( County High School for Girls Shaftesbury , MAGAZINE VOL. 25 DECEMBER, 1962 CONTENTS Editorial Magazine Committee StaITNotes Gifts to the School Leaving Girls and New Girls School Officials CALENDAR FOR 1962 SOMB RED LEtTER DAYS First Impressions of a Speech DayParents' Day School Expedition REPoRTS School Council Social Service Games Music Flower Guild Gym. Club Badminton 'Scottish Dancing . S.y.P.C.C; REVIEWS uHansel and Gretcl" Dolmetsch Concert "Twelfth Night" "Richard In" Winter Gardens Concert "The Snow Maiden" "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Upper IV Critics EXPEomONS Post G.C.E. Outings Tennis at Bournemouth VI at POrtOD FORM REpORTS Our Holiday in Norway POElRY PARENTS' AssoCIATION OLD GmLS - ( -', ,.,.~-----------,-----~--- EDITORIAL Recently, when I was-reading a well-known woman's magazine, I suddenly came across a letter from a fourteen-year-old schoolgirl complaining that' since she had started going to a Grammar School " she was unhappier than she had ever been before. . This made me wonder whether anyone at our own school felt like _this. I had always been of the opinion that ours was a very happy and friendlY,school, but it did occur to me that not all might agree. Then articles began to come in to me for the magazine and I saw the many ways, in which people have enjoyed themselves during the past year. For music-lovers there was the opera and all the fun ·and excitement whic!J. it entailed. For the more energetic people there were various sporting functions, giving them opportunity both to jom in themselyes and to watch professionals. Some people, who enjoy helping others, served on the Social Service Committee, one of the many activities of Shaftesbury High School. One of the, words -that the girl used to describe her school-life was "dull". Whatever else one might call it, I am sure life at our School is never dull, perhaps because we are made to think of others beside ourselves. It has impressed me how well the Magazine Committee has worked together and I should like to take this opportunity of thanking them for all the hard work which they have put into their somewhat difficult task. I must ,also thank Miss Woods, the never-tiring strength and stay of the Magazine, without wliom the Magazine would never survive. THE EDITOR. 3 Magazine Committee Editor: JACQUELINE SCAMMELL Sub-Editor: ELIZABETH COLE Form Representatives: BARDARA SKEW GADRlELLE PAGE JANE WOOLLEY TRICIA CROSLEY DIANE DUNSTER STAFF NOTES In February we were very glad to welcome Miss Dunford back to us after her long absence. Miss Williams, who had come from Salisbury to help us, was able to stay until Half-term and we were very grateful for her cheerful "filling-in." Miss Fraser joined the StafT as a full-time P.E. Mistress. in January and she soon showed us that she had a great deal to give us. Two new activities have become popular after school: Scottish dancing and a Gym. club. Mademoiselle Padel had really become one of us by the Summer Term and we had enjoyed her willingness to share in all parts of school life. Her successor, Mademoiselle Faucher, has very quickly settled down with us and we hope that she will be happy in Shafiesbury. We missed Miss Watkins while she was away for her appendix operation but glad that she felt so much better after it. It was nice to have Miss Joscelyn to help us in Miss Watkins' absence. , Mrs. Davison is still doing valuable work as an Executive Member of the A.A.M., and we· are interested to hear of what happens in other schools (when she comes back after a London Committee meeting). Mrs. Davison, Miss Matthews and Miss Maddick went with me to Norway in the Summer holidays (and with twenty girls), ~nd we enjoyed our varied expeditions and the country in general very much. M.E.W. 4 GIFIS TO THE SCHOOL '. I Mrs. Raad: 'Cello, Books for the Library Miss Langton } Teak Garden Seat Ann Milroy Coral Hutchings: Biology Book for the Library Jean Andrews: Money Dr. J ohnson: Set of Music Mr. Harcourt-Brooks: Case for Bass' Recorder LE~~GGIRLS, 1961/62 Autumn Term 1961 L.vI. M. Emery. U.V. A. Read. Spring Term 1962 L. V.B. J. Bachelor. Summer Term 1962 U. VI. H. Brown, D. elifton, C. Head, C. Hutchings, R. Jackson, S. Jordan, L. Kibbey, R. Parsons, S. Perkins, A. Rams~en, G. Ridout, H. Swann. L.vI. J. Andrews. U. V. C. Emery, ·A. GuotOD, S. Harcourt-Brooks, C. Haytof, S. Lloyd, S. Mitchell, J. Priddle, M..RuUer, J. Squires, S. Webb. L.V.B. E. Gentlcs. Ill. J. Mundy, C. Coleman. NEW GIRLS, 1962 Present Form Previous School. Swnmer Term, 1962 L. Bradford L.VI Lyme Regis Grammar School. N. Nadin L.V. Lady Manners, Bakcwcll, Derby J. Speers L.V. Blandford Grammar School. P. Gibson U.IV Briggs Girls' High School, Lincs. ·S. Keyt. L.IV Uttoxeter Granunar School P. Wbatley U.IV Gillingham School J. Williams L.lV Weymouth,Grammar School 5 Autumn rerm, 1962 J. Buchan L.VI St. Mary's Abbey, Mill Hill C. Price U.IV St. Nicholas and St. Georgc's, Tanganyika S. Lofting L.IV Windsor School, B.F.P.O. 20 B. Nadin Shaftesbury Modem School S.Adams Hi' Bowcrchalk Primary School D.A1lum .. Shaftcsbury C.E. Primary A. Anderson .. Emsworth County Primary, Hants R. Ballam .. Milton C.E., Gillingham A. Bickford .. Cann C.E. Primary J. Bohot .. Enmorc Grcen Primary S. Bowes .. West Moors C.E. School J. Brooks Ludwell County Primary School G. Campbell .. Buttocks Heath Primary, Hants R. Clements .. Cann'C.E. Primary G. Combe Devizes County Primary, Salisbury P. Crosley .. La Retraite, Salisbury J. Cortis .. Manston V. A. Primary D.Dart .. Motcombe C. E. Primary M. Davies .. Shaftesbury C.E. Primary J. Donomey .. lwemc Minstcr Primary A. Evans Gillingham Primary J. Farrand Shaftcsbury C.E. Primary S. FentaD .. Aborficld C.E. Primary P. Galo .. Brimpton C.E. School J. Gauld ' .. Toiler Porcorum, Beaminstcr J. Haskett .. Enmoro Green Primary E. Jopson .. Convent of the Sacred Heart, Weymouth ·P. McDcnnott .. Colehill County Primary . P. Soalbert Shaftcsbuiy C.E. Primary P. Soalbert .. Shaftcsbury C.E. Primary S. Stanlcy .. Ludwcll County Primary J. Turner .. Shaftcsbury C.E. Primary S. Young .. Shaston P.N.E.U • SCHOOL OFFICIALS Head Girl: ROSEMARY STURMAN Deputy Head Girl: STELLA DIDDEN Prefects: ELIZABETH ALEXANDER, ELIZABETH COLE, ROSEMARY WAGNER Sub-Prefects: JULIE AUSTIN, LINDA BRADFORD, JENNIFER CARY, ANNE MIDDLEMAS, JUOY MITCHELL, SARAH PICKFORD, JULIA SMITHERS. 6 CALENDAR for 1962 JANUARY Boarders to Bournemouth for Concert. Mr. Evett's Lecture . FEBRUARY Upper IV Expedition to Southampton to see Ballet. MARCH London 0.0. Meeting. . , Lower V Expedition to London. South Kensington Museum and "Richard IlL" . S.C.M. Confereneo at Milton Abbey School. APRIL OPERA-"Hansel and Gretc!." Bournemouth Hard Court Tennis Party in Holidays. MAY R.S.P.C.A. Lecture for Lower School. "Indian Tea"-Fitm and Talk. JUNE PARENTS' DAY. North Dorset Sports. Concert at Bournemouth-Lower IV and U.IV. JULY OLD GIRLS' MEETING. SCHOOL EXPEomON Upper V Expedition to Pool. Potteries. Upper VI Expedition to Studland. Dorset Swimming Gala at Bournemouth. Scottish Dancing Party with Milton Abbey Club. Yardlcy Lecture on "Good Grooming." Political Speake,,' Talks to Sixth Fonn. Lecture on "Civil Defence." Talk on Banking for VI. SWL\f....UNG SPORTS. AUGUST ExPEDmON TO NORWAY. OCTOBER SPEECH DAY. Concert by Carl Dolmetsch and Joseph Saxby. French Play Reading. VI at Clayesmore. NOVEMBER Mr. Prins' Lecture on "The Child in Art." U.IV Expedition to "Twelfth Night." OLD GIRLS' DINNER, 25th Anniversary. 7 SOME RED LETIER DAYS First Impressions of a Speech Day A stream of sunlight feU through the side door, a sharp contrast to the dark cinema with its patterned walls. Already there were parents taking·their places; the murmur of voices could be heard above the click of seats. It was our Speech Day, my first. Speech Day, and we had walked from School through the streets of Shaftesbury to the local cinema. Suddenly the buzz of voices subsided and the School rose as Miss Dunford strode swiftly down the centre Of the cinema, followed by Miss Young, our famous Matron and an Old Girl of the School. When everyone had taken her place and all was quiet, Mrs. Bradford, the Chairman of the Goyernors, made a short speech. This was followed by Miss Dunford's report on the previous year. Some of the items she mentioned were the univer~ities and colleges various girls had gone to, the play production of "Hansel and Gretel" in the Arts Theatre, and numerous other things. Then came the presentation of the prizes and certificates by Miss Lavinia Young. The girls lined up in single file to receive their prizes. Miss Young then gave a very interesting speech. Next the Reverend C. Page gave a warm word of thanks to everybody. Peggyanne McDermot!, Our Form Captain, the Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl gave bouquets to Mrs. Bradford, Miss Dunford and Miss Young. The chairs were taken away from near the stage and the Governors, Miss Young and Miss Dunford moved to seats reserved for them in the stalls. During the chair removal, the door fell off its hinges when it was pushed, but I do not think many people noticed it. Then we' all sat back and listened to the Recorder Society, which played very weU, and after that we had the most wonderful 'singing that I had ever heard from the Choir. The song for Speech Day came next, it was called "Above Him stood the Seraphim." The taller girls were at the back and the smaller at the front. You could hear a whole chorus of voices joining in with the song. Everyone had their eyes on Miss Drake, who was conducting; Dr. Johnson, the County Music' Organiser, accompanied at the piano. After the last notes of the National Anthem had finished we put on hats and coats for the walk back to School. I had enjoyed it a great deal and I now look forward to the next Speech Day when perhaps I too can join in. FORM Ill. 8 Parents' Day, 1962 We were again fortunate this year that it was a fairly warm and sunny day for the Games field can be too blowy for comfort. Miss Fraser organised the Athletics Competitions which form the most important part of the day, with great efficiency and we enjoyed them very much. The energy we expended in watching them made us welcome the next item on the agenda-a good tea at School or at Barton Hill according to Form. After this, there was plenty of time to wander round the school and look at the exhibition of books in the Form-rooms and the Floral Exhibition in the Sixth Form Room. When we had seen thcse, we could vary our interest by admiring the clever scientists in the Laboratory who had much to show us. -- Of course, the main interest of the day was really to talk to all the many parents and friends who had come to see us and in them we are indeed fortunate. REPORTS SCHOOL COUNCIL ACTIVITIES, 1961-62 The Council did not make any major purc~ases during the year, but it was concerned with many matters of use and interest to the School. During the year many useful points were raised and the airing of views between the Staff and girls has been valuable both for the members and the rest of the School. As a result of such -discussion fire-practices were held again after a lapse of several terms, and a drinking fountain is now on _the list of commitments for the financial year. For some time there have been suggestions on Council that colours should be awarded for athletics, swimming and netball. A decision was reached after Miss Fraser's arrival in January, and new colours are awarded for athletics and swimming, but netball colours are not being awarded UI)ti1 play reaches senior standard. The Council made grants during the year for the Middle School Expedition, which they had in the Spring Term instead of a Ghristmas party, and for the School Expedition to Berkeley Castle, Slimbridge and Bath in July. Owing to the work of the Council we now have a menu for School lunches on the Hall Board and we are building up a repertoire of modern hymn tunes for the morning Assembly. I should like to express appreciation for the enthusiasm of the members of Council and the interest of the School throughout the year. 'STELLA M. DIBBEN, Secretary. 9 SOCIAL SERVICE REPORT During the past year the Scliool supported the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, the Mission to Lepers and the St. James's Settlement in Hong Kong. Collections were also made during Christian Aid Week and for the British Honduras Hurricane Appeal. The total of all the collections amounted to over £40. Another collection, . in the form of clothes, was made for refugees in Algeria. Spastic seals were again sold at Christmas and toys were collected for the Dr. Barnardo's Home at Gillingham. I should like to thank the Committee for their work during the year. • • JENNlFER CARY, Secretary . • HOCKEY REPORT, 1961-62 During the Autumn Term we had no permanent Games Mistress, but both Miss Knapton and Mrs. Kirby shared the task of taking the School for hockey and netball. We are most grateful for all the help they gave us. At the beginning of the Spring Term, Miss Fraser joined us. as Games Mistress. We hope that she has enjoyed her first year with us and will also enjoy those to come. A great many of the hockey matches were cancelled' owing to the bad weather but we had a number of pleasing results. There have been regular practices for boJh teams throughout the season and these have improved our hockey tactics. As our stan.-IOO yds. Breast Stroke (15-18) 3rd, M. Skinner-lOO yds. Front Crawl (15-18). 3rd, S. Bartlett. lOO yds. Back Crawl. (13-15). 3rd, J. Stride, lOO yds. Front Crawl (15-18). 1st, Shaftesbury High School Relay Team (under (3). 12 f I : ., \ , MUSIC REPORT ~ Choir This Easter the Choir performed Humperdinck's opera "Hansel and Gretel" in the Arts Theatre. It was produced by Mr. Benson to whom we are extremely grateful for making it such a success. Rosemary Wagner as Hansel and Julia Smithers as Gretel were ideal. Elizabeth Alexander .made an excellent witch. Other soloists were: Jennifer Priddle (Mother); Ann Gunton (Father), Elizabeth Cole (Sandman) and Vanessa .Harrison (Dew Fairy). The rest of the Choir appeared and sang, sometimes as Gingerbread Children and sometimes as Angels. At Speech Day this year the Choir only performed three songs, "On the Plains," "Enchanting Song" (Bartok) and "Tune thy Music to thy Heart," as the Recorder society also contributed to the entertainment. The whole School (with the exception of Form Ill) sang "Above Him stood the Seraphim," by Richard Derving. We were honoured to have Dr. Johnson to accompany us: he composed "Tune thy Music." Rehearsals for the Carol Service have now begun. We really cannot thank Miss Drake enough for all the hard work she puts into music. Recorder Society This is a new society in School which has come to stay after a good beginning nearly a year ago. We meet in the lunch hour on Mondays. New members are welcome; there is no age limit but Miss Drake must be assured of a member's ability to play not only the descant but the tenor and treble recorders. Our most valued possession is a new Dolmetsch bass recorder. This is a magnificent instrument which cost £30 and is,. therefore, treated with great care. The Society performed for the first thue at Speech Day. We played four dances by Taverner, a GaIIiard, and a movement by Dowland. Orchestra We had to say goodbye to Mr. Long in the Summer Term and thank him for his service to us. In his place we welcome Mr. Purcell. . The Orchestra meets as usual on Wednesdays in the dinner hour. We have been concentrating on expanding and iIuproving our repertoire. . The wind section is well represented, but we could do with more strings as the viola is not learnt now. Miss Drake enjoys 13 conducting when there is no willd part, and Mr. Purcell is then able to assist where necessary. JOAN TRusTRuM, Leader. FLOWER GUILD The Flower Guild remains a small society, but what it lacks in quantity it hopes to make up for in quality. During the past year we held an exhibition in the VIth Form room on Parents' Day and arranged the flowers for the tea-table on Speech Day. On both these occasions our arrangements were greatly appreciated by parents and friends of the school. Some of our members accepted an invitation from the Shaftesbury Floral Decoration Group to go with them to the annual area exhibition of the Floral Arrangement Association of South-West England held in Montacute House. All the Flower Guild went to the exhibition of the Shaftesbury Floral Decoration Group in Mrs. Weall's house, which showd how flowers can be arranged 'in the home. Both these displays gave us many new ideas which we hope to put into practice, this year. We did not hold an exhibition last year, but hope to do so soon. We are very grateful to Miss Drake for the encouragement she has given us during the past year and we should also like to thank Rita Parsons for her enthusiasm and work as Secretary. SUSAN PILE, Secretary. - GYM.CLUB Last Spring Term a Gym Club was included in: our .school activities. The Fifth and Sixth Forms were invited to join, _and the meetings -which were held in the SC,hool hall every Monday at 4 p.m. were well attended. We should like to thank Miss Fraser for giving up so much of her valuable time to raising our gymnastic standard. S.M.L. BADMINTON eLUB, 1961-62 With the start of the new School year enthusiasm for badminton increased. The Club flourished until the Spring Term, when the stress of pending examinations accounted for the decline in attendance. Fortunately the Club did not close and it now continues with renewed vigour. We are very grateful to Mrs. Davison for willingly devoting 'so much of her time to the success of the Club. A.M.M. 14 SCOTIISH DANCING Scottish Dancing, one a week, was' started by Miss Fraser last year, It was held on Tuesday afternoons after school. It was very successful and. we had a good turn out of Upper'Sixth, Lower Sixth, Upper Fifth and Lower Fifth girls. Some of the Upper Sixth who had done the dances before helped us in the formations. We learnt the three types of dances: ·the jig, the reel and the Strathspey, and danced examples of each. Some of them were the eightsome reel, one of the most popular dances, "St. Andrews' Cross," "Hamilton House," "Petronella," as well as several different Strathspeys. It was all great fun, and I think everyone enjoyed it. A. SEMMENCE. * * * SHAFrESBURY YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHRISTIAN COUNCIL This' Council was.formed in May 1961 with the aim of drawing the youth of the churches of Shaftesbury into greater understanding and unity. During the past year we have realised the reasons for which we are divided in a series of talks on the different denominations. We have learnt about the traditions and· doctrines of the Anglicans, Congregationalists, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Society of Friends, Roman Catholics and the Plymouth Brethren. Recently we held a conference on winning other people into the Church: for this·is our aim for the coming year. In July, we sent two delegates to the Leicester Conference of Christian Youth. 'We held several socials during the year to which' all youlJg people are invited, whatever their denomination. In spite of the great barriers between us there is already a feeling of unity of purpose within the Council. SUSAN PILE, Secretary. * * THEATRE REVIEW "HANSEL AND GRETEL" The Opera Group's production Of Humperdinck's' fairy opera, "Hailsel and Gretel," was a very successful and a most worthwhile enterprise. The excellent understanding between the conductor, the accompanist(s) and the producer resulted in a flexibility and liveliness seldom found in amateur operatic productions in-or even out of-schools. A well-judged and satisfying balance was struck between the vocal and dramatic possibilities of the score and, the libretto and the capabilities of a young cast. All. too often such a balance is sadly lacking, and youthful inexperience is butchered to make an adult holiday. IS The stage sets-culminating in that splendidly bogus and baroque confection, the Witch's House-were excellent; so, for the most part, were the dresses, whose colours blended pleasingly, especially during the final scenes. The lighting was well contrived, although I felt that the Sandman, the Witch (ah, particularly the Witch!) and even the angelic host itself would have benefited had there been time and opportunity for further experiment with dramatic and subtle effects. The Babes in this Wood were very good indeed. It was a considerable achievement to sustain-as they did-the difficult opening scene. The duet, "Crosspatch Away!", was vigorously attacked and admirably sung. I particularly. enjoyed the dancing lesson, during which Hansel contrived to inhibit Rosemary Wagner's natural gracefulness, while Julia Smithers as Gretel (whose movements were precise but perhaps less spontaneous) taught him to twist. Then, from Gretel's gentle and charmingly sung introduction to the Second Act right through to the dramatic events in and around the Oven, and the subsequent triumph of Virtue, these two players never faltered. They set a high standard in song, speech and mime, and are to be most warmly congratulated. DramatiCally, the crisis of the opera occurs at the oven door. Here the tension 'might, I think, have been greater if the light· had been less. Elizabeth Alexander made so energetically sinister a Witch that she deserved, I thought, an even more macabre setting for her horrid cnd. We should have enjoyed seeing a diabolical glow whenever the oven door was opened Gust as we should probably have shivered with added pleasure had the Witch uttered a despairing shriek as she was hurled to her gingerbread fate). Her "Nibble, nibble, mousekin" had the authentically ominous ring about it, while her spell-binding routine was porrific in the extreme. Her broomstick dance was excellent, but might have been even more convincing if she had seemed to be more obsessed by it. As it was, she seemed to be giving us a music hall turn rather than to be Whipping herself up to undertake ever more dreadful ploys. Nevertheless, hers was a most evil-spirited performance, and what more could one ask of a' Witch? .' The parents have to make the most of limited opportunities. Anne Gunton, in the role of Peter, gave a careful, rather subdued performance. The exacting "besom" song was entertainingly and' robustly sung. She did well, too, in the concluding scene (where, however, more strategic positioning might have offset her natural handicap of not possessing a resonant baritone voice!). The Gertrude of Jennifer Priddle had some confident and forceful moments: she should do her best to check a tendency to recite her lines-a potent destroyer of illusion. The Sandman (Elizabeth C!,le) did not seem completely at 16 ( ~ ease in her stage clothes, but she moved well and was pleasantly relaxed in singing her rather difficult lullaby. Vanessa Harrison made a dynamic Dew Fairy. A good make-up and a phenomenal bluebell. Her brief appearance was perhaps a shade too hurried for (our) comfort, but she moved gracefully on her course. The anonymous band of Angels made an impressive and a distinctive contribution. Their ballet was carried' through with a stately and rhythmic assurance that betokened admirable training and much practice. The Gingerbread Children were, excellent. On their release from the Witch's spells, they turned out to be an exceptionally colourful and charining lot. Their "We thank tl\ee all our life" was appropriat~ly heartfelt, moving to a fine clim~x at the entry of the Parents. . The inspiration and the skills of those who for long have been so Closely associated with the School's musical and dramatic work were, of course, the foundation on which this delightful production was built. We are very grateful indeed to all who contributed-on either side of the curtain-to the success of the four performances: particularly to Mr. Barrington Benson, the Producer; to Miss Kathleen Drake, the' Conductor; and to Dr. Reginald Johnson, who besides acting as our Musical'Director shared with Mr. Ronald Smith the exacting work of accompanist. Finally, we are greatly indebted to the Shaftesbury and District Arts Club for the use of the Oldmarket Playhouse, and for the specialised and indefatigable help given to us by so many of its members, before, during and after each performance. S.R.W. THE DOLMETSCH CONCERT On Friday, October 19th, we were privileged to have a visit from Carl Dolmetsch and· Joseph Saxby, both internationally known musicians. The Recorder Society enjoyed playing to Dr. Dolmetsch and we were encouraged by his praise and mild criticism. We finished our playing with a Dowland Galliard, conducted by Carl D6lmetsch himself, and then spent a few minutes in informal conversation with the two renowned visitors. The concert, at which the whole School was present, took place in the afternOOn. Before it began we had time to survey the large collection of stringed and wind instruments, including a portable harpsicord played by Mr. Saxby. Then Dr. Dolmetsch, Mr. Saxby and Dr. Johnson entered and the concert started with an introduction to Dr. Dolmetsch by Dr. Johnson, a friend of the School and known to all. Arnold Dolmetsch, he said, had revived the recoroer as a popular instrument and had selceted some of the best music, mostly from the Elizabethan period. 17 Dr. Dolmetsch then played music from varying centuries and of different types and metres on all'five recorders-soprano, descant, treble, tenor and bass. We also enjoyed ,a recorder trio, Dr. Dolmetsch playing a descant, ,Mr. Saxby a treble a,!d Dr. Johnson a tenor. Dr., Dolmetsch then amazed us by playing numerous, instruments including it viol, a rebec, a tabor (which a Third Form girl was invited to play to accompany Dr. Dolmetsch) and a tambourain. Between his various solos we heard a duet on the· harpsicord played by Joseph $axby and Dr. Johnson, and a beautiful twentieth century solo by Mr. Saxby. We were sorry when the concert came to an' end, but were glad when Dr. Johnson reminded us that it was in Shaftesbury High School fifteen years ago that he had first met Dr. DolmctSch, and under Miss Drake's initiative Shaftesbury High School became the first school in Dorset to teach the recorder in ,a lesson, thus inspiring Dr. Johnson himself-to encourage recorder playing in schools. The concert certainly taught all aspiring recorder players that they have only just started on their journey to perfection, and are unlikely ever to attain such a: standard. However, I am sure they will agree with me that it was a most worthwhile and enjoyable afternoon. . H.J. L. VI. "TWELFTH NIGHT" The afternoon of November 7th found the U.lV in the care of Mrs. Hosford and Mademoiselle Faucher, clambering into a coach bound for Sturminster Newton to see "Twelfth Night." We arrived after a very pleasant journey and we were shown into the Hall. The play was acted excellently by the Osiris players. The comedy scenes were very good with Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Sir Toby Belch joking and playing pranks against the unfortunate Malvolio. Everyone noticed the clear diction of the actresses which made the play all the more enjoyable. Such opportunities as this 'visit gave us, encourage us to appreciate the plaYS of Shakespeare more. M. COLE. U'/V. "RICHARD ill" Richard Ill, played by Paul Daneman, was a pleasure to watch. Paul Daneman got over Richard's character extremely well, and not once did he forget he was meant to be a hunchback and a cripple always restricting his movements; he also limped very realistically. The cunning and contemptuousness in Richard's nature was put over forcefully, especially the scenes where Richard' 18 shows his contempt for people weaker than himself; in soliloquy scenes, of c.ourse, as Richard is too clever to show his dislike of people to their faces, only behind their backs. Joseph O'Connor, who played Buckingham, played his part in a forthright manner, perhaps too much, but he did manage to convey to me the greediness and ruthlessness embedded in his nature, for power. I think one of his main faults was that he fl()unced too much around the stage. Queen Margaret, played by Patricia Jessel, I thought was the best of the three women. She spat out her curses with venom without losing her dignity and didn't get too carried away. She managed, as indeed did all three women, to move across the stage as ladies of that century would have done, always picking up her gowns correctly and turning; which I think is very hard with the long flowing trains gracefully and quickly. The children in the play were wonderful to watch, especiallY the younger of the two princes, who brought out the cheekiness and sparkling, bubbling over with fun, personality that I'm convincedShakespeare intended the young prince to have. The scenery and costumes in general were good, although I did feel that a little more scenery would have been appreciated. SHEILA STRIDE. U. V. * A VISIT TO THE WINTER GARDENS One morning in prayers, Miss Dunford announced that the Dorset County Council had offered every 'secondary school in Dorset 60 seats for a Children's Concert in Bournemouth on the 22itd June, 1962. Lower IV and Upper IV were to represent the School. The 'bus collected us a few minutes late and we therefore arrived at. the Winter Gardens a few minutes after the scheduled ti=. ' . We entered the hall very unobtrusively and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted· by James Loughran, deputy to Silvestri, began with the first item, "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba.:' . The concert continued for an hour or so, and many people deligh,ied in using the opera glasses. . All too soon we found ourselves on the 'bus on our way back to Shaftesbury, where we arrived just in time for the second lunch and 'an ordinary afternoon of work. L. JORDAN. V.IV. 19 l I , . , VISITS TO PLAYS AND BALLET "THE SNOW MAIDEN" . London's Festival Ballet performed at Bournemouth during the week 19th to 24th March, 1962. The matinee performance on Saturday was "The Snow Maiden." The Snow Maiden lived in the forest with her father, Jack Frost. One day a young man and a maiden from the nearby village were walking in the woods together. When the Snow Maiden saw the .young man she fell in love with him. She begged her father Jo be allowed to go to the village, but he warned her against this. However, she persuaded him to let her go. When she got to the village she joined in the revels and the young man fell in love with her. The village maiden became very jealous and appealed to the King to take her part and command the young man to marry her. When the Snow Maiden and the young man' came ·to his court, however, she so charmed the King with her beauty and grace that he agreed that slie should marry the young man. Unheedful of her father's warning to siay in the forest, she returned· to the village with the young man. For a little time they were' very happy, but as the sun rose the beautiful young Snow Maiden, being made of snow, melted away in her lover's arms, , This ballet had great scope for mime, with its scenes of sadness and joy. There was a great contrast between the graceful dancing of the Snow Maiden and' the exuberant and lusty dancing of the village folk. All this was inspired by Tchaikovski's exciting music. Although there was a lot of difference between the dancing ~f the '. Snow Maiden and the village folk they were both surprisingly light and a delight to watch. The story of the Snow Maiden was made exceedingly clear by the miming so that one can sit back and really enjoy it. . I think it really was worth seeing. SALLIE PILE. U.IV . "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" On a bright, sunny afternoon during Summer examinations all the Form set off on an expedition to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Wardour Castle. After a short, bumpy coach ride. we arrived at the lovely pld castle'set back in beautiful surroundings. Flocks of schoolchildren ascended. the slope to the castle. The stage was in the immediate grounds in front of an enchanting grotto among the old, stately trees. Beside this fairy cave there were steep banks covered with many colourful plants. • 20 There were many aesthetic old-fashioned costumes Worn by the actors. The play itself was superbly acted and was enjoyed even more as. the actors and actresses spoke in a, "witty way." For the fairy scenes, eerie music floated out of the grotto and boughs were placed on the stage. The fairies tripped lightly down the paths of the banks from the woods to the stage, in their ragged net costumes; it was very effective. The palace scenes were regal, ' and in the last scene we were all delighted with the quaint red chairs and cushions which made it very grand. Our last thrill was when the coach left as soon as the performance was over and we saw all the pe,rformers leave hurriedly over a stone wall. As they waved to us we eagerly waved back to them. . We all arrived back feeling tired, 'yet contented expedition to see "A Midsummer ,Night's Dream." DEBORAH WILLlAMS.' with our JENNIFER DEACON. L.lV. • • • U.IV CRITICS RECORDS Nowadays the majority of records bought by young people are "Pop" records, alt,hough many classical ones are also bought. I find that listening to different kinds of records puts me in a different frame of mind. When I listen to "Pop" music I feel light-hearted, no-care-in-the-wor)d and full of zest; but when J hear classical music I feel serious-minded and studious. If you have a headache it is much nicer to listen to refreshing classical music than rowdy "Pop" music that could make your headache worse than ever. But if you are having a party "Pop" music would be more appropriate to make it go with a swing. So it is really a good idea,to take an interest in classical records as well as "Pop." SUZANNE ,MUNDY. "THE SILVER SWORD" This book is suitable for people of all ages, and although I have read it at least twenty times I am quite SUre I'll read it another twenty. The story is about a Polish family w!lo get split up during the war, and how they make their various ways to Switzerland to become a family once more. Did I say family? Well, a family-plus because on the way the children adopt Jan who plays an important part in their journey. 21 i -i ~:1 OIl-their travels the children have many exciting adventures. There's the time Jan makes friends with a chimpanzee, the time Edek gets lost, the time Jan decides to rob the train, the time they nearly get .caught by the Burgomaster, the time the "silver sword" gets lost, and, finally, the terrific storm· when they have so nearly reached their destination. During all this Ruth, the eldest, manages to keep calm and keep the children under control. This is often difficult as Jan is highly excitable; Edek, her-brother, is never in very good health; Bronia, the-youngest, is quickly tired and often -discouraged. And the Silver Sword, how does that conie into it? Well, that is all the children have to remind them of their parents and it is this -that makes them keep together, fight for each other, and eventually find their parents. The author describes 'the events, the seenery, the children and all they come into contact with, so vividly that by the end of the book one feels as if onc has lived with the children all' through their adventures. ' . This, ·as I have said before, is a wonderful book and I advise all who are able to read it. CAROLINE PRICE. "THE GUNS OF NAV ARONE" This film is a iictitious story about six men who are sent to a group of islands in the Eastern Mediterranean in the p.ossession of the Nazis during the last war. The island to which they are sent is called Navarone. The two guns on the island were so well protected that even full-scale air attacks did not harm these guns. These six men are chosen for the job of blowing up the guns and are given ~ne week in which to do it. They succeed in this mission, but not without loss of life. Among the actors were David Niven, A!1tony Quayle, Gregory Peck, ·Anthony Quinn and James Robertson Justice who had -a small part in the beginning. One of the two actresses was Gia Scala. Some of the film sequences were excellent, the most spectacular being when the guns and the fort are blown up. There arc other good sequences, particularly when the si» men are climbing the' steep, smooth, slippery and wet cliff to set foot on the island. There are some humorous sequences where the Nazis are outwitted by the Greek Resistance on the island. Of the six men who are sent to the island of Navarone, one is seriously injured and is captured, --' I see white opacity of river-mist, invisible- I feel peace of cool night air, invigorating- Twelve clear chimes of church clock counting cross house, river, field Behind Satan's bitter day, ahead God's quiet night ... And I discard dark glasses till tomorrow's scorch and soak my eyes in night's sweet softness. R. WAGNER. U.Vr. St. Paul's Cathedral (On climbing up.the Dome) Steps, stone steps ... H:ollowed in the middle by feet Long since dust in the box in the peat. Walls, stone walls ... Grey Tram contact with unseen grime Of clergymen's clothes and passing time. Up and round ... Passing closer, ever closer , ,Stone walls threaten claustrophobia. 39 Round and round ... Up the spiral of countless stairs The walls are watching you unawares, And whisper Into the silence tales of men, Bishops, priests and Christopher Wren, Who, perhaps Climbed these very steps with tiring breath To see once more before his death His love-child, • His gift to God, and from the dome The view of London town, its home. Walls, stone walls ... Here a heathen has scratched his mark Despite the warning of the God-fearing clerk. Up and round ... Through the darkness, the whispering walls Deny the splendour of lower halls. Steps, ston~ steps ... Hollowed in the middle by feet Long since dust in the box in the peat. •.. R. WAGNER. U.v!. The Picture Out of this world; Homer, perhaps, When Charybdis, whirling Caught up her prey. No i-black and grey clouds Are vanished from sight; Not here pounding waves Beat tattoos 'on the sand, Not in this bay. A seagull circling Lazy, contented, over Rock-pools; rivulets Gently lapping rocks; And the shelter on the Cliff-top placidly basks in the Evening sun. J. MITCHELL.' UY!. 40 Night Slowly, silently the night draws .near, Wrapping the earth in a dark velvet blanket; The sheep wander lazily down from the hill, The long"grass quivers, all IS hushed, then still. The bustling town finds peace at last, The shimmering moon steals through the sky. While in the heart of the sleepy country, The lamb nestles close to its mother. The whispering breezes sigh for the night, And soon all around a deep sleep reigns, The once chattering brook, and melodious birds, Are asleep for the.night! The old have found peace, the young have found rest, But soon the dawn will creep over the hill, The sun will flicker, rise and then shine, And night will be shattered again! ELIZABETH COLE. L. VI . Love's Simplicity If Christmas were but a crib, A candle, a carol or two, lt would be complete. No Christmas cards By Gordon Fraser, No turkey, teasing mistletoe •••• JUSt a candle and a crib At Christmas. E. SELIGMAN. L,VI, 41 Alliteration Moving, mumbling, mixing, m\!ddling That, I think though anything, could be threads in a loom. And when the wind whisks and whirls the "leaves from trees or sails from ships then there come. disorder and daShing· which you can't stop, like thc' thick threads. Noise of nails and scraping scalpels, harsh and sJ!aking metallic waves Jostling and jerking like pattering people. Moving, mumbling, mixing, muddling Until'the weaver leads us limply to the loom. JOAN TRUSTRUM. L. VI • Hodie ChristusNatus Est In the coldJrosty air, on a Bethlehem hillside Beneath a blanket of twinkling stars, a group , Of sh~pherds, watching through the darkness, The blurred white forms of their'sheep. Suddenly a dazzling light, a heavenly choir, A shining form, a message of glad tidings "Christ is born!" Nearby, in the damp mustiness of an old stable, A mother and new-born"child; an ox and ass Who gaze upon the infant ring in silent wonder. " The stable door creaks open. "And on the threshold The shepherds, hesitant and timid, The mother lifts her head, And gives them: one sweet smile, so that falling to their knees " T,hey worship and adore. Across the sandy desert, three magi, journeying Out of the East, following a single shining star They bring rich gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh; Gift§ fit for a king, Slowly they toil on towards The tiny" sleeping town of Bethlehem, so they too May pay homage to this Child, this infant ruler Who now lies sleeping"in a mangerful of hay- Christ the King! JACKIE SCAMMELL, L, VI. 42 ;, Reflection " I am tired of my work, and so I look up And gaze at the view from the window: The stark, grey road, along which They compete in the race of life today; The houses, \vhich conceal the. lives of the folk Who live inside. The flowers in the gardens, the bushes and shrubs, All take me further away. Away to the distant fields, and the farms Which nestle close to-their Mother EarthStill further away 'til the landscape ends .And the blue sky begins. The.distance is veiled in soft, grey mist And, as I continue my gaze; A curtain is opened, and I can see A different picture beforG me.. The window pane, the only part Of this picture that I can touch, Has changed. It is my life, at present; now In front of me roars the river of life, Crossing my path. The telegraph pole, alert and straight, Marks a definite point in the future. " ' The houses show short stopping places Discernible,-and yet not completely; Their windows guard the details Of those future times Which ,are yet unknown to me. The fences and hedges are barriers _ To be overcome, or trials to endure. The mist has descended over the distant fields, I cannot see further. The rest of my life lies hidden before me, Troubles, hazards, joys; I know not Which of these I shall meet. But, at the edge of tliat shroud of mist That envelopes my life, Lies the golden sun, shedding its beams On the world, giving light and strength, Showing us men a glimpse of the ,glory Of that life, that we cannot imagine. SUSAN PILE. L,VI. 43 Subscriber Trunk Dialling The Group Routing And Charging Equipment called Grace, , In the apparatus room, has her place, She routes the calls, and charges them too; It's really marvellous the work she' can do. Supplied with 3d. bits you must be, When wishing tp use the new S.T.D. It's quicker, it's cheaper, to control your own call, Instead of operators handling it all. On local calls, time did not matter, But you now only have three minutes to natter. You thim hear'the pay tone, pip, pip, pip, To carry on it's another 3d. bit. One shilling per minute from a private line, Was the charge to London during daytime. Twelve seconds for 2d., and that is all, But you're saving 2d. per minute, per call. The demonstration I saw was helpful to me, If you saw it, too, I expect you'll agree. Subscriber Trunk Dialling is here to stay, So save up your 3d. and dial away. G.MULLINS. L.V . Letters . We're 'big, we're small, We come falling to the floor. All have met us; Of course, we're letters! .' We're thin, we're fat, Landing on the !Uat. All have met us; Of course, we're letters! We are all shades From'white to·jade. All have met us; Of course, we're letters! MAUREEN WEBB. U.lV. 44 . . .' Shaftesbury Museum A letter, a lock of Queen Victoria's hair, An old wax doll, whose face was once so fair, White cotton buttons sewn on cards, And wide white lace made in yards. One corner holds a small, black case With mysterious bottles and yellow paste. Two lovely, opened Victorian parasols, Which were once done up in nice, neat rolls. Fans and fan boxes elaborately made, And pairs of boots gradually fade .. In a large, upright, wooden case Is an embroidered smock and pattens unlaced. A crook, looking rather shabby with age, I wonder: "What was ifs owner's wage?" Pipes of clay in leather cases, Some with stern, but happy faces. An old, dried cat in a picture frame, The poor, old thing had no name. There's a Roman coffin, a mediaeval treasure, And maps and plans, all made to measure. All these things and many more May be found behind ihe museum door. P. MATIHEW. U.lV . Autumn Leaves Now that it's autumn, the leaves are turning brown, Soon they will be whirling on their way down, Chestnut trees turn quickly, but willow trees are slow, I'm glad that the pine needles don't have to go. 'When the wind howls and the clouds scud along The leaves rustle sleepily as if to say, "Not long; Soon we'll flutter down and lie on the ground, The children love to play with us and kick us all around". Last night 'twas very cold; I heard the owls hoot loud, And when I woke this morning-what a lovely crowd Of leaves in'the gutter, leaves in the square, Dancing down from ·tree-tpps and whirling everywhere. L. MERCER. L.IV. 4S The Weather The blazing fire, the darker nights, The winter's drawing near, The sun has gone, no more to shine On a day so bright and clear. On a day so bright and clear, When we could play so gay, Within the fields, or at the sea, Or in amongst the hay. Or in amongst the hay, When all the mowing's done; But no, no more can we" do this, _ Now all the fun is gone. Now all the fun is gone The sun no. longer shines, Instead we have the rain and snow, To make us mope and whine. To make us mope and whine, For there is nO\lght to do, Save stay indoors to paint and read, And list,," to the radio. And listen to the radio, . Until' the sun once more Comes to shine wi!h spring again, Alld we can play outdoor. J. A: LBWIS. L.lV. Seen from Shaftesbury Above the grey roofs, Silver with rain, The sound of the church bells Echoes again. . The spires of the churches Rise high . Against a large back cloth Of darkening sky. Withering beeches Their golden leaves shed, And lofty, grey poplars Stand high overhead. 46 Stretching below, For miles and more, We gaze at an ocean From shore to shore; Small thatched cottages, Fields and farms, B)lstling rivers with silvery arms; Willows that drop to the water's edge, Plains only broken by gate and hedge;All can be seen From the hilltop town; . Across the wide valleys, Down and dowl1. T. CROSLEY. Form 111. * • * Ballet Lessons Tripping lightly to and fro, Stretching knee and pointing toe, To ballet lessons, here we go; Every Saturday morning. First we jump and then we skip, Then across the room we trip, Happy smiles on every lip; Every Saturday morning. Ballet lessons are such fun, I am sad when they are done, How I long for them to come: Every Saturday morning. PATRICIA J. SCALBERT. Ill. 47 PARENTS' ASSOCIATION -SECTION Committee, 1962 Chairman Miss Dunford Secretary Mrs. Pile Treasurer Mr. Head Staff Representatives Mrs. Davison , Miss Watkins Parents' Representatives Mrs. Scalbert Mrs. Jordan Miss Ebbs-Canavan Mr. Pickford Mrs. Ball Representatil'e on the Governing Body Mr. Page The Annual General Meeting of the Parents' Association was held last year on Friday, December 1st. About 85 parents were present,' and Miss Woods took the Chair in Miss Dunford's absence. Wc had all been very sorry to hear of Miss Dunford's distressing attack of shingles, but we were glad to hear that she was now recoverin'g. Apart from the usual business of electing officers for 1962, we had an .opportunity to see and discuss the proposed new School summer dress for our girls. . Instead of the usual Spring meeting, members of the Parents' Association were invited to attend a Careers Convention at the Shaftesbury Modern School, arranged by Miss Beeby, the Youth Employment Officer. This took place on March 30th. There was a Careers Exhibition in the School Hall during the afternoon and a series of Careers Talks were giv.en in the evening. Parents took particular interest in the talks on careers in Teaching, Nursing, Domestic Science, and the Services. . 'On Wednesday, May 23rd, the visit to the Salisbury College' of Further Education, which had been suggested last year, took place. Parents travelled by' car and by coach, and met at 7 p.m. at the Churchfield Building of the College. They were welcomed by the Principal, Mr. Trustram, who .gave a short talk on the courses prc,lVided by the College. ' The Heads of the Secretarial, Domestic Science and Nursing Departments were there to answer questions. The party then went by coach across Salisbury to see the Engineering, Science and Woodwork Departments, where again the Heads of Departn,J.ents gave short talks and answered questions. We ended up with a visit to the site of the new college, . now upder construction, where all the departments will be housed 48 • under the same roof. Miss Dunford expressed to Mr. Trustram the real appreciation that wc felt at ·the amount of trouble he and his staff had taken to show us everything. On Friday, June 29th, we had an extra meeting in School. The parents were addressed by Dr. Turner, the Deputy County Medical Officer, on the subject of the proper care of the feet, and the importance to school-age children of wearing correctly made shoes which provide adequate support. A film and slides were shown, and the parents' questions were answered by Dr. Turner, by Miss Beat!, a chiropodist, and by Mr. Bagshawe, the School shoe supplier. On the strength of what we had seen and heard, we all support Miss Dunford's decision that uniforin shoes should be adopted for school wear. The following most interesting article was contributed by Miss Ebbs-Canavan, Headmistress of Ashmore School:- ASHMORE SCHOOL, 1770-1962 It is difficult to write of Ashmore School without referring briefly to the history of the tiny village it has served for 192 years. The village, perched high on the downs of the Dorset-Wilts border, is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and Domes.day Book, no doubt, because of its huge dew pond. The list of Rectors in the little church goes back to 1314, though the building itself is only about 100 years old. None of the Lords of the Manor, after a Saxon called Brihtric, lived in the village until it came into the hands of the Barber family. They made their home at Manor Farm and for 100 years lived there. In 1765 the estate was sold to a Quaker, John Eliot, of London. Neither he nor his son John," who later inherited the estate lived"in the viJ\age. John Eliot, Sen., refused to pay tithes on religious grounds and went to prison till his. friends paid them 'for him. He said that a man who depended upon Ashmore alone for a livelihood would "be poor indeed". It was during this period and in the years which followed that the Church seems to have neglected the village. The Rectors appeared only at the Times of Protestation, and the work was left to curates. In 1770, John Eliot, Sen., had already established a small school which was taught by Dinah Newhook at a salary of 6s. 4d. per month for teaching ten children. Her origin is unknown for she does not appear in any church register of those times or earlier, and the only "Newhooke" entries are of an Abia, daughter of Leah, 1785, which would not appear connected with Dinah. Her 49 i\ 1:,\ , I , .--. activities in the school are equally unknown, as is the duration, of her work. By 1812 the schdol had been taken over by a MrS. Frances Stainer, nee Rabbets, and we have an interesting letter on her methods of teaching. The writer either a curate living in Shaftesbury or an estate agent: "The only thing I need mention of the state of Ashmore is that . I rarely go there but that I visit the school, which Mrs. Stainer keeps the Children in good order as to cleanliness and regularity; but when I come to speak Of her method of Teaching, I must stop short. I was in hopes when I let her have Fen.nings Spelling Book or Books, I was in great hopes she would have taught the children to divide their words into Syllables, but lo! I',see no alteration, which I am sorry for; and if r was by chance to puUn a word or two of advice respecting the proper method of teaching, I am afraid her temper would not admit of it and therefore I desist. John Upjohn, 27th, 10th Mo., 1812." It is also of interest to note the letters were still unstamped and an address "Bartholemew's, Tottenham," was sufficient! We have no record of Mrs. Stainer's education, perhaps she was a pupil of Dinah's or she may have been. educated elsewhere, a family bearing her maiden name had recently come into the village. Another change had come to the village with Samuel Hall, farmer and bailiff at Manor Farm. He was distressed at the dissolute character of some of the villagers and after proving to them 'his physical superiority. he converted them to Wesleyanism. There then grew up in the village two devout sections, church and chapel, and this had far-reaching effects on the school. It was found that the girls were well cared for in the little school, but the boys "were taken away to drive the plough, etc., before they were sufficiently advanced even in reading." Night classes were arranged for the winter months for the boys aged 7 to 14 years. Again the cost was t06 great for parents whose income' would be about 6s. Od. to 7s. Od. per week, so a subscription list was drawn up headed by J. Eliot, Jnr., his sister and brother-in-law, Luke Howard, F.R.S., the ~ector and a few public-spirited farmers. Eight pounds, ten shillings was subscribed and on this the Evening School was opened on January 10th, 1814, and taught by Thomas Rabbets. Thomas belonged to a villag~ family whose first records appear in 1715, records prior to that time are few and incomplete. An interesting letter from Sam Hall, "... the properest ,place (to hold the classes) would be at Staghead as I have given up for that purpose. Thos. Rabbets have but one room as could possibly have the school in and that being a small one and a family of small Children (having no other room to sit in) would prevent the school Boys from Learning." Staghead cottage is still in use, and receiving a new thatch at the moment .. The rules and syllabus were drawn 50 up, twelve boys chosen to attend and Thomas, for the sum. of fourpence per week for each boy and ninepence for candles, began' to teach "Reading alld Spelling with a little Writing and the first Rules of Arithmetic." Any boy wishing to continue after the age of 14 could do so, but must pay his own fourpence each week. Frances Stainer's Day School continued, and was eventually taken over" by a younger relative, Hannah Stainer, for in 1838 came the first open clash on religious grounds. The Rector, G. Chisholm, wrote in distress to Robert Howard, then Lord of the Manor, that Hannah had told the children. they must leave the Church Sunday School and attend the Chapel Sunday School, to be held at Sam Hall's, or on Mr. Howard's order she must turn them out of the Day School. Fees at this school were largely paid by the Howards. Robeit's p[ompt reply says much for his tolerance in an intolerant age. "I am adverse to all' compulsion in matters of religion, and wish that any poor child in Ashmore, as well as elsewhere should attend such religious instruction as its parents. prefer. . .. I write by this post to 'H' to do away with misapprehensions of my sentiments, if any such exist." The present school, completed and opened on Monday, 18th April, 1842, was lovingly and carefully planned with regard to the children's and their mentor's comfort. A letter from Robert Howard's mother, Mariabella (Eliot) gives details of this planning, but is too long to quote. A young woodman, Joseph Stainer, was appointed headmaster. He had been one of the first pupils of the Night 'School, entering it at the age of nine years. He taught until 1872, when rising standards of education and school buildings caused the school to be pronounced inefficient by H.M.!., Mr. Tregarthin. It-certainly seems to have been very pJjmitive, depending on a shadow cast by the sun on the master's desk to warn them of noon. The buildings were put in order, and every effort made'to obtain a Third Class Certificate for Joseph, but this.proved beyond his capabilities; so his daughter, Elizabeth, who was already assisting him, qualified and took over the school. Joseph continued to help with the older boys, teaching them hurdle-making, and, no doubt, insuring discipliqe among them. In 1873 the reinspection was satisfactory, and the school qualified for a government grant. Expenses ~ere met as usual by the children's weekly 2d., the grant and the deficit made up by the Howard family. Their interest in the school did not end there, for they were constant visitors and helped in the actual teaching as well. There is in the village a very old man who speaks lovingly of a Miss Howard who taught him his alphabet. "A is the Almanack-which hangs on the wall, B for the Bell the scholars to call, C is the Clock which always tells true, and 0 is the Door the children come through," and so on. They rewarded the children for regular attendance, and, when this SI became a normal part of school life, gave prizes for good .work. As many as 80 children received the annual gift of a frock or trousers at the school treat, and the Log Books from 1872· record many gifts-knives for the five best boys, a penny to each child who learned a hymn, workbaskets for the girls, the promise of a treat at bonfire night if the boys were diligent. When the Stainers. retired in 1876 after 37 years' service, Martha Plowman was appointed headmistress, and remained for 391-. years. During her time the school was affiliated to the Diocesan Schools and became in part a Church School but with this reservation: the Catechism was not taught, owing to the large number of Wesleyan children in the school. There was much correspondence between Church authorities and the Howard family on this matter. The syllabus seems to have been flexible and even modern. The Log Books record Domestic Science at a very carly date and visits from guests of the Howards who told of their travels. Through the years as grants became larger the buildings were altered, children's fees abolished and, finally, the Howards and their descendants were no longer responsible for the annual deficit. The school buildings were let to the Managers at one shilling per year, and eventually, in 1944, the school became a County Primary School. In 1958 it was sold to the County anc! 188 years connection with the Eliot-Howard-Sturge family ended. The rules of this little village school drawn up in 1842 are: I, "The School is conducted upon the principles of our Common Christianity. The children of parents of every religious denomina . tion are admitted and treated on a perfect equality-the precepts of religion being taught from the pages of Divine inspiration only. Order, attention, oliedience, instruction and amusement are constantly inculcated, and obtained not by harshness or corporal punishment but by a persevering and. uniform system of management, uniting firmness with kindness, and by the influence of affection. "2, Any poor child is admitted from three years and upward at twopence per week. "3, They must come with clean face.s and hands and hair propeily combed and cut." . Times and methods change, but the ideals and traditiolls· of Ashmore School are no mean heritage, alike for staff and children. 52 OLD GIRLS' SECTION Committee, 1962/63 President Miss M. K. Dunford Vice-President Mrs. M. Raad Secretary G. Hussey (m!e Woodman) Assistant Secretaries .. E. Phillips (nee Coombs) A. Rawson . Treasurer Y. Humphries Staff Represeptative K. Drake Sports Representatives R. Gibbs B. Knapton, Committee Members .. A. Pike (nee Johnson) B. Pike (Ilee Welch) M. Young (nee Harris) The Eighth London Reunion March 3rd, 1962 For the third year in succession we held our London Reunion in Bedford College, but the numbers were disappointing. Miss Dunford, Miss Woods, Miss Drake, Miss Moore, Miss Maddick and Miss Matthews represented the present Staff, but only twelve Old Girls and three former members of Staff were there to meet them. In spite of this it was a very happy gathering. After our meeting, tea and much talking, Clare Harris and Mary Norris showed us round the College and we all enjoyed this immensely. We have already booked the same beautiful room in The Holme for our next meeting, but unless there is a considerable increase in numbers in 1963 we shall, very reluctantly, have to give up the idea of an annual London reunion. The members present were so anxious that this should not happen that the following have taken responsibility for contacting their year groups: 1953, Cynthia Humble; 1955 Eileen Parsons; 1956 Jane Brayford; 1957 Jenny Williams (nee Harding); 1959 Janet Alner; 1960 Rosemary Brayford; 1961 Gillian Ralph. Are there any volunteers for 1954, 1958 and 19621 O.G.A. Summer Meeting The Summer Meeting was held on Saturday, July 7th, 1962. Unfortunately there were only a rew Old Girls to watch ,the Tennis S3 Match on the School field in Wincombe Lane. Four couples played and· the School won by 82 games to 70. It was a lovely evening so that we were able to have the buffet supper in the garden of Barton Hill House. Again the Supper Committee excelled themselves. There were 44 members present ' and we were delighted to have Mrs. Raad with us. It was a pleasure to welconie Mary Verriou em!e Wilson) )vho happened to be in England on holiday from Athens. We moved over to the far lawn in the sunshine for the short informal business meeting. Miss Dunford was in the chair and gave a brief resume of School news. She said that teaching had taken the place of Ilursing as the most popular career for Old Girls. After the meeting members wandered round the gardens and, down to School, and it was well after 9.30 p.m. before the last of the groups had reluctantly dragged themselves away and, brought a specially happy reunion to an end. O.G.A. Auhimn Reunion The Autumn 'Reunion and Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on Saturday, November 10th, at School. This was a very special occasion as it marked the 25th anniversary of the O.G.A. Nearly a hundred members, with Miss Dunford, Mrs. Raad and several members of Staff, met at Sunridge at 6.45 p.m. At 7 o'clock we proceeded to the School Dining Hall where we were served with an excellent turkey dinner by candlelight. To judge from the extraordinary volume of conversation, people had plenty of news to exchange! At lhe end of the meal, Jean Walker proposed the toast of the O.G.A. She pointei\ out that we were in fact celebrating the 25th anniversary of a revival of the Association-there had been an O.G.A. even earlier in· the School's history, but it had lapsed for many years. She recalled her own time at School, and spoke of the value of having an O.G.A. ~. Helen Perry em!e Hall) Teplied to the toast on behalf of the Association. She told us some amusing anecdotes of her schooldays, and said how pleasant it was for Old Girls to be able to visit School. Mrs. Raad proposed the toast of the School, and the Head Girl replied. Miss Dunford thanked all those who lJad helped to organise and 'carry out the arrangements for the Dinner, and then we went over to School to have coffee in the Domestic Science room. An exhibition in the Lab., showing the history of the School, was interesting and often amusing. At 9 o:c1ock we met in the Hall for the business meeting. Miss Dimford read greetings from Old Girls all over the world . and gave news of others and of former members of staff. The 54 .{ ' ~ minutes of the last meeting were read and signed, and it was announced that the hockey match against the School had resulted in a draw at 2 all. In her report, the Secretaiy thanked the Committee for their help during the year, and especially the extra work for this meeting. She said that she was, willing to be-elected for one more year but suggested that an assistant should be chosen for that year with a view to' taking over as secretary next year. This was approved and the other members of the Committee were re-elected except for Hetty Young (nee Clarke) who felt that she must resign: ' Mary Young (nee Harris) was elected in her place. The Treasurer reported a good credit balance, but pointed out that it was increasingly difficult to meet the cost of Magazines because of the number of life members whose subscriptions have already been used. It was proposed and carried that there should be a voluntary silver collection at this, and future meetings, and that contributions should be invited from Old Girls who could not attend the meetings. After the business meeting, Miss Mooreshowed the School film right through, and the singing of Auld Lang Syne concluded a very successful and enjoyable evening. MARY NORRIS The Silver Jubilee Fund Our 25th Anniversay was a very happy, unforgettable one. For the sake of ihe many Old Girls all over the world who would like to have shared it with us, we are giving a list of the hundred and one members who accepted the invitation, though a Jew of these were unable to come at the last-minute. We are also publishing a photograph of the Dinner in the Magazine. Prints are clearer than this reproduction and ca!! be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope with the cost (postcard size 1/-, or 8 in. x 6} in. 2/6) to School. , As the expenses of running the Association and meeting the cost of the Magazi.ne are now so heavy, and we do-not want to raise the subscription if we can help it, it was proposed 'at-the Annual General Meeting that we should inaugurate a Silver Jubilee Fund. A silver bowl was put in a prominent place at the meeting and about £7 was contributed to it. Collections will be taken for .the fund at all Old Girls meetings in future, and it was suggested that Old Girls who are unable to come to meetings, but enjoy liaving the Magazine might also like to send a contribution. (Signed) M. K. DUNFoRD M.RAAD 55 Miss Dunford Mrs. Raad Present Staff: Miss Woods Miss Drako Miss Maddick Miss Matthews Miss Mooro Miss Watkins Past Staff: Mrs. White (n"ee Rhodes) Old Girls: 1916 Hi1da Bevan 1922 Rose Clarke (nee Rigler) .' Marjorie Tucker (nee Perrott) 1924 Edith Bartlett Alm<]. Collier 1926 Olive Perrott (nee Coombs) 1927 Betty Pike (nee Genge) MaryYoung 1928 Dorethy Strange (nee Burr) 1929 Hetty Young (nee C1arke) 1930 Kathlccn Ayles 1931 Joycc Morgan (nee Gray) 1932 Hitda Garrett (nee Harris) 1934 Alma Mathew (nee Hardy) 1935 Joycc Hiscock (nee Garrett) Sheita Humphrics (nee Ropley) Joyoo"Maidment Ruby Peel (nee Hicks) 1936 Dorothy Barrett (nee Hisccck) Kathlccn Chinn (nee Hutchings) 1938 Barbara Austin (nee Follett) Betty Drewitt Olive Willis 1939 Gertrude Wills (nee Harding) 1942 Mary James (nee Garrett) Cynthia Pritchett (nee Hine) 1943 Nita Morgan (nee Head) Mary Young (nee Harris) 1944 Jean Graff(neeWalby) Gillian Hussey (nee Woodman) June Marshall (nee Davis) Helen Perry (nee Hall) • 1945 Betty Carter (nee Mullins) Joan Lewis Vera Milverton (nee Harris) Mary Murray (nee King) Old Gir!s- live up to the motto he chose for the School-uNon sibi, sid omnibus." 58 O.G. News SHlRLEY ALABASTER (nee Gray) (1957) and her daughter. Deborah, have exchanged, visits with Jenny WilIiams (nee Harding) and her SOD, David. JUDY ALLUM (mic Peel) (1954) was delighted that her Mother was able to visit them in Cyprus this year and sco Rachel for herself. Judy and Tony appreciate the warmth of the climate in winter but not the heat of summer. They arc hoping to go on more expeditions now that Rachcl is a bit bigger. JANET ALNER (1959) is waiting for the result of her final examination. and in May goes to Southmcad Hospital for her Midwifery, Part 1. She and Jane Brayford are working 'in the same ward at the London Hospital at present. • JEAN ANDREWS (1962) is at home for a few months until she begins her Nursingtraining at the Royal Victoria Hospital,at Boscombe in June. ROSEMARY ARNOLD (nee Matthews) (1947), her husband and her son, Richard, -'have become United States citizens as their younger son, Raymond, was born there and was the only American in the household. She says she is now u a typical American housewife. except for an English accent." Jt was like an O.G. Reunion when Rosemary visited Jenny Greene in Rhode Island. Rosemary enjoyed meeting the -Rev. and Mrs. Wells from Iweme Minster. They stayed.with her on the way to Florida. where they were taking over a parish for three months. 'VENDY BALL (nee Colyer) (1955) is now living in Islington. Helen is IS-monthsold, and Wendy is expecting a second baby in January. SONIA BARTER (nee Sidford) (1951). 'Her husband has given up fanning and -is hoping to become a Probation Officer. He has gone to London University and meanwhile Sonia is remaining in Bowerchalke with her two children. MARY BELL (mic Edmondson) (1952) was married in 1961. Her husband teaches History at a_ Secondary Modem School for 600 in Wantage. Mary does part-time District Nursing. JNGER BJELLAND (1958) has been studying in U.S.A. for 18 months and has , become engaged to a student at, Princetown University. SUSAN BOND (1956) is now a qualified S.R.N. SUSAN 130REIIAM (1960) has returned to her original idea of nursing and has been accepted at the Westminster Hospital, London. HELEN BROWN (1962) has gone to the City of Birmingham Training. College and is the first of our girls to do so. Her parents have left Shaftesbury and gone to live in Salisbury. So~"YA CASSELL (nee Zinkova) (1954) and her husband have had their shop modernised and moved'into a new bungalow on the outskirts of Ludgershall. Sonya was very disapnointed that she could not cpme to the Silver Jubilee dinner as her daughter arrived a fortnight late. HEATHER CHEATER (1957) was married in April and for-the present is living with her mother and nursing in the .Maternity Ward of....Poole General Hospital. ~ SALLlE CHURCH (1960) enjoyed her year in Mr. ArkeH's office, but was glad when the time came to begin her nursing training at the Royal Masonic Hospital. DAISY CLlFTON (1962) 'began her work in October as a Laboratory Assistant for Imperial Chemical Industries at Welwyn. KATE COLES (1961) is finding her second year at St. Loyes' a very intense one. She began it by doing seven \,,"'CCks Hospital Practice at St. Loycs' College for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, working under Sidney J. Lock, _onc of the· great namcs in Occupational Therapy. AUlA CoLLIER was not able to 'come to the Summer Reunion because she had bc<:n in hospital for several weeks. HEATHER COLYER (1961) has started happily on her second year at King's College. London. She is now living with Wendy in Islington. 59 PENROSE CoLYER (1957) spent two terms at Croft House, Shillingstone doing a commercial course .and some teaching and then went to St. Clare's Hall, Oxford, for the Summer Term to teach English to foreigners. She is now staying with relatives in the Lebanon, at Beirut, for a year. GRACE CooMBS (1949) is teaching in an Army School at Hamm in Germany. She is learning German so that she can travel freely. She spent a winter half-term ski-ing in the Harz Mountains. JANE CROUCH"(1960) has given up her nursing training. She took a temporary post working in a hotel, KnoJl House at StudIand. JANET DAVlSON (nee Moores)-(1955) flew to~Lagos on November 7tli to join her husband. She looks forward to attending an O.G. reunion when they come to England on holiday. JANEr DIXON (nee Whitmarsh) (1955) developed glandular fever before the -end of 1961 and was unable to attend, the London Reunion in March 1962. She had been e!\ioying teaching 4-year-olds in North Kensington after her marriage. MICHELLE EMERY (1961) left here after one tenn in the Lower Sixth to Jive at home and completo her ScJence course at Weymo~th Grammar School. CAROL EMERY (1962) has joined MicheIJe and her brother at WeymouthGrammar School for her Sixth Form Course. CURlSTINE EVANS Vlee WiIHams). Miss Dunford was glad to meet her at the Tercentenary celebrations of the Shaftesbury Congregational Church. Her husband is still at Brockenhurst County High School and they have two childrem Deborah. aged 7, and Jonathan, aged 2. . Rum FL£TCHER (nee· Spencer) (1958). Her husband is Assistant Manager at a farm at Stcepleton and Ruth has a full-time post in Santuary & So059 Estate Office at Bryanston as a Secretary. GILLIAN FOOKS (1960). Now that her father)tas retired they arc living at Wheatsheaf, near Sherborne. GiUian took a post as Secretary-Receptionist at a Newquay Hotel for the season and enjoyed it 'very much. She is now hoping to find a post as a school secretary. _ JENNY FORDYCE (1960) is now at Salisbury Training College after her Sixth Form course at Dorchcster Grammar School for Girls. EUZABETH GENTLES (l962) has just become a dental receptionist for Mr. Pinniger. Rum GIBBS (1955) is enjoying her work as a part-time P.E. Mistress at Shaftes bury Modem School. JENNY GREENE (tlee Purver) (1950) e!\ioys the Magazine very much because she says it makes her feel quite young, even though she left school twelve years ago. She was looking forward to staying with Rosemary Amold in New York and having. a guided tour as she had only seen the city on the day she landed in U.S.A. ANN GUNrON (1962) is taking a two-year Commercial Course at Folkestone Training College. SUSAN HARCOURT-BROOKS (1962) is thoroughly enjoying her training as a nursery nurse at the National Children's Home at Ebley in Gloucestershire. EUZABErH. HARDY (1962) is working in Lloyds Bank in Shaftcsbury having spent a few weeks at the Lloyds "Bank Training Centre at Hindhead. CHrusnNE HAYTER (1962) is enjoying her training as a nursery nurse at St. Mary's, Cold Ash, Newbury. This is a Church of England Children's Society Home. CAROLYN HEAD (1962) is now at the I. M. Marsh P.E. College at. Liverpool. Tenn started several weeks late as the buildings were not ready for -the first-year students. PAUUNE HIGGlNS (1960) is now a qualified N.N.E.B. She is staying on at Ebley till November and then hoping that she may be able to work with blind children. 60 BARBARA HcrCHINGS (1956) is still teaching at ·Stratford-on-Avon. She is sharing an old, pre-Tudor cottage with two other girls. She hopes to go ski-ing at Christmas. GOORGlNA HOPKlNS (1954) is now an S.R.N. and has been Staff Nurse in the operating theatre at the Royal Free Hospital. The Matron told her that all "red-heads" love theatre work. She is now doing her Midwifery at Quoon Charlotte's Hospital. BARBARA HORLOCK-JONES (1956). Mter being a Matron at St. Paul's Choir School in London for a time, Barbara is now taking her Midwifery course at Chiswick. - AORlENNB HOWELL (nee Lawrence)'(I956) has returned to Mere. Her husband shares a sub-contracting business with his brother and .they are building their O\m house. Adrienne is teaching at GilIingham Primary School. She and her husband still enjoy "banding." HILDA HOWELL (nee Galliver) (1949) writes that her daughter, Jacquelinc, isnow at school. Her sister, Pat, and her family have moved to a new house in High Wycombe. Her brother. Harold, is in Bristol. HAZEL HUNT (1957) is now working in the Pearl Assurance Company's office in Shaftesbury. CoRAL HurCIlINGS (1962) is enjoying her year at Poole Technical College very much. She is applying for entrance to Medical School for next year. RosALIND JACKSON (1962) is our first girl to go to Leicester University. She won a Wiltshire County Major Scholarship. BETIY JONES (1949) now has a great opportunity to use her Industrial Nursing Experience. She is Sister-in-Sole-Charge at the J. Arthur Rank Precision Instrument Factory at Shepherd's Bush. &he supervises the health and welfare of 1,500 employees. HILARY JONES (1957) is still enjoying her work with the B.B.C. very much. She is sharing a flat with her sister, Betty, at Ealing Village, SARAH JORDAN (1962) is our first girl to go to Trinity Conege~ Dublin. She won a Dorset County Major Scholarship, JANlCE JOSl'FE (nee Sidford) (1956) lives in Sussex and travels there for the firm of Christopher Hill for whom her husband also works. LESLEY KIDBEY (1962) finds her course at the Rose Bruford School of Dramatic Art a very strenuous onc, but is enjoying it. She won a Middlesex County Award. ' ,AnEL KLOSE (1958) is going from Kiel University to study in the south of Germany, since in Germany students can change universities as much as they like. KIRSTEN KLOSE (1956) was very pleased to have Jane Brayford staying with . her at-Kiel in April. Kirsten had a term at Freiburg and then was returningto Kiel University to write a thesis for a doctorate. BERYL KNAPTON (1950) unfortunately hurt her knee and was unable to enter for the County Hockey Trials this year~ or to play for the Old Girls against tho School. C\ROLA LANOER (1961) has just begun her nursing training at the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. . Juomr LILtlE (1960) obtained her G.C.E. in General Science and Domestic Science at Salisbury Technical College, and is now a Cadet Nurse at Salisbury. She:: hopes to begin her training there next April. JACKlE LLOYD (1960) has returned to England from Ghana with her parents. SUSAN LLOYD (1962) had a wonderful summer holiday. Her family drove across Europe to Athens visiting Paris and Rome on the way. She is now taking a Commercial Course at \Vorksop. STELLA LUOLOW (1950) has worked in the Marketing Division of Crawford's Advertising for 31 years and finds the work varied and interesting. Her outside activities this year have been an Easter Pageant and a Gilbert and Sullivan production. 61 ;,.' ) JACKIE MARSDEN (1961) has changed from the Interpreters Course at Geneva to Political Science in the Faculty of Economics and Social Science (in French!), She is enjoying it and fmds time for a part-time job in the evenings as a telex-machine operator in-a stockbroker's office. ANN MILROY (1961) went to the Edinburgh Festival with Audrey Horlock-Jones, She is now in her first term at St. Hilda's CoJlege, Oxford. SUSAN MrrCHELL (1962) has gone to Portsmouth High School as a day-girl for her Sixth Form Course. 0 EILEEN PARSONS (1955) has been-seconded from Croydon'to the Chelsea P.E. College at Eastbou~c for a year and is thoroughly enjoying this further training. RrrA PARSONS (1962) is very happy at Portsmouth Training College; She says that Blake Hall, where she lives, is like a lUXury hotel. She has joined the College orchestra, RUBY-PEEL (nee Hicks), In September her twin sons, Mark and Robert, joined their two brothers as boarders at Shaftesbury Grammar School. SUSAN PERKINS (1962) has gone to Salisbury Training College and is in touch with Penny Wells there. ANN PIDGEON (1961) is thoroughly enjoying her work in a soJicitor·s office in Mayfair. She shares a flat with thrce other girls. VICKI PITCHER (1958) has completed her six-month Offioer Tmining Course and passed out as a pilot officer. She is now on an Equipment Course for four and a half months training to be an Equipment Officer. JENNlFER PRlDDLE (1962) was aeccpted for the Civil Servioe on her-G.C£ results and is working in the War Department at Salisbury. ANN RAMsDEN (1962) has gon. to Goldsmiths' Training College in London and is living with 26 other students in a residential club. She was amused to find that her dancing tunic had to be made of the samc material and -colour as our School summer dresses. ANN READ (1961) is 'taking the two-year Secretarial Course at Salisbury Technical College, .,. GILLIAN RlDour (1962) is enjoying a few months with her parents in Cyprusbefore going to the Margaret MacmiIJan Training College in Bradford in January. - MAUREEN RUlTER (1962) is enjoying her secretarial course at the Wokingham Institute of Further Education. . EILEEN SEDDON (nee Coombes) (1948) has come horn. from abroad and is living-at Tollard Royal for a few months. She' has two -children now. , Her husband is in the R.A.S.C. and in January is going to the Staff CoJ~ge at Camberlcy. - BARRIE SERGEAN (1961) finally decided to give up the idea of going to a university and so left the Holbom COnege. She was accepted for training for the Post Officc Continental Exchange. PAT SIDFORD (1953) went to U.S.A. in June, 1961, and became a secretaryin the New Zealand Embassy at Washington. Now she is working for the Wells Fargo Company in San Francisco. 'She is rctumirig to England in December. JEAN SQUIRE (1962) is working in the Midland Bank in Shaftesbury, She went to Bristol for several weeks for training. JENNY STAGO (1960) had to do a month's teaching praetioe at a Secondary Modem School in Stoke-on-Trent' in September before her third year at Keele began. . PAT STAINER (1956) is now an S.R.N. She won 1st Prize for Orthopaedics and 2nd Prize for Practical Work in her finals at Charing Cross Hospital. She will do her Midwifery at Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, and Salisbury Infirmary. 62 H .... mER SWANN (1962) is taking the two years Secretarial Cou"e at the French Lycee in London. On her fi"t day there she met Clairo-Elizabcth, who had stayed with Sarah Joidan in Shaftcsbury and Came to School. MARY VERRlOU (nee WiI,on) (1956) came home from Athens for a holidaythis summer. Wc were delighted to see her at the Summer Reunion and hear about her life in Grcecc. ANN WAKEHAM (nee Hall) , (1958) is living in the south of France on a small, yacht. In the summer she and her husband worked as crew on a chartered yacht and· went to Corsica. _ SUSAN WEBB (1962) has. been accepted for service in the W.R.A.F. JANEI' WHITE (1957) qualified as an S.R.N. at Boscombc and is now doing her midwifery at the Kingsbury Hospital. BARBARA WILUAMS (nee Lowen) (1954). Her parents returned from Germany in June and were buying a business. Barbara and her husband took avilla in Majorca for the month of June. MARlON WYATr (1961) is'finding the full·time embroidery course at Hammersmith Art College very interesting. Life Members sinee December, 1961 Andrews, Jean, Home Fann, Stour Row, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Ardley, Barbara (nee Wright), 6 Jenned Road, Amold, Nottingham. Fletcher, Ruth (nee Spencer), Keepers Cottage, Steepleton, .Blandford Forum, Dorset. Hanunond; Mary (nee Bond), "LocliieJ," 33'Broomhill Road, Orpington, Kent. Jordan, Samh, Manor Fann House, St. James, Shaftesbury . • ANNUAL MEMBERS-,. Brayford, Rosemary, 2 Upper Kent.Road, Victoria Park, Manchester, 14. Fookes, GiIlian, "Scarp," Wheatsheaf, Nr. Sherbome, Dorset. Humble, Cynthia, 62 Crouch Hill, Homsey. London, N.S. Pavey. Christine (nee Harrison). 69 Furleigh Road, Stoke Newington, London. N.16. Pratl, Elizabeth (nee Nathan), 138 Priests Lane, Shenficld~ Brcntwood, Essex. Annual Members-:1961/62 (since December, 1961) Annual Members, 1962/63. Banfield, Rita (nee Caddy), 68 Stone Lane, YeoviI, Some"et. Bartley, Wendy, Norfolk Cottage. Motcombe, Dorset. Camegi(}oBrown, Heather (nee Cheater). 41b Trinidad Crescent, -Parlcstone, Dorset. Chant, Margaret, Ridgeway Cottage, Iweme Minster, Blandford Forum. Church, Sally, 17 Haines Lane, Shaftesbury. _Cobley, Jcnnifcr, "Mariners,"'Wcst Hill, Ottery St. Mary, Devon. Cridland, Norah (lII!e Jesse), The Green, East Knoyle, Salisbury. Dean, Kathlccn (nee Hunt). West Gomledon. Nr. Salisbury, Wilts. Fookes, GiIliao, "Scarp," Wheatsheaf, Nr. Shcrbome, Dorset. Gatehouse, Jennifer, 20 Hawkesdene Lane, Shaftcsbury. Hann, Gillian, The Guest House, Wivcliscombc, Taunton, Somerset. ~ HarcoUl:t-Brooks', Susan, Ebley House, Ebley, Nr. Stroud, Glos. Hardiman, Valeric, "Firslyne," Fovant, Salisbury, Wi1(s• . Head, Carolyn, 12 St. Gearges Road, Shaftesbury. Hitchings, Barbara, "Novar Cottage," Bearley, Stratford·upon·Avon. Hitchings, Dawn, "Bccchcroft," Castle Hill Lane, Mere, Wanninster, Wilts. Humble, Cynthia, 62 Crouch Hill, Homsey, London, N.8. Humphries,.Sheila (nee Rapley), The Bungalow, Shooters Lane, Shafrcsbury. H~mphries, Yvonne, "Labumum Grove," LiUledo\\11, Shafrcsbury. 63 Hutchings, Coral, Merley Hall Farm, Wimbome, Dorset. Jackson, Rosalind, College Hall, KnightoD Road, Leicester. Milroy, Anr., Beech House, _Painswick, Nr. Stroud, Glos. Parfit, Denise (nee Moores), Kites Nest CoUage, Bourton, Dorset. Parsons, Rita, "Roseville," 13 Grosvcnor Road, Shaftesbury. Patterson, Jane (nee Rushforth), 37 Mistover Road, Wareham, Dorset. Pike, Bcryl (nee Welch), The Rectory Flat, Compton Abbas, Dorset. Pike, Bctty VJee Genge), The Firs, East Stour, Gillingham, Dorset. Potter, Philhpa, 7 CharJton. Nr. Shaftcsbury. Ralph. GiIlian, Dry Lane, GilIingham, Dorset. Ramsden, Ann, 4 \Voodstock Drive, Ickenham, Uxbridge, Middx. Reynolds, Phyllis (nee Johnson), Cedar Cottage, 360 Topsham Road, Countess \Veir, Exeter, Devon. - Ridout, Gillian, c/o 5001 Squadron, R.A.F., Akrotiri, B.F.P.O. 53. Swann Heather, The New Vicarage, Camden Square, London, N.W.I. Welford, Anne, 1 Connaught Road, 'Veymouth, Dorset . A Royal Archivist The Royal Archives are the private papers of the Royal Family, belonging to the Queen and can, therefore, only be consulted and used with her permission. The coUection was started by the Prince Consort and has since grown enormously through the discovery of many of King George Ill's and King George IV's papers, and the recovery of papers belonging to the exiled Stuarts. _ Work in the Royal Archives is varied and very interesting. Our main job is indexing, first under the names of the writers of the various letters and the recipients, and then under subject headings. Each letter is read through carefuUy and notes made of anything interesting which it contains and these notes are then typed on to cards under the appropriate headings. This is reaUy an essential piece of work, as many seemingly trivial enquiries are received and have to be dealt with. For instance, somebody thinks that their great-grandfather played a trumpet at a concert given for Queen Victoria and wants to know if there is any reference to this, so one then 'has to hunt through, aU the cards bearing the appropriate name, or giving details of concerts, in the hope of finding some mention. The looking up and answering of these enquiries and the preparing of material for those coining in to do research, takes up a lot of time and I tend to get side-tracked' by finding the most fascinating pieces of information quite unrelated to the question, Another' thing which I find absorbing is the detective work' which sometimes has to go into identifying the writer or recipient of a letter when nicknames are used. Sometimes there is a clue in some relative mentioned in the letter and I pore over the ramifications of Lodge's Pecrage vainly trying to disentangle the offspring of much-married peers. 64 ,.----------~ We work up in the Round Tower, in a part to which the public arc not admitted, the Muniment Room being part of the original Great Hall, with the old roof timbers still visible. My table is in the window and I have a wonderful view down OVer the Middle and Lower Wards and the roof of St. George's Chapel to the river and far beyond. Every morning the changing of the Guard takes place down below and, although I thought I had become quite hardened to this oy now, a Scottish regiment has just taken over and every morning they come marching up led by their pipers in a swirl of kilts and sporrans, and I gaze entranced from the window. . J. LANGTON First Impressions I. Of Leicester University. The first few days spent at Leicest~r were not at all happy ones. Wednesday morning was spent attempting to register. I had an unhappy beginning as, after various minor queues, I had to wait three hours t6. see the head of one department. After such a small school as the High School, I seemed to be caught up in a whirl of students, and it was quite possible not to see a single person onc knew during" the day. College Hall is only two years old. We each have a single study-bedroom, which is furnished simplY but elegantly. What is more important for me at least, is that Hall is always warm. Not only is there central heating but wc have an electric fire, too. The greatest difference between School and University is thilt we are not compelled to do anything (apart from arriving back each night by 11.15). For those whO do not intend working it is probably the only time in their life that they can sit and talk all day quite unmolested. Of course, that is "not a profitable way of organising one's life. Next September these brethren will find the need to search for another appointment. Leicester is a very young University, with no tradition on which new generations can build. Those of us here now, and those to Come in the next few years, have the task of setting this tradition which will be followed by later generations of students. This was the theme of the addresses given to freshers during the pre·sessional congress. It seems to be, and is, a very great responsibility. At the present, there arc very few departments here. The Lord Bishop of Leicester called us "the godless sisters" of the three Midland Universities, since we have no Theological faculty. This, no doubt, will spur the new Vice·.Chancellor on to ensuring greater scope in what is, in all truth, still a fast growing University in all respects. Its building programme is colossal. There are more and 6S ) more students each year and more departments and societies to a ttract them. . On the whole, life' here seems to be very pleasant indeed. Apart from catering for the academic· side of life with a Library housed in a building bigger than School, Qur material comforts are well ensured. ROSALlND JACKSON. 2. Of the I. M. Marsh College of Physical Edllcation, Liverpool. After two postponements I arrived here on Wednesday, October 17th, at six o'clock in the evening, being the last to arrive. I was hurriedly taken to my room, which is not actually in college, by '. my college "mother." She is somebody in the second year who takes on the job of helping you settle in and to answer any problems that' arise. I did know my college "mother" before I came, but ·most people do not. I was then taken to supper in the new dining hall which was being used officially for the first-time that night. It is very modern, glass panels from floor to ceiling on two sides . and the ceiling is made to absorb sound so that it does not seem too noisy at meal times. The tables are round and seat eight people and I must admit the meals are good. The following day which was a Thursday we, the new students, spent most of the time collecting new equipment, books that had beel) ordered, uniform and checking other things that we had brought with us. In the afternoon we played games. The time was divided between hockey, netball and lacrosse, and I had my ·first experience of learning lacrosse. By now we have had several more lacross~ lectures and are becoming more practised in the skill. I said before that we were delayed in returning to college, this was because there had been a lot of new building going on and still is, so the place-was just not ready for one hundred neW students. There are still workmen about the college and they will be here at least until next Easter. They are still in the process of building an indoor games arena, which promises to lie very large and efficient, and is at the moment the only one like it in the country. They are also building a swimming bath which at the moment is only in the early stages, and they are completing a new ten-storey residential block which is supposed to be ready by next Easter. The other new part of the college that is already operational is the block which contains science, art and craft, and education rooms, a new animal house, which the animals have not been moved into yet, and a new gym. This has some most modern equipment which mOst of us have never seen before. I am sure we are very fortunate indeed to have all these new facilities and when all is completed it should be one compact and very efficient unit. . 66 ( We have seven leCtures a~ day, starting the first at 8.40.in the morning and ending the last at. 5.45 in the evening, each lecture~ being almost an hour long. ·We have a coffee break in the morning, and a tea break in the afternoon, with a break for lunch of an hour and a quarter. The lectures are either practicals or theory, but we usually have at least one free a day. However, we are kept busy and the day is a long one and w.e are usually quite tired by the time the end comes. I have~now been here just over a week .aJ)d I am beginning to settle down to find my way ~about, and I am not finding life quite so hectic as it was in the first few days. Last Saturday I was able to go into Liverpool and' explore some .of the shopping centres, and in the same evening I went to the theatre with my college "mother," which is a custom here. Now that I have settled down to college life I am beginning to .enjoy myself. CAROLYN HEAD. 3. Of the Rose Bruford ~School of Dramatic Art. We have been at college for five days now, and every on,e has contrived to make'the new students feel really "at home." The course is tremendously intensive and the college timetablewhich at first sight appears very complicated-is a marVellous piece of organisation. Our year is'a really mixed array of students. Apart from the people who have just finished school, like myself, we also have an accountant who took ten years to decide drama was his vocation; an actor who is married· and has come back to relearn his profession; three Africans (one of whom had a leading role in the West End musical "King Kong"); a 'South African; a Scot; an American; and a Jamaican. Also a few ex-university students and various student-teachers, secretaries, clerks and people who have been in rep. It seems practically every county in England is represented and there certainly won't be any lack of examples when we come to study dialects! - We were certainly plunged into things head first. On the first day of term we each had to perform in front of the college and staff, and then improvise a scene 'with three other people! I think the attitude is that having done this one doesn't really care any more about making a fool of oneself! Also, they're probably the most sympathetic audience we'll ever get, having undergone the same thing themselves. LESLEY KIBBEY. 4. Of a London Comprehensive School. Having done a lot of things, including being a Market Research Executive for twenty months, I have at last got a teaching post. 67 ) I am at" one of:the most famous or rather notorious Comprehensive Schools in London. It is in the thick of the East End and Dockland slums. There are 1,500 kids and over lOO staff. It is co-educational and I and two other women are the only female academic staff (not counting women who only teach girls housecraft, pottery, etc.) who handle boys ,md girls together. It is the same school as the one, "Spare the Rod," was written about, amalgamated with another such ghastly See. Modern in the district. We have seven blocks and run ahout from place to place. There are ten streams going down to remedial level. It is a tremendous experience because one is faced with completely unhridled hostility (there is no discipline, you have to make your own and that's a real battle), which if you can't control' you are literally liable to be torn up if you don't have a cane. Many of the kids are on probation for criminal offences, and this is the school which takes in those who have been thrown out of the better schools in the Shoreditch, Hackney, Bethnal, Green, Dalston, and Spittalfields areas. There are no schools after this one, only remand home. It is really social work, not teaching for the most part. Try and teach F and G streams (I.Q. 70-60) French! It's a farce, and one only really keeps order and goes on taming these poor kids. The girls are more difficult than the boys, usually. They don't get the cane so easily so they try on more before they stop fooling. They are real fish-wives and though they can't spell or read (some real,ly can't) they are every poor man's lawyer. The "mums," bristling fierc6!y with curlers and slippers, that come up here day after day to protect their darlings from the teachers, who kept them in for ten minutes, are really worth filming with sound-track, if possible. I had my troubles during my first few weeks. I had to develop a great bellow to make myself heard. in the din; then to start on something at once whilst they are still fairly quiet. "Be quiet" or "Silence, please," is a big joke here. "Shut up" or "Belt up" .is about all they react to. One learns with lower school never to turn one's back when writing on the board! Very dangerous! You get pens and other sharp missiles catapulted at you. You can't ask anyone to own up, they laugh, and give false names if .. you ask their names. You've goHo beat them at their own games and think faster. First one has to show them who is boss by being ruthless with them and really winning, then you can make friends. I have started on the latter. One thing: they never bear malice outside a classroom. In the playground you will have them come and talk to you even after a caning. They are marvellous kids in a way, because they have so much "guts." They bounce back again and again and only become manageable' from confidence in you. They all have persqnality and 'yards of cheek! They come up. and 68 .. pull your leg even aged eleven. They are not cowed or frightened of teachers. This is where the classroom relationship is so hard to establish. We can't leave empty rooms open, they burn them and throw furniture out of windows! We can't give them textbooks: these are torn up if they keep them after lessons. And the classes are roughly thirty kids. It's quite a battle. I:ve had fights with my kids in the first two-three weeks: desk flung at me in a riot and a piece of iron which was about to be used on my head. But now I've just about got them where I want them and soon I'll be able to share a joke or two with them. That's the test. Many teachers can't do this kind of work. They are broken by these little (and big) monsters and three actually ran out in the first week of the term. Now they've offered me a post here to start Spanish in the school next term. I think I'll accept because I feel it will be valuable experience, and also now I rather like working here. MARIA MENDE. 5. Of Education at a Teclmical College. The position of Grammar Schools in our educational system is long-standing and assured. The technical colleges in their present form are relatively new, but are playing an increasingly important part in meeting the new demands of society. Folkestone Technical College was not developed so much as some of those technical colleges iu the more highly populated and industrialised areas of the country, but it will undoubtedly benefit from the creation in the near future of the new University of Kent at Canterbury. I am taking a course of Business Studies for the Ordinary National Diploma sponsored by the Ministry of Education. This is a combination of subjects which permits the successful.student to apply for entrance to a University or Teachers Training College, to proceed with further business studies or enter employment immediately as a qualified person. Technical Colleges teach teenagers and adults so that in general terms the culture of the college is adult. For girls who feel a strong need to enter the adult world early, but do not wish to cut short their studies, and for those girls who seek a broader and less academic curriculum than is traditional with the Grammar School VIth Form, I would certainly recommend a course at a technical college. ANN. GUNTON. 69 OLD GIRLS' ASSOCIATION . Annual Subscription, 5/-. Life Subscription, £3/3/0. Secretary: Mrs. G. Hussey, "Upton," Old Boundary. Road, Shaftesbury. Treasurer: 'Miss Y. Humphries, "Laburnum Grove," Littledown, ( Shaftesbury . DATES FOR YOUR NEW DIARIES LONDON REUNION: SATURDAY, MARCH 2nd, 1963 SUMMER REUNION: SATURDAY, JULY 6th, 1963 O.G. DINNER: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9th, 1963. N.B.-Reunions are normally held on the first Saturday in March and July, and .the second Saturday in November. To all members of the School, Whether near or far, We send our greetings and good wishes. 70