Winter 1964

THIS is not intended to be a statistical or psychological masterpiece, it is intended to make us think about our 'overworked' selves
(note the quotes). Every man, and boy, claims to work so many hours a day, but what constitutes work? Being on the premises of the employer?
Let us be absolutely honest with ourselves, a great majority of us do very little 'work', compared for example with the. average mother and wife,
who one seldom hears complaining 'not to have time for this and that extra chore', and who will never tolerate lateness.
I am sure the more 'time' people have on their hands the more discontent and unhappy they are, and these same people are always searching for
excuses and 'valid' reasons why they should not or cannot do small services for others. Who is the man who is constantly approached and never
fails to offer his services, whatever the request? Nearly always the same man who is already committed up to the hilt in other fields—not the
'get up—go to work—come home—watch the telly—go to bed' type, he is too busy!
We do have, of course, the other type of person who plays lip service; we have all met him, 'that's all right old boy, you can count on me, I'll see
to it', but seldom, if ever, turns up or carries out his promise. I think this type is an even greater menace, at least we know what not to expect from
the first. Similarly this same person has no appreciation of time, and should he remember that there is a meeting on a certain day usually turns up
when everyone else is going home!
The point I wish to make is that this code of behaviour is really quite unnecessary, and there is no accepted excuse for being late, or not being
able to help, and the term 'do not have time' for a large percentage is ludicrous.
The following figures are very approximate, and they are not 'loaded' to make my point, but how many hours of our lives do we spend 'watching'?
Perhaps the song 'Busy doing Nothing' supplies the answer.
A life of 70 years contains 613,200 hours. From birth until we start school at the age of 5 years uses up 43,800 hours (including sleep). 15,400
hours are spent at the school desk from the age of 5 years to 16 years, allowing 7 hours a day, 5 days a week, 40 weeks a year. We then break
out and go to 'work' for 50 years, which uses up 122,500 hours, allowing an-average of 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, 49 weeks a year. Of
course we must sleep, and at an average of 8 hours in 24 hours, 365 days (or nights) of the year, we spend 156,720 hours away from it all. Total
this up plus 43,800 hours after we retire until our 70th birthday we have used up 382,220 hours of our lives, leaving 230,980 to be accounted for.
How do you account for your 'no-working' hours?

IN THE Sunday newspapers of 29th November, there was an announcement that prayers were being offered in five Wolvcrhampton churches
for Miss Amy Grant, a missionary somewhere in the Congo, surrounded by rebel tribesmen. Can you imagine yourself in this situation, not
knowing which day or which hour would be your last on earth, and what terrible form your death would take at the hands of savage people? Of
one thing you may be sure; Miss Grant will not be thinking of herself as a heroine. She has, of her own free will, cut herself off from the comforts
and security of her own country to teach what she in her heart believes to be true.
When you read these lines, we shall be preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Is this a, legend, a story kept going as an excuse for having
a jolly time and giving and receiving presents? You are entitled to ask this question, for so it often appears. The truth will always stand
examination and no one can truly believe something, because he is told he ought to. His belief must come from his own experience. There is
nothing wrong at all in questioning everything which is taught. Is it not related in the Gospel according to St. Luke, that Jesus, unknown to his
parents, remained behind in Jerusalem, questioning the learned doctors of the Jewish religion? The danger for young people lies rather in NOT'
asking questions, for they often accept without critical examination all sorts of ideas and values put over to them by professional persuaders on
posters, in the press, and on television.
The psalmist wrote, 'I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that my soul knoweth right well'. Is there anything in the discoveries of modern
science which does not powerfully support this observation? Surely we are fashioned for some higher purpose than to spin out our years on the
surface of life, like creatures who have not this wonderful gift of imagination and critical thought. Whilst we must feel free to ask whether God
exists, whether the life and death and resurrection of Christ is myth or reality, we ought not to shy away from the question as to why countless
people have lived by their faith and been prepared to die for their belief. Have they suffered from self-delusion, or have they discovered a source
of truth and power, which has given meaning and purpose to their lives.
Where is Miss Grant now, I wonder—alive and still working for her Master, or like him slaughtered by the blind forces of ignorance and fear?
Wherever she is, I ask you to offer a prayer for her. To whom shall we pray?
R. F. W,

PRIZE-GIVING—1964
THIS YEAR we were blessed with a fine day, but the proceedings were marred by the news that Mr. Tucker, former General Superintendent of
the Homes, and great friend of our School, had been taken ill and would be unable to be present as guest of honour. However, we were fortunate
in obtaining the services of the Mayor of Hertford, Councillor A. W. Bentley, to take over the duties of Mr. Tucker, and our sincere thanks are
due to Councillor Bentley for stepping into the breach at such short notice.
The pattern of events for our great day was traditionally the same as in previous years, starting with the singing of the National Anthem followed
by the hymn 'O praise ye the Lord!', and the opening prayer.
Chairman of the Goldings Committee, Councillor L. Keeble, J.P., officially opened the proceedings by welcoming all visitors with a few well
chosen words. He then went on to say what an exciting year we had experienced as a nation, with the Olympic's and General Election just
completed, and therefore foremost in our minds, but perhaps most of all the speed of modern development in industry generally, which was
making it an even greater problem for our boys leaving the security of this school, but one which we were facing up to. Mr. Keeble then went
on to report the progress of some of our boys who are now in situations, and out of forty reports fifteen were highly satisfactory, eighteen were
satisfactory, and only three could be classed as unsatisfactory. Mr. Keeble also thought it should be noted what a difficult task our Headmaster
had in attracting the right type of person to our staff. Finally, Mr. Keeble paid tribute to two members of our staff who will be leaving within the
next twelve months. Mr. W. Purkis, who has been a member of our Printing Department for 34 years, and to whom a great many boys are
indebted for starting them on their careers as machine minders, and Mr. R. Newton who is leaving us at Christmas to take up a new position with
the Hertfordshire County Council as Youth Officer, after nine years service as Physical Training Instructor and Warden of the Verney Hostel.
On behalf of all members of the council he wished Mr. Purkis a happy and 'long retirement, and Mr. Newton success in his new job.
Our Headmaster, Mr. R. F. Wheatley, B.Sc., then paid tribute to His Worship the Mayor for stepping into the breach at such short notice, and
deemed it a great honour for the School. Mr. Wheatley then said how sorry we all were that Mr. Tucker had been taken ill and was unable to be
with us, but that he, Mr. Wheatley, would convey to Mr. Tucker on behalf of all present our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Mr. Wheatley then stated that the object of our School was to endeavour to raise the standard of the boys to a high degree of skill in trade and
scholastic ability. We do not have selection of entry, yet all get the same chance to prove themselves when they get here. It is true that a small
proportion of boys do not take advantage of the facilities, and this is a source of worry and anxiety to the staff, who all show a terrific amount of
patience and inspire enthusiasm. The question of staff is a great problem as the Chairman said, and this is particularly so on the Home side. In the
shops and school the average length of service at the moment including two new members who have been with us only weeks, is 15 years, which
speaks for itself. Although those engaged to work in the Home, where more patience is required, have not such a fine average, there are some
who have given many years, and here Mr. Wheatley instanced 'Skipper' Culver, 19 years, Mr. Whitbread, 34 years, Mr. Jack Cooper, 16 years,
and Mr. Steele and Mr. Clarke 8 years and 4 years each respectively.
The Headmaster then went on to outline the changes we could look forward to. The new School building should be ready for use by September
next. The original classrooms will be fitted out in relation to the skilled trades, so that each boy will have an opportunity to try his hand at several
trades before making a final decision.
Turning to the question of education nationally, Mr. Wheatley asked 'what will the new Minister of Education do for the ordinary chap? What
qualities does the ordinary type need?' and then Mr. Wheatley placed these requirements, as he saw them, under three headings: 1. Right character;
2. Adaptability; 3 Able to put leisure hours to good use. With the school-leaving age to be at 16, then more time must be spent doing practical
work. Adaptability will be a 'must', and boys who are adaptable will be all right.
Adventure training was another aspect of youth education that the School had tackled, and we now had our own centre in North Wales. This
would give all boys a chance to live close to nature, each having the opportunity of trips of six weeks duration during their stay at the School.
Finally Mr. Wheatley thanked a group of workers who were not present at the Prize-giving, the Welfare Officers, all of whom work tremendously
hard, but who are so often overlooked.
The Mayor of Hertford, Councillor A. W, Bentley, than presented the prizes and certificates to the boys and apprentices as listed below. Having
completed the easy part of his task, the Mayor then said a few well-chosen words stating; how sorry he was that events had put him in the spot
to do the talking, when he was hoping to have listened to the words of wisdom from Mr. Tucker. Mr. Bentley said that when he first came to
Hertford 14 years ago some of the first sounds he heard were our bugle calls, and after inquiry was told of our School. He also said that it was
the opinion of some members of the community that Goldings was NOT an asset to the town. However, Mr. Bentley considered that we were
now a great credit to the community of Hertford, and this was due to the work of the Headmaster and staff.
Addressing the boys, Mr. Bentley said that life does not end when you leave Goldings, and that in some respects our boys have an advantage
over their contemporaries who have to make up their minds what they are going to do before they leave school. Other advantages were that they
live in a friendly atmosphere, are not shut off in one little community, and are able to mix with other boys from all over the country, and that they
are trained for their future life, seeing how their companions are being trained in their particular trade. Finally, Mr. Bentley expressed his hope
that all boys would remember their Christian teaching and carry on mixing in a Christian community.
Before the final hymn and blessing, given by the Padre, the Reverend B. Nixon, Mr. L. Embleton, our Deputy Headmaster, proposed a vote of
thanks to Mr. Bentley, and felt sure that his words of advice could be well heeded and that our boys should realize what wonderful opportunities
they have before it is too late.
Afterwards staff and visitors adjourned to the staff room for tea.

GENERAL SUBJECTS
Juniors Science and Mathematics FREDERICK WORKMAN. Art and Technical Drawing DAVID BLOWER
English VICTOR ROWLANDS. Religious Instruction DAVID TATE. Best Progress RALPH SMITH
Physical Training ROBERT HENDRY
Seniors General Standard DEREK HAMMOND. Best Progress GORDON HUGHES. Physical Training DAVID LANGLER
SHOEMAKING AND REPAIRING
Seniors MICHAEL BUTT, GORDON FLETCHER
CARPENTRY
Junior DAVID ENNIS. Senior A ROBERT BUXTON. Senior B ROGER PORTER. Senior C FRANK IORNS
PAINTING AND DECORATING
Junior, JOSEPH LAW Senior DAVID LANGLER
GARDENING
Junior GRAHAM SCOTT. Intermediate RAYMOND MAN. Senior CHRISTOPHER FLORENCE. McMullen Special RAYMOND BOWDEN
PRINTING
Junior Compositor. KEITH McSWEENEY. Junior Machine-minder. ROBERT HENDRY
Senior Compositor. GORDON HUGHES. Senior Machine-minder. MICHAEL COUSINS
Apprentices' Prizes
Machine-minder (fourth year) LESLIE BROWNING. Compositor (fourth year) WILLIAM CHARLTON.
Compositor (fifth year) WINSTON NORTON.
SHEET METAL WORK
Junior WILLIAM CHARLESWORTH. Senior PETER HOWE.
CHAIRMAN'S PRIZE FOR SPECIAL EFFORT: JAMES STREET.
MARY ROWLAND'S MEMORIAL PRIZE: DAVID LANGLER.
PRINTING DEPARTMENT.
CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE.
Compositors' Work—Final DAVID MUNDY.
Compositors' Work—Intermediate. (Distinction) WILLIAM CHARLTON.
(Credit) ROBERT ROBER,TS RICHARD ROWLES, RICHARD ROWAN.
Letterpress Machine Work—Intermediate DAVID CHARLTON, DAVID LEE, LESLIE BROWNING.
FEDERATION OF MASTER PRINTERS
Preliminary Technical Knowledge. CLIFFORD SAINSBURY.
GENERAL SUBJECTS
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS
English—Stage 1 PAUL PHILLIPS, GLYN PARRY.
CHILDREN'S ROYAL ACADEMY
Picture accepted and hung, ROBERT McNAMARA.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME
Gold Award GORDON FLETCHER. Silver Award, DAVID LANGLER, FRANK IORNS, ROBERT HENDRY.