THE JOURNAL

OF THE PLYSU

GROUP

No. 3

AUTUMN,

1971

BE SOCIABLE - IT'S A CLUB!

THE DAY CHARLIE WENT TO SEE THE QUEEN ...

The first Committee meeting of the Plysu Social Club was held on 9th November. The Committee has been appointed to get the Club's activities moving on a sound basis, and the management has applied for a licence for the Canteen for Club activities. In short, it's all systems go-the Club's success now depends on the efforts of its members. The Plysu Social Club's Committee has been formed under the provisional chairmanship of Mr. Maxwell Summerlin. It comprises: Joan Hartup, Tony Hollis, Kath Roslin, Marjorie Masters and Richard Large. Also appointed are: Claude Phillips (Secretary), Jim Passingham (Treasurer), Harry Arnold (Honorary Auditor). Everyone at Plysu will be kept fully informed of the Club's progress and social activities, and we shall be featuring Club news regularly in these pages. Mr. Maxwell concluded the first meeting by stating "this is your club and now it is up to you. It is obvious that the majority of the employees wish to see a Plysu Social Club but its success depends on the goodwill and work of its members."

Charlie went to Buckingham Palace to see the Queen. It is not often this kind of invitation comes to a member of Plysu! But it happened to Charlie Davies, Plvsu's Security Officer, this summer. Most people, when they visit London, see little more than the Changing of the Guard and the Queen's Ensign when it is flying. Charlie and lsobel. however, were official guests, and a right royal occasion it proved to be, as he will tell you.-page 2

Help the Old this Christmas

Plans are afoot to make Christmas that bit brighter for old folk in the area next month. A Christmas party is being held in the Canteen on Saturday, 11 th December, for the 'Evergreens' of Woburn Sands, the 'Silver Threads' of Aspley Guise and the Wavendon 'Friendship'. Plvsu's five-strong organising team-Dora Buckthorpe, Audrey Britton, Midge Hollier, Tony Hollis and Ken Coleman-hope to cater for up to 200 guests, including helpers. Coaches have been laid on to collect visitors in the afternoon and they will be served with a full meal andwine at 4.30 p.m. Entertainment and carols will then be provided by the Brooklands Singers and the Woburn Sands Church Choir. And a special 'guest' appearance has been promised-by Santa Claude Phillips! Now-this is where YOU can help, by entering the Christmas Cake Competition. Cakes must be delivered to the Canteen by 30th November. Judging of entries will be by Mrs. James Summerlin on 1st December. First prize in the Competition will be a Premium Bond and the cakes will be distributed as Christmas gifts to the old folk in the community. So get those baking tins ready. With a little effort you could give a whole lot of pleasure to the aged this Christmas. Make it a bumper Christmas for them!

YOU CAN'T SWIM?

Of course you can. Frank Todd tells you how, aided by two Plysu lovelies. His advice could help you save a life-possibly your own..

SHARKS ARE FUN?

Exclusive - Harry Arnold's 'reeling' tale of what it's like on holiday in search of the kind of 'pet' that can leave six of its teeth in the side of a boat.-page 4.

-page

5.

A Right Royal' Do'

Many times I have watched the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and wondered what was on the other side of that historic building. This summer, I was privileged to find out. My wife, Isobel, and I were fortunate to be guests of Her Majesty the Queen at a garden party held at Buckingham Palace for members of the British Legion, and also Servicemen. We arrived at the Constitution Hill entrance to the Palace with approximately 1,000 otherguests, and promptly at 3.15 p.m. we entered the forecourt, thence under the famous arch, and into the quadrangle. Slowly mounting the stairs to the royal apartments we handed our closely . scanned invitations to N.C.O.'s of the Coldstream Guards. We continued on through the hall, furnished with red velvet chairs, cases of fine china and portralts of descendants of our Royal Family. On to the terrace, and down some stone steps to the lawn, where twelve Yeomen of the Guard formed a half circle. Here we waited for Her Majesty, Prince Philip, the Queen Mother and Lord Louis Mountbatten. Punctually they arrived at 4 p.m. when leading British Legion members were presented to the Queen and Prince Philip. Later, many other members had the exciting opportunity of meeting the Royal Family. Tea was tastefully served in a large marquee erected on the lawn. We enjoyed all sorts of good things to eat, and afterwards we took a stroll around the sunny, peaceful grounds. It was very hard to realise we were right in the heart of London, yet no sound penetrated the delightful gardens. Indeed, it was possible to hear birds singing . We continued on by the lake where we saw a number of pink flamingos, water fowl etc. The royal children's playground was visited next, and we were very interested to see the miniature caravan. Interest

in the royal cars was very popular, and we found them very highly polished and in first class condition. During the afternoon music was played by the band of the Coldstream Guards. At 6 p.m. the Queen and her party left, in order to prepare for a visit to Princess Anne who was at the time in hospital. So ended a very special day in our lives which I am quite sure my wife and I will never forget. The Changing of the Guards will never be quite the same now we've actually been inside. By CHARLlE DAVIES

SONGSTER TOM RETIRES

Postbox
I am very pleased to be able to tell through Plysu People of a wonderful experience I had whilst staying in Bedford Hospital last July, and one which will always remain very precious in my memory. On this particular occasion, owing to being told by the Sister that I would not be able to have any visitors this time, and that she had stopped relatives coming (which turned out to be a blessing in disguise) I was in bed with curtains drawn, feeling very weak, but very peaceful, pleasantly resigned to all that might befall me, when slowly somebody walked into the Ward. To my delight-I believe we both saw each other at the same momentit was Mr. Claude Phillips. Through Mr. Phillips' gentle and kindly personality, although not many words were spoken between us, I felt to my amazement the weakness departing, leaving in its place a feeling of renewed strength and happiness. Words cannot express just how much I have appreciated all his help and kindness since then; his kindly visits to Edgbury and afterwards at home and I am deeply grateful to him. I would like to say, at the same time, how I appreciated Lorna and

Ruby's visits in hospital-it was lovely to see them, they were so cheerful and kind-and it was most kind of "Lorna's two girls" from the Print Room to give up their time to come with her, and I thank all Plysu for their kindess at that time. SARAH KING (Print Room).

I would like to thank you all tor your kindness, generosity and sympathy, also my heartfelt thanks to my workmates in the Container Department for their lovely flowers. DOREEN STOCKER
(Containers Stripping).

Tom the Song has gone-or nearly. One of Plvsu's best-known personalities, Tom Neale, retired this summer, after 13 years' service. At a presentation in the canteen, Mr. Slocock handed Tom a wrist watch and fountain pen, on behalf of all departments in the factory, and gloves and slippers from the office staff. He started work at Plysu, April 1958, after giving up his bakery business in Wavendon. Asked how he planned to spend his retirement, he said "gardening and singing" -for which he is very well-known around the villages .. The management have offered him a part-time job. He is very pleased with this, because according to his wife, he can't spend all his time singing.

CARTOON QUIZLlNES
So where was your
sense of humour? A disappointing batch of entries to our competition. Quizline winner was Ethel Best (Housewares).

"He says he's only here for the beer."

Plysu people
Cong ratulations
To Ray and Maureen Tinson, a daughter, Louise, 29th July, 1971 (7Ib.90l.). To Richard and Jennifer large, a daughter, Claire Melanie, 30th July, 1971 (7Ib. 60l.). To Peter and Elizabeth Malia, a son, James Peter, on 16th June. To George Tough (Housewares), and his wife, Marsha, a son, .Jarrod. on the 11 th August. To Fred Healey (Moulder) and his wife Sally, a daughter on the 12th September (weight 71b. 140l.). They are going to call her Jacqueline.

Silver Wedding
Many congratulations to Ken Griffin (Moulder) and his wife Clara (who is Mrs. Enever's deputy in Housewares) who this summer celebrated their silver wedding.

GET WEll

SOON

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Ronnie Wilson (Blending Room) who has been off work for some time following an operation. And to Alec Bailey (Carpenter) who has been in Mount Vernon Hospital for some time.

Mrs. Mary Upstone seen here being presented with a hi-fi stereo record player and radio by Mr. G. F. Walker on behalf of the staff and employees, retired at the end of October, after being with this company for nearly' 20 years. 'Mrs. U: as she was known by most of us, held a unique position in

the company. She was a friend who one could approach for advice on any matter, personal or otherwise, and she will be greatly missed by everyone. On behalf of her friends in the company, Plysu People wish her and her husband a very long and happy retirement. Every good wish, 'Mrs. U'.

YOUNG GENERATION CORNER

Welcome
We offer a warm welcome to the following who joined us at Plysu Containers: Edna Alien, Jacqueline Ball, Ann Beal, Linda Beazley, Mario Borromeo, Carol Bunyan, Paul Campbell, Glenyse Capp, Linda Cowell, Rose Crisp, Mary Dashwood, Gwendoline Edwards, Olive George, Lesley Gilks, Maria Insogna, Maria James, Stanley King, Vera Kingham, Nora Lawrence, Lucia Di Lorenzo, Barbara Matthews, Kathleen Matthews, Jean Nazir, Morina Overton, Doreen J. Pilgrim, Rachel Potts, Jan Power, Brenda Rainbow, Linda Rainbow, Gwendoline Richardson, Erminia Santosuosso, Lilliana Sretenovic, Marion Staniforth, Ethel Stringer, Gillian Stringer, Harold Thurston, Christine Wight. Containers Stripping: Yvonne Bolah, Dorothy M. Cox, Ellen J. Cox, Lilian R. Kemp, Beryl Lowe, Stella C. Simpson, Madeline Sinfield, Gladys W. Stapleton, Elizabeth Taylor, Lucy Wilkins. Containers Packing: Martin J. Clarke (Nights), Brendan J. Connolly (Nights), Robert Dowdall, James Gibbison, Patrick Gormley, Joseph Hodge, William Hummerston. Barry Pain, lan Power, Francis Rainbow, George Shields, Roland Wilson. Container Sales: Marie Brennan, Angela Britten. Containers Printing: Joseph Cardoe, Glynis M. Downing, Deborah J. Hudson, Linda Sibley, Sarah Steele.

Claire

Melanie

large

(see above)

SAFETY FIRST
Congratulations to the following winners of the Plysu Safety Trophy: July: Industrial August: Print Room September: Industrial October: Housewares Production

Photographs appearing in PLYSU PEOPLE can be ordered D. A. Bennett. Ext. 225.

Containers Transport: Kenneth C. Rainbow. Moulding: John Bernard, Brian Bishop, Paul Brain, Brian Bulmer, Gerald Cooper, David Dixon, John Gray, Raymond Green John Hay, Bernard Hayles, Edward A. Holmes, Kenneth Hulks, Ormer Kerr, Leslie Lanceley, Hugh Mackie, William McNamee, Stewart Nesbitt, Raymond Pearson, James Reilly, J. Shanley, Robert Smith, Nicholas J. Stroud, Eric W. Trusler, Thomas Walker, Arthur Willis, Alfred Wright, Leslie J. Wright. Mould Moving: Vincent Barden. Products General: Sidney Cox, Keith Demner, Robert Hale. Products Engineering: Roland Golding, Jordan Jankoff. Products Moulding: Robin Hay, George E. Sutton, Sidney Vinton. Products Chipping: Albert Keegan, Barry Read, Geoffrey Saunders. Products Stores: Leslie G. Hailey. Standards & Inspection: Brian Cooke, Frank Nelson, Nathan Payne, Frederick Seaton. Electrical: John Worrall. Computer Room: Jim White. Restaurant: Angela T. Circuitt. Driver: Ivan Conlon. Artic Driver: Anthony G. Bishop, Victor T. Minton. Print Room: June Grummitt. Housewares Sales: Joan Walsh. Cleaning: Leslie Hamilton. Chipping: Redvers Gargett. Engineering: James Bayliss, Dennis Edwards. Carpenters: Keith Howkins.

year on rod and line between midMay and the end of September; their weight ranges upwards from 15 Ibs. tor the young (caught at the end of July), to the British record of 218 Ibs. They come over from America in the Gulf Stream to breed and are summer visitors only, (it may be connected with having children on the National Health Service). The Porbeagle shark is the second most common shark in our waters, its weight going up to 430 Ibs. which is incidentally the all-tackle world record and was caught 7 miles off the Jersey coast in 1969.

'Shy Fish'
The last two types of shark are the Thresher and the Mako or Blue Pointer. The Thresher shark is a very shy fish with a scythe-like tail measuring up to 5 ft. in length. The British record which has stood since 1932 is 280 lbs. The Mako is the piece de resistance of shark fishermen, with the British record of 500 Ibs. (May 1971). It makes a fearsome sight. Only two or three of these fish are caught each year, so their capture is a celebratory event. Unless one is lucky enough to see it first, the first intimation that one has hooked into a Mako as opposed to any other shark is when the sea erupts and up to a quarter of a ton of fighting mad shark goes rocketing into the air in an effort to dislodge the hook. Their ferocity is marked by the time taken to bring them to the gaff, never less than an hour and more usually two hours. In 1969 a Reading man fought his Mako for 6 hours 5 minutes on a 79 lb. breaking strain line before it was gaffed and even then it straightened out two stainless steel gaffs and left six of its teeth in the side of the boat. Sharks in our waters are usually found 5 to 15 miles from the shore and their incidence closer inshore is rare, although this summer I saw a huge Thresher shark about 200 yds offshore. As it was thick fog at the time I suspect he was more lost than we were. Up till this summer, there has never been a confirmed report of anyone being attacked by sharks around our coasts, although a certain daily paper reported in June that a skin diver was attacked off a Devon beach-they have to sell their papers.

It's not often a fisherman finds a mermaid on the line. But Harry Arnold 'caught' Marian Shanley after reporting a marked absence of sharks in the Plysu lake.

Sharks -Ahoy!
Contrary to popular oprruon. the shark population of British seas is not confined to the English Channel, but may be found all round our coastal waters. As a summer sport, the pursuit of these fish is to be recommended, although not with a spear gun-make sure your shark is on the business end of a fishing rod. The sharks for which one goes fishing are Blue, Porbeagle, Thresher and Mako. Basking sharks are not potential man-eaters, and can be ignored for sporting purposes. One or two other types of shark are occasionally found in our own waters such as the Spiny Shark and Great White Shark, but they are rare and their presence is more an accident than habitual. Shark fishing, or sharking to give its colloquial name, is done along the

by Harry Arnold
south coast from the Isle of Wight to Falmouth and to a lesser degree on the West Country's north coast. The sport has been started in the southwest of Ireland, and there is no reason why it should not take place anywhere round Great Britain. Mako and Porbeagle sharks have been seen in the Firth of Forth and Threshers of up to 1,000 Ibs. have been seen off the Eastern coastli ne.

A warning
A word of warning to all would-be shark fishermen. Whatev~-1he skipper says is law. If som)mne else is fighting a shark, always keep well out of the way and never tighten the stardrag on the clutch of a reel. An experienced sea angler out sharking for the first time Was playing a shark using a harness attaching himself to the rod. "Oh! its just like (continued on page 6)

Record Catches
The most common shark caught off the south coast is the Blue shark, of which some 6,000 are caught each

~RANK TODD suggests you should be .

GETTING IN THE SWIM

Why the need to swim? The first and most obvious reason to come to mind is su rviva I-we need to save ou rselves from a watery grave. It may surprise you to know that during the next 12 months more than 1,000 children and adults will die from drowning. Approximately 75% of these fatalities will take place in inland waters, i.e. swimming pools, canals, lakes and rivers. The majority will be under 11 years of age. This accident rate is second highest after motor accidents. One would have thought that more publicity would have been given to this fact. The Amateur Swimming Association publicised the fact in a pamphlet Swim for your Life and ran an extensive National Learn to Swim Campaign during 1970. Statistics are not to hand, but the campaign must have greatly reduced the number of nonswimmers in the country. The AS.A is one of the oldest governing bodies of amateur sport having celebrated their centenary in 1969 and governs all amateur swimming for both sexes. One of its objects is to promote the art of swimming and to encourage its teaching. This object is supported by most amateur swimming clubs and all clubs in North Bucks devote a portion of their Club's nights solely to teaching swimming. One immediately thinks of children being taught to swim, but the service is offered to adults also.

Frank Todd demonstrates the use of floats to Marian Shanley and Susan RuffSmith. Thanks girls for being such sports. It must have been perishingbut you made our cameraman's day!

Age no barrier
There seems to be quite a high proportion of Mums and Dads who 'cannot swim probably due to ernbarrassment or taking the least line of resistance-can't be bothered. This is a/pity because swimming is one activity the whole family can enjoy together at little expense, as little equipment is required. If one is so inclined, the company of others is not essential. Age is no barrier-from

4 to 90 years. I have witnessed a man aged 70 years plus, being taught to swim in 15 minutes. As to the Body Beautiful: keep fit types can revel in the fact that swimming is the finest natural physical exercise devised. Large quantities of air are inhaled resulting in a proportionate amount to injurious carbonic gases being expelled. Few recreations call to action so many muscles at one and the same time. Swimming is invigorating, exhilarating and very useful in an emergency to save life. I cannot imagine the feelings of a non-swimmer who is compelled by circumstances to witness a drowning incident unable to help.

With Milton Keynes developing, new swimming pools will be provided and the first three to be built will be at Stantonbury (New Bradwell) Sports Centre (25 metres) plus a learner pool; City Centre (33 metres) with a separate diving pool, and at Bletchlev. These projects are planned to start in 1973/74.

Volunteers
Where there is a swimming pool there is usually a club and here you will find a dedicated group of volunteers keeping the activities ticking over and spending their spare time teaching and improving swimming. Usually a non-swimmer is tense and rigid when in water, this being an unnatural medium to be moving around in. To swim one must relax, and confidence gained with the use of artificial aids, i.e. inflated arm bands, rings or floats. The learner can move about quite freely with an aid, having a go and gradually gaining confidence. One puts over that swimming is fun and tries to convince the learner he can swim by continually telling him so, at the same time reducing the air support in the swimming aid. At the end of this I have known learners to swim well with no air support in their aid whatsoever, yet unable to swim with the aids off. In a shallow learners' pool as at Wolverton, the shallow water method (continued on page 7)

Facilities
The second object of the ASA is to stimulate public opinion in favour of providing proper accommodation and facilities for acquiring the art of swimming. Throughout the country during the last decade or so, great strides forward have been made in providing swimming pools. Most big towns have modern facilities for acquiring the art and this area is no exception. Heated open air pools now exist at Newport Pagnell, Aylesbury, Buckingham and Wolverton ; the latter also provides a shallow heated learner pool. Bletchley is fortunate to have the only municipal covered pool locally and also has an open air learner pool.

Frank Todd is an Official Starter, Judge and Time Keeper for the Amateur Swimming Association and serves on the Swimming Facilities Committee of Midland District A.S.A. A founder member of Bletchley Swimming Club, he is now Secretary of Wolverton Swimming Club, Championship Secretary of Oxford and North Bucks A.S.A., and Administration Officer for Winter Training Courses at R.A.F. Halton. .

.5

Plvsu's GRAHAM SHAW writes on the pleasures of hopping, skipping and jumping and generally keeping fit.

HURDLING HIGH

Athletics, from a spectator's point of view, is a much under-rated sport. There has been a slight revival with the magnetism of Dave Bedford, but the terraces have been empty far too long. It is not generally appreciated that Athletics takes place at all levels. Obviously International matches get the most publicity but there are hundreds of clubs in England, Scotland and Wales set up in Leagues on a Regional basis with the best clubs making up four Leagues on a national basis. It was the Southern League Division III club, Luton United A.C., that I decided to join in August 1970, after a break from Athletics of about 4 years, since leaving school. At school I had been Beds. Schools Champion for two years at the Triple Jump (some may call it the Hop, Step and Jump-I call it something else!) and I held the school record at 43ft. 4ins. I had let Athletics drop whilst at University in London and last year I decided to make a come-back. The Club has done well since then, gaining promotion to Southern League Division 2 in September 1970, and this year we secured promotion to Division 1, something that the rival football team couldn't do! Next year we are hoping to gain promotion to the National League. That will mean doing well in each of six matches against four teams, different in each case and, if we do well enough, winning a special promotion match. For myself, I started my come-back with the intention of Triple Jumping but I have also been Long Jumping, High Jumping, and this year I have even learnt how to Hurdle properly. I ended the season with a regular place in the team for my Triple Jumping and 11 metre Hurdling. My best performances last season were Long Jump, 20ft. 5~ins., Triple Jump 42ft. 2ins., High Jump 5ft. 4ins., and 110 metres Hurdles 166 secs. These performances might not be all that impressive but with a winter's training ahead to obtain greater strength, next year should see a great improvement. I will probably concentrate most on the Hurdles, a relatively new event for me but one with the most potential. I have already Hurdled for Bedfordshire and even written an article for the Evening Post on "How to Hurdle."

SHARKS-AHOY!

(from page 4)
This forms a 'smear' which by the end of the day will be half a mile long and a hundred yards wide. The initial smell of it is something more than repulsive to use, but very appetising to sharks. Taking the bait The lines (one rod per person) are baited with live mackerel caught on the spot and we sit down to wait. The day is spent reading, sleeping, listening to the radio (Top of the Pops' or other shark boats and trawlers from Lands End to Hove), bottom fishing, mackerel fishing for the following day's rubby dubby or being sick to leeward if you're a bad sailor. At any time from putting the rods out to finishing time (about 4.30 p.m.) one might expect to hear a reel scream in protest as a shark takes a bait and rips off 50-250 yards of line. Each person is allocated a rod for the day and whoever the rod belongs to, takes the 'fighting chair'. He is given the rod and from then to gaffing he's on his own. One might have a "double strike", i.e. two sharks being played at the same time, or even very rarely, a triple strike. Experience will tell whether the shark being played is large or small. A large shark, stomach hooked, will give very little fight; a small shark which has wrapped itself up in the trace will come in

winching in a big ray," he said, tightening the clutch. When the fish saw the boat it dived for the sea bed. As the line couldn't run out he was whipped out of the chair and clammed against the gunwhale. If the skipper hadn't leapt down and loosened the clutch he would have been over the side and gone. The final indignity was that although no bones were broken, "his right arm was numb and he had to hand the rod to someone else to bring the fish to boat. The skipper's language nearly blistered the paintwork off, and the incident was passed from shark boat to shark boat via intership radio from Falmouth to the Isle of Wight. The shark? It weighed 60 Ibs. A day's shar!<ing Let us take a typical day's sharking from Falmouth on the 'Huntress' skippered by Robin Vinnecombe. We assemble on Customs House Quay, rather hung over from the previous evening's festivities. Each person takes whatever food and liquid (usually non-alcoholic) that he feels he needs and away we go. We steam for an hour and a half out of the harbour and then the engines are cut and we prepare to drift for the rest of the day. We start by putting the rubby dubby basket overboard. This is a log basket half full of mackerel, well rotted and minced up.

Athletics is a fine sport-no good for smokers or heavy drinkers though! It keeps you fit, in shape, and I find it a relaxation from the pressures of work.

The motorists of Plysu who aspire to compete in the 'Monte' showed their paces in the 'Country Ramble' in July (writes Martin Tucker). Kitted out with maps, compasses, s top w a t c h e s. s pot I i g h t s, sum p guards and noisy exhausts, they lined up at the Station Hotel car park to be flagged away at their appointed time. They were only, in fact, required to bring a pencil and a car. The lucky ones, with navigators as well, soon negotiated the level crossing and were making their way along the Cranfield Road. The sprinkling of clues along here were found by most but the sparser sprinkling of directions soon had some guessing.

CAR RALLY

The 'Monte'
The route proceeded with the participants looking for chimney pots in Walton, a grave stone in Milton Keynes and an otter in Great Linford. A short stretch of main road into Wolverton and then out into the country again towards Haversham. Crossroads Farm was missed by most but from then it was a fairly easy run back through Newport Pagnell and North Crawley, finishing at the local hostelry in Moulsoe, where the early ones got sandwiches and prizes and the late ones got prizes. The positions were swiftly worked out and the winner's prize presented to Mr. David Woollett and navigator, his fiancee, Miss Wendy Osborne. This couple have made tremendous strides together after coming last in the previous rally. Second were Mr. and Mrs. John Bunker and third Mr. Ted Bates and driver.

at the

'Leuthern Bottel'
finish. Certainly, everyone seemed to have plenty to talk about. There has been talk of forming a Plysu Motor Club but as yet no action. Judging from the interest expressed in this event. there are sufficient people to make this a going concern. All that seems to be required is for someone to crystallize this interest into something solid. Perhaps then these treasure hunt/ rallies will become regular events.

Chimney pots
By now, with the not-so-serious competitors in the Leathern Bottel and the serious ones lost the rally was well and truly under way and with half of the organisers recalled to duty (earning overtime) the contestants were left largely to themselves. It was difficult, however, to remain lost for long. Among the clues and directions actual placenames were occasionally to be found.

PLYSU COUNTRY RAMBLE CAR RALLY

OFFICIAL
1st: 2nd: 3rd: 4th: 5th: 6th:

RESULTS

Moveable clues
backwards and will seem to weigh a tremendous amount. On a quiet day one has to be prepared for the usual pranks, someone pulling off two or three feet of line so that the rachet on a reel causes instant action, or 10 Ibs. of lead being tied to the line to the chagrin of the person who brings it to the gaff. The ctessic is a Londoner who 'telt' for a 2 gallon galvanised metal bucket. He fought it for 20 minutes before it was gaffed to hysterical scenes. Dave Stapleton and myself, although cornered into organising the whole thing, enjoyed our side of it immensely, although we had a little trouble keeping track of moveable clues in the last few days before the start, when the proposed route had already been printed. We tried to keep the clues fairly simple, yet with just enough difficult ones to ensure that .no one obtained full marks. It was successful in that everyone completed the course, probably helped by the fact that they knew where to

D. Woollett, 23 marks (+4 bonus) J. Bunker, 23 marks (+3 bonus) E. Bates, 22 marks (+2 bonus) M. Kesby, 22 marks (+ 1 bonus) D. Sinfield, 22 marks C. Butler (non-Plysu), 21 marks (+2 bonus) 7th: W. Barnett, 21 marks 8th: G. Shaw, 20 marks 9th: P. Evans, 19 marks (+3 bonus) 10th: J. Sinfield, 19 marks (+1 bonus) 11th: D. Caton, 19 marks 12th: R. Larby, 17 marks 13th: H. Purcer, 13 marks 14th: G. Waul, 6 marks Maximum total marks-27 Althoug h competitiors were not told beforehand, the bonus points were awarded for "making-up" places, i.e. starting 5th and finishing 3rd =2 bonus points, and these were only used for deciding ties.

The catch
At about 4.15 to 4.30 it is time to head for port having drifted about 15 miles along the coast. Our arrival at Falrnouth harbour is welcomed by 200-300 'ghouls' waiting to see the day's catch. For each shark caught we fly a flag: yellow for a Blue shark, green for a Porbeagle or White with a Blue shark silhouetted for a Mako. We may come back with none or looking like a village fete. On arrival at the quayside, the sharks are weighed, 75 Ibs. being the qualifying weight for the Shark Angling Club of Great Britain, and photographs taken. Finally we go ashore 450 poorer, richer in experience, sunburnt and worrying why the ground goes up and down before we've even got to the bar!

GETTING IN THE SWIM

(from page 5)
Women are better able to float than men and muscular men are poor floaters and sometimes sinkers. A fraction of the two relative specific gravities is 99/100 suggesting that 99/100 of the body is submerged compared with cork where 22/100 only is under water. Air in the lungs supports one end of the body and it depends on the positioning of the fat whether one floats vertically or horizontally. The proof you can float, nonswimmers, is above, so all you have to do now is move and you can swim. Here's to a champion in the making or at least a swimmer able to enjoy the water, maybe in the future a competitive swimmer in a Plysu team.

is practised. The beginner moves about the pool with his hands on the bottom and straight arms, this enables the body to be flat on the water and in the swimming position. With a leg kick one is almost swimming each time a hand is taken off the bottom of the pool to ease oneself along. A simple method whereby a learner can get the feel of movement in water and buoyancy. To float, the specific gravity of the body must be less than that of water which is 100. All tissues in the body with the exception of fat have a specific gravity greater than 100 so it's left to fat and air in the lungs to make the body float.

Move over, Genls!

So where have all Plvsu's pretty girls gone? Most of them were in the canteen one September evening. The occasion: a summer dance staged by Plysu's very able organising committee-Dora Buckthorpe, Audrey Britton, Midge Hollier and Tony Hollis. Thanks go to them, the directors for supplying coloured lighting, and Mr. Sturdy for the piano. Thanks, too, to all of you who supported the occasion-it raised 102 towards the Old Folks Christmas Party.

shop!
You may buy, sell or barter freely through Plysu People's small ads. column. If you want to remain anonymous please ask for a box number. Copy for the next issue by 31st Dec.
2 Fireside Armchairs, cushioned back and seat, medium oak type wood. 4 the pair. Contact: Ethel Best-Housewares. Philips cassette tape recorder. Battery operated with microphone and spare tapes-hardly used. 15 o.n.o, Contact: D. A. Bennett, Ext. 225. Aquarium 1S"x12"x12", Five fish, electric light and air Original price 7-Bargain at Contact: John Perry-Industrial ing Dept. Goldpump. 3. Pack-

Plysu Fishing Club

Here we are, fast approaching the latter half of the 1971/2 season and to the more fanatical of us, by far the best half. Certainly the shirt sleeves. and bottoms on the dry bank days are over, but to the really keen fisherman who doesn't mind braving the elements, the next few months can be very rewarding. The fish are reaching their peak condition prior to the spring spawning. The shoals of small fry that can be such a nuisance during the summer are already breaking down into smaller shoals and being thinned out by the marauding pike and perch, and from now until March, we can expect rather fewer in quantity in our keep-nets but of a better quality.

these inter-club matches, that we have a chance to fish new waters and make new friends. Also this season we ventured out to Newbridge in Berkshire and fished the Thames, where we were put to shame by a Junior Member, Master West, who showed his dad and the rest of us how to catch fish. However, I hope to arrange some other similar trips in the future, but perhaps a little nearer home next time.

Junior's

Section

Attendance
Passing on to Club news, I am enjoying my first season as Secretary. Already we have held several competitions on our own lake, and considering that shift working tends to divide us up a little, attendances at the matches have been very good. The weights of fish caught have perhaps not been as good as they might be, but I don't have to look up the records to find the member who has consistently been in the top weights. Our congratulations go to Dave Caton who has not only won three consecutive matches, but has, to the best of my belief, not failed to weigh in on a single match.

Moving on to the Junior's Section, our trial matches were a great success. Keen competition was evident on their faces and for one or two the concentration was so great that they could hardly take time off for the 'pop' that was provided, and with a small cash prize for first and second places, I'm sure the winners at least felt it was worthwhile. We have a silver cup to be presented to the Junior catching the heaviest fish. To date I have a tench of 11b. 20z. caught by Master Dolton, and a carp of 41b. 110z. caught by 8-year old, Master Caton.

NEWS, please
We welcome news and views, comments and carps. That is what journals are all about. This is your journal and your opportunity to put pen to paper. We plan to appear again after Christmas. News to: Ethel Best-Housewares Edna Ingram-Containers Kay Norman-Industrial David Bennett-Main Office Claude Phillips-New Office off Canteen Hall Derek Sinfield-Moulding Shop

New members
We welcome new members both senior and junior, so don't forget-for even if you are not interested in fishing, your sons might be, so enrol them as members so that they can benefit from the advice and supervision of the senior members. One last word to our members-do remember when fishing the lake, to pick up any rubbish after fishing, and put it in the bins provided, please, especially nylon line or discarded hooks.

Club matches
We have held some interesting and very friendly matches with outside Clubs, both home and away, the great thing being, with

JACK SORENSON,
Moulding Room.

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