Page 89 - OO_2019

Anthony Blackman OBE (N 45) at a book signing on his 91st birthday
More details of his work, both as a director and as a writer, can be found on his website, www.philipwilsondirector.com.
Richard Tett (B 87) reports that he has had a year of shockingly hard work – in fact much too hard for someone who has recently entered his sixth decade. The last nine months (plus a couple to come) have been dominated by endeavouring to keep a smelting/mining company out of insolvency – thus far successful and by the time The Old Oundelian goes to print, we will know if it was worth the effort. Outside of that, Richard has managed to stand up James Ginns (Sc 87), James Napier (G 87) and James Cannon (Sc 87), but hopes not to stand up Gavin Allen (B 87) and Matthew Sargaison (B 87)! He has managed to see his father, Peter Tett (B 58), who is in good form and still plays golf like a man 25 years younger! Richard also reports that he remains happily married to Sarah – who worries about him, which he thinks is probably a good sign! – while his children (Isabelle and James) are leaving/just going to Cambridge respectively. Richard continues as a warden at St Helen’s Bishopsgate and as a trustee of Jesus College Cambridge Boat Club.
Cordelia Pace (D 98) is currently on maternity leave, before going back to work in her role as senior legal counsel for the UK oil and gas business of INEOS in September,
having welcomed her first child, Tommy, into the world in March. Victoria Lawrence (D 98) visited the day Tommy came home, but was pipped for first Oundelian visitor by proud uncle Alastair Kelly (B 95).
Benjamin Lane (B 06) has recently moved back to London, after five years living and working in India. He is launching Acumen in the UK, a global organisation focused on changing the way the world tackles poverty. Their work in the UK is focused on empowering social role models who have the character, capabilities and relationships to bridge our divides, tackle our interconnected social challenges and create a society that works for all.
Andy Merry (Sn 89) provided the latest instalment of the Goatees, a cricket team predominantly made up of OOs, who have just completed their biennial tour to Menorca. Formed in 1994 and originally a rugby tour to Holland, this was their 25th anniversary and was a cracker despite a few hiccups. Andy, the captain, usually arranges the tours with aplomb and style, but on this occasion he had overlooked the fundamental component of organising the cricket. Rather than play two 40-over matches against the MCC on the Saturday and Sunday, he was left to beg the captain of the London Stock Exchange to play a triangular 20/20 tournament with the MCC on the Sunday. Following the enforced rest day on the Saturday, the Goatees were raring to go. Publisher Dan Hiscocks (Sn 89) opened the bowling
with a Steve Harmison-esque delivery against the LSE, which set the tone. Antiques dealer Marcus Frisby (C 89) is not the biggest of keepers and lighting specialist Rory Marr's (C 89) erratic deliveries from the other end were expensive. Sports photographer Simon Owen (G 89) steadied the ship for a couple of deliveries with his loopy leg spin and the Goatees felt they were back in it when property man Jason Hill (C 89) picked up their first wicket in the 17th over as they restricted the LSE to 147. Financial PR guru Richard Campbell (Sc 89) and top chef Jamie Polito (Sc 89) opened the batting for the Goatees and got off to a solid start, with Jamie going on to post a half-century. Andy came in at three for a quickfire 20, before the 38- degree heat got to them and they melted away to fall short by eight runs. Unfortunately, the final game against the MCC was an uphill struggle, with a somewhat tricky task of requiring 13 an over from ball one.
Rupert Farr (G 80) continues to live in Harpenden with his wife, Helen, and four children, and is a partner with a small firm of solicitors in the City. He attended the OO London Dinner at Lord’s at the end of November, when he saw a number of old chums, including Robert Johnson (G 80), Nicholas Fraser (B 79), Julian West (Sc 79), Bruce Wallace (Sc 79) and David Bennett- Baggs (D 78).
Harry Gibson (S 02) has moved to Hertfordshire with his wife, Hannah, and sons Kit and Barnaby. A third baby is on the way later in 2019. He
NEWS FROM HOME
Almost 200 people gathered for drinks in the Long Room Bar at Lord’s Cricket Ground last November before taking their places in the hallowed surroundings of the Long Room for the
OO London Dinner www
THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2018 –2019
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