The Annual Dinner 2001

John Porcher - President (BGS 1939-1945)

George Danby (BGS 1959-1964)

George gave a very interesting insight into the history of the farm which he runs with his brother. The ecological direction started by his father who set up the farm in the 1920s has led to numerous awards. Among the steps on the way was the incident where the experts said the low clay content of Wrangle's soil would not hold water. That was just before George used it to create a lake on his land. George boldly stated that, whenever a piece of grassland comes up for sale in the parish, he and his brother will buy it, planting trees as shade and shelter for the cattle, and thus increasing the biodiversity of the Lincolnshire countryside.

John Neal (Headmaster of BGS)

John voiced his concern that the administrative overheads in running a school have increased greatly since most of the OBA's members were at BGS. John's example to make his point was that formerly, if a pupil had insulted a master, he would have been taken to the headmaster who may have used corporal punishment and the matter would have been over with in minutes. The pupil might now be suspended, there would be forms to fill in, letters to write, appeals to answer, and after hours of effort, the matter might be resolved. John stressed that he wasn't judging whether the old or new way was right, but simply pointing out how the administrative overhead has increased. John also explained the joint application by Boston Grammar School and Haven High to gain Technology School status. He reassured the OBA members that this did not mean either loss of Boston Grammar School nor some sort of merger with Haven High, but that it is a road to providing a forward-looking education.

The Menu

More Images from the Dinner

	John Porcher (OBA President - BGS 1939-1945) presented "The Second World War", written by Winston Churchill, to John Neal, headmaster of BGS. The books were the gift of the late Bob Allan (BGS 1935-1940) and his widow to the school. As well as accepting the gift on behalf of the school, John Neal expressed a personal interest in reading the six volumes of Churchill's epic work.