The 2025 Annual Dinner of the Old Bostonian Association marked the 125th Anniversary of the association which was founded as the Old Bostonian Club on 20th April 1900 when 18 former pupils of Boston Grammar School met at Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, London.
The dinner took place on 8th March 2025 at the Boston & County Club. While the annual dinner usually has one invited Guest of Honour who gives a speech, for this year’s special event we were joined by two former members of school staff and videos were shown of many more former students, current and former members of staff of the school, and a special message from Peter G Kelly, President of the Boston Latin School Association, the alumni association of the oldest public school in the USA, which was originally modelled on BGS.
At the dinner proceedings started with President, Luke Anderson, reading the names of those old boys and girls, and former staff known to have passed away since the previous dinner in 2024:
Roger Bray (BGS 1957-1962)
Neville Charlton (BGS 1948-1953)
Rhianne Clark (BGS 2006-2008)
Peter Charles Drury (BGS 1946-1951)
Nick Fitton (BGS Staff 1985-2010)
Mike Hipwell (BGS 1976-1977)
Philip Hutchins (BGS Staff 1975-?)
Mick Lyon (BGS 1975-1982)
Gerry G K Smith (BGS 1941-1947)
Robert Stanwell (BGS 1954-1961)
Richard Stanwell MBE (BGS 1951-1959)
Stephen Watson (BGS 1975-1983)
Following a brief silence to remember them, the first of two video packages was shown, with messages from:
Nick Fitton (BGS Staff 1985-2010, 1949-2025 RIP), Martin Wright (BGS Staff 1978-Present), Barry Spikings (BGS 1950-1955), Peter Sharman (BGS 1959-1964, OBA President 2009-16), Ron Abbott (BGS Staff 1973-1999), Brian Bolland (BGS 1967-1969), Bill Dunham (BGS 1972-1979), Andy Sandall (BGS 1983-1990)
Grace was said by Simon Meeds (BGS 1976-1984). Following a three course dinner prepared and served by the staff of the Boston & County Club, the OBA President, Luke Anderson (BGS 1998-2005, BGS Staff 2018-Present), proposed a toast to “The King”.
Ceremonial cutting of three cakes by Luke Anderson, Richard Anderson and James Loader was followed by the second of the two video packages, with messages from:
Edward Hackford (BGS 1949-1957), Martin Panton (BGS 1960-1968), Tom Povey (BGS 1963-1971), Daryl Upsall (BGS 1971-1979), John Cridland (BGS 1972-1979), Mark Watson (BGS 2003-2010), Peter G Kelly (President of the Boston Latin School Association, Boston MA)
In his President’s Address, Luke Anderson thanked the OBA committee for their support. He recalled that the association had made significant donations to two projects at the school.
Hello Health! is a major initiative set up by Steve Barker (Head of Sixth Form) aiming to increase students’ awareness of mental health issues which may affect them and their colleagues, helping them to help themselves through sports, mindfulness, and spending time outdoors. The funding will help with the consolidation of what happens on the awareness day and throughout the year.
Green Power sees students take charge of their very own electric car, called the Bostona Bullet. They are responsible for marketing, raising awareness, team management and engineering of the car. Out of season students have been re-engineering key components of the car to improve the durability of the batteries. There is a team of 20 students of all ages: drivers, engineers and graphic designers. Among other things the funding was used to buy a new electronic steering wheel, which enables them to monitor speed and battery levels in real-time.
Luke introduced the two guest speakers for the evening: James Loader (BGS Staff 1972-1979) and Richard Anderson (BGS Staff 1971-2014).
James spoke of his love for literature and particularly Shakespeare, the poor view of teachers seemingly held by most authors, and the theatrical productions with which he was involved during his time at BGS, including as a pantomime dame with fellow staff member, the late John Chambers (BGS Staff 1961-1987).
Richard spoke, mostly in rhyme about his long career at BGS, about the headmasters under whom he had worked, and managed to name-check almost everyone in the room, throwing mini Mars bars in the direction of those who got particular mentions.
Richard proposed the toast to “The School”.
Steven Barker (former BGS student, and current member of staff) replied to the toast on behalf of the school.
Current Head Boy and Head Girl of the school: Justin Café-Ebuen and Marie Ngonga, proposed a toast to “The Old Bostonian Association”.
Finally, everyone in attendance stood up and sang the school song: Floreat Bostona.
Those present at the dinner
| Ron Abbott | Staff 1973-1998 |
| Christine Abrams | Staff 2004-present |
| Luke Anderson | Student 1998-2005, Staff 2018-Present; OBA President |
| Richard Anderson | Staff 1971-2014 |
| Nicholas Baker | 1972-1977 |
| Steve Barker | Former Student, Staff ?-Present |
| Martin Borrett | 1979-1986 |
| Pauline Borrett | Guest |
| Robin Borrett | Staff 1962-1994 |
| Peter Bramhill | Guest |
| Jake Brooks | 2000-2007 |
| Mark Broughton | 1970-1977 |
| Mark Bruntlett | 1978-1985 |
| Justin Café-Ebuen | BGS Head boy |
| Marcus Cain | 1982-1989 |
| Richard Cammack | 1979-1984 |
| Paul Charity | 1975-1981 |
| Christian Clarke | 2000-2007 |
| Andrew Cocks | 1976-1983 |
| Bryan Cocks | 1945-1949 |
| Robert Cocks | 1969-1975 |
| Jade Corssen | Guest |
| Ty Dalby | 1958-1966 |
| Luke Davy | 2011-2014 |
| Lee Dickinson | 2000-2007 |
| Sam Duff | 2000-2007 |
| Bill Dunham | 1972-1979 |
| David Dunham | 1981-1988 |
| Rod Dunn | Staff 1966-1996 |
| Ryan Edwards | 2003-2011 |
| Pat Everitt | 1974-1981 |
| Robert Few | 1977-1984 |
| Ian Fisher | 1982-1989 |
| Nick Flynn | 1961-1967 |
| Denys Forinton | Guest |
| Ben Gibbons | 2000-2007 |
| Andrew Goodliffe | 1975-1980 |
| Ian Gould | Guest |
| Sam Green | 2000-2007 |
| Steve Green | 1979-1984 |
| Rob Griffiths | 1987-1992 |
| Chris Hammond | 1959-1967 |
| David Harpham | 1975 1980 |
| Colin Harrison | 1974-1981 |
| Peter Harrison | 1961-1964 |
| Andrew Hladun | 1975-1980 |
| Dominic Holtam | 1989-1996 |
| Richard Holtam | Staff 1970-1999 |
| James Hopper | 1983-1991 |
| Matt Hyde | 1989-1996 |
| Simon Jaques | 1988-1993 |
| Tim Jarvis | 1983-1990 |
| Catherine Jenkins | Guest |
| Gwion Joyce | 2012-2017 |
| Joe Kent | Guest |
| Jamie Lawson | 2000-2007 |
| Alison Leach | Guest |
| Christopher Lees | 1956-1963 |
| Dave Lenton | 1962-1968 |
| John Lines | Guest |
| James Loader | Staff 1972-1979 |
| David May | 1960-1964 |
| Simon Meeds | 1976-1984 |
| Ken Miles-Crust | 1958-1965 |
| Darren Mitcham | 1982-1989 |
| Sem Neal | Guest |
| Steve Neal | Student 1975-1982, Staff 2001-2006 |
| Marie Ngonga | BGS Head girl |
| Adrian Pickett | Guest |
| Leon Pycock | 2000-2007 |
| Daron Royal | 1972-1977 |
| Jamie Sharman | 2000-2007 |
| Peter Sharman | 1959-1964 |
| Adam Shergold | 2000-2007 |
| Paul Sims | 1998-2005 |
| Mark Snell | 1974-1981 |
| Pete Swift | 1979-1986 |
| Matt Taylor | 2000-2007 |
| Stuart Veale | 1970-1977 |
| Richard Vinter | 1979-1986 |
| Patrick Welberry | 1961-1964 |
| Roger Welberry | 1958-1962 |
| David Wilson | 1974-1981 |
| Declan Wilson | 2000-2007 |
| John Wilson | 1956-1964 |
| Scott Wiseman | 1986-1993 |
| Stephen Wood | 2001-2008 |
| Adam Woods | 1984-1991 |
| Nick Wookey | 1983 -1995 |
| Martin Wright | 1973-1980 |
Leave a Reply