THE COTTONIAN
TRINHAM, JOHN (1928), Sgt., R.A.O.C. TRINHAM, J. E. (1927), 2nd Lieut., R.A.
VAUGHAN, M. (1935), 2nd Lieut., Indian Army. WEST, C. (1938), Sgt. Pilot, R.A.F.
WHITTINGTON, J. B. (1935) R.A.O.C.
WILLIAMS, F. (1936), 2nd Lieut., Royal Warwicks. WILLIAMS, P. D. (1935), L.-Sgt., R.A. WINKLEY, L. (1937),
WOOD, B. W. (1920), Pilot Officer, R.A.F. WOOD, H. C., REv. (1929) C.F.
WOOD, H. (1930), Flt. Lieut., R.A.F.
CORRESPONDENCE
FROM OUR OSCOTT CORRESPONDENT. To the Editor of THE COTTONIAN.
DEAR SIR,
I suppose that even the most vigilant of censors would now allow me to say that when your letter arrived, Oscott was even more tightly locked than usual in Winter's icy embrace. Hence my consequent dismay on being asked to write 500-600 words on the various facets of Oscotian activity. In addition to this the Minor examinations were looming dangerously in the foreground and had long attained the majority of their Christmas and Midsummer associates. Both threats to the eventual writing of this letter, however, have since disappeared. Coleridge once wrote :
All All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their
lair
The bees are stirring-birds are on the wing
And Winter slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring
And I, the while, the sole unbusy thing,
Nor honey make, nor pair, nor build nor sing." -I have, of course, to write this letter.
The Rugger match at Cotton was very enjoyable indeed-the fact that Cotton scored first undoubtedly gave an incentive to our efforts. We would like to thank Fr. Dunne for the kind welcome he extended to us all. The return match here at Oscott was very much of a different story and we were thankful to draw against a side who were
always on the ball and whose forwards completely dominated the line-outs. Auf wiedersehen !
The Case of the Frightened Lady-the Philosophers' dramatic effort this year-found several of the roles portrayed by new arrivals who had seen the play at Cotton. J. Crean certainly seemed to enjoy his part as Sergeant Totty. P. Kennedy made a most suspicious co-butler and J. Watkins an expert in both heraldry and deference. J. McArdle, W. Smith and your own correspondent also ran.
Salvage Drives all over the country have not keen without their counterpart here at Oscott. The value of publicity has evidently been appreciated, judging by the number of posters and communiques that have been issued. A veritable squadron of agents is ever ready to pounce on any empty jar or tin, in addition to a weekly scavenge for paper.
A series of auctions filled the Common Room for a number of evenings during the present term. Bidding was more than brisk-even fortunes seemed in the balance at times. Whenever offers showed signs of flagging-due no doubt to empty pursescries of " Don't forget the Salvage " seemed to summon up fresh energy and to reveal hitherto untapped sources of wealth with the result that the hammer always fell to excellent prices.
A. Owen had the chief part in The Housemaster, which was produced on Shrove Tuesday, and portrayed it very well indeed. D. Manion made an excellent fellow housemaster. J. McArdle, as a schoolboy, wore one of the numerous cricket blazers-we've seen them before-that appeared throughout the play. F. Johnson as a young girl brought the house down on occasions while P. Heath and J. Garvey excelled themselves as his vivacious sisters ! A. Adams gave us an impressive study of the Headmaster.
W. Grove is now Editor of The Oscotian with J. McArdle as his adjutant. We attend their maiden production with almost as much expectancy as you, clear Sir, must be awaiting this letter of mine, for I notice that
" Old Time is still aflying."
I remain, Sir,
YOUR OSCOTT CORRESPONDENT.