The Old Bordenian Association

This year we aimed for an environmentally friendly meal and a neutral carbon footprint.  Judge for yourselves and see the full Environmental Report below (photos of the evening can be found at the end of the report):-

All food remaining was recycled – we hope the boys enjoyed their shepherd’s pie for Monday’s lunch.

Smoking was banned – even in the bike shelter.

All wine left was mixed together, rebottled and sold on Ebay.

John Lifton, who had travelled from New Zealand, intended cycling back.

Our numbers were boosted on the night to 96 by 5 unexpected guests, whose cheque and forms had not arrived, despite being hand delivered!  Fortunately a quick word with the caterer, five seats and a table and normal service was resumed.  If you thought you were lacking a roast potato or slice of beef, now you know why.  It goes without saying that the caterer was instructed to ensure that Alan and I received full portions!

In view of John Lifton’s epic journey, he was invited to say a few words, and told us it was his first visit to the school in 61 years.  He had qualified as a vet in London and subsequently emigrated to New Zealand.  He was grateful for the broad education he had received at Borden and was delighted that the school now had special status for sport and languages.

Our guest speaker was Marion Minhall, a recently retired teacher from the school.  Having been educated in New York, she met her husband in London and moved to Sittingbourne for house price reasons.  She had become one of only two women teachers at Borden in 1984, having taught at other local schools on short term contracts.  She spoke fondly of the “naughty chair” outside Bryan Short’s room where she had sat after her interview, and of the “Gents’ Club” also known as the staff room where a 12 year long game of Bridge continued next to “cynics’ corner”.  We were privy to amusing tales and memories of her school colleagues that are probably best left unprinted for fear of possible legal action.  She always had problems remembering names, so invented her own versions as reminders, such as “the tall one with curls”, “pixie”, and “the short bald one”.  Her speciality subject was English but at various times she had stood in and taught Biology, History, Maths and had gone on field trips, as well being involved in the school drama productions.  Her career had seen her become Head of Lower School and she was especially proud of the debating society which had seen the school perform against Oxbridge and Cambridge and become runners up in the English Speaking finals.  Gill Regan and her had been the first women at an Old Boys dinner and both were now regular attendees.  She had, she told us, enjoyed every day.  Graham Barnes presented her with a bouquet flowers from the Association.

Responding, Harold Vafeas said that Marion had been a key figure in the school.  When he met her for the first time in 2004 she had explained to him very quickly his priorities – one of which was the need for a tarmac play area to allow the boys to let off steam.  He was very grateful to the Old Boys who had personally contributed to the new school library and thanked the Association for donating funds for the sixth form common room which the boys had much appreciated.  In ending, so that everyone could catch up on conversations with colleagues old and new, he encouraged everyone to use and contribute to the new web site.

Thanks once more are due to John Macrae, our MC for the evening, to Barry Gilbert for helping in the morning and for selling OBA ties in the evening, to Cliff Cork for organising the bar again, to our caterers for another splendid meal and to our tireless caretaker, Tim who works so hard behind the scenes.  This year John managed to unearth in the archives a copy of Bill Usher’s entrance form to the school which was duly presented to him.

Peter Lusted and Alan Snelling

Registered at the Dinner

Following new environmental regulations issued on 1st April by DEFRA in accordance with current EU legislations, we now have to give an ‘Environmental Report’ on our Annual Dinner. Therefore, we hope you find the following details of great interest:-

Environmental Report

Emissions to air

1. Greenhouse Gases – no Greenhouses were involved in the event.
2. Acid Rain, Eutrophication and Smog Precursors  – the Kitchen area was moderately eutrophic, as were a few guests.
3. Dust and Particles – considerable quantities of these were found in the Bar area caused by some Old Boys opening their wallets.
4. Ozone Depleting Substances – the Speeches were all within standard tolerances.
5. Volatile Organic Compounds – these increased after 9,30pm but were within EU guidelines.
6. Metal emissions to air – money was thrown into the pint glass for the Sweep, including a 1 lire coin, a Babycham bottle top and a flat watch battery.

Emissions to water

7. Nutrients and Organic Pollutants – the quality of beer served by the Bar staff was of the standard diuretic type and was quickly disposed of in the usual manner.
8. Metal emissions to water – only spoons were used to stir coffee.

Emissions to land

9. Pesticides and Fertilisers – most probably but we will not explore this matter further.
10. Metal emissions to land – several items of cutlery were dropped by Old Boys but recovered quickly.
11. Acids and Organic Pollutants – some of the wines brought in by Old Boys need to be checked in future.
12. Waste (Landfill, Incinerated and Recycled) – 23.5 Yorkshire puddings, 6.5 litres of minestrone soup and 11 half eaten mints.
13. Radioactive Waste – traces of radioactivity were found on the clock (Mick Pack please seek medical treatment at once).

Resource use

14. Water Use and Abstraction – all drinks were at full alcohol strength.
15. Natural Gas -normal EU levels were achieved but this was more apparent after 9-30 pm.
16. Oil – Malibu was not on sale at the Bar.
17. Metals – only the caterer’s cutlery was used.
18. Coal – 2 carbon footprints were found in the new Library but the caretaker cleaned them up.
19. Minerals – Coca Cola, 7-UP, Fanta, and Bitter Lemon were available at the Bar.

Photos