hawkinge, and will soon qualify for their R.Ae.C. “A” Certificates (20 seconds straight level gliding, followed by a good landing). One Cadet has now obtained a “B” Certificate.

During the summer holidays four more Cadets spent a week at Halton, three on an A.T.C. course in airmanship, one on a navigation course.

“Venture Adventure.”

R.M.B., F/Sgt.

"JULIUS CÆSAR." (To Photo)

J. B. Priestley, in “Shakespeare Re-discovered,” denounces the average Shakespearean production, and compares with it the delight of visiting a school “where, in the packed oven of the gymnasium, the play is being performed” and the “four-foot-nine figure of Portia (shall we say?) pipes up as unconcerned as a lark: ‘Dear my lord, make me acquainted with your cause of grief,’ or Brutus stirs the heart with: ‘Not butchers, Cassius . . . Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods '."

Such feelings must certainly have affected at least the adults among the audiences that packed the School Hall to witness the Dramatic Society’s 1950 production. There were moments when the boy actors were forgotten, and indeed forgot themselves, in the power of noble words simply spoken. One such occurred when Brutes, after the murder, said to Antony: “Yet see you but our hands; our hearts you see not, they are pitiful “; another when Brutus sat weary in his tent as Lucius sang his “sleepy tune,” which fell deliciously upon the ear after the violence of the quarrel with Cassius.

How well the electricians contrived the illusion of a sun-warmed Forum, with the massive pillars of the Capitol towering above. The lighting helped to flush the garments of the soldiers with rich colour, and the standards flashed as the two forces mustered face to face. Considering these most moving scenes, it was disappointing that the effects in the storm scene were so weak. The roars of thunder were tinny and short-lasting, while the actors, who should have shaken like oats in the extremity of their peril, talked unmoved of the dangers and barely shuddered at the terrifying light! The death of Cinna was excellently contrived; his stiff body flung over the platform, head hanging backwards, arms outstretched, left with the audience a forceful image of the mad rage of the senseless mob.

And what of the actors? Two, Cæsar and Brutus, out-topped the rest. A. B. Kime, dignified, cool, of clear and even speech, rightly Inade Cæsar the dominant figure in the play. Upon Brutus a heavier burden lay, both in the greater complexity of the character and in the length of time on the stage. J. E. Halsey, whom we had seen in previous years as the youthful Lady Olivia and a vigorous and inspired St. Joan—alone had complete freedom in the speaking of the blank verse, and was experienced enough to vary the pace of his lines, to taste the poetry of the words, to speak as if he were in truth reflecting.

Mark Antony (A. A. Norman), in appearance a splendid contrast to Brutus, proved disappointing. After a striking entry, he “tore a passion to tatters” by indistinct and at times rasping diction. As the play proceeded his acting improved, for in moments of action he was at his best. Cassius (J. A. Makey) also suffered from a voice that was often unpleasing, but, after an uncertain start, he grew more at ease, for he had clearly put much thought into the part.

With such a large cast one cannot refer to all who put much effort into their parts. The memory work throughout was remarkable. The chief weaknesses were a sacrificing of clarity of speech to speed and a certain stiffness of movement. The crowd of “supers" were here the most natural. Some good acting occurred among the minor characters. Lucius (J. W. Dilnot) spoke clearly and acted with refreshing naturalness. Cinna (M. J. Laker), too, made the most of a small but striking part. The “women” were at a physical disadvantage in being of such low stature compared with their lords, but Portia (D. J. Almond) gave a clear rendering of her speeches; her pleading was quite moving. Calpurnia (B. F. Checksfield) seemed to find her lines confusing, but looked simple and charming.

One of the great difficulties of such a production is the management of crowds. This was done with colourful vigour. After a shaky start, the rabble gave a lusty account of themselves. The soldiery were well grouped to suggest far greater numbers. The six stalwarts on duty beside the bier deserve a mention both for their steadfastness and for the alacrity with which they bore the body from the stage!

A word about the “groundlings,” seated above in this case. Their vociferous enjoyment of the killings and failure to appreciate the finer points of a complex drama often jarred on the sensibilities of those who wished to listen and enjoy. Lucius’s lovely little song was quite spoiled by their lack of consideration.

If “Julius Cæsar” was not quite the finest production that the Dramatic Society has given, what it lacked in polish it gained in vigour, and the finest of its scenes will linger long in the memory of all who saw this energetic group of boy players, led by their able producer, Mr. Murphy, to whom the sincere thanks of all are due.

I.N.

DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

This term’s productions—"Julius Cæsar” and “The Pen is Mightier . . ."—are reviewed elsewhere in this issue. Next term’s plans are taking shape. The Society is grateful to Mr. Payne for undertaking the arduous job of directing a Junior production of the Pyramus and Thisbe scenes from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It is rumoured that the Staff will again don make-up for the end-of-term concert. There will also be a one-act play produced by a Sixth Former.

Last July there left several senior members of the Society who had given faithful service on and off the stage since 1945. Especially deserving of mention are M. J. Bax, last year’s hon. secretary, D. G. Weaver, responsible for re-starting the Junior Dramatics, and P. A. Hall and A. H. Ryeland, Committee members and devoted workers for several years.

A.W.B., Hon. Sec.

ONE MAN’S MEAT ...

Reports from multifarious hives of activity support the impression that four o’clock’s daily manœuvre is, for more and more boys (and masters), a re-grouping of forces rather than a tactical withdrawal.

The Choir, sixty-three strong, received well-merited applause at Speech Day for their interpretation of two Elizabethan songs, two hunting songs, and Sullivan’s “The Long Day Closes.” it also took a prominent part in the end-of-term carol concert.

The Orchestra has practised as usual on Thursdays. There is a well-balanced variety of instruments, although three first violinists left in July. An oboe is still needed to strengthen the woodwinds. Half-a-dozen members have enjoyed recitals by Isobel Baillie and the Wigmore Trio at Dover Music Club concerts, which, incidentally, merit stronger support from the School. (Stop Press: The Orchestra has once again—and with spirited abandon—supplied incidental music during the intervals of the School play, not to mention a lyre accompaniment and sundry sennets and flourishes during the play itself.)

The Debating Society reports that, “like most School societies purely intellectual in appeal,” it has had considerable competition to deal with. Three meetings have been held, with an average attendance of twenty. A discussion of Korea was lively, and a debate on the Labour Government continued, despite a power cut, to record a vote in favour of the Government. The highlights of next term will be a mock election and a competition at which speeches will be judged by members of the Staff.

The Chess Club anticipates that this season will be one of its most successful. The East Kent Trophy team has in the first round easily defeated Kent College by 3½ to 1½. Three leagues flourish, and House matches are to be played. In the competition for the Championship Trophy some surprises were produced—not least the defeat of Goldfinch by young Booth. Two players (Martin and Horsfield) have again been supplied to Kent for the British Counties Championships. Results of matches are:-

v. Dover Chess Club Lost 2—3

v. D.Y.R.M.S. —Seniors won 3½—2½

                          Juniors Won 5—1

v. Chatham House Lost 1—4

v. D.Y.R.M.S. —Seniors Won 6—0

                          Juniors Won 4—2

The Philatelic Society has been well supported by the Lower School. At well-attended meetings a regular feature has been quizzes and “lucky dips.” Two exhibitions and two lectures—by Mr. Hull and Carr—were much appreciated.

The Geography Society has viewed a film-strip of Dover and has organised a trip to Tilmanstone Colliery.

The Benevolent Society has submitted the following statement of
accounts for 1949-50:-

Subscriptions: Autumn, £24 6s. 11½d.; Spring, £14 7s. 8d.; Summer, £13 12s. 1½d.; Brought forward, £7 18s. 10½d.; Total, £60 5s. 7½d.

Donations: R.S.P.C.A., £1 1s. 0d.; Princess Louise Hospital, £2 2s. 0d.; Dr. Barnardo’s Homes, £2 2s. 0d.; Kent Association for the Blind, £2 2s. 0d.; Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital, £4 10s. 0d.; Dover Royal Victoria Hospital, £3 3s. 0d.; Buckland Hospital, £2 12s. 0d.; Deal Victoria Hospital, £3 3s. 0d.; Ebbw Vale Hospital. £2 2s. 0d.; Church of England Children’s Society, £2 2s. 0d.; Hospital for Sick Children, £2 2s. 0d.; St. Dunstan’s, £2 2s. 0d.; T.B. Fund, £2 10s. 0d.; Treloar’s Cripples’ College, £2 2s. 0d.; Royal Eye Hospital, £2 2s. 0d.; Save the Children Fund, £2 2s. 0d.; Fund for Blind Babies, £2 2s. 0d.: Balance brought forward, £18 2s 1½d.: Total, £60 5s. 7½d.

Audited and found correct, (Sgd) F. L. Kendall, Nov. 27th, 1950.

The Library has continued to operate smoothly, in spite of the departure of both Mr. Uncles, who had been in charge since the move to Astor Avenue, and of D. G. Weaver, for two years a most conscientious Library Prefect; and in spite of the unfortunate necessity of its being used as a form room for Upper VI. Arts. B. J. Moore and B. Walford became Library Assistants in September. An appeal to parents
for unwanted books produced a generous response. Among the donors we must specially thank Major Austin for a valuable set of new books and Mr. F. F. Potter, one of our Governors, for a copy of his "Educational Journey.”
We recommend the following additions to stock:-

87/28. Heyerdah! Kon-Tiki Expedition.

(Presented by Upper V., 1949/50)

85/38. Young .. . Rommel.

(Presented by Middle V., 1949/50)

82/55. Bradman .. . . Farewell to Cricket.

(Presented by Remove, 1949/50)

05/23. Wakefield On Leaving School.

05/25. Truscott Redbrick and These Vital Days.

601/71- Remains ... Knock.

611/17. Garland ... Schiller.

(Presented by the Author)

72/93- Allen ... Writers on Writing.

83/23- Klinefelter ... Bookbinding Made Easy.

88/57. Gribble ... On Secret Service.

ROUND THE HOUSES.
Astor House.

Prospects this year seem more encouraging. Last year, with third place in the P.T. Competition after two successful years, was disappointing. The debacle on Sports Day can be remedied by more boys turning out for training; even half a point each from a quarter of the House would improve our chances considerably.

Both 1st and 2nd XI's won a match in the Cricket Competition, and as a result we occupied third position. Our Senior soccer XI's finished the season very close behind Priory and Frith, and our Juniors are doing well. Rugby promises better results than last year; the nuclei of two capable XV's are there. In conclusion, emphasis is laid on the average performer. Remember, three star performers don’t make a team!

R.J.J., J.R.M.

Frith House.

For the first time in the history of the School, Frith House occupied the last position in the House Championship Competition. Lack of support and practice in the Swimming, P.T., and Athletics contests led to disappointing results.

Senior Soccer results—a tie for first place with Priory—were more promising, but more support in Rugby and Cross-country running will be needed to ensure a high position in the Championship.

P.G.H.
 

Park House.

Last term, except for a promising First Form team, Soccer results were very disappointing, and showed a great contrast to Cricket and Athletic achievements in the previous term. Park House can still do well this year, but boys must give their full support. You can all help. Turn out- regularly for Cross-country and Rugger practices; make good use of the Duke of York’s swimming bath; and make the most of the Athletics facilities to gain as many standard points as possible.

R.M.B.

Priory House.

Prospects this year are better than ever before. Unfortunately, though we won the Senior Soccer, Junior results were disappointing. Congratulations are offered to Jackson, Carran, and Clayson for their successes in Athletics. The Cross-country Cup should be retained, and we have a good chance of winning the Ebbw Vale Rugby Cup. Finally, we hope that all members of the House will do their utmost to enable us to win the House Championship for the first time in eighteen years.

F.K.I., K.T.C.

==FORM REFLECTIONS==

YE CHRONYCLE.

Ande grete is the lamentacioun of ye scrybe and of hir fellawes, that namoore wyl be oon “Chronycle of ye Welle” For an myghtie bolte, as yffe fromme ye hevenes butte in trewthe fromme ye hand of ye Blackeste and Nobleste Lord of alle, has cum doone upon ye wonyng of Sicksartes, and has een splitte itte onsundere: ye sheepe han beene made divisione fromme ye goates. Hir deskes han they taken uppe (an thatte they were able), ande they didde maken entraunce of an finere halle, where manic more thanne “twentie bookes clad in blak or reed" aren dumped ande sometymes redde.

But itte was nat permetted for twain of oure noble lordes there to follow inne oure traine: Sire Selcnu, thatte verray rarfit gentil knyght, wos atte laste oertakene by thatte darynge thiefe, Tyme: Sire Rextab, of whome ye purple ribbonne in buttonehole stille fiutteres gailie in ye breeze, cummes toe us butte seldome. Ye lonelie sheepe han a newe shepherde, Sire Snitmit, ande unto hym muste swynke oft be graunted, so thatte ye Byromynore of ye scrybe ben nighe used uppe.

Muchel rejoycinge was there fromme ye basere varlettes, whanne thatte hir lordynges, with knobbed knees and hayry legges, with shirtes too tyghte ande shortes too shorte and bootes thatte dydde soorlie pynche, dydde entren inne combatte opene with ye “undecimme primus.” Namore of thys, for foule was fayre and fayre was foule.

Atte othere houres sondrie of ye lordes didde themmeselves dissemble onne ye stage. Ande so grete was ye scrybe shokken thatte there weren so muchel sweryng and drynkynge, thatte he in persoun didde enterre thatte lowe inne yclept ye “stafferoome” to leve divers morale tractes. But fledden he in haste; so grete weren ye stenche and fumes of smoke, he was nigh suffocaten.

Ande monie weren ye preparaciouns for ye prettie peece, “Everie Manne inne hys Toga.” Sackelothe and sheetes weren al used uppe by Sire Riottram ere everie playere was ycladde. Itte is wisperd thatte Sire Phyrum didde runne ye Sonne of Jacke through, exelaymynge in voys loud and clere: “An othere fivundreddewattebulbe!”

Butte nowe ye tyme of gaitie and eek of ye “Prefectsdaunce” ben nighe. And there is muchel parlance of steppes quicke and of ye trottynge of ye foxen. I muste goe forthewithe and do practise of thysse newe wondere, yclept, me thynkest, ye Sammeba.

Ye lerned ande venerable scrybe,

Le Darby.

UPPER VI. SCIENCE.

This year
We have decided to write these notes in
A new and
Clearly
Defined form, then
Even the simp
Lest mind will be able to understand them.
So
Here goes.
For Sale: Twelve caps, as new, almost unworn.
General Hysteria: The Army is now in possession of an almost human robot. Guess who? . . . Yes, but then he always was!
Freaks Tour: Our latest addition, one of the knobbliest Romans of them all-Black Mark Anthony!
A man’s body is worth 3/- when he is dead. We know someone who has already had more than his money’s worth.
From scrutinising the choir it is obvious that the longest pipes give the deepest noise.
Through the Keyhole:

Is everybody clear? . . . We’d look silly if we were.

“No! No! . . . I’m too young to play second row!”

“Oh! Are we playing with a ball, too?”

“I can’t say off-hand, but I have a book at home... "

“Well, I don’t know myself, so we’ll scrub round that one.”

".... but what is a tonsorial artist?

(For explanation of these notes turn to page 333.)

THE HEAVENLY TWINS.

LOWER VI. SCIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE.

Does anyone know anything about wireless?
Is the eighth wonder of the world to get bun money correct?
Do you take French polishing on your syllabus this year?
Can you blow smoke rings with an accumulator?
What is the connection between “They were not divided” and the Prefects’ Dance.

VI. ECONOMICS.

Overheard During P.S.:
. . . Snap!
. . . Which way is the wind blowing?
. . . Play for service!
. . . Let’s have a blow on your mouth-organ.
. . . Have you seen my armour?
. . . Do you shave it with a plough?

-AND THE REST.

We sympathise with one Form Noter’s protest that “The Editors must blame themselves if, owing to their discontinuance of publishing them, these notes are rather prosaic. I do not coin pearls of wit merely for their private amusement.” Nevertheless, we dare not publish whatever is submitted under the heading “Form Notes.” Let us have legible, well-written, informative and/or interesting reports from all Forms, and we will be happy to devote generous space to them.

But what can one do (No, don’t tell us!) with a report, from a very senior boy, ending: “We are instrumental in supplying many new words to the Sixth Form volcabarly. We do this by patient persual of dictionarys during our spare time"?

Upper V. suspect that their division on occasion into two groups is designed to suit masters who appreciate the odds being reduced to a mere ten to one. Their search among “reprints” of School Certificate papers has not yet traced “June 1951.” Lower V., it seems, buids its Soccer team on professional lines, by a one-way transfer system.

Upper IV.’s reporter comments most uncharitably, not only on their gains and losses in personnel, but even on their charity monitor. Somewhat dubiously, he adds: “The enlightened few among us rejoiced on hearing that Games had given way to more academic activities, but the Spartan mob has still to be converted.” Middle IV.’s contribution is dourly matter-of-fact and written in an impeccable hand-writing which belies the mysterious P.S.: “My sincere thanks to Pressnell, for help in reading the manuscript.”

Certain promoted youths were apparently “nearly shot as spies” when they first entered Upper II. Form Room. In fact, this Form seems to have lost that sweet innocence so conspicuous in new boys. Note in contrast the simple charm of Lower I., to whom “it is wonderful how the masters cope with all the boys’ problems”!

SALVETE

Vi. Arts: A. Malais.

Upper IV.: Pettet.

Middle IV.: Wells.

Lower III.: J. A. W. Hopper.

Lower II.: C. T. Edmunds.

Upper I.: . Amos, M. A. Bates, C. H. Clark, D. Constable, M. Conyers, P. J. V. Crick. P. G. Dalton, A. D. Duncan, M. J. Finnis. P. F. Godden, M. D. Harvey, K. Jones. M. Jones, L. Lees, I. M. Rabjohns, K. V. Randall, D. E. Rigden. E. F. Roberts, B. M. Sarjeant, R. S. Scanes, B. J. Sherwood, E. Southern, W. A. Standing, P. L. Sutton, P. B. J. Taylor, A. Walter, M. J. Williams, A. Young.

Middle I.: T. E. Barratt, M. Bowles, J. R. Buss, A. Cameron, P. B. Castle, M. Collins, B. Condon, S. A. Dolbear, M. E. Ewer. P. B. Fuggle, G. W. A. Graves. M. J. Greene, M Greenstreet, J. F. Horton. B. R. Hyland. G. D. James, J. A. Knight, P. H. Line, R. Luckhurst, G. I. Moore, A. F. Rhodes, M. J. Santer. J. W. Skelton, G. C. Soden, A. B. Veness, J. W. Ward, I. Westie, B. J. C. Wilson, P. M. Woolhouse.

Lower I.: M. J. Ashdown. R. J. D. P. Booth, R. J. Browning, D. B. Burns. G. R. Chawner. P. Clay, R. H. Cuff. C. J. Dixon. M. G. Friend, W. R. Haines. P. C. Hobbs, B. R. Hopper, W. Johnson, M. Keeler, L. W. H. Lawrence, A. J. McCaig, M. G. McDonnell, G. M. Meakin. A. J. Morgan, M. Pearce. D. H. Redman. A. V. Rogers, N. Sanders, M. J. Sharp, J. T. Stone, E. T. Walder.

VALETE

(S.1, 2=School 1st. 2nd Team; H.1, 2=House 1st, 2nd Team; S.C.=School Certificate; S.C.M.=ditto, with Matriculation; H.S.C.=Higher School Certificate.)

D. G. WEAVER (1939). Prefect; Library Prefect: “Pharos” Committee; Debating; Dramatics; Choir; Orchestra; S.C.M.. 1947; H.S.C., 1950.

M. J. BAX (1940). Deputy Head Prefect: Deputy House Captain; Secretary, Dramatics; Library Committee; “Pharos” Committee; Debating: Choir; Arts and Crafts; Rugger (S.2); Soccer (H.2); Cricket (H.2); C.Q.M.S., Army Cadet Force; S.C.M.. 1947; H.S.C., 1949-50 (exemption, Inter-Arts).

D. G. SIMMONDS (1942). Head Prefect; House Captain: School Captain of Athletics (Colours. 1950); Rugger (Colours, 1949); Cricket (Colours, 1948); Soccer (Colours 1949); S.C.M., 1948; H.S.C., 1950.

J. R. KENWAY (1942). Deputy Prefect: Dramatics; Geographical Society; Choir; Arts and Crafts; Cricket (H.2); S.C.M.. 1947: H.S.C., 1950 (exemption, Inter. Arts).

B. J. SKINNER (1942). Prefect; Dramatics; Choir; Debating; Rugger (H.1); Soccer (H.2); Cricket (H.1); Swimming (H.); Athletics (H.); S.C., 1947; H.S.C.. 1950 (exemption Inter.-Science).

A. W. WEBBER (1942). Dramatics: Choir; Rugger (H.1); Swimming (H., Captain); S.C., 1947.

P. A. HALL (1942). Dramatics; Choir; Geographical Society; S.C., 1948.

C. J. BILBY (1945). Prefect; Dramatics; Debating; S.C.M., 1947; H.S.C., 1949 (exemption Inter. -Science).

A. G. WRIGHT (1943). House Vice-Captain; School Cross-country Captain; Athletics (Vice-Captain); A.T.C. (Proficiency, Athletics): Rugger (S.1); Soccer (S.1); Cricket (S.1); Geographical Society; S.C.. 1948; H.S.C., 1950.

G. A. EVANS (1943). Prefect; Dramatics; Athletics (S.); Rngger (S.1) (Colours 1950); Soccer (S.1) (Colours 1949); Cricket (S.1); S.C., 1948. To N.C.B. Surveying.

J. WELFORD (1948). Choir; Orchestra; S.C.M. (N.U.B.). 1948; H.S.C., 1950 (exemption Inter.-Science). To King’s College, London.

F. REED (1946). Dramatics; Rugger (H.2); S.C.M.. .1947; H.S.C., 1950 (exemption
Inter.-Science).

F. GRABHAM (1943). Dramatics; Rugger (S.1); Cricket (S.1): Athletics (S.); Soccer (S.1); House P.T.; S.C., 1949.

C. CHAPMAN (1943). Choir; Soccer (S.1); Cricket (S.1) (Colours 1949); S.C., 1949.

J. HOPPER (1945). Prefect; Choir: Dramatics; Rugger (S.2); Soccer (H.2); Cricket (S.1); S.C., 1948; H.S.C., 1950.

F. SMITH (1946). Choir; Rugger (S.1): Athletics (S.); Soccer (S.2); Cricket (S.1);  S.C., 1949. To Harrod’s Stores.

A. RYELAND (1945). Dramatics.

C. BAILIFF (1945). Deputy Prefect; House Captain; Choir; Orchestra; Rugger (S.1); Cross-country (S.): Swimming (S.); Soccer (H.1); Cricket (H.2); Dramatics; Geographical Society; S.C., 1948; H.S.C., 1950 (exemption Inter.-Arts).

F. BLACKAH (1945). Dramatics; Orchestra; Geographical Society; House P.T.; Swimming (H.); A.C.F. (Sgt.-Major); Rugger (S.1); Cricket (S.2); Soccer (H.2); S.C., 1949. To Royal Marines.

K. HYAM (1945). Rugger (H.1); S.C., 1949. To Borough Engineer's Department.

P. BARRACLOUGH (1945). Rugger (S.2); Dramatics; S.C., 1949.

M. GROVER (1946). Soccer (H.2); Rugger (H.1); Swimming (H.); Dramatics; S.C.M., 1949. To Meteorological Office.

F. TRACEY (1945). S.C.M.. 1949.

T. KENNETT (1945). Dramatics: Recorded Music. To School of Catering, Ramsgate.

J. PEVERLEY (1945). Arts and Crafts; S.C.. 1950. To Architect’s Office, Canterbury.

D. WHALL (1945). Choir; Dramatics; Rugger (S.2); Soccer (H.2); S.C., 1949. To Central Press, Dover.

M. HEDGECOCK (1945) Orchestra; Cricket (S.1): Soccer (H.2); S.C., 1950.

D. NICHOLS (1945). Cricket (S.2); Soccer (H.1); Rugger (H.1); Arts and Crafts; Chess; Recorded Music.

E. OAKLEY (1945). Choir; Orchestra; Rugger (H.1); S.C., 1949.

L. CARTER (1944). S.C., 1950.

R. GREEN (1945). Rugger (H.1); S.C., 1950.

S. GREENSTREET (1945). Athletics (S.); Recorded Music; Rugger (H.2); S.C., 1950.

R. P. DAWKINS (1944). Soccer (H.2); Rugger (H.2); Cricket (H.2); Swimming (H.); Dramatics: Choir; Arts and Crafts; Recorded Music; A.C.F. To Naval Training School, Portsmouth.

E. W. MILLER (1945). Rugger (H.1); Dramatics; Arts and Crafts; Geographical Society; Recorded Music; S.C., 1949; Civil Service Entrance, 1950. To H.M. Dockyard. Portsmouth.

T. G. KILLIP (1944). Soccer (S.1): Rugger (H.1); Cricket (H.1); Athletics (H.); Recorded Music; A.C.F. To R.A.M.C.

R. B. FRANCIS (1946). Soccer (H.1); Cricket (H.1); Rugger (H.1); House P.T.; Cross-country (S.); Athletics (S.); Arts and Crafts; S.C., 1950.

E. MARGESON (1945). Rugger (H.1); Soccer (S.2); Cricket (H.1); Athletics (S.); Arts and Crafts; Recorded Music; Choir.

L. T. G KELLY (1945). Cricket (S.2); Rugger (S.2): Soccer (H.1); Athletics (S.); Cross-country (H.); Arts and Crafts; Choir: Recorded Music; Dramatics; Geographical Society. To Badcock and Wilson, London.

A. BARLOW (1945). Rugger (H.2); Athletics (H.); Swimming (H.); Geographical Society; Arts and Crafts; Cross-country (H.); Recorded Music.

A. KING (1945). Rugger (H.2); Arts and Crafts.

D. BRADLEY (1945). Soccer (H.2); Cricket (H.2); Rugger (H.2); Cross-country (H.); Geographical Society; Philatelic Society. To Ordnance Survey, London.

C. ELLIS (1945). A.T.C.; Geographical Society; Recorded Music; Arts and Crafts.

J. STARLING (1948). Recorded Music: Arts and Crafts; Geographical Society; Gardening Society; S.C., 1950. To Boreham Institute of Agricultural Engineering.

W. E. FINNIS (1945). Rugger (H.2); Gardening Society; Arts and Crafts; Dramatics. To Dennis, Deal.

K. THOMPSON (1945).

L. HILL (i945). Soccer (H.2).

J. STOW (1945). Rugger (H.2).

R. VICKERY (1945). Dramatics; S.C.. 1950.

K. COBBETT (1946). Dramatics.

T. EVANS (1945). Rugger (H.2); Soccer (H.2); Cricket (H.2); Athletics (H.); Recorded Music: A.C.F. To N.C.B. Offices.

P. PIGOTT (1940). S.C.M., 1950; from Pembury Hospital.

T. PRYKE (1948). Arts and Crafts.

J. ATKINS (1945). Athletics (H.); Rugger (H.2); S.C., 1950.

F. FULLER (1945). Soccer (H.2); Rugger (H.2).

D. BOURNER (1945). Rugger (H.2).

E. WEIR (1945). Rugger (H.2); Arts and Crafts; Orchestra; Choir; S.C., 1950.

R. JONES (1945). Dramatics; Arts and Crafts.

J. BOXALL (1948).

R. BRYAN (1948).

K. PICKETT (1948).

K. DEWAR (1946). Choir; Soccer (H.2). To Army Apprentice School.

R. FLOWER (1946). Soccer (H.2); Rugger (H.2).

M. SHERWOOD (1948).

P. SHERWOOD (1948).

A. CATTELL (1943).

J. BURCH (1949).

T. ELLENDER (1945). Arts and Crafts.

J. CLARIDGE (1950).

==FANCY FREE==

ARS ARTIS GRATIA.

“Every town needs an intellectual society,” said Bill.

“Well? “ I said.

“Well, why don’t we create one here?”

“What, in Dover?”

“Unpromising material sometimes produces the finest results, you know. Anyway, why not?”

We started the very next day. At various societies-Film, Music, Dramatic, Operatic—we dropped remarks like: “What did you think of Lemskrovsky’s Fourth at the I.S.C.M. last year?” or “Have you been listening to those fascinating lectures on the Third about the influence of Joyce on Hottentot thought?” The victim either looked sheepish or assured a rather hysterical nonchalance, remarking: “No, I haven’t come across them.”

From then on it was easy. We soon became the centre of quite a little society. Nothing formal, you know; just a little coterie. When several of us were gathered together, Bill and I would shine remarkably. Bill would say: “Have you read that brilliant novel by that Serbo-Croatian writer, what’s-his-name? Translated? I don’t think it has been yet, but I don’t know. I never bother much with translations.” Now I know for a fact that Bill doesn’t know enough of any foreign language to read notices about not leaning out of windows in Continental trains.

Not that I want you to think that our influence was confined to the Fine Arts. I well remember putting a ‘cellist friend quite off her stroke by saying: “Of course, pendant ear-rings are distinctly chose fade in Paris this year,” when she was wearing an enormous pair. This was during one of our cosy little quartet evenings, but fortunately we were playing Schönberg. at the time, so no one noticed that in her confusion she began to play the Third Movement while we were playing the Second.

We even began to get a hold on the regular societies. For instance, when suggestions were invited for next year’s Operatic Society production, one of our members suggested that they give the first performance anywhere of “Transfigured Clown,” a Surrealist opera by that brilliant young Cambodian composer, Onghor Bu-Khéng, and such was our influence at that time that “Floradora” beat “Transfigured Clown” by only a very narrow majority.

I say “was,” for at this juncture Cudsworthy put in an appearance. At first he impressed us quite favourably. He wore purple corduroys and a yellow shirt with no tie; and he spoke with a light Northumbrian accent. Unfortunately, he started remarking that he couldn’t stand snobbish highbrows (looking at Bill and me most pointedly, I thought). Within a week or two almost the whole of our intellectual society was listening to records of Nellie Lutcher with apparent enjoyment. But last night was the last straw. Returning home late, I had hardly opened the door when the oddest noises, which after a moment I recognised as a poor imitation of Al Jolson singing “Sonny Boy,” assailed my ears.

Hardly believing that I had heard aright, I went upstairs, to find that it was . . . - Bill!

Really, isn’t it infuriating?

J.R.T.

IMPRESSIONS.

Il est vrai que lorsque je vins en Angleterre, le séjour que j’allais faire dans une école, au milieu de personnes ayant une langue et des mœurs différentes, ne me souriait guère. C’est même avec une certaine appréhension que j’entrais dans ce nouveau monde qu’était le “Dover County Grammar School.”

Mais cette appréhension, je dois dire, se dissipa bien vite. Le changement entre cette atmosphére cordiale et celle tendue et même craintive de la plupart des écoles de France ne pouvait que me convenir. Ne plus être sous la coup des “Pions,” jeunes apprentis maîtres aussi sévères que possible, voilà qui est le rêve de bien des élèves en France.

Aussi, lorsque je suis arrivé, ce nouveau régime m’a littéralement enchanté. Les relations entre professeurs élèves, qui sont aussi ainicales que possible, auraient intérêt à étre mieux connues dans les écoles d’outre-manche.

Mais c’est encore la liberté qui, ici, m’a paru le plus sujet à être considéré. Il est vraiment difficile d’imaginer une plus grande liberté que celle dont jouissent ici les élèves. Les portes sont grandes ouvertes de jour comme de nuit, et la surveillance par elle-même, quoique toujours présente, ne se fait pas sentir impérieusement. Les garçons, la plupart du temps, sont livrés à eux-mêmes, et ils ne se comportent pas plus mal pour cela. De plus, leur esprit de camaraderte est digne de tout éloge. Il n’existe pas dans cette école, et je crois dans aucune école, de “brimades,” c’est à dire des plaisanteries plus ou moms de bon goût, que le nouvel élève doit subir à son entrée.

Dans le domaine du sport, il y a là aussi sujet de satisfaction. Avoir de nombreux terrains où l’on puisse jouer à tout moment, voilà qui change avec le sport que l’on est censé faire à Paris deux heures par semaine.

Par contre, dans le domaine de Ia nourriture, les repas anglais laissent plutôt a désirer. Non pas qu’ils soient mauvais, mais ils manquent essentiellement de préparation. Le thé mis à part, les repas ont plutôt l’air d’une formalité que l’on expédie au plus vite, que d’un temps consacré a se restaurer.

Néanmoins, cette école me donne un aperçu du régime des écoles anglaises, et je ne regrette qu’une chose, c’est que ce système ne soit pas mis en pratique dans toutes les écoles de France.

A.M.

MAN’S HERITAGE.

The room was well lit by a series of great arched windows, a few still retaining an occasional pane of grimy glass. Around the walls Were lofty shelves, rising almost to the shadowed ceiling. Along one side of the room stood long reading tables, several of which had obviously been smashed up for firewood. In the centre of the room were ranks of tall bookcases, many of them overturned.

The floor was a wild litter of books; some were burnt, some had been deliberately ripped to pieces. Many as there were on the floor, the shelves still seemed overcrowded.

The man and woman fingered books here and there. They could read very little, and most of the books were utterly incomprehensible to them.

They discovered the children’s section. Here bits of knowledge, glimpses of what had been, were tantalisingly half revealed.

They stared, utterly dumbfounded, at the civilisation their ancestors had known-at unbelievably tall buildings, at airplanes, cars, stream-lined trains; at scenes and great personages long since forgotten; at weapons so vast and complicated that they seemed like figments of some strange warped imagination instead of tools of man. As they looked, they saw the kaleidoscopic, changing faces of a civilisation that had towered and flourished, swept up into the sky and vanished in a breath.

They were excited beyond measure, overcome by the lust of discovery. Running hither and thither, they took down books by the armful and skimmed through the pages, stopping every now and again as they were held by some picture of strangeness or of haunting familiarity.

Suddenly the man was silent. He stood unmoving, transfixed. The woman came and peered over his shoulder at the pages of the book he held. The rich evening sunlight fell upon the page, illuminating the stark horror of the photograph. A wrecked street strewn with torn bodies. In the background rescue squads digging for trapped survivors. A child’s body, its featureless face a black mask of blood. Everywhere chaos, horror.

Slowly the man turned the pages. More photographs—ruined cities; bodies; men in uniform, guns in hands; great ships; mammoth tanks, moving beastlike through smoke, belching fire; destruction and death rampant. They saw men dying in numbers beyond their comprehension. On the pages lay mirrored all the naked horrors of war. They saw their race committing suicide on a flaming pyre of self-destruction.

The light was almost gone; the shadows were rising swiftly. The man silently closed the last book and stared before him with unseeing eyes.

“They had so much!” he said softly. “They could do all that Fly, go on wheels, see far, know so much . . . and all they thought of was killing! Killing! Just to make folks do as they said, think as they thought. They could’ve helped them . . . could’ve healed them instead of killing them . . . We aren’t fit to know. Don’t you see? If they knew how, they’d do it again. People aren’t any different now from then. Better we don’t know, then we don’t get the chance to kill. Some folks’ll get a chance to live that way. Better we burn all these books. Then nobody’ll know how to kill.”

The woman turned and looked at her companion. She was wise with the wisdom that comes of great age. “There isn’t anybody going to stop folks killing. It’s bore i~ them. Killing’s natural to folks;’ books won’t make any difference. They figured out the stuff in books before; they’d do it again, you give them time. Take years and years, but they’d do it. If they don’t, they’d still kill each other, only like animals. They’re still going to kill, so what difference does it make how they do it? There isn’t anybody ever going to stop folks from killing each other.”

F.K.E.I.

R -M -V

“ A few more years shall roll.”

*    *    *    *    *

SCHOOL DINNERS.

“Fate cannot touch me, I have dined to-day.” (Calverley.)

*    *    *    *    *

GARDENING.

“Oh, the sweet contentment

The countryman doth find.”

(Chalkhill).

SUCCESS ENSURED!
or
How to Address an Audience of Healthy Young Lads.
(A Handy Guide to all concerned in the Instruction of the Young.)

It is universally agreed that anyone, however little he may liave to say, or however bad he may be at saying it, can soon acquire enough skill to speak with some success to an audience composed of the inmates of one of our grammar schools or other establishments of learning.

Very important is a suitable beginning. You could start by immediately and irresistibly attracting their attention. You might arouse their curiosity by some cryptic question, setting all their little heads in a whirl seeking for the answer; you might say, for instance: “I wonder how many of you boys know what a wombosh is?” Of course, womboshes need be connected only very indirectly with your subject. This does not matter. A good start is the essential thing.

Again, you might give them the personal angle by saying something in this vein: “As I was talking to your good headmaster just now . . . Set out to enthral them.

Or you might appeal to their nobler instincts: “If your father were to come home one day and say, ‘The pig has bubonic plague,’ I expect you would be very sorry. But . . .“ Make them feel what it is like.

One of the most popular openings is to show immediately that you understand the little chaps: “As I was preparing these few words this morning I said to myself, ‘These young fellows don’t want to hear about some old buffer’s antics in South America. What they want is . . Show you speak their language.

According to your temperament you may choose whichever of these openings you prefer. My own favourite for producing quiet attention is: “Just a few words before we show you the film. . .

D.N.J.

SOLITUDE.
(From Hermann Allrners.)

ODD NUMBERS.

Perhaps the best known unit is the yard. This can be of any shape, from a rectangular cow yard to a round back yard. In the latter there are usually two poles. One might think that they were for clothes lines, but, as the text books tell us that there is usually one pole to every five-and-a-hall yards, their uses could be various.

The next well-known unit is the foot, in which there are twelve inches, and, as there are four inches to one hand, there are three hands to one foot. This does not agree with the laws of anatomy, for we usually associate two hands with two feet-except in the case of horses, when a good horse has four feet, and, by mathematics, eighteen hands. But eighteen hands make six feet. So a horse is either two feet taller than it should be or it has two extra feet (or six extra hands).

By now you. may be in knots. A knot is one nautical mile per hour and is a unit of speed. Although knots may be found in string, they are more commonly found at sea. You can get up to twenty-five normally. You. may even find them in chains, as they use chains more than string there. But there are ninety-two chains per hour to one knot. So, instead of finding twenty-five knots, you would find 25 x 92 chains of 25 x 92 x 100 links per hour, i.e., 64 links per second.

A good golfer knows that there are eighteen holes to a link. If there were two people at every hole, there would be 2,304 people passing each second, or 4,608 feet, or 13,824 hands; or 769 horses, or 3,076 feet, or 1,025 hands, or 6,152 hands. But a normal hole is 600 feet. Therefore, there must be 691,200 feet per second, or 2,703,600 hands per second, or 103,680 horses per second, or 414,720 feet per second, or 2,073,600 feet per second—or don’t you think so?

R.J.F.

LAW OF THE WILD.

Sharply etched in the azure bowl of an English summer sky a hawk hung, motionless save for an occasional flutter of scythe-like wings. Below, the countryside lay in that sylvan charm peculiar to England. On each side an expanse of rolling moorland sloped down to a small combe, whose steep wooded sides formed a fitting cradle for the tiny stream which cascaded down to the sea.

With a splash, an otter plunged in, frightening the trout and other small fish, but the waiting hawk gave no sign of having seen or heard. A kingfisher dived quickly among the scattering fish, his brilliant plumage flashing meteor-like across the quieter shades of tree and bank. He emerged with a fish held firmly crosswise in his beak, gave a 5hrill whistle to warn his mate, and flew into a dark, dank hole in the far bank. Still the hawk remained motionless.

    A field mouse was tentatively peering from its hole. The noise of the otter sent it scuttling to the shelter of some nearby vegetation, whence it emerged fearfully. The unexpectedness of the kingfisher’s call startled it, but, re-assured by its familiarity, it continued on its timorous, unobtrusive way.

At once the hawk seemed to tense. The mouse crept further away from the friendly cover of the undergrowth. The hawk swept down fifty feet in a great circle. ‘rhe movement alarmed the mouse, which fled swiftly to a tuft of grass, while the hawk came lower, until it was a mere twenty feet above the ground. So it was for perhaps five minutes. The mouse peered forth . . . then ran swiftly for its hole. Like a bolt, the bird of prey dropped, wings closed, until it seemed it would crash to the ground. Then, at the very last moment, its pinions opened and its outstretched talons sank into the small furry body.

J.R.M.

SYLVESTER THE STEAM ROLLER.

Sylvester was a very high class steam roller. He was brand new, and refused to talk to all the other steam rollers in the Corporation yard. Sylvester had one ambition—to go to Oxford University and meet his high class, though smaller, relations, who lived in a groundsman’s shed. He thought that, after he had been to Oxford, he would be able to lord it over his only rival, an electric roller who said he had once seen Cambridge.

Two or three months passed before Sylvester got his chance. A road was being built to a new model village. At one point the road passed close by Oxford, and it was here that Sylvester started his journey. His driver had left his engine running, and Sylvester, who, like all really high-class steam rollers, could drive himself, rolled off at a fine speed to Oxford.

It was Sports Day on his arrival, so it was quite easy for him to keep out of sight till he reached the groundsman’s shed. The door was locked, but that was no worry to Sylvester. When the dust and debris had cleared, Sylvester rolled inside, somewhat anxiously, to see his high class relations, real Oxonians.

Inside there was an over-dressed lady roller. “Blimey, who d’you think you blooming well are, cock, barging in ‘ere like that?” she asked.

Thinking that that must be the Oxford accent, Sylvester explained that he had come to see them because all the other rollers he knew were nasty low common things. “Coo, ‘ark at ‘im talking, Alfie! Proper toff ain’t he?” said the over-dressed lady roller to one of the small hand rollers that lay about her.

Sylvester was distinctly shocked at this, and when the smallest roller started to scrape him to see what colour he was underneath he thought that he had had enough. He was preparing to make a dignified exit, when two groundsmen appeared and rushed at him. Sylvester dodged nimbly through the centre of a potting shed and rolled away as fast as he could.

Rounding a corner at breakneck speed, he knocked some scaffolding flying. A rickety tower swayed dangerously and fell, A small piece of it knocked off one of Sylvester’s treasured lamps. At this he saw red. Charging across prize flower beds, Sylvester headed straight down a narrow alley. Too late he realised it was a cul-de-sac. He crashed through the wall and dropped twelve feet into the river.

Two weeks later a very rusty, battered, and sorry-looking steam roller was rolled into the yard at Oxford. It was Sylvester.

D.M.

THE VISION.

The sun rose high over the desert. Plodding wearily through the hot sand, the Man approached the Sage. At last he knelt before this venerable being, who sat impassively on his rock, in deep contemplation of the beauties of space. The Man looked up, hesitated, and then asked: “What is life, O Sage?”

The Sage remained motionless for a long while. At length, as if seeing the Man for the first time, he arose. “Behold!” he said. The Man gasped in astonishment. Before him, stretching to the horizon, was a mighty ocean. On its shores thronged a vast crowd of human beings. The scene vaguely suggested a Bank Holiday at the seaside.

“That,” remarked the Sage, “is the Ocean of Time. Ask, 0 Man, and you shall be answered.”

Not far off a tug-of-war was in progress between one side attired in black and another in white. On their backs the contestants bore words like Despair, Sin, Hope, Virtue.

“That is the struggle between good and evil,” the Sage explained.

The Man had only just enough time to observe that the Blacks were winning, when his eye was attracted to a large, clamorous crowd gathered about a merry-go-round. It was revolving very rapidly, and after a short while the people who succeeded in getting places were so dizzy that they had to jump off.

“That is political power,” said the Sage.

The Man let his eye wander along the shore. Some were building sand castles at the water’s edge. But hardly had they been built than, to the grief and annoyance of their constructors, a wave would sweep in and knock them down.

“They are the builders of civilisations.”

A small boat was drifting along a little way off shore. The crew did not appear to be greatly perturbed by the course their ship was taking. To the Man’s inquiry, the Sage replied that it was some religion—he had forgotten the name—and that the navigators evidently had not decided how to get to their destination.

The Man remained some while, gazing at this scene. Then, turning, overwhelmed by the seeming futility of life, he asked: “What is the point of living?”

But the Sage had disappeared. The Man looked again. The ocean and everything else had disappeared. Only the desert remained. He clenched his fists and beat his head against the sand. “What,” he repeated, “is the point of living?” He leapt to his feet and threw wide his arms. A curse sprang to his lips, but it got no further. In the heavens above celestial music had begun to play. His arms fell. All the beauty of the Arts seemed to be compassed into that one melody. The Man rejoiced, for he was glad to be alive.

A.R.H.

SCHOOL CARGOES.
(With apologies to John Masefield.)

("The Headmaster will see all . . . in Lower IV. Room at 1.30 to-day!")

W.S.M.

ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS.

THE FIFTH DIMENSION.

Long ago, when man was closer to his brethren the apes than he now is, he lived in the shelter of trees. When he left them, to hunt or to drink at the waterhole, he scuttled along on all fours and consequently never looked above eye-level.

There lived among the tree-folk a sagacious ape-man, called in the language of the man-pack “Hadnotrab,” which, surprisingly enough, means “he who works miracles.”

One day this sage sat—or rather squatted—on the lowest limbs of a tree, and, as was his custom, pondered deeply on the serious matters of life—whether or not this new weapon, the flint axe, was all that it was made out to be. Just as he was making up his animal mind, he dozed, for he found thinking extremely tiring. His grip on the bough relaxed, and he hurtled screaming to the ground.

He landed heavily, and in his dazed condition rolled on to his back. As he was coming back to what senses he had, he opened his eyes. Behold, above him he saw a great arc of blue, broken only by brilliant ball of golden fire, which burnt into his eyes. As he gazed into the new dimension—later called “upwards" —he realised that he had, for the first time in man’s short history, discovered—sky!

P.R.F.-H.

SCHOOL FOR CASTAWAYS.

Most of us have had dreams of being marooned on some uninhabited island of the South Pacific. with nothing but a penknife to procure “bed and breakfast.” But, during recent years, hundreds of men have had just that experience, often without even the penknife!

Robinson Crusoe very conveniently found fresh water near at hand, and from the wreckage of his ship he salvaged a regular chandler’s store of things useful to any island solitary. But nowadays, when the possibility of becoming a castaway in the vast Pacific Ocean faces more than a million men, learning to survive has had to be made a scientific study.

At Orlando, in the United States, every airman goes to the “Jungle Survival School” to learn lots of things that apparently never bothered Robinson Crusoe. He finds the answers to such queries as:—

How do you tell if a fish is poisonous or edible?

What do you do for water, when there isn’t any?

How can you tell when a tornado is on the way, and what do you do about it?

All the problems likely to face a modern Crusoe have been thought out. The experiences of scores of men who have lived for weeks on “desert islands” have been examined. The museums have been combed for specimens of island snakes, birds, and fish. By the time a man has finished at the Survival School he knows that, if he be cast away in a small boat in the vast Pacific or marooned on a Pacific island, there is no reason why he should not live in reasonable comfort until he is picked up.

The first great problem of the castaway is water. A man can go without food, but not without drink. It has been discovered, however that fish can supply water as well as food. Experiments show that when a fish is squeezed it yields a juice not nearly as nauseating as might be thought. To a parched man, indeed, it is nectar. Fish, like the human body, are three parts water, and a good squeeze will cause a fish to yield about one-quarter of its weight in a juice that is nearly all water. Among tropical plants, the coconut is one of the great stand-bys, providing drink, meat, shelter, light, and even medicine.

The students’ passing-out test is that of actually being a Robinson Crusoe for one week, on an island that has been set aside for “examinations.” The student is “cast ashore” with no more than he would expect to possess if he had made a forced landing on the Pacific and spent a day in a rubber boat. The island has rich tropical vegetation, snakes, and all the usual tropical insects that make life unpleasant. There is no danger of the student’s not surviving, for he can signal if it becomes absolutely necessary for him to “give in.” Otherwise he is left to his own devices, and develops a confidence that could be acquires in no other way.

Generally, when he returns, he has plenty to say, including Plenty of questions to ask!

E.T.P.

LOST IN THE JUNGLE.

I was striking out quite confidently, for then I knew no better. I thought I was quite safe with my new rifle. I was afraid of nothing. Later I learned to respect the jungle.

I was certain I was heading in the right direction, but, as I advanced, I grew strangely uneasy. Perhaps it was the loneliness and the knowledge that I ought not to be out in the jungle alone. I pulled myself together sharply as I heard a sudden noise. I stood stock Still. An animal came lumbering through the undergrowth and passed within ten yards of me.

The jungle was dark and eerie. The sudden thought struck me that by this time I should be at the camp. I looked at my watch. It had Stopped! There was something uncanny about it all. I stopped. I turned and ran! I could not get far in the thickets. I pulled up and was surprised to find myself in a cold sweat. I then realised that I was without my sun helmet. I felt incomplete, and the old uneasiness returned. I now felt the loneliness more than ever, though I knew that the jungle was teeming with life.

I stood still and shouted. I do not know what I shouted or why I shouted. My sudden rude disturbance of a monkey gathering set the whole tribe chattering. This brought me to my senses, and I looked round. The trees seemed to have closed in round me, forming a wicker cage.

Suddenly I heard the sound of a stream, and for the first time I realised how thirsty I was. I saw the glint of water through the trees, and hurriedly thrust my way through the thicket. I reached the place and looked about me in bewilderment, for, as far as I could see, there was not the slightest sign of water anywhere! I blundered on and found a track which I dimly recognised. Making my way along it I came upon a large clearing with three white tents in it. I gasped a sigh of relief and staggered towards the nearest.

M.B.

THE SECRETARY WHO MIS-SPELT A WORD.

Have you ever noticed two small windows at the top of the School Tower? Behind those windows resides a former school secretary who once committed the most serious of crimes. She spelt a word wrong! Night and day she is guarded by an old school prefect who had played table tennis in a private study period.

How they live nobody knows, nor do many people care. But the disappearance of food from the kitchen and books from the library presents no mystery to the few who know of the prisoners in the tower. Occasionally they can be seen walking around the school, an hour before midnight, and on the night of the Prefects’ Dance they join in the last dance. But, in spite of this diversion, the friendship is waning after fifteen years. The guard is hoping with forlorn patience that one day another prefect will waste a “private study” and come to relieve him of his duties. And for her part, the ex-secretary still awaits rescue from some young gallant. So to it, boys! Put on your armour, unsheathe your swords, and charge to the rescue of “the secretary who mis-spelt a word.”

B.W.

CHESS.

He hates chess. He says it is a foolish expedient for making idle people believe they are doing something very clever, when they are only wasting their time.

(Shaw.)

DOVER WEATHER.—January-September, 1950.

The world’s climate, according to many geographers and climatologists, is becoming warmer. This i5 probably true over a period of years, but 1950 has been infamous for its summer.

The year started well; the lowest temperature recorded in the first quarter was 27°F., a mere 5° of frost. The number of snowfalls could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Precipitation from January to March amounted to 6.16”, 3.93” of which fell in February, an unusually wet month. By the end of September just under 18” had fallen, giving a good monthly average of 2”. But on August 23rd 0.79” of rain fell, enough to dampen anybody’s spirits.

A wind speed of 61 m.p.h. was recorded in February, the highest during the first nine months of the year. Gradually the temperature rose, until a June a maximum for the year of 81°F. was reached. The mean monthly temperature was 62°F, and, with the warmest months presumably still to come, prospects of a fine summer were good indeed. But it was not to be. July temperatures never passed 80°F., and those of August reached only 77°F. The average temperature for August was admittedly 2° higher than that of June, but those really hot beach days just did not come.

Two hundred and seventy-two hours of sunshine—a splendid figure—were recorded for June, with as many as 14½ hours on one beautiful day. But hopes were to be smashed by a poor total of 217 hours for July and an even worse one of 207 hours for August. By the end of September 1,530 hours of sunshine had been recorded, but, when one thinks of the clouds of war rolling up over Korea from July onwards, perhaps one ought not to grumble too much.

J.E.H.

CONTRIBUTORS.

Among the “near misses” are Fenwick’s “Lost in the Jungle,” Gibbs’s plea for introducing caber-tossing into the School Sports, and “He Didn’t Wake Up in Time,” by Brown (U.6 Science). We hope at some later time to find space for Forster’s intriguing survey of “The Development of the Alarm Clock,” and we have noted Pettet, Devonshire and Goldfinch as authorities on bird migration, photography, and nudism (!) respectively.

To Kennett (L.6 Sc.) we are indebted for the extension of our "darts” vocabulary. From Gibbs (L.6 Ec.), a prolific but uneven contributor, we learn the strategy of a “Rural Fire Brigade,” whose mis-directed efforts fell into “three phases: assault, penetration, and liquidation.” Halsey’s campaign for a more sporting attitude to fly-hunting ended more strongly than it began: “All true supporters of the Welfare State are therefore expected to obey the following rules. Do not fight with the customary swatters Mark I. and II., nor with to-day’s newspaper; always use yesterday’s paper or little Johnny’s pop-gun. Never hit a sitting target; always wait until the fly is on the wing.” A similar theme was tackled gallantly in verse by Hewitt (U.6 A.), but did not quite come off. Incidentally, we would welcome more verse contributions.

Lest the magazine should seem too much of a Sixth Form preserve, we must acknowledge pieces ranging from a Lower I. “Adventures of a Conker” (by Burns) to an Upper V. Physics fantasy by Willcox. It is pleasant to record a spate of material from Science and Economics Sixth Formers, but distressing to note a complete absence of contributions in English front what should be a most productive source— L.6 Arts. We look forward to a redressing of the balance.

OLD PHAROSIANS.

The outstanding event at the annual meeting in the Council Chamber on December 1st was the announcement that Archie S. Lewis, our Secretary for the past three years, would have to relinquish office through pressure of business responsibilities. Our indebtedness to him for all he had done for the Association found expression in a resolution recorded in the minutes.

Our new Secretary is one of our younger members, Terence Sutton, who we feel sure will bring the enthusiasm of youth to this important office.

Frank Prescott, stalwart of the Association for so many years. has succeeded to the Presidency, and Mr. W. E. Pearce was elected Vice-President. John Darby continues to be our Treasurer, and runny old names (detailed on the back cover) remain on the Committee, though a ballot was a healthy sign.

Membership was reported to be 141, and Life Members 38, but, as usual, some had forgotten to renew their subscriptions. The balance was £48 4s. ld. The Headmaster outlined the position of the War Memorial Pavilion Fund. The five hundredth subscription had brought the total to £693, and the designs—drawn by Old Boys Evans, Stopher, and Simmonds—had been considered by the Sub-Committee and would, in due course, go to the County Architect for approval.

We invite Old Boys to make this report as complete and interesting as possible by sending news of themselves or of Old Pharosian friends to the Editor or to the Hon. Secretary when forwarding subscriptions.

If you do not receive subsequent numbers of “The Pharos,” it will be either because your subscription is more than a year in arrears, or because you have changed your address without notifying the Secretary.

T.A.S

SPORT.

In the annual Cricket matches against the School on 15th July the Old Boys just managed to come off best. The first team drew, and the second obtained a narrow win. Rain interrupted play on two Occasions, but did not mar the afternoon’s enjoyment. The results Were:—

1st XIs: Old Boys, 143 for seven (P. Lester 45, R. Winter 44 not out. School, 85 for four.

2nd XIs: Old Boys, 77; School, 71.

The annual Association Football fixture was played at School on Saturday, 23rd December, and resulted in a draw (1—1).

The ground was frost-bound, and a bitter east wind added further discomfort, but about eighteen Old Boys turned up ready to play, and a good number came along to watch. The game was played at a brisk pace and naturally ran in favour of the side having the wind at its back.

The School scored an early goal and maintained pressure through most of the first half. After the turn-round the Old Boys soon levelled the score, and later hit the woodwork on several occasions, but the game ended with the School centre-forward shooting over with only the goalkeeper to beat. With honours even, all present were glad to retire to warmer quarters.

ANNUAL RE-UNION DANCE.

There was at School on 30th December, 1950, a company of about 200 Old Boys, masters, Sixth Form boys, parents, and other friends of the School, in spite of the adverse weather conditions which usually assail the Re-union. The Old Boys present ranged from Mr. S. Clout and other Past Presidents to some who had left School only a few days previously. There were so many present who had left in the past two years that they constituted a most healthy indication of the Association’s condition and future.

Two hundred is about the right number for a dance in the School Hall, and, since all the other appurtenances were of pleasant quality, the time passed all too quickly and the evening was voted a great success. Supper and all other domestic arrangements reflected the utmost credit on Mrs. King, to whom the Association’s thanks are appreciatively tendered.

The Re-union is, without doubt, the main feature on the Old Pharosian calendar, and this success must be a happy augury for Mr. Prescott’s year as President.

SCHOLARSHIP.

“History is bunk.” (Henry Ford.)

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SCIENCE.

Science is a first-rate piece of furniture for a man’s upper chamber, if he has commonsense on the ground floor. (Holmes.)
 

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STAFF!

We spend our mid-day sweat, our midnight oil;
We tire the night in thought, the day in toil.

WHY NOT R.E.M.E.?

Those of you who may soon be called up for National Service might like some idea of prospects. If you register a desire for Army rather than R.A.F. service (choice of R.N. is not offered), and if you express no special preference for corps or regiment, but emphatically decline to become a cook or military policeman, the chances are that, with a qualification such as a School Certificate, you will be posted to a technical corps like R.E.M.E., Royal Signals, or R.A.M.C.

Of these, R.E.M.E.—the cream of the British Army—has the most to offer. R.E.M.E. training begins—at Blandford, in Dorset, or Honiton, in Devon—with a basic infantry course. During these six weeks you learn three things: why the Army does not get many regular recruits, why N.A.A.F.I. make such profits, and how to understand Glasgow and Birmingham accents.

Although former membership of the A.C.F. does not reduce this initial period, it certainly makes it easier to bear, as the Cadet Force syllabus more than covers that of Army basic training. The only problem is how to escape boredom.

After interview with the Personnel Selection Officer and selection tests, recruits are in due course graded into various trade groups. The top grading is that of potential telecommunications mechanic; next are control equipment electrician, vehicle mechanic, welder, blacksmith, and so on.

My experience is limited to “pot. telemechs.” On passing out from basic training, these are posted to Arborfield, near Reading, in Berkshire, to embark on the longest course in the Army. There are two training battalions at Arborfield—Radar and Telecommunications. Both cater for pot. telemechs. Telecomms—at Bailleul Camp—has two main divisions: “Wireless,” subdivided into mobile and static, and “Lines of Communication.” which covers telegraph and telephony.

Routine at Bailleul is much like school, with muster-parade instead of morning prayers and regimental police occupying the prefects’ room. Homework is not enforced, but the Camp Quiet Room is always full the night before examinations. Basic “tels” theory includes D.C., A.C., valve theory, and valve circuitry. From then until the final trade tests the courses cover various equipment: transmitters, receivers. teleprinters, switchboards, etc.

Next to passing trade tests and wangling week-end leaves, the most important objective at Bailleul is to find an occupation on recreational afternoon. Despite recruiting propaganda, recreation is liable to include potato-picking and scrubbing the gymnasium. Hence the popularity of “educational” visits to even the most obscure London exhibitions, and the phenomenal number of keen cyclists in the garrison. The name “Dover County Grammar” is not unknown in this connection; I was the fourth Old Boy to pass through Arborfield in recent months.

Cfn. D. C. Belsey, R.E.M.E.

(We feel that articles like this, giving information about National Service or careers, can be of very real help to boys on the point of leaving school. Accordingly, we should welcome from Old Boys contributions of a similar nature.—Editor.)

NEWS OF OLD BOYS.

F. ALLEN called at School in December and reported on his progress at King’s and L.S.E., London, where he is taking an Honours Degree in Geography and French.

E. P. ASHMAN is in the R.A.F. at CaIne, Wilts.

G. BAILEY is working in the Pathology Department at Buckland Hospital.

C. BAILIFF is at Oswestry undertaking National Service training as a Gunner.

D. BAXTER, after gaining an Honours Degree in Geography at King’s College, London, has gone to Lyons as assistant at the Lycée there. The idea of founding a Sociéié des Baxters to preserve France for the French is rich in possibilities.

M. J. BAX is taking Honours History at University College London.

J. BUCHAN is in his first year at the Swanley Horticultural College.

L. BORLEY is a Corporal in the R.A.F. at Cardington, and is endeavouring to get into College to take a Geography Degree course.

J. DEWELL (1910-16) is back in Dover with Messrs. Lukey, in Bench Street. He was interested to learn of Old Pharosian and School news, and recalled the playing days of Messrs. Pearce, Baxter, and Slater. They in turn remember him as a first-class centre-forward.

S. N. GODFREY (1904-9), late Director of Education in Ceylon, has now retired from his position as Divisional inspector to the Ministry of Education, and is living in Newcastle-on-Tyne. He has consented to distribute the prizes next Speech Day, the first Old Pharosian to do so.

B. V. GUTSELL has prepared and published a small book on Newfoundland for the Canada Department of Mines and Resources. He is resident at Ottawa, and kindly sent a copy to the School Library.

P. HALL, who called at School in December, is training as a clerk in the R.A. at Woolwich.

P. HART has completed his training as stoker in the R.N. at Plymouth. When he called at School he was about to sail in a light cruiser to Gibraltar and Bermuda, returning via Montreal in the New Year.

W. C. HARRIS was married on 19th March. 1949, to the lady who continues for the present as Science Mistress at Coburn Grammar School, Bow. Harris has completed his medical service in the R.A.F. and is back to take his Finals at Westminster Hospital.

P. C. T. JONES has left Rothamstead after six years and taken up an Agricultural Research Scholarship in Bio-Chemistry at University College, London.

H. W. IVORY is still at Battersea Polytechnic, studying for a Degree in Electrical Engineering, and was last heard of living with Dicky Garside, who is busy on the same course.

D. J. MOORE, after gaining an Honours Degree in Physics at the Royal College of Science, London, is staying on there for a course fn’ Meteorology with a view to a higher degree. He captains the College 2nd XV.

D. G. SIMMONDS and J. HOPPER are now established at Hull, where they are both taking an Honours Degree in Geography.

D. E. TOMKINS is in his first year of the Honours Physics Course at the Royal College of Science.

J. WELFORD is reading Physics at King’s College, London, and is happy in having found an organ on which to practise.

B. WATTS is a sergeant in the Army, his duties being to set and mark education tests for new recruits. Who would have thought.

S. P. WILSON called at School in R.A.F. uniform. He is an electrician at Halton, and has signed on for twelve years.

D. G. WEAVER is experiencing the joys of early rising these winter days. He is putting in a year as pupil with Clark’s preparatory to a course at Swanley Horticultural College.

H. E. WHORWELL, who was at School before the first World War, was awarded the B.E.M. in the New Year’s Honours List. He now lives at Barnes, and is a leading draughtsman with the Ministry of Transport.

R. R. ATHERDEN, Li.B. (Lond.), was one of twenty-five successful candidates at the examination for Honours on admission to the Roll of Solicitors of the Supreme Court. His friends will be sorry to hear that he has to spend some time in bed, but hope that he will make a complete recovery.

D. J. ANDREWS has obtained the Degree of B.A. (1st Div.) at London University.

Dr. G. L. I. BAILEY was in September appointed Deputy Research Manager of the
British Non-Ferrous Metals Research Association, London.

A. EDGINGTON plays soccer regularly for Dover’s reserve team.

ENGAGEMENT.

R. D. LANGFORD to Miss Pauline Manston, R.S.C.N., of Ebbw Vale, in June.

WEDDING.

E. F. FRANCIS to Miss Joyce Atkins, of Dover.

DEATHS.

STANLEY BANKS (c. 1906-10), former Dover journalist, at Leicester, in December.

F. J. MAYER, well-known local journalist, in September.

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION.

The Association grows. A number of parents of the new boys have joined, but there are still too many parents who are not members.

Thanks to the generosity of parents, we were again able to hold Christmas parties for the Lower and Middle Schools without depleting our resources too much. Mrs. King did the boys very well at tea time, and the evenings were completed with games and a conjuror-ventriloquist.

Our first social of the season, on November 25th, proved a financial and a social success. We hope to have another about the end of February, and also to continue a series of whist drives.

After the Annual General Meeting in October, Mr. A. D. Hewlett, the Divisional Education Officer, gave an address on the Education Act, a subject of great interest to all parents. We must arrange more of these addresses and discussions.

A. R. TAYLOR, Hon. Sec.

TRUE STORY.

“I wol bete thee,” quod the maister, “for thy correction.”

“Forsooth,” quod the childe, “ye oughten firste correcte yourself that have lost al your pacience for the gilt of a child.”

“Forsooth,” quod the maister al wepinge, “ thou seyst sooth; have thou the yerde (rod), my dere sone, and correct me for myn impatience.”

(Chaucer.)

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CHOIR.

That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once. (Hamlet.)

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CRICKET.

Casting a ball at three straight sticks and defending the same with a
fourth. (Kipling.)

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DINING-ROOM.

There is no love sincerer than the love of food. (Shaw.)

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FOOTBALL.

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ARITHMETIC.

Lucy, my dear child, mind your arithmetic ... In that first sum YOU had carried two (as a cab is licensed to do), and you ought, dear LUCY, to have carried but one. Is this a trifle? What would life be without arithmetic, but a scene of horrors?

(Sydney Smith.)