scissorum issue 137 july 08 2016 - merchant taylors' school · ‘seaside rendezvous’ with...

Merchant Taylors’ School Weekly Newsletter01 July 07 2016

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Merchant Taylors’ School Issue 137

Music Week!


MTSThis Week

The past few days have seen a festival of music at MTS with Music Week in full swing. Jazz Night and the Summer Serenade were just two highlights among so many wonderful individual and collective performances. I would like to thank Mr Couldridge and Mrs Stubbs for all their work and the boys who took part – their talents provided rich entertainment.

I am also delighted to report sporting success with the Merchant Taylors’ U15A cricket team beating Whitgift to go through to the fi nals of the ESCA National T20 competition. This puts them in the last 4 in the country – a simply stunning accomplishment – and we look forward to seeing them contest the semi-fi nal at Arundel on September 4th.

Yesterday was House Athletics. The sun shone as the boys competed in track and fi eld events – a particular mention goes to Upper Sixth Former Andrew Brooker who raced to victory in the 100 metres in under 11 seconds.

As we approach the holidays, we must refl ect on an extraordinary year. The merger to create Merchant Taylors’ Prep, the visit of HRH the Duke of Gloucester to open the Design Centre, our highest number of Oxbridge entrants in many years, national hockey and cricket success – these are just a few of the highlights we have enjoyed. I would like to pay tribute to the endeavour of all the boys, and especially our Upper Sixth leavers to whom we wish the very best for their futures; they will always be welcome back at Sandy Lodge. Lastly, I would like to thank the Senior Common Room; our teachers’ exceptional industry and dedication continue to inspire the boys to ever greater levels of achievement.

With very best wishes for the summer break.

From the Head Master

U15A Cricket team: Regional Champions!


MTSMusicJazz Night Last Friday evening an enthusiastic audience was treated to some high-class jazz in the new Design Centre. The three school jazz ensembles – the Dixieland Band, Merchants of Groove and the Swing Band – performed with their usual panache and fl air, and were well received by the listeners. We were also treated to music performed by a number of other ensembles which included the Senior Percussion Ensemble, the Vincent Mastin Trio, the Harrison Robb Sextet, the

Harrison Robb Duo, and Five Hands at One Piano. There were also solo performances by Louis Duggan who played the trombone and Marcus Cox who sang “Someone to Watch over Me”. The evening closed with the sta� band Roses are Blue, who yet again showed us how talented they are. Many thanks to the Serenaders who organised the event, to Dave Fayer and his team who provided the delicious bu� et, and to Robsons Estate Agents for their generous sponsorship of the evening.


MTSMusicJazz Night


MTSMusicSummer SerenadeFor the second year in a row the Summer Serenade took place outside in the Inner Quad. As ever, the programme was a varied mixture of vocal and instrumental music performed by orchestras, bands and choirs. Joan Stubbs stepped onto the podium to open the concert with the Concert Band to perform an arranged medley of Louis Armstrong hits, and then followed this with a tribute to the late David Bowie who died earlier this year by performing an arrangement of ‘Life on Mars’.

Regular members of Sinfonia enjoyed having Upper Sixth Formers Andy Brooker, Ewan Patel and Elliot Arnold join them for their performance of ‘Blues Tango’ before the Thomas White Singers, directed by Ben Peart, sang a complicated a cappella version of Freddie Mercury’s ‘Seaside Rendezvous’ with great panache. Marcus Cox, replete in knitted tank top (thanks to GPM), took on conducting duties with the Wind Band next, in a humorous performance of ‘Wallace & Gromit’. They then played ‘Hawaii 5-0’,

suitably attired in sunglasses, once more under the direction of Joan Stubbs.

The Upper Sixth Leavers then took to the stage to give a polished performance of ‘Feelin’ Good’ which was specially arranged by Rafi Kelion, with Alex Hattam taking the lead vocals. The Dixieland Band provided a splendid musical diversion before the entire Third Form, wearing bow ties for the occasion, took us to the interval with two lively songs – ‘There’s No Business Like


MTSMusicSummer SerenadeShow Business’ and ‘Barber Shop Blues’, school accompanist Richard Hobson making his fi rst appearance of the night.

After a serving of British summers’ traditional fayre (in a plastic cup) the second half was kicked o� with the Percussions Ensembles’ performances of ‘Brazil’ (Junior Percussion) and ‘Blue Rondo a la Turk’ (Senior Percussion), both directed by Jonathan Lawrence. Duncan Saunderson then directed the Vocal Group in performances featuring Esher Bains and Ben Peart as vocal soloists, with Rafi Kelion popping up again to play fl ute alongside the choir, before the Swing Band played, fresh from Jazz Night in the Design Centre, with a guest bass player completing the rhythm section on the night.

The home straight was begun with the Chamber Orchestra, featuring Rafi Kelion as the soloist on the fl ute, giving a sophisticated performance of three movements from Bach’s ‘Orchestral Suite in B minor’ under the baton of Simon Couldridge. He remained on the podium to conduct the Senior Orchestra in a stunning performance of Holst’s ‘Mars’ from ‘The Planets’. After such a bombastic classic, it only seemed right to play something a little lighter, and Leroy Anderson’s ‘Blue Tango’ seemed to fi t the bill perfectly. Joan Stubbs, once again supported by a backing band led by school accompanist Richard Hobson, then conducted the Serenade Singers before Simon Couldridge invited the audience to sing with the Senior Orchestra and the Serenade Singers in the traditional rousing performance of ‘Rule Britannia’, with Ben Peart, resplendent in his Last-Night-of-the-Proms style waistcoat, as solo tenor. Spectacular fi reworks then concluded the evening.


MTSMusicSummer Serenade


MTSMusicMusic in the UndercroftOn Tuesday Hour a short concert of chamber music and solos took place in the Undercroft. The Wind Quintet began proceedings with three Shanties by Malcolm Arnold, playing with delicacy and sensitivity. The Clarinet Quartet and Guitar Ensemble also took part, providing the audience with nicely chosen and well contrasting

pieces. We heard two choral items – the Thomas White Singers, singing for the last time under the directorship of Ben Peart, and the Vocal Group who were directed by Duncan Saunderson, our singing teacher. A most unusual item featured George Wright, Yasar Cohen-Shah, Nathaniel Warren, Marcus Cox and Harrison Robb who

performed two piano pieces playing simultaneously with their right hands only at the keyboard. We also heard two guitar solos which were played by Sean Duggan and Matthew Barnfather. The appreciative audience thoroughly enjoyed this lunchtime concert and the glass of Pimms which accompanied it.


MTSThis WeekU15A team are Regional Champions!Regional Semi-fi nalAfter the game being rescheduled twice due to poor weather, the U15 A team fi nally got their opportunity to play St Paul’s in the 20 over county cup fi nal.

With rain about, the game was reduced to 15 overs. MTS put the hosts into bat on what looked like a slow wicket. Tight bowling led to an early wicket before the rain came. After a brief delay the boys went back out and continued to build pressure, ensuring the St Paul’s innings never got underway. There were good spells from Aman Sandhu (1-14) and Matthew Bowden (3 overs for 12 runs). Brij Kantaria bowled an excellent spell of death bowling to fi nish o� the innings (3 overs 12 runs for 3 wickets).

St Paul’s ended up on 79-4 o� their 15 overs. MTS got o� to a very strong start

despite losing an early wicket. We scored at a high rate with powerful shots from Max John often clearing the boundary. However, wickets continued to fall until Jack Leathem came to the crease and with a well compiled 30* guided the U15 As to their fi rst regional fi nal win with two overs to spare.

Rafi que Ossman

Regional FinalThe South East England fi nal saw us take on a strong Whitgift side. After winning the toss, captain Rafi que Ossman made a wise choice in bowling fi rst. Kabir Mandair took the fi rst over and cleaned up their opening batsman, going for only 2 o� that over. We capitalised on this great start by limiting Whitgift to 31-5 o�

the fi rst 7 overs. We then applied further pressure, ensuring Whitgift only scored 93-8 o� their 20 overs. We knew the job was only half done and the runs still had to be scored. Max John and David Burnell went about this with a positive intent posting 47 from the opening partnerships o� the fi rst 6 overs. Max John (40) top scored again although there followed a mini collapse as in the previous match. A nerve wracking fi nish meant we needed 3 o� the last two overs to win with 2 wickets left. Kabir Mandair stepped up again, hitting a four to win us the match. Major performances came from Tom Steene - taking 3 wickets o� his 4 overs for 20 runs and Max John with a composed innings of 40 runs. We now play Millfi eld in the national semi-fi nal on September 4th.

Aman Sandhu


MTSLooking Forward

Sixth Form French Trip to Brussels

Dates: 23-27th October Please contact Mr Rippier if you are interested - [email protected]

French trip to Brussels for Sixth Form linguists

Discover Brussels and the historic Belgian towns of Antwerp and Ghent &

Learn to cook French meals at cookery school - in French!


MTSThis WeekCharity Drive End-of-Year So we have raised £4843.85 this year!

This year once again Charity Drive has had great success in raising money for a number of chosen charities. The committee has organised two Mufti Days, among other events, including a Sta� v Student Basketball Match and a FIFA Tournament. The year was rounded of this week, with the team selling refreshments at this year’s House Athletics Competition.

This year, the committee is supporting three charities: the Raphael Centre in India, the Sunshine House and the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.

The Raphael Centre in India is a

charity with close links to the school: the Charity Drive committee, as well as the school as a whole, have supported the centre for several years and this year sees a continuation of this tradition, with a large sum of our total profi ts being donated their.

The RNIB Sunshine House, based in Northwood, provides help to young people with disabilities, allowing them to achieve their full potential. Young people are able to stay at the centre for up to four nights a week, fi fty weeks a year, and so all the money raised will be used to fund a brilliant cause.

The Mount Vernon Cancer Centre is one of the country’s leading centres for

cancer treatment: it employs over 500 sta� and treats over 5000 new patients every year. In this year’s Charities Assembly, Marianne Louca, from the Mount Vernon Centre, gave a talk on how money from donations is used- from renovating waiting areas to paying for new, specialist equipment, our donations will clearly make a di� erence to the lives of many people.

The Charity Drive Committee would like to thank Ms Blowes for all her help in organising events this year. Even more importantly, we would like to thank all students and sta� for getting involved in Charity Drive events and, in doing so, helping us to raise lots of money for our three very worthy causes.

Castle CompetitionThis year the MTS Castle Competition has produced another set of highly impressive castles that left the judge struggling to pick from the excellent array of Motte and Bailey, Square Keep and Concentric designs. Boys from the Thirds and Upper Thirds have been working hard since half term and the judge commented that the level of e� ort put into creating an historically accurate castle was plain to see. After much deliberation, third prize has been awarded to Gauranga Patel for his Motte and Bailey castle which showed some pleasing historical detail and a clever use of materials and textures. Second prize goes to Luca Braddock, Tian Ma and Thom Haynes who were praised for their intricate detailing of the walls and an ambitious design that clearly emulated Welsh concentric designs, built on cli� s for extra defence. First prize was awarded to Ozkan Bellerose, Ayush Tokeria and Jeshuran Jebanesan whose Motte and Bailey was highly accurate and made

creative use of materials such as cocktail sticks for the palisade, or fence, which also required intensive e� ort. All the boys will receive certifi cates for their endeavours and these, along with the prizes for the winners will be presented next term.

First Place

Second Place

Third Place


MTSThis WeekBook Boffz The Upper Third Formers bid farewell to Book Bo� z at their end of year party in the library on Friday, but not before being narrowly beaten into second place

by some Third Formers in a challenging book treasure hunt. After demonstrating their powers of deduction and skills in searching on the library catalogue Oliver,

the club members were all awarded with a Book Bo� z certifi cate and a rare opportunity to eat in the library.

Book Bo� z will restart in November.

Certifi cates Treasure Hunt Winners

Treasure Hunt

Treasure Hunt

Party

Treasure Hunt


MTSThis WeekGreat books to read!Three copies of the last ever CHERUB book signed by author Robert Muchamore were on o� er to the best reviewers of any titles on our ‘Great Books to Read’ and ‘More Great Books to

Read’ booklists, available to view on the library catalogue Oliver. These booklists are aimed at boys in Years 6 – 9 and are great starting points when choosing new books to read.

The lucky winners of the prize copies were Jeshuran Jebanesan, Zain Lodhi and Tianyue Ma.

Winner Jeshuran Jebanesan Winner Tianyue Ma Winner Zain Lodhi


MTSThis WeekThirds Poems

Here are some poems on summer/the end of the year by 3KS.

Summer SunBy Marcus Hills

Green spreads like mouldy butter over the fl at fl ood plain.Streaks of white paint fl ash across the fi elds like the shadow of a rabbit.Trees sway like a gentle baby lying in a cot.The grounds men seem to polish the estate, like you would polish a fork.The students roam the vast plains, wear their summer uniform and play their summer sports.

A Cricket Ball in Summer By Ghazi Rehman

Across the grass, cut neat to perfection,I bounce through the cricket pavilions.I get whacked for a six, Landing on a patch of fresh lush grass.

I see the sun shining,Alongside a choo-choo train of clouds.The trees loom over me, As a fi elder runs and throws me,

As the last wicket is bowled,I lie on the ground, tired out.

Beginning to look like summerBy Mayowa Temowo

I step across the freshly cut grass as the sun blazes down on us.There is nothing but blue sky fi lled with small balls of cotton wool.The sun refl ects o� the cricket ball as it leaves the bowler’s hand

We are enclosed in the fi eld by trees swaying towards us.As we stand in the middle of the fi eld we can just hear the serenade band rehearsingWe stand in the middle of the square, part of the pattern.Groundsmen scurry to care for the pitches.

The shadows run along the ground away from usAnd the sky looks lighter as it goes further.It’s beginning to look like Summer!

A Year OnBy Enrico Caricati

The long drive,A guide to the expedition home, The start of a journey back.

I can remember the time of orange, withered leaves scattered across the path,

Puddles spotted the road.Then there was a time of ice and frost,Grass powdered with white,Frozen glands of concrete all around.Now the glaring sun illuminates the scene,Cows are masticating on the fresh, damp grass,Light is shining through gaps in the many trees.

The Past and FutureBy Eshan Vadgama

It was a long journeyIt was a train journeyFrom Northwood Hills to NorthwoodFrom Kenton road to KentonFrom Year 6 to Year 7.

I was once 10 years oldIn Year 6, so I was told,10 months later, I was 11,4 years before, I was 7.

It was long journeyThrough the school buildingsFrom the English Department to the Inner QuadFrom the Clock Tower to the Playing Fields.

It was a long journeyFrom Year 6 to Year 7.


MTSThis WeekThirds Poems

SportsBy Mirren Shah

At the start of my yearI could hearThe sounds of balls being smacked on a stick.I could seeThe big, padded goalkeepers diving to save the game,The players,Sweating like crazy and running around the fi eldFollowing a small orange ball.

In winterI was bruised and battered,My fi ngers were numb and my breath was cold.Towering fi gures were running towards me,Smothered in mud,With determined faces.The only way to stop them was to tackle.Push them to the ground and start a ruck.It was like an all-out turf-war.

Now,I know what I am doing.

Smacking that ball into the crowd,And smashing that ball onto the wicket.My refl exes have to be sharp.You never know what to expect.

Now that this year’s done,It’s time to refl ect uponWhat I did right and what I did wrongAnd what I could learn from.

Complaining About the Weatherby Toby Page

In winter I told rain to go away,and come again another day,I didn’t think it’d come back today,Why oh why did I send rain away?

But now most of the rain is gone,the sky is blue, and the bad weather’s done,the searing heat and stu� y rooms have come,Wishing for heat? Now I feel dumb!

I sit in the shade to hide from the heat,And I watch others sweat as the sun does beat

its rays upon them, as they meet,their shoes, and they get stu� y feet.

The grass is wet from night time showers,the plain, boring grass has no fl owers,you’d easily get thirsty, after severalhours,Oh, I’ve no idea of nature’s powers!

SummerBy Oliver Mills

Summer is just around the corner The fi elds are lit up The metropolitan line is doing its jobThe fl owers are growing And the pupils and teachers of MTS are working hard waiting for the end of Thursday

The AstroTurf and the running track are being used by energetic boysThe blue sky is carrying patches of cotton woolThe trees are becoming more green and lighterWith the sun becoming closer to the earth.


MTSThis WeekCoast to Cols Cycle ChallengeOn Tuesday morning the Development Director, Nick Latham, and his brother Peter will be setting o� on a charity cycle ride. Over fi ve days they will be cycling 540 miles from St Malo to the peak of the Col du Tourmalet, close to the Spanish border.

They will be raising money for Cancer Research UK, a charity that means a massive amount to both of them. If you would like to make a donation, they would really appreciate your support. To make a donation and to read more information about the challenge, please do visit their JustGiving page here:

https://justgiving.com/fundraising/coasttocols Nick and Peter will keep the site updated with their progress as well as via various social media.

Thank you for anything you can do to support this great cause.

Nick and Pete (and bikes)

https://justgiving.com/fundraising/coasttocols


MTSThis WeekBattle of The Somme

2nd Lt Harry Squier, Bedfordshire Regiment 10th Bn. attd. 8th Bn, died 19th April 1916

As part of a week of commemoration, we are remembering some of the Old Boys who lost their lives in the fi rst half of 1916.

Harry Squier was born in 1895, the son of a merchant’s clerk, and attended Merchant Taylors’ from 1908-14. By 1901 the family had moved to Egmont Road, Sutton and by 1911 they were living at Cumbrae Grove Road, Cheam. He made a name for himself in the OTC (now the CCF) gaining several promotions and his section winning the Sir Thomas White Shield in 1913. He also won a Sixth Form Scholarship in 1911 and left the School to go up to Queens’ College, Cambridge in the summer of 1914. Sadly, his plans changed as a result of the war and his experience in the OTC led him to enlist in the Public Schools Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. He gained a commission in the 7th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment in February 1915. After o� cer training he was attached to the

8th Battalion of the Bedfordshires and embarked for France on the 23 March 1916. He arrived on the front lines on the 28 March and sadly was killed just three weeks later.

Although initially posted as missing and thought to have been captured by the Germans, his body was found a few days later and buried in the Essex Farm Cemetery, Boezinghe, Ypres. His death is recorded as the 19th April and is commemorated on the Cheam War Memorial.

2nd Lieutenant Alan M Fleming wrote to Harry’s father on the 29 April 1916:

Dear Sir,

I am extremely grieved to have to inform you that the body of your son 2nd Lt Squier, has been recovered from our front line trenches.

We had every hope that he had been taken prisoner, (more especially as the Germans claimed an O� cer prisoner) but last night the Brigade wired us that his body had been recovered: his pockets had evidently been rifl ed, as there was absolutely nothing left in them except the enclosed two papers.

He is being buried in the Brigade Cemetery, at a place called Essex Farm, on the banks of the Yser Canal, about half way between Ypres and Boesinghe. A cross is being put up in

his memory tonight.

Mr Martin, who wrote to you before has gone home on leave, so I undertook to write to you for him.

We are all very grieved at the sad news here I sympathise with you very deeply.

2nd Lt Harry Squier

A letter from Private Tucker dated 3 May 1916 describes briefl y the battle at which Harry Squier was thought to have been taken prisoner by the Germans

This photo was taken shortly before Harry Squier left for the front in 1916


MTSThis Week2nd Lt Godfrey Hunter, 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, died 26th April 1916Godfrey Hunter was born in 1889, the youngest son of Herbert Hunter who was Assistant Solicitor to the London County Council. He attended Merchant Taylors’ between 1900-4 before going on to Westminster School. His story is not remarkable for his time at the School, but rather because he lost his life in the early days of the Easter Rising in April 1916.

Having attended Trinity Hall, Cambridge from 1907-10, he became a Batchelor of Law in in 1911 and was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn on November 17th, 1911. He joined the Inns of Court OTC and it was therefore no surprise that he should enlist very early after the outbreak of war on August 15th, 1914. He was attached to the 5th Royal Lancers (Special Reserve) and became a Machine Gun O� cer in 1915.

The Regiment had been in reserve for several months when Hunter found himself in Dublin on April 24th, the day of the Easter Rising by Irish Nationalists seeking independence whilst British forces were heavily involved in the Great War. The Rebels seized several strong points at the heart of the city, including most famously, the General Post O� ce which became their headquarters. Five cart loads of rifl es and a large amount of ammunition brought from England needed to be transported from the North Wall railway terminus to the Magazine Fort in Phoenix Park. Fifty mounted lancers, under the command of Godfrey Jackson Hunter, were instructed to provide an escort. As the lancers approached the Four Courts a number of Irish Volunteers opened fi re. Lieutenant Hunter ordered his men to fall back and they desperately tried to move out of the line of fi re. The lancers managed to take cover at the nearby Collier’s Dispensary and Medical Mission

buildings. They moved the ammunition inside and turned the wagons over to form a barricade. The two groups then proceeded to fi re at one another, the volunteers attacking and being repulsed on several occasions over the following days. On Wednesday 26th April, during an exchange of gun fi re, Hunter was shot dead. The remaining lancers were eventually relieved the following day by soldiers using makeshift armoured

vehicles created from boilers from the nearby Guinness Brewery

Although he was initially buried in Dublin Castle alongside other fatalities of the rising, Hunter’s body was eventually removed to Grangegorman Military Cemetery. His Headstone contains the epitaph made notorious by Wilfred Owen’s poem:

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori

2nd Lt Godfrey Hunter’s tombstone


Squadron Quartermaster Serjeant Charles Alderton, 1st King Edward’s Horse “C” Sqdn, died 5th May 1916

Charles Alderton was born in Watford in 1880 and attended Merchant Taylors’ from 1891-6. The Taylorian records some appearances in form rugby matches (in the days when the older boys could play against their younger counterparts) and also a substantial donation to the School Mission – the equivalent of the Community Service group today. He went on to become an engineer and travelled the empire, according to the Taylorian working in South and West Africa, Alaska, British Columbia and the United States. The School lost touch with him and at one point asked for information to confi rm the

rumour that he had taken up farming in the Transvaal.

At the onset of war he was in Canada and enlisted in the King Edward’s Horse Regiment. He served in France and wrote to the Taylorian at the start of 1916 stating that he had been at the front for nine months before sending good wishes to his old school.

Sadly, he was killed in an accident. He was riding a horse which was startled by a lorry. He was thrown and run over by the lorry. The Taylorian described him as “an old OMT colonial of the fi nest type.”

Squadron Quartermaster Serjeant Charles Alderton, 1st King

MTSThis Week

Corporal Bertram Donald, South African Infantry 12th Regiment, died 12th May 1916Bertram Donald was born in 1881, the son of a land agent, and attended Merchant Taylors’ from 1894-6. He had a younger brother who also attended the School and who made a name for himself as a rugby player, but the Taylorian contains no reference to Bertram Donald during his time at the School.

Nevertheless, he is recorded as having emigrated to South Africa where he worked as an engineer and he maintained his links with the School by giving generously to the Mission Endowment Fund whilst in South Africa. The Taylorian obituary also suggests that he had fought in the Boer War (winning the Queen’s medal) and subsequently in what was then known as Zululand (modern day KwaZulu-Natal).

He enlisted with the South African infantry and fought in German East Africa, which included which included

what are now Burundi, Rwanda, and the mainland part of present Tanzania. The strategy of the German colonial forces, was to divert forces from the Western Front to Africa. The strategy achieved only mixed results after 1916, when he was driven out of German East Africa and Allied forces became composed almost entirely of South African, Indian and other colonial troops.

On 9th May, 4000 Germans under Major Kraut launched a night attack on South African troops at Kondoa Irangi, a highly important strategic point seized in April by South African forces under General Deventer. The Taylorian took up the story: “He died a splendid death, having been wounded when carrying ammunition to the garrison of a fort where the enemy was making a most determined attack. He volunteered for the work, and had previously, on the same

night, volunteered for another very dangerous errand, and got through with the message entrusted to him.” He died three days later from his wounds and is buried in the former capital of German East Africe, Dar es Salaam War Cemetery.

Squadron Quartermaster Serjeant Charles Alderton

Squadron Quartermaster Serjeant Charles Alderton


Major Herbert Cotton, 99th Deccan Infantry, attd 76th Punjabis, died 23rd May 1916Herbert Cotton was born in 1876 and attended Merchant Taylors’ from 1886-93. He fi rst comes to our attention as the winner of the Under 16 Swimming Race over 4 lengths in 1891. The School also ran a competition diving for plates (I assume from the pool fl oor) and Cotton won this with 21 pates from three attempts. Clearly swimming was a strong interest as he attended the ‘Royal Humane Society’s Competition’ held during the summer holidays at the swimming pool in Liverpool Road, two miles from the School in Charterhouse Square. It was basically a series of life-saving drills with a dummy and Cotton came 10th out of 12 competitors.

He left in 1893 to go to Sandhurst and

subsequently gained a commission in the Indian Sta� Corps. Although mostly a cavalry o� cer, he was subsequently transferred to the 99th Infantry. At the start of the war he was home on sick leave but was soon recalled to India before transferring to the 76th Punjabis who were involved in the Syrian campaign and the Battle of Ctesiphon.

He soon found himself leading a regiment due to the serious number of casualties amongst senior o� cers in this disastrous battle for Allied forces. During the siege of Kut-el-Mara he was reported wounded.

From a memorial plaque to him in St Materiana Church, Tintagel, Cornwall,

it would appear he was taken prisoner of war following the surrender of Kut el Mara and died in captivity at the age of 40.

Major Herbert Cotton, 99th Deccan Infantry, attd 76th Punjabis,

MTSThis Week

Corporal Charles Bashford, Canadian Infantry 27th Battalion, died 25th May, 1916

Charles Bashford was born in Wickham, Norfolk in 1884, the son of a Vicar. He attend Merchant Taylors’ from 1896-1901. He was the younger brother of A M Bashford who was something of a ‘star’ at the School, a fi ne cricketer who also went on to win a Choral Scholarship to Jesus College, Cambridge. Charles, by contrast, is notably absent from the pages of the Taylorian, save for the announcement of his

leaving in 1901, at which time he was living with his sister and her husband in Finchley. One can imagine the family dynamic.

In 1907 he travelled to Canada and took a job surveying and building the Trans-Continental railway. His hard work secured him a management position in the Company but, like so many, the news of the outbreak of war in 1914 led him to give up the post and enlist on 26th October in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Brigade assembled in May 1915 and crossed to France September. It took part in the Battle of the St. Eloi Craters in the Ypres Salient which took place between March and April 1916. Six mines were detonated and Allied soldiers rose from their positions and attacked over muddy terrain, quickly capturing the craters. Sadly, by the end of the battle the Germans regained control of the battlefi eld. On

22nd May the Battalion relieved the 22nd Canadian Battalion in trenches near the village of Voormezele. Here, over the next few days they launched patrols, repaired the trenches at night and also came under fi re from the shell holes left from the previous battle, now occupied by the Germans. According to the Regimental diary, there was a patrol that went to scout the enemy wire and there were repairs to the Allied front line wire. It seems likely that Corporal Bashford lost his life in one of these activities though perhaps not on the 25th May as his gravestone records, but the 28th when the Regimental Diary records a German trench mortar and ‘fi sh-tail bomb’ attack (a German trench mortar shell eight inches long, corrugated, with a hollow stem which slipped over the gun when fi red. It carried fi sh-tail shaped wings, hence its name) which caused sixteen wounded and two fatalities.

This plaque is in St Materiana’s Chuch in Tintagel, Cornwall

Charles Bashford


MTSActivitiesEquestrianWe shall also ride during the summer holidays to improve and be ready in the autumn to represent MTS at the Littlebourne’s Annual Show in September. What a great and enthusiastic team we have!


Fourths Landscape PaintingsThe winning entry were from 4MWSH – Cameron Fraser, Hussain Karim, Bert Edwards and Imran Dewji. They scored 99/8 for their fi nal outcome. They used a photo of Artist Jean Metzinger and the original photo they took.

MTSArt

Highest Overall Scorers Cameron Fraser, Hussain Karim, Bert Edwards & Imran Dewji


MTSParent 2 Parent


MTSParent 2 ParentMTSParent 2 Parent


MTSParent 2 ParentUpper Sixth Parents’ Leaving PartyOn Friday 1st July the MTNesters Friends Group, together with the Development & Alumni Relations O� ce, held a party for parents of boys in the U6th at the OMT Clubhouse.

A Committee of parents from the present Upper Sixth and the MTNesters

decorated the Clubhouse with balloons and fl ower arrangements on the tables wrapped in house ties from all the School houses. The Development O� ce prepared a brochure providing information for parents about what was available to them as a parent of an OMT, as well as what opportunities were

available to their sons once they have left.

The event included a bu� et supper and was attended by over a hundred parents. A great night was had by all. We do hope to see many of the parents and also other MTNester parents (parents of OMTs) at our next function on the 3rd September.


MTSSportCricketv Habs

1st XI MTS won by an innings & 50 runs MTS – 230-9 Declared Habs – 111 & 69 Major Performances: Andrew Thomas 102, Aaran Amin 5-10, Deven Patel 5-23 MOM: Andrew Thomas

The MTS 1st XI arrived at Habs with high hopes of fi nishing the season with a bang, and the outcome was very special for the XI. After losing the toss in bowling conditions, MTS were surprised to be bowling fi rst, and the team got o�

to an excellent start. The Habs batsmen struggled to build partnerships and the introduction of Aaran Amin proved too much. Aaran bowled a fi ne spell of o� spin, and rattled through the Habs team. Habs were eventually bowled out for 111 with Amin taking 5-10 from his 11 overs. In reply, MTS were in trouble with the score 13-2. However, Andrew Thomas took on the bowling and dispatched the Habs bowlers to all parts of their oval. Andrew scored a fi ne 102 which enabled MTS to declare on 230-9. With 6 overs of play left on day 1, the bowlers were keen to get amongst the Habs batsmen. Deven Patel bowled aggressively which

resulted in Habs ending the day on 10-3. The following day left a simple equation of MTS requiring 7 wickets to complete a victory. The team set about their work with intensity and skill. The Habs batsmen capitulated under the pressure, and Deven Patel recorded a fi ne spell of 5-23. He was well supported by Ashwyn Randev who played his fi nest game for the XI taking 4-10. Habs were eventually bowled out for 69 to wrap up a signifi cant victory for the team. Winning by an innings and 50 runs was extra special and the team should be proud of this achievement. What a way to fi nish the season!


MTSSportItchenor Sailing competitionA team of four boys: Harry Clark, Elliot Crocker, Tom Worsfold (Divs), and Josh Burdall (4ths) took part in the Itchenor Sailing competition, between Wednesday and Friday this week.

Conditions likened to those found o� the coast of Prospero’s island forced the boats in by lunchtime on Wednesday. By Thursday the magic had run out, and the

boys enjoyed two full days of sailing with kindred spirits from other schools.

Needless to say the boys comported themselves decorously and raced in a gentlemanly fashion allowing weaker vessels to precede them in the interests of fair play. The event was like cricket on the waves such was the sportsmanship on display.

But the boys also took full advantage of the opportunities the trip a� orded them to hone other qualities: billiard skills have been sharpened to such a degree that the boys can now follow Hume’s argument in his tract on mechanics, and the Drama Department will have a fl urry of activity next year as the boys seized the chance to play in the role of Canute when they reached the English Channel.


MTSOMTs


MTSLooking Forward

An Evening with Terry Waite

Monday 12th September @7.30pm (Doors open at 7pm) Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood, HA6 2HT

Merchant Taylors’ School and The Chorleywood Bookshop

are proud to present An Evening with Terry Waite

to coincide with the publication of the 25th anniversary of his book Taken on Trust.

The book documents his harrowing experiences as a hostage in solitary confinement in Beirut.

The new edition includes what he has been doing in more recent years including his engagement in issues in the Middle East.

This promises to be an interesting and

enlightening evening.

Event book vouchers are £15.00 and include the book (RRP £16.99).

Student tickets are £5.00 (not redeemable

against cost of the book)

Tickets can be bought at https://development.mtsn.org.uk/pages/MTS_Event_registration

And at http://chilternbookshops.co.uk/events/evening-terry-waite


And at http://chilternbookshops.co.uk/events/evening-terry-waite


MTSLooking Forward

A Company limited by Guarantee Registered in England No. 3411540 Charity Number 1063740

A Merchant Taylors' Educational Trust School

MERCHANT TAYLORS’ SCHOOL Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2HT

Telephone 01923 820644 Facsimile 01923 845552

Email [email protected]

Head Master S Everson, MA

MERCHANT TAYLORS’ SCHOOL Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2HT

Telephone 01923 845504 Mobile 07752 515387

Facsimile 01923 845522 Email [email protected]

July 2016 Dear Parent/Guardian I am very pleased to be able to offer pupils from the current Third form and students who will be joining us in the Third form in September, the unique opportunity to experience a taste of French culture and history during the first week of the Easter break (Sunday 2nd April - Wednesday 5th

April). Our activities will include looking at the famous Bayeux tapestry, a visit to the Mont Saint Michel, a trip to the picturesque port Honfleur, which is characterised by houses with slate covered frontages painted by well-known artists of the Impressionist movement, and a visit to Caën Memorial Museum. The total cost for the trip will be around £350, based on over 30 pupils taking part. It includes transfers to and from MTS, all activities and excursions, as well as full board accommodation in a hotel. I strongly recommend that your son take part, as this is an educational visit, during which pupils will have the opportunity to be immersed into French culture, as well as try out their French in various contexts. The deposit required for this trip is £200 and in order for your son to secure a place, please could I ask you to return the reply slip below, along with a cheque made payable to Merchant Taylors’ School, by 15th of September. As your decision is vital to the success of this trip, the first deposit is non-refundable after this deadline. Pupils will need a valid passport, as well as a visa if applicable. I will write to you again with more details before Christmas. This trip is bound to be popular and I therefore, advise you to register your interest as soon as possible. The seats will be filled on a first come first served basis. Do not hesitate to contact me at School on the telephone number above or by email on [email protected] if you have any queries regarding this visit.

Yours faithfully,

Ms Valentina Kotsuba …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Normandy Reply Slip: Please return this reply slip to Mrs Williamson, Common Room Secretary. I give my consent for my son (Name): ……..………………………………. (Form): …………………… to take part in the MTS French trip to Normandy, 2nd April – 5th April 2017. I enclose a cheque for £200, made payable to Merchant Taylors’ School as a deposit. Signature of Parent/Guardian: ………………………………………….……Date: ……………………… (Please note that your deposit payment is non-refundable if you choose to withdraw your son after the initial deadline. We will, however, endeavour to find a replacement for your son but if one cannot be found you may also be committed to paying the full trip amount.)


Excellence, integrity and distinction since 1561 For boys 11 – 18

An Evening with novelist, Jeffrey Archer

Friday 4th November @7.30pm (Doors open at 7) Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood, HA6 2HT

Merchant Taylors’ School and The Chorleywood Bookshop

are proud to present An Evening with novelist, Jeffrey Archer.

Join us for an evening with master storyteller Jeffrey Archer and his new book

This Was a Man the captivating final instalment of the Clifton Chronicles,

a series of seven novels that has topped the bestseller lists around the world.

Event book vouchers are £20.00 and include the book (RRP £20.00).

Student tickets are £5.00

(not redeemable against cost of the book)

Don’t miss out on an evening to celebrate the

final novel in the highly anticipated ‘Clifton Chronicles’.

There will be an opportunity after the talk to have your books signed and to meet the man

himself!


And at

http://chilternbookshops.co.uk/events/an-evening-with-jeffrey-archer

MTSLooking Forward


And athttp://chilternbookshops.co.uk/events/an-evening-with-jeffrey-archer


MTSLooking Forward

Study in the USA & Canada

Information Evening

Tuesday 20th September 2016 6.00-8.30pm

Application process and timelines

US and Canadian universities’

speakers and exhibitors

The Canadian Trade Commissioner to the UK

Sports scholarship information

Programme for SAT preparation

Available to all parents, students and their siblings at other schools, as well as other local students.


MTSLooking Forward


MTSLooking Forward

In aid of the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centresupport & information at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

25 September 2016Merchant Taylors’ School, Moor Park

Moor Park 10k & Junior Fun Runs

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

The Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre is part of East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust Charitable

Fund (Registered charity 1053338)

Entry forms & information:www.moorpark10k.org.uk

07779 458285

Under 15s 3.9km 11.45amUnder 12s 2.6km 12.15pmUnder 10s 1.3km 12.55pmUnder 7s 850m 1.30pm

Stewarts Law Moor Park 10k 3.00pm

scissorum issue 137 july 08 2016 - merchant taylors' school · ‘seaside rendezvous’ with...

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