Abingdon News No.56

www.abingdon.org.uk 23 Abingdon Arts Forum Abingdon Arts Forum is a new initiative from the Old Abingdonian Club and Abingdon Arts Partnerships. In a series of recorded interviews conducted by pupils from schools across Abingdon, alumni of Abingdon, Fitzharrys, Larkmead and John Mason Schools working in the arts will be invited to reveal the highs and lows of their careers to date, reflect on the skills and attributes required to survive in the arts, and – crucially – offer ideas for ways in which the arts community can adapt and respond in the face of the pandemic. The events are free to watch online, but there are opportunities to make a donation to a relevant charity working to support artists at this challenging time. Director, writer and actor Simon Evans (2002), whose BBC TV / Netflix series Staged became one of the sensational successes of lockdown, kicked off the series in November. He was interviewed by John Mason / Larkmead drama and film student, Gena Clarke, and you can watch their conversation on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=30cniTHE41Y&feature =youtu.be . In the second of the series held on 10 December, John Mason alumnus and Downton Abbey actor Charlie Watson, joined us and you can watch his conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxb-kZo7wvw&feature=youtu.be The OA Club was delighted to host School Archivist, Sarah Wearne, as she presented a webinar entitled ‘ What a Difference the Years Make! Abingdon School 1870 – 2020 ’ on 8 October. The past 150 years have seen enormous changes at Abingdon, not only to the buildings, nor just in pupil numbers, but in the way we think, dress, study and play. Using the School’s vast archival collections, Sarah showed what a difference the years have made. We were delighted that over 100 Old Abingdonians, friends of the School, current pupils, parents and staff were able to join us live. The warmth of feeling that Sarah elicited through her informative and emotive lecture was evident. Her concluding remarks caused us to reflect on the part that we all play in Abingdon’s history, no matter how small the contribution we each make, to an institution such as Abingdon School (or Roysse’s if you prefer). You can watch the webinar on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ pKIF9ahrc&feature =youtu.be Archive Webinar We were grateful to Neil, CEO and Co-founder of Yellowbrick Data, who spoke to Abingdon sixth formers and OAs from California via Zoom on 10 November. Neil spoke about his journey ‘ From Software Engineering to Venture Capital in Silicon Valley ’, from the world of UK start-ups in the 1990s, to US immigration, life and culture in Silicon Valley, career paths in computer software and hardware, venture capitalist firms, IPOs and acquisitions. You can watch Neil’s webinar on YouTube https://youtu.be/Pb795yeOFTY OA Club Online Success Neil Carson (1994) Webinar