Page 16 - Abingdon News
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OLD ABINGDONIANS
16
Abingdon News is the newsletter of the Abingdon Foundation, Park Road, Abingdon, Oxford OX14 1DE Tel: 01235 521563
Edited by Sarah Wearne Tel: 01235 849108 email:
Design by Boo
Tel: 01865 407610
Abingdon School: A company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales Company No. 3625063
Registered Office: Stratton House, Bath Street, Abingdon OX14 3LA Registered Charity No. 1071298
Toby Jones to
Play Captain
Mainwaring
There are reports that a new
feature film is to be made of the
classic TV sitcom, Dad’s Army,
and that Toby Jones, OA 1985, will
play Captain Mainwaring, officer
commanding the Warmington-
on-Sea detachment of the Home
Guard, with Bill Nighy his second-
in-command, Sergeant Wilson. The
castings have been welcomed by
fans of the television version who
have been further reassured by
producer Damian Jones’ promise
that the new production will remain
true to the spirit of the original..
n
Tim Parker New
Chairman of the
National Trust
Tim Parker, OA 1973, is to become
Chairman of the National Trust when the
current chairman, Simon Jenkins, steps
down in November. Tim, currently Chairman
of the Trust’s Commercial Panel, is also
Chairman and Chief Executive of
Samsonite
,
a company whose fortunes he has done
much to revive since he took over in 2008.
His career has seen him lead a management
buy-out at
Kenwood
, turn round the fortunes
of
Clarks
the shoemakers, the car repair
chain
Kwik-Fit
and the
AA
.
n
As one of the world’s top rowing schools it’s hardly surprising that there were
so many OAs competing in top club crews at Henley this year. In the Temple
Challenge Cup, Cornell University (Joel Cooper, OA 2013) made it to the semi
finals. Brown University (Neil McKenzie, OA 2012) reached the final where they
were beaten by Oxford Brookes’ A (Rory and Jamie Copus, OAs 2009 and 2011).
Harvard (Matt Carter, OA 2013) were finalists in the Prince Albert Cup. Thames Rowing
Club (Nick Turnbull, OA 2005) were semi-finalists in the Thames Challenge Cup, as
were University of London (Matt Rossiter, OA 2008, and Jamie Cook, OA 2010) in the
Visitors Challenge Cup. Upper Thames Rowing Club (Michael Nagi OA 2008) won the
Wyfold Cup. Leander and East Molesey (Ian Middleton, OA 2013, and Tom Pagel, OA
2012) reached the semi finals of the Ladies Challenge Plate, whilst Leander (George
Rossiter, OA 2010, and Tim Clarke, OA 2009) made it to the final.
Later in the summer several OAs competed at the Under 23 World Championships.
Tim Richards and Jamie Copus won silver in the Lightweight Men’s IV, Ian
Middleton and Tom Pagel came 6th place in the Men’s VIII, and Jamie Cook and
George Rossiter were 5th in the Coxless IV.
n
Max Hutchinson
Max Hutchinson, OA 2007, has been
in evidence both on the London
stage and in the Amey Theatre
during the past year. In London he
played the supporting lead, Lucas
Cleeve, in a revival of Arthur Pinero’s
The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith
at the
Jermyn Street Theatre. In Abingdon
he has led workshops on a range
of projects including the third year
production of Biggles Flies a Fokker
Home and the sixth form production
of The Events.
n
OAs at Henley and at the
U23 World Championships
Among Thomas Herford’s recent opera
engagements was one this summer with
Bampton Classical Opera. The company,
which specialises in breathing new life into
little known eighteenth-century works,
performed Bertoni’s
Orfeo
in which Thomas
sang the part of Imeneo. An experienced
stage performer, Thomas also sings oratorio
and very much enjoys teaching both
individuals and workshops.
n
Max Hutchinson in
The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith
The Copus brothers in the Oxford Brookes A crew
Thomas Herford
in Orfeo
