Centenary marked with ‘Proms in the Park’

Last Sunday, more than 2,200 past and present pupils, staff, families, members of the local community and other friends associated with Canford School gathered for a ‘Proms in the Park’ Garden Party to mark the school’s centenary year.

The celebrations began at noon when guests arrived in glorious sunshine to picnic on the lawns.

With alumni attending spanning every decade from the 1940s to the 2020s, there was much reminiscing and the chance to take tours of the school to revisit old memories and see developments and changes including the new boys’ boarding and day houses, new library and Assembly Hall.

Art workshops and lawn games entertained children and adults alike until 3pm when the music concert began on the outdoor stage with Canford Manor as an impressive backdrop. The orchestra, wind orchestra, concert band and jazz band involving more than 80 school musicians and Friends of Canford Music played an ambitious and varied two-hour programme ‘Proms in the Park’ style. A

Sky’, ‘Swingin’ on the Moon’ and highlights from ‘Jurassic Park’. No 100-year celebration would be complete without a special rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ which the Wind Orchestra and Concert Band duly provided, and ‘A Fifth of Beethoven’ provided the grand finale at 5pm, ending with a firework flourish. For those looking for a permanent reminder of the day, centenary merchandise from water bottles and bags through to a special ‘Canford in 100 objects’ book compiled by the school archivist and limited edition Anthony Eyton commissioned prints were on sale.

Headmaster Ben Vessey commented:

“What a wonderful concert and Garden Party we all enjoyed on Sunday. It was Canford and its community at its finest and a perfect, fitting tribute to the school’s historic centenary year.” For more information about Canford’s centenary celebrations this past year, including a link to a YouTube recording of the live stream concert, visit canford.com/ centenary.