FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

to be our year against Hilton, with slim losses in the rugby screening, cricket and golf. It was fantastic, however, to score a comfortable win in our inaugural fixture against a UK school, when we beat Harrow on their First XI cricket field. It is always hugely satisfying to see how brilliant the Michaelhouse turnout is in both participation and support. We had 27 players to Hilton’s 12 for the golf day, and had considerably more support at both the screening and cricket fixtures compared to our rival schools. A special thanks must go to Ross Nalson (Mackenzie, 2016), Simon Cheshire (East, 2014), Jordan Sacks (Pascoe, 2016), Andrew Woodland (Farfield, 2023), Brandon Tattam (Farfield, 2014) and James Clark (Mackenzie, 2017) for their efforts in organising fixtures, venues, food, kit and drinks for all these events. The second annual Amsterdam drinks kicked off the closing events of the year. This was the first of three events in five days, including the winter luncheon and AGM dinner. Brilliantly organized by Brendan Bergs (Mackenzie, 2014), our Europe committee representative, close to a dozen Old Boys pulled through, kitted out in a variety of Michaelhouse memorabilia and white sneakers to reminisce over a few pints. The penultimate event of the year saw 24 Old Boys gather in the Presidents’ Room at the RAF Club for the final luncheon of the year. As always, the allure of the Running Horse Tavern proved too tempting, and there were a number of stalwart Old Boys who were nursing tender heads as they prepared themselves for the AGM dinner the following evening. The AGM dinner saw more than 100 attendees pack into the Sovereigns’ Room for the final event of the year. The branch was especially grateful that Antony Clark, Rector of Michaelhouse, Ron Rutland, director of the Old Boys’ Club, and Frances Fleming Bolttler, head of fundraising, had travelled from Balgowan to attend both the AGM dinner and the winter luncheon. Attendees closely followed the Rector’s annual update and were given their first in-person introduction to Ron Rutland who, along with Aphiwe Mthalane (Farfield, 2016) and the rest of the team back at HQ, has been instrumental in supporting the UK&E branch throughout the year. The branch also saw an incredibly successful raffle of Michaelhouse related memorabilia, with those funds pivotal in supporting our 2025 events and branch members. With wine flowing and conversation at full volume throughout the evening, it was a fantastic culmination of a brilliant year for the branch. We’re fortunate to have a committee filled with first-rate humans, and the UK&E branch is grateful that all are staying on to lead us into 2025. Simon Cheshire stepped into a committee member role after a brilliant run as treasurer and will focus on our sports events. Ross Nalson shifted into the treasurer position, with committee

The clay pigeon shooting is a highly enjoyable event to be a part of, even if the Midlands Branch is still cleaning us up. The shooting average per shooter has narrowed dramatically to one clay per person. So, there is hope for us yet. For those who haven’t been involved, this is a highly recommended event. The action cricket team seemed to be winning both on the field and off, with braais late into the evening suggesting this. Unfortunately, in the touch rugby stakes we lost this year in the final by one try. This, I hope, is the first and last time it happens. Age is not our friend but we hope we can convince some younger Old Boys to join our ranks. We had a new addition to our committee this year, Mivan Howard (Tatham, 2009), who added great value. In saying that, if there are any other Old Boys in the Pietermaritzburg area who are willing to get involved in the committee, please don’t hesitate to get hold of me. has been another year of astounding success for the United Kingdom and Europe branch. Overall, we held 10 events during the year in which we had close to 300 attendees. We’re incredibly grateful that we continue to see such incredible support and enthusiasm from our branch Old Boys. Our first function was an informal drinks event at the Oriental Club. As announced at last year’s AGM, Michaelhouse is now an affiliate school of the Oriental. This partnership gives us access to a permanent venue for our more informal and interschool events, while we continue to have our formal luncheons and dinners at our unofficial HQ, the Royal Airforce Club. This also provides a foothold into the members-club scene in London, particularly for our younger Old Boys. The summer luncheon was hosted at the RAF Club at the beginning of July. It was a particularly special iteration of this event as it was also the launch of Stars of the Morning in the UK. We welcomed Gary Ralfe (West, 1961), author and former trustee and chairman of the Board, as the guest of honour. The branch chairman had the pressured responsibility of sitting with Gary in an interview-style format to tease out some of the more memorable stories from the book. Topics ranged from the school’s involvement in the two world wars to its memorable characters, such as the Smokers Club. It was fitting that it ended with sage words on the camaraderie that has allowed Michaelhouse to flourish as one of the last remaining all-boys, all-boarding schools on the planet. We then shifted into a swathe of sporting-themed events during the next few months. This included the hosting of the Hilton v Michaelhouse screening in Hammersmith, interschool cricket fixtures against Harrow and Hilton, and the annual interschool golf day against Hilton at Silvermere. Unfortunately, it wasn’t 2 024 UNITED KINGDOM & EUROPE Written by Scott Wadeson (Farfield, 2012)

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