Celebrating the legacy of Mark Bushnell

Friends, housemates, teammates, and fellow OD’s,

This year marks the 10 year anniversary of Mark Bushnell’s departure from Poole House during his remarkable 24 year tenure at the school as housemaster and Deputy Head.
For the majority of us, whilst looking back over our time at school, MJB remains front and centre in his role as mentor, teacher, father figure and personification of what it meant to be a true Dunelmian as a proud member of your house.

So, in order to mark a decade since his departure and to remember the legacy and achievements of the great man, the school have kindly worked with us to accommodate an entertaining, charitable day of activity, sport, socialising and collective Floreat Dunelmia-ism for all OD’s on November 30th.

With an emphasis on socialising…. supported by barbecues, bacon sandwiches, an open bar, and teas and coffees throughout the day, the school have opened up their facilities for a schedule that will centre around;
(i) Inter-house rugby tournament - coached by housemasters of old. (Poole/Caffinites/Bungites/Langley). 10 minute halves.

(ii) Women’s Inter house hockey match.

(iii) For those that don’t fancy the above, there is the option to run the Dunelm (Elvet waterside) and/or row on the river

(iv) The day will culminate in watching the 1st XV battle it out vs. Barnard Castle at 2pm.

For anyone participating in the Park Run or Rowing, here is a page you can use to raise money for a great cause.

8:15am Runners arrive at Maiden Castle (9am Park Run starts)
9.00am (to midday) Boat club open for any ODs who want to row
9.30am – Arrival of rugby and running participants at Durham School
9.30am – Rugby players head to The Caffinites to get changed
9.30am - Refreshments start and drinks bar opens on The Playground
9.50am - Runners transported to the DARC
10.00am – 4 OD House rugby teams play each other in round robin tournament.
10am-10:30am Runner arrive back at the school
10am Poole v School
10.20am Caffinites v Langley
10.40am Poole v Caffinites
11.00am School v Langley
11.20 Poole v Langley
11.40 School V Caffinites
11.30am – MacLeod open for lady runners and hockey players to get changed
12.00pm – OD Hockey match on the Astro
13.00pm – Lunch
14.00pm – 1st XV vs. Barnard Castle match kick off
16.00pm – 20.00pm - Fabio's will be hosting post match drinks as a private function with food/canapés also available.

**All day - BBQ / Bar on the patio (open to Barney and School parents too)**

I’m sure you’ll all agree that it will be an enjoyable day and a chance to dust off the boots or simply enjoy the schedule of sport and conversation.

The school wanted the opportunity to welcome everyone back with open arms and I hope to see as many faces there as possible to mark the MJB legacy in an appropriate way.