Spectacular Massed Display.
FINALE TO ABERDARE GIRLS’
COUNTY SCHOOL SPORTS.
Enjoyable Programme in Picturesque Setting.
(BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)
Aberdare Girls’ County School has always been rather unlucky in the important matter of holding its annual Sports Day. One imagines that every time the school decides to stage the event old Jupiter Pluvius, leering slyly, brushes the dust off his watering pot and arranges a little aquatic festival of his own! This year the weather prevented the holding of a joint sports and prize distribution by Capt. R. T. Evans, M.P., the field events having to be postponed.
The re-arranged date (last Monday) must have caught the Weather Clerk napping, for after a rather dull morning, the clouds broke up before the conquering glory of the sun, and the girls and their parents and friends made the most of a delightfully fine and warm afternoon.
As if to celebrate the pleasantness of the conditions, the sports proved to be the most successful held for several years, and the Massed Display by the whole school, in particular, was clever and spectacular.
There was a long programme of athletic events that took place on the picturesque school field, which, surrounded by trees, made a charming setting. The girls revelled in the occasion and provided some exciting races. There was great jubilation as each house in turn won an event, and Marjorie Owen and Glenys Askins, who eventually tied for the honour of being Victrix Ludorum, were seen in some excellent performances.
Among the most enjoyed events of the afternoon were the obstacle races, in which the first “hurdle” was a heaped-up pile of shoes from which each competitor had to sort out her own pair before embarking on the race.
A BUN FIGHT !
In the senior race the last obstacle was a line of buns suspended on strings (with apologies to the good old tradition of Ducking Apple Night). The competitors, with their hands behind them, had to swallow a bun before making for the finishing tape !
There were frantic chewings and gobblings in a gallant attempt to finish first, and cheers greeted the feat of Marjorie Owen, who assimilated her “obstacle” in incredibly fast time, and breasted the tape still gasping and coughing from her efforts—but as popular as the first “swallow” of summer.
Considerable amusement was also created by the other novelty items, like the ever-popular sack, egg and spoon, slow bicycle, and flower-pot races.
These events were interspersed with some enjoyable dancing and gymnastic displays. Very popular was the exhibition of Scandinavian Dancing by girls of Four Alpha, under the direction of Miss French, to music from a radiogram.
The girls, attired in gay National costume of red, white, black and yellow—and representing Scandinavian men and maidens, gave Mountain March, Tantoli, Rhienlander, and Cochin China, with grace and precision that won an enthusiastic ovation.
Very attractive, too, were the displays by the junior and senior gym corps, under the direction of Miss French. This constituted marching, rhythmic movements to music, jumping and balancing, carried out with smoothness and precision that made them very interesting and spectacular.
THRILLING CLIMAX.
The biggest thrill of the afternoon was reserved for the grand climax—the massed display by the whole school, again to music, under the direction of Miss French.
The girls, looking very trim and smart in their gym-tunics and blouses with yellow sashes, were divided into two sections, at each end of the yard, and to the tune of one of Sousa’s stirring marches they carried out intricate evolutions with military “snap” and precision.
They afterwards went through a series of graceful rhythmic exercises, and as a spectacular finale formed the letters A G C S. complete with full stop !
This capital display—he best yet given by the school—was applauded with great enthusiasm.
Special mention must be made of the babies’ race, which provided the most diverting incidents of the afternoon. Great amusement was caused by two tiny tots, who given a “start,” would not “get set,” but turned round and round, and eventually went to catch round one another. They stoutly resisted the efforts of the “officials” in charge to separate them, and at last when the starting whistle sounded, they remained where they were while the “field” swept by, evidently quite unconcerned at being “left at the post.”
However, with the support of two of the mistresses they succeeded in “completing the course” amid loud applause !
CHAMPION HOUSE.
The Champion House proved to be Islwyn, who were awarded the shield amid a valley of cheers.
Mr. George Jenkins, chairman of governors, presented the trophies at the close.
The awards were as follows :
150 yards’ race (Junior): 1, Joan Jones; 2, Mary Davies.
150 yards (14-15 years) : Glenys Askins; 2, Elsie Davies.
150 yards (Senior) : 1, Mary Thomas; Edna Jones; 3, Mair Jones.
Deportment (Junior) : 1, Hazel Barker; 2, Beryl Lee.
Deportment (Senior) : 1, Marjorie Owen; 2, Nest Morgan.
Ten strides and one jump (Junior) : 1, Joan Jones; 2, Mary Williams.
Ten strides and one jump (Senior) : 1, Mair Jones; 2, Gladys Jones; 3, Glenys Askins.
Sack Race : 1, Mary Williams; 2, Dorothy Phillips; 3, Betty Jones.
80 yards (junior) : 1, Mary Davies; 2, Joan Jones; 3, Betty Lewis.
80 yards (14-15) : 1, Glenys Askins; 2, Marjorie Owen; 3, E. Davies.
80 yards (senior) : 1, Mary Thomas; 2, Joan Owen; 3, Sarah Rowlands.
Flower pot race (junior) : 1, Iris Jones; 2, Mair Lewis; 3, Betty Morgan.
Flower pot race (senior) : 1, Mattie Davies; 2, Edna Jones; 3, M. Davies.
Egg and spoon race (backwards), junior : 1, Iris Jones; 2, Betty Jones; 3, Peggy Jones.
Egg and spoon (senior) : 1, Elsie While; 2, S. Wathen; 3, Sadie Moore.
Form Relay Race (senior) : 1, Form 4 Alpha; 2, Form 4.
Form Relay Race (junior) : 1, Form 3A; 2, Form 2A.
Slow Bicycle : 1, Betty Jones; 2, Norah Evans; 3, Joyce Manning.
Three-legged race (junior) : 1, S. Bowen and Peggy Owen; 2, Iris Jones and Gladys Hutchins.
Three-legged race (senior) : 1, N. Morgan and M. Thomas; 2, Hettie Phillips and C. Hillier.
Junior House Relay : 1, Alafon; 2, Ceiriog.
Senior House Relay : 1, Goronwy; 2, Ceiriog and Islwyn (tied).
Rainy Day (junior) : 1, M. Lewis; 2, Amy Bevan; 3, Eirian Hughes.
Rainy Day (senior) : 1, Nest Morgan; 2, D. Jones; 3, G. Price.
Guides’ Bandaging Race : 1, Nest Davies; 2, Sally Davies; 3, Peggy Jones.
Obstacle Race (junior) : 1, Mair Lewis; 2, L. Williams; 3, E. Lewis.
Obstacle Race (senior) : 1, Marjorie Owen; 2, Glenys Askins ; 3, M. Jones.
Victrix Ludorum : Marjorie Owen and Glenys Askins (tied).
Winning House: Islwyn.