Mayfield
PASTevents
We enjoyed another bustling, happy and nostalgic Cream Tea in December as we welcomed OCs, their children, parents and grandparents back to Mayfield to celebrate the timeless Live Crib. This tea has become a real highlight of our year at Mayfield and we are blessed to see generations of Mayfield girls reunited for this special occasion.
While parents enjoyed catching up with friends and staff, children unwrapped presents left for them under the Christmas tree, played games and devoured the delicious spread on offer before heading to the village to see the procession and then taking reserved seating in Chapel. Live Crib is full on each of the four nights it takes place, often having to turn visitors away as Chapel reaches capacity both sitting and standing; it is important to us to be able to continue to share the Live Crib with our alumnae and to host this particular event, enabling OCs to remain a part of this Mayfield tradition.
Live Crib Cream Tea
Each year we are also fortunate to have Old Cornelian babies taking part as Jesus – pictured is Abi Eriksson Lee’s (néeHarding, Class of 1999) son, Oscar, who filled the role on the evening of the Cream Tea. Benjamin Surina (son of Claire
Surina, néeMcWilliam, Class of 2002) also took part in the starring role. As the solo of Once in Royal David’s City captivated the Chapel, there was a particular poignancy in the hush that descended and a few tears from the Old Cornelian benches!
Thank you all for coming, we love having you and seeing generations of OCs filling the Courtyard and Chapel is a very special way to start the festive season. We look forward to seeing you again this year!
Charleston Literary Festival
Mayfield were delighted to support the renowned Charleston Literary Festival again this year, sponsoring the opening event in their special centenary year.
The event, “Centenary Celebration”, saw biographer Claire Tomalin, Virago founder Carmen Callil and British playwright, Christopher Hampton share their particular memories of Charleston with a marquee at capacity. Virginia Nicholson, daughter of Quentin Bell and granddaughter of Vanessa Bell spoke about her personal family connections and guests enjoyed a lively, entertaining and thought-provoking event.
The day began with a most convivial private drinks reception, with alumnae enjoying morning coffee and delicious pastries before the event (and the most delectable Rococo chocolates courtesy of OC Chantal Coady, Class of 1977). Private tours of the house followed the talk, a chance to further explore this extraordinary venue. As our guests departed for the station many on the Mayfield minibus, complete with a Mayfield packed lunch, it was as though we had really travelled back in time! It was an incredibly fun and relaxed occasion and we are already looking forward to next year. One OC commented, “Charleston is such a remarkable place which manages to have literary and artistic importance as well as some kind of magic that draws people to it. Perhaps it is because – as Christopher Hampton rather unusually concluded - Charleston had values that were ‘decent’”.
Our involvement in the Festival will extend next year to include sponsorship of the Small Wonder festival in October, when girls from the Oxbridge English Group will attend the BBC National Short Story Award event with Kei Miller and Naomi Alderman.
OC 22 The Old Cornelian SUMMER 2016 Photos: Axel Hesslenberg
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