Rhubarb 2020

ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

H HARDING, TOM (F, 2005-2010) Having spent three years in Kenya managing a safari camp, following studying Geography at Newcastle University, Tom launched luxury travel brand nemo in September 2019. The mission is to simplify bespoke travel planning by combining human expertise with innovative tech. Tom explains: ‘There is a new era of travel emerging out of the pandemic and we feel that expert advice, flexibility, and bespoke services are going to be more important than ever to help you travel with confidence. There are two arms to our platform, an online itinerary builder for longer-haul travel, and nemo hotels, our brand new boutique hotel booking tool for shorter-haul breaks around Europe and the UK. We have a digital first approach to travel planning that aims to give you all the benefits of a traditional travel agency, whilst giving you the power to curate your own itinerary.’ Ethical practices are at the core of everything they do and 1% of all revenue is donated to their chosen charity, Hello World, plus a tree is planted for every nemo trip and every traveller’s birthday. Any travel questions or requests you have please contact tom@nemo-travel.com or visit www.nemo-travel.com HUGHES, BARNEY (B, 2004-2009) It was wonderful to see that Barney has landed the role of Enjolras in the UK and European production of Les Misérables It is particularly interesting as he also took part in the School production of Les Mis 14 years ago at Teddies, in 2006!

I IRELAND, CHRIS (F, 1956-1961) After graduating from University of Wales, Swansea in 1965, Chris emigrated to Canada and worked for Imperial Oil (Esso Canada) for 15 years as a Geophysicist. In addition to bringing up a family of two young boys and working for Imperial Oil, he was involved in the Rugby scene in Edmonton and Calgary on club and Union levels, ending up as President of the Edmonton Rugby Union and Vice President of the Alberta Rugby Union in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1980, he was offered a post with Esso Exploration and Production Ltd in London as Project Leader for their joint North Sea exploration with Shell UK. In 1990, he left Esso and joined a small start-up American Company, Oryx UK, based in Uxbridge, as Manager of their exploration licences primarily in the North Sea, also spending time in Indonesia as acting Manager of their efforts in that country. In 1997, he left and worked as a consultant with a small company advising on exploration opportunities primarily in the North Sea. By 2000, and after 35 years in the oil industry, he decided to “stop working” and he moved to Portugal and settled in the Algarve in the Loule area. It was intended to be a peaceful and relaxing life, playing golf, enjoying a beautiful country and marvellous weather, but he was soon involved in committee work! For four years he was Secretary and then Chairman of the Golf Club Committee and then in 2006 he joined the Management Council of the “Associação de Proprietários Estrangeiros em Portugal” commonly known as “AFPOP” which is based in Portimão. This is a Portugal-wide members association to provide assistance, information and financial benefits to people moving to Portugal to live permanently or as a vacation location, with over 7,000 current active members. In 2009, he was elected as Chairman of the Management Council and President of the Association and held that role for 10 ¾ years until June 2020. Now he hopes to relax and really retire. Chris says: ‘If any OSE are considering moving to Portugal, I advise you contact AFPOP before doing so, as our information and assistance has saved

many newcomers from the frustration and problems moving to a beautiful country which has many bureaucratic nightmares waiting for the unwary!’ Contact can be made at www.afpop.com or email to info@afpop.com . He would welcome meeting any OSE living in or visiting the Algarve. Do get in touch via Alumnet. J JOHNSON, ELEANOR (J, 2007-2012) OSE and artist Eleanor Johnson appeared in the semi-final of this year’s Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year, painting actors Russell Tovey and Elaine Paige. Although she sadly just missed out on a place in the finals, she says she found the experience exhilarating and affirming. During the Covid-19 lockdown, Eleanor also collaborated with British fashion brand, Burberry, in a project exploring nature and its significance during this time, and her paintings were broadcast on their online platforms. In the coming weeks she’ll be exhibiting a new collection of work with Paul Smith in Mayfair, London. She accredits her success to the brilliant teachers in the Art Department at St Edward’s, who not only showed her the tools of the trade, but also gave her the confidence to pursue a career in the art world. www.eleanor-johnson.com/

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