(McClure 1984-89)
Multi-award winning songwriter & producer reminisces about his school days
See Page 60
Jamie Hartman
Dear Old Millhillians
Welcome to edition 68 of Martlet.
In this issue we celebrate the centenary of the school’s most famous Headmaster Sir John McClure with tales all about McClure house, founded in 1971, and named in his honour. We interview old McClurian and music supremo Jamie Hartman who reminisces about his school days and gives us the inside track on the music industry. We talk to former Housemasters (and Mistress) Chris Kelly, Berinda Banks and Graeme Turner to hear their side of the story and the current incumbent, Chris McKay gets us up to date with life in McClure in 2021. Old McClurians, Mitchel Symons and David Coakley share some antics and gritty truths about their time in the early days of the house. Last but not least we start a new series of relative values style interviews with the omnipresent Cicale family who give us a taste of school life across two generations.
Out of a Covid-19-enforced paucity of physical events to report on we have taken fresh look at the stories behind the OM social and networking events and sports clubs. None the less this issue has a more vibrant presentation than previous editions. Maybe in future we should add these more-newsy items on to our digital events calendar instead of waiting months to publish them in Martlet. Then we could then devote more space to features and interviews with OMs and school staff as we have in this edition. Do let us know what you think.
For me a particular item that stands out from the 2021 agenda is the agreement reached between ourselves and the Mill Hill Foundation that from now on ALL Mill Hill School leavers will automatically become Club members. For now, it’s a one liner news item but, over time, this will have a significant impact on the age profile and gender mix of Club membership. In the next edition of Martlet we will devote space to the implications of this agreement and how the Club is responding to the opportunities - and challenges - it poses.
We continue to believe there is a role for a print magazine in today’s digital media environment. We get great feedback from Old Millhillians, and as long as we do we will publish!
Take care of yourselves; take care of others.
Peter Wakeham Chair, Old Millhillians Club
This year’s President’s report will be unusual in a couple of respects. First, I am making my second annual report as President, probably the only time this has occurred. Second, this will be a shorter than usual report because Covid-19 continued globally for longer than any of us hoped.
As a consequence there have been almost no face-to-face events or activities on the OM agenda since March 2020 so I was unable to attend as President and report back. Having said that, there was growing activity via Zoom and other online platforms.
As time has marched on, more of us have also come to realise that these online offerings will continue to play a part once the pandemic is past (or becomes part of our normal daily existence).
The first major event to be held online was the Old Millhillians Club AGM in June 2020. What this showed us was that by using online as part of the mix, we can reach members who, for whatever reason, find it difficult to turn up in person; and of course, this will apply to any event. So, we have adopted this approach and future AGM’s will be hybrid events.
On 26 November 2020, I was able to hold a virtual reunion with Australian OMs. I was delighted that we were 14 in number, including Jane Sanchez (MHS Head), Peter Wakeham (Old Millhillians Club Chair) and myself as President acting as chair for the Zoom meeting. It was wonderful to see quite a number of those whom Angela and I had met during our trip in January 2020, which now seems so long ago (almost another era).
After introducing ourselves, Jane gave us an update on how the school was coping with the Covid-19 challenges and examples of the arrangements that have had to be undertaken. She also touched on developments at the school and emphasised how much the school and Foundation have grown in the past few years and that demand for places has remained strong.
I then invited Peter Wakeham to say a few words about the Old Millhillians Club. Peter explained about the changes in structure, the life membership developments and some of our plans for the future, especially the careers and alumni websites.
All participants were very supportive of this initial session and would like to see it repeated. We discussed format and frequency and the hope that we can spread the word to other OMs in Australia. I rather like the idea of spreading this concept across the globe –it works well and in the days of pandemics and global warming it may be a way to go in the future. But as I sign off I leave the next steps to the in-coming president. But, all in all, a very successful first attempt and much scope for the future.
When I wrote my last report, we were putting together a provisional programme of events for the coming year (2020 –2021). Unfortunately, we were rather too optimistic. At least the vaccine
programme has been rolled out and a more normal life is here.
The AGM on 23 June was held online, followed by the Presidents’ Annual Cocktail Party being held the following month on 21 July on the terrace of the National Liberal Club. Our flagship event the Annual Dinner was held at the glorious Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London.
It was the first major get together since the ‘re-opening’ and I was delighted to be able to welcome a large number of OMs and their partners in person! We were delighted to welcome over 14o guests to the dinner and it was a night I won’t forget in a hurry.
Australian online gathering November 2020. Particpants: From Top left: Gordon Mizner, Peter Wakeham, Alan Mills (Ridgeway 1959-1964), Roy/Angela Hanson (Winterstoke 1950-1954) with Robin Tilyard (Scrutton 1948-1952) Mark Phillips (Ridgeway 1985-1990), Richard Nettleton (Ridgeway 1943-1947), Roger Allison (Scrutton 1957-1962), John Hopkins (Scrutton 1961-1966) Vincent Lorimer (Ridgeway 1968-1973) , Roger Tagg (Collinson 1954-1959), Michael Bishop (School 1955-1957), Jane Sanchez. Gary Yorke (Ridgeway 1972-1978). Guy Gill also connected in without video.
(iPhone is Alan Mills (Ridgeway 1959-1964) iPad is Richard Nettleton (Ridgeway 1943 -1947)
The beginning of the end: The Western Front, France 1918
The watery sun peered out of the cold grey morning, there was silence – real silence – no bird sounds, for there were no birds, the thunder of the guns had gone, the rattle of small arms fire had stopped. All was quiet. The 11 November 1918, 11 o’clock exactly, marked a new beginning: the ceasefire was holding and the ‘Great War’ – the war to end all wars - was ending. The Allied Forces and the Germans had found a way, but at a cost. All was well. But was it?
Back in Blighty: Great Britain 1918/19
At last homeward-bound, our troops returned to total chaos: an economic crisis, massive unemployment and their families torn apart. Those picking up the mantle striving for normality were the ‘lucky’ ones: over 1.1 million soldiers from all over the globe had lost their lives. Passendale, the Somme and Ypres are still synonymous with the killing fields of the ‘Flanders Fields’ of France and Belgium. Was this a land fit for our heroes?
Peace Day Celebrations: London, July 1919
In July 1919, a temporary wood-and-plaster structure, designed by Edwin Lutyens, was erected in Whitehall as a memorial to all the soldiers lost in war and buried in unknown graves. This Cenotopah – or empty tomb – immediately captured the public’s imagination
and was spontaneously covered in wreaths by the million people who had made the pilgrimage to pay their respects. Due to popular demand, this memorial became a permanent and lasting tribute made from Portland stone. This National War Memorial sparked a nationwide interest and similar style structures sprang up in every town, city and village, across the country.
Our very own Gate of Honour was erected in 1920, and is a fitting tribute to the past pupils and staff who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It was first ‘used’ in 1920 by the school and was formally opened by General Horne, 1st Baron Horne to commemorate the deaths of 125 Old Millhillians who fell in active service during the conflict. The Unknown Soldier at Westminster Abbey and the National War Graves scattered over Europe are a real beacon, but our very own Gate of Honour has its history etched in the annals of Mill Hill School.
The Ridgeway was also chosen by the London Borough of Barnet as the site for a local tribute. This was later joined by the memorial from Inglis Barracks (once situated near Mill Hill East underground station) on behalf of the Middlesex Regiment. So The Ridgeway with its three memorials within a stretch of 300m holds a great deal of significance.
There is always great competition to take part in the Remembrance Day parade. It is an honour and privilege only open to the Upper 6th members of the CCF. The Parade is led by the Banner Party – headed up by the senior cadets of the three services – who are followed by the rest of the volunteers. The Contingent Commander and the Senior Cadet bring up the rear and lay the wreaths on behalf of the Contingent.
In my guise as the school’s Regimental Sergeant Major, I have always taken pride in participating in various Call to Remembrance services in many corners of the world, having completed 50 years’ service to the Ministry of Defence, be it Regular, Reservist or Cadet. When I arrived at MHS I like to think I’d seen it all, but the passion and professionalism of the MHS cadets is always a pleasure to watch. Of course it is not an easy ride, training every lunchtime must start as soon as we come back to school in September. As we approach the final week, we take every chance we can to practice and rehearse. At any given time we can be found fervently checking the weather forecast, our uniforms, footwear, poppies, headdresses, timings, and belts.
The list is endless, but when the morning arrives, there’s a real feeling of satisfaction. Final checks will be completed by 10.30am and then we are ready to go. A final few quiet words and we will be doing our bit to ensure that the tribute from 1918 is still alive today at Mill Hill School. Once completed, we will march around to the school’s Chapel for another remarkable, electric service where we are the guests of honour. In my humble opinion, the service of 2018 was really outstanding, the occasion (the 100-year anniversary), the poppies, made by the pupils, the service before and after the parade, the school did them proud.
Anthony Albrecht Warrant Officer, Class 1The Past Presidents’ Luncheon resumed on 21st September 2021 after missing last year and its usual slot in April this year because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. A smaller group than usual was able to attend and we were delightfully hosted by Stuart Hibberdine in the West Library at the Athenaeum Club.
Richard Llewellyn as immediate Past President was in the Chair, and Gordon Mizner, current President, was
asked to say a few words about his two year term of office and his interactions with the School Foundation. It is hoped that next years event will resume its normal place in the calendar.
Past Presidents clockwise from the left: Christopher Maunder-Taylor, Robert Harley, Russell Cowan, Tim Corbett, Richard Llewellyn, Gordon Mizner, Stuart Hibberdine, Mike Corby, Andy Mortimer, Peter Wakeham.
“Our very own Gate of Honour was erected in 1920, and is a fitting tribute to the past pupils and staff who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country”
As President of the Old Millhillians Club Gordon Mizner has the privilege of announcing the new Honorary Old Millhillians as approved by the Committee and members. The Honorary Old Millhillians are persons not eligible for full membership of the Club, who have rendered exceptional service to the Club, the Foundation or Alford House. It is with great pleasure that we are able to officially welcome to the club as Honorary OMs: Mohamed Ali Abscir, aka Freddie, the Reverend Richard Warden and David Dickinson, three individuals who have diligently served the Foundation in different ways for many years. GM
David Dickinson
David joined the Court of Governors in 2009 and has served the Foundation for a full 12 years. He was Chair of the Estates Committee and during his tenure as a Governor he was instrumental in ensuring successful completion of major real estate projects such as the transformation of the Mount School premises into Mill Hill International, the state-of-the-art Michael Proctor Science Building (opened in July 2014 by Lord Robert Winston) and the Dr Roger Chapman Technology building at Belmont. More recently David oversaw the completion of the new Belmont gym. The Foundation has ambitious plans for upgrading the Mill Hill estate in the future, David’s successor on the Court has a tough act to follow.
The legendary Freddie retired from Mill Hill on Friday 11 December 2020 after 50 years of service. He joined the Foundation catering team following a job at another school in Edgware. Old Millhillians have always had a particular soft spot for Freddie. We loved seeing him again when we visited the School. I used to see him every time I was in the Club Office. I never saw him without a smile. He offered me apples, bananas, hot chocolate and brought me up to date with the gossip. He was a real treat. Over the years he has seen countless numbers of staff and pupils pass through the school and made friends with everyone he met. He will be missed by us all. We have already paid tribute to Freddie when he left. The Old Millhillians community clubbed together and contributed to a retirement gift. A total of 218 OMs plus the Club donated £8,852. Magnificent stuff. Thank you all. In addition, The Old Millhillians Club commissioned and gifted a portrait of Freddie that is now hanging at the School in the Old Millhillians Room. It is now fitting that Freddie be given one final accolade, namely that he become a fullyfledged member of our OM community.
At the end of the academic year, Richard retired as the Foundation Chaplain and Head of Religious Studies at MHS after eleven years of service. He joined the Foundation in September 2010, following six years as a Priest-in-Charge in Berkshire. Richard has contributed a great deal to the Foundation during his tenure, from weekly Chapel services to special whole-school occasions such as the annual Foundation Day and Call to Remembrance commemoration. He has also created the MHS Hymn Book. Richard has brought his own
style and quality to the Chaplain role and has successfully engaged pupils, staff, parents and the wider School community in all that the Chapel offers. He supports all faiths and none, and has worked tirelessly to establish this important aspect of school life. In addition, Richard has supported many members of the School community during times of distress and provided unparalleled pastoral care during his tenure. YOMS will remember well his leadership of chapel services and his sermons. Many OMs will also recall his sensitive and insightful Remembrance Day Services.
Old Millhillians gathered for prosecco in the Octogan before heading for a three course lunch in the old dining room. The turnout of Old Millhilians was exceptional and resulted in us having to close registration early! The lunch was followed by drinks on Top Terrace while the CCF marched on Top Field and later the First XV played a fixture against Habs. This is an Annual Event open to all Old Millhillians and held in late September, do get in touch if you would like to come next year.
Wow! What a great evening. After all that happened during the past two years, it was wonderful to have a celebration amongst friends during my term of office and as I handed over to my successor.
My President’s Dinner took place at Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London on Friday 1st October 2021. The occasion was a great success, more so considering all the uncertainties, postponements and cancellations of the past two years. The venue was spectacular and the attendance of more than 140 seemed to fill the banqueting hall and was very pleasing given the understandable ongoing “Covid-19 caution”.
The event started with an “unlimited” prosecco reception, and I think that many would have wished that this could continue for longer before being called to dinner – however, the banqueting hall awaited. The food received excellent reviews, which is gratifying as this isn’t always the case at such large events. However, we had organised a tasting session (enjoyable in its own right!) to ensure that the menu suited all tastes and was up to our standards. It was!
I was delighted to see good representation from many OM groups that I have been active with: Oakers, Golfers, Engineers, and particularly pleasing quite a number from my era (1964-69) at school. In addition, it was great to see many YOMs, Cricket and Rugby club reps, as well as Alford House. This shows how active and vibrant the OM Club is through its various activity and interest groups.
The speeches were relatively brief, well received (if I say so myself) and kept to time (more or less) – at least the diners weren’t getting too itchy to get to the bar.
I was pleased to make seven Presidents’ Awards this year, more than usual but this represented two years’ worth. The recipients
were all worthy and had contributed much in their own way and sphere to the OM community.
THE AWARDS WENT TO
Colin Nunn – OM Golf Society
Stewart Wernham – OM Club Secretary plus rugby and cricket clubs
Richard Lidwell – OM Careers Committee
John Henley & Roger Holliday – Mill Hill Times (North America)
John Oldroyd – Toronto reunion
Donald Haigh – West Coast USA reunion.
After dinner the bar remained open until 11:30pm offering a further opportunity to catch up with old friends. As you can see the photographs of the evening reveal the magnificence of the venue and the enjoyable atmosphere of the occasion.
Gordon Mizner, OMC President
This Dinner couldn’t have happened without a team effort. I would like to thank the following:
Laura Turner who organised it all and was the contact with the venue
Peter Wakeham for his support, oversight and allocation of Club resources
John Hellinikakis as Master of Ceremonies
Rev Michael Phillips for saying Grace
Nigel Baker for proposing the Loyal Toast
Antony Spencer and Jane Sanchez for their speeches and proposing the toast to the Club
John Gallagher for rounding off the evening as the new President.
And finally, all those who contributed to my President’s Appeal which subsidised the ticket price for young OMS and monitors.
T A B L E 1
Tony Binns
Paul Bickerdike
Alex Burtt
Tim Dingle
Karen Kelly
Joanna Potter
Roger Streeten
Pamela Southall
Adrian Warren
Rebecca Warren
Mark Zudini
T A B L E 5
Nigel Baker Clare Lewis
Nicky Marlow
James Orloff
Tim Saunders
Antony Spencer
William M-Taylor
Peter Wakeham
Anita Wakeham
Janet Wells
T A B L E 9
Paul Bowes
Mike Corby
Gordon Hawes
Stuart Hibberdine
Mike Leon
Andy Mortimer
Michael Petersen
Ronald Pole
Anthony Smith
Gerry Westoby
T A B L E 13
Brad Abraham
Mitesh Bhimjiyani
Oliver Butler
Ralph Chiti
Richard Dweck
Nicole Harvey
Ciera Radia
Nick Schild
Thomas Schilling
Nick Williams
T A B L E 2
John Barr
Beej Chandaria
Alex Dell
Charlie Green
Derren Hamilton
Elliot Hamilton
Ian Holmes
Julian de Metz
Colin Nunn
Julian Pollock
T A B L E 6
Richard Amunugama
John Hellinikakis
Syed Kazim
Clive Mence
Peter Lawson
Helen Lawson
Simon Moir
Mark Morter
Rev Michael Phillips
Christine Shirley
T A B L E 10
Ronnie Boon
Denise Boon
Graham Drake
Angela Drake
Graham Fear
June Fear
Marcel Mann
Cherill Mann
Mark Stewart
Mary Stewart
T A B L E 14
John Barron
Rachael Cummings
James Dickin
Charlotte Dickin
Eren Ersahin
Hannah Hyman
Kevin Kyle
Lyla Rossiter
Andrea Theodorou
Omre Urmani
T A B L E 3
Andrew Croysdill
John Gallagher
Gilly Gallagher
Julie James
Richard Llewellyn
Edward de Mesquita
Ian Nelson
Leon Roberts
Stephen Stone
Paul Winter
T A B L E 7
Madalina Antioci
Sam Bernstein
Malcolm Carruthers
Elah Conway
Freya Francis-Baum
Charlotte Iakovtseva
Othniel Jegede
Chris Mckay
Ana Stojanovic
Chris Tung
T A B L E 11
Elen B -Gledhill
George Beckman
Samuel Chadwick
Natasha Coleman
Harry Dawood
Dev Dhokia
Neil Lodhia
Ted Macdonald
Oji Onyedikachi
Daniel W-Powell
T A B L E 4
Nigel Andrew
Roger Higginson
Dave Kelly
Gordon Mizner
Angela Mizner
Graeme Roberts
Jane Sanchez
Ian Turnbull
Anne Turnbull
Clive Weber
T A B L E 8
Ann Bunyard
Fiona Chase
Graham Chase
Tim Corbett
Andrew Halstead
David Holt
Shalaka Karlaka
Fiona Schild
Gina Wernham
Stewart Wernham
T A B L E 12
Alex Cicale
John Cicale
Chris Kelly
Fern Nihat
Noyan Nihat
Sanja Radojavic
Graeme Turner
Laura Turner
Julia Warbey
David Woodrow
The Presidents’ Award recognises the contributions and achievements of members of the Old Millhillians Club. Recipients are the “unsung heroes” who have worked tirelessly for the Club over many years. President Gordon Mizner presented the following awards at the Plaisterers’ Hall at the 2021 annual dinner
Colin Nunn (Burton Bank 1975-1981)
Colin has been Secretary of the OM Golf Society since 1987. The OMGS is one of the largest and most successful OM societies with an excellent set of fixtures and a growing number of younger members. This is down to the hard work and commitment of those involved and Colin in particular over many years.
Stewart Wernham (Collinson 1974-1979)
Stewart has been actively involved with the OMs over many years in various roles. He was Club Hon Secretary between 2013 – 2017 a key position contributing to the success of the Club, and has been of great service to the OM Rugby and Cricket clubs for many years, both as player and then administrator.
Richard Lidwell (Murray 1959-1964)
Richard chairs the OMs Careers Committee and sits on the main Management Committee. Richard has been instrumental in developing the strategy and plan for the OM Careers offering and activity which has become increasingly important to the Club as the new life membership structures are implemented. Richard brings many years of professional experience to this role.
John Henley (School 1949-1953) & Roger Holliday (Winterstoke 1948-1953)
John and Roger devised and issued 22 editions of The Mill Hill Times over several years. This was targeted mainly at OMs in North America but gained a wider audience. Each edition sourced high quality contributions from OMs and the School relating to historical as well as current topics. The award recognises their effort and achievement over an extended period.
John Oldroyd (Scrutton 1958-1963)
John has tirelessly organised the Canada/Toronto OM reunion for many years, always with great success. Occasionally the event involved a whole weekend of festivities, including a boat trip on Lake Ontario. The current formula of an informal Pub
evening at the Artful Dodger on the Friday followed by drinks and a fabulous Portuguese dinner at Adega Restaurante on the Saturday still leaves plenty of room for sightseeing. Those of us privileged to visit his home get to spend hours indulging his amazing collection of CDs and albums or going for a spin in his MGB - recently painted to celebrate its 40th birthday since leaving the factory in Abingdon!
Donald Haigh (Collinson 1960-1963)
Donald has been the organiser and host for numerous West Coast of America events in San Francisco, with great support from his wife Karen. Donald hosted many memorable occasions, including dinner at Ghiradelli’s on the waterfront and at the Metropolitan Club which is a vibrant, historic private women’s club in the heart of the city. (Karen is the member, not Donald!). Informal get togethers have also taken place at OM, Alexis Solomou’s, wonderful Italian restaurant Seven Hills.
2018 / 2019
President: Richard Llewellyn at Gladstone’s Library
Tom Oxenham (1954-59)
David Stannard (Burton Bank 1971-1976)
Gerry Westoby (Ridgeway 1956-1961)
2017 / 2018
President: David Brown at Chartered Accountants’ Hall
Peter Huston (Ridgeway 1953-1958 ) (posthumously received by widow Jan and daughter Jennie)
2016 / 2017
President: Ronnie Boon at Stationers’ Hall
Roddy Braithwaite (Winterstoke 1945-1950)
2015 / 2016
President: Tim Corbett at Merchant Taylors’ Hall
Nigel Baker (Burton Bank 1955-1961)
Patrick Russell (Burton Bank 1957-1962)
John Watkiss (Collinson 1950-1955)
2014 / 2015
President: Dr Russell Cowan at Royal College of Physicians
John King (Burton Bank 1955-1961)
Michael Leon (Winterstoke 1953-1957)
Dr David Webster (Burton Bank 1953-1958)
At the age of 70, the new President of the Old Millhillians Club, John Gallagher (Ridgeway 1963-1969) takes a trip down memory lane. He shares his story of how he came to be at MHS, what the school and the Club meant and mean to him and gives a few thoughts on his impending Presidency
My father Willy Gallagher (MHS 19541970), after time in the Indian Civil Service, the Colonial Office, and a brief period in banking, came to Mill Hill in 1954. Initially, he joined the common room for one term to teach Classics until John Wait arrived at the end of the cricket season, intending then to move on to Cheltenham College to restart the teaching of Greek there. At the end of the term, Roy Moore asked him to stay, which he did, until 1970, during which time he introduced the teaching of Economics, as well as his famous League of Gentlemen 4th XI cricket.
a number of boys long before I went to the school. This was in part because my parents used to invite boys round for tea on Sunday. I was able to tell Henry Goldsmith (Collinson 1954-1958) recently that I recalled meeting him in about 1957!. Possibly the fact that I had a sister seven years older than I was accounted for the likes of Mike Petersen (Murray 1955-1960) being a regular visitor to our home. Who knows? It was all a long time ago, and I have forgotten, as the old lag said to the Judge.
Thus, it was that in 1955, as a child of four, and along with the rest of my family, I moved to live in Shenley Cottage on the High Street. Being the son of a master meant that I grew up knowing
From 1959 to 1963 I was a day boy at Belmont, and enjoyed every minute of it. Chris Thornton (Murray 1961-1967), who sadly died recently, Tim Bunyard (Burton Bank 1963-1968), alas also no longer with us, Paul Winter (Murray 19611967), and David Kenning (Ridgeway 1964-1969) became lifelong friends. For the holidays, the likes of Ian Turnbull (Murray 1964-1969) whose father Tony Turnbull was also a Master at MHS and his brothers and I, had the run of the school grounds to play in. Almost our own estate!
My father had originally intended to send me to Winchester, out of regard for his old Headmaster, whom he revered. Thank goodness he had a change of mind, and I entered Ridgeway House as a boarder in 1963, and left the school in 1969. During my time there I played for the 1st XV rugby, for two years, alongside the legendary John Hume (Weymouth 19631968), Ian Turnbull, Simon Nightingale (School 1963-1968) and others; the 2nd XI cricket, and the boxing, squash, and athletic teams. I was useless at hockey! I played for the chess team, sang in the choir, and was a Colour Sergeant in the CCF. The school was smaller in those days, and if you did one sport you tended to have to do several other ones. I was a monitor, and in the Classical VIth, where I won the Classics Prize in 1966. In due course I went to King’s College London, where I read Classics, and was the Mason Scholar. Also reading Classics there was Olly Mundy (Murray 1964-1968). I graduated in 1972, BA in Classics and AKC in Theology. I then read for the Bar and was called by Gray’s Inn in 1974.
At the school I formed further lasting friendships with Graham Myers (Ridgeway 1963-1968), Richard Llewellyn (Collinson 1962-1966), Paul Glover (Ridgeway 1963-1968), Tom Gabriel (Murray 1962-1967), and others,
“I was a day boy at Belmont, and enjoyed every minute of it”
some already mentioned. The 1960s were a time of great change, with the public school system gradually trying to modernise itself, and to come to terms with the ‘white hot heat of technology’. Fagging was abolished after I had done my year of it, and I was able some years later to embarrass Guy GodwinGill (Ridgeway 1960-1965), who was
mother’s side, a family who were one of the earliest at the school. Later, my youngest son, Rory, was at Mill Hill, whilst my oldest, William, when available, played for the OMs at rugby for about 14 years, as did my middle son Alex, though for a shorter period of time. So, whilst not in the league of some of the ancient families of Mill Hill, I can claim a connection over several generations.
(Ridgeway 1961-1964) was full back, and I think he got knocked out. He was always getting knocked out. We got thrashed! But for all that it was a great start.
lecturing me in law, by announcing to all and sundry that I used to clean his rugby boots! Boxing was abandoned by the public schools after my third year; tail coats ceased to be worn by monitors in my last year, and corporal punishment inflicted by one boy on another was effectively abolished. At King’s I bumped into Nick Mayhew (Ridgeway 19611966), and reminded him that he had given me six of the best! I think he was more upset than I was.
The younger of my two sisters, married an Old Millhillian, Martin Spettigue (Burton Bank 1951-1956), who was at Belmont in the 1940s. My older sister’s husband was a Pierce Powell on his
My first experience of the OMs club was playing for the A XV at rugby, in the Christmas holidays in 1968, along with Ian Turnbull, whilst we were both still at school. I remember the match, which was against the Old Whitgiftians, pretty well. It was at their ground which was shaped like a saucer, and their club was particularly strong that year. Richard Milnes (Ridgeway 1956-1960) was our out half; Ian and Ray Dunsbier (Collinson 1952-1956) were the centres, I was on one wing, and that nicest of OMs, Tommy Oxenham on the other. Who was scrum half? Bob Hudgell (Winterstoke 19541959) Rodney Cook (Scrutton 1951-1955) and Jimmy Needham (Weymouth 19521955) were in the front row as was Ronnie Cohn (Weymouth 1959-1963) the other prop?) and Claude Jarman (Collinson 1949-1953) was in the second row, with some other largish gentleman who clearly had a fear of heights because he did not jump all afternoon! I think Paul Furness
The summer before I went up to university was spent playing cricket with the OMs 2nd X1, in what was one of the happiest and most successful teams for whom I have played; and I am still playing! Under the inspired captaincy of Ronnie Boon (Murray 1954-1960), who scored shed loads of runs, and with veterans like Nod Saunders, David Smith (Ridgeway 1930-1935),
Mick Catesby (School 1928-1933), Robert Harley (Murray 1945-1950), Ray Weavers (1932-1937), and Eric Harvey (Scrutton 1946-1951) to provide experience, and recent leavers such as Ian Turnbull (Murray 1964-1969), Peter Mills (Winterstoke 1963-1968), Geoff
“Fagging was abolished after I had done my year of it”
“playing cricket with the OMs 2nd XI was one of the happiest and most succesful teams for whom I have played”
Boardman (Scrutton 1964-1968), Docker Neate (Scrutton 1963-1968) and myself, to add enthusiasm, we beat just about everyone we played.
Although Martyn Thomas infamously did go into the club house at Headstone Lane on one occasion and stop the clock, to ensure that we got a couple of extra overs in which to score the winning runs. I also did a stint as Team Secretary of the OMCC.
Whilst at university I played for two seasons for OMRFC, enduring or enjoying a memorable Easter tour in 1970 when I was sent off against Taunton (the subsequent disciplinary committee hearing was the only occasion when my name could have entered the mind of the Chairman of the English selectors, as he was also on that committee) and scored the only tries of the tour against Torquay and Bridgewater. That year we won the Hendon 7s, and as the reserve, I was lucky enough to play in the final when Ronnie Boon departed early to catch a train to Wales. I recall Francis Mann (Murray 1959-1964), Nigel Wray (Ridgeway 1961-1966), and Barney Micklem (Weymouth 1962-1966) being in the team, but being a back I have no idea who the forwards were. A few years
later I had a further two seasons, with my final game being against the Wasps, marking the then leading try scorer in first class rugby. We lost 9-8. Our fixture list was very different in those days; we played Saracens, Wasps, Northampton, Rosslyn Park, Old Belvedere, Glamorgan Wanderers, Manchester, Esher, and London Irish (we were their oldest opponents), to name a few.
Throughout my career at the Bar, time and again I have encountered fellow OMs, as barristers, solicitors, judges and the like; and, on one notable occasion, as a solicitor, standing in the dock! He can remain nameless. My pupillage
was effectively organised by the OMs network, when I went to the chambers of Esyr (Ridgeway 1939-1944) and Michael Lewis (Ridgeway 1943-1948). My later head of chambers was the brother-in-law of the late Rhodri Watkins (Ridgeway 1963-1968).
What then does the Old Millhillians Club mean to me? It has been a source of real and lasting friendships and fellowship. It has given me opportunities that I never expected. When as a newly called and newly married barrister, and feeling penniless, I looked for some part time work, I approached a private law school in the Temple, of which there were a number in the 1970s. The Registrar told me that they had no need for further lecturers, and so I turned to leave. At that moment the owner of the establishment arrived; he was a wonderfully eccentric character called Basil Webb, and seeing my OMs tie, immediately announced that ‘work had to be found for a young OM’.And it was. At Clive Weber’s (Ridgeway 1965-1969) well-organised OM lawyers’ annual event, I have maintained contact with countless OMs in the Law. Over the years I have bumped into the likes of Bruce Coleman (Weymouth 1963-1968), Michael Heywood (Winterstoke 1963-1968), Graham Harris (Winterstoke 1965-1969), John Parker, James Mason (Murray 1961-1966), Richard Atchley (Collinson 1967-1971), George Heimler (Murray 1965-1970), and Chris Butcher (Murray 1961-1967), again to name just a few.
I loved my five years as Chairman of the OMRFC, plugging the gap between the legendary Doc Webster (Burton Bank 1953-1958), who really was irreplaceable, and the ebullient Nashy, Ben Nash (Priestley 1986-1990). As Chairman, I was able to see first-hand the commitment of the likes of Oli Avent (Priestley 2008-2013), Greg Walsh (Cedars 2005-2010), John Tucker, Nick Coburn, James Roycroft-Davis (Murray 2007-2012), Phil Hadji (Murray 19961999) who have ensured that the rugby club preserves the spirit of yesteryear, whilst building its own present and future. Do get down to Headstone Lane if you can during the forthcoming season; the team love support from the touchline. I have enjoyed many OM organised dinners and lunches, and have valued the dedication that the likes of John Watkiss (Collinson 1950-1955), Andy Mortimer (Burton Bank 1957-1961),
“I have encountered OMs, as barristers, solicitors, judges, and on one notable occasion, a solicitor, standing in the dock”
Ronny Cohn (Weymouth 1959-1963), Alan Toulson (Weymouth 1955-1960), Tommy Oxenham (1954-1959), Gerry Westoby (Ridgeway 1956-1961), Mike Leon (Winterstoke 1953-1957), Peter Wakeham (Burton Bank 1960-1964) and many, many others have shown to the club. There are names that spring to
club’s motto; ‘Non nobis..,’ and have provided inspiration to those who follow. There is, as you will all have gathered, a long list of OMs who have given, and continue to give, meritorious service to the club and make it what it is. I am hugely honoured to be the President for 2021-22; I very much hope to renew old friendships and build new ones. If I was asked for a strap-line, I think it would be one word; ‘Service’, with an emphasis on people.
As I write this on a Spring morning in April, more and more eulogies are coming in about the lately deceased HRH Prince Philip, almost all which refer to a life of service well spent. What a good way to be celebrated and remembered. In 2022 MHS and the OMC will celebrate the unique contribution made to the school by its most famous Headmaster, Sir John
McClure, who died in office in 1922. It is probably no exaggeration to say that McClure of Mill Hill gave his life to and in service of Mill Hill. In these times as we emerge hopefully from the Covid-19 epidemic, service and the desire to serve are vital commodities. It is likely that I will stay within the UK during my year with the emphasis on restoring and strengthening our fellowship here, and in seeing a return to business as normal.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the various events, dinners and the like to be held throughout the year. Whether I cleaned your rugby boots, went three rounds in the boxing ring with you, bowled or was bowled by you, fought in the mud of Top Field, or worse Gears, rest assured time always improves memory!
mind as I write, John Elliott (1950-1955), Francis Mann (Murray 1959-1964), Richard Llewellyn (Collinson 1962-1966), Ronnie Boon (Murray 1954-1960), Stewart Wernham (Collinson 19741979), Dick Lidwell (Murray 1959-1964), Nigel Baker (Burton Bank 1955-1961); the list is really endless and in one sense it is invidious to name names, because I know that I will have missed worthy ones out. All these have given years of time and effort to the club very often at considerable personal sacrifice, and almost always for no reward, save that of knowing that they have served the club and school. They have in a very real sense complied with and lived up to our
“Do get down to Headstone Lane if you can during the forthcoming season; the team love support from the touchline”John and his wife Gilly
UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS for NOVEMBER 2021
WE HOPE TO HOLD ZOOM VIRTUAL REUNIONS WITH ALL REGIONS IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF JOHN GALLAGHER'S PRESIDENCY.
AS SOON AS COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED WE WILL RE-VISIT THE SCHEDULE AND LOOK FOR OPPORTINITIES FOR IN PERSON EVENTS
John Hellinikakis (School 1976, Murray 1977-81), Chair of the OM Relations Committee, is looking forward to getting back to live gatherings and has worked hard to organise a calendar of events to satisfy our social and professional appetites
What marks out Old Millhillians is their willingness to come together and socialise. And nothing is more indicative of this than the annual calendar of events. The impressive number of social events listed in the 2022 calendar, running to nearly thirty, does not even reflect all the events that are all organised by Old Millhillians each year when you include the sporting fixtures, casual get-togethers, and Lodge Meetings, some of which you will read about elsewhere in Martlet.
Entrepreneurs Meeting, incidentally also the very first ever Entrepreneurs event, and the Medical Professions Meeting, which were each attended by fifty to sixty participants.
These virtual events have been a great success and, for example, enabled us to reach out to a greater number of pupils of the school, who otherwise could not attend a physical meeting, but also other schools in the local area, with whom the Foundation has a relationship. In due course, no doubt, we will reach out to our new sister school Cobham Hall in Kent.
is well documented to have attended these regional events when he was Headmaster. Current Head Jane Sanchez is in turn making it a point to attend all four regional events and we look forward to giving her that same welcome as Sir John enjoyed during his tenure.
After a tough year-and-a-half, where nearly all physical events, planned from early in 2020 through to mid-2021, were cancelled, we are very much looking forward to some sort of ‘normality’. The accompanying calendar marks an ambitious return to a post-pandemic Old Millhillians Club social year.
This current programme of events is very much 2021 version 2.0, where we are looking to incorporate events that we had planned, but cancelled, for 2021, into the 2022 calendar. New events include the two new Marketing and Journalism events; 5, 10, 15 Year Reunions, and three University Social Pop-up events.
Although I do not want to dwell too much on 2021, in common with business and social meetings we were forced to adapt to changed circumstances. On the basis that out of adversity, there is opportunity, we created four virtual events in the first part of the 2021 featuring speakers followed by a question and answer’ session.
The first two Career Networking events to be staged on Zoom were the
Although virtual events cannot and will never replace the intimacy of physical gatherings, they were very well attended – indicative of the appetite to access interesting and relevant content. At those events where we have speakers, we will consider providing a video feed for the talk and/or an edited video recording for later viewing, for those that cannot be there – particularly for those who live too far away, or overseas.
Old Millhillians and their guests are welcome to attend our Careers Networking events. They are very much about people meeting in a relaxed environment, who share the same career or who may be considering that career in future. Career assistance is increasingly becoming one of the key focuses of the Club as the nature of employment changes – especially in a post Covid-19 era – whether it is for current pupils of the Foundation or Old Millhillians at a later stage of their career. At our Career Networking events, meeting people with whom you have a common bond offers a great level of support and advice.
In 2022, the four regional social lunch and dinner gatherings will celebrate 100 years since the death of Sir John McClure, a great friend of the Club, who
We were hoping to introduce at least three university pop-up evening drinks events this year, for Old Millhillian students, who are studying at certain universities in larger numbers and those within a reasonable distance. Now scheduled for 2022, these will be free of charge and hopefully the beginning of recent leavers’ relationship with the club.
That leaves us with the Presidents’ events, which are highlights of the Old Millhillian calendar. The Annual Summer Cocktail Party at the National Liberal Club Terrace was our first physical event in 2021. At the Annual Dinner we saw many more of you and many for the first time in a long time.
I am sure that after such a long period of lockdown, you are all looking forward to catching up with friends and renewing old acquaintances. I am hopeful that our programme of events, be they Career Networking, University Pop-Ups, Regional Social, or President’s events will provide ample opportunitiy for Old Millhillians to congregate once more.
The efforts of the volunteer OMs, who give up their time to organise them and to the speakers who share their wisdom, be rewarded by seeing you all in greater numbers in the coming year.
“Career assistance is one of the key focuses of the Club”
“Virtual events will never replace the intimacy of physical gatherings”
After a tumultuous year and cancelled events, David Short (Murray 1951-55) and Russell Cowan (Weymouth 1958-63) take the opportunity to reflect on the history of this regional club event
The East Anglia Dinner was the brainchild of the much missed and notably energetic, Tony Bell (Collinson 1948-1952), who launched the dinner in 1967 and organised every aspect of it until his untimely death in 2007. To begin with it was a peripatetic event, taking place in various upmarket venues around East Anglia, for example Hintlesham Hall near Ipswich, until settling down in Cambridge, initially at Corpus Christi College in the Parker Room. That room held up to 25 guests and was notable for the adjoining bedroom for the President of the Old Milhillians Club to stay in overnight.
port. A characteristic of our dinners in Cambridge has been the opportunity to ask questions from the floor of the Head and the Chair of the Club, if he attends. This has created some lively discussions over the years, not least when Mr McAlpine was Headmaster (1992-1995) at the time of the School starting its transition to becoming co-educational.
Following the death of Tony Bell (Collinson 1948-1952), the organisation of the event was shared between Jim Roberts (Collinson 1945-1950) and David Short with Jim responsible for the mailing list, invitations to guests, place-seating and so on, while David liaised with the College about menus, wines and dates. In 2016, Jim stepped down and Russell Cowan took over his responsibilities. As many of you know, we received the sad news of Jim’s death in early November 2020 and with his passing went many memories about the early East Anglia Dinners.
When numbers became too many to be accommodated in the Parker Room, the dinner moved to St John’s College for a few years. Some of you may remember the Wordsworth Room, holding up to 50. The opportunity to transfer to Trinity College in around 2010 came by invitation of Professor Michael Proctor who was then Vice Master of Trinity and also Chair of the Mill Hill Foundation Court of Governors. This has been a highly successful arrangement with the Reception held in the Old Combination Room followed by dinner in the Allhusen Room, enjoying the excellent College cuisine, capped off by the legendary Trinity College crème brûlée and then the College
In recent years, the appetite for black-tie dinners at these regional events has diminished, especially among younger Old Millhillians. It was decided to alter the format on at least two of every three years to a ‘cultural’ experience somewhere in Cambridge followed by a buffet supper in the Allhusen Room as usual. Our first experience of this was in 2019 when we were privileged to have a guided tour of the Wren Library at Trinity by the Librarian, after which we made our way to the Allhusen Room. Turn-out was high for that event, which encouraged us to arrange Evensong in the King’s College Chapel, sitting in the Choir, for the 2020 meeting. Alas, this was a victim of the pandemic but we hope for better luck in 2022.
“a highly successful arrangement, capped off by the legendary Trinity College crème brûlée”
Despite the abandonment of all Young Old Millhillians (YOMS) events during the pandemic, lots of work and changes have been going on behind the scenes. I have taken over the helm and consider myself suitable for the job as I am an OM to the core and a total socialiser. I am currently on Officer Training at Sandhurst, having recently graduated from Exeter University.
We also welcome two other new members to the YOMS: Ambassadors Team Ruby Atkins (Atkinson 2015-2020) and Jay Popat (Weymouth 2014-2019). Ruby joins us from Bonnie Glasgow (thanks to Zoom) where she studies Fine Art – do check out her paintings, they are really quite spectacular –and good old Jay Popat (who I remember from school as being a complete joker) who is studying Mechanical Engineering at Nottingham and currently on work placement with Rolls-Royce in Bristol (lucky devil).
All of us join Ciera Radia (Weymouth 2010-2012) and Oji Onyedikachi (Burton Bank 2002-2007) – a strong team. Sadly, though, we will say goodbye to Sive Ozer (School 2004-2009) and Dev Dhokia (McClure 2002-2007), both of whom have served as Head of the YOMS Ambassadors and really helped get this group off the ground. I am so grateful to both of them for their hard work and mentorship. You will be greatly missed.
An open bar and delicious food was well received alongside an Introduction from the Club President Gordon Mizner, YOMs Ambassadors Ted Mcdonald and Ciera Radia and an introduction to all the OM Sports Club Reps that attended.
We had a very successsful first physical event back for our Upper Sixth Leavers at StoneX Stadium in Mill Hill. The home of Saracens Rugby Club was the perfect venue to welcome over 120 2020 and 2021 leavers back for an ‘Introduction to the Old Millhillians Club’
We have lots of events planned coming up and I hope Covid-19 won’t be coming along to any of them. Reunions are kicking off with the 15-year reunion (2006 Leavers) 12 November 2021. I am told on good authority they are a particularly memorable year, so it should be great event. This will be followed by the 10-year reunion in May 2022 (2012 Leavers) and the 5-year one later in the summer (2017 Leavers). Good news for the Oxford and Nottingham University student YOMS as they will be receiving the coveted OMC credit card for their reunion pub nights starting soon. We may even be expecting some special guests (Mr Woodrow are you free?). They are sure to be cracking nights.
“Saracens Rugby Club was the perfect venue to welcome over 120 2020 and 2021 school leavers”
“Where?” I exclaim to Peter Wakeham as he suggests none other than the Saracens StoneX Stadium as the rightful venue for the Upper-6th Leavers’ introduction to the Old Millhillians Club. I say this, not out of not knowing the Saracens home ground, but because the idea seemed bonkers.
We had traditionally held the Leavers event at the National Liberal Club. Then, the year after our shiny Old Millhillians cards ceased to open those double wooden doors at Whitehall, we moved back home to the good old Dining Hall at school.
But this year was different. And Peter was absolutely right, after cancelled exams, ‘Teacher Assessment Grades’, meaningless grade-generating algorithms and of course appeals, the StoneX stadium was the venue that both the 2020 and 2021 Leavers deserved. And it was quite a night. The room was packed!
Quickly a queue formed to enter the space – several of the YOMS Ambassadors (me included) were quickly sent in to play bouncers at the door. The excitement was palpable. Drink was flowing and plates were filled, and it only occurred to me then that this was the first time since the last lifting of lockdown that most of the Leavers had seen each other.
We were fortunate enough to have a view over the balcony of the OMRFC playing below (expertly planned by Laura Turner). We had reps from the newly formed Old Millhillians Hockey and Football Clubs and a warm welcome by Gordon Mizner.
Ciera Radia gave an excellent introduction into the networking side – highlighting the vast array of career events on offer. It was a great success. But, having spent my last year at school with
the 2020 leavers (when they were in 4th form) I was slightly sad to realise that the last people I remember from my time had finally moved on. I had now properly left school.
I’m particularly attached to my lot from Priestley after we spent
many winter evenings rehearsing (with me trying to direct) for the House Play Competition (with pretty much all of the Priestley 4th Form in it). They’re a group I’ve seen grow from kids into young adults – and they’ve even looked after and directed my younger brother in later Priestley house plays (which we FINALLY won) – so it all carries on I suppose.
Now what the school had lost, the Old Millhillians Club had gained; and that’s really what the club is about. Aside from all the opportunities on offer – sports, networking - it is about staying in touch with the people who help form some of the most important years of your life. To help remember the excitement of House plays and endless rehearsals during cold and dark winter evenings. It’s sad to leave that part of your life behind. But I will always love to look back at school with the people I spent so much time with – remembering all the trips, matches, shows and funny moments, and it is that, which is most special about our Old Millhillians Club.
Edward Holland“it is about staying in touch with the people who help form some of the most important years of your life”
Giuliano Arricale
Giuliano Arricale
Giuliano Arricale
Zak Demetriades
Zak Demetriades
Zak Demetriades
Daniel Garrill
Daniel Garrill
Daniel Garrill
Sonny Gayer
Sonny Gayer
Sonny Gayer
Kayla Hommel
Kayla Hommel
Kayla Hommel
Jason Hsu
Jason Hsu
Jason Hsu
Keshini Kendell
Keshini Kendell
Keshini Kendell
Sam Lupson
Sam Lupson
Sam Lupson
James Munyambu
James Munyambu
James Munyambu
Kit Nyman McKnight
Kit Nyman McKnight
Kit Nyman McKnight
Fraser Palmer
Fraser Palmer
Fraser Palmer
Eve Partridge
Eve Partridge
Eve Partridge
Davin Talamo-Bromberg
Davin Talamo-Bromberg
Davin Talamo-Bromberg
Amir-Ali Abykanov
Amir-Ali Abykanov
Amir-Ali Abykanov
Naman Agnani
Naman Agnani
Naman Agnani
Oluwatemilorun Fashina
Oluwatemilorun Fashina
Oluwatemilorun Fashina
Zijia Huang
Zijia Huang
Zijia Huang
Chi In Ip
Chi In Ip
Chi In Ip
Sanwing Tsoi
Sanwing Tsoi
Sanwing Tsoi
Ying-chi Tzeng
Ying-chi Tzeng
Ying-chi Tzeng
Muye Zhang
Muye Zhang
Muye Zhang
Ethan Acikalin
Ethan Acikalin
Ethan Acikalin
Xavier Cleverly
Xavier Cleverly
Xavier Cleverly
Oliver Eastham
Oliver Eastham
Oliver Eastham
Yinting Feng
Yinting Feng
Yinting Feng
Yintong Guo
Yintong Guo
Yintong Guo
Nita Krasniqi
Nita Krasniqi
Nita Krasniqi
James Maister
James Maister
James Maister
OliverMatthews
OliverMatthews
OliverMatthews
Aga Mirza
Aga Mirza
Aga Mirza
Sam Tackaberry
Sam Tackaberry
Sam Tackaberry
Alexander Vasin
Alexander Vasin
Alexander Vasin
Alexander Wallace
Alexander Wallace
Alexander Wallace
Hessamoddin Ghazi
Hessamoddin Ghazi
Hessamoddin Ghazi
Adam Kallaev
Adam Kallaev
Adam Kallaev
Po Chi Leong
Po Chi Leong
Po Chi Leong
Yong Zheng
Yong Zheng
Yong Zheng
Marco Arazi
Marco Arazi
Marco Arazi
Emma Jelen
Emma Jelen
Emma Jelen
Luca Kukhaleishvili
Luca Kukhaleishvili
Luca Kukhaleishvili
Ethan Lieber
Ethan Lieber
Ethan Lieber
Laura Magid
Laura Magid
Laura Magid
Hugo Reed
Hugo Reed
Hugo Reed
Daniel Speed
Daniel Speed
Daniel Speed
Omre Urmani
Omre Urmani
Omre Urmani
Georgina Ward
Georgina Ward
Georgina Ward
Luke Whitfield
Luke Whitfield
Luke Whitfield
Callum Whitworth
Callum Whitworth
Callum Whitworth
Lucy Allen
Lucy Allen
Lucy Allen
Liv Arshad
Liv Arshad
Liv Arshad
Daniel Cameron
Daniel Cameron
Daniel Cameron
Katy Collins
Katy Collins
Katy Collins
Liberty Dickin
Liberty Dickin
Liberty Dickin
Romi Goldstein
Romi Goldstein
Romi Goldstein
Theo Hart
Theo Hart
Theo Hart
Keon Kalani
Keon Kalani
Keon Kalani
Floren Kay
Floren Kay
Floren Kay
Chloe Lazari
Chloe Lazari
Chloe Lazari
Samay Magecha
Samay Magecha
Samay Magecha
Miles McIntosh
Miles McIntosh
Miles McIntosh
Nicholas Michael
Nicholas Michael
Nicholas Michael
Sophia Parfitt
Sophia Parfitt
Sophia Parfitt
Pavanveer Patra
Pavanveer Patra
Pavanveer Patra
Finley Rowland
Finley Rowland
Finley Rowland
Maya Shah
Maya Shah
Maya Shah
Edward Tatford
Edward Tatford
Edward Tatford
Yangfan Shen
Yangfan Shen
Yangfan Shen
Daniel Allen
Daniel Allen
Daniel Allen
Jessie Byrne
Jessie Byrne
Jessie Byrne
Artem Charushin
Artem Charushin
Artem Charushin
Oliver Clements
Oliver Clements
Oliver Clements
Cameron Fox
Cameron Fox
Cameron Fox
Asher Fraiman
Asher Fraiman
Asher Fraiman
Ella King
Ella King
Ella King
Luke Mercier
Luke Mercier
Luke Mercier
Andrew Rosen
Andrew Rosen
Andrew Rosen
Nasan Somasundara-Rajah
Nasan Somasundara-Rajah
Nasan Somasundara-Rajah
Jessica Waller
Jessica Waller RIDGEWAY
Jessica Waller RIDGEWAY
Jia Chen
Jia Chen
Jia Chen
Setareh Eskandari
Setareh Eskandari
Setareh Eskandari
Parmida Hashemi
Parmida Hashemi
Parmida Hashemi
Luka Khobelia
Luka Khobelia
Luka Khobelia
SCHOOL
SCHOOL
James Enraght-Moony
James Enraght-Moony
James Enraght-Moony
Artem Ermolin
Artem Ermolin
Artem Ermolin
Edward Hildebrand
Edward Hildebrand
Edward Hildebrand
Jasper Isaacs
Jasper Isaacs
Jasper Isaacs
Max Lipton
Max Lipton
Max Lipton
Huey Mohan
Huey Mohan
Huey Mohan
Berk Ongan
Berk Ongan
Berk Ongan
Yash Patel
Yash Patel
Yash Patel
Michelle Senior
Michelle Senior
Michelle Senior
Stanley Shepherd
Stanley Shepherd
Stanley Shepherd
Lucas Taberna
Lucas Taberna
Lucas Taberna
Amy Abrahams
Amy Abrahams
Amy Abrahams
Oscar Cohen
Oscar Cohen
Oscar Cohen
Elias Cruse El Hoyek
Elias Cruse El Hoyek
Elias Cruse El Hoyek
Sidrit Demiraj
Sidrit Demiraj
Sidrit Demiraj
Aimée Fluet
Aimée Fluet
Aimée Fluet
Nadia Gera
Nadia Gera
Nadia Gera
Fabiana Goncalves Queta
Fabiana Goncalves Queta
Fabiana Goncalves Queta
Cosmo Grant
Cosmo Grant
Cosmo Grant
Yasmin Ibrahim
Yasmin Ibrahim
Yasmin Ibrahim
Gabriel Isaacs
Gabriel Isaacs
Gabriel Isaacs
Sebastian Kjallgren
Sebastian Kjallgren
Sebastian Kjallgren
Kate Lipton
Kate Lipton
Kate Lipton
Owen McGowan
Owen McGowan
Owen McGowan
Polina Bekova
Polina Bekova
Polina Bekova
Matthew Boyd
Matthew Boyd
Matthew Boyd
Jasper Brown
Jasper Brown
Jasper Brown
Priscilla Gannon
Priscilla Gannon
Priscilla Gannon
Joel Green
Joel Green
Joel Green
Anthony Hanoon
Anthony Hanoon
Anthony Hanoon
Augustus Hylander
Augustus Hylander
Augustus Hylander
Nicholas Jenkins
Nicholas Jenkins
Nicholas Jenkins
Conor Johnstone
Conor Johnstone
Conor Johnstone
Toby Ker
Toby Ker
Toby Ker
Amelie Kuet
Amelie Kuet
Amelie Kuet
Ben Lever
Ben Lever
Ben Lever
Benjamin Maunder Taylor
Benjamin Maunder Taylor
Benjamin Maunder Taylor
Veronica Murray
Veronica Murray
Veronica Murray
Sophie Romaner
Sophie Romaner
Sophie Romaner
Jake Moehl
Jake Moehl
Jake Moehl
Daniel Onochie-Williams
Daniel Onochie-Williams
Daniel Onochie-Williams
Sophia Pears
Sophia Pears
Sophia Pears
Campbell Smith
Campbell Smith
Campbell Smith
Evelyn Taylor
Evelyn Taylor
Evelyn Taylor
Sarisha Toyne
Sarisha Toyne
Sarisha Toyne
We catch up with the convivial group of OMs who meet for lunch on the first Tuesday of each month at The Boot pub in Sarratt. Head boy Gerry Westoby (Ridgeway
shares how they’ve kept themselves amused over the last year
It has become my ‘Line of Duty’ to write something about the activities of the Oakers (so called because they started off meeting in The Royal Oak pub). As you can imagine, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, I haven’t much to say about our lunches as there haven’t been many.
I have used my modest talents to keep the Oakers amused and give them hope that tomorrow will be a better day. We took up weekly Zoom sessions, a group of us celebrated New Year this way, and some of us attended Arthur Ferryman’s (Burton Bank 1954-1959) surprise 80th birthday party for which we were supplied with a delicious champagne, salmon and blinis supper box, which helped with the festivities. We met for lunch when possible: before things kicked off again this May, we had only managed three lunches in a year. We had all hoped for our usual Christmas lunch, but the two people rule from your own ‘bubble’ made this impossible. We were naturally disappointed but worse still we realised this would leave the pub at least £900
out of pocket. We felt some financial help was needed so I sent out a request to the Oakers for donations for ‘The Boot Fund’ and they responded. On the 14th December 2020 – the original date set for the Oakers Christmas lunch - my wife Jill and I headed to the pub for lunch where Gordon Mizner and Peter Wakeham were having a ‘business’ meeting. This gave us the opportunity to present Zoe, the Boot’s landlady with a cheque for the princely sum of £1240. She sent me the following delightful poem as a thank-you.
We shall continue to meet on the first Tuesday of the month at The Boot, except for the Christmas lunch, which took place on Monday, 13th December 2021. If you want to come along, there is no membership protocol or fees. Let us know you are coming so we can reserve you a seat!
Contact details: Gerry Westoby wescam21@aol.com
There once was a Tom and a Gerry, And the rest of the Oakers so merry, They came to The Boot, For a jolly good hoot, Once a month, starting in January.
We serve them some pies, pud and wine, In the restaurant is where they all dine, But in March it all stopped, No more drinks could we pop, Guests for 4 months, we had to decline.
Lockdown lifted last summer, Oakers returned (yet fewer in number), Sanitisers and face masks, 2 metre distance, we asked, Then in autumn our doors closed, what a bummer.
But in through our door in December, Came that cheery face we so well remember, Gerry gave me a present, So incredibly pleasant, Tears rolled down the cheeks of this humbled staff member.
Though this thank you has been brewing a while, The size hasn’t decreased our smile, We’re so grateful to all, THANK YOU SO MUCH we call, Can’t wait to welcome you back in true BOOTiful style
In response to demand, digitalisation and a tough employment market, Richard Lidwell (Murray 1959-64) chair of the Careers Committee reports on ramping up the support it has so successfully provided the MHS Foundation and OM community since its inception in 2018
A major new initiative has evolved over the autumn with the launch of a website devoted solely to careers. This will be open to both the pupils of the MHS Foundation – through liaison with the school’s careers staff – and the entire OM community. Linked to the clubs Old Millhillians Career Network (OMCN) main site the OMCN website’s main function is to provide career guidance, work experience openings, career development programmes and networking opportunities. It will also be the place for OMS to volunteer their services to achieve this ambition.
Over the summer, OMs were invited to contribute to this initiative by offering their help with careers support, building on an original survey conducted in 2018, which produced a good deal of offers. As a result, we hope to be able to provide a more extensive network of volunteers. The new website will allow the volunteers to update their profiles easily and to ‘talk’ directly with OMs looking for career advice.
Not only will the site provide the means for pupils and OMs to approach volunteers offering help with careers events, for work experience, CV and application writing, mentoring, and other advice, but will also provide additional links to existing and, possibly, new groups of OMs (professional, sporting and social) and some useful careers and professional websites. A brandnew feature will be a developing video library of OMs giving short, 3-5 minute, ‘Ted-style’ talks about their journey into work and their profession. It is hoped also to provide space for OMs to advertise their businesses and employment opportunities.
A major aspect of the OM Careers offering is to provide professional networking events for MHS pupils and OMs. These cover a range of areas of work including Financial Services, Engineering, Law, Property, Medicine, Media, and the Creative Arts. Additional events have focussed on an Entrepreneurial skills, and more recently on ‘Using Linkedin and Social Media to improve your career prospects’. Many of these events have run for years providing professional networking opportunities for OMs working in these areas, but just as importantly they are designed to give school pupils and university students insights into the world of work as well as for OMs considering a change in career direction.
These events had always been physical, but the restrictions imposed by the pandemic have negated that opportunity.
We were concerned about the viability of running the events ‘virtually’ by use of Zoom. However, we needn’t have worried as the attendance has exceeded expectations by far. Clearly something of the opportunity and pleasure of mixing and talking is lost in the ‘virtual’ world, but on the other hand it has meant that the difficulties of physically travelling with many events being held in London, have been overcome, and attendance is easier from wherever one might be living, at home or abroad.
Many young OMs have sought help with their applications and CVs, and introductions to OMs working in their areas of interest. While many requests have been fulfilled, it has not always been possible to find OM volunteers willing and able to offer such help, especially during the pandemic. Hopefully by expanding the resource of volunteers through the extended request survey, and publicity around the launch of the new accessible website greater activity will be generated and results achieved.
The Evolving World of Work
For many years (certainly in my early career) the talk was all of working in a ‘world of leisure’ with the application of new technologies reducing the necessity to work long hours, and for life. Of course, the opposite happened with people working longer, stressful hours, coping with the economic pressures and the need for dual incomes to ‘survive’ and to achieve desired lifestyles. Then the concept of ‘portfolio careers’ evolved with people building their own career paths. Now, in this time of the pandemic, the phenomenon of ‘working from home’ offers an opportunity for real evaluation; not underestimating the involuntary strain, economic and social problems that much of the population has been forced to endure.
“Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.”
Michele Jennae, author of the Connectworker
Tap into your network: your network – personal and professional – can provide much needed support, generate ideas and remind you of your strengths. Don’t be afraid to reach out to schedule a call or to ask for advice. You never know where a conversation might lead and, in my experience, most people are very happy to give their time to offer advice or signpost other resources.
Job-hunting requires discipline: spend a maximum of four hours each day reviewing LinkedIn and job boards, dealing with emails and working on your CV and application forms.
Organisation is key: keep a spreadsheet of every application submitted so that you can track your progress. On the days when you feel your search isn’t progressing, this document can be reassuring. If you are claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance, your local job centre coach will also really appreciate it if you are keeping accurate records about your job search.
Respect yourself: where possible, gift yourself weekends, focusing the job search from Monday to Friday.
Do something for yourself every day: maybe going for a walk, bake, see friends, listen to podcasts and attend webinars.
Remember:
to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported you as you navigate the next step on your career journey.
‘Take heart and be yourself’ in developing your career path.
(with acknowledgment to my Careers Adviser colleague; Caroline Lindner).
It has been true that the ‘job for life’ with a secure pension after 40 years of work has disappeared, and not by choice for many. The term ‘portfolio career’ initially suggested a ‘choice’, but in reality, it has been imposed on many by economic and political events, so less a ‘choice’, more a ‘necessity’. While this might be hard for many, I believe it may also be viewed as an opportunity; in the past many people have felt trapped by established systems, but this could be a moment to develop into areas of work. Career choices are often made far too early in life, which fail to respect the human ability to learn and develop new interests and skills during early, and later, working lives and ‘actual’ living. Recently there appears to be a political shift in viewing education and especially higher education as existing purely for vocational reasons and not for ‘education’ in its true meaning which may exacerbate this problem.
To quote Martin Luther King’s speech at Morehouse College in 1948: ‘The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason but no morals… We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.’
We hope that the OM community through our career development offering may be of help to Mill Hill pupils and OMs facing such career and work dilemmas and choices. We believe our community can add great value to other career guidance agencies and services, professional bodies, and educational institution services to assist in this process.
The OMCC is currently made up from members from the school careers and sixth form staff and OMs with a wide range of working experiences. We usually meet three times a year. Currently it is Chaired by Dick Lidwell (Careers Adviser) with Peter Wakeham (Marketing and Business Development), Gordon Mizner (Professional Engineer and OM Club President), Ted Ivens (Sports Marketing), Mitesh Bhimjiyani (Founder of careers website ‘Success at School’), John Hellinikakis (International Business Consultant and Chair OM Relations Committee), Michael Wong (Management Consultancy).
School staff: John Barron (Deputy Head 6th Form), Lesley Sharples (University applications) and Martin Pearce (Learning Support). It is always keen to hear from other members who would like to be involved.
Contact details: Dick Lidwell – richard@lidwell.com
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou
Clive Weber (Ridgeway 1965-1969), Consultant lawyer at Wedlake Bell introduces his guest speaker and keeps us up-to-date with new solicitor training requirements and the careers website offer
As the displacement of peoples continues apace, this topic is ever-more important. We invited Guy Goodwin-Gill (Ridgeway 1960-1965), Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford to speak on the subject. Guy has an extensive portfolio of academic appointments and a distinguished law practise. He is currently a Professor of Law at the University of New South Wales and the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at UNSW.
He is Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, Emeritus Professor of International Refugee Law, and an Honorary Associate of Oxford’s Refugee Studies Centre. He practised as a barrister at Blackstone Chambers, London, from 20022018, specialising in public international law, human rights, citizenship, and refugee and asylum law. He represented pro bono the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as ‘Intervener’ in a number of appeals in the United Kingdom House of Lords and Court of Appeal, was counsel for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, and has acted in the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights.
He was formerly Professor of Asylum Law at the University of Amsterdam, served as a Legal Adviser in the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from 19761988, was the President of Refugee & Migrant Justice (London) for 13 years, and President of the Media Appeals Board of Kosovo from 2000-2003.
He is the Founding Editor of the International Journal of Refugee Law (Oxford University Press), was Editor-in-Chief from 1989-2001, and has lectured and published widely on, among other topics, human rights, the responsibility of States, statelessness, free and fair elections, child soldiers, child rights, the international law governing the movement of people between States, and the protection of refugees.
Of particular interest to aspiring lawyers will be the recent shake up in legal training requirements. Full details can be found on the website of the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority sra.org.uk.
Here are some key points:
From September 2021 there will be a Single Qualifying Examination (SQE) for solicitors; whether one has a law or other degree, or completed equivalent work experience for example through a solicitor apprenticeship; all roads will lead to the SQE.
Together with Professor Jane McAdam and Emma Dunlop, he is currently preparing the fourth edition of The Refugee in International Law. Recent publications include, ‘The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Sources of International Refugee Law’ (2020), 69 International and Comparative Law Quarterly 1. In March 2020, he received the Stefan A Riesenfeld Memorial Award at Berkeley Law, for his contributions to international law and international refugee law: ‘The Lawyer and the Refugee’. The fourth edition of his leading work co-authored with Jane McAdam ‘The Refugee in International Law’ has been recently published.
The Legal section of the Careers website is under development and is intended to cover:
• Tips on how to qualify as a lawyer.
• Differences between private practice, in-house legal roles and government/local authority service.
• Overview of different legal specialisms.
• Contact details so that students/would-be lawyers can obtain further insight to help their career choices and progression.
The social events, talks and website developments are part of our commitment to the development to the OM legal community and our ability as a group to offer practical support to students who are unfamiliar with how the law works in practise as well as established law practitioners.
We look forward to welcoming you over the coming year.
Contact: Clive Weber cweber@wedlakebell.com
Training contracts (2 years full-time, or part-time equivalent) will now be more flexible, allowing for training seats in more than one organisation and for differing periods – not necessarily 6 months in each legal specialism.
Solicitor apprenticeships – for those not wishing to go to university (not for everyone and also bearing in mind costs) some solicitors’ firms now offer qualification through the apprenticeship route, being a mixture of work and academic study.
Dr Russell Cowan (Weymouth 1958-1963) reports on how the medics beat the pandemic restrictions to hold a successful annual event on Thursday 18 March 2021
The style of this meeting in the modern era has been a blend of science, education and social activity held at a distinguished medical venue in central London. The pandemic brought this successful format to an abrupt halt and restricted us to an on-line meeting this year. Sadly, the third component of the format was not possible, but the scientific component was, and we were fortunate that all bar one of our faculty from the 2020 programme were available and happy to participate.
In excess of ninety Old Millhillians, teaching staff and pupils registered, including pupils from the Foundation’s partner schools although, as with most Zoom events, not all attended. Those who did join the event were treated to three first-class presentations.
The purpose of the Symposium, ‘A hospital-based medical career’, was to provide some insight and explanation into how and why young, hospital-based doctors decide to pursue a career in particular specialties. Our speakers, OM Dr Melanie Powell (Priestley 1978-1980), consultant clinical oncologist, and OM Mr Matthew Welck (McClure 1992-97), consultant orthopaedic surgeon sub-specialising in foot and ankle problems, provided strong clinical, professional and personal
reasons for the careers they had chosen and how these reasons could apply to other specialties.
The Keynote Talk was delivered by Ian Needleman (Murray 1974 - 1978), Professor of Periodontology and EvidenceInformed Healthcare at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute. The title of his talk, ‘A journey through Olympic Games, professional sport and oral health research – what career guidance didn’t tell me’ gave an indication of the range of interests, both personal and professional, and the scientific contribution Professor Needleman is making. The synopsis of his life and career that accompanied this report confirms the breadth of his talents and his undoubted energy. His talk at this meeting will have inspired and impressed many who listened.
We were all able to chat on-line briefly before the start of the meeting as, of course, there was no opportunity for social interaction. We hope for a return to normal arrangements in 2022 when the Medical Professions Meeting is scheduled to take place at the Royal College of Anaesthetists on Thursday 17 March. We would be delighted to welcome new faces.
Contact details - Russell Cowan cowans@btinternet.com
&
Mike Solomons (Murray 1979-1984) founding partner of Beavis Morgan, and Andrew Millet (Ridgeway 1981-1986), founding partner of Wisteria, organise informal gatherings to promote networking among the profession
Our annual accountancy event is usually held in Central London, our 2021 event being scheduled for 4 November. We expected approximately 20 plus attendees, the norm at our events, but unfortunately it had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. These tend to be OMs in varying stages of their careers within Accountancy and finance which includes Audit, Corporate Finance, Tax, Corporate Recovery and Insolvency. Attendees include business owners and professionals of all levels within the industry.
Our events are an ideal opportunity to mix socially with your peers and hopefully make some good contacts for the future. The events also provide an opportunity to speak to fellow OMs
to discuss ongoing topical issues and to network with a view to cross refer work. For YOMS and pupils it is a great chance to learn from the experiences and skills of OMS and gain ideas and advice to guide you going forward.
We have updated our offer on the website to enhance the scope and range of networking, mentoring opportunities. Do make sure you use it to its full capacity and if you feel you would like to volunteer please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Contact: Mike Solomons and Andrew Millet mike.solomons@bm-advisory.com amillet@wisteria.co.uk
Michael Peskin (Burton Bank 1980-1984) gives the low-down on where and when to party with the property fraternity, and invites new members to get in touch
We currently hold two annual London-based events for the OMs: a dinner in March at the Cavalry and Guards Club and a more informal gathering at Finos Wine Bar in September. Predominant focus at both gatherings is to catch up and socialise with friends from MHS, but also to guide and assist those OMs coming into the Property Industry who are looking for guidance about which discipline to should focus on and who within the OMs network might be able to assist?
We typically have between 25-35 attendees at the dinner and 20-30 at the drinks. At both events there is always a great mix of professional disciplines associated with the Industry, ranging from Agents, Developers, Architects, Surveyors, Engineers and Contractors. Ditto a good mixture of age groups too, so a great opportunity for some of the next generation of OMs potentially looking at pursuing a career in property to obtain some useful pointers from experienced generations within the Industry.
There are a particularly high number of successful OMs in Property. It would be impossible to name everyone, but there are notable OMs such as Nigel Wray (Ridgeway 1961-1966), Nick
Leslau (School 1973-1977), Graham Chase (1968-1971) and Charlie Green (Burton Bank 1983-1988) are definitely worth a mention. Resourcing new work opportunities looks like being the largest challenge for all in a post-pandemic world, and not where the next enquiry is going to materialise from.
Many Professional Property Consultants are accordingly now looking to recruit the next generation for this journey, so a great opportunity for those potentially interested.
Upcoming Property Event 2022
Dinner: 23 March 2022 date tbc
Venue: Cavalry & Guards, Piccadilly, W1 c. £75.00 per head / subsidised to £60.00 for those under 25
Contact: Mike Peskin michaelpeskin@hotmail.com
Old Millhillian’s Club Chairman Peter Wakeham (Burton Bank 1965-1969) and Solon Satanas (Murray 1990-1993), have evolved this social gathering to invite eminent business people to share their professional stories
The City and Financial Services event typically enjoys great attendance at The Lansdowne Club. Covid-19 prevented an in-person meeting (spring 2020) so instead we went ahead with an equally well-attended virtual ‘fireside chat’ with Johanna Kyrklund, Chief Investment Officer, Schroders plc.
Johanna began by explaining her educational journey to Oxford University where she gained an MA in PPE. Attendees were very interested to learn that career progression in financial services need not involve studies in mathematics or computer sciences. Johanna pointed out that IT and information management were a crucial part of the industry – data management and protection, cyber security, client privacy etc. However, being interested in ‘investment’ when using data for decision taking was also essential.
She placed great emphasis on the value of relationships and interpersonal skills in any successful career. The ability to gain trust and confidence when interacting and negotiating in group or in one-on-one meetings was an essential competence. Deep down, most people prefer doing business with people they like and respect. Self-awareness, willingness to learn from mistakes, take feedback and work as a constructive team member are important qualities.
Johanna went on to discuss very frankly her early life in a City job. She could not point to having had a detailed career plan and in fact was initially unsure whether she had made the right choice. As a graduate trainee it was not at all evident that she was destined to be a CIO. Early on she lacked confidence, struggled to have an impact, was uncomfortable, felt out of her depth, tongue tied. (No doubt the attendees of the meeting found this hard to believe.)
Her big break-through came thanks to an early supporter who saw her potential ‘before she saw it herself’. Her boss (aged early 40s) was leaving and he was convinced she (late 20s, only six years’ experience) should be his successor. He encouraged her to pitch for the job and helped her to lay out her investment philosophy and ‘modus operandi’. She got the job and her first role with major responsibility for performance.
Johanna explained her views on the difference between investment banking and her role as an asset manager. She emphasised the importance in her role of long-term relationships – ‘consistency over time’ – which also involves having to explain poor performance and being held accountable for good and bad results over several years. By contrast, investment banking is much more transaction based and being held accountable for events that took place five years in the past is not the norm. In terms of work-life balance, asset management is probably a better bet. Long hours and time pressures tend be a factor in investment banking.
Johanna was asked several topical questions about the asset management industry as a career. Data science is likely to be a future access route. Information insight and advantage, the ability to access and visualise data are key success factors. The next frontier will be the ability to use data to learn from past investment decisions and behaviours.
Johanna also talked extensively about home working, diversity, impact and ethical investing and – would you believe it – crypto currency investing and the absence of transparency. You can view the whole event or sections of the event on the Club Vimeo channel: Old Millhillians Careers Network (vimeo.com)
Contact: Peter Wakeham peter@wakeham.net
If you work in film, TV, theatre, photography, music, writing and any other artistic profession you are welcome to join us at our annual event aimed to socialise, promote comradery and to network. We are particularly keen to encourage younger OMs who might benefit from the guidance from more experienced members who have found success in what is surely one of the most competitive and least structured career path.
I founded the CAC in 2015 because I realised that there was a distinct lack of social action within the OMC for members involved in the entertainment industry. There were annual functions in place for the Engineers, Accountants, Lawyers, City workers...but there was nothing for those involved in the arts. It’s our hope that new connections made at our annual event will lead to mentoring opportunities and chances for future creative collaboration, bolstering our member’s confidence as they build their career.
Past events have been held at the Royal Court Theatre Bar, where members from a broad range of disciplines including actors, directors, producers, financiers, photographers, musicians, videographers, fine artists and playwrights have gathered. It’s a bohemian crowd to be sure!
To kick things off again in style we held a champagne reception on 25 November 2021 at the Sky Lounge in Chair of the Old Millhillians Club, Peter Wakeham’s residential apartment block in Bermondsey. A stunning venue overlooking the river Thames near Blackfriars Bridge - thank you so much Peter. To get on the list for these events please email me (see details below).
This year’s event featured a talk with TV producer Chris Clough who shared stories of how he started and his extensive experience in the entertainment industry. With over 30 attendees, from aspiring current students mixing with more established OMs like Rick Senat (Warner Bros.) it was a fantastic night!
Contact: Tom Lincoln tom.h.lincoln@gmail.com
In celebration of 50 years’ of McClure House and its namesake Sir John McClure’s (centre of picture) centenary celebrations we catch up with old boys and their Masters (and Mistress) to understand what it means to be a McClurian
Multi-award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Jamie Hartman has been turning out hits since his band, Ben’s Brother’s first album ‘Beta Male Fairytales’ in 2007. He writes for a roster of international stars garnering two Ivor Novello Awards, countless nominations and accolades. As we go to print, Jamie’s most recent collaboration song ‘Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)’ has just been nominated for Best Original Song, Motion Picture at the Golden Globes. His songs have become anthems of our time most notably Rag’n’Bone Man’s hit singles ‘Human’ and ‘Giant’. We reminisce with him from his base in Nashville about his school days and his take on music industry
What are your earliest memories of MHS?
My time was amazing, I loved it at school. I came all the way up the hill (Goodwin, Belmont to MHS) and really found myself in the process. And I am still in touch with all my friends.
How did music feature in your school life?
I literally discovered playing and writing music at school, by teaching myself to play the piano. I took a few guitar lessons outside of school but generally I just wanted to do my own thing. Music was an escape from lessons! I’d often be in the McClure music school; no one ever told me not to, so I just did it. In the
5th form, I got distracted by girls and started writing songs for the ones I fell in love with (who shall remain nameless) and in the process fell in love with the idea of a song. Some friends and I formed a band called The Outsiders: Dan Goldberg on keyboards; Marcus Anselm on drums; Adam Lemon (Liman) on bass (he used to chain smoke B&H and looked like Bill Wyman when he wasn’t smoking); Madelaine Smith on backing vocals, and Sarah Dawson on sax. The school encouraged us to do gigs and concerts: we played in the Sixth Form centre and in the Large. I remember Dino Bravati turned the lights on during a gig in the Large. That was a funny moment.
Outside school our band played The Borderline several times and, with lots of the school crew supporting us, at Clapham Grand we won the Capital Radio Raw 94 Search for a Band competition. We got to play Wembley Arena and supported Status Quo on tour around England. My desire to please an audience was very influenced by my schoolfriends and family the Mill Hill way – that’s what I like about Old Millhillians. There was a strong sense of humanity and good life balance between work and family and they were always tremendously supportive of each other. My older brother was my creative yardstick. He was so honest. ‘No. It’s crap. Write another one. No. It’s crap. Another...’ Eventually I wrote songs he didn’t say that about and I knew I was getting somewhere. All those guys who supported me along the way, still tell me a song is crap. Love that.
Sport is a big part of life at MH – was it for you, too? I wasn’t built for rugby and had a hard act to follow: my brother Ben played cricket at county level. My sporting high point was at Belmont in my first ever game of cricket with my brother watching. I was put into bowl right at the end of the game and with the first ball I took the last wicket of the match. But it was just as much fun for me to watch my friends play rugby and cricket. I especially remember supporting my brother playing on Parks. To celebrate his 40th birthday, we got a couple of teams together of our old school friends and went back to school to play. It was good fun.
Did you join in on any other school activities?
I was always played the girl in school plays because I had good legs... although they were a bit hairy.
Did any of the teachers make a lasting impression on you?
If I was disturbing the class, Mr Prosser-Harries used to tell me to go and pick 27 daises or go to Top Field, or go and check if the library door was locked. The teachers were wonderful characters. Mr Mackay, Mr Stringer, BJ Dixon and Mr Dean… they all left such impressions on me. I thought the Headmaster, Alistair Graham, was fantastic. Before I left, having done OK at school – I was on school council but I cruised a bit academically – he brought me into his office and said something to me I have never forgotten: ‘Hartman, you are going to get three Bs at A level, go to an average university, you are going to cruise through, and then you are going to do something you love.’ He was spot on.
Have your academic studies benefited your life after school?
I studied English and Philosophy at Leeds and the grounding in English has been good for writing songs. I love reading and loved the library at school. My interest in poetry began age six when I read Keats’ ‘Ode to Autumn’ at a Goodwin school assembly. I won the Carr English Reading prize at Belmont in the public speaking competition which was a good start for getting over nerves. University was essential, it was my chance to break away from a bunch of stuff and find my independence, coming out from under my brother Ben’s shadow.
How did you get started in the music business?
I used to travel down every weekend from Leeds to London to play with the band. After uni, I tried a job in the City for six months but I nearly killed myself from drinking too much on Friday evenings, as I hated it. Having moved out of the family
home I went busking, and even cleaned people’s houses to support myself because I really knew music was what I wanted to do. I set up a showcase in back of a juice bar on Portobello Road and a music publishing company found me and offered me a deal for a tiny amount of money. On the back of that I took my band at the time to New York and played a few shows. I returned soon afterwards with a demo and started making connections with people in the industry. I got a job in a big New York jingle house called JSM. In the day, I wrote music for ads and in the evening, I’d write songs for artists and myself. Eventually, after being rejected from every major record label in the world, I wrote a song ‘All Time Love’ alone in my friend’s empty flat in New York. In the song I vented all my issues and frustration. I came back to the UK after that and Will Young’s
record label asked to have this song. I said no because it meant so much to me. Then I called one of my friends who said ‘And you did give it to them didn’t you Jamie?’ She wisely cajoled me into ringing back to recant, by saying, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll write another song and this one will open doors.’
It was good advice as the song was the first number 1 radio hit for me and got me a record deal. I learnt from that you have to give to receive. It’s about not holding on too tightly, but being generous with what you are given. Songs aren’t yours – they really are gifts.
How do you choose the artists you work with?
I am contacted by various publishing and record companies and
my publisher Reservoir Media has established contacts round the world. But there’s no set path. When I worked with Celeste she wasn’t signed to anyone yet but was managed by someone I know and had worked with. He managed a band I also work with and love. I turn away 19 out of 20 new artists if it’s new stuff. If it’s established artists I want to work with I will do my best if I feel I can bring something to their records.
What do you look for in the singers you work with?
The most important thing to me is working with amazing voices such as James Bay, Rory [Rag’n’Bone Man], Celeste, Justin Jesso. It’s all about knowing that you have a person who can deliver and can express a song and sell a song, to be honest. Just as you would carefully choose your husband or wife or pet, an artist has to have something special. Lots of people have good voices. It’s about finding exceptional voices which are genuinely one in a million. Star quality doesn’t necessarily equate to singing ability and vice versa: Robbie Williams is not the world’s greatest singer but he will hold a crowd like no one else. You can’t teach it. A star just has ‘it’.
How do you approach your song writing?
In recent years I have concentrated on working in a format of just myself and an artist in a room together, getting their stories and turning them into songs. Or I just start with a conversation about what is going on in their life and figure out a way to express that. When I worked with Justin Jesso for the first time with my friend Stuart Crichton, we wrote Justin’s story, the day we met. I thought it was a perfect pitch for DJ Kygo – so I sent Justin’s manager a really beautiful demo with vocal, piano and strings but no beat.
He sent it to Kygo and the next morning they asked for the vocal and the piano. We left it to Kygo to do the rest.
With Celeste we were holed up in my very small LA studio – you literally couldn’t swing a cat in it – and I had bought an upright piano for the first time to have at home for my family. Before Celeste and I met that morning I sat at the piano in my living room and played a riff which I thought might work and from there we created most of Stop This Flame in that one day. It is the first thing you hear on the record – that original little iPhone recording from my home piano and my voice going “uh!” Then the riff starts.
She got signed by Polydor as a result of the music we made together – it took about two years to write 25 songs of which 9 of ours made it onto her debut album. We have a chemistry, which is great. With Rag’n’Bone Man – who came to me through Columbia records – I just sort of knew immediately what to do with him. Luckily in LA I’d written the first verse and chorus to ‘Human’ – originally for CeeLo Green – but when I heard Rory’s huge unmistakable voice, and then on meeting him in London at the Dairy studios, we just wrote the second verse and bridge together without any hesitation, about an hour after we met – it was one of those special moments.
Your band Ben’s Brother was very successful, but you don’t perform now. Do you miss it?
I do miss performing but actually I have got a new song out, and an EP coming! So, we will hopefully tour at some point soon. I still do the odd gig here and there. Through the Ivor Novello Awards I am mentoring someone for the Rising Star awards this year, which is exciting.
When I hear ‘Human’ being played yes, I still feel connected to it. It’s my baby. That’s actually why I got into producing so I get the whole joy – I don’t want someone else taking it on without understanding a song, or what it needs. They’ll often miss the point. A song and a recording need to retain what is magical about the original idea all the way from its inception to its final delivery. People can screw that process up. So at least if I produce or co-produce it, I know it’s going to sound how I heard it.
Do you have advice for other OMs wanting to get into the music industry?
One of the best and most long-established UK sources for information and help is PRS for music and BASCA. But I have just invested in a new music education company called The Wrd. Go to sharethewrd.com and check it out. Whether you want to get into writing songs and meet people in the industry, or work as a manager, a producer, a publisher, a live agent, a publicist –anything in the industry – it can teach you so many things that open your mind to what you could achieve and also make that happen for you. Anyone over 16 can apply to take one of more of the four courses – equivalent to A levels – and earn equal points towards University admission. The courses are 80% online learning and 20% in person. We have joined up with 600 UK music venues as well as many other music industry workplaces and the modules are like TED talks meets Til Tok – and you are being taught by people in the current music business.
“I remember that even right back from the beginning, Jamie had the ability to just pick up a guitar and out of nowhere come up with beautiful melodies and choruses. He’d sit there as we all stuffed ourselves with McDonalds and strum on the guitar and out it would come. I vividly remember him collecting me in a big old Ford estate car that just about got us to rehearsals and us joking that one day… “
Marcus Anselm, McClureBeing in the music industry isn’t all about being a pop star: if you can’t sing, you could write, or be a tour agent, or guitar tech or merchandise person, or a lawyer, or a music accountant. There are so many different jobs that are still very creative and very fun. Dare to dream! The only reason that ‘Giant’ happened for me was because I sent the song to Calvin Harris’s manager and it found its way because I went for it.
With The Wrd, our aim is to level the playing field for young creators. Money is raised through ads on the site and the proceeds of that money go to providing free arts education for young people in the UK.
What makes it really special is we have an app called Parkr (inspired by Lady Penelope’s chauffeur, Parker, from
Thunderbirds). It’s brilliant, you say to Parkr, ‘I want to be a song writer’ and an AI system responds by asking you a series of questions. It checks out your level of education and maps a path to introduce you to a new music community, shows what work would suit you in the music industry and what skills sets do you need. It’s really quite revolutionary. Lots of big names are involved and committed to the project – from artists like Celeste to some of the world’s top songwriters and publishers etc. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Music in Secondary Schools Trust is another partner.
What I think keeps the OM community alive is the overall attitude of the school to education. How it helps to form you and then how it informs you for the rest of your life. When I look back over my peer group of what they’ve achieved, I think it is astonishing. Daniel Feller, whose son Harry was born with a very rare condition called Usher Syndrome, has created the Genetic Cures Australia to find treat and cure it, doing ground-breaking research. David Mercer created an entire system for trading for the worldwide stock exchanges. Eddie Latter is the Director
for Haringey Shed, an arts centre for some of the country’s most disadvantaged kids. Nick Keller set up the Beyond Sport Foundation to promote, support and celebrate the use of sport to address social issues in communities around the world.
Charlie Green set up The Office Group addressing the needs for flexible working practises for the future. Marcus Anselm has set up the Tri for Life organising triathlon and duathlon events aimed at newcomers to the sport and has raised millions for many different charities. I’m amazed by and so proud of the fact that they are my friends and peer group, and that they are OMs.
“Jamie was always very humble about his talents, and still is. He’s now writing with some of the biggest artists out there, winning awards left right and centre yet you can see how grateful he is for all of it and that truly he takes nothing for granted.
Tuning his guitar, that’s a strong memor.! He always used to think his guitar was out of tune, even when it wasn’t, and almost in between every song, even when we were doing gig, he’d tune it up…”
Marcus Anselm, McClureDo you have an ambition to send your kids to MHS?
We were living in the UK recently in Oxfordshire and my kids went to a school called Kitebrook house in Oxfordshire. It reminded me of MH – with a lot of the same approach and philosophy. We are now in Nashville where they are at Linden
“While all of Jamie’s friends were off doing law degrees, becoming accountants, setting up their own businesses, he chose the route that arguably was the hardest and he stuck at it and persevered and persevered and his break came. I think the first real one was writing for Will Young and Natalie Imbrugli. It shows that in the end, talent prevails.”
Marcus Anselm, McClure
Waldolf School – happy to be here but who knows what happens next. Maybe we come back to Mill Hill in a year or so. I’d love to come back in April and have a place in England and be settled back there. We’ll see. There’s no reason why we wouldn’t apply to Mill Hill if we’re back…
‘Here I Am’, Jamie’s latest composition, came out on 20 August. It is the end title song for the film ‘Respect’ an Aretha Franklin biopic and was written by Jamie, Jennifer Hudson (who plays Aretha in the film) and the legendary Carole King.
We invited OM John Cicale (McClure 1980 – 1985) and his four children, Luca (McClure 20072013), Alfie (McClure 2015-2020), Lola (McClure 2016-) and Bea (McClure 2021 -) who are progressing through the Belmont and Mill Hill, to answer a few questions to try and understand the similarities and differences between their experiences
How did your experience at MHS feed into what you do now? I continued studying languages at university and that got me my first job.
What do you do now?
Post trade optimisation in the financial markets. We use technology to try to help make the Derivatives Markets safer and less expensive to execute and process trades.
John, what is your favourite memory of your school days? Any time around Park in summer, playing marbles (and conkers in the autumn) along the baked earth paths of the beautiful Belmont grounds.
Do you have any bad memories?
Swimming lessons in the old indoor pool run by an evil master known as Bog Brush, the claustrophobic environment and the all-pervading smell of chlorine.
Was there a teacher you found especially inspirational?
Can’t pick one out but Christopher Dean, Mssrs Winfield, Tony Armstrong, Tim Corbett, Chris Kelly and Paul Bickerdike stand out for me.
Did you have a favourite subject?
English and Modern Languages, I just seemed to have a flair for them and related to the teachers mentioned.
Are you still in touch with many OMs?
Yes, I am still friends with lots of people – photos show us celebrating our 30ths and our 50th’s together, school friends are the kids’ godparents, and mutual ‘best men’. One was a business partner. A bunch of us went to Japan for the RWC independently of the kids. These days there are 14 of us in a WhatsApp group. We socialise and banter all the time, and have supported each other through the ups and downs. OM events and playing OM Cricket (and golf) have also been good media to stay in touch. There are also plenty of other parents who are OMs.
Do you think your children’s experience was similar to yours?
How did they differ?
I think the boys enjoyed sport especially, as I did, and largely found their peer group through that. Alfie had the chance to play football as a major sport, which I would have loved. In my day it was hockey played on the bumpy grass of Collinson. There were only girls in the sixth form in my day (and as you’ll see from the photo) no girls at all in Belmont. Opportunities for the girls have improved massively even since 2013 when Luca started at MHS. I would say the nature of relationships with teachers has remained similar across our generations, respectful but good-humoured.
What’s it like having your kids go through the school?
It’s great to see their successes but nicer still is to have more of an opportunity to come back, keep in touch with staff and keep enjoying the surroundings.
Any advice to MHS pupils leaving the school?
It might sound like a cliché but follow your heart more than your head. If you can retain passion in your pursuits, contentment will follow, and prosperity may well, too.
Luca and Alfie, what is your favourite memory?
I think many of our most enjoyable times at school were spent on the sports field.
Did you feel you were walking in your father’s footsteps?
Bea: Only when I go to MHS seeing his name on boards and making a fuss about it!
Luca and Alfie: The emphasis on academic attainment seems to have changed since our dad was at school. Now it feels much more important to balance our time and think to the future.
Bea: I think we have more opportunities now – there is more opportunity to do trips abroad. There are lots of programmes like sports scholarships, more clubs, and development of more modern buildings and facilities.
Are you still in touch/friends with any OMs? Who and why?
Yes, we only left a couple of years ago, and with social media it will definitely be easier to stay in touch with our mates than in our dad’s day.
Did MHS play any role in your choice of career?
Luca: The school offering Psychology as an A level subject the year I moved into lower sixth has definitely impacted my academic choices. I thoroughly enjoyed taking it for A level and went on to study the subject at university – and have just graduated.
Any advice to MHS pupils leaving the school?
John: Hmm, more of a message to myself of my time at the school: I would have tried to enjoy the moment more and just being with my friends. I would try not to obsess too much over details, get stressed under pressure, or worry about unimportant results.
The moments I remember most fondly were those where I was just happy to be out on the sports fields, I had many, but I wish I’d had more of them.
I was placed in McClure in 1970, the very first year of the house’s existence. Something had obviously gone wrong with the timing as the new house for Murray and McClure wouldn’t be finished until 1971 so we were accommodated in a three-room temporary structure which we proceeded to demolish over the course of the year. Our first head of house was Jon Crook, the son of the Maths teacher, Ted Crook, and he faced a formidable task in creating - and maintaining - a cohesive house. As it turned out, he did a fabulous job and we soon had a distinctive reputation - enhanced by the fact that we had a few hard nuts in our midst.
Those of us who arrived in 1970 were chosen randomly for the new house but it was clear that Murray were determined to rid themselves of their lairiest boys. This bad boy reputation grew and one of our number was expelled for shooting at squirrels with a crossbow in the Headmaster’s garden. Another hard nut bashed his arm with a hockey stick just to avoid sports because he had better things to do (robbing shops as it turned out). The house was also (as it turned out) a smoking house. As long as Jon Crook or, later, Michael Franks, wasn’t around, you could light up with impunity. The only danger was that an older boy might see you and confiscate your fags so that he could smoke them (this happened to me and I haven’t forgotten the name of the creep, though I shan’t disclose it here).
So, there we were in 1970 in our prefab hut which either was or wasn’t made out of asbestos (my money’s on was). Rough and ready as we were, we had a good esprit de corps. Indeed, in my second term, McClure won the junior house rugby sevens tournament. Now, I am a sports nut who measures his life in terms of great matches seen but this tournament - won by a team starring David Coakley, Jay Rosencrantz, Dick Haw, Altaf Noorani, Nick ‘Lips’ Morehouse and Dave Armstrong - remains the most exciting sporting event I’ve ever witnessed. When we were discussing it recently, Dave Coakley reminded me that I was McClure’s touch judge: in the history of rugby, no official ever cheered so loudly for one team’s tries.
Also, that term Michael Franks led us to third place in the interhouse drama competition as a result of which we (along with the rugby stars) were all awarded our house ties. The only problem was that we didn’t actually have a house tie. So a competition was held to design one and Tony Weavers won and was awarded a box of chocolates for his troubles.
I wasn’t the first person to be awarded a McClure tie (that honour went to Matthew Hodes and Jonathan Ripley) but, by dint of phoning the school outfitters on an almost daily basis, I was the first person to wear one. In a life that has seen more than a fair share of awards (for literary, theatre, television and lecturing), my McClure house tie remains my happiest achievement and I hung on to it until 2014 when it perished in a house fire. By the end of that first year, our prefab house was wrecked and we were ready to move into a purpose-built house alongside the boys from Murray.
squirrels with a crossbow in the Headmaster’s garden”
As a house, we continued to excel in music, drama and (what you might call) intellectual pursuits but we never lost our sense of uniqueness: of being outsiders. It’s true that boarders referred to us generically - and dismissively - as Murray but we knew better…..we always did. Mitchell Symons (McClure 1970-1975) studied law at LSE made a career in journalism and broadcasting. He was a principal writer for the early UK editions of the board game Trivial Pursuit and wrote an award-winning opinion column for the Daily Express *****
I one of the first cohort to enter McClure - aka ‘the shed’ - in the car park from Murray House along with a group of six boys all old Belmontians and members of the 1969 Yearlings rugby team. At the time day boys were regarded as a sub species but I remember things did begin to change, primarily because we were good at rugby: we were the first day boy house ever to win an inter-house rugby tournament. We also organised the first Mill Hill School football team and whilst the team was predominantly day boys from McClure we did have a few borders in the side. Unfortunately, in those days, football was frowned upon. We had to organise our own fixtures through friends at other schools but we did manage to get Jonny Tyres the Biology Master, to be the token master in charge. However, he left the school unexpectedly (don’t ask why) and Hartley Heard took over. David Franklin, McClure’s first housemaster and the school’s 1st XV rugby coach, was not best pleased about the football team and got the goalposts removed from
were far too formal. My abiding memory of McClure is one of being left to our own devices and whilst we felt we were ‘out in the cold’ the experience created a unique and unbreakable bond between some of us (especially those of us who went through Belmont, Mill Hill together and after school joined OMRFC) for which I am eternally grateful.
Of the 1973 McClure leavers few of us excelled academically but I think as people we were possibly better prepared for life after school. We were more independent, as we were so far from the main school, we had had to fend for ourselves: we used to go down to the Old Forge café at the bottom of Highwood Hill for lunch and no one ever missed us. We were the beginning of the day boy revolution which changed people’s perceptions of day boys once and for all. David Coakley (McClure 1970 – 1973)
Gears on the morning of our first game against Stowe. We played with jumpers for goalposts. Unbeknownst to him I had manged to get the 1st XV rugby shirts for us to play in but he never said a word to me about it when he came to see us play. I also managed to have a team photo taken of us on team/house photo day!
I spent nearly my entire school life in the ‘shed’ with the exception of my final year when we moved into the Sixth Form Centre. We all missed life in the car park, our new surroundings
I was at McClure from 1976 to 1981 I remember the McClure Christmas “Hog” when his ‘ropey punk band’ played about three songs before being quickly ushered off stage’. I am still in touch with the few OMs but they were in other houses. I have an old photo of us all in our common room in McClure circa 1980 in a box somewhere. It’s doubtful I can dig it out though!
Simon Clarke (McClure1976-1981)
I could tell you about the house dinner we cooked at end of term and we all ended up very worse for wear and slept in the common room. Nigel Mendoza (McClure 1972 –1976) consultant neurosurgeon.
“we were the first day boy house ever to win an interhouse rugby tournament”
We interviewed a selection of McClure housemasters - and the first housemistress – to find out what it was like to be in charge of a new day house
David Franklin 1971 – 1975
Allan Prosser-Harries 1975 – 1986
Chris Kelly 1986 – 1989
Tim Dingle 1990 – 1993
Berinda Banks 1994 – 2006
Paulo Duran
Graeme Turner
Alison Bignell
2006 – 2009
2009 – 2015
2015 – 2018
Chris McKay 2018 – present
I first heard of Mill Hill School and subsequently McClure House in December 1972. I was sitting on the reserves bench for the South East England Schools Ruby and the coach of the team was David Franklin (MHS 1959-1988), a Mill Hill teacher and McClure’s founding Housemaster, who was in his first year at the school. Some years later, when the McClure House Tutor, John Vachec, was about to leave for pastures new Franklin recommended me for the position. I was interviewed in the Easter holidays by the Alastair Graham (MHS Headmaster 1979-1992) and he offered me the job as house tutor. I also took on the roles of assistant careers master, economics teacheralongside Robert Clarke - and rugby team coach. It’s fair to say that my appointment to Mill Hill in 1981 was entirely through my rugby connections and it played a big part in my time at Mill Hill. As assistant coach I was involved in on our first big tour to Australia in 1983 at Newington College (the first team to play
rugby union in Australia) who we had hosted the previous year. By 1981 I had stopped playing rugby through injury at which point I became Master in charge of rugby, later helping to found the rugby social club.
I visited the school in the summer term before joining and attended a McClure House assembly. The McClure Housemaster at the time was the geography master Alan Prosser Harries (McClure 1977-1986), a well-known and distinguished rugby player who’d played for Harlequins. I was still playing for Harlequins at the time so the connection there was already strong. McClure was on the ground floor of the sixth form centre under Murray - one of only two other day house at the time - and was still relatively new. It was mainly boys as there weren’t many girls in the school - perhaps around thirty in total - and they were limited to the sixth form. The facilities were very good but it had been designed for 50 pupils but the houses had 100 kids apiece so were fit to bursting. It also made for a lot of report writing!
I was very impressed by the relaxed manner in Prosser Harris ran the house. The House Prefects - known - as school staff - were incredibly involved in the day-to-day running of the it, taking daily registration and organising house events and house teams. We would meet for our catchup meeting every Thursday lunchtime in a cubby-hole above the kitchens! The ‘house staff’ were also very much in charge of the younger pupils and showed them the way through. The vertical integration of the house system at the time was to my mind invaluable.
House rugby was a big deal and fiercely competitive. Collinson House run by Biology master Trevor Chilton at the time and McClure had both made it into the finals! Collinson had half the 1st XV in their side and were the clear favourites. Somehow and I’m not sure how, McClure, led by Jason Swakey (McClure 1981-1985), to everyone’s amazement won! From memory Ben Hartman (house dates) kicked the winning points. McClure played like men possessed and it illustrated how much the House meant to the pupils at the time. It really was everything.
To my surprise, Alistair Graham asked me to take over as Housemaster of McClure in 1986 from Prosser-Harries. I took over in Sept of that year not long afterwards in December 1990 became Director of Admissions/Registrar. Sadly, I had to give up my two passions of rugby and my job as McClure’s Housemaster. I recently met with McClure’s founding housemaster, David Franklin for lunch, who also has fond memories of his time as housemaster. He told me how he had been instrumental in deciding the name for the house after much debate at the school. He felt strongly that as Sir John McClure had been the most distinguished Mill Hill Headmaster
Charlie Balcombe (McClure 1977-1982) was Head of House and a real leading light: he was an unusually enthusiastic, whole-hearted character who has since been my dentist for the last 30 years succeeding his father Nigel. Alongside, in support was Graham Scott (McClure 19761982), who could always be relied on to be well organised, and quietly get on with all the administration.
Paul Robin (McClure 1976-1982) was a great games player and a brilliant cricketer who has become a great friend and who, until recently, was the Chief Exec of the Lords Taverners. His good friend was Jonathan Wall (McClure 1977-1982) who ran the Chemists in Mill Hill High Street. Dominic Eglinton (McClure 1977-1983) is now my osteopath and he has kept me alive and kicking from my rugby injuries. His father was the School’s House doctor.
Phillip Keller (McClure 1978-1983), - Richard Keller’s* (House dates) son - who succeeded Charlie Balcombe as head of house. He was mad on rugby, was captain of the first XV, and became senior monitor, and after my prodding went to Hatfield College and then Durham University. Much later, after a successful financial career, he is now back at Durham doing a part-time music degree becoming a distinguished amateur conductor, following in the footsteps of other OMs such as Ben Glassberg (McClure 2007-2012).
* Every Saturday afternoon Prosser Harris played tennis on the Keller’s private tennis court in Wills Grove!
ever he should be honoured. After all, the first day boy house Murray, was named after a distinguished OM Sir James Murraythe lexicographer responsible for first Oxford English dictionary - and so it seemed an appropriate example to follow. Well, that’s the end of my personal and very happy memories of my time in McClure House. I recognise that the school is now a very different place.
Andy Froomberg (McClure 1977-1983) – Keller and he were best mates - also played rugby at Durham. I persuaded him to do general arts and he went on to become a successful businessman in America. I met him in New York 24 months ago for dinner. When I was President of the RFU in invited as my guest both Phillip and Andy to attend one of the London international matches.
David Mercer (McClure 1984-1989) was a great thespian and professional entertainer in his time at school, as well as being co-head of house.
John Morgan (McClure 1983-1987), was head of house and very much his own man. He had a tremendous sense of pastoral care: I can picture him to this day always in a threepiece-suit with a group of fourth formers sitting at his feet. He was also keen on rugby and a prop forward: his parents, Ron and Ros, were leading lights in the social club.
Lia Rapaccioli (McClure 1983-1985), and her youngest brother, Michael (McClure 1981-1986) - a delightful young man and from a lovely family also stands out in my mind.
Tanika Gupta (McClure 1980-1982), became a successful playwright and her younger brother Teertha Gupta (McClure 1980-1985) is a successful barrister and was also a notable rugby player.
Sarah Samuels (1985-1987), daughter of Ronnie Samuels (Winterstoke 1943-1948) who was at St Bees rather than Mill Hill during the war.
Sarah Ferryman (McClure 1986-1987) - Arthur Ferryman’s daughter a bright girl who went on to sing opera.
“We would meet for our catchup meeting every Thursday lunchtime in a cubby-hole above the kitchens!”
How many pupils did you have in your House at the time you were there?
It varied from about 80 to over 100 at one point. I remember writing end of year reports seemed to take forever! Actually I loved being in a busy day house, there was always something going on and every pupil, even if you were shy, got pulled into everything that was happening around you- it was a very social, happy house full of music, drama and life.
What are the specific challenges of running a day house that may be different to boarding?
I think the main difference between day and boarding would be the pace of life, many of the day-to-day problems or concerns needed to be dealt with quickly while the pupils were around, which added to the busyness of each day. I also felt (perhaps incorrectly) you were more accountable to local parents many of whom thought I lived in McClure House.
I remember one call at 10.00pm from a mother wanting me look for her sons’ missing rugby sock…This enhanced level of contact could be really helpful as there were some amazingly supportive parents who could not do enough to support the House and the pupils in it, or it could be frustrating, particularly at busy times of the term. I rapidly got used to catching up on House admin during the evenings and spending at least one day of each weekend in House tidying, organising and preparing for the week ahead. Being a Housemistress was never a career choice - it was a way of life!
Was there a sense of legacy from John McClure?
I was always immensely proud of being part of McClure House. The importance of Sir John McClure had been highlighted to me by the naming of the Music School, McClure House and the Chapel window that bears his name. Later, I read the book written by his daughter (let’s add the name in here of the book) and a few other writings concerning his time at MHS and was struck by two things. One, however challenging a situation he was apparently able to create an environment where everyone felt their needs had been acknowledged and recognised - in this way he encouraged the best from people (often using humour to good effect) and ‘presided over all with an easy discipline’. Secondly and more soberly, during the First World War he took to reading out the names of the young men who had lost their lives in the previous week’s fighting; this act of remembrance for those he had nurtured and supported was devastating to him - reflecting the love and care he had invested into those placed into his care.
While humbly acknowledging any resemblance between myself and McClure would be at most coincidental, as Housemistress I worked to establish a strong, caring community while accommodating and celebrating the many individuals who made up the House.
I like to think we were recognised as a cheerful, outgoing house demonstrating
a vibrant creativity and a bolstered by a strong sense of community. As a large house we were able to compete in all School events and do well, we had our fair share of keen sportspeople, however, there was always a strong drive to do well in the performing arts. McClure pupils took the House Play Competition and any involvement with music extremely seriously. This may have been because the House was blessed with more than its fair share of fantastic actors and musicians, many of whom have gone on to work professionally. I would particularly acknowledge the efforts of Josh Lever, Harry Melling, Daniel Sharman, Nancy Wallinger, Barry and Robin Green, Ben Anderson, Emily Seale-Jones, Katy Kamakliotis, Lana Constantine, Pippa and Katie Woodrow as well as Chloe Schwitzer and many others, in helping to promote and encourage a creative House ethos.
Although McClure pupils were recognised for being very involved with the performing arts, they also achieved a good academic standard with some outstanding exam results and some great sporting achievements. It was known as a warm, social house and pupils were encouraged to place a strong emphasis on caring and supporting each other, however, there was a definite competitive drive when competing in any inter-house events. The house also attracted and sustained a good number of excellent 5’s players, I particularly remember G Wenzerul, N Krendell, J and P Mason,
“McClure was apparently able to create an environment where everyone felt their needs had been acknowledged and recognised”
G Audley and J Fry, W Hughes and J Coakley making an excellent contribution to this wonderful sport. Other notable sportsmen included Lee Blair and Marc Dweck who impressed by playing at first team level for all major sports. Unfortunately, participating in the CCF never seemed to be as popular, and despite our best efforts, we consistently failed to win the annual marching competition/parade turn out during my tenure.
How did the geography of the house impact the atmosphere?
Firstly, the large social space in the middle of the house (the St Mark’s Square of McClure) with the my office and other form rooms radiating from it. This was where all year groups came together to play games and socialise. This space encouraged McClurians how doe we spell this?need to check it is consistent through the magazine to forge those all-important social links and helped to create a strong house identity; in addition, the easy mixing between the year groups strengthened and supported the mentoring system. All the display and information boards were centrally placed so relevant information was quickly disseminated and successes celebrated. As pupils moved through this space it also made it easy to spot problems or concerns, or for support to be sought if needed.
Secondly, the McClure House ‘debate’an expression coined by DSP who is this? as this was particularly evident during the House Play Competition. The strong personalities involved meant that before every production each aspect of
the play would need to be hotly debated, reducing the available rehearsal time, and causing an amount of stress. The fallout generated by these impassioned discussions meant several bruised egos would need to be ‘gentled’ before a number of house or school events could be undertaken!
As MHS went co-ed how did it feel creating a new culture in the house?
During my tenure the number of girls in the house became more significant as we went completely co-educational; having responsibility for one the largest mixed houses in School was a source of real pride. In this capacity I did my best to foster both self-confidence and self-belief in McClure girls, redesigning the House tie to be a better fit with their uniform and encouraging older girls to take on positions of responsibility within the School. Supported by some seriously impressive 6th form standard bearers including P Woodrow, K Kamkliotis, G Audley, C Leach, L Constantine and J Fry providing early, strong role models and positive mentoring engagement, our youngest girls were encouraged to get actively involved from the very beginning of their time in house.
Was there anything that you specifically added to the McClure?
As someone with a design background I knew I wanted to bring more colour and visual impact into the House. To achieve my goal in a period where magnolia was the instant colour of choice, I ended up painting most of the rooms, corridors and other house spaces (what colour?). Large posters were put up and graphic
images stencilled onto lockers, plants and blinds were purchased as I tried to give the house a more intimate, less institutional feel. The flow or layout of the house initially presented a problem as the main room had a narrow, gloomy corridor running along one side reducing the social space for no real benefit. Realising this ‘wall’ was just made from some sort of flimsy board, I came in one weekend and smashed it down (with a little help from a nameless member of the ground staff). The area was transformed immediately, light flooded previously darked areas and the main room became large enough for a pool table as well as a table-tennis table - increasing social space. I was delighted with the transformation, but quickly brought back down to earth by a summons to attend the Headmaster’s Office on Monday morning to explain my wanton destruction of school property. My explanation that this was not really a wall, just some plywood sheeting was eventually accepted, but I was made to sign a declaration that I would not knock down any more walls. Mortifying!
As Housemistress what was your main focus of attention?
As one of the first Housemistresses of a co-educational house I chose to run the house as an extension of my own family. The well-being and engagement of the pupils was probably my main focus and I managed this mostly through being present, I arrived in house around 7.00am and locked up about 12 hours later. I tried to always be around, encouraging the pupils to do their best, to get involved and to be proud of being part of the McClure
House family. To acknowledge pupil achievement, I attended every event that I could, I wanted house members to know that their contribution, however small, was both noticed and valued. Parental support was vital to establishing the warm and supportive atmosphere I sought to create, and I was fortunate to be able to build some wonderful home-school relationships, reflected in the number of siblings we were able to welcome over the years, I would particularly like to salute Mrs Lee who each week, tirelessly shopped for snacks and drinks for the House tuckshop.
The pupils also contributed to this approach, Heads of House and House Prefects quickly assumed responsibility for one of the weekly house assemblies and this evolved into a celebration of pupil achievement. R Baker began a tradition of pupils giving match reports, and one of the earliest to finesse this development was N Krendell, providing florid descriptions of 5’s matches, including critiques of STP’s minibus driving technique!
Do you have any celebrated Old Millhillians from your time in the House? Can we do a wall of fame – if they are famous they must be possible to find them on the internet. Harry Melling, Daniel Sharman and Nancy Wallinger (Zamit) - professional actors. Robin Green - musician (former pianist of the European Union Youth Orchestra). Barry Green - musician (Barry Green Trio), Matthew Frise - NHS consultant and researcher. Levi Young - entrepreneur, Pippa Woodrow - Barrister - (co-founded a Human Rights NGO), Richard Dweck - teacher! Apologies to any I have missed… but you are all winners to me!
Do you have any favourite memories? Many memories and a few unrepeatable stories. Things I remember from the sublime to the ridiculous include David Richmond’s over enthusiastic participation during the amazing farewell hog for Andy McBroom, (most House Hogs were memorable in some way or other!), a fantastic house tutor trip to Paris, the finals of so many House Play Competitions, but particularly Dealers Choice, Cloud Nine and 4.48 Psychosis. Painting house lockers one Sunday morning after Diana, Princess of Wales had died, my eyes filled with tears. Levi Young arriving dressed as a
puppy on Mufti Day, demanding sticks be thrown for her to ‘fetch’, Pippa and Katie Woodrow singing exquisitely in Chapel and then cracking shins on the hockey pitch, Robin and Barry playing on the house piano (when we had one), finding myself sitting in the Head of House office laughing at some ridiculous story, encouraging overly sociable pupils (Will and Joe!) to finally leave house at 7.00pm. Lastly, I remember so many years of watching U6 McClurians on their final day of school, setting off to make their mark on the world and leaving me devastated, yet so proud of the young men and women they had become.
Do you keep in touch with anyone?
I meet up with ‘old’ house tutors David Proudlock, Valerie Miner and, occasionally, Trevor Chilton (who taught me so much about how to be a Housemaster). In the past few years, I have been delighted to see both Nancy Wallinger and Harry Melling on the
West End stage and my son, Jotis, is still in long distance contact with Daniel Sharman.
What might pupils say about being in McClure under your tenure?
A well-organised, bright, positive space with excellent academic and social support provided by an experienced, caring tutor team. Somewhere where participation in and out of the classroom was encouraged and where pupils offered each other an extraordinary level of friendship and support; a fun place to hang out, but with nowhere to hide!
What advice would you give to someone taking on the job?
Use evenings and weekends for catching up with admin tasks keeping the day-time free to actively support those in your care. Be present and celebrate all forms of pupil engagement, try not to knock down walls without first seeking permission!
McClure was my very first Housemaster role. When I arrived there were clear structure and numerous systems in place following on from housemistress Berinda Banks and later Paulo Duran’s time which made for a smooth transition in my first term. There was a distinct McClure culture; a robust family feel which involved the pupils leading very much from the front; I was keen to continue nurturing this vibe.
My first Head of House, Sofia Calzavara, was a positive and cheery presence, this rubbed off on those around her. McClure was a joyful house and it gave the pupils a clear sense of belonging whilst providing a platform from which pupils were able to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. I would always strongly recommend pupils getting involved with as many activities in the school as they could. How do they know they don’t like it if they don’t try it!
stepped up to direct DNA the first House Play under my reign. I still have the play poster and pictures on the wall in my Burton Bank office with then pupils Gilles Geary (now an actor in the US), Olivia Bernstone (currently an actress in the UK) and young Max Traeger (now a History teacher at MHS!). We won of course, and I knew it the moment the play endedyou could have heard a pin drop. It was a dazzling performance from all, I felt
Amy Green, an Upper
very emotional and my first really proud moment. There would be plenty more to follow.
There was healthy competition between the Houses and it didn’t take me long to try and raise our game both within the House and performing outside of it. We needed to create our own House identity and small things like putting pictures of the pupils on the walls, (the new Fourth Form would always have their portraits in their form room), having our own McClure polo shirts for inter-house competitions, awarding House pens for individual achievement all seemed to help in bringing us closer together as a team.
Over time, I wanted to generate more opportunities for the staff and pupils to
spend time together outside school hours and so House Teambuilding events in McClure quickly became the norm. Fourth Form and Mentors bowling trips, Pizza nights, Black Tie Dinners in the Refectory for the Fifth and Upper Sixth, the annual Mud Assault Course, paintballing and the list goes on. Some of the best memories were made in those trips and many McClurians remind me of those.
Whether it made a difference or not, we managed to win the Five and Ten Mile cup on a few occasions, an event Daniel Bingham’s Atkinson now dominate. Winning the House Music competition, always a highlight of the year was another
proud moment with Emily Glassberg, Lindsey Fransman and Sophie Loizou leading the way in 2014. The ensemble gave a wonderful performance of Mika’s ‘Happy Ending’ and received a standing ovation. The House song, Matilda’s ‘When I grow up’ was also great fun.
My relationship with the pupils and parents only grew stronger during my six year tenure and that family feel extended to the form tutors Mark Jennings, David
Woodrow, Patricia Newsome, John Barron, Sara Martinez, Gavin Saint, Nick Cheeseman and Amy Ellerington to name a few. Morning coffee with the team would be a highlight of my day with pupils coming into the office now and again to purchase their Tunnocks caramel wafers. Nick Cheeseman was our McClure Team social secretary and every half term we would venture into Central London to try out a new restaurant. I am sure the bond that we created with each other was picked
up by the pupils and added to the lovely atmosphere within the House. Parents’ Socials were also popular; I would put together photo presentations from the term for them and ask pupils to perform by either singing or playing music.
House Hogs were an enormously popular event and continue to be a lovely opportunity to reflect on the successes of the House at the end of a busy term. It was a great opportunity for me to recognise achievements from certain
individuals and I would often present the house tie (we had two; one for girls and one for boys and I never knew why?) to all those new pupils in the House, the House scarf, The Penguin ‘Poems for Life’ book as a Housemaster’s award; an idea carried on from Paulo’s days and, the Head of House would receive an original Routemaster 240 Bus Blind many of which are hung on walls all over the world. Seb Daly recently sent me a picture of his from his flat in San Francisco! The Christmas Hog was always a themed
event with ‘Tube Stations’ in 2013 being one of the popular ones.
The success of a House shouldn’t be how many inter-house events you have won but as Housemaster/Mistress you want everyone to feel part of a journey. My aim during my time in McClure was for my pupils to be able to look back on their time after five years at the school having stepped outside their comfort zone, taken on some kind of responsibility and in doing created some wonderful memories along the way.
When I stepped down from McClure in 2015 I was genuinely upset at leaving the House and everything it stood for, many will remember me in tears at the leaving do with all the parents and pupils in attendance. I had made some wonderful friendships with all those involved with McClure and I count many of them today as my good friends, parents, staff, and pupils included.
McClure currently houses and supports ninety-one pupils and is and always will be an extremely welcoming, nurturing and warmhearted place to be, where pupils inspire confidence in each other and pursue a vision of excellence in all they put their hand to. Throw in a good old belly laugh from time to time and you’ve got the perfect mix for success and for the creation of endless memories that will last a lifetime.
The pupils in McClure are incredibly academic, love sports and take part in many inter-house activities. The most recent being this year’s House Drama competition. McClure made it to the final and deservedly so, with a powerful production titled ‘Inherit the Wind’. A fiercely fought court case was witnessed on stage and displayed an incredibly powerful acting performance by the entire cast. The spirit shown by all McClurians was truly exceptional and unquestionably put the house spirit back on the map. It was the perfect tonic (excuse the spirit pun) required after what has been a difficult and demanding eighteen months for pupils, parents, staff and for the entire school community.
The best part of my role as Housemaster and what makes it so special for me is that every working day is completely different to the next. It’s the funny (and sometimes outright hilarious) daily pupil stories that certainly keep me going when the nature of my role takes me on a more demanding path from time to time. What with also being called Mr McClure on more than one occasion by new Fourth Form parents, it is the humour and anecdotal side of this job I know I will forever embrace. If you are to see a coffee table book published in Waterstones in years to come, then I am sure you will know where my inspiration has derived from.
One hopes that during my tenure as Housemaster of McClure (or is that of McKay?!) I leave a lasting legacy like my predecessors have achieved before me in their time in charge of this great and inspiring day house. Long may McClure live for another glorious fifty years!
The last year has been a case of ‘All Quiet on the Archives Front’. Like many people, I was furloughed from March 2020 to the start of the following Autumn Term, and unable to work on the collection and there were virtually no new donations. Since my return, however, I have been busy collecting material showing the effect lockdown has had on the school.
In November, Bonhams came to conduct a valuation of the Foundation’s art collection for insurance purposes, last done in 1991. As well as escorting the valuer around to view works, I updated the archive catalogue. I also compiled information on each of the works, which I hope will enable the displayed works to be captioned. I can’t comment on the report, other than to say it brought a few (pleasant) surprises.
With the aim of showcasing the archive’s material and aspects of school life to a wider audience, I ran a Twitter campaign from November 2020 to March 2021. Topics ranged from school food, Latin and Greek, to celebrations and updates on Old Millhillians. Finding suitable material was an interesting challenge – how might we illustrate #SchoolSlang? – but I was usually able to contribute a few images for each theme. If you are interested in taking a look you can find us on Twitter @ MillHillSenior.
We always welcome donations to the archive. However, to avoid unnecessary duplication it would be helpful if you could get in touch by email omrelations@omclub.co.uk before sending anything in. A donation in person is also possible but do let us know first if you plan to come in.
On a personal note, when I took up my post in 2016, I told myself I would give it five years, little realising that this is the exact time most OMs were at the school. My decision to resign from my post at the end of last academic year is primarily a longer commute and a personal project that needs more time. I will be sorry to leave: there is much about Mill Hill that reminds me of my old school, and the OMs I have met are not unlike my Old Bridlingtonian friends.
Swimming Pool
Fives Courts
Sports Hall
Sixth Form Centre & Café 6 Day Houses: Atkinson, McClure & Winfield
New House
Sports Changing Rooms
McClure Music School Murray Scriptorium & Winterstoke Library Art & DT School Francis Crick Science Building QuadPiper Library
Chapel
Marnham Building & The Large Favell
Top Terrace
Dining Hall
School O ce
Learning Support & Day Houses: Weymouth, Murray, School, Cedars & Priestley
Head’s Lawn
Development O ce & Old Millhillians Club O ce St Bees
The Peter Collinson Heritage Garden
Medical Centre
The Patrick Troughton Theatre Collinson Collinson FieldCEO, Antony Spencer reveals ambitious development plans for the five schools comprising the Foundation portfolio: Mill Hill School, Belmont, Grimsdell, Mount Mill Hill International and Cobham Hall
OMs of a certain age visiting the Foundation today will find much that is reassuringly familiar but also a number of things that are different. Since I started as CEO in January 2020, I’ve got to know the Foundation during an unusually testing period for all schools. The good news is that the Foundation is emerging from the pandemic stronger than ever. Yes, it has taken its toll financially, with reduced fee income and a negative impact on our commercial operations. The move to remote learning and development of blended learning (with classes mixed between physically and virtually connected pupils) was challenging, but spurred significant progress in our IT capability. I have no doubts that the bounceback/building back better alliterative slogans we hear in national politics will be equally appropriate to the Foundation.
As we look hopefully towards some semblance of normality from September 2021, it’s a good time to reflect on how the Foundation has evolved over the years. Those OMs who remember an all-boys, predominantly boarding Mill Hill School, would be struck by a number of changes. Boarding is still a prominent part of school life, with around 200 boarders in the school community at Mill Hill, and a further 50 at Cobham Hall, but the vast majority of the 1,800 pupils across the Foundation are day pupils. The move to co-education has steadily worked its way through the schools, with an almost exact 50/50 split of boys/girls in the pre-prep (Grimsdell), and Belmont. Mill Hill School is still majority boys, but the number of girls continues to grow and the aim is to move towards parity in the coming years. There are now five schools in the Foundation, following the addition of Cobham Hall School in Kent through a charity merger in early 2021.
This followed the merger with the local girls’ school, The Mount, in 2015, which became a school dedicated to international pupils, particularly boarders, in the form of Mount Mill Hill International. We therefore have a family of five schools linked in different ways. For Grimsdell, Belmont and Mill Hill School, we offer an all-through education that provides continuity and stability. Virtually all pupils joining the Nursery or Reception at Grimsdell now complete their education at Mill Hill School. Their numbers are added to by a large intake into Belmont at 11+, with around 50% of these new pupils coming from local state schools. Competition for places is very high, and large waiting lists exist.
Conversely, the direct entry into Mill Hill School into the Fourth Form at 13+ is relatively small, and being reduced every year. The pupils at MMHI are able to transfer into Mill Hill School for Sixth Form if they meet the entry requirement, and now have an alternative option within the Foundation in the form of Cobham Hall. Overall, as an educational charity, this structure gives a great deal of commercial and educational resilience: with income increasing to around £40 Million, and over 500 staff, the Foundation is a substantial charity.
Many OMs will be particularly interested to hear about Mill Hill School. It continues to have some quaint anachronisms, like calling the first year of pupils ‘Fourth Form’, who then take two more years to become Fifth Form! Fortunately, the school inspectors were more impressed by the level of pupil progress than the nomenclature suggests. The House structure continues to be a very prominent feature of school life, somewhat against the norm in other schools, and House competitions abound (pandemic permitting). The overall educational philosophy continues to draw upon its historic roots, emphasising academic excellence but also breadth of experience. Music, the arts and sport all strongly play their part in school life, and there is a focus upon the development of all pupils, rather than a narrowly selective intake. The pupil intake is diverse, aided by a bursary programme that is already extensive but capable of further development.
For the Foundation to continue to thrive for future generations, we need to continue to invest appropriately. The Court of Governors is working with the management team to devise a campus master plan that will provide long-term planning for the estate. More details should follow towards the end of 2021, but among the projects being considered are a new sports centre to supplement the current one, and a new Science School to replace the venerable Crick. Some of this investment is to meet the need for extra capacity due to the substantial growth in pupil numbers at Belmont and Mill Hill School, with the latter currently approaching 900 pupils. Fortunately, the schools continue to enjoy a wonderful setting with plenty of space, and nurturing this physical environment for the long-term is part of our sustainability strategy for the future.
What continues to be of great value to the Foundation is the links it enjoys with OMs. For such large schools, there is a palpable sense of belonging and community, and OMs are an essential part of that. We are all looking forward to the return of events that bring us all together again.
Abba’s 1977 hit title ‘Take a Chance on Me’ could have been my plea to William Winfield as I completed the interview process for the Deputy Head, Pastoral, in April 2003. Luckily for me he did, and so began my 18-year Mill Hill journey. My route into the Independent Sector had certainly not been a traditional one. I had spent the majority of my career in the Maintained Sector, in the full range of schools (a large Sheffield community school; a high achieving voluntary aided grammar school, and a school facing extra challenging circumstances, both in Barnet), with my only experience in the Private Sector, being a four-year spell overseas in a top girls’ independent school in Buenos Aires.
And so, in September 2003, I joined Mill Hill as Deputy Head, Pastoral. In all honesty, I never really expected to still be here after 18 years, but as time passed two things happened. First, the things stayed fresh as I took on a number of different roles, including a stint as Acting Head in the Summer Term of 2012. Second, Mill Hill, quite simply, got into my bones. When the opportunity arose to take up the Headship in August 2018, I felt privileged to lead the school I love.
Three years on, we have made significant progress in so many areas of School life, always remaining true to our core principles of breadth and balance in our educational offer and championing the importance of supporting each individual child to find their own path to success. All within the context of a global pandemic, which brought its own unique and unimaginable challenges.
Two months prior to the first national lockdown in March 2020, the inspectors called. There was much to celebrate in the final report but also some clear pointers towards the areas of focus for the future. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, Mill Hill has continued to work towards ambitious academic goals and now that the worst of the pandemic has hopefully passed, we look forward to driving on as we embark upon a new academic year.
Having recruited a significant number of new staff in 2019 to accommodate growing pupil numbers, in 2021 we have, once again, invested in the recruitment of additional teaching and support staff and extended training and development opportunities. OMs will also be pleased to read that investment in our extensive co-curricular programme has continued unabated; the future looks bright across the piece, not only on the academic front but also in the realms of Drama, Music and Sport.
However, as we emerge from the pandemic, a primary aim is to re-establish the House system. After 15 months in year group bubbles, we look forward to seeing pupils once again mixing in their House families, benefitting from the vertical pastoral structure and the opportunities it offers for personal growth and development. In recent years, the School has seen increasing demand for places, with numbers rising from 650 in 2014 to a roll of 843 in
the last academic year, and an anticipated 900 from September 2021. This sustained Senior School growth was a strategic goal established at that time and one which is reviewed annually. Several factors have contributed to the growth: the increased intake from Belmont; the feed-through from MMHI at 16+; an increasingly positive perception of what a Mill Hill education represents; a stronger and more coherent brand across the Foundation, and an increasingly competitive admissions process.
We look forward to commemorating the centenary of the death of one of Mill Hill’s greatest Headmasters, Sir John David McClure, during the coming academic year. McClure’s legacy can be seen all around us in the shape of the numerous, important buildings he commissioned during his tenure, including the Music School, the Chapel and the Gate of Honour. All have stood the test of time in terms of their beauty, style and functionality and remain as important today as they ever were. As we seek to build upon McClure’s legacy, the importance of careful, thoughtful and sensitive planning for the Mill Hill of the future cannot be underestimated. As Head of the School, I fully understand the significant responsibility placed upon me to develop the very best educational environment possible for our current and future pupils, which I am excited to embrace.
We have a wonderful programme of events planned for the McClure Centenary, which includes the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of McClure House. There is much to look forward to next year – the Centenary Music Concert, a Thanksgiving Chapel Service and a McClure Black Tie Dinner which will undoubtedly be significant highlights. However, I am also looking forward to getting out and about, Covid-19 permitting, to the various regional dinners, where I hope to join members of the Old Millhillian Community up and down the country in celebrating McClure’s life and legacy.
There is little doubt that one of Mill Hill’s greatest strengths lies in the bonds forged by pupils and staff during their time at the School and in the traditions, activities and opportunities experienced along the way. It is this shared experience and understanding that binds Millhillians together, whatever their age, ensuring that the principles upon which the School was founded are carried forward for generations of Millhillians to come. And that’s certainly something to celebrate.
Jane Sanchez, Head of Mill Hill since 2018 shares her ambitions for the future
The school which takes pupils from the ages of 7 to 13 continues to be as popular as ever. We saw over 400 pupils for our 11+ admissions tests earlier this year, our highest ever number sitting. Nevertheless, it was a tough academic year with the continued impact of Covid-19. With Lockdown 3, Belmont was even better prepared to respond to the challenge of online learning, and the pupils took part in full days of live lessons. Despite our strong virtual offering it was wonderful to welcome the children back into school in the Spring Term. As I write, we have just had our first cricket fixture since the pandemic began. We might have lost at Orley Farm but we played some cricket against another school in the sunshine – that’s a victory for me.
There is a huge amount to look forward to. To illustrate how we provide a broad, outward looking and inspiring education, here are some of the year’s highlights:
Andrew Pollard Professor of Paediatric infection and Immunity, University of Oxford, as well as being an Oxford Don is a consultant paediatrician and the Chief Principal Investigator on the Global vaccine trials. As Head of the Oxford Vaccine group, Professor Pollard has been instrumental in leading the fight against Covid-19. He talked through the journey of the development of the vaccine, the setbacks they faced and the challenges that still lie ahead – the main one being getting enough vaccines to everyone around the world. There were some key messages for the pupils, including reassurances about children’s safety from Covid-19, the importance of teamwork (whether developing a vaccine or climbing Everest), resilience, and critical thinking (Professor Pollard talked about the challenges of fake news). The pupils asked some great questions and I was impressed with how they, unprompted, thanked the Professor for developing the vaccine and giving us hope.
This year more than ever, supporting pupil and staff wellbeing has remained a high priority. Striking a balance between the need to educate pupils on good mental health and allowing children to grow with their feelings can be challenging. Lockdown and countless Google Meets took its toll on even the most resilient. Yet as a community, we have emerged stronger and more content. Through the darkest weeks of lockdown, we worked with the pupils to encourage them to look after their wellbeing: creativity; acts of giving; connecting with each other; staying active; mindfulness, meditation are all essential aspects of their education and build strong minds. Blessed with our beautiful grounds, we seize every opportunity to take the pupils outside. A classroom between rhododendrons, fields and forest is surely an optimum space for good mental health.
Our Wellbeing Week is approaching, and we will celebrate with a plethora of activities, many of them outside. From Tai Chi on
the Master’s Lawn to creating the sounds of nature outside the chapel, the week will once again embrace the essential belief that pupils learn best when they are happy.
We entered the Townsend Warner History competition. This is a national event which challenges a pupil’s historical knowledge, and this year’s paper was incredibly difficult with questions ranging from ‘Who was the first (and last) English Pope?’ to ‘In what city did the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923’ take place?’. We were delighted to receive the news after Easter that three Belmont pupils had made it through to Round Two. Pupil Archie 8OM put in a terrific performance finishing 43rd – our highest ranking pupil since we joined the competition. We are also thrilled that two Year 7 pupils, Alice and Zayan also made it through, a terrific achievement as the majority of the entrants are from the year above.
On returning to school, we felt it was important that we marked the past year and the way that our lives changed by creating a Belmont time capsule. All our classes reflected upon their own Covid-19 year and shared the highs and lows, as well as remembering the things that brought us together. This included the Thursday evening Clap for Carers to celebrate our wonderful NHS staff, and the new languages and phrases that entered our vocabulary such as ‘social distancing’, ‘lockdown’ and the dreaded ‘You’re on Mute!’ The pupils produced a wonderful collection of memories including letters for future Belmontians, poems and pictures that reflect the events of the past year. These records will be stored in a time capsule that will go on display in our Chapel entrance.
Prior to taking up the headship at Grimsdell I was Head of Garden House School in Chelsea for five years, following my role as Head of Junior School at The Royal School, Hampstead. My 19 years experience as a Head (plus 15 and counting as a parent!) have helped enable the development of a staff culture that is child and family centred, with wellbeing and a love of learning at its heart. My three children (aged 15, 13 and 7) have all attended the Mill Hill School Foundation since Nursery, a choice made long before commencing my Headship at Grimsdel.
In 2014, Grimsdell was home to 165 pupils (FTE). Today in 2021 the school is bursting at the seams with 185 pupils and no capacity to expand. The facilities have been enhanced over the time with an exceptional outdoor learning environment created adjacent to the Nursery and outdoor classroom, along with four stretch tents that have provided daily opportunities for outdoor learning – an approach to teaching now embedded in our practice.
We honour our philosophy, ‘instilling values, inspiring minds’, by creating an environment which embraces and celebrates each child’s individuality. We boost them, providing the opportunity for them to flourish, and be the best version of themselves. Our school code, the ‘Grimsdell Way’, ensures a safe and secure community, upholding high standards for all. We embellished these principles during the pandemic, acknowledging the shift from classroom to home-school. Our ISI report achieved the highest Grading of ‘excellent’ in both Pupil Achievement and Personal Development in January 2020.
Our creative curriculum is driven by termly topics – these act as a narrative across all learning areas from core subjects through to PE, music and even snack and lunchtimes. We talk of ‘stunning starts’, ‘marvellous middles’ and ‘fabulous finishes’ which, coupled with an enquiry-based approach, stimulate and excite our children. We have seen this deepen cross-curricular links and enhance understanding. Our children foster a love of learning with help from a series of on- and off-line tools, including Anima Phonics.
Our focus on self-expression gifts children the freedom to present and publish in their own style – documenting individual paper journals and using Seesaw to contribute to online logs. We treat every interaction as an opportunity to learn through play – inside our multi-functioning classrooms, in our bespokebuilt outdoor cabin, in our science garden, during weekly Forest School adventures. ISI acknowledged this, stating: ‘Pupils have extremely positive attitudes to learning due to the enthusiasm demonstrated by the highly professional staff.’
Our commitment to developing 21st-century leaders is unwavering. We survived lockdowns (and key worker school) thanks to technology and it continues to add value in our ‘new normal’ classrooms. Extra use of tech brings excitement as well as skill: iPad photography, online collaboration, freeze framing, green screening, video performances... Each term we have Library Monitors, Year 2 for the School Council and in the wider world, our children are proven forerunners: entering national science competitions, volunteering for charities and publishing their own stories.
Our pastoral care is exemplary. At Grimsdell we place the wellbeing and mental health of our children, families and staff above all else. We benefit from a fully qualified in-house ‘play therapist’ and pride ourselves on SEN enrichment nurturing many of our children. All pupils are equipped with resources from the ‘Thrive in Five’ programme and in Year 2 they complete the PAWSB curriculum. We invest greatly in a seamless transition from pre-prep to prep, immersing the children in Belmont life with co-hosted sports tournaments, merged uniforms and time spent in the grounds.
Our sincere hope is that, when children leave us, instilled with values and minds inspired, they treasure their years spent at Grimsdell. We celebrate the individuals they’ve become, but also everything they taught us along the way.
We hope to continue our outdoor learning journey and embed long-term positive mental health through teaching resilience, mindfulness, self-care and empathy.
Our next step is to rapidly develop our contribution to sustainability and care of environment. This will be a priority for us. As we weave this into our curriculum in 2021, we wil teach our pupils what this means in practice and how now, more than ever, we all have a responsibility to make a difference and look after the world.
of Hong Kong families with BNO passports. Whether day or boarding, the majority of pupils arrive in the UK for the first time, and the school is both well-equipped and experienced at welcoming them and helping them to settle in and adapt to life in the UK.
Many of our pupils are at the school for just one year, nevertheless we make sure that the focus is not exclusively on academic success. We place great emphasis on developing skills and habits of mind that equip them for their educational journey in the UK. We recognise our role as global citizens, depending on each other, and we give high priority to collaboration within the school and with the wider community.
I have always been a champion of international education. Having taught in Rome, Italy, at a small international school for 20 years, I relocated to the UK, where I was Director of King’s Ely International in Cambridgeshire. In 2014, I became the founding Head of Mount Mill Hill International. I have recently been appointed as Chair of BAISIS (British Association of Independent Schools with International Students) having spent this last year as Deputy Chair with responsibility for this year’s Professional Development programme.
Formerly the Mount School before merging with the Mill Hill School Foundation, Mill Hill International joined Mill Hill’s family of schools after a £4M year-long refurbishment, opening its doors to 42 international pupils in September 2015. Now the school has just under 100 both boarding and day pupils. Located just a short walk from Mill Hill School, Mill Hill International has full use of the Mill Hill School site. Its pupils are part of the wider Mill Hill School community, and its boarders are integrated within the four boarding houses at Mill Hill. International pupils also join their Mill Hill peers for sport, cocurricular activities and Chapel.
Mill Hill International offers courses for pupils from Year 9 to Year 11 and is an ideal bridge to an international pupil’s next school, whether at Mill Hill School, Cobham Hall or another renowned British boarding school. With small class sizes (an average of 10 per class) and a strong emphasis on developing English language skills, Mill Hill International is an excellent choice for international pupils making the transition to the UK. The bespoke intensive One Year GCSE course is our most popular course for international, and also British, pupils who need to complete the GCSE examinations in just one year.
While most of Mill Hill International’s pupils are boarders, there is a growing number of day pupils, in particular the recent arrival
By cultivating values of compassion and conscience, we prepare our international-minded pupils to make a positive impact on the world around them. We are proud of our involvement with our two main charities: Age UK, where we regularly invite older members of our community to join the school for intergenerational baking and digital learning classes; and United World Schools, a charity which builds schools across the globe for children who have no access to education.
Recently, as part of our Digital Strategy, we introduced digital teaching and learning where iPads have replaced textbooks and exercise books. This turned out to be very useful when we switched to online learning because of the pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns. When in September 2020, we became aware that many of our international pupils would not be able to attend face-to-face classes, the transition to blended learning (some in the classroom, some online) was made seamless by the use of the digital technology we had already implemented and by the use of state-of-the-art technology in the classrooms. This meant that despite the challenges of the lockdowns, we were able to continue teaching and learning. Our international pupils received excellent results in their GCSEs – even those who had attended the entire course online.
As we look forward to a school where face-to-face learning has returned, we turn our attention to our new focus for the next three years. Key themes in our development plan will be staff wellbeing; using data to track support and monitor pupil progress; continuing to establish a culture where pupils are unafraid to report concerns, confident their voices will be heard; an inclusive curriculum that reflects the multicultural nature of our international pupils; encouraging engaged pupils where curiosity and taking part is celebrated and a focus on sustainability where staff and pupils play their part in addressing climate change.
Like all businesses and organisations, the last 18 months have forced us to adapt or put on hold plans. However, while we have had to delay capital project campaigns, there have been several successful initiatives, some new and some existing, which have shown the Mill Hill School community spirit.
Born out of adversity, we launched a Covid-19 Hardship fund in response to parents and OMs reaching out. This offered support to families who, as a result of the pandemic, found themselves unable to meet their financial obligations to the school. We are overwhelmed to say over £20,000 was raised in support of this worthwhile cause.
We are also pleased to take this opportunity to thank the parents and OMs who continue to contribute to our A Better Chance Bursary (ABC bursary) scheme. This helps us support pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds by giving them the opportunity of an MHS education. Since 2007, the programme has benefited over 40 pupils who have gone out into the world and done incredible things. You may have read about one such pupil, cricketer Sophia Dunkley, who made the headlines for her Test match debut in June this year, becoming the first black woman to play Test cricket for England. Sophia attended both Belmont and MHS on an ABC bursary and played cricket for the Foundation on many occasions.
Other initiatives this year include the 1807 Society Lunch which finally took place at the end of September. In case you are unfamiliar, the 1807 Society is a group of OMs and Friends of Mill Hill who have chosen to leave a gift in their will to the Foundation. This is much more than just a charitable donation as it has real long-term impact. The 1807 funds go towards supporting the A Better Chance (ABC) bursary scheme supporting pupils who otherwise would not be able to afford a Mill Hill education. The 1807 Society is open to all, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you like to learn more.
In addition, we were once again able to welcome back OMs to join our Foundation Day in September for their 30, 40, 50 and 60-year reunions, due to take place in the beautiful Collinson Garden. It has been such a long time and it was lovely to be able to welcome Old Millhillians to the School once again.
Lastly, in response to the harrowing and worsening Covid-19 situation in India, the MHS Foundation has taken steps to support our partners at Sri Jayendra School in Tamil Nadu and the local community to manage the aftermath of the pandemic. We have had a meaningful partnership with Sri Jayendra for over 20 years and felt it was our duty to support them through these uniquely challenging times. Currently, the school in Tamil Nadu is closed and remote learning is taking place. In villages and remote areas where the pandemic is rampant, some
families have not been able to be contacted and many pupils are missing out on essential schooling. Our aim is to make a profound and long-term contribution to this cause, and we are therefore reaching out to parents, OMs and former participants of the Overseas Partnership’s Programmes to help us.
Despite the disruption and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, we believe the Foundation will emerge stronger than ever due to our continued investment in people and facilities. Our most recent capital investments include the outdoor learning areas at Grimsdell, a new kitchen and sports hall at Belmont, at MHS a stunning new Astro turf for hockey and other sports, new flooring in the sports hall and a refurbishment of the Music School. In addition, we are in early stages of planning an upgrade of the school’s Science facilities. A couple of options are under consideration: the renovation and development of the iconic and beautiful Crick building or a new build in a new location.
With the signing last year of an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, we now have a relationship with top clubs in all our major sports and have invested in high-quality staff as coaches. We have identified the need for two major additional facilities, a new sports hall for Mill Hill School and a new, full size, all-weather pitch for Belmont.
Looking forward, we are excited about plans to update and regenerate parts of MHS in need of some attention. The Foundation is committed to the long-term planning of the entire campus. We are currently in the early stage of planning and, subject to modification, as we move into detailed design and seek planning permission we look forward to sharing these ideas with you.
Your partnership and support in everything we do is both essential and greatly appreciated.
I look forward to seeing you in person soon and until then, stay safe and healthy.
Natalie Joseph, Director of Development nj@millhill.org.uk“the Foundation will emerge stronger (from Covid-19) than ever due to our continued investment in people and facilities”
Sports is, and always has been, a central part of what it means to be a Millhillian. Take the memorable Five- and Ten-Mile Cup where pupils run their fastest mile to Sports Day with each having an opportunity to represent their house, and which culminates in the whole school athletics festival. At Mill Hill, we aim to equip our pupils for a healthy life, both now, and in the future. The range of opportunities offered across the curriculum, whether academic, creative or sporting, allows them to build character, perseverance, humility and resilience –all qualities that will serve them well in the classroom, in sport, and in later life.
Sport at Mill Hill is both transformative and inspirational, and we are renowned for sporting excellence. Pupils of all abilities have the opportunity to achieve something meaningful in sport during their time at school. We achieve this through our dual stream approach; Fit for Performance and Fit for Life. Every pupil, regardless of physical ability or experience, is encouraged to participate in both competitive and non-competitive sport and activities. We give each one the chance to represent their school and to experience the exhilaration of a hard-fought victory and the heartbreak of a narrow loss.
“I’m getting to do what I love. For a lot of people my age, their dreams don’t become a reality. To get an opportunity to work with the calibre of staff within the programme from professional sporting backgrounds is amazing. I have to pinch myself every morning.”
Cricket Coach, Tottenham Hotspur Premiership Academy Coaches, a Great Britain Hockey Coach, an International Hockey Player, a Great Britain Athlete and a PGA Advanced Golf Pro.
Our professional club partnerships include Saracens Rugby, Middlesex Cricket, Hampstead & Westminster Hockey Club and Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Each partnership helps us to strengthen our coaching pedigree, granting opportunities for professional development, as well as allowing world-class players and coaches to join us for squad training and Games afternoons, working with pupils across all teams and abilities.
For our most able pupils we run an innovative Sports Scholarship programme, designed for top performers who have genuine desire, work ethic and belief that they can maximise their potential and attain sporting excellence. The programme is one of our sports department’s proudest developments in recent years, and unique in its field. Sports Scholars have access to our Performance Department, which includes a full time Great Britain Olympic Physiotherapist, Performance Nutritionist, Mental Skills Coach and two professional Strength & Conditioning Coaches. Our Senior Sports Scholars also have their own individual mentors who they work with on a one-to-one basis, designing individual programmes and workshops.
Our sports facilities are extensive and impressive. In addition to 120 acres of grounds, our ambitious new sports complex means we can provide unparalleled opportunities for Millhillians to learn and train using cutting-edge technology and world-class equipment. The complex incorporates a Sports Hall, a Strength Training Gym, a High Intensity Workout Space, and a flexible studio space. This includes spin bikes and a new HD projector screen and sound system playing digital classes which will include the latest Les Mills content. The equipment and space available assists in the promotion of lifelong physical activity among the pupils through a diverse range of health-related fitness lessons taught during our PE lessons.
Through our continued commitment to delivering an outstanding coaching provision and our drive for pupil progression, innovation and collaboration, we have developed a unique portfolio of partnerships with professional clubs and coaches across many of our sports. Our impressive list of fulltime coaches includes an England & Mavericks Netball Player, two Saracens Premiership Rugby Players, a Middlesex County
• 120 acres of grounds
• Newly-laid Indoor Sports Hall with Retractable Basketball System
• Indoor Cricket Nets
• Strength Training Gym, High Intensity Training Area, Les Mills Virtual Spin Studio
• Newly-laid Floodlit Astroturf
• 25-metre Swimming Pool
• 3 Fives Courts
• 6 Outdoor Tennis Courts
• 2 Outdoor Basketball Courts
• 5 Netball Courts
• Indoor Golf Teaching Suite, Golf Simulator, Outdoor Golf Centre
• Numerous Cricket, Football and Rugby Pitches
Excellent Sports Staff team: Physiotherapist – Maria Goriup; Performance Nutritionist – Greg Lound; Mental Skills Coach – Gareth Hatherley-Gurford; Strength and Conditioning Coaches – Kyle Bowes-Taylor & Owen Nicholls
A strange season indeed! I am sure we have all experienced disruption, turmoil, change and uncertainty. In our time, we have not experienced anything like this before. Old Millhillians Rugby Football Club (OMRFC), however, has experienced a hiatus on at least two other occasions, most notably during the First and Second World Wars. While this is clearly very different to the experience of those war generations, there are some comparisons to draw.
I was fortunate to attend a dinner a couple of years ago, where Paul Beadle (Ridgeway, 1970-1976) stood up and told the extraordinary story of how the rugby club was restarted after the Second World War by his father Jim Beadle (Ridgeway, 19361940) and his best friend John Bolton (School, 1936-1940). The depth of their friendship, their courage, and their determination to resurrect an institution they loved from the ashes, has meant so many more generations of OMs and their friends have been able to enjoy the camaraderie, joy and the rewards that come from playing our great sport, at any level.
The two boys forged a lifelong friendship during their childhood as boarders first at Belmont and then MHS. At the outbreak of WW2 they both joined separate branches of the armed forces, Jim flying spitfires with Fighter Command in the RAF, John serving with the Royal Navy. Both saw action in different theatres of the War, and by 1944 John was awarded shore leave in southern Italy. At this stage, the Allies were embedded in a fierce campaign to defeat the Axis powers in Northern Italy. Knowing his friend’s unit was engaged in this area, John ‘borrowed’ a transport and set out to find him. Incredibly, he journeyed through an active War Zone, eventually tracking his mate down in San Vito in Northern Italy. During a lull in the fighting, they were able to meet and share a beer, a cup of tea, and wish each other all the best, before parting to re-join their respective units and continue the fighting.
After the War ended, they both realised that there was a profound need to return to normality and for people to experience the fun that was part of everyday life prior to the war. This did not prove an easy task – the country had been through such a devastating experience that many did not believe this was possible. Many rugby clubs folded during this time. However, with the assistance of some of the club’s prewar legends and plenty of resolve, the mission was achieved. OMRFC teams took to the field again in 1946 with Jim Beadle as one of the first post-war Captains.
What struck me most about Paul’s story was the fact that no one expected the Rugby Club to restart. Two world wars had left cities in smoking ruins, families bereaved, separated, displaced, alongside a shattered economy, which meant people did not necessarily believe there could be a return to normality. Whilst the names ‘Spong and Sobey’ may sound like an obscure music hall double act, they were in fact considered to be the pre-eminent half-back pairing in world rugby through the late 1920s and early 1930s. Wilf Sobey (School), the scrum half who delivered lightning service off the base for his half-back
partner Roger Spong (Scrutton 1920-1924) who played fly half. They starred for England, the Lions and of course OMRFC. They both toured twice with the Lions: first in 1927 to Argentina, and again in 1930 to Australia and New Zealand. In this Lions year, it is a good time to celebrate two of our greatest ever players. The earliest post-war OMRFC team photo I can find is 1948. Although Jim Beadle is credited as Captain, the man holding the ball is Roger Spong, returning to support his club over two
decades since he first laced his boots and strode over the whitewash at Headstone Lane. As we look to restart our rugby club, we can take inspiration from these great OMRFC players of the past. We were very sad to lose two of our great luminaries over this last year, the legendary Jim Roberts (Collinson 19451950) who was an England rugby superstar in the Sixties, and Ray Hubbard (Weymouth 1946-51) who worked tirelessly for our club as a player, and later, on the committee. For our current OMRFC players, largely young guys in their twenties, this has been an emotionally and physically difficult time which they’ve dealt with brilliantly. Great credit for maintaining morale must go to our skipper Oli Avent (Weymouth 2008-2013) and coach Will Wheeler but also to our creative guys on the social media team, Rikki Bhachu and Oli Warren (Weymouth 2008-2013) who keep us all entertained. We have had plenty of banter on the groups, quiz nights over Zoom calls, but we are all looking forward to getting back to our core business of winning rugby matches. We are sorry to lose Oli Warren who is leaving us to pursue new adventures in South America – good luck Oli, and thanks for all you have done.
Finally congratulations to OM Nick Auterac (Weymouth 20062009) of Northampton Saints who has been called up to the Scotland Squad for their summer fixtures. If capped he will be the third OM to represent Scotland, following JWG Hume (in 1927 and THB Lawther in 1932). Good luck Nick. The 2021/22 is in full swing so please come down to Headstone Lane to watch us play and join us for a post-match drink in our own bar with the players.
Headstone Lane, Pinner HA2 6NF
Contact: Ben Nash - bnash2001@yahoo.com
www.oldmillhilliansrfc.rfu.club
Twenty months later than planned, OMRFC were able to compete in the 2020 Herts/Middlesex Cup Final against old promotion rivals the Old Actonians. It was a fantastic spectacle, held at Harrow RFC on a brisk November evening under the lights.
With a Choccy and White team consisting of 11 out of 19 former school boys as well as one former teacher, the club can be proud to be keeping the connection with the school alive and well.
Supported by a large crowd dominated by OMRFC supporters the lads ran out clear
winners to exact revenge on a team who had the upper hand last time they met. 55-19 the winners with large celebrations following, the club remain unbeaten this season and it is a phenomenal place to be at the minute, a unity of the squad led by Chairman and old boy Ben Nash with a young and competitive squad fulled with memorable schoolboys including Oliver
If you are keen to get involved or support the boys you are always welcome.
The OMs Golfing Society was formed in 1907, the seven OM Members of Parliament, all Liberals, presented the society with its first trophy, the Members of Parliament Cup. The Society’s first meeting in 1908 attracted 32 entries, and the first match was in 1909 against the Old Cholmeleians, the OMs being the victors.
The OMGS pioneers were good golfers. In the 1913 match against the Old Cholmelians, the OMGS eight-man team had a combined handicap of 14, although the last pair were off a combined 15. The OMGs won by a whitewash. The first Spring meeting was held at Bushey Hall in 1910. Today we worry about slow play and hanker after the old days, but it can’t have been too speedy back then: the stoic OMGS did not allow a ‘no return’ and a net 112 was in last place.
The OMGS were well travelled – events were not generally held near the school – with St Georges Hill and Sunningdale being well-trodden. Duncan Anderson was Surrey County Champion and a St Georges Hill member, alongside several other OMs. Fixtures in the North were frequent, indeed three northern fixtures continued to be played until very recently and there was a considerable number of OMGS members in South Wales. The OMGS were good at publicity: the first match versus Old Merchant Taylors was reported in both The Times and The Express (OMGS won 11-7) and the results of the Spring meeting were reported in the Morning Post and The Times. It would be fair to say that inflation has made golf more expensive these days. The entry fees at early events were not recorded until 1928, at which the 36-hole Spring Meeting cost
12 ½p (in new money). The society thrived in the early years and, in 1937, an annual subscription of 50p was introduced. There must have been some considerable golfing inflation: the Hendon green fees for the 1937 meeting had risen to 17 ½p. Jim Davidson (Winterstoke 1924-1929)) left the school having represented Scottish school boys (a feat later repeated by Alasdair Black (Winterstoke 1962-1965) and became the backbone of the OMGS Hewitt side for the next 50 years.
In the 1931 Hewitt Jim played with J.E Dexter (Collinson 19361941) against Radley, and lost. In 1957 Jim once again played against Radley in the Hewitt, this time winning against E.R Dexter, the son of his 1929 partner. It is inexplicable why an Old Millhillian would have sent his son to Radley, and it’s a shame that Ted’s cricket and golfing fame couldn’t be attributed to time spent at Mill Hill.
In 1914 the Society appointed H.A. Link as its first Hon. Secretary. Alf Hawes was appointed as Hon. Sec in 1928, thus starting a Hawes family tradition that continues to this day, with Gordon Hawes (Winterstoke 1945-1951) being our very long-serving Vice-President. The OMGS has thrived primarily thanks to the considerable contribution made by the Hawes family. Gordon was the OMGS Hon Sec. from 1963 to 1974, Captain in 1976 -1977 and Vice President from 1979 to this day. Alf Hawes was crucial to the OMGS; he even subsidised the society out of his own pocket. Tom Hignett (Murray 1953-1958) also made a huge contribution to the OMGS as our treasurer from 1989 to 2011. The Old Millhillians have always been very active in Old Boys golf
with a thriving fixture list, and competed in the first Halford Hewitt in 1924 and in the second Grafton Morrish in 1964
The OMGS record in early Hewitts was not great, indeed we suffered the ignominy of the Charterhouse taxi: J. S. Morrison pre-booked taxis to collect them at Chequers (at the 13th hole). The OMGS did at least make the taxi have to dawdle along beside the course to the 15th green. The taxi story came to light because Henry Longhurst was Morrison’s partner, and Henry wrote about the incident, although he discreetly did not mention the OMGS as the losing team.
It’s not known why the early years were not successful for the OMGS: D.B. Anderson was Surrey county champion, J.A.B. Davidson (Collinson 1925-1930) played for Scottish boys, in 1930, J.H. Todd played for GB seniors, thee Old Millhillians P.L. Smith, W.H. Don and G.E. Larman took turns to hold the Hendon course record and in 1938 J. W. Butler (Winterstoke 1924-1927) reached the semi-final of the English Amateur.
Whilst the OMGS were none too successful on-course, they appeared to have enjoyed the Hewitt enormously. Records report that the OMGS ‘were not early risers’, that they enjoyed ‘considerable fun and comradeship at the club and at the Royal Hotel’, and that ‘licensing laws did not affect them’. ‘Snooker fives’ was a popular game.
Playing fives with snooker ball ended with the inevitable: a broken window, and a passing Hewitt golfer being struck. In
spite of this, and other ‘off-piste’ incidents we have stayed at the Royal Hotel every year.
The society must have been an insular bunch; the first match against the school wasn’t until 1952 and it wasn’t until 1968 that the society presented a trophy for the match.
It’s difficult to write a history without leaving out names; apologies for anyone missed, but people making a significant to the OMGS at the Hewitt over the years include Pat Russell, (Burton Bank 1957-1962) three-time winner of the Borough of Deal Cup, who sis still playing excellent golf well into his 70s. Alasdair Black (Winterstoke 1962-1965) and Derek Sigley (Murray 1952-1955), for so many years our top pair, on and off the course. Geoffrey Vero (Weymouth 1960-1965), our most capped player who, together with Paul Bennett, departed this world too soon. Colin Nunn (Burton Bank 1975-1981). Hon Sec of the OMGS since 1987. Jeremy Bohn (Priestley 1984-1989), such a prolific winner, and with his new partner Will Cheng, very hard to beat.
Garry Brandt (Priestley 1977-1982), James Kahan (Murray 1997-2002) and Alan Guthrie-Jones(Collinson 1968-1973) for being ever-present. James Ellis (Weymouth 2004-2009), our current captain.
For further details about joining the OMGS please contact: Colin Nunn Hon Sec (Burton Bank 1975-81)
With the golfing season drawing to an end, the OMGS offered an action-packed post lockdown year. The Society is thriving, we enjoyed lengthy events when we competed in tournaments over a few days, completed a full fixture list and everyone was on top form. I’m happy to report that this golfing season was better than last year’s when all that really happened was a Zoom AGM. Video calls were still something of a novelty at the time and it was great to see so many OMGS members taking part. The wine flowed, albeit virtually.
The Spring Tour in 2020 would have been to Suffolk, playing Felixstowe Ferry, Woodbridge, Purdis Heath and Aldeburgh. This tour then became an Autumn Tour on 12-15 September 2020 and we had a healthy 27 OMs taking part. Flipping the Spring Tour to the Autumn has resulted in us flipping our Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club Autumn Meeting to 17 May 2022. The government had seen the date and based their Covid-19 lockdown easing to accommodate the OMGS! Something not everyone knows but OMGS members have Public School Membership rights (greatly reduced green fees) at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club (Deal), one of the UK’s greatest courses. In a post-Covid-19 world when golf club membership rights have increased their prices, this really is a boon.
Our scratch team is getting both better and younger, a trend that bucks most school and club sides. The Public Schools Golfing Society’s annual competition (the Halford Hewitt),
ordinarily an April event, moved to 8-12 September 2021. James Ellis, our scratch team captain (and the current Middlesex County Champion) is doing a great job of turning us into serious contenders.
All in all, we have 130 members of all golfing abilities, but are still always looking for new members, especially younger ones (to whom we provide very generous subsidies at all of our events). We play many matches throughout the year against other school teams, at excellent venues such as Moor Park, Porters Park, West Hill and New Zealand. We also have two annual matchplay competitions – a great way to meet other OMs and play different courses. Our members play at many of the finest courses in the South East. Our annual dinner planned for Friday 3 December 2021 at the RAF club in Piccadilly, clearly a top-notch venue. It’s a very popular event and all are welcome, even non-golfers. As yet we don’t have any lady members and would really like to have a ladies’ section. If you are interested in joining up, please email me. We do have a website, but you’ll need a password to enter it because it contains private contact details for all of our members so please don’t be put off by it! We are keen to welcome you to our society.
For further details please contact: Colin Nunn, Hon Sec (Burton Bank 1975-81) colinvnunn@hotmail.co.uk
Fives is one of the oldest established games at Mill Hill with the first internal competition in 1874 won by OM AC Field. The school was lucky enough to have two new courts built on the quad accompanied by an article in the 1908/09 school magazine stating: ‘The new Eton Fives Courts have been the principal, athletic attraction of the term, and constantly been used by players from all parts of the school.’ In 1912/13, though, there was a familiar sounding season to this current year blighted by the pandemic.
An article in the school magazine says that ‘nothing could be more unlucky than the past season, for not a single match has been played.’ Many had been arranged, but unfortunately, the outbreak of diphtheria prevented any from taking place.
Fixtures between the OMs and the school date back to the 1919/20 season when J K Batty the previous years’ school team
captain, organised a group of players to return and take on the pupils. Fives has been a constant at the school, but there is little record of fixtures and it was far more of a game played for fun ‘by boys in passing’. The first recorded match was the Public Schools championships in 1930, then held at the Queen’s Club, with two pairs: J L Bowman (School 1926-1930) and D G P Leavey (Ridgeway 1926-1930) as Mill Hill 1 and C S Darke (Collinson 1926-1931) and E A Wotton (Ridgeway 1927-1930) as Mill Hill 2.
An official Old Millhillians Eton Fives Club was formed in 1969 by Andrew Summers (Weymouth 1959-1964) on his return from university as a social playing club with some informal fixtures. The number of players grew, and it was decided to enter the leagues with the first formal fixtures played in the 1972/7 season.
Fives at the school went through a large revival under Mr Paul Bowden, who became Master in Charge of Fives in 1984, and who successfully brought the game back to life before Mr Steve Plummer took over in 1991 until very recently. These masters in charge were very important in providing a high calibre of player for the school and then the Old Millhillians team, with Steve also both playing for and running the Old Millhillians Eton Fives Club for a long time.
The club’s emphasis in the early 2000s was on having good games, avoiding relegation in the league and enjoying a good social experience. From 2008/09, though, players were returning from university keen to play regularly, resulting in the OMs having a strong team in division 2 of the national league. They won Division 2, gaining promotion to Division 1, where the top clubs and players compete. After some debate and with strong numbers in the squad, it was decided to enter a team in both divisions one and two the following year. This was relatively successful. The following season (2012/13) was the best in the club’s history, winning division 1 and also coming second in division 2 by only one point. Furthermore, during this season, the club won Team of the Year at the national awards and MHS Master Steve Plummer winning Coach of the Year.
For the next few seasons, the club struggled to have a regular strong side in both divisions, though was always competitive in fixtures. The division two side was very much intended to be made up of a mixture of schoolboys, some regulars, old stagers and those looking more to the social side than the highly competitive level of division one. The tides turned again in 2018 when the division one team won the title for the second time.
In the final game of the season, they needed to gain one of the three possible points to win the league over second-placed Old Harrovians. This saw the OMs come second in the Team of the Year awards and saw Charles Plummer (MHSF 2003-2013), a leading player in the OMs team while still in Upper 6th, won the EFA’s Young Player of the Year.
In recent years, to build links between the school and the Old Millhillian Fives club, the Summers Cup was introduced. Each September, a knockout tournament is held at the school where an OM partners with a pupil from the school. It is a tournament with an emphasis on the social side of sport with good games that ensures the strong future of the club.
Looking forward, the OMEFC is intending to expand its player numbers. This will be aided by a core group returning from university and greater numbers currently playing at the school. However, new players are always welcome whether they were a regular school player or not, and whether they are just looking to be involved in the social club nights or the league fixtures. The club hopes to continue competing in the top two divisions while building even more on the social side.
For further information for joining the club contact details: Chris Vincent chrisvincenthome@gmail.com
Ann Bunyard, President TMCC
Following the first lockdown in the spring of 2020, cricket started up in July. Participation by junior and senior players was phenomenal, which was wonderful to see. Unfortunately, the tour to Sussex hosted by Patrick Nolan (School 1972-1976), traditionally held at the beginning of August and which has been a permanent fixture in the diary of the club for many years, could not take place.
The 2021 season started on time at the beginning of April. Stephen Selwood (Weymouth 1993-1996) who had been at Totteridge for several years, decided to move on to pastures new. TMCC wishes to thank him for his huge input, especially with regard to increasing the junior section.
Graham Chase, (Burton Bank 1967-1972), is sponsoring TMCC over the next three years and all junior members are given a cricket shirt as part of their membership fee. The Club is extremely grateful to Graham for his sponsorship. With a new junior coach in place, Shaun O’Brien, who started playing for OMCC in 2004, the junior section – encompassing U9, U11, U13 and U15 teams goes from strength to strength and it is very heartening to see the junior teams enjoying training, coaching and matches under the tutelage of experienced and very committed coaches. We would love to see more offspring of OMs and their friends join us at Totteridge.
The club runs three teams in the Saracens Hertfordshire League on Saturdays. They also have a team in the Middlesex Development XI run by OM Charles Plummer (Weymouth 2013 -2018) and a social Sunday side. All the sides, both senior and junior, have performed very well this season so the future looks bright for 2022.
Once lockdown restrictions eased the club became a hive of activity with cricketers and social members all keen to enjoy the social side of the club. It was wonderful to see a packed clubhouse for the Euros with the social members putting on scrumptious barbecues.
We all very much enjoyed the annual President’s Day late September, which didn’t take place last year due to Covid-19. We were able to complete a full season with the 1st Eleven playing their final match against Radlett which determined if we got into the league playoffs. By the time you read this we will know if the team got through and if so whether or not we won the league!
For further information about joining please take a look at the TMCC website www.totteridgemillhillians.com
Or contact either:
Ann Bunyard, annbunyard@icloud.com
Bill Banks, bill@tmcc.london
Olivia Brown (Priestley 2007-2012) and Nicole Harvey (Cedars 2007-2012) have been firm friends since the 4th form. Nine years after leaving school their shared passion for hockey has got them dusting down their sticks to pull together what they hope will be a winning ladies’ team
So how come we’re doing this? Since leaving school and university and working full-time, we discovered there are limited opportunities for girls to continue with sport. We found ourselves watching the Old Millhillians Rugby and Totteridge Millhillians Cricket teams play. This experience opened our eyes to the idea of creating our own sports team. Our aim was to help girls after leaving Mill Hill to get back into sport. We also see this as an opportunity to reconnect with old school friends. Mill Hill is a special place where you genuinely build relationships and make friends for life – we’ve been friends for 15 years. We are excited that already many superb OM girls are keen to make this happen.
In July 2021, we ran a programme of 10 pre-season training sessions with an experienced hockey coach in support. Regular training sessions are held on the brand new MHS Astroturf pitch – our official home training ground – from 19.30-21.00 each week on Thursdays. We’ve stuck our necks out and entered the London Hockey League. The 2021/2022 season began in September and runs through to April, other teams playing include Southgate, Old Merchant Taylors and Ealing. We are confident we can beat them! ‘We now just need to get better stash than the OMRFC.’
We are still recruiting so please get in touch. We want as many people to be part of the team as possible, whether it’s other OMs, current pupils, or someone you know that’s an enthusiastic player and wants to be involved in a hockey side. It might be the best old school side you join. We are encouraging all OMs to come and support us with a longer-term view of picking up some sponsorship. Who knows with your support we might just win the League!
For further details please contact: Nicole Harvey nicoleharvey100@hotmail.com
It’s really helpful that we have the capability and platform of MHS, the Old Millhillians Club and others who genuinely want to make this work (shout out to OM Relations Laura Turner for her enthusiasm and support) and create an OM ladies side. So far, we have 16 team players ready and waiting in the wings. We see this as base for OM girls to be part of a hockey community and get back into sports whether it’s playing or watching.
The team was originally set up in 2013, running for three years, and under the leadership of George Collins and Sami Aintaoui, and won promotion from Division 5 North of the Arthurian League. After narrowly missing out on another promotion, the team was then forced to disband due to a lack of squad numbers.
With many of those same players back together, plus some new fresh faces, the team (now run by Richard Whelan and George Ghaffari) lies third in Division 5 North after an unbeaten start to the season. After an opening weekend draw with Old Brentwoods, the team then beat top of the table Merchant Taylors 5-1, with midfielder Max McGee scoring a hat-trick. OMFC then followed this up with a 3-1 away win at Old Cheltonians, with goals coming from James Kelsall and Adam Hassanali.
The squad has high hopes of winning the league in their first year back together and moving up through the divisions in the coming years.
The team trains regularly on Wednesdays in the Mill Hill/ Finchley area, and Saturday morning games are played across North London. Games are always followed by drinks and food, and the end of season parties are the stuff of legend. There is even talk of a summer tour this year! The success of the team owes a great deal to the strong spirit within the squad, with many of the boys having played together in Mill Hill School’s first ever school football match way back in 2007.
It has been great to see that the hard work and determination of those players to put football on the map was not in vain as the game has developed into a major sport at Mill Hill.
If you are interested in getting involved with the team in any capacity please do not hesitate to get in contact with Richard Whelan wheelstravels23@gmail.com or George Ghaffari georgeghaffari@gmail.com
Before I got involved with the Life Guardians (LG) I didn’t fully understand their role or appreciate where they fitted into the Foundation’s hierarchy. Now that I know, I will attempt to share my understanding in the hope that it might encourage other OMs to get involved.
The Life Guardian’s committee comprises a group of Old Millhillians who have a shared motivation to give something back to the school. We are officially ‘stakeholders’ in the Foundation which translates as taking active interest in supporting the Court of Governors* and the Heads of the Foundation Schools. Our aim is to contribute to its continued success and progress.
Life Governors, as they were originally known, date back to 1869. The role was open to those who made a significant financial contribution to the Foundation or who gained a university degree, a rare attainment in the 1860s. The role was formalised in 1997 when the Foundation was incorporated as a limited company by guarantee. There are approximately 130 Life Guardians – so called since 2011 - and the committee currently consists of 8 members.
Our responsibilities are to:
• Provide up to five members of the Court of Governors
• Elect the members of the Life Guardians Committee
• Elect new Governors to the Court of Governors
• Re-elect current Governors to the Court of Governors
• Receive an Annual Report of the Foundation’s Academic and Financial Performance from the Chairperson of the Court of Governors and the Head
• Provide Trustees to the McClure Memorial Trust (scholarship fund)
As you will see, there is potential for LGs to go on to join the Court of Governors. The list of potential candidates is maintained by the LG committee. The election of Governors is effected at our annual meeting which is attended by the Chairman of the Court and the Headmaster. This is where it can get really interesting because the Chairperson, CEO and the Head deliver reports and we are able to ask questions. This can on occasions lead to lively debate!
That last bullet point about the McClure Memorial Trust is a clear indication of how we help nurture the Foundation. It was one of the stand-out duties of the committee that led me to join. Of course, managing, maintaining and helping to provide a scholarship for a talented pupil to join is a rewarding outcome. We’re very lucky to have such generous members who contribute on a regular basis to help the fund grow. They also make a valuable contribution to the ongoing academic and financial success of the Foundation.
Membership of the LGs is open to all former pupils of Mill Hill Foundation Schools. Given the nature of what the Committee and its members champion, a donation of £250 or more is requested and can be made either as a single payment or as a standing order of at least £50 a year for 5 years. Those who apply are then considered at the next meeting of the LG committee, and if approved are elected.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact: Ian Lowden, Deputy Chair of the Life Guardians Further information can be found here; www.lifeguardians.co.uk
*The Court of Governors is the body that run the MHS Foundation
Ciera Radia (Weymouth House 2010-2012) shares what she gets up to on the Life Guardians Committee and explains why she finds it such a rewarding experience
“The Life Guardians committee comprises a group of Old Millhillians who have a shared motivation to give something back to the school. We are officially ‘stakeholders’ in the Foundation which translates as taking active interest in supporting the Court of Governors* and the Heads of the Foundation Schools. Our aim is to contribute to its continued success and progress”
One of the key roles of the Life Guardians is that they are responsible for administering the McClure Memorial Trust which provides scholarships for deserving pupils at Mill Hill School
As we approach the centenary of the death of Sir John McClure the Life Guardians are using the opportunity to promote the benefits of the McClure Scholarships and to increase the capital fund that generates the income to support the awards to students. In the lead up to the Centenary year celebrations, we are keen to explain our connection to one of Mill Hill’s greatest figures and the positive impact his legacy continues to have on student’s lives.
Sir John McClure is the inspiration behind the McClure Scholarship. Whilst we will be hearing further about Sir John McClure and how he shaped the modern Foundation in the forthcoming months, the Old Millhillians and the Life Guardians played key roles in his story and his arrival at Mill Hill.
Firstly, in 1890 when the School was in a period of great uncertainty and its very future was under threat, the Life Guardians (then known as Life Governors) wrote to the Court deploring the situation and demanding action. A change of Headmaster was required but a suitable replacement candidate to steady the ship had to be identified and persuaded to join. It was two Life Guardians who came to the rescue and proposed their Cambridge friend, John David McClure. Although there was an element of resistance due to his lack of experience, he was duly appointed at the age of just thirty-one.
It still wasn’t plain sailing as the School did not have sufficient funds to guarantee his employment and so the Old Millhillians were asked by the Court to raise funds to assist. An appeal immediately raised £2,500 to secure his appointment and set the course for the McClure era.
Following his death in 1922, the Old Millhillians again raised an appeal to commemorate Sir John’s enormous contribution to the School and this time raised £4,000. The funds were used to provide a pension for McClure’s widow and subsequently to establish the McClure Scholarship and the McClure Music Prize.
It is this bequest that forms the permanent endowment for the McClure Memorial Trust. The Trust is a registered charity which is managed by the Life Guardians who provide the trustees. It was established in 1954 which the objective of funding scholarships for deserving pupils between the ages of 12 and 14 who had taken a scholarship exam. The objects of the Trust were updated in 2014 to provide awards to boys and
girls entering the Sixth Form with outstanding academic ability and who in the opinion of the Head will make an outstanding contribution to the life of the School.
The McClure Scholarship has helped change the life of dozens of pupils over the decades. Here are the thoughts of one of the more recent Scholars:
If you are interested in supporting the McClure Memorial Trust and making a real difference to future Scholars’ lives please consider becoming a Life Guardian or making a donation to the McClure Memorial Trust.
For further details please see the Life Guardian website: lifeguardians.org.uk or contact:
Anthony Ward (Chair of the McClure Trustees)
Julian Pollock (Chair of the Life Guardians and Trustee)
Ian Lowden (Deputy Chair of the Life Guardians and Trustee).
“I often remind myself how lucky I was to continue my time at Mill Hill in what proved to be some of the most formative years of my life. In all honesty, I probably wouldn’t have achieved what I have if it hadn’t been for the McClure Scholarship. I feel totally indebted to the Life Guardians, to Dr Dominic Luckett (Headmaster 2007-2015) and to the school.”
Ted MacDonald (Priestley 2011-2016) Medical Student King’s College, London
“Things are picking up after just a week. We had a busy day yesterday. We had five one-to-ones in a school, seven members in the fitness studio in the afternoon (which is as much as we can manage under the restrictions) and 27 turned up for the evening roller skating, which was a bit scary! We had to split them up into groups and do table tennis and art as well and then we have to do our best not to let them mix.” Tim Saunders, Club Manager April 2021
When I read this message just the second week after the club had been able to re-open its doors to its members, it told me instantly and powerfully just how important Alford House is to the young people of the area.
Over the past few years Alford House has been developing a programme that aims to prevent exclusions from school and maintain student’s educational status in order to achieve their academic and employment potential. Funding has enabled us to employ staff to work in both schools and the youth club. Using a strengths-based approach, our staff work with young people to address the issues that can affect their motivation and behaviour. We explore challenging topics and provoke critical
thought on themes that are creating barriers to young people’s lives such as hyper-masculinity, consent and violence.
Old Millhillians know better than most that education is key to life opportunities; missing out on it is demonstrably detrimental. Alford House’s outreach work really makes a difference to young lives and its effectiveness is clear: none of the 60 young people given targeted support in school or in the youth club since September 2019 has been permanently excluded.
It was while I was student at UCL that I volunteered at a youth club in Russell Square. I coached football and table tennis and
Chair of the Trustees, Nick Priestnall shares the club’s news, visions for the future and invites OMS to get involved in support of this vital community resource
“Alford House feels like a second home to me. Not only is it a lively place to be at, they have friendly staff that are here for you to help with any sort of problems.”
did various other odd jobs. I loved it and I think this may be part of the reason I was keen to get involved with Alford House soon after I joined the staff at Mill Hill as Development Manager in 2006. I worked closely with Nigel Baker and Dominic Luckett in 2010 to increase the Foundation involvement and in other ways over the next few years, eventually becoming a Trustee.
Since I took over as Chair in Autumn 2019 the Trustees have focussed on two things: getting through the present in the challenging times created by the pandemic and looking to the future. In practical terms the former has been primarily about supporting the Club Manager and his staff as they have sought to continue to help the most vulnerable. There has been little
we as Trustees have been physically able to do on a day-to-day basis. We are delighted with what the team have managed to do and grateful for their efforts in extraordinary circumstances while they have been dealing with their own personal and family challenges too.
In contrast we have been able to be very pro-active with regards to the future. Many youth clubs have closed in recent years and there are many pressures on the funding for youth services generally. It is clear these are woefully inadequate and the problems which face young people are ever more acute. Alford House has been providing support for the young people of Lambeth since 1884 and as Trustees we are absolutely committed to ensure that it continues. We have launched a development plan with the objectives of providing a club building, fit for purpose in the 2020s and a sustainable funding model for the future.
We have named the campaign Alford@70 because the club finally fully occupied its current Aveline Street premises in September 1951 after they had been rebuilt following extensive war-time bomb damage.Nothing substantial has been done since, so work is definitely needed and now!
The Development Team – largely OMs – is under the excellent leadership of Vice Chair of Trustees, William Maunder Taylor (Weymouth 1968-73), who brings a lifetime of experience in property to the table. Fellow Trustees, Chris Lloyd (Weymouth
“My experience here has been the best: it has taught me to manage my time and temper.”
1994-96) and Nigel Baker (Burton Bank 1955-61) together with experienced architect and project manager Jon Rosswick (McClure 1978-84) have created a plan which is being progressed as fast as the funding will allow. The design work for the whole refurbishment is complete and work on the first phase will begin soon.
It is almost 100 years since Old Millhillians became involved with Alford House. It was in 1923 that the Club’s founder, Frank Briant, got to know Ridgeway housemaster Norman Brett James and came to speak to him and some MHS pupils about the club. One of whom was George Goyder (Ridgeway 1922-26) who, after leaving School regularly volunteered at Alford House and became very close to Frank Briant. He was integral to fulfilling Briant’s request that OMs should become actively involved to ensure the survival of the club. It was after Briant’s death in 1934 that the role of Old Millhillians became formalised in the Trust Document which, with surprisingly few modifications, is still the basis for the Governance of the Club today. George Goyder was part of dynasty of Goyders at MHS, including one relative, Cecil, who put wireless masts on top of The Francis Crick Building and made the first wireless contact with New Zealand in 1924.
The Trustees have no doubt about the impact which Alford House makes on its community; this is a great motivator for all of us involved with the Club. I am sure that it inspired Nigel Baker (Burton Bank 1955-61) to become a Trustee more than 43 years ago and to Chair the Board for 29 of them. A fantastic record of
service and commitment for which the Alford House community is enormously grateful. As his successor, I am delighted that he continues as a Trustee; as we greatly value his experience. We miss the support of Trustee, the late Andrew Welch (McClure 1975-80) who first volunteered as an undergraduate in the 1980s and went on to give dedicated and passionate support to the club for over 30 years. We are delighted that his daughter OM Rosie (McClure 2005-2010) has recently become involved too.
Tulip Siddiq, OM, Shadow Minister for Education said in the House of Commons on 20/10/20. “As the House knows, we are in the middle of Black History Month, so I will conclude by quoting a very famous black person, Nelson Mandela, who once said: “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
The Alford@70 campaign and the long-term future of Alford House are totally dependent on the generosity of donors of time, money and expertise. What OMs have given in these ways over almost a century is fantastic, playing a major role in the very existence of the club; long may it continue. So please do get in touch if you would like to offer your help in whatever shape or form.
For further information contact: Nick Priestnall nick@alfordhouse.org.uk www.alfordhouse.org.uk
“I feel a lot of confidence when I do things, even when I’m out of the session.”Rosie Walsh visited Alford House for the first time at our recent Open Day. We are delighted that Rosie is helping with our website and social media presence.
“It has opened my mind and helped me to think in different ways. I feel I have gained someone I can talk to that actually cares.”
John Helinikakis (Murray 1976-1981) opens the door to Mill Hill’s long association with freemasonry, explains the history and values of the organisation and invites others to join him
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest social and charitable organisations. Its roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built Britain’s cathedrals and castles, who went on the form the Guilds. For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Charity. In today’s world filled with uncertainty, these principles ring as true as they have at any point in the organisation’s history.
The Old Millhillian Lodge was formed in 1938 and is thriving. Each year, all going well, there are a minimum of four official meetings, where subjects such as charitable giving and the welfare of members are discussed, plus ceremonies, when new members go through the three degrees of initiation to become Master Masons. These meetings are usually held at the Freemasons Hall in Covent Garden, London, followed by an enjoyable dinner. Members of the Lodge travel from far parts of the country to attend.
The highlight of the calendar is the Master and Lodge Officers installation meeting and dinner held at the Innholders Hall in November. Additionally, we endeavour to schedule several informal drinks meet ups at the Adam and Eve Pub in Mill Hill, including an open evening for any OM that would like to meet us and perhaps discuss joining the Lodge. While the Lodge is currently at capacity, there is usually space for one or two initiates per year through natural attrition. Contact details are on the OM website.
Along with all other OM social occasions and events, the Lodge did not escape the inevitable cancellations during lockdowns, but we did have the distinction of managing one meeting in 2019, just before the first. Thereafter, we have been in touch with each other monthly through the good services of Zoom, enjoying a little banter, the odd quiz, and perhaps a glass or two of wine – after all, traditions need to be maintained.
While the passing of OMs John Elliott (house years) and Ray Hubbard (Weymouth 1946-1951) have been noted in a previous edition of the Martlet, it would be remiss if we did not mention them here. Both John and Ray were senior, active, and respected members of the Lodge and they will be very sorely missed by friends and brother Lodge members.
Following the theme of charity, in 2020, donations were made to the Metropolitan Grand Lodge Charity for the long ladders for the London Fire Brigade and another for Alford House. We expect to make further charitable donations when formal meetings are reconvened later in the year.
Historically, the Freemasons have been a male-only guild and, while over several centuries the possibility of admitting women has been debated many times, the changes required to the ancient texts that underpin Freemasonry have proved too complex to overcome. However, there are two womenonly Grand Lodges in England, which would enable female OMs, who are already Freemasons and provided they were sufficient in number, to form a branch. This would be a positive development 46 years after the admittance of the first girls into the school. I would be happy to steer anyone interested in the right direction, so please do get in touch.
By the time that you read this, we should have held our first meet up of 2021 at the Adam & Eve on the 13 August for ‘local’ Lodge members and guests. We look forward to the year ahead when Lodge members from far and wide can get together again for first time in the best part of two years.
Any OM that has an interest in joining the Lodge, whether an existing Freemason or as an initiate, please contact the secretary, David Roe Polo@felixr.com
A large number of committed individuals volunteer their time to ensure that the Club, Alford House and the Mill Hill School Foundation continue to thrive. In a prior issue of Martlet we paid tribute to the Club’s army of ambassadors who help organise UK and overseas events. This time we feature the Club’s Management Committee and its sub-committees and representation along with the new team of YOMS Ambassadors.
We are always on the look-out for committed volunteers so if you are interested
Peter Wakeham Burton Bank (1960-64) Chair
John Gallagher Ridgeway (1963-69) President
Chris Kelly Mill Hill School (1981-93)
Vice President
Gordon Mizner Murray (1965-69) Immediate Past President
Nick Davis Murray (1974-79)
Hon Secretary
Asif Ahmed Belmont (1992-93)
Hon Treasurer
primarily responsible for the overall direction of the Club which has been set out in a business plan, ensuring that the Club serves its members well and is professionally governed.
The Sub-Committees are in place to implement the Business Plan approved by the Management Committee
OM Relations Careers Investment
John Hellinikakis School (1976) Murray (1977-81) Chair
Clare Lewis Ridgeway (1977-79)
Communications
Provides a programme of activities, Millhillians Club members and non-members.
Richard Lidwell Murray (1959-64) Chair
Helps pupils and OMs with career advice support, mentoring and networking opportunities.
Solon Satanas Murray (1990-93) Chair
Safeguards Old Millhillians Club member assets
Nominations
Gordon Mizner Murray (1965-69)
Chair
Undertakes recruitment and succession planning for key Committee roles
- Volunteers, Roles and Aims
Ted Macdonald Priestley (2011-16)
Chair
Ciera Radia Weymouth (2010-12)
Oji Onyedikachi Collinson (1980-84)
Jay Popat Weymouth (2014-19)
Ruby Atkins Atkinson (2015-20)
Ed Holland McClure (2012-17)
The YOMS Ambassadors organise events aimed exclusively at younger Old Millhillians. All school leavers are now b hosted event is the Upper Sixth Leavers event. YOMS Ambassadors organise pub drinks at various university towns where there is critical mass of OMs, an annual YOMS Christmas party and also 5, 10 and 15 year OM reunions.
- Volunteers, Roles and Aims
Jane Sanchez
Honorary
Head of Mill Hill School
John Barron
Honorary
Assistant Head (Sixth Form) Mill Hill School
Stephanie Miller Priestley (1990-92) Governor to the Court of Mill Hill School Foundation
Adrian Jordan Murray (1973-78)
Belmont and Old Belmontians
Julian Pollock Priestley (1983-88)
Life Guardians /McClure Award
Trustees / Clubland and Investment Trust
Nigel Baker Burton Bank (1955-61) McClure (1989-94)
Joint Representatives of Alford House
The Old Millhillians Club’s long-term future and day-to-day success is closely entwined with Mill Hill School and the Mill Hill School Foundation. Close liason and constructive relations are paramount and we value having their representatives on the Management Committee. They help us stay in touch and better understand their respective needs - and vice versa. Similarly, our relations with Alford House and the Life Guardians (see page xxxx for explanation of Life Guardian
Born in Chichester, Sussex, where he was later to meet his wife, Grace, he joined the staff of Lochinver House School in Potters Bar in about 1958 from his first teaching post which had been at Slindon House, now Slindon College.
There he became a teacher of both Latin and particularly French with some distinction and subsequently Deputy Head. He was a pivotal driving force in a wide range of other pursuits including running the games activities of football, athletics and, most particularly, cricket for which he had considerable and lifelong passion.
His very competent and enthusiastic piano playing was a major contribution to Hymn singing at daily Morning Assemblies as well as other varied musical activities within and outside the classroom. He used his keyboard skills widely, extending these later to playing the organ for his local church and so was especially popular for weddings.
Christopher Funnell at Belmont
On joining Belmont Christopher made an immediate impact both in terms of academic quality of his teaching of French and his willingness to engage in the whole spectrum of School life, particularly Chapel and extra-curricular activities. He was equally adept in introducing French to the youngest boys and explaining advanced grammar to the scholarship class, his success measured not only by a regularly high level of achievement in public exams but also by the overt enthusiasm boys displayed for the language and culture of the French.
This included of course visits to and exchanges with schools in France. Christopher’s approach to language teaching emphasised the steady building of grammatical and lexical knowledge. He wanted to give boys full confidence in their ability to manipulate the language, both orally and on paper; as a result they always gave of their best when it came to Common Entrance or scholarship exams for numerous senior schools. His calm, reassuring, soft-spoken manner was much appreciated – he always made time to listen to individuals and give help where support and advice were needed. He was in short an ideal Prep School teacher who ensured that those he taught were thoroughly prepared for the greater intellectual rough and tumble of a senior school.
Christopher was a careful listener also to colleagues, reassuring, helpful and sensitive to the culture and ethos of the Common Room. He saw also the importance of developing close links with Mill Hill staff, sharing concerns and aspirations, appreciative of the way senior linguists took on his previous charges and always eager to learn from good practice elsewhere.
Christopher Funnell former Belmont French teacher. Him and his wife Grace, the school Matron were devoted staff for 20 years from 1969
Following retirement from Belmont in 1996, on nearing the age of 60, he continued using his teaching skills at The Hall boys’ prep school in Hampstead until a personal health crisis. He, finally, had a brief period at Queenswood, the Girls Public School, quite near his home in Potters Bar.
Many OMs over several decades will have benefitted from his teaching in their early years. More or less to the end, he followed where possible and with enthusiasm the careers of his former pupils, most of whom he could recall with impressive detail.
He retained his interest in and strong commitment to the Mill Hill community by contributing very substantially to the Old Bellmontians and by becoming an OM staff member himself.
“Late November I had the honour of showing Christopher and Grace’s daughter, Ann, and granddaughter, Louise around the school. Ann had last stepped foot into the school 45 years ago when she was the Assistant Matron for 18 months. Louise has followed her grandfather’s footsteps and has become a French Teacher. It was incredible listening to her recollections of what took place in various parts of the school 45 years ago. The Learning Support department was her bedroom, the music technology room was the bath house, and the library was the dining room. It was touching to see how moved she was by being back in the school. So much had changed, with new buildings, but the long-established buildings and the core values have remained the same. Ann was disappointed that the outdoor pool had gone but on days like today I don’t think that Mr Fleet would fancy a dip.”
Akram Nadeem Ridgeway
Ayto John Burton Bank
Burt Christopher Burton Bank
Cargill Robert Murray
Clarke Rufus Ridgeway
Connelly Patrick Ridgeway
Dolamore John Burton Bank
Field Austin Ridgeway
Hanton Alastair Scrutton
Miller William Collinson
Mills Roy Ridgeway
Rhodes Alan School House
Schild David McClure
Spong Chris Winterstoke
Thomas Alan Weymouth
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