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

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.

BGS library reopens

At 12pm on Tuesday 17th June, Boston’s Mayor, Councillor Alison Austin officially reopened Boston Grammar School’s Library. After six months the school’s traditional heart is restored and back in use following the tidal surge and resulting flood in December 2013.

In attendance were Phillip Bosworth (Chair of Governors), Brian Pycock (Chair of the Foundation Governors), Jim Howes (ex-Chair of Governors), Mick Todd (Governor), Peter Sharman (Old Bostonian Association), pupils and members of staff.

Mrs Ellis and her tutor group were pleased to welcome the guests to the celebration and ceremony. The school is very grateful to all those who have supported it throughout this time. It is reassuring to be reminded of the school’s character and resilience.

Peter Sharman said: "I attending the Library re-opening yesterday - it looks better now than before the flood!"

Thanks go to Luke Vere for the photographs. Luke is the IT Manager at BGS.

The library door sealed ready for the official opening

The mayor, Coun Alison Austin with new Principal, John McHenry

Cutting the ribbon

The door is open

Examining the library which is back to its former glory, or better

2014 Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner - report

Back row: Aaron Rymer (BGS student),
Harry Tebbutt (BGS student), Ellis Potter (BGS Head Boy);
Front Row: Catherine Wolfe-Smith (guest speaker's wife),
Richard O Smith (guest speaker),
Peter Sharman (OBA President)

The 2014 Old Bostonian Association Annual Dinner took place on 22 March at the Boston and County Club. As has become traditional, the evening started with about an hour in the bar, giving time for people to meet old acquaintances and make new ones.

Pete Milsom had brought a photograph of the Boston Borough Council taken in 1964. His father, who was a councillor and in the photograph, had listed most of the names but as was customary at the time, he had noted everyone as "Mr so-and-so". Pete wanted first names. Even I managed to fill in a couple of them, but Tony Austin provided the majority and I believe most of the rest were filled in by others.

The OBA President, Peter Sharman and I had a bit of a nail-biting time while we awaited the arrival of Richard O Smith (BGS 1975-1982), the guest speaker and his party: his wife Catherine, and Matthew Ledbury (BGS 1980-1985). They did indeed arrive in time and we were very relieved.

It  was good to see current BGS staff member, Richard Anderson at the dinner, together with his former colleagues, Ron Abbott, Rod Dunn and Nick Fitton.

OBA President, Peter Sharman

The Boston and County Club as usual came up with a very pleasant meal which was efficiently served. After coffee, Peter Sharman proposed the toast to The Queen, and we had a short break for refilling glasses.

Guest speaker, Richard O Smith
getting animated

Next came the speech by guest speaker, Richard O Smith. Richard was very entertaining, speaking about his lack of academic achievement at school, moving on to working in a pet shop, and then to writing obituaries for The Boston Standard, and on to his current work, writing books and script writing for radio and TV. Although he continued to speak for well over his allotted time, most people who expressed an opinion to me said they could have happily listened for longer. As is customary, Richard finished with a toast to The School.

BGS Head Boy, Ellis Potter

The response on behalf of the school is usually provided by a member of staff but this year it was ably handled by Head Boy, Ellis Potter. He spoke of the challenges of the year, including the flood of December 2013 and finished off with the traditional toast to The Old Bostonian Association.

There were 52 people present at the dinner. Unfortunately Bill Olle, who had also booked a ticket, was not able to be present due to last-minute family commitments.

Ron Abbott	Viv Hammond	Colin Pickwell
Richard Anderson	Andrew Hladun	Ellis Potter
Jill Austin	Lee Hoff	Reg Preistley
Tony Austin	James Hopper	Peter Rawlings
Mark Bruntlett	Derek Howard	Aaron Rymer
Ian Carrott	Stuart Hunt	Peter Sharman
Colin Clark	Luke Johnston	Don Sharpe
Colin Cumberworth	Andy Lawrence	Catherine Smith
George Danby	Stan Lawrence	Bill Stanwell
Pearl Danby	Matthew Ledbury	Bob Stanwell
Rod Dunn	Mark Locking	Harry Tebbutt
Jim Ely	David May	Paul Timby
Ben Evans	Simon Meeds	Pat Walters
Ian Fisher	Stan Meeds	Pat Welberry
Nick Fitton	Pete Milsom	Roger Welberry
Gus Goor	Sue Milsom	Adam Woods
James Greenfield	Richard O Smith
Chris Hammond	Trevor Page

Catherine Wolfe-Smith (guest speaker's wife), Aaron Rymer (BGS student),
Harry Tebbutt (BGS student), Peter Sharman (OBA President),
Ellis Potter (BGS Head Boy), Richard O Smith (guest speaker)
I'm not sure of the relevance of the t-shirt

Ron Abbott listening intently
to Nick Fitton

Rod Dunn at the centre of the action

Nick Fitton

Chris Hammond (BGS 1961-67)
brought his old school tie,
scarf and cap!

Guest speaker, Richard O Smith
and his wife, Catherine

Flood update and calling all furniture makers

The OBA mini-museum
adjacent to the school library

As has already been said on this blog, the president's flood appeal was very successful with about £2600 being raised. The aim is for this to go to making some minor improvements to a neglected part of the school and leaving a permanent reminder of the flood - things which wouldn't be covered by insurance payouts.

Somewhere on or near the library a place will be found for a brass plaque to indicate the level reached by the water. The rest of the money will be spent improving the entrance to the library - the small room giving access to the yard, library, quad and current careers room. The aim is to provide display cases and seating allowing this to become a comfortable meeting area for students, and a place where the Old Bostonian Association can exhibit artefacts and photographs and, we hope, increase awareness in the school of our existence, how we can benefit the school and what we do with and for our members.

The President, Peter Sharman, thought it would be particularly nice if we could find an appropriately skilled Boston Grammar School former student to make some high quality furniture for this project. So, if you are a cabinet maker, or know any other old boy who may be able to step up to the plate, please contact Peter Sharman at president@bostonian.org.uk.

On the OBA dinner weekend (21 March) I was pleased to be able to examine the progress in cleaning up the school following the flood. The OBA mini-museum seems pretty much back to normal, with the display cases having been re-varnished and looking like new. It seems that most of the major work in the library is complete. While books need to be returned to the bottom shelves of their cases and tables cleared of the repair company's boxes, the parquet floor, which had lifted, has had each block refinished and replaced. Apparently only one small parquet block from the floor went missing and it has been replaced with a new one. Even the long-neglected entrance, described earlier in this article, is looking pristine. The floor there too has been refinished and partly carpeted. Everything is looking great. Apparently the assembly hall was not seriously affected but the 1970s gym will probably need to have its floor replaced. Even the old science block in the yard has apparently had a much-needed lick of paint.

I had heard that the flood deposited a large amount of shingle on the sports field but the full story was much more interesting. Apparently the force of water had lifted a drain cover, which had long been covered in grass and entirely forgotten, causing the shingle to explode forth. The existence of the drain cover was only discovered when the shingle was moved away. I suggested that it may have been the Bar Ditch, an ancient waterway which runs under the school, but apparently this is not thought likely.

Interested in playing cricket or other sports?

Old Bostonian Association Cricket Team 1965

As you should be aware by now, the 2014 football match between the "old boys" and Boston Grammar School will take place on 3 April at the school. See the relevant article for more details if you want to be a spectator - I believe that we now have enough players and officials.

Together with the annual General Knowledge Quiz, ably MC'd by Richard Anderson, and the Snooker Tournament, which, following the death of its previous organiser, Paul Mould, failed to take place in 2013, the football match makes up the group of recently held competitions between the "old boys" and the school.

In the past there were other competitions: cricket, tennis and golf come to mind but there were probably others.

The Old Bostonian Association President, Peter Sharman, tells me that someone has shown an interest in organising a cricket match. There's no date for it yet, nor even a guarantee that it will happen, but if you might be interested in taking part, please indicate you interest to Peter, either by email (president@bostonian.org.uk) or via his Facebook account - he is a member of the Boston Grammar School Alumni group at Facebook.

If cricket isn't your thing, or even if it is, perhaps you could think whether you might be able and willing to organise a competition between the "old boys" (under the name of the Old Bostonian Association, but not necessarily involving only member of the association) and the school. While it can certainly be a sporting, event, it doesn't have to be. Again, send any suggestions to Peter Sharman, you could add a comment to this post, or if you're a member of the Facebook group, why not start a discussion there and see if there is interest in your idea.

Just a footnote about the snooker, while, as indicated above, the death of Paul Mould put a spanner in the works of the annual tournament, a new organiser was appointed in 2013 and apart from running out of year, there was another reason for the competition not taking place: Nigel Wainwright was unable to raise a school team. A proposal was made to have a competition between "young" old boys and "more senior" old boys, so if this situation continues, we could be looking for even more snooker players than usual when this year's competition is being organised.

OBA Annual Dinner 2013 - Report

Can you spot Robin Borrett (BGS Staff 1962-94) making
his first appearance at the dinner in several years?

After the sudden death of Paul Mould only two months before the annual dinner, which he had organised for each of the last few years, the OBA President, Peter Sharman, gamely took over the reins, and suggested it should be a tribute to Paul. Understandably, with the late change of responsibility, numbers were down this year (45) but the atmosphere on 20 April was as good as ever and Nick Fitton was certainly among the best speakers we've had when I've been present.