|
The1979 P.T. and Gymnastics Display was
proclaimed to be no less successful, but
possibly more so than those of previous
years. Despite the many moments of
despondency, in the course of training,
all concerned rose to the occasion in
grand style on the appointed day. It may
be said with confidence that the quality
of all events matched the tremendous sweat
and perseverance put into it by
instructors and boys alike.
For those living on the college campus, it
was inspiring to watch the dedication with
which preparations were for this annual
event. As the weeks ran into months there
was a perceptible increase in the tempo of
activity. From what began as a somewhat
disjointed succession of exercises,
emerged a concordant and orderly series of
events. This was particularly apparent in
P.T., club drill and figure marching,
features which required co-ordination and
mass manoeuvres over a bewildering tangle
of white lines scrawled across the
playground. Indeed, when viewed from aloft
it provoked the impression that some
gigantic Dorothy perched on her equally
ample seat had dropped her knitting from
Tiffin Top. The second half of May was a
period of intense evening in an endeavour
to achieve perfection. The strains of
music accompanied by the staccato beat of
the drum become as familiar as the
whistling-thrush, so much so that one
almost misses them now that they have
ceased for another year.
The weather gods were considerate and
ideal conditions prevailed throughout the
festivities. At one stage, the soothsayers
had predicted that the waxing moon might
impair the effect of the torchlight
tattoo, but fortunately when Diana shed
her veil, the pale cast caused little
embarrassment.
With the band of the Kumaon Regimental
Centre in attendance, the 2" hour
display commenced shortly before sunset
with the Horsman Wing ball-drill. It was
delightful to see the smart precision with
which 130 youngsters acquitted themselves.
The item involved 18 P.T. exercises all
done to music and without a single word of
command. It was difficult to believe that
a great many of these young lads were
completely new to performing in a display
requiring such a high standard of timing
and co-ordination. The multi-coloured
balls which they handled and twirled,
provided a gay splash of colour against
the background of the crisp white kit
which they wore. The event was concluded
with figure formation 'H.W. -the two
letters being separated by a ring so
prominent that for all the world it seemed
to enquire, 'HOW'; the only answer to
which could be, 'Splendid, HW!'
The next item was gymnastics presented by
36 boys from Dixon Wing and divided into
two parts-ground work and chair-tricks.
This event also proved a spectacular
display of agility and split-second
precision with each participant going
through his paces with the self-confidence
of a professional. These included
cartwheels, somersaults, back - flips and
the many other physical contortions which
never fail to enthrall the spectators no
matter how often they are repeated. Their
drill added an element of humour to the
event with the marionette-like movements
of the participants. Here again, all the
sequences were monitored by a whistle and
every action blended harmoniously with the
beat of the music.
This was followed by the mass P.T.
demonstration by 224 Dixon Wing boys-all
clad in white and arrayed in 14 ranks
across the field. They went through 62 P.T.
exercises some of which involved
variations in alternate rows. It should be
said to their credit that the performance
was excellent. Then, at a given signal,
the 14 ranks closed in to the centre of
the field and formed a tableau suggestive
of a lotus, the concentric petals of which
opened and closed in rhythmic sequence,
the inner corolla taking the form of a
pyramid with the college standard raised
at its vertex. As spontaneously as it was
formed, the tableau dissolved and in,
moments, 14 ranks of boys arrayed in white
were back on their original spots for a
further series of musical exercises before
doubling off the field to make way for the
8 gymnasts on the parallel bars.
This, too, was an event of considerable
merit earning the acclaim of all who
beheld it. The drill was conducted to
waltz time, reminding one in some respects
of a ballet troupe complete with
spotlights. The ease with which the
artists wafted over and through the bars
aptly demonstrated the bounce that these
India-rubber men possess. Their turn over,
the team stepping high, trotted off the
field.
Next came the 5 Junior trampoline acrobats
who in their relatively short display
provided a number of thrilling moments-and
also some reservations about Newton's laws
of gravity. The aerial somersaults and
free falls were particularly noteworthy
and must surely have momentarily provided
the performers with a completely new angle
on life.
Now it was the turn of the vaulting team
composed of 12 senior boys from Dixon
Wing. The wooden horse, spring-board and
mats in position, the participants, in
quick succession, commenced their headlong
assault over the broad-horse. And, as if
life was not already difficult enough,
they proceeded to vault over the backs of
two companions crouched atop the horse.
Another outstanding act was the
flying-leap, clearing the box terminating
in a forward head-roll. The stunts
performed on the long-horse were equally
impressive, but the most spectacular
episode was when the boys with the
greatest abandon, launched themselves
through the flaming hoops held over the
wooden horse, landing on the gym mats
after completing a somersault off the end
of the box. This was an event to be
admired for the sheer dash and daring with
which it was accomplished-without
sacrificing either rhythm or finesse.
Beyond the floodlit area of activity, it
had now become dark enough to proceed with
the eighth event of the evening; the
illuminated club-drill, this being the
prelude to the torch-light tattoo. The
participants holding pairs of red and
green torches in alternating rows, swung
into the musical club-drill with most
enchanting effect. The pairs of lights
wielded by the boys created a fascinating
medley of twin-toned designs with spirals
and streaks, waves and whirls against the
night's silvery gloom.
At the appointed moment the illusion
ceased and the symmetry the club-drill
fanned out into serried ranks of red and
green lights heading through the darkness
towards their predetermined
configurations. The figure marching had
begun. At last the mysterious tangle of
Dorothy's knitting began to unravel as
each coloured strand revealed
enlightenment. Moving threads of yellow
lights now snaked their way into this
colorful pageant. The steady processions
of lights transposed themselves into
counter-moving and interlinked Euclidean
figures continually changing with
kaleidoscopic variety. Once more the
coloured lights dispersed like strings of
rubies, emerald and yellow topaz only to
re-form gem-encrusted tableaux of the
Cutup Miner followed by the emblem
depicting the international Year of the
Child and finally, the College Crest super
scribed with the words 'Sherwood College'.
This was indeed a spectacle to remember.
Amongst all the activities of the College,
this is perhaps the only one which calls
for the mass participation of the boys-and
its success depends entirely on the spirit
of endeavour and team-work displayed by
the participants. Over the years Sherwood
has earned a degree of renown for these
qualities, but this is no reason for
complacency. Since there is always room
for improvement, it is the responsibility
of all concerned to continue in the
pursuit of perfection and by so doing
uphold the finest traditions of Sherwood.
|
