The much anticipated annual Family Cricket Day at The Mill Cricket Club (MCC) took place on the 26th of April in Bedford. It was a great day out, filled with laughter, good food and camaraderie.

On Saturday, 26 April, the picturesque Mill Cricket Ground, nestled on the farm of Hugh and Marcelle Ainslie in the Bedford district, played host to a memorable cricket day. The occasion saw an Old Kingswoodian Cricket XI take on a Bedford Invitational XI, the latter team thoughtfully selected by our host, Hugh Ainslie.

The event was a wonderful gathering of families, friends, and alumni – with Old Kingswoodians (OKs), Old Andreans (OAs), Old Graemians and local cricket enthusiasts coming together to enjoy a day of sport, laughter, and camaraderie under the shade of the magnificent 200-year-old oak trees that frame the beautiful ground.

While the main match unfolded, the spirit of cricket was alive and well among the younger generation, as spontaneous mini cricket games sprang up throughout the day. The enthusiasm of the little ones was heartening and a true reflection of how deeply cricket is woven into the fabric of this rural community.

A delicious lunch was generously prepared and served by Karen and Keith Morgan (OK 1977) and their wonderful team, adding to the warm and festive atmosphere. A particularly striking moment was seeing guests gathered around the historic water mill next to the field, beautifully encapsulating the charm of the day.

In keeping with the spirit of the event, the result of the match was of little consequence. What mattered most was the shared joy, the strong sense of community, and the rekindling of friendships. The day was a shining example of the camaraderie that exists among the alumni of Makhanda’s (Grahamstown’s) esteemed schools.

As the sun dipped behind the trees, Kingswood’s College Head, Leon Grové, offered heartfelt thanks to the Ainslie family for their generous hospitality. In his closing remarks, he reflected on how truly fortunate the Eastern Cape – and Makhanda (Grahamstown) is in particular – to be home to such exceptional schools that uphold and celebrate the values of the region’s unique way of life.