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COLUMN
The Editor
Simon Redfern (Sc 75) details the reasoning behind a few changes to the magazine this year
Welcome to the 2017/18 edition of The Old Oundelian, which you will discover if you read on is a little different to the usual magazine. This is largely due to the postponement of the Multisports Weekend in March because of the weather.
You may also have noticed a change to the front of the magazine. This follows a suggestion from Mark Moore (Sc 68), a member of my Editorial Board. He was keen that the acronym ‘OO’ should take centre stage, since it is a real strength and more modern, sharper and distinctive than ‘The Old Oundelian’, although the latter is still included in the title. The Board agreed and so a proposal was put to the full OO Committee, who rubber-stamped it. I hope you like it as well.
I am happy to report that the pages lost due to the cancelled Multisports Weekend have been put to good use, with more space for features. We have big interviews with Pete Robinson (Ldr 03), who talks to Mark about his record- breaking row across the Atlantic; Bill Ward (G 84), who tells John Oliver (G 73) about a varied career that has included starring roles in two well-known soaps; and Sir John Timpson (S 60), who explains to Editorial Board member Polly Irvine how he has built a successful business through kindness and compassion. In addition, two younger OOs – modern pentathlete Jess Varley (L 13) and rugby player Ben Curry (S 16) – took time out of their busy schedules to speak to me.
In other features, Dominic Toriati, the School’s new Bursar, outlines his vision for Oundle; Katie Atkinson, the School’s Interim Director of Communications, introduces Scott House, the new day House for Years 7 and 8; Nigel Sudborough (N 65) reports on the
Oundle Society’s visit to the American Normandy Beaches last September; Colin Pendrill, the School’s former Head of History, outlines what to expect in his book on Oundle and the Great War, And We Were Young; and the recently- married Dotty McLeod (L 05) writes about weddings in the Chapel.
All the usual items are in the magazine as well, such as a review from Sam Cone (St A 05) of this year’s Mencap Week; the ‘Class of’, which this year has been collated by Emily Mitchell (K 08); and a report on the latest arrivals at the School Archive from archivist Elspeth Langsdale.
Of course, we also have the latest OO news from far and wide, which is provided for you by our hard-working Corresponding Members. Among them are several newcomers – including Jon Terry (G 93) in Birmingham and the West Midlands, Anthony Parsons (S 65) in the South-West, the North Yorkshire father and son combination of Tim (Ldr 76) and Chris Waring (Ldr 12), Tim
Peckett (St A 82) in the Caribbean and James Clayton (G 68) in Canada. Thankfully, Charles Salem (C 78) has nobly offered to add Australasia to his African remit, and Chris Piper (Sc 71), my predecessor as Editor, has kindly stepped into the East Midlands vacancy left by the passing of Richard Potter (Lx 54). Richard was always the first Corresponding Member to file his regional news in the three previous years I have edited the magazine and was full of suggestions for content. Indeed, the Bursar’s article this year was his idea, so he will be much missed. There is an obituary on Richard on page 135, but unfortunately that section had already been drawn up when Honorary OOs John Harrison and James Berry died. However, there will be tributes to them in next year’s magazine.
Therefore, as you can see, a large number of people have given up their time to provide what I hope you will find is an interesting magazine and I owe all of them a large debt of gratitude. A big thank-you also to my Board – namely OO Club Secretary Jane Fenton, Elspeth, 2018 OO Club President Richard Ellis (Sn 86), Rachel Hodgson (K 10), Polly, Richard Matthews (D 66), Mark, Dotty, John Oliver, Chris Piper and Katie for offering wise advice at our three annual meetings. Katie has also been responsible for pulling together virtually all the School articles.
Last but not least, I would like to thank all those who have advertised in the magazine for their generosity and so helped offset some of the considerable costs of producing such a large publication.
I hope you enjoy this issue. Please do email me with any comments and/or suggestions for future articles at sandsredfern@aol.com. The Editorial Board will then consider them at their next meeting in November.
THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2017 –2018
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