Old Bordenian Norman Wigg (BGS 1943 - 1948) has sent me a number of articles recalling stages of his life, including his experiences of the Battle of Britain whilst living in Teynham and his days at Borden Grammar School. I will add these over the coming weeks, but will start with his recollections of the Battle of Britain. Whilst Norman was too young to be at BGS at the time, I think this will be of interest to many visitors to this site.
Norman writes:
It is with regret that we have to pass on the news of the death of Dr Andrew Edney on Friday 3 March 2017. Andrew's funeral will take place at 12.40pm on Monday 10th April 2017 at Worthing Crematorium, Horsham Road, Findon, Worthing, BN14 0RG, followed by a wake at Findon Manor, East, High St, Findon, Worthing BN14 0TA from 1.45pm. Donations if desired to the Blue Cross, by way of collection on the day, care of the funeral directors HD Tribe of Storrington. If you have any personal stories or readings etc. that you would like to share on the day, or if you intend to attend the funeral or wake, could you let Andrew's solicitor, Lucy Samy, know at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Doctor Andrew Edney was a veterinary surgeon for some 50 years. After attending Borden Grammar School from 1943 to 1950, he attended art school before eventually graduating from the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London. Post-graduate studies led to a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a Masters degree in History. He worked as a freelance writer and editor and wrote a number of books relating to animals. His book “And While You’re Here – Episodes in a Vets life” covered his early life as an evacuee during World War II, to National Service in the RAF, student days, work in general practice and beyond. He was past president of the British and World Small Animal Veterinary Associations and the Central Veterinary Society from 2007-2009. He lectured throughout Europe and the US on his speciality – the portrayal of animals in art.
Andrew was a regular attendee at the Annual Dinner, and indeed attended in 2016
He never married, and leaves no children.
This is a reminder for all those Old Bordenians intending to attend this year's Annual Reunion Dinner on 25 March at the UK Paper Leisure Club, Sittingbourne. There are only a few days left to book your place at this event. Full details and how to book are included in the article below (follow this link: Annual Reunion Dinner - full details). There are a couple of groups celebrating major milestones at this year's dinner. They are the class of 1967 starters, who are celebrating 50th anniversary of starting at the school and the class of 1987-1992, who are celebrating their 25th anniversary of leaving the school.
I have been given copies of the OBA annual yearbook, The Maroon, from 1951 to 2009 (the last publication) with just four years missing.
We have produced an easily accessible and printable copy of all the articles posted on the website over the past year, similar to the Maroon publication, which was discontinued in 2009. It includes all material suitable for printed format during 2016, with a couple of articles published early this year. To access the digest, click this link: Website Digest 2016
If so, this year marks the 50th anniversary of that life-changing event!! Anthony Lock is organising a reunion of as many boys from the 1967 intake as possible at the OBA Annual Dinner, to be held on 25 March 2017 at the UK Paper Leaisure Club in Remembrance Avenue, opposite the school. Full details of the dinner and how to book are available on this website - see OBA Annual Reunion Dinner. If you would like more details of this reunion, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will forward your message to Anthony.
Mark Costen has provided two photographs from the 1956/57 era which include his uncle Michael Austin, sadly no longer with us.
This year's Annual Reunion Dinner will be held on Saturday 25th March at the UK Paper Leisure Club, opposite Borden Grammar School in Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne at a cost of £20. The UK Paper Clubhouse bar will be open from 6.00 pm, with dinner at 7.00 pm. The guest speaker will be Phil Bromwich, a school governor for many years.
To reserve a seat, please complete the details below and post to: Mike Pack, Tithe Barn Bungalow, Carriers Road, Cranbrook, TN17 3JU (tel: 01580 713236) with a cheque for £20 per person. If you would like to pay by Bank Transfer, please contact Mike for details. Please book by Saturday 11th March. Further information, including a prepared booking slip, is contained in this document: Dinner Letter 2017.
Please reserve............. places @ £20.00 each for the following member(s) (main contact first). Please make cheques payable to: Old Bordenian Association:
Name(s):
Years attended school:
Email address(es):
Telephone no:
Special dietary requirements:
Richard Parkin has let me know that a group of old boys at the school between 1987-1992 are planning to attend this year, marking the 25th year of their leaving and hope others from the same period will join them. If you wish to contact Richard regarding this, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will pass on your email.
Details of the dinner have been emailed to all OBA members. If you are a member and have not received an email, we either don't have your email address or we have an incorrect / old address for you. If this is the case, could you send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to ensure we keep you up to date with news and updates.
Denis Jarrett MBE 21 October 1922 – 13 January 2017
It is with regret that we announce the death of Denis Jarrett, MBE. Denis left Borden Grammar School in 1941 and was an active member of the Old Bordenian Association for very many years. Denis passed away on Friday 13 January 2017. His funeral was held at 10:00 on Monday 30th January at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing, Kent and then at the Mess Deck, The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
This article from the Kent Live site provides brief details of the life of Old Bordenian Lester Haines, who died earlier this year: Lester Haines - Kent Live.
Old Bordenian Cliff Cork (BGS 1965-1972) has discovered several photos from the archives of Sittingbourne Heritage Museum. A few sporting members of the committee have added some details, but if you can provide any missing names or dates, please send them to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sports day - senior mile
Date: unknown.
Runners: Stevens (right); Lewis (left)
Spectators: John Weekes - right, Ken Booth -left (Latin), Mr Bishton - to the right of Ken Booth
The 99 Old Bordenians who gave their lives in the two world wars and other conflicts were remembered in a service at Borden Grammar School on Saturday 12 November 2016 attended by more than 20 people including relations of the fallen and members of the OBA committee.
A number of Old Bordenians have hit the headlines in the past few months. The following links will take you to their respective items.
Peter Millican: How JK Rowling was unmasked and Peter Millican sceptical of the Matrix Theory
Lloyd Amsdon, Stuart Hennell and Matt Bowling: Former BGS pupils - successful company
Professor Nicholas Sims-Williams: Denis Sinor Gold Medal
If you are aware of any other notable successes of Old Boys that would be worth sharing, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Graham Barnes (BGS 1937-44), who died on 9 October 2016, aged ninety, was a stalwart supporter of both Borden Grammar School and Old Bordenian Association for more than 70 years. The funeral was held on Wednesday 26 October at 12:40pm at Charing Crematorium and afterwards at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel.
Born in Sheerness, Graham received his early education at the Broadway School, where he began his lifelong friendship with Ken Sears (d. 2014) and entered Borden Grammar School in 1937. His studies were interrupted two years later by the outbreak of the War, and he was one of those pupils evacuated to Pengam in South Wales with Messrs. Highton, Higson and Snelling.