Lydney Grammar School Magazine 1969

THE MAGAZINE OF LYDNEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
SCHOOL YEAR, 1968-69

EDITORIAL
While editing the magazine this year we realised how mundane and uninspiring its title is -"The Lydney Grammar School Magazine." Surely somebody can think of a more original and eye-catching name. After all, the Crypt School has "The Cryptian" and Monmouth, "The Monmothian" whilst Lydney Girls School publish "Bonnets of Blue", so how about "The Lydney 'Un" or , "We wouldn't leave our little wooden huts for you" as our title ? We will be pleased to consider any bright (and also, polite) suggestions on this topic for next year. Last year the editors announced that five £1 gift-tokens would be awarded for the five best contributions to the magazine. We decided in fact to award only three - to Alison Smith, Ian Jones, and John Biggins. We must admit that we chose these three partly because we did not have to twist the contributors' arms or chivvy them throughout a whole term before they gave us their articles. Perhaps you who complain about the magazine might consider how much the editors depend on you and your ideas. So, why not write or draw something for next year's magazine ? You might even win a gift-token, we do want to award them !
Editorial Committee
TERRY JONES
CELlA MANSON
KATHLEEN MOORE
DAVID BROWNING

STAFF NEWS
We welcomed to the staff in September Miss Suzette Beament, who replaced Miss Davis as Games Mistress during her year of further study at Eastbourne. Miss Beament left in July, and is now to take up a post in Rhodesia. We have had to say goodbye to Miss Kennedy, who left us at the end of the summer term to marry and take up a teaching post at her new home in Hemel Hempsted. We wish her every happiness. Our French assistant this year was MIle. Bernadette Lutard from Lyons, who has returned to the University of Poitiers to complete her course there. We are sorry to lose Mrs Durrant, who has taught English for two years on a part-time basis. We would like to congratulate Mr and Mrs Ogden on the birth of a daughter, Jane, and Mr and Mrs Collins on the birth of a son, Peter. Congratulations are also due to Miss Wood on her marriage. She will continue to teach here as Mrs Wilcox.

A WORM'S-EYE VIEW
Little did we realise what was in store for us as we went, key in hand, to open the tuck shop on the day of our first duty. There were only a few boys waiting at the door but as soon as I put the key into the lock dozens more appeared, as if by magic, from nowhere. Before I could open the door myself it had been pushed open by the crowd which surged in, and I was trampled underfoot. When I had managed to struggle to my feet I had to face the next problem of trying to break through three or four ranks to get to the other side of the table. It still amazes me how people expect to be served when we are on the same side of the table as they are, and they flatly refuse to let us through. When I got to the other side I immediately began to wish I hadn't. Did we really stock six kinds of crisps and three times as many kinds of chocolate ? Our maths, not brilliant at the best of times, was strained to its limits by many a 'starving' junior intent on spreading as much confusion as possible before he was ejected. We sometimes began to lose heart as the space between 'them' and 'us' decreased as the table was pushed forward. This was the result of thirty people squeezing into a space occupied a few seconds earlier by only fifteen; and in vain did we first command and then beg them to "Get in a queue!" It is even worse during morning break. Roughly the same number of people have to be served as at Lunch time -but in only a quarter of the time! Consequently everything is four times as bad. But don't be discouraged, up-and-coming tuck shop enthusiasts. It all has its advantages too. Having become as agile as a monkey from climbing under and over the table, and up onto the shelves, you will be put off chocolate for life.
KATHLEEN MOORE, 6 Arts B.

SCHOOL CHARITIES
This year the collection for the Blind amounted to just over £80. A cheque for £60 was sent to the Royal National Institute for the Blind, and one for £20 to the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind. A collection for the R.S.P.C.A. amounted to £5, while the Dr. Barnardo's collecting boxes produced a total of £4/13/6. After the visit and talk by the local Barnardo's representative this Autumn, we hope that more pupils will be willing to take charge of a collecting box. , . Anyone who would like to undertake this service should get into touch with Heather Fearn, who is organising the 1969- 70 collection for Dr. Barnardo's.
M.M.

THE FUTURE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE LYDNEY AREA
In accordance with the Government's plans for the re-organisation of secondary education in a comprehensive system, a scheme for the Lydney area has been under consideration since 1966 and has now reached the stage where, after discussion with the Governors and Staffs of the schools concerned and interested parents, it has been approved by the County Education Committee. Briefly, the plan is that there will be one comprehensive school catering for all pupils aged 11to 18 who live in the areas served by the Lydney Secondary Schools and Bream Secondary School. The plan also includes an undertaking that, if and when the growth of population in the Tidenham area justifies it, consideration will be given to the establishment of a second comprehensive school in that area. The Lydney comprehensive school will be on the grammar school site and it is hoped that some new buildings can be ready for use in September, 1973. The existing grammar school buildings are likely to remain in use for some years and to be replaced gradually as new buildings become available. Even if the hoped-for new building is ready in 1973, there will not at first be sufficient accommodation for the number of pupils expected, and there will be a period, which it is hoped will be as short as possible, when a number of pupils will have to be accommodated elsewhere in Lydney or possibly in temporary buildings on the grammar school site. How large will the new school be ? It is likely to have between 1,500 and 1,700 pupils. Its exact size will depend on population trends in the area during the next few years. There is a general agreement that it should not be allowed to exceed 1,750 pupils. The present grammar school site, which has been enlarged by 13 acres in the last few years, will be nearly sufficient for the new school but some new land will have to be acquired adjacent to the existing site. The proposed date for the opening of the new school, September 1973, will of course depend on the plan going smoothly through all its stages and the money for new buildings being available.
HEADMASTER. (Ernest Bealey)

NEW BROOMS SWEEP CLEAN
After the subject had been discussed at a prefects' meeting and had gained the approval and financial support of the Head Master, we set about the renovation of our prefects' room and started off by choosing a colour scheme. There were twenty-two of us and consequently twenty-two different ideas were put forward. After much argument one was decided on and we set about getting the paint. The following Saturday morning six of us assembled in the prefects' room armed with an electric drill, a generous supply of wood, obtained from Lydney Plywood and some tools borrowed from Mr G. Jones. After a couple of hours' work, most of which was caused by mistakes, a seat had been erected across one end of the room. The next job was to patch up the holes in the plaster, some of which we had made. This should be easy, we thought, so on Monday we exchanged our hammers and drills for plasterer's floats and again set to work. We soon discovered it's one thing to put plaster on the wall, but another to get it to stay there. Eventually we managed to get the holes patched up and set about the main job : the painting. This proved to be as much fun as the construction. Nearly all day, every day, for the last fortnight of term there were at least two people in the room, in various states of undress, painting the walls and themselves. Of course the inevitable happened, somebody knocked the paint pot over and I could mention several people who leaned the ladder against wet paint, or better still sat in it. Then there was the time Mr Long came in and found one of us minus her skirt, wearing only a paint splashed shirt. Both parties were surprised. .When we came to put the covers on the cushions we found another example of our marvelous efficiency. All the covers were too small. But this, like all problems, was made to be solved and the mathematicians in our midst were set to work. The most difficult job turned out to be cleaning up all the mess we had made. A lot of credit for this must go to those girls who scrubbed the floor and the table while the rest of us were watching the Old Boys' cricket match. No doubt in times to come someone will look at chipped paintwork and the whole caper will start again.
D. DAVIES, 6 Sc. B.

THE SCHOOL CONCERT
Would we be ready in time ? .And how could those noises of rehearsal be suddenly transformed into Bach's complex harmonies ? Encouraged by Mr Phillips' frequent assurances that everything would be all right on the night (as much, it seemed, to convince himself as us), we persevered, until on the night of the concert the Senior Choir presented Bach remarkably intact. The concert took the usual form. The first half consisted of the Junior Choir, a soprano soloist and various piano solos; the second half of the instrumental ensemble followed by the senior Choir singing one of Bach's Easter Cantatas, "Christ lay in Death's Dark Prison." The Junior Choir sang this year a short cantata, "The Birds", as well as a number of folk songs. As always they were both enthusiastic and exact. The soprano soloist was Heather Samuels and her singing obviously delighted the audience. The pianists, both soloists and duettists, -Pat Vedmore, Susan Ridler, Jean Davis, Jane Pitt and Rebecca Wilkes -all played delightfully. It seems a pity perhaps that the piano was the only instrument used for solos in the concert this year. Is there no one who plays anything else ? Will all Jew's Harp players please stand up ? We were rather alarmed to see several members of the audience get up and leave during the interval, never to return. They missed, (according to the instrumental ensemble and the Senior Choir) the best part. The instrumentalists continue to improve and the addition of two cellos added a satisfying depth to their performance. The Senior Choir were last, nervous and perhaps wishing they had settled for something less ambitious. Mr Phillips, realising that audience participation would make everyone more relaxed, invited the audience to join in the final chorale, and started by teaching it to them. I don't think that many of the audience noticed our mistakes, which were slight anyway. They clapped a lot when we finished, and seemed to have enjoyed it. So did we.
SUE BEDDIS, 6 Arts B.

Donkey, Donkey,
Standing there,
Please move forward,
Don't just stare -

Push him, prod him,
Pull his ears,
Coax him, bribe him,
Stop your tears.

Still no movement,
Leave him there,
We don't want him,
We don't care.

Out of the gate.
Close it, mind.
What's that pushing From behind ?

Donkey, Donkey,
Moved at last.
We don't want you,
Eat your grass.

ALISON SMITH, 3S.

THE LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN- ALMOST
I had known for several months that I would be taking part in this year's International Air Cadet Exchange. However all I knew when I left England was which country I would be going to - Norway. The day after I left England, fifteen assorted cadets plus two escorts flew for Oslo from Germany. We were two Canadians, two Israelis, two English and nine Americans. On that first day we saw little of Norwegian life, seeking only sleep -a commodity soon to be almost done away with. Early the following morning we flew in a Dakota (the first of many) for Vaernes Lutvann near Trondheim. Already signs of living out of a suitcase were beginning to show. Those who had spent last night in Oslo were lying all over floor, seats and baggage, trying to sleep. This was to be a common sight. No sooner had we arrived than we dumped our luggage, were kitted out and piled into three-seat Saab Sapphires -nippy, aerobatic brutes which we flew for an hour or so. While at Vaernes we visited the ancient city of Trondheim, a quiet place of wooden houses and gaily painted wharves shaded by many trees. The accommodation as usual was first class. However blankets, or rather lack of these, were something to become accustomed to. You always got one huge eiderdown, like a sewn up sleeping bag which either stayed on and you sweated or fell off and you froze. Food was nearly always good quality, though it was extremely monotonous. As the tour progressed, one's thoughts were often on what was to eat at home. Have you ever had jam, sardines and bread and butter for breakfast, or cornflakes for a pudding? That Sunday, having spent three days at Vaernes, we flew, again by Dakota, which we landed with increasing expertise, for Mo Rana, an industrial sea port thirty kilometres or so south of thy Arctic Circle. There it never grew dark, only half light if the sky was cloud-covered. We did in fact chase the midnight sun from there on, always arriving just a few days too late to see it. Somehow by the time we arrived it set at eleven thirty to rise at twelve thirty. We stayed with private hosts. I stayed with a young couple in a suburb of Mo. Their home was beautiful. From the outside, a wooden shell typical of the modern Scandinavian house; on the inside everything was varnished wood, the walls and floors festooned with gay rugs, reindeer skins and art. All was spacious and airy. Bedrooms and the bathroom were downstairs, while upstairs was a large kitchen and huge living room. Our four days here quickly passed. Days spent climbing a glacier and pot-holing flew by. To try to walk on that mountain of glassy razor ice which lay heaped in awesome beauty, seemingly interminable, was a strange and dangerous experience. On Wednesday we left our hosts for Bardufoss Lutvann. There we stayed with officers of the station. Days were spent mountain climbing, fishing and flying, while evenings and early mornings we had a mad run around with younger officers in the bar and to various dances and parties. A few of us flew in helicopters to a four thousand eight hundred foot mountain called Istind which we climbed and subsequently claimed in the name of Her Brittanic Majesty, Pierre Trudeau, Americans various and Moshe Dyan. All of us travelled across Senja, Norway's largest island to a small port where we boarded an old fishing vessel. The engine tonk-a- tonk-a-tonked and we rolled our way to a spot a few miles off shore, where we fished with hard lines. Some of the fish caught we ate that evening. On the Monday after our arrival at Bardufoss we drove to Tromso. This city claims to have the world's northernmost port, - brewery and various other honours. By this time, of course, we were well north of the Arctic circle and still heading north. Tromso is a port cum fish cannery. We stayed but one day, flying out on the next for Alja in Twin Otters, a remarkable little aeroplane which gives you the impression of being unstallable. Alta is two hundred and forty miles south of the North Pole. In summer it was, for us, very pleasant. We spent five days on a farm, sleeping in tents and swimming in a river when there was nothing else to do. The river was no colder than Lydney swimming pool at its warmest, so you can see how warm it was. In winter the river freezes over every year, but because of the Gulf Stream current it is in Alta that the first traces of north European occupation are to be seen. The Lapps lived on a large hill which was never covered by ice in the ice age. They lived on to resettle the area when the ice melted. Our host provided us with cars and those who had international drivers licenses drove us all over the area. One day was spent running through bogs on top of mountains, successfully in search of Reindeer. Another was spent catching salmon and then eating it at an open fire. Here the only delay of the tour occurred. Our plane was twenty-eight and a quarter hours late. Thus we missed one day in Oslo That left us with three. On the first one our host, the Secretary-General of the Aero Klubb showed us around. Then we were let loose. Oslo is a delightful city of cobbled streets, populated by insane drivers. There are no slow pedestrians; their genetic variation must have been killed off years ago. Everything is very expensive, but when you spend freely until you have nothing left it doesn't matter. Oslo is straddled over the hills around the end of Oslo Fjord. Much of it is near the shore where many thousands of boats are moored, from catamarans to oil tankers. It is an open city, clean and dotted with many parks. But our stay came to an end, and we had to leave Norway. Our last day before we split up was spent travelling back to Germany- and swopping addresses and momentoes. On our way we pooled the remains of our financial resources for refreshments for a party that night. No one went to bed until about an hour before the first group had to be ready to fly home. By that time there was little to say on the last farewell. .
DAVID BROWNING, 6 Sc. B.

ACADEMIC REPORT
Examination successes in the General Certificate of Education June and July, 1969.

ADVANCED LEVEL

JANE BLACKMORE Art.
JUDITH DAVIES English Literature, Latin (Merit on S paper), French (Distinction on S paper).
JEAN DAVIS Chemistry, Biology.
FAY ELSMORE Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.
TERRY JONES. English Literature (Merit on S paper), Latin, French (Merit on S paper).
AVRIL KING English Literature, Needlework.
JUNE LINDSAY-SMITH English Literature, Latin, French.
NICOLA REISSNER Mathematics.
SUSAN RIDLER Music.
PATRICIA TRUMAN English Literature, Latin.
PATRICIA VEDMORE English Literature, Latin, Music.
D. BETTERTON Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics.
A. BURLEY Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics.
K. COOPER History.
J . CRAWLEY English Literature (Distinction on S paper), History (Merit on S paper).
S. DAY Mathematics (Distinction on S paper), Further Mathematics, Physics (Merit on S paper).
J . DUNSDON Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics.
A. GROSETT English Literature.
R. HARPER Mathematics, Physics.
S. HUCK English Literature, History.
S. JONES History.
P. KINGSTON History, Art.
S. TOVEY Chemistry, Biology.
D. UPTON Art.
A. W ALKER Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry .
G. WILDIN Chemistry, Art.
C. WILLIAMS History, Pure Mathematics.

ORDINARY LEVEL (Fifth Forms)

PASSED IN NINE SUBJECTS Freda Jenkins, Gwyneth Johnson, A. Wadley.
PASSED IN EIGHT SUBJECTS Helen Williams, T. Beale, P. Wintle.
PASSED IN SEVEN SUBJECTS Suzanne Butler, Sarah Anne Hooper, Pauline Howard, Linda McBride, Susan Rogers, I. Bailey, T. Charlton, I. Wallis, R. Ward.
PASSED IN SIX SUBJECTS Diane Hopper, Alison Stevens, Anita Tyler, M. Bailey, L. Clark, G.Cook, P. James, R. Price, C. Pritchard, A. Prosser, K. Rodway, R. Thorne, M. Walby.
PASSED IN FIVE SUBJECTS Linda Cole, Bridget Vickery, H. Handcock.
PASSED IN FOUR SUBJECTS Valerie Fraser, Janice Kirkham, Barbara Lowe, EliZabeth Perrett, Jane Sandford, Susan Springett, W. Adams, S. Drew, N. Kelly, A. Mitchell.
PASSED IN THREE, TWO OR ONE SUBJECTS Jacqueline Allen, Joan Arnott, Lesley Baldwin, Ann Carpenter, Sheila Challenger, Rachel Cooke, Lynn Freemantle, Lynne Gardner, Naomi Goss, Sarah Ann Hooper, Celia Hopkins, Linda Horritt, Lynne Jones, Dorothy Kear, Julie Kyte, Geraldine McGuinness, Lorraine Morris, Josephine Oaten, Beverley Pace, Susan Peachey, Ann Philpott, Angela Simpson, Sian Skyme, Joy Smyth, Sian Truman, Susan Turley, Alison Vine, Margaret Webb, Linda Yarnton, C. Allen, J. Armitage, C. Blaby, T. Gisborne, A. Parfitt, R. Permain, T. Roberts, M. Smith, A. Symonds, K. Turner, D. Williams, M. Wright. The following Sixth Form Pupils obtained passes in various subjects: Frieda Albutt, Susan Aldridge, C. Bramley-Moore, Anne Dalle- magne, Linda Fairclough, Christine Harris, Julie Page, Christine Parry, Angela Thomas, Jane Thompson, Patricia Truman, Pauline Williams, D. Browning, K. Cooper, D, Davis, L. Howells, C. Howley, S. Ruck, F. James, G. James, I. Jones, A. Legge, I. Shepherd, P. Tucker, A. Wintle.

PRIZE LIST 1968-69
Science Subjects ADRIAN W ALKER, ALAN BURLEY, DAVID BETTERTON.
Arts Subjects. JUDITH DAVIES, TERRY JONES, JOHN CRAWLEY , GERALD LOVE.
Art DAVID UPTON, PETER KINGSTON.
Music PAT VEDMORE.
Domestic Science AVRIL KING.
Woodwork KEVIN COOPER, ALAN VAUGHAN.
Commercial Subjects. .GERALDINE McGUINNESS.
Bledisloe British Empire Essay GRANTLEY JAMES.
Charles Clark Cup PETER KINGSTON.
Leadership JEAN DAVIS, SUSAN RIDLER, ALISTAIR GROSSETT , PETER KINGSTON.

WE'LL KEEP A WELCOME IN THE HILLSIDE
University College, Swansea. After a year in this happy little corner of Wales, in which I have been able to study in detail every idiosyilcrasy of the Welsh character , I have become accustomed to the most popular pastime of Wales generally and of this college and its environs in particular. Many of you will say, "Ah Rugby." Well, you're wrong. It is, in fact,. to use its Saxon name, Dooming, or the art of making gloomy statements. Unlike Rugby, anyone can play, and of all the prophets of Doom in the Principality, none are better than Swansea's students and inhabitants. The first thing to note about Dooming is how peculiarly suited it is to the Welsh environment, to endless sepia-wash hills, perpetual rain, Sunday closing and itchy Welsh woolens. In these rather depressing surroundings it is, therefore, not surprising that pessimism should be as much part of the Cymric way of life as that thin, insinuating rain which can work through any duffle-coat in under ten minutes. It would be interesting to know if the Patagonian emigrants preserve this tradition in the sun; I very much doubt it. But why should this college be the centre of Dooming? For one thing there is its status, and for another the town in which it had the misfortune to land. All Swansea students suffer from dual nationality as well as mildew and webbed feet; their loyalties are divided between their own college and something called the University of Wales. Where this lives or what it is nobody knows (not many care, come to that), despite several expeditions sent to look for it. The general opinion seems to be that, like King Arthur and his Knights, it sleeps beneath the Cambrian Mountains awaiting Wales' hour of peril. Otherwise this uneasy federation of five independent colleges can only be seen as the satisfaction of a deeply-felt Welsh need for murderous feuds with one's close relatives. Then there is Swansea. The town, although not outstanding for its beauties, is quite acceptable until you come to Swansea East, which makes Cinderford look positively enticing. Justice is not really done to this part of the earth's surface by its official title of "Rehabilitation Area". This fails to convey the effect of this four- mile-square desert of rubble, blasted earth, slag, ruined buildings, contorted metal and dead trees. It always reminds me of the sort of scene which might embellish a C.N.D. exhibition. As the main railway runs right across it, it makes its presence known and can depress the most buoyant spirits. I could go on Dooming until Doomsday about the miseries of student life in the town where the natives live on boiled sea-weed and which gave the world, beside corrugated iron, the unlikely trio of Dylan Thomas, Mary Hopkin and Dr. Thomas Bowdler . But time is short. I must conclude by pointing out ever so gently that it isn't that bad really. Beneath their veneer of melancholia Welshmen and Swansea students are generally a pretty extrovert lot, even if in a rather graveyard manner. The college has one of the lowest suicide rates in the country (the lowest, I believe), although anyone listening to the students would expect to see droves of them, lemming-like, swimming regularly out past Mumbles Head into the ocean. And then. .. Is it stiill raining?
JOHN BIGGINS.

CANOE CLUB
Canoeing on the Avon
One Wednesday morning in the summer holidays we set out from Lydney to go canoeing on the Avon. We secured two canoes to the roof of Mr Lindsay-Smith's car and set off to the sweet music of Jimmy Young. We reached Saltford at about twelve o'clock, where we unloaded the canoes and fetched two others from a local boathouse. When everyone was safely strapped inside a life-jacket we took the canoes to the water's edge, and clambered into them. The first thing we two girls discovered about our new canoes (Maxi- Tiggi and Mini- Tiggi) was that they were very sensitive: one feeble pull with the paddle sent the canoe careering into the nearest bank! When, several frustrating minutes later, we had managed to keep a straight course, we set off in pursuit of the two boys, who in their heavier but more passive canoes, were almost out of sight. We had decided to paddle down stream towards Bristol, stopping at the first lock for lunch. About a mile down stream we were met at the lock by Mr Lindsay-Smith, who, declaring that it was too cold, had gone by car. Here we had to lift the canoes out and carry them to the other side of the lock gates. (It costs five shillings to float through each lock !) Feeling fit to carry on, we re-embarked and continued down stream, dodging the fishing lines and trying to be as quiet as possible. We negotiated several more locks, this time without expert help (the road having long since deserted the river), passed under bridges and by many a thirsty cow or lonely fisherman. When we reached out next stop -the "Tea Gardens" -we were practically gasping for our promised cup of coffee. Duly refreshed and rested we set off once more, for the last leg of our journey. This section of the river proved more interesting. There was a delicious smell as we passed the chocolate factory and foam swirling into the river from the numerous pipes alongside. We glided under low branches and high, stone bridges. This part of the journey was also more tiring; when we were almost half way a head-on wind blew and grey clouds blocked out the sun, leaving us cold and tired. These were not our only problems! When we reached the last lock we soon discovered that we were trespassing on a private stretch of water. How do you explain to an irate old woman that you had no idea it was her piece of river when her dog is running alongside the bank, looking ready to fly at you ? Eventually her husband came along and informed us that he was the lock-keeper for that stretch of river, and that it would cost us two shillings per canoe to take them out of the water. We also learnt that the locks we had so laboriously carried our canoes through were his, and that the fee was one shilling per canoe even if you carried them! Having no money with us we decided to back-paddle a little, into less hostile water and wait for Mr Lindsay-Smith. When he arrived he had arranged for us to remove our canoes at another landing stage (free of charge). Unfortunately, as the car would only carry two canoes at a time, the girls were nominated to paddle the other two back to the tea gardens -this time against the current! Determined to beat the car we set off as quickly as possible and managed to arrive a good twenty minutes before the boys. We loaded the canoes on to the car once more and set off home, tired but with a feeling of achievement after our day canoeing on the Avon.
SUSAN ROGERS, 5 Alpha

THE THREE COUNTIES SHOW
As the coach drew gradually nearer the field, in which many stalls, tents and marquees were assembled, the offside seats gradually emptied as everyone scrambled across to get a first view of the show ground, much to the disapproval of the trampled-on nearside passengers. The driver somehow managed, after much to-ing and fro-ing, to get our coach to an empty place in the park. We filed, or rather fell, out of the coach and were immediately 'briefed' by Mr Hall on where to gather and how not to get lost. So we were let loose on the show. The first demonstration, on how to shoe a horse, was immediately dismissed by some witty customer, amid a chorus of groans, as a "load of old cobblers". In brilliant sunshine blazers were soon discarded and the temptation to undress still further was heightened by a strategically placed swimming pool. Combine Harvesters, dung spreaders and other farm equipment was everywhere and agricultural burrs were much in evidence. Many, feeling the stage was in their blood, were attracted to seeing themselves the wrong way round on a closed circuit television. Others, fancying themselves as Graham Hills of the future, donned a crash helmet and rattled and banged around a crude, straw- covered track at the hair-raising speed of five or perhaps ten miles per hour in a one h.p. go-kart. Slanderous allegations of 'watered down' from the Lydney contingent, although not well received by the ice-cream man, did not seem to deter his customers at all; he, seemingly, was the most popular man at the show. Towards the end of the afternoon, following the inevitable show jumping, we meandered slowly, through the maze of tents and people, towards the gate. After the customary roll-call the bedraggled caterpillar that was Lydney Grammar School made its way back to the luxury of the coach. Some arms were compared to see who was the most sunburned, free offers exchanged and Mr Thomas began to show great concern as to whether the disappearing ink 'accidentally' spilt down his clean shirt would really disappear. The Three Counties Show had proved a most worthwhile and enjoyable trip.
P. MUDWAY, 3 Alpha.

VALETE

JANE BLACKMORE, Shire Hall, Gloucester (Civil Service)
JANE CARPENTE,R St. Mary's, Cheltenham (PE)
JUDITH DAVIES, Durham University (Latin)
PAT DAVIES, Weymouth College of Education
JEAN DAVIS, Brighton College of Education (PE)
FAY ELSMORE, University of Bath (Pharmacy)
JUDITH FORDREE, Midland Bank
TERRY JONES, University of East Anglia (Comparative Lit)
AVRIL KING, Seaford College of Education, Sussex (Domestic Science)
JUNE LlNDSAY-SMITH, Warwick University (French and English)
ANNE NORTHAM, Exeter University (Economic History)
NICOLA REISSNER, Hull College of Commerce (Business Studies)
SUSAN RIDLER, University College, Cardiff (Music)
SUSAN THOMPSON, Salisbury College of Education
PAT TRUMAN, St Matthias College of Education, Bristol
PAT VEDMORE, University College, Cardiff (Music)
SUSAN ALDRIDGE, Hungerford, Berks (Nursery Nursing)
JANE BABER, Gloucester Technical College (Farm Secretarial Course)
CHRISTINA BRAMLEY-MOORE, Lydney School of Art
CHRISTINA HARRIS, Boots (Chemists) LId. (Trainee Dispenser).
JULIA PAGE, North Glos Technical College (Hotel Book keeping and Reception).
FLORENCE WALKER, Winford Orthopaedic Hospital, Bristol (Nursing)
DAVID BETTERTON, Exeter University (Engineering)
ALAN BURLEY, Exeter University (Mathematics)
KEVIN COOPER, Loughborough College of Education (Woodwork)
JOHN CRAWLEY, Manchester University (Politics and History).
STEPHEN DAY, Exeter University (Maths and Physics)
JONATHON DUNSDON, Southampton University (Mechanical Engineering)
ALISTAIR GROSETT, Whitecroft Scovill (Trainee Management)
ROGER HARPER, Lanchester College of Technology, Coventry (Sandwich Course GEC)
STEPHEN HUCK, St Paul's College of Education
STEPHEN JONES, Plymouth College of Technology (Business Studies)
DAVID KELSEY, Birmingham University (English)
PETER KINGSTON, St. Paul's College of Education.
IAN LEWIS, Shire Hall, Gloucester.
GERALD LOVE, St. Matthias College of Education, Bnstol.
STEPHEN TOVEY, Crompton's.
DAVID UPTON, Madeley College of Education, Staffs.
ALAN VAUGHAN, Loughborough College of Education (Woodwork).
ADRIAN WALKER, Nottingham University (Chemistry).
GARY WILDIN, North Glos. Technical College (Architecture).
TERENCE BALLARD, R.A.F .
LESLIE HOWELLS, Watts (Factors) Ltd. (Trainee Car Salesman).
ANDREW KNIGHT, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (Male Nursing).
LESLIE ROBERT,S Hartpury College of Agriculture (Farming).
PAUL TUCKER, Shire Hall.
KENNETH TURNER, Police.

LECTURES -A LAYMAN'S IMPRESSION
Budding scientists attended a lecture at Bristol University. An eleventh hour dash had to be made by Letheren's who had forgotten that the trip was on. However, the high-powered driver managed to cajole several miles per hour more than usual out of his vehicle, and got us there just an introduction late. The lecturer, a Professor Gordon, had an uncontrollable mania for causing destruction. During the demonstrations of strength of materials which accompanied his lecture numerous rods were snapped, broken, bent, and twisted. Also a large pane of glass was smashed with great vigour against the corner of a bench, bestowing showers of glass on his audience. The bench also came under fire from the intrepid professor wielding a massive bone (he was careful not to mention where the bone came from). Proceeding along more conventional lines our hero then produced some examples of "modern, high tensile-strength materials" and distributed samples for inspection by the audience. One sample, valued at £200, caused considerable anxiety by remaining missing for several minutes after the lecture ended. Another sample was handed out with a challenge to anyone in the audience to break it with their bare hands. It was forgotten until a great cheer some twenty minutes later announced that one young Samson had done so, much to the professor's dismay.
I. JONES, 6 Science B.

PER ARDUA ET 614
It's your life in the A.T.C.! If you enjoy shooting, flying or various activities at annual camps. Can any of you civilian rabble say you have tasted the delights of firing a .303 rifle with butt one inch from your shoulder and with no ear plugs in, or sampled the thrills of being a passenger with an R.A.F. pilot at the controls ? The school squadron has been blessed with a truck which picks up and deposits cadets on their own doorsteps. While riding in it members can, if their singing is bad enough, be invited to join the '614 Ensemble'. This world famous choir is under the baton of our noble conductor, the Ron. L. Clark, L/Cadet. Once instituted in the elite squadron, the most privileged cadets can go on various courses, gliding and flying and annual camps. One of these annual A.T.C. camps is adequately illustrated by the aforementioned comrade Clark, L/Cadet. If you find you may enjoy joining the A.T.C., you are welcomed with open arms by all our members. So don't be shy, come and show us what you can do. Join the happy band on Sunday mornings.
A. MITCHELL 6A

THE SWIMMING SPORTS
Once again the weather was hot and sunny for the swimming sports; and parents and friends lined Lydney Swimming Pool to see the aqua-champions of the school for themselves. The competitors though were either rushing about trying to extract programmes from the stewards, or standing nervously at the edge of the pool, trying to look as though they were accomplished swimmers. A few ingenious sixth formers perched on the roof of the boys' changing cubicles and thus enjoyed a bird's-eye-view of the races in return for gentle scoring duties. Sometimes over-excited competitors anticipated the starting signal and dived in too soon, while at the finishing line the judges were still attempting to discover the identities of the winners of the previous races amid the usual splashing and noisy confusion. Eventually each competitor had shown of his or her best, the spectators had acquired a new shade of red, and, the sports over, parents and pupils alike dispersed. ANDREA LEWIS, 2L.

SUCCESSES IN COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS
(Pitman Examinations Institute)
Typewriting Elementary: JACQUELINE ALLEN, JOAN ARNOTT, JACQUELINE FORD, SARAH HOOPER, PENELOPE HOULDING, FRANCES HOWELLS, LORRAINE MORRIS, ANN PHILPOTT, JANE SANDFORD, SIAN SKYME, JOY SMYTH, ALISON VINE, LINDA YARNTON.
Intermediate :
1st Class JOAN ARNOTT, SARAH HOOPER, GERALDINE McGUINNESS, LORRAINE MORRIS, ANNE NORTHAM, JULIA PAGE, NICOLA REISSNER, JANE SANDFORD, SIAN SKYME, LINDA YARNTON ,
2nd Class JOSEPHINE OATEN, ANN PHILPOTT, JOY SMYTH.
Advanced:
1st Class JOSEPHINE OATEN, GERALDINE MCGUINNESS.
Book-keeping NICOLA REISSNER (lst Class).
Shorthand
70 words per minute : GERALDINE MCGUINNESS, SIAN SKYME, LINDA YARNTON.
60 words per minute: SARAH HOOPER, PENELOPE HOULDING, JOSEPHINE OATEN, JULIA PAGE, ALISON VINE.
50 words per minute : LORRAINE MORRIS, ANNE PHILPOTT, Joy SMITH, PAULINE WILLIAMS.
Commerce
Pass : SARAH HOOPER, FRANCES HOWELLS, GERALDINE MCGUINNESS, JANE SANDFORD.

TENNIS
The results for this season were not as good as we had hoped they would be, despite the enthusiasm shown by the team members. The first few weeks suffered from the usual period of trying out new partners, whilst in the middle weeks the rigours of exams kept the Seniors from much practice. The Juniors, however, were able to continue with their practice, and their standard improved. I feel sure that they will retain their enthusiasm and continue to practise constantly in order to achieve a higher standard. I would like to thank Miss Kennedy for the time which she has devoted to coaching the teams, the Sixth Form boys, who willingly gave up their Saturday mornings to umpire for us so meticulously, the Sixth Form girls for providing the teas, and the ball-boys.
Colours were re-awarded to: Jean Davis, June Lindsay-Smith, Julie Kyte, Susan Rogers.
New colours were awarded to: Linda Horritt.
Half-colours were awarded to: Judith Davies, Fay Elsmore, Alison Stephen
RESULTS
1st VI: Played 5, Won 2, Lost 3
JEAN DAVIS (Capt.)

GIRLS' HOCKEY
Only three old colours returned to play in the lst XI this season, together with many Juniors. As can be seen from the results, and from the continued improvement of stick-work, enthusiasm and interest shown throughout the teams, there is much encouragement for future seasons. Perhaps there remain two outstanding matches of the season: the return of the Staff vs School fixture and a lst XI match which caused much speculation. We are apprehensive about any further fixture with this team; the chief attributes of the players were : their language, which the opposition had most likely heard previously only in a Rugby club; their freely-expressed opinions of the umpire and the way the match should have been umpired; and their skill in aiming at certain players, one of whom had to leave the pitch. Conversely, in the Staff vs School fixture both players and spectators provided good entertainment: the players through their skill (or, in some cases, lack of it) and their appearance; the School spectators through their sudden surges of laughter at certain members of Staff. There was only one "Staff" spectator, notable for her little shouts of: "Come on, Daddy. I want Daddy's team to win!" But, alas, the result was a nil-nil draw. I would like to thank Miss Kennedy for coaching the teams, and wish her, on behalf of the members of the hockey teams, every success and happiness in the future. Thanks are also due to the Sixth Form girls for providing the Saturday refreshments. To all the remaining team members I wish success in future seasons.
Colours were re-awarded to: Jean Davis, Jane Carpenter, June Lindsay-Smith.
New colours were awarded to: Linda Horritt, Jane Thompson, Anne Webb.
Half-colours were awarded to: Penelope Biggins, Anne Dalle- magne, Lynne Jones, Jane Sandford.
RESULTS
lst XI: Played 9, Won 6, Lost 3
2nd XI: Played 8, Won 6, Lost 2
U.15: Played 2, Lost 2.
JEAN DAVIS (Capt.)

JUNIOR RUGBY
The Junior XV had a very good season and set up a 100% record. In all they played seven, won seven, scored 172 points and conceded only 14. . The team won convincingly their first two games but were hard pressed in their third match of the season against Chosen Hill. During the game the team had to work hard for a win, and if they had not scored in the last ten minutes, would have lost. The Junior XV also set up a new school record in that they scored 73 points against Kingswood School from Bristol. This is the highest score ever made by a Lydney Grammar School team. The next three games against St. Julian's, Cheltenham and Marling were won with relative ease but the last game against Thomas Riches was only just won. The team played well in the first half of the match but faded in the last stage of the second half and only won as a result of their stout defending.
King Edward's Five Ways, Birmingham Away Won 21-0
Kingswood G.S., Bristol Home Won 73-0
Chosen Hill G.S., Gloucester ..Away Won 10-9
St. Julian's G.S., Newport Home Won 18-5
City of Bath High School Away Cancelled
Cheltenham G.S. Away Won 14-0
Marling G.S., Stroud Home Won 30-0
Sir Thomas Rich's G.S., Gloucester ..Home Won 6-0
I. WILKINS (Capt.).

SENIOR RUGBY 1968-69
The first XV had, on the whole, a very successful season. With ten old colours available it was apparent that, despite being a rather young and small side, it would be more experienced than teams of recent years. Mr Parfitt spent many after-school hours with the team and thanks to his excellent coaching they soon developed an effective style of play with the mobile pack gaining quick possession, enabling the backs to constantly worry the opposition. This attacking rugby produced many good tries and seven of the ten matches were won in a convincing manner. Perhaps the most notable victory was over our old rivals, Marling. This was the first time we had beaten them since the 1962-63 season. The matches against Larkfield, King Edward's, Kingswood, Hereford, St. Julian's and Thomas Rich's showed that when in form the side was a very formidable one. Teamwork was the essential factor . All the home games were won, thus setting up a new ground record, but three of the four away matches ended in defeat. The defeats by Chosen Hill and Cheltenham G.S. were particularly disappointing as on both occasions we had held an 8 point lead. Unfortunately, the "Wooden Spoon" game against City of Bath was cancelled after the team travelled to Bath only to find a blanket of fog.
K. Cooper, S. Huck, P. Kingston and C. Williams had county trials and Kingston and Williams played for the Gloucestershire Schools (19 group). Williams and Kingston were later selected to represent England Schools (19 group) versus Scotland in Edinburgh, and C. Williams also played against France and Wales.
At the under 15 level I. Wilkins and G. Rodway were selected for the County XV, and Wilkins earned an England trial.
Colours were re-a warded to: D. Betterton, K. Cooper, J. Dunsdon, S. Huck, P. Kingston, I. Lewis, D. Upton, P. Tucker, K. Watkins, G. Wildin, C. Williams, J. Wallis.
New colours were awarded to: A. Legge, A. Vaughan, R. Vaughan R. Ward.

Half Colours were awarded to: G. Love, K. Rodway, I. Crawley, C. Allen.

RECORD 1968-69
1st XV:
Played 10, Won 7, Drew 0, Lost 3. Points For 174. Points Against 54.
Larkfield H Won 17- 0
King Edward's A Won 19- 3
Kingswood H Won 31- 3
Hereford H.S. H Won 36,- 0
Chosen Hill. .A Lost 8- 9
St. Iulian's ..H Won 26,- 6
City of Bath H.S. ., A Cancelled
Cheltenham G.S. A Lost 8-11
Marling H Won 10- 0
Sir Thomas Rich's. .H Won 9- 6
Abertillery A Lost 10-16
P. KINGSTON (Captain).

BOYS' HOCKEY
This was a good season's Hockey with the team playing very well for all the matches, although against the Old Boys concentration lapsed during the second half. The team played enthusiastically and scored many goals. Gary Wildin and Alan Wintle held the defence solid. Kevin Cooper and Robert Ward were the spearhead of the attack. K. Cooper, P. Tucker and A. Wintle played for a Gloucester XI against Glamorgan, and K. Cooper and P. Tucker were selected for the South West of England trials. P. Tucker was selected as reserve goalkeeper for Welsh Schoolboys.
Colours were re-awarded to: G. Wildin (Capt.), K. Cooper, P. Kingston.
New colours were awarded to: S. Drew, P. Tucker, A. Wintle, T. Beale, R. Ward, S. Blencowe.
Half colours were awarded to: J. Armitage, H. Handcock, R. Permain, J. Dunsdon, A. Parfitt, G. K. lames.
The season's results were:
Played 9, Won 4, Lost 3, Drew 2. Goals for: 24. Goals against: 18.
Beachley Apprentices Away Lost 2-6
L.G.S. Old Boys. .Away Lost 0-6
Kings G.S., Gloucester ..Away Won 6-0
Rend Combe Home Drew 0-0
High School, Cardiff Away Won 6-0
Cardiff Cathays ..Home Won 5-2
High School, Cardiff Home Won 4-0
Whitchurch Home Drew 1-1
L.G.S. Old Boys. .Home Lost 0-3
Again we are grateful to Mr Thomas and Mr Morris for their coaching, and to the girls who prepared teas.
S. BLENCOWE, 6 Arts B.

THE BADMINTON CLUB
There is no truth in the story that the members of the Badminton Club are frogmarched into the gym each Thursday afternoon and all doors in and out are locked to prevent escape. However, rumours that the club president recruits new members by crouching just outside the school with a large net and a shotgun still require investigation. Certainly, new members do come and go, and the number of regulars has only just held its own. Meetings are never uneventful. When a match is over an astounding ritual takes place. Four players leave the court and there is a scramble among their replacements for racquets. Everyone insists that they prefer the qualities of someone else's racquet and that their game will be seriously affected if they can't have it. However, by the time everyone has swapped racquets four times, they always end up with the one they had originally. When all this fuss has died down the sharp-eyed and quick witted can notice that the group is one player short. The problem is made no easier by the fact that the other three have all opted to play on the same side of the net and a long-winded discussion follows as to who should play whom. Now please don't get the impression I'm putting you off, because I'm not. On the contrary, if you have indefatigable energy, everlasting patience, and an expert knowledge of self defence (for heated discussions on marginal decisions), -you're welcome; indeed, you have outstanding qualifications.
I. JONES, 6 Science B.

CRICKET
This season must surely be regarded as one of the best for many years. The impressive record includes only one match lost (against St. Paul's London, a side which plays such teams as M.C.C. and Eton), and victories over strong opposition such as Cheltenham Grammar, Dursley, Forest of Dean, Marling and Tewkesbury. Even in defeat the team found success since, although losing to St. Paul's, they still managed to remove the visiting batsmen for the lowest score they had this season. The sweetest victory of all, however, was that gained over a strong Old Boys XI. This was the first time that an Old Boys team had. been beaten by a school side and for this reason alone, this year's team deserves special mention. .The success enjoyed this season must be attributed in the main to a keen, well-balanced side containing a number of young, promising players. Confidence and excitement were never lacking. This was witnessed on three occasions when victories were obtained in the last over of each match. It is always a difficult task to single out players for mention, but of the bowlers, both A. Legge and D. Williams should be congratulated on a successful season. The bowling was such a success that P. Kingston, who bowled exceptionally good leg spinners, and K. Cooper were the only other bowlers who were needed. R. Ward was consistently sound with the bat (indeed he scored three separate half centuries) and with R. Drewell giving good support the school side always made a sound start to their innings. When the openers were dismissed, P. Kingston and K. Cooper could always be expected to have a good innings, and with the batting stretching down to number ten, the school was rarely in trouble. Thanks are due to Mr Wiltshire, Mr Morris and Mr Parfitt for their coaching. We are grateful to the girls who prepared teas and to the staff who umpired the matches. The Junior XI also enjoyed a successful season.
Colours re-awarded to: K. Cooper, P. Kingston, A. Legge, D. Williams and G. Wildin.
New colours to: R. Drewell, R. Ward, S. Jones, H. Handcock, A. Wintle.
Half-colours to: R. Johnson, G. James, K. Rodway, J. Dunsdon.
Final Record:
Won 6, Lost I, Drew 3

BATTING AVERAGES (excludes Old Boys match)

BOWLING AVERAGES (excludes Old Boys match)

Finally I would like to thank the team for making my job much easier and for giving me an enjoyable last season.
K. COOPER (Captain).

WHAT DICK WHITTINGTON DIDN'T SEE
Very early one morning in July a large number of the Sixth Form arrived in Lydney. We boarded the coach and, although we were all eager to be on our way, we had to wait half-an-hour because some people had overslept. However, they finally arrived and we set off for London. The trip there was uneventful, despite some disorder in the back of the 'bus. Travelling through the outskirts of London, there were various comments on the fashions, even the politest of them quite unrepeatable, . What an occasion for the Houses of Parliament! Members of L.G.S. were actually at its doors, but strangely, nobody seemed to realise the importance of this. After a singularly unilluminating talk by our guide we were at liberty to explore the city. Our group's intention was to pay a quick visit to the boutiques and then go sight-seeing. However, the summer sales proved too great a temptation. Our time was fully occupied with going into all the interesting shops, with the result that we never did see any of those famous sights. The evening soon arrived, and while some of us went to the cinema, others were eager to experience the extravaganza of "Hair" or watch Derek Nimmo skipping across the stage and exercising his toes as a remedy for a hangover. After the performances we made our way to the coach terminal via Trafalgar Square, restraining our desire to have a quick paddle. Determined not to fall asleep on the return journey, we spent the first hour discussing how expensive it was to sit down in the city. One member of the party had sat down on a deck-chair to rest her feet and been immediately accosted by a little man demanding ninepence. Otherwise we had to consume endless drinks in a cafe or sit through a two-hour programme in a news theatre. However, this attempt not to fall asleep was not a success and most of us slept until we arrived in Lydney an hour earlier than expected. This was rather unfortunate for those of us who had arranged for transport which would not arrive for another hour, so we started to make our way on foot. We only got a short distance, however, as the two policemen who had parked their van outside the Baths insisted on taking us home!
MARILYN SHANAHAN, 6 Arts B.

SCHOOL OFFICERS

Head Boys: P. SELBY, D. KELSEY, A. GROSSET
Deputy Head Boy: P. KINGSTON
Head Girls: ANNE NORTHAM, JEAN DAVIS
Deputy Head Girl: SUSAN RIDLER
Prefects D. BETTERTON, JANE BLACKMORE, A. BURLEY, JANE CARPENTER, K. COOPER, JUDITH DAVIES, J. CRAWLEY, PATRICIA DAVIS, J. DUNSDON, FAY ELSMORE, R. HARPER, JUDITH FORDREE, S. HUCK, TERRY JONES, S. JONES, AVRIL KING, S. TOVEY, JUNE LINDSAY-SMITH, D. UPTON, NICOLA REISSNER, A. VAUGHAN, SUSAN THOMPSON, A. WALKER, PATRICIA TRUMAN, G. WILDIN, PATRICIA VEDMORE, C. WILLIAMS .
Games Captains
Rugby: P. KINGSTON
Hockey: JEAN DAVIS
Hockey: H. WILDIN
Tennis: JEAN DAVIS
Cricket: K. COOPER
Netball: PATRICIA DAVIS

'HELP THE AGED' WALK
An unusual sight greeted me as I entered the form room on the morning of 22nd July. Instead of the usual blue blazered horde, either talking or frantically trying to finish home-work, I was met by a motley array dressed in all imaginable kinds of clothes. After being misled by a series of conflicting instructions, we made our way to the coaches and, after the mad scramble to get the back seats, we had to leave them to collect over-large badges to be pinned to our clothes. On our arrival at Ruardean we emerged into fresh air again and started on what was to prove an orgy of weak joke telling. The first hill was taken with comparative ease, but not so the rest, and each successive hill was, or seemed to be, steeper than the last. We eventually arrived at the first refreshment point where we drank several beakers of Quosh. We pushed on and left the old railway line we had been following for some time and travelled along a gravel track shaded by large, lofty beeches. Here we started our sandwiches and munched our way along for several miles, until we came to the second refreshment point where, unfortunately, the supply of Quosh was rather limited. We entered the wilds of Pillowell and made our way across a rather decrepit football pitch and the fallen down goal posts were the object of more weak jokes. The next hazard we were to encounter was the most cunning of those set by the members of the staff. Near Yorkley the track seemed to rise into a small hill which we attempted to cross at full speed and if it hadn't been for a particularly sharp eyed member of our party we would have received a practical demonstration of the force of gravity as the track opened out into a ditch some six feet deep. It was not until then that we noticed a poorly positioned sign warning us of the hazard. Having by-passed this carefully concealed trap we made our way along a gravel track and emerged into civilisation again at Forest Road. When we arrived back in Lydney we found we had earned about £200 to help the aged, and we returned home footsore and weary.
R. OVERINGTON, 3 alpha.

SPRING DAYS
The spikes of bluebell on long, slim stalks,
Make a carpet of blue along forest walks.
Their fragrance covers the whole wild wood,
Where yesterday only dead brambles stood.
HEATHER GIBSON, 1S.

HOME AND ABROAD
This year I had the good fortune to attend two annual camps, one at R.A.F. Bruggen m Germany and one at Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire. The first was in Yorkshire at Easter. As the train pulled out of Lydney Junction my thoughts ran back to the previous year's camp at West Raynham. I pictured my friends and I scrambling over barbed-wire fences, sprawling over East Anglian fields, half drowning in a disused swimming pool and being pursued by a rather seductive pig. In contrast with the flat of East Anglia, Linton was situated in the Yorkshire wilds. Like all other camps Linton-on-Ouse had a pretty tight schedule, and our working days were packed full of camp tours, exercises, sports and range shooting. Linton is a training station where the recruits of today are turned into the pilots of tomorrow. Constantly, wherever we went we could view the Provosts being thrown about the sky. The station was partly occupied by the Royal Navy which meant there were even more Officers. On one day I must have saluted everyone of them till my right arm bore a muscle Charles Atlas would have been proud of. We toured the armoury, Air Sea Rescue department, where we tested all the equipment, and the Hangars to inspect the Jet Provost. We had special visits to the link trainers which are simulators on small stands. I and my co-pilot had just picked off our seventeenth bandit when we were told it was allover. Every day a new notice was placed on the board to inform the would-be Biggleses that it was their turn to fly. The plane of course was a Chipmunk, a small single engined two seater, and our flights the usual half-hour. No matter how many times 1 have been up I always find the take off, flight and landing as exciting as the first time. A number of us were taken up in a Sea Prince, an aeroplane not half as big inside as out. Then there were the exercises. In our block there were two squadrons split into four flights: Jaguar, Lightning, Phantom and Harrier, to compete for a set of wall plaques (table mats) which were eventually won by the Phantom mob. The main exercise was "Operation Saboteur", the "Nitex". At seven p.m. Harrier flight went into action. We sped across the runways to the boundary with our wooden bombs and, faces blackened with foul mud, we set off with a chorus of "Dem ol' cotton fields back home". Crawling on the cold grass made us numb. Eventually we were ready to strike. Comrade Teague of the Aylburton Commandos volunteered to plant the bomb, which he did successfully, even if he did get captured. We returned to the billet tired, damp and dirty, but pleased to have succeeded. I returned from Linton wondering about my next camp on Germany. On the same day I left home, I flew from England in a B.A.C. 1-11 to Wildenwrath, Germany. On arrival we were hustled into a bus and after a quick trip down the autobahn arrived at Bruggen. On the first evening we were all given a briefing telling us of all the places which were strictly out of bounds, and the consequences of visiting them. But the procedure of any A.T.C. camp is much the same wherever you are and we had tours, visits, lectures, films and various amusements.
Without causing a major international incident I can divulge certain information about the camp. There were a number of Canberras belonging to a fighter squadron and a photographic squadron. We were shown over both variations and noted with great interest what the plane does and how exactly it does it. There were also a few "choppers" and several Pembrokes -a twin engined transport/trainer. These Pembrokes were the planes we were due to fly in. Unfortunately, they were unserviceable and grounded. So much for the aircraft. We toured the Air Traffic Control room where we saw Lightnings do "emergency landings" and we toured the fire section and "Met Office". Then we had an ejector seat explained to us (for no more than the tenth time). The R.A.F. must have wanted us to see a fair bit of Germany itself and Holland too, and on frequent excursions we visited German cities including Dusseldorf and Munchen-Gladbach. Holland being but a few miles away we crossed the border to visit Roermond and a war museum at Overloon where there were tanks, planes and guns. Tuesday night was firing night when each cadet fired 30 to 40 rounds on .303 rifles and Brens. My left shoulder still bears the scar . There was also considerable leisure time and a cinema, swimming pool and sports facilities. On Tuesday we went to a go-kart track. All went well except for one cadet who put his cart into a spin, toppled over and broke his shoulder. Soon, however, Wednesday night arrived and after a passing out parade when one cadet did, we returned to our billet for some final packing. I would like to thank F .0. Essen and Sgt. Hall who handled the camp so well, Flt/Lt Skerman who took charge of Gloucester wing and, most of all, Flt Lt. D. A. L. Thomas and other 614 Squadron officers who helped me with this trip.
LAURENCE CLARK, Ldg/ Cdt.

The market cross Is made of stone,
It stands there, bleak, and all alone,
Its Saxon head bears a cross,
Cold and dark, covered with moss.

SHIRLEY BROWNING, 2S

CHILD CARE '69
When I left school in June 1968, I had no idea I was going to be a pioneer. With that word everyone immediately thinks I have taken up mountaineering, sailing round the world or space research. No such thing I'm afraid, but I was one of the first in the country to take the first year of the Home Office Child Care Course. Last September, thirteen girls, including myself, from in and around Gloucester arrived on the doorstep of Gloucester Technical College. We made our separate ways to the Domestic Science Department where we soon grouped together to discuss what on earth we were doing there. Child Care was a new course at Gloucester, and we quickly got the impression that even the staff were not quite sure what we were meant to do. It was a year of trial and error which combined hard work with a great deal of fun. Naturally, a part of the syllabus involved taking notes, writing essays, homework and projects for such subjects as English (Child- ren's Literature), Social Studies, Nutrition and Science and General Studies, but it did not stop there. Our 'artistic' talent was explored with art, carpentry, dressmaking and cookery. Carpentry proved the biggest surprise of all. Thirteen nervous girls crept into the building department. There were boys every- where, and they obviously thought we were mad to even consider intruding into their sanctuary. As the weeks went by, carpentry became one of the highlights of the week, although our poor teacher rapidly went grey as hands were sawn off and fingers crushed. By now you must be wondering where Child Care came into the course. Everything we studied was based on its relationship to children. We learnt first aid from headache to broken legs and bandaging. We made beds, mixed baby foods and bathed a baby. It was a doll really, that wouldn't bend and after every bath leaked for the next three hours. The real highlights of the week were our visits. Every Tuesday morning we invaded the Gloucester Infant Schools and Nurseries. To be suddenly confronted by thirty young children can be a horrifying shock. It did, however, prove the best way to get to know the children. The idea was to find out how their little minds functioned, and it led to hilarious discussions in our child psychology lessons. Our other visits were to such places as a dairy farm, the docks, the lawcourts, museums, in fact everywhere except the prison. On a Wednesday we trooped down to the swimming baths where we learnt to life-save, that is everyone except yours truly who spent most of the time sinking slowly to the bottom. The year flew by and I made many good friends in the college. We are all looking forward to next year when we put our theory into practice once a week at a children's home. What is in store for us we don't really know, but we all look forward to finding out. PAULINE CRADDOCK.

FROM SCRAP TO THE ROAD
"Be ready by 8 o'clock Sunday, then". We were anything but enthusiastic about getting up on a cold winter's morning at such an unearthly hour, but we were ready and waiting when our transport arrived. Mr Cyril Elsmore, who had suggested the project of renovating his old car, was waiting to greet us. "Come into the garage and I'll show you your task". In the far corner stood an old green sports car, dirty but otherwise in good condition. Our immediate reaction was one of delight because we thought we only had to clean and respray it to get it back into first class condition. "Nice car, Cyril." "Yes, see if you can make as good a job on this one." He led us round a partition and showed us a heap of rusty scrap metal which was supposed to resemble a 1947 M.G., its parts held together by only a few nuts and bolts. Where were we to start ? Our first job was to dismantle the bodywork and strip each part of paint, dirt and rust. There was only one problem -how to get it home. The wings, headlamps and doors were manoeuvered into the back of Martin's van along with Pussy. We two were piled into one minute seat trying to keep our oily hands off the upholstery. Despite the crush we were driven home in style. Each of us took a particular part home, and during the Christmas vacation cleaned it up as well as possible. The remoulding of each part was, in the main, carried out in the Tech Shed. For lesson after lesson the floor was covered with red, blue, black and green strips of paint. Once each part had been hammered into shape, filled with fibre glass and smoothed down, it was resprayed first with the undercoat and then with the final shade of blue. Meanwhile Mr Jones was concentrating on the engine repairs. We are not mechanics and we found ourselves rather lost on this subject and are therefore unable to elaborate. The main framework of the car was brought down to school and the shiny components were refitted into their original positions. However, this presented more problems than were expected. Parts suddenly didn't fit into position and seemed to have either grown, shrunk or completely changed shape. Once again it was back to the grindstone. Some weeks later the car was finally fitted together. At last we had some idea of what a 1947 M.G. looked like. All that was left to complete was the upholstery and the electrical connections. Naturally we were left with the upholstery. We mutilated sheets of hardboard into various shapes and covered the necessary ones with the grey vynide material. Tables, hands and clothes were all stuck up with the rubbery glue. The smell wasn't too good either. With the final fitting completed 'our' car was washed and polished. Now for the first run. With new enthusiasm we traipsed into school on our first free evening. The car was driven on to the school's playing field and each of us in turn took a hand at the wheel. All our hard work hadn't been in vain. The successful completion of our project gave us inexplicable satisfaction.
NICKY HOOD and JANE THOMPSON, 6 Sc. B.

"I'M SORRY. ..I SEEM TO HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER
" Now what else did I have to do ? Ah yes! Telephone call. Into the kiosk. Pick up the receiver. What was the number again ? Gloucester 9925 something or other. Dial the number then. Code number for Gloucester ...9. Nine. ..Nine. ..Nine. ..Two. "This is the emergency service. State which service you require. Fire, Ambulance, or Police, please." "Well ...uh ...I'm sorry. ..I seem to have the wrong number ...I can't think how it happened. ..that is. ..uh ...the code number for Gloucester is 9, and the number I was given is 9925 ...". "I see. ..".
D. BROWNING, 6 Sc. B.

(To Be Completed)

 

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