CHRONICLES

“Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit."

The following appointments have been made since our last issue:

Prefects (Girls): Valerie Cousens, Winifred Jones.

Captain of Cricket: C. Cannon.

Captain of Athletics (Boys): D. Luxon.

Captain of Athletics (Girls): Vera Tew.

Captain of Tennis: Gillian Lawes.

Mr. Earp and Mr. Walker are retiring at the end of the Summer Term. Appreciations of their contribution to the life of the School over a long period of years are given elsewhere in this Magazine. Mr. Earp has now recovered from the operation he underwent in the Easter holidays and we hope he enjoys good health during his retirement.

At a recent Governors' Meeting the recommendation was made to the Devon Education Committee for the notification that Mr. A. R. Andrews, B.A., be appointed Deputy Headmaster with effect from the date of the retirement of Mr. G. N. Earp.

During Mr. Earp's absence from School we had the assistance of Mr. Mather, a County Supply Head.

Mr. Gibson left us at the end of the Christmas Term and he was replaced temporarily by Mrs. Heard. She gave us invaluable assistance with the play and we hope she enjoyed her short stay with us.

There were the usual activities at the end of the Christmas term. The form parties were the usual success, the Sixth form party being notable for the "warming-up" performance of a School skiffle group aided by piano and clarinet.

The Carol Service was held as usual in Withycombe Parish Church. For the first time members of the School were responsible for all the readings.

A party of over 300 of the School went to the Pavilion to see the West of England Theatre Company's production of "As You Like It" on January 30th.

The big event of the Spring term was "St. Joan". A total of over 800 saw the four performances. An account by Ron Delderfield appears elsewhere in this Magazine.

On Monday, February 4th, a privileged party of Sixth Formers had the pleasure of visiting the Buller Hall, Exeter. There they enjoyed a programme presented by the Troupe Francaise. After an entertaining one act play, La Grammaire, by Labiche they heartily enjoyed Le Medecin Malgre Lui by Moliere, which was excellently produced. Grateful thanks are extended to the Headmaster, who kindly allowed them to attend the matinee performance.

At the end of the Spring term the School Library acquired a new edition (1957) of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Since the edition hitherto in use was at least fifty years old, this was indeed an important occasion in the history of the School. There is no need to emphasise the variety and the extent of the information available but it is, perhaps, well to remember that the Encyclopaedia is, after all, essentially a work of reference. It will be used to the greatest advantage if it sends people to more detailed works on the subjects in which they are interested. In this connection, the initials at the end of certain articles are those of contributors whose names and qualifications are listed in the first volume. Then, too, since the Encyclopaedia must have a long life, the members of the School must handle the volumes with very great care as they seek information on subjects varying from Abdallarit to Zutuhil, not forgetting Gotarzes and Odonata.

During the Summer term a lady and gentleman called on the Headmaster and asked if they could look round the Old Building. It transpired that the gentleman - Mr. Butt - had never seen the School before, but had heard of "The Grange" now the Old Building of the Grammar School, as it used to be called, from his mother who spent a few years (during World War 1) living here. Her father, Capt. Dick Treloar, rented the house at the time, and she even now remembers with affection the lovely setting of "The Grange" and the happy years she spent here.

It is with regret that we have seen the felling of a number of trees on Gipsy Lane at the northernmost point of our grounds. These elms, though full-sized trees, were really suckers from the bases of other trees which had been felled many years ago and now constituted a danger to the boundary wall and passers-by, and their removal was ordered by the Governing Body.

The area of the playing fields has now been increased by the levelling of the allotments. The operation has now been completed by the sowing of grass seed. One of the main advantages will be the possibility of keeping the cricket square free from hockey during the winter months.

The School "Cadet" sailing dinghy has been launched and was christened "Facta" by Cdr. Tom Thompson. "Facta" won her first race by a handsome margin.

It was with very great regret that the trip to Yorkshire had to be cancelled. There were a number of withdrawals, which meant a considerable increase in cost and at the time the decision had to be made there was uncertainty about petrol rationing.