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 | The image above is a copy of the Front and Contents of the complete Magazine.
Forward (by the Headmaster)
In normal circumstances it is not my policy to take up valuable space in the ‘Bedan‘which should be devoted to work of members of the School. As, however, our position at the end of our first term as an evacuated school cannot be described as normal I have agreed, at the Editor’s request, to write a short foreword to this number.
Parents whose sons were evacuated with the great majority of the School on September 10th have already received a letter from me in which I set out the general position after we had settled down at Northallerton and offered certain advice designed to consolidate the School here. There is little to add to that advice except by way of emphasising that the sure ways to unsettle a boy and cause him to lack concentration on the work in hand are to visit him too often and to encourage him to visit Sunderland—which it should always be remembered is officially a danger zone.
Evacuation subjects the evacuee to a great character test. I think we may take legitimate pride in the way the School has come through this trying period for very few members have proved unequal to the strain and fallen by the wayside.
I know from a voluminous correspondence that the overwhelming majority of parents clearly realises that whatever the difficulties, war or no war, it is essential that our School must carry on as an entity and continue to give a sound Secondary education to its members. I look forward, therefore, to beginning the Spring Term with the numbers stabilised at their present level and to our having an even more successful term than the one which is now rapidly drawing to its end.
The HEADMASTER.
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EDITORIAL
Fellow Bedans,
In circumstances vastly different from those of the Summer Term, we greet you and applaud your speedy acclimatisation to your new surroundings and your determination to see that “business is as usual.”
The “Bedan “ has been published; the Library Committee is organising the nucleus of, it is hoped, a growing collection of books; the Debating Society, Bode Drama and the Chess Club are as lusty as ever; the Scouts and Cross-country Runners have a large variety of ploughed fields and muddy lanes in which to disport themselves and the Football teams are carrying on as well as is possible in the absence of their old rivals who used to provide such keen competition.
Those few examples of some of the many aspects of school life should serve to show the fine way in which the unavoidable difficulties of evacuation are being overcome. All this would, of course, have been impossible without the co-operation of the people of Northallerton who deserve our hearty thanks for receiving us so readily.
The senior members of the School, especially those of military age, are apt to consider evacuation unnecessary since they will soon he called upon to face dangers even greater than those of air-raids. The large majority of the School is, however, well below military age, and, in their case, safety becomes a much more relevant reason for leaving Sunderland.
Evacuation has, after all, its own good points. More scope is given for the exercise of self-discipline and, secretly, within our inner heart, we look forward to the day when we shall stroke our beard, lean on our stick and croak “I remember when I was an evacuee way back in ‘39 “ to an astonished crowd of moderns’ who will know this war only as an event in the history books’. It is already very entertaining to sneer at anything pre-1939 and call it “pro war,” such a phrase, once peculiar to grown-ups only and meaningless to the mere schoolboy, is a valuable addition to his vocabulary.
We hope, therefore, that you will enjoy this, the first, North allorton “Bedan” and we wish all Bedans everywhere, in England or in France, on land arid sea, the best of luck in 19
Northallerton THE EDITOR.
January, 1940.
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Notes and Comments
On Sunday, Sept. 10 1939, four hundred Bedans and the Staff left Sunderland for Northallerton, under the Ministry of Health Evacuation Scheme. Even before war was declared on Germany on Sept. 3rd., 1939, thousands of children had been evacuated from certain districts to safer places, and later Bede School was included in the scheme. Accounts of that day’s events and subsequent life in Yorkshire will be found elsewhere in this issue. We should like to thank all those who were responsible for the successful execution of the scheme, both in Sunderland and Northallerton.
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The School learned, with deep regret, of the death of Dr. S. J. Eker, Senior French Master, on Sept. 9th., 1939.
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We regret to say that Mr. G. Taylor is still absent from School owing to illness. He is making slow progress towards recovery and we hope that his return will not be long delayed.
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Soon after the outbreak of war we found that Old Bedans, who, as late as last year, were still at School, began to appear in khaki. We shall be pleased to hear from any Old Boys, who care to write to us, and we have printed some news from O.B’s in France on another page. We should like the co-operation of all Bedans, O.B’s, parents and friends in the task of compiling a list of Old Bedans serving in H.M. Forces. We print in this issue a list, incomplete we fear, of the names of Old Bedans now engaged in war service.
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We are extremely sorry to state that Mr. S. E. Virgo and Mr. G Mackay will temporarily leave the Staff this month. They have been selected as Meteorological Officers attached to the R.A.F., and will leave us for a course of training preparatory to that work. They leave with the good wish of every Bedan for an early and safe return,
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We have just received sad news of the first Old Bedan casualty in the war. We deeply regret to state that Leading Aircraftman Charles Watson (‘29—’34) has been reported missing, believed killed. Watson’s contemporaries will remember him as a boy of likeable character and modest disposition. He visited the School last year and gave an account of his life in the R.A.F. to several masters who knew him. We offer our deepest sympathy to Mr. & Mrs. J. Watson in the loss of their only son in the cause of his country and of ordered freedom.
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McFarlane’s prowess on the Soccer field was quickly recognised when he went up to Oxford. On Thursday, Dec. 7th, 1939, he represented his University in the annual match against Cambridge at left-half. This is, we believe, the first time that a Bedan has been so honoured at Oxford. The result of the match was Oxford 2 goals, Cambridge 2.
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.J. W. Towell (‘2S—’35) has been ordained and appointed to a curacy in Stockton.
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We have met several Old Bedan teachers who have been evacuated with their schools to Yorkshire M. J. Warriner and L. Jones are at Bedale; S. S. Wilson and W. V. Hornsby in Upper Wensleydale; J. Dockray is at East Cowton and W. Hutchinson near Pocklington.
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Parents visiting their boys in Northallerton will be welcomed at the N.A.L.G.O. Canteen in Romanby Road on Sundays from 1 o’clock until 6. Scouts have undertaken to see to their comfort, and light refreshments will be on sale.
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We are indebted to Mrs. Mulcahy, of Northallerton, for copies of The Lion, magazine of the Central British School, Hong Kong.
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Bede School in Northallerton.
BEDE School left Sunderland on Sunday, September 10th. for Northallerton, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, and so began an unprecedented period in the School’s history. War was never a respecter of persons; modern warfare, even before the expected horrors have materialised, has uprooted a School from its accustomed surroundings. Such a radical change has had a profound effect upon the life of the School, corporate as well as individual.
Northallerton is a small town of some 5,000 inhabitants, of considerable importance as a market centre, arid possessing interesting historical traditions; its connection with Durham is not a modern one only. Boys accustomed to town life have been able to settle here more easily than if they had been in a more isolated part of the county.
Most of us have become accustomed to the change; the people of Northallerton, with few exceptions, have taken the sudden invasion in good spirit, have accepted it as their part in the national drive against Germany. Evacuation from the start was a difficult proposition, a necessary expedient in threatening circumstances; no glorification can hide the fact that some incompatibilities were bound to arise. However, members of the Staff have spent much of their time attending to the troubles of boys and householders alike, and the great majority of the hosts and hostesses have been unstinting in their efforts to make their boys comfortable in their temporary homes.
Some members of the School have been billeted in small villages outside Northallerton, and have had bicycles sent from Sunderland. Three masters have had the unusual experience of living in a public house during term-time, the Three Horseshoes at Brompton.
We have been sharing Northallerton Grammar School. Although we miss our own four-storeyed building and extensive playing fields, we have been more fortunate than other secondary schools. There is a main building of one storey only, with a gymnasium and a library, while between these three buildings there is a quadrangle which has a grass square, carefully preserved so as to lead to the suspicion that it too has historical traditions. School hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. and in the first weeks were the masters’ nightmare, with inquiring heads peering round wooden doors and then retreating rapidly. That, however, is now at an end.
There has been no lack of outside activity for the School. Most of the masters lead walking parties along quiet country roads in the mornings. Halls and looms have been found where we can play table-tennis and even work before school in the afternoon. School societies are flourishing more than ever; the Debating Society holds weekly meetings, and no less than five scout troops have been active this term. It is hoped that a Debating Society Concert will be held as usual next term, when a large attendance is assured. Strenuous efforts were made to arrange football matches for the School teams, but the difficulties were too great and only small fixture lists were compiled. The Rugby XV. has had some hard games, especially at Richmond and Darlington, though the Soccer XI. has been too strong for its opponents. Only four house-matches have been played this term and form games have been limited by the unplayable state of the Northallerton fields. However, there has been an increased interest in gymnastics; classes have been held every morning in the well-equipped gymnasium, and Mr. Gillespie’s innovation of awards has attracted many boys. Society meetings, the Scouting movement and organised games, together with any facilities for entertainment which may have been found in the town, have prevented boredom and encouraged most of us to stay in Northallerton.
It is apparent that many are returning to Sunderland for the Xmas holidays, an opportunity which is all the more welcome at this time of the year. It. will be unfortunate, however, if this holiday renders a return to Northallerton distasteful; it would be better to reduce the number of days spent at home than to forego altogether the advantage of the evacuation scheme. The absence of enemy bombers over our largest towns has had an influence on our outlook here. Yet the horrors of modern warfare may come eventually, and then the true worth of this scheme will be shown.
J. A. Gunn (U.VI.).
“It’s a Strange War”.
FOUR months ago, four months which seem an age, my friends and I were bathing (amidst jellyfish which used to sting with great vigour and frequency) where now is beached the blackened burnt-out wreck of a mined oil-tanker.
Such a vast change in the character of the place in such a short time is, in its very nature, bewildering and typical of the present situation of which the beginning was strange.
An ominous hush in the streets all Saturday and, suddenly, the change; a broadcast intimation that England is at war; a siren hooting and wailing its, warning to a wondering land; guns on the cliffs over our bathing place; guns, where children used to frolic in the summer sun; guns, where “ organised games” were forbidden.
One might well be bewildered.
Time, however, is slowly weaving sense out of this tangled bundle of impressions and the pattern it weaves is ugly. It is a pattern of pain and sorrow. It is a pattern dyed in blood. It tells of casualty lists, still, thank God, quite short but long enough to cause mourning through the land. It tells of bombed civilians, shattered churches, hospitals and schools.
There may he “music in the midst of desolation.” At present the guns boom too loud and the cry of innocent blood is too harsh fur that music to be heard. I cling to the hope that it is there, ready, when peace again holds sway, to bring a better harmony to a world in which discord, unrelieved, has so long reigned.
I hope, and ‘wait the day when jellyfish alone will trouble the carefree bather, when children will play where now the big guns frown, when the world shall enjoy the blessings of peace.
THE EDITOR.
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Editorial Notice.
The “ Bedan “ Committee for this term consists of Mr. H. T. Ayre, Revd. J. W. H. Redfearn, Mr. W. D. Wall, Mr. G. McKay, R. H. Kay (Editor), J. A. Gunn (Sub-Editor), J. Marshland, W. A. Phimester and S. G. Siddle.
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14
Northallerton Market.
NINE o’clock and a frosty December morning. One or two stall frames are being put up—those of the local shopkeepers as the others from the outlying districts haven’t come in yet.
A man trundles a trolley-load of fruit from an alley and begins to pile it up on his stall.
By the time the church clock strikes the next hour many more people have arrived. On the ironmonger’s stall a man clinks long chains about and stacks up spades and forks. A cow moos down the street as a herd is driven along to the Cattle Mart, and the clicking of their numerous hooves mingles with the clanking of the ironmonger’s chains. As they pass on down the road they stop the market ‘bus just arriving, but loud honkings clear a way and the ‘bus rolls on up the Market Place to stop outside the Town Hall.
Leather-gaitered farmers, and sometimes their wives, clamber down and stand around the ‘bus until the driver climbs up on top and lowers the huge baskets of eggs, hens and the like.
The market is open properly now and people stand round the stalls picking up this and that, turning it over, a stall-keeper endeavouring with a most persuasive voice to induce a reluctant. old woman to buy. Here and there rise the racuous bellowings of vendors, mixed with a squawking of hens as they squirm in the hands of a farmer, after being lifted from a basket.,
Outside the “ Black Swan,’’ grizzled, weather-beaten farmers stand about swinging their arms round themselves to keep warm, and discussing corn returns. Now and then one of them takes a little bag from hi pocket, opens it, and pours a sample of grain into his palm to show it to a prospective buyer. Occasionally they go inside the “Black Swan “—to discuss a product of barley.
All the hotels and public houses in the Market Place (of which there are a great number) begin to fill as it draws towards noon—the throats of the stall-keepers are sure to be dry after shouting.
After dinner it begins all over again, the shouting, the squawking—everything, all through the afternoon and night too, if it wasn’t for the black-out. By about four o’clock, however, everything is packed up, the fruiterer has already trundled his fruit back down the alley, and the ‘bus is just rumbling away, the baskets on top much lighter this time.
So Market Day ends, the liveliest day of the week for Northallerton. Now that Christmas is here., however, it will be busier still. The geese and turkeys will come down in flocks—all fattened for Christmas, and all the fruit and flower stalls will be bright with holly, a sight worth seeing.
J. L GREEN (U.V.1).
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School Prefects
Head of School :—W. A. Phimester.
Prefects:—J. Cook, W. Garbutt, J A. Gunn, B. H. Kay, H. Mason, C. Fowle, H. McKinley.
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Northallerton Colony
IN spite of the difficult conditions, the Bede Boys’ School has returned almost to normal, as far as its outdoor activities are concerned. Most of the societies have got under way again and, perhaps most important of all, the School Library has begun to function once more, even though it may be on a smaller scale than we had been accustomed to in Sunderland.
One thing is entirely new—the morning outing “which lasts 4 hours. Every day the surrounding countryside is explored by eager bands of pioneers, in charge of a master. At times these walks are a nuisance and several boys have formulated plans by which they are able to escape the daily tramp. For instance, many boys are in the Scouts and they frequently have Scout meetings and Scout duties which take the place of the “constitutional.” Again, since the examination of cycles has begun again, there are several cycle examiners among the boys. Many seniors have extra lessons in the Zion and Catholic Halls. Frequently there are Form football matches and House games. All this goes to make life out here more interesting and to change the monotony which sometimes prevails.
On the morning outings, those who have cycles are allowed to bring them. These, I think, are luckier than the hikers. They can go further afield and are hot under any authority. But no matter by what. means the countryside is reached, it has for all a certain beauty, and everybody, whether he admits it or not, appears to enjoy it. Sunderland—no beauty spot—cannot provide us with hills and moorlands like those of Yorkshire, and the smell of the country is most refreshing after the pit-heap stench of Silksworth.
Many other societies are under way again. The Debating Society, Photographic Society, special Gym. classes, cross-country running, all provide amusement.
Our thanks are due to the people of Northallerton for the way in which they are treating us.
E. H. CARTER (U.V.1).
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Romanby Colony.
THERE are approximately one hundred boys billeted in Romanby, on the South side of Northallerton. All have very kind hosts and hostesses and are housed in modern houses, most of which have gardens which produce apples in plenty.
Thanks are due to Mrs Place for the loan of the field where the boys play in the mornings when the ground and weather are suitable; to Mr. Sunter for the use of a hut for games of various kinds on wet mornings, and to the Vicar of Northallerton for chairs and trestle tables for furnishing the hut.
When the field is unfit for play, the boys go for walks. Perhaps in the spring they may be able to organise a cycling club and extend the radius of their activities.
There are few troubles at Romanby. The level-crossing gates are always shut when one is in a hurry, and the road home after dark is rather difficult. We don’t worry about these, however, but keep our eyes on the bright side of things and do our best.
J. H. PHILLIPS (U.IV.3).
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The Brompton Colony.
On that memorable 10th. of September the Brompton Colony of Bede Boys was founded. After our arrival in Northallerton we were taken to the Elementary School at Brompton and thence to our new homes. Boys soon settled down and treated the change as an adventure and holiday away from the noisy, smoky town of Sunderland. We had a week in which to find our feet and we spent it in looking round and exploring the countryside in the neighbourhood of this small but picturesque village.
Soon, however, we tired of walking and exploring and looked to the masters for suggestions. They found us a football ground on which numerous games were played. The willing villagers gave us extra facilities by offering a few halls in which indoor activities could be carried on. Among these is the Village Institute, where ping-pong, chess, darts and card games are played on wet mornings. Thus we are never idle, whatever the weather may be.
However, occupation in the morning was not our only trouble. At night we soon grew tired of doing nothing and again the masters solved our problem. At nights in one of the halls, the boys gathered, happy to be able to be active and together. Then two kind ladies from Sunderland arrived and soon helped the masters with the business of keeping us occupied. They had taken a cottage in the village and generously offered the use of one of its rooms to us at night. Occasionally no less than thirty of us turned up for these happy little meetings which we thoroughly enjoyed. Here we practised rug-making, weaving and other arts.
Soon we had a new interest. A Scout troop was formed named Brompton Bede Boys, which is described in another article.
You see our life here is a very full one and we will be sorry to leave the village and villagers of Brompton.
0. TOPEL (L.V.3).
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Yafforth Colony.
WHEN the first party arrived from Sunderland, ten young Bedans were taken to the pretty little village of Yafforth, about two miles West of Northallerton. Four boys found billets on farms on the outskirts of the village and immediately entered fully into the delightful country life of Yorkshire in September.
Cycles were soon summoned from home and the journeys into the town done easily. While the evenings were light there was no lack of occupation for boys new to life in the country. As the days darkened we held our Club on a Monday night and every Friday there was a whist drive. At other times we paid visits to the Old Hall, for games.
On December 19th, the Annual Christmas Party was held in the village school and we were kindly invited.
Although we may be regarded as the pioneer colonists, furthest West, we have thoroughly enjoyed our term at Yafforth.
T. DITCHBURN & S. S. RICHARDSON (L.IV.1).
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