Mayfield Magazine 1953, Issue 12
From the Editorial by Geoffrey Gower: In Coronation Year there have been many unusual and interesting events.Twenty six boys, who were successful in the ballot, saw the Coronation Procession from the Victoria Embankment. The whole school went to a local cinema to see a colour film of the Coronation and we are all looking forward to our visit to Earls Court to see the Royal Tournament.
From the Headmaster’s Review by C. F. W. Hicks: Arrangements have now been made for all boys during their Fourth Year to obtain advice and assistance on matters affecting the selection of a career. Before leaving school all boys are interviewed at School by the Juvenile Employment Officer, and parents are invited to be present at the interview.
Contributor List – Click on items shown as links to jump to the entry
A Fishing Expedition by G. Gower
Adventure In The African Jungle by D. Goodchild
A Visit To the Dentist by R. Harlow
The Mystery Of Huntingdoon Quarry by M. Mumford
A Terrible Ordeal by M. Wiseman
In The Nick Of Time by J. Fergus
The Lost City by A. McColl
The Carpet by G. Gower
An Hour In The Saddle by D. Heather
Big Ben by K. Beedell
School Life In America by M. Delahay
Hiking by D. Quantrill
An Old World Cottage by R. Armstrong
Lino Cut by P. Cardew
Adventure On The Moors by D. Lamb
The Earth Worm by P. Groom
The Nightjar by J. Smith
Trapped In A Submarine by R. Armstrong
Lost In The Fog by D. Lamb
An Hour In The Saddle by D. Heather
The first time I went riding will stick in my mind for ever. When I went into the stable yard there were about eight horses there of almost every colour that horses can be. From the far side of the yard a rather hefty looking instructress and shook me warmly by the hand, nearly pulling my arm out of the socket in the process, and demanded in a north country accent ‘Are you the child that’s going riding?’ I said ‘Yes,’ rather timidly and she led me across the yard to where a large black horse was standing. The moment it saw me it showed the whites of its eyes. ‘Now then,’ said the instructress, as I backed away, ‘this horse’s name is Beauty, and if you don’t pull on its mouth too much or play about, you’ll be alright.’
She helped me to mount and the ride started. There were four or five other riders and they all seemed used to the business. For the first five minutes we walked across a meadow and along a road and then as the road sloped up in front of us we started trotting. Never before in my life had I felt so uncomfortable. I was thrown violently up and down and every time I came down Beauty seemed to be coming up and I felt my bones shaking.
At long last we started walking again and I found to my surprise that we had travelled quite a distance. We turned into a park with the ground liberally sprinkled with leaves, which muffled the sound of the horses’ steps. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the whole party started trotting again and my right foot was shaken from the stirrup. I now had to hang on to the saddle for dear life until the party was brought to a halt and I managed to find my stirrup again.
On through the park we went and out to a secondary road. All was going well and I was beginning to enjoy myself when, suddenly a bus, going rather quickly, rounded a blind corner. Several of the riders were almost thrown from their saddles as their horses were traffic shy, but luckily for me Beauty was not in the least concerned. Shortly afterwards we arrived back at the stables and my first ride was over.
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