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With my son Tom at the cricket match
Gerald Smithson Memorial cricket match at Abingdon School
19th June 2026Abingdon School and the Mercers' Company
It's almost impossible to escape from the influence of the Livery movement!
On Friday 20 June I spent the day at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire as a guest of the Old Abingdonian Club, to watch the annual Gerald Smithson Memorial Cricket Match, played on the beautiful War Memorial Field between current and former pupils. This commemorates my father's time at the school between 1957 and 1970 where he was cricket professional and head groundsman, and where I was lucky to spend a glorious childhood.
Although this was a private day out, it's wonderful to remember this ancient grammar school's strong connection with the Livery movement through the Mercers' Company.
The first documented reference to the School was made in 1256 in the will of the Abbot of Abingdon It was re-endowed and expanded in 1563 by John Roysse, a wealthy citizen of Abingdon and member of the Mercers' Company, but the connection with the Mercers' Company faded and was lost over the ensuing centuries.
In the 1970s the connection was rediscovered by Poppy Anderson, the wife of the then Headmaster of Abingdon School, Eric Anderson. Coincidentally, Poppy taught me A Level English Literature brilliantly when I was at the School of S Helen & S Katharine, just up the road.
Today, the Mercers' Company is once again a major benefactor of the school, funding enormous capital infrastructure projects (such as Mercers' Court) and financing community and mental health roles within the school's local "OX14 Partnership".
In its "History of Abingdon School in 63 Objects", the school includes its "750 Plaque" (1256-2006), which incorporates the figure of the Virgin Mary representing the Mercers' Company connection.
I had a glorious day at the school with other members of my family, meeting Head Master Mike Winters and members of staff, before presenting the trophy to the winning side and heading home.
Photos to follow.