On the first Sunday in March, we welcomed over 100 Old Bloxhamists and friends of the School to an action-packed Old Bloxhamist Day. It was wonderful to see many familiar faces, and to welcome those who hadn’t been back to school for several years.
The day started with the Old Bloxhamist Society AGM, chaired by Jolyon Griffiths (Ry 74-79) and attended by OBs, the Headmaster Paul Sanderson and Sarah Demirtges (PC/Wf 94-96). At midday there were prayers led by Father Michael at the grave of Paddy Kellett (Wn 05-10) which was, as always, very special and emotional with the Kellett family, friends and Old Bloxhamists in attendance. It was especially poignant as this year marks 10 years since Paddy passed and the last year Father Michael will lead the prayers as he retires in June.
Members of the 200 Club, organised by Ian Charles (Wf 70-75), had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch in the School’s dining room. Then the numbers were drawn, and winners announced.
A full afternoon of sports fixtures followed, and we were enormously grateful to all the players, umpires and coaches for Fives, Squash, Netball and Men’s Hockey. In particular, the OB sports captains for getting their teams together with special mention to Pippa Little (Ry 17-22), Steve O’Connor (Cr 02-09) and Sam Manning (Sy 13-15), for coordinating and organising the Netball, Hockey and Fives teams, respectively.
The Fives fixture was a fantastic event, and five younger OBs played in a round-robin, with Jonny Stirrup (Sy 08-15) ultimately winning, with Charlie Tredwell (Sy 10-15) runner-up. Then there was a great match between current students, parents and OB parents, including John Brown (Wn 82-86). It was a competitive contest, but the Brown family was victorious. Then followed a fixture between Bill Deeley (Ry 83-88) and Ian Turton (Ry 83-88) who hadn’t played since leaving school.
It was also great to have a Squash fixture with OBs facing an unbeaten School side. Mike Morris, Bloxham School’s Head of Squash, reported: “It was delightful to welcome back the top three seeds from the last academic year who joined us to play against the U18. The OB team consisted of Harry Needell (SH 20-22) playing at No 1, Cameron Smith (Cr 15-22) playing at No 2 and Josh Driscoll (Cr 17-22) playing at No 3. The Bloxham team was made up of Jack N playing at No 1, Ben R playing at No 2 with Jasper W playing at No 3.
“Each match was competitive, the technical play was outstanding, the games were played fairly, and the usual high standard of great team spirits were enjoyed by all with many OBs, parents and supporters cheering. The end result was a win for the School. Ben R was awarded Players’ Player for the School and for the OB’s Cameron was chosen. Both were presented with a trophy.”
Led by last year’s School Netball Captain, Pippa Little, the OB netball team faced the School’s VII netball team. OBs had returned from the last eight years which was a fabulous mix, and it was an evenly fought contest. Each quarter was fast-paced, and competition was fierce. Despite a strong Bloxham side who also had not played as a team together before, the OBs managed a win and as the final whistle blew the score was 31-24. We were hugely grateful to Head of Netball, Lisa Manning and Jacqui Skevington for umpiring. At the end of the game, presentations were made. Players’ Player was awarded to Pippa Little on the Old Bloxhamist side and to Georgia S for the School team.
At 2pm attention turned to the Astro and OB Men’s Hockey Captain, Steve O’Connor writes: “Marking the 10-year anniversary of Paddy Kellet’s passing, Old Bloxhamists, current Bloxhamists, friends, family, and former teachers of Paddy, came together with a traditional one-minute silence prior to the hockey commencing, in memory of a very talented hockey player, but more importantly, a great person and friend to many attending the occasion.
“Following the silence, the match between the old boys and the current students began and was a fierce encounter with a mix of surprisingly good hockey and the occasional moment of comedic value, with the pinnacle being Will Ducker (Sy 04-11) running through on goal, only to be met with a sharp pain to both hamstrings ultimately being the only thing stopping what would have been a certain goal, in his eyes anyway. George King (Sy 16-21) starred for the old boys scoring three goals, but it was Harry Simons (Sy 16-18) who the School chose as their Players’ Player and Paul Kellett, Paddy’s father presented Harry with the trophy. For the School side, the OBs awarded Tom F as Players’ Player for his great skills in midfield and Jacky Kellett, Paddy’s mother, presented him with the trophy.
“Overall, the result was 5-1 to the Old Bloxhamists and following the match both teams and spectators alike enjoyed some great comradery whilst being treated to some fantastic catering and hospitality put on by the School.”
Simon Batten, OB Resident Secretary concluded the afternoon thanking the School and OB players, the sports coaches, captains, officials, grounds team, Palmer, as well as the School’s fantastic catering department for the delicious array of cakes, sandwiches and sausages rolls. It was incredibly special to have such a great crowd of over 100 people at The Dewey involved in Old Bloxhamist sport, with multi-generational teams and players spanning from the 1980s through to last year’s leavers.
