THE ESSAYAN

Eccles Grammar School Headmaster: H. H. FAIRWEATHER, M.A.(Cantab.), F.R.G.S. No. 7. SUMMER, 1955. One Shilling and Sixpence Editors : MICHAEL WARRINGTON and YVONNE RALPH Assistants: JEAN BLAKE, SUSAN LOMAX, MARGARET WARDLE, PETER JACKSON and ALAN PIDCOCK

Editorial

SCIENCE has progressed these fifty years beyond man's wildest dreams. The names of Einstein, Sir J. J. Thompson and Fleming, to mention but a few, will ever have their place in the story of man's struggle with the problems set by nature. Perhaps to-day we pay too much attention to such problems, and not enough to the blessings of science. She has shrunk the seas and reduced the boundaries of the world, but in so doing has produced a greater tension among the peoples of the earth. Although great advances have been made in our medical knowledge, such advance would amount to nothing if the price to be paid for science is the annihilation of vast numbers of people.

The future can seem at times most depressing, but we of the coming generation must not give up the hope of attaining some sort of reconciliation in the world. Browning has written: "Ah, but a man 's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a Heaven for ?"

We must continue to reach out towards that understanding, even though it may seem to elude our grasp. No longer can we avoid the issues raised by "co-existence" and we must try to reconcile opposite ideals.

There need be no illusions about our goal, for the alternatives are simple: continued progress through friendly co-existence, or death and misery through stubbornness. We have our own small part to play. Our own mock election has shown us the complexities of government and called our attention to the many vexing questions of today; they are referred to in later pages of this magazine. It has also shown us how, by exercising our duties as citizens in a free democracy, we have an important responsibility in our right to vote.

Let us, then, in this school strive always for the best, so that when we take the places of our parents we may meet the problems of the world, not with despair, but with confidence.

M.W.,

Obituary

A. Stodart Reid (1886-1955)

Chairman of the Governors, 1921-1954.

The School has suffered a grievous loss in the death of a great Chairman and a great friend. Born in Aberdeen, he entered a Scottish bank, transferred to the Bank of England, London, and over forty years ago came to the Manchester Branch. In 1936 he became Sub-Agent and in 1945 the Agent or Manager.

He became a member of the Education Committee nearly forty years ago. Very soon he was a Governor of the School, and in 1921 he became our Chairman. This was a young, small, struggling school in those days, but it had found a great Chairman and year by year he was re-elected until, after 33 years, a serious operation, ill-health and doctor 's advice forced him to relinquish his official position in the school he loved and served so well.

What a stalwart friend he was! Happy on the platform on Speech Day; happy when listening to our Concerts and Plays or watching the Sports; happiest of all perhaps when going round the school, meeting boys and girls and reading on the Honours Boards the names of those he had known in the past.

He served his turn, too, as Chairman of the Bench of Justices. He served his Church so long, so devoutly and so well that, in 1929, he was appointed by the Pope to be a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory. Wise in counsel, happy in disposition, staunch in friendship and faith, he believed in and practised the Christian virtues. Gracious in dignity, placid in temperament, his commanding figure will be sorely missed, but his memory will remain.

Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife and sister, Mrs. Reid and Mrs. G. M. Kemball, both allied with Mr. Reid in their love and service to our school.

Alderman Mrs. Nina Hayes (1881-1955)

On 18th May , 1955, the school suffered the loss of another very old friend and Governor. Mrs. Hayes came from Ireland to Patricroft in 1898 to help her husband, Dr. W. J. Hayes, to work in his practice there. A skilled nurse, she helped in the founding of the Eccles & Patricroft Hospital. In war-time she worked in the V.A.D. and in Servicemen's Clubs. With her sister and her family, she became one of the best-known social workers in the Borough. Whilst it can be said that Lifeboat Day, Alexandra Rose Day and Daisy Day were her special loves, yet any charitable effort in Eccles found her amongst its hardest and most willing workers

She became a Town Councillor in 1934, an Alderman in 1941 and Mayor of Eccles in 1947. On the Council she turned her energies towards helping mothers and children through the Health Services and the older folk through the Guardians Committee and the Bridgewater Hospital.

She was a keen traveller and spent her holidays, when younger, abroad. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, she loved to give lantern lectures on her trips, and her keen wit and humour added spice to the pictures.

A Governor of the School since 1935, she was ever ready to help. Whenever she could, she attended our functions. Whether she could nor not, she always wrote a charming letter enclosing a contribution. Her whole life seems to have been guided by the words " How can I help ?"

We extend to Dr. Hayes and to Mrs. Watson, her sister, our deepest sympathy, and we would thank them for helping Mrs. Hayes to be such a great, true, and very quiet friend to us.

THE QUESTION.

CONSERVATIVE.

It was with some reluctance and no small amount of fear and trepidation that I accepted an invitation to be a candidate in the Eccles Grammar School Constituency General Election.

My first job was to gather together a few staunch supporters to form my committee, and even the teachers were persuaded to show their true colours and support their party. Even more teachers might have joined the campaign but for the absence of a Scottish Nationalist and a Welsh Nationalist candidate.

At my first committee meeting it was decided that posters should be given priority, so I immediately sought the advice of Mr. Evans and Mr. Quincey, who so ably dealt with all my requirements tactfully and patiently transforming my ideas into posters worthy of the great party which they symbolised.

I then turned my attention to preparing myself for the ordeal ahead. Any fears that the meetings in the hall would not be a success for lack of support were quickly dispelled. Indeed they even became stormy as heated discussions constantly arose among the other candidates and the speaker. Even the members of staff joined in the heckling, and I was very pleased to be able to clear up a little misunderstanding about the seats in the House of Commons which existed in the minds of a celebrated Historian and Cantabrigiensis.

The eve of the poll arrived and the final election speeches were delivered, each candidate trying vainly to assess hi chances by the response of the audience to the speeches. Election day dawned and I had visions of my deposit never reaching the safety of my pocket again.

After the voting came the last half-hour of tension. Slowly the piles for the various candidates rose. While the Labour candidate and myself were debating as to which of our respective piles was largest, the Communist candidate was trying to convince himself that his pile contained the required seventy-four votes which meant that he did not lose his deposit. At last the piles were counted -- we had won! The Conservatives were elected by a majority of sixty-two votes.

I would like once more to thank all those who made success possible, in particular my Committee and the choir, who really were the driving force behind the campaign.

PETER JACKSON (6LS)

LABOUR.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mock election, as did also the members of my committee, even though we had violent arguments with those who supported the other parties. It was a great experience for me, and I shall no longer be afraid of speaking my mind or even speaking at the Literary and Debating Society. Usually I sit through debates trying to pluck up enough courage to speak and when eventually succeed the chairman is usually closing the debate.

The first time I spoke was an ordeal, although it was not as frightening as I had expected. Actually I felt worse three days before the first meeting than I did when I had to get upon my hind legs. A secret signal-system had been arranged with my political agent, Joan Geake; she would cough if I was talking too quickly -- which I do from sheer force of habit. Anyway, I went blissfully through my speech quite oblivious to the fact that Joan had coughed several times, and then I sat down thinking that I had done tolerably well!

My most embarrassing moment was when I had finished talking about the hydrogen bomb and had lost my place and could not remember what I was going to talk about next, but somehow I managed to get on to the next point.

Going round visiting the forms was very interesting, especially the first forms. The questions they asked showed they were taking a lively interest in the election. However, not being a scientist, I was stumped when one bright pupil asked me how the Labour Party was going to get rid of the bomb -- meaning how were we going to dismantle it. Luckily Miss Pryor, who has a far greater knowledge than I on this subject, came to my rescue and explained it to the satisfaction of the small first former.

The election was very much worth while and it has given everyone an insight into the way an election is run, and we will all know now how to vote when we come of age. It has also shown that we have some very good artists in the first form. I was asked by a certain person if I was not ashamed to lower myself to the level of the Labour Party. I can truthfully say that I was very proud and found it a great honour to stand as the Labour candidate, and I am certain that all my supporters were pleased to be Labour also.

BARBARA JONES (6 Lower Arts)

LIBERAL

Undoubtedly one most notable experience was the time I had to address a crowded school hall on the eve of the election. As the Conservative candidate spoke first and I second, I had exactly ten minutes to run over in my mind the various points that wanted emphasising, and to find time to wish myself elsewhere. In the meantime the Conservative candidate had finished, and it was my turn to speak. To put it mildly, I was extremely nervous, and the fact that there were approximately five hundred people listening to me did not help the matter. After a few minutes 1 managed to look at my audience, and after that to feel more confident that my legs could hold me. I realised then the truth of the maxim "It' s all right once you get in!"

The hall was an expanse of faces all turned towards me, but my speech came easily -- too easily. I am sure that at least half of it could not be heard. Then the Presiding Officer announced in his own peculiar way that my speech had finished. The main theme of my thoughts as I sat down was "With a few more minutes they would have all voted Liberal, perhaps".

There was one point that I had great difficulty in putting over to several forms, and that was the fact that, if the two main parties gained nearly the same number of seats, the Liberal Party would have a great deal of influence in the government of the country. I used all sorts of familiar examples, and the best was the mono-rider on a laboratory scale; but such efforts were sadly disturbed by the Conservative candidate's remarks about over­all majorities.

Ultimately the question arises as to whether or not it was worth while. Since i personally enjoyed the election, from purely selfish grounds it was; but the mock election was run for the whole school. It taught everyone something. It gave everyone an insight into what happens in a real election; it made them think and finally made them vote, and because of this the mock election was of infinite value. To conclude, I would like to thank the gallant one hundred and fourteen people who saved my deposit.

D. BROWN (6 Lower Science)

COMMUNIST

The two weeks before May 25th were short and tense for myself and the other three candidates for the vital seat of the Eccles Grammar School constituency. The tension was greatest just before each of my speeches and lowest just after them. I was lucky in the draw for times of speaking, having the last say at the eve of the poll meeting.

I think that my lack of success was mainly due to the fact that I could not find time to speak to some individual forms, as did the other candidates.

The most amusing incident in the election was the singing of the Conservative song, and the suggestion that a Communist choral group should sing at the following meeting "Joe Stalin's body lies a-mouldering in the grave". This proposal was turned down because we could not find any good voices among the Communist supporters.

I think that, when the result was given out, many in the hall were disappointed that I had lost my deposit, but would not have been prepared to do anything about it by voting for me.

The election was a great experience for me. Previously I had never given a speech anywhere, and the election speeches taught me firstly to answer questions without actually saying anything, and secondly -- and what is more important -- to speak supporting a cause in which I do not believe. I am no longer nervous of speaking to a group of people who are hostile to the cause for which I am speaking.

I think mine was the most difficult task of all the candidates as I had to get my audience to approach Communism with an open mind, overcome their bias against Communism, and then get them to support me. The mock election in the school, I think, gave many pupils a greater understanding of the political parties and impressed them with the seriousness of an election.

A. PIDCOCK (6 Lower Science)

Jean Anouilh: le refus de la vie

Il y a des pieces de Jean Anouilh que l'auteur appelle "les pieces roses", et d'autres qu'il appelle "les pieces noires". Dans celles-ci il y a souvent un mysterieux refus de la vie du caractere chef. "Antigone" est l'une entre ces pieces. L'heroine refuse d'obeir a l'edit de Creon et elle meurt acause de sa desobeissance. Mais il faut bien qu'elle meure, a moins qu'on ne change beaucoup l'histoire originale.

D 'ailleurs, Anouilh lui-meme croit inevitable la tragedie; au commencement il nous assure qu'Antigone ne vivra pas. Il faut done que Creon soit un tyran ou qu' Antigone refuse la vie. Creon n'est pas un tyran; il essaie meme de persuader a Antigone de vivre; mais il echoue. Antigone agit comme une vraie heroine d'Anouilh; elle meprise l'hypocrisie, le compromis et l'offre de la vie. Comme d'autres heroines d'Anouilh elle n'est pas trompee: elle sait ce qu'elle fait.

L"Antigone" d'Anouilh etait remaniee de la tragedie grecque de Sophocle. Anouilh a remplace les Grecs solennels par des caracteres plus ordinaires. Ainsi Antigone est tres humaine, done croyable. Creon est egalement un personnage tragique; il est fatigue mais courageux. Creon accepte la vie comme elle est; Antigone la rejette si elle doit etre heureuse.

Du commencement de la piece il y a une atmosphere de tragedie qui s'accroit graduellement. Antigone ne peut pas echap per a la mort. Elle sait bien la folie de contrevenir a l'edit qui refuse un enterrement a son frere. Pourtant on espere que Creon pourra lui persuader d'oublier Polynice. II accuse Antigone d'un orgueil faux, lui dit que sa mort serait insensee. Elle demeure obstinee. Creon est entin oblige afaire usage de son raisonnement demier. Il dit a Antigone que Polynice etait "un petit carnassier du et sans arne". Enfin Antigone n'aime plus son frere. Elle n'a plus de devoir a faire. Il semble que Creon a gagne.

Mais tout de suite, a l'improviste, quand Creon dit qu'elle peut trouver le bonheur, elle refuse encore. Pourquoi ? C'est ce mot "bonheur" qu'elle meprise. A son avis, le bonheur necessite un compromis avilissant avec les usages et les croyances du monde. Ses raisons sont esthetiques, non logiques. Elle comprend qu'elle ne peut pas compromettre ses propres ideaux avec ceux de la vie, et quoiqu' elle se rende compte qu'elle doit mourir elle continue a desobeir a Creon.

Quand Sophocle ecrivit son "Antigone" il avait les valeurs du monde. Sa piece est une lutte entre la justice et la tyrannie, le bien et le mal. Chez Anouilh il n'y a plus de bien ni de mal. Ses heros et ses heroines n'acceptent pas la vie avec son hypocrisie ni l'habilete dont on a besoin pour vivre. Et c'est la repugnance qui est la cause de ce refus.

Anouilh n'a pas de solution, comme le christianisme. ll n'a pas de confiance en la nature humaine et il parait qu'il sombre dans un desespoir noir et terrible qui l'occasionne a souiller et a insulter les valeurs les plus grandes du genre humain.

MARGARET HOBSON (6 LA)

PHYLLIS M. LAYBOURN (6 LA)

ODE TO THE G.C.E.

(with humble apologies to J. Keats, Esq.)

MARGARET WARDLE (6U)

"Hobson's Choice"

This highly entertaining comedy by Harold Brighouse was a happy choice for the Eccles Grammar School Dramatic Society. The actors had little trouble with the broad Lancashire accent, and they entered wholeheartedly into the spirit of the play.

J. Russell as Hobson himself gave a mature and polished, performance, portraying to perfection the character of the drunken crusty old man.

Jean Blake was very convincing as Maggie, Hobson 's eldest daughter. Maggie is the character around whom most of the play revolves, and special praise must be given to the way in which Jean brought out the contrasting moods of Maggie's character. She had an excellent counterpart in W. P. Carton as Will Mossop, the slow-witted boothand who later became a capable business man. By expert acting, he traced the development of Willie Mossop's character through its several stages.

Barbara Longden and Margaret White gave two very charming performances as Vicky and Alice, Hobson 's younger daughters. H. G. F. Pallin elegantly portrayed Albert Prosser, the effeminate lawyer who was Alice's fiance. He was supported by G. Spiller, who played Fred Beenstock, Vicky's opposite number.

Pat Harris was well cast as the hysterical Ada Figgins, and it was unfortunate that her appearance was so brief. P. Priest was excellent as Jim Heeler, Hobson' s old crony. M. Warrington made a good impression as the caustic Scottish doctor, while Phyllis Laybourn as Mrs. Hepworth and L. Dean as Tubby were very good in their respective parts.

The scenery, which was made on the school premises, was very effective and provided a good background for the actors. Indeed, the production as a whole was a credit to the producer, Mr. Crompton; and all concerned are to be congratulated on an excellent presentation.

"SPECTATOR" (6 LA)

["Hobson's Choice" is a well-known phrase and apparently originated with a Cambridge carrier of that name, as may be seen from this extract from " The Spectator" (Richard Steele) dated Tuesday, October 14th, 1712: " Mr. Tobias Hobson was a Carrier, and being a Man of great Ability and Invention, and one that saw where there might good Profit arise, tho' the duller Men over­looked it; this ingenious Man was the first in this Island who let out Hackney­Horses. He lived in Cambridge, and observing that the Scholars rid hard his Manner was to keep a large Stable of Horses, with Boots, Bridles and Whips to furnish the Gentlemen at once, without going from College to College to borrow, as they have done since the Death of this worthy Man: I say, Mr. Hobson kept a Stable of forty good Cattle always ready and fit for Travelling but when a Man came for an Horse, he was led into the Stable, where there was great choice, but he obliged him to take the Horse which stood next to the Stable-Door; so that every Customer was alike well served according to his Chance, and every Horse ridden with the same Justice : From whence it became a Proverb, when what ought to be your Election was forced upon you, to say, Hobson's Choice" -- EDs.]

Out of the mouths of babes . . .

SCIENCE: A vacuum is a short piece of empty stuff.
If a fluid has a hole in it, it closes up.
A vacuum is air, it goes up and down like a concertina.
Litmus is used to see if an acid is an alkoholic acid or not.
A fuse is a safety device to stop people from overloading.
Apparatus : a big round flat-bottomed glass bowel;
a bosom burner.
HISTORY: Henry VII1 married Anne Boleyn because he wanted a predecessor.
Robert Bakewell took two-cattle and bred them. He produced a new breed of sheep.
LANGUAGES: "Mehercule, omnibus in locis fodiemus" -- Upon my word, we shall all be in the local.
"Sois sage!" -- Be your age!
"L'aubergiste qui revenait triomphant, un parapline a la main" -- The innkeeper who returned triumphant, a drop of rain in his hand.
"Il avait envie de manger des champignons" -- he had envied the eats of the champions.

The School Concert

THE voices of twelve choristers drifting down from the balcony gave us "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring". So the concert began, and so the scene was set for a most enjoyable and most varied evening's expression of music.

The major work was "King Estmere," a traditional ballad set to music by Gustav Holst. Its performance presents many difficulties because the composer makes use of unusual harmonies to point the climaxes of the narrative, the tempo is frequently changed, and there is great variation in key. However, these difficulties were ably surmounted and a most impressive performance was given. We were told how the fair King Adler's daughter was wooed by Estmere and how he slew his rival, "that foule paynim" and "heathen hound" the Sultan of Spain. The sound of horses' hooves, the noise of battle and the gentle love-refrain of Estmere's wooing were effectively portrayed in the music. Particular mention should be made of the clarity of diction which enabled us to follow the story without any difficulty. There was hard work done here, and the choir, under its gifted conductor, Mr. Varley, deserves congratulation.

The remainder of the programme gave ample scope for pupils to display their talents. The list is too long to give in full, but special mention. should be made of the brass quartette which played British folk-songs arranged by P. Priest (5A) and of the orchestra which continues to expand and improve. Among the instrumentalists were (piano) Anne Nuttall (1E) and D. Watts (3A), (piano duet) Barbara Longden (5A) and M. Warrington (6 U Sc.), (violin) R. Furness (6 UA), (clarinettists) R. Wolstenholme (4R) and H. Murray (4A), and (strings) M. Wright (4A), B. Hall (4A), A. Langley (2B), P. Smith (3B) and R. Furness (6U A). Perhaps one of the most vivid memories of the evening was the singing of the small choir and of three unaccompanied voices (Dorothy Twigg, Barbara Longden and P. Priest (all of 5A). In pleasing contrast to the music was the verse-speaking, where the rhythm of the speaking voice and the full vowel sounds echoed the songs of the choir. The poem were: " Miranda" by Hilaire Belloc,"Night Mail" by W. H. Auden; and " The Listener " by Walter de Ia Mare.

AGINCOURT.

MAUREEN WYNN (2 A)

Cricket Commentary

IT is sometimes said in justification of games that they are "character-forming". If this be so, there should be certain recognisable features which distinguish the cricketer from the rest of humanity.

Your cricketer early learns to bear blatant injustice -- a very good thing since there is much injustice in the world. His point of view, however, will depend very largely on whether he bowls or bats. When appealed against for lbw the batsman always thinks that the ball in question would have missed the stumps by the width of a twopenny bus ride -- in any case, it was a rising ball which, had he not generously impeded it, would have risen to the heights of the tall trees at the edge of the ground. When, however, he sees that dreaded sight, the umpire with his finger raised (and don't they seem to enjoy that!), there comes into his mind a strong suspicion that the umpire is totally blind in one eye and cannot see very well with the other. Funnily enough, the bowler is convinced that the same ball would not only have flattened all three stumps but would also have sent the bails whistling past second slip's ear.

Cricketers develop a love for nature. They become expert in picking out the most succulent blades of grass to nibble when fielding in the outfield -- indeed, they could hold a technical conversation with cows on this subject. They also become weather prophets, looking anxiously at the usual rain-clouds coming from the west. There is nothing more maddening than fielding when the other side is in and watching the certain progress of rain­clouds which will mean that he won't get an innings. On the other hand, the cricketer is usually an expert card-player and an expert dietician -- especially in the specialised field of sandwich types and slab-cake. He is well raised in medical matters -- the hip-bone seems a favourite target of fast bowlers, and he watches anxiously from the pavilion to see signs of tiring in the enemy fast bowler. A physicist, too, he becomes -- gauging the density of the atmosphere to help that deadly swing (although you may also see him picking out, with practised eye, the micro-ridges and valleys on the pitch which help the "swing").

In short, your cricketer is a many-sided expert, but above all a hopeful optimist. He had a " duck " last Saturday, one the week before, and a snicked two through the slips the week before that. But if only he can "get set", so long as he gets no "shooters", if the sight-screen is in the right place, is not given out lbw, or snicked catch to the wicket-keeper (anyone not totally blind co ld have seen it was the pad buckle or a creak in the bat!), then this week it's fifty -- or even a century!

K.M.J.

FOOTBALL

Looking back on the season, football in the school enjoyed a certain measure of success. This year, however, saw a number of disappointments, for the season was marred by a large number of cancellations, and only two-thirds of the fixtures were played.

The school put out a fairly strong lst X I and started the season with a number of convincing wins, aided at times by the enthusiastic cries of the one or two spectators. Unfortunately, however, come Christmas, three regular members of the1st XI left the school, weakening the side. However, driven on by the military brusqueness of Mr. Mackenzie, we recovered enough to draw 2-2 with the Old Essians.

The 2nd XI has enjoyed little success this season, and only the valiant efforts of the few that really put their minds to the task held the team together.

Of the junior teams, the under-15 XI, under the direction of Mr. Briggs, gave by far the best performances, and they look like forming an invincible 1st XI some day. The under-14 XI had little opportunity of playing together because of the small number of fixtures arranged tor them. They have on occasion, however, proved their worth.

A new venture introduced this season was the participation of an under-13 side in the Eccles School Shield Competition. This team, managed by Mr. R. D. Evans, did very well, and one only wishes that the seniors would show as much fight, energy and enthusiasm as they do.

The lads of all teams would like to thank the members of staff who have given up a great deal of their time to stimulate and encourage soccer in the school.

Colours (1954-55) -- Boardman, Carton, Jackson, Ryder and Warrington.

Old Colours -- Wolstenholme, Savage and Worthington.

B. SAVAGE (6UA)

NETBALL

During the past season the netball teams have had the misfortune of having many cancelled matches owing to bad weather. The under-14 team has not had much match experience, but has the makings of a good side. Next year's senior team, now the under-15, has played well, and if they continue with the same keenness they will have much success next season. The senior team has played very well throughout the season, but has had very few matches.

We would like to thank Miss Pryor for her help and encouragement to all the teams and for all the time she has spent in coaching us.

1954-55 colours have been awarded to Joan Mather, Jean Carney, Margaret Williams and Joyce Clarke.

LORNA PARKINSON (6U Arts)

ODE TO MISS G________

6 UPPER GENERAL.

HOCKEY

Owing to bad weather the school hockey teams have played only three matches. The standard or play was very good, which was due to the careful coaching of Miss Bryan and Miss Nickless. The practices were very helpful, as the two teams worked hard and enjoyed doing so I am sure that next year's teams will benefit by this year's hard play. The season ended with the match against the Old Essians, which was enjoyed by everyone.

I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Miss Bryan and Miss Nickless, and also Jean Britch, the second team captain, and all the girls who co-operated so willingly.

Hockey colours were gained by M. Wardle, L. Parkinson and A. Darlington.

AUDREY DARLINGTON (6G U)

Literary and Debating Society

THIS term we have not been able to have regular meetings because the School Play and Concert were being prepared. However, the meetings that did take place were very lively and interesting. There was a good response from the floor, for instance, in the debate on the motion : "This House approves of the action of the B.B.C. in repeating '1984'." The motion was defeated, but only after some powerful arguments had been put forward in defence of the B.B.C.

Another extremely lively debate was on the motion: "This House considers that men's fashions are becoming even more ridiculous than women's." To illustrate the point, one member of the staff attended adorned with a red waistcoat and garish purple tie. One would have expected the motion to have been defeated, but man's rights for free self-expression were so well put by P. Jackson and others that voting was: 24 votes for and none against, with three abstentions.

We were very pleased to have an Old Essian as one of our speakers. Mr. Douglas Lambert came to talk to us about "Soap and Detergents", and made his points so clear that even the Arts members of the Society had little difficulty in understanding his explanations. The meeting was well attended and the interest aroused by the speaker in his subject was reflected in the many questions that were asked.

Finally, we were fortunate in arranging an exchange debate with Chadderton Grammar School on the motion: "This House deplores the time when the young women of this generation become the mothers of the next". As usual, this proved to be most enjoyable, for the Chadderton Society has a freshness and originality among its members which we would do well to emulate. Perhaps we may be moving in that direction when our Society becomes infused with new blood from our young contemporary, the Junior Debating Society. Our thanks are due to P. Harper, who so ably chaired the meetings; to our Secretary, P. Preston; and to those who made arrangement for the cups of tea.

THE JUNIOR DEBATING SOCIETY.

At the beginning of last year a new Society was started for the second and third forms, known as the Junior Debating Society. We opened with a subject which is highly debatable everywhere, the Colour Bar. After hearing four very good speakers, the Society unanimously agreed that the Colour Bar should cease to continue. Next we debated the motion that the youth of today are spineless and spoonfed, and Jones (3B) did much to sway the meeting so that finally the motion was defeated.

Another debate which stands out as one of the more interesting took place during the week we were joined by Jean Burtonwood and Michael Warrington, who worked hard to convince us that prefects are a complete necessity. After their very interesting speeches they were rewarded when they heard the result -- the motion defeated by twenty-three votes. Our thanks are due to them for giving us a very entertaining meeting.

Another highlight of our meetings was the Balloon Night held in February, when Mary Kingsley, Sir Humphrey Davy, Florence Nightingale and Sir Winston Churchill fought to stay in the balloon. This meeting was well attended and, I think, enjoyed by everyone, and when, eventually, Sir Winston Churchill was left in the balloon loud cheers came forth.

Owing to the schoo l concert and play, meetings were dis­continued for two months, but the last meeting of all went down very well as a Question Night. Mr. Williams and Mr. Varley were two of a panel of six, and our thanks go to them for helping to answer some difficult questions put forward by members of 2A.

Meetings have been chaired by Ann Seddon (3B), and 1 was privileged to chair the first few meetings, which J enjoyed very much. On the whole, meetings have been quite well attended, but on several evenings there were too few speeches from the floor. We hope for better results next year.

ANN BROWN (3C)

Ave Atque Vale

We shall be very sorry to lose the services of Mr. W. (Latin) Evans from the staff. He came to us in September, 1947, and, quite apart from the teaching of his subject, he has made a considerable contribution to the life of the school. In particular, his presence will be missed on Friday evenings at the Chess Club and in the preparations for Sports Day when he was always one of the active "back-room boys". As an Old Essian himself, he has taken an active interest in the Old Essians' Association, of which he has been President. He has also done valiant work in the auditing of the accounts of the various School funds, a tedious but necessary task. We thank him for his devotion to the School and wish him well in his new appointment as Classics Master, Chetham's Hospital, Manchester.

Two other members of the staff will not be with us in September. Mrs. Mainwaring came to help us out in April, 1953, for a term only. She has stayed for over two years, and we are grateful for the help she has given in the Mathematics department. Her place will be taken by Mr. D. Mathews. Mrs. Murphy has also been with us for two years but will be leaving at the end of term. Her place will be taken by Miss P. Howell.

And now farewell and best wishes to all pupils who will be leaving us this summer. We would like to mention those whose destination is already known: Margaret Wardle and Valerie Edwards to read Modern Languages at Exeter University College; Jean Britch to Retford Training College; Jean Burtonwood to Leeds; Audrey Darlington to Bingley; Brenda Holland to Padgate; Margaret Key to Edgehill; Freda Mills to Bingley; Lorna Parkinson to Birmingham; Doreen Taylor to Edgehill; Jean Thomas to Wrexham; Margaret Woolrich to Alsager; Barbara Wolf to St. Goderich's Secretarial College. All have taken an active part in our school activities and have set a fine example for others to follow.

We would also like to welcome to the School those who have joined us as a result of transfer from other areas: Gillian Davies, now 3B, came to us from Rhodesia; Janet Learmonth, now 4B, from Wirrall County Grammar School; Jacqueline McDougall, now 1 E, from Kircudbright; and Margaret Skeets, now 4C, from Blyth (Northumberland). We hope that they will find their stay with us an enjoyable and profitable one.

Among the school-leavers will be Phyllis Laybourn (6LA) and P. Priest (5A). It so happens that both are going to the Bristol area, and Bristol's gain will be Eccles' loss, for both have made important contributions to the School. Phyllis recently gained the distinction of being awarded first prize (£15) in an international essay competition in which about 1,000 schools competed. Priest's musicianship has become such an integral part of the School 's musical life that it will be difficult to replace him. We thank both for their contributions and hope that they will quickly settle down in their new surroundings so that they will be able to carry on the good work which they have been doing here.

In conclusion, it is always pleasant to meet former pupils. During the Easter holidays, a party was visiting Salford Royal Hospital and being shown various aspects of work in a hospital. Among the demonstrators were Janice Holmes (specialising in Physiotherapy) and Mabel Davis (nursing) and we were pleased to renew contact with old friends.

The Council for Education in World Citizenship

THIS term two conferences have been held in the Manchester area for senior pupils from grammar schools. The first was a talk by Mr. F. Barton on "Impressions of the U.S.S.R." Twelve months ago Mr. Barton, who is a Quaker, had spent some weeks in the Soviet Union as a trade union delegate. His talk was most informative and was confined to what he saw. When questions tried to steer him on to purely political speculation about the future relations between the Great Powers, he rightly refused to answer those questions. The result was a valuable introduction to the life of ordinary people in the Soviet Union today, given without bias.

The second meeting was a talk on East German Youth by Mr. Mark Gibbs, who has visited East Germany several times chiefly as a delegate from the British Churches. He gave a history of the East German Church and the part played in it by youth from before the war until the present time. He spoke of the difficulty experienced by Christians in obtaining important posts in the professions, and how (depending upon the wording of the questions and the attitude of the examiner toward the Churches) Christians would often fail their degrees, for all students are compelled to take a paper on Communism. Such treatment indeed shows how a young Christian in East Germany must be prepared to suffer a great deal for his religion. However, in spite of these difficulties, there is a growing interest in the Churches amongst East German youth, and in the last wave of persecution the Churches stood their ground and proved victorious.

The many interesting questions raised afterwards covered other aspects of life in East Germany, and the benefit derived from this question-time was as great as from the actual talk.

Recently the C.E.W.C. published the first "News Club", a current affairs monthly newspaper. The leading article is on the subject of racial discrimination entitled "There is No Master Race". Other columns cover a wide range of topics. Quizzes, crosswords and many pictures give added interest to this very welcome publication.

The subject of the next Conference (which will be held during the first week of the holidays) is "China". This should prove a very interesting topic, and I would urge senior pupils to take a greater interest in the C.E.W.C. which is, of course, an organisation of the United Nations Association.

MARGARET E. WILKINSON (6 Lower Arts)

News of Old Esslans

ENGAGEMENTS

MARRIAGES

BIRTH

CHESS

As far as this school is concerned, I am sorry to say that the game of Chess is dying. Attendance at the Chess Club has declined since Christmas when we had ten boards in regular use, whereas now one is lucky to find an opponent.

The games in the Tournament are, however, being played off rather more rapidly than in recent years, the second round of the Open Section being partly completed after only six weeks since it started.

The Chess Club is about to suffer two serious losses, firstly that of Mr. W. Evans, who has regularly performed the thankless task of sorting out the sets and staying until 5-30 almost every Friday evening until the last game has been completed. l am sure all members, past and present, offer him thanks for what he has done for the Club and wish him a happy future. The second loss is that of many of the Upper Sixth who leave this year and so reduce our attendance still further. They will be remembered for their introduction of such games as "Two-Move Chess" and "Losing Draughts" into the Club, and also for their unorthodoxy when playing the recognised game.

It isn't chess, but it will round off this article and it may amuse you. On first thoughts, a stalemate with all the pieces on the board and even though connived at by both players would seem to be impossible, but it can be derived in no more than twelve moves :­

1, P-Q4, P-Q3; 2, Q-Q2, P-K4; 3, P-QR4, P-KS; 4, Q-KB4, P-KB4; 5, P-KR3, B-K2; 6, Q-KR2, B-K3;

7, R -QR3, P-QB4; 8, R-KK + 3, Q-QR 4ch; 9, Kt-Q2, B-KR5; 10, P-KB3, B-QK +6; 11, P-QS, P-K6;

12, P-QB4, P-KB5. -- Stalemate!

A. PIDCOCK (6LS)

ECCLES GRAMMAR SCHOOL, 1954-55

Head Boy: MICHAEL WARRINGTON Head Girl : M ARGARET WARDLE

PREFECTS:

B. SAVAGE (Deputy H ead Boy ) J. BURTONWOO D (Deputy Head Girl)
B. BANNING B. W. JONES J. BRITCH M. KEY
G. BLOOD K. B. JONES A. DARLINGTON Y. RALPH
K. BOARDMAN R. PARKER V. EDWARDS D. TAYLOR
B. DYSON G. SPILLER B. HOLLAND F. THOM
D. FINCH D. STEWART E. LAMB J.THOMAS
R. FURNESS S. WALLING L. PARKINSON B. WOLF
N. HARPER G. WOODALL M. WOOLRICH
P. HARPER E. WORTHINGTON

HOUSE CAPTAINS:

NORMAN B. SAVAGE VALERIE EDWARDS
SAXON K. BOARDMAN LORNA PARKINSON
STUART G. SPILLER JEAN BURTONWOOD
TUDOR R. P ARKER MARGARET KEY

GAMES CAPTAINS:

HOCKEY -- AUDREY DARLINGTON NETBALL -- LORNA PARKINSON
FOOTBALL -- 1st XI, B. SAVAGE 2nd XI, D. FINCH.

SCHOOL SOCIETIES:

Literary and Debating -- PAUL HARPER (Chairman), PAT PRESTON (Secretary )

Junior Debating Society -- ANN BROWN (Chairman)

Chess Club -- E. WORTHINGTON

Orchestra -- R. FURNESS (Leader)

Choral Society -- Accompanists: M. KEY, M. WARRINGTON, D. WATTS

Senior Dancing Club -- P. JACKSON