Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner 2016 - Report

As expected, there were fewer attendees at this year's old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner than at last year's. It was still a very respectable attendance of over 70 people; about average for the last few years.

Because of the reduced numbers we returned from the BGS assembly hall of last year to the comfortable surroundings of the Boston and County Club, near to the main entrance of Boston's Central Park.

People started gathering in the bar at 6:30pm and after a while there was quite a crowd and the volume was increasing.

Three of the five members of 1967 school band,
Gotham City were together for the first time in 49 years:
David Wortley, Ty Dalby and Nick Flynn

Past OBA President, Tony Austin
and his wife, Jill

George Danby and his wife Pearl
with Ken Newham

Pat Everitt and David Wilson

While we were all in the bar, Peter Milsom produced a painting by former BGS staff member, Hubert "Tilly" Turpin (BGS 1927-1964), asking what the subject might be. I have since confirmed that it is Ely Cathedral.

Once the OBA President, Peter Sharman had worked out that the PA was indeed piped into the bar, he managed to call everyone through to the dining room at about 7:30pm for an excellent and well waited meal.

The top table, left to right: Thomas Vamplew (BGS student and quiz scorer), Smilte Matutionyte and Joe Dean (students and OBA museum curators), Peter Sharman (OBA President), Brig Bill Dunham CBE BSc (guest speaker), John McHenry (BGS head teacher), Harvey Potter (Head Boy), Damian Austen (Deputy Head Boy)

After dinner there was a short break before the speeches: time to mingle again.

Bill Stanwell and Stan Lawrence

Rod Dunn

David Wookey and Scott Palmer

Nigel Wainwright and Harvey Potter

Ken Newham and Pete Milsom

Pat Welberry and Gus Goor

Jim Ely and David May

After a brief introduction and loyal toast from OBA President, Peter Sharman, Richard Anderson took the microphone to introduce our guest speaker, Bill Dunham (BGS 1972-1979). Bill joined the Royal Marines in 1979 straight from BGS and had a long and varied career including command at every level up to Brigadier. His Career culminated in roles as Commandant of Commando Training Centre, as Chief of Staff of the NATO Training Mission in Kabul and finally Deputy Commandant General. He left the Corps on 31 March 2015 and now works as the Director of Strategy and Corporate Services at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Peter Sharman

Richard Anderson

Richard Anderson

Brig. Bill Dunham

Bill's speech was entertaining and thought provoking, relating with stories both serious and funny how his time at BGS and in Royal Marines training informed his later career, and indeed lessons real and tongue in cheek that we can all take from his experiences. He then went on to propose a toast to The School.

The response was provided by BGS head teacher, John McHenry, who acknowledged that the recent Ofsted report of the school indicated that continued improvement was necessary but balanced that with an explanation that while the inspectors had to show three years of improvement, they acknowledged the last two showed an "upward trajectory". On the specific point made about the behaviour of students, he made a good argument that the two incidents referred to in the report were not significant. He also noted that the school is an academy but that the current drive is for schools to be involved in multi-institution academies. This need not mean the school being swallowed up into a larger organisation but does mean it needs to select partner schools, and select them wisely.

Brig. Bill Dunham

Bill Dunham and John McHenry

John McHenry

The official business was brought to a close by the Head Boy, Harvey Potter, who spoke of his view that speaking at the OBA Annual Dinner was one of the highlights of his year in office. He also acknowledged the honour he felt in following his brother Ellis Potter into the role; Ellis gave the response to the toast to The School at the dinner in 2014.

Those who attended the dinner were as follows.

Ron Abbott	(73/98 Staff)
Richard Anderson	(71/14 Staff)
Toni Anne Pain	(Guest)
Damian Austen	Deputy Head Boy
Jill Austin	(Guest)
Tony Austin	(56/62)
Pauline Borrett	(Guest)
Robin Borrett	(92/94 Staff)
Mark Bruntlett	(78/85)
Marcus Cain	(81/89)
Colin Clark	(51/58)
Tyrone Dalby	(58/66)
George Danby	(59/64)
Pearl Danby	(Guest)
Jack Davy	(02/09)
Joe Dean	Student – OBA Museum
Bill Dunham	Guest Speaker (72/79)
Rod Dunn	(66/96 Staff)
Dan Elkington	(97/03)
Jim Ely	(59/64)
Pat Everitt	(74/81)
Ian Fisher	(83/89)
Nick Flynn	(60/66)
Jamie Forman	(78/84)
Gus Goor	(57/62)
Nick Hiom	(85/90)
Andrew Hladun	(74/80)
James Hopper	(83/91)
Robin Jackson	(59/65)
Luke Johnston	(02/09)
Philip Johnston	(70/77 Staff)
Andy Lawrence	(75/82)
Stan Lawrence	(45/50)
Mark Leggott	(75/81)
David Lenton	(62/68)
Mark Locking	((82/89)
Smilte Matutionyte	Student – OBA Museum
David May	(60/64)
John McHenry	Head Teacher
Simon Meeds	(76/84)
Stan Meeds	(38/43)
Pete Milsom	(61/66)
Sue Milsom	(Guest)
Darren Mitcham	(82/89)
Ben Mountain	(87/94)
Ken Newham	(41/46)
Sara Nicol	(Guest)
Trevor Page	(49/55)
Scott Palmer	(87/94)
Keith Phillips	(72/79)
Colin Pickwell	(60/65)
Harvey Potter	Head Boy
Reg Priestley	(45/46)
Peter Rawlings	(53/58)
Peter Sharman	OBA President (59/64)
Don Sharpe
Bill Stanwell	(43/47)
Bob Stanwell	(54/61)
Don Stimson	(51/56)
Judy Stimson	(Guest)
Thomas Vamplew	Student – OBA Quiz etc.
Nigel Wainwright	(77/14 Staff)
Pat Walters	(82/89)
Pat Welberry	(59/62)
Roger Welberry	(56/60)
Ken Whittle	(52/89 Staff)
Pat Whittle	(Guest)
David Wilson	(74/81)
Stephen Wood	(01/08)
Catharine Woodliffe	(Guest)
Stephen Woodliffe	(88/06 Staff)
David Wookey	(81/89)
David Wortley	(59/66)
Richard Wray	(56/61)
Tony Wright	(78/84)

Philip Johnston (BGS headmaster 1970-78) with Brig. Bill Dunham

Boston Grammar School Prize Giving 2015

The 2015 Prize Giving took place at The Centenary Methodist Church, Boston on 17 December.

In his welcome speech the headmaster, John McHenry talked about the federation which happened 7 years ago between Boston Grammar School and Boston High School. He thanked those who worked to make it a short episode in BGS history. In particular he thanked Mr Graham who retired from the school last year. Most of all though he thanked the students and their parents who are currently in year 13 for showing their confidence in the school. When they started in year 7, the whole selective intake from Boston was assigned to the high school: boys and girls. After that year all and with the end of the federation, all of the boys in the year-group were offered the chance to transfer from the Spilsby Road site to Rowley Road. Thirty of those boys chose to make the switch.

At the time of the federation the county's estimates were for falling rolls but the current intake is over 100 at BGS alone and that level is forecast to continue, which justified the existence of two selective schools in Boston.

John also made a presentation to Martin Wright, who has taught mathematics at the school for 37 years and will soon reach his 60th birthday. Martin was invited to respond but declined. When congratulated later he typically questioned why he had received the honour.

Chairman of the School Governors, Philip Bosworth's speech included recognition for Jim Howes who had been borough councillor, Chairman of School Governors and Foundation Governors, and President of the Old Bostonian Association who died this year.

The event was punctuated by carols and musical interludes.

Prizes were distributed by Dr Sunita R Deshmukh, who was a student at BGS, leaving in 2005 as the first female winner of the Parry Gold Medal. In her speech she told how she had to make a decision between medicine and art. Eventually she chose medicine, which she studied at the University of Nottingham. While still an undergraduate she was one of the authors of a text book on the renal system. Eventually she specialised in psychology with a particular interest in Alzheimer's Disease. By getting involved in the use of art therapy with Alzheimers patients and by doing illustrations for medical publications, in the end Sunita has been able to combine her passions of medicine and art.

Head of School, Harvey Potter gave the vote of thanks, presenting Sunita with gifts including a prefect's tie.

The event was finished in the customary manner with the singing of the school song and the national anthem.

New furniture for flood damaged BGS

Left to right: Headteacher, John McHenry,
Jon Warner of Cammacks of Boston, who sourced the furniture,
and President of the OBA, Peter Sharman.

Following the devastating tidal flood of 5th December 2013 the Old Bostonian Association raised £3500 in donations from its members. This money was then used to provide a new oak display cabinet, a coffee table and two bench seats. These have now been installed in the foyer to the 16th century Grade I listed school library which was flooded up to around 12 inches and suffered considerable damage.

The aim is to make the foyer a place for students to meet and by displaying items relating to the history of the school, raise the profile of the Old Bostonian Association.

Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner 2015 - Report

Richard Anderson leads
everyone in some exercises

As predicted the Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner 2015 was a huge success. Once Richard Anderson, the almost universally popular Modern Languages teacher of 43 years (and one term) who retired in 2014, was booked as the guest speaker, it seemed almost inevitable that we would achieve a record attendance for recent years, and so we did.

I hope you enjoy this long report with many photographs. Maybe you will be able to identify long-lost friends in some of the images - click on an image to see a larger version.

The last few dinners have been held at the Boston and County Club where our recent record of ninety-something stretched comfort; last year's sixty-something was perfect for that venue. We needed somewhere larger, and the solution was in hindsight obvious - we returned to the school hall for the first time in probably a couple of decades (dinners around the turn of the 21st century were held in the school dining hall). This time we were able to bring with us the excellent caterers from the county club and all was set.

BGS Prize Giving - report

Adam Shergold

The Boston Grammar School Prize Giving 2014 took place on 18 December at the Centenary Methodist Church, Boston. The guest of honour was Adam Shergold, an Online Sports Journalist at the Daily Mail.

Music for singing and for musical interludes was provided by the Boston Grammar School Jazz Band and other musicians from the school.

John McHenry, the headteacher of the school gave the welcome and Phillip Bosworth the Chairman's Address.

The prizes notably included two new ones marking the retirement of well loved members of staff. The NW Wainwright Award for outstanding sporting achievement went jointly to Zurna Olali and Stuart Wharff. The Anderson Prize for German went to Louis Holland.

Head of School, John Lisle, gave the vote of thanks to Adam Shergold as the guest of honour.

The event was closed with the usual singing of the school song and the national anthem.

What a fantastic afternoon! BGS Beach Party

Boston Grammar School Schuhplattler dancing at the Beach Party,
led by Richard Anderson

Boston Grammar School showed it was on good form, as it held its first Charity Summer Fete. Principal John McHenry was on hand to enjoy the fun with the staff, pupils (pictured below) and many guests including East Midlands Ambulance NHS Trust (EMAS) and L.I.V.E.S on a lovely summer afternoon.

There was no sign of a dampening mood following the flood that caused the school to close in December 2013. The future has never looked brighter.

Music provided by the school band accompanied the Schuhplattler; garden games; Magic Show starring ex-Head Boy, Mark Watson, Punch & Judy Show from Norfolk and all the delights of a summer’s day—ice cream, drinks and home-made cakes whilst fundraising for such worthy charities - Centrepoint Outreach, World War I Memorial and defibrillators for the local community. Local businesses helped the school by offering time to support such good causes and local superbike rider, Ben Wilson took time out to cut the black and amber ribbon at 12 noon.

BGS is sited at the heart of the Boston Community, steeped in history and the organisers, Richard Anderson and Suzanne McKeown are delighted to announce that the BGS “Beach Party” Fete raised over £1,000 for charity and wish to thank all who contributed to this splendid total.

New BGS Principal announced

John McHenry

It will take a while for some of us old hands to get used to the idea that the head of Boston Grammar School is called the Principal but that is the correct title since the school has became an academy in January 2013.

We recently announced that the school's first Principal, Paul Marsh was leaving at Easter 2014 and that John McHenry, the deputy, would stand in until someone was permanently appointed to the post.

We understand that it has now been announced that the new Principal will be John McHenry.

John McHenry has has taught History and Geography at the school since 1994. He is also the school liaison for the Old Bostonian Association and curator of the Association's mini-museum at the school.

We wish John good fortune in his new role, and based on our experience to date I am sure the Association can rely on his support as much as he can rely on ours.

Seeking Boston Grammar School memorabilia

We have recently received a request from a lady looking for information on a relative and Old Boy of Boston Grammar School who was killed in action during WWII. His name was Walter Henry Brunning.

Apparently a piece was written about him in an Old Bostonian magazine dated 14 August 1991.  We do not have a copy of this in the Museum but wondered if you have kept back copies and could supply us with a copy of the article which apparently appeared on page 19.

More generally, if you have any BGS memorabilia which they no longer want it would be great if you could let us have it for the Museum. Current history Master John McHenry has now taken responsibility for the Museum which will in future be of more interest to Old Boys revisiting the Boston.