The 2025 Chronicle

Boys’ Club headquarters to set up this branch. My hope is that future Old Boys will benefit from its genesis, with many enjoyable events to come.

The second cricket encounter followed on 8 August with our third annual T20 clash against Hilton old boys. Held again at Wimbledon, the match drew a strong crowd and lived up to its growing reputation. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Michaelhouse stuttered early but recovered thanks to contributions from Brandon Tattam with 27 and Marc Conlon (Founders, 2015) with 21, eventually posting 110-9. Hilton’s openers, however, chased down the target comfortably in just 14 overs, handing them a seven-wicket victory. With our Old Boys taking the loss with humility and good spirit, the fixture continues to foster the special bond and friendly rivalry be tween our two schools. The third and final cricket fixture of the season took place on a sun-drenched day in North London, where Michaelhouse faced the Harrow Wanderers for the second time. Harrow started strongly, racing to 220-1 by the 18th over, but a middle-order collapse – thanks to sharp spells by Daniel Kramer (Tatham, 2013), Declan Newton (Founders, 2018) and Murray Judge (West, 2017) – limited them to 341-8. The Michaelhouse chase was equally thrilling. A resilient knock of 49 from James Gush (Founders, 2019) and a heroic century from Marc Con lon, who scored 103 off 60 balls while nursing both a fractured thumb and hamstring strain, kept hopes alive. Support came from Brandon Jewell (Farfield, 2019) with a knock of 39 and Newton, who contributed 34, but the side ultimately fell short, finishing on 315. Over 600 runs were scored and 17 wickets taken in what was a high-octane finish to the cricketing year. October welcomed our continental contingent once again at the Amsterdam Drinks at Golflounge De Hoge Dijk, expertly organised by Brendan Bergs (Mackenzie, 2014). This growing event saw enthusiastic attendance from Old Boys across the Netherlands who had overlapped in Balgowan between 2011 and 2015, united by good cheer, shared heritage, and a view to expanding activities in Europe. Back in London, the Winter Luncheon on 30 October brought 23 Old Boys together in the President’s Room for a warm and convivial gathering ahead of the AGM Dinner. We were particu larly pleased by the presence of the Rector, Antony Clark, and Frances Fleming Bolttler, Head of Development, for the first of our three year-end branch events over a 36-hour span. Their in sights into the school’s recent academic, sporting, cultural and infrastructural achievements were gratefully received. Awards were presented to John Dickson ( Kehla – Founders, 1954), Brendan Bergs ( Undlela ) and Nikhil Iyer ( Omusha – East, 2020), with the Kehla and Omusha highlighting a remarkable 66-year generational span. The meal was superb and, as is tra dition, Rick Peacock-Edwards (Pascoe, 1961) and Clive Mace wan (West, 1961) led a spirited detour to the Running Horse Tavern that lasted long into the evening. The following morning, a particularly poignant ceremony was held at St Martin’s Church in Ruislip, marking the completion of a year-long restoration of the headstone of our founder, James Cameron Todd. Attended by a dozen dignitaries and guests, the ceremony featured a sequence of moving tributes, read ings and prayers. Scott Wadeson opened the ceremony with a welcome and some background on James Cameron Todd’s exceptional life. Rory McKenna (West, 2002), who led the res toration effort, read from Matthew 7, and the Rector paid trib ute to Todd’s vision with his famous 1897 quote: “Our aim is to make, not accountants, not clerks, not clergymen, but men; men of understanding, thought and culture.”

UK & EUROPE Written by Scott Wadeson (Farfield, 2012)

As we draw to a close on another year, I am delighted to share with you the highlights and achievements of the UK & Europe Branch for 2025. This year marked a continuation of our growth, both in engage ment and reach, with ten events spanning luncheons, sports fixtures, ceremonies and socials. Our community continues to flourish, driven by the camaraderie, dedication and shared pride of our members across the continent. EVENTS OVERVIEW Our calendar began in fine form with the Summer Luncheon at the RAF Club on 28 May. Nineteen Old Boys gathered in the President’s Room for an occasion of reconnection and reflec tion. This year’s guest of honour was Bart Wielenga, Rector-Elect of Michaelhouse, who addressed us warmly on his return to the Michaelhouse fold. With no fewer than six attendees having been taught by Bart during his previous time at the school, the event was marked by laughter, nostalgia and a sense of conti nuity. Traditional awards were handed out, with Chris Dresser (Farfield, 1954) taking Kehla , Jayden Griffin (Baines, 2023) named Omusha , and the Undlela awarded to Bart himself for his trip up from Devon. In June we hosted the Hilton v Michaelhouse rugby screening at Belushi’s in Hammersmith. A lively crowd cheered on our alma mater despite a narrow defeat, proving once again that the strength of support for the school spans oceans. July brought our annual interschool golf day against Hilton back to Silvermere Golf Club. Under bright midsummer skies and on rock-hard fairways, 28 Michaelhouse Old Boys – the high est turnout to date – arrived determined to reclaim the putter. The better-ball Stableford format returned, and our side deliv ered with both craft and consistency, averaging 39.5 points to Hilton’s 36. Notable pairings included brothers David (East, 2014) and Chris Broadley (East, 2016) with 46 points, and Tom Walker (Pascoe, 2014) and Will Winship (Tatham, 2014) close behind with 45. James Quin (Founders, 2014) claimed the longest drive, while Brandon Tattam (Farfield, 2014) took nearest to the pin. The clubhouse festivities carried on late into the evening – a fitting close to a commanding win. Later that month the cricket season began with a landmark fix ture as Michaelhouse faced off against St Andrew’s old boys for the first time. Played under Friday-night lights at Wimbledon CC and in front of a sizeable crowd, it was a spirited and well-sup ported debut. Despite strong bowling efforts by Murray Judge (West, 2017) with 2-18 and Gareth Macaskill (Farfield, 2016) with 2-19, St Andrew’s set a formidable 186-6. The Michael house batting line-up struggled to build momentum, with Will Norton (Farfield, 2018) putting up a valiant 27 off 26 balls, and the side were ultimately dismissed for 113. St Andrew’s took the win by 73 runs, but the night ended in high spirits with a joint fines meeting and festive clubhouse camaraderie.

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