Winter Bradfield Day 2025, after the cancellation of the event in 2024, was enjoyed by nearly 200 guests from the Bradfield community returning to the college on Sunday December 7. Winter sporting activities included a hockey match between the College First XI team and an OB men’s team at the AWP for the David Moss-Gibbons Trophy, a rife shooting match between the College and OB Shooting team for the Tremlett Trophy and the Huxham Runs.

Huxham Runs: 141 runners arrived at Stunt Pavilion for the start of the two multi-terrain cross-country races known as the Huxham Runs over the 5-mile and 10-mile courses which started at noon.

It really was a whole community event this year with the mix of college pupils being highest in the Huxham V race, but there were 31 Bradfieldians, 14 current parents, 15 pupils, 12 staff and 2 former staff/parents fit enough to run the 10-mile course, which was a wonderful turnout. The first runner in the Huxham X race home was Bradfieldian Ben Hutchins (F 13-18) closely followed by Bradfieldians Tristan Ehinger (F 10-15) and current Secretary of the OB Running Club Adam Robinson (G 11-16). The first females over the line were Amanda Wall who is Aunt to a current pupil and also Bradfieldian and member of staff Milly Pelmore nee Taylor (M 06-11). In the Huxham V race current member of staff Mike Rippon was first round the course in 35 minutes which is an outstanding pace leading a group of 51 runners who finished the course. Fabulous to have overseas visitor and OB Jay Kempe (F 67-70) running again with us too reminiscing about his time at Bradfield

Many Bradfieldians and current parents ran with their children this year, we had some whole families coming back to run, so continuing a Bradfield tradition which has been going on since the college Steeplechase started in the 1880s.

Back in the 1970s, cross country running evolved from the Junior and Senior Steeplechases to become inter-house runs called “cheeses”. The first Huxham 10-mile mass participation run started informally and became more organised in December 2004. At the time, this rekindled running at the College and was organised by former member of staff David Palmer in the College SCR and the OB Cross Country Secretary at the time Michael Bostelmann (A 61-66). A party of runners even went on in Spring 2005 to run the Reading Half Marathon including Dan Robinson (A 88-93), Simon Cox (G 96-01), Jon Salmon (B 73-78) and James Arnold (H 97-02). It was wonderful to have Simon and many of the Bradfieldian Running Club, including Club Secretary Adam Robinson (G 11-16) running this year.

Hockey: In the hockey it was the pupil team who won the match against a formidable OB turnout. We had interest from 4 Old Bradfieldian girls who had wanted to play against the College girls, but sadly we could not get enough interest to make up a full team. If there are any OB girl hockey players who would like to return to Bradfield to play in the future, please do get in touch and share your interest with us.

Shooting: The Tremlett Trophy was contested by the OB Shooting squad and the College team. There were 19 competitors in all with the top 8 in each team counting towards the final score. Rupert Breitmeyer and his son Max (E) shot shoulder to shoulder with Max narrowly winning this head to head match by 100-98. Will Morriss (H 20-25) who left college this June, was in attendance as an OB and was presented with the newly initiated Simon Dixon Memorial Medal. This was awarded to him as he was the winner of the Simon Dixon Memorial Tankard back in 2024. There were some really good scores across both teams with 5 possibles 100/100 being shot. The final score was 793-789 in favour of the college team who win the trophy for 2025.

As one guest said afterwards "It was a joy taking part and seeing lots of familiar faces at the same time." Winter Bradfield Day really is "a brilliant Bradfield tradition" and it was great to be able to host you all once again.

The next sporting fixtures planned between the OB and College community will fall at OB Spring Matches on Saturday 7 February 2026 when the college girls and boys Football First XI teams will play against the OB Men’s and Women’s Footballers organised by Dan Hodgkinson (H 10-15) and Sarah Thompson (M 12-14).

Anyone who may not already be involved and who would like to play please get in touch.