THE SCHOOL SONG & THE SCHOOL ‘HOUSES’
THE SCHOOL SONG
Norman, Roman, Saxon, Dane
Offer up in England's fane (note: not 'fame' as one would expect)
Gifts of great and high endeavour
Souls triumphant, never, never
flinch (short rest) , whatever fates attend
Send a song along the ages , send.
For the cross and crown whisper
over land and sea
presaging adventure for the children of the free
may duty's stirring call, our inmost hearts enthrall
Send out the song of old Hare Hall.
(there are more verses too)
School Hymn book (1950s editions) Compiled by A. G. F. Elwood 'Formerly Second Master', aided by Mr J. Morley and Mr. F. E. Holmes. (Andy Lee)
The School Song (hymn?) was part of the "traditions" of the school - as much of an institution as the bell, the memorial window, George's cane, the outdoor bogs (so beloved by MJM!), the whiff of hydrogen sulphide which almost constantly drifted across the quad and Bert Pead's roar of outrage if he spotted you climbing out of a window! We do have a computer-generated version of the music as a midi-file in the library as I imagined Fred Holmes leading a string quartet might have played it. I'm sure that, with a copy of the words handy, you could learn it well enough to join Ken Catton's embryo choir for the next re-union! Singing it at Speech Day - or at any other time for that matter was always fun as the "alternative" words were nearly always substituted for the real thing! The only three snippets I can recall are "light you to your destination, Gidea Park or Romford Station" and "For the Ship and the Crown are the best pubs in the town, The head boy ought to know because he's always going down" and "...send out the song of old hairy balls"(DGM)
Mr Hartley was the composer (both words and music?) of the sometime school song so he has something to answer for. Specifically, he ought to be pilloried for using the word "fane". In a lifetime's reading of old and obscure literature, I've never come across this word. There seems to be a word "fane" which means "ruin" but that surely isn't what he meant. If you turn to your Roget's Theauraus section 1000 you will find Fane under the sub-heading of temple or holy place. Thus the meaning is specifiic of "Offer up in England's fane (holy place) Gifts of great and high endeavour" Besides which, it rhymes nicely with Dane. Was this not explained in detail by Mr Jones? Whose music lessons consisted of running us through the school song and twanging his violin. (John Storey)
Since it was or is deemed correct only to rhyme slavishly and perfectly without use of assonance, to employ the reasonable word 'fame', ought not the school song to have opened with 'Norman, Roman, Saxon, Dame? Which also spurs me to ask whether RLS is still boys only (I can hardly believe it, but don't know)? (Robert Priddy)
With the introduction of a fifth House the Song will have to be re-written completely: "Norman, Roman, Saxon, Dane and Viking I hope this little song is to your liking ..." to a suitable 'rap' or 'grunge' rhythm or whatever is popular these days. (Andy)
The old school song's first line could be modified to fit the Vikings in quite easily as follows: 'Norman, Roman, Saxon, Viking, Dane' to the timing'Dah-di, dah-di, di-di di-di, dah'. The melody could also easily be modified a little to fit this. John Hawkins wrote:
Let the world put our aim in to a very special place (Let the world out aim embower – but what aim? Aims, perhaps) Courage, loyalty, beauty, power (Courage, loyalty, beauty, power – are these aims? Can this (er, aim) be empowered as has been suggested?). DOB, dob, dob (Every effort we'll expend – scouting parlance for Do Our Best). We sing this song today so that you will know about us in the future (Send a song along the ages send). Perhaps the embower bit means that old Hartley wanted us to have courage, loyalty, beauty and power in the ladies bedroom. Yes, I'll go for that! But the line I would like to see changed is 'For the cross and crown whisper over land and sea'. Not from where I am sitting they don't. Those living away from England are (thankfully) a mainly vociferous lot! (David Silverside)
The only time I have seen the word 'embowered' used, prior to its appearance in the school song, is in Tennyson's epic poem 'The Lady of Shallot'. I do not have the poem to hand to quote verbatim but it speaks of the LoS being embowered i.e. kept against her will within a tower.
It may not have the same usage in the song as, I believe, keeping women in towers, by means of a curse, was outlawed under the 'Keeping Women in Towers By Means of a Curse Act' of 1914, brought in by the Liberal administration under Lloyd-George. Yours Untruthfully, (Ray Liddard)
I took the second verse line that I quoted to mean something like "Let us encompass the world in our aim", i.e. not limit ourselves to England, but rather take the world within our bower. Admittedly the world does not fit with a definition of bower as a secluded place, etc. The chorus about cross and crown I accepted as referring to church and empire, until my recent encounter with the song on joining this group. I now see that it is also a reference to the school badge. Perhaps others had already made this connection. (John Hawkins)
I can now make sense of the second line in verse 2: England needs the vitality and opportunities of youth (England's need is youth's high chance). To enhance the standing which England enjoys in the world (Seek her prestige to enhance - still in the Empire). Then: Let us encompass/embrace the world in our aim (let the world our aim embower - our aim being personal rather than institutional - the early Global Village concept, how futuristic!) We'll do everything we can to enhance/improve/generate courage, loyalty, beauty, power, (Courage, loyalty, beauty, power, every effort we'll expend - it must be one line - I would have liked an additional verb or two, so there may be another interpretation, but a good mixture of management and artistry).
My admiration for Hartley as a wordsmith improves! Phew! I have yet to look at the chorus but as the song is about school, I had assumed that it meant the students going overseas (wearing their school uniforms? Naaa!) after their education. The thought of church and empire is something I had not considered. But I think it is school because the next line reads 'presaging adventure for the children of the free' and I can't see the church and empire setting up adventures for the boys of the RLS surely they would do this themselves considering the boldness of the main verses. (David Silverside)
My apologies in advance if anyone has already suggested an associated context for "fane". The "temple" idea works well and I wonder if Hartley may have been influenced by Blake's "Jerusalem". It has something of the same flavour and martial emphasis. Moreover, the second verse includes the words: "I will not cease from mental fight/. . . / Until we have built Jerusalem/ In England's green and pleasant land./ The poem is variously interpreted but many commentators agree that it was intended to be a discourse on a "fallen world" that youthful spirit could re-build. Perhaps this also captures the spirit of the School Song. (Peter G. Underwood)
Say what you like about "fane", it's still a poor show that the writer had to use an obscure word to make his very first rhyming couplet. But you can see the problem. Change the word order of the first line, yes.... But what rhymes with Norman, Roman, Saxon? (Suggestions on a postcard please) It comes of someone, possibly not the writer, being adamant about that first line having to be the first line.On the other hand, it made the first two lines unparodiable. (Ian Davidson)
I was always slightly worried about the apparent negativity in the phrase "souls triumphant never never.." I know the allusion is to the following phrase... but this is how I always perceived the message..... *thinks… what a sensitive young man I must have been!....what happened?* (Colin Calvert)
Colin: I think it should be written: ‘Souls triumphant. Never never’ This then link with the next line about batting an eyelid about what obstacles lie in wait for us. But then I may be wrong. (David Silverside)
When the school song is translated from English into Spanish, Spanish into Portuguese, Portuguese back into English, this is what turns up:
Frenchmen,
Italians, early residents of the UK and Danish,
Tender a bid for England's
fears.
Hand-outs of value and excellent accomplishments,
Overconfident,
not at all.
Proceed to the difficult path and mount it,
Propel the sung
message of elderly passageway tresses through the years.
For the crucifix
and royal headwear speak in a low voice,
Across the earth and the ocean,
Suggesting exciting events to the offspring of the non-incarcerated,
Perhaps
the rotating action of responsibility, our major organs excite,
Propel the
sung message of elderly passageway tresses through the years.
The United Kingdoms
requirements are an opportunity for young persons,
Inquire as to her status
in order to improve upon it.
Let the entire globe our intentions fully understand,
Braveness, fidelity, attractiveness strength,
All exertions will be utilized,
Propel the sung message of elderly passageway tresses through the years.
For
the crucifix and royal headwear speak in a low voice,
Across the earth and
the ocean.
Ancient free ones, place in the distance,
Earth or ocean fair-haired
celestial body,
Provide illumination to your objective,
Lead all struggles,
Proceed to the difficult path and mount it,
Propel the sung message of elderly
passageway tresses through the years.
For the crucifix and royal headwear
speak in a low voice,
Across the earth and the ocean, etc.
(Mike Merry)
Members of the 1951 Year Group marked their fiftieth anniversary with a gathering at The Ship on Saturday. One feature was the singing of the School Song, though the chorus did drift into: 'The Cross and Crown is the best pub in the town...'. This prompted memories of the House Teas just before Christmas 1957. Merv Wright and I were custodians of the school gramophone so we were invited to each of the House Teas. One feature of each was the singing of a version of the School Song by the Head Boy and the Captains of the other Houses, with slight variations among the four Houses. The Head Boy was Peter Mitchell; the House Captains were: Dane, John Ainger; Norman, Trevor Norman; Roman, Peter Loney; Saxon, Peter Tilbrook. The chorus went as follows (Peter Mitchell was active in the Young Conservatives):
The Cross
and Crown is the best pub in the town,
The Head Boy ought to know because
he's always going down
May the Tory Party thrive, AcrAcrAcrAcrAcrAncient free
ones, place in the distance,
Let's join it for a skive, Send out the song
of old Hare Hall.
There were slight variations in the verses, of which I remember virtually nothing. However, the first verse started with each of the visitors introducing himself by giving his name. One started (I presume, from the names that is was the Saxon version): Norman, Ainger, Loney, Pete, Greet you from their country seat, It would be interesting to know whether anyone can remember any more of this version and, for that matter, any other versions, giving words and approximate dates. (J. Alan Smith)
HOUSES: NORMAN, ROMAN,
SAXON, DANE & VIKING
Well I've always held the belief that there was a conspiracy
theory lurking somewhere in the background (maybe it's just my paranoia!!),
but, in the years I was there at least, it not only held true for "outdoor"
sports, but
also for such shadowy activities such as Chess and Debating, where it would
seem that Saxons also reigned supreme on most occasions! It was often a cause
for great joy and wonder when someone from our house, or even "other
houses" (did they exist??) actually achieved that celebrated mythical
status of "winning". (David Kelsey)
David Kelsey wrote: "Well in 1972 - 75 it was 1N, 1R,
1S, 1D etc.. to reflect the house names... which I thought was uite sensible,
except for some reason all the "perceived good ones" all ended up
as Saxons!! Us Romans never stood a chance half the time!! So? The conspiracy
to conscript the perceived good ones into the Saxon House continued into the
70s!
Veterans of The List, and particularly The Artist Formerly Known As ... will
recall the several occasions upon which I have previously advanced this theory
relative to the years 1955 - 62! I maintain that David K's post is proof positive
that such a policy existed! ...and it cuts no ice that the occasional non-sporty
Saxon claims his
inclusion into the House Of The Hairy Blonds gives the lie to the theory.
They were heavily outnumbered by the allegedly hand picked sports superstars!
David's quite right! Us Romans never stood a chance half the time!! No more
did Danes or Normans!
This fact, of course, could not diminish the Roman claim to being the favoured
house, there being more strings to their bows, or sticks in their bundle of
fasces, than merely winning the odd sporting competition. But who WAS the
anonymous "power-that-be", the RLS "sorting hat", who
organised new intakes with such unerring bias and made such a one-sided mockery
of House competitions? (David Maltby)
I remember wearing a red shirt while playing football for the Romans in the interhouse B team competition... (David Kelsey 72-75)
This all seems vey odd. I agree with Mike Merry. In my day, 1950-57, the colours were definitely: ROMANS - yellow Normans Blue Saxons Green Danes Red (Geoff Smith)
I'm sure Danes were red. (Bob Tucker)
Saxons were definitely green, I recall. Shows how far ahead of our time we were too. Norman red, I imagine. Romans or Danes yellow??? (Robert Priddy)
Norman - Blue Roman - Yellow Saxon - Green Dane - Red (Mike Merry)
what was the point of these colours? Were there any flags, pennants, badges, coats of arms or what? (Robert Priddy)
Sorry to disagree, gents, but Roman was GOLD, Dane was CERISE and, I believe, Saxon was EMERALD!It was only the Normans who had a plain old blue! Check out the picture of the memorial window for the emblems - or copies of lapel badges from the 2000 reunion. Normans badge showed two ginger tabby cats, Saxons had a bent and chipped sword, Danes had a bloody great chopper and Romans had the fasces (that's f-a-s-c-e-s, no extra "e") or bundle of faggots! (David Maltby)
Didn't we wear coloured sashes when we were competing in house games? (Graham Shuttleworth 46/53)
(Back in 1000 DGM wrote) Roman - gold, Saxon - green, Dane
- red, Norman - blue. The Dane colour was NOT red at all, but was officially
CERISE. After all, why shouldn't the Danes have their little moment of grandeur
too?
But to be Roman was definitely to be on the gold standard - don't just take
my word for it, ask any of our stalwart and worthy Romans! They know a thing
or two! It can't be just co-incidence that we have a majority of Romans on
this list - Romans were (probably still are!) ACHIEVERS!
Someone, in the beginning, was sufficiently far-sighted to realise that a
"yellow" house would be constantly at the mercy of any number of
infantile humorists, so pre-empted them by selecting a colour more suited
to the Roman
house ideals and emblem. Do you remember that on the Kenneth Farnes Memorial
Stained Glass Window? A bundle of "fasces" - (Yes I did spell it
right!) - they didn't call us Romans "Fascists" for nothing! (David
Maltby)
The origin of school
houses, I think, was that they were literally that...at boarding schools people
often lived/slept in different houses. So the house system would have grown out
of that fact and the need for school staff to have house prefects to take on most
of the disciplinary duties and overseeing leisure activities during the 24-hour
day. Thus also came all the famous abuses of power, bullying, fagging, discrimination,
unequal homosexual relationships etc. etc. which were possible when constant adult
care and guidance were virtually withdrawn and the adolescent law of the jungle
would prevail.
The house system at RLS was apparently a very foreshortened
version of public school houses, and I look back on them as healthy and socially-harmless
group identifications as channels for competition that gave a broader age-group
mix at school than otherwise would have occurred. I think it could be developed
more in progressive ways... but then, first one might have to get rid of all the
mass of redundant syllabus, open up to multi-disciplinary research/tutorial methods
using the Net creatively and make many other changes that still seem utopian,
including basing schoolwork on individual motivation plus real ('objective') need,
and to make education a preparation for life, not only for making a living (when
it hardly does even than for many people).(Robert Priddy)
Mike is not entirely
right about House Prefects.
In 1957-58, the House Prefects were as follows.
None of them were School Prefects. Most of them were in VI A, though some were
in VI B (*ed):
Danes: R.H. Beeching, J. Cloke, I.L. Griggs, C.N. Gorman, C.B.
Long, M.H.Long, J.A. Sigournay.
Normans: M.R.V. Baker, K.H.S. Brett, D.J.
Chester, I.R.C. Davidson, K.M.Elliott, F. Parker, B.V. Sims.
Romans: G.J.
Kendall, M.J. Course, J. Cater, C.J. Smith, E.J. Lee, W.N.Bowman (*), B. Curtis
(*), A.M. Harris (*).
Saxons: B.L. Brown (*), B.G. Durham (*), M. Green, J.W.
Morris, J.M. Perry,A. Schultz (*), D.E. Seymour (*), J.A. Smith.
Before compiling
this list I thought that everyone in VI A, who was not a School Prefect, was made
a House Prefect, but this does not appear to have been the case. House Prefects
were listed last in December 1962. Were they abolished when Coles came? (JAS)I
was listed as a Saxon House Prefect in the December 1957 Magazine. By the time
the December 1958 Magazine was published I was a School Prefect and no longer
listed as a House Prefect. I do not recall ever being told I was a House Prefect
or even being asked: there was no badge and there were no duties. My impression
was that it gave boys something to put on their CVs. Looking at the December 1954
Magazine, the House Prefects were as follows:
Danes: J. Ford, E.C. Hamlyn,
J.E. Howard, J. Marsden.
Normans: J. Mills, G.M. Jackman (*), M. George, G.E.
Alexander, J. Offord, D.R. Pettit, K.L. Saxby, A.L. Lambert, V.E. Knight, M.J.
Knight.
Romans: T.J. Bolton, C. Calvert, G. Curtis, D.D. Duffett, G.H.C. Eaton,
C.G.C. Hogg, C.G. Moore, A.J.F. Oxenham, B.S. Smith.
Saxons: W.P. Cloutman,
B.L. Webb.
G.M. Jackman is the only House Prefect who was also listed as a
School Prefect, though seeing the lack of alphabetical order, it may have been
an oversight. Some of the House Prefects later became School Prefects, which could
cause confusion. The Romans and Saxons, but not the Danes and Normans, also listed
their School Prefects. There seems to have been more of an overlap in earlier
years, but it hardly warrants further research.(JAS)
I don't think anyone ever knew what House Prefects were supposed to do. My assumption at the time was that it was something invented to put on job or university applications. Coles changed the system on his arrival at the start of 3rd term in 1963. He widened the "prefect" band so that just about everybody in 6A who hadn't blotted their copybook got a gong. The existing prefect category was slightly slimmed down and renamed Senior Prefects. As I recall, having become a late Newth prefect (mainly on the strength of an imaginative appointment by Buffalo Brooks of your obt servt as the first House Captain living memory who couldn't do sport), the Prefects Room remained the stronghold of the Senior Prefects, and the new and slightly bemused non-senior prefects hung around the door outside if they had any business to transact. There were also Temporary Prefects, taken from 6B during A-levels and in my time they were elected by the Prefects, using a weighted vote PR system (you could give 25 to the person you most favoured and so on down). It was quite an event. I recall Adrian Webster (I think) crawling round the roof so that he could announce the results from the window. Round about 1960 or 1961, two regular prefects were appointed from 6B. I can't remember their names now but it made quite stir at the time. Looking back, I think it was a good system although obviously not so attractive if you didn't become a prefect yourself. The root problem was that it had been invented in the C19 to help the run the Empire, and there wasn't one by 1963.(Ged Martin)
In all the books
about English schools I had ever read (Tom Brown's Schooldays, Goodbye, Mr. Chips,
The Fifth Form at St. Dominic's etc.) each school had its Houses. I learned of
the competition between them and how house members strived at diverse events to
win for their house.
When I arrived at RLS I found the same sort of rivalry
existed at the school. Although our institution wasn't hundreds of years old it
had a very exclusive sounding name and it's houses were named for groups that
had at one time or another, invaded our country and done quite well while plundering,
looting and raping.
I went into Norman House. My cousin had been a Norman
and therefore I was to carry on the tradition. When I received my first "Blue
Book" there it was. House N5, Merry M.J. Form B. I had a home for the next
five years. I soon found out that RLS took its houses seriously. The final period
of each Friday was dedicated to House Group rooms for each of the five Groups.
These were presided over by either the House Master himself or one of the Masters
assigned to that particular House.
Oscar Mold was the Norman's House Master
in 1951/52 and my House Group Master was our own Honourable Member, J.S. Smith.
His remarks on my first report were the saving grace of a most undistinguished
document; the rest of the missive was distinctly unimpressive. However, in the
bottom left hand corner was a small note "Takes an active part in House Group
activities" JSS. In 51/52 we were very proud that the House Captain was Mick
Eastman, who was also Head Boy, Captain of Cricket and Vice Captain of Football.
(Again in '55 Norman's produced a Head Boy, Jackman. Twice in my five years at
the school Norman's outdid the odds.) In 1952/53 I was again in N5 but with Taffy
Thomas, J.S. Smith moving to N3. We met in the Art Room and I became House Group
Leader, a lofty position indeed. The responsibilities involved organizing the
entertainment each Friday afternoon. We would have charades, a quiz and discussions,
anything to fill in the last hour or so. The Group would start with announcements
concerning the House but then the boys themselves took over and the Group Master
was merely a spectator who kept order. In `53/54 I was changed to N2 and Dan Reekie.
We were in Room 7, which many will remember as having the best 2-1/2 Penny football
desk in all the school! I was again in N2 in 54/55 with Dan but my last year,
55/56 was in N3 with J.S. Smith again. "Spook" would sit quietly at
that classic upright desk in Room 1, a small smile on his lips as he watched us
perform in one of the only environments at RLS where self-expression was permitted.
I recall that the House system kept boys of an age together. First and Second
formers were segregated in a couple of the Groups and once one got to the third
form, you were mixed in with the 4th, 5th and 6th. This gave one the opportunity
to get to know the Pr*f*cts in one's Group and hope that this relationship would
keep you out of trouble during regular school hours. Actually, by the third year,
the fear of Pr*f*cts had worn off and they themselves tended to concentrate on
bringing the first and second formers into line and not bothering so much with
the elder boys.
I think that 54/55 was the Normans glory year. We won at
Sports Day as well as Cricket and Swimming. In the Boxing competition we tied
with the Romans. The School Magazine also said we won the Chess competition but
I don't recall that I must admit! In 52/53 I boxed for the first time and Normans
won the Tournament that year. I thought I would have the honor to walk up and
get the Trophy but unfortunately that opportunity went to the 6th former who had
been the Norman's second. Lowe was his name. I thought it most unfair at the time
that a non-combatant should get to meet the Mayoress and shake hands with Scruff
(a dubious honor indeed).
All of the sporting events at the school, with
the exception of the inter-school matches, were fiercely competitive. In those
days one did what one could for the House and felt very proud if you had helped
win an event. There were some magnificent shields in those days, I wonder what
happened to them and all the cups and plates that I remember from those long ago
events? One year I remember the Normans freestyle relay team winning a shield
which the four swimmers took turns in keeping at home. I picked mine up from Mick
Marston in Romford one Saturday morning and was very disappointed to find the
small nameplates with the house names on them which were attached to the large
wooden shield itself, were tarnished. I spent that afternoon shining them to a
high gloss and then displaying the award on our sideboard along with the doilies
and cut glass bowls which usually contained some apples or oranges. I looked at
that shield every morning for three months and when I had to hand it over to the
next member of the team, it was like losing a long lost friend.
The Swimming
Gala was a laugh every year. I just don't know how some of the "competitors"
were selected. It was usually a pleasant summer’s day and everyone sat on the
roofs of the lockers while the events took place and cheered their favorites lustily!
Some of the swimmers failed to finish and slunk under the roped lanes to climb
out on the side of the pool. Others performing in the diving events would do "belly
flops", usually on purpose, soaking any poor soul within their range. These
were fun events.
I still have my swimming and boxing certificates from those
years. I never won any athletic competitions, everyone could run faster, jump
higher and throw further, than me. I loved to attend Sports Day though. It was
usually held on a Saturday and attracted a large crowd. It gave one a chance to
heckle any Pr*f*ct that was in an event with little chance of retaliation!
The inter-house football matches were always hard fought. If you played for your
house it did get you out of class for a Friday afternoon so being a member of
the team had its advantages. I remember Ken Saxby as football captain in '55.
He practically played every position on the field trying to win the game. It just
seemed that everyone put forward their best efforts when Houses were involved.
The House party was usually held each December and everyone was expected
to contribute sandwiches and cakes. The individual groups would put on skits and
other entertainment in the assembly hall after a slap-up feast in the small dining
room. It was strange to eat someone else's Mum's sandwiches and nibble on someone
else's Aunt's cup cakes. The food was usually pretty good though and there was
rarely much left after the first five minutes. Some of the skits very funny, others
somewhat miserable! We would have singers and magicians, mind readers and poetry
recitals, the latter usually drowned out by jeers from the audience who much preferred
the skits and more interesting acts.
Pete Nunn was a friend of mine and an
accomplished amateur magician. He always performed at the skits. For the first
time in my life I learned how a jug of milk could look full but was practically
empty (the jug had a double rim and the small amount of milk merely coated the
inside of the jug. I also remember his magic wand (No rude remarks please) which
he could make collapse and return to its normal shape by pulling on a hidden string.
Pete was a good magician but didn't have the rapport with the audience to be really
successful. His appearance was an invitation for the louts in the audience to
shout out how the trick was being performed, and most of the time they were right!
The inter-house drama competition was usually held in October. This gave whoever
was the senior "Arty" type a chance to pick a play (usually a lousy
choice) and produce it. I acted in a few of these and they were always fun because
you had an excuse to smoke on the stage (only of course, in the name of true art)
and not be punished for it. I was in Compromise in 1954 and myself and Pete Dawson,
who at 15 had a pretty good moustache on his upper lip, played a couple of carpenters
and smoked pipes. I recall one of my lines from that play which was "them
what `as ears to `ear, let 'em 'ear". Jake Melnick would always quote this
to me afterwards in his English classes.
The House part of school life was
a very good thing at RLS in the 50's. It encouraged friendship and taught us how
to work with others. The rivalry was strong and bragging rights much sought after.
I was sorry to learn that the House Group meetings were eventually done away with,
but things change and I guess the school was merely keeping up with the times.
History shows that Gussie Hartley got it right when he wrote the school song and
started it with the house names. I don't know if we `offered up in England’s fane'
or not but the Houses were a very important part of our lives in those days. He
even managed to put the Normans first. There's insight for you! (Mike Merry)
As a Roman, we did proper things during the last period Friday. We used to cut out and display adverts from newspapers without the actual product being mentioned. There was a round of applause for the first person to get them right. But I remember the debates we would have. Political, social etc. How did all of these older boys know so much about the world around them? Perhaps they read newspapers other than the Daily Mirror to which I was subject.(David Silverside)
A popular activity at house group meetings, last period Fridays, was the scavenger hunt. It got us out of the room, and stretched the legs. I recall that a prefect’s badge was a difficult item, requiring a gentle con on one of the softer orderlies. Does anyone remember any outrageous items that were acquired? (John Hawkins)
During his address to the July 2000 Reunion Mr. Morrall referred - en passant- to 'Viking' House. /Andy)
Ray wondered: "Why Vikings? Surely the Danes fell under the broad description of Vikings already?" I agree. (Andy)
I had always believed that it was intended that Siblings and Descendants should be in the same house. Indeed I thought I had checked this with the penultimate oracle. (Bill Broderick)
I say chaps, as the newest boy I am sorry to have set off the rumpus about the superiority of the Norman House. In case my comment has caused offence I hasten to assure everyone that the Normans were not always on top during my time at the School. Looking back through the mists of time, or, as Andy Lee would no doubt describe it, an alcoholic haze, I seem to see one year in which there was an empty space on the groaning trophy table. I think the gap should have been occupied by the Dawes Long Jump Cup (that was a senior competition, wasn't it?). Not quite sure why we were denied the pot, but, Normans being decent fellows, I expect our lot didn't try all that hard in that particular competition so as to give the other Houses a chance of picking up at least one piece of silver ware. (Peter Ray)
Has anyone any idea of how the school assigned pupils to houses? I became a Saxon entirely because of the family thing. I vaguely remember the occasion, I think Fuss Holmes conducted the ceremony of selection. It did seem to be somewhat arbitrary.(MJM)
I am sure that it was done on a N-S-R-D basis down the alphabetical list of the year's intake. I vaguely remember noticing that in the Blue Book. (Graham Lee) Bob commented: "I'm not at all sure why DGM should be inordinately proud of having been allocated to the Roman House, presumably as part of some random process!" ...and asked: "Perhaps you could enlighten us David?" A very difficult concept to put across, satisfactorily, to anyone who did not experience the privilege! This was a Roman "thing". If you were selected (not allocated!!! Danes and Normans were "allocated". Saxons, as we ALL know though no-one has yet admitted it, were bloody hand-picked according to their sporting prowess in their Junior schools!) - so, selected to join the Roman House, it just was something of which one was inordinately proud. We tried our best for the honour of the House, we delighted (graciously) in our many successes and resolved to gird our loins ever more firmly in the face of our not wholly infrequent defeats. But coming fourth in the School Athletics Championship seven times between 1955 and 1962 was not the end of the world, nor did it in any way indicate that Romans was not the best house... It was a "Roman thing", rather like aqueducts, central heating, a good transport system, hot baths after physical exertion, education, three square meals a day, salaries...etc...etc (DGM)
By '63 it would appear that all new students' names were listed alphabetically and the following methodology applied: Class: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1A, 1B, 1C, etc. ad infinitum. House: Dane, Norman, Roman, Saxon, Dane, Norman, Roman, Saxon, etc. ad infinitum. I recall being asked if I had played footy for my previous school. The negative reply meant that I was never destined for the top 22 despite how good I may have been. The fact that my previous (private) school did not compete with other schools was immaterial and the fact that I had won a prize for goal keeping never came to light. There ended any interest that I ever had in competitive sport. (David ?)
Saxons, as we ALL know though no-one has yet admitted it, were bloody hand-picked according to their sporting prowess in their Junior schools! (DGM)
Boy, did they get it wrong with me! (JAS)
These protestations are, of course, but the exceptions that prove the rule. One supposes that even the Saxons couldn't risk being TOO blatant so, after they had helped themselves to more than their fair share of intake sportsmen, they padded out their numbers with a few (just a few!) who were not-so-interested in sport and games. It didn't matter because the die was already cast, the dastardly deed done, the "fix" was already in!
In support of my contention I point you to the library photo of the 1957 U14 Soccer team.
Front row Rob Horsnell - Dane, Peter Marshall - Saxon, Tom Cracknell - Saxon, Chapman - Can't remember, Chris Rawlings - Saxon. Back row Mick Pidgeon (Can't remember - Norman I think), Mick Sanders - Saxon, Steve Cuthbert - Dane, David Maltby - Roman, Joe Lane - Saxon and Dave Cox - bloody Saxon!!! By any reckoning six out of eleven is hogging it a bit when the other five places have to be shared by three!!
And the coup de grace to top off my argument is the arrival in the school, in our second year, when Saxon supremacy had already been established, of Joe Lane. Obviously a big, well-muscled bloke (his five-o'clock-shadow manifested itself round about 10.30 am), he divulged in answer to our questions that he was a centre-forward, a shot putter and a sprinter - and successful too! (never over-burdened by modesty, Joe!). Eyeing him up we believed him. Next question, what house? The Danes, Normans and Romans saw a faint glimmer of light, a remote possibility of swinging the scales slightly more towards equality.
But no! Saxon!!! Bloody Saxon!!!!
Now I ask you! Was there ANYTHING the Saxons needed less than another footballer? Joe was a centre-forward of the "old school" - a la Nat Lofthouse or Bobby Smith. Not particularly pretty to watch and not over-imbued with technical excellence but horrendously effective - as long as he was on your side. I shall long remember the fiendish chuckle of glee that used to emanate from Joe as he shoulder-charged the opposing centre-half out of his way and bore down on the hapless goalkeeper. More often than not both goalkeeper and ball finished in the net - and the rules allowed such barbaric treatment of custodians in those days! Remember the outrage dished out to Harry Gregg by Nat Lofthouse in the 1958 FA Cup Final? And the goal was allowed!!
Then a sprinter? Did the Saxons need another sprinter? Did they hell! Already in our year group Dick Stokes and Dave Cox had the 100 and 200 yards races sewn up! Joe's arrival merely ensured the bloody Saxons a 1-2-3 every year from then on in.
For sure, there was SOMEONE of influence looking after the sporting interests of the Saxons between 55 and 62 and I defy any Saxon of that era to produce evidence to refute this claim! (David Maltby)
I shall sneak on the house. I think 1949-1956 or later was probably a time of subtle match-fixing at the pre-selection level, by `house-fixing`. All I can do is add my bit. Sports is all about winners, and you hear little about the losers. I know only too well. When I was at preparatory school, I was a sports winner. I actually cleaned out half the athletics cups and prizes in my last year there (high jump/long jump/100 yds/220 yds/throwing the cricket ball). I also fancied myself as a spin bowler - both leg and off varieties. (I still do bowl rotten autumn apples around the garden with exceeding spin accuracy). When I was to be tested by GHRN as a kind of `wild card` entrant in the 2nd year at RLS, he questioned me in detail about my sports` achievements & bowling/batting etc. He allocated me to 2L, Saxon house. This is my evidence, then, m`lord. May my case rest on it. (Robert Priddy)
Thank you mille fois. This evidence, straight from the horses's mouth, is welcome proof of my contention that there was pre-selection "fixing"! And by no less a personage than Himself - George Henry Reginald, indeed!!! Now the question remains - "Why?"
To George himself the matter of success in Inter House Competitions must have been of little moment - so who was the Saxon House Master that George was buttering-up? And why? Or...who was the Norman (Dane or Roman but probably the former if Mike Merry and School Magazines are to be believed) House Master up whose nose George was trying to get?
Fixes of such magnitude and with such a success rate just don't occur for no reason! There HAS to be an axe being ground here somewhere. I know George was a mathematician ( and they're a peculiar breed of fellows, always likely to behave in an irrational manner) but no-one will convince me that George was working out quadratic equations in his head while he paced solemnly across the playground from South Drive to the main building and vice versa!
No indeedy! He was plotting his next move in the Give the Saxons a Leg Up Saga! (David Maltby)
Fox was the Saxon
House Master in 1949-50 [I have a facsimile of the A&YB from Barry Kraushaar]. The others were: Danes, Morley; Normans, Mold;
and Romans, Pilling [the Second Master at the time was Elwood]. (J. Alan Smith)
During my time at RLS the House system was flourishing. This greatly helped relationships between younger and older pupils who were therefore brought together once a week for a House Group meeting and also for the various House activities such as the Drama Competition, the Year End House party, the football, cricket, swimming etc. competitions.
I recall that the '50 entry were particularly talented both as scholars and sportsmen. Many of them interacted willingly with lower forms in these activities and it remains one of my more positive memories of the the School that this occurred.
KLS along with the Smiths, Norman, Ainger, Marston and many others were examples of this. When Ken Saxby says he's glad I read what he writes he might be surprised that, I remember the example he set at RLS more readily! (Mike Merry)