"Alternative" Magazines at St. Nick's

July 2024, Steve Kinsey ('67-74) writes:

At some point in 1973, a magazine called "Wallop" appeared in the JCR. It had been produced by some individuals in the Lower Sixth. For reasons I have forgotten, Chris Rose was incensed by "Wallop" and asked David Dixon, then Director of Sixth Form Studies, for permission to publish a counterblast. This was granted, provided the content could be reviewed in advance by Mr Dixon. "Oracle" duly emerged. It was printed on a machine in the Sick Room called a Gestetner.

After the second issue of "Oracle", a rival publication called "Coracle" appeared, presumably also sanctioned by Mr Dixon. "Nix" appeared a little later on.

A word of caution to any reader seeking snippets of information in these pages about staff and pupils: a number of articles bear the names of contributors who did not in fact contribute. For example, R. Blundell was not necessarily the author of all the poems ascribed to him. At least one was a parody by Steve Moss. Also, Meulien's Musical Notes was not written by (horn player) Pierre Meulien, but Chris Rose thought the title was too good not to use.