EDITORIAL

STAFF NEWS

During the past year the following members of staff have left the school:

Mrs. M. Dakin, Mr. D. R. Holdford, Miss M. Littlemore, Mr. C. S. Naylor, Mrs. P. Osborne, Mrs. T. E. H. Panahi, Miss J. E. Roper, Mrs. D. M. Russell and Mr. D. L. Thompson.

We have been pleased to welcome, on a full-time basis: Mrs. S. H. Basford, Mrs. M. Borman, Mrs. E. W. Charlton, Mrs. A. Dady and Mrs. J. H. Mayo. To part-time posts we welcome: Mrs. J. Catton, Mrs. L. Coubro', Mrs. H. M. Hilton, Dr. P. A. Lyne, Mrs. M. E. Richardson, Miss C. B. Stirn and Mr. L. B. Willday. Mr. C. E. Willan is on exchange teaching with Miss S. Bouchard from Canada and Mrs. E. Galbraith is on a year's leave of absence.

We also welcome Mrs. B. Clarke to the office staff and Mr. M. H. Plowright as our new caretaker in Upper School.

Our congratulations go to Mrs. Charlton and Dr. Hewitt on their marriage and to Mrs. Dakin, Mrs. Mason and Mr. Knowles on the births of Christopher James, Veronica Jane and Ruth Lesley, respectively.

KESMAG PRODUCTION TEAM

SUIVEZ LA PISTE

Once again, KES' young Franz Klammers and Anne-Marie Proells found themselves high in the Italian Dolomites during February half - term. A spectacular flight over the Alps assured us there was snow down there, though Verona Airport proved less reassuring for the keener members of the party looking for early practice down the runway. "There's no snow, sir Well it is sea level and we did decide to book this year's holiday in the mountains for a change. "

Andalo rewarded us, however, with a week's bright sunshine, excellent ski-ing conditions and an Hotel with a nice line in fish fingers, chips and mushy peas ( Italian style, of course ). New skiers assembled for their first tentative turns, while the old hands of last year lined up for a first morning trial of nerves. Fifty young hopefuls, eyeing each other nervously, waited to show their instructors what they could do. They needn't have feared. Mr. Corkill, "King of the Cairngorms" two years ago, quickly showed he'd forgotten what little he knew. He set his skis for some distant peak in Switzerland . sailed gloriously down the slopes, past the amazed instructors and ground to a halt just before the entrance to the local supermarket.

Progress was swift for all, however, on the wide sunny slopes, though those members of the party who proudly announced they had conquered the 'Pista Olimpica' after four days on skis did seem to be pushing their luck.

Evenings proved as entertaining as the days. Romeos and Alfa-Romeos gathered around the hotel to cast their expert eyes over this week's selection of English roses. Teachers glowered blackly from their balconies, would be Juliets magically appeared from rooms, until Mrs. Klemm and Miss Sargeant, the 'heavies' on the staff, moved in and the young Cassanovas moved sharply out.

The final evening saw the presentation of awards by the Italian Ski-School (they ski forwards, as well) after the afternoon ski test. Golds and Silvers were handed out, complaints listened to sympathetically.

"I was worth much more than three stars. " - - - - " You only got a gold because you bought your instructor a drink. " And Mr. Corkill received a special "One star gold" as best dressed skier in Andalo.

An enjoyable week, a swift return, and then - - - - school next morning. Roll on next year. Parallel Pete and Snowplough Sam.

Paris 78  

At 11. 30 p. m. on Thursday, 23rd March, the coach slowly turned and drove out of the school gates; the K. E. S. trip to Paris had begun.

For the first hour, the coach was full of noise, but gradually grew quieter as odd people fell asleep. As we only stopped two or three times on the motorway, we made good time to London and just missed 'Big Ben' striking 3 a. m. On we went and reached Dover in time to catch an earlier ferry. I breakfasted on the boat; Coke and pork pie were perhaps not the ideal combination, but they were very welcome.

Time soon passed and I went on deck for a first look at Calais. However, the bell sounded and we all gathered our possessions and made for the coach. After the 'customs' check we carried on through France towards the Youth Hostel at Choisy le Roi, where we were to stay. Many more people slept through this part of the journey for there was not a great deal to see.

Some hours later we arrived, only to find ourselves too early, so we decided that we would go to a nearby shopping centre to look around. When we returned to the Hostel, we changed and went down for dinner. That evening we all went to bed early to catch up on sleep.

The next morning, we rose early and after breakfast made our way to Notre Dame where we were allowed about an hour and a half to look around. We started by going into the Cathedral. Inside, the choir was practising and by the altar and around the walls, candles were burning. After spending time here we decided to look at the stalls surrounding the Cathedral. Each stall sold pictures and prints, mostly of Paris. Soon it was time to return to the coach and move on to the Louvre.

At the Louvre, we saw statues and paintings (including the Mona Lisa), Egyptian Mummies, Greek vases and many other items of historical interest. After our time had expired there, we moved on again to the Arc de Triomphe.

We approached the Arc from the Champs - Elysees and taking the subway to cross the road, managed to surface in the right place. Engraved on the walls of the arch, were the names of all the Generals who fought under Napoleon in the wars. Set in the middle of the arch floor, was a flame which burns eternally in memory of the unknown soldiers. Unfortunately, we were unable to walk around the top of the arch for it was closed, so we returned to the Youth Hostel for dinner.

The following day we went to the Palace of Versailles. We were unable to enter for the queue was too long, so we looked around the beautiful gardens. The fountains were playing and the whole of the gardens were very well kept. That day we returned to the Hostel for lunch and returned to Paris in the afternoon to see the Eiffel Tower.

It was even busier at the tower than at Versailles but we managed to walk up to the second storey. However, there was only a lift to the third so we decided not to bother as there was a long queue. The view from the tower was tremendous as we could see all the rest of Paris. We spent the rest of our time looking around and returned to the Hostel for dinner.

The next day was to be our last day in Paris. So we decided to go to the famous Flea Market to buy souvenirs. There were more than 3,000 stalls spread over many streets, so we were careful not to lose our way. My friend and I came upon a stall selling crepes (thin pancakes) and found them to be delicious.

Alter lunch, we set off to the Sacre Coeur and on the way we passed the Moulin Rouge to reach the cathedral we had to climb a hill called Montmartre. Near the top was an old square called "Place du Tertre" where many artists were painting. Further up we could see the dome of the Sacre Coeur. When at last we reached it, we saw the long monumental stairway leading up to the door. Inside were more candles and a mosaic of Jesus, covering the whole of the dome. We spent a good hour looking inside the Cathedral and it was soon time to return to the coach.

We made the most of that evening for it was our last at Choisy.

Next day, we rose early and set off home in good time. Again we boarded an earlier ferry. This time we were not so lucky with the weather and many people were ill. Once in Dover we stopped by the sea for a while before continuing.

On the motorway we made a stop at a transport cafe and rang selected parents to say that we would be earlier than expected. At 10 p. m. we returned to school and each went our separate ways, hoping that one day we would return to the magical city of Paris.

Jill Rees. 3Q

DRAMA FESTIVAL

This year's drama festival was split into two afternoons and I was persuaded to write an account of it for the magazine.

The first play by 3T was called "The Generation Gap". The first scene was a living room in the 1950's and mum and dad were against Rock 'n` Roll for their daughter and her teddy-boy boyfriend. The daughter was Wendy Ullyet and the boy was Mark Steele. The second scene, set in the 1970s, showed the same young couple, now with their own daughter into Punk Rock.

The second play was "A Day in the Life of Archie Hooper." This was a take-off of Reginald Perrin and was very good. Michael Green played Archie Hooper, frustrated by a good and evil spirit. Should he be unfaithful to his wife and smoke and have whisky in his coffee ? His wife eventually catches him at a boardroom meeting with Fraquel Squelch (Maxine Armstrong), his secretary, sitting on his knee. Archie has a nervous breakdown and the men in the white coats collect him. Miss Squelch is elected the new manager.

3K had three separate scenes. The first scene was a variation of "Master Mind" called "Mental Mind". The second scene was an old people's fashion show. The third scene was "Miss KES. ," and all the contestants were dressed in unlikely costumes such as cowgirl, maid, tramp and punk rocker. The tramp wins the contest, crying tears of joy.

3X performed a brilliant hijack with the sneaky Arab hijacker played by David Halliday. His plot fails when Claire Anderson, as a wealthy American, stops him with an aerosol can. The steward tells them the bomb was just a flask of tea. However, after landing, the cleaning ladies come aboard and as they leave the plane blows up.

3J produced a mummer's play, about St. George and the Dragon. It was rather difficult to follow, but had some excellent acting.

Simon Dyal played a hilarious Larry Grayson with Dalbir Hayre as Isla St. "Hayre" in 3P's "Generation Game. " Christopher Borrowdale made a superb Kojak in the "Name that theme tune" game.

3V did "Punkerella", which was very much in keeping with the story. Cinders' Fairy Godmother transforms her and three puffs later she's off to the ball, or in this case, the disco.

3Y did a melodrama with C. Panahi as Sir Jasper, the villain. He threatens to marry a widow's beautiful daughter if she does not pay the rent by noon. Martin Levers, a wandering traveller, comes to the rescue and of course they all live happily ever after.

3Q had two items. The first was a recital of three Beatles' tunes. The second was "Grease !" starring Veronica Newton John, alias Olivia Mason, and Richard Travolta, alias John Stork, who were both brilliant.

We all enjoyed the Drama Festival, especially as we missed an afternoon of work!

An unbiased writer from 3Q.
p. s. Grease is the word.

CHRISTIAN BLOOR RUNNING TO SUCCESS

Christian Bloor is probably the best runner the school has ever seen. He has become recognised as a quality athlete with good performances on both track and in cross-country, especially for the English Schools.

Christian started track running for the school in the second year. He ran better than average from the beginning, but toward the end of the year, he had improved considerably. His potential was recognised and, as a result, he was persuaded into cross country by members of staff and pupils already doing the sport.

In his first race, everyone expected him to finish low down, but he shocked everyone by coming an astonishing ninth out of 150 runners. Christian then decided to take cross-country more seriously. He started training on several nights a week and this was reflected in his performances. In February of the 3rd Year, he joined the Hallamshire Harriers running club and was rewarded by winning the South Yorkshire Schools 1500 metres.

He became unhappy with the Harriers' training techniques, so he left, training himself for a period of two months, but eventually joining Sheffield Athletics Club. Here he was offered more intensive training, which he enjoyed, even though it was hard work.

In the 4th Year, Christian moved up an age group which meant that he was racing against boys almost two years older than himself. As expected, he did not win as much, but still ran some very creditable races. He stepped up his training and distance running to 60 miles per week.

The 5th Year proved the most successful so far. He was trained hard by Trevor Biggin (Sheffield AC coach) and, as a result, he won all of the Sheffield Schools Autumn league races impressively. He gained the maximum number of points possible, this having been achieved only once before by Sebastian Coe, the international athlete. That year he came second in the Northern Schools Championships, and 4th in the English Schools, which gained him a place in the England Schools Cross-Country Assoc. team against Scotland , Ireland and Wales . He finished 4th in this International meeting, 9th in the Northern England Clubs Championship, 2nd in the Yorkshire Clubs, and 12th in the All England Clubs Championship.

When asked what his favourite race was, he said it was when he finished 12th in the National Cross-country race, because he did not rate his chances before the race.

With regard to Athletics, this was an area where the Summer Season brought him a great deal of success. At inter-school level, his 1500 metres running was of such a high standard that it brought him the City and County Championships. Towards the end of the season, he stepped up to 3000 metres and gained first place in the Intermediate Race at the National Championships. This was rewarded by his being chosen to represent the English schools in the British Championships where he finished second.

Christian's success is the result of natural ability and hard work in training. As for the future, who knows ? If he continues to improve, perhaps even the Olympics are within his grasp.

Nick Preskey

Model Boat Club

The boat club was founded with a membership of five and now boasts a membership of twenty-eight, under the supervision of Mr. Auton. Meetings are held every Wednesday lunch-time and, at present, the time is being utilised in the construction of the club's boats. One boat is already complete and two more are underway. We also possess a Radio Control System.

Last July we held a regatta at Wire Mill Dam which raised £21. 70 towards our funds which now total £60. 00.

On Tuesday lunchtimes, some of the boat club members can be found over at Wire Mill sailing their privately owned boats. Thirty boats are owned by a

consortium of fourth year club members. Unfortunately, Radio Control modelling is an expensive hobby and would-be enthusiasts should be prepared to spend anything from approximately £80. 00 for a small 2 - channel boat to at least £450. 00 for a sophisticated power boat.

One of our foremost members, Bernard Pitts, came fourth in the National Championships and so qualified for the European Championships held in Germany . Unfortunately, Bernard was unable to compete.

Club membership is 50p and there is a weekly charge of just 5p. All monies go towards the cost of the equipment.

On behalf of all the present boat club members we would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Mr. Auton for his help and encouragement.

N. Aslam
R. Griffiths 4Y

Railway Society

We like trains - big ones or little ones. The year started very well with regular meetings talking about steam and diesel on real railways and looking at models and how to make them. But sadly we came to an unscheduled terminus when a timetable change made our meeting day impossible. However, weekend visits are still possible and we hope the KES presence will be present at several preserved railways during the summer term.

Chuff Chuff Toot Toot

K. P.

LOWER SCHOOL FELL WALKING SOCIETY

Well, Fell Soc have done all sorts this year. We've not done a great deal of bog-trotting we have to admit, adverse weather conditions you understand, but, one thing is for certain. That darned canal walk will take place !

However, earlier on in the year saw Kes Bog-trotters trotting merrily along the edges of Mam Tor and Lose Hill, and then, on another unforgettable occasion a group of quite mad, fanatical 3rd year plus four equally mad members of staff, ARH, PV . W, LH and DK (work that out if you can) slept in orange polythene bags out on Ringinglow Moor one Friday night . . . . why ? . . . you sane readers might ask . . . well, we have to admit that's rather difficult to answer, except that the idea was to experience conditions similar to those that might be encountered should the walker be benighted.

We've made two visits to Bagshaw Cavern, P-4-11 where the uninitiated have experienced the delights of grovelling under - ground in pitch darkness, save for the glimmer of light from our hand-held torches, of scaling rocky ledges, of descending a rather swinging caving ladder, and, best of all, some say, the underwater bit where you hold your nose and hope you come out at the other side still alive !

Thirty members of Fell Soc. have successfully completed a ten week course leading to the Junior Red Cross Certificate - congratulations to them, and about fifteen others are attending a needlework session . . . . on a Thursday night . . . making very professional-looking outdoor garments. Thanks here to Mrs. Bly.

As far as our lunchtime meetings are concerned, we've seen lots of slides, have had lots of talks by members of the club and staff, talks ranging from camp-cooking to climbing. We've learned what to do, in theory at least, if we are unfortunate enough to be caught in a blizzard and begin to suffer from hypothermia - get in a sleeping bag with your best friend . . . . (can that be right . . ??!!)

Forthcoming events hopefully will include a caving / Youth Hostelling trip to Yorkshire, and, weather permitting, the usual perambulations into Derbyshire at the weekend. Interested ? Well, why not join the club ?

L. Hirst / D. Kidd

Music

It looks as though 1978-79 will be an exciting year for the music department. Despite our complete lack of rehearsal facilities we are managing to extend our music making activities in several ways.

Back in the Summer of '78, the operatic production at Lower School was more successful than we could have hoped for - our congratulations to all concerned in any way with that. Our visit to London in November was as enjoyable as the previous year's and the Carol Service benefitted from the fine acoustics of St. Marks.

At present, we are preparing a series of choral, orchestral and solo items for broadcast in Radio Sheffield's current "Make Minor Music" programme on Thursdays at 6. 05 p. m. Items for another Summer concert are in the 'melting pot' although we shall have difficulty matching last year's astoundingly professional presentation. It is hoped to repeat our 'Junior Musical' success with a production of 'Patience' and we are privileged, this year, to assist in Upper School's Drama production. In a new venture we have rashly entered our 1st Orchestra in the National Festival of Music for Youth event, and we are hoping to enter the Junior choir for the South Bank Show's School Choirs competition. This current year has seen the growth of a new brass band at Lower School and we have a core of dedicated, hardworking musicians, who under Mr. Clayton have taken on the very difficult task of beginning a musical activity anew. We naturally wish them every success and hope that the group will continue to grow in numbers and musical stature.

Finally, a message to the musicians in King Edward's who are not members of any of the school's performing groups. There is a unique kind of personal satisfaction to be experienced in performing music as some kind of group and sadly enough, we know that there are many members of the school who are proficient, yet unwilling to participate in school music making. We believe that for a school, we offer a wide range of musical activities and if any musical-minded students would like to join any extra-curricular activity, we would welcome them. They must bear in mind, however, that it is impossible to achieve a worthwhile standard of musical performance without meticulous and regular rehearsal and that what we have achieved so far is due entirely to the unfailing loyalty and constant hard work of the present members of orchestras and choirs.

TT

C D. H.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Even though the membership is small, but keenly interested, the Natural History Society has been very busy this year. It began with a talk on "Penguins of the Southern Reaches" by John R. Ashton. This was followed by a very interesting and highly motivated talk by Stephen Scarisbrick on 'Whales and the Whaling Industry. '

Dr. Burnet can claim the biggest attendance of the year when about thirty-five people turned up to her talk on "Fungi under the Microscope ," in which the audience were able to examine various species of fungi and examine spores under the microscope. Dr. Burnet also gave two other talks about the "Trees of Britain. "

However, the highlight of the year was when the society joined with the Lower school's O. W. L. S. Club (Observation of Wildlife Society) to go to the City Museum for a talk on 'Animal Body Preservation. ' Members were able to examine various stuffed animals and see various stages in the process of taxidermy.

Even though it is only a small membership, everyone is keenly interested and all enjoy themselves. We must thank Dr. Burnet, Mr. Lawson and Mr. Holdford for their help.

S. R. B.

O. W. L. CLUB

O. W. L. Club - or for the uninitiated - the 'Observing Wildlife Club' (Mr. Parkin made that up, don't you think he's clever I) A good society folks. We meet in Lab 3 on a Wednesday lunchtime . . . . there's quite a crowd of us . . . if you're at all interested in things natural that's wurr wee bee.

No, seriously folks, what we do is really interesting - slides on wildlife, birds, animal migration, talks by members of the club and staff, subjects like how to keep a kestrel . . . or a budgie (not much difference); then there was the talk on badger­watching and so it goes on. We've made a visit to Western Park Museum and learned how to 'stuff' animals (taxidermy to give it its real name !), we've been to the Botanical Gardens and we hope to make a visit to the R. S. P. C. A. in the not too distant future.

Clumber Park saw us armed with wellies, notebooks and binoculars - that was a good day out bird-watching. We hope to do some more local bird-watches, visit Riber Castle and indeed anything which is suggested we will try to organize . . . . could we ask for a nine day week I ask myself ? !

L. Hirst / K. Parkin

FIRST AID

Lab 3 seems to be the place to meet. Those pupils who are interested in such 'gory' things as fractured legs, collar bones and seeing lots of blood around weathered the ten week course leading to the Junior Red Cross Certificate. Swathed in head bandages, arm slings and looking decidedly 'faint' (don't forget, treat for shock) the group bandaged their way to passing the examination at the end - a 100% pass rate - not bad folks.

Another similar First Aid course has just started with another group of very dedicated individuals. Let's hope the pass rate is just as high here's hoping !

L. Hirst

The Bride of Seville
Lower School, July 1978

The operetta swirls on around you. You make a mistake but remain calm and continue to act your part as though nothing has happened. To do this, you need confidence and discipline: exactly the qualities, along with zest and gaiety, with which Mrs. Ritchie's production and Mr. Healey's musical direction were blessed in this presentation last Summer term.

It is rare for a production by pupils of Lower School age to be both skilful and wholehearted in the way that this one achieved. Besides the spirited portrayals of the major characters, listed below, the two dozen or so girls in the chorus almost entirely immersed themselves in their roles. They reacted well to each other and to events on stage. Far from merely waiting for their turn to sing, they were an active force in the production, though discreet and unobtrusive where necessary.

The principals, as a result, had a difficult task to avoid being swamped by the vitality and sheer numbers all around them. They responded well, aided by careful direction and costuming. They sang with considerable emotional force and a pleasing tone. None of the singing, in fact, ever seemed harsh or forced, though it was certainly powerful enough when required.

The set, too, was attractive and convincing while the use of the two pianos, ably manned by Mr. Eost and Mr. Hubbard, proved to be inspired. Each night's audience, I am sure, will join me in thanking all those who contributed to such a pleasurable production.

Principal Characters played by: Georgia Andrews, Sarah Beech, Helen Steiner, Lamya Mughliry and Kate Whyman R. W.

STAFF SOCCER

Things looked black for Kestaff in the close season. Like other major city sides we had lost key players to North American Football and found the domestic transfer market unrewarding. Forced back on his own resources, player manager R. D. Auton (53) opted for a youth policy. Occasionally he even daringly played an entire back four not one of whom was over 35.

Results rewarded this imaginative strategy and after two games it was already clear that Kestaff had had their best season for years. An aggressively skilful forward line spearheaded by top scorer D. Thompson (7'5") suspended the spheroid in the onion bag five times against local rivals High Storrs, thrashed Chaucer and Earl Marshall by decisive margins, before being unlucky in a close match to lose by the odd ten goals to Tapton. Undaunted, the side returned to winning ways away to Westfield. "They kept their heads up well," commented Manager Auton. "The lads did me proud. "

Sunday matches featured a narrow defeat by Park House and a 1 - 1 draw against the "Auld enemy" Myers Grove, notable as the first time that our excellent guest 'keeper Mr. A. Pattison, in his third season with Kestaff's Sunday team, had played in a non-losing side. Voices were even raised to suggest that Kestaff might enter the F. A. Cup next season, though some believed that this might prove unfair competition for Wednesday and United.

Asked for the key to his amazing success, Mr. Auton (53) commented, We just take every game as it comes. " Hirsute defence was provided by twin centre backs Corkill and Hall, whilst the ballplaying skills of right back Ferretti attracted the admiring derision of all concerned. Midfield impetus was inspired by A. "Bitesyerlegs" Hewitt, Liam Watkin and Brian Kidd, whilst sterling forward play was aided by Quicksilver Stevie Sallabank and Lightening Laurie Stead. Notable contributions were made by guest players from the Hallamshire over sixties league including Messrs. Rogers and Anderson, whilst Mr. A. Powell mesmerised Tapton in particular with his inspiring vocabulary. Goalkeeper R. Auton (53) was a revelation, especially in his determined experiments to boldly punch where no goalie has punched before. What more can one say ?

We all agree Kestaff A F C are magic !

Delirium Tremens

Once the school leaving age is in sight, the first reaction of many people is to try to get as far away as possible from the school environment and the restrictions it seems to have. The obvious choice is to go to college where, it is widely believed, life is much easier. There are not the restrictions of school and not the hard work involved once in a job.

This article is intended to dispel these false illusions and to show precisely in which ways schools and colleges differ and in which ways they are similar.

Sheffield has five Colleges of Further Education: Granville, Richmond, Stannington, Shirecliffe and Stocksbridge. These colleges try to provide alternative courses to 'A' levels, rather than a substitute place to study them. They offer foundation courses which provide general education and prepare students for employment and vocational and professional courses which prepare students for a specific career, such as Catering or Engineering.

The colleges, unlike schools, do not all offer exactly the same courses. It could be said that Granville tends to specialise in Catering, Hairdressing and Engineering, Richmond in Business Studies and Secretarial courses and Stannington in Secretarial and Engineering courses.

College may not prove to be the escape route from discipline and hard work which students expect. In many ways there are marked similarities to school, including the attitude to attendance. For many courses a certain minimum level of attendance is required. In addition, any employer of a student on the 'day release' or similar scheme receives written reports, not only on progress but also on attendance. Hence there is a strong incentive to attend regularly; failure to do so could hinder your career and possibly even put your chances of a job at risk.

Do not be taken in by the idea that college can be a 'doss'. There is continuous assessment of work and of homework. One stage of a course does not automatically lead into another. It is often necessary to qualify in one section before moving on to the next.

On many of the courses a good deal of self-discipline and organisation are required. If you are given work to be completed by a set date, it is entirely up to you to ensure that it is completed on time.

Although a great deal of self discipline is required from the students, there are Heads of Departments to whom you can be held responsible. As one student put it,

"You are your own master and so it is up to you when you do your work. "

But Colleges of Further Education can differ greatly from schools, and as a result many people do prefer the college to the school environment.

A major relief to everyone is that there is no uniform and all that is required is a sensible attitude towards dress. Many courses, such as catering, need special clothing. The freedom of dress seems to remove much of the formal atmosphere which is felt at school. It also makes students feel less remote from the lecturers, which is the next point we shall cover.

This seems to be the major difference which everyone quotes when talking about college. They find that the attitude of the lecturers towards the students is very different from that of teachers towards pupils. Students enjoy being treated as adults by their lecturers at college. This has much to do with the lecturers themselves, who have often come from industry and are fully trained in the skill which they teach. Also the student is there of his own free will and choice and there is, as a result little or no need for him to be disciplined or forced to work. One student said, "It's much better. You're treated like an adult. " Another student commented, "Sometimes, they're over -friendly, sometimes too remote. They don't always quite know how to treat you. "

The advantage of college over schools for practical work is obvious. Colleges can offer facilities which schools could not hope to offer on their limited budgets. At Granville College, for example, they have a full scale hairdressing salon and a restaurant where pupils can practice and demonstrate their skills.

Another major advantage concerns the courses which are offered. These courses often leas straight into employment because they provide the specific training that is requires. Students also work in suitable surroundings and the transition from college to employment is thus not so great.

Colleges often widen the section of the population with which students come into contact, whereas schools, which often draw pupils from one area, tens to be rather insular in contrast.

However, if you want to study for "A" levels, then schools have the edge over colleges because they provide a greater variety of courses, together with the facilities and staff needed to teach them. There are thirty six schools in Sheffield offering sixth form courses, so the choice is wise. Somewhere, there must be a school providing the combination which you want to study.

C. McQuater 6 J

E. Payne 6 J

The City Hall stood out amidst the flurry of snow, its proud steps supporting ranks of police. To one side were gathered a group of demonstrators, who burst into chants as the distinguished South Yorkshire dignitaries entered to view the Freedom of the City Ceremony. The honoured guests took their seats and waited.

In a splash of gold, scarlet and ermine, the leasing citizens of Sheffield were led onto the stage, amongst them James Callaghan, looking as composes in the flesh, as on the television. With all sue ceremony, the speeches were begun, and the first to speak was the Prime Minister.

Suddenly, there was uproar. Hecklers began interjecting from various places in the Hall, shouting for more pay for the low paid. The cameras of Look North, Calendar, BBC News and ITV flashes on to me, then quickly panned on, to focus on the duffle-coated, denim-clad hecklers nearby.

With great composure the P. M. smiles, rose out the storm and continues. He answered them sharply, committing the Labour Party to Monetarism for the first time. He passes over, to say how honoured he was to be able to fix his bayonet legally in Sheffield. With that, he closes, and as he sat sown the cameras disappeared and, along with them, Tim Ewart.

There were three other Freemen to be enrolled - County Councillor, Sir Charles Ronald Ironmonger, Councillor Isidore Lewis and Mr. Stanley Lester Speight, O. B. E. They all made speeches saying how honoured they were and telling of their roles in the Sheffield Council. All of the honoured Freemen receives a Sheffield-made Cabinet of Cutlery containing an illuminates scroll embodying the Resolution of the Council, except Councillor Lewis who receives a Sheffield made Silver Casket.

The speeches were separates by a variety of pieces played by the excellent Sheffield Schools Presentation Bans, conducted by Mr. Stanley Rooecroft, and the Organ was played by Mr. Graham Matthews.

We all left after a very enjoyable evening.

S. R. B. N. L. T.

Phone calls completed, notepads at the ready, Spanish phrasebooks in hand, an interpreter by our side, we set out one frosty December morning to interview Sheffield's most famous foreign resident. Who, you may ask, needs an interpreter to be interviewed ? If you haven't guessed already, Alejandro Sabella, is the only possible answer.

Alex joined the Argentine Club, River Plate (the Millionaires' Club) when he was 17. He had been studying Law and enjoyed playing football, but never realised that he was destined to become a professional. When asked what he missed most about Argentina, he replied that it was his family and friends, but stressed that he had made many good friends in this country, who had helped him settle down to his new life in England. 24 years old Alex has not seen much of England because of his playing commitments. He has seen London and Leeds, and also cities which he has visited for away matches.

SHEFFIELD'S ARGENTINE CONNECTION

Moving on to footballing questions, Alex said that football was very different in England . He said that the Argentinian's control of the ball was much more skilful, but the English game was much more competitive, exciting and emotional. This he implied was because the Argentinians spent a lot of their time "sleeping" during matches. Also the ball was in the air a lot more in the English game.

He found the cold weather very off-putting after the heat of Argentina and arrived in England having only a jumper and trousers. He quickly cottoned on and we found him in a sheepskin jacket and woolly jumper. He hadn't played a match in these conditions yet, but had trained in them.

He thinks the best team he has played so far has been Liverpool. The player who has impressed him most is Grahame Souness of Liverpool, who plays in the same position as Alex, and whom he thinks is a very intelligent user of the ball. Second, came Kenny Dalglish.

He thinks that he is more of a celebrity here, but not well known internationally. The crowds are smaller in Argentina , yet more excited. They play 3 matches a week with higher admission charges. When asked about the World Cup in Spain in 1982, he said he did not know about Argentina 's chances (a lot can change in 4 years), but would like to play for them. Before coming to England he had heard of Sheffield United, who are quite well known internationally, but only knew of Tony Currie (transferred to Leeds United) and Alan Woodward.

He came to England to earn money and make a name for himself in Europe. When he finishes playing he wants to become a business man, although he does not know in which business; maybe he will open a shoe shop or boutique.

We would like to thank our interpreter, Senora Elena Julia without whom the interview would not have been possible, also all concerned at the Lane and last, but not least, Alex Sabella.

by D. Grainger and D. Brew 4P

"Well, Senior Cadet 194, are you ready ?" asked my history teacher. "As ready as I'll ever be," I replied nervously. "Okay then. Transporting you back to the year 1900 - now ! "

For the next few seconds I felt a dizzy, floating sensation and I saw a hectic jumble of different lifestyles whizzing past. Then everything stopped and I found myself standing on something soft and green. At first I didn't know what it was, but then I remembered something my teacher had said to me. "So this is grass," I thought to myself. "And look, there are even tiny yellow flowers mixed in between. How lovely ! " Then I looked upwards and instead of the plastic , white dome which enclosed my world, I saw a beautiful expanse of blueness interspersed with fluffy blobs of cotton-wool, which I recognised to be the sky and clouds.

I looked around, taking in the beauty of this world which was so different from the one I had come from, even though it was still Earth. Absentmindedly, I felt the pendant around my neck. It was my only means of getting back to the year 3490, from which I had come. If I lost the pendant, l would be stuck in this time for the rest of my life.

The sound of footsteps reminded me of my orders. I was to 'become' one of the people of this time in order to study them, as part of my training as a history teacher. I made my way to an Inn and reserved a room for two weeks and, as it was getting rather late, settled down to sleep.

For a week and a half I stayed at the Inn, taking note of the way these people lived, and gradually falling in love with the Victorian Age. I began to love this peaceful, slow lifestyle much better than the one I had left. The people I had met in my short stay seemed so much more sincere and friendly, especially one young man who was becoming very special to me. I loved the way the singing birds woke me up each morning and the way the gentle breezes danced with the tall grasses.

One of my favourite places was a stream in the woods with a wooden bridge over it. It was so tranquil there and all my cares seemed to float away along with the fallen leaves.

By the end of the week, I had made my mind up. I was no longer looking forward to returning to the year 3490. The style of life there was so hectic and demanding and I knew I would be very unhappy if I went back.

So, on the morning of the day I was supposed to return, I went for a walk to the stream . and stopped on the bridge. Then, I carefully lifted the pendant from around my neck, looked at it for the last time, threw it into the stream, and watched it slowly, float away.

Helen Newbound 4. Q.

P. B. Hall

Mr. Hall was born in 1946, in the now Northern General Hospital. He lived in the Firth Park area of Sheffield and went to the Hucklow Road School. When he was six he moved to Shire Green and then attended the Hartley Brook Primary School. The eleven plus system enabled the school to send a few boys to King Edward VII; Mr. Hall gained one of these places.

He remembers particularly the emphasis on academic achievement and there was a great sense of ambition. The school was, he recalls, a place where one was put under pressure, but he does not believe that one was any the worse for it.

Mr. Hall was also a prefect, at the time when prefects were respected.

After leaving K. E. S. , he worked as a bingo caller at Mablethorpe to finance a cycling , holiday which took him to Luxembourg . He then attended Corpus Christi College, Oxford, in order to study Philosophv<_Politics and Economics, according to some authorities, and rowing according to others. He rowed almost every day, was captain of his College crew, and was also captain of the university's "Cherwell" crew at Henley in 1967, where, rowing in the university's colours, they persuaded all and sundry that Oxford's rowing had really degenerated. In 1968, the long sequence of Oxford defeats in the Boat Race began'; Mr. Hall modestly attributes this to the fact that he was not picked for the crew. Another activity at Oxford was hi' acquaintance with the Quaker Society, where he made many friends. In the final exams Mr. Hall gained a second, but he argued at length, that this was because a large number of Firsts were given the year before, and a tightening up occurred when his exams were marked !

After leaving Oxford in 1969 with his Honours Degree and teaching qualification, he entered the Diplomatic Service. This involved an exam, including a General Literacy Paper, which Mr. Hall failed, but passed on retaking ! He entered the service, and was promptly thrown in the deep end - spending his fourth Monday in the job in the Security Council of the United Nations in New York. He lived in mid-town Manhattan, which he believed was a good environment for a young person. He was involved in various delegate activities, including speech making. In New York, Mr. Hall met, and became engaged to a Scots girl, who was secretary to Lord Caradon, the then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He left in 1971, without causing any major international incidents. One memory of his stay was the time when he crashed a reception for Golda Meir. In 1971 he was married in Scotland , wearing a kilt.

He remained in the Diplomatic Service, working for the Foreign Office in Londorf land living in a South Kensington flat. He was concerned with Somalian affairs, and one memory of the time was the great fun they had with the Somali bananas. He was summoned by Sir Alec Douglas-Home, to sit in at an interview with the Somalian Ambassador. When asked about M. I. 6, Mr. Hall replied with a diplomatic "No comment".

After eighteen months, he was assigned to the British High Commission in Nairobi. Kenyan life agreed with him and he found the wild-life and gracious living most acceptable. Mr. Hall acquired an ex-race horse and took up showjumping, and also hunting, but their quarry was only a drag. However, some of the African bugs proved to be unhealthy and he was invalided home shortly before an African friend found machine gun bullets even more unhealthy. In England he felt out of the run of things, because the real workers were scattered around the globe, not isolated in England . This being the case, he decided to turn his talents to something else.

After resigning, he wrote to Mr. Hemming at KES, asking to be informed if a vacancy arose. He taught in Aldershot at a Girls' School for a few weeks, but then a post became vacant at KES, and he joined the staff in February 1975.

Since leaving the Diplomatic Service he developed his interest in politics, and joined the Liberal Party soon after he arrived in Sheffield. His belief in the Liberal view was always there, because in 1964 he stood for the Liberals in the school mock election. He became a Liberal party candidate in 1977 and soon after, he was adopted as the North East Derbyshire candidate.

On arriving in the area, he obtained a run down small-holding and has spent his spare time on renovation. He breeds horses and at the moment he has three adult horses, one yearling, one foal, with another due in April. His eventual aim is to breed show-hunters. Mr. Hall has also turned his hand to agriculture, growing potatoes. He makes a large loss on these, so at the moment it is an expensive hobby.

Mr. Hall is leaving KES at the end of the year, to take up a job in Scotland , as the Head of a new department of Business Studies, at The Edinburgh Academy. His main reason for leaving is to assume greater responsibility. Mr. Hall is looking forward to the move, because of the challenge, and his knowledge of Scotland . He feels it will be easy to put down roots in Edinburgh, because on one occasion, whilst wearing a kilt in Edinburgh Castle, he was pointed out to a group of German Tourists as being a typical Highlander.

Mr. Hall hopes to find another small-holding in Scotland and also to continue his political activities. We wish him every success in his new employment, but we have the feeling that this is not really needed, because he appears to succeed at whatever he turns his hands to. Undoubtedly, his parting will be a great loss to the school.

Steven R. Barks 7A Neil L. Thompson 7N

THE SHAMEFUL DEATH

Having heard the many and varied opinions of people who had visited a bullfight, I decided that the only positive way of forming my own opinion was to actually witness one.

I made my way to the bullring with an air of excitement, as the thronging crowd sang and cheered to the lively, rhythmic music played by the band.

As I took my seat at the front, the music changed and the Matadors marched proudly into the arena and were immediately rewarded by the clapping of the enthusiastic crowd. Next to enter the arena were the Picadors, mounted splendidly on their beautiful horses, who would most probably have to be destroyed after suffering injuries by the bull.

The powerful, strong bull was allowed out of his pen, unfairly dazzled by the bright sun-light. He paused for a moment and looked around him, trying to understand the meaning of his being there. He did not know that he was there to be the victim of a sadistic crime, committed by thoughtless men, supposedly the most intelligent creatures on earth.

Suddenly, the bull spotted the red cape held out by the Matador and charged towards it, his nostrils snorting and eyes glaring, unaware that hidden beneath the cape was the deadly sword.

With one hard thrust a banderilla was jabbed just between the bull's trembling shoulders.

As the bull gave a shrill scream of pain and anguish, it sank pitifully to it s knees and motionlessly rolled over into the blood-stained sand of the arena.

I could not think of this as entertainment or sport. I felt the guilt of just having witnessed an unfair murder of what had been. just a few minutes before, a living creature.

by Naomi Lopez-Iglesias 5 Y

Sheffield Youth Theatre

Between fifteen and twenty upper school pupils have regularly attended meetings of the Sheffield Youth Theatre during 1978 - 79. The SYT is run by Meg Jepson, the city's Advisory Teacher for Drama, and caters for pupils between the ages of 14 and 18 years, who are interested, during each school year.

This year's activities began with a two week "workshop" in August at the Drama space in Walkley (ex - Walkley Junior School), now the SYT's base, and this led to a week's run at the Merlin Theatre, where a collection of one-act plays devised by SYT members was most successfully presented in late September. Short workshops were also held in December and February and the next one is scheduled for the Easter holiday, when SYT members will explore all kinds of dramatic ideas concerning folk and ritual and religions, plays and dances.

Any of our fifth or seventh year members will tell you how interesting and enjoyable the SYT is. If you are interested in joining, see Mr. N. R. Jones or Steven Barks, 7 A.

N. R. J.

The food's getting shorter,
We've no oil and no water,
And our sick are turned limping away,
The bureaucrats talking,
Incoherently squawking,
Discuss policies, politics and pay.

The pickets are waiting,
The men are debating
The latest of employers' schemes,
We've heard your directive,
But a strike's ineffective
If you let in the voluntary teams !

There're no trains on Monday,
And as from next Sunday
An overtime ban's almost sure,
While mothers who're working,
Will have to be certain
To leave a key, for the kids, in the door.

Our old will go lonely,
No philanthropist 'phoney'
Will 'scab' on the social work ban,
Yet with lives in the reckoning,
The men are still threatening
To hold out as long as they can.

And looking ahead,
When we've buried our dead
In the earth, and not in the sea,

If more men should die
For political why,
What then should their epitaph be ?

That man, now evolved beyond reason,
Selects suicidal success,
Which itself, now victor, is Godlike,
But condemns where once we could bless ?

Cathryn Edwards. 6 D

I pressed the bell and peered out into the darkness of the night, seeing nothing but a blank factory wall. The bus jerked to a halt and I got off. The street was deserted and for a few moments I stood listen­ing to the fading sound of the bus as it drove away. It was very cold, almost bitterly so; perhaps it would snow. I pulled a scarf from my bag and tied it comfortingly around my neck. I started to walk briskly along the road, the moon looked down on me with an expressionless face, making me feel uneasy. The street lights seemed dim, each spreading its own golden cloak out into the darkness, in these cloaks insects hovered, attracted by the brightness.

The factories on either side of the road had a sinister appearance, their windows dark and blank, some reflecting the white, cold moon-light. Suddenly there was a screech of car brakes, then silence once more. Perhaps some drunken driver had come to his end.

I crossed the road and entered the fish market. As I looked at the stalls they seemed to be lined up like soldiers on parade, awaiting inspection. Not that they were worthy of inspection, broken down as they were. In one corner hundreds of empty wooden crates were stacked. The place reeked of fish but in this corner the smell was much more pungent. I wondered how many poor creatures had slept under the stalls. Perhaps even a tramp or two were going to spend the night there tonight. I shivered at the thought and walked more briskly along the deserted streets.

As I crossed the road and. entered the housing estate a dog barked and ran across the road. The houses appeared to be huddling together to keep warm. All alike, curtains drawn tightly with only a thin line of light showing along the top of them. I thought of my own house, identical to these, with its cosy fire awaiting my return.

Out of the darkness came a car, its head-lights lighting up the cats eyes and briefly the small bare gardens of the houses. It was with relief that I entered into the welcoming warmth of my home, out of the way of the cold fingers of that November night.

FROM THE EXCUSES BOOK

Sorry - did not come to school on Wednesday but she overlaid Monday.

Sorry - was late for school. As usual he set off to walk to school, but got stuck in a traffic jam.

Caroline Horton 5Q

Why did I do it? I used to be a simple Physics teacher content to battle with Ohms and Newtons until one day I was given a letter (thank you Mr. North). It said, "Why not start the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in your school ? " "Why not ? " Some three hundred pupils later I can think of an answer.

The book says, " All participants take part in a Service course. " Nov. 78 - Arrive at Division Street Fire Headquarters with a group who are to take the Fire Service course, having passed several fire engines travelling at speed. There are no fire engines left, no firemen and my pupils have been told to wait in the control room. Clearly no one has told them about KES pupils. After they have put the fire out the firemen return and the course starts. I wonder if the control room works yet ?

Another popular course is "First Aid:" When asked about the course many pupils remember one thing, the last ditch treatment for a severed femoral artery - "kneel in the groin ! " Sounds delightful, but if I ever have the misfortune to sever my femoral artery near the school, I will start running fast.

"Interest" is the next section. "Follow a hobby for six months," say the instructions. Then the list of chosen interests arrives from the pupils. "Candle making, marksmanship, electronics, genealogy and mouse breeding" to name but a few. My job is to find tame experts in all these subjects. (All experts in the above subjects can rest. I solved these, but who knows what next summer will bring ?)

The easy part must be "Physical Activity. " It would have been if I had not suggested that I needed to keep fit too. Ten press-ups, thirty sit-ups, PHEW ! Why don't I learn to keep my mouth firmly shut ?

"Design for Living" sounds safer. "Making the most of yourself" what every man needs. "Fun with Flowers" and "D. I. Y. " ; - great. The problem is that I only ever get projects to mark called "Vices of Life. " Perhaps those who read on (see "Expeditions") will know why they chose me. I have learnt a lot whilst assessing these; until I looked at some chapter headings I never realised that Marriage was a vice. I must be missing out somewhere.

Last and certainly not least we come to "Expeditions. " Boys and girls, never together, (well, nearly never together) set off on planned hikes which involve camping or Youth Hostelling.

Oct 78 - Arrived at Coldspring Farm above Buxton as it fell dark. Rain horizontal, wind blowing my car all over the road. The group was in flooded tents with wet clothing, one rushing from tent to tent in his underpants. Perhaps this is an early sign of exposure ? It said in the book, "Look for irrational behaviour. " I left those happy souls and battled back home to a warm fire. Ten minutes later the phone rang. The call was from another group at the top of Winnats Pass. "Our tent is blowing away. Can you come and rescue us ?"

"Of course, no problem," I replied, with just a hint of dismay in my voice.

Other expedition sagas include a visit to Grasmere Youth Hostel last July when the Warden said, " Your girls are in there. " He failed to mention that "there" was the girls' dormitory and that the girls were changing after a long day's walk. They still don't believe this story and have looked on their year tutor with considerable suspicion ever since. Moving quickly on from the young man with ten grade A '0' levels who only found out that the wire across a field was an electric fence when standing astride it (OUCH !), why do we run the scheme?

It does provide a challenge to participants and organisers alike. I wonder if the Duke of Edinburgh realises the true nature of this challenge?

D. J. M.

At last after the long, hardworking hike the diligent walker's day had ended, and but a mile from home. One mile, just a solitary mile, in the thousands of a lifetime. He sat on the brow of the crest in a perfect position to . see hiss, favourite sunset, which he watched when he could get the chance. The gently undulating, smoothly rounded hills extended in front of him in perspective. The round disc which throws light without failure onto this dark earth, was now retreating and sinking, being swallowed up by the dip between the wooded vale and the bare, scarred, exposed plateau.

It was not round but elliptical, not only moving downwards, but also shrivelling and distorting vertically. Outbursts of brilliant red escaped the seemingly linear but really three-dimensional sphere. The sun, then, with its orange glowing surround, bumped the slightly curved horizon. The man's face was now black; obscure and unrecognisable. The ever yellowing mass was now cut down to half its usual size. The dome looked eerie: the red, orange was now turning much more yellow, almost incandescent as it slowly dematerialised. Now there was just a glint of colour, a thin, narrow division of burning gases.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by the high pitched, and then dull, sound of barking. Undetectable, it could not be placed, but it marked the end of the brightness and all that was left was a glow. The emission was steady and could not be detected as changing.

The man could not at first, but finally . managed to pull himself away from the sight, He plodded on downwards, like the sun, towards the night.

Paul Senior 5. Y.

Names to conjure with, places to remember in the cold, dark days of Winter, romance in the very words.

Dewsbury, where the dead mills lower. Castleford, with its "haute cuisine" chips. Woodlesford, the highlight of the journey for all our devoted band of opencast mine spotters. Ferrybridge, when the rain blotted out the power station.

Twice we went through Foulridge Tunnel to get out of the rain. Actually, I was the only one who got wet as I was left boat steering. Judging by the course of the other boat, nobody bothered steering it at all.

We had a birthday party, under a bridge in Skipton, for the youngest three-year-old on board. She liked the cake and candles and presents, but burst into inconsolable tears at the rendering of "Happy Birthday", by the gentleman's ensemble (we gathered they were not tears of joy). Jane cheated by having her birthday on the same day. She was more than three, but we did not have any more candles.

And one night, the people at a nearby Pub, told us to watch out for camels the next morning, so we knew the local beer was strong. And, sure enough, next morning we saw camels and, I think, zebras as well!

Canal trips are great for your health, if you survive; but for your mind . . . ?

Since the beginning of October, 1978, the school notice-boards have been filled with advertisements for "Kesco", offering handmade perspex photo-frames for sale. The two Kesmag senior reporters decided to investigate with the help of Mr. Anderson, Head of Economics at the school. They found "Kesco" busily at work one wet Thursday, after school, at the headquarters of British Syphon Industries in Sheffield.

"Kesco" is what is known as a "Young Enterprise" company, consisting of twenty-two sixth formers from KES, who have formed a legitimate trading company, producing their own products and learning, at first hand, about the world of business. "Young Enterprise" is an offshoot of "Young Achiever" in the U. S. A. formed about 50 years ago and which now involves about half a million teenagers a year, all running companies like "Kesco", and producing a very wide range of commodities. Seeing how rewarding and successful this was, Walter H. Salomen, a British merchant banker, founded the British "Young Enterprise" in 1963.

"Young Enterprise" provides a valuable link between school and industry, through which young people from all walks of life can learn the sound basic principles of industry and commerce by practical experience. It is the best way to learn because it involves actually doing the job. The participants form and run their own part time company and gain valuable training for future careers, whether they are destined to reach the boardroom or remain on the shop floor. "Y. E. " is registered as an Educational Charity, and is entirely non-political.

The age group with which "Y. E. " is concerned is the 15 - 19 year olds, that is those in their last years at school or first in industry. By giving this particular age group experience of "learning by doing'; a better understanding of industry, hopefully, will emerge.

"Y. E. " has been operating in Sheffield and Rotherham for several years now, including Jordanthorpe, Newfield, Colley and Abbeydale Grange schools. They have all taken part in the past and are also participating this year, producing such things as decorative candles and badges. In September of 1978, Mr. D. Anderson attended a planning meeting of "Y. E. " Area Board and became deeply interested in the scheme, returned to school, offered the opportunity to the sixth form and enlisted twenty-two keen volunteers.

Once "KES" was put forward as a prospective "Y. E. " company, a local industry had to be found which would sponsor the school, and house the company. Mr. J. E. Eardley, the Managing Director of British Syphon, suggested that, since he was an old boy of the school, he would very much like to give the opportunity to our pupils to operate a "Young Enterprise" company under his sponsorship. His kind and most generous offer was taken up, the formalities were cleared and  "Kesco" was formed !

At the first preliminary meetings of the twenty-two strong board of directors, and its overseer, David Anderson, several directors were voted into different positions with Chris Atkin as Managing Director, David Briggs as Sales Manager, Richard Linkens as Production Director, Louise Ritchie as Accountant (later to become Managing Director) and Kay Truelove as the essential and very hardworking Company Secretary. Anne Howard was Personnel Manager and Julian Barr and Alastair Wilson were titled "Ideas and Research". Each director was given an allowance of 25p shares to issue, no person being allowed to purchase more than 5 shares, and depending on the number of shares each director sold, the directors had different voting rights at company meetings. £100 of initial capital was thus raised with which to establish the company . People who bought these shares have a chance of earning a profit. In April "Kesco" will go into liquidation, and if the company has broken even, the shareholders will get back their 25p per share. If the company makes a profit, the shareholders will receive a dividend according to percentage. In the event of the company making a loss each shareholder will receive as much as possible of his 25pence, but any loss must be viewed as a contribution to the Educational Charity under which the company is registered.

So, the company was formed and named, positions delegated, capital raised and industrial premises obtained. Now the directors had to decide what to produce; it should be something relatively simple to make, fairly inexpensive and with a potential market easily accessible. Several ideas were proposed and rejected, but David Anderson had had an idea of the ideal product from the beginning. He put forward the suggestion of producing Perspex photo-frames (reluctantly so because he would have preferred to stay in the background). The idea was snapped up immediately and "Kesco" was ready to enter Into business !

The company was registered and Memorandum and Articles of Association were drawn up, as required under the Companies Act. It was on one Thursday evening in mid October that the first photoframe was produced. Only eight were produced at this first meeting because the frames had a few faults, such as bubbling of the perspex at the bend due to overheating. However, these difficulties were soon sorted out, and every Thursday since, the company has moved to the British Syphon premises and produced frames for an ever growing market.

After a buffet tea, supplied by British Syphon for the nominal sum of £1 per week which also covers rent, stationery and electricity, production begins. The sales and administrative staff go to their own separate offices to clear the week's business, keep the accounts up to date, organise V. A. T. payments and sort out orders. The rest of the company is concerned with production.

At 7 o'clock work ends with a board meeting and adjourns until next Thursday, but in the meantime the directors have to be busy selling their products. At the moment the market has dropped after Christmas, except for the production of fifty large frames for the "Young Enterprise" Controlling organisation which will use them to present certificates to participating schools. So "Kesco" is looking for a new product, preferably in perspex.

British Syphon also supplies a public relations adviser, Mr. I. R. Johnson and a general adviser, Mike Newton. He fully supports the scheme and Is amazed to see how keen the sixth formers are and how quickly they have picked up the basic Ideas. As he says, " The less I say, the less I do, the happier I am. "

At the end of February the company announced a turnover of £900. 00 in three months and a profit of around £250, even though the directors do pay themselves every week, ranging from 9p per hour for the Managing Director to 5p for the polishers. The company will trade until the end of April, when it will consider liquidation procedures and hopefully the repayment of Its original capital, with interest, to shareholders.

N. L. Thompson 7N S. R. Barks 7A

The Christian Union has had quite a few changes during this last year (boy have we had some changes !), the main change being that we now have a weekly meeting on Wednesday lunchtimes (1215 - 12. 45) in PL 3.

(Thank you to Mr. Mace for letting us use one of his labs. every week).

At the moment we have about 16 people every week. We've had support from Mrs. Osborne and Mrs. Russell during the year; we are very grateful to both of them for the help they've given us.

In September of last year we affiliated to the Inter-School Christian Fellowship and they provide some of the material for the meetings. We've had a variety of speakers including David Ward, an Estate Agent, Richard Cook talking about "Science and Religion" and John Beattie from the Y. M. C. A. We've also had a lunchtime concert by Margaret Whipp (with her guitar and voice). Other meetings include film-strips, discussions and other interesting things.

We have these meetings because we believe that Jesus IS still alive today and that it is important to get to know Him for ourselves. Why not come along and find out what really does happen at the C. U. meetings ? Everyone is always welcome and that includes YOU ! Our notice board is just outside the staff room if you ever want to know what we're doing.

Finally, we believe that Jesus is the only way to God. Will we "C. U. in Heaven " ?

Andrew Pettinger 7N

"Strike Gold at the El Dorado"

Dring, dring. 6. 30 a. m. and K. E. S. historical gold hunting 6th and 7th formers all over Sheffield fell out of bed, pulled on their warmest clothes, gathered their butties and made their way through the snow and ice to Midland Station. Greeted by the smiling, rather cold faces of Mrs. B (Bartlett) and Mrs. H (Hall) we clambered onto the train and prepared for the 3 hour journey to London. Seven British Rail coffees and a few rubber sandwiches later, we arrived at St. Pancras. After a brief tube journey, we arrived at our destination, the Royal Academy.

Once inside the building, we were ushered into a mysterious cellar. - Why, we asked ourselves ? - To take off our coats was the logical reply: we battled our way past the hundreds of little kiddies into the exhibition itself, where gold shone from every corner of the dimly lit rooms. The first rooms were chiefly concerned with the historical origins and the discoveries, made over the past years, of the El Dorado gold. The fleet of Christopher Columbus brought back the first

news of the gold of the Americas . And after him, the utter conviction that a great and endless source of gold would be found there drove explorers over both of the American continents. The Spaniards were not impressed by either the gold of Inca Peru or Aztec Mexico, but by the legend of the golden man, El Dorado, ruler of a city of gold.

This exhibition explores that legend and the reality behind it. The five hundred items, ranging from spoons to the most elaborate nose - plates are evidence of such an existence. A huge photograph of a deep blue lake dominates one of the rooms. Underneath its mystical waters, lies a priceless, unreachable treasure, once sacrificed to the golden King. Numerous attempts to reach the gold have proved unsuccessful and the treasure remains as much a challenge to modern man as it did to explorers of days gone by.

Jane Houghton and Caroline Ingham 7 G.

SENIOR CHESS

The season 1977-78 saw a truly Aristotelian "peripeteia" in the fortunes of the First Chess Team. After winning Division One of the Schools League in the previous year, their castles in the air melted away and they were unable to win a single game, even by rooking their opponents. The seasons for this disaster was the departure "en bloc" of the previous year's team as knights errant on the road to University, and the inexperience of the young players who stepped into their shoes and who proved to be mere pawns in the hands of their opponents. Darting Bishops and marauding Queens proved more than a match for the youthful Kings, whose defences often stood too square. However, the albatross around their necks now removed, we have hopes of a swift promotion to the top rank in the present season by these older and wiser stalwarts.

A. S.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Fill in the puzzle, using dictionary words, by figuring out which of two possible letters is correct for each number, as indicated by the box in the centre of the grid. For example, number 12 will either be L or Y, number 5 E or R and so on, until you have made up a complete word.

(Answers on Page 32 )

Nicola Dewhurst 5P

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Mediterraneenne,

Avenue Guest.

You are sure of a laughing welcome from the healthy staff of the Belle Vista Hotel which is situated only a throne's flow from the untreated beach where effluent guests dance to barmy music with the local radio-active hippies. Beneath cobalt-blue skies, punctuated by the odd dioxin cloud, you can taste the bracing freshness of the oxide. From your balcony you can see the picturesque stacks of the People's Petrochemical Plant (a breathtaking view !) and the moving island of Bacteria where early every morning the sun's rays penetrate to reveal a ship's captain ensuring the cleanliness of his tanks while his jolly tars wash their swarthy hands amidst the chatter of foreign jargon. Ashore the mythical stream of Arethusa whose crystal waters descend from vine-clad slopes is enriched on its way past the local tannery before it effectively isolates the Belle Vista in our own charming grounds; bubbling and frothing Arethusa acts as a detergent to the local boys who handle their sisters' dirty linen. Beneath the sea's smooth iridescent surface one enters a different world: there are no sharks or jellyfish here to distract you from the buoyant particles and the mercurial sludge. To see the animal life requires just a few minutes of beachcombing (galoshes provided at no extra cost !): there they lie ready for your close inspection - gleaming stiff fish that have evidently lost their way and varieties of birds in their local hue. In reflective mood one can muse on the reason why life came out of the sea. A boat trip to the nearby Grotti is strongly recommended. For the lucky visitor can be certain of catching a glimpse of sunlight playing on soft-drink cans that nestle among the rusting drums of vintage cyanide. You will not want to say good-bye to these shores, and you may not have to, if you require treatment from our resident medico (whose capable hands are warmly recommended by matron ! ).

A quiet corner of our rustic garden behind the fish - and - chip counter, where the roses used to grow, is reserved for you to rest in a peace of Old England I

Friend of the Earth

By Nicola Dewhurst 5P (Answers on page )

CROSSWORD PUZZLE - KEY TO ANSWERS

Congratulations to Diana Greenfield (age 12) in our Second year who was awarded 1st prize in the 12 - 14 yr. section in the Sheffield Schools Art Competition.

Congratulations to the other 20 pupils from Lower School who had Art work accepted.

L. Hirst

Life In The Junior Leaders.

A boy's dream of guarding the far - away Empire rapidly disappears in the first six weeks at Shorncliffe Barracks, Folkestone.

The shock of total discipline, constant physical exercise from 6 a. m. to 10 p. m. , and the acquisition of unfamiliar skills is one for which they are in no way prepared. Add to that, uniform and equipment that have to be spotless whatever the time of day, sergeants and P. E. instructors who seem to have little knowledge of the leisurely pace of civilian life, enforced money saving, minimal time out of barracks, the constant thoughts of home and it takes courage not to follow the easy course and give notice, which they are able to do.

For those who survive, the rewards are numerous; skiing in Norway and Scotland, outdoor survival exercises, trips to regiments in Germany, gradual expertise in army equipment and a chance to man the inshore rescue boats to name but a few.

But by far the most important result is the change in the boys themselves, both physically and mentally. Constant exercise, ample food and fresh air raises them to peak fitness and day by day there is a growing confidence in their ability, as individuals and as members of a team, to cope with difficult situations. Those boys become men.

E. A. C.

11

The River

The clear blue water sparkled like a jewel,
As dainty ripples lapped against its side.
Like a winding snake, a snake of clear crystals,
The river did wander, wandered far and wide.

The banks were rich, rich with glossy emeralds,
That shone and glinted from the radiant sun,
Its beam was like a laser, sharp as a knife,
Another glorious day had now begun.

Trout could be seen, darting back and forth,
The slithery banks had a sheen as pure as light,
Fishermen were sitting, their brows beads of sweat,
Patiently waiting, hopeful for a bite.

The slight, cool breeze, caught among the trees
Their bountiful blossoms, pink as a rosy cheek,
A family of birds were nesting in its branches,
Where the mother would be, feeding them with her beak.

A sleek, slender water rat has made its abode,
In a soft muddy bank beneath the river,
A smooth, direct course is the way in which it travels
As it searches for food hither and thither.

Now as the skies grow darker,
The glowing sun descends,
The river life stops its work
When the north pole star heralds day's end.

EMMA FAWCETT 3 P

The Winning Try.

With the scream of the whistle,
And the thud of boot touching ball,
These solitary sounds bring the armies to life,
To attack the unfortunate holder.

As the flanker breaks off from the five-yard scrum,
A counter-attack is launched,
The opposing scrum half brings him crashing to the ground,
But not before he has released the ball,
To form a massive scrummage.

From this scrummage the scrum-half breaks away,
With ball in hand as he crashes to the ground,
To score the winning try.
The cheers of his friends bear him higher,
As the full-time whistle screams as before.

This fellowship, and the smell of sweat and victory,
Are what make you play this ludicrous
Game called rugby.
C. Panahi 3Y

FIND THE GIRLS' NAMES

In each of the following sentences you will find a hidden girl's name.

1. "Miss Wilson says all you girls are to report to her office at break. "

2. "The animal is only nervous when visitors tease it," said the zoo keeper.

3. "Marti Caine is a very good comedienne, isn't she ? I laugh 'till my sides split every time I see her. "

(not Marti)

4. During our Divinity lesson we learnt about Jesus and John the Baptist.

5. "Did you hear the story about a man daring to climb Nelson's Column ?"

6. "Although I love to ride, I dread the thought of falling from my horse. "

7. The old lady bought an electric blanket to heat her bed.

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AlleS

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Compiled by Joanne Kay 2T

Mrs Bye

Mrs. D. M. Bye born in 1953 in Rotherham has now just taken over as 3rd year tutor for the girls from Mrs, Galbraith who has gone to live in Switzerland for a year.

Her parents moved around a great deal, and she lived in Rotherham, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Leeds, York, Middlesborough and Bromley in Kent . She consequently went to eleven different schools which did not hinder her from getting six '0' levels including Art and Craft. At the age of fourteen she decided to become an art teacher. She claims to be terrible at maths and science subjects and says that even as a child she loved cutting up bits of paper and generally making a mess. Mrs. Bye trained at Sheffield Polytechnic and her first job was here at King Edwards four years ago.

When we went to interview Mrs. Bye we found her with a watering can tending her collection of about sixty species of plants of varying shapes and sizes. Most of these, we learned, were once 'sick' plants given to her by friends to be nursed diligently back to health. Mrs. Bye professed to be crazy about her 'botanic friends' and when she was asked which subject she would like to teach if she didn't teach art, she said to our surprise "Plant Growing."

Rather surprised and pleased when she was notified of her new post, Mrs. Bye now has to face an Assembly every fortnight, provide help to anyone who needs it, deal with offenders against school uniform upon which she is very strict and of course give out punishment. Despite all the hard work Mrs. Bye is looking forward to the year ahead and we wish her a very happy, enjoyable year.

Penny Johnson and Fiona Linfoot 3 C

Autumn's End

The swirling mist descended over the blackened peaks
The mountain stream froze in its agony.
The skeletal trees were enveloped in blooms of fog,
The branches were clutched by a frosty fungus,
Autumn is dead,
Winter is born.

Michelle Warren 1M

Sunset over Grand Canyon.

As the sun sinks down behind the Canyon
The colours begin to change
Throwing shadows into strange shapes.

The yellows and reds
of the day
Slip into deep purples and blues
of the night.

One solitary light winks on
In the depths of the canyon
And the last shadows lengthen and fall
Night falls like a blanket,
covering every stone and boulder
Every blade of grass.

J. Gyte 2Y

The Old Man.

The old man ploughing in the field,
Feeling as if he was dead,
Telling the horses to giddy up,
Hurry across the field.
When he finishes he's tired and sad.

In the house he's nice and warm,
Sitting in his old arm chair.
Then all of a sudden the rain starts
Then the frightening thunder does start.
He's afraid for his woolly sheep in the deep.

The old man gets up to the door,
Then the old man feels the cold.
He's chilly in the cheeks and hands.
Into the stable in a steady trot -
The old man's happy because his animals are safe.

Ian Dabell 2B

The Faithful Steed

Whenever Charlotte felt miserable she locked herself in the nursery and climbed up on to the back of her old dapple grey rocking horse and there she would sit, rocking herself to and fro', stroking the wooden side of the horse as if it were silky fur.

She looked rather unreal as she sat in a flurry of lace and pink cotton and her white stockings made her dangling legs look plumper.

She had soft peach like skin and a small rosebud mouth. Her nose was short and stubby and she had a few freckles on each cheek. Her eyes were large, round and misty blue, with long, curly lashes and eyebrows that looked as if they had been drawn on. Everyone noticed her hair, which was longish and wavy. The colour was stunning. It was a very rich auburn with tints of burning reds and browns.

Charlotte called the horse Mr. Frisky and told it all her innermost secrets. It was most certainly a handsome creature as it had received so much loving care and attention. Its long, flowing mane was constantly combed and its red, leather reins and metal stirrups were forever being polished. It had a well - shaped body and flaming eyes.

Charlotte liked to think it was alive and it was her best friend.

One afternoon Charlotte had been feeling particularly miserable and had gone to find consolation in Mr. Frisky. The tired sun was peeping through the window causing dust to float around the room and there was a peaceful stillness that could have sent you to sleep.

Charlotte began to rock Mr. Frisky. The ancient wooden rockers made a slow monotonous creak as Mr. Frisky dipped backwards and forwards. The room seemed to be growing fainter and fainter and Charlotte closed her eyes, thinking that the sound of the weary rockers was sending her into a land of dreams.

Now even the rocking was getting quieter until there was complete silence and stillness. If Charlotte had ever felt she was in heaven she did now.

Suddenly the silence drifted away and she heard the fast thudding of a horse's hooves. She lifted her heavy eyelids and gasped as she looked around. She was out in the middle of the moors. The beauty of the Yorkshire Moors had never had such an impact on her but now it hit her smack in the face.

The biggest shock was that she was galloping along on a horse and the horse was Mr. Frisky. Her hair was flowing behind her and the wind was stroking her face, leaving her cheeks a burning crimson.

The sky was a smudgy grey with cobwebby clouds scuttling across the heavens. The moors looked more rugged than ever and the purple heather was scattered in bunches. The ground seemed to spread before Charlotte like some vast sea of green and purple. The heather, the foam and the sharp rocks and cliffs, the high trembling waves. There was no real horizon. Instead the sky blended in with the wild earth.

Mr. Frisky galloped along carrying Charlotte over rocks and wild plants. They were going incredibly fast and although Charlotte gripped tight at the reins they eventually slipped from between her fingers and she fell to the ground, landing on the soft mossy grass. Mr. Frisky turned round and trotted to where Charlotte was struggling to get up. He muzzled her and she bent down and picked a small piece of heather.

"Here you are boy," she said and put the heather inside his reins. Then the dreamy feeling came over her and there was silence again.

"What a lovely dream," thought Charlotte as she climbed down from Mr. Frisky's back. She didn't notice the small piece of heather that fell to the floor nor the grass on the bottom of his rockers.

Tina Fox 1M

The Churchyard in the Snow

The old, leafless oak trees,
Are obscure in the falling snowflakes,
But their eerie, twisted shadows,
Are easily distinguished,
On the crisp, white carpet of snow.
Little flakes of snow,
Have settled on the prickly branches
of the holly bush.
And the black, lonely graves,
Are no longer freezing cold.
For someone in the night
Brought them each a new, fur coat,
The flickering, ancient lantern,
Brightly shines through the night,
And the grey, spooky church,
Was repainted white and bright.

Lesley Garside 2Y

SNOW

Smooth, quiet and icy is the snow
that gently
floats to the ground.

Shining, glistening and gleaming
it drifts
without a sound.

Softly it falls beneath my feet
so fragile and fluffy
swirling around.

Quietly and peacefully the snow
sits upon the tall trees
while the branches
sway up and down.

Kathryn Wood 2K

Illustrations by Michelle Belton 3C

THE SEA

The sea ravishes the golden beach,
Its white foam sparkles like dew.
The seaweed is slowly devoured, then, Whoosh !
A wave splashes against the cliff.

The crabs sidewind under the rock,
They seek cover.
Fishes dart in and out of shells.
While the octopus slides across the seabed.

The seaweed sways to and fro'.
A man-eating clam snaps to,
Sharks prowl around for schools of fish,
'While the sea horses glide in the smooth green water.
Lobsters swim for food,
The sea makes Its last roar and echo
Then slowly, very slowly The sea calms down.
All is quiet.

Christopher Timm 2T

From Mirthgard to Mordor an evil shadow lies,
The nine black riders call out their evil cries,
Sauron the dreaded, is the leader of this band,
He longs to hold the magic ring, once more within his hand.

From the Shire to Rivendell the Riders track the holder,
Frodo caught up with him and was wounded in the shoulder.
The riders must find the ring and return to their hell.
Frodo is safe, protected by Elves at Rivendell.
From Mirkwood to Erebor, danger appears once more,
The fellowship thanks Elrond, unhappy to leave his joyous halls,
They are sad to go for it is better that they stay.
They have a mission to complete, an enemy to slay.

Paul Dunmore 3 P

A Review of Youth Clubs in the area:

Stephen Hill - Crosspool

Every Tuesday night from 7. 30 to 9. 00 p. m. It costs 15p to join and then 15p each week, visitors 20p. Refreshments are provided and T-shirts and badges are on sale but you have to be aged between 10 and 14 years. Members have to be prepared to join in everything and there are different activities every week e. g. disco's, games, making sweets, visits to a potter etc. As well as the Tuesday nights there are sometimes additional outings to such places as the Crucible Theatre or Haddon Hall.

Fulwood - Fulwood Church

On a Friday night from 7. 30 - 9. 00 p. m. , for ages 14 - 19 years. It costs 75p to join, then 10p a week and 15p for visitors. There is a tuck shop where food and drink are on sale, plenty of music, games and outings to London etc. This is a Church Youth Club, so there is an epilogue at the end which you have to stay for.

La Nuit Disco (L. N. D. ) - Coldwell Lane

Every Saturday from 7. 30 - 10. 00 p. m. There are two disco's, an ordinary one and a heavier one. It costs 25p a week for ages 12 - 18 and refreshments are on sale. Membership costs 50p.

St. Francis

On a Friday from 7. 30 to 9. 30 p. m. for the 14 + age group. This is completely free and refreshments are provided. There are plenty of games available like table-tennis and snooker etc. The only condition is that you are a Roman Catholic and live in the Parish of St. Francis.

St. Columbus - Manchester Road

Every Friday night - there are two disco's, a junior one, for up to 12 years from 6. 30 - 7. 45 p. m. and a senior one for the over 12's from 8. 00 - 10. 30 p. m. which plays a lot of Northern Soul music.

Y. M. C. A.

On Tuesdays from 7. 00 - 9. 00 p. m. for 13 - 15 years. You have to belong to the Y. M. C. A. and membership costs £3. 50. There are disco's, films, a tuck shop and outings to Blackpool, the ice rink and the swimming pool etc.

Hallam - Hallam 1st School

Every Friday from 7. 00 to 9. 30p. m. It costs £2. 00 per year and then 10p per week. There is dancing with Radio Hallam D. J. 's and a free sheet with the top 75 singles each week. There is also a tuck shop with cheap prices. There is no age limit but there is a limit of 200 people, so it may be full.

Fiona Linfoot Penny Johnson

3 Q.

'GRANGE HILL' - 3 V's Reaction

"It's O. K. It describes what most schools are like and what teachers have to put up with. I think it's a great programme. "

"Grange Hill is not like an ordinary school. They get away with too much and ordinary pupils never get the chance to vote for rights. "

"I don't think that all of the things that happen really do in a proper school. "

'Grange Hill' is great I I think children should be able to vote on whether they should wear a uniform. They ought to make a new series. "

"I think it's a good programme but things that happen in that school would not happen in any normal school. " "I think'Grange Hill' is great. "

'Grange Hill' brings out the actions of kids and the situations that kids get into at school. "

"Grange Hill in my opinion is a bit far fetched because they wouldn't just strike or vote for school uniform. Although I do think it is good, as it shows school life. "

"I think 'Grange Hill' is good because it is the sort of school people would like. "

"I think 'Grange Hill' is good because it is more like our schools today and it's the way the youth of our age think. " "The programme is exciting and it gives you ideas. "

"I think that 'Grange Hill' is quite good but they have an easy time at school. "

Anne Worrall 3Q

J. Wobble, author of "Kes Book of lies. "

How We Developed a Wish for an Elastic Greenhouse

Old man cactus (Cephalocereus Senelis) : I don't know ! What is the modern generation coming to? Humans just aren't made like they used to be!

Old lady cactus (Mammillana hahniana): I know, they've got their heads stuffed full of all sorts of rubbish. They seem to think we only flower once every seven years and need temperatures of 30°C.

Old man cactus : Have you heard the latest ? They say that water kills us now.

Old lady cactus : Gosh I When I was a little girl humans used to know something. Oh well, at least our master knows how to look after us.

This is the conversation I overheard one night when I woke up without my collection realising. It reminded me of the time when I believed all this anti-cactus propaganda and when I first found out what cactus growing was really about.

I can remember vividly that I was walking through the library when I spotted a book named "Cactii. " It was under the code 634775, as all books about cacti are. I lifted the book off the shelf and turned its crisp pages.

I began on page 56, starting in the middle as I often do. It was the chapter about "General Cultivation. " It condemned all my beliefs in plain black and white. It said that most cacti need a sandy compost composed of one lot of gritty sand to two lots of compost. Here, I sat up. It went on to say that cacti must be kept damp in summer and suggested a thin layer of gravel on top of the soil to stop it from splashing up when watering.

In winter, it said, from October to March, plants should be kept almost completely dry, unless they show signs of shrivelling up, in which case a light watering is advisable. It explained that anyone could grow cacti and get them to flower every year. From there on it become complicated. It described grafting with such words as the stock and the scion. I did not understand it then.

I was awakened from my trance by a Library attendant tapping on my shoulder, asking if I was settling down for the night!

I borrowed the book, feeling rather embarrassed and caught the first express bus home. My mother developed an immediate dislike for cacti owing to my rather late appearance !

The next day Stephen came clasping the "Observer Book of Cacti" which he had received on his birthday the previous day. We had both caught the cactus bug!

That day, we decided to re - pot my wizzened old chameocereus. We found, to our surprise, that its roots were covered in a waxy, whitish coating. We looked it up in the "Observer Book of Cacti" under "pests" and found it to be root mealy bug. We filled the sink with warm water and sprayed the roots with a nicotine substance, which we had obtained from a nearby hardware shop, and scrubbed away at the roots with on old toothbrush. Although a rather unorthodox method, it seemed to work (however, it does not improve family relationships with its habit of leaving a waxy, white deposit around the sink). After this we re-potted the plant and left it without water for a week to prevent root rot.

Some time later we paid a visit to Abbey Brook where we purchased a number of cacti and joined the National Cactus and Succulent Society for £1. 50 (£3. 00 for adults). This subscription allowed us to receive the quarterly journals and a seed list. Meetings are held once a month at 7. 15 on Friday. You do not need to be a member to attend.

For the first meeting I arrived at 7. 15 and went to the lower hall. Here, there were large benches crammed full of cacti, some flowering. I saw Stephen and went over to him. He had already exhausted his pound note on four large cacti and I quickly did the same.

A few minutes later everyone sat down. There were only about fifty people and a local fellow arrived to speak about crossulaceae, a group of succulents (the house leek belongs to this group). He spoke about classification until the interval when he hod a chat with any person wanting one of the plants.

We had a cup of tea and a biscuit (gratis) and looked at other members' cacti. Everyone was very friendly.

We listened attentively to the second half of the talk on the cultivation of crossulaceae until 9. 40 when the hall closed and we went home to dream about cacti.

Our collection grew foster and faster, filling our bedrooms and all the spare windowsill space, including on the landing and in the bathroom. The small greenhouse which Dad used for tomatoes was soon overcrowded and now we share every enthusiastic cactus-grower's wish to own an elastic greenhouse !

By Matthew Pollitt and Stephen Peat 3 Q.

1.

What is the highest league score ? Is it :­

a. 17-0 b. 36-0 c. 13-0

Which is the oldest league club ? Is it :­

a. Sheffield Wednesday

b. Notts. County

c. Sheffield United

How many teams were there when the league was formed ?

a. 92 b. 7 c. 12

a. 4-3 b. 4-2 c. 4-1

SOCCER QUIZ

12. Which two teams have won the league three years running 9

a. Arsenal and Huddersfield

b. Liverpool and Arsenal

c. Everton and Coventry City

13. What have they in common ?

a. Scored the same number of goals

b. Won the F. A. Cup once

c. Had the same Manager

14. Who scored the most league goals in a season ?

a. Derek Dooley

b. Dixie Dean

c. George Camsell

15. Who held the previous record ?

a. Dixie Dean

b. George Camsell

c. Steve Bloomer

16. Which player has played the most league games ?

a. Terry Paine

b. Ian Callaghan

c. Jimmy Dickinson

17. Which of these three clubs is not in the league ?

a. Brentford b. Southport c. Stockport

18. Which club left the league in 1973 ?

a. Workington

b. Bradford P. A.

c. Barrow

19. Which player scored the most penalties in one season ?

a. Phil Neal

b. Francis Lee

c. Derek Dooley

20. Which team has won the F. A. Cup the most times since the competition was formed ?

a. Blackburn Rovers

b. Aston Villa

c. Arsenal

by - B. Bates and Glenn Markham

THE GAMBLER

The room was dark, low, with a dim gas lamp giving off a faint yellow glow. All was silent apart from the hum of a distant tramcar. A spider scurried along the floor unnoticed. An atmosphere of tension filled the room, slowly building up to a wave, which swept over the watchers in the hall outside.

Two men, seated around a low green baize table were gambling their hard earned wages, each one hoping to make it into a fortune. One man, the dealer, with beads of sweat pouring off his face was busily shuffling the cards. The other man, opposite, a swarthy looking person untidily shaven, with a large scar running down his cheek, was watching with a fixed scowl.

The cards were dealt slowly, but positively making no mistakes and each man picked up his own pile. The dealer, apprehensive because of his need to win the game, for his daughter (who was going to get married the next day), looked around to seek the signs of a good hand from the face of his opponent. Scarface moved his left hand to touch his body, and magically an Ace of Spades appeared in his hand with an inaudible click. With a nod they both pushed forward several dozen "chips" into the "pot" and then a fraction of a second later laid their hands on the table. Two Ace of Spades looked up, both as innocent as the other. Again Scarface touched his side and a dark single barrelled gun, grimaced in the dealer's face.

Suddenly the room seemed to shiver. The hanging lamp swung to and fro' viciously hitting the gunman on the forehead. He pitched forward across the table spilling all the cards onto the floor. The other man half sprang to his feet when the whole building shook violently.

This was the beginning of the 1908 earth-quake in San Francisco.

The gambler sat nonchalantly in-his high-backed chair, his long slender fingers languidly tapping on the plain deal - table. He was dressed in a cheap cotton suit and a flat hat was on the floor beside his chair. In the casino there were several tables with men sitting round most of them. A man was ordering a beer at the bar in a raucous voice. The publican slammed it down on the bar and asked the man for his money.

While this was going on the gambler sat calmly in his chair waiting for someone to offer him a game of cards. He was tall and slim with a clean shaven face. He looked about thirty.

The man who had been over at the bar came staggering towards him. He was red in the face and looked drunk. "D'ya wanna game ?" he asked in a voice which was slurred by the drink.

"Sure," was the cool reply.

The drunken man sat down and then stood up again.

"Musht go getst so