The Anxious mothers softly call,

Their little ones to rest.

The fleecy clouds above the sun,

Are tinted with its blood-red ray;

Evening has fallen, day is done,

The lambs are drowsed with play.

The tranquil sky is set aflame,

The fiery beams glow steadily on,

Until at last a sudden break

Welcomes the graceful moon.

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            The winter of 1939-40, which the pupils of Jarrow Central School have spent in Crook, has proved to be of exceptional severity.

            On awakening one morning we were surprised to find everything covered in a blanket of snow.  It was very cold jumping out of bed, but we were pleased that the snow had at last arrived, because we could enjoy our snow fights, which we had been looking forward to very much.

            We dressed quickly, had breakfast, and ventured out into the snow.  It was very deep and the flakes were sailing from the roof with every puff of wind.

            When we arrived at school, the girls and boys were quite enjoying themselves, until one of the teachers ordered them to stop snowballing.  This put a stop to most of our fun but there was still something to amuse us.

            Tobogganing was the greatest sport during the winter and, although we received many scratches, bumps and bruises, we enjoyed it very much.  Coming down a steep bank was both exciting and thrilling, as we expected to be thrown right off the toboggan at the bottom, because it was going at such a great speed.

            After the snow had lain for a few weeks, we became tired of it and wished that it would soon be washed away.  The weather seemed to be much colder and, while in school, we were usually keeping ourselves warm clustered round the radiators, instead of going out for a break between lessons.

            Although we spent one of the worst winters we have experienced in a strange town, most of us enjoyed ourselves.

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SPOONERISMS

THE CHRISTMAS POST

             As the snow lay inches deep and Christmas was drawing very near, we prepared eagerly for our Annual Christmas Post.  For the first time we spent the winter in strange surroundings.  Our Art Master painted the pillar boxes a warm scarlet and neatly tinted the edges with white to give the effect of snow.

            Each day, the letters were emptied into large mailbags until the day of delivery arrived.  Our Commercial Form acted as the Post Office, the girls sorting and the boys delivering.  We sorted and arranged the letters in their respective forms and finally delivered them.  When we were finished, we were anxious to see our cards, and, looking at each one, we compared one another's.

            There were some lovely scenes: the grand frosty moon shining upon the snow-covered track and the reindeer drawing the sledge down the steep hill, followed by the carol singers: then the complete contrast, the roaring fire with chairs pulled close, the little black cat curled upon the mat, and a grand meal prepared for the revellers to "eat, drink, and be merry."

            All of these things help to make Christmas a merry and exciting time, especially for youngsters.

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TONGUE TWISTERS

                                   Sister Susie sitting in the shoe-shine shop selling smart shoes to soldiers.

                                  Which is the switch miss for Ipswich miss?

                                  Cricket critics criticise cricketers.

                                  The sea ceaseth and it sufficeth us.

                                  Seven silvery Severn salmon slowly swimming south.

Betty bought a lot of butter but she found that butter bitter so she bought some better butter to make that bitter butter better.

Round and round the rugged rocks the ragged rascals ran.

Thithie put the Thitherth on the thideboard pleath.

Mother what'th for thupper?  Thoup my Thon.  Oh bother thoup I'm thick of thoup - it'th alwayth thoup for thupper.

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EPITAPHS

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