It is with sadness we report the death of Peter Highton who attended the School from 1939 to 1947. The Highton family was linked to the School for three generations from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Peter's son David informed us of his passing and provided these words.
After missing two years due to the Covid Pandemic, we are pleased to announce the Annual Reunion & Dinner to be held on Saturday 19th March 2022. We will reconvene in the Old Hall at the School to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Given the enforced gap, we would hope for a great turnout of Old Bordenians on the night.
We often reflect on the adversity facing us in the current times and note the upheaval for the School and its students during the pandemic. It is therefore timely to be reminded of a perhaps more disruptive upheaval when the School was evacuated during the Second World War.
The objectives of our Association include assiting the School. We have worked to contribute to support Pupils' wellbeing and amenity and the fabric of the School. The Staff who work in the School are equally part of that equation. After two calendar years of working under the shadow of the pandemic, the Association thought we should offer a small, but fun thank you to the Staff.
The 2021 AGM of the Association was held online on Friday 24th September. The papers and minutes are available for members information.
The School held its 2021 Remembrance Ceremony on 11 November and invited members of the OBA to attend, In a moving ceremony, the Headmaster spoke of the experience of teenagers who, rather than living in a time of peace as we do, chose to join the Armed Forces to fight in the First and Second World Wars. It was pleasing to see a contingent of Old Bordenians attend the service, observe the two minutes silence and hear the Last Post sounded.
The School Website has a video of the ceremony on its website and it can be accessed via the link below.
https://www.bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/remembrance-service
Thank you to the Headmaster for his invitation to his important ceremony which, as he said, joined those in the Association with the Pupils of today in remembrance of our forebears who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.
Reg Robson, a Borden pupil from 1945 to 1952 followed by a significant career in the Royal Air Force, has died in a Hampshire care home approaching his 87th birthday. Old Bordenian and friend Dennis Fowle (1945-51) has sent in this obituary.
The evening of 23rd September 2021 was a special evening because during the course of 4 hours the OBA Veterans Football Club reunion was held for 2020 and 2021. As you would expect, they merged into one very enjoyable evening. Alan Snelling and Peter Lusted have provided this report.
It is with sadness we learn of the death of Ruth Bellord, School Secretary from 1975-2000. Many Old Bordenians who remember Bryan Short will also remember “Mrs Bellord” from when they had to go to the secretary’s office.
A Committee meeting of the OBA was held online on July 14th 2021. The minutes are available for members and can be accessed via the link below.
One of our Association objectives is to support the School in financial and practical ways. We already fund the School Minibus and we have engaged the Head to suggest other projects we could assist with. One such project has now been identified.
We have been informed that Barrie Mann, pupil from 1947-1954 passed away in March 2020.
Neville Amos (1947-54 as well) has sent us some recollections about Barrie's time at the School and beyond:
Steve Crump (1976 – 1982) contacted us to recount a unique story about Bryan's disciplinary approach.
The fabric of the School has changed many times in its history. From the 'original' School site on College Road (Old School Building - Heritage Video (bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk) to The Bryan Short block in 1998, it has morphed into the institution of today.