COMPETITION
No. 587: Signs and wonders Set by Joyce Johnson: Competitors are invited to give an account of either the escape of the gunboats from Cherbourg into Haifa, or the capture of the radar warning installation near the Gulf of Suez, as it might have been described by one of the Old Testa- ment writers. Limit 120 words; entries, marked 'Competition No. 587,' by 23 January.
No. 584: The winners
Trevor Grove reports: Organisations with identical initials prolic-rate: A,A, once the preserve of the Architectural Association and the Automobile Association, not to mention Alcoholics Anonymous, has now leen joined by the Anglican Association. Competitors were invited to imagine that .hey had been suddenly called upon to pro- nose a toast to 'the AA', while ignorant of vhich particular AA was concerned. J. lohnson rather sensibly pointed out that one a least of these august bodies might be liminated, since the very notion of toasting
vould contravene the spirit of its associa- ion --P.M.' got round this one with neat imbiguity by bidding his listeners drain a /Limper of `what one can only call "the milk If human kindness": Others proved equally mlitic, amongst them the prize-winners, who :ach win three guineas:
In proposing the toast of the AA I shall be *vier - I know you welcome a reasonable speed, and 1 abhor speeches incorporating
• tiirty-nine separate articles and paragraphs,
sowever appropriate on other occasions. We ill know those speakers who go on and on, ike a psychiatrist's investigation—he at least ,as the excuse of being paid for it. Some of is here, and I do not exclude myself, have in le past gone on and on for far too long, but ve have learned from experience and the ,00d advice proffered by the AA, whose foun-
Jers built on solid foundations and did not forget to include a damp course. We bless their aspirations and symbolically raise a glass to their realisation.
J. K. Drown 'At the risk of sounding a back seat driver, safety first! But not just the physical kind. Never forget the strength of spirit. On the ither hand, man cannot live on spirit alone, .)r we know that the Lord helps those who !elp themselves. Also never forget an un-
oecumenicalism is not English. It is sigh faith, temperance and sense of a pattern hat have kept our road clear. History shows hat we are no pedestrian people, but architects of our own destiny —indeed, irchitects of destiny, if only we trust the -inglish Design: soberly right of centre and it the same time on the left. In short, spiritual values, aesthetic feeling, willingness o help one another, and low taxation.
T. Griffiths . . . To the Association whose spectrum :overs a wide field of endeavour, and whose structure is built on a sure foundation. The naintenance of a fluid position as regards :oncrete proposals, and a middle of the road sttitude to articles, abstentions, and limits, ogether with the problems of overspill, and pressures on overstretched skilled man- Power resources. All these require sober 'valuation.
The reinforcement of concrete proposals or controlling overspill and for by-passing )ottle necks, could lead to a healthier en- vironment.
Yet broad is the way leading to overspill, ind narrow is the bottle neck limiting a free low of intake ...'
Bruce Boyle . . This splendid organisation does much so improve our condition of living, even to save our lives, and those who drive themselves to disaster. It guides us upon the road to our proper destination. I might say, our ultimate destiny. By reason of its visionary planning we discover new eleva- tion; reaching almost to heaven. Its devoted workers are there when we break down; show us the danger signs upon the way, and how to reach a welcoming home. It reminds us how foolish it is to build a house on sand. To those who suffer in spirit it gives shelter and finding each of us a house of many mansions, gives each a key to security when he is lost.'
Edward Samson
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