itchin oys’ chool the chronicle - amazon web...

HITCHIN BOYS’ SCHOOL

The ChronicleThe Hitchin Boys’ School Newspaper Autumn Term 2011

1) Where did Fighting Fantasy come from?“Well, the idea originally came from Steve Jackson.However, both of us had been influenced by games,Dungeons and Dragons and, of course, books!”

2) What led you to the video game industry?As a new technological age was coming, we didn’t want to get left behind. We felt thattechnology was going to be a HUGE and successful medium for many people. Moving forwardwas a huge part of it.

3) What do you feel was your most successful book?Ha ha, it’s hard to say really. Umm, purely on sales The Warlock of Firetop Mountain! That wasour Number 1 book. However, the book I am most proud of is Deathtrap Dungeon and City ofThieves.

4) What inspired you to write books?I enjoyed reading a lot when I was a kid. I enjoyed reading creative books and my favorite wasMyth and Legend books.

5) How do you feel knowing that you have sold over 14 million copies ofFighting Fantasy?

Don’t know really, Umm, I feel satisfied and very proud of what we have achieved!

6) How did you come up with the unique gameplay system for your books?It was mainly by playing Dungeons and Dragons that it evolved into a simple yet unique individualgame play system. Being able to include things like Stamina and Attack attributes really was a bonus!

Okay, that’s great, Thanks for your time!Interview by Joe Wilmot

Interview with

Ian Livingstone

To get involved with the

production of The

Chronicle, see Mrs Gale

or Josh Massey

GET INVOLVED

CREDITS

This edition:

EDITORS:

Miss Needham and The

Chronicle Team

PROOF READING:

Conor Black

WRITERS: Joe Abbott,

Conor Black, Ben

Chennells, Julian

Greenbank, Tom Hills,

James Magee, Matthew

Maylin, Alex Morris, Peter

Saville, Alex Wearing, Sam

Webb, Joe Wilmot, Jake

Witham-Kosteris

As a market leader in our specialist fieldof ductwork manufacturing, installing,

setting to work and the commissioning of,ventilation, air conditioning and total air side

package systems, we offer a full complement of services tosuit our clients’ needs and specifications.

ASM Engineering Ltd., 74 Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 0TP • email:[email protected]

Mobile: 07595 022 430 • Office: 01462 477360 • www.asmeng.co.uk

Ventilation and Air Conditioning Contractors

Hitchin Boys’ School

- 2 -

Jake Witham-Kosteris

From the producer of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzzand Paul comes Attack the Block, the sci-fi, horror,action, comedy that, according to Empire, is“Nothing less than the new Shaun of the Dead.”

It’s set on bonfire night in South London. JodieWhittaker who plays the part of Sam is beingmugged by a gang of hooded youths, when out ofnowhere a flaming meteor hits a car close by.

While the gang stare at the vehicle in disbelief,Sam manages to get away. Suddenly a small butvicious alien jumps out of the car and attacks thegang - they kill the invader but they have little timeto celebrate.

More aliens begin to invade and they’re bigger,stronger and out for blood. The gang take their onlychance of survival and hide in their housing block.

They soon join forces with Sam and local drugdealer Nick Frost who plays Ron and realise that ifthey want to live then they are going to have to fightback.

Attack the Block is a great film. It is not only veryfunny but a little bit shocking and amazingly cool.Definitely a must see.

Attack the Block Film Review

- 3 -


Pos i t i ve So lu t ions

FOR ALL Y

CONVEYANCING

WILLS AND ESTATE PLANNING

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

LANDLORD AND TENANT

BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT LAW

MATRIMONIAL & FAMILY MATTERS

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

FOR ALL YOUR INTERESTS

25 Bancroft, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1JW

TELEPHONE: 01462 458711FACSIMILE: 01462 459242

www.foremanlaws.co.uk

Matthew Maylin

On the mornings of Monday 17th September 2011 and

Tuesday 18th September 2011, Year 8 went on a

Geography trip to Barton Hills. It was an educational trip

but also it was a lot of fun.

I went with Mrs Christou and we walked around the

whole site and recorded all the objects we saw and were

told about. When we went to the spring, we were allowed

to drink out of it and the water tasted delicious.

When we got to the top of the hill, after a very steep

climb, the view that we saw of the open fields and

massive hills were amazing.

This trip was very important because we used the notes

we made to revise for a test on our Barton Hills field trip,

which took up two lessons and was very long and quite

hard. However, all of our class managed to finish in time

and we all did well in the end and our teacher was very

happy.

The Barton Hills trip was a valuable experience and I am very

happy I went. As well as it being a lot of fun, I also learnt a

lot about Barton Hills that I did not previously know.

Matthew Maylin

On the mornings of Monday 17th September 2011 and

Tuesday 18th September 2011, Year 8 went on a

Geography trip to Barton Hills. It was an educational trip

but also it was a lot of fun.

I went with Mrs Christou and we walked around the

whole site and recorded all the objects we saw and were

told about. When we went to the spring, we were allowed

to drink out of it and the water tasted delicious.

When we got to the top of the hill, after a very steep

climb, the view that we saw of the open fields and

massive hills were amazing.

This trip was very important because we used the notes

we made to revise for a test on our Barton Hills field trip,

which took up two lessons and was very long and quite

hard. However, all of our class managed to finish in time

and we all did well in the end and our teacher was very

happy.

The Barton Hills trip was a valuable experience and I am very

happy I went. As well as it being a lot of fun, I also learnt a

lot about Barton Hills that I did not previously know.

Barton Hills Trip

- 4 -

Surveyors & Estate Agents8 Brand Street,

Hitchin, Herts SG5 1HX.Tel: 01462 455225Fax: 01462 433669

Email: [email protected]

Also at:81 High Street, Codicote

Herts SG4 8XETel: 01438 821166Fax: 01438 821168


Lettings & Property Management30 Sun Street,

Hitchin, Herts SG5 1AH.Tel: 01462 455434Fax: 01462 433285


- 5 -


So, the battle for Dale Farm is finally over. After anepic 10-year struggle with the evil and oppressivegovernmental force that is Basildon Council, the

brave and noble protesters were finally forced from the siteby the overwhelming might of the British security forces,who pulled down the gates of the farm and draggedpeople kicking and screaming out of their homes. The fewsurvivors of the battle were left poor and destitute, with nooption left except to resume a life of hardship travelling onthe road, far from their former homes, where they had livedpeacefully for many years.

Or so they would like us to think. What actually happenedin the ‘Battle’ of Dale Farm was one of the most pointless,moronic and downright ridiculous events of the last year.For a start, the entire battle should never have happened -it was a non-issue, the travellers were clearly in violation ofthe building regulations, and could (should) have acceptedthis, saved everyone the hassle and moved on peacefully.But no, they chose to fight a costly legal battle, and then,having failed to secure a successful legal conclusion, theytried to force the council into paying them to leave the site.They asked for £6m, claiming that this would beconsiderably less than the cost of an eviction, even thoughthis shouldn’t have been necessary in the first place.

Put a different way, whatever you or I may think about thetravelling community, at Dale Farm they were clearly in thewrong. The council rejected planning permission for half ofthe site, yet this area was still built on. If you or I did thesame thing, then ultimately we would be forced to pay afine and acquire retrospective planning permission, ordemolish the property at our own expense without anycompensation whatsoever. Why did the travellers at DaleFarm think they could bypass this law? If they want to livesomewhere, and not have to travel from place to place, thenthey should adhere to the laws that the rest of us must obey.

The travellers also claimed that the police shouldn’t havebeen involved in the eviction, that the bailiffs should havebeen sent in alone. Considering the response of thetravellers - bricks and stones thrown, caravans burnt - it’slucky that the police did go in first, otherwise the travellerscould be facing a few charges more serious than breachof the peace and obstruction. Still, 34 people werearrested, most of them protestors rather than residents.

And in the end, they simply walked out. One residentclaimed that they walked out with ‘dignity’, and that ‘theyhad only ever wanted to leave peacefully.’ Why thencouldn’t they have done that in the first place?

Dale Farm Fiasco

- 6 -

Kick Off Sport and Ski11 Hermitage Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1BS

Telephone & Fax: 01462 452366E-Mail: [email protected]

Football • Rugby • Cricket • TennisSquash • Badminton • Hockey • SkiSwimming • Equipment • Clothing

Traditional Sports Shop

Did Shakespeare WriteShakespeare?By Julian Greenbank

The Pythons, Russell T. Davies, Charles Dickens,Geoffrey Chaucer, Steven Moffat, Roald Dahl, J.K.Rowling, Anthony Horowitz, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,Eoin Colfer, Howard Overman, Richard Curtis, BenElton and Agatha Christie. These, in my opinion, aresome of the greatest writers, on the screen and onthe page, that have ever come from this greatnation. But probably the greatest out of all of themis William Shakespeare, whose plays are regardeda phenomenon. They are some of the most adaptedand most performed plays in the world.

But are they really written by him?

There is a new film out that depicts Shakespeareas a fraud, and says that the plays were reallywritten by the 17th Earl of Oxford.

First let’s explore the theory. It comes from the playJulius Caesar. Many say that he didn’t write itbecause it’s not like any of his other plays. His usualhistorical plays (e.g. Henry V, Richard III, etc.) arebased on popular belief (or Tudor propaganda inthe case of Richard III) and also fact. Julius Caesar,however, has a ghost in it, when Julius appears toBrutus at the end. Also, argue the sceptics,Shakespeare’s other plays have a conflict betweensomeone with angst and another character, e.g.Hamlet against his uncle. Julius Caesar doesn’t.

Evidence for this theory is, like Shakespeare’spopularity, widespread. One, Shakespeare was theson of a glove maker. On his birth certificate, whenit says Mother’s Name and Father’s Name, they aremarked with a mark instead of signatures. Thismeans that Shakespeare was brought up in anilliterate household; how could he write the playsif he could never write in the first place? Plus hecomes from a working class family, which, at thetime, meant he probably didn’t go to school.

Two, there is little documentation or proof thatShakespeare actually attended school. Also, the sixsurviving signatures of William Shakespeare arecompletely different. One spells his name as WillmShakp, another spells it Wm Shaksp , and they’reall very scratchy which proves that Shakespeare isilliterate, if there are six different, very scratchyways to spell one man’s name.

Three (are we up to three?), we’re not even sure ifShakespeare even existed. We don’t know when hewas born and there seem to be seven years wherehe disappears off the face of the planet. All weknow about Shakespeare is his baptism date. There

also seem to be a number of theories that suggestShakespeare was a different person entirely.

Christopher Marlowe - bear with me it’s relevant –who was put on trial based on the fact he was anAtheist (person who believes God doesn’t exist, andyes, this was a crime back then), died before hisexecution. Many believe that he faked his owndeath and used this fictional character, Shakespeare,so he could continue to live as normal.

Other people suggest that Shakespeare was reallythe 17th Earl of Oxford, the 16th Earl of Derby(both of which seems a little classist to me), andFrancis Bacon.

And now for evidence for Shakespeare’sauthorship. One (definitely the first), Shakespeare’smother was the daughter of a man of the church.I doubt very much if he would allow his grandsonto grow up illiterate.

Two, there is documentation to prove thatShakespeare attended school. Yes there is little ofit but that’s because we haven’t searched all thedocumentation of that time period. Among thesedocuments is the application for permission for theShakespeare family to bear a coat of arms whichincludes William’s name.

Three, there are seven years where Shakespeare diddisappear, but there are many theories behind this.The most likely two propose he went to work as aglove maker with his father and he travelled theworld, hence why some of his plays are basedabroad (A Midsummer Night’s Dream is based inAthens, Romeo and Juliet is based in Verona inItaly). Plus we know Shakespeare’s baptism dateso we know roughly his birth date (we guess it wasthe same day as his death date, 23rd April, whichmust have spoiled the party a bit).

And, as for the different person theory, pleasenotice all their death dates. Bacon dies in 1626,Marlow died in 1593, Earl of Oxford died in 1604and Earl of Derby died in 1642. Shakespeare diedin 1616. That cancels out Marlow and the Earl ofOxford, so if the Earl of Derby and Bacon died laterthan Shakespeare, why didn’t Shakespeare’s workcontinue until one of their deaths?

I went round the English department to hear theirviews. As you can imagine, there wasn’t a singleteacher I interviewed who definitely said no. Mr.Nunes says that, “There is no degree of proof thatsupports the authorship theory.” He continued tosay that Shakespeare’s work was “very clunky” (hemeans it has some bad bits in it), but then againso is everybody else’s works. Miss. Needham andMiss. Waller are under mutual agreement. They saythat despite his background, “Shakespeare was agenius; there’s just a small minority that are

determined to prove otherwise.” “It’s better to betalked about than not,” adds Miss Needham.

Miss Gale says, “I hope so.” That’s very reassuring!She continues, “The film is a good starting point;people need to make that decision for themselves.”Mr. Pitchford says “People are obsessed by askingquestions like ‘what if Hitler won the war?’ Or ‘whatif the southerners had won the Civil War?’ However,sometimes people produce very compelling proofsand these are taken too seriously by other readers.Did Shakespeare write his plays? Yes. Did he do italone? No. His plots come from historical and otherliteracy sources and undoubtedly his fellow actors,crew and sponsors had input in the script”

But not all of them said Shakespeare definitely did.Mr. Murdoch said Shakespeare “Wasn’t hugelyeducated, he had basic Latin and Greek and theyare his main references in his plays but he says he’s“on the fence for this one” [Mr. Murdoch on thefence?] and Mr. Pinhorn says, “It’s very likely hehad help. The question is how little and how muchhe was involved.” He also says he’s “on thefence.” [And Mr. Pinhorn too?]

So, did Shakespeare really write Shakespeare? Inmy opinion, yes, I think it’s possible thatShakespeare did have a little help in writing hisplays, but if he did then it would have beenabsolutely minimal, so all the work is his. Justbecause he was the son of a glove maker doesn’tnecessarily mean he’s stupid. It’s just upper classpeople thinking “Oh he comes from a workingclass so he couldn’t possibly write.”

But then again I am a writer so maybe it’s law forthat to be my opinion. But what’s yours? Email‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question: ‘Did Shakespeare writeShakespeare?’ to [email protected]. We’llpost the results in the next issue.

- 7 -


- 8 -

Hitchin’s ExcitingNew Gastropub

• Restaurant• Garden Terrace

31 Walsworth RoadHitchin • SG4 9ST01462 456111www.radcliffearms.com

For Mouthwatering Meals

• Function Room• Bar

• MorningCoffee

RECENTLY REFURBISHEDTO THE HIGHEST STANDARD

Tax Planning Accountancy Financial Services

Business Solutions Virtual Office

The SNP have released a statementshowing what in Scotland they’regoing to be raising or cutting.

Oddly though they haven’t said they’regoing to spend a penny on a referendumon Scottish Independence. According toSalmond, the Scottish First Minister,they’ll hold a referendum in three years’time because that’s when Salmond thinksthe SNP has the best chance of gettingwhat they want. But is this really true?

At the moment, the First Minister forthe three other nations (Scotland, Walesand Northern Ireland) has power for theEducation systems in their country.They basically control everything excepttaxes. But they can’t do anything majorsuch as launching a referendum withoutpermission from Westminster. At themoment, there’s no such thing asScottish Citizenship (or a citizenship forany of the three nations), you can onlyreally be a British Citizen.

The SNP are the Scottish Nationalist Party and they’re abit like the BNP, except without the racism. Although,they have been branded Anglophobic (scared of theEnglish) because one of their policies includes throwingout all the English people who live and work in Scotland.

But let’s journey back to the First Ministerial elections,which were in May 2011. The SNP’s manifesto (basically abook of everything the party in question won’t do) containsno mention of a referendum for Scottish independence.They mention other things that they’ll do, but not ScottishIndependence. They did a good job last time they were inpower (a coalition government then), so the Scots couldhave voted for them for different reasons.

A good reason they shouldn’t be independent is that noone actually wants to be. At the present time 1 in 5 Scots

wants separation from the UK, and Mr. Howie reckonsthat they’ve peaked on support. And I have to say that Iagree with him. Everyone I know who’s Scottish is deadagainst becoming two countries. Many Scottish celebritiessuch as Karen Gillian and David Tennant are againstScottish independence saying there’s no point in becomingsmaller. My Science teacher, Mrs. McAdam, says that,when it comes to Scottish Independence, “Her heart saysyes but her brain says no. Many Scots wonder if we’lloperate the same way if we do separate from the Union.”

My personal opinion is all for the Union (or the UK as it’scommonly known). There is actually no point whatsoeverin becoming a smaller country. The next step for us - andit will happen whether we like it or not - is becoming onecountry with Europe. To quote an O2 advert: we’re better,connected. Together, we’re stronger and we can benefitmore if we stay that way.

- 9 -


Do the Scots really wanttheir Independence?


Year 10 House Rugbyby Tom HillsThe tradition of house rugby continues every year. Every boy musttake part and this is what I feel makes it so great. Even for thosewho feel that rugby isn’t really their thing, house rugby is thechance to show off your talents and enjoy a marvellous spectacle.The usual contenders for the A team title started well, with Piersoncomprehensively beating Mattocke before Skynner scraped pastRadcliffe. Then in the second games Skynner beat Mattocke andPierson beat Radcliffe, in a contest which was largely controlledby Radcliffe, without them making it count. Then came the final games: Skynner vs. Pierson to decide thewinners of the A tournament. And Mattocke vs. Radcliffe in whichRadcliffe were desperate to score their first A team try. The lattergame served up a treat. Radcliffe ended their lengthy droughtwhen Simmy Dhillon went over in the corner, sparking masscelebrations on and off the pitch. However Mattocke ran outwinners thanks to a late converted try.The crunch game: Skynner vs. Pierson. Pierson had ambitions ofwinning the overall tournament and needed to avoid a loss totake the overall title, whereas Skynner were looking to win the Atournament for consecutive years. They had earlier been takenout of contention in the overall competition by a lacklustre B teamthat failed where they had succeeded a year ago.

Skynner flew out of the blocks dominating the early possession.This build- up of pressure allowed Seb Walton-Adams to score awonderful try, jinking past several players before diving over nearthe posts.

However, after the conversion was missed, Pierson tookadvantage of the ill-discipline of the Skynner forwards, surgingtowards the line before spreading the ball wide for the winger toscore. After the conversion failed, the game settled down into ascrap in the middle of the park, before a powerful run by JaydenVirdee allowed Skynner to gain possession 10 metres out. Afterseveral forward drives, Tom Fry coursed towards the try line butwas agonisingly held up short.

With the final whistle blown, Pierson players celebrated theirvictory, while the others were left to ponder ‘what if?’ WithPierson B dominating the other tournament and a strong showingfrom Mattocke’s second string, the overall standings were like this:

1. Pierson2. Mattocke 3. Skynner 4. Radcliffe

Joy for Radcliffe as their first try was scored, and on a day of firstsPierson were our Year 10 champions for the third successive year.

Quality mum & daughter time...Curves offers fabulous mum & daughter packages

For Women1st Floor • 72 Wilbury WayHitchin • SG4 0TP

01462 458700www.curves.co.ukwww.twitter.com/hitchincurves

6 weeks

trial

membership

for only

£39.00

• Burn up to 500 calories with Curves 30 minute workout.

• Designed to work every major muscle group2 muscles at a time.

• See how Curves can work for you.

- 10 -

NFU Mutual is The National Farmers Union Mutual InsuranceSociety Limited (No. 111982). Registered in England.Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon,Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. For security and training purposes,telephone calls may be recorded and monitored. Authorisedand regulated by the Financial Services Authority. A member ofthe Association of British Insurers.

Is a standard homeinsurance policygood enough?

High value home insurance.

Call 01462 442739 for a quoteor pop into the office to talk to our friendly team at NFU Mutual Office, 101 Bancroft,Hitchin, Herts SG5 1NB

We do right by you

- 11 -

Fed up withLimescale andthe other effectsof hard water?

Bring this advert along for a freebag of salt when you buy 5.

• Help alleviate dry skin conditions such as Eczema

• Reduce detergent consumption by up to 65%• Keep bathrooms and kitchens

looking clean & new for longerTotal Soft Water can help; from either our Harpenden or Hitchinshops we can supply a wide range of water softeners, drinkingwater filters and salt.For expert, friendly advice and simple, hassle free installationsvisit Total Soft Water; it couldn’t be easier to rid your life of theravages of limescale. Free quotations and home surveys.

Check what our customers say about us atwww.totalsoftwater.com or call us on 01462 455772

OPTIME LIGHTINGOptime House • 14 Wallace Way • Hitchin • SG4 0SE

Tel: 01462 441 920

Welcome to Optime Lighting Hertfordshire’sonly Manufacturers and Lighting DesignSpecialists.

If you are looking for something different comeand talk to our team about a bespoke lightingscheme for your home or business.

A family run business based in Hitchin with awealth of knowledge and over 40yrs combinedexperience in the trade our friendly, trained staffare here to help you.

Our Trade Counter offers all manner ofelectrical supplies including sockets, switches,lamps, Tubes, cables and flexes. We offer competitive prices and excellentcustomer service.

Trade Accounts welcome.

• Down Lighting• Recessed Lighting• Track & Wire Systems• Up Lighting• Kitchen Lighting

• Bathroom Lighting• Picture Lights• Feature Lighting• LED Lighting• Garden Lighting

- 12 -


“JUST ONE CAN OF FIZZY DRINK A DAY WILLMAKE TEENAGERS BEHAVE MOREAGGRESSIVELY” (Jenny Hope, Mail Online, 24/10/11)

This is an example of the sorts of headlines that can appear inthe newspapers everyday. Are these headlines giving the fullfacts, or are they over-exaggerated to entice us into the report?A small scale survey was carried out in a residential area ofHitchin. When shown the headline above, without the reportafter it, adult householders were asked how they felt about thedirection that the headline was pointing them in. On reading the headline, 92% of the sample of people said thatthey thought that the headline was sensationalized. However,it was enough to make a quarter feel concerned or worriedabout teenage behaviour. Despite this, only 16% would stopgiving their teenagers fizzy drinks as a result of this headline.Although fizzy drinks may contribute to violence in teenagers,there are many other factors that have to be taken intoconsideration. For example, it is what is in the fizzy drinks, notthe fact that it is fizzy.From the information in the article, it is apparent that the

headline is misleading because there is not enough evidenceto support the sensationalized headline, which, in the survey,100% of people agreed.

FIZZY DRINKS MAY LEAD TO TEENAGEVIOLENCE. (Jeremy Laurence, The Independent,25/10/11)

Then, after showing the adult householders the headline ofThe Independent’s take on this story (above) over 90% of thesurveyed changed their opinion positively: “I am less inclinedto not give my children fizzy drinks, as The Independent givesyou a more passive headline.” Despite some people saying that they “Never trust the DailyMail”, others tend not to trust the press altogether. One said;“Everything you read in the papers should be questioned andnot taken at face value.” To conclude, science in the media has stirred up some debatesrecently, as the newspapers have been reporting withsensationalised headlines. We found that the majority of peoplewho expressed an opinion in the survey feel that science is notreported fairly in the media.

Opinion of a Teenager:‘As a teenager, I personally disagree with the headlines madeon this story by many of the media publications. With firsthandexperience, I feel that teenagers behave no differently from anyother age category, and that issues arise depending on theindividual’s sensitivity to the high quantities of sugar and otherchemicals contained in such drinks. Social influences may havean impact on their behaviour, whilst consuming these drinkswith the added element of peer pressure, however the drinksthemselves are of no impact.’

Is Science Reported Fairly In The Media?By Joe Abbott, Alex Wearing and Sam Webb

- 13 -


Best Films of 2011 By Alex Morris

2011 cinema has not been a disappointment. During the start of theyear many Oscar hopefuls were released with a lot of praise for filmssuch as The King’s Speech and Black Swan. Bear in mind when I writethis, the year is not over. If you were wondering what films to buy overChristmas, here are my “Three best films of 2011”

3. The Ides of MarchStephen (Ryan Gosling ) is a hard working member of staff for a newpresidential candidate, Mike Morris ( George Clooney ). As the filmprogresses, more dark secrets and lies are discovered, exposing thedirty game of politics.

What The Ides of March succeeds in first of all is that it set out to bea good political thriller and achieves it completely. A lot of the ticketsales would have been because of the opportunity to see the newrising star in Hollywood, Ryan Gosling. Gosling gives a great andbelievable performance. George Clooney on the other hand did nothave a hard job to do with his character; in my opinion it is the sameas he always is in each of his films. Clooney’s directorial debut withGood Night, and Good Luck was fantastic and The Ides of Marchconfirms that he is a director to look out for. The supporting castprovides my favourite part of the film as Paul Giamatti and PhillipSeymour Hoffman were on form as normal. The Ides of March was amagnificent conspiracy rollercoaster.

2. Another YearAnother Year takes a look at a husband and wife, and their family andfriends’ lives for a whole year. Tom and Gerri (Jim Broadbent and Ruth

Sheen) have been married for years and they have a son Joe who is inhis 30s and is still single. Gerri’s friend Mary is desperate and alsolooking to find someone quickly. The film centres around theunhappiness in their lives.

Mike Leigh has proved himself once more as an incredible filmmaker.In my opinion, Another Year is better than both Vera Drake and HappyGo Lucky, Leigh’s other accomplishments. If you are looking for a light,easy to watch film, Another Year is not for you, although if you wantamazing performances by the whole cast it’s perfect. Jim Broadbentdelivers perfectly together with his on-screen wife played by formerRoyle Family actress, Ruth Sheen. The best performance of the wholefilm has to be Lesley Manville as Mary; her portrayal of a desperatelady looking for a husband is spot-on. Another Year is Leigh at his bestbut not for the faint-hearted.

1. SubmarinePrecocious Oliver Tate is a 15-year-old looking to reignite the flamebetween his two parents who are drifting apart, whilst getting caughtup by his mysterious and adventurous girlfriend, Jordana. His mum’sex-boyfriend moves in across the road making it even harder toconnect his parents.

Submarine is an Indie/Comedy directed by the fantastic Richard Ayoade(aka Moss from The IT Crowd). The film takes some quirky turns anddoes so hilariously. Craig Roberts plays Oliver as good as anyone could.The story is beautifully put together and has a wonderful soundtrackby Alex Turner (The Arctic Monkey’s front man). You might think itsounds like a bit of a cliché storyline but it doesn’t feel that waythrough the film. The British humour in it succeeds in making thecharacters more believable. There are many cringing and laugh-out-loud moments that make the film great, and it is for this reason that Imake it my favourite film of the year.

Day 1On the first day of the trip we visited a site on the Somme wheretrenches used to exist. We acted out the strategies that were usedduring WWI. This involved one group of students being flanked on theright and the left and another group charging straight ahead.We also worked out the range the guns could fire. For example thebolt action rifle could kill someone up to 1,400 metres away.After this we visited some WWI graveyards. They were a lot bigger thanthose found beside churches in this country and were still very wellmaintained. All the gravestones were made of the same stone and wereidentical in shape so it made no difference if the soldier whose grave itwas an officer or a private. The only difference was in the religious symbolon the stones – usually crosses but with different symbols representingdifferent religions e.g. Judaism. There was also a memorial stone in all theWWI graveyards to show respect and help us remember them. It consistedof a large cubic rock with steps on it and a large cross on the top.

Days 2-4During the rest of the trip we experienced being in the trenches,holding the guns used at the time and feeling the weight of thegrenades, which were very heavy. Mr Spooner explained in detail howlife in the trenches affected the soldiers. We also went on a shrapnelhunt as we followed the route taken by a regiment in July 1916 duringthe Battle of the Somme. Some of us found bullets and some foundpieces of shrapnel that had been left behind from artillery. Towards the end of the third day we went to Ypres in Belgium wherewe dressed in our school uniforms to witness a ceremony at the MeninGate to remember those who had fallen in World War I.In my opinion the battlefields trip 2011 was a very good trip. It reallyshowed me and I’m sure all the other students a new perspective onlearning and it helped the horrors of WWI stick in our heads.

Year 9 Trip to First World War Battlefields,

September 2011By James Magee

- 14 -

•GCSE/AS and A2 LEVEL TUITION IN FRENCH,GERMAN, ITALIAN AND SPANISH

•ENGLISH FOR AU PAIRS•INDIVIDUAL TUITION/SMALL GROUP CLASSES•OVER 20 LANGUAGES TAUGHT

Paynes Park House, Paynes Park, Hitchin, SG5 1EH,Tel 01462 431804 • [email protected]

www.hitchinlanguagecentre.co.uk

Action DoorsCOMMITTED

TO QUALITY

[email protected] 13, Wilbury Court, 29 Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Herts SG4 0TW

www.action-doors.co.uk

Automatic & Manual Doors / Automatic & Systems Installations, Servicing and Repairs Across the South East, London & Kent

... for an Ace Deal!Tennis, Gym & Squash for just:

Senior 65+ £34 per monthAdult 26+ £42 per month • Young Adult 1925 £29 per month

Junior 1118 £19 per month

For all membership benefits visit www.letchworthtennis.co.uk Enquire for more Informa�on

01462 675444 [email protected]

... for an Ace Deal!Tennis, Gym & Squash for just:

Senior 65+ £34 per monthAdult 26+ £42 per month • Young Adult 1925 £29 per month

Junior 1118 £19 per month

For all membership benefits visit www.letchworthtennis.co.uk Enquire for more Informa�on

01462 675444 [email protected]

HitchinBlinds

• Roman Blinds• Solid Wood Blinds• Roller Blinds• Vertical Blinds

COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC20 SHADES • 1000 FABRICS

FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATIONCALL: 07808 187822

OR 01462 635336

CONSERVATORIES • WINDOWS • DOORS

17 WALLACE WAY • HITCHIN • HERTS • SG4 0SE

www.classicwindows.co.uk • 01462 450450

• ORANGERIES• CONSERVATORIES• WINDOWS• DOORS• ROOFLINE• GARAGE CONVERSIONS

www.allinghamsbutchers.co.uk

22 Market PlaceHitchint: 01462 459605You can now order the finestcuts of meat online at:

ORDERONLINE!

Opening Days:Wednesday, Thursday,

Friday & SaturdayStevenage Indoor Market

Telephone:01483 72 22 71

Looking Goodfor every OccassionFancyDress

Stevenage Indoor MarketStevenage Indoor Market

Open: Wednesday, ThursdayFriday & Saturday

01438 72 22 71

HITCHIN BOYS SCHOOLWOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE ADVERTISERS IN THIS MAGAZINE FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01480 455123OR E-MAIL [email protected]

- 15 -


The World’sPopulationBy Matthew Maylin

As I am sure many of you know, the world’s population is 7 billionas of 31st October 2011. This rose from 6 billion just 12 years ago.The world’s population is a major issue and it can affect you inschool.

At the end of your school life you will get GCSEs and A levels.Because the population is growing so quickly, there are morepeople that want to get a job that you are applying for. So it willbecome harder and harder to find a good job.

This inevitably means that to get a good job you will need higherlevels so you are above the crowd. Therefore you will need to workharder in school so you can get better results.

However there is an area of uncertainty amongst all this. It is veryhard to accurately say the amount of people on the planet, soactually we could be up to 56 million people higher or lower than7 billion.

Professor Mike Murphy of London School of Economics said, “Youare always going to be essentially guessing… We will never havea true, definitive figure.”

So as the population grows we need to grow as people; everyoneneeds to work harder so they can get ahead in life. Even if wecannot be sure of a definite figure, what we can be sure of is thatthe population of the world is growing at an alarming rate.

07713 785 806

We Can Bring MASSIVE Changes In YOU ...Almost Overnight!More people train in our organisation than any other Martial Arts school in Hertfordshire

For further information please call Master Parisi now on:

07713 785 806 • Email: [email protected] • Visit: www.qikwando.com

Men, women children, often whole families sign up for our programsstudying the most complete system available and benefittingthemselves in so many areas of their lives.

Let us help you too... Whether you want incredible Martial Arts skills,unstoppable confidence, massive weight loss or just a whole bunch ofnew friends we can help you just as we have for so many 100’s of othersjust like you.

Our members have gone from clinically obese to sleek and fit, from afraidto fearless, from being lead to being a leader, from complete beginner toworld class instructor!

Classes at:HITCHIN: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6.30pm (basic) • STEVENAGE: Mondays, 7.00pm (basic)

- 16 -

You’ll discover the history of elementary education

housed in two impressive grade 2 listed school buildings.

Explore Victorian, Edwardian and WW2 classrooms, have

a go at writing with an ink pen or in a sand tray!

Peek into the home of a Victorian headmaster’s family

what did they keep in the parlour and the scullery?

Lots to see – Lots to do, Rain or Shine!Open to the public March – November:

Tuesdays 10am – 4pm

Saturdays 10am – 1pm • Sundays 2pm – 5pm

Admission Charge – Café & Gift Shop

Come & Join InThe Fun!

BRITISH SCHOOLS MUSEUMQUEEN STREET, HITCHIN SG4 9TS

TEL: 01462 420144WWW.HITCHINBRITISHSCHOOLS.ORG.UK

For more information:www.winchmoretutors.com

01245 354 830

Department for Education quality checked tutors

Key stage 1-3, GCSE, A Level - all subjects covered as well as 11+ and common entrance exam prep.All tutors are CRB, List 99 and GTC checked and

have been personally interviewed.

Ltd

Sears Print & Publishing Ltddesign & print

m: 07810 481414e: [email protected]

www.searsweb.com

10Ye

ar

Annive

rsary

2001

-201

1

20 Ye

ars E

xper

ience

CALL FORTHE MOST

COMPETITIVEQUOTE

Rarely beatenon price

- 17 -


The centenary of the First World War, the ‘Great War’,has recently passed. The image of millions of

names, stretching far into the distance of a memorial,sited in a corner of a foreign field, is something we’renow used to; the poignancy is somewhat dulled.

As someone who is actively interested in the First WorldWar, and as a person who has listened to countlessremembrance speeches, it is important to remindmyself that these aren’t just names: they’re people,students, teachers, tragedies.

It was while contemplating these stories that I cameacross a truly awful and exceptional tragedy, whichwould have been long forgotten if it wasn’t for thesecountless remembrance ceremonies.

Anthony, Douglas and Walter Spurr all went to HBS,they all were once in the exact position you find yourselfin right now, and now all three lie beneath Flandersfields.

Anthony was cut down trying to take Fromells and theAubers ridge in attempt to dislodge the Germans in1915.

His Brigade advanced upon the enemy in plain sightless than 100-200 yards away, pouring through thebarbed wire cleared by a 20 minute bombardment andcapturing shell holes and sections of the Germanfrontline.

But they were now isolated due to extremely heavyGerman machine gun fire and he died isolated from hisfrontline. His unit the 1/13 battalion of the LondonRegiment lost 436 men within a space of hours.Walter died a year later. An extract from the battalion’swar diary explains how:“22 Aug 1916 Battalion furnished working partiesunder Corps Signals - strength 6 offrs(officers) & 300men - from 8 am to 6 pm. Casualties - 2 O.R. killed, 1

O.R (other rank or private), missing, 2 O.R. wounded.” He died taking supplies and materials to the front tohelp save the lives of his comrades there. A verydangerous job and one for which he paid the ultimateprice.

These men left behind their mother Ethel and their DadGeorge, who wouldn’t have known what had happenedto their three sons. I am sure their grandchildren (ifindeed any exist) don’t know anything about thesacrifice their family went through.

But it is pays homage to the reason why we rememberthe fallen: to pay our respects to those countlessthousands who were ripped apart by machine gun fire.

So when you next hear the many names read out,remember they aren’t just names, but people: bravepeople who gave their lives so you may live in freedom.

“Mud, Blood and a whole loadof Poppycock” RememberedPeter Saville

- 18 -

- 19 -


PozdrowieniaFrom Poland!A group of year 10 to 13 students visited Berlin and Poland recently. We went inknowing very little, but came out with some very interesting experiencesAs I was thinking during the 5 hour coach trip from Berlin to Poznan, while havingmy pelvis ground to dust by inhospitable Polish roads, Poland hasn’t changed verymuch since the Communists left in 1989.

Cold War apartment blocks towered over us likemonuments to Soviet aggression in the West. A verymorbid and depressing ethereal haze hung throughoutthe country, which may be the result of thousands ofyears of invaders and oppression that really only ended30 years ago (or maybe it’s just the result of clumpingtogether 30 or so teenage boys together for over 5days). First the Mongols, then the Austrians, then thePrussians and the Bolsheviks have laid waste to thehallowed ground we found ourselves on.

The nature of our visits, such as the chilling memorialto the camp at Auschwitz, and contemplating the lossof life of 1.1 million Jews, meant that we spent a gooddeal of our time in quiet, sombre reflection.

But we also had the opportunity to see the otheramazing sights that Poland has to offer, such as the

centres of Breslau and Krakow, where a few of us hadto stop and reassure ourselves we were in fact not inthe 17th century. Far from the oppression some of usfelt elsewhere, these buildings were a joyousannouncement of the colourful history of a countrythat has seen its fair share of invaders.

But if architecture and history aren’t your thing, thenthe game of bowling transcends many cultures. Thereis always room to learn “COMEON!” in Polish, as weall found bowling a welcome break from the intensityof emotions we had experienced over the few days.If anything, it was a lovely introduction to EasternEuropean culture and that of Poland as well as an insightinto history that you really only get by visiting the place.

But would I go again? Well, how soon can you get aflight to Breslau?

PAINTBALLPARTIES

FUN

FROM £4.99TO £34.99 INC. 600 BALLS

FROM £9.99TO £59.99 INC. 1000 BALLSFREE LUNCH INCLUDED

HALFDAY

FULLDAY

ENCOURAGES TEAMWORK, PLANNINGSTRATEGY & PRODUCTIVITY

ALL POTS OF PAINT SUPER CHEAP £5.00 PER 100 BALLS

FOR ANUNFORGETTABLE

EXPERIENCE

FAMILYFUN

WWW.BRICKETWOODPAINTBALL.CO.UK

BRICKETWOOD • ST. ALBANS01923 674780 • 07968 120424

INDIVIDUAL BOOKINGSBIRTHDAY PARTIES .CORPORATE

- 20 -


Need Glasses?

Buy Direct from the

Specs Manufacturer

www.alleyes.co.uk

Personalized prescrip�onspecs from just £9.00!Save up to 75%especially onComplex or HighPrescrip�on

• Reglaze your own frame save ££*• Free NHS specs available*• Premium frames & lenses at low prices

10a The Causeway • BurwellNear Newmarket • CB25 0DU01638 741076 • 07824 706969Opening Hours: Sat only 9.30am to 12.30pm(Closed on Bank Holiday Weekends)

20 Norman Way Ind. ParkOver • Cambridge • CB24 5QE01954 23154507824 706969Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm

. . . why pay more?Just bring in your up to date prescrip�on fora TOP QUALITY bargain!

Oops!Emergency

supply& repairs

Oops!Emergency

supply& repairs

Special note: Opening �mes may vary for either shop, please ring to avoid disappointment*NHS Voucher customer must be over 16 year old

- 21 -

Super 8 – Film ReviewBen Chennells

In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a “Super 8” competitionmovie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, the army surrounds the train wreck, making the gang suspect another side to the story. After unusual disappearances andinexplicable events begin to take place in town, the army put the town under quarantine. Many people leave but the local Deputy and his sonaren’t going to be deterred that easily and attempt to uncover the truth - something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined.The cast of “Super 8” was not particularly “top-bill” considering director J.J. Abrams (creator of “LOST”) had fifty million dollars to play aroundwith, but even so the acting is impressive. Joel Courtney playing “Joe Lamb” (the deputy’s son) gives an emotive performance considering he isnew to the film scene, with Riley Griffiths as “Charles” creating the humour. The rest of the gang are made up of Ryan Lee as “Cary”, GabrielBasso as “Martin” and Zach Mills as “Preston”. Joe’s father (the deputy) is played by Kyle Chandler who also starred in “Early Night Lights”and “Early Edition” but you probably know him from “King Kong” in which he played “Bruce Baxter”. Chandler plays the role of Joe’stroubled father with some very emotive scenes.The film is shot very nicely however the storyline is a little weak. If you’re going to go and see a sci-fi film this doesn’t offer anything unique.It’s thinking along the same as “E.T.”: good but it’s been done before. Abrams spent all his budget on the special effects, which I admit arevery good, but not on establishing a strong story line with a good cast, which in my opinion is more important. Certainly a hollywoodblockbuster, but not one to remember. But if the film wasn’t enough and you’re still looking for more, hang around when the credits start rolling and you will be rewarded with apleasant surprise, which in my opinion, was more entertaining than the actual film.

Super 8 – Film ReviewBen Chennells

In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a “Super 8” competitionmovie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, the army surrounds the train wreck, making the gang suspect another side to the story. After unusual disappearances andinexplicable events begin to take place in town, the army put the town under quarantine. Many people leave but the local Deputy and his sonaren’t going to be deterred that easily and attempt to uncover the truth - something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined.The cast of “Super 8” was not particularly “top-bill” considering director J.J. Abrams (creator of “LOST”) had fifty million dollars to play aroundwith, but even so the acting is impressive. Joel Courtney playing “Joe Lamb” (the deputy’s son) gives an emotive performance considering he isnew to the film scene, with Riley Griffiths as “Charles” creating the humour. The rest of the gang are made up of Ryan Lee as “Cary”, GabrielBasso as “Martin” and Zach Mills as “Preston”. Joe’s father (the deputy) is played by Kyle Chandler who also starred in “Early Night Lights”and “Early Edition” but you probably know him from “King Kong” in which he played “Bruce Baxter”. Chandler plays the role of Joe’stroubled father with some very emotive scenes.The film is shot very nicely however the storyline is a little weak. If you’re going to go and see a sci-fi film this doesn’t offer anything unique.It’s thinking along the same as “E.T.”: good but it’s been done before. Abrams spent all his budget on the special effects, which I admit arevery good, but not on establishing a strong story line with a good cast, which in my opinion is more important. Certainly a hollywoodblockbuster, but not one to remember. But if the film wasn’t enough and you’re still looking for more, hang around when the credits start rolling and you will be rewarded with apleasant surprise, which in my opinion, was more entertaining than the actual film.

- 22 -

Graham Hilton Cars

www.grahamhiltoncars.co.uk

1 Stevenage Road • Little Wymondley • Hitchin • Hertfordshire SG4 7HT

Tel: 01438 759333 • email: [email protected]

SERVICEONLY £130

WITH FREE MOT

& FREE COURTESY CAR

SALES• NEW & USED CARS

• OVER 150+ CARS IN STOCK

• CARS BOUGHT FOR CASH

VIEW ALL STOCK AT

OPEN7 DAYS A

WEEK

- 23 -


The Cup ofShameTom Hills

English shambles tarnish the once proud red rose.One of the most surprising things that I saw overEngland’s shambolic performance at the world cup wasthe attitude of the manager, Martin Johnson. As a playerhe was revered as a neversaydie, English battleaxewho gave everything for his country and never gave up. So when he became manager back in 2008 we allexpected his brave heart spirit to be instilled in his team. The awful performance throughout the tournamentshowed how wrong we could be.

Approaching the tournament, the usual media spinattempted to paper over cracks which first appeared ina dismal performance against Ireland. For those of uswho weren’t fooled by the hype there was always adoubt about the inexperience and indiscipline of theyoung English side. With a crocked skipper, a youngmercurial Samoan centre, and an everincreasing injurylist, disaster loomed ominously on the horizon.

The signs were there in the first game against anArgentinian side which had 5 players over the age of 35.News then appeared that hours after the game severalof England’s more senior players enjoyed a wild nightout which ended in Mike Tindall being surrounded incontroversy over an incident in a nightclub. Correctly theaforementioned players were slaughtered in thenational press, although Martin Johnson took no actionand kept the faith with his loose rules.

The worrying signs continued throughout unconvincingdisplays against minnows Georgia and Romania. Once

again Johnson furthered his selection of underperformingsquad members and the illdiscipline started to stack up.This time an incident occurred with establishedinternationals making lewd comments to a youngwaitress. Surely this time the players would bereprimanded? Alas not: the players were let off andconsequently the poor behaviour continued. Incomparison to the saintly Welsh team, the Englishbehaviour was vile.

On the other hand, the only team who had behavedworse in the tournament were England’s nextopponents, the much vilified French. This was a teamwhich, after being humiliated by the small nation ofTonga, proceeded to bar their coach from the trainingground and then publicly insult him. There was no waywe could lose to this unruly rabble, could we?

The answer as I’m sure you now know is yes. In aperformance in which the England squad showed lesscommitment to tackling than they had tossing dwarvesa few weeks earlier: a fitting end to a tournament whichhad begun poorly and which finished even worse.

Nonetheless, they weren’t finished yet. For their lasttrick Manu Tuilagi, England’s shining light throughoutthe tournament, jumped from a ferry in Aucklandharbour narrowly avoiding tragic circumstances.

What was even more tragic was Martin Johnson. Theonce colossal figure at the heart of the English team nowcut a depressed, forlorn figure. If he ends the nightmarenow, he will be forever remembered as the pinnacle of

England’s 2003 world cup winning side, not the man whobrought a premature end to the 2011 version: a legendof English rugby, but as a player… not a coach.

EclipseDRIVING SCHOOL

AUTOMATIC & MANUALDaytimes, Evenings or Weekend Lessons

Beginner, Part Trained, Post Test or Refresher Courses

01438 220059 • 07704 859601www.eclipsedrivingschool.com

STUDENTDISCOUNTS

CASTLE TAXISOF HITCHINSHORT TRIPS &

AIRPORT TRANSFERS6 SEATER ALSO AVAILABLE

FREEPHONE0800 590411

GoldtrowelCONSTRUCTION TRAINING

Professional courses for the construction industry• Established 1999

• Fully accredited staff

• High level of qualification results

• Up to date training techniques

• For the best hands on experience

Call: 01708 344700PLUMBING

PLASTERING

RENDERING BRICKLAYING TILING

www.goldtrowel.co.ukDesigned & Published by Printed by Sears Print & Publishing Limited 01480 455123

itchin oys’ chool the chronicle - amazon web...

Documents