Abingdon News No.53

www.abingdon.org.uk 23 Abingdon OA Club www.abingdon.org.uk/the-oa-club/whats-on/events Any questions, please call: 01235 849074 A first for the Club, the OA Big Band gathered on Sunday 19 January to play through some old classics alongside current Abingdon Big Band musicians. It was wonderful to see familiar faces from over the years as far back as 1974, several of whom have gone on to distinguished professional musical careers. They included Will Bartlett (2000), a touring pianist, Jack Tinker (2010), a freelance trumpeter and baritone saxophonist, Colin Todd (1963). We especially enjoyed former Head of School, Euan Campbell (2010), crooning once more in Come Fly with Me and Jeremy Taylor, Director of Arts Partnerships, taking to the stage with I Feel Good ! The OAs’ delight in seeing their Big Band mentor, Simon Currie, was evident. In his 25 years at Abingdon, countless aspiring jazz musicians have flourished under his Big Band leadership. Our thanks go to both Simon and Michael Stinton for being enthusiastic and supportive of the venture from the start. Forthcoming Events OA 50s, 60s Dinner at Walton Park, Clevedon Friday 1 May - POSTPONED OA Golf Day Monday 11 May - tbc Year Group Reunions, Boarders’ Reunion, OA Tennis Saturday 13 June - tbc 360 Degrees: University Advice Evening Thursday 18 June - tbc OA Cricket Friday 19 June - tbc Strawberries and Pimm’s at Henley Friday 3 July - CANCELLED Applications are invited for the OA Club small grants programme; the deadline for applications is 1 May 2020. Individual OAs can apply for support of a personal or professional development opportunity, or groups of OAs can apply for experiences in sport, music, art, drama and more. See the OA Club website for further details. OA Club Awards OA Big Band W G Potter Bill Potter, Common Room 1955-1992 and Rowing Coach 1955-1994, passed away on Saturday 7 March 2020. Bill will be remembered as Housemaster of Crescent House, for his passionate biology teaching and for his love of the river. ‘Come on lads, you can do it!’ These words of encouragement and exhortation sum up to a great extent the philosophy of W.G.P. in all his dealings with the ‘young gentlemen’ of the school who were under his wing at various times during the rich and varied schoolmaster’s life that Bill pursued. (The Abingdonian, 1992) A service to celebrate the life of Bill Potter will be held in the Abingdon School Chapel at 5.15 pm on Saturday 13 June 2020. If you would like to attend, or to send a message of condolence, please visit: www.abingdon.org.uk/the-oa-club/w-g-potter/