The Chronicle 2015

CHRONICLE 2015

80th Anniversary Edition

INSIDE: NEWS DIRECTORY • ARCHIVISTS’ CORNER • OM SPORTS CLUBS • TUCKER INTERVIEW

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Contents OMS CHRO NICLE 2015

Indian days – “Boss” and Joyce Meyer at a Christmas Ball, Bombay 1934

LE 2015 CHRONIC

80th rsary Annive Edition

RtS CLubS NER • SpO HIvIStS’ COR CtORy • aRC NEwS dIRE INSIDE:

• tuCkER

w INtERvIE

Editor: John Davies Assistant Editor: Michelle Edwards Office Manager: Marion O’Neill Archivists: Roger Parsons, Dick Shilton Design and Production: Richard Charnley

T

hese are most encouraging and interesting times for your OM Society. We are in touch with 12,500 OMs in more than 130 countries and we offer a great many worthwhile services to Old Millfieldians. There is a range of regional and international reunion events; there are networking opportunities for both work and play; we offer careers advice and assistance and we can also offer membership of a wide range of OM sports clubs and professional groups.

Each year in May, when we give our annual presentation to all school leavers, we supply them with details of all this – and say that they are about to become “members of a very exclusive club” for the rest of their lives.

Starting this September, we are introducing a one-year reunion (a boat trip on the Thames) for those who left Millfield in the previous summer. We already have five-year reunions and, last October at Millfield, we introduced 10, 20, 30 and 40year ones. Furthermore, we will be in touch with you later in the year regarding our new ‘Millfield Business Network’, which could benefit a great many of you.

Your Society is really buzzing and we are pleased that OMs are appreciating the wide range of activities and services that are available to them.

However, for the present, we much hope that you enjoy this issue – most kindly and generously part-sponsored by Kester Ng (1983-86; Ivythorn) and other OMs. As always, we welcome any views or suggestions you might have.

With good wishes

Old Millfieldian Society, Millfield, Street, Somerset BA16 0YD Tel: +44 (0) 1458 444368 Email: office@omsociety.com

John Graveney, Chairman

John Davies, Secretary

Website: www.omsociety.com

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 News from the Headmaster

SOCIETY NEWS 5 Old Millfieldian of the Year Awards 2014 8 UK Branch Reports 10 Overseas Branch Reports 12 Trust Fund Reports 15 Births, Engagements and Marriages 18 Obituaries 20 Millfield Business Network 21 Keeping in Touch with Millfield

REUNIONS AND EVENTS 25 OM Lunch at the Green Olive Restaurant 26 The 70s Hop 27 OMS Classic Car Rally 28 Major Summer Reunion – afternoon tea and dinner 30 The Nissen Club 31 Tassie Foursomes 32 20th Annual Golf Day

OMS 2015 DIARY MILLFIELD MEMORIES 34 The Tucker Interview with Paul Lister 36 The Early Days 40 Archivists’ Corner

SPORTS CLUBS 42 Old Millfieldian Cricket Club; OM Fencing Match and Dinner; OM Golfing Society 43 Millfield Old Boys Rugby Football Club 44 Old Millfieldian Football Club; OM Squash Club 45 Old Millfieldian Tennis Club

OM NEWS 39 Old Millfieldians at the Commonwealth Games 46 The Arts 48 Sporting News 56 OM Update

OMS SERVICES 58 OMS Photograph Service and Shop

February: Chairman’s Luncheon, London* March: MOBRFC: Class of 2014 Leavers XV vs School 1st XV* April: Class of 2010 Five Year Reunion, Bluebird Café, London (Fri 24th) May: MOBRFC: Middlesex 7s*; MOBRFC: Amsterdam 7s and Legends 10s*; MOBRFC: Club Dinner and meeting of rugby OMs*; Nissen Club (for over 60s) Luncheon at Millfield*; OMS Presentation to School Leavers at Millfield*; Millfield 80th Anniversary Ball, Grosvenor House Hotel, London (Fri 8th); OM Charity Polo Match, Kingweston (Sun 31st) June: OMS Careers Convention for L6 at Millfield; OMS Car Rally; OMS Major Summer Reunion (all take place on Sat 13th) July: OMS Golfing Weekend at Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Wilts (Sat 25th/Sun 26th) September: Class of 2014 One Year Reunion Boat Cruise on the Thames (Sat 5th) October: Nissen Club (for over 60s) Luncheon, London*; OMS 21st Annual Golf Day, Castle Combe (Fri 23rd) November: Old Millfieldian of the Year Awards 2015 (Fri 27th) *Note: Some of the above dates are still to be confirmed and several other proposed events are under consideration

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 3

Introduction

C

Headmaster Craig Considine reflects on how Nine at Millfield embodies the Millfield vernacular

onfidence, opportunity, enterprise, network and diversity are the words used by the awardees at the recent Old Millfieldian of the Year ceremony to describe the wonderful start a Millfield education provides. It is extraordinary that these talented individuals used similar vocabulary to recount their unique experiences at Millfield. They were Millfieldians at various times spanning four decades (1973-2002) and have since followed diverse and highly successful pathways on leaving the school. However they share a connection.

To me the terms used are an expression of exactly what a Millfield education sets out to achieve; unlocking that special something within each individual, provided by the many different learning contexts, options and challenges inside and outside the classroom. Without exception each of the awardees also referred to the dedicated teachers, houseparents, coaches and fellow pupils at the school who together with their families, gave them the support, confidence and drive to take their place in the world.

Today the Millfield vernacular continues to evolve and is embodied

4 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

in Nine at Millfield, our dynamic and diverse learning programme which has been carefully designed to help 13-14 year olds to flourish. Developed from the belief that building strong academic and social foundations during the early stages of adolescence are central to personal wellbeing and a successful future, Year 9 is rich in the best and most inspiring learning opportunities that enable each child to try everything on offer to find out what they are good at and really enjoy.

Launched in September 2014 it is early days for the programme which has been a great success with pupils so far. Year 9 dedicated houses and whole year group activities such as outdoor learning have enabled pupils to meet, have conversations and bond as a year group, getting to know each other so much better. Creating separate houses and implementing a higher ratio of staff to pupils has meant that the Year 9 staff team have a greater all round knowledge of every pupil, enhancing communication with parents as a single point of contact.

The Year 9 houses combine the desirable amount of pastoral support and structure needed by children of this age to point them in the right direction and feel secure and thrive.

By taking pupils out of their comfort zones over their first 13 weeks at Millfield, they have already developed new skills which they enjoyed showcasing during the end of term festivities. The Year 9 co-curricular options have included music, ‘microtyco’ (an enterprise project), dance, art and design, cooking and drama.

These newly acquired talents were displayed at the co-curricular evening. Particularly memorable in the conclusion of Music Week was the Big Noise where over 60 players, all of whom have been learning their instruments for just two months gave a spirited and disciplined performance of Duke Ellington’s C Jam Blues.

Making memorable experiences to reflect upon in future years has a great impact on pupils who are already increasing their self-esteem which will ultimately increase their confidence as all-round learners; academically, in sport, outdoor learning and the co-curriculum. We look forward to hearing their reflections on their time at Millfield in the years to come, perhaps at a future Old Millfieldian of the Year ceremony. @millfieldhead

Society News

AWARD CRITERIA

2014 Old Millfieldian

OF THE YEAR

Award ceremony acknowledges success of Old Millfieldians and inspires future generations

M

illfield produces a vast array of high-flying professionals and the Old Millfieldian of the Year Awards was instigated in 2000 to acknowledge and reward those who have progressed to achieve greatness in a wide range of fields spanning service, academia, business, the arts and sport.

Over the past 15 years outstanding OMs have received honours for their roles as authors, international sportsmen and Olympic champions, media personalities, West End and film directors, gardeners, musicians, national and industrial leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs, pioneering doctors, charity and humanitarian workers, among others.

A packed Johnson Hall witnessed the 15th OM of the Year Awards Ceremony on 21 November. The audience, made up of Old Millfieldians, Governors, teaching staff and present pupils heard anecdotes from the four awardees’ time at Millfield and life beyond.

Speaking with great pride about the recipients John Davies, Secretary of the OM Society said: “We have over 20,000 OMs on our database and to date we’ve only honoured 55 OMs. Thus, for these four OMs to be selected for this year’s awards is a colossal achievement.”

Details of the 2014 awardees appear overleaf >

The Old Millfieldian of the Year Annual Award honours the achievement(s) of a particular individual, in one or more of the following categories: l Major contribution to public service, community life, charities l Achievement in work or sport l Outstanding and distinctive contribution to the Old Millfieldian Society in the UK or internationally The OM of the Year trophy is specially designed (by an OM) for the holder to keep and the award is open to any Old Millfieldian.

OBJECTIVES Applications help the Society keep up to date with the many achievements of OMs across the world.

Each year’s awardees are publicised widely to help raise the profile of the School and its past pupils.

NOMINATIONS The Society requires a written statement of no more than 150 words, outlining why the nominee should become an “OM of the Year”. It is not necessary to obtain the approval of the nominee beforehand but the Society will do so before making the award.

Nominations will be considered and decisions made by the Society’s Board.

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 5

Society News

2014 Old Millfieldian

OF THE YEAR

This year’s award winners and the various achievements that make them especially deserving of the ultimate OM accolade

LISSA DAVIES (1998-2002; OAKLANDS) Lissa did remarkably well during her time at Millfield. She was hardworking and a good leader in her role as Head of Oaklands. She was also a national standard swimmer, one of the reasons she joined the school.

On leaving Millfield, Lissa went to the Universities of Manchester, Goldsmiths and Sussex, emerging with a BA and MA and an MSc in social research.

She continued her studying to obtain diplomas in events management and

public relations, as well as for teaching English as a foreign language.

With these qualifications and experience, in 2008 Lissa founded and became director of her charity BEGAP – Bright Eyes Global Action Project.

Her charity partners with locally run, grassroots organisations and communities creating a platform which enables young people to reach their goals. BEGAP does this by conducting research, providing consultation, helping with project management, fundraising and recruiting skilled volunteers.

Lissa is also currently supervising a community café initiative with the Sussex Archaeological Society, which employs

volunteers from the community who would otherwise be deemed unemployable: people who are inexperienced, in recovery from illness, autistic or with mental health issues.

She is also in the process of setting up a social enterprise that combines school expeditions with a year-long programme to develop specific skills, to introduce young people to charity work, as well as inspiring them to consider setting up their own social enterprises.

On receiving her award Lissa said she felt ‘very honoured’, and thanked the school and teachers who she said opened her eyes to many experiences and laid the foundations of her life.

CHARLES DENTON (1973*-82; HOLLIES) Charles and his sister both attended Millfield Prep and Millfield for nine years.

Charles was a very intelligent boy but, in his early days, not a model of good behaviour. In fact, in his final year, his group tutor reported that: “Charles appeared to be bright, cheerful and bursting with self-confidence after he had taken his examinations. He has certainly made a great effort in all subjects, with the sole exception of Geography. In fact, he has been so busy working that he has not had time to get into as much mischief as previously.”

In addition, his Housemaster explained that he had played enthusiastically for the school at football, cricket and rugby, though as he put it “somewhat wildly at times”.

In 1989, he entered the world of luxury toiletries as Sales and Marketing Director with Molton Brown. He developed a flagship Mayfair HQ, introduced a much wider range of products and expanded all over the world, ultimately in more than 70 countries. As a result, Charles became Chief Executive Officer

6 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

and Deputy Chairman of the company. In 2005, Molton Brown was sold for £172m.

Charles continued as a very successful businessman with Erno Laszlo, another luxury skincare company based in Canada and New York. He very quickly became Executive Chairman of the company. This was another success story involving the development of hundreds of shops in Germany, Italy, the US, HK and Taiwan.

Charles also became involved in charitable work. From 2006 to 2012, he was Executive Director and Chairman of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and helped to raise £320m towards the redevelopment appeal.

In 2006 he also supported the “Life and Deaf Speech and Language Therapy” project, which aims to develop deaf children’s self-esteem through using poetry as a form of expression.

He was a Trustee of the genetic research charity “Jeans for Genes” from 2006 to 2009. In 2008, he was appointed Trustee and Chairman of the African Orphan’s charity “Sentebale” established by Prince Harry in memory of his late mother.

TIM GRIFFITHS (1977-79; KINGWESTON) Tim grew up in West Wales and entered Millfield in 1977 as a boarder at Kingweston. His mother was a PE teacher and enrolled him on a summer rugby holiday course at Millfield in the hope that someone would spot his athletic talent.

Former tutor and 1st XV rugby coach, Rod Speed persuaded his father to send him to Millfield – “it was to become a life changing decision for the Griffiths family”, as Tim put it.

Both Tim’s children were educated at Millfield, and are now at university. Tim is reported as saying: “We all had a wonderful education at Millfield and I am so grateful for Rod Speed’s intervention when I was a teenager.”

Tim’s crowning achievement and proudest moment at Millfield was selection for the England U19 rugby team.

Tim went to Durham University before starting work at a small family-owned printing company in London. At the age of 28, Tim bought into the business and, over the next 15 years, transformed it into a $2 billion global marketing services organisation with 12,500 employees in 40 countries across the world.

Tim finally sold the business to DHL in 2012 and for a time focused on his other passions: his arable and sheep farms in Hampshire, a renaissance vineyard in Bordeaux, an English language business in China and on his beloved Llanelli Scarlets, a rugby club that he helped save from oblivion in 2008.

Not content with a career that has presented so many challenges and experiences, Tim has recently returned to the fray as co-investor and Chief Executive Officer of CPA Global, a world leading intellectual property management business based in the Channel Islands. And now this, too, is expanding rapidly to countries all over the world.

In addition to all this, Tim is a Director of the Millfield Foundation. This important group raises funds to support scholarships at the school. Tim was lucky enough to enter Millfield with the support of a bursary and he wants to do his best to ensure that future talented Millfield pupils can also enjoy that same benefit.

On receiving his award Tim credited his time at Millfield for his ability and confidence to communicate with others, and praised the ‘wonderful global network of Millfield’. He advised current and future pupils to take advantage of every aspect of life at such a ‘fantastic establishment’.

CRAIG CONSIDINE Headmaster Craig Considine concluded the OM of the Year ceremony by acknowledging the varied achievements of the awardees past and present.

He described the event as “a bridge connecting Old Millfieldians with old friends, teachers and the next generation” and noted a series of poignant words used by the awardees in their acceptance speeches, which summarised the ‘Millfield experience’: support, opportunity, confidence, enterprise, diversity, network and ‘the world stage’.

He added that the audience, which included pupils both from the Senior and Prep Schools, would leave “inspired by the achievements of the awardees”.

MICHAEL HAYMAN MBE (1983-88; JOAN’S KITCHEN) Michael’s school reports suggest that he worked capably and hard; he played most sports and was a second team swimmer.

He went on to gain a BA in politics and history and an MSc in economics and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s foremost campaigners for enterprise.

He is co-founder of Seven Hills, the campaigns company, which represents many of the UK’s most respected business leaders. It has just been awarded Corporate Consultancy of the Year 2014. It also became the Santander Breakthrough 50 winner this year.

Michael is co-founder of “StartUp

Britain”, the national initiative for earlystage enterprise launched by the Prime Minister, supported by HM Government.

He co-founded HRH the Duke of York’s advocacy group for entrepreneurs and is Chairman of Entrepreneurs at the private bank Coutts. And he’s an Advisory Board Member for the National Business Awards.

Michael has assisted the Department for Business to develop various initiatives and sits on the management board of the “Small Business Charter”.

Michael is a non-executive director of Creative Sheffield, a member of Festivals Edinburgh, and has served as a non-executive director with the City of Westminster and as a commissioner on the City Finance Commission Inquiry into the Future of Cities.

He is the Daily Telegraph Enterprise

Columnist, and writes weekly on issues relating to small business, leadership and the economy.

He is also an accomplished event interviewer and MC. He has interviewed figures as diverse as the musician Will.i.am, HRH the Duke of York, Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Peter Jones, Olympic Chairman Lord Coe, as well as the Prime Minister, David Cameron.

He was recently selected as one of GQ Magazine’s 100 Most Connected Men of 2014, and was awarded an MBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours List – for services to enterprise promotion, entrepreneurship and education.

Michael reflects on his years at Millfield as a ‘phenomenal start’ that ‘set the tone’ of his future life, and remain a strong part of his identity to this day.

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 7

Society News

UK Branch Reports The South West Branch organised its second clay pigeon shoot in May at Brook Bank Shoot

South West Nikki Della Valle (née Dennett; 1986*-94; Day) After last year’s near arctic conditions, Sarah Champion and I decided that our second shooting expedition would be delayed until the end of May. Once again the English weather was misbehaving, with torrential rain forecast. Sarah and I had doubts as to whether we would need to cancel the event. However, in true Millfield spirit everyone turned up on time with full wet weather gear.

We were put into two groups each with an instructor, who did a marvellous job helping us all to achieve some respectable shooting. This year we were joined by two younger shooters who did exceptionally well! The rain held off and we were able to shoot 25 clays each, with everyone improving.

The morning ended with lunch at the Rodney Stoke Inn. It was wonderful to listen to renditions of times past at Millfield, such as how one OM at the event used to keep his gun under his bed in his dormitory when he came in late from shooting – how times have changed!

Thanks go to Alison, Wesley and the team from Brook Bank Shoot who as always were wonderful hosts.

London Louise Lang (1995-97; Day) In May, the London Branch enjoyed a fantastic wine tasting at Christie’s HQ in St James’s, courtesy of Tom Harrow’s

London Branch: wine tasting at Christie’s HQ 8 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

(1989*-96; Day) company WineChap (now Honest Grapes) and Tim Griffiths’ (1977-79; Kingweston) Chateau Domaine de Bellevue. Over 80 OMs joined Londonbased current and former parents to sample a wonderful selection of wines, hand-picked by Tom and Tim. We extend our sincere thanks to them both as well as Guy Bennett (1987-89; St Anne’s) who helped to secure the venue.

October saw an informal gathering at Duncan Stirling’s (1992*-99; Etonhurst) nightclub, Disco, which was hosted in conjunction with OM of the Year Lissa Davies (1998-2002; Oaklands) in support of her charity Bright Eyes Global Action Project (BEGAP). This was part fundraising, part networking, part having a great time, as all OMs know how to do only too well! Thanks to all who came and supported the charity as well as the London Branch – and special thanks to Duncan for being so generous in his hospitality! Do visit his other venues, part of the Inception Group www.inceptiongroup.com when you are next in London.

We always want to hear your thoughts, so please email louise@omsociety.com.

And if you have some insider knowledge or expert contacts who could help us host an amazing experience for you and your friends – then we want to hear from you!

Channel Islands John Davies, OMS Secretary Interesting statistics: there are 78 Old Millfieldians in Jersey and 36 in Guernsey and the branch is our fifth largest in the world (after the USA, Hong Kong, Australia and Germany). But these facts will change dramatically in the next few years. Most pleasingly, there are 22 youngsters from the CI currently being educated at Millfield. Thus, it was not surprising that 70 or so Millfieldians (OMs and parents) were at The Beach House, Jersey, in September, to enjoy the BBQ most generously hosted by Tim Griffiths (1977-79; Kingweston) and supported by Craig (Headmaster) and Penny Considine, John Davies (OM Society Secretary) and Neil Croucher (International Development Manager). With wonderful food and drink and the sunset-over-the-sea vista to marvel at, it was a thoroughly memorable get-together, the sixth since the branch was formed in the late 1990s. It was a pleasure to welcome Brian Phillipps, who first attended Millfield in 1943.

Subsequently, Michael Stein (current parent) accepted the position of Branch Chairman, with Sandra Beaton (former parent), present with her son Xander (2004-09; Joan’s Kitchen), remaining Secretary of the Guernsey section.

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Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 9

Society News

Overseas Branch Reports Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore

Neil Croucher, International Development Manager James Postle (Registrar), Christine McEwan (Admissions Manager) and I were in Hong Kong not only to see OMs but to host a reception for former, current and prospective parents and OMs, which was a great success.

We worked hard to interview many children, who were able to do entrance assessments at the location and offer places to Millfield for the coming years.

By interviewing on the spot it allowed Admissions to offer places without the inconvenience and expense of parents and children coming to Millfield several times. This proved very successful.

We were pleased to welcome over 60 guests to the reception at the Hyatt, Kowloon, and were welcomed by our

OMs, families and friends gathered in Colombo exactly 25 years after the first Sri Lanka reunion

Hong Kong Secretary, Tommy Ho. He spoke passionately about his time at Millfield and the excellent grounding that he was given. These occasions are a very good opportunity for prospective parents to mix with OMs and current and former parents to get a flavour of life at Millfield today. We all enjoyed a good evening, many parents

coming forward to register their children for Millfield and many OMs meeting up again, some for the first time since their schooldays.

It seems to me this is an excellent way of bringing current and past parents together alongside Old Millfieldians. I am delighted to say we repeated this event in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Sri Lanka

William Louey (1972-77; Chindit) and Tommy Ho (1982-86; Holmcroft) 10 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

In late December 2013 a most pleasant reunion dinner took place in a private room at the Swimming Club, a grand and historical members’ club on the Colombo sea front. Just about 20 OMs, former parents, friends of Millfield and partners attended, with John and Fran Davies present also.

There was a threat of rain so the company enjoyed a first class meal in rather chilly air-conditioned comfort, followed by short speeches from Simon Lourensz (1984-86; Etonhurst), Secretary, Ana Punchihewa (1967-71; Kingweston), Chairman, and JHD. It was another thoroughly enjoyable Millfield occasion in Colombo, the first being held exactly 25 years ago.

USA Southern California Shelaagh Ferrell (1976*-84; Warner) The gathering on 8th March was a blast. First of all I want to thank Branch Secretary Dr Katrina Wood (1969-73; Johnson’s) for her generosity in allowing the event to take place at her home in her absence. Katrina’s husband, Art, and her two children, Lindsay and Mick, were absolute stars in getting everything prepared along with Tania Anderson (1966-70; Ashcott) and her dear friend Diana visiting from Virginia. Sincere thanks to everyone for their hard work.

It was a lovely evening. Katrina’s home provided a warm relaxed atmosphere made even more special by the sound of the wonderful Mike Asher on the grand piano. The evening was supported by our LA-based alumni friends, and others who were able to co-ordinate their business diaries to tie in with the event. It was great to welcome Simon Meredith

Southern California event was held at the home of Katrina Wood (1969-73; Johnson’s)

(1967-72; Hollies) and his wife Fran who dropped in from Chicago and Hayley Thompson (1997*-2005; Warner) visiting from the UK. Californian based Jon Jacobs (1978*-80; Millfield) and his wife, Cherie, joined us for the first time, a special treat for me personally as I had not seen Jon since Edgarley, many years ago. I love these events. The real beauty is forming new friendships with OMs from all generations and discovering just how universally kind, wonderful, sweet, fun and special we all are! Thank you everyone for coming. Hopefully more of you will join us next time.

Katrina Wood (1969-73; Johnson’s) A wild and crazy fun OM time was had in the City of Angels to welcome Michael Absalom (1993-98; Hollies), who was passing through our beloved Hollywood in search of dreams in September!

A good night was had by all, as many OMs from various times across the aeons were present, which is all part of the beauty of being an OM as the years go by. As newly appointed Honorary Secretary, taking the baton from Elliot Lewis (1959-63; Shapwick), it has been a pleasure to organise these little events with the stalwart support of Art Wood and Shelaagh Ferrell (1976*-84; Warner).

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Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 11

Society News

Trust Fund Reports The Old Millfieldian 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, however, available for the extension of educational studies.

Thinking outside the medical box LAMU DISTRICT HOSPITAL Emma Kenney-Herbert (2001-03; Acacia) eatly fitted between the end of medical school and starting work in the NHS (and getting married), I had the opportunity to spend some time working abroad. In April, I set off with my colleague Zoe Young for Lamu District Hospital (LDH) in Kenya. This hospital has one of the finest settings in the world – situated directly on the sea.

I quickly got involved in the medical care of the patients and saw the day-today challenges of working in this health care system. Patients were not good at describing symptoms which often made diagnosis more challenging and this was not aided by a lack of the basic tests which I would consider routine in the UK. Treatment was also made more difficult by a shortage/lack of drugs. There were an astonishing number of strokes, likely a result of un-diagnosed hypertension.

We saw horrific cases of peripheral neuropathies, Cushing’s disease and toxic epidermal necrolysis (I will spare nonmedics a picture of this). We were able to learn a lot from the local doctors and improve our clinical skills.

The lack of basic equipment required some thinking outside the box. Therefore, when we had three asthmatic children on the paediatric ward requiring a spacer

N

12 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

The “Lamu Spacer” was born out of necessity to help asthmatic children on the paediatric ward

device (inhalers work far more effectively through one of these), we got creative.

We made the “Lamu spacer”, which only required two water bottles and boiling water to construct. After running a workshop demonstrating how to make these devices to all medical staff we hope they will be given to all asthmatic children in the future at this hospital.

Though the government figures for HIV in the Lamu district are supposed to be 1.3%, my experience would predict this to be a gross underestimate. There is still an enormous stigma surrounding

Despite its idyllic setting Lamu District Hospital presents huge medical challenges

this potentially devastating disease in the region. In Kenya all HIV medication and healthcare is free of charge and I sincerely hope that the local attitude to the disease will change over the forthcoming years.

Having spent a little time in the hospital, we focused on some areas where quality improvement could be achieved in the short time we had (two months). We mainly focused on infection control and waste management. Waste management was a disaster in LDH with needles and glass littering the back of the hospital. We also started a recycling programme for glass vials (which again cannot be burnt effectively in a small incinerator). These were up and running before we left.

We will certainly both be returning to LDH in the future. I would like to thank the Old Millfieldian Society for their financial help with this trip. If there are any doctors or medical students who would like to spend some time in LDH please do feel free to contact me.

Stellar Leadership Development BRITISH EXPLORING SOCIETY Sarah Woods (2000*-11; Day) his summer past, my first since graduating from university, I was ecstatic to be awarded a place on the Stellar Leadership Development Programme, run by the British Exploring Society. The Stellar Programme is a subsidised leadership development programme for university graduates from across the UK who exhibit the potential to be future leaders. The programme aims to develop these capabilities, and was delivered over the course of a 12-day trip to the beautiful setting of southern Norway, combining foundation sessions, a five day expedition and a community project.

T

The process began with a tense day of interviews at the Royal Geographical Society, where the dedication and commitment of all involved became apparent as candidates were asked to present on ‘The Greatest Achievement of My Life to Date’. They obviously saw something they liked, and at the end of July, I was one of 21 young leaders with backpacks meeting nervously at Heathrow, not knowing too much about what we were going to be undertaking.

The suspense was worth it. We were treated to beautiful 30ºC days by the side of the river Otra, near the town of Evje, an hour’s drive towards the mountains from the southern city of Kristiansand.

For our expedition we headed north and spent five days navigating Byglandsfjord by open canoe, carrying all our food, tents and supplies with us, camping on beaches and islands as we found them, cooking on real fires and borrowing from the natural environment for the supplies to raft our canoes together into sailing crafts. On our

return to Evje we put into action a threepart community project that had taken shape over our expedition: a dedicated ‘tourist wall’ in a local café, an afternoon tea at the retirement home and a sport and BBQ evening at the sports centre.

What stood out for me was the professionalism of the programme and the quality of the sessions, designed by facilitators and coaches who were just as invested in the success of the course as we were. The sessions fed into the practical skills we were learning and everything was done with a sense of enjoyment. Practices such as facilitation and feedback, which we learnt at the same time as navigation and bushcraft, were critical for the advancement of our understanding of the possibilities of leadership, and we learnt to understand others as well as ourselves.

I would like to thank Millfield for helping build the foundations of the personality that I was able to expand through this trip and the OM Society for the grant towards the cost of flights.

Five days were spent navigating Byglandsfjord by open canoe before returning to Evje.

During this time we camped on beaches, cooked on open fires and learned a number of vital leadership skills

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 13

Society News

Rabies, transmitted to humans by domestic dogs, is responsible for 24,500 deaths each year in Africa

Combating rabies in Tanzania NELSON MANDELA INSTITUTE George Powell (2004-09; Day) abies is responsible for the deaths of approximately 24,500 people each year in Africa. The disease is maintained by domestic dog populations, which then transmit it to humans, livestock and wildlife. This effect has been demonstrated by long-term studies in the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania, where human deaths occur and farmers suffer livestock losses. Rabies has also been implicated in the local extinction of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), which is currently in the process of recovering.

In November and December of 2013 I joined a student from the Nelson Mandela Institute of Science and Technology in Tanzania. Our research – partially funded by a contribution from the Old Millfieldian Society – sought to compare different methods for assessing vaccination

coverage in the agro-pastoralist villages bordering the West of the Serengeti National Park.

In each village three different methods were employed for comparison. The first was a village-wide census in which every household was visited and the number of vaccinated and unvaccinated

dogs was recorded. Although this method was the most costly and timeconsuming, we also deemed it to be the most reliable. Therefore, we made this the basic standard against which other methods would be assessed. The second method was a questionnaire-survey in which the proportion of vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs was estimated based on a sample of households from each village. The final method involved marking vaccinated dogs with livestock spray and visible collars, after which transects were driven through the villages and the number of marked and unmarked dogs seen were recorded.

Considering the burden of rabies, our research will be valuable to the biological sciences in so far as it will hopefully contribute to more effective vaccination campaigns in the future – in the Serengeti and perhaps even elsewhere. Given the prevalence of rabies in Africa this is a pressing avenue of research. However, it was also extremely important to my own development. I have no doubt that the experience will be formative as I move forward with my objective of establishing a career in research biology.

R

14 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

In one part of the project vaccinated dogs were marked with livestock spray and visible collars

Announcements Births

Marriages

To Jon Abel (1994-97; Etonhurst) and his wife Catalina, a second son, Jack, on 12th January 2014 – a brother for George.

Joey Barrington (1985*-97; Day) to Emily Aldous (right): “I met Emily through a friend (Charles Turner 1989*-97; Etonhurst) in November, she is from London. I proposed at sunrise on 10th March. And we got married on the 11th, in Antigua, on the cliff top, above the beach…”

To Dominic Barnes (1984-87; Holmcroft) and Lucy Cardwell, a son, Harry John Hugh, in September 2014.

Engagements Elizabeth Farnham (1994-99; Southfield) to Dr Edward Davis in February 2014. They will be married on 4th July 2015.

James Holland (2002-04; Walton) to Louise Marie Kellingray on March 15th 2014.

They hope to get married in 2016.

Francesca Tizzard (1996*-2007; Southfield) to Rory Millar (2002-07; Butleigh). The wedding is planned for May 2015 and there will be a strong Millfield contingent there!

Peter Wilson (2000-05; Holmcroft) to Michelle McCullagh, on 3rd August 2014.

Anniversaries Richard Hunter (1968-72; Shapwick) and Cathy (née Norton; 1965*-75; Day) celebrated their pearl (30 years) wedding anniversary in 2014. They are pictured with their daughter.

Emma Wakefield (1989-92; Acacia) married Guy Pewter in St James’ Parish Church, Barbados, with the reception at The Cliff.

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 15

Society News Marriages

Tobias Mews (1990-95; Orchards) married Zayne Crow (“my long suffering other half who’s been accompanying me on many of my adventures”) in September 2014 during the Marathon du Medoc. They married in fancy dress during the race (left) and held the reception afterwards (above).

Ruth King (1991*-98; Day) married Sam Landrigan on 27th September 2014.

The following OMs attended the wedding: Jess Gottschalk (née Bury; 1993-98; Warner), Katie Bury (1993-98; Johnson’s), Zoe Jeans (née Moss; 1993-98; Southfield), Becky Power Meggs (née Power; 1994-98; Johnson’s) and Shelley McIvor (1996-98; Portway).

Ruth and Sam’s daughter Iris was a flower girl at the wedding and Ruth joined Millfield as the new Head of Science in September 2014.

Andrew Todd (1992-97; Keen’s Elm) was married on 21st April 2014 at Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Brooklyn, New York to Anoushka Hirst in the company of 100 guests.

Andrew Savill (2008-10; Millfield) married Hannah Molloy (2003*-10; Martins) on 21st June 2014 in Warwick (left) where Hannah grew up. They had a fantastic day – lovely sunny weather, with around 100 guests. They met at Millfield in 2009 and then both went to Durham University. They are now living in East Dulwich, London. Hannah is training to be a lawyer and will start working for Allen & Overy early in 2015, and Andrew is a management consultant with PwC.

16 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Olav Colman (1975-79; Kingweston) was married on the 23rd April 2014 in Budir, Iceland to Deborah Colman.

Society News Obituaries

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

Abiodun Adekunle Professor Shoaib Nabi Ahmad Salem Alghanim Ian Anderson Mohammed Araydh Robert Bates Richard Bevan Nigel Brealey Roger Collins Richard Dare EK (Jock) Ferguson Cemlyn Foulkes Tommy (Barbara) Gilchrist Paul Godfrey Oliver Hafner Richard Heskell Peter Heslop Nicola Hood Peter James Sarah Kona Iraj Lak John Law Lyn Lewis Dr Bill Marshall Farthy Mater Naomi Young May John Miller Leonard Morris James Nicholas Geoffrey Ogle Charles Pellegrinelli Angela Pitt Adam Rassim Elsie Redwood Fenton Rutter Michael Rutter Brian Shaw David Simpson Robert Skipper Clive Thomas Richard Tuck Hazel Utting James Veale David Weston Roger Whitehead Sandy Wood Andrew Yates

(1976*- 82; Joan’s Kitchen) (1979-82: St Anne’s) (1965*-70; Etonhurst) (1949-50; Edgarley) (1949*-53; Millfield) (1945-46) (1944-46) (1968*-74; Glaston Tor) (1957-62; Holmcroft) (1951*-56) (former staff) (1963-68; Kingweston) (former MPS staff) (1953-55; Joan’s Kitchen) (1998*-2005; Orchards) (1948*-56; Chindit) (1952-56; Kingweston) (1996-97; Edgarley) (1948-49; Resteholme) (1987*-90; Southfield) (1957-58) (1959*-64; Kernick) (former staff) (former staff) (1983-86; St Anne’s) (née Keanie; 1950-53; The Cottage) (1951-53; Resteholme) (1956-60; Kingweston) (1993-95; Georgian Cottage) (1953-56;Walton) (1968-72; Hollies) (1968-69; Cheddar View) (1954-56; Chindit) (former staff) (1939-40; Millfield) (former MPS staff) (1969-71; Chindit) (1953-56) (1994*-2002; Walton) (former MPS staff) (1966*-70; Millfield) (former MPS staff) (1985*-92; Orchards) (1963-65; Walton) (1975-77; Holmcroft) (former MPS staff) (1975-80; Kingweston)

CEMLYN FOULKES (1963-68; Kingweston) An extract from the eulogy read by Austin Savage, former GB Hockey goalkeeper “Cemlyn was a legend of Welsh hockey.

By the time he came into the Welsh senior squad he had represented Lancashire U19 for four years, and had gained nine Welsh schoolboy caps as well as further caps for Wales U21 and U23.

“His first senior cap was on the left wing in 1969 v Ireland in Cork, and his third was here in Ruthin. He went on to gain 90 caps for Wales (his reckoning) and 15 for Great Britain. He was also a superb indoor player with 45 caps to his name.

During this time he also played 61 times for Lancashire.

“Cemlyn was a passionate Welshman, and, with apologies to any English folk here today, took great delight in recalling our wins against the ‘old enemy’, for the first time ever in Bristol in 1970, later in Penarth the following year, and then the amazing 3-1 score in Cardiff to win the Triple Crown in 1973. Cemlyn scored the first of those three goals.

“Without doubt Cemlyn’s inclusion in

Cemlyn Foulkes (1963-69; Kingweston) 18 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Obituaries the team, together with the appointment of Roger Self OBE, as manager/coach, brought continued success. Cemlyn’s ability and pride in wearing the red shirt, and his commitment to fitness and skills training seemed to rub off on the rest of the squad. Roger used to tell me ‘Why do you think I keep selecting him!’”

went out to the Far East and commanded a beach landing party, which during 1945 carried out the initial landings in the dock area of Surabaya Java at the time of the Indonesian confrontation.

He was well known in sporting circles, playing cricket and squash and in his later years taking up bridge.

ANDREW YATES JAMES NICHOLAS (1993-95; Georgian Cottage) James’s life started off in London but by the time he turned two, his family had moved to West Sussex where he grew up in the countryside near the South Downs.

After attending Windlesham House School for five years from 1985, he first went to Shiplake College, Henley before arriving at Millfield in 1993 to do his A-levels.

During his time at Millfield, as a member of Georgian Cottage, James made many lifelong friends. He was an enthusiastic sportsman who was just as happy on a croquet lawn as he was in the midst of a rugby scrum. He played hooker for the Second XV and to this day James’s picture still adorns the walls as captain of the Croquet team!

James always loved his sport, both as a player and a spectator, and he didn’t have to excel in any sport to necessarily enjoy it. Recently he was as chuffed to play three minutes on the rugby field in Amsterdam with the Millfield Old Boys Legends as he was playing a full game in his younger years.

For James being amongst friends and part of a team was when he was in his element.

Following his university years in Manchester, James took a gap year and travelled to Asia and Australasia before settling down in London as a successful salesman at Complinet, now Thomson Reuters. He was frequently awarded for his outstanding contribution and commitment. This year he was excited by

James Nicholas (1993-95; Georgian Cottage)

the fresh challenge of starting up his own company.

James was greatly loved by his family, friends and colleagues and is deeply missed. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of fun, his laughter, his ridiculous generosity, but above all his kindness.

FENTON RUTTER (1939-40; Millfield) Fenton passed away on 13th July 2014, aged 92, followed four days later by his wife, Norah. He was a fifth generation solicitor practising in Wincanton, a past president of the Somerset Law Society and County Coroner for 33 years.

After Millfield, Fenton went on to Jesus College, Cambridge where he won the mile race for Cambridge against Oxford.

After the Second World War broke out, Fenton joined the Royal Navy and in 1944 was in charge of landing craft at Omaha Beach, Normandy. In 1945 he

(1975-80; Kingweston) Written by Matthew Ebsworth (1978-80; Walton) Andrew Yates sadly died in June 2014.

Married to Lesley he had three children Archie (14) Millie (11) and Eva (11).

Andrew or Yatsey as he was affectionally known was a towering personality.

At 6’4”, he played in the successful seasons of 1979/80 for both the first XV and the Rugby Sevens. It was in the Sevens however where he was dominant.

A second rower who could run 10.8 seconds for the 100m he was comfortable in taking on all-comers. It was no surprise therefore that he was part of the allconquering side that won the Oxford and Rosslyn Park Sevens tournaments in consecutive weeks, a feat still unsurpassed at Millfield.

Yatsey was a successful businessman and entrepreneur. Having established Peldon Rose as the leading office refurbishment company in London he worked tirelessly to build a successful team through the 1990s and 2000s.

That team still remains in place today, a testament to his rugby playing days where teamwork and continuity were so important in creating successful outcomes.

Yatsey will be sadly missed by all that knew him well.

“Think not of me when you are sad, But think of me when you are glad And think of all the fun we had when you remember me.”

(Sir Walter Raleigh) Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 19

Society News

Millfield Business Network A small group of alumni, who currently run the existing professional groups, have been tasked with creating a “state of the art” general business network, which will become the envy of all other schools in the country.

The phenomenal rise of the internet and the increased role of social media has unveiled endless possibilities for Old Millfieldians, wherever they are located, to promote their own businesses, take advantage of preferential rates from other MBN members, to search for new career opportunities or maybe even to give something back by assisting others.

Former Millfield parent, Rob Needham, has been invited to facilitate this group.

He comments: “The 20,000 or so privileged members of the Millfield family, scattered around the world, may have different personalities, backgrounds, cultures and creeds but, fundamentally, have been taught the same ethos in their formative years and can therefore

comfortably understand and relate to each other. This is an unparalleled unique selling point in social networking terms, which to date, has remained dormant for Old Millfieldian Society members.

“We can capitalise on this enviable global base of knowledge and experience by utilising social media and the OMS website as the primary source of communication. We will manage and encourage active web discussions on ideas which will derive real tangible business benefits to participants, wherever they may be located.

“There is no limit to what we can generate for each other together!”

The Steering Group is finalising plans to launch in the Spring of 2015, when Old Millfieldians will be invited to be founder members of the new Millfield Business Network. So watch this space!

For further information, please contact Rob Needham on profitmatters@ hotmail.com

Millfield Business Network will bring together OMs from a range of commercial backgrounds 20 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

It would help us greatly if you could complete this questionnaire online by clicking the Keeping in Touch link of any page of www.omsociety.com.

Alternatively, please complete the form opposite and return it to: Old Millfieldian Society, Millfield, Street, Somerset BA16 0YD All information supplied will be held by the Society Office, which is fully compliant with the Data Protection Act (1998).

Tel: +44 (0) 1458 444368 Email: office@omsociety.com

Keeping in touch with Millfield Title .......................... First name(s) .............................................Surname.....................................................................

Previous name (if applicable) .............................................Date of birth..............................................................

Address......................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................Postcode....................................................................

Telephone (home) .....................................................................................................................................................

Telephone (mobile)....................................................................................................................................................

Email.............................................................................................................................................................................

Partner’s name ...........................................................................................................................................................

Is your partner an OM? yes/no................................................................................................................................

Partner’s Millfield House and dates (if applicable)..............................................................................................

Names and DOB of children.................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................

Are your children current Millfield pupils or Old Millfieldians?........................................................................

If yes, please provide dates and house...................................................................................................................

(Please list any other family members who are OMs, with their relationship to you, dates and house) ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................

EDUCATION HISTORY Millfield Prep School dates .............................................................................. House............................................

Millfield dates ..................................................................................................... House............................................

University/further education .......................................................................... Date(s)..........................................

Subject(s) studied......................................................................................................................................................

Qualifications/degree................................................................................................................................................

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 21

Keeping in touch with Millfield SINCE MILLFIELD Current occupation/position...................................................................................................................................

Name of employer ....................................................................................................................................................

Professional qualifications........................................................................................................................................

Would you be willing to help young OMs and current pupils with careers advice, work experience or internships? Yes/No .......................... If yes, please give details........................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................

Please give a short autobiographical note about yourself, including any interests ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................

Please do let us know of any recent engagements, marriages, births or other family news of interest (photos welcome) ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................................................

Are you happy to have your news published? Yes/No........................................................................................

MAKE MILLFIELD MORE THAN A MEMORY – LEAVE A LEGACY Our Development Office works with parents and alumni to enhance the Millfield experience through generous donations, and is about to launch an important legacies campaign to assist with future funding. If you would like to learn more, please visit www.millfieldschool.com/giving 22 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Reunions and Events Glaston Tor team spirit rekindled Robert Collins (1965*-74; Glaston Tor) Many of you will not know the name Glaston Tor – a house whose flame burned brightly for just six school years between September 1967 and summer 1973.

It closed after a brief but outstanding record of Armstrong and Churchill cup victories and fostered a tremendous sense of camaraderie and team spirit. This was very much in keeping with Boss’s personal philosophy and the consequence of Tor’s outstanding Houseparents, Geoff Smith and his formidable wife. On the site of this former medieval monastery now lies the Chalice Well, hidden for centuries under Tor’s grounds.

And so it was that on 27th September 2014 the diaspora congregated with some trepidation after 40 years for the first Tor reunion. However, caution proved unnecessary; within moments the mood was warmly convivial and relaxed. The Mezzanine Suite of the Royal Air Force Club was an excellent venue, the food and drink as free flowing as the conversation.

At around 9.30 pm, most accompanied our host, Robert ‘Benny’ Goodman (196974; Glaston Tor), to the Dorchester Hotel, where an area of The Bar had been reserved for us. Surprisingly, we were allowed to continue an increasingly lively and animated reunion until the last few surrendered shortly before 5.00 am. Our sincere thanks go to Benny for his outstanding generosity.

The event was thoroughly enjoyable and welcomed by those who could remember attending the following day.

It was pledged unanimously that a Tor House reunion should be a regular, if not frequent, event in future. Many of Tor’s modest total of around 160 pupils who were unable to attend had sent their apologies and warmest wishes. We hope to welcome them next time.

Above, left to right: Craig Elford, Liz Walkington, Wout Kalis, Clare Kalis, Charles Stocks, Deborah Collins, Robert Collins, Marc Simon, Pam Simon, Mark Hegan, Christopher Hill, Roy Goff, Chumley Prime, Shaun Mahony, Patrick Mahony Inset: Patrick Mahony, Wout Kalis, Mark Hegan (with back turned), Roy Goff

Anyone wishing to get in touch, please email: robert@rgoodman.net Glaston Tor 1973 – the final group photo to be taken during the six years that the house flourished Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 23

Join the ultimate birthday party‌

Millfield’s 80th Anniversary Dinner and Ball Friday 8th May 2015 at Grosvenor House, London Tickets and information: millfieldfoundation.co.uk

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Ch 30 Society Chronicle 2015 00 Old The Millfieldian Windmill - Autumn 2014

#MF80th #WontBeTheSameWithoutYou Millfield 80th Anniversary Dinner and Ball

Reunions and Events OM lunch at the Green Olive Malcolm Tucker (1961-65; Millfield) The Green Olive restaurant in Chobham has become a well known and anticipated venue for an annual OM lunch. Some 56 OMs and their partners attended on 27th July, a day blessed by sunshine and a light breeze. The Greek style restaurant is owned by Leo Charmantas (197276; Mill House) and his charming wife Annalise, who have two sons at Millfield, in Holmcroft; Ed in L6 and Louis Y10.

In their customary way, Leo and Annalise treated us to a sumptuous banquet of all manner of traditional Greek food, and a choice of wines and juices. There could be no better way to complement a fine English summer’s day, than with an al fresco Greek lunch.

Among the attendees were Ian Balding (1957-59; Chindit), Jonathan Cooper (1964-66; St Anne’s ), Sarah Bealey (née Marlar; 1972-77; Portway ), and Adrian Woods (1982-88; Holmcroft ). Such was the diversity of the group that many houses and five decades of OMs were represented; a mix that made for great comparisons of Millfield over the years.

Special mention must be made of Gerry Hirst (1943-45; Millfield) and Jackie Mander-Wilson, daughter of Boss and Mrs M. On behalf of all those lucky people who attended, our heartfelt thanks go to Leo and Annalise, as well as their friendly and expert staff, for a splendid event in the true tradition of OM get-togethers.

Top picture: Mathew Stonehouse, Susie Rumball, Melissa Conville, Leo Charmantas, David Lewis; Richard Bannister and Gareth Turnbull (above)

Malcolm and Clare Tucker (above) Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 25

Reunions and Events

The

70s Hop

Where: San Lorenzo Fuoriporta Restaurant, Wimbledon owned

by OM, Ghigo Berni (1975-80; Kingweston) When: Saturday 7th June 2014 Who: organised by Mathew Stonehouse (1973-78; Shapwick) for those wishing to recapture memories of the famous Millfield hops of the 1970s

26 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

OMS

Classic Car Rally Tony Williams (1958-61; Day) The inaugural Old Millfieldian Car Rally held in June 2014 was a great success, proving very popular with all participants.

The Headmaster and staff were most co-operative with the preparations for the rally, including souvenir registration plates and an authentic start/finish gate, greatly enhancing the day.

Twenty one cars entered the 60 mile run, ranging from the oldest, a 1936 Riley Lynx, to the newest (we bent the rules a bit) a 1995 Land Rover – which was used as a support vehicle. Even Headmaster Craig Considine and his wife Penny took part, driving a borrowed 1958 MGA for the occasion.

After bacon butties before the off, the morning route took us from the Millfield car park across country to Stourhead, a National Trust property, where we had a very pleasant lunch, returning back to Millfield via a different route for afternoon cream tea. The cars were the source of much interest when lined up in a reserved area at Stourhead and back home in the Millfield Quadrangle.

We were blessed with perfect weather and the rally was thoroughly enjoyed by all participants. After so many requests for a repeat rally we have already reserved the date of 13th June 2015. I would like to thank all concerned in the organisation of this year’s event.

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 27

Reunions and Events

Major Summer Family Afternoon Tea and Dinner which took

28 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Reunion

place at Millfield on Saturday 14th June 2014

Left: Lissa Davies (1998-2002; Oaklands), Duncan Goodhew (1970-75; Walton), Bob Clark (1960-65; Etonhurst) Above: Sarah Lockhart-Martin (1988*-95; Day), Natalie Murray-Hurst (1991-96; Acacia)

Far left: Michael Hayman, MBE (1983-88; Joan’s Kitchen) with his former Houseparents, Dick and Jean Shilton Above left: Philippa English (1996*-2005; Southfield), Dick Boustead (former tutor) Above: John Davies (OMS Secretary), Michael Hayman, Craig Considine (Millfield Headmaster) Left: William Hulbert (1971*-77; Day), Matthew Hulbert (1971*-79; Day) Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 29

Reunions and Events

The Nissen Club

Susanna Van Rose (1958-60; Day) In the course of a slightly silly conversation in the foyer of the swimming pool, at a summer reunion sometime in the last decade, the name Nissen came up. The Meyer Theatre was under discussion. Problem, it was outsiders who called him Mr Meyer, we all knew him as Boss, so the name Boss Theatre was being playfully thrown around, but that was unthinkable. Nissen Theatre – also unthinkable. Somehow, sometime later, possibly connected, in the way that these things are in life, the OM over 60s luncheon club became known as the Nissen Club.

Peter Nissen was a mining engineer, accustomed to providing rough and ready 30 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

accommodation against the worst of the weather for the drilling teams, geologists and other personnel who populate the roughneck frontier-land that is mining geology. He designed his eponymous huts during the First World War, but certainly not with schoolrooms in mind.

Millfield’s Nissen huts were situated in The Camp, the frontier with Street, and have no connection with mining or quarrying. Millfield’s Camp was just one of many thousands situated all over the UK, a heritage from World War II, when they had been flung up to house troops in transit, troops who were on their way to, or from, D-Day, or other engagements.

After the war, Boss deemed them perfect for Millfield as schoolrooms; already subdivided and with a door at each end, heated (just) by a tortoise stove,

they economically allowed Millfield to maintain its pupil-tutor ratio.

This was priority number one; comfort, by contrast, did not figure at all highly in Boss’s priorities. The cold and draughty huts are indelibly printed in the memories of all of us who were at Millfield in Boss’s days; they are a bond we share, a common understanding. So it is absolutely fitting that the OM luncheon club should be named for them; but do not be misled, the comfort and the quality of dining in the Nissen Club are fully up to modern Millfield standards.

The Nissen Club meets at least twice a year, at Millfield and in London and OMs are invited to join following their 60th birthday. In 2014, luncheons took place in March at 86 St James, London, in May at Millfield and in October at the RAF Club, London.

Tassie Foursomes Julia Burton (née Gregory; 1970-74; Johnson’s) This year Millfield entered two teams into the Tassie competition at the Berkshire Golf Club in June 2014, and we were greeted by a lovely warm, dry day with the courses, as usual, in fantastic condition. Sadly neither team really found their form, with the A team finishing in a disappointing 9th place, after having had high hopes of perhaps taking the trophy with a team of four single-handicap golfers. The B team finished 26th but seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience over a difficult and challenging 27 holes. The foursomes format seems to be a real problem with scratch partnerships taking time to settle in – and the fact that the A team was

Team A: Julia Burton, Jane Downes (née Thomson; 1971-73; Holmcroft), Julie Kinsey (1984-86; Day), Sandie Meacher (née Evans; 1970-75; Day).

Team B: Sally Cahill (née Roderick; 196971; Ashcott), Pauline Olliver (née Dennler; 1959-60; The Cottage), Louise Paterson (née Meeks; 1974-78; Great House) Sam Williams (née Donald; 1982-84; Acacia)

missing senior international star, Jane Rees (née Evans; 1973-76; Day), was another mitigating factor. The one bit of good news was that Sandie Meacher and Jane Downes won the scratch prize over the red/blue course and collected a silver donkey each.

Now that we have a strong squad of players, and with some pairings ready to

give it another go next year, I feel that 2015 will be the year we take the trophy!

The 2015 Tassie competition will again be held at the Berkshire Golf Club on 9th June – please get in touch if you are interested in representing Millfield in this event. margaret.hawker@talktalk.net

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 31

Reunions and Events

20th Annual Golf Day Ian Cole (1974-78; Day) The warmest autumn on record was extended to include the 2014 Annual Golf Day on 27th October and, with temperatures reaching 20 degrees, the championship West Course at Wentworth offered near perfect conditions. A glut of bunkers, however, unfamiliar borrows on very fast greens and some tricky pin positions also meant that, as ever, good course management might win the day.

This year’s competition was a significant event: not only the 20th anniversary of the competition, but

also the third, possibly last, hosted at Wentworth following the recent sale of the club by Richard Caring (1962-66; Millfield). It has been a wonderful chance for the OM Society and many individuals to play and enjoy this spectacular course.

Post the glorious walk whilst accompanying the golf clubs, the sumptuous ballroom surroundings brought the welcomed companionship together again – including friends seen infrequently but, with many anecdotes and updates to relay, it was quickly back to familiarity.

SPECIAL INDIVIDUAL WINNERS Richard Caring Scratch Trophy Giles Legg (1983-88; St Anne’s) Gross 77 Richard Caring Ladies Cup Sandie Meacher (1970-75; Day) 26 points The Senior Golf Trophy Roger Brown (1961-66; Chindit) 29 points Nearest the pin – ladies Nearest the pin – men Longest drive – ladies Longest drive – men

Fran Davies (Former Tutor) Peter Stokes (1986-89; Kingweston) Hazel Bevan (Current Tutor) Chris Taee (1978*-86; Day)

32 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Despite JHD missing some of the final scorecards to reconcile events and a slight oversight of available prizes for all qualifying winners, he managed to capture enough attention and announce the long list of winners on the day.

Thanks of course were extended to those who made the day a success: Julian Small (CEO of Wentworth), the club shop professionals and Marion O’Neill for her organisation again of this event.

I always like to thank John as well; he seems to make the day feel all the more worthwhile!

INDIVIDUAL PRIZES 1st and winner of the Meyer Trophy

Henry Sands (1995*-2004; Joan’s Kitchen) 2nd Dafydd Roberts (2001-06; Etonhurst) 3rd Nick Ames ( 1997-2002; Orchards) 4th Charles Homewood ( 1999-2001; Orchards) 5th Giles Legg ( 1983-88; St Anne’s ) 6th Stuart Wells (Millfield Golf Coach) 7th Jonny Atkinson (1975*-86; Day) 8th Patrick Chenery (1980-86; Etonhurst) 9th George Donnelly (1998-2000; Holmcroft) 10th Andy Steele (1969-71; Orchards) 11th Joe Lovery (2008-13; Day)

37 points 37 points 36 points 36 points 34 points 34 points 33 points 32 points 32 points 31 points 31 points

TEAM PRIZES 1st and winners of the Atkinson Cooler: Nick Ames (1997-2002; Orchards), George Donnelly (1998-2000; Holmcroft), Charles Homewood (1999-2001; Orchards), Rob Fabb (1981-85; Millfield) 2nd: Henry Sands (1995*-2004; Joan’s Kitchen), Adam Pearson (2001*-06; Day), Dafydd Roberts (2001-06; Etonhurst), James Tiarks (1995*-2006; Butleigh) 3rd: Jeremy Blackie (1962-66; Shapwick), David Browne (1963-66; Hollies), Mike Burns (1964-66; Kernick), Roger Brown (1961-66; Chindit) 4th: Kevin Hawksworth (Current Tutor), Phil Cookson (Former Tutor), Stuart Wells (Millfield Golf Coach), Gerald Tonkins (Current Staff)

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 33

Millfield Memories

The Tucker Interview MT Why did your parents choose to send you to Millfield?

PL A boarding school was needed because my parents travelled a lot. My dad loved physical activity, and appreciated Millfield’s mix of sport and academics.

MT So they were looking for a balanced education?

PL I think so.

MT What was your most memorable Millfield moment?

PL Being caught by my housemaster, talking in the dormitory at 2.00 am. He woke up two prefects who had to bicycle beside me as I ran three miles, so that I might be exhausted and actually sleep.

Paul Lister (1971*-77; Keinton) In 2002, after 20 years in the furniture retail business, Paul decided to devote his life to regenerating the ecology of the Scottish Highlands and to preserving Europe’s last unspoilt virgin forests in Romania. Paul founded the Alladale Wilderness Reserve www.alladale.com in Sutherland, Scotland and is also helping to protect some 250,000 hectares of unspoilt forest land in Romania.

He is also the founding trustee of The European Nature Trust www.theeuropeannaturetrust.com, a charity set up to help preserve and restore the last remaining habitats in Europe. He hopes to create a 50,000 acre fenced wilderness reserve at Alladale for wolves and European brown bears, to complement the deer, cattle, wildcats and red squirrels.

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MT What happened after Millfield?

PL I coached tennis, and then travelled the USA, before a two-year apprenticeship at Littlewoods Retail Management Training. I then travelled around Australia and New Zealand, coming back to join the MFI furniture business for five years.

The turning point in my life was when my father had a stroke; I then decided to become part of the environmental solution and not the problem.

MT Are you uncomfortable in urban environments or do you just prefer the natural countryside?

PL If I have more than a month in a city I get cranky; I’m happiest in nature but to do what I do, I need to be networking and having meetings.

MT Why nature and why the wilderness?

PL Global population is causing an environmental crisis. We must learn to preserve the air, water and soil; namely our environment.

with Paul Lister MT Where did the interest in Scotland and Romania come from?

PL When I was 20 years old I accompanied my father to purchase some open hillsides in southern Scotland, for commercial forestry purposes. I learnt we have only 1% left of our natural woodlands.

Romania’s virgin forests represent up to 65% of the virgin forests remaining in Europe. At Alladale, in Scotland, we are helping to restore the landscape, and in Romania we are protecting the landscape.

MT Why does Romania especially need your help?

PL Romania has an eco-system that is currently functioning with all its indigenous animals, but this last pristine forest in Europe is being illegally felled to produce consumer products; it’s bizarre.

MT How many hectares has your foundation acquired in Romania?

PL We are looking to buy 50,000 hectares of forest. We’ve established the Foundation Conservation Carpathia, to find philanthropists in Europe to protect forests in perpetuity. We have management rights on a further 200,000 hectares, which we hope will become the Yellowstone of Europe.

MT How will expanding the wilderness help the human population?

PL Planting and saving trees creates a huge carbon sequestration. Trees are oxygen producers and carbon absorbers.

MT Are the cattle you have in Scotland substitutes for another breed?

PL Yes, for European bison. We get a small subsidy to look after our thirty Highland cattle. The guests like to see them in the wild roaming freely.

MT Tell me about the wild cats and red squirrels?

PL Alladale had no red squirrels. We released 35 during 2013; they are doing very well. We also have an enclosure with three wildcats which is part of a programme to captive-breed and then release into the wild.

MT The key to it all, as I understand it, is the control of the deer – how do you do that?

PL Initially we had 20 deer per square kilometre. In an area with large carnivores, say Romania or Poland, you would expect three deer per square kilometre. Increased stalking has reduced Alladale’s by twothirds. We are already seeing huge plant regeneration, and the sporting business of stalking deer continues in a more challenging environment.

MT Why the wolves and the bears?

PL The concept of a fenced wilderness reserve at Alladale is a copy of the South African model, as I don’t think we will see bears and wolves roam free in Scotland again. European brown bears are charismatic animals, living on sedges, roots, salmon, and carrion from wolf kills.

MT What about tree planting?

PL The Scottish rural development programme has given us grants for native woodlands. We have already planted 800,000 native tree species.

THE TUCKER INTERVIEW Malcolm Tucker (1961-65; Millfield) interviews a different Old Millfieldian for Chronicle every year. If you would like to suggest an interviewee for 2016 please send your ideas to office@ omsociety.com.

MT Is there a bit of guilt about MFI in this?

PL No, I don’t think so. The furniture industry took me to forests that were created specifically for that industry.

MT Is there anything you learnt at Millfield that has helped you with your projects?

PL The rural location of Millfield fostered my love of nature. Another benefit of Millfield was the international community and I’m still friendly with about half a dozen OMs, and I meet more as I travel.

MT Do you still have any connection with the school?

PL Alladale is involved with the Year 9 programme, where, together with Millfield, we will be developing a course, learning about the outdoors and the natural world.

MT Many have said “Whatever I have achieved would not have been as much without the Millfield experience.” Would you agree?

PL Millfield made me feel very rounded and with an open mind. I arrived at Millfield timid and shy and by the time I left I was gregarious. Millfield allowed me to become independent.

MT One piece of advice for Millfield school leavers – what would it be?

PL Your 20s are an extended period of learning. Your vocation may not come to you immediately, but over a number of years. It’s important to work out who you are, your skills and passions, and work on those. What your parents do is not necessarily something you should do.

Follow your heart, follow your dreams and try to get the support of your family and friends. Oh, and visit Alladale and Romania at some point!

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 35

Millfield Memories

80 years ago…

Educational genius, Jack Meyer, founded our School in 1935. He passed away in 1991. His immensely supportive wife, Joyce, died seven years later. In 1993, Chronicle published Joyce Meyer’s article about the foundation and early days of Millfield. It is entirely appropriate that we republish this now, on the brink of the School’s 80th anniversary, to remind ourselves that the very existence of our Schools is the legacy of the vision and work of both Jack and Joyce Meyer, writes John Davies

A

t the beginning was Mill Field…

The party arriving in 1935 at the Quaker-owned residence soon to become known as Millfield was a little surprising. There was Jack Meyer later known as “Boss”, myself and our two young daughters. Then there were three Indian princes, their cousins and finally an elderly uncle of some of the princes.

The idea was for the princes to get used to living in an English home and learn English customs before going to prep schools, public schools and universities.

36 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

This is where the fun began. First there had to be a cricket ground which all of us bar none helped to make. Each morning saw us weeding by hand and filling a bucket in the area marked out.

That was followed by catching practice, when “Boss” would hit a ball into the air and call out a name. You were allowed one miss, if more you went without the first course at breakfast. Finally, came the day when the ground and pitch were ready to play on. Everyone was called upon to take part. Even the head

gardener was prised from his beloved kitchen garden.

The next big enterprise was to build a swimming pool out of the existing ponds.

Again everyone turned out, and some of the more enterprising boys devised a truck on rails into which the rest of us shovelled mud and others disposed of it.

Concrete had to be laid after the pool was drained and pipes put in where the few springs emerged.

Boss was an exceptional and wonderful teacher in his own very individual style.

The original party of Indian princes and their cousins prepares to leave for Mill Field in 1935

Cricket was an important part of Millfield life: the pitch was weeded by hand every morning, followed by catching practice with Boss

The original swimming pool was constructed by the whole school who drained, lined and converted the existing ponds

Nissen huts and other temporary buildings remaining on The Camp were pressed into service as classrooms

Would Eton and Harrow who both offered him a job teaching have selected him otherwise? Not that he went to either after leaving Cambridge because he was invited to play cricket in India by the Viceroy.

Boss decided we must have some English boys and as our numbers grew so Boss engaged more teaching staff‌ then, sadly, a number of the Indian Princes had to leave for various reasons and it looked an impossibility to continue. However, our lease had a number of years left to run so we had to struggle on as best we could. For a time we took paying guests during the holidays, and Boss coached boys from other schools. The wonderful staff, both teaching and domestic, gave us their full support even during times when we

wondered if we could last out until the next term’s fees came in. We shared what there was and survived.

them. The war took its toll of some of our masters and pupils whose names are on the Roll of Honour.

THE WAR YEARS The next major event was the war. The carefully selected teaching staff left to join the Services. Boss went to the Air Ministry in London and was accepted for the RAF but was recalled and asked to run the Air Training Corps in the West Country. Older teaching staff had to be engaged, and in a short time new pupils arrived in numbers in order to pass their entry exams for Sandhurst, Dartmouth and Cranwell. The success rate for entry to these was high and so even greater numbers applied. The Army commandeered the fields near the drive and the Nissen huts were erected on

THE NEXT PHASE Numbers of pupils were increasing all the time and the staff were unbelievably dedicated. There were not nearly enough classrooms in which to teach and yet the masters and mistresses found summerhouses, the old laundry and even an ancient pigsty were possibilities. At the end of a long day they were still prepared to help anyone and would do so in their own homes if needed and in their own time. They were greatly appreciated.

Over the next period of time Millfield won every major scholarship in the country and won gold medals in the Olympics: the Jardine twins, Adrian and Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 37

Millfield Memories

Victories in the Junior and Senior Cups against other schools on the same day at Hickstead led to the building of Millfield’s first indoor riding school

Stuart, in sailing, Gordon Miller in the high jump and, later on, Mary Bignal Rand in the long jump.

We found that parents of the pupils were so supportive. The mothers formed a committee amongst themselves in order to raise funds for all that was going on and the fathers thought up great schemes for helping the school and were extremely generous. For instance, when Millfield won both Senior and Junior Cups the same day at Hickstead against other schools, a parent who had been watching the events all day said to Boss, “I will build you an indoor riding school on the strength of this”. Irving Allen, another parent whose two sons were selected to fence in an international event, said he would build us a fencing salle, which inspired yet another parent to build the Judo Dojo 38 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Fred Perry coached tennis at Millfield each summer between 1950 and 1953

because his son had been awarded a black belt for judo at the age of 14. In addition, there were the famous film and theatrical names such as Lord Grade, Sir Bernard

Delfont, Jack Hawkins, Sir Stanley Baker and Hugh Williams, all of whom came to Parents’ Day and who devised fascinating schemes to raise funds.

Boss believed in getting the best coaches possible for all activities, which included Fred Perry in person for tennis.

This might well have been the reason why subsequent Davis Cup players were nearly all Millfield?

A dear friend and OM, Eddy Greenwell (1938-39; Millfield), often said that Millfield was the happiest time in his life. I would like to think he wasn’t the only one, who felt this.

This is the abridged version of Joyce’s article. To read the complete version please visit www.omsociety.com

OM News

Commonwealth Games 2014 Twenty-one OMs took part in more than 30 events representing eight nations at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Between them, they won three gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

Athletics

Danielle Lowe (2011-12; Acacia), Rob Holderness (2001*-07; Day), Thomas Bielich (2006*-13; Holmcroft) and Xander Beaton (2004-09; Joan’s Kitchen) also competed in the pool.

In athletics Jazmin Sawyers (2010-12; Acacia) jumped a season’s best in the long jump to win silver for England.

All OM athletes reached their respective finals: Carl Myerscough (1996-98; Georgian Cottage) in the discus, with Jemma Simpson (1997-2002; Portway) and Nikki Hamblin (2004-06; Martin’s) racing against each other in the 1500m.

Swimming James Guy (2008*-14; Great) won bronze in the men’s 400m freestyle final, beating his own British record in the process and helped the 4 x 100m medley relay team win gold.

Hockey Jazmin Sawers (pictured with her coach Alan Lerwill) won silver in the long jump. Alan Lerwill is senior coach for jumps at Millfield and is a long jumper who competed in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics. He won bronze in the 1970 British Commonwealth Games and gold in the 1974 British Commonwealth Games. In 1982, Alan competed in the Superstars TV series.

100m breaststroke and was part of the winning Australian women’s 2 x 100m medley relay team to take home a gold.

James Guy beat his own British 400m freestyle record to take bronze before going on to win gold in the 4 x 100m medley relay

James Disney-May won bronze in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay and also helped the 4 x 100m medley relay team win gold.

Amelia Maughan (2009-10; Acacia) competed in two relay events coming away with a silver and a bronze medal.

Australian swimmer Lorna Tonks (2001-02; Edgarley) took silver in the

Other Millfieldians at the Games Mark Foster (1983-86; Millfield) was part of the BBC commentary team at the swimming pool and Felicity Hares (1999*-2007; Day) was performance dietician for Team Wales.

Three current Millfield staff were also at the Games: Cara Lea Moseley, represented Wales at netball, Joel Finck, Director of Swimming, was a member of the Team England coaching squad, and David Faulkner, Director of Sport, commentated on hockey for BBC5 Live.

The England men’s hockey team, featuring Simon Mantell (1994*-2002; Day), won bronze against New Zealand.

Simon Mantell won bronze as part of the men’s hockey team that beat New Zealand

Alys Brooks (2005-07; Acacia) and Aileen Davis (2001-06; Acacia) also competed on the hockey pitch

Rugby In Rugby Sevens three OMs battled it out in the plate final – Will Harries (200005; Orchards) in the Welsh squad and John Brake (1995*-2006; St Anne’s) and Tom Powell (2002-04; Holmcroft) for England, who beat Wales.

Squash We were represented by Peter Creed (2001-05; Joan’s Kitchen), Collette Sultana (2001-03; Portway) and Frania Gillen-Buchert (1998-99; Overleigh).

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 39

Millfield Memories Where are they

NOW? Matthew Perry (1988*-95; Orchards) was an English rugby union player who played full back for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions.

He made his senior international debut for England against Australia in 1997.

In total he was capped 36 times for England and toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2001. Matt also played 221 games for Bath.

He now works for a management consultancy company based near Bath.

Matt Perry returned to Millfield Prep School to cut the first sod for the new Sports Pavilion 40 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

s’ ist iv er c h rn Ar Co Before beginning his professional career, Matt Perry captained the Edgarley Hall 1st XV in 1989 (below) and went on to play for the Millfield 1st XV in 1994 (centre of the second row, bottom picture). But what about his former team mates? If you are in either of these photos, or you know of someone who is, please email office@omsociety.com and bring us up to date with achievements and experiences since leaving Millfield.

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 41

Sports Clubs Old Millfieldian Cricket Club 2014 saw another ambition achieved for the club when it was invited to play competitive cricket in the Cricketer Trophy, which acts as a feeder tournament to the more established Cricketer Cup. Both tournaments are held for Old Boy XIs and feature a number of top club players, ex-professionals and occasionally a current pro. I am delighted to report that in our inaugural season we carried off the prestigious Cricketer Trophy in August 2014 by beating Old King’s Scholars (King’s Canterbury) in a dramatic final!

You can read a full report of this match by going to the OMS website, www.omsociety. com. For further information on the OMCC, please take a look at the website, www. oldmillfieldiancricketclub.com. If anybody is interested in becoming a member of

Old Millfieldian Fencing Match and Dinner The second OM Fencing event took place at Millfield in the fencing salle on 30th November. There was OM representation and guests from the 70s up to leavers from last year.

In a change to format, which we hope will remain from now on, there was an Old Millfieldian (and guests) team in each weapon against a Millfield team.

A very close sabre match went the way of the OMs with Rafe Harris (2007*14; Day) winning three fights in a 5-4

42 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

victory. Jonathan Schiessl (1977*-86; Holmcroft) and Jonathon Hooper (1979*-86; Keinton) starred in an OM win by 6-3 in the épée. However, a fight back in the foil by outgoing captains Richard Bernstein and Costanza Peretti meant that Millfield won 6-3. The final match score was 14-13 to the OM team.

Members of both teams then went to the Rose and Port for a delightful dinner and many promises to return next year!

the Old Millfieldian Cricket Club, please contact Nick Brothers, secretary@ oldmillfieldiancricket.com.

Old Millfieldian Golfing Society Richard Champion (1977-82; Day) set up the Old Millfieldian Golfing Society several years ago. All golfing OMs, men and ladies, are most welcome to join via www.oldmillfieldiangolfingsociety.co.uk.

The society is steadily building up its membership.

Richard would very much like to hear from all golfing OMs and so please do contact him on: secretary@omgs.co.uk.

Gavin Bradbury (1981-83; Kingweston) – gavinbradbury@aol.com – runs our Grafton Morrish Men’s Team and Margaret Hawker (former tutor - margaret.hawker@ tesco.net ) our Tassie Ladies’ team, both playing in national independent schools’ knock-out competitions.

OMS runs popular golf days (including a match against the School) and if you would like to receive details, and are not on our ‘golf list’, kindly advise us.

Millfield Old Boys Rugby Football Club Rod Speed (1964-66; Day) pays tribute to Alan Burns and Angela Alan Burns: Founder and President of the Millfield Old Boys Rugby Football Club Angela: Club Secretary, 1985-2015 Alan and Angela are former parents whose son Clive Burns (1980-85; Ivythorn) played for the Millfield 1st XV 1984-5 and later played centre for Northampton. In 1985 when Alan made known his desire to start an OM rugby club, I must admit that I thought the venture was doomed and it would be a five-minute wonder. How wrong could I have been!

In the early days, games were organised against emerging squads of 1st division club sides. Unfortunately, the advent of professional rugby in the 1990s made it increasingly difficult for the club to get both players and matches. Friendly matches were replaced with leagues and young players were getting contracted to clubs as soon as they left school and, more often than not, were not allowed to play for us.

Alan entered a team in the Middlesex league in 1996, made possible by Alan persuading Harrow RFC to allow us to use one of their pitches for our home matches.

However, we struggled to get enough regular players to make this viable and in 2001 we withdrew from the league.

In the early 1990s, Alan managed to get the OMs into the Dubai 7s, persuading Emirates Airlines to sponsor us, covering both flights and hotel accommodation.

Millfield old boys played against some excellent opposition, including the likes of Queensland, Natal, Germany, Russia and France. Our best performance was runnerup in the plate final. We beat Germany and Russia and a much fancied Crawshays side, full of Welsh internationals. We lost by one try to France in the plate final in 1993.

We have attended the Amsterdam 7s every year since 2001, when we won the plate competition. This tournament has grown to become the best in continental

Europe. In the early years, Alan had to find sponsors, which was not easy, and I know that he covered a lot of the costs from his own pocket. In 2009, with support from the then Chairman, Marc Simon, Alan persuaded the Old Millfieldian Society to sponsor Amsterdam with a ÂŁ5000 annual grant. We are the only closed club to enter Amsterdam and in 2010 we got to the final of the Silver Pier, the main competition, beating sides full of professional players on the way.

For the last five years the club has also taken a veterans side (over 35) to play in the 10s competition. They have reached two semi-finals and in 2012 lost in the final. Over the years we have also played in the Madrid 7s and the Stockholm 10s tournaments, as well as other 7s tournaments in the UK. It is hard to appreciate how much time and effort Alan and Angela have put into

forming and sustaining the MOBRFC. We are now crowd favourites in Amsterdam and Millfield rugby is held in very high esteem over there. On numerous occasions we have struggled to get squads together, but Alan and Angela were never daunted and their combined unfailing commitment over 30 years has kept the club going.

It is not getting any easier and I know that it is going to be very difficult for us to keep the club going. However, we owe it to Alan and Angela to do all we can. I know from personal experience how much it means for our rugby playing OMs to put on the school shirt and play rugby the Millfield way!

Well done Alan and Angela. You are two very special and inspirational people, and Millfield Old Boys Rugby is very lucky that you have chosen to give so much time and effort to the club over the last 30 years.

REGULAR CLUB FIXTURES INCLUDE: August Cronk Cunis U21 tournament at Richmond September Wooden Spoon rugby clubs golf competition October Club Memorial match v Butleigh at Millfield March Leavers v School XV at Millfield May Amsterdam 7s Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 43

Sports Clubs Old Millfieldian Old Millfieldian Squash Club Football Club AD25

Joss Hargrave (1988-93; Millfield) Having beaten Old Norwich in a tight 4-1 win in the semi-final of the Londonderry

Daryll Middleton (2001-05; Day) is in charge of the team which plays in the Arthurian League. He is hoping to extend this to two teams. If you are interested in playing please contact d.middleton@hotmail.com. Follow them at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/515730831856281/.

Londonderry Cup squash team 2014

44 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Cup, I am delighted to report that the Old Millfieldians won the final against the Old Harrovians 5-0 at the RAC Club in April 2014. The team for the final was Peter Marshall (1986-87; Shapwick), Jim Bristow (2004-06; Joan’s Kitchen), Tim Richards (1995-97; Day), Steve Illingworth (1978-80; Chindit) and myself. Particular mentions go to Jim, who overcame a very decent player at no 2, in 1 hour 40 minutes, winning 9-7 in the fifth; and also to Steve who beat a very young and talented player at no 4 in another five set battle in which he needed all his experience and resilience. A good night at the RAC ensued! Many thanks to the whole squad, and to the OM Society for its support again this season.

Old Millfieldian Tennis Club and old friends. 4-6 players compete in the team. gcdonnelly@googlemail.com OM Tennis Socials Nick Ames (1997-2002; Orchards) and George Donnelly (1998-2000; Holmcroft) are happy to arrange other tennis/social activities. If you would be interested please let them know.

The Public Schools Old Boys LTA The PSOBLTA was formed in 1929 to achieve the encouragement of the game amongst old boys by arranging matches, tournaments and other fixtures. Many OM tennis players are members of the organisation which provides an excellent social scene and competitive tennis matches around the country against established clubs/schools/universities. We encourage OM tennis players to sign up at www.psoblta.co.uk/ The club was formed in 2013 with the aim of providing a platform for past tennis pupils to reconnect with the school and other OM tennis contacts.

Below are the activities that the OM tennis club currently offers. If you wish to express your interest please contact the relevant person.

school team took place. The event forms part of the Old Millfieldian Family Tea and Major Summer Reunion at Millfield in June. It is a fun family day with a number of other tennis activities taking place at the school and an excellent opportunity to meet up with current

If you can think of others who might be interested in participating in Old Millfieldian tennis events please do contact them and encourage them to look at the Sports Clubs section of the OMS website, www.omsociety.com

D’Abernon Cup www.psoblta.co.uk/dabernon-cup/ The D’Abernon Cup is a competition administered by The Public Schools Old Boys LTA. Many of the top independent schools compete with old boy teams culminating with the final taking place at the All England Club, Wimbledon. The event is a knock-out competition that runs from April to September with 2-6 players competing in the team depending on the round. Nick.Ames@freshfields.com Match against Millfield 1st team In 2013 the inaugural OM tennis match versus the current Millfield Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 45

OM News

The Arts

2014 Cleve West (1974-77; Orchards) won his fifth Gold Medal at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show for his Persian inspired show garden, “The M&G Garden”, for M&G Investments.

Authors Guy Blythman (1977-83; Orchards) Piper One An ambitious young oil executive and troubleshooter is sent to investigate mysterious goings-on at an oil rig in the middle of the bleak North Sea, and finds herself in a nerve-wracking, life threatening situation which forces her to re-examine the ethics and purpose of the industry, and the pollution it causes.

Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Guy Blythman ISBN: 9780955730344 Price: £7.99 Chris Gallop (1970*-79; Etonhurst) Letters from East Africa In 1964 Robin Gallop, a young export manager, set out from Cardiff on an extended business trip to East Africa.

His heavily pregnant wife, Jill, went with their little boy to stay with her parents in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Neither suspected that Robin would be caught up in an armed insurrection in Africa, though Jill’s difficulties with her parents were more 46 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

predictable. Now, nearly 50 years on, their son, Christopher, has woven their daily letters and his own thoughts and memories into a true-life story of a young family coping with separation as the world changes around them.

Paperback: 242 pages Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing ISBN: 9781781486283 Price: £8.00 Simon Hawkins (1967*-74; Shapwick) Proteus This is a light-hearted financial thriller set in the affluent community of Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. It is about two men that set out to pilfer funds from high wealth individuals. Simon is a bowel cancer survivor of five years and took to writing when he could no longer work.

This is his first novel and is available from Amazon or simonjhawkins.co.uk Paperback: 375 pages Publisher: Zsazseva Limited ISBN: 9780956577122 Price: £7.50 Jamie Head (1966-70; Walton) Eyes of Athena An international espionage thriller published as a multi-format book. For more information, do view his author profile www.spencerhawke.com/index.php Paperback: 248 pages Publisher: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform ISBN: 9781500853204 Price: £5.91 Sheila Jeffries (née Chapman; 195961; Day) - her novel Solomon’s Tale was published in 2012, and the hardback quickly became a Sunday Times bestseller, staying in the chart for 11 weeks. On the strength of this she has been awarded a three-book contract with Simon and Schuster UK. This will include the next two cat books. The other book is the first of a three book saga based on the life-story of her father who was a gifted sculptor. www.sheilajeffries.com

Ella Eyre (main image), Victoria featuring Charlie Martin and Alex Thomas (far right), and Polly Money (right) performed at the Big Gig at Millfield in May 2014

Simon Mawer’s (1964-67; Shapwick) next novel will be published in May 2015. Tightrope, a novel set in the murky days of the early Cold War period, follows the life of Marian Sutro. Shattered by her experiences in captivity following her arrest at the end of his previous book, The Girl Who Fell From The Sky, she attempts to put a new life together in post war Britain.

Michael Ridpath (1973-78; Mill House) Sea of Stone This is Michael’s fourth Icelandic crime novel, featuring his detective Magnus Jonson. Magnus finds his grandfather murdered at his farm on the edge of the “Berserkers Lava Field” on Snaefellsnes in Iceland, the sea of stone referred to in the title. Who killed the ‘old git’, as Michael describes him? Everyone in his family had reason to hate him, including Magnus.

Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Corvus ISBN: 9781782393917 Price: £12.00

Andrew Bunbury (1959-62; Day), writer and composer, returned to his roots in July to hear the UK premiere of his setting of John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields sung by the Cantilena Choir at the Abbey House in Glastonbury.

This powerful and moving piece had previously had its world premiere in September 2013 in Amiens Cathedral.

Andrew composed In Flanders Fields as part of a larger work, Waffenfreunde (Friends in Arms), which includes a setting in German of Edward Lichtenstein’s poem Abschied as a recognition of the equal suffering of the German troops.

Theatre

Bev Robitai (1965-68; Day) Sunstrike: the Journey Home This is a post-apocalyptic adventure, available in print and e-book from Amazon. Bev is writing a series of stories following events after a major solar storm has knocked out all technology on Earth.

Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Avenue Publishing ISBN: 9780992245092 Price: £12.00

Music Ella Eyre (McMahon - 2005*-10; Abbey) collected a Best British Single Award with group Rudimental at the Brit Awards 2014. Together with Polly Money (2006*-11; Southfield), and up and coming band, Victoria, with Charlie

Richard Marsh’s (1983*92; Day) Love and Sweets, a bittersweet comedy, which he wrote and performed for BBC Radio 4, won Best Scripted Comedy Drama in the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2014. His show, Wingman, had a threeweek run at the Soho Theatre in London in September.

Martin (2001*-09; Orchards) and Alex Thomas (2005*-10; Day), they thrilled senior pupils at Millfield’s own in-house “Big Gig” for the Upper Sixth in May. Lily Allen (1996-97; Edgarley) was named Best Solo Artist at the NME Awards 2014 having made her comeback in December 2013 with her John Lewis Christmas advert song.

The Moulettes, Hannah Miller (19982003; Day), Ruth Skipper (1991*-2002; Acacia) and Emma Gatrill (1995*2004; Day) released their latest album, Constellations, in June.

Dan Winch’s (1996-98; Day) first film as a producer, a greatly anticipated comedy entitled What We Did on Our Holidays, starring Rosalind Pike, Peter Tennant and Billy Connolly, opened in cinemas nationwide in September. He also partly produced the BBC’s 2014 adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn. Tim Walker’s (1977; Etonhurst) review of Dominic Dromgoole’s (1976-81; Day) production of The Duchess of Malfi took him back to his days at Millfield: “With its smell of freshly cut wood, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse put me in mind of the carpentry classes that Dromgoole and I once used to have to attend at our old alma mater…”

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 47

OM News

Sport

2014 Golf Mark Mouland (1973-76; Mill House), not only won the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship at the Turtle Hill Golf Club in Bermuda in March, but also finished a stunning third behind Santiago Luna in the ISPS 2014 PGA Seniors Championships held at The Stoke by Nayland Golf Course in Essex in June. www.markmouland.com Jane Rees (née Evans; 1973-76; Day) won the European Seniors Championship in Spain in 2014. She also won the European title in Madrid and finished second in Holland. Jane was a Wales international athlete, running in the 400m

Cricket 2014 Season Daniel Bell-Drummond (2004*-2011; Orchards) Kent Dean Cosker (1991-96; Millfield) Glamorgan Ben Duckett (2000*-2005; Edgarley) Northants Wes Durston (1988*-99; Day) Derbyshire Calum Haggett (2005-09; Day) Kent Rory Hamilton-Brown (2001-05; Kingweston) Sussex Charlie Hartley (2005*-12; Butleigh) Kent Matt Hobden (2004-2006; Edgarley) Sussex James Hildreth (1995*-2003; Shapwick) Somerset Craig Kieswetter (2006; Orchards) Somerset Max Waller (1996*-2006; Shapwick) Somerset Adam Wheater (2003-08; Shapwick) Hampshire

Football Tyrone Mings was awarded the prestigious accolade of Championship Player of the Month in September, recognising his excellent form for Ipswich. Lawrie Wilson was voted Players’ Player of the Year for the 2013/14 season, and received his award at the club’s end of year dinner. He is pictured here, on the left, together with Bray Ash (2009-11; Millfield), who was captain of the Millfield 2nd XI in 2010/11.

2014/15 Season Harrison Dunk Tyrone Mings Ben Nugent Reuben Reid Lawrie Wilson hurdles, and only took up golf when her athletics career came to an end. “I took up golf when I was 30, played socially for a while and then entered the Welsh Seniors when I turned 50. I won that and got into the Wales team and have been able to play in plenty of big events since then, including winning the Spanish seniors title in 2010.”

48 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

(2007-09; Holmcroft) (2009-11; St Anne’s) (2006-09; Day) (2004; Shapwick) (2001-04; Etonhurst)

Hockey After injury put him out of the last World Cup, Simon Mantell (1994*- 2002; Day) was determined to play his part in the 2014 World Cup in the Netherlands.

After drawing their opening match against

Cambridge United Ipswich Town Cardiff City on loan to Yeovil Town Plymouth Argyle Charlton Athletic

Spain, England were up against India in the next match and, with minutes to go, Simon scored the match-winning goal.

An exciting win over Belgium put England through to the semi-finals where they lost to the Netherlands. They were finally beaten into 4th place by Argentina.

Motor Racing Sam Bird (2003-05; Kingweston) joined the Virgin Racing Formula E Team in 2014 to drive in the Formula E Championship season. His teammate, Jaime Alguersuari, is the youngest ever-driver to make a F1 appearance.

Sam narrowly missed out on the GP2 Series title last season after claiming an impressive five victories. Prior to this he had been shortlisted for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, enjoyed successful campaigns in Formula Renault 3.5 and sampled F1 machinery for both the Williams and Mercedes F1 teams.

Sam said: “Formula E is going to be a brilliant experience and I can’t wait to get started on what will be an exciting new challenge in my career. I know I’m going to be driving the latest in electric vehicle technology and I’m looking forward to testing myself around the streets of some of the world’s most amazing cities.”

Sam Bird (right) joined the Virgin Racing Team to compete in Formula E in 2014

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Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 49

OM News

Sport

2014 Rowing Women’s pair, Helen Glover (2002-04; Martins) and Heather Stanning, broke a 12-year-old world record to secure gold at the World Championships in the Netherlands in September. Helen has had quite a year, with successes at the World Cup and the European Championships.

Rory Gibbs (2007-12; Kingweston) was one of the Oxford Brooks seven-man crew which out-rowed the Severn Bore in the first Red Bull Outrow challenge ahead of six other teams in September.

Shooting Olympic shooting champion Peter Wilson (2000-05; Holmcroft)

announced his retirement at the age of 28 in October. He claimed GB’s first Olympic shooting title for 12 years when he won double trap gold at London 2012.

The former world no 1’s final outing for British shooting was in 2013 at the Al Ain World Cup, when he won his third title. Peter said, “I would rather go out now, at the top, after my most recent success in Al Ain, and move on to the next challenge.” He will continue to be involved with shooting as he moves into a coaching role.

Squash Mohamed El Shorbagy (2006-09; Great House) claimed the Hong Kong Squash Open title in September, beating the world number 1, Gregory Gaultier.

Mohamed’s victory in Hong Kong came just days after his win at the Malaysian Open. He said: “It’s really nice to see the work pay off like that. It’s my first final here and I’m just happy I was able to win it my first time. Beating the world number one is huge for me and my confidence. I

Mohamed El Shorbagy celebrates victory

want to keep it going for sure, I’m hungry for more titles.” Mohamed is currently number one in the world rankings and has signed for the Exeter Diamonds in the Premier Squash League. He was runner-up in the World Championships in Doha in November.

Tennis Rose D’Sa (1974-76; Oaklands) was selected to play international women’s tennis for Wales, in May 2014, in a four nations international in the over-55s age category! She was girls’ captain at Millfield in 1976 when the school won the Aberdare Cup. She is pictured with the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Trophy at The All England Club, where she was invited to play for the Seniors Club of Great Britain, in a match against the Club, in August.

Richard Gabb (2000*-09; Day) and Scott Clayton (2006*-10; Shapwick) enjoyed Futures doubles success in Turkey in September.

Richard Gabb and Scott Clayton enjoyed international tennis success in Turkey and Rose D’Sa (right) represented Wales in the over-55s age group 50 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Rugby Pictured right are Callum Sheedy (2012-14; Shapwick) and Tom Whiteley (2009-14; Butleigh), captain and vice-captain of the 2014 winning Roslyn Park 7s team, together with Ben Pothecary (1982-87; Keen’s Elm) and Andrew Jackson (1982-86; Day), captain and vice-captain of the 1987 winning Roslyn Park 7s team. The 2014 team were watched by Rod Speed (196466; Day), coach of the 1987 side, which had previously won the same tournament in 1966 with Gareth Edwards (1964-66; Millfield) – see photos below.

1965-66 1st XV Rugby reunion 2014/15 Season Anthony Allen (2003-05; Kingweston) Leicester Tigers James Bailey (1999-2001; Kingweston) London Wasps James Bloxham (2005*-12; Kingweston) Henley Adam Clayton (1997*-2006; St Anne’s) Luctonians Darren Clayton (1997*-2004; Walton) Worthing Chris Cook (2004-09; Joan’s Kitchen) Bath James Currie (2006-08; Kingweston) Bedford Tom Ellis (2004*-13; Day) Bath Academy Robert Hawkins (1994*-2001; Day) Newcastle Falcons Charles Incledon (2005-10; Kingweston) Henley Ed Jackson (2002-07; Day) London Wasps Jonathan Joseph (2007-09; St Anne’s) Bath Richard Lane (2006-11; Keen’s Elm) Bath Ollie Lindsay-Hague (2004-09; Kingweston) Harlequins John Mailings (2000-05; Shapwick) Shelford Dante Mama (2007-09; Shapwick) Rosslyn Park Marco Mama (2007-09; Shapwick) Bristol

Miles Mantella (2005-10; Shapwick) London Scottish Anders Mogensen (2008-10; Shapwick) Esher Chris Morgan (1999-2001; Day) Cornish Pirates Richard Morton (1997-99; Georgian Cottage) Preston Grasshoppers Ben Mosses (2005-10; Keen’s Elm) Bristol Alex Neilsen (2002-07; Keen’s Elm) Worthing Max Northcote-Green (2005*-12; Kingweston) Bath Academy Jake Parker (2007-09; Kingweston) Cornish Pirates Tom Parker (2001-06; Kingweston) Ealing Chris Robshaw (1997*-2004; Butleigh) Harlequins Rhys Ruddock (2007-09; Butleigh) Leinster Callum Sheedy (2012-14; Shapwick) Bristol Academy Henry Thomas (2005-10; St Anne’s) Bath Mako Vunipola (2007-09; Kingweston) Saracens Tom Whiteley (2009-14; Butleigh) Saracens Academy Cameron Zeiss (2005-09; Walton) Plymouth Albion

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 51

OM News

Updates

2014 Dr Adesegun Akin-Olugbade (1978-80; Ashcott) is currently Executive Director and General Counsel of the Africa Finance Corporation and was recently appointed a non-executive Director of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the premier panAfrican commercial bank.

Aziz Al-Helaissi (1980-85; Etonhurst) works for Central Bank (Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency) and was appointed Deputy Governor for Supervision in April 2013. His banking career spans 24 years and he also sits on the board of Tadawul (Saudi Stock Exchange).

David Astell (1964-68; Millfield) is a musician and his band, Dr A’s Rhythm and Grooves have been signed to Krossboarder Rekords (Blues Matters). He also tours solo as Old Dog Jackson and

with Brian Allen, a colleague from the 1960s, as The Dog Jacksons.

Yorkshire, gin, golf, cricket, and opera in that order.

Timothy Baines (1967-70; Chindit) is coaching U17 and U19 rugby at the English Club, in São Paulo, and is happy spending time with his large family.

Simon Beck (1969*-75; Kingweston) has been causing a stir on Somerset beaches with his stunning creativity in sand patterns. To read more and see his creations: www.bbc.co.uk/news/ukengland-somerset-29080006.

Robin Balding (1960-66; Millfield) retired from active work in New York, and moved with his wife Sue to Wilmington, North Carolina, to be nearer two of their four children. He is looking forward to plenty of free time, some golf and travel.

Jonny Barrett (1996-98; St Anne’s) is on the board of trustees for the charity “School of Hard Knocks” which featured in a recent series on Sky Sports. This is a social inclusion charity which uses sport to tackle the issues surrounding unemployment, crime and health. www.schoolofhardknocks.org.uk Paul Baverstock (1984-86; Georgian Cottage) is busy at work with his company, that he founded, Fortitude Partners. He has joined the board of Opera North, and of the award winning think tank, The Centre for Social Justice.

He remains committed to all things

Roger Bird (1950-56; Day) retired as a judge in 2005, but continued to sit on a part-time basis (including two stints in the Falkland Islands) until 2000. He has now reduced his legal work to one chairing of a tribunal and keeping two of his books updated and reissued from time to time.

With his wife he now lives in Bristol where he enjoys walking, swimming, concerts, theatre and conversation. He keeps in close touch with his two sons Matthew and Christopher (both OMs) who live with their families in Edinburgh and London respectively.

Mark Bratton (1975-80; Joan’s Kitchen) received his PhD in medical ethics and law from the University of Warwick in 2012. In 2014, he became Rector of Berkswell (St John Baptist) and Rural Dean of Kenilworth, having served as Priest-in-Charge from 2009. Before that he was Senior Chaplain at the University of Warwick (1998-2009) and Area Dean of Coventry (South) (2002-2009). He lives in Berkswell with his wife Emma and his children, Katy (14) and Theo (12). He would be delighted to hear from any of his Millfield contemporaries.

Sue Broadbent (née Owen; 1969-73; Day) has moved back to the UK with her husband, John, after five years in the south of France, due to changes in family circumstances. They are now living in West Sussex near their daughter and grandchildren.

Professor Bob Clark receives the Gold Medal of the British Society of Prosthodontics 52 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Professor Bob Clark (1960-65; Etonhurst) The British Society of Prosthodontics honoured the

distinguished career of former OM Society Chairman, Professor Bob Clark, at their conference in Dundee in March, by awarding him their Gold Medal, which is “the highest accolade that the Society can award and only presented once every three years to an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the furtherance and development of prosthodontics in clinical, research and education.”

Bob, a former President of the BSSPD, is the Founding Professor of Prosthetic Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong and was Professor of Prosthetic Dentistry at King’s College London Dental Institute until his retirement in 2009. He is still very active as an Emeritus Professor, and has continued to publish and teach.

Alex Croucher (1999-2001; Walton) is a Senior Project Manager at Sky and recently led the delivery of the flagship

Sky Broadband Shield product, which won Internet Security Product of the Year at the prestigious Internet Service Providers’ Association’s Awards in July 2014.

He has been raising money for the children’s charity Cash for Kids by taking part in hill/mountain running events in the Scottish Highlands.

More information is available on his JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/alex-croucher2 Andrew Davey (1962*-72; Day) reports that the Millfield Masonic Lodge continues to prosper and that he has been re-appointed for the third year as Grand Chaplain for the United Grand Lodge of England. To mark this, he has been elected Master of Millfield Lodge for a second successive term.

This year has seen the initiation into Freemasonry of Charlie Turner (1989*-97; Etonhurst) and Rupert

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Palmer (1997-2002; Keen’s Elm).

Ceremonies for other lodges have also been conducted, giving everyone the opportunity to meet more often in London.

Officials: Secretary, Steven Thomas (1982-89; St Anne’s) steven.thomas@hadleighwaymoth.com School Representative, Chris Harding (former tutor) harding588@btinternet.com.

James Dodgson (1993-95; Ivythorn) was appointed Deputy Director of the Bermuda Weather Service in October 2012. He recently saw Laura Groves (1993*-99; Oaklands) who was on a visit to the Island for Rebecca Hanson’s (1993*-2001; Acacia) wedding. He has also bumped into Jordache Rawson (2000-02; Georgian Cottage) and Annabelle Collins (1992-96; Day).

Millfield is very much alive and well in Bermuda!

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Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 53

OM News

Updates

2014 Jenny Fay (née Aguda; 1994-96; Tor) has been a freelance artist for several years and has just finished training as a portrait painter at the Heatherley School of Fine Art in Chelsea. She now works from her Oxfordshire studio undertaking portrait commissions, and exhibits in a number of art galleries. Jenny is married to Henry Fay (1987*-96; Day) who is now a GP in Henley and they have a son, Reuben.

Ben Frearson (1981-83; Kingweston) is a Parks Project Development Officer and had a very successful year achieving national awards and recognition for the refurbishment of 23 public play areas in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. A budget of £1.9m allowed him to install some brand new, exciting and even rare items of play equipment for young people to enjoy. One of the highlights was the installation of a very large play ship

measuring 17m wide x 20m long x 10m high. It is only the second ship of its type to be installed in the UK. Nick Gates (1983-85; Day) and his charity Coaches Across Continents (CAC) teamed up with Jeremy Gilley’s (198384; Etonhurst) charity Peace One Day in the largest-ever sport for social impact partnership. To support Peace Day on 21 September 2014, CAC developed a series of football-based games to promote peace-building exercises including understanding stereotypes, educating about types of violence, promoting gender equality, and how to solve problems. This partnership was expected to impact up to a million individuals in thousands of communities in over 130 countries for 2014. www.coachesacrosscontinents.org or www.peaceoneday.org.

Andy German (1986*-93; Day) on the far right in the photo, who teaches in France, has also taken on the task of promoting women’s cricket there, and, as coach, took the national side to Berlin to compete in a European Division 2 T20 tournament, in which they finished a very creditable third behind Italy and Germany.

Dr Robert Gibbons (1958*-67; Millfield) has been described as ‘one of Britain’s best naturalists’. He has written about 40 books to date, on many aspects of natural history and photography, including several floras, an acclaimed field guide to dragonflies, several field guides to insects, a guide to the National Parks and wild places of Europe, guides to the wildlife sites of France, Greece, and many more. After working for many years in nature conservation, he is now a freelance author, photographer, lecturer, and a Visiting Fellow at Southampton University. He is the proprietor of Natural History Travel and has led numerous tours to many European destinations, as well as to more exotic places such as the Himalayas, Costa Rica, Namibia, Ecuador, and the Galapagos.

Melanie Hall (1977*-82; Warner) purchased a beach front property in Bali with the intention of building her ideal family home. In 2007, the idea manifested itself into the opening of the visionary pop-art influenced Luna2 Private Hotel, a five-bedroom residence with the services of a hotel but the exclusivity of a private home. Now, after six years, her second property, Luna2 Studios, has debuted just beside the original with its own uniquely Luna2 design. www.luna2.com Stephen Hall (1976-81; Shapwick) took up a new post in November 2014 as Operations Director for Dyslexia Action, which is the UK’s largest dyslexia support charity, with 26 sites across the UK, providing CPD training for teachers and lecturers, together with direct assessment and programmes for children and adults.

Stephen said “given that I also suffer from dyslexia and that Millfield was very much part of helping me to cope and succeed, it’s a great opportunity to help others facing the same challenges.”

Ben Frearson has received national awards in recognition of his refurbishment of play areas 54 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

William Hammond (1986-88; Kingweston) gained a BA in Political Science from the University of

(AFI) in Los Angeles. He encourages any OMs working in Hollywood, or any others working in film, to contact him on: paul.j.kowalski@gmail.com. His work can be seen at www.paulkowalski.com.

Jeremy Lawton (1964-68; Kingweston) and his wife Susan have two granddaughters, Amelie and Freya. They also have two event horses that are on the pathway to Rio 2016: Shearwater Touching Wood ridden by Oliver Townend and Shearwater Billy ridden by Kylie Roddy. Both horses are 8 year olds, have competed internationally and have been in the winner’s enclosure in 2014.

Andy German (far right) who teaches in France also coaches the French women’s cricket team

Buckingham in 1993 and an MA in International Political Economy from Warwick University in 1995.

He took up an internship at the United Nations in Vienna, Austria in 1996, then worked as a safeguards analyst at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna from 1998 to 2008.

He moved to Milan, Italy to work as a research analyst at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in 2009 and returned to Vienna in 2011 to continue his work at the IAEA. William married in 2002 and has a son who was born in 2005.

Sally Helvey (née Kent; 1973-78; Portway) has been helping with a campaign to help save a 200 year old Georgian swimming pool in Bath www.ClevelandPools.org.uk. She is proud and happy to be involved with this heritage project for Bath, especially as she swam there herself in the 1960s!

Julia Ives (née Morgan; 1960-62; Wraxleigh) looks after three parishes in her area and the role of parish clerk keeps her busy. She is also PCC Secretary for St Mary’s Church Chieveley, with Winterbourne and Oare, and she sings with the church choir.

Graham Keating (1973*-82; Day) Having left the UK in August 2012 on their 38ft sailing yacht, Maunie of Ardwall, he and his wife Dianne crossed the Pacific in 2013 (via the Panama Canal in April, then the Galapagos, the Marquesas, Tahiti, Bora Bora, the Cook Islands and Tonga) and arrived in New Zealand in November.

They spent six months there. In April 2014 they sailed to Tonga for two months then across to Fiji, where they stayed until November before moving on to New Zealand. They plan to return to the UK in 2016 via the long-haul route around South Africa. You can follow their progress on their boat blog: www.maunieofardwall.blogspot.com Mark Kimber (1994-99; Keen’s Elm) joined the Western Australia Police Force in September 2013 and is currently a first-class constable in Perth. He keeps active playing plenty of hockey, golf and tennis, and he has entered the world of triathlons.

He represented the WA Police at the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games in Melbourne.

Paul Kowalski (1995-96; St Anne’s) is currently in his second year as a Directing Fellow at the American Film Institute

Olivia Loftus (2006-09; Abbey) has finished her BSc degree at Victoria University of Wellington in Development Studies with a Geography minor. She spent 10 months volunteering and working with a group called Callan Services for Disabilities and has now returned to New Zealand.

Dr Brian Mathew (1975-79; Shapwick) has been selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate in the North Wiltshire constituency in the 2015 General Election.

Tobias Mews (1990-95; Orchards) has become a weekly columnist for the Telegraph, writing about adventure sports, as well as regularly contributing to all the outdoor magazines from Runner’s World to Men’s Fitness.

He has been commissioned to write a book, which will be published in 2016.

He is hoping to move to the Pyrenees in the Autumn of 2015. He is still doing lots of “ridiculous” challenges, gives talks at outdoor shows and festivals, a spot of TV presenting and has recently worked as a consulting editor to the outdoor brand, Merrell.

Next June he will be competing in the Dragon’s Back Race – a 200+ mile ultra across the spine of Wales which will be the basis for another book on ultra-running.

Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 55

OM News

Updates

2014 Professor Peter Openshaw (1962*-71; Day) has been elected President of the British Society for Immunology.

Christian Pedersen (1968-73; Millfield) His early years were spent enjoying life and pursuing work making jewellery and sculpture. However he then became involved in the family chimney business, and chaired various national and Welsh committees including a European Standards committee for nearly 10 years. He married Lynda 37 years ago and they have a son, Adam and a daughter, Sara.

He often sees local OMs and enjoys recounting happy times at Millfield together with sharing stories about “Boss” and the ducks. He hopes to meet up with more OMs and travel, when he has recovered from his double lung transplant.

David Roach (1967*-73; Old Rectory High Ham) retired in February 2013 from PwC – the international accounting firm that he joined straight from Oxford back in 1977. He had been a partner for 20 years, during which he worked in Prague, Bucharest, London, Tokyo, Leeds, Manchester and Luxembourg.

He and his wife Maggie have been married for nearly 30 years, and have two children in their 20s. At the moment they have no plans to move back to the UK from Luxembourg as David is still working part-time for PwC, doing a lot of lecturing, research and writing.

Dean Ruddle (1973*-81; Day) is a Somerset county councillor and Chairman of Somerton Town Council.

56 Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015

Captain Jeremy Sudlow, now based at Knightsbridge Barracks, at The Queen’s Birthday Parade

Jeremy Sudlow (1999-2004; Day), Captain in the Household Cavalry, Blues and Royals was commissioned in August 2010, and served six months in Afghanistan during 2013 - seconded to the 2nd Scots Regiment. Since his return, he has been based at Knightsbridge Barracks, Hyde Park (home of the HC mounted division) and completed the ceremonial season in 2014.

Dr Rajendra Sharma (1972-77; Keinton) is “happily beating a path through life” with his wife, three children and a busy medical practice.

He remains in frequent touch with Cleve West, Lawrence Holve, Alon Shapira, Simon Davies and Paul Lister.

He has written a healthy ageing book, Live Longer, Live Younger. www.watkinspublishing.com/shop/ live-longer-live-younger-by-dr-rajendraSharma Will Templeton (2000-04; Walton) and his family opened a new restaurant, Carousel, in Marylebone, London, in August. For the next five years they will be hosting top chefs and pop-ups

from around the world. OMs are warmly invited to check out the restaurant, even just for a drink, or book tickets on the Carousel website. www.carousel-london.com George Tunnell (1954*-60; Kingweston) retired to Mallorca in 2001, where the climate is ideal for running. Over the years he completed 20 marathons (including London, New York, Athens and Valencia, where he clocked his best time of 2 hours 25 minutes at the age of 41). Now 72 he finished 4th in his age group (70+) in the halfmarathon in the World Masters Athletics Championships (representing Spain) in Brazil. In July 2014 he returned to Somerset to attend Tony (1958- 1961; Day) and Sue Williams’ Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrations. He was Tony’s best man in Wells in 1964.

Deborah Vine (1971-74; Johnson’s) was part of the all-female Diabetes UK relay team (above right), ‘Catch a Wave’, which reached France on 16th August 2014 after 14 hours and 44 minutes continuous swimming. The team of six coming from England, South Africa and

USA set off from Dover on 15th August and swam in fixed order for one hour stints, wearing only swimming costume, cap and goggles in line with the rules of the Channel Swimming Association. She has raised over £4000 for Diabetes UK. Charles Walford (1992*-2000; Day) and his wife have moved to Somerset from Singapore to take over the family farm from his father, Tim Walford (195560; Walton). They are expecting their first child in the New Year.

Christopher Williams (1971-72; Kernick) is an attorney in the USA, continues to play tennis and is also a writer.

If you have any news since leaving Millfield that you would like to have included in the next Chronicle please email office@omsociety.com attaching any photographs.

Deborah Vine was part of the all-female cross-Channel swimming team ‘Catch a Wave’

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Old Millfieldian Society Chronicle 2015 57

OMS Services Replace Your Long Lost School Photos

Dick Shilton, the School Archivist, has built a library of old school photos. JPEG copies are £10 each and can be purchased by any OM. Visit www.omsociety.com, go to the Shop tab, click on “Photos and Paintings” and follow the instructions on the “Millfield Photo Service” tab.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide whole school/year group photographs, due to copyright restrictions.

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To purchase any of the items shown on this page, please visit www.omsociety.com/shop

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