THE COTTONIAN
Fr O'Shea, Dr Greehy, twelve newly-ordained priests and other Oscotian brethren were our guests today. The weather was bitterly cold during the match which Cotton won 8-6. After tea, a film.
March 13th.-Venezuela Looks Ahead, a Geographical film, was shown after supper.
March 14th.-The rain poured down all day. The cross-country team went to Lichfield. Fr Stewart showed a German film during the afternoon. Apparently it was much funnier backwards.
March 15th.-Yesterday's rain came down white today, just as fast and furiously. The Under 13 XV's game with Alderwasley and the 1st XI's match with Oakamoor were both cancelled.
March 16th.-The Fifth Form sat the School Religious Certificate examination. At last, the sledges were brought into use today though the snow was too soft for successful tobogganing. It was fine for snowballing though, as four members of the staff found out to their cost. School doctrine examinations this evening. Night Privileges for the Fifth and Sixth Forms.
March 17th.-St Patrick's day and a halfholiday. The dress rehearsal for the School Play was enacted this afternoon. A few of the toboggans were dragged over to the track but the rapid thaw beat them to it.
March 18th.-The first performance of King Lear for the School.
March 19th.-School examinations begin. The half-holiday was interrupted by Fr Owen's staging of a general choir practice. Thirty people attended the second performance of King Lear and were suitably impressed.
March 21st.-Association Day. Silent Hour
began at 10.45. The fortunate were taken
out to lunch by their parents. The third performance of King Lear began soon after 3 o'clock. The standard of production and acting seemed higher than ever and especial praise must go to V. Round for his
truly impressive portrayal of the king. At Disley, the Northern Schools cross country championship was run, in which event Cotton came 30th out of the 84 schools competing. The clocks went forward at 7.30 so that bed-time followed immediately after Night Prayers.
March 22nd.-Palm Sunday. The Blessing of Palms was held outside St Thomas's. After lunch the 1st XI beat the Whynots i-o. Early beds after supper for those wishing to catch up on lost sleep.
March 23rd.-Back to examinations. The Lower and Middle School cross country matches took place in the afternoon. A film on the Holy Shroud, brought by Fr Ryall, was shown after supper.
March 24th.-A long procession of cars accompanied the Upper School cross country, which F. Shipman won easily. Most impressive was the large number of willing contestants, especially considering the foul conditions. As usual, Bowdon House emerged victorious with 267 points ; Challoner had
210 ;- points and Milner 1741 points.
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March 25th.-Examinations finished with the Eric Partridge Essay. Walks after lunch ; packing after tea. Masters' spiritual reading books received their annual airing. A loudspeaker system to facilitate reading in the refectory was installed. The DeputyMatron, in the guise of the Bursar, enrolled an assistant after tea and Fr Pargeter enjoyed himself taking temperatures (once lie had learnt the technique) and distributing cough mixture and aspirins. The Retreat began under the guidance of two Passionist Fathers.
.March 26th.-Maundy Thursday. A long
lie-in until 7.55. Mgr Doran sang High Mass
at 5.30. Watching before the Blessed Sacrament continued until midnight. Late at night came the sad news of the sudden death of His Lordship Bishop Bright.
March 27th.-Good Friday. The Solemn Liturgical Action began at 4 o'clock.