Societies & Clubs 05 (1959-60)

THE ST. NICHOLAS SOCIETY

P. W. SARGEANT's paper, entitled "The State of Britain's Roads". provided the main fare for the first Saint Nicholas Society meeting of the new school year. The Society had been formed the previous September by a number of senior boys, under the guidance of Doctor Gosden, for the purpose of reading and discussing papers on any topic.

Members are selected from the Sixth Form and contribute. papers on subjects that interest them. Hitherto these have been very diverse as the following titles suggest: "Racial Troubles in South Africa " Architecture", "The Challenge of the Sixties". In general the papers have been fairly competent, though the end of the year witnessed an unhappy concentration upon the more nebulous sections of the science textbooks.

Mr. James, the Society's first guest speaker, delivered a paper with the ominous title. Do we really know what we are talking about?" whilst the departing Vice-President, Doctor Gosden, turned the Society into a Chambre Bleu for the last meeting of the year, and gave us a preview of his forthcoming book on Friendly Societies.

Up till now the Saint Nicholas Society has been very successful, and, with a few notable exceptions, has had a good attendance, perhaps prompted by the refreshments taken at the end of each meeting.

B. P. MADDAMS, M.VI.

HISTORY SOCIETY

STARTED through the enthusiasm of Mr. Owen and the boys of 3a at the beginning of the year, the History Society has proved a success. Activities include talks, illustrated usually by diagrams and maps, on subjects of scientific and political as well as historical interest, films on similar subjects, and visits, usually whole-day ones, to various places of historical interest. The last are often thrown open to non-members. Such visits have been made to Kenilworth and Warwick Castles, to the Science Museum, to Oxford and Blenheim, and to Arundel Castle and Brighton Regency Pavilion.

The society is hoping eventually to have a small museum of models. housed in showcases in the history room, together with the pictures and maps already existing on the back wall.

A feature of last year's programme was the "balloon debate", in which historical figures were represented. This was a big success. and will be followed by better debates now that we have some experience of discussion.

It is to be hoped that the society has stimulated interest in history, and will continue to do so as it grows.

J. L. HOOPER, IIIA.

GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY

The reorganised Geographical Society commenced its activities in the Autumn Term. On account of the Mock Election, the Society's programme did not begin until the second half of the term. The meetings consisted mainly of films, covering a wide range of topics, including Antarctica, South Africa, Western Europe, insects, air transport, fossils, and the building of the M.1. Most of the meetings were attended by at least fifty boys, from all sections of the school, with the exception of the film on the building of the M.1, which was shown to over two hundred and fifty boys. In addition, the Society also heard a lecture on "Spain", given by Dr. J. F. Davis, of Birkbeck College, in the University of London.

Owing to increased sports activities after school, the Society's programme for the Summer Term was curtailed, but we hope to start again in the Autumn Term with a full programme of films and lectures to cater for everybody.

B. EVANS, L.VI.

DEBATING SOCIETY

During the past year the Sixth Form Debating Society has succeeded in producing more profound and mature debaters. Guest speakers from neighbouring Grammar Schools have added interest to the debates. Earlier in the year we were very pleased to welcome members of the staff of St. Mary's Grammar School to debate the motion, "This House supports the emancipation of women". The scepticism of our guest speakers was unfounded, for the House carried this motion.

When a team from Bishopshalt School accepted our invitation to debate with us, one of our foremost aims was achieved. The motion, that "This House believes there is no room at the top ", was proposed by our guest speakers, who showed their debating ability if not their superiority - the motion was defeated.

We had anticipated that the growing Sixth Form would provide us with new speakers and a wider audience, but many seem to think, that debating is not an important part of a Sixth Form curriculum. However, we hope that next year further inter-school debates will encourage new members to support the Debating Society.

D. ROOKE, L.VI.

THE MODEL CLUB

Interest in the Model Club waned during the winter months owing to lack of fine weather for flying models, but it picked up again after the examinations as a series of model flying contests was planned.

The members of the club have recently been engaged in the construction of a model car racing track, apart from the individual construction of aircraft and boats. A highly successful exhibition was held in connection with the Saint Nicholas Fair. A large number of models was displayed, and Sansom and East gave a control-line combat demonstration.

M. HENRY, IVA. B. HEAVEN, IVA.

THE STAMP CLUB

THE Stamp Club was formed just over three years ago, and now has a membership of nearly forty.

Regular meetings are held for "swapping" or buying stamps and other routine matters, and occasional auctions are organised.

In 1959, at the Saint Nicholas Fair, we arranged an exhibition of decorative stamps. The proceeds of this and the auctions provided prizes for a number of competitions, and financed the loan of film slides and also the outing to the International Stamp Exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall in July.

The club has only been able to exist through the help of R. Wadham, J. Mason and M. Bacon, and we are deeply indebted to these boys and also to Mr. Phillips, who has remained our President since it was founded.

V. BRYANT, IVA.