Literary and Debating Society
| 1938 Debating Society | |
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A debating society has been formed at Hemsworth Grammar School, Miss Nicholson being chairman and C. E. Perry secretary. The proposers and seconders are picked from the sixth form and the audience consists of the fifth and sixth forms. |
| A recent debate upon "Are films on the whole bad?" caused an animated discussion and it was agreed by a huge majority that their influence on education was not bad. February 25th 1938 | |
| 1947 Debating Society | |
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This year the society had a new chairman and a new committee and several new ideas were introduced, among them being that attendance should be voluntary, that the chairman for any debate might be a pupil, and that at least one Fifth Form debate should be held. |
| Both debates and informal discussions were held, the topics discussed ranged from school and sports to politics, but it was obvious that debates on School affairs were more popular. Subjects of this kind included: the abolition of School Certificate in its present form; the comparative value the of the Arts and the Sciences; and suggestions for the improvement of the school. More general subjects included: conscription; the probability of another war; and the comparative advantages of barbarism and civilisation. This last topic was debated by the Fifth Form who showed themelves strongly in favour of barbarism. Among the more prominent speakers were Margaret Medforth, Elizabeth Storer, Birkin, Batty, Kaye, Wilkinson, Ardron and Butt. | |
| 1947 Literary Society | |
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The introduction, by Miss Thompson (photo left), of this informal society during the autumn term was received with pleasure by the poetry and drama enthusiasts of the Vth and VIth forms. Two plays by Bernard Shaw, "The Devil's Disciple", and "Geneva'', were attempted first, the Shavian humour affording much amusement. On another occasion, an entirely different play, the "Antigone" of Sophecles, a Greek tragedy, was read. |
| This comparatively meagre amount of literature was all we were able to attempt owing to the shortage of time for meetings. It is hoped, however, that when the society continues in the autumn term opportunities will be provided to read more literature. We are extremely grateful to Miss Thompson, whose idea it was to begin these interesting readings of poetry and plays. P.M. Riggott. U.6A. Guest. | |
| 1948 Debating Society | |
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I am glad to report that the attendance at the debates has been much larger this year than last, although most of the speeches from the floor came from the 6th forms, the 5ths still hanging back a little.The speeches tended to develop onto private arguments between the same clique, and the inevitable subject was nearly always brought up in every debate - that of the coal mines. |
| The idea of having a "Brains Trust" was once more revived and it proved to be rather interesting. A team consisting of members of Staff and scholars tried to answer questions put to them by Senior Forms, and various opinions were given on such things as Life after Death, and the Ruling of Schools by Fear. Sheila J. Sawdon. 6R (Secretary) | |
| 1948 Literary Society | |
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Although the society has been in existence only just over a year it has become very popular. This year numerous plays have been read, of very varied kinds - Galsworthy's "Silver Box," Linklater's "Crisis in Heaven," and "The Merchant of Venice" by Shakespeare. We have had some very good readers in the society this year and listening to them has been nearly as good as actually seeing the play. "Othello" was especially well done, with Beaumont B. and Wilkinson D. sharing the part of Othello, and B. Storer and R. Hudson that of Desdemona. |
| Mr. M. Davies gave a very interesting talk on Renaissance Art, and we hoped that he would be able to give us some more, but owing to the difficulty of getting hold of reproductions he was unable to do so. One thing which I think has been missing from this year's Literary Society is discussion. Perhaps this is due to the shyness and self- effacing qualities of this year's Upper Sixth, but since the Lower Sixth certainly do not possess these qualities, perhaps this will be remedied next year. In closing I should like to thank Miss Thompson and Mrs. Burn for their work for the society and the approaching trip to Stratford in the summer holidays. S. Sutcliffe. U6A. | |
| 1949 Debating Society | |
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I am sorry to say that the attendance at the debates has not been as good as it could have been, and as usual most of the speeches from the floor came from the Sixth forms, the Fifths being rather shy. One of the most popular debates was, "That the policy of the present government is leading to the destruction of the fundamental principles of British individualism". This debate, as can be imagined, aroused the political interest of the debaters, which at all times is very keen, and the debate developed into a lively argument. |
| The "Balloon Debate" was a novelty enjoyed by all. A film star, a musician, a politician and a doctor each pleaded his case as to who had done most for humanity. Extraordinarily enough, the victor was the film star! P. Senior, L6R Secretary. | |
| 1949 Literary Society | |
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This year the Society has flourished very well, owing to the enthusiasm of both the Upper and Lower Sixth. During the Autumn Term we read Shaw's "Caesar and Cleopatra", "A Woman of No Importance" by Oscar Wilde, "The Devil to Pay" by Dorothy L. Sayers and a Nativity Play. Since the first two plays by Shaw and Oscar Wilde proved very popular, it was decided to read "Man and Superman" and "The Importance of Being Earnest" during the Spring Term. |
| In addition to these we read two plays by Chekhov "The Proposal" and "The Bear" followed by Ibsen's "A Doll's House", with "The School for Scandal" ending the Society's activities on an amusing note. We are very grateful to Mrs. Burn for arranging the meetings, and look forward to many more next year, with as many keen members. Marie Allen, L6A (Guest). | |
| 1950 | |
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In 1950 the Literary Society combined with the Debating Society, thus joining together the existing play-reading activities and the debates of previous years. An additional feature in 1950 was a talk on Modern Art. |
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The debates were both interesting and the one to decide whether the Arts had done more for humanity than the Sciences raised some controversial points, but both sides managed to make out their cases very well. On the whole, the debates have not been attended very well, which is a pity because they are interesting and quite often amusing. Perhaps the girls are shy, but greater effort on their part would be appreciated in the future. Of the plays we read, I think "Crisis in Heaven" was easily the most entertaining with an all-star cast, including members of the Staff. We were able to see Helen of Troy, out of the shipyard for once, and Voltaire as the anxious father, quite different from his usual precise, philosophical self. Abraham Lincoln's American accent is also worthy of note: the contract arrived yesterday! We are not sure whether Oscar Wilde intended us to be amused when someone asked in "Lady Windermere's Fan," - "And where is Mr. Erlynne, or is he just a myth?" Probably not, when one considers the Sixth Form's sense of humour. | |
| 1951 | |
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At the start of the School year, the Society had to overcome the difficulties caused by the preoccupation of both Mr. Walker and Mr. Revill with the School Play. Fortunately, Miss Wimpenny and Miss Austin stepped into the breach. The plays read included: "The Linden Tree" by J. B. Priestley: "Doctor Faustus" by Marlowe and "Widowers' Houses" by Shaw. |
| The Easter term brought an increase in membership, for the 5th Formers were invited to become members. "The Farmer's Wife" and "A Murder has been Arranged" received strong support: "There are Crimes and Crimes" did not arouse so much interest. Only two debates have been held this year; the last debate on the degeneracy of the teen-ager today, well supported and most enjoyable as it was, promised well for next year's meeting of the society. For these meetings the committee have already drawn up outline plans. To Mr. Walker and Mr. Revill for their advice and encouragement, to those other members of the staff who have supported the society, and to all those who have supplied and will supply constructive suggestions (re plays to be read, etc.) we offer our thanks. M. White, L6S. | |
| 1952 | |
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So far this year, the Literary and Debating Society has been highly successful. This is due mainly to the interest taken by the fifth forms. We hope you will continue to come, fifth forms, as you are the people on whom the future success of the society depends. At the same time our thanks are due to the "old hands" who attend regularly every meeting. We are rather inclined to look upon them as "fixtures" and as a result, their importance is likely to be underestimated. |
| During the Autumn Term the programmes have been varied a great deal, and have roused the interest of many of the seniors. The highlight of the term, was, of course, the Pantomime, "Cinderella", produced before an audience of 4th, 5th and 6th formers. This was a new venture on the part of the Society, but, judging by the reception it received, it was a great success. The other meetings have been very well attended. A debate on the respective merits of sight, hearing and sound was held, and a play," Leave it to PSmith," was read. Then the radio game, ''One Minute, Please", was introduced to the Society, with the boys gaining a resounding victory over the girls. We shall expect the girls to reverse that result in the return match. Something else new to the school was attempted this year, namely the production of two one-act plays with books. These were very well received and we hope this kind of thing will be repeated. The last meeting of the term ended on a note of comedy, when the play ''Death Takes a Holiday" was read. Apart from the meetings at school, three theatre parties have seen performances at Sheffield, Leeds and Ackworth. At Sheffield we saw "Man and Superman" by Bernard Shaw, a play of exceptional educational value to the males among us. At Ackworth, another Shaw play was visited, "Heartbreak House," while at Leeds, a production of "Henry IV, Part 1" was seen. Thanks are due to Mr. Walker, Miss Ward and all members of the committee, who have drawn up such interesting programmes. I am sure that they will agree that the "burning of the midnight oil" has been more than rewarded by the success of their efforts. Bruce, K., U6A, Hon. Sec. | |
| 1953 | |
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The Society has met with considerable success this year and we note with pleasure the keen interest taken by members of the Science forms. The Committee has endeavoured to provide a varied programme and the attendance proves its efforts have not been in vain. We have had two debates so far, one on the motion "That Life is no longer an adventure for the youth of to-day", which was defeated by a large majority, the other a Three-Cornered Debate to assess the relative merits of the school of the past, the school of the present and the school of the future. |
| Amazingly enough the school of the present won by a substantial majority. Two contrasting plays have been read, " The Rivals " and " The Importance of Being Earnest," both of which were well received. The production of one-act plays has again proved very popular and has given more scope to would-be actors and producers. A new venture this year has been the visit of an outside speaker. Mr. Tyler, the Drama Organiser for the West Riding, gave a very interesting lecture on "The History of the English Theatre," which he illustrated with a film-strip. Other meetings have included a session of ' One Minute, Please," in which the boys defeated the girls by one point. The Christmas Pantomime seems to have established itself as an annual event. This year the production was "Aladdin" and was enjoyed by the people on both sides of the footlights and no less by the members of the staff. We hope the Society will have continued success in spite of the numerous other attractions offered to the Senior School on Friday evenings. We should all like to extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Revill and Mr. Walker for their untiring help and encouragement and also to Miss. Wimpenny and Miss. Ward who attend our meetings so regularly that we tend to take them for granted. Edith M. Lill, U6A. | |
| 1954 | |
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The society has embarked on a new venture this year by inviting the fourth form to attend its meetings. Our numbers have therefore risen considerably; and we hope that new fourth formers will take up their membership next year and take an active part in the meetings. |
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Our first meeting was a "Hat Night" where several victims were chosen to speak on such subjects as "How to cure sweaty feet", "The advantages of having a bald head". | |
| 1955 | |
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Once more the Literary and Debating Society has met with considerable success, and we note with pleasure the keen interest of the IVth. formers who have endeavoured to attend the meetings, and take part activities. Several Committee meetings have taken place to ensure good planning of the programmes. At one of the Meetings, Trueman was elected Chairman. |
| Our first meeting consisted of a Mock Trial in which the scientist was tried for harming mankind. This event drew a large crowd, unfortunately, it was not very successful. However, we hope to remedy this by having more mock trials in the future. The Society has embarked on two new panel games this year. "Down You Go" and "Ask Me Another". In the former, the panel had a triumphant win, and, in the latter, the Upper Sixth had the winning total of 26 points. Two popular meetings of the year consisted of play-acting and the reading of four short stories. One Friday, three one-act plays were acted, two of them being "The Dear Departed" and "Lonesome Like", and, another Friday, four short stories were narrated by pupils and staff. Two debates have taken place, so far; one in which the motion "That the Age of Chivalry is Past" was defeated; the other, which was defeated mainly by indignant sixth formers, was "That the Sixth Form have no taste." In the latter, the wittiness of the proposer and seconder was revealed; comments on the ladies' craze for fashion were ended by the lamentable phrase, "Dior me!" The Girl Prefects' room was known to be invariably turned into a rowdy fairground by the screeching gramophone which must be one of Edison's originals. On behalf of the committee, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Miss Collins, Mr. Walker and Mr. Johnston for their untiring support and encouragement of the Literary and Debating Society. K. Corcoran, V.A., (Hon. Sec.) | |
| 1956 | |
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The Literary and Debating Society, 'Lit. and Deb.', as it is generally known, has had another successful year. There have been ten meetings, all of which have been well attended, but we would like to remind the "Scientists" in the Fourth and Fifth that they can come too. |
| The first meeting was an informal discussion on which people contribute most to the community - someone had the idea that professional golfers contribute something (Education ?). For one meeting, a discussion on personality was planned; and, because of the many aspects of personality, a second leg had to be arranged for a later date. One of the things which emerged from this discussion was that Mr. Collins has a contented 'hair'. Other amazing things about our school emerged from a debate on the existence of ghosts. Apparently we have one or two full-blooded ghosts just for ourselves This year, two speakers visited the school to address the society. They were Mr. Wise of Leeds University, who is an authority on human speech, and Mr. Poole, who told us about Southern France. One speaker came each term so that the meetings provided variety. We gave the Fourth-forms a night to themselves, when the higher forms were busily working for exams. They had a three-cornered debate on the values of sight, speech and hearing, and did extremely well. The Fourths were represented in a 'Brains Trust' and in a Literary Quiz when, alas, they actually beat the Fifth and Lower Sixth, but not the Upper Sixth. The last meeting of the session was especially good and enjoyable when extracts from two plays and a novel were read and lightly acted - congratulations to all who took part. To Mr. Johnston, who organised the year's meetings, and to Peel (U.6.S.) who was chairman for the year, we would like to offer our thanks, for without them the society would not have enjoyed the success that it has. J. Snookes, L.6.S. (Price) | |
| 1957 | |
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The Society's programme this year has been varied and interesting, and all meetings have been well-attended. Our first meeting, a "Hat Night", produced some amusing (and revealing) stump speeches, and was followed by a debate in which the motion "That Britain is going to the dogs" was carried. An acted reading of an extract from "Miss Elizabeth Bennett" and of a short play "Meet Mrs. Beeton" were given next, and very competently performed in the restricted space of Room 12. The Spring Term meetings began with a Sixth Form Forum, during which we were enlightened on questions submitted by members of the upper school to a somewhat puzzled but forthright and undaunted panel. A discussion on the merits of classical music and jazz music, with record illustrations came next, attended by many whose faces were foreign to the Lit. and Deb. and who have not been seen there again. |
| Mr. Wharton gave a very enjoyable talk : "Who killed the Drummonds?" or "Why I left France", in which he gave us a picture of the French way of life and an account of some of his experiences during a two years' stay in the South of France. The Society's activities closed with an experiment : a reading of selections from "Under Milk Wood" by Dylan Thomas. In spite of rehearsal difficulties and lack of time, the cast worked hard and successfully to master the intricacies of the Thomas style and the Welsh intonation, and a recorded performance was given the following week. The Committee wish to express their regret at losing Mr. Walker's services at the end of the Autumn Term, and to thank all those who have taken an active part in the Society's activities. Brenda Pawson L.V1.R. | |
| 1958 | |
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This year the Society had a very fair season. We were supported for the most part by Sixth Formers such as Lockett, Deeley and Porter, who all rendered excellent service. I would like to thank them together with the committee and Mr. Losasso, for all their work to make the season a reasonable success. |
| We had several debates during the course of the year, but all of them were severely handicapped by lack of response from the audience, who this year were very subdued when called upon to give any comment. I would ask future Fifth and Sixth Formers to give more support to this society, which can give - and has given - some excellent entertainment, if well attended. At the beginning of the year we had a Balloon Debate in which Deeley convincingly put forward the cause of the Biologist. Later on in the term we had a Trial by Jury, in which Richmond was convicted of Bigamy; the meeting was a great success. In the Easter Term we debated Television, but there was not enough spontaneous discussion. As a last word I would like to thank Mrs. Gibson for her excellent talk and film on Ghana. Noble, R. U.V1.S. Chairman. | |
| 1959 | |
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This year, the Society meetings on the whole have been disappointing; although the Sixth Form and a few of the Fifth Form have given faithful support, there has been a general lack of enthusiasm which has been reflected in the attendance. |
| The Society, however, has held seven meetings. Debates on topical questions have been avoided except on one occasion, when the meeting was unsuccessful because of lack of response and comment from the audience. The other meetings included a Balloon Debate, a Stump Debate, a combined meeting with the S.C.M. and a talk on Bookmaking by Mr. Reed. All these were very successful, especially the unusual kinds of debates which encouraged the members to stand up and speak. The talk by Mr. Reed proved an interesting diversion from the usual type of meeting. The final meeting of the year, "Any Questions," was handicapped by coinciding with the, final night of the Staff Play, so support was limited. This year's Society has been marked by a change in the type of Committee. At the beginning of the year, the Committee was formed in the usual way, with a representative from each form. Towards the end of the season however, a new Committee was formed entirely of volunteers - only the original President, Lockett, G. and Secretary, Margaret Peaker, remained. It is hoped that this new method will benefit next year's Society, as the new Committee has already proved itself most enthusiastic. With the help of the Committee and next year's fourth formers who have been encouraged to attend this year's meetings, the outlook is much brighter for the future. The increased support of every Form is still necessary, however. I would like to thank Mr. Reed for his continuous support and advice, and for his unfailing enthusiasm which have helped the Society through this year. Margaret Peaker. U.VI.A. Secretary | |
| 1960 | |
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The Society has met with only moderate success this year. Attendances have been generally poor and there has been a reluctance on the part of many members to speak when given the opportunity. However, there has been staunch support from a few members, notably in the Sixth Form. |
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There have been five meetings in all this year. The one which drew the largest attendance was the Staff Brains Trust : members of Staff answered questions and discussed topical issues. The most satisfactory meeting, however, was a discussion between representatives of the Arts and Sciences. From a purely literary point of view, the most rewarding meeting was the one in which four members of the Sixth Form read articles and extracts from books and magazines and commented on them. Cooper and Snookes provided the humour from "Punch" and James Thurber, whilst Margaret Biggs stimulated the main discussion by reading a challenging article from "The Readers Digest" on the dangers of atomic radiation. The final meeting of the year took the form of a "What do you Know" contest between teams from the Fifth and Sixth Forms. After a close and exciting contest, the result was, appropriately enough, a draw. (26 points each) | |