We are very sad to have to pass on news of the recent death, from cancer, of Alan, who was 47. His funeral was held at Shepton Mallet crematorium on 3rd February 2012 We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Alan's wife, Briony, and family.

We are sorry to report that Fred, who was on the groundstaff for 30 years until 1985, passed away in November 2011. He had suffered a stroke earlier in the year.

We are sad to report the recent death of long-serving former Head of Languages and Houseparent at Millfield, Bob Dickens. Bob moved from Somerset nearly 18 months ago to be nearer his family in Leigh on Sea in Essex and, following the progresssion of some health problems, moved for the past year to a Care Home locally, where he settled well and was a popular resident. After attending Kingswood School, in Bath, Bob served in the Royal Navy in the Second World War in both frigates and midget submarines. After the war he went to Christ's College, in Cambridge, to study French and German, representing his college in rowing. He then did his teacher training in Leeds, and after teaching jobs in the Isle of Man and Wimbledon, he joined the staff of Millfield School. He dedicated the rest of his career to Millfield, teaching French and going on to be head of department then director of modern languages, as well as other directorate and management responsibilities. He was also housemaster at Etonhurst House, in Ashcott, for 12 years. He was widely read and loved conversing on any subject, and had a great love for music and singing. Retirement led to many activities including gardening, Scottish dancing and several choirs. Following the death of his son, Colin, then his wife, Madge, he moved, in 2010, to Leigh-on-Sea, in Essex, to be nearer his son Anthony and family. He was cremated in Southend-on-Sea with a memorial service in Ashcott, and interment of his ashes there alongside wife Madge. Donations in memory of Bob, to the British Heart Foundation, may be sent to Forsey and Son, 28 High Street, Butleigh, Glastonbury BA6 8SY

We are sad to report the death of Rob, teacher and Houseparent at Edgarley Manor from 1990-92, who was killed in a motorbike accident in Australia recently.

We are sorry to have to report the death of long-serving Millfield teacher and Houseparent, Syd Hill, on Monday 23rd April 2012. We offer our sincere condolences to Syd's daughter, Verity, and her brother Nigel, who lost their mother, Yo, in September. Syd's funeral will be at the Mendip Crematorium, Old Wells Road, Croscombe, Wells BA5 3RR on Tuesday 8th May at 3pm with refreshments afterwards in the Johnson Hall at Millfield. All are welcome.

Mrs M Yo Hill (1958-87; Former Staff) from Morriston, South Wales, came to Somerset with her science teacher husband, Syd, in 1950. Living at first in Edgarley Mews, they moved in 1956, to a large house, “Rotherslade”, on Somerton Road, where they were joined at first by Yo’s widowed mother, Mrs Harris, sister, Moira, and brother, Roger. In 1958 Yo and Syd moved out of Rotherslade (which became a billet for half a dozen boys under Mrs Harris’ care until her retirement in 1974) to take over as Houseparents at Joan’s Kitchen (JK)which was a former café rented from Joan Cox by the school. They had a small number of boarders living in and also catered for their own boys and some from the out houses. In about 1961 the whole JK establishment changed over to catering (the JK Lunch Club), with no boarders. This continued until about 1967 when the school purchased the house next door, which belonged to the Molland family whose children had attended Millfield, and when approximately 10 boarders came to live at the expanded JK. This continued until 1974 when the new dining hall at Millfield opened and the former dining rooms at JK were turned into dormitories for about 16 boys. All of the catering equipment from the kitchen was removed, an extension added to make a good sized common room, and modern showers installed. The house was finally purchased outright from Joan Cox in 1980 when central heating was finally installed in the house and the flat roof was built upon to create another dormitory. With their combined retirement in 1987, Yo and Syd moved to their own house and were fortunate to have their children close by. Sadly, after many happy years, Yo’s was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 and it was when she was undergoing radiotherapy that Syd, whose health had also been deteriorating, was forced to move into a nursing home. After a long struggle against the cancer, Yo died on 14th Septemer 2011, five days short of her 83rd birthday.

It is our sad duty to inform you that Anthony passed away peacefully on 19th February 2012 in his local hospital in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, finally losing his 6 year-long battle with a rare form of skin cancer. He was 67. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Elaine and OM brother, Geoff. The funeral service took place in Georgetown on Tuesday 28th February.

We regret to have to announce the death, at 97, of Marian Gibbs, a much-loved teacher at Edgarley from 1969 to 1983. Marian's funeral was held at St Joseph's RC Church, Bridgwater, on Monday 20th February.

We are very sad to announce the death, on Monday 13th February 2012, of Maggie Neukomm, until recently school counsellor at all three schools, following a heart attack. Many current and former pupils will remember Maggie with great affection and gratitude, and on their behalf we extend our heartfelt sympathy to her husband, Beat, and their daughter, Emily , an Old Millfieldian. Maggie’s funeral was on Thursday, 23rd February 2012 at Mendip Crematorium and there was a Memorial Service for her on Tuesday, 6th March, in the Senior School Chapel.

We have recently heard from Janet Robinson that Mike sadly passed away on 1st December 2011. He had been ill for some months with complications from diabetes.

News of his death early in 2011 whilst on holiday in South Africa, has come from Rupert's close friend, Richard Gittus, who tells us that Millfield was well-represented at the funeral.

We have heard from his brother, Richard, that Anthony, an outstanding horseman and polo player, and Head of Orchard House, died on 19th December 2011, after a short illness, aged 67 in Benalla, Australia, where he had lived for many years.