Old Boy John Dearing (1957-65) writes:
I have heard today that my contemporary, David Hopkinson who was at Bournemouth School from about 1958-65 has sadly died in Sligo, Ireland. David worked in technical publishing for over 20 years, aspiring at one point to being “Father of the Chapel” but took early retirement some 20 years ago, moving to Ireland in 1994. He was just over 70 at the time of his death.
Hugh Walker, the son of the late artist, composer and Bournemouth School teacher Bernard Walker has been in touch to share his online tribute to his father’s life. The website has a variety of material from Mr Walker senior’s life, including some of his programme designs and playbills from his time at the school that were found among his papers in 2014.
Hugh Walker recently got in touch with the OBA. He had discovered a number of photographs and documents left by his father, Bernard Walker, who designed sets for a wide range of school productions from the 1930s until his retirement in the 1960s.
Mr Walker writes: “They’re a bit jumbled – difficult to identify dates, but at least some of the participants might recognize themselves and have positive reminiscences. I’ve included the stagehands too. I recollect that the programmes were all printed in the art room and particular boys had a hand in this.”
You will find the photographs below. Let us know in the comments if you recognise anybody – or yourself!
Alan Williams is trying to locate Peter Whelan, an Old Boy who went on to RMA Sandhurst. Alan writes:
There is a group of us having a reunion in August and we all would like Peter to be there, but he has disappeared off the radar! It was a very long time ago (1965-66), so my enquiry is a long shot I know.
Please get in touch if you can help out.