RODBOURNE COLLEGE, GAYHURST HOUSE
Rodbourne College was founded in the late 18th Century and was initially located in Bridgwater, Somerset and later Warleigh Manor, near Bath.
The Boys’ School moved to Gayhurst House in 1963 . It is not clear from Land Registry records whether it was purchased or leased by the Headmaster, Revd. G.W.N. Martin.
Rodbourne College Group Photo 1968
In 1969, the ill health of Mrs Martin led to the family moving away and unfortunately the closure of the college after 6 years
Recorded Activities in the villages :-
Gayhurst Guide book – 2nd Edn.
“In 1963 the property was obtained by the Revd. G.W.N. Martin, Headmaster of Rodbourne College, a school for about 150 boys.
A number of alterations were made to the house, but nothing of great importance. The school flourished for some seven years. In the summer of 1969, it closed owing to the ill health of the headmaster’s wife”.
Church Restoration: – “…the people of Gayhurst raised funds in various ways, assisted by members of Rodbourne college, who organised two fetes and two dances for the funds”
“The old two manual pipe organ (in St. Peter’s church) was replaced by a Hammond instrument given by Rodbourne College.”
Church Newsletter “Parish Notes” by Rector Geoffrey Lovejoy (covering both St Peters’ Churches in Gayhurst and Stoke Goldington.)
Sept 1965 – “The preacher at 6pm on Sunday Sept 19th will be the Revd. G.W.N. Martin, Headmaster of Rodbourne College.”
Nov 1965 – “…we are most grateful to Mrs Martin of the College for her help at the congregational practice on Sept 26th”
June 1966 – “Gayhurst Fete is on July 2nd in the grounds of Gayhurst House, by kind invitation of the Revd. and Mrs Martin. It will be opened by Mrs John (Fermor) Hesketh at 2.30pm.”
July 1966 – “While we (the Lovejoys) are away, the Revd. G.W.N. Martin of Rodbourne College has kindly agreed to be responsible for Sunday services at Stoke Goldington and Gayhurst.”
Aug 1966 – “…congratulations to those responsible for the Gayhurst Fete on 2nd July. A wonderful day and the enthusiasm of the boys of Rodbourne College, and their ingenuity in devising ways of emptying purses, was breath taking. We are most grateful to Mr and Mrs Martin and the College for all the help they gave us and the (Church) Restoration fund will benefit by £219 in consequence.”
Aug 1967 – “ANOTHER CHURCHYARD TIDY – The Boys of Rodbourne College have done some wonderful work recently tidying up Gayhurst Churchyard and the P.C.C., at its meeting in June, recorded its thanks. Well done – and keep it up! – and Thankyou”
Nov 1968 – “GAYHURST FACULTY – Permission has been received to rebuild a gallery in Gayhurst Church. This exciting piece of work is being undertaken by Rodbourne College and will provide some much-needed extra accommodation for Parents’ Day and other special occasions when the College absolutely pack our St Peter’s Church.”
Aug 1969 – “Rodbourne College, Gayhurst. The whole district was immensely sorry when it heard last April that domestic problems were causing the College to close; and now it has happened – a real tragedy, because the college was excellently run and the boys gave one hope for the future – lively, hard-working (generally speaking) and always well-mannered and courteous.
We at Gayhurst will always remember their exuberance when they took upon themselves to organise the side-shows at the Church Fete three years ago – quite amazing! Remember the ‘Chamber of Horrors’?
The choir was also always outstanding and the boys most generous in giving their services on all sorts of occasions, as was Mr Martin himself. The clergy of the Deanery were always calling on him for help and he never, to the best of my knowledge, refused.
Mr and Mrs Martin are rather hoping to make their new home in Scotland, but nothing is settled yet.”
In May 1969 the house was offered for sale, by Jackson-Stops & Staff, marketed as suitable for yet another school.