Chronicle-1978

Gillingham 1978 has been for Gillingham both a year of achievement and of change. Thirteen boys earned their colours, two their honours and these same two represented Natal in their particular sports. During the year Gillingham had three matrons and a new Housemaster! The prefects have led the house ably and have created a lively atmosphere. In the first term Gillingham again won the inter-house gala. Swimmers to be congratulated on their performance are Cleator, Houston and Polkinghorne. Cleator represented Natal and was awarded honours for swimming. The first term also saw the inter-house cricket honours go to Gillingham. A. Miller and B. Whiting were awarded their cricket colours. The house also won the Jack Hulett and Sons Silver Salver for the house having the greatest participation in cricket at Kearsney. The seven-a-side rugby competition was won by Finningley this year, but we finished a very close second. C. Rattray was vice-captain of the 1st XV and both he and P. Sievers were awarded their rugby colours. As far as squash is concerned, the house again featured prominently. B. Whiting was Kearsney champion and also made the very strong Natal Schools team. He was awarded his Honours while K. de Villiers who played in the 1st team was given his Colours. When our matron, Mrs Walsh, left us during the second term, our previous matron, Mrs Burrows, very kindly returned to the Gillingham fold in order to help out until Mrs Bourke joined us at the start of the third term. She has proved to be a most kind and con siderate lady, and we hope that her association with the house will be a long and happy one. The third term saw Finningley win the inter-house athletics again! We are getting tired of coming second to them and we hope to see them come second next year. However, a number of Gillingham boys did very well indeed: D. Polkinghorne . . . best under 14 athlete; C. Polkinghorne . . . . best under 15 and M. Rattray . .. . best under 16. M. Rattray, M. Bryan and H. Markram were all awarded their athletic Colours. Other members of the house to distinguish themselves were:G.Brokensha.... shooting colours, C. Livingstone . ... hockey colours,D,Cohen and M.Marshall both earned their academic colours; well done! Peter Sievers, our Head of House, was also Head Boy of Kearsney. He brought great distinction to both positions of authority. We admire and thank him for his never-failing sense of humour combined with his consideration for others and his compassionate guidance. "Joe", as he was knowh to all, will long be remembered.Congratulations go to the following prefects for 1979: C. Cleator . . . . Head of House and Head Boy, M. Marshall, J. Nathan and C. Pilgrim. During the redecorating of the common rooms a number of cupboards were removed. These cupboards, as far as anyone knew, had not been opened for a very long time. Just how long they were last opened became clear when one of them was found to contain an extensive, antique train set. It consisted of 7 locos, 42 units of rolling stock, 7. stations and a large variety of other items such as signals, personnel, bridges, etc., etc. What makes this discovery even more interesting is that a list of the boys who used this set in 1943 was also found together with a plan of the track lay-out which they used at that time. The sons of two of the model train enthusiasts of yesteryear are at present in Gillingham; they are M. Butterworth and K. Forsyth. If any Old Boys who used the Gillingham Model Train Set in those days would care to drop us a line, we would be delighted to hear from them. 18

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