Old Millhillians Club Presidents’ Annual Dinner 1st October 2021

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.