Old Bostonian Association

The Old Bostonian Association (OBA) is the alumni group of Boston Grammar School. Membership is open to:

• All former pupils who have attended Boston Grammar School for at least one year.
• Past or present members of staff.

History

Towards the end of the 19th Century, suggestions were made that a dedicated alumni organisation should be formed. The OBA was officially founded as the 'Old Bostonian Club' on 20 April 1900. On that date, 18 former pupils met at Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, London to form the new organisation. There were originally two branches, each of which had its own secretary: one in Boston and one in London. The membership fee was set at 5 shillings per annum.

The first OBA dinner took place on 2nd August 1900, in the Guildhall, on the evening of Speech Day (now called Prize-Giving).

From the early 1930s onwards, the organisation was referred to as the 'Old Bostonian Association' rather than the 'Old Bostonian Club'. There is however no record of a formal decision to change the name.

Objectives

1. To promote union and good fellowship amongst the members;
2. To provide a means whereby Former Students may co-operate with the Boston Grammar School Foundation, School Governors, the Teaching Staff and BGS support organisations in promoting the welfare of the School;
3. To promote fellowship between Association and School through sporting events and social occasions.

Events

The Old Bostonian Association has a diary of events which can be found on its web site. The main event each year is the Annual Dinner, which takes place in the Spring. Like most of the OBA's events the dinner is open not only to members but also to those who qualify as members of the association but have not yet joined. It is open to both sexes, and both members and qualifying non-members may bring one non-qualifying guest.

Publications

The OBA magazine, The Old Bostonian, is published annually - usually around Christmas or New Year.

In the past, the OBA has published two books about the history of BGS:

• Floreat Bostona - 1985
• Centennial Anthology - 2000

Association Tie

The OBA has its own tie, which can be worn by members at the annual dinner and at other school events such as Prize Giving, Charter Day and the remembrance service. First introduced in 1929, the colours are blue, amber and black.

Structure

The OBA operates a committee system, with the following roles:

• President
• Vice Chairman
• Vice-Presidents
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Museum Curator
• General Committee

External links

• Old Bostonian Association (official website)