The Canford COMMUNITY

Friends Of Canford Music

The Old Canfordian Society has had a quiet year but was delighted to see the return of the annual OC London Drinks Party in May. We were most grateful to Rowena and Rachael, not only for hosting the evening but also for securing a new (and better, in my opinion) venue at the last minute when they found the original one had double booked.

We gathered at the riverside restaurant, Le Pont de la Tour, with stunning views of Tower Bridge on a perfect May evening. There were OCs of all ages, some alone, some with their partners, others with groups of friends who have kept in touch over the years since leaving Canford. We were joined by Phil Effick and David Neill who brought some Sixth Formers along to tell us about Canford life today. It was rewarding to hear Canfordians young and old sharing their career experiences and aspirations and chatting about their common sporting interests.

We are looking forward to more opportunities for OCs to meet with each other during the Centenary celebrations.

Friends Of Canford

The Friends of Canford School committee has been as active as ever. The new calendar year commenced with a donation appeal in support of a local food bank, followed by a Fashion Show in aid of the Wardrobe Foundation, a social enterprise run by an OC Eloise Grant W15, which was a most ambitious event and a huge success. Spring sprang with the ever-popular Spring Lunch in April, a super event and first opportunity to genuinely enjoy time together. May saw us support the school’s Rainbow Run, the proceeds of which were split between the Martin Marriott Foundation for bursaries and The Bourne Academy. In June, the Arboretum Tour took place, always a reminder of just how lucky we are to be able to enjoy the school and all it has to offer. Parent coffee mornings took place throughout the year, introducing new parents to the Friends of Canford committee.

Several very worthwhile community grants were awarded: funds for Dementia support Jolly Days at the East Dorset Museum, supply of a poly tunnel for Wimborne’s new Community Garden, and continued support for City Reach, to name just a few. The Friends of Canford Quiz Night attracted over 100 participants where Mr Vessey became Quiz Master for the night, and we ended the year on a traditional note with a festive Noel, Noel courtesy of the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir. We extend our sincere thanks to the Canford Development team and wider Canford staff, all of whom have been incredibly supportive; to Mr Vessey for his unwavering encouragement, to our fantastic Friends committee for all they do and lastly, but of most importance, to the pupil parents and guardians, without which none of this would be the success it is.

Tiffany Fleming, Chair of Friends of Canford www.canford.com/book-events

It’s great to be back! The words of many as we get back to doing what we do best - helping to provide a memorable and entertaining experience for the Friends of Canford Music. The 2022 Easter Term took flight with soprano Julia Doyle and then the magical Britten Sinfonia. Both took pupil ensemble workshops during their visits to inspire and help musicians to get the best opportunity they could during their time. Britten Sinfonia performed the A Level composition entries and then gave a stunning concert to the audience in the evening. The finale to the term was the Friends of Canford Music Jazz Concert - and what a concert that was! The FCM bar was flowing, the concert hall buzzing and the musicians were outstanding!.

Much of the Summer Term was alive with music making, producing a rousing selection of music from the choirs, orchestras and bands resulting in the Canford Summer Concert. The Friends of Canford Music supported the event and provided an outdoor bar experience and help showing parents to their seats. The concert showed the culmination of a year of musical work by everyone involved with stunning solo performances.

Canford was back to business in the Christmas Term with a plethora of high quality musical performances from all of the ensembles, including a number of year group tea time concerts and the Christmas term concert in November. The FCM once more supported this event with a warm welcome and drinks for parents and friends.

Throughout the year, Friends of Canford Music, who are predominantly composed of parents, have continued meeting and supporting the Music department and are always on hand should they be needed for the main concert events. FCM’s mantra of supporting the music department and warmly welcoming the parents to events, often with a beverage and programme - so please do come along and enjoy the very talented music that Canford has to offer.

Martin Hancock, Chair of Friends of Canford Music

Perhaps you have a good-quality but unused instrument that you would like to donate - helping more young people to make even more music?

Please email: fcm@canford.com

As the Regattas, Heads and friendlies got back under way so the FOCR could be found once again on the towpaths spurring on the squads and setting up the camp to provide morale-boosting sustenance in car parks, fields and Putney alleys!

A newly established WhatsApp group helped coordinate and bolster support for events including National Schools, Heads, Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta. However the most competitive were the Easter and Christmas races and House Regatta, the highlight of which was the Staff v Pupils 8 – despite the Staff hearing the starting gun 5 seconds before it went off – sage experience lost to youthful exuberance. That evening’s Boat House dinner had the biggest turn out ever to listen to Heather Stanning OBE (whose father Timothy B61 is an OC) talk about her experience both as an Army Officer and as part of the GB rowing team, and whilst doing so casually passed around her 2 Olympic gold medals by way of inspiration. As the rowing season paused we passed on the baton to Nicola and Jonathan Stuart who have thrown themselves into supporting the Boat Club.

So a final ‘call to arms’ to join FCR and support the Boat House and its coaching team – they love doing what they do and the effect it can have when a child with no sport, suddenly finds a passion for the river. The days can be long, cold and wet, but as we like to say, ‘real athletes row, others just play games’.

Chris and Vics Borneman, Friends of Canford Rowing

We do hope you will join us on 27th June 2023 at Henley Royal Regatta

Volunteers

Many Old Canfordians, parents, grandparents, friends and staff give up their own time to volunteer in many ways to support the Canford Community by helping out at events, attending the Careers Convention, helping with school trips, talking to pupils, mentoring Canfordians and OCs, being a Governor to mention just a few. Without your help, so much of what we can offer just wouldn’t be possible.