The Ellesmerian Vol. LXXV MAY, 1964 No. 297 Calendar SUMMER TERM, 1964 Tues. April 28—Beginning of Term. Sun.” May Sat. 4, Sun. 5, Wed. 5, Thur. 3, Sat. 3 Mon. ,, Wed. 3, Sat. 3 Sat. 4» Wed. June Sat. ,, Wed. Sat. 3s Sat. 3) Thur. 3, Fri, 3, Sat. Wed. July 3—Athletics: Film and Lecture, Guy Butler. 9—C.C.F. Exercise. 10—Public Speaking Contest: Adjudicator: the Headmaster of Wrekin College. 13—Choir sings Evensong in Lichfield Cathedral. 14—Ist XI v. Common Room. 16—Ist XI y. Ellesmere C.C, Old Boys’ Dinner. 18—Ist XI y. Old Ellesmerians. 20—Ist XI v. Birkenhead School, Home. 23—Ist XI v. Merchant Taylors’, Crosby, Away. Confirmation in Chapel, 5.15 p.m. 30—-Ist XI v. Ruthin School, Home 3-—Ist XI y. Shropshire Gentlemen, Home. 6—Ist XI v. Rydal School, Away. 10—Ist XI y. Wrekin College, Home. 13—Ist XI v. King’s School, Chester, Away. 20—House Matches. 25—C.C.F. Inspection—Evening. 26—C.C.F. Inspection—Morning. 21—Speech Day. Ist XI v. M.C.C. 1—Ist XI v. Liverpool College, Home. Swimming, Diving Contest v. Liverpool College. 5—Water Polo: Semi-Finals. 6—G.C.E. begins. 12—Water Polo: Final. 45—tst XI y. Ducklings, Home. 17—School Examinations begin. Senior Scouts expedition to Snowdonia. 18—House Match: Finals. 19—Diving Competition. 22—Athletics Heats. 23—Ellesmerian Society to Memorial Theatre, Stratford. 25—Athletics Sports: Finals. 26—School Photographs. 27—Relay Sports. 28—End of Term. C.C.F. Camp, Sennybridge. Beginning of MicHarias Term: Thursday, 17 September End of MicHarimas Term: Thursday 17 December2 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 Editorial Those who visit the School infrequently, possibly after several years, will find a new-look to many well-known parts of the grounds. The new Study Wing is already far advanced; roofs cover certain parts of the eight new Dayrooms; the Library rises at the end of these, cutting into the old Junior School field, and protruding beyond the end of the Junior Wing. The Cloisters run down the east side of Big School to join the new block with the main buildings. On the other side of the main buildings, below the Laundry, the new Changing-rooms and lavatories are rapidly going up, and some of the latter building will be in use during the Summer Term. These are enclosed and will be heated—a change from the Arctic climate there of the past. The Tuck Shop has already been accepted; its small tables and chairs become blessings to the leisured and the tired: soon no one will be left to remember the old one, now the Prefects’ Com- mon Room. As new buildings come into use, names, strange to Old Boys, will cling to them. The Class- room block in front of the Old Labs is automatically referred to as the New Block, but to th name it will soon lose its right. The Study Block—for the Dayrooms are designed to be quiet rooms—may be a sufficiently dignified name for the wing now going up. From the shape of the skylights on the Changing-rooms we shall not be surprised to hear them called The Dome. However, if unfamiliar names have to be given to new extensions, it seems fitting to recall other areas of the School the names of which are seldom heard. The Jungle has been tamed, and few would recognise it now; fewer still could point out where Cads’ Corner lies; Faraway, Pampas and Long Corner have meanings now incomprehensible to older Ellesmerians. Soon the Biology Labs will designate newer extensions still. But now strange will sound the name of the Animal Room in a year or so’s time, with its suggestions of silently padding of beasts and roars from—the Jungle?—or even from the ‘Zoo’? In September another word will have a place of honour in the School: a new House is to be born, Lambart House, over sixty strong, will compete with the other four. This will take over the present Junior School wing, though for a time the quarters may be limited. Though some of the September new boys will be joining Lambart House, the main body of it has been drawn from the other four Houses, consisting of boys of all ages, so that it will be able to compete immediately on equal terms with the others. To Red, Blue, Violet and Yellow is being added another colour, Maroon, and to those who will wear this colour we wish every success and happiness as they start on this new venture. School Notes We congratulate T. F. G. Abraham, J. T. Hampson, A. M. Laing and R. A. Preece on being appointed School Prefects as from the beginning of the Lent Term. The All-Round Cup was won by Meynell with 320} points, Wakeman came second with 302 points, Talbot third with 254 points and Woodard fourth with’ 183} points. On October 4th, a lecture was given to members of the Vth and VIth Forms in Big School by Mr. J. C. Griffiths on behalf of the Liberal Party. ‘On Sunday, October 6th, a Lecture was given to the School by Mr. M. R. Steele-Bodger, the England Rugby Selector. There have been two Subscription Concerts, the first on October 19th, by the Intimate Opera Company, and the second on December 8th, by the Barry Tuckwell Wind Ensemble. Accounts of these concerts appear in this Magazine.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 3 On October 24th and 25th, a Vth Form Conference was held at Moreton Hall, on the United Nations. This confenerce lasted for the whole of the two days, and proved highly informative and enjoyable, as can be imagined. . The Upper School were privileged to hear a talk by Mr. A. N. Gilkes, the Director of the Public Schools Appointments Bureau on November 4th. A quiet afternoon was held for about twenty Seniors on December 4th. It was conducted by Father Peter, of the Community of the Glorious Ascension, and a Fellow of the Corporation. On Saturday and Sunday, December 7th and 8th, a was performed in Chapel. cle Play, The Second Shepherd's Play The Service of the Nine Lessons and Carols was held in Chapel on Saturday, December 14th, for Visitors, and Sunday, 15th, for the School. The Ist XV has had one of the most successful seasons for many years, winning 11 of the 13 matches played, and losing only two. The points scored by the team were 209, with only 67 against. On Tuesday afternoons this Term twelve boys have been helping in old people’s gardens in Ellesmere. Two boys have painted a kitchen in an Old Age Pensioner’s home. In addition, on any afternoon in the term seniors have been doing odd jobs in the Cottage Hospital, scrubbing floors, shelves, cleaning silver, polishing, or helping in the kitchen. Jack Reeves It is with very great regret that we announce the death of Jack Reeves on Saturday, 9th November, at his home. Countless Old Boys who have played in any team will remember his driving them to away matches in his coach: to many an away match was not a match unless he was there to drive them, and then to watch them from the touchline or boundary. It was in 1939 that he first started to drive teams from Ellesmere, when he was working for Hyde's of Ellesmere, and then, after the war, with a coach of his own, he continued to drive for the School, sometimes twice a week to other Schools, for Ellesmerian Society excursions, to C.C.F. and Scout Camps. To him the Ist team was always “‘our” team, and he was as jealous of its reputation and success as any playing member. It is not often that a School has such a devoted and loyal supporter of its activities, nor such an outspoken critic of the play when matches were going badly. On the last occasion that the Ist XV flew to the Isle of Man for a match with King William's, Jack drove the team to Speke Airport, and then, to help with the cost of the chartered plane, paid for a seat for himself, watched the match, and drove the team back after the return flight: such was his love of the School. Jack had been ill for over a year, but recently he had hoped to be able to return to driving his coach. Absent or not from the driving seat, he followed the fortunes of the teams closely, and it gave him the greatest pleasure on the afternoon of the day he died to come to Bottom Field and watch an inter-School match being won by the Ist XV. The College, therefore, is the poorer by his passing, and we shall miss his presence and Personality from our midst.4 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 House Notes MEYNELL Housemaster aD F. E, Sutterby, Esq. House Tutor .. - se J.P. Green, Esq. Captain of House... «..P. I. Bishton House Prefects —... __-._-A. J. H, Roberts, R. W. Baxter, J. M. S. Charnley, H. R. D. Springett, N. D. Sutcliffe, N. T. Simpson. Captain of Middle Dorm... D.J. Hall Captain of Junior Dorm... R. L, Stretton Vice-Captain of Junior Dorm J. H. Parry Captain of Juniors... J, W. Galloway R. J. Hulmes (Lent Term) MICHAELMAS TERM __ This term there were no House matches to participate in but Meynell was well represented in most of the school rugby teams. Special mention should be made of Stretton, Roberts and Goodarzi who played in the successful first fifteen, Stretton and Roberts receiving full 1st colours. ‘This year Meynell won the All-Round Cup by a very comfortable margin. After four weeks of term it was decided that as we had so many sixth formers it would be more convenient if they slept in the Extension dormitory to enable them to work late at night. This idea proved sensible and worked well. ‘We congratulate Parry on receiving a scholarship as a result of the in July. Cave-Rogers has proved himself to be a worthy successor to John Bartlett as editor of ENA.T. ‘At last the San has been painted, thanks to the efforts of Baxter and Dakin. We congratulate the following: Pring, Hulmes and Smith on being awarded Junior House colours. This term only two members of Meynell are leaving us—Roberts and Milton—we wish them luck in their respect ‘0 level examinations LENT TERM On the rugger field this has been a term of mixed fortunes for Meynell. The Colt House League Cup was won but the Senior and Junior rugger were lost. In the Senior we were most unlucky to lose four of our best players either before or during the match. We retained the Instrumental Cup this year for the second year running, but we lost the Vocal to Talbot. ‘This term has seen the completion of the model village, and the hours of work spent on have been amply rewarded by the special prize that was awarded to the House. The model is also to be displayed on Speech Day. In the course of the term House Colours were awarded to N. T. Simpson and W. D. Sutcliffe. This term the House loses N. T. Simpson, who has been at the school for eight and a half years. We wish him the best of iuck with his trips to Canada and his future career.THE ELLESMERIAN 5 TALBOT Housemaster W. J. Stewart, Esa. House Tutor ... E, D. Sidebottom, Esq. Captain of House... C.J. Parker School Prefect . ow R.A. Jude, T. F. G. Abraham House Prefects oo D. R. Whitehouse, T. S. Met- calfe, G. P. Cowell, D. R. Vincent, D. B. W. Howell Senior House Colours RA. Jude Captain of Junior Dormitory P. J. Soskin MICHAELMAS TERM This term, although no inter-house competitions have been staged, we have been well represented in’school rugby teams. C. J. Parker led the XV, and as their successes show, he made a good job of it. T. F. G. Abraham and G. P. Cowell also had permanent positions, the latter receiving full colours. P. F. Bamford, P. J. Nagele, P. J. Soskin, D. B. W. Howell and D. W. R. Stuttard played for the 2nd XV. The Colts’ XV was captained well by R. Walton. This term we welcomed Mr. Stewart as our new Housemaster. He has made a very impressive start with a very difficult task. We hope he will spend many happy years with us. Our House Party was held on Monday, 16th December, and a good time was had by all. D. R. Whitehouse must be thanked for organising it, and we were all sorry he was unable to attend, R. A. Jude is congratulated on being awarded Senior House Colours at the end of the party. We are sorry to lose D. R. Whitehouse and G. H. Ratcliffe at the end of this term. They will be missed from our ranks, and we wish them every success in the future. The whole house looks forward to next term, when we hope maybe at last we may make the grade on the games field. GP.C. LENT TERM Undoubtedly the mild winter weather of the Lent Term proved a good omen for the house. As Chris Parker remarked shortly after Talbot's success in the Senior Rugger final, “The old House of Talbot is still very much alive”. In brief we were victorious in the Senior Rugger, captained most ably by C. J. Parker; we retained the Squash Cup under T. S. Metcalfe, and for the first time in many years we won the Steeplechase Cup, with particular thanks to D. W. R. Stuttard, K. A. Wilson, C. M. Brown and A. N. G. Brooking. However, Junior House Rugger met with only limited success, although the team was well led by the captain, R. F. Taylor. A new item in the Parry's field of sport is the House Rugger League competition: the Under Fifteens lost all three matches, but we received fair compensation when the Under Sixteens won two out of their three matches. We are very proud of those of the Ist XV in Talbot who have had the honour of achieving tremendous success in the 1963-4 Rugger season, namely C. J. Parker (Capt.), T. F. G. Abraham, G. P. Cowell, P. J. Soskin, D. B. W. Howell, and P. F. Bamford. "Early in May the Inter-House Public Speaking competition will take place, Talbot speakers being led by D. R. Vincent. ___We sincerely hope that the enthusiasm and instruction of F. G. Denman will be well rewarded in the House Music Competition. Congratulations to R. F. Taylor and A. B. Whitehouse on being awarded Junior House colours at the end of the Lent term. KAW.6 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 WAKEMAN Housemaster ... G. B. Jackson, Esq. House Tutor B. Hooton, Esq. Captain of House A.J. McG. Lunn Vice-Captain « J. R. Wake ‘School Prefects T. D. Raybould, R. A. Preece House Prefects C. R. Mackie, C. P. Perry, R. A. G. Loxham, I. Newport, M. S. Hollway Senior House Colours The Prefects, R. J. Brassington Junior House Colours J. M. Hall, K. R. Bayliss, RE J. Jarvis, R. C. 8. Acheson, D. J. Acheson, J. H. Clay. MICHAELMAS TERM This has been a very uneventful term in games for there have been no cups to compete for, but nevertheless everybody has been fully occupied. one ‘wouid like to congratulate R. A: Preece and R. J. Brassington on being awarded House jours. The annual House Party which was held at the end of this term was thoroughly enjoyed. The entertainments this year were of a high standard and ranged from Druid Sacrifices to rather dubious methods of modern surgery. ‘At the end of this term we say goodbye to R. J. Brassington and K. R. Higgins whom we shall all miss both in the house and on the sports’ field; T. L. Moreton and R. B. Huxley will also be missed, and we wish them the best of luck in their future careers. LENT TERM ‘The Easter term always proves to be the most hectic and energetic, and this year has been no exception, as most of the activities have been confined to the last fortnight of term. However, in spite of the many hurried preparations for the different activities, it has not proved an un- successful term. 'We managed to retain the Chess Cup which was secured by the concentration of D. J. Gittins and A. H. Jeffreys. In the Rugby House Matches, although both our Senior and Junior teams won their matches in the semi-finals, both lost in the Finals, the Seniors losing to the superior force of Talbot, but not without a hard struggle. ‘Unfortunately, the House Sevens had to be cancelled because the pitches were covered with snow, 30 Wakeman retained the Cup. ‘We won the semi-finals of the Squash, but again lost in the Finals, although D. J. Gittins won bis match. Thanks must also go to A. H. Jeffreys and M. J. Readwin for their constant practice and effort. ‘The Steeplechase was not held until the last Monday of term, before which a great deal of training had taken place under the organization and guidance of T. D. Raybould and M. S. Hollway. We won the Senior Steeplechase, and we must congratulate M. S. Hollway and N. G. Sibley for coming second equal, and B. J. Whewell for coming fourth. Our Juniors came third, but in the total marking Wakeman came third. ‘The House Music Competitions have not yet been held, but many thanks must go to R. J. Cox and R. A. G. Loxham for all the time they have devoted to practice and instruction. "We must aiso congratulate J. R. Wake and R. A. G. Loxham for receiving their full Rugby Colours after a highly successful season.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 7 At the end of this term we lose our House Captain, A. J. Lunn, and T. D, Raybould. Both have rendered invaluable services to the House, and we wish them every success in their future careers. At the beginning of term we welcomed Mr. B. Hooton as our House Tutor, and his help and interest in the House has been very much appreciated. oe Wakeman contributed £8 tothe B.E-L.R.A. Leprosy Fund, which was received with gratitude. WOODARD Housemaster .. 1. Ne R. Ainscow, Esq. House Tutor... ss B. V. Hony, Esq. Captain of House J.J. Laithwaite Vice-Captain J.T. Hampson School Prefects J. 5, Laithwaite, J. T. Hampson, ‘A.M. Laing House Prefects «A. P. Smith, A. H. Radiy, 1's. Harty Senior House Colours... The Prefects Junior House Colours... W. P. Palmer, R. N. Boyle, A. C. Stamp, J.B. Excell, A.C. Ludlow, M. V. Main MICHAELMAS TERM ‘There were no House activities this term, but nevertheless the House was well represented in all School rugby teams, especially in the Under Fifteens and Under Fourteens, in which we had five and six players respectively. Laithwaite is to be congratulated on being awarded Ist XV Colours, as leader of the pack, and for his excellent kicking—over 60 points during the term. A great deal of work has gone into the redecoration of the storage cupboards in the Junior Dayroom. Harty and a number of younger boys must be thanked for their hard work. ‘The House Party went smoothly, and this was chiefly owing to Lucas’ able organisation. At this party Mr. Ainscow was awarded House Colours. We shall miss Mitchell and Naylor, especially next term in the House Rugby and Music Competitions. Snell and Rees are also ieaving. Even so, we hope to acquit ourselves well. We wish the leavers every success in the future. LENT TERM Among the many House activities this term the Juniors won their House Rugby matches while the Seniors lost to Talbot: G. J. Whitehead, A. C. Stamp and R. N. Boyle are worthy of mention for their stalwart Rugby. In the House Rugby League, both Senior and Junior, the enthusiasm was tremendous—especially in the Senior team who, led by P. N. M. Laing, battled their way to “runners-up”. Unfortunately, in the House Squash we were faced with Talbot, who were the eventual winners, and M. J. Whitlow was the only member of our team to win a’ game. This was compensated, however, by this term’s Steeplechase, in which we finished a very close second. Credit must be given to R. N. Boyle and J. H. Lomas who finished Ist and Sth respectively in the Juniors; indeed, both teams put up a very praiseworthy effort. In the House Music Competition we came second in the Instrumental section and also in the Vocal section. Our thanks must go to M. V. Main on his singing, and to J. T, Hampson and A. C. Ludlow who organised the entire House music this term.8 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 ‘The Junior Dayroom has been very pleasantly decorated: M. S. James must in particular be thanked for the immense amount of time and energy which he and his assistants put into the job. The Prefects “Corner”, too, has been given a “face-lift”, which, though chiefly the work of the Prefects, has changed the character of the dayroom. This has been a very busy and congested term, and we hope the opportunities for House glory will favour us next term. AML. JUNIOR HOUSE MICHAELMAS TERM Our numbers are now reduced to 41 boys, of whom 13 are Dayboys. P. H. Patterson is Head Monitor; other Monitors are R. B. Excell, L. Hurst, P. Jenkins, D. N. Miller-Jones, I. R. Mitchell, C. A. C.’Statham. We played five Soccer matches in all, one of which was an Under 41 fixture. The results were: King’s School, Junior School . 2-2 “Drawn King’s School, Junior School 3-2. Won Prestfelde Ped 27 Lost Prestfelde . te 14 Lost Under 11 v, Prestfelde Under 11... 0-1 Lost. P. H. Patterson and Mr. N. R. Ainscow were awarded House Colours. Mr. Ainscow has kept up his association with the Junior House, in spite of increasingly heavy commitments in the Senior School, first by running the Wolf Cub Pack for a number of years, and lately by judging the House Plays each year. We are most grateful to him for his work with us. There were two athletic fixtures and two rugger matches this term with Prestfelde. G. I. Moreton is going into Wakeman House next term. His place in the Junior House next term is being taken by D. M. K. Abraham. Coxours : Soccer I. R. Mitchell and P. D. Willcock. Rugger L. Hurst, J. H. Brereton, C. J. B. Groom, D. J. Horspool, P. H. Patterson, and P. D. Willcock. House P. Jenkins and L. Hurst. P.V.G. Chapel Notes LENT TERM Visiting preachers this term included The Revd. J. F. Edge (Tutor at Lichfield Theological College), F. M. Heywood, Esq., (Warden of Lord Mayor Treloar College), The Revd. L. R. Skipper (Vicar of Christ Church, Birkenhead), The Revd. N. A. Fenn (Vicar of Ellesmere), The Venerable George Youell (Archdeacon of Stoke on Trent), and the Revd. Prebendary D. A. Hodges (Rector of Stafford), to all of whom we are most grateful. ‘On Wednesday, December 4th, a party of senior boys went off to Criftins for a Quiet Day conducted by Father Peter, C.G.A. The aim of this was to provide an opportunity for spiritual refreshment for older boys who had been confirmed for two years or so; with the continual pressure of new confirmation candidates always coming along there is a danger of forgetting the needs of these older boys and of thinking of confirmation as an end instead of a beginning. There were two carol services this year. The second one was held on the Saturday evening before the last Sunday of term and it enabled us to invite far more visitors than was previously possible. It also meant that many boys were able to go to the service with their parents. Our thanks go to the ladies who have arranged the flowers during the term, to the Choir and to the servers without whose ministry our worship would be so much the poorer.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 9 Alms this term have been given as follows: Es da Imperial Cancer Research Fund il 0 St. Francis School, Hooke ... 10 10 0 King George’s Fund for Sailors 88 0 Tobago Hurricane Relief Fund 25.0 0 Bishop Huddleston Appeal Fund 28 0 0 Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society 700 London Association for the Blind .. 550 St. Mary's, Ellesmere Par 10 0 0 Community of the Glorious Ascension 550 The C. of E. Children’s Society 30 0 0 Pestalozzi Children’s Village Trust 770 Inganga Chapel Fund (Uganda) 990 M.W.H.G. Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols One of the highlights of the end of the Michaelmas term was the carol services. These were held in chapel on Saturday, 14th December, for visitors, and on Sunday, 15th December, for the School. Both services were conducted by the Chaplain. For the Saturday service every available seat was taken. Taking part in an Ellesmere Carol Service for the first time, one cannot fail to be deeply impressed by the candlelight setting, the beautiful rendering of well-loved music and the very real joyfulness of the occasion. The choir sang an admirable selection of carols, among which one particularly remembers the Vaughan Williams arrangement of the Sussex Carol and the lively Czech Zither Carol. For days after the service people could be heard throughout the school humming the tune of the last-named to themselves. ‘There was some very fine solo singing, particularly by A. J. H. Roberts in the excerpt from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and on the carol “In the bleak mid-winter”. The choir is to be congratulated for its fine sustained performance, for which a great deal of the credit must go to the Director of Music, Mr. R. A. L. Lumley, who played the organ for the whole service, and to Mr. J. D. Naylor, who conducted the choir in the carols. In between the carols the congregation joined in some spirited singing of the traditional Christmas hymns. Ought we not, however, to sing “O Come, all ye faithful” as it was originally written, in Latin? The nine lessons, telling of the fall and redemption of man, were read by various members of the school, generally with commendable clarity and force of expression, although it was a little strange to hear somewhat unfamiliar words of the revised version of the Bible. IMS. ORDER OF SERVICE Organ Music before the Service CHORALE PreLubes: Let us all with gladsome voice. on Healey Willan This endris night... cases George Oldroyd CARILLON ON: A great and mighty wonder oo op oo Geoffrey Bush ‘Two CHORALE PRELUDES: cee teens tee eee Flor Peeters (i The star proclaims the king is here (i) From heaven above to earth I come10 THE ELLESMERIAN Voi. LXXV. No. 297 Carols ‘Hymns Recitative and Chorale from Bach's Once in Royal David's City ‘Christmas Oratorio O little town of Bethlehem ‘Adam lay ybounden While shepherds watched their flocks Up, good Christian folk, and listen As with gladness men of old God rest ye merry gentlemen O come, all ye faithful On Chrisimas Night Hark, the herald Angels sing In the bleak mid-winter Lute-Book Lullaby Away ina manger Zither Carol ‘The Infant King Soloists Readers ‘Once in Royal - ND. K, Palmer (treble) A Chorister: P. T. Couzens Christmas Oratorio) N. D. K. Palmer (treble) A Fourth-former: P. D. Smythies Recitatives| A.J. H. Roberts (baritone) A Fifth-former: J. F. Westbury Inthe bleak mid-winter R. H. Gaddum (treble) A House Prefect: A. J. H. Roberts A. J.H. Roberts (baritone) The Sacristan: R. A. Jude Away ina manger... A. G. Sneddon The Captain of School: A. J. McG. Lunn Zither Carol JR. Hartley The Second Master Sing lulaby M. V. Main The Headmaster The Chaplain Choir Notes We have welcomed to the Choir this term the following trebles: N. D. K. Paliner (Choral ‘Scholar from Llandaff Cathedral), M. J. Dennis, R. S. H. Etheridge, D. P. Harris, H. M. H. Hill, R. J. Horne, A. G. Sneddon. ‘At the end of term we said good-bye to A. J. H. Roberts (Choral Scholar from S. John's College, Cambridge). Amongst the outstanding trebles we have been fortunate enough to have at Ellesmere over the years, he also became an equally outstanding baritone singer. Highly critical of his own performances, he gave infinite pleasure to all who heard him. The sincerity of his singing, whether in Chapel or Concert Hall, was obvious to all—and we are much the poorer for his going from us. Needless to say, our very best wishes go with him in all that he undertakes, with the hope that he will be able to continue to give pleasure to many others in this way, as well as deriving much satisfaction from it himself. School Music We have welcomed to the visiting Music Staff this term Mr. Neil Mackay (who teaches violin and viola). Mr. Mackay has @ very heavy teaching programme in Shrewsbury, both at Shrewsbury School and at Prestfelde, and we are grateful to him for sparing sufficient time to come to us at Ellesmere as well. We assure him of a sincere welcome into our midst. Mr. D. R. Britton, who has been a visiting teacher of the piano and organ for several years, finds that his increasing duties at Oswestry School (where he is Director of Music) make it difficult for him to continue to come to teach for us with regularity. We ate sorry to lose his services, and are most grateful for all he has done for us in the past, both in a teaching capacity and on the concert platform. ‘The School Concert took place on 16th November, 1963, in the presence of a large and ap- preciative audience of boys, parents, and other visitors. The Orchestra, under Mr. Naylor's baton, opened the programme with’ the lively Czech Rustic Dance from Smetana’s Bartered Bride, and played a Suite of pieces from Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks later in theMay, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN Wl programme. Solo items were played by J. W. Naylor (trumpet), R. J. Cox (piano), J. R. Grundy (clarinet) and R. T. H. Williams (violin). N. D. K. Palmer (treble) sang “Let the bright Seraphim” from Handel's Samson, and a group of Elizabethan Madrigals were contributed by R. J. Cox, A. H. Jeffreys, N. W. S. Jones, C. F. Lewis, A. C. Ludlow, A. J. H. Roberts, R. F. Taylor and R. T.H. Williams. ‘The Minuet and Trio from Mozart’s 39th Symphony was played in an arrangement for four pianists at two pianos by R. J. Cox, R. F. Taylor, A. C. Ludlow and R. W. Baxter; and Mr. Lumley and Mr. Naylor, at two pianos, played Poulene’s “L’embarquement pour cythére”. A. C. Ludlow was the pianist in the Romanza from John Field’s 2nd Piano Concerto, in which he was accompanied by the Strings of the Orchestra, with R. J. Cox playing the flute obligato. The tenors and basses of the Choir were also accompanied by the Orchestra in Purcell’s “Sound the Trumps A. J. H. Roberts was the baritone soloist in three of Stanford's “Songs of the Fleet", supported by the Concert Choir, with Mr. Naylor accompanying at the piano. Finally, the Orchestra gave a rousing rendering of an arrangement of Great Gate of Kiev from Moussorgsky's “Pictures at an Exhibition”. At the end of term we are sorry to lose out of the ranks of the Orchestra J. W. Naylor (trumpet) —from whom we have heard many memorable performances during the past few years—as well as A. J. H. Roberts (violin). We wish them every opportunity for continued success and enjoy- ment in their music-making. The following were successful in the Examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music which were taken during the term: Grade 5 C.F. Lewis, A.C. Ludlow Grade 6 _R. J. Cox (with distinction) Grade 3 A. P. Jenkins (with Merit) Grade 4D. M. Daniel, J. G. Dangerfield Grade 4 A. C. Ludlow (with Merit) Grade 7_R. J. Cox (with Merit) Grade 4 ‘A. C. Ludlow (with Merit) Grade 6 R. J. Cox (with Distinction) The Second Shepherds’ Play On Saturday and Sunday, December 7th and 8th, The Second Shepherd's Play was performed in the Chapel. ‘A Nativity play at Christmas is customary in many parts of the country, but those who are unacquainted with a Miracle Play must have wondered greatly at the unusual nature of this one. ‘The two Shepherd's Plays form part of the Mystery Cycle preserved in the Towneley MS, and were probably performed at Wakefield in Yorkshire in the last part of the 15th Century by certain Trade Guilds. Each guild or craft had its own movable stage of pageant on which it represented the play allotted to it. These pageants were scaffolds on four or six wheels, divided into two parts or rooms, an upper and a lower storey. The upper one, which was open on all sides, with a canopy overhead, was the stage; the lower room, enclosed with painted cloths, served as a dressing room for the performers. These movable stages were drawn by men or horses to all the important parts of the city. By this arrangement, a complete succession of scenes was kept up from dawn to dusk, giving everyone an opportunity of witnessing the entire series of scenes, which generally started with the Creation, followed by scenes from the Old and New Testament, and finished with a scene depicting the Last Judgment. Some have called The Second Shepherd's Play the first farce in England, or the first that has chanced to be preserved, and because of its boisterous buffoonery it has not generally been thought fit for performance in a Church. Certainly, the theme may have come as a shock to those who associate a Nativity Play with the Three Wise Men, the Shepherds abiding in the fields, the Stable at Bethlehem where a Baby was born nineteen hundred and sixty-three years ago. If it is remembered, however, that this Play formed part of a series performed in the open, in front of tradesmen and farmers, pilgrims and mountebanks, pedlars, merchants and apprentices, all jostling and elbowing their way to obtain a good place near the stage, that with little secular drama, these Miracle plays provided for many the only drama they could see, then this Nativity Play fells into its true perspective.12 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 ‘The main part of the story concerns the exploits of Mak the sheep-stealer, his wife Jill, and three shepherds. The shepherds are in the fields on Christmas Eve, grumbling at the severity of the weather, their poverty, and the oppression suffered by the poor at the hands of the rich. To them comes Mak, hoping to rob them when he can. He is something of a magician, for he casts a spell on them while they sleep, and steals a sheep which he takes home to his wife. They hide the sheep in the cradle. To the accompaniment of Mak singing a lullaby, and Jill groaning as if in childbirth, the three shepherds arrive to seek the lost sheep. All they find is the new-born in its cradle, and they leave. Outside the door, they feel they ought to give the child something, so they return to give the “‘lytyll day starne” sixpence. The lost sheep is discovered. Here follows pure farce, for Mak is tossed in a blanket before the shepherds leave. Then comes the trans- formation in the play, for to the three an angel sings Gloria in excelsis, and the shepherds, wonder- ing at the news of a “barne”, go to the stable, marvelling that the new-born Saviour is “poorly arayd” and come to “‘so poore as we ar". The play concludes with the Adoration of the Shepherds, each with a gift, a “bob of cherys”, a bird and a ball. ‘The different episodes of this play were presented at different points in the aisle, half-way down which was the frame of a door leading to Mak’s house. The shepherds in their opening complaints at their poverty and the cold easily and naturally spoke to the front rows of the visitors, taking them into their confidence, as it were. Mak, unregenerate Man, sang, laughed, plotted and contrived with his audience to bamboozle the shepherds, even while he was pouring a drink for them to celebrate the birth of still another addition to his numerous progeny. Many preachers have found to their dismay afterwards that their sermons were practically inaudible, and this was so with most of the players. Adopting a harsh, guttural intonation, which unaccountably at times developed an Irish brogue or a Welsh lilt, the actors could not be understood by a large part of the audience, if we may call a Chapel congregation such; so much of the acting had to be performed with their backs to half the Chapel, and their postures, bent double by age and rheumatism, forced their words into the ground, not into the ears of the watchers. The great length of the Chapel made viewing difficult, and so it came about as a gradual surprise to many at the end of the play that the figure of Mary was discovered as she nursed her new-born Child on the altar steps. This charming picture, however, helped to knit the first part of the play with the final Adoration. An outstanding performance was given by Mak, who acted with naturalness and vitality. ‘There was an unexpected liveliness in his movement and gestures, a dominating personality, that brought a breath of fresh air into the sleepy mumblings of shepherds. The shepherds them- selves acted with slow charm and rustic gesture, never for once appearing to be conscious that they were performing indoors, for their every action, their miserable huddlings, brought the cold of the night air to us. Jill revealed a strident waspishness fitting to the part; the attendant with Ianthorn and scene-card was adequate for the occasion. Except for the inaudibility of much of the play, the different scenes well portrayed this mediaeval hotch-potch of broad fooling and simple religious faith. Before the play began, three verses of In the bleak midwinter were sung from the organ-loft, while between the episodes of the sheep-stealing interlude instrumentalists from the School orchestra played in the Lady Chapel music based on 14th Century MS, and just before the Adoration of the Shepherds, tenors and basses sang the Cornish setting of While Shepherds watched their flocks. A treble sang Gloria in excelsis through the scteen above the Altar, and later the mediaeval carol, Lullay my lykyng, was sung by the choir. At the end of the play a solemn Procession of blue-cassocked tenors and basses, preceded by a thurifer and incense, led out the performers to the West Door, singing Adeste Fideles in Latin. Finally, two more verses of the opening carol were sung by a baritone from the doorway. Looking back on this production, one can perceive a unifying theme relating the two very different portions. There is # progression from the sorrow and complaint of the wintry shepherds of the opening to the joyful birth at the end. The serious subject of the Nativity at the end is parodied at the beginning; and the final episode reveals the new-born Child being adored by the same shepherds who had greeted Mak’s child as “lyttyl day starne”; in fact, the same expression is again used of the Infant Christ. No irreverence is meant by the comic episodes, by the buffoonery. The tossing of Mak is merely an expression of the rejoicing of the people in the Birth, and the farce is absorbed in the wonder of the Child born in Bethlehem. If some of us were feeling uncomfortable or shocked at the earlier part, the simplicity of the final scene as the Shepherds drew near with lowly fear should have dispelled our earlier doubts.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 13 CAST First Shepherd C.J. Parker ‘Second Shepherd cs CG. Cutting Third Shepherd CP. Mather Mak tC, D. Garside Jill v M. C. Thornton ‘An Angel N. D. K. Palmer Mary N. W. S. Jones ‘Attendant K; R. Bayliss Baritone solos... ws A. J. H, Roberts Treble solo N, D. K. Palmer ‘Stage Manager H. R. D. Springett Lighting... ‘Mr. E. D. Sidebottom, R. A. Preece Costumes. vse nse vse Miss PR. Mayes, Miss D. Taylor Make-up. sss ss vse Mt. B. Hooton, Mr. J. P. Green ‘The music was specially selected and arranged by Mr. R. A. L. Lumley and Mr. J. D. Naylor The Play was adapted and produced by Mr. P. R. Mayes. IME. Rugby Football Ist XV Record: Played 13; Won 11; Drawn 0; Lost 2; Points for 209; Against 67. The Ist XV has enjoyed the most successful season the School has had for many years. They lost to only one school side at the beginning of the season, and by the end of the term had developed into a powerful force. Against a strong team of internationals, county players and members of staff, they only lost narrowly at the end of an exciting game. ‘The main force has undoubtedly been a splendid pack. With last year’s front row of Laithwaite, Roberts and Loxham still here, the building of a compact unit was simplified, and with the experience of Lunn and Cowell in the second row the forwards quickly developed into a powerful force. The new back row of Hampson, and Laing, both converted prop forwards, and Wake at No. 8 developed well, and by the end of the season they were an effective and mobile trio. Wake was noted for his intelligent breaking on the blind side, and Hampson and Laing tackled and supported well. The outstanding feature has been the concerted effort in the set scrums. ‘They repeatedly outpushed and outplayed heavier packs, and at times their drive was irresistible. The line-outs were noted for some good work by Lunn and Cowell, who more than held their own, and gave the backs plenty of opportunities. Laithwaite led the pack well, and his kicking was excellent throughout the season. He scored over 50 points with his kicking. Roberts, with the good push, hooked extremely well and was also noticed for some useful work in the loose. Loxham was a power of strength at prop, and repeatedly demoralised his opposing number. ‘The least satisfactory feature of the forward play was in the loose, where the pack did not always get to the ball quickly enough. But towards the end of the season they remedied this and started many passing movements amongst themselves. There was a tendency to overdo this interpassing and to get in each other's way, but it was exciting to watch and showed promise. ‘The three quarters scored many tries. Stretton, a much improved player at scrum half, gave ‘a consistently good service, and his defensive kicking and covering was of a high order. Brassington at fly-half provided a good link and made some useful breaks, but he must learn to vary his tactics more. The real strength lay in the fast running of the two centres, Raybould and Parker. They both penetrated their opponents’ defence often by their speed and power, and their passing was generally crisp and accurate. They have still to learn how to make openings by change of pace14 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 and direction and when to dummy. In defence they tackled well, although on occasions too high, and rarely let their opponents through. They were both quick ’to seize on mistakes, and scored several good tries by their quick opportunism. The wingers generally only had to finish off the movements. Abraham, after a shaky start, improved and was dangerous when he was given the ball early, and when he did not kick, which he tended to do too often when he was pressed. Goodarzi ran well, but tended to stop when the way wasn't clear. His hesitation showed that he has still much ‘to learn. He tackled, however, courageously. At full-back, Harty showed courage and skill in dropping on the bail and tackling, but his catching and kicking were very shaky. His general mobility around the field was also rather slow. In the last two games he im- proved considerably, The most impressive feature of team play was the support of the forwards in passing move- ments. As they acquired confidence, they kept the ball moving forwards, and were learning to change the direction of play. Much of the tactical kicking was inaccurate, and often played into their opponents’ hands. This aspect has been developing but more practice in the art of punting is required. Only two Full Colours, Parker and Luna, remained from last year. Full Colours were awarded during the season to: Raybould, Stretton, Loxham, Laithwaite, Roberts, Cowell, Brassington, Half Colours: Hampson, Wake, Laing. Team: Harty (Swinn), Abraham, Raybould, Parker (capt.), Goodarzi, Brassington, Stretton, Laithwaite, Roberts, Loxham, Lunn (vice-capt.), Cowell, Hampson, Wake, Laing. ‘Tue ScHooL y. Corton CoLLeGE. Won 11-5. Away. A slow start and a lack of cohesion marked the first game of the season. On a bumpy pitch the team took some time to settle down. A forward rush by Cotton enabled them to score when Ellesmere failed to drop on the ball. The try was converted. Ellesmere began to fight back, and just before half-time Raybould made a break in the centre and passed to Parker who ran round the opposition and finally touched down under the posts. Laithwaite converted. The second half developed into a hard struggle for mastery. Parker scored again after Raybould kicked over the Cotton threequarters" heads, picking up a rolling ball at speed. Laithwaite struck the top of the post with his kick, the ball bouncing back. He, however, kicked a good penalty goal from near the touch line to round off the scoring. The forwards were impressive in the set scrums, but the line-out and loose play showed unco-ordination and lack of method. THe ScHoot y. RYDAL ScHOOL. Lost 3-15. Home. The speed of the Rydal team proved to be a difficult proposition from the previous game, and the Ellesmere defence was caught on the wrong foot on several occasions. The forwards again showed hesitation in going into loose mauls and Rydal’s quicker heeling gave them many ‘opportunities. Weak tackling round the scrum and in the threequarters gave us many anxious moments, and Rydal scored several times before Ellesmere realised what was happening. There was a lack of co-ordination between the half-backs, and consequently the threequarters had few occasions to shine. Laithwaite kicked a penalty goal which was our only score. The three- quarters tended to bunch together and not to mark their opposite number, and the tackling was generally weak. ‘Tue Scoot v. WREKIN CoLtece. Won 6-3. Away. The team settled down quickly, determined to remedy the weaknesses exposed by the previous game. Raybould scored a good try after 3 minutes, bursting through the middle and making a lot of ground before passing, and then receiving a return pass. Our threequarters looked much faster and dangerous than the opposition, but they did not receive much of the ball. The forwards heeled slowly, and were not quick enough in the loose. Play tended to be scrappy with few good moves. Wrekin equalized when their fly-half twice dummied his way through our defence, but Laithwaite put us in the lead again with another good kick. Although there was not a great deal of cohesion of skill, it was a hard fought game, and the defensive covering around the scrum was much better. Stretton’s defensive kicking was excellent and gave the team a respite.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 15 ‘Tue ScHoor v. WALLASEY G.S. Won 21-11. Away. Ellesmere started very slowly and after about ten minutes the Wallasey scrum-half broke round the scrum, and weak tackling allowed him to run 75 yards to score. This roused the team and they began to play with more purpose. Raybould made a break in the centre and scored. We began to throw the ball about, and after the ball had travelled to the wing it was passed back for Hampson in support to dive over. The second half started painfully with a lifeless pack and threequarters unable to get going. Two penalty goals put Wallasey back into the lead, and then Ellesmere woke up. The rest of the game was played in the Wallasey 25. A brilliant passing movement sent Abraham over in the corner, and after sus- tained forward pressure, Laithwaite kicked a penalty goal. Straight from the kick-off, Parker ran through and scored under the posts. Laithwaite converted with the last kick of the game. ‘Tue ScHooL v. H.M.S. Conway. Won 25-0. Away. Once again Ellesmere got off to a very shaky start. Gradually, however, the forwards gained the upper hand and the threequarters settled down to some fast running. A break by Parker enabled Goodarzi to score in the corner, and then Brassington pounced on a Conway mistake and dribbled over and scored. In the second half the forwards completely dominated the play, giving there threequarters plenty of opportunities. They also made some very good attacking breaks on their own, with Cowell leading the way. Four more tried were scored and full advantage was taken of our forward superiority. The finishing was better than in any other match so far. Tue ScHOOL v. LiveRPooL CoLLeGE. Won 24-0. Home. Ellesmere dominated the opening play with some fine rugby. The forwards gained complete control in the set scrums and the line-out, and Liverpool were deprived of the ball. The first score came when Raybould broke through in the centre to score. The threequarters used the ball well and took advantage of some rather half-hearted tackling by the Liverpool threequarters. Further tries were scored by Goodarzi, Parker and finally a fine solo try by Raybould. Liverpool fought back strongly in the second half, but rarely came near to scoring. The school team played well in all departments, and it was encouraging to see the half-backs combining so well. Tue ScHoot v. RUTHIN ScHooL. Won 27-3. Home. Ellesmere started very fast, and, obtaining frequent possession, even against the head, repeatedly threatened the Ruthin line. Some very effective tackling by Ruthin kept us out and exposed the limitations of the threequarters in making openings. The first score came from a forward rush. The centres relied on trying to burst through with little success at first. Gradually, however, the Ruthin defence was worn down and in quick succession three tries were scored, all of which Laithwaite converted. The back row of Hampson, Wake and Laing put in some good work, backing up continuously behind the threequarters. In the second half two movements resulted in Abraham and Goodarzi scoring in opposite corners. Finally, Stretton broke round the blind side to score in the corner. The closing stages tended to be very scrappy, with the threequarters being over-claborate and not making full use of their superior speed. ‘Tue ScHOOL v. BIRKENHEAD ScHOOL. Won 8-3. Away. There was little difference between the two sides, especially in the forwards. The scrummaging and the covering by the forwards was good. Cowell did some very good work in the line-out, jumping well. Stretton had an outstanding match, defending valiantly and also kicking a penalty goal in the first half, and starting the move which’ resulted in Parker scoring a try which Stretton converted in the absence of Laithwaite. The threequarter play was mixed, with both sides showing a strong defence but dropping easy passes in attack. ‘Tue ScHooL y. ADAMs G.S. Newport. Won 39-6. Away. Ellesmere started off at a cracking pace and completely unsettled the opposition. The forwards ined possession easily in all quarters and the threequarters had plenty of time in which to run with the ball. Adams tackled well and we were forced to keep the ball moving about, Ellesmere scored 5 tries in the first half, all of which Laithwaite converted with some fine kicking from all angles. At the beginning of the second half, Laithwaite had to retire with a bad cut over his eye,16 THE ELLESMERIAN Voi. LXXV. No. 297 but we still kept up the pressure and scored 4 more tries, one of which Stretton converted. Two bad defensive slips by full-back Harty let Adams score twice, but Ellesmere were in full control until the end. Te ScHOOL vy. MERCHANT TAYLORS, Crosby. Won 3-0. Home. This was a most exciting match with plenty of good rugby. It was a hard, fast and open game. The school started, determined to win, and in the early stages of the game looked like over- running Merchant Taylors. The forwards drove their opponents back from the first set scrums and obtained a large share of the ball. The threequarters, however, were held in check by good tackling and covering. Gradually Merchant Taylors came into the game and their threequarters looked extremely dangerous. For one period of the second half Ellesmere obtained complete possession for almost 15 minutes but were still unable to score. Merchant Taylors came close when two dangerous breaks took them to the Ellesmere line. In the closing minutes of the game, Abraham kicked ahead and Raybould following up fast, picked up and scored when the opposing full back hesitated and slipped. Tue ScHOOL y. BIRKENHEAD Par “A”. Won 17-0. Home. This was the only club match of the term, and play in the first half tended to be a little robust and scrappy. Our threequarters wasted the advantage which we obtained by intelligent forward play. Passes were dropped and there was no penetration in the centre. The forwards through ‘over confidence were trying to run like threequarters and kept getting in each other’s way. However, a lead of 6 points in the first-half was soon increased in the second half, when the school settled down to high standard of play they had achieved in previous games.’ Hampson teored a fin try from a line out, and Raybould and Howell made good breaks in the centre of the field. ‘Tue ScHoot v, I, D, 8. Beer's XV. Lost 6-9. Home. The Headmaster gathered a very strong team, consisting of several internationals and county players and some members of the staff for this game. The school started off-in awe, and most of the play in the first half was in the Ellesmere half. Two infringements led to two well taken penalty goals, and the school were 6 points down at half time. It looked as though they might be swamped. The second half, however, showed a remarkable transformation, and the school settled down to play some very exciting rugby. They covered and tackled fiercely and unsettled their opponents by quick tackling and harassing. Cowell played especially well in the loose, and the back row were always on the spot. After sustained pressure Parker scored in the corner, but Laithwaite narrowly missed the conversion. Ellesmere kept up the attack and again scored in the corner. The Headmasters’ team rallied, and scored the winning try shortly before the end. The school emerged very creditably and learned much from the game. ‘Tue ScHooL v. Worksop CoLteGe. Won 18-12, Away. This match was arranged at the end of term, and was the first meeting between the two Woodard schools. On a dry pitch, the play was fast and open. Ellesmere missed a fairly easy penalty in the opening minutes when the wind blew Laithwaite’s kick wide. Worksop opened the scoring with a fine penalty goal from a wide angle shortly after. We, however, were soon attacking, and after some clever switches of direction, Stretton broke and kicked ahead. Parker gathered the ball and plunged over. Laithwaite converted with a strong kick against the wind. Shortly before half time, Abraham kicked ahead, and when the opposing full back was tackled in goal, the school pack scored a pushover try from the resulting scrum. Laithwaite again con- verted, to give us a lead of 10-3 at half time. Worksop staged a great recovery in the second half, and their threequarters began to test our defence with some quick running and probing kicks. ‘They reduced the arreats with a penalty in front of the posts, and for a time looked like equalising. However, after a quick tackle, Raybould picked up a loose ball and plunged over near the corner. Laithwaite again converted with a fine kick. Worksop came back into the game with a try, after ‘our defence had hesitated, but Parker settled the match with another opportunist try in the closing minutes. HREMay, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 17 Resuts y. Cotton College... Away Won 11-5 v. Rydal School Home Lost 3-15 v. Wrekin College ss Away Won 6-3 v. Wallasey GS... Away Won 21-11 y. H.M.S. Conway Away Won 25-0 v. Liverpool College Home Won 24-0 y. Ruthin School... Home Won 27-3 ¥, Birkenhead School Away Won 8 3 v. Adams G.S. Away Won 39. 6 0 9 2 v. Merchant Taylors Home Won 3+ v. Birkenhead Park Colts .... Home Won 17- v. I. D. S. Beer’s XV ¥. Worksop College Home Lost 6 Away Won 18-1 2np XV With the resounding final total for the season of one hundred and seventy-nine points “for” and thirty-four “against”, there can be no doubt that this has been the most successful season for many years, and I, as well as Simpson and the team, have enjoyed the successes. We won because the team were playing together, as a closely-knit unit; this was where the team showed its superiority against Merchant Taylors, a team equal in skill in fitness, but not in co-ordination. It was because of this lack of co-ordination that we lost the first match against Rydal. The scrums were very evenly matched, but the threequarters, suffering from inexperience and little practice, lost the ball almost every time it was heeled to them, and passes were intercepted in a way which should never have happened. However, after some hard practice in the following week, we were able to rectify these errors to a certain extent, and Stuttard found he was happier on the wing. Our first win against H.! Conway gave the team confidence in themselves, which in turn gave them a lead to an attacking and aggressive spirit rather than a defensive one. ‘The threequarters (with the exception of Higgins) were still not handling the ball fast enough, and the wings saw little of it. The scrum, however, fought intelligently and powerfully, as they did in our first good match against Liverpool College. Parry began to monopolise the balll in the line-out. Simpson, using expressions rather reminiscent of Laithwaite, urged the pack on to greater and greater heights, with Bamford, Sutcliffe and Soskin always in the vanguard. This was also the first time the threequarters’ realised their potential and began to use it. They worked for their gaps, though often running into trouble in doing so, and passed with more intelligence and determination than they had shown previously. The next three matches, against Whitchurch Grammar School, Shrewsbury Colts, and Birkenhead School, were all fought and won by determination, team-work, and steadily increasing confidence, against sides not inferior in skill and fitness, but inferior in general co-ordination. On the whole the pack played magnificently, and were beginning to form 4 solid barrier against potentially aggressive line-outs. The Lindisfarne match (against their first team) woke the team up to the fact that there were still many faults, and weaknesses in their defence. which must be corrected. Lindisfarne were a better team who well deserved to win, and gave our team a sound lesson in good covering and close marking. However, the second half was redeemed, because we fought back with a more determined effort and vigour. ‘The Baschurch match was no match for spectators. The team are to be congratulated on their score of 72-0, yet their play deteriorated sadly, and in the last twenty minutes, there was a notable absence of speed and enthusiasm. ‘The Wrekin and Merchant Taylors’ matches formed an admirable climax to a good term's rugby. We won at Wrekin because of our superiority in the tight and loose scrums, and because of their weakness in half-back defence. Howell, also began to find acute-angled touch-kicking advantageous, and Cooper found that he could outrun most of his opponents. Merchant Taylors* was the hardest-fought match, and best match from a spectator's point of view. Howell fought his way over virtually underneath the post; Higgins’ kicking was safe and good at times; Patterson lost most of a front tooth, but still claims it was worth it! And the whole team played intelligent, open rugby. Those who deserve special mention were Simpson, Bamford, Sutcliffe, Soskin and Parry in the scrum, and Higgins and Howell in the threequarters, PRM.18 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 Those who played during the term included; Simpson (capt.), Hodgkinson, Soskin, Parry, Nagele, Sutcliffe, Bamford, Springett, Smith, A. P., Petterson, Sibley, Higgin, Stuttard, Cooper, Goodarzi, Swinn, Harty, Turner, M., Wilson, Davies. COLTS xv Any team which has the will to win and the ability to tackle offensively will do reasonably well, but the Colts lacked these two vital qualities when the Season began. A few injuries, and the team was left without spirit and with little life. Therefore, the improvement throughout the season was all the more encouraging and the final game against Merchant Taylors was a great tribute to those boys who had injected life into the side, who had practised the skills of the game. The Captain led the revival, and he deserves praise for his skill, determination and courage. However, no one player can change the fortunes of a side, and Yoxall, Shaw, Wady and Horspool were close behind him in their determination to make the side aggressive. Yoxall practised his skills more than anyone, and his own play improved correspondingly quickly. Shaw began to discipline his play well, and Wady found the fire to enliven his, and these two forwards bore the brunt of many a larger opposition. Horspool hooked with skill, and Cutting, Woodward, Hargreaves and Keyworth did a great deal of hard work in the tight and loose. Laing and Baker were injured for most of the season, but came back with courage for the last few games. Thomas could be a good wing when his determination has matured, while Arblaster must learn to watch the ball. Griffiths at full back learnt a great deal and showed the most magnificent courage. When he learns to kick, he will be a reasonable player. The results were dreadful, but behind these lies the awakening of a realisation that victory is possible provided that the skills of the game are learnt, that there is a plan of action and that the will to win is ever present. May that realisation grow into practice next year. ‘The team was: Griffiths; Thomas, Ashworth, J. P. Baker, Arblaster; D. A. Yoxall, F. R. Walton; Hargreaves, I. G. Horspool, Woodward, C. Shaw, Cutting, Keyworth, C. P. S.Wady, Laing. The following also played: Andrews, Bennett, Davidson, Deakin and Turner. y. Rydal... H. Lost 0-31 v. Wallasey G.S. AL Lost 3-22 » HLM.S. Conway A. Won 6-3 y. Liverpool College H. Lost 0-18 y. Rydal AD Lost 3-6 vy. Shrewsbury Colts Ho Lost 6-8 v. Birkenhead School AD Lost 5-6 y. Wrekin College - A Lost 5-9 y. Merchant Taylors A. Lost 0- 6 LD.S.B. UNDER 15 RUGBY The game at Cotton was, for once, played on a dry but cold day. Both sides were evenly matched, and a breakaway try by Taylor was a decisive factor. Rydal proved to be much bigger and stronger than we were, and it was only by some stout tackling that the score was kept down. Bunting and Wallace both sustained leg injuries fairly early in the game, one Rydal threequarter hurt his hip; the stretcher was called for on three separate occasions. In the next match, our visitors opened the scoring with a very simple try, but then the forwards, led by Clay, began to get on top, and we had a comfortable win. Cloverley Hall fielded a muck bigger, but less experienced side than ours, and we held the lead until about 10 minutes from the end. ‘Then there were two breakaway tries scored, the cover defence not being in position for either of them. Four tries were scored against Whitchurch, none of them being converted. In fact not a single goal was kicked after the Cloverley Hall match in spite of trying several kickers.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 19 Clay was injured in a practice match just before the Ruthin game. His leadership was not so effective from the touchline, and the pack did not play together. We did well to come back from being 0-6 down at half time. ‘The Birkenhead game was a very close contest—again we started late and had to fight back from a six point deficit at half-time. The final result could have been a win for either side. ‘At Newport, while the Ist XV were having a field day, our struggle was much sterner. We were well beaten in the forwards on this occasion, only getting the ball clearly a couple of times. ‘Acheson (i), the captain, was not playing and his brother Acheson (ii) at scrum half did not combine weil with Bunting at fly-half. The last two games were both hard fought, and we lost them both. Sutcliffe dislocating his shoulder in the Wrekin match. ‘A general criticism of the first half of the season would be that the tackling has not been low enough or hard enough, and that it always took about 20 minutes for the team to warm up. Team: Acheson (i)* (capt.), Clay*, Hall*, Stamp*, Whitehead*, Sutcliffe*, Taylor (i), Acheson (ii), Jarvis, Pring, Boyle, Parker, Bayliss, Palmer, Bunting, Wallace. Colours* Cotton College A. Won 8&0 y. Rydal School . AL Lost 3-17 v. H.M.S. Conway : He Won 21-5 v. Cloverley Hall... 2 AL Lost S11 ». Whitchurch G.S. . H. Won 12-0 y. Ruthin School H. Won 9-6 v. Birkenhead School H. Lost 9-11 y. Adams G.S., Newport. A. Lost 3- 9 y. Wrekin College . H. Lost 0-6 ¥. Merchant Taylor’s School H. Lost 3-14 EDS. UNDER 14 RUGGER Had potential and the favours of a benevolent fortune been fully utilised, a full tally of wins might have been recorded. As it was, the inability of the pack in the early stages of the term to gain possession of the ball and heel when pulled up in the loose, together with far too much individual effort, ending with opponents handling the ball, led to likely wins being marred by inferior teamwork. However, the team is very young as yet in experience, and for some it is their first taste of the game, and the improvements in general play have been extremely encouraging. ‘As the term progressed, it was pleasing to see more co-operation and intelligent feeding of the threequarters by the forwards, as well as a better sense of positioning. On the other hand, at times the pack tended to stop pushing when they gained possession, leaving the halves to cope with a ball at the feet of a retreating scrum. In the last game of the term this fault had almost completely disappeared and the ball was being quickly and efficiently heeled from tight and loose, while the line-out work was admirable, the opposing scrum being forced to pack down for that vital second or two before the halves were served. Generally, the forwards were nearly always quick in the loose, and very few serious incursions were made by opposing threequarters owing to the spoiling tactics at wing forward and centre. If the rest of the side adequately support the strong tackling and running in the centre, next term promises to be a very successful one. ¥. Liverpool College A. Drawn 3-3 . Rydal School AL Lost 3-5 v. Lindisfarne College A Lost 3-6 ¥. Wrekin College HL Lost 5-9 ¥. Cloverley Hall A) Won 17-0 F.S.G.20 THE ELLESMERIAN Voi. LXXV. No. 297 C.C.F. This term, the first under the new C.C.F. Policy, produced some difficulties, though not as many as might have been expected. The new intake numbered about 60 and contained about a dozen fifth formers, who will be demobilized for.a term next term. These recruits organised in three platoons, have been well looked after by Mr. J. M. Scorer whose commissioning into the C.C.F, we very much welcome.. C/Sgt. Wake has dealt with a platoon who were not yet ready to take Army Proficiency Certificate. Some of them will have a chance of attempting this exam next term. Nos. 1 and 2 platoons took Army Proficiency Certificate at the end of the term with rather disastrous results—only about 50% being successful. They suffered to some extent in being the first platoons to learn the new Arms Drill, but this was not the only reason for the sorry showing. It is hoped that we shall redeem ourselves next term. ‘A small keen party of signallers under Sgt. Russell, and guided by Major Sutterby, have all, as is now expected, passed Signals Classification, the best mark being obtained by Cpi. Mather. The Doctor is again conducting a course of Instruction for the St. John’s Ambulance Certificate, It is with sorrow that we report that Mr. W. Morris of Wrexham, who has taught the practical work for some time, has had to give up, on his doctor’s advice. We hope that his recovery will be speedy and that he will be back with us again soon. Capt. Sidebottom has looked after the Cadre, and the “back-room boy: and in Q have done their jobs well. During the term we seconded to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award classes four trained First Aid N.C.O. ‘On Remembrance Sunday the School's wreath was laid by C.S.M. Jude, and in the afternoon a small band and one platoon of cadets took part in the parade to the church. Our buglers at school, at Overton, Hanmer and Ellesmere all played as well as they always do. Congratulations to Sgt. Swinn, Cpl. Metcalfe, L/Cpl. Naylor and Cadet Wimshurst and to Mr. Eeles for his continued good work. C.S.M. Jude and Sgt. Hollway spent a day and a night at R.M.A. Sandhurst, where they were entertained by Officer Cadet “Tiny” Parker. ‘A smalll party of Senior N.C.O.'s carried out a preliminary reconnaissance of a new W.E.T.C. at Hednesford, near Cannock. It is hoped that the schemes which they prepared will be used for larger parties of cadets at some date in the future. The recruit platoons spent an afternoon on the training area at Nesscliff, under the guidance of Lt. Mayes, 2/Lt. Scorer and C.S.M. Page. in the armoury PROMOTIONS: TobeCS.M. ... C/Sgt. Lunn. To be C/Set. s+ Sgt. Russell. To be Sgt. = Cpl. Mitchell. To be Cpls. LICpls. Cooper, Martin, Rees, Roberts, Simpson and Walton. To be L/Cpls. Cats. Cowell, Grant, Griffiths i, Howell, Shaw, Stuart and Thirsk. Senior Scouts At the beginning of the Michaelmas Term Parker became T.L. and Mathias P.L. of Mallory Patrol, Whewell P.L. of Mitchell Patrol and Wilson P.L. of Guy Gibson Patrol, which was first formed in the summer term under Abraham as P.L. The latter has spent this term with the support of P.2nd Stuttard instructing the boys in Shell in the “out” of “scouting” for the Bronze series of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The Boy Scouts have had P.L. Baxter and P.2nds ‘Nagele and Beard as instructors. ‘We welcomed to the Senior Troop for the first time this term, under the new school policy, recruits from outside the Movement, as well as new seniors from the Boy Scout Troop. The troop has now twenty-eight Senior Scouts. The new recruits spent a weekend hiking and camping on the Eglwyseg and Llantysilio mountains near Llangollen, aided by some “old hands”, whilst all the P.L.’s and P.2nds discussed training methods and different ways of instructing with the S.S.L. in order that they should be thoroughly competent to pass on their knowledge to the juniors.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 21 The Troop entered a team under P.L. Baxter for the Shropshire Senior Scouts Banner Competition, and at the end of an enjoyable if somewhat strenuous weekend on The Wrekin, we were placed seventh in the county. The Troop has also sent representatives to the County Senior Scout Council, and on Remembrance Sunday the P.L.'s and P.2nds marched to Ellesmere, representing the Scout Group at the usual parade and service. The troop has been very active this term, training thoroughly in forestry. As well as sharpening and maintaining our extensive felling equipment, we have learned to use it properly. The Forestry ‘Commission have kindly allowed us to visit their plantations and nurseries nearby and gave us a fine collection of unusual conifers which have been planted in the college grounds. Scouts have also learned how to move bulky timber and estimate the volume of wood in a tree. With the help of the Juniors, the troop made a tree map of the school, and boys have also prepared individual projects on unusual or rare trees. We have also managed to try some basic pioneering, and this has varied from the old favourite—a hilarious afternoon spent crossing the canal by “scout transporter” to investigating variations on methods of climbing ropes and crossing ravines, as well as making miniature models of structures. ‘The expedition this term took the form of a camp in early November in Snowdonia. We had previously acquired a large collection of prismatic compasses and had spent a meeting thoroughly acquainting ourselves with the use of them. An instructive wide game was held at night with patrols marching on bearings, and in spite of the difficult wet terrain, most seniors were surprised by the accuracy of the instrument—when they had followed bearing exactly. A night hike was ld to Llyn Idwal where, whilst one scout reported he could smell cooking in the tocks of the ‘Devil’s Kitchen”, others of the hardy type swam in the black uninviting waters for a rash bet, much to the S.S.L.’s surprise. On the following day the troop climbed Tryfan by the Heather Terrace, clambering and scrambling over grassy rocks and through swirling mists to the summit pillars called “Adam and Eve”. We watched the many rock climbers, and all the boys were impressed with the grandeur of this dangerous and splendid mountain. ‘At our camp site near Llyn Ogwen, the S.S.L. invested the new Senior Scouts. All the boys new to the Troop had either passed their first class or, if new recruits, an initial test, and they made their Scout Promise on the flag. In the background the mighty flanks of the Carnedds rose to the summits named after those great Welsh princes, David and Llewellyn, whilst in the fore- ground the clouds lifted and then fell again over the sheer rocks of Tryfan. M .S.H. SSL. Scouts This term the Junior Scouts have had many newcomers into the troop which is now at its largest ever. The badgework has been taught as usual and a fair amount of progress made, On two occasions the troop went out on bicycles, and it was a great success. At the end of term we combined with the Senior Scouts to make a tree map of the College grounds, from which we learnt a great deal. ‘We must thank R. W. Baxter, P. J. Nagele and R. N. B. Beard for their unceasing assistance and help during the term. P.D.S. Seven Club At the beginning of term, C. J. Parker was appointed Honorary Secretary, and six new embers joined the Club: A. J: Lunn, R. A. Jude, D. R, Vincent, C. R. Mackie, D. R. Whitehouse, . 1. Bishton. On October 11th, Mr. Morgan, Headmaster of Ellesmere Secondary School, gave a paper on “Secondary Education”. On November 11th, the Reverend Christopher Nankivell delivered a most interesting paper ‘on “Church Architecture”, Finally, on November 29th, Mr. H. R. Hill gave a paper on “Advertising”. D. R. Whitehouse is leaving at the end of term. We hope his short stay in the Club has been useful to him. The Club has settled in very well in its new home on Main Corridor, and we thank Mr. Howard for putting up with us once more, CEP.22 THE ELLESMERIAN Vot. LXXV. No. 297 The Ellesmerian Society President: G. B. Jackson, Eq. Vice-President: C. J. Parker Honorary Secretary: J. R. Wake Assistant Secretary and Treasurer: D. R. Whitehouse Members of the Committee: C.R. Mackie I. Newport R.A. Preece D. R. Vincent ‘The officers for the Michaelmas Term were elected on Saturday, September 28h. In his address the President welcomed new members to the Society. He then went on to say that the Ellesmerian Society not only tried to deal with subjects untouched by everyday education,but ‘attempted to provide its members with new interests and new spheres of thought. In conclusi he expressed a hope that all members would take an active interest in the forthcoming sessi “for” he said, “the more you contribute to the business of this society, the more you will reap its benefits”. For the second meeting, on Saturday, October Sth, Mr. H. R. Hill presented a programme entitied “Spanish Flamenco Music”. After giving a brief outline of the origin of Flamenco Music, Mr. Hill played several pieces, some of which he had recorded whilst in Spain, explaining their emotional values. ‘The first debate of the term was held on Saturday, October 12th. Mr. D. R. Vincent proposed that, “This House would support a motion ‘That there ARE fairies at the bottom of the Garden’,”” stressing man’s right to believe. Mr. A. M. Laing, for the opposition, dismissed fairies as “a supposed race of supernatural beings”, saying that he regarded the bottom of a garden as the last place in which any such phenomena would choose to live. After Mr. J. W. V. Chillcott had seconded for the proposition, and Mr. J. T. Hampson for the opposition, the Vice-President threw the motion open to the House, and a most encouraging array of speakers expressed their views. After the summing-up speeches, the division was taken and the motion was carried by 60 votes to 21. Mr. F. Moss gave a lecture entitled “The Birth of a Book” on Saturday, October 26th. He described the process of reading, editing, and printing, through which every book must progress before finding its way to the reviewer. He also answered questions concerning advertising books, photographic techniques in publishing, and his own amusing experiences as a book seller. ‘On Saturday, November 2nd, Edward Wooll’s play “ Libel" was read and acted in costume. ‘The Lecture Room was transformed for the evening, into the courtroom where the case of Lodden v. The Daily Gazette was being heard. J. P. Green, Esq. and Mr. f. Newport must be ‘congratulated on organising a most successful evening. The meeting of Saturday, November 9th, was arranged by Mr. R. A, Preece, the Committee member for Science. Mr. R. A. G. Loxham first gave a lecture concerning the fundamentals of psychology. The second scientist to speak was Mr. H. Radjy who, with a background or “top- pops”, told us about the process involved in the manufacture of a record. He then illustrated his talk with a film. Lastly, Mr. R. A. Preece entertained the society with some mathematical riddles, utterly confusing everybody. ‘On Saturday, November 23rd, the Society visited the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, for a performance of “The Mikado”. ‘The musical evening of Saturday, November 30th, was arranged by Mr. C. R. Mackie. The first speaker was Mr. R. J. Cox on Mozart. Mr. C. R. Mackie then spoke of the value of Jazz, using several recordings of “Basin Street Blues” to illustrate his talk, explaining the different interpretations by each group. The third speaker was M. S. Howe, Esq. on “Puccini”. Mr. Howe followed Puccini's musical career, playing several pieces from “La Boheme” and “Tosca”, On Saturday, December 7th, the School Play was performed in Chapel.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 23 The last meeting of term was on Saturday, December 14th. A film, “The White Stallion”, was shown, The Society then adjourned until January. LRW. The Thespian Society The Society met only once this term, on Sunday, 13th October, when Bernard Shaw's “Pygmalion” was read. We welcomed to this meeting our new Vice-President, W. J. Stewart, Esq., and also our new members, Messrs. J. R. Russell, A. M. Laing, A. J. H. Roberts, R. A. G. Loxham and C. R. Mackie. ‘We would like to thank the Pre Joan of his room. lent for providing the Society with refreshments and for the LN. The Sailing Club At the beginning of this term we had one boat, Xara, available for sailing, and, although there was little wind, a few members took the opportunity to have a “last sail”. The sailing season finished on November 3rd and Xara was made ready for winter at Whitemere by Mr. Kingsland with the aid of several members. The other twa boats—the Wasp and Womerawa—were brought up to school at the end of last term. Working Parties at Whitemere were badly represented by the club as the thought of exams and hard work were rather prominent. However, some boys managed to give their help. Mr. Hony has very kindly offered to continue to build the G.P.14 with the help of Bamford, Hollway, Baker and Wilson, which is now having the plywood fixed on the hull and is looking more ship-shape. The Club expresses its thanks to M. S. Hollway, who, after a year as a very devoted secretary, has resigned from office. P.F.B. Meteorological Notes This term has seen the start of the Daily Weather Reporting Service. Every day at 12.45 p.m. the morning's readings are coded and then transmitted from the College Radio Station to the Central Forecasting Station of the British Meteorological Service at Dunstable in Bedfordshire. and also to ten other schools throughout the country. The morning's readings from Merchant Taylor's School in Liverpool, Hereford Cathedral School and Bridlington School in Yorkshire are recorded and displayed on the Society’s Notice Board to provide the general situation over a wide area with Ellesmere as its centre. Another highlight of this term was the Society's visit to R.A.F. Shawbury where we saw how the readings were taken, recorded and reported by teleprinter to Dunstable. Altogether, this proved a most interesting afternoon. We welcome as new members to the Society this term N. W. S. Jones and J. G. M. Stevens. This term's weather extremes are as follows: Highest Air Maximum: 68 deg. F.; 8th October, 1963. Lowest Air Maximum: 40 deg. F.; 10th December, 1963, Highest Air Minimum: 52 deg. F.; 29th September, 1963. Lowest Air Minimum: 30 deg. F.; 20th November, 1963, Lowest Grass Minimum: 26 deg. F.; 8th December, 1963. Highest Barometric Pressure: 30.00 ins. of HG; 11th October, 1963. Lowest Barometric Pressure: 28.34 ins. of HG: 18th November, 1963. Maximum Precipitation: 0.65 ins.; 25th November, 1963. Maximum Wind Force: 8; 21st November, 1963, J. RUsseLt24 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 Jazz Club ‘On June 8th Mr. Cook, the President of the Society, took a party of boys on an outing to the Belle Vue International Jaz Festival. The number of boys was reduced to ten because of other commitments. We arrived at 9.15 and already the Jazz was well under way. The main artists appearing were Dizzy Gillespie, Buck Clayton and Bud Freeman from America, and an assortment of British Jazz from Bilk to Littleton, including Johnny Dankworth who finished the concert in grand style. It finished at 12.30. Later in the year the following boys were elected into the Society: P. Laing, Simmons, Sinkinson, Openshaw. F.R.W. Printing Society This term the society has completed many orders, one being the 700 tickets for The Second ‘Shepherd's Play, and many visiting cards. Letter headings and the like have also been completed this term. We have acquired two new members: M. J. Dennis and R. S. H. Etheridge, who have Tearnt to print very quickly and have completed many orders for the Society. LS J. H. Brereton, ten years old, doing a somersault in the Gym from a Trampette,May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 25 The Young Farmers’ Club ‘The year has begun well, with a successful term, and we have been very fortunate in finding much support, especially in the Lower half of the School. Our programme this term began with two Lectures, one on “Poultry Husbandry” the other ‘on “Plant Breeding”, and we have also had various debates, and a show of films in which members have taken an active part. Earlier on this term we had a very enjoyable outing to Nunnerly’s Pre-Packing Potato Station at Tern Hill, and I would like to thank Mrs. Nunnerly and Mrs. Preston for the trouble they went to in catering for us. I wish to thank all our members for their support, and also the projectionists for their co-operation. ACD. The Interim Society Owing to un unaccommodating calendar, only two meetings—both debates—have been possible in the Michaelmas term. Attendance proved the popularity of debating, and that of the “Beatles” when the motion “In the opinion of this house Beatle-wear cannot be considered decent” (Chair: Mr. Lysaght; For: Mr. Taylor; Against: Mr. Smith) was narrowly defeated after the reactionary elements had done most of the reasoned talking. In a further debate, “that the modern craze for speed is deplorable”, thrills, spills, and necessity, marginally won the day over comfort, safety, and parochialism, via interesting digressions from the floor on flying saucers and the speed of father’s car. (Chair: Mr. Lysaght; For: Mr. Harrison; Against: Mr. Langton- Dodds). A.HS.H. Mountaineering This term has seen the introduction of that esoteric pastime—rock-climbing. We have acquired a certain amount of basic equipment in the way of ropes, slings and carabiners. Many boys are keen to learn to rock-climb, but it is difficult to accommodate them all. The nearest suitable rocks are over twenty miles away, transport is difficult, and at the moment there is no boy competent to lead others. Here at Ellesmere there is little we can do. The gymnasium has been adapted to provide climbs. Small blocks of wood have been screwed to the vertical wall to provide two routes, the formidable North Face and the easier but tricky S.W. Buttress. The water tower affords a useful abseil point, though the descent is said to be a little airy! During the term small parties of boys have visited various outcrops in the county. Of these the best proposition is Pontesford Rocks, about 24 miles away. Here there are climbs of all standards up to 200 ft. in length, and is is an admirable place at which to learn to climb. Our Sunday excursions to Pontesford are unfortunately all too short as in the winter months it is rarely possible to get more than two hours’ climbing. ‘When the mountain hut at Cwm Penmachno becomes habitable, we shall use it for meets at the weekends and in the holidays. There are no suitable rocks near the hut but it is only a short journey to Tryfan and the Idwal Slabs. Our one and only visit to Snowdonia this term saw a three man ascent of the “Hope” route on the Idwal Slabs, followed by a gentle stroll to the summit of Glyder Fawr. IMS, The Chequered Flag The most ambitious excursion undertaken by the Club was in September, when several members travelled from London to Monza to see the Italian Grand Prix. The journey to Como was made exciting by the driving of the Belgian coach-driver, especially along the German autobahn. Most of the latter part of the journey, through Silvaplana near St. Moritz, was in torrential rain. However, at the Practice on the next day there was sun, and ‘we were able to view this from almost every vantage point.26 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 On the following day, Sunday, September 8th, we watched two of the most exciting and hard- fought races that any enthusiast could ever wish to see, the G.T. Race won by Salvadori, and the Grand Prix won by Clark. The return to London, on the wrong train and with the wrong luggage, brought to an end @ most memorable holiday, as we iad travelled through eight countries. On the 29th September the Club went to Oulton Park to watch the five-hour Relay Race. Four films were shown on November 10th, the best of which was “Tribute to Fangio”. Mr. Roy Evans showed two films to the Club on December 15th, and on the 1961 Le Mans, and the other on the 1959 Alpine Rally, in which Mr. Evans had himself come third in his class, The Junior Formula group have made a good start on what should be a thrilling model race track. The main difficulty at the moment is a permanent “home” for the Club. RS.0. The German TripMay, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 27 The party met on Victoria Station at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday. 21st August. We caught the boat train to Dover, and after a calm crossing arrived at Ostend. Our first two nights on the Continent were spent at Bruges. We entered Germany by train and had a short stop at Kéln before we reached Bad Godesberg. This was for many of us our first impression of Germany. From Godesberg, where we only spent one night, we went on an excursion to the famous Drachenfels Castle, before continuing to Bonn, where again we only stayed for one night. From Bonn we caught one of the Rhine cruisers, the Lorelei, which took us on a six hour journey upstream to Boppard, a few miles from the Rhein Gorge on the left bank. One of our excursions during our stay in Boppard was ¢o Riidesheim where there was a wine festival, and the Niederwald Denkmal monument, set up by Bismarck. We moved from Boppard on foot via the wanderways through the pine forests to Brodenbach, small town on the Mosel, On one of our three days stay we hired a coach which took us up- river through the Mosel wine country to Trier, near the French border. Here we had lunch in an old beer-cellar, and were then let loose in the town. Our next stop was Odersbach on the Lahn. There was a church festival in progress which entailed the setting up of a somewhat dubious sausage tent. This was the main attraction of our stay and afforded much enjoyment. Our last port of call was Niederlahnstein near Koblenz. During our first night a fair was in progress on the doorstep of the Youth Hostel. This provided a source of enjoyment for us all, and Mather won a large blue and white teddy-bear which we dubbed Nigel. On the evening of Thursday, Sth September, we boarded the train back to Ostend, after a very enjoyable fortnight on the continent. The party broke up at 7 a.m. the next morning, after 13 hours continual travel, at Victoria, our starting point. Our thanks are due to Mr. Ainscow for organizing and leading this trip. R.T.M.W. — A.HLK.D. The New Wing The New Wing was started on August 12th, 1963, after a careful inspection of the ground had been carried out. Under the supervision of Mr. Williams, the foreman, the work has progressed well since that date, with very few stoppages for bad weather. When the foundations had been laid, and the Ready-Mix concrete, costing £2,000 for the com- plete base, had been poured into the bowels of the new wing, the nine employees began laying the bricks, which, by the end of the project, should total 147,000, at the cost of £15-£20 a 1,000. The white insulating bricks from Nottingham are enclosed by the red-(used bricks from Wellington. The roofs over the Dayrooms are to be timber and Duchess Slate, the remainder of the roof being of reinforced concrete. ‘There are sixteen studies, one master's study, four Dayrooms, each including an adjoining study-room. The Library, measuring 63 feet by 42 feet, being higher than the remaining building, has large windows and a small annexe for the Librarian. There will be radiated heating throughout the building, with ducts below all the rooms. The grass quadrangle between the present Junior School and the New Wing will still exist, and it will be surrounded by a paved path. Down the side of Big School will run the Cloisters: the doors from Big School will be double and contain Georgian obscure glass panels. The existing recesses in the wall will be widened. Providing there are no extremes of weather in the coming winter, the wing should be com- pleted by the beginning of next September. ALF. NTS,28 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 Salvete S. N. Broadhurst Hampton House, Tarporiey. J. 8. Campbell Packwood Haugh, Ruyton XI Towns. S. E. Clover Mostyn House, Parkgate. J. R. Davies (vii) Dormie House, West Kirby. M. J. Dennis ... Penley Bilateral. . B. Doughty Pownall Hall, Wilmslow . S. H. Etheridge Llandaff Cathedral. Thorpe House. Bolton School. Boxgrove School, Guildford Llandaff Cathedral School. Idlicote Prep. Prestfelde. Harden House, Wilmslow, Croxton, Southpo1 Boxgrove Prep., Guildford, Edgbaston Prep. Haileybury and 1.S.C. Jnr. Salisbury Cathedral. s. R. D. M, Griffiths 5 . J. M. Laing ington-Dodds IWA.S. Liddell y, J. H. Lomas Huyton Hall Prep., Ambleside. W. G. Lysaght Llandaff Cathedral. G.J.Mann_ ... Birkdale Prep. N. D. K. Palmer Llandaff Cathedral. N. J. Pegrum . Kingsland Grange. P. R. Peyton . Heron Water, Coed Coch. J. K. Simmons Llandovery College. J. F. Smale Llandaff Cathedral. A. G. Sneddon Oriel House, St. Asaph. A. M. Solomons The Lawrence School, Hewlett, Long Island, New York. R. J, Stuart Birchfield, Tettenhall. A. G. Smith Leominster Grammar. J. E. Taylor Altrincham Prep. C. Thomas Ramillies Hall. J. Yoxall Seaford Court, Malvern. Valete A. J. H. Roberts T. L. Moreton J. W. Naylor D. R. Whitehouse J. L. Whiteley C. 1. Rees G. H. Ratcliffe R. J. Brassington G. C. Snell K. Higgins N. D. K, Mitchell G. S. Milton R. B. Huxley Acknowledgments We acknowledge the receipt of the following: The Wrekinian, The Whitgiftian, The Birkonlan, The Britannia Magazine, The Herefordian, The Belmont Abbey School Magazine, The Arnoldian, The Wycliffe Star, The Worksopian, The King Edward's School Chronicle, The Icenian, The Liverpool College Magazine, The Oswestrian, The Bloxhamist, The Hurst-Johnian, The Lancing College Magazine, The Caldeian, The Ardingly Annals, The Aluredian, The St, Bees School Magazine, The Salopian,May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 29 EASTER TERM, 1964 School Officers Captain of School ... we ae - oo A. J. McG. Lunn Prefect of Chapel om oO mm ao a C.J. PARKER Prefect of Hall J. R. Wake Prefects oes z P. I. BisuTon, R. A. Jupe, J. J. Larrawatre, T. D. Ravsoutp, T. F. G. ABRaHam, J.T. Hampson, A. M. Laina, R. A. PREECE The Common Room We congratulate Mr. V. H. Howard on being appointed Housemaster of the new Lambart House, which will open in September. Mr. J. M. Scorer will act as House Tutor. As Mr. V. Howard will have added responsibilities, he has relinquished his position as Head of the Chemistry Department. His place is being taken by Mr. M. S. Howe. Mr. E. D. Sidebottom is now Adjutant of the C.C.F. Mr. A. H. Beadles will be Master in charge of Cricket in the Summer Term. Mr. B. Hooton is now House Tutor of Wakeman House. School Notes On February 25th the Earl of Powis, County Commissioner for Shropshire, visited the School to inspect the Wolf Cubs, Boy Scouts and Senior Scouts. After this, he presented the Royal Certificates to Queen's Scouts C. J. Parker, T. F. G. Abraham, R. W. Baxter, K. A. Wilson, G. A. Mathias, and B. J. Whewell. C. J. Parker and T. F. G. Abraham have been chosen to represent Shropshire on April 26th at the annual parade and service for Queen’s Scouts at the Chapel of the Knight of the Garter, Windsor Castle. There have been two Subscription Concerts this Term: on Saturday, 8th February, Helen Watts (contralto) and John Streets, (piano) delighted an audience in Big School; and on Sunday, 8th March, we were privileged to hear a Piano Recital by Stephen Bishop. There have been two Lectures: on 28th February, Mr. Hervey Adams, R.B.A., lectured on Art; and on 30th February, Major-General G. A. Thomas, C.B.E., lectured to the Upper School on the Defence Policy. On the 4th March, the Ellesmerian Society visited the Ford Motor Company's Factory at Halewood. On Saturday, 29th February, a party of the Jazz Appreciation Society visited the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, for a Concert by Duke Ellington and his Band. On 2ist March, fifty members of the Chequered Flag Society visited Oulton Park Race Track. On Saturday, 14th March, eight boys from the Shell camped out near Pentre Pant for the night as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.30 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 Cups this term have been won by the following Houses : Chess Cup Squash Cup Junior Rugger Cup Senior Rugger Cup Steeplechase Cup Instrumental Cup Vocal Cup THE LipRARY IN CONSTRUCTION During the Easter Holidays a new water main from the Tower to the School will be laid down. This should prevent water-shortages suddenly taking place in the Bathrooms as have happened this term. Mock ‘O” and ‘A’ Level Examinations were held in Big School from 12th March to 20th March. During the Summer Term, since the old Changing Rooms are being partly demolished, changing for games will take place in House Dormitories and Bathrooms. Work will probably start in the Summer on a new Laboratory Block to be sited near the present Junior School Hall, next to the Old Labs. This Block will include two Biology Laboratories, which will include an Animal House, Preparation Room, and a Greenhouse; there will also be a Modern Language Laboratory, and a History Sixth Room.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 31 As from the beginning of the Summer Term the Midland Catering Company will be responsible for all the catering in the School. We congratulate C. J. Parker on being appointed Captain of School as from the beginning of the Summer Term: J. R. Wake will be Prefect of Chapel, and R. A. Jude Prefect of Hall. I. Newport has also been appointed School Prefect. ary Round Ellesmere beat Shebbear 6-0, and Latymer Upper School 16-3; in the First Round Ellesmere won against King William's, 1.o.M. 16-3; and in the Second Round against Cranbrook the score was 18-3. In the Quarter Finals, Rydal beat Ellesmere 16-0. . A party of five Officers, the Sergeant-Major, and twelve Cadets went on a week's Arduous Training Course between Leek and Buxton during the Easter holidays. Jeffrey Jones At is with the deepest regret that we have to record the death of Jeffrey Jones, who died accidentally in tragic circumstances in the middle of the term. Jeffrey came to the School in September, 1962, to join Woodard House, and in his quiet way soon settled in happily into the life at Ellesmere in the Shell Form. He took part in all games with enjoyment, being especially fond of the Summer activities, the Swimming Bath, and bicycling on half-holidays round the countryside. He was a boy who was a most cheerful and likeable member of our society, always giving of his best both in Class, where he was above average in intelligence, and in outside activities, making friends easily with all his contemporaries, and we should like to extend our sincerest sympathy with his parents in their great loss. Rugby Ist XV—Lent Term, 1964 ‘The Ist XV completed their 1963-64 season with one of the best records in the history of the school. This term they were unbeaten, and only one school match was lost early in October. ‘We were fortunate in losing only two players at Christmas—Roberts, the hooker, and Brassington, the fly-half. Soskin played at hooker, and Parker moved to fly-half, with Howell coming into the centre. A long wait until mid-February for the first game did not encourage practice, but the team soon got back into their winning ways with a very convincing win over King Edward's, Birming- ham, a renewed fixture. The team did not play with the same urgency and cohesion as in the previous term, and had to fight much harder for their victories. The main reason was the lack of the close teamwork among the forwards, which had been such a notable feature of the Michaelmas term. They were too inclined to try to do too much on their own, often delaying their passes until too late. The threequarters also held on to the ball too long, and play tended to be frustrating and unproductive. Towards the end of the season they were getting back to their earlier form, and finished with a well-earned victory over the Old Ellesmerians. C. J. Parker captained the side well, and was always urging the team on to greater efforts, and showing the way himself. It was noticeable that when he was away the team did not play So well. Full Colours were awarded to Wake and Laing, and half colours to Abraham during the term, ‘The Inter-House competition was won by Talbot in the Seniors, and by Woodard in the Juniors. The 7-a-side competition was cancelled owing to the weather. PLavina RECORD School matches Played 16 Won IS Lost 1 Points for 244. Against 68 All matches Played 19 = Won 17 Lost 2. Points for 287 Against 9332 THE ELLESMERIAN Vor. LXXV. No. 297May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 33 Team Harty; Abraham, Howell (Bishton), Raybould, Cooper; Parker, Stretton; Laithwaite, Soskin, Loxham; Cowell, Lunn; Parry, Wake, Laing. SATURDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY. ‘A’ XV y. WREKIN CoLteGE, Home. Lost 0-14. After a good start we allowed Wrekin to get on top in the loose and the line-out. Denied possession for most of the match, we had to defend continually. Good covering held Wrekin in check but carelessness and over-enthusiasm led to 3 penalty goals against us, all from no more than 25 yards. Wrekin scored the only try of the match late in the second half after a forward rush. SaturDay, ISTH FEBRUARY. v. KING EDwarp’s ScHoot, BirMincHam. Away. Won 24-0. Ellesmere completely dominated this game, pinning King Edwards in their own half for nearly all the game. The pack played extremely well and obtained possession from most of the scrums and line-outs. The threequarters ran well, but were too frequently caught in possession with unmarked men outside them. Two good cross kicks by Abraham led to tries by Raybould and Lunn. Further scores were made by Stretton when the scrum pushed K.E. over their line, and by Parker and Loxham. Laithwaite converted 3 tries and kicked a penalty goal. WEDNESDAY, 19TH FEBRUARY. y. BELMONT ABBEY. Home. Won 8-5. In a closely fought game, Ellesmere just held on to their lead. The first half was mainly fought out forward, with neither pack gaining the ascendancy. We were better in the tight, and Belmont in the loose. The absence of Parker proved to be a disadvantage, and most of the threequarter moves failed owing to lack of understanding between the half-backs. In the second half we got on top, and after sustained pressure, Abraham crosskicked for Raybould to run in under the posts. Laithwaite converted. Further pressure led to a 5-yard scrum, and the pack pushed over for a try by Wake. Belmont came back strongly and just before the end scored a good try when our threequarters failed to tackle. The game ended with Belmont pressing hard. WEDNESDAY, 26TH FEBRUARY. _¥. RUTHIN ScHOOL. Away. Won 11-5. In an exciting game played in a strong wind, Ellesmere held on to their lead, established early, and emerged victorious. Ellesmere won more of the ball from the scrum and Ruthin from the line-outs. Strong pressure by Ellesmere with the wind behind them soon produced a score. Parker ran strongly through to score under the posts and Laithwaite converted, and shortly afterwards he kicked a penalty goal. Further attempts by Parker and Abraham were foiled just short of the line. Then Ruthin broke away suddenly and scored. The half-time score of 8-5 did not seem to be a good enough lead to kick against the wind and uphill for the second half, particularly with Ruthin coming more into the game. However, the forwards kept up strong pressure and worked the ball up the field in spite of Ruthin’s kicking. From a quick loose heel, Stretton broke on the blind side and passed to Parker who scored in the corner. In this game the forwards did not support each other in the loose, and progress was mainly as a result of individual effort. ‘The threequarter play was disappointing, both in defensive tackling and attacking play, although Parker and Stretton played extremely well, bearing the burden of both attack and defence. SATURDAY, 29TH FEBRUARY. y. H.M.S. Conway. Home. Won 14-0. On a perfect day and a soft pitch, the Ellesmere pack settled down to a more effective display than of late. We were quickly on the attack and Laithwaite kicked a good penalty goal early on. Further pressure by the pack led to Lunn diving over after we had nearly scored a pushover, and Laithwaite converted. Soon afterwards Raybould burst through in the centre to score, and at half-time the score was 11-0 in our favour. Conway fought back strongly and their forwards provided their backs with a fair share of the ball, but they were unable to make much impressi ‘The second half was mainly a forward struggle. The threequarters rarely got going, and late passing prevented any good moves. There was a marked inflexibility of tactics, which made the game dull and repetitive. Laithwaite kicked another penalty goal to complete the scoring.34 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 SarurDAy, 21st MaRcH. v. OLD ELLESMERIANS. Home. Won 21-16. On a very heavy pitch, the School defeated the Old Boys in an exciting and skilful game. Early pressure by the school nearly led to a score, but O.E.'s rallied. Laithwaite kicked a penalty to open the scoring, and incidentally to score his hundredth point this year. O.E.'s came back strongly and drew level when Smith scored after a threequarter movement. Raybould put the school back into the lead when after a swerving run he dived over the line, then the O.E.'s from a quick heel passed the ball out to Mooney who outpaced the defence to run in under the posts. Smith's conversion put the O.E.’s into the lead. This was short lived, however, for after repeated attempts by Abraham were just foiled at the corner flag, he finally broke clear and scored, for Laithwaite to convert and make the half-time score 11-8 to the school. The forward battle was very even, with the school getting slightly more possession from the loose. Stretton provided a very good service from the base of the scrum, and Abraham and Raybould scored two more tries, both of which were converted. The O.E.’s narrowed the deficit with a try by Green, and finally towards the end Smith scored for the O.E.’s and converted it himself, to bring the scoring to an end. It was an enjoyable and closely contested game, and a fitting end to the season. Exuipition MaTcH On Saturday, 7th March a special exhibition match was arranged. Mr. Barter, an Old Ellesmerian, brought a team from Swansea R.F.C. to play the school. His team consisted of 11 of the Swansea Ist XV, with several youth Internationals. We were treated to an exciting demon- Stration of open rugby in perfect conditions. The fast running and elusive Swansea threequarters showed rugby at its best and gave an object lesson in handling, speed and varied tactics to the whole school. The school team acquitted itself creditably, and covered and tackled energetically. Laithwaite kicked 2 penalty goals in the first half, when the score was 6-30. Great enthusiasm greeted a try in the second half by the school. From a loose heel Parker made an opening from which Raybould scored in the corner. Swansea continued to maintain their great pace and scored many more tries in fine style. The final score was Ellesmere 9, Swansea 54, This was a great occasion, and the school was very grateful to Mr. Barter and the Swansea team for travelling so far to play us, and to demonstrate to us the skills and artistry of open rugby. (CHARACTERS Harty tackled well on the occasions he was called upon and dropped courageously on the ball. His kicking lacked the necessary length, although he usually found touch. He tended to be rather slow moving about the field and generally hung too far back. Abraham improved throughout the season, and by the end was realizing that a winger should run hard for the line and not kick. Some of his cross kicks were accurate and led to scores, but he tended to overdo this tactic. He scored some good tries, particularly in the final match, but did not always use his speed and weight. His tackling was generally too high. Raybould was the most dangerous attacking player on the field. His speed off the mark and strong Tunning created many openings. He was learning to swerve at speed, but still has to master the dummy and sidestep. His offensive kicking was good, but his tackling was much too high to be really effective. He was the most consistent scorer in the side. Cooper ran well, but tended to stop when threatened. He still has to learn to beat a man and when to kick, He tackled well defensively. Parker played wholeheartedly throughout the year. He was most effective as outside centre ‘where his strong running gained him many tries. At fly-half he took Stretton’s service well, but tended to run too often, crowding his threequarters. His tactical kicking improved, but still lacks careful direction. His defensive covering was very good. Stretton gave a good service from the base of the scrum, and his pass was gradually lengthening. He was most impressive in defence and when feeding his backs. He was less convincing when he ran with the ball, running across the field too frequently, and his attacking kicks lacked direction. His defensive kicking was very good. Laithwaite led the pack extremely well, and his direction and advice gave cohesion and fire. His kicking was outstanding, and he scored more than 100 points. He also won the Kicking competition in the Lent term. As a prop forward he was very strong and his experience was noticeable throughout, particularly in keeping the ball moving among the forwards.May, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 35 ‘Soskin played well in the loose, but did not strike quick enough to be a really successful hooker. He kept up well with the play. Loxham was a very strong prop, and played wholeheartedly throughout the year. He kept well up with the play and enjoyed struggling for possession in the loose. He must learn to time his passing better in the forward rushes. Lunn was an outstanding forward, being prominent in the loose and especially effective in the line-out, where he caught the ball well and used it intelligently. Cowell had a good season. He worked well in the line-out, getting the ball back quickly, although his tapping back was not always accurate. He worked tirelessly in the loose and frequently led foot rushes. His kicking is improving but is still a little wild. He must avoid a tendency to individualism. Parry coming in for the injured Hampson, worked hard and gained in experience and abili He kept well up with the play. He shows promise. Wake improved rapidly throughout the season and developed into a hard-working forward. He breaks intelligently, particularly on the blind side, and his defensive tackling is good. The timing of his pass has not always been irreproachable. Laing played wholeheartedly throughout, tackling and dropping on the ball fearlessly in all Conditions and circumstances. He was not so successful in tackling the opposing fly-half, owing to a tendency to approach too precipitously. Hampson, until an unfortunate injury in a practice game, had developed into a capable blind-side wing forward, quick to move round the scrum and tackle the opposing scrum-half, and always moving up in support of an attack. HRH. 2nd XV This has been a rather negative term, owing to rugby being swamped by other activities. Out of the four matches arranged, we won one, lost two, and one was cancelled. The match against Priory School Ist XV was, in general, a match worth watching, with much good open rugby. It was a case of a better—and probably a fitter—team winning. We were beaten by a side that outclassed us in accurate kicking and thrust in the centres. Our line-out play was not well co-ordinated, though the scrum, on the whole, played hard and with enthusiasm. In the match against Shrewsbury School, however, our win was convincing—against a side that had obviously not played as much rugby as we had. Laithwaite, with his sound kicking and energy in the pack, was a valuable stand-in for a last minute absentee, and we owe many of our points in this match to him. ‘The game against Shrewsbury Colts was disappointing, though they well deserved to win, for the play was largely in our own twenty-five for all the game; indeed, it was a defensive rather than an attacking game. However, since we had beaten them’so soundly last term, it was sad that we could not repeat our performance. N. T. Simpson was absent from this game, and P. Bamford led the side well, setting a good example by his energy and aggressive spirit. Baxter, a newcomer to the team, has well earned his place. Sutcliffe, Bamford, and Mackie were notable in the forwards, and Baxter, Bishton, and Goodarzi in the three-quarters. Resutts ». Priory School. - Home Lost 6-12 v. Shrewsbury School Home Won 16- 6 v. Shrewsbury Colts... Home Lost 0- 5 P.R.M. Colts During the Lent Term we began to reap the benefit of the hard practice, and many defeats of the previous three months. The team spirit improved immensely, and the Captain was well followed instead of being left on his own as happened only too frequently before Christmas. Confidence grew, and it became possible to learn tactics, and defeat opponents by skill and intelligence.36 THE ELLESMERIAN VoL. LXXV. No. 297 It became obvious toward the end of the season that a great deal had been learnt, and if the season were played again, many of the results might have been reversed. Although the side as a whole was poor, individual players were contributing some good rugby in many of the games. Wady, and Shaw were constantly playing well, and Wady slowly learnt to lead with kindness and authority. Horspool, Cutting, Deakin and Laing were not far behind them, and all played some good rugby at times. The player who has improved most this term was Arblaster, whose confidence increased enormously, and he began to show that he had a hidden talent and some inbred rugby sense. The half-back combination of Walton and Yoxall developed into an efficient unit which served the side well. Many of these players will be competing for a place on the Ist XV next season, but it is to be hoped that they will continue to realise that the basic skills of the game, coupled with the right determination, are the only ways to achieve success. Colours were awarded to Walton, Wady, Shaw, Horspool, Laing, Yoxall and Baker. Resuurs . Birkenhead School . Home Lost 3 . Yale Technical G.S. Away Lost. 3-1 Priory School... Home Won 21 . King Edward’s School, Birming- ham. ane ¥. Cotton College ¥. Shrewsbury Colts ¥. Shrewsbury School Home Won 12- Home Won 9- 9 6 0 Away Lost 0-3 3 3 Home Won 35-0 LD.S.B. Under 15 This term the enemy has not been the weather, but a widespread throat infection which has decimated the clubside each week. The results strongly reflect the lack of practices, and that many of the matches were played at less than full strength. In fact, our heavy defeat by a much stronger side at Wrekin was at least partly due to the fact that we had no fewer than seven team players off. Hall took over the captaincy this term, and has done the job well and been the strong man of the three-quarters, scoring most of the points himself. His tackling is excellent, but he must learn to time his passes better and must not try to break through so often. Clay has again been a tower of strength in all departments of forward pla fire and enthusiasm have inspired the rest of the pack. On the whole better rugby has been played this term, the pack beginning to realise that they must play as a unit—although there are still one or two passengers in the loose scrums. These fringe players are nothing but a nuisance to the scrum half and must be prepared to work much harder to obtain possession. The three-quarters have perhaps not made as much progress as they might have done, although they have all tried hard. Their passing and positional play still need a lot of attention. Resuuts vy. Cloverley Hall... 5 v. Wrekin College -.. v. Priory School... v. Belmont School ... v. Ruthin School... v. H.M.S. Conway Home Won 33-6 Away Lost 3-50 Home Drawn 3-3 Home Won 3-0 Away Won 20-3 Cancelled EDS. Under 14 From the points’ angle the term’s rugger has been exceptionally successful, though quite a number of them were run up against two Prep. school sides, for which even a weakened XV proved much too strong. Once again the extraordinary potential was obvious, but from the inability generally of the forwards to gain possession from the tight and loose, though often magnificentMay, 1964 THE ELLESMERIAN 37 with the ball at their feet, a strong back division failed to see enough of the game. Even when the ball did come back, not everyone was using his weight effectively, and the halves were forced to retreat. Though almost everyone produced something good on occasion, the performance in the centre has been outstanding for speed and determination, Stokes’ tackling being a delight to watch. The Wrekin fixture, where five reserves were fielded and the whole team exerted them- selves to almost successful effect, and the Cotton game when an out-of-position Thomas gave a vigorous spoiling performance at wing-forward, a game in which the forwards showed some improvement, were perhaps the most notable performances. ResuLts, v. Birkenhead School 5 v. Yale Technical G.S. v. Wrekin College . v. Cotton College . Home Lost 3- Home Lost 0-1 Away Lost 6-1 Home Won 25- otte F.S.G. Cross Country ‘The Club had three fixtures this year, two away and one at home. Although none was won, valuable experience was gained in all, and it is hoped to increase the number next year. The team trained hard, and reached a fairly high standard of fitness, but it is quite obvious from the results that this standard was not high enough. Next year training will have to begin earlier. ‘Against the Junior Leaders’ Battalion at Park Hall we could only field a team of seven, as Sibley was prevented from running at the last minute, and all the other reserves were “off games”. Over a fairly varied course of three and a half miles we lost by 52 to 27. ‘THe LINE-UP OF THE SENIOR STEEPLECHASE