Radley – Desborough Creative Writing Exchange
2020-21
Exchange organised and collection edited by: Mr James Sheldrake & Miss Lauren Humphreys
Contents Foreword
3
Brandon Brind-Winnen
5
Alex Cooper
6
Hugo Donald
7, 8
Jake Foster
9
Louie Hayers
10
Lucas Magnay
11
Nico Martin
12, 13
Jack McCartney
14
Conrad Morley
16
Matthew Reed
17
Harrison Search
18
Evan Simmons
19
Marco Sit
20
Nicholas Squire
21, 22
Mikael Wari
23
2
Foreword This year’s collaboration has been entirely online – indeed, John Sparks hit on the idea early that we should make a virtue of this likely necessity. In the first session, all the Desborough boys were tuning in from their homes, but I had the Radley contingent corralled together in my classroom. This didn’t really work, so for the remaining three, everyone was tuning in on their own device from different locations. We hope that this has meant that boys have had to keep the skills going of meeting new people online and striking up relationships in a virtual format. Partly because travel is often tricky at the times of day we want to do these exchanges, we are planning to keep a virtual element for next year’s exchange as well. Four times this last academic year, a group of selected Shells from Radley College have met a similar group of Year 9s from Desborough College to write together. This Creative Writing Exchange is a small thread in the wide-ranging tapestry of collaboration between the two schools, and exchange happens at every level: boy, teacher, leadership, governance. You will notice from the contents page that many of these pieces have a single author. The sessions were so designed that even where the product is individual, the process has been collaborative. Indeed, there were a few moments where boys from the two schools were having such a good time with each other that the writing fell by the wayside for a bit, even in the virtual format – in some ways, there could be no higher triumph. You will notice similar styles of piece cropping up in this (roughly alphabetical) anthology. In the first session of the year, I asked the boys to write different sections of a modern version of The Canterbury Tales. Partly due to some of the text disappearing, partly due to the difficulty of genuine collaboration in a still-new medium, none of these ranked as the greatest hit of a participant! In another session, turning to prose, I asked them to craft a 100-word reflection on the theme of Youth. In the first of Lauren’s two sessions, she asked them to write a speech as a politician or similar about returning to normal life after lockdown. Finally, returning to fiction, they were asked to write a description of a lighthouse scene either turning from calm to stormy or the reverse. 3
Thanks are due to many. At Radley, to John Sparks who runs the Radley-Desborough partnership with vigour and generosity and to Alex Nash, Head of English, who has supported this venture as part of a renaissance of creative writing in the department. At Desborough, Lauren Humphreys, my opposite number, who has helped this collaboration go from strength to strength. Final thanks are to the boys, who engaged with this all with terrific good humour. One innovation for this year is the hyperlinks to some recordings of the poems (recorded by the boys themselves) that you will find at the bottom of some pages. Immediately below this foreword is a ‘trailer’ featuring some snippets put together by Alastair Vaan at Radley – my huge thanks to him for getting the gist of my very vague description and running with it! As Radley looks to broaden its Partnerships work beyond Desborough, I am proud that this exchange (this was its third iteration) is now a solid part of the furniture, and that perhaps some aspects of what we do might provide, if not a model, at least a ‘what works well’ for other projects. JASS, June 2021 TRAILER: https://vimeo.com/568864094/0239438100
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Brandon Brind-Winnen There was a knock at the front door. A police officer towers over me, removing his black-as-night hat – he stares at me. It feels eerily weird, the sky behind him is as bright as a torch light. Why was he here, I thought? He tells me about my mother and how she just died on the job. Our eyes eventually meet. I feel like crumbling into a ball. Who will now take care of me? I shiver in fear of knowing I am about to walk into the unknown. Scared and worried. Alone. The truth can hurt. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/brind-winnenbrandon-100-words?in=radleycollege/sets/desboroughcollege-creative
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Alex Cooper There was a knock at the door. Owen had been waiting for it, ever since he had received a telegram from his father who was fighting in the war. The telegram had told him that his father was to return home today. Owen opened the door. However, the man at the door was not his father but instead was the telegram man. “Son, I’m terribly sorry to inform you that your father’s boat was ambushed by Germans while it was returning to Britain.” At that moment, Owen realised that when you are waiting for good news, the truth can hurt. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/alex-coopercreative-writingexchange?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-collegecreative
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Hugo Donald There was a knock at the door. I frantically hid the confidential documents and papers. I rushed to the door trying the best I could to not look too flustered, like I was trying to hide something. I opened the door sharply. It was the Police, staring at me with eyes as black as coal. Did they know? They immediately entered, barging past – they stopped, looked and walked briskly towards the basement. As they opened the door, it creaked aggressively. They clambered down the stairs, the stairs groaned at them as they went. Would they find out? Truth can hurt. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/hugodonald?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-college-creative
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Hugo Donald The walls closed in on me as I sat hopelessly in the corner of the lighthouse. The walls, painted a dull red, stared tensely back at me. Looking up at the ceiling the light flickered as moths fluttered frantically around. I got up and walked onto the balcony outside. Water gushed angrily down my face as rain fell. The sea roared as waves leapt and crashed into the rocks below. The lighthouse’s bright light sent beams of light shooting into the distance. Wind whipped and slashed at my face as the clouds grumbled loudly. Lightening flew across the sky illuminating what came below. This desolate place had become my home. I went back inside and again sat down hopelessly in the corner. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/hugo-donaldlighthouse?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-collegecreative
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Jake Foster I was just patrolling the outskirts of this here light house with the sun beating down on me when I spotted a small chip on the floor. It was covered in seawater but still edible. I swooped down to go get it but a strange wind picked up and blew me off course. I looked up and saw it, a giant mass of rolling clouds bounding towards me like a lion chasing its prey. I knew then what was coming. The waters rose up and pounded the rocks, sweeping away my chip. All debris and stones were whipped up by the harsh winds, to disappear and never be seen again. I was struggling to keep in the air, the winds blew me this way and that The occasional lightning strike illuminated the cold, cold depths below. The waters pounded the thin frame of the lighthouse and I was sure that it was going to be blown away, but it held on steadied by ages of dried concrete and grime. I was flying around aimlessly. Fear had its icy grip on me and I managed to stumble in to the balcony of the lighthouse: there I saw the true power of the storm, huge rolling waves smashed in to the shoreline, crushing buildings like they were made of paper.
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Louie Hayers There was a knock at the door. I was scared but I decided to see who it could be. So, there I was, every time I took a step, I got closer and closer until I was at the door. I carefully opened the door, and after all it was only my grandma. I do not know why I was so scared because I knew she was babysitting me whilst my parents were out. But then she started crying and I was confused why. Then suddenly out of nowhere she mumbled in sadness, “It’s your grandpa, he died.” I was shocked and very scared. Then she replied to me saying, “The truth can hurt!” https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/louiehayers?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-college-creative
10
Lucas Magnay The powerful tool, the watchtower – the burning light soars monotonously round and round guiding the vast cruisers through the dismal seas. It goes from good to bad and bad to good in a matter of minutes because the sea is unpredictable, but for some it’s a way of life. As the sun sets slowly off the face of the earth, the light is lost and there is nothing to be heard except for the faint fog horn in the distance and the echoing thunder all around. Flash! There it goes again. The lightning strikes in time with the light house rotations like there is some sort of creature prowling around the lighthouse to make everything seem strange. I remembered little from that night but it all came flooding back to me when I woke up in a hospital bed. I was said to have been found washed ashore practically dead suffering from secondary drowning, pivoting on a sharp rock which had lacerated me. I was concerned for my crew mates. The only logical thing to do that seemed right was to go and visit the place of my rescue. It was so different – still lonely but alive, full of light and hope and surrounded by magnificent coral structures. Then the door creaked open and I ran. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/lucasmagnay?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-college-creative
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Nico Martin The lockdowns throughout the past year have been tough on the entire nation and everyone is thinking whether it was worth it or not. Was it? You and I have suffered greatly thorough this year of hardship being void of talking or communicating with anyone outside the household unless online. We have learnt the ways of virtual life and have been encouraged to respect our families that little bit more. As we finally, hopefully, happily reach to the end of yet another lockdown we need to understand that not much will ever be the same again. We have fought the belly of the beast, braved the seas – now we must move on. Although we have lost the small creature comforts of before this pandemic, there are things we need to take out of this lockdown that will in turn have a large effect on your future. We need to be thankful for our family and friends and understand the benefits of being able to work in schools and offices rather than online. We are going into a new era of computers and other alien things that are new to everyone so we need to be prepared for whatever the future will enfold upon us. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/nico-martin-endof-lockdown?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-collegecreative
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Nico Martin The brilliant blue of the ocean returned my swift glances with dancing colours of green and yellow and turquoise. As I glided I felt the warm sea current ruffle my satin feathers. The sun blazed down on the cragged rocks casting magnificent shadows over the undulations. The wind carried on calmly blowing, creating extravagant ripples upon the sea. Small waves oscillated in circular patterns as heavy raindrops came from a singular cloud expanding out from the vast sky of blue. The drops fell heavier and in greater number. I felt the sea current ruffle my feathers. I shivered. The wind blew angrily, sending the rain to travel like bullets and the sun that gave the water its extravagance. The wind blew harder, the rain shot faster, the turquoise desert was speckled. A flash burnt my eyes and I was forced to land on the rusted railings of the light house. A rumble shook the earth, sending another flash to illuminate the sky. The intricate shape of the rocks the lighthouse perched upon felt precarious. The storm blew on. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/nico-martinlighthouse?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-collegecreative
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Jack McCartney In 2020 we went into a global pandemic and a national lockdown. Although there have been many negatives from this, it has also opened our eyes to things that we may have taken for granted. We have realised how important social interaction is to us as many people didn’t realise how much we need people in our lives until we couldn’t have them and so this pandemic has taught us how to stay connected with others through technology and social media platforms. We have also learnt how much we as human beings need to be outdoors. All of us have realised that we need to get out into the air and this lockdown has forced us to because if we didn’t then we would most likely go insane from being stuck indoors on our phones scrolling through Tik Tok or Instagram just looking for something to entertain us and we found out that being more connected with nature was the best way. We have also become more independent as people and grown up both mentally and physically. Students and teachers alike took on the challenge of online learning and teaching, many of us became more independent which has helped mature and develop. I strongly believe that if it wasn’t for the pandemic many people wouldn’t have turned out the way that they are today because they had to change their lifestyles to cope with the obstacles that this virus has thrown at us.
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Many internet influencers have inspired us to stay positive through these times and given us hope to hold onto and thrive to come through the other end. Many of you will remember Joe Wicks and his workouts who many, young and old, were watching every morning at 9am and I am sure were all exhausted an hour later. Sir Captain Tom Moore was an inspiration to many and proved to us all that it doesn’t take much to make a big difference. All he did was walk the length of his garden but made millions of pounds and only a couple weeks ago we were clapping to celebrate his life and the legacy that he left. We have all been downhearted by the effects of this new virus but I want to make sure that you all know that you are not alone because we entered this together and I am positive that we will come out of it together and even stronger than ever so stay safe, stay happy and stay positive.
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Conrad Morley The lighthouse keeper vigorously looking for ships – a chaotic circumstance. He looked out onto the vast waste land – the coal-textured faded sky – angry – asking for appeal. The lightning, the electrons in the clouds had had enough. The waves clashing, crashing, clapping against the jagged hard edge of these huge rocks. The red on the lighthouse is the only thing with colour. He learnt to sleep, not only scared for his life but scared for innocent sailors’ lives as well. He woke up as if nothing had happened. Delicate blue skies with luscious water. You can feel the pop of the water when fish come up to breathe. You can look down to find small critters jumping for joy, ecstatic. Jumping down, walking down the perfectly edged steps. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/coonrad-morleylighthouse?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-collegecreative
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Matthew Reed It stood there majestically, towering above the little vast ocean below it. The lighthouse was situated above slated rocks, carved after thousands of years of erosion, still being eroded today. It stood proudly 50ft above the waters, a heaven, to anyone who found it. However, today it was deadly. Vicious waves sped past the lowly Victorian tower, isolating it from the modern world. Down below, the currents swept through all the sea, taking fish and shark alike, rubble and rocks. No one was safe. The lighthouse shone through the foggy clouds above, casting a glisten above the rocky, raging, ruthless waves. It was like its own sun, shining down on us from the terror. Just like all good things come to an end, so do all bad things. Just as quickly as it came, the storm had moved on. It had worked its magic today, and huge chunks of debris has been cut off the solemn island. Finally, away from all the destruction that the storm had brought them, the island that the lighthouse was atop settled. The lights had been shut, the seagulls had begun flying once again, and the sun shone. It was an enchanting day, the water being a polar opposite from the previous days. Serenity was back, and peace had been restored. Everything has good days. Everything has bad days.
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Harrison Search There was a knock at the door. A cold shiver rattled through my spine and a gush of wind snuck into my damp room like Santa on Christmas Eve, except this time it was an unwelcoming presence. A blazing sound occurred from downstairs, whilst the door rattled and the deceitful window banged against the frame leaving me quivering under my quilt. My door slowly opened, a squeak echoed through my room leaving only a silhouette standing in the hallway. A figure now stood in the elderly doorframe, only making me dread what would happen next. I squint my eyes as a drop of salty water rushes down my face, only to figure out it was my mum. The truth really does hurt.
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Evan Simmons The calming waves gently crashed into the rocks at a slow relaxing pace. When suddenly... A storm rose. As vicious as a tiger catching and ripping his prey to shreds. Suddenly it all went dark. The lighthouse’s beam shone for over a mile and was the only thing you could see. Straight after that the lightning struck. Flashing in different positions each second, it was all you could see within cold rainy night. Th rocks at the bottom of the lighthouse was eroded with colossal, angry waves that only meant to attack. The towering, now thin, rock holding up the lighthouse looked that with one more crash from a wave would cut it in half and the lighthouse would collapse. The grey musty clouds hanging from the sky looked as if they was much more rain to come.
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Marco Sit There was a knock at the door – the weak but bright light of the cold morning slips into the room. A dark figure walks in steadily, while its footsteps sync with the clock. The evil breeze rushes in with it. I step back to the wall and try to find the light switch – a chilly hand grabs me – I try to struggle out while finding the switch. It pushes my arm onto the wall and the lights came on. A man stood in front of me – he hands me a piece of chocolate and ran away. I look at the chocolate and something was written on it: ‘Be careful.” The truth can hurt. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/marcosit?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-college-creative
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Nicholas Squire There was a knock at the door and the ghostly silence followed. All that could be heard was the wild whistling wind that made the old dominant trees sway and the river rushing down the highland hills. I froze after those three unusual knocks. Knock, knock, knock. Suddenly, the cold almost swept be off my shaking feet. Who was there? What were they doing? I found the courage to get up out of my old rotten chair and to see who or even what it was. When I reached the door it was opened by the wind and it revealed the man. He wanted to tell be the truth of my background and life before my isolation in this rotten cabin. I did not want to know the truth, however, because sometimes the truth can hurt. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/nicholassquire?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-college-creative
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Nicholas Squire The horizon spread for miles upon end and seemed like it never came to an end. I was sitting on my sweet wooden rocking chair just swaying like the waves on the sand, all alone. Well, I had my lighthouse of course, my picturesque, isolated lighthouse. Not a cloud in the sky, not a wave in the sea – just me and my lighthouse. That moment in the vast void that is time was so calm, it almost felt like some sort of utopia. The occasional crying sea gull flew overhead but that was it, nothing that could bother me for miles. I looked down from my balcony onto the vibrant coral reef and I was able to see the fishes swimming from side to side – the water was like glass. I knew that the lighthouse was not always like this. I knew worse was to come. How right I was. Later that evening these huge, ominous clouds marched towards us. They looked like they were ready to attack, ready to unleash something down on us. With the clouds came the gusty wind, the wind meant that there was no hope of going outside as it would just sweep us from our feet. Suddenly, a rhythmic crash started below me. Against the rocks that were my foundations. This worried me. If one rock was to slip or slide the whole lighthouse could fall, taking me with it. Without warning, a bolt of white lighting was struck into the sea and it now felt like I was in some sort of theatre of war. It was no longer still nor calm, I could now not see the coral below and the sky was now filled with big black boulders. Just wait for the storm to pass, just wait. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/nicholas-squirelighthouse?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-collegecreative 22
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Mikael Wari The storm was wild airborne lace with the strength of Poseidon. The gulls were tossed paper in the cyclone, flashes of white in the grey, tumbling as they struggled against the gales. Beneath them, the sea rapidly rose as great mountains, anger in the form of water, turbulent and unforgiving. The clouds were the kind of grey that would make any quarry rock proud, as if they were so pleased to echo the earth. Impulsively, the clouds and winds reversed and stopped rather suddenly. The lighthouse which had been impaled by the brine, was now an amalgamate of red and white in a sky that waxed and waned from grey to silver-blue. It stood as a great guardian of land and a friend to the navigating sea waves. The weathered paint of the lighthouse was evidence of its humble valour, how it stood resolute upon the rock to tell of dangers others couldn’t see. https://soundcloud.com/radleycollege/mikael-warilighthouse?in=radleycollege/sets/desborough-collegecreative
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