Old Millhillians Day
Old Millhillians Day 2009
Late September often proves to be a time of glorious late summer sunshine and Old Millhillians Day on Saturday September 26 was no exception. The event was again combined with the School's Foundation Day and many thanks to the Headmaster and the School providing such generous hospitality, including a magnificent spit-roast barbecue.
The day kicked off in the Favell building with a lively gathering of pre-1960 leavers ( invited by the Friends) combined with a reunion of some who had been evacuated from Millhill to St Bees during the war; it would be good to see the links between the two schools continuing in some way. It was also a delight to seen Jean Clarkson, who for so long was the administrative force behind the St Bees Association.
A goodly gathering of Old Millhillian guests were able to watch the School Ist XV triumph on Topfield, listen to the marching band and watch the Old Millhillian Hockey XI beat a team from Millhill hockey club 6-2. Many thanks to Jonathan Cuff, the new master in charge of hockey, for his help with this fixture. The Fives Club again enjoyed its traditional match with the School while the OM rugby club was less successful on the Park where it lost heavily in a league game.
As usual there was the opportunity for guests to view the School, which looked magnificent, and the day ended for most with tea on Top Terrace. However, a significant younger group of OMs finally retired to the Three Hammers for beer and gossip.
Visit our gallery for more images from this years Old Millhillians Day
Old Millhillians Day 2008
As with last year Old Millhillians Day was again held on School Foundation Day and the School generously provided an excellent barbecue lunch, including a delicious spit roast, as a start to the afternoon of events (though a number had already enjoyed the Friends get together for the 1960 leavers). The weather was gloriously sunny and warm, as is so often the case in late September, and there was a real sense of occasion as Old Millhillians mingled with each other as well as with teachers, pupils and parents.
OM visitors enjoyed the opportunity to watch both the CCF marching band and the School 1st XV put on a superb display of rugby on Top field to overwhelm the visiting opposition. As usual the Old Millhillian Fives Club had a match against the School while an innovation this year was an Old Millhillian men's hockey match (we still cannot get enough response from the Ladies for a team to play the School). A scratch side of fifteen OMs turned up to play the local Mill Hill Club 2nd XV. Inevitably the opposition were better organised and scored three quick goals before the OMs got into their stride. Then the game became much more even and genuinely contested and OMs scored twice (two splendidly taken goals by Adam Harvey), though the final result was a 7-2 defeat. It is hoped to build on this beginning and to have several games each year. Thanks to Mark Dickinson (master) for umpiring.
The day finished with drinks in the main dining room to bring a successful day to a conclusion. The only disappointment was that because of unavoidable timings the Life Governors had to hold their AGM in the afternoon and so those OMs attending missed many of the day's events. This problem will have to be addressed in planning for next year. But many thanks to the School for its hospitality and to the various teams, including the caterers and groundsmen, who looked after us so well.
Old Millhillians Day 2007
Old Millhillians Day this year was combined with the School Foundation Day in order for the whole of the Mill Hill Community to come together in a special celebration of the School’s bicentenary.Although the Life Governors held their usual AGM and luncheon, the day got underway for most Old Millhillians with the rugby match against Old Actonians at 3.00 pm. To have a competitive match on Top Field was an innovation and a great success, particularly as the Old Millhillians emerged triumphant and there was a large crowd watching. The ladies also played the School at hockey and Steve Plummer arranged the annual encounter between School and Old Millhillians on the Fives courts.
Instead of the usual tea there was an excellent barbecue and hog roast generously provided by the School (many thanks to all the catering staff).and enjoyed by the large gathering of over 400 Old Millhillians, including partners and family. The Friends of Mill Hill had also organised a reunion of Scrutton House, who looked round their former accommodation, perused memorabilia.and exchanged memories.
Everyone finally filtered out onto Top Terrace and Top Field to watch an impressive exhibition by the Corps of Drums and to view images of School events and various pupils and teachers projected onto a large screen that covered the portico. The day came to a fitting end with a spectacular firework display, using the main School building as a backdrop.
Old Millhillians Day 2006
Old Millhillians Day on Sunday 10 September 2006, was graced with glorious sunshine. Well over 200 OM's attended with their families and friends. They walked around the school and either took part or watched some of the activities organised.
Several OM's and their families took up the offer of using the school's new swimming pool and followed that by setting up picnics on the lawns.
There were lots of spectators for the hockey match and rugby match - it's good to see that OM's still have what it takes ! Click here for a rugby match report.
The official opening of the Fives courts took place in the late afternoon. There were drinks being served while Steve Plummer, Master of Fives at the school, William Winfield the headmaster, Andrew Summer and Andrew Barber the Chairman of the Eton Fives Association made short but interesting speeches to welcome the guests. Andrew Barber then officially declared the courts open. There was an opportunity for informal play followed by an exhibition match.
The day came to a close at Top Terrace where the school laid on a superb tea of scones, strawberries and cream and sandwiches. There was also a Pimms Bar. Tea time was an opportuntiy for all the OM's to gather in one area and mingle and chat to old friends.
Everyone had a great time and it was especially good to see a variety of generations as children and grandchildren of OM's had come along to see their parent's old school.
Click here to view our photographs from the day in our Gallery.