MSc there (and later also went on to do a Dr.sc.agr.) and whom I married in September 2001. We have three children, Manfred (born 2002) and the twin girls Luiselotte and Rosalinde (born 2008). Since my school days, which gave me a good Christian upbringing, I have been involved in the local church (wherever ‘local’ was at the various stages in my life!) and am now a member of the parish council in my current home town Groß-Umstadt. ‘I have also kept in touch with Kevin Vinke (formerly Vinke- Tuke) (Powell 1976–81) and maintained contact with Dr Roy Bishop (Powell 1978–83) [who died in August 2023]. He wrote to me after he attended the OE dinner [in April 2023] and sent me some photos. I had half planned to see him in Scotland that summer and now wish that I had. I will miss him greatly.’
ahead of him. Another German overtook him during the bike section putting him in third place but in transition, because Bob had worn running shoes for the cycle and they had to change their shoes, he was able to catch them up and all three left on the run together. Bob explained: ‘After a bit, one dropped back but I managed to stay in front until about halfway when he over- took me. I quickly regained the lead and he continued to sit on my shoulder. I could tell from his breathing that he wasn’t finding it easy and with 150 yards to go I thought “Right I’m off” and I just accelerated away.’ Matthew Rust (Reeves 2014–16) – see the entry for Josh Curryer in this section. S Liam Sharp (Pennell 1981–86) is an artist, writer and publisher, and visited the College in October 2024 to talk to art scholars about working in the creative industries. He was the first art scholar at the College and went on to have a very successful career working on science fiction titles published by Marvel and DC Comics, as well as co-founding Madefire, a digital comics platform. He dis- cussed the pupils’ projects and was impressed with the range of work that they had produced. Head of Art Eleanor Greenwood said: ‘I am hoping to launch a new creative arts society in September 2025 to give our scholars and G&T [gifted and talented] pupils more opportunities to collaborate and network with OEs such as Liam, who now work professionally as creatives.’
to January 2025, playing the part of Jack Worthing alongside Ncuti Gatwa as Algernon Moncrieff. The production received much praise, with The Guardian com- menting: ‘there is a delicately judged balance between fidelity to Wilde’s text and 21st-century playfulness’. Commenting on Hugh’s performance it said: ‘Skinner excels in balancing emo- tional vulnerability with archness and physical humour’. The pro- duction was filmed as part of the National Theatre Live series and has already been shown in cinemas. In December there was an ES trip to see the show and John Thornley and Emma Garrett caught up with Hugh afterwards – see the picture on page 6.
Nigel also hosted a South Afri- can-themed wine tasting evening at the College in April, a picture of which is on page 44. T Guy Thwaites (Blackwater 1984–89) – see the photo in Jenny Lush’s entry in this section. Peter Thwaites (Gonville 1982– 87) – see the photo in Jenny Lush’s entry in this section. Giles Tomsett (Powell 1978–83) – see the photo in Amanda Burg- er’s entry in this section. Ed Tourle (School 1984–88) has been in touch with some news: ‘I am a college counsellor and International ACAC awardee, specialising in helping students matriculate to top universities around the world, the US in partic- ular. I currently work at Wycombe Abbey school, having started my career working with refugees and international students from disadvantaged backgrounds. I have lived in England most of my life with a very enjoyable spell in Costa Rica and have secured approximately $6 million in schol- arships over the last 10 years. I work with Duolingo and UNHCR as an interviewer for their refugee programme and continue with pro-bono work, advising stu- dents that have no means to pay for their education. I am a father of three and harmonica player in The Show Ponies, a band of 25 years making something resem- bling music.’
Nigel Strofton (Gonville 1955– 59) sent us this photo of a reunion with old school friend Carl Pohl (Blackwater 1956–60), some 64 years after they had left the Col- lege. Nigel takes up the story: ‘During a very good OE lunch at The Oriental Club in London in October 2023, the name of Carl Pohl came up. I thought to myself, well I am going to South Africa in January/ February next year, I will try and contact Carl. So with the considerable help of David Blake in the ES office I was able to make contact with him. Well, we met up with our respective wives and my son on Tuesday 13 February at The Muratie Winery just outside Stellenbosch. What a reunion we had after 64 years. Of course, we reminisced about our time at the College and looked at a team photo of the 1st XV of 1959. Sadly, a number of players are no longer with us. Carl became a solicitor working and living in Cape Town before semi-retiring in 2009 and moving to Hermanus, where he is now living in a retirement village in the area. What a great day we had, supping wines and enjoying a large food platter!’
Bob on the winners’ podium
Bob Rogers (Pennell 1957–61) is the new European triathlon champion in the 80–84 age group. He beat a German competitor by 12 seconds to take the gold medal in the championships, held in Vichy, France, on Saturday 21 September. Bob was a partner in the firm of Miller Parris solicitors for 40 years, and it was only after retirement at the age of 72 that he took up triathlon. He qualified for the European Champion- ships at Dorney Lake, Windsor, last May. His main interest has always been rugby and he played for Worthing Rugby Club in the 1960s and 1970s, captained the club and played for Sussex. He went on to become president of both Worthing and Sussex clubs. In the 2006–07 season he became President of the Rugby Football Union. At Vichy, Bob competed in a sprint triathlon which involved a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run. He was second out of the water with a German competitor
Hugh Skinner (Pennell 1998–2003) appeared in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance
Martin Trott (Powell 1987–92) sent us this photo of OEs on the golf course in the Cayman Islands. He is pictured with Oliver Close (Reeves 1995–2000) and Mike Dobell (Reeves 1995–2000). Martin said that he and Oliver both live in the Cayman Islands and Mike was visiting.
of Being Earnest at the National Theatre from November 2024
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