Harry Mills - News and Events

Harry’s Garden Press Day 4th June 2009

2009-06-05T22:59:00.009+01:00

Harry’s Garden, part of the Future Gardens/Butterfly World Project was officially opened on 4^th June by Emilia Fox & David Bellamy – both patrons of Butterfly World. Around 1000 people attended the event, including 300 representatives from the gardening and national press. Clive Farrell, founder of the project, made special reference to Harry’s Garden in his speech to the press and later introduced us to Emilia Fox who has sponsored the garden.

As the press entered through the rugby posts they were greeted by bubbles from a bubble machine and Fern Alder (garden designer) wearing some impressive butterfly wings. Many of the flowers, including the alliums and sweet peas were in full bloom and looking fantastic, others such as the wild flower bank will come into their own as the summer progresses. The sunflowers (grown by Harry’s friends) are getting much taller & sturdier but won’t flower until later on, so children from Jack & Jill Nursery produced some handprint sunflowers for us to place in the border especially for press day. June Kingsbury’s resin football and rugby balls, strategically placed in Fern’s experimental straw bales, were much admired as were Fern’s green hedgehogs. & naturalistic plantings. We were delighted that Iain & Neil from the Meningitis Research Foundation and Sue from the Child Bereavement Charity were able to come along, and hope that Harry’s Garden will help raise awareness of the wonderful work these two charities do. Harry’s Garden is open until October and will then be replaced by a new charity garden each year.

The 12 Future Gardens competition gardens are all strikingly different with themes ranging from ‘Narratives of Nature’ to ‘Urban Greening’ and created by both established international designers and some less well known. They have all been designed to develop over the 4 months that the gardens remain open. The main site is amazing and children in particular will love to explore the Very Hungry Caterpillar’s edible garden, the Theatre of Insects and the ‘Through the Flowerpot’ garden, where like Alice through the looking glass you are shrunk to Lilliputian size. There’s also a giant leafcutter ant sitting atop an anthill on the edge of the site as well as a tropical butterfly house – a temporary structure until the giant dome is completed in 2011.

Although this is just Phase 1 there is lots to see and do and makes a great day out.

It’s located just off junction 21A of the M25 on the outskirts of St Albans – around a 30minutes drive from Marlow.

Opening times:

5^th June – 4^th October 2009

7 days a week 9.30am-6pm

Article in the St Albans and Harpenden Review

Photo gallery

Harry’s Garden Press Pack

Links to Butterfly World/Future Gardens website

Remembering Harry

2009-05-20T09:41:00.008+01:00

Many kind words have been left for Harry when donations have been made in support of events and for charities. These are listed below and please click on them if you wish to read the tributes.

Meningitis Research Foundation
Youth Sports Trust
Team Harry
Run4Harry
Jump4Harry
Serena Jones New York Run

Joshua Lambert Cycles to Paris

Dan Edwards Marathon Man

Emma Spearing Runs The Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon

2009-04-24T14:14:00.003+01:00

Emma a freind of Jenny Mills, Harry's sister ran the marathon in memory of Harry in March 2009.

You can sponsor Emma here.

Meningitis Research Foundation 20th Anniversary June 2009

2009-04-24T13:23:00.000+01:00

June sees the start of the Meningitis Research Foundation’s 20th year of supporting families affected by the disease, raising awareness and sponsoring research into the disease that will ultimately lead to a cure.

Website Meningitis Research Foundation

Jessica Denton & James Hughes undertake the Great North Run

2009-04-24T13:18:00.001+01:00

Jessica (family friend) and her uncle James are in training for the Great North Run later this year raising money for both the Meningitis Research Foundation & Youth Sport Trust but also Cystic Fibrosis. Last year Jessica completed the Marlow 5 and the BUPA 10k but has never attempted a half marathon before.

Click here to sponsor Jessica & James

Harry’s Garden at Butterfly World (opening June 2009)

2009-04-24T12:24:00.018+01:00

Friends, teammates & family including those from Harry’s lunch (Sept 2008), Jack & Jill Playgroup, Quoitings Playgroup & Spinfield School have been busy growing sunflowers & sweetpeas to plant up in Harry’s Garden.

Fern Alder, the designer is working on site and the garden is beginning to take shape ready for Press Day on June 4th. The garden incorporates sporting references (including rugby posts!), a giant hedgehog made from grasses, a wild flower bank, ball shaped flowers and woven willow branches. A local farmer donated the straw bales (ref cricket!) and June Kingsbury has created some wonderful scuptured feature rugby balls, footballs and minature hedgehogs.

From then on, visitors will be able to tour not only Harry’s Garden, but also the Future Gardens Competition gardens, and the Butterfly World site. There will be a temporary Butterfly House until the main dome opens in 2010 and having recently visited the site, it is really impressive.

Click here to see photos of a recent visit to the site.

Websites:-

Harry at Future Gardens

Butterfly World

Previous Harry Events

Harry's lunch

Meningitis Research Foundation

37th Marlow Mini Rugby Tournament March 2009

2009-04-24T12:09:00.010+01:00

The Harry Mills Memorial Cup was presented to the u12s Champions by Andy Gomersall – in this case a draw between Jersey and ?? after a nail biting final.

It was particularly touching that Rhys Durkin from London Irish, winners of the Cup in 2008, and his father John came especially to support Harry’s Trophy. Rhys suffered from meningitis when he was younger and his father attributes his recovery to a trial drug from Chile.

136 teams attended this year’s tournament which features A & B competitions at all ages ranging from u7s to u12s.

Bucks, Berks & Oxon Cross Country League

2009-04-24T11:56:00.003+01:00

The Harry Mills Memorial Cup was presented to Luke Southby of Spinfield School at the final Cross Country Event of the season in March 2009. Luke has excelled at cross country running for a number of seasons and recently has shown great strength of character in battling back to full fitness after injury.

Softcat - Charity of the Year 2008/9

2009-04-24T11:50:00.001+01:00

Softcat, a Marlow based software company that has been ranked in the Top 3 Best Companies to work for, have chosen ‘Harry’s charities’ as their Charity of the Year.

Over a period of 12 months the company and its employees undertake activities ranging from the Santa Fun Run & Skydiving to hosting a May Ball & Auction and Hot Potato Day. In the first 6 months they have raised over £6500 and hope to double it by the end of the year. In addition, the Meningitis Research Foundation has visited the company to give a presentation on the work of the charity.

http://www.softcat.com/index.php

Harry Mills Team Maker award - Youth Sport Trust National Talent Orientation Camp

2009-04-24T11:36:00.005+01:00

Over 100 talented athletes from a range of sports attended the 2009 Talent Camp on 11th January 2009 at Loughborough University. They were joined at the Closing Ceremony by Jason Gardener, Olympic 4 x 100m relay Gold Medallist who presented the awards including the Harry Mills Team Maker. This year, the award was won by Klara Weaver, a 14 year old rower, a unanimous decision by the coaching and mentoring staff.

Klara has actively included and supported the Rowing team during the camp and as a direct result of her influence, all the other rowers have benefitted hugely from the whole National Talent Orientation experience. Throughout the workshops she was an excellent role model, leading by example. Klara actively encouraged her group to think and come up with suggestions and had a very positive impact on all the rowers resulting in the whole group becoming more professional in their approach to the workshops.

Klara shone particularly in the Army Command tasks – the Army Officer leading the team building session said, ‘Klara had some fantastic problem solving ideas and achieved respect from her team mates through a calm and confident manner.’

Klara’s Mum writes:

Klara moved to the UK from Baltimore, Maryland USA almost 10 years ago when she was 6 years old. She considers herself both American and British (and indeed is a dual passport holder), which places her in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This is perfectly appropriate, as Klara has always been attracted to water and has swum competitively since she was 4 years old. She is a Pisces so perhaps that explains it!

At 12, when she was in Year 7 at Latymer Upper School in West London, she announced that she was going to swim for GB in the Olympics. Then, two years later, she discovered rowing. She immediately fell in love with the river and the feeling of gliding over the water at all hours and in all weather conditions. Latymer is lucky to have a boathouse right on the Thames, and she is able to train 6 days a week. In Year 10, Klara and her partner won gold in the women’s J15 doubles race beating out over 20 competitors. Sport has been a very important part of her life and has helped to shape her goals and aspirations. She now has her sights set on 2012 and rowing for Great Britain.

Klara is deeply honoured to have received this award, which is named after such a wonderful team player. Working with and motivating others as part of a team has always been important to her in life and in rowing, and she hopes to put these skills to good use as she develops her rowing career and reaches her full potential both as a competitor and as a person.

2nd RFU Talking Rugby Dinner

2009-04-24T11:05:00.003+01:00

The 2nd RFU Talking Rugby Dinner was held at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, on Friday 28th November 2008. This is the evening prior to the England v New Zealand match at Twickenham and was attended by RFU Past president Peter Trunkfield, Simon Winman (RFU Head of Funding & Facilities), Ed Morrison (RFU Elite Referee Manager) and Dave Loveridge (New Zealand All Blacks 1980s). Thanks to Alan Black, RFU Leisure Rugby Manager for remembering Harry.

£750 was raised for the Harry and The Meningitis Research Foundation through the kind donation (the second time Trevor has donated a decanter) of a hand blown ‘last drop’ crystal decanter donated by Trevor Fulton.

Links:

http://www.rfu.com/
http://www.thelastdropltd.co.uk/

Harry's Lunch Raises £2,666 for the Youth Sports Trust

2008-10-24T15:31:00.005+01:00

Wendi, Gill and Judi presented a cheque for £2,666 to Guin Batten of the Youths Sports Trust at the Leander Club in Henley last Wednesday 22nd October. Guin gained a silver medal in the Women's Fours rowing at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

Guinn went on to say "Thanks for all your hard work in raising the money on behalf of Harry, it will go towards innovating support for other talented young people in sport. I plan to run the Harry Mills – Team maker award at the Talent Camp on the 11th January 2009 in Loughborough"

You can read more about Harry's Lunch click here

Thank you to everyone.

Serena is Running the New York Marathon 2nd November 2008 for Harry & Meningitis Research Foundation

2008-10-22T12:13:00.008+01:00

Serena did it - click here for results. Well done.

Serena Spencer Jones is running the New York Half Marathon to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation in memory of Harry and her god daughter who survived after contracting Meningitis.

Serena says...

"I wanted to say how hard I've been training, clocking up miles & miles, morning, noon, and night (in my Hi-Vis gillet & flashing armband) and the weather has over the last year tried to blow me over, soak me & toast me but it's ALL been worthwhile.

I'm now in the 'tapering off' part - I run less & less till we fly to New York next Wednesday (crikey the nerves set in when I write this) then on arrival after registering I only have 3 titchy light runs. The idea is I'll be honed & ready like a coiled spring to take on the monster 26.2 miles and just power through it!

Well if thats a good enough game plan for Paula Radcliff it's good enough for me!

So all you wonderful kind people please please click onto my Just Giving web page and sponsor me to do this for Harry & the Meningitis Research Foundation.

www.justgiving.com/spencer-jones

Thankyou everso much with lots of love
Serena xxxx"

Read Serena's story in the Bucks Free Press

Marlow U11's Tunnel of Honour at Wasps V Castres

2008-10-14T13:55:00.012+01:00

The Marlow U11's sporting Harry's socks formed the Tunnel of Honour at the opening Heineken Cup game Wasps V Castres at Adams Park on 12th October.

The Marlow U11s included 42 boys with the Wasps Community team, followed by nearly 100 players and parents.

Stuart Wilson Head Coach says "We had our picture with the Guinness Premiership trophy and also formed the tunnel of honour as the players came on to the pitch. All our players were wearing Harry’s socks and the stadium announcer gave a very nice introduction about Harry, the socks and the terrific amount of money raised".

Another proud day for Harry's memory.

Harry's Socks Cheque Presentation at Newbury Rugby Club

2008-10-14T12:46:00.018+01:00

Harry's Socks raised £1600 for the Meningitis Research Foundation and what a journey it has been!

A donation of £400 from Mark Foster from Newbury Rugby Club was invested in replica socks of those that Harry wore during his playing days at Marlow Rugby Club. The distinctive hooped socks were remembered by Marlow coach and referee Graeme Kempson during many an hour on the rugby pitch. He conceived the idea of the socks as a way to remember Harry and raise further funds. You can read about the original presentation of the socks here.

It is eight months since the socks presentation and during this time they have become a truly international event. Worn by Marlow teams from mini to youth to the 1st XV in memory of Harry and by brother George and the John Hampden Grammar School team on their world wide tour. The socks visited Hong Kong, Australia, Fiji, Canada, USA and were worn during a spectacular winning game against New Zealand. Phil Vickery England Rugby Captain will wear the during a Barbarians game. Many Friends locally and from around the world have also bought Harry's Socks.

The presentation of the cheque was kindly hosted by Mark Foster at Newbury Rugby Club. Mark laid on a terrific day including lunch before the under 11's played a curtain raiser in Harry's socks which they won 10 - 0. Very exciting for them because they played on the 1st team pitch watched by the 1st team. We the watched the 1st division game between Newbury and Esher - Newbury wearing Harry's socks.

In the photograph of the Presentation from left - John Watson, Graeme Kempson , Mark Foster, Richard, Judi and Newbury mascot.

Newbury laid on a terrific meal and David Smith - the President of Newbury RFC remembered Harry in his pre match speech.

Instrumental in the organisation are John Watson, (Marlow Coach), Michele Tedeschi and Reg Murrell. Michele I think sums the day up when he said:

"I felt very proud to have known Harry, to be associated with the Foundation and to be part of Marlow RFC. The idea of Harry's socks was so fantastic and the rewards so incredible that I can't believe it myself. I thought that Mark Foster and all at Newbury RFC did us proud on Saturday: their hospitality and friendship was heart-warming and just shows what can be done. Newbury RFC have gone to the top of the tree as far as I am concerned.

Let us keep this wonderful thing going and even Harry would be proud of us"

To view more photo's - Click here

Marie Jenny and Louise "Fall4Harry"

2008-09-27T00:13:00.007+01:00

Yes - the parachute jump finally took place on a hot sunny day 21st September 2008. Around 30 well wishers were at the event and the the three girls all landed within 20 yards of the target - Marie on it!

Marie & Jenny (Harry’s sisters) and friend Louise Coleborn jumped 3,500ft for Harry. Marie says: “To mark the anniversary of Harry’s death I wanted to do something in memory of him and to honour the life he once had, and of course to raise money to help find a cure, to stop other families having to deal with the loss, pain and confusion that we have suffered. Myself, my sister Jenny and a my friend Louise Coleborn will be jumping out of a plane from 3,000 feet, with only ourselves and a cord to pull our parachute - otherwise known as a static line jump. We originally planned to jump on the 27th April after a full days worth of training on the 26th up at Booker (nr. High Wycombe) airfield. Due to bad weather the jump was cancelled.

Marie goes on to say "it was terrifying at first but once the parachute opened and we floated down it was really peaceful and able to reflect on why we were doing it"

The girls have raised £3000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Pictures of the jump can be viewed here - Jump Pictures

Videos of the landing below Marie top Jenny and Louise bootom.

Harry's Lunch a Great Success

2008-09-26T23:57:00.015+01:00

To view pictures of the event click here - Harry's Lunch Pictures

Harry Mills was a dedicated sportsman and as pictured Wendi Parcell (centre) and Gill May (left) with Judi Mills (right) have remembered him by raising funds at Harry's Lunch for The Youth Sport Trust which supports the development of all young people through sport. Harry's Lunch was held at St. Katherine's, Parmoor, Frieth on 23rd September 2008.

Harry’s Lunch was a great success and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Guests (120) arrived for a Pimms & canapes reception in the entrance hall, entertained by Jenny Hayes on piano. Guests then moved through to the anteroom where there was a display of Harry's medals & trophies & photos. There was also a display of some of the sporting events/trophies & awards that have happened over the last few months since his death. e.g. the Outstanding Sportsman (from Marlow Town Council), The 'Harry Mills' scull (Marlow rowing club), Marlow Merlins & RUFC Cups & Awards and The Youth Sport Trust 'Harry Mills Team Maker Award'.

Among the guests was Alan Black of the RFU and ex Wasps player - Blackie and the RFU have been very supportive, donating a Box at Twickenham and holding fund raising events - the Talking Rugby Dinners at Bisham Abbey (next one on the 28th November 2008).

Following a welcome speech by Wendi Parcell, a delicious lunch was served by St Katharine's staff. Judi then gave a speech & explained about Harry's Garden - Katie Watkins & Sam Tippett distributed the sunflower seeds (donated by Unwins & Suttons) and 'Harry Mills Mixture' sweet peas (created & donated by Roger Parsons Nurseries) or 'Our Harry' sweet peas (Eagle Nurseries).

The toast was – “to Harry”, a very special boy, and to all our very special friends' . Guin Batten (Youth Sport Trust) explained the work done by the YST including special, innovative projects with gifted & talented youngsters (mainly 14 - 18yr olds) at the start of their sporting careers. She said that they worked with youngsters on their whole motivation - mental preparation, goal setting, practical issues (e.g. how to train whilst still 'being a teenager') as well as skills & fitness training. She updated us on Mikey Wilson, winner of the Harry Mills Team Maker Award, - he recently represented England in Canada in the u14 canoe slalom team.

Gill May then asked Vince Mackenzie (ex head of Spinfield School) to draw the raffle - over 25 local businesses had very generously donated prizes ranging from gym membership at Bisham Abbey, Gift Basket from La Cotonniere, Cufflinks from Gatsby, tennis coaching from Justin Cook, Beauty vouchers from Sunrise salon, Flowers from Pollenation and Richard's giant jars of exclusive 'Windy Mills Pickled Onions & Pickled Beetroot'.

Other help came from Rebellion Brewery (donated beer), Waitrose (wine) and the Mums of Leighton Park School who donated the Pimms & wine served during the meal.

The Lunch raised £2500.

Many thanks to all our guests for your wonderful support.

Below - Wendi remembers Harry..

Meningitis Trust Remembers Harry

2008-09-02T10:36:00.005+01:00

Harry is remembered in the Meningitis Trust Remembrance Book. Nearly £3000 has been raised for the Trust.

Harry Mills Wins Gold

2008-09-02T10:24:00.003+01:00

The scull named after Harry by Marlow Rowing Club has won Gold at at the Home International Rowing in Cardiff (for Wales). Well done to the winners from the Mills family. You can read about the naming of the scull at Events for Harry in 2007.

We can also report that Marlow Rowing Club had a crew reach the final of Henley Regatta and then went on to pick 3 gold and a silver medal at the National Champions.

John Hampden World Rugby Tour Wear Harrys Socks

2008-08-08T12:11:00.007+01:00

George, Harry's brother embarked in July on a World Rugby Tour with John Hampden Grammar School. A fantastic tour where they visited and played rugby in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, USA and Canada.

The match in New Zealand was dedicated to Harry - the team wore Harry's socks and won the game 10 - 6. George is pictured on the back row fourth from right.

The website is well worth a visit and the video regarding the New Zealand game can be found at JHGS Tour.

Total Funds Raised in Memory of Harry

2008-08-08T12:06:00.008+01:00

The total funds raised in memory of Harry are as follows (all on-line and off-line donations) :

Meningitis Trust £2802.50
Meningitis Research Foundation £82,921.97
Youth Sports Trust £6448.67

Total £86,173.14

Many thanks from the Mills family for all your efforts. This total is a wonderful tribute to Harry's memory.

Graham Glynn at Sanofi-Aventis Raises £700 for Harry

2008-08-08T11:56:00.002+01:00

Graham Glynn at Sanofi-Aventis in Guildford organised a dress down day in memory of and have rasied £700.

Rachel Goodwin wins the Harry Mills Cross Country Cup donated by Bucks, Berks & Oxon Cross Country League – April 2008

2008-08-08T11:52:00.001+01:00

The 3 counties cross country league wanted to sponsor a Harry Mills Memorial Cup in recognition of Harry’s achievements in this sport. The cup was to be awarded to a runner who showed determination & commitment as well as athletic ability. Rachel Goodwin, aged 10 years, has regularly competed in cross country events, representing Spinfield School in Marlow, and has displayed a consistent winning streak. Once, she even arrived late when the rest of the field had a 400 yard head start and still won! Harry would have appreciated that story – he once was out in front during a race, wasn’t sure which way to go, so stopped, waited for the rest to catch up to find out, then ran off again….finishing in 1st place!

Jack Joseph wins the Harry Mills Fair Play Trophy

2008-08-08T11:48:00.004+01:00

Congratulations to Jack Joseph who won the Harry Mills Fair Play Trophy at Spinfield School in July 2008. This is an award made each year in memory of Harry who was pupil at Spinfield.

Zoe Overall Keeps Her Promise for Harry

2008-08-08T11:19:00.004+01:00

Zoe Overall and freinds from Cookham have raised more than £400 for Meningitis Research on a sponsored horse ride. Zoe made a promise to Richard Harry's Dad to organise the ride and has done just that. They had planned to ride in Windsor Great Park but were told the night before it had to be cancelled due to water logging. Undeterred Mum and Dad re-arranged the ride around Knowl Hill following (on foot) to ensure the safety of the riders.