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THE GUILD OF MERCERS’
SCHOLARS
The Guild of Mercers’ Scholars is a Guild in the City
of London, made up from alumni and associates
of the Mercers’ Company’s cluster of schools.
Amongst its principal objectives is enabling its
members to become Liverymen of City Companies.
The Apprentice Scheme and Charitable Trust offers
opportunities for Abingdonians to learn more about
the City of London, careers in the City and gain the
Freedom of the City of London. OAs can join directly
as Guildsmen. There is an extensive social events
calendar for 2015, including a trip to a gin distillery,
the annual installation dinner, cookery courses at
Billingsgate Market, quiz nights and drinks events.
More information can be obtained from either the
website -
- or from Dr
Tim Myatt (1998).
The Loose Limbed Collective (LLC) is a networking group
that has enjoyed the generous support of the OA Club
since 2012. Initiated by Jeremy Taylor, Abingdon’s Head
of Drama and Film, and growing out of annual Sixth Form
drama dinners held at School with support from OA theatre
producer Julius Green, the LLC supports those working
in theatre, dance, film, television, creative writing, comedy,
journalism and music. It aims to bring together people from
those worlds to talk, share ideas and experiences, make
connections and even work together. It’s a sort of speed-
dating for arty types that helps Abingdonians to make
creative things happen.
The LLC’s first meeting took place at the Old Vic Theatre
in London and was a roaring success. In 2013, the Loose
Limbs met at BFI Southbank to celebrate ten years of the
Abingdon Film Unit and pay tribute to the late Michael
Grigsby OA, one of Britain’s greatest documentarists. In
May 2014, the Limbs returned to the heart of London’s
theatre land to enjoy the bohemian charms of the Phoenix
Artist Club, an exclusive basement bar situated beneath
the Phoenix Theatre, just off Charing Cross Road.
The 2014 gathering saw Abingdon graduates in good
heart as alumni continued to storm the barricades of the
nation’s cultural life. Whether it was Mike Bartlett opening
two new plays in as many weeks (
King Charles III
and
An
Intervention
); or Lindsey Russell sweeping all before her as
the new face of
Blue Peter
; or Foals filling the Albert Hall;
or Jonny and the Baptists annoying UKIP; or comedian Fin
Taylor’s gag topping the
Guardian’s
list of the best ten jokes
THE LOOSE L IMBED COLLECTIVE
at the Fringe, it was clear Loose Limbs were extending
themselves in an array of high profile creative endeavours.
These alone gave us reasons to come together and
celebrate.
But an ever-present incentive for these gatherings is the
emergence of new talent and the importance of helping
that talent find its feet. This year, the LLC event provided
a platform for two OAs to seek and secure support from
other OAs for two new film projects: Sam Johnson’s anti-
bullying short
Billy the Kid
and Will Mcdowell’s debut
feature
Never Better
.
The warmth of Gareth Morris’ support for the LLC’s
endeavours has been clear and unwavering from
the outset. Indeed, Gareth and the OA Committee’s
enthusiasm is currently driving plans to make the meeting
a more than once-a-year event. That commitment is
clearly invaluable and very much appreciated by all who
have attended gatherings or received support to date. But
it would be of no consequence without the willingness
of former Abingdonians to meet the next generation and
provide ‘a commonwealth of talents’ that is fundamentally
about the generosity of the human spirit. As Hector says
in Alan Bennett’s play The
History Boys
, “Pass it on, boys.
That’s the game I want you to learn. Pass it on!” With that
as our aim, long may the Loose Limbs entwine!
The Loose Limbed Collective’s third annual gathering at the Phoenix Artist
Club in the heart of London’s theatre land
