Midsummer, 1914 Part 1

Extract from Midsummer, 1914 Part 1

Since the last issue of The Bridge most of the important events of the year, in all branches of school life, have occurred.  Nothing now remains except the O.T.C. Camp, and, for those of the Sixth who have the good fortune to be taking it, the Matriculation Examination.  The School, we are glad to say, has done much better in cricket and athletics than in recent years.  The general work of the school has been rigorously examined by the Government Inspectors.

The School Prizes were distributed on December 15th by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Birmingham, whose speech was remarkably interesting to all.  His Lordship congratulated Mr Pardoe and those who took part in the French Play on pronunciation.

After a week of fine weather it rained so heavily on the day fixed for the School Sports, Saturday May 23rd, that they had to be postponed until the following Wednesday.  Consequently the attendance was less than it might otherwise have been, but this was to some extent made good by the sale of tickets exceeding that of any other year.  Those who were there saw a closer competition for the senior-championship that has been seen for many years.

The Inter-School Sports, which took place on June 22nd, were, like the battle of Blenheim, “a glorious victory.”  Despite the great handicap in the indisposition of Welch we succeeded in winning the Kenrick Championship Shield and four Cups.  When the rejoicings are over let us make up our mind to do our utmost to retain our trophies.

School house succeeded in obtaining the first place in house football, after a close contest.  Now, however, that the summer season is with us some very interesting matches for the house championship have been played, and there is a prospect of an excellent finish.

It is in the summer term that the O.T.C is most active, commencing with the Prize Day.  There has already been a field-day at Sutton, and also several afternoon parades.  One of the two great events of the O.T.C. Year, the inspection, took place on Friday June 25th, and the other, camp, commences on July 28th, at Tidworth Pennings, on Salisbury Plain.

The work of the N.H.S. has proceeded steadily during the past two terms.  Rambles have been held at intervals, in course of which many interesting things have been seen.

In conclusion, only a few weeks of the present term remaining, it will soon be necessary to make arrangements for the winter term.  As may be seen from The Bridge 1907, there existed at that time in the school a Social Club, a Christian Union, a Literary and Debating Society and a Chess Section.  There is nothing to prevent a revival of some of these Societies but the apathy of the Upper and Middle School.  We feel sure that if sufficient interest were shown by the School to repay their trouble, the masters and prefects would be willing to organise the societies.  It would be possible to form a society which could hold on alternate Saturday evenings debates or lectures and chess tournaments.  Perhaps the School will show its enthusiasm by taking this up next term.

School Notes

Judging from the remarks of many boys it is doubtful whether half-a-donzen wild beasts would have aroused more trepidation than did the inspectors.  When they arrived they proved to be quite pleasant, so next time, a future generations will be able to anticipate their visit with equanimity.

In a Geography lesson it was said that the greater part of gas used in Philadelphia was natural.  We always had a notion that gas was a natural product in America.

Everyone has heard that “Hors de combat” means warhorse, but now we are informed on creditable authority that “Hors de concours” means race-horse!

Welch was very unlucky in being unable to take part in the Inter-School Sports through contracting a cold at the last minute; he had been very ambitious to represent the School, and was consequently very disappointed.  Hard luck, Tommy! Your turn will come.

Apropos of the visit of the inspectors, we wish to deny that it was at Handsworth that the following passage occurred :

Inspector: “What is a pilgrim?”

Bright Boy: “A pilgrim is a man who goes about from place to place.”

Inspector: “Well, I go about from place to place. Am I a pilgrim?”

Bright Boy: “Oh no! A pilgrim is a good man!”

We offer our heart congratulations to D. R. D Daly on his success in moderations and Divinity School at Oxford.