Bromsgrovians
con nect ed Bromsgrove’s AlumNi Magazine Issue 6 2019/20
The new Heritage Centre, located on the ground floor of Big School, will officially open in 2020
The first word...
As a boy, my father’s stories of his years spent on the ice in Antarctica sparked a lifelong interest in tales of the great Southern explorers. The expeditions of Amundsen, Nansen, Scott, Shackleton and Mawson have always enthralled me, inspiring admiration for their determination, courage and loyalty. All very “Boys Own Adventure” I admit, but still full of relevance for all young people today. Imagine my delight then, when I arrived at Bromsgrove and discovered that, amongst the School’s impressive collection of memorabilia, we were in possession of one of the original sledges used by Captain Scott on his Antarctic expeditions, and accompanied on the Discovery expedition by an OB no less, Reginald Skelton, chief engineer and official photographer.’ Records indicate that the sledge was gifted to us by a Mrs Pitt in 1925.
A relic of a bygone era perhaps, but also an icon of endurance and selfsufficiency. Sadly languishing in the Old Chapel and looking a little worse for wear, I felt it deserved greater prominence. The same could be said for much of the School’s archival collection, which is why we appointed our own Archivist some years ago. She has been doing sterling work collating and restoring our wealth of archival material. Enough to warrant the next step in our mission to preserve and provide access to Bromsgrove’s history, the opening of a dedicated onsite Heritage Centre.
themselves, to visit the Centre and peruse our collections. As you do, you will also be able to view, in pride of place in the heart of the complex, Scott’s sledge, restored to its former glory. PETER CLAGUE HEADMASTER
Housed in the lower floor of Big School and constructed to the high standards of modern museums, it is due to be officially opened next year. After which, we will be delighted to welcome anyone interested in the School’s history, most especially Old Bromsgrovians
In this EDITION: The year in photographs… OB news through the decades… ‘Then and Now’ with OB Antonio Magreo