Old Eastbournian
1998, when he retired from teaching. A tribute to him in that year’s Eastbournian was headlined: ‘The one and only Forbes Wastie: What a hard act to follow.’ Head- master Charlie Bush said: ‘Forbes Wastie has probably done more than anyone else to promote the good that exists here at Eastbourne College. He has been a tower of strength and a guiding beacon through- out an outstanding career.’ But Forbes had not finished with Eastbourne College, and returned the following year to act as chairman for the fundraising appeal for the new science block which opened in 2002. From 2002 to 2005 he was the College’s first Foun - dation director and founded the College’s legacy club (the Devonshire Society) which has continued to flourish to this day. Forbes maintained his support for the College, taking part in the annual fun- draising Foundation Golf Day, and was a regular visitor to the Eastbournian Society office where his advice and wisdom were much appreciated. Forbes was passionate about fundrais- ing for bursaries to ensure that children from all walks of life have access to an Eastbourne College education and the transformational opportunities that this would bring.
the eulogy and his daughter Emily read Robert Burns’s Epitaph on My Own Friend . The College Choir, conducted by Direc- tor of Music Dan Jordan, led the singing of hymns and sang Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You before College Chaplain Revd Daniel Merceron gave the final blessing. Following a private cremation, the family joined the congregation at the Hydro Hotel where there was much reminiscing and friendships made and renewed, all with the common thread of how Forbes had touched their lives. Jeremy’s eulogy: Granville Forbes Wastie was born on Millwood Farm in Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire on 20 July 1938. He was the second son of Granville, a tenant farmer on the Blenheim estate and Alison, a school teacher in the village and a leading light in the WI. It is Alison’s family links back to Scotland that gave rise to his wonderful name. Charles, Dad’s older brother who, we are delighted to say, is with us today, talks of a happy, innocent childhood growing up on the farm. Dad could remember the two shire horses, Lightning and Mother, that pulled the ploughs before tractors took over. He also remembered the prisoners
Forbes Wastie For many OEs, staff and parents, Forbes Wastie represented the best of Eastbourne College. F orbes died on 7 November 2024, aged 86. As a teacher, head of department, housemaster, CCF commander, second master and Foundation director, Forbes’s association with the College spanned some 44 years. In retirement, he continued to be a firm supporter of the College. He joined the staff as a teacher of biology in 1961, becoming head of depart - ment in 1965, a position he held until 1983 and then again from 1985 to 1988. He was head of science 1971–73 and contingent commander of the CCF 1968–73. In 1991 he was awarded the MBE for his 30 years’ service with the CCF. Many Blackwater boys appreciated his guidance and leadership as their housemas- ter from 1972 to 1983. He then became second master, a position he held until
A biology lesson with Forbes in the 1980s
Forbes’s life was celebrated at his funeral service on Thursday 5 December at St Sav - iour’s Church in Eastbourne. Some 300 people attended the service, which was led by the Conduct of Eton College, Stephen Gray (Powell 1979–84) whose College contemporary Mark Le Brocq (Craig 1979–84) movingly sang Handel’s Where’er You Walk accompanied by organist David Force (College Music Department 1991–2015). Forbes’s three sons all contributed: William (Powell 1983–88) read from the Book of Revelation, and Jonathan (Powell 1978–83) played Chopin’s Nocturne in C sharp minor. Jeremy (Powell 1976–81) gave
of war working on the farm. I have found a hand-drawn Christmas card from 1945 from one particular German PoW thanking Granville and Alison for all the kindnesses they had shown him. You can already see where Dad’s love of the natural world, all things practical and helping others might have come from. Charles passed the entrance exam to Magdalen College School, but Forbes did not! Instead, Alison contrived to send him to Abingdon school and the next chapter began. Under the stewardship of James Cobban, the exalted headmaster and edu - cationalist of his time, who continued as a mentor and friend to Dad for many years,
A mocked-up front page of the Daily Mai l presented to Forbes on his retirement from teaching in 1998
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