Embedded Files
Nick played for the club from 1976 through until 1989'ish when age and a golf fettish overtook him. Not much overtook him on the pitch though, a pacey, powerful, elusive runner raised on Bodmin's finest pasties and Wreckers beer from an early age.
An avid diary keeper, he's still to be seen whipping it out before bedtime on many a golf tour! Who knows what else he'll dig up from the archives!
Ed.
1977/78 1st xv Team Photograph
Back: Henry Hall, Simon Edwards, Pete Duffy, Brian Arnold, John Cook, Pete McIntyre, Kevin Shaw, Paul Browning, Steve Dixon, Steve Wright.
Front: Nick Millett, Simon Paul, Pug (Chris) Godding, Lester Ferguson, Andy Langman, Bob Evans, Colin Cooke
Ah! Another feature of 70's and 80's rugby style at Harwell .... Thommo's socks, always hand knitted by his mother in a wide variety of bright colours!
1980/81 Abingdon 7's Team
Back row: Jerry Burbage, Colin Banks, Larry Lewis, Chris Horton, Chris ?
Front row: Richard Radcliffe, Andy Langman, Tony Carter, Paul Thompson
1985/86 Abingdon 7's
Apparently we got through to the Plate Final and lost 12-10 to Bicester ... anyone remember it?
Ah, the chip van, I can smell it now!
Ed.
1985/86 Abingdon 7's, losing finalists in the Ivor Boas Plate Competition
Back row: Nick Millett, Ian Bland, Andy Langman, John Bevan
Front row: Simon Henderson, Neil Graffton, John Wibbling (Abingdon)
e toured with Claverdon Lions (Warwickshire) to Breda, Holland April 1985.
[Anyone know what the link was?]
Typical Dutch weather! Typical Dutch bars!
Photo 1: April 1985, Breda, Holland
Part of the Harwell contingent: Nick Millett, Statue, Rob Harding, Andy Huggins, Rob McCrae, Alan Stevens
1984/85 Breda, Holland Tour
Harwell players bottom right: Nick Millett , Ansar Ali, Andy Huggins
Photo 3: April 1985, Breda, Holland
Harwell players top left: Nick Millett, Rob Harding , Dougie Bosley, Rob McRae
What do you call a collection of kleptomaniacs? Answer, Aldwell Lions!
Nick's memories in his own words:
April 1980. Another combined tour with Aldermaston - Aldwell. Mini bus trip to meet Aldermaston at Great Yarmouth for their Easter rugby festival weekend.
Harwell provided most of the backs and Aldermaston most of the forwards.
To the chagrin of Yarmouth, we beat their firsts on day one by a single point! To celebrate the fact we managed to close a pub and get ourselves banned 'for making too much noise'! Day two saw us stuff some team (Leicester? Northampton?) we then returned to a pub that would have us - Divers.
No game on Easter Sunday, so we sent our scouts out to prepare for The Great Heist. On the Monday, in broad daylight, and much to the disbelief of the families that were actually playing crazy golf at the time ... we nicked a plastic lion from hole 3! We returned the following year and borrowed a crocodile!
Nick
I may be wrong but I also recall a lawnmower, a radiator, an iron gate, a standard lamp and an ironing board appeared to support us pitch-side on our final game, much to the amusement of the local coppers, who suggested we might just return them and they'd forget about it!
Ed.
1979/80 Aldwell Lions Great Yarmouth Tour
Back row: Paul Browning, Mike Pricktoe (A), ?, Biffo (A), ?,Pete Ford (A), Jed (A), Cliff Richard, Andy (A)
Front row: Nick Millett, Chris Mason, Paul Coles, Dick Ryan, Simon Henderson, Jerry Burbage, Andy Langman
1982/83 Harwell 7's - The White Hart Team
Back Row: Simon Henderson, Pete Duffy, Mike Wilkes, Nick Millett,
Front Row: Tony (Sweeney) Dearlove, Rob Chambers, Jim Douglas
Traditions - The Harwell Horse
Traditions - The Harwell Horse
More famous than Red Rum, the Harwell Horse spread fear amongst home and away sides in equal measure. It traveled to away games, made guest appearances at pubs on the way back but always felt most at home in the social club with a belly full of Morelands.
The original horse was created [need some input here please folks ... who, when, where]. It consisted of a hollow glass horse on a glass tube, which was fixed to the bottom of a [need some input here folks .... pint and a half?] beer glass. The horse's mouth was open and the unfortunate recipient of the horse (usually the person who made the worst cock-up on the pitch that day) had to drink the entire contents through the horses mouth, in one go, standing on a chair and to the memorable strains of "Why was he born so beautiful, why was he born at all .....".
Novices would suck and suck for minutes at a time until they eventually gave up, humiliated, filled with beer bubbles, bloated and unable to manage even half of the contents. Veterans would then step forward and empty the horse in seconds turning the glass upside down in a final flurry so as not to leave even a drop inside the bottom of the straw. The secret was the horses ass! It had a small hole in it, which if not blocked by the suckers finger would prevent a good vacuum and turn the horse contents to froth!
The original horse disappeared at [Cheltenham Civil Service? in 19??] and was replaced by a replica in [19??]. This horse was broken, remaining out of service for [many] years. Up steps the equestrian hero, Paul Browning, who surprised the first HOBs reunion on March 3rd, 2012 with a repaired and fully functioning horse.
The tradition lives on!
Unless anyone knows any better, the record time of 19 seconds for the original horse is held jointly by Pete Duffy and Andy Langman. The women's undisputed champion and the only known woman to drink a horse full of Guinness is Alanah (Lan) Fergusson.
Photo 1: 1978 - A 21-year old Nick Millett in a valiant attempt on the horse
Notice the already slackened belt in readiness for the inevitable post-horse bloatage!
Photo 2: However, a close up reveals poor horse's ass technique and a resultant neck full of air!
1986/87 Jersey Tour
The famous tour when our second team lost 82-0 to Birmingham Medics after we'd been out drinking with the "opposition" the night before, only to find out that Birmingham Medics took rugby very seriously and sent their drinking team out with us!
As a result of this organisational fiasco, tour organiser, Andy Langman, was selected to organise the next tour, on the basis that surely nothing could be worse than this! The next tour was to Portugal, say no more!
The team photo is of the second day when we beat Beeches 24-8 (they only had 14 men!)!
1986/87 Jersey Touring Party
Back 2 rows: Mark, Guy, Richard Radcliffe, Larry Lewis, Duncam McMillan, Neil, Paul Coles, Steve Wright, Tim Evans, Paul Browning, Ted Lewis, Dave Hammond, Graham, Morris, Pete, Nick Millett
Front row: Voodo, Doug Bosley, Rob Harding, John Hill, Gary De Luz, Rob McMillan, Nigel Cook, Andy Langman, Jinxy, H, Dennis Keen
John Attree was also there but had gone for a walk!
1986/87 Jersey Tour
Back Row: Larry Lewis; Chris Cairns; Graham Bealand; H; Steve Wright; Andy Langman; Ted Lewis; Paul Coles; Duncan McMillan
Front Row: Gary daLuz Vieira; Richard Radcliffe; Dougie Bosley; Nigel Cook; Paul Browning; Nick Millett
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1982/83 Jersey (Non Rugby) Tour
Well, blow me down, the editor has no recollection of this tour, yet there he is on the train.
Apparently, a representative team, lamenting the absence of a formal tour in 1983, took a long weekend to travel by train from Didcot to Portsmouth and then on by Ferry to Jersey, where much after match jollity ensued, although there was no match!
Ah, halcyon days when alcohol was liberally available on good old British Rail. See below also for the dangers of the fresh Jersey air when a sound nap is required, those seagulls must have been large!
Ed.
Photo 1: 1983 Jersey (non rugby) Tour.
Our Intrepid Travellers Sample The BR Cocktail Cabinet
H (Harry) Copland, Duncan McMillan, Tim Evans, Andy Langman, Tony Carter, Jerry Burbage
Photo 2: In A Bar, No Flash!
Back row: Harold, Jinxy, Tony, Duncan, Sweeney
Front row: Jerry, Morris (Chris), Robert, Doug
Photo 3: Sleep My Pretty! An Early Night For The Welsh Contingent.
Photo 4: The Shite Hawk Cometh!
Photo 5: Jinxsy Receives All Due Care And Attention As The Fresh Jersey Air Get To Him
Ah! Another fine Harwell tradition of the 70's ... dummies! Dummies were to be carried at all times, be it training nights or match days. On the shout of "Dummies" from anyone, all present had to insert said plastic baby calmer into their mouth, last to complete the task paid a forfeit, usually alcohol related!
Nick's memories in his own words:
March 1978. A combined tour with Aldermaston. We flew to Dublin and then had a long coach trip to Athlone - they weren't expecting us so no game!
We travelled on to Longford and stayed in a hotel. As it was Good Friday all the town pubs were closed, being hotel residents we were allowed to drink in the hotel, we were making so much noise we pulled the locals in from miles around!
The following day we lost 4-0 to Longford and it snowed during the game. Easter Sunday we travelled 40 miles to play 2 games in a 7-a-side comp - we lost both but drank the fixture back. The last day Pete Duffy and I were in charge of the kitty, very strangely we were much more inebriated then anybody else - the joys of port and brandy.
One of the highlights happened when we got back to Dublin airport. Simon Henderson had bought some bottles of Guinness, he accidentally dropped them on the floor were they promptly shattered with a loud noise, as it was during the troubles in the North, several people dived for cover!
Photo 1: Biffo (A), Simon Henderson, Rod Paddock, Lester Ferguson, Pete Duffy
Photo 2: John Seaman (A), Pete Duffy, Barman, Simon Henderson, John Attree
Photo 3: Pete Ford (A), Rod Paddock, Biffo (A), Simon Paul, Lester Ferguson, ?, Jed (A), John Attree, ?, Simon Henderson, ?,?
Club Training Session 1978/79
Scouse (John) Dawson, Andy Langman, Dennis Russell, Paul Thompson, Bert Blewett, Lester Ferguson, Tim Saunders, Larry Lewis, Simon Edwards, Wooly, Paul Browning, Nick Millett, Colin Cooke, Pete McIntyre.
1987/88 1st XV Team Photograph
End of season photos for 1987/88.
Taken before the last game of the season against Shire Hall, on April 23rd.
It also happened to be Andy Langman's last game for the club before moving away to Worcestershire.
Ed.
1987/88, 1st XV Team Photograph
Paul Coles, Andy Langman, Simon?, Mike Airey, Rob Ponting, Spud, Pug, Matt Cooper
Nick Millett, Jerry Burbage, Ian Bland, Nigel Cook, Chris Mason, Scouse, Bert Blewitt, Dick?, Bert's lads?
1987/88 3rd XV Team Photograph
End of season photos for 1987/88.
Taken before the last game of the season against Shire Hall, on April 23rd.
1987/88, 3rd XV Team Photograph
John Attree, Jinxy, Ronnie, Beaf, Steve, Rob McMillan, Tim Evans,?
John Hill, Neil Grafton, Dennis Keen, Gary da Luz, Martin Connolly, ?
1988/89 Portugal Tour
Flew from Heathrow, stayed in Estoril. Played Coimbra 2nds and drew 4-4. Terrible meal of fat and beans. The following day the bus never arrived and so we ended up taking taxi's and arriving rather late to find we were playing the national squad. We lost 134-0, which was some achievement as England had only beaten them by 60 odd. The highlight of the match was when a bit of skulduggery was going on in the front row and John Attree was heard to state 'There is no need for that rough stuff you are going to win the game regardless, if you continue then I shall pick the ball up and go home'. Not sure how well it was translated into Portuguese but it seemed to work!
1988/89 Portugal Tour - Prior To Playing Portuguese National Side
Back Row: Noel Thompson, Andy Langman, Ronnie Ross, Ted Lewis, Spud Murphy, Duncan Mcmillan,
Rob Ponting, John Attree, H, Mike Yates, Jinxy, Nick Millett, Brian Arnold
Front Row: Nigel Cook, Rob Mcmillan, Julian Godfrey, Gary de Luz Vieira, Phil Scott, Morris, Chris Mason
1988/89 Portugal Tour - Coimbra - Red Nose Day
Back Row: Mike Yates, Ted Lewis, Jinxy, Ronnie Ross, Dave Hammond, H, John Attree , Gary da Luz Vieira,
Rob Ponting, Spud Murphy, Nolan Thomas, Phil Scott, Rob Mcmillan,
Front Row: Chris Mason, Andy Langman, Morris, Nigel Cook,?, Brian Arnold, Julian Godfrey, Paul Browning
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1990/91 Belgium Tour
Bus trip to Antwerp. Lost 42-7 to Leige. The second game we went to play Jaspers (or Jesters or something similar) only we went to the wrong Jaspers - needless to say they weren't expecting us! We turned tail and arrived several hours late and promptly lost 80-6!
1990/91 Belgium Tour
Ray Couthard, Nolan Thompson, Mike Yates, Jinxy, Steve Wright, Rob Ponting, Morris, Nolan's dad.
Doug Bosley, Paul Browning, Dennis Keen, Ted Lewis, Brian Arnold, Dave Hammond, John Attree
1991/92 Nenagh Tour
Nenagh had the advantage that a quick trip to Dublin followed by a long trip through Ireland by coach meant that we had to stop off for several Guinness stops along the way! They say the Guinness is better in Ireland, we certainly thought it was! Nenagh was such a welcoming little town. When the pubs shut, they opened up a little while later. It was supposed to be secret, but just about everyone in the town was in one or other of the back rooms. Music, dancing and hospitality abounded and, when we'd had too much Guinness, then they poured us Gaelic coffee, in what appeared to be pint mugs ... heaven!
1992 was a defining moment for a certain generation of HOBs. For your's truly it was my last rugby tour, my last game of rugby and my first game of golf.
Ed.
Photo 1: 1992 Luton Airport, mate!
Paul Browning, John Attree, Jenny Bosley, Kev Lewis
Photo 2: 1992 Nenagh Hotel
Steve Wright, Tim Evans, Dennis Keen, Andy Langman, ??, John Attree, Steve Dixon
1997/98 Harwell 50th Anniversary
Harwell's 50th Anniversary celebrations of an old boys match against a Harwell XV, followed by formal dinner at AERE Harwell Restaurant on Saturday 6th September will, for all concerned, be better remembered as the day of the funeral of Princess Di.
The teams observed a minute's silence before a thrilling, action packed match, which probably resulted in a win for one or other of the sides and a promise by many present to not really come out of retirement.
John Inverdale was a rather subdued guest speaker at the dinner.
More details on Princess Di's funeral here
1997/98 The Old Boys XV - 50th Anniversary Game
Richard Radcliffe, Di Jones, Pete Phillips, Nick Millett, Andy Langman, Eddie Forsyth , Steve Wright, Mike Yates, Ray Coulthard, Richard Homewood,
Brian Flanders
Colin Bartlett, Simon Edwards, Alan Poulter, Simon Roots, Brian Arnold, Ted Lewis, ?
1997/98 The Harwell XV - 50th Anniversary Game
John Dawson, Chris Mason, Brian Pigott, James Connolly, Spud Murphy, Rob Ponting, Mike Aiery, Huw Waters
Martin Whitelock, Andy Whitford, Doug Bosley, Kev Lewis, Steve Pitts, Simon Henderson, Jim Douglas
Photo 3: September 1997, After match pose!
Photo 4: September 1997, After drink sing song!
Doug Bosley, Mark the Bar, Spike, Tony Carter, Gary de Luz, Andy Langman, Paul Coles, Kev Lewis, Nick Millett
Photo 5: September 1997, After dinner aftermath
Simon Edwards, Paul Thompson, Tim Evans, Richard Radcliffe, Paul Coles, Nick Millett, Pete Duffy, Andy Langman, Pete McIntyre
Tony Carter,Gary de Luz, Helen Carter, Jerry Burbage, Izzy Langman
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