Canford School marks its centenary year with a proms in the park concert, while pupils past and present took a trip down memory lane

MORE than 2,200 past and present pupils, staff, families, members of the local community and other friends of Canford School, Wimborne, gathered for a ‘Proms in the Park’ garden party to mark the school’s centenary year.

Guests arrived in glorious sunshine and enjoyed picnics on the lawns and reminisced – former pupils who attended spanned every decade from the 1940s to the 2020s.

Visitors also had the chance to take tours of the school, sparking old memories, and saw developments including the new boys’ boarding and day houses, new library and Assembly Hall.

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.

Headmaster Ben Vessey made a special guest appearance on keyboards to start the concert, playing Chariots of Fire by Vangelis.

The wind orchestra and concert band performed a special rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for the 100-year celebration and ‘A Fifth of Beethoven’ provided the grand finale, ending with a firework flourish.

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 for those seeking a permanent reminder of the day.

Headmaster Ben Vessey said: “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.

“The sun shone, families mingled and picnicked through the beautifully maintained and manicured grounds, and many fond memories were shared by alumni spanning the generations.

“The music was absolutely stunning from our combined ensembles and community musicians and went far beyond all expectations of a Proms occasion.

“I think our founder The Reverend Percy Warrington would have been truly proud.”