T H E G R E E N H I L L I A N
No. 12 October 1964
The Magazine of
GREENHILL GRAMMAR SCHOOL
OLDHAM
Editor: BEVERLEY D. HARDY
Committee:
EDWARD LEES
BRIAN PRICE
JEREMY M. T. SUTCLIFFE
ROY WOLSTENHOLME
MARGARET M. BOLTON
CAROL LINDLEY
JEAN WALLACE
Editorial
In the very near future Greenhill, with its present educational system, will no longer exist. In its place will be a brand-new comprehensive school, capable of holding up to one thousand students - a vastly different method of education from that to which we are accustomed.
This method of secondary education, new to Oldham, yet rapidly becoming popular throughout the rest of England, will meet with many comments both of approval and to a large extent disapproval which it will have to overcome, before it can begin to build up a good reputation in Oldham.
For those parents whose children would, by the old method of selection, the 11 plus, have been chosen for a grammar school place, the new school will not prove popular. An underlying trait of this disapproval is the snob-value attached to the phrase popularly used by proud parents, "Of course, my child goes to a Grammar School". Now as their child is sent to a Comprehensive School, gone will be the prestige of a Grammar School or Technical School education, or so the parent thinks.
In the new comprehensive school children will be placed according to their ability in different streams. This will undoubtedly be beneficial to the child, as some children develop slowly in their mental capabilities. The child may be able to take those subjects which he is good at in the G.C.E. stream while his other subjects can be taken in the Secondary stream.
These students will be able to work hard to gain the grammar school stream. Gone will be the mistakes made when a child, whose capabilities seem suited to secondary modern education, develops intellectually and has no opportunity to reach a higher standard of education because his school does not accept students for G.C.E. training.
For the senior pupils taking advanced G.C.E. there will be a wider scope of subjects. A student requiring a rarer specialised subject will be able either to attend another school for the lessons in this subject or if necessary change school.
Another scheme which I am sure will find favour with senior students is that of Vlth formers dropping school uniform, if the headmasters could be persuaded to adopt such a course, and being treated as young adults.
Although Greenhill will be transferred to the brand new comprehensive school at Street Farm along with Hollinwood Secondary Modern School, I hope the high standard of work will still be maintained thus gaining for Street Farm a worthy reputation throughout Oldham.
School Notes
The end of this term saw a few changes of staff. Miss Turner, Miss Doherty, Miss Gough, Mrs. Mann, Miss Sanderson and Mr. McNulty all left us. We welcome the return of Mrs. Ford and Mr. Handforth, and offer a warm greeting to Miss Gardner, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Quarmby and Mrs. Bingham.
At Christmas Miss Evans was married to become Mrs. Mann, and at Easter Miss Wood was married to become Mrs. Evers, and also Mr. Williams joined the matrimonial band-waggon. On behalf of the school we extend to them our best wishes for the future.
Speech Night was held on the 12th November, 1963, and the speaker was Dr. Eric Eastwood, an ex-pupil of West Oldham High School, the name by which our school was known before it became Greenhill. He is now the Director of Research for the English Electric and Marconi Companies.
The older Greenhillians amongst us may be pleased to know that Mr. Bickerstaffe, a former member of staff, has left England with his wife for a teaching post in Sierra Leone.
The school societies have had yet another active year. The Scientific Society organised visits to Manchester Docks and to the firm of Hardman & Holden, both of which were interesting and informative. The more religiously minded amongst us visited a Jewish synagogue at Prestwich and Manchester Cathedral with the Scripture Union, whilst it was arranged that a party of sixth formers should attend a conference at Birkenhead. Once again all these trips were greatly enjoyed, but none more, I am sure, than the ones Mr. Wells conducted. His trips to Ingleton, York and Knaresborough and the Lake District were as enthusiastically supported as ever and especially by those wishing to further their knowledge in geographical fieldwork.
Greenhill's outdoor activities were continued at Christmas when Miss Doherty, Mr. Stanley and Mr. Prenton took a party to Austria for the Winter Sports where everybody enjoyed himself.
Manchester's Free Trade Hall set the scene for a performance of Moliere's "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme" which the Sixth Form French students visited. Later, they visited the city's University to watch the film "Quatre Cent Coups" directed by Truffaut, and the play "Le Lecon" by lonesco. Nearer home at Middleton, the De la Salle Training College provided an exhibition of French art and a film to celebrate the French Festival.
The German students, as part of their training, also attended a German day at Manchester University organised by Mr. Martin.
On April 2nd the annual Prefects' Dance was held at King Street Stores, when our tradition of engaging one band was cast aside, and, in an attempt to cater for a wider variety of interests, we engaged the popular group, The Graduates, as well as Neil Jepson's Band. Fortunately this gamble paid off and was a success both financially and socially.
During the first week of Oldham holidays, Miss Gough and Miss Sanderson will accompany a party of girls to Castleshaw Camp, who will be followed in the second week by a party of boys under the guidance of Mr. Whitworth.
We should like to congratulate Tony Kerr on obtaining his B.A. degree, David Berriman, Kevin Dronsfield, Christopher Knowles and Frank Smith on obtaining their B.Sc. degrees, and Leslie Kershaw on being awarded his M.Sc. degree. Sandra Holding gained the distinction of being the best office-trainee of the year at Avro's. Jillian Moore has gained success in her preliminary year of training as a nurse, and Joan Stansfield and D. W. G. Kershaw have obtained their final certificates in nursing.
Finally, rather than state here the ideas and plans we have for the future I will conclude on a confident note and say that if the life of Greenhill continues to progress on such a healthy basis as this then we need have no fears about obtaining our share of success in the future.
Charities
The school charity fund has made the following allocations:
|
£10 0 0. |
Central Council for Care of Cripples. Oldham Welfare. U.N.I.C.E.F. Oxfam. |
G.C.E.
"A" LEVEL RESULTS 1964
6A Lit. Jeremy Sutcliffe - Eng. Lit., Geog.; Roy Wolstenholme - Hist., Geog.; Kenneth Winterbottom - Hist, Geog., Art; Joyce Booth - Geog.; Judith Eveniss - Eng. Lit., Art; Sylvia Fairfoull - Eng. Lit., French; Carol Lindley - Eng. Lit., Hist., Geog.; Elaine Mills - Eng. Lit., Hist.; Moyna Wild - Eng. Lit., French, German.
6A Sc. Stuart Andrew - Maths., Phys., Chem.; William Cartwright - Phys., Chem., Biol.; Andre Dray - Phys., Chem.; Edward Lees - Phys., Chem., Biol.; Richard Payne - Maths., Phys.; John Pestell - Phys., Chem.; Edmund Shaw - Maths., Phys.; Garry Shaw - Phys., Chem.; John Stott - Phys., Chem., Geog.; Kenneth Warren - Phys., Chem., Biol.; Geraldine Ayres - Maths., Further Maths., Phys.; Jean Burnett - Biol.; Dianne Degnan - Phys., Chem., Biol.; Jean Fielden - Maths., Further Maths., Phys.; Carol Hollinshead - Maths., Phys., Chem.; Jean Wallace - Phys., Chem., Biol.
6B Sc. Frederick Dyer - Maths.
"O" LEVEL RESULTS
Form 5S. Paul G. Adshead 3, Norman Bates 1, Alan Billingsley 6, David Brown 2, Leslie Butterworth 2, lan Chidgey 7, Roland Cocker 8, James R. Heptonstall 3, David J. Hurst 7, David R. Hurst 6, Harold Mars-den 4, Clifton J. Martin 8, Wayne V. Schofield 2, Barry P. Shaw 4, David Sutton 1, Martin Thornley 5, Peter H. Winterbottom 5, Joan Barlow 6, Sheena Barratt 7, Christine M. Bird 7, Linda C. Booth 8, Dorothy Clegg 4, Norma Dyer 1, Patricia A. Dyer 7, Barbara Dyson 8, Christine M. Ellyard 6, Janis M. Fielding 5, Linda Firth 8, Valerie E. May 8, Elaine P. Rain-ford 4, Christine Whitaker 8.
Form 5L. Steven E. Ashworth 5, Kevin Cole 4, Charles N. Eveniss 4, Michael F. Mills 7, David N. F. Morecroft 4, David Pownall 3, lan K. Riley 4, Stephen M. Simpson 5, Jim Williams 8, Sandra Banks 4, Vivienne Brickies 4, Susan M. Broadbent 3, Pamela Clegg 1, Vera Copeland 8, Ann D. Davenport 2, Pamela Davenport 7, Jennifer H. Davies 5, Geraldine Gartside 3, Rosemary Hughes 6, Rona Johnson 7, Margaret W. Lang 4, Phyllis Marney 2, Margaret J. Middleton 3, Isabel Robinson 4, Valerie J. Rowbottom 4, Christine Taylor (1) 6, Christine Taylor (2) 6, Phyllis J. Wood 6.
Form 5G. Fenton, Alan 2, Huston, Barrington 3, McAndrew, lan 2, Ravey, Bryan 1, Taylor, Alan 2, Widdall, Michael 2, Alien, Freda 1, Cooper, Carol 3, Crawley, Lyn 5, Eastwood, Joyce 3, Haughton, Yvonne 2, Healey, Barbara 3, Hulme, Sheila 4, Jones, Susan 2, Loftus, Larraine 3, Makin, Jean 1, Marshall, Elaine 2, Murphy, Judith 4, Purcell, Marjorie 1, Robinson, Linda 6, Sowerbutts, Gillian 3, Stansfield, Valerie 3, Stott, Ann 1, Taylor, Susan 1, Wood, Pauline 5.
- SPORT REPORTS
Football Report For Season 1963-64
All three teams have enjoyed a reasonable season this year. The U/15's and U/13's look quite competent sides and we can look forward to having some good teams in the school in the near future.
The figures for last season were:-
| W |
D |
L |
F | A |
|
| 1st XI
U/15 |
6 6 |
1 3 |
14 8 |
57 48 |
82 50 |
The 1st XI was strengthened this year by the arrival of P. Hunter, who gained Manchester & District honours as well as having a good season for the 1st XI. Captain Garry Shaw, Andre Dray and John Stott all played well for the 1st XI this year and they will be sadly missed.
D. Naylor (who represented Oldham boys this year), Howard and Brown all played consistently well for the U/15's. Pauley and Swann, although only in the 2nd form, played regularly for the U/15's and they look quite promising players. One sad note this season is the fact that the U/15's and the U/13's, who have represented the school admirably this season, have not got a set of shirts between them.
K. ABBOTT, Soc. Sec.
Cricket, 1964
1964 has probably been our most successful season for cricket for a number of years.
The 1st XI results were as follows:
April 18th v. Cardinal Langley away. Cardinal Langley 33 all. Greenhill 30 all (lost).
April 25th v. Hathershaw at home. Hathershaw 48 for 5 dec. Greenhill 44 for 6 (draw).
*May 2nd v. Hyde away. Greenhill 53 for 6 dec. Hyde 54 for 3 (lost).
May 9th v. Derby School, Bury, at home. Derby School 63 for 5 dec. Greenhill 25 for 5 (draw).
*May 16th v. Heywood at home. Heywood 58 for 8. Greenhill 51 for 7 (lost).
*May 30th v. Q.E. Grammar School, Middleton, at home. Middleton 74 for 5. Greenhill 75 for 5 (won).
*June 6th v. Ashton at home. Greenhill 61 for 6. Ashton 23 for 1 (rain).
*June 20th v. Ashton away. Greenhill 49 all. Ashton 52 for 7 (lost).
*June 27th v. Hathershaw away. Greenhill 80 for 8. Hathershaw 65 for 9 (won).
July 1st v. Counthill away. Counthill 96 all. Greenhill 97 for 8 (won).
*July 4th v. Middleton away. Middleton 32 all. Greenhill 33 for 3 (won).
*July 22nd v. The Staff. The Staff 76 for 6, School 69 for 8 (lost).
*Denotes a match played to overs.
This season's batting was more solid than that in previous years. Two players passed the 30 mark, Peter Hunter with 34 not out and Leslie Butterworth with 31. These two and also Garry Shaw and Alan Fenton often scored above 40 and throughout the team, scores into the 'teens were not uncommon. Garry Shaw, enjoying his second season as Captain, scored the most runs in the season (113) and Butterworth also passed the hundred mark. The top position in the averages, however, was shared by Hunter and Fenton who both scored 95 and had an average of 13.5. Lees and Ravey also made their marks as batsmen, but were not as consistent as the other batsmen. It was not until later matches that Ravey settled down. Billingsley never really found his form this season although his defensive batting helped to wear down our opponents' bowling.
Hunter also topped the bowling averages, taking 14 wickets for 89 runs, having an average of 6.3. However, it was Shaw and Fenton who provided most of the offensive bowling. Shaw bowled 91 overs (almost three times the number Hunter bowled) of which one-third were maidens. For 203 runs, he took 26 wickets, having an average of 7.8. Fenton's bowling was not quite as reliable as Shaw's. He had his good days, such as at Middleton where he took six wickets for 14 runs, including an excellent hat trick of the 1st, 3rd and 4th batsmen. It was probably this that caused the eventual disintegration of the Middleton side. On the other hand in some matches to have twelve runs knocked from one of his overs was common. In all he took 10 wickets for 75 runs. Schofleld was the only other bowler used extensively this season. Rather expensive in earlier matches, he became more valuable in later games.
Stott again completed a valuable season as wicket-keeper. The general standard of fielding was higher this season, 31 catches being taken. Especially notable was the quality of throwing in from the outfield.
Looking at the team as a scorer who has known four 1st XI's, I must say that this year's team has been more a "family bunch" than the previous teams. Perhaps they were welded together by Ravey's taunting catch phrase, "You were pathetic".
The Under 15's also enjoyed a successful season. They played 8 matches, lost 3 and won 5. Worthy of extra note is Brian Howard, whose excellent bowling figures were often announced at assembly, as was his startling 76 not-out in one match. He was summoned to the 1st XI for the Counthill match in which he bowled exceptionally well, taking 4 wickets for 12 runs. The performance of the U/15's leads me to believe that next season's first team, reinforced by new blood, but still holding much of this season's fire, will enjoy an equally good season.
J.M.T.S., Cricket Secretary.
Girls' Games Report
The Lancashire Hockey Tournament at Liverpool on March 14th marked the end of another season during which all our teams experienced a mixture of success and defeat, and unfortunately cancellations. In all, 9 matches, including both hockey and netball, were cancelled owing to the poor weather conditions. The results of the remaining matches were as follows:-
| Hockey: | |
|
20th Sept. 19th Oct 26th Oct. 7th Dec 18th Jan. 8th Feb. 14th Feb.
|
1st XI Counthill away (won). 1st XI Middleton home (draw). 1st XI Glossop away (won). 1st XI Hathershaw home (won). 1st XI Middleton away (won). 1st XI Broughton away (lost). 1st XI Counthill home (lost). |
| Netball: | |
|
14th Sept. 28th Sept
15th Feb |
1st VII Hathershaw away (lost). 1st VII Hathershaw home (lost). U/15 VII Middleton home (won). 1st VII Ashton home (won). 1st VII Counthill away (lost). |
There was hardly any tennis season at all this year owing to the bad weather and examinations. Only two tennis matches were played, against Counthill and Hathershaw and both were lost.
Athletics Report
The Athletics Club was discontinued for the 1963-64 season as there had been little support in previous years. However, training nights were set aside for the more enthusiastic athletes of the school: Wednesday evening for circuit training and Friday night for training at the field.
We had many individual successes in local championships. However, we had not the necessary core of average athletes to gain the overall victory.
In the Oldham Secondary School Championships among the individual successes were the following: J. Fletcher won the senior javelin with a record throw; B. Cocker won the senior 440 yards.
In the inter-grammar school sports we again trailed behind the other two schools although the margin of points had diminished to some extent. However, there were some creditable performances. E. J. Shaw was second in the shot, G. Earl was second in the 880 and mile race, and I. Thewlis was second in the 220 yards. A. Dray was first in the pole vault, a new event in the sports.
On the girls' side Susan Jones was second in the javelin and Daphne Mitchelmore was second in the high jump.
Four boys represented Oldham in the County Championships at the new athletics track at Kirby. A. Dray represented in the senior boys' pole vault, E. J. Shaw in the senior boys' shot, B. Cocker and N. Eveniss were in the intermediate boys' 440 yards and javelin respectively.
On the whole we have had a fairly successful year individually. However, to improve our performance as a school we need more enthusiastic and harder working athletes who must realise that there is no substitute for training.
A. DRAY.
Swimming
In this year's inter-schools swimming gala held at the Central Baths, the school was well represented in every event and managed to win the Girls' Brown Shield. The boys over 15 years had the highest points aggregate in a new event for which there is no trophy.
An interesting innovation this year was an inter-house water polo league, from which two teams provided the finale to the inter-house swimming gala.
A team of boys from the school took part in a Manchester & District swimming event for under 18's at Hyde Baths, but their only gain was experience. During the last year, the following pupils have represented the town in various events: Christine Gowder, Jennifer Crowder, Christine Hopkinson, lan Chidgey, Keith Brown.
- HOUSE REPORTS
Fawsitt House Report
| House Master: Mr. Wells. House Mistress: Miss Gough. Staff Members: Mrs. Mann, Mr. Anderton, Mr. Halliwell, Mr. Janes, Mr. Prenton. House Captains: Joyce Booth and Edward Lees. |
Once again the house has been unsuccessful in obtaining any of the Sports Trophies, although we came equal first in the cross-country. However, we are sure that this is not through lack of support of the house members and we feel sure that continued effort will bring its reward. It was disappointing to learn that we lost the Merit Trophy by only a few points.
We are extremely sorry to lose two of the house members of the staff, Miss Gough and Mrs. Mann, and we thank them for their efforts on our behalf. The house wishes them the best of luck for the future.
We hope that in the coming year our efforts will be more successful.
Secs.: CAROL HOLLINSHEAD & R. PAYNE.
Lees House Report
|
House Master: Mr. G. Wright |
As in past years all members of Lees House have worked hard to gain honours for the house.
Yet again we have won the Swimming Trophy and the girls, although some credit must be given to the boys, have done very well to win all except one match in the hockey and win all in the netball.
For the last few years we have not gained sufficient points to win the Merit Shield. This year we hope that our combined efforts in the internal exams, will succeed in achieving this feat.
We know that whatever defeats we have to face, Lees will never stop trying.
ANN BARTLETT.
Walton House Report
House Master: Mr. Martin.
House Mistress: Mrs. Kuler.
Staff Members: Mr. Fogg, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Cartmell, Mr. Briggs,
Mr. Williams, Mrs. Evers.
House Captains: Edmund Shaw, Dianne Degnan.
House Secretaries: Stuart Andrew, Geraldine Ayres.
Senior Hockey Captain: Dianne Degnan.
Senior Netball Captain: Moyna Wild.
Swimming Captain: Annette Buckley.
Athletics Captain: Dianne Degnan.
Junior Hockey Captain: Jennifer Crowder.
Junior Netball Captain: Elizabeth Sommer.
Senior Football Captain: G. Earl.
Senior Cricket Captain: A. Fenton.
Junior Football Captain: I. Pauley.
Junior Cricket Captain: I. Pauley.
Senior Cross Country Captain: K. Abbot.
Junior Cross Country Captain: P. Bamford.
The house has, as usual, had a very successful year. Both the boys and girls have made good efforts in their various team events.
The boys retained the Handforth Cup (boys' games) and the girls once again won the tennis matches.
We came second in the swimming gala and the house sports, as last year. A little more effort in these fields could well enable us to acquirethe trophies for these events next year. We must remember, however, that it is not the winning but the participation and giving of our best that counts.
In conclusion we should like, on behalf of all the members of the house, to thank all the house staff for their continued assistance and help in organising house activities.
S. ANDREW & G. AYRES (House Secretaries).
House Results
| Fawsitt |
Lees |
Walton
|
|||||||||
| |
W |
D |
L | W |
D |
L |
W |
D |
L |
||
|
Soccer (Senior) Cross-country Championship Games: Athletics Swimming Work Shield |
-
|
- 1st
3rd 3rd 2nd |
2 |
1 |
- 3rd
1st 1st 1st |
1 |
2 |
- 1st
2nd 2nd 3rd |
- |
||
- SOCIETIES/CLUBS
Report on Scientific Society 1963-64
Committee
Mr. Janes (Chairman), Mr. Kent, Mr. Briggs, H. Woodson (Treasurer),
D. Andrew (Hon. Sec.), J. Barlow, L. McKissack, D. Timms.
The meetings of the Society went off with a bang caused by a series of demonstrations organised by Mr. Briggs who has admirably filled the large gap in the committee left by Mr. Tempest. The remainder of the meetings were highlighted by the Annual Arts & Science Quiz (which the Arts won by a narrow margin!) and the very interesting demonstration and talk by a representative of the British Oxygen Company.
The annual dance took place on the eve of the Easter holidays and was very well attended by the older members of the school. It is usual for the Society to organise two education visits in the Easter holidays and this year was no exception. A party consisting mainly of younger members of the Society were taken on a conducted tour of the Manchester Docks. Twenty senior members were conducted around the Sulphuric Acid plant of Hardman & Holden Ltd.
Having dealt with the business of the Society over the last year it remains for me to thank, on behalf of our members, the committee and in particular our chairman, Mr. Janes.
D. ANDREW (Hon. Sec.).
Dramatic, Operatic and Debating
Society Report, 1963-64
Chairman: Jeremy Sutcliffe.
Vice-Chairman: John Pestell.
Secretary: Jean Wallace.
In the past year the debating section has not been very active, the most interesting debate being that concerned with the controversial Commonwealth Immigration Bill. In October we were invited to Counthill Grammar School for the Inter-school Debate. For the first time one speaker from each school spoke for the motion and, similarly, against the motion. This undoubtedly lessened the bias for or against either of our schools and made for a much fairer debate.
The Annual Dance, held in October, was a tremendous success and the profits were given to charity.
In December we presented "The School for Scandal", produced and directed by Mr. McNulty with the help of Mrs. Mann, Mr. Cartmell and Mr. Anderton. I think that the majority of our audience enjoyed the play, although comments in one of the local papers was rather scathing.
The members would like to wish success to both Mr. McNulty and Mrs. Mann, both of whom are leaving in July.
The Society did invite Henry Livings to speak and we were disappointed at his refusal to do so.
In March, a small party went to the Library Theatre, Manchester, to see Brecht's "Circassian Chalk Circle".
I should like to thank our members for their support but I hope this coming year will see more life in the debating section.
Secretary.
Film Society 1963-64
We have had another successful season, although there has been a slight decline in attendances. May I extend a very warm welcome to all members of the school for this new season and say that so far as value for your money goes I know that you cannot get better value anywhere.
The season opened with "A Very Important Person". This is the tale of how a brilliant scientist, played by James Robertson, outwits the Germans in a daring escape from a prison camp. Although a serious theme it is packed with humorous situations.
The second film was "The Cruel Sea", the story of two ships and a handful of men in the Atlantic in 1939. The men are the heroes, the ships the heroines and the villain is the cruel sea. The film tells of the life and hardships, the hopes and loves of the men who serve in the corvette "Compass Rose".
"Dentist in the Chair", which starred Bob Monkhouse, Kenneth Connor, Eric Barker and Peggy Cummins, is a brief peep into the world of a dental student. The trouble starts when David, a student, is persuaded to auction a case of dental equipment which he thinks is bankrupt stock but in fact is stolen and the story goes from there.
The main film of the season was "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". This was our only colour film and the colour certainly set the film off. The tale is known to all, but the excellent scenery and props gave the film a genuine atmosphere.
Yet another film about students was "Brothers-in-Law". Roger Thursby has just been called to the Bar. The situations in which the fledgling barrister finds himself are hilariously unpredictable. However, the year comes to an end with a triumphant victory for Roger at the Assizes in his own home town.
No season would be complete without a film to have a good cry over. Even the hardened sixth formers on the back row had their handkerchiefs out for "The Singer Not the Song". This is a tale of a young priest in a small, dusty Mexican town and his ceaseless fight against a bandit with a relentless hold over the town and surrounding countryside.
The season finished with "Blue Murder at St. Trinian's". Terry Thomas played his usual part of the spiv seemingly turned good, that is, till the jewels disappeared. Of course, in the meantime he played several minor parts.
As you can see we have had a balanced programme and seeing the ideas for next year you will have an equally good programme. All I can say in conclusion is, come and join us next season.
E.J.S.
Scripture Union 1963-64
Every once in a while there comes a time in one's life when one pauses and reflects on the happenings of the immediate past. At such a time one realises just how much one crams into each day. On thinking of the past year in the Scripture Union, many events stand out in the mind. I can remember at the first meeting, coming away, asking myself, "Where do we go from here?" But, as usual, events seem to work out for the best. And after a slow start we have gradually accelerated into a streamlined programme.
Certainly, the most enlightening meeting was the one in which a Probation Officer talked to us about her job. I had till then held the view that probation is "letting a person off". A few minutes dispelled that idea. The main idea is that the officer tries to build up a relationship with the offender and so tries to find and remove the cause of his or her trouble. This is surely the most satisfactory way of stemming crime. The lady spoke with understanding and conviction and it was obvious that her Christian faith was of much assistance to her.
We seem to have had a bad run with films. The two films we have had have both broken. The second film was brought along by the representative of the British & Foreign Bible Society. This again showed the part that the Christian message has to play in the rapidly developing African continent. As a result of his talk we are collecting used postage stamps, for which they are always grateful.
With union in the air between the Methodist and Anglican churches it was too good an opportunity to miss. So we had an Anglican and a Methodist minister to state the cases of their particular churches in the matter. These meetings did much towards sorting out the question in the mind of senior members. They were followed by some very lively discussion.
To avoid appearing too dull we had a meeting on the use of modern (secular) music in services. This meeting, like most of the others, gave one an excellent opportunity to think of the practical applications of Christianity.
Even at the late stage in the year of writing this report, the Union has not ceased its activities. Two visits are arranged for later in the year. We are to visit the Holy Law Synagogue, Prestwich, later this month. After the examinations we are to visit Manchester Cathedral for a conducted tour and a service.
For the future, plans are underfoot to give the Union a new look by making it more closely connected with the Student Christian Movement.
We are looking forward to welcoming Christobel home from Kenya, where she has been on Voluntary Service Overseas. During the year we have received several reports telling of her exploits. These include teaching classes of 40 and 50 in a class, many five and six years older than she is. For her Christmas holidays she trekked five hundred miles across country to see relatives. We hope to arrange for her to give a talk when she comes home.
We of the Scripture Union are a very closely knit group and the work of running it has fallen mainly on the lower Sixth Lit. class who have fulfilled the task most admirably. The only point I can find to criticise is that the meetings have catered mainly for the senior members, but I am grateful to our faithful band of followers in the lower forms. I hope that they, like all members of the Union, will carry on the Christian work both at school and in their lives.
EDMUND SHAW.
- CONFERENCES
A Leavers' Conference
It is some years since the magazine contained a report of a leavers' conference. I think this article should remedy that and perhaps encourage more enthusiasm for future conferences. The conference was organised by the Inter-Schools Christian Fellowship and was held in the Central Grammar School, Manchester, one Friday afternoon after school. The speakers had been very carefully selected to represent a wide cross-section of the sorts of work or study that pupils from surrounding schools are likely to enter.
The first speaker was Sister M. Lomas, a nurse at Manchester Infirmary. She explained firstly the cost of training which a girl going into nursing would have to undergo; she then briefly explained the sort of conditions a trained nurse would meet.
The next speaker was Mr. P. Finney, and he spoke about the life of a student going into further education. It is enlightening to hear about the pursuits of the Christian groups in places of further education; they tend to make our own group seem rather dull.
We then had a short break in which we had a chance to look at the large selection of books on sale at the bookstall and to meet the pupils from other schools, an enjoyable and worthwhile pursuit.
Mr. W. Dixon then spoke on shop life. His talk I found most stimulating for he spoke of the challenge of the Christian in a non-Christian environment. This speech was illustrated by his ready and rather dry humour.
An engineer, Mr. H. Carmichael, told the female members of the audience of the part that they could play in industry.
Then followed a lively discussion between the speakers and the audience. Topics were varied but, as one might expect, pop music and the clothes and appearance of several groups came under fire and in for praise. After a short prayer the organised part of the evening closed.
There was then a chance for the audience to talk with the speakers individually. I found the evening a worthwhile one and hope that others may also profit by attending similar meetings in the future.
EDMUND SHAW.
S.C.M.S. Conference
The S.C.M.S. Conference was held at Birkenhead Technical College on Monday, 13th July. Greenhill was represented by eight sixth formers and Miss Gough.
At the Conference there were 1,000 students representing 92 different schools. At the morning session Tim Driberg, M.P., gave a talk on "Is Christianity relevant to Modern Life?". The presiding Chairman was David Mahlowe, the well-known television personality. A lively discussion followed this.
After lunch we split up to go to different lectures. Edmund Shaw was chosen to be Chairman at the lecture on Industry. The rest of us went to lectures on Sexual Morality, Racial Interference and Industry. Again lively discussions followed.
A short act of worship concluded the conference. As we were going out a collection was taken for aid to refugee boys in Hongkong.
- CONTRIBUTIONS
The Martyrdom of Hermann Shlurg
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As a little boy he loved to watch a fly And so it was he gained an education When Father Shlurg had died, some years before, He took the axe to work the following day, He saw her in her armchair then relax. The police seized him some time the following day. "He's mad", they said when once the court was mustered. J. WILLIAMS, 5L. |
A Busy Street
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All the world is alive. RITA BUCKLEY, 1P. |
Do Not Read This
What are you reading this for? I did warn you not to. It's a waste of time reading it, because there is nothing in it to interest you.
What? Still wasting your time. You should have something better to do with it than wasting it, by reading a load of rubbish like this. It's not worth reading. I can assure you.
Look! You're half-way through but you haven't found anything of interest yet. Why don't you listen to me or believe me? I expect you're hoping to find something of interest at the end, but there isn't. So why don't you give up now?
Only a quarter of the way left to go, but you still persist. You are stubborn, are you not? This shows that you have no will power. Hasn't your curiosity been satisfied yet? Well, I have only one thing left to say to you. You're wasting your time.
THE REFRACTED BRAIN.
Daftitions
Rare Volume - a borrowed book that comes back.
Mangoes - we find them where woman goes.
Alice - rare disease - Christopher Robin went down with it.
Tomorrow - greatest labour-saving device invented.
Seek - Haydn's surname.
Pawnshop - a loansome place.
Adult - one who has stopped growing at both ends and has started growing in the middle.
Archaic - a foodstuff - "We can't have archaic and eat it".
What Is It?
3 sorts of a cross; a circle complete; a line where 2 semi-circles meet; an isosceles triangle stood on 2 feet; semi-circle; semi-circle; circle complete.
Troublesome Things
| 2 pints - 1 quart. 2 quarts - 1 quarrel. 2 quarrels - 1 fight. 2 fights - 1 policeman. 2 policemen - 1 magistrate. 2 magistrates - 1 month. |
See me at 4 o'clock
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If running down the stairs, S. LINDLEY, 2S. |
Top o' the Tops
| Mr. Prenton Mr. Williams Mr. Hollos Mr. Janes Mr. Wells Mr. Fogg Mr. Halliwell Mr. Anderton Mr. Stanley Mr. Wright Mr. Whitworth Mr. Cooke Mr. Hilton Mr. Livesey Mr. Martin Mr. Thompson Mr. Kent Mr. Briggs Mr. McNulty Mrs. Kuler Mrs. Evers Miss Gough Mrs. Clark Miss Doherty Miss Sanderson |
Stay Awhile Who wears short shorts? Just one more cigarette Please Don't Eat the Daisies You're my world 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 8 by 10 If I had a hammer Swinging on a star Lawrence of Arabia You need hands My boy Lollipop Roll over, Beethoven King Bee From Russia with love Smoke gets in your eyes Dr. Who Hubble, Bubble Just one look Devil in her heart Needles & Pins I believe ' Sugar & Spice High Heeled Sneakers Love makes the world go round |
ANSWER to " WHAT IS IT? "
TOBACCO
The Strange Story of Lucifer Cringe
In 1991 the Christian Church finally wound itself up. His Holiness Pope Anonymous I left the Vatican without remorse and the bulldozers moved in to demolish St. Peter's. On a thousand street corners the last plaintive note of a Salvation Army band faded into the traffic noises and disappeared. The silent delegates at the Methodist Conference shuffled out once the minutes had been read. A lonely priest put away his dog-collar and the altar candles flickered and dimmed as the Church died - it was over.
Two thousand years of Christ were over - and why? Because these unknown facts which science had never explained were finally explained and there could now be no God.
The man who had brought this about was physically insignificant. Lucifer Cringe, B.A., B.Sc., was of small stature, wearing thick-heeled shoes to raise him to four feet eight inches. His head was unusually large with a broad forehead and heavy eyebrows. His nose was arched and slender and a black curling moustache graced his lip. He had a black Van Dyke beard. He walked unsteadily because of his club foot and whenever possible he sat down.
Though nature had dealt so badly with him she had given him a great mind - and this was the mind which proved God to be a myth. The Church had its following because man had never explained the origin of himself, of life or of matter, and these explanations were the mission of Lucifer Cringe.
In 1987 he created a human being from single cells. The following year he created a living cell from raw elements, and in the late summer of 1991 he made matter from a vacuum. There was no God.
When presenting Lucifer Cringe with the "World Greatness" medal, President Snordley Brunge made his famous speech.
"Fellow men, through the genius of Lucifer Cringe we have proved that God never existed. Two thousand years of ignorance, fear and superstition have been ended. No longer need men bow down in degrading worship to the non-existent. The universe is MAN'S".
Later that year a small piece of man's universe, known as the SUN, blew up, shattering all the planets and wiping out man.
When the debris settled Lucifer picked himself up, dusted down his shoulders and, swinging his tail behind him strolled off into the void. After all, if God can have a Saviour, why cannot the Devil?
Belsen 1964
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A Solitary Death-Draft 3
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On a low hill 'neath the weight of April skies, Their solitude is that of death, But these are eyes that hold no tears A merry din dispels the night; Darkness falls and the first painful tear On a low hill bowed 'neath the weight of April skies, ANON. |