As those who studied history at the School will know, the First World War formally ended in 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. As we prepare to mark that final WWI centenary, there have been two noteworthy events to report on. There is also an important date for your diary.
The School provides regular newsletters to the Parents of pupils and we will henceforth reproduce any interesting news on the OBA website. The most recent newsletter was in July, marking the end of the School year.
The Old Bordenians Hockey Club is separate from the OBA but we maintain close links. Many Old Bordenians have and continue to play for the Club and the Association has historically supported the Club financial appeals, particularly in regard to the construction of the Club pitches. We also welcome many of the OHBC to our Annual Reunion Dinners.
The Old Bordenians Football team reported at the 2019 AGM a fantastic 2018-19 season. The OBA provides support through the funding of the team's kit. Their unrivalled exploits are detailed in the Report provided to the OBA AGM and is detailed in this report by Keith O'Shea.
The 2019 AGM of the Association was held at the School on Friday 6th September and the minutes are available for members.
Dennis Fowle has contacted the Association to report the recent death of Tony Whibley (1944-52). Although living in Hampshire, Tony maintained friendships with other OBs and attended Dinners as recently as 2018. Dennis has provided this obituary to the OBA.
Something from the Maroon archives to throw you back through the years....
In the 2008 Maroon John Macrae led readers through a personal tour of the School, illuminating some of the history of the rooms and buildings as well as his memories of his time in the School. Whether you were a pupil in 1958 or 2008, you will find something of interest here.
Those of you who attended the Annual Reunion Dinner will know that Simon Robbins, long serving teacher and Old Boy of the School retired this year. We marked the event at the Dinner by the presentation of a commerative tankard by Jason Lee (England International Hockey Player, Old Boy and once taught by Simon!).
Those of you still in Kent may have seen this article on Kent Online which was recently published as Simon closed out his final days as a teacher. Once more we pass our best wishes on to Simon for a long and happy retirement and thanks for his long service to the School.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/news/teacher-retires-from-school-where-he-studied-208958/
Back in 1994, a large group of Old Bordenians gathered to mark the 25th anniversary of their departure from Borden Grammar School.
Another 25 years have passed and following a tour of the School, a dinner was held at Hempstead House in Bapchild to celebrate 50 years since the majority of those present ended their school life. Some of those present have known each other since their primary schools (including Barrow Grove and a few even to Ufton Lane) in effect 63 years of friendship. Together they managed to locate and contact 31 former colleagues, scattered in all parts of the globe and 18 were able to attend the Reunion on June 15.
A very enjoyable evening was had on 13th June 2019 at the latest in a series of ‘last’ OBA Veterans reunions held once again in the ‘Appleyard Sports Bar’ (previously known as UK Paper, and previously known as Bowaters Pavilion). It seems we get more to these reunions that we used to get available for Sunday morning matches.