Vol. CXXVIII No. 27 June 13, 2015 CONCERTO EVENING

THE HARROVIAN
Vol. CXXVIII No. 27
CONCERTO EVENING
Half Term, Speech Room, 16 May
On Saturday evening before half term, the annual Concerto
Evening took place in Speech Room. It is safe to say that many
of the performances were of an extremely high standard and,
in some cases, even of a professional standard. The concert
encompassed repertoire from several celebrated, as well as
some slightly more obscure composers, and the range of solo
instruments on show was impressive.
The night started off with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D
major. This was the only completed violin concerto by Beethoven.
However, it languished in obscurity as it had an unsuccessful
premiere until it was revived in 1844 by Joseph Joachim.
The audience was first treated to a lively performance by
Marco Chau, Elmfield, who played Allegro ma non troppo from
the aforementioned piece. The movement began with pensive
timpani crochets, which were greeted by a soaring oboe melody.
Chau played with exquisite intonation (especially notable in
the high notes) and played expressive octaves in the section
of eerie chromatic development. The trilling of the violin,
which sat on top of the orchestral accompaniment, was the
most memorable aspect of this movement. Without a doubt,
the highly polished performance arrested the attention of the
audience from beginning to end.
After that, Ryan Chung, Rendalls, played Rondo Allegro from
the same concerto by Beethoven. The prominent main motif in
this movement was bouncy and lively, and it was performed
with relish and gusto. Chung impressed with his effective
dynamic contrasts, as well as a mind-boggling cadenza. Here,
he played with motor-like speed and absolutely professional
technique while maintaining his stage presence.
Then, Ed Rowe, The Head Master’s, played Malcolm Arnold’s
Flute Concerto No. 1, which comprised three short movements.
Composed in 1954, this composition bears the hallmarks of a
younger, brasher style. The first movement is tinged with the
melancholy of G minor, most noted for the technical, whirlwind
flurry of the G minor passage work, which Ed managed to
negotiate very well. The second movement included many
suspensions, which created overlapping textures as well as a
serene, tranquil mood. The finale, like others of this period
marked by Arnold to be played con fuoco, was an extrovert
dash through the optimistic key of G major, which lent vigour
to the ebullient rhythms of the finale. Overall, the solo line
encompassed lyrical cantilena, brittle staccato arpeggios and
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brilliant running figures, revealing the varied qualities of the
instrument.
Next, Tarquin Strickland, West Acre, performed Adagio –
Moderato from Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, which
was composed in the aftermath of the First World War. Being
Elgar’s last notable work, it has become a cornerstone of solo
cello repertoire. The piece began with four insistent spread
chords on the cello that immediately created a sombre mood.
Shortly after, the cello playing became more agitated, in a
series of quick rising notes, which seemed to promise some
sort of emphatic statement. However, we were greeted by a
subdued lament played by the violas in 9/8 time, Elgar’s original
impetus for the work. This was restated between the cello and
the orchestra, becoming more anguished with each passing of
the baton. Overall, Strickland played with superb control and
ended the piece with solipsistic cello pizzicatos.
Then, Dexter Wan, Newlands, played Molto moderato e
maestoso – Allegro ma non troppo from Saint-Saëns’s Third
Violin Concerto, which was dedicated to his fellow composer
Plabo de Sarasate. The movement began with a violin soliloquy,
almost like a recitative in an opera. This moved on to a main
theme for the soloist that bristled with blazing bravura, where
a buoyant theme was sharply juxtaposed with a reverential,
chorale-like theme. Dexter’s sweet but intensive playing
provided the ‘grandiose’ treatment that is absolutely essential
for Romantic concertos and brought the work to an end by
whipping up extreme excitement.
After a short interval, where the audience and performers were
allowed to stretch a little, Chris Hedges, Druries, performed
Allegro from Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, the last solo
concerto ever composed by the prolific Czech composer. This,
along with the New World Symphony, is a work hailing from
the composer’s American period, and is therefore infused with
a deep sense of homesick longing. This movement opened the
concerto like a symphony, with the soloist sitting idly while the
orchestra gave us both main themes, the first being the opening
motto and the second a lyrical horn passage. When Chris finally
joined in, he grabbed the spotlight immediately, giving the
audience his own version of both themes in succession. More
development ensued and, towards the end, a reprise of some
of the earlier material followed, gradually getting more excited
and ecstatic until the glorious ending in B major.
Next, James Kung, The Grove, played Despedida (Farewell)
from Rosauro’s Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra.
Being the most popular marimba concerto of all time, it is
well written for the unique timbre and the virtuoso technical
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qualities of the marimba. Brazilian motifs and jazz elements
were dispersed throughout the piece, which contained strong
rhythmic patterns and catchy melodies. The movement was very
similar to a piece of film music, minimalistic and mysterious.
However, James was able to capture a shimmering tone and
control it in such a way to make it appear magical. The piece
was very accessible to every member of the audience, despite
the unusual repertoire.
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accommodate well despite the rather short rehearsal time. Many
thanks to DNW, GRML and SM for conducting, and DNB for
the leading the orchestra, as well as the whole music department
for their constant help for music-making at Harrow.
ORGAN PRIZES
Speech Room, 5 June
Senior Prize Winner: Justin Stollery, The Knoll
Junior Prize Winner: Dita Jaja, Moretons
Highly commended: Daniel Baker, Moretons
Then, Francis Chiang, The Grove, played Finale: Allegro from
Alexander Glazunov’s Violin Concerto in A minor. There are no
pauses or numbered sections in the concerto; nevertheless, it is
often described as consisting of either three or four movements
(which are often variously labelled). There were many surprises
in store in this performance, which began antiphonally between
the orchestra and the violin soloist. Festive gestures ushered in
the trumpets, positively prancing on the distinctive ritornello
of a rondo cast in the style of a Russian dance, decorated with
enchanting array of felicities. Here, Glazunov creates colourful
effects for the soloist and matches them, blow for blow, with
complementary orchestral effects.
Lastly, after another short interval, the long-awaited performance
of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto played by Aristo
Sham, Moretons. Having completed this work in the summer
of 1909, Rachmaninoff took the work with him on his first
tour of America. Rachmaninoff himself said that he wrote the
concerto ‘for elephants’, and with its massive chords, cascading
and leaping octaves, high-speed runs, dense counterpoint, and
wide-spaced, busily embellished textures, it does demand a
pianist with strength, dexterity, control and stamina (not to
forget big hands). Though more rhapsodic than the Second,
the Third is also structurally subtler, more sophisticated and
organic, and Rachmaninoff demonstrates a Lisztian gift for
imaginatively transforming themes.
The prevailing mood of dark, impassioned lyricism was
established in the long-breathed opening theme, which is
deeply Russian in character, though (Rachmaninoff insisted)
not drawn from folk or church music. Both principal themes of
the first movement were developed with urgent expressiveness,
and a searing climax led into a grandiose cadenza, though the
movement ended as it began, in gloom. The Intermezzo, with
its drooping main theme, was deeply sorrowful; a melancholic
oboe solo began the movement, then the piano entered with a
harrowing, dissonant spray of notes, almost like a cry of pain.
The brooding lyricism of the first movement returns in the
third, but much livelier and galloping in pace. Themes from
the first movement reappear in the middle in a kind of poetic
meditation, though, in a faster coda the concerto drives almost
deliriously to a close. Sham’s performance was of an absolute
unparalleled quality and was executed with the finest technique
and nuances. He deserves the utmost praise for this moving,
powerful and inspirational interpretation and performance of
such a challenging, breath-taking piece.
Overall, the concert was one of the most enjoyable for a long
time. Many congratulations should go to all of the soloists who
have put in an enormous amount of time and effort preparing
for this, and to the orchestra, who were able to cope and
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Last Friday, the annual competition for the Organ Prizes took
place in Speech Room. The audience on this occasion consisted
of a number of boys, Beaks, and the adjudicator, Mr Daniel
Moult, renowned for his virtuosic, intelligent and engaging
performances of repertoire spanning from the 14th to the 21st
centuries.
The evening began with the Junior Round, with George
Grassly, The Knoll, who performed Festival Voluntary by Peeters.
The pompous beginning was met with bold, confident playing,
and the colourful registration allowed a wealth of sound to fill
Speech Room. The most notable feature of this performance
was the contrast between the grand statements on the Great
Manual and solemn tuba solos on the Solo Manual.
Then, Dita Jaja, Moretons, performed Finale from Music
for the Royal Fireworks by Handel. This had a real sense of
occasion, and Jaja negotiated the difficult arpeggios in the pedal
line especially well. The middle trio section was an oasis of
tranquillity amidst the loud, grandiose sections. The delicate
rhythms were played intricately and it was clear that he was
enjoying himself while playing.
After that, Jobie Wong, Bradbys, performed Prelude and
Fugue in F major by Bach. The adjudicator noted especially
that the Prelude was very well controlled and rhythmic, and
was very musically aware. A prominent triplet motif kept on
reoccurring throughout the piece, which was played very evenly
and with good musical awareness. The registration used was,
although strong, also quite calming in a sense and welded the
Prelude with the Fugue very well.
Then, to conclude the Junior Round, Daniel Baker, Moretons,
played Guilmant’s Lamento. A melancholic, wistful mood was
effectively established from the beginning. The piece featured
a prominent rising chord sequence, as well as a descending
octave scale in the pedals, which were well negotiated and
Baker managed to maintain a serene atmosphere throughout
his performance.
The evening quickly progressed to the Senior Round, where
Michael Yeung, The Grove, performed the first movement from
Bach’s Trio Sonata in E flat major. The adjudicator especially
commended his braveness for playing this challenging piece,
which he described as being fiendishly awkward. His pedal
was noted for being the most musically interesting, although
slightly soft in registration. Overall, Yeung achieved a musical
dialogue between the two manual voices, and achieved a very
convincing performance.
Then, Ashley Chow, Rendalls, performed Imperial March
by the revered Edward Elgar. A march-like, poised tempo was
established at the beginning. The bold, extrovert performance
was complete with bravura and delicate musical touches. The
piece featured a recurring rhythmic motif which was reinterpreted
and developed in different registrations, manuals and pitches.
Overall, this was extremely well prepared and polished.
Next, Joshua Simões, The Head Master’s, performed Prelude
in C major by Bach. The performance only got better as it
progressed. As the adjudicator astutely noted, the piece required
extreme rhythmic care and awareness right from the first
semiquaver, which Simões achieved very well. He, however,
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H A R R O V I A N
lacked a little bit of impetus at times and could have used a
bit more forward drive.
Next, Phillip Gajland, Druries, played Introduction and Allegro
from Guilmant’s Sonata No. 1 in D minor. The beginning was
immediately arresting, with the loud tuba stops being applied
and then pushed back in to emphasise chords. The two sections
in this performance were linked by an extremely exposed pedal
solo. However, the adjudicator noted that this perhaps made
the performance sound a little disparate at time. Despite this,
the adjudicator enjoyed the end of the performance, which he
thought was maestoso and gripping at the same time.
Lastly, Justin Stollery, The Knoll, played Prelude and fugue
in G major by Bach. It suffices to say that he really pulled out
all the stops on this occasion. This challenging piece was full
of musical energy and the adjudicator thought that Stollery
really understood the architecture of the piece. Rubato and
subtle nuances were used characteristically to achieve stylistic
effects, and Stollery’s light touch complemented the piece
immensely. There was a dramatic, theatrical pause after an
expressive diminished chord, which was the icing on the cake
for this performance.
After the performances, Mr Moult was invited to give a short
adjudication. He started by congratulating all the performers for
keeping the instrument alive in the school and felt that every
one of the boys actually performed during the evening. In the
end, Jaja, who was commended for his extremely poised and
stylistic trio section, won the Junior category, and Stollery, who
exuded confidence and musical understanding of the piece, won
the Senior category. It is also worth mentioning that Baker
was highly commended for his sensitive and characteristic
interpretation of his piece.
Overall, it was an evening of extremely enjoyable organ music,
and was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. Many thanks
must go to EMS for his masterful teaching of the boys, DNW
and the whole music department for their constant support for
music making at Harrow.
OH ROOM CONCERT
OH Room, 4 June
Last Thursday evening there was a concert in the OH Room
featuring boys playing quite a variety of different instruments
and pieces. OH Room concerts provide the perfect environment
for boys who are taking ABRSM exams at the end of term to
gain confidence in performing their pieces. It was particularly
impressive that so many boys performed on this evening, since
many of them were in the midst of public examinations.
The concert began with Alberic Mould, Elmfield, who played
Komarowsky’s “Concertino in A major” for the violin. This
was an excellent performance which communicated a variety
of different moods. The different moods were communicated
very well with some fervour and passion, and the technical
difficulties of this piece were generally well handled. Mould’s
use of dynamics was tasteful and his performance seemed to
be unaffected. His youthfully exuberant choices of tempi were
effective, but perhaps the most stirking feature of his playing
was his tonal quality which was well decorated with an even
vibrato.
Following on from this was Christopher Willoughby, Elmfield,
who performed “Elégie” by Vieuxtemps on the viola. This
piece starts with a chordal piano accompaniment containing
many wonderful dissonances that create a mysterious mood.
Willoughby’s mellow tone encapsulated the mystery of the
piece well and there was some very passionate playing in this
performance. This is an incredibly complex piece that has
many scalic passages requiring quite a lot of technical skill
and confidence. The unaccompanied section of this piece was
June 13, 2015
played especially well, despite possibly being the most difficult
section in the entire piece. Towards the end of the piece, the
viola begins to play at a much higher register before and this
communicated a celestial quality that was greatly enjoyed by
all who listened.
Next up was Rafe Wendelken-Dickson, Druries, who played
an “Allegro” by Besozzi on the bassoon. This piece was played
with great aplomb. A great deal of technical dexterity was
required in performing some rather tricky passages in this
piece which Wendelken-Dickson succeeded in achieving. This
was a very confident performance which revolved around an
assertive, playful melody introduced at the start of the piece.
There was plenty of control in the chosen tempo and it was a
very enjoyable performance to listen to.
Keisuke Sano, The Knoll, performed de Beriot’s “Theme and
Variations” on the violin, which is a very challenging piece. The
theme is introduced, first after a very broad, heavily ornamented
passage of introduction and from then the variations become
more and more taxing and virtuosic. Sano’s beginning was very
flamboyant with a rich tone. It was a passionate performance
that explored all the different moods of the piece created with
great accuracy throughout. Some of the variations became
very fast indeed, yet did not seem out of control, while others
featured some complex double-stop passages (playing on two
strings at once). The entirety of this piece was well played
but the communication of the different moods was particularly
striking and admirable.
To follow this Dan Shailer, Rendalls, played Hanson’s “Sonata
for Cornet” on the trumpet. This piece has become very popular
amongst the trumpeters of the School over the last few years,
with good reason because of its regal and joyous mood. The
audience were quite startled at the start of this performance as
they were reminded of just how loud a trumpet can be. Shailer
played with an exquisitely bright, rounded tone, which was a
pleasure to listen to. There are many very tricky moments
of syncopation in this piece, which Shailer tackled well and
intonation was generally good.
Oscar Tao, Moretons, performed the “Arpeggionne Sonata”
by Schubert on the viola, which is known to be an incredibly
virtuosic piece. The viola’s wonderful tone was showcased
here, especially in the lower register of the instrument. It was
a captivating performance that showed amazing technical
prowess on Tao’s part, but also an incredibly sensitive and
mature interpretation of the music. There was also a good use
of dynamic contrast, which emphasised moments of chromatic
colour, making them particularly stunning. Tao’s control over
passages involving harmonics was excellent allowing an ethereal
mood to be created.
After this, Corran Stewart, Lyon’s, played an unaccompanied
piece for the bassoon: the second movement from “Arthritis” by
Lyons. Playing unaccompanied is very difficult, especially when
you have such long and tortuous musical lines as were present
here. It was a confident performance that featured many scalic
figures and syncopated passages. Stewart’s breath control was
particularly impressive in this piece due to the sheer number of
notes involved in each phrase. The combination of all of these
things made this a very convincing performance.
To conclude the concert Kazbek Kandour, The Park, performed
Beethoven’s “Adagio sostenuto e espressivo – Allegro molto
piu tosto presto” from his “Second Cello Sonata in G minor”.
This was a stunning performance. A mood of utter desolation is
introduced at the start which contains some hauntingly beautiful
melodic lines that were played with tremendous gravitas by
Kandour. The use of vibrato added both warmth and depth
to the sound, which only aided the communication of this
mood. There was such incredible control of every aspect of
this performance that it is difficult to fault anything within it.
However, though indeed his technical application was superb,
it was his communication of the despairing mood that made
this such a captivating performance.
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Our thanks must go to all the performers for giving up their
time to provide such a wonderful evening of performances. Mr
Smith deserves a special thank you for accompanying all the
boys so well throughout the evening. Thanks must also go to
DNW and all of the Music Department for all of their help in
preparing the boys for this concert.
OH SONGS
Blenheim Palace, Thursday 28 May
2015 is, as has been mentioned on numerous occasions, the
50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill and, as
part of the annual Churchill Conference (held specially this year
at Blenheim Palace), Harrow was invited to send a group to sing
Songs at the end of a black tie dinner attended by numerous
Churchill luminaries, members of the family and His Grace
The Duke of Marlborough, himself an OH. Sadly, as a result
of it being half term, the School was unable to provide the
School XII or any other singers in an official capacity, so DNW
contacted Anthony Chater, (The Park 20093), to see if he could
formulate a group of suitable OHs to entertain the delegates.
Blenheim Palace is located within easy reach of Oxford and so
a group of still fairly youthful Oxonian OHs gathered outside
the Ashmolean Museum ready for the evening’s excitement.
After a short trouser incident courtesy of Hugo MorrellRoberts (Rendalls 20093), we headed north into the Oxfordshire
countryside. On arrival at Blenheim, Tom Moy, The Grove, who
is a local resident, and CST, who had kindly agreed to accompany
Songs for the evening, joined us for what seemed initially like
merely a walk in the beautiful grounds of Blenheim, given
that we had arrived over an hour early. So early, in fact, that
CST’s quest for a pre-prandial gin and tonic did not succeed,
and we were left confused and tipple-less for what felt like an
eternity (especially bearing in mind that most of the singers
were undergraduates) but eventually the Pol Roger began to
flow and the dinner entered into full swing. Celia Sandys and
Robert Hardy, the latter of whom is most famous for playing
the part of Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter films, provided
additional entertainment before dinner.
This particularly excited resident Potter-phile Matthew
Carter (The Knoll 20093) but sadly, as we were restricted to
our private dining room as a result of overcrowding in the
Orangery, this passed us by. Chater had informed the group
that we would begin Songs at 9.30p.m. At 11.00p.m. (an hour
and a half behind schedule) we entered the Orangery and were
joined by members of the Spencer-Churchill family, including
the Duke, who all sang with aplomb. Due to time constraints
generated by the overrunning dinner and auction, we had to
cut half of the programme, much to Chater’s chagrin, as he had
been particularly looking forward to bursting lustily into the
chorus of Left! Right!, which would have recalled this most
formative aspect of his Harrow career. CST had succeeded in
finding a superb arrangement of O Canada!, which we sang in
addition to the national anthems of the USA and the UK after
Auld Lang Syne, and we then returned to Oxford, bleary-eyed
and our hearts thrilling at the thought of the Hill. Our thanks
must go to the Churchill Conference for inviting us to sing
and to DNW for coordinating much of the early stages of the
organisation.
RUSSIAN ESSAY PRIZE
Unfortunately, the Russian Teachers’ Group decided to take
a break from running the annual National Russian Essay
Competition this year, KAF stepped in and ran an alternative,
internal Harrow School Russian Writing Competition in order
to keep her Russian pupils in good form for next year’s contest
which the organisers are promising will take place in 2015-16.
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H A R R O V I A N
Many excellent pieces of work here received and it was not
easy to choose the winners. KAF particularly enjoyed reading
the L6 and the U6 essays about Lenin, who, having spent almost
a century on his catafalque in the darkness of the Mausoleum,
decided to take a stroll through the streets of modern Moscow
and about his reaction to modern Russian capitalism, varying
from unbearable sadness and tears for the lost communist
paradise to his enjoyment of the product of American capitalism
- a cheeseburger from McDonald’s. The works entered by
the heritage learners, whose task was to write an alternative
continuation and ending of one M Zoshchenko’s famous short
stories entitled The Bathhouse, were equally amusing. Some
of the boys were absolutely brilliant at mimicking the original
style and sense of humour of M Zoshchenko, who portrayed
the comic aspect of the otherwise gloomy and often tragic life
of Soviet people in the 1920s in his literary work.
Well done to all the participants and sincere congratulations
to the winners!
Non-heritage Learners
Shell Winner: Charlie Sherlock, The Knoll
Commended: Nick Peel, Druries
Remove and Fifth Form
Winner: Charlie Hainsworth, The Park
Commended: James Burgess-Adams, West Acre
Sixth Form
Winner: Rory Craig, Lyon’s
Commended: Henry Brounger, The Grove
Heritage Learners
Winner: Alizhan Aldiyar, Rendalls
Commended: Ostap Stefak, Newlands
CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
In order to approach environmental issues in a targeted, cogent,
conservative-minded manner, we must first identify what they
are. I would then suggest that the approach should contain a
practical plan of action, one that maintains the Conservative
party’s ideology.
The problem is, among others, that our carbon emissions are
soaring at 4.88 metric tons per capital and we are seeing the
phenomenon of climate change ravage our planet and stir the
already passionate hearts of Green Party campaigners all over
the world, who believe that the solution is to ostracise wasteful
companies and destroy productivity by forcing firms to ‘go
green’, whether that means sacrificing economic prosperity or not.
I salute their ideology, save the environment at any cost.
However, as Conservatives, we must take a practical approach.
We must keep the economy working, whilst at the same time
progressing towards a greener planet. This can be done through
a detailed and realistic plan that is both affordable in these times
of austerity and effective. We can’t simply close our ‘dirty’
coal-powered stations down because we have a responsibility to
‘keep the lights on’ and refrain from heavy-handed intervention
into markets.
Peter Lilley was one of four MPs in 2008 to vote against
the Climate Change Act in 2008 and yet he was appointed as
a member of the exclusive select energy and climate change
committee. I think he holds the practical and gradual approach
that is very much needed. He opposed the Climate Change Act
because he was “highly critical of Lord Stern’s Economics on
which this… Policy is based.” This policy, which promises
to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050 to 1990 levels, is too
immediate because is focuses on converting current energy
generators into green ones without a regard for the need for
an expansion in future production. There is a genuine worry
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that if this goes on we won’t be able to maintain the levels of
energy demanded by our growing population.
Therefore, a change in mentality forms the first part of my
four-pronged plan. We must encourage energy companies to
produce new, green energy generators (as opposed to converting
old ones), meaning that our energy capacities will increase.
Once this capacity has reached an adequate level to meet our
future demands, we should turn to converting current ones into
more efficient alternatives.
I propose that this be done by giving government subsidies
to companies, regardless of age or size, willing to take on these
operations, once, of course, we ensure their plans are feasible.
Effectively, I suggest a bidding system in which companies
can provide their blueprints to a newly formed government
committee ( I will come onto this) and the committee can award
funds to the best project, which will be determined by their
cost and carbon footprint per watt of electricity produced. The
generators will then be built, with the committee overseeing
every stage, meaning that our energy capacity will be increased,
whilst these new sources will be eco-friendly. This is a great
Conservative-minded approach because it allows the markets to
function naturally whilst tweaking incentives to foster a more
environmentally mindful approach. After our growing demands
are met and the lights can be ‘kept on’, we can implement
another plan to focus on converting the current generators to
the most effective green alternatives, based on the success of
each blueprint in the project above, which can act a as a great
pilot project for many new technologies. The plan will likely
prompt new competition into the ‘lobbyist-ridden oligopoly’
that are energy markets by creating equal opportunities for new
businesses to compete for these projects and satisfy our future
energy demands. Isn’t that what we Conservatives are all about?
How we will pay for this is the inevitable question that I will
try to answer in part two of my plan. According to a Conservative
minister, rich pensioners should “give winter fuel allowance
to charity ”. In other words, despite Cameron’s commitments
to keep them, they are an excess, rich pensioners don’t need
them. That’s why I propose that we abolish them, as well as
other excessive benefits received by opulent pensioners who
need no financial assistance, and re-direct this money towards
helping the funding of new green energy generators.
Part three of my plan is one very much rooted in David
Cameron’s appreciation of British values and tradition. Everyone
knows that town centres are the life of small country villages
and suburban towns such as Wimbledon. In recent years,
however, this is less relevant because they are losing their soul.
Local butchers and vendors are being replaced by enormous
supermarket chains like Waitrose. Aside from eroding their
British charm, this makes towns’ carbon emissions rise because
big companies tend to have far larger carbon emissions due
to their massive transport vehicles and frozen foods that are
often imported. By reducing the number of big name brands
in town centres, we can replace these shops with local, small
businesses (another one of David Cameron’s great aims - small
business creation) that produce their goods locally and whose
fresh, preservative-free foods will reduce the carbon emissions
of all these towns. Not only can we combat carbon emissions
and a whole host of other environmental issues through this
policy, but we can perpetuate the Conservative ideologies of
innovation and creating small businesses .
Lastly, I propose that we form a committee to monitor the
progression of these plans and kick-start their execution. A
panel of business and environment experts should be formed to
select a group of 20 representatives to target specific areas of
the plan, such as advising small businesses and restoring British
towns, investigating plans to determine the most deserving of
funding and managing the funds effectively. Furthermore, the
funds of this committee should be made public on its website,
along with the size of subsidies for new energy plants and the
progression of such projects, thus restoring the Conservative
June 13, 2015
value of democracy and freedom of information.
In conclusion, the Conservative Party should try to manipulate
markets, but only to an extent, to focus on future productivity,
before converting old generators. We need to keep the lights on
for the meantime, whilst promoting competition and equality
of opportunity. This belief is what makes the Conservatives
the greatest party in Britain.
A,B,C – O,C,D
A short story
He woke up at 7.37am just like every other weekday morning
for the last five years. Waiting on the dressing table in perfect
regiment, lay his clothes for the day. From a very young age
he had been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
The checklist began. First shower, then get dressed, then eat
breakfast and then out the door no later than 8.05am. He lived
a three minute walk away from his office, one of the many
swooping giraffes of Canary Wharf. The walk he took every
weekday to the office was the same. The same faces would
walk into the beginning of their cycle of life, just like him. He
had always been told that. “You’re just like everyone else,” his
mother would say, some 21 ago now.
Another thing that was the same every day was the man who
begged on the corner of an alleyway about three streets from
his office. The barely visible, hair covered face of this man was
rough and faded over the years of desolate begging. His clothes
were like a wilted flower, changed from a possible former self
of wellbeing. His trainers were a 10,000 miles worn and the
laces gone on to happier place.
When arriving at the office and looking at the clock, he
saw that he was three minutes later than usual, still on time of
course, but three minutes late. It clung to him like a child in
its mother’s arms throughout the day and it clicked something
inside him. It switched on a feeling of being less afraid. He did
not know straight away what he had been afraid of. But then
it became clearer as he saw that he feared himself. He feared
his life and what it had become. Running like clockwork his
whole life and never straying from the norm never made him
think about the different.
After a relatively unproductive day of work, to his standards,
he ambled home oblivious to his surroundings, with a sense
of minute freedom. He then lay in his bed, staring up at the
celling as if to question his own doing. Something so little as
being three minutes late felt like breaking out of prison to him.
That next morning he felt warm and buzzing from the previous
night’s reflections and was out the door just as normal off to
work. The usual faces and places flickered by and then he
arrived three streets away. The street was quiet, suspiciously
quiet, but that had no effect on his mood, he felt so free and
loose that there could have been a million people around him
and he would have felt as if he were in a field. He looked left,
as he always did to acknowledge the beggar in the alleyway. He
took three further steps and stopped in mid-step. He swiveled
on his feet and took back those three steps. He looked down
at the man and knelt beside him saying,
“Is there any way I can…”
The squelch of the sharp blade piercing his chest made him
shiver. His hands and feet went cold. He fell to the ground, with
a pool of scarlet innocence staining the alley way, pouring from
his torso. He took one last look at the man with his eyes closing
slowly and then the light fled from his eyes. He lay naked, with
no phone, no wallet and a knife in his chest. The man was a
stranger to him; he had been just another part of the picture in
his life, something else that was just there. He had looked at
him his whole life like a painting; a painting that had jumped
out his norm into the different.
479
June 13, 2015
FROM THE ARCHIVES
School Charter close-up of Elizabeth I
“What’s that then?” It is usually the first question I am asked
when I tell people I am an archivist. Some start guessing: ‘Ah,
you dig things up?’ (archaeologist) ‘You’re like Indiana Jones
then?’ (archaeologist) ‘Oh… so you work with chemicals?’
(alchemist). Despite having written a couple of articles for The
Harrovian, it occurred to me that some of you probably still
have no idea what I actually do and so, this week, I decided
to answer some frequently asked questions.
What is an archive? An archive is a place where documents
relating to the activities and transactions of an organisation
are stored. Records kept in an archive are generally no longer
in daily use. They have been selected as being worthy of
long term preservation due to their historical, evidential or
informational value to the organisation. The term may also
refer to the collection of documents themselves, not just the
physical location.
Can’t the records just sit there? Why do they need you?
(What exactly do you do?) They could just sit there, but it
couldn’t be guaranteed that they would still be there in 100
years, not least because their environmental conditions must
be monitored and stabilised to prevent destruction by mould,
pests or the general deterioration that occurs with age without
archival conservation. The advent of the digital era makes
it more important than ever that someone is responsible for
looking after records and ensuring that they remain accessible.
Born digital records are higher risk than paper records because
we face various challenges from technological obsolescence
to dealing with the sheer volume of records that are so easily
created in the Digital age, and the must be appraised, sorted,
and catalogued. Prior to the preservation and conservation of
records, I must first select records to be kept for longevity. These
records must then be catalogued for the purposes of security
and accessibility. I also ensure that people can access the
records and I use the information contained in them to answer
enquiries about previous pupils and School history in general.
In addition, I like to promote the archive through exhibitions
and contributions to School publications.
Doesn’t that all get a bit dull? I’m not going to lie – cataloguing
for weeks on end can be a painful process, but the rewards of
working in an archive far outweigh any negative aspects. As a
previous history student, I love working with historical documents
every day and handling unique items that only a handful of
people may ever see. I also like that I may uncover something
spectacular – at my previous job, I found a letter from a young
King George V tucked into a rarely used history volume.
So you really just look at old books all day? I wish! I would
love to have time to learn the intricacies of Harrow history and
read every document in the Archive to become a true expert,
but, unfortunately, the other tasks listed must take priority.
The fascinating finds usually crop up during routine work on
an exhibition or enquiry.
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T H E
H A R R O V I A N
Aren’t archives really dusty and dirty? Thankfully, long before
I arrived at Harrow, another archivist had collected, cleaned
and repackaged all of the documents now in the Archive. Now,
a cleaner does a monthly, chemical-free clean of the shelves
and outer boxes in the Archive store. This means that, for the
most part, there is no dust or dirt. However, I do find the odd
dead spider in our pest traps.
Don’t all the weirdos who prefer hanging out with inanimate
objects rather than real people work in archives? Sometimes
(I could tell you some stories – come and ask me if you are
interested). This was especially the case in the past when
archivists were generally referred to as ‘Keepers of Manuscripts’
and sat in dark dusty rooms reading old books and refusing to
let anyone else see them. The term ‘Keeper’ reflects the sense
of self-importance many in the profession once felt. However,
times are indeed ‘a-changing’. In order to secure a spot on the
MA course, course leaders actively want you to be able to engage
with people. Due to budget cuts in the cultural sector and the
general under appreciation of the value of cultural heritage, it
is more important than ever to become a public-facing space
and a heavily used resource that is relevant to various sections
of society. Working at any organisation as an archivist involves
constantly proving your value to that organisation.
Can people visit Yes! I accept visitors by appointment after
a discussion about their research topic. Interested boys should
contact their House Master in the first instance if they wish to
visit the Archive. Some items, such as The Harrovian archive,
are available online for the use of the School community.
THE SITUATION IN SYRIA
Over the past four years, the Syrian Arab Republic has endured
a seemingly ever-escalating conflict, labelled by senior diplomats
as the ‘biggest tragedy since the Second World War’. What
began as protest against an authoritarian regime led by President
Bashar al-Assad during the Arab Spring has since descended into
full-scale civil war, with atrocities committed by belligerents
on all sides. The war has seen the use of indiscriminate force
by the regime, including the use of barrel bombs on densely
populated suburbs, sieges on major civilian settlements affecting
approximately 200,000 people, and even the use of Sarin
chemical weapons in 2013. Gravely, such atrocities have been
mirrored by those in opposition to the regime, with extremist
rebel fighters enforcing abductions and the summary execution
of members of minority religious groups. Indeed, the political
paralysis that has sadly characterised the international response
to the crisis has precipitated the rise of terrorist fighters, such
as the al-Nusra front affiliated with Al-Qaeda, and the so called
‘Islamic State’ or Daesh. Continued instability has allowed the
latter to take control of significant swathes of territory within
both Syria and neighbouring Iraq in a campaign of infamous
brutality, complicating any move towards a political solution
to the overall conflict.
The current situation appears to be somewhat intractable - a
civil war stoked by sectarian tension and the vested interests
of neighbouring nations, as well as a revolution hijacked by
extremist militants. The international community in many
ways reflects this view, with the United States placing greater
emphasis on a campaign to ‘ultimately destroy’ Daesh, instead
of an actual political solution, and the United Nations Security
Council seeing four resolutions vetoed by regime allies Russia
and China. Two of the UN’s most seasoned diplomats, former
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and diplomatic veteran Lakhdar
Brahimi, have already resigned in succession from the post of
UN Special Envoy for Syria. However, it should be noted that
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
all is not yet lost - in May 2015, US Secretary of State John
Kerry met with Russia’s President Putin to discuss possible
rapprochement on the Syrian situation. While by no means a
watershed moment, such a move at least signals an increasing
willingness from the two biggest international stakeholders in
the conflict to cooperate on the matter, even against the backdrop
of ongoing Ukrainian tension. At the same time, current UN
Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura has also made inroads into
opening channels of communication for potentially restarting
stalled negotiations. In what have been billed as low key
consultations, de Mistura is engaging in discussion with over
40 different groups to identify starting points for the reopening
of talks to implement the Geneva Communiqué action plan,
created under Kofi Annan in 2012.
Although such developments are causes for hope, the gravity
of the Syrian Civil War means they are simply not enough. To
date, over 220,000 lives have been lost in the fighting, close
to four million refugees have fled the country, and no respite
appears in sight. The conflict represents a stain on the world’s
conscience and risks becoming (if it has not already) a blight
on the legacy of the UN. Nations around the world need to
redouble their efforts for this tragedy to come to a close. But
what can be done?
Direct military intervention beyond the airstrikes already
taking place against Daesh is no longer an option. After the
debacle of the 2003 Iraq War and, more recently, the 2011
NATO intervention in Libya, former proponents of action
including the US and the United Kingdom see great domestic
unwillingness to involve themselves in such a fashion. Strikes
against the Assad regime in response to the Ghouta chemical
weapons attack were averted in 2013 largely due to both a
British government defeat on the issue in Westminster, as
well as a Russian brokered deal to remove chemical weapons
stockpiles in the country. Lauded as a diplomatic triumph at the
time, those events constitute a missed opportunity to hasten the
conflict’s end. Moderate rebel groups such as the Free Syrian
Army held a much stronger position in 2013, and limited strikes
against chemical weapons stores could have placed the regime
under great pressure to come to the negotiating table, while
reinforcing the unacceptable nature of the use of weapons of
mass destruction under international law. Today, similar action
against the Assad government is almost unthinkable, given
the potentially grave effects the power vacuum created by a
capitulating regime may have in strengthening extremist groups
with a foothold in the country.
Regardless, these conclusions are resigned to the realm of
historical speculation - what is clear, however, is the need for a
political solution to the war that has so far eluded the mediators
involved. Although increasingly seen as irrelevant to the crisis,
the UN Security Council must play a more proactive role in
obliging the Assad regime and what remains of moderate rebel
forces such as the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary
and Opposition Forces to seriously engage in negotiation. For this
to happen, leading member nations cannot afford to sideline the
UN. Instead, the Security Council as a whole should acknowledge
that groups such as Daesh pose a real, existential threat to any
viable Syrian state, as well as that continued conflict between
the regime and moderate rebels only endangers the goals of
both belligerents involved. This concept would act as the basis
of a resolution binding them to a negotiated ceasefire and
obliging stakeholder nations to support such an aim, allowing
their forces to focus on combating extremist terrorists. Make no
mistake, these measures would not amount to amnesty for the
atrocities that have been committed throughout the civil war.
Even if successfully implemented, the question of holding war
criminals to account, and the composition of a future transitional
government remain contentious issues lacking an obvious
solution. Nevertheless, concrete and pragmatic action remains
an absolute necessity. The Security Council cannot continue
to falter and it certainly cannot abandon the people of Syria.
June 13, 2015
GAFFE AND GOWN
Quips from around the Hill
“Take a deep breath, and think of something reassuring – like
a majority Conservative government.”
A Russian accent heard during CCF, “You boy, I found z gun
in z lobby. I give to you. I do not know what to do.”
A boy in no mood for discussion: “Hey, do you want to hear
something brilliant?” “Silence, preferably.”
WE REMEMBER
Harrovians in WWI
Captain J. B. Hartley, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, The
Grove 992-022, killed in action at Gallipoli, on 4 June, 1915,
aged 29.
Lieutenant J. E. Findlay-Hamilton, Royal Scots Fusiliers,
Elmfield 093-133, killed in action near Givenchy, on 16 June,
1915, aged 19.
Private G. T. Henery Liverpool Regiment, Church Hill 022-032,
killed in action at Hooge, on 16 June, 1915, aged 27.
CORRESPONDENCE
Letters to the Editors of The Harrovian
Dear Sirs,
I welcome the opportunity to respond to recent correspondence
regarding IT systems at Harrow School.
The school’s IT strategies are very carefully considered, and are
aligned closely with the statements expressed in The School’s
Purpose. They can be summarised into five key elements:
“F” – Fundamentals; “L” – Learning; “A” – Administration;
“S” – Service and Support; “H” – High Value. Input and
feedback into ICT strategies is frequently sought from a wide
cross-section of constituencies – Governors, House Masters,
Masters, boys, support staff, parents and external consultants.
Certain fora exist for raising issues – the Pupil ICT Committees
and the school’s main ICT Steering Committee. The School’s
commitment to providing high quality ICT resources is genuine
and sincere, with ongoing investment in hardware, software
and infrastructure.
Arguably Harrow’s ICT provision is world-class. We have
been operating a one-to-one computer program for almost
a decade; all our formrooms are fitted with data projectors,
with around 80 formrooms supporting smartboards; we have
invested in a high-speed 200mbps internet link; our backup and
restore, disaster recovery and business continuity capability is
best of breed.
Maintaining a safe and secure ICT system for the school is
a high priority, and this extends to our duty of care for boys
using the School network. For instance, every school has an
obligation to filter internet services, although there is some
variation across schools as to the degree of this filtering. The
School strives to strike a balance between academic freedom
and the pastoral care requirements of a full boarding school.
This is true as much in the fromroom as in the Boarding House.
In recent times, educational institutions have been considering
the opportunities and potential presented by “Bring Your Own
Device” (BYOD) initiatives. Evidence regarding the educational
benefits of these initiatives is still mixed, with much debate
regarding such concerns as equity, security, sustainability,
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June 13, 2015
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
software compatibility, licencing and support. School leaders
continue to watch these initiatives with interest.
The ICT environment is dynamic and the School will continue
to keep its ICT strategies under regular review in response to
technological and social change.
Yours faithfully,
CDO
to be, with a life saving hour on the hosepipe, twice per day,
that the fire service itself would be proud of. Modern technologies are all very well, but we should ask
whether or not they are really necessary to achieve our aims.
Whether or not we are missing the point by blindly adopting,
running after or chasing the newest ways of doing the same thing. Yours faithfully,
Neil Porter
Dear Sirs,
Following a pertinent point made last week by Gus Machado
from The Knoll, I was reminded of a couple of things from my
youth. I say youth as if I can even remember it clearly, but it
must have happened because I am now fat, old and seemingly
thinking. Therefore I am and so it must follow that I also, was. I said it was a pertinent point, but that doesn’t mean I totally
agree with it. I see a lot of technology as mere play things,
toys if you will. Taken up by the multitudes until the world
turns and everyone moves towards something else, and all at
the same time. I yearn for people to do different things at the
same time but the idea never really gained any traction. Many
moons ago, I worked in a ten storey building. The tenth floor
being off limits to everyone but the chosen few. I eventually got
a look around and the tenth floor was interested in advertising
and planning strategies for various ventures.
The newest idea was to advertise a computer of some kind
(very early 1980’s) as a machine that could complete all of
your work in half the time, leaving you free to sunbathe, have
a round of golf or simply sit back in your chair, chuffed to
bits that you were ahead of the game and life would be easy
from here on in.
Clearly this was only advertising, so the whole truth was
not necessary and a smart individual could see the flaw in the
suggestion of the future as some kind of extended holiday,
thanks to new technologies. As it has obviously turned out,
people certainly work in more stressful circumstances now than
they ever did in the seventies and eighties. None of them take
the morning or afternoon off because they have nothing to do,
whilst they wait for the world to catch up. Because the world
caught up years ago, if it were ever really lagging behind at all.
Which it was not of course.
I used to be a gardener, just like early computers and early
technology could be seen as basic and useful and exciting and
maybe fulfilling a basic need in a basic and stress free fashion,
before it all got out of control and available to everyone,
including the kind of people who should be supervised even
as they attempt to remember which way up a bowl should be
placed before pouring milk all over it.
Gardening for the majority of regular folk used to be a nice
and simple and straightforward exercise. You walked around
and mowed anything that looked green and grassy. You followed
this up with a look around your borders and planted things as
you deemed appropriate. When did it become necessary to suddenly acquire a dozen
or so miniature gardens, (tubs) dotted around the place. Self
contained little sons and daughters to the grown-up mummy
and daddy garden. As if this ‘advancement’ was not enough to
move any sane person in to a cardboard box under a bridge,
along comes the idea of taking half a dozen of these miniature
gardens, attaching chains to them and then nailing them to the
side of your house. The wonder that is the hanging basket. Despair never hung any closer. A first world problem, granted.
But a problem nevertheless. It is entirely possible today to fall ill in midsummer, awake
from six days in bed, recovered from a high fever and have
practically half of your garden completely dried out and beyond
saving. In fact, the same would be possible in a single weekend,
and when your neighbour used to pop around on holiday cover
just to feed the largely disinterested cat, that same neighbour
now needs to be inconvenienced more than they have any right
Dear Sirs,
I have been warmed greatly by the response to my earlier letter
about homophobic and transphobic slurs. I’d like to thank
everyone who read it and who values equality – because a
recent news item has shown that certain aspects of the media
certainly don’t. Last Sunday I read a disturbing opinion piece
calling Caitlyn Jenner “selfish” for transitioning to being a
woman, taking issue with describing her as “brave”. For those
who don’t know, Caitlyn Jenner is a former Olympic athlete
who has transitioned to being a woman, and recently revealed
herself in Vanity Fair – an action which takes guts. The hateful
language in the article (such as saying that trans people “play
the bed-wetting victim”) seemed like crude tabloid journalism,
but it was in Julie Burchill’s opinion column in the Sunday
Times, a respectable newspaper that is read by millions; it has
already caused much controversy.
There have been those who said that my letter confronted a
non-issue; well, if one of the biggest newspapers in the country
can describe the trans community as “simpering vamps”, it
certainly is an issue – and as future leaders of corporations I
hope that this generation of Harrovians can bring equality to a
society that (by this example and others) is in certain regards
sorely lacking.
Yours faithfully,
Freddy Wickham, The Head Master’s
482
Dear Sirs,
Where do people’s priorities lie? Earlier this week you may
have read in most of your social media feeds of the new and
improved Caitlyn Jenner. Formally Bruce Jenner, he went under
knife to have the sex change he always wanted. As this swarms
the media, one story has seemed to be forgotten or should I
say never even mentioned. Akon, a well-known rapper is on a
mission of a lifetime to give electricity to millions of African
households and improve education. Akon said he is “bringing
hope to millions and ultimately giving Africa a better future”.
Now I am not saying that the story of Caitlyn Jenner is not an
inspirational one and that one many will use to spur them on.
However, I feel a certain injustice for the wonderful initiative
Akon is promoting and more importantly implementing. Why
have we not heard about this before? No one can say that this
has taken priority over the transformation of Bruce Jenner into
Caitlyn Jenner and there is an argument to say it should. His
work will better the lives of millions of people in Africa but
comes second to Caitlyn’s Vanity Fair photoshoot. Therefore
this brought me to the question, where do people’s priorities
lie? Do I blame the people for this sign of character? Well the
answer is no, personally I blame the media. It has been a tried
and tested way of influencing the people and allows powerful
people to express their ideologies. Not giving Akon’s initiative
any of the ‘air time’ it needs to reach the people and see how
people are making a difference shows the type of world we have
become. I don’t want to be seen as undermining the amazing
achievement Caitlyn Jenner has become, rather the point is I
feel the media has caused good stories such as Akon’s, which
is one of example out of many, to be brushed under the carpet
because they feel this won’t be of interest to the public.Well,
if this is not interesting to society, then I have lost hope.
Yours sincerely,
Callum Sirker,The Knoll
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
ATHLETICS
The School v Marlborough, 6 June, Away
All age groups scored comfortable wins at Marlborough last
weekend, competing against the hosts, Canford, Cheltenham
and Winchester. With no Fifth Formers and no Upper Sixth
present (except for Mark Freeman, Bradbys, who won four
events), it fell to the Removes and Lower Sixth to cover all
the events and they did so superbly. This match marked the
end of the season for some, with the remaining matches being
for multi-eventers.
On 9 June, 17 athletes represented the Borough of Harrow
at the County Championships at Allianz Park. On what turned
out to be an amazingly successful day, our athletes finished
the competition with one 3rd place, four 2nd places and seven
gold medals. Congratulations to the following:
3rd Douglas Cook, The Grove, U15 javelin
2nd Albert Dwan, West Acre, U15 discus; James Burgess-Adams,
West Acre, U17 discus; Angus Denison-Smith, Elmfield, U17
1500m,
and to the County Champions:
Daniel Adebayo, The Head Master’s, U15 triple jump
Uno Theerakulchai, The Head Master’s, U15 javelin
Milo Chetwynd-Talbot, West Acre, U17 hammer
Ben Cooper, Bradbys, U15 hurdles
George Grassly, The Knoll, U17 3000m
Ed Chia-Croft, Lyon’s, U17 javelin
Ade Okuwoga, The Knoll, U17 high jump
Three boys have now reached the qualifying standard for
the England Schools’ Competition: Lascelles Hussey, Elmfield,
Senior 1500m 3m 56.46s; George Grassly, Intermediate 1500m
4m 06.62s (new school record); and Ben Cooper, Bradbys,
Junior hurdles 11.69s (for a new School record). In addition,
Max Arzt-Jones, Moretons, equalled the Senior 400m record
recently with a time of 50.8s.This has been a most successful
two weeks for Harrow athletes and a fitting way to end the
season for many.
June 13, 2015
some slick offloads and a CEGB chip and chase had the crowds
roaring with delight. This put us out of the main competition
but into the second tier plate.
After some heckling from his own team for lack of scoring
contribution to the group stages, captain NGJ got the scoring
underway in the quarter-finals, finishing after a silky run by
JLM. GLO showed off some hula hips to ghost in for a couple
of tries, as KJBs domination of the kick-offs, added to the
side’s increasing defensive toughness, allowed them to romp
to a 38-7 victory. In a tough semi-final against a strong
Cavelliers outfit it looked as if the team’s small squad had
led to apathy, exhaustion and likely defeat, as a poor first half
display led to a 12-0 deficit. With the side looking drained and
the opposition so confident that they didn’t even have a half
time team-talk, JAA delivered a team talk that was enough to
rouse the emotions in any man. “You have played terribly in
that half, but looking positively you are only 12 down”. With
these words ringing in their ears the side started the second
half in far better style and aggressive defence soon led to the
opposition passing the ball to “the ghost” JLM under their own
posts. He then added a second with a superb break before GLO
sealed a 21-19 victory.
The team moved over to the show pitches for the final against
The Nighthawks. Fortunately they were much less intimidating
than their name suggests. In a similar vein to the School 1st
XII’s performance in winning the Middlesex Competition, the
side produced a scintillating performance in the final to crush
the opposition. CEGB led the charge, as he had throughout the
day, with thunderous defence and work-rate in attack, which
the side rallied behind. The Beaks’s played the game with too
much width, movement and skill for their tired opponents.
Three early tries broke the spirit of the opposition and, despite
them clawing one back in the second half, GLO snuck down
the wing again to all but seal the win. JLM showed off some
soccer skills to add a 5th try and NGJ chipped over the top to
score the final try of the day. The final score was 38-7. There
were some sore bodies on Monday morning and it took most
of the team longer to make their way to Speech Room than it
normally would. However the old adage remains true; “pain
is temporary, victory is eternal!”.
Squad: NGJ, JLM, CEGB, KJB,GLO, Erik Wallat, Alex
Thompson, Morgan Thompson, JAA (coach)
BEAKS RUGBY
Champions at London Social 7s, London
Over half-term the Beaks room (and friends) fielded a side,
for the second year running, in the Ultra Social Rugby 7s
competition at the London Summer Social festival. A few late
drop outs meant that the squad only travelled with only eight
members. A long and gruelling day awaited. Coach JAA prepped
the team for their first game and time was spent assessing our
attacking tactics. The team put them into practice scoring 28
points through some well worked tries. Unfortunately, most of
the side seemed to forget it wasn’t a touch rugby competition
and 36 points were conceded. The second match was won at
a canter as JLM led the way with two tries, to a comfortable
victory over Gleeds. Try of the day was scored in this match as
THE MANLIER SPORT
American Football v Rugby
There is much debate between fans of American Football and
Rugby : Which has the better athletes? What is more enjoyable
to watch? And which players hit harder? The two sports have
similarities. They both involve an odd-shaped ball, big strong
men and an extra-point kick after a try or touchdown. Due to
the two sports sharing these similarities, it is easy to compare
the two and crown one superior to the other.
So who is the better athlete; an American football player
or a rugby player? Both sports contain men of all shapes and
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June 13, 2015
sizes playing in specific positions. American football though,
is more specialised. There are three units: offence, defence
and special teams. Players are placed in a position that better
suits their overall skill level. Rugby, on the other hand has just
one unit who play both offence and defence. Therefore, the
argument can be made that a rugby player must have the overall
ability to play both attack and defence, thus showing greater
athleticism. However, American football necessitates a player
must possess high levels of speed or strength -because of this,
American football players are typically faster and stronger. In
rugby, specialisation is only a necessity in a small number of
positions, whilst core skills remain the most important aspect
of play. However, a rugby player has to have better endurance;
most players will have to play for a full 80 minutes with no
long breaks except during half-time. American football, on
the other hand, has many breaks due to having three different
units, and thus stamina is not as important. Despite this, in
American football short bursts of intense energy are required.
This can be difficult because breaks force decreases in a
player’s adrenaline levels and injuries are more apparent. Even
so, in rugby each team has only seven to eight substitutions
which are precious for a coach, and so a player cannot come
off the field for a bit and come back later on when they feel
like it. This is not the same in American football - coaches
have unlimited substitutions and players can get back into the
game. American football athletes have two other advantages
over Rugby players; National Football League (NFL) players all
have a college education, an increasingly widely debated issue,
since players need options after their sporting career. These
athletes also have to deal with tougher weather conditions due
to America’s large geographical size. Players in the NFL have
to deal with 30+ degree temperatures in Miami (whilst wearing
20 pound pads), as well as sub-zero temperatures in Green Bay
and Detroit. These temperatures are physically draining on the
players, yet they still must ignore this and play hard. For that
I commend them.
Which sport is more enjoyable for the fans? This is a tough
one as a very good case can be made on either side. In American
football, stadiums are larger and thus louder. Football is also
more of a show than anything else. In fact the Super Bowl
final is known as “The greatest show on Earth”. There are
national anthems sung before each game, cheerleaders, big
band shows in between stoppages, and even special prizes to
be won throughout the game. Due to the games being more of a
show, the sport attracts more fans who like the whole package,
not just the game. American football is also considered more
interesting than rugby between seasons (known as offseason)
due to free agency and the NFL Draft. However, the problem
with American football is that because there are more stoppages,
fans can become bored and struggle to get into the flow of the
game. Fans are not always from the local area; supporting teams
other than the local side is not uncommon. This can sometimes
ruin the special bond experienced between the fans. Stadiums
in rugby may not be as big, but this means that there are very
close relationships between fans, given that most will support
the local team. Rugby is also much simpler than American
football. If you are not willing to make an effort to learn all
the complex rules in American football, then you will struggle
to enjoy the game. One thing can be said about both teams in
either game; they both love to see a big hit!
Who hits harder? I think it is fair to begin this by saying that
both sports involve very big hits. A rugby player generates 1684
N of force when tackling, compared to an American football
player who can generate up to 7117 N. It should be noted that
due to players in American football wearing padding, they do
not feel all of this force. Nevertheless, these pads can cause
bigger hits for a few reasons. Firstly, it is less draining for the
tackler and ball carrier, allowing big hits to be seen throughout
the game. Another factor involved is that there are fewer
tackle restrictions in American football. In rugby, players are
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H A R R O V I A N
limited in their tackling, having to hit at a certain height and
having to wrap their hands around the ball carrier. Finally, an
American football player hits harder on account of a false sense
of “invincibility” given to players because of their protective
padding. This means that ball carriers and tacklers will put
their body on the line, in a foolhardy manner, which leads to
bigger hit. It is worth noting that even though American football
players hit harder, rugby players are likely to be better overall
tacklers because they can generate a significant amount of force
while still playing within the rules of the game.
In conclusion, after extensive research on the topic, American
football players are the better athletes, and also hit harder.
Despite this, rugby is more enjoyable to the average sports fan
due to its simplicity and non-stop flow. Which sport is better?
That’s for you to decide.
POLO
Harrow v Eton at Guards Polo Club, 7 June
The sun was shinning on this day, the 30th Annual Harrow v
Eton clash at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park. The
stage was set with Harrow and Eton having won this fixture 15
times each since 1985. The teams were very equally matched
this year, with Harrow having a slight advantage on handicap.
Harrow being a -1 goal team and Eton were being a -2 goal
team. This means Eton are given a half goal advantage at the
beginning of the match. The A team this year was captain
D’Artagnan Giercke, Rendalls, playing at number 4, number
3 was Hugo Taylor, James Emlyn both West Acre, number 2
and Charlie Cadogan, West Acre, number 1.
The first chukka started with a flurry of excitement with
an Eton foul giving Harrow the opportunity to score from a
60-metre penalty. Cadogan took this and he rose to the challenge
by sending the ball over everyone’s head to take the lead for
Harrow. Eton quickly regrouped to score taking the lead back
by half a goal. Next, Emlyn made a break with the ball taking
it the full length of the pitch to score in the last seconds of
the first chukka. The score after a tense first chukka Harrow
2 goals Eton 1 and a half goals. In the second chukka, Eton
was the only team to score one goal with excellent defending
by both teams. The 3rd chukka was the same story with Eton
T H E
H A R R O V I A N
Seb Handcock scoring an amazing goal under his horse’s
neck. It was all to play for in the 4th and final chukka, with
seven minutes of intense play from both sides. Eton scored
very quickly, bringing the score Eton 4 goals Harrow 2. With
constant pressure, from Harrow they were awarded another
penalty, James Emlyn stepped forward to take it and scored
in the last few seconds of the match. Final score was Harrow
3 Eton 4 and a half. At the award ceremony Eton took the
beautiful silver horse trophy but Harrow were recognised for
outstanding talent. Taylor received a wonderful silver cup for
being the most valuable player of the match and his pony also
won the award for the best playing pony.
INTER-HOUSE SAILING
4 June
Only eight Houses entered the inter-House sailing this year,
with Moretons having to drop out at the last minute and The
Park putting in a late entry. Maybe another year we should
hold this competition before half-term, and then have a larger
pool of sailors available. However, the weather could not have
been better, with a very hot and sunny afternoon, with a breeze
at slightly over force two – in other words, ideal conditions,
although requiring sun cream.
As usual, the course was a simple triangle, once round on the
preliminary rounds and twice around for the final. With only
eight teams entered, only one House was eliminated on each
preliminary. In round one, The Head Master’s (Will Gasson
and Edward Joyce) came first, Bradbys second, Elmfield third,
and Druries fourth. In the second, Lyons (Louis Martine and
Dan Hubble) came first, Newlands second, Rendalls third, and
The Park fourth.
The qualifying teams then took position for the final. The
competition was tighter this time, with all six boats out, but
once again Lyon’s got away to a very quick start, with some
clever positioning. The run up to the windward mark saw a
variety of courses taken but with the boats not shaking out
into any sort of order until the end of the first round. Indeed,
the result was keenly contested right up to the finish, which
saw Lyon’s retaining their lead and winning the Inter-House
Sailing for the first time. The remaining order was Rendalls
second, Head Masters third, Bradbys fourth, Elmfield fifth and
Newlands sixth.
This was a good afternoon’s sailing, and we look forward to
next year’s competition.
CRICKET
The School v Bedford School, at Sixth Form Ground
June 6, Won By 140 runs
Harrow Runs
F Ruffell b P McDuell 28
F Copestick c J Duxbury b S Jhala
71
A Rath c C Clarke b B Slawinski 15
R Wijeratne lbw b S Jhala 4
D Steward*† b G Furbank 24
S Wijeratne c T Bradbeer b S Jhala 6
J Cleverly b P McDuell 21
S Assani not out 37
M Kellock not out 14
Extras
14
Total
234 for 7 (55.0 overs)
June 13, 2015
Bedford Runs
P McDuell* c J Cleverly b F Ruffell 6
J Duxbury c F Ruffell b A Nazir
22
A Momi run out(D Steward) 15
C Clarke c J Cleverly b M Kellock 1
T Bradbeer† b A Nazir 2
G Furbank b A Nazir 18
B Slawinski c M Kellock b A Nazir 12
S Jhala lbw b T Nevile
9
G Cochrane-Davies c J Cleverly b A Nazir
0
J Selvey not out 0
A Gill b A Rath 2
Extras 7
Total 94 for 10 (34.5 overs)
Harrow Bowling O
M
R
W
F Ruffell 6.0 1
20
1
F Copestick
5.0 1
19
0
M Kellock 8.0 3
27 1
A Nazir 11.0 5
13 5
T Nevile 4.0 1
9
1
A Rath 0.5 0
0
1
Two confident captains met for the toss at 11.00a.m., one
telling of a hitherto unbeaten season, the other of a full house
of wins except for the last two balls against Wellington. But
it was the Harrow captain who left the ground in the evening
the happier bunny, after his team had put in another utterly
conclusive performance.
As with many of their wins this year, the foundation was laid
by some sensible stroke play on another shirt front of a wicket.
Harrow’s openers looked ‘un-Ruffelled’ (sorry) by Bedford’s
seam attack, both finding the boundary regularly off front
foot and back. Ruffell played an exquisite hook for six before
impatience got the better of him and he was bowled trying to
hit another six off the spinner, whose introduction had slowed
the run rate considerably. Copestick was unperturbed by this
and the fall of two of the other celebrated top order, sensibly
waiting for the ball to come into his favourite area to drive or
pull, whilst ticking the scoreboard over as much as the accurate
spinners allowed. He found a good ally in Steward, whose 24
was full of well-run singles.
One of the oldest cricket curses then afflicted the batsmen:
the spirit of ‘either-side-of-lunch’ preyed on the concentration
of the middle order and threatened to stall the innings. But this
is a team whose numbers ten and eleven would be top order
batsmen in some other schools and the experienced hands, eyes
and wrists of Cleverly (again), Assani and Kellock scuffled their
way to a respectable total. Assani has played some vital knocks
this year and he is an important player who marshals the end of
the innings expertly, equally comfortable against spin or seam.
A par score, or so we thought. Yet 35 overs later it was
looking like a Herculean total as Harrow’s excellence in the
field, and with the ball, shone through. Alistair Cook, Bedford’s
most famous cricketing alumnus, would have been crunching
his chiselled jaw in distress (how many times will the cameras
focus in on that face this summer?) if he’d turned up to watch
his old school. Unable at first to score freely against the probing
lengths of Ruffell and Copestick (opening the bowling together
as well as the batting), Bedford’s batsmen then imploded when
faced with Harrow’s succession of excellent spinners. Nazir
was the chief protagonist, his 11 mesmerising overs going for
only 13 runs, with five wickets to boot. He was helped by some
excellent catching (three for Cleverly and arguably the catch
of the season so far by Kellock) and a dodgy piece of running
from Bedford’s best batsman.
Beaks were seen down West Street at 5.30 pm in shirt sleeve
order ready to watch the last hours of cricket before getting
back to their marking, only to be surprised to see the game
had finished. So quickly did Bedford’s mainly spin attack rattle
through their overs, and so dominant were Harrow in the field
that this game was done with the sun still high in the sky.
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T H E
June 13, 2015
CRICKET RESULTS
The School v Bedford and Tonbridge
2nd XI Bedford Harrow won by 6 wickets
175 for 3
179 for 4
(Jordache 83*, ChisenhaleMarsh 20)
Bedford won the toss and chose to bat on an excellent wicket.
Robyns and Ellis bowled with pace and accuracy through the
opening spell, piling the pressure on the home side. They were
supported by fine spells of bowling by Menaged, Jordache and
Martin-Smith, restricting Bedford to 175 for 4 wickets which
looked below par on this pitch and fast outfield. Harrow started
brightly with Chisenhale-Marsh (20) and Jordache (83*) putting
together an excellent partnership with some exemplary shot
selection and running between the wickets. Robyns joined
Jordache at the crease to finish off what was an impressively
well-paced run chase to seal a well-deserved victory.
Colts A won by 77 runs
Harrow
204-8 (Maxwell 59, Jordan 42)
Bedford 127 all-out
(Reid 3-12, Stroyan 3-25)
An excellent Harrow win characterised by a mature 59 by
Maxwell opening the batting, allowing Jordan and Ing in the
middle order the freedom to post a strong total. We regularly
took wickets throughout the Bedford reply with the highlight
being an incredible one-handed catch from Bowie to dismiss
the Bedford opening batsman who was looking in good form.
Colts B won by 194 runs
Harrow
253 for 2 (Awdry 65 and 6 for 10, Hanson
57, Cleverly 47, Atkinson 48)
Bedford 59 all out (Awdry 6 for 10)
Colts C lost to Tonbridge by 6 wickets. Junior Colts A won by 38 runs
Harrow batted first and scored an impressive 254-5 in 35. Ferreira
top scored with 107 ably assisted by Scott-Lyon 54, Fenwick 32
on debut and Gray 29 from 14 balls at the end of the innings.
Harrow missed chances for both run outs and catches and were
punished as Bedford put on 109 for the second wicket. Some
excellent fielding from Goswell created a runout and after that
the game was relatively comfortable. Bedford finished 216-7
with Will Falcon finishing with 3-15.
H A R R O V I A N
Junior Colts B lost by 1 wicket
Harrow
213-3 (Anson 95*, Holmes 54*)
Bedford 214-9 (Mayall 2-19)
This was the game of the day. Harrow lost on the very last ball
to a competitive Bedford side. Harrow batted first, posting a
daunting 213-3 off 30 overs, with Anson hitting 95 runs off
88 balls and Holmes hitting 54 runs. Harrow’s bowling and
fielding, however, were not on form on this occasion. Bedford
won with 214-9 having survived a run out appeal on the very
last ball. A game for the neutral!
Junior Colts C won by 162 runs
Harrow scored 226-8 off 30 overs then bowled Bedford out for
64. All bowlers contributed; with the bat Martini Siu scored
74 off 41 balls and George Hill scored 51.
Junior Colts E lost to Tonbridge u15 D by 20 runs.
Tonbridge: 129-6 Harrow: 109 all out
Harrow were made to pay for a bit of sloppiness in the field
as too many singles were turned into twos. A great effort to
chase the target down lead by Mash and Shourie just fell short
of the required total as they were restricted by some tight
Tonbridge bowling.
Yearlings A lost by 99 runs to a very strong Bedford team who
scored 238 for 4 (Rosson-Jones 4 for 48). Harrow scored 139
for 7 in reply. Yearlings B won by 70 runs in a very professional
performance. There was a great innings by Sam Allen 51, with
support from Ed Lewis 31 and Tom Walduck 30 in Harrow’s
198-7 (30 overs). Bedford in reply managed 128-8.
Harry Stevenson produced the finest innings of the Yearlings Cs’
season so far, scoring 99 in a 122 run victory against Bedford.
The yearlings Cs remain unbeaten this season.
Yearlings D beat Tonbridge by 10 runs. Harrow 115-5, Tonbridge
105-6. Glimerveen scored a fantastic 70 and Barr took 2-8.
Finally a combined Yearlings E/F team beat Tonbridge by 9
wickets (Zac Goodman scoring 56), thus completing a thoroughly
successful day for Harrow’s cricketers.
Ways to contact The Harrovian
Articles, opinions and letters are always appreciated.
email the Master in Charge smk@harrowschool.org.uk
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