OMS Latest:

Nigel steps down

Nigel Sharp (1959-65; Kernick) has retired after 40 years in industry, his last post being boss of Ford UK. To read more click here

Peter's award

Peter Poobalasingam (2001-2008; Edgarley and Etonhurst), without very much doubt the best chess player Millfield has ever produced, has been making a name for himself away from the chess board and the lecture theatre at Bath University where he is studying maths, by picking up one of the prestigious Bath Awards for his role as student trainer for the university's SORTED programme.

The judges of the award were impressed by Peter's voluntary work as secretary for the student entrepreneurs’ society and president of the Asian Society, as well as his organization of training sessions and being part of the Pants@Bath team in the Student Shop competition run in the city centre.

To read more click here

Cleve West - Chelsea's best!

Cleve West, a multiple Gold Award-winner at Chelsea, has received the ultimate accolade at this year's event in winning the ' Best in Show' award for his sponsors, The Daily Telegraph.

Read the Daily Telegraph's own report here

Denbies' wine success

Congratulations to Chris White (1988-95; Edgarley and St Anne's) and Denbies for winning the still rosé gold medal prize in this year’s International Wine Challenge, with their Denbies Chalk Ridge Rosé 2010, produced on the hillsides of Dorking, Surrey, beating off stiff competition from more than 360 producers from 21 countries across the globe.

It is the only gold award achieved in the still rosé category and an unprecedented achievement for an English wine.

Read more by clicking here or go to the Denbies' website - http://www.denbies.co.uk/

Bayard Barron MBE

We are delighted to announce that Bayard (1986-1995; Edgarley & Holmcroft) has been promoted from Captain to Major and was awarded the MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List following his return from a third tour of duty in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment.

Robert's near-miss

OM Robert Mortell (Edgarley and Day 1994-2004), who is at present studying at the University of Leicester, has narrowly missed out on becoming Law Undergraduate of the Year 2011 after being named on the final shortlist of ten, in competition with many top students from universities throughout the country.

He underwent a vigorous selection process which culminated in him being invited to an interview with global law firm Mayer Brown, where he gave a presentation to company bosses.

The winner was announced last month at Canary Wharf, where the finalists met former cabinet minister, Michael Portillo.

Robert is confident that the experience will act as an important stepping stone to a career in law.
 

The Bodenham Arboretum - the creation of one of our more senior Old Millfieldians

We are delighted to be able to introduce to OMs the delight that is Bodenham Arboretum, near Kidderminster in Worcestershire, an area of outstanding landscape beauty and interest, brought about from originally 127 acres of woodland and rough pasture by OM David Binnian (1946-1951; Edgarley and Millfield).

It was in 1973 that David and his wife, Jennifer, began the project, which has developed into a family venture, with the second generation of Binnians, including OM James (1973-75; Shapwick) fully involved in its planning, development and day-to-day management, and the third generation hovering in the wings.

Bodenham’s 134 acres, which contain mature woodland, specimen trees and shrubs and two chains of pools and lakes, integrated within a working farm, received conditional English Heritage status in 1995, when it was opened to the public for their enjoyment.

To read more about the Binnians’ remarkable achievement in producing this corner of Eden in the heart of the English countryside go to www.bodenham-arboretum.co.uk
 

Chris' efforts recognised

The part that Chris Stott (1982-87; Etonhurst) has played in The Isle of Man’s ever-increasing involvement in the space sector was recognised recently at the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence when he received the ‘Business Person of the Year’ award during a glittering ceremony hosted by comedian and impressionist Rory Bremner.

Chris is the founder of ManSat, an orbital frequencies and regulatory services company which brings considerable amounts of revenue to the island.

Chris'  wife, Nicole, is an American engineer and Nasa astronaut

Find out more about ManSat and the Isle of Man's space activity, by going to:-

 http://www.mansat.com

and

www.spaceisle.com