; I I o. -~ ,December, '1968· =-~-"~j ' , I I I , County High School for Girls SHAFTESBURY MAGAZINE Vol. 32 December 1968 CONTENTS Editorial Magazine Committee School Officials Leaving Girls 1967/8 New Girls 1967/8 Staff Notes Dramatic Society Debating Society Play-reading Society Games :.. ., REPORTS Form Reports School Council Social Service Choir Recorder Society Orchestra Contributions from the School Foreign Travel PoctrY Old Girls Flower Guild The Shaston Printers Ltd 31 Bell Street Shlftesbury EDITORIAL We should like to thank all those who have contributed to our ". magazine. The response from the school was encouraging and we are only sorry that we could not publish all the articles we received. We hope that this magazine, which is still in its traditional ,0 form, will be appreciated by the Old Girls as well as present school members. We should like to thank Miss Woods for her invaluable assistance and support at all times. THE EDITORS Magazine Committee Editors: JANE FARRAND 'ROSALIND BALLAM Committee: NICOLA HOLMES ANN LINLEY HEATHER MIDGELY HELEN HARRIS CAROLlNE FROST SUSAN FINCHER School Officials, September 1968 Head Girl: SmRLEY YOUNG Deputy Head Girl: JANE FARRAND House Captains: Hardy: ELIZABETH SANDY Barnes: ROSALlND BALLAM Wren: BEVERLEY McLEOD 3 LEAVING GIRLS; 1967/8 Autumn, Term !967 E. Bell J. Bohot J. Domoney J. Haskett R. Smith Spring Term 1968 M. Moore C. Munday K. Porter lL Pritchett Summer Term 1968 L.IV N. Lofting U.1V M. Frankland, H. C. Monk L. V.D D. Swindells U.V B. Cripps, J. Hebdcn, J. Jones. K. MacDonald, E. Pritchett, D. Shaw, B. Short, S. Thomas, K~ Thompson, L. Woodbridge L.vI J. Brookes U. VI J. BJanchctt. P. Carter, J. Lewis, E. GraiDger, S. Lofting, L. Mercer, H. Pope, V. Robertson, P. Stubbs NEW GIRLS, 1967/8 Present Fl?,nI Prel'ious School Spring Term 1968 J. Henderson J. Hepburn U.IV U.IV RA.F. Grammar School, Changi, Singapore ,Maidenhead Grammar School, Berks. Summer Term 1968 C. Frost 11I Niarobi R. Hunt 11I Dorchester County Grammar School Autumn Term 1968 M. Western D. Coffee J. Draper C. Gloyens M.Brown J. Beck U.vI L.VI U.1V U.1V L.IV 11I R.A.F. Singapore Honitori County Secondary School Bamstable Grammar School St. Joseph's Convent, ReadingRo'Okwood School, Andover Ebbesbourne Wake Primary School S. Clews 11I Alcester St. lames Junior School N. Dibben Motcombe Junior School S. Diffey A. FarquharsonJ. FayersS. Fincher G. Fudge S. Goilgh St. Monicas. Upton, Poole Park Place Convent, Wickham, Hants Shroton Primary School Shcnfield School, Reading . Motcombe Junior School -Ascension Isle School 4 J. Gould Shaftesbury C.E. Junior School F. Griffiths Blandford St. Mary's School, Blandford J. Hardiman Fontmell Magna School J. Hawson Manston Junior School G. Hurd Milton C.E. School A. Jones Ludwell Junior School T. K(De.dened and one gains confidence. It is invaluab!e to bp. '-~[; '(. rompare ideas and knowledge with the opposite sex. Thel.f.:..,"" :-;·h!i~ would do well to mix with all kinds of perscnalities, ,"lb'. -r go~.: or bad, in a comprehensive school. Communication is all",.' I" 'jrnited in a small, single-sex school; but disoiplihc is ost;a;l} cx;:eli,,:!t. If a child's parental discipline is effectiw, ;1e "}JiIi then be able t·, distinguish good from bad and find his own friends for himself. So, the pupil's respect for discipline depends a g,eat deal on his upbringing, and the association between parents and staff is essential. Thus, we can see that much depends upon us, not just the educational system. I feel that the cooperation from the parents and children of Shaftesbury will determine the success or failure of the comprehensive scheme. r also hope that the individuality of our small schools will not. be entirely forgotten. For now, as I face my last year at school, I realise that life in an old, small and somewhat dilapidated building has not been all dissatisfaction and boredom. JANE FARRAND, U VI FOREIGN TRAVEL SUMMER IN CYPRUS Unbelivable, but true, Thursday 15th August dawned at last, and promptly at five o'clock in the morning the entire family.rose to ensure that I should be in plenty of time to leave this country for what was to prove the holiday of my life. It had all started last Christmas when friends had invited me to spend a month with them in Cyprus. So that Thursday saw the end of all the preparations-passport and travellers cheques, injections and packing were all behind me. I had worked for hours in our little village cafe and in the strawberry fields to amass spending money. Mother had made three beach dresses and Father had given me a new bikini, all in readiness for that wonderful sun. The journey to Luton was exciting in itself. Who would have thought that at that late hour needle and thread were still needed; as I leaned forward Tfelt a sudden cold draught creep up my backmy dress and its zip had parted company! At Watford the necessary repair kit was purchased and r am sure I am the first girl to have had running repairs performed for her in a car on the M.l. 22 Luton airport spread out 'before us high above the ugly acres of the Vauxhall Motors factory. Planes revved up and taxied offip.to an unbelievably clear sky. The first lap of my journey was behind me. We found out the way ,to the Britannia Airways area and noticed that two flights were scheduled for Nicosia before mid-day; I was amazed that nearly two hundred and fifty people could be going to my destination from one airport. A Greek party-the first flight-was already queuing and the atmosphere had changed excitingly. They stood dark and different from the other poker-faced travellers; laughing, crying and hugging each other. I noticed two Greek Orthodox priests in their long, black, crow-like robes, tall hats and straggly beards-and several widowssome still quite young, in their black widows' weeds. They wore long black skirts, black woollen stockings, heavy shoes, shawls and head scarves and their eyes matched their clothes! The old woman looked as though they had just,stepped out of the vineyards. My flight was called. I had been weighed with my baggage; my documents were in order and r had met my first new friendSonia, a girl of twenty-one from North Wales-who was going to visit her brother in Akrotiri. r kissed my family and had to leave them standing behind a glass barrier-I was on my own. The Britanuia aircraft stood waiting, and r felt rather like a film actress as J boarded her. The .stewardess ushered Sonia and me to ouneats. We fastened our safety-belts and before we could get used to the strange atmosphere, we were. taxiing down the run-way and my family shrank to a dot in the distance. The flight was fascinating; the pilot continually gave us information that we needed, while around us the billowing white clouds parted from time to time to reveal a shimmering sea or the green patch-work fields, or the glinting snow-covered Alps far, far below; Down we flew across the Greek Isle,S and eventually we touched down in Nicosia airport. Already it was pitch-dark there. Sonia and I were bursting with happiness as we ran down the flight steps into the customs building. Suddenly they were there-Sonia's brother, Auntie Betty and Cath; our chattering must have outdone the voluable Greeks. Back we hurtled along the rut-strewn road in a noisy' little Renault which, Auntie Betty proudly informed me, was capable of holding nine milk chums and its own on any road in Cyprus. 23 , Strains of Greek music floated in through the car's windows, w4ich we wound right down because of the heat., Mad Greek drivers "drove on their horns", a common occurence as, I soon discovered. . Then we were out into the Mesaoria Plain which was then dt\Solate and wild, and at last we saw the lights ofFamagusta glinting il). the distance. . I was too excited to sleep that night and it was far too hot for us so we sat out on the balcony and talked and talked and talked. Next morning, about six, I could hear the Greeks shouting in the streets-far below. So I thrust back the shutters and was met witha glorious panoramic view of this flat-roofed city and its sunbleached vastness, That morning, before breakfast, Cath and I went down to the beach and sat under, the reed-roofed shelter of the 'NeonPhaleron', As mid-day came closer the sand became alive with heat and it was no longer safe for anyone to walk across it barefooted. The sun scorched you-despite hat and sunglasses. The Turners were wonderful hosts. I was taken to the old city one niiiht to'godancing'but first we aU'had a special Greek meal-a Messai'-consisting of twelve courses of exotic food includIng a !,.which I'became very fond of and sparkling white wine. Later we walked to the Old City's'high, gUarded walls then we drove through the streets to the centre where music was playing loudly. Only the Forces were allowed to enter this Turkish part of Famagusta as neither the Greeks nor the Turks communicate, with each other still. In fact' during my stay a bomb was exploded at the end of the street in which I waS living at one in the morning. The worker's union was ruined and one Greek night-watchman was killed. For a special treat I was taken to a leave centre in the Troodos mountains for five days. How cold it seemed after the heat" of Famagusta. The Troodos are majestic but wild and the roads are hair-rajsing in their narrowness and their hairpin bends. I noticed how cruel some of the Greeks were to their thin and wretched mules and horses. Cath and I had quite an argument with one Greek boy, who promised to treat Mary, his mule, better in future. There were no wild flowers during the Summer; it was far too hot. Everything was parched and the grass was yellow and dustladen. 24 Another day I was taken to Salamis to see the old ruins, and another day to Kyrenia on the North coast and looking through the binoculars I could see the mountains of Turkey looming high above the mist. . All too soon the heavenly month was over and I had a grand farewell from some of the United Nation's troops I had 'met and other friends. Looking back I can vividly remember the United Nations' troops I met, and how one day there was a friendly 'battle' of tug 0' war on the beach between the Swedes and the Finns among them. r remember the Greek music and 'Pata, pata', the street ' cafes, the smell of spices and kebab, the playing of the "R.B.Q." at the Leave Centre, the town alive with people even in the early. hours, the old market selling sheep skins and basket work; and above all the sun and the blue of the Mediterranean, the kindness of my hosts and friends, and the laughter and happiness I experienced. CLAlRE PERRY, Lower V BAHREIN Bahrein is the centre island of a group of islands, situated in the Persian Gulf. It has a varied climate which in fact changes three time per year. " From November to February the weather is cool, it rains a. lot leaving the whole island wet, soggy and inevitably smelly .. From March to May the weather is warm but not hot and from June to October it is stickY and so hot that qne lives in air conditioned rooms or at the swimming pool. The present ruler likes the British and encourages his subjects to do likewise. He hopes to make his country as green and pleasant as possible, and to prove this h,e has planted many trees and flowering bushes along the sides of each of the main roads. There are a number of beaches that the British may use, but the two most popular are 'The Sheiks Beach' and 'Bapco'. The Sheiks beach is made up of soft white sand fringed with Palm trees .. The Bapco beach derives its name from its owners, the oil company, but, one must be a member to uSe it. There are many swimming pools in Bahrein but the most popular is the Awali ,pool, which belongs to the Oil Company. It has a magnificent pool adjoined by a luxurious clubhouse where many indoor sports are played. 25 Jufair is the Navy base it too has a pleasant pool as well as an ample library and Naffi. Maharraq is the RAF base it is really a separate island joined !>y a causeway to Bahrein. . All these places have cinemas where good films are shown. 'Manama' is the main town on the island, its inhabitants are friendly and will do anything to make you buy their goods. Two markets are run, the fruit and vegetable market and the rather smelly fish one. Bahrein has many interesting points often invaded by tourists. The two most interesting are the 'Twin Minaretts' built well over a 100 years ago, and the 'Portuguese Fort'. . -. . The British leave Bahrein in 1971 iilthough they have been offered a large amount of money by the ruler to stay. It is a pity as Bahrein is a friendly and interesting place to live in. MANDY JENNINGS, L V AMERICA The American people are so different .from European people thaUhe one of ten criticises the other without good reason. I am going to try to clear the slate a little. Our Englishjs pronounced differently, but is still English; the words have tlie same meaning. The Austrians have called their language German for ages and nei one has objected, so far. The fact that we call our English English makes many English people angry. Well, what do you expect us to call it, Greek? The people who came to America in the first place were a mixture of every imaginable race. So you see, we are all foreigners.· They were all ambitious people, fighting for a patch of land and some peace .. The pioneer spirit that drove us west to California can still be seen. Our schools are among the best and most progressive. New ideas are readily accepted and tried. We work and speak quickly; our factories and offices are very efficient, not only because we can afford it, but because we want them that way. We use slang in order to express ourselves more quickly. O.K. was originally a·stamp of approval in a factory. The consunier in America is very important. Ifthe consumer is satisfied with shoddy goods, the manufacturer is going to produce 26 shoddy goods. But if the consumer demands high standards he will get high quality goods. Ifyou buy a washing machine and it doesn't work as it should, you complain and something is done about it. That is the only way that the manufacturer is going to know that his factory is working. This theory can be applied to our government. We elect a man to run our country; we expect him to do what is right for it. But if the result of what he has done is bad, we complain and protest until something is done. We are nearly always dissatisfied with our government. This is a healthy sign, it shows that the people take particular care in who is in charge. We are such a young country, America has only been a country for 202 years, and we still have growing pains. Already we are one of the most advanced countries in science, technology and education. It's always easy to criticise the big, rich person, but anyone can criticise; you don't have to be intelligent. Many of the criticisms of Americans that I've heard have been based on ignorance, stupidity and sour grapes. We are criticised for being materialistic. We work very hard for the money we earn, and when you have money, you naturally make life more comfortable for yourself. The more money you earn, the more comfortable you can afford to be. We are said to be so materialistic that we change our ·car every few years. Well, there is very little public transport in America because we can all afford cars. Not one of us would be able to get to work in the morning if our car broke down. Trading cars in every few years is sensible and economical. The car is not a status symbol in America, neither is the swimming pool going to be much longer. In some states they are really necessary in the summer. Another favourite criticism is that we have no interest in art, music and literature. Anybody who'd been to the U.S. could tell you that that was completely untrue. I bet we are the only nation besides Germany that celebrates Beethoven's birthday. o Many people think that by criticising Americans they make themselves appear superior, but they are really only showing their inability to reason logically if their criticisms are based on ignorance, stupidity and sour grapes. Please, if you are going to criticise us, use your head, know your facts and be constructive. Not that we are beyond criticism, of course. We may not always be right, but will never admit it. JACQUE LARSON, U V 27 .. SKllNG IN LA PLAGNE , La Plague is a, modern sid-station in Haute Savoie about 142 kin, froni Grenoble, where the winter plympics were held .this year. This Easter I was taken there by my friends family whilst I was staying with them. As La Plagne is modern there are many luxuries including a very modern catholic chapel which is in the shape ofa semi-circle with benches around the altar. There were also hairdressers, boutiques, shops, discotheques, restaurants, in fact everything to make a good holiday including a doctor's surgery and an ambulance to carry away the unfortunate to hospital! I enjoyed myself tremendously there; a group of us, the eldest being twenty two and the youngest nine, stayed in a "caravan site" in fact the side of the road. The caravan site possessed the minimum of facilities, one of which waS an" electricity cable which was a necessity because in the night the temperature' dropped to below freezing and we needed a fire. I shall never forget the morning ,ve woke up to find that the fire was not working and we were 'alLfreezil)g cold despite being in bed. Ip.side the caravan everything was frozen solid, the windows on the'inside of the caravan had a sheet of ice on them and there were icicles suspended from the curtains (the frozen result of condensation!). Even our clothes were stiff and we had to "melt" them by kee9ing them in our beds. Toothpaste, skin protection cream, and our water carriers were also affected. . Luckily this only happened once and we complained bitterly about the situation to the manager who assured us that it would not happen again as they were building another cable box. What happened we learned was that the fuses blew in the main electricity box because it ",as overloaded. La Plague had many ski-lifts because it was a new station. They had installed· one ski-cabin which the group with which I had lessons took one day. Having lessons was often very funny because I was the only English girl and the instructor would not speak English, so many of the girls practised their English on'me. One day the instructor was teaching us a new way of skiing and he tol!! us to get in along line, vertical to the slope. This we did and began to practise movement. Unluckily I was near the' front for suddenly I fell over and began to fall down the slope., There was one woman in front of me and much to my embarassment slie was in my way and I tripped her over as well. By now we were both entwined our skis mixed up and our aims and sticks as well, she was sitting on my stomach. We were also gaining speed, and my back was beginning to get bruised, as it was rubbing on the hard r 28 / , \ ',j snow. After arriving at the bottom of the slope,we came tO,a'halt and after seeing that we had no broken bones we gradually llnrirlxed ourselves and began to laugh for about one hundred yards up the slope the rest of the class were struggling down, using the, new movement. 'We were lucky in not being hurt. I passed a lot of people either waiting for the ambulance to come or lying on 'the slope with a group of people gathered round. It was rather an unnerving experience especially as I was always falling over! I was most surprised to find an article abouH:a Plagne in one of the many articles advertising winter sports in France. I certainly agree with its statement that it really is an exciting place to visit and to stay. I should love to go there again,'someday. LomSE SAYAGE,'Upper V M LIFE ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA It is, virtually impossible to sit at home in dreary, rain-soaked England and imagine the blissful existence on the French Riveria. Life begins at nine in the morning and goes on until three or four the following day. You feel the first strong rays of the sun at ten iri the morning and then everyone goes to the beach. Reclining bo!fjes are scattered over the comparatively small beaches soaking np'the heavenly ,Mediterranean sun. Newcomers are recognizable by their whiteness but within two or three days they graduate from a bright pink to a dark bronze! The whole day until seven in the evening is spent lying on the beach. A great long sandwich filled with ham or sancissant has to suffice from supper ~he previous evening till supper the same evening as French breakfast consists merely of a cup of coffee. The main meal of the day is at seven every evening with the most peculiar dishes. The French have such enormons appetites that it is no wonder they need a siesta-each meal consisting of at least four courses! However, after this people start to emerge again and at ten in the evening the town is as full as during the day. The promenades are swarming with students selling antique jewellery and modern paintings and the traditional French street cafes are busy until midnight. But the liveliest places are found underground in the "boites" or nightclubs. These are similar to ,English discotehques, but much smaller. However like the rest of the French Riviera these places are expensive-£I for an evening-but well worth it. There, people dance until three or four in the morning every day of the week! 29 " " '. \ -J_ The French are renowned for their good food but perhaps the most delicious are the different varieties of ice cream. Rum ice cream, covered with fresh cream, topped with a meringue, half covered in chocolate with the face .of a clown on it-hence its name "une c1une"-to name but one. The main meals however are somewhat different-"potaufeu"-a mixture of all sorts but quite tasty or "couscous" a tasteless cereal served with stew. But the most delicious French dish is Pizza. This can be made from any vegetable -mushrooms, fruit of the sea or really anything you care to name. Another thing the French are renowned for is their "cersos". These are the equivalent of English carnivals without the fair and much more effective. Everyone is showered with confetti by people standing near or from a' float which sprays it over everyone and' everything. At the end of the procession people stand literally up to their ankles in confetti and it makes you wonder when the next day th~ streets are clear how the men ever managed to clear them so quickly, as again these festivities carry on well into the early hours. Standing on the beach at midnight and seeing the shimmering lights of the street decorations together with those. of the floats on the one hand and the twinkIingiights from the yachts in the harbour and from ·tlie towns along the coast ·on the other, is a sight to remember and. certainly one to recollect during the dreary days of our winter. . . . S. ADAMs, U VI A BATTLE WITH THE ROMANS The battle began on the sandy plain, 1 hoped to see my father again, Shield met shield, sword met sword, I stood there stilI not uttering a word. There were cries of anger, And screams of help. Bleeding legs and a sudden yelp, The Battle r!lged on. Shields were battered and Helmets scattered Men lay wounded, and some dead,. My father came up, "We have won", he said. SUSAN FINCHER, III 30 ~' THE OLD OAK TREE Here I stand in all my' splendour My -roots deep in the earth, My straggling branches, no more slender, Have been here since my birth. I've stood here for three hundred years Through rain and snow and sun. I've heard the bells in the old church tower, Ring a thousand times. Girls and boys have been here too, Climbing through my branches, I don't mind though, I don't care, Let them see me standing here, Let the people stand and stare. Now I'm old and weary too, But I'm still happy and content Though my hollow trunk is bent, I've lived through the sorrow, I've lived through the pain, . I know that I'll never live again. JEANETTE HARDIMAN, Form lIT LATE EVENING -, Sitting, quietly listening Beneath the apple tree, You look up through the leaves to see A pattern of twigs, and branches, Against the fading sky. A bird chirps in the hedge near by, The blackbird sings from his perch up there On the roof of a house When on goes a light, As the sun sinks down, the glow dies away, And dusk turns slowly to night At the close of the day. A gentle breeze Springs up, and shakes the trees, Making you shiver; The rich, orange glow has gone from the sky, So indoors I turn Now another day's over. SHEILA CAMERON, L IV 31 THE SCARECROW You stand alone in an open field, Battered by wind and snow and hail. You have stood there nigh on twenty year$, .~ Fright~ning birds away from crops. But not any more my poor scarecrow, Not any more my poor man. You are too old to do your job, 'i The birds are too clever now. You are neglected and ragged and torn, Though once you were tall and clean. But not any more my poor scarecrow, Not any more my poor man. The farmer has now passed away, And left his son behind him. The man is coming across the field, With a spade and a sack in his hand. And you are no. more my poor scarecrow, You are no more my poor man. JENNIFER BLAGDEN, L IV AUTUMN LEAVES Fast they fall round about, Making the ground a carpet Of red and gold; And still more come Like snowdrops coloured In the evening sun. Soon all the trees will be bare, Save those who never shed Their summer cloak . Of green But now, The magnificent profile of trees, Reaching up to the sky, Is clearly visible; And their once green leaves Lie as a blanket To the nearly sleeping tree, Around its trunk, In red and gold. SHERRYLL JONES, U V M 32 THE FIRE The fire spread leaving nothing" Nothing but destruction in its wake,' The sound of flames, hissing, rushing, It had given nothing, everything to take. Children orphaned by its demon power, Young wives mourning loved ones dear, While the fire, orange like a flower, Hit,the night, and Judgement day seemed near. Buildings turued to ashes and within them, People screamed, a scream of death'and pain, Everyone just sat and looked, condemned them, Condemned them dead, and death,)t was ordained. DEBORAH COLE, L V DESTINATION UNKNOWN o who am I that in this world must stay? The answer to this question then, I pray, There is no reason for my presence here And all the more I think of this, I fear That I may not repay my roots of life For all the years that they have spent in strife. o where am I to go and what to do, For what rewards ifany, am I due. o surely J must have some talent free, That I may give the pleasures that I see And hear, to others who are satisfied Already, that deserved is their pride In their so difficult achieved careers. But is it worth these tears and fears Of failure to succeed and gainmy aim, In order that more people know my name o won't this turmoil in my brain abate; That I may know what is to be my fat~ And cease these endless wanderings through my mind So then perhaps I'll be no longer blind. G. M. CoMBE, U VI 33 WAVES OF ECSTASY I am a sea of August ecstasy Animated by the warm west wind In whose innocency lies our mediate. Your love drifts its the summer skies, Your mutable image must mesmerise My soul, when you are far and infinite, The waves of my disordered mind stir The secret depths of the illusive Pacific Which, supine, glows in your sunlit smile. You are the endless skies; my life and death. I adopt your colour, for your azure breath Mists the reflection in your looking-glass. Our separate identity is lost in the horizon; We are beyond the sunset of time and sight, And together through the transciency of youth. Yet stiU you are sublime ••• fade ••. But not from me withdraw your shade; For sky and sea are all eternity. ROSALlND BALLAM, U VI I am tormented on the edge of sleep A blackuess shrouds my vague thoughts that creeps Into my frozen spirit, numb with fear; But soon this cold fire thaws. My wrought mind hears The hell below of anguish calling now Chilling the perspiration on my brow. Delirious fury wracks my troubled brain, Dear God within, does sanity still reign? Is this a mocking echo of my sins? But no! There's a tunnel which I now enter Voices e9hoing past, then closer •.. closer. J·must live now. Light appears before me, Is there hope yet? My eyes open, r see Faces that r can just recalL Oh sleep Come quickly, restfully, that r may keep This memory. Peaceful serenity Closing weary eyelids. No longer pity Me, the torturous hour has passed away. DENlsE ALLuM, U VI 34 THE WELFARE STATE There he stands, alone, unwanted, a poor old man. He raises his hand in greeting to those who pass. On their way for a drink, A chat They never stop to ask If he would like to join them; They are all too busy with their own lives, Their pools, their pigeons, their cabbage patches, THEM They found him, three weeks laterCold, lifeless; And they all said: "Poor Old Tom, he was a good sort. We all liked him". SUZANNE CARR, U VI 35 OLD GIRLS' SECTION Committee President MISS M. E. WOODS Vice Presidents MRS. M. RAAD MIss M. K. DUNFORD Secretary KATHLEEN CmNN (nee Hutchings) Assistant Secretary ...... RITA TAYLOR (nee Mullins) Treasurer YVONNE MAlDMENT (nee Humphries) Staff Representative. __ . MISS K. DRAKE Sports Representatives SONJA CASSELL (nee Zinkova) BERYL KNAPTON Committee Members GRACE COOMBS JOYCE HISCOCK (nee Garrett) MARY YOUNG (nee Harris) The Fourteenth London Reunion March 2nd, 1968 Saturday, March 2nd, was the day set aside for the fourteenth London Reunion at Over-Seas House. As I entered the building and saw 'Shaftesbury High School' clearly displayed on the notice board, I vagely wondered whether r should know any old girl at the Meeting. However, I need not have worried. Before I had much time to think, I was greeted very warmly by Miss Dunford, Miss Drake and Miss Piggott, all at the" same time, and immediately .' engaged in busy conversation. Sadly, it was a dull, dreary day, but, the Ulster Room was warm and welcoming. Miss Dunford began the business part of the meeting by telling us that there had been forty-five acceptances and summed up the aim of the meeting as 'a renewal of happiness in the past and a strengthing for the future'. 36 '., Past, present and future were then linked together by extracts from many letters of Old Girls, near and far. Indeed, we were regaled with stories of children, curfews, bombs in troubled spots and even unusual grasses in Queensland. Quite a variety for all tastes. Then Miss Woods continued with news of the present School. We were sorry to hear that the buildings are in such a precarious state, but highly entertained by Miss Woods' seemingly casual account of heavy feet and hungry beetles! Perhaps we were immediately put in the right mood when Miss Woods said that she thought the present Shaftesbury High School Girls seemed bigger than we were! (Although comparisons are supposed to be odious!) It was then a pleasure to have Mrs. Raad speak to us for a few moments. Yet again we realized what an honour it was to have headmistresses from three generations and old girls from each era. An hour had flashed by unnoticed and soon it was time to drink tea, chat and exchange photographs. Perhaps a fly on the wall would have bad great fun listening to the snatches of conversation: "Do you know, I just can't remember what she looked like ... Isn't that terrible?" "Oh, I know who she was! She was always pinching me". (Could this really have been conversation about Shaftesbury High School 1) "Have you any ideas for a journey across the United States with three children 1" Suddenly we shared a common bond and it was indeed as Miss Dunford had said 'a renewal of happiness in the past'. We are very grateful to all the staff, past and present, who support this Association and especially to Miss Dunford who puts so much time and energy into her plans. Long may it flourish! BARBARA C. HITCHINGS O.G.A. Autumn Reunion, 1968 This year the Annual Autilmn Reunion was held on Saturday, November 9th at the Royal Chase Hotel, Shaftesbury. On leaving the very chilly atmosphere of the outside world, it was a pleasure to enter one of elegant warmth and friendly, familiar faces. 37 We were aU very sorry to hear that Miss Woods was unable to be present, owing to illness, and it was resolved during the meeting that flowers should be sent to her, and to Beryl Knapton, who had been 'injured in the hockey match that afternoon. We were all grateful to Miss Fraser who stood in for Miss Woods and presided over the business meeting which, despite relatively small numbers, proved no less interesting and provoked extremely vigorous dis cu~ions. Miss Fraser opened the meeting by welcoming all those present, gave us news of old and new members and told us about the School. Miss Dunford and Mrs. Raild and others added more items of interest, and then the minutes of the previous meeting were read by the Secretary, Kathleen Chinn (mfe Hutchings). Points in these gave rise to a lively discussion on Life Membership, which had been abolished at the previous Autumn Reunion, and it was finally decided that those who were already Life Members should remain so, but should be asked to contribute towards the price of School magazine or else give a donation towards it. After the Secretary's report, the Treasurer, Yvonne Maidment (nee Humphries) presented !ter report and we were pleased to hear that, owing mainly to the changes made earlier in the system of Life membership, our financial position was much improved and that we now had a balance of approximately £90. By that time it was eight o'clock and we were asked to reflect on other business over the meal and to return to the meeting fully fortified and given new strength to fight out remaining issues. The meal proved an excellent one-Mrs. Raad told the manager that it was the best dinner since 1937! Soft red lights and music enhanced the delicious food and a continual flow of chit·chat accompanied the appreciative jangling of knives and forks. We returned to the meeting and discussed the proposal that the committee should be made up exclusively of Old Girls, with the exception of a member of staff, if desired, to act as a liason between the committee and the School. This matter will be brought up again at the next Annual General Meeting. Then followed the election of a new committee-or rather the reinstating of the former one, for we were all glad to accept the offer of each official to carry on, despite the demanding nature of the work. We thanked them whole·heartedly for all the work they had PUt in during their previous term of office and the effort that had gone into the arranging of the reunion. 38 Before the meeting was closed, it was proposed that an attempt should be made to combine with the Grammar School for a reunion in the Summer, This is to be discussed by the Committee. What an amazing sense of fellowship and informality was present during the meeting, and what an important link it formed between the generations. There \~ere approximately forty-five at the gathering, and it was interesting to note that six of these were mothers and daughters; Mrs. hnber and Elizabeth, Mrs. Carter and Pamela, Mrs. Young and Shirley, this year's Head Girl, and, for the first time, a mother and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Strange and Jenny Strange (mle Cary). We really appreciated all that had been done to make such a memorable reunion possible and it was with great reluctance that we disbanded at 10.30 p.m. We look forward to the London reunion in March. JOAN CUSTARD News of Mrs. Raad We were glad to we1come Mrs. Raad at the London Re·union and the O.G. Dinner. Her son, and his family, have gone to Toronto where he has become a Production Manager to a Pharma_ccutical Society. Former Members of Staff MISS EssEX has left her cottage at Child Okcford and now lives in Sherborne. MRS. JESSIMAN (Mrs. Blackhall) finds it difficult to get to Shaftcsbury for meetings but is a regular altender of the London Re-unions. Her son, Philip, is in his last year at Dollar Academy, and then hopes to become a B.O.A.C. pilot. MISS LANOTON is still enjoying her work as the Royal Archivist. She was pleased to hear alt the news from Mr. and Mrs. Wagncr when she met them lookinground Windsor Casde in the holidays. MISS LoGo went to the Holy Land for her holiday in 1967, spending a week in Israel and a week in Jordan. This year she went to Czechoslovakia. MRS. MALLALlEU is still at Kingswood School. She now has two grandchildren, Jonathan aged 2, and Ruth aged 6 months. MISS MOORE is going to South Africa for Christmas. She is spending a month with relatives and friends in or near Durban. 39 MRS. ROMBULOW-PEARSE is still living at Steeple Langford though she had hoped to move to WiltoD. She greatly enjoyed her pilgrimage to Lourdes this Y<;ar. MISS TOFIELD has retired and is living in Ringwood. She was very pleased to meet Miss Maddick by chance at Mudeford. MRS. WAKEFORD. Her husband is enjoying his job at Hemel Hempstead. Their . daughter, Susan is a bright little girl. MRS. WHITE (nee Rhodes). Wc were very sorry to hear of her husband's illness. After several weeks ID i!ospitai he is now convalescing at home. Engagements Janet Biggs to John Cheek Maureen Deacon to ? Glynis Dibbcn to Peter John Cracker Heten Jones to ? Mruy Long to ran Ingrcy-Counter. Susan Piloto Christopher St. John Yates Ruth Rossiter to Roger Fulford Elizabeth Teasedale to Cbristopher Bean Ann Tidey to ? Olive Willis to Sydney Boobyer Susan WooIridge to Russell Glen Robson Marriages Kathleen Ayles to C. Ridout Jenny cary to Richard Strange Jenny Cobley to John Buftle Elizabeth Cole to George Smith Pamela Collis to Arthur Peters Julia Crockcr to '1 Joyce Gatehouse to Graham Rudgc Anna Godescth to Stephen Chapman Susan Harcourt Brooks to Michacl Burkc Georgina Hiscock to Barry RawHngs Sally Howell to Samuel Hurrey Ann Middlemas to ? GilIian Mullins to Colin Frampton Margaret Piekford to ? Maureen Riggs to Clive Goff Mary Stainer to Mr Rowbotham Shella Stride to Christopher Tuftley Jane Young to Richard Harvcy 40 Births Valerie Avis (nee Greenland), a son, Richard. Jane Efooks (nle Crouch), a daughter. " Dawn Ford (nee Hitchings), a son, Alan JOM. Ann Gill (nee Parham), a daughter, Rebccca. Christine Haines (nee Burton), a daughter, Judith. Diana Lane (nee Bowdcn), a son. Nicola Miller (nee Harris), a daughter, Katherine. , Mary Mussell (nee Moody), a son, Philip Charles. Kate Pike (nee Coles, a daughter ,Vivienne Mary. Mary Underwood (nee Gatehouse), a daughter, Raehel. Mary Vemou (nee Wilson), a daughter, Katherine. Margaret Woods (nee Chant), a daughter, Stella Jane. Death EVA YOUNG (nee Hanham). On March 10th, 1968, Eva died of cancer at her home, Pen Ridge Farm, Pcn Selwood. Wincantan, Somerset. She was 39 years old. She leaves her husband, Bryan, and two children, Colin and Karen. • O.G. News MARGARET ADAMS (nee Coombs) has returned from Germany and is now livingin Maidstone. Her daughter is a boarder at Bruton School for Girls, SunnyHill, Somerset. PA>IELA Al..ERICCI (nee Cherbury) (1951) is in her second year at the college of Sarum St. Michael and is looking fonvard to beginning to teach next Autumn. JUDY Al.WM (nee Peel) (1954) now lives close by Southampton Water and the ~ New Forest. Tony is with the Southampton Port Regiment and is becomingquite a sailor. He often goes to the Continent. Julian is 3 and Bridget 1. ANN ANoERSON (1967) is attending the College of Trades at St. John's, New· foundland, and taking a course in Spanish at the University. SUSAN BARTER (nee Green) (1956) has married Sonia Barter's (nee Sidford) brother-in-law and is now living at Woodminton Farm, Bowerchalke, where Sonia Jived before she moved to London. SONtA BARTER (nee Sidford) (1951) is very happy in London though she misses her friends in the country. She is impressed with the friendly atmosphere of the Comprehensive School which Guy attends and the helpfulness of the Parent-Teachers' Association. MARY BARTLEIT (1965) has obtained her Certificate in Marketing at Kingston Technical College, and is now working at Bcechams as a market research analyst. She has only onc more exam to pass before she becomes a qualifiedmember of the Market Research Institute. 41 PEGGY BEARING (nie Stainer) (1941) sees Mary Murray (nie King) quite often. Her elder son, Martin Hugall. is at Bristol University and her younger son, Peter, is at Bournemouth College of Art. JENNY BLANCHElT (1968) is training as a nurse at King's College Hospital and hopes eventually to become a Health Visitor. ANN BLUNDEN (nie Ward) (1955) has spent two months in U.S.A. with her family. To solve the dollar problem they bought a 1935 Rolls Roycc. They drove to Arizona and spent two weeks in the desert there visiting Indian and mining camps and Disneyland. They sold their car. hired another one, and drove up the California coast to San Francisco. They crossed the States by train in a vista compartment and flew home by V.C.10. JENNY BOHOT (1967) is training as a nurse at the Bristol Childrens' Hospital. JANE BRAYfORD (1956) joined the Nursing Sisters of St. John the Divine at Hastings on February 1st, to test her vocation. She visited Miss Maddick in October wearing her new habit. JENNY BUFFLE (nie Cobley) (1961) met her husband, John, in the English Church Choir in Geneva. He is Swiss but his mother is English. There is a lively English Drama Society in Geneva. Jenny attended a Central Committee of the 'World Council of Churches in Crete, which \'vas opened by KingConstantine. She had time to explore the great archaeological sites of Kp.ossos and Phaistos. MARCEL BURT (1966) finds that Rolle College of Education at Exmouth still retains its friendly atmosphere in spite of its rapid growth. Maureen Deacon was her College Mother. Marcel specially enjoys the courses in Judo and Trampoline. RACHEL BURTON (1963) is enjoying her work as a nursery-nurse in London. She hopes to go ski-ing with the family in Norway soon. PAMELA CARTER (1968) is taking a course at the Constance Spry Flower School in London from September till April. She also attends a weekly Cordon Bleu Cookery Class in the evening. SONIA CASSELL (nee Zinkova) (1954) is now living in Dewes House at Mere. Their Wyvem Restaurant is doing well. She and her husband thoroughlyenjoyed their holiday in Majorca in October. ANNA CHAPMAN (mle Godcscth) (1966) lert tho Westminster Hospital on her Marriage and is completing her training in Southampton. JILL CLARK (nee Brooks( (1961) is living at Leigh·on-Sca. We hope to scc her at the London Re-union. GRACE CooMBS (1949) Holy Trinity and cann Schools have amalgamated to fonn Shaftesbury Primary School, in fine new buildings in Mampitts Lane. Grace is teaching there now and also Mrs. Scalbcrt. BARBARA CRIPPS (1968) has gone to Marlborough College for her Sixth Form Course. Girls, mostly _sisters of boys in the School, have been admitted there for the first time this term. JOAN CUSTARD (1967) is enjoying her work in her second year at Bedford College. She is sharing a flat with three friends. STELLA DIBBEN (1963) is spending a year as a trainee Social 'Vorker with the Spastics Society. She attends evening classes at the City of Westminster College for the Diploma in Social Studies. JEAN EOMUNDS (1968) is enjoying her first tenn at St. Mary's College, Cheltenham. BERYL FOOTE (1965) has passed the first set of exams in Quantity Surveying and is now doing day-release study instead of block-release as before. 42 KIRSTEN KLOSE (1955) takes her daughter, Iris, with her to her medical work in hospital. "She is a very contented baby perhaps because I haven't got much time for her". MARGARET GAMBLl>