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COMPANY NOTES
I said in my last notes that we should be able to get down to some useful work but owing to the weather we have been confined to indoor work
since Christmas, except for one interesting field exercise when Mr. Lee became a saboteur for the evening but was successfully stalked and
finally captured. However, being an optimist I know that we shall be out and about again now that the severe weather is clearing up.
We hope to have a day on the -303 range at Royston for the senior boys shortly.
After a very long and patient wait for new uniforms we are gradually getting equipped thanks to thee efforts of our R.S.M. and we shall be able
to parade on Fridays as Cadets properly dressed. The boys are keen to get their new badges so far the officers only have theirs but no doubt
these will come along in good time.
I would like to congratulate the following Cadets on entering the A.C.F. boxing tournaments this year, Cadets M. Mairs, W. Hill, Cpl. Gee,
Cadets W. Ireland, A. Wright, G. Parry and T. Stevens. On the i2th January at Woolwich in the South Eastern Command boxing, Cpl. Gee
and Cadets Wright and Parry got through to the National Semi-finals. These were held at Reading on the 26th January and Cpl. Gee won;
Cadets Parry and Wright boxed extremely well but lost narrowly on points.
The A.C.F. National Finals were held at Bristol on the 23rd February and Cpl. Gee won his weight class at list. nib. on a walk over as his
opponent did not appear. Cadet Wright was asked to go to Bristol as a reserve in the Class B weight; his opponent at Reading was indisposed
but at the weigh-in at Bristol his opponent turned up and so Wright did not get a bout.
At the A.C.F. inter unit and inter pre-Services cross country held at St. Albans on the 3rd March, we entered a Senior and Junior team and our
Senior team won the cup with the Juniors coming second; these teams helped to win the inter pre-Services shield for the Battalion by their
splendid efforts. Well done, lads!
It does not seem eighteen years since this Company was formed at the request of the Hertfordshire Battalion of the A.C.F., and it is difficult to
realize that a large number of boys who joined the Company in 1945 are now married and have children and that the present members of the
Company weren't born; many have served or are serving with Her Majesty's Forces, some in far corners of the world. I feel very privileged
that I have had the opportunity to lead and instruct all past and present members of the Company and hope that in my small way I have been
able to show by example, loyalty and esprit de corps. I would close these notes by saying that the new Cadet has a lot to live up to and that
when his time comes to leave the School he should have happy memories and a sense of achievement as so many of our ex Cadets have.
CORPS OF DRUMS
We have not been able to get out on practical marches since the bad weather early in December last year; it was very pleasing to see the Corps
of Drums leading the School to church again after so long a period of bad weather. Considering the severe losses we have sustained through
boys leaving to situations over the last three months this first outdoor parade since before Christmas has proved that the younger boy has
been doing well on the practice parades held in the recreation hut on Mondays.
FOOTBALL
North East Herts. League
SINCE THE last notes it has been possible to play five matches only, due to weather conditions. At a recent league management meeting It
was decided to cancel the league programme this season and two cup competitions are to be substituted. Details of these competitions are to
follow.
The five matches played were as follows: W.B.T.S. o, Carlton 10 (League Challenge Cup, 2nd Round) Goldings having held Carlton to a 3-1
defeat in a league match, were completely annihilated at home in this cup tie. The whole team was off form. Although we lost L. Dawkins
through injury after half time, the game was lost long before the injury occurred.
A person would wonder how a team could lose so easily, it is unanswerable. The pitch was perfect and weather conditions were ideal.
This is one game the team will want to forget. Ludwick 'A' 4, W.B.T.S. 2 (League) There were doubts as to whether the game would be played
owing to the state of the ground, but the referee soon decided it was fit enough and so a good tough match ensued. L. Dawkins came into the
forward line in the second half and scored and it was through a foul on him that J. Mason scored from a penalty, striking the inside of the post
before entering the net. This was an exciting and enjoyable match although we failed to make the leeway that was necessary and succumbed
to a 4-2 defeat.
W.B.T.S. 4, Bishop Stortford 6 (County Cup) Played on a cold December day of continuous rain and wind, this was an exciting game.
There was good play on both sides; as one took the lead the other would immediately counter score. At one time it was four all.
W. Hoy played a forceful game on the wing and captain Bobby Passmoor played a good game at centre forward when he was switched to this
position during the game. The School were unlucky to come out the losers in this thriller.
Welwyn Garden 6, W.B.T.S. 2 (League)
This was a match that should never have been played. There were utterly atrocious conditions, completely unsuitable for any sort of recreation;
thick mud, pools of water, rain and a bitterly cold wind. Tne School played downhill in the first half and took a one-nil lead but Welwyn soon
drew level. The School, trying to take advantage of playing downhill, scored another goal but again Welwyn levelled and then drew ahead just
before half-time. With the wind and slope against them the School put everything on defence.
Unluckily Welwyn scored three more goals. Although the game produced a number of goals the officials, players and spectators certainly did
not enjoy the game in such conditions. Ludwick 'B' 2, W.B.T.S. 5 (League}
Playing in similar conditions to the last game, although not so bad, the team won the first game in five starts. We played much better football
and soon took the lead through W. Hoy, playing left wing. I added another and a minute after the interval P. Boltwood scored a third, but
Ludwick pulled back with two opportune goals and it seemed the School would fade out. Two more goals soon settled the issue and the team
came away with two points.
Summing up the season, although it has not been a successful one from the point of view of honours, it has been a good experience playing in
a higher league. W. Workman represented the league and had an outstanding game. B. Passmoor, the captain, is certainly the best player in the
School, and honours must come his way soon. We lost M. Rose, our regular linesman, and the team are all grateful for his services, without
doubt he has been a loyal supporter and we wish him the best of luck in his native Scotland. Finally to Mr. Whitbread, manager, trainer and
chauffeur, our grateful thanks.
G. PARRY
BOXING, INTER-HOUSE, 1963
RATHER LATE in the season for inter-House boxing but like most activities this year the winter compelled us to postpone the boxing until
March. In many respects it.was worth while; more training was put in which showed in the finals. This point was proved by the few dislocated
thumbs, of which last year we had a good 'crop'; at least the techniques have improved if the standard is not very high.
Boxing is a popular activity in the School and the few who do take it seriously have done reasonably well. Prior to the inter-House finals
every boy in the School boxed, except the medically excused, and eighty-two boys represented their Houses in the finals. This represents
more than fifty per cent, of the School, which is a pretty good show.
The finals were most successful, presenting us with a mixed bag of comedy, spirit, and enthusiasm, but most important of all, courage, and
a great deal of this was shown. We do not intend or aim at producing champions at Goldings, our purpose is to try and bring out the qualities
in a boy that only boxing can. I, for one, learn more about the characters of boys during boxing sessions than during any other activity.
We regret that Mr. F. Verlander was unable to be with us this year owing to a previous engagement, but look forward to seeing him next year.
Mr. J. T. de Vischer also regretted being unable to attend but he delighted and surprised us with a present of five pounds to treat the winning
junior team to a meal. We are most grateful and promise to have a good meal, and the team captain will not doubt write and thank him.
Our guest of honour this year was Mr. H. West, who is President of the District Table Tennis League; he is a good friend of the School
and we were delighted he was able to come along and present the trophies.
The best boxer of the year was Robert Cox; not an easy choice this year as a number of boys were considered, but Robert got the decision.
Congratulations Robert, we look forward to seeing you representing the School in club matches. The best loser was Robert's opponent,
Anthony Wright, who fought a good bout as he has done throughout the season, getting as far as the semi-finals of the Army Cadet Force.
Good show Tony, and good luck in the A.B.A. finals in April.
The winning senior House this year was Somerset, with 30 points; Cairns, 28; Aberdeen, 22; Pelham, 18; MacAndrew, 14.
Junior results: Aberdeen, 38; Somerset, 34; Cairns, 26: Mac-Andrew, 20; Pelham, 20.
Congratulations to David Gee and Anthony Wright for their achievements in the A.C.F. finals.
R. N.
Goldonian Spring 1963
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