b'Thats not cricket!The war itself interfered badly with the cricket fixture list, both in 1917 and again in 1918, and provoked some outspoken criticism in The Bridge of authority at large and of Birmingham headmasters in particular. Correspondents failed to see how not playing cricket materially affected the greater issues which, at that time, hung so nicely poised over Europe.War again interfered. This time it was in the shape of a barrage balloon moored in the school playing fields, and the number of matches had to be restricted to away games.In those days we used to patronise two tuck shops. The shop opposite the school gates in Grove Lane sold the most scrumptious hot doughnuts. These were ready every day at break and cost 1d each. There was a mad rush for them the moment the bell went. The other shop was nearer the main road and here in the winter we had hot drinks, consisting of thick fruit syrup.C. G. Layland (19181923)My own time at Handsworth covered the war years and post-war period when we had a rather austere life enlivened only by the arrival of a number of mistresses to replace masters who had gone into the forces. A memory that remains always with me is of Professor Victor Hely-Hutchinson who came to be a principal speaker on Speech Day. Instead of a speech he played a Beethoven Piano Sonata. How often I have wished that other speakers would do the same!K. W. Wilkes (Teacher 1937 -47)9'