The Old Bordenian Association

The April 1974 Geography Field Trip to St Jean-de-Luz in south west France included a visit to this geological marvel, the wave-cut platform below the fortified harbour wall at nearby Socoa.

However, I  took this picture just a few weeks ago when I revisited the site during a weekend break to the Basque region. Unlike my waistline, it doesn’t appear to have changed very much. But the intervening 34 years, in geological terms, doesn’t really count, does it?

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Another day, another year, yes, it is another Old Boys Veterans football match.  On Sunday 27th April 2008 we played against a Faversham veterans team and managed a 2-2 draw.

Team photo (left to right): Peter Thompson, Paul Bedelle, Paul Fletcher, Andy Bushell, Neil Redmond, Keith Shea, Rob Kemsley, Mark Spree, Alan Snelling, Mick Pack, Jamie Henley, and Cliff Cork.  Alan Abery appeared at half-time.

According to various historical records, the average age of this team is 53.

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I’ve finally added a search box to the sidebar.  Please excuse the barren look of the results page – that will be sorted out in the coming weeks.

These pictures may bring back memories for those Old Boys who walked the stage at school, either hoping to be spotted by a Hollywood agent or more likely because it involved extra curricular activities with girls from Highsted.

One of the sheets shows an Old Boy production (The Maroon Players).  Whilst preferring the sports field to the stage during my school years, I do remember another Old Boy production – a Revue which was a mix of comedy sketches and musical items – in which I did participate along with Greg Pope, Ian Baron, John Ford, Roger Barber, Nigel Gregory, Adrian Robson and others who have slipped from my memory banks.  Whenever we had a delay behind the curtains we sent “Robbo” out to tell a joke and keep the audience amused.  The Arts Festival, now long gone, brought trepidation to those who “volunteered” to recite a piece in a foreign language, often not sounding like one taught at Borden,  or to sing using musical scales rarely heard before.

Perhaps those of you more actively involved in these events can send in your own memories.

Peter Lusted

This is an article from ‘The Bordenian’ 1961-62 written by ‘KGW’ [Ed - K G Wood(Vice Captain of Swale House?]).  In addition to the early history of the school, it gives an insight into the move from the old school to the present school – see earlier article about the old school.

““The original Borden School, or as it was then known “Barrow School,” was housed in what is now the Kent Farm Institute in Borden Lane. [actually it is on the corner of College Road and Riddles Road that leads to Borden Lane. The old school is now the Sittingbourne Adult Education Centre – Ed] 

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This is the first of a number of fascinating articles to be published over the coming months detailing the history of the school and particularly around the period 1928 – 1929, when the school moved to its current location.  We start before the move. 

 ‘VALE’ – Words of farewell to the Old School (from “The Bordenian” December 1928)

“At some time in the not far distant future we shall be deserting the familiar and beloved precincts of our ancient academy – “The old order changeth, yielding place to new” – and shall be exploring our new home. Before we take our departure, however, let us make a rapid survey of our old domicile.

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