G R I F F E N 2 0 2 3 | 3 7 Director of the Southern Cooperative (and several of its related companies) where he is Vice Chairman. John’s recently rescued 1923 AC Empire October 2022 - first outing following 32 years deteriorating in bad storage. Paul Francis (1973) Paul has just marked his 50th year since his first appointment as a parish church organist. Music in his time at Abingdon was conducted (pun intended) by Bernard Hall Mancy (sadly recently deceased) and Antony Le Fleming who nurtured and encouraged his interest in music, for which Paul is grateful. Interestingly, the Rector he now works with is OA Toby Wright (1993). Without the support of the staff at the time, Paul would not have pursued music and would not have benefited from the great enjoyment that music can bring to our lives. John Alcock (1980) John was never involved in any school productions, didn’t study creative arts and hadn’t even trodden the boards of amateur theatre. His involvement with the performing arts developed alongside his career working for a multi-national technology company. So perhaps he’s an imposter... It all began soon after leaving Abingdon School when John was asked to provide lighting for a Christmas tableau at St Michael’s Church in Cumnor. This was a stepping stone from which he started to work with different musicians, lighting their bands at various venues around the country. The ‘family tree’ of musicians took him to Opera Anywhere, a small professional touring company of talented musicians and performers, with whom he has worked as lighting designer and technician since their first performance. John relishes the technical challenges presented by the ‘Anywhere’ aspect of their performances and he’s also been able to use his business experience to help in their development. He was appointed a trustee and company director in 2012 and then took on responsibility for health and safety in 2017, a particular challenge when performances re-started after lockdown. John’s paid employment is still in the technology industry but Opera Anywhere provides him with challenging and technically absorbing unpaid work – something that is good for the brain. Roland Hooley (1981) Roland has just passed 21 years with Mars Incorporated. He is currently VP Supply Chain for the Royal Canin division in North America, living in New York City. Robert Chaundy (1969) Life for Robert has been busy since he retired from the academic book publishing trade in 2016. But then, he says, he has always made life busy. In 2018 he moved from Milton Keynes to the Tamar Valley in Devon, where on his bike he regularly “grinds up the local hills, of which there are many, purely for the enjoyment of the descents.” The local area has a strong and welcoming music scene, and Robert plays flamenco guitar in several local venues. Since 2012, and until the first lockdown, he played bass guitar in the Northampton-based progressive rock band Dark. Kevin Barnard (1971) Kevin now lives in Bradford. Bradford has been designated UK City of Culture 2025, and Kevin would be pleased to know of any OAs with an interest in the arts (in the broadest sense) in the Bradford area. Though not involved directly in the world of the arts, he has a few contacts. John Lay (1972) Following retirement from Historic England six years ago, John opted to relocate to a “new” part of the country, moving to Horndean, Hampshire, where he became a member of Horndean Parish Council. He has retained a passion for vehicles, being an active member of several classic and vintage car and motorcycle clubs and continuing to “drive, ride and fettle the old beasts.” He would love to hear from OAs interested in older vehicles – especially any who have taken on vehicles older than themselves! John also marshals regularly – most frequently at nearby Goodwood – and is a
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