Two pupils from Oundle School, Charlie Bowkett (15) and Samuel Ige (16) have been working in conjunction with Oundle Museum on a project about Sport at the School through the ages. This has been their Wednesday afternoon Community Action activity since September.
In the run up to the 2012 Olympics, the Museum’s Theme Room will focus on “Sporting Oundle” with exhibits from various organisations within the town, including a variety of sports clubs including Tennis, Rowing, Golf, Epee, Bowls as well as exhibitions from Oundle and Prince William Schools.
The award winning, independently run Museum is situated in the old Courthouse on Mill Road and is wholly staffed by volunteers. The Museum is open from 3 March through to 25 November on Saturdays (11am-5pm), Sundays (2pm-5pm) and Bank Holidays (2pm-5pm) and for groups at other times by arrangement. Admission is FREE.
The Oundle boys have focussed on the three main sports which Oundle historically offered – Rowing, Rugby and Cricket and working with School Archivist, Stephen Forge and parent volunteer, Amanda Warwick, Charlie and Sam have produced 6 display boards with archive images and information along with a display cabinet of artefacts and film footage from the School dating back to 1912.
Sam commented, “While working on this project, I learnt a lot about Oundle’s sporting past and was astounded by how many former GB representatives came from Oundle School, which shows the strength of sport that the School has. Working on this project was very exhausting and sometimes frustrating at times, but looking at the end result, it was all worth it.”
Charlie added, “ I found working on the project really insightful as I found out a lot about Oundle's former sporting culture and how successful some Old Oundelians were in their chosen sports and how popular sports such as Rowing used to be. “
Archivist, Stephen Forge added, “The Oundle School Archive houses a huge collection of documentation and photographic images of the School and Town, as well as artefacts relating to their shared past. It is a particular pleasure when current pupils, as well as Old Oundelians and town residents, show interest and enthusiasm for local history and share our resources.”
John Hadman, Chairman of the Management Committee at Oundle Museum commented, “The Museum's exhibition on Sporting Oundle has been considerably enhanced by the contribution made by Charlie and Samuel. They are to be congratulated on a really professional display. Their efforts underline the friendly cooperation that has always existed between the School and the Museum"
Headmaster, Charles Bush said, “It is a great opportunity in this Olympic year to celebrate Oundle School’s sporting heritage and past successes with the outstanding achievement by others in the town over the years.”
Other attractions at the Museum include an historic display about the town, a display for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the “History of Brewing in Oundle” including a pre-1825 model of the town’s Market Place.
Each year over 300 pupils from the School are involved in working with organisations in Oundle, its surrounding villages and as far afield as Peterborough, Wellingborough, Kettering and Corby. Activities include working at The Hope Project in Wellingborough, The Soup Kitchen and Peterborough Streets in Peterborough, Libraries in Oundle, Thrapston and Raunds along with schools in and around the area. Pupils also run a club for the elderly, ICT classes, special needs art classes and assist in the community with dry stone walling, at the local country park and Nene Valley Railway. Pupils host a bi-annual Have-a-go-day for PHAB and Gateway Club members along with pupils and their families from local special needs schools and sleep rough at St Basils in Birmingham to raise money and awareness of this charity.
Anyone interested in any of the activities mentioned or wanting to set up pupil visits please contact either Nick Turnbull or Liz Dillarstone on 01832 277267 or email ca@oundleschool.org.uk.