THE longest-serving governor of Poole Grammar School has been honoured by having a new £4.3million arts building named after him.
Ashley Thorne, who died in 2008, aged 64, had a long association with the school and the arts, having been stage manager at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne.
His 25 years as a governor and enthusiastic supporter of all the school’s arts and drama activities was acknowledged when his widow, Linda, unveiled a plaque at the Ashley Thorne Building.
Headmaster Ian Carter said he was sure Ashley would have been thrilled with the facilities, which included drama and music rooms, recording and TV studio and new classrooms.
“We hope that through this building Ashley’s contribution to the school over many years will be fondly remembered by the thousands of pupils who will benefit in the years ahead,” said Mr Carter.
Mrs Thorne said: “It’s a wonderful, wonderful building for the school and for all these young people that are going to be coming through its doors.”
She said: “It’s a very great privilege to be doing this in his honour.”
A competitive ice dancer as a youngster, Ashley ended up a as a judge, formed the Canford Heath Amateur Dramatic Society and produced and directed many Christian shows and concerts at the BIC and Winter Gardens in Bournemouth.
“He was a bit of a character, my brother,” said sister Julie Snowat the ceremony.
His association with Poole Grammar went back to 1985, when his stepson Duncan started at the school.
The new arts building, a collaboration between the school and Borough of Poole, is part of the change in the age of transfer, when Years 7 and 8 will join the school in 2013.
