GRIFFEN 2024 | 29 Charlie Hobson (1976) After a career in the Royal Marines (RM) for 29 years, Charlie Hobson became CEO of the Royal Marines Association (RMA), which provides support for RM veterans all over the world. In 2007, the UK started operations in Helmand Province in Afghanistan where Charlie had been in 2001/2. Charlie coordinated support for the troops serving there, help to the families of the fallen, and to the wounded on their return. On Christmas Eve 2008, Mark Ormrod trod on an IED and lost both legs and an arm. If it were not for the quick thinking of the medical team in the helicopter who operated on him, he would have died. After two years of rehabilitation, Mark had two prosthetic legs fitted by a firm in the USA that allowed him to drive, cycle, walk and have a family. He was promised many jobs when he left the RM in 2010, but none of them materialised. Charlie met him at a funeral a week before his discharge and knew all was not well. Only ten days later, Mark was a member of the RMA team driving the length of the United Kingdom, galvanising veterans and their families into doing good work. Charlie retires in 2024 and Mark offered to hand-bike while Charlie walked the 82 miles from Mark’s house in Plymouth to Charlie’s in Exmouth. They even swam across the River Exe just for a laugh. Douglas Pearson (1981) Douglas studied Maths and Computer Science at the University of St Andrews before it became as wildly popular as it is today. Following this, he moved to America, completing a PhD at the University of Michigan in Artificial Intelligence. Douglas married his American wife and they moved to Seattle together, having their first daughter, who is now 20. In Seattle he cofounded an internet startup, which today is a successful company of 75 people and rates consistently as one of the best places to work in Seattle. Douglas has sold the company and retirement now beckons. Dave Langdon (1989) A message from Dave Langdon: Time and iron are two relentless elements in my life; I battle both on a daily basis, in a professional and personal war. Mental persistence, physical perseverance, intelligent analysis and fortitude allow me to win. The following picture is Terry the Terrible, as painted by me. I am proud enough of the paintwork, but it might be reflective of the ‘U’ grade I received in my O level art. I am sure James Scroggs (1989) could have done a better caricature. It weighs 40kg but I handle it with ease, even after 50. Whatever you do in life and whatever challenges you face, your education at Abingdon will serve you well as a resource for winning and succeeding. Do not fear pushing your boundaries in either physical or mental capacity. Greetings and good luck to all past, current and future Abingdonians. Plan is an initiative of the Town Council, it is being put together by a steering group of volunteers, assisted by an urban design and planning practice with experience of supporting the creation of neighbourhood plans in other towns similar to Abingdon. When Simon stepped up to the chairing plate, the pandemic initially prevented in-person meetings, which were instead held by Zoom. But as the steering group’s thoughts crystallised and COVID restrictions relaxed, it was able to test them by engaging with the people of Abingdon in outreach sessions, which yielded many helpful grass-roots proposals. Like any chairing role, the skill-set required is broad. As enthusiastic volunteers, the group gelled quickly and soon started generating ideas. But, like any group reliant on people committing their spare time, the interest and enthusiasm of individual participants ebbed and flowed, meaning Simon had to identify replacement contributors and integrate them into the steering group, including Simon Greenland (1996). A greater challenge as the post-research writing-up phase started, was converting steering group members’ general eagerness to be involved, into firm commitment to writing material to deadlines. And again, like other leadership roles, outward facing communication has been key. Spreading the message has involved managing Councillors’ expectations, speaking at the annual town meeting and with other civic groups, writing articles for the local newspaper, and even an interview for a TV channel he had never heard of. The Abingdon Neighbourhood Plan seeks to make an even better Abingdon for generations yet to come. So if you live or work in the town please do get involved! Andrew Jackson (1975) Andrew is now retired and living in Cardiff. He would be happy to hear from any other OAs in the area. Members’ News
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