Author Archives: rossjamesparker

An update on the Association

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From our Graham Jones, our Membership Secretary:

I have had a few enquiries regarding the annual re-union dinner. Our contract with the Highcliff Hotel finished last year and the committee decided not to renew it. The plan was to hold a less formal dinner at the school in their new building. For those of you who are unaware, the school had a £4 million building project which has delivered a new 6th form study area on the lower floor, a large catering facility (capacity about 360 pupils) on the 2nd floor and a suite of teaching classrooms on the 3rd floor. This is all in preparation for an expansion in the number of pupils entering the school, as the number of pupils in the catchment has increased. The building occupies part of the senior playground and the senior cycle shed area.

The intention was to hold the first dinner in summer/autumn of 2023, but unfortunately the school lost several key personnel in the catering and site management departments during the year. This has meant that the dinner has been pushed back into 2024. At present I have no date for it, but I will be in touch further when there is a firm date.

The dinner is intended to be a more casual affair than previously with less emphasis on speakers and offering an opportunity to view the school buildings for those who have been away for some time.

Gradually the Old Bournemouthians’ Association is going to be coming under the wing of the Bournemouth School Alumni Society, with the OBA website becoming part of the Bournemouth School website. The Alumni Society is not intended to be a fund-raising society as much as one which can offer help to present-day pupils, for example by offering mentoring, both in person and remotely or by offering advice from ex-pats who could assist students who are travelling overseas.

Please remember to update me with any changes of address or email, so that I can keep in touch with you.

You can email Graham here.

Fan Court School alumni

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Claremont Fan Court School, a co-educational independent school, is hosting a reunion at the former school site in Chertsey on Saturday 14 October 2023. Kate Bradford, from their alumni department, has been in touch with us as she knows of at least two former pupils who went on to Bournemouth School in the 1960s. She would be very keen to hear from them, or others who moved from Fan Court to Bournemouth, and would be interested in attending. Please contact Kate by email at alumni@claremont.surrey.sch.uk .

Obituary: Gordon Prosser (1932-2023)

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The funeral will take place of Old Bournemouthian Gordon Prosser at Woking Crematorium,
Surrey, on Tuesday, 27 June, at 1200. All are welcome to attend.

Gordon, of Send, Surrey, died aged 91 on Saturday, May 27.

Born in Bournemouth, Gordon attended Bournemouth School from the age of eleven to
nineteen, completing an extra year because his mother had been initially too ill to give
permission for him to stay on in sixth form. During that time, he became Head Prefect.

After completing Royal Marine training during National Service, Gordon pursued a career in
banking. He was a great supporter of the school and attended the annual Old
Bournemouthians’ dinner well into his late 80s.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peggy) and son, Neil. A daughter, Claire,
predeceased him.

Obituary: Douglas R. Sherwood (1941-1948)

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We received the following, from John Demont:

Douglas (“Dougie”) Sherwood, the last of four Old Bournemouthian brothers, died peacefully in December 2022. He was at the school during the war (1941 – 1948) and was one of four Old Boys who went to Sandhurst in 1948. Douglas distinguished himself by becoming a Junior Under Officer. The other three Old Boys were Tom Farmer, Johnny English, and Tony Baxter – probably a  record School entry!

Dougie was a popular character. He played cricket and football for the School at all levels. He was also a very good table tennis player. He retired early from the Army as a Major to further other activities including valuable charity work with his wife Ann.

David Coleman

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We have received the following email from Wayne Lines, an Old Bournemouthian:

A former student of Bournemouth School and close friend of mine (David Coleman) died in Poland on Feb 1st. Dave arranged a reunion about 9 years ago including a tour of the school where about 25 of us from the ‘class of 1972’  were made very welcome.

We have arranged a celebration of his life. Sadly, I’m only in contact with a handful of former classmates but anyone who knew Dave would be most welcome to join us. The details are below.  (The RSVP is to his sister).

Obituary: Ken Maxted

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Mike Webb writes:

I have just had the sad news that Ken Maxted has passed away. Ken taught for many years at the school and was an Assistant Head, Master in charge of the Sixth Form, Head of Romsey House and a member of the Geography Department.

He was a founder member of the staff cricket team and he played for them with distinction for many years. Ken also organised the staff five-a-side for a time. He was a thorough teacher of geography and helped to build the subject into one of the most heavily subscribed in the school at one time.

As an Old Boy of Taunton’s School, Ken must have had divided loyalties when the two schools met of the sports field but Bournemouth School usually won out in his affections. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues at the monthly ‘Chips’ gatherings.

Reg Turner

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We have been contacted by Reginald (“Reg”) Turner, who writes:

Hello from New Zealand. I was a pupil at Bournemouth School from 1952 to 1960. My time at Bournemouth School for Boys, and in the CCF gave me the best education I could ever have or expect. Having gained foreign entry at age 12, with passing the 11 plus exam at that time. I was a young student from a primary school background in the Caribbean Island of Aruba. I was blessed that my parents decided to settle in Bournemouth, and the opportunity to gain entry to this great school of learning.

Now aged 77 and a wealth life adventures, I wish to connect with all my classmates still living from my Bournemouth School years. Please put in your “old boys “network my email with a request to connect with them, after all these years. I regret it has taken me 65 years to contact my school “old boys”. I am now writing my memoirs called “Tales from an Innkeepers Log”.

Reg also provided links to his personal website, and the website of his lodge, on New Zealand’s South Island.

Memories of the Officer Training Corps

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We have recently been contacted by Mr P. John Fish, who was at the school between 1942 and 1948. He is enjoying getting into the school’s history in his retirement, and was particularly interested in our 2016 post of the historical role of the school OTC’s cap badge. Mr Fish has been kind enough to type up some of his memories of the school in his time, with a view that it may interest others. Continue reading →

Jim Green

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We have received the sad news that Life Vice-President Jim Green died on 7 July following a second stroke. Jim was instrumental in the success of the Old Boys 1st XI football team for many years, as well as editing and publishing our twice-yearly newsletter. He was also a school governor for a time and served the school and the Old Bournemouthians for many years.

Should anyone wish to attend, the funeral will be held at 11am on Thursday 27 July at Bournemouth East Cemetery, Gloucester Road. Please note the location is not the Bournemouth Crematorium & Cemetery.

Annual Dinner 2017

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Photo of the Marriott Highcliff
This year, we are announcing the date of the Annual Dinner early, to ensure that the date is saved in Members’ diaries. This year we will return to the Marriott Highcliff Hotel, St Michaels Rd, Bournemouth on Friday 22nd September 2017. Diners are requested to arrive at 7pm.
You can book your place for £30.00 per member and £35.00 per non-member by using this online form. Non-members may join the association (£5/year) and take advantage of the members’ rate. Please remember that the dinner is for past pupils and staff (past and present) only.