T H E AY M E S T R E Y M A G A Z I N E S U M M E R - 1 9 5 7 AUNT NESS The School and the Old Aymestrey Association have suffered a grievous loss by the death

on May 29th of Agnes Hilda Coates, known and loved as " Aunt Ness " by hundreds of boys and members of the staff over many years. From the School's very beginnings she was in close touch and a frequent visitor; but her nearest association was from 1922 to 1947, during which time she lived at the, Cottage, at first alone and later with Tief. It is impossible to do justice to her unique relationship with and work for the School during this period. Except for her teaching of painting to a few special pupils for a time, she held no official position; but her fa t hom l e s s ki ndne s s and s ym pat hy al li e d to shr e wd good s e ns e a nd uncompromising standards made her the friend and confidant of all. The homesick and frightened new boy found someone who understood, yet made him laugh and feel better; older boys had someone with whom they could discuss their hopes and difficulties unofficially, receiving help and advice, and even at the right moments a salutary jolt; and to many members of the staff she was the same, a valued friend and counsellor, with whom they continued to keep in touch long after they had gone to work elsewhere. When she and Tief moved to Little Aymestrey her contact with the School was inevitably not quite so close; but she continued to visit constantly, to take an intense interest in everything and everybody, and to shed sunshine on all sides. She ne ver misse d a ny import ant da y at the School, s he attended all gatherings of the Old Aymestrey Association, of which she was an Honorary Member, and even at her last Bust Up her crippling arthritis could not keep her from Sir Roger. As a painter she was highly trained and highly gifted in her especial sphere of animal portraiture and her pictures of horses and dogs are to be found in houses all over the country; she loved landscape too; and though he r wor k in it di d not per ha ps r e a c h t he s am e le vel of pr ofe s s i onal excellence her sketches, chiefly of Scotland and Wales, still. give pleasure to countless people. Ope n- air things of ma ny ki nds ga ve her e ndl ess joy. She wa s devoted to horses and was long a keen and skilful rider; and she was one of those to whom all animals took instinctively. She loved her garden, which somehow always expressed her personality, though wild flowers (primroses above all) were nearest her heart; and birds, whether rare or common, gave her constant interest and happiness. Finally, though she made friends everywhere, it was with country people in all walks of life that she was most at home, and her fund of stories about them, especially those told in the accent of her own Herefordshire, was inexhaustible. This notice may well close with a remark she herself made on the death of a friend, if the expression can be used of one so intensely human " She won't find it much of a change being an angel.." OLD BOYS' NEWS We re c or d wi t h de e p r e gre t t he de a t h of G. H. S. Wood, who died in Borneo in May as the result of an accident. He was at Aymestrey from 1936 to 1940 a nd ha d a fine c aree r here, bei ng a pre fect and a member of all the teams. He won a scholarship at Clayesmore and another 3

at Keble College, Oxford. He took a second in Botany and later a First in Fo r e s t r y. H e w or ke d f i r s t i n Ug a n da a n d l a t e r i n Bo r ne o a nd m a d e distinguished contributions to research in his chosen field. He was an accomplished mountaineer, keen on sailing, and very fond of listening to musi c, a ta ste whic h he deve loped at Ayme stre y and whic h he ofte n mentioned as giving him much pleasure under the often lonely conditions of his work. He kept in constant touch with the School and was present at the last O.A.A. Dinner. His quiet and unassuming manner did not conceal his manifest character and ability, and his loss will be felt both in his calling and personally by all who knew him here. T. E. Christophers is engaged to Miss R. Williams. J. C. F. Schnadhorst is engaged to Miss M. Tracey. N. R. A. Leakey is in charge of the sales office in a well known f i r m of b r us h m a n uf a c t ur e r s : h e i s p r o b a b l y r e s p o n s i bl e f o r y o ur toothbrush. Mr. J. Olive and his wife, who was Missy P. O'Gorman, called on Tief recently : they have a small farm near Bath. Rev. I. R. A. Leakey has a second son, born in September. W. H. G. Sprott paid us a visit in September : he is farming in Devon. R. G. West is music master at a school in Yorkshire. D. J. V. Wright was married at Easter : he is about to take his final Law examination. S. K. D. Strong, home on holiday from Rhodesia, visited us with his wife in June. D. C. F. Fayle obtained First Class Honours in Forestry, together with a Gold Medal and a Scholarship. He has been appointed to the Field Research Unit of Canadian Federal Forestry, and is the first non-Canadian to get such a post. W. B. St a ll a r d ha s hi s c omm i ss i on in the Ar m y and is in t he West Indies. P. D. Coates was in the Cambridge University Shooting VIII which beat Oxford at Bisley in July. Other Old Boys at Bisley, shooting for their Public Schools, were N. R. Bomford, R. J. R. Owen, R. P. Longley, and M. A. H. Duncan. We had a combined visit in September from C. and J. Morcom, M. and A. Bomford, and D. Ellis. Ellis is at Bangor University, N. Bomford at Trinity College, Oxford, and the Morcoms are in their last term at Sherborne, trying to get into Cambridge. R . J . R . O w e n i s h e a d of hi s ho us e a t R e pt on a n d c a pt a i n o f shooting. He took the Certificate at S Level with distinction in German and passes in French and Spanish. He also won an Art Prize. C. J. Barnes won a Literature Prize at Bedford. P. D. Stokes got distinctions in Maths, Higher Maths and Physics at Rossall and won a State Scholarship. He also won a Maths Prize. He has his Cricket Colours and won the Fielding Cup, and plays for the Suffolk Young Amateurs in the holidays. He also has his Colours for Fives and Squash and reached the quarter finals for the Drysdale Squash Cup in London. I. W. Routh has been taking the Certificate at S Level at Bromsgrove. He played for the 2nd XV and once for the 1st last season. 4

R. G. S. Hughes is going in for teaching. T. Bates was twelfth man for the Cricket XI at Swanage Grammar School and is Secretary of the Sailing Club. M. J. Bates played scrum half for the Under 14 XV at Dorchester Grammar School, and in the sports he won the discus in his division and was third in the 100 yards. J. S. Beard was a steward at the Three Choirs Festival at Worcester. M. G. Godsall was top in his form at Bromsgrove and was moved up. He was beaten in the final of his weight at boxing, and has done well at athletics and swimming. Among others from whom we have had letters or visits are : O. L. S. Philpot, R. A. Phillips, M. J. Larkam, M. F. Heath, T. S. J. Gallimore, J. Griffiths, E. Carpenter, R. T. Hills, P. D. S. Thomson, P. H. Birks, P. W. Baldwin, G. L. Phipps, C. J. A. Gallimore, and A. P. J. Parry. SCHOOL NOTES The following have left : R. E. Barnes. Came September, 1951. Gym Colours 1956. I. G. Bing. Came, September, 1955. Soccer XI 1956. G. M. K. Evans. Came September, 1952. Prefect 1956-7. Rugger X V 19 547. C r i c ke t X I 19 55- 6. So c c e r XI 1 95 5- 6. B ox i n g Co l o ur s 1955-6. Shooting Colours 1956. Choir. Patrol Leader. D . C . G r a n t D u ff . C a m e S e p t e m b e r, 1 9 5 5 . P r e f e c t 1 9 5 6 - 7 . Leader of Greens. Soccer XI 1955-6. Rugger XV 1956-7. Cricket XI 1956-7. Gym Colours 1957. Athletics Colours 1957. Choir. B. W. Massey, Caine September, 1953. Prefect 1956-7. Leader of Greys. Rugger XV 1956-7. Cricket XI 1956-7. Swimming Colours 1957. R. W. Robbi ns. Came Sept ember, 1952. Pre fect 1956- 7. He ad P r e f e c t 1 9 5 7 . O g d e n C u p . L e a d e r o f B l u e s . R u g g e r X V 1 9 5 4 - 7 . Soccer XI 1955-6. Cricket XI 1955-7. Swimming Colours 1957. New boys : P. M. A. Ashwell, A. Lloyd, C. P. R. MacRae. Miss E. L. Palmer left at the end of the Summer Term. Miss S. M. . Leonard has succeeded her as Matron, and Miss J. MacDonald has come as Assistant Matron. Mr. S. Price joined the Teaching Staff for the Summer Term and Mr. G. A. Durward for the Autumn Term. INTER-COLOUR COMPETITION WORK : 1. Blues 40; 2. Greys 32; 3. Greens 28. Mentions. Blues: Evans G. 38-5, Duncan 43-0, Snell 54-0, Brinton 44-0, Lean 42-0, Evans T. 43-1, Powell 55-0. Greens: Grant Duff 38-2, Wesson 36-6, Goulding 38-1, Conner 45-2, Collins 46-3. Greys: Todd 44-6, Tildesley 69-0, Stokes 47-2, Gallimore 55-2. 5

DISCIPLINE : 1. Blues 48; 2. Greys 32; 3. Greens 20. Mentions. Blues: Robbins 40-0, Banks 25-1, Duncan 22-0, Thomas 17-0, Evans G. 17-3, Brinton 16-0, Chandler 12-0. Greens: Grant Duff 27-1, Parry 23-0, Bing 14-0. Greys: Massey 20-1, Williams 15-0, Todd 14-0, Stokes 14-3, Turner A. 13-3, Wilson 11-0, Tildesley 11-1, Hoddell C. 10-0. GAMES : 1. Greens 36; 2. Blues 33; 3. Greys 31. TOTAL FOR TERM : 1. Blues 121; 2. Greys 95; 3. Greens 84. TOTAL FOR YEAR : 1. Blues 305; 2. Greens 299; 3. Greys 296. PRIZES Ogden Cup: R. W. Robbins. Form V: D. C. Grant Duff, B. W. Massey, G. M. K. Evans. Form IV: R. H. M. Tildesley. Form III: J. F. Goulding, P. R. M. Conner. Form II: R. H. Collins, F. H. Evans, D. H. Snell. Form I: A. Gosling, E. Gallimore, A. Powell. Music: G. M. K. Evans. Reading: D. C. Grant Duff. Shield (best all round athlete): D. G. F. Banks. Fielding Cup: D. G. F. Banks. Swimming Cup: R. N. S. Parry. CRICKET MATCHES May 29th. AYMESTREY v. ABBERLEY HALL, away. Fielding first, we bowled moderately and were easy-going and unimaginative in our attempts both to take wickets and to keep runs down; and some of our fielding was just rank bad, a good many shots going for four which should have produced only singles. Two Abberley wickets were down for 21 and then Wootton and Fleming put on 52 in a fine partnership; but they finally collapsed suddenly and were all out for 99, the last six wickets falling for five runs. Our batting was extremely feeble, no one except Stokes and Robbins staying any length of time and no one reaching double figures. 6

Abberley Smith st Banks b Robbins .....1 Fleming b Robbins .............. 3 Prideux-Brone lbw b Robbins 4 Wootton lbw b Robbins .... 33 Hodgkinson b Parry .......... 18 Stewart-Brown lbw b Parry 1 Hardy b Parry ....................... 0 Farquhar b Parry ...................0 Butler not out ...................... .0 Bailey b Parry .......................0 Vigors hit wkt. b Parry ........0 Extras ...............................3 Total ...................... 99

Aymestrey Turner A. c and b Hodgkinson Massey b Fleming ....................... Stokes b Hodgkinson ............... Parry b Wootton ....................... Robbins c Wootton b Fleming Evans lbw b Wootton Turner I. b Wootton ................ Banks b Smith Grant Duff b Fleming .............. Sherwood b Fleming Todd not out Extras Total ............................

4 5 5 8 6 0 0 0 4 2 4 5 43

Bowling: Parry 6 for 27, Robbins 4 for 44, Grant Duff 0 for 25.

June 8th. AYMESTREY v. THE LICKEY HILLS SCHOOL, away. Our fielding was again very slow and lacking in attack and there we r e fa r too m a ny bounda ri e s , due t o ba d fi el d- s et t i ng and l a c k of anticipation as well as to sheer slowness. The one bright spot was the wicket-keeping of Banks who stumped four men and conceded no byes. The Lickey eventually declared at 105 for-nine, scored at a brisk rate. We were left with the task of scoring at about a run a minute, and we never looked remotely like getting the runs. Stokes and Robbins batted soundly if slowly, and later, when defeat was quite possible and victory not, Turner I. and Sherwood defended with some determination.
The Lickey Aymestrey Scott st Banks b Robbins ....1 Massey b Scott Lawson b Parry .................. 38.......................... Todd c Scott b Lawson Ingledew c Turner b Robbins 4 Stokes c Spencer b Scott Metcalf c Massey b Robbins 24 Robbins b Lawson Lewis st Banks b Robbins ...6 ........................Parry b Lawson Smith st Banks b Robbins ...2 Turner I. not out Spencer b Parry .....................4 Banks c Spencer b Lawson ... Johnson run out ................. 14 .....................Sherwood not out Bell. st Banks b Massey ... 10 ..................................Extras Somers not out .......................2 Extras ...............................0 Total (9 wkts. dec.) 105 Total (for 6 wkts.) 58 5 1 12 14 5 5 6 5 5

Bowling: Parry 2 for 54. Robbins 5 f o r 3 8 , G r a n t D u f f 0 f o r 9 , Massey 1 for 3. June 19th. AYMESTREY v. ABBERLEY HALL, away. We played again on Abberley's ground because our outfield was so hard and rough as to be danger ous. Both Parr y and Robbi ns bowled pretty well and a catch by Sherwood and a smart stumping by Banks gave 7

us a good start. But we again showed a lamentable lack of intelligence, anticipation, and attack in the field, and our opponents were allowed to get any number of fours and threes which ought to have been singles. Catches were dropped toodifficult ones, but catches none the less; and all this gave the Abberley fourth wicket the chance of a fine partnership, and they batted very well, putting on 89 runs, before they declared. Todd and Tuthill alone fielded well for us and were very good indeed. Our innings made a shocking start and we had four wickets down for 11 runs; but then Robbins and Parry pulled things together. In face of the depressing situation they showed courage and determination; and they not only played the good balls correctly and with care but also made somevery handsome strokes and were not afraid to steal short runs. The partnership put on well over 50 runs before Parry was run out close to the end, and not only saved the game but allowed us to emerge with some credit after all.

Abberley Aymestrey Smith c Sherwood b Robbins 1.............Massey b Fleming Fleming st Banks b Robbins ...8.............Turner b Fleming Prideaux-Brone b Parry 7 Bing b Fleming Hodgkinson not out 56 Stokes b Fleming Wootton not out 40 Robbins not out Extras ...................... 7 Parry run out ........................................ Banks not out .................................. Extras Total (3 wkts. dec.) 119 Total (for 5 wkts.)

0 4 3 2 38 23 6 5 81

Bowling: Parry 1 for 15, Robbins 2 for 57, Massey 0 for 36, Evans 0 for 6. June 26th. AYMESTREY v. THE LICKEY HILLS SCHOOL, home. We had a final match typical in its unsatisfactory nature of an unsatisfactory season. Parry was unable to bowl because of a strained back and three members of the team retired to bed with 'flu immediately after the game. So there was plenty of excuse for lack of success, but at the s a m e t i m e t h e r e w a s n o n e f o r a g r e a t d e a l o f w h a t w e d i d , o r did not do. Though we were reduced to nothing but slow bowlers on a hard wicket, Robbins and Massey bowled well for a long time, at one period keeping two good batsmen tied down for over after over. But once again it was fielding that let them down, and the top scorer was dropped off a simple chance in his first over, going on to make 40 with some rustic but effective hitting to leg. Scott batted really well for his 37 not out. Todd and Tuthill were shining exceptions to the poor fielding, Turner I. was fairly good and Banks kept wicket well. Our batting was largely lamentable. Robbins defended stoutly for quite a long time, and Todd played a nice little innings; but most of the batsmen who should have been cauable of better things insisted on getting themselves out in the most absurd ways against indifferent bowling. 8

The Lickey Aymestrey Scott not out ........................ 37..........................................Massey lbw b Lawson Lawson b Massey ................ 5 Turner A lbw b Scott Bell b Robbins ..................... 5 Turner I b Scott Metcalf c Massey b G-Duff... 16............................................Robbins lbw b Scott Lewis st Banks b Robbins 40 ..............................................Parry b Lawson Spencer st Banks b Massey ... 0............................................Stokes run out Smith b Massey ................... 1 Banks c Metcalf b Scott Johnson b Massey ................ 0 Todd st Metcalf b Scott
Extras .................................. 6

2 8 3 8 0 0 4 10
1

Sherwood b Lawson

...............................................Tuthill b Lawson ...............................................Grant Duff not out .........................................Extras Total (7 wkts. dec.) 110 Total .......................

0 2 14 52

B o w l i n g : R o b b i n s 2 f o r 3 7 , Massey 4 for 63, Grant Duff 1 for 4.

ATHLETICS Both practice and finals were somewhat marred by sickness and performances were not quite as good as last year's, but there was plenty of keenness and the competition was close. In the Standards the three colours wert, very even, Blues and Greys being equal, with Greens two points behind. Those who got all their standards were Grant Duff, Sherwood, Todd, Hoddell C., Scholefield, Tildesley, Snell, Tuthill F., Chandler, Powell, MacRae, and Gallimore; and those who obtained more than they did last year were Robbins, Wesson, Tuthill G., Goulding and Barnes G. Colours were awarded to Grant Duff and Parry. Sports Day itself was fine, and although it was cool a strong wind in the morning died down in the afternoon. The competition soon resolved itself into a close struggle between Greens and Greys with the result in doubt until the next to last event, Greys eventually winning, though the Gr e e ns we r e not s l ow t o poi nt out t hat i f Tur ne r I . ha d be e n fi t hi s presence might just have turned the scale in their favour. The opinion was also expressed that the issue was decided by the fact that the Grey fathers shouted the louder. The results were : DIVISION I 440 yards: 1 Parry; 2 Grant Duff; 3 Evans G. (71 4/5 secs.). 100 yards: 1 Parry; 2 Grant Duff; 3 Bing. (12 4/5 secs.). Hurdles: 1 Grant Duff; 2 Parry; 3 Robbins. High Jump: 1 Bing; 2 B.-Oliphant, Grant Duff, Robbins. (4ft. lin). L o n g j u m p : 1 B i n g ; 2 G r a n t D u f f ; 3 P a r r y. ( 1 3 f t . l i n . ) . Cricket ball: 1 Parry; 2 Turner A; 3 Grant Duff. (51 1/2 yds.). 9

DIVISION II 220 yards: 1 Hoddell; 2 Todd; 3 Scholefield. (31 4/5 secs.). 100 yards: 1 Hoddell, Todd; 3 Scholefield. (13 secs.). Hurdles: 1 Hoddell; 2 Todd; 3 Sherwood. High jump: 1 Hoddell; 2 Stokes; 3 Todd. (3ft. 10ins.). Long jump: 1 Scholefield; 2 Hoddell; 3 Todd. (12ft. llins.). Cricket ball: 1 Stokes; 2 Brinton; 3 Duncan. (44 yds.). DIVISION III 100 yards: 1 Mills; 2 Tuthill F; 3 Tildesley. (14 4/5 secs.). Hurdles: 1 Tildesley; 2 Snell; 3 Tuthill. High jump: 1 Snell; 2 Tildesley; 3 Green, Tuthill. (3ft. 7ins.). Long jump: 1 Trotter; 2 Tildesley; 3 Tuthill. (11ft. 4ins.). Cricket ball: 1 Snell; 2 Tuthill; 3 Green (49 1/2 yds.). DIVISION IV 80 yards: 1 Lloyd; 2 Butterworth; 3 Powell. (12 3/5 secs.). Hurdles: 1 Butterworth; 2 Powell; 3 Goulding. High jump: 1 Butterworth; 2 Chandler; 3 Lloyd. (3ft. 3ins.). Long jump: 1 Butterworth; 2 Lloyd; 3 Jay. (10ft. 8ins.). Cricket ball: 1 Powell; 2 Gallimore; 3 MacRae. (37 yds.). RELAYS 110, 220, 220, 110 yards: 1 Greens; 2 Greys. Hurdles: 1 Greys; 2 Greens. 4 x 55 yards: 1 Greys; 2 Greens. SWIMMING May being rather cold, swimming started later, but it was then helped by a spell of really hot weather, and the standard was high by the end of term, certainly well above the average. Blues did best in the tests, with Greys second. Colours were awarded to Banks, Barnard, Brinton, Massey, Parry, Robbins, Stokes, Tildesley and Turner A.; and others who made good progress were Evans G., Barnes R., Gerard, Snell, Davies, Grant Duff, Scholefield, Hoddell C. and Tuthill F. The swimming Cup was won by Parry. Greys won the sports, but Blues' lead in the tests was sufficient to enable them to keep ahead and win the cup. The results of the swimming sports were : SENIOR 50 yards: 1 Stokes; 2 Parry; 3 Barnard. One length: 1 Parry, Stokes; 3 Barnard. Life-saving: 1 Tildesley; 2 Parry; 3 Banks. Underwater: 1 Turner A.; 2 Tildesley; 3 Barnard. Diving: 1 Tildesley; 2 Stokes; 3 Banks. Barnard. 10

JUNIOR 50 yards: 1 Tuthill F.; 2 Collins; 3 Green. BEGINNERS One , lengt h: 1 Dowson; 2 Barnes G. R E L AY 1 Blues; 2 Greys. Turner A. set up a new School record for underwater swimming, doing two full lengths of the bath, a distance of 33 yards. DRILL The result of the Drill Competition came as something of a surprise. In the practice stages Blues and Greys appeared to have the best teams, Greens including a much higher proportion of young and inexperienced performers. But in the competition, itself Greys dropped below their best level, Blues barely came up to theirs, and Greens excelled themselves. Their weaker members did their best, and they had more outstandingly good individuals; but they owed their victory most of all to the leadership of Grant Duff whose handling of his squad was first-rate. 1. Greens 62; 2. Blues 60; 3. Greys 46. CAMP Who went to camp ? Well, there were Dogfish, Chimp, Taffy, Muscovy, Hank, Sisco, Jeannot, Dimple, Nellie, Tiddles, and quite a lot of other chaps. A short time ago few of these strange-sounding personages would have been recognised as distinguished members of the Aymestrey Troop; but, as many of the best camps of the past developed their own particular trademarks or watchwords (" Il pleut " and " very shrewd " spring to mind), so this was unquestionably the Camp of Nicknames. Perhaps it was a sign of a specially friendly spirit; anyway friendly and happy in the highest degree this camp was. We we r e l uc ky i n m a ny wa ys , e s pe ci a ll y in the fa c t t hat the mysterious germs which had done so much to spoil the last weeks of the term had evidently not passed their Second Class and so were not allowed to come to camp. One or two coughs left over from School and a few bli s t er s we r e our onl y he al t h t roubl e s. ( The S. M . wa s si c k but tha t doesn't count). The weather too was pretty good. It was cool and there was some drizzle and rain; but when we read of the Jamboree and other camps being flooded out and blown down we could feel thankfuland just a bit superior perhaps, because we did have one really bad night with gale and deluge together and everything stood it well. A new feature was that for the first time we had an ex-member of the Troop, P. D. Coates, present as acting A.S.M. This was a great success from our point of view, and we hope it was sufficient fun from his end for him or some other Old Boy to come next time. But how he fitted into his tent was a mystery. The short hike, as last year, consisted of an expedition to Llandegley Rocks, each patrol making its own way independently. Wild strawberries were nearly over and raspberries a poor crop so they all got back in good time. For the long hike one or two Scouts were incapacitated by blisters and things and spent a comparatively lazy day navigating Mrs. Asterley 11

round Llandrindod Lake in boats. The rest were ferried by car to New Radnor and traversed the whole width of Radnor Forest from south to north. We first climbed the Whimble, considerably delayed by a super crop of bilberries, and then took shelter from the strong cold wind in an old quarry for lunch. Then we went below the Whinyard Rocks and up to the top of the Black Mixen, where we found an old grouse's nest full of eggshells and Midge kept disappearing entirely from view in the long heather, of which he took a poor view. The view otherwise was splendid; it was the finest day we had had and we could see the Cotswolds, the Wrekin, Cader Idris, the Carmarthen Van, and many other hills in at least eleven counties. Then we went on by the Shepherd's Well (the shepherd must have been thirsty) and down through the State Forests to Rhiw Pool, and so out to the road above Bleddfa, about twenty minutes ahead of the time fixed for meeting Mrs. Asterley and the car. Then back to tea at the Severn Arms and so to camp. Sunda y as us ual wa s vi sitors' day. We ha d a most mem ora ble service in Cefn Llys Church, simple and sincere wtih real feeling in it and a fine sermon, and every seat was filled. Then we entertained over forty people to tea, one or two young brothers and sisters getting most of it and the rest having what they could. We were specially glad that Miss Worton, who has done so much for so many camps, was able to come and see one at last. Bathing to start with was in the usual place with the usual dam; but it seemed shallower than before, and on the Saturday we changed to Stony Dingle Pool, where the brave ones could dive and even Hank had less excuse for taking ten minutes over getting wet. On the first day we had what we originally took to be a hostile reconnaissance by Teddy Boys, which turned out to be a curious and in the end very friendly visit by members of a newly-formed Llandrindod Scout Troop, not in uniform. They had a good look at everything and carried away a Worcestershire County Badge as a memento. We afterwards heard how two of them had left their week-end camp for a time, and a visitor found a cow sheltering from the rain in their tent, horns sticking out at one end and tail at the other. One could write about it all. for pages how Mo, the Neuadd terrier, persistently adopted us until locked up; how the bridge was built, just in time to be pulled down; how sorry Charlie was that the onions were left behind; how Sisco once went through the kitchen door by mistake instead of jumping over the fence; how Barnes washed up for nearly five minutes without trying to spear minnows with a fork; and so on. More serious mention must be made of one or two points. Pigeons were the best patrol, and at first Peckers were second best, but later the Eagles-Cuckoos came on a lot, and there was by the end little to choose between them all. Several of the youngest Scouts had an outstandingly good first camp, and their experience should be of great value to the Troop in the future. We shall need it, too, for there will not be many seasoned campers left next year; and that is a reminder that Bill has now run the food stores for two camps with such efficient quietness that it would be easy to forget what an important job that is, and not an easy one either. It all came to an end far too quickly as usual. After a very cold night we awoke in thick mist; and as the sun gathered power mist and camp melted away together, Mr. Collard's tractor roared down the hill and chuged up again with all the gear, we loaded up on the van, and in a few hours we were scattered all over the country, each one with the memory of a week not easily forgotten. 12