No . 133 The Trusty Servant
The Evolution of Wykeham Day
Not all our readers will remember that Wykeham Day owes its origins to the annual cricket match against Eton . Here is a brief reminder of its history .
Eton Match 1826 - 2001 The first cricket match between Eton and Winchester was played in 1826 . Matches were played over two days and hosted alternately by Winchester and Eton , apart from the period 1832 to 1854 when a triangular series was played at Lord ’ s Cricket Ground , between Eton , Harrow and Winchester . Over the years the occasion took on a grandeur beyond the cricket , although the Lords v Eton XI match was always the centrepiece .
In 1986 Eton Match was reduced to a one-day game , always held at Winchester .
Wykeham Day 1996 – 2012 The first appearance of Wykeham Day was in September 1996 as an annual occasion for Old Wykehamists to gather and revisit the College .
Winchester Day 2001-12 In 2001 the cricket match against Eton was moved to a separate block fixture . The surrounding festivities were retained with the proposed title of Hatch Thoke . ‘ Winchester Day ’ prevailed as a name and centred around Old Wykehamist cricket matches and other sporting competitions .
Winchester Match 2013-19 In 2013 Wykeham Day and Winchester Day were merged under the title of Winchester Match , to be held just before the June exeat . The format followed late 20th Century traditions : the day would start with a Chapel service ; parents ate lunch up to house ; and OWs and other visitors brought picnics or ate a formal lunch in a marquee . Every pupil in the school was expected to be involved in one or more activities ; stalls appeared in a tented mall on Lavender Meads ; and musical and other cultural displays were offered throughout the day .
Pilots ’ Group
David Joy ( Coll , 97-02 ) is keen to hear from other Old Wykehamists with a pilot ’ s licence , either private or professional , with a view to setting up an OW Aviators ’ group in the near future . If you might be interested , please send him an email at aviators @ joy . cc
Old Wykehamist Cape Gathering , 8 th [ or 9 th ] February 2023 .
If you will be in South Africa ’ s Western Cape in early February 2023 , David Fellowes is planning the following gathering : a visit to the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden in the winelands , followed by lunch in the nearby Kleine Zalze Restaurant . Clem Sunter ( E , 57-63 ), the world-renowned scenario-planner , will speak about his intriguing role in world affairs . Please contact David at dwlfellowes @ gmail . com if you are interested .
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