Friends of the Old Bluecoat School

We are encouraging everyone interested  in the future of The Old Bluecoat School to become a Friend. We will value your support and we shall be keeping all our Friends abreast of developments. As you will be aware, the exterior of the building has been re-furbished at a cost of £150K. We are now drawing up plans to remodel and refurbish the interior. All monies received from our Friends (£200 for life membership or £20 p.a.) is being held in a sinking fund for to meet future maintenance costs.

A Friend receives a 5% discount on hire charges in the building.
To find out more and for an application form, please download the become-a-friend-booklet

Friends of the Old Bluecoat School

Lifetime Membership

  • Richard Benyon MP
  • Bucklebury Estates
  • Mr. R. Crumly
  • Mrs. J.D. Fishburn
  • Mr. Richard Foster
  • Ms. Louise Funnell
  • Mr. Willie Hartley-Russell
  • Ms. Susan Lloyd
  • Mr. G. Panting
  • Mr. Mrs. N. Rendall
  • Mr. M.J. Willan
  • Dr. C. Hill Williams
  • Mr. C. Williams OBE

Annual Membership

  • Mrs. S. Fuller
  • Mr. T. Hultmark
  • Mrs. D Ladds
  • Mr. M. Langford
  • Mrs. C. Skeggs
  • Mr. Mrs. R. Skelly
  • Mrs. G.M. Smith
  • Ms. S.D. Steevenson
  • Mr. E. Valentine
  • Mr. N. Whannell
  • Mrs. B. Wootton

“The Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham was full to bursting on Friday 24th November, 2017 for the first annual  get-together of the                    ‘Friends of the OBS’”.                         D.C.H Williams OBE

Distinguished guests included the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Thatcham; the Vice-Chairman of West Berkshire Council, Kennet School Deputy Head, Mrs Piper, and the Abbot of Douai. The Trust Patron Mrs Bobbie Wootton was unfortunately unable to attend, owing to a family bereavement, but sent a message of welcome.

Those present were  hugely entertained  by Kennet School’s 6th Form ensemble, comprising Lucy Samuels, Hannah Maskell, Annabel Laidler,  Ania Harvey, Charlotte Willis, Ben Warrender, Rebecca Lane and  Chloe Alderman, led and accompanied for some pieces by Head of Kennet Music,  Phil Griffiths.  Ania Harvey, Ben Warrender and Chloe Alderman were soloists and Lucy Samuels accompanied by Phil Griffiths movingly played  Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor.

After refreshments  provided by the Trust, Trust Chairman, Clive Williams  OBE,  outlined the history of the building and the first stage of its refurbishment. He recalled that when the Trust was formed by Bobbie Wootton in 2005, the building was as good as derelict. Now it was in use every day of the year and playing a valuable part in the community life of Thatcham.  Vice-Chairman, Mark Thomas, then outlined the Trust’s plans for the future. Top priority was the installation of a disabled toilet, closely followed by resolving the problem of rising damp in the south wall. The installation of CCTV was also under consideration.

The evening was closed by Trust Chairman, Clive Williams. He thanked his fellow Trustees and the Friends of OBS for their support and congratulated Phil Griffiths and the Kennet School  6th Form ensemble for giving the evening an added zest and swing.

Clive Williams OBS, The Thatcham (Old Bluecoat School) Charity

29th November, 2017

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