s FanfareSeptember 1990 - July 1991

Back to school

Edited by David Cowgill

Photographs by Brian Jones (of Brian Jones Photography), Charles Price, Dominic Price, Peter R Hamilton-Leggett, Michael Viney, Geoffrey Allen, Geoff Whaley and David Cowgill

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View from the Study

View from theStill very much applicable in 1991 are the words of the former Mount House Chairman of Governors and Master of Wellington College, Frank Fisher, championing boarding schools: ‘In boarding schools a boy is given an education which stretches far beyond academic achievement. He learns to be independent and yet how to live together with others; he learns the ideal of service and the responsibility of authority; he develops self-control and self-discipline; he learns to appreciate the balance between freedom and responsibility; he has the opportunity to develop his interests and to acquire new ones.’

In 1941 the blitz forced Mount House to seek a new home after sixty years in Plymouth. The Headmaster, Mr Wedd, had the vision to see the possibilities offered by Mount Tavy and under his leadership, and later Tony Wortham’s, the school as we know it today was established, grew and flourished.

The present Mount House boys have wonderful facilities and marvellous opportunities. It is our first duty to arouse in them the awareness of the enormous possibilities available to them and help them to develop to the full the talents theypossess.

StudyWe celebrated fifty years since the dark days of 1941 in style, with forty-five boys passing to twenty-two Public Schools, eleven of them winning awards; excellent music; an outstanding 1st XV, and a cricket XI that won the JET National Prep Schools competition.

Despite the gloom of the current recession we must have the vision of those who went before us in 1941 and look forward to the next fifty years in the knowledge that there is still a place for excellence, for good manners and the old-fashioned virtues which have stood the test of time. One who has cherished those beliefs during her thirty-seven years of dedicated service is Miss Spencer. Elsewhere will be found a tribute for all she has done for over a thousand Mount House boys. It is fitting that I should end, as countless boys have done before, by simply saying, ‘Thank you, Miss Spencer.’

Charles Price

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Governing Body and StaffGoverning BodyJ H Trafford Esq b a (Chairman)G D Adam Esq FRICSC H Christie Esq m a

T D Denner Esq m a

A B E Hudson Esq m a

Dr C Leather m b CHB

Mrs W G Mumford JPJ R M Somerville EsqSurg Capt (D) R L Travis r n

R P Wright Esq d ip i n s t d u p a n t h e o n p a r is

Academic StaffC D Price b a ia p s d i p HeadmasterJ D Cowgill r d MA PGCE Second Master, Head of EnglishG R Allen c e r t e d EnglishMrs M Allerton n d d (sculpture) Head of A nMrs V Asater B ED CERT e d l r a m Director of MusicJ H Banyard b a CERT ED FrenchM J Bassett b e d Head of Maths & ComputingMaj J D Bengough b p h i l c e r t e d Head of ScriptureG Bush CERT ED MathsG P W Cashell IAPS d i p Head of FrenchK C Cload a m ie t d i p Carpentry

F Davey m a d i p e d Head of ClassicsP R Hamilton-Leggett B sc ia p s d i p Head of ScienceMrs L M G Hood B e d Latin & ScienceMiss J Lee CERT ED Junior FormsMrs E Saxon CERT ED Junior FormsP Stephens B e d Maths, Head of PEM B L Stock MA c e r t e d Head of GeographyJ Symons b e d Head of HistoryMrs Y P Symons b e d d ip e d (s e n ) English & MathsG Whaley CERT e d d ip e d Head of Design & TechnologyAdministrative StaffR J G Anderson-Bickley MBIM Bursar and Clerk to the Board of Governors Mrs W Wroe SecretaryDr R A Gude MB b s c (l o n d ) m r c p m r c g p d c h School Doctor& Medical AdviserMrs A Wellman Head MatronMiss N Furse Assistant MatronMiss K Butler Junior Assistant MatronMiss A Jones Junior Assistant MatronMiss B Wooster Junior Assistant MatronL Mitchell CatererE C Willcock Head Groundsman

School List, July 1991Rhys Abbott Oliver Coryton James Irvine Duncan Murray William StirlingEdward Anderson-Bickley James Costelloe Ross Jackson TomNewey Andrew StoneChristopher Anthony Hugo Cox Stuart Jackson Benjamin Nicholls Duncan StoneMartin Armstrong Edward Craddock Paul James Jonathan Nicholls Robert TaitJames Babbington Richard Cross Laurence Jarrett-Kerr Charles O’Connor Ross TalbotThomas Babbington Robert Cross Nigel Jarvis Nicholas Owen Alexis TannerGuy Bailey Oliver D ’Adda Thomas Jefferson Simon Painter Ivan TannerTimothy Ball Frank Dale John Jeffreys Miles Parnell David TimmsChristian Barford Giles Darch Timothy Jellicoe Jaimin Patel Christopher TimpsonJohn Bameby Jason Darch Timothy Jenkins Richard Peam Henry TonksBenjamin Bassett Benjamin Davies Clive Jennings Nicholas Pepper James TurnerThomas Beard Thomas Davies John Jennings Roger Perowne Daniel UdyCharles Benham Richard Ferguson Alexander Jones Timothy Perowne Humphrey VoelckerPaul Bennett Michael Follett Edward Jones James Petrie Henry WaggRupert Bettison William Frappell William Keeler Michael Philpott Alexander WalterCharles Borradaile Peter Friend Christopher King Richard Philpott Jonathan WardJames Bowles James Fulton Simon King Sam Plagerson Joseph WardSebastian Britten Mark Fulton Alexander Kirby-Harris Oliver Pool James WarrenLee Broderick William Gabb Peter Kirby-Harris Crispin Proctor Oliver WarrenSimon Broderick Robert Gaffney John Kitson Julian Radcliffe Nicholas WhatmoughTom Browne Edward Gent Charles Kivell Michael Radcliffe Hugo WilkinsonChristopher Burls Simon Gent Martin Kongialis Nicholas Radford David WilliamsAnthony Bumell-Nugent Paul Glennie Robin Kongialis Max Rangeley Edmund WilliamsRupert Bumell-Nugent Kinder Goodall Simon Kongialis Robert Ridland George WilliamsJake Bumett-Hitchcock Warwick Goodall Gavin Larsen Alexander Robertson Henry WilliamsDavid Cass Peter Goodfellow John Lawrence Andrew Robertson Stephen WilliamsPhilip Cass Patrick Grant-Sturgis Christopher Longden Justin Rosenfield Simon WilseyJames Caulkins James Grey Jeremy Lott William Russell William WorthyThomas Charlesworth Nicholas Grey William Luke Alexander Sambome MarkWyerRobert Choa Richard Griffin Andrew Lytle Timothy Sambome Kyle ZaloumisGary Church Robert Halliday Robert Lytle John Seldon Sydney ZaloumisSimon Church Timothy Hanson Alastair Mackie Rupert SeldonHayden Clark Alexander Harris Archie Mackie William SeldonEdward Clarke William Hatchard Matthew Martin Thomas SellickJonathan Clarke Harry Hensman Samuel Mason Julian ShakerleyThomas Clarke Geoffrey Hore Edward Merrill Peter SharpAlexander Clayton Thomas Hudson Christopher Moore Adam ShearerBenjamin Clayton James Humphry Edward Moore Michael ShearerJohn Clayton Mark Hutcheson Christopher Morgan Austin SmithOliver Collier Christopher Hutton Andrew Mortimer Peter SpongJames Collin Thomas Inman Alexander Moth Geoffrey Stead

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ple The Honours Board 1991

C M V Barford King’s College, Taunton ScholarshipT R Beard Sherborne Music ScholarshipR M Cross Plymouth College Art ExhibitionW J Goodall Winchester College ScholarshipH J Hensman Strathallan School Military BursaryT W Inman ICing’s College, Taunton ScholarshipSR K ing Blundell’s School ScholarshipS Kongialis King’s College, Taunton ScholarshipA J Moth Kelly College Music ScholarshipR W Perowne King’s College, Taunton ExhibitionR JW Seldon Blundell’s School All-Rounder Scholarship

BRIAN JONES>f/j) (Photography)

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Valete

SalveteSeptember 1990E G W Anderson-Bickley M J Armstrong N C R Benham S R Broderick D A Cass J D H Caulkins G S Church E M C Clarke F E Dale E M Gent P R Glennie R M G Griffin R S Halliday G L H ore M I R Hutcheson P D James A J R Kirby-Harris P G H Kirby-Harris G Larsen S A Mason C V Morgan A R Mortimer M R Parnell A L M Robertson A J Shearer M S Shearer H K W agg J Ward O B Warren D G Williams H P Williams

January 1991C L Burls

April 1991B J Bassett W J C Frappell

et ValeteC C Zaloumis

December 1990Kelly College

July 1991

R J C Bettison Bramdean SchoolT E Browne Canford SchoolJ D H Caulkins Rugby SchoolJ M Clarke Kelly CollegeJ R Clayton CharterhouseR T R Ferguson Monkton Combe SchoolM V J Follett Marlborough CollegeP G Friend Radley CollegeJ A G Fulton Eton CollegeR C H Gaffney Plymouth CollegeP B R Grant-Sturgis Bryanston SchoolT J Hudson Kelly CollegeR E Jackson King’s College, TauntonA R Jones Tavistock SchoolJD Lott King’s College, TauntonA D Mackie Radley CollegeE H Merrill Shrewsbury SchoolB C Nicholls Bryanston SchoolN A N Owen Canford SchoolS R Painter Taunton SchoolT J Perowne King’s College, TauntonR C A Philpott Eastbourne CollegeG N R Radford Marlborough CollegeA W P Sambome Blundell’s SchoolG J T Shakerley Blundell’s SchoolP F Sharp King’s School, BrutonG R G Stead Blundell’s SchoolW D Stirling King’s College, TauntonD R Stone Plymouth CollegeA H J Walter Blundell’s SchoolJA G Warren Sherborne SchoolS A R Williams Plymouth CollegeW J Worthy King’s College, TauntonM AW yer Blundell’s School

First steps Rest. . . and refreshment

Salvete et

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JD W in 1936

J D WeddOwner and headmaster o f Mount House School 1938-1957

Died at his home in Bude in February 1991

J D W was the fourth owner of Mount House School at Hartley in Plymouth, purchasing the property from Major R N Boyd Campbell DSO OBE in 1938.

When the Second World War began in September 1939 he and his wife Mary decided that the school should leave Plymouth. After two terms at a large house near Helston it was decided to return to Plymouth. However, during the summer of 1940 the bombing of Plymouth began and the Wedds made the decision that another move was essential for the safety of the boys in their care. By a stroke of good fortune Mount Tavy was for sale. Mr Wedd bought the property and so the school was moved to its present site for the start of the autumn term 1940.

With his wife and their three children, David, Kerry and Daphne, the school was established in this new home and in the summer of the following year M r Wedd wrote to the parents thus: ‘Mount Tavy has proved as adequate and the grounds as lovely as first appearances foretold and there have been no regrets.’

John Wedd went to the Naval College, Osborne, after his prep school and served for a few years in the Royal Navy before going up to Downing College, Cambridge. On going down he taught at a Hampshire prep school where he married and shortly afterwards he took over Mount House.

While he was at Downing he proved himself an outstanding athlete, being awarded his College colours in no less than six fields of sport. He undoubtedly would have got a blue, but he declined all invitations to represent the University. It was characteristic of him to prefer the enjoyment of the less prestigious nature of inter-college games.

John was a very shy man and I think that it was probably because of this that he inspired tremendous affection and respect from the boys in his care. His self-effacement made it difficult for him when it came to contact with parents, but when the latter understood this they were usually happy to leave matters in his hands. He proved himself a brilliant teacher of mathematics and many boys who passed through Mount House School during his time owed their later mathematical expertise to his teaching of the basic skills.

J D W greatly admired ‘guts’ in his pupils and a fairly tough approach to life. Boys were encouraged to learn how to box and there was annually an event called ‘the 90%’. This was a boxing contest in which all boys participated. They were matched in pairs and the short battle required 90% guts and 10% skill!

J D W regarded anything other than basic equipment an unnecessary luxury. When, in later years, we asked him to support the centenary appeal to enable a hall to be built, he made it quite clear that, in his opinion, such a building was superfluous. ‘You already have a hall and these lovely grounds; what need for another hall?’

The Wedds ran the school with the minimum of domestic help. The boys cleaned the dormitories and the classrooms, and in the early years at Mount Tavy laid out the football pitches. Thistles and molehills had to be knocked down and cowpats removed before the lines could be marked out - all good for education, he would maintain. It was still like this in 1957.

I should like an Old Boy, D H F Somerset, to have the last word.

He wrote to me thus: ‘I don’t remember whether I was particularly happy or unhappy at M H S. There were many things we did enjoy, not least living in and learning to love the countryside. I certainly look back on my time there with affection and my letters written then show great enthusiasm for all that was going on. J D W must, I think, have been a great enthusiast and that inspired all those who came into contact with him.’

H P Wortham

Welcome to:John Anderson-BickleyJohn Anderson-Bickley was appointed Bursar in September,1990. He came to Mount House from Elstree Prep School in Berkshire where he had held a similar position. He is no stranger to the area, having been educated at Kelly College. He has a wide variety of interests and is a keen fisherman. He and his wife, Kate, have three sons, the youngest of whom, Edward, is also at Mount House.

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and generosity. On ‘open days’ she would display the school stamp collections in ‘Matron’s Comer’ in the front hall.

Farewell to Lois Spencer I tor LS, HPW, SP, CDP

Farewell to:Lois SpencerMount House 1954-1991

Lois Spencer arrived at Mount House at Matron in 1954. Among the staff to greet her on that day were Miss Joyce Lee and Ken Cload. Now, some thirty-seven years later, she has decided to retire. Among the staff to see her leave are - Miss Joyce Lee and Ken Cload. People don’t leave Mount House in a hurry!

The school was struck down with Asian ’flu in 1957. According to one boy present at the time, ‘Matron was in a terrible state, zooming round the dorms at a tremendous rate.’ We know what he means. Current accounts suggest that most of the boys were in bed under her ever watchful eye at that time.

In 1960 Lois took four boys to play in the river at Mary Tavy. The headlines in the Tavy Times read: ‘Drama on the Tavy.’ The four boys had been cut off in the middle of the river by a sudden spate of flood water. She summoned help in the form of a scout master and three policemen, complete with ropes. She also waded in and the boys were brought to safety, wet, but otherwise unharmed. For this deed she was presented with the Royal Humane Society’s Parchment for Bravery.

Her love of stamps is legendary and she has ran the Stamp Club for well over thirty years. Hundreds of boys have had their enthusiasm kindled by her encouragement, knowledge

All good prep school matrons are expected to turn their hands to anything, and Lois was no exception - producing the excellent fare at the annual school dances, making the dining room curtains, cobbling together material into fantastic costumes for plays, running non-stop barbecues for the Pioneers on the banks of the Tavy, and playing in staff matches. (Ken Cload said that she looked good in pads as she strode to the wicket.) All this as well as ‘zooming round the dorms’ and tending to the sick and injured.

By 1972 she had added the supervision of the household to her other manifold duties. Tony Wortham, who arrived as a housemaster at the same time as Lois joined the school, writes in Fanfare that she should have a special prize - for longevity. Longevity indeed, for it was not until over a quarter of a century had passed that she finally slipped out of the blue uniform and retired as matron in 1981. She moved to Rookery Cottage where she has continued to bustle on with unreduced energy.

During that time she has welcomed new members of staff with splendid meals and helped them settle in, run the school shop', purchased the sweets and run the Tuck Shop on Saturdays, made sure that breakfast has gone smoothly, presided over Sunday lunches, run errands down town, fetched and carried people, kept the boys under strict control, made sure that everyone’s shoe laces were always done up (yes, mine too!), given out the buns at tea time and continued to look after Tony Wortham in his retirement.You name it, and Lois has probably done it.

Sadly her mother died earlier this year and Lois finally decided to retire altogether. Well over fifteen hundred boys have passed through her caring hands - boys who have much to thank her for. She will be greatly missed. I, for one, will miss her at tea time as one hundred and ninety boys file past to collect their buns, each chanting, ‘Thank you, Miss Spencer,’ a phrase so embedded in their minds that they say it whoever is giving out the buns! None escape her eagle eye and the wise pull up their socks, tuck in shirts and tidy hair before venturing around the comer.

Her valedictory talk to the school at prayers on the last Saturday of term, based on Morals, Helpfulness and Service (MHS) was a simple, precise and sincere expression of the ideals and standards she has exemplified in her own life at Mount House and will long be remembered.As Lois moved to Andover we wish her bon voyage and good luck. Come back and see us, and ‘Thank you, Miss Spencer’, for everything.

Peter R Hamilton-Leggett

came to say goodbyeHer old team

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Peo

ple Ode to Matron

From Tavy Times of 8th November, 1956

by A Emberson

IO, how I wish that matron could see

When I lie in bed With a sleepy head,

And a face that’s red,And she thinks I’m dead,

That there’s nothing wrong with me.

nO, how I wish that matron could see

When I throw my towel,And I pounce and growl,

And hiss and scowl,And wail and howl,

That there’s nothing wrong with me.

mO, how I wish that matron could see

When I rest my feet,And all is neat,

That it isn’t a treat To have nothing to eat

Now there’s nothing wrong with me.

IVO, how I wish that matron could see

When it’s all a hush,And I throw my brush

In a desperate rush,And a picture I crush,

That there’s nothing wrong with me.

VO, how I wish that matron could see

When I roll on the floor,And whistle and snore,

And climb up the door,And break the law,

That there’s absolutely nothing wrong with me.

Footnote;The same A Emberson wrote on 16th June, 1991, in a letter to Lois: ‘When I visited M H S soon after leaving school you said, “The boys all bring their teddy bears now - even the Big Boys. They wouldn’t have done that in your day!” ’

Some random recollections from recent correspondence:Lois had many interests other than her ‘upstairs’ duties. She loved the outdoors and was frequently to be seen walking the various Winstons locally or on the moor. I shall never forget one fireworks night very many years ago. There was a major thunderstorm and torrential rain. Everyone, of course, was soaked and sought shelter under the trees, much to the horror of the duty staff (myself). By the time the boys had been rounded up and despatched to the school buildings, the lightning had done its stuff, the power had failed and there were no lights. Candles had to be found and lit, sodden boys and clothing sorted out. There was no real emergency, however, and calm was maintained - thanks to one person, ‘Matron’. (George Glossop)

I always remember Miss Spencer as having great warmth and comfort for us as boys at Mount House. She came while I was at the school. . . (C J H Jolly)

I have fond memories of a stem (but kindly) Matron. (M J Le Flufy)

Miss Spencer will always remember me because I was the very first person to spill the beans that she had a nickname - ‘Gert’. She was quite shocked, not being even aware that she had a nickname. (Paul Tolfree)

I remember so fondly Miss Spencer’s guidance, concern and kindnesses for the welfare and development of each and every boy in the school. (Peter Horder)

I shall always remember the quick, determined step patrolling the landings, the starched apron, the brisk manner, and yet the heart of gold ever present, always willing to help, encourage, cajole. ‘Matron’ was one of the lynchpins of life at Mount House for whom I have great respect and fond memories. (J A Rimington)

And a final word from Lois Spencer:

May I take this opportunity to thank all the staff, parents, boys, old boys and former parents and staff for their generosity to me on my retirement. I had some lovely and very useful presents and a cheque to round it off. I should also like to say a very big thank-you to Charles and Sue and Tony Wortham for organising the tea party at the end of a very hectic term. It was absolutely wonderful. It was marvellous to see so many old friends who reminded me of the thirty-seven very happy and memorable years I had at Mount House.

Visiting PreachersRevd Preb R T Gilpin Vicar of Tavistock Parish Church R S Funnell Esq m a Headmaster, King’s College, Taunton D R Buchanan-Alien Esq OBE m a P H Lapping Esq m a Headmaster, Sherborne School Revd K G Wyer Chaplain, Kelly College A J D Rees Esq m a Head Master, Blundell’s School M J Cuthbertson Esq m a Head Master, Monkton Combe SchoolRevd R Prance Chaplain, Sherborne School P J Attenborough Esq m a Head Master, Charterhouse D R Cope Esq m a Master, Marlborough College Revd T P Cumow Housemaster, Taunton School J B Saben-Clare Esq m a Headmaster, Winchester College Revd T J Sterry m a

P C Moore Esq Revd John EddisonM J Hatch Esq Housemaster, Lyon House, Sherborne

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Peo

ple Donations to Charity

£Tavistock Parish Church 123.85Devon & Cornish Historic Churches 110.68Oxfam 104.84RAF Benevolent Fund 156.76The Duchy Group Riding for the Disabled 111.70The Royal British Legion 160.06Children in Need 183.31Woodside Animal Welfare Trust 94.97NSPCC 403.87The Camphill Village Trust 86.57St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice Appeal 117.07CHICKS 100.83St Luke’s Hospice 158.42The British Red Cross 130.08Christian Aid 113.62Devon Air Ambulance Trust 112.09St Luke’s Hospice 195.53Red Cross Gulf Appeal 125.30Sight Savers 109.62Macmillan Nurses 200.00Cornwall Red Cross 73.51Tear Fund 100.83Save The Children Fund 127.95The Scripture Union 125.92C U C 146.18Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund 370.83

Radford, Mr and Mrs A J A Shakerley, Mr and Mrs W A Stead, Mr and Mrs C G B Warren, Cdr and Mrs A J Wyer.

A most generous gift of an Allen Organ was made by a grateful parent.

We are truly grateful to all those who have shown their generosity to the school by making these splendid gifts to us.

The Beckly BursaryThis fund was established in 1989 by Dr and Mrs Beckly to help with the education of boys whose parents fall on particularly hard times. Our sincere thanks go to all those who have subsequently given donations to the fund which now stands at £12,750.

Gifts Received 1990-1991Mrs J D Anthony BooksC J Scofield Skiing Cup and donation to Adventure ActivitiesP W Da Rocha 5-a-side Soccer Shield RLBowley BooksT R Beard Woodwind Cup and Weather Station The Earl and Countess of Morley Books A M Hurst Books M JK T im m s Windsurfer Mrs Biggin Tulip treeJ A D and D N Mackenzie 6-a-side Cricket Cup M r and Mrs N Broderick Security system W D Stirling Cup for Effort J A Gibbs Leadership Shield M r and Mrs Colin Nicholls Windsurfer G N R Radford Trolley for library and books.R M Cross Atlas for libraryA H J Walter Donation for Art DepartmentT W Inman Golf CupJ D Lott Set Squash CupR J W Seldon Junior Victor Ludorum CupCaptain and Mrs R de F Browne Donation to the BecklyBursaryAnonymous Donation to the Beckly Bursary

The following parents contributed to curtains for the Main Hall and also made a contribution to The Beckly Bursary:

Mr and Mrs R Beard, Mr and Mrs F Bettison, Mr and Mrs M Clarke, Revd and Mrs J D Ferguson, Mr and Mrs J R Friend, Mr and Mrs R H G Fulton, Mr and Mrs E C H Gaffney, Dr and Mrs M T Inman, Mr and Mrs N King, Cdr and Mrs J A Kongialis, Dr S B Merrill, Capt and Mrs J F Perowne, Cdr and Mrs G R Philpott, Mr and Mrs G

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Mus

ic

A musical moment

Christmas Term 1990

The term started in the usual way - music and instruments left at home, well-rehearsed excuses for a lack of practice during the holiday, an almost total inability to find and or read lists relating to daily practice and music lessons etc etc - it is a game we play at the beginning of each new school year! Soon, however, all was running reasonably smoothly and we enjoyed a busy term.

The string players enjoyed a valuable day at Blundell’s School rehearsing and performing with players from other prep schools.The Junior Choir and Wind Band performed well in the St Austell Music Festival, and a varied concert programme was presented by the choirs and instrumentalists in school.

A party was taken to Kelly College for a concert by Bamboozle, and we welcomed Roger Colvill and his wife to school for a lecture-recital on Franz Listz. Alexander Jones was successful in the auditions for the IAPS Choral Course and spent a busy but enjoyable week at Giggleswick during the Easter holidays.

It soon became apparent that the Choir (36 trebles, 4 boy altos, 2 boy basses and 6 adults) would be particularly strong this year - if rather top-heavy. (Where are all the tenors and basses?) Some members of the Choir represented the school at the Tavistock Civic Service in the Parish Church; we joined with other Devon RSCM choirs to sing a Festival Evensong in Exeter Cathedral; we sang carols for St Luke’s Hospice and with the residents of Crelake House, and concluded the term with a rousing Service of Lessons and Carols in the Parish Church.

The following were successful in the examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music:

Grade V T Beard Oboe 115

IV S Britten Clarinet 106

m E Merrill Piano 110

E Merrill Trombone 104

n A Moth ’Cello 128 (Merit)

J Kitson Clarinet 101

I W Luke Violin 128 (Merit)

RChoa Piano 125 (Merit)

W Luke Piano 123 (Merit)

P Goodfellow Flute 112

C Anthony Flute 100

Easter Term 1991During the first half of this short term priority was given to the School Play. In February we were delighted to hear that Thomas Beard (oboe, piano, voice, composition) had been awarded a Music Scholarship to Sherborne School. Then came the Set Music Competition. There were 182 entries, which Mr Ben Morland reduced to a final of twenty performers. The Adjudicator for the Final was Mr John Railton, who had previously visited the school as an Associated Board examiner.

The results were:The David Key Cup for the Most Promising Singer - Owls - (R Ferguson)The Beard Cup for the Most Promising Woodwind Player - Owls - (P Friend)The Peter Evelyn Cup for the Most Promising Brass Player- Hawks - (T Inman)The James Trophy for the Most Promising String Player - Otters - (A Moth)The Bawtree Trophy for the Most Promising Pianist - Owls- (T Beard)The Channel 4 Cup for Ensembles - Owls - (T Beard, J Clarke, R Ferguson)Set Songs - KangsJunior Musician of the Year - Kangs - (J Collin)Senior Musician of the Year - Owls - (T Beard)The Channel 4 Cup for the Winning Set - 1 Owls 339

2 Hawks 2403 Kangs 2364 Otters 215

On the evening following the Final a party was taken to Liskeard to hear a most exciting performance of David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus, conducted by John Railton.The following were successful in the Associated Boardexams:Grade V A Moth Piano 136 (Distinc

S Britten Piano 112J Lott Flute 108

IV A Jones Piano 128 (Merit)III O Collier Trumpet 100II J Lott Violin 122 (Merit)

J Fulton Piano 120 (Merit)E Craddock Piano 111I S Gent Trumpet 117A Bumell-Nugent Flute 108T Clarke Clarinet 108J Patel Piano 107

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O Summer Term 1991■ M

A f k Just how multi-talented many of our music pupils are was» shown this term as they disappeared quite regularly to take

3 academic scholarships, to cruise, to compete in athleticsmatches, tour with the cricket team and, finally, to join the Leavers’ Camp.

2 In April the Choir was pleased to accept the invitation tosing at the marriage service of Clare Crowley and Richard Askwith in All Saints Church, Sparkwell. Instrumentalists attended the Orchestra Festival at Blundell’s School and, with the Choir, presented a concert in school. During the term we had the welcome opportunity to hear musicians from Blundell’s and Sherborne Schools. The Blundell’s Chamber Choir and Sherborne Music Scholars sang and played with tremendous enthusiasm and skill.

In May we received the very welcome news that Alexander Moth had been awarded a Music Scholarship at Kelly College. Then, in June, our new toy arrived - a very splendid two-manual Allen Organ - the gift of a very generous benefactor and friend of the school. The singing in morning assemblies and the Sunday services has already improved and next term competent pianists will be able to have organ lessons. We are truly grateful for this magnificent gift which will be well used and thoroughly appreciated.

So to the end of term. We said goodbye to fifteen musicians who between them have collected 63 grade passes and provided 23 concert items - a bumper year! Most of these instrumentalists also sing in the Choir, and the End of Year Service in the Parish Church provided a fitting tribute to their talents. The Anthem was Parry’s ‘I was glad’, with 36 trebles sparkling on top B flats.

Choir members currently holding RSCM awards are:Red Ribbon T Beard, S Britten, R Ferguson,

S King, W Luke Dark Blue Ribbon T Inman, A Jones, J Lott, E Merrill Light Blue Ribbon T Ball, A Bumell-Nugent, P Cass, J

Clarke, T Clarke, E Craddock,J Jeffreys, C King, J Petrie,R Ridland, A Robertson, W Stirling,D Udy, A Walter, J Warren.

Those boys who have had instrumental lessons for at least three terms and have not started Grade I preparation were given a Pre-Grade Assessment with the following results:

A Lytle Piano 126 (Merit)T Jefferson Piano 125 (Merit)E Clarke Piano 120 (Merit)M Radcliffe Violin 120 (Merit)W Gabb Piano 117R Bumell-Nugent Piano 115I Tanner Flute 115P Kirby-Harris Piano 112A Harris Trumpet 111A Mortimer Violin 111T Jenkins Piano 109M Pamell Violin 107J Costelloe Piano 107S Jackson Piano 103J Nicholls Piano 102M Pamell Piano 102W Frappell Trumpet 100C Moore Piano 100E Moore Piano 100N Whatmough Flute 100

The following were successful in the Associated Boai examinations:Grade III A Moth ’Cello 124 (Merit)

R Ridland Piano 117C Procter Violin 117P Goodfellow Piano 113D Timms Flute 108M Fulton Trumpet 105

II C Procter Piano 116J Petrie Clarinet 112K Goodall Clarinet 101

I A Smith Clarinet 117T Sambome Clarinet 112

The Choir, 1991

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Clay figures by Robert Cross

ArtThere is a new artistic ‘craze’ every year and we scraped through 1991. Not for us (naturally!) the pre-drawn scraperboard so frequently sold in hobby shops, but with trial and error we worked from scratch.

Drawing in reverse to obtain contour, in other words actually drawing light rather than shade, is a fascinating challenge. The technique needs a degree of mental agility. Tunnicliffe’s famous woodcuts gave many the initial inspiration. This, in turn, led to further exploration into the possibilities of composition using strong ‘negative/positive’ themes.

By the end of the summer term the walls of the art room were loaded with these and other pictures, the shelves awash with pottery. The display was largely unwitnessed by parents this year, due to the cancellation of the Family Camp Weekend, to which it had hitherto been linked.

This has been a period of hard endeavour for many, and never have the Art Clubs been so full. It was therefore heartening to hear that Robert Cross, with his imaginative work in clay, gained an Art Exhibition to Plymouth College. Rupert Seldon also distinguished himself by winning an All-

Rounder Scholarship, which embraced his artistic achievements, to Blundell’s.

We look forward to the coming year. The spring term of 1992 should see us firmly established in a newly built Art Department: building commences in the summer holidays. When complete it will give us the needed space and better light. These new facilities should enable us to tackle the National Curriculum with added confidence.

Mariebel Allerton

Prize Winners 1991Artists of the Year Award Robert Cross and Rupert Seldon The Willoughby Cup ‘Most Improved Artist of the Year’Jeremy LottJunior Draughtsman Crispin ProcterJunior Pastel Gavin LarsenMiddle School Pottery Simon GentMost Improved Junior Artist of the Year Paul Glennielst/2nd Year Artist of the Year Christopher Morgan

12

Peregrine by Duncan Stone Parrot by Simon Kongialis

Tap by Alastair Mackie Bike by Rupert Seldon

SKeTC(fES fRo(V\ U F E . -J.LoTT

Sketches from Life by Jeremy Lott13

Dra

ma The Golden Masque of Agamemnon

by John Wilesstirs Clytemnestra into action. She sends Orestes (Michael Follett) away from the scene of the crime-to-be. All is not well at Argos: the natives are restless and she imposes an early curfew to quieten them down. She is a most forceful figure, who brought to mind a recent British Prime Minister in her stronger and more determined moments!Agamemnon arrives and Clytemnestra flatters him to deceive. Although he is persuaded to rank himself with the gods by stepping on the purple, he shows his mortality by falling for her flattery, and in due course she and Aegisthus dispose of Agamemnon.

Some years later Orestes returns to Argos, which he finds reduced to a state of poverty. After much soul searching and encouraged by Apollo, he determines to avenge his father’s death. Aegisthus is killed at Agamemnon’s grave and Orestes then goes on to commit matricide as well. For this latter deed he is required to go to Athens to stand trial.

Agamemnon - Actor of the Year

The production of the School Play was fraught with difficulties, caused in the first instance by the illness of the producer, Geoffrey Allen, which caused its postponement to the Easter term, and subsequently illnesses amongst the cast.

For those not steeped in classical mythology the intricacies of Greek tragedy can be more than a little bewildering. Fortunately we were supplied with some helpful programme notes which helped even this base barbarian unravel the intrigues of the plot.

The curtain opens, the lights dim and amidst a swirl of mist and much martial music Agamemnon (James Warren), Commander of all the Greeks, emerges. He has long been frustrated in his purpose of rescuing Helen from Troy by contrary winds which have kept his fleets in harbour. It is decreed by Artemis that for the winds to drop he will have to pay a heavy price: Iphigenia (Christopher King), the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra (Tom Newey), must be sacrificed. Accordingly, Agamemnon lures Iphigenia to her death on the pretext that she is to marry Achilles. The hapless girl is led off by a military guard, libations are made, and the wind dies down.

When word of this reaches Clytemnestra she is furious and calls death down on Agamemnon’s head. Aegisthus (William Worthy) murderer of Agamemnon’s father, brings consolation to Clytemnestra and together they plot Agamemnon’s end.

We witness a most effective scene of mimed battle training outside Troy, with lights flashing and swords clashing. The battle plan for the capture of the city is hatched in a glorious piece of comic relief as the Greek generals, King Nestor (Richard Ferguson), Odysseus (Patrick Grant-Sturgis), Achilles (Rupert Seldon) and Hermes (Roger Perowne), for all the world a party of colonial sahibs or bwanas enjoying a relaxing ‘sundowner’, debate the merits and demerits of the Trojan horse ploy.

Time passes, the Trojan horse fulfils its promise and news of the impending return to Argos of the victorious Agamemnon

A battle now rages between the New Order of Justice and Reason on the one hand, and the old Religious Order of Vengeance, represented by the Furies. The questions arise: how does justice differ from vengeance? what is the place of religion in justice? what is the place of a woman in a marriage? was the queen justified in killing her husband? which will prevail, blind emotion or reason? Presiding over the court proceedings is Athene (Benjie Nicholls), and when the jury’s vote is split six-six it is she who has the casting vote. Orestes is set free, but on the condition that, should he ever suffer the tiniest twinge of remorse for having killed his mother, the Furies will be unleashed to tear him limb from limb. Just the very thought, ‘Mother, I’m sorry,’ will be his undoing.

The Furies

Orestes attacks the Pythoness

14

Dra

ma Seeking peace, constantly on the move and relentlessly

hounded by the vengeful Furies, Orestes is told by the Pythoness (Paul Bennett) that tranquillity will only ever be his if he visits the island of Tauris and captures there the image of Artemis which is guarded by the Priestess.Strangers captured on the island are put to death, so this is a doubly dangerous mission which he undertakes. At Tauris he discovers his sister Iphigenia, alive after all the years when she was thought to be dead, having been spirited away to safety by Artemis. The statue is stolen and a safe escape from the island made by the brother and sister who find, at last, peace and happiness, but leave the Furies more furious and frustrated than ever.

This drama was worked out by a vast cast - fifty-two boys trod the boards during the performance, which included some well rehearsed dancing. Every single one of them played his part well. The standard of acting, and diction too, was very high. Of those with major roles Michael Follett, Tom Newey, Paul Bennett and William Worthy deserved special mentions for their poised and at times passionate performances. James Warren was rightly singled out for the Cashell Cup for the Actor of the Year. He was responsible for a very important part which he acted with great authority and distinction. Many others caught the eye: The Furies were a foul and fiendish band; Jonathan Clarke seemed very much at home on the stage as the genial Thybius, and Edward Craddock, playing Cilissa, made a splendid nanny figure - every inch a lady!

Providing costumes and props for such a huge cast was a massive undertaking in itself, and magnificently successful.

The Art Department is in particular to be applauded for its contribution. A small army of workers behind the scenes in lighting, sound, making-up and dressing the actors, must be congratulated on their share in the success of this production.

The choice of this play was very ambitious, particularly as it involved the direction of such a large number of actors, many of whom were not experienced. That it was such a resoundingly successful and exciting performance must have delighted the cast, Geoffrey Allen, and all those whose help in the production he so generously acknowledged, and rewarded them for all the difficulties which they encountered and so triumphandy overcame on their way to ‘the night’.

kritikos

Cast:AgamemnonOrestesThybiusCalchasMenelausAegisthusOdysseusKing NestorAchillesHermesApolloPyladesBoys

Warriors

LightingSoundGongChoreography Prompter Front of House Make-Up Costume Alterations Art Work

J Warren ClytemnestraM Follett IphigeniaJ Clarke PythonessT Beard MacariaN Owen AlthaeaW Worthy AlcmeneP Grant-Sturgis MelitaR Ferguson HieraR Seldon LeucippaR Perowne PolydoraD Udy ChrysothcmisS Williams HecubaA Mackie CassandraM Kongialis AtheneJ Darch RemorseG Stead GuiltC Hutton ShameA Walter CilissaS Gent ElectraO Coryton DancerR Tait Child 1C Anthony Child 2S Britten Child 3C Longden WatchmanN Jarvis Arab BoyR LytleMr M Viney, J Fulton, J Shackerley, W Goodall Mr I Kilpatrick R Perowne Margaret Crook W StirlingMr G Bush, RM Cross, E Jones, T Browne, R Gaffney Margaret Crook, O Pool, T Inman, J Babbington, R Abbott, Mrs E SaxonMrs M Allerton and all her helpers.

T Newey C King P Bennett R Bettison A Robertson J NichollsE Anderson-Bickley R J Cross J Clayton N Radford A Sambome S PainterJ Bumett-Hitchcock B Nicholls G Williams J Humphry H Wilkinson E Craddock T Hanson E Merrill HWagg T Clarke T Charlesworth R Philpott R Ridland

C Barford, H Hensman

Spok

en

Engl

ish The Spoken English Competition 1991

The Spoken English Competition attracted nearly ninety entrants this year. It is most encouraging to have it so well supported and I congratulate all the entrants on having the initiative and interest to step forward and ‘have a go’. The standard in the preliminary rounds is very wide ranging and it is no easy task to decide which of the stronger competitors should be eliminated and which should go forward to the finals. Very often it is not so much the ability of the competitor, but his chosen text that is the deciding factor.To succeed, he must be putting over a piece of English that suits his personality, his voice and his mood. He must, in short, be convincing. I must also keep a sharp eye on the balance of the programme for the final round to ensure that it does not turn out to be a Roald Dahl Benefit Evening!

We were very fortunate indeed to have with us again as the adjudicators Mr Jim Spalding, Head of English at King’s College, Taunton, and his colleague Mr Giles Ramsay.Their visit to us came at a time when they were particularly heavily committed at King’s and we look upon it as a great compliment that they found the time to join us. Theirs is not an enviable task. While those of us in the audience are able to relax and enjoy the fun, they have to be making decisions. When the general standard is very high, which they adjudged it to be, picking winners is difficult. We were in the hands of experts, which is very important, especially to those who do not carry away the prizes, because they know that they have been fairly judged. Having one’s public recitation criticised in public could be an awesome experience, but as each contribution was commented on so positively no boy could have felt anything other than encouragement. Our adjudicators were full of praise for all the performers, for the high standard of their presentation, for the way in which they held the interest of the audience, and even for their tidy appearance! Not a detail passed them by.

The Spoken English Competition, while the standard remains as high as it is, does provide one of the best entertainments of the year. The programme is full of variety, but generally on the light side, and the large audience clearly shared in the enjoyment which the finalists themselves so clearly demonstrated.

The Rory Benham Cup for Spoken English was awarded, for the second year running, to Michael Follett for his rendering of ‘Pain’, by an anonymous poet. He recited this deeply religious poem in a most moving way. This was a superb dramatic performance, which will remain indelibly printed in my memory.

David CowgiU

The programme:

Juniors (Under 9 years)Simon Broderick Charlie Harris

Timothy Jenkins Charles O ’Connor Winner: Charles O’Connor

Mice by Rose Fyleman from Noah’s Ark by Roger McGoughThe ABC by Spike Milligan Today by Jean Little

Intermediate Poetry (10 to 12 years)James Irvine Andrew Lytle

Nicholas Pepper

Winner: Andrew Lytle

My Father by Ted Hughes The Camel’s Hump by Rudyard Kipling Sources of Sauce by Vernon Scannell

Intermediate ProsePaul Bennett

Christopher King

John Lawrence

Winner: Paul Bennett

from The Twits by Roald Dahlfrom Mossflower by Brian Jacquesfrom Hunter’s Moon by Gary Kilworth

Senior Poetry (Over 12 years)Christian Barford

Michael Follett Harry Hensman

Simon King

Thomas Newey Winner: Michael Follett

Senior ProseJames Caulkins

Richard Ferguson

Peter Friend

James Fulton

William Worthy

Winner: James Caulkins

Jabberwocky by ‘Lewis Carroll’Pain AnonThe Glory of the Garden by Rudyard Kipling You Are Old, Father William by ‘Lewis Carroll’Leisure by W H Davies

The Little Girl and the Wolfby James Thurberfrom The Voyage of theDawn Treader by C S LewisMid-Atlantic Memories byMichael O’Donnellfrom The Voice of the Turtleby William Travisfrom Whale Nation by HWilliams

Winner of the Rory Benham Cup for Spoken English 1991:Michael Follett

The Payne Cook Spelling Competition 1991

The competition was held in January and the results were very pleasing. All but a handful of boys increased their scores substantially.

I compile the one hundred word list with the help of other heads of department and those who teach English to the junior forms. The list is graded in difficulty and includes no words which a literate sixth former might not be expected to have in his active vocabulary, although the last word in the list may be an exception to this rule. Hence, the competition does have a very real value, particularly as most of the words are those which I have noted as having been misspelt during the course of the year. It is very heartening, and revealing, that some of the best results come from those boys who find spelling difficult and accept the challenge of the Payne Cook Spelling Competition in a most positive way.

Eighteen boys managed to score full marks this year: Christian Barford, Thomas Beard, Peter Friend, Warwick Goodall, Thomas Inman, Simon Kongialis, Harry Hensman, Alex Jones, Timothy Perowne, Duncan Stone, Sebastian Britten, Oliver Coiyton, Sam Plagerson, George Williams, Nick Grey, Robert Tait, Charles Kivell and Alexis Tanner.

Continued over page16

This lead to a spell-off, which was won by Warwick Goodall. He and Hensman were in the spell-off for the third year running; Beard, Inman and Perowne were there for the second consecutive year - remarkable achievements! Also to be congratulated for spelling every word correctly was Richard Philpott, who unfortunately suffered a deduction of two penalty marks as he lost his spelling list twice!

Kivell and Tanner, let it be noted, were in form 4A. Other noteworthy performances were: 98 from Mark Fulton and Humphrey Voelcker in 4A; 98 and 95 from Hugo Cox and Jonathan Ward respectively, in 4B; 95 from Robert Choa in 3A; 95 from Ivan Tanner in 2S; 94 from Edward Gent in2S, and 72 from Miles Pamell in Form 1. Boys in Form 1 were invited to leam the first 25 words and boys in the second forms the first 50 words.

Form 5, with the excellent average of 98.9%, just pipped form 6’s 98.6% to lead the form averages.

Eighty-six boys scored 90+, and only forty-one scored less than 50. The standard of presentation was very good indeed. Congratulations!

David Cowgill

(Small prize for the first boy to spot the deliberate spelling mistake, and give me the correct spelling!)

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17

Now We KnowLast year, in explaining what C D T was all about, I said it was not to be confused with ‘Can’t Do a Thing.’ Hopefully it should now be completely the opposite, and after a successful year of Mount House C D T, the boys should be looking at a design brief and saying ‘Can Do That!’

This year has already shown early success and much reward, with some of last year’s sixth formers paying the school and friends end of term visits. With them they bring reports of how projects and topic work covered here came in very useful during their early senior school C D T work. On this theme, more and more senior schools are offering C D T scholarships, and several schools are adding compulsory C D T questions to their scholarship papers. These cover a multitude of areas, ranging from basic physics, ie electronics, levers, and alternative energies, to constructional problems of mechanisms and structures etc. This emphasises the growing importance and recognition of C D T in the school’s curriculum.

Bottle Boat

The two senior years have covered topics varying from linkage and levers to make a face with moving features, to kites being developed into hang gliders and, with the use of electronics, further still into a microlite flying machine. Electronically powered lemonade bottle boats were made (C King’s holds the record for crossing the swimming pool in 76 seconds), and then the hulls were completely redesigned, with the use of the vacuum former, in an effort to improve performance. A group of sixth formers got down to designing a go kart to be powered by a Honda 90cc engine, covering many areas of engineering, metalwork and motor vehicle maintenance.This year has also seen the final touches being put to the C D T Centre. This was in the form of shelving and racking systems for storage of projects and equipment. A full complement of tools and small machinery has now been acquired, all ready and awaiting the start of the new, and, we hope, successful term.

Geoff Whaley

Kites by 5B

Work covered by the boys in the lower two years has mainly concentrated on developing their drawing and model making skills - so vitally important for the successful realisation of any design solution.

The middle years have been busy working on an understanding of the uses and limitations of the three main materials, wood, metal and plastic. This they have done by covering several different projects designed to test the boys’ problem solving abilities, together with their practical realisation skills.

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18

Car

pent

ry CarpentryIt has been estimated that well over four hundred seagrass stools have been made at Mount House by the pupils over the last forty-five years, and none have been better than those completed during the last school year. Looking back at old school records, it may be noted that in the years 1960 to 1962, for instance, fourteen were completed each year, and I am assured that some are still put to daily use.

Fifty boys attended classes during the year and the various projects completed included:-

small steps in red deal;saddle rack in deal and pine;boxes of many different sizes and joints;reading lamps in mahogany and utile;cassette racks;spice racks;bird nesting boxes;cutlery boxes;trays in various woods;seagrass stools;candlesticks in Japanese oak;eggstand in parana pine.

Items still under construction include:-book rack in parana pine; book ends in oak; seagrass stools; comer shelves; small cabinets;

wine rack in deal; small cupboards; small table in deal; rabbit cage and run; cassette and video rack.

The Mount House Old Boys Association prize was awarded to Robert Cross. Other prizes were given to Christopher Anthony, Christopher Timpson and Benjamin Clayton.

It may interest Old Boys of the years immediately after the Second World War to know that some of the dormitory lockers they made are still to be seen in various places around the school, being put to good use.

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FantasiesFantasies are strange things, mainly because they are so different. Just about everybody, at least once in their life, has had a fantasy or two. They range from the very simple, such as a schoolboy imagining that he will suddenly be presented with the new bicycle that he would dearly like to have, but cannot afford, to the sincere ones, such as the soldier on a battlefield believing himself to be back at home with his family.

When the word ‘fantasy’ crops up people tend to think in the direction of magic, heroes with swords and monsters. These are typically stereotyped fantasies, made along the lines of myth. But fantasies can take any shape. They tend to occur when a person is either dreaming, day-dreaming or just not concentrating on something. His mind will become tangled up in the thought of his subconscious. I find that my fantasies generally blend in with my surroundings, but that may be only me. People get fantasies because either their life is too boring and normal, and they like to drift away to a world of excitement, or exactly the opposite, when someone’s life is terrifyingly exciting (quite rarely) and they like to mentally bask in a peaceful existence.

Fantasies are usually the exact opposite to the fantasist’s life. A totally obscure and small-time singer might see himself in the Sydney Opera House. A yet-to-be-discovered artist might fantasise about his paintings being sold as all-time greats for five figure prices at the top auctions of the world. A trainee architect might imagine himself designing palaces and country houses for royalty. An amateur athlete of limited ability might see himself sprinting down the hundred metre track in record time at the Olympic Games. From these examples you can see that fantasies suit people. You would not hear of an artist dreaming about the Olympic Games, nor of an athlete wanting to design houses, and so on.

With children, however, fantasies vary incredibly. One might dream of hitting a six in the first eleven, or scoring the winning try in a rugby match. Another might even imagine himself working in a sweet shop. One boy struggling with his work may day-dream that he comes top of the form, amongst the congratulations of the others. Everyone fantasises now and then.

Hugo Wilkinson

A FantasyI drifted down the river in a boat, passing marshmallow mountains on my left and with candy-floss clouds hanging lazily around the mountain peaks. The marshmallow wobbled in the steady breeze.

Large white rabbits played in meadows of sugar grass, rolling, hopping and frolicking happily, with not a trouble in the world. One rabbit picked at the sweet, succulent grass. Having eaten her fill, she ran and joined her family. They played contentedly, trotting, playing games.

My straw boater slipped over my eyes, obscuring my vision of the rabbits. I promptly propped it up with my finger. I eyed the pinky-white candy-floss clouds; the birds flew to and fro, chattering and calling to one another. Squirrels played aimlessly, eating sugar lumps that fell from the sugar trees above.

On the other side of the river strawberry fields stretched out, with rabbits hiding and seeking. A spider spun her delicate web of gold thread amongst the green leaves of the strawberry plants. A cloud drifted across the sun, casting a

pink glow over the land. A large salmon jumped high, turning in flight, displaying his tender pink belly. The boat rocked gently back and forth as he landed back in the river.

Then I started floating up and up. I could see the fluffy clouds on either side of me. All around me the clouds were studded with little gems, sparkling in the sun. I stood up. I began to sink through the cloud and jumped, and floated to the next. Again I jumped, floating from cloud to cloud. ‘This is wonderful,’ I thought, ‘it’s just like Alice in Wonderland.’

I slid down the arch of a rainbow, landing softly on another cloud, and then I slid all the way down to the miracle world below, where there was nothing bad, nothing sad, but only happiness and dreams.

I walked along the river bank. I heard clapping and cheering.

Oh, no! Not another four runs hit past me as I stood on the boundary! My beautiful fantasy was the undoing of my second eleven career.

George Williams

A dream destroyedIt was the end of autumn and heaps of brown leaves rustled around the boatyard in which my parents’ vessel was laid up for the winter. A cool breeze whipped up whirlpools of leaves as I walked slowly up the yard, scanning the surrounding wooded hillsides for any signs of possible camp sites.

I discovered an upturned, overgrown dinghy, but when inside I also found a rather unpleasant odour. I moved on and as I neared the bottom of the yard I saw a perfect spot.In the shadow of two very large yachts sat two ramshackle wooden huts, perched about twenty feet up the hillside.

Continued over page

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Small tufts of hardy grass were scattered about, and these I used to pull myself up the steep gradient. I reached the huts, my jeans now dirty, as I had slipped twice onto the mud. Nettles and brambles had grown randomly in the first hut, making it impossible to use, but as I swung myself through an empty window space I saw that the second was perfect. No half rotten leaves covered the floor and no brambles invaded through the windows. I looked at my watch and cursed time for slipping away so quickly, for I should now be on my way home.

I jumped back outside into the breeze which was strengthening, slid down the slope and, deviating from the route I had used for my ascent, met with a small patch of nettles. Rubbing my itching arms, and brushing my hair, which the wind insisted should stay in my eyes, out of my face, I ran back up to the boat, making plans that I should next time bring ropes and other useful equipment.

It was three weeks before I was able to return. I jumped out of the car. It was a cool morning and I shivered slightly as I lugged my ropes towards the hut. Full of ideas, I turned past the large boat.

The huts had been removed.

Oliver Pool

ChristmasFor everyone in the world there comes a time when everything seems to be completely normal, and then suddenly something awful happens.

Christmas is a much awaited time of year when everyone eats too much, drinks too much and sings embarrassing and overrated songs. It is the so called ‘season of good cheer’, and a time when small children hoard up all the paper they can find and make huge lists of presents for Santa to bring them, regardless of the fact that Santa would have to be a multi-millionaire black marketeer to be able to purchase most of the requested commodities.

It is generally recognised to be a time to eat turkey or goose, and plum duff, and mince pies, and to compete with your next door neighbour over who has the most Christmas cards.

Chaos usually ensues in the less experienced households when it comes to putting up the decorations, as paper chains have a tendency to pull themselves down just after you have put them up for the fourth time. Christmas decorations usually take on the form of small shiny balls, large and frequently not-so-shiny balls, long lengths of glittery string and randomly shaped plastic objects of mysterious origin which turn up in the decorations box one year and are gone the next.

Animals react in their own small way to Christmas. If you look closely at, say, a small domesticated dog, you will notice how it tends to uproot boxes of tinsel and scatter it over a wide area. Dogs also seem to enjoy bashing themselves against Christmas trees to make them fall down, thus providing the cumbersome canine with endless amusement and all the little chocolate Santas it can eat.

Christmas trees are traditionally topped with a fairy or a star (normally much to the fairy’s annoyance), but these days certain jocular juveniles have replaced these with Action Man toys or some other suitably hilarious object, such as the

Continued over page

21

4)3ma>

o

>

153

U

family gerbil, an ‘adjusted’ photo of some embarrassing relative, or a dog biscuit. The last can be particularly devastating as the frantic efforts of some miffed mongrel to reach the desirable object can result in a loud crash, some disconcerting chewing noises and pine needles scattered around the room.

In short, to have a safe Christmas you will need a tin helmet, a combat jacket, a limpet mine and a hyperactive and extremely gullible four year old with an exocet missile.

Hugo Wilkinson

A fall of snow

much

by

was

enjoyed

the young. . .

and the young in heart?

22

Pure

ly

for

Ple

asur

eAutumnAutumn is full of colour: golds, browns, oranges, reds.For most people autumn is a fireworks night with colours everlasting.

The sharp air that blowsnumbs your nose and ears to a bright red.It is the golden time of year,with the grass a silver sparkle,crisp and crunchy, covered in armour.

Hard and brittle leaves fall quietly, without a whisper, in their gentle way, to the cold damp ground and die.

New life lurks beneath them.

Edward Anderson-Bickley

The Royal VisitOn Monday 9th February, which was a lovely day, my brother and I were upstairs changing into our suits. Matron was fussing because we had an important day ahead of us. Finally Matron said my hair, tie and face were all right.

Mummy arrived and we drove off to Devonport. We went to the Wardroom. In the Wardroom I was surprised by the decorations and splendour. We were all put into one of ten groups. We were in group one. When we got in we started the buffet. It was very nice. A little later the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived.

The Prince started with group one so he came to us first. He asked us where we went to school. We bowed and answered, ‘Mount House School, Tavistock, sir.’ He asked us where our daddy was. We replied, ‘He is on an aircraft carrier near Israel.’ He also asked us if we were writing to him. The Prince was wearing his naval uniform with all the medals and gold on it.

We had a short wait before the Princess came to talk to us. During this time we kept on eating the delicious buffet. But suddenly, just as I had a mouthful, the Princess came over to talk to us. She caught us by surprise. She said she wanted to see us because we were two boys. She also asked us where we went to school. She asked us if we had girls at our school. I replied, ‘No way!’ She said that she would not trust Prince William with girls. I said it was good having a day off school. She replied, ‘Glad to be of use!’

That day we met an Admiral and I met the Mayor’s wife. It was a great day out and I think they will make a good King and Queen.

Philip Cass

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STOP PRESSWe are delighted to say to say that Malvern College will also adm it girls

(via the 13+ examinations) from September 1992 onw ards

SmugglersStealthily creeping along the cliff;Misty, with the wind in your eye.Under your feet the pebbles crunching;Going down and down,Going to fetch the goods,Lanterns lighting the way Earth getting on your feet.Rudders grinding on the rocks,Sea against the boat, then it’s dawn.James Bowles

Softly sneaking down the cliff,Moving the goods;Unexpectedly finding a spy,Gagging him up.Going faster and faster before the day- Light catches them out,Every minute getting lighter and lighter.Running faster and faster.Suddenly they reach the safe place.William Seldon

Silently and swiftly creeping down the cliff, Murmuring of the sea slowly saying, ‘Shhh, shh.’ Under the lightning and the stormy night Guiding ourselves by one tiny, dull lantern,Going carefully all the time,Loading liquor as quickly as possible,Eagerly wanting to drink some,Rushing here and there.Suddenly the Revenue catch us. Now we’re dead. Crispin Proctor

Stealthily over the cliff we went Midnight it was, dark clouds coming.Ugly the night grew,Gone the moon.Going on we were;Lugger was coming into view.Eager we were to go,Running over the sand.Smuggling we were.Tim Sambome

Country LifeIt was late one winter evening. The phone rang.

‘Hello,’ answered my father.

‘Hello, this is the Saltash police station here,’ said the muffled voice at the other end of the line.

‘Yes?’ my father answered, puzzling over the idea of the police phoning him so late.

W e are just informing you about the danger of poachers in the area; they are particularly strong at this time of year.’

‘Thank you,’ my father replied. ‘Good night.’

I was very excited about the whole affair.

Suddenly the phone went again. It was the keeper of Pentille Estate asking if my father could help him on patrol, as one of the other keepers was ill. Father and I ran into the utility room, clambered into our wellies and Barbour jackets, leapt

24

into the Landrover and roared off down the lane to the estate. When we arrived the keeper invited us in for a cup of coffee. The cloud had cleared when we emerged from the snug little cottage, leaving enough light for us to patrol the woods.

It was very exciting walking through the woods at night, listening to all the animals that you can never hear or see during the day. Suddenly there was a high pitched squeak from underneath my foot. My father trained his flashlight on me: it was a tiny fox cub trying to find its mother. We, too, spent the rest of the night searching for its mother, but without success.

Then the keeper turned to me and said: ‘How do you fancy looking after this cub for Christmas?’

‘Yes, please,’ I replied.

I took the cub from the keeper and placed it in the breast pocket of my jacket.

He was a troublesome beast, especially at Christmas. I thought he was old enough not to bite and tear things; but no, as soon as I let him out he ran straight into the pile of presents, ready to ambush anything or anybody foolish enough to come within range.

Then, sadly, the time came for me to return to school, so I had to let the fox free to roam the estate. He did not enjoy being away from civilisation, and for two more weeks would come back and sleep with the dogs in the kennel. When I came to see him on a weekend out he was gone - gone to enjoy himself in the reds, greens and yellows of the woodland.

Oliver Coryton

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Look what I ’ve caught!

Well, worse things have happened at sea!

The Deserted VillageThe wind howls through the open windows. The valley is silent. The roofs of houses creak as the wind hurls across them.

No living creatures live here any more. They are dead or living somewhere else. A gust of wind blows. The sand whirls up in the wind.

The valley is completely silent. A truck drives past. A lizard scuttles across the sandy ground. A truck leaves the village and carries on up the other side.

Now the truck is travelling through the village again. The sand whirls up in the wind. Builders come and remove houses from their structures of rotten wood.

Eventually a dam is developed. The valley is no more to be seen. It lies under water, for the dam has flooded it, so that it is sunk without trace.

Martin Armstrong

Then cast your line

Fishing for Beginners

First shut your eyes

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The KingfisherThe brightly coloured bird Flies through the sky like lightning. His jet black beak is razor sharp,His talons like carving knives.

A fish cannot see him.His swift movement through the sky Is like a strike of lightning Hitting a church spire,A blur of multi-colours Going like a jet.

Those who see him are very lucky And should consider well That they have seen One of the delights of nature.

Nick Grey

An Animal in DangerThe time of year is late winter; every morning I wake up to a white landscape. My name is Josey; I am a red squirrel. I am the mother of two. I have no husband: he was shot a fortnight ago. I am still trying to keep it from the children. I say he will come back some day very soon; I am not really very sure if it is to persuade them or myself. The excuse sounds quite convincing, but I know that some day I will have to bring out the truth.

Since then we have moved to an enormous oak on the perimeter of a field . . .

Quite suddenly the tranquil morning was shattered by the frenzied flapping of pheasants’ wings, followed by a gunshot. A dull thump could be heard. I winced, imagining the pain.

I poked my head instinctively round the tree trunk; the morning air was sharp. I shuddered as I saw seven men in an assortment of tweeds, moleskins, plus fours and jackets, wielding guns - ugly things, with twin black-grey tubes.

The children awoke, hungry. They began to squeal.

‘I suppose I had better get you some nuts, then,’ I said.

They nodded simultaneously. I failed to realise that the labradors were sniffing the tree below me.

I clambered down the tree trunk. As I was half way down, the dogs broke out barking. I paused, for what seemed like minutes, turned around and started to run up the tree, by which time it was too late: the guns had tracked me down and already one shot had whizzed past my ear, missing me only by the skin of my teeth. I was in a state of shock and panic. I could scarcely think straight, but I managed to remember something my father had said to me when I was very small: ‘Spiral the tree round ’n ’ round; that way you’ll lose ’em’

So I did just that, round and round, but I do not exactly know what happened then. I think I lost my footing, but my whole life flashed in front of my eyes. What I did not know was that the dogs had been called back to their masters, which was lucky, for I landed on my rump and lay there, stunned, for a few seconds.

My mind drifted back to reality. The guns had stopped making their clamour; all I could hear was an endless stream of curses and swearing. This pleased me. I picked myself up off my back and walked on.

‘There she blows!’ a voice bellowed. Almost instantly the guns took up their noise making. I ran. Unfortunately I ran in the wrong direction. I still carried on running. I sensed two hot circles on my head. I ducked in behind a tree. The circles of heat fired and ricochetted off the tree. I started ascending the tree trunk; buck shot was continually embedding itself into the tree. I scuttled along a branch, towards the last few metres. I started gathering speed., three . . . two . . . one . . . jump! I felt as though I was suspended in the air for minutes on end. As I landed, lead balls whistled past me. ‘Why so much trouble on me?’ I thought, sullenly. At that, the shooting halted. I immediately brightened up. They were obviously moving on to the next drive.

George Williams

MA bird in the hand

26

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Flaying statues

In Defence of ComicsComics have been around for over eighty years. They started off as cartoons in newspapers and then moved on to their own books. A lot of comics, like Calvin and Hobbs, Judge Dredd and other favourites, started off in newspapers and are still around today.

I read comics because I appreciate the art in them. In some comics, like Beano and Wizzer, the art, in my view, is rubbish, but in comics like The Swamp Thing, The Punisher and other DC comics, the art is technically brilliant. I do not enjoy the stories in comics. Some people say that they have no plot, but I like the way the comic producers letter them. The world of comics is a world of fantasy and excitement.

Some people say that comics are juvenile, but they are not. Most of my comics are suggested for mature readers.

Comics are worth quite a lot these days, because if they are old they are rare. I have a Swamp Thing annual which was printed in 1963 which is worth seventeen pounds. Most of my comics are very old and some which were worth 20p in 1973 are worth £2.50 now. I keep all my comics in plastic sheaths and they are very well protected. My collection consists of DC and Marvel comics. I also collect 2000 AD, which I have posted to me weekly.

I once found my mother putting my comics into the bin and I abruptly told her not to and gave her a lecture about them. After that she took them out and apologised.

My hero in the comic world is The Swamp Thing. I admire the art of Alan Moore and the plot is original and brilliant.I know that comics have bad English in them, but that does not stop them from being my favourite pastime. I have now moved on and started to collect Graphic Novels, which are thick comic books and are worth a lot more. In a few years’ time my comic collection will become very valuable, but I will never sell them.

I do enjoy funny comics like Calvin and Hobbs. A series of Calvin and Hobbs albums has come out and I have all but three. The stories consist of a naughty, mischievous hyperactive little boy, who has a teddy bear, which is a tiger called Hobbs. Hobbs comes alive only to Calvin and they have extremely funny adventures which would have you in tears of laughter. Bill Waterson, who acts both as illustrator and author, manages very well to bring out the humour in comics.

Another of my favourite comics is 2000 AD. It is about a policeman named Judge Dredd who upholds the law in the meanest manner. It is set in the year two thousand and is very futuristic. It also has other short stories like Rogue Trooper, Below Zero and Tao de Moto.

As well as action and fantasy comics I like scary comics. I have a number of scary comics in my collection and they are perfect for reading just before you go to bed. I have five of the Laughs of Death series, which are about jesters going around hacking people up, and I have four of Friday the 13th series, which are very good. They have a character called Jason who comes back from the dead and massacres people. The art is very good and manages to bring out the shivers in you.

I have a collection of The Swamp Thing comics, which are about a man who was swallowed up by a swamp and did not die. His senses mixed with the swamp’s, and when he came back out he was the Swamp Thing. People thought that he was bad, but really he is good, and he falls in love with a girl called Abby. She falls in love with him and they begin a relationship. The plot is original and very good.

That is why I like, and will always like, comics.

Jake Bumett-Hitchcock

Grand Slam!The game started in slight rain. England kicked off into the wind towards the south stand. From the kick-off France gained a twenty-two drop-out.

After a French mistake, England were awarded a penalty which Hodgkinson put over to give England a three point lead. Within minutes the French ran from under their own posts to score a stunning tty.

Five minutes later Rob Andrew levelled for England with a drop goal. Gradually England gained superiority in the forwards, forcing mistakes by the French, to increase England’s lead through Simon Hodgkinson. Before half-time England created a gap for Rory Underwood to score his twenty-seventh try for England. Minutes later England gave away a silly penalty on the touch-line. The ball was struck clean between the posts to make the score 18-9 in England’s favour at half-time.

The French restarted into the wind. Soon they scored again from a penalty. England then pressurised the French in one comer and were awarded a penalty which Hodgkinson kicked successfully.

Time was running out for the French and with ten minutes to go they scored a brilliant try which was converted. Soon after this the whistle went. England had won their eleventh Grand Slam!

James Fulton, Mark Wyer, Edward Anderson-Bickley

Computer error?

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Guy Fawkes Night, 1990

The Field of BorodinoThe crump of guns and the rattle of drums could be heard from far away, while the Frenchman bright in his blue, red and white was flicked by the cannon away.

Napoleon sat by his tent and thought how the battle should be fought to drive these Russians aside, but he rejected a plan, hatched with Polish elan, to send a force out wide.So they went at it with hammer and tongs, and the valley was filled with warlike songs, while thousands joined the fray.And the cannons boomed,And the fires fumed,And the guns flicked Frenchmen away.

James Warren

They were right to call it a mushroom cloud

They were right to call it a mushroom cloud.It rose, like the plant, gracefully,

Lasted briefly, soaking up the life,And then, before anyone

could remember it or tell

the tale, it

was gone.

Michael Follett

£

Air RaidWhen the siren goes It sounds like an ambulance Rushing through the night And you feel completely terrified. You move like a little ant About to get squashed.

Then the engine,The chugging of the engine,The rumbling thrum is all so evil.

Then come the guns,The spatter and spatter of guns.On the ground the bullets drive Like diving devils And then shatter on the ground With a rat-a-tat-tat.

Then the All Clear goesAnd you feel a terrific feeling coming.

William Seldon

2 8 '

TimeTime ticks on and on As though nothing has been done. When playing a game,Or reading a book,Time never stops to take a look.

Jonathan Clarke

The ConsequenceThere once was a fat iguana Who began to smoke marijuana.He developed a cough,His legs dropped off,And he turned into a banana.

Warwick Goodall

Others opt for the piddles!

Hell’s BellsLooking round the formroom at people who long for the bellI cannot find a reason, for the next lesson’s bad as well!The schoolroom could be likened To the Hell Odysseus had seen.Just as we seem to be near an end another comes, and we are unredeemed. All the bells do is excite us and make us think of break, but just as in snakes and ladders we slide back down the snake.So we must put up with the droning while we try to do some French, though we wish we could all be outside instead of trapped on this bench.

Simon King

Mots masquesA trouver - onze Departements de la France:AIN EURE NORDCANTAL JURA OISECREUSE LOZERE RHONEDORDOGNE NIEVRE

DTLOZEREHIOSISAWODRDRSCEARRCHJDHBAYOISEVOSOINMONKRGINNITGWRANITTEEAINNEUREVONLTWENTYRFOURT

The remaining letters form an English message

Simon King

A trouver - quatorze cites de la France:AMIENS I .II .IE PARIS CAEN LYON ROUEN CANNES NICE MARSEILLE STRASBOURG DIJON NANCY TOULON GRENOBLE

STRASBOURGISMMROUENRRSNIANNUYEAFNEACSOPNPIRNOLUOTONLCSLY ONLBRYEAFGF.I.TT.DIJONTCBLELMARSEILLEFQUECANNES

Flay ground pleasures

Some prefer the sandpit

James Warren

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Monuments de ParisWith the help of the clues below, fill in the names of the Parisian landmarks, revealing the famous building in the vertical column marked *

1 The French equivalent of Cleopatra’s Needle2 The Square with the oldest monument in Paris3 Once the King’s Palace, now a museum4 Where the phantom lives5 The most famous street in Paris6 Constructed in 1889, this monument is 320 m high7 The Cathedral built on the lie de la Cite8 A temple-like church on the hill of Montmatre9 The modem urban development to the west of Paris

Tom Inman

Mots Croises par William StirlingHorizontalement:

1 Famous French author4 What?7 Biscuit town?9 Tea

10 Head11 Seen14 Wood15 Head-gear16 Bom17 Snowclad

Verticalement:2 One3 Friend5 Crayfish6 Vegetable7 Swimming8 Summer

11 Come!12 Baa!13 Gold

Rimes plates1 Cette histoire se deroule 2 Celle-ci se coule

Au sujet d’une boule Dans un trou d ’une gouleQue chassait une foule Et se roule en bouleVers une grande moule Contre la grosse houle

3 Enfin la foule A oublie la boule Qui terrifiait la moule Ah! Ma petite poule!

Patrick Cashell

Qorsemoor CateringUNIT IE, EXETER ROAD, IND. ESTATE,

OKEHAMPTON, DEVONA P r o f e s s i o n a l C o r d o n B l e u

--------- C a t e r i n g S e r v i c eOFFERING A FULL RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY MENUS

FROM STARTERS TO PETIT FOURS FOR HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & WINE

BARS. WEDDINGS, FUNCTIONS, BUFFETS, BUSINESS

PRESENTATIONS & DELICATESSENS

- O n ly FYesh P r o d u c e U s e d -- ^ ( 0 8 3 7 ) 5 3 6 0 1

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1st X V

1st X V Rugby 1990 was on the wing that he produced his most exciting running, and his try-scoring exploits will long be remembered.

The scorching temperatures of early September made it difficult to believe that the rugby football season had returned and with it the need to fashion another XV. A timely supply of rain in late August gave the pitches sufficient grass cover. Unlike many schools, we were thus able to train from the first day back, including those practices which involved physical contact and tackling.

The Clayesmore Sevens were cancelled owing to the state of their pitches so we were able to concentrate solely on developing the XV, and it soon became clear that we had the makings of a good team.

The pack was large, powerful and mobile. A solid front row of Callum Zaloumis, Tom Inman and Richard Ferguson provided a firm scrummaging base, while Richard Philpott, Duncan Stone and James Warren had the height and aggression to fight for line out ball. Mark Wyer was an outstanding open side flanker, and Edward Jones made litde of moving from Colts to 1st XV No 8.

The three quarters possessed the handling and pace to make full use of any ball the forwards provided. The halfback pairing remained from the previous year and James Fulton and Patrick Grant-Sturgis developed into as reliable a combination as can be recalled. James’s passing was pinpoint and gave his partner the chance to demonstrate a wide repertoire of fly half skills. Outside these two were several newcomers to this standard of rugby. At full back Sydney Zaloumis was a sound tackier and sinewy runner, while the wings and centres were shuffled depending upon the opposition. Robert Tait, a splendid tackier despite his size, Harry Hensman, fast and elusive, Michael Follett, reliable in any situation, all played throughout the season in one of the above positions.

Finally, in Rupert Seldon the team possessed the most effective finisher seen in the school for a very long time. Not always a great passer of the ball, he had the power, strength and sheer speed to make him a match winner. His defensive qualities sometimes meant that he played in the centre, but it

The season started with the Prior Park Festival and early impressions were confirmed as the XV won its group without conceding a point. Victories over Clifton, Colston’s and Monmouth set up a quarter-final with Oratory. This was a tight affair which was won with a last minute try by Rupert Seldon. The semi-final against St Mary’s Hall was no easier, and it was a single penalty goal by James Fulton that allowed the XV to squeeze into their second consecutive final at Prior Park. In the final, the hosts proved too strong on the day and ran out comfortable winners.

The first match of the term, against The Downs, was an anti-climax. Poor tackling gave away two first half tries and only in the second half did the side get into its stride. One try in the final ten minutes was a case of too little, too late.

Against Exeter Cathedral School the three quarters had a field day with Rupert Seldon leading the way with three tries, though Harry Hensman’s try from under the posts was probably the best of the day.

A much harder test followed with the visit of St Michael’s Tawstock. 3-4 down at half time due to sloppy defence at a penalty, the team turned in a magnificent second half performance. The pack dominated play and kept their opponents tied down in their own 22 for most of the half. Four tries turned the match round and the final score was just reward for an overwhelming territorial superiority.

Buckfast Abbey School provided little opposition, but the match was entertaining, if one-sided. Fourteen tries were scored, with Callum Zaloumis going over for the pick of the bunch. However, the most memorable moment of the afternoon was, perhaps, one crunching tackle by Richard Ferguson.It was back to earth with a bang the following Saturday when St Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst, were our first tourists of the year. The match was tough and uncompromising. The XV had to draw on all its experience and determination to hold out against a lively and prolonged second half onslaught. A draw would certainly have been a fair result.

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Two changes in the pack saw a less convincing forward performance at King’s Hall, Taunton, but Rupert Seldon was unstoppable on the wing and his four tries were the basis of a solid victory.

The following day the XV played in one of the best matches seen at Mount House for many years. Prior Park were the visitors and though we dominated the first half we managed only one try. We were placed on the rack for the first fifteen minutes of the second half, conceding fifteen points and seeming likely to concede even more. Yet suddenly the game changed completely. Like a boxer who has punched himself out, Prior Park ran out of steam. They now felt themselves under pressure and Robert Tait pounced on a poor clearance to score. In the final moments of the match a splendid run by Rupert Seldon took play to the Prior Park line. As Seldon was tackled, Harry Hensman collected the ball and twisted his way over the line. With the score at 14-15 the conversion was all important, and Patrick Grant- Sturgis showed remarkable self-confidence in kicking the winning points. (Someone said later that he had misread the scoreboard and thought the conversion did not matter!) One letter received after the match said: ‘A pulsating affair and I do warmly congratulate your XV on the courage and spirit they displayed in returning to grasp victory so impressively in those dying minutes.’ A splendid testament to a magnificent win by a side that was fast maturing into one of Mount House’s finest.

The remaining six fixtures of the season saw the XV score over 140 points with only two tries and a penalty given away in return. Rupert Seldon continued to enjoy his visits to Taunton with another four tries, this time in a 22-0 win against Taunton Junior School.

We celebrated a comfortable 34-3 win over Wolborough Hill with champagne (it had been on ice for a very long time!), but suffered a set back with the news that hooker Tom Inman had broken his wrist. Robert Gaffney, the outstanding 2nd XV forward, took his place and quickly slotted into the front row. Robert worked long and hard on his line out throwing and hooking, and his performances in the last four games of the season were quite outstanding.

Non-stop rain and occasional hail spoilt our match with St Peter’s, Lympstone, and while we ran out easy winners we were far from convincing. Long passes and a variety of miss moves seldom work in a downpour!

Long Close, now regular visitors, were our next opponents. Again difficult conditions prevailed, but sounder tactics and better handling saw the XV through to an 18-0 win.

The crunch match of the season followed with the visit of an undefeated Millfield XV. The expected close encounter never materialised as the XV produced the most composed and convincing performance of the season. The pack, with Mark Wyer outstanding, dominated all aspects of forward play and the backs gave an exhilarating display of running and handling. Support work was excellent and Patrick Grant-Sturgis directed play without error. Four tries were scored and twenty-one points accumulated before Millfield scored their first and only points. This was the XV’s eleventh win in a row and with it they set a new school record for consecutive victories.

The season ended with a 25-0 win over Sherborne Prep, after which the team watched Sherborne School defeat Clifton. It was good to see Old Boys David Carter, Simon Thompson and Garrod Treverton playing so well in the Sherborne pack.

This was by any standards a magnificent season, even more so as it was not totally expected. There was a considerable

talent available, but there were also gaps that needed filling and it was difficult to know how much the younger members of the XV would improve. The answer can be found in their record. In winning twelve of their thirteen fixtures, the XV scored 347 points, including sixty-nine tries, and allowed the opposition only eleven tries. The XV played exciting 15 man rugby, achieving an excellent level of handling, running and support play, while their defence was well organised and courageous.

To the captain, James Fulton, must go enormous credit. He dictated tactics with much thought and a remarkable understanding of the game. He controlled the old hands firmly and helped the youngsters develop both their skills and their confidence. That the XV showed such a passionate team spirit in the more difficult moments of the season was due greatly to James’s work with these two groups early in the term.

This was a splendid group of boys with which to work. For the most part they trained hard, even though one lapse was to bring about a challenge that has cost me my beard! They fully deserved their considerable success and can be proud of a record that puts them right up at the top of great Mount House rugby teams.

J Symons

1st XV Results 1990Playing Record: Played 13 Won 12 Drawn 0 Lost 1

Points for 347 Points against 67v The Downs, Wraxall (H) lost 4-8v Exeter Cathedral School (A) won 46-12v St Michael’s, Tawstock (H) won 21-4v Buckfast Abbey School (A) won 72-0v St Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst (H) won 10-7v King’s Hall, Taunton (A) won 28-4v Prior Park (H) won 16-15v Taunton Junior School (A) won 22-0v Wolborough Hill School (H) won 34-3v St Peter’s, Lympstone (H) won 30-4v Long Close, Berks (H) won 18-0v Millfield Junior School (H) won 21-4v Sherborne Prep (A) won 25-0

Tries: Seldon 20; Jones 9; Hensman. 7; Grant-Sturgis,Zaloumis C, Wyer 6; Gaffney, Fulton 3; Zaloumis S, Philpott 2; Follett, Inman, Friend, Tait, Warren 1.

Conversions: Grant-Sturgis 19; Fulton 12.

Penalties: Grant-Sturgis, Fulton 1.

Drop goal: Grant-Sturgis 1.

The following played for the 1st XV: S J Zaloumis, M V J Follett, R P Tait, R J W Seldon, H J Hensman, P B R Grant-Sturgis, J A G Fulton (captain), C C Zaloumis, T W Inman, R C H Gaffney, R T R Ferguson, D R Stone, R C A Philpott, M A Wyer, J A G Warren, E J Jones, P G Friend,G J T Shakerley, W D Stirling, J D M Humphry

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2nd X V

2nd X V Rugby 1990What an incredible time the team had. They had played throughout the season without defeat and then, in the last game, they just lost to Edgarley Hall - most unlucky! That this was not an unbeaten team makes one feel sorry for the players. Nevertheless, it was one of the finest teams for many years.

Robert Cross, John Lawrence and Robert Gaffney, the regular front row, played consistendy well. Gaffney was probably the most outstanding forward of the season. The second row saw many changes, mainly due to injury. Simon Gent, Daniel Udy and Oliver Coryton made outstanding contributions in this power house of the pack. The back row, made up from Robert Lytle, Julian Shakerley, William Stirling and Tim Perowne, were particularly effective going forward and gave scrum half Ross Jackson time to initiate many fine attacking moves.

Fly half Peter Friend proved a fine tactician and ball handler. Centres Simon King and James Caulkins blended well together - Simon’s ball handling and experience with James’s strong running. The wings were Austin Smith and Oliver Pool. They were very fast, elusive attacking players. Sebastian Britten proved to be the safe pair of hands at the back and also produced many fine clearance kicks.

The top scorer was Simon Gent with 32 points, closely followed by Robert Gaffney with 28, Julian Shakerley with26, Oliver Pool 24 and Oliver Coryton 20. My congratulations to all the boys in the team. A very good side. Well done.

Played 8 Won 7 Lost 1

M J B

4th X V Rugby 1990Our first match was against King’s Hall 3rd XV. We had a heavy pack, with Painter and Hudson in the front row and Bettison as hooker between them. We won all the scrums but weak tackling allowed King’s Hall to score first. A set scrum on their line allowed the pack to push over, enabling number 8, Clarke, to fall on the ball. Bettison converted the try. A few minutes later Clarke scored again, this time running through the opposition to ground the ball in the comer. After half-time King’s Hall came back at us and scored another try, and for the next twenty minutes the result was in the balance. Goodall, playing on the wing, put in several match winning tackles and gradually we began to play as a team again. Finally Painter, using his weight, forced his way over the line to give Mount House the match 14-8.

We travelled to Bude for our second match, against St Petroc’s. Hail greeted us and the match was stopped twice to allow the teams (and the spectators) to shelter. St Petroc’s

proved a strong opposition and the game swung from end to end with some fine tackling. We were lucky not to be behind at half-time. Williams and Humphry worked hard in the second row and Walter had a good game at scrum half. With time running out, Grey just managed to dive over the line to give Mount House a 4-0 victory. Another exciting game which, like the first, was well captained by James Babbington.

Played 2 Won 2

Team from: T Beard, R J Cross, C Barford, J Clayton, W Goodall, J Babbington, A Walter, T Hudson, R Bettison, N Grey, S Williams, J Humphry, B Nicholls, P Sharp, J Clarke,S Kongialis, E Merrill, S Painter, G Stead.

PRH-L

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Colts Rugby

Colts Rugby 1990The 1990 season began in superb September sunshine; pitches were hard and bruises plentiful. The squad of thirty boys were thought to be promising and selecting the Colts XV was a difficult task, as will be seen from the use of twenty-three players in the course of the season.

We opened the term with a first ever match at Gramercy Hall. Except for the brilliant sunshine, rock hard surface and man’s size pitch, the game was eminently forgettable. The 16-4 win was unconvincing and it was apparent that there was plenty of hard work to be done. A week later we lost 4-0 to Plymouth College Prep in a close game, and the visitors deserved their victory. The home match against The Downs was always likely to be a stem test, but the excellent fifteen- man rugby they produced gave them an easy 34-0 win. The hard pitches were making tackling a pursuit for the brave, of which we had few. The away defeat at Exeter Cathedral resulted from poor tackling in a game which we dominated in most other respects.

It was time to make changes for the home match with St Michael’s, Tawstock. Four new faces reinforced the side which won 10-3. At last we were starting to look like a team. Although we lost 16-10 at Buckfast Abbey we tackled fiercely and showed the resilience to survive heavy pressure and score two second half tries from Bameby and Church.

The half-term break gave us a week’s rest. It also seemed to cause amnesia, as we returned to action against Plymouth College Prep and lost 16-0. We tackled poorly and won little worthwhile possession. The trip to King’s Hall saw us narrowly win, 12-8. We maintained pressure on their line for much of the game and would have won more comfortably had we tackled more effectively. The following Saturday we returned to Taunton to play Taunton Junior School.

Against a strong all-round side we defended for most of the game and limited the score to 4-0 to the home team. Surprisingly, it was our tackling which had saved us from a much heavier defeat.

The home game against Wolborough Hill saw our best performance to date. The forwards and backs combined to produce some excellent tries, and the 18-4 scoreline was a satisfactory result. The half-backs, Turner and Ridland, both scored tries and outside centre Procter ran elusively for two more. The good weather finally broke for the game against St Peter’s. In appalling icy rain we scored six tries and passed with amazing dexterity. Number 8, Bameby, with four tries, had another fine game. Our penultimate game against Edgarley Hall failed to produce a score by either side. The result was fair, though both teams had their opportunities. The final match at Sherborne Prep produced another close game. A try by Stone and a Keeler penalty goal were enough to secure us a 7-4 win.

The season had been one of mixed fortunes, winning six, losing six and drawing one. We had conceded 111 points and scored 111 points. Throughout we had experienced the highs and lows that make the game so enjoyable and so frustrating. Most pleasing, from a coaching point of view, was the hard work everyone was prepared to put in, in order to rectify weaknesses and develop strengths. Not only did results improve, but, more importantly, so did the manner in which they were achieved.

P S

Footnote: A special mention must go to the long-suffering supporters, mainly mothers, who appeared regularly on the touchline. Their vociferous support and encouragement was most appreciated, though I advise John Symons and other senior coaches to invest in a pair of ear-plugs!

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Under 10 Rugby 1990The Under 10 XV enjoyed two matches and played some good rugby.

At Wolborough Hill the result was a 4-4 draw, with Petrie scoring a well-deserved try after considerable pressure. I noted that the tackling, handling and support work were all good features. Wolborough equalised, but play remained competitive and fluctuated from end to end.

Plymouth College Prep visited us and, in winning 18-0 exposed certain weaknesses, mainly in our three-quarters.

Our forwards did a great job and won much ball, but sadly we were slow to make any advance and rarely reached the gain line. The Plymouth halves - strong runners - moved the ball well and also kicked sensibly to secure good attacking positions.

The XV: K Goodall, T Jefferson, J Radcliffe, G Larsen (Captain), P Cass, J Petrie, T Babbington, B Davies, R Kongialis, J Grey, C Timpson, O D ’Adda, W Gabb, A Shearer, L Jarrett-Kerr.

Patrick Cashell

The Under 9s

Under-Nine Mini Rugby 1990‘A’ IX Played 13 Won 12

Points For: 250Lost 1

Points Against: 16

As the above record shows, this was a highly successful season for the Under-Nines. We took part in three tournaments and won all our matches except the very last.

We were very fortunate to have available some seasoned and talented campaigners from last year, who were joined by a number of fast, plucky newcomers. All were hard working.

We opened our season with the St Peter’s tournament. The team and the three replacements, who all had a chance to show their paces, made an encouraging start. The tackling, I was glad to see, was good. The forwards were a little too prone to hang back instead of seizing possession, the three-quarters were not well organised in loose play, but the halves worked well together. This was a very useful experience and our excellent hosts ensured, as they always

do, that it was an enjoyable and exciting afternoon out for the boys, most of whom were playing for their respective schools for the first time. The atmosphere of friendly rivalry could not have been bettered.Results:v St Michael’s won 22-0v St Peter’s won 16-6v St John’s won 24-0v Wolborough Hill won 12-4Team:Forwards: B Davies, R Talbot, R GriffinHalves: C Harris, T Jefferson (captain)Three-quarters: P James, S Jackson, C Morgan, E GentReplacements: G Bailey, C Jennings, A Kirby-HarrisTries: Jefferson 8; Harris 3; Davies, Morgan,

Jackson, Gent 1.Conversions: Jefferson 6; Gent 1.

Our own tournament followed a week later and most of the weaknesses noted at St Peter’s had been to some extent rectified. The team played as a team. The handling was good, the running quick and decisive and the tackling still strong. There seemed a far greater determination to gain

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t possession of the loose ball, and the support work was beginning to look really business like.

Results:v St Peter’s won 20-0v St Michael’s won 22-0v Wolborough Hill won 24-0v Plymouth College Prep won 22-0v Exeter Cathedral School won 24-0The squad was unchanged.

Tries: Jefferson 10; Harris 9; Morgan 2; Gent, Jackson, Bailey 1

Conversions (in high winds): Gent 5; Jefferson 1

And so we went in high spirits to our final tournament, hosted by Wolborough Hill. Here we fielded a ‘B’ team as well.

The ‘B ’ team, in their only outing, looked very inexperienced, as indeed they were. One absolute condition for winning a place in the ‘A’ team is that a player - no matter what his other talents - has to be a committed tackier. It was our poor tackling more than anything else that ultimately made the difference between us and our opponents. Bailey and Williams tackled like heroes, but on their own they could not stem the tide. Clayton, Kirby- Harris and Hatchard also played well, and the team did improve as the afternoon went on. To build a successful ‘A’ team we depend enormously on the enthusiasm and determination of all the boys in the game. Competition to make the ‘A’ team was fierce, and several worthy contenders were disappointed, so I was very glad that the ‘B’ team were able to have this useful and enjoyable chance to represent the school. It did not matter a bit that they lost their three matches: 0-16 to Buckfast Abbey; 0-16 to Wolborough Hill and 4-16 to Plymouth College ‘B’ teams. Bailey scored a captain’s try in the final match.

Team:Forwards C Jennings, D Williams, W Russell Halves A Clayton, G Bailey (captain)Three-quarters J Costelloe, A Kirby-Harris, C Moore W Hatchard.Replacements M Martin, C O’Connor

Meanwhile the ‘A’ team made a sluggish start in their first match against Buckfast Abbey. We had derived tremendous benefit all season from a very weighty and powerful pack who had had it more or less all their own way, certainly in set pieces, in their earlier games. It took them some time to pull themselves together in this game, but when they did, they provided good ball for the halves and three-quarters, and success came in their first three games. In our last game we fought back very hard after an early Wolborough goal, but their defence, much to their credit, was so resolute that they denied us a chance to even the score and to keep intact our unbeaten record. When you consider that at our last meeting we had beaten them by a heavy margin in terms of points, it was all the more remarkable that they should have found the spirit to tackle so fiercely. They were worthy winners and the manner of their victory eased the sense of disappointment our boys felt. We must not forget that these are Under- Nines!

The team remained unchanged.

Results:v Buckfast Abbey won 14-0 v St John’s won 24-0 v Plymouth College Prep won 26-0 v Wolborough Hill lost 0-6

Tries: Jefferson 5; Harris 4; Davies 2; James, Gent 1

Conversions: Jefferson 6

The ‘A’ team really did cover themselves in glory this season. They were as keen as mustard, mobile, prepared to practise and learn their skills. Thomas Jefferson was a prolific try scorer, and an excellent captain on and off the field. He was served very well by Charlie Harris, a fine little scrum half. Ben Davies was a tower of strength in the pack and Ross Talbot showed great promise as hooker. Another to show great promise was Edward Gent, though I am aware that this naming of names is an invidious business, because the strength and success of the team lay in the fact that every player contributed his utmost. We were all very proud of every single one of them - replacements included. Mount House is lucky, indeed, to have such spirit and talent at the bottom of the school.

David Cowgill

Devon v Somerset Prep SchoolsSomerset 0 Devon 4

Devon last lost this annual fixture in 1985, but this was a very close match which could have gone either way right up to the final whistle. The game fitted nicely into the pattern of the past matches in Somerset, where Devon have won by narrow margins (10-8 and 4-3) on the two previous occasions.

Mount House contributed five members to the Devon XV. In the pack Richard Ferguson was selected at loose head prop, while Mark Wyer’s outstanding season won him a place at open side flanker. In the three quarters James Fulton, Patrick Grant-Sturgis and Rupert Seldon were selected, though not in their normal playing positions. James played at fly half, Patrick at inside centre and Rupert at outside centre. Tom Inman was originally chosen as a replacement, but was forced to give up his place when he broke his wrist against Wolborough Hill.

Somerset settled rather more quickly than Devon, but gradually the visitors began to gell and put Somerset under pressure. From a five metre scrum the ball passed through two pairs or Mount House hands before Rupert Seldon squeezed through the smallest of gaps to open the scoring.

It was a score that Somerset could not equal.

Throughout a very even second half both sides had scoring opportunities but defences remained intact.

The match was well refereed by Tony Spreadbury, an International Panellist, who complimented the boys on the standard of their rugby.

This chance to play at a still higher level is important for the best players and it was encouraging to see how well all our representatives conducted themselves.

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t Set Rugby 1990This year’s tournaments followed the normal pattern, with competitions for Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors.

In the Junior section the Owls and Hawks met in the final, with the latter running out comfortable winners.

In the Intermediate section a very close competition was fought out between all four Sets. In the semi-finals the Owls defeated the Kangs, due to a single try by John Jeffreys, while two tries by Robert Ridland enabled Otters to overcome Hawks.

The final was another very close match, but with extra time looming, Owls prop, Andrew Stone, powered his way over for the winning try.

The Senior tournament was rather less well contested. With seven regular 1st XV players (plus two others who had played for the XV) Owls began the competition as odds on favourites. They did not disappoint, defeating Otters 29-0 and Kangs 30-0 on their way to retaining the trophy for the fifth consecutive year.

For the first time in a long while the traditional wooden spoon match was played between Oners and Hawks. As often happens, this was a splendid game which was eventually won by the Hawks 7-0. The newly purchased and engraved wooden spoon, bedecked with green ribbons, was duly presented to Otter captain, Robert Gaffney.

John Symons

1st Soccer X I

Soccer 1991The season, like the weather, started very brightly, ‘clouded up’ in mid-term and finally froze to a halt. Three impressive victories, over Buckfast Abbey 4-0, St Petroc’s 6-0 and a hard won 1-0 against St Peter’s, set the season off in tremendous fashion. Then a 1-0 defeat at Wolborough in a match where we had eighty percent of the game, created numerous chances, but failed to convert any, brought us back to earth. Finally, a 2-0 defeat by a most accomplished St Michael’s, Tawstock, side brought the season to an untimely end! The weather closed in and all other matches were cancelled!

The goalkeeping spot alternated between William Worthy - tall, with good positional sense and a safe pair of hands, but prone to the sudden ‘rush of blood’ and costly mistake - and Edward Jones, inexperienced, but willing to learn, very brave and ever improving. The defence was in the capable feet of Robert Gaffney, quick, skilful and determined at right back, and Tom Inman, thoughtful, with excellent control and positional sense, but lacking pace against a quick winger.The third defender was Rupert Seldon, fast and forceful, who developed an admirable degree of skill during the term and became an awesome presence in the middle!In midfield there was an abundance of skill and natural talent, creating numerous chances in all matches. James

Caulkins, with excellent control and good distribution was sometimes slow and too often caught in possession. Mark Wyer, a quiet but effective captain, led by example, never gave up and expected the same effort from the rest of the team! James Fulton was the main ‘play-maker’, having good control, vision and the innate ability to find a colleague; he always seemed to have time - the mark of a really good footballer.

We did not have an out and out striker, but Paddy Grant- Sturgis gave an excellent impression of one! A reluctant front player, he nevertheless scored the majority of the goals, showing great skill and a deadly finish. The other forwards flitted in and out of the games without ever making an indelible impression. Harry Hensman, with lots of natural ability and a cultured left foot, tended to fade out of games for periods. Ross Jackson, a fast and elusive winger with an excellent right foot cross, never quite fulfilled his true potential. The same could be said of Sydney Zaloumis, fast and direct but inconsistent, and of Peter Friend who had lots of ability but needed to be galvanised into demonstrating it! Julian Shakerley was the utility player who stepped up from captaining the 2nd XI to fill in with 100% effort and enthusiasm.

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2nd Soccer X I

There is some talent in the 2nd XI which I hope will be developed in 1992 - Seb Britten and Robert Tait in particular are players with ability and enthusiasm who, with Edward Jones, will form the basis of next year’s team.

1991 - a good season - could have been a vintage one, but as usual the weather had the last word.

Graham Bush

3rd X I Soccer

3rd X I Soccer 1991The annual match against Wolborough Hill was played on Rowden this year in warm but overcast weather. Perowne was challenged in goal within the first few minutes but gave a good display in his attempt to keep a clean sheet. Merrill and Warren soon had the ball up to the forwards and before long Newey scored. Not to be outdone, Wolborough came back with a fine goal, and at half-time the scores remained even. The half-time orange worked wonders and it was not long before Bettison crossed the ball for Newey to score his second goal. Abbott had a fine game on the wing and a good

cross from him enabled Bettison to score the third and final goal, to give Mount House a 3-1 victory. A good game against a good opposition. Well played!

Played 1 Won 1

Squad: T Perowne, E Merrill, M Follett, N Owen, J Warren, A Walter, R Bettison, J Babbington, T Newey, R Abbott, A Robertson, A Mackie, D Stone.

P R H - L

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Colts Soccer

Colts Soccer 1991‘A’ Side: Played 5 Won 1 Drawn 1 Lost 3

Goals: For: 8 Against: 15v Buckfast Abbey School Lost 1-7 v Exeter Cathedral School Lost 2-3 v St Peter’s School Won 2-1 v Wolborough Hill School Drawn 2-2 v St Michael’s School Lost 1-2

Goal Scorers: S Wilsey 2; J Jeffreys 2; W Seldon 2;J Turner 1; C Procter 1

‘B ’ Side: v Exeter Cathedral School Won 2-0 Goal Scorer: W Seldon 2.

The following played: O Collier, T Sellick, H Voelcker, W Keeler, J Turner, C Kivell, S Wilsey, J Jeffreys, W Seldon, R Ridland (Captain, M Fulton.

Also: C Procter, J Seldon, G Larsen, T Charlesworth.

Apart from the opening match against Buckfast Abbey, the results could really have gone either way. Robert Ridland captained a changing side - illness or injury took their toll - comprising several skilful, and many hard-working and enthusiastic, players.

At Buckfast we met an exceptionally talented side and we were made to look very pedestrian. Wilsey’s goal was a highlight in a rather one-sided match.

The Cathedral School visited us and, perhaps, we should have won. Basic mistakes in defence resulted in our defeat, but Wilsey and Jeffreys finished off some better attacks with well-deserved goals.

Our visit to St Peter’s produced our only win. This was a much better performance all round. Jeffreys and W Seldon scored and the defence displayed rather more certainty.

The best match of the short season was at Wolborough Hill and a draw was a fair result, although Turner and W Seldon had given us a 2-0 lead after half-time. The enthusiasm of the spectators heartened the players and everyone played his part well.

To lose our last match to St Michael’s at home was a disappointing finale. Procter’s second half goal, after a goalless first half, should have spurred the team into more effective action. Sadly we did not take control and so we let St Michael’s play some neat and, eventually, match-winning football.

The lB’ Side won their away encounter with the Cathedral School. Sellick captained the team and W Seldon scored twice in an exciting second half.

Patrick Cashell

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Under 10 Soccer

Under 10 Soccer 1991It has been a great pleasure to work with this keen, talented squad in the spring term. They played some most attractive football which bodes well for the future.

The corner-stone was the midfield partnership of Petrie, Babbington and Glennie who worked so well together. The forwards tried hard, but lacked the ‘killer touch’ in front of goal on numerous occasions. The defence was solid - especially Timpson and Larsen - apart from a ten minute spell at Wolborough - and Grey was usually very reliable in goal.

Results: Played 3 Won 1 Drawn 1 Lost 1Goals For: 9 Against: 7

v St Michael’s, Tawstock (home) Won 7-2 v St Michael’s, Tavistock (home) Drawn 1-1 v Wolborough Hill (away) Lost 1-4

Goal Scorers: Petrie 2; A Shearer 2; E Williams 2; M Radcliffe 1; Luke 1; T Babbington 1.

Team: G Larsen (Captain), J Grey, C Timpson, T Sambome, P Glennie, J Petrie, T Babbington, M Radcliffe, W Luke, A Shearer, E Williams, R Kongialis, P Cass.

Many thanks for all the support given by staff and parents.

Jonathan Banyard

r

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KHBCRegistered House-Builder

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Under-Nine Soccer 1991Played 4 Won 3 Drew 1 Lost 0

Goals For: 10 Goals Against: 2

Soccer seems to me a much more difficult game to coach than mini-rugby. To begin with, one needs to field eleven players instead of nine; ten of these eleven need to acquire the tackling, ball control and passing skills and be fast and hard-working. The eleventh, the goal-keeper, is also crucial and must have good positional sense, safe hands, a lengthy clearance kick, the confidence to bellow ‘mine!’ and bags of courage. Most boys interested in the game spend hours of their free time kicking a ball around the playground or in the sports hall, but few, I find, really know how to kick a football properly, and they do not take kindly to going back to square one and learning! Then there is, in the irregular ‘pick up’ games, a free-for-all attitude which results in the players being magnetised by the ball, making passing improbable, the creation and use of space unheard of and positional play in either attack or defence impossible!

So it takes a great deal of persistent hard work to build up the skills and instil the discipline required without losing the innate interest and enthusiasm of the boys. One is fortunate if one can find a bunch of boys who will bother to put up with this, and who can see practising skills as something other than a boring alternative to the real thing, playing a game. I was fortunate this year, very fortunate, because the Under-Nines stuck to their task with commendable determination and heartening enthusiasm. A very successful, undefeated season was their reward.

We started very early in the term with a home match against St Peter’s. This was an exciting game which we won by the only goal, scored in the second half by Charlie Harris after one of Ben Davies’s inimitable ‘big boom’ clearances. Many weaknesses became apparent, mainly poor positioning due to lack of experience, but the overwhelming impression was of a hard-working side with skill waiting to be developed.

A combination of ill health and snow caused the cancellation of our match against St Petroc’s and so it was to Tawstock that we travelled for our next fixture, which was a rather scrappy affair against a weak opposition. Goals by Bailey (2), Burls, James and Harris brought us a deserved if not polished win.

When we played host to the Cathedral School from Exeter we put on an altogether more positive and determined performance. We showed better skills and dominated the

game, which was played for the greater part in their half of the field. Good goals from Bailey and Harris gave us a 2-0 victory.

Our final match at Newton Abbot brought from us our best performance. It was a real pleasure to see the boys play so confidently and intelligently as individuals, and so well together as a team. It was a thrilling game. The Under-Nines showed real character and spirit to come back from 0-2 down in the second half to draw 2-2, both goals being scored by Gent. This was a fair result after a splendid display of determined and skilful football from these two well-matched young teams. It was a fine way, too, to end a distinguished season. Ross Talbot, who set an outstanding example of dedication throughout the season, in both practice games and matches, and all his team may justly be very proud of their undefeated record. They richly deserved their success.

The following represented the XI:Goal: C MorganFull Backs: B Davies, J Costelloe, S JacksonHalves: P James, T Jefferson, R Talbot (captain)Forwards: G Bailey, A Kirby-Harris, E Gent, C

Harris, C Burls, A Clayton.

David Cowgill

Indoor Football 1990-1991This must be one of the most popular leisure activities of all amongst the boys at Mount House, judging by the number of different faces I have seen on a very regular basis in the Sports Hall in the past twelve months!

This was the inaugural year of the Set Competition for the Trophy presented by Paul Da Rocha, who left last year, and it resulted in a narrow win for the Hawks - on goal difference!

The Sports Hall, such a superb venue, also hosted the first Mount House 5-a-side Prep School Tournament in March1991, when Ravenswood were the worthy winners. Geoff Crudgington, formerly goalkeeper at Plymouth Argyle and now running a soccer coaching school, kindly presented the prizes and urged keen soccer players to develop their skills at every opportunity. Many Mount House boys have been doing just that!

Jonathan Banyard

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Hockey 1991This year we tended to concentrate on indoor hockey. As usual the boys played with great enthusiasm and ever­growing skill in the indoor league. The winning team, ‘The Betty Bones’, consisted of Mark Wyer, Rupert Seldon, Rupert Bettison, James Fulton, Robert Gaffney and Richard Philpott.

The school team played with great skill and determination at the Allhallows Tournament. A few goalkeeping errors and a bad run of luck prevented us from reaching the semi-finals, but it was a most enjoyable day.

Our own tournament proved most exciting. The competition was fierce and most of the games were close encounters! St Peter’s won the tournament, with St Michael’s as runners-up. Other schools taking part were Clifton, Exeter Cathedral and ourselves. It was unfortunate that King’s Hall were unable to make it this year - we hope to see them next year.

The Indoor Hockey Team

The Mount House squad was: M Wyer, S Zaloumis, T Perowne, R Perowne, T Inman, P Friend, R Gaffney and E Jones.

A social side was put out to play St Aubyn’s. This was a most enjoyable afternoon with the visitors winning by 7 points to 4. The boys representing Mount House were: R Perowne, T Perowne, H Hensman, P Friend, T Inman, R Jackson, E Anderson-Bickley, S King, S Painter, Rob Cross, W Goodall and R Philpott.

Malcolm Bassett

Cross Country 1991Cross Country running has, through necessity and lack of time to practise, been a comparatively ‘low key’ activity at Mount House. Our own Cross Country is an ‘all the school’ Set Competition in three different age groups.

In 1991 Ravenswood School in Tiverton inaugurated a Cross Country Relay, with four runners in a team, each covering the same 1500 metre course to make an aggregate time. With little preparation we entered two teams: our ‘best’ team in the ‘A’ team relay, and a young ‘here next year’ team in the ‘B’ race.

Seven schools participated and much to our surprise (and delight) the ‘A’ team of Ali Mackie, Patrick Grant-Sturgis, Rupert Seldon and Ross Jackson won the main event, with Ross running the fastest time of the day. The ‘B’ team came second (by just five seconds) in the minor race! This was a tremendous achievement and as holders of the trophy we shall obviously have to try and find more time to train in1992 and retain it for another year! The enthusiasm has been kindled and there seems to be no lack of talent - watch this space!

Graham Bush

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Intermediates: John SeldonHouse Cross Country - First Past the Post Juniors: Christopher Morgan

Set Cross Country Competition 1991Kangs was the winning Set.Individual winners were:Juniors Christopher MorganIntermediates John SeldonSeniors Patrick Grant-Sturgis

Seniors: Patrick Grant-Sturgis

Rugby Sevens 1990-19911st VII

The record of the 1st XV suggested that the Sevens season held much promise. As ever the challenge was to find the right mixture of ball-winners, space-creators and try-scorers. This was in addition to coaching the basic handling and running skills, while also instilling the crucial discipline that melds a successful Sevens team.

Although the Clayesmore Sevens had been lost to the weather, a second chance to view the potential players came with an invitation to the Bryanston Sevens. On a cold December afternoon some days into the Christmas holidays the VII gradually took shape over four group matches. Comfortable wins over Salisbury Cathedral School and The Old Malthouse showed that there were the makings of a good team, while closer victories over Port Regis and Hazlegrove House tested our defences to the limit. However, we reached the final and in a close affair lost 6-12 to The Downs. Inexperience cost us this match and the defeat brought with it the realisation that much hard work lay ahead if we were to contest the later rounds of future tournaments.

With the outstanding forward unavailable (Mark Wyer was two days too old!) the early work of the Easter term was spent on finding the right forward combination. Julian

1st Rugby VII

Shakerley, Robert Gaffney and Edward Jones gradually evolved as the most effective set up, though occasional experiments were tried with Sydney Zaloumis at prop. The backs were less of a problem with James Fulton, Patrick Grant-Sturgis and Rupert Seldon joined by either Robert Tait or Sydney Zaloumis. Continued over page

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The VII's first test came with the Montpelier Sevens at Wolborough Hill. We opened with an easy win over a Wolborough Hill ‘B’ team, but fought out a tough match with St Michael’s Tawstock, before emerging 8-4 winners. The semi-final was another comfortable victory and led to a rematch with St Michael’s in the final. This was another demanding game - made even more so when James Fulton left the field with a groin injury - which was settled in our favour by a break away try by Rupert Seldon. The VII had survived a stem test of their ability and spirit, and had come through with great credit. As a result they had emulated last year’s VII by winning and thereby retaining the Montpelier Shield.

The injury to James Fulton persisted into The Downs Sevens and our game went to pieces without his leadership and passing skills. We have never yet progressed beyond the group matches at this particular tournament and wins over Wolborough Hill and Davenies counted for nothing as we were well beaten by the eventual winners, Prior Park.

The Port Regis Sevens was a new venture for us and theVII showed much improved form. Victory over Hordle House was followed by perhaps the best performance of the season, when the team scored four tries in the first half of their match against Clifton, running out eventual winners 24-4. A similar result in the next match led to a quarter-final against eventual winners, Colston’s. An inexplicable collapse in organisation and discipline saw the team well beaten by a strong running VII.

The team now had a settled look about it and was certainly playing up to expectations. Millfield saw the team in good form once again. Solid group wins over King’s Hall, Clayesmore and Wellington produced a quarter-final clash with Caldicott. Huge puddles on the pitch meant rather more kicking than usual, but this, combined with aggressive tackling, produced the pressure that brought a try by James Fulton just before half time. The team held this tenuous lead into the last minute when Caldicott scored and converted with the final action of the match. This was perhaps the most difficult result of the season to stomach, especially as it was a carbon copy of the previous year’s match against The Downs at the same stage.

Maintaining form at the Caldicott Sevens, we survived the group matches to set up a quarter-final clash with The Downs. This was a demanding match that was finally decided by a splendid break away try by Sydney Zaloumis. Victory over our bogey side was tempered by a disappointing semi-final defeat by the hosts, the earlier match having exhausted the VU’s reserves.

Sherborne Sevens were badly affected by the rain, though the team struggled through to win a gready reduced competition.

The draw for the National Sevens gave us every chance of qualifying for the later rounds, but the odds were greatly reduced when Rupert Seldon was injured in the first game and was unable to reproduce the devastating pace that had earned him over thirty tries in the season. The VII again reacted well to the problem and the resulting team shuffle. Rupert continued to play, but more as a play-maker than a try-scorer, while Patrick Grant-Sturgis took it upon himself to ensure that the team progressed into the knock-out stage. Playing quite magnificendy, Patrick led the VII to three splendid wins and a match against Papplewick the following day.

A controlled performance by the team snuffed out any scoring threat that Papplewick offered and created three scoring chances for Rupert Seldon.

This victory took the team into the quarter-finals, further

than the school had ever, reached before in this event. Rupert’s injury prevented him from making his normal contribution and, for the first time in a long season, the team lacked the confidence that had sustained them so well. The large defeat at the hands of a very good Millfield side was a cruel way for the team to end their season and, for some, their playing careers at Mount House.

Rather, the team should be remembered for their excellent record, their dedication and for some of the most sparkling Sevens ever produced by a School VII. In winning twenty- five of their thirty-four games the VII scored eighty-one tries, some of them spectacular efforts, others the result of sheer expertise in creating space and time for simple touchdowns. Their record is undoubtedly the best ever achieved by a Mount House VO and has set the standard by which all future teams will be measured.

J Symons

Rugby Sevens 1990-1991

Playing Record: Played 34 Won 25 Drawn 0 Lost 9Points For 396 Points Against 180

Bryanston SevensGroup

Final

v Salisbury Cathedral School won 24-0 v Port Regis won 4-0 v Hazlegrove House won 8-4 v The Old Malthouse won 24-0 v The Downs lost 6-12

Montpelier SevensGroup v Wolborough Hill ‘B’ won 16-0

v St Michael’s, Tawstock won 8-4 Semi-final v Sherborne won 12-0Final v St Michael’s, Tawstock won 10-6

The Downs SevensGroup

Port Regis SevensGroup

Quarter-final

Millfield SevensGroup

Quarter-final

Caldicott SevensGroup

Quarter-finalSemi-final

v Wolborough Hill won 6-4 v Davenies won 8-0 v Prior Park lost 0-16

sv Hordle House won 18-6 v Clifton won 24-4 v Sherborne won 26-0 v Colston’s lost 0-18

v King’s Hall won 28-0 v Clayesmore won 12-6 v Wellington School won 14-4 v The Downs lost 0-14 v Caldicott lost 4-6

v Downsend won 8-0 v Davenies won 22-0 v Edgarley Hall lost 0-10 v The Downs won 6-0 v Caldicott lost 4-16

Sherborne Sevens v St John’s, Beaumont won 4-0 v Wolborough Hill lost 4-6 v Sherborne won 14-0

National Schools SevensGroup

Qualifying Round Quarter-final

v Danes Hill won 26-6 v St Bede’s, Staffs won 34-0 v Denmead won 10-4 v Papplewick won 12-4 v Edgarley Hall lost 0-30

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t Try Scorers: R J W Seldon 40; P B R Grant-Sturgis 15; S J Zaloumis 7; R C H Gaflhey 5; J A G Fulton, M A Wyer 4;R P Tait 3; E J Jones 2; G J T Shakerley 1.

Conversions: P B R Grant-Sturgis 34; J A G Fulton 2.

The following represented the 1st VII; J A G Fulton (captain), M A Wyer, G J T Shakerley, R C H Gaffiiey, E J Jones, P B R Grant-Sturgis, S J Zaloumis, R P Tait, R J W Seldon, P G Friend, H J Hensman

Colts Sevens 1991The Sevens season began in earnest at Plymouth College and the South-West Prep Schools Tournament.

Appalling weather in February had limited practice. We took two teams. The first seven was knocked out of the main event after winning one and losing two matches. It then proceeded to win three matches and the Plate Competition. The second seven played bravely, but lost all its matches against first teams.

Torrential rain caused the postponement of the Millfield Sevens, which left the Kelly Sevens as the only remaining Tournament. We again took two teams. The first progressed to the quarter-final but was defeated by The Downs. The second seven was eliminated from the main competition but reached the final of the Plate, where it lost to Sherborne Prep.

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Cricket on the Oval

1st X I Cricket 1991This proved a rare vintage year for Mount House cricket and those who played for the XI can be justifiably proud of their achievements.

To win the prestigious JET Under 14 Knock-outCompetition was a magnificent effort, and to lose just one school match underlined the strength of the side. James Fulton captained the team for the second year and set a first class example with bat and ball. His 150 not out against Victoria College, Jersey, in pouring rain, was a tour de force; his 125 not out against St Petroc’s and his four other scores of over 50 were all innings of great maturity and impressed all those who watched his solid defence and aggressive attack. He also took the greatest number of wickets with accurate medium pace bowling, and led the XI with an authority both firm and persuasive. Members of the side deserve enormous praise and individual comment. Harry Hensman, totally committed, proved a reliable opener and smart fielder. Patrick Grant-Sturgis kept wicket willingly, although, with harder wickets, he could have bowled his leg- spin; he batted in unorthodox style to confound many opening attacks. Peter Friend, relaxed in his batting and tantalising with his off-spin, always fielded with complete precision. Timothy Perowne bowled many a useful over, worrying the batsmen with his ‘in-ducker’ and always looked capable of making a big score had it been necessary later in

the innings. Paul Bennett, young but highly competitive, batted with panache and fielded very smartly. Tom Inman batted reliably and was a splendid team member. Rupert Seldon, whilst never quite believing himself a cricketer, produced some devastating performances with both bat and ball. Roger Perowne, with his awkward left arm over-the- wicket bowling, posed many problems for the opposition, but had a modest term with the bat. Sebastian Britten, Nick Grey, Austin Smith, Jeremy Lott and Robert Lytle shared the final two places in the XI, each playing his part with enthusiasm, fielding tightly and keen to bat if required.

The fixture list was full and started with an early match against Whitchurch CC. Our 133 for 1 declared was a pointer to successes to come. Fulton 58 not out and Hensman 50 not out led the way. Six bowlers shared the attack to win the game by 76 runs.

Two days later we travelled to Buckingham for our first round draw of the JET Competition at Swanboume House. In quite appalling weather (rain and cold) our 117 for 5 was a fine performance. Grant-Sturgis 44 not out, Fulton 38 and R Perowne 17 contributed most in the limited twenty overs. With Friend spinning his way to four wickets for five runs - including a hat-trick! and Fulton, R Perowne and Seldon all bowling steadily, we contained them to 49 for 9 to win by 68 runs. Continued over page

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1st Cricket X I

Back to a home game with St Peter’s, Fulton 79, Hensman 17 and Inman 14 established a fine 127 for 5 declared. Our visitors were dismissed for 58 - Fulton six wickets for eight runs, Friend two for nine and R Perowne and Seldon each one for eight, all bowled splendidly to record a convincing win.

On a slow wicket and a saturated outfield runs were hard to come by on the Oval when the Cathedral School, Exeter, visited us. Their 89 for 2 in 31 overs was hard work. R Perowne took the wickets. We found scoring just as difficult. Grant-Sturgis 23, Hensman 16, Inman 15 and Friend 15 all did their best, but 84 for 6 in 29 overs was all we could achieve in the drawn game.

The match at St Michael’s, Tawstock, on their artificial wicket, is always difficult. We bowled them 38 overs, containing them to 83 for 7 (Seldon two wickets for eight runs, Fulton and Friend two for nineteen each, T Perowne one for ten), but could only muster 67 for 9 as we chased their target in twenty overs. Friend 18, Grant-Sturgis 14, Fulton 13 and Hensman 10 had done their best.

Deciding that we needed to produce another big score, we batted first in the drawn game against St Petroc’s. Our 169 for 6 declared was almost entirely due to Fulton’s 125 not out. Bennett, batting at number 5, gave him valuable support with 19. Despite accurate bowling - Grey two wickets for twenty runs, Bennett one for five and Friend one for seventeen - and smart fielding, we were unable to dismiss them and they reached 63 for 4 at the close.

Our only defeat (by one run!) was at the hands of Buckfast Abbey School, whose 72 was, in the light of our previous scores, a modest target. Fulton four wickets for fourteen runs, Friend and Seldon three for nine each, had bowled well and the fielding had been generally good. Perhaps a certain over-confidence led to our downfall, as wickets tumbled through indiscretions and really only Grant-Sturgis 19, Friend 17 and T Perowne 10 played sensibly. The farcical end, with a run-out as our final pair discussed mid­pitch whether or not the match had been won with a four (there being some confusion of athletic track and boundary line markings), really summed up a most disappointing display.

Kelly College found our batsmen back in form (Grant- Sturgis 26, Bennett 22, Inman 17 not out, Hensman 15, Friend 10) and we declared at 118 for 8. R Perowne four wickets for thirty-six runs, Seldon three for twenty-five and T Perowne two for fourteen ensured our 24 run victory.

Next came our second round JET Competition draw with Edgarley Hall, Millfield Junior School, who brought their 2nd XI since their 1st XI was also involved in a Somerset Schools’ knock-out competition. Their 46 in 18 overs was a poor effort against the accuracy of Fulton, two wickets for eight runs; Seldon, two for eleven; T Perowne, two for sixteen; Friend, one for two, and R Perowne, one for six. Despite losing Grant-Sturgis early we won comfortably by 9 wickets in 13 overs. Hensman scored 20 not out and Fulton 16 not out.

Wolborough Hill batted dourly to 47 in 42 overs. T Perowne taking four wickets for twelve runs, Fulton three for seven, Hensman one for one and R Perowne one for eight did the damage. Fulton scored 20 not out and Grant-Sturgis 11 to help us to a comfortable 8 wicket victory in just twelve overs.

Rain prevented any chance of play at Ring’s Hall and seven of the XI with six other leavers left for Jersey and the Channel Island Tour, with three fixtures to look forward to. Sadly the rain followed us and ruined two of the matches, but the tour was voted a great success. It started with a drawn match at St Michael’s, who scored 122 in 49 overs. Friend, with five wickets for twenty-eight runs, Fulton three for seven and T Perowne two for seventeen bowled well, though the fielding was not up to our usual standard. In reply we scored 105 for 2 in 23 overs. Fulton 65 not out played a major role, supported in the early stages by Hensman 11 and Grant-Sturgis 10.

We won the toss against Victoria College and batted through steady drizzle and then rain. Hensman’s patient 46 not out was a perfect foil for Fulton’s 150 not out, which was quite brilliant in the appalling conditions. We declared at 203 for 1 and Victoria College batted for just eleven overs, scoring 27 for 0, before we all agreed to draw stumps. The match with De La Salle College never started because of heavy rain although, on both these days, the weather cleared and the evenings would have been quite perfect for cricket.

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t On our return to the UK we anticipated our quarter-final match in the JET Competition against M ilboume Lodge School, Esher, which we had arranged to play at Clayesmore School in Dorset. Once again rain fell and the competition organisers decreed that it should be played in Oxford in the morning, prior to the semi-finals and the final.

This fitted in well with our visit to Prior Park, Swindon, for their 6-a-side Tournament. Here we found run-making difficult on a very wet wicket and outfield, scoring 29 for 1 to lose against Caldicott; 29 for 2 to win against Packwood Haugh, and 25 for 1 to lose against Prior Park and be relegated to the Plate. We beat St Mary’s Hall having batted well to score 50 for 1 and containing them to 38 for 3, but then lost in the final to Oratory School. We scored 47 for 1 and they passed our total, also with one wicket dowm.

And so to Oxford the next day where we were lucky to play on the magnificent Christ Church College ground. Put in to bat, M ilboume Lodge scored 75 for 7 in their twenty overs. T Perowne with two wickets for fifteen runs, and Fulton, Friend and R Perowne, each taking a wicket apiece, all bowled steadily, and the fielding was keen. Early setbacks saw us struggling at 17 for 4, but Fulton, with a well-paced 55 not out and T Perowne with 15 not out saw us to a six wicket victory in eighteen overs. Bilton Grange from Rugby, who had beaten Packwood Haugh, were our semi­final opponents. Their 111 for 4 in twenty overs was a challenging target. Only Fulton, two wickets for twenty-three runs, had bowled really tightly. Hensman and Grant-Sturgis put on 29 before Hensman was out; Fulton with 19 runs maintained the momentum, and Bennett had added 8 before Grant-Sturgis was caught for a splendid 42. With the score on 92 we were tantalisingly close to victory and it was wonderful to see Seldon, 14 not out, and Smith, 12 not out, attack the bowling and win us the match with just four overs to spare.In the final St Bede’s, Eastbourne, found our attack too accurate and in twenty-five overs scored 96 for 9. Fulton took three wickets for seven runs, including a hat-trick! The Perownes and Friend took the remaining wickets. It took us 17.3 overs to emerge as winners by seven wickets, thanks to some good batting and intelligent running by Grant-Sturgis, 33; Seldon, 25 not out; Fulton 14; Bennett 9 not out, and Hensman, 8. Brian Aspital, Secretary of the National Cricket Association, gave generous praise to the whole side, mentioning the excellent batting of Grant-Sturgis and Seldon, and the captaincy, hat-trick and batting of Fulton, whom he named ‘Man of the Match’ and to whom he

presented a cricket bat signed by the England and West Indies first Test Match teams. It had been a wonderful day and a fitting climax to a grand season. I was very proud to be associated with such a good team.

Next year Bennett, Britten, Grey, Smith and Lytle will carry much on their shoulders. They have learnt a lot about the game and I hope they have caught the competitive bug which will see the XI to equal success in 1992.

Colours were awarded to: Hensman, Grant-Sturgis, Friend, T Perowne, Inman, R Perowne and Seldon.

Representative Honours: James Fulton was selected to tour Holland with the English Schools Cricket Association West of England XI which will play five matches against Holland Under 15 XI. He was also selected and played for the Devon Schools Under 14 XI, and their Under 13 XI which he captained.

Peter Friend had trial matches for the Devon Schools Under13 group. Paul Bennett, Sebastian Britten, Nick Grey and Robert Lyde all had trials for the Devon Schools Under 12 group and each had several matches for the ‘B’ XI.

Patrick Cashell

1st XI Results and Leading Averages

Played 15 Won 9 Drawn 5 Lost 1

Mount House scored 1578 runs for the loss of 68 wickets at an average of 23.20 runs per wicket.The opposition scored 1089 runs for the loss of 112 wickets at an average of 9.72 runs per wicket.

v Whitchurch CC v Swanboume House v St Peter’sv Cathedral School, Exeter v St Michael’s, Tawstock v St Petroc’s v Buckfast Abbey School v Kelly College v Edgarley Hall v Wolborough Hill School v St Michael’s Jersey v Victoria College, Jersey v Milboume Lodge v Bilton Grange v St Bede’s

won by 76 runs won by 68 runs won by 69 runs

drawn drawn drawn

lost by 1 run won by 24 runs

won by 9 wickets won by 8 wickets

drawnabandoned as a draw

won by 6 wickets won by 6 wickets won by 7 wickets

Batting Innings Not Out Highest Score Runs AverageJAG Fulton 15 7 150* 660 82.5PBR Grant-Sturgis 14 2 44* 239 19.9HJ Hensman 15 3 50* 221 18.4TW Inman 7 2 17* 61 12.2PA Bennett 8 2 22 68 11.3TJ Perowne 6 3 15* 33 11.0PG Friend 8 1 18 63 9.0RJW Seldon 9 3 25* 51 8.5RW Perowne 6 1 17 28 5.6Also batted: S Britten, N Grey, J Lott, R Lytle, A Smith

Bowling Overs Maidens Runs Wickets A v ’geJ Fulton 109.4 39 166 29 5.7P Friend 82.1 26 179 21 8.5T Perowne 78.0 21 182 16 11.4R Seldon 49.1 13 176 14 12.5R Perowne 81.0 15 244 15 16.3Also bowled: H Hensman, P Bennett, N Grey, S Britten, P Grant-Sturgis.

Catches: Grant-Sturgis and Fulton 6; Bennett, Hensman, Seldon 3; Lytle, Smith 2; Friend, Lott, Britten, T Perowne 1. Stumpings: Grant-Sturgis 2Nicholas Radford did most of the scoring, keeping a neat and accurate record.

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2nd Cricket X I

2nd X I Cricket 1991This has been a very good season, with only one defeat in five games. However, it took time for the team to reach top form!

Our first match, at St Peter’s, Lympstone, resulted in a defeat as miserable as the weather itself, but full marks to our opponents for their impressive ten wicket win. There followed an exciting tussle at Exeter Cathedral School in which any one of four results was possible with one over left! An earlier 26 by Worthy and a later fling by Lytle (11 not out) almost won us the match, but a draw was just about right, overall.

A very different draw occurred on the Oval against St Michael’s - a game almost as tense as the corresponding i fixture in 1989! Accurate bowling by Mount House kept a very strong batting side down to 102 for 8. Our batsmen never came to grips with an excellent spell of bowling by

Lethbridge Only Lott (17) showed any real resistance as we somehow held out at 56 for 9.

We triumphed over Kelly’s Under 12 side this year, at the third attempt. Williams (3 for 5) was the pick of the bowlers in a low scoring contest.

The season ended on a high note with our first win in several years against Wolborough. Wyer (39) and Lytle (31) paved the way and 109 for 8 proved too much for our rivals as Wyer (4 for 22) and Lott (2 for 4) helped to ensure a 58 run victory.

Played 5 Won 2 Drawn 1 Lost 1

Regular team members: J Lott (captain), S King, W Worthy, M Wyer, A Smith, R Jackson, G Williams, E Anderson- Bickley, A Sambome, A Walter, R Lytle, R Tait, R Philpott, N Grey

Jonathan Banyard

3rd X I Cricket 1991Despite the somewhat inclement weather we managed to play both our fixtures this season. The annual match against Wolborough Hill proved to be one-sided and the complete reverse to last year’s. (Well, it was our turn to win!) Put into bat, Mount House scored 103 (Bettison 17, S Zaloumis, E Jones and Udy 11 apiece), the short boundary allowing Jones and Zaloumis each to score a six. But it was our bowling and fielding that really won the day. Zaloumis opened the bowling and after an over or two to settle down he began to carve his way through Wolborough Hill, taking 6 for 10, a remarkable achievement. Babbington took a wicket in his only over, and Jones off his first and only ball! Wolborough were all out for 40, giving Mount House victory by 63 runs.

Our second match was an extra fixture against Exeter. This also proved to be one-sided. The game was played in

pouring rain and we were put in to bat first. The game began half-an-hour late, and after a very slow start we were at 49 for 5 at tea. After a quick session with the coach the game moved up a gear. Udy and Jones played a fine partnership, each scoring a six and taking the score to 100 before Jones was bowled for 23. Udy carried on to be 29 not out, and we declared at 108 for 6. The weather had not improved, and on a very slippery Oval Zaloumis sprang into action at once, taking a wicket with his second ball. He once again went on to collect six wickets, this time for only nine runs! He was ably supported at the other end by Anderson-Bickley, who took the other four wickets for seventeen runs. Exeter were all out for 28 and Mount House had won by 80 runs.

Coryton captained the side well and showed good leadership. He also kept wicket, allowing only one bye in two

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t matches. A fine effort! Our standard of fielding was also high and helped to keep the score low in both games. A good season. Well done!

Played 2 Won 2

The team was from: O Coryton, R Abbott, J Babbington, J Bumett-Hitchcock, T Hanson, E Jones, D Stone, D Udy, S Zaloumis, R. Bettison, N Jarvis, A Robertson, S Gent, N Owen, E Anderson-Bickley.

P R H - L

3rd Cricket X I

The Set Matches1st Round On the Oval Owls beat Otters by 88 runs. Owls batted first and scored 118 for 2 in the limited twelve overs.R Seldon with 60 not out was very severe on the bowling, as were R Perowne, 22; T Perowne, 16, and Friend, 15 not out. A Sambome top-scored in the Otters’ reply, but they could only muster 30 runs against the bowling of R Perowne, four wickets for one run; Friend, two for nine, and Seldon, one for seven.

On Herongate Hawks beat Kangs by 10 wickets. Bennett, with 16, was the only Kang to cope with the bowling of J Fulton, Inman and G Williams, although three wickets fell to run-outs. Their total was comfortably passed by Grant- Sturgis, 23 not out, and Fulton, 20 not out.

The Final Owls batted first and in their allotted fifteen overs achieved the impressive total of 121 for 4. R Perowne and R Seldon opened the innings and made 45 before Seldon was bowled by J Fulton for 25. Tim Perowne came into support Roger, who was out with the score on 50, having made 20. Tim and Peter Friend batted with aplomb to add 70 runs, Tim being dismissed for 41 and Peter, next ball, for 21. G Williams, with two wickets for ten runs, was the most successful bowler for Hawks. James Fulton and Patrick Grant-Sturgis opened for Hawks andput on 65 before Patrick was caught off the bowling of Friend for 22. Ten runs later Fulton fell to the same bowler, but Austin Smith, with 30, and Tom Inman with 11 not out, made certain of victory by three wickets with eleven balls to spare. Friend’s two wickets for twenty-six runs contributed to the close finish.

The 6-a-side Set Cricket Competition

This new competition was instigated by the suggestion of and presentation of a cup by James and David Mackenzie. Their thoughts for such a contest were to help develop the techniques for playing and competing in the Prior Park Tournament.

1st Round Kangs were drawn against Otters and batted first. Paul Bennett and Jeremy Lott, 43 not out, enjoyed their opening partnership to score 69. This total was not

attained by Otters, whose 39 for 3 was largely achieved by Sambome and Tait.

Owls batted first against Hawks, totalling 36. In reply, Grant-Sturgis took immediate command, scoring 30, and it was left to Fulton and Smith to win the game without further loss of wickets.

The Final Hawks batted first and found no difficulty in reaching 71 without loss. Fulton, 44 not out, and Grant- Sturgis, 25 not out, enjoyed the five overs! Despite a brave 21 from the bat of Bennett, Kangs could only reach 38 for 4, and Hawks completed ‘the double’.

The Senior Single-Wicket CompetitionTwenty-four entries went into the draw for the Perry Cup, eight of whom were seeds, being the top all-rounders of the 1st XI.

The first and second rounds were contested with a single over for each player. Winners emerged very much as expected, with one or two notable surprises - Ross Jackson, defending a modest score, lured Austin Smith into giving a catch off his first ball; Edward Anderson-Bickley accounted for Tom Inman, and Robert Tait beat Timothy Perowne.

In the two-overs quarter-finals James Fulton dealt severely with Peter Friend; Paul Bennett beat Anderson-Bickley in a close match; Rupert Seldon dismissed the challenge of Robert Tait, and Patrick Grant-Sturgis used his leg-breaks to beat Harry Hensman.

Given three overs in the semi-finals, batsmen now scored more freely. Fulton was run out for 39, but he then bowled Bennett for 5. Seldon collected 24 runs before being caught going for another big hit. He allowed Grant-Sturgis 9 off his first over before bowling him.

The final, as has so often been the case, scheduled for a maximum of ten overs, was completed in less than two! Seldon batted first and scored 14 before he was bowled, and then went on to win the cup by dismissing Fulton off his third ball.

Patrick Cashell

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The Colts X I

Colts Cricket 1991v St Peter’s, LympstoneWe were never really in this Game at any stage during the afternoon. Our bowling met with little success until the introduction of J amie Grey (four wickets for forty-two runs) brought about a slowing down of the opposition’s run rate. Their total of 135 for 5 declared was way beyond our capabilities and we capitulated with little resolve.

v Exeter Cathedral SchoolWe again saw a dismal batting display, with too many batsmen giving away their wickets carelessly. Only Mark Fulton, Thomas Babbington and Oliver Collier showed any understanding of the patience required to survive good bowling and build an innings. Our score of 31 posed few problems for Exeter, though Jamie Grey’s spin bowling allowed us to capture four wickets before the inevitable occurred.

v St Michael’s, TawstockAs with St Peter’s, we came up against one extremely talented batsman whose efforts were chiefly responsible for our having to chase 114 to win. We managed only 32 of the required runs, but did bat with much greater determination, losing our final wicket to the last ball of the game. It was good to see Robert Ridland at last batting to potential and scoring exactly half our total.

v Buckfast Abbey SchoolA cold, windy afternoon saw us batting first and reaching our highest total of the year to date, albeit only 42. Mark Fulton batted well for his 12, but their two main bowlers were too accurate and persistent for most of our batsmen. We bowled equally well and, though we lacked penetration, it took our opponents twenty-three overs to reach their target.

v St Petroc’sOur first win of the season came on a beautiful day in Bude. Jamie Grey (six wickets for fourteen runs) and Mark Fulton (three wickets for seventeen runs) bowled out our opponents for 42. We passed this total for the loss of five wickets. David Timms (11) and William Keeler (13) saw the team home. We rewarded ourselves with an ice cream each, and the hardier individuals enjoyed a swim in the sea.

v Wolborough Hill SchoolThis was probably the most exciting match of the year. Batting first, we scored 108 due to a splendid innings of 51 from Robert Ridland; ably assisted by Thomas Babbington (13) and Michael Philpott (11). Fielding, we looked on our

way to victory when we had six of our opponents’ wickets down for fifty runs, but one dropped catch cost us dear, and Wolborough reached the necessary score with two wickets to spare.

v TreliskeTreliske batted until almost five o’clock to reach 76. We bowled well throughout, especially Thomas Babbington, whose six wickets for twenty-one runs included a hat-trick. Mark Fulton, with four wickets for twenty-three runs from fifteen overs, tied up one end all afternoon with a splendid spell of accurate bowling. The batsmen did a good job in chasing the runs and Robert Ridland (16), Michael Philpott (16) and Thomas Babbington (11) had taken the score to 61 for 5 when time ran out.

v Plymouth College PrepThis game started in heavy rain, was abandoned, and then reconstituted as a limited overs match. Batting with much confidence, Mark Fulton (17) and Robert Ridland (12) got the side off to a good start. This was enhanced by an excellent innings of 35 from William Keeler, whose cover drives off the back foot were the shots of the season. James Turner, an increasingly successful member of the side, opened the bowling and his four wickets for twenty runs put Plymouth behind the clock from the start. Jamie Grey, Mark Fulton and Oliver Collier took two wickets apiece to give the XI a winning end to the season.

Results and Leading Averagesv St Peter’s, Lympstone v Exeter Cathedral School v St Michael’s, Tawstock v Buckfast Abbey School v St Petroc’s, Bude v Wolborough Hill v Treliske School v Plymouth College Prep

Batting Innings Not Out R J Ridland 8 M Philpott 4 1W J Keeler 7

Bowling Overs Maidens J A H Grey 57 8M Fulton 73 18John Symons

lost by 122 runs lost by 6 wickets

lost by 81 runs lost by 7 wickets

won by 5 wickets lost by 2 wickets

drawn won by 14 runs

Runs Highest Score Average98 51 12.2531 16 10.3361 35 8.71

Runs Wickets Average178 22 8.09157 12 13.08

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t Under 10 Cricket 1991This was not a good season, from a rather young side. We lost by 8 wickets to an Exeter Colts B XI, and by 10 wickets to a very good, well disciplined Treliske team at Truro.

Our bowling was not accurate enough, but our main weakness lay in the batting. Only Timpson, J Radcliffe and Gabb seemed able to cope with a well pitched straight ball and our wickets tumbled.

Glennie kept wicket well, especially for a beginner, and was often taxed by our wayward bowlers. The fielding was rather average - the exceptions were Williams and Cass.

Team: R Kongialis, W Gabb, C Timpson, J Radcliffe, M Radcliffe, E Williams, K Goodall, P Glennie, W Luke, P Cass, L Jarrett-Kerr.

P R H - L

Under-Nine Cricket 1991The Under-Nine cricket season was upon us almost before we had the time to unpack! A few net sessions in the Easter term and holidays made it just about possible to select a team, but we were by no means match prepared.

Nor, indeed was the weather we encountered on our visit to St Peter’s on the 1st May. Our hosts showed great kindness and consideration in providing warm clothing for our scantily clad young cricketers. The biting wind was blowing strongly across the pitch and played havoc with the bowling. Something like fifty wides were bowled that afternoon! Our batsmen, too, struggled, with Thomas Jefferson’s 16 not out being the notable exception. They did not help themselves with their poor backing up and running, and their suicidal attempts to drive ‘dirty pea-rollers’! The fielding was sloppy too (anyone might think I was not enjoying this afternoon’s cricket - how right they would be! I enjoyed the hot cups of tea, though!), and all in all it was a disappointing way to start the season. We deservedly lost to a better organised team by eight runs.

This dismal performance did at least give us the spur to concentrate much harder on doing right those things which need only concentration and not loads of practice and experience. When we played St Michael’s at home we looked a different team. We batted sensibly (Jefferson 34 not out, Gent 12 not out, Talbot 12), and the bowling was much more to the point. We hit the stumps five times and conceded only eleven wides. The fielding was alert and one felt the fielders were on the attack, and Ben Davies captained the side very thoughtfully. As a result we beat St Michael’s convincingly, by 69 runs.

The Cathedral School, Exeter were our next visitors and we put on another tidy, encourgaing performance to win by 40 runs. Jefferson (28) and Talbot (13) again batted strongly and the running and calling was universally good. Gent was

The Under 9 X I

by now showing distinct promise behind the stumps and our bowling was tight.

We played a game of ‘proper cricket’ - eleven a side and limited only by time - against Treliske at Truro. I welcome this break from the NCA eight a side game for all its advantages, as it gives more players a chance to play for their team, and batsmen and bowlers are not limited to a very confining number of overs, though some batsmen were to learn this day how bitterly short an innings can be if you are ‘out when you’re out’! We won a well deserved victory, being the better side in every department on the day. Jackson (13), Jefferson (20) and Talbot (9) all batted particularly well to take our score to 82 for 10 wickets. The fielding was good, too, though we dropped two catches which might have been a disaster, and the bowling in a strong wind on a wicket of uncertain length was just good enough to prise Treliske out for 39, with five minutes to spare! Charlie Harris’s six wickets for six runs in 4.2 overs was the highlight of the match.

A new and very welcome fixture for us was our match against King’s Hall at Taunton. As our match against Wolborough Hill, due to be played shortly afterwards, was cancelled, this also turned out to be our final game, so it was good to end with another win, by 37 runs. This was a sound victory, but the team did not seem to be on top form. Gent (10) and Jefferson (21) were the mainstays of the batting. The bowling was good, with all but one of the bowlers taking wickets, but the fielding was sleepy.

The team record was a fine one:

Played 5 Won 4 Lost 1

Their success was thoroughly well deserved, resulting as it did from a dedicated determination to improve their skills

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t after a bad start. This involved giving up a lot of their valuable free time, which they did willingly, which makes all the difference to their coach. They worked hard in the nets, took a pride in their performance and listened and learnt! All this helped them to build on their very considerable ability and enjoy playing the game.

The team remained largely unchanged throughout the season: C Harris, R Talbot, E Gent (wicket-keeper), W Frappell, B Davies (captain - and a jolly good one, too!), P James, T Jefferson, S Jackson.

These also played in the VIII: C Morgan, J Costelloe, G Bailey. G Bailey, C Morgan and A Kirby-Harris played in the XI.

David Cowgill

Footnote: [Editor’s perks!] The Under-Nines through the whole year have been a remarkable lot - so keen to do well for their school. This has been a bumper year for them. In all their matches they have lost only two - one by 6 points, the

other by 8 runs. As always, it has been a very demanding privilege to coach them, and one which I enjoy immensely.

Behind the scenes we have been served wonderfully well by the Matrons, who have always seen to it that these young players are kitted out as immaculately as the 1st teams; and by Eric Willcock and his hard working ground staff who have gone to great pains to provide us with excellent pitches and wickets, not just for matches, but for our everyday games.We value their work tremendously and thank them all.

Not behind the scenes at all, but right up in the firing line, at home and away (sometimes helping out with transport) and in all weathers, we have also been supported magnificently by a very loyal band of parents who have brought us great encouragement. Our thanks go to them, too. I’m sure they will be the first to agree that their sons have done them proud this year!

David Cowgill

The Athletics Team

Athletics 1991A vintage season on the track was anticipated, but there were doubts on the field events side, as many of the ‘big guns’ of ’90 had departed. Geoff Whaley need not have worried, as the ‘new boys’ did us proud and we found talent in the most unlikely places!

I had particularly high hopes in the sprinting/relay department and I was not disappointed. The relay quartet of Oliver Pool, Harry Hensman, Mark Wyer and Rupert Seldon started well and continued to improve throughout the term, culminating in a magnificent fourth place in the National Finals in an almost blanket finish in the excellent time of 51.9 seconds. (The winning time was 51.5 seconds!) Mark Wyer developed into a most powerful sprinter and on Athletics Day broke the oldest school record in the 100 metres, recording 12.2 seconds. He also beat most of the opposition in the 400 metres - winning the event at both King’s Taunton and Wolborough Hill. Oliver Pool represented the school in the 100 metres and ran on top

form to make the National Final - and he will be here in 1992!The standard is usually set by the Captain of Athletics, and no better example could have been found than Rupert Seldon. A powerful, dedicated all-round athlete, he stormed to victories at King’s Taunton and against Wolborough, and also made the finals in the Nationals - setting a personal best to take fourth place in 26.7 seconds. Add to this a new school record in the High Jump (1.54 metres), wins in the shot at King’s and Wolborough and a first place in Athletics Day Long Jump - plus the anchor leg in the relay - and we see a most worthy Victor Ludorum!

The longer distances of 800 metres and 1500 metres were dominated by Ross Jackson and Patrick Grant-Sturgis respectively. Both had fine wins at Wolborough and on Athletics Day, and Paddy was within 0.1 of a second of breaking five minutes for the 1500 metres. (We were both disappointed he did not manage this during the term!)

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t Paradoxically, the Senior Hurdles - always a strong event at Mount House - had been my main worry. It proved to be unfounded, as Seb Britten made the transition from colts to senior hurdles smoothly and was consistently ‘pushed’ by the ever willing Richard Philpott. They produced some fine times and races, with Seb usually having the upper hand, but Richard ‘had his day’ at Wolborough when he finally managed to ‘pip’ Seb.!

The Long and Triple Jumps were both dominated by Harry Hensman, a most consistent jumper with a sound technique, particularly in the Triple Jump where he regularly exceeded ten metres.The field events’ cupboard seemed fairly bare, but the ‘power men’, Seldon and Wyer, soon made their mark and the emerging talent of Julian Shakerley burst on the scene. By dint of hard and dedicated practice he became a very respectable Shot Putter and Discus Thrower. The exploits of James Fulton

on the cricket field are prominent elsewhere in this magazine, but his expertise in the field of athletics cannot be overlooked. Not a ‘power’ athlete, he employed his natural rhythm and technique to make him an outstanding Javelin and Discus Thrower - approaching the school records in both events.

My main disappointment during the term was our inability to compete in the re-arranged Kelly Athletics Meeting. As holders of the Senior Trophy we wanted to defend it, and it proved most frustrating, as it would appear we would have retained the trophy with some ease! Wolborough won it, but we managed to beat them convincingly in our annual match!

!M m. '

T

V>

Athletics Day, 1991 Go!

The Colts and Juniors tend to be overlooked when the Seniors are so strong, but they made sure, particularly on Athletics Day and against Wolborough, that they were not to be forgotten! Again an excellent relay squad emerged of Duncan Murray, Simon Wilsey, Alexis Tanner and William Keeler. William dominated the sprinting, winning the 100 and 200 metres with pleasing regularity! Alexis was probably the ‘find of the year’, coming from nowhere to dominate the 400 metres - a fine prospect for the future.

HI ■ * ■ IThe Seldon athletics tradition was upheld by William in the 800 metres and John as a most determined and wholehearted sprinter. Kyle Zaloumis proved to be a fine prospect in the High Jump, and Simon Wilsey took on the Hurdles tradition, so all seems to be set fair for more Athletics success in the future - not just the immediate future, either, for the Juniors also showed great potential - particularly Clive Jennings and Thomas Jefferson.

This was a fine, rewarding season - one I shall long remember, and the prospect is there of more exciting ones to come!

Graham Bush

Is

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worthwhile?

Victor Ludorum

Squash, Summer 1991This was the year when we really tried to get squash ‘off the ground’ at Mount House, and we met with considerable success. Early in the term we had a match with St Michael’s, Tawstock, in which we were well and truly beaten. This encouraged us to become more competitive in the future, which will mean improving our technique.

Much of the inspiration has come from the expert coaching of Mr Philip Moxam, our squash professional, who each Wednesday travels from his home in Iiskeard. Some eighty boys, from the very beginners in the first year to the senior team

members, have received coaching. During the Easter holidays, as an experiment, M r Moxam ran a coaching week. This was a great success and we hope to repeat it next year.

Coaching alone is not enough so I hope that the keen members of the Squash Club will take every opportunity to continue to practise hard to improve their skills and stamina on court.

We look forward to a much better season as from the Christmas term.

E S

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Swimming Gala, 1991 I love my job!

Keep your hair on, Mrs S!

Now, if Otters w in . . . I ’ll take the plunge!

Swimming, Summer 1991

I ’m i/c Lifesaving here!In Lane Number One

The weather this term has not been conducive to lengthy sessions in the pool. It was mainly a case of keeping submerged in the warm water to avoid exposure to the cold elements outside. We did, however, manage to swim most days, building up stamina rather than skill.Mr Ian Kilpatrick introduced us to ‘Aquanaut’ for the beginnings and to ‘Life Saving Skills’ for the stronger 5th and 6th form swimmers. We are most grateful to him for the time he has given us.Our annual Swimming Gala took place on Wednesday, 3rd July. The Sets were very evenly matched until Mr Hamilton- Leggett, Head of Otters, gave added impetus to his Set by offering to swim a length, fully clothed, if they won. Otters duly obliged - who could turn down such an incentive! This is the first time for many years that the Set Swimming Cup will adorn the Otters’ trophy shelf.

Giles Darch won the Taylor Cup for the Best Swim, and the full Set Swim for the Dolphin Trophy was won by Hawks. There were some notable swims and new records set. Amongst the names to look for in the future is that of Gavin Larsen, an under 10 swimmer, who beat all-comers in the Open Butterfly with a new Under 10 record only one second off the Senior school record.

We were indebted to M r and Mrs Robert Govier for coming to present our cups and medals at the Gala. They are themselves the parents of a former Otter, and Mr Govier, a senior ASA coach, was also founder of the Kelly College National Swim Squad.

Altogether we had a short but most enjoyable season.

E S

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Shooting 1991The standard of shooting has been very high this year. Peter Friend won the Cup, his 231 points being a School record. The top eight were: Peter Friend, Alastair Mackie, Simon Painter, Duncan Stone, Daniel Udy, Edward Merrill, Julian Shackerley and Hayden Clark.

In the match against two Staff teams all shot well. The two top scorers, with 49, were Peter Friend and Alastair Mackie. Special mention should be made of Julian Shackerley who adjusted wonderfully well after his two sighters, considering that the sights of his rifle had been accidentally moved from

The Shooting VIII

the normal zeroing. The boys won the match by 13 points, but the highest individual score was made by Mr Michael Stock with 51 points.

All the top eight are potential marksmen. Forty boys attended the course; sadly, however, a few fell foul of range discipline and did not complete the term shoot. I hope most sincerely that they will benefit from the enforced ruling and that it will stand them in good stead in the future.

K C C

Golf 1991The decision to make the course an all year round venture, instead of limiting its use to the summer term, has paid off with an excellent standard of fairway and green. This would not have been possible without the tremendous amount of work put in by M r Eric Willcock, the Head Groundsman, and his staff. We are most grateful to them.

A record number of boys played, and both the Senior and Junior Competitions were very keenly contested. In the Junior final James Turner and William Keeler went to ‘sudden death’ before James won at the first extra hole played.

In the Senior Tournament James Fulton beat Christopher Anthony 3 and 1 in the final. Both players merit comment. James won at his third attempt as a Senior, and nobody that I can remember since my arrival in 1987 has set a better example on the course. Christopher, a 5th form finalist, has worked very hard at his game and thoroughly deserved his place.

On the 9th Green

Finally, our thanks go to Tom Inman, winner of the Senior Tournament in 1989 and 1990, for his gift of a wonderful new trophy.

Jonathan Banyard

Archery Summer 1991The Club has thirty members and goes from strength to strength. It is most encouraging that so many boys want to join, and equally that many of them are boys who may not shine at other sports. Practice was possible on a regular basis throughout the term and all thanks must be given to Carl Palmer and Arthur Ball for all their help.

We have but one match, and perhaps next year approaches could be made to Tavistock and Yelverton clubs to broaden the boys’ experience.

Competition was fierce to gain a place in the match team against Wolborough, the result of which was a convincing Mount House victory. Every member of the team improved

on last year’s score, and three are available again for thefuture.

Team: C Kivell 364C Procter 315H Wilkinson 294R Philpott 284

Reserves: N Radford 249T Ball 207

Match Result: Mount House 1257Wolborough Hill 801 Mount House won by 456 points.

Michael Stock

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River Running

ActivitiesThe boys have challenged me to write up this year’s Adventure Challenge activities. The Adventure Challenge has been in existence for five years, so a review would seem timely.

I am going to start by declaring a worry that I have. We are these days faced by countless regulations, limitations and restrictions. Manufacturers of safety gear have not been in recession and publishers continue to spawn endless numbers of books of advice. There must be a helmet manufactured for every conceivable activity, and safety gear and clothing are all the rage. Individually these so called advances cannot be condemned, but collectively they represent a veritable minefield of problems. Expedition planning has never been so difficult. I foresee the time when permits will be required to visit North Wales and Dartmoor, and all adventure areas come under countless restrictions.

This explains one of my reasons for running activities at Mount House. Quite simply, we must get out and enjoy all the activities while we still can. We are in a unique position here and perhaps some boys do not appreciate that they might not have the freedom in the future.

Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during term time are devoted to the Junior and Senior Adventure Challenges. Except for during the summer, when all activities are organised out of doors, the programme is given over to the Award Scheme which provides the basis for all our activities on Wednesdays, weekends and during the holidays. This basic scheme is often forgotten amid the glamour of our expeditions, but I rate it very highly and have no reservations in publishing both of the schemes here. They are carefully designed as a progress scheme and the boys earn a certificate for each section they pass.

The Junior Scheme is divided into the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and the tests are normally practical, but fun. The aim is to teach simple skills by repetition and it would be hard to find

any junior boy not keen on the tests and activities. The Third formers occasionally ‘champ at the bit’ at the top end of the Gold Award, but that is because they are nearly ready to go on to the Senior Adventure Challenge. It is very pleasant and tremendous fun to instruct on the Junior Challenge . . . and exhausting. Their enthusiasm knows no bounds!

Senior Adventure Challenge starts in the Fourth forms and the enthusiasm is maintained. Every boy has to complete a half- term long course on the basic safety rules for all the Adventure Activities: caving, canoeing, climbing, sailing and hill-walking, before he can go out on expeditions. The competition to go on expeditions is intense. The Fourth formers then move back to the first seven sections of their Adventurer Award: Local Knowledge, Home Skills, first aid, mapping, ropework, survival and camping. Most of these sections build up a good background for the Adventure Activities but they can stand in their own right. Not all boys can be expected to be totally enthusiastic about these activities, but the tests are valuable to life in general.

The Adventurer Award is quite easy to obtain and all the boys gain it before leaving Mount House. The criterion is ‘experience’ rather than ‘knowledge’ and we hope the boys will have a lot of fun in the process.

The Explorer and Leadership Awards are much more serious in their approach and here we expect the boys to know their stuff. The first seven sections of the Explorer Award are again devoted to individual skills extremely valuable to everyday life. Their choice of Adventure Activity, however, (every boy tries three out of the five) requires a sensible, knowledgeable and responsible attitude. By maintaining this approach many boys have reached incredibly high standards and become highly skilled - even better than me! The Leadership Award is gained by about

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leader. Many of the boys help out with instruction and are astoundingly competent in their specialised activity. Most of them could quite easily pass the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

We have our critics! All boys have to attend the Tuesday and Thursday afternoon sessions and those who are not adventure minded sometimes grumble about particular activities. Some boys go through the school without attending either expeditions or camps. Sixth formers become very serious about their exams and ‘tail off to revise.

Campfire Cookery

The scheme generates much goodwill. I am extremely grateful to the staff at Mount House. Without them the Challenges would be impossible to run. They float down the River Tavy on rubber inner-tubes; duck out of the pouring rain in Brecon; ride wilful hunters on pony-trekking rides; squirm down tight holes, and search for those confounded letter-boxes on the Moor!

The Sisal Trail

Never let it be said of our parents that they ‘pack up their troubles and send them off to Summer Camp’! They are made of sterner stuff and often attend the camps themselves. One of the most pleasant aspects of the Adventure Challenge is the fantastic amount of support we receive from parents. Regular helpers turn out weekly to supervise activities; others complete special projects for us; many offer the boys special trips and facilities; fathers attend camps to help with instruction, and we receive generous and invaluable gifts. I am always heartened by the support given to the Sponsored Walk and really grateful to those parents who have helped over the last four terms with the problems caused by my illness.

Finally, however, much of the goodwill of the Adventure Challenge has been generated by the boys themselves. They are not only enthusiastic, but always well-mannered and a pleasure to take on camps and expeditions. They have never let either the school or me down; indeed, the opposite is

true. They are splendid ambassadors for the school and a credit to Mount House.

A thorough review of Adventure Activities was made in the Summer Term. The Challenge itself was carefully scrutinised, as were all aspects of our safety rules. Safety has always been our top priority, but in the light of modem thinking we have made some alterations. Our equipment is always very carefully checked and maintained. Parents may be surprised to learn, for instance, that our climbing ropes are used for only two years before being cut down and used for lashings. Obviously I can give no guarantee about mishaps or accidents - adventure activities must contain a certain element of risk - but I can assure parents that we are very conscious of our responsibilities and do everything to provide a safe instruction environment. I update all safety rules and techniques at the National Mountaineering Centre at Plas y Brenin every two years, and maintain contact with all organisations connected with our activities.

The Adventure Challenges at Mount House now have a proven track record. As well as containing the elements of fun, adventure and opportunity, they are, to use a hackneyed phrase, ‘character building’. It is extremely interesting to watch a boy gradually overcome his nervousness and acquire confidence. I encourage nervousness, by the way! It is natural, and acts as an aid to safety. The over-confident boy is often at risk. No boy is forced into situations in which he cannot cope, but is led on by encouragement.

We envisage no expansion of our activities, but aim to improve their quality and scope. The Juniors have already started their Summer Activities - they are building up their canoeing, completing simple navigation exercises and facing new situations in controlled conditions. The Seniors will see more trips to Mendip next year, much more climbing, and canoeing runs down the River Dart. We have not completed enough white water runs with our splendid canoes - boys and boats need a good downriver trip to shake off the cobwebs!

We had considered going further afield with our expeditions, but the cost of the trip to Iceland began to be prohibitive, and careful analysis of what the boys actually enjoy made me realise that it would be more advantageous to extend our activities within the areas we know. By the time you read this our list of expeditions will be published. The most glamorous trip is the Brittany Expedition. For the last two years we have been the guests of Bob Beard and his family at his house on the River Aulne at Tregarvan. We have greatly appreciated their hospitality and their help with all our activities. Fifty or sixty Mount House boys must, by now, have used Bob’s boat, Aromatique, and it is such a beautiful cruiser that the boys will always remember their experiences, whether in home or foreign waters. Next year we are booked onto a magical campsite right on the Trez Rouz Plage near Camaret. The climbing, canoeing, surfing and snorkelling are fantastic, and the boys can also explore the old fortifications that protected Brest during the Second World War. All the other trips will be much as usual, but, remember, we are extending the skills and performances at the upper limits.

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Brittany TripSaturday morning shoppers in the Tavistock River Car Park stopped in total amazement and goggled at the sight of a group of grey-suited boys changing into muckabouts outside a heavily loaded Landrover towing a trailer full of canoes and windsurfers. Parked nearby was the Cross’s car towing a Mirror dinghy that also looked slightly overloaded.

The trip over to Roscoff was most pleasant on board Quiberon, one of the Brittany Ferries, (I had to get this plug in!) but unfortunately when we arrived it was raining . . . hard. Bob Beard was at the port to meet us and guide us to Tregarvan, to his house, on the banks of the picturesque River Aulne some twelve miles below Chateaulain. ‘George’, our Landrover, had never been to France before and became quite cantankerous when asked to follow a very smart, fast Range Rover in darkness and pouring rain, on the wrong side of the road. ‘George’ can become very upset at times and he eventually retaliated by loosening all the lashings on the canoe trailer. He was much happier in the narrow lanes once we had abandoned the main road - it did not matter which side of the lanes we ought to have been on, ‘George’ just drove solidly down the middle and took great pleasure in frightening a few of the local drivers.

I have often told the boys that they must be able to erect their tents in all sorts of weather conditions and at any time of the day or night. By the light of torches, at midnight, in the pouring rain, they did! Thankfully Mrs Beard prepared hot drinks and a snack so the boys were warmed up and cheered up by the time they reached their sleeping bags.

The following morning was grey and misty. The rain had not stopped, but the deluge had turned into a steady drizzle, the sort of ‘mizzle’ we are all used to on Dartmoor! This was the welcome we received from France. The weather improved throughout that first day and for the rest of the week we basked in the beautifully warm sun and had to enforce strict regulations to avoid sunburn.

That first day was spent sailing, canoeing and wind-surfing. The boys had to practise capsizing the Mirrors. The canoe drill they already knew, which enabled them to complete all the activities by themselves, with the adults manning the rescue boat and keeping a watchful eye from the quayside. Later in the day Bob Beard introduced the water-skiing, an even greater excitement for the boys.

Everyone was very keen to get aboard ‘Aromatique’, Bob Beard’s cruiser, and this was certainly the most exciting part of the programme. She cruised out and down the river every day with various groups of boys: out under the Pont de Terenez, past the old Abbey and into the Rade de Brest. Shore leave was often granted to visit the fish farms and places of interest, so ‘Aromatique’ always came back with even more food for our hungry crew.Personally I shall always remember two things about this camp. Firstly, Bob Beard had arranged so many adult helpers that I was nearly redundant - a unique and extremely pleasant experience for me; and, secondly, the food was superb. The boys prepared their own breakfast by their tents: cornflakes, and croissants still hot from the local bakery. Two boys had to accompany an adult to collect these every morning, while another two cycled up to the farm ‘to collect the milk in French’ as they often said. Adhering to a complicated rota devised by a committee of adults, boys were then despatched on shopping trips for the day’s supplies, or to ‘Aromatique’ for a cruise. Another lot

went to the sailing dinghies; some to Sophie (the girl friend of Ben Turner, but everyone fell in love with Sophie!) for wind-surfing; others canoed, and, later in the day, everyone wanted to water-ski and sit on ‘The Sausage’ to be towed behind the ski boat.

‘The boys ate and ate and ate. ’

Lunch and dinner were always taken on the magnificent verandah at the front of the house. And what food! The boys ate and ate and ate. They particularly liked the seafood, and several have become very partial to oysters! One evening was spent in a local creperie, each boy having to order his own food, with hilarious results. The evening entertainment was also fun. Sophie organised treasure hunts and quizzes, and Ben supervised the boys’ fireworks one evening. The best entertainment came watching Bob Beard, who, after a fruitless search to find a fishing vessel with a power winch, was attempting to lay his own mooring using ‘Aromatique’. No one thought he could do it, but he did, amid great applause from the bank.

‘Mad dogs and Englishmen, ‘they say, ‘go out in the midday sun.’ It was not midday, but mad dogs the boys certainly became when Ben introduced them to Mud Rugby on the estuary mud flats. No one really established what the rules were: the game seemed to consist of boys diving on top of Ben. The French onlookers became very excited - they used to do just that in their youth, but regretfully the modem children did not seem to have the stamina!

Our very grateful thanks to Bob and Carol Beard for allowing us to descend on them - it was a super holiday and we are returning there in 1991.

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ies Padstow Activity Camp

One of the most interesting points about the Padstow trip is not only its continual popularity but the fact that it is largely attended by boys living in Cornwall. They obviously know what is best!

For the last few years we have based our camp at Dennis Cove. The campsite is very attractive. It is within walking distance of Padstow and it has a good swimming pool. It is also right on the Camel Trail, so the boys can easily cycle up to Wadebridge and beyond.

I relax in my elderly caravan but the boy are under canvas and deal with all their own chores and cooking. This was very difficult this year due to the heat. The boys cooked and

were cooked! The cool pool was in constant use.

We did the tourist bit early on. We visited the aquarium, the Crazoe golf course, the Lobster Shop and the fishing boats and then concentrated on the serious stuff. The boys enjoyed deep sea fishing, crabbing, wind-surfing, sea and estuary canoeing, climbing, pony trekking, grass sledging, hiking, cycling and water-skiing. The programme was very full indeed and there were few complaints about bedtime, especially as we usually ended the day in the campsite bar!

Padstow is staying on the list of trips for next year and the lists are already full: full of Cornish boys, again!

LundyThough I personally like Lundy I was very dubious, on our first visit to the island, about the boys’ reaction to it. Certainly, the approach is exciting. The supply ship, ‘Oldenburg’ leaves Bideford quay and then ploughs across the Bristol Channel. The long, low form of Lundy appears (the island is about three miles long) and we drop anchor under the Southern Light. The day visitors are the first to be packed into the landing boats which gives us time to look at the southern end of the island and the steeply ascending track we know we shall have to climb. At last our turn comes to jump into the boats. On landing on the beach we start off uphill.

Having booked the holiday very early we were alarmed to receive a letter some considerable time later stating that our property, Marisco South, was now to be let from a Wednesday to a Wednesday, not Saturday to Saturday as originally planned. Following our remonstrances we were given Government House instead. The boys were at first stunned by the magnificence of this splendid property, which had the added attraction of being close to the pub, but they soon settled in.

Lundy

What on earth can one do on Lundy for a whole week? It is barely 1,200 acres in area and very windswept. The boys spend two days walking and exploring the island. We normally cut the island into two sections, north and south, and do the northern section first, while we are still fresh. We set off up the east side, through the rhododendron forest, keeping a careful eye open for Boggits. Mount House boys and I have become leading authorities on these charming little creatures. The exploratory walk goes up past the Quarter Wall and through the old quarries to V.C. Quarry. This is a memorial to John Harman, a son of one of the owners of Lundy, who won a V.C. in Burma. Evidently he played in the quarry as a child. I like memorials like that. Near the quarry is one of the Field Society’s bird traps where migratory birds are ringed and then released. Now the going gets tough and the Knight Templar rock is passed, and Tibbet’s Point, before we arrive at Brazen Ward, which is an old fortification. This is actually our favourite spot, because we can not only climb and snorkel there, but also watch the inquisitive seals. Beyond Brazen Ward the path becomes very interesting. There is the outcrop called Gannets’ Rock,

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Gully and Puffin Slope and the peculiar outline of Constable Rock. Right at the northernmost tip of the island is the North Light, accessible only if you are prepared to walk down about two hundred steps . . . and up again, of course!

The return walk on the western side of the island is very different in character. Steep, jagged cliffs rise out of the sea and this is a rock climber’s paradise. From the North Light right down to the Battery, climbers can be seen like flies on a wall. Tales are told of the many ships that have been wrecked on this coastline, including one laden with gold. At Halfway Wall we turn inland and walk back along the central track to the main complex of buildings. Here are all the bams and dairy for the Lundy Farm, the various living quarters, and the famous Marisco Tavern. This is the centre of Lundy life, for it is not only the pub and general store but also the meeting place for everyone on the island. We always meet very interesting people there, though visitors are well advised to keep away from the dartboard when our boys are playing a game!

The second morning’s walk is shorter - much to the boys’ delight. We usually go out on the central track to the Halfway Wall, then drop down to the Cheeses on the west coast. These are curious rock formations, over one hundred feet high, which resemble immense piles of cheeses. Next we look out for the Devil’s Punchbowl, a solid basin formed out of granite, and of unknown origin. Was it a font, or a trough, or possibly a millstone?

Our next call is at the Earthquake. It is a great dislocation of the rocks extending for about eighty yards. It is not just a landslide, for the rocks are at right angles to their line of strike. There are many deep and wide fissures. The guide books say that the cracks extend to sea level, but we know they do not. This year we returned with our caving gear and used the election ladders to plumb their depths. The deepest is eighty feet!

Having thoroughly explored the Earthquake we walk on past Dead Cow Point to the Battery, at the top of which is a ‘letter-box’. Stopping only to collect the stamp, we descend the steep steps to the Battery, which was built not as a fortification but as a fog signalling station in conjunction with the Old Lighthouse. The two guns, which are still in situ, are eighteen pounders, date from William IV and were fired alternately at ten minute intervals. There were two gunners who occupied two minute cottages above the firing platform. Their families must have been very fit climbing up and down those steep steps.

Lundy abounds in steep flights of steps and they are in evidence again at the Old Light, which we visit next. At 567 feet above sea level it was the highest light in Britain, too high as it unfortunately turned out, because it was often totally obscured by low clouds or fog when there was clear visibility at ground level. It was eventually abandoned, but you can still climb to the top and enjoy the marvellous views it affords of the island.

Now we come to one of the most interesting shipwrecks of Lundy. In 1906 HMS Montague, a battleship of the latest class before the Dreadnought, ran into the island just north of the Shutter Rock. Vain attempts were made by sister ships to pull her off and she rested so close inshore that a suspension bridge was constructed from her deck to the island. The large Atlantic swell frustrated all attempts to refloat her and she became a total loss. The ribs of the wreck can still be seen at low tides. There is also a delightful story, quite true, associated with this wreck. As soon as HMS Montague grounded a ship’s gig was launched under the command of a Lieutenant S P B Russell. They pulled under the lee of the island in the direction of the North Light which

was blasting its fog horn at the time. After a difficult scramble they presented themselves at the North Light and were very surprised to realise that they were on Lundy, being totally convinced in their own minds that they had struck Hartland Point! A sharp exchange of words followed, which was finally resolved by the Lundy keeper assuring them that he really did know which lighthouse he was in charge of!

The boys love the story, but there is no time to dawdle so we walk on to the Devil’s Limekiln, a huge natural pit in the rock, three hundred feet deep, and with near vertical sides. It is said that the Great Shutter Rock, just offshore, is the original ‘stopper’ of the Devil’s Limekiln. The Great Shutter Rock provided the scene for the wreck of the Spanish galleon in Charles Kingsley’s “Westward Ho!’.

Lastly we walk down to Marisco Castle, small by mainland standards, but with a fascinating history. The Marisco family had an unbelievable number of ‘rotten apples’. They were real rascals and scallywags and enlivened the history of Lundy for many years.

Though the walks on the first two days take in much of Lundy’s history, many other interesting places remain to be visited. Wc like to snorkel off the Quarry Beach and fin up to the wreck of the Kaaksburg, closely attended by seals; we visit the lighthouse keepers at the South Light (more steps!); we explore the local caves and mines; the canoeing on the east coast is very interesting, and, finally, the climbing, all over the island, is superb.

On our first visit to Lundy we cleared the rhododendrons out of V.C. Quarry, but since then we have established the tradition of cleaning and tidying the church as our thank you to the island.

The boys enjoy the island, and are now made very welcome when they arrive, so much so that we are allowed to fly the school flag from the main flagpole which overlooks the landing beach and this has not gone unobserved. An Old Mount House boy, serving in the Navy, nearly jumped off the bridge of his frigate when he saw the school flag flapping in the wind. He thought there had been a coup!

Our return to Lundy is in doubt as the prices of property have become very high, but we are considering the use of the Bunkhouse next year, so we may be able to go back.

North Wales, December 1990I had not been very well during the term and we came very close to cancelling this trip, but it was saved by Paul Irvine who kindly agreed, at very short notice, to come along and help. When in difficulty, call the Marines! Like many of our trips, our visit, just before Christmas, to the National Mountaineering Centre at Capel Curig in North Wales, has become something of a tradition. The Centre enjoys seeing our boys and the programme is very exciting in the winter conditions, and winter conditions there certainly were in North Wales this year. As we had to delay our start by twenty-four hours as all the motorways were closed, it was not until the Sunday that we arrived in two very smart Turbo Landrovers. Ted Coryton was kind enough to bring his Landrover and we were able to borrow Doug Smith’s super vehicle, so we had a very safe journey up.

Another pleasant aspect of this trip is that we are always accompanied by a number of fathers; we would be more than happy to take mothers as well, let it be said. The

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ies accommodation is not unlike that of an hotel; the food is

excellent, and the bar is superb. The programme is exciting and challenging, but we all enjoy ourselves - each individual’s capabilities are always taken into account. There is no point in forcing any member of the group beyond the limits - the aim is to have fun and enjoy oneself. In this regard we are very fortunate. All the instructors at Plas y Brenin are brilliant in their field and also helpful and kind.

This year many of the boys and fathers climbed Snowdon in very difficult winter conditions and they should feel proud of their achievement. It was no minor feat. We also visited Cwm Worthin, an old slate mine, whose main shaft goes in dead straight for over half a mile before entering a confusion of huge chambers and tunnels. Due to the wintery conditions we drove down to Betws-y Coed to rock climb and actually basked in some sunshine while at the top of the climbs. The boys also enjoyed the orienteering and rescue exercises, again undertaken in thick snow and ice.

Stories at the bar in the evenings became increasingly varied and exaggerated as we watched the boys swooping down the dry ski slope outside. This is a good facility, and the boys had unlimited use of it. We now have several brilliant skiers who have never been on snow!

We are to return to Plas y Brenin before Christmas again - where are you, mothers?

One Day Expeditions, January 1991The New Year saw the reintroduction of the one day expeditions. These had always been very popular when first introduced, but we then started to experience tremendous problems with cancellations and alterations only a few weeks before they were run. This led to an enormous extra work­load, out of all proportion to the actual activity. I am pleased to say that this year’s trips did not suffer from these problems and were highly successful. Look out for more next year.

In rather wet conditions we caved (with one mother - a total of three mothers have caved so far, but, strangely, no fathers!); we climbed; we letter-boxed, and we canoed. The two biggest turnouts, however, were for the dry slope skiing at the Plymouth slope, over twenty-four boys attending; and for the cycling along the Camel Trail from Padstow to Wadebridge and beyond. Just remember that cycling in the rain IS fun. We had to keep on telling ourselves that.

Next year we shall be going slightly further afield on the one day trips, so be prepared for an interesting programme.

Ski Trip 1991Many parents are aware that the organisation of this trip was fraught with difficulty this year. In previous years we had booked with Quest who had proved reliable and offered reasonable prices. We had repeated our booking with them this year on the strength of this. Unfortunately, three weeks before our departure date Quest went into liquidation. We managed to transfer our booking to another company and the ski party was able to set off for an Italian resort, Foppolo. To my horror, however, on the Thursday of the actual holiday, this second company ceased trading. Frantic phone calls to all concerned finally established that they could finish their holiday and return home safely. Apart from a long airport delay, they did!

The experience serves to highlight my problems when arranging the skiing holiday. If Quest can cease trading, then no company is safe. I normally arrange all details for the various trips privately, and the ski trip is the only one when I have to rely directly on another company. We are thinking of arranging our own trip next year.

Philip Stephens writes:

The fact that the party returned home in one piece and without any major mishaps is a minor miracle. It was a week and a half before we were due to depart that Quest went out of business and the proposed holiday to Muhlbach in Austria was cancelled. In a very short space of time Geoffrey Allen (who at the time was stricken with a mystery virus) was able to arrange through the insurance bond a replacement trip to Foppolo in Northern Italy. Also at short notice M r Kim Larsen agreed to replace Geoffrey who was too ill to travel. There is no doubt that the trip was saved by an incredible amount of work by Geoffrey in a very short space of time, which speaks volumes for his organisational skills.

In contrast, the skiing itself was largely stress free. We arrived in Foppolo after a tiring, sixteen hour journey, with rain pouring down. We were met by our tour rep., Gary, who looked after us with meticulous care for the rest of the holiday. The most vital piece of information he gave us was that there was snow, which was apparently scarce in Austria. Through the week the conditions varied from slushy to treacherously icy, and even wonderful powder, which for the skier is heaven sent. My personal highlight of the holiday was skiing off-piste on fresh powder in brilliant sunshine with barely a soul in sight.

The party of twenty-three was a mixture of very young and not so young. David and Janet Caulkins had flown from the United States to ski with son James; Bob Kirby-Harris accompanied Peter and Alexander, and Joanna Radford and Kim Larsen came with their sons, Nicholas and Gavin. The presence of all the adults was an added bonus and a major factor in ensuring a successful trip.

Events went very well until Thursday afternoon when Gary walked onto the sun-drenched terrace to announce that our travel firm, Adventure Express, had gone bankrupt. This news was met with total disbelief; although it would affect many people, we were fortunate that it did not disrupt the last few days of our holiday to any degree. Our thanks must go to the hotel proprietors, who stood to lose a lot financially but continued to treat us very well.

The uncertainty created by these events caused some anxiety, though our problems were minor compared to the three broken legs sustained by members of the ski party from Thirkell School, our compatriots from Liverpool.

An eight hour sit-in at Bergamo airport was the only irritant. All the boys had skied non-stop for the week and many had progressed into becoming competent performers, despite the varied conditions. The trip ended successfully outside the school gates early on Easter Sunday. The experience of Alpine skiing had been enjoyable and memorable: fresh mountain air, beautiful scenery and the exhilarating feeling of speeding down a mountain. My gratitude goes to all the parents and boys for making the trip so enjoyable and problem free. Most thanks go to Geoffrey Allen for all his hard work which saved the holiday from disaster.

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ies Brecon Trip, Easter 1991

It was a very good job we took the canoes to Brecon this year because we actually had to force our way through flood water to arrive at our rented farmhouse, Cilpebyll, at Merthyr Cynog. The rain was torrential and we had great difficulty in unloading all the gear and getting everything shipshape. The farmhouse was quite well-founded, so we were able to dry off, eat a good meal and, much to the boys’ delight, watch TV.

With the rain still pounding against the windows next morning it was obvious that we needed a wet weather programme. Though we did not realise it at the time, this need was to continue for three days. Brecon swimming pool is always a good start, so the boys spent some time there before we visited the Mountain Centre. From here we became real tourists and popped down to the Show Caves at Dan yr Ogof. These proved to be expensive but interesting.

Our second day started at the pool again, where the boys were able to join in the ‘inflatable fun’ session while I wandered off to fix a light bulb on the Landrover. We then ‘did’ Brecon. I thought the boys would be bored with the Military Museum, but they were fascinated by it. We were lucky enough, too, to find a travelling exhibition from the Science Museum in the local town museum. The boys were also much taken with the old Victorian Court Room and we quickly had one or two of the ‘in the dock’ for various crimes and misdemeanours.

By Tuesday the weather had improved, slightly, so we were able to go pony trekking at Llangorse. I had booked at the wrong centre by mistake and was not very happy with the state of the stables, ponies or staff, but the boys enjoyed the long ride. Riding is the only activity which results in stiffness in the boys, so I am able to gloat like mad the following morning and complain about the youngsters of today having no stamina!

Wednesday saw the introduction of an activity new to Mount House - mountain biking. Though the boys’ navigation left a great deal to be desired in the initial stages, we all, eventually, set off on an organised route. I say ‘we’ generally, because I had decided to take ‘George’ along for the ride and he said that he much enjoyed the trip and could not understand how I could stay so fresh while the boys were huffing and puffing in front!

We all arose very early on Thursday and dashed off to Llangattoch for climbing. Last year we had arrived at 9.30 am to find instructors sitting at the top of all the good climbs, waiting for their groups like a lot of flapping vultures. We were slighdy delayed by the over-zealous attention of the Brecon Constabulary who stoutly maintained that there was something wrong with one of George’s eyes, but when we arrived at the rocks by 8.00 am we found them a ll. . . empty. We thus had the choice of the best climbs and spent the whole day on them. We were mostly on V Diff and Severe, but Sebastian Britten is to be congratulated on attempting an El and only backing off about four feet from the top!

With variable amounts of rain throughout the week we could not cave or canoe, but we did manage to climb Pen y Fan, the highest of the Brecon Beacons. It turned out to be a splendid day, bright gleaming sunshine one minute and then black clouds scudding across the sky. The wind was very strong and the boys did well to reach the summit.

...

‘We had the choice of the best climbs’

We are returning to Brecon next year but I have the crazy idea of booking a canal boat and travelling from Monmouth to Brecon. This would enable us to climb, cave, hill-walk and canoe as we follow the Llangattoch escarpment all the way into Brecon.

Backzvood’s Weekend, Summer 1991This is another popular weekend and everyone certainly had a good time this year. As there is no vehicular access we have to backpack which the boys do not find easy, but once they are there they are keen to get started. After a quick swim the construction of the bivouacs commences and this involves long searches for suitable wood and tons of bracken. The bivouacs quickly take shape and then all the personal gear is loaded into them. This year we cooked over an open fire and though the potatoes were a trifle over-cooked the meal soon disappeared. It was then time to turn in . . . and sleep. Lots of groans at this point.

Early morning with a mist rising from the water and that glorious smell of eggs and bacon cooking over an open fire. The bivouacs were swiftly dismantled and we then experimented with hiding and camouflage. The boys became very good at this after a while and were very difficult to spot after a little practice.

For fun we organised a fancy dress competition. Christopher Hutton’s Old Mother Hubbard was judged to be best by a somewhat startled young couple who had innocendy walked upon the scene, and Christopher King won the ‘Zulu Look- Alike’ section!

Then followed a very scientific hydrographic survey of the local water conditions and we found several very interesting features. It is worthy of further examination.

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This year we walked for the Dartmoor Rescue Group

Sponsored Walk, Summer 1991The weather forecast could not have been worse, and, even before I had drawn back the curtains I had reached for the wet weather route. To my amazement, however, conditions outside did not seem too bad, so I drove up to the Moor before breakfast to make an assessment. Hessary was clear - a very good weather indicator - and the sky looked all right. The normal route would be walkable.

By 9.30 am everything was on course and running to plan. Walkers were leaping down the drive to catch the buses, anxious boys were looking for late parents, the matrons had collected their groups and the Headmaster was dressed ready for a possible assault on Everest. By 10.15 the school was clear and quiet so I drove off again to Two Bridges. The second double-decker had just dropped its passengers. One day I am going to travel on the top deck to have an interesting view of Dartmoor. I found Mons firmly in control at the start. Everyone looked extremely cheerful; some

walkers were actually smiling and cracking jokes - little did they know!

With everything going so well I drove round to the first refreshment stop at Holming Beacon. Here, I must confess,I was greeted by a less than happy Park Warden with a strong complaint about loose dogs. While walkers ambled in we thus instructed dog owners to keep their pets on a lead for the rest of the walk. Some walkers were beginning to feel the pace by now and several pairs of feet needed first aid. Then, limping along the track by the prison farm fence came a horrible, gruesome apparition - one William Worthy! He had become the first victim of the Black Dunghill Bog. No half measures for William - he had fallen flat out - splat! Having also cut his hand he looked like Banquo’s Ghost!

The Black Dunghill stretch was not easy and most walkers were very glad to reach Little Mis Tor and dive down to the shelter of the lunch stop at Merrivale. Here Mrs Saxon and Mrs Asater had opened up their hot dog stand under the watchful eyes of about twenty dogs. When I arrived I found Mr Price and M r Bush collapsed against a grassy bank with Mrs Hutton trying to revive them with . . . Ribena, I think they said. Here I became aware that we had large four­legged creatures on the walk. There, silhouetted against the skyline, were Mrs Warren and her daughter on their splendid mounts, while poor son James, who had slogged it on his own two feet, was muttering something about life being very unfair. All seemed in very good form at this point, despite the fact that several lunches had not yet turned up, as their custodians had decided to have a ‘quick one’ in the nearby pub. Latecomers were beginning to struggle in now, giving me very resentful glances, so I thought it best to move on before a lynching party could be properly organised.

Surprisingly, everyone was still in good spirits at the stop at Pennycomequick. Mr Cowgill had to ladle out very little sympathy with the orange squash and Mr Wortham made a dash back to school for emergency supplies of extra water. Well refreshed, the walkers set off on the last leg. I have never seen so many people walk so quickly up the school

1990’s Charity was Riding for the Disabled

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ies drive before; normally it reduces them to a crawl. Obviously

the route was not testing enough. Perhaps, though, it was the thought of the splendid Mount House tea waiting in the dining room that spurred them on.

At the time of writing not all the Sponsorship money has been received, but so far we have raised well over £2,000. As you know, fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Dartmoor Rescue Group. They have always supported us in the past and now they need help, to finance new premises. The other half will go towards a Resuscitator for our first aid classes, and a set of adventure safety videos.

To everyone who helped, walked or sponsored - a very big thank you.

Leavers’ Camp July 1991The River Dart Country Park at Ashburton has always provided an excellent base for the Leavers’ Camp. It is a good centre for all our activities and it also has attractions of its own, such as the Anaconda Run, the rafts on the lake, a Jungle Trail, a super adventure playground and, of course, the popular but highly nerve-wracking High Ropes and Parachute Jump. The campsite is in a beautiful setting and has all facilities, much to the delight of the staff.

The boys are organised into groups of seven or eight. It is part of the training that they live and cook together as a unit for the duration of the camp. They are expected to conform to a good level of hygiene and learn much about campcraft during their stay. Some groups cope better than others and the third and fourth days are often testing times for relationships within each group, especially as checks and inspections are quite ferocious by then.

The daytime activities are centred on Adventure Activities - climbing, caving, canoeing and hill-walking. This year these were all run at Explorer level which provided some tough situations for many of the boys. Climbing was mostly at Hay Tor on V Diff and Severe climbs which were very exposed to the cold winds.

The cavers thought they were much better off at the constant temperature of 54 degrees until they met the clinging mud of Baker’s Pit. Everyone completed the round trip in this cave, including a flat-out crawl leading to a ladder pitch into Judges’ Chambers. Even the entrance to this cave was a little daunting - a forty foot concrete tube with metal rungs. We did not tell the boys till later that this used to be the site of the Corporation rubbish dump.

The hill-walking groups took various routes over the moor, most of which seemed to end at ice cream vendors. One group managed to lose its way on the night navigation route - quite an achievement in broad daylight - though they claimed the excuse that they had been sidetracked by letter-boxes en route.

Canoeing was on the Dart estuary, launching from ‘Southforks’, courtesy of Mr and Mrs Grant-Sturgis, and took in Dittisham, Greenway Quay, Gampton and a monster swing near one of the oyster houses. By design, all the boys capsized and completed a deep water rescue. The Thursday canoeing group struck lucky. Mr Grant-Sturgis arranged a clay pigeon shoot, but there is no truth in the rumour that GA sunk a rowing boat and narrowly missed two tourists on one of the River Links.

Though the boys had one free evening on the site they were kept very busy on the others. They love the Parachute Jump, which basically consists of leaping out of a tree, sixty feet from the ground, in a parachute harness, and crashing down onto a mat. The other main activity was the High Ropes. This is an aerial

system of ropes and walks sixty feet above the ground. All the boys did well to complete this. The coup de grace, however, is always the Sisal Trail set up by Mons on the last night. It goes where no sisal trail has ever gone before and normally terminates at the far end of a drainage pipe. Unfortunately someone had been tampering with the trail and put several false leads into the lake. You cannot trust anyone these days.

A special thanks to all the staff who helped with this camp, especially Miss Young, who volunteered to come at very short notice. This was an experience not to be missed.

Junior BarbecueThe rather damp June weather caused a postponement of this event until the last Tuesday of term. That very morning the heavens had delivered another band of heavy rain and a flooded River Tavy covered our usual site, so we retreated to the soggy shelter of Rowden woods. 6B had reluctantly given up their double English period with me to light fifteen fires and distribute all the necessary food and equipment, so all the groups were able to make a quick start on their cooking. The smell of beef burgers and wood smoke quickly spread along the valley. Many apprehensive mothers had come to help and they settled down to the not inconsiderable task of feeding their groups. One could say, with all honesty, that one had never seen cooking like this before. The group leaders did a superb job supervising the fires and the cooking and fielding their charges as they headed for the stream yet again!

Finally, imagine the washing up! One should be able to state, perhaps, that this was completed enthusiastically by the boys, but one or two adult nerves were beginning to weaken at this point. As one mother said: ‘I am going home for a small bath and a large gin!’

Geoffrey Allen

The Rock, Yeiverton Tel: 0822 854822

Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am -5pm

★ ★ ★

Ballgowns, Evening Wear and Separates Smart Day Wear, Separates, Suits and Dresses

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Aromalic’s Skipper and crew

The ScholarsJ CruiseMr Beard kindly organised a cruise on his Bowman 40 yacht Aromatic for six of this year’s scholarship candidates after they had finished their exams.

Before the cruise started Mr Beard came to Mount House to introduce his friend, Reg Chandler, and to brief us on the voyage. The cruise was not just for pleasure, but also had an educational content: to find out about the waterfront economy of the South West.

17 May, 1991 Plymouth to FoweyWe joined Aromatic, with M r Beard and Reg already on board, at Queen Anne’s Battery on the morning of the 17th May. After being shown around the yacht and all its systems we set off for Fowey.

We had a good brisk sail and on arrival had a run ashore to explore the wooded river banks.

We decided to divide ourselves into three groups of two so that the galley duty and other jobs could be shared equally among us. When the washing up had been finished we settled down to sleep, being rocked on the water.

18th May Fowey to FalmouthAfter an early morning walk to Fowey Castle we weighed anchor and headed for Mevagissey Bay. Here we lunched in the hot sunshine. A force 4 south-westerly wind brought us a fast beat to Falmouth. Mr de Savary had kindly allowed us to use the marina, which we found in the middle of the Port Pendennis housing complex. This enabled us to have showers and use other facilities, such as mains shore power, so we had a very comfortable night.

19 th May FalmouthIn the morning we explored Falmouth and found our bearings. After lunch we visited the Coastguard SAR (Search

Chartwork

and Rescue) station, which controls rescue operations right out into the Atlantic as well as around the South West. We saw the Operations Room and were given a slide show.

We then visited Pendennis Castle before returning to the yacht for supper. This was a good day, both educational and good fun.

20th May Falmouth to Port PendennisIn the morning we looked around the dockyards and saw how the ships were repaired, loaded up and refuelled. We then went to a shipyard where two luxury yachts were being built, one of which belonged to Mr de Savary. That afternoon we had a tour around Pendennis and learnt about the economy of the area and how it was run. After this we went to a sailing club. We canoed and did some catamaran sailing which was very fast and great fun!

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ies At about six o’clock the Isles appeared flooded in golden-orange

sunlight. We entered through Crow Sound and anchored in St Mary’s harbour, Hugh Town. Fortunately William Stirling was the only one to suffer from sea-sickness!

‘William Stirling was the only one to suffer. ’

23rd May St Mary’s to St Martin’sWe woke to a blue sky, a bright, hot sun and a gentle, cooling breeze. We showered, and explored the town during the morning. After lunch we sailed to St Martin’s, mooring outside the new hotel where we met up with Mrs Beard and Mrs Chandler. Having explored part of the island we dined at the hotel and were shown round. It had a wonderful homely feel.

24th May St Agnes and GughHaving risen around seven o’clock we had breakfast and went ashore to have a swim in the St Martin’s Hotel pool. Around mid-morning we sailed away from St Martin’s, around the northern coast of the island and turned south past the Western Rocks. Here we saw some puffins bobbing on the waves. Then we sailed on to St Agnes and Gugh. We had a short trip ashore after lunch, but the sand bar that joins the two islands was covered and we made do with shell hunting on the beach. Later we sailed back round Hugh to St Martin’s where we had supper ashore at the hotel. Bed was at the usual time of ten o’clock.

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Tom at the helm

The Folletts then joined us and we went to Malpas with them, just south of Truro. Mrs Follett had prepared a lovely supper for us, which we much enjoyed, before it was time to go to bed.

21st May Falmouth to Truroand Back to Falmouth

tO U

‘A leak in the sabon’

After breakfast William Stirling discovered water seeping up through the decking in the main saloon. It turned out that a badly fitted waterpipe had leaked and filled up the bilges with water. When this was fixed and the bilges pumped dry we went to Truro to see a Chartered Surveyor who told us about the various problems in the riverside development. Later we had a guided tour of the Cathedral, and then went to the Folletts’ house for a sandwich lunch. We then returned to Aromatic and took her downstream and anchored at Trelissick, where the King Harry chain ferry was crossing. We spent a couple of hours in the fabulous gardens before returning in the evening to Pendennis.

22nd May Falmouth to the Scilly IslesM r Price was joining us for the day and we met him at the train and then set sail for the Isles of Scilly. The weather was perfect and the sailing wonderful: we averaged eight knots over the passage.

25th May Samson and TrescoAfter a not too early swim and a relaxing early part of the day we left our mooring at St Mary’s and sailed round to Samson. We walked around the uninhabited, heather-covered island and then sailed the short distance to Tresco, anchoring in New Grimsby Sound. We walked ashore to the estate office of Mr Dorien-Smith, the tenant of the island, and were given a talk on the financing of the island by one of Mr Dorien-Smith’s deputies, as he was himself engaged welcoming HRH the Princess of Wales and the two Princes, Harry and William. We boys had supper aboard that evening, while the adults went ashore for theirs.

26th May TrescoWe made an early trip ashore by motor launch to buy provisions at Brygher and went ashore on Tresco to swim and go to church. We swam in the New Inn pool and ate our lunch, which Mrs Beard had prepared before heading for the very beautiful Gardens and Valhalla, the Hall of Figureheads, which contains a collection of the figureheads of ships wrecked around the Isles and was extremely interesting. We then spent a restful evening aboard.

27th May Tresco to St Mary’sIn the morning we set sail for the Eastern Rocks. We did not see any seals as we had hoped, because the sea was too rough and the waves too foamy for the seals to swim. We sailed on, round to the opposite side of St Mary’s, behind

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ies the narrow isthmus opposite St Mary’s harbour and then to

Tresco to drop off Mrs Beard and Mrs Chandler as they had to catch a helicopter back to the mainland. Then we sailed to St Mary’s harbour where we stayed the night, ready to leave for the mainland in the morning.

28th May St Mary’sThe weather was too bad to allow us to sail to the mainland so we spent the day shopping in Hugh Town to pass the time.

29th May St Mary’sWe set sail, but, agonizingly, were forced to turn back with both the wind and the tide against us. We spent a second afternoon ashore in Hugh Town.

30th May Hugh Town To PenzanceAfter our two abortive attempts to leave the Isles, we set sail early with a fair tide and a foul wind; both were to change in the course of the day. Once out of the influence of the tidal streams we were able to sail well on a broad reach. After lunch, all those who had been sleeping below, which included Reg, came up on deck to enjoy the sun. It was not long before we sighted Land’s End and we breezed along, passing Mousehole and Lamoma Cove as we rounded the Penwith Peninsula. We entered the very sheltered dock at Penzance earlier than expected and berthed alongside a Custom’s cutter. Reg had a word with one of the crew who agreed to show us around the cutter and answer our questions. This impromptu visit ended a day’s good sailing.

3 1 st May PenzanceWe were up and about reasonably early to visit the Fish Docks at Newlyn. An employee showed us the market and told us how it operated. He named all the fish, described their life cycle and how they were caught. Then he showed us the trawlers and we learnt how they are built, maintained and operated.

We then walked along the seafront into Penzance. After a fish and chip lunch we made our way across Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount. There we met Lord St Levan. He kindly allowed us to play in the gardens and we arranged a meeting place for the next day. The tide was ebbing rapidly and, as we were to take the ground during the night, we had to take precautions against toppling over. This we did by lashing a rope from the mast to a bollard.

1st June St Michael’s MountAt about 9 am we made our way up the Mount and were met by Lord St Levan’s manservant, Dupel, who took us up to meet Lord St Levan. He then showed us the Mount, talked to us about its history and about the history of its owners. He took us to the armoury which contains a selection of weapons through the ages; to the church and its seven foot skeleton; to the tower with its dive bombing sea­gulls; to the hall and its reversible table, and to the apartments of the former Earls. After this splendid tour we had lunch and then explored the rock for a while. At 5 o’clock we set sail for the Helford, lining the lee rail to give Lord St Levan three cheers.

STRAKJl>e2>...

‘It was dark and frightening’

Darkness was about to set in so we had to check the lights - masthead, bow and stem, deck and tricolore. But it soon became apparent that it would be too dark to enter the Helford River, so we headed for the much safer harbour at Falmouth to pass the night.

2nd June Falmouth to HelfordWe made the passage to Helford, on the way rescuing a sailing dinghy whose mast had fallen down. We towed it to its base before continuing our journey. When we arrived we had lunch aboard and then sent a party ashore to look around this pretty town. We stayed ashore for about three hours, admiring the picturesque shops and houses. After supper three boys went to Frenchman’s Creek while the others went to a nearby wood. Unfortunately those in the woods were not collected until quite late, by which time it was dark and frightening!

3rd June Helford to PlymouthTo avoid being grounded by the falling tide we made a very early start. We set off for our next port of call, Polperro. On the way there we did a ‘Man Overboard’ drill. We used a floating fender as the man and practised manoeuvring and picking up the dummy quite successfully. We reached Polperro in time for lunch, dropped anchor for the afternoon in a very attractive spot, explored a little and then left for Plymouth. We arrived there at about 10.30 pm, exhausted, so after dropping anchor we dropped straight off to sleep.

4th June Plymouth to SchoolWe motored to the Mayflower marina, where we packed up all out gear and took it ashore. Mr Anderson-Bickley was waiting for us with the minibus. We said farewell to Mr Beard, Mr Chandler and Aromatic and returned to school, after a most exciting and enjoyable cruise. We had been extremely fortunate to be able to have such a unique and memorable experience and are very grateful to Mr Beard for all that he did for us.

Christian Barford Michael FollettTom Beard William Stirling (and illustrator)Richard Ferguson James Warren

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ies Leavers’ Cricket Tour of Jersey

A Leavers’ XI - well, actually XIII - set off from school at3.00 pm on Friday, 14th June for Poole. During the four and a half hour journey in the minibus we had all built up a large appetite so were ready for the delicious meal we had at a Pub called ‘Corkers’. A couple of hours later we loaded the minibus into the ferry and were off to Jersey. Luckily we were allocated cabins so were able to have a few hours’ sleep before arriving. The crossing was very rough and several of us were kept awake by the rocking and rolling motion of the ship.

We arrived at Jersey ay 8.30 on the Saturday morning in the pouring rain and drove to St Michael’s school to plan the week ahead. We had great fun playing on their computers. After lunch we went to the Zoo which was brilliant because of the variety and the colours of the animals. The best part was the Gorilla Pit which contained about ten adult gorillas and a few babies which kept on annoying the older ones.

After the Zoo, and after much searching, we finally found our hotel - the Mimosa. We soon sorted out which rooms we were going to sleep in. I shared a room with Mark Wyer and Patrick Grant-Sturgis. We went to have a delicious evening meal in a pub called Le Greve de Lecq, and then went back to our hotel and straight to bed.

On Sunday morning, after a cooked hotel breakfast, we went to St Michael’s for some net practice. In the afternoon, and in glorious sunshine, we went to the beach. We played beach cricket and then decided to hire some wetsuits and body boards to go surfing, which was great fun. We returned to the hotel at 6.00 o’clock, had supper and stayed up quite late watching Sky TV. (Roger Perowne)

We rose at the normal time on Monday and were happy to see the sun. After breakfast some of us went into the town centre to do some shopping while the others stayed at the hotel playing pool and darts. When the shoppers returned we collected our cricket gear and made our way to St Michael’s school. The match started at 12.30. St M chael’s batted first and made 122 runs in fifty overs. This did not leave us much time to make the runs, but, thanks partly to a fine 65 not out by James Fulton, we scored 105 in twenty- two overs, the match ending in a draw. We had tea, presented St M chael’s with a Mount House shield and then returned to the hotel. That evening we went for a barbecue supper on the beach, where we also swam, played cricket and had a cherry spitting competition! Later we retired to the hotel and fell on our beds after a busy and tiring day.

On Tuesday, after another delicious breakfast, we visited the German underground hospital which was built in the war. When we had finished seeing that we went to have lunch on the beach. Some of us also swam, but the water was pretty cold. This was followed by another shopping trip into St Helier, which was within easy walking distance. My father had sailed across the Channel so we arranged a rendez-vous at his boat where he had invited us for a drink. After a bit of searching we successfully found the boat, had a drink and then moved on to a pub called ‘La Pullente’ for a lovely supper, and went down afterwards to the nearby beach before going back to bed at the hotel.

We were disappointed to wake up on Wednesday morning to see dark clouds shedding relentless rain. As the match against Victoria College was due for the afternoon some of us yet again went shopping. The rain did ease slightly and the verdict was that we would play. After lunch at Victoria College play started at 2.00 pm. We batted first and made 203 for one wicket. James Fulton scored 150 not out, and

Harry Hensman 45 not out. We had only been fielding for a few overs when it began to rain again and we had to abandon the match. We returned to the hotel before spending the evening in another pub, ‘The British Union’, which had a very good games room with darts, pool and other amusements. They gave us a splendid meal, after which we had a darts competition before going back to the hotel for the night. (Tom Inman)

We were woken up on Thursday by a voice on our hotel radio saying, ‘Time to get up now!’ After breakfast a party of us went to St Helier to finish our shopping and to buy some last minute postcards. It was then decided that we would hire wetsuits and body boards again. This time the waves were much more vicious and it was a great success. We stayed in for a couple of hours after lunch and had no time to change for our evening meal. We were very kindly entertained by one of Mrs Cashell’s friends who lives on the north coast.'We had a barbecue and watched a film called ‘Memphis Belle’. The evening was greatly enjoyed by all, though perhaps less so by those who were continually licked by the dog! We finally returned to the hotel at about11.00 pm.

After a leisurely breakfast we were stuck for ideas on how to spend the Friday of our tour in dismal weather. After some discussions we decided to visit the Jersey Pottery, where we saw some very skilful craftsmanship and had a quick look round the very expensive shop. Soon after the picnic lunch in the hotel we went to the De La Salle swimming pool, as the cricket match had to be cancelled due to the rain. We much enjoyed our visit to the pool and were sorry to have to go back to the hotel to start our unwelcome packing. M r and Mrs Cashell had been invited out to the house of some friends, so for supper some of us bought some very soggy chips and something to go with them, while two of us struggled for about an hour to start a fire on a nearby beach to have a barbecue in the evening sunshine. We then had a sight-seeing trip of the north coast on our way back to the hotel in the dusk.

On the Saturday of our departure we woke earlier than usual, at about eight thirty. We had a quick breakfast and then packed the rest of our belongings. At the harbour we had to queue for a short time, and found ourselves behind the same vehicle as on the trip out! Once on board we found our cabins and something to amuse ourselves with. The journey was a bit choppy, with one stop at Guernsey. There was a cinema on board which some of us made use of. The final leg of our journey, by minibus, went smoothly. We called in at the Exeter Services for a meal and to drop off James Fulton who was to play for Devon in a match the following day. We arrived back at Mount House at about ten thirty, exhausted by our long journey.

I enjoyed the tour a lot, and I am sure the rest of us did too. We are very grateful to all the staff who made it possible, and especially to M r and Mrs Cashell who accompanied us.

(Peter Friend)

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ies Leavers ’ Camp

I went home for the extra Sunday exeat granted to all the leavers. So at half past six in the evening I left home and set off for Holne Park. On our arrival I helped my father unload the car. I was camping with Alex Sambome and Ally Mackie. It did not take long to put up our tent and we then had a meeting which was based mainly on camp management.

In our free time we either swam in the pool, went on the Anaconda slide, rafted in the lake, went to the shop or played in the adventure playground. Most of the day was taken up with the many activities so we only really had free time in the evenings.

Cooking also took up a lot of time. It was mainly divided into three sections: cooking the food, eating the food and then washing the dirty utensils. This last was the worst job, and many boys in my group were reluctant to wash up. The shop was useful; it supplied us with lots of fizzy drinks, sweets and other sugary foods.

The pool was very small but extremely warm and also very deep. It was refreshing after a long walk over the moors or a crawl through a cave. Pushing people in the lake was another popular activity, which I escaped!

The weather was generally good. There were occasional showers, but also one very hot day when some boys were sunburnt. (I was stuck down a cave that day!)

The worst part of Leavers’ Camp was packing away, which took a long time. To make matters worse it began to pour with rain as we were putting the tents away.

When I returned to school I was pleased to climb into a warm, comfortable bed, and I even found the meals tasty! Overall, I enjoyed the experience, but I shall never forget the curried chicken we struggled to cook one evening!(Robert Gaffney)

Hill Walking

After the normal morning chores Mr Symons piled us all into the Landrover with our spare clothes and packed

lunches. He drove us off to Bell Tor, about five or six miles outside Ashburton, and we then walked up to the summit. During the course of our walk we found sixteen letter-boxes on Bell, Chinkwell and Honeybag Tors. After a rather tiring walk we returned for a swim at the camp.

Sisal Trail

On the last evening of the Camp, Thursday 20th., Mr Symons set up a Sisal Trail for us. A Sisal Trail is a string course around the trees, and in and out of the lakes and streams. The object is to go round it, blindfolded, without taking too many wrong turns. My group, C group, set off in the correct direction but unfortunately made an unnecessary trip back to the start after going through the lake and back. From there we managed to fumble our way to the end, going through a stream, and then a tunnel under the drive, which the stream ran through. We finished second out of four, which I thought was quite good after our earlier mistake.

(Alex Jones)

Caving

After half a day around the camp, talking to the girls from Clayesmore, we changed into wetsuits and boiler suits and strapped the lamp batteries round our waists. We jumped into the van and started off for Baker’s Pit.

‘The cave is below a graveyard, and in one part a grave has fallen through and the coffin can be seen,’ said Jill, the instructress. The information left us gulping!

When we arrived we found the entrance was a thirty foot vertical sewage pipe. I was first down a ladder with an occasional rung missing. We went for a round trip, which involved one very tight squeeze. Only one boy had trouble with this, and he shall remain anonymous. We all had to do one ladder climb, using the steel wire ladders. When we had finished we went to wash in the river. It was freezing, especially when we took off our wetsuits. Although it was cold, it was very good fun and I would love to do it again.

(Simon Painter)

Entrance to Baker’s Pit

Act

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ies Climbing

On Thursday, after breakfast, our group boarded the minibus and was driven off to Hay Tor with our instructors, Helen and Vernon. When we arrived Vernon went round to the back of the tor and secured the ropes we were going to climb on. One climb was rated as difficult, and two as very difficult. We did the difficult climb first. There was a sloping slab protruding from the rock face. This led up to a horizontal slab of rock. From here you had to traverse to the top. The second climb was a very difficult. After reaching the horizontal slab you had to look for hand and foot holds and climb to the top. The third climb was another very difficult. This time you had to climb up a ‘chimney’, which is two

rock faces with a large gap running between them. After that you had to reach over to a large boulder and climb to the top of it. It was a windy day and the climbs were quite demanding.

We then did an abseil. This is when you lower yourself on a piece of equipment called a descendeur at your own desired speed. It was a ninety foot abseil and it was brilliant.

We then returned to Holne Park, went to the high ropes and did a free abseil, without our feet touching anything, from a platform.(Edward Merrill)

The High Ropes

I t’s a long way up. Glad to be down

Parachute JumpI attached myself to the safety rope and started to climb the three ladders to the top of the Turkey oak. Halfway up I began to think of the boy who had declined, the day before, to take part in the jumping off. So, when Jerry asked me if I was nervous I almost immediately admitted I was. He put the safety jacket on me and told me to hold my breath and

walk off the edge. I did this, and as I was going down my stomach felt as if it had left me. At the bottom I was rugby tackled and released from my safety jacket. When I walked off the mat I was asked what it was like. ‘Brilliant!’ I replied.(Rupert Seldon)

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HM S Intrepid’s Arctic Den

A Visit to H M S IntrepidScarcely had the school year started than we received a welcome and generous invitation to visit H M S Intrepid, anchored off Plymouth, and awaiting loading for an exercise offNorway.

Major Paul Irvine, Royal Marines, father of James in 4A, had seized the opportunity to show off the amphibious assault ship in which he was serving. Accordingly, on Friday, 7th September 1990 form 4A left school at 9.15 am in a state of high excitement.

On arrival at RAF Mount Batten we were met by Lieutenant Andy Saddleton RM, Sub-Lieutenant David Bingham RN and two landing craft (LCVPs) operated by Royal Marines. Soon we were ploughing out to Intrepid, past the vast and varied array of twin-hulls, catamarans and other impressive sailing craft within the Sound.

As we reached Intrepid we crept alongside until positioned below one of the huge gantries; hawsers were lowered, shackles fastened and gradually we were hauled up the eighty foot sides of the ship.

Once aboard we were escorted through a warren of passageways and ladders to the Commodore’s cabin, where we were plied with jugs full of squash, whilst the ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Richard Bridges RN, found time to welcome us, tell us about his ship and show us some impressive photographs.

We then split into two parties to tour the ship. We visited the bridge and had the complex equipment and the duties explained to us; we sat in the Captain’s chair; noted the adjustable ship’s TV showing the flight deck, and inspected

72

the radar. Then to the Amphibious Operations Room where, in operations, the Naval Task Force Commander and the Commander Landing Force and their staff direct the battle in almost complete, composed silence, only whispering or writing messages to each other, for Intrepid is not computerised and the room is so small and so cramped with thirty-five people that normal conversation is banned.

So to the vehicle decks - three storeys of them! - just like a floating municipal car park. Two huge JCBs had been stationed ready for us to drive, instead of being used to shift vast loads and vehicles. In another area a typical Arctic snow den had been laid out for us and a Royal Marine corporal explained how snow clothing and rations were used.

Before lunch we had our photographs taken on the flight deck in front of the ensign. Then came a delicious lunch of chicken and chips, accompanied by comic strip videos.

Throughout our visit we were particularly impressed by the friendly and courteous manner in which we were received and accepted by all ranks of the crew. No one showed the slightest sign of impatience or boredom as they were held up from their duties or as they talked to us, and this despite the fact that within two hours of our leaving the ship a massive loading programme of men, stores and vehicles would begin, ready for an early start to the North Atlantic the next day.

After lunch we again poured into the LCVPs and were lowered down to the now rougher sea and our tour of the assembled fleet. During this tour every boy had the enjoyable experience of a chance to drive our landing craft. And so to our landing stage, to farewells and thank-yous, and a present of ship’s souvenirs for each of us.

Act

ivit

ies What really interested and impressed us? The somewhat

alarming hoist up the ship’s side in the LCVP; the sheer size of the vehicle decks; the ability of four huge LCVPs, each capable of carrying two battle tanks, to swim, fully laden, into the bowels of Intrepid; the flexibility of Intrepid’s role, a flexibility to carry a fully equipped Marine Commando or variations of equivalent size-weight from other arms of the Services onto the beaches, or to sit ready to react to the circumstances, or, yet again, to be ready to act as a demonstrable deterrent to an aggressor; and then there was that atmosphere of calm friendliness and professionalism of all ranks and trades. It also astonished us that when an operational fleet sails it comprises not only Royal Naval vessels and those of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, but also an assortment of contracted civilian transporters and personnel carriers, be they cruise liners or the larger passenger ferries.

As we left, our enjoyment was tinged with sadness on two counts: the impending departure of Intrepid for foreign parts (would she, in fact, go to the Gulf?), and secondly, that we might well have been the last party of school boys to visit her, for, if plans go ahead according to schedule, Interpid was soon to be paid off and sold as scrap after twenty-three years loyal service, including invaluable work in the Falklands Campaign.

Thank you, Intrepid, and ‘God Speed’ go with all who sail in you.

J D BSeptember, 1990

Information TechnologyThis has been a rather peaceful year: the network has remained quite stable!

With lessons for all the second, third and fourth year boys and clubs nearly every day during the autumn and winter terms, a large proportion of the school received a lot of hands-on experience. Boys using Logo quickly mastered the idea of controlling the robot turtle, ‘Terry’, and produced some find screen images. The Superart group were enthusiastic but were not able to match the impressive results produced by last year’s Nick Jenkins, Simon Griffin and Edward Hampshire. One of the most popular activities this year was using the DTP to produce individualised headed notepaper. The most popular word processor was Stylus, with its easy to use menu system. As part of the course each boy is taught to create and interrogate a database. The local authority kindly let us have a fine example, with details of road accidents in the Tavistock area. ‘Achilles’, as it was called, was also available for the Archimedes and this disc, we discovered, contained accident details for the whole of Devon - a great resource, indeed.

The number of budding computer programmers is always quite small. This year I am very sorry to lose three of the most talented boys I have seen for a long time - Simon King, Simon Kongialis and Warwick Goodall.Malcolm Bassett

Stamp ClubAfter about thirty years of collecting stamps with the boys my hope is that a few of them will remain interested until they reach my age, when they will find it becomes a most absorbing hobby.

There have been a few who were really keen - Geoffrey Morris, with his 1 lp plums - where did he find them?!

The juniors have had great fun and I hope they will continue to enjoy their meetings next term with Mr Hamilton- Leggett.

Good luck to them all.

Lois Spencer

Subbuteo 1990-1991This has been the most exciting year to date for the club and several boys seemed determined to play more than the others, judging by the race for league points!

Roger Perowne defeated brother Timothy in the Cup Final, and the legacy of teams such as Bodland, Dousland, Crapstone and co will live on after regularly defeating Everton, Tottenham, Man Utd, Liverpool and the like in recent years!

Over two hundred and fifty official games were played, many by juniors. The future strength and popularity of this activity seems assured at Mount House!

Jonathan Banyard

The Set Cup 1990-1991The number of pluses awarded over the year for work, art, music, games and helpfulness has, this year, been added to the points given for the duty Set tidying of the school, which is worked on a weekly rota system.

A very close finish resulted:

1st Otters 7612nd Owls 757 3rd Hawks 695 4th Kangs 626

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(The day that war broke out3

Fifty years at Mount TavyThe ‘Mount House Record’ for summer 1939 gives no hint of impending war. All was tranquil. Plymouth was at peace with the world. The weather was described as exceptional: ‘Following a period of fine weather in May, a disastrous spell of thunder set in during June, followed by rain all July’.

Six boys left at the end of term, including PE Chilcott to Sherborne and JC Shearme who won an Exhibition to Blundell’s. Earlier in the term five new boys had arrived (Cannings I and II, Clark, Don and Ransley). The staff cricket team had five women in it, with Miss Ross scoring 17 before being caught by Shearme off Blight. The school won, despite Miss Ross taking two wickets for one run in her first over and Mrs Wedd’s two for five. It would appear that the male members of the staff let the side down! Prize-giving was held in the gym and the Headmaster of Kelly gave the prizes away: the Boxing Cup to Hoskin, the Fielding Cup to Chatfield; Blight took the PT Cup and Windeatt the Shooting Cup. Otters won the Set Cup. Sports Day was postponed until 24th July, when the usual events were run, and some unusual ones - the 4-legged race was won by Eyles, Somerset and Mitchel; the Nut Scramble, for visitors under twelve, was won by Miss Jennifer Shearme (118 nuts). Kangaroos won the Cup with 135 points.

It must have come as a shock, then, to find that the very next term half the school had moved. The Winter Edition of the M HR states: ‘The school is in a large stone mansion called Penhellis - at least the dormitories and dining room are. The classrooms are mostly in another house, which we call Red House, at the end of a short drive.’ From the description that follows (‘Porthleven is about 2.25 miles south ... to the west we look down on the river ... east lies Helston ... north of us lies the church’) it would seem that the village was Sithney. I say that ‘half the school had moved’, because a letter in the MHR follows, suggesting that some were left behind. Beginning ‘Dear MHS (Helston)’, the letter goes on to hope that they are having better weather in Cornwall, and looking forward to their return in the not-too-far future. Some of the Cubs represented the 2nd Plymouth pack (including Heap, Hicking, Goodwin, Irving and Henwood). The Cubs made lairs in the wood and one such was pulled down by workmen who were building an air raid warden’s post. The gym became the store house for equipment. As there were no fireworks the pack collected money and filled Christmas stockings for the hospital. Points scored by each Set were: Hawks 84, Kangs 47, Owls 35 and Otters 4. The letter ends: ‘from MHS (Plymouth)’.

Meanwhile at Penhellis they had converted an old wireless aerial into a flagstaff and erected it in the paddock, sewn curtains to black-out the dining-room, made a Union Jack and had several gas mask drills. Games were limited: ‘In soccer, petrol and weather combined to prevent matches, though we did play the local Scouts and managed to beat them 6-5 ... many of the smaller people are shaping well and Eyles, Kill, Somerset, Glynne-Percy II and Lang show considerable promise ... Rugger has been started as a change in the senior game, though at the moment the idea seems to be to kick the ball down the field, or scrag the opposition around the neck.’ Entertainment included four films and two music concerts arranged by the staff and boys. Mrs Maddock played the piano and soloists included Voelcker,

Roome, Evans, Thornton and Mr Radford. Blight gave a lecture tided ‘The Story of Ships’ on the last Saturday of term. They also made games: ‘Of games of a more original type, Tyler II’s cricket game was the first to be put into use, and Evans’s ‘Air Raid’, and Roome’s ‘Judand’ were both original and interesting.’ The Record concludes with some Old Boys’ Notes. The war was only months old, but MHS boys were there. ‘Hearty congratulations to Lieut R Hancock RN, who was awarded the DSC for his part in the “brilliant war patrol of the submarine Salmon in the minefield off Heligoland Bight in which they destroyed a U-boat and torpedoed the Nazi cruisers Leipzig and Blucher.’”

This was the last Mount House Record to be published until 1946 and records become scanty. Two manuscript versions of the Mount House Magazine and some typescript notes are all that remain to fill the gaps, along with a few letters from old boys and two roneoed ‘Headmaster’s Letters’.

After two terms (winter 1939 and spring 1940), the school left Penhellis and returned to Plymouth for the summer term. Being a naval port, Plymouth was a busy place and in January 1940 the cruisers Ajax, and then the crippled Exeter, returned from the Battle of the River Plate and the scuttling of the mighty Graf Spee. Mr Winston Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, paid a visit to the city. In June 80,000 French troops arrived, having been earlier evacuated from Dunkirk, to await re-embarkation for France in a miscellaneous collection of boats in the Sound. The 1st Canadian Army arrived and went, the Sound was frill of ships, and Mount House tried to carry on as normal. Then on 6th June the first German bomb was dropped. Others followed, and by the end of the month great damage had been inflicted. It was obvious that MHS could not continue under these conditions. Before the term was finished Mr Wedd, the Headmaster, was looking for another site. He approached Kelly College in Tavistock, but they had no room. It was then that he discovered that Mount Tavy was up for sale. The mansion with its fifty acres looked ideal and he purchased it. Exacdy when the school moved is uncertain, but it seems that the Christmas term began on about 23rd September, 1940.

A recent letter from one old boy (James Morris) describes that September day: ‘My only real recollection of our first arrival at Mount Tavy was that it had the air of a very expensive private mansion, with large pots of chrysanthemums and various old retainers. The conservatory had a beautiful pond filled with lilies and goldfish, both of which we proceeded to spear.’ David Somerset’s early memories of the move were of watching the German air raids as the planes dropped their bombs on Plymouth. The boys and Mr Wedd would watch from one of the dormitory windows.

The grounds were laid out as a country park and had not been levelled out as they are today, neither had the dormitory wings nor the new classrooms been built. Games were therefore a problem, but not an insurmountable one. Again quoting from Dr Morris’s letter: ‘Playing hockey on the cobbles and tarmac at the back of the school, using straightened out walking sticks that Mr Wedd had adapted .. . laying out the pitches for football, which mainly consisted of knocking down thistles and molehills, removing cow pats

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and marking out white lines ... Cricket was played on the Kelly College pitches, which meant a very often exciting crossing of the Tavy. Sometimes the force of the water forced us back, but other times we struggled across trying to keep our bats and padding dry.’

Finding local opposition for sporting fixtures has always been a problem, but during the war several London schools were evacuated to nearby hotels and houses. One such school had moved to the Two Bridges Hotel at Princetown. James Morris remembers these matches as some of the best: ‘The pitch was made alongside of the stream ... We walked down to Tavistock station, got the train to Yelverton, changed on the Princetown train which wound its way up to Princetown, from where we walked to the Two Bridges hotel, returning by foot after the traditional “bangers and mash” tea. We felt like heroes.’

Blackout precautions were very rigid and the school had frequent fire drills with their gas masks, which had been tested in the gas chamber in Bedford Square, Tavistock.

Domestic help was hard to come by and the boys ran this side of school life on a do-it-yourself basis. Duties, amongst others, consisted of laying and clearing tables, brushing and cleaning the dormitories and dining room, and topping and tailing “goosegogs” . The boys were paid for their trouble in the form of savings stamps, a shilling a week, and two and sixpence for the prefects.Each Sunday a crocodile of boys headed for the church where the Reverend Bickastaff welcomed them and conducted the service. Afterwards they would linger on the bridge to watch the salmon leaping. Lessons were in the rooms either side of the clock tower, which were heated by coke stoves. Winters were cold and epidemics frequent, including whooping cough and “pink eye”. Dartmoor prison was not far away and the school was warned if someone escaped. Spare time was often occupied with designing posters for War Effort Weeks, such as Warships Week. Punishments were few, but one common one was to pull out the long grasses on the front lawn. At morning assembly the

Continued over i

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3175

His

tory

roll was called, requiring an answer “yes” or “no”. “N o” meant that you had not had the use of your bowels, but if anybody gave this negative reply the school matron would fix her beady eyes on the culprit and prepare a special dose of her laxative to put matters right!

Most of the staff had been called up to serve King and Country with the result that the remaining staff were of pretty low quality, and Mr Wedd was Mount House. He was an excellent teacher of mathematics, and also a great admirer and encourager of ‘guts’ in small boys. He had only become Headmaster (and owner) of Mount House in 1938, but soon had the school well organised. Like many good schoolmasters he taught the boys numerous ‘out of school’ activities, such as fishing on the Tavy, cooking potatoes in camp fires and observing nature. On Sundays he would assemble the boys in his study and read to them. During the holidays the school remained partly staffed so that parents could make use of the premises in the event of any emergency.

Sport continued to play an important role at Mount Tavy and cricket was the major sport. At the end of each season Mr Wedd would write a report on each team member. Of the captain, Watt, he wrote: “Has proved to be a first-rate captain - unruffled in placing the field and skilful in dealing with his bowling. Disappointing as a batsman: too stiff with his strokes and suffers from an unfortunate tendency to play half-volleys. An excellent wicket-keeper.”

Match results in the first year at Mount Tavy were good:- Soccer played 4 won 3 lost 1Hockey played 1 won 1Cricket played 4 won 3 lost 1

Meanwhile the war continued and rationing had been introduced. ‘Clothes rationing should not give much trouble when replacements are concerned but the list will be modified to the extent that newcomers may wear out their old clothes when they bear reasonable resemblance to the school uniform.’ The school also offered to buy clothes from pupils who had outgrown them, as well as school colours and Scout uniforms.

Boys continued to submit short pieces for inclusion in the magazine. Some were very short: ‘One day Tommy went to Mars in a high wind. He came back. He didn’t go again. He stayed at home.’ (D Somerset) Others were a little longer, as this one from A Greenstreet, called “Thoughts on Little Girls” . ‘Little girls are thorough nuisances. They are invariable sneaks, hair-clutchers, eye-scratchers, biters and kickers. They form dull company and for most part of the day sit reading, knitting or sewing. They long to have pretty clothes, false teeth, lip-stick, face-creams and hats with lots of feathers in them. The average girl of seven years old is smug, well-covered and well-clothed. Sometimes they sun-bathe and expose their painted toe-nails to view for swank. I really cannot blame a bachelor for being what he is. There are very few exceptions to this swaggering band of hussies.’ (Fighting talk indeed, and I would love to know what became of A Greenstreet!)

There were six leavers at the end of July, 1941.

Atkins, MGM entered the school Sept 1936. Prefect. Kangs Patrol leader. Swimming colours. Hockey, Football and Cricket XIs. Proceeds to Sherborne School.

Grenfell, JB entered the school Sept 1935. Prefect. Otters Patrol leader. Cricket, Hockey and Swimming colours.Proceeds to Uppingham School.

Glynne Percy, JA entered the school Sept 1936. Prefect. Hawks Patrol leader. Shooting and Football colours. Gym Cup 1941. Cross Country Cup 1941. Proceeds to Wellington College (Berks).

Watt, PA entered the school Jan 1941. Prefect. In Otters Patrol. Cricket colours. Capt of Cricket. Hockey XI. Proceeds to Sherborne School.

Voelcker, RP entered the school Jan 1937. Prefect. Owls Patrol leader. Hockey XI. Scholarship to Clifton College.

There is no School List remaining and no clues as to the numbers in the school at the end of 1941. The following list is taken from Set match lists, sports results and authors of articles etc. Although not complete, the 89 names listed below are as near as we can get:

Atkins, Banks, Bartholomew, Bateman, Bensted-Smith,Bird, Black, Bone, Brian, Caflin, Cash I, Cash II, Ching I, Ching II, Ching III, Ching IV, Clutsom, Cooper, Crichton, Cross I, Cross II, Dathan I, Dathan It, Davies, Dixon,Dobell, Don, Elsworth, Featherstonhaugh, Ford, Harvey,Heap, Henwood, Gard, Gelsthorpe, Glynne-Percy I, Glynne-Percy II, Goodwin, Grenfell, Greenstreet, Harvey, Hight, Howard, Hoyte, Irlam. James, Kill, Lang, Lucas I,Lucas II, Mackenzie, Marwick, McDowell, McNiel, Morris I, Morris II, Morris III, Mumford, Murphy, Nicolls, Norrington, O’Riordan, Osborne, Payne, Peile I, Peile n , Phillips, Pratt, Rees, Reeve, Richards, Roome, Sims,Somerset, Stribling I, Stribling II, Surman, Taite, Thomas B, Thomas R, Thornton, Tyler, Vickery, Voelcker, Watt, Weatherill, Westall, Wright.

Fifty years have now passed and the final words must come from M r Wedd in the July 1941 newsletter to parents: ‘After a period of alarms and excursions, the last year has been almost sedately normal in its ordinary round of school routine . . . Mount Tavy has proved as adequate and the grounds as lovely as first appearances foretold and there have been no regrets.’

Peter R Hamilton-Leggett

[If you can add any information to the above article, or have any memories of your time at Mount House (even if you only left last year!), then please send them to our resident archivist, to whom we owe thanks for the above article, at Mount House. Photographs, School lists, letters and other artefacts are always welcomed by him, and he will add them to the school archives. Editor]

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Flashback, Under Nine Soccer X I, 1988

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Old Boys 3 NewsH P Wortham writes:

This news has been gathered from numerous sources over the past few months. Some of the news will be out of date by now, some may well be inaccurate, but none, I hope, libellous! For any serious errors, I apologise.

At the last meeting of the MHOBA Committee it was decided that the MHOBA should plant a tree to mark the school’s first fifty years at Mount Tavy. An English oak has been planted at the top of the drive.

(The dates in brackets after names are the leaving dates. Editor.)

Geoffrey Fox (1952) manages a ranch near Tanga in Tanzania. He has some 12,000 head of cattle.

His son Christopher (1977) runs a lodge in the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania called Ruaha River Camp.

His brother Peter (1978) now has a commercial pilot’s licence and hopes to start up a charter firm in Tanzania.

Bruce (1981) obtained a 2-1 at Reading University in agriculture. Qualified now with a B Sc he will be going to Tanzania. Alexander (1986) has been at Plymouth College of Further Education. He hopes to go to America to work for a private pilot’s licence and do an aeronautical engineering course in Texas before joining the rest of the family in Tanzania.

Simon Carter (1976) is head of G and H Interiors in Honiton

John Hutchinson (1966) has left the Army Chaplaincy and is now a parish priest with a living in Lydney,Gloucestershire. He runs an adventure training course in his parish.

His brother David (1969) is a Major in the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. He soon takes up a new post as military assistant to GOC, Grenadier Guards.

John Gilbert (1975) is sales manager in the financial services company, Providence Capitol, in London’s West End. Frustrated by public transport, he now roars round London on a motorbike.

Julian Churcher (1972) is a medical General Practitioner in Battersea. He is experiencing the joys of parenthood.

His brother William (1977) is a geologist and has been working in Melbourne and recently in Papua New Guinea. He returned to the UK this year.

Hugh Fox (1974) is in Hong Kong running the Far East bureau of Budingtons, an air freight company. He married in 1989.

His brother Digby (1978) works as a joumalist/sub editor for ‘Yachts and Yachting’. He says he is not paid much, but who cares, he enjoys his career!

Jonathan Bussell (1977) works for Peter de Savary on the Land’s End project, mainly doing landscape gardening. He lives in Newlyn. His brother Adrian (1977) is a Lloyd’s insurance broker in London.

Richard Berkley-Matthews (1981) graduated from Exeter University with a 2-1 and has been earning some cash working in Fortnum & Mason ‘purveying quality teas’.

David Melvin (1975) is a consultant with Coopers and Lybrand Delvitte in London. In May 1991 he married Samantha whom we met at two recent MHOBA gatherings.

Blaise Howard (1976) is designing and writing financial information systems in London.

Grahame Bartleet (1975) works for Mitsubishi in London.

Adrian Travis (1975) is lecturing at Cambridge and working on his three dimensional television project.

Paul Vick (1983), Simon Donne (1983) and Richard Youngman (1982) are all at Magdalene, Cambridge, in their third year. Paul reads architecture and plays rugby for the College; Simon reads mathematics and is stroke of the 1st VIII, and Richard, reading history, hopes to play golf for the University.

David Pinder (1983) is in his third year at Robinson College reading geography.

Richard Martin (1986) has been in the Upper Sixth at Kelly College doing classical history and geography. He stage managed their Christmas production of Ruddigore and gained his half colours in the 1st XV.

Andrew Cross (1986) has left Winchester, where he rowed for Great Britain in the Coupe de la Jeunesse (Under-18 B squad), was head of his house, Bramston’s, and hopes to go up to Cambridge to read German, economics and business studies.

Harry Spedding (1986) has passed his Admiralty Interview Board and hopes to go to Dartmouth in 1992.

John Rimington (1960) is now second in command of HMS Invincible.

Nicholas Howe (1976) continues to work for Nevica in London.

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ews Rory Benham (1986) has just left Sherborne. He hopes to

spend his GAP year in Africa before reading biology at Bristol.

James Cowling (1981) now works for Oxford Computing Training Service. He designs and delivers computer software.

Jonathan Reece (1964) teaches at the Dragon School.

Tim Morshead (1983) has completed his time at Pembroke College, Oxford, where he read English. Uncertain at the moment about his future career, he tends towards the law. His interests include ballroom dancing, the seeds of which were sown doing Scottish reels at MHS!

Massey Lopes (1982) reads politics at Durham University.

Charles Cameron (1982) is a 2nd lieutenant in the Queen’s Own Highlanders. Much to his disappointment his training was not sufficiently advanced to enable him to go to the Gulf.

His brother Alasdair (1985) is going to Merrist Wood Agricultural and Horticultural College to study landscape construction.

Their brother Simon (1988) continues to enjoy life at Pangboume.

Stephen Chalk (1979) works for an import and export minerals business. He is married to a Czech, Monika.

Ben Simpson (1983) is at Durham University reading joint honours law and economics. He has time to be 1st oboist in the University Chamber Orchestra. He plays rugby for his College.

Horatio Morpurgo (1980) hopes to join the staff of the history faculty of Prague University. Since going down from Cambridge he has been studying German literature at Heidelburg and more recently became involved in the new life emerging in Czechoslavakia. This, he says, has been a great experience.

Thomas Blaikie (1971) teaches English at The Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls.

Peter Mannering (1959) is a Captain in the Royal Navy, currently stationed in Plymouth.

His first son Nicholas (1986) is taking his GAP year after leaving Bryanston. His second son Robin (1989) is working for his GCSEs at Bryanston.

Graham Woollcombe (1970) is deeply involved with transcendental meditation at Mentmoor, Buckinghamshire.

Mark Deeble (1974) is occupied in making wildlife films with a friend, Victoria Stone. Their success with ‘Here Be Dragons’ was followed by a remarkable underwater film, ‘Devil Fish’, about giant octopuses, shown on Wildlife on One. Victoria Stone described them as ‘friendly and intelligent creatures’ on the Terry Wogan show. More films are to come: ‘The Dappled Cats’, about cheetahs and leopards, filmed in the Serengeti National Park being the first. Mark tells me it all started at Mount House.

Johnnie Wraith (1981) has graduated in a bi-lingual business administration course at Middlesex Polytechnic. He played rugby for Hendon during the winter. He hopes to go to the Royal Bank of Scotland on a graduate management training course.

His brother Nigel (1984) has completed his first year at Exeter, reading law, after a GAP year wandering aroun the world.

Christopher Reilly (1967) is in shipping, based in the City but travels the world and is an expert on the conveyance of coal. His brother Tim (1970) has decided to pursue medicine rather than surgery and is working on Part II of his MRCP.

John Lewis (1974) is working for KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock in Plymouth, developing a management consultancy practice. He is also studying part time for a Master of Business Administration degree.

Dominic Spence (1974) travels a great deal in his capacity of Area Manager for Proton cars in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. He is married with two energetic children.

Peter Parshall (1985) is at Westminster College in Oxford reading theology. He also won an organ scholarship at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Rupert Youngman (1980) has come down from Oxford and hopes to become a political journalist. To this end he is joining the Western Gazette as a trainee reporter.

Edward Collier (1982) is at Portsmouth Polytechnic doing a course in geography and surveying.

Charles Keay (1983) is about to be commissioned in the Army.

Julian Newby (1984) worked for a firm of solicitors in Winchester during his GAP year, after leaving Wellington.He now goes to Essex University to read politics and philosophy.

Mark Wilson (1984) is doing business information technology at Kingston Polytechnic.

Paul (1986) has completed his final year at King’s College, Taunton.

James Maycock (1980) works in London in the film/documentary world and as a freelance. He much enjoys the challenge.

David Mosse (1972) married with two boys, has returned from India and is taking up an appointment at Swansea University lecturing in development studies.

David Oxbome (1957) is a Commander in the Royal Naval at Rosyth.

His brother Henry (1959) is a consultant surgeon in Dublin and James (1961) is a company law solicitor, also in Dublin.

Charles McIntyre (1982) has completed his last year at the London School of Economics. He hopes to work as a financial advisor in a Third World country, preferably Africa.

Richard Webber (1961) is a managing director of CCN Marketing. He is applying his skills as an economist and geographer to produce, with his staff, decision systems and analytical products to meet the new demands of those clients who require a package of services and advice.

Simon Goodenough-Bayly (1978) graduated from Edinburgh with a 1st class degree in English literature and drama. He then obtained a Masters degree (with distinction) in theatre studies at the Royal Holloway. He has produced and directed several plays at the Edinburgh Festival, he is now working for the Traverse Theatre. He had a successful five month tour in Ireland. He has also visited Yugoslavia and Poland where he has been given free sponsorship to study Eastern European theatre and to develop links that might bring drama companies over to the UK.

His brother Nicholas (1981) has completed his final year at the West Sussex Institute where he studied for an honours degree in sports science. In September 1991 he will be working for a post graduate diploma in journalism. His aim is to be involved in the field of sports journalism. He is active in sport and is reducing his golf handicap.

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ews Paul Carter (1973) has recently married. He is

International Finance manager for a P&O subsidiary, Bovis International, and travels world wide. He remains a fanatical fisherman and blames this on Mark Deeble and activities on the lower lake!

Denis Welchman (1961) is Senior Surveyor at Warwick University.

David Bartlett (1977) has received his certificate of competence at RNAS Culdrose prior to doing his maintenance test pilot’s course at Linton on Ouse.

Richard Swarbrick (1977) has received his helicopter pilot’s wings at RNAS Culdrose.

His brother Edward (1982) works for Macdonald Skeet in Tiverton as a graphic designer using computer technology.

Alastair Russell is at Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education and plays rugby for the College 1st XV.

His brother Robert (1981) has successfully completed a course at Cirencester and is now at Reading University.

Duncan Tytler (1979) graduated as a B Sc last summer and is now a research physicist at Bath University. He lives in Bath and continues to enjoy his outdoor sports, climbing and canoeing.

Mark Barley (1976) is a solicitor with Bond Pearce in Plymouth, specialising in litigation. He is very keen on golf.

His brother Christopher (1976) lives im Milan, studying for a Master in Business Administration. Previously he was gaining business experience with Rolls Royce and Overup, consultant engineers.

Their brother Paul (1981) was awarded a 2-1 in geography at Reading University. He has now joined Peat Marwick McLintock in London as a trainee accountant.

Sebastian Smith (1981) left Edinburgh with a 2-1. Since then he has swum the Hellespont, toured Turkey and much of eastern Europe, a lot of the time on his own. He is working as a writer in a research group in Washington DC and plans to be a journalist. The ‘Poethon’ in which he participated last year raised some £ 20,000.

Peter Weir (1983) is reading English and ancient history at Birmingham. He then proposes to do a teacher training course for twelve months.

Philip de Glanville (1981) has made a name for himself in the field of rugby football. After graduating at Durham where he was captain of the University XV he moved to St Catherine College, Oxford. He played at centre three- quarter in the last varsity match. His principal diversion from rugby is a post graduate course for a diploma in social studies. He works extremely hard at this.

Sam Rutherford (1984) is at Sandhurst, having decided to dispense with university.

David Gimson (1980) is working at a Senior High School in Japan teaching English. He is a member of an environmental group and had a fascinating visit to a nearby forest of ancient cedars that have suffered from acid rain.The rarity of birds and animals in the area was astonishing. He finds working with his Japanese colleagues enjoyable and teaching his students rewarding.

Richard Harding (1951) is Managing Director of Harding Healy Ltd, formerly Charles Harding Ltd of Plymouth.

His brother John who taught for a time at Mount House is now Senior Probation Officer for Hampshire.

Robert Richardson-Bunbury (1982) works for Legal and General at management accountancy.

His brother David (1986) is at King’s School, Bruton, and hopes to read maths at Durham or Bristol. He is now GradeVIII on his oboe.

Richard Bridge (1979) is an accountant for a motor company in Leeds. He is married with two daughters.

Mark Heath Saunders (1977) is an estate and property manager in Adelaide, Australia.

Tom Hensman (1980) is in the Surrey police stationed in Guildford. He hopes for promotion to Sergeant soon.

Jos Briggs (1985) is doing a fine arts course in Venice. He will visit Chile before going up to Magdalen College,Oxford, in October. Last autumn he was game keeper at Trewithen in Cornwall.

Ross Mackintosh (1973) works for the National Trust as Assistant Land Agent in West Cornwall. He is based at Lanhydrock where Giles Clotworthy (1957) is Regional Publicity Affairs Manager. Ross was recently married.

Justin Morshead (1973) is a computer consultant working for Windsmor Fashions in London. He is also writing a comedy for TV.

James Harvey is at The College of Further Education in Plymouth doing psychology, philosophy and sociology. He hopes to become a barrister.

William Sharp (1973) works with his father producing high quality gold, silver and leather articles for top London stores. The trade name is Tregawne Products.

His brother John (1975) is a Tornado pilot who served in the Gulf. He is marrying in August.

Their brother George (1978) works for a firm of stock brokers in London.

Simon Read (1979) plans to join an airline and make good use of his language skills. Since leaving school he has travelled widely in Europe and South America and has become fluent in German, Spanish and Dutch, to mention three. He still makes time to continue his interest in ornithology which started at MHS.

His brother Rupert (1982) is in the Royal Engineers with the rank of Lance Corporal. At present he does not wish to take a commission. He served in the Gulf, part of the time on a special assignment. Prior to that he had been in Berlin. One of his hobbies is sky diving.

Rupert Woodard (1977) is serving in HMS Avenger which is presently refitting in Devonport. He intends to leave the Navy in the near future. Last year he married Anna; they live at Crownhill, Plymouth.

His brother Jolyon (1982) is preparing to join the Fleet Air Arm.

Toby Ashworth (1981) has completed his course at RNEC Manadon reading for a B Eng. He will return there in the autumn to do an application course. He finds time to do a lot of sailing.

His brother Henry (1982) has finished his second year at Oxford Polytechnic doing a hotel and catering course after completing a sandwich course at a London restaurant to gain experience.

Their brother William (1988) has done his GCSE year at Radley. He particularly enjoys his time in the Sewell CDT centre designing and making things.

Peter Woollcombe (1959) is managing director of PW Pro Sport at St John, near Torpoint.

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ews Adam Fox-Edwards (1975), now happily married, is a

Flight lieutenant in the RAF, an instructor at an air base in Yorkshire having completed his two and a half years in Tornadoes, flying from Chivenor.

David Key (1981) holds a commission in the 1st Battalion, The Coldstream Guards. He served at the front in the Gulf and hopes to continue in the Middle East, especially Kuwait.

His brother Andrew (1983) is in his third year at Clare College, Cambridge. He is reading mathematics and spends much time singing in two choirs - the College Chapel Choir and the University Chamber Choir. He recently sang the High Priest in Bach’s Matthew Passion.

Quintus Travis (1977) is an acting Captain in the Royal Marines and training officer in Barbados. He was married in April. He was recently Mentioned in Despatches for his service in Northern Ireland.

Richard Pinder (1977) is on the board of Grey Advertising in London.

Richard Moorby (1958) read engineering at Queens’, Cambridge, and gained a half blue for pole vaulting. For some twenty years he has worked for Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons and is now the firm’s graduate training and schools’ liaison officer. He is married and has a 13 year old daughter.

Angus McBride 1978) is a trainee solicitor with Lewis Silkins in London. He hopes to qualify this year.

His brother Christopher (1985) has gone to Nepal for his GAP year. He has a place at Manchester University to read English and politics.

Matthew Kirwin (1980) works for Stirling Deverenn, investment brokers.

Alastair Heslop (1966) works for British Airways at Heathrow.

Alexander (1968) runs his own business in Bristol making tensile structures which, in plain language, means fancy tents.

Gordon (1970) lives in Australia and is an Australian manager of the veterinary division of Merk, Sharp and Dohme, a firm making drugs. He also owns a veterinary practice in Sydney.

Stuart (1971) is a consultant anaesthetist in a large practice in Albury, New South Wales. All four Heslops are married and have growing families.

James Buchanan (1975) is an orthopaedic surgeon and a FRCS.

His brother Angus (1977) is still in shipbuilding in Yarrow.

Alan Woollcombe (1967) is a writer/journalist in the field of comics and for the past three years has had his work published in various magazines. He hopes to move shortly into both writing comic scripts (ie the stories in the comics) and wider magazine journalism. He reckons that it was the ban on comics at MHS, with the exception of the Eagle, that set him on this path. The standard of artwork and writing in the Eagle inspired him with a love of graphic story telling.

John Truscott (1963) belongs to a Christian organisation called ‘Administry’ which seeks to keep churches countrywide run more efficiently.

Hamish Southby-Tailyour (1987) is at Wellington College. He has recently been awarded a scholarship for the Royal Marines. He reads biology, chemistry and geography. He plays the pipes in the College band, had his house cross country colours, plays rugby for his house and the College, and has been in the College Field Gun crew. A busy life!

Geoffrey Morris (1971) now has MB BS MRCGP DRCOG DA after his name! He is an anaesthetist at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. He recently visited MHS to attend a Christian Medical Fellowship meeting held one half term.

Geoffrey Sayers (1978) has joined Warburg Securities and is based in Hong Kong. He finds Far Eastern markets very dynamic and fast growing and enjoys travelling round the region. He recalls the delight of everyone when the tuck allowance rose from 9p to 12p per week.

Timothy Lumb (1984) left Plymouth College with good A levels. He intends to follow his father’s footsteps and become a professional pilot. He earned money at British Bakeries and with the proceeds has been able to pay for flying instruction. He hopes to have sponsorship from British Airways to enable him to go to Oxford and for an IMC. His brother Robin (1985) has just completed his final year at Plymouth College. He hopes to read African studies at Sussex University.

James Buder (1972) is a medical practitioner in Plymouth.

Edward Shaw (1962) is a director of a Bristol firm importing and selling dried herbs.

Robert Orr (1979) returned safely from the Gulf having served with the Royal Engineers Field Squadron supporting the 7th Armoured Brigade in the front line. He continues to enjoy Army life in an operational posting where he can use his civil engineering and diving qualifications.

Ian Orr (1981) passed out ot Sandhurst and was commissioned into the XV/XIX King’s Royal Hussars. After training at Bovington he rejoins the regiment in Germany in September and then goes to Cyprus for a six month tour with the UN force on border duty.

Siward Atkins (1978), now a post graduate from Edinburgh University, is reading for a PhD at Christ’s College, Cambridge. He hopes to teach at Edinburgh University.

Christopher Bullocke (1981) is a cadet in the Merchant Navy and occasionally drives those great oil tankers.

Philip Helby (1965) is a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy and a submariner. He lives in Yelverton.

Charles Gozzard (1982) is training to become a doctor at the London Hospital Medical School, where he has three more years. He plays rugby for the Hospital.

His brother James (1984) is doing civil engineering at Plymouth Polytechnic.

William May Somerville (1975) has now left the Royal Navy.

Peter Cranfield (1962) is a consultant mining engineer with a gold mining company. He is married and lives and works in Indonesia, but also travels in other Asian countries.

Marcus Bowen (1976) is a chartered building surveyor working for Grimley J R Eve at Redhill, Surrey.

Rufus Wixon (1974) has branched out into making individual high quality furniture. He starts on a two year course at Pamham in Dorset in September.

Robin Ball (1989), at The King’s School, Canterbury, has had an excellent year both academically and playing rugby and cricket. He has been in two House plays.

Richard Hughes (1968) lives in Antigua, working in property development for Bovis.

Toby Wright (1985) is doing media production at Famborough College, Hampshire.

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ews His brother Bam eby (1986) has finished his A levels at

Ring’s College, Taunton, where he had two successful years in the 1st XV. He hopes to go to Reading University.

Jonathan James (1986) has left Radley after doing A levels in German, French and Music. After a year travelling in France and Germany he intends to read modem languages at University. His music still gives great joy to others and to himself.

Nicholas Perry (1971) lives in Regina, Canada, where he is a chiropodist and Director of Health in Saskatchewan. He is married with a family.

Mark Costen (1982) is reading medicine at the Royal London Hospital. He has two more years to go.

Neil Potts (1972) runs Matford Agricultural Services based in Exeter.

His brother Duncan is a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy serving in Norfolk, Virginia, as an instructor at the Operational School.

Alastair Wilson (1968) is a barrister based in London.

His brother Christopher (1972) is a chiropodist working for the NHS in London.

Christopher Cashell (1986) has left Ring’s Taunton where he was captain of the 2nd XV and had a very successful season playing cricket for the 1st XI.

Benjamin Lott (1989) played for an undefeated Ring’s College, Taunton, Colts B team. His account of an IAPS cruise with Mr Davey in the Mediterranean last summer has been published in The Aluredian.

Roderick Porter (1973) is a Captain in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He is on an Army Staff Course at Shrivenham, prior to the Staff Course proper at Camberley next year. He has had an eventful time in the last few years. He was Battalion Adjutant in Northern Ireland in 1987, then Operations Officer in the Headquarters 4th Armoured Brigade in Germany. In December 1990 he was sent to the Gulf. Directing operations of armoured and infantry battalions ‘for real’ was, he says, an experience he will never forget. He intends to stay in the Army, a career he finds stimulating and enjoyable, with time for sport, especially cricket, hockey and golf. He married in 1987 and he and his wife Marianne have two boys. All in all, he says, life is definitely being enjoyed by the Porter household!

Richard Thomas (1975) was married this August. He plans to leave the RAF in the near future.

I am most grateful to Mr Charles Price for compiling these notes from information sent in from the Public schools. Editor.

David Parshall (1986) has taken his A levels at Ring’s, Taunton. He designed and made a gun cabinet and is hoping to take an Officers’ Course in the Royal Navy. He was captain of canoeing and won minor colours for both canoeing and cross country.

Alastair Shove (1987) is preparing for his final year in the Sixth form at Ring’s, Taunton. He has been captain of sailing.

James Woolford (1990) has been moved to the A stream at Blundell’s. He represented the Under 14 B rugby team and does the triple jump in the athletics team.

Michael Willoughby (1990) played for the Under 14 A rugby team at Blundell’s and also in the senior colts tennis team. He is enjoying art and ceramics.

Michael Bawtree (1988) still enjoys life at Sherborne where he has finished GCSE and hopes to study biology, chemistry and Spanish for A levels. He has recently had his first piano sonata published.

Julian Perowne (1986) has finished his A levels at Sherborne and is taking a GAP year to work on an arable farm in Norfolk before going to London Wye Agricultural College.

Tim Porter (1988) has finished his GCSEs at Sherborne and is studying Spanish, French and art for A levels. He is in the school sailing team and recovering from an ankle injury which kept him out of other sports.

Jan Evetts (1990) has represented the Under 14 A fives team and under 14 B cricket team at Blundell’s.

Simon Allenby (1990) has done very well in his exams at Blundell’s and has been promoted to the A stream. He captained the Flyweights rugby side and played for the Under 14 B cricket XI.

James Gaskell (1987) was behind the bar at Sherborne when M r Price attended the Harper House concert! He is thriving and has taken a great interest in gardening, having released his first hybrid plant.

Simon Thompson (1987) was a key member of the Sherborne 1st XV and has been tipped for the captaincy next season. He spent part of the summer term in Europe.

Stephen Butler (1988) was working hard for his GCSEs and is a member of the Ring’s College, Taunton, athletics team. He says he is preparing for Ring’s to go co­educational!

William Martin (1989) and Thomas Williams (1990) are both enjoying life at Eton and strongly recommend the College.

Alistair Banner (1988) has completed his GCSEs at Ring’s, Taunton, and has been involved in many activities, particularly sailing, tennis and canoeing.

Ashley Crawshaw (1989) is enjoying life at King’s, Taunton, and has been captain of his house hockey and cricket teams, both of which were successful.

Christopher Wheal (1990) has been making excellent progress at Blundell’s and was awarded his second Headmaster’s Prize for effort. He hopes to take Grade VII in piano and trumpet in the near future.

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ews Toby Borradaile (1989) represented both Millfield and

Somerset in the triple jump and hurdles. He played in the Under 16 seven-a-side team which won the Southwest of England tournament. He found he was playing against Robert Parker-Swift (1988) from King’s, Taunton, in the semi-final. Robert has also represented the hockey and sailing teams.

Hugh Cope (1989) came to Miss Spencer’s farewell party. He enjoys life at Canford where he has played in the B XI cricket team; his best score was 44 not out. His summer holiday looks busy as a friend has invited him to Hong Kong.

Edward Hampshire (1990) is doing very well at Canford. He enjoys life enormously.

Andrew Ridland (1990) won his second Headmaster’s Prize at Blundell's along with James Woolford, Christopher Wheal and Charles Walter who were the only boys in their year to win two of these coveted awards. Andrew is enjoying guitar lessons and still learns the piano. He has played in the A XI cricket team and, for a couple of matches, in the B XI. He is looking forward to going to Cumbria with the Cadet Force. He reached the swimming finals and was awarded his house colours.

Christian Glennie (1988) has been working hard for GCSE and playing cricket for the senior colts A XI at King’s, Taunton.

Jonathan James (1986) has been very busy at Radley with his A levels, and equally so playing in or organising concerts and recitals. He is applying to read modem languages at university and hopes to spend his GAP year in France and Germany. His brother, Philip, joins Mount House in September.

Marcus Butler (1990) is enjoying life at King’s, Taunton, and is involved in the lighting for stage productions and in the video studio.

Richard Hodder (1988) has taken his GCSEs at King’s, Taunton. He enjoyed playing house cricket.

Charles Walter (1990) has been promoted to the C stream. He played in the Under 14 A rugby team and was in the cross country and athletics teams at Blundell’s.

Edmund Hulme (1990), also at Blundell’s, played for the Flyweights XV and was in the Under 14 squash and Under 14 A cricket teams. His best score was 52 not out and he was awarded his house colours.

Robert Jackson (1988) is in the cross country and athletics teams at King’s, Taunton. He still does a lot of sailing, too.

John Evans (1988) is leaving King’s at the end of the summer term to go to a Sixth Form College.

Mark Gent (1990) has completed a successful first year at King’s, Taunton. He has particularly enjoyed the hockey there.

Rory Benham (1986) has just taken his A levels at Sherborne. He expects to go to Bristol University after a year off when he hopes to visit Tibet.

Christopher Hodder (1986) has completed his final term at King’s, Taunton. He took A levels in geography and design and technology. He hopes to go to the Writtle Horticultural College in Chelmsford. He was in the cross country team, worked back stage in the theatre and was a house prefect.

Alistair McClure (1987) is head of Sherborne’s Spanish Society and is reported to be in astral projection!

David Carter (1987) is a school prefect and member of the 1st XV at Sherborne. He has written a monologue play and is one of the leading actors.

Jonathan King (1987) is making excellent progress at Sherborne and is a very keen wind-surfer.

Sam Hunt (1989) took maths and French GCSE and looks forward to the results with cautious optimism. He has led the pack in his rugby team and hopes to be selected for Sherborne’s 1st XV tour to South Africa in 1992. He moved to the A stream at the end of his first year.

Jonathan Goodfellow (1989) played for the unbeaten Under 14 B rugby team at King’s, Taunton. He has also been in the athletics team, doing mainly triple jump and hurdles. He is working for ten GCSEs.

Edward Nottingham (1987) has had a successful career at Shrewsbury. He is taking physics, chemistry and biology A levels. He has hopes of a place at Oxford.

James Beckly (1989) has enjoyed rugby, fives and weight training at Blundell’s where he has also been in the swimming and tennis teams. He hopes to take art, history and English at A level, depending on his GCSE results. He remains very keen on wind-surfing and sailing.

George Edward-Collins (1989) thoroughly enjoys life at Milton Abbey. He has been in the athletics and A hockey teams, and had a successful rugby season.

Charles Matheson (1990) played in the Under 14 A rugby team at M lton Abbey. He is in the school clay pigeon shooting team and sings in the choir.

Nicholas Jenkins (1990) leads a very busy life at Charterhouse. He has represented his house in football, hockey and water polo. He went to Derbyshire for an adventure training weekend. He has taken up sub-aqua diving, has been in the athletics team and the Yearlings house cricket team. He spent a week in HMS Kent at Portsmouth with the naval section of the CCF.

Mark Burton (1990) ran for the Shrewsbury School Under14 hunt team and has chosen geography, German and history as his GCSE options. He enormously enjoyed his first year.

John Beckly (1984) is at medical school, having achieved an A and two Bs at A level. He rows, wind-surfs and sails, and recently enjoyed a trip to Africa.

Produced by Nicholas Toyne Topsham Devon Printed in England83

Prize for the best caption - Entries to the editor by 1st April, 1992

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