Extracts from "The Tower"

NEWS AND NOTES

We congratulate the pupils of the School on their efforts to raise almost £500 with which to buy a respirator for the General Hospital.

The School extends a welcome to the following members of staff who have joined us during the past academic year: Miss Lazenby, Mrs. Covington. Mrs. Bywater, Mr. Newton, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Wiseman, Mr. Collings, Mr. Smith.

We are sorry to say farewell to: Mr. Mahabir, who is going to a comprehensive school in Wolverhampton; Mr. Chater, who is retiring; Mr. Williams, who is joining the R.A.F. Our best wishes go with them for the future.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. K. Price whose marriage took place in December.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. S. Meakins on the birth of a son, Paul.

Members of the School have collected for various charities throughout the year.
The first prize in the grammar school section of The Mayoral Essay Competition was won by Stephen Hamp of 6US. Over the last four years six of the eight prizes for boys have come to Trinity.

Congratulations-

to D. C. Mobbs of 6UM who was selected to play for the County soccer XI;

to N. Freeman of 3R who was selected to play for the Under15 Town Soccer XI;

 

to P. Blincow of 2S who won the Nottingham Open Under 14 Tennis Championship, reached the semi-final of the Under 1 6Championship, and is playing for the County 2nd Team;

to A. West and D. Faulkner who were selected for the County 1st Rugby XV;

to T. Crane, M. Sawford, S. Hamp and C. Morgan who played for the County 2nd XV; and to Faulkner again on being selected to play for the Saints' 2nd Team, The Wanderers;

to Badcock, Cave, Eliston ' Kirby and Sturgess who were selected to play for the Northampton Town Under 14 XV.

J. R. Sorrie has been awarded the Charles Newton Flying Scholarship.

At the end of the autumn term the Annual Carol Service was held in the School Hall. The service was conducted by the Reverend Roy Cattell and lessons were read by members of the School.

T. W. CHATER, F.R.I.C.

AFTER a long and varied career, Mr. Chater retires in July of this year.

Educated at the City of London School, the Leed's Public Analyst's Laboratory and the Leed's Technical College, he entered industry after serving as a pilot in the R.F.C. during the 1914-18 war.

Mr. Chater was employed in the Heavy Chemical Industry for 30 years, mainly as Chief Chemist at a lead works. He qualified as an Associate of the Royal Institute of Chemistry in 1926 and was elected a Fellow in 1944. He was also Vice-President of the Newcastle Branch of the Oil and Colour Chemists' Association.

Retiring from industry in 1957 he joined the school in 1960 after teaching for three years in a Secondary Modern School.

Mr. Chater says that the years he has spent with us have been some of the happiest years of his life.

Although a strict disciplinarian, Mr. Chater is essentially a humane, kindly man and many boys have good reason to be grateful for his help and advice.

He regrets having to retire at the comparatively early age of 69 and is going to live in Sussex, near his son, who is a Senior Lecturer at a College of Education. Here he will have ample opportunity to indulge in his hobbies of interior decorating and landscape gardening.

THE DEBATING SOCIETY

THIS year the Debating Society started out at a lively pace holding several reasonably well attended debates before the end of the Winter term. As usual, the Society was forced to rely on a small clique of speakers and our thanks are due to Miss Lazenby, Miss Webster, Mr. Meldrum, Mr. Churchman, Miss Atkins and Miss Cooper, for going through the ordeal of speaking. Greater support for the Society would have been very welcome, but many other School activities occupied the time of staff and pupils who would otherwise have attended. Finally, we must thank Mr. Hill and Mr. Hartwell for so often giving up their time to chair the meetings.

SWANAGE FIELD COURSE, EASTER, 1969

FROM 30th March to 4th April a party of two girls and six boys, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Collings, took part in a geographical field course on the Isle of Purbeck. This course consisted of going out each day from the Swanage Youth Hostel, in which we were staying, to gather information about the numerous geographical features which exist in the region.

Our main work began on Monday when we were set the task of walking, a more apt word might be crawling, in twos, along a grid line, which had been decided upon before. The idea was to produce a cross-section, or transect, of our walk which contained information on relief, land use, vegetation and other factors. We had varying fortunes-thick mist, howling winds, vicious electric fences strategically placed to maim unthinking bikers, pot holes and angry farmers (we were all set a farm interview).

On the second day the weather was much more favourable as we set off on the south coast walk. Throughout this day we observed faulting of cliffs, erosion of certain features through the media of sea, rain, wind, frost and their action. Among the interesting features seen were Egmont Point (where we were fiendishly April-fooled by a certain master, who will remain anonymous, into almost walking through two feet of water under a waterfall), Chapman's Pool, St. Alan's Head, and Winsput Quarry.

On the 2nd April we visited the Lulworth Cove area especially to sketch, photograph, discuss and make notes upon the effects of erosion upon the coastline. The coastline in this area is longitudinal or Pacific, that is, the geology runs parallel to the sea.

Afterwards, five of us visited a point on the coast where there's a small oil rig, and gently "eroded" parts of the cliffs.

On the last "working" day we went on the east-coast walk-no transport here, just foot-power. Sitting on Ballard Down we discussed the site of Swanage and the surrounding geology. Later we arrived at the Old Harry Rock and made notes whilst attempting to overwhelm gale force winds and a "Luftwaffe" of skilled seagulls. After returning, dog-tired, to the hostel we copied up our notes and prepared to attack the "exotic" night-lift of Swanage (believe it or not, a policeman had never heard of a discotheque).

Since returning to Northampton we have realised that the course, despite its moments of comedy and relaxation, made us all appreciate what the class work is all about and provided us with extra scope for answering 'A'-level questions.

P. JOLLEY.

THE SCHOOL CHARITY 1968-69

DURING the Autumn of 1968, with Christmas looming nearer, the question of the Charity rose again. Since we had contributed to many of the major national charities in the past, the question became a problem. The whole School was asked to submit ideas, and the fifth and sixth form girls in particular, and quite independently, thought a local charity would be a good idea and suggested something to do with the General Hospital.

Accordingly, enquiries were made. We asked the Hospital what piece of equipment they would like to obtain, costing around £250-the usual charity sum we collect. The doctors met and decided on the baby respirator; there was only one snag: it cost £473. Mr. Harris, in his own words, "took the bull by the horns" and accepted the challenge.

Of course, it was realised that the period of collection would have to be extended, but the extra effort was thought to be well worthwhile. An average of £10 a week was collected in the normal manner and collections at the School production of "The Mikado" raised £15. There is not room to mention all the activities thought up to raise money. Notable efforts were the discotheque, the concerts, the freak show, the six-a-side soccer tournament and the Folk Evening. The jumble sale alone raised £78. Every conceivable device was used to squeeze money out of tightly-clenched hands and, judging by the successes, many of our pupils would be well advised to set up stalls in Petticoat Lane - they would undoubtedly be multi-millionaires within a few years. The boys of 6L had the enterprising idea of trying to beat the World Record for non-stop soccer, but unfortunately the Borough Medical Officer of Health thought it might have an adverse effect on some of the lesser spirits. An appeal to the parents produced £25 (so they have got the money even if they pretend they haven't!)

The respirator is, simply speaking, a machine for giving artificial respiration and although it can be used for adults, will be used mainly on premature babies and small children. It will be a welcome addition to the recently-built and most important intensive care unit at the Hospital, and at this very moment may be saving the life of a small baby which may otherwise have died.

6th FORM DRIVING COURSE

THIS scheme is a completely new idea and is intended to give pupils a good insight into driving, up to test-standard.

It consists of a series of two weekly lessons lasting nearly a term, being available to students at a specially reduced rate. The idea is to encourage young people to drive at a time when they find it easiest to learn and to be instructed professionally so that road safety can be improved. particularly if conducted on a national scale later. To achieve the best results, both practical and theoretical lessons have been combined so that pupils can not only learn to drive but also become acquainted with details concerning the Highway Code, the law, maintenance and even first aid.

As Trinity was the first school in the county to participate, the selected students felt eager to set an example for others to follow and they have conscientiously undertaken the course with successful results.

Indeed, I recommend that if given the opportunity to take part in such a scheme, all pupils should accept because I am sure they will find how worthwhile and beneficial it will be for the future. Many thanks are due to all those who have been involved and made the course possible. Now that the scheme has terminated there only remains one more task-to "shed" the L plates!

JULIETTE RUDDERHAM (6LG)

HOCKEY 1st XI

THE 1st XI played some good matches in the first half of the season, but after Christmas many matches were cancelled owing to the bad weather. The team did very well to come 2nd in their section at the Schools' Tournament, but unfortunately no one was selected for the Junior County team. On the whole the standard of play throughout the season was good.
Games played: Won 6. Lost 3.

Under 15 XI - THE team managed extremely well considering the fact that some people were playing for the 1st XI. Matches had to be arranged so that the best teams were available. Games played: Won 1. Lost 1. Drew 2.The blouse Cup was won by Blakeman.

JUST KEEP PILING ON THE RUNS

The following interview with Colin Milburn took place at the County Ground on a fine Saturday morning. Two weeks later Colin Milburn was in Northampton General Hospital after his tragic accident. We are sure the School will join us in offering him our very best wishes, and in hoping to see him soon back at the wicket.

Interviewer: C. Morgan.

Tape Recorder: A. Isaac.

Morgan: "Well Colin, we have beard a lot about you in the news and seen you on television, but when did you actually start your cricketing career?"

Colin: "The same as everybody else really, at school. Everyone starts at school sooner or later and I've continued from there. I played for Durham Schoolboys - I was born in Durham and graduated from there, until I was invited to play here (Northants)."

Morgan: "Did you get a lot of encouragement from your school? "Colin: "There was not a lot really because we didn't play much school cricket at my particular school, but I went to a lot of coaching courses."

Morgan: "Is it a profitable career in cricket'?"

Colin: "For any ordinary county player it is about the same money as an ordinary job, but if you reach the top it is a very comfortable living."

Morgan: "Do you earn enough to tide you over the winter period'? "Colin: "Well, the top players go abroad out of season, of course."
Isaac: "What do you think of the Sunday cricket league?"

Colin: "it is very profitable for the players and I think, therefore, it is a very good thing."

Isaac: "Do you find it tiring playing nearly seven days a week'?

"Colin: "it is a strain, particularly mentally, although physically as well, but it is not as energetic as football or rugby. As the result of the Sunday cricket scheme it sometimes involves playing cricket for 3-4 weeks without a break."

Morgan: "I suppose there is a very full social life involved in cricket, Colin?"

SAILING CLUB 

SOCCER

1st XI

SINCE the School's traditional and strongest sport is rugby, it is difficult to raise a sufficient number of talented enthusiasts from the senior school to play competitive soccer regularly. This season the 1st XI, composed mainly of pupils from the lower sixth, played only three matches. In the first of these the School were beaten by a combined first and second XI from Northampton Grammar School, but gained some consolation later in the season when, after losing 3-1 at half-time, they rallied strongly in the second half and won by five goals to three. Griffin scored a hat-trick. The third match was narrowly lost to Wellingborough Grammar Technical School.
Mobbs was outstanding in these matches and was selected to represent the County XI.

U15 and U13

IN the younger age groups support and enthusiasm are abundant, promising much for the future. U13 and U15 soccer clubs were formed and these played and trained entirely out of School time.

Teams were entered in the Town Inter-Schools' Six-a-side Knock-out competition at Cherry Orchard School. The UIS team, composed mainly of third formers, were lacking in size and strength and lost in the first round; but the U13 team played well to reach the semi-finals where, after dominating the play, they were unfortunate to lose by two goals to nil. Every player contributed much to the team effort, so it would be unfair to select anyone for special mention.

Freeman was selected to keep goal for the Town Boys U14 team which won the Dunmore Cup.
A.H.

CHARITY SIX-A-SIDE HANDICAP TOURNAMENT

DURING the first two terms a charity six-a-side Knockout Handicap Tournament was organised throughout the School, with some forms paying the entrance fee for two or three teams. A staff team was entered but, after a 45 minute marathon, their greater subtlety and skills finally succumbed to the superior fitness and stamina of a sixth form team.
A team composed of Crane, Rasman, Griffin, Mayes, Sawford and Frost eventually emerged as overall winners of this hard-fought competition.