THE QUINTINIAN

The Magazine of the Polytechnic

Secondary School

NUMBER XLVII

AUTUMN, 1940

Editor: C. E. ECKERSLEY

Assistant Editor: G. A. SAMBROOK

Advertisements Manager - - S. MERRILLS

SCHOOL NOTES.

LAST year, when I wrote the Christmas notes, there was no indication of the fall of France and Belgium, and there was a certain amount of hope that this Christmas I should be writing the notes at Regent Street, but we are still guests of the Town of Minehead, and the School has settled down to what I describe as a "semi-permanent" state.

* * *

         The boys have done very well and the summer examinations showed that even in exile they could put up quite a good show. The most remarkable results were in the Higher School Examination where, out of 35 entrants, 30 obtained a certificate.

         In the General School Examination, out of 81 entrants, 50 certificates were obtained.

         In addition to this, we have been able to record the award of three Open Scholarships - two already mentioned in previous copies of the Quintinian, and the third gained by L. S. Smith, who obtained a State Scholarship as a result of his outstanding ability in the Higher School Examination.

* * *

         In sports, too, the boys have lived up to their previous good records and have shown themselves to be a match for any team of the same size - especially in football. They have tackled Army teams far too heavy for them, and against such odds they have put up a good game, but final figures have, in most cases, been against the School.

* * *

         In November we had an interesting visit from Group-Captain Trott, of the Royal Air Force, who explained the new methods of entering this distinguished Service. Many of the boys had a preliminary interview on the occasion of his visit. Although the interview does not commit the boys in any way, it will shorten the time of entry to the Force to any who are accepted. The Group-Captain expressed to me the very favourable opinion he had formed of the physique and general bearing of the boys of the School, and felt that his visit had been a profitable one to him, just as we felt it had been a profitable one to us.

* * *

         In the summer, the leaver's list was not quite as long as usual, and this was fortunate because the "entry" was not up to normal, although it was very good indeed considering all the circumstances. We can now record that the School is back to its old number of just over 400 boys, as it was in June last.

* * *

         After being the School representative of the Youth Hostel since it was first taken over by Mr. Mansfield, as a School hostel, Mr. Broodbank was able to persuade his wife to come to Minehead, and he is now having a well-earned rest. His hostel duties have been taken over by Mr. Russell. In thanking Mr. Broodbank for his past services, we welcome Mr. Russell in a new capacity. As far as individual observation goes, this new job is very much to Mr. Russell's liking, and the hostel goes on well.

         Mr. Judd continued his lone hand at the Alcombe Lodge with his boys, until the conditions of war deprived us of the Youth Hostel. Mr. and Mrs. Heppell then moved their quarters to the Lodge, and we now have a large family in the one building with Mr. Judd and Mr. Russell representing the School, and Mr. and Mrs. Heppell still carrying on their good work in the new place.

         During the summer holidays Mrs. Worsnop came down to Minehead, and The Dene was transformed from an empty house of some months' standing to a senior boys' hostel, in conformity with a new permissive circular issued by the Board of Education. Mrs. Worsnop and myself were joined by Dr. Matthews at the beginning of the term, and we have a family of some 36 to 40 boys from the Upper 5th and 6th Forms.

         The Dene acts as "School House" really and, within an estimated expenditure, the control is vested in the Head Master, who has to acknowledge the great help given in the inauguration of the hostel by Mr. Humphrey, Mr. McKenna, and Mr. Litt.

         Mrs. Worsnop is acting as Matron, which means that she is also housekeeper, emergency cook, family doctor for minor ailments, &c., &c. I should like to express my thanks to her for the good "bit of war work" she is doing for the School.

* * *

         The other Masters' wives who, from the beginning of evacuation, have been working for the School, still continue their good work as "lady helpers." Mrs. Chevrollier, Mrs. Haskey, Mrs. Merrills, Mrs. Newman, Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Rowe-Smith, and Miss Rumens continue to keep an eye on the boys' clothing in their own district and help in the various ways already mentioned in previous Quintinians. Now, to add to their many duties, there is a second sewing party in the week, additional to the one they attend at the Lodge. On Wednesday afternoons they foregather at The Dene, and attend to the many repairs which arise in a normal week's "fair wear and tear" of the young men who live there!

         Mrs. Lightfoot, who is staying in Minehead while her husband is away, has given us much help, which we all appreciate.

* * *

         It was a big shock to the School to hear of Mrs. Rowe-Smith's accident some. weeks ago. She was on her way to Cambridge to see her son, L. S. Smith, who is spending his first term at St. Catharine's College, when she had a most unfortunate accident in the car and was taken to Huntingdon Hospital with very severe injuries. I believe that, after these weeks, she is now off the danger list and is receiving expert treatment at the evacuated St. Bartholomew's Hospital. It is the sincere hope of the whole School that she will soon be back with us again doing those duties which she has done so efficiently and well during the whole of the evacuation period.

* * *

         At the beginning of the term I elected Faithfull as School Captain and Graham and Dixon as Vice-Captains. These boys have been well supported by the usual School Prefects and Sub-Prefects.

* * *

         Some senior boys of the School put up a very excellent show this term, when they had three plays performed on three nights and were able to raise the magnificent total of almost £40 as a net contribution towards the local Spitfire Fund. The boys did most of the work themselves, only having had advice and direction at the end from Dr. Matthews in the production, and Mr. Merrills and Mr. Webb on the staging of the performances. As all these masters admit, the bulk of the work was the boys' own effort, and it was a most gratifying result.

         I think Elvery, in particular, needs special mention for his excellent work as producer of the plays. A. Freeman as box office and publicity manager, and G. Sim, as stage manager, both did excellent work.

* * *

         On Poppy Day the School ran its own collection and collected about £3 15s. from the boys.

* * *

         The Services at the School have continued each Sunday, at ten o'clock. We finish in time for boys to go to local churches for a denominational service if they so desire.

* * *

         We have been very glad to welcome Sir Kynaston Studd once more to the School. The short address he gave when he was present at one of our Sunday morning services impressed us all, and appreciation was expressed spontaneously by both Staff and boys. Lady Studd's remarks, too, were very apt and charmed all who heard them.

         Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey have been down again, and I should like to say how much we value these visits. I find that they are most helpful to me personally, and in my running the School.

         Mr. Prickett, the Divisional Dispersals Officer of the London County Council, came to see us before the Dene was full, and he had the experience of sleeping in an empty dorm. with four empty beds, but, being a man of firm character, he decided at once which to use, and so had two good nights' rest!

         Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield came down for a few days change, and we were delighted to see them. My only regret was that while they were here we had an exceptionally busy time, but, in spite of the pre-occupation of many of us, I think they enjoyed their trip.

         Mr. and Mrs. McKenna were with us for a few days, and their visit happened to coincide with the monthly Staff dinner. Mr. McKenna gave us a very good account of conditions in London, which the rest of us found interesting.

* * *

         Elsewhere in the Magazine the doings of the Old Boys in war time are recorded, but I must draw attention to the fact that the first D.F.M. awarded to an Old Boy of the School has gone to Bardega for gallantry in flying operations. We offer him our best congratulations.

* * *

         At the moment of writing these notes Christmas seems to be coming on us very rapidly, and I am once more sending an appeal to the Governors of the Poly. and other friends of the School, who last year helped us so handsomely with contributions towards the Entertainment Fund. From all points of view it would be really ideal if the whole School could go home, but common sense says that it is not a suitable thing to do, and the instructions I have received are very definite about the matter. However, as I said in the first evacuation number of the Quintinian, the boys are getting very self reliant and can look things in the face. They do realise, like the rest of us, that, much as we should all like to be away, we must settle down and have our own amusement in Minehead over the festival.

         We hope that the good things that have been planned will be some compensation for the lack of the usual Christmas festivities in the home.

* * *

         To all readers I wish to give my best greetings for Christmas, and once more express the hope that by next Christmas we shall be a lot nearer finishing the war in the only possible way.

B.L.W.

* * *

THE 49 CLUB.

THIS term saw the revival in Minehead of the 49 Club. Weekly meetings have been held continuously throughout the term, and though other School activities have coincided with some of the meetings, the attendance has been very satisfactory. The catering side already shows a favourable balance which may well prove an advantage at Christmas.

         Mr. Coleman opened the session at the beginning of October with an extremely interesting paper entitled, "Why Philosophy? " a justification for the continuance of reasoning. The high standard which Mr. Coleman established was not diminished by Coleman in his paper on "Theories of Science," outlining Newton's theory and its application to our elementary needs which he explained were, and still are, satisfied by this line of thought. However, on the advent of the study of larger masses and forces, it was found inaccurate and was replaced by the Einstein theory of relativity.

         Mr. Newman studied the problems of family allowances as advocated by Miss Rathbone. He pointed out the urgency of some action to ensure the iron ration for that section of the population that would feel the effect of rising prices, stressing the resultant discontent of a starvation diet. Discussion followed, the tone of which indicated that although the urgency of the problem was admitted, family allowances should not be adopted as a permanent remedy, although they might alleviate our immediate problem.

         The latest paper on the American political scene was given by Saville during the election week. He drew a comparison between the American and British constitutions, showing the advantages of each and pointing out the various checks in the American system. It seemed that although the British constitution might be more despotic, it was more suitable for the Government of a democracy. Saville concluded by discussing the present state of American party politics, and outlining the New Deal.

         Debates in the Club have by no means been neglected. A motion, which resulted in a discussion of the advisability of adopting Federal Union, decided by a narrow margin in favour of some such institution. We decided that science was not a menace to mankind, although a great deal of argument was produced to emphasise the care that must be taken to control it. Finally, the modern educational system was declared inadequate for our present needs, although few improvements were suggested.

         The future of the Club in Minehead seems now assured and, although the approaching examinations may demand some diminution in the frequency of the meeting, we may look forward to many interesting and enlightening meetings.

P. MANNERS, Sec.

         The papers given at the Club have usually been of a very high standard. We are therefore printing a fairly full summary of two of them, "Relativity" and "It's Marvellous - It's Terrible," that were delivered this term. - EDITOR.

* * *

RELATIVITY.

RELATIVITY is merely an alternative system of Mechanics and Physics which has been evolved to explain certain discrepancies which appear in calculations made on the classical theories developed by Newton and Maxwell. These theories postulated the aether of space as the immovable background against which all motions could be absolutely reckoned, and considered it as the medium through which electromagnetic radiations, such as light, are propagated.

         But experiments by Fizean and later by Michelson and Morley gave peculiar results.

         Imagine a man on a river rowing across and back. Now let him row the same distance up and down stream. On Newtonian grounds a simple calculation shows that the time taken would be different in each case. Yet when light from the fixed stars was used as the stream, and the earth as the boat, Michelson and Morley could detect no difference at all. This means that the earth is at rest relative to the aether (an untenable hypothesis), or that the relative velocity of light from the stars is independent of the observer's velocity.

         This means that no absolute motion in the aether can be detected, a result which is a cardinal principle of Relativity.

         Classical mechanics in the 18th and 19th centuries worked so well that its principles were accepted as the primary laws of the universe. Indeed we are only too familiar with its accurate predictions in everyday life. Its ideas are so simple that they seem self evident, and yet it has been shown above that one of its simplest concepts, that of absolute velocity, is unsound. But already Riemann (1854) had shown the scientific world that the basic ideas of Geometry were intuitive and had demonstrated that alternative sets of axioms yield self-consistent geometrics other than Euclidean. Hamilton (circa 1845) had performed a similar feat in Algebra.

         It was left for Einstein at the beginning of the present century to appreciate fully the fact that the classical theories only agreed with experiment for terrestrial and not for astronomical and atomic measurement. Einstein removed the discrepancies by showing that world structure is better described by a non-Euclidean geometry. (For him an alternative Geometry implied an alternative mechanics).

         The geometrical system chosen to describe the world of external events was one in which time is placed on the same footing as the three common dimensions - length, breadth, and height. Henceforth, points were replaced by events, the interval (replacing distance) between them being a measure of their separation in both space and time (the space-time continuum).

         This is briefly the historical background of Relativity. The actual theory calls for specialised knowledge in Physics and Mathematics, and that is why Relativity has never been thoroughly understood by the layman. We can, however, appreciate its results without digesting the reasoning by which they are derived. Following is a short list of such results, which have been verified by actual experiment, in some cases before the theory was published.

         (i). No variation in the velocity of light relative to ourselves is detectable.

         (ii). In strong gravitational fields light rays from stars beyond the sun should be bent. This was demonstrated on a photographic plate during the solar eclipse of 1919.

         (iii). Because of the tremendous strength of the gravitational field near the sun the orbit of Mercury should slowly rotate.

         (iv). The wavelength of the sodium light which we receive from the sun should be different from that which we obtain in the laboratory.

         (v). No relative velocity can exceed that of light.

         The great interest shown in Relativity by the public was evoked mainly by its bizarre results, e.g., no events can be judged simultaneously unless they occur at the same place. This novelty has worn off and Relativity is now regarded as a necessary adjunct to Newtonian Mechanics.

B. L. COLEMAN, Sup. VI. Sc.

* * *

IT'S MARVELLOUS - IT'S TERRIBLE.

(Precis of a paper read by Mr. Checkley).

ALMOST every work of art, especially every modern work, has ecstatic admirers who murmur, "It's marvellous" and equally vehement revilers who protest "It's terrible" and both are almost painfully sincere. What causes the difference of opinion? Has the artist himself failed? Has he been lacking in the emotional response to his subject? Has he failed to grasp or state his problem clearly to himself and so been unable to synthesise the forms he has used into that final significant form which arouses an ecstasy of aesthetic emotion? Or has the cause been a lack of sensitiveness on the spectator's part, owing perhaps to the strangeness of the technique that the artist has used.

         Take for example the Cubists. The Cubist sees everything in relation to cubes and he must simplify everything into cubist relations in order to get the "significant form" that he feels. The spectator is so startled by the technique that his intellect refuses to release the aesthetic emotion and cubism is "terrible." But is the artist never to use any new technique? It is these innovations - the whole tone scale of Debussy, modern chromatic harmony, giving subtleties impossible to the less sophisticated diatonic harmony of the 19th Century - that have made the arts so vastly more expressive. No real artist will attempt to restate a problem in the same terms as some earlier artist, with nothing new to say, no fresh point of view to express.

         A work of art is made up of various forms and the artist must use these so that they fall into such groupings, patterns, and rhythms that all distractions are put on one side so that we have "significant form" and the resultant aesthetic emotion. This aesthetic emotion may be aroused by beauty in nature - a landscape, a sunset, the flight of a swallow - but, these, being entirely accidental and incidental effects, as distinct from the human and technical qualities and limitations that the intervention of the artist brings, are not, properly speaking, works of art.

         What is one's reaction to a work of art? Somerset Maugham. (The Summing Up) says, "It is an excitement that gives a sense of exhilaration, a feeling of well being, of power, and liberation from human ties. I feel a tenderness, rich with human sympathy; I feel rested, at peace and yet spiritually aloof; I have that same sense of communion with a larger reality that the mystics use to describe the union with God."

       Complete mechanical verisimilitude in representation - "Royal Academy Art" - may usually well fail completely to rouse aesthetic emotion. The artist demands the right, so long as he works within the limits of his art, to select from his material that was his starting point, to eliminate unnecessary details, to emphasise certain aspects, and to build this diversity into an artistic unity." The artist does not copy life," says Somerset Maugham, "he makes an arrangement out of it to suit his own purpose. Artists have only copied it directly from time to time when their imagination had taken them so far from it that a return was felt necessary . . .

         Cezanne's object was not primarily the representation of nature as it appeared to his eye, but the composition of an aesthetic organism, and so he distorts the forms he sees before him in order to bring them into the desired relationship on his canvas, and by, simplifying, exaggerating, and distorting instead of slavishly copying he transforms the most commonplace motifs into superb individual masterpieces. Perhaps it would be better if the artist left natural forms and aimed rather at the more purely abstract, making experiments towards a musical character. For in pure music the subject matter has become the form of the tones themselves, whereas in representative art it is still the design of the materials which constitutes the beauty.

         The Surrealists strain their medium beyond its boundaries and, striving to express the "subsconcious" rather than significant form, they fail to achieve unity.

         There is an easy beauty and a difficult beauty, and an artist, conscious of his power and full of experience, will not be moved by easy beauty. Difficult beauty has an element of greatness; it, like tragedy, is concerned with the larger forces at work in man's history and nature.

         As for society, it cannot affect the artist directly; patronage and subsidy with their resultant jobbery and inevitable fostering of the conventional, can produce nothing but mediocrity. The best thing society can do for an artist is to leave him alone.

* * *

SPORT.

FOOTBALL.

AT the beginning of the term, as usual, it seemed that it would be impossible to fill adequately the places of those who had left us in July. Again, however, boys have risen to the occasion, and in consequence the School XI. is worthy of the Poly. School, and has given an excellent account of itself.

         At one time it looked as if it would be difficult to get a good fixture list, but Army teams have filled the gaps. This means, of course, that our boys are playing heavier and more experienced teams, but they have tackled overwhelming odds with grim determination. More than once we left the ground defeated, but proud of the team and its performance.

         The season opened with two easy wins against the County School and the Minehead Home Guard, in each case by 9-0.

         In the R.F.A. (Dunster) match we lost 5-3, but early in the game Gallop, the goalkeeper, was injured, and the resulting changes threw the team out of gear.

         The Taunton Y.M.C.A. game was a disappointment for, after leading 3-0 at half-time, the team seemed to falter badly and we lost 4-3.

         In the next match, against Washford, the team again found its form, and we made a creditable draw, 4-4.

         Then came the two high spots of the season. Who can forget the whirlwind first seven minutes of the Huish match when we scored three goals by really brilliant football? The rest of the game never reached the same high level, and we ran out winners 4-2.

         It was with some trepidation that we saw the R.F.A. (Bicknoller) side trot on to the field. They were a team of giants, not only in size but also in experience, for among them were professionals from Burnley and Bristol Rovers. Nothing daunted, our boys gave us the best football of the season, and roused the large crowd to a high pitch of excitement. By the middle of the second half we were six goals down, enough to take the heart out of most sides. Then came a wonderful ten minutes. By sheer pluck, determination, and football of the highest order, the School side scored two of the grandest goals one would wish to see, and the cheers of our "fans" could be heard all over Minehead. It was a memorable day, and though the score was 7-2 against us we were well satisfied with ourselves.

         In the return match against the County School they had re-organised their team and put up stronger opposition, but we won by 5-2.

         We have been most gratified to find that our football has been of such interest to Minehead folk that they have turned up in large numbers week by week, and many have expressed their pleasure with the matches they have seen.

         Mr. Dixon has very ably been in charge of most of the games, and Mr. Smith has stepped into the breach when the Padre was not available.

         Non-players will be interested to know that, through the kindness of the Headmaster, the team and their opponents take tea together (after home matches). These social functions are much appreciated by the boys.

J.B.L.

M.E.D.

* * *

THE BOXING CLUB.

IN spite of many obstacles the Boxing Club was re-opened this term in Minehead, and boxing is now in full swing at the Methodist Hall every Tuesday and Thursday evening, from 5.30 to 6.30. It has proved even more popular than it was in London.

         A display organised for the half-term was a great success. Many interesting and exciting bouts were witnessed, and we were very fortunate in having the assistance of Pte. Cowrie and Pte. Cochran, two ex-amateur champions, who gave us a "light" exhibition that was both amusing and instructive.

The results were as follows:-

Chapman beat Morris.                                                  Freedman beat Houchin.

Lewis beat Manners.                                                    Seiler beat Palace.

Robertson beat Bawden.                                               McCulloch beat Frank.

Graham & Wainwright drew.                                       Stocker and Za drew.

Walker beat Gibbs.                                                       Metz beat O'Brien.

         The boxing was of a high standard and augurs well for the future of the Club when we are again back in London.

         We have an even more ambitions programme for the future when we hope to have an inter-House Competition and expert tuition from the Army. But there is still room for considerable expansion, and the Club extends a hearty welcome to anyone interested.

R. A. BAWDEN.

L. G. METZ.

* * *

CADET NOTES.

I AM very pleased to be able to say that the Corps is once again beginning to show signs of the old "Regent Street" efficiency and numbers.

         Since the evacuation we have had many difficulties to overcome, one of the major of these being the loss of our O.C., Captain Lightfoot. When he left us to join the Army the Corps went through one of the worst stages of its career, and I think that it is a great tribute to Lieut. Smith's leadership that the Corps has increased in size from a junior Platoon and a Senior Platoon, whose numbers were speedily declining to zero, to such large proportions that we will soon have to close the Corps to further recruits.

         The rifles have at last arrived from London, and we now have our own H.Q. at The Dene, where the rifles, drums, and all the junk usually attached to the Q.M. Stores are kept. (Our Q.M.'s are far famed for their ability at scrounging).

         I should like to take this opportunity to express the N.C.O.'s and, in fact, the whole Corps' appreciation for all that Lieut. Smith has done for us since he became our O.C. this term, At the same time we would like to thank Mr. Elgood and Mr. Rowe-Smith for their excellent help with the Ambulance and Signalling Sections, and we now extend a hearty welcome to Messrs. Pratt, Robinson, and Merrills, who are, we believe, going to give us their assistance in the future.

J. SHUTTLEWORTH, R.S.M.

* * *

TABLE TENNIS.

         Table Tennis has progressed rapidly at Minehead, mainly through the efforts of Mr. Collings, of the Victoria Reading Rooms, in arranging matches against local teams. Great use is being made of the V.R.R., particularly by the lower end of the School. This speaks well for the future.

         There are now even greater chances for this sport as Dr. Worsnop has made it an official School activity, and given permission for the use of The Dene's table tennis room as our "home ground."

W. J. WOODAGE.

* * *

THE SCOUTS.

SINCE the summer scouting activities, apart from the Sea Scouts, had ceased until Dr. Worsnop called a meeting of those interested. With the generous offer of a very suitable room at The Dene for headquarters, and the coming forward of several experienced Scouters as Patrol Leaders, the stage seemed set for further useful activity. At the preliminary meeting, held at the headquarters, just over 30 were present, and the enthusiasm displayed promised well for the future. Four patrols were formed - Stags, Wolves, Owls, and Swifts - and the Troop is run on the basis of the Patrol system in the usual way, except that, as Mr. Parsons is the Scoutmaster, it is run with more efficiency.

         Sea Scouts, under the leadership of Mr. Rowe-Srnith and of Acting S..M. Shuttleworth, have been meeting since January last. They now have headquarters at The Dene, and on Troop evenings there is quite an atmosphere of the fo'c's'le to be found there. The Troop is run with three Patrols - Kingfishers, Seagulls, Stormy Petrels - and at the moment no more recruits can be taken.

         The Troop has been registered as the 3rd Alcombe (Polytechnic Sea Scouts), but is still in the same Group, with Dr. Worsnop as the controlling authority.

* * *

HOUSE NOTES.

ANDREWS-HOUGH.

Captain: I. REID.

THE past term has not been very full of House activities either sporting or otherwise. However, the House has already shown itself lacking neither in talent nor enthusiasm

         This term saw a complete new set of House officials. As House Captain, Reid succeeds Evans, who is now serving on the technical staff of the R.A.F.; and Norman was voted Football Captain to replace Cocks.

         We wish all past officials the best of luck and look to the present House to prepare themselves to replace those who have gone on ahead.

         One House football competition was played at half-term, when the Seniors gallantly defeated B.S., who for many years have been defeated by no other House but failed under difficult conditions against L.N. Norman, Reid, and Herbert are to be congratulated as regular members of the School team.

         The House has distinguished itself in boxing. Lewiss, Manners, and Gibbs fought in the recent competitions, but there are still good opportunities here for others, especially juniors.

         The House officials expect to see a good effort in the forthcoming athletic competitions. Training certainly wins more points than mere strength, so aspirants should not delay too long. All-round effort is essential.

         As Christmas is nearly upon us we must look forward to our concert, which is already taking shape, and if the standard equals that of previous years we may be confident of a really good performance.

         Finally, the officials wish to extend their best wishes for the coming season to the House, the Masters, and to our Lady Helpers.

P. MANNERS, House Secretary.

* * *

BROODBANK-STEVENSON.

Captain: S. T. FAITHFULL.

ALTHOUGH we have had to bid farewell to many Senior boys, we are very fortunate in retaining S. T. Faithfull, and congratulate him on his appointments as House Captain and School Captain.

         Our long period of Senior football success has been temporarily interrupted this year by a defeat by Andrews-Hough (1-2) in the Knock-out Competition. The junior team, too, was rather unfortunate, being beaten by the odd goal in five by Hester-Lowe. Nevertheless, they have made a grand start in the Football League with a four-goal victory over Andrews-Hough. Well played, Juniors! Keep it up.

         We were all greatly upset by the news that our House Matron, Mrs. Rowe-Smith, met with a serious car accident a few weeks ago on her way to Cambridge. We. are very pleased indeed to know she is making good progress, and extend to her our deepest sympathies and sincerest wishes for a speedy and successful recovery, looking forward to the time when she will be with us again.

         The response of the House to the War Savings Campaign has not been up to expectations, and I hope the New Year will bring forth a new effort. Remember, that although we are well out of the danger zone, we still have a part to play; so spend less and save more.

         By the time these notes appear in print our House tea will be a past event. Saville and B. Warren are putting a great amount of work into the entertainment programme, which will, undoubtedly, be a success.

         Lastly, just one word to the new boys. No doubt by now, you have heard of the traditions of the House both in work and play. Well, it's now up to you to live up to them and keep Broodbank-Stevenson always near the top.

K. H. CLARKE, House Secretary,

* * *

LAMBERT-NEWMAN.

Captain: S. GALLOP.

THIS term the House is glad to welcome Gallop as our new Captain. Last year's House Secretary, L. S. Smith, is to be heartily congratulated on obtaining a State Scholarship, and he is now at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge.

         News of Old Boys has been received fairly abundantly by the Housemasters. B. Bardega, of the R.A.F., was awarded the D.F.M. when he was a sergeant-pilot. We have since heard that he has gained commissioned rank. J. R. H. Lewis, also of the R.A.F., after having been in action, had the misfortune to be wounded by an enemy bomb whilst on the flying-field. He is now well on the road to recovery. Mr. Craton, who came down to see the School and gave us a rousing speech when his two sons joined the School, is now in the Navy.

         Our sporting activities this term seem to be improving. At half-term in the House Football Knock-out Competition, the juniors were unlucky enough to be beaten by Russell-Matthews, who went on to win in the final, but the Seniors beat Andrews-Hough and came into the final against Russell-Matthews. Up to now one match has been played, resulting in a draw after extra time. There was also a cross-country run, in which the House did well, having the first, second, and fifth places.

         National Savings are not progressing very favourably, and I think it is up to the House, not only to give Mock more supporters, but to give added aid to the country's campaign.

D. RICHARDSON, House Secretary.

* * *

HESTER-LOWE.

Captain : R. H. ELVERY.

THE House was sorry to lose some of its older boys, including one of the joint House Captains, Ladbrook. House Secretary Gibbons has left and is connected with R.A.F. Lawton was at College at Birmingham until he was bombed out. Congratulations to all new House officials and also to our House Captain, Elvery, for the three one-act plays he produced.

         In the realms of Football the Seniors (minus the two Woodages) lost, after a hard fight, to Kerridges. Our juniors did much better and reached the final, but, unfortunately, lost to Russells. We welcome our new boys and wish them every success in their new School and House. We wish the boys who are taking exams at Christmas the best of luck. I should like to remind boys in Hesters that there are two trophies to be won - Studies and Conduct.

         We are all looking forward to the House Concert, and I hope that, as usual, it will be the best in the School,

E. W. METHLEY, House Secretary.

* * *

KERRIDGE-SWAN.

Captain: R. DIXON.

WE are all very sorry to have lost our old House Captain, Shampan, who is now working with the L.C.C. A.R.P. staff. Branscombe, House Captain for the beginning of this term, and Hurst also have our best wishes. Our congratulations are given to Dixon on being made School Vice-Captain.

         The re-introduction of House Football at half-term was, I am asure, welcomed by all, although we have not done as well as usual. The Juniors were very disappointing, and it is to be hoped that some of them will show more enthusiasm in future.

         The Cadets are doing well, I am pleased to say. With Shuttleworth as C.S,M. and Robertson as C.Q.M.S., we have no cause to complain.

         We were also very well represented at the half-term boxing, when more than half the participants were from Kerridge-Swan. As Inter-House Boxing is being started next term, however, even more regular boxers are desirable.

         I am sorry to say that the National Savings Group has not been at all well supported up to now. I should like to see a decided improvement next term. Don't forget that every little helps.

D. JACOBS, House Secretary.

* * *

RUSSELL - MATTHEWS.

Captain: R. GRAHAM.

THIS year the House has slightly increased its membership, having just over 70 members. This first term, too, has seen the two football teams score victories in the Inter-House Football Competitions.

         The Junior team won its first match with Lambert-Newman by five goals to nil; they followed this up by scoring another five goals to Andrews-Hough's two. The final round of the Junior competitions was played against Hester-Lowe, which our team won with a score of eight goals to nil. The Junior team has set a standard which will, no doubt, be followed up next year-and the year after.

         The Senior team played only two matches. In the first, against Kerridge-Swan, our team, with a score of 3-0, was once more victorious. The issue then lay between Russell's and Lambert's. After some delay the match was played; each team scored three times, thus leaving the result of the Senior House Competitions a draw.

         Our Captain, D. St. John, left this term, and new House officials were elected.

         Our new House Captain is the School Vice-Captain, R. Graham, and our Vice-Captain, B. Calaman. Graham has also the distinction of being the House Football Captain. The two House Prefects are R. R. St. John and L. N. Rapley.

         Our National Savings Campaign is going forward well, the collector being St. John. Every Saturday he uses his persuasive powers to get even more money for the national war effort.

         The House was represented by four members in the Boxing Competition - Graham, Stocker, Seiler, and Morris. Two drew, one won, and the other lost. Soon we hope to do better still.

W. A. BIDGOOD, House Secretary.

* * *

WAR SAVINGS.

REGULAR collections for War Savings have been recommenced this term and, despite a number of unexpected difficulties at the start, the scheme has achieved very satisfactory results. Each week has seen an increase in membership. For this success a special word of thanks is due to the House Representatives and House Masters.

         A further increase in membership would result if boys were to keep in mind:-

(a)     That they are not obliged to spend all their pocket money each week.

(b)    That stamps can always be exchanged for cash at any time that it is needed.

(c)     That a Savings Certificate bought by this scheme bears interest from the date that the first stamp is bought.

J.W.A.

* * *

SCHOOL CHOIR.

WHILST the School was in Regent Street there were many  difficulties in the way of establishing a School Choir for any purposes beyond the leading of the singing at prayers. When we settled in at Minehead a number of enthusiasts thought the time had come to launch a choir now that the physical difficulties had to a large extent vanished. So the Headmaster's consent to the formation of a Choir was sought and readily obtained. A four-part Choir of about 30 voices was formed. For training and experimental purposes such a number proved satisfactory though, no doubt, as the Choir advances in experience and technique larger numbers may be welcome.

         The soprano and alto parts proved reasonably easy to form, particularly as we are fortunate enough to have at the moment one or two boys of outstanding musical ability and quality of voice. Two members of the Staff have made a solid foundation for the tenors, and several senior boys who found they could manage the range, have built up a satisfactory and enthusiastic section where many choirs are relatively weak. The basses are fortunate in being led by two very skilled and experienced members of the Staff.

         The Choir immediately set itself a high standard of work and, at the try-out performance at the end of last term, sang for the School part songs by Dyson (To Music), Bantock (My luv is like a red, red rose), Roberton (a wordless piece, Nightfall in Skye), and W. G. Whittaker (Bobby Shaftoe).

         This term the Choir has studied a group of negro spirituals and hopes to perform them before a wider audience at the Prize-Giving function at the end of the term.

H.C.

         Commenting on the performance of the four-part songs at the end of last term, our musical critic, "Orpheus," writes:

The real artistry with which these pieces were performed, the subtle colour in Nightfall in Skye, the delicacy and richness of tone in My luv is like a red, red rose, the precision of attack and the well-controlled vigour of Bobby Shafto, in fact, the whole general effect of polish and finish were a great tribute to the skill and patience of the conductor, Mr. Checkley. For, though I have not been present at the rehearsals (my voice being of that type that does not make me welcome in any choir), I know that all these things do not come by chance, only by prayer and fasting and real hard work. I can only hope that the choir gained as much pleasure from the performing of the pieces (and I think they did) as we in the audience gained from listening to them.

ORPHEUS.

* * *

COMPETITION.

         A book prize will be awarded for the best rendering into English of the following poem. The competition was set by Mr. Checkley, who has kindly consented to act as judge, and to whom entries should be sent. The prize will not be given if no entry is of sufficiently high merit.

Comme un poète errant au fond d'une avenue,

Le soir dans les bosquets lentement s'insinue;

Et si doux est le timbre amoureux de sa voix

Que tous les bruits du jour se taisent à la fois.

Le vent s'arrête au seuil obscur de la broussaille;

Pas un oiseau sur les ramures ne tressaille.

Tout écoute; on dirait le silence attentif,

Quand le soir, approchant son visage pensif

De l'eau qui dort d'un noir sommeil en quelque vasque,

Regarde, dans le fond que la pénombre masque,

Ce que le jour défunt y fit tomber de fleurs.

Tel le poète, las de trop lourdes douleurs,

Contemple, vasque triste aux fleurs vite effeuillées,

Son âme où meurent ses illusions noyées.

* * *

OLD BOYS' LETTERS.

St. Catherine's College, Cambridge.

DEAR MR. ECKERSLEY,

         The life of a freshman at Cambridge is by no means a hard one, and if an undergraduate's first year is his hardest, I must say I'm looking forward immensely to the next two. Everyone appreciates the fresher's difficulties and does his best to minimise them. One of my most valuable monitors was my landlady, who gave me some very sound advice on housekeeping problems such as the buying of crockery and provisions. Having mastered the rudiments of the art I find housekeeping an extremely interesting sideline to modern languages.

         Food and crockery are not the only purchases which have to be made. At the earliest opportunity one has to visit a clothier to be fitted for cap and gown, garments of which, though at first somewhat self-conscious, most freshmen grow very proud. And books - the bane of a student's life. Every lecturer and supervisor of studies recommends several books almost every day and one is continually dodging in and out of bookshops, libraries, and, of course, the second-hand bookstalls in the Market Place. The purchase of all necessary books, even second-hand, is beyond the pockets of all but the extremely affluent. At the Faculty Library one nearly always finds that the required volume has already been borrowed, so that one is generally driven to the University Library, a building of skyscraper proportions, entitled to a copy of every book published in Great Britain, where any work may be studied but not taken away. The principal attraction here, of course, is not the books, but the automatic lifts which convey one from one department to another.

         After the first two or three days of term, during which he is allowed to find his feet and furnish his rooms with the necessities of life, the freshman embarks upon the turbulent ocean of work. Most men have some lectures, ranging in number from one to four every morning. with the exception, if they're lucky, of Saturday, and, of course, Sunday. In most subjects lecturers do not set much work, but modern linguists have to produce two pieces of prose and translation and one essay per week at the lectures on those subjects. Supervisors, too, whose job is to keep a close personal eye on one's progress, set an essay, prose, or translation every week in the case of modern languages, or some corresponding task in the other subjects.

         Afternoons are generally free for work or sport. The freshman usually finds about half-a-dozen sporting or other clubs and societies which he is strongly desirous of joining, and having joined discovers that they leave him no time for study. At present I row three and run two afternoons a week just managing to accomplish the necessary work in the evenings, but if harder work becomes necessary I shall have to drop something.

I enjoy myself immensely on the Cam. Thanks to some experience with the school Boat Club at Chiswick, and the fact that conscription has rather thinned the College ranks, I have been placed for the time being in the first boat, which is already training for time races in December and bumping races next term and in June.

         One of the greatest joys of Cambridge life is meeting old friends. On my first Sunday up here I was visited by T. Nash and K. Miller, who left the Poly. last year, and are now hard-working, hard-rowing second year men at Queen's College and Bart's Hospital respectively. I have also seen Lewenhak, in his second year at the London School of Economics, and B. Lewis of the same, who left last term. Nash tells me that Naglovsky is also in Cambridge, though we haven't met him yet. Would you please tell Mr. Lambert that nothing more has been heard of H. F. T. Smith, though we are all on the look-out for news of him.

         It may not be an original remark, but it's none the less a true one, that we hope to welcome another Poly. boy or two up here next October, and I should like to remind anyone who contemplates joining us that it will soon be time to think about sending in entries for College scholarships, which, I may say, are well worth trying for.

Yours sincerely,

LESLIE SMITH.

* * *

Loyal Regiment's Officers' Mess.

November 5th, 1940.

DEAR MR. ECKERSLEY,

Just a few lines to let everybody know Army life has not yet killed me. Actually I am a minor casualty at the moment - badly-sprained ankle - but otherwise everything is O.K. Since my last letter I've wandered about a bit. I was sent to a seven-week's course at the 169th Officer's Training Unit, where I did absolutely everything that a soldier is expected to do - except get put in the Guard Room. We mounted guard, dug trenches, built wire fences and bridges, drove motor-cycles and Army trucks - by day and night - and also played some quite successful cards in the air-raid shelters.

         After the course was over we were posted to our various Battalions, my own being this, which was then under canvas in Wales. Memories of Cadet Camps at Kingsdown came thick and fast but, of course, this was far more serious. For example, on the fateful September 16th we were all called out to man trenches at 1.30 a.m. We did not stay there more than about three weeks or so and, believe me, it was quite enough. We had a few real blizzards, and there were several casualties among our tents. The funniest sight I've seen for a long time was the "apotheosis" of the Sergeants' Mess. It was raining like blazes and blowing a gale. All at once, half-way through lunch, the Mess Tent suddenly decided to desert the P.B.I. and join the balloon barrage. You should have seen the sergeants run with the "cut off the joint and two veg." in one hand and a pint in the other.

         We had some very good practical exercises in map reading there. I was sent out on a Norton with a map to work out a 15-mile route march. Welsh names, plus Welsh people, plus the illegibility of such names as Pwllgroesbach on a 1in. map, to say nothing of the absence of sign posts, made the job none too easy.

         Then we moved again, this time to a well-known Racecourse. I was housed in the luxury of a Jockey's Changing Room. Finally we moved into our present billets. I have 46 men in a big, empty house. Training is going on intensively and, once our boys are fully trained - who knows?

         You'll be interested to know that there are at least three O.Q.'s here, two of them in my own battalion. Sternberg, once one of the stars of the School football XI., is a driver in our motor transport (he's driven me about quite a lot), and Croucher, who left School just before I joined you in 1931, is in the Officer's Mess as a subaltern. The third O.Q. is, owing to his eyes, unfit for service. That is Garfield, whom I met waiting for a tram just near my billet the other day.

         I note with interest all items in the Free Press about the School, and should be glad at any time to hear from any of you, especially about the Cadets. I hope they are carrying on the good work.

Best of luck to the School in all its activities.

Yours very sincerely,

G. C. LIGHTFOOT.

Later (November 16th.)

         I have now become the "Odd Job Man" of the Battalion. In other words the C.O. has decided (quite wisely, I think) to centralise all what he calls the "odd jobs" of the Battalion. Consequently I now hold the following arduous posts. I am Battalion Education Officer (I suppose that was only to be expected), Battalion Entertainments Officer, Battalion Sports Officer, and Battalion Weapon Training Officer. My only regret is that I have lost my platoon, a bunch of real rough diamonds - Lancashire lads in the real Gracie Fields sense. But I must admit that, although I am a fairly energetic sort of person, I certainly could not have managed all these jobs in addition to training a platoon of upwards of 40 men.

         Our training, although I must not say too much on that topic, is going on very well, and my lads will soon be real soldiers in every sense of the word. They certainly have plenty of "guts" to start with. At the moment I am billeted in an otherwise empty house with upwards of 40 men, the majority of whom are from Wigan, Liverpool, or Manchester.

* * *

The following are extracts from letters to Mr. Lambert from our last year's School Captains. The first is from J. V. Forster, the second from G. H. Evans.

(1)

         Like lots of others our house has been wrecked. We were all in the house at the time, but fortunately none of us were hurt at all, apart from my mother getting a slight cut on the wrist when we were clambering out of the wreckage. I was blown into the coal-cellar (on to some soft sacking as it happened!) and came out all ready to be a nigger minstrel at the next School concert, except for the fact that I had a mouthful of coal-dust and pulverised plaster (which doesn't sound very appetising, and certainly didn't taste it).

         My address is an address only (the number's there, but no house - the damage caused by a parachute mine had been extended by a delayed-action bomb) and I call at the sorting office for my letters.

         I am working at present in the War Damage Claim Department of the District Valuer's Office. Ironically enough it was after my first day there that our house was wrecked.

(2)

         As you can see by my temporary address I am in the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve. After I left Minehead I spent a short holiday, if you can call spending most nights in air-raid shelters a holiday, in London. I made some enquiries and found that I would not have been able to go to King's College, as I had hoped, so I at once volunteered for the R.A.F.

         Medical and educational tests were stiff, but I passed the maths. test with flying colours. Thanks must be given to my early work with you and later with Dr. Haskey; in fact, I was so far above standard that they wanted to put me in as an observer without further questioning. I argued and begged for a while with the selection board and, in the end, they entered me as a pilot.

         I am up here for a short while for fitting out, innoculation, and drilling, &c. I will then be sent to an Elementary Training School for flying duties, I am looking forward to getting down to some real work as soon as possible.

* * *

L/Cpl. BECK, J. H. J.

M.T.T. Depot, R.E.,

26th August, 1940.

DEAR MR. ECKERSLEY,

         It was a year ago yesterday that I was called up and, since then, I have had various occupations, but surprisingly little moving about.

         For a week before the war our Company was doing "navvy" work in London, but that ended rather abruptly when we were mysteriously moved to an unknown destination, which turned out to be the address you see above.

         It was eventually learned that we were to form the staff of the Depot, and to us there seemed nothing wrong with this until we were given the job of staffing the cookhouse under the rather pretentious title of "mess-room waiters." Well, after a fortnight, we felt more like "straffing" the bally place. The cookhouse was saved, however, for we were transferred to the Transport Section.

         This section, for some unknown reason, could not part with me, for I have remained there ever since, at first as a driving instructor on cross-country work and then in the office. As you may guess, the former provided plenty of thrills, complete with ditchings, &c.

         I have not yet bumped on to any "Old Boys" here, but I should be glad if you could let me know of any within reasonable distance.

Yours sincerely,

J. H. J. BECK.

* * *

From J. R. H. Lewis to Mr. Lambert:-

         . . . Street is at D-------- as Equipment Officer. I have been there also since May, but caught a packet when they bombed us. The efficient surgeons and docs. pulled me through O.K. and now I'm recuperating here. Bit tough getting caught out on the ground, isn't it?

         I've been in the R.A.F. about 3½ years now and am a Flying Officer G.D. I've been flying Blenheims but, unfortunately, on Battles now. Day bombing, especially low-level and dive bombing, isn't too healthy, so I'm glad to get off it for a while.

         I almost forgot, I was married at beginning of the war. Seems amazing doesn't it, after leaving School merely five years ago?

Yours sincerely,

* * *

Sergeant's Mess,

R.A.F.,

22nd October, 1940.

DEAR MR. LAMBERT,

         At the moment I am at the above camp resting from operations, and am instructing fledglings in the weird art of bombing. I am getting a pilot's course very shortly now and, along with it, I am going to attempt to get a commission. I think a commission as a pilot is of more use than a commission as an observer.

         I could easily fill several sheets of paper with interesting "goings-on" but I think sufficient is said when I say that L-N House was represented at the bombing of Sylt, the first major operation of the war, and the first attack on Berlin.

         I find that Viaktin, who is a Flight-Lieutenant, is in the same instructional flight here as I am, but as he is in charge of the gunnery he is at the ranges and I haven't seen him yet. The last time I met him whilst at my old Squadron we quaffed a few tankards on the strength of the old School.

         I am sorry to read that Lewis was wounded by a bomb when his place was bombed. I flew up and had a look at the mess. They certainly pasted it quite a bit. I am glad to say that the majority of the attackers were dealt with in the appropriate manner. We are not without incident here, only yesterday a Jerry nipped out of the clouds and dropped nine bombs on our 'drome. Fortunately the bomb-aimer was incompetent and the bombs dropped harmlessly on the landing field.

Sincerely yours,

B. BARDEGA.

* * *

Extract from a letter by R. G. Grey to Mr. Parsons:-

         You will be interested to know that my father removed a German mine which had failed to explode, from Herbert Gardens to the middle of Wormwood Scrubbs (about 2½ miles). The mine, was of the magnetic type, contained 2,000lbs. of T.N.T., weighed a ton, and was dropped by parachute. The police rang up about 20 garages around our district before they found someone to shift it. Dad and one of our mechanics set out to Herbert Gardens in our big 30 h.p. Packard breakdown lorry.

         As they drove towards Wormwood Scrubbs many people cheered. People who were obliged to leave their homes were glad to see that the danger had been removed. Father had police escort front and rear for the journey.

         I sent a photograph of the mine to Philip Murray, of U.V.R., so if you would like to see the size of it yourself I am sure he would show it to you.

* * *

From A. R. Moores.

DEAR MR. PARSONS,

         We are experiencing a lull in the raids at the moment, but people are still reluctant to go out at nights. Most people are now accustomed to providing their own amusements, whether in their homes or in shelters, and reserve Saturday afternoons for the pictures. For those who wish to brave the barrage, dances and other forms of entertainment still continue.

         The part of London where I live has suffered slightly compared with others and, consequently, there is a greater sense of security. Even those who have shelters usually sleep downstairs in their homes in reasonable comfort rather than risk catching colds in damp shelters. This, of course, doesn't apply to the greater part of London. In those districts which have suffered severely safety definitely comes before comfort, whether it means sleeping on escalators in tubes or in unhealthy basements.

         Steps are now being taken to improve the conditions in public shelters. I am at present employed in the Public Health Department of the Shoreditch Borough Council, where the inhabitants are almost exclusively of the poorer classes. The density of the population naturally gave rise to many difficulties. Approximately there are 500 shelters of various types from surface shelters, reinforced trenches, to factory basements and including Old Street Tube Station. The Medical Officer of Health has received reports from the Sanitary Inspectors on all of these and, at present, they are making further inspections in conjunction with doctors, with a view to establishing shelter first-aid posts, &c. The question of purifying the air has already been attended to. We have engaged a man whose sole job is to spray the shelters with Ozonal. He sprays the small ones in the afternoons and the larger ones at night, blitz or no blitz. Already one can notice a difference in the atmosphere at Old Street Station in the mornings.

         Then there is the social side. Concerts &c., are arranged in the larger shelters, and they have certainly received a warm welcome from the shelter-goers, many of whom take up their places well before five and do not leave them again until six or seven the next morning. Canteens are also being installed.

* * *

NEWS OF OLD BOYS.

D. J. WOOTTON has been appointed to the Air Ministry Research Establishment. He tells us that he recently met Young (1928-35), who is in the I.C. Chemical Technology Department.

* * *

L. G. TRUSSELL, who left us last July, has been accepted by the R.A.F. as a pilot.

* * *

         We were all delighted to hear that BERNARD BARDEGA had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, and offer our heartiest congratulations. On another page we publish a letter from him.

* * *

Gunner D. Sim, who left the School in July, 1937, was with the A.A. Regiment, R.A., in Norway during the campaign there, and left England in September, to go "Somewhere out East." The one letter that has been received from him since then was posted at Gibraltar.

* * *

E. C. BURTON is a private in the Somerset Light Infantry.

* * *

K. RAWLINS is in the Borough Treasurer's Department of the Finchley Corporation.

* * *

         We very much regret to announce that 2nd/Lt. W. P. CREAK (1929-32) was killed in action at Dunkirk on May 29th.

* * *

MINEHEAD GOSSIP.

IN London we often complained of the lack of leisure time for we were at School all day, morning and afternoon, and by the time we reached home, after being pushed about in the Tube, there was only time to do homework. Here, in Minehead, it is rather the opposite. Now the question is, what does the Polytechnic do in its leisure time apart from (oh! dreadful thought) homework and racing round the town on bicycles?

         In this town there is a certain Club "where visitors are welcomed." Here our boys have their successes. For example, only a few weeks ago, in a billiards and snooker competition, they managed to win three games out of six. Well done, you cue-shovers, considering your more experienced opponents. This Club, for the information of those who do not know (and I have very good reason to believe that this number is very small), has three excellent billiard tables and a spacious table tennis (or do you prefer "ping-pong") room.

         The Staff, too, appear to have settled down in Minehead, judging by the number of talks they give at the Rotary Club (the attraction being, so I understand, the accompanying luncheon), Toc H, and other such-like Clubs. The talks they have given are most varied, ranging from the "Humours of Job-hunting" to such subjects of vital importance as "Nourishment in War Time" and "Spotlight on the German Character."

         The Youth Hostel debates are again going strong, and appear to be up to their last winter's high level. Some of these talks appear to be very appropriate, for example "Is Cleanliness a Fad?"

         If you were to go along on Friday nights, at 7.30 by the Masonic Hall, you would see, and most probably hear, the bright sparks of the Sixth Form. They have resurrected from the past their 49 Club, but 'nuff said. Judge for yourself from the reports above.

         The Poly's war efforts have been continued. Last term the boys put in some good work at the Dump, then this term they assisted the Government by about £40, which was raised by the brilliant acting of three one-act plays. The Poly. supplies not only pilots but planes (well, anyway, some rivets). When Poppy Day arrived the green and red caps were to be seen in the town "doing their bit," whilst at School, the collecting-box was jammed full.

         The Masters and most of the Senior boys still continue their nightly Home Guard vigil at Ridler's Yard. The qualifications (for the boys, anyway) seem to be (a) insomnia, and (b) ability to withstand the cold.

         Last, but not least, is OUR football team. Well done, boys, and thanks for many an entertaining (and not expensive) Saturday afternoon.

"SPECTATOR."

* * *

THE AIR RAID.

IT was about my tenth air raid in London, so it was no new  experience. I was cycling around the Outer Circle of Regents Park, when the mingled wailing notes of many sirens told me that the best place for me was home. Hardly had the notes died away when barrage balloons rose from all parts of Regents Park to join their comrades already in the heavens. Some rose almost vertically, some were caught in the wind and dipped and circled around in spite of all efforts to steady them. I put my front wheel in the direction of home and soon reached the busy thoroughfare of Parkway. I was struck by the calmness of the population. Some were standing in doorways of public shelters others just going on with their shopping or usual tasks. This was all so different from the first air raid I was in when everyone dashed helter-skelter in the hopes of finding a shelter. People poured out of cinemas and generally got in each others way. Now everything was quiet, orderly, and calm.

         I reached home, and, after stabling my iron steed, I went into the back garden to see if I could see anything and, incidentally, to be in quick reach of the air raid shelter. Then it started. Boom, boom, boom; dull thuds and orange bursts in the sky indicated the A.A. guns had found a victim. The battery of fire became intensified and, then I saw my first German 'plane. Ignoring all rules and regulations about taking cover, I gazed up and saw about 30 bombers, in no particular formation, with 20 fighters on guard circling around and diving in and out. Around them burst black puffs of A.A. shells, and now and then a shell would burst under the fuselage of a big bomber. As they got overhead our local A.A. guns on Primrose Hill, got on the job and I went inside for a few minutes as it was getting rather hot outside. However, it soon died down and when I eventually emerged the formation had entirely disappeared. In a few minutes though, a second lot appeared, and this time six Spitfires appeared from nowhere, and the Germans decided it was time to go home, so they fled with the Spitfires in pursuit. That was the last I saw of any German 'planes in that raid, and gradually the A.A. Battery died down. In about a quarter of an hour the steady note of the all-clear denoted I could finish my tour of the Outer Circle in peace.

G. DYER, 5A.

* * *

FORESTRY.

MOST of my holiday was spent, to my pleasure and considerable financial advantage, at Broadwood doing forestry. The first morning we rallied at nine-thirty at the Foresters' Arms, Dunster, and from there we started en masse to the estate with Mr. Andrews and Mr. Lambert in command. We arrived at the bottom of the steep, rough path to the site, left our bicycles, and started to climb. On top we viewed our enormous task, which was to clear about 33 acres of dense brushwood and scattered logs, some rotten, the others untrimmed. After being divided into squads and shown our respective sites, we set to work with a will. Mr. Andrews came round and showed us how to use our billhooks to best advantage and without cutting ourselves but, in spite of his advice, quite a few of us sustained injuries through carelessness.

         The branches were chopped off the fallen trees and the brushwood was piled up at the most convenient places ready to be burnt. Logs that were more than 3ins. in diameter and 4ft. in length, after being trimmed. were stacked in neat piles by the roadside in readiness for the tractor.

         Some boys were very anxious to fell a few trees, so much so that a fine of 6d. for chopping a standing tree was imposed to prevent valuable timber from being destroyed. The time went like the wind that morning, and at one o'clock we "knocked off" for dinner, and then about 40 hot, but happy boys attacked their sandwiches with milk provided by the farm. At two o'clock we had a roll-call and resumed work until 3.30, when we had a break for a drink, and then to five o'clock, when we had a roll-call and then finished for the day.

         After a week the work proved too strenuous for some boys, for our number dwindled from 40 to 30, but, in spite of that, we carried on, and by the end of 2½ weeks, we had done roughly one-third of the whole, and we had something to show for our efforts. Turning right you saw neat stacks of logs and tidy brushwood piles, whilst in the opposite direction appeared a mass of wild, untidy vegetation with scattered stumps rearing above it.

         On the morning of the second Saturday we began to wonder what to do about some wages. Many rumours had been going round and we were still none the wiser. At last our anxiety was relieved. Mr. Lambert arrived and told us definitely that we were going to be paid that afternoon at 5.30 at the County School.

         (When we "knocked off" at one o'clock, Saturday being half-day, boys were having exciting discussions as to how their money would be wasted).

         Thus Forestry continued until the work was completed, The boys who stuck it through looked as though it had done them good. What is finer than working stripped to the waist in the open air, the sun above tanning us a glorious brown ? Nothing.

A. BARBIERI, 5A.

* * *

FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

PERHAPS the most thrilling moment of the war for us here was when on Friday morning, September 27th, we saw a British 'plane chase a German bomber across Minehead and shoot it down at Porlock. Here is a sidelight on the incident. (ED.)

         I arrived in Minehead at six o'clock, and before half-an-hour I was in possession of every available scrap of information about the German 'plane. By half-past eight bits and pieces of German and British 'planes were rolling into The Dene. Each new arrival brought a crowd of gazing schoolboys, until the room looked like the lobby of the House of Commons. Pieces of fabric with bullet holes in were cut and re-cut until the hole was barely held together by the fabric. Over supper, discussions arose on every subject connected with airplanes. Small articles were passed round, and harmless nuts and bolts elevated into intricate pieces of machine guns or the engines; in fact, to hold the limelight, one had to tell bigger and ever bigger stories.

         The news that the School had to give up its beloved pieces hit the boys like the explosion of a bomb. The queue at the Dene became longer and longer. Boys arrived carrying curious-shaped pieces of metal. These were at once examined and their uses heatedly discussed. One by one they entered and gave up their precious parts, eager to learn if they were portions of a secret weapon. One boy took the percussion cap out of a live smoke bomb without knowing it was alive! The groups broke up still arguing and drifted towards the door. Many plied the policeman with questions regarding the uses of the various parts, but were met by a stone wall of silence. After a while they cleared away and the policeman, picking up his spoil, went out to his car - another nine days was at an end.

STOPPS, 5.A.

* * *

SIRENS IN THE HOSTEL

(By MORRIS, 5A).

WE were in the middle of our weekly debate when the sirens went. Some of the boys who had gone to bed early came down looking tired and planning suitable deaths for Adolf.

         We soon got straightened out, though, and after Harry Eastwood and Dibben had gone out for duty with Mr. and Mrs. Heppel, we carried on with the debate. After it had been decided, by a majority of 19 to 14, "that bicycles should not be taxed," we went into the kitchen for supper, and, after that, we returned to the common room till the "All clear" should go. I had not yet done my English homework but am taking this glorious opportunity to describe the actions of various members of the Hostel.

         Oz Kerswell and Klupsch are sleeping in a loving embrace in one corner; Neagus and Holding in another; whilst little Arthur Reeves lies asleep on a form.

         Moore, Gooding, Cecil, and Ridgwell are conducting a heated argument over a Monopoly board.

         Turney, Bignold, and little Harfield are gambling heavily. It's a pity that they are using Totopoly money otherwise some of them might be millionaires.

         Walsh is engrossed in reading a book called "Good Time" - very cynical. Gerry Dyer lies with his head on his arm, almost asleep.

         A thrilling game of shove-half-penny football is in progress. Arnold Goodman is beating Absolom 16-14. Arnold has just got a free kick. He has just scored another smashing goal from a long shot. Chubbie's off.

         He will!

         He won't!

         He has!!!

         That makes it 17-15.

         All this time the McMichael Quartet has been entertaining us with the dreariest passages from the "Song of the Volga" . . . . z z z . . . . z z z .

         (The above manuscript was found this morning with a large ink splash across it. Half covered by the arm of the sleeping Morris. It was carefully abstracted by McMichael and handed to me. Morris is still asleep. (EDITOR).

* * *

THE JUNIOR QUINTINIAN.

THE SPY.

ABOUT 10.30 at night two boys, Tom Smith and John Brown were walking along a quiet country lane. Soon they heard the droning of some 'planes. They guessed, by the throb of their engines, that they were Germans. Further down the lane stood a big Manor. "Here come the Jerries," said Tom. "Hullo! What's that light shining from the roof of the Manor? Gosh, I think someone is trying to signal to the 'planes. Let's run down and find out." So the two boys ran lightly towards the Old Manor. "I think I know an entrance round the back there," said John, pointing at the other side of the Old Manor. "Let's go and find out," agreed Tom. The two boys crept round the back of the building. "It's is just about here," whispered John. He went forward and started feeling with his hands along the wall. "Tom, I've found it," John called softly. The two boys crept up a tunnel leading into the house. "Tom, there is a big cupboard here. Shall we open it?" asked John. "Yes, we may as well," answered Tom. "Phew, look," exclaimed John, "bombs, sub-machine guns, rifles, and revolvers. Here, take one of these revolvers," said Tom, we may need one. "The boys crept up some more steps and found themselves on the roof. "There he is," said Tom pointing, "crouching down and flashing a torch.." The boys crept towards him on hands and knees. "Hands up, or I fire," said Tom in the lowest voice he could, and a few minutes later the spy was on his way to the local Police Station.

E. WORGER, 3A.

* * *

WHEN THE CLOCK STRUCK ONE.

THE house of Mr. Hartly Notts was surrounded by the police, for big things were expected to happen to-night. Mr. Hartly Notts was a diamond merchant on a large scale. He had a diamond called "The Snow Flake," which was worth £15,000, and he had received a note saying that the notorious Red Feather was going to steal it at exactly one o'clock in the morning, and defied the police to catch him. Inspector Castle, who was in charge of the case, was already keeping watch over the diamond with Sergeant Tyke and Mr. Hartly Notts. It was on the table in front of them in a strong metal case.

         It was a minute to one; everybody was tense with excitement. All of a sudden the light went out and there was a dull plop. Someone had thrown a gas bomb which exploded right underneath Inspector Castle and Sergeant Tyke, and they collapsed on the floor. Then the lights came on again. Inspector Castle and Sergeant Tyke slowly recovered, but Mr. Hartly Notts still lay unconscious on the floor. The Inspector got up and looked at the box; it was open, and the diamond had gone. "There's only one person," he thought, "who could open that box in a couple of seconds like that - the man who had the key. And the only person who has a key is Mr. Hartly Notts. But how did the lights go out? The switch is not near enough for him to have turned the light out." And then Inspector Castle saw a little switch under the table which short-circuited the light. "Yes, I think it's clear now. He meant to steal his own diamond and then claim insurance. But he made a slight mistake. He shouldn't have collapsed, because the gas bomb didn't explode anywhere near him. That's what made me think. The story about Red Feather was just to throw suspicion from himself." And, walking over to the "unconscious" Hartly Notts, the Inspector slipped a pair of handcuffs on his wrists.

R. MORRIS, 3A.

* * *

MY EXPERIENCE IN AN AIR-RAID.

IT was a dull afternoon, so it was decided that we should all have an afternoon at the pictures in a nearby Cinema called the Regal.

         We had just started out on our journey when we heard the wail of a distant siren, which told us that enemy 'planes were about. My two brothers and I wanted to carry on, but after a bit of complaining we consented to return home.

         It did not take us very long to get into our Anderson shelter, as the guns were already firing at the invaders, which were already overhead. Directly after we had climbed down into our shelter the anti-aircraft guns stopped firing and all was quiet. Then suddenly the guns broke out afresh, more fiercely than ever. I looked out of the shelter and in the sky above I saw hundreds of German 'planes trying to fly in formation. They were not very successful as some of our Spitfires were continually chasing them out of the sky. When the Spitfires had finished with them the Germans were peppered with anti-aircraft shells, which, to me, seemed like many balls of fluff.

         While this was happening bombs were falling all around us. Once a stick of bombs fell so close that the shelter shook and we were covered with dirt which fell in. At first, when bombs dropped near us, we all ducked as if we were out in the open, but they came down so fast that we soon got used to them.

         When the "All Clear" had sounded we went out to see the damage which had been caused. Many a house had been hit, but the worst thing of all was an optician's shop, which was razed to the ground. Just as we arrived there we saw them carry the woman who lived there into an ambulance. Her husband, who was in the garden at the time, escaped without injury.

         We learnt later that a time bomb had fallen outside the Regal and everybody had to come out. Therefore it was lucky for us that we had decided to stay at home.

KENNETH GOLD, 3B.

* * *

MRS. POTT'S 'AT.

MRS. POTT was one of the many women who were evacuated from London at the beginning of the war to "Somewhere in England." She had settled down to the new life very well, but there was one thing very peculiar about her. She always wore a hat that had a great bunch of flowers on it. All the villagers stared at her whenever they happened to see her, but none were bold enough to ask her the reason of it. One day the village policeman, a Mr. Brown, walked up to Mrs. Pott and said, "Mrs. Pott, why have you got that there bunch of flowers in your 'at?" "Well," said Mrs. Pott, "to cut a long story short, it's me camouflage." By this time a crowd had gathered round the pair. "Big factories," continued Mrs. Pott, "paint their roofs like the country round them so that when ole man Jerry comes along with his bombs he'll fink the factory is part of the fields and won't bomb 'em. It's like tha' with me. When I'm walking through the fields wiv me 'at on Jerry will fink I'm part of the fields and won't bomb me, I hope." And, believe me, or believe me not, from that time onwards all the women in the village wore hats like Mrs. Potts.

R. HELLER, 3B,

* * *

CANDIDATE FOR A DENTIST.

         (Curtain rises with examining doctor in his surgery and candidate entering).

         E.D. : Will you be seated. Now let's start. Let us presume that your patient is in the waiting room. What would you do ?

         C : Call him in.

         D : Docked 10 marks for not keeping him waiting half-an-hour so that he'll think you are very busy. What have you to amuse your patient while he is waiting?

         C : I have a number of U.S. Magazines that specialise in continued stories, and one English.

         D : Docked five marks for having an English Magazine on the premises.

         C : But it's a children's Magazine.

         D : You should have nothing of interest for children. They might forget their troubles. Now, look smart, your patient is coming in. . . What do you do?

         C : Well, I sit him in the chair and say his teeth are in a very bad state, then I go into the other room and have a quiet smoke.

         D : That's very good. Now suppose a person came for a silver fiIling. What would you do?

         C : Give the person a gold filling, sir. More money.

         D : Suppose a mother brought in a spoilt child to have a loose milk tooth drawn. What would you do there?

         C : Give the mother gas and use direct action on the brat.

         D : Now, one last thing. How would you arrange your future appointments?

         C : Tell the patient to come at the most inconvenient hour for him, and insist on that time.

         D : Good. You have passed the degree of Dental Surgeon. Put a brass plate on the door and may all your patients come from Mayfair.

B. PEISSEL, 3B.

* * *

There was a young ram of West Sutton,

Who for trouble did not care a button,

'Till along came a car,

When he just gave a "Baa,"

And in less than no time he was mutton.

R. WILLIAMS, 3B.

* * *

A SPY PROBLEM.

DAN BLADE, British Secret Service agent in Berlin, sat in deep thought in a Berlin Night Club. He had been given orders by his superior officer to pass a document on to a fellow spy at this very Club. He couldn't just go up to the spy and give him the document for walls have eyes and ears in Germany. Dan Blade picked up the paper that was lying on the chair next to him and started to read. A plan was forming in his mind. He finished his coffee and beckoned to the waiter, asking for his bill. Having paid he was just going to leave when he made a casual remark to the waiter. "What do you think of the news in the newspaper?" he said. "Not bad," answered the waiter. As Dan Blade left the other spy took his seat.

How did Dan Blade get the document to the other spy?

(Answer in the last section)

LUBERT, 4A.

* * *

THROUGH A SIEVE.

WHEN on a cycling trip in Ireland I was nearing the village of Migginty, and as I arrived at the top of the hill, at the bottom of which nestled the village, I saw a man. He was an oldish man, one of those fortunate people who can look either 60 or 40 according to their wish. He was at work putting earth into a small sieve and sprinkling it over the roadway.

         As I came to a halt beside him he looked up and, with a polite "Good day," he sat down and fished out some bread and cheese, offered me some, and started eating. I declined the offer, dismounted, and sat down beside him. After a long silence, broken only by the munching of bread and cheese, he said, "Have you any Irish? I replied that I had no Irish, and he went on munching. When he had finished I asked him whether he knew any local legends?

         "Well," he replied, "This hill is called Mount Misherlan, and once upon a time it was the dwelling-place of the wee folk. Now down in yonder village there was a man, and no honester man was there in Ireland. He was God-fearin', and he wouldn' step in a fairy ring. His name was Pat. O'Connor. Well, one day he was walkin' by that lake away to yer left and the ground split open and up jumped a wee fellow in a green cloak. Patrick O'Connor felt mighty frightened at the sight o' him, for he saw that it was Namsharlen, the King of the Fairies. But he had no need to be frightened for Namsharlen said, "Patrick O'Connor, you are an honest man, you're God-fearin', and you wouldn't step in a wee folks ring, so I'm goin' to give you a present. Follow me." So Patrick followed him right to the side of this mountain. There Namsharlen said a magic word and the mountain opened. Pat fearfully followed Namsharlen inside.

         "The inside of the mountain was like a foundry, with fairies instead of men, and gold instead of iron. Pat. stood gaping at the scene around him, and then Namsharlen spoke. "You can take as much of that as you can carry," he said, pointing to a big pile of gold. Pat still gaped, then, thanking the fairy with all his heart, he filled all his pockets and carried an armful outside. There he again thanked Namsharlen, and Namsharlen said, "Next year, at the same time, at the same place. And if you mention this to anybody . . ." With this warning ringing in his cars Pat saw that Namsharlen had gone, so he went home.

         "Years went by and Pat became fatter and lazier each year. And each year when he went for his gold, he wore a suit with more pockets than before, and carried a sack over his shoulder. Soon the tale about his wealth had gone all over Ireland, and one year two Englishmen came to the village and, with complete disregard of Namsharlen's warning, he told them, at a price, how he got his gold. The next day he took them to the spot where the mountain opened. There they dug and they dug for days and days, yet they found no gold. So they went away. That year, when Pat went for his gold he found Namsharlen waiting for him dressed in red. "Patrick O'Connor," he said, "You have disregarded my warning. Take this, it is a sieve. Go to Mount Misherlan and break it up into bits small enough to go through this sieve." and he disappeared. Pat took the sieve and, as far as I know, he is still on this mountain," the man concluded.

         I looked from him to his sieve and back again. Then I thanked him and said "Good-bye," and beat a hasty retreat to the village.

         That night in the house of Mrs. O'Flarherety, when I told her the story, she assured me that the man was there just to mend the road. But I have different views on the subject.

J. L. BOOTH, 4A.

* * *

CONVERSATIONS OVERHEARD.

         A : Four pounds ten, or nothing.

         B : Look here! For four pounds ten I can sell you the handlebars only.

         A : Take it or leave it, four pounds ten!

         B : The bike's good, the frame's good. What do you think I would be if I sold you such a smashing piece of work for four pounds ten?

         A : I can tell you what you would be if you don't!

         B : I paid eleven pounds ten for this bike last Christmas, and if I sold it to you for four pounds ten I would be mad! I know plenty of people who would gladly give me eight pounds for this.

         A : How many people?

         B : Well - er, one or two.

         A : How many people?

         B : Well, I can soon find someone who would be glad to take advantage of such a generous offer.

         A : All right, find someone, I'm going home.

         B ; Hey, wait a sec.

         A : Yes?

         B : How much did you say you would give me?

         A : Four pounds ten!

         B : Well - er, what about, shall -er- we say five pounds ten and it's yours?

         A : Four pounds ten.

         B : But, my dear fellow, I might as well be giving it away for that sum.

         A : Who cares. I don't want the old thing, anyway.

         B : How much did you say?

         A : Four pounds ten.

         B : I'll tell you what I'll do.

         A : What?

         B : Give me four pounds ten now and you can pay me the other pound by instalments.

         A : I'll see you ----------

         B : All right, all right, keep your shirt on.

         A : Who's taking their shirt off, anyway?

         B : My dear fellow, I was only using a figure of speech.

         A : Oh; I'm sorry.

         B : Never mind, but will you take the bike?

         A : For four pounds ten, yes.

         B : Oh, all right, as a special favour to you. Hand over the four pounds ten.

         A : But I haven't got four pounds ten.

         B : What do you mean?

         A : Well, I told a friend of mine you had a bike to sell and, just as a matter of curiosity, he wondered how much you wanted for it.

R. GOIDE, 4B.

* * *

THEM EVACUEES.

"THEM evacuees," said Mrs. Smith, to her neighbour," Mrs. Jones, "is the worry of my life. Only half-an-hour ago that John came home along the footpath with his shoes and socks sopping wet, and him with his cold, too."

         "You ought to have my Dave, then, or Dick," said Mrs. Jones. "They'd show your boys a thing or two in the way of getting as wet and dirty as possible in a jiffy. Minde'e, now, I'm not saving they're rude, or not willing, they're just headstrong."

         "Oh, my boys are willin' enough - too willin' if you ask me. Yesterday Fred asked them if they would help him dig up the allotment, an' they slunk off without a word, an' when they got back he said he'd throw them out for not helping him (though he'd not done a stroke of work himself). And when he went up there he found they'd dug it all up (includin' his patch of cabbage seeds), On top of that they'd dug up the next allotment as well."

         "I'm always threatening to throw mine out and make em' go up to the Hostel. I will, too, next time the Matron comes," said Mrs. Jones. Then she went on, "As for breaking and wearing out boots and clothes, well! There's Dick, for instance. He tore a girt lump out of his School blazer and lost his badge off his cap last Friday. And then he wanted me to mend it by Saturday because they had House-meetings or something, and he might get into trouble about it."

         "Yes," said Mrs. Smith. "What about the flicks, as they call them. My boys go regular every Monday and ----

         "Ours are always late for supper when they've been to the pictures on a Monday," said Mrs. Jones. "The minute I see that Matron I'll tell her them boys must clear out of here at once."

         At that moment the door-bell rang. "Excuse me," she said, and went to the door. It was the Matron, Mrs. White.

         "Good morning, Mrs. Jones, I have just called to see how the boys are getting on."

         "Oh, they're doing well," said Mrs. Jones.

         "Do they help you at all, and are they clean? I noticed one of them had a patch on his coat, but it was so beautifully mended that it was scarcely noticeable," said the Matron.

         "Yes, they are very willing to help, and wash regularly. Every day they go out in the morning and come back punctual. In fact, I can't remember them ever being late at all."

         "Well, you're lucky," said the Matron, "for they're regular terrors in School. If you ever want to get rid of them we have a few spare. places up at the Hostel."

         "What, send my boys to the Hostel?" said Mrs. Jones. "I never dreamt of such a thing. Why the house would seem quite lost without them."

         "Well, that's all right then," said the Matron as she turned to leave. "I must be going now. Good-bye." As she went out she did not notice two wet and muddy figures slink in, one with a big tear in his trousers.

         Mrs. Jones resumed her chat with Mrs. Smith, "Them evacuees -"

A. MARSHALL, L.5A.

* * *

THE P . . . . Y CADET CORPS ON PARADE.

(By our Special Correspondent in M - - - - - - d, somewhere on the South-West Front.)

A BAND of bugles blares out the Fall In, and the parade begins. The Cadets are so dazed by this ear-shattering blast that they are easily marshalled to the Gym. wall.

         Then R.S.M. S - - tt - - w - - - h yells out, "Markers!" There is an immediate response from the Seniors, who dash to their places, but none from the Juniors, all the Junior N.C.O.'s being invariably in detention on Saturday morning.

         At last everyone is sorted out and there is an inspection. In this inspection Lieut. Srn - - h goes round, followed by the R.S.M. and C.Q.M.S. R - b - - - s - n.

         All is quiet and peaceful until a mysterious figure in a cloak of darkness (Mr. B - - d - n in his black overcoat) emerges suddenly upon the scene and, before departing, gives orders for a number of Cadets to report to him afterwards because they did not turn up to detention. (I do not know why, because Mr. B - - d - n is such a nice understanding gentleman). Then the parade starts, but unfortunately the "singing" that is coming out of the shower baths completely drowns the R.S.M.'s order, " About turn," with the result that the Junior Platoon marches leisurely into the hedge.

         (At this point our correspondent was hauled off to the detention, about which he had completely forgotten. - ED.)

B. E. SAMUELS L.5A.

* * *

THE SEASONS.

WINTER is the season of fog and rain and snow,

The birds are gone, the trees are bare, and the cold winds blow,

But Christmastide, the birth of Christ, the holiest day of the year,

Fills us full of happiness, good wishes, and good cheer.

Pink and white blossoms and flowers all so gay

Herald to us all that SPRING is on the way.

Tender green leaves burst forth on the trees,

The air is alive with the droning of bees.

SUMMER comes next, bringing warm, sunny weather,

And moors gaily splashed with the colourful heather.

New gorgeous-hued flowers have greeted the sun,

Soft gossamer webs are by spiders now spun.

Then AUTUMN arrives with her rich-coloured train,

And soon warm, sunny days turn to mists and to rain,

The farmer has gathered his golden-eared corn,

The pride of the boughs from the tall trees is torn.

C. F. O'NEILL, L.5A.

* * *

THE HAUNTED CAR.

         It was a December evening, dark and foggy, when Jim Davis, tired and weary after a hard day's work, missed his last train home.

         The fog was so thick that he could not see an arm's length in front of himself. The traffic was moving along the road very slowly, and all one could see of it were tiny lights suddenly appearing through the gloom and disappearing just as quickly.

         Jim decided, not very hopefully, to get a lift and, as he saw a car travelling (like the rest of the traffic) very slowly, he held out his arm. To this relief the car stopped, so he jumped in and the door closed behind him. The car began to move again, and Jim turned to thank the driver and then, to his surprise and horror he discovered there was no driver. He tried to get out, but as the door was of the self-locking type he could not, so he sat back resigning himself to his fate. Suddenly he leaned forward again in terror; the car was going to crash into an approaching lorry. But before he could touch the steering wheel a hand, dripping with blood, appeared through the front window, guided the car, and withdrew again. Time and time again this guiding hand, covered with blood, saved the car from destruction. By this time Jim was almost hysterical. At last the car pulled up outside a hotel and Jim shouted, "Let me out of here." A man with a badly lacerated hand thrust his head through the window and said, " Blimy, where did you come from?" "Let me out," said Jim, "there's something wrong about this car." "Don't I know it, mate," replied the man, "I've been pushing the ruddy thing for the last half-hour."

J. WELLS, L.5B.

* * *

ROUTINE.

"CONTACT!" As darkness gradually closed down on the airdrome a Squadron of large Wellington's turned into the wind and took off. They were off to Berlin! There was silence for the first quarter-of-an-hour. The navigator gives the pilot his course. The coast slips behind. They are over the North Sea. The wireless operator gets a weather report, which he hands to the sergeant-pilot. They are going up 10,000 feet, 15,000, then 20,000. It's freezing! They take a drink out of the Thermos they have brought. There is silence in the 'plane; outside the twin engines roar on. The last message is taken over the wireless. They must communicate no more with their base as their signals might give their position away to the waiting Germans somewhere ahead. The wireless operator suggests a game of cards with the bomb-aimer front gunner. Their game is interrupted by an order to go and test their guns. Their guns being found in working order, they return to their game, only to be rudely interrupted by the pilot stating that the coast of Germany was just ahead. The wireless operator went to his rear gun turret and the bomb-aimer to his front turret. The batteries at Wilhelmshaven open up, but, although the sky seems full of flying metal, nothing hits them. They then strike inland towards Berlin. Not long after the navigator tells the pilot that they are over Spandau, where the Deutsch-Werke small arms factory is situated. Searchlights sweep the sky. Suddenly one picks out their 'plane. Every gun in Berlin seems to open fire on the British visitor. Their wings and fuselage are ripped by shrapnel. At last they find themselves over their objective, the Tempelhof Airdrome! The pilot tells the bomb-aimer to get ready. They dive! The bomb-aimer gives the pilot directions. Then with a mighty shout he yells, "Got it!" and the bombs are released. A stick of bombs falls across the main buildings. They pull out of their dive. A Messerschmitt comes towards them. One burst from the rear-gunner sends it in a spin down into the streets of Berlin. Then they go north to shower the Rheinmetall-Barsag machine-gun works with incendiaries and the remaining high explosives. Then back across Germany. Over the North Sea they run into severe electrical storms. The wireless operator and the bomb-aimer nonchalantly go on playing cards.

         At last, as the sun begins to peep over the horizon, a Squadron of Wellingtons land at an airdrome. Just routine!

N. NEWMAN, L.5c.

* * *

ESCAPE!

I FIRST met my friend a few months ago and, from him, I obtained this story of his escape from Dunkirk.

         I was stationed at Lille when the news reached us that the Germans were some 20 kilos to the rear of us. Before this news reached us we were pleased with the progress the B.E.F. was making. We were told to load, but even before we had time to do this another order came through to throw away the breaches and hide the guns themselves, and go to block roads. Before one had time to demur the Germans were upon us. What could one do except flee? We did so, but before we had gone far we saw the grey seething, screaming hordes of the Nazis. How I wished to mow them down! Faster and faster we went, but wheels are faster than legs, and though we tried to keep the invading Huns away with the guns we had picked up from our fallen comrades, still they came on in screaming masses. Whether the German soldiers were drugged by their officers or were absolutely mad could not be seen, but their screaming was unearthly.

         Then Dunkirk. After fighting a vigorous rear-guard action we at last arrived at Dunkirk. If it wasn't for the excellent moral of the average Tommy there would have been panic, but as it was there was no sign of it. Our iron rations had been eaten long before Dunkirk, and never had I had before such a nauseating feeling at the pit of my stomach. Hunger! We were faced with starvation unless we were relieved in the near future. Our main work was blowing up guns the French had left behind for the Germans, and our main food was horse flesh. Our drink was tea, if it could be called so, which we invariably threw away. Five days were we on Dunkirk beaches. Five days of incessant bombing. Five days of starvation. Five days of thirst. Five days of hope and chagrin. Many ships came for us and we walked out to them along a line of army lorries which had been driven out to form a makeshift jetty. This was the German's main objective, but naturally many struck the beach.

         Many small craft were overturned by too many eager boarders clambering aboard. So, when I saw a submarine chaser some half-a-mile out, I swam to it. After a swim which seemed to last for hours I, nearly exhausted, boarded the vessel. I immediately collapsed. I awoke when the batteries of Calais opened fire. Crusader the ship's name was, and a Crusader it was. The guns registered a 100 yards minus hit and a 100 yards plus hit. And so the Captain, sensing what was to come next, put on full speed and escaped the shell that hit the sea where the ship had just stopped. After crossing the channel in 2½ hours we arrived home - HOME.

S. LEVY, L.5c.

* * *

AN AIR RAID.

DOWN! Down! Down! The Terrors of the skies were making another of their periodical raids. Their helpless victims scattered as quickly as they could, but it was useless to try. One by one, slowly but surely, they perished. Joe was the first to go; he was torn asunder; ugh! it was a horrible sight to see. Bill and Reg. were next, and so they went, one after another. Suddenly, out of the clean blue sky would come a flight of these demons. Dive after dive was made. They had no pity, no soul ; there was no hope of escape from them. Should you be caught in one of those raids it was all over for you. But look! They are going. The feeble voices of those remaining alive cheered again and again, for there would be no raid now until to-morrow.

         The sparrows had finished their breakfast of worms.

D. LEEDON, L.5c.

* * *

THE FIRE AT TOC H.

IT was about seven o'clock in the morning of November 20th, and the wind was howling round the chimneys. It was a typical November morning, for the mist lay on the ground, and it was drizzling with rain. There were only a few people about at the time of the discovery of the fire by Mr. Stroud from his window, and while the first excitement was being carried on I was peacefully sleeping. The first thing that woke me up was a mighty roar as the roof of Toc H room collapsed. Of course, I was not to know this, and at once thought "The Jerries have got us!" I rushed to my window and saw a sight which reminded me of a magnificent firework display.

         The sky was full of sparks, which were borne hither and thither by the seemingly enraged wind. The flames were leaping heavenwards, and the smoke was pouring from every hole or gap.

         I at once dressed and went out through our garage to the scene of the fire. The building by now was a raging inferno, and the Fire Brigade were doing their utmost to control the flames; but it was no good. Slates and burning wood were falling all the time. At last, however, the firemen were able to get nearer, and they played the hoses on the fire to the best of their ability.

         By this time Tythings Court was crowded by all types of people; interested spectators, though, all of them. There were newspaper reporters, tradesmen, and business men on their way to work, and children who stopped on their way to school. There was a number of soldiers there assisting the Brigade in all ways possible. A group of four soldiers even handled a hose while the firemen got on the roof with a hose to play down on the fire.

         At last, at about nine o'clock, the fire was well under control and the crowd began to disperse. This fire, it is said, was the worst since the Drill Hall fire in 1938. There were thousands of pounds worth of property lost in the fire, and it is a great loss to the soldiers who frequented the Canteen.

G. GODDARD, L.5c.

* * *

"POLY." PLEASANTRIES.

EVACUATION EXPERIENCES "REVUED" IN SCHOOL CONCERT

UNDER the above heading the West Somerset Free Press gives a full account of the end of term concert last July. It continues:-

         "The boys made merry over evacuation experiences during the ten months or so they have been 'exiled' from London. Through a 40-minute show styled 'The Polytechnic by the Sea,' they 'revued' in witty rhymes and parody set to tuneful music the high lights of their activities in and out of School - mostly out of - during their stay in the West. To a familiar air they sang -

"Oh, we'm come down to Somerset,

          For the next six years or so,

We'm come to study geometry

          And how the turnips grow.

So if you're wanting Poly. boys

          To plough or reap or hoe,

To find square roots or dig roots up

          Will you kindly let us know."

         The frequency with which Poly. boys "get into the news" provided matter for another well-constructed song.

Though you would never guess

We're always in the Press.

What will the local papers do

When this evacuation's through?

It's really quite a problem,

Who will they get to fill them?

Be careful what you say,

It's in the papers every' day.

                                  Chorus -    There is no need to voice your views,

                                                    In any case you're in the news.

On every Friday you will find

Reported scenes of varied kind

By Mr. Kille, who cures our blues

And proves to us we're front page news.

He writes of football and of plays,

He tells at length of all our ways,

Of Hostel talks and billets new,

And even what our Masters do.

This very concert you're attending

In shorthand notes he may be rendering.

But there are other writers, too,

Who don't much care for what is true.

For instance, you would never guess

If you'd not read the London Press.

News-Chronicle and Daily Mail,

That really we should be in jail.

Some of these papers try to prove

We're nearly always on the move.

We've been to Reading, Bath, and Looe,

We should be soon in Timbuctoo.

On pin tables amusements gay

We squandered fortunes every day.

Reports were based on flimsy grounds,

For all such haunts were out of bounds.

And we were guilty of a crime

To leave in hordes last Whitsun time.

"Trains packed with boys," the papers said,

"When they had orders all to stay."

Which proves, you see, how twelve boys might

Become four hundred overnight.

         The Poly L.D.V.'s, too, were honoured with a couple of songs, one to the tune of the "British Grenadiers" and this one to "John Peel":-

Do you ken North Hill in the bright noon day,

Do you ken North Hill in the twilight grey,

Do you ken North Hill at the break of day

          With the sun on the sea in the morning.

CHORUS OF "L.V.D.'s"

Yes we ken North Hill in the bright noon day,

And we ken North Hill in the twilight grey,

And we ken North Hill at the break of day

        For we kept faithful watch 'till the morning.

For our comrades call roused us from our bed

And we watched as the darkness around us spread,

And we heard the larks rise overhead,

          As we kept faithful watch 'till the morning.

Now we sleep on beds in Ridler's Yard,

Our slumbers watched by the mounted guard,

And we kick old Shuttleworth for snoring too hard

          As we wait for the call in the morning.

But we miss the climb in the twilight grey

And the waking birds with their carols gay,

And the sun on the sea at the break of day,

          While we kept faithful watch 'till the morning.

         Geo. Evans, C. Cohen, D. D. Jones, and B. Warren diverted their audience with a burlesque of a B.B.C. programme, which included "News Bulletins," a physical training season, musical items, and talks. R. Elvery, with a humorous monologue and E. Methley with a couple of well-played violin solos, helped to fill out the programme. The four performers in the "broadcasting" turn also presented a farcical sketch, "Round the Houses," which had to do with the vicissitudes of a pair of trousers. H. Shuttleworth, with a piano accordion, led the singing of several popular choruses, and another comedy, "The Purple Bedroom," presented by the "knock-about wing" of the School Dramatic Society, concluded the programme. The characters in this were taken by Cohen, Evans, Saville, Warren and Goddard.

         Mr. Hough had the main share in devising, producing, and giving the musical settings to "Minehead by the Sea," the lyrics of which were written by various Masters and boys. Mr. W. J. Russell was the producer of the sketch, and valiant service was rendered by other masters, notably Mr. Checkley and Sambrook. A word of appreciation by Dr. Worsnop of the efforts of those responsible for the entertainment was endorsed with the cheers by the boys.

* * *

MUDDLETON MAGNA'S AIR DISPLAY.

SOME time before war began we gave an air display at our             station on behalf of local charities. Our star turn was the final item on the programme, "A thrilling episode of service life in the Outposts of the Empire," written and produced entirely by our indefatigable Adjutant.

         The idea was something like this. A small body of British Infantry is trudging wearily across the desert. Suddenly they are ambushed by a horde of ferocious and blood-thirsty natives.

         Our troops put up a magnificent fight and finally beat off the attack but, unfortunately, when they had set off on their expedition, they forgot to bring any water with them. In a short time the cruel desert sun does its worst, and the unhappy troops proceed to die miserably of thirst, stretched out on the burning sand with their faces turned grimly towards the foe.

         In the meantime the pitiless enemy creep nearer and nearer intent on the final rush. There is no hope now, all is lost, "die hard men," when suddenly - no! yes! can it be? yes, it is, you're right, hurrah! it is the Royal Air Force to the rescue.

         Down through the clouds hurtle a Squadron of R.A.F. machines, their guns rattling, and swoop over the doomed column. Parachutes belly in the air, and containers of life-giving water drift gently down, and the dying troops who stagger to their feet and, with cracked voices, give three cheers for the R.A.F. Meanwhile the foiled enemy creep away. The scene ends dramatically with a troop carrier landing beside the rescued Infantry, who then climb aboard and are borne away in safety.

         A pretty good show, we thought, and we hoped that on the day the crowd would think so, too.

         The great day arrived, the sun shone brilliantly, and the crowd arrived in large numbers to gaze with most gratifying admiration at the many displays we had prepared.

         All went well until we reached the climax of our star item. Then, unluckily, just as the 'planes released the parachutes, a light West wind sprang up and the containers of water meant for the Infantry, drifted towards the enemy position. This did not matter since there were reserves for a second salvo, but, to the Adjutant's dismay, the "dying" troops sprang to their feet in evident consternation, took one horrified look at the containers drifting away, and promptly made a most desperate and quite unrehearsed charge straight at the enemy. The enemy apparently actuated by the same mysterious motive made a simultaneous and equally desperate counter charge, and the two bodies met with a terrific crash just where the containers hit the ground. For some minutes there was a frightful melee, whilst the Adjutant tore his hair in despair, and the entranced audience cheered itself hoarse.

         At last discipline and superior training prevailed over hearth-rugs and feathers, and the enemy were seen to be in full flight. The victorious troops returned to their post with the containers, eagerly quenched their thirst, and then the troop-carrier landed and took them away.

         The crowd went home well satisfied.

         So was the Air Marshal when he complimented our Adjutant "on an excellent performance with a most spirited and unexpected conclusion." The Adjutant accepted these compliments nervously because he had expected a reprimand, muttered something about last minute alterations, and went away hurriedly to make enquiries.

         The explanation was very simple. It seems that the gallant British Infantry, with that sturdy common sense that has characterised the British soldier from time immemorial, had arranged for the containers to be full of beer, and the enemy got wind of it.

K. R. ST. JOHN, L.6 Moderns.

* * *

AUNT KATIE'S KORNER.

RUMMAGING the other day amid the ancient archives of the County School Library, I came across a tattered piece of parchment, covered with queer Anglo-Saxon writing. Obviously it had not seen the light of day for countless centuries. Having burst into song at the latter end of this Magazine so often, I need a new waistband; so I give you this as an alternative to my own composition. It is the mournful ditty of a Minehead swain, done on parchment.

Sae turrn ye lytle wurrms*

       Amid ye leafs sae dreer.

And tyckle ye pigges tums

       When thro' ye grasse thei steer.

Ye red coos sitte around

       Lyke lumpes of fryed fysh,

Mit undies on the ground

       Their tailes in puddles swysh.

Their re-inforced leather

       Dothe keep out alle ye wette.

Thei never heed the weather

       And caulds thei never gette.

O woulde Ic had a wooly coat

       Without any buttons,

And leggings right up to my throte

       Just lyke thei loopy muttons.

No gargle would Ic then require,

       My nose would cease to run.

I'd join the Politekknikke choir

       To fright the beastly Hun.

* - Modern English of this word is " worms."

         The other morning I arose very early to make the welkin ring, and to do homage to the dawn. I flung on my blue silk gown and silver sheen, and tripped fairly lightly down the path. The dew was on the apple trees and the birds were drowsily tuning up for the morning's community singing. It was only ten o'clock, and the early worm had just begun to wend his wary way homewards, slithering hither and thither to dodge the early bird. It was a beautiful scene. The cock had not yet heralded the sun with a triumphant clarion call. Below me, in the town, the streets slumbered on, deserted, except for a whistling Poly. boy cheerily making his way to a pre-breakfast class in Meth.2 or Ma.l.

         It's splendid, you know, to think of all these boys getting up so bravely, in the dark, making their landladies cups of tea, washing their shirts and socks at the Hostels, and looking after the breakfasts and silver. How lucky Mr. Judd and Mr. Russell must be to have all those boys looking after them. No wonder they have that look of bonhomie - not a care in the world.

O to be a Master true

       In Hostel by the sea,

And get your slippers warmed for you

       By lads from Number 3.

Your shaving water comes along,

       A knock upon your door,

The boy politely lifts his cap

       If you may chance to snore.

When eggs are scarce, for Masters kind,

       The boys give up their share,

And buy a fowl and make it lay

       Although its fed on air.

And now here is my competition

         1 - Who said this, and whatever for?

                  "Blow, bugles, blow."

         2. - Which is correct.

                  "The Poly. Junior Cadet held up his rifle," or

                  "The rifle held up the Poly Junior Cadet" ?

         3. - A fellow I know, in London, missed the siren the other night, but woke up, heard the "All clear," thought it was an alarm, and took cover for three hours ?

                  Give in about 100 words what you think he said when he discovered his mistake.

Prizes.

         1st PRIZE - A study of an egg, a lemon, and an onion, entitled "Still Life," done in oils - on a plate.

         2nd PRIZE. - Loan of a father, resident for the Christmas holidays in a reception area.

         3rd PRIZE - A mump germ - good for three weeks' quarantine.

         CONSOLATION PRIZE.-A german measle germ - good for nothing at all.

* * *

         Well, so long, boys! My love to you all. You are never far from my thoughts. Let me know what you want for Christmas. It always interests me.

Your respectable

AUNT KATE.

* * *

A SPY PROBLEM.

         Answer :- He left it in the newspaper. He gave the clue to his fellow spy by his remark to the waiter: "What do you think of the news in the newspaper?"

         All the other spy had to do was to sit in Dan Blade's seat, pick up the newspaper as if to read, and thus get the document.

6k