Aymestrey Magazine 1975

The Aymestrey Magazine AUTUMN, 1975

THE AYMESTREY MAGAZINE AUTUMN, 1975 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Old Aymestrey Association held at the School on Saturday, 14th June, 1975. President : A. B. Aitken Chairman : A. G. Duncan

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J . H. Phi pps , D. C. A. Hugh e s , W. B. Sta l la r d , R. H. M . Til d e sl e y, R. J. Thomason. C. W. Massey, S. C. M. Blake, F. T. Tuthill, C. M. Foster, J. P. Munns, J. N. F. Edwards, D. R. Elt, A. B. Aitken, A. G. Duncan, D. N. Blair-Oliphant, N. J. Blair-Oliphant, C. D. Samwells, M. C. L. Ha r ri s , A. H. La n e, P. W. D. Da vi e s, R. E. La ne, N. P. D. Gre en- Pric e, E. R. Lan e, S. J. Co ley, A. G. Po well, E. F. Wea vi ng, C. J. A. Gallimore, D. H. Griffith. The Notice convening the meeting was taken as read. Apologies were received from B. W. Massey, A. Powell, M. Powell, R. Hughes, J. Hughes, R. Coates. Minutes of the A.G.M. held on 15th June, 1974 having been circulated in the magazine were taken as read. confirmed and signed. The Accounts were then presented. W. B. Stallard in a comment on the financial aspect of the Association, informed members of the progress of the Committee set up to investigate the possibility of and formation of a trust to mark the contribution of the Asterley family over the years. The Committee were in the process of obtaining Counsel's opinion for them to make out the trust deed. This having been done, it would be necessary for this deed to be submitted to the Charity Commissioners for their approval. It was certainly going to be some months before anything got moving. The Treasurer pointed out that there was still a surplus of income over expenditure, but this was very necessary if the Association was to continue to thrive and help with its moral and financial support to the School. On a proposal from D. C. A. Hughes, seconded by R. Tildesley, the accounts were adopted. Election of Officers Chairman: E. R. Lane Vice-Chairman: J. H. Phipps Committee Additions: J. Coley, F. Tuthill Honorary Secretary /Treasurer: C. J. A. Gallimore expressed his wish to retire from the post after nearly 15 years and this was accepted. W. B. Stallard was unanimously elected to the office having expressed a willingness to serve. School Correspondent D. A. N. Asterley was unanimously re-elected in his absence. Any Other Business The President Alan Aitken notified the meeting that he felt the time had come for him to step down from his office in 12 months time and give way to a younger man. This was regretfully accepted by the meeting. The Secretary was requested to write to John Hughes, expressing regret that he had to miss the meeting and to pass on the best wishes of all members to his wife. A vote of thanks was recorded to Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Griffith and the staff for their hospitality during the afternoon. The Annual Dinner was held at the Union and County Club in Worcester where some fifty members and ladies enjoyed an excellent dinner.

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OLD AYMESTREY ASSOCIATION BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1975

Surplus Account Balance as at 31st March, 1974 ... ... 350 - 81 Magazine Fund balance as at 31st March, 1974 ... ... ... ... ... 27 - 23 Excess of Income over Expenditure ... 54 - 83 Society

p Balances in Hand£ Pp Lloyds Bank Ltd. Savings Account ... ...90-67 Deposit Account ... ... 37 - 88 Abbey National Building ... ... 310 -06 438-61 Less Current Account ... 5 - 74 432 - 87

Overdrawn £432 - 87

£432

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1975 p £ £ p D. H. Griffith, 1 issue of Magazine 2 - 50 Annual Dinner Receipts .. ... ... Special Contribution 90 Subscribers Magazine Appeals Subscription ... ... @25p ... ... ... ... 22-50 Life Subscriptions ... ... ... -- 25 -00 Talbot Hotel — Annual Dinner ... 85 - 31 Bank Interest Inland Revenue ... ... ... 4- 92 Abbey National Building Society Interest ... Postal Charges ... ... ... 5 -40 Excess of Income over Expenditure 54- 83 £175-46

£

87

p

94-00 18 -00 27 - 30 8 - 40 9-64 18-07 £175-46

Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. C. J, A. GALLIMORE.

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OLD BOY NEWS Old Boys of an early generation will be sorry to hear of the death last year of A. J. W. Smart. Leaving Aymestrey in 1919, he went to Clifton, where he was a prefect and played cricket for the college. After passing through Sandhurst, he joined the Indian Army, in which he served throughout his career, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was married, with two sons; and on his retirement lived the rest of his life in Bristol.

We are also sorry to record the death in April of this year of Stephen Thursfield. He came to Aymestrey in 1936, and was a prefect and patrol leader, and a member of the rugger and soccer teams. Leaving in 1941, he went to St. Edward's, Oxford; and in recent years he had been in business in Worcestershire. J. A. G. Coates took part, as British Employers' Delegate, in the meetings of the International Labour Organisation at Geneva this summer. A. F. Thornely has a son, born in May. E. R. Lane is Chairman of the Herefordshire branch of the National Farmers' Union. P. D. Coates, a housemaster and Director of Music at Oakham, has a daughter. A. C. E. Parry, Sales Manager at the Churchill Hotel in London, has been busy with the opening of Loew's, the new luxury hotel in Monte Ca rlo. Of his brot her s, A. P. J. wo rk s for Trus t Houses in a team of experts dealing with architecture and design, and has another daughter, born last winter; and R. N. S. is manager of the Hong Kong branch of MacKinnon, Mackenzie and Co., part of the P. and O. Group. M a j or R. G. R. Hil l, M. B. E.. wa s m ar r i e d i n Au g u s t t o M r s. Z. Marshall; he is assistant regimental secretary at the Regimental H.Q. of the K.O.S.B. at Berwick. C. N. Todd is in charge of bulk acc ou nti ng at the he ad offic e of Courage Breweries. D. F. Butterworth, working at tree surgery for a forestry firm in British Columbia, fell out of a tree and broke his back; and, being, pres umably now interested in the subject, he was afterwards appointed Safety Officer. He got married while in hospital. W. A. Banks was married last winter to Miss S. M. Allen. T. Bates has been appointed Consultant Surgeon at Ashford Hospital. J. A. Chandler is in charge of the Science Department at the Old High School at Harrogate. His brother T. M. is now married and his wife goes with him on his Merchant Navy voyages. Dr. N. C. H. McNeil is engaged to Dr. A. F. Canlon of Preston. After qualifying at Guy's, where he played rugger for the Hospital, he is now in his last year on a G.P.'s course at Newcastle University. W. J. E. Jay is engaged to Miss A. M. Pitts. S. R. D. Coates took the R.I.C.S. finals in March and is now fully qualified as a Chartered Surveyor D. Knox was in the XV at Rendcomb last winter. M. C. L. Harris has left Shrewsbury, where he was a Praepostor and President of the Music Society, and got A, B, and D in his A levels. He has been playing the tuba in the National Youth Orchestra. S. J. Kingston has moved from Sherborne to Belmont Abbey, joining his sister in the VI Form. He played in the 3rd. XV last season. J. C. Davies has been in his house under 15 teams for rugger, hockey, and cricket at Merchant Taylors'; he came 7th. in the under 15 crosscountry and is in the Choir. J. B.C. Jones came top of the 1st year of his Marine Engineers' Technical course.

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R. J. Rosoman passed grade V Trumpet at the Wrekin. P. M. Martineau gained 6 A's and 5 B's at 'O' level and has been awarded the H. R. Stevens

Memorial Scholarship in addition to his musical Scholarship. He has passed grade VIII Trumpet and is taking grade VIII Organ. A. J. Masters is in the choir at Rendcomb. A. G. G. Jones, at Lucton, had a trial for the County Under '15' Rugger side. N. A. McCulloch was in the Under '15' Rugger team at Shrewsbury and is also rowing. He has 2 A's at O level and 4 B's. D. M. M. Bowen played in the Junior Colts Cricket XI at Clayesmore. LEAVERS AND NEW BOYS The following have left: December J. N. F. Edwards. Came September, 1969. Prefect; Leader of Greys. Choir. J. Twinberrow. Came May, 1969. Prefect; Leader of Greens. Cricket XI. March R.J. McLeod. Came April. 1970. Prefect; Leader of Blues. Choir. July D. G. N. Edwards. Came September, 1971. Head Prefect; Leader of Greys. Rugger XV, County Prep. Schools XV. Colours for Gym, Swimming (Cup), Athletics. Pentathlon White Badge. Ogden Cup. Choir. Patrol Leader. S. N. Fields. Came September, 1971. Prefect; Leader of Greens. Rugger XV. Colours for Gym, Shooting, Athletics. Pentathlon White Badge. Brinton Prize. Choir. Patrol Leader. G. G. Johnson. Came January, 1971. Prefect, M. St.J. C. Jones. Came September, 1970. S. J. D. MacLaren. Came September, !969, Leader of Blues. Cricket XI. Shooting Colours. Choir. F. R. Miles. Came January, 1972. Rugger XV, Soccer XI, Cricket XI. Colours for Gym, Swimming (Cup). Pentathlon White Badge. D. C. Moore. Came April, 1971. Prefect. Rugger XV, Soccer XI, Cricket XI. County Prep. Schools XV, Gym Colours. Brinton Prize. Patrol Leader. N. J. Southom. Came January, 1974. Colours for Boxing, Swimming. Choir. A. J. A. Wood. Came September, 1974. New Boys: September T. M. F. Edwards, J. C. Packman, C. J. Ratcliffe, A. B. Simpson. R. F. W. Stallard, R. J. A. Thomas, J. D. G. Tyler, A. J. A. Wood. January R. M. Jefferson Brown, G. T. Davies. April R. Blair-Oliphant, S. P. C. Nelson, B. J. L. Phipps, VISITS We very much enjoyed a visit of eight Cheltenham College musicians in the summer, not least because P. M. Martineau was one of them. They gave an informal concert in the Hall and we hope they will come again. We were also grateful to Martin Harris who came and gave us a delightful solo recital on the Tuba including part of the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto. 5

PA U L B R I N TO N M E M O R I A L The Brinton Memorial Prize for 1975 was won by D. C. Moore. KINGSTON PRIZE

The Kingston Prize for 1975 was won by A. J. A. Wood. __________________________________________________________________________________ It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of Chansil Yuvaboon, Aymestrey 196668, who was killed in a motor accident in Bangkok earlier in the year. ___________________________________________________________________________________ GIFTS We are most grateful to the following for presents the school,has received during the year. David Moore and Mr. and Mrs. Twinberrow for cheques to be spent on new games equipment. Mr. Twinberrow for an excellent cross-cut saw. Mr. and Mrs. McLeod and Mr. and Mrs. Fields for cheques we shall spend on Microscopes. Mr. and Mrs. Tainton for a new Table Tennis table for the senior Playroom. The old table is now in the junior Playroom.. Mr. and Mrs. Munns for a lovely copy of Thorburn's Mammals. Mr. Johnson for two splendid cases for the gramophone records in the Vth form. Dr. and Mrs. Davies for a set of Historical Charts. RUGGER The XV had a better season, and were a better side than their results showed; averaging less than 11 ½ years old, they were almost always outweighed, but almost always played the more skilful rugby; and their spirit, if not beyond criticism, showed a vast improvement on the last two years. After t wo l oss es, one narr ow and one d efi nite, in whic h the ol d defeatist spirit still paralysed them, the turning-point came with a match in which Abberley most sportingly fielded an A team of the same age as ourselves, The XV responded to the lack of weighthandicap by giving a sparkling display, in which nine tries were shared between six players, four of them forwards; and we were grateful indeed to our opponents' generosity, which gave us confidence that fired us for the next match. This was against St. Richard's, who were the only school whose 1st XV were as light as we were, and we won 40-12. The pack dominated all phases of forward-play, with McCulloch and Tyler outstanding in tight and loose, and Edwards D. catching beautifully in the line-out as well as backing up passing movements in a way rarely seen in a lock. Johnson R. at their heels varied his play just right, his breaks keeping the opposing Hankers tied in. So when he let the ball out, with GreenPrice moving it on swiftly, the cent res h ad ro om an d time, an d the y play ed to get her splendidly. Hughes was constantly making breaks and linking up with Moore's safe hands; and when Moore's swerve was not enough to do the rest, Hughes was with him again for the scoring pass. Between them they got seven tries; and three went deservedly to forwards, Fields, Edwards and Bearcroft. It was a first-rate display, not just because it was successful, but because the technical skill and combination was so pretty to watch. The remaining games, in which once more weight told against us, never quite reached the same peak. There was one narrow defeat, one narrow vi c t or y, a n d t wo dr a ws , a n d th e r e wa s n ot q u it e t h e sa m e d e gr ee of team-work and intelligence, silly mistakes sometimes costing us dear. All the same 6

there were things to remember — some good displays by Maiden, sturdy tackling by Miles,

Manning's hooking, and exciting running by Godsall and Wallace on the wings; and in the last match, when we were two goal s d own af ter a qu arter of an h our, ther e was en ou gh of b oth skill and spirit for the defence to rally and for us to run in three tries ourselves. In conclusion it is worth recording that, though they were one of the youngest sides we have ever had, they scored more points than we have done for a dozen years; that over half the team shared in the scoring; that they were an attractive side to watch; and that in spite of the rather in-and-out brilliance of the backs it was the five tight forwards who were the foundation of the team. No small share of the season's credit goes to the senior-game players who were not in the team. The standard of practice games was high, and mention should be made of Twinberrow, Wood, Edwards J. N., Jeavons, Jones, and McLeod. Promise for the future was shown by Mee, Tudge W., Edmonds, Simpson, and Milward; and among the juniors by Kimpton, Phelps, Tudge S., and MacLaren A. The ki cki ng c up was won by Gree ns, a nd the c olo ur- match es b y Greys, who showed much the best team-work. Edwards D. and Moore D. were chosen to play for Worcestershire and Herefordshire Prep. Schools in a match at Henley-on-Thames in the holidays, which was won by the counties' XV 38-4. Edwards played a fine game in a pack which dominated the set pieces, and Moore scored his side's first three tries and added a fourth in the second half with a splendid display of running. SOCCER With nine boys who had experience of match play last year this should h a ve b e e n a g o o d XI b ut it wa s not. The we a t her wa s ve r y we t a n d several matches were cancelled because pitches were unplayable. Hughes captained the side from centre-half: he is a talented player but wastes his skill by mistiming many of his passes. Once he masters the elementary art of avoiding being caught in possession it will make all the difference to the team. Miles is an athletic goal keeper who made many good saves and improved his punting but he did not get enough support from his backs. Godsall was out of touch all season but he is a v e r y s t r o n g k i c k e r a n d h i s t u r n wi l l c om e . Th e b e s t f or wa r d w a s Green-Price : his ball control is good; he combines well, when he can find anyone to combine with and he has plenty of ideas and 'fire'. The rest were a young side and eight of them will be here next year. Other senior game boys who showed some promise were Bearcroft, Milward, Wallace G., Tudge W. and Tyler R. The best performance of the term was against Seaford Court. They were a much better side but we managed to disrupt them and hold them to 2-2 for a long time. When we tired they improved and at last began to combine, scoring three quick goals in the last few minutes. Due to Mr. Barber's skill and enthusiasm we produced an under 10 side which practised very hard and keenly. They were overwhelmed at St. Richards on a day of Arctic weather but learnt from their experience and held their own against Abberley, losing by the odd goal in seven, r i ght on t he st r oke o f t im e. Th i s wa s a n e xc e ll e n t ma t c h ve r y m u c h enjoyed by the crowd and by the players. Coley and Wallace P. ran well on the wings, producing most of the excitement. Kimpton played well in mid-field and Tudge S. was indefatigable. Phelps was very sharp in fro nt of go al. Stal lar d wa s a t ower of str en gth at full-back tac kling courageously throughout. Tainton did well in goal. This junior side is talented and has a promising future. 7

WI NTER ACTI VI TIES Gym Colours were re-awarded to Miles, Moore D., Hughes and Edwards D., the first two being the best performers here for some time. The standard among other seniors was disappointing,

with too many boys not trying at what they found difficult. Green-Price did well in the middle part of the school, and Kimpton, Phelps, and Colyer were promising juniors. Boxing was good. Colours were won by Jeavons, Southorn, and Johnson R.; and others who did specially well were Simpson, Tudge S., Wallace P., and Phelps. Shooting was much better than last year. Hughes won the cup, and colours were also given to Fields S. and MacLaren S.. these three all reaching a very useful standard. In Cross-Country Running Edwards D. was easily best; Maiden and Green-Price did well, and Tudge S. was outstanding among the juniors. PENTATHLON The situation here is not satisfactory. Miles, Fields S., and Edwards D. held the white badge, but all had it the previous year, and no-one gained it during this year. Hughes, Green-Price, and Manning were the furthest advanced of the rest, but all look like being held up by their swimming; and it seems that some of the juniors such as Kimpton and Tudge S. have the best chance next year. CRICKET Played 9 Won 4 Lost 5 Not a particularly good season but the best we have had for some years. It was a pity that our worst performance was against the Fathers. All the more so because we bowled them out for 86; Hughes did really well taking 5 for 33, all bowled, but then our batting fell to pieces and, against some very mixed bowling we were all out for 31. No less than five of our men were out Hit Wicket, mainly because they played back to half volleys. Our best match was against St. Michael's. They had beaten us by two wickets in a good game over there and in the return match looked like winning again. Aymestrey batted first and were all out for 48 against goodish bowling. When St. Michael's had put on 20 for no wicket the odds against our winning seemed enormous. Then their best batsman hit a ball square on the off very hard indeed but straight to Green-Price, who clung on to it. Then at this rather late stage Hughes took himself off and put Green-Price on to bowl : he took 5 wickets for 9 runs in 4 ovens. Edwards J. W. backed him up well taking 3 for 5 and leaving us winners by 10 runs. During this match we began to look like a team and it was a good example of how smart fielding can transform a side. Other victories were against the O.A.A. when Moore A. Bowled straight and on a length and thoroughly deserved his good figures of 6 for 36. Winterfold 2nd XI were beaten twice and it was good to see our batsmen enjoying some real confidence: five of them were into double figures and Edwards J. W. scored 27 not out very fast and just when quick runs were needed; he was also the best bowler with 6 for 19. Some other features of the season worth mentioning were Johnson's improvement as a wicket-keeper and the courage and resolution of the batting of the youngest member of the team, Coley. He keeps his head down and his bat straight when defending and is not afraid to hit the ball hard: above all he was an example to all of the importance of 8

watching the ball; shades of David Steele. Hughes' captaincy improved. Godsall and MacLaren can bat a bit. Green-Price also batted well at times and his running between the wickets was intelligent, aggressive and very lively; too lively for some but this is an important skill, much neglected. at

all levels of cricket. Moore D. did well in the field and throws hard and straight. Nearly all the fielding was satisfactory and certainly above the standard of recent years. Memorable catches were taken by Hughes, Green-Price, Edwards J. W., Moore A., Maiden, Moore D. and Johnson. Among the other seniors Manning, Tyler R. and Wallace G. did well at times and Colyer, Kimpton and Tudge S. are very promising juniors. Greens beat Blues in the Colour Matches and then Greys won the competition by beating both the other Colours. ATHLETICS The competition between the Colours was closer than it has ever been before. On Standards Blues were in the lead with Greens second, but the finals had not been in progress long before the lead began to change hands with almost every event, till in the end Greys won by only a si ngle point from Greens. The number of Standards passed was more than for several years, and those who got them all were Edwards D., Godsall, Hughes, Green-Price, Bearcroft, Simpson, Kimpton, Phelps, and Tudge S. Edwards was awarded his Colours. In the finals Edwards did just the best in Div. I, and his 440 time of 65 sec. was our fastest for a dozen years and only 1.6 sec. outside the record. Fields S. and Moore D. were the next most successful. Hughes was the outstanding performer in Div. II, Bearcroft in III, and Tudge S. in IV. SWIMMING The over-all standard was reasonably good without being outstanding. Miles very narrowly won the cup from Edwards D. through being a better all-rounder and making more progress during the term. Colours were also awarded to Southorn who won the diving and was a useful all-round performer, especially under water, and to L'Estrange who was much the best at life-saving and made more actual progress than anyone else. Others who did well were Tudge W., Moore A., Simpson, Edmonds, Packman M., Packman J., and Collis; and Tudge S. was the outstanding performer in the junior section of the swimming sports. The cup was won easily by Blues, who were first in both tests and races, with Greens second. There were only five boys in the school who could not swim by the end of term. OUTDOOR CLUB Many readers will know already that, since D.A.N.A. has reached the compulsory age limit for Scout Leaders and no one else was available, Aymestrey no longer has a Scout Troop. Instead we have the Outdoor Club. We are trying to keep as much as possible that was of value to us in Scouting; and dropping what did not suit us very well has enabled us to bring in some ideas of our own. There is much more emphasis on really practical outdoor knowledge, and we are also trying to encourage an interest in wild life. Boys learn, for instance, what clothes are best for all-weather use, and how to look after their boots and feet, safety-rules for hill-walking, the characteristics of different firewoods, the recognition of the more common birds and trees, how to rear caterpillars and to keep an aquarium, and so on. Camp, of course, fits in well. We shall keep on making improvements, we hope; but so far the idea seems to be succeeding well.

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CAMP " H a d a g o o d c a m p ? " D e p e n d s w h a t y o u m e a n . I f y o u r i d e a i s lying on a deck-chair in a bathing-suit, with primus stove, portable fridge, and radio, and a foam-mattress in a caravan awaiting you at the day's end, — no we didn't. But if your object is to set out with what gear you have, some of it 40 years old, some rescued from civilization's rubbishdumps, some home-made from materials cut in the woods; to muck in to get her a nd lea rn to look af ter your self in hard c onditio ns, to pl an ahead, and to improvise in sudden crises with what lies to hand, — yes. we did. And if you managed to enjoy yourself and find that fields, woods, and hills are a good place to be, so much the better. We have had one camp before in which raincoats were as continuously worn ("Il pleut", any middle-aged old boys remember?). We have twice had heavier storms. But for weight of rain over the week this was the wettest that the S.M. can remember since he started getting in the way at camp in 1934. S.M., by the way, used to stand for Scout Master. When that was thought undemocratic he became a Scout Leader. And now that he is considered too old and is not allowed in Scouting at all, he may as well be S.M. again; it can stand for Senior Member or Semi-Moribund. The crisis in our fight for survival came on the fourth evening. With the uncanny timing of such things, two tents chose the same moment at dusk to start leaking like sieves. Bedding was bundled up in groundsheets, clothes in raincoats, and we paused to think. Hugo thought quickest. With the leaders of the two untouched patrols, who got dressed again, he rigged a makeshift flysheet over the Peckers' tent out of the latrine screen, ma kin g it s afe for four. The n the remai ni ng six homel ess o ne s we re sq uee ze d in here a nd th ere, a nd we br eat he d aagi n. But things were clearly perilous, and next day it seemed only prudent to wash out the Sunday programme so that we could work on the problem. The church service was cancelled, and prodigies of telephoning to and from the school warned parents not to come visiting, and arranged for some boys to go back if necessary. It wasn't. The juryflysheet was perfected with the a i d o f t w o o f t h e e x t e n s i o n s , s o t h a t t h e P e c k e r s we r e s a f e t h ou gh squashed; and a general re-shuffle found homes for the Pigeons, — tools to the shelter, food to the tool-tent, two boys to the food-tent, three to the S.M.'s tent, and the S.M. (good show) to the tent that leaked. Where a strange thing happened; even under the heaviest downpour, that tent never leaked again. One of the more impertinent boys suggested that it just didn't dare. Anyway, we were all fixed up again by mid-afternoon: and the sun came out and we had one of our best bathes. At midnight however there was a thunderstorm. and as he lay listening to the roar of rain on the tent the S.M. wondered whether we ought after all to throw up the sponge; and a nice soppy splosh it would have made when it came down again, at that. At 3 he dressed and went out, feeling that he had to do something to justify being given first go at the top of the milk b ottle at br ea kfas t. But a s he squel che d r ou nd he f oul d all secure, and the first faint light of dawn showed the wind veering and the clouds shredding out. The tents glimmered against the dark of the trees. and in them snuggled twenty boys, safe, dry, and fit. He slipped back into bed, pretty confident that we were trained now and capable of dealing with almost anything. Mr. Collard had his cattle in our usual field, so we were a quarter of a mile downstream. It was a long carry from the farm, but most boys thought the less steep hill made up for it. We were better placed for wood, and we had a splendid bathing pool on our doorstep, open to the sun (if any), with a good diving place and no sharp rocks. 10

One good point about the weather was that when the rain wanted a rest it did it properly,

with hot sun and a breeze, and everything would dry out miraculously for an hour or two. Twice we were able to have all the bedding out to air thoroughly, and both pitching and striking were d o n e i n t h e dr y. N o r d i d e v e n t h e w o r s t b i t s b r i n g e i t h e r c h a o s o r defeatism. It is probably fair criticism to say that not many boys had the adventurous spirit which greets difficulties as a challenge and even as fun; but determination, if a little grim, was there all right, and it would be hard to find a camp with less grumbling, fewer serious mistakes, or more general niceness on the boys' part. It must be the first time in his life that Maiden has gone a whole week without being told off. In an entirely hot, dry camp things tend to get sloppy, you tire more easily a n d b e c o m e q u a r r e l s o m e , a n d — s t r a n g e t h o u g h i t m a y s e e m i t i s harder to keep well. As it was we were as fit as fleas, without a single temperature, cold, sore throat, or upset stomach; and the minor blisters and cuts and things were safely dealt with, nearly all by the boys themselves, which is one of the countless things we try to learn. Goodwin brought a poisoned finger with him from school (nail-biting; hope he never bites me), and could be regularly seen sucking his spoonful of panchromaticomycin — to be taken 37 minutes before meals four times a day even if you only have three meals; penalty for improper use £5 or six months' imprisonment - but the finger cleared up completely. Green-Price soon forgot all about the hay-fever pills he was supposed to take. And, apart from the fact that whenever Simpson saw a bit of barbed wire or some boiling fat he fell down on it, that was all our medical history. T he m os t a n no yi n g t hi ng t he r a i n d i d wa s t o m a k e u s t a k e f o u r meals out of five in the shelter instead of at the table; pity, because the table was better made, and the shelter leaked worse than ever before. But the cooking, generally done in rain, was excellent, apart from the bits of charcoal that were apt to turn tip labelled fried bread; and we had our t hree hot meals a day on time without fail. Free time was only rained o ff twi ce, and all th e u sua l acti vitie s took pl ace — f ossil -hunti ng, fl y- fishing for salmon parr, dam-building, dropping your shirt in the river, and so on; and there were more trips to Alpine Bridge than usual, partly because of an argument over whether it was a spooky place or not, as well as the regular games on the Castle. Our best day was the Monday. The morning was wet and it looked as if the hike was off, but as we washed up breakfast the clouds lifted. "Yes or no"" said the S.M. "Yes," said Hugo, performing his main duty of stopping the old man being an old woman. Edwards had the lunch ready the night before, but we had to make all safe against storms in our absence, and it was 11 before we set off, along the river to Shaky Bridge and up the little brook till we got out onto the hills. And what a day when we got there; blue sky patched with cumulus driving before a strong West wind, with mile upon mile of Radnorshire (sorry, Powys; but it still looked like Radnorshire) spread out below us and stretching into blue distance, splodged with galloping cloud-shadows. The senior party, recovering from the shock of finding the juniors in front of them at one point, climbed five peaks culminating in Llandegley Rocks, made a big loop, and came back by Bryn Thomas, when they performed the feat of jumping across the river from the high bank, to show the bridge wasn't necessary. The juniors were meant to do a gentle potter and get back in time to make tea for the rest, but they walked so well that in the end they went nearly as far as the others — about 14 miles — right out to Llanwefr Pool, which was full of black-headed gulls, and teal; and they saw a weasel kill a rabbit, and found a family of kestrels at their nest, and Tudge was bitten by a horse, so there was plenty going on. The best walkers were perhaps Fields in the seniors and Manning in the juniors, but all the walking and the general spirit were first-rate. A

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gale in the night and rain again before morning emphasised what a splendid day it was. In general, if you wanted something special done you turned to the Eagles. Hughes and Johnson, as leader and second, seemed like one man, and the others worked in with them loyally. It was noticeable that if you praised something the one you spoke to gave the credit to someone else, and meant it; they were a happy team, always quick, tidy, sensible, and reliable all round. Cuckoos came next, and here they would probably all agree it was because of their leader (he was so much a leader that when he went to sleep again after being called they all did). Edwards also managed our food admirably; he knew where everything was and how much of it, and planned far ahead, all without fuss. In many other ways he was a comforting prop of muscle, unselfishness, and good sense. Kipling might have been thinking of him in the Just So Stories : "Can't curl but can swim; SlowSolid, that's him". Pigeons were less good in most ways, but were the best cooks, though good restaurants rarely have a chef in a lorry-driver's cap. Their kitchen was the best organised in action and spotless afterwards, everyone had a fair turn at cooking, and their meals were excellent. Which leaves Peckers the worst? No, that's not quite fair. They did not always fit together, and they were erratic. But just when you were a bit fed up with them they would do something specially good. In the last three days they had to make do with less space in their tent than anyone else, and yet this was when they were neatest; and there was an occasion when the S.M. thought of something, and found it already done, and it was the Peckers who had done it. No doubt we should have enjoyed ourselves even more with a bit less rain; it is not easy to be gay when you are always on guard against dangers and difficulties. But if we did not laugh the whole time, neither did we cry, grumble, snarl, slack, or do any of the horriblenesses that some boys might. Leadership was better though not perfect, discipline was at least as good as last year and much better than the year before, and general skill seldom fell below a very sound level if it seldom reached brilliance. We thank the parents past and present who helped with transport, the people at the farm, the school authorities, and Hugo Tuthill; and the S.M. would like to add his thanks to all the boys, senior and junior, for working loyally at the ideals and targets he put before them, for their general friendliness, and for doing a tough job well. He is almost surprised to find how much he enjoyed himself, and he can only hope they did too.

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