Old Hilmian 1953

Editorial

As you will realise after reading the following pages the social side of our Association is expanding. This is very gratifying but at the same time it brings with it its own problems. The greatest of these problems is that of organisation. Owing to the expansion already made more people will have to take responsibility for the organising of functions. The work - yes, it is definitely work - is interesting and usually appreciated.

You, reader - yes, you! Do you like giving pleasure to others? Do you ever plan to give others pleasure? Are you prepared to inconvenience yourself slightly to give pleasure? Have you the courage to take responsibility? Have you the stamina to persevere when things go wrong? If you can answer "yes" each time you would make an ideal committee man or woman.

New blood on any committee invariably gives added zest to the organisation they serve. The Old Hilmians are no exception. More committee members are urgently required so that the Association may continue to expand and prosper. Persons who left school only three to five years ago are especially welcome. Visit or write to the Secretary now and ask if you can be co-opted to the committee.

We must not forget when congratulating ourselves that we owe a large amount of thanks to people who were not Old Students of Hemsworth Grammar School. Mr. Hamilton, the President, Miss. Smith, Mr. Collette, Miss. Harris, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Wytcherley, Mr. and Mrs. Cliffe and Mr. Leary have all assisted us very willingly.

Finally, may I remind you that the financial year (ending 31st October, 1954) has just commenced. If you have not yet paid your subscriptions would you please do so at your earliest convenience? Thank you.

 

Presidential Notes December 1953

Once more, to all Old Hilmians a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Last summer the School Cricket XI had their best ever season. Played 14, won 13 and lost 1. The thanks of the School are due to the Old Hilmians for the gift of two plaques. The batting plaque was won by Fox, E. R, and the bowling plaque by Johnson, N. B.

The School had a record year for scholarships. One State, three County Majors, two County Exhibitions and four County Bursaries.

New buildings have reached the planning stage. We are to have a new gymnasium, and a new science block. Both buildings will be of the most modern design. Showers and changing rooms in the gymnasium, whilst the science block will contain five laboratories; Chemistry, Physics, Biology, all fully equipped for advanced work, two labs for General Science, a storage room and a staff room together with cloakrooms and lavatories.

Alterations are to take place in the main building. The present Chem Lab will become a Music Room, the Physics Lab a room for Art and Craft. The Biology Lab will be turned into a Needlework Room.

These plans are scheduled to start in March, 1954. The rooms and conversions may be ready by September, 1956. In return for all this building we are to increase our numbers from 650 to 750.

The School had a full inspection last May. We came out of it with credit. All those whose opinions we value expressed themselves as very well satisfied with the Report.

Mr. Lloyd is now Headmaster of a Technical School in the Isle of Wight.

Mr. Revill left last July. He is now Senior English Master at the Grammar School, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire.

The Old Hilmians' War Memorial to the School has at last been completed. We bought a suitable table and Headmaster's chair a few weeks ago.

The Library has been furnished with thirty or more really comfortable chairs. Curtains have been added to match.

Mr. and Mrs. Cliffe have retired. They now live in Hemsworth.

There must be more than 3,000 Old Hilmians today. That number should provide me with a daily visitor every school day in the year. We are always pleased to hear from but are even more pleased to see you. Come whenever you can, but do remember to ask for me. One Old Hilmian a day will help keep the doctor away. You are always welcome.
RWH

 

Theatre Circle

The members who join the Old Hilmians' Theatre Parties are now part of a new subsidiary club.

The decision was taken this year by the Committee. An organiser will run the "Old Hilmians' Theatre Club" and such an organiser will be appointed by the Association Committee.

There is no extra subscription, just a word to the Secretary is sufficient to become a member entitling you to a notice of each theatre party.

The inclusive price to join one of the theatre parties is such that it is less than the cost to an individual booking privately, and just look at the convenience - no queueing for tickets, no waiting for buses. The seats are always the best obtainable.

Old Hilmians visited the Grand Theatre, Leeds, on the following occasions:
May 6th " The Gay Dog", with Wilfred Pickles (7/- inclusive).
May 6th "Murder Mistaken", with Hermione Baddeley" (7/-inclusive).

Sept. 9th "Angels in Love", with Barbara Kelly. (7/- inclusive).
Nov. 25th " Seagulls Over Sorrento", with Ronald Shiner (6/6inclusive).

For the information of those people who have not yet been on a theatre party, the bus usually leaves the Green Gate at 5.45 p.m. and returns to Cross Hill at approximately 10.30 p.m.

Seats may be booked, on request, in a part of the theatre other than where the block booking has been made.

 

Cricket Report

It is very pleasing to be able to give a good report on the activities of the Old Hilmians C.C. during the 1953 season. Of the 20 matches played, 17 were won and 3 lost, one of these being our first match of the season against the School. Much improvement was shown in all departments, and individual players were mentioned in the weekly honours list 10 times for their performances with bat and ball.

We were very pleased to have Mr. Hamilton with us as a playing member, and during August various members of the School's First and Second teams joined us in a number of matches. I only hope they enjoyed being amongst us as much as we enjoyed having them.

The Ladies' section once again excelled themselves in providing refreshments at all home matches, and on behalf of the club, I say "Thank you for your continued support."

Whilst on the "Thank you's", I must mention Mr. Rhodes who assisted in many ways, especially in preparing our wickets which were the envy of opposing teams. Also Mr. and Mrs. Cliffe who, until their retirement, were always on hand to give any help required.

Two trophies were presented to the School to be awarded to the best batter and bowler at the end of the season. These were won by Fox and Johnson, respectively.

Last December the club held their first Annual Dinner which proved to be a great success.

We are now in a very strong financial position, but I would very much like to see an increase in our playing strength. So once more I appeal to all you Old Hilmians who are interested in the game to come along and rally round your own team.

Finally, I hope that the enthusiasm shown by all members during the past season will be maintained so that the Old Hilmians Cricket Club will continue to be a prominent name in local cricket circles.

A. Lewis,
Hon. Secretary.

Leading Averages
Batting
Inns., N.O., Runs, High Score, Avge.
R. W. Hamilton: 17, 3, 295, 79*, 21.07
G. H. Pacey: 14, 3, 215, 43*, 19.54
T. Bell: 8, 2, 98, 52*, 16.33
E. Bell: 12, 1, 153, 33*, 13.90
P. T. Burns: 8, 0, 98, 21, 12.25
J. Walker: 13, 1, 136, 34, 11.41
C. Pickard: 17, 1, 182, 28, 11.36
J. Dakin: 16, 3, 128, 36, 9.84
H. Lawton: 9, 0, 85, 39, 9.44
J. Fox: 8, 1, 63, 28, 9.00

Bowling
Overs., Mdns., Runs, Wkts., Avge.
G. H. Pacey: 117, 26, 249, 47, 5.29
R. W. Hamilton: 68, 7, 220, 32, 6.87
T. Bell: 34, 8, 72, 10, 7.20
A. Lewis: 81, 23, 209, 27, 7.74
W. Sainter: 79, 15, 203, 18, 11.27

 

Secretary's Report

The Annual Christmas Dance, 1952, was a great success. The occasion was used to demonstrate our appreciation of certain persons. Mr. Manning received a tool box to mark the 25th anniversary of his appointment to H.G.S. Mr. Wytcherley was presented with a flower vase. He has been the
School gardener for over 25 years. The School grounds stand as a tribute to his efforts. Mr. and Mrs. Cliffe who have been very hard and conscientious workers for both the School and the Association, retired this summer. To show our appreciation of their work they were presented with a tea service.

The issue of News Bulletins was continued. All kinds of news is to be found in its pages - Births, Deaths and Marriages, Sport, Personal news and advertisements for future events.

Earlier this year it was stated that the Association was on a sound financial basis and if subscriptions were forthcoming a surplus would be made. One glance at the cash account will verify this. The increase in the balance of Total Cash is practically the same as the subscriptions received.

There is no reason why the coming year should not be equally successful, in fact, it should be possible to increase the surplus. It would then be possible to purchase some investment with say, £100, so providing a reserve for a "rainy day."

There has during the past year been enquiries as to a resurrection of the Rugby Club and as to whether it would be possible to run a dramatic group.

Russell G. Hamilton
Secretary / Treasurer.