The Isle of Wight
At Whitsuntide last year Mr. Wild, Mr. Nicholls and Mr. Gervais travelled in charge of a school party of 28 boys overnight on the annual school holiday to the Isle of Wight.
Everybody was naturally excited when we left the Gaumont by coach to London Road Station, Manchester. We travelled to London (Euston), by tube to Waterloo, and then to Portsmouth where we embarked on a ferry for the Isle of Wight. After a train journey from our landing place to Sandown we caught a coach to our hotel.
From this magnificent, luxurious hotel we had a splendid view of the sea and Culver Cliffs beyond. After settling down in the hotel we managed to find a suitable place for cricket and rugby, games which attracted surprisingly large crowds.
A few of us walked to Whitecliffe Bay with Mr. Nicholls, for a swim - our main entertainment.
Later in the week a trip round the island was arranged in which everybody took part. Travel by coach was good and among the many beautiful places we visited were Blackgang Chine, Alum Bay (where we collected rare colours of sand in tubes) and Ryde, and we returned to the hotel in the evening after an enjoyable trip.
During the week many of us had our portraits drawn by a promenade artist. There were many excellent spots for swimming on the beach and for climbing on the cliffs. Many of us made daily visits to an entertainment palace called "White City". Here boys grumbled because of the loss of their money on the slot machines.
After an eight days' stay we set out for home on Saturday morning by the same route. We arrived in Oldham safely on Saturday evening and now everyone is eagerly looking forward to the camp trip to Ireland this year.
LAWTON, MILLWARD AND STUTTARD, 3X.
Fourth Form Motor Coach Tour of the
Lake District, March 31st, 1953
On this trip we were rather more fortunate that in previous years, especially as far as the weather was concerned. It was not too promising at first but as the coach took us out of the industrial towns the sun began to shine more strongly. Once the last industrial towns - those of North Lancashire - were behind us, we were soon running up Ribblesdale and along the foot of Giggleswick Scar into the limestone country. Our first views of Lake Windermere came a short while after leaving Kendal. These, along with our sandwich lunches, were well out of sight as we began to climb the steep and winding road up to Kirkstone Pass, and en route we had an excellent view of the Langdale Pikes. These, on previous occasions, have either been shrouded in mist or blotted out by snow.
After dropping down to Brotherswater Lake and running into Patterdale, we dismounted from the coach to walk along Ullswater lake-side road to Aira Force waterfall. On resuming our coach journey, the weather worsened with hail and snow showers, but we were permitted views of Derwentwater and just a brief glimpse of Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance. Thirlmere looked its usual bleak self, drought and thirsty Manchester having reduced its water to an unusually low level.
At Grasmere the weather refused to allow us a close personal inspection and all we saw had to be from the streaming windows of the coach. So, we proceeded along Rydal Water, through Ambleside and down to Windermere, by which time the rain had developed into a typical Lake District downpour. After tea the rain had stopped and a watery sun again appeared.
The journey home was quite uneventful with the exception of a rather good view of Morecambe Bay. On the whole we had an excellent outing, having experienced the Lake District under almost all possible weather conditions and having seen many of the delightful views for which the area is world-renowned.
SYLVIA R. OGDEN, 4X.
My First Impressions of a Symphony Concert
A few minutes before the orchestra was about to begin, the playens of the violins, basses and double basses came on the platform to tune their instruments. I imagined the lady violinists would have lovely evening gowns and exquisite jewellery but they were plainly dressed in long, plain, navy-blue dresses and with practically no jewellery. In spite of this simple dressing, they looked smart.
Almost two minutes before the appearance of the conductor came the Leader of the Violins, amidst great applause. Then came the moment for which we were all waiting - the appearance of the conductor. After taking bis bow, he raised his baton and we all stood for the National Anthem. I was impressed by the way the orchestra worked in unity, not seeking special notice for themselves. I enjoyed the "New World Symphony" but I think that I liked the "Nocturne for Strings" better. But what really delighted me was the pianoforte solo. The pianist, Eric Harrison, brought the tune to life and he put his heart into it. When be had finished, he received great applause and was recalled to the platform many times. During all this, the man who played the cymbals was asleep on his high stool and was finally awakened by a nudge from his companion.
I very much enjoyed the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and it has left a great impression on me. I hope that I shall be able to attend another one with Sir Thomas Beecham conducting.
JOAN SCHOLEFIELD, 3X.