The Battersea Central School Pantomime
"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves"
Jim Checkley is second from the left in the back row, William Abbott is in the white robe at front centre. If you can identify others please let the webmaster know.
THE DRAMATIC SOCIETY - 1938
Bringing Societies into the School timetable has brought boys, with a slight ability to act, together in the cast of
"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves".
Acting is not so easy as it seems, but under the direction of Mr. Brown we have attained a high standard (we hope). The Harem "ladies" are something to be wondered at, they dance with divine grace and exquisite charm, with their figures swaying to and fro in excellent rhythm.
Then there are the bold, bad, dirty looking villains of the piece – The Forty Thieves and their bloodthirsty Chief.
But of course, we must not exclude the sneering brother Cassim, who supplies the Robbers with "catsmeat" and then has to be sewn up for his funeral.
Then there is Morgiana’s father, the Prince of El Bat, who is honest but poor and is selling Morgiana to any person who has sufficient money to buy her. Ali Baba and Morgiana make very charming lovers and are very good in the art of holding hands.
There is one subject that I forgot to mention, and that is the horse. This poor, overworked animal is a sorry sight to behold and its bedraggled appearance makes one full of sympathy.
One other very important person is Mrs. Baba, who, with her nosey "borrowing" friend, Mrs. Smythe, is very amusing. This play is the greatest ever staged, so roll up in thousands to see this gigantic, spectacular production.
From the BCS TORCH of 1938
Benzie
Shield was
important
enough to
include the
Headmaster, Mr.
A Ling, (2nd.
left) and the
Master
responsible for
the Team Mr.
D.G. Lewis,
(2nd. right),
in the
photograph.
Here was an outstanding team with plenty of height, weight and football craft. By winning the coveted Benzie Shield, Battersea Central have now won it three times, (1930, 1931 and now 1938), and as no other South London School have held it more than twice – they are to be congratulated on their record success. In addition they were league champions and finalists for the Roberts Cup, their only defeat of the year.
G. Rowe (Capt.), H. Berryman and L. Nichols represented the South London Junior Team.
C. Clements and D Trim were selected for the West Teams, and the other stalwarts were G. Harvey, F. Morgan, J. Jones, W. Newman, F. Penfold, G. Weston and F. Northman.
May we see many more teams like them.
Writer unknown. (Possibly D.G. Lewis?)
THE SCHOOL CAMP, 1938
SHANKLIN
For the third time in the experience of some of the masters, the venue of the Camp was arranged for THE ISLAND!
Preparations, causing the members of the advance party to arrive at school earlier than usual, commenced several weeks before they were due to leave. The cups, saucers, plates, knives, forks and spoons all had to be safely boxed in tea chests and dispatched before the advance party could leave for the Camp site. The advance party very ably executed all of these preparations.
On Friday, July 1st, the main party, most of whom were agog with excitement, left school and met the Goodrich Road School contingent at Clapham Junction. The Goodrich Road boys – there were about forty of them – had three of their masters with them.
The Camp site was excellent. The field was large and the advanced party had arranged the tents with the object of giving the boys as much playing space as possible; needless to say, they made full use of it!
The arrangements for visits were broken only once by bad weather, which, happily, caused only a postponement and not a disappointment. Visits to St. Catherine’s, Southampton, Carisbrooke Castle, and Whitecliff Bay were made, and each party was taken for a coach trip round the Island. Another very interesting visit, which was made by the fifth year only, was to the Portland Blue Circle Works between Cowes and Newport. The party was shown round by two chemists who thoroughly explained every process.
Taken as a whole the weather was fairly kind and the little rain that was experienced did not damp the spirits of the boys, who behaved splendidly throughout the camp.
The concerts, which Mr. Hawkes produced, were extremely successful. The Goodrich Road boys were able to amuse us with some brand new acts, such as the imitation of the camp car.
Among the boys were four veterans. Staniforth was attending his SIXTH successful camp. His others were: Walmer, 1933; Isle of 1934; Swanage, 1935; Teignmouth, 1936; Swanage, 1937; Isle of Wight, 1938. He was presented with a leather wallet, as a "long service" member, whilst Ash, Girdler and Somerville, who had been to five camps, received leather purses.
The most impressive incident, which I experienced, was the docking of the "Queen Mary". I had never seen the giant liner before, and as she was towed to her berth I had a magnificent view of her.
B. Marshall – Upper Sixth.
Above is an exact copy of the article written. I was at this camp and I agree that everyone had a wonderful time. The next year, 1939, the School went to Bexhill. I however, went to a Scout Camp with The 15th. Battersea at Ilfracombe, where the Father of our Scout Leader, (who was the Curate at All Saints Church, Prince of Wales Drive), had his Parish and provided us with a campsite in the Church grounds. As I recall it rained almost every day that we were there. I know that we had great difficulty with fire lighting, but that’s another story.
Below an article written by Ling about the building of the new BCS in Culvert Road. It was completed and it did house BCS after the war, my youngest son was a pupil there. I met D.G.Lewis at Culvert Road, so he did in fact return with the school to the new site.
Best Regards,
Jim Checkley August 2002
Editorial (Torch 1938)
After having been undeservedly "snuffed", and for no very obvious reasons, "The Torch", like the old fabled bird, springs once again to life. Apologies to all who showed they missed us last year by sending requests for non-existent copies. We hope – confidently – that future years will not find us wanting, now that we have proved our will to live.
As to the present issue, the result of much earnest collaboration, "our true intent is – all for your delight." Contributors have no doubt found pleasure already in writing for our pages, but none the less we wish to thank them for their efforts.
School activities are prominent in this issue and we call your attention to a new feature – Notes of Societies. You will have no doubt, after reading these, of the success of the Societies which were organised as a regular School feature – meeting on Friday afternoons – last May. We seem to have no difficulty in maintaining our reputation as a school of many and varied activities.
Items of particular interest for next year are two proposed School Journeys – a small one to Paris, and another, the usual large camp-party, to Bexhill-on-Sea. Success to both!
Just now we are looking forward to seeing the Christmas Pantomime, which our Dramatic Society is rehearsing. It is hoped to present it on two nights at the Town Hall. Knowing Mr. Brown’s productions, and judging by the enthusiasm and hard work of the boys taking part, this should be a great show.
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
There was no signature, but presume it must have been
Mr. King
Acknowledgements.
Lino block cutting for small decorations and illustrations,
under the supervision of Mr. Cox: -
Front cover lino block by E.A.Sparkes.
E.Gaines,
G. Laroche,
E.A. Sparkes,
D. Taylor,
D. Quilley.
The Editor also wishes to acknowledge the following contributions: -
"Safety First." J. Keen
"Stamps." N. Billinge.
"The House on the Moor". A.Rigg.
"A Hunting Expedition". H.Withers.
"A. Visit to Canterbury". A.Warren.
"A Strange Experience." L.Porter.
"Moths and Butterflies"". G.Clark.
JANE THE BRIG.
Oh! Jane was a brig; a brig was she,
Who’d seen every ocean and sailed every sea;
Once she sailed with a captain bold,
Who was forty-and five years old,
Now this captain was of great renown,
And he did come from Plymouth Town.
Once while sailing merrily.
On her way to the Caribbean Sea,
She espied a Pirate bold,
Searching the seas for gold,
"Yo, ho! Me hearties, we’ll have to fight,
If we want to see the morning light".
To the sky resounds the thunder of guns,
See! At last the pirate runs!
As the foam from the bow flies,
Hear what the crew cries –
"We have put the pirate ship to flight,
And we shall see the morning light."
Charles Sammonds. – Form IIIo.
THE NEW BUILDING.
"The modernisation of Battersea Central Schools (built 1885) is included in the three year programme 1935-38. It is proposed to rebuild the schools on a new site at Culvert Road acquired by the Council in 1915 " So ran the Education Committee’s Agenda for July 10th. 1935.
After much consultation and preliminary work, the final plans for the London County Council and the Board of Education approved our proposed new school.
The new building will provide accommodation for 400 boys, and, in addition, 60 places for handcraft. It has been found necessary to carry the building to four floors, the division between the boys’ and girls’ departments being a vertical one, so that we shall; have rooms on all four floors (at the Battersea Park Road end of the structure) arranged thus; -
Ground Floor. – Metalwork Room, Cloakrooms and Offices (inside the building), Headmaster’s Room, two Form Rooms and fully equipped Gymnasium with Changing Rooms, Showers and Drying Rooms (for wet clothes). The Gymnasium lies between the two departments and will be shared by them.
First Floor. – Assembly Hall (30ft. x70ft.) with fitted stage (lighting equipment for Dramatic Production), Staff Room and three Form Rooms.
Second Floor. – Two Handicraft Rooms (for woodwork), CloakRooms, two Form Rooms, History and Geography Room and Library.
Third Floor. – Science Laboratory and Science Room, Craft Room (which we shall use for Art Crafts) and Art Room.
A kitchen (equipped for preparation of a hot meal) has been provided in the Girls’ Department only. I am hoping to persuade the Council to install a second kitchen in our Department at a later date. I feel strongly that with all our camp experience of catering for large numbers we could make a success of a school dinner. For the moment the opportunity is denied to us.
A Medical Inspection Room with Waiting Room is also included; hot water will be available throughout the building, which will be lighted by electricity.
The floors are of Colombian Opine in Form Rooms and Gurjan Teak in the Hall, Gymnasium, and corridors. All walls are tiled up to the dado at 3ft. 6in.
The Form Rooms are large (520 sq. ft.) and sunny, with a southwestern aspect; special rooms are 800 sq. ft.
In spite of the restricted site, it has been found possible to provide reasonable playground space. We shall be able to lay out a 90 yards football pitch, but it will not be full regulation width.
The building will have quite an attractive elevation facing Culvert Road and the Architect’s Department is to be congratulated on the plans. The total cost with furniture will be about £52,000.It is anticipated that the building will be ready for occupation in September 1939.
How much we look forward to that day!
May we see that our standards of work and bearing are in keeping with the new provision of building and equipment?
I hope we shall be able to arrange a series of reunions so that all Old Scholars of the Central School will have an opportunity of meeting the Staff and one another in our new surroundings.
Headmaster A Ling
The Torch was published on the School printing press. This particular Edition was some 48 pages long. Articles were written for publication by all the Societies at the School and were included. One that particularly interests me was by Mr. E.C.King who was in charge and no doubt responsible for its publication.
THE PRINTING SOCIETY
This is the veteran Society of the School, and also, owing to the restrictions in size of our workshop, it is very exclusive.
Our aim is to foster an appreciation of fine lettering and artistic display, printing in coloured and metallic inks. Our disappointments are many because the press we use has seen better days. Patience is a necessary qualification for admission to this Society, especially when a whole "galley" of type is knocked over, resulting in four hours’ work of sorting type.
E.C.King
Jim Checkley was the lad the lad who knocked over the "galley" and Mr. King was not best pleased. All was forgiven later when we were at Hawkley and I was invited to be a member of his team. The Print Room was in the Hut between the School and the Church. He got his own back however; the first task I had to do was to sort out a Tray that had been upset Poetic Justice? It did help me to learn the layout of the galley. I wonder where the equipment came from, was it brought down from Surrey Lane? I also, before I left at the end of 1943, set up some of the type for Hawkley Past & Present, which was completed before the end of the war. Copies of which are still available at the Hawkley Inn, proceeds going to Church Funds. The current copies came to be printed after Doris Barber found an original in some old papers she was sorting out at the Vicarage and lent it to me. I photocopied the whole thing and produced a number of copies one of which I gave to Ev & Al at the Pub. They in their turn passed it on to Sally Mortby a local artist who lives at Oakshott, who volunteered to get it copied professionally. This she did, these copies are sold at the Pub. Sally is a friend of Jean & Geoff Lovice who lives in the rebuilt ‘Avoca’ in Snailing Lane where Bill & I were billeted. I called on Sally in Oakshott and thanked her for all she had done.
Jim Checkley 2002
Battersea Central School for Boys.
Headmaster: Mr. A Ling (1938)
BOLINGBROKE
LUBBOCK
E. C. King
S. Hodgkinson, B.Sc.
F. A. Cossom
H. Taylor
N. Halliday, B.A. (Hons.)
C. W. Always, B.A. (Hons.)
W. R. H. Paul
C. J. Protheroe, B.Sc.(Hons.)
H.P. Smith, B.A. (Hons.)
THORNTON
WILBERFORCE
R. W. Brown, B.Com.
S. G. Raine, B.Sc., Ph.D.
S. W. Cox, A.M.C.
D. G. Lewis
H. F. Kynaston
R. H. Beesley
L. C. Williams
L. R. Hawkes, M.A. (Lond.)
Senior House Master: W. S. Mason, B.Sc. (Econ.)
Senior Assistant Master: S. G. Raine,B.Sc., Ph.D.
Prefects:
H.Beech, T.Bruckland, J.Blissett, E.Day, D.Eyre, B,Marshall, R.Radford, A.Somerville, R.Staniforth, W.Mitchell.
Captains and Monitors:
BOLINGBROKE
LUBBOCK
THORNTON
WILBERFORCE
J.Cockel©
S.Tuckey©
C.Whitworth©
G.Walker©
L.Goff
R.Cockell
B.Bartlett
D.Bindon
F.Isaacs
L.Haywood
A.Case
A.Dicker
A.Murray
J.Lapper
E.Dickens
P.Chisnall
A.Shepherd
E.Morris
R.Smith
W.Harrison
A.Thomas
R.Sergeant
A.Watson
R.Geard