goldings news summary

GOLDINGS NEWS SUMMARY
CHRISTMAS.—Those who remained (about 50 ) had as good a Christmas as could be wished for—plenty of excellent food,
presents and money, plenty of fun, games, "free time" and pictures.
EASTER LEAVE.—About 100 boys will spend a fortnight with their parents, foster-parents or friends during the Easter holiday.
Those who are unable to go away will have periods out of the shops for games and cinema.
NEW HEAD MASTER.— Mr. R. F. Wheatley, B.Sc. (Chem.), Lecturer to the Technical Institute, Burton-on-Trent, is expected
to arrive at Goldings on 28th March, and will commence his duties as Head Master on 1st April.
BAND CONCERT.—The R.A.F. Station Military Band from a Southern England station travelled through deep snow to
Goldings on 3oth January and gave a splendid programme of music to the boys and staff. In appreciation of their kindness, the
whole school subscribed to the Station Benevolent Fund.
GUARD OF HONOUR.—When the new Bishop of St. Albans paid his first official visit to Hertford, where he preached at All
Saints Church, our boys formed a guard of honour outside the church, and were inspected after the service by the Bishop and the
Mayor.
TESTIMONIAL TO REV. F. C. MACDONALD.—At Stepnev on 6th March, the Rev. F. C. Macdonald, Governor of Goldings
for twenty years, conducted the Devotional Meeting, after which he was presented with a testimonial from members of the
Council, members of Staff, and Old Boys and Girls. Mr. Tetley, Chairman of the Goldings Sub-Committee, handed a cheque and
a list of subscribers to Mr. Macdonald, told of the long association he and Mr. Macdonald had had. Many Old Boys had written
about the Governor's retirement, and an example was quoted. An Old Boy, now in the forces, told how much he appreciated his
sojourn at Goldings, where he had spent "the happiest time of his life". Another Old Boy had joined the ministry, and he paid
tribute to the training he had received and to the co-operation and guidance accorded him by Mr. Macdonald. Tribute was also
paid to the long and kindly interest Mrs. Macdonald had taken in the boys at Goldings. Among the large gathering were a good
representation of the Staff at Goldings.
W. L. G. 1944

GOLDINGS NOTES
Goldings is gradually assuming a "New Look". The drive leading up to the School have been repaired and the potholes filled in;
excavations for a new lavatory block have been begun on the east side of the Parade Ground; a spacious hut, for use by the Cadets
as a social centre, has made its appearance in the hollow behind the Chapel. We now have six football pitches, instead of three,
on the Top Field and every Tuesday afternoon six inter-house football matches are played.
Nine cadets still remain in the Cadet Boxing Championship, and we hope that at least one of them will be able to win his way
through to the Final at the Albert Hall, Steyart and Turnbull successfully completed a Physical Training course and won the
coveted Crossed Swords. Cadet activities now include the showing of training films, which are much appreciated by the boys.
A group of boys interested in dramatics recently visited a performance of Shaw's play, "Androcles and the Lion", given by the
Children's Theatre Company at Toynbee Hall. They were very much impressed by the quality of the acting and the smoothness of
the production.
David Green recently enjoyed the experience of flying across the Atlantic to Canada, where he has now settled down to a new life
on a farm.
Mr. F. J. Disney has retired after many years of devoted service to Goldings. We wish him a long and happy period of Retirement,
with the enjoyment of better health.
G. F. 1948

GOLDINGS NOTES
During the past three months, Goldings has been going great guns " at cricket. We have only losf"about five games in about 30
during the whole of the season, our highest score for one innings being 224 (all out) against Hertford 2nd XI, out of which score,
Franklin made 67. The House Cricket Competition has been very keenly fought many Houses being in the running for the Cup.
However, this year Cairns were the victors. The new Cup for swimming mentioned in the last issue was contested for by means
of a relay race. In this Mount Stephen House were victors. This race showed promise of some "good talent for the coming
Inter-Home Swimming Sports, which, by the time this is printed will have been won or lost. The Annual Sports were held soon
after Whitsun, and in this Aberdeen proved successful. Later, on the 11th and 12th June, an Inter-House Boxing Contest was held
and after many keenly contested fights, introducing several new fighting; bloods (especially in the heavy-weight when the firm
favourite was " half-killed "), Mount Stephen gained the most number of points.
On Friday, the I5th June, a Garden Party arranged by Mr. and Mrs. Abel Smith, was held in the Grounds, Viscount Hampden
(Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire) being present to distribute the various trophies mentioned above to their respective winners.
He also presented our Scouts with their colours. After this, Mr. Abel Smith gave a speech, followed by Viscount Hampden and
then by Mr. William McCall, our Chairman of the Homes. After the meeting, which was held on the front lawn, all the visitors
came round to inspect the shops " in action." Afterwards they visited the Dormitories.
The Inter-House Conduct Shield, which was won by Mount Stephen for the first year, is now being keenly contested for again.
This time, however, Mount Stephen are not well to the fore.
On the last day of July, our Chaplain, who had not been with us very long, left us, much to our regret. Another great loss was the
going of the Editor of the
Goldonian " who is now missed a great deal. Since our last report in the " Guild Messenger " no fewer than 14 boys have left us
for situations in the outer world, inclusive among them being the " Goldonian " news editor, F. W. Fox, who was also recognised
as our wireless expert.

July 21st and 22nd, saw a large number of Old Boys here, who had accepted the Governor's invitation to come and stay
for the week-end, so forming the Annual Old Boys' Re-union. The Saturday afternoon was spent in a cricket match
between an Old Boys' team and our 1st XI. After a good game, the 1st XI were victorious. The Old Boys who stayed over
the week-end, 50 in number, occupied Somerset's Dormitory for sleeping purposes, while the original occupants were
found roosts elsewhere, that is to say, in other Dormitories. On the Sunday, all the Old Boys were invited to tea in the
Lounge, after which, during a discussion, it was decided to have the Old Boys' Re-union Day on August Bank Holiday in
the future, when more Old Boys could attend.

There was great excitement, as usual, this year when the time for Camp drew near. Later, the boys found out that the Camp was
to be at Dymchurch, in Kent, and also on the coast. The period for camping was three weeks, from August 25th to Sept. 15th.
Saturday the 25th arrived and a happy party marched, with a very diminished band to the Station, where we boarded a train for
Liverpool Street. From here we went to Cannon Street Station on " Shank's Pony," and on to New Romney. Then, to everybody's
delight, the Camp party boarded The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Miniature Railway, the smallest public railway in the world,
which took us right to Camp. After a well-needed dinner, every boy changed into his new khaki shores and shirt. Beyond the
continual fine weather, there is only one day that needs special mention, and that U the second Monday, when everybody went,
via The Miniature, to Dungeness to visit the Light-house. All enjoyed the trip and came away much the wiser after the light-house
captain's fine explanation of the light-house " works." We had a pleasant journey home on the I4th September, and everybody was
of the opinion that we had experienced the best three weeks' Camp we had ever had.
The School 1st XI, after a series of good matches down at Camp, are now looking forward to the coming football season with
eagerness, and we hope to top the 1st Division this season.
J. HART, for the Committee. 1920s