Resurrecting The Bournemouthian

Many of you will remember the long-standing school magazine, The Bournemouthian. Did you know that there have been no new issues since 2003? Ian Westhead, a current member of the Sixth Form, writes:

Recently, I discovered an extensive archive in the library containing, along with a plethora of other documents, all issues of The Bournemouthian. I was dismayed to realise there had not been a copy published since 2003 owing to the departure of Mr Rixon, an old English teacher who edited it (who has subsequently returned).

There is, however, good news:

I, along with a few friends who share my interest in the history and happenings of Bournemouth School, have decided to get The Bournemouthian back on its feet – to resurrect it. We’ve been discussing the content and the logistics of it, and it seems The Bournemouthian will live again!

To help this rebirth, Ian would like contributions of any information, anecdotes and chiefly pictures that could feature in some of the new copies. Ian is particularly interested in the development of the school buildings, especially the effects of “The Great Fire of 1973”,
(“an anecdote I had heard my father mention”). Pictures of past headmasters and old plans of classrooms would also be of particular interest.

Anything from the evolution of the school buildings to the different subjects taught at different times would be of great benefit to the new editions, as I’m looking forward to writing articles about the history of my school!

Please do let us know, in the comments below or by email, if you can help.

Obituary: Leonard (“Len”) Ruffell

Ruffell-LenOld boy Leonard Ruffell, who was at the school from 1950 to 1955, died on 3 July, aged 75. Len had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013.

Born in his father’s police house in Rownhams, Len moved to Winton in Bournemouth with his family when he was three. He spent most of his career in local government, with councils in Bournemouth and Hampshire, and it was through his work that he met his wife, Anne.

Len enjoyed drama, genealogy and writing and illustrating detective books about his alter ego, Lionel Worst. His daughter, Antonia, now lives in Australia.

His death was reported in the Hampshire Chronicle and the Bournemouth Daily Echo. The funeral was held on Friday 17 July at St Barnabas Church, Weeke.