;;.--_. 

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County High School for Girls 
Shaftesbury 

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1 
" Non sibi sed omnibus" 

VOLUME 12 DECEMBER, 1949 


, 

County High Schoor for Girls 
Shd{tesbury 


MAGAZINE' 


VOL. 12 
DECEMBER, 1949 

CONTENTS 


1. Editorial: 
2. The Future of the School. 
3. The Staff. 
4 Leaving Girls, 1948·49. 
5. New Girls, 1948-49. 
6. Examination Results. 
·7. School Notes. 
8. House Reports. 
9. Games Report. 
10. 
Social Service COIpmittee 
Report. 
11.' The School Council. 

12. The Boarders' Report. 
13. 
My First Year in the Boarding 
House. 
14. Speech Day. 
15. Parents'. Day. 
16. Plays Seen during 1949. 
17. ,. The Merchant of Venice,'" 
18. Musical Diary for 1948·49. 
19. Dida and Acneas."
Of 

20. 
The Sixth Form Biological 
Expedition. 
21. The Rc-decoration of the Lab. 
22. 
Our First Day in the Dining 
Hall. 
23. 
An Expedition to Long!eat 
House. 
24. Lower IV listens in. 
25. 
The Arts' Council Art Exhibition. 
26. My Journey to Ceylon. 
'27. -Reading in Bed. 
28. Uncles. 
29. Advice to a. New Girl. 
.30. The English \Vinter. 
31. Determination. 
32.· 0, welcome Death! 
33. The Sun on the Landscape. 
34. Our Saviour's Birth. 
35. Lament. 
36. Parents' Association Section. 
37. Old Girls' Section. 
Page One 


ai.n mstalled in';~IiglifieldHall. I aiiJ.'extreme(y happy liere,'Hall 
life,lleingso much Uldre pleaSant and ,-caiigeb;'il to work: than 'even 
tlie best of lodgihgs. "0i1r room is 'really ideal'with ,aniple'space',' 
ana we are patticillilrly lncky'in having '8. ,room at the'·e'nd..lif"a' 
corridor. which has a large window facing due south and French 
\'Iindows and'a balcotiy".facing westd·,T:herbalcony sho'!).dj.,prove 
wonderful for workiIig·outside in the sun)!ner., ' '" : I 

. " ~ 'I ~. 

O.G.A. Llie'Subscriptions since November, 1948. 
Baker. Margaret, Holyrood Farm, Shaftesbury. 
Bright, MatioD, 83, Corner Lane. MotcomQc. 
C3.ird. Gertrude (nee Miles) 46, Meadow Park, Castle Hill, Ayr. 
Lear~ Margaret, Church Farm, l\1arga:rets Marsh, Dorset." 
Pearse, Mrs., Longcroft Cottage, Alton Road, Parkstonc. 


b.G.A. Annual Suliscriptions since December, 1948. 
Aubcrt, Dorcen (nee Parsons), High Street, Shaftcsbury. 
Ba_rtlctt, 1\Iarie, Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. 
Cox, Au'drey, The Rising Sun, Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury. 
Coombs, Eileen, Tallard Farm, TolIard Royal, Salisbury. 
Dowland. June. Ash.Tree Cottage, Cann Common, Shaftcsbury. 
Edmonds, Jennifer, 102, I{ingshall'Road, Beckenham, Kent. 
Edmonds, Pauline, 102, KingshaU Road, Beckenham, Kent. 
Gray, Margarct, 20, Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. 
Hopkins,. Kathleen, The Market Gardens, New Road, Sbaftesbury. 
Hannam,_ Eva, \Vincombe Farm, Sbaftesbury. 
Jackson, -Betty (nee \Vhceler), Osmington, Love Lane, Sbaftesbury. 
Jones, Betty, 6, Bell Street, Shaftesbury. ' 
Le Becbee. Mary, 203, Redland Road, Bristol, 6. 
Tucker, Yyonne, 74, St. James' Street, Sbaftesbury. 
Vernon, Diana, Maddoxford Farm, Boorley Green, Nr. Botley. 
'ViIlis. Olive. Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. 
\Vright, Barbara. 78. \Vyndham Roa~, Salisbury. 


'Printed at The Bl3.ckmore Press, Gillingbam. Dorset, by T. H. BrickeD & Son, Ltd. 


SCHOOL OFFICIALS, 1949. 
MAGAZINE CClMMIITEE. 


Editor Jean Nathan. 
VI. Mary Lockyer. 
UpperV. M()lly Burden. 
Lower y.1. Jean Walker. ~ 
LowerV.2. Shirley Pitman. 
Upper IV. Margaret Guy. 
Lower IV. Charmaine Habberley. 

PREFECTS. 
Head Girl: Not appointed. 
Prefects: P. Galllver, D .. Lee, H. Miles, 

J. Ayers, P. Cherbury, M. Gil-. 
lings, S. L?dlow; J. Nathan, 
D. Pickford, D. Sidford, B. 
Smales. 
FOR~l CAPTAINS. 
UpperV. Molly Burden. 
Lower V.1. Judy Peel. 
LowerV.2. Joa" Matthews. 
Upper~V. Mary Bond. 
Lower IV. Sally Jeffreys. 
Ill. .... Joyce Stone. 

Page Two 


THE EDITORIAL. 

Two years' ago we wrote in the ",Editorial" that cultural 
activities at school ,vere limited. We 'had thim only the Choir 
and the , newly formed Dramatic Society. Since then our strictly 
scholastic subjects have reached a.higher level, as the results of 
the School Certificate examinations, have shown, and our musical 
interests have 'been allowed to develop along more specialised lines. 

We have now a music clubJ which allows us tO,increase our know


ledge of music of all kinds, ~ recorder club, and the Choir, which 
has become much more than a means of improving our hymnsinging 
in Prayers. A good many girls also learn to play the violin 
at, school now, and we hope to fOfll1 a school orchestra in the future. 

Our awareness and critical appreciation of the reproductions 
of great pictures which we are'so 'fortunate'in having at school 
is surely an indication of a desire to know m~re' about the artists 
and schools of painting Of which we see examples. Our interest 
in, and enthusiasm over rare form debates, usually held in EnglisH 
lessol)s, shows that instruction in the form of running meetings 
anQ the logical sequence of thought for speaking in public would 
be appreciated and would be really ,useful when we have left school. 
We leave these two suggestions to speak for themselves. . 

Our magazine this year is unavoidably smaller .than last year. 
The cost of setting up the type for printing last year was forty 
pounds, and we had some difficulty in. raising funds to meet this. 
This term we have alre(ldy had a junior social for the magazine 
fund, which ,produced three pounds, ten shillings. We hope to 
hold at least two more socials for the rest of the school, to provide 
more'money for the fund. 

THE FUTURE OF THE SCHOOL. 

"To be or not to be." Hamlet's question has been a vital' 
one for us during the last few months. We have been so busy 
planning for the future.that the news that there might be no future 
to Plan for came like a b.olt from the blue. 

Tt was late 'in July when the news became public that the 
Minister of Education had. re~ommended the amalgamation of the 
High School and the. (;rammar School at Shaftesbury. Local· 
public opinion expressed itself quickly and forcibly. The Governing 
bodies of both Schools 'unanimously rejected the proposal. 1;'rotests 
were sent .to.,the' Dorset County Council froni the Old Boys' 
Association of the Grammar School, and from the Parents' Association 
and Old Girls' Association of the High School; and finally 
from the Borough Council itself. 

Early in October the Local Education Authority finally 
de~ided to retain both its schools here and to put the High School 
into the 1952 Building Programme. The sanction of the Minister 
of Education is still necessary before our future is assured, but 

Pagc,Three 


at least the prospect is much brighter'than it was at the end of 
last term. , 

We know that changes must come. The standard of the, 
County Entrance Examination is steadily rising, so that each year 
there are fewer local girls who can qualify for entrance. The 
numbers of the School can only be kept up by an increase in. boarding 
accommodation, and every effort will be made to meet this 
urgent need. Also, as the number of girls in our Sixth Form increases 
we must be able to offer them a wider range of subjects 
than is possible now, and this can only be done by co-operating 
in the advanced work of the Sixth Form with other grammar 
schools in the district. 

Our problems are many, but if we believe that this School 
is worth preserving, that we 'have a distinctive contribution of 
our own to make to the ,life of the community, then the challenge 
of our 'future should call forth our finest powers. We need faith 
and hope and love. With these all things wil!' be possible. 

M. K. punford. 
TH;E STAFF_ 
In contrast to the occasion of pUblicatiop of the last number 
of our School Magazine, this time there is very Iii:tle to record 
under this heading. (Mere prolonged hard work does not, of 
itself, make interesting reading matter for the young). 
To succeed.Miss J. Thomas, who left in July and was married 
in August, we welcome Miss Matthews from ,Exeter, and hope she 
-will be happy and successful in Shaftesbury. 
We take this opportunity of formally offering our good wishes 
to Miss Rhodes, who has become engaged to the Rev. John White, 
of Newark. ' 
In their very limited free .timeseveral members of Staff have 
given voluntary assistance in connection with the Art Exhibition 
held in Shaftesbury in'November, and contributed in various other 
ways during the year to the cultural life of the town. 
. G. M. Piggott. 

LEAVING GIRLS, 1948-49. 

Autumn Term, 1948. Spring Term, 1949. 
Form VI. P. Morgan. Form L.V.l. P. Wilby. 
Form U.V. H. Bartley, J. Mears, Form L.V.2. J. Edmonds. 

P. 'Varcham. 1', Edmonds. 
Form L.V.l. E. Crofts. . Form L.IV. B. Lloyd. 
Form L.V.2. G. Lane, J.l\Iatson. Form Ill. A. Knowler. 
Summer Term, 1949. , 
Form VI. G. Coombs, :M. Bright, H. Galliver, B. Jones. 
Form U.V. A. Cox, J. Dowland, B. Siros, J. 'Varcham. 
Form L.V.l. R. Snook. ' 
Form L.V.2. B. Chalk. B. Gilbert, M. Jcancs. 
Form L.JV. J. Alford,l\I. Fanner. 
Form Ill. S. Gifford, J. Pearc_e, G. Rasbley. 


Page Four 

,

, 

' .. 


NEW GIRLS, 1949. 

Present Form. Previous School. 

J.,Crook 

E. Humphreys 
D. Holloway .... 
C. Titt :... 
S. Andrews .... 
M. Dlandford 
.J. Bray£ord .... 
D. Chown 
S. Clarkc 
A. P. Caleman 
G. Hopkins 
H. Hunt 
J. Hutley 
R. JODes 
E. KeDd.ll 
M. Kcndall 
,A. Lawrence 
R..Mullins 

H. Pomeroy 
B. Rebbcck 
J. Stainer 
J: Ston.c 
A. Talman 
B. Tomlinson 
N. Tro\ybridge 
R. Tyler 
C.Tuffin 

R. Wh.tley .... 
Z. 'Vhellcr 
S. Woodhcad 
R. \Voodley .... 
B. Woods 
M. 'Vorthington 
L.V.I. 
U.IV. 
L,IV. 
L.IV. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 

Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 
Ill. 

..... 


'Veymouth Grammar School. 
St. Louis Convent, Bury St. Edmunds. 
Shaftcsbury Secon~ary Modern School. 


'Parkstone Grammar School. 
Shaftcsbury C. of E. School. 
Tisbury C. of E. School. 
TU1l.staU, Forster St. Junior Girls • 
Shaftcsbury C. of E. School. 
Shaftcsbury C. of E. School. 
Ebbcsbourne \Vakc C. of E. School. 
Cann Primary School. 
Milton C. of E. School. 
Shaftcsbury C. of E. School. 
Shaftesbury Secondary Modem School. 
Stourton C. of E. School. 
Enmorc Green C. of E. School. 
:Mere Junior School. 
Ludwcll Council School. 
Semlcy C. of E. School. 
St. Lconard's School, :Motcombe; 
Enmqr~ Green C. of E. School. 
FOJ!tmel!.Magna Primary School. 
Cann PrImary School. 
Tollard Royal Primary School. 
Ludwcll Council School. 
Todber C. of E. School. . 
Shaftesbury C. of E. School. 
Broadchalke C. of E. School. 
Alcester St. J ames' School. 
Ashmore Primary School. 
Iwernc :Minster C. of E. School. 
Shaftesbury C. of E. School. 
Cranbome School. 


EXAMINATION RESULTS. 

OXFORD SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAlIIINATION. 
December, 1948.' 
Hazel Bartley. 


OXFORD SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXMIINATION. 

July. 1949. 
Janet Ayers. Jean Nathan. 
l)amela Cherbury. Daphne Pickford. 
Audrcy ~x. Diana Sidford. 
June Dowland. Betty Sims. 
:Mary Gillings. Barbara Smales. 
Margaret Harding. Ann Stainer. 
:L\Iary Lockyer. Mary Stainer." 
Stella Ludlow. Joan \Vareham. 

GENERAL SciENCE ADDED TO ,pREVIOUS CERTIFICATE. 
Hilda Gallivcr. 
Patricia Galliver. 

ENTRANCES TO TRAINING COLLEGES. 
Entrance,to Bath Training CO'lIege, Grace Coombs. 
Entrance to Weymou"th Training College, Diana Stainer. 
Entrance to Salisbury School of Art, Mation Bright. 

B Page Five 


( 

. SCHOOL NOTES. 
At the end of the Christmas term, three very enjoyable parties 
were held for the Lower, Middle and Seniof foims, and the Boarders 
:had their usual festivity enlivened by an enterbunment and.accompanied 
by a wonderful supper. . . 
Form Ill. gave a short nativity play to the School in the last 
week of the Christmas term in the Han, in which was the Christmas 
tree; round which toys were placea for the Gillingham Children's 
Home. . 
We have had several interesting lectures this year including .. 
one on "Natural History in Middle EaSt" by Mr. Cawkell, and " 
a talk and slides by a representative of the .Crookes Labo"!tory. 
. In November, we had' a visit from Mr. Calkin, who spoke 
to the school on "Primitive Man in Dorset." . His talk was well 
illustrated with slides. • 
Miss Johnston gave a most inter~ting talk on " Careers " 
to .the Senior 'girls who had an opportunity to ask questions and 
to arrange private interviews. 
At the beginning of the summer term, we saw a fine exhibition 
of Bibles and heard a lecture about the history of the Bible. 
On October 5th~ Miss Piggott and the Sixth F9rm visited 
Wardour Castle. After admiring the ruins of the old castle, they 
proceeded to the new castle where they were shown over the beautiful 
Roman eatholic chapel by ol!e of the brothers. '. 
On November 19th, Miss 'King gave a display of diffe~ent 
kinds of dancing. Ann Brooks and Zilpha Wheller, wearing kilts, 
illustrated a Highland .Fling; W.~ndy·.~ase and Susan Clar!<e, 
dressed as a, Dutch boy and girl, showed us an elementarY tap-. 
dance, while Miss King herself explained some details of ballet 
steps 'and danced to music by ·Eric' Coates, Bach ;md Brahms. 
Miss Drake accompanied her at the piano. 
At the end of last term, ,a student from Bath Academy of 
Art, Miss Birtles, spent tliree weeks with us, and gave the Lower 
School some most interestirig i(leas on painting. 
The Sixth Form have had a: Swiss visitor, Gladys Rigenbach, 
at some of their lessons this term and have enjoyed her accounts 
of Swiss life. We should like to thank Gladys very much for her 
present to the library. . ,.' . 
We have missed Ann Stainer from school this term. She 
had an attack of infantile p'aralys.is during the summer holidays, .'but she has made a wonderful recovery, We were. very pleased 
to see her among us at Miss 'King's Dancing Display, 
During the year, several fOl"l\'-room~ and the library hilve 
been re-decorated, Form Ill. now have riew chairs and desks of 
an atfractiv'e and comfortable'design, 
The.winners of· the Tidiness Award.for 1948-49 were L.V.1. 
and Lower V.2. 

, Page Six 


Fonn magazines were 'produced last'tenn and Upper IV.1 
won the prize for the best magazine. . 

Last tenn, Arin HUDy,:Sonja Zinkova, and Wendy Case ',vent 
to Bournemouth where they, tOOK part in a 'Dramatic Festival. 
Wendy attained Honours in her division, Sonja, merit. Ann. was 
joined by Ann Brooks on the second day and gained high marks 
for both hel; poems. Ann' Brooks also did well. . 

At the beginning of this tenn, Miss Drake fonned a Music 
Club which meets every Thursday during the dinner-hour. A 
most enjoyable half-hour is sperit in listening to records chosen 
by request. 

BARNES HOUSE REPORT. 
First of all Barnes must be greatly congratulated on gaining 
the posit!on of "Top House" for ,the past year. It is an ,\chievement 
which we have not managed for the past few years, and an 
,honour which we must uphold. 
The 'House is also to be congratulated on winning the Cup 
for work, as well as the Tennis and Hockey Cups, 
This has been a very successful year, and we must not let 
o,ur standards drop. We all extend a hearty welcome to the new 
members, and' hope that they will work hard and achieve honour 
for their Hoilse. 
Goo,d luck to all members for the coming year, both ,in, work 
and sport. ' 
Mary Stainer (House Captain). 

HARDY HOUSE .R!,PORT. 
First of all we should like to welcome all the new members. 
We hope that they ,'yill help us to regain our position as "Top 
House." It is very disappointing that we could not manage to 
hold this position for the third year in succession ; everyone must 
work twice as hard this coming year. 

Members 'must, however, be congratulated on ',vinning the 

Sports Cup, which was a great achievement. 

, In, the last report it was 'hoped that" we should obtain the 

Sports Cup in addition to the House ,Cup. But, unfortunately, 

we gained one, but lost the other, so although we have not realised 

our ambition this year, do let us make an all-out effort to bring 

off a double event this coming year. . 

, If every member of the House gives her whole-hearted 5uppqrt 

in work and games, iUs quite pos!;ible"'io achieve this. . 

,Good luck to all Hardy members for this year. 

. ..' Janet Ayers (House Captain) . 

. Page Seven 


WREN HOUSE REPORT. 

As this is the beginning of anew school yeal;, w~ are pleased 
io welcome all our new members, and hope.that they will help to 
Teverse our position of "Bottom House." , 


Fortu'.'ately, we can record certain successes. We w~re second 
]lOuse in ~port, and Beryl Knapton \"on honour for the house by 
obtaining the Senior Championship and also by being chosen 'for 
the Junior County hockey team at Bournemouth. • 


At the end of the summer term, our former House Captain, 
'Grace Coombs, left us, and we elected her successor. We hope 
that when Grace returns, she will be proud to find that her former 
:house is in a favourable position; so pull up your standards, 
Wren, and good luck for the coming year. 


Daphne Pickford (House Captain). 

GAMES REPORT. 
·Tennis. 
The tennis season was !post enjoyable and most of the matches 
'Were played in brilliant sunshine. 


Many fixtures were arranged including one match against the 
'Old Girls. The team always played with a keen spirit, giving their 
·opponents a good game even if 'they were not victorious. 


Unfortunately, we were not able to play our usual match 
,against the Staff this year. 


There were three permanent new members. of the team this 
.season: J. Purver, D. Pickford and S. Ludlow, while four others, 
.J. Ayers, B. Knapton, R. Hatherley and C. Letchford played in 
.alternate matches. 


Teams: 

1st Couple: J. Purver, M. Staincr (Captain). 
2nd Couple: D. Pickford. S. Ludlow. 
3td Couple: R. Hathcriey. C. Lctchford 

and B. l{napton, J. Ayers. 

Junior: 

.... 
1st Couple: J. Hatherley. C. Letchford. 
2nd Couple: A. Brooks, A. Wilkins. 
3td Couple: J. Rushforth. J. Humphries. 


Tournaments: 

Senior: M. Staincr. J. Purvee (Runner up). ..., 
Intermediate:, C. LctchfC?rd, J. Rl!shforth (Runner up). 
Junior: J. Gcngc,"V. case (Runner up). , 


·Colourswere awarded to the following": Tennis...:...J. Purver; Hockey-S. Ludlow. 

Colours were awarded to the jollowiug :. 1., 
Tennis: J. Purver. 
Hockey: S. Ludlow. 

Double Colours: D. Pickford, B. Knapton, M. Stainer. 

MATCHES. 

Date. Team' 
Result. 

June ,17th. St. Monica's (Away) Lost 48-52 
June 28th. . GiIlingham (Home) Won 63-18 


July 7th. Bland(ord (Home) Won 55-26 
_July' 16th. St. Mary's Convent. Junior .... (Away) Lost 29-34 
July 16th. Old Girl~ (Home) Won 48-38 

.Page Eight 


Hockey. " ' 

As it is so early in the season, few of the hockey matcheS have 
been played. We are very fortunate in having the same team as 
last year with 'the exception of Grace Coombs; and her place has 
been taken by P. Cherbury. The team played very well together, 

, and we are looking forward to a most successful season; , 
We must congratulate B. Knapton, who has been selected 
to'.play in the Junior County 2nd XI. 

Team: 

G.K. J. H.therley R.W. M. Gillings. 
R.B. S. Ludlow. 
and M. Lockycr.
L.B. B. Knapton. 
R.I. R. Hathcrley. 
R.H. P. Chcrbury. C.F. M. Stainer (Capti.n). 
C.H. J. Purver. 
L.l. J. Ayers (Vice). 
·L.H. 
K. Stone. L.W. D. Pickford. 
MATCHES. 


Date. 'Team 
Result. 

Sept. 24th. Sheiborne Ladies Lost 8-0 
Oct. 8th. GilIingbam 'Von 3-2 
Nov. 5th. Lord Digby's Cancelled. 
Nov. 12th. Shaftcsbury Ladies \Van 4-3 
Nov. 19th. Blandford \Van 9-1 
Nov. 19th. Old Girls Won 5-3 

M.'Stainer . 
. Swlmmlng. 


Owing to the shortage of water in Shaftesbury during the. 
summer months the Town Council was una,ble tofi11 the swimming 
bath. This was a great disappointment to the school as we could. 
not include swimming in our time-table this year. 

SPORTS DAY. 

As the weather was so unsettled we were unable to hold the 
sports on Parents' Day as arranged. However, they were run off 
the following day. The cups were presented by the Mayoress, 
Mrs. Hitchings. 

RESULTS. 

Winner. Runner-up. 

\Vormald "House Sports Cup Hardy. Wren 
\Vormald House Match Cup Dames Hardy 
Bouse Hockey Cup Darnes Wren )


Hardy 
Senior Sports Championship .... B. Knapton J. Purver 
Intermediate. Sports Championship J. Matthews M.Guy 
Junior Sports Championship C. Titt A. Hitchings 


DEPORTMENT STARS. 

Spring Term, 1949. 
Summer Term, 1949. 

L.V.I. B. Brachcr 
UP.V. J. N.than 
M. Porter. 
M. Gillings
L.IV. M. Morris 
L.IV. P. Lovell. 
D. Pike 
E. Parsons 
M. Stone 
P. Gatehouse. 
Ill. R. Bartlett 

P. Sidford. 
Page Nine 


SOCIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE REPORT. 

When the toys "'hich had . been collected last ChIjstmas were 

taken to the Children's Home at Gillingham, Miss Barnaby suggested 

that the girls of Shaftesbury High SC)1001 might like to see the 

Home. On February 5th and 12th, 1949, parties of girls went to, 

Gillingham, and enjoyed their visit very much, and especially 

remember the little girl who played,the xylophone. 

During the year collections have b~en made and gifts sent to 

Dr. Barnardo's Home at Gillingham, the Society for the Prevention f!o. 

of Cruelty to Children, the Sunshine Home for Blind Babies, Mis


sions to Seamen, the Jewish Society for Human Servi,ce and the 

Central Council for the Care of Cripples. In all, £9 Ss.. 2d. has been 

collected. -

We are selling seals as usual this Christmas _for the Society 

for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. A large parcel of clothes will 

go to Europe at the end of term from the school, and we are hoping 

to send toys and clothes to Clouds' Home at East Knoyle. 

J, Hatherley. 

THE SCHOOL COUNCIL. 

Reading again what was written in'last year's magazine about 
the inception of our School Council it is gratifying to be able to 
. record that it has " developed" along the lines hoped for in that 

account. 

The Council has by now accumulated some experience in 

dealing with financial matters and Staff representatives have 

formally withdrawn their right to vote on these, as the School 

Levy, which forms the greater part of the School Fund, is paid 

by girls only. (Older girls in the school will appreciate the analogy 

here with the House of Lords in the British Parliament). 

The main business deliberated and settled in Council in the 

course of the past year has been the adoption of a long-term policy 

in saving and expenditure. Acting upon the expressed opinion, 

obtained by referendum" of the whole school, the Council decided 

that tl1e greater part of the School Fund should be left to accumulate 

till sufficient money was available to purchase worthy platform 

furniture for the School Hall. A small fraction of the fund mean


while could be drawn upon for smaller expenses such as buying 

frames for school prints, bouquets for Speech, Day, 'occasional 

entertainments and prizes at Christmas parties. 

" Suggestions fo~ the improvement of different aspects of school 

life" have been increasingly "aired and discussed "and already 

many changes have b!,en effected in consequence. Some form 

representatives have spoken readily, frequently and at considerable 

length, and junior members have made a good beginning in this 

respect. Itis now to be hoped that members who have as yet said 

Page Ten 


little or preserved a wise silence will find that they have something 
positive to contribute to discussions. 
Discussion is free and conducted with a minimum of formality,: ~ 

but a to conduct their own affairs in a businesSlike ;'vay " members· 

need now to try to be more brief, terse and precise in framing their 
resolutions. This requires clear thinking. Long-winded, looseworded 
resolutions are unsatisfactory for many reasons, but it is 
equally unsatisfactory that a member should depend on assistance 
from the Chair when she attempts to make a proposition. This 
is said 'not with any disparaging intentions but in order that' the 
Council may continue to go forward in the future. Prosit t 

Like many other Would-be dignified bodies. in this post-war 
age, our School Council has recently had to· endure a somewhat 
makeshift place of meeting. Members· adapted' themselves very 
well to this misfortune knowing that the best had been done by 
all concerned in the circumsta.nces. But by a big majority it was 
decided that future meetings should be held in the School HaJI, 
since this alone provides adequate space which, with suitable 
background, is the first essential for a dignified setting. 

• G. M. Piggott. 
THE BOARDERS' REPORT. 

Only two boarders have left this year. Gill Rashley left .us 
in June to sail for Australia with her parents, and Charmaine 
Habberley has now become a day-girl. In their place we welcome 
Marion Worthington and Jane Brayford. Ann Brooks flew to 
Ceylon to spend her summer holidays with her parents. ~ 

We now greatly appreciate' the convenience of having a Dining 
Hall attached to the boarding house. 
~liss Maddick very kindly arranged a Christmas party, and 
after supper the seniors impersonated Wilfred Pickles' radio show, 

U 

Have a Go." 

One evening in January eight prefect boarders of the Grammar 
School came and we spent a very enjoyable evening. 
One afternoon we received the long awaited demonstration 
of .. What to do in case of fire." 

Several boarders won their hockey and tennis colours, and 
Beryl Knapton was chosen for the Dorset Junior County 2nd XI. 
hockey team, also she won the Senior championship sports cup. 

Several girls brought us honour at the Bournemouth ~Festival 
with their speech training. 
Daphne Pickford, our head boarder read one of the lessons 

in Church on Empire Youth Sunday. 

As usual we spent an enjoyable day at Stourton. 

Once again we were beaten by the Grammar School in our 

annual cricket match. 
We repeated our former successes in the Carnival by winning 
several prizes. 

, 

Page Eleven 


·Wc have been to the pictures'seyeral times and amongst the 
films seen are .. Great Expectations" and .. The Red Shoes," we 
also ,saw a most amusing play. " See How They Run" acted by the 
Grammar School. ' 

Daphne PickfQrd, Molly Burden. 

MY FIRST YEAR IN THE BOARDING HOUSE. 

. I came to the Boarding House with mixed feelings. I had 
been a day-girl for at least four years before I became a boarder, 
and as there is always a slight wall' of friendly opposition between 
day·girls ard boarders, I felt that it would be a very great change. 

I was brought to .. Sunridg~ ". on the Sunday night, before 
school started ,on the Monday. I thought I should never know 

,.

my way around the endless corridors and staircases. However, I 
soon settled down to the friendly atmosphere which ." Sunridge " 
has created. 

Many events have taken place since I have been a boarder, 
and it seemed very strange in the" Boarders" versus" Day-girls " 
matches to cheer. for the boarders. 

We are allowed to go to the cinema twice a term, and I have 
enjoyed many films with the boarding house. Occasionally nIiss 
Maddick organises Scavenger Hunts,. Treasure Hunts and Beetle 
Drives, and we' have had quite a few since I have been at .. Sun


ridge'." ~ 

Like every. other boarder, I look forward to the last day of 
term. ·AIl our cases are packed days before, and the rising beIl 
goes at 6,30 a.m. because of the people who have to catch .early 
trains. Everyone, having been awake ages before" jumps out of 
bed with great alacrity, and proceeds to strip her bed, folding all 
her blankets 1!P neatly, and laying them o!, her bare mattress. 
Then the sheets and piIIow;cases have to be taken down to the 
cloakroom, ready to be sent to the laundry. 

Our rooms have to 'be .. passed'" before we can go down to 
breakfast. Then comes the terrible waiting period, when we wait 
for our people to coIlect us, or until it is time for us to catch our 

buses. Howev.er, the time eventually goes, and we It report out," 

wish everybody a happy holiday, and end another term. ' 
, ' Wendy Case. Upper IV. 

SPEECH DAY, 1949. 

Our 1949 speech day was one of the most harmonious the 
school haS known. Each speaker stressed the saine point that, 
to quote Miss Scott Baker, the Deputy Di~ector of Education for 
Wiltshire :-. 

.. We must face the future with the help of religion, but religion 
can be Of little help to the child if they do 'lot feel their parents 
believe and practise it." 

After speaking of the Parenfs' Association and of the decision 

Page,Twelve 


of the ,Dorset GountyCouncil Education Committee not to amalgamate 
the, High School and the Grammar School, Miss Drinford, ' ' 
in her report,reviewed the successes Of the girls in the Oxford 
School Certificate Examination \vith special reference to those of 
tne Wiltshire candidates, all of whom passed the Examination, 
three of tlie'." ,vith lIlatriculation. , Six of them were in,·the present 
Sixth Fonn-which was this year uilUsually large. 

After references to the new Dining-hall, to the Boarding House 
and to the many interesting events of the past year, Miss Dunford 
ended her report. ., 


Miss Scott Baker, in a speech of charming friendliness and 
sincerity, after stressing the importance of the one or t\VO yearS 
spent in the Sixth Fonn, said that the great ideal Of education was 
that of learning the art of human relationship. 


Mr;;. Pearson, (Chainnan of the Goyernors) who presided, 
mentioned the fight pU,t up by the Governors and the Parents' 
Association, supported by the MayOI: and the Town Council, against 
the Ministry of Education's proposal to combine the High School 
with the Boys' Grammar School. She then thanked Miss Dunford 
for her courtesy and help t6 the Governors. 


The vote 'Qf thanks was seconded by. Commander' O. C. G. 
LeveSon-Gower, who, with the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. 


T: N: Hitchings, supported the :Chainnan. 
. After the prize-giving, the Choral-speaking Choir, trained by 
Miss Moore, gave three poems and the Choir, trained by Miss 
Drake and conducted by Dr. Johnson, sang,a group of songs. 
PRIZE LIST. 

'Subject Prizes. 

Gift of 

. 
Religious Knowledge Mrs. R. Pearson Jean Nathan 
English Mr. H. J. Hine 'Mary Lockycr 
History .... Mr. J.,D. Chesterfield Dotty Jones 
Geography' Mr. A . .M. SladeD MoUy Burden 
French emdr. O. G.-G. Lcvcson~Gowcr Mary GiIlings 
Science The Mayor .... , Dotty Jones 
Music Mr. G. B. Vaile Ruth HathcrlcyArt The MayoresS Marion Bright 
Speech Training Miss E.~Moore Beryl 'Knapton 

Form' Prizes. 

UpperV. 1\.Jary GilIings 
LowerV.l. MoUy Burden 
LowcrV'.2. Jcan Beacham, Esme Coombs. 
upperlv.1. Deirdre l\IacLean 
Upper IV.2. Davina Davis 
Lower IV. Ruth Burden 
Ill. Patricia Sidford 

SPecial Progress Prizes. 

Gift of 
UppcrV. Mrs. R. Fearson Barbara Smates ~ 
LowerV.l. Mrs. N. H. Nichols Janet Riches 
Upper IV.1. Mrs. H. N. Nicl!ols Mary Gatehouse 


Ill. 

j 

Jean Drew 

Page Thirteen 


Guildhall Sckool·o! Music and Drama Certificates. 

Choral Speaking, Intermediate Grade;, Senior Choir (with merit) 
Speech and Drama, Grade IV. : Stclla Ludlow, Ann' Brooks, Ann 
Huby (with honours). 
Grade Ill. : Jcnnifer Edmonds (with merit), 
Pauline Edmonds (with merit). 


Grade n. : Beryl Knapton, Sonja Zinkova (with 
merit). Sally JcfIrcys (with merit). 
Tcssa. \Vright, Wendy case (with 
honours and Medal Certificate). 
Margaret Stone (with merit). 

Oxford,School Certificate, December, 1948. ~ 
Hazel Bartley. 

Oxford School Certificate, July 1949. 

, Janet Ayers. Pamela Chcrbury. Audrcy Cox, June Dowland, fi[ary GiIlings, 
Margaret Harding, Mary Lockycr, Stella I.:udlow, Jean Nathan, Daphne 
PickCord; Diana Sidford, Betty Sims. Barbara Smales, Ann Stainer, Mary 

~tainer, Joan Wareham." 
Champion House Cup: 'Barnes. 
Head Girl's Award: Grace Coombs. 

PARENTS' DAY. 
Parents' Day was held this year on June 1st. It was rather 
a disappointment to the "parents who had come in the expectation 
of seeing their offspring" bound" to victory in the. annual school 
sports, for it rained heavily" and the races .had ,to' be cancelled. 
They could, however, walk around the school and look at the 
exercise books, which were in each form room. After tea and buns 
in the hall, and music played on the gramophone by Miss Drake, 
those ·parents who" wished, went to the Stalbridge Rut, where they 
were entertained by the· Dramatic Society'S production of .. The 
Merchant of Venice." . 
Ann Ruby. Upper V. 


PLAYS SEEN DURING 1949. 

In the spring te~ the school went to the Savoy Cinema to 
see Mr. Alan Wilkie and his wife act in scenes from .. 11acbeth," 


" Julius Caesar," Antony and Cleopatra," Hamlet," and It The

H 

Rivals." They also recited poetry. 

The Dramatic Society went to Salisbury to sec the Salisbury 
Amateur Dramatic Society perform .. The Merchant of Venice," 
at the end of March. It was interesting to watch their production, 
because at that time we were working hard on the same play. 
We noted the variations between the two productions, and' paid 
special attention to l~iss Moore, our producer, who played the 
part of Nerissa. 


One Wednesday of the autumn term' the Sixth form went to 
the Bournemouth Pavilion to see the Old Vic Company perform 
.. Love's LabOurs Lost." We were interested in the play because 


.page Fourteen 


, . 

it is seldom acted as it'is one of Shakespeare's lesser known .plays. 
The costumes and settings were colourful and spectacular. All 
the characters played their parts with reality, and comic and serious 
characters provided good entertahi.ment'. 

The following Wednesday the Upper V. saw" She StOdps to 
Conquer" at the Pavilion an.d. were delighted by the Old Vic 
Company's' spirited acting. The settings and costumes were 
obviously taken from Rowlandson's paintings and were most 
attractive. Michael Redgrave gave an outstanding performance, 
while Miles lIalleson made an endearingly irascible sqiIire. 

"THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.'! 

The Dramatic Society is growing ambitious, and rightly so. 
On May 31st and June 1st they acted the greater part of .. The 
Merchant of Venice" in the Stalbridge Hut, where Mr. Scalbert 
and boys of the Grammar Scnool and Mr. Farmer and boys of the 
Modern School had done grand work with the stage and the lighting. 

, Comedy was well served by a cheerful young Gobbo (J. Hatherley), 
a vigorous Gratiano (A. Huby) and a lively Nerissa (S. Zinkova), 
while the Prince of Aragon (D. Lee) was suitably" lah-di-dah." 
'All the minor .roles were well filled, including a delightful little 

black page who had nothing to say but smiled abundantly. 

Romance was in.the hands mainly of Bassanio (M. Perry) and 

Lorenzo (H. Brooks). ' 

It would perhaps be unreasonable to say that Bassanio was 
rather girlish! The speech .. In Belmont is a lady richly left" 
\vas'capital, and the final scene over the rings was very well done. 
Lorenzo and J essica made a natural young pair of lovers. Antonio 
was an adequate Merchant, b!lt one felt that he probably foresaw 
a happy ending, and did not really expect to be murdered in open 
court by Shylock's unpleasantly sharp knife. 

For its drama the play depends of course on Portia: and Shylock, 
although they do not confront each other until the great 
Trial scene. Stella: LiIdlow was very good as Portia, and it is interesting 
to remeinlier how different a part she played a year ago 
(Grumio in the :'.Taming.oi the Shrew."), She was a charming 
and gracious lady.; her voice carried well;. sjle showed much of 
the richness of Portia'~ ·charac~~r. Perhaps she gave the iinpression 
of being a little cramped in 'the Trial scene, where, for reasons of 
space, she had to become statuesque, and dominate the court by 
voice alone. Throughout, she and' Nerissa played into each other's 
hands well. . 

Jean Nathan was a remarkably effective' Shylock. To change 
your age, sex and race as she did was a real feat. The make-up 
of course helped; here was a lean, elderly, embittered Jew. But 

Page Fifteen 


the part needs more than externals. This Shylock was a consistent, 
and convincing character; he had drive and urgency, variety of' 
pace, excellent timing, and in the final 'moments the actor almost 
touched tragedy. 

The actors themselves p~obably realised even better than the 
audience how much they' owed to the prod,!cer,Miss E. Moo,e .• 
The" cutting" had been skilfullY'done;, the scenes followed each 
other s,Viftly, and ~he whole· play moved 'forward, witlI a real life 
of its own. Costumes and grouping made it pleasant to watch; 
clearness of speaking made it pleasant to hear. Miss Moore is a 
creative producer -a dozen happy touches freshened the familiar 
lines and situation, and her endless care for detail has set a standard 
of which the School may pe proud. ' 

MUSICAL DIARY FOR 1948-49 • 

•The traditional nine-lesson Carol Service was 'held at the end 
of the Christmas term, 1948. . , 
. The first musical persona:Iity whom we weIco!'led in 1949 was 
1.[r. Parry, a musical adviSer, who came to school on January 21st. 
On March 25th, Dr. Reginald Johnson introduced us to the 
Kantrovich Trio, who gave ris a concert on the piano, 'cello and 
violin. Perhaps the most appreciated item was Chopin's well 
known 'study in C minor (the Revolutionary) which was brilliantly 
played. . " 

We ourselves gave a recorder and vocal concert on March 31st, 
to ,:"ise money for the Magazine fu!,d, and \ve again made mu~ic 
when the Middle School went to the Corn Exchange at Dorchester 
10 compete in the Choral ,Festival. 

There we gained a second and. third place, while next day the 
choir won further honour, when it sang part of Gluc!<'s .. Orpheus," 
and came second, having eigHty markS out of a possible hundred. 
In the evening we joined the other choirs" and sung .. en masse " 
at a public concert. . . 

The Iliggest musical event of the year was in July, when the 
Choir, conducted by Dr. Johlison, gave three .performances o[ 
"Dido and Aeneas " an opera by Purcell. Aeneas and the sailor 
were sung 'by Stella Ludlo\v, Dido byMary Orman, Belinda by 
Ruth Ratherley, the Sorceress and Spirit by Mary Lockyer,. and 
the two witches by Cynthia Letchford and Judy Ratherley. 

In this autumn term, on J::<ovember 9th, some of our girls 
competed in the Instrumental Festival at Dorchester, and there 
won two ,first places, a second and a third. 

On December 7th, a party hopes to go from school to hear 
Brahmn's Requiem and SymphQny in E minor, played by the 
Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra, under Rudolph Schwarz, in 
Salisbury Cathedral. 

lIfary Lockyer. 

Page Sixteen 


DIDO AND AENEAS. 

Inflamed by their triumph in .. Orpheus and Eilrydice" the 
year before, the school this year tackled Purcell's .. Dido and 
Aeneas" towards the end of the summer term. This opera was 
written two hundred and ~ixty years ago to' be performed by Mr. 
Josias Priest's school for girls in Chelsea; and bearing this in mind, 
the modern observer cannot but think it a curious production. 
The passion and brutality and sorrow of the old story are" turned 
to favour and to prettiness." Why Purcell chose such a subject 
for such a purpose must re,main a mystery; and indeed it is equally 
perplexing to wonder why he chose it at all. For as there are 
(in the main) two ~inds of men, so there are two kinds of music; 
the music of reason, and the music of sensibility. Purcell's is the 
music of reason. The pleasure which he gives us is the pleasure of 
harmony, of r:ight order, of arcs of sound built mathematically 
together, and reared on well·locked· foundations. It is the music 
of the spheres; it. is the music of the mathematician. But the 
story of Dido and Aeneas is the least reasonable of stories; its 
sad and stormy pJlSSages 'are not well suited to' Purcell's neathanded 
Muse. The witches are first cousins to the sylphs in the 
.. Rape. of the Lock"; they add nothing to the 'pity and terror 
that should consume us. The Sailors' Chorus· gives the only bit 
of breadth in the whole piece. 

For that is what one misses in ·the music -breadth. The 
School choir and soliosts showed the usual polish of Miss Dr,!-ke's 
careful training; and they did with the whole thing all, or nearly 
all, that could be done. There was a certain monotony of pace, 
and some opportunities of good combined work were lost. But 
on the whole the choir stood up well to their business. Among the 

.principals there was, of course, no singer (if the stature 9f Mary 
Owton in the previous year. lIfary 'Orman, as Dido, sang with 
a pleasing unforced freshness, and plumb in the middle of the note 
-how thankful we should all be for anyone who can do that·! 
Ruth Hatherley, as Belinda, had a difficult part; her voice is a 
slight one, but she sang with great. spirit, particularly the first 
lively aria. Stella Ludlow, as Aeneas, afteroverconiing a tendency 
to breathiness, showed considerable promise. Her singing had 
J1luch more variety in it than that of the others. To convey feeling 
in music is the singer's hardest task; but she managed it again 
and again, in spite .of a voice not fully under control yet. Her 
best moments were perhaps in .. What shall lost Aeneas do? " 
where the .. No, never," was very good indeed. Mary Lockyer, 
as Sorceress and Spirit deserves '. special mention; her voice has 
quality, and from time to time she achieved the fluid" vocal line " 
of the real singer. She sang steadily and without self·consCiousness 
in a rather unrewarding part. The Witches found their music a 
little beyond them. 

Page Seventeen 


Dr. Johnson's cO!1ducting welded the whole thing. together. 
Only the really great conductor can show, as he does, that implacable 
grip of the score. Could he, I wonder, tell us why Purcell 
maintained the constant fondness for the minor key which mars 
his operatic work? ' 

THE SIXTH FORM B1!lLOGICAL EXPEDITION 
TO BRENDON, NORTH DEVON. 


The sun 'vas shining brilliantly on the morning of March 26th, 
when the Sixth Form, having piled their luggage into the two 
cars, "Willie" and "Billy," belonging to Miss Newton and Miss 
Dickson respectively, settled themselves comfortably, three in each 
car, and went merrily down the Gillingham road, cheered lustily ~ 
by the boarders. . I . 

We went through Gillingham and Wincanton and followed' 
the main road to Minehead where, sitting on the sea-wall, we ate 
onr sandwiches. The next step was Porlock where we prepared 
onrselves for the great hill, which, to our relief, "Willie" and 
" Billy" ascended without difficulty. At 4.30 p.m. we arrived 
at Brendon, where a lovely farmhouse tea was waiting for us. 

. Early on Sunday morning· the party set out for' the Doone 
Valley but we were not able to go right up this. The scenery here 
was very striking, and we saw·numerous sheep, Jambs and highland 
cattle. We also collected botanical specimens as we went along. 
On our way back to .Brendon we visited· Oare Church, which is 
very old and dates back to the fourteenth century. -It is in this 
church that, in "Lorna Doone," Lorna and John Ridd were reput~
d to have been married. 

After Sunday I,!nch the party split up, some going to church, 
others going to explore the moors. 

On Monday morning, we settled to work on the moors. We 
made a transect of a small gully on the moor and mapped .the 
positions of the various plants that grew on the sic.Ies. We drew 
diagrams of the different layers of the soil seen in a small section ~ 
of the moor. We collected numerous plants and mosses, and made 
lists stating which occurred most frequently and which were rare. 
As well as this, we.measured the height of trees in the small spinney ", 
near the house. We were mitch refreshed during the morning by ,r 
a cup of tea m'ade i~ a billy can over a camp fire. 

During Monday afternoon, we walked down precipitous slopes 
to a path by the river Lynn. We followed the river. through a 
very deep valley' with steep sloping sides covered with treeS. The 
party was amazed by the beauty of the valley. 

After going through Watersmeet, we arrived· at Lynmouth. 
Some of us had intended walking oack to Brendon by Countisbnry 

, 

Page Eightetn 


Head, but as' the previous walk was more arduous than we had 
expected, due to the boulder-strewn path, we caught a bus back 
to Brendon on the other side of the river. 

We arrived back with terrific appetites and were all ready to 
do justice to the lovelydinnedl\vaiting us. After dinner we gathered 
around a peat fire and talked over our adventures and examined 
the specimens that we had collected. 

On Tuesday morning, the day on which we were returning 
to Shaftesbuiy, silence reigned at the breakfast table in contrast 
to the chatter of the other meals. We left Brendon about eleven 
o'clock, and after leaving Bampton we .went to the Cannington 

" 
National Farm Institute. We went to the dairying department 
and then to the. surprisingly clean pig sties. Then we went to the 
Meteorological Stati~n, where we wer~ especially interested in the 
instrument which recorded the number of hours of sunshine per 
day. In the surrounding fields we saw the different varieties of 
corn crops. On our way back to the Institute ,ve visited the horticultural 
section. . 

After tea at Bridgwater we finally arrived at Shaftesbury. 

B. Jones. 
, 

THE RE-DECORATION OF THE LABORATORY 
BY THE SIX·TH FORM. 

During the last whole week of the summer term, July 18th22nd, 
members of. the Sixth Form took upon themselves the enjoy~ 
able task of re-decorating the Lab. 

Miss Newton and Miss Dickson proved experts on this subject, 
and when the m'\terials were ready we set to .work -attired in 
large overalls and peculiar erections covering our hair. 

The apparatus and equipment was taken upstairs, and we 
began with the job of scrubbing the walls. By dinner time we were 
wondering whether we or the Lab. were being decorated. 

The next day we had to mix the distemper before we could. 
set to work again; This, we found, was harder-than we had anticipated. 
but with renewed energy and high spirits-we managed, to 
'get it to the right consistency. 

We spent the rest of the week varnishing the. stools, distempering 
and painting without serious misnaps, and we were very 
pleaseej with the results. ,. 

,. Although the re-decorating'is far from perfect, we really believe 
we have improved the Lab" and have made it a much more pleasant 
room in which to work. ,. 

PatriciaGalliver. Upper Sixth. 

Page Nineteen 


OUR FIRST DAY AT THE DINING HALL. 
Af the beginning of the second half of the summer term, 1949, 
Our new School Dining Hall was opened. We were all very pleased 
that at last it was ready, as we had had to wait quite a long time 
for the necessary equipment to complete it. 
The day-girls were very glad not to have to trek to the canteen 
on Pine Walk in all weathers, and the boarders were pleased to 
hand over the dining room on the school premises for the use of 
a much needed form room. 
In the mor,!ing, prefects came round to arrange who would 
sit on their tables with them, for we were to be divided up into 
groups, and taken in charge by a prefect. 
When we had filed into the Dining Hall we found everything 
spotlessly clean and fresh. The tables were laid "iith shining 
cutlery, benches had been placed on each side of the tables, and 
there was a chair at one end for the prefect. The Staff occupied 
a table at the end of the hall. 
We were all talking, and the clatter of knives, forks and spoons 
on plates was quite loud when suddenly, at 1.20, there was.a dead 
silence. Then we all laughed, -and resumed our meal. Some of 
us said that it was an angel passing over. 
When everything was cleared away Miss Dunford rang the 
bell and we all stood up for Grace. 
In every form room there was a buzz of conversation as we 
all discussed the first day at. ihe Dining Hall with our friends. 
I know that all of us thought that it was lovely, and we looked 
forward to-all our -other lunches there. I would like to· thank all 
who made it a succesS for us, the cooks for their excellent meal, 
and that angel for blessing it for us. . 
Diana Bowden. Upper IV. 


AN EXPEDITION TO LONGLEAT HOUSE. 
On Friday, July 22nd the whole school went on its first expedition 
together to see Longleat House. We arrived there by 
the middle of the morning, after travelling by coach, and were 
particularly impressed by our first sight of this magnificent building. Jr,. 
Soon we were conducted over Longleat in four 'parties, and 
gazed in wonder at the paintings, the Italian. ceilings, the dress r 
corridor and the orangery. After seeing;,things of suGch g~;at note ~. 

we rose even higher and went on to Heaven's ate. Here, 
however, we Soon came down to earth and ate our lunch. 

After this, we drove on to Sheanvater, where we spent a 
delightful hour. Some paddled, while others were content. to sit 
by the water's edge. When we had had our photo taken, wc 
began the journey home. Arriving. at Shaftesbury, we expressed 
our thanks to the Staff for a lovely day. . 

Mary Lockyer. 

Page Twenty 


L.IV. LISTENS IN. 
On Wednesday mornings the Lowe.r IV. have been listening 
to a General Science Broadcast. During the first half of the ~erm 
we heard about the great discoveries in electricity. During these 
broadcasts we learned about lightning, batteries, dynamos, arc 
lamps, modern lights and X-rays. . 

After half term, more exciting things happened. We were 
taken in an imaginary rocket with an imaginary .pilot and reporter 
to see. the earth from outside. We also went on a visit to the moon 
and were given a very vivid picture of what it would be like on its 
surface. Next the rocket went to the Sun and to some of the 
planets. After this we went out into sp<\ce and were told about 
the outer planets of the Solar System and the comets. 

In the last broadcast in this series we were told how to study 
the stars and to observe the different constellations. That was 
the end of a most interesting series of broadcasts. We hope to 
have many more in the future. 

S. Sheppard and J. Drew. 
THE ARTS' COUNCIL ART EXHIBITION. 
On Friday, November 25th, the seniors of the school went to . 

. an Art Exhibition held by the Arts Club in the' Guildhall. The 
works shown included pictures and photographs by members of 
the branch, as well as reproductions of famous paintings. which 
showed the trend of European painting during five centuries. 

The pictures were attractively displayed and the reproductions . 
were illuminated by strip lighting. 

Water colours painted by local artists aroused interest as the 
landscapes were of Shaftesbury and district. The photographs 
were highly praised and one which was greatly liked was entitled 

H 

Cobwebs." 

In one of the early paintings "St. Francis preaching to the 
Birds," it was noticed that perspective was laCking, but was very 
evident in a later painting" The Avenue," 


A portrait of .Holbein's, a German painter, was displayed. It 
was of George Gisze, who was evidently a notary, as was shown by 
the papers, inkholders and other signs of his profession, and on 
the whole it is a painting of great detail. 


Constable's "The Haywain." was greatly liked. Earlier 
artists made pencil dra'Yings and colour notes, then finished pa!nting 
their natur9 studies in the studio, but Constable changed this, as 
he painted straight from nature, 


Rembrandt's portrait of his son, Titus, "A Boy Reading," 
was much admired because of the expression on the boy's face 
and the subdued colour scheme. 


There were very many reproductions which caused much 
discussion and the seniors felt the exhibition worth seeing. 
Deirdre J. MacLean. 


Page Twe'lty-one 


MY JOURNEY TO CEYLON. 

Never having flown before in my life, I was very excited at 
the thought of the long journey to Ceylon. 

When I had received my passport and other important documents 
I boarded th~ small.Lancastrian aeroplane. with eleven other 
very quiet and excite,d people. 

\ The plane looked even .smaller inside than outside. There 
were thirteen seats (only twelve were occupied when we started) 
each upholstered in blue and white, and small windows conveniently 
placed with blue and white curtains; the sides and carpet were 
also of blue. There were blue rugs in case we were cold. 

When the steward told us "to fasten our .safety belts," ·1 
think most of us were very excited and, per!laps, a little nervous. 
The engines started to roar and make a terrible noise; the ground 
slipped from· beneath us ani! we were off. 

We couldn't see much of London, odn fact, any of the English 
countryside as it was very misty. However, when we .were flying 
over France we could see the land very clearly. 

Our first stop was Malta, where we arrived in time for tea. 
Itwas very hot We were glad to see plenty of sweets and chocolate 
in the shop at the airport. WC'left Malta about five o'clock in the 
afternoon as we only landed there for refueling. 

At ten o'clock we came in sight of the.lightsof Cairo. We 
circled' over 'quite a few times and the :lights looked WOnderful. 
We landed there a little later and had a meal while the plane was 
refueling., We'left there at midnight and went to sleep until.the 
early hours Qf the morning. 

We could not see much of the desert, or in lact, any' of the' 
land until about three o'clock in the afternoon, when ,ve reached 
Karachi. ' We stayed the night at the'B.O.A.C. "rest honse " but 
owing to a bad sand storm, we weren't able t6 see the town. We 
left at five o'clock the 'next morning and slept until about' eight. 
At nine we 'arrived at Bombay, where we had breakfast. After 
that we took off again and at two o'clock on Wednesday, July 
20th we .landed at Colombo airport: All our 'parents and friends 
were there to meet us ,and we were all very happy. 

While I was there I had a marvellous time and went'to many 
places, including a trip to the jungle ·and "up country" where 
the scenery is very beautiful. The highest "hills" are about 
7,000 ft. 

The journey back was much the same, only not as exciting as 
the trip out because our holiday was nearly over. But I am very 
glad I went' as the trip was very exciting and worth while. 

, Ann Brooks. 

Page Twenty-two 

, 
'1 


-,-~ 

( 

READING IN BED. 

Reading in bed is something that we all do at some time or 
another. Bnt what an awful performance it is! I decide at halfpast 
eight that I will go up to bed and have a good read before 
going'to sleep. But o,!ce upstairs I take such an age in the bathroom, 
attempting to sing beHveen mouthfuls of toothbrush and 
paste, that eventually:I am no longer early. I brush my hair and 
then slide into· bed ; fix the bedside lamp just where I want it to 
shine, and attempt to get into a cpmfortable position for reading. 

I commence by sitting Up', thinking how grand this is, but I 
gradually begin to feel numb from the waist upwards and my hands 
can hardly turn over the pages. So I attempt to find another 
position and really begin to think th"t I am settled, cursing all 
the time that I ever decided to read in bed. This time I turn on 
my side -keeping all of 11)e (including the book) under the bedclothe~. 
This is nice and warm, but what a job to. turn over the 
pages -and why even have the light on -for it just doesn't 
shine under the bed-clothes I 

By this time I am getting really desperate, when -"'Don't 
you think it's time you put your light out? .. -comes through 
the door and with a sigh of relief I put out the light, and really 
settle down. ' 

Jariet Ayers. Lower VI. 

UNCLES. 

The best thing to do in the case of Uncles is to avoid being 
one. , Ifyou are of the female species, you can get put of this danger 
quietly and quickly with no ques~ions asked. 

The male is less fortunate. At any age after sixteen he is 
liable to be expected to dangle a squirming mass of white clothes, 
on his rather bony knee and coo at it. Then he must grow a moustache, 
because uncles always have them. 

Most uncles have the sweeping and drooping variety; some 
have the man-about-town arrangement which evades. true description 
but at a pinch can be recognised as a thin, uncertain line 
of down with a ,small running. track down the middle. Others 

, have the tooth-brush kind, which (they hope) makes them look a 
decisive, man-of-action type. ' 
It is commonly said' that moustaches are, grown to hide the 
disappointments of the face" but that is not true. A man grows 
a moustache because he is an uncle and, then, to make the best 
of his misfortune, decorates and trains it according to the character 
he imagines he is. 
Once firmly ,established as an uncle he adheres strictly t9 the 
formula. He greets all his nieCes and nephews with a ticklish kiss 
.-ticklish because of the moustache; asks them what'their career 
is going to be; aiways arriVes with the same neat suit-case; spends 

, 

. 

Page Twe1Jty.three 


hours in the bathroom while the impatient queue of nieces and 
nephews quarrels violently outside the door; and plays trains with 
the nephews, shouting out stations and chuff-chuffing contentedly_ 

When he says good-bye ·he presses a damp coin into an eager 
hand, and trots gaily dff to bore his friends with details about his 
charming relatives. 

You have been warned. 

Mary Gillings. Lower VI. 

ADVICE TO A NEW GIRL. 

Let the New Girl remember that she be a New Girl and hath 
her reput('tion to establish not only with her teachers-but also 
with her fellow students. 

,4

Let her remember also that a good junior treateth her elders 
with due respect. 

Let her attend with care to her first year, study, (IS Facts well 
learned in her first year will help her when the time cometh for 
her to graduate. . 

When the time cometh for her to elect her Form Captain, let 

·1

her consider with care who. is best fitted for this position, and let 
her not elect her much-cherished friend because she wisheth to 
be popular with her. 

Let the New Girl note the qualities required for the position 
of Form Captain. Firstly, courage to perform Duties even when 
they are distasteful, and lightly to risk her popularity; also honesty, 
fairness and t!lC ability to keep her temper and to settle quarrels 
between the members of her form. 

Let the Captain also be able to control her form, as it is for' 
11er to establish its Reputation. ' 

Let the New Girl. allow no fellow-student to bear 'the punishment 
for her \vrong-doing, but if her fellow-student hath done·. 
wrong and the punishment lighteth on her shoulders let her bear 
it in silence and'she will be admired and respected for it. 

Diana Johnson. Lower V.!. 

THE ENGLISH WINTER. 

In theory (according to novels o( the last century, for example) 

the way in which we battle against the English winter, admitted 

to be superlatively severe, sounds comfortable and cosy: tingling 

snowball-fights, ice-skating on hard-frozen lakes, leaping yule-log 

:fires. . 

In practice, perhaps, we do not overcome this severeness quite 

so successfully, or is it just one of the deficiencies of the modern 

day? . 

Mr. Pickwick, with only the red tip of a frost-bitten nose 

showing from out of yards of thi9k muffler, slides .and dashes, 

slips and crasqes manfully about on a not so very hard-frozen lake, 

and takes it all in good part. 

Page Twenty10ur 


The. traditional .Christmas card shows rosy-fa<;.ed children, 
also well wrapped up, pelting each other with snowballs, and, 
strangely enough, appearing ~to enjoy it, while ancient Christmas 
carols.tell of the. Master of. the House giving out pennies and ginger 
wine in a perfectly friendly manner to youthful carol singers. 

Those were the days, we sigh, thinking of Tiny Tim, and the 
not so' tiny turkey his family enjoyed, 'while we furtively secret 
the half-starved chicken bought from a man in a black slouched 
hat (twelye quid do,vn, and no questions asked); while we poke 
the damp log in the grate, smouldering against the grey slate which 
serves today~ as coal; while we watch with sympathy the children . 
scraping up earthy handfuls of sparse snow. 

Yes, the English' Winter is no place for us today, next year 
we'll go to the Riviera. 
Jean Nathan. VI.-

DETERMINATION. 

The oUier day I went to school 
Determined not to break a rule, 
Then when I at my prep. did look 
Tore a page out from my book. 

One rule gone, oh botheration ! 

So much for determination. 

At five to nine someone called, "~Pat, 
Ring the bell, what are you at ? .. 
I left my work: forgot my lllan, 
And down the corridor Ira.. : 


More rules gone; oh botheration I 

So much for determination. 

In form time I was good as gold, 

, Doing all that I was told. 
And when the mistress did come in 
Upon my feet I soon did spring. 
No rules gone. 'Away temptation! 
Come along, determination. 

Through breakwe drank our milk and ate 
And next lesson were rather late, 
Began to get quite low in spirit 

··And feared this would not win me merit. 
More rules gone, oh botheration ! 
So much for determination. 

So it went on through the day'

-. 
Breaking rul.,. that came my way. 
Then at last I homeward went 
All my resolution spent. Anon. 


Page'TwetltY·fifJe 


0, WELCOME DEATH. 
o ! welcome death! when wilt thOu come to me 
Tj1at I may see the glorious heaven' above. 
For in this world no beauties can I see, 
Take me aw~y for here I find no love. 
The worldly things I cherished long ago, 
, And happy thoughts that used to make me glad, 
These have departed like the melting snow, 
Nothing is left save that which makes me sad. 
Judy Hatherley. Lower V.!. 
1 
i 
THE SUN ON THE LANDSCAPE. 
The sun shines on the landscape green, 
And from the corn a golden sheen 
Of glittering light, so cool, is seen 
From the flower·decked hill. 
The sun shines on the gleaming roof, 
As rain glints on a waterproof, 
The sky is glorious aloof, 
As we gaze from the hill. 
, 
A shimmering river glides· below, 
And there the pretty brown-eared doe 
Gazes at the bright hedgermv, ~ 
Or at the lively hill. 
Sally J effreys. Lower IV. 
OUR SAVIOUWS BIRTH. 
The snow was falling on the trees, 
And from Ifeaven a gentle breeze 
Blew o'er tlW grey and lifeless leas 
Then was our Saviour born. 
In a little stable old 
There lay a baby, pink but cold; 
Like a lamb strayed from its fold. 
Thus was our Saviour born. 
An ox and ass were by his bed 
A humble, simple life they led; 
Then the ox in wonder said 
"_ Here is our Saviour born." 


By his gentle m6ther's.side 
There'knelt an angel, there to bide 
To see that nothing was dimied. 
Thus was-our Saviour born. 

There was no room within the Inn, 

Re came to wipe away all sin, 

To bring together kith and kin; 
Thus was our Saviour born. 


Sally Jeffreys. Lower IV. 

LAMENT. 

(After the style of Ben Jonson). 

Sigh, sigh ye willows and ye cypress dreare ; 
Weepe, weepe ye maidens now in sable dighte, 
Bring drooping Rosemary and fragrant Rue 
To deck the grave of Chloe, my delight. 

No more compar'd is Cynthia's silv'ry light 
With Chloe's waxen skin and silken haire, 
Nor holds fair Venus any'rival nm" 
In beauteous Chloe, eVer p"""ing faire. 

The flow'rs which Chloe cherish:d with much care 
Have wilted, wither'd, and wa.,,'d woeful sad;And 
mournful Musk and od'rous Eglantine 
Withhold the sc~nt which made ~he shepherds glad. 

Now in the sylvan shades· the sad birds sigh, 
And mavis moumes a melancholy laye, 
"Now softer song than cuckoo's call of yore 
Echoes the woods among, th~ough doleful daye. 

Sigh, sigh ye herbs, this grief ye cannot heale, . 
Though once ye soften'd hard earth for her tread. 
Droope, droope all nature, weepe, ye plaintive plants, 
For Chloe, my fond, fain delight, is dead. 

Jean Nathan. Lower V~. 

Page Twenty·sevin 


SHAFTESBURY mGli: SCHOOL 

COM~iITTEE" 1948-49. 

Chairman 

Secretary 

Treasurer 

Staff Representatives 

'Parents"Representatives .... 

Representative on the Governing 
Body (elected F~b., 1949) 


PARENTS' ASSOCIATION. 
(Re,elected, 1949-50). 

Miss Dunford. 
Mrs. J ohnson. 
Mr. Ayers. 
Miss,Piggott. 
Miss Newton. 
Miss Woods. 

Mrs. Smales. 
Mrs. Stainer. 

Mr. MacLean. 

The Parents' Asso,ciation has had fo,ut' meetings this year, one 
of which was specially called in July to discuss the ~1inistry of 
Education's plan to to amalgamate the High School and the Grammar 
School. At ~his meeting, Miss Dunford g'lve an account of 
the Goverm:D.~nt'sreasons for' proposillg this scheIJIe. After some 
discussion, the meeting empowered the Committee to write a letter " 
to the Dorset Educ!,tion' COJllmittee stating their reasons for' 
opposing the amalgamation anq proposing alternative ways of 
meeting the need for economy, -

It was interesting to note that the propositions put forward 
were among those used by the Dorset Education Committee in 
their report to the Ministry.. This shows the importance of suc!l 
an organisatioll as Parents' Associations in helping to determine 
the policy of the education of their children, and it is hoped that 
members of the Shaftesbury. Association will realise more and 
mo~e that their interest in and, co-operation wjth the school is a 
necessity, 

At the first meeting in the. spring term, Miss Johnsop, of the 
Ministry of Labour and National Service, talked about careers 
for girls; at the following meeting in May, Mr. Milroy, the Deputy 
Director of Education for Dorset, spoke of the new ·Education 
Act and of how it affected· Dorset. This term, the General Business 
Meeting was.held, followed by a lively discussion on various 'aspects 
of school life. 

The following accounts from parents give a vivid impression 
of these meetings. Similar 'letters and accounts of ideas or events 
connected with education are welcomed for inclusion in the next 
magazine. 

, . We arc glad that. the first account from Mr, and Mrs, Main, 
of Mere" is addressed to the girls as they are always'interested in 
the Association, and like ~o know what happens at meetings. 

Rage Twenty-eight 

,. 

,{; 

... 

I

.., 


" Shaft~bury High School Parents' Associatipn is one year old. 
When your Head invitea us to become members, I wondered, 
what real purpose it might be meant to serve. However, as we 
grow. older we still continue to learn, and every new experience 
adds to knowledge. 
Thus yo~r Parents' Association has helped your fathers and 
mothers to obtain a very real picture of each of you, while at 
school, where,so much of your young lives are spent. 
This knowledge, coupled with our home life together, enables 
us to give continuity to your routine, so that your home and school 
can fit properly together as a whole. ' 
My outstanding impression of the first year of the Association 
is of the enormous enthusiasm your Head and all the Staff have 

for the the collective well-being of the school, and also of the 

arnazing personal interest taken in each one of you as an individual. 

I sense, too, that this personal interest does not go unrequited, 

and that each of you young persons is trying, in return, to give 

the best efforts you have. 

. Secondly, I think that parents have fully appreciated the 
,privilege of being able to form friendships among its members, 
and particularly with all your !'listresses, for this has created a 

common bond to serve the School to the 'best of our ability. 
} li!<e, too, to think tha~ your Head anq.her grand Staff, having 
welcomed us as friends; have learnt to appreciate what parents 
are striving to do for each of you at' home, and that, knowing us 
has made their work somewhat easier to carry out. 
lt has been a satisfying fact that one of the Association's 
members has become a member also of the Board of Governors of 
the school, thus giving direct access to our views on that body. 
Finally, I am sure' that the calling of, preparation for, and 
tidying up after Association Meetings, has meant much hard work, 
and I should like to say very sincerely, 'Thank you' .to all responsible 
for these efforts." 

Next we have a recollection of the first meeting and a review 
6f the,year from our repreSentative on the Governing Body. 

How vividly we rel}1ember that wet and foggy eveni!1g, just 
about a year ago, when our Parents' Association was formed. On 
that first occasion we gathered together in the School.Hall feeling 
rather shy and looking around. for familiar faces as we went in. 
Under the influence of the welcoming smiles of the Head Mistress 
and the Staff our initial shyness was quickly dispelled. 

As we look back we think of the amazingly rapid strides we 
have made in the past year. Now we have made many. new friends, 

Page Twent!-nine 

. 



we feel ours-elv~' bound together in a spirit of comradeship, all of 
us eager to further the interests of the Shaftesbury High School 
for Girls. Under the influence of this inspiring. force, we have 
visions of wider horizons on which appear unlimited possibilities 
of the Parents' Association becoming one of the finest mediums 
for advancing the cultural and social life of our comnfunity. 

Our gratitude goes out to :Miss Dunford, her Staff and the 
girls of the High School for all the good work which they do behind 
the scenes to arrange the smooth running of our meetings. To 
them all we parents extel}d a warm greeting of fellowship and 
affection, and with them side by side, we look forward to reaching 

. greater heights of happiness and content." . 

lIr. ClUck, of Fontmell, speaks for the fathers. In his account 
he points out that :


"The various subjects discussed and the interest taken in 
these discussions serve to prove that the primary object of all 
concerned is to work and think and act along lines which will be 
for the mutual benefit of the School. 

These talks are not without a touch of humo,!r at times; for 
example, there was the father who made such witty remarks about 
the" wearing 0' the hats," which proved the contrary to popular 
opinion amongst the ladies. So," the men do notice things some


times! " 

Then again the friendly atmosphere which i~ engendered by 
the consumption of that fragrant herb buried in the pot and the 
tasty little cakes, which follows the business of the meetings, serves 
to bring the parents together, when otherwise by reasons of living 
so far apart they have no opportunity to ·meet. All this helps to 
achieve-that which has already been described as the muttlal 
welfare of the school. 

Then again there is a touch of humour in the fact that certain 
of the fathers may be observed at the close of the busineSs of the 
meeting, to slip quietly out of the door, fondly imagining that they 
are not noticed, to find a little.place where' Tea and Coffee' are 
not but where there is refreshment a little more to the male palate! 
Yet who shall blame them? For aren't they brave to spend a . 

'bvhdole efvlendi;,g ~';,the company of such a formidable and determined 

oyoales, 

The feelings of many mothers is given by Mrs. Edmondson, 
of Tisbury. 

"My husband and I have attendea all the ordinary meetings 
of the Parents' Association. We enjoy coming very much indeed 
and welcome the opportunity of meeting the staff and other parents. 
The meeting place is cheerful and pleasant and Miss Drake's flower 

. Page Thirty 

• 

__ ~ 

.


.f 
. "l 


arrangement a joy to behold. Cakes and tea served at the last 
meeting in the new dining-hall was a_most enjoyable innovation. 

We.should like to sec moce fathers there but realise that it 
may not be just shyness that keeps them away but the fact that 
they are acting as • sitters-in.' Fathers certainly add liveliness to 
the proceedings.as -they are 'Iess afraid of getting up to speak than 
mothers. We like the informal discussions under Dliss Dunford's 
patient and efficient chairmanship. We foresee countless topics 
of interest to both sides being thoroughly aired -:!nd many more 
parents contributing _as courage grows. At the last meeting it was 
interesting to note-the advance made in this direction even in one 
year. 

We feel that a social evening, for instance, a whist drive, 
would hasten the process of getting to know each other. 
The Association has made an excellent start and well deserves 

to flourish." 

Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Dre,;, of Melbury, express the views of 
many parents in their account . 

.. The first year of our Parents' Association has passed with 
three very successful meetings. -The most inspiring thing being 
that more and more parents come each time, and one wonders if 
the School Hall ,viii hold many more. 

r am sure wc parents went to the first meeting feeling nervous, 
and very much like our girls on their first day at the High School, 
but Miss Dunford soon dispelled our fears in her inaugural address 
and introduction of the staff. We now find it a most enjoyable 
evening, where JUany new acquaintances are made. 

After the business is concluded, and wc gather rourili in-friendly 
groups for ,efreshments, we all appreciate the opportunity of 
talking to the staff about our girls and hearing their comments on 
work and behaviour." . 

Perhaps the parents are not the only nervous people at the 
meetings. The staff' are often as shy and aI;'prehensive of· the 
parents and wonder if they will be able to answer all the questions 
they receive. The form-mistress sometimes has another barrage 
next morning when the girls in her form want to know if she met 
their parents. and fervently hope that .she did not reveal some 
peccadillo (probably long-ago forgotten since we certainly do 
quic!dy forget the occasional lapses). -

However, the staff have found that meeting the parents has 
not only made a great difference to them in understanding their 
daughters, but has also given them many new friends who can 
help very much to make them happy in a 'place probably far from 
their home town. . 

Page Thirty-one. 


" 


OLD GIRLS' SECTION. 

COMMITTEE, 1949-50. 
President Miss Dunford. 
Vice-President Mrs.,Raad. 


Secretary p. Holland. ' 
Treasurer G. Harding.. 
Staff Representative 'Miss Drake. 


Sports Repres~ntative 
M. Gibbs. , 

Committee Members 
Mrs. Carter (nee Mullins) 
Mrs. Crocker (nee Forsey), 
Mrs. ~mverton (nee Hams). 


O.G. 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. • 
July 16th, 1949. 
The Annual General Meeting was held at School on Saturday, 
July 16th, 1949. Only a smill number was present and Mrs. Raad 
was unfortunately again unable to come because of Mr. Raad's 
operation. 

After the business meeting at 3.30, we went over to Sunridge 
to have tea in the new Dining Hall. Then we watched the tennis 
match between the past and present girls, chatting meanwhile. 
The match waS won by the present girls. 

6th O.G.A. ANNUAL DINNER. 
November 19th, 1949. 

This year lhe Committee decided to hold the Dinner at the 
Royal Hotel, and by general agreement the experiment succeeded. 
We were given a warm welcome. and everything was done for our 
comfort. About forty old girls were present. . 

When tne coffee stage was reached, after an excellent dinner, 
the Treasurer, Gertrude Harding and Secretary, Pat Holland, 'gave 
out a few notices, including the result 'of the match played that 
afternoon between the past and present girls. The Old Girls had 
found it impossible to raise a full team and lost by 5 goals to 3, 
We hope that more volunteers will come forward next year. 

Miss Dimford gave a brief account of the crisis through which~ 
the School had passed and hoped that its future was ' now assured. ,J 
Had the Grammar and High Schools been amalgamated she pictured 
the dwindling numbers of the O.G.A. meeting faithfully 
year by year topreseI'Ve the memory of the School that had been 
theirs and which no longer existed, until perhaps in the year 2,000 
the few old ladies left would decide that they were too decrepit 
to carry on any longer and the Association would come to an end. 
Miss Dunford then proposed the toast oUhe O.G.A. and suggested 
that it should be remembered with special warmth because we had 

Page Thirty·two 


come so n""r to losing it. .Gertrude Narding, Shaftesbury'~ Carnival 

Queen, responded to the toast ",nd urged.those pres~nt to encourage 

other O.G's. to join' the Association. • 

Mrs. Raad proposed the toast of the School. She said that 

no girl was' unaffected by her time at school; even hardened sinners 

gained in some way and as members of the O.G.A. we could repay 

a little of what we owe to the School. Some of her happiest mem


ories were coimected with the School and, though it might one day 

move to new buildings, yet the tradition of 200 Years could not be 

taken away, and the spirit of the School would remain the same. 

Miss Drake, as the oldest O,G. present, replied to the toast. She 

referred to the developments she had seen under three Headmis


tresses and mentioned that she played the. piano at Prayers when 

she was a girl at School and that she was doing it still. 

The singing of Auld Lang Syne brought a gay and happy 

evening to an end. 

O:G.A. NEWS. 
Engagements :-
Pauline Brockway to Kenneth Newport. 
Kathleen Gray to Bernard Kerswell. 
Mary Hares to Basil Moger. 
Nita Head to Andrew Hargraves. 
Kathleen Hopkins to H. Yorke. 
Mary King to Colin Murray. 
Margaret Pooley to William Gambling. 
Patricia Talbot to Kenneth Baker. 
Marriages :-
Joan Bird to Donald Long. 
Hazel Clarke to Alan West. 
Patricia Gulliford to Robert Thrift. 
Mary Harris to Cedric Young. 
Vera Harris to Keith Milverton. 
CyIithia Hine to J. Prichett. 
Daphne Martin to Harold Stocker. 
Betty Parham to Mr. Fray. 
Doreen 'parsons to Norman Aubert. 
Murie! Pitman to Ronald Ley. 
~ J oyce Randall to Arthur Meek. 
Audrey Sargent to Robert Reddy. 
Miss Joyce Thomas to Dr. C. Eaborn. 
Births :-


Mrs. Cannan, a son. 

Kathleep. Chinn (nee Hutchings), a daughter. 

Audrey Hookins (nee Cruse), a son, Graham Jeffrey. 

Mary Kamm (nee Godfrey), a son, Damiari Philip. 

Ahna Matthew (nee Hardy), a daughter. 

Page Thirty.three 


,. 


Hazel Bartley (1948) is working.at-the Wincombe Radar Station. 
Jean Blake (1948) is working at the Road Transport and Generai 
Insurance Cqmpany's offices in Bournemouth. 
Marion Bright (1949) is a full-time student at the School of Art 
in Salisbury, She is training to be an Art Mistress.' 

Brenda Carter, is now Assistant Matron at Shute' School for Girls, 
near Axminster.· , 

Grace Cowdry (1948) has begun her training as a Nursery Nurse 

• 
at Clouds at East Knoyle. This home is run by the Church of 
England Children's Society. 
Audrey Cox (1949) is working with ~ir. Hitchings, the chell,1ist, and 
hopes, now' that she has obtained her matriCUlation, to become 
a pharmaCist eventually. ' . 

Edith Crofts (1948) is working in Pearson's stationery shop in 
Shaftesbury. 
June Dowland (1949) is training to be a Dentist's Recepti9nist 
with :Mr. 'Pinnigerin Shaftesbury. 
Jennifer Edmonds (1949) is working· for the Prudential Assurance 
Company, Holborn. 

Pauline Edmonds (1949) is working in the show-room of .. Woolly 
Sanders," Great' Marlborough Street, London. This firm is in 
the wholesale hat trade. 

Gertrude Harding (1939) was chosen as Shaftesbury's Carnival 
Queen this year. . 

Greta Lane (1948) was hoping to join Adrienne Gear. at Heale 
House, but has begun her nUrsing trai,ning at the Odstock 
Hospital instead. 

Jean Matson .(1948) is working at the Rural District Council Offices 
in Shaftesbury. 

Jean Mears (1948) has begun her nursing training at the Westminster 
Hospital, Shaftesbury. _ 

Patricia Morgan (1948) has finished her training at the Salisbury 
Secretarial College and is now working in the office of Goddards' 
Garage in Salisbury. 

Ruby Mullins (1947) has become private secretary tq Mr. R. G. 
Paul, a Bristol s!,rgeon and !ecturer in the Vniversity. 

Margaret Pooley (1945) gained her B.Sc. Degree at the University 
of Bristol last July and is now trainil1g for te~ching. ~t the 
Institute of ~ducation t4ero. 

Pamela Read (1946)· has been accepted at the Royal Free Hospital 
in London and will, begin her general nursing training there 
in April, 1950. • 

-

-



Olive.Shaw who is married to C. B. Moussell and has been living 
at Asinara in Eritrea is returning to England in January next. 
She gave birth to a daughter on October 14th. 

Joy Slade (1948)has started her secretarial training at'st. James' 
College in London. . 
·Betty Sims (1949) is working in the Food Office in Shaftesbury. 
Patricia Talbot (1947) is hoping to take her final Nursing examination 
in February, 1951. Her fiance was a Flight Lieutenant 
~ in the R.A.F. and won the D.F.lIL After a period of service' ~ 
, with the B.O.A.C. he.is now an Estate Agent in Bournemouth. 
Joan Warehain (1949) is working·at the Wincombe Radar Station. 
Mavis Wi1kins (1947) has just returned from a visit to Canada' 
during which she went as far as the Rockies .. 

An Unexpected Visit. 
Madame de Paul de Barchefontaine, of the Chateau de·Riendotte, 
Ardenne, Belgium" called at School on June 23rd, 1949. 
,It was her first visit since she left in ]915. She was then' Margaret 
.Drake. She enjoyed revisiting her old haunts in Grosvenor House, 
and told us about her memories as a boarder here in Miss Dunn's 
day. 

Extracts from Letters. 

Grace Coombs (1949), Bat" Trai1li1lg College. 

The hostel is really marvello~s and I sha~e a r~om with four 
other girls who are very· nice. Each morning we have to catch the. 
bus to Nejvton Park, which is about five .miles away, at 8.30 in 
,the morning. Newton Park. is really more imposing than. I had 
ever imagined, Most of it is of Georgian architectnre but some of 
it go('S back to the .twelfth century~and the stabl~ are also very old. 

• Yesterday we started work in real earnest. We are being sent 
out to schJ>ols in pairs in different villages to do a village survey. 
By that we have to know the history of the schools, churches, etc., 
the communications, drainage, water, geographical factors, industry, 
population and many other. things., Our headquarters are at the 
school and we can wander in and out as we please. Today we have 
really found some, inforniation as Stowey Church goes right back 
to the twelfth'century. ,We also found out that there is a disused 
coal mine, a lime kiln in use and, the' raddling works. 'This afterrioon 
we had an appointment to go round a highly'mechanised farm ~nd 
we were~invited to tea. ~ You can imagine our delight when we 
,were presented .with Devonshire cream and marvellous cakes! 
~ This survey is proving very interesting: the only disadvantage is 
that vie are,supposed to get up at 6.45 a.m. ready"to catch the bus 
Page Thirty·fwe 


at 8 a.m.! Next 'Yeek we have an appointment with the Rt. Hon . 
.Lord Strachey, who holds the parish records and is incidentally 

cousin to the Food Minister. 

(Later letter). Our three weeks in the village for our survey 
has finished and now we arc busy writing up all our essays, etc. 
for .an exhibition next week. Last week we went down a coal mine, 
which was great fun. We went with a class of secondary modern 

'boys, and wnen the guide asked if we wanted to go down to the 

coal.face, the boys of course said," yes." After a while the roads 

became so narrow we had to lie flat on coal shutes and slide down. .11 
'If we had raised our heads we should have knocked them on tlie 

coal above us. You can imagine how black we .were when we 

came out! . 

Hazel Collier (1948). As part of her training in Hotel Managellle>lt 
at the Westminster Teclmical I nsUt1fte, Hazel spent several 
1II0nths at the Lygon Ar1lls at Broadway and now at the 
Mayfair Hotel in London. .

•

I arrived here at the Lygon Arms on January 10th. I was 
then shown'into the manager's office, where r met. the manager, 
Mr. D. J. Barrington, who is a young man of 29. He told me that 
for the first fortnight at le!lSt I should work in the dining-room as 
a dining-room supervisor and would be a member of the official 
staff. On the Friday they were holding a farmers' ball, to which 
over 300 guests would be present, so that day there would be plenty 
to do. I was then put into the 'charge of the second dining-room 
supervisor, Mr. Lennox-Stephen, who is also. a trainee, but has 
been here for a year, so no longer seems like one, and he showed 
me round and. introduced the various people. For dinner that 
evening I just watched proceedings and took as much in as I 
possibly could. It all seemed very strange at first and those first 
few days I hated it here,'it was so lonely and I felt a tritle homesick. 
However, Friday came and we were terribly busy. All 
morriing',ve cut over 700 sandwiches and made over..200 asparag,us 
rolls, did massive bowls of tlowers and fruit, while Stephen set up 
the tables for the buffet in a marquee attached to the large dininghall. 
I went down just before dinner and ·helped·Monica·to put the 
finishing touches to the buffet, and ,,'hat a buffet! It stretched 
from one cnd of the marquee to the other, which' is longer than 
the school hall, and it was covered with the most beautifully 
decorated and delicious food. There were fowls of all kinds, turkey, 
chicken, goo~e, duck, partridge, pheasant, and guinea fowl put on 
tl!e table whole, wonderfully decorated, and there were. two chefs 
behind the buffet to carve. There was also lettuce salad, lobster 
salad, vegetable salads, fruit. salads, sandwiches of every kind 

possible, cakes of every description, sayouries, savoury eggs, crisps, 

asparagus rolls, meringues and, of course, tritle. I.really can't 

.page Thirty-six 


describe what a gorgeous sight it'looked. All the cvening:from 
9 o'clock when the dance began, until 2.15 a.m. when :it elided, I 
~as serving behind the buffet with t)VO waitresses· and t!l~ two 
chefs, aud \ve were kept busy the' wnole time. It w'!S. illovely 
evening and I ·finally got to bed.;,lt 3.0 a.m. Ever singe'then we 
haven't had a slack moment, in faCt this is the busiest ,villter they 
have ever known, i'nd since then I've loved every minu~e.or.li Iiere, 
and I know I shan't want to go back to college. 

" Rosa Darby (1947), Babies Castle, Hawkllltrst, Kent. 

At present I am on night 'duty -it is now about 12.45 a.m., 
and I am enjoying it very much, though it is far too nice to want 
to go to bed in the day. But we have to be in bed by 12.0 noon, 
and I sleep weIl, despite my reluctance to do so. There are three 
of us on together, and, after the 10. p.m. feeding and potting is 
finished, and all the doors and windows securely locked -.we have 
quite a variety of jobs -washing, ironing, mending, shelling peas, 
picking over fruit, apart from cooking our own dinners, etc. It is 
often hard to stay on the alert between 2 and 4 a.m., but the dawn 
breaks soon after 3 a.m. It is a really wonderful feeling when it 
begins to get light, and for me, at any rate, it quite compensates 
for the hours we spend in the eerie darkness. Although 'we get 
some time to ourselves during the night we cannot relax; but are 
always listening, buLby 4 o'clock I feel that I want to dance up 
and down the corridors instead of creeping. . 

The N.N.E.B. which we take has become much stiffer recently, 
and is only going to be held twice a year, which means that instead 
of taking mine in March of next year I shall have to wait until· 
June. Before we take the exam. we go for a three months' course 
at a Barnardo Training College, near Ilford, 'but since the changes 
in the standard of the N.N.E.B. we now have to take an entrance 
exam. to go there. This time 63 took the exam. and there were 
only 18 vacancies, so you can see that the standard now has to be 
quite high. 

jeall Hall (1948), Bat" Tra;II;1Ig College. 

Tomorrow, Saturday, Grace Coombs and I are going out to 
tea in Bath, with some other of my friends and. their CoIlege daughters. 
There wiII be eleven of us altogether; one having. two" daughters"! 
It wiII be their first real view of Bath, for it is not possible 
for any of us now, to get-into the town unless we have free periods, 
for we spend the whole day at Newton Park for lectures. We 
leave the hostel at 8.50 a.m., having lunch and tea out there; 
returning to hostel. after the last lecture, at about 6 p.m. We 
arrive back about 6.30 p.m., with high tea at 6.45 p.m. Formerly 
it was at 7 p.m. This new arrangement does not give very much 

Page Thirty-seven 

• 



tin).e·for~work,however, 'and everyone is'feeling very tired-by the 
en~'of the,da:y.' 


, (i~ier)~i~rf. iefor~ we., go ,down we are having a College 
Carol Service in the village church. We 'have some really lovely 
carols to sing and I am playing the organ. At hostel, too, we are 
p~;>ctisiiig: hard: ~~a:dy for wben wk go .carol-singing "t a Bath 
haspihil: :W~,,,:rf,.ali;o ~aro,I:~i~ging:.rou"nd th~ street;s !t"few eyening~ 
later. We'h"a~ to get permlS;SlOnfrbm the City Pohce '! ' 


On th~foiiowing Saturday we:arehavhig a Ghristmas Party 
for the children of Newton St, Loe"and at present we ,are all busily ;':, 
engaged ~,\king ~ome form ,of.de~o~ation. . . 

c. "~~r~"ps"y'9.u:, raye hej\rd' that ~rin~esS Elizab~th, i,s cOJ;Iling,to ,,~,
open our College oilicilllly on fifarch 2nd. IHs.all ;very'exciting. 
Most of u? are hoping, to have something new to wear for the occa


sio"n' !'" ,:..., ~' ..-.. 

., We nave our OWl)., kihi al).d ,pqttery room at Newton P~rk. I 
t'lke Ilpttery advanced, llnd jt is'rea:JJy fascinating. We had our 
firS~ firhi'g of tlie kill} on 'Friday, and on Monday vie sha:JJ open it 
up to find all our pots, .models and tiles have' changed 'to different 
cqlours. Perhaps we shall also find a few which blew up in the 


process. 

H{lda Galliver (1949), Bath Domestic Science Training GOlfegc.. 

,.,L~m:,settling do\vn 'nfcely,now, and am in a very comfortable 
biliet "just otitside Batj1. The S~!,retary of the <;ollege told ,me, 
tod~y ~h.a.t I'shall be moved to a hostel ei~he.r next term or the· 


ter?1.aft~r. " •. " .' i • " • 

. r J.1i.n~. the work at College very ,interesting, B,esi<ies ~ookery 
al).d•• ,I).~~{I!e:work, 'Ye 'ta,ke English. S~iel,lce, Psychology" Health 
edllX'!tiol).. 'J!:dllcation, ~Heech and 4rt. , Ol! ;Fri!iay IJ1ornings:we go 
out Wschqo\s,:\,sually i,!,p'ah"S.to qbse.~~ the metho~ ,?f tea,chhlg 

and all ~he general. rQutm~. We a~em mfant, and Jumor-schools 
at present, but. ,,:,e work up to scliools with older pupils. . .. 


• ~..: • i_I,. l • ,~, , 
,3'I)~re ~e oft(\n .eiIuca,ti9nal, fiIm~ and,outside.,l~ctur~rs after 

~,~~~~~::~r"'-:J.~-,; ~<-:,:~~::"~'~;,~~:,:" ~.,~ '1'~. >_'-~! !~,',:~. 

.iIf~P! ~~,;$~c!lee, (194f?). '«" ;'f ., ," '.' • 
I am in the Department of Anatomy at BriStol University 


d?i'1g" Cilllcer R.~earcli" .1;l\lpy,o.r~ pas 0n!y J?,~e!\,r~c~ntly sta~ted 
a1)?"p,!U,cl1,of..my t!me, at ,mes,~Jlhs taken, llP , learning 1),0", ,~o use, 
the very latest types otapparatri~ ~ential,~o,r work of thiskiljd. 
Later on, much of my thue will be spent at the hospital, where 
I shall col\~cF, ~~e..~l).cl'r9.\l~'"t?mpu~ dir~ct.fr?m .th~ operiltin,g,


t",ble and start work on them a}rectly, before there IS time for tlie 
sligl1re!>t degeneration"oHhe tisSue! . 



(Later letter). I still enjoy my work·in Bristol. We have at 
last got down to some rea.Uy hard spade work, to decide which, 
aspect of the cancer problem is to be studied. This has taken an 
awfu\1y long time as iUs so very difficult to obtain sufficient tu


mours. 

< 

Being so c1ose"to University life, I wishmoie than anything 
that I had done just a little more work in the Sixth. I realise now 
how worthwhile it would have been. Still, I'm taking advantage 
of working' here and am able to join in lots of the activities. 

/ 

Mary, Owto!, (1948). 
I,am now working in a solicitor's Offi~e. I have been ihere 
three months now. In the beginning I didn't think much of it, but 
my mind has changed. 
I still, of course, go to London every week, and am improving 
slowly. In October there was a "talent discovery night" in 
Southampton and I managed to achieve first prize. ' 

I heard from 'M~ry Hack yesterday, who seeIJ.ls to be liking" 
her new post in Alton. I see Diana Vernon every day; she also 
likes her job. 

Diana Stainer (1948), Weymonth 'Iraining College. 
As you will probably have guessed, I have settled down very 
,happily to Co\1ege life. For the first week or two the weather here 
was glorious,. and we were able to get in quite a lot of swiinming. 
Itwas rea\1y more like being ori holiday, than in Co\1ege. 
During the first five days we were given a series of iritroductory 
talks on the various subjects we might take as main subjectS. The 
two year students could "take two 'main s.ubjects besio!'3 a 
block of general subjects. I am taking history and' needlework. 
At first I regretted taking needlework as the number 'of samplers 
we had to.do in a limited time was quite overwhehning, but I have 
got used to it now"and am quite enjoying myself. 
We start lectures at 9 o'clock and go on until 1 o'clock. In' 
the afternoon' we don't have lectures at a\1, 'but start again at 4.30 

p.m. and go on u'!til 6,,30 p.m; Actua\1y there is,only one day,'a 
week when I' get a really fu\1 day, and that's Tuesday. M9nday 
is my best day, when I have two lectures in the moniing and 
no~hing for the rest of the day. 
I am in one of the larger donui~ries for six girls. Rseemed 
very strange at first, but I am quite used to it now, and' sha\1 
probably find it very quiet at home. 

Alldrey Winskill (1948), University College of Sonthampton. '" 
This is to te\1 you that term h,as successfu\1y begun, ,anq i 

Page Thirty-nine