Sports and Special Interest Groups
For generations enduring friendships have been fostered outside of the classroom at Bedford School.
Keeping friendships alive
The OB Club is keen to keep these friendships alive beyond the school gates. The Club has a proud tradition of sporting excellence whether on the playing fields, river, the golf course, cricket pitch, fives or tennis courts to name but a few.
Traditionally OBs take on current school teams on the last weekend of the Spring term and during OB week at the end of the summer term. Other fixtures, against each other or external teams, also take place. Any OB is welcome to join in with a group, to enjoy the sport and meet other OBs – just contact the OB reps listed below for more information.
Alternatively, if there is a sport that isn’t currently represented, or you have another hobby e.g. Theatre or Painting and would like to set up a group and arrange events, please get in touch to discuss how we can help you do this.
Our OB Sports and Special Interest Groups
OB Golf Society
Secretary
Tom Langley-Poole (96-06)
tom.langley-poole@allianz-trade.com
Over one hundred years after its founding, the OB Golf Society (OBGS) is thriving, with a current membership of over 100 OBs. Collaboration between the school and OBGS has enabled the funding of specialist coaching to support current pupils in developing their golfing talent. The Society runs several fixtures throughout the year, most of which are open to all OBGS members.
OB Cricket Club
Secretary
TBC
The Old Bedfordians Cricket Club plays regular fixtures in limited-overs, declaration, and T20 formats against teams such as the MCC, the Ousels, and the school’s 1st and 2nd XIs, with a highlight being the two-day match against the 1st XI during OB Week. Since rejoining The Cricketer Cup in 2011, the Club has reached the semi-finals several times and proudly won the competition in 2025, defeating our old rivals Old Tonbridgeans.
To find out more contact the Club officials.
President
George Wood (83-94)
gwood206@googlemail.com
Captains
Charlie Blythman (12-23)
cblythman@hotmail.co.uk
Dilan Sheemar (17-22)
dilanjay0309@hotmail.co.uk
Cricketer Cup Captain
Charlie Thurston (07-14)
thurstoncharlie11@gmail.com
Bedfordians Rifle Club
Secretary
Andy Barnes (76-83)
Smallbore contact
Steve Lyon (73-84)
The Old Bedfordian Rifle Club, formally established in 1977, continues a rich tradition of marksmanship dating back to the late 1800s at Bedford School. It provides a platform for OBs and their families to engage in full-bore rifle shooting, with many members having competed successfully at national and international levels. The club is particularly active at Bisley, participating in events such as the prestigious Imperial Meeting, where OBs often achieve notable success.
In addition to competitive shooting, the club fosters community and tradition through events like the OBs vs school Rifle Shooting Competition, which includes a social lunch. Open to shooters of all ages and experience levels, the club remains one of the most vibrant and successful OB sports clubs, maintaining strong ties with Bedford School and promoting excellence in the sport.
OB Football Club
Contact
Daniel Walker (81-85)
daniel.walker@globalsoccerschools.co.uk
07968 778681 (after 7pm)
Football remains a popular activity among OBs, with annual fixtures against the school XIs held in March. Teams play for the Baker Walker Cup which is named after Daniel Walker (81-85) who founded the annual fixture alongside former member of staff Colin Baker. Daniel is always looking for new players, so do please get in touch with him.
OB Tennis Club
Contact
Toby O’Dell (78-86)
beaumontfarming@gmail.com
Many OBs enjoyed playing tennis during their time at the school and continued to do so later in life. The OB vs school fixture, usually held during the last week of the summer term, is always a lively and enjoyable event, with honours often evenly shared between the two teams. The OBs are always looking for new players to take part in the fixture.
OB Fives & Squash Club
Contacts
Chris Davey (04-13)
chris.daveyc@gmail.com
07720 755569 (Fives)
Sam Morris (96-05)
sam.a.morris11@gmail.com
(Squash)
Bedford School has a long and illustrious history in the sport of Fives, dating back to the 1870s. The current courts, opened in 1891, have been used by generations of boys who have gone on to win the National Schools Championships. Similarly, squash is a popular sport at the school, with a number of OBs continuing to play after they leave. As part of the OB Sports Weekend, both Fives and squash are played in hotly contested matches. We’re always keen to see OBs taking part in the annual fixture.
OB Rowing
Contact
Ally Satchwill (01-12)
allysatchwill@googlemail.com
Bedford School Boat Club was founded in 1861, making it one of the oldest school boat clubs in the UK. The Club has enjoyed much success at Henley, and several Old Bedfordians (OBs) have gone on to win Boat Races, World Championships, and Olympic medals. The Club proudly counts among its alumni one of Great Britain’s greatest Olympians, Jack Beresford, who won five Olympic medals (three gold and two silver) at five consecutive Games, only bettered by Sir Steve Redgrave.
Today, many OBs leave school and go on to row for universities and clubs across the UK. In 2021, Phoenix Boat Club was registered with British Rowing, giving OBs the opportunity to row together. Since then, crews have raced at Henley and enjoyed success closer to home at the annual Bedford Regatta.
During the Spring Term, the OBs challenge the school’s 1st VIII to a race, usually from the fusebox to the schools’ Boathouse. Often a lively and highly competitive affair, the race fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, which continues afterwards with drinks at a local hostelry or a semi-formal dinner, where former members of the school Boat Club and their partners are invited.
OB Rugby
Rugby, like the other three major sports at Bedford School, has been a cornerstone of the school’s history. In 2023, a group of Old Bedfordian rugby enthusiasts formed the Phoenix Rugby 7s team to compete in various organised sevens tournaments. The team has enjoyed success at a number of events, often taking home the silverware.
While the social aspect of getting together is a major factor, the team has also attracted some of the school’s recent rugby stars, ensuring it remains highly competitive on the field.
If you are interested in playing for the team please contact: Phoenix7s@outlook.com
OB Hockey Club
Club captain
Tom Parry (09-18)
parrytwt@gmail.com
The annual match against the school, which is always a highly competitive game takes place over OB Sports Weekend in March. We get a good number of OBs, of all ages, back to play. Get in touch if you would like to be involved.
Old Bedfordian Lodge
The Old Bedfordian Lodge has maintained a strong connection with Bedford School since its founding on 22nd June 1925. It continues the long-standing tradition of Masonic Lodges being associated with Britain’s leading public schools.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal, and charitable organisations. It promotes self-knowledge through participation in a series of progressive ceremonies. Members are expected to uphold high moral standards and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.
Under the United Grand Lodge of England, there are just under a quarter of a million Freemasons. In Ireland—covering both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland—and in Scotland, there are a combined total of approximately 150,000 members. Worldwide, there are several million Freemasons.
All Freemasons are required to hold a religious belief, but Freemasonry does not seek to replace or substitute a Mason’s religion. It focuses on a man’s relationship with his fellow man, rather than his relationship with God.
The Old Bedfordian Lodge is a ‘closed’ Masonic Lodge, admitting only past pupils of Bedford School and members of staff. As an OB, you do not need an invitation to join Freemasonry. For more information please contact obclub@bedfordschool.org.uk
