the aymestrey magazine spring - 1954

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T H E AY M E S T R E Y M A G A Z I N E S P R I N G - 1 9 5 4

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

OLD AYMESTREY ASSOCIATION

5TH DECEMBER, 1953.

The Eleventh Annual General Meeting o'the Old Aymestry Association was held in the Memorial

Library, Crown East, on Saturday, 5th December, 1953, at 5.0 o'clock in the afternoon.The following Members were present :

The President, Mrs. Edith M. Asterley, and R. T. Hills, I. W. Routh, Charles W. Massey, Oliver Philpot,

W. B. Stallard, J. W. Massey, R. W. Massey, J. Griffiths, D. A. N. Asterley, M. J. Larkam, R. B.

Custerson, J. S. Lolling, R. J. Thomason, R. Lester Steynor, R. Douglas-Osborn, John J. Coates, J. H.

Phipps, J. A. G. Coates, A. Morcom, R. H. Stretton, D. P. Stratton, E. R. Lane, J. B. Hughes, J. F.

Aldersey, J. S. Stallard, E. John Wood, Jonathan Coates, A. B. Aitken, J. Eyton Coates, L. N. Helsby,

with Miss A. H. Coates, Honorary Member.

Our Chairman, Laurence Helsby, welcomed such a wonderful turn-out of members. He said this was

probably our record attendance for an annual meeting and it was pleasing to note such a representative

cross-section of members of all ages.

The Secretary read the notice convening the meeting. This was followed by the reading of the

minutes of the last Annual General Meeting held on 29th November, 1952. These were unanimouslyconfirmed on the proposit ion of Lester Steynor, seconded by W. Stallard.

There were no matters arising from the minutes, but Jack Coates raised the question of special

articles written by Old Boys for insertion in the School Magazine. Dan Asterley promised to endeavour to

persuade Old Boys to forward him suitable contributions.

A number of apologies for absence were received from members, amongst which were Keith Aitken, J.

Gallimore, J. L. Green, R. A. Spreckley, D. S. M. Lockhart.

In their report the Secretaries and Treasurers stated that our membership had increased by sixteen

which made our total up to about 240. They regretted to record the passing of three members during the

year, T. R. Vale after a motor cycle accident, Bill Baldwin, who had been a valuable member of the

Association since its formation and a member of the Committee fora number of years, and Mrs.

Farmer who had been a member of the staff for many years. In the annual Cricket Match during the

summer the Association again lost. The magazine fund had been somewhat dormant during the

period. They made an appeal for new subscribing members to this fund. They said that a message

had been received from " Tettie" who wished the Association " all the best." After making references to

our annual dinner which was to take place that evening at the School, the report was unanimously

adopted on the proposition of C. W. Massey and seconded by 0. L. S. Philpot.

Financial Statement.

The Joint Auditors read the Financial Statement which showed a satisfactory state of affairs. The

accounts were approved on the proposition of John Stal lard, seconded by R. L. Steynor.

(Note: Copy of Statement of Account is included in this issue of the Magazine.)

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Election of Officers 1953-54:

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year

President. Unanimous re-appointment of Mrs. Edith M. Asterley.

Chairman. Charles W. Massey, last year's Vice-Chairman, was unanimously elected on the

proposition of the Chairman. The new Chairman then proceeded to thank the retiring

Chairman for carrying out his duties during the past year. L. N. Helsby, the retiring

chairman, by virtue of the rules of the Association becomes an ex-officio member of the

committee for the ensuing year.Vice-Chairman. J. A. G. Coates.

The following members were elected to the Committee either to fill vacancies or for a full three

years term of office :

To retire 1954—John Wood and Lester Steynor to fill vacancies.

To retire1956—John Griffiths and Michael Larkam.

Messrs. J. W. and R. W. Massey were re-appointed Auditors and were thanked for their services

during the past year.

Messrs. A. B. Aitken and J. Eyton Coates were re-appointed Joint Hon. Secretaries and Treasurers.

D. A. N. Asterley was re-appointed School Correspondent.

With votes of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Asterley and Miss Worton for providing tea and to the

Chairman for presiding, the meeting terminated at 6.00 p.m.

LIST OF MEMBERS.

Alterations and additions to the List of Members published in 1948. Amendments are correct up to

May 1954. Will members please notify the Secretaries of any per manent change of address so that they

can keep the members' list up to date.

New Members.

PHIPPS, J. H. .... Lynton, Twyford, Evesham.

LEWIS, D. S. .... Bishopstone Court, Bridge Sollers, Hereford.

LONGLEY, R. P. Memphis Hotel, M.H.Tromplaen, 55, Enschedi, Holland.

BUTTERS, N. .... Cottesloe, Fye Field Road West, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham.

BARNES, C. .... Showle Court, Yarkhill, Nr. Ledbury.

BOMFORD, R. H. R. ...Tufton Warren, Nr. Whitchurch, Hants.COLEY, L. G. .... Oldfields, Harvington, Nr. Evesham.

GOODWIN, N. J. Rookwood, Burghill, Hereford.

HILLS, R. T. .... Wychwood, St. Catherine's Hill, London Road, Worcester.

MOGG, J. N. B. .No. 9, M.O.Q. School of Infantry, Warminster.

OWEN, R. J. R..... Hanway Lodge, Richards' Castle, Nr. Ludlow.

POWELI, D. G..... Three Counties Club, Ayleston Hill, Hereford.

ROUTH, 1. W. .... 41 Dalby Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

SHERWOOD, A. W. .... The Drift, Wentworth Road, Four Oaks, Warwickshire.

Change of Address.

WOOD, E. J. .... 99 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham 5.

MASSEY, R. W. Flat 23, 21 Talbot Square, London, W.2.

MACNAMARA, T. H. Peppershill, Long Crendon, Aylesbury, Bucks.

THE ANNUAL DINNER.

A Dinner, which it is hoped will be the forerunner of many such functions and also an annual event,

took place in the Dining Room of the School on Saturday, 5th December, 1953, after the Annual

Meeting of the Old Boys Association. Before describing the actual dinner it would be as well to recount

the events which led up to it and the reason for not holding it at an hotel in Worcester. After our

annual cricket match in July, Dan Asterley suggested to the Secretary that it would be a grand idea if

the Old Boys had their annual dinner at the School. The Secretary

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then had a hurried conversation with the old boys who had attended the match to obtain their views

on this project. All present agreed that it would be a splendid idea, but that we could not commit the

Association to such a change without first obtaining the views of the other members of the

Committee . Accordingly, the Secretary wrote to all the committee members and, as there were no

adverse replies, Dan Asterley was requested to go ahead with the arrangements. It was therefore with

an air of expectancy that a company of about 30 members and their wives sat down in a tastefully

decorated dining room.

Need we have had any apprehension? Had we only remembered what Aymestery could produce for the

annual "Bust up," we need have had no fears. The repast to which we sat down was :-

Soup

Fried Sole

Goose and suitable vegetables

Trifle

Cheese and Biscuits

Coffee.

Following the dinner, the proceedings took on a more formal tone. The Chairman, Charles W. Massey,

first of all proposed the Loyal Toast. This was followed by Laurence Helsby giving the toast of the

School, to which Dan Asterley replied in an amusing speech. Eyton Coates proposed the toast of

Absent Friends, which was followed by toasts to the Guests by John Stallard, and finally a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Dan Asterley, Miss Worton and the School staff who had made this wonderful dinner

a reality.

We now look forward to our Annual Dinner for 1954. Let us hope that Mr. and Mrs. Asterley will ask

us again.

OLD BOYS' NEWS.

A. J. LELAND.

We have to record with very deep regret the death of Tony Leland, who lost his life in a flying

accident last year while serving with the Fleet Air Arm. He was at Aymestrey 1937-43, was a Prefect

and Captain of Soccer, a member of the Cricket XI and Rugger XV, a fine swimmer and a keen scout.

Though a quiet and unobtrusive boy, he had a strong and unusual personality and an original

intelligence ; and it is safe to say there was no boy at Aymestry in his time who had a higher place inthe affection of his contemporaries.

D. T. M. Birks is engaged to Miss Diana Cooke.

H. E. R. Jerram is engaged to Miss Ann Vicars, and after his marriage he will be working in Sydney.

P. E. B. Robinson has been playing hockey for Cheshire again.

R. C. R. Hill was married recently to Miss Angela Gallon ; at his wedding he received telegrams

from both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

D. C. Coates has a son, born last September.

J. B. Hughes was married in New Zealand in February to Miss K. Murray, and they will be back in

England in June.

A. J. B. Robinson has again been playing hockey for England and has now had 21 consecutive caps.

He is an assistant housemaster at Millfield.I. R. A. Leahy is engaged to Miss Joyce Coupon.

E. R. Lane was married in October to Miss M. E. Sparkes : J. S. Stallard was his best man.

J. E. Page is on the staff of Brighton College.

J. S. Pettigrew has come to England from Canada with a Studentship to King's College,

Cambridge. He has been in the University Ice Hockey Team.

T. Leland is in the Navy, on the Engineering side.

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A. J. French has left the R.M.C. Sandhurst, and is in the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

D. J. French is a farm pupil in Scotland.

P. G. Cope is leaving his firm in Gloucester and is returning home to help with his father's farm.

T. M. Tibbetts is now qualified as a doctor, and is a House Surgeon at the Dudley Road

Hospital, Birmingham. His rugger season was curtailed by a broken leg, and he has also had a motor-

cycle crash, from which, however, he emerged more or less unhurt.

L. H. Biggs, after taking his degree at Durham University, has been doing a teaching course atLeicester, and hopes to be a fully fledged schoolmaster in the autumn.

I. H. Marshall is final in his final year at Cape Town University ; he has had a year's practical work as an

architect in Kenya.

J. N. Webb finished his national service as a subaltern in the King's Dragoon Guards, and is now

back in the textile department at Leeds University.

W. B. Dewing wrote from Hong Kong at Christmas ; he was then expecting to be home in March.

C. A. B. Adams is now in the Tanganyika Police.

R. A. Devereux was married to Miss Gillian Couchman last May.

M. J. Larkam has been working at home since leaving Cheltenham. He has been playing rugger

regularly and has once risen as far as the Moseley 3rd XV. He has been doing a good deal of flying

and has paid an aerial visit to Aymestrey.R. B. Custerson passed his final exam. at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, and is now in

the Army.

J. S. Colling left Oundle last year, where he was house Prefect and had his House Colours for rugger. He

is now articled to a firm of Chartered Accountants in London.

I. R. McLeod has left Sherborne, where he was a House Prefect. His National Service career was

brief as he was invalided out after a few days because of something wrong with his feet ; but he has been

awarded a Major County Scholarship to Cambridge and goes up in the Autumn.

R. J. S. Hughes is a Lance Bombardier in the R.A.

R. H. Stretton has finished his National Service and is learning Agricultural Engineering at

Wolverhampton.

A. C. Record is a House Prefect at Sherborne. He has been in the Hockey XI and the 2nd XV, sings

bass in the choir and has been busy with other musical activities. He hopes to go up to Oxford.C. J. Mayfield is a House Prefect at Sedbergh and has his House Colours for rugger, his house

winning the cup.

P. D. Coates has been very busy with his music both at Clifton and in the National Youth

Orchestra. He is in the Shooting VIII and is doing well at rugger.

P. M. Coates is a House Prefect at Lanford and has been in the XV and the Shooting VIII.

A. J. R. Turner is in the Modern Vth at Marlborough. He has finished with C.C.E., is in his house

swimming team, and sings tenor in the choir.

R. A. Sparrow was top of his form last summer at Bradfield and won an award as the best cadet of

his term in the C.C.F.

W. B. Stallard is in the Vth at Bromsgrove. He was in the Colts XI and his house XI at hockey.

H. St. J. Mildmay has passed the G.C.E. at 0 level at Wycliffe and is now taking various subiects at A

level. He plays the clarinet and is very interested in painting.

M. J. Morton is in his house XV at Haileybury, and taken the C.C.E. this year.

A. C. E. Parry has played as a wing threequarter for the Senior Colts XV at Uppingham.

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C. C. Billingham takes the G.C.E. at Badingham College this year. He has been in the XV and has

been a successful place-kicker.

E. D. Ellis has been doing well with his music at Uppingham. He has taken Grade V at the piano,

but has given up his violin, after getting a Grade III distinction, because of lack of time.

C. and J. Morcon are both taking the G.C.E. this term at Sherborne ; they have been very active with

their music.

J. H. Shew was Captain of the Junior Colts XV at Allhallows.J. H. Phipps played for the Junior Colts XV at Bromsgrove, and I. W. Routh for the under 14 XV.

W. T. Barnes has been doing a good deal of boxing at Bedford ; he won his semi-final by a

knock-out but was beaten in the final. He won his hurdles in the sports, and his brother won the hurdles

in his division.

R. J. R. Owen was moved up in form after his first term at Repton and was top of the new form

the term after. He is in the choir a nd has been singing in various competitions.

R. T. Hills was in the Junior XV at the R.G.S. Worcester, until a cycle accident put him off games. He

won the junior 100 yards and hurdles at the sports.

P. D. Stokes has written from Ceylon where he has been having a wonderful holiday for a term

before going to Rossall.

Besides those mentioned above and those who came to the Annual Meeting we have had visits

from S. J. Rodgers, G. A. B. Howell, T. S. J. Gallimore, R. C. L Gallimore, N. R. Bomford, D. G.

Powell, and Miss V. H. Douglas ; and letters from I. N. B. McGowan, N. R. A. Leakey, D. R. McLeod, T.

T. Shepherd, A. W. Sherwood, E. Carpenter, L. G. Coley, J. N. B. Mogg, R. H. R. Momford, N. J.

Goodwin, Lt.-Col. H. G. Ogden, and Mr. D. Glover.

A TRIP TO THE WEST INDIES.

As I write this, our Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have just passed through the Panama Canal

and are on their way to Fiji and other places in the Far East. Before passing through the Canal they

visited Bermuda, that lovely group of islands in the Atlantic, and then later made their way through one

of the most colourful parts of the world, the Caribbean.

It was in 1933 that I first visited the British West Indies. I boarded a Harrison liner, the Inanda, at

Liverpool Dock. There were only about thirty other passengers, and I can assure you that should you

ever make a sea trip you will do well to choose a fairly small ship in preference to a very large one as,

generally speaking, you get a much better time on the former. The good ship Inanda ploughed her way

through stormy seas until she ran into fine weather the other side of the Azores. Then the sea turned

to a magnificent deep blue, flying fish were seen flitting over the waves, and the passengers came out

from their cabins where some of them had been passing a very difficult time, donned their shorts and

bathing costumes, and settled down to the lazy and delightful existence which can, in my opinion,

only be found on board an ocean liner. Apart from the Azores, no land was seen until suddenly out of

the horizon a cloud appeared and gradually below that cloud an island became visible. It grew bigger

and bigger and after a time you could see the nature of the land, which was mountainous, tropicaland exceedingly fertile. It was Antigua in the Leeward Group. We called in at St. John's for a few

hours and I took the opportunity of trying out my crawl in the beautifully warm sea. Little did I

guess when I was at Aymestry that those strokes that I had learnt so diligently in the swimming pool

would some day give me such pleasure in a tropical paradise.

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After Antigua we called in at Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent before anchoring off St. George's

harbour in Grenada, the chief island of the Windward Group. It was to Grenada that I had been sent

in order to erect some diesel machinery at the St. George's Power Station. The Customs officials

came on board and soon we were allowed to go on shore. I made my way to the Superintendent of

Public Works' office and then spent the rest of the day and part of the evening making sure that the

fifty tons of machinery which I was to instal had all arrived and also that it was landed. It would have

been most annoying to find that a part of the consignment had been allowed to go on to Trinidad some

ninety miles South.

For ten weeks I worked inGrenada and eventually managed to start up the plant, test it, and get

it handed over to the Government. Should any of you ever go on erection jobs abroad, and I hope

you will some day, you will do well to plan all your days to the full, but never allow yourself to try and

do more in any one day than necessary. It is a fatal errorto try and work too quickly as the odds are

that errors will creep into your work and that would be fatal with high precision machinery.

But I didn't start this little story with the intention of talking about work. What did I do with my

spare time in Grenada ? I purchased a very old Ford two-seater at the local auction room for a mere £

12. A few tins of blue paint and a willing native boy soon made that old galopy look quite smart. Then,

in the evenings after work, I used to go down to Grand'Ance beach and swim for an hour or so in water

which looked almost too clear to be true. At Grenada I have dived off a platform twenty feet high

into water about sixteen feet deep, and the water was so clear that from the top of the diving board inclear moonlight I could see the bottom quite clearly. On Sunday mornings I used to swim around for two

or three hours … no need to be troubled about the temperature of the water as it was somewhere

about 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

I used to work six days a week in Grenada, starting at seven in the morning and finishing at about

four-thirty in the afternoon. Soon the time passed and I had to leave for another part of the West

Indies, St. Lucia. So farewell to Grenada, the Spice Island, and all its lovely beaches and scenery.

Possibly this short introduction to a very lovely part of this world of ours may have interested you a

little. If so, perhaps one day I will get busy on this old typewriter again and tell you about other parts of the

Caribbean ….. just let me know?!

A. MORCOM.

SCHOOL NOTES.Valete : P. D. Stokes Came Se pt , 1948. Prefect 1953. Top of Form V. Cricket XI 1949-53,

Batting Prize, Fielding Cup 1953. Soccer XI 1950-53. Rugger XV 1953, Shooting Cup 1953. Choir

1951-3. Leader of Greys. Patrol Leader. (Rossall).

P. C. B. Barling. Came Sept., 1947. Prefect 1953-4. Cricket XI 1950-53, All- rounder Cup 1952-3.

Rugger XV 1951-4, Capt. 1954. Soccer XI 1950-53. Colours for Swimming, Athletics, Boxing,

Shooting, Gym. Choir. Leader of Greens. Patrol Leader. (Clifton).

R. P. Hoyle, Came Sept., 1949. Rugger XV 1954. Soccer XI 1953. Gym. olours. (Malvern).

Salvete : N. D. Birks, B. W. Massey, G. G. Rush, D. R. Thomas, C. N. Todd, T. Bates, M. J. Bates,

D. R. M. Pennock.

The following took and passed Associated Board Music Exams during the winter: Baldwin, Grade 11,

with merit ; McDonald, Grade I, with merit ; Powell, Grade I ; Sherwood, Grade I, with Distinction.

A number of boys in the last three years have, as " leaving presents," given contributions to a

fund for converting the radiogram in Form V for use with long-playing records ; we are glad, and

grateful, to say that this has now been done.

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The Carol Party this winter was not only up to standard in general, but was the best for many years

in the quality of the singing.

The Bust Up was—the Bust Up !

There was a week's tobogganing in the Easter Term ; the snow was not deep but there was just

enough and conditions were fast. Several boys reached the hedge at the far end of the pond, a distance

which has only once been surpassed ; and a stop-watch showed that over 100 yards in the middle of

the course speeds of a little more than 20 m.p.h. were attained.COLOUR COMPETITION.

CHRISTMAS TERM.

Work. The fol lowing obtained good ment ions for Alphas and Show-Ups : - Blues: Evans 58-2,

Powell 45-1, Phipps 46-5, Baldwin 44-8, Banks 33-2.

Greens : Matthews 56-3, Barling 46-2, Lawton 45-1, McDonald 51-7, Ellam 49-7, Parry A. 43-8, Parry R.

43-5.

Greys: Stokes 73-2, Robins 71-2, Massey 58-1, Turner 57-4, Thomson J. 57-10 Goodwin 44-6.

1. Greens 38, 2. Greys 35, 3. Blues 27.

Discipline. Good mentions: Blues: Duncan 17-4, Phipps 15-1, Banks 13-1. Greens : Barling 17-5,

Matthews 18-1, McDonald 13-0.

Greys: Robins 22-1, Stokes 23-2, Gallimore J. 21-5.1. Greens 40 ; 2. Greys 35 ; 3. Blues 25.

Games. Soccer Cup—Greens. Shooting Cup—Greens.

Boxing Cup—Greens. Gym.—Greys.

1. Greens 40 ; 2. Greys 34 ; 3. Blues 26.

Total: 1. Greens 118 ; 2. Greys 104 ; 3. Blues 78.

EASTER TERM.

Work . Good mentions : Blues. Phipps 35-4, Barnard 21-1.

Greens: Matthews 55-1, Parry A. 50-2, Ellam 53-4, Lawton 45-2, Barling 35-5.

1. Greens 51 ; 2. Blues 27; 3. Greys 22.

Discipline. Good mentions: Blues. Powell 9-1, Phipps 8-1.

Greens: Parry A. 18-0, Matthews 14-1, McDonald 12-1, Pennock 9-1

Greys : Gallimore J. 18-4, Gallimore R. 14-3, Robins 13-2.

1. Greens 50 ;2. Greys 27 ; 3. Blues 23.

Games. Rugger Cup—Greens. Kicking Cup—Greens.

Gym. Cup—Greys. Shooting—Greens.

1. Greens 43 ;2. Greys 35 ; 3. Blues 22.

Total : 1. Greens 144 ; 2. Greys 84 ; 3. Blues 72.

SOCCER MATCHES.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14th. AYMESTREY V. SEAFORD COURT, at AYMFSTREY. (Won 8-1).

The XI had an easy passage in their first match, as the Seaford team was if anything younger

and smaller than ours, and they were not so well together. We started rather luckily, profiting by two

defensive lapses by our opponents in the first minute; their left-back missed a kick and let Parrythrough ; Parry's shot was fumbled by the goalkeeper and Matthews was up to put the ball into the net.

Soon

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afterwards a good pass by Matthews gave Stokes the chance to score with a fine shot from about 20

yards. Play was then even for some time, but presently Barling took a good corner, Gallimore R.

headed it into the goal-mouth and Parry turned it in. Our defence, however, was shaky at this period

and Seaford scored from a free kick ; but before half-time Matthews got a good goal from a pass by Parry,

and Stokes scored again from a long pass up by Gallimore.

After half-time we were completely on top. Phipps and Powell at back were now kicking and tackling

very well and, with Robins also doing good work at left-half, our goal was never in danger and there

was not a single shot. Our forwards were approaching very neatly, but the Seaford goalkeeper wasnow playing extremely well and shot after shot was saved. At last Goodwin scored after a period of

intense pressure, and before the end Matthews and Barling also got nice goals, which made the final

score 8-1.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21st. AYMESTREY v. THE ELMS, at COLWALL. (Lost 4-8).

Here we were up against a very much heavier side and were eventually worn down, though we

made a good fight of it for three-quarters of the game. A heavy ground and wet ball were against our

small players with their weak kicking, but we did not really play as well as we could, and in

particular our defence were at fault in not tackling quickly players who were within shooting range.

After a period of pressure by the Elms we were the first to score, Stokes getting a good goal from a

narrow angle. The Elms immediately drew level, but soon afterwards a goal by Matthews made it

2-1. Weak tackling let the Elms in again and it was 2-2. Good passing between Stokes, Parry, and

Barling gave Matthews another goal, 3-2; but the Elms scored two more and it was 3-4 at half time.

They went to 3-5 soon afterwards, but a long shot by Gallimore R. put us on terms again at 4-5. By

this time, however, we had shot our bolt and our small backs were brushed aside by their heavier

opponents and could not rest because our forwards seemed now too tired to break away and relieve

the pressure. The Elms got three more goals and the final score was 4-8. It was a lively and interesting

game because there was so much scoring, but the quality of the football was seldom good, Gallimore J. in

goal was our only player to come through with full credit ; he had a bleeding nose, a broken tooth and a

kick in the back, but showed great pluck, making good saves even immediately after his injuries.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24th. AYMESTREY v. THE LICKEY HILLS SCHOOL, at THE LICKEY. (Lost 2-4)

In this game we put up a thoroughly bad show, and were most deservedly beaten 2-4. Our opponents

also had a young team and were little bigger than we were ; they were, moreover, not noticeably better players, but they showed fight and we did not . Our backs and halves kicked weakly and were

slow to tackle, especially near goal, and the forwards were listless and badly together. We led 2-1 at

one point and were unlucky when the Lickey drew level ; but after that there was only one side in it,

and we might well have lost more heavily than we did.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28th. AYMESTREY v. THE LINK, at AYMESTREY. (Drawn 4-4).

This was another pitiful performance. We began fairly well and were completely on top throughout

the first half, leading 3-1 at half-time. But we ought to have scored twice as many goals, as we

pierced the defence with ease but simply would not shoot straight or hard, if at all. In the second half

we played very badly indeed. From 3-1 we rapidly went to 3-4 and were lucky eventually to make a

draw of it at 4-4.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4th. AYMESTREY v. ABBERLEY HALL, at ABBERLEY. (Lost 3-10).In this match we reached a rock-bottom of incompetence, and the fact that we were beaten 3-10 by

a team who were themselves playing badly speaks for itself. The whole standard of play was almost

inconceivably bad and spectators of both schools agreed that it was about the worst game they had

ever seen. Of the thirteen goals scored, ten were " gifts " presented by truly astonishing defensive lapses,

and

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only three —all scored by Abberley—were anything like good goals. Several times the bal l would roll

gently across the goalmouth and both backs and two or three forwards would all miss it completely

one after the other, generally falling down in the process ; and when the ball reached the goalkeeper he

would just drop it obligingly at the foot of a forward, who usually then put it over the top. Towards

the end Abberley grew tired before we did of the game of trying to present the match to the other side,

and then they took complete charge and scored as they liked. Admittedly we were the lighter and weaker

team, but it was a sorry performance.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 18tb. AYMESTREY v. THE LINK, at MALVERN. (Lost 3-2).

At last we picked up more than a little and, though beaten, we played better than in any previous

game. The Link were a greatly improved side and they were two goals up within a few minutes of the

start. From then on, however, we seemed like a new team and began at last to play at least with

courage and determination. The Link scored one more goal but we replied with two really good ones,

one a fine header by Barling from a corner well taken by Stokes, and the other scored by Stokes from a

centre by Barling. For long periods of the second half we were on top and only excellent

goalkeeping prevented us from drawing level or even winning. It was all most encouraging and

satisfactory.

SATURDAY, Nov. 21st. AYMESTREY v. ABBERLEY HALL, at AYMESTREY. (Lost 0-3).

Though beaten again, we played really well in this match, in which the whole level of play was far

higher than in the first. For the first five minutes or so we were as bad as ever and were a goal downalmost at once, but then we pulled ourselves together and the game was even and exciting. Abberley

scored again before half-time, but it was due to good play by them and not bad play by us, and we might

well have got a goal ourselves when Matthews shaved the post with a fine shot which entirely beat the

goalkeeper. In the second half we played even better. Backs and halves were quick on the ball and

tackled with courage, and Sherwood was very sound in goal ; and the forwards played with skill and

dash and thoroughly deserved to, score several times. Stokes hit the post with a good shot, Matthews

hit it again with a header from Barling's centre, and Barling had a hard shot just deflected by a defender's

back. Abberley got another goal and the final score was 0-3, but a score of 2-3 would by no means

have flattered us.

MONDAY, Nov. 23rd. AYMESTREY v. THE ELMS, at AYMESTREY. (Lost 1-6).

This was the best game of the season in spite of the score against us. The Elms were a goal up in

three minutes, their inside-right scoring with a good long shot. Play was then even and good for a longtime, until Gallimore was injured in a tackle and had to leave the field, and while he was off the Elms

scored again. They were a large and powerful side, far bigger than we were, but we were playing with

great pluck and dash. Pressure on our defence was heavy but almost every man tackled nobly and

worked hard ; and when our forwards did get away they passed most prettily and were often only

prevented from scoring by being ridden off the ball by sheer weight. At last quick, clever passing

between Matthews, Parry and Barling put the latter away, and as his centre came over Matthews

headed it in for the best goal we have seen this season. More good work by the forwards gave the

Elms' goal several narrow escapes, and after half-time the ding-dong play went on for another

quarter of an hour. Sherwood saved well in goal several times and the defence hustled the Elms'

forwards into wild shooting, while at the other end Stokes headed one of Barling's corners against the

bar, Matthews had a splendid shot ;use turned for a corner, and a shot by Gallimore was only

deflected by chance. But the strain of the struggle against weight and size was too great and in the last

quarter of an hour our backs were tired out and cracked completely. The Elms got four more goals

and the final score was 1 —6. But we had put up a fine fight, and had the satisfaction of giving our

opponents their hardest game of the season and of being the only side to score goals against them at all.

Sherwood only made one mistake in goal ; Gallimore played a fine and plucky game after his injury ;

Banks was generally quite a match for his man, who was twice his size; Powell. dead lame by the end,

was always trying ; Parry did a lot of work ; and Matthews and Barling played a splendid game.

9



SATURDAY, Nov. 28th. AYMESTREY v. THE LICKEY HILLS SCHOOL, at AYMESTREY. (Won 7-3)

At last the team reaped the full reward of their real efforts to improve in recent matches, and they

gave their best display of the season in winning 7-3 against a side who had beaten them 2-4

previously. The ground was very heavy and slippery, but we were the quicker side on the ball, kept our

feet better and were greatly superior in combination, the forwards showing real skill and teamwork and

also drive and determination near goal. Our backs were slow but careful and not wild, the halves were

lively and plucky and Sherwood in goal could not be blamed for the scores against him. Within three

minutes of the start the forwards began to show cleverness when Stokes came into the middle from hiswing, got the defence on the wrong foot, and pushed through a pass to Barling who drove it in with a

hard first-time shot. Then Barling beat the goalkeeper with a splendid header from Stokes' centre,

but was offside. There was no mistake, however, about his next effort, when Matthews gave him a nice

pass after a clever dribble ; and soon afterwards Stokes lobbed the ball into the net after a weak

clearance, and Barling got his third goal from a pass by Parry.

We started the second half well with a goal by Stokes after Matthews had made the opening and

Barling's shot had been blocked ; but then the pace began to tell on us and we became slow and a

little hesi tant. The Lickey promptly profited by this to score two quick goals, and when some time later

they got a third, things began to look dangerous. But we pulled ourselves together in time and scored a

very pretty goal. A strong kick by Phipps broke up a Lickey attack, Powell slipped the ball on to

Stokes and his centre was taken by Matthews with a remarkable header which smacked the ball

against the lower edge of the crossbar whence it dropped to be driven in by Parry. This put our tails

up again, and with Gallimore and Robins supporting the forwards well we got two more goals

through Stokes and Powell. Both these were " made " by Matthews who, though he did not score

himself, played an outstandingly dashing and intelligent game throughout. It was all a very good show, and

a satisfying finish to an otherwise unsuccessful season, of which, after terribly bad patch, the keynote

towards the end was steady improvement.

SATURDAY, DEC. 5th. AYMESTREY v. THE OLD AYMESTREY ASSOCIATION. (Won 9-7).

The O.A.A. seemed this year to have adopted some such slogan as " Accent on Youth " or " Away

with the Aged " ; for all but two of their side were still at their public schools and the two had not

long left. As far as the result was concerned, however, they were no more successful, and there is

some talk of allowing no old boy to play next year who is not bald or toothless or both, to see if senilesubtlety can achieve what youthful vigour did not. This was a good fast game, however, and the

School were playing very well together. Matthews bagged a captain's share of the scoring with 6 goals

and Parry, Barling and Gallimore scored one each. Phipps, Stallard and Larkam were the chief suppliers

of First Division touches in the Old Boys' side.

RUGGER.

With no epidemic and practically no illness of any kind, we were able to have plenty of practice

this season, only interrupted by a fortnight's hard weather early on. In general, therefore, the standard

came on very well. and it was a tribute to the younger boys that we were able to play full sides on

the senior game—that is, two-thirds of the school could take a reasonable part in a game of reasonable

standard. Besides those in the XV and the reserves, younger members of the senior game who deserve

mention were Green, Rush, Parry R., Williams, Turner and Pennock, and Banks and Todd showed up

well in " Colts " games.With only four old colours left and a very young school, the prospects of the XV did not look

bright, and, in fact, there were plenty of weak points to start with ; but by the end of the season the side

was a very useful one though nothing like last year's. They only once put up a poor show, which

they redeemed handsomely in the return match ; and they won 5 matches out of 7. Nine members of

the team should be here next season and six the season after, so that future prospects seem good.

10



RUGGER MATCHES.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24th. AYMESTREY v. THE LINK, at home. (Won 24-3).

We had rather too easy a passage in the first match, as our opponents had had less practice than we

had, and the serious weaknesses which we showed went largely unpunished. We did well in the set

scrums and mauls, but the line-out play was poor ; the backs ran and passed quite well, but had

little tackling to do, and our defence against foot rushes was bad.

Sherwood scored our first try in some loose play near the line, and then some passing in our own " 25

" allowed the Link to draw level. For the rest of the first half we played well. Robins' hooking gave us plenty of the ball and we launched any number of attacks. The Link's tackling was good and they

were man for man bigger, but Matthews scored two good tries from openings by Barling, and Barling

got one himself after a blind-side break by Gallimore. A similar break after half-time gave Gallimore a

try ; Barling dropped a goal and made the opening for Matthews' third try, and finally a good run by

Hoyle sent Parry in. The place-kicking with a hea7,y ball was poor and no tries were converted.

Robins led the forwards well and Birks, Phipps and Goodwin did best in the pack.

SATURDAY, FEB. 27th. AYMESTREY v. THE ELMS, away. (Lost 0-34).

This was the first rugger match we had lost for four seasons and our heaviest defeat for twenty

years. There were some extenuating circumstances ; we were slightly outweighted forward and very

heavily so outside, and five of the eight tries were scored by one individual who was considerably

bigger than anyone opposed to him. But we have dealt successfully with heavier sides and heavier

individuals in the past, and the main cause of the margin of defeat, if not of defeat itself, was the forwards'

inability to obtain possession, and a general lack of pluck and spirit once things began to go wrong.

For the first fifteen minutes we showed plenty of fight, everyone tackled nobly, and there was no

score until just before half-time when two quick tries between the posts gave the Elms a 10-point lead.

After that there was only one side in it. Individuals occasionally did good things, especially Goodwin

and Barling, but as a whole our tackling was weak and the covering and team-work in defence was

lazy and half-hearted. We did not perhaps deserve such a heavy defeat, but we certainly deserved to

lose.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10th. AYMESTREY v. THE LINK, at home. (Won 20-0).

Our opponents' ground was unfit and they very sportingly agreed to play again on ours. The Link

had improved and they had more of the ball in this game, but our tackling was better so that they

rarely looked like getting through. Hoyle scored our first try after a very pretty movement in whichGallimore, Barling and Matthews handled well ; Barling then cut through nicely to give Matthews a

scoring pass ; and just before half-time a nice movement started near our " 25," Barling, Matthews and

Hoyle all making ground and giving Parry a 40-yard run for a good try.

The first part of the second half was ragged and wild and the Link pressed for some time, but at last

a good rush by Goodwin, Birks, Robins and Robbins took us down the other end and Barling

dummied his way over. Then Goodwin dribbled over the line for Lawton to touch down ; and we

finished with a spectacular try, when Gallimore broke away from a set scrum on the open side,

Barling came up very fast to take his pass and then threw a long overhead pass to Matthews who

scored the try, and converted it himself.

SATURDAY, MARCH 13th. AYMESTREY v. ARDEN HOUSE, away. (Lost 5-11).

One of the main factors in this game was the fact that we were taken by surprise by the smallness of

our opponents' ground on which we had not played before. It was 20 yards narrower than ours which

made our usual long-passing game impossible, though it must be remembered that the difference fference

operates just as much against Arden House when they visit us. Naturally the game was mainly a forward

struggle and we were heavily outweighted. Nevertheless, we more than held our own in the set scrums

where combination told, but in the loose individual weight was against

11



us and, moreover, our weakness in falling on the ball showed up badly. Our tackling was good

throughout, especially that of Barling, Parry and Lawton, and the only time an Arden House player

broke right through he was splendidly tackled by Sherwood at full-back. Barling kicked very well,

finding long touches even against the wind, and he scored our only try, which Powell converted. Our

opponents' tries were all scored at close range. We were in no way disgraced and a closer score or

even a draw would not have flattered us.WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17th. AYMESTREY v. ABBERLEY HALL, away. (Won 9-3).

This was, as usual, a most enjoyable game. Abberley had had less practice than we had and were

not at full strength, and their back play did not threaten much danger ; but their defence was very good

and their forward rushes were troublesome especially in the second half. Playing up the hill first, our

pack started very well and the threequarters were continually on the move, but for a long time they

could not find a way through. At last Barling found a buyer for his dummy and he timed his pass to

Matthews very well, Matthews just scoring in the corner. A good Abberley rush followed and they

dribbled over the line but lost the touch down. Good kicking by Gallimore and Barling regained the

lost ground ; and then a classic movement from a line-out on the right sent the ball along our line

with fast running and good passing which gave Parry a clear run in. In the second half we started by

pressing strongly, but we could not get through and Abberley rushed into our " 25 " ; from here,

however, we did produce a scoring movement, Matthews breaking through and Hoyle rounding it off with a fine run. But this seemed to finish us and Abberley were pressing for most of the rest of the

time, deservedly scoring a try in a forward rush. Besides those already mentioned, Birks, Robins and

Evans did very well.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20th. AYMESTREY v. THE ELMS, at home. (Won 3--0).

For this match the XV suddenly produced a degree of pluck and determination far superior to

anything they had shown before, and to turn a 0-34 defeat into a victory was a remarkable

achievement. There were three main factors. The first was that in the previous match the forwards

had scarcely ever got the ball, whereas now they won more than half of the scrums and line-outs and

held their own in the mauls. Secondly, our handling of a wet ball was superior to that of our

opponents. And, thirdly, the tackling and covering were tremendous ; the big threequarter who scored

five tries against us before, scarcely ever moved more than a couple of yards, and on the one occasionon which he broke right away he simply disappeared under a wave of corner-flagging forwards, some ten

yards from the line.

The only score came two minutes from the start. The Elms kicked off, Gallimore found a long

touch, Birks caught cleanly in the line-out and the ball was heeled; a long fast pass from Gallimore

enabled Barling to outflank his own man and draw oneof the centres, Hoyle drew the other centre,

Matthews drew the wing, and Parry had room to swerve round the full-back and score in the corner.

This put us in great heart. Soon an almost identical movement took Parry to within a few yards of the

line, and then Barling shaved the post with a good drop at goal. But eventually we were driven back and

the Elms attacked in their turn. One of our players was tackled right on the line, but neglect to play

the ball with the foot lost them a great chance ; and a minute or two later we were penalised for offside

only some ten yards and almost in front of the posts, but the kick was missed.

After half-time the Elms continued to trust mainly in their backs, but their heeling was rather slow and

the play individualistic, so that given the necesssary pluck the defence was not difficult. Goodwin and

Robbins dealt very well with determined breaks by a scrum half two stone heavier than themselves,

and Barling, Matthews and Parry did some lovely tackles. The pack, with Evans and Helsby

prominent, were playing a great game, and Birks was very good in the line-out. They were taking

the ball with them for the most part, and when they did heel they did so quickly and cleanly. The halves

kicked well and used the blind side cleverly, and two such moves between them and Parry gained thirty or

forty yards before they were stopped.

12



Indeed, our handling was so good that we might well have risked more passing movements even

under the heavy conditions. However that may be, and although we were in our own half almost the

whole time, the defence was tremendous and no-side came without another score. It was a great effort.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27th. AYMESTREY v. ABBERLEY HALL, at home. (Won 25-3).

Conditions were perfect for this game. Abberley were still below full strength and we were the

faster side behind the scrum and naturally better together. The first time we heeled, Barling sold a

dummy, Matthews carried on and gave Hoyle the scoring pass. Next the ball went to the right tillPowell was tackled, the forwards heeled at once, and fast running and clean handling right back along

the line to the left gave Parry a pretty try in which almost the whole side had had a share. Soon

afterwards Matthews dropped a nice goal, and then Barling scored in following up a break and kick

ahead by Gallimore. Next the Abberley forwards scored a well deserved try ; and after half-time

they gave their backs plenty of the ball. But the tackling was sound and they seldom looked like

getting through. A fast movement to the left gave Parry his second try. which Powell converted ; and a

similar move on the right ended with Hoyle giving Powell a scoring pass. Evans, Robins and

Goodwin showed up well in an attacking dribble, Birks nearly scored in a break from a line-out, and

when a rush twice took Abberley into a good position they were driven back by good kicks by Phipps and

Sherwood. Their big forwards were taking a lot of holding in the line-out and Lawton, Helsby and

Robbins did well here. Just before the end Gallimore and Barling worked the blind side and Matthews

took an inside pass for a good try which Powell converted.

COLOUR MATCHES.

Greens beat Greys 24-5. Matthews and Barling scored two tries each and Sherwood one,

Barling converted two and Matthews one, and Barling kicked a penalty goal. Hoyle scored the Greys'

try and Gallimore converted.

Greens beat Greys and Blues combined 11-3. Matthews scored two tries and converted one, and

Barling scored one try. Gallimore R. scored for the other side.

KICKING COMPETITION.

The Kicking Cup was won by Greens, who scored 348 points, Greys getting 323 and Blues 245.

Although there was no outstandingly good individual this year, the general level of punting was

probably above average, and there were only two juniors who failed to score at all. The more

prominent 'u 1 individual scores were: Greens : Barling 74, Matthews 67, Parry A. 37, Parry R. 34, Birks

P. 31. Greys: Hoyle 60, Gallimore R. 51, Gallimore J. 44, Godsall 34, Robins P. 32. Blues: Phipps 49,

Powell 48, Baldwin 42.

SHOOTING.

Blues did not enter a team for the Shooting Cup as they are a very young colour, but the competi tion

between Greens and Greys was extremely close. The scores were :-

Greens (Possible 75). Greys (Possible 75).

Barling .... 68 Stokes ... .... 64

Matthews. 57 Robins ... .... .... 61

McDonald .... 63 Gallimore R. ........ 62

188 187

Stokes won the Individual Cup with a score of 138 out of 150, Barling being second with 135.

These two were awarded their Colours, and both achieved the highest standard that anyone here has

reached for some years.

13



BOXING.

The Boxing Cup was won by Greens with 121 points, Greys being second with 113. Barling was the

only boy to be awarded Colours, most of the better performers apart from him being in the lower half

of the school. Among those who did well were Powell, Parry A., Goodwin, Sherwood, Evans, and

Robbins.

GYM.The Gym. Cup was won by Greys, with Greens second. Colours were awarded to Barling, Gallimore

J. and Hoyle, the next best performers after them being Gallimore R., Baldwin and Duncan.

SCOUTING.

Work during the winter has been chiefly on Tenderfoot and Second Class. Recruits McDonald,

Godsall, Ellam, Thomson J., Parry A., Goodwin, Rush, Phipps, Johns and Bates T. have been invested

as Scouts ; and Scout Beard has gained his Second Class. The Patrol Competition was won at

Christmas by Cuckoos (P.L. Stokes) and at Easter by Pigeons (P.L. Robins).

We have also had a number of highly successful hikes, distances of up to 14 miles having been

covered. The standard of map-reading and of observation on these expeditions has been high, to say

nothing of the cooking en route.

A new Camp site in Radnorshire has been chosen.

CUBBING.

During the past year the Cubs have worked hard and shown a welcome return to their old

enthusiasm and interest in the passing of tests. Davies, Evans, Massey and Williams have gained their

First Star. Each Six has at one time or other won the various competitions. Sixer Green, of the Greys,

has been the keenest instructor of new recruits, and the Greys have passed the most tests. Sixer Barnes

of the Blacks has been provident in carrying spare handkerchiefs and pencils for his more forgetful

Cubs, so that the Blacks have won the snap inspections ; while the Reds have won most of the games.

To those Cubs who have moved up to the Scouts—good luck. To the others—remember that a

meeting is not just free time ; some work has to be done, even if it is only learning how to march, ready

for Church Parade.

Good hunting, Cubs.AKELA.

14



O L D A Y M E S T R E Y A S S O C I A T I O N .

BALANCE SHEET, 31ST OCTOBER, 1953.

£ s. d. £ s. d. f s. d. £ s. d.SURPLUS ACCOUNT: INVESTMENTS AT COST:Balance at 31st Oct., 1952 .... 101 4 11 £50 2 1/2% Defence Bonds .... 50 0 0

A d d Excess of Income over Expenditure £75 3% Defence Bonds 75 0 0for year .... .... .... .... 13 18 4 --- 125 0 0

BALANCE AT LLOYDS BANK LTD., WORCESTER :

115 3 3 General Account ...- .... .... .... 36 3 5Less Amount under-provided in previous Savings Bank Account .... .... .... 64 15 11

years for Income Tax .... 1 I 10 114 1 5 NOTE.—Lloyds Bank Ltd. hold the Defence —— 100 19 4MAGAZINE FUND : Bond Books on behalf of the Society free

Balance at 31st Oct., 1953 .... .... 114 8 7 from charge. Add Subscriptions received during year 13 17 0

128 5 7 Less

Contribution to Aymestrey Schoolfor expenses of issue of Magazine.... 21 0 0

107 5 7 Provision for Income Tax 1952/3 and 1953 4 4 12 4

£225 19 4 £225 19 4

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31sT OCTOBER, 1953.

EXPENDITURE. £ s. d. INCOME. £ s. d. £ s. d.

Contribution towards cost of two issues of the School Ordinary Subscriptions .... .... .... ... 16 16 0Magazine ....... .... .... .... 5 0 0 Interest on 21% Defence Bonds 1 5 0

Postages and Stationery .... 17 7 3% Defence Bonds 2 5 0Balance being Excess of Income over Expenditure Savings Bank A'c. .... 1 19 4

foryear .... .... .... .... .... .... 13 18 4

5 9 4 L e s s Provision for Income Tax .... .... 2 9 5

– 2 1 9 1 1

£19 15 11 ' £19 15 11

We have prepared the above Accounts from the Books and Papers of the Association and certify them to be in accordance therewith.

J. W. MASSEY, (Jnr.) Hon.“Alderbrook," Solihull, R. W. MASSEY Aditors.

Warwickshire. 25th November, 1953.

the aymestrey magazine spring - 1954

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