New members
Our campaign to increase our membership continues at a slow but steady pace. Those of you living in the Bridgwater area may well have noticed the article about the association in the Bridgwater Times featuring a team photograph from Mal Davies' collection of sporting heroes. The general purpose of the feature was to increase awareness of the association for those still in the area who have not yet picked up on the message. We are grateful to all our old classmates who bought advertising space to make this feature possible.
Meanwhile, it would be great if you could all put your thinking caps on and let me know of any old boys we may have missed so far. Just email me or drop me a line with contact details and I'll do the rest.

Have you paid?
Most members have now paid both their membership and dinner money. There are less than a handful who have declared they will not be able to attend but hope to be back with us next year. There are also quite a number of you who have not paid anything and we really need to find out what your plans are.
Thanks also to Mike Fursland who paid for his membership in Australian dollars!
Ideally for those who still need to pay, we would ask you to return your form with payment by July 31st, 2001. We will guarantee places for all those paying by then but beyond that date it will be on a first come, first serve basis. Please remember that in the last two years we have to turn down old boys on both occasions.

Dave Palmer can offer ETB approved B & B at Manor Farmhouse, Wembdon. You can telephone or fax David on 01278 427913. Alternatively email him on palmer.dave@ic24.net. Remember to book early as accommodation is limited.

Tales from the Crush Hall
Thanks to Mal Davies for a reminder of this story. Many of you will remember the building of the swimming pool and the installation of the big green filtration tank. I well remember how it was filled with large pebbles and then smaller material. The pebbles were dropped in through the top of the tank. When the tank was empty, this meant they hit the metal base of the tank with a deafening, resounding crash. Now to ensure these pebbles were evenly spread across the base of the tank, small boys (child labour) were put inside the tank to distribute them.
I was one of those small boys who were inside when the first deafening load was dropped in. As Mal related his story, I reminded him that I was one of his victims of that terrifying experience - like being buried alive! A broad smile lifted across the full width of his face as he remembered, exploding into laughter as the full memory of the incident was recalled.
It was some years later that Charlie Keys, our headmaster, wandered out to the pool, stood on the bank and stared into the water contemplating how much actual teaching time should go into swimming.
I'm sure you all remember how he used to float around the school, drifting into classrooms only to drift out again shortly after. On this occasion, he drifted into a classroom, observed the assembled pupils and instructed them all to stand. "Do this!" he commanded as with his outstretched arms he formed circular motions with his hands.
Like a game of 'Simon Says', the boys obediently followed his actions. A class full of hands gyrated on the ends of outstretched arms. He studied their performance with great deliberation and then declared "There you are. Since the human body cannot help but float, you can now all swim." and then once more drifted away.