Eccles Grammar School

Essayan – Spring 1967

GEOLOGY FIELD WEEK, 1966

For those geologists in the Lower Sixth Form, the week spent at Whitby at Easter provided an ideal introduction to field geology. Snow fell on the North Yorkshire Moors, and the wind at Flamborough Head produced a violent sea which seemed to fit perfectly the eroded chalk cliffs on which we walked, yet the weather never became a hindrance to our work.

Robin Hood's Bay became familiar to us during three visits — it was here that we had our first opportunity to search for fossils. Ravenscar, the headland to the south of the bay, was visited by a small party which found its way to the bottom, and then, in the first sunshine of the week, climbed back to the top. We were not surprised to see Mr. Thomas run most of the way.

To the South we saw the chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head, and looked on with disbelief as the biologists muttered incantations over squares of rough grass. The chalk provided us with the inevitable climb to the top of a scarp slope which geographers seem to relish.

The job af organising the innumerable visits by geologists, biologists and geographers alike, was done by Mr. Miller, Mr. Hardman and Mr. Thomas who, at the end of the week, even brought us all back.

G. Cunningham

PHOBOPH ENGINEERING INCORPORATED

During the past 20 years, Eph Phoboph has continued to produce machines of outstanding quality. Main advances were the syncrocrunch single-speed gearbox and the introduction of 'Posi-Phorce' lubrication using a mixture of paraffin and axle grease (stolen from the Japanese). This idea was first tried out by the factory rider Bert Throbnostle on the 102½ cc. 1½ cylinder 3 stroke racing 'Phoboph Pheeble' and proved to be an utter failure.

Remarked Bert, 'It's no laughing matter when you seize solid at 7 m.p.h.!

Undaunted by his failure Bert had a brilliant idea. He thought that fitting a 'high-compression headlamp bulb' would aid cooling, and what do you know — It worked!

I was given the opportunity of taking the Pheeble out on a test run and was surprised to negotiate Worsley Hill two up. Next week I hope to go up the hill on the Pheeble.

Along with the Pheeble, the Phuple and the Pharce has been exported to the Pojab Police Force. Their chief Umdinga was very impressed with their ability to adapt themselves to the difference in climate.

From a recent report the Phobophs are proved to be a popular machine and most of the riders are unanimous in their decisions.

'It can out-accelerate any milk float,' writes Claude Hobnopper from Chipping Sodbury.

'The brakes are fantastic — I once stopped in 100 yards from 25 m.p.h. without even trailing my feet!' writes an enthusiast from Little Lever.

Petrol consumption has greatly increased from 3 miles per pint to a creditable 24 miles per gallon. For racing, the Phobophs run on a mixture of nitro-glycerine and water. The use of a wooden piston increases the compression ratio and adds to extra lightness.

For the road user who would like to improve the performance of his Phoboph, pedals are fitted to the machine for a small fee.

With such added luxuries as mudguards, seat, tank, and lights, I can see why the Phoboph is such a popular machine and a real credit to its founder, Eph Phoboph, now in his 98th year.

Stuart C. Nelson

CAMERA CLUB REPORT

During the past year members of the camera club have had lectures illustrated with slides, print criticism sessions, and also cine films have been shown. A practical session for 'flash' was also included amongst these meetings, kindly arranged by Mr. Natt. Unfortunately, there has been a poor response from members of the school to most of these meetings.

This year has seen a really good step forward for the photographers of the school. Work has been going on for some time on a darkroom for the school. This now has all the necessities and basic equipment and is thus operational. It still lacks the refinements which facilitate print making but these are as yet luxuries.

The darkroom is for the use of anyone wishing to make prints for any purpose by arrangement with Mr. Natt, who supplies much of the equipment. It is hoped that the darkroom will be a success, and enable many people, who would have otherwise been unable, to try their hand at print making.

A

1^st XI Hockey

CROSS COUNTRY REPORT, 1965-6

During this season, teams were sent to Longford Park for the series of Stretford Schools' Races, to the Eccles Schools' Championships and to Liverpool for the Lancashire Schools' Championships.

At Stretford, in the U-14 races, J. Britton had 1 win and 2 seconds, while K. Wiggans was 3rd several times. In the Eccles Schools' Championships, R. Britton won the U-17 race, while K. Wiggans was 4th in the U-15 event.

In our own School Cross Country Championships Normans made a clean sweep of the team events. In the junior event M. Waugh came out top after a hard struggle. In the Middle event, J. Britton held off K. Wiggans and last year's winner N. Jackson to win in record time. In the senior event, R. Britton led all the way, although the race was marred by R. Wiggans spraining his ankle while in second place.

Results:

Junior: 1st, M. Waugh (Norman); 2nd, C. Meehan (Stuart); 3rd, J. Smith (Norman).

Middle: 1st, J. Britton (Norman), 2nd, K. Wiggans (Tudor), 3rd, N. Jackson (Norman).

Senior: 1st, R. Britton (Norman); 2nd, S. Brain (Norman); 3, T. Hamblett (Norman).

Final House Placings: 1st, Normans; 2nd, Saxons; 3rd, Tudors; 4th, Stuarts.

Thanks are due to Mr. Barnes, who, despite some poor attendances, kept the Cross Country Club on its feet throughout the winter.

A. J. Britton, 5Sc.

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