THE SOCIETIES

The Society has had an active term, holding four meetings. At the first, boys discussed

The various paintings, in particular Picasso’s Guernictz (1936), painted as an expression against

Art Society the destruction of the civilian occupation of this town.during the Spanish Civil War.

P. Pollak, Esq,, gave us all an enthralling evening when he talked on pottery, showing us

examples from his large and comprehensive collection. At a third meeting, J. Warren, Esq., of Dover

College, illustrated his lecture on “German Baroque” with some excellent slides, which demonstrated the

characteristics of this style of architecture. The final paper of the term was given by F. l. MCC. HEZECI, who

spoke on “A Face: of Modern Art”. I should like to thank the President, A. G. C. Bennett, Esq., for all
his help this term.

J.H.T.

Despite the absence of notes in the last few Cantuarianr, the Society has continued

The to function steadily. The chief aim of the Society is to give a darkroom service;

Pholographic Society and judging by the difiiculty of getting into the darkroom, the service is well used,

even if only by a few people. While the sole activity last term was preparing an

exhibition, this term there have been five lectures. Two of these were demonstrations of darkroom technique,

while the others were based on filmstrip lectures or" general interest. Attendance has been the highest for
two years.

R.D.I-LY.

Instead of its usual termly expedition the Society visited the Natural History Museum
The in London. This excursion was of great interest to all members present for a good
Geological Society deal of knowledge was gained, from our lecture tour round the galleries, about the
anatomy and physiology of such prehistoric monsters as the Dinosaurs, the swimming
reptiles and some extinct forms of mammals.
In the -Society’s room work on our Collection has proceeded as planned and a general reorganisation
of the presentation of our specimens is-about to be started. Both the pedology and crystallography sections
have done a great deal of work this term.

All members have, by their hard work, contributed greatly to the success of the Society.

G.M.A.H.

Notes on the Society’s activities both in the Summer Term and in the Winter Term have
The been included here, as those for the summer were omitted by some error from the last
Somner Society issue. The Society’s annual outing took place at the end of May, this year to Rye,
Winchelsea and Bodiam Castle. The morning was spent in Rye, where unfortunately
the Town Museum was closed, but all members were able to visit the church, extensively restored after the.
War. As well as admiring the French cannon balls-—which bombarded the church in l377—and the beautiful
altar in the Clere Chapel, members went up the tower with its clock which still works with the original parts
made in 1560. Some also visited the “Old Hospital" in Mermaid Street. In the early afternoon we visited
Wirichelsezi Church, which has also been restored in the last century from a state of serious disrepair. Only
the choir now remains, the nave having been destroyed by the French .c.1;1t).O: with the loss of commercial
prosperity, money could not be raised to have it rebuilt. Our final visit was to Bodiam Castle, today a
most impressive sight on account of Lord Curzon’s generosity in repairing the whole structure. In fact,
this magnificent castle was only ever involved in the stress of war once—in 1483.

We were most fortunate to be given the opportunity of excavation at Bridge Place this summer. Our
object was to ascertain the layout of the original foundations of a house built c.1640, three-quarters of
which was pulled down at the end of the seventeenth century: the work was of great interest to architectural
experts, as few similar houses of the period survive unaltered to the present day. On our Sunday afternoon
‘voeditions we managed to excavate the well at the rear of the house, to clarify the layout of the former

at of the house, and to examine foundations at both front and rear. Our warmest thanks are due to

1. and Mrs. Pinhom for all their help and interest.

Though our activity this term has been limited—-—as is usual in the Christmas Term—lectures have been
yaried and our one outing, to Richborough Castle, was most enjoyable. The Hon. Secretary’s lecture on
‘Greece before History", outlining the discovery of the civilizations of Knossos and Mycenae, was followed

 

.Q,, /7 4:

KM.