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18
April 2017
Abingdon
Old Abingdonians
A Lunch in Glasgow
What might happen if you sent out a lunch invitation to a group of people who
had never met each other before and had only one thing in common
– that they had been educated at Abingdon School?
When the seven acceptances arrived the leaving years ranged
from 1951 to 1999 and Alison Lester, OA Club Officer, was
wondering how on earth it was going to work. In the event it
was a very congenial lunch from the outset – conversations
provoked memories, memories provoked jokes and in no time
a group of people who must have been slightly wondering
what they had let themselves in for found, reluctantly, that it
was time to go home.
As diverse as their leaving years, were the attendees’ careers:
Alex McTier
(OA 1999) is a university-based applied
researcher who predominantly carries out consultancy
research contracts for public and third sector organisations.
“
Abingdon gave me a strong, core
foundation which has contributed to my
work ethic and respect for others.
”
Robert Jones
(OA 1987), Professor of Clinical Cancer
Research, Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology,
University of Glasgow, works as a consultant looking after
patients with prostate, bladder and kidney cancer and
heads a team of 70 people running clinical trials throughout
the UK and the rest of the world.
“
Looking back, what I gained from
Abingdon was a great sense of breadth.
I was allowed to pursue my own ideas
and encouraged to try those of others.
”
Paul Aston
(OA 1977) began work in a shipping
department moving into export sales and marketing. In his
mid 30s, he broke free from a ‘corporate’ life and set up a
business in the production and sale of spirits.
“
I was challenged at Abingdon School
academically and in other fields, winning
and losing, which built resilience and
doggedness.
”
Robert Acklam
(OA 1951), retired, spent eight years in
the Navy then worked for Post Office Telephones where
he was “up poles and down holes”. Some ten years
later he became self employed running a taxi business in
Edinburgh.
Paul Spencer
(OA 1982) ran his own company which
he sold and is now Head of Engineering and Technical
Recruitment at MHR in Glasgow.
“
An Abingdon education gave me a
hinterland. The arts, sports and other
activities offered at the School have
enabled me to enjoy so much in life other
than work.
”
Richard Speight
(OA 1968) gained qualifications as a
Master Mariner, an MSc in Naval Architecture and a PG
Diploma in Teaching for Further Education. He became
Depute Principal of one of the major maritime training
colleges in the UK.
“
Abingdon gave me standards and
values which have stood me in good
stead throughout my career.
”
Front to back (left of table):
Alex McTier, Robert Acklam, Paul Spencer, Paul Aston
Front to back (right of table):
Robert Jones, Alison Lester, Richard Speight