The Salopian no. 166 - Winter 2020-21

From the Editor
A year has passed since the last edition of The Salopian was published in
January 2020. The winner of the Michael Schutzer-Weissmann letter writing
prize, writing from home in the ‘remote’ Summer Term of 2020 during the
first lockdown, was Oscar Rink (PH), now in the Fifth Form. The task was to
imagine oneself as the statue of Charles Darwin and write a letter to Sir Philip
Sidney, at the other end of Central. Let him be our guest editor.
Front Cover: The Barnes Theatre, December 2020
Inside Front Cover: Re-wilding the Site: The Biology Garden (see page 28)
15 May 2020
Dear Philip,
Such strange times! I cannot even begin to put into words the changes
inflicted upon our old School Site by this darned virus. A place once bustling
rendered silent by an unseen enemy, normally infused with the vivacity of
youth and enthusiasm within each and every pupil, now sapped, leaving
an empty shell, lifeless without its inhabitants. Where now the chatter and
clatter of everyday life? The School bell continues to toll, a beacon of hope to
those in despair at the loss of the community. Nature progresses, the seasons
bringing change in their wake as they drift across the globe and yet society
does not, holed up within homes. How can it be that the lamb and chick
spring into life unaware as Humanity cowers in the darkness?
The School is a veritable Marie Celeste with all the life drained from its
bows. The souls fleeing the unseen tide, uncertain of what is to come.
Quiet smothers the site, seeping its dismal atmosphere through corridors
and classrooms. Signs of hurry lie strewn about, future dates in discarded
planners sit slashed through, cups of tea on desks lie thick and frigid,
books and stationery misplaced in a whirlwind of confusion. Nature begins
to reclaim its territory; thick grass creeps upwards; vines snake tentatively
over buildings and furious thistles spew forth: a pestilence upon the earth.
Rain splatters its cold, remorseless drizzle down upon the soil reducing it to
sludge. Dust returns to every surface.
And yet not all is lost, as Newton exclaimed whilst shuttered during a
similar outbreak: ‘Each reaction must have an equal and opposite reaction’.
Wildflowers sprout their colours where they have not for many a year. The
sun continues to shift its gaze ever closer as the solstice approaches, melting
away the last remnants of winter. Buds burst open, revealing greenery
hidden away. Blossom graces the earth, its sweet serenade of scent gliding
dulcetly through the air.
Such great societal shift is not unheard of. Wartime brought death and
despair of massive scale to the nation, striking families with its cold, bony
fingers plucking life from the earth. This is a force of nature. It is through
pure science that the poor souls losing their lives are selected. I know you
disagree with my theories deeply my dear friend, but bear with me. One can
conclude from observation that it is the old, weak and sickly that are struck
down mercilessly. However on a philosophical level, is the wartime loss of
life more ethically correct, with the soldiers and nurses knowing full well
what to expect? Or is the loss of the elderly through the culling of the weak
by nature preferable? Alas, we wish for neither upon our earth, but human
nature and nature itself make it so.
As a humanist I would be inclined to support natural selection, as the
old have had their allotted time on earth and have experienced life as
opposed to the young who still have so much to live through. Many would
be outraged by this assertion and one might understand their discomfort;
however, such is the rhythum of Life.
I do fear that I delve too deeply into thought. I simply revel in reflection and
conclusion as a scientist by nature! What else does one do, petrified in place
with the sweet sensation of Cherry blossom on one’s lips and the soothing
embrace of April showers? I shall not keep you any longer.
Your ever faithful comrade,
Charles Darwin
CONTENTS
From the Headmaster 4
Leavers’ Address 6
Surviving and Thriving 8
Letter from a Housemaster 14
Remote Learning 15
Avete 16
Valete 17
Shrewsbury School International 21
School Prizewinners 2020 22
Scholarships Awarded for 2020 entry 23
Biology Photographic Competition 24
‘Discover Nature’ Theme Week 26
Sharing our Space with Nature 28
The Peace of Trees 30
The Barnes Theatre 32
Drama 2019-2020 33
A mosaic for Meole Brace Primary 37
Michaelmas Term 2020 Artwork 38
Serving the Wider Community 40
The Shewsy 42
Supporting the Ankawa Foundation 43
RSSBC 44
Rugby 48
RSSH 51
RSSH in East Africa 53
Lacrosse 54
Fives 54
Cricket 56
Football 58
From the Director 61
Dubai Annual Cricket Match & Supper 61
News of Old Salopians 62
One Hundred Years Ago 71
Footballs’ debt to Shrewsbury 72
Soulton Hall 76
VE and VJ Days 78
Shrewsbury Streetscapes 79
Old Salopian Fives Club 80
Old Salopian Football Club 81
Old Salopian Golfing Society 82
Old Salopian Hunt 85
Sabrina Club 87
Old Salopian Squash Club 88
Old Salopian Women’s Sport 89
Saracens 90
Salopian Drivers’ Club 92
Old Salopian Freemasons Lodge 93
Notes from the Archives & Taylor Library 94
Publications 97
Obituaries 99
Editor
Richard Hudson
rth@shrewsbury.org.uk
Assistant Editor
Annabel Warburg
Obituaries Editor
Dr David Gee
Salopian Club
Nick Jenkins (Director)
Salopian Club, The Schools,
Shrewsbury SY3 7BA
01743 280891 (Director)
01743 280892 (Administrator)
oldsalopian@shrewsbury.org.uk
Design: Tom Sullivan tom@tangosierra.co.uk
Print: www.lavenhampress.com