Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle Jan 2011

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Old

MILLFIELDIAN SOCIETY

CHRONICLE 2011

OM OF THE YEAR 2010 MILLFIELD CELEBRATING 75 YEARS

OMS OVERSEAS BRANCHES’ NEWS WITH EXTRACTS FROM HIS EXCELLENCY SHEIKH NAHAYAN’S SPEECH

“HEAD OVER HEELS” BOOK REVIEW

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Contents

OMS Office Staff: Dick Shilton, Rod Speed, John Davies, Roger Parsons Melissa Vincent, Marion O’Neill, Louise Lang and Jan Michell

EDITORIAL Editor

John Davies

Sub-Editor

Melissa Vincent

Invitation to Events Please note that, as a policy with effect from 2011, OM Society invitations to reunion events will only be sent by email. If you do not have this facility and would like to continue to receive invitations by post, kindly advise the OM Society Office +44 (0) 1458 444368.

NO CHRONICLE DROPPING THROUGH YOUR DOOR? ‘Chronicle’, the OMS publication packed full of news about OMs everywhere, is sent annually to all members during the first few months of the year. If you have not been receiving your copy, it may be that we do not have your current postal address. To remedy this, visit www.omsociety.com and using the ‘Keeping in Touch’ function at the top of the page email us your up-to-date contact details.

On the other hand, if you and your relations are all receiving a Chronicle when one would suffice, please let us know and we will send a copy to one designated address only. All such enquiries, please, to office@omsociety.com

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Chairman’s Letter

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Secretary’s Report

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Headmaster’s Article

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Dates for Your Diary 2011

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OM of the Year 2010

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OMS Overseas Branches’ News

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OMS UK and Overseas Branch Officials

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OMS Careers Convention

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Trust Fund Report

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OMS News Directory 2010

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Obituaries

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OMS Website Where are they now?

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The Bursar’s Review

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Two Schools’ News

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Millfield Celebrating 75 Years

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Millfield Foundation

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Meet our New Development Director

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Chairman’s Luncheon

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Facebook

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OMS Major Reunion

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Branch Reports

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Class of 2005 Reunion

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Meet the Headmaster at Denbies Entrepreneurs’ Luncheon

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Ladies’ Day at Newbury Races

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Millfield Golf

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Millfield 21 Club

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History of the Millfield CCF RN Section

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Millfield Memories

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“Head over Heels” Book Review

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Hobson’s Choice

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Ben Rushton

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Archivist’s Corner

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Distinguished Old Millfieldians

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MOBRFC Report

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Other News

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Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2011

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A Letter from the Chairman (September 2010) Rod Speed

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t was way back in 1977 when John Bromfield asked me if I would be prepared to serve on the OM Committee. At that time it was a very small group of people with very limited funding but led in a very determined fashion by the likes of John Bromfield and Wyndham Bailey.

We did our best to provide events for our members but I am delighted to be able to say that what we achieved pales into insignificance compared to the present day. This has not happened by chance; in the last 25 years we have had much greater support from both the School and our Headmasters and John Davies has done a tremendous job as our Secretary. Most importantly we are now on a sound financial footing and we have a large and enthusiastic Committee.

My second year as Chairman of the Old Millfieldian Society seems to have flown by and our office staff will testify to the burgeoning workload that is being created by the ever increasing activities of the Society.

John Davies and I have accompanied

our Headmaster, Craig Considine, on trips to India and the UAE and we have made a real effort to hold more events in different parts of the UK. It is also pleasing to hear that there seems to be an ever increasing demand for the careers advice service that we are now offering and I must thank all those OMs who have made themselves available for this. We have also worked hard to improve and update our database which is getting more comprehensive year by year. If you know of any OMs with whom we have lost contact please let us know or encourage them to get in touch.

It is of course a very special year, being the 75th Anniversary of Millfield and I have just returned from the Gala Dinner at the Hilton where the Millfield Foundation was officially launched. It was a spectacular event and my thanks go to Laurence Davis, Louise Lang and their Committee for all the hard work that they put into organising what turned out to be a memorable evening. The event was a sell-out, 720 people, former pupils, staff and parents, and if you did not

attend, I expect that you have heard first hand from friends that everyone had a wonderful time and it proved a fitting launch for our Foundation, which will have benefitted financially to a significant extent from the evening. The following evening I attended the House Song Contest at Millfield in which all the pupils now take part. It was another marvellous evening. Both School and Society are in fine fettle.

We have a very full programme of events for you next year, details of which are in this Chronicle. Please make every effort to attend at least one of them and try to get your friends to come along with you. I promise you that you will not regret it and I look forward to seeing you there.

Rod Speed (1964-66; Day)

Millfield Governors Sir John Reith, Chairman, KCB, CBE

Atul Patel (1962-67; Shapwick)

Wim J Bushell (1971-73; Walton)

Michael W Roulston

Richard J R Clark

Anabel Sexton (nĂŠe Lewis) (1980*-87; Oaklands)

Professor Robert K F Clark (1960-65; Etonhurst)

Marc A L Simon (1970-75; Holmcroft)

Clare Cripps (nĂŠe Swindall) (1965-68; Ashcott)

Timothy Taylor (Former Headmaster, Millfield Prep School)

Christobel Flood

Robert Thornton

Christopher H Hirst

Roger S Trafford

John H Jackson

David S Williams Mark Suddaby, Bursar, Secretary and Clerk to the Governors

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Secretary’s Report John Davies

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lmost 20 years ago, I became Secretary of the OM Society, which for a great many years had been embarrassingly poorly funded, the office relying on part-time staff and voluntary help. Furthermore, the organisation was virtually unrecognised by the School. As a result, the small Committee was dispirited, with not much being organised in the way of reunion events.

Critically, the annual “Chronicle” magazine was a single-stapled series of mimeographed sheets, describing, in the main, current pupils’ various achievements.

How things have changed!

Proper funding arrangements are in place. The Society benefits from wholehearted support from Headmaster and Governors and even enjoys strong representation on the governing body. The OMS Office, under the admirable efficiency of Manager Marion O’Neill, is well staffed and expanding as the range of services to OMs and reunion events organised increases regularly and on a great many fronts. Our OMS Board and Advisory Committee are invigorated and extremely active. The only factor that has remained the same is the fundamental objective of the Society: to support in every possible

way Millfield School.

This is all immensely heartening and I am so pleased to have played a small part in this remarkable Society Renaissance.

This year’s “Chronicle” describes Society activities and news of OMs in 2010, a significant milestone in the history of the School. I do hope that you enjoy reading it.

John Davies

OMS Board & Advisory Committee Board Judith Balding (1970-73; Southfield) Saul Cambridge (1975-78; Walton) Robert Clark (1960-65; Etonhurst)

Advisory Committee Louise Lang (1995-97; Day) Chairman, South West Branch Ian McLean Development Director Ex officio

Craig Considine Headmaster

Rod Speed (1964-66; Day) Chairman

John Davies Former Staff Secretary

Malcolm Tucker (1961-65; Millfield)

John Graveney (1961*-67; Hollies) Treasurer Andy Kemp-King (1961*-71; Day)

Sarah Champion Former Head, MPS

Christopher Hill (1971-75; Holmcroft)

Sarah Coleman (1974-76; Day)

Jane Symonds-Willmott (1979-83; Day)

Laurence Davis (1974-77; Hollies)

Hayley Thompson (1997*-2005; Warner)

David Goadby (1985-88; Georgian Cottage) Chairman, Scotland Branch Duncan Goodhew (1970-75; Walton) Kate Griggs (1974*-79; Day) Amy Groves (1992*-99; Oaklands) Chairman, London Branch

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The Reach of the

Millfield Community Craig Considine, Headmaster

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n my third year of tenure at Millfield I am continually surprised by the reach of the Millfield community. It was wonderful last year to return to Australia and in the process host events in Christchurch, New Zealand and in Sydney, Australia. In Sydney we were wonderfully well organised by David Prestwich (1970*-1980; Orchards). The function was convivial, if not downright boisterous, and I wasn’t sure if this was because it was held at a Sydney Surf Club or because it was a crowd of Millfieldians. After experiencing the superb 75th Celebration I now understand that it was because it was a crowd of Millfieldians who, it seems, love a good party! One of the staff working at the Club was a young Old Millfieldian who had just moved to Sydney! She did join in the party and I hope her boss wasn’t too cross... the Millfield network is amazingly broad.

This breadth is of course one of the delights of Millfield. The ‘Millfield Mix’ is continually talked about and former pupils, young and old, have individual stories about the people and characters they met through their time at the School. Given this diversity what should the Society that supports Old Millfieldians and the interests of the School look like?

Firstly, it requires people who are deeply passionate and knowledgeable about Millfield. It is gratifying to know that this is the case with the Society Chairman, Rod Speed, both an Old

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Millfieldian and former staff member.

John Davies, the Secretary, is also a former staff member with an astonishing knowledge of the people that make up the OM community. Rod and John are supported by amazing people in the Society office.

Secondly, the Society is supported financially through Membership dues from current pupils who will, in time, benefit from the wonderful opportunities provided. The School Marketing Department, the Director of Development, Mr Ian Mclean, and various other staff in the School support the range of activities undertaken by the Society.

Thirdly, the Society draws people with a common background together. The London Branch hosts drinks sessions on a regular basis, there are regional and international OM functions and OM golf, rugby and cricket clubs. The annual reunion based at the School is themed to attract a range of people back to relive former glories. The Society continues to consider events as they are suggested and welcomes input from members.

The School Strategic Plan 2010-15 is a guiding document that aims to shape the School as we move forward. A strategic plan is only useful, however, if it directs the thinking and action of the organisation. One of our Strategic Goals is entitled ‘Our Place in the World’. The Old Millfieldian network is extensive, presenting opportunities on a local and

global level. What sort of opportunities can Old Millfieldians offer? They might include: • programmes of cultural understanding and work experience opportunities in another country; • hosting groups on sporting trips this year we have teams going to South Africa, Dubai, Barbados, Portugal and Italy; • suggesting to friends that sending a child to Millfield is a wonderful investment in an outstanding all round education; • being an advocate for the School, clarifying the half truths about ‘fast girls and slow boys’ which we know does not express the real warmth, spirit and nurturing that is so much a part of Millfield.

If you think you can support the School with one of the suggestions above, or have an idea for something that might be worthy of consideration for our current pupils, then please contact me by email at headmaster@millfieldschool.com.

In conclusion the OM Society, that is the people who constitute the Old Millfieldian community, are immensely fortunate to have experienced such a wonderfully rich education. I look forward to continuing my close relationship with the Officers of the Society and all Old Millfieldians. I look forward to seeing you at the next OM function you attend.

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Diary 2011 February March

Chairman’s Luncheon at the Houses of Parliament*

April

OMS Hong Kong Reunion* Class of 2006 Reunion, Hotel Russell, London

South West Branch OM/Current Parent ‘Get Together’* Thursday 17th London Branch Reunion Friday 29th

May Sunday 22nd

OMS Over 60s Lunch in London* OMS Day of Polo at Guards Polo Club, Windsor Great Park

June

South West Branch Annual Dinner* Thursday 16th London Branch Reunion Saturday 18th OMS Careers Convention for Lower 6th Formers OMS Major Summer Reunion at Millfield

July Sunday 24th

OMS Green Olive Summer BBQ, Chobham

September October

OMS Autumn Drinks in London*

Friday 21st

OMS 17th Annual Golf Day at Wentworth OMS Chairman’s Luncheon* OMS Oxford University Dinner*

November

OM of the Year Awards Ceremony at Millfield* London Branch Reunion*

December Friday 16th OMS Christmas Drinks in New York *Note: Some of the above dates are still to be confirmed and several other proposed events are under consideration.

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OM of the

Year

2010

Award Ceremony Acknowledges Success of Old Millfieldians Tom Parsons (Publicity Assistant)

W

ith the school producing a vast array of high-flying professionals, the OM of the Year Award gives Millfield a chance to honour those who have progressed to achieve greatness. So when David Heath, Simon Mawer and Richard Caring returned to Millfield on November 25th to collect their awards, it came as no surprise to see an immense collection of staff past and present, students and OMs assembled in the Johnson Hall to pay tribute to the recipients. Julie Dibens, who also received the award, was unable to attend the ceremony.

However, a video she had previously recorded was shown on the day. For all four of them it had been a number of decades since they were educated at the School and in the years in between they had reached the top of their professions.

Speaking with great pride about the recipients, John Davies, Secretary of the OM Society, said: “We have 20,000 OMs on our database. In ten years we’ve only honoured 34. Thus, for these four to be selected for this year’s award is a colossal achievement.”

David Heath (1963*-72; Day) went to Oxford University and the City University of London after leaving Millfield, going on to practice as an optician for a number of years. At the age of 31, he became the youngest ever leader of a County Council and served for 12 years, during which time he was awarded the CBE. Subsequently, he was elected to the House of Commons

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at the 1997 General Election, representing Somerton and Frome.

Currently in his fourth term of office as an MP, David is easily the most experienced of this Parliament’s six Old Millfieldian MPs, at present being Deputy Leader of the House of Commons.

During his days at Millfield, David was fond of rugby. However, he never managed to claim a first-team place, something that still haunts him today.

He said: “One of the most frustrating things about being here was playing sport because you could be quite good but you were competing with internationals. It became a bit of a thing after a while when you couldn’t quite get into the top team because there was somebody who was the United Kingdom under 18 in that position and you weren’t going to shift them whatever happened.” David admits that most of Millfield has changed since he was a pupil here. He said: “You come back to this place and you recognise absolutely nothing.

When you say that you took exams in a big tent, with the Headmaster practising his golf shots against the side of the tent, people don’t believe you.

Millfield has grown and developed to become something quite extraordinary but it always was something quite extraordinary and I felt very privileged to have been a scholarship boy at this school.”

Julie Dibens (née Ricketts) (1986*93; Warner) was girls’ captain of swimming at Millfield and National Junior Champion in the 100m

backstroke. She also swam for Great Britain as a junior. After leaving Millfield, Julie attended Louisiana State University in America, where she was an influential member of the swimming team. She left the university having obtained a BSc and MSc in exercise physiology.

Amongst her achievements she can boast triathlon qualification for two Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games. A professional triathelete since 2000, pushing herself to the extreme, Julie now competes in Iron Man competitions, an event which combines a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle and a marathon. She currently lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Julie’s parents presented her with the award on a recent visit to America.

Speaking on a recorded video message she said: “I’d like to thank everyone at Millfield for presenting me with this Old Millfieldian award. It truly is a great honour. I was a swimmer back then and I probably didn’t have too many people who wanted to share a room with me because I had to get up so early.” But the 35-year-old is grateful for the impact the School had on her future: “I learnt how to be disciplined back at Millfield. In an individual sport, you don’t have teammates around you all the time to encourage you, so Millfield has been a huge part of the success I’ve had,” she said.

Simon Mawer’s (1964-67; Shapwick) father and grandfather both served in the RAF. Therefore, from the age of eight, the future

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author was educated in boarding schools. It was an experience he loathed at first but, later, came to enjoy.

Simon has always had a passion for biology and, after leaving Oxford University, he taught the subject in a number of countries including the Channel Islands, Scotland and Malta. He then moved to Rome, where he has lived ever since.

Due to family and teaching commitments, Simon didn’t publish his first novel until the comparatively late age of 39. In 2003, his book “The Fall” won the Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature. His most recent novel, “The Glass Room”, details the story of a modernist villa built in a Czech city in 1928. It was nominated for the 2009 Man Booker Prize, narrowly missing out on first place.

Simon admits that he was actually quite lazy at school explaining to pupils “I don’t recommend that you adopt my attitude to school and work.

It’s much better to be energetic, dedicated and committed”. Simon did, however, enjoy his time in Somerset: “I had a wonderful time here, I really did. I came from a boarding school which I hated and what Millfield gave me was freedom and that was great. I loved it and I could be myself. I’ve never been back since I left. It’s amazing and I thank everybody responsible for this magnificent trophy. It’s always nice to win something.”

Richard Caring (1962-66; Millfield) came to Millfield on a golf scholarship of 10 shillings a week. But first he had to prove to the Headmaster that he was a talented player. As he recalls: “To qualify for the scholarship, Boss gave me a bucket of 40 golf balls, pointed to a hole 35 yards away and said, ‘If one of those balls goes in you can join. If it doesn’t it was nice to meet you.’ Ball number 32, much to my father’s relief, actually fell into the hole.” At the young age of 16,

John Davies, Richard Caring, Simon Mawer, David Heath, Craig Considine, Rod Speed

Richard started work as an office boy because his parents thought it was important for him to gain practical work experience. In 1971, aged 22 and married, Richard visited Hong Kong where labour and materials were far cheaper than in Britain. He spent a year creating contacts and educating local manufacturers until they were experts at creating perfect garments.

Then, as one of the first western high fashion buyers to develop localised Chinese relationships, he returned home to sell the cheaper high quality garments to UK retailers. He now owns a string of restaurants and nightclubs in London including The Ivy, Le Caprice, Annabel’s and Harry’s Bar. He also owns Soho House and associated clubs such as Babbington House which is a mere stone’s throw away from Millfield. As the owner of Wentworth Golf Club and a regular name on the Sunday Times Rich List, Richard is now in the process of developing and expanding abroad his impressive chain of restaurants and clubs.

Reflecting on his award Richard said: “What an honour. I was very much Boss’s favourite right up until the time I decapitated his favourite duck while practising a bunker shot behind Millfield House.

I think of all the exceptional people that Millfield has produced over the years and how proud I am to win this award. This school is unique, special and wondrous and you should all be very proud to be part of it. I truly thank the selection committee for a wonderful and wonderfully valued award and I am very proud to say that I am a Millfieldian.”

The story of how these Old Millfieldians progressed to accomplish remarkable things may well act as an inspiration to the current generation of pupils.

Headmaster Craig Considine concluded the ceremony by acknowledging the achievements of the winners and remarking on what had been another memorable year for the School. Taken aback by the obvious emotion of the day, he went on to say: “Millfield is a place to be a little unconventional, a place to invent oneself and a place where lessons are learnt that inspire people to want to achieve when they move on. In making their way in the world, David, Julie, Simon and Richard embody characteristics to which we all aspire.

We congratulate them and thank them for sharing a small part of their lives with us today. On behalf of the Millfield community we wish them well for their continued success.”

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OMS OVERSEAS BRANCHES’ NEWS Arabian Peninsula Patrick Forbes (1991*-98; Kingweston)

The Arabian Peninsula reunion was held at Le Royal Meridien Hotel in Abu Dhabi on 12th April 2010 and was a remarkable show of the School’s growing standing in the region.

Generously hosted by the 2004 OM of the Year and UAE Minister of Higher Education, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan (1968-75*; Kingweston), over 120 guests travelled from far and wide to be part of the dinner.

I picked out familiar faces from Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi, Oman, and the UAE and later learned from John Davies, Secretary of the OM Society, that alumni had also travelled from

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Bangkok and Colombo. Flying in from Doha in the late afternoon and returning on the midnight flight was not as jetset as I had first imagined!

The total number of OMs in the Middle East now exceeds over 200, with nearly 45 in Saudi and 80 in the UAE. The evening began with a drinks reception outside in the hotel courtyard and was followed by speeches and then dinner. Sheikh Nahayan spoke nostalgically and passionately about the importance of his days at Millfield for his personal and academic development.

Headmaster Craig Considine described the many changes to the School that

had taken place over recent years and John Davies regaled everyone with details of how the Arabian Peninsula Branch first began 19 years ago and how the School can be thanked by cricket enthusiasts in Abu Dhabi (which now hosts international test matches) for helping to sow seeds to develop cricket in the Emirates. Saying goodbyes at the end of the night with friends from my time at Millfield, as well as some of the region’s most active OMs such as Feda Qalaji and Tarek Al-Zhaid, it became clear that we are all looking forward to the next reunion to take place in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

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Speech by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, United Arab Emirates, President of Arabian Peninsula Branch (1968*-75; Kingweston) “Good Evening Everyone. It is a distinct pleasure to be with you all this evening, as we have much to celebrate together. It seems like time passes so quickly these days; in the blink of an eye, several years can go by. And so it is a privilege that tonight we gather to renew the bonds that connect us. In the blush of our youth we learned and grew in the nurturing and challenging environment at Millfield, years that are a defining touchstone time in our lives.

This shared experience has forged a bond that can't be broken, as we carry the spirit of Millfield into the world with us, the spirit of humanity, service and stewardship in a world that is beautiful and also in need of our attention.

We are most pleased to welcome our distinguished guests: the new Headmaster of Millfield, Mr Craig Considine, and once again Mr John Davies, who adds the title of Old Millfieldian Society Secretary to his record of excellent service to the School.

We welcome parents of current students, as well as parents contemplating joining the Millfield fold.

I also welcome all Old Millfieldians who travelled some distance to be here for this occasion. This event allows us to reconnect with old friends, reminisce about our time at our alma mater, and invigorate our involvement in the life of the School. As members of the OM Society Arabian Peninsula Branch, we appreciate the chance to get together because it reminds us of how important the School remains in our lives. We also take pride in the School by committing ourselves to supporting it so that students today can benefit, as we did, from their Millfield education – such is our responsibility in continuing the Millfield legacy.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I invite you to join me in welcoming Headmaster Craig Considine to the Millfield community. I enjoyed conversation with Mr

Considine earlier, and am impressed and convinced that he embodies the vision and mission of Millfield. His presence here this evening, moreover, demonstrates how he values alumni; your presence here surely demonstrates to him both how much you value the Millfield experience, and the depth of your commitment to students who are there today. As you know, this year's gathering also marks our celebration of Millfield's 75 years as an institution where young people can realise their talents, ambitions, and capacity to contribute to the betterment of the world. Indeed, the ethos at Millfield is rich and positive, and supports every student flourishing according to his or her own abilities. Students at Millfield are still recognised as individuals, with unique sets of talents, who will thrive and contribute given the chance to develop their own capacities.

This year, I am pleased to see that Millfield aspires to fulfil a dynamic and visionary strategic plan, that aims for the School to preserve its strengths even as it dedicates itself to continuous improvement. I am especially happy that the School commits itself to a global orientation. We live in a world

where national boundaries have become less important, and where cultural understanding has gained critical importance. Millfield's strategic plan demonstrates considerable awareness of the challenges and possibilities in our modern world, and I'm pleased that today's students have the opportunity to learn, grow and give back in ways few students enjoy.

We Old Millfieldians in the Arabian Peninsula have rich and warm memories of our years at Millfield. I am often struck by the loyalty and depth of caring that we show to our school. Therefore it is a delight that we can come together now to celebrate a milestone in the School's history, and to offer Mr Considine our congratulations and support as Millfield’s new Headmaster.

Let us enjoy this evening together, appreciating what we have gained from Millfield and renewing our commitment of support to ensure the health of the School for the future. Thank you again for coming. May Millfield continue to enjoy its outstanding international reputation, and provide educational opportunities to young people, for many years to come.”

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Abu Dhabi On the April trip, Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan had been so helpful and encouraging about Millfield increasing its presence in the Gulf area that, at half-term in October, Craig and Penny (her first visit to that part of the world) Considine and John Davies returned to discuss possibilities with him in greater detail. As always, Sheikh Nahayan extended gracious and tangible hospitality, making positive and practical suggestions which will certainly be discussed further.

Later a group of 15-20 or so Old Millfieldians and current parents gathered at the Shangri-La Hotel for an informal reunion over a quite splendid buffet-dinner.

But who came early on the evening, incognito and ahead of most guests (including the Millfield hosts!)? The

UAE’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan. What better way to illustrate his support and affection for his old school! Grateful thanks to Paul Houghton (1968-73*; Etonhurst) Branch Secretary, and Hayley Thompson (1997-2005*; Warner) who organised this most enjoyable gathering.

Bahrain Craig, Penny and John then called in at Bahrain for 24 hours, just enough time to host a dinner for 15 OMs and current parents at a comfortable and atmospheric Italian restaurant. And what a good evening this turned out to be, with more superb food and drink and the lively presence of four members of the Hajjar family, Nassib (1974-84*; Holmcroft), who kindly organised

the event, Hala (1974-81; Lakes), Mustafa (1979-84*; Holmcroft), Fouton Hajjar-Alami (1974*-81; Great House) alas Khalid (1977*-83; Kingweston) was unable to complete the quintet. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, highlighted by the official launch of the OM Society Bahrain Branch, with Hala kindly agreeing to act as the Honorary Secretary.

Egypt The October trip to the Middle East concluded with a visit to Cairo, a first occasion to Egypt for Craig, John and Penny, though former Headmaster, Peter Johnson, had launched the branch in the mid-1990s. The programme was organised wonderfully well by His Highness Prince Abbas Hilmi (1957-61; Millfield), Honorary Secretary, the evening getting under way in notable fashion with drinks and canapés at the British Ambassador’s residence, a marvellous mini stately home, His Excellency Dominic Asquith and his wife, hosting the Millfield group warmly and generously. The party of 17 then moved next door to a beautiful venue, the Semiramis InterContinental Hotel with a terrace dedicated to the reunion, a canopied table offering a wonderful view of the Nile, its busy traffic and brightly lit grand buildings alongside. Prior to the dinner, the Branch presented the Headmaster with a collection of

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books covering all aspects of Egypt for the School’s library, a much appreciated gesture, which might encourage other OMS branches to do the same.

The evening was yet another occasion for Millfield reminiscences and most enjoyable camaraderie. With the Soufrakis family well represented, there was even talk (of encouragement) for a further branch in Libya, a splendid thought.

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Australia East Coast Reunion “Downunda” David Prestwich (1970*-80; Orchards) Honorary Secretary The OMS Australia East Coast Branch reunion drew members from far and wide for a memorable night at the historic Bronte Surf Life Saving Club in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

With a membership spread between Tasmania and far North Queensland (a distance of over 3,500km) it has always been difficult to organise gatherings of the East Coast Australia Branch. Indeed this was the first get-together since our inaugural meeting in 1992 when Barry Hobson strategically plied me with red wine and volunteered me for the role of Honorary Branch Secretary. So when John Davies asked me to help organise a function to welcome Millfield Headmaster, Craig Considine, back to his homeland, I was unsure whether to book a hotel or a phone booth.

Living as I do some 500km from Sydney (in a place I can’t divulge because it’s too beautiful to share), the logistics were a little complicated.

Fortunately I was overwhelmed with offers of assistance from Sydneybased members and I should make special mention of Nigel Harvey (1969-74; Etonhurst) who, as the current captain of the Bronte Surf Club, offered the club’s facilities and even found local caterers for the event. Thanks Nigel! As the day approached, numbers swelled beyond all expectations and we ended up with 62 Old Millfieldians and family members. In fact, make that 63. In an amazing turn of events Rosie Eyre

(2000-05; Warner), who we did not know was in Australia and who was unaware of the event, turned up as one of the catering team!

With good numbers and tenures spanning five decades from the fifties to the noughties, it was a truly eclectic mix. Everyone ran into at least one contemporary with whom to reminisce and tell exaggerated tales of past achievements and misdemeanours. (Does anyone know the Statute of Limitations for violation of the six inch rule or smoking behind the science block toilets?)

Regrettably both Craig Considine and his wife Penny had come off second best from an encounter with some suspect cuisine during a stopover in India. Indeed poor Penny was hospitalised on the day of the reunion and was ultimately unable to attend. Showing true blue Aussie grit, however, Craig soldiered on and gave an enlightening address to an appreciative audience about the latest developments and plans at Millfield.

Later in the evening he even agreed to the fortification of his mineral water with a medicinal additive that, fortunately, was readily available over the bar.

The venue was perfect. On the beach at Bronte with breaking surf and clearing skies, it was quintessentially Australian and offered plenty of room to mingle. So good were the waves in fact that Nigel spent a large part of the evening

attempting to coax revellers in for a quick surf. Remarkably everyone declined. He does, however, assure me that he secured firm undertakings from a couple of former swim squad members to return to the club to do their bronze medallions and become volunteer lifesavers next summer.

You know who you are, and if you don’t, Nigel does!

Whilst many of us had travelled considerable distances to get to Bronte, the gold medal must go to Laura Zaky (1977*-83; Oaklands) and her two gorgeous children Oska and Morgan. When she heard that her old friend Tasha Ponnusamy (1979-81; Edgarley) would be attending, she packed her bags in Somerset and trekked half way around the world to see her. Great stuff!

A special mention to Lissie Whitworth (1961-63; Day) and her husband Peter. They were the first names on the acceptance list, but couldn’t make it due to the arrival of a new grandchild on the afternoon of the function. Congratulations to you both – you were missed.

Not sure when or where the next gathering of the East Coast Branch will be. Seems we need a visit from official Millfield dignitaries to get us motivated. However, judging from the number of telephone numbers and email addresses exchanged on the night, I suspect there will be several mini reunions taking place across the country in the months ahead.

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Channel Islands Reunion Dinner John Davies

The Saturday 8th May Reunion in Jersey was a grand affair, thoroughly enjoyable with much fond reminiscence for the 32 attendees, although, alas, also serving as David Langlois’ swansong as Chairman of the Branch.

Numbers were slightly less than the previous four reunions, in that the occasion coincided with the Channel Islands’ very significant ‘Liberation Day’, celebrating the liberation of the islands from German occupation at the end of the 2nd World War. The delightful venue for the event was David’s superb family home high on a hillside overlooking St Alban’s Bay with unbroken wonderful sea views across the lawns from there to St Helier. The splendid buffet-dinner was provided by

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catering specialist Steve Besant (1982*88; Keinton), with Craig and Penny Considine, Kevin Cheney, Rod Speed and John Davies present to fly the Millfield flag. Following David’s welcome to everyone he introduced Rod who described the strong OM Society links with the Channel Islands (our 5th largest branch in the world of 30 overseas branches). Craig explained latest developments at Millfield, expressing his grateful thanks to everyone for their warm welcome to himself and Penny on their first visit to Jersey – but, surely, not their last. In graciously accepting the invitation from David to take over the Chairmanship baton, former parent Michael KennyHerbert said that he had been offered

both this honour and that of the Commodore of the St Helier Yacht Club (both posts held slightly less than enthusiastically by David), as a joint undertaking – but that he had declined the latter. All attendees spoke of how pleasurable it had been to reminisce about ‘the old days’ in such a lovely setting although, as a result of her Millfield experiences and no matter how hard she tried, Claire Forbes (1982*-89; Johnson’s) still felt compelled to call RRS “Mr Speed”, in spite of being encouraged to call him “Uncle Rodney” by JHD. Because of Liberation Day and as a departure from the norm, the traditional luncheon in Guernsey on the following day was not held.

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Christchurch Penny Considine April in Christchurch is a beautiful time; as the Autumn kicks in, this most English of New Zealand cities is at its best. It was in this context that a small group of Old Millfieldians gathered together to celebrate the forthcoming 75th Anniversary of Millfield. A number of people came from far and wide, some travelling from as far afield as Auckland. It was excellent to have the opportunity to share news of Millfield 2010 as most attendees had been in New Zealand for some time. One of note, Joanna Perry (1969*-74; Day), visits Somerset regularly. Amongst other things, Joanna spent 18 years as a partner with KPMG and is a board member

of Rowing New Zealand. It was wonderful to hear tall tales (some true) from those attending, spanning a number of different generations. Though a long way

from England, the Millfield spirit shone through – no doubt we will try to draw these transplanted Millfieldians together again in the future.

kicked off with cocktails as the guests arrived. Most of the guests were meeting one another for the first time and all were relaxed and chattering away by the time we sat down for our evening meal. Kevin and I made short speeches welcoming all the OMs and Kevin rounded off the introductions by handing out OM ties to the boys and scarves to the girls. The night felt like a "who’s who" OMS

reunion with a truly remarkable scope of years from 1946 to 2005 being represented from the 20 OMs that attended. The youngest OM was 24 and the oldest was 76. It was amazing to see everyone on one table enjoying each other’s company late into the night. It was an excellent evening and I hope to host another very special OM night like this one very soon.

Turkey Sashah Khan (1982-86; Butleigh) It was with great pleasure, after many years of wanting to attend an official Millfield Reunion Dinner, that we finally held the first OM dinner in Istanbul, Turkey. I had the pleasure of hosting the event with Kevin Cheney and his wife Hilary, along with Emir Uras (1983-88; Shapwick), an architect and my partner in the 360 Entertainment Group. The event took place at our flagship restaurant, “360”, and

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India Delhi Rod Speed The March Delhi reunion was the first stage of the Headmaster’s extensive Easter tour. Arvind Khanna (1984-86; Butleigh) kindly hosted the dinner party on the top floor of the Oberoi Hotel. We assembled for pre-dinner drinks on the open air balcony with wonderful views over the Delhi Golf Club.

There was an interesting mixture of OMs, parents and prospective parents and they all greatly appreciated the chance to meet new Headmaster Craig and his wife Penny. When we moved inside we took the chance to show the group the new DVD that the OM Society has produced and it went down very well. 25 people sat down to enjoy a sumptuous feast that had been provided so generously by Arvind.

Stories were swapped, memories of

the past rekindled and it was nice to hear the latest news of the fortunes of our Delhi OMs. They and the prospective parents present also took the opportunity to discover from Craig in what direction Millfield was moving. It was late in the evening when the party dispersed and I certainly got the impression that the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

The next day, Abbas and Vinu Baig invited Craig, Penny and myself to lunch, followed by an exhibition of

their daughter Sheyna’s (1981-86; Grange) art at the home of the British High Commissioner in Delhi.

They were extremely grateful that Millfield had encouraged and nurtured so well Sheyna’s talent for art. This was my first visit to India and I could not have been made more welcome by everyone that I met. They were very pro-Millfield and they greatly appreciated the fact that the School and the Old Millfieldian Society had organised the event in Delhi.

a grand affair with over 40 present: OMs, former, current and prospective parents as well as a sprinkling of current pupils, some guests having travelled from as far afield as Bangalore and Bangkok. A genuine ‘Millfield mix’. After short films about Millfield and the OM Society were shown, Ajit, who was at Millfield over 50 years ago and the ‘earliest’ OM present, spoke most eloquently about his time at Millfield and how important that had been in shaping his life. He

urged all present to spread far and wide in India news of wondrous Millfield. Subsequent speeches by Craig and I were very much ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’. The whole event was a memorable Millfield reunion and the Headmaster promised to return to Mumbai within two years, when a visit to Bangalore might also be on the cards. The Branch is fortunate indeed to have Ajit and Mukul as Chairman and Secretary respectively.

Mumbai John Davies As part of his Easter worldwide tour, the Headmaster was joined by me in Mumbai on 7th April. All arrangements were beautifully coordinated by Mukul Raja (Former Parent), Branch Honorary Secretary, supported by his wife, Kiran, and son, Purav (1998-2003; Butleigh), now a professional tennis player on the international circuit. On the first evening, a dinner party at Mukul’s house gave the opportunity to meet several OMs, including Ajit Singh (1957-59; Chindit), Chairman of the Mumbai Branch and his wife, Anjali, Roosi Modi (1964-66; Orchards), current and prospective parents, as well as the British Deputy High Commissioner and the Principal of a local high school. This was a splendid start to the visit. The main Branch Reunion, on the following evening at a Mumbai restaurant was

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Old Millfieldian Society UK and Overseas Branch Officials UK Branch Officials England – London Amy Groves 1992*-99; Oaklands Chairman Rachele Hayman 1983*-90; Southfield Honorary Secretary Tory Manuel 1983*-90; Portway William Westacott 1998*-2003; Keen’s Elm Joanne Lowndes-Lumb 1979*-86; Oaklands

Simon MacMull 1995*-2003; Shapwick

Bob Dudley-Jones 1970-71; Hornblotton

England – South West Louise Lang (née Gillett) 1995-97; Day Chairman

Simon Hunt 1988*-95; St Anne’s

Sarah Champion Former Head MPS Vincent Douglas 1975-81; Day

Richard Jones 1984-88; Joan’s Kitchen Scotland David Goadby 1985-88; Georgian Cottage Chairman

Wales Nina Anthony 1982-86; Warner Treasurer

Stuart Crawford 1972-73; Day

Channel Islands Michael Kenney-Herbert Former Parent Chairman

Vinu Baig Former Parent Honorary Secretary (Delhi)

Overseas Officials Arabian Peninsula His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak al Nahayan 1968*-75; Kingweston President Paul Houghton 1968*-73; Etonhurst Honorary Secretary Simran Gandhi 1990-95; Portway Honorary Secretary (Dubai) Hayley Thompson 1997*-2005; Warner Australia East Coast David Prestwich 1970*-80; Orchards Honorary Secretary Australia West Coast Richard Notley 1962-68; Shapwick President Bahrain Hala Hajjar 1974*-81; Lakes Honorary Secretary Bermuda Alan Gamble Former Parent Honorary Secretary Brunei Nuralia Abdul Rahim 1992-94; Walton Honorary Secretary Canada Richard Glanville-Brown 1956-57; Chindit Honorary Secretary

Mona Harwood Former Parent Honorary Secretary (Guernsey)

Indonesia Dennis Sakiris-Korompis 1985-87; Joan’s Kitchen Honorary Secretary

Cyprus Kratinos Socratous 1978*-86; Butleigh Honorary Secretary

Ireland Mark Jeffries 1990-92; Millfield Honorary Secretary

Egypt HH Prince Abbas Hilmi 1957-61; Millfield Honorary Secretary

Japan Orlando Faulks 1985*-89; Orchards Honorary Secretary

France Charles Turner 1989*-97; Etonhurst Honorary Secretary

Jordan Feda Al-Yousef 1968-72; Southfields Honorary Secretary

Germany Michael Cole 1968-73; Mill House Chairman

Kenya Yolanda McIntyre (née Brooke-Edwards) 1970-75; Southfields Honorary Secretary

Greece George Pothitos 1978*-86; Holmcroft Chairman

Malaysia Dato Andrew Kam 1979-81; Holmcroft President

Hong Kong William Louey 1972-77; Chindit Chairman

Tengku Reza S Shah 1987-90; St Anne’s Honorary Secretary

Chung Shing Ho 1982-86; Holmcroft Honorary Secretary India Ajit Singh 1957-59; Chindit Chairman (Mumbai) Mukul Raja Former Parent Honorary Secretary (Mumbai)

Nigeria Chuka Mbanefo 1965-67; Kingweston President Seni Williams 1968-73; Ashcott Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo 1977-81; Etonhurst Honorary Secretary * Edgarley

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Nigeria (continued) Ebele Nduka-Irabor (née Egbarin) 1979-84; Acacia Honorary Treasurer Tony Amacree 1972*-78; Kingweston Social Secretary

Sheikh A Al Maamoun Zahid 1967-69; St Anne’s Honorary Secretary

Prasanna S W Kannangara 1969-72; Chindit Honorary Secretary

Sultan Ghalib Al-Qu’iaiti 1962-66; Shapwick Committee

Sultanate of Oman Ahmed A Al Araimi 1978-84; Ashcott Co-ordinator

Sheikh Ghassan Abdul Jawad 1966-70; Ashcott Committee

Zainab Jaji Tukur 1983-88; Portway Publicity Secretary Dr Richard A Ajayi 1980-83; Etonhurst Committee

Saudi Arabia - Riyadh Farid A Khalifeh 1975-77; Joan’s Kitchen Honorary Secretary

Pakistan Aftab Adamjee 1978-83; Shapwick Chairman

Singapore Beng-Tat Tan 1967-69; Etonhurst Chairman

A Sattar Pirzada 1994-96; Orchards Honorary Secretary

Rizvan Baig 1988-90; Georgian Cottage Honorary Secretary

Saudi Arabia - Jeddah HRH Prince Turki Bin Saud Abdul Aziz 1968-69; Etonhurst President

Spain Richard Golding 1966-68; Chindit Chairman

HRH Prince Alwalid Bin Saud Abdul Aziz 1970-75; Etonhurst Vice President Abulaziz Q Kanoo 1949-52; Kingweston Chairman

Elena Polo Aguirre Former Parent Honorary Secretary Sri Lanka Ana G G Punchihewa 1967-71; Kingweston Chairman

Thailand HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn 1966-70; Millfield President Greg Pitt 1968-71; Rotherslade Honorary Secretary Turkey Sashah Khan 1982-86; Butleigh Honorary Secretary USA East Coast Michael Partington 1981-83; Butleigh Wootton Honorary Secretary USA West Coast Malcolm Welford 1974-78; Butleigh Chairman Elliot Lewis 1959-63; Shapwick Honorary Secretary * Edgarley

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OMS

Careers Paul Kelly (Head of Higher Education and Careers)

T

he very successful Lower Sixth Old Millfieldian Careers Convention took place on 19th June, coinciding with the major annual OM reunion at Millfield and involving some 32 OMs. This event, now in its third year, is regularly attracting some excellent speakers who evidently enjoy returning and sharing some of their experiences since leaving school with current students.

Many participants returned from previous years including Mark Captain (1987*-92; Shapwick), Graham Stoddart-Stones (1962-67; Walton) and Ian Jenkins (1968*-71; Glaston Tor), whose enthusiasm for their careers impressed today’s students. Piers Doggart’s (1983-87; Millfield) excellent legal presentation was further enhanced

by Marc Asquith’s (1972-77; Orchards) contribution, whilst Jo Sheppard (19952000; Southfield) explained financial law.

Daisy Lilley’s (1990*-98; Johnson's) TV production talk was complemented by Chris Wheeldon’s (1967*-75; St Anne's) advice and booklet on Film Production. Paul Morland’s (1967*-78; Day) popular ‘City’ talk was balanced by further presentations from Richard Lane (1996-2001; Butleigh) on investment banking, Rory Stirling (1997-2001; Holmcroft) on venture capitalism and Oliver Potts (1994-99; Millfield) on ‘life with Bloomberg’. His sister, Kate (1994*-2001; Acacia), spoke on Deloitte, whilst the public sector was not ignored with a very informative talk

by Harriet King (1992-97; Warner) on the Foreign Office. Mark Kimber’s (1994-99; Keen’s Elm) presentation on policing Reading and Liam Thomas’s (1998-2002; Keen's Elm) experiences as

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a Royal Marine showed the flexibility of OMs and the value of their Millfield education in unexpected areas.

Alexandra Tohme (1992*-99; Oaklands), fresh from the Lebanon, showed how to make a living from social networking and Glastonburybased Laura Zaky (1977*-81; Oaklands) reminded students, in her inimitable way, that a degree is no substitute for passion and determination. Amongst other locals who were well received were Anthony Barber (1988-91; Keen’s Elm) with his popular cheddar samples, Simon Jackson (1984-88; Day) who wisely cautioned against expectations of early success and Patrick Jordan’s (1975*-85; Day) interactive psychology talk. The students also greatly enjoyed their active involvement in Sarah Gibbing’s (1972-74; Great House) journalism workshop, as well as some advice on confronting clipboard Nazis. Amanda Owen’s (1987-1990; Day) exercises in sport psychology were greatly enhanced by using the material provided by England’s lamentable World Cup performance the night before. Potential medics gained much from Oliver Thomas’s (1991*-98; St Anne's)

comprehensive talk on entry into medical school and William Hulbert (1971*-77; Day) discussed the realities of life as an architect. Engineering was enthusiastically promoted by Elizabeth Fielder (1986-92; Johnson's) and John Plank (1983-87; Millfield), who had flown in from Copenhagen. Sandy Strallen (1969-74; St Anne's) managed to help organise the 75th Anniversary centrepiece, as well as inspire students on dance. Work colleagues Simon Hardy (1993*-2001; Holmcroft) and Nicholas Racster (1988-93; Day) explained their different roles in the synthesised diamond industry, and the impressive list was completed by Mark Bullingham’s (1988-93; Holmcroft) explanation of sports marketing and Lee de Souza’s (1993-97; Day) insight into the recruitment business.

The enthusiasm of the OMs for the School and their desire to give something back is very striking on this day and I am very grateful for all the generous offers made again this year.

Next year’s convention will be on Saturday 18th June. Please contact me on pak@millfieldschool.com or 01458 444338, if you are interested in taking part.

Old Millfieldian Speakers: Sarah Gibbings; Mark Captain; Lee de Souza; Laura Zaky; Amanda Owens; Daisy Lilley; Elizabeth Fielder; Alex Tohme; Paul Kelly; Rupert Radcliffe-Genge; Simon Hardy; Ian Jenkins; Liam Thomas; Johanna Sheppard; Richard Lane; Mark Bullingham; Chris Wheeldon; Gary Shayler; Mark Kimber; Marc Asquith; Oliver Thomas; Rory Stirling; Piers Doggart; Kate Potts.

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TRUST FUND REPORT The OM Society has a small fund to assist young OMs, fundamentally those seeking ‘to do good deeds’ in third world countries or elsewhere under the auspices of responsible organisations. It is not available for extension of educational studies.

Everest G

ood food, wine and company bred an outrageous idea that was not discussed the following day. Yet it lingered in the subconscious of a group of climbing friends: why not combine two passions – a quest to raise money for Help for Heroes and taking on a mountain challenge like no other, Everest.

Everest4Heroes was subsequently born on another rainy day in the Lake District.

We are a team of serving and ex military personnel lucky enough to have met through army climbing, and are still keen and able to climb. Our objective is to raise awareness, and more importantly, money for Help for Heroes, via a sponsored attempt on Everest’s notoriously difficult north ridge route (Tibet) in Spring 2012. Our venture differs as it is being undertaken by relative novices who will be responsible for the whole expedition: from fundraising, planning, training and equipment issues, to the actual summit attempt using the experience gained over more than 160 years cumulative uniformed service around the world. Fingers also remain crossed for a good dollop of fine weather and the mountain god’s blessings. The website www.everest4heroes.com was launched to ‘sell’ feet of the mountain, or sponsorship of each of the high mountain camps, or indeed the summit. Team members lead various charity challenges around the country:

4

Heroes Beth Hall-Thompson (1993-95; Chindit)

national or Yorkshire three peaks, coast to coast, or London to Paris cycle rides either on request or preset dates.

See www.impadventures.com I am trained for deployment to the British Forces Hospital in Afghanistan, being privileged to see the wounded at their most vulnerable stage, where care is of the highest standard and priority.

The field hospital, the casualty evacuation aircraft, the shared NHS military hospital in Birmingham and the rehabilitation facility at Headley Court are all world-class, but there does come a time when the ‘recovered’ have to move on; it is this time when monies donated to ‘Help for Heroes’ is so vital. Having previously volunteered as a doctor at a clinic on the Everest route, I know what we are up against:

altitude, cold, wind and the sheer physical determination required to put one foot in front of another against these odds. But strength does come from remembering the cause, and recognising the greater challenges faced too often by our soldiers who are forced to work through rehabilitation after serious injury.

Have a look at the website sometime.

It details the story so far: the team, from training undertaken to equipment donated and monies raised. Any and all help from the individual to the company is greatly appreciated, and will be judiciously used. And for the next few months at least, I shall be a captive audience for emails! beth@everest4heroes.com

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OMS NEWS DIRECTORY 2010 1940-1950

FRIEND ROD Millfield, Chindit 1957

1960-1970

BURTON DAVID RAFE Edgarley 1947-1948 Millfield 1948-1952

Despite a brief sojourn at the school, he still retains precious memories of English with Robert Bolt. Married to Alice, with four children, he is a glass artist and does commissions in both the UK and Spain, where he lives near Malaga.

BENNON TREVOR Millfield, Orchards 1962-1965

He retired in 2010, after running a small specialist engineering company since 1976, but remains in an advisory capacity to the company which manufactures three hundred different sizes of milling cutting tools. His hobbies include walking, swimming and reading.

1950-1960 BLANCH JAMES ROGER ROACH Edgarley 1953-1955 A retired dairy farmer, he and his wife now concentrate on their Band B camping business in Gloucestershire.

He also drives for “Dial-a-Ride” and enjoys playing in jazz and swing bands.

BRYANT MARTIN Millfield House 1951-1953 He was a GP in Exeter from 1962 to 1971 but, after qualifying in anaesthetics, he became a consultant, firstly in Kings Lynn, and later in West Hertfordshire, based in Hemel Hempstead: he retired in 1999.

CLARK PETRONELLA Millfield, Day 1958-1960 Her only claim to fame in sport – she says – is that she “defended the goal” in hockey and nearly won the girls’ backstroke in 1959!

COX MARK Millfield, Chindit 1958-1962 One of Millfield’s and the country’s most famous tennis players, he now says he is retired, after being heavily involved in the sport as a player, coach and commentator, for many years.

EBERSTEIN JOHN HELGE Millfield, Kingweston 1954-1958 Although now a pensioner, he has been both a tram/bus driver and a paper salesman in Sweden: he has also had lessons in steam locomotive driving and is active in tram societies in Sweden and Denmark.

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HOBBINS JOHN Edgarley 1957-1958 Millfield, 1958-1963 He has spent his working career at McGill University, Montreal: he was recently awarded the Career Recognition Award, as much – he claims – for longevity as anything else.

IVES ADELINE JULIE Millfield, Wraxleigh 1959-1960 She still works hard and enjoys every minute as finance officer to Brockhurst and Marlston House preparatory schools, still retains an interest in sport and is learning to play the cello.

RAMUZ REGINALD Edgarley 1950-1951 Millfield 1951-1953 For many years he was involved in social work and helping handicapped people and stroke patients in Norfolk.

Now retired, he sails on The Broads and at sea with his brother.

SILVER WENDY née BELOE Millfield, Wraxleigh 1958-1959 She lives in Salt Lake County, USA, and still holds two interesting posts as a field interviewer on national surveys with the Bureau of the Census and RTI International. She plans never to retire and is very proud of her six children, who have prospered despite not being educated at Millfield!

ST JOHN JEREMY Millfield, Chindit 1959-1961 A retired headmaster, he is still very busy, preaching in his local church, visiting an old people’s home, painting and playing croquet and golf – badly.

He also researches family history and has ambitions to start dinghy sailing again.

More recent news is that he was Night Manager of the athletes’ village at the Sydney Olympics: now retired after a cancer battle, he enjoys travelling and following sport and loves living in a beach environment in Bondi, Sydney.

BLOEMBERGEN AUKE Millfield, Chindit 1960-1964 After Dutch military service, he worked in South Africa for Fisons and Esso and then returned to Holland where he worked for Fortis until his retirement. He now lives half the year in South Carolina and half in Bergen; a proud grandfather of five, he sent his French grandson to a Millfield summer camp – which he loved, as his grandfather did, 50 years ago.

OSBORNE VALERIE Millfield, Wraxleigh, Bruefields 1960-1963 She owns Casa Lucia, a centre for holidays and for workshops in T’ai Chi in Sgombou, Corfu. For many years she has co-hosted T’ai weeks with Caroline Merry (née Comber), a contemporary at Wraxleigh. Her daughter, Caroline, has created a centre for visiting artists of all disciplines at Casa Lucia, and they would welcome OMs as visitors.

ROCK JEFFREY Millfield, Walton, Shapwick, Cheddar View 1967-1971 Currently design/construction manager with Exxon Mobil, he has had a successful career in design and construction management. He has led several world-class projects such as Library Square Tower, the west coast’s tallest building, as well as others in Africa and USA. A writer on matters pertaining to the global economy, he lives in Auburn, California.

SALMON RODNEY Millfield, Shapwick, Joan’s Kitchen 1968-1972 He has worked for the Linpac Group since 1995 and is now its commercial director after holding several senior positions in the company in Europe.

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STANLEY KATY Millfield, Wraxleigh 1960-1962 In 1978 she set up an architectural and landscape practice with her husband, Richard, completing many awardwinning projects for housing. A mother of three boys, she instigated rainfall harvesting for the second phase of Truro College – and took an English degree, in the 1990s. One son has now joined the company based in Cheltenham.

TURNER MARGUERITE, née OLLERENSHAW Millfield, Day 1965-1966 After three years in Switzerland, at Aiglon College, she returned with her parents to England and met her husband-to-be, chaplain at her father’s school in Chichester. They have eight children and six grandchildren and live in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, where she continues with her art and works for Sue Ryder Care.

WOODHEAD NICK Millfield, Chindit 1966-1968 His life since 1976 seems to have been dominated by water jetting! He joined a manufacturer of water jetting equipment, and after three years in the USA involved in Topper sailing dinghies, he started the US division of the UK company for which he had initially worked. In 1991 he and a former colleague formed US Jetting, based in Georgia, which manufactures equipment in use in 20 countries.

1970-1980 BLYTHMAN GUY JONATHAN Millfield, Orchards 1977-1983 On his own website, he has published a number of novels, short stories and articles on philosophy and theology, and, in the last three years, he has written three conventional books on traditional windmills.

BRADSHAW ADRIAN PETER Edgarley, Angles 1975-1976 Having pursued an interest in Chinese philosophy and literature at SOAS in London, he moved to China in 1984 and has been based in Beijing for most of the intervening time. Now Regional

Chief of the China Pressphoto Agency, as a freelance photographer he has worked on assignments as diverse as Muhammad Ali’s visit to China in 1985 and the first bodybuilding competition in that country.

CHIPPINDALL- HIGGIN KEVAN Millfield, Hornblotton 1970-1975 He runs Adventure College, a dive, kayak and RYA centre in Portsmouth and would welcome any Millfield pupil to work there in the holidays. He is also approaching Portsmouth University with a view to designing some practical scientific courses in dive and kayak to be taught at sixth form level.

FARMANFARMAIAN DEENY Millfield, High Ham 1971-1976 An early career in the restaurant and night club industry was followed by a lengthier one in the steel industry in California. After becoming Director of Sales with one company and Vice President with another, he opened his own company before trying his hand at the construction and real estate industry. He has also set up a new steel distribution company, Farman Steel Inc. HANSELL TOM Millfield, Walton 1968-1973 Retired through ill health from his post as Territory Manager for Beiersdorf, Australia (Elastoplas/Nivea), he is still director of cricket at Willetton and District Cricket Club, Western Australia, and coaches cricket and soccer at Aquinas College.

HAVERS SIMON WILLIAM Edgarley, Manor Farm, Chestnut 1976-1979 Millfield, Northfields 1979-1983 Married to Sally, he has three children and lives in Bishop’s Stortford. He runs a private equity firm in the City of London and was recently elected chairman of the industry’s association.

He runs mountain marathons, most recently with his eldest son, and travels widely in Europe, USA, and the Far East.

LODER THE HON TIM Millfield, Old Rectory, High Ham 1971-1975 Currently he is doing voluntary landscape gardening in Norfolk after many years in agriculture and horticulture. He is involved with The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child, the National Autistic Society, and The Respect Party.

MORRILL NICK Millfield, Combe Hill, Keinton 1974-1976 He runs a private equity fund focused on restructuring and turning around businesses. He plays golf and spends “too many” weekends supporting his three daughters, who play tennis, lacrosse, and rounders to national and international level.

NORTHOVER GRANT Edgarley, Flats 1974-1978 Millfield, Keinton 1978-1982 After football with Yeovil and working in sales with Cadbury and L’Oreal, he started a hair distribution company in 1999 in Exeter, distributing premium products to the professional market.

Married to Jane, he has four children and lives the dream in the “sunshine state”, Devon, coaching football and cricket.

OWEN SUE Millfield, Day 1969-1973 Professor Owen took early retirement from Sheffield University to live in the south of France with her husband.

While enjoying the Riviera sunshine, she is working on a book and retains an honorary fellowship at Sheffield.

RECKITT JACK Millfield, Shapwick 1973-1975 For 30 years he worked in insurance in the London Market. Deciding on a career change, he is now studying for a degree in wine production with the aim of owning his own domaine.

ROSE JUSTIN Millfield, Manor Farm, Coombe Hill 1970-1975 He is a self-employed cricket analyst and property investor, as well as being a trustee both for a charity for Indian children and one for a Bulgarian

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orphanage. As his daughter was born on 20/12, she has been advised she will be taking part in the Olympics Opening Ceremony!

REES ELLEN CATHERINE Millfield, Southfields, Ashcott, Leigh Road 1970-1974 She continues to work in research at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, with particular responsibility for long-term population studies of migratory wildfowl. She was Chair of the IUCNSSC/Wetlands International Swan Specialist Group from 1995-2001 and has edited the journal, “Wildfowl” since 2006.

RICKETTS DAVID Edgarley, Manor Farm 1975-1977 Millfield, Keinton 1977-1981 Currently running his own surveying practice in Cardiff, he is opening David and Co Estate Agents in the city where he lives with his wife and three children. His team, Cardiff Eagles, has an annual cricket fixture with the School first team.

WARBURTON JONATHAN Millfield, Millfield House 1971-1976 He is chairman of the 134 year old family bread making firm, the bread industry leader, and lives in the bakery’s home town of Bolton.

WILLS PAUL Edgarley, Manor Farm 1975-1977 Millfield, Holmcroft 1977-1982 He is finance director of Millgate Homes and lives in Wargrave, Berkshire: his son, Thomas, was at the prep school from 2007-2009.

WILSON HELEN Millfield, Ashcott 1969-1972 She works for Grant Thornton, the international accountancy firm, which runs both a school leavers’ and graduate recruitment campaign, and lives in Bath.

VAJDEC LOUISE née BROOKS Millfield, Gray House, Billets 1971-1973 After running a childcare programme for twenty years and raising three children, she decided to develop her painting skills, exhibiting her work in

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Hamilton, Ontario. She has recently moved with her husband to a rural property near a known biosphere supporting rare vegetation and wildlife, subjects for future art work.

1980-1990 ADAMS NATALIE GRACE née CAMPBELL Edgarley, Lower Edgarley Farm 1985-1988 Millfield, Oaklands 1988-1993 A qualified barrister, she is married with a young son, and has spent the last three years undertaking research into the law concerning Unincorporated Associations: she is the Honorary Secretary of the Bar Yacht Club.

ADESHILE YETUNDE JULIET née ASHAMU Edgarley 1983-1986 Millfield, Southfields 1986-1990 With degrees in Social Policy and Management and Business Administration, she currently works as Head of Planning Controls for Colas Rail Ltd in London. She is married to Peter and has three children.

ASHAMU TITILOYE Millfield, Acacia 1980-1986 She gained a degree in International Relations in Wales and is now Creative Director of Ethnikologie Ltd, a fashion design company; she lives in Lagos, Nigeria.

BOOKER JEREMY Millfield, Georgian Cottage 1985-1987 Having returned to England from Madrid, where he has been living for the past five years, he intends going back to Spain as soon as possible!

CONWAY TANYA Edgarley, Hollies 1984-86 Millfield, Johnson’s 1986-89 Her current occupation is Retail Store Manager of “Kiehl’s” (L’Oreal UK Ltd) and she lives in Putney.

GROVES MICHAEL Edgarley, Day 1988-1993 Millfield, Cookson 1993-1996 He is Information Technology Consultant with West Country Business Systems and he lives in Somerton.

HUSAIN FAZLE Millfield, Hollies 1981-1983 He has been living in New York since 1987, is married to Blair, and has three children. He runs the healthcare industry investing business at Metalmark Capital, a private equity firm.

JACKSON ANDREW Millfield, Fenner 1982-1987 All three of his children are current Millfield and MPS pupils – how many OMs can equal this? He is finance and commercial director with Tribal, Kindred, Nightingale Associates and the family live in Parbrook, Somerset.

JONES SARAH-LOUISE Millfield, Acacia 1985-1987 With qualifications from three different universities, she is now studying for her PhD at Brunel: She is director of Core Education, a not-for-profit company which aims to develop learning with technology. Away from education, she is heavily involved in sport: she was on the first all-female expedition to the North Pole, she runs marathons, climbs, scuba dives – and skis!!

KAUKA ANITA née KHUBCHANDANI Millfield, Kernick 1980-1981 She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, selling Real Estate for Harry Norman Realtors. Her second marriage was to OM Michael Kauka (KW), who sadly died of a heart attack four years ago.

LE BOUTILLIER LYNDA née HEARNE Millfield, Warner 1987-1989 After gaining a masters’ degree in sports science at Loughborough, she worked for Pepsi before opening her own property business with her husband, Lyndon. She now happily leaves the business to him, while she looks after their four children at home in Bournemouth.

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MARTIN TIM Edgarley, Jutes 1986-1989 Millfield, Day, Cookson 1989-1994 He is currently the Senior Director of Sales with the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer in Southern California: he married Christianna in 2009.

MASTERS FRANCESCA née RANDLE Millfield, Abbey 1992-1995 Married to OM, Guy, she and her husband set up Cactus Search, a specialist Call Centre Management Recruitment business in 2003. They live in a converted barn in deepest Worcestershire and are very content with life.

MINNEY-McDOUGALL FRANCES LOUISE Millfield, Kernick 1980-1981 After living in America for ten years, she returned to Northamptonshire with her American husband, Craig.

They have a daughter, Andrea, and live in the village of Barnwell with a dog, rabbit and two hamsters.

MURRAY NATALIE Millfield, Acacia 1991-1996 A qualified Interior Designer, with experience in residential, commercial, yacht and private jet design, she now runs her own Interior Design Practice in Yorkshire: she lives in Scarcroft, Leeds.

NEWALL ANDREW Edgarley 1997-1999 Millfield, Orchards/Millfield House 1999-2000 After university in Canada, he bought and subsequently sold a backpackers’ hostel, obtained his commercial pilot’s licence, and has now set up a low cost health club in London, where he lives.

NICHOLS EMILY Millfield, Johnson’s 1989-1991 She graduated in Journalism at Northwestern State University, Louisiana and was nationally ranked with her doubles partner in tennis; she now works as press officer for a variety of clients, including IMG, Tennis Australia and WTA.

ORME TIM Millfield, Kingweston 1979-1984 At the end of 2008, he left PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he was a director, after 25 years. In 2009 he set up his own company, providing change and learning consulting services to corporates. He is married to Susie, has two teenage sons, and lives in Wimbledon.

REEVE SALLY Millfield, Grange 1984-1988 Known also as Sally Edwards, she “followed her dream” and became an actor – and still works: she says she is a jobbing actor – “which is cool” – but she was in Jane Campion’s “Bright Star” and filmed “Jane Eyre” with Dame Judi Dench. She has two children and lives in London.

ROYLANCE ELEANOR Edgarley, Edgarley Farm 1992 Millfield, Walton/Martins 1995-2000 She continues to teach at the Kings of Wessex School in Cheddar and is completing her M Ed to take on the post of Special Educational Needs Coordinator; in her spare time she sings with the Exultate Singers in Bristol.

STOKES PETER Millfield, Kingweston 1986-1989 He completed his schooldays at Bishops, near Cape Town, and then studied law at UCT. After qualifying, he became a lawyer and moved back to the UK in 2000, working for the Carphone Warehouse Group. In 2005, he started his own private equity firm with a focus on investing in Africa.

STOREY SARAH née POCOCK Millfield, Day 1979-1984 For twenty years she has worked in the Direct Marketing Sector, still plays netball and basketball – despite three knee operations – and lives in Horsham with her husband, Mark, and their three girls.

consultancy: he has worked with the Team Columbia-HTC professional cycling team, helping to put together its Tour de France deal, and with a wide range of global sports and sportsmen and women. He lives in London with his wife, Louise, and their two young children.

WALKER DEBORAH Millfield, Day Jackson 1984-1988 After university, she spent seven years with designer cashmere firm, TSE Cashmere. She retrained as a top flight EA, travelled the world solo, and then undertook further training as an aesthetician and an interior designer.

She is now EA to the MD of a wealth management company in London.

WELLS HILARY née DRESSER She graduated from Kingston in 1992, is married to Paul, has a son, Harry, and is now back at Kingston, working part-time as a communications consultant. She competed for GB at the Barcelona Olympics as a canoeist and previously worked for PR companies, sports stars and British Aerospace.

WHEATLEY CHARLES Millfield, Joan’s Kitchen 1986-1992 He worked in various design areas and for a company making gold disc music awards; he has now set up his own business representing emerging artists, and scouts degree shows and art fairs looking for new talent. He and Sarah have a one-year-old, Merlin, and live in Putney.

WINCH DAN Millfield, Day Jarratt 1996-1998 After training at the Bristol Old Vic, he has had a wide range of opportunities, in film and television, as First Assistant Director. On television he worked on “See No Evil – The Moors Murders” and with Caroline Aherne; he has travelled to Tunisia to film “House of Saddam”; and in 2010 worked with actor Paddy Considine on his directorial debut for Film Four.

TAYLOR ROBIN Millfield, Kingweston 1984-1989 Initially a teacher and footballer, he moved into sports marketing and sponsorship a decade ago, and is currently running his own sponsorship

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1990-2000

HOLLINGS GREGORY Millfield, Millfield House 1988-1993

COMBES PETER CHARLES Millfield, Kingweston 1993-1996

Married to Claudia, he works for a social media agency and lives in London, frequently visiting his extended family in Brazil.

After graduating with an MSc in Museum Studies, he is now Senior Library Administrator for Kensington and Chelsea Council and is a freeman of the Worshipful Guild of Educators.

GELARDI TIM Millfield, Joan’s Kitchen 1995-2000 He has lived and worked in Italy for a few years but is now back in the UK: he is a Telecoms analyst for MZA Ltd, was married in September 2010, and lives in Swindon.

HARDY SIMON Edgarley, Mews 1993-1996 Millfield, Holmcroft 1996-2001 He graduated from Imperial College in 2006 and is now Group Strategy Manager at Element Six, a global manufacturer of synthetic diamonds.

HARRIS SIMON ANDREW Millfield, Shapwick 1999-2001 He completed his medical degree at Cambridge, where he met his wife-tobe, Meera, and then worked in East Anglia for two years. In May 2009 he and Meera were married in London, Ontario, and now live in Toronto, where he is an orthopaedic surgeon at the university.

HAYLINGS REBECCA Edgarley, Saxons 1987-1990 Millfield, Day 1990-1993 A journalist for the Mirror Group, she has interrupted her career to be a mother to Samuel, which she regards as a quieter life! She lives in Lymington, Hampshire, and still finds time to raise funds for palliative care in the New Forest area.

HENDERSON FRANCES née RAWLES Millfield, Walton/Martin’s 1996-2001 She has taken time out from full-time teaching to study for a foundation degree in Dance Theatre Performance to enable her to teach Dance to A level: she married James in 2010 and lives in Bristol.

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IZOTOV MAXIM Millfield, Keen’s Elm 1998-2002 After completing his MSc at Birkbeck College, where he captained the University of London fencing team and had the university fencing trophy named after him, he now works for a Russian investment bank in the city: he was married in 2010.

KAMINSKA JOANNA Millfield, Grange 1998-2000 She taught at Royal Holloway College and completed her PhD in politics there; currently she is working for the European Commission in Brussels.

KING HARRIET née LEWIS Millfield, Warner 1992-1997 She was due to have her first child in 2010, giving her a break from her position as Head of Crisis Operations at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

LALLY JAMES SPENCER Millfield, Day 1989-1995 When a motorcycle accident ended his rugby career at London Irish, he started a meat wholesale company specialising in the supply of free range and additive-free meat to restaurants and hotels. He is married to Kate, has one son, and lives in Shepperton, Middlesex.

LUSH CHRISTOPHER Millfield, Orchards 1995-1997 Having previously lived and worked in Amsterdam, Geneva and Buenos Aires, he transferred to Singapore, where he is working as a commodity trader for Louis Dreyfus.

McNEILL ISABELLE Millfield, Day 1994-1996 Married in 2008, she was expecting her first child in 2010: she continues to lecture in and research French Cinema at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

ROMERO-WILTSHIRE EMILY née ROMERO Millfield, Grange 1994-1999 She graduated in Social Anthropology and Spanish at Sussex and since 2008 has been Project Manager at Merrill Brink International, Translations Department: she lives in London.

RUSSELL RACHEL Millfield, Grange 1994-1996 After reading PPE at Oxford, she qualified as a barrister: she practises in Bristol and lives in the West Country with her husband and daughter.

SIMON PHILIPP Millfield, Ivythorn 1993-1995 He completed law degrees in England and Germany before taking up his first post in Luxembourg, where he has remained: initially working for an international law firm, he has since moved into independent practice with offices in Dusseldorf and London as well as Luxembourg.

SMITH HANNAH Millfield, Southfields 1997-2002 After qualifying as a doctor, in medicine and surgery, at Nottingham, she completed her foundation years in London and then chose to do her postgrad year in Australia. She was due to return to the UK to a new post in London in July 2010.

TAVENER SIMON CHARLES Millfield, Joan’s Kitchen 1992-1997 With a degree in International Management with French, he did an exchange year in France, before joining the family building and decorating business in 2002, continuing to work across the Channel: he is now coowner and director of the company and lives in London.

UZUNOVA BARAN Millfield, Shapwick 1994-1998 For ten years he worked for a multinational bank in Amsterdam before returning to his motherland, Turkey: there he is the International Business Development Director of his family’s international construction company.

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WEST ALEXANDRA née OYSTON Millfield, Johnson’s/Warner 1997-2001 An officer in the Intelligence Corps, she married Neal in 2009 – former school chaplain, Simon Bloxham-Rose officiating – and embarked on her second tour of Afghanistan between March and October 2010.

WRIGHT MATTHEW CHARLES Edgarley, Hall 1992-1994 Millfield, Holmcroft 1994-1999 After Loughborough, he studied ACMA at Citigroup before moving into Corporate Finance in 2007: he married Lindsey in 2009 and lives in Surrey still trying to master cricket.

2000-2010 CHALMERS SOPHIE Edgarley, Day Millfield, Day 1996-2007 After graduating with a first from

King’s College, London, she has a 16-month contract with the Singapore Education Department to teach GCSE Geography and English.

Central St Martin’s in 2009.

EVANS ALEXANDRA PHILLIPPA Edgarley, Angles 1997-2002 Millfield, Day 2002-2007

After studying Classics at the University of Pennsylvania, she went on to read Law in New York, where she also works for a charitable organisation, sings in the choir and directs the university radio station. In 2010 she secured an internship at a corporate law firm, volunteered to work at an orphanage in South Africa, and hiked through Namibia.

She continues to study for her degree in Spanish and Business Management, spending 2009-2010 at the University of Seville.

FUDGE MEGAN Millfield, Warner 2004-2006 She recently completed her studies at the University of Illinois, where she played tennis to a high standard, and became seriously involved in working to aid poor communities in Kenya.

O’HEA HERMIONE Millfield, Warner 2003-2008 Having worked for a jewellery company and travelled in India, she started an Art and Design course at

NICHOL FRANCESCA Edgarley, Day Millfield, Day1999-2008

OAKLEY LOUISE Edgarley, Berewall Millfield, Martin’s 1998-2003 With a first-class degree in Law from Birmingham, she moved to London to complete the LPC, and began work with Baker and McKenzie LLP as a trainee solicitor in 2010.

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Obituaries

by Barry Hobson (Former Tutor and Archivist)

It is with deep regret that we report the deaths of the following Old Millfieldians and former members of staff.

G A Bennun 1963-68, Kingweston

J Fox 1980-84, Orchards

Dr R Oderfeld 1976-88, Former Staff

J Bircher 1992*-99, Butleigh

P Garnier 1939-40, Millfield

Mrs P Penny 1974-94, Former Staff

Captain C L Broad 1967-82, Former Staff

A Grey 1949, Millfield

A T Rowe 1988-94, Kingweston

Mrs L Hickson née Macklin 1953-55

J Ryan 1984*-91, Ivythorn

Col R G Higgins 1944-46, Millfield

Ms B W Schneer 1968-70, Grange

R J T Houghton 1942-48, Millfield

W H Scott 1996-99, Walton

F P Bromovsky 1972-77, Kingweston Mrs E J Burden J A Church 1939-40, Millfield

M Kauka 1978-80, Kingweston

B W Smith 1944-45, Millfield

Mrs M H Dickens 1970-88, Former Staff

A J Kidd 1988-90, Georgian Cottage

H A Sparrow 1965-66, Tor

HH The Maharaja of Dhrangadhra 1935, Millfield

Mrs P V Langlands 1949-84, Former Staff

K Stewart 1953-54, Millfield

J O Evans 1942, Millfield

A J Lovell née Duckett 1959-62, Billet

J D B Stapylton-Smith 1942-43, Millfield

F C Fletcher 1968-81, Former Staff

M Nicholson 1954-56, Chindit

F Townshend 1957-84, Former Staff

G A Bennun (1963-68; Kingweston) Geoffrey Bennun was one of the “characters” of the mid sixties Kingweston, the last few years of Fred Stephenson’s reign. Naturally he turned to hockey as his major game and won his place in the 1st XI. He was also Head Boy of his house in his last year. He had come with his family from South Africa, but forged a great career for himself in elite hotel management in the Far East.

The tragic news of his violent death in the Phillipines during a robbery at his home reached us on July 24th 2010 from Roosi Modi, while Trevor, Geoffrey’s elder brother, was organising the funeral in Manilla.

J Bircher (1992*-99; Butleigh) Jonathan Bircher died following a car crash on 27th October 2009. He was a distinguished member of Butleigh House, a School Prefect, and Captain of crosscountry, and an outstanding runner in athletics.

Captain C L Broad (Former Staff) Len Broad was an outstanding teacher of maths at Millfield following a remarkable career in the Royal Navy. He

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had been awarded a Double First at Reading University and began teaching at Bradford Grammar School, but with war looming he volunteered and was commissioned. His first duties took him to France where he met Annette Angelo, who was to be his first wife, and brought her to England as war broke out. In 1941 in his first action at sea his ship was sunk and became a Prisoner of War in Germany. There he played a central part in a famous “escape” attempt, using a dummy which was carried out to the showers in pieces and brought back as a figure in a naval cap and great coat while one escapee hid in a cubicle. Len was the one who always carried the head of “Albert RN”, and hid it in his bed. After repatriation he transferred to the RN Instructor Branch, finally becoming responsible for all the naval schools in the Mediterranean with the rank of Captain.

Sadly Annette died of cancer in 1959, but he was lucky to meet Marion Dutton, win her and have a further 49 years of happy marriage. During his second retirement he and Marion divided their time between sunny Florida and

Edington, Somerset. He died aged 98 on 23rd April 2010.

F P Bromovsky (1972-77; Kingweston) Francis Bromovsky died suddenly in June 2010 while on his boat in Turkey. He was a House Prefect at Kingweston under Tom Wilkinson’s watchful eye.

Mrs E J Burden We are sorry to have to report the death of one of Millfield’s major benefactors. Mrs E J Burden, Joy, daughter of the last Squire of Kingweston, passed ownership of Kingweston House and grounds in memory of her beloved brother, OM Caleb Dickinson, who was killed when a pilot in the Royal Air Force in the 2nd World War, to Millfield School. She lived in the village and was well known to many Kingweston boys. A good number of them attended her funeral on 11th March 2010, and, as the little church could not hold everyone, the service was relayed to the House dining hall.

J A Church (1939-40; Millfield) John Church, who was Head Boy in 1940, came from a farming family and carried on the tradition. He married Jill Sankey,

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sister of Jack Meyer’s secretary, Amothe, and subsequently was invited to join his mother-in-law on the original list of Millfield School Governors in 1953. He and his wife, who predeceased him, lived in retirement in Devon.

Mrs M Dickens (1970-88; Former Staff) Madge Dickens was born in 1926 in Northern Ireland and, after school there, won a scholarship to Trinity College, Dublin. She gained a first-class degree in Modern Languages, and, as the war had just ended, she lived for a time in The Netherlands to improve her German. Thus she learned Dutch as well.

Taking up teaching, her first post was in the Isle of Man, where she met and duly married Bob Dickens. In 1957 he took over the Millfield Modern Languages Department, by which time Madge had given up teaching to look after their first son, Anthony. For two years they ran their home as a billet for six boys, and then were asked to open and run a new boarding house, Etonhurst at Ashcott.

With a second son, Colin, and some fifty other boys to look after, and a large house to administer, Madge had a very busy 12 years. In 1972 she and Bob left Etonhurst, and Madge was pleased to be able to join him teaching languages again, specialising in French. She also took a leading role in the MAP, mainly for girls, introducing knitting and organising social services. In 1989 she retired to their home, including a large garden, in Glastonbury. Unfortunately she suffered problems with joint replacements, and she was forced into a sedentary existence for some years. The tragic death of their son, Colin, in October 2009, was a devasting blow from which she did not fully recover and Madge died on 6th January 2010.

HH The Maharaja of Dhrangadhra (1935; Millfield) HH The Maharaja of Dhrangadhra arrived at Millfield, Street, in Somerset, which it was intended would be his home from home in England, while he attended school and university. In fact he was the heir to his father’s title then, and it was already

arranged that he should enter Heath Mount School in Hertfordshire as soon as possible. Thus he spent a fortnight at Millfield in June 1936, until RJOM drove him to his new school, and returned for the summer holidays. Some 50 years later the Old Millfieldian Society invited him to become an Honorary Member, which he graciously accepted.

In the meantime his father broke the agreement with RJOM and removed his support, while Mayurdwajsink worked his way through his prep school and then Haileybury until 1939 when he returned to India just before the outbreak of war.

His schooling was completed at St Joseph’s Academy in Dehra Dun, and while attending Shivaji Military School in 1942 he was told that his father had died, and that he was now the Maharaja.

He followed in his father’s progressive footsteps until Indian Independence and was rewarded by the British Indian Government with the title Knight Commander of the Indian Empire when he was 24. He promoted free schooling, introduced property rights for women, and ended the segregation of untouchable castes. After serving the new Indian government in some unsatisfying jobs he decided to continue his education, entering Christ Church College, Oxford, to read Philosophy.

Returning to India in 1967 he was elected to the lower house of parliament.

In 1995 the Maharaja was invited by the Governors of Millfield to open the Meyer Theatre, which he did with due ceremony, accompanied by the Maharani and two granddaughters. Adding to the ceremony, and, to great applause, he invested Joyce Meyer with the order of Dhrangadhra, addressing her as Dame Joyce. He kept in touch with the School regularly until his death on 1st August 2010.

J O Evans (1942; Millfield) The following tribute has been sent to us by Jasper’s daughter, Amanda Perrett.

We would like to announce the passing of Jasper Evans on February 24th, 2010.

He came to Millfield to cram for a year in 1942 to get into the Royal Navy. Being war-time England he was commissioned into the Navy when he reached 18, and left. Jasper seems to have made friends in his short time at Millfield and was very happy there.

One of the stories he recounts was when he and his friend decided to play a prank on a ritual religious gathering one dark night. This was being held on the Tor at Glastonbury. It must have been a very serious gathering waiting for some happening of great import, as there was great shock and a fleeing of terrified people when the two pranksters appeared in white sheets over the brow of the hill. Suddenly realising they had been duped, the crowd turned, and the two friends had to flee, beating a very hasty retreat back down the hill to the safety of their dormitory to hide the evidence.

After the war Jasper returned to the land of his birth, Kenya, where he spent the rest of his life as a successful and innovative pioneer farmer, ending up ranching camels. In this capacity he has done much to bring camels to the fore of livestock farming and veterinary work, as well as in tourism. He leaves four children and several grandchildren to continue and expand his life’s work in Kenya and in Zambia.

F C Fletcher (1968-1981; Former Staff) Fred Fletcher, retired Sergeant Major from the Parachute Regiment, was appointed Staff Instructor to the CCF. He supported Colonel Tony Chadburn in the development of outdoor activities including the construction of canoes. The School then asked him to become Transport Officer, a complicated job in the days of “out houses”. A keen golfer, he also became Master i/c Golf.

J Fox (1980-84; Orchards) John Fox died on 1st January 2010. His father kindly informed us and said that John had suffered from MS for the previous ten years.

P Garnier (1939-40; Millfield) Peter Garnier was among a group of 17 to

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18-year-olds who formed the first Millfield section of the LDV, later the Home Guard, when it was raised in 1940. Peter had his own shotgun and a car in which he, with others, went shooting for game on the Somerset levels.

His widow, Patricia, told us that Peter died in 2000.

A Grey (1949; Millfield) Antony Grey came to Millfield from Norwood College in Harrogate, and was then known as Antony E G Wright. He changed this in order to avoid embarrassing his family when he began openly to challenge the laws regarding homosexuality. He fought tirelessly for and was a leading member of Gay Rights. Antony died aged 82 in 2010.

Mrs L Hickson née Macklin (1953-55) Laura Hickson, sister of another OM, Peter Macklin, died in February 2002.

We were kindly informed by Mr Sam Hickson.

Col R G Higgins (1944-46; Millfield) Richard Higgins died on 13th July 2008, leaving his widow, Ann, and three sons.

He came to Millfield from Bloxham School in Oxfordshire.

R J T Houghton (1942-48; Millfield) Tim Houghton died at home on 7th December, 2009 in Geelong (Australia), with Margaret, his loving wife of 56 years, and family by his side. Tim’s great interest at Millfield was cricket and he played in the 1st XI in 1947 and 1948.

“Boss” would take Tim over to play cricket with the Somerset cricket team.

Tim also played rugby with the 1sts in 1947 and 1948. Tim served two years in the National Service overseas, then spent one year at the Hutton Agricultural College in Lancashire. Tim met his future wife Margaret at his parents’ home in North Lancashire in 1951. He married her in Melbourne in 1953. They then returned to the UK for five years where they had a son and two daughters. They emigrated to Australia in 1958 and bought a dairy farm outside Kyneton in Victoria. Years later they purchased a larger property at Balmoral in Western Victoria and bred Hereford cattle.

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Retiring from the farming scene, they moved into a home overlooking the Barwon River in Geelong where Tim and Margaret created a large and attractive garden. During these years they became the proud grandparents of seven granddaughters. They both enjoyed travelling overseas in these later years and Tim and his son Nigel also embarked on 4-wheel driving expeditions exploring inland Australia. News of Millfield from Barry Hobson was always welcomed and in 1995 both Tim and Margaret returned to Millfield for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

M Kauka (1978-80; Kingweston) Michael Kauka died from a heart attack in 2006. His widow Anita, née Khubchandini, kindly informed us.

A J Kidd (1988-90; Georgian Cottage) Alastair Kidd died from a heart attack on 10th August 2010. Richard and Dan Smith (also 1988-90) have kindly let us print this eulogy which was read at Alastair’s funeral. “Kiddo (as he was known) arrived at Millfield describing himself as a flanker but within a few minutes of the first trial Kiddo’s pace off the mark was apparent to all of us and he was quickly moved to tighthead prop.

There he spent two glorious seasons wintering in the “Millers” earning a reputation for hitting rucks at full charge, often after the ball had left. Kiddo was always a joy to play with and won the respect of team-mates and opponents alike through his combination of tenacity and good nature. He was in many ways the classic prop forward, spending most of his time in training, practising reverse passes and drop goals – and we loved him for it. Kiddo will not be forgotten by all those at Millfield who played with him in the Millers, toured with him for the Old Boys or lived with him in Georgian Cottage. We are proud to have known him”.

Mrs P V Langlands (1949-84; Former Staff) Prue Langlands became a legend at Edgarley in her 35 years there in a multitude of roles, teacher of English, Head of the History Department, Tutor

of Tennis and trainer of the ski team and pistol shooting. Outside school hours she trained the local pony club pentathlon team which at one stage included Danny Nightingale who subsequently won an Olympic Gold Medal. These many skills could be related to her upbringing in rural Essex, while her introduction to Edgarley came as a result of her husband’s, Major Chris Langland’s, friendship with Jack Meyer, with whom he had been at the Prep School. Chris joined Millfield at the same time, in 1949. Somehow she found time to take up riding again, hunting with the Mendip Farmers and her son, Jeremy. In 1980 she escorted the British Under 21 Boys Pentathlon squad to the USA and Canada. In 1994 she was presented with the Pony Club Cubitt Award for outstanding service. Sadly age took its toll and she lost her sight after a cataract operation in 2001. Naturally, she battled on with good spirit and good care until the end.

A J Lovell née Duckett (1959-62; Billet) Anna Lovell died suddenly at her home in Capetown aged 66, on January 27th, 2010. Anna was a lovely, energetic and popular Millfieldian who will be remembered by her many friends from school days. Although she could have gone to University, she took a route into industry directly which was more common 50 years ago than today, hoping to become a research scientist. A very few years later she decided on a career change to the then much more glamorous world of flying, becoming a stewardess with BEA. Anna married an Australian living in London in 1968 – Ian Gibbins – with whom she had two children and they lived variously in Surrey, Somerset (Clevedon and Clifton) before Ian’s early death in 1997. Anna was the essential right hand in all her husband’s business ventures and supported his endeavours in many fields.

In 2003 Anna married an old friend, Alan Lovell, who lived in Cape Town, and moved to a new life there. She also

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travelled extensively not only to Britain, but to Australia where both her children live. Anna sadly lost her brother Matthew (also an OM) two years ago in a tragic farming accident at the family farm near Wedmore where her family had farmed for 400 years.

Anna’s Memorial Service at Wedmore on 24th May was very well attended.

The Eulogy was given by Rob Wilkins (1957-62; Millfield) and the Society was represented by Barry Hobson. Anna is survived by her second husband Alan and two children, Victoria and Alex, and three grandchildren.

M Nicholson (1954-56; Chindit) Mike Nicholson was one of a number of boys recommended by London Headmasters to RJOM as worthy of a scholarship on their all-round abilities. A tall, fairhaired, elegant batsman he quickly made his mark in 1st XI cricket, captaining the team in two successive years, 1955 and 1956. In this time he played a few matches for Somerset 2nd XI. Dr R Oderfeld (1976-88; Former Staff) Renee Oderfeld was brought up in France until war broke out in 1939 when she came to England. She gained a BSc in Zoology and Psychology at London University, a PGCE at Oxford, and a PhD at Berkeley, Cal. After a spell of teaching, she worked as an Educational Psychologist. Joining Millfield as a tutor in maths, she was soon asked to change to the school counselling team. In addition she turned her cottage, Combe Hill, into a House for six boys. Her adopted son, Vincent Douglas, wrote: “Renee was a one-off. She liked to teach, connect people with each other, listen, understand, fix, solve, direct and pass confidence on to everyone. Nothing was a challenge in all sectors. Laughter was always round the corner. What stands out is Renee’s modesty and unbelievable support for youth”. She retired to France where she died.

Mrs P Penny (1974- 94; Former Staff) Pauline Penny, whose origins were in Nottingham, came to Millfield in 1974 for a post in the general office where she

proved to be a soundly reliable typist. So accomplished in fact that before long she was wooed away into Ann Napier’s Business Studies department to become a most competent and knowledgeable teacher of office skills and practice. At first she commuted daily from Exeter (and her B&B establishment), then from Taunton, before taking on the girl’s boarding house Oaklands, on campus.

Although not a sporting blood herself, Pauline worthily organised table tennis for the YLC. Her final days in a Taunton care home ended with a transfer to Musgrove Hospital where she passed away in early May 2010.

A T P Rowe (1988-94; Kingweston) Alastair Rowe was killed in an air accident in Peru on 3rd October 2010.

He was a highly respected member of Kingweston, a House Prefect, and an enthusiast for all house activities. He played rugby as a hooker in the School 2nd XV, and soccer as goalkeeper of the 2nd XI. J Ryan (1984*-91; Ivythorn) James Ryan, who was a very experienced skier, died after being swept up by an avalanche along with four others in Italy in March 2010. Whilst at school he represented Britain in the Boys’ National Events in skiing and showed good ability at every game he tried. He was a school prefect and a hard worker. He subsequently entered the legal profession as a solicitor.

Ms B W Schneer (1968-70; Grange) Bettine Schneer, who was married to Adam Greifer died aged 47 at their home in Beverley Hills, California on 15th March 2001.

W H Scott (1996-99; Walton) William Scott died from cancer on 15th November 2009. He was a very good athlete and dedicated cross country runner, which led to his excellent performance in the Ten Tors challenge.

B W Smith (1944-45; Millfield) Barry Smith came from Oundle, needing help to pass School Certificate, which he duly did. He was an outstanding gymnast.

H A Sparrow (1965-66; Tor) Henry Sparrow died in 2006. He came to Millfield from Peterhouse School in Rhodesia at the time of UDI to gain entry to university. He also played rugby at a high standard.

J D B Stapleton-Smith (1942-43; Millfield) His son informs us that John died on 1st May 2010.

K Stewart (1953-54; Millfield) We have been informed that Keith died on 8th June 2010.

F Townshend (1957-84; Former Staff) Fred Townshend came to Millfield in 1957 from a grammar school near Bude, but he was a Lancashire lad with a degree in Chemistry. Thus he joined Richard Taylor, who had just taken over the Department, in the Sir James Martin Laboratories. They were to work together in harmony for the next 27 years, retiring on the same day with a wonderful display of chemical fireworks on the staff common room “Soapbox”.

These were not the first explosions that Fred had witnessed because he was called up from university to serve in the wartime Royal Navy and, astonishingly, his knowledge of chemistry was taken into account and he was made a Sick Berth Attendant. Fred said this was when he “grew up”, serving on small ships on Atlantic and Russian Convoys, and having to treat and nurse sailors who had been rescued from the sea after their ships had been sunk. Fortunately one of his Captains recognised his work and recommended his commissioning. In a short while he found himself heading for the Far East as a Sub Lieutenant to win the war with Japan. He loved the Navy and sometimes regretted not having applied to stay in peacetime. He loved Millfield as much, and thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Royal Navy section of the CCF especially the Summer Holiday Cruises on the Clyde with the Commanding Officer, Roger Whyte. He had a happy retirement with his devoted wife, enjoying his children’s progress, and tending his garden.

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Website

The OMS keeping you updated

T

he OMS website (www.omsociety.com) is now receiving around 55,000 hits per month, with visitors availing themselves of: • quick and easy access to the many aspects of the life of the Society, such as sporting and social events around the world that have taken place or are about to, news of old friends and contemporaries, and the numerous outstanding achievements of Old Millfieldians in the arts, sport and public life • the latest and previous ‘Chronicle’ magazine online • the chance to purchase items from the OMS shop, including old team and house photos • the opportunity to search for friends via the ‘Millfieldians Online’ facility, which also gives you access to the many obituaries now on the database • perhaps most important of all – the ability to keep us and other OMs

informed of changes in your life by updating your own records, particularly new postal and email addresses and, it’s always there! So please log on, explore, and send your feedback and ideas to: office@omsociety.com.

Please also use us to remind you of your log-in details – vital for the ‘Millfieldians Online’ facility – and to act as go-betweens when you want to get in touch with an OM whose contact details you do not know. We look forward to hearing from you!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Please help the Society to put Old Millfieldians who have lost contact with us back in touch.

Lists of all such ‘gone aways’ can be raised by using the on line search facility by going to www.omsociety.com, clicking on ‘Old Millfieldians’, then ‘Missing OMs’, and entering their ‘Name’, ‘Class of’ or ‘House’. Please remember that ‘Class of’ is the year in which a pupil would have left, had he or she completed two years in the sixth form.

If anyone on these lists is known to you, please ask them to contact us, preferably by email at

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office@omsociety.com or, alternatively, tell us if they would like us to contact them.

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Millfield: The

Bursar’s Review Mark Suddaby (Bursar of Millfield Schools)

New Chemistry Building

I

arrived at Millfield as Bursar just over a year ago. Fifteen hectic months, lots of fun, a few sleepless nights and many grey hairs later, what are my impressions of the School and my thoughts on the future? I still have to pinch myself every morning as I walk through the fabulous surroundings, immaculate grounds and outstanding facilities. Like all visitors to Millfield, it is impossible not to be bowled over by the amazingly impressive buildings and grounds and by the beauty and scale of the School campus.

In the couple of years since my predecessor last gave an update in the hallowed pages of the Chronicle, the development programme has continued and there have been a number of further improvements. The new Chemistry department was opened last year and now provides state-of-the-art

labs and a wonderful lecture theatre in a striking, attractive building which is very environmentally efficient. We have also significantly improved our facilities for day pupils. After last year’s refurbishment of the Girls’ Cottage, this year we have created a new day house for the boys in Mill House by converting the old Physics Annex, as well as upgrading the former Boys’ Day Centre into a new house for the day boys in Great House. Over the summer we completed a thorough overhaul of Millfield House with a complete rewiring and redecoration of the bedrooms and communal areas. We also undertook a major refurbishment of the swimming pool which involved draining all the water (about two million litres!), relining the pool and refilling it, as well as roof repairs and replacing the air ventilation system.

There are many further projects

planned for the coming years, including upgrading the current teaching and learning facilities in A and B blocks and replacing the remaining portable classrooms with more permanent buildings, developing a new science department and a sports pavilion at the Prep School, improving the indoor sports facilities, replacing the artificial sports surfaces and improving the grass ones, further development of the riding facilities, and of course the continuing programme to make all of our buildings more energy-efficient. It will be a challenge to be able to fund these and other projects at a time of continuing economic uncertainty.

However, I am confident that with careful financial management and by relying on the generosity of the Millfield community, we can continue to improve the physical infrastructure of the School. This will ensure that our

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Refurbished Room at Millfield House

facilities continue to be world-class and provide the background for the outstanding all-round education that we will continue to deliver to our pupils.

At the Prep School we have installed a new playground and play trail.

However, as impressive as the facilities at Millfield are, I have learned over the last year that what really makes the School tick is the people associated with it: OMs, teachers, support staff, pupils and parents, and it has been a great pleasure over the last year getting to know many of them.

Millfield is a unique place in which pride in the School, and a commitment to excellence, leadership and community is central to everything that we do. The School has a fantastic “cando” culture in which anything is

possible. It is an enormously exciting (and exhausting!) environment.

Millfield is also a large and complex organisation with 800 staff, a turnover of £35 million and mountains of legislation and red tape to comply with.

Like all organisations we have to face the challenges of the recession and adapt and change to survive and prosper. So we need to continually find ways to improve, be financially prudent and continue to excel in all that we do.

We also need to be forward-looking, whilst not forgetting our links to the past. There is a strong sense of pride in the history and ethos of the School.

Boss’s astonishingly forward-thinking educational philosophy of identifying and developing the potential within each pupil remains at the heart of our vision, as does the importance of

New Play Trail and Playground at MPS

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retaining the “Millfield Mix”. We are justifiably proud of our tradition of awarding scholarships and bursaries to enable talented children from a wide variety of backgrounds to benefit from a Millfield education. We continue to provide a higher level of scholarships and bursaries than many other schools despite not having a large permanent endowment fund. It is vital that we are able to continue to do so in the future and it is for this reason that the Millfield Foundation has been established to raise funds for scholarships and bursaries. The Foundation was launched at the recent successful 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner in London. It was wonderful to see so many OMs at that occasion and we are very grateful for the many generous donations that were made on the night.

There are undoubtedly many challenges ahead for our School as we navigate our way through some very difficult economic times. But I am very confident that with the outstanding team we have at the School and the continued support of OMs and the wider Millfield community, we can face the future with optimism and a knowledge that we can continue to develop the potential within each of our pupils.

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Two

Schools’ News Kate Rance (Publicity Officer)

Preparatory School (Edgarley Hall)

M

illfield Preparatory School has had the most phenomenal year with success in the School’s academic, artistic, musical and dramatic life, as well as an unparalleled year of sporting excellence. This has been a fitting finale to Headmaster Kevin Cheney’s closing year as head. Kevin Cheney has overseen many changes at the Prep over the past 10 years, bringing the Pre– Preparatory department on site, enhancing the equestrian facilities and the sports hall, to name but a few.

OFSTED and Independent Schools’ Inspectorate (ISI) carried out inspections in November and we were delighted to achieve “outstanding”, the highest possible rating.

The December drama production, written by Prep’s Head of English and Drama, Mr Jim Boyd, was a space age ‘Dick Whittington’. Incredibly, the production featured a cast of nearly 60 speaking parts, which meant that many pupils had a chance to have a speaking role. Pupils also did the make-up, lighting and sound, acted as the stage crew and performed compositions for the musical numbers.

Millfield Pre-Preparatory celebrated its 25th year in February by planting a commemorative tree within the PrePrep grounds. This year, outdoor learning has been given a high priority, with further development of facilities including a music garden. The children have also taken part in weekly ‘Forest School’ sessions.

In March, Millfield completed an

unprecedented treble at the National Schools Rugby 7s Tournament, the largest and most famous schools’ rugby competition in the world. The School entered teams into the Prep Schools competition, the Colts (Under 16) and Open Tournaments. Continuing the sporting accolades, Millfield Prep became National Champions in Rugby, Swimming, Hockey, Golf, Trampolining, Fencing, Cross Country, Cricket and Rounders. Prep Football players managed to get further than any prep school in the ISFA Championship and the 1st XI Cricket team had an unbeaten season for the first time in Millfield memory. Whilst enjoying this fantastic success, the Prep is pleased to be able to run many A, B and C team

fixtures, even up to a 6th XI at Cricket, so as many children as possible can take part in competitive team sport.

This year the Parents’ and Friends’ Association has continued its support of the School raising over £30,000 for local and regional charities, while at the same time organising some very enjoyable events. At both Senior and Prep end of term Parents’ Days, tributes were paid to Kevin and Hilary Cheney for the significant part they have played in shaping Millfield’s future. We wish them both all the very best in their retirement and the Millfield community looks forward to welcoming Shirley Shayler as the new Headmistress of Millfield Preparatory School in the 2010/11 academic year.

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Senior School News

M

illfield pupils have enjoyed another exciting programme of events and achievements in the last academic year. In preparing for life after Millfield, the Lower Sixth took advantage of the annual Old Millfieldian Careers Convention. In its third year, 33 former pupils spoke about their careers in a range of occupations including civil engineering, fashion and City banking.

There were a number of art trips which provided inspiration to the

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creative pupils. Visits included a trip to Chatsworth House, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the Tate in Liverpool, Tate Modern and Tate Britain in London. The Atkinson Gallery continues to draw high profile exhibitions, including Glastonbury 40, celebrating 40 years of photography at the music festival.

The new chemistry building and science lecture theatre were opened by Dr Richard Pike, who, on the same evening, gave a lecture to the Academic

Society on Climate Change. The new facilities include nine laboratories, an open air lab, a 120 seat theatre and a large ICT room.

New Director of Drama Marc Cooper oversaw numerous productions including Shakespeare’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’, ‘GIZMO’, ‘Coram Boy’ and Director-in-Residence production ‘Brokenville’. Three Lower Sixth drama pupils had their work rated as ‘the best in the country’ by the Chief Examiner for their exam pieces. Three pupils were also selected to attend the National Youth Theatre summer programme: Jamie MacDonald, Tom Wilmot-Josife and Kyle Foreman.

The highly prestigious Upper Sixth Academic Prize for Economics was awarded to Jantzen Pang who completed an impressive Extended Project Qualification on behavioural economics. Also Jamie MacDonald was selected to represent Great Britain in the European Youth Parliament which took place in the summer.

In music, pupils have given six evening recitals as well as performing at the Conservatoire Concert and Leavers’ Recital and the School Concert at Wells Cathedral. Friday Night ‘Late and Live’ was launched and organised by sixth formers, featuring singers and songwriters.

Sport has seldom been out of the headlines this year with national and international success in all the major sports. Twenty-two Millfield athletes represented Somerset at the South West Schools Championships, from where five earned selection for the English Schools Championships in Sheffield.

800 Millfield pupils and staff also took part in the Glastonbury Road Run, collectively raising over £5,800 for the Have a Heart Charity.

Millfield cricket has enjoyed an outstanding year including the 1st XI raising the National Independent Schools Twenty20 Cup at Lord’s and the U15s claiming the Lord’s Taverners National Schools Competition.

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Millfield’s rugby continued to impress both among schools and within the professional pathway, with five 1st XV leavers moving on to Premiership Clubs. The 1st XV enjoyed a highly challenging and successful season, losing only to Sedburgh in a strong fixture list that included Colstons,

Filton, Hartpury, Llandovery and Coleg Sir Gar. It is always an accolade to earn the title of “World Champion” and the Golf Department were delighted that both the girls’ and boys’ teams won that status at the World Schools Golf Challenge in Adelaide last summer.

Perhaps the epitome of Millfield swimming occurred at the Arena National League Final in Sheffield, when the Prep and Senior Schools joined together with a mass of parents.

In a very close run affair, Millfield came 3rd behind Plymouth Leander and Stockport Metro.

Other Sporting Successes:

M

illfield netball has been the dominant force in schools’ netball in Somerset, with the 1st Team, U16s and U15s all winning County titles.

The Millfield fencing team had an impressive British Public Schools’ Championship, claiming trophies for the Senior Girls’ and Senior Boys’ teams and the Boys’ Sabre team.

The modern pentathlon squad have had a successful year, with eight pupils being selected for international honours.

Millfield’s riding programme enjoyed a record year in both number of competitive riders and overall number of liveries. At the start of the year 16 riders and horses contested the British Eventing competition at Bovington and eight pupils competed successfully at British Show Jumping level with two others at Junior BSJA. In all, the team were represented at ten British Eventing competitions.

For the eighth consecutive year, Millfield won the Squash National Schools Championships for both U19 Girls and Boys, adding the U15 Girls’ title.

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75

Millfield Celebrating

Years Kate Rance (Publicity Officer)

I

n the 75 years since Jack ‘Boss’ Meyer brought five Indian princes to England to educate them, heralding the inception of Millfield School, Millfield has become renowned for its pioneering education.

To celebrate its 75th Anniversary, the Senior School has hosted two events, a Cocktail and Canapé Reception at the School in June and a Gala Dinner at the Hilton, Park Lane, London in September.

The Cocktail and Canapé Reception Held on a clear summer’s evening, and very well attended by Old Millfieldians and parents, the reception enjoyed musical and dance entertainment by pupils. The evening concluded with John Davies and Craig Considine speaking respectively about the OM Society and Millfield today following which, together, they cut the celebration cake.

The Gala Dinner Held on 21st September, this quite remarkable reunion occasion saw the largest gathering of Old Millfieldians, former and current parents and friends of Millfield joining together to celebrate the phenomenal success of the School over the past seven and a half decades.

With a guest list of over 700, the evening, compered by Andrew Castle (1976-79; Day), showcased a wealth of Millfield talents with entertainment provided by The Moulettes, Hannah Miller (1998-2003; Day), Ruth Skipper (1991*-2002; Acacia), Millfield School Choir, pianist Xiaoou Wang (2007-10; Portway), The Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir, singer Sara Kempe (2003-07; Kernick)

and stand up comedy by current Head Boy, Jamie MacDonald. Dancing into the night then ensued courtesy of the very energetic Gilev dance band.

The highlight of the evening, was the main auction, which was commandingly steered by charismatic auctioneer Guy Bennett (1987-89; St Anne’s), who flew in especially from New York to be with us for the evening. Lots under hot contention included: BBC Masterchef 2008 winner James Nathan (1986-91; Keen’s Elm) offering his culinary services as a private chef for 12 people, won by Mr Kelly Summer; ‘Beautiful Barbados’ – seven nights at the stunning Treasure Beach Hotel kindly organised by Andrew Taee (1971-76; Day), and won by Laurence Davis

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(1974-77; Hollies); and Magical Kenya, won by Joy Tucker, a 10-day safari adventure with luxury villa donated by Yolanda McIntyre (197075; Southfield) and Finch Hatton Lodge.

On sale throughout the evening were iPhone 4s generously donated by Tom Alexander (1971-75; Day) Chief Executive at Orange. The purchase of a phone guaranteed the buyer entry into a rather dramatic draw to win a fabulous nine-night holiday to Bali at the Luna 2 Private Hotel, gifted by Melanie Hall (1979-82; Warner). Congratulations to current parent Jo Finzi!

Silent Auction lots included many exclusive opportunities including tickets to Strictly Come Dancing and a chance to meet judge Bruno Toniolo; a walk-on part in Chris Wheeldon’s (1967*-75; St Anne’s) new film; the opportunity to watch a London Wasps training session, followed by lunch for four with Lawrence Dallaglio.

The Gala Dinner was an extremely

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important occasion for the Millfield Foundation, which exists solely to provide funds for scholarships and bursaries. We are delighted to report that the funds raised on the evening were in excess of £110,000. This is enabling the School to fund two Foundation Sixth Form Scholarships.

Duncan Goodhew (1970-75; Walton) MBE, Chairman of Foundation, said, “We believe the Foundation will give OMs and parents a great way to express and emotionally engage with the School, helping to ensure its future and the opportunities it offers talented and gifted young people. The extraordinary diversity of Millfield pupils – the ‘Millfield Mix’ as it is known – continues to be one of the School’s defining characteristics, and one which the provision of scholarships and bursaries perpetuates.

We are proud to still maintain the ethos of our founder, Jack ‘Boss’ Meyer: to nurture talent by providing the very best facilities, teaching,

coaching and opportunities in which young people can exercise and explore their abilities; and to give awards to those in financial need”.

In a remarkable ground-breaking initiative, the Millfield Foundation Online Internships Auction was enthusiastically launched on the evening by current parent Lord Sebastian Coe. The aim of the auction is to provide current students, recent leavers and children of OMs some spectacular work experience opportunities with truly inspiring companies whilst also giving bidders the chance to support the Foundation.

The auction will run until March 2011, and all proceeds raised will go directly to funding scholarships and bursaries. To place a bid, or just see what it’s all about, please visit www.millfieldschool.com/auction. If you would like to offer a placement, then please contact Louise Lang at louiselang@millfieldschool.com or telephone: 01458 444517.

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The evening raised valuable funds for the Foundation signalling an excellent start to the reinvigorated campaign.

This event could not have taken place but for the amazing generosity and dedication of many Old Millfieldians gifting time and prizes to this very worthwhile cause. Very special thanks must go to Laurence Davis, Chairman of the 75th Organising Committee, Duncan Goodhew and indeed to the entire event organising committee who gave up so much of their time to plan this extraordinary evening. Thanks are also due to Millfield-based Louise Lang (1995-97; Day) and Lucy Deakin, to Will Clark (1999-2004; Day), who was the official photographer, and to current Millfield parents and staff for their help on the evening. In its campaign to increase substantially the number of scholarships and bursaries to the School, all proceeds raised will go directly to the Foundation.

Top: Andrew Castle, Duncan Goodhew and Laurence Davis Above: Laurence Davis and Lord Coe

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Millfield Foundation Supporting Scholarships and Bursaries Meet the Millfield Foundation Trustees Duncan Goodhew Chairman (1970-75; Walton)

Laurence Davis Vice Chairman (1974-77; Hollies)

Wim Bushell (1971-73; Walton)

John Graveney (1961*-67; Hollies)

Tim Griffiths (1977-79; Kingweston)

John Mantle (1969-71; Joan’s Kitchen)

Marc Simon (1971-75; Holmcroft)

Andrew Taee (1971-76; Day)

Michael Coglin (1972-77; Hollies)

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T

he 75th Gala Dinner in September attended by over 700 guests, provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Millfield’s history and promote the Foundation as the vehicle facilitating ongoing support for future pupils.

Millfield Foundation was established as a completely independent entity to raise funds for scholarships and bursaries at Millfield School.

Whatever your individual Millfield experience – whether you attended as a pupil, taught or worked here, chose or choose to send your child/children here, or indeed, subscribe to all three – we all know the legacy that it leaves: a confidence and an ability in young people to allow them to mix and engage with others, and to show tolerance and understanding. I believe Millfield is unique in the way in which it prepares young people to meet the challenge of a culturally diverse, socially demanding, ever-changing world: this spirit is inherent in the School and its philosophy.

Millfield, like any big organisation, requires passionate supporters to drive these values forward. The Foundation acts as a catalyst to keep Millfield flexible and proactive, ensuring its ability to respond quickly and appropriately to new challenges. Although this means a core part of its task is to raise funds, it is particularly keen that relationships are maintained and nurtured with those who have an association with the School and that we all celebrate ongoing achievements. The Development Office at Millfield is the hub of this activity.

Millfield is not a place that rests on its laurels; there is always more to achieve and the Foundation sees itself as playing a major role!

Since its re-establishment in September 2007, Millfield Foundation’s dedicated team of Trustees have helped to support the Governors and have created an accountable entity which ensures that all

fundraising income goes entirely into providing scholarships and bursaries.

Maintaining the School’s diversity and the desire to widen access, the “Millfield Mix” continues to be a defining characteristic, and one which the provision of scholarships and bursaries perpetuates. Your donations and support therefore make a significant impact on the quality of the Millfield experience for all of our students. At present scholarships and bursaries are funded almost exclusively from Millfield’s fee income and, given the current economic climate, there has been a slight reduction in the number that we have been able to award. However, with your support, we can now provide even more opportunities for young people to benefit from the life-changing experience that Millfield offers.

Millfield is unique in so many ways, from having the lowest staff to pupil ratio than any other British public school to benefitting from top-class teaching, coaching and facilities; but, most importantly, it is its inclusivity and recruitment of students with a breadth of abilities and backgrounds that defines it. Unlike our leading competitors, we do not just see the academic ability of a child, but view the person as a whole and take into consideration all of his or her talents. This is what makes us special. However, it also makes the challenge of enhancing the educational experience that we offer that very much greater. That is why we need your help and generous support.

In giving to Millfield Foundation I feel involved and proud that I am making a difference to the lives of young people. I am also delighted to be able to give back to a school and a community which invested so much in me.

Duncan Goodhew Chairman, Millfield Foundation

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Meet our New

Development Director …

W

e are delighted to welcome and introduce our new Development Director, Ian McLean, who joined Millfied last November. Ian has led successful development programmes at prominent schools in Australia, Switzerland and the UK. He has also chaired the national development organisations in both the UK and Australia. Ian is a former opening batsman for South Australia, and has played and coached cricket internationally. He is married to Jacky (a freelance ballet teacher) and they have two children.

Q You’ve worked at some very prestigious schools, what made you choose Millfield?

A Millfield has a reputation for excellence across a whole range of disciplines – not just sport! – and I find that very appealing. It’s a school which has an enormous potential for engaging with its community, and therefore the role of Development Director can really make a difference. I was also inspired by a school statement which, to paraphrase slightly, said something like ‘Millfield aspires to be the best all-round school in the world’, and I want to help it to become the best.

Q

What does the Development Office actually do, and how does it interact with other departments and areas within the School?

A It has a myriad role which includes supporting the activities of Millfield Foundation in raising money for scholarships and bursaries; general fundraising activities; organising special school events; and developing relationships with the Millfield community. This automatically means working closely with the OM Society,

the Marketing and Communications department and Millfield Enterprises.

Q So clearly it’s about much more than just fundraising?

A Absolutely! Good development results in sustained fundraising, but fundraising cannot be successful if isolated from a broad alumni relations programme. Therefore, helping the School and OM Society to build even stronger relationships with OMs is vital. But it’s also about developing relationships with everyone who has a connection to Millfield: former staff, those working here, current and past parents; once touched by Millfield, you’re always part of the ‘Millfield Family’.

Q What do you think are the main challenges facing Millfield and its future development?

A Millfield is an excellent school and by virtue of this is always competing with the best academic institutions in

the UK and the world. However, Millfield’s unique determination to sustain the ‘Millfield Mix’ makes this challenge harder, but all the more vital.

We are proud to look at the individual as a whole and discover his or her talents. For us it’s not just about academic ability, but about the potential a child has in any area, and therefore we need the best teachers, facilities and environment to ensure we can do that.

Q So, where does cricket fit in?

A Cricket is a sport that I

love.

Although my serious playing days are well behind me, I take a great interest in the game and will enjoy the cricket at both Millfield and Somerset.

Former Australian captain Greg Chappell, who is a friend, spent time during his early career playing for Somerset, and he spoke fondly of it, as did Ian Botham, Viv Richards and Joel Garner so I need to see what all the fuss is about!

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OMS Chairman’s

Luncheon at the

Green Olive Malcolm Tucker (1961-65; Millfield)

T

he Chairman’s Luncheon has, over the years, been held at many interesting venues and for this year we were treated to the hospitality of Leo Charmantas (197276; Mill House) at one of his three Green Olive restaurants, this one being in Chobham, the others situated in Windsor and Henley on Thames. Leo had hoped that his expert staff would be able to serve us with a typical alfresco Greek meal, centred on a barbequed chicken dish. The English weather gods had different ideas and, although the day was pleasantly warm, the sheeting rain forced us inside the restaurant proper. No sad thing for the 45 of us, as the whole experience

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proved both socially enchanting for the OMs and their families who attended and in the culinary sense a hugely memorable occasion.

Welcome drinks were served as the last of the blue sky clouded over, and we huddled under the glazed awning to avoid the steady downpour. As the rotating chickens slowly browned upon the BBQ, we took our seats and tucked in to traditional starters and pita bread. A second course of more spicy foods arrived before the chicken was served with Greek salad, chunky chips and moussaka. The meal ended with typical dessert sweets and coffee: Greek or English.

Such was this fayre offered by Leo,

that the conversation ebbed and flowed like a tidal stream as dishes were served and tasty morsels took the place of words. Being an OM event not even food of this quality could stem the hubbub of conversation completely, and, although we all arrived around midday, the party did not break up until nearly 5pm. Once again the comradeship of OMs proved spirited, and as one OM guest put it ‘Do you know, I haven’t met a single person here that I don’t like’.

Very special thanks to Leo for treating us all. Our parting words to him were ‘We’ll be back’. If you enjoy Greek food, do have a look at www.green-olive.co.uk

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Facebook 70s Group Mathew Stonehouse (1973-78; Shapwick)

I

t all started at the Cannes Film Festival during a dinner with Liz Macfarlane (née Bairstow) (1970*77; Southfield) and her husband George. I was talking about how frustrating it was to go to OM reunions but not see many of my old friends there and suggested we should have a good old-fashioned 70s hop. Liz said “You’d better organise it then” and that was that. I’d recently joined Facebook so I created an event page and invited some of my friends. The guest list grew, as did the number of old friends contacting me and wanting to join in. I contacted Ghigo Berni

(1975-80; Kingweston) and booked out the entire ground floor of his lovely restaurant, San Lorenzo, in Wimbledon. Ghigo was a fantastic host and the night was a great success.

It was amazing at the beginning of the evening to see the 54 faces I remembered from more than 35 years ago walk in through the door – and to see how little they had changed! We all had great fun meeting up again with old friends, some of whom had flown in from New York, California, UAE and Europe. Lisa Trei (1974-78; Ashcott) joined us via Skype from her home in California, although we

couldn’t hear her due to the din of excited conversation. The evening was terrific fun. We chatted and danced away the evening, ate some lovely food that was perfectly cooked by Ghigo’s wonderful chef and managed to raise £458 for Cancer Research UK. Sadly we had to leave at 4.30 in the morning, but some of us were back for a slap-up breakfast the next day. We all had such a good time that we’ve agreed to hold another one in two years time. If you would like to ‘get your freak on’ and join us at the OM 70s hop in 2012 then please contact me at mathew@stonehouse.co.uk.

Chris Hill, Clare Coleman, Mathew Stonehouse, Coco Giroux, Debby Chivers, Ghigo Berni, Melissa Conville, Liz Bairstow and Ghina Loutham-Leveson

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Old Millfieldian Hayley Thompson (1997*-05; Warner)

A few Facebook “OM Biz Group” members at the Red House, Dean Street, London in April. Mathew Stonehouse, Susie Rumball, John Davies, Duncan Goodhew and David Lewis

W

hen Facebook began to spread beyond America and its university population, the Old Millfieldian Society saw an opportunity to facilitate the connectedness of OMs worldwide utilising online digital communications.

In June 2009 an Old Millfieldian Society group was created on Facebook. This group continues to see members join and activity increase as more OMs seek to connect with one another and the Society to receive news and updates.

In addition to the official Old Millfieldian Society Facebook group, a number of other Millfield and OM related groups have developed. These

new groups allow OMs to connect via specific years or interests. In some cases, these groups have succeeded in connecting people online and also faceto-face.

One such group is the ‘OM Biz Group’ pictured here at a London gathering last April. OMs interested in and working in the business world have created a valuable online network that helps them connect and share ideas with each other. John Davies was in attendance, expressing his enthusiasm for Facebook, the vehicle for that particular gathering and a growing force in reintroducing numerous OMs to the OM Society and the services and opportunities for Millfield

reminiscences on offer these days.

An example of an OM group that has developed with the aim of connecting OMs in specific year groups is the 70s group. This group has used Facebook as a vehicle to plan and promote events for members to reconnect and relive the old days. The 70s group held a School Hop in Wimbledon earlier in the year. This event was a great success and will no doubt lead to others of its kind.

Are these Facebook groups a good thing? Most definitely. The Old Millfieldian Society wants to see OMs connect online and enjoys being a part of events that develop as a result of this online connectivity.

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OMS Major Reunion Dick Boustead (Former Tutor)

I

t rarely fails to amaze me how the uncertain little squirts of the third form bloom into human form, displaying courtesy and grace, as the years ease by and the time to attend reunions arrives. So it was at this event.

The Summer Reunion at Millfield on 19th June centred around athletics from times past, together with unathletic OMs and friends and coaches.

Unfortunately, neither Gordon McBride nor Alan Lerwill (at various times Masters i/c Athletics) were able to attend. However, it was most gratifying that Margaret Hawker (Mistress i/c Girls Athletics) somehow managed to fit in the occasion between her virtually continuous rolling schedules of golf and holidays abroad.

Preprandial drinks, together with exhaustive reminiscence and revelation, were taken in the Cricket Pavilion.

John Davies, seen to advantage at such occasions, performed his greetings with customary ease adopting a manner calculated to divert all but the most careworn. He gave the impression that the adulation of the multitude meant little to him, but, all the same, his

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generous smile suggested a stab of pleasure might be spiralling through his being. Once the whirl of re-acquainting was afoot I had the pleasure of meeting Raymond Esser (1978*-85; Holmcroft), the possessor of the quiet disposition and engaging grin, and John McFall (1994-97; Orchards) and learned that they were joined in unexpected brotherhood: both had been involved in motor-bike accidents resulting in each losing a portion of leg.

My favourite part of this jaw-jaw session of the evening was when I was blessedly deluged with pecks upon my cheeks – at my insistence I should add,

by Margaret Hawker’s athletic girls: wonderful experience.

Eventually, our party was required to trickle to our station in the Dining Hall where we were to be pampered with the creative talents of the School’s catering team. We are grateful for that team’s expertise and unfailing courtesy. Once there, Rod Speed, Chairman of the Old Millfieldian Society, kicked into action.

He could be seen at his brisk, incisive best. It seems correct to make comment on the Chairman’s impressive being. At

the corresponding reunion last year Rod had cut a dashing figure in his white suit of oriental origin. This year, a year older, he had found difficulty in summoning the courage for a repeat performance. More’s the pity; it’s such a waste. Nevertheless, it was unanimously agreed that his well-cut made-in-Thailand navy attire was discreet and a credit to understated style. It suited him. The ladies on Margaret Hawker’s table whispered, frequently, about his “darkly attractive” appearance.

Rod presented OMS ties to non-OM folk who had made significant contributions to the Society who thus became Honorary OMs: Headmaster, Barry Hobson, John Davies, Roger Parsons, Dick Shilton and Sarah Champion received a silver something, I believe.

The three speakers were introduced: Headmaster, Naomi (née Matthews) (1983-87; Oaklands), now married and bearing the splendidly theatrical Garrick surname; and John McFall (1994-97; Orchards). Craig spoke warmly of his and Penny’s encounters

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with OMs at various Society dinners around the world as well as reflecting upon the value of such gatherings. He expressed his pleasure at the obvious affection former pupils have for the place. Recently, he had been to the Middle and Far East, accompanied by John Davies, and was gratified by the number of OMs who had pitched-up, particularly in Abu Dhabi where the number exceeded 100.

It was during one of these visits, he explained with more than a hint of admiration, that he had been alerted to the true worth of John Davies. Now, Craig normally strikes me as a truthful and level-headed man. You know, the sort of fellow you would choose to accompany you into the jungle, type of thing. Well, he spoke in a tone of breathless awe of the authorative presentation by our own John Davies to a maths symposium. The striking point is that John, a tortured soul of modesty, does not consider maths to be high on his scale of achievement which speaks volumes for the variety of talents borne by the remarkable Secretary of the Old Millfieldian Society, for whom I observe silent reverence.

Naomi Garrick endorsed the Headmaster’s earlier remark concerning OMs’ lingering affection for the School.

To reinforce her view she revealed a whole sequence of memories and sensations as she recalled her pride on being awarded a bursary, and went on to confide her pride extended to

wearing her Millfield Athletics vest, even to Tesco, when home on her first school holiday. Touchingly she spoke of lasting friendships and her esteem for her coaches and the manner in which the School had fed her confidence and aspiration. Oaklands had been a splendid place where a quirky bunch of girls thrived and kept Miriam Hopkins on her toes, and many were present at Margaret Hawker’s table: Jo May (1980*-87; Oaklands), Rebecca Harrison (1982*-89; Oaklands) and “Barnesy”, variously known as “World Medallist”, “Blond Bombshell from Pwllheli”, and currently as Amanda Schwabauer (1983-88; Oaklands), the possessor of a wicked sense of humour – still burning fiercely. Others, too of the non-Oaklands strain – Jo Brooke (1985-88; Day), Caroline Fick (199095; Johnson's), Martha Spikes (1983-88; Day) – were decorously arranged in that company. How the smiling John Plank (1983-87; Millfield) and Piers Doggart (1983-87; Millfield) infiltrated that table remains one of life’s mysteries.

Naomi, incidentally, has produced three offspring, run in the London marathon and is a busy primary school teacher. Currently, I noted, her confidence is peaking, even to the extent of uttering the words “Rodney Speed”, which left her feeling “rather naughty”. Having overcome her taboo her whole being glowed with relief at having performed so eloquently before

Naomi Matthews, Amanda Barnes and Rebecca Harrison with Former Mistress i/c. Girls Games Margaret Hawker, with their team athletics photographs from 1985

her audience.

Third person up, John McFall, recalled his arrival at the School in 1994 and, with a great irony, his undying love of physics. He went on to relate with unnecessary glee, I thought, the murky, after nightfall, goings-on at Orchards right under my nose, at a time when I had been supremely confident that I was all-seeing and commander of all that occurred under that roof. John’s tone became serious as he related events that befell him on leaving school. His plan had been to enter Sandhurst but first he undertook travels to Bali, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand.

His memories of Thailand are of the exhilarations of wind rushing through his hair when aboard his motorbike; air ambulance; amputation; and partial restoration in a Bangkok hospital.

Then, how to cope with a severely disordered life? He knew confidence had to be restored. Key thoughts were repeatedly expressed by John as he sought the mental strength to cope – “strength from adversity”; “we are the product of our choices” – the most significant one came from his father in a Christmas message: “Always go that extra mile; life will reward you”.

Ultimately his salvation came through sport. He wished to experience the rush of air through his ears, again. He achieved that, not on a motorbike, through sprinting with the aid of a prosthetic leg.

Persistence and dedication saw him to his goal: the Beijing Paralympics where he achieved a bronze medal in the 100 T42 sprint.

Like John, Raymond Esser, mentioned previously, grasped strength and opportunity from catastrophic adversity: John achieved Paralympics success; Raymond is involved in the design and production of prosthetics.

What courageous exemplars of endeavour.

The convivial evening drifted to its close with much laughter and loud conversation with participants at this Reunion pledging to make their presence felt at future events. Grateful thanks are due to John Davies and his team for continuing to plan events which give such pleasure to OMs.

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Branch South West

Reports Branch

David Rogers (1957*-61; Shapwick)

O

Ms were invited to two private viewings at the Atkinson Gallery last year. In September there was a private view of work by the Royal Photographic Society’s 152nd International Print Exhibition. OMs were also invited to a private view of International Artists in November. This show was called Natural Selection. Both exhibitions were well attended by

local OMs. Regrettably the usually popular November Badger Chase Day meeting at Wincanton had to be abandoned due to a poor response. It is hoped to continue with Exhibitions at the Atkinson Gallery and private view dates will be announced. A Ladies’ Day, introduced at Wincanton this year, also seems a possibility for OMs and their partners in April 2011.

Scotland Branch David Goadby (1985-88; Georgian Cottage)

T

he inaugural meeting of the Scottish Branch of the Old Millfieldian Society met on Friday 5th March at the George Hotel in Edinburgh. The attendees included Craig and Penny Considine, Rod Speed, John Davies and nearly 40 guests, the earliest attendee at the School being Peter De Pree (1955-59; Chindit) through to the more recent, Euan Dale (1997*-2004; Keen’s Elm). This event involved OMs spanning 55 years of

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school life. This was a fantastic evening, hosted by the School, with many Millfield stories shared with the assembled group, whilst enjoying panoramic views across the City of Edinburgh. The attendees were welcomed by the Chairman of the new Scotland Branch, David Goadby, entertained by Rod Speed’s recollection of the School and the Society’s desire to reach out into the ‘Provinces’ (quickly corrected by the group!) and then the

current Headmaster, Craig Considine, who spoke about modern day Millfield.

David would now like volunteers to form a Scotland Committee of Old Millfieldians. If you are interested please contact him on 07816 822300 or at david_goadby@hotmail.com.

The Committee will aim to provide opportunities for ‘like-minded individuals’ of any age and gender to meet up, support the School and enjoy each other’s company.

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London

Branch

Richard Chudzynski (1988*-1996; Keen’s Elm)

O

n Thursday 10th June, a highly successful branch reunion took place at Barts nightclub, a ‘secret’ venue (it really did take some discovering and I’m sure that some OMs are still looking for it!) in Sloane Avenue, with 120 plus OMs attending. The event was the joint brainchild of Richard Chudzynski (1988*-96; Keen’s Elm), former Branch Chairman, and Duncan Stirling (199499; Etonhurst), the owner of the club.

Duncan had, most generously, allowed exclusive use of the club to OMs, from 7.30 to 10.30, as well as providing a free drink to early arrivals and, also, the tasty snacks that kept circulating.

His generosity was deeply appreciated by all present, for the evening was at least as enjoyable as any reunion occasions in London over the years. As a new procedure, the Barts get-together was promoted not only by the OM Society Office at Millfield but also via the several Millfield groups that exist on Facebook, both Hayley Thompson (1997*-2005; Warner) and, especially, Amy Groves (1992*-1999; Oaklands) doing their best to inform and entice Facebook members, a highly successful ploy. One of the results of this, of course was that the average age of

attendees was considerably less than at most OM reunions; it was a pleasure to see so many ‘young’ OMs reminiscing about their days at Millfield.

Interestingly, a generous percentage of Facebook members were not officially registered with the OMS and, thus, do not receive regular news of Millfield

Wales

and the many OM events that are being organised these days. Everyone enjoyed a splendidly convivial and noisy evening and Richard and his team left encouraged to form an official London Branch Committee to plan future similar reunion events.

Branch

Alun Ford (Former Tutor)

W

e had high hopes that a gathering would be held at the Swalec Stadium – home of Glamorgan CCC – to help celebrate OM Dean Cosker’s (1991-96; Millfield) well-deserved benefit season: contacts with Dean’s benefit chairman, a member of the Glamorgan committee, and Dean himself were all made, but we were foiled at the last moment. Dean still went on to have a splendid season

without us, taking over 50 wickets, his only disappointment being that Glamorgan were denied promotion on the last day of the season. Our hope now is to hold an event at one of the Welsh race courses in the Spring of 2011. In our ‘parish’, too, we had the sad occasion of Alastair Kidd’s (1988-90; Georgian Cottage) funeral, a huge affair, which your Chairman and several OMs were privileged to attend.

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Class of

2005

Reunion

Hayley Thompson (1997*-2005; Warner)

“

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F

ive years flew by!” “Gee you haven’t changed!” I should have guessed these remarks would be uttered from start to finish at our five year reunion but I didn’t know what to expect as I confirmed my booking details on the Old Millfieldian Society’s website.

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2011

Pictured on the OMS events page – that detailed information about the reunion – was a photo of some of my fellow classmates posing for a group shot at the 2005 Summer Ball. I wondered how these OMs and others from our year were doing and if they would be at the reunion.

A large number of our year ended up making it to Hotel Russell for this special event; I’d estimate 150 or so people. Some juggled busy schedules and travel plans to get to London and others even waited it out at the airport hoping that the ash cloud from Iceland – increasingly disruptive of air traffic –

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would dissipate and allow for a direct route to the UK. A fabulous champagne reception awaited us on arrival, allowing for those ‘I haven’t seen you in five years, what do I say?’ awkward moments to be washed away before the evening really started…

During the champagne reception I caught a glimpse of a photo album making its way around the room. Our MPS Year 8 Group Tutor photos were circulating, embarrassing people and igniting nostalgia for the ‘good old days’. For the EOMs among the crowd, it was an illustration of how adorable, or in some cases awkward, we once looked!

When the room was full of countless familiar faces and drinks were making their way into everyone’s hands, we started to move into the ballroom for dinner. People gathered around tables to eat after grabbing some scrumptious food from the buffet.

Everyone continued to table-hop to catch up with friends and take photos throughout the evening. Conversation heightened, and it wasn’t long before people were socialising in true Millfield fashion!

It was great to have the opportunity to catch up with old friends at Hotel Russell during dinner. However, it was also valuable to hear about present day Millfield from staff who were in attendance: Sarah Champion, Rod

and Marian Speed, John Davies, Eric Jones, Rob Decamp and the current Headmaster, Craig Considine (who many had not met since he joined in 2008).

Months on, I think we can all agree that the reunion was a great success. It is one thing for us to have kept in touch via social media sites and the

and adventurous spirit shine through in many conversations as individuals spoke about an assortment of initiatives they were engaged in or planning, from starting their own design business to writing and publishing books. It was inspiring to be around old school friends and hear their news and aspirations.

The evening allowed for friendships to be re-established and hopefully over the course of the next five years people will get to see a lot more of each other. occasional email or phone call while we were away at university, travelling or working, but it was amazing to actually see people face-to-face. The evening allowed for friendships to be re-established and hopefully over the course of the next five years people will get to see a lot more of each other.

Five years on from Millfield, most of us had graduated from undergraduate degrees and some from Masters programmes. Others had started achieving in the workplace and had established themselves as professionals. I saw an entrepreneurial

Another five years on it will no doubt be as wonderful to catch up and share news again… Maybe the news will be more work focused? Family focused? Globally focused? It is hard to tell. We will likely look five years older (D’oh!) but I have a feeling that we will reconnect like always, despite the many different paths we will have taken.

I propose we gather again, in another five years, and have a similar catch up in London! Eric Jones and other staff members from our era, you will be most welcome to join us again!

Class of 2005

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“Meet the Headmaster” at Denbies

Robert Clark (1960-65; Etonhurst)

A

very successful Old Millfieldian Society ‘Meet the Headmaster’ gathering, jointly sponsored by the School and OMS, was held at former Chairman and Governor Adrian White’s Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey on Friday 29th January 2010. About a hundred Old Millfieldians and current parents from the surrounding area enjoyed the opportunity to meet the Headmaster, Craig Considine, and enjoy some of the finest English wines.

Entrepreneurs’ Luncheon

C

outts & Co provided a superb setting on 29th June to celebrate the contributions of Millfield entrepreneurs. Eighteen OMs, plus Headmaster Craig Considine and John Davies, attended the event to discuss some of the big issues facing business and also to

reflect on the unique style of education that Millfield had provided to equip for business careers. The host for the event was Michael Hayman (1983-88; Joan's Kitchen), who is Chairman of Entrepreneurs at Coutts and Co.

Duncan Stirling, John Mantle, Laurence Davis, Galahad Clark, Tim Griffiths, Michael Hayman, Roland Rudd, Craig Considine, Wim Bushell, Andrew Taee, Chris Wheeldon John Davies, Emma MacDonald, Rachele Hayman, Claire Walker, Kate Griggs, Ducan Goodhew

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Ladies’Day

at Newbury Races Malcolm Tucker (1961-1965; Millfield)

S

ocial events have a natural lifespan, after which their appeal diminishes. Of course occasions such as Royal Ascot, Henley or the Chelsea Flower Show have a continuing following enhanced not only by the fact they are embedded in the national culture, but that there is always a ready supply of new and enthusiastic attendees waiting to take the place of those who have fallen away.

This year, the fourth that the OM Society have spent the day at Newbury, has shown that we are still in the ascendancy when it comes to an established grand day out. Thirty two OMs and their loved ones attended and enjoyed the customary offerings of a private marquee, with views of the preparade ring, good food and a full bar, good company and good racing.

Our form guide this time was trainer

Stan Moore, who kindly stepped in at the last minute when OM Ian Balding (1957-59; Chindit) was unable to join us. Stan’s advice was sound, and when coupled with care about which sort of bet to place and a little good luck, allowed a minimal profit on the day’s betting.

As always, the placing of bets was just an accompaniment to the main issue of the day, the meeting of old friends and the making of new. With the shared background of Millfield, conversations readily fell into easy recollections of days gone by and shared memories, catching up with lives since we last met and plans for the future. The venue itself is charming on a sunny day. The view across the whole racecourse is one of the best available to English race-goers, in terms of seeing your chosen horse as it thunders to

victory – or not. By moving the date of this event from August, it has proved more popular with OMs, but there will be plenty of space available for more attendees next year. Our organiser

…we are still in the ascendancy when it comes to an established grand day out.

Judith Balding (1970-73; Southfield) would love to see you, and her supporting team at the OMS office would very much welcome your booking. So! Next year?

Racegoers – with Penny Considine and Rod Speed a clear nose ahead in our OMS private box at Newbury

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Grafton Morrish Public Schools

Old Boys Golf

Competition 2010 Gavin Bradbury (1981-83; Kingweston)

Andy Russell, Giles Legg, Gavin Bradbury, Chris Taee, Ed Matthews and Matt Condren

T

he ongoing quest to repeat Millfield’s 1974 win at the Grafton Morrish tournament, began in earnest in May 2010 with the spring qualifying event at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club in East Sussex. There were 12 schools represented and only five could qualify for the finals. It was an exciting and eventful day’s play but our 83 points allowed us to take the final 5th spot to secure our space in Norfolk for the competition proper. Our first round draw pitted us against Birkenhead at Hunstanton Golf Club on Friday 30th September, whose combined team handicaps totalled scratch. With the wind whipping up, our first pair of Ed Matthews (1981-86; Joan’s Kitchen)

and Chris Taee (1981-86; Day) took an early 2 hole lead which was soon whittled back with their opponents bagging 6 birdies in the first 10 holes!

Despite a late rally Chris and Ed shook hands on the 13th green. Giles Legg (1983-88; St Anne’s) and Matt Condren (1993-98; Millfield) played marvellous wind golf to beat their opponents 3/1 leaving the third pair of Gavin Bradbury and Andy Russell (1995-2000; Joan’s Kitchen) needing to bring the last point home. Despite some solid driving and iron play, the fast greens took their toll with Birkenhead winning 4/3 and securing their spot in the next round. After some rain-delayed Ryder cup viewing at the Lodge Hotel, the next morning

we arrived at Royal West Norfolk Golf Club (Brancaster) to play in the Solihull Salver. Thanks go to Paul Freeth (1973-78; High Ham) for stepping in late and playing some great golf on his home course. Our combined score of 92 points put us in 3rd position out of 26 teams, a great effort yet once again ‘so near yet so far’!

If you are a low handicap golfer (2 or less) and would like to play competitive old boys golf for Millfield in the Grafton Morrish, please email gavinbradbury@aol.com as it would be great to get some new blood to ensure that we get our name back on the trophy after a gap of over 25 years!

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16

TH

Annual

Golf Day At Manor House Golf and Country Club Ian Cole (1974-78; Day)

A

t Castle Combe on 22nd October and after too much coffee, followed by an array of trick shots on the practice ground (none deliberate) and a seemingly dry afternoon ahead, all teams set off for the mid-day shotgun start. The idyllic setting and surrounds of this glorious course were compensation for a leisurely five hours to complete; 28 teams challenging for the Atkinson Cooler and numerous other individual prizes on the day. Only the match tension it would seem might spoil the anticipated high scoring. From years gone by we all knew that, in such moderate conditions, a team score needed to be no less than the high eighties to gain recognition back at the clubhouse. Our team was both expectant and relaxed. This could have something to do with Graeme Wall unwrapping torpedo roles of ham and cheese (plus pickle of course) after a few holes which Martin Reed (1968-72; Glaston Tor) then complemented with a bottle of Vin Rouge followed by a full cheese board! It is not apparent what JHD had for lunch but he was seen riding (illegally) three in a golf cart, side saddle at his age, and with two females as he rushed past the cross-over path at the 14th tee; “all above board… they’re in my team” he shouted back when challenged!

Once back in the clubhouse, there were the usual excuses of bad backs, nervous putts and lack of preparation for a major tournament, to explain away disappointing performances. That said, the competitors were all in relaxed mood as the bar became packed with much debate and reminiscence. Then

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Some of the winners at Castle Combe

we found that JHD had introduced another departure from traditional procedure as he declined to publish any scores on the results board. David Atkinson the first to challenge the change in policy: was JHD embarrassed by his own score or, conversely, modest about being in with a winning chance after so many years? Either way, Rod Speed lost no time in prowling the lounge area and seeking feedback – he seemed very pleased to be able to state “the Atkinson crowd haven’t done so well this year!” Dinner was served at 6.30pm and the roast beef hit the spot more effectively than most long putt attempts. With tables set for places of 10 there was plenty to catch up on or meet new friends. JHD must have felt the same as he was still ordering wine at 8 pm…10 minutes before he stood to speak. He was obviously to be the passenger for the journey home.

In his address John stated that 85% of competitors were now deemed to be regulars for this annual fixture. He thanked the club again for hosting this special occasion and to the event sponsors – Alan Phillips (1983-87; Day) of Fidelius, wealth managers. He acknowledged the slower round than usual but put part of this down to the team playing in front of him who had developed a routine of leaving clubs on the course and then back peddling to collect the same. In fact Josh Smith was still ‘a club short of a full set’ at supper but it wasn’t clear whether John was simply referring to a lost club or perhaps accounted for Josh wearing a bright green jumper in the formal surrounds of the Saxon Hall?! At this stage John felt he’d get comfortable with the audience and so ridiculed Rod Speed’s game, really only by way of suitably framing his latest joke,

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suggesting Rod’s physical condition enabled him qualification to now play from the ladies tee. A high risk strategy as Rod looks no less formidable than he did in his aggressive moustache days!

Marion O’Neill was in attendance to present prizes this year and to accept our appreciation for the work that she had done in organising the event, a most worthy achievement with only JHD to assist.

A number of competitors had returned individual scores of 41 stableford points and Andy Wall’s

inclusion in the list only triggered abusive calls of “dope test him” and “closest you’ll ever be!” Miles McGoun, however, was the overall winner of the men’s stableford and Matthew Condren collected the highest gross score; a most impressive 69. Men’s longest drive was won by Dan Clarke with Sarah Champion winning the ladies longest drive; JHD adding that she could also have been presented with the shortest drive or even the widest drive during her round! Best ladies score was returned by Marian Speed.

The winning team hauled in 97 points from the lethal combination of Matthew Condren, Chris Hellings, Mathew Webb and James Macey, who showered both the trophy and Marion O’Neill with fervent kisses.

JHD seemed pleased with another successful event under his belt, took another glug of his red wine and called for the usual photo shoot of all winners before chariots set back off along the various motorways – by far the longest drive of the day.

RESULTS Team 1st Matthew Condren (1993-98; Millfield), Chris Hellings (1993-98; Cookson), ................97 points Mathew Webb (1993-98; Millfield) and James Macey (1993-98; Millfield) and winner of the Atkinson Cooler 2nd

Miles McGoun (1991-96; Ivythorn), Michael Absalom (1993-98; Hollies), ...................95 points Josh Smith (1997-2002; Cookson) and Simon Mantell (1994*-2002; Day)

3rd

Ralph Dorey (1992-97; Orchards), Tom Caines (1992-97; Etonhurst), ........................94 points Tom Hicks (Guest) and James Gisborne (1995-97; Millfield)

4th

Peter Klinkenberg (1972-77; Old Rectory High Ham), Jerry Yates ...............................93 points (1973-77; Old Rectory High Ham), Norman Ridgway (Guest) and Ian Hunt (Former Staff)

Individual (Scratch) Matthew Condren (1993-98; Millfield) and winner of the Richard Caring Scratch Trophy .....69 points Individual (Handicap) 1st Miles McGoun (1991-96; Ivythorn) and winner of the Meyer Trophy ..........................43 points 2nd Tim Chapman (1975-80; Day) ....................................................................................41 points 3rd Andy Wall (1967*-75; Day) .........................................................................................41 points 4th Mathew Webb (1993-98; Millfield) .............................................................................41 points 5th Simon Mantell (1994*-2002; Day) .............................................................................41 points 6th Gareth Cosker (1995-2000; Day) ................................................................................40 points 7th Martin Gerrard (Guest) .............................................................................................40 points 8th Norman Ridgway (Guest) ............................................................................................39 points 9th James Gisborne (1995-97; Millfield)............................................................................38 points 10th Simon Hawkins (1967*-74; Shapwick) .......................................................................38 points Special Prizes Ladies – Marian Speed (Current Tutor) Nearest the Pin Ladies – Juliet Suddaby; Nearest the Pin Men – Giles Legg (1993-98; St Anne’s); Longest Drive Ladies – Sarah Champion; Longest Drive Men – Dan Clark

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Millfield Golf Society 2010 Jonathan Ford (1980-88*; Day) (Current MPS Tutor, Captain)

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couldn’t have been given a harder task. To follow a former Millfield Preparatory School headmaster as captain was never going to be easy; but when I read his definitive report in last year’s ‘Chronicle’, I knew he had left me an almost impossible task when the time came to try and convey the activities of the Society during my year in office. However, I do have one advantage over previous captains – I am able to write from the perspective of an OM, perhaps the first to do so. Playing

with former tutors of mine – and, in theory at least, telling them what to do – has been an interesting and, in some ways, alarming experience. It did look as if I was going to be a non-playing captain, but I did eventually play in the exalted company of Whiskerd, Smith, Hunt and Klinkenberg, to name a few, in the memorable match against Sherborne Golf Club.

The season started with our Spring Meet held at The Orchardleigh Golf Club which was won by our very own

Members at the Annual Championships at Mendip GC in August

OMS Chairman, Rod Speed, and, in August, we held our Annual Championships at The Mendip Golf Club where the following took the prizes: Scratch Trophy Nett Trophy Ladies’ Trophy Over 70s Trophy Bowmaker Team

Simon Wynn Jerry Pickles Hazel Bevan Gerry Wilson Cathy Olive Hazel Bevan Jerry Pickles

Captaining the MGS has been a huge privilege. I am grateful to all in the OMS Office, and in particular Marion O’Neill, for all the support they have given me and for making the year such an enjoyable one. A special mention must also go to all the match managers, whose job on occasions this year hasn’t been easy, for making sure we all knew when and where we needed to be. The charity we have supported this year has been St Margaret’s Hospice and I am hopeful that we will have raised in excess of £600 for this worthy cause by the end of the year.

Tassie Foursomes Julia Burton (née Gregory) (1970-74; Johnsons)

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fter playing this competition at St Georges Hill for the last few years, in 2010 it moved to a new home at The Berkshire Club. The club in Virgina Water boasts two beautiful 18 hole courses where the organisers had their work cut out to combine them to make a 27 hole competition course. The Millfield team comprised of sisters Sandra Meacher (née Evans) (1970-75; Day) and Jane Rees (née Evans) (197377; Day), and Julia Burton and Liz McKay (1972-74; Portway). Liz and Julia did especially well as they had never played together before but sadly were not in the prizes and Jane and Sandra were

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unfortunately unsuccessful in defending the Scratch trophy. Millfield finished in 8th place out of a field of 36. The only small consolation was that if there had been a team scratch prize we would have won it! All in all a great day was had – beautiful weather and a fantastic golf course and a chance to renew old friendships – and there is always next year!

It is great to discover so many former athletes, tennis, netball and hockey players who now play competitive golf. If you would like to play in this old girls’

competition please e-mail me at margaret.hawker@talktalk.net We are still hoping to get the name of Millfield on the Tassie Trophy!

Margaret Hawker (Former Tutor)

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The Annual Golf Match

between the

Millfield Golf Society and the Old Millfieldians Dick Ransley (Former Tutor)

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or some years now, Andy Wall (1967*-75; Day), the OMs’ Captain, and I have struggled to raise full teams for this event, held in early September every year since the presentation of the cup in 2000. One evening, around last Christmas time, we were idly bemoaning this fact when someone chipped in with the suggestion that if we played in the school holidays there would not be a problem. We exchanged looks that said ‘How could you be so stupid as to not think of that?’

And so it came to pass that on a gloriously warm and bright Thursday 3rd June, in the middle of the Millfield half-term, not eight but 12 of us squared up to the OM hordes at the beautiful Remedy Oak Golf Club, in Dorset.

Have you noticed in the golfing ads how every other golf club now

describes itself as this or that country’s ‘hidden gem’? Well, clichés apart, Remedy Oak, at the end of its security gated two-mile private drive in a particularly remote part of Cranborne Chase, really does deserve this description. After the post-match meal, Andy delivered his customary minimalist speech before presenting me, standing in for the indisposed MGS Captain, Jonny Ford, with the impressive Fenner Trophy.

Judging by the thick patina of tarnish and verdigris on this once proud cup, Andy had not anticipated an interruption to the OMs’ ten-year run of victories and had snatched it from the top shelf of his potting shed almost as an afterthought. However, this year the worm turned: MGS took the trophy by 3½ to 2½.

The Teams Simon Wynn and Marian Speed v Andy Wall and Mark Stirling Rod Speed and Jerry Pickles v Peter Corrigan and Neil Rowlands Phil Cookson and Richard Ellison v Neville Mignot and Max Muirhead Dick Ransley and Mark Smith v Tom Gillam and Nick Chadburn Peter Klinkenberg and Hazel Bevan v Dave Chadburn and Kit Corrigan Dave Hacker and John Davies v Graham Wall and Robin Reid

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Millfield Golfers take on Desert Springs Sarah Champion (Former Head MPS)

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t 3.30am and with a light dusting of volcanic ash still on our clubs, the Intrepid Eight (a late entry by Sarah Motley having put paid to any pretensions of our being the Magnificent Seven) eventually arrived, over 12 hours late, at our destination.

And what of Desert Springs, tucked away in the south-east corner of Spain and venue for the first OM/staff golfing holiday? Well, excellent accommodation, wonderful weather, friendly, helpful staff, (it was particularly good to catch up with golf pro and turf manager Anthony Brooks (1982-89*; Keen’s Elm), buggies

reserved for Millfield and a personalised pyramid of golf balls awaiting us each morning at the practice ground. By day three my own personalised pyramid was still intact – all energy being reserved for the trials, tribulations and giant cacti on the course. Yes, those huge dark shadows that we’d seen on our arrival just before dawn really were cacti, beautifully flowering and all shapes and sizes, so if you once wavered off the fairway you found yourself on the set of a John Wayne movie.

Fran Davies organised the golf so that we all got to play with each other at least

once and handicaps were adjusted at the daily debrief. There was a lot of money to be won (was it 2 Euros each round?) so a fair system of handicapping was important. This meant that John Graveney (1961*-67; Hollies) played his final round off about plus 2, Fran off scratch, Margaret Hawker and John Davies were also cut whilst Jackie Mander-Wilson, Sarah Motley (196970; Cheddar View) and I received an embarrassment of shots – though still not enough to conquer the cacti.

Reminiscences of Boss’s days featured strongly as we chatted over drinks and it was especially good to have Jackie’s company. Prize Giving took place on the last evening after an exclusive dinner in the Cave Restaurant with JHD providing many laughs at our expense. Early the next morning we took off into the blue, volcanic ash-free skies for a safe and speedy return home, friendships strengthened and a strong feeling of shared good fortune in our association with all that is Millfield.

Old Millfieldian Golfing Society Are you interested?

Richard Champion (1977-82; Day)

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aving received much support and encouragement from both the School and the OM Society, I am delighted to be able to report that the Old Millfieldian Golfing Society has now been formed, and you can find details, including how to join the Society, at www.oldmillfieldiangolfingsociety.com The Society has two principal aims: firstly to provide a structure of social golf days and matches throughout the year for all old boys and girls of Millfield School; and secondly to represent the School in many of the

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public school golfing events that take place during the year. Most importantly, though, is that there will be top quality enjoyable golf, available to all OMs. The Society will be staging its meetings and matches at top golfing venues. We have a great programme of fixtures for 2011, including a summer meeting at Walton Heath and matches at Burnham and Berrow. The annual fixture list will be developed further over the next few years.

So, please do visit our website and join the Society today. Finally, I am always interested to hear from OMs

who would like to help with the running of the Society. If this is of interest to you, please send an e-mail to: secretary@oldmillfieldiangolfingsociety.com

Richard, Captain of Walton Heath GC, presenting the London Amateur Foursomes Trophy

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Millfield 21Club Sarah Champion (Former Head MPS, Chairman)

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he 21 Club, that august band of current and former Millfield employees with at least 21 years continuous service, meets just three times a year to enjoy each other’s company, keep abreast of new developments and, if we’re honest, wallow in mutual nostalgia for the fun of ‘the good old days’.

“Oh no, it’s not what it was in our day, you know”. But wait; the Millfield of today will always be ‘the good old days’ for future generations, ergo the present time is always the best. Indeed, Millfield is just as extraordinary a school now as ever was, if not more so. Being held in such high esteem worldwide could, in many ways, be said to be thanks to our unconventional history and when we get together we like nothing more than to be regaled by the most implausible, but true tales of yesteryear. Quite a daunting task then at the Christmas Dinner, held at the Prep School, to give the after dinner speech to a room replete with over 2000 years of well wined and dined collective memories of Millfield.

As Chairman it was my lot to

recruit this year’s speaker and as first lady to hold the post I didn’t anticipate a problem coercing the support of a gentleman. I was wrong. I’d obviously lost the knack. Never before had my proposals been so rebuffed. Then the brainwave came; maybe Kevin Cheney and I could do a double act – and we did. Ray Bickham and Janet Baker (both 21 Club members) organised the catering staff to provide a magnificent meal, Kevin and I stood up to do our bit, everyone duly laughed and the proverbial good time was had by all.

Traditionally, new members are welcomed to the Club at this event and those present to receive their tie or pendant this year were: Ronnie Harkness, Cathy Papworth, Graham Seaward, Damian Selway-Barry, Jim Taylor and Ann Williams.

Our next gathering took place courtesy of Craig and Penny Considine at Springbok at the end of the summer term. The event was well attended as usual, though one or two members were up the road at Pilton, clutching at eternal youth by pretending still to be part of the Glasto scene. For those of us at ease with our age, ‘Drinks and

Nibbles’ outside in the sun were wonderfully calm and civilised. Bob Dickens took his leave of us at this event, announcing that he would be moving to live with his son. Our fond wishes are with him.

Our third and final reunion was held at The Rose and Portcullis at the end of August. Another hot, sunny day saw a larger group than usual gather to enjoy each other’s company over drinks and lunch and to welcome our new Chairman. My brief foray into the higher echelons of the 21 Club taught me several things: you don’t have to be a man to be Chairman; it’s not obligatory to be named Roger or Dick, though it obviously helps (see previous reports for most commonly used names) and, contrary to popular belief, John Davies really does work hard on our behalf. You will be reassured though, to know that I didn’t completely break the mould as Chairman. The very manly and hirsute Dick Ransley has taken over the baton.

We wish him well and look forward to another year of shared joy in each other’s company, thanks to the common bond that is Millfield.

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History of the Millfield CCF RN Section Roger Whyte (Former Tutor)

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lthough some readers of this Chronicle will have a jaundiced view of the Combined Cadet Force, those who joined after 1973 when this branch of the Friday activities programme became voluntary will look back on their involvement with a deal more pleasure. Mine covered both regimes for, on arrival in the mid-sixties, I soon realised that my Merchant Navy experience (albeit in engine-rooms) might be of help to my colleague – indeed shipmate to be – Fred Townsend. His death last spring, his hard war (much of it in corvettes escorting Atlantic convoys) and his long term tenure of a post in Millfield’s chemistry department can be read elsewhere in these pages. The RN section of the CCF had been set up by Tony Robinson some years before and Fred had inherited as Officer i/c a demanding role in a unit so distant from any water other than the mighty River Brue.

However, we had worthwhile trips on Sundays by minibus to HMS Osprey at Portland to sail their dinghies, a field-day at BRNC Dartmouth where on arrival our lads were whisked away to be the fodder on whom budding midshipmen could impart boat-handling and seamanship skills, whilst Fred and I (plus Barry Hobson exercising his right as Contingent Commander to spend a day with us) were supplied with golf clubs and the key to an HLD to cruise at will on the river; even such odd ventures for

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embryo mariners as caving in the Mendips and night trekking over the Quantocks.

‘Annual Training’ looms larger still in the memory. Before my arrival as his Number One Fred had been taking a lucky dozen for a week on a Clyde MFV on his own and I can well understand how much he appreciated some help, and indeed was hoping to hand over charge of the section in the quest for new ideas. I duly became the Lieutenant RNR with Fred shedding one ring, to be, in his own words, ‘the oldest Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy’.

The ageing MFVs – Motor Fishing Vessels – were wooden-hulled 40tonners commandeered during the war and used mainly for tendering warships

were ‘advisors’ and little seen apart from the skipper who remained responsible for his craft. One year, however, we found waiting a modern Fleet Tender ‘Cartmel’ hurriedly mustered to replace a disabled MFV and it soon became apparent that the skipper assumed that he was to hand over to me his ship and to retire below for the rest of the week, which was exactly what he and his mates did.

The engine was bridge-controlled; I knew the ropes, as did a few of the lads who had been before, so off we set across the mouth of the Firth to Gourock and the office of the C-in-C Clyde where I had been told to report.

Little was said, except that Ailsa Craig was the limit of our sailing and that I should radio in every morning to say

There is surely a coterie of OMs who will recall with pleasure the overnight camps after canoeing at Lyme Regis and on Brownsea Island.

at anchor in the Clyde. We would take the night sleeper to Glasgow, make our way to the submarine base at Faslane, load basic stores and quickly be away to sea. The four-man civilian crew

where we were. The sole concern seemed to be the delivery of a package to one of HM’s submarines: “Don’t worry, it will find you”. It did somewhat later, looming up out of the

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Combined Cadet Force – Summer Term 1978

water half a mile ahead in the estuary and setting me the anxious task of getting my vessel alongside. A lot of submarine lies below the surface and I admit to a fair old clunk; but the package (an engine part, I guessed) was safely delivered and the recipient disappeared beneath the waves and out of this tale.

Another moment, this time when I was in sole charge, concerned a shrill call on the bridge RT from the office on the C-in-C Clyde: ‘Would Lieutenant Whyte make for the nearest landfall and contact Millfield asap.’

Lochranza, also on Arran, is a beautiful spot but not boasting a pier, so when we got close it was a case of all hands to get an anchor down and a little used dinghy in the water. Our leading hand John Grace was left in charge as I paddled to the tiny jetty and sought a phone box.

Many an OM will remember Ruth Hillard, delightful doyenne of the School’s switchboard, for whom no challenge was too great. She was aware that the RN section was away ‘somewhere’. Perhaps the Admiralty in

London might help, she mused.

Several calls later she was through to Clyde Headquarters, whence the ultimate summons came.

Ruth’s quest? ‘Wally Hammond (Housemaster of Kernick) wishes to be assured that John Grace has the due parental permission for the girl he wants to escort to the School dance. Doubtless the needs of our nuclear submarines were put aside as that one was sorted out.

Apart from the Brue – barely wide enough to float a canoe - there was water on the premises, though Boss in his day would never have countenanced the affront to his beloved ducks when ropes were slung above their heads and seamen traversed precariously from side to side over their heads. Or didn’t.

Coastal navigation was sometimes taught on a trailer towed around the cricket field by Gerry Wilson – a loaned tractor on which was mounted the unit’s compass to take bearings from familiar landmarks and courses plotted; on one ‘Annual Inspection’ a Rear-Admiral, no less, was quite taken

by this stunt. Otherwise it was knots and hitches and splices on Fridays after a minimum of square-bashing with the Army Section.

Sometimes I reflect that CCFs put off more than they attract to a career in the services.

Certainly Fred Townsend’s children, boys and girls, all went into the Royal Navy (parental influence maybe playing a part); and I am quite proud that one of our leading hands, Simon Bell (1975-79; Holmcroft), reached some eminence as a Lloyd’s Marine Surveyor. Colin Atkinson, never too happy with a CCF, wound up the contingent some while ago, but there is surely a coterie of OMs who will recall with pleasure the overnight camps after canoeing at Lyme Regis and on Brownsea Island, chugging up and down Bristol’s floating harbour in the HLD borrowed from the RNR’s HMS Flying Fox, those Clyde adventures and much more. They were happy times indeed though in this age of ‘Health and Safety’ I do often wonder how we all survived unscathed the rigours of ‘Adventure Training’.

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Millfield

Memories Cemlyn Foulkes (1963-68; Kingweston)

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hat an extraordinary variety of classrooms there were. Starting at the Camp end, the Chemistry labs were modern, complete with scorch marks from Fred “TNT” Townsend. Nissen huts came in two main varieties, with the standard two classroom model with coke boiler, or the linked “palaces” alongside the road, which were the Physics and Biology labs. Between the nissen huts and nearer the drive were a line of garden sheds (Hardens) and it was from one of these that Wally Hammond, sitting on the window frame, overbalanced. The story goes that he returned to the classroom with the words “Man Overboard!”.

“Flash” Fletcher normally arrived on his bike “Nelly” except when snow was on the ground when the skis came

out. “Nelly” used to live in the hut during lessons.

The Lodge housed the Languages department and I still get a frisson of fear generated by lack of preparation for Mr Lloyd-Williams’ Latin lessons. I even had one lesson a week by myself in a house across the road (Northfields) where Major HydeUpward could be easily sidetracked from post Napoleonic European History to reminiscences of the Boer War, in which he fought! Moving up the drive past the newly built and imaginatively named A and B blocks, the untidy gaggle of huts known as the Chicken Runs came into view. Moving on were more substantial huts housing the Maths department (Bolts). I spent a lot of my time there over the years with Fred Stephenson for O level and then

Prefects checking “late-comers”

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Hector Nest and Brian Gaskell for A level. BG was the only man I know who had a 5 o’clock shadow at 9am!

Ormskirk’s answer to Fred Flintstone.

Just beyond the weather station was the “Crystal Palace” and prefects’ room, where at the end of every term there was a grand clearance of the School pound for lost property. If the items were marked, you had to pay a fine, but if unmarked, some wonderful bargains could be picked up a lot cheaper than in Harold Gimblett’s shop.

Millfield House contained the Senior Common Room, and it seems incredible now that the smoking of pipes was allowed with parental permission. In fact, if you arrived late at break time, you didn’t need to light up, you just inhaled. Further round

Major Jack Neave and Major Hyde-Upward MC

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was the kitchen, where, if you were duty school prefect, you attempted to shovel sticky buns out of the window at great speed when Miss Warner was looking the other way. When she was watching she tipped you off when people sneaked in for seconds or thirds and you were expected to whack them over the knuckles with the wooden spoon. These days I expect we’d be done for assault.

Round from Millfield House was the Cottage, the mysterious and exotic home of the YLC (Young Ladies’ Club), although girls were often down in town where the twin attractions of the Black Cat and Maxime’s beckoned.

Tuesday afternoons found the happy couples eating egg and chips in the former, while Saturday nights found them avoiding the usherette’s torch on the back row of the flicks. The Maxime was also the venue for the highly educational school film, preceded by prayers led by the School chaplain Ernie Sergeant, ghoulishly lit by the footlights. Crispin Hall was also in Street and housed Judo lessons on a Friday afternoon with Ted Bullard for those of us who had managed to avoid CCF and the Training Scheme red anorak.

Joan’s Kitchen was a place of mystery to me as we used to go back to KW for lunches, so I only knew it from the occasional entertainment of visiting school teams. In fact I was more familiar with the Street Inn,

years’ teams represented their county or divisional schoolboys teams. The KW house team at the time also had quite a useful centre forward in Peter Marsh (1967-71; Kingweston) who played soccer at school but who went on to

BG was the only man I know who had a 5 o’clock shadow at 9am!

Ormskirk’s answer to Fred Flintstone. because the Hockey team played club sides in the “rugby” term and we were expected to buy jugs of ale for the opposition, like any normal club fixture.

I had three years of 1st XI hockey.

The standard of the team in those three years was exceptional, as we were well able to hold our own in top-class men’s club hockey. Apart from two who subsequently became school governors Atul Patel (1993-98; St Anne's) and, unbelievably, Dickie Bond (1960*-68; Kingweston) there were three of us who went on to play international hockey, Tim Hill (1962-67; Kingweston) and Steve Long (1967-70; Chindit) being the others, but most of those three

“Flash” Fletcher

play for Wales and GB at hockey during the 70s. Highlight of the School’s fixture list was Marlborough, and it was only in 1968 that we beat them for the first time ever, and by 3-0 after draws in the two previous years. I think that was the high spot for Fred Stephenson. House matches and the rivalry for the Churchill Cup, the aggregate of all the sports competitions, were another highlight. Kingweston and Shapwick were the big rivals with no quarter asked or given.

With the recent Harry Potter films, I have come to think of Kingweston as Gryffindor and Shapwick as Slytherin.

But perhaps Mr Barry Hobson as Snape is going a bit far!

Training Scheme

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Review of Christopher Martin’s Book –

“Head Over Heels” Lindsay Staniforth (Former Tutor)

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f you have ever wondered, “What goes on in that Head of yours?”, this book, with an enthusiastic preface by Estelle Morris, former Education Secretary, provides the answers. Compiled from diaries and notes made from 1994 to the end of the CSM era, Head over Heels builds a portrait of an extraordinary school, and an extraordinary man.

Ranging from farce to real tragedy, the anecdotes give a record of the daily work and nightly worries of owning the desk on which the buck stops in a place such as Millfield: the inappropriate relationships, illicit substances and rock-and-roll of contemporary secondary schooling.

Throughout the 190 pages shines the pleasure Christopher took in the company and achievements of the young; his pride in their sporting, musical or dramatic triumphs, and his grief when individual pupils headed determinedly for disaster. We learn of the tough decisions that have to be made, and why one pupil may be asked to leave while another, guilty of a comparable or identical misdemeanour, is allowed to stay. Light is cast on the complexities of Child Protection issues and their implementation, and the writer’s frustration with league tables and suchlike is clear: “The problem for western education increasingly … is the confusion between the need to develop young people in all aspects of their life, which is ultimately immeasurable, and the measurable provision of mere information.”

In incident after incident, Christopher’s philosophy comes across:

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“Liking people seems so often to get the best out of them.” Many times, the difficult behaviour of a pupil is found to be attributable to parental dysfunction or misbehaviour. “I will probably end up offering this poor chap a place on compassionate grounds, if only to spare him from his parents.”

Most parents are appreciative and supportive, and this Head exults in the varied visitors, and the official tours to outlying Old Millfieldian Society overseas branches which eat the school holidays. The challenges and hilarities of dealing with high-profile political, showbiz or royal families are sprinkled among the paragraphs telling of everyday people who are every bit as unpredictable, funny, and worth attention.

Inspections, government directives on the curriculum, and sensation-seeking newspapers come in for brisker comments, but the one constant is the writer’s eye and ear for the absurd: the girl who ate her ticket in the taxi on the way to the airport; the boy who fed gin to his horse. A further theme is Christopher’s affection and respect for his teaching colleagues, to whom indeed he dedicates the book.

Some names have been changed, to protect the innocent and guilty.

Everyone who was connected with Millfield in Christopher’s reign will

have great pleasure in supplying the identities from their own memories, and will recognise many of the cast of thousands and some of the bizarre situations that occurred. “Our bald anarchist tells us that she is depressed.

We offer help. No, she insists, she does not want to be cured of her depression.

How can you be a good anarchist if you’re at peace with yourself?

Catch 22.”

Head over Heels, price £14.99 (with the Foundation receiving a share of royalties), is available direct from the publishers www.moonrisepress.co.uk, from most booksellers, and from the OM Society www.omsociety.com.

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“We’ve all been on a Millfield Holiday Course”

COURSES AVAILABLE IN 2011 • Millfield English Language Holiday Courses (ages 7-17) English Language tuition with activities, social programme and excursions

• Easter Revision Course for GCSE, AS and A2 students Prepare for success with 33 hours intensive revision and targeted study skills

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Hobson’s Choice

– The History of the Old Millfieldian Society Barry Hobson (Former Tutor and Millfield Archivist)

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ifteen years ago the Headmaster, Christopher Martin, asked me to accompany the Maharaja and his family on their visit to Millfield on Parents’ Day when the Meyer Theatre was to be opened officially. It was a pleasant duty as the visitors showed great interest in the School activities being demonstrated by the pupils and, of course, in the buildings which had arisen around and in the grounds of the Clark’s Victorian house. In the course of conversation I told the Maharaja that I was writing a history of the School, based largely on research into the Founder’s papers which were passed on by his widow, Joyce Meyer, in 1992. I suggested he might like to read the early chapters and then let me know his views on their accuracy. He agreed and we met subsequently and I was able to incorporate his views. On hearing with sadness of His Highness’ death I changed my mind about this year’s “Choice” and decided to offer extracts from the early chapters as approved by the late Maharaja of Dhrangadhra.

RJO Meyer was appointed as Principal of the Palace School, Dhrangadhra, in 1932, and many years later, after retirement from Millfield, wrote; ‘I found myself teaching some twenty or so boys and girls with age range of twenty two down to three, and IQ range of eighty to one hundred and forty. Half of them knew no English and I knew no Gujerati. A method of graded small group tuition had to be devised to meet the situation and it was perhaps here that the

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Painting of the Maharaja on display in Millfield's Johnson Hall

Millfield method was born’.

On 6th June, 1935, the physical birth of Millfield as an educational establishment took place when Jack and Joyce Meyer, with their small daughters, arrived in Street accompanying the three sons of the Maharaja of Dhrangadhra, three other Indian princes and one commoner, the

mission being to act as tutorguardians, and to provide a home from home for the boys throughout their time in England.

In Dhrangadhra, apart from the classroom subjects, Jack’s pupils had learned to ride, to shoot, to play cricket and tennis, to swim and to cultivate a garden, as well as taking an

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interest in agriculture, upon which the prosperity of the state depended in part. Thus the Maharaja called upon the services of his experts to inculcate his family with a desire to improve their farming and horticultural skills.

This latter was to be continued in the fine brick-walled kitchen-garden at Millfield with its beautiful espaliered peach, plum and pear trees, so lovingly tended by a team of gardeners.

‘… it was perhaps here that the Millfield method was born’.

A groom was engaged for the ponies which the boys would ride in the extensive paddock, while a butler and domestic servants of several kinds took over the running of the house itself. Life would be well ordered but not ostentatious.

The eldest Dhrangadhra prince, he was 12 in 1935, who subsequently succeeded his father in 1942 and became HH Maharaja Sruraj Megharajji of Dhrangadhra, KCIEFRA, FRAI, AR Hists, B Litt (Oxon) wrote in 1986, “The old school (in India) was ‘co-ed’, from the start! However, its distaff side was left behind when, in 1935, the School was translated overseas, transhipped, in functioning order, with principal, preceptors, pupils and staff, together with its peculiar proclivities (minus the horses!), and transplanted in England, to become and blossom, as the Millfield School!”

“I remember it so vividly, especially our being marched to Church by our Brahman preceptor in his dark suit and red tilak. To auspicate the new School House, I was required to ‘light the lamp’, while our guru recited Vedic

verses.

My father’s picture, surrounded by flowers on the table, was there as ‘sakshi’ or ‘witness’. It is an intriguing reflection that Millfield initiated, under royal auspices, as a school for Indians later opened its doors to natives and come-who-may to become the first cosmopolitan school in the West”.

Once the newcomers had become accustomed to their surroundings, classwork began, tuition being given

by R J O M and J M Dave, MA, the recently retired Headmaster of the Sir Ajitsingh High School, Dhrangadhra, who had been persuaded to travel to England and be responsible for the young Indians’ religious instruction as well as some of the teaching.

Arrangements were made for three of the number to enter other educational establishments in the near future, Surengrasingh Jhala of Wadhwan, to Blundells, in January 1936, and, more immediately, K N Jadeja, son of Indian Guardian and Treasurer N B Jadeja, and ward of the Maharaja of Dhrangadhra, to the Automobile Engineering Training College in Chelsea, while the senior Dhrangadhra prince, Mayurdhwajsinh, was despatched to a preparatory school, Heath Mount, near Hertford, prior to entering Haileybury in May or September, 1936.

On 4th August the Maharaja of Dhrangadhra arrived at Dover and, although the plan had been to visit his eldest son at his prep school near Hertford, the summer holidays had already started, so he proceeded, after an overnight stay in London, to Somerset. There he was greeted, without reservation by the whole party, as befitted the founder of the happy little community.

The boys were taken on a caravan tour of Devon and then Mayur had to be taken back to Heath Mount School and preparations were made for the Maharaja, his father, to enter a London Nursing Home for observation at the end of the month. It was at this point that Jack Meyer

asked his employer if he was satisfied with the Millfield Establishment and the way it was being run, as, so far, neither praise nor criticism, nor even thanks, had been expressed.

His Highness’ reply was that the house was too far from London and the boys needed four meals a day instead of the three they were having.

Nothing could be done about the situation of the house, though the unpleasant fact was not pointed out to the Maharaja that landlords of other houses more convenient to London had refused to lease them when it was realised that the new occupants would be brown-skinned.

On Tuesday 29th October, the Maharaja returned to Millfeld and at midday the following day announced that he was going to remove his three sons and Baby Raj, empowered as he was to act for His Highness of Jhalawar, on Friday morning. He asked therefore that all the boys’ belongings should be packed ready for departure. The Maharaja would not give any reasons for his actions for the withdrawal. After the departure of the Indian party, the Meyers were inundated with callers, some expressing sympathy, as it was known how well the boys had progressed in the happy atmosphere that had been created, and others, rather more discreetly, requesting payment of their accounts.

The Maharaja never committed his reasons for the rift to paper, but his son and heir, away at Heath Mount at the time, hints at a ‘misunderstanding’, which led to confrontation, caused by a ‘sea-change’ in the attitude of Jack Meyer. From being a ‘favourite at court’, though still an employed headmaster, he felt at home in England, no longer in thrall to an Eastern Potentate, however benevolent and enlightened both of which His Highness undoubtedly was.

It might well be summed up as a clash of personality which could have scuppered Millfield almost before it was established.

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Ben Rushton Sarah Champion (Former Head MPS)

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t was Ben Rushton who first interviewed me in April 1973 for my post at Edgarley Hall, Millfield Junior School. I remember well my rather nervous, tentative climb up the stairs to his study with the traffic light signal outside: green, come in; amber, you can try but I’d rather you didn’t; red, do not disturb at any cost. It was green, so in I went. My nerves rapidly disappeared for there, in the dappled sunlight coming in through the beautiful old stained glass windows, sat a very benign, smiley, fatherly looking figure.

The job specification was for Teacher of French, Spanish and Girls’ Games, particularly Hockey. It was a very informal interview during which I discovered very little about what would be required of me as a teacher of Languages other than that I would have to use my ‘gumption’, but I do remember Ben asking me if I would be able to ‘lead’ the girls with a hockey stick rather than ‘push’ them with one. The whole focus was on how I would instil enthusiasm in the children.

I must have said the right things as I was duly appointed and Ben became my boss for the next five years. I put my gumption to good use at my very first beginning-of-term staff meeting by asking the lady next to me if we were

I discovered very little … other than that I would have to use my ‘gumption’ 70

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supposed to laugh at the Headmaster’s jokes. She turned out to be Suzanne Rushton, Ben’s wife and also a member of the Languages Department. We became firm friends. The next morning Riccarda, the youngest member of the Rushton family, turned up in my Tutor Group. From then on I was on a rapid learning curve and needed all the gumption I could muster but Ben showed me nothing but kindness and support and my first impressions of him remained unchanged. His whole approach was certainly child-centred and if his demeanour ever wavered from the benign we at least all had good warning; if his pipe was clenched so tightly between his teeth that it shot up at an angle of over 45 degrees, then it was wise not to approach.

Being privileged enough to have had that lovely study as my own (without the

traffic lights) and to have had a taste of the Prep School Headship myself, my thoughts went back as I stood in the marquee on Open Day 2009 at my retirement and announced the winner of the most prestigious award of the day, the Ben Rushton Trophy for the Three Cs: Care, Courtesy and Consideration, exactly the message Ben had been trying to get across to me at interview 36 years ago. There was a real poignancy about the fact that his family and loved ones were attending the Thanksgiving Service for his life on the very afternoon that I retired.

I know from Suzanne that Ben’s years as Headmaster of Edgarley were some of the happiest of his life and it was Ben who gave me the chance to embark on what has become a lifetime’s wonderful association with Millfield.

Ben Rushton, thank you.

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Archivist’s Corner Millfield

Photograph Scheme Dick Shilton (Former Tutor, Millfield Archivist)

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his year has seen the launch of the Millfield Photograph Scheme whereby Old Millfieldians can purchase photos from the past – if we have them! There was a flurry of activity when we started, but things have now gone quiet. It is still operating, so if you want that old photo showing the weird 70s haircut, send in an enquiry and we will see what we can do. Some of the photos we have are available with names, others, when we only have the negative, are without the names. Sadly we are also missing a number of games photos, but please enquire.

As we have just celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the foundation of the School, it is interesting to see the development of the campus over the years. Unfortunately, we do not have an aerial photo of the whole campus from 1935, although we do have a photo of Millfield House (top) probably taken in the 1930s.

The photograph from 1958 (middle) shows the campus with very little development, other than the cricket pavilion and the hard tennis courts, plus of course, the famous Nissen Huts. The original “Campus” was only the area bounded by the trees in the middle of the photo By 2008 the Campus (opposite) has taken on the appearance that we know today: Millfield House is still in the centre, but it is now surrounded by all the buildings that we now take for granted.

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Distinguished Old Millfieldians Aftab Adamjee, 1978 - 83 Chairman of Indus Mass Transit Co, Pakistan Dr Adesegun A Akin-Olugbade, 1978 - 80 General Counsel and Director, Legal Services of the African Development Bank Alistair Ainslee, 1959 - 62 High Sheriff, East Sussex Richardson Ajayi, 1980 - 83 Director, Bridge Clinic, Lagos, Nigeria, OM of the Year 2001 Tom Alexander, 1971 - 75 Chief Executive Officer, Orange UK Diraar Alghanim, 1960 - 61 President and Chief Executive Officer, Alghanim, International Corporation Professor Mohammed Al-Ibrahim, 1957 - 62 Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean, University Of Maryland School of Medicine; Executive Chief of Staff, VA Maryland Health Care System Behdad Alizadeh, 1975 - 79 Investment Banker, New York Anthony Allen, 2003 - 05 England Rugby International Benita Allen-Honess, 1972 - 76 Film Producer, California Rick Allen, 1965 - 71 Television Producer – “Friends” – Warner Brothers, California Damian Aspinall, 1972 - 77 Casino and Zoo Owner and Conservationist Sultan Ghalib al-Qu'aiti, 1962 - 66 Sultan of the Qu'aiti State of Hadhramaut Marc Asquith, 1972 - 77 Chairman of the Royal Aero Club of the UK Plkdr Pengiran Bahrin, 1960 - 65 Former Attorney-General and Minister of Law, Brunei Lucy Bailey, 1973 - 78 Theatre Director, OM of the Year 2000 Wyndham Bailey, 1939 - 45 Service to Millfield Society, OM of the Year 2005 Ian Balding, LVO, 1957 - 59 Racehorse Trainer to the Queen Brian Barnes, 1959 - 63 Ryder and World Cup Golfer and Captain of Britain Joey Barrington, 1985 - 97* England Squash International Stephen Batchelor, 1975 - 79 Olympic Gold Medal, Hockey Professor John Bell PhD, 1958 - 61 Professor of Philosophy, University of Western Ontario, Canada Guy Bennett, 1987 - 89 Senior Vice President, Head of Impressionist and Modern Art Department, Christie’s Tom Bertram, 1987 - 95* Great Britain Olympic and England Hockey Teams HRH Prince Alwalid Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 1968 - 75* Roger Bird, 1950 - 56 Author, Judge, President of the Association of District Judges Sam Bird, 2003 - 05 Formula GP2 Racing Driver Tony Blackburn, 1956 - 59 Disc Jockey Nicholas Blackburn, 1958 - 63 Director of Really Useful Theatres Ltd, and Chairman of Queens Park Rangers Football Club Claire Briggs, 1979 - 84 Principal Horn, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Lord Brougham and Vaux, CBE, 1952 - 57 President, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents; Deputy Speaker House of Lords; Deputy Chairman of Committee Isabella Burrell (née Tree), 1980 - 81 Sunday Times Travel Writer and Author Jenny Brunt, 1979 - 85* International Fashion Model Charles Burton, 1955 - 60* First to circumnavigate the earth on foot from Pole to Pole Ed Bye, 1969 - 74 BBC Television Producer/Director

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Major John Calvert-Jones, 1953 - 55 Vice Chairman, Stock Exchange of Melbourne; President, Bionic Ear Institute; Director, The Australian Ballet; Winner of the Fastnet Race Richard Caring, 1962 - 66 Retail Entrepreneur; Owner and Chairman of Wentworth Golf Club and OM of the Year 2010 Andrew Castle, 1976 - 79 British Davis Cup and Sky Sports Presenter Victor Chandler, 1966 - 69 Offshore Independent Bookmaker Major General Michael Charlton-Weedy, CBE, 1960 - 68* Chief Executive of the Cabinet Office Emergency Planning College Rupert Christiansen FRSL, 1968 - 72 Cultural, Historian and Opera Critic Professor Robert Clark, 1960 - 65 Professor of Prosthetic Dentistry Michael Cohen, 1968 - 70 Founder and Chief Executive, MPC Entertainment Jason Connery, 1974 - 77* Actor Stewart Copeland, 1967 - 69 Founder of “The Police” pop group and Film Composer; International Polo Player.

OM of the Year 2008 Charlotte Cornwallis, 1988 - 90 Ladies Real Tennis Champion Dean Cosker, 1996 - 96 England A Cricket International Mark Cox, MBE, 1958 - 62 British Davis Cup Player and Coach and Television Tennis Commentator Vivienne Cox, 1975 - 77 Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year 2006, OM of the Year 2006 Peter Curling, 1970 - 72 Irish Sporting Artist Sophie Dahl, 1988 - 90* International Fashion Model Paul R Davies, 1978 - 79 Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Paul S Davies, 1981 - 83 BBC Sports Executive Producer/Director.

OM of the Year 2008 Laurence Davis, 1974 - 77 Variety Club Charity Work. OM of the Year 2008 Judith Derbyshire, 1968 - 73 Company Solicitor, Clarks Shoes and Chairman of Governors Julie Dibens, 1986*-93 Olympic triathlete, XTERRA World Champion.

OM of the Year 2010 Professor Rose D’Sa, 1974 - 76 Authority on European Law; Member of the Economic and Social Committee of the EC Dominic Dromgoole, 1976 - 81 Artistic Director of Globe Theatre.

OM of the Year 2006 Professor John Dunn, 1957 - 58 Professor of Political Theory, Cambridge University Susanna Eastburn, 1985 - 87 Artistic Director of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival Gareth Edwards, OBE, 1964 - 66 British Lions and Wales Rugby Captain and Member of Millfield Schools’ Board of Governors.

OM of the Year 2007 Jeremy Edwards, 1982 - 89* Actor Joanna Fargus, 1992 - 97* GB Olympic Swimmer and Commonwealth Gold and Silver Medallist Mark Fenwick, 1962 - 66 Chairman, Fenwick Department Stores Sheelagh Ferrell, 1976 - 84* Film Producer Jane Fisher, 1983 - 85 World Indoor Rowing Champion William Flynn, 1964 - 69 Member of 50th State Parliament, Queensland, Australia Hon Timothy Tsun-Ting Fok, 1960 - 65 President of Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, President of Hong Kong Football Association and Member of Hong Kong Government. OM of the Year 2004

Andrew Foster, 1965 - 73* Director of Human Resources, NHS Mark Foster, 1983 - 86 Great Britain 5x Olympic Swimmer and World Champion. OM of the Year 2006 J E Cemlyn Foulkes, 1963 - 68 Great Britain Hockey Team and Welsh Captain Sir Roger Gibbs, 1952 - 53 Chairman, The Welcome Trust Victoria Glendinning, CBE, 1954 - 55 Biographer, Novelist and Book Critic Kaveh Golestan, 1965 - 67 Award-winning Photo-Journalist Duncan Goodhew, MBE, 1970 - 75 Olympic Gold Medal, Swimming Jerome Goudie, 1993 - 95 Great Britain Hockey and Hong Kong Squash International David Graveney, 1965 - 71* Chairman, England Cricket Selectors.

OM of the Year 2004 Kate Griggs (née Alexander), 1974 - 80* Downing Street Award for ‘Campaigner of the Year’. OM of the Year 2007 Stephen Hamer, 1967 - 69 Managing Director National Sporting Club, Chairman of Swansea City Football Club Richard Harding, 1968 - 71 England Rugby Captain Neil Harper, 1979 - 84 Great Britain Olympic Swimming Finalist Olympic Team Captain. Coach of South African Olympic Team David Heath, CBE, MP, 1963 - 72* MP for Somerton and Frome OM of the Year 2010 Major Dick Hern, CBE, 1939 - 40 Racehorse Trainer to the Queen Richard Hickmet, 1963 - 66 Barrister and formerly MP for Glandford and Scunthorpe Robert Hill, 1981 - 86 Great Britain Olympic and England, Hockey Ben Hollioake, 1989 - 92* England Cricket International Paul Howe, 1983 - 86 Olympic Bronze Medal, Swimming Martin Hughes-Games, 1970 - 75 BBC Television Producer Dr John Humble, 1948 - 52 Professor of Physics, University of Tasmania Fazle Husain, 1981 - 83 General Partner, Morgan Stanley Venture Capital, USA Her Royal Highness Princess Alia bint al Hussein, 1970 - 72 Paul Hutchins, 1961 - 63 Davis Cup Player. Former Head of Men’s Tennis LTA. OM of the Year 2009.

Margot James, 1970-75 MP for Stourbridge Andrew Jarrett, 1969 - 75* Davis Cup Player; Wimbledon Championships Referee Dato Paduka Dr Hj Johar bin Dato, 1955 - 61 Former Minister of Health, Brunei Simon Jones, 1995 - 97 English Cricket International.

OM of the Year 2006 Patrick W Jordan, 1975 - 85* Vice President of International Mobile Communications Company, Nierenberg Professor of Design, Carnegie Mellon University, Scientific Author and Lecturer Shelly Jory, 1987 - 89 GB Powerboat Racing Representative. 2nd in British Nationals 2003 Dato Andrew Kam, 1979 - 81 Developer, Economist and Philanthropist, Malaysia Dr Kai Kermani, 1958 - 60 Scientist, holistic general practitioner, healer, stress management consultant, artist, author, poet, international lecturer.

Ruth Kelly, 1980 - 81* Secretary of State for Transport, MP for Bolton Sir Peter Kemp, 1947 - 49 Senior Civil Servant

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Patrick Kiernan, 1975 - 80 Leader of the Brindisi String Quartet Michael King, 1964 - 68 Member of British Walker and Ryder Cup Golf Teams Abi Kuku, 1987 - 90 Soul-jazz Singer Patrick Lane, 1972 - 81* Finance Editor of The Economist Jason Laslett, 1982 - 87 Great Britain Olympic and England Hockey Captain Chris Law, 1966 - 71 4 x Great Britain Olympic and World Champion, Sailing WJ “Bill” Le Breton, MBE, 1967 - 70 Political & Strategic Adviser to the Liberal Democrat Party Timothy Lee, 1969 - 73 Service to a rural community in The Gambia.

OM of the Year 2004 Sir John Leon, Bart (John Standing), 1949 - 53 Actor Charlotte Leslie, 1995-96 MP for Bristol North West Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP, 1972 - 77 MP for Bridgwater Tan Sri Dato’ Lim Yan Hai, 1955 - 59 Financier/Industrialist/Developer, Malaysia Hugh Lindsay, 1967 - 71 Equerry to Her Majesty the Queen Steven Long, 1967 - 70 Great Britain Olympic Hockey Team William Louey, 1972 - 79 Executive Director, Kowloon Motor Bus Company, and Philanthropist, Hong Kong.

OM of the Year 2000 Dato Teik Loy, 1978 - 80 Chief Executive Officer of largest finance company in Malaysia David Luckes, 1980 - 87* Great Britain Triple Olympian & Bronze Medal, Hockey. OM of the Year 2009 Simon Luxmoore, 1966 - 69 Chief Executive of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

OM of the Year 2002 Professor Keith McAdam, 1963 Wellcome Professor of Tropical Medicine, London University; Director of the Medical Institutes in Africa. OM of the Year 2008 John McFall, 1994 - 97 Olympic Bronze Medal 100m T42.

OM of the Year 2008 Garth McGimpsey, 1972 - 74 Victorious Captain of the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Team. OM of the Year 2003 Dominic Mahony, 1977 - 82 Modern Pentathlon Olympic and World Championship Bronze Medallist John Mallett, 1983 - 88 England Rugby International Richard Mantell, 1992 - 99* Great Britain Olympic and England Hockey Teams Simon Mantell, 1995 - 02* Great Britain Olympic and England Hockey Teams Peter Marshall, 1986 - 87 Finalist in the World Squash Open Championships Warren Marston, 1984 - 87 National Hunt Jockey John and James Martin, 1957 - 62 Directors, Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Simon Mawer, 1964 - 67 Author, OM of the Year 2010 Barbara Mensah, 1975 - 77 First Circuit Judge of African Origin.

OM of the Year 2009 Wayne Michaels, 1972 - 77 Stuntman: winner of “Best Movie Stunt of All time” poll – James Bond’s bungee jump from a dam, in “Golden Eye” Damian Miller PhD, 1987 - 89 Director of Rural Operations, Shell Solar Brigadier Mark Milligan, 1969 - 78* Maxwell Milligan, 1974 - 84* Photographic Travel Journalist, Lecturer & Writer Nicholas D R Milligan, 1970 - 79* Sky Media Managing Director Jonathan Mills, 1964 - 68 Film and Television Producer, Scriptwriter and Author

Clare Montgomery QC, 1969 - 75 Barrister in Grays Inn; Deputy High Court Judge; English International Fencer Olly Morgan, 1999 - 04 England Rugby International Jonathan Morris, 1972 - 76 Opera Singer Dr Hannah Mortimer née Robinson, 1967 - 69 Educational Psychologist and Professional Writer Max Mosley, 1955 - 56 President of the Fédération Internationale de l‘Automobile Carl Myerscough, 1996 - 98 Commonwealth Games Bronze Medal for England in Men’s Shot-put and United Kingdom Record Holder His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak al Nahayan, 1968 - 75* Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University and Higher Colleges of Technology; President of Zayed University; Chairman of Union National Bank, United Arab Emirates.

OM of the Year 2003 James Nathan, 1986 - 91 TV MasterChef winner 2008.

OM of the Year 2008 Adnan Noon, 1988 - 90 Member of Pakistan Parliament Arjun Oberoi, 1975 - 86* International Hotelier Professor Peter Openshaw, 1967 - 71 Head, Section of Respiratory Infections, Imperial College London; Fellow of Academy of Medical Services; Professor of Experimental Medicine Chris Oti, 1982 - 83 England Rugby International Professor Sue Owen, 1969 - 73 Honorary Professor of English Literature, Sheffield University, and Author Martin Page, 1956 - 57 Foreign Correspondent. Founder of “Business Traveller” Magazine. Author, Active Campaigner for Rights of the Blind.

Dimitri Panayotopoulos, 1963 - 71* Vice Chairman-Global Household Care, The Proctor & Gamble Company Atul Patel, 1962 - 67 Director Barclays Bank. OM of the Year 2001 Matthew Perry, 1988 - 95* British Lions and England Rugby International.

OM of the Year 2001 Ronald C Y Poon, 1959 - 60 President of HK Institute of Architects Keith Power, 1982 - 84 Great Britain Bobsleigh Team and National Coach Niphon Promphan, 1969 - 70 Secretary-General to Prime Minister of Thailand Ana Punchihewa, 1967 - 71 President Board of Control for Cricket, Sri Lanka Patience Purdy, 1947 - 48 President of the National Council of Women of Great Britain Marc Quinn, 1978 - 82 International Sculptor. OM of the Year 2006 Purav Raja, 1998 - 03 India Tennis Singles Champion 2006 Dr Paul Richardson, 1973 - 80* Asssociate Professor of Oncology, Harvard University Michael Ridpath, 1973 - 78 Banker and Novelist. OM of the Year 2001 David Rigg, 1964 - 67 Communications Director, Camelot Group (National Lottery); Senior Partner, Project Associates Peter Roebuck, 1968 - 73 Captain Somerset CCC, Sunday Times Cricket Correspondent James Ross MBE, 1977 - 82 Great Britain International Canoeist Meriel Rosser, 1980 - 87* Co-ordinator in Darfur for Médecins Sans Frontières. OM of the Year 2005 Dr Hazel Rossotti (née Marsh), 1947 - 48 Fellow and Tutor in Chemistry, St Annes’ College, Oxford; Member of Hebdomadal Council, University Of Oxford; Science Writer Roland Rudd, 1970 - 79* Journalist and Financier

Nigel Sears, 1973 - 75 International Tennis Player and Coach.

Great Britain Federation Cup Captain Dato Haji Selamat bin Munap, 1958 - 63 Former Deputy Minister of Finance, Brunei John Sergeant, 1957 - 62 BBC Chief Political Correspondent.

OM of the Year 2002 Anabel Sexton, 1980 - 87* European Brands Communications Director, Taylor Made/Adidas Anthony Shang, 1966 - 70 Television Producer, Hong Kong Ajit Singh, 1957 - 59 Industrialist, India Julian Smith, 1987-89 MP for Skipton and Ripon Professor Colin Sparrow, 1967 - 71* Head of Department, Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick Major General Stephen Stopford, CB, MBE, AMIEE, 1950 - 52 Director General for Fighting Vehicles and Engineer Equipment; Defence Consultant Amanda Stretton, 1986- 87 Motorsport and Travel TV Presenter and ASCA Racing Driver Beng-Tat Tan, 1960 - 62 Property Developer; Council Member of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Industry MK Tan, 1952 - 55 Senior Partner, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Hong Kong Paul Terry, 1972 - 77 England Cricket International Jeremy Thomas, 1962 - 67* Chairman, the British Film Institute, Film Producer – “The Last Emperor” (9 Oscars) and Director – “Crash”. OM of the Year 2007 Mary Toomey Reese (née Bignal), 1953 - 58 Olympic Gold Medallist 1964 Awaal Tukur, 1981 - 84 Member of Nigerian Parliament Claire Tomlinson (née Lucas), 1960 - 62 England Ladies Polo International HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 1966 - 70 Crown Prince of Thailand Kirsty Wade (née McDermott, 1978 - 80 Triple Commonwealth Gold Medallist (Athletics) Jeh Wadia, 1987 - 90 Industrialist and Founder of Go Air India Terri Wakeham (née Davies), 1975 - 83* Senior Vice-President, Sony Pictures Ben Wallace MP, 1983 - 88 Conservative MP for Wyre and Preston North Claire Walker, 1976 - 79 Managing Director, Firefly Communications Jonathan Warburton, 1971 - 76 Chairman Warburtons Ltd, Family Bakers Ian Ward, 1986 - 91 England Cricket International Dr Peter M Warner, 1962 - 65 Dean of Homerton College, Cambridge and Author Robert J Watson, 1950 - 54 President of the Great Britain Olympic Hockey Board. OM of the Year 2002 Cleve West, 1974 - 77 Garden Designer and Writer. Twice Gold Medal Winner at Chelsea. OM of the Year 2007 Professor Christopher J Wickham, 1961 - 67* Professor of History, Oxford University Dr J P R Williams, MBE, 1966 - 67 British Lions and Wales Rugby Captain; Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon; Consultant in Radiology Sarah Winckless, 1990 - 92 Great Britain Rowing Team 1990 OM of the year 2005 Katrina Wood (née Herbert) PhD, 1969 - 73 Psychologist and Author. Proprietor of Therapy Centres in Los Angeles Peter Wong, 1954 - 57* Legislative Councillor and Founding Chairman of Open University, Hong Kong Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, 1968 - 72 Deputy Prime Minister, United Arab Emirates * Dates marked with an asterisk include years at Edgarley

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Millfield Old Boys Rugby Football Club 2010 Alan M Burns (Chairman)

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adly the 2010 season will be remembered primarily for the tragic death of Alastair Kidd (1988-90; Georgian Cottage), at the tragically early age of 38. Alastair, was a loyal, gregarious and generous friend, and his death is a devastating blow to his parents, Malcolm and Geraldine, to the Club and to all who knew him. “Kiddo”, as he was affectionately known by all his contemporaries, will be desperately missed. Those wishing to make a

donation towards a memorial bench on the Gareth Edwards pitch (formerly the Jubilee Pitch) at Millfield, please contact me.

Turning to the current season’s activities.

There were two achievements that stood out, the Academy squad’s outstanding performance in reaching the final of the Amsterdam International 7s competition, and the Club’s inaugural entry into the prestigious Stockholm 10s, the premier 10s tournament in

Europe. My congratulations to all who took part, you were a credit to Millfield and the Club.

To all OMs who played for the Club throughout the season, the OM Society for their generous financial contribution, the Headmaster, Craig Considine, and all parents and Hon Vice Presidents, your support is very much appreciated.

These necessarily abridged reports will appear in full in the Club’s Annual Newsletter 2010/11.

Miles Mantella, Ed Jackson, Adam Clayton, Alex Neison, Chris Cook, Tom Dann, Rod Speed James Tiarks, Mark Odejobi, John Brake (Capt), Darren Clayton, Tom Parker.

Amsterdam 7s Rod Speed (1964-66; Day) This was the most talented Old Boys 7s squad in the history of the Club, and their strength and pace overwhelmed the opposition on the first day. Our first tough match came on Sunday against Suzies Exiles; the boys rose to the challenge of this professional outfit and emerged comfortable winners, as they did in the quarter finals against the White Hart Marauders, another professional team.

Newcastle Falcons, our semi-final opponents, had

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beaten us well last year, but it was tighter this time, going to extra time, when John Brake (1995*-2006; St Anne’s) fought his way over to win it.

Sadly, the final proved a game too far; injuries coupled with two hard games with minimal rest left us struggling against a fast and physical Samurai team, and Darren Clayton’s (1997*-2004; Walton) unlucky yellow card left us no way back.

Our loyal band of VP supporters was very proud of the squad’s performance; our aim now must be to go that one step farther.

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Rod Speed, Guest, Patrick Chenery, Doug O’Gorman, Tom Acland, Guest, Yorrick Legg, Simon Hill, Adam Vander Henry Goodburn, Dave Jones, Charlie Openshaw, Richard Dix (Capt), Nick Buoy, James Haste, Guest

Amsterdam Vets 10s

Richard Dix (1986-91; Shapwick)

We eventually gathered a competitive squad, despite late withdrawals, and on the Saturday faced the group matches.

We played our 10s games in a very fluid 7s style, trying to avoid energy-sapping mauls against generally fitter and more physical opponents. Our tactics worked well against Dutch opponents (31-5), but unfortunately injury took Tom Acland (1989-91; Day) out of the tournament. James Haste (1987-91; Shapwick) stood out in another comfortable win (28-5) against an Italian side, and slick movement of the ball helped us account for a Scottish team (24-0).

On Sunday morning, despite the draining effects of injuries, we made a strong comeback to win the quarter-final against a very fit Madrid team, but in the semi-final we ran out of steam and lost comfortably to a powerful Pacific Islands outfit. Congratulations to the squad for another impressive performance, and thanks again to our loyal band of supporters. With a bigger squad we can win this tournament for them – perhaps next year!

Stockholm International 10s The squad, a blend of experienced players, seasoned tourists and pure enthusiasts, were organised into Stockholm by Angela and Alan, and straight into training. Usual hallmarks of Millfield rugby emerged: slick handling, pace and a general lack of sensible footwear.

Day one showed glimpses of the squad’s potential, playing a mixture of classic Millfield 7s with creative running from the likes of Greg Cox, Dan Masters and Jake Parker. These three games were very much qualifiers for day two, and we duly made our way into the main competition, together with a number of invitational sides.

Our day two quarter-final opponents were a French club side in a straight knockout match. Despite scoring first

John Mallett (1983-87; Orchards)

and playing our best rugby of the weekend, we ended the game one score down. This was a high quality match,

showing us at near our best, but crucially we lost possession at vital times, which cost us dearly.

Rod Speed, Jake Parker, Nick Hayes, Alex Nielsen, Greg Cox, Dan Venn, Charlie Openshaw, Tom Ross, John Mallett Dan Masters, Dominic Jones, Joe Shimizu, George Chalke, Richard Mahony, Freddie Chalke, Ian Newbury, Harry Cox

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Middx Club 7s John Brimacombe (1982*-89; Shapwick) In our first two games we gradually asserted our superior skills to win comfortably against London Irish then Cornish. In a deciding group match we played dominating 7s in defeating Saracens, before going on to convincing quarter-final victory against Chiswick. Sadly for us, Esher ran in four unanswered tries in the first half of the semi-final, which proved too much for us.

Rod Speed, Alex Nielsen, Dan Masters, Jake Parker, Kirk King, Sam Showering, Jon Brimacombe Piers Glyn-Davies, Freddie Chalke, Anders Mogensen, Dai Lakin, Marco Mama, James Cromwell, Dominic Jones

Ind Schools OBs 7s Paul Hockedy (Fomer Parent) Unfortunately the date of the inaugural tournament conflicted with too many competing commitments and in addition we suffered badly from injuries.

However, we won three of four group matches to reach the semi-finals before being well beaten

by Old Warwickians. In the circumstances the squad did creditably to reach the semi-finals and we hope for better next year.

Cronk-Cunis U21s The squad assembled in good spirits on a sunny August Bank Holiday Monday, but were sobered by losing their first match and hence suffering relegation to the Plate Competition. As it happened, this move had the incidental advantage of helping us in managing the unprecedented number of injuries we subsequently sustained.

The highlight of the day was a win in extra time against Hymers College, Hull; this was a bruising encounter in which we had to claw back a 10 point deficit. The traditional Millfield character the boys showed in that match was again needed in the semifinal. In addition to some odd comings and goings among the teams, we continued to lose players to injury on a regular basis, but finally won by a

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Paul Hockedy, Jake Parker, Dan Masters, Kit Sheppard, George Chalke, Ian Newbury, Jon Brimacombe Alex Nielsen, Kirk King, Joe Shimizu, Rob Hockedy, Jack Cooper

Mark Lewis-Williams (Current Tutor) successful injury time penalty. For the final we fielded all those left standing but to no avail and we suffered our

second defeat of the day. So no silverware but a great day and some sterling performances to remember.

Mark Lewis Williams (Coach), Henry Bailey, James Benge, Christian Waite, Charles Incledon, Oli Davies, Chris Wakeford, Guy Sears, Guy Newton, Nick Hayes, Paul Hockedy (Manager) Dan Cheers, Joe Shimizu, George Chalke, Oli Stanley, James Cromwell, Kit Sheppard, Rob Hockedy, Harry Cox, Tom Chalcraft, Matt Spelman

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Other

News…

Arts “Anantya – Beyond Any Boundary” – Exhibition by Sheyna Ali Baig (1981-86; Grange) Working in oil and mixed media on canvas, Sheyna described her recent successful exhibition in the Visual Arts Gallery, Delhi, as being “about the child within, yoga and a recent journey to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, where the splendour and harmony of the Himalayas evoke and enhance deep feelings of awareness and oneness…”.

To see the full exhibition, voted one of the top ten in New Delhi, and further examples of Sheyna’s work, please visit www.sheynabaig.com

Christie’s Loss Guy Bennett (1987-89; St Anne’s), former co-head of Christie’s Impressionist and Modern Art Department worldwide, resigned from the auction house after a 12-year term. During that time, in November 2006, he presided over the most lucrative auction in history, tallying $491 million.

Film Another Unique Sculpture by Marc Over the years Marc Quinn (1978-82; Ivythorn) has produced several eyecatching, occasionally disconcerting sculptures. His latest depicted the actress Pamela Anderson as a pair of conjoined twins in bronze. It was exhibited at the White Cube Gallery in London. In May The Telegraph published “The World of Marc Quinn, Artist” explaining that Marc first came to prominence with his sculpture “Self” (1991), a cast of his head made from 10 pints of his own frozen blood. In the article Marc explained about his blood heads: “They are my selfportraits, and I make a new one every five years. There are 10 pints in each sculpture and I give a pint at a time over a number of months. It is quite difficult to find the moment to do it because I feel a bit weak after each appointment and have to write Photo provided by White Cube Gallery off some time at work”.

Jack Moves Towards The Supernatural Jack Huston (1990*-99; Kingweston), the nephew of actress Anjelica Huston and the grandson of legendary film director John Huston, starred in “Eastwick” in the early part of the year, a series based on the “Witches of Eastwick” film and books. The series follows three supernaturally gifted women, and Jack plays their neighbour with a secret. By the time you read this, the third instalment in the “Twilight” saga should have been released. This instalment, “Eclipse” sees Jack taking on the role of the evil vampire Royce King II.

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“Mugabe and The White African” Last December, this film was named best documentary at the British Independent Film Awards. It describes a white Zimbabwean family who were forced off their land by President Robert Mugabe’s regime and how they had a taste of revenge. The film was directed by Andrew Thompson and Lucy Bailey (1973-78; Day) and was tipped as a contender for an Oscar.

Alexander Pettyfer (2003-04; Butleigh) In 2005, Alex, after ending his modelling career, made his professional acting début in the British television production of “Tom Brown's Schooldays”, playing the lead character; he received positive reviews for the role. In June 2005, he was cast in his most prominent role so far, that of teenage MI6 spy Alex Rider in the film “Stormbreaker,” based on the novel by Anthony Horowitz. He was one of 500 who auditioned for the role.

In the horror-comedy film “Tormented” he played the callous ringleader of a group of cool but cruel teenagers who

Guy Blythman (1977-83; Orchards) “Eye Of The Sun God” An eminent scientist disappears while on expedition to the Amazon. Several of his colleagues return to the West in a trance-like state, talking of a mysterious lost civilisation which seems to have been more advanced than our own, building a machine, the Eye of the Sun God, which could solve all the world’s energy problems.

Caroline an ambitious oil troubleshooter accepts a posting to a refinery in the troubled South American state of Camaragua. There, she finds herself drawn into a battle of wits with ruthless drug baron Otto

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are picked off one by one by the ghost of one of their former victims. He was voted number 35 on Britain’s list of 50 most eligible bachelors by UK women’s magazine “Company”. UK magazine “Glamour” ranked him at number 21 on their list of the sexiest men on the planet as determined by a poll of 2000 British women. Alex will be portraying the main character in “I Am Number Four”, a film to be released in 2011.

Well done Alex!

Literature (Authors) Anthony F M Burdett (1943; Day/Biology Tutor; 1973-91) “Sturry Masheh – Wandering along the Afghan Borderlands over 40 years” An attempt to cross the Himalayas from west to east was delayed by having to cycle to India and then thwarted by the Chinese invasions of Tibet. Tony Burdett spent two and half years in India and Pakistan, teaching at

Viellar, who also knows about the Sun God. Author of several books on windmills and watermills, this is Guy’s first published novel, and the first in a series of stories featuring a feisty female oil executive struggling to survive in the male-dominated industry. Primarily a political thriller, but with a strong dose of science fiction and written in the spirit of the good old-fashioned adventure yarn.

Action, glamour, suspense and humour will be found within!

Paperback: pages 636 Publisher: Bright Pen £16.99 ISBN: 9780755212422

the Doon School in Dehra Dun and used the long holidays to meet up with Afghan friends. Teaching at Millfield, when back in England, allowed him time to continue a life-long friendship with the Jogezai clan of the Kakar tribe.

The book, well illustrated, is an appreciation of the tribal system and the effects of modernisation on it and the decline in wildlife.

Hardback: pages 424 Publisher: Butleigh and Barton £19.99 ISBN: 9780956340108

Victoria Glendinning (1954-55; Wraxleigh) “Love’s Civil War: Elizabeth Bowen and Charles Ritchie, Letters & Diaries 1941-1973” Although they were usually hundreds of miles apart, the affair between Elizabeth Bowen and Charles Ritchie lasted 32 years. Her love letters reveal the novelist at her most brilliant.

Hardcover: pages 320 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd £14.99 ISBN-10: 1847372139 ISBN-13: 9781847372130

Also available for download for £5.95 at www.authorsonline.co.uk

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Sarah Helm (1971-74; Ashcott) “A Life in Secrets; Vera Atkins and the Missing Agents of WWII” The extraordinary life of Vera Atkins, head of the French Section of the British Special Operations Executive during World War II, is told by award-winning journalist Sarah Helm in this book which details the work she carried out in Nazi-occupied France. It also chronicles her post-war search for 12 of her women spies who had gone missing in action whilst organising and arming the resistance.

Paperback: pages 544 Publisher: Anchor £9.99 ISBN: 9781400031405

Sharon Hendry (1986-92; Day) “Radhika’s Story” A chilling, first-hand account by a survivor of human trafficking, the book documents the experiences of a young girl who was drugged and had her kidney removed for sale, the victim of an arranged marriage, separated from her child, trafficked and forced into

prostitution. Never to give up hope, Radhika’s Story is also an incredible testament to the power of a mother’s love. 100% of royalties have been pledged to the refuge in Kathmandu where the heroine of the story resides.

A film script is currently under way.

Sharon Hendry (1986-92; Day) is a senior feature writer at The Sun, and has exposed international adoption rackets and tracked paedophiles in Cambodia.

Paperback: pages 224 Publisher: New Holland £8.99 ISBN: 9781847737250

Jenny Lovell (1984-86; Overleigh) “Building Envelopes: An Integrated Approach” Building Envelopes is a process-based tool kit for both practitioners and academics that advocates designing building envelopes in an integrated way.

It features clear text, sketches and striking photographs. It illustrates how students and practitioners can bring elements like these together to create cost and energy effective, yet pleasing, facades.

Paperback: pages 144 Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press £16.99 ISBN: 9781568988184

Max Milligan (1974*-83; Holmcroft) “The Lebanon” and “Ghana: A Portrait” A large colour photography book launched at the Royal Geographical Society and by Bloomsbury at The Sharjah Book Fair in October, which was commissioned by Charles Laba (1979-84; Hollies) and is raising funds for MAG – The Mines Advisory Group Charity. “The Lebanon” follows on from the success of Max’s earlier book “Ghana: A Portrait” which has an introduction by Kofi Annan, has twice sold out and is available at the

Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York as well as the usual outlets.

“Ghana: A Portrait” is a pictorial summary of the country resulting from many months of travel, and includes festivals, landscapes, wildlife, people and architecture, capturing the essence of the country as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee.

Hardback: pages 256 Publisher: Idlewild £35.00 ISBN: 9780954587635

Eileen Rees (1970-74; Billet) “Bewick’s Swan” A fascinating and highly readable monograph, showcasing one of the flagship species of wetland conservation in Britain to superb effect. Eileen Rees tells the story of these birds in rich detail. Personal recollections from a lifetime of study weave through the narrative, which is illustrated by Dafila Scott’s (1968-70; The Cottage) evocative illustrations.

Hardcover: pages 296 Publisher: Poyser £38.00 ISBN-10: 0713665599 ISBN-10: 9780713665598

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Michael Ridpath (1973-78; Mill House) “Where The Shadows Lie” Amid Iceland’s wild, volcanic landscape, rumours swirl of an eighthundred-year old manuscript inscribed with a long-lost saga about a ring of terrible power. A rediscovered saga alone would be worth a fortune but, if the rumours can be believed, there is something much more valuable about this one. Something worth killing for.

Something that will cost Professor Agnar Haraldsson his life. Untangling murder from myth is Iceland-born, Boston-raised homicide detective Magnus Jonson. Seconded to the Icelandic Police Force for his own protection after he runs foul of a drug cartel back in Boston, Magnus also has his own reasons for returning to the country of his birth for the first time in nearly two decades – the unsolved murder of his father. And as Magnus is about to discover, the past casts a long shadow in Iceland. “Binding Iceland’s landscape and history, secrets and superstitions in a strikingly original plot that will span several volumes, Where The Shadows Lie is a thrilling new series from an established master.”

Hardback: pages 344 Publisher: Corvus £12.99 ISBN: 9781848873971

Chris Wickham (1961*-67; Glaston Tor) “The Inheritance of Rome” The world known as the ‘Dark Ages’, often seen as a time of barbarism, was in fact the crucible in which modern

Europe would be created. Chris Wickham’s acclaimed history shows how this period, encompassing peoples such as Goths, Franks, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, was central to the development of our history and culture. This compelling new book sheds light on the real ‘dark age’, telling the story of the collapse of Rome and the turbulent formation of a new Europe, and is a very readable account of a misunderstood and difficult age. Previous publications include Framing the early Middle Ages: Europe and the Mediterranean 400–800 (2005) which won the 2005 Wolfson History Prize, the 2006 Deutscher Memorial Prize, and the 2006 James Henry Breasted Prize from the American Historical Association, and Marxist History Writing for the Twenty-first Century, in which the status and profile of Marxist historiography is discussed by various academics.

Paperback: pages 688 Publisher: Penguin £14.99 ISBN: 9780140290141

Andrew Williamson (1976-81; Mill House/Ashcott) “Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book: Based on the Film Phenomenon” This pop up book offers a 3D glimpse into the amazing world, as seen in the films. It features exquisite original artwork by Andrew, concept artist for all eight movies. This deluxe book will delight Harry Potter fans with dynamic pop-up ingenuity, insights from the creative team who turned JK Rowling’s

stories into movie magic, fascinating facts about the magical universe seen in the movies, and Harry Potter memories and memorabilia packed into every page.

Hardback: pages 12 Publisher: Insight Editions £25.00 ISBN: 9781608870080

Music The Moulettes The frontline of cello, bassoon and violin is augmented by rumbling percussions, frenetic guitar, autoharp and kazoo, all overlaid by vocal harmonies. Cellist Hannah Miller (1998-2003; Day), bassoonist Ruth Skipper (1991*-2002; Acacia) and guitarist/drummer Ollie Austin have been playing together for several years, with the recent addition of violinist Georgina Leach and her percussionist Rob Arcari completing the line-up. The band are establishing themselves on the UK summer festival scene, and have also been to Bosnia, supporting workshops and festival events to help young people traumatised by the civil war. They performed splendidly at Millfield’s 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner in London in September.

Even More Success for Lily Allen In May, Lily (1996-97; Edgarley) broke down in tears as she won three prizes at the Ivor Novello awards. Her song, “The Fear”, won her two prizes and she was named songwriter of the year along

Nick Woodford (1989-94; Joan’s Kitchen) “Where to Ride – London” The 50 rides in this book are tailored to make the most of the city’s car-free cycling routes whilst tapping into her sights and areas of beauty. They range from road rides to tough muddy mountain bike tracks, from

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tranquil riverside paths to cultural odysseys weaving through the intense urban fabric. The guide has been broken down into six chapters and there is an easy to use rating scale so you know what to expect.

Paperback: pages 256 Publisher: Bicycling Australia £14.95 ISBN-10: 0980354692 ISBN-13: 978098035469

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Mumford and Sons Since they formed in December 2007, the members of Mumford and Sons have shared a common purpose: to make music that matters, without taking themselves too seriously. The four young men from West London in their early twenties are Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane (1997-2002; Joan’s Kitchen). The band has toured extensively including a triumphant set at Glastonbury in June. They have now released several albums and the future looks bright. www.mumfordandsons.com

with Greg Kurstin. Media Magazine explained: “She is the social commentator of our day, the voice of a generation, and the fact she’s funny too – well, that’s a bonus. Allen is the antithesis of the character in “The Fear”. She wants to be clever and she wants to be funny, and that is where her success lies”.

Lily showed all the signs of becoming a performer whilst at Edgarley where she was involved in the 1997 production of Caradog, as well as performing in some

of the songs on Open Day that year which were recorded in Chestnut Common Room. Her distinctive voice can be identified on one or two of the tracks.

Record Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Musician and Songwriter Ethan Johns (1982-86; Etonhurst) is all these things. He has worked with artists such as Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Ray LaMontagne, Rufus Wainwright,

Howard Eliott Payne, Emmylou Harris, Crowded House, Laura Marling and others. He is the owner of indie record label “Three Crows Music” which is home to Julianna Raye, Sarabeth Tucek and pianist/composer Dave Palmer.

Ethan is the son of Glyn Johns, also producer/engineer/musician, who has worked with such artists as Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Zeppelin, Eagles and Eric Clapton.

The Oxford Gargoyles

Lily at Edgarley Hall Reproduced by kind permission of Rex Features

In his first year of university, Alex Hunt (2007-09; Millfield) successfully auditioned for The Oxford Gargoyles. The jazz a cappella group from Oxford University has been singing custom written arrangements of jazz standards since 1998, all performed and choreographed in black tie. This year has been a particularly successful one for the 12 members of the group.

Having learned an extensive repertoire of mostly jazz, but extending to soul and pop, The Oxford Gargoyles had a busy gig schedule, featuring at many classy balls around Oxford and London and supported the world famous Swingle Singers at the Kings Place Theatre in London. Their highlight of the year came when winning the Voice Festival UK (the national competition for collegiate a cappella). All this hard work culminated in a very successful two-week run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where they were very well received and put on a show that got a handful of five-star reviews.

Alex Hunt has now become the President of The Oxford Gargoyles, who are available for hire throughout the year, for more information visit www.theoxfordgargoyles.co.uk

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Sara Flying High for Ryder Cup Sara Kempe (2003-07; Kernick) was the singer behind “Let Me Fly” the Ryder Cup Wales Song that soundtracked the adverts and material in the run-up to the event. She was spotted by Celtic Manor owner Sir Terry Matthews, who came across

Radio Dr Sarah is the Radio 2 Doctor Doctor Sarah Jarvis (1971*-79; Ashcott) trained at Cambridge and Oxford and is a GP, although she is now actively involved in the world of Medical Media. She is the Radio 2 doctor, doctor to Good Housekeeping, a member of the advisory board for the British Journal of Cardiology and the Patient Group of Heart UK. She also appears regularly on Radio 5 live, Radio 4, GMTV and ITN lunchtime news. In addition, she has written several medical books. Her current writing projects include “Child Health for Dummies” and a book on the ethics of dying, co-authored with John Humphrys.

Television Marriage of Sophie Dahl and Jamie Cullum In January Sophie (1985-87; Edgarley) and the jazz singer/pianist, Jamie Cullum, were married in the New Forest, Hampshire. Sophie is the granddaughter of the late author Roald Dahl. Following on from last year’s success of her book “Miss Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights” (published in hardback by Harper Collins, ISBN 13: 9780007261178), Sophie brought her culinary prowess to television, in March and April, with a six-part cookery series, “The Delicious Miss Dahl”, in which she cooked up fresh, enticing recipes and reminisced about some of

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her singing at various events and asked her to sing at a few dinners.

Sara first discovered her passion for singing while at Millfield.

strongest opener to a Globe season…’, Macbeth, launched on Shakespeare’s birthday, led the way in the Globe’s 2010 Kings and Rogues theatre season.

Directed by Lucy Bailey (1973-78; Day), the play evoked the primitive and violent climate of 11th century Scotland and received enthusiastic reviews. The theatre now pulls in record audiences under the artistic directorship of Dominic Dromgoole (1976-81; Day).

her own personal food memories.

Local Boy Makes Good Desperate Housewives Star Sues Producer Quite a lot of publicity was given to Nicollette Sheridan (1980-81; Kernick) suing the programme’s creator for assault, claiming that he hit her in the face during a row over the script.

Apparently, the law suit rivals the plot lines from Wisteria Lane, the fictional suburb where the series is set. Nicollette was suing Marc Cherry for £13 million, alleging assault and battery, gender violence, sex and age discrimination, wrongful termination and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

John Sergeant on the Tourist Trail John (1957-62; Kingweston) fronted this series of programmes on ITV, just before last Christmas, in an interesting series of travelogues. He tagged along with tour groups of all nationalities, soaking up their reactions, expectations and misconceptions as they experienced Britain at first hand. He engaged with Californian gardening enthusiasts, troops of monster hunters at Loch Ness, German bikers on the Isle of Man and a group of Japanese tourists in the Lake District. The series was extremely well received.

Theatre Lucy Directs “Macbeth” at The Globe Described in The Times as ‘The

Earlier in the year, Andrew Wright (1985*-91; Day) returned from the glitz of Leicester Square to his home town of Street to direct the Street and Glastonbury Musical Comedy Society’s 80th Anniversary production. Andrew played Lumiere in the London production of “Beauty and The Beast” and received rave reviews for his work on the award-winning musical “Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi”.

Andrew started his life in musicals locally but went on to win a part in the London production of “Oliver!”. His 14-year on-stage career included playing McCavity in the London production of “Cats”. He recently choreographed “42nd Street” which had a three-month run at last summer’s Chichester Festival, and has been working recently on other productions, which include “Night of 1,000 Voices”, which took place at the Albert Hall.

Miscellany The Future’s Looking Bright for Tom A couple of years ago, Tom Alexander (1971-75; Day) resigned as the Chief Executive of Virgin Mobile to take over the Chief Executive’s Chair at Orange UK. An article in The Times in November 2009 outlined his success in an attempt to restore the company to a position as the country’s largest mobile operator. He forged a merger with TMobile as well as marketing the iPhone,

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both extremely positive moves and in the interests of Orange. He has been widely credited with breathing new life into Orange after years of stagnation.

When he left Millfield he became a professional motor racer winning European Karting Championships as a teenager before switching to cars.

However, his passion for speed has not dimmed and he now owns his own racing team, 22GT. It seems that he also enjoys restoring furniture.

Duncan Stirling (1992*-99; Etonhurst) Since leaving Millfield in 1999 and opting out of university, Duncan has spent most of his career working in party promotions and public relations.

He now has a small leisure business owning/operating two venues in Chelsea, South West London.

“Maggie’s” is his 1980s inspired nightclub based in the Fulham Road and “Barts” is a prohibition style 1920s Speak Easy bar on Sloane Avenue. The wheels are already in motion for a third venue before the end of 2010.

Warburton Snacks The Daily Telegraph business section contained a lengthy article on Jonathan Warburton (1971-76; Millfield) in April. Jonathan is Chairman of the 134-year-old bakery that is the bread industry leader. It accounts for a quarter of the market, ahead of Hovis and Kingsmill, selling two million loaves, buns and crumpets each day. The focus of the article was the company diversifying away from its breadmaking roots and moving into snacks.

Anil Roberts’ Rise to Fame – Minister of Sport, Trinidad After leaving Millfield, Anil Roberts (1985-87; Joan’s Kitchen) represented Trinidad and Tobago in competitive swimming, a sport in which he had excelled whilst at Millfield, representing the school at National level. In May 2010, he became Trinidad’s Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs in the new cabinet of Prime Minister Kamla Persad. Paddy Garratt, former Chief Swimming Coach at

Millfield remembers Anil well: “He was a great lad, friendly and funny with a devilish sense of humour and an infectious laugh. The last image I have of him was the joy he displayed when seeing snow for the first time as he rolled around in it, outside the cricket pavilion. His most generous nature was displayed when he went down to Street and pushed a fully laden supermarket trolley…….!”

Work in the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Eileen Rees (1970-74; Southfields/ Ashcott) and Rebecca Woodward

OMs and the General Election 2010 Millfield produced more MPs than any other school, apart from Eton, with six OMs now acting as Members of Parliament: David Heath (1963-72; Edgarley and Day) – now Deputy Leader of the Commons – for Somerton and Frome; Ian Liddell-Grainger (1972-77; Hornblotton), Bridgwater; Julian Smith (198789; Shapwick), Skipton and Ripon; Ben Wallace (1983-88; Day), representing the Northern constituency of Lancaster and Wyre; Margot James (1970-75; Ashcott), Stourbridge; and Charlotte Leslie (1995-96; Acacia), Bristol North West. Former MPs include Ruth Kelly (1980-81; Edgarley), Bolton West, former Secretary of State for Transport, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Minister for Women and Equality and Secretary of State for Education and Skills, serving under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

David Heath

Margot James

Charlotte Leslie

Ian Liddell-Grainger

Julian Smith

Ben Wallace

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directors in formalising its corporate structure. And that new client service structure can be described as RDR+.

Apart from his advisory and asset management business, Alan is a keen golfer and plays in all golf competitions organised by the Old Millfieldian Society.

Launch of Seven Hills

Eileen Rees, Dafila Scott and Rebecca Woodward

(1989-92; Overleigh) are both occupying important positions for the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the leading UK conservation charity, which saves and protects wetlands for wildlife and people across the world. It was founded in 1946 by the naturalist and artist, the late Sir Peter Scott, father of Dafila Scott (1968-70; Holmcroft).

Eileen is Head of the WWT’s UK Waterbird Conservation programme, with particular responsibility for longterm population studies of migratory wildfowl. She has 30 years’ experience of working on research and conservation projects, and has published over 100 scientific papers and reports. Her book on the Bewick’s Swan (illustrated by Dafila) was published by A&C Black in its Poyser imprint series in 2006, the year she also became editor of WWT’s scientific journal Wildfowl. Rebecca is Associate Director of WWT Consulting. Having worked on a wide range of wetlandrelated projects both in the UK and overseas she is responsible for providing specialist ornithological and ecological advice and the design, implementation, analysis and reporting of ornithological surveys. As an associate director and a

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project manager, Rebecca is responsible for the implementation of a diversity of large, complex projects with budgets in excess of £1.2 million. Dafila trained as a zoologist and spent the first part of her career working with the WWT, studying Bewick swans. Since then she has continued to be associated with WWT as a member of council and subsequently as a long-term supporter.

After her research career, she turned to drawing and painting and now works as an artist. Most of her work is inspired by wildlife and landscape and features animals or places with which she has become familiar.

Alan Becomes RDR+ Compliant “RDR+” means ‘retail distribution review compliant plus’, a new client service structure recently launched by Alan Phillips’ (1983-87; Day) wealth management, Fidelius. Following a successful cricket career with Somerset CCC (retiring after injury), in 1999 Alan launched the company which, currently, has around £70 million in assets and has well-advanced plans to double that via acquisition, having recently recruited several high-profile

As Millfield celebrated its 75th Anniversary it was good to note that OMs were creating anniversaries of their own including Michael Hayman (1983-88; Joan’s Kitchen) launching a new public relations firm called “Seven Hills”. Three hundred guests gathered at the West End club, One Alfred Place, for a sparkling night to celebrate the new business. Speakers included comedian Rory Bremner and Dragons Den entrepreneur, Doug Richard. OMs were out in force including Richard Jones, Giles Boustead, Simon Tucker, Rachele Hayman, Laurence Davis, Duncan Goodhew and John Davies.

Students Partnership Worldwide (SPW) has become “Restless Development” The organisation began in 1985 as “Third World Projects”, before becoming “Schools Partnership Worldwide” and then “Students Partnership Worldwide”. Many readers volunteered overseas with SPW or had friends who did. Recently, SPW became “Restless Development”. If you are a former Millfield volunteer or would like to hear more about the life-changing work the organisation does with young people, communities and governments globally, do have a look at www.restlessdevelopment.org.

Joy Becomes Early Apprentice Reject In October, Joy Stefanicki (1989*-94; Southfield) became the second candidate to be thrown off the BBC’s “The Apprentice” suggesting, according to the Daily Telegraph, that she “was

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axed for not being good television”.

After leaving Millfield, Joy travelled widely, living abroad in Israel, Peru and New York. Becoming one of the global recession’s victims in 2009, she then returned to the UK. In the programme, her girls team performed poorly, managing to fail to get any orders from the three retailers to whom they had to pitch a unique beach accessory. Joy said that she was frightened of Lord Sugar: “when he pointed his finger at me, I swear it was like it went through my whole body”.

Prince Paul’s Son is Christened

Tony Makes Chart Show Comeback

In April, The Financial Times weekend magazine did a major article on Richard, “the self-made man who made a fortune in clothing, and is making another by opening high-end restaurants and clubs around the world”. He owns such establishments as The Ivy, Scott’s, J Sheekey and Le Caprice and London members’ clubs Annabel’s, Mark’s, Harry’s Bar and George. He owns 80% of the Soho House Chain, Soho House in London and New York and Babbington House in Somerset, having recently extended the brand to Los Angeles with plans to open in the next year or so more in Berlin, Miami and Chicago. Indeed, he now owns 39 restaurants and clubs and

In November, Tony Blackburn (195659; Millfield) made a remarkable resurrection of his career by presenting his first BBC chart show in almost 30 years. The veteran DJ took over from Dale Winton as host of Radio 2’s “Pick of the Pops”, the vintage chart show.

Tony, the first voice on Radio 1 in 1967, had not presented a chart show since hosting the main Top 40 in the early 1980s not long before his departure from local radio. In October, the News Review Section of the Sunday Telegraph wrote a major article about Tony entitled “So what if people call me cheesy?”.

Prince Paul of Romania (1965-68; Shapwick), pretender to his country’s throne, and his wife Lia celebrated the christening of their baby son, Carol Ferdinand, in May to the cheers of 200 monarchists who stood outside Bucharest’s Orthodox Domnita Balasa Church in the pouring rain. Lia gave birth to what she describes as her “little miracle” in January at the age of 60.

The High Profile Richard Caring

is looking into hotel projects all over the world. He received much press coverage in 2010, not least for his redesigning Wentworth Golf Course (he owns the club) which hosted the prestigious BMW PGA Championships in May. Richard is an OM of the Year 2010.

Look out for Shapland Coffee In May, The Times published an article on “How I Made It: James Shapland of Coffee #1” describing James’ (1989-94; Joan’s Kitchen) progress after leaving Millfield to the present position where his Coffee #1 has 12 outlets and was expected to turnover £5 million in 2010. It was an interesting article. “The youngest of three boys, Shapland was born and brought up in Cardiff, where his father owned a travel company.

From 13 he boarded at Millfield School in Somerset, where he would digest Investors Chronicle while his classmates read Rugby World”.

Galahad Clark – Terra Planna Galahad Clark’s (1983*-1994; Shapwick) ancestors have been making

Andrew Castle Replaces His Tennis Partner Following the General Election it became apparent that Andrew (1976-79; Day), the GMTV Presenter, would most likely lose the opportunity to play regularly against his traditional partner, David Cameron. A piece in the Daily Telegraph quoted Andrew as describing the Prime Minister’s tennis “What really stands out is his determination, which is probably his best weapon. When we play together, no one else has been around but, I guess, we’ll now have a bigger crowd next time; his new bodyguard should act as the line judge.” Apparently Andrew has replaced David Cameron with Annabel Croft, “a bit easier on the eye”.

…and he has now left his GMTV Sofa Last September, Andrew left the breakfast show, which he presented, after ten years. The former Davis Cup tennis player and Wimbledon commentator was reported as saying: “with all the changes taking place at GMTV, I thought it was time for a new chapter in my life as well”. Apparently, the show was scheduled for ‘rebranding’.

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shoes since the 19th century. This seventh generation descendant of the Clarks shoe dynasty is following in his forefather’s footsteps. Convinced that wearing shoes is the cause of a slew of health problems, Galahad is the man behind the £7.5 million turnover of Terra Plana – a company with shops in New York, Vienna and Ljubliana, whose Vivo Barefoot shoes with ultra thin soles act like a second skin and mimic bare skin. Terra Plana was founded in 1989 by Dutch shoemaker Charles Bergmans. In 1998, Lancelot Clark, Galahad’s father, bought the company.

Five years later, Galahad, a regular barefoot marathon runner, took over Terra Plana.

“What Is Your Cheapest Thrill?”

In April, John Sergeant (1957-62; Kingweston), former Old Millfieldian of the Year, was the subject of “Cultureclinic” a regular feature in the

“It was an Interesting School…… ……………quite strict, but also more free and easy than most schools at the time and more open minded.” An extract from an interview with Tony Blackburn (195659; Millfield) in August’s Daily Mail. The lengthy article described how Tony came to Millfield, where he enjoyed sports but his only real interest was music, going on to college, and then becoming a Disc Jockey. The rugby photograph shows him in the front row sitting next to John Sergeant.

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Daily Telegraph. In answer to the above question by Kate Weinberg, John replied: “Looking at pretty women. Of course, it’s only a cheap thrill if they don’t notice; if they do, it’s not cheap any more because you have to pay for it and buy them a drink or something. It’s even nicer if they know they are pretty and it’s a spring morning. There is nothing threatening about it”.

Joanna becomes Aquascutum’s Creative Director In May, Joanna Sykes (1991-96; Johnson’s) took the helm as Creative Director for the 160-year-old British heritage label, Aquascutum. The appointment was widely broadcast in the fashion press. After five years designing for the Italian fashion houses Alberta Ferretti and Giorgio Armani, Joanna launched her eponymous label, SYKES, in 2007. It was this showcase of luxurious classics that landed her the job with Aquascutum. Last month

Joanna decided to put her own label on hold to focus on her new role, but assures us SYKES will be back. Her debut collection for Aquascutum will be at London Fashion Week in February 2011.

The Millfield Masonic Lodge

by Chris Harding (Former Tutor) The Lodge enjoyed an interesting year under the mastership of Steven Thomas (1982-89*; St Anne’s). The highlights were a meeting in Glastonbury with a celebration dinner at which our guest of honour, the Headmaster, treated us to a most interesting account of progress at the School. In June another meeting coincided with the Old Millfieldian Society Summer Reunion at Millfield.

There we were able to meet many pupils, tutors and friends from our own days at the School and enjoyed an excellent dinner in the dining hall. Our Master for the ensuing year is Stephen Gould (1981-84; Joan’s Kitchen) who was installed in London last September.

We wish him the very best for a successful year of office. Hopefully there will be many more members attending the next OMS Reunion in the

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summer. Please do have a look at www.millfieldlodge.org

Can You Help? Further Charity Walks For Sally After raising over £3,000 for Imperial Cancer Research in 2001, doing a 60km trek in Nepal, Sally Kent (197378; Portway) embarked on another charity walk on the Hadrian’s Wall Path. Sally has been running a singles networking club since her Nepal trip, this 84-mile walk being a fundraising element of her ‘50 Walks for my 50th’ plan, spreading the word for “Depression Alliance”. She has done 17 walks already, and hopes to complete them all by next June. If you would like to help please visit www.justgiving.com/sallyhelvey

Mr Baily Runs the Desert …

Some of you may have heard of the Marathon De Sables, sometimes referred to as the toughest footrace in the world. Graham Baily, a current tutor at Millfield, has set himself a 150 mile, 6-day race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, taking place at the end of March 2011. Temperatures can range from 0°C at night to 45°C in the day. It’s a fight against the mileage, sand storms, heat, blisters in lots of strange places, and scorpions and snakes! You are semi self sufficient –

carrying everything you need for the six days apart from your tent ………..fortunately! If you would like to support him and this worthy cause please go to his website – www.justgiving.com/runthedesert

Duke of Edinburgh Awards The following OMs completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards: Hannah Brown (2001*-09; Warner), Christopher Campbell (200709; Joan's Kitchen), Tom Cella (2002*-09; Day), Daniel Cheers (2007-09; Millfield), Samuel Cheney (2000-02; Day), Edward Cheney (2000-02; Day), Bethany Cluer (1996*2007; Day), Hannah Croft (1997-2002; Abbey), Samantha Glanfield (1998*-2004; Overleigh), Lara Harvey (200810; Portway), Georgina Holdom (2005-10; Kernick), Christy Lambden (2002*-10; Day), Victoria Manning (200207; Abbey), Stephen Manns (2007-09; Day), Alice McEwan (2002*-09; Overleigh), Hannah Molloy (2003*-10; Martins), Daniel Myers (2002*-09; Day), George Powell (2002*-09; Day), Clarice Rarity (2001*-09; Overleigh), Andy Savill (200810; Millfield), Simon Venn (2002*-09; Etonhurst).

Sports News The Commonwealth Games: a Playground for Old Millfieldians Old Millfieldians were represented at the highest level of international sport, in India in October, with 15 former pupils competing at the Commonwealth Games.

Athletics The most successful OM at the Commonwealth Games was an athlete who represented New Zealand rather than her country of birth. Nikki Hamblin (2004-06; Martins) won silver medals in the 1500 and 800 metres, missing out on the elusive victory to Kenya’s Nancy Lan’gat in both races.

Hockey Brothers Richard (1992*-99; Day) and Simon Mantell (1994*-2002; Day) excelled for the England hockey team and their fine performances facilitated their country’s progression to the semifinal but eventually finished fourth.

Nick Brothers (1994*-2001; Shapwick) was in the squad but did not play. Ian Haley (2001-02; Keen’s Elm) played hockey for South Africa who were knocked out in the group stages.

Goalkeeper Maggs Rees (1997-99; Acacia) was in fine form for the Wales women’s hockey team which included Alys Brooks (2005-07; Acacia), Wales finishing eighth.

Netball Making the Most of Summer – Theatre Outdoors In The Observer’s July “New Review” Dominic Dromgoole (1976-81; Day), Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, wrote: “There is a glorious, unruly spirit abroad in the English Summer, when anyone is able to put on a show, when big laughs can occur in a dirty field just as effectively as in a big institution. It is as old as the theatre tradition, which preceded the building of theatres and which Shakespeare (whose plays work in the open air for the simple reason that he wrote outdoors) first witnessed passing through Stratford. It is, thankfully evergreen, and still very much with us”.

Pam Cookey (1999-2003; Martins) helped England round off a topsy-turvy Commonwealth Games campaign on a high by claiming bronze on the last day of action in Delhi, with a comfortable 47-7 win against Jamaica.

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Rugby 7s Mat Turner (2004-05; Kingweston) scored a hat-trick of tries to help England thrash Uganda in the group stages of the rugby 7s in a run which saw the team reach the semi-final of the competition.

However, it was disappointment for Mat and his fellow OMs John Brake (1995*-2006; Keen’s Elm) and Tom Powell (2002-04; Holmcroft) as finally they finished fourth.

Swimming Guernsey swimmer Xander Beaton (2004-09; Joan’s Kitchen) was knocked out in the heats in all three individual events he entered. Siblings Robert (2001*-07; Day) and Georgia Holderness (2004-09; Day) both swam for Wales in a number of different events. Georgia reached the semi-final of the breaststroke after recording a personal best. Robert set new Welsh Commonwealth records in the 100m and 200m breaststroke, but missed out on medals. Andrew Hunter (2002-04;

Keen’s Elm) competed in four swimming events for Scotland, finishing fifth in the 200m freestyle heat, his only individual event.

Athletics Sarah Chairs New Athletes’ Commission In June, Sarah Winckless (199092; Orchard Leigh) was appointed as Chairman of the newly formed British Olympic Association (BOA) Athletes’ Commission. Sarah, former Old Millfieldian of the Year, represented Great Britain at Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, where she won bronze in the double sculls. She also has two World Championship gold medals.

As Chairman of the new Commission which consists of 12 athletes – six male and six female – she will help to advise

the BOA on all matters relating to Olympic operations, performance and policy. The Association has the opportunity to develop and support past, present and future Olympic athletes and the set-up of an in-house Athletes’ Commission is a huge step towards achieving that objective. Sarah said: “As chair of the Commission, I will dedicate myself to ensuring that the athletes’ voice is heard and considered in every major decision that the BOA takes.”

Mary Is One of 100 Women Who Changed the World!

In March, the Independent on Sunday published its list of 100 women who, arguably, changed the world forever and for the better and who were drawn from all walks of life.

The article was published in response to

Old Millfieldians at Millfield Sporting Colours Dinner Last May, the School initiated a “Sports Colours Dinner” for those Millfield pupils who had earned sporting 1st team colours. Together with their parents and invited Old Millfieldians, 280 people enjoyed the event, intended to become an annual affair, with monies raised by auction going into a pool to assist some pupils attending overseas sports tours. The guest speaker was Gareth Edwards, who delivered a master-class in public speaking, receiving a standing ovation. John Davies was the MC The photograph shows the distinguished sporting OM internationals present.

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From L-R: Joey Barrington (1985*-97; Day; Squash, World Top 25), Dominic Mahony (1977-82; Holmcroft; Modern Pentahlon, GB Olympic Medalist), David Graveney (1965*-71; Kingweston; Cricket, Gloucestershire and Chairman of England Test Selectors), Sarah Winckless (1990-1992; Orchard Leigh; Rowing, GB Olympic Medalist), Richard Harding (1968-71; Shapwick; Rugby Union, Bristol & England Captain), Headmaster, Craig Considine, John Davies (Former Director of PE/Games, OM Society Secretary), Gareth Edwards (1964-66; Millfield, Rugby Union, Wales and British Lions), Duncan Goodhew (1970-75; Walton; Swimming, GB Olympic Champion). In Front: John Feaver (1967-70; Millfield; Tennis, GB Davis Cup), Sue Woods (Head of Games), Andrew Yates (1998-2004; Day; Clay Shooting).

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“International Women’s Day”, on 8th March, a particularly significant milestone in 2010 as the campaign to improve the rights of women was founded a century ago. Mary Rand: “A remarkable athlete, Rand was the first British woman to win an Olympic gold in a track and field event. She won the gold for a record-breaking long jump of 6.76m in the 1974 Olympics in Tokyo, but was such an all-rounder that she also took home a silver and a bronze for the pentathlon and 100m relay”. For many years now Mary has lived in California, although she still has remarkably fond memories of Millfield.

David Hemery and “The 21st Century Legacy” Did you know that Olympic Champion David Hemery once taught at Millfield?

At the Mexico Olympics in 1968, David won the 400m hurdles in a new world record. In the 1970s he taught A

Level Economics at Millfield and was also Housemaster of Millfield House.

In 1990, he was elected as the first President of UK Athletics. David has now become Founder and Chairman of “The 21st Century Legacy”, its “Be the Best You can Be” programme is designed to inspire young people to achieve their potential. It has already been successfully piloted and has been seen to raise aspirations, build confidence and help youngsters take greater personal responsibility. It works in collaboration with teachers, educationalists and businesses. If you would like to know more do look at www.21stcenturylegacy.com

Clay Pigeon Shooting Peter Now Ranked First in Great Britain When Peter Wilson (2000-05; Holmcroft) went to Millfield, he was seriously injured in a snowboarding accident barely six months after arriving, resulting in being unable to play team games. Thus, he pursued his interest in shotgun shooting and became the best at Millfield even doing it one-handed. He is now ranked first in Great Britain, and is quoted as saying “my shooting discipline at Millfield was English Sporting Shooting but you can’t pursue that at the Olympics because there is no such event. So I switched

OM Achievements

towards the end of my Millfield stay and tried Olympic skeet shooting which I was lucky enough to be very good at”.

In 2010, Peter competed in five GB trials explaining that “I hope that I am successful again, can represent GB abroad and earn a place on the team for the 2012 Olympic Games”.

OMS v School Imogen Thomas (1998-2003; Day) It had been nearly five years since I last shot at Brook Bank Shooting Ground in Cheddar. Not only that, but the number of shooters had more than doubled since my time at Millfield. We shot 50 cartridges each over a selection of traps.

The OM team were expecting this shoot to be a walk in the park, but as soon as we started shooting we realised that it was not going to be an easy match. As the teams consisted of OMs and current pupils, we OMs were all able to witness first hand the talent and professionalism of the Millfield shooters, and I can safely say that we were all put in our place and beaten roundly. However, we are eager to make it an annual event so watch this space! Thank you so much to everyone involved.

The OM team consisted of: Imogen Thomas (1998-2003; Day), Rosanna Thomas (1994*-2005; Day), Harriet Sloggett (2002-07; Acacia), Andrew Yates (1998-2004; Day), James Holland (2002-04; Walton), David Hebditch (1994*-2005; Day) and Timothy King (1999-2004; Kingweston).

by Gary Jennings, Master i/c Athletics Matthew George (2004-06; Joan’s Kitchen) represented Great Britain in U23 Combined Events.

Cricket

Carl Myerscough (1996-98; Georgian Cottage): Shot Put European Championships 2010 in Barcelona.

Major Press Coverage for Both Craig and Rory in the 2010 Cricket Season

Patrick North (2005-07; St Anne’s): represented British Universities at the Loughborough International.

Jemma Simpson (1997-2000; Portway): 800m European Championships 2010 in Barcelona: 5th position.

There was an enormous amount of press interest in both Craig Kieswetter (2006-07; Orchards) and Rory Hamilton-Brown (2001-05; Kingweston) last season. Craig’s was a real success story. Only qualifying for England in February, he was catapulted

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into England’s one-day series against Bangladesh, excelling in the first test by making his highest score in one-day cricket, 143, and performing consistently well. This led to selection for England’s World Twenty20 Squad which played in the Caribbean in the World Championships in May, opening the batting and doing formidably well in all tests, even to the point of winning the man of the match award in the final against Australia, which England won.

He was also the wicket keeper. Last year, he agreed a three year deal to continue to play for Somerset, along with several other Old Millfieldians.

Playing in the Millfield 1st XI in 2006 alongside him were three other firstclass cricketers: Tom Maynard (2002-07; Walton), who is currently playing at Glamorgan, Kieran Powell (2004-06; Walton), who has represented the West Indies in two oneday internationals, and Adam Wheater (2003-08; Shapwick), the second team wicket keeper at Essex. When Rory left Millfield he went to play professional cricket for Surrey CCC but left to play as an all-rounder for Sussex. The early season shock was his return to play for Surrey, with just six championship games behind him, but to be appointed as Captain.

He kick-started his first season by hitting a quickfire 100 off only 96 balls and going on to make 125 in the match against Worcestershire. At Millfield, he played for England under 19 teams at both cricket and rugby. The Independent published an article “Is Rory Hamilton-Brown ready to be Surrey’s youngest Captain for 138 years?” Part of the article explained: “Hamilton-Brown himself said he would not have taken the job of Captain at any other county, having been poached from Sussex in the winter.

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Testimonial Man Selected for MCC Surprisingly, the English cricket season kicked off with the MCC playing against Durham in Abu Dhabi. Dean Cosker (1991-96; Millfield) was selected for the team, an encouraging start to his season at Glamorgan where this was his Benefit Year. Late in the season Dean much enjoyed Glamorgan’s match at the Oval against Surrey, having Rory Hamilton-Brown (2001-05; Kingweston) stumped when on 96. He also bowled Kevin Pieterson for 0.

Surrey had been his first county and it had been a lifelong ambition of his to be their Captain.” Before accepting the job he sought advice from those who had helped him thus far in his career, including Richard Ellison, Master i/c Cricket at Millfield. At the end of a successful season as Captain, Rory was selected for England’s Performance Programme B Squad.

Calum’s Professional Cricket Career On Hold Having played for the England under19 team, Calum Haggett (2005-09; Day) was looking forward to starting his career with Somerset. Initially, he had a back problem for 18 months that meant he couldn’t bowl, but, in March, he was ruled out for the 2010 season after undergoing heart surgery. We wish him well and success in his future cricket career.

Luke Leaves Lancashire At the end of last season, Lancashire released wicket keeper Luke Sutton (1988*-95; Holmcroft) after failing to offer him a new contract. Luke was expected to return to play for Derbyshire in the 2011 season.

Wes Relishes a Second Chance at Derbyshire For eight years, Wes Durston (1988*99; Day) played professional cricket for Somerset. At the end of the 2009 season, Somerset decided that he had no future at the club and he was left contemplating a career outside the game. However, scoring 117 off 68 balls in the 40-over competition, against defending Champion Sussex, in June, sparked Derbyshire into signing him on for the T20 competition and he celebrated by hitting 111 off 59 balls against Nottinghamshire in his fourth game. For the previous four winters Wes taught hockey and cricket at Millfield. We wish him well at Derbyshire.

Record-Breaking Day for Arul and James Playing for Somerset against Kent in May, Arul Suppiah (1996-2001; Millfield) and James Hildreth (1994*2003; Shapwick) joined forces at 59 for 3, together obliterating the previous fourth-wicket stand for Somerset against Kent. Arul scoring 125 and James 151. 253 in 60 overs. In the same week, Arul enjoyed double success in that he was told that his application to obtain British citizenship was also approved. He now qualifies to play for England, a similar aspiration that James has, being on the fringe of selection for the last couple of years. We wish both OMs the best of luck in reaching this goal.

International Recognition for James and Craig The English season concluded with James Hildreth’s 2.526 first team run, with an average of 65.45, topping the county batting averages. As a result, both he and Craig Kieswetter were selected for the 2010/11 Winter Tour of Australia as part of the England Performance Squad. Could this be a precursor to full England honours?

Watch this space!

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Millfield Old Boys Cricket Club Nick Brothers (1994*-2001; Shapwick) Our maiden voyage has been completed with our inaugural fixture being played against Old Cranleighans. Having had our initial fixture the previous week against Old Wellingtonians called off at the 11th hour due to the fact the opposition failed to raise a side, it was a relief to finally take to the field.

Without dwelling too much on the detail of the cricket itself, we bowled Cranleigh out for a respectable 200 odd, to then fall approximately 50 runs short in our chase. Although the scores would make it appear we were facing Curtly Ambrose on a wicket similar to Sabina Park, Martin Jones who skippered for the day, informed me that Cranleigh were excellent hosts, provided superb facilities and are very enthusiastic about playing the fixture annually.

A personal thank you to the OM Society and in particular John Davies and John Graveney for their help in supporting the hospitality evening at the Oval. It was really encouraging to see so many Old Boys present supporting the venture and it was the perfect platform to help launch the club as well as reaffirm how much potential we have.

The fixture list for next year is beginning to look quite comprehensive. The plan will be to have different match-day captains who will be responsible for

organising their own sides, that way it should be easier to get a core group of players at each game who know each other, as well as taking the burden away from the committee, ie myself.

Finally, given the level of interest is now approaching 100 players, the fixture list taking shape for next year, as well as the fact that we’ll soon be attracting 7- digit sponsorship deals, I'd be fairly keen to share the

workload and delegate some responsibilities. Therefore, if anyone would like the title of Hon Treasurer, Fixture Secretary or Social Secretary after their name, let me know and a brief ceremony can be arranged at very short notice.

Any OMs who would like to be involved, in any capacity, please get in touch with me. 07900 245167 or email: nick.brothers@nomura.com or nickbrothers@hotmail.com

Founder Members at Cranleigh Matt Armitage, Neil Goodman, Matthew Jamieson, John Capper, Martin Jones and Edward Fromson Jack Waller and George Chalke

Have You a Millfield Cricketing Memory?

John Hill, an English tutor and housemaster at Millfield for over 20 years, is compiling a book celebrating Millfield Cricket. It will include anecdotes, a history of the development of the game at the School and the successes of those who made it professionally. Would you be interested in being part of the project? Writing a couple of lines or a full chapter? Sponsoring? Publishing? We are looking for contributions from, and about, as many people as possible: players, spectators, groundsmen, coaches etc. Have you a memory to tell us about? All royalties will be donated to the Ben Hollioake Memorial Fund. If you would like to be involved in the project in any way please email John at jmh@millfieldschool.com

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Varsity Match Success In this year’s Oxford v Cambridge Varsity Match, playing for Oxford, Sam Agarwal (2007-09; Walton) scored 100 in both innings and took 6 wickets in the second with his off spin. A memorable performance!

West Indies Selection Kieran Powell (2004-06; Walton) represented West Indies in One Day Internationals, against Bangladesh and India.

Diving

Adventure College is a dive, kayak and RYA centre in Portsmouth run by Kevan Chippindall-Higgin (1969*-75; Hornblotton), who, by his own description, had a “horrendous games record at Millfield”. How things change. He is now a kayak coach and dive instructor.

Have a look at www.adventurecollege.co.uk Is there any interest in an Old Millfieldian Diving Group?

Contact Kevan at kch@adventurecollege.co.uk

Fencing Sophie’s Delight at Commonwealth Doubles Sophie Williams (2007-09; Martins) in September picked up a double-medal haul at the 2010 Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Australia.

She reached the final of the individual Sabre event walking away with a silver medal. She was then part of the England Sabre team which beat

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Australia 55-21 in the final to claim gold.

Football William Buying an English or European Football Team?

William Chang (1970-74; Kingweston) is a part owner of baseball’s San Francisco Giants. He also owns DC United, an American Professional Soccer Club located in Washington DC, that plays in Major League Soccer, the United State’s top-tier soccer league, playing at a 45,000 seat stadium. It is considered the most successful club in Major League Soccer. In addition to DC United, he has been considering buying a major team in England or Europe. In 2010, News India Times referred to him as a “Million Dollar Man”, taking a stance against the millions of pounds paid for soccer superstars, instead seeking talented under-dogs, with a belief that he could make them into huge stars. William knows about making dreams come true for unknown talents as he was one of the visionaries

and financial backers of the “Million Dollar Arm”, a United States reality television series, based around an idea he had to find baseball talent in India.

As a result some Indians are now in America playing professional baseball.

Golf OM Golf News Karen Nicholls (Director of Golf) Henry Smart (2002-07; Keen’s Elm) attending Virginia University, qualified to play in the US Amateur Open. He also shot a course record in the NCAA Championships. The course record was 66. Ben Evans (Nathaniel) (200003; Millfield) is playing in both Challenge and European Tour events and has joined the WFP campaign for world hunger, becoming a WFP Advocate overseas. Melissa McMahon (2008-10; Day) won South West Girls Championships and was runner-up in the South West Ladies Championships.

Handicap 1. Max Smith (2005-10; St Anne’s) now attending Tennessee University. Finished 4th in the Duncan

Old Millfieldian Football Players who have signed Full/Semi Professional Contracts Reuben Reid (2005-07; Shapwick) – trialled at Manchester United before signing for Plymouth Argyle. Sold to West Bromwich Albion (Premiership) in 2009. Loaned out to Peterborough, Rochdale and Walsall Lawrie Wilson (2003-05; Etonhurst) – signed by Charlton Athletic (Premiership) and loaned out to Colchester and Brentford FC Currently playing for Stevenage Borough Neil Goodman (1994*-2002; Keen’s Elm) – Colchester FC Bradley Middleton (2003-06; Day) – Cardiff City FC (2006-08) Joshua Lewellyn (2003-06; St Anne’s) – Team Bath Ben Lewis (2006-08; Day) – Bournemouth FC Nick Hudson (2003-05; Day) – Keynsham Town; Team Bath Harrison Dunk (2007-09; Holmcroft) – on the verge of signing for a professional London club for an undisclosed fee Edward Thomas (2008-10; Keen’s Elm) – semi professional contract at Hampton and Richmond (Blue Square) Lewis Irish (2004-07; Etonhurst) – ex ESFA, Dorchester Town Owen Irish (2005-07; Day) – Yeovil Town (2007-08) Lewis Ellis (2008-10; Walton) – semi pro at Clevedon Town

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Putter, 5th in the Tillman Trophy.

Member of the England Elite squad 2010. Ben Taylor (2008-10; Butleigh) now attending Nova Southwestern University, Florida. England U18 Squad and winner of the SEBO 2010.

Xclusive Golf Television presenter and journalist Sarah Stirk (1994-96; Warner) began her career at MUTV, working for the world’s biggest football club. She then moved to the BBC in Nottingham and later London. Sarah spent two years covering the PGA Tour for Setanta Sports, presenting from London and on location at tournaments in America.

She is currently presenting for BBC Sports News and writing for various publications, including Golf International and A Place in the Sun. Xclusive Golf Ltd, offers bespoke golfing experiences around the world.

Have a look at www.xclusivegolf.com

Netball

Power Boat Racing

Superleague Player of the Year

Shelley Survives Spectacular Crash

Pam Cookey (1999-2003; Martins) was a surprise inclusion in the England national netball team as a 17-year-old, for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, going on to make her debut with England in 2004 against Australia, and two years later won a bronze medal with the England team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. She plays for TeamBath in the Netball Superleague since the competition’s inception in 2005, winning two titles in 2005-06 and 2008-09. She also played in the Australasian ANZ Championship in 2009 and 2010 signing with New Zealand franchise the Northern Mystics. Last season, Pam became “Superleague Player of the Year” for the third season in a row and was England’s Vice-Captain for the tour of Australia, prior to the Commonwealth Games.

In June, British Powerboat Champion Shelley Jory-Leigh (1987-88; Johnson’s) miraculously escaped a dramatic crash which saw her co-driver flung out of the boat at 90mph. Shelley was thrown around the boat while her unconscious co-driver was in danger of being mown down by another powerboat. The pair were rescued and taken to hospital where they recovered. They were competing on the third day of racing off-shore from Malta for rounds three and four of the Powerboat GPS World Championship.

Riding Flora Wins Express Eventing

Motor Racing Sam Has a Mixed Season Sam Bird (2003-05; Kingweston) has competed in the hugely competitive GP2 Championship this year, with multi-winning team ART Grand Prix. GP2 is just one step under Formula One and is on the same calendar, meaning that every move, good or bad, is watched by the very people who need to be impressed! His season has been very mixed in terms of results, due in the main to mechanical failures. He has, however, shown superb driving skills, and despite all this adversity remains 6th in the championship, with four races to go at the time of writing in September.

A PS: In this month, Sam won at Monza – a great result! He qualified

Sam wins at Monza

in the front row, won the feature race with the fastest lap…… well done Sam!

Flora Harris (2002-06; Kernick) walked away £5,000 richer and with the keys to a jeep for a year in her pocket, after winning the much talked about Express Eventing competition at the Royal Festival of the Horse in July. She secured first prize by jumping an immaculate round with Law Choice, which included clearing a 1.35m fence.

“I came here thinking I had a chance of doing well, but I’m lost for words – I can’t believe I’ve actually won,” said Flora, who again, with Law Choice, was runner-up in 2010’s Under-25 National Championship.

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Riding Success for Victoria

Rugby OMs Playing for England 2009/10 Paul Hockedy (Former Parent)

Victoria White (1983-2003; Day) has been riding and showing since she was four-years-old. Originally starting in the Flat classes until she was 13, her main achievements were competing at the Royal International Horse Show and Horse of the Year Show with her best placing being a 5th in the Show Pony Championship at HOYS in 1998. Since then she has been competing in the Working Hunter Pony classes and has competed at HOYS every year since 1998 with her best result 3rd in 2001 with her pony ‘Murphy Dunnit’. That was until 2008, when Victoria and ‘Merlin’ were called forward as Winner of the Intermediate Working Hunter Pony. Since then Merlin has continued to give her great success. They returned to HOYS in 2009 to defend their title and unfortunately had the last fence down to finish 9th. In 2010 Merlin had stood Champion at Royal Cornwall, Stithians and Royal Windsor Shows.

Victoria also won the Gold Cup class at the Winter Championships which combines a dressage test with a Working Hunter Pony class and show jumping. Victoria feels she owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Danny Anholt (Director of Riding), who taught her at Millfield for 10 years. She says she will still need his help in the future with her new young horse.

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It has been a memorable year for Old Millfieldian Rugby with four players gaining full Senior International Honours during the season. In particular, special note must be given to Rhys Ruddock, who won his first cap for Ireland against Australia. He was playing in the School 1st XV little over a year ago! Chris Robshaw (flanker) and Jon Golding (prop) have played for England and Will Harries appeared for the first time representing Wales against the New Zealand ‘All Blacks’ in June 2010.

Here is a comprehensive list of all the Old Boys who have achieved International Rugby Honours during the past season.

OMs with Premiership Clubs - season 2009/2010 Jon Golding - Newcastle Falcons - (1998-99; Walton) John Brake - Northampton Saints - (1995*-2006; St Anne’s) Ed Jackson - Bath Academy - (2002-07; Skinner) Chris Cook - Bath Academy - (2004-09; Joan’s Kitchen) James Currie - Bath Academy - (2006-08; Kingweston) Matt Spelman - Bath Academy - (1998*-2003; Kingweston) Laurence Ovens - Newcastle Falcons - (2002-04; Kingweston) Jonathan Joseph - London Irish Academy - (2007-09; St Anne’s) Mark Odejobi - London Wasps - (2004-06; Kingweston) Will Matthews - London Wasps - (1996*-2003; Millfield) Olly Morgan - Gloucester - (1999-2004; St Anne’s) Anthony Allen - Leicester - (2003-05; Kingweston) Chris Robshaw - Harlequins - (1997*-2004; Butleigh) Ollie Lindsay-Hague - Harlequins Academy - (2004-09; Kingweston) Richard Birkett - London Wasps - (1997-98; Georgian Cottage) OMs playing for clubs in Magners League - season 2009/2010 Will Harries - Newport Gwent Dragons - (2000-05; Orchards) Rhys Ruddock - Leinster Academy - (2007-09; Butleigh) Representative Honours for OMs during season 2009/2010 England - Chris Robshaw, Jon Golding (see above) England Saxons - Anthony Allen - (2003-05; Kingweston) England U/20 - Mako Vunipola - (2007-09; Kingweston) Jonathan Joseph - (see above) England Sevens - Tom Powell - (2002-04; Holmcroft) Ollie Lindsay-Hague - (see above) Mathew Turner - (2004-05; Kingweston) England Counties - Tom Powell - (see above) David Howells - (2001-06; Etonhurst) James Brown - (1994-96; Keen’s Elm) England Students - Tom Hockedy - (1995*-2006; Skinner) Mike Ward - (2001*-08; Kingweston) Ireland - Rhys Ruddock Ireland U/20 - Rhys Ruddock Zimbabwe U/20 - Dante Mama - (2007-09; Shapwick) Wales Sevens - Will Harries - full international level Hong Kong Sevens - Mark Wright - (1998-2003; Orchards)

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Soccer Right to Dream Academy The Academy was founded in 1999 by Tom Vernon (1994-97; Georgian Cottage) and was inspired by the people he met, particularly the many children whose passion and enthusiasm for sport was clearly evident.

During a successful career as a soccer coach, it became apparent to Tom the lack of opportunities that existed for young people to play sport and obtain an education in a safe and supportive environment. He quit his coaching career to become focused on establishing the Right to Dream Academy, that uses the medium of sport and education as a means of helping to alleviate the desperate, poverty stricken situation that many young people find themselves in. Starting on a small scale, training just a few boys on a dust pitch in Accra, the Academy has grown to the point that it is today: a hugely successful international school which offers full scholarships to children all over Ghana. For more information do have a look at www.righttodream.com

Squash

Image is courtesy of Mauri Forsblom ‘Right to Dream’

loss and prepare me for a match. He just has been really great in my life.”

Barrington Hailed By Shorbagy Mohammed El Shorbagy (2006-09; Day), the rising star of Egyptian squash, has praised six-time British Open Champion Jonah Barrington for his rise to the top ranks of the sport. For a great many years, Jonah has run the squash at Millfield. Millfield’s record of achievements is unparalleled. For the past eight years Millfield has won the Girls and Boys U19 National Schools Squash Championship. Last year and for the second time (a record), Mohammed became the “World Junior Squash Champion”, also winning the PSA Winner of the Year award. He is now in the world top 20 and remains the youngest among the elite players. In the Daily Telegraph he was reported as saying “I went to Millfield School at 15 and have been with Jonah for nearly four years. He has given me loads of experience in squash. I still go to him and am learning something new. He knows how to get me back again after a

World University Championships Great Britain won the team title in the

7th championships held in Australia, and all three members of the team were OMs! Congratulations to Emma Chorley (2004-06; Day), Peter Creed (2001-05; Joan’s Kitchen) and Joel Hinds (2003-05; Millfield).

Swimming Millfield Merry Go Round After swimming for Great Britain for several years, including in two Olympic Games, Ed Sinclair (199499; Keen’s Elm) started his coaching career at Millfield. Last June, he left the school to become Head Coach at Teddington, vowing to make it one of the best in the region. In September, Euan Dale (19972004*; Keen’s Elm), who represented Great Britain in the 2008 Olympics, winning a silver medal in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay, joined Millfield as a Swimming Coach.

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The Old Millfieldian Society Shop ORDER FORM The articles below can be purchased online at www.omsociety.com, where colour photographs of the items can be seen on the Shop Page, or by completing the below order form and returning to this office along with your cheque made payable to “Old Millfieldian Society”.

For overseas orders, please fax your order form to +44 (0) 1458 444368 and we shall advise on additional costs. Prices may be subject to change.

Item

Description

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Old Millfieldian Society Tie

Pure silk Polyester

20.00 10.00

Polyester mix

10.00

(specify house/colour name)

House colours

10.00

Old Millfieldian Society Bow Tie

Silk (traditional tie) Silk reppe (ready tied)

20.00 12.00

OMS Mens Lightweight, Short Sleeved Rugby Shirt

Chest size; Small 38",

45.00

Total Cost £

Old Millfieldian Society International Tie (based on 1st Team Colours Tie)

School Colours Tie

Medium 40", Large 42", X Large 44"

OMS Ladies Lightweight, Short Sleeved Rugby Shirt

Size; 10, 12 and 14

45.00

Old Millfieldian Society Golf Cap

One size (navy blue with crest)

12.00

Millfield Scarf

In school colours

25.00

Silver Cuff Links

Engraved with school crest

50.00

Silver Hallmarked Bracelet with charm

Charm engraved with school crest

40.00

Blazer Buttons (brass with crest, large and small)

Price per button

4.00

Shield (with crest and “Millfield” on a wooden base) Reproduction Paintings of Millfield House

27.00 23"x 16" 16"x 12"

20.00 10.00

“Head Over Heels – in the Hot Seat at Millfield School” Christopher Martin’s latest memoirs

20.00

“Millfield: A School for All Seasons” written for OMs by OMs, compiled by Former Headmaster Christopher Martin

20.00

“Victorian Edgarley: The Fall of the House of Porch” by Roger Parsons, Edgarley Archivist

5.00

Millfield Leather Key Rings embossed with school crest

Red, Blue, Green or Black

1.00

Enamelled Millfield Unisex Lapel/Sweater Pin

Windmill logo on school colours

5.00

TOTAL COST £

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