On Friday, 21st September, Liam and James rescued a 90 year old man from the Tone River at French Weir. Cycling back from Taunton Kayaking Club, the twins heard a noise coming from the river. It was very dark but upon further investigation the boys realised a man had fallen in the water.
Mr Richard Baker had slipped in the river earlier that evening. Liam descended the bank upon seeing Mr Baker, followed by James who assisted and the twins then called an ambulance. James moved to Bridge Street, a lit area, to wait for the ambulance.
The concerned paramedics, John Bastone, from Wellington and Matthew Palmer, from Tiverton, described Mr Baker as ‘extremely cold’ and continued by commending the boys for their quick thinking and brave action.
School Netball Success
Congratulations to the girls U14 and U16 Netball sides who have both gone through to the County Netball Finals at Millfield next Saturday. Competing in the local competition against rival schools Queens, Kings and Wellington, the girls performed very well, the U14’s finishing runners up whilst the U16’s gained 1st place.
County Hockey Success
Congratulations to the following girls who have gained places in their respective county hockey sides:
U19
Lottie Cargen (WD)
Lizzie Hebditch (BV)
U17
Steph May (WD)
Izzy Jeffs (BV)
Sarah Telford (BV)
U15
Lauren Plant (BS)
Jessica Metherall (BS)
U14
Rebecca Kinnear (JK)
Ellie Chandler (JK)
SPORT RESULTS
Rugby:
Thursday 27th September. TS v Bryanston
1st XV Lost 0-13
An excellent evening! Many thanks to all who supported the team.
29th September. TS v Q.E.H. Bristol
1st XV Lost 24-29
2nd XV Won 17-5
Senior Colts A Lost 8-14
Junior Colts A Lost 0-62
J.C.B Lost 0-44
Hockey:
29th September. TS v. Kings Taunton
1st XI Won 5 - 2
2nd XI Won 1 - 0
3rd XI Lost 0 – 3
4th XI Won 1 – 0
U15A Won 6 - 0
U15B Won 6 - 0
U14A Won 7 - 1
U14B Drew 1 - 1
A pretty impressive set of results against our local rivals!
OTHER EVENTS:
European Day of Languages:
Many thanks to all involved in a hugely enjoyable day. Congratulations to Louise Walker (BS) who gained first place in the poster competition to celebrate the European Day of Languages.
History Trip to Wells and Glastonbury
‘Somebody ate my baby’ was the opening line of the winner of the 2007 ‘best song by a TS Lower Sixth History Class about the baby-eating Bishop of Bath and Wells competition’ (for more about the bishop, refer to ‘Blackadder’, (Series II). We have had some impressive entries over the years, all performed in the magical setting of the infirmary cloister of Glastonbury Abbey; but this time was best of all. Not only were we permitted to use the Abbot’s Kitchen as a concert venue, but a party of thirty-odd German tourists (unwittingly) settled down to listen. Callum Vincent (official Fool of the Trip) ably led the performance but everybody from Lower Sixth D Modern Group cheerfully joined in at the climax – ‘the BISHOP ate my baby’ – and marvellous monody resounded in the great echo of that antique space.
The rest of the day was spent in preparation for this event, exploring Wells Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace and the aforementioned abbey ruins. Mr Moule introduced the intricacies of thirteenth century stiff-leaf carving, lierne-vaulting and Y-tracery to the riveted pupils, Mr Hawkins gave a lurid account of the summary trial and murder of Richard Whiting (the last Abbot), Mr Chatterton talked about the Baby-Eating Bishop and supervised the (much-employed) Book of Folly, and Mr Leahy looked on bemused. Pupils were in terrific spirits, eating pasties and drinking Red Bull and conversing happily about the development of cadaver tombs in the late fifteenth century (cf. Bishop Bekynton’s).
History Trip to Sedgemoor Battle Fields
With due reference to the history department’s motto – don’t just learn it, live it – the Upper Sixth cohort of historians spent the evening of Wednesday 12th September retracing the footsteps of the two armies involved in the Battle of Sedgemoor, the last pitched battle held on English soil. They were led by Major-General Barry Lane, a former Chairman of Governors and an expert on the battle. After a brief introduction in St Mary’s Church, Bridgwater, the students toured the Somerset levels, stopping at various points as Major-General Lane described the build-up to the battle in intricate detail. As the sun set the final events of the battle were brought to life, following which the students lived up to Napoleon’s dictum that “an army marches on its stomach” by consuming the veritable feast provided by the school catering department, as well as copious amounts of local blackberries (ably assisted by Mr Moule).
Liam and James MacDonald – Marshall House