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 OBA Constitution was amended at the 2021 AGM:
The School held its 2021 Remembrance Ceremony on 11 November and invited members of the OBA to attend.
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.
Bryan Short’s funeral was held on Tuesday June 15th, 2021, at Saints Peter and Paul Church, in the Parish of Borden where Bryan lived and was a Lay Preacher, with Fr. Robert Page as Celebrant.