The Old Borlasian Club

The Old Borlasian's Club, founded 1907, is the Club of former pupils of Sir William Borlase's Grammar SchoolThe school was founded in 1624 by Sir William Borlase, in memory of his son Henry Borlase.. The school is still on its original site. Sir William Borlase's Grammar School(commonly shortened to Borlase or SWBGS) is a selective state grammar school accepting girls and boys aged 11-18. It is located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England.
Membership of the Old Borlasian Club is open to all past students and staff.
The school is renown amongst those who attended it for the sense of belonging that it instills and the uniqueness of its environment and atmosphere. This ensures both that most Old Borlasians retain close contact with their fellows and that the Old Borlasian Club remains popular.
The Old Borlasian Club unites all past members of the school and supports the school in variety of ways. The school magazine is sent to members and an annual dinner and a variety of social and sporting events are held. The club has also established the Sir William Borlase's Grammar School Development Trust to raise money for long-term projects.
History of the School
Foundation
The School was founded on its present site in 1624 by Sir William Borlase Sir William Borlase was descended from Taillefer of Angouleme, who fought on the side of King William at the Battle of Hastings. John Borlase, his father made his fortune in London and this enabled his son to establish himself in Marlow as a country gentleman. He lived at Westhorpe Manor House in Little Marlow and became not only Sheriff of Buckinghamshire but was a Member of Parliament for Aylesbury. In 1603 he was knighted by James the First. In 1624 and in memory of his son Henry who died that same year, Sir William decided to build a "free school" in the town in order "to teach twenty-four poor children to write, read and cast accounts, such as their parents and friends are not able to maintain at school". Boys entered the school between the ages of ten and fourteen and at the end of two years, six of the best were given two pounds each to apprentice themselves to a trade. Sir William died in 1629 but the school has survived to this day.
About the school
SWBGS is situated on West Street, close to the town centre and also accepts students from nearby towns. It has around 1000 pupils, including a sixth form of about 350. The school is under the voluntary control of Buckinghamshire County Council and administered by a board of trustees and a board of governors.
In September 2005 the school was awarded specialist school status as a Performing Arts College, by the .
The school has served the town of Marlow and its surrounding district, including High Wycombe and Maidenhead, for over three centuries. In 1987 the school became co-educational when girls entered into the lower sixth.
Activities of the Old Borlasian Club
Aside from providing an opportunity for Old Borlasians to get together, the Club engages in a wide range of activities. The school magazine is sent to members and a variety of social and sporting events are held. Chief amongst these is the annual dinner. The Club is also very active in charity work, most recently with attempts to fully restore the Chapel roof.
The Annual Dinner
Usually held in November, the dinner is open to all Old Borlasians and their partners, regardless of whether they are a member of the Club. It is very much the high point of the Club's social year. The traditions of the Club are in full force at the dinner, which culminates in the singing of the School Song. Guest speakers also tend to be very distinguished. For example, at the 2008 dinner, the guest speaker was the then Shadow Home Secretary, later Attorney General, Dominic Grieve.
Sport and Social fixtures
The Old Borlasians also reguarly put together sports teams to compete against the current pupils. These are very signficant fixtures for the school in the sporting calander. The matches are mainly in Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Football and Cricket. Numerous Old Borlasians are closely involved with rowing at the school and a regatta is held annually, most often in September.
There are also many social events, including a garden party in July. The Old Borlasians always maintain a strong presence at special events at the school, such as the Remberance Service, the Christmas Service and Speech Day.
Calander of Events
There is a detailed calander of events on their website.
Further Information/How to Join
For further information, please contact John Barry, Andy Howland or the Old Borasian Club via the school. Membership of the Old Borlasian Club is open to all past students and staff.
Notable Borlase alumni
* Bunny Allen - big game white hunter
* AW Cleeve Barr CBE - architect and Director of the National Building Agency from 1964-1977
* Prof Brian Bond - Professor of Military History at King's College London from 1986-2001 and President of the British Commission for Military History from 1986-2006
* Keith Bosley - prizewinning poet and translator
* Prof Richard Britnell, Professor of History at the University of Durham from 1997-2003
* Sir Graham Burton CMG - Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates from 1990-1994, Ambassador to Indonesia from 1994-1997, and High Commissioner to Nigeria and Ambassador to Benin from 1997-2001
* Jeremy Cresswell CVO - High Commissioner to Jamaica and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas since 2005
* Tony Culyer CBE - health economist, professor and deputy vice-chancellor at York (UK) and professor at University of Toronto.
* Paul Daneman - actor
* Tom Guest - Harlequins rugby union player
* Reginald Hobden DFC - High Commissioner to Lesotho from 1976-1978
* Lieutenant B. A. Horsfall - recipient of the Victoria Cross
* Tim Janman - Conservative MP for Thurrock from 1987-1992
* Sir Arthur Kirby - Chairman of the British Transport Docks Board from 1963-7 and the National Ports Council from 1967-1971
* Ben McGrail - Sony Radio Academy Award winning radio broadcaster
* Danny Quah - economist
* Alf Milward - Everton and England footballer
* Maj-Gen Dennis Ryan CB - Director of Army Education from 1984-7, and Commandant of the Royal Army Educational Corps (RAEC) from 1990-1992
* Michael Acton Smith, Chief Executive of Mind Candy
* Ken Snakehips Johnson - bandleader, jazz artist
* Garry Weston - inventor of Wagon Wheels and Chief Executive of Associated British Foods from 1969-99, and father of George G. Weston, the current CEO
* Dr George Woodcock, Canadian writer
* Dr. Paul Hawkins - co-inventor of the Hawk-Eye ball tracking system now used in a number of sports
* Philip Lee - Conservative MP for Bracknell 2010-present

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