The evening of 23rd September 2021 was a special evening because during the course of 4 hours the OBA Veterans Football Club reunion was held for 2020 and 2021. As you would expect, they merged into one very enjoyable evening. Alan Snelling and Peter Lusted have provided this report.
It is with sadness we learn of the death of Ruth Bellord, School Secretary from 1975-2000. Many Old Bordenians who remember Bryan Short will also remember “Mrs Bellord” from when they had to go to the secretary’s office.
A Committee meeting of the OBA was held online on July 14th 2021. The minutes are available for members and can be accessed via the link below.
One of our Association objectives is to support the School in financial and practical ways. We already fund the School Minibus and we have engaged the Head to suggest other projects we could assist with. One such project has now been identified.
We have been informed that Barrie Mann, pupil from 1947-1954 passed away in March 2020.
Neville Amos (1947-54 as well) has sent us some recollections about Barrie's time at the School and beyond:
Steve Crump (1976 – 1982) contacted us to recount a unique story about Bryan's disciplinary approach.
The fabric of the School has changed many times in its history. From the 'original' School site on College Road (Old School Building - Heritage Video (bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk) to The Bryan Short block in 1998, it has morphed into the institution of today.
Bryan Short’s funeral was held on Tuesday June 15th, 2021, at Saints Peter and Paul Church, in the Parish of Borden where Bryan lived and was a Lay Preacher, with Fr. Robert Page as Celebrant.
The Funeral of Bryan Short will take place on 15th June. It will be for family and close friends as numbers are of course limited due to Covid restrictions, although the family have kindly offered the OBA to send a representative.
Mr Short's family have provided the OBA with the Funeral Notice and Bryan's nominated charity for any donations in his memory.
Funeral Notice for Mr Bryan Richard Short (dignityfunerals.co.uk)
We continue to receive contact from Old Bordenians and ex-staff to record their personal recollections of Bryan Short. We publish some further submissions below.
OBA Committee Member Mark Sayer (1972-1978) has penned this personal reflection on the impact of Bryan Short on the School.
We have been informed of the death of Alan Forster, on 4th April 2021 by his son. Alan attended the School 1945 -1951.
We have received many tributes for, and recollections of, Bryan Short from Old Bordenians and ex-staff. We are pleased to be able to share these below and will also publish any further material we receive.
We have been informed of the death of David Cross who was a pupil at the School from 1940-1946. His daughter has been in contact to tell us he died in February aged 91. She says he often spoke about the School and was 'very proud' of being an Old Bordenian.
It is with great sadness we report the death of Peter Bedelle, who died on the 27th April 2021. His son Paul (himself an OB) informs us that Peter died just short of his 90th birthday.
As previously reported, Bryan Short Headmaster of Borden Grammar School from 1968 to 1998 died on 19th May, aged 87. We have compiled an Obituary which is featured below. We also invited Old Bordenians to provide their own reminisces and some of these are woven into this obituary. All submissions from Old Bordenians will be published in a separate article as well.