THE

AYMESTREY

MAGAZINE

SPRING 1980
 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF THE OLD AYMESTREY ASSOCIATION

Held at Aymestrey School on Saturday, 23rd June, 1979

Present: The President, John Hughes; the Chairman, Nigel Blair-Oliphant; the Honorary
Secretary, Bill Stallard; Air Vice-Marshall Nigel Blair-Oliphant and Messrs. Edward
Carpenter, John Coley, Andrew Duncan, Jonathan Edwards, Hugh Griffith, Edward Lane,
Andrew Lane, Jonathan Munns, John Phipps, Charles Scovell, Jerry Thomason, Francis
Tuthill, Hugo Tuthill and Edward Weaving.
Apologies were received from :
Colonel Anthony Claydon, Prebendary Douglas Lockhart, Messrs. Alan Aitken, Dan
Asterley, Michael Bates, David Banks, John Eyton Coates, Richard Coates, Richard
Collins, Phillip Davies, Richard Devereux, Donald Elt, M. J..Hughes, M.P., St. John
Mildmay, Brian Massey, Charles Massey, Guy Paske, Godfrey Pilkington, Bill
Robbins, John Shew, A. H. Slade, J. C. Smith and Richard Tildesley.

The Minutes of the A.G.M. held on the 17th lune, 1978, having been circulated in the School
Magazine, were taken as read and were approved.
The Accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1979, were received and adopted. The following
Officers were elected for the ensuing year :

CHAIRMAN : Hugo Tuthill.

VICE-CHAIRMAN : Edward Carpenter.
HONORARY SECRETARY/TREASURER : Bill Stallard.
SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT : Dan Asterley.
COMMITTEE : Messrs. Andrew Lane and Francis Tuthill to serve with Messrs. Andrew
Duncan, Edward Carpenter, Anthony Powell and Anthony Claydon.

The Secretary made a further report upon progress with the Asterley Appeal fund which
now stood at approximately £4,600. Delays had been incurred in completing the design of the
proposed new building but it was hoped that planning consent would be obtained early in July 1979.
The intention of the Appeal Sub-Committee was to endeavour to make a start on the building
programme as soon as could be arranged after planning consent was obtained, despite the
fact that funds presently available would be insufficient to cover the cost of the first phase. At
the suggestion of Edward Lane, it was agreed that the Appeal Sub-Committee should arrange
to meet shortly after planning consent was to hand. Edward Weaving stressed that it was
essential to make a start on the project at the earliest opportunity, otherwise inflation would
kill the project.

It was resolved that the Association should contribute a sum of £40 to the cost of the School
Magazine.

It was also agreed that, whenever possible, the A.G.M. should take place on the 3rd Saturday
in June, in order that Old Boys could plan accordingly.
The Chairman, Nigel Blair-Oliphant, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Griffith
and their staff for the hospitality shown to Members of the Association and this was warmly
endorsed by the meeting.
The meeting then closed.
2
 OLD AYMESTRY ASSOCIATION

Income and Expenditure Account for the, Year ended 31st March, 1979

INCOME EXPENDITURE
Membership Subscriptions ... 44.10 Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Griffiths—Contribution
Magazine Appeal Subscription ... 4.10 to School Magazine expenses ... 35.00
Interest on Abbey National Building Society Inland Revenue—Corporation Tax ... 4.75
Share Account ... ... ... ... ...29.22 Balance in hand being excess of income over
Interest on Lloyds Bank Limited Deposit expenditure ... ... ... 40.22
Account ... 2.55

£79.97 £79.97
Balance Sheet for the Year ended 31st March, 1979

Balance brought forward from 31st March, Balances at Lloyds Bank Limited:
1978 ... 522.60 Current Account 31.92
Excess of income over expenditure for the year Deposit Account ... ... 39.58
Balance on Abbey National Building Society
Share Account ... ... ... ... 491.32
£562.82 £562.82

3
 THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL DINNER
The Annual Dinner of the Association was held once again at the Union and Country Club
in Worcester. The attendance this year was rather lower than that of recent years, but the event
proved a great success.
Air Vice-Marshall Nigel Blair-Oliphant was appointed Chairman of the Dinner and his
eloquent and witty proposal of the Health of the School, at very short notice, was responded
to by Hugh Griffith, with a corresponding verve.
The Draw then took place with the assistance of Mrs. Jean Asterley, the prizes and winners
being:
1st Prize of £40.00—Bill Robbins.
2nd Prize of £20—J. C. Smith.
3rd Prizes of £10.00 each—Alan Aitken and Nigel J. K. Blair-Oliphant.
With the benefit of generous additional contributions from Old Boys, the draw produced a further
£265.00 for the Appeal Fund.

LEAVERS AND NEW BOYS

March 1979
D. J. Snell — Came September 1977.
R. Tudge (Queen Elizabeth's, Bromyard) — Rugger XV.; Soccer XI. Colours for Swimming.
Choir.

July 1979
P. A. Collis (King's, Worcester) -- Came January 1974. Rugger XV; Cricket XI. Colours for
Swimming.
M. J. Fox (Malvern) — Came April 1977. Rugger XV; Soccer XI. Colours for Rugger and
Athletics. Printer.
D. S. Jones (Monmouth) — Came September 1976. Rugger XV; Soccer XI; Cricket XI.
Colours for Rugger, Soccer and Cricket. Choir.
J. C. Packman (Monmouth) -- Came September 1974. Colours for Swimming. Choir.
R. J. G. Pember (Lucton) — Came April 1976.
A. B. Phelps (Rendcomb) — Came September 1973. Rugger XV; Soccer XI; Cricket XI.
Colours for Rugger, Soccer, Cricket, Athletics. Prefect. Choir leader.
J. G. Pulfer (Bromsgrove) — Came September 1975. Rugger XV; Soccer XI; Cricket XI.
Swimming Colours. Choir. Prefect.

December 1979
C. D. Parr — Came September 1978.
S. J. Martineau (Cheltenham) — Came September 1974. Printer. Prefect.
R. J. A. Thomas (Christ College, Brecon)—Rugger XV.
R. F. W. Stallard (Malvern)—Came September 1974. Rugger XV; Soccer XI; Cricket XI.
Colours for Rugger, Soccer, Cricket, Athletics. Prefect.
R. W. Turner — Came April 1977. Rugger XV; Soccer XI; Cricket XI. Colours, Rugger, Soccer,
Cricket .

NEW BOYS
April 1979 — M. A. Brodie, R. S. Cummins.
September 1979 — A. C. A. Goadby, A. M. Hardiman, W. K. Rankin,
N. D. Richardson, J. J. Rose-Cooper, J. P. F. Taylor, B. F. M. Walsh, J. W. S. Woods,
T. T. Wise, G. R. Young.
4

LAURENCE, BARON HELSBY, G.C.B., K.B.E.

Laurence Helsby left Aymestrey in 1922, having been a Prefect and Captain of Football, and went
to Sedbergh. There he was a School Prefect and in the XV and Shooting VIIII, winning both the
shooting cups. Going up to Keble College, Oxford, he played rugger for the College and
shot for the University; and the first big proof of his intellectual gifts came when he took a First
in Modern Greats.
He started on an academic career, and it was while he was Lecturer in Economics at Durham
University, that he married Wilmett Maddison in 1938; they had a daughter, and a son who
afterwards followed him at Aymestrey.

At the outbreak of War, he served first on the Committee of National Expenditure, and then
moved to the Treasury; and in 1947 he became Principal Private Secretary to the Prime
Minister. Continuing his career at the Treasury, he was made C.B. in 1950 and K.B.E. in
1955; and in 1963 he became Head of the Home Civil Service. He served in this capacity for
five years, and on his retirement he was made G.C.B. and became a Life Peer.

Besides his work in the House of Lords, he was on the Board of several companies; and he
was made an Honorary Fellow of Keble College, and received honorary degrees at Exeter and
Durham Universities. He died in December 1978.

In spite of his commitments in this brilliant career he frequently attended O.A.A. meetings or
visited us at other times. Although it was impossible to be unaware of his quality of greatness,
his essential simplicity never altered; and he was never more happy than when alone with his
horse at his Surrey home, or traversing the country in all weathers at the wheel of an open car.
At meetings he was mostly silent, but would finally sum everything up in two or three sentences
of dry humour and devastating clarity, from behind an enormous pipe. We here are probably
incapable of estimating what he did for his country, but we can appreciate and be grateful for
what he was to us.

OLD BOY NEWS

M. Bates, F.R.C.S., was appointed in 1978 Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at the Royal Free
Hospital, Hampstead. In 1979 he was Chairman of the North Middlesex Hospital Medical
Committee; President of the Thoracic Society and President of the British Section of the
International College of Surgeons. He is Hunterian Professor of the Royal College of
Surgeons; and for 1981 he is Vice-President Elect of the Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular
Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland.
S. J. Dorrell won Loughborough for the Conservatives at the General Election and is the
youngest member in the House of Commons.
J. W. Edwards is doing 'A' levels at Worcester Royal Grammar School.
J. N. Edwards is taking a B.A. course in Graphic Design at Exeter College of Art and Design.
B. W. K. Fayle is a tree surgeon in Canada.
H. W. Firkins visited in August with his wife. He has four children and runs a pharmaceutical
business in Melbourne.
M. Fox is doing well at work and enjoying games and printing at Malvern.
B. H. Gaskell is on Operation Drake in Papua, New Guinea, studying bats. He has been
reported by the Evening News as having discovered and captured the (world's first example
of a giant tube-nosed bat). He gets about on aerial walkways 110ft. and 300ft. up in jungle
canopy and in his free time organises shows and concerts—magic, etc., in the camp run by the
Army.
M. Godsall has 10 'O'levels, five of them at'A'grade, at Malvern.
5

S. N. Goodwin has started a Wargaming Society at Wycliffe.

S. Green Price was fly-half for Gordounston U.16 Colts. He was the Moray and Nairn
District 1,500 metres champion and won school hurdles and javelin. Unfortunately he
ended up with acute appendicitis but has now recovered.
M. J. Hughes is marrying Miss E. Petrie in March.
R. Jefferson Brown has played in U.14 and U.15 Rugby teams at Malvern. He took
Maths. 'O' level a year early and takes nine 'O' levels and 'A-O' Maths. next Summer. He
is a keen printer.
D. Jones is learning Spanish at Monmouth and has moved up to the top set in French.
R. E. Lane is engaged to Miss H. J. Lewis.
C. R. A. Leakey has opened a second hand book shop in Inverness.
R. M. Manning has started up a Young Farmer's Club at Wycliffe.
S. Martineau received the Headmaster's commendation for the best work in the
foundation year at Cheltenham.
The Ven. C. J. Mayfield has been appointed Archdeacon of Bedford.
I. M. W. McCulloch has seven 'O' levels. He was hooker for 1st XV at Rendcomb.
J. C. Nicholas is farming with his father.
J. Packman is enjoying Monmouth and is learning Spanish. He has a part in the
chorus in Oliver.
G. Paske is in the Orchestra at Wycliffe. He has given a lecture on French Roads. He is
taking 'O' levels in June.
J. Pulfer is enjoying life at Bromsgrove and is playing hockey and basket ball.
C. J. Ratcliffe writes that he is getting on well at Ellesmere and has joined the C.C.F.
R. F. W. Stallard came 25th out of 120 in the foundation year at Malvern.
P. M. Schilizzi is an accountant in London.
S. Tudge played centre for U.14 at Worcester Royal Grammar School.
Dr. D. N. Wilson is engaged to Miss Margery Smith.

MR. PAGE
We were delighted to see Simon Page on a visit in August and to hear later that he was
enjoying teaching English in Spain. He is at a huge girls' school in Seville, 1,700
pupils with classes of 50. At the moment of writing, in December, he was busy
sunbathing as the rest of the staff was on strike. He returns in June and then has one more
year at Exeter University before his Finals.
 FARCGYNYS HALL HOTEL
Bontddu, Nr. Dolgellau, Gwynedd
Mr. and Mrs. Goadby, the parents of a boy in the school, have just opened the above
hotel. There is boating, fishing, tennis and walking nearby and O.A.A.'s might be
interested if holidaying in Wales.
6

FETE
We shall be holding another Fete in aid of the Asterley Appeal on the afternoon of Saturday,
28th June. Any contributions towards prizes, stalls, books and bottles, etc., will be most
welcome.
The fund now stands at £5,285.69 of which £700.38 is interest.

MUSIC
During the year the following Associated Board Music Exams were passed:
Pulfer, N., Kent, Palmer — Grade I Piano,
Rawlings, Lane — Grade II Piano.
Rawlings, Palmer — Grade III Piano.
Pulfer, N. — Grade III Clarinet.
Phelps, Tyler — Grade IV Clarinet.
Blair-Oliphant, D. — Grade IV Trumpet.
Rawlings — Grade IV Piano.

GIFTS
We are very grateful to the following for their presents to the School:
Mr. and Mrs. Fox — Repair of railings of bridge.
Major and Mrs. Kimpton — A Slip catch machine.
Mr. and Mrs. Maclaren &
Wing Cdr. and Mrs. Packman — Repair of junior billiard table.
Mrs. Phelps — Book for Library.
Mr. and Mrs. Stallard — Video Tape Recorder.
Mr. and Mrs. Pulfer —Television for Video Tape Recorder.
Mr. and Mrs. Pember — Video Tapes.
Mr. and Mrs. Coley—Strawberries.
Mr. and Mrs. Searle — A Computer.
Many parents for gifts of Fruit and Vegetables.

MALVERN COLLEGE PREP. SCHOOLS FESTIVAL

This year the College only held the musical side of the Festival and for that the weather
was so bad that the orchestral part had to be postponed till the Summer Term.
However, 12 members of our choir joned the choirs of the other local prep. schools to sing in the
College Chapel at Evensong on 17th March. As last year the joint choir was conducted by Mr. Neil
Page, the cousin of Simon Page.
In May, Edwards and Blair-Oliphant, R., went over to the Downs School to play their trumpets in
the joint orchestra.
 Next year the College proposes to stage a full scale Festival and we hope to contribute a
play written and produced by Mr. Driver, as well as take part in the musical side and art display.
In passing it is a pleasure to say 'thank you' to Malvern College for staging their excellent
Festival, which is greatly enjoyed by the parents who come to watch as well as the boys who
take part.
7

SOCCER 1979
By the end of February, the senior football game had converted itself into a number of
expert toboggan teams capable of all manner of death defying descents on the ice slopes. One
game had been played on the Elms' glacier in the term and lost by five goals and to Arctic
conditions.

Eventually in the balmy days of March we played our first match for almost a month. The
Malvern Ferrets fielded two of last year's Aymestrey eleven and this year's made some
elementary defensive errors before beginning to fight back and finish the match with the
creditable score of 3-5.

Two days later, at Winterfold, the team really began to find some form and for the first
half completely dominated the opposition. As proved to be the pattern for the rest of the
season, it was the three half-backs, Jones, Phelps and Richmond, who dictated the pace and
direction of the game. Not content with defending and creating attacking movements to the
wings or the centre, they also took every opportunity to put in some excellent shots from the
edge of the box. Richmond seemed determined to score in every match. The complete control
displayed in almost every aspect of the game during the first half, was broken in the second
when Winterfold, inspired by the half-time cajoling of their manager, fought back splendidly
forcing courageous saves from Turner in goal and some stout defensive tackles from the full-
backs, Pulfer, J. and Stallard. The latter, particularly, always made an effort to create an
opening for the halves and forwards once he had won his tackle. The final result of 2-
2 reflected the commitment of both sides to playing attractive attacking football.

The two remaining matches, both at home, were won; 1-0 against St. Michael's, 3-1 against
Moor Park. The only disappointing aspect of the team's shortened season was the forwards
reluctance to score and make the most of the numerous half-chances. However, these players.
who included Tudge, N., Fox, Palmer, Pulfer, N., Pearce, Sanderson, M. and Johnson, made
up for this vital flaw by contributing to the team's policy of eleven man football by tackling
back and harrying the opposition on the break. Fox and Johnson in particular covered a great
deal of ground in order to retrieve seemingly lost situations.

The overall picture of the season, limited though it was, is one of a good deal of enjoyment
matched by some very intelligent play, a model it is hoped that will, be followed next year.

CRICKET
On the whole a satisfactory season with some good performances and some very close finishes.
We began by heavily defeating two rather weak teams—the first by 103 runs, (Phelps 40,
Richmond 7 for 9), and the second by 63 runs (Richmond 68 not out, Pearce 30). We were
beaten by the Elms, Seaford and the Malvern Ferrets.
 The Old Boys' match was an excellent game. The O.A.A. batted first and were 50 for no
wicket—Mark Godsall and Sian Tudge looking very impressive. After the openers had gone
only Nick Coley, 34, was able to make much further contribution. The boys stuck to it well and
with the help of two run-outs they bowled out a young and formidable side for 112.

When the school batted the pattern was nearly repeated; the openers, Jones and Turner, putting
on 46; of the others only Phelps, 31 and Pulfer, J. reached double figures. When the last man
came in 14 runs were needed for victory. In great excitement, after Blair-Oliphant, R. had
hit two good fours, he was bowled by Nick Coley and the O.A.A. were home by two runs.

The Fathers' Match was, if anything, closer and even more tense, particularly at the end. Phelps
and Richmond bowled well and then gave way to Johnson and Jones who were even better, so
that the Fathers were well and truly rattled at 40 for 9. Mr. Stallard had only just got his eye
in when he was joined by Mr. MacLaren and together they proceeded to put on no less than
78 runs in 45 minutes, for the last wicket, until eventually Mr. MacLaren was bowled by
Richmond for 30, and all were out for 118; Mr. Stallard not out 42. This was a testing time
for the boys, for it was not a slog but a first rate exhibition of good batting and few, if any,
chances were offered.

After tea Jones and Pearce gave us a good start and 37 runs were on the board without loss.
When Richmond had scored a quick 22, all in boundaries, and Stallard and Turner had added
25 more, all looked very promising, at 104 for 5, but then Mr. Bader took three wickets in
one over and when the last man, Sanderson, M., joined Johnson, nine runs were still needed
for victory. Both boys stayed calm and cool, which is more than can be said for the Fathers,
and somehow the runs came up in singles until the School had won a memorable victory by one
wicket.

The last match of the season was a convincing win against Winterfold, on their ground.
We made 112 (Richmond 40, Phelps 25) and then bowled them out for 57 (Richmond 8 for 20).

The Under 11s won both their matches, which bodes well for the future. In the first match v.
St. Richards, played at Home, Pulfer made 20 out of a total of 45 and Johnson, bowling very
fast, took 4 for 9 and Evans 4 for 4 in 15 balls, so that the enemy were 33 all out.

The return was played at St. Richards and was an even more convincing win. Johnson batted
beautifully for 42 and was well supported by Blair-Oliphant, D. and Schlizzi. When they batted,
Evans bowled really well for his six wickets and Johnson polished off the other four for two
runs, so that we won by 46 runs. Shafto took two smart catches at point.
Blues won the Colour matches with Greys second.

ATHLETICS
For the first ime we sent some boys to the Inter Prep. Schools Athletics Meeting. This was held at
St. Richards, in June. Johnson did particularly well in the Long Jump—winning the Under 12s with
a jump of 4.52 metres (14ft. 10in.) which would have given him equal second place in the
Under 14s. Fox ran well but did not manage to get into the first three. Stallard was unlucky in
the hurdles but showed good style. Richmond was second in a remarkably good Cricket Ball
group, with a throw of 60 metres. He was outclassed in the 1,500 metres but did well to finish
half way down the field.

The meeting was exceptionally well organised and was a good experience for our athletes.
In the A.A.A. Five Star Awards the following did well: Blair-Oliphant, D., who already held his
four star in the three events, went on to gain his Penthathlon and Decathlon four star Under 11;
Turner, four star in three events Under 13; Fox, four star, three events Under 14; Phelps, four
star, three events and Penthatlon Under 14 and Johnson, who gained five star in three
events and Penthatlon Under 12.
Colours were awarded to Stallard, Phelps, Richmond, Fox and Johnson. On Sports Day
Greys were the winners with Blues second.
9

SWIMMING

Despite bad weather the standard overall was high, particularly in endurance and survival. Among
the juniors, Terry and Carpenter, deserve mention for perseverance and they showed promise.
Pearce, Sanderson, M., Packman, Thompson and Pulfer, N., did well in the Distance Awards
—the latter swimming 3,000 metres when there was a warm day. Kent, Pearce, Perryman,
Phelps, Richmond and Thompson, gained their Bronze Survival and Nelson, Richmond and
Pearce, their Silver. Richmond and Pearce went on to win their Gold Awards in the Summer
Holidays. Collis, Packman and Pulfer, N., held their colours already and Nelson, Richmond and
Pearce were awarded theirs.
Greens were the winning colour with Blues a very close second.

RUGBY 1979

Only two members of the senior game that assembled at the beginning of the season had
played regularly in last year's team. The first priority therefore, was to find 13 other players. The
first team that was picked provided the basis for the XV through the five matches that were
played, although a total of 18 different boys actually appeared at one time or another.

The first match was at home against St. Michael's. The 20-0 victory was partly due to the
opposition's own disorganisation but the XV deserved to win as they played well. The early
pressure of the St. Michael's backs was, contained and some solid forward play, particularly from
Ilsley, D., Pulfer, Schilizzi, Rawlings and Sanderson, M., began to supply the two half-
backs, Blair-Oliphant, D. and Johnson with some, good ball. Richmond, at outside-centre,
took full advantage of this and scored twice, converting his second try to leave us 10-0 up at
halftime. In the second half Johnson scored two opportunist tries that underlined his natural
talent for both speed and tackling ability. In the first he intercepted a ball passing slowly
along the back line; the second came as the result of good forward pressure in the St. Michael's
twenty-five.

Our next match was against Winterfold. On this occasion we lost 0-28. Only Thomas, at full-
back and Richmond, in the centre, kept up a consistent display. Richmond even to the extent
of trying, and almost succeeding, in charging down the enemy's conversions. The rest of the
team allowed their lack of match practice and excitement at playing away, to unsettle them.

The away match against St. Michael's was cancelled due to their illness and so we had a long
period of re-organisation and hard training. The latter included early morning skipping sessions
in the gym.

The effects of this hard, and sometimes unrewarding period, were realised in the next match
against Winterfold at home. Although we lost 18-4 everybody showed a good deal more spirit.
The forwards played together and the backs were always prepared to run the ball out to the
wings. Both parts of the team were always prepared to go forward. Our single try was a good
demonstration of this co-operative spirit—Richmond running three-quarters of the pitch and then
being pushed over by the sheer weight of the forwards who had kept up with him.

The same positions were kept in the, match away to the Elms. If we had started the first half in
the same fashion we played the second, the game could have been ours. Once again the general
inexperience away from home destroyed the team's early concentration. Once we settled down
the two sides were evenly matched and a hard-fought contest took place. Woods and Johnson,
in particular, showed steadily increasing confidence in handling and tackling, while Richmond
kicked an enormous conversion, again of his own try.
10

With a run of three home matches to close the season, the side was once again re-organised due
to illness and injury. Blair-Oliphant, D., was given a run on the wing, having played some
brave games at scrum-half, and Johnson took his place.

Against Seaford Court we recorded our second victory at 12-4. The forwards had worked hard
and had made themselves into a very competent and hard-driving pack. They practised a number of
penalty moves (one of which was strangely disallowed by the referee in the second Winterfold
match), and further disillusioned the opposition by catching them offside repeatedly at the
scrummages. It was from a quick penalty move that Richmond scored. The backs too
demonstrated their new confidence, with Johnson passing a well-timed ball to Edmonds for
him to score in the corner.

Unfortunately, a sudden rush of injuries, particularly Richmond's caused the two remaining
matches to be cancelled at the point when we had begun to work our way back to playing hard
and positive rugby.

For us this was a difficult season in many respects but in the long run, through sheer effort on
the part of the majority of the senior game, who were determined to improve their own, and the
team's, play to the best of their abilities, the season proved to be worthwhile. The following
boys represented the school: Richmond, Ilsley, D., Rawlings, Schilizzi, Johnson, Pulfer, N., Blair-
Oliphant, D., Woods, Trove, Edmonds, E., Sanderson, M., Blair-Oliphant, R., Thomas,
Edwards, Martineau, Palmer, Edmonds G. and Pearce. They may not have comprised the most
skilful team Aymestrey has produced but their work rate and dedication in the struggle to master the
basics of the increasingly demanding modern game did them great credit.

RU'A FIOLA

Twelve boys and Mr. Cash visited Ru'a Fiola this year and spent a week on Torquil Johnson-
Ferguson's adventure island near Oban.
They went rock-climbing, caving, abseiling, camping, canoeing and fishing.
The food was reported as excellent and the evenings warm and comfortable; war was waged on
the gym mats and the trampoline was much enjoyed.
 They explored an uninhabited island and also visited Scarba.
Our grateful thanks to Mr. Perryman for transporting half the party both ways by car and to
Mr. Cash for taking the others up and back by train.
Those who went were: Pember, Sanderson, M., Turner, Ilsley, D. Kimpton, Pearce, Kent,
Phelps, Tyler, Packman, Searle and Perryman.

CAMP

On the last Thursday of term the Fifth Form, watched by an interested and perhaps envious
school, loaded up Mr. Trove's trailer and Mr. Griffith's car and departed for camp in Wales.
Mr. and Mrs. Green Price had invited us to camp on their farm, which is in the Welsh hills, just
north of Radnor Forest.

The original idea had been that we were to help build a necessary dam on the river running
through their land, but unfortunately the machinery needed to transport the stone necessary
for the dam had broken down so the scheme had to be abandoned. Pulfer, J., Stallard, Jones and
Fox, however, spent much free time engineering a temporary one!
11

As we were unable to help with this building project, we assisted with hay making, a new and
enjoyable experience for most campers, and other farm duties. Sunday, the day of the long hike,
was extremely hot, but everyone recovered after a cooling dip in the river on return to camp.
On Monday we were expecting guests, Mr. May and Mr. Courtenay, who, despite the watch kept
by our 'Chindits' managed to penetrate the camp defences undetected. We were grateful to them for
teaching us some new and unusual scouting techniques.

Day to day life in camp ran smoothly assisted by Martineau's dry wit and sense of humour,
Phelp's skill with the frying pan and Packman's ability to deal with his results.

Our thanks are due to Mr. Trow for the time and trouble he took to get us there and back and
to Mr. and Mrs. Green Price for their generosity in supplying us with the site, wood, water and,
of course, THE CAKE.

(Ed.—Our grateful thanks are due to Marcus Cash for his hard work and energy in organising
and running camp).

12