Wooldridge, Michael

Michael Wooldridge

Dates at Bournemouth School: 1958 - 1964
House: Romsey
  • CCF Cadet

Michael today

Michael studied: English, French and German
After school, Michael went to: Joined the Eastern Counties Newspapers group as a trainee reporter, first on the Lowestoft Journal.

Michael's biography:

After training as a journalist in East Anglia, I spent 18 months in Uganda doing communications work for farming and trading co-operatives – through Voluntary Service Overseas. Returning to Britain I joined the BBC, working first in the World Service newsroom, then as a news reporter for BBC Radio and TV News. My Uganda-inspired ambition was to be a BBC Africa correspondent and in 1982 I began a seven-year spell as the East Africa Correspondent, covering the devastating Ethiopian famine of 1984-5. After that I became Southern Africa correspondent with my biggest story there being the release from jail of Nelson Mandela. After that, a six year change of scene as BBC Religious Affairs correspondent. Then Delhi-based South Asia correspondent and finally a World Affairs correspondent including covering the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Left the BBC in 2015 but still happily making some radio programmes!

What was best about Michael's time at Bournemouth School?

I enjoyed all aspects of studying English, which was to be useful in my later career as a journalist. Studying French and German to A Level had a value beyond those two languages. It has helped to give me some insight into other languages. I much enjoyed taking part in school plays and singing in the choir.

Who does Michael remember most fondly?

English teacher Mr Bircher. Several of my fellow students in the X stream remain good friends 68 years after starting at the school.

What would Michael change about their time at Bournemouth School?

More engagement with current affairs – and not just in the UK but in the wider world. Maybe opportunities to do voluntary work in the community. Organising sport so that it encouraged rather than disheartened the not-so-good. I believe the school would have benefitted from being co-educational.

What is Michael's favourite anecdote/most vivid memory?

I have three particularly vivid memories: playing Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing; playing someone (sadly I cannot remember who) in Le Medecin Malgre Lui; and learning to drive in the CCF’s Bedford van on the wartime Holmsley aerodrome.