The summer season sees the return of a much-loved
traditional sport to Shiplake College: cricket. Armed with padding, helmets and
bats, there is little worry that cricket is a dangerous sport for the students
to be playing. However, 1st XI coach Mr Jonnie Howorth proved that
the perils of playing cricket are further reaching that anyone had anticipated:
during Monday’s cricket training on New Field, his wedding ring was sadly lost!
Cue one very sorrowful Welsh Housemaster. Hours of early–morning
searching ensued, but unfortunately yielded no results. Despite a desperate
plea for a metal detector, Mr Howorth was still unable to find the ring which
was well-hidden amongst the grass on the field.
The Headmaster Mr Gregg Davies found it unusual that a
teacher would be conducting a treasure hunt in the early hours of Tuesday
morning. Upon finding out the story behind Mr Howorth’s frenzied seeking, the
Headmaster – unbeknownst to Mr Howorth - promptly relocated the Junior
Assembly from the Parish Church to New Field.
The boys lined up on New Field- a sea of maroon and gold
blazers standing shoulder to shoulder, ready and raring to search for the lost
ring. The assembly-cum-search party scoured the field, led at the helm by the
Headmaster, Mr Nick Brown and Mr Rob Jones. Staff flocked to the field to aid
in the hunt and, to mass celebration, the search party were successful!
Finn Wallace, of Orchard House, found the ring, restoring it
to the incredibly grateful Mr Howorth. In a touching tale that could so easily
have had a less triumphant ending, the Shiplake College cohort once again
showed that being part of a community wins out.
Mr Howorth said of the event that he was ‘very moved by all
the help received- not to mention very relieved!’ He is now contemplating a suitable reward for Finn.