John Blundell

John Blundell (a member of the Class of ‘53) was one of the first to sit the new 11-Plus test in 1947. He joined Bangor Grammar School, having completed a term at Grosvenor before his family moved to live in Bangor.

John was a keen sportsman at the school, playing for the cricket, tennis and rugby teams. Unfortunately, he sustained two serious knee ligament injuries when he was 17, putting an end to his playing days, although he continued to be an avid sports fan for the rest of his life.

On leaving Bangor Grammar School, John went to Stranmillis College and trained as a teacher. He later studied at Queen’s University where he gained a BSc in Economics. John’s first permanent teaching post was at Ashfield Boys’ High School in East Belfast, where he taught mathematics. After Ashfield, he spent a decade as Deputy Headmaster at Gransha Boys’ High School.

Much of his career at Gransha coincided with his twin sons’ time at Bangor Grammar School, which created a conflict of interest when Mark and Paul were playing against teams from his school. Daughter Joanne went to Glenlola and was Head Girl in her finalyear much to John’s delight. At least she didn’t have to worry about meeting Gransha boys on the rugby field with a grudge against her dad!

John was a keen golfer and a long-standing member of Clandeboye Golf Club. He served as Juvenile Convenor, Council member, Captain and President in his years there. John was also a keen supporter of Bangor Rugby Club throughout his life. He could watch sport incessantly if allowed to, and really wanted Des Lynam’s job if the truth were known!

He was also a member of the Round Table and a former Churchwarden at Bangor Parish Church.

John, who completed an MSc in Education in his late 30s, was appointed in 1988 as Headmaster at Glastry High School (just outside Ballyhalbert), where he spent the final 10 years of his career. He oversaw the introduction of both the National Curriculum and LMS (Local Management of Schools), where schools became responsible for managing their finances for the first time. He fought hard with the Education Board to obtain a new science/ technology building, the introduction of a Sixth Form College, and the renaming of the school as Glastry College.

John maintained an interest in Bangor Grammar School both as a parent and as a past pupil. He was chairman of the Old Boys Association (1977/78), now known as The Grammarians.

He died on 15 November 2016, aged 80. John is greatly missed by his wife Betty, three children and eight grandchildren.