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1959, the year of Neil Sedaka, Louis Armstrong, Johnnie Ray and of course Elvis Presley in the Hit Parade. Fidel Castro became Prime Minister of Cuba, Xerox launched the World’s first plain-paper copier, the Austin Se7en and Morris Mini-Minor set alight the British motoring scene and Barbie dolls appeared. If all of this was not enough, in a quiet corner of Somerset the graduates of Millfield School formed the Millfield Society.

To celebrate the first fifty years of our society, an afternoon and evening on the 8th of August was set aside for invited OMs to visit the School and note the changes and improvements since their Millfield days. Invitees numbered one hundred and thirty; OMs, their spouses, Millfield tutors including no less than three past-Headmasters – six if you include Millfield Preparatory School, along with Boss’ daughter Mrs Jacqui Mander-Wilson and Sally, daughter of Colin Atkinson

At 2pm the group assembled in the Concert Hall foyer for a welcome by Society Chairman Rod Speed, who then sent everyone off in smaller groups for a tour of the campus. Of course many involved OMs frequently return to the School and were well aware of the latest developments, but many less frequent visitors were astounded by how different things were from their own time. It was noted that in some instances a whole generation of buildings had been erected, used and demolished to make way for even greater edifices since those heady days before 1970.

A few ‘signposts to the past’ remain, A and B block, some administration buildings and of course Millfield House itself, but that’s about it. These are over-shadowed by the Meyer Theatre, the Concert Hall, Dining Hall, Library and the latest addition of the new Chemistry Laboratories. Sporting facilities are now too many to mention all, but the Olympic-sized Swimming Pool is one of only ten in Great Britain.

With sore feet and admiration the guests took tea in the Gaskell Room beneath the first-floor dining facilities, an event which tumbled over in time and geography to pre-dinner drinks outside the Library; a fact made possible by the early-evening sunshine. John Davies tried and finally succeeded in arranging all of us for a commemorative photo, but mutterings of ‘herding cats’ and nailing smoke to the wall were heard. Then it was off to the Dining Hall, which although a school dining hall is attractive enough in its own right to be a pleasant venue for a grown-up social occasion. A three-course meal of first-class quality was served, and wine was available for the more Millfield-minded of us.

Of course, one cannot expect to escape such an occasion without listening to a speech or two, but in this instance it was a pleasure to listen to John Davies, Rod Speed and one of our guests of honour, ex-Headmaster Peter Johnson.

John set the scene by telling us that he hadn’t been so nervous since being stuck in a lift with Rod Speed. The history of the Society was covered with allusions to our newly-retired Archivist Barry Hobson, and Malcolm Kirk who had suggested the idea of an O M organization in a letter to the Millfield magazine in 1948. The magazine, then named “Windmill”, replied in 1949, that a first meeting was planned in August. In 1950 the membership fee was one guinea, a currency that today will only buy you a racehorse. The first reunion was held in the following year at the Dorchester Hotel. It was hosted by Boss and Mrs. M, along with their daughter Jacqui – who being with us received a massive round of applause. By 1954 inflation or business acumen had taken the life-membership to five guineas.

But it was on July 19th 1959 that the Society really took form with the inception of a fourteen-strong committee, Boss as President, and a constitution agreed. Wyndham Bailey and Margaret Foyle, nee McMillan, attended and Margaret was with us for this 50th anniversary. Sadly, as many of you know, Wyndham recently passed away after what can truly be described as a lifetime of service to Millfield.

John went on to relate tales of his being hired by Boss, the part that various games of chance, horses and bookies played in that, and the shortcomings in terms of facilities that the early Millfieldian had to endure. This was all before the days of ‘elf and safety, and although the cricket ground served concurrently as the athletics facility, no athlete was hit by a ball, and no cricketer was speared by a javelin.

John summed up the early years thus: “I have certainly said enough to illustrate that Millfield was an extraordinary place all those years ago. However, notwithstanding the quirky nature of some aspects of the school, and virtually no facilities, there were seven hundred pupils and one hundred and sixty staff, so that good quality teaching took place in remarkably small teaching units. The mix of pupils was splendid and the curriculum was imaginative and ambitious. It was a very fine school then – the most expensive in the country of course – and Boss was the most able and charismatic of headmasters”.

The notable amongst the attendees were then mentioned, past Society-Chairmen, Headmasters and School Governors. John wound up his address to us in the following way: “However one thing hasn’t changed. That’s the remarkable educational philosophy that Boss introduced so long ago. I won’t explain it or describe it as you all know what I am talking about. It is still at the heart of everything that is done here. It is still what makes Millfield, Millfield – a unique educational establishment. We don’t know what the next fifty years will bring. However the Old Millfieldian Society looks forward to marching forward with the School to face whatever challenges lie ahead and, no matter what, to do our best to support Millfield in every possible way that we can. I am sure that both School and Society face bright futures”.

Following John’s very well received speech, Rod Speed added his thoughts as our current Chairman. Like John, Rod is a natural speaker and raconteur who can match mirth with message in just the right mix to be highly entertaining and informative. His words were followed by ex-Headmaster Peter Johnson. As a speaker, he too is cast in the same mould, and one can only suspect that there is a ‘Millfield skill’ to the after-dinner speech, which all may absorb. Peter spoke from the School’s view of the Society and confirmed our value to the School, and their appreciation of us.

The evening finished with a general swapping of memories and war stories from Millfield days, along with the rekindling of old friendships and the establishment of some new. It is always on such occasions that the bond of Millfield comes to the fore, a ready hand of friendship and trust that one does not find in everyday life. It’s almost as if the knowledge of the shared experience, perhaps separated in time, of having been on the Millfield ISP list is an assurance that all are trustworthy and like-minded although interests and pursuits may be different. We can only hope that those attending the Centenary Celebration shall have as much fun as we did. It’s extremely unlikely that this writer will be there.

Malcolm Tucker (1961-1965;Millfield)