2019
Joe Krige
Tue, Nov 26, 2019 5:31 am
Gerry Loxton. RIP.
I recently heard of the passing of Gerry Loxton, father of William
(RIP), Stuart and Louise and husband of Wanda. It was certainly sad
news. Gerry was much loved by all the boys he taught. He got the best
out of me and my brother, Eugene, in science.
He leaves a legacy that spreads worldwide. We all share a part of him.
You can see numerous photos of Gerry on this website but my favourite is
the 1948 Athletics team. How lucky he was to teach at the school which
made him.
On behalf of all OMs worldwide, Wanda, Will, Stuart and Louise, please
accept our sincere condolences.
To Gerry, we say thank you for what you did for us. Rest in Peace.
Joe
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Joe Krige
Tue, Nov 26, 2019 5:31 am
Small Milton Reunion after 40 years.
On Sunday the 24th November a small group of Old Miltonians met up in a
pub in Wimbledon (London SW19) for lunch. The mover and shaker was, most
certainly, Australian based Steve McKenna (Head Boy 1979). Steve
contacted me, Joe Krige (1972 to 78), Ron Cochrane (1974 to 79), Ian
Cutler (1976 to 78), Glen Taute (1973 to79) suggesting a meeting in
London. We all gathered with our partners who probably, secretly, feared
that the day would be dominated by boring stories of by gone days. I can
safely say that they were suitably entertained by the boys.
The dominant subject was undoubtedly ‘athletics.’ In 1978 and 1979,
Milton totally dominated the Athletics scene. We were all part of that
amazing time. Starting with Glen Taute. Glen eventually represented
Zimbabwe in the 1982 Commonwealth games in the 400m and 800m. Glen holds
the Milton 800m record; an achievement which, I doubt, will not be
surpassed. Glen, along with his inherent talent, trained hard and with a
professionalism which permeated through to all of us, both juniors and
seniors.
Steve McKenna was an extremely talented sprinter, winning races in 200m
and 400m. He reminded us of his epic battles with Brian Loxton (first
class OP now living in New Zealand) of Plumtree. Steve beat Brian in the
400m final at the annual I/S event. Apparently, a book was opened by
some of Brian’s mates as to who would be the victor; cases of beers at
stake!
Ron Cochrane was one of the unsung heroes of the team. Ron trained with
total commitment and I remember having so many laughs during and after
our middle-distance training sessions. He won races in the 1500m and
3000m and representing Matabeleland in inter provincial events. Dave
Husband (1974 to 1979, now living in New Zealand) and Ron usually took
first and second place in the 800m. Myself, Joe Krige, was captain of
athletics in 1978. It was a really special day when we won the
Inter-schools event, beating Plumtree, Falcon, Hamilton and Gifford;
honestly, we kicked butt that day winning most events. Chris Birtle
(1972 to 78, the one and only and inimitable) took first and myself
second place in the 800m, edging out Gary Loxton, (another first class
OP) of Plumtree into 3rd place.
Ian Cutler, played 1st XI football for Milton ’76 to 78 so was not as
involved in athletics. (Ian was my next-door neighbour in
Matsheumhlope.)
Other names that came up in our lively discussions were: Johan ‘Boetjie’
Herbst, Graham Hawkes, Dave Husband, Stuart Loxton, Willie Loxton (never
to be forgotten, our fallen brother) Chris Birtle, Andy Gerling, Wayne
Spencer, Patrick Viljoen, Chris Hodder, Brian Carroll, Dave Wallace,
Greg McKenna, Roy and Mark Slater, Jannie Steenkamp, Paul Cutler
(brother of Ian), Darren Maughan, Ken Bain, Keith Swales and Barry
Craxston.
We had not seen each other for 40 years yet the memories were clear and
vivid and the friendship bonds strong. We all agreed that we were
privileged to be part of that.
Steve and Melissa, Glen and Gill, Ian and Sharon, Ron and Leigh and my
wife Frances, thank you for making this such a special day.
Finally, a massive thank you to Ron and Leigh who took on the role of
hosts, by de fault, because our venue, The Rose and Crown of Wimbledon,
is their local.
Joe Krige
Frome, Somerset.
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Dear Miltonians - Milton Lunch Friday 2 August 2019 Earth Cafe
With the economic situation hammering all of us... we still need to have
a luncheon this year. I have decided to call this luncheon and make the
effort.
Venue: Earth Cafe
Friday 1230 for 1245pm
Lunch
Thank you,
I.Kehayias
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Ian Williams
4 June 2019
Passed in his sleep 30 May.
A good friend, and brilliant motor racer
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Come on all “old miltonians”, how about some news here instead of using
Facebook, this connects with almost everyone around the world and has
extensive history of may of our parents and in some cases grand-parents
as the school magazines extracts go back to before WWI.
Let's have some news about those who you have caught up with recently.
We don't have much from the Sixth Form girls, Townsend, St. Peters,
Eveline and the Convent, would love to have some input, maybe reunion
photos.
There must be plenty of stories as retold on facebook that are welcome
on the common room and also any old photos.
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Recently came across an article on facebook from 1968 at the ceremony in
at Rhodes Grave in the Matopos where George Lambert-Porter as head boy
read the poem "The Burial" by Rudyard Kipling. 1968 was the centenary of
Mzilikazi's death.
Benny Leon 05-26-2019
It is seventy years ago that I went Milton Senior School as a thirteen
year old junior boarder in Charter House 1949. The place was vibrant
with twenty boys in each of four dormitories. I visited Milton School
recently and was shocked to discover the state of Charter House which
appeared to be derelict. The furniture and bedding of the dormitories
had been removed. In Dorm One I found a solitary locker. It was quite
obvious that the building no longer functioned as a hostel. A young
lady unlocked a door opening into a once prefects study and explained
that this is where she lived. The dining hall roof was in need of a
coat of paint. Half the furniture in the dining hall was missing. Two
cooks were using the old coal burning stove in the kitchen. This had
not changed.
I recognised a few school mates in some of the photographic displays on
the walls of the dinning hall dated 1951.
The only place which had not changed in seventy years were the corridors
and class rooms of the main building. I checked the board of head
prefects at the entrance to the to the main assembly hall and saw I. W.
MacDonald 1949 and Reg Furber 1952 both head prefects. Milton Senior
School was well run. No problems with food at the grub hall - although
we could eat more! Of course one school master who had been there for
ages was Mr. Putt Jackson. Don't know how he got that nickname.
We are always looking for old school magazines and photos please contact
commonroom@oldmiltonians.com
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Brian McIlvin
FORM 2A (1954) – MILTON SENIOR SCHOOL
Back row: Barry Peinke, Hugh Marais, Innes, ?,
A Hussey, Dave Rix, ?
, ? , Dave Crozier, M
Booth , Brian McKelvin, Rupert Goosen.
Middle row: B Walker, Ken Goldhawk, Tony Law, Rob
Brewer, Mrs Young (Form Teacher), ?
, J Donen, C Viljoen,
? .
Bottom row: Maurice Ross, H Labandter, S Gerber,
? , Colin Gordon, R
McCuaig, J Drowley, M Rigby, George McLean.
Notes:
1) I have managed to identify most of my class-mates. We remained
together through to Forms 5 & 6.
2) Maurice Ross is uncle of Martin Ross. (Perth visa agent)
3) S Gerber is son of Gerbers Music Shop which was well known in
Bulawayo.
4) Colin Gordon is son of Gordons, the grocery retail shop well known in
those days.
Brian McKelvin (November 2018)
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An old newspaper article from 1999 re school closure