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It was on the first day of April, ten years ago, that I first came to Goldings to take up my work for Dr. Barnardo's Homes. "All Fools' Day" you
may well say and I must confess there have been occasions when I felt there really was some special significance attached to the date I started
this job. Troubles I've had in plenty and expect to get many more, but I would like to dwell for a moment on some of the joys that Geldings has
given to me and my wife and family and to record them here. I write these down as the thoughts come into my mind, the important and the
trivial mixed up as they are in life.
There have been Christmas cards, hundreds of them, from old and young, from near and far, each one a symbol of kinship with some one who
thinks kindly of his home. Cricket on lazy sunny afternoons, or sitting in the pavilion listening to the rain on the roof, recalling the day we won
in dramatic fashion or that dreadful occasion when we knocked five runs between us. The song of the nightingale from the coppice in Broad
Oak End, green flash of the woodpecker in the spinney behind the Chapel, the first primroses and violets on the bank of Waterford Drive and
the glory of the daffodils in the apple orchard facing Wych Eyins. What, sentences without a verb! ! Never mind eh! !
I remember the thrill of seeing a Goldings boy first past the tape at a sports meeting, hearing an appreciative mention of smart work by
Wimbledon ball-boys and the proud moment of watching our band step into the arena when they played at the Royal Tournament. There have
been the pride and pleasure in seeing boys develop into fine craftsmen and the pleasant shock of discovering that old "so-and-so" has at last
got his hair cut. I have enjoyed the comfortable feeling of security that comes from having tried and trusted colleagues to support me.
In ten years many I have known as troublesome little boys have become grown men. I have a glow of satisfaction when I. meet some of them
who have settled in and about Hertford and are respected members of the community. From time to time the boy who was School Captain
when I arrived walks in like any son visiting the old folks and what a joy it is to Mrs. Wheatley and myself when he and many like him drop
in on us to talk about old times and their hopes for the future. We have derived tremendous satisfaction recently from attending weddings of
old boys who have married local girls. Easter Sunday will be a proud day for us, when we shall have our first christening in the School Chapel
of the infant son of one of these old boys and the girl he met when he went courting from Goldings.
These are but a few of the compensations for the trials that have come my way. Above all Goldings has meant home for me and my wife and
family for ten years, and though I must frankly confess we need to have a rest from it occasionally I can also say quite honestly that we have
always been glad to be coming back home. If I am spared I hope still to be here in ten years' time, but where will you be who read these words?
Unlike me, most of you are in the Springtime of your lives. Count your blessings now and be thankful. Look with confidence to the future;,
set your standards high and I hope to have the joy of seeing you make good.
R.F.W.
SKILLED WORK
Ever since earliest times men have tried to shape one thing to look like something else. On the sea shore we like to dig in the sand, and build
sandcastles for little children; or, draw pictures and shape people in the sand. In caves where our forefathers dwelt are the pictures of men and
beasts; or monuments of the long distant past which remind us that human beings like to make things, to create with hands or with minds.
There is a story told of how one of the most famous statues in the world came to be shaped. Many years ago in Italy, the famous and wealthy
people liked to have beautiful and splendid statues in their houses and gardens. Oftentimes these statues, were carved from fine, white marble,
the lovely Carrarra marble. One of the greatest of Italian families, the de Medici family, ordered a large block of this marble to be brought to
the garden, in the hope that some sculptor would carve it into a fine figure. Unfortunately, while being carried into the garden, a large piece
was broken off quite by accident. Sculptor after sculptor refused to use this awkwardly shaped marble.
For years the marble remained in the de Medici garden unused. Then one day a young sculptor, Michael Angelo, asked permission to use it.
He had seen a way in which it could be carved. The result was the famous statue of David the shepherd boy who became king. He is shaped
just as he had slung the stone which killed the giant Goliath. It is a wonderful piece of work, depicting the young heroic figure in action with
body leaning forward and arm outstretched. That statue, even today, is the pride of the city of Florence. That which so many people thought
to be a worthless piece of marble, has become something most worthy.
In our own lives, day by day, we are being shaped in our characters. Some may feel like that piece of marble, quite misshapen and no good.
Some are awkward and do not feel as though they will be able to be made into anything worthwhile. Yet, the unseeming worthless lump can
be shaped into a thing of great beauty and value. Our lives, when we put our whole trust in Jesus Christ, are remade, reshaped. We can be good
and useful persons if only we will trust Him. For every one of us, perhaps a bit spoiled and rather selfish, Jesus has a plan. He is able to make
us into good characters, tine in spirit, and useful in life, so that we will not be worthless but most profitable to all.
To you all, may this Easter be a time of great joy and happiness.
S.C.C.
* * * *
It is with great joy that we, bath Staff and Boys, wish every happiness and prosperity to Celia, daughter of the Headmaster and Mrs, Wheatley.
On April 2nd, in Waterford Church, Celia was married to Mr. Bryan Skinner of Harrogate, a graduate at Cambridge University.
Celia has always been a favourite among the Staff and Boys alike, and we wish her every success in the coming Trinity Term at Cambridge
University when she will graduate.
To them both we extend our sincere best wishes in their future together.
S.C.C,
* * * *
It has been my pleasure to officiate at the weddings of several Old Boys in Hertford Churches. We are proud to see these young men setting up
their own homes, and we wish them every success and blessing.
JOHN SLATER
Mr. John Slater celebrated his Golden Wedding on Friday, 4th February, 1955. Mr. Slater will be eighty on the aoth May next. He was
employed here as an instructor in the boot-making department, joining the staff in 1921. He retired in December, 1945. His daughter,
Mrs. George Tarrant was on Mr. Seabrooke's staff at Stepney for several years.
PRINTING DEPARTMENT
We are sure that all our readers would like to offer congratulations to Mr. W. H. S. Millar, Head of the Printing Department, on his re-election
for the second year in succession as Chairman of the London and South of England District of the Association of Teachers of Printing and
Allied Subjects (A.T.P.A.S.)
Editor
SPORTS REPORT
EAST HERTS YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
We can say we have had a reasonably successful season, with the limited number of footballers of the required age from which to choose two teams.
Victor King has played twice for Hertfordshire and acquitted himself well on both occasions, although on the losing side in both games.
It would be pleasant to be able to field an invincible team again and who knows, perhaps the material will be to hand next season to make this
Possible.
Tables inclusive of matches played 26th March, 1955
16-18 LEAGUE
Stanstead Abbotts
Wormley Rovers
Peartree Boys' Club
W.B.T.S
Waltham Abbey Rovers
Ware Minors
H.T.S
Abbey Sports
14-16 LEAGUE
St. George's Sports
Wormley Rovers
W.B.T.S
Peartree Boys' Club
Waltham Abbey Rovers
St. Mary's
Gt. Amwell
Nazeing
SENIOR HOUSE, FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Cairns ---- 9 - 8 - 1 - 0 - 58 - 16 - 16 - 1
Mt. Stephen ---- 9 - 6 - 3 - 0 - 52 - 33 - 12 - 2
Somerset ---- 9 - 3 - 6 - 0 - 34 - 44 - 6 - 3
Aberdeen---- 9 - 1 - 8 - 0 - 22 - 73 - 2 - 4
JUNIOR HOUSE. FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Pelham ---- 12 - 9 - 1 - 2 - 79 - 18 - 20 - 1
Buxton---- 12 - 6 - 5 -1 - 42 - 27 - 13 - 2
Kinnaird ---- 12 - 4 - 7 - I - 18 - 44 - 9 - 3
McCal1----2 - 2 - 8 - 2 - 14 - 64 - 6 - 4
INTER-HOUSE BOXING COMPETITION, 1955
After several delay* caused through illness the Annual Boxing Competition was brought to a successful conclusion on Tuesday, 8th March,
1955 when the Finals were contested.
The Competition provided three very enjoyable evenings' entertainment and was fought through with a very high standard of sportsmanship
and courage.
The Senior placings were:
1st, Cairns with 85 points; and, Somerset with 44 points; 3rd, Aberdeen with 31 points; 4th, Mt. Stephen with 16 points.
The Junior placings were:
1st, Pelham with 90 points; 2nd, Buxton and Kinnaird with 67 points; 4th, McCali with 13 points. McCall witth 13 points.
I would like to commend the School Captain, G. Smith, the School Prefects and boys who acted as officials, for the efficient manner in which
They carried out their duties.
SCHOOL CHAMPIONS 1955
Juniors
5st. and under, Microbe: Sandell, Kinnaird. 6st. and under. Gnat: Kerr, Kinnaird. 6st. 7lb. and under, Paper: Swinger, Kinnaird. 7st.
and under, Midge: Cummings, C., Buxton. 7 stone and under, Mosquito: Russell, Pelham. 8st. and under, Fly: Davies, J Pelham. 8st. 61b.
and under, Bantam: Wilson, Buxton. gst. and under, Feather: Harris, Pelham. 9stone,9lb and under, Light: Rogers, Buxton. 7st 7lbb. and under,
Welter: Smith, E., Pelham.
Intermediates
6st and under, Gnat: Redhead, Somerset, 7st. and under, Midge: Stevenson, Mt. Stephen, 7st 7lb and under, Mosquito: Burgar, Aberdeen. 8st.
and under, Fly: Gregory, Cairns. 8st. 6lb. and under, Bantam: Filby, Cairns, 8st 6lb and under, Feather: Allwood, Somerset, 9st 9lb
and under, Light: Kemp, Cairns, 10st. 7lb, and under, Welter: Mountain, Cairns, 11st 6lb. And under middle: Cooper, Somerset. 12st. 7lb. And
under, Heavy: Rackham, D. , Cairns
Seniors
9st. and under, Feather: Smith, G,, Cairns, 9st. .9lb. and under, Light: Roe, W., Mt. Stephen. list. 11st 61b, and under Middle: King, V., Cairns.
A. Trophy for the boy who gave the best performance—B, Filby.
B. Colours awarded to:— Kemp, Mountain, Roe, W,, King, Hopcroft, Snr, Smith, G. Broom,
TABLE TENNIS TOPICS
With one match to play Goldings i stand fourth in the league table, having had a very good season. They have won 8 and lost 7 matches,
winning 175 games and losing 145. As none of the players who started the season are still at the School this is a proof of the benefit which
may be reaped from having good reserves; thus we have replaced Ferris, Murison, and the Ali brothers with players from the second team.
Of course the second team has suffered but the new batch of players have done well. Now we can add the names of Beckley, Cooper, Davies,
Gibson, Jones and McCarthy to the list of those who have played for the School.
Goldings Old Boys' Association have given a very nice cup for Senior Inter-House competition and this series of matches is being played.
With 2 matches to play Somerset have 22 points, Mount Stephen, 14 points, Aberdeen, 8 points and Cairns, 5 points.
M.
"COLOURS" AWARDED DURING 1954
Football.—Wainscott, H., King, V,, Wilson, L., Ferris, G., Lines, W., Ali, A.
Cricket.— Ali, A., Maxim, M., Allen, T., Williams, A.
Table Tennis.—-Ali, A.
Athletics.—Kemp, W., Murrel, E., \Villiams, A.
Boxing.—McCallister, D., Maxim, M., Maxim, C., England, D., Guerdon, B.
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