Centenary celebration

Maidenhead: Society marks its 100th year

A society connecting former pupils and staff of a school in Maidenhead has celebrated its 100-year anniversary.

Old Maidonians and Desborough Society, which links Desborough College alumni and former staff, had its centenary reunion dinner at Maidenhead Golf Club on Friday, March 22.

More than 90 people turned out for the occasion, including the Mayor Cllr Niel Knowles as well as current Desborough staff and pupils.

Society president Colin Cutler said: “The evening went very well.

“The mayor was in good form and he clearly regarded it as a birthday party.

“He started by singing us happy birthday which was a good way to start things off.”

Colin added: “A number of the attendees were former pupils and former members of staff – there’s aways a lot of synergy when former pupils meet their former teachers.”

The society was named Old Maidonians until 2020 when it changed its name to reflect the Desborough name. Previously, the school had been called Maidenhead Grammar as well as Maidenhead County Boys’ School.

“When we started in 1924 there was hardly anyone with a telephone,” said Colin.

“Only a few pupils went off to higher education but the rest worked locally so they started up a rented building in Grenfell Road with two billiard boards – it was very much catering to the younger pupils then.

“Of course now the pupils go off and spread around the county now so the local contingent is a bit smaller, but their parents have still stayed around.”

Colin has been society president for 20 years but his connection to Old Maidonns and Desborough dates back to 1965.

He started as a pupil during the late 1930s.

“The school itself lost 57 of its pupils during the wars,” said Colin.

“The difference was that in World War One it was largely people in the army, in World War Two it was largely people in the RAF.”

In its 100-year history, several of the Old Maidonians and Desborough Society’s alumni have received national honours.

Former second in command of the British Army Lt. General Sir Nick Pope received a CBE.

Robert Hayward was bestowed an OBE as was Major General

Matt Holmes, who went on to be appointed Commandant General of the Royal Marines in 2019.

Colin said: “Obviously one of the interesting things about people I’ve seen is the number of people reaching the top in their field.

“We’ve had professors, we’ve had a lieutenant general who was second in command in army and someone who reached the top in the Royal Marines.

“I know other schools might do well but we have certainly had our share of success too.”

The society publishes a newsletter, now in its 90th edition, which reports on successes of Old Maidonians as well as those that may have passed away.

For more information visit: www.oldmaidonians.org.uk/