A dedication ceremony to mark the installation of a new electronic cricket scoreboard and commemorative plaque at Pocklington School in memory of former pupil, teacher and Pixies Cricket Club stalwart Malcolm Milne (55-62, former staff 71-02), took place on Sunday 4 July 2021 ahead of an inaugural cricket match in his honour.
The scoreboard supplied and installed by Durant Cricket, was funded by the Old Pocklingtonian Association in recognition of the many years of dedicated service that Malcolm gave to OPs and the OPA committee. Similarly, the Pixies CC committee provided a memorial plaque to acknowledge Malcolm’s significant contribution as the club’s secretary and annual tour organiser for over 50 years.
Malcolm’s wife Jill and nephew Richard Milne (90-97) were amongst a small number of guests who attended the ceremony, including OPs, former teaching colleagues, school staff and cricketers.
Joan Gough (75-77), OP President, paid tribute to Malcolm’s long service and commitment to both the school and the OP Association during his 32-year career.
She said: “Malcolm made an extraordinary contribution to the school, the OP Association, the Pixies and the wider Pocklington community and so it is fitting that we have facilitated the installation of an electronic scoreboard at school in Malcolm’s memory, something which will benefit generations to come.”
The Headmaster, Toby Seth referred to Malcolm’s love of cricket but also for his passion for helping to make Pocklington School more accessible and available to as many deserving students as possible, regardless of their background.
He said: “Malcolm played a key role in the preparation and planning of our new Shape the Future campaign to raise funds for bursaries, and we will be inviting members of our community to donate to the campaign in his memory in due course. As such a staunch supporter of the School in so many ways, Malcolm would be heartened to know that this is part of his legacy.”
Matt Atkinson (85-93), Treasurer of Pixies CC, explained the ethos of the club which reflected Malcolm’s own philosophy when it came to cricket: “He loved teaching it, playing it, encouraging people to play and he was always inclusive about who plays it. This is what being a Pixie is all about. Enjoyment, love and encouragement of cricket. We’ve played hundreds of games, scored thousands of runs and taken hundreds of wickets all because we all love cricket together. And we loved turning up for Malcolm, he’d always say ‘just keep coming back’... and we would.”
Following the dedication ceremony, the scoreboard was put into immediate use as the Pocklington School 1st XI took on a mixed OP/Pixies XI in the inaugural Malcolm Milne memorial cricket match.
Matt commented: “It’s a privilege to play and fitting to recognise Malcolm for the future with this game of cricket. We’re playing for ‘The Malcolm Milne Trophy’ which will help us all remember the good work Mal did for cricket.”
Whilst the weather got the better of the cricket with heavy rain bringing the match to a premature close, it was fitting that Harry Jones scored a century for the school on this special day of tribute to Malcolm. For the full match report click here.
Malcolm’s Pixies stats are:
Pixie #2
164 appearances
2,710 runs, the 5th highest run scorer for the club
88 wickets
National Knockout Finalist in 1969 at Edgbaston, losing to Hampstead.
65 annual tours
Top photo: L-R: Toby Seth - Headmaster, Joan Gough (75-77) – OP President, Jill Milne, Charlie Lambert (01-08) – OP Vice President and Pixies CC Secretary, Matt Atkinson (85-93) – Pixies CC Treasurer