OBM Team Visit Harpur Centre to Mark 50th Anniversary

Today marks 50 years since BMS staff and students left the town centre site for the very last time, heading for pastures new at our current site on Manton Lane.

On 23 April 1974, the Headmaster, Brian Kemball-Cook and Head of School, Ian Wylie, led a procession consisting of the Heads of the eight Houses carrying the school standard, followed by boys and guests of the school, from the old site in Harpur Street, along Clapham Road and up the hill to the new building.

View the video of the procession from 23 April 1974

To mark this occasion, Julie, Chloe and I (OBM Club Team) recently paid a visit to the old school building and were shown behind the scenes by Harpur Centre Manager, Samantha Laycock.

We were invited into the main tower through the central arch of the Blore façade, which now accommodates offices and meeting rooms for the Harpur Centre staff. It was a privilege to look out over the town from the inside of the clock, where we assume a number of former Headmasters, staff and students have stood before.

Laid out on the table in the meeting room were some original plans for the site following the departure of Bedford Modern School. These plans were only recently discovered as they were hidden in a priest hole for more than 40 years, and as such, they were in perfect condition. It was thanks to the efforts of OBM and former Archivist, Richard Wildman (1956-65) that the beautiful Blore Façade was retained as part of the Harpur Centre design.

The Harpur Centre are now recognising the charm of some of the original features of the school and rather than keeping them boarded up, you may begin to notice them being included in the design of the shops. We certainly hope so!

Were you a student at BMS during the days of the old school? We would love to hear your memories.

And if you were part of the 1974 procession, you may just spot yourself in the video.