Tim Stringer Lunch

A discreet gathering of former beaks

These old lags were the guests of Tim Stringer, former teacher and Head of English and first Housemaster of the newly created day house Priestley, at a luncheon at his home in Arkley, Barnet, on a delightfully warm day in September.

Posing for the camera from left to right are:

Robin Veit, who taught modern languages and coached hockey at Mill Hill before spending the rest of his career at Oundle, where he became a housemaster and Registrar, and where he still lives in retirement;

Tony Armstrong, former teacher and Head of modern languages and Housemaster of the day house Weymouth, who in retirement shares his life between Hertfordshire and his native Cumbria;

Tim Corbett, known to many Old Millhillians as a sportsman and through his work as Honorary Secretary of the Club and his time as President, who taught English and ran Winterstoke House until its closure;

Christopher Dean who, despite his eighty years, is still very active as a teacher of A level Mathematics and on the cricket field as a much sought after umpire; Old Millhillians will remember him as an enthusiastic coach of squash and cricket, as an accomplished Mathematician and, latterly, as Housemaster of Murray;

Tim, himself, who despite being half way through his ninetieth year and suffering from macular degeneration, enjoys life to the full; many former pupils will remember the School Plays he produced; his friends will tell you he is something of a wine buff and raconteur...

Nigel Patterson taught French and Spanish at Mill Hill and produced two School Plays, Amadeus and Cabaret. After Mill Hill he became Head of Modern Languages at Caterham School before taking the family to Chicago where he acted, dubbed films and read for talking books. The family is now back in England and living in Surrey;

Uschi Pulham will be remembered by Old Millhillians as a teacher of German, French and latterly English as a Foreign Language. Many overseas students remember her caring role in this latter subject area. In retirement Uschi enjoys much time in her flat in the Hérault, France;

Simon Appleton who taught English at Mill Hill seems never to age. He left NW7 to take on the pupils of Highgate where he continued to rejuvenate. His friends are pleased he is remaining in north London in retirement;

Ian Brownlie took the sensible decision to retire very early and has never looked back. He was known as an outstanding teacher of Chemistry, a tough disciplinarian and a rigorous Head of Science. He is also the most caring of men and his friends are delighted he has maintained a base in north London;

A school is always delighted to have on its payroll the breath of fresh air that is Andy Rattue. He was quickly off to Habs’ Boys to gain further experience before becoming Head of English at Highgate. A deputy headship at The Royal Grammar School, Guildford preceded headships at The Royal Grammar School, Worcester and The King’s College, Madrid. Andy is currently Head of St Clare’s International Sixth Form College in Oxford.