OLD PHAROSIANS' ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER

New Series No. 59

Jan 1991

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour.

President:		W.R. Fittall, Esq. 55 West Hill Road, London SW18 1LE
Vice President:		R.C. Colman, Esq. Ivy House, Church Path, Mongeham. Deal
Secretary:		Philip Harding, Esq. 6 Chestnut Road, Elms Vale. Dover CT17 9PY
Treasurer:		Ian Pascall, Esq. 45a Bewsbury Cross Lane, Whitfield, Dover CT16 3EZ
Editor:		K.H. Ruffell, Esq. 193 The Gateway, Dover CT16 ILL
Membership Secretary:		R. Gabriel, Esq. St. Edmund's School, Old Charlton Road, Dover CT16 2QB
Assistant Secretary:		C. Henry, Esq.
Archivist:		S. Wenborn, Esq.

I was surprised and delighted to have been asked to become the first president of the Association from the Hinton and Colman eras.

I cannot pretend to have been a very active member of the Association since leaving school in 1972. Like many others who move away from Dover after university and get immersed in making a career (in my case in the Home Office) and raising a family (sons of 8 and 6) I have not found it easy to maintain old links. The Christian faith and love of music which I both acquired in Dover have kept me busy at weekends in London as a lay reader and fairly regular organist at our local parish church.

But I have always enjoyed keeping in touch through reading this newsletter (for which we owe Ken Ruffell a vast debt of gratitude) and it has been a pleasure in recent months to De able to re-establish more direct contact with the school. I have become particularly conscious of the hard work done by a small group of key people on the Committee to keep the Association in good shape for the rest of us.

It is disconcerting to have to confess to nostalgia at my (relatively) tender age. Yet being in regular contact again with the school has unlocked a host of memories which must have been in cold storage. What was the school like in the 1960's?

By the time that I climbed the school hill for my first day as a Grammar School boy in September 1964 I was already conscious of the privileges which we had compared with our parents' generation. Both of my parents had been born and brought up in Dover and like most children of the inter-war years they had received their entire education in one school and left at the age of 14. My father had been called up in 1942 when he reached 18 and had spent the next 4 years in the army. By contrast the first formers of 1964 had all been born in the reign of our present Queen. We took peace pretty much for granted. We assumed that we would stay at school until we were at least 16, probably 18, and with 3 years at university or college after that a distinct possibility.

We had witnessed the beginnings of the consumer revolution in the late-1950's and were just about the last group of children among whom were those who could remember what it was like not to have a fridge, a television, a washing machine, a spin dryer or even a hot water system and an indoor lavatory. We remembered the last steam trains that ran between Dover and London in the late 1950's, the first manned space flight, the arrival of the Beatles.

Privilege and change remain my strongest memories of life at the Grammar School between 1964 and 1972. Just how privileged we were, not only in comparison with our predecessors but with many of our contemporaries, was a bone of contention for all of my time at school. A month after I started in the first form Harold Wilson won the general election. David Ennals took the marginal seat of Dover for Labour and debate quickly arose over whether the grammar schools should be replaced by the comprehensive system. Were the privileges which we enjoyed giving us an unfair advantage over those of our primary school classmates who had gone to the secondary moderns?

Many of us found it a genuinely difficult question. The 11+ system seemed hard to defend. Yet would those of us from ordinary families (the vast majority) still have as good an opportunity to compete for university places and good jobs beyond if there were no grammar schools to help us on our way? We were not so sure and there was a good deal of relief when proposals for reorganisation ran into the sand.

Throughout my time at the school we had a constant sense of being at the leading edge of change. We were the first class to occupy the new general science lab, the first to learn French audio-visually. The first to do modern maths and Nuffield biology. We were the last to be streamed into A, B, X and Y, the last to start Latin in the second year and one of the last to wear the dreaded school caps.

We were fortunate in having as masters some who had taught at the school for many years (Coulson, Kendall, King, Ruffell), others who were well settled in for what eventually proved to be a long run (M Smith, Page, Paine, Horne, Denham, Best) and others who came and for a brief time enlivened the place before moving on to further challenges (Evans, Freeman, Howie, Dicks, Mermagan).

We were also fortunate in occupying a building which was still in reasonably good nick after 35 years' service and had grounds which had not been turned into a pedestrian short cut for the pupils of a neighbouring school. One of the most depressing things returning to the school is the way in which the county have allowed the fabric of the school and state of the grounds to deteriorate.

Now it looks as if the building may not be ours for much longer. Ken Ruffell's report sets out the background and summarises the present position. When your Committee discussed the planned move at some length in November three things were clear:

Why have events taken the turn that they have? We are at last reaping the harvest of years of indecision over the future shape of secondary education in Dover. indecision which dates from that first failed attempt at reorganisation in 1965/66. If the Kent County Council and their education advisers still really believed in the grammar school system it is hard to believe that they would be proposing a move which is bound in many respects to impoverish the life of the boys grammar school. At the very least there would be a long term plan where the eventual benefits would warrant any temporary inconvenience. There is no such plan. At best there are vague promises about further building schemes if, land is sold, if funds are available, if...

We are also suffering from years of under-funding of our school. This has taken its toll in two ways. First it has led to such a deterioration in the building that some of those who work there now think that life might be more congenial elsewhere. Second it has produced an almost constant worry about how the school is going to pay for sufficient teaching staff in the next academic year. The financial insecurities of the minor public school are now commonplace in county schools. This is not a recipe for providing good quality education of the kind we had in the 1960's and many of you had in earlier years.

It may be, as Dr Hinton said, that the model of secondary education under which grammar schools flourished in the 1960's has had its day. It may be that we would have been better to have had a properly thought through and adequately funded comprehensive reorganisation years ago. I remain agnostic. Provided we always treat with equal importance the pursuit of excellence and the provision of developmental opportunities for all children, irrespective of ability. I am not sure that at the end of the day the choice of system is the most important issue.

What really matters is that schools have well trained staff who have a commitment to do at least a full day's work and are given the resources and surroundings they need to produce the goods. None of that need be incompatible with the new emphases on budgets and management. But sadly we seem in Dover to be suffering from the obsession with short term financial expediency. Major issues about the future shape of secondary education and the location of schools are being decided on the hoof. Instead of finding what is right for the medium and longer term. people are having to ask what will best ensure that sixth form curriculum can be delivered next September.

Neil Slater and his staff have a difficult job keeping the show on the road in the midst of all this uncertainty. Our job as an Association is both to give them what support we can and to press the argument for sound long term solutions which will enable the future children of Dover to have the sort of opportunities which were afforded to us.

Editor's view Proposals are being made and could possibly be implemented next September.

The Director of Educational Services for our area has written "the Dover Boys' Grammar School occupies imposing buildings (adjacent to Astor Upper School) with very good playing fields." It is now proposed as a possibility that these buildings and playing fields may be taken over by Astor School and we go to Castlemount School on the east side of Dover. Castlemount School stands virtually empty with solely one small playing area and much sloping, untended wilderness.

How have these problems arisen? To varying degrees the answer involved falling birth rates, parental choice of schools, free transport to and from chosen schools and the almost universal parental motor cars.

Until about 1975 we had a cycle shed. Now all approach roads in the Tower Hamlets - Astor Avenue area are flanked by cars of residents without garages. Through these narrowed ways every morning and tea-time buses and parental cars thread their way. This problem of access is not beyond remedy but it limits the possibility of building a Girls Grammar School in our area, perhaps on our fields.

Parents send primary school children to their nearest school. When their children come to secondary school age the parents are asked to express choice and are encouraged to, visit schools. If a a parent expresses a wish for a grammar school place then the determining factor is the opinion of the primary head teacher. The two grammar schools have not lowered their standards for admissions so falling birth rates have caused falling intakes and smaller sixth forms. Parental requests for grammar school places remain high; as they are also for the R. C. St. Edmund's Comprehensive School in Old Charlton Road near the Girls Grammar School. Remarkably, more grammar school pupils come from outlying areas than from Dover town area.

There are three secondary modern schools in Dover. Astor school has proved extremely attractive. It is certainly a good school with favourable situation and buildings.

Archer's Court School draws from a vast housing estate on the north-east edge of town and from villages. Archer's Court school has splendid playing fields and good buildings.

Castlemount school has lost scholars because of the greater attraction of Astor school. Parents have voted with their feet. The Secretary of State for Education has closed the school and the last class will leave an empty building in June.

The Roman Catholic Comprehensive School on a restricted site with a large intake drawn from a wide area would like to go to Castlemount.

But the governors of both grammar schools, after careful consideration of options presented by the Area Education Officer, have voted to send our Grammar School for Boys to Castlemount because a ten-minute walk along Castle Avenue will facilitate a merging of sixth form studies. A joint sixth form centre might be built at some future date.

It is proposed that we are to give up our present impressive buildings, playing fields, facilities and traditions gathered over sixty years. I have never seen an assembly hall to rival ours in any State school.

We would move to buildings that no one could call impressive, and indeed have very serious failings: there are huts that are surrounded by minimal playing space and at present areas of untended shrubbery.

In theory boys can be bussed to a playing field at Kearsney. The Castlemount headmaster says that this arrangement did not work with his school. His school has a splendid gymnasium, perhaps to compensate for lack of outdoor exercise. Do you, Old Pharosians, remember cross-country runs over Whinless Down and the soccer, rugby, cricket, athletics and swimming on our fields? Mr Fred Whitehouse will be turning in his grave.

All-is not finalised. The attitude of the Girls Grammar School, with a new head-teacher, is not known. There is to be a public meeting on the matter on 8th January. After final local consideration of options, any decision may have to go to the Secretary of State's Office. Then much building repair work has to be agreed, put out to tender, approved and completed. So September is a doubtful date.

Many will feel that the transference of our school from what we regard as the best secondary school buildings in the area with good playing fields to the worst buildings with virtually no playing fields would have quite disastrous results. Parents at the margins of our catchment area, such as Deal, Aylesham, Shepherdswell and Capel, would see our sad state and go to Manwoods, Simon Langton and Harvey Grammar School, all schools with excellent academic records comparable to our own and who have maintained the full games programme traditional to grammar schools.

The price being asked of us for balancing the books and for sixth form co-operation is too high. Other ways must be found. The quickest, cheapest solution is not often the best.

Should the worst be imposed upon us, it will be hoped that some 650 Old Pharosians who read this Newsletter, whatever their feelings which I understand and share, will maintain their support for the school at this time and in the future.

The school will lose a great deal but will gain, hopefully, a stronger sixth form which is the crown of a good grammar school; and good grammar schools which give opportunity to young people of above average ability are essential to the well-being of this nation.

Your editor sent me a copy of his draft of "The Future of our School" and asked for my comments. I felt that rather than comment on it point by point it might be helpful if I gave you an indication of the reasoning which has been going through governors' minds during this very difficult time.

Mr Ruffell has kindly agreed to this and whilst much of what follows is a repeat of what he has written, I hope that Old Pharosians will feel that it contributes to the discussion. Firstly, can I set out the two main restraints under which the governing body is working. Local management and Formula Funding.

Under local management the governing body is given a sum of money with which to run the school. It used to be possible to go back to the LEA and try to convince them that the budget which had been set was unworkable. If this approach was successful, more money might be forthcoming (and frequently was, especially for grammar schools). This is no longer possible. We are given a budget and have to balance this budget however difficult or painful this may be.

By law the budget is determined by a formula such that 85% of our income is directly related to the number of pupils on roll.

Demography has determined that we now take in approximately 70 (120)* new pupils each year. This leads to a sixth form of approximately -100 (170) and a total roll of 450 (770). From these figures our budget is calculated. And for next year this is likely to be sufficient to pay about 27 (45) teaching staff, a reduction of 5 or 6 on our current establishment.

Our problem is that with a staff of 27 and a sixth form of 100 we are finding it impossible to provide the wide curriculum which we have delivered for the past 20 years and which Dover and Deal parents have come to expect of us.

Developments in 16 - 19 education are all leading towards the expectation of more flexible staff and the provision of an even wider curriculum. If the school cannot provide such a curriculum and neighbouring schools can and do, we shall simple lose our students to them.
* 1982 figures shown in brackets

What courses of action are open to us?

We have very little control over the annual intake. The LEA have arranged the selection procedure such that 25% of Kent's children attend grammar schools. It is argued (and I think, correctly) that to increase this percentage would so lower the standard that what resulted was not a grammar school as we know it.

We can (and do) try our hardest to ensure that all the selective children in our catchment area do in fact attend DGSB. We don't let many (perhaps one or two a year) slip through the net.

As everyone is aware we have been discussing a merger with the Girl's Grammar School. However they have been remarkably unforthcoming. They are prepared to accept a full merger of the two sixth forms and whilst they are also prepared to "investigate" the possibility of a full merger we are being pressed not to approach the matter "like bulls at a gate" for fear of scaring them! It looks as though a full merger is a distinct possibility but not for 2 - 3 years.

We have tried co-operation at sixth form level in one or two subjects and have found it remarkably difficult for this to run smoothly due to the distance and the busy town roads which separate us.

Our conclusion therefore, is that we either whither on the vine or do something positive. Neither I nor any other member of the governing body is prepared to countenance the former and are thus following the only course which, after very long and careful consideration appears open to us.

That is a move to the spacious, modern buildings at Castlemount which the LEA have agreed to renovate to our needs. We shall then be in a position to merge our sixth form with the girls and be in a position to accept them as full partners in a large, new, prestigious grammar school when they have got over their initial reticence.

It may not have the playing field area on site that we have at present but since the long teachers' strike, games regrettably have formed a much smaller part of school life. But we would be very close to the extremely well equipped Dover Sports centre.

It does have very adequate teaching provision. But it is of course different. We all turn a blind eye to the shortcomings of our own familiar environment and those of us who know the DGSB buildings are no different. But I am sure that those who have looked at both sets of buildings with a dispassionate eye do not detect any marked disadvantages from moving.

Nostalgia is a very strong emotion and I fully realise the feeling of the ex-members of staff who oppose the move.

However, I am very encouraged by the strong support of the Old Boys on the governing body who, whilst regretting the necessity, are wholeheartedly behind the proposals for change.

We should like to feel that we have all Old Boys behind us and urgently seek your help. Please do discuss the proposals with either me or Neil Slater (or any other governor for that matter) and do, please try to support us through this very difficult period in the school's history.

John Le Prevost presided Members present included Ian Pascall. William Fittall, Bob Winter, Maurice Smith, Ken Ruffell, Mick Palmer, Alfred Gunn, Bert Stone, John Borrett, Arch Coulson, Ian Bird, Roger Gabriel, Dick Standen, Nigel Horne, Reg Colman, Denis Weaver, John Maynard, Peter Burville and Denis Gibb.

The meeting stood in silent thought to remember the recent deaths of Bernard Harrison and some other members of varying ages.

Philip Harding sent his report as Secretary, paying tribute to John Le Prevost for his care of the Association through the past year.

The Treasurer produced; as ever, wonderfully clear information about our finances. His financial statement is printed elsewhere in this Newsletter. He expressed the view that we should give to the school so as to justify our charitable status. We have recently helped in the purchase of a folding machine and discussion turned to the purchase of some hardware for the school's computer department. Our bank manager was proposing to levy charges on our account and our treasurer was given full authority to shop around and act as he saw fit in the interest of the Association.

The President spoke of his pleasure at resuming his links with the school. His year had been one in which he had needed hospital treatment but Association officers had kept him in touch. During his stay in a Buckland hospital ward a senior boy had been in a nearby bed and John had been favourably impressed by his friends from the school. He thanked William Fittall who had chaired some meetings during his year.

John Le Prevost then handed over to William Fittall the badge of office. William expressed his pleasure at assuming the Presidency twenty years after he had been Head Prefect in Mr Colman's first year as Headmaster.

Mr Colman said how pleased he would be to act as Vice-president in the present year and to follow William Fittall in 1991-2.

The Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Archivist, Newsletter editor, Auditor and Membership Secretary were all willing to continue.

There was only one withdrawal from the committee. Alfred Gunn, who was at school form 1919 to 1924; wished to retire and he was thanked for his long service to the committee and the Association.

The school staff would be represented by Nigel Horne, David Murray and Keith Chambers.

Any Other Business brought forward a crop of topics that necessarily and usefully continued the meeting until 12.45.

Peter Burville reported progress with work on the formation of a Data Base to store school archival material. He praised the work of the sixth form boy, Paul Morris, who had worked on this project as part of his success in achieving A level in Computing. The project could be of similar use by other sixth form students. Several members present showed willingness to help in identifying names of people in school photographs. To help Mr Dale in the computer department the Treasurer proposed and all agreed, that £500 be made available from Association funds. Neil Slater raised the matter of organ repair costs and no doubt committee will consider this never-ending but totally necessary expenditure.

Neil Slater, Acting headmaster, then gave his view of current developments in the matter of the future of this school and other Dover schools. He emphasized that Governors now have full control of all schools. Denis Weaver and Neil Slater are on our school's governing body.

Numbers in the school have fallen to about 500. In the 5th year there are now only 63 boys, of whom almost all will enter the 6th form. There are now some 20 sixth form subjects being offered for study and examination. To offer 20 subjects to 45 boys is not financially possible, nor could we manage if, as expected, 60 boys were to be in each 6th form year. We have many of the most able boys in the area but it may be necessary and desirable to take in a larger number, after the practice of many other western countries.

Sharing a common sixth form programme with the other grammar school in the town is under consideration but distance apart raises real difficulties.

Our neighbouring Astor Secondary School have about 1300 students whom they would like to assemble all on one site.

Our own buildings and approach roads need expensive attention. The outcome may be that finance will be found to extend Astor School buildings to bring all their expanding school on to one site and also to thoroughly overhaul and refurbish our own buildings.

Other possibilities are being examined and decision is not in sight. It is pleasing to record that both the Dover Grammar Schools are achieving around 90% pass rate in Advanced Level examinations.

SCHOOL V OLD BOYS FOOTBALL MATCH 15th SEPTEMBER

A very youthful Old Boys side, half were still in their teens, recorded a comfortable victory over the school team in this year's match for the Andrew Kremer Memorial Cup.

After a tentative start by both sides, the Old Boys scored four times before half-time and although the School reduced the arrears in a spirited comeback at the start of the second half, two late goals made the final score 6-1.

The Old Boys were represented by: Dave Palmer, Chris King. Paul San Emeterio, Keith Betts, Simon Jones, Neil Beverton, Andy Running, Duncan Tucker, Jason Oliver, Steve Blake, Paul Betts, Warren Parfitt, Glenn Elliot and Nick Corbo.

This report was kindly contributed by Mick Palmer who assembles and manages the Old Boys XI.

THE ANNUAL DINNER

About 95 people sat down to dine together - Old Pharosians, their ladies and some of the school prefects. The head prefect proposed the loyal toast. The organ was played by the new music-master. Mr Richard Davies.

William Fittall spoke of the honour he felt in coming to the Presidency only 20 years on from being head prefect. He welcomed Mrs King among those present, a lady who took charge of feeding the school in the ten years of post-war rationing. William spoke of the changes in presentation of school subjects during those years while his personal memories were of participation in school drama and music.

He recalled the first time when Mr Best took the school carol service to Chariton Church. Like many other boys since 1931, William learned to be an organist. Again, at this time we are confronting great changes and we must give our support to Mr Neil Slater. The toast to the school was honoured with more than usual feeling.

In reply Mr Slater maintained that in all major respects the school was in good order. As Headmaster No. 4.5 in the school history he was pleased to report that exam results were excellent.

The curricular change was for increasing range of subjects, both academic and vocational. He was aiming for style, personal integrity and a true sense of values. The school sixth formers were again wearing full school uniform so that at school assemblies in hall he looked with pleasure at 500 neat and tidy boys.

He was pleased that Old Pharosians were often in the news and helped create the image of the school. He asked Old Pharosians to keep turning up at such occasions as this Dinner and in doing so help to sustain the nature of this place as one of education and learning.

CRICKET MATCH. SCHOOL V OLD BOYS

A 20 - overs match was arranged and the Old Boys batted first. They scored 130 for 7 wickets off their 20 overs, their main scorers being Mike Palmer with 35 and Lee Swinerd with 46.

When the school batted they scored 106 for 6 wickets and all the Old Boys bowled two overs each except the wicket keeper, Dave King.

The Old Boys were represented by Mike Palmer, Derek Russ, Ian Pascall, Lee Swinerd, John Morgan, Jez Weaver, Paul Weaver, Dave King, Tom Padfield, Ray Durrant and Jack Kremer.

The Association had assisted the school in the purchase of a folding machine and a filing cabinet.

Treasurer reported that our account at Lloyds bank held £257.86 and at the Woolwich Building Society we had £5,038.56. In December we could expect about £500 in interest which would approximately meet the cost of two issues of the Newsletter in a year. The Association's £100 War Loan Stock certificate has been found at Lloyds Bank.

Our efficient Membership Secretary reported via the Treasurer that about twenty annual subscribers, mainly recent school leavers, were in default. Ken Ruffell and Maurice Smith were asked to look into the matter.

The Newsletter editor gave an account of present methods of production. He added that after 22 productions in eleven years since he retired from the school he wondered how many more issues he would undertake. If anyone would like to take over this worthwhile work the editor would be glad to know. Editor promised to be responsible for the issues covering the presidencies of William Fittall and Reg Colman.

The Archivist reported that three times a month for 3 hour sessions the two archivists were loading information onto file. Some 900 names had already been recorded. John Borrett was helping with identification of individuals in long past photographs.

The first eight items on the agenda were steered smoothly and expeditely by the President so as to reach the main topic for the evening, the Future of the School.

Mr Neil Slater, Acting Headmaster, gave a review of progress. There was now a firm proposal by the school governors that the school should move to Castlemount School which was now reduced to some 40 boys and girls who would leave before September. The Castlemount site is within 20 minutes walk of the Girls Grammar School via Castle Avenue and a joint Sixth Form programme could be planned.

Neither school expected to have over about 120 sixth form students so provision for a wide range of choice of subjects by an appropriate staffing could only be managed by working together.

The governors had met on the previous evening and clearly resolved to support the merging of sixth forms.

The Area Education Officer favours this development and the matter now moves to County in a week's time and public consultation in January.
There followed much discussion of possible alternatives including the continuation of Dover Grammar School for Boys in its present buildings.

A meeting of the Governors of both the boys' and girls' grammar schools was planned for November 20th. This could be a very decisive meeting. But there was some evidence of doubt about the wishes of the governors of the girls' school and your committee felt we should seek some stay of execution so that alternatives could be considered. William Fittall, as President, drafted a letter which would go next morning to some half dozen persons at the heart of the matter.

There was general agreement that the objective was to provide the best education for the young of today and the future. But this objective might not be best served by the quickest, easiest, cheapest solution.

The reader will find it easy to believe that the meeting continued from 7pm for almost three hours under the admirable chairmanship of William Fittall.

THE SCHOOL IN THE 1920's by Alfred Gunn (1918-24)

From an academic point of view it was much the same as at present: the same high standard had to be obtained and maintained; possibly in those days there was a little more respect for authority and more conventions to be observed. Considerable store was set on amicable relations with the town or towns from which pupils were drawn. There was a conventional standard of dress, not too rigid, but it was compulsory to wear a cap - a cap with the county crest on the front (it was after all, a County school) and on it a star denoting the House to which the wearer belonged - dark blue for Buckland, light blue for Town, green for Country and red for Maxton. On Sundays in summer straw hats were worn, the hat band being of blue edged with red, the school colours.

To the brim of the hat was attached a "hat guard" whose other end was firmly anchored to the lapel of the coat, so that if the wind raised that hat before its owner could, then at least he didn't have to chase it down the street. Woe betide any boy who did not raise his hat or his cap to adults accompanying a boy wearing a similar type of headgear.

Boys in the lower forms wore short trousers and always a celluloid stiff collar which was worn over the top of the jacket.

Long trousers were not de riguer until one had reached the upper second or third forms.

I first joined the school at St. Hilda's on Priory Hill, a house lent to the school by the governors of Dover College. While I was at St. Hilda's the premises in Frith Road came into being. The staff for the lower forms were generally ladies and Fanny Ellis, Soapy Hudson (at that time a soap called Hudson's was widely advertised) and of course Miss Rookwood. We went from Priory Hill to what is now the Technical College in Ladywell for woodwork. I can well remember presenting my parents with a wooden egg-holder which held four eggs in a circle. My next venture was a yacht which never did get finished!

The school at that time was fee-paying. I never did know how much my parents had to fork out, but I believe it was about £12 a year. There were Scholarship boys who paid no fees and Junior Exhibitions, open to established pupils who, having passed a set examination by attaining a certain standard, received the same status as Scholarship boys. I just happened to be one of those lucky ones!

It was indeed a great day when the whole school moved to the premises in Frith Road. It was a spanking new building with two storeys above a ground floor. An extra storey, as the school stands at present, was added when the Girls County School took over. They had previously been accommodated in Maison Dieu Road under Miss Chapman as headmistress.

There was a certain famous boiler-room presided over by Sgt. Major Coombs. Outside the boiler-room was the school notice-board. No one was allowed to post a notice except with permission of a member of staff who would add initials at the bottom of the notice. Past the boiler room a door led on the east side to the lower playground, the bicycle shed, toilet and fives courts. On the right was the woodwork room, later converted to two additional classrooms.

There were laboratories and class rooms on both floors. On the upper floor were kitchens and the dining room. The Art room had a north light and here Mr Francis the Art master reigned supreme.

Talking of staff reminds me of many names I knew but which have slipped into the recesses of the mind. I remember S.F. Willis who first appeared at the school in his military uniform with machine gun badges on the lapels of his tunic showing that the had been commissioned in the Machine Gun Corps: Poole, with us for only a short time, in his Naval uniform, the most perfect shot with a piece of chalk. I wondered if he served the Navy as a gunnery officer. There were still ladies on the staff; Miss Rookwood, of course, Miss Brown, Miss Edwards and of course the never to be forgotten Mrs Thomas, wife of Jerry Thomas. They lived next door to the school in Frith Road. She was a hunch-back and fears were at one time expressed that, if she were taken on the staff, the boys would make fun of her. Nothing was further from our thoughts! She was a brilliant teacher and an altogether lovely person. I remember one Christmas when all the forms collected and gave her a tiny silver vase with our love. She was in tears when it was presented to her and her husband. Jerry Thomas, came to her and thanked everyone for their kindness to her. After that they arranged a Christmas party for the whole form at their house.

Other members of the staff who could not be forgotten were Messrs Tomlinson, Darby, Pearce, Fennell who was succeeded by "Spud" Slater who taught history his way. Whereas before he took over I hated history, now I grew to like it, for each event was recorded as "cause, duration. result and future effect". Of course one must not forget Scripture not "Religious Education" - presided over by Freddie Whitehouse: the Old Testament history of Prophets. Kings of Israel and the division of the Kingdom: H.J. Taylor who taught music. i.e. singing. Paddy Pascal the physical education expert, W.W. Baxter and Tommy Watt, Froude who taught Maths, Allin and Allen, Charles Baldwin, an old boy, and many others whose names have escaped me.

The day started with registration in the classroom, then down to the hall for morning assembly conducted by Freddie with Mr Willis at the piano. Then lessons lasted for three-quarters of an hour unless, like physics or chemistry, they lasted for a double period.

I remember that when I was in the fifth form a certain young lady made a habit of standing at the corner of Avenue Road to make sure that the senior pupils-were aware of her presence.

Corporal punishment in those days was an accepted fact of life and nobody appeared any the worse for it. There were no protesting parents in those days. Other punishments were impositions or "lines", the latter being doled out by prefects for minor misdemeanours. Prefects were selected from prominent members of the sixth form. There was also a system of conduct of order marks, a total of ten meant a visit to the staffroom.

At the end of term we all assembled in the hall for a review of the past term's work and we invariably sang the hymn, "Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing". There are a lot of the letter S and for some reason they were made too prominent. At the beginning of next term Freddie told us off for "over-accentuating the sibilant".

Wednesday and Saturday afternoons were devoted to football or cricket. There was no rugby in those days. We had inter-house or inter-form matches; all good fun, played for the sake of playing, no animosity on either side and most certainly none of the disgusting displays seen on the field today when a goal has been scored, I still remember that my highest score on the cricket field was ten. I was a slogger without finesse. I often wished we had proper coaching lessons. The playing fields were on land adjacent to the road which ran parallel to chalky lane. Was the field called "Cow Pastures"? There was a dreadful slope from one end to the other. I can still remember the ginger beer for one penny a glass with which we were allowed to refresh ourselves. No ginger beer has tasted so good, especially after an hour and a half of form football.

Sports Days were held at Crabble Athletic ground with 100 yards, 220, 440 yards, half mile and mile races, together with high jump, long jump and tug of war. For the winner of each event, medals were presented by a local dignitary, such as the Mayoress. The medals bore the Dover coat of arms on one side. There were cups for the main events all of which had to be engraved with the winners' names. The House Shield was displayed in a glass fronted cabinet, surrounded by the colour of the winning house.

There were also County Inter-school sports at various places such as Beckenham, Erith or Dover. I remember that the last one in which I took part was at Erith, where I won the Junior High Jump. My record only stood for twelve months.

In those days it was a straight jump, starting on two feet and landing on two feet, not rolling over the bar as today. The Cadet Corps, the 1st Cadet Corps Cinque Ports Fortress Royal Engineers, consisted of four sections with a sergeant in charge of each and a training section, the whole under the command of various Captains. "Spud" Slater. "Weary" Willis and finally in my time W.E. Pearce. Ammunition was scarce so Captain Slater devised a method of attaching a torch under the rifle and you scored a bull if a spot of light shone on the right spot.

The high point of the cadet year was the annual camp. The advance party would go to the Royal Ordnance Depot in St. John's Road to collect the required gear, including marquees, tents, tables, cooking utensils and trek cart.

Three camp sites stand out in my memory: Betteshanger, a beautiful site in parkland with Victoria plums from the game-keeper's cottage at one penny per pound; Hythe, known as "Earwig Camp" because of a plague of these insects found their way into everything. It was at this camp that W.E.P installed a wireless set and for the first time we could listen on head phones to Radio Napoli. Radio Paris and Hilversum as well as English stations; and Sandwich, where on a Sunday we marched to the magnificent house of our local MP, the Hon. J.J. Astor for morning service at which the Headmaster gave a somewhat lengthy sermon in brilliant sunshine and a temperature well into the eighties. We always had a good band of drums and bugles. Then there was the annual inspection at camp, usually by a local R.E. Officer who was received with the General Salute by the company bugler while the corps was drawn up for inspection. Everyone was under the stern eye of Sergeant Major Coombs.
The Corps competed with other cadet forces for the Lucas Tooth Shield, which to our delight we succeeded in carrying off one year. The competition was for all aspects of physical training. Our trainer was, of course, 2nd Lieutenant Paddy Pascall. One of the high spots of my cadet career was being invited to attend the Royal Tournament at Olympia with a party of some twenty or thirty boys drawn from all the school cadet forces in Kent. It still stands out in my memory though over seventy years ago.

Prize-giving at the Town Hall was an annual event. The school was small enough to be accommodated in the hall together with a good company of parents. The first part of the evening was devoted to the prize-giving and the second part to a variety of items, some by the school choir and always a play produced by Tommy Watt. I can remember taking part in Ben Johnson's "The Alchemist". Two items always included in the prize-giving repertoire were Kipling's Recessional, "God of our fathers known of Old" and Kipling's children's Hymn "Land of our birth we pledge to thee". The proceedings always closed with "Forty years on" and how true those words were, and still are! Remember that when we speak of Kipling's Recessional in those days we still had an Empire. H.J. Taylor would be at the Town Hall organ.

Christmas was a time for parties. In addition to well organised form parties there was one big party at the Town Hall for the Upper and Middle schools. Each boy was expected to invite a young lady, preferable a member of the Girls County School. Freddie and his secretary, Miss Hopkins, gave us dancing lessons after school, much to the annoyance of local Dance schools. At the actual party the boys congregated at one end of the Connaught Hall and the girls at, the other end. It was only by cheerful bullying by the staff that the two eventually integrated.

I dare say that in many instances my memory has played me false but I am sure that any of my contemporaries with better memories will soon put me right. So many things I could have mentioned have had to be left out.

Editorial thoughts about

This article was sprung on me by an Old Pharosian who met me on a cheerful occasion in Dover's White Cliffs Hotel. He challenged me to select and publish the finest eleven cricketyers to have passes through Dover County School. latterly the Dover Grammar School for Boys.

So I start with the Captain. Having looked through many copies or the school magazine Pharos there is clearly one who was known as "The Captain", J.A. Patterson in 1930 was Head Prefect. Captain or soccer and Captain of cricket. He went on to Cambridge and became a schoolmaster in the north of England, continuing to recall the wonders of Kent and pre-war Kent cricket. He still walks the Cumbrian fells in his retirement. In my years when looking after the 1st XI I rate John Booth as the thoughtful captain: and now that I umpire in local cricket I see Derek Towe doing the job splendidly. All three of the captains named above have become good schoolmasters in the classroom and on the field.

Three cricketers from the school have been capped for Kent. In the immediate post-war years Eddie Crush played with success and had one special moment of triumph when Bradman brought his Australians to outclass Kent on the Canterbury ground. Bradman drove a ball from Eddie into the safe hands of Valentine at mid-off, a triumph to be remembered for all time. I saw Eddie go into bat for the first time for Kent at the Crabble ground and he chose to wear his school colours cap. Alas, the days have gone when a school colours cap may be worn with some pride.

Derek Aslett, like most cricketers, was coached by his father. The school gave him opportunity to progress from Dover schools to Kent schools, to South of England and finally English school teams. My outstanding memory of his school days was of an afternoon when he scored over a hundred in an Under 15 match at Chatham House school. I was umpiring the 1st XI match on the main ground and our game was disturbed by the repeated flight of sixes and fours coming across from Aslett on the neighbouring field. On a more elevated plane, I shall never forget a century he scored for Kent against Worcestershire on a Sunday afternoon at Canterbury. By my observation Botham refused to complete his permitted eight overs.

Chris Penn also was taught by his father and given opportunity to climb the same ladder as Aslett before him. His main ability has been to bowl medium-fast and move the ball away from the bat. At Lord's, sitting with the late Bob Unstead. I saw Penn cause several Middlesex batsmen to get a touch which wicket-keeper Knott collected. Penn is a good fielder and once scored a century against Derbyshire.

Michael White was at school with Patterson in the early nineteen thirties. He scored several centuries and took a lot of wickets. Subsequently he played for Cambridge University, Northamptonshire, the Army and Combined Services, continuing in club cricket until he reached the age of discretion in his seventies. They stay young in Guernsey.

For an opening batsman Arnold Stanway must be an outstanding choice. He became well known in this capacity for the Dover 20 Cricket Club over many years. He became a very effective President of the Old Pharosians Association and was generous in his affection for the school.

For a wicket-keeper Ken Marsh is my nomination. There were some good bowlers in his day so a good wicket-keeper was essential. His powerful batting was an added strength.

We want a fast bowler and the best that I can recall was Alan McCaig. He was a runner and a soccer player, a natural athlete with a smooth run-up best seen in Test cricket by the West Indian. Michael Holding. When McCaig was at his fastest I persuaded the best local batsman, entitled to wear a 2nd XI Kent cap, to come into the school nets which I placed on the main square. The wicket was like wrinkled concrete and McCaig's first ball reared off a length and flew over the back netting. Our visitor stood his ground and batted with great resolution. Afterwards, in the pavilion, he said to me "If ever you want me to come again to TALK about cricket I should be pleased to do so."

To support McCaig I choose two bowlers of differing styles and abilities. Dick West bowled out swingers that deserved two gulleys and two slips. Bill Jacques, mathematics teacher and "cricket coach, said that a cricket ball with a pronounced seam is like a discus with two bumps. If you tilt the discus it can not fly on a straight course. If released at the right medium pace, the forward flight of a cricket ball will lose momentum after about eighteen yards and then drift laterally. This outswerving bowling is a plague to batsmen but a joy to wicket keepers.

The next bowler will be astonished to find himself selected in such company. "His name is Lee Swinerd. He left school only a year ago and I stood recently as umpire to his bowling in a club match. He handed me the cap of Reading University and I had already seen evidence that he can bat and field magnificently. His bowling was medium-fast and about once an over he let fly a quick leg-break that Doug Wright would have admired. In any team you want one or more young men to run around the outfield and bowl untiringly.

I cease my selection with ten men. We need another batsman, one who will build up innings with care, be reluctant to lose his wicket but, if he gets a touch and is caught, will walk away, without looking to the umpire.

There is bound to be cricket played in heaven where rain falls only at night and every day enjoys perfect English summer sun. In this delightful after-life perhaps this team of selected-Old Pharosians, all restored to the prime of life, can challenge a team of Old Harveians captained by Les Ames. "If I am tremendously lucky perhaps I may be allowed to umpire the man who gets the finest view of the finest of all games.

As the School approaches the second half of its ninth decade, this may be an occasion to realise that there is an every decreasing number of Old Boys who have had contact with all four Headmasters. I was first to see Mr F. Whitehouse nearly seventy years ago when as a small boy at St. Martin's School I remember Teddy Smith saying he wished us to be on our best behaviour and neatly dressed as on the morrow we were to be visited by the Headmaster of the Boys' County School. The next day there arrived this small dapper gentleman with dark suit, bowler hat and umbrella. A year later I was to receive an oral interview from this same gentleman and a Mr C.G. Molyneus, headmaster at Hythe Primary School, to discover whether I was worthy of a Free Place at the School. For seventeen years I was to know F.W. as teacher, master and a very good friend. Those who only knew him in his later years, met a man who had mellowed. He was meticulous regarding his boys' behaviour and dress. If he taught you R.I. a 'G' on your report would have been 'Ex' in any other subject. He had illnesses - appendicitis, a broken arm (what a stir that caused at Maidstone), suffered a heart attack on holiday, but few realised that he had driven himself so hard that he was only to enjoy two years in retirement. He saw the School on three sites and various other buildings. It was intended that the building at Astor Avenue should, like the Castle, last 1000 years!!! In December 1936 I remember meeting a dark haired and bright eyed gentleman and his wife entering the School by a door in the Tower. This was to be the gentle Christian Headmaster, Mr J.C. Booth. for the next 24 years. His was to be a period of consolidation but this was interrupted by a certain Adolf Hitler. J.C.B. and his Staff were to be responsible for taking the School to Wales in 1940, a task none could have bettered. How fortunate the School has been to have the right Headmaster at the required time. After more than four years they returned to a School which had been used by the services. Due to this use and financial shortcomings, to me the School never seemed to recover its pre-war brightness. I suppose we all tarnish with age.

Under F.W. the initial university successes were gained, during the years of J.C.B. these were to increase greatly. This era was to see the departure of many members of the Staff who had given the School the best years of their lives, W.E.P., W.E.B., J.S., O.M.R., S.F.W., A.B.C., E.S.A., E.F., L.W.L., J.T. and W.H.D. retired just before 1939 and sadly T.W. and F.F.A. passed on during the years in Wales. Besides his headmastership Mr Booth was a very active member of the Methodist Church and Toc H.

1960 saw the appointment of Doctor Hinton and a strong wind of change was to blow through the School. Many additions were made to the curriculum and to the buildings. In 1968 he was to depart to Sevenoaks and later to the West country. On retirement he took Holy Orders and returned to the parish of Shepherdswell.

After a year under the temporary charge of Mr Tom Walker, 1969 was to see the arrival of the invigorating personality, Mr Reg Colman, to guide the School for 21 years. He has seen further successes, extension of the curriculum, departures of Staff (including A.E.C., K.H.R., and M.H.S.) but as always a lack of funds has failed to bring to fruition many excellent ideas. Ill health and education in a state of turmoil have not assisted his latter years. He has left with our very best wishes and the knowledge that our Association is much stronger and healthier than at his coming. He restored the Old Pharosians to their rightful position in the life of the School. The School has always been know for its musical prowess under Messrs Taylor, Willis and Best, but under Adrian Boynton (abetted by R.C.) undreamed of heights have been attained. What lies ahead for the School we do not know. We have been most fortunate in the choice of our four headmasters, may the fifth appointment be as wise. We wish the successful candidate well and a long and happy reign.

Mr E.H. Baker was a boy in the school from 1922 to 1930 and then became school secretary to Mr Whitehouse and then to Mr Booth. Before the war he was secretary, linesman and sole supporter of the Old Pharosians soccer team. After the war he moved to Maidstone to work at Springfield in educational administration but he continued to serve the Old Pharosians as Newsletter Editor until 1979. He was President in 1967-8 and for many years a committee man who thought out in advance searching questions that needed answers. Although now retired to Devon his interest in the school in unabated.

PHAROS LODGE

Reunions seem to be the in-thing these days and you can always get together with other Old Boys of the school when they meet at the Masonic Lodge, Snargate Street on the 3rd Saturday of January, February, March, April, October and November. Any inquiries would be welcome. The secretary of Pharos Lodge 6967 is Mr Bill Skelton, 105 Old Folkestone Road, Aycliffe, Dover (phone Dover 205756). This year's Master is Alan Webber and his Wardens are Ron Napier and Peter Champion, we look forward to meeting you.

On Saturday 9th June, a very special anniversary of the Lodges foundation, the members very generously entertained to lunch retired headmasters the Rev. Dr. Michael Hinton and Reg Colman, the acting headmaster Neil Slater together with several officers of the Old Pharosians Association and three of the present teaching staff, one of whom said he had never previously heard "Forty Years On" sung with such affection and sincerity.

Kenneth Frederick Best

On Tuesday 23rd October in St. Mary's Church. Dover a Memorial Concert was arranged to recall the period from 1960 to 1983 when Mr Best was organist and choirmaster in that church.

Mr Best had been President of the Kent Society of Organists and many organists were present. Organ solos were played by Stephen Yarrow, the present organist at St. Mary's, Adrian Boynton, Reg Adams and Stephen Pinnock. Interleaved between these organ pieces were clarinet and flute solos by old boys of the school who had shared in the rich musical tradition established by Mr Best; and vocal solos by Jean Lewis and Peter Booth who added their memories and tributes.

Kenneth's widow Dorothy was among the large gathering of his friends. Canon Allan Simper, Vicar of St. Mary's, dedicated a memorial plaque which is placed beside the organ quite close to Kenneth's ashes which lie in the churchyard.

Stephen Pinnock spoke very movingly to express the feelings of all those present who knew this very gentle but highly talented musician.

ADDRESSES OF MEMBERS

Over-printing on envelopes containing the July Newsletters drew response in the form of 15 returned packets.

Eleven packets were returned without any guidance as to present addresses of A.E. Abbott, G.R. Barlow, P.M. Fry, G. Howard, D.A.E. Imrie, P. Jubb, Dr. D.J. Langley, A.J. Mercer, Rt. Rev. E.A. Mercer.

Editor would be glad to learn the addresses of C.F. Askie, S.J. Colman, M.J. Kilmurray, A.J. Knott, C. Reed, L.C. Segol.

Correspondence has been received since July from Colin Bailey, E.H. "Moss" Baker, John Booth, George Curry, John Ellis, Philip Ewer, William Fittall, John Fitzpatrick, Rev Gary Gill, Alfred Gunn, Len Howell, Marcus Longley, Ken Marsh, Rev Bryan Owen, Brian Rigden, Joachim Schroder, David Waters and Michael White.

NEWS OF THE SCHOOL
End of Summer Term Assembly, 25th July 1990

Sports Report Cricket The Under 12 XI had won 3 of their 4 games and lost to Harvey G.S.

The Under 13 XI had won both their two games and there was plenty of ability in the side.

The Under 14 XI had easy wins over local schools in three of their four matches. Some U14 boys had occasionally played in the school 1st XI.

The school 1st XI beat Simon Langton by 5 wickets, lost to Harvey G.S., beat the Norton Knatchbul1 school at Ashford, drew with Dane Court School, beat a Junior Leaders team and were defeated by an Old Pharosians XI.

The Inter-house cricket cup was won by Priory who also won the Cock House Shield for all sports combined.

Farewells. Acting Head Neil Slater said goodbye to Mrs Gay of the Office Staff, saying that she had contributed much to the high reputation of the school office.

Mr Roger Gabriel was leaving to take up a senior post as Technology Coordinator at St. Edmunds Comprehensive school in Dover. He had been a boy in the school from 1964 to '72 and a master since 1978. He was Membership Secretary to the Old Pharosians Association and would continue to serve in that capacity where his computing skills were of tremendous value. Changes of addressor any other membership matter should be addressed to Mr R Gabrie1, St. Edmund's R.C. Comprehensive School, Old Charlton Road, Dover.

During his teaching in the school Mr Gabriel had shown quiet power of decision. Beginning as a teacher of woodwork, he had progressed into project technology, 'A' level design and computing. The school sailing club could not have continued without him. While congratulating Mr Gabriel on his promotion, we could welcome Mrs Gabriel to the staff here next term.

The optimistic, traditional admonition as to good behaviour on the buses brought assembly to a much desired closure and a speedy departure for the summer holidays.

JUNIOR PRIZE-GIVING

Neil Slater, Acting Headmaster, welcomed a company of parents, governors, primary school head teachers and junior boys. He promised that the programme would be presented by the boys themselves.

Prizes and certificates were presented with great charm and interest by Councillor Mrs M McNicholas, former Mayor of Deal, 1989-90.

At various times in the afternoon junior boys read selections of their own creative writing; and showed their ability to make music individually and in groups. Reports were read of a year's study of local history and geography of a day trip to a Calais school: of a visit to Russia by Aeroflot that took the party from Leningrad to Moscow, with a visit to the State Circus; and of an annual visit to Valkenburg in the Netherlands, including some soccer matches.

The Combined Cadet Corps had much to report. The Corps now includes boys and girls from the neighbouring Astor School, some of whom won awards. The army section had been to Gibraltar and Germany, including West Berlin. The naval section had been to sea and sailed in Dover harbour; while the RAF section had done some flying and gliding.

The boys looked well, some of them very tall for their age. Perhaps modern school dinners are conducive to upward growth. The boy who gained the geography prize was among the tallest so perhaps the subject still extends its followers. The musical items reflected credit on Mr R.S. Davies who has just arrived as Director of Music. The whole afternoon represented a school full of varied activities which contributed to the self-confidence and personal development of the young. Your editor sat below the Honours Board on which the first name is J.W. Menter, 1940; and your editor wondered what honours and achievements would follow from the opportunities open to the boys of this junior part of the school today.

The afternoon began with "Forty Years On" and ended with the school hymn. "Let there be light". Many names of those receiving awards were familiar names on this school's lists so some fathers could have joined in the singing without much reference to the printed words.

Teachers present wore academic gowns and hoods. The boys looked well, behaved well and gave the impression that they enjoyed being involved in' such an active junior school.

GUEST EVENING

The evening began with the usual sociable gathering, made memorable to your editor by indignant protestations of a lady from the Girls' Grammar School who maintained that in the current game of musical chairs in which local schools were selecting their next move, her school was being told to stay on their present restricted site wrapped in the roar of mainstream traffic.

Mr Neil Slater, acting headmaster, told us he did not know whether this would be the last use of this hall for this school's guest evening. He emphasized that in a time of falling numbers of young people, yet parents were anxious to send boys to this school. Nevertheless, the school was down from a former 700 to 500 which cut finance and teaching staff so that provision of a wide range of sixth form subjects could not be maintained. He was grateful to the school governors who had wrestled with these problems and reached decision.

The school was a happy and ordered community. Parents had co-operated in the restoration of school uniform for the sixth form. Academic achievement was demonstrated by an 86% pass rate at Advanced Level and 83% at GCSE. There had been development of the Technical and vocational Initiative and of European understanding.

Mr Slater welcomed Lord Cockfield who, with Lady Cockfield, was returning to his old school after an immensely distinguished career. Lady Cockfield was magnificent. She presented awards to recipients of merit certificates. GSCE certificates and prizes. Each boy was spoken to and every book was examined with interest.

The elements of entertainment which diversify the evening included music of the quality this school has come to expect: and a most welcome addition, opportunity for the spoken word to lighten proceedings by confident and amusing performance.

Lord Cockfield presented the sixth form awards and then spoke of his time at school, university, in business and in politics. He moved naturally from a skilfully light treatment of such matters to his commanding belief in Britain's New European Dimension. The Channel is no longer a psychological barrier; no longer is Europe a cockpit for conflict but a market of 320 million people that we must very truly see as our new "Home market" where we have traded in peace for the past forty-five years. In this single market across old frontiers we shall have a common currency within the next five years, perhaps one common language taught in all European schools by the end of the century.

It is right to regard ourselves as Europeans while at the same time equally pleased to be British.

The school hymn appropriately ended the evening with the lines Through the world far and wide. Let there be light.

ADVANCED LEVEL

Ancient History, Art, Applied Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Studies, Craft Design and Technology, Economics, Engineering Drawing, English Literature, French, Geography, German, Government and Politics, History, Latin, Mathematics - Applied, Pure and Statistics, Theoretical Music.

A team of three boys - Luke Smith, Steve Hollobon and Mark Ebden - has won the Kent Schools golf championship by seven shots.

Without any handicap reductions Steve Hollobon (Princes Club) scored 77, Luke Smith (Princes) 78 and Mark Ebden (Kinqsdown) scored 79, aggregating 234 ahead of Tonbridge School's 227.

What a pleasure it is to record that the 1st XI soccer has had a splendid autumn term cricketers known to have passed through Dover County School, latterly the Dover Grammar School for Boys.

In the first match after the Old Boys game, reported elsewhere, the team played against Harvey Grammar School and lost 2 - 1 in a game described in the press as a great credit to both sides, though played in a howling gale. This game was in a Kent schools league: but it has been in the Kent County Under 19 Cup competition that the school XI has excelled by beating Tonbridge 4 - 1 in the quarter-final and losing 2 - 1 in the closing minutes of the semi-final against Gravesend Grammar School.
Paul O'Brien and lain Black, the captain, have both played for the Kent Schools XI and the team's success must reflect credit and give pleasure to Hr Steve Bailey, who for many years has coached the 1st XI and Hr Trevor Raine who gives a lot of time to encourage junior teams in the school.

Dover Grammar sent desperately close to reaching the Kent Schools Cup Final, losing to a late goal against Gravesend. Back, from left, Steve Bailey (teacher), Paul Crowdy, Paul Price, Stuart Edwards, lain Black (captain). Dave Fielding, Paul Michael, Andy Sones, Rob Lovell, Trevor Raine (teacher). Front, Chris Connolly, James Lyng, Pat Sutcliffe, Matthew Robinson, Ben Spain, Paul O'Brien.

I came up to school after an early lunch, expecting that boys and masters would be glad to part company when buses could come. I bet that the headmaster (the word 'acting' has been dropped and Mr Neil Slater has a two year contract) will end with the cautionary comment on good behaviour on the buses. So I filled in time by reading the honours boards, the head prefects and captains of games and lists of Presidents and Secretaries of the Old Pharosians. I have known so many of you. Will you mind as much as I do if all these testimonies to tradition are removed from this truly remarkable hall? I remember the dances here before the war: the Shakespearian productions by Dr. Hinton: the high quality of music in recent years: and more effectively, the assemblies day by day which helped shape the thinking of thousands of boys.

1st year team played 9 won 8 2nd year team played 7 won 4 Under 14 team played 8 won 5 Under 15 - no statistics available 2nd XI Played 8 won 3 1st XI Played 15 won 8. A very good season 3rd out of 10 schools in the Kent League.

The best team for ten years in this school. Several boys played in Kent School teams and one boy has been offered a Soccer Scholarship to a university in Pennsylvania, USA.

Headmaster was pleased with the games: and with music since the arrival of Mr Davies.

Charitable giving: one 1st form boy had arranged a sponsored swim that raised £71 for a Leprosy appeal.

School dinners will in future cost £1. A document about the school's future is to go home with every boy. Views are requested. There are three consultation meetings. No decisions have yet been made.

Headmaster's comments on the excellence of school dinners brought on an outbreak of coughing.

A lady teacher was leaving to have a baby. This may not have happened before in this school. The warmth of school applause clearly represented good will.

I won my bet about the buses. Everybody was wished a happy Christmas holiday. In the year's shortest darkest day we sang our hope that even "in earth's darkest place Let there be Light".

This time-honoured service of nine lessons and carols was much enjoyed by a good company of parents and other friends who love the spirit of Christmas.

Mr Davies, Director of Music, had most carefully rehearsed his choir over previous weeks and was nobly supported by several singing. colleagues from the staffroom and a couple of Old Pharosians, Mark Fletcher and organist Scott Farrell.

The readers were either well prepared boys or practised expert adults. So music on traditional lines and readings from the authorised Bible made a pleasing continuation of an annual Christmas service begun in the days of Mr Kenneth Best.

NEWS OF INDIVIDUAL OLD BOYS

Bernard Harrison (at school 1938-42) Bernard was much, involved in the Old Pharosians Association as President in 1973, Secretary from 1974 to '77, as committee member and a regular attender at Annual General Meetings, dinners and other occasions. His wife Beryl has taught at the girls' grammar school and their son and daughter attended the Dover grammar schools. Bernard kept himself in good shape by resolutely walking from his home in River to his work in Dover no matter what the weather. But in the summer of 1990 cancer was diagnosed and he died on 19th July. His life had been actively involved both in River and Dover. He was for a time a Dover Councillor, a tennis player, a frequent performer in productions of the Dover Players and a very successful director for the Dover Film Society. With his friend Bernard Denham he made a film of the daily life of our school. "The School on the hill" must remain an authentic view of the school some twenty five years ago. His working life was with Blackman's, the heating engineers, for which company he was a director. The funeral service in River church was taken by the Rev. Dr. Michael Hinton, the Rev. Peter Bowers and Rev. Colin Elliott. Bernard's friends filled the church to give thanks for his life and to share in the feelings of those who mourned. Many Old Pharosians who could not be present will join in our expression of sympathy for Beryl and the family.

Barrie Wilson drowned in Dover Harbour during July soon after gaining Advanced Level passes in Chemistry, Physics (Grade A). Maths with additional Pure and Applied Maths. At the presentation of awards at Guest Evening in November, Barrie's father came up to receive his son's certificate.

Others

Coincidence in Washington, D.C.
Trevor Beney, now aged 41, is an RAF Wing Commander posted to Washington. At a welcoming reception he met Squadron Leader Mark Ashton, aged 33, who is a consultant pathologist for the RAF at the Walter Read hospital in Washington. He is the youngest RAF Officer in that branch of medicine. The two officers did not know they were both from the Dover Grammar School for Boys.

Richard E. Armstrong has been singing on a round-Britain tour with the Welsh National Opera in a production called Tornak which deals with an encounter between the culture of Canadian Eskimos and European industrialism. There have been world premiere performances: one performance was heard on BBC's third programme.

Colin Bailey (1941-48) now sells his own paintings and has held an exhibition locally. He is a consultant on the use of colour by computer.

Bob Bruce (1963-69) is a Dover policeman who was commended by the Chief Constable for Kent. Bob has raised more than £20,000 for the Deal bombing fund mainly by designing, manufacturing and selling tie pins of special significance to a number of good causes. He is also a member of the Dover lifeboat crew and has received the RNLI bronze medal for gallantry for rescue work in the hurricane of October 1987. On another occasion he was congratulated by his divisional commander for arresting a man with a knife. He has been stationed at Dover since 1975.

Andrew Corrigan (1985-87) has been awarded a degree in geography at Portsmouth polytechnic.

Graham Fagg was chosen to drill through the final barrier between the English and French sections of the Service Tunnel on Saturday 1st December, watched by millions on TV. He is reported to have said "Vive la France" to the French tunneller who came through the barrier which was 120 feet below the sea bed and nearly 14 miles out from Shakespeare Cliff. Graham has worked on various tunnel projects, including the Dartford Tunnel, and a sewer system under Cairo. His job on the service tunnel under the Channel is to end before Christmas and, after an interval for various jobs at his Dover home, Graham hopes to work on a new London tunnel.

Ian Fenwick (1945-50) phoned to express regrets that he could not come to Old Boys Day. He works in a bank at Clerkenwell, North London where life was disturbed by a hold-up which was frustrated by alarms going off which sent the villains away empty handed.

Keith Flack (1976-83) has been awarded a Ph.D. by the University of Kent, his subject being chemical physics. He is now working for an engineering company in Bedfordshire.

Mark Fudge (1980-87) has completed his studies at Nottingham polytechnic and been awarded a HND in Building Studies (Quantity Surveying).

The Rev. Gary Gill (1961-63) wished while still at school to become a priest: and now aged 46 after many years of employment with British Rail. Hovercraft and Sealink he has trained for the ministry at Canterbury and after ordination - and a curacy has returned to Dover. In June he became priest in charge of St. Nicholas parish in Buckland Valley, assistant priest to St. Andrews and chaplain to the hospital.

Peter Hearn (1945-51) was Head Prefect in 1951 and went to Hull University to read geography but probably spent more time in the Air Squadron. He spent thirty years in the RAF. gaining fame for the introduction and development of free-fall parachuting. He is now in retirement writing books and his "The Spy People, the History of Parachuting" is being published now. In a recent issue of Bygone Kent, Peter recalls memories of serving as a steward on a channel ferry during university vacation. He is photographed on board with another Old Pharosian "Digger" Stanley who is no longer with us.

L. Howell (1970-77) wrote in August notifying us that his new address is 4 Whittington Terrace, Cox Hill. Shepherdswell, CT15 7NH and he would be glad to hear from friends. He now works in the Cheriton branch of Nat West bank. He moved to Shepherdswell after marrying a former Dover Grammar School girl and they have been visited by Dr. Hinton. The editor remembers L. Howell as the lion among the rude mechanicals of a Midsummer Night's Dream but he says "I remember my time at the school, especially the latter years. and it is amazing how interest and knowledge gained during that time find relevance every day".

David Lawrence (1977-84) was very active in the musical life of the school six years ago, since which time he has graduated in music at Warwick University and is entering his third and final postgraduate year studying the art of the conductor at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He is forming a British Chamber Choir which he intends to take on a tour of India in August. He has gained prize awards for his conducting which has at times been under the direction of such notable figures as Sir Colin Davis. Denis Weaver and your editor have expressed reservations about India in August but all Pharosians will wish great success for the first choir ever to tour India.

Marcus Longley (1971-78) has taken up a new post as Assistant Secretary to the Welsh Health Authorities Secretariat. Cardiff.

Rudi Mercer (1935-38) spent his working life in metallurgy but now in retirement after a few years he has been awarded a B.A. degree of the Open University. He studied the Ancient History of Greece and Rome as well as the early years of Britain's Industrial Revolution. He now proposes to start a more modern study by a course in word processing.

Mr Justice Mummery (1949-52) in June had co decide in the High Court that Swindon Football Club had the right to take their case to Appeal. The judge could have consulted his younger brother who in his schooldays was a goalkeeper and ardent supporter of Dover Athletic F.C. and who now farms in the parish of Pett near Canterbury.

Alex Nice (1978-85) Michael's son has moved from his classical studies in Wales to study at Cambridge for a Certificate of Education. He is writing a thesis which could lead to an M.Phil. degree.

Michael Nice (1965-70) who taught science at this school in the nineteen seventies and then transferred to working with Sealink, has resumed the teaching of science this time at Aylesham School.

Rev. Bryan Owen (1959-64) as a boy and (1975-87) as a master is now Rector of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, Clarkston, Glasgow, and wrote in July to say that his Ministry is going well although he does miss Dover and Deal dreadfully. He has been appointed chaplain to the Actors Church Union, based at the King's Theatre in Glasgow. The play 'The Evil Eye' that he wrote for the school's drama club in 1982 has been published and performed widely.

Keith Parfitt (1973-75) was in the school only for a sixth form course before going to the University of Wales to read archaeology. Working with the Dover Archaeological Group in the Mill Hill district of Deal he has been involved in many discoveries, the most outstanding being a skull from the third century BC, the head still bearing a bronze protective circle like a crown or helmet. Remnants of a shield and scabbard were also found.

Chris Penn (1974-81) has bowled this season in First class cricket for Kent, 186 overs, 35-maidens, taken 11 wickets for 636 runs at an average of 57.81. His best performance was 3 for 45. In a season when Gooch averaged 101 and batting has been much easier than bowling, the name Penn has rarely appeared among those who batted.

Brian Rigden (1934-42) wrote in the summer from his home at 30 Meadow Close, Breaston, DE7 3EL. He recalled memories of Mr Langley, Miss Rookwood and a seemingly aged staff. In 1951 he married Bill Baxter's elder daughter and they how have three children and seven grandchildren. Brian taught French at Maidstone G.S. and in Norwich before entering teacher training at Coventry, where he later became Senior Adviser to the city education service, retiring at 60 in 1985.

David Ross formerly of Aylesham has received the Queen's Export Award. His firm, of which he is Managing Director, makes tumble driers in Yorkshire and exports around 70% of the 400,000 machines annually made to Europe, the Far East, South America and Australia. Exports have increased by 30% in the last three years.

Peter Smithen (1952-58) is office manager for the Institute of London Underwriters in their Folkestone establishment. His photograph in the local press showed little change from his remembered appearance as a cheerful schoolboy.

The brothers Soppitt Mark (1979-86) has obtained his degree Richard (1977-84) is now in his first year of residence working on a Casualty Department in Birmingham Andrew (1975-82) has passed the Part I exam of the Royal College of Physicians.

Lee Swinerd (1981-88) has been awarded his cap for representing Reading University as a cricket all-rounder. Your editor had the pleasure of umpiring to his bowling for the East Langdon club, with at least three Old Pharosians in that club's team. Off a short run Lee can bowl a quick leg break which is quite astonishing. His fielding is also of a high order. Quite a few senior boys at school take part in local club cricket.

Terence Vardon (1959-66) was able to be present at the memorial service for Kenneth Best. Terence lives in Leamington Spa where he says he is headmaster of three schools, presumably three divisions of one large educational establishment.

Anthony Watson (1959-66) profited from the TD he had learned at school to become a draughtsman. He has been involved in the design of machinery for oil installations which has taken him to Nigeria, Abu Dhabi, Holland, Germany and other countries.

Ian Watt (1924-35) has given up his teaching post at Stanford University, California but retained a consultancy on matters involving research. Ian Watt's dates at school should remind us that some boys came into the Preparatory department at 8 years of age and stayed until they were nineteen.

Old boys who obtained degrees this year include:
Christopher Adams BSc government. politics and modern history. Brunel University.