"FLEET STREET" - MAY 6TH 1960

While millions watched the Royal wedding ceremony a party comprising Messrs. Beresford-Williams, Carswell and Fudge, Misses Bowering, Kennet and Tucker and Mrs. Fudge together with ten lower- sixth geographers and two others set off for a journey along the south coast to Kimmeridge Bay. Previously the geographers had carried out research from books and maps into the geomorphology and geology of the coast and an exhibition of maps, diagrams, articles and specimens was arranged on the bench in the new geography room. At each of the main stops we were treated to a short dissertation by someone who had specialised in the relevant section of the coast.

The first official stop was at Lyme Regis, which even at 10 a.m., with the sun shining and dispersing the early mist, was practically deserted. We were unable to make lengthy stops anywhere but had time to walk on to the Cobb where good views of the famous landslip and of the Spittles were obtained. After the first of many delays, due to difficulties encountered by the “official” press photographer to the party, we proceeded to our next halt, which was at West Bay. A sample of pebbles was obtained, the first of a series, as it is at West Bay that Chesil Beach begins. More photographs, this time of the interesting cliff formation, were taken and, having emptied the pebbles from our shoes, we boarded the cars and made off again.

Abbotsbury was our next slop - a most fascinating one. We were first intrigued by a small notice on a tall pole; on approaching, we discovered that it purported to record the level of the high tide in 1824. We paid our shillings and made our way to the famous swannery, lingering on the way to examine the working of a decoy trap. More photographs, this time of swans and their eggs, and we left the swannery, already hopelessly behind schedule. We were not destined to leave yet, however, for some ten of our party decided to cross the Fleet (the lake and marsh behind Chesil Bank) to collect another sample of pebbles. When these arrived back, hot, tired and muddy they found, much to their disgust, that sausages and chips had meanwhile been cooked by one luxury loving member of the party!

Our strength recovered, we went on to Portland and sat for a time on this the eastern extremity of Chesil Beach. We heard another dissertation on the formation of the beach and the Fleet behind it and made our way back to the cars, hoping to regain some time. This was not to be, however, and precious minutes were wasted in cleaning tar off people's clothes.

Lulworth Cove was our next stop, unfortunately a rather curtailed one, but photographs of the famous horse shoe shaped bay and the curious "Stair Hole” were obtained. As we were behind time it was decided that Mr. Carswell and Miss Kennet, who wanted to get back fairly early, should take those members of the party who were also in a hurry and cut their journey short by not coming on to Kimmeridge. This reshuffle, a complicated business, was sorted out and three cars only proceeded . . .

Proceed? We could hardly have been said to proceed for in the maze of narrow winding lanes we missed our way twice before coming to Kimmeridge Bay - only to be told that, now oil drilling is under way, no visitors were welcomed. Disappointed we set our faces towards home, which everyone reached by 8.30 p.m. after a wonderful day.

All credit must be given to Mr. Beresford-Williams who plans and organizes so many events in the school and to those members of staff who so generously and willingly gave up their holiday and used their cars to enable us to explore the countryside.

"Press reporter"

SCHOOL CAMP, SUMMER 1960

Having survived the horrors of G.C.E. exams, a party of 5th and 6th formers accompanied by Miss Bowering, Miss Kenett, Mr. Carswell and Mr. Beresford-Williams set off for a camp on Dartmoor.

The site, which was near Hexworthy in the valley of the West Dart River with the moors rising on either side, was the most beautiful that any of us had visited.

The sun shone brilliantly while the camp was being pitched but unfortunately on Monday the sky became overcast and rain swept across the moor. Being in the valley the camp was fairly sheltered but even so the weather made long treks impossible. There were plenty of short walks, the favourite being to follow the river down to Dartmeet and then sink thankfully into a chair in the cafe to devour coffee and cakes before setting off back to camp The weather cleared slightly towards the end of the week, and so we were able to walk across the moor to Duckspool. The ground was boggy after the heavy rain but otherwise the conditions were quite pleasant for walking. On the way home we went to Child's Tomb, and looked down from Cater's Beam on to Fox Tor Mire.

On the last whole day at camp we went to Wistman's Wood where the smallest wild oak trees (in this country) grow.

This camp, the second to be held after G.C.E., was extremely successful. We all wish to thank the members of staff who organ ised the camp and hope that they have equally successful camps in the future.

C.G.

PARIS TRIP, 1960

At 1.40 a.m. on April 8th twenty-four of us were waving goodbye as our London-bound train steamed out of St. David's Station. On arrival at Paddington we went to Victoria by the underground. Here we were met by a member of the B.U.S. travel agency. The crossing from Newhaven to Dieppe was calm and none of us was sea-sick, as some were on the return. At the station in Paris we were driven to the Hotel Violet in one of the agency's coaches.

After dinner that evening we walked to the Place de la Concorde and looked up the illuminated Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. One of the first places that we visited was the beautifull cathedral of Notre Dame where we saw the lovely stained glass windows and massive bells. At Montmartre we saw the artists at work and explored the quaint streets after looking over the church of Sacre Coeur. We also visited the Arc de Triomphe, the Sorbonne, the Pantheon and went up the Eiffel Tower. A very enjoyable day was spent at Versailles looking over a little of the magnificent Chateau and spacious grounds. An outing that we all enjoyed was a trip down the Seine on the Bateau-Mouche and from our vantage point of the boat we were able to pick out all the well-known landmarks. Afterwards a small group of us went to browse among the stalls of the “bouquinistes”. At 4.45 one morning a few of us went to see the market at Les Halles, the French equivalent of Covent Garden. When we had walked around the market we went into a small cafe where three of us sampled the famous onion soup. On the last day of our visit we went to two large department stores to buy souvenirs and presents.

We set off after breakfast on Good Friday for the return journey, all of us wishing we could have spent longer in Paris.