By Jamie
Copyright 2022 by Jamie, all rights reserved
* * * * *Harstons - Chapter 4
Wednesday House swim for the 3rd years
The house quickly settled into its routine and Wednesday evening it was
their turn for free swim. This first one of the term though was
reserved for the swim team selections for the new boys. Eddington led
his 15 young charges across to the pool where they were met by the
captain of the swim team Andy Johnson.
The boys were soon
stripped off and stood in a row faced by the captain who true to his
word was setting the example as his team would swim naked. Johnson was
well built strong arms and thighs built through years of competitive
swimming. His endowment was average but what the boys found fascinating
was that he was completely shaved down below as his willy and balls had
no hair.
"Right boys house swim team. We need to find 4 good
swimmers from you lot to join the team. It’s a good team to join there
are just 20 of us, 4 from each year. So will divide you up into 4
groups and we will have some races in the two major strokes, front
crawl and breaststroke. Give it your best shot, and remember I am
looking for both speed and technique in your stroke. We can always work
on speed especially if you can swim the stroke properly. So, I’ll give
you a number and then we will get down to it."
The boys were
numbered off and then after a bit of free swim they were in the 4
groups ready to race. Some were good, some awful and a fair few in the
middle.
Johnson stood on the side with Eddington talking
about the performances, which was particularly useful for Johnson as
Harry was one of the team though he resolutely hung onto his pubic hair
unlike the captain. All the boys were then asked to perform a dive off
the springboard. Willies bouncing causing some giggles amongst the
boys.
About 6 boys emerged as potentials, and another boy
for diving particularly impressed, so the rest were told they could dry
off and go back to the house. The 6 were then asked to swim a length at
three quarters pace concentrating on their stroke.
“Some promising talent here Harry” said Johnson, “that lad in the far lane, what his name?”
“Thompson, Freddie I think it is. Thompson come over here please.” He called out and the naked boy trotted over on command,
“Yes Eddington?”
The Captain spoke to him asking about his previous swimming experience
and was pleased to hear he had been in his prep school team and won a
few races against other schools. The lad confirmed his name was Freddie.
“Good. Well done lads. I will post on the noticeboard the swim squad
later this week. I will choose 4 and one diver, though I think we can
agree Simpson is pretty much got that covered. Before we finish Simpson
give us one more dive, a swallow perhaps from the spring.”
Young Simpson duly walked over and climbed on to the spring. His little
willy hardly visible as he bounced up and down and then he bounced high
and forward , his arms outside before bringing them together in time to
enter the water. A really good dive that earned him a round of applause
from the watching boys.
The boys dried off and got dressed and
chatted excitedly as they returned to the house. Harry Eddington and
Andy Johnson walked more casually back sharing thoughts about the swim
team and their chances of winning the house cup.
Friday evening
The
first week was coming to an end and everyone had settled back into the
routine. The first house meeting was scheduled for 7pm after dinner and
it would be the first time everyone would be gathered. The boys, all
now in casual clothes gathered in the hall waiting for the 2 most
important people to arrive House Captain Phil Davis and of course House
Master Mr. Taylor.
The hall went quiet as the doors opened
and Mr. Taylor and Davis entered along with Matron. Mr. Taylor spoke
first, ran through a few administrative things, talked about house
rules and the expectation of everyone playing their part in the life of
the house.
"Now as most of you know I leave the day to day
running of the house to the six house prefects. Philip Davis is our
House Captain this year and he is joined by Roberts, Captain of Sport,
Youngman Captain of activities and the 3 year group prefects English
5th, Unsworth the 4ths and Eddington the 3rds. English will also be our
Captain of cricket when get to the summer term. I have also appointed
Johnson as our swim team Captain.
“Let’s have a good year
boys, enjoy the term, work and play hard, and remember any problems or
issues please speak first to your prefect or Matron. Right over to you
Davis. "
With that the adults, left leaving the boys wondering what the announcements would be from the prefects.
Phil Davis smiled, this was his moment, here was here now in charge of all these boys and within reason his word was law.
"Right, everyone welcome back, and welcome to our 15 new boys. As Mr.
Taylor said the smooth running of the house relies upon everyone doing
their bit whether it’s putting out your laundry on the correct day,
keeping your room or dormitory tidy or generally behaving sensibly, and
most importantly being part of the house team. We don’t expect slackers
here in Barnards. So, there are a few rules and if you break them you
can expect to be punished.
“Let’s go through the system we
have agreed for this year so that everyone is clear right from the
start, and no one can say they didn’t know. To that end we are going to
take the register first, answer your name when called."
Youngman stood up folder in hand and quickly 75 names had been called
and everyone was accounted for from the older Upper 6th boy to the
youngest 3rd former Adam Jennings who had only turned 13 at the end of
August.
“Good. So the routine for the house- Wednesdays is our
house swim time, Fridays we shall hold our weekly Prefects Court and
Mondays will be punishments. Every morning at 830 after breakfast we
have house meeting and registration and then it’s off to school.
“Discipline. We expect good behaviour here at Barnards but of course we
all know not everyone behaves properly all of the time. If a prefect
deals with you, you may be reported and be required to attend the court
on a Friday evening, names of attendees will be announced on Friday
mornings. A range of punishments are available from chores for matron,
detention, runs and whackings, the last of which will be carried out
here on Monday evenings. Trust me gentlemen you don’t want to here on a
Monday evening, as some of already know from past experience. You have
been warned.
“Swimming. We have decided that the dress code
for house swim time is that 3rds to 5ths will be naked, 6ths it’s up to
you. The house swim team captain, Johnson has decided that the whole
team will swim naked, 6ths included. We are introducing a new thing
this year, an extra special court which will meet at the end of every
half term, we’ve called it the slackers court, and this will deal with
boys who are slacking off, don’t play their part in the house, join in,
go missing. This is not about behaviour but about house spirit. Let me
give you an example.
“In the house cross country competition
everyone takes part. I expect everyone to try their best. Even if you
come last, you still get a point for finishing. Fail to finish you add
nothing. We want everyone to try their hardest. Slackers will not be
tolerated.
“Finally, a word for the 6th formers- lower
sixth: Mr. Taylor has asked me to present him a short list of possible
prefects to him at the end of term. Individuals who stand out, show
leadership who could be prefects next year. All of us will be looking
for candidates so look lively as the list goes to the boss last week of
term. There’s no limit on nominations but of course only 6 are
appointed. To my fellow upper 6th please stay behind at the end. That’s
it. Any questions.” There was silence.
“Okay off you go.
Have a good term and don’t forget morning registration is every day
including Sundays at 830 here. Miss it and you are in the book!
Dismissed."