Simon Langley 2.0

The panelling of the Great Hall was obviously a big event, it gets three separate mentions!

• We are very grateful to Messers. Sisson and Parker, Nottingham, for the gift of a handsome volume: “The Jungle in Sunshine and Shadow” to the library.
• On March 17th whilst First Prep was in full swing, the electricity supply broke down, thereby plunging the School into gloom but lightening the hearts of the toilers, thus provided with a first-rate excuse for shortcomings on Monday. Strange shapes crept ghost-link along corridors and stairways, groping their way to dinner in a candle-lit Hall, whilst Mr Barker, resourceful as ever, converted his Sunbeam (if it is a Sunbeam) into a literal ray of light by parking it in the Cloisters and turning on the headlight. The engineers had the good taste to spin out the breakdown until all were in bed, one Prep, to the good.
• Our swimmers are hoping for warm weather next term, as they are eager to hurl themselves into the Swimming Bath, which is not nearly double its former size.
• The panelling of the Great Hall in now completed and has proved most successful, considerabley enhancing his appearance. During the holidays the walls are to be plastered in the old type of rough plaster, in a sort of parchment shade. It is hoped also to have the roof cleaned, treated with preservative and coloured to tone with the panelling.
• Whilst the panelling experts are here, we hope to have the woodwork of the Chapel also treated by them and the result should greatly improve the appearance of the Chapel.
• Now that the Great Hall has been panelled it is hoped to replace the existing furniture by something in keeping with its appearance and to install  a new High Table.
• The gymnasium has recently been provided with new apparatus and is efficiently equipped at all points.
• Congratulations to F. Martin on playing for Oxford University XV in two matches and to G. Laing on being picked for the army. Laing  was unfortunate in being off the rugger field towards the close of the season due to a damaged rib. Congratulations also to Venables and Stephens on being picked for the North vs South - Venables for the third year in succession.
• We need not have much fear for the future standard of the game when house matches produce such excellent performances as that which G. Martyn gave at scrum-half in the final house match between School House and Mountgarret. He certainly had a very large share in winning the cup for School House.