Shenstonian_1927_July_XXIV_Number 2 - Old Silhillians Association

Vol. XXIV. No. 2.
4, •
1110,a Ili, Nin, ;I
11111111 1 111151
•
PERS E RANTIA
July - 1927

Solihull Old Boys' Club
THERE are now about 324 Old Boys who belong
to the Club, the objects of which are to promote
mutual intercourse among Old Solihull Boys, to
preserve their connection with the School and
generally to further its interests.
It is earnestly hoped that all present Solihull Boys
will become members on leaving.
Full particulars can be obtained from the Hon.
Secretary :
P. R. ANSELL,
The School,
Solihull,
BIRMINGHAM.
4
The Shenstonian
THE MAGAZINE OF
SOLIHULL SCHOOL
VOL. XXIV. JULY, 1927. No. 2.
Table of Contents
PAGE
Editorial ... ... 51
School Notes 5 1
Valete 5 2
Salvete 53
Farewell to Mr. Bushell 54
Paperchases 56
The Sports 56
Cricket 6o
O.T.C. 65
Lectures 68
Boxing 71
Old Solihull 72
Music Notes 75
The Debating Society ... 77
Old Boys' News ... 78
Birmingham University Results 83

The Shenstonian
THE MAGAZINE OF SOLIHULL SCHOOL
VoL. XXIV. JULY, 1927. No. 2.
Editorial
It must surely be unique for the second master of
a school to act twice as headmaster within twelve months.
To Mr. Wright has fallen this record. After the way
in which he carried on the school for six months last year
there was no doubt that the governors would have every
confidence in asking him to take charge during this difficult
intermediate period. We offer Mr. Wright our sympathy
and goodwill in this twice-called task. Meanwhile we can,
though at a distance, offer our congratulations and good
wishes to the headmaster elect.
School Notes
The Governors have appointed to succeed Mr. Bushell
as headmaster Mr. A. R. Thompson, M.A. (Cantab.), at
present headmaster of Dunstable School, and formerly
housemaster and senior mathematical master of Berkhamsted
School. On Tuesday, May 31st, Mr. Thompson
held a reception for parents at the School, at which tea
was served. There was a large attendance, and Mr. Howard
Heaton, Chairman of the Governors, and Mr. Thompson
made speeches. The headmaster-elect will enter upon
his duties here after this term.
A. L. Steele has been elected Captain of Cricket.
The following have been appointed School Prefects :—
H. J. Cooper, F. R. Tubb and R. C. Bloxham.
51

House Officials this term are as follows :—
House. House Captain.
School House Nomads ...
IP „ Wanderers
Jago ... ... ...
Shenstone ... ...
Fetherston ... ...
Pole ... ... ••
A. G. Bragg.
W. Millward.
F. D. Harris-Evans
A. L. Steele.
Cricket Captain.
G. M. Thomson. H. G. Gee.
H. R. Bower.
A. G. Bragg.
W. Millward.
C. W. Gold.
A. L. Steele.
E. E. Thorneloe has been appointed a librarian.
Hearty congratulations are due to R. W. R. Miller
on gaining an Open Exhibition in Natural Science at
Downing College, Cambridge.
On May i8th the Rev. " Tubby " Clayton of Toc H
spoke to the upper school.
We heartily congratulate Mr. J. L. Mallett on being
appointed headmaster of the School for Sons of Commercial
Travellers at Pinner.
Hearty congratulations to W. Millward on winning
a Gerrans Scholarship for German at Oxford University.
We offer hearty congratulations to L. C. Stevens on
gaining a County Major Scholarship.
We are pleased to record that all our candidates for
County Minor Scholarships were successful, namely,
W. L. Andrews, N. J. Appleby, A. J. Barnes, H. L. Glenn,
J. N. Jukes, W. C. Preece, C. B. Williams.
Valete ! Spring, 1927
School H ouse :—
H. L. Hare (vi), came Summer, 1921 ; School Certificate ;
Corporal 0.T.C., Certificate "A."
R. C. Marshall (vi), came Winter, 1924 ; School Certificate ;
School 2nd xi hockey, House 1st xi cricket ; Corporal
0.T.C., Certificate " A."
J. M. James (Upper v), came Spring, 1922.
P. L. Martineau (Lower v), came Summer, 1922 ; Lce.-
Corporal O.T.C.
5 2
C. A. Trimm (Lower v), came Spring, 1925.
E. J. Heath (ivA), came Spring, 1925.
R. G. J. Watson (ivA), came Summer, 1923.
P ole :—
C. P. Lissiman (Upper v), came Winter, 1922 ; House 1st xi
football and cricket.
R. Tringham •(iv), came Winter, 1920 ; School 1st xi
cricket, football and hockey ; Sergeant O.T.C.
1-7 ether ston :—
E . A. Wall (Lower v), came Winter, 1923 ; Lce-Corporal
0.T.C., Certificate " A."
J ctgo :—
A. V. Crowley (vi), came Summer, 1919 ; School Certificate ;
House 1st xi cricket and football.
R. S. Bragg (Upper v), came Winter, 1919 ; School Prefect,
Captain of House ; Captain of School 1st xi football,
running and boxing ; School 1st xi cricket and hockey ;
Sports Champion, 1925, 1926.
G. C. C. Kemp (Lower v), came Winter, 1922.
L. G. Cuttriss (ivA), came Spring, 1924 ; House 1st xi
football.
D. R. Phelps (lvA), came \\Tinter, 1924.
W. E. Moughton (Shell), came Summer, 1923.
Junior School :—
K . Manley (ii), came Spring, 1925.
Salvete! Summer, 1927
Shell G. H. Burton. iii J. E. C. Powell.
mA J. B. Bates.
A. D. C. Constance.
W. R. Greenstock.
Junior School :—
11A S. E. Peck. ii B. E. Peck.
L. V. Smith. R. S. Smith.
i B. G. Diggines. A. J. Wasdell.
53

Farewell to Mr. Bushell
On Tuesday, April 5th, the School assembled in order to
bid farewell to Mr. Bushell and Miss Bushell. G. M.
Thomson, the School Captain, presented them with a silver
tea service, the gift of the boys and staff of the school ;
in addition A. L. Steele, on behalf of the officers and cadets
of the O.T.C., presented him with an album of photographs
representing Corps' activities during Mr. Bushell's period
of headmastership.
Mr. Bushell then rose to say a few farewell words.
He thanked the boys and staff for their gift, which would
remind him of many happy days spent at the school. He
hoped they would understand the extraordinary difficulties
of speaking on such an occasion as that and forgive him
if he was a little disconnected, as he had not prepared
a speech.
The reason for his departure was that having preached
to us the duties of Empire service, when his opportunity
came to render such service he could not refuse it, and
therefore he felt it his duty to obey this call ; in this
decision he had the utmost support of his closest and most
trusted friends.
He then gave us a few reminiscences of the last six and
a half years spent at Solihull. He told how, when he
first came in January, 1921, he found nobody about, so
that he had " to break into the buildings." The school
was in a very unsatisfactory condition ; he found three
forms being carried into the Big School, where out of 72
desks only 47 were fit to use. There was no room in which
day boys could have dinner, and the garage had to be
requisitioned for that purpose. The school was overcrowded
with very small boys with no one to look after
them properly. He had a shock when he attended his
first football match at the school, the shirts worn were of
54
weird and varied hues, there was little enthusiasm or
keenness among the players, and only one, or at the most
two, games were run each half-holiday ; indeed there was
not sufficient accommodation for any more.
After many long and difficult struggles he thought
he had improved these conditions He had secured Bradford
House for dining rooms, house rooms, music rooms, etc.,
and later the Junior School, where the younger boys could
be kept separate and properly looked after. A sound
prefect system of a very high character had been built
up and a feeling of public spirit and pride in the school
had been inculcated. Of the many improvements, however,
the one that he valued most and would most like to be
remembered for was the acquisition of our fine playing
fields. These at Mr. Bushell's advent were seventeen
acres in extent and were badly looked after, but they
had, by dint of many struggles, especially in the case of the
Hampton Lane Field, been increased to forty -five acres.
It was easy, Mr. Bushell continued, to attribute these
manifold improvements to " the man at the top," but he
wished to say that the success of the school during these
years was due to everybody, to the boys, to the staff,
to other friends of the school, and also to his sister, Miss
Bushell, to whom he paid a very warm tribute for the help
she had afforded him.
Speaking of the future he exhorted us to maintain
a high standard of ideals both in the school and in the Old
Boys' Club, of which he was proud to be the instigator ;
to make our school represent something in this district,
and to carry from the school to the world outside the public
school spirit we had learned here, for, he said, " in a great
industrial centre like Birmingham it is so easy to lose touch
with the greater things of life." He concluded by wishing
us every success in our future, in which he would always
be deeply interested.
55

Paperchases
This year the paperchases were held on Saturday,
12th March. The junior hares were Hustwick (Nomads)
and Castle (Shenstone), but as the latter was caught by
Appleby (Jago) and many of the pack lost the trail, it
is not possible to publish an order of arrival.
The senior hares were Reynolds (Pole) and Taylor
(Jago) ; the pack was led by Tringham (Pole) and Wilcox,
E. G. The hounds gained about i. minutes on the hares
but were unable to catch them. The order of arrival was :-
I, Tringham (Pole) ; 2, Challis (Wanderers) ; 3, Arculus
(Pole) ; 4, Cobon (Nomads) ; 5, Bragg, A. G. (Jago) ;
6, Cooper, H. J. (Pole) ; 7, Ibbotson (Wanderers) ;
8, Trevitt (Jago) ; 9, Callaghan (Pole) ; 10, Clarke
(Nomads) ; II, Spencer (Pole) ; 12, Chettoe (Fetherston).
Wilcox arrived home between Tringham and Challis.
The Sports
Sports Day can only be described as a disaster ; one
rather expects to run heats and even steeplechases in rain,
hail or snow, but rain, and heavy rain at that, on Sports
Day itself was a knavish trick on the part of the Clerk of
the Weather. An attempt was made to proceed with
the programme but it had to , be abandoned and the rest of
the events were contested on the following Monday, but
naturally very few spectators were able to attend. Miss
Bushell kindly gave away the prizes, and the thanks of the
school are due to all those ladies and gentlemen who gave
so generously to the Prize Fund.
The complete list of events was as follows :-
T. Throwing the Cricket Ball. (Prize given by E. Cope Gem, Esq.)
z, Steele, A. L. (Pole) ; 2, Bragg, A. G. (Jago) ; 3, Cooper,
H. J. (Pole.)
91 yards. School record-previous best was 88 yards i foot.
56
2. Junior School Senior Steeplechase. (Prizes given by Mrs. L.
Bragg and Mrs. Brook.) •
z, Bragg, J. L. (Blythe) ; 2, Waters, K. T. (Blythe) ;
3, Chamberlain, H. D. (Gaywood.)
3. Junior School Junior Steeplechase. (Prize given by Mrs. D.
Bayliss.)
I. Waters, K. T. (Blythe) ; 2, Palmer, M. 0. (Gaywood) ;
3, CookSon, H. B. (Gaywood.) .
4. Junior Steeplechase. (Prize given by Miss Bushell.)
z, Hustwick (Nomads) ; 2, Hammond (Wanderers) ;
3, Sanders (Nomads) • 4, Smith, J. H. {Pole) ; 5, Tustain
(Nomads) ; 6, Sims (Jago.)
5. Senior Steeplechase. (Prize given by W. Waters, Esq.)
z, Perks (Nomads) ; 2, Arculus (Pole) ; 3, Ibbotson
(Wanderers) ; 4, Ells (Fetherston) ; 5, Drake
(Wanderers) ; 6, Harrison (Shenstone.)
19 mins. Ili secs.
6. Half-Mile, Senior. (Prize given by H. D. James, Esq.)
z, Thomson (Nomads) ; 2, Reynolds (Pole) ; 3, (dead-heat)
Stevens ( Jago) and Ells (Fetherston.)
2 mins. 29# secs.
7. Tug-of- War.
1, School House Nomads ; 2, School House Wanderers.
8. The Mile. (Prize given by the Masters.)
Arculus (Pole) ; 2, Ells (Fetherston) ; 3, rbhotson
(Wanderers.)
5 mins. 30# secs.
9. Half-Mile Handicap, Senior. (Prize given by Messrs. Quaife
and Lilley.)
z, Perks (Nomads) ; 2, Windebank (Fetherston) ; 3, Drake
(Wanderers.)
zo. Quarter-Mile Handicap, Junior School. (Prizes given by
F. Sprake-Keech, Esq.)
z, Bragg, J. L. (Blythe) ; 2, Bayliss, D. (Malvern) ;
3, Edmonds (Gaywood.)
Half -Mile Handicap, Junior. (Prize given by S. A. Taylor,
Esq.)
z, Hustwick (Nomads) ; 2, Ward (Fetherston) ; 3, Stallard
(Jago.)
12. 220 Yards, Junior School. (Prize given by W. Mitchley, Esq.)
z, Palmer (Gaywood) ; 2, Mellar (Gaywood) ; 3, Bragg, J. L.
(Blythe.)
13. 220 Yards, Senior. (Prize given by S. Bragg, Esq.)
z, Bower (Wanderers) ; 2, Gee (Nomads) ; 3, Stevens (Jago.)
25# secs.
14. zoo Yards, Junior. (Prize given by J. W. Phillips, Esq.)
Hustwick (Nomads) ; 2, Ward (Fetherston) ; 3, Griffin
(Wanderers.)
57

15. High Jump, Senior. (Prize given by Mrs. Urry.)
1, Bower (Wanderers) ; 2, Gee (Nomads) ; 3, Matthews
(Nomads.)
4 ft. io
i6. loo Yards, Junior School. (Prizes given by Mrs. Butler and
L. E. Harper, Esq.) .
1, Mellar (Gaywood) ; 2, Palmer (Gaywood) ; 3, Thorpe
(Blythe.)
17. Half-Mile, Junior. (Prize given by Mrs. Cope Gem.)
1, Hustwick (Nomads) ; 2, Smith, J. H. (Pole) ; 3, Mills
(Pole.) .
18. Long Jump, Senior. (Prize given by J. Cooper, Esq.)
1, Bower (Wanderers) ; 2, Gee (Nomads) ; 3, Reynolds
(Pole.)
19 ft. 31 ins. School record—previous best was 17 ft. 81 ins.
19. Quarter-Mile, Senior. (Prize given by Mr. and Mrs. Palmer.)
1, Bower (Wanderers) ; 2, Gee (Nomads) ; 3, Miller (Pole.)
601 secs.
20. Quarter-Mile Handicap, Junior. (Prize given by W. George,
Esq.)
1, Fowle (Fetherston) ; 2, Hustwick (Nomads) ; 3, Edmonds
• (Nomads.)
21. 220 Yards, Tunior. (Prize given by A. J. Wainwright, Esq.)
1, Wara (Fetherston) ; 2, Townsend (Wanderers) ;
3, Hammond (Wanderers.)
22. Mile Handicap. (Prize given by H. S. Matthews, Esq.)
1, Arculus (Pole) ; 2, Drake (Wanderers) ; 3, Taylor (Jago.)
23. High Jump, Junior. (Prize given by G. H. Wilson, Esq.)
1, Griffin (Wanderers) ; 2, Teisen (Wanderers) ; 3, Branford
(Jago.)
24. Old Boys' Race.
Gee, A. N. ; 2, White, C. N. ; 3, Bevins.
25. Hurdles, Senior. (Prize given by the Headmaster.)
1, Gee (Nomads) ; 2, Bower (Wanderers) ; 3, Broadhead
(Wanderers.)
26. Quarter-Mile, Junior. (Prize given by L. E. V. Castle, Esq.)
1, Hammond (Wanderers) ; 2, Mills (Pole) ; 3, Townsend
(Wanderers.) '
27. 220 Yards Handicap, Junior School. (Prize given by J. W.
Phillips, Esq.)
1, Bayliss (Malvern) ; 2, Edmonds (Gaywood) ; 3, Taylor
(Gaywood.)
28. Long Jump, Junior. (Prize given by W. George, Esq.)
1, Griffin (Wanderers) ; 2, Sutherland (Shenstone) and
Hammond (Wanderers), equal.
29. ioo Yards, Senior. (Prize given by Mrs. Alfred Bragg.)
1, Gee (Nomads) ; 2, Bower (Wanderers) ; 3, Thorneloe
(Nomads.)
/I* secs.
58
30. Hurdles, Junior. (Prize given by T. F. Bragg, Esq.)
1, Cooper, V. H. (Wanderers) ; 2, Ward (Fetherston) ;
3, Shaw, H. E. (Pole.)
31. Relay Race, Junior School.
1, Gaywood ; 2, Blythe ;
32. House Relay Race.
1. School House Nomads.
2. Pole.
3. School House Wanderers.
33. Obstacle Race. (Prize given by
1, Westmacott ; 2, Allsop ;
34. Tug-of-War, Junior School.
1, Gaywood ; 2, Blythe.
House Points.
1. School House Nomads .. . 107 4. Fetherston
2. School House Wanderers.. . 981 5. Jago
3. Pole
. 58 6. Shenstone
32
... 16
6i
Sports Champion. (Prize given by Mrs. Bevins.)
Bower (Wanderers.)
INDIVIDUAL SCORES.
SHENSTONE. JAGO. FETHERSTON.
Harrison ... ...
Sutherland ...
POLE.
Arculus ... ...
Steele, A. L. ...
Reynolds ... ...
Smith, J. H. ...
Mills ... ... ...
Miller, R. W. R.
Cooper, H. J. ...
Shaw, H. E. ...
Pts.
5
xi
Pts.
2I
6
6
5
3
2
2
1
Pts.
Bragg, A. G. ... 4
Stevens ... ... 3
Taylor ... ... 2
Sims ... ... 1
Stallard ... ... 1
Branford... ... r
SCHOOL HOUSE
NOMADS.
Gee ... ... ...
Perks ... ...
Hustwick. ...
Thomson... ...
Sanders ......
Thorneloe ...
Tustain ... ...
Matthews ...
Edmonds ...
Pts.
28
i6
io
6
4
2
2
2
I
Ells ... ... ...
Ward
Windebank ...
Fowle, L. H. M.
-
SCHOOL HOUSE
WANDERERS.
Bower ... ...
Drake
Hammond ...
Ibbotson ... ...
Griffin ... ...
Cooper, V. H. ...
Townsend -• •
Broadhead ...
Teisen ... ...
Pts.
12
Junior School—House Points.
1. Gaywood ... 36 2. Blythe ... .24 3. Malvern ... 6
Junior School Champion. (Prize given by Mrs. Jarratt.)
Bragg, J. L. (Blythe).
59
3, Malvern.
4. Jago.
5. Fetherston.
6. Shenstone.
Mrs. Vaughan.)
3, Cole, V. B.
4
4
Pts.
32
III
10
9
4
3
2
2

Cricket
Captain - A. L. STEELE.
Compared with last summer the prospects of the 1st xi
were not very hopeful. Last year nine old colours were
available, whereas this season there were only two old
colours and two or three of last year's 2nd xi, so that
practically a new team had to be built up.
To the time of writing the results of matches played
are won 5, lost 7 and drawn 1, and of the school matches
played, two have been won and three lost. The bowling has
been very fair and in no cases have our opponents made
large scores, but the batting has been terribly weak, and
with the exception of Steele who, in the school matches,
has usually scored more than half the total runs, no one
has done anything of note. In the nets the batting has been
quite fair, and it is not due entirely to lack of ability that
scores have been so small but rather to lack of confidence
and determination.
The fielding of the side has been distinctly patchy ;
at times it has been quite good, but too often it has been dull
and lifeless, and has lacked that snap which is usually
noticeable in school sides. It is not so much that there have
been glaring mistakes by any individual, or that an unusual
number of catches have been put down, but rather that the
whole team gives one the impression of waiting for something
to turn up instead of being constantly on their toes
and anxious for the ball to come their way. In this respect
the team has improved during the last few matches and
it is to be hoped that it will continue to do so for the
remainder of the season. These remarks on the fielding
do not apply to the wicket-keeping, which has been consistently
good.
The 2nd xi, which has been largely experimental, has
not been very successful and has lost five matches before
60
winning one, but now that a successful side has been discovered
it is hoped that it will do better in the remaining
matches.
MAY 14th. SCHOOL V. THE MASTERS.
MASTERS' XI, 200 for 8 wkts. (D. C. McPhail 82, P. R. Ansell,
not out, 62).
SCHOOL, 87. (Miller 39, P. R. Ansell, 5 wkts. for 26).
MAY I8th. SCHOOL V. BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY " A." Away.
SCHOOL, 109.
BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY " A," 73. (P. R. Ansell, 5 wkts. for 27) .
JUNE 1St. SCHOOL V. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AMATEURS. Away.
NORTHANTS AMATEURS, 247 for 7 wkts.—Declared.
SCHOOL, 113. (P. R. Ansell, 36).
JUNE 8th. SCHOOL V. MR. F. J. URRY'S XI. I-10111e.
SCHOOL, 153 . (P. R. Ansell 52, L. J. Davies 38).
MR. URRY'S XI, 142 for 2 wkts.
JUNE I 1th. SCHOOL V. WOLVERHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Away.
Bowling :
SCHOOL.
Evans, l.b.w., b. Taylor
Gold, C. Stallard, b. Taylor
Steele, A. L., b. Taylor
Perks, b. Taylor
Bragg, A. G., l.b.w., b. Butler
Bower, C. and b. Butler
Miller, b. Butler
Allman, st.—b. Micklewright
Allday, C. Bailey , b. Taylor ...
Doherty, b. Taylor
Bloxham, not out
Extras ...
TOTAL ...
WOLVERHAMPTON G. S.
Jeavons, b. Steele
Miller, not out ...
Tranter, C. Doherty, b. Perks
Stallard, b. Steele ...
Taylor, b. Steele
Bailey, run out ...
Micklewright, b. Steele...
Eden, run out ...
Dumbell, run out
Moro-an, b. Steele
Butler, C. Gold, b. Steele
Extras ...
TOTAL ...
Steele, A. L., 6 wkts. for 17 runs.
Perks, i wkt. for 16 runs.
61
17
5
4
20
5
8
9
2
—
... 71
2
29
13
3
5
2
0
6
6o

JUNE I6th. SCHOOL V. MR. J. H. Wn.cox's XI. Home.
MR. WILCOX'S XI, 137. (Steele, 7 wkts. for 31).
SCHOOL 140. (D. C. McPhail 33, Miller 32, Bower, not out, 22).
JUNE 18th. SCHOOL V. BABLAXE SCHOOL, COVENTRY.
BABLAKE SCHOOL.
Jacques, b. Steele 2
Baker, retired hurt ...
Meredith, b. Steele ...
Shrimpton, 1.b.w., b. Doherty...
Chadbourne, c. Bragg, b. Doherty
3
Courts, c. Braga, b. Doherty ... ..• 20 ° 0
Scattergood, b.Steele 20
Potter, 1., 1.b.w., b. Jukes 2
Dixon, b. Steele... ...
Potter, II, not out ... 24
Eyre, 1.b.w., b. Steele ...
Extras ...
TOTAL ... 72
SCHOOL.
Gold, 1.b.w., b. Shrimpton 4
Evans, b. Jacques
Perks, b. Jacques •••
Doherty, c. Potter II, b. Shrimpton • • •
Steele, A. L., not out ... 32
Bragg, c. Dixon, b. Shrimpton • 3
Miller, run out ... •••
Bower, c. sub., b. Jacques ...
Allman, b. Shrimpton
Steele, H. A., b. Shrimpton
Jukes, C. Jacques, b. Shrimpton
Extras ...
TOTAL ... 40
Bowling : Steele, 5 wkts. for 24 runs. Doherty, 3 wkts. for 26 runs.
Jukes, i wkt. for 15 runs.
JUNE 2211d. SCHOOL V. WARWICK SCHOOL. Home.
WARWICK SCHOOL.
Clarke, b. Jukes 30
Colquhoun, C. Steele, b. Jukes 17
Davey, b. Steele
Tandy, b. Jukes
Shiner, c. Bower, b. Gold
• • • 5
3
23
Rishworth, b. Steele
Burnett, b. Miller
Randel II, run out
Randel I, b. Steele
27
Nixon, not out ...
Kerr, 1.b.w., b. Steele
8
Extras ... 13
TOTAL ... ... 140
62
SCHOOL.
Gold, c. Nixon, b. Clarke
Evans, c. Tandy, b. Burnett
Perks, b. Burnett
Steele, C. Tandy, b. Burnett
Bragg, b. Burnett
Miller, b. Burnett
Bower, b. Clarke
Doherty, not out
Allman, b. Clarke ...
Griffin, 1.b.w., b. Clarke
Jukes, run out ...
Extras ...
TOTAL ...
Bowling : Steele, 4 wkts. for 47 runs.
Jukes, 3 wkts. for 25 runs.
6
2
1 4
2
4
39
—
Miller, i wkt. for 14 runs.
Gold, i wkt. for 21 runs.
JUNE 23rd. SCHOOL V. WARWICKSHIRE CLUB AND GROUND. Home.
SCHOOL, 53 (Steele 14) and 73 for 3 wkts. (Gold 29, Bragg,
not out, 23.)
CLUB AND GROUND, 150 for 7 wkts. (D. C. McPhail, 3 wkts. for
9 runs, L. j. Davies, 3 wkts. for 35 runs.)
JUNE 25th. SCHOOL V. SUTTON COLDFIELD SCHOOL. Away.
SCHOOL.
Perks, run out ...
Gold, c. Douglas, b. Robertson
Steele, c. Douglas, b. Prosser ...
Evans, 1.b.w., b. Dainty • ••
Bragg, c. Busby, b. Prosser ... • ••
Bower, b. Heath • ••
Miller, b. Prosser • ••
Doherty, not out •• •
Bloxharn, b. Prosser ...
Griffin, C. Robertson, b. Prosser
Jukes, 1.b.w., b. Heath... ...
Extras ...
TOTAL
SUTTON COLDFIELD.
Eaton, run out ... 2
Prosser, b. Perks 12
Mitchell, b. jukes ...
Roberts, c. Steele, b. Jukes 5
Douglas, c. Bower, b. Perks
Twiss, b. Jukes
Bishton, b. Jukes
Busby, b. Jukes
Dainty, b. Jukes 4
Heath, not out
Wildon, run out 2
Extras . 2
TOTAL ... 29
63
9
0
50
I0
12
8
2
84

a
JUNE 28th. SCHOOL V. MT. STREET'S XI. Home.
Mr. STREET'S XI, 90 (Shorting 49, Steele, A. L., 3 wkts. for
25 runs, L. J. Davies, 3 for 6, D. C. McPhail, 3 for I I.)
SCHOOL, 104 for 6 wkts. (Steele 27, J. L. Mallett 34.)
JULY 6th. SCHOOL V. ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WORCESTER. Away.
SCHOOL, 104 (Steele, A. L., 76.)
WORCESTER R.G.S., 123 for 3 wkts. (Perks 2 wkts. for 27.)
JULY 9th. SCHOOL V OLD BOYS.
SCHOOL XI.
IST INNINGS. 2ND INNINGS.
Gold, lbw. b. Miller
1
Perks, b. Miller ...
o
Steele, b. Foster ...
12
Evans, b. Miller ...
o
Bragg, lbw., b. Miller ... 2
Trevitt, b. Bevins 7
Bower, c. and b. Tringham ... 2
GriFfin, b. Foster ... • ... 5
Doherty, b. Foster ... 4
Miller, b. Miller ... ... ... 4
Allday, C. Wilcox, b. Foster I
Jukes, not out 1
Extras I
c. Bevins, b. Miller ...
C. Tringham, b. Foster
b. Miller ... ...
st. Urry, b. Foster
C. and b. Miller ...
b. Miller ... ...
b. Foster ... ...
b. Miller ... ...
c. Wilcox, b. Miller
lbw., b. Foster ...
not out ... ... ...
C. Bevins, b. Miller
Extras
6
o
io
4
4
1
II
1
4
2
2
o
2
TOTAL ... 40 TOTAL ... 47
OLD BOYS' XI.
IST INNINGS. 2ND INNINGS.
J.B.Florance, c.Miller, b.Perks 26 c. Bower, b. Steele ...
Urry, c. Steele, b. Perks 9 c. Gold, b. Bragg ...
C. R. Foden, c. Miller, b. Perks 2
F. R. Foster, c.Bower, b.Steele 9 C. Steele, b. Doherty ...... 25
C. L. Hughes, c. Doherty,
b. Perks ...........15 not out ... ... 8
R. Tringham, b. Perks ... 2
N. Wiley, c. Allday, b. Bower 2
J. H. Wilcox, run out 4
L. Endall, b. Steele ... 6
R.S.Bevins, c. Bragg, b. Jukes 19 C. Evans, b. Bragg ... 15
L. N. Wasdall, b. Steele ... 3
H. R. Miller, not out ... ... 9 b. Steele
Extras 5 Extras 7
-
TOTAL ... I I I TOTAL (for 5 wkts.) ... 62
Bowling—Steele, 3 wkts. for 27 ; Perks, 5 wkts. for 51 ; Bower,
wkt. for 15 ; Jukes, i wkt. for 13.
Bragg, 2 wkts. for 22 ; Steele, 2 wkts. for zo ; Doherty,
wkt. for ii.
64

EMPIRE DAY, 1927.
2nd XI MATCHES.
MAY I8th. SCHOOL 2ND XI V. COLESHILL SCHOOL. Home.
SCHOOL, 34 and 55.
COLESHILL SCHOOL, 114.
JUNE IIth. SCHOOL 2ND XI V. WOLVERHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
2ND XI.
WOLVERHAMPTON SCHOOL, 89.
SCHOOL, 44.
JUNE I5th. SCHOOL 2ND XI V. COLESHILL SCHOOL.
SCHOOL 2ND XI, 104 (Evans 32, Steele, H. A., 22.)
COLESHILL SCHOOL, 83 for 4 wkts.
JUNE I8th. SCHOOL 2ND XI v. BABLAKE SCHOOL, Coventry.
SCHOOL 2ND XI, 70.
BABLAKE, 103 for 3 wkts.
JUNE 2211d. SCHOOL 2ND XI V. WARWICK SCHOOL 2ND XI.
SCHOOL, 47 and 29.
WARWICK SCHOOL, 153 for 7 wkts. (dec.)
JUNE 25th. SCHOOL 2ND XI V. SUTTON COLDFIELD SCHOOL 2ND XI.
SUTTON SCHOOL, 55 (Lewis, F. R., 5 wkts. for 13, including the
" hat trick.")
SCHOOL, 99 (Tubb 26, Trevitt, 37.)
JULY 9th. SCHOOL 2ND XI V. OLD BOYS' 2ND XI.
OLD BOYS' 2ND XI, 132 (Lewis, 7 wkts. for 36 ; R. S. Bragg, 36 ;
J. A. Reeve, 36.)
SCHOOL 2ND XI, 64 (Steele, H. A., 29.)
O.T.C.
Our total strength this term is iso. This is an increase
of two from last term. The annual shooting for the
" Country Life " competition took place on March i6th.
We scored 711 points and were 12th in the list among 38
other schools, as against 681 and i9th last year. Cadet
Hitchman got special mention for his excellent score.
On March 17th we took part in a field day on the Avon
Dassett hills, near Fenny Compton. We marched out at
practically full strength, taking four platoons all armed
65

with rifles, bayonets, twenty rounds of ammunition and
haversack rations. Warwick O.T.C. were debarred from
attending owing to illness, and our numbers were increased
in a defensive scheme by the addition of a company from
Rugby O.T.C. The fight waxed furious after zero hour
and, No. 4 Platoon " being flung in at the death," we
were complimented on our strategic success. We then
marched back to Fenny Compton, piled arms and began
tea (one cadet went to the urn to replenish his mug eleven
times) during which the brass band of Rugby O.T.C. played
a few selections. This was followed by a short game of
" soccer " and a march to the station to entrain for home.
The weather had been perfect and we arrived at Solihull
at 19.30 hours, after an interesting and most enjoyable
day.
The first event of importance this term was Empire
Day. We were inspected by Lt.-Col. W. C. C. Gell, D.S.O.,
M.C., commanding the 5th Batt. Royal Warwickshire
Regt. After the general salute we were inspected in line
and then marched past the saluting base in column of
platoons. At the conclusion of the parade we formed into
a hollow square and received a short address, preceded
by the presentation of the Tozer medals to Corpl. Stevens
for tactics and Cadet Hitchman for shooting. The results
of the written examination for Certificate "A," held in
March, came to hand just after term began and gave us a
pleasant surprise. All previous records were broken.
Out of 21 candidates the following 17 satisfied the examiners
and are now in possession of the parchment and are proud
wearers of the " Red Star " : — C.Q.M.S. Whitehouse,
Sergeants Challis, Gee, Bower, and Tubb, Corporals Stevens,
Bragg, Marshall and Steele, Lce.-Corporals Aldis, Bernays,
Carswell, Hare, Ibbotson, Jukes, Reynolds and Wall.
We are losing our Commanding Officer at the end
of this term by the departure of Major Mallett. We highly
66
appreciate his keenness and energy during his three years
of command and wish him every success in his new venture.
On Whit Monday and Tuesday Lce.-Corporals Chettoe
and Harrison attended a short course of instruction in
armourers' duties at Budbrooke Barracks, Warwick. We
have received instructors from Warwick in Lewis Gun,
Signalling, and Band, on three of our Monday parades.
The annual inspection will take place on July 7th.
Major-General Pitman, commanding South Midland area,
is to be the inspecting officer.
We go to camp this year at Tidworth Park. Our
allotment by the War Office is 6o cadets and above this
we cannot go. Capitation grant, efficiency of the contingent,
qualification for Certificate "A" are all dependent on
our numbers for camp. Last year we were prevented
from attending owing to illness, and at present only 57
have decided to enjoy themselves for nine days, assisted
by night operations, searchlight tattoo, aeroplane flights,
tank rides, etc. Every day in camp is a field day. Let us
hope 'ere these notes are in print that a few more of the
50 other eligibles have changed their minds. The shooting
in the Corps is improving. Sixty-six members have overcome
the first obstacle in the Empire Test and are now
striving for the right to wear a rifle and star on the
left sleeve.
We received a visit from the Auditor at Salisbury
on 3oth May. After a severe stocktaking he found that after
three years' wear and tear of public equipment, etc., we had
lost one earth pin and two rifle grenades !
The following promotions were confirmed on May 6th :—
Cpl. Tubb to be Sergt. Cadet Bernays to be L.-Cpl.
L.-Cpl. Stevens to be Cpl. Cadet Ibbotson to be L.-Cpl.
L.-Cpl. Bragg to be Cpl. Cadet Jukes to be L.-Cpl.
L.-Cpl. Allday to be Cpl. Cadet Reynolds to be L.-Cpl.
Cadet Aldis to be L.-Cpl. Cadet Thornton to be L.-Cpl.
(Signaller) .
67

Lectures
On March 6th, Major Vernon Brooke gave a lecture
on " Motor Cars of the Past, Present and Future." The
first motor-car of which anything is known dates back
to the year 1802 ; this was driven by steam, as were similar
vehicles, until the year 1855, when the internal combustion
engine was invented by a German named Daimler. The
growth of motoring has been very rapid for in 1893, only
thirty-four years ago, the Paris to Boulogne road race was
won at an average speed of 15 miles per hour.
The motors of the end of the nineteenth century were
all chain-driven, the wheels were undetachable and fitted
with cushion tyres. Wheels as a method of steering were
not introduced until 1905. The brake lever was on the
opposite side to the driver and was operated by
the passenger. The bodies of these cars were on elliptical
springs, as they are to-day ; in fact, very little progress
has been made as regards the springing system on cars.
The lay-out of cars at the beginning of this century was
almost the same as it is to-day, but materials to make the
parts which have to stand tremendous strain were not to
be had, and hence the progress of the car depended on the
progress of other branches of science. The lecturer pointed
out that it is due to the work of great racing drivers that the
car has reached such a stage of perfection.
Major Brooke said a few words on the present-day
car, showing the economic way in which it was tested.
As regards cars of the future he suggested that, with the
rapid progress of wireless during recent years, there would
be cars controlled by wireless, and that turbine engines
would be used, thus reducing the wear on parts to a
minimum.
Mr. N. R. Temperley gave a lecture entitled
" Adventures in the Andes " on March 13th. The section
68
of this range of mountains in which Mr. Temperley's
adventures were centred was near the capital of Chili,
namely, Santiago. This town is inland and is surrounded
on three sides by sheer mountain and provides an excellent
base for the climber who wishes to explore the unscaled
peaks which are numerous in the district. Many of these
have only been surveyed from below for the purpose of
fixing a boundary. The slopes of the mountains are
covered with shale which is a great hindrance to the climber.
Higher up they are covered with snow and studded with
icy pinnacles, translucent, of a very delicate colour and
texture, and varying in height from one to thirty feet.
An outing of five days in length provides sufficient
time for the climber to do all he wishes. A horse and cart
are employed for the first twenty miles or so, where they are
abandoned for the mule, and all the baggage is conveyed
by these animals until the slope becomes too steep and the
climber has to carry all his requisites. Night comes on very
quickly and the explorer must be prepared against such a
happening or he may be trapped in some awkward predicament.
The climber has to make all his own routes as
there are but few tracks and these have been made by
miners and smugglers. The lecturer showed us many
telescopic views of the mountain slopes. As a conclusion
he remarked that everyone is not successful as a mountain
climber, but it is just as pleasant to look back to that which
one has tried to do as to that which one has done.
Mr. Bushell completed his series of lectures on South
Africa, on March 20th, with a lecture on the " Transvaal."
This is one of the States belonging t o the Union, and is
bounded on the north by the Limpopo River, on the
south by the Vaal River, and on the east and west by
Portuguese territory and Bechuanaland respectively.
There is no outlet to the sea. Pretoria is the capital and is
the administrating town for the Union. It is not the
69

largest city in the Transvaal but it is the centre of the
Dutch settlers, although English is spoken to a very great
extent. Johannesburg is the largest town and owes its
prosperity to the discovery of diamonds. This town, with
its wonderful buildings, stands on land which eighty years
ago was open veldt.
Gold is the chief source of wealth to the State. The
discovery of a reef, in 1886, a hundred miles long and
about two feet thick, attracted people from all over the
world. Alluvial gold has also been found. Native labour
is employed down the mines, but there is usually one white
man to superintend six natives. The country of this
district is very high and also very healthy. The beauty is
marred by the absence of trees, but such plants as the cactus
are found. For transport, donkeys are used since the horse
suffers from sickness. The old ox-waggons are rapidly
being displaced by the motor-car. The natives live in
kraals and there is a native reserve in the south-east corner
of the State, under the name of Swaziland.
On March 27th Mr. Bushell gave a lecture on the
" Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery." This building,
with its large number of modern paintings, may be described
as an oasis in the midst of the great industrial city of
Birmingham. It offers free recreation of an instructive
nature to the many hundreds of people who live within
easy access of it. The building was built in two parts,
the first in 1883 , at a cost of -c6o,000, and the second in
1912, at a cost of ' .7o,000. It is interesting to note that
the building and its contents are all due to the generosity
of certain donors, and all the public have to pay for is the
heating, insurance, and upkeep of the building.
All the contents are examples of modern art. Drawings
and decorative art of the pre-Raphaelites are plentiful.
The pre-Raphaelite movement was started by three pain ters
who considered that art was over-laden. These three
70
men were Rossetti, Millais and Holman Hunt, and examples
of their work may be found in the Art Gallery. The
lecturer showed slides of pictures by these men and other
well-known artists, including Burne Jones. There are
many examples of paintings by the well-known landscape
painter, David Cox. There are seventeen rooms lined
with examples of modern art of almost every type and
description. Among interesting rooms is the caste gallery,
where models of the famous Greek statues are to be found.
There is also the natural history room where many stuffed
models of rare British birds may be seen.
Boxing
This year the competition was organised upon different
lines. Entries were made individually and not, as formerly,
by Houses. Thus each Hou.se was not restricted to one
representative in each weight. In consequence entries
were more numerous than usual and several preliminary
rounds had to be fought. Owing to bad weather the
semi-finals and finals were held in the Gymnasium on
2nd April instead of in the open air on 4th April.
RESULTS.
Bantam-weights (under 6 st. 6 lb.). In the final
Allsop (Wanderers) easily beat Heath (Nomads). The
best bout in this class was in the preliminary rounds when
Allsop gained only a very narrow victory over Winfield
(Shenstone).
Feather-weights (6 st. 6 lb.-7 st. 6 lb.). Ward
(Fetherston) easily disposed of Goodman (Wanderers)
in the final. Goodman, however, boxed pluckily and with
good style.
Light-weights (7 st. 6 lb.-8 st. 6 lb.). Tubb (Wanderers)
was by far the best in this weight and had no difficulty
in beating Bulpitt (Nomads).
71

Middle-weights (8 st. 6 lb.-9 st. 6 lb.). This weight
produced what was probably the best boxing in the competition.
Gee (Nomads) easily beat Windebank
(Fetherston), and Bragg, A. G. ( Jago) won decisively
over Challis (Wanderers), in the semi-finals. Both winners
boxed exceedingly well. In the final after two rounds
in which both shewed good form Bragg was compelled to
retire owing to a sprained thumb.
Heavy-weights (over 9 st. 6 lb.). This weight was won
by Harrison (Shenstone), a very much improved boxer.
His opponent in the final, Bragg, R. S. ( Jago), fought
pluckily, although handicapped by injuries. Harrison,
however, deserved to win. The Inter-House Championship
was won by School House Wanderers (15 points). School
House Nomads (12 points) were second.
PRIZE WINNERS.
Bantam-weight : Allsop. Middle-weight : Gee.
Feather-weight : Ward. Heavy-weight : Harrison.
Light-weight : Tubb. Best Loser : Bragg, A. G.
Old Solihull
Fifty or sixty years ago we of the School used to be
hailed by boys not of the School as " Latin Bucks," and,
as that word was pronounced " Books," it had a learned
sound to which nobody could possibly object. Perhaps
the course of study to-day does not depend upon Latin
as much as it once did, but most of the present School
will probably follow, without any great difficulty, the two
scraps of Domesday Book here printed. It may he thought
hard (by some) that Latin should appear in the SHENSTONIAN
but a historical article was asked for and, unfortunately,
these two scraps—the oldest that we have relating to
Solihull—happen to be in that tongue.
It may comfort some to know that there are
good Latin scholars who dispute about the words in
72
I YE Kik CUS111.
-taeordi+44ffizenArre5w. (us I .14
. dat5 res ittut,711 feruafyg, wittal: On,
7utt.borgt tsrrr.Qtt.caitAin prt- S Aux. unAidt 4
/7'S t t rt 1 e4 Ur, cuonewr tutC.oct foe. Valute.xlit at, .
flV4r1/-renure.
XLII
TERRA CRISTI.N.,E. /n Coleshelle Hd.'
RISTINA tent de rep. viii. hid' in VLVERLEI. T'ra c xx. car. In dflio. e
C una et iii. serui. et xxii. uill ; cii p'bro et iiii, bard' hnt. vii. car. Ibi
xii. ac p"a. Silua. iiii leuit lg. et dim' leu' Lat.' cii onerat' xii. sor.
Valuit x. lib. mo' iiii. lib. Eduin corn' tenuit.
4. ati7
yeti Aim ari.444410:1 fiorv. tut)
u. 1n-stcto:iittnac7qt.tatt7szi.
'4 0$1107,114/7 1,477 • von,
TERRA TURCHI L.
CJL
De T. tent Almar LANGEDONE. Ibi sunt ii. hide et dim'. T'ra. C. ii. car.
In dilio. e. dimid. et vi. uilli et iii. bard' hOt u. car et dim'. lbi. vi . ac pa.
Silua. i. leuu lg. et dim' lat'. Valuit et valt xx. solid'. Arnul tenuit T.R.E
(Reproduced from the facsimile of Domesday Book by kind permission
of the Controller of H.M. Stationery Office.)
*1/

Domesday. Their actual letters and their Meanings
are all open to question, and the contractions sometimes
are most puzzling. How is one to know whether car with
a thing like a fly's leg tied on to the last letter means a
plough or a piece of land ? The fly's leg, which, after all,
may be due to the wear of the parchment, makes all the
difference.
Now let us translate, and first for No. 42, for that
is the more important :—
Cristina holds of the King 8 hides in ULVERLEI. The
land employs 20 ploughs. In the demesne is one (plough)
and 3 serfs and 22 villeins with a Priest, and 4 bordars
have 7 ploughs. There are 12 acres of pasture. The
Wood is 4 leagues long and half a league wide. When
it was (first) taxed it was worth zo shillings. It was worth
&o, now f4. Earl Edwin held it.
Of Turchil, Almar holds LANGEDONE. There are
2 hides and a half. The land employs 2 ploughs. In the
demesne is half a plough and 6 villeins and 3 bordars have
a plough and a half. There are 6 acres of pasture. The
Wood is a league long and half a league wide. It was and is
worth 20 shillings. Arnul held it in the time of King Edward.
And there we have the oldest account of Solihull,
and not a word about Solihull appearing in it ! But we
know that Solihull was made up, a century after Domesday
Book, which—as we all know—was finished in io86, of the
two Manors or Townships of Ulverley and Longdon— the
former being much the larger.
What was then called Ulverley is now called Olton.
Not Olton Station or Olton Reservoir, but Olton Hall
which lies up Lode Lane, towards the Coventry Road near
Sheldon. We also know Longdon, which is the old house
in the middle of Copt Heath Golf Course, and we also know,
quite accurately, the boundary common to these two
manors. Perhaps it would be better to say these two
73

ancient settlements, for they were there long before men
began to speak of manors.
Just a word or two of explanation. The hides
mentioned are not skins, but a measure of land—a hide,
in this part of the country was about 120 acres. The
farmers, as we call them — " villeins " says Domesday
Book—did not use half a plough, as the book seems to say.
The phrase means half a season's work for a plough. The
serfs were slaves, not English, as the farmers were, but
probably descendants of the ancient Welsh inhabitants.
The bordars were cottagers, and the word for cottage, from
which bordars is made up, appears also in Bordesley, which
means the meadow by the cottages.
Two more points. The Priest was what we should
call the Rector. Only his church no longer stands where
it did near Olton Hall, and we can only guess at 1200 as
the date when the church (and the Rector) moved to the
present site. And the Wood. That has not moved at
any rate, though most of the trees have made way for
fields. It began at the head of Olton Reservoir, close to
the Solihull Cemetery, and reached to Forshaw, beyond
Inkford Brook on the Alcester Road.
We do not know much about Almar or Turchil or any
of the Longdon people, except that Turchil's grandson,
Ketelbarn, has Ieft his name in Catney Barns, which used
to be called Kettlebarn or Kettleburn Heath.
But we do know something about Cristina. Her
manor-house was in the clump of trees opposite Olton Hall,
and its mound and ditch are there to this day. But it is
very doubtful whether she ever saw it, for she had other,
and larger estates, and was a very great Lady. In fact,
she was the greatest Lady but one in the kingdom. Her
elder sister, Margaret, was the Lady of England, or, as we
should say now the Princess Royal, and married the King
of Scotland. As all English kings, since Henry II, are
74
descended from the Lady Margaret, it follows that the
Lady Cristina was a kind of grand-aunt to them all. To
state accurately the relation between Cristina and King
George V we should have to put twenty-five greats in front
of the grand-aunt. In the very year of Domesday Book
the Lady Cristina retired from the world to the famous
Nunnery at Romsey, in Hampshire, where another English
Princess ruled as Abbess.
Music Notes
In place of the usual first concert of the Spring Term
a Gramophone Recital was given in the Big School on
February 20th. The programme, which consisted for the
most part of orchestral records, was as follows :--
x. SYMPHONY—in B minor (Unfinished) ... Schubert
2. VIOLIN SOLO
QUEEN'S HALL ORCHESTRA.
(Conducted by Sir Henry Wood.)
(i) " Liebesfrend " Kreisky
(ii) " Humoresque "
KREISLER.
Tschaihozershy -
3. DANCE ... From " Prince Igor " Borodin
4.
LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
(Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham.)
STRING QUARTET ... Serenade in G major
First movement, Allegro ; Last movement, Rondo.
LENER STRING QUARTET.
Mozart
" Danse Macabre "
PHILADELPHIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
(Conducted by Leopold Stokowski.)
Saint-Saens
The Choral and Orchestral concert took place on
April 3rd, when the following programme was given :—
I. OVERTURE ..." The Children's Overture "
THE ORCHESTRA.
Quilter
2. PART SONGS—(a) " Pastime with good company " Henry VIII
(b)" Once I loved a maiden fair " Old English
THE CHOIR.
75

3. PIANOFORTE SOLO... Ballad in C minor Greig
R. L. ALDIS.
4. MADRIGAL ...` When flow'ry meadows " Palestrina
THE CHOIR.
5. SYMPHONY—in G minor ... Mozart
Last movement, Allegro assai.
THE ORCHESTRA.
6. CHORUS " Hymn to the Eternal " Schubert
THF CHOIR.
7. PIANOFORTE SOLO ... " Poissons d'ors " Debussy
R. L. ALDIs.
8. PART SoNGs—(a) " Fain would I change that note "
Vaughan ll'illiams
(b) " Ye little Birds " Holst
THE CHOIR.
9. VARIATIONS—on " Barbara Allen " Carse
THE ORCHESTRA.
A critic is naturally unwilling to rush into superlatives,
but there is no. doubt that a more uniformly successful
concert has seldom, if ever, been heard at the School.
The Orchestra exhibited fewer traces of raggedness
than might reasonably be expected in a School orchestra,
and it was evident that a considerable amount of pain
must have been taken by the boys concerned in perfecting
parts which, to them, must have presented much technical
difficulty. As usual we were not disappointed in the help
of several old boys and other friends of the School—too
numerous to mention by name—and the Orchestra presented
quite a formidable numerical array. The " Children's
Overture " was much better played than on the last occasion
on which it was attempted ; it is an ambitious work for a
school orchestra, but delightful for performers and audience
alike. The Mozart was perhaps taken a trifle on the
slow side, but it was perhaps wise to ensure accuracy at
the expense of speed, and the conventional tempo of this
movement is somewhat exacting. The " Barbara Allen "
76
Variations for strings were really delightful and thoroughly
deserved the encore which they received. In structure
these variations are comparatively simple, and they rely
for their effect mainly upon clean bowing and light and
shade. In neither of these respects were the players
lacking, and any suspicion of fussiness was almost entirely
absent. Throughout its contributions to the programme
the choir certainly excelled itself. If any distinction is
to be made, it was at its best in the old English numbers
and in the Palestrina. In the latter the singers succeeded
in creating that impression of ease and happiness which
is so essential in interpreting works of this character, and
which has not been particularly evident before. The
Choir is to be congratulated on having tackled five fairly
difficult works in the very short time available for rehearsal,
with such evident success. E. L. Aldis' Pianoforte Solos
added variety to a good programme.
The Debating Society
The last debate of the session had, as its motion, " That
this House considers that the Programme of the British
Broadcasting Corporation is futile." The house was so
solid in its appreciation of the work of the B.B.C. that the
debate was rather tame. A one-sided debate is seldom
otherwise.
W. Millward, the Secretary, in proposing the motion,
touched on the vast resources which the B.B.C. had at
its disposal. Its income, derived from licence fees, reached
the high figure of £2,000 per day. An analysis revealed
that the programmes given in return were futile to the
highest degree.
L. C. Stevens, who opposed the motion, stressed the
variety of tastes to satisfy, which was the truly hard task
77

of the B.B.C. Indeed, he considered that the B.B.C. had
done all that was possible in its stupendous task.
F. R. Tubb, who seconded a poor case in manful
manner, pointed out that the popularity of " wireless " was
due rather to its mechanical novelty than to the excellence
of the programmes, and as for these programmes, some of
them were calculated to satisfy no taste whatever.
A. Plowman cavilled at the destructive nature of the
criticism levelled at the B.B.C., and condemned the motion
as too sweeping. The variety of radio fare was calculated
to prevent any accusation of futility. The speaker concluded
by pointing out that, to some people, wireless was
all in all, and that a wholesale condemnation was merely
selfish.
Other speakers, all of whom defended the policy of the
B.B.C., were : R. W. R. Miller, G. S. Ells, R. L. Aldis,
H. A. Steele and A . L. Steele.
The motion was lost by 2 votes to 51.
At this meeting the Prize for Oratory was awarded, by
vote of the Society, to L. C. Stevens.
Old Boys' News
There is little important information concerning the
Club to be recorded in this number of the SHENSTONIAN, hut
the numerous arrangements for Old Boys' Day, July ath,
give a promise of better material for the next issue.
Mr. P. E. Martineau, who wrote a history of the School
for our last year's book, has been kind enough to contribute
an article relating to the history of Solihull, and we hope
that other Old Boys who have literary inclinations will
similarly favour us.
We shall be glad to receive from members short histories
of their careers after leaving school, or details of their
successes in examinations and sports.
78
Membership
There are now 324 members of the Club, those who
have joined since March being :--
Bayley, N., ioo, Edmund Street, Birmingham.
Bragg, R. S., Church Hill Road, Solihull, Birmingham.
Boston, A. W., 145, Hampstead Road, Handsworth, Birmingham.
Collins, C. A., 34, Queenswood Road, Moseley, Birmingham.
Cotterrell, J. J., Rotton Row House, Knowle, Birmingham.
Foster, F. R., " Beechwood," Hagley Road West, Edgbaston,
Birmingham.
Hall, B. J., High Street, Solihull, Birmingham.
Hare, H. L., 4, Holly Road, Handsworth, Birmingham.
Legg, N. N., 85, Solihull Lane, Robin Hood, Birmingham.
Martineau, P. L., Bolt Head Hotel, Salcombe.
Matthews, L., 147, Bristol Street, Birmingham.
Scruton, R. A., Rowington, Warwickshire.
Trimm, C., " Fairlands," Lode Lane, Solihull, Birmingham.
Tringham, R., Alderbrook Road, Solihull, Birmingham.
Turley, C. H., " Inglenook," 32, School Road, Hall Green,
Birmingham.
Watson, R. G. J., 7, Willows Crescent, Cannon Hill, Birmingham.
Whitehill, J. D., Bridgeside, Streetsbrook Road, Solihull.
Whitehouse, W. J. E., George Hotel, Solihull, Birmingham.
Winkley, W. L., Holly Lane, Four Oaks, Birmingham.
The following changes of address should be noticed :—
Hammond, J. F., Fitzwilliam House, Cambridge.
Lander, C. H., " Avondale," St. Bernard's Road, Olton,
Birmingham.
Law, W. S., " Floradene," Wembdon Road, Bridgwater.
Burnett, F., 1, Station Street, Birmingham.
Bunch, H. J., " Lynton," Hodgehill Common, Castle Bromwich,
Birmingham.
Brock, K. R., Kalimna, Tixall Road, Hall Green, Birmingham.
Kynoch, E. J., Coventry Purity Milk Supply Co., Hall Green,
Foleshill, Coventry.
Hinde, G. A. L., The Sungei Krian Estate, Bajan Serai, Perak,
F.M. S.
Bayley, H. A. S., 3, North Hill Court, Headingley, Leeds.
Hedge, A. W. R., Netherbury, 235, Pershore Road, Birmingham.
79

Personal Information
W. Cooper, who left School in 1900, entered Lloyds
Bank in 1901, and after being in charge of the Aldershot
and Bicester branches in turn, was promoted to succeed
Sir Loraine Dunbar, as manager, at Harrogate, 1921.
He has written on Archaeological and Historical subjects,
is a member of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society and
was elected F.S.A. (Scotland) in 1925, and F.S.A., 1926.
He has edited or transcribed the Parish Registers of
several Yorkshire villages, and is at present gathering
material for a history of the Civil Parish of Wootton Wawen,
Warwickshire.
H. R. Miller has played regularly for Birmingham
University 1st Cricket XI, and has been very successful
all round, particularly in bowling. He has been elected
captain of the University XI for next year.
E. Perry has played cricket for Staffordshire and for
West Bromwich Dartmouth.
J. M. Urry won the Olton Golf Challenge Cup.
S. W. Redfearn obtained a Second Class in the second
part of the Natural Science Tripos, Cambridge.
E. C. Reeve has passed the Associateship Examination
of Insurance Institutes, Part I, with honours in two
subjects and passes in three subjects.
J. A. W. Reeve has been appointed deputy chief clerk
of his office in the Ocean Insurance Co.
In reply to a correspondent concerning Dr. Johnson's
rejected application to become headmaster of this school,
we are pleased to publish the following extract from
Boswell's " Life of Johnson," ed. G. Birkbeck Hill, vol.
VI, P. 44. :--
" Johnson, a few weeks after his marriage, applied
for the mastership of Solihull Grammar School, as is shown
by the following letter, preserved in the Pembroke
8.0
College MSS., addressed to Mr. Walmsley, and quoted by
Mr. Croker. I failed to insert it in my notes.
Sir,
Solihull,
ye 30 August,
1735.
I was favoured with yours of ye 13th inst. in due
time, but deferred answering it til now, it takeing up some
time to informe the Fceofees of the contents thereof ; and
before they would return an Answer, desired some time to
make enquiry of ye caracter of Mr. Johnson, who all agree
that he is an excellent scholar, and upon that account
deserves much better than to be schoolmaster of Solihull.
But then he has the caracter of being a very haughty, illnatured
gent., and yt he has such a way of distorting his
Face (wh though he can't help) ye gent. think it may affect
some young ladds ; for these two reasons he is not approved
on, ye late master Mr. Crompton's huffing the Fceofees being
stil in their memory. However, we are all exstreamly
obliged to you. for thinking of us, & for proposeing so good
a schollar, but more especially is, dear sir,
Your very humble servant,
Henry Greswold.' "
Old Boys' Football Section
The Old Boys had quite a successful season, the 1st xi
working up from the last place in the league to the third
and obtaining 13 points—an increase of 12 on 1925-26.
On this account they have been promoted into the Second
Division of the Senior Amateur League.
The 2nd xi tied for third place in the Second Division
of the Junior League, obtaining II points as against 4 in
1925-6.
Both elevens were strengthened by the addition of
players who left School in July, 1926, and therefore had
SI

fewer weak spots than formerly. There was a welcome
improvement both in skill and stamina.
The Old Boys usually played cleverer football than
their opponents and had the better of the game in mid-field,
but were not always effective near goal. The shooting,
if not wild, was not particularly accurate, and in several
matches the Old Boys exerted such pressure that their
defenders were lured too far up the field and our opponents
scored rather freely from breakaways. A much better
record will be achieved if the shooting and goal-covering
improve. The 1st team suffered greatly owing to not
having a satisfactory centre-forward, and we hope that
one will be forthcoming before next season begins.
A meeting was held at the close of the season and it
was decided that there were not yet enough members of
the section for a third team to be formed. It is hoped
that all boys who leave School and are footballers will
join us and enable the teams to improve still further.
The colours have been changed from a white shirt
with School badge to a maroon shirt with blue collars and
cuffs--the club colours.
The results of matches played since the end of February
are given, the Old Boys' score being placed first.
1st XI.
h. v. St. Christopher's ...
h. v. Silbill II
a. v. Wesleyan and General
h. v. Midland Bank
h.
a.
a.
h.
h.
v. Headingley III
v. St. Oswald's ...
v. Midland Bank
v. Walsall Phoeni.-N
v. Gas Officials ...
h s— Home.
a — Away.
2nd XI.
3- 7
5-0
-1 4
3-2
• (r) 5-10
• (L) 3-I
• (L) 4-0
• (L) 3- 7
(L) 4-2
L — League.
F - Friendly.
Birmingham University Results
C. Lea, Treasurer of the Hockey Club, has been
awarded his Team Colours. He obtained a First Class
in the Pass B.Sc. Examination, with Distinction in
Chemistry.
G. P. Chambers, Treasurer of the Football Club,
obtained a Second Class B.Com .
J. R. Cooper, Secretary of the Commerce Society,
obtained a Second Class in the second year B.Com . Exam.
82 83