Alan Garnett 2004

After leaving school in 1947, Alan did two years’ National Service in the RAF, including a very interesting nine months in Berlin during the Air Lift. 

He then did three years at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford reading Modern Languages (mainly French), and a further year for his Dip.Ed. 

His first teaching post was at King George V School in Southport, where he made his first acquaintance with Scouting, having been “invited” to become Assistant Scoutmaster in the School troop. 

Four years later, Sam Price “encouraged” him to apply for a post at BBGS, where he eventually became Head of Department until the demise of the School in 1979. One year at Thorncliffe Comprehensive was enough, and he took early retirement aged 51.

Alan then became a driving instructor, until he saw an advertisement in the Evening Mail for someone to teach French, German and Latin at Chetwynde school. He applied more out of curiosity than anything, and was surprised to be offered the post. He spent five very enjoyable but hard-working years there, until he finally retired in 1989. 

He remained a bachelor, but his interests in music, fell-walking, the church, gardening and cooking ensured that his days were fully occupied. Alan was OBA president in 2004, and remained on the OBA committee until his death in 2017 at the age of 88.

The following was written by Alan as he took up the office of OBA President:

When I was asked two years ago if I would consider becoming president of the Association, neither the Committee nor myself were aware of the fact that this would be our centenary year. If the Committee had known this, I’m sure they would have chosen someone much more eminent than myself! However, we are all working together to make it as memorable a year as possible. I hope to meet a great many Old Barrovians, male and female, this year, especially those whose links with the Association cannot be as frequent as they would like because of distance or for other reasons.

            For the benefit of those who are unaware how my life progressed after leaving school in 1947: first I did two years’ National Service in the RAF, including a very interesting nine months in Berlin during the Air Lift; then three years at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford reading Modern Languages (mainly French), and a further year for my Dip. Ed. 

My first teaching post was at King George V School in Southport, where I made my first acquaintance with Scouting, having been “invited” to become Assistant Scoutmaster in the School troop. Four years later, Sam Price “encouraged” me to apply for a post at B.G.S., where I eventually became Head of Department until the demise of the School in 1979. One year at Thorncliffe Comprehensive was enough, and I took early retirement aged 51; I then became a driving instructor (!) until I saw an advertisement in the Evening Mail for someone to teach French, German and Latin at Chetwynde. I applied more out of curiosity than anything, and was surprised to be offered the post, spending five very enjoyable but hard-working years there until I finally retired in 1989.

            I have remained a bachelor, but not having a family does not mean I have time on my hands: my interests in music, fell-walking, church, gardening and cooking ensure that my days are fully occupied.  I also try to have two or three holidays abroad each year - anywhere from Europe to New Zealand!

            Wherever I go, I always find that personal contacts are one of the most important factors in the success of a holiday, and personal contact is surely what this Association is all about. So please make every effort in this centenary year to renew contacts which have perhaps been lost over the years. If that can be accomplished, we shall be able to consider our centenary year a resounding success, especially if this results in an increase in the membership of the Association.