The Maltonian.

Founder of the Old Maltonian Association and

Who gave their lives in the Great Wars,

1914/18 and 1939/45.

CONTENTS

1. Editorial 3

2. From Our Diary 4

3. Valete 5

4. Correspondence 6

5. Parents’ Guild (Mr. H. Robson 6

6. Library (B. R.) 7

7. School Orchetra (G. M.) 7

8. The School Concert (D. W., G. K.) 8

9. Scout Notes (F. Bower, H. Ramsden) 9

10. Guide Notes (M. Holiday) 9

11. Girls’ Games (J. Weldon) 10

12. Boys’ Games (B. R.) 11

13. Dramatic Society 12

14. Notes from Form IV (D. B., J.K.) 13

15. Twenty-five Years Ago (A.B.) 13

16. The Wind (Hazel Wardell, I.) 16

17. The Butterfly (A. Clarke, I.) 16

18. A Calm Night (B. Wood, I.) 17

19. An Autumn Dusk (J. Robson, VI) 17

20. Ten Little VIth Form Boys (2) (R. T.) 17

21. Old Maltonian Association Notes 18

The Maltonian. ________________________________________________________

No. 98. JUNE, 1950

________________________________________________________

EDITORIAL

One of our services which is deserving of a wider appreciation lies in the annual visit of a Youth Employment Officer.

The plan usually adopted in the schools is to arrange for (1) an address to those pupils who will shortly be leaving school to enter upon employment of some kind, and (2) interviews with those who desire further information about the possibilities and prospects of this or that particular career.

At M.G.S., the existence of a Parents’ Guild enables us to offer an extension of that service and to arrange for the Youth Employment Officer to meet the parents. Our own view is that this extension is even more valuable that the primary scheme in that boys and girls look to their parents for guidance in making their choice.

We would, therefore, suggest to all parents, Guild members or otherwise, that they would be well advised to make every effort to attend a meeting to be held on Friday, July 7th, 7-30 p.m., to hear what Mr. Bedford, the Youth Employment Officer has to tell them. If they come along primed with questions about any particular careers in which they and their children are interested, so much the better.

The following have left us since our last issue, and we wish them God speed: D. Strangeway, Lilian Cook, Barbara Hudson, J. Anderson, P. C. Calow, Dorothy L. B. Welford, Margaret R. Darley and R. Clayton.

We welcome the following: J. M. Wilson and Gillian M. Kirby.

We acknowledge with thanks “The Scarborian”; and we welcome the friendly report on “The Maltonian” in the “School Magazine Review.” Among the many items in our last issue which were expecialy commended in the “Review” are “The Wind”, “The Jumble Sale,” “When I Was Single,” “Holler’s Crag,” and “Pepys at the Parents’ Guild.”

5 .

VALETE.

Mr. John Proudfoot. The passing of Mr . John Proudfoot marks the loss to the School of one of its staunchest friends.

It was as a member of the Parents’ Guild that we knew him best and became most aware of his outstanding personality. Were we gay, he was gayest of all. Were we engaged in more serious matters, his contribution were always earnest, forceful, discriminating and sincere. Inevitably we found ourselves following the lead of this great-hearted man.

Equally notable were his services on the Board of Governors. He was there regarded - as he regarded himself - as the spokesman of the parents and his one criterion was the best interests of the pupils.

We can ill spare such a friend, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his widow and children in their great bereavement.

Mr. Ernest E. Taylor. Time has dealt so gently with Mr . Taylor’s appearance that we received a shock when we learned that his advanced age had caused him to resign his office of Governor and yet, come to think of it, few of us can remember the time when he was not a Governor.

We have been indebted to him not only for the fruits of his wide educational and literary experiences but also because he is such a good neighbour. A constant visitor, he rarely came across the road empty-handed and the Library in particularly has benefited by his many gifts of books and journals.

We feel sure that the Canteen Committee, under his Chairmanship, will remain a happy memory on his part as it certainly will on ours.

His letter is very much appreciated here. We propose to retain his name on our mailing list and, with our thanks for his great interest, we wish him a long and congenial retirement.

6

CORRESPONDENCE.

My dear Editor. - Now that I have retired from the honourable position of Governor of the Grammar School I think I ought to inform you, so that you can cut me off from your List, but I do want to say that I have always been much interested in your Magazine which has sometimes included some really promising work. I send my best wishes to you and your staff along with my thanks. - Yours sincerely,

ERNEST E. TAYLOR

PARENTS’ GUILD.

Since the last Report, published in the Maltonian of November 1949, members of the Parents’ Guild have enjoyed three meetings. The pity is that so many parents residing in the country are prevented by travelling difficulties from enjoying these functions.

On 2nd February our meeting took the form of a “Quiz” on School topics. It is on occasions like this that both parents and staff are given the opportunity to seek enlightenment, give praise or criticism and offer suggestions concerning anything and everything about school affairs. Such discussions have a definite value and could, with advantage, be held more frequently as they must, by their very nature, create deeper understanding between home and school, parents and staff.

Over 80 parents and friends attended a Military Whist Drive on 18th March last. This proved a thoroughly successful evening and the Whist Drive, under the expert M. C. Mr. W. Barker, was obviously enjoyed by all, whether we knew the technicalities of the game or not. Refreshments provided a pleasant interlude for friendly chatter and the ever welcome cup of tea. Whist is a thirsty game!

On 11th May we had a meeting with a difference, for it was held at York, at the invitation of the Nunthorpe Grammar School Parents’ Association Committee. There, some 25 of us heard Mr. A. A. Evans, Deputy Director of the Leeds Institute of Education, give a most interesting and enlightening talk on the rise and development of the Grammar Schools of this country from their beginnings in the 16th Century to the social and economic conditions prevailing. We should like to hear more of Mr. Evans and perhaps we shall be able to persuade him to come to Malton and give us a talk. After the lecture, the Nunthorpe parents entertained us to supper in the large and airy staff room of the School. We came away feeling that the Nunthorpe parents had enjoyed having us as much as we had enjoyed meeting them. Ideas were exchanged, minds enriched, and one and all agreed that Parents’ Associations have everything to gain by inter-associations.

7

THE LIBRARY.

Although it is painful to have to confess our failures, we feel we cannot do otherwise that admit publicly that the experiment of entrusting the issue of library books to form librarians has failed completely. During the past year eighteen county library books have vanished without trace. Earnest appeals to the borrowers having been without result, we feel that we must print the titles and authors for the missing books in the hope that parents will help to find them.

“Youth Club Games and Contents” Hedges “The Man of Death” Gask “Mist on the Waters” Green “Fair Faces” Sernicoli “Boys’ Book of the West” Hogeboon “Six in a Castle” Cuthbert “Susannah Rides Again” Denison “Lorna at Wynards” Dyer “Eye of Dalarna” Griffiths “Grants and Jane” Wilson “Children’s Own Book of the World” “Mary Truelove - Detective Bertram “Coppernob Buckland” Bourne “Hangman’s Holiday” Sayers “Sparkling Cyanide” Christie “Enter a Murderer” Marsh “Young Robin Brand” Crofts We are very grateful to Mrs Unett and to Miss Fraser for the gift of books for the Library. B.R.

SCHOOL ORCHESTRA.

Since the Maltonian was last issued we have made two public appearances, on Speech Day in December and at the School Concert in March. The marked improvement in our playing at the latter event reflects much credit on Mr. Hempstead’s efficient coaching and also on the renewed enthusiasm of the members of the Orchestra.

For guaranteeing Mr. Hempstead’s services up to the end of last term we are extremely grateful to the School Governors. Now in order to retain these services it is important that we should have a satisfactory number of recruits in the Violin Class. Those who have already joined the class are making good progress, and we are looking forward to welcoming them into the Orchestra at an early date. To those who have not yet quite made up their minds about taking up a musical instrument. I would say with every conviction that there is great joy in “making music.”

Orchesra rehearsals are now held on Thursdays. May I urge the members to get into the Hall and have their stands erected and instruments tuned at the earliest possible moment after close of school

We wish good luck to Diana Laverack in her violin examination.

We have recently received from Mr. Birdsall the gift of a parcel of music which will be a valuable addition to our orchestral library. For very many years Mr. Birdsall has been always ready to give valuable help to our school music and we owe him a deep debt of gratitude for this latest evidence of his interest in us.

G. M.

THE SCHOOL CONCERT.

On the 20th March, 1050, the pupils of M. G. S. held a concert in the Assembly Rooms, Yorkersgate, Malton. At the Dress Rehearsal held in the afternoon the school, who had turned out “en masse”, casued quite a stir. There were indeed spectators, in the offices across the way, extremely interested in our apparently peculiar activities; especially when something looking like Anton Karas mechanised turned out to be merely Mr. Mudge transporting his double Bass to its new quarters. In the evening, however, when the concert proper was given, the dearth of audience was rather discouraging, especially to our hard working organisers. Nevertheless they did have the satisfaction of watching the entertainment proceed without a hitch, for our audience though scanty in numbers was appreciative and helpful.

he programme consisted almost entirely of either instrumental items executed with extreme gusto, if not faultless technique, by our valiant orchestra, ably led by Mr. J. Hempstead and aided by ‘cellist Dr. Ball, and orchestral works sung by form choirs including a cantata, “John Gilpin,” by Form IV. The exuberant and successful rendering of this latter item was an achievement that revealed much precious hard work. The orchestra, too, should be congratulated on a performance giving evidence of great progress despite dwindling membership. Forms I, II and III, sang with their usual confidence and high standard,, and the Seniors, not to be outdone, contributed two songs, “The Emigrant” and a Back chorale “Awake Thou Wintry Earth.”

An innovation was the choral verse speaking by the two Junior Forms. First of all Form I “popped in and prigged” much applause for their “Jackdaw of Rheims,” and later Form II’s two poems, “Lepanto” and “Night Mail,” were equally well received.

The individual items, though only three in number, were of distinctive merit. The highlight of the evening was perhaps Brian Turner’s recitation of “The Cricket Club of Red-Nose Flat,” a speciality of Mr. Rolls. Rita Bowes’ song, “The Hand

of Spring,” also delighted the audience, as did “Argos” sung in pathetic strain by Cundell, Fletcher and Rollinson of Form II.

The only disappointing element in the concert was, then, the apparent lack of interest shown by our parents; for the hall, with seating capacity of almost 200 was merely half-filled. Nevertheless, we all felt that the concert as a whole was a praiseworthy effort on the part of both organisers and performers alike.

D. W. G. K.

SCOUT NOTES. Since the last appearance of these notes a successful period of

Scouting is to be recorded. Attendance at troop meetings has been extremely good and badge work has been tackled with much keenness.

On November 12th we joined the Guides in the celebration of Guy Fawkes’ Day by holding a bonfire, supper, and then entertainments by both Guides and Scouts. The bonfire had to be cancelled owing to bad weather but the supper and entertainments were enjoyed by all. We would like to thank the Guides for the excellent meal they prepared.

For this year’s Christmas good turn eight selected Scouts helped the Malton’s “Old Folks Treat”; the jobs were tackled with keenness and we hope done well.

The main forthcoming event in the summer is a camp at Silecroft near Millom in Cumberland. The site is very near the sea but a number of miles from the Lakes, which we are hoping to visit.

F. BOWER (Troop scribe).

With more Scouts attaining the age of 15 in the Junior Troop the Senior Patrol has swollen in numbers to eight. The activities thereof consisted of First Class and Proficiency Badge work and some very pleasant musical evenings in co-operation with the Guides. Other activities included a night hike and talks by Mr. Fairbank on “Canoeing” and Father Clifford on “Is Music Worth Listening To?” The main difficulty at the moment seems to lie with some Scouts who cannot attend our Wednesday meetings.

H. RAMSDEN, P.L. (S.)

GUIDE NOTES.

Last term we were very pleased to welcome Mrs. French as our Lieutenant, and also a new recruit to make our numbers up to thirty-four.

Before Xmas we were proud to see our new Union Jack dedicated at St. Michael’s church. Many people came and we were complimented on our smart appearance in our new-style uniforms.

10

The first important event of this year was Thinking Day. Guides came from many parts of Yorkshire to Malton, and the Patrol Leaders spent an instructive week-end. We were very thrilled to see that our letter about Thinking Day was published on the front page of “The Guide.”

During most of the term we all worked hard for our sale of work, from which we made approximately £20 with which we hope to buy a new tent. Moreover we devoted some time to working for certain badges; and during the holidays five of us passed First Class First Aid and Sick Nursing.

M. HOLIDAY, Secretary.

GIRLS’ GAMES

Hockey. - We started the last hockey season with only four members of the previous year’s team. Thus the team was young and inexperienced and as the bad weather conditions afforded little opportunity for practice, we met with very little success.

Although dribbling and stick work was good, hitting was poor and owing to the youth of the team co-operation was almost nil. The forward line seemed to lack confidence in their defence and were far too often muddling their backs who in their turn muddled their goal-keeper.

It is with surprise that one remembers one bright Thursday afternoon when V and VI actually ran out to games and, by their momentary enthusiasm managed to impress favourably an H. M. I. who had come to watch their performance. Such spirit and enthusiasm is always apparent amongst the juniors and indeed, house matches proved that there are many promising players among these younger members of the school.

The School Team was as follows:- Forwards: (L.W.) T. HOLIDAY, A. BENSON, (L.I.); J. WELDON, (C.F.) P. LUND, (R.I.); Pam. LUND (R.W.). Half-Backs: S. PRATT, (L.H.); M. THACKRAY, (C.H.); I. LEGGAT, (R.H.); Backs: E. MARTIN (L.B.); E. RANSOME, (R.B.). Goal-keeper - D. TAYLOR. Hockey colours were re-awarded to:- M. THACKRAY; J. WELDON New Awards:- I. LEGGAT; S. PRATT; E. RANSOME; T. HOLLIDAY.

Hockey Cup - WILLOUGHBY Netball. - Bad weather has greatly interfered with our netball

fixtures during the last season and although we now have two courts, one hare and one grass, we have never been able to use the latter.

The increased enthusiasm for the game throughout the school has proved that there are many good players in the school. Indeed, it was very difficult to choose a team and the fact that there was great competition served to improve the general standard of the first VII. One of their most outstanding achievements is that they have at last learned the advantages of playing as a united team.

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At Christmas the team was weakened by the loss of its defence and captain, B. Hudson. This gap in the team was successfully filled by one of the juniors. The Teams were as follows:-

SENIOR:- JUNIOR:-

(S.L.) PAM. LUND M. TAYOR

(A.) R. COLDHAM (U. Capt.) B. HOLMES

(A.C.) A. BENSON N. SEAGER

(C.) J. WELDON M. THACKRAY (Capt.)

(D.C.) I. HUMBLE M. BOGG

(D.) J. BAKER M. BATESON

(G.K.) S. ARNOTT G. DEAN

Colours were re-awarded to:

R COLDHAM; G. BENSON; I. HUMBLE; J. BAKER

New awards:-

M. THACKRAY; P. LUND; J. BAKER.

Netball cup - CARLISLE

Both hockey and netball teams would like to express their thanks to our efficient secretary, Gwen Crowther, who has so freely given of her time to arrange our fixture list. Our thanks also go to those people who prepared tea after the matches - I assure them it was greatly appreciated by all.

J. WELDON

BOYS’ GAMES.

Football:- Examination of the results printed below yields the following information: of the twenty-nine matches played during the season thirteen were won and sixteen lost, the Under 14 XI doing best with four wins to two defeats, the 1st XI finishing all square, and the Under 15 XI - rather ominously for net year - winning one and losing six.

At its best the 1st XI played some neat and intelligent football, notably in beating the O. M. A. 2-1 just before Christmas and in scoring 7 to 1 at home against Whitby County School in the Spring Term. The old hands, Goforth, Calow - until he left us - Turner, Slaughter, Dyson, Burley, Rowsby, and Dallimore, have at various times enhanced their reputations, and, of the newcomers to the XI, Rickatson, Ramsden and Duggleby especially have developed into competent footballers. Next term, of course, team building will begin again without several of those on whom we relied for so long. Our pessimists will have it that we are bound to lose every match but from past experience we know that somehow or other the next year’s football team is always better than it should be.

COLOURS:- GOFORTH; TURNER; SLAUGHTER; DYSON; ROWSBY; BURLEY; DALLIMORE; RICKATSON; RAMSDEN; DUGGLEBY

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Results 1st XI. v. Lady Lumley’s (Pickering) Won 4 - 0 v. Whitby County School Lost 3 - 2 v. Rillington 2nd XI Won 5 - 2 v. Lady Lumley’s (Pickering) Lost 3 - 2 v. Nunthorpe G. S. 2nd XI Won 3 - 0 v. Scarborough College Lost 7 - 1 v. O. M. A. Won 2 - 1 v. Norton 2nd XI Lost 5 - 2 v. Lady Lumley’s (Pickering) Won 6 - 3 v. St. John’s College (3rd XI) Lost 2 - 1 v. St. John’s College (3rd XI) Lost 3 - 2 v. Lady Lumley’s (Pickering) Won 4 - 1 v. Scarborough College Lost 3 - 2 v. Nunthorpe G. S. (2nd XI) Won 5 - 0 v. O. M. A. Lost 6 - 2 UNDER 15 XI v. Pickering Methodist School Lost 5 - 0 v. Malton Secondary Modern School Lost 3 - 2 v. Scarborough College Lost 4 - 1 v. Castle Howard Farm School Won 3 - 2 v. Pickering Methodist School Lost 5 - 1 v. Castle howard Farm School Lost 2 - 1 v. Scarborough College Lost 7 - 1 UNDER 14 XI v. Malton S. M. School Won 2 - 1 v. Malton S. M. School Won 3 - 2 v. Malton S. M. School Lost 1 - 0 v. Lady Lumley’s Lost 4 - 2 v. Scarborough College Won 5 - 0 v. Lady Lumley’s Won 4 - 0

House Matches Carlisle 4 v. Fitzwilliam 4 Carlisle 0 v. Holgate 10 Carlisle 11 v. Willoughby 0 Fitzwilliam 7 v. Holgate 1 Fitzwilliam 13 v. Willoughby 0 Holgate 16 v. Willoughby 0

Fitzwilliam are the winners of the Football Trophy.

Cricket. - Officials are: Captain, Pugmire; Vice-Captain, Turner; Secretary, Thornton. At the time of writing the 1st XI has had one match cancelled because of rain and has lost the away game with Scarborough College.

THE DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

Unless unforeseen circumstances decide otherwise the Dramatic Society will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on the outdoor stage towards the end of term. The play has already been largely cast from the middle school, and miss Fraser has made a beginning with the dresses and the ass’s head. The players will soon be zealously learning and rehearsing in the sure confidence that the weather will be ideal and that parents and friends will come in their hundreds to provide the audience. Incidentally, thanks to the good work of Mr. Dowding and Raymond, the lawns and hedges that make up our stage are resuming their pre-war neatness.

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NOTES FROM FORM IV.

With Doreen Bowes and Kidd as captains, and Margaret Bogg and Smailes as vice-captains, we have had quite a successful term, having won the Form Shield on two or three occasions.

We are quite proud of our abilities in sport. Under the captaincy of Gwen Dean the girls won all their netball matches except one, which was lost by a goal to Form V. We have also produced a fair number of promising hockey players, some of whom are tin the School team, The number of boys representing the School in football matches has also increased.

We all missed Anderson when he left, but are glad to hear he is doing well in his new job. We also learn that Ruth Darley and Clayton are likely to leave us soon. May they be as happy in their new spheres as they have been in Form IV.

At the end of last term we were delighted to catch a glimpse of our Form Mistress of Form II days, Mrs. Bolk, on one of her visits from Holland. (D. B., J, K.)

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO.

After the events of 1924 recorded in our last two issues, the life of M. G. S. in 1925 seems to have had fewer highlights; and the activities recorded in “The Maltonian” are more or less of a routine nature.

The editor in those days was George Horsley, who, until his departure from Leeds University in July, maintained the high standard set by earlier editors, such as Doris Boyt, Gertie Barker and Horace Hollinrake. George was succeeded in September by Don Robson; and he was equally efficient. It is a pity that in these days we seem unable to find someone among our English experts of Form VI who is prepared to take on what is really a valuable task.

From the April issue we learn that “we started with visions of hot-water and shower baths. The hot-water for the girls has come to pass, but the boys still continue to get their mud off in cold, and the showers baths seem as far away as ever.” Extra labour was provided for the grounds in the summer, thanks to the Governors, and we read in July that “in spite of the drought, the gardens have been a joy.” Present Maltonians may like to be reminded of the debt we owe to Governors, past and present, who have done so much behind the scenes to make life at M. G. S. more pleasant.

The chief School “Officers” of the Spring nd Summer Term of 1925 were:

Head Boy - GEORGE HORSLEY Head Girl - Betty GOODWILL

Captain of:

Football - BRUCE ROLLS; Hockey - ELSIE WAITES; Netball - Freda FRYER;

Cricket - GEORGE HORSLEY; Tennis - MARY WOOD.

14 Heads of Houses:- Fitzwilliam: MISS TURNER GEORGE HORSLEY MR. METCALF MARY WOOD Holgate: Mr. DALBY JAMES ANDERSON Miss DOUTHETT FREDA FRYER Willoughby: Mr. WILLIAMS WILLIAM HYDE Miss SLIPPER ENID CLARKSON Carlisle: Mr. BARTY RONALD SKILBECK Miss STODDART BETTY GOODWILL

During the Spring Term tragedy came to the School with the

passing on 21st March of Lorna Harrison, 18 months after she came to the school as a promising pupil. We all mourned her loss.

The chief activities recorded during the first half of the year were:

1. The Annual “Pancake Tossing,” held on Shrove Tuesday, when the winners were Kathleen Hutchinson, Susannah Macrae, Guy Raines and Stanley Harrison.

2. The February Cross-country run, which took the form of a paper chase. Broughton, Tweddle and Freear were the first three home; and Willoughby has the best Team result.

3. The School Concert held in April. The Boys had their own Cantata, “The Yarn of the Nancy Bell”; and the Girls’ Cantata was “Vogelweid.” We had no School Orchestra in those days, and we had to rely on the willing help of our adult friends. “A.B.” had to take to his bed with “flu” on the eve of the Concert and Horace Hollinrake who graduated at Cambridge in the same year, stepped into the breach at the last moment and carried things through very successfully. George Horsley’s work at the pianoforte was invaluable. One of our soloists, Alan Weir, now broadcasts; but he does not sing!

4. House Concerts by Holgate and Willoughby; the latter producing an amazing drama entitled “A Midwinter Night’s Dream” which had as its scene an island which was an asylum for mental cases including Prospero, a widower, Caliban, his sone, Mrs. Dido, a widow in love with Prospero, and Ariel, a domestic. One wonders whether the script of this masterpiece still exists. Both of these concerts were given in the Hut, which then had a very good permanent stage. Incidentally they marked the end of a series of House Concerts.

5. Inter-House Sports, May 28th. Fitzwilliam were regarded as probably winners, but Holgate, by splendid team work won a well deserved and popular victory and put their names on the cup for the first time. The miniature cups which were in these days presented to the Victores Ludorem were won by Fryer ma. and Phyllis Witty. The final scores were Holgate 59 points, Fitazwilliam 41, Carlisle 40½, and Willoughby 34½.

15

The Butterfly.

Running here, running there,

In and out, and everywhere,

Over hedges, under trees,

Jumping up, and scratching knees.

Looking here, looking there,

I can't see it anywhere,

I saw it flying to the sky,

I just couldn't catch that Butterfly!

A. CLARKE, Form I, age 12 yrs.

17

18

Secretary’s Notes.

Annual General Meeting: The Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on March 10th. Routine business was transacted and the following appointments were made: President, T. A. Williams Esq.; Vice-President, Mr. G. Nendick; Hon. General Secretary, Miss K. Thackray; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. C. Hornsey; Executive Council: Mr. G. Bratt, Mr. L. Graham, Mrs. Delaval, Miss S. Blackwell, Mrs. C. Hornsey, Mr. K. Cass, Mr. S. Soak, Miss R. Thorpe, Mr. W. Tweddle, Mr. K. Smith.

Reunion: At the Easter Reunion, held on the 20th Apr il, 31 O.M's. and friends were present.

Subscriptions: The Treasurer would remind O.M's. that sub- scriptions (2/6) for 1950 are now considerably overdue. They should be paid to him or to Mr. Rolls.

War Memorial Fund: It has been suggested that par t of the money in the Memorial Fund be used to purchase a set of the new edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica and possibly other compar- able reference books together with a special case for the Library. The books and case would be suitably inscribed. The Committee would like to have the opinion of O.M's. on this proposal before taking action. Further suggestions would be welcome.

Past v. Present Matches: These were held on March 30th, the football match being won by the O.M.A. and the hockey match by the School.

School Sports and O.M.A. Day: The Inter -House Sports will be held in the afternoon of Thursday, 20th July, and the Present v. Past tennis and cricket matches in the evening. Names of those wishing to play should be given to Mr. Rolls or to Mr. Stan Grice. The School production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will probably be staged on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week. It is hoped that O.M's. will turn up in force.

KITTY THACKRAY (Hon. Sec.).

19 School Library Books.

Under the veil of anonymity we acknowledge the receipt of the half-dozen or so school and county library books returned by delinquent O.M's. since our last issue. That such books are still turning up is our excuse for once again suggesting that O.M's. try to find more of our belongings on their shelves.

Of Interest to London O.M's.

Peter Laverack, whose address is 14, Wendover Buildings, Chiltern Street, Marylebone, W.1., has volunteered, if there is sufficient interest, to organise a reunion of O.M's. living in London. He writes: "I suggest that the reunion should take the form of a theatre or cinema show with a high tea first or supper afterwards. Each O.M. might bring a friend and the cost, I think, might work out at about 17/6 a person."

Many years ago such reunions were held regularly in London with great success. Perhaps London O.M's. who would wish to be present at such a reunion or who have suggestions to make will get in touch with Peter whose address we give above .

News of O.M's.

We would express our sincere sympathy with the relatives and fiancee of Kenrick Brown so tragically killed a short time ago in a motor-cycle accident on the Malton - Pickering road. We also offer our sympathy to Hazel Thomson and to Heather on the loss of their mother.

We congratulate Peggy Simnett (Williams) on her second baby, a boy, and Derek Edwards on his son and heir.

We offer our best wishes to Margaret Suddaby and John Taylor on their engagement.

We congratulate Betty Wood on the honour of being selected to represent England at right-half in the Hockey International against Scotland.

This time our Visitors' Book had completely vanished, we suspect because of the skulduggery of some visiting O.M. who has been in hope of shortening these interminable notes. It would, however, take more than a missing Visitors' Book to make us forego the pleasure of gossiping about those whom we have met and of whom we have heard in the past six months.

Doreen Eagle, having increased everyone's Income Tax in Hull, is now promoted to perform a similar service, she thinks, in London. She denies vigorously that it was the cumulative effects of vibration that brought down her office ceiling-fortunately in her absence. When last Doreen saw Enid Hall she was stationed at

20 21

scramble - a

in

Livy,

populace - and

enjoyed

Berry:

Other of our letters, we regret, must be treated more shortly.

Rowena Berry from St. Gabriel's T.C., Camberwell, is applying for teaching posts and has visited Maureen Ash in her London flat. She was planning, when she wrote, to see "Venus Observed" with Greta Wardle, who is working "frightfully hard." Rowena has also seen the first night of Hamlet at the Old Vic, being much impressed with Michael Redgrave's performance. "Nevertheless," she writes, "no performance of Hamlet has impressed me more than the M.G.S. production of about seven years ago. I can still hear Wendy Green's 'Oh! what a noble mind is here o'erthrown' -and wasn't it Polonius who lost half his beard? Happy days!" Also applying for a teaching post is Cathleen Crowther in her last term at Southland's T.C., Wimbledon. Cathleen met Barbara Spencer at Kingsway Hall for a brief few minutes but Greta, Rowena and Jean Clarke might be in another world for all she knows .of them. The Election was a thrill and so was the oppor- tunity of showing mother the College and London.

And, finally, there are our last letters - from Lucy Inman, Doreen Edwards, Sheila Meaden, Colin Beck, Kathleen Barr, and Doris Collins (Dedman). Lucy, still in Guernsey, has achieved such wonders in her garden that at the end of March she had a good patch of cabbage and broccoli and several healthy rows of peas. She sees a lot of Margaret Suddaby whom we unfortunately missed when she was in Malton. Lucy reports that Denis Pringle has changed his job - he now works in Thirsk - and his car - the other was not fast enough. Doreen Edwards, still clerking in Ripon Hospital, informs us that brother Derek is now a research chemist in a steel works, where he assists in baking twenty ton cakes of steel. Doreen's own work becomes more interesting and her writing worse (sic) through being clerk to more clinics. She instructs us to tell "Maggie Edwards" that she passed her driving test and the very next day nearly knocked down the postman. Thanks to the hedges, however, (sic) she usually manages to keep to the roads. Sheila Meaden, is still enjoying her work in York Library and her dramatics with the Settlement Players. In the morning and at night, everyone from the Head of the Library downwards goes "on shelves," that is tidies and dusts and generally clears up the chaos caused by the borrowers. Only once has Sheila been up to . "Ref.," and then she was worse than useless (sic),as she spent all her time looking through the ;books. It was delightful, too, to hear from Colin Beck, of whom we have pleasant memories. He still plays soccer we are glad to hear, and takes his part in the relentless North v South struggle that is bound to centre round a Yorkshireman in London. In this connection he finds of value the Yorkshire Post, "which unaccountably isn't banned," and the Malton Gazette - "Why isn't Willy fra Stape ever in now? " Doris (nee Dedman) writes from Hayes (Middlesex) that she has been demobilised for ten months, that she is married, and that she wants

a flat in the Wembley district, while Kathleen Barr reminds us of her existence because "there is no one else to whom to write." She is now, as is Margaret Inman, a S.R.N. having passed out third in her hospital finals.

Mention above of Sheila Meaden reminds us that after the Annual General Meeting we thoroughly enjoyed our "hot dogs" with her, with Ray Thompson and his charming wife and with .one or two others. It was a pity that so few were present, but, as a result, there was no shortage of "hot dogs." And very good they were! Brian Thompson, Ray tells us, is now in the RAF .and still keeps up his cricket.

Through Mr. Barty we have news of George Horsley, Ray Macbeath and Mr. Beverley. George, still teaching in Egypt, is concerned that he cannot pay his O.M.A. sub. as he is not allowed to send even 5/- out of the country. When he wrote in February he .had just passed through the coldest three weeks in Egypt within living memory with temperatures down to within three degrees of freezing point, a state of affairs made the more unpleasant as his one and only fireplace was .blocked for a fortnight by cement deposited m It by people building a villa on the roof above. To Roy we offer our. humble apologies: apparently - though we cannot imagine how It happened - we printed his son's name as Brian Andrew McBeath, when it should, of course, have been Andrew David Macbeath. We are delighted to hear that the young gentleman in question. weighed 11 lbs. 13 ozs. in January - the 13 ounces havmg been gained in the last week. Mr. Beverley writes from Macclesfield where,of course, he is teaching in King's School. He has helped to build. up quite a reasonable school orchestra which includes no fewer than seven members of the Staff. For H.S.C. Principal Chemistry Mr. Beverley is presenting about thirty candidates this year, and he expects to spend much of his spare time coaching cricket.

There remain Mr. Williams' letters, dozens and dozens of them - or so it seems. Irene Wood. (Stephenson) writes with glee to tell of sister-in-law Betty s selection as left-half for the England hockey team and of husband Charles' appointment to the Staff of Norton Boys School. Miss Frankland, teaching at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith, also writes to give us news of Betty’s selection and encloses a newspaper cutting that reads as follows. “Betty Wood . . . has been chosen to play right half back in the English team to play Scotland on March 4th. She is a member of Sunderland Games' Club, has played for Durham. . and the North of England . . . was at Malton Grammar School and is now a sister at Sunderland General Hospital. She is in the English, team .for the first time and is a centre-half by choice. Her style is definite, crisp and has no use for compromise. Her stick work is neat, clever, and, though a small player; she is fast