Aymestrey Magazine 1989

THE AYMESTREY MAGAZINE

SUMMER 1989

MINUTES OF THE 46TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE OLD AYMESTREY ASSOCIATION HELD AT AYMESTREY SCHOOL ON SATURDAY 18th JUNE 1988

Present: Edward Weaving, in the chair; The President, Air Vice Marshal, D.N.K. Blair-Oliphant; The Honorary Secretary, Bill Stallard; Messrs. Adrian Barnes, Graham Barnes, Aaron Bateman, Hugh Griffith, John Harper, Carl Henshaw, Malcolm Hughes, George Johnson, Edward Lane, Oliver Mayfield, Jonathan O'Neill, Ben Penson, John Phipps, Anthony Powell, David Powell, Philip Powell, Simon Ricketts, Jonathan Tomsett and Alan Turner. Apologies were received from Rupert Bader, Michael Bartlett, Douglas Birks, Tony Clayton, John Eyton Coates, David Davis, Chris Dowson, Tom Edwards, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Etty-Leal, Jim Fink, Bill Jay, Jonathan Coates, Stephen Nelson, William Lane, Charles Leakey, David Lewis, Brian Massey, Simon Patterson, Edward Tildesley, Richard Tildesley and Francis Tuthill. The Minutes of the A.G.M. held on Saturday, 20th June, 1987, were taken as read, confirmed and signed. The Honorary Treasurer presented the accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1988. The Association's funds now stood at £1,268.40, a reduction pf £246.65 in consequence of the contribution of £500 made to the purchase of the School printer. The accounts were approved. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:CHAIRMAN: Edward Weaving VICE-CHAIRMAN: Anthony Powell HONORARY SECRETARY/TREASURER: Bill Stallard SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT: Dan Asterley COMMITTEE: Graham Barnes and George Johnson to serve with Messrs. Ian McCulloch, Paul Collis, James Edwards and Malcolm Hughes. Dan Asterley's 80th Birthday Dan Asterley will celebrate his 80th birthday in the summer of 1989 and this will also mark the 80th anniversary of the school's foundation. The meeting agreed that a celebration must be arranged to mark both historic events. It was suggested that a reception and buffet lunch be held at the school after the end of the Summer Term 1989 with the presentation of personal photographs to Dan and Jean Asterley and that a fairly brief Annual General Meeting could be held on the same occasion, when a considerable number of old boys will hopefully be present. It was also felt that the occasion should be self-financing and the Honorary Secretary was instructed to confer with Hugh Griffith and the Chairman, Edward Weaving, to finalise the details. (It has been decided to hold this event on Sunday, September 3rd, 1989. Ed.) 2

Commemorative Photographs of Dan and Jean Asterley. It was reported to the meeting that a set of photographs had been taken by Tom Bader (a well known local professional photographer and a parent of an Old Boy); Dan and Jean had selected their preferences and Tom Bader had very kindly agreed to present these photographs to the school for display in the library. The meeting expressed warm thanks to Tom Bader.

The meeting resolved that the Association should make a suitable presentation to Dan Asterley to mark his 80th birthday and that £250 be allocated to this. A vote of thanks was then proposed by the Chairman, Edward Weaving, to Hugh and Gill Griffith and their staff for the excellent hospitality extended to the Association. Another enjoyable dinner was held at the Union and County club, Worcester, under the chairmanship of Edward Weaving and was well attended. A toast to the school was proposed by Edward Weaving and Hugh Griffith replied. Both speeches were well received. Letter from D.A.N.A. I have received from the O.A.A. the present of a pair of binoculars; and since the members of a corporate body cannot well be thanked individually, I am asking for space in the magazine in order to express my gratitude. The binoculars are greatly superior to any I have had before, and they will bring me untold pleasure for the rest of my life, as will the thought behind them. I offer my deep gratitude to the O.A.A. D.A.N.A May 1989

3

OLD AYMESTREY ASSOCIATION Income and Expenditure Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March, 1988 1987

RECEIPTS

1987 £

£ 147.00 Membership subscriptions (including renewal of subscriptions and donations to Association Funds)

EXPENDITURE

150.00 Contribution to School Magazine expenses......................... 150..00

1.55 Magazine Appeal Subscriptions

Contribution to acquisition of school printer...........................

1..55

58.56 Interest on Abbey National Building Society Share Account

0.00

500.00

3.37 Lloyds Bank Charges...........................

7.55

107.55 55.79 Excess of income over expenditure

......................................

0.00

2.05 Interest on Lloyds Bank Deposit Account..........................1.80 Excess of expenditure over income.................................246.65 209.16

507.55

209.16

507.55

Balance Sheet for Year Ended 31st March 1988 1987 £

1987 £

1,459.26 Balance brought forward 31st March 1987...........

1,515.05

£ 5.04 33.17

55.79 Excess of income over expenditure............................0.00 ........................................................... Excess of expenditure over income (246.65) 1,515.05

1,268.40

1,476.84

£ Balances at Lloyds Bank:Current Account Deposit Account

147.74 36.27

Balance on Abbey National Building Society Five Star Account

1084.39

1,515.05

1,268.40

4

JEAN ASTERLEY - 1912-1989 Jean never altered - from my earliest days as a boy at Aymestrey, Jean has seemed to me to be the same imperturbable, unflappable unpretentious and, never far below the surface, that sense of fun struggling to get out. She was the antithesis of the traditional 'school ma'am'- she claimed she could not keep order (though I recall otherwise) and remained throughout her time at Aymestrey a determined amateur with a cheerful irreverence towards the official line, though never disloyal or supporting indiscipline when was in reality on the side of the boys and we knew that we had in her a friend should the going become too rough. I recall the expression of high spirits depended frequently upon the success of Dan's fishing afternoons (Thursdays if I remember correctly) and Jean could always be relied upon to inform anxious enquirers if the omens were favourable for a dormitory ambush on the Headmaster. Parents too developed a respect for her considerable common sense and practicality and she was with Dan an equal member of the partnership at the head of Aymestrey school and together they were to many generations of parents and boys Mr. and Mrs. Aymestrey. Jean took responsibility for the domestic side of life at the school and her same no-nonsense, down to earth approach ensured smooth running at least on the exterior and if there were problems they were never apparent, though I know that frequently they left Jean exhausted, though never dispirited. She was rewarded with great loyalty by the domestic staff, many of whom devoted their lives to the school. On retirement to Crown East Cottage in 1966 she shed her worries and with them the years - I can never remember Jean looking any different or a day older than she did when I was at school. Her life remained hectic and full of activity but she now had time to follow her many interests - in particular Worcester Cathedral where she was an active "Friend" - and to enjoy her beloved music. Though retired, her interest in the boys never waned and one story which I think encapsulates her attitude to life involved a visit to the boys one winter's day when they were enjoying some tobogganing: Jean watched for a while but became progressively more appalled by the boys' efforts and eventually decided that she must demonstrate how it should be done -she commandeered the nearest toboggan, leapt upon it and set off in the traditional style head first down what generations of boys have known as the Crests Run. She had timed it well, had picked a good sled and the result was a record which stood for many days and provoked much comment and admiration within the school. Humour was never far away when Jean was around and if there was a funny side she invariably found it. She was always straight forward, often tenacious, occasionally blunt, in her directness but always sincere. Dan tells me that a quotation from Mark Twain quite recently provoked a smile. The quotation is not

5

inappropriate - "let us endeavour so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry". Seldom does one person have the opportunity to touch so many lives - the fact that so many of those who knew Jean became and remained her friends is tribute enough to her life. I count myself privileged to have been amongst them. (Address given by Andrew Duncan at the memorial service at Cotheridge) JEAN Almost the first words Jean said to me were, 'I'll never come to the school without an invitation. You won't have to worry that I shall interfere." The last sentence was quite true - she would never have interfered. The first, however, I am pleased to say was not. After a while, when she realised that we were always pleased to see her, whatever we were doing or however busy, she would pop in quite frequently but never outstay her welcome. To me she was a marvellous friend and ally in the difficult days when we started here and all the way through. She always came to school functions and it was so easy to talk to her about a school problem, because of shared experience and because she could be relied upon to lighten the load with humour. She was also a fount of knowledge about the intricacies of this extraordinary house, its plumbing, drains, gutters, etc. Aymestrey is not the same without her and I find it hard to believe that we shall not see her coming into the hall during break, with a message from Dan or a tactful suggestion in reply to a question of mine. GSG OLD BOYS REMEMBER David (W.E.) Davis (1916-1921) I was a day-boy - later a weekly boarder - at the old Aymestrey House near the railway station at Malvern Link, from about 1916 to 1922: a long time ago. I remember a poor little old man - I think he was a Belgian refugee, who came to the front door and played his accordion. A little monkey sat on his shoulder, holding a

Belgian flag. And I remember 'Sir' - my beloved Headmaster - calling us all to silence one morning as we racketed noisily in the playground, to announce that 'General Allenby had entered Jerusalem'. And I remember one wonderful school picnic when we went by train to Colwall and walked up to the British Camp. We all collected butterflies and dried their poor little bodies on setting boards, and I breathed on one of Dan's setting boards, and it disintegrated into dust. And I remember most of all 'Sir's' wonderful readings of 'Puck of Pook's Hill' and 'Rewards and Fairies' and (on Sunday evenings) 'The Pickwick Papers', which I thought was the funniest thing I had ever heard. They were some of the happiest years of my life. Air Vice Marshal Nigel Blair Oliphant (1920 - 1925) Remembering meals, so important for boys, brings recollection of bread spread with butter or dripping and slices spread with jam which were denied when we were bad. On occasions the whole school was fed 6

from one large fish, a cod perhaps, known among us as `wrecked zeppelin'. We consumed uncomplainingly what was set before us and were well nourished. Our respect for Sir, who had a rare understanding of boys, and for Tief who nightly in the dormitory read the Bible to us, and our response to their approval/disapproval, was the background from which we learned discipline and obedience to the rule of law. There were sharper moments at 'extra drill' presided over by a master with a cane. Learning to behave was as important as what we learned in class. While unconscious of the pressures associated with school life today we were continually aware that the best was expected of us at all times. Douglas Birks (1927-1933) I arrived at the age of six to be frightened for a few weeks of changing in the cellars. Individual events come to mind: an Ainslie monoplane landing near the gym ; a seemingly complete hunting field galloping over the cricket field one morning; the character forming experience of playing full back in 73-0 defeat by the Downs - all but equalled by not troubling the scorer when the team was dismissed for 3 by the same school. But overall it was a feeling of peace and tranquility - lying under the front lawn oak while Baize read Nigel Loring to us of a summer evening - which remains with me. Norman Green Price (1933-39) What do I remember of my years at Aymestrey? They were a very happy part of my life. The sporting activities, the first day of anew term, camp, the carol service, the 'bust up' with Dan's rendering of 'The Nightmare Song' from Gilbert and Sullivan. The list is endless. But when I think of the Aymestrey of my day I think of the Asterley family and their influence on parents and boys alike. Tief, Dan's mother, Aunt Ness and of course Dan himself. It was during this period that the late Jean Asterley joined the family to add her unique contribution to the life of the school. To us boys they pervaded certainly order and discipline, but also caring and approachability. Their influence was the influence that a wellknit family has on those it touches. Dan's love of nature and the outdoor life permeated our activities. Etched on my memory is an hour on the Lugg near Leominster watching Dan secure a lively pound trout on a Coachman!

Lt. Col. A.V. Claydon (1940-1944) I arrived at Aymestrey on a warm summer's evening in 1940, when schools on the coast were closing down, or being relocated, under the threat of invasion after the Dunkirk evacuation. The active side of the war seemed pretty far away; though Dan Asterley and his Home Guard platoon practised small arms firing in the wood below the front lawn, and one evening we watched with interest as Colonel Ogden cleaned his revolver just below our dormitory window. This changed briefly during a morning class when a German bomber flew across the lawn below treetop level (you could see the pilot and rear gunner clearly) to drop two bombs on the Meco works in Worcester before going home. Other aircraft were mostly Tiger Moth biplanes with trainee pilots learning to do loops and stalls. On the lighter side of class work, I value Mr. Johnson's fifty-odd History Verses, which stitched together 7

the fabric of English history in informative, but lighthearted, stanzas which could be sung to the tune of a lively plantation song. I still read my copy. Out of doors, apart from sport, scouting was the main activity. 'Peckers', 'Pigeons' and 'Cuckoo' patrols competed not only in ordinary scouting but also as 'wood patrol', building up the cellar woodpile. A scout camp was held in 1944 concealed under the trees between the cricket field and the swimming pool. Under Dan's leadership, well supported by the Troop, it was a great success, with scout work and games, tasty food and evenings round the camp fire, regaled with Gilbert and Sullivan, courtesy of D.A.N.A. One unscheduled event was a fierce thunderstorm from which a shaft of lightning struck one of the tall trees about fifteen yards from the dining area. No harm done, but some little excitement! George Johnson - (1971-1975) The five years I was at Aymestrey were among the happiest in my life. Looking back there was a stability and happiness which should be the ideal of family life. I have so many memories that it is hard to choose: scoring for the cricket team (unlikely but true)!, visiting Worcester Cathedral and going up the tower; cutting firewood with James Twinberrow and a six foot cross cut, which I still have; but above all Music Appreciation on Saturday mornings and listening to Elgar's Gerontius in Worcester in 1974 . Now we have as a nation gone 'green', it is salutory to remember D.A.N.A. telling us about the ozone layer and aerosols in 1974 or '75. I have never used them since then. On returning to Aymestrey it is wonderful to see that so little changes and the happy atmosphere remains, in a world so full of pain and sadness. Many, many boys will look back now and in the future with gratitude and I wish the school 80 more such years and the Griffiths many more years running it. Theirs will be as hard an act to follow as the Asterley's was. Earl Johnson - (1978 - 1981) I still know my dates from 1066 onwards. I remember the challenge Mr. G. used to put to us - could we say them quicker forwards than he could backwards? (This has only been done once. Ed!) Nigel Richardson - (1979-1984) Aymestrey was like living in one big family where you learned to appreciate the smaller things in life. The disciplined existence taught me much and I feel I owe all my achievements to my time there.

Duncan MacLaren (1979 - 1984) My memories of my time at Aymestrey will no doubt be dismissed as pure nostalgia. Nevertheless what I mostly remember is the friendliness, a willingness on the part of everyone to help and the determination to make everything interesting— even Latin! Despite suffering the onslaught of yet another MacLaren the Staff remained patient and their goodwill seemed boundless; they really did create a 'family' atmosphere. What do I remember best? Well, Earl Johnson, who was a spectator, appealing from the boundary in a Colt's cricket match on the South Lawn! What's more the batsman was given out even though no-one else appealed. 8

David Richmond breaking a stump in taking yet another wicket with his fast bowling. Mark Brodie, who preferred binder-twine to bootlaces, bursting through the Winterfold defences, only to be denied victory by an extraordinary spell of 'extra' time. Camp, in very hot weather, when we seemed to cross and re-cross the whole of Radnorshire; the much vaunted 'Mystery' Guest who remained a mystery, though not a guest—he failed to turn up ! The familiar crash of a bench falling over in 'line', owch Being a 'fire' boy in the third form; this was a good job—you could, with the minimum of skill, spend most of the Maths lesson stoking it. One thing that never failed was D.H.G's pipe; one could often be seen smouldering on the side of the billiard table, until eventually all were extinguished when Stephen Nelson hid them! (All except one! Ed.) Aymestrey is eighty years old this year but I fully expect, and certainly hope that my memories, and these are only a few of them, will last me for another eighty years. Matthew Richardson - (1984 -1988) My best memories of Aymestrey are of the sport we did. I enjoyed playing cricket, rugby and football twice a day and Mr. Driver's coaching, but I did not like cross country although it kept us fit for the other sports! OLD BOY NEWS R. Bader, at King's, has been made Head of School. A.D. Baker has seven GCSE's, one at A grade. A. Bateman, at Rossall, has started work on G.C.S.E. He has done everything from windsurfing, caving and potholing to joining the army cadets. R. Brodie, in his first year at Malvern, is playing chess for the College, on No. 8 board. J.N. Edwards and his wife are on a working holiday in Israel. T.W. Everitt , at the RGS, has eight GCSE's, one at A grade. He is the County 3,000m champion. A.C.A. Goadby has nine GCSE's, two at A grade. R. Gorman, at Rendcomb, is enjoying everything! He is in the senior choir and school orchestra. P. Gorman, also at Rendcomb, plays the oboe in the school orchestra and the piano in a jazz band. He is taking music for GCSE. J. Harper has his house colours for running at Malvern. R. Harper is working on a farm and hoping to go to an agricultural college next year. E. Johnson, writing from Sydney, likes living in Australia. He is going to study Public Relations this year. G. Johnson is now working for the Potato Marketing Board. A. Lane is in his second year training to be a solicitor. W. Lane has a distinction in Mediaeval History at Aberdeen. S. Nelson is in Singapore on his way home from Western Samoa where, in his sandwich year from Reading 9

D. Bartlett ( Aged 12)

11

12

P Smith ( Aged 11 )

13

University, he spent seven months running a tissue culture laboratory. He has one more year at university reading Agricultural Botany. A. Perryman is Assistant Manager at Great Mills D.I.Y. at Evesham. W. Rankin, at Malvern, has been made Junior Chapel Prefect, (deputy head of school).

N. Richardson is Captain of Rugby at King's. He is hoping to go to Loughborough in the Autumn. J. Sawtell is enjoying being in the choir and orchestra at Rendcomb. D. Searle is hoping to start a job with Meco in Worcester in the Autumn. He visited us in a lotus car which he had made from a kit. G. Shafto is captain of cricket at the Wrekin. S. Taylor, at Shebbear, is hoping to be a solicitor or barrister. T.Wellspring, at Malvern, is studying for 4 A levels. He came and photographed the soft water tank which was discovered, when the new swimming pool was excavated, on the mulberry lawn. He is now an Adventure Training instructor, has his school colours for Arts and is also the manager of a group called Acoustic Fish which had a Rock Concert in Worcester in May. L E AV E R S July 1988 P.A. Allan - (Rendcomb) Came 1985. Rugger XV, Soccer XI, Cricket XI and Cross Country. Colours for Rugby, Soccer and Cross Country. Choir. Prefect. Ogden Cup, H.M. Forces Bursary. G.N. Beard - (Bredon) Came Autumn 1984. J.B. Bewley - (Bredon) Came Autumn 1984. Rugger XV, Soccer XI (Capt.), Cricket XI and Cross Country. Colours for Rugby, Soccer, Cricket and Cross Country. Sports Shield. Sport Exhibition. B.J. Brining - (Bromsgrove) Came Spring 1983. Rugger XV, Cricket XI and Soccer XI. Colours for Rugby, Cricket, Soccer and Chess. R.B.N. Brodie - (Malvern College) Rugger XV, Soccer XI, Cricket XI and Cross Country. Colours for Rugby, Cross Country and Chess (Capt.). Prefect. L. Goodman - (Heathfield School) Rugger XV, Soccer xl, Cricket XI and Cross Country. Colours for Cross Country. R.S. Gorman - (Rendcomb) Came Autumn 1983. Rugger XV, Cricket XI. Colours for Rugby and Cross Country. Choir. Music Exhibition. C.J. Gurney - (Bowbrook) Came Autumn 1983. Rugger XV, Soccer Xl, Cricket XI. Colours for Rugby, Socceer, Cricket, Athletics and Chess. J.G. Harvey - (King's Gloucester) - Came Autumn 1983. Rugger XV. T.J. Owen - (Bowbrook) Came Autumn 1984. Choir. M.W. Patterson - (Dean Close) Came Summer 1985. Rugger XV, Soccer XI, Cricket XI and Cross Country. Colours for Rugby, Soccer, Athletics and Cross Country. Choir. M.T. Richardson - (King's Worcester) Came Summer 1983. Rugger XV, (Capt.) Soccer XI, Cricket XI (Capt.). Colours for Rugby, Soccer, Cricket and Chess. Prefect. J.M. Sawtell - (Rendcomb) Came Autumn 1982. Rugger XV, Cricket XI. Colours for Rugby and Cross Country. Choir. Prefect. 15

December 1988

Natee Sawatyanon - (Haileybury College) - Came Autumn 1987. Rugger XV, Soccer XI, Cricket XI and Cross Country. Colours for Rugby and Soccer. Prefect. NEW BOYS Autumn 1988 E. Barnes, C. Burton, M. Camozzi, M. Edwards, R. Peel, J. Williams, E. Williams and S. Williams. Spring 1989 P.D. Smith SCHOLARSHIPS Congratulations to: P.A. Allan on his H.M. Forces Bursary to Rendcomb J.A. Bewley on his Sport Exhibition to Bredon A. Emson on his Music Exhibition to Malvern College R. Gorman on his Music Exhibition to Rendcomb GIFTS 1989 We are extremely grateful to the following for their presents to the school: Mrs. Darlington - Books. Mr. & Mrs. Sawtell - Electronic, top loading, balance for Science. Timothy Owen - Computer book. Mr. & Mrs. Harvey - Steps for swimming pool Michael Bartlett - bat. Duncan MacLaren - Pads and cricket bag. Mr. & Mrs. Beard - Set of swing-back cricket stumps. Mr. & Mrs. Richardson - A very special stop-watch , which not only records the time of every runner in the race - even a cross-country one - but also recalls them later and prints them out! Air Vice Marshal N. Blair Oliphant, Mr. & Mrs. Auty, Mr. & Mrs. Heigh, Mr. & Mrs. Emson, Mr. & Mrs. Cruickshank, Mr. & Mrs. Patterson - contributions to various things such as the drive, hard disc, rose garden, etc. CHESS 1989 Inevitably 1989 was bound to be different: the entire chess team had left and we had to start again from scratch. In the event the new team did not do at all badly. Played 8, Won 3, Lost 4, Drawn 1. Games won 22, Games lost 22. We defeated St Richard's and Hawford Lodge without any trouble but were slaughtered by a very strong team from Camp Hill in the first round of The Times National School's Competition. Perhaps the team's best result was a draw with an unusually strong Ferret's side, led by Bob Brodie, from Malvern College. Mr Knee again came and gave us & display of simultaneous chess, beating, as usual, all twelve of the boys who played him. We are very grateful for the trouble he takes in doing this every year, as it is a great 16

experience and, of course, you only really learn anything when playing against someone stronger than you are.

In the Spring holidays Alexander and Price went to Millfield Junior School, at Glastonbury, to take part in the I.A.P.S. Chess Congress. Nearly a hundred children from all over the country took part in four days of chess. Both boys did so well in the preliminary rounds, Alexander winning five out of six and Price winning four, that they were put into the ' A' group. Neither did so well thereafter, though Price managed to win twice in this exalted company, but both learned a good deal about competitive chess. They also took part in a marathon Simultaneous Display by John Walker, the Oxford Champion. When not playing chess there was much else to do. A visit to Wookey Hole was a high-light and there were several expeditions up the Tor. On one such Price was glowered at by a 'Witch' and Alexander found an arrow with its end charred by fire. The food was excellent and the card games were great fun and very noisy! Throughout the season Griffiths played on board one and was Captain; others who played in the team were:- Natee, Price, Smith P., Alexander, Williams E. and Murphy. MUSIC During the year the following Associated Board Exams were passed:Grade 1 J. Cruickshank N. Goodwin R. Heigh C. Hughes N. Michell A. Tomlin Grade 2 N. Sawatyanon N. Sawatyanon Grade 3 A. Emson Grade 5 A. Emson

Cornet Trumpet Trumpet Trumpet Piano Piano Guitar - Merit Piano - Merit Cello Piano

The choir went to Dean Close and Malvern College, as usual, to sing with many other Prep. School Choirs. Both these events are instructive and enjoyable, and we appreciate being asked to take part.

17

CRICKET 1988

After such a good sporting year it was, perhaps, inevitable that the cricket team was going to come unstuck. Although the XI played well on occasions, beat St. Richard's at home, Moffats away, and did very well to draw with the Elms, they also managed, quite unaccountably to lose at home to both Hillstone and Moffats. In another year such lapses might have gone unremarked but after the high standards the same boys had set in the other main sports, and established in athletics, these two defeats seemed to be out of character. If the team didn't come together on every occasion it did, however, provide a platform for some good cricketing moments. Against St. Richard's we were treated to the unusual sight of a leg spinner winning a match. Brining had made an unbeaten 46, over half our total, and Eaton took 7 for 32. He never really managed to make the ball turn as much again and finished the season as a very useful medium pace bowler who would revert to leg spin as an interesting alternative. He also developed into an exciting fielder. Away at the Elms the captain, Richardson, staged a fine recovery after his team were in trouble at 5 for 4. He was supported by a dashing 23 from Natee. After losing badly to Moffats at home Bewley made an impressive 60 on their ground and good bowling by Eaton and Gurney, 5 and 4 wickets apiece, resulted in a win. Gurney took six wickets against Hillstone and gave the team a good start with 24 runs. Once again, however, the lower order proved fallible and threw the game away, losing by 6 runs. Gurney and Bewley made another good opening partnership when they put on 59 against the Old Boys. Their innings included a hostile spell from O'Neill which, much to their credit, they negotiated safely. With such obvious talent it was a pity that we never really had the pleasure of the whole team enjoying a good day. But the season served to remind us that once a high standard has been achieved it requires as much hard work to maintain that degree of excellence. ATHLETICS - Summer 1988 With all the winter cross country work behind us it seemed a pity to relax too much in the summer term, so more emphasis than usual was placed on athletics training. The results were well beyond our wildest dreams. We competed first at Bromsgrove where Kazu came first in the U13s Long Jump and third in. the shot. Eaton came first in U13s High Jump and third in the Long Jump. Bartlett came first in both the U13s 400 metres and U13s 200 metres. This experience stood us in good stead for the District Meeting at Denstone. Bartlett came first in the U13s 400 metres, Eaton second in the U13s High Jump and Patterson second in the U14s 1500 metres, and, as a result, these three qualified for the National Prep. Schools Championship. This is the first time that Aymestrey has been represented at Aldershot and all performed well, but Bartlett was unlucky, as a recurrence of an injury took him out of contention, when he was in a strong position in his race. 19

In the A.A.A. awards the following deserve mention: 5 stars in 3 events and Pentathlon: U 13 - K.Kazu 5 stars in 3 events: U 13 - M. Eaton U 12 - P. Smith 4 stars in 3 events and Pentathlon: U 12 - M. Harper U11 - C. Hughes 4 stars in 3 events: U 14 - Natee U 12 - M. Burton U11 - P. Price U 10 - B. Richards

SWIMMING 1988 The weather once again was not helpful but a number of boys braved the cold in order to complete long swims. Only two boys could not swim by the end of term and Brining is to be congratulated on his 2000 m (134 lengths) which he swam when it was far from hot. Michell did 1000 m (67 lengths) and Brodie, Kazu, Cruickshank and Abbas 48 lengths. Few parents or spectators on Sports Days realise just how cold the pool is! CAMP 1988 Camp 1988 was distinguished by the wet weather. It soon became apparent that our ancient tentage would let us down. After our first night most of us awoke to find sleeping bags and clothing somewhat damp. Fortunately enthusiasm was less affected, and, after a soggy breakfast we set about building a fire suitable for drying clothes. In the event the situation was eased by the kindness of our hosts who decorated their kitchen with whatever wet items we could offer. In the following days we patched the tents and relocated ourselves in them. This took precedence over all other activity, and so we were not able to hike as much as had been planned. In spite of the difficulties cooking was largely successful, and some of us also experienced the joys of washing up for the first time in our lives. One or two of the more practical members busied themselves in constructing furniture' for the greater comfort of all, and, in the hope that some of it would be useful to future generations of campers. Our thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Green-Price not only for drying us out, but for their kindness generally and for the delicious chocolate cake which lasted two days!

20

RUGBY 1988 This was a rather strange season. Although the team played well in every match - beating the Elms, St. Richard's, home and away, and losing only by the odd point to Hillstone - and provided some exciting moments for the spectators, it was always, inevitably, dominated by the four large men; Eaton, Natee, Bartlett and Kazu. Their size, stamina, strength, skill and general fitness set the rest of the XV a good example but, at the same time, made the younger players' lives a little too easy. As a result only one younger player, Smith, gained his colours. His incisive running in the centre and determination in defence were most encouraging. At the beginning of the term the forwards were largely untried and, on the whole, did well. It will be interesting to see if they continue to develop as fast next year. If they do they could be quite a formidable pack. Burton M. was a keen and aggressive prop. His partner, Michell, surprised everyone, particularly himself, by becoming an effective forward. Price's hooking had some uneasy moments but for such a young player he generally made a good impression. Harper and Abbas in the second row could have been faster and more active in the loose, but they gained valuable experience. Griffiths played well as flanker and Haynes did his best to support him. Baines was a solid addition to the team at number eight. Natee proved to be a good scrum half. He tackled hard, was quick to pounce, and developed a good pass. Eaton at fly half ran well and ensured that his centres had plenty of opportunity to use the ball. He also landed some difficult conversions. Bartlett ran strongly and was always hard to stop. There were several players - O'Grady, Richards, Alexander, Hughes and Homer who filled the wingers' positions and took the places of absent forwards. They all gained useful experience for next year and Homer, in particular, showed he had some real promise. Kazu at full back had a marvellous season. Although, on occasions, he took too much on himself his tackling and catching were excellent and when he was in full flight there were few opponents who would try to stop him. It will be interesting to see how much of his drive and enthusiasm the XV will be able to repeat next year. SOCCER 1989 With Cross Country easing itself into the lead as the major winter sport it was, perhaps, inevitable that the soccer team should have an indifferent season. All the same it is hard to excuse a team that in almost every match got itself into a winning position, then let the game drift away. The three teams we played, The Elms, St. Richard's and Moffats, were all good sides but with a little more imagination we could have managed a draw on at least two occasions, if not a win. The best moment of the season came right at the start. In the six-a-side competition the team reached the final by knocking out such footballing giants as the Bluecoat School, Winterfold and Abberley. Next year's eleven will have to work very hard to make up for this season's deficiencies. 22

TABLE TENNIS 1988-89 Matches - Played 8, Won 6, Lost 2. Games - Won 39, Lost 29 The table tennis team distinguished themselves this year by getting into the final of the Hereford and Worcester Schools' Table Tennis County League. As this is open to any age for boys and girls, we received a substantial handicap. We took full advantage of it in all our matches and won, amongst others, against King's twice and the Royal Grammar School once. We were beaten conclusively in the final by Evesham High School. The team was Eaton, Bartlett, Abbas and Griffiths. RUNNING The Aymestrey Cross-Country Team celebrated the school's 80th anniversary year with a remarkable series of events. It extended its unbroken sequence of victories to ten by winning the U15 and the U13 boys' races in the Worcester City Schools' Trials that were held here at Aymestrey, the annual Aymestrey and St. Richard's races and the Bromsgrove shield for a second year. It provided three of the eight man team sent by the Worcester City District to the County Trials. These boys D. Bartlett, K. Kazu and M. Eaton were the first home for Worcester City, finishing 9th, 10th and 13th respectively. This meant that they all qualified as 'County standard' runners. Bartlett went on to run for Hereford and Worcester in the England Schools A.A. Cross Country Championships in Hertford, at U15 level. This is the highest level that Junior Cross Country runners can achieve. For Bartlett to reach this level while still under thirteen is a remarkable feat, and is the highest level any athlete has reached while still at Aymestrey. Just as notable is the long list of over twenty schools the team have beaten. Because of the age division in Athletics our team of Bartlett, Kazu, Eaton, Smith, Haynes and Harper, which had an average age of only 12.1 at the start of 1989, often found themselves competing against much older boys. Despite this they have beaten all the senior schools in Worcester including King's and the Grammar School, and every Prep. School in Hereford and Worcester that competed. Victories have also been recorded over several famous sporting names including Millfield Junior, Somerset; The Dragon School , Oxford; Clifton College Prep and Cheltenham Junior. The senior team also managed second place in the Cheltenham Junior School one mile relays, when Bartlett, Eaton and Kazu won medals as three of the six fastest runners. The junior team had some good results too, finishing second at Bromsgrove and third at St. Richard's. Gawler was the best of the U l and received solid support from Abbas, Price, O'Grady, Homer, Bowitz, Williams J., Smith P.D.; Murphy and. Hughes. The last two,in particular, made encouraging progress. (The most impressive feature of this cross country running has been the way that boys who have hated it to begin with have gone on to find that they are good enough to take part in some team event. As a biproduct, but a very important one, the health of the school, which has always been good, has become even better. The boys were fit and healthy last term when other schools were laid low with illness. Ed.)

23

24