The Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

2019

EDITION XXII

STAY

CONNECTED

INTRODUCTION

3

SPORTS EVENTS

OBITUARIES

58

INTRODUCTION

COLLEGE NEWS

38

RATCLIFFE LINKS

NEWS

68

CLASS OF 2014 REUNION - SEE PAGE 36

44

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COUNCIL

EVENTS

6

24

31

BIRTHS

MARRIAGES

WHAT IS THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION?

DIARY DATES

FOR 2019

The Ratcliffian Association is the society of former pupils of Ratcliffe College, known as Old Ratcliffians (ORs). Founded in 1865, when a

group of past pupils met at Ratcliffe and brought the Association to life, its objective is simple: to nurture the relationship between past

pupils, the College and current pupils, for the benefit of both Ratcliffe and its Old Ratcliffians. Upon leaving Ratcliffe, after the Sixth

Form or earlier, all pupils become lifetime members of the Association, joining a 6,000-strong community across the globe. As members,

ORs receive news updates via email, social media, and through this annual magazine. ORs also receive invitations to both Association and

College events, which offer the perfect opportunity to reunite with old friends and to reminisce about times at Ratcliffe. The Association

website, www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk, allows ORs to reconnect with their old classmates, as well as giving them the opportunity to

support current pupils through a careers and mentoring programme.

The Association is governed by the Ratcliffian Association Council, which is made up of 25 to 30 past pupils from all age groups, as well as

representatives of the College and the Association Office. The Council oversees all budgets, expenditure, events and communications,

and it ensures that the Association delivers its objectives for the mutual benefit of Old Ratcliffians and the College. Each year, a president

and vice president are selected, with Council meetings being held twice a year, as well as an AGM at the Association’s Reunion Weekend

in the summer. The Association Office (based at the College) is open four days a week and is managed by Sarah Gretton, who, together

with Katherine Lang as Secretary, oversees the day-to-day running of all Association activities.

If you have a story to tell, news to share, or time available to offer your expertise and experience to current students, please get in touch

with the Association at alumni@ratcliffecollege.com or on 01509 817054.

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The Old Ratcliffian 2019

3

INTRODUCTION

FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

Dear Old Ratcliffians,

Well, this is unexpected. Writing for The Old Ratcliffian magazine in the role of President of the Association, I mean. I was thrilled to be

asked if I would take on the role a little over a year ago, and with a certain amount of trepidation, I said yes. It’s an extraordinary position

to take up, giving me the opportunity to meet and spend time with ORs from all over the world, and to play a small part in the continuing

life of the Association.

I have to say a huge thank you to Emma Wright (94) for her sterling service as our president last year. She has done so much to make the

Association relevant to recent leavers, working hard to build the mentorship and networking side of the organisation. Emma has very

generously offered to stay on as our vice president, to continue to build on the work that she has already done. Also, my thanks go to Alex

Slack (née Gamble) (03), who has managed the Association so well for so long. Alex leaves us to pursue her business interests; we wish

her well and hope to see her at one of the OR social events soon. Sarah Gretton has taken on Alex’s role as Manager of the Association,

and she has already hit the ground running, with lots planned for the forthcoming year. Finally, thank you to all those who have worked

so hard to create the new Ratcliffian Association Bar, which looks wonderful and is there for you to use – in fact, thank you to my sister,

Louise Jackson (91), for designing it!

At a time when the future of independent education is, once again, being questioned on the national stage, Ratcliffe is in fine health.

The Prep School Sports Hall is well on its way to completion, the Senior School’s Fitness Suite is open and in constant use, the Lockhart

Garden looks wonderful, and the students are happy and contented. In fact, as a father of two children in the School, sitting in my car at

pick-up time hearing their laughter and seeing their smiles, I have quickly realised that, although Ratcliffe might have changed over the

years, its essence remains robustly in place.

The fact is, once I left Ratcliffe, I didn’t come back for years, and even then, it was just to drive through the

campus for old time’s sake. Ratcliffe had done its thing – the thing it’s done for all of us. It had prepared

me for life outside those hallowed grounds. It had given me everything I needed to go on to university,

make new friends, and start a career. What I discovered (and I suspect many of you will have done,

too) is that Ratcliffe is much more than its buildings. It’s something you carry with you. It’s made up

of the friends we made, the lessons learnt, the knocks and bumps, the tears and laughter. It’s a

unique mix, but it does mean that, I think, you can spot an Old Ratcliffian a mile off. They will

often be ploughing their own furrow, doing their own thing, being confident without being

arrogant, caring about other people, and they are usually great fun to be with. I’m proud to

be a Ratcliffian.

Eight years or so ago, my children started their own Ratcliffe journey. And they started it, in many

ways, because of the Association. My son, Kit (Year 13), was having a crummy time at his

old school, so we brought him up here for the Reunion, just to show him what we hoped

would, one day, become his school. We had a lovely afternoon. He loved it. There was one

place available in Year 4. Two weeks later, he was here. It was, without doubt, the best

decision we ever made. And so, Ratcliffe was, once again, front and centre. And guess

what? As I changed from being an Old Boy into a parent, I saw the School working its

magic once more. We made new friends, came to more parties, needed taxis to get

home, and fell in love with the place all over again. So, when I was asked to take on this

role and wear the chain, how could I say no?

Have a wonderful year; I hope to meet up with many of you at one of the events that

we have planned over the next twelve months, and please remember, if you’d like to

have a reunion of old friends, we can help to organise that for you – just get in touch

with the Association at alumni@ratcliffecollege.com.

Ben Jackson (88)

President of the Ratcliffian Association

4 The Old Ratcliffian 2019

THE EDITOR’S COLUMN

Dear Old Ratcliffians,

The first thing that I would like to say is thank you, to all of those Old Ratcliffians whom

I have had the pleasure to meet, to those I have spoken with on the telephone or by

email, and to those who support the Association tirelessly behind the scenes. I joined the

Ratcliffian Association just seven short months ago, but I can honestly say that I already

feel like part of the furniture. On my first day here in May, and indeed before I even set foot

in the Association Office, I was welcomed with open arms by my colleagues, Katherine Lang

(Association Secretary) and Louise Liston (Foundation Manager). They have continued to

be a huge support to me during these early days, as has Alex Slack (née Gamble) (03),

from whom I took the reins as Association Manager.

Alex gave up an inordinate amount of her own time to induct me into the role, passing

on the wealth of knowledge that both she and her mum (Jackie Bennett) before her

had accumulated over the years. I must say that it was a daunting prospect to take the

baton from such committed and highly regarded individuals, whose loyalty to the College

extends well down the family line, particularly as I had no former connections of any kind

to Ratcliffe. I felt extremely honoured to have been chosen for the role, and I carry this

with me as I strive to do my very best for the alumni of Ratcliffe, continuing the traditions

that have become its essence over the past 154 years, as well as developing its current role

within the College.

What has really struck me, since becoming part of the ‘Ratcliffe family’, is how true

this description actually is. Through my work with the Association, I have seen,

first-hand, that the sense of community nurtured within the College extends

way beyond its walls, bringing together ORs of all ages throughout the world. You have something very special here, and as a

non-OR, I’m extremely proud to be a part of it. The passion that ORs have for their alma mater is admirable and contagious,

and I’m keen to ensure that the Association continues to work for those at the heart of it. Therefore, if you have any ideas,

suggestions or requests relating to the events that we run, or to any other aspect of alumni relations, please do get in touch

(sgretton@ratcliffecollege.com or 01509 817054) – I’d love to hear from you.

We’re delighted to have seen so many of you attending Association events this year, not to mention welcoming ORs back, either as

visitors to the School or as speakers for our Sixth Form INSPIRE talks. In 2019, over 400 ORs visited the School in various capacities, or

responded to invites from the Association to some of the 16 functions that we’ve advertised throughout the year. The London Dinner

saw over 80 guests enjoy an evening of fine dining, singing, speeches and merriment, whilst our many sporting events have showcased

the talents of ORs in golf, hockey, football and cricket. The annual Reunion saw 117 guests join us for a packed day of Mass, the Ratcliffian

Association AGM, tours of the School, luncheon and cricket, while the Five Year Reunion brought together 52 members of the Class of

2014 for a social gathering in the brand-new Ratcliffian Association Bar. 2019 has been a great year for the Association, and you can

read more about all of these fantastic events and our OR visitors later on in the magazine.

Of course, the one thing that makes our events such a success is you, Old Ratcliffians, and your families and friends, coming together with

old classmates, current students, Ratcliffe staff and members of the Rosminian Order to celebrate the passing of time, your treasured

memories of Ratcliffe, and your community. So, please continue to support our events, as we strive to increase engagement with the

Association and develop its reach.

In 2019, we also saw the completion of our newly refurbished Ratcliffian Association Bar. This fabulous space, designed by Louise

Jackson (91) of Louise Jackson Interiors, is a great facility to have at our disposal. Despite the many challenges faced by both Louise and

Alex Slack, who project-managed the refurbishment during her final few months with the Association, the end result is stunning, and

we will be making full use of it in 2020 and beyond.

As we look to the year ahead, Association President Ben Jackson (88) and I are poised to roll up our sleeves and get to work on a few

important objectives: to increase the alumni’s reach by engaging with more ORs through events and opportunities that benefit them

and their families; to build upon the current careers and mentoring programme for the good of both ORs and current students; and

to maintain the traditions of the Association, whilst ensuring that we remain current and relevant. To help us achieve these objectives,

Ben has kindly agreed to stay in his role as president for two years, whilst Emma Wright (94), last year’s president and this year’s vice

president, will continue to support the careers and mentoring work that she began during her presidency.

Finally, I would like to thank Ratcliffe’s Headmaster, Jon Reddin, and the College for supporting our aims and enabling us to continuously

develop the remit of the Association for the benefit of all.

With the warmest of wishes to you and your families during this festive season.

Sarah Gretton

Ratcliffian Association Manager


5

INTRODUCTION

NEWS FROM THE COLLEGE

THE HEADMASTER’S INTRODUCTION

Dear Old Ratcliffians and friends of Ratcliffe College,

As a Catholic school with a distinctive Rosminian charism, the teachings of Christ are at the centre of all we do. In my introduction last

year, I highlighted the wonderful positivity and sense of expectation that the children and young people bring to our school each day,

summed up in one word: hope. Twelve months on, that sense of hope is very much alive and well in our community, as the students

have continued to bring unquenchable enthusiasm and kindness to all that they do, to help fulfil our vision statement for the College:

Strength of Mind, Strength of Values, Strength of Purpose.

To help you get a sense of how we continue to achieve our collective vision daily, I will now share with you excerpts from my Exhibition Day

address to the College, as I believe it will enable you to understand more fully how that sense of hope manifests itself at Ratcliffe. This

year, I dedicated my address to the student body for their unstinting generosity of spirit throughout the year. Exhibition Day (or Prize

Day) is, of course, one of the highlights of the academic year, as I am sure it was during your time at Ratcliffe, perhaps only surpassed

by the Immac celebrations. It is a special day when we celebrate the students’ many and varied achievements. (Pictured, above, are the

2019 Exhibition Day Platform Party members: former Head Girl Alicia Boothroyd (19), Michelle Massarella, former Chair of Governors

Louis Massarella (92), Guest of Honour Dr Maureen Glackin, Headmaster Jon Reddin, Jo Reddin, and former Head Boy Toby Snell (19).)

My address focussed on a quote by Pablo Picasso, which suggests qualities that we lose on the road to adulthood: a sense of wonder,

critical thinking, imagination, playfulness, and daring. In various forms, these qualities help to inform our vision of Strength of Mind,

where we encourage students to be truly independent thinkers and to think ‘big’ ideas, using their creative instincts.

At Ratcliffe, we aim to develop a mindset which enables students to believe in themselves, to be undaunted by limitations set on them by

society, circumstance, or birth, and to be daring, resilient, and brave. We aim to empower them to develop resilience, adopting a ‘not yet’,

rather than ‘can’t do’, attitude to their learning and their personal development. We nurture the students’ self-belief through art, music,

singing, drama, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, CCF, volunteering, debating, public speaking, sport, and through culturally

enriching trips and visits, both nationally and internationally.

This year, students have flown two-seater aircraft at RAF Cranwell, and they have been on exercise to fire the cadet rifle, rock climb,

mountain bike, hill walk, kayak and canoe. Over 150 students are currently engaged in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. On the

sports field, six teams have reached their respective county finals – two reached the regional stages, and our Under 14 Boys’ Hockey

Team qualified for the national finals. Over 70 students have represented Leicestershire in their respective sports. Many students

have also participated in coding, computer science and STEM programmes, including

the Engineering Education Scheme, in partnership with Rolls Royce, and our Year 9

students have participated in the Go4SET scheme – not to mention the fact that many

of them are involved in the unique Ratcliffe Spitfire build. Our Year 12 Design and

Technology students were victorious at the Rotary Technology Tournament, thinking

‘outside the box’ to create a unique solution to the problem set before them. Wherever

you look, there are opportunities for the boys and girls to use their imaginations and to

be inventive, to solve real-life problems and to stimulate creativity.

We were mesmerised by the students’ levels of skill and originality in the FutureChef

and Christmas food competitions. Media students continued to break with convention,

producing work of such flair as to transcend the parameters of the examination itself.

The Year 10 Drama devised pieces, written by the students, challenged the audiences’

thinking on diverse subject matters, including climate change, the detrimental effects

of social media on mental health, women’s suffrage, and the plight of refugees.

Public speaking and debate have also flourished, through our own Public Speaking

Championship and the Catenian Competition. Throughout this academic year, the

students have continued to imagine, to think independently, to create, and to challenge.

We have also continued to nurture the students’ Strength of Values, educating them to

live their lives based on the Gospel values. Conscious of the pressure on young people

through social media, we work hard to develop self-acceptance, to encourage laughter

and kindness, and to build resilience and perseverance. The students have led the

way, giving generously of their time to support initiatives through the student voice,

such as the School Council, Food Committee, Anti-Bullying Committee, Chaplaincy Team, and E-Safety Committee. They have raised

over £20,000 for various charities throughout the year, including Joseph’s Storehouse and The Carpenter’s Arms, CAFOD, Sightbox,

Children in Need, and Cancer Research UK, to name but a few.

Finally, we have educated the boys and girls to have a strong sense of who they are and their purpose in the world, through Strength of

Purpose. Our aim is to nurture their God-given talents, to enable them to go forth and make a positive difference to the communities

in which they live and work. This year, eighteen Year 13 students and two members of staff trained as Ratcliffe Samaritan Listeners.

Twelve Ratcliffe students travelled to Lourdes in France on a pilgrimage, helping those in need and living out our school motto - Charity

is the Fulfilment of the Law. Our St Vincent de Paul students have continued to help the younger children, and our Sixth Form Learning

Leaders have helped Year 10 and 11 students to reach their greatest potential.

Our boys and girls enjoy wonderful opportunities to be audacious in their thinking and brave in their opinions. However, age brings selfconsciousness,

and it can rob us of our spontaneity. So, how can we hang on to this creative attitude as we get older, particularly in the

face of the digital revolution, which seems to render many of our roles redundant? Our response must be to do the one thing that no

computer can manage, which is to use our imaginations. It is by being creative that we are likely to find contentment and purpose in our

digitised age. The act of making and creating is deeply satisfying and rewarding; we feel invigorated and realise how connected we are

to the world around us when creating something for others.

Visitors to Ratcliffe feel the energy, excitement and positivity in the air, and, more importantly, they recognise that we are a community

bound together by a common vision. We live in a world full of urgent problems: climate change, terrorism and poverty, to name but

three. These are challenges that we can help to overcome by using our minds, by being true to our values, and by having a strength of

purpose. If we believe that things can be better in the future, we will have the power to make them happen. So, go and imagine. Go

and make a difference.

Yours sincerely,

Jon Reddin

Headmaster

COLLEGE NEWS



7

COLLEGE NEWS

VALETE – CLASS OF 2019

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S LEAVERS

Name Destination Course

Ainscough, Harry Nottingham Trent University Product Design

Alipourkarami, Barzin Birmingham University Mathematics & Philosophy

Allsopp, Callum Northumbria University Business Management

Astill, Sarah Newcastle University Linguistics & French

Ball, Charlotte Applying to university in 2020

Bastock, Daniel Keele University Medicine

Baxter, Amy Applying to university in 2020

Bellamy, Joshua Southampton University Oceanography

Beresford, India Nottingham Trent University Graphic Design

Berns, James Edinburgh University Mechanical Engineering

Boothroyd, Alicia Durham University Modern Languages

Bown, Holly

Employment

Bridgwood, Freddie Nottingham Trent University Economics with International Finance & Banking

Buckingham, Finlay Birmingham University Biological Sciences

Buczkowski, Maciej Swansea University Computer Science

Carpenter, Olivia Liverpool University English Literature

Chan, Joanna Kingston University Nutrition

Chapman, Joe De Montfort University Architecture

Chilton, Luke Leeds Beckett University Business & Management

Chmurovicova, Ema Sheffield University Dental Surgery

Chukwueke, Neto Nottingham University Civil Engineering

Clark, Grace Liverpool University Geography

Cook, Sebastian Liverpool University Law & Business Studies

Coombs, Isobel Newcastle University Combined Honours

Cox, Lewis Bath University Mathematical Sciences with Industrial Placement

Creighton, Chantelle Liverpool University Communication & Media

Delargy, Olivia Exeter University English

Dhanjal, Tia De Montfort University Business Management

Dhillon, Harneeka Manchester Metropolitan University Fashion Buying & Merchandising

Ding, Dennis Manchester University Civil Engineering

Dunne, Miles Liverpool Hope University Philosophy, Ethics & Theology

Edwards, Molly Manchester University History & French

Egglenton, Jamie

Gap Year

Fawdington, Elliot Portsmouth University Marine Biology

Foulds, Oliver Cardiff University Marine Geography

Gajebasia, Falak Coventry University Accounting & Finance

Garcia, Matthew Bath University Integrated Mechanical & Electrical Engineering

Gilliver, Leo Cardiff University Chemistry

Goodman, Reece

Employment

Grant, Arran Brooksby Melton College Land-Based Engineering

Gupta, Krishan Bath University Economics with Placement

Hanchell, Myles Sussex University Business, Management & Economics

Harris, Charlie Southampton University Economics & Accounting

Hluchan, Josef Gloucestershire University Film Production

Hodds, Luke Southampton University Electronic Engineering with Artificial Intelligence

Honey, Katie Newcastle University Geography & Planning

Hose, Isobel Leeds University Economics & Finance

Jackson, Hebe Applying to university in 2020

Lai, Steven Swansea University Electronic & Electrical Engineering

Leong, Ciaran Leeds University Architectural Engineering

Lindley, Matthew Manchester Metropolitan University Human Biosciences

Lindop, Grace St Andrews University English

Mamujee, Abdutaiyeb De Montfort University Art Foundation

Massarella, Louis University of East Anglia Drama

Modhwadia, Rajan York University Business & Management

Morgan-Jones, George Swansea University Sport & Exercise Science

Murray-Scott, Alfie

Gap Year

Murray-Scott, Dan

Gap Year

Omo, Joshua Nottingham Trent University Mechanical Engineering

Onyia, Ellen Birmingham University Biochemistry

Orsini-Rottner, Emiliano Bristol University Biochemistry

Orsini-Rottner, Isabella Leeds Arts University Filmmaking

Page, Mollie Plymouth University Primary (Special Educational Needs with QTS)

Patel, Megha Leeds University International Business & Marketing

Pearce, Georgina University of the Arts London Animation

Pole, Jenna Leeds Beckett University Sport & Exercise Science

Pullen, Isobel Manchester Metropolitan University Marketing Management

Purcell, Alexander Liverpool University Politics & International Business

Scarborough, Tom Newcastle University Mechanical Engineering

Snell, Toby Durham University Economics

Sommerville, Owen Harper Adams University Bioveterinary Science

Spencer, Nicole Durham University Accounting & Finance

Walsh, Annabel Exeter University Neuroscience

Wetton, Matthew Birmingham University Mechatronic & Robotic Engineering

Williams, Anna Nottingham Trent University International Relations

CLASS OF 2019: A LEVEL RESULTS

Ratcliffe College prides itself on its inclusivity, providing for a wide range of abilities, which makes

this year’s 99% overall pass rate all the more impressive. More than half of the Year 13 students

attained places at Russell Group universities, and the vast majority of the cohort secured a place

at their first-choice university. Ratcliffe is very proud of the A Level results achieved this year,

maintaining its national top 10% placing for value-added. 90% of all grades were A* to C, and

particular congratulations go to those students who were awarded straight A* and A grades.

Headmaster Jon Reddin commented: “I am delighted that the Year 13 students achieved such a

strong overall set of A Level results, which are testament to the dedication and hard work of the

students, their teachers, and the College’s Catholic ethos. It has been a memorable year for this

particular group in terms of their achievements in co-curricular activities, where they have excelled

in sport, music and drama, and I am thrilled that their achievements have now been complemented

by academic success. We are especially pleased for all of our students who have obtained places at

their chosen universities.”

Year 13 student Grace Lindop (19) celebrated outstanding results, achieving A*, A*, A. She will

read English Literature at the University of St Andrews. Daniel Bastock (19) is taking up a place at

Keele University to read Medicine, having obtained A*, A, A. He said: “The teachers and staff have

been amazing. Ratcliffe has such a family feel.” Alicia Boothroyd (19) achieved A*, A, A and has

secured a place at Durham University to read French. She said: “Ratcliffe really has prepared me for

life and given me so much confidence.”

Hebe Jackson (19) also obtained excellent results, achieving A*, A*, A, and she will be taking a

gap year to explore Borneo, India, Cambodia and Marrakesh as part of a Liberal Arts trip. She said:

“Coming into the Sixth Form at Ratcliffe from a state school background, thanks to the Sir Thomas

White Bursary, has really helped me to achieve my potential. I’ve loved my time at Ratcliffe.” Hebe

was also awarded the Ratcliffian Association Gap Year Scholarship of £250 for 2019, and she sets

off on her travels in January. We look forward to hearing all about her adventures in next year’s Old

Ratcliffian magazine.

COLLEGE NEWS



9

COLLEGE NEWS

YEAR 13 LEAVERS’ DAY

FRIDAY 10TH MAY 2019

The sun was shining and spirits were high for the Year 13 Leavers’ Mass

and Headmaster’s Drinks Reception. Ratcliffian Association Manager

Alex Slack (née Gamble) (03) welcomed us, along with our parents, to

this final service at Ratcliffe, before we left for study leave and then

went on to university, our first jobs, or a gap year.

It was at this point that we became official members of the Ratcliffian

Association. We were welcomed in by President Emma Wright (94),

who presented the boys with an Old Ratcliffian tie and the girls with

a sterling silver charm, to commemorate our time at the School. She

greeted us all in turn, starting with those who had attended Ratcliffe

since entering the Nursery at the age of 3!

Fr Philip Sainter (69) celebrated a wonderful Mass, with hymns

chosen by the Class of 2019, including firm favourites such as

‘Lord of the Dance’ and, of course, ‘Shine, Jesus, Shine’. Ratcliffian

Ambassador Isobel Coombs (19) said: “I really enjoyed the assembly. It

made me so emotional to think that it would be the last time that the

whole year group was together!” Fellow Ambassador Mollie Page (19)

added: “I loved the reflection that Miles Dunne (19) read. It perfectly

summed up our time at Ratcliffe.” Having our parents experience this

final service at the College with us was so special, as we finally left the

Ratcliffe ‘bubble’. The superb catering staff provided us with delicious

canapés and champagne during the Headmaster’s Drinks Reception,

which was, perhaps unsurprisingly, very popular with Year 13!

I would like to thank the School for helping us to create a wonderful,

jam-packed last day of fun at Ratcliffe, which included sumo suits and

inflatables, before heading off to enjoy traditional farewell drinks at

The Woodies! Finally, Emi, Mollie, Isobel and I would like to thank Alex

Slack and Katherine Lang for giving us the opportunity and honour of

being Ratcliffian Association Ambassadors. They have been amazing

mentors, and I’m looking forward to staying in touch and joining in

with future OR events.

Katie Honey (19)

RATCLIFFE’S DESIGN

& TECHNOLOGY WIN

In February, Ratcliffe attended the annual Rotary Technology

Tournament, held at Leicester Grammar School. The competition

welcomed 10 schools from across the county and saw over 140

students participating from Key Stages 3, 4, and 5. Ratcliffe

entered three teams, with two participating in the Foundation

Level Competition, and one in the Advanced Task Competition.

After a day of competing, the Year 12 team walked away with first

prize – a fantastic result! In addition to an impressive trophy, they

also won a visit to the premises of the sponsor company, Hodges

and Drake, to see how design applies to the workplace. The

winning team consisted of Kit Jackson, James Howling, Elliot Kelly

and Dominic Baggott (pictured, left).

RATCLIFFE COLLEGE HOSTS CATENIAN PUBLIC

SPEAKING COMPETITION

The Catenian Catholic Schools Public Speaking Competition is an annual

event which has been running for 12 years, and Ratcliffe were proud to host

it for the first time this year. This annual event gives students from Catholic

schools in the East Midlands (Province 15) the opportunity to develop their

public-speaking skills, competing with students from across the region.

On Sunday 24th March, Ratcliffe welcomed a number of Catenians and

local bishops, as well as contestants and their families, to the College. After

enjoying refreshments in the Old Library, the guests moved to the Refectory,

where the competition was to take place. The subjects of the contestants’

talks were varied and broad-ranging. They each had to speak for four

minutes and, after a 30-minute break (during which time the guests enjoyed

the School’s new Lockhart Garden), the judges gave their notes and verdict.

First place went to Erin Broadhurst, from St Thomas More in Nuneaton, with

her discussion of the statement ‘Real love is not the stuff of pop songs’.

Second place went to Ratcliffe student Dalila Watson (Year 12), speaking on

the topic ‘We are born capable; failure is a choice’. Third place went to Sabina

Strug, from St John Fisher in Peterborough, for her presentation on ‘The idea

of peace on earth is naïve’. The certificates for taking part were presented

by National Vice President Phil Brown (pictured, right, with Dalila Watson),

who has organised the national finals of this event for the last 12 years, and

the three prizes were presented by Province 15’s Provincial President Keith

Webb, of Market Harborough.

COLLEGE NEWS

THE RATCLIFFE APP

We are excited to announce the launch of the new ‘Ratcliffe App’ – a new messaging tool which will

greatly simplify communications between the College and current parents. The app has been created

for us by a local technology provider, Weduc, in response to parental feedback, in order to provide more

streamlined school-to-parent information. The new app combines different types of communication,

including letters, emails and student reports.

Benefits of the Ratcliffe App include ‘push notifications’ (direct messages in one place, away from

the clutter of email), clear and visible notices about important College events, online electronic forms

and permission slips, a calendar and newsfeed, and a ‘Parents’ Portal’, providing access to relevant

information about students, regardless of their year group.

The app has been received incredibly well, and feedback from parents has been positive. We are

excited to develop the provision and service offered by technologies such as this one in the future.



11

COLLEGE NEWS

RATCLIFFE’S ANTI-BULLYING AWARD

Ratcliffe is proud to be a safe, loving and respectful

school that does not tolerate bullying in any form,

and this message is promoted extensively through

our PSHCE programme and Anti-Bullying Committee.

We are delighted to have been awarded the Gold

Standard ‘Beyond Bullying Award’ by Leicestershire

County Council in recognition of our

commitment in this area. Sophie Pole, Liam

Hardy-Smith, Rebecca Dias, Samuel Leake

and I attended the award ceremony in

June to receive our certificate. The

event took place at the Morningside

Arena in Leicester, hosted by

County Hall.

Tiffany Spencer

Head of PSHCE & Careers

CHAPLAINCY & CHARITY

Blessed Antonio Rosmini desired that students in the schools that he founded would become seekers of the truth, and it is upon this

that Ratcliffe’s vision is based. The role of Chaplaincy is, therefore, to build within the school community a culture of service to all, to

help inspire the students through an exploration of the Gospel values, and to celebrate the faith of our community in prayer and acts

of worship.

CALLED TO SERVE OTHERS

Our school motto - Charity is the Fulfilment of the Law - is a daily reminder that loving service of others is an integral part of the Christian

identity. With this in mind, money is raised each year to support one of the charities chosen by the school community. Each year group, as

well as the boarding community, sponsors a particular organisation and spends the academic year raising both money and awareness for

their cause. Through the generosity of the Ratcliffe community, we have been able to raise just under £25,000. Alongside the various

charity events, there are a number of community service-based clubs which run throughout the year. These include the St Vincent de

Paul Club, the Mother Teresa Group, and the Voluntary Service Unit, where numerous students contribute their time to helping others.

During Activities Week, our Year 12 students participate in a Community Service Day, helping local organisations and charities. This year,

we were privileged and pleased to be of assistance at the LOROS charity warehouse, the Syston Friendship Group, Bradgate Park, and at

both St Francis and Bishop Ellis Primary Schools. We thank them for the opportunities that they offered to our students.

CALLED TO A LIFE OF PRAYER

At the heart of Ratcliffe College is our Christian identity, and at

the heart of Christian identity is the desire to be close to the will

of God. Because of this, there is a clear dedication to finding

moments each day for prayer. Spending time in quiet reflection,

where both student and staff bodies can come to know who God

is, is central to the life of the College. Each week begins and

ends in the College Chapel in collective worship; feast days are

celebrated with Mass; Remembrance Day (right) and Easter are

marked with special services; and Advent and Lent are signified

by Reconciliation Days. Regular Boarding Community Weekend

Mass and Night Prayer, as well as Tutor Group Prayers, further

contribute to the liturgical life of the College. This year’s Easter

service was said to be particularly moving, with Connor Hodges

(a Year 9 student) delivering a solemn and heartfelt vocal solo

performance. The use of video clips as a narration tool also

helped to bring the Passion of Christ alive.

CALLED TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL

Ratcliffe’s vision is for each student to leave the College having

developed Strength of Mind, Strength of Values, and Strength

of Purpose, but what does this really mean, and how do we relay

this message to the school community? Each week, the Senior

Leadership and Chaplaincy Teams lead or facilitate assemblies

that are designed to engage, develop and inspire those

present, and every other week, individual year group assemblies

further support this. Many students, staff members and guests

have addressed us this year. Particular highlights have been

presented and created by students ranging from Years 8 to 13,

including Miles Dunne, Olivia Delargy and Joanna Chan (all from

Year 13), who spoke about the importance of charity and the

work of CAFOD. Students are also encouraged to develop their

faith outside school, and retreats offer this opportunity. A retreat

experience (as pictured, right) allows time for those attending to

think and build their relationships with God, themselves, and with

others. This year, Years 7, 8 and 9 have all made retreats to various

locations, which were enjoyed by all.

THANK YOU

Finally, I would like to give special thanks to the Chaplaincy and Charities staff and student teams – in particular, Eleanor Waters, who

has given above and beyond this year.

Emma Hall

Lay Chaplain

COLLEGE NEWS



13

COLLEGE NEWS

RATCLIFFE STUDENTS’

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS

Of the many students at Ratcliffe who show great sporting ability,

special mention must go to the following:

ATHLETICS

Mia Atkinson (Year 13) won a gold medal in the Intermediate Girls’

1500m at the 2019 Leicestershire Schools County Athletics Finals.

Connor Foster (Year 12) also won gold in the Intermediate Boys’

100m at the same event, and both students were selected for

English Schools’ Athletics.

BASKETBALL

The Under 18 Boys’ Basketball Team played for the first time in the

Leicestershire Cup, finishing joint third in the group. Thomas Leite

(Year 12) and Calvin Poon (Year 12) played at England National

League level with the Leicester Dynamite Under 16 Basketball

Club, and Lewis Cox (19) has played for the National League Team

at Under 18 level. The Year 9 Basketball Team also played in the

County Cup competition and finished as runners up in the group.

CRICKET

Last year’s 1st XI cricket captain, Jack Nightingale (18), was

recognised as the 10th best batsman in the country, with

Ratcliffe’s 2019 captain Toby Snell (19) recognised as the 32nd.

The 1st XI as a whole were acknowledged for their outstanding

results in the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, ranking 19th in the

country for their win percentage.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Congratulations to the Under 14 Cross-Country Team, who

came third in the County Championships. Well done, also, to

Mia Atkinson (Year 13), who has had a fantastic season of crosscountry

running, competing in a number of national events and

achieving some excellent top-ten finishes in a number of very

tough competitions.

EQUESTRIANISM

In November, our team qualified for the Easter 2019

Championships. Georgie Daynes (Year 9), Frankie Turner (Year

8), Brooke England (Year 11) and Jade England (Year 13) were the

Leicestershire team champions. In February, they competed in

the Eventers Challenge series. Together, Olivia Crawley (Year 11),

Georgie Daynes and Frankie Turner came second in the 80 Class

and qualified for the Hickstead Championships.

FLY FISHING

Elliot Fawdington (19) is currently captain of the England

Youth Fly Fishing Team, receiving his fourth England cap at the

International, held in Scotland in July.

FOOTBALL

Congratulations to Finley Back (19) (pictured, above), who

has agreed a long-term contract with Nottingham Forest. The

scholarship programme begins after his summer examinations,

followed by a three-year professional contract.

HOCKEY

The Under 13 Girls reached the ISHC quarter-finals, while the

Under 14 Girls were Tier 2 Midlands Zone finalists. The Under 12

Boys played well, becoming county runners up and regional runners

up, while the Under 13 Boys celebrated as county runners up and

regional finalists. Meanwhile, the Under 14 Boys’ impressive play

made them Tier 2 county and regional winners, as well as national

finalists. 48 students (both girls and boys) were selected for the

Leicestershire Academy this year. Aimee Cleminson (Year 12) and

James Turner (Year 12) were awarded Under 16 Player of the Year

for their county teams. Guy Heywood (Year 10) was selected for

the Hockey Performance Centre as a goalkeeper (regional level).

NETBALL

The Under 12s and Under 13s (pictured, below) reached the final

of the Team Leicester Competition, while the 1st team and Under

13A team lost just two matches all season. Eleni Malhan (Year

10), Jayde Patterson (Year 9) and Sophie Walker (Year 9) have all

represented Leicestershire County at Under 15 and Under 13 level.

RUGBY

The Under 14s reached the final of the Leicestershire Schools

County Cup and lost narrowly to Loughborough Grammar. Connor

Foster (Year 12) played for the Leicestershire County Under 16s

and, as a result, has been selected for the Leicester Tigers Under

16 Developing Player Programme. Oliver Welch (Year 13) and Archie

Heaney (Year 12) have played for the Leicestershire County Under

17s, and a number of Under 15s and Under 14s have also been

selected for the Leicester Tigers Developing Player Programme.

SWIMMING

Rosie Dickerson (Year 9) qualified for the 2019 Swim England

National Summer Meet at the beginning of August. She swam in

the 50m backstroke and 200m backstroke, missing out by 0.04

seconds on qualifying for the 50m butterfly.

TRIATHLON

Congratulations to Eleanor Taylor (Year 10) who raced in the East

Midlands Junior Triathlon Series and came fourth overall. She has

been successful in earning a place on the East Midlands Triathlon

Development Squad.

NEWS FROM THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

This term, we have seen a large number of new children joining

the Prep School in the Nursery, Year 3 and Year 5. Together, we

have been focussing on our Gospel value of community, with

a beautiful Mass to mark the start to the new school year in the

Chapel, and a charity collection of foods to celebrate Harvest and

support our local food bank. There was also much to celebrate last

year in the Prep School. We were delighted by the large number of

awards that Year 6 achieved in the 11+ entrance assessments, with

all students moving on to the Senior School again this year. They

celebrated the end of the year with an amazing performance of

The Wizard of Oz (pictured, below) and a beautiful Leavers’ Mass.

Our Chaplaincy team have worked hard this year, creating a cycle

of prayer and leading assemblies. We have all spent many joyous

times together, celebrating the Harvest Festival, the Nativity,

Carols by Candlelight (pictured, below, right), and preparing for

Easter with the Year 4 Passion Play. Sunday 9th June was also a

great celebration, as 12 children from the Prep School made their

First Holy Communion; it was such a special day for all of them and

their families. We also supported a number of new fundraising

initiatives. Our two charities this year were WaterAid and Dogs

Trust, and each class held cake sales to raise money for them,

which proved to be very popular! We also sent 145 Christmas

presents and over 50 bags of donated clothes to The Carpenter’s

Arms, to be distributed to local children and families in need, and

collections after school events raised money for our whole-school

charity, Sightbox.

There have been many notable sporting achievements during the

year – in particular, from our Under 11 Girls’ Hockey Team, who

were IAPS national finalists for the first time. Our Under 11 Boys’

Rugby Team successfully secured victory in the first ever IAPS

Midlands Rugby Festival, hosted by Ratcliffe College, while our

Under 11 Boys’ Hockey Team narrowly missed out on a place in the

national finals, coming third at the Midlands finals. Meanwhile, the

girls in the Prep School took the exciting step onto the manicured

outfields of Ratcliffe’s cricket pitches for the first time, as cricket

replaced rounders as the girls’ main summer sport; this was a

positive change that all of the girls embraced with enthusiasm and

enjoyment. Two of our Year 6 swimmers also managed to qualify

for the IAPS national finals at the London Aquatics Centre – a

great achievement.

Music in the Prep School has continued to develop rapidly this

year. We have hosted a series of six ‘Babygigs’ concerts, where

professional musicians have wowed us on a variety of instruments.

In the busy run-up to Christmas, the Chapel Choir brought

John Lewis in Leicester to a standstill, performing Christmas

music, including the children’s favourite, ‘Nutcracker Jingles’.

The highlight of the year must be the formation of the Newman

Orchestra. The children should be incredibly proud to be playing

to such a high standard within a year, having opened the Picnic

Concert with a truly professional and memorable performance.

There have been so many musical achievements and memories this

year: the Informal Concert performances, ‘Roll Back the Stone’,

the staff choir singing ‘Love Brought Him Back’, the House Music

Competition and, of course, rounding the year off with a very

rousing and heartfelt performance by all staff and children of ‘The

Circle of Life’ at Exhibition Day.

On behalf of us all, may I take this opportunity to wish our Old

Ratcliffians a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Fr Christopher Cann

Preparatory School Headmaster

COLLEGE NEWS

Amanda Stafford

Director of Sport


The Old Ratcliffian 2019 15

COLLEGE NEWS

RATCLIFFE COLLEGE & LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY

CRICKET PARTNERSHIP

Following the announcement of our new, exciting partnership, on 19th May 2019, we welcomed

Leicestershire County Cricket Club to Ratcliffe for the first of 22 fixtures to be hosted at the

College during the 2019 season.

This inaugural fixture saw Leicestershire Under 14s take on Cambridgeshire Under 14s,

and Leicestershire were victorious. This match led the way for a successful season for

Leicestershire, with Ratcliffe College as their home base.

The campus was alive with visitors during the summer break, and it was a privilege to share

our beautiful grounds and facilities with families, players and coaches from Leicestershire,

Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Lancashire,

London Schools, Northamptonshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Wales, Warwickshire,

Worcestershire, Yorkshire, and the England Women’s Academy.

One of the many highlights for the College was being asked by Phillip DeFreitas, former

England and Leicestershire cricketer and now Leicestershire coach, if Sky Sports could

film on campus as part of an Ashes tribute to Ian Botham. Within a short space of time,

the Sky Sports film crew and producer arrived to view our grounds for a suitable location,

and our Lockhart Garden was the ideal venue. Dominic Cork, former England, County and

International cricketer, was the interviewing presenter (pictured, above, right), and there

was a real buzz in the air as filming commenced. Headmaster Jon Reddin welcomed Sky

Sports in what we hope will be the first of many opportunities for the College.

In addition to the 1st XI pitch and the Fitness Suite and Studio, the College has further

developed its facilities for cricket with a new pavilion for the Chapel Pitch (pictured, right).

The Leicestershire Under 13s played the first fixture against Cheshire there on 25th June, and

Leicestershire won the match on a wicket, which made for a competitive game. The new pavilion has

been designed to both blend in with, and complement, its natural surroundings.

Jack Nightingale (18) (right) has supported this partnership by helping to host a number of fixtures,

being an Ambassador for Ratcliffe, and also taking visitors on tours of the College. Jack plays for

Leicestershire County Cricket Club and has recently successfully trialled for the MCCU at Loughborough

University. We wish him well.

The second year of our partnership with Leicestershire Youth Teams has begun, and they train at the

College each week. Ed Woodcock (Head of Cricket) and our PE Department staff are also involved in Coach

Education sessions at the Fischer County Ground, led by Paul Nixon (Head Coach) and Leicestershire’s

Coaching Team. This partnership continues to be an exciting opportunity for Ratcliffe, as, along with

Leicestershire County Cricket Club, we continue to support the development of children’s involvement

in cricket.

If you would like any further information regarding our partnership with Leicestershire County Cricket Club, please do not hesitate to

contact Tracey Nightingale, Cricket Partnership Manager, at tnightingale@ratcliffecollege.com.


MOTHERS’ PRAYERS

Mothers’ Prayers is held every Wednesday morning at 8.30am in

the Nursery classroom. This worldwide organisation was formed

for mothers who wished to pray together for their children and

grandchildren, helping them to find the support that they needed

in a non-judgemental and confidential group.

At Ratcliffe, attendance has grown considerably, with 15 to 20

mothers from the Nursery, Prep School and Senior School now

meeting regularly to pray, chat, sing, and have coffee together.

Mothers from all faiths are welcome, including those who do not

have one.

Led by Teresa Gamble, a current parent and governor, all those

present take turns to read prayers from the booklets provided,

singing a hymn together and reading passages from Scripture.

If, as an Old Ratcliffian, you would like to send your child to Ratcliffe

College for the Sixth Form, but have previously considered that the cost

may prove prohibitive, then the College’s Bursary Scheme, supporting

Gifted and Talented students, may be of interest to you.

The College welcomes applications from Old Ratcliffians and those

in sympathy with the Catholic ethos of the School. All bursaries are

subject to meeting the School’s entry requirements and (parental)

means-tested assessments, which may be reviewed annually.

The College would like to recognise the support of the Ratcliffian

Association and Cunningham Fund, and the Peter Daley Foundation,

which regularly contribute to student bursaries at Ratcliffe. In

exceptional cases, the Sir Thomas White Charity may provide a 100%

bursary (day fee) for one strong academic student joining Ratcliffe from

the state sector and living in Leicestershire.

We also offer Academic, Sports and Creative (Music, Drama or Art and

Design) Scholarships, worth up to 50% of the school fee.

SIXTH FORM BURSARIES & SCHOLARSHIPS

50% - 80% GRANTS AVAILABLE

For further details, please contact the Registrar on 01509 817072, email

registrar@ratcliffecollege.com, or visit the Admissions section of the

School’s website.

www.ratcliffecollege.com

After prayer time, all of the mothers are welcome to stay for coffee,

or leave if work or social commitments are pressing.

Pauline O’Sullivan said: “Going along to Mothers’ Prayers was one

of the best decisions I made as the mum of a new Year 7 student.

I met a lovely group of mums, and their advice and support has

been incredibly helpful during our first year at Ratcliffe. On the

social side, I really look forward to, and enjoy, our weekly catch-ups

over tea and biscuits.”

These meetings provide valuable time for some to strengthen their

spirituality through the power of prayer. Members of the group

also meet up regularly outside the meetings for lunch, coffee and

social gatherings – all are welcome to come along.


COLLEGE NEWS

17

COLLEGE NEWS

THE RATCLIFFE SPITFIRE

This year, we have continued to focus on the detailing of the cockpit frames.

This has included adding more rivets, but, most importantly, making the

metal brackets that affix each of the frames together with the longerons

and intercostals (technical jargon for the ‘skeleton’ on the fuselage).

Following the kind purchase by the Parents’ Association of a large 3-in-1

sheet metal brake, we have been exploring its use, and we have begun to

make some of the brackets that, prior to its purchase, were taking quite a

long time for us to manufacture. The group of students currently involved

in the project are truly outstanding; each one of them brings enthusiasm

as well as some technical skills, but most importantly, a true desire to learn,

and the ambition to see the project through.

The biggest news for this year has been my decision to change the build

from a wooden mock-up into an all-metal ‘proper’ Spitfire. This does mean

that some parts will need to be remade, but all of the learning that we have

done to date will inform this progress, rather than being lost or wasted. The

resultant construction, together with a number of original parts included

in it from OR fighter pilot Paul Baillon’s (32) Spitfire, will mean that we at

Ratcliffe College will have the world’s only Spitfire built by school students,

and it will be, to all intents and purposes, a real one.

This year, we also hosted a very special event, when our guest of honour,

‘Rusty’ Waughman DFC, AFC, Legion d’Honneur, came to the College

to give a talk about his experiences as a Lancaster pilot during the

Second World War. Rusty completed a full tour of 30 missions with the

101 Squadron, who had the sad honour of being that with the highest

casualty rate in Bomber Command, due to their role as a special operations

squadron.

The evening was a wonderful occasion. Held up in the new Fitness Suite

studio, the bi-fold doors opened up an entire wall to the glorious warm

sunshine, allowing an uninterrupted view over our immaculate cricket pitch

and the rolling Leicestershire landscape beyond. Rusty is an amazing man,

and more people should hear his story. He represents so much, and so many

other young men. Over 55,000 of his comrades (many aged around 18 and

19) can never tell their stories. They never had the opportunity to live a

full life. Rusty is of a generation whose attitudes, sacrifice and bravery we

should all learn from, and never forget.

Dominic Berry

Head of Art & Design

THE BLESSING OF THE LOCKHART GARDEN

On Sunday 19th May 2019, staff, students, parents, governors and stakeholders gathered for the official blessing of the Lockhart Garden.

It was a wonderful celebration, with music, food and, of course, some welcome sunshine. Formerly known as the Square (pictured, below,

right), the space had undergone an incredible transformation.

Work began on the Lockhart Garden in the summer of 2018. The plan for this unique space was based upon designs by Ashley Lynch, a

current parent and landscape architect. He drew inspiration for the design from Pugin’s mullion windows, which surround the garden. It

was designed as a place dedicated to the emotional health and wellbeing of the College community. It now provides a place of peace and

tranquillity at the heart of the College, where students, staff and visitors can take time out from their busy lives to reflect quietly or say

a prayer by the beautiful fountain (below).

This stunning area is named after Fr William Lockhart, whose mother was one of the original and most generous benefactors of Ratcliffe

College. The Lockhart name has always been closely associated with the College, and for some years, one of the school Houses was

named after him. In 1971, it was decided to return to only four Houses, and the Lockhart name disappeared. We are delighted that it will

now have a prominent place in the College’s history once again.

We are also thrilled to report that the Lockhart Garden recently won the BALI National Landscape Award 2019 in the Community and

Schools Development category. Headmaster Jon Reddin said: “It is an honour for all concerned to have won this award, and Ratcliffe

College is very proud of the beautiful, tranquil space that has been created at the very heart of the College community. I am also indebted

to the generosity of the Parents’ Association for their kind donation to this project over a period of two years, without which, this project

would not have been possible.”

COLLEGE NEWS



19

COLLEGE NEWS

NEWS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

BACKGROUND

The Ratcliffe College Foundation is a registered charity

(No. 1144450) run by the Development Office. We work alongside

the College and the Ratcliffian Association to maintain strong

links with Old Ratcliffians, parents and friends of the School.

Our mission is to provide fundraising to assist the growth and

development of Ratcliffe College, keeping it at the forefront of

independent Catholic education in the UK.

Ratcliffe is committed to continually investing in its facilities and

resources, in order to enrich and enhance its exceptional teaching

and deliver an outstanding 21st-century education. Furthermore,

central to the ethos of the School is the belief that deserving

pupils should have access to a Ratcliffe education, regardless of

their social background or their families’ financial circumstances.

To preserve this proud tradition, Ratcliffe will continue to provide

means-tested bursary places, both now and well into the future.

Fee income provides for the day-to-day running of the School.

Beyond this, the College continues to benefit from the generosity

of a committed network of alumni, current and former parents and

friends of Ratcliffe.

A DONATION WITH A DIFFERENCE

RATCLIFFE 2020 APPEAL

The Ratcliffe 2020 Appeal began in 2016, and throughout the

first phase of the appeal, we concentrated on raising support

for Sport and Fitness at Ratcliffe.

The Sports Appeal made a significant contribution towards the

building of the now completed Fitness Suite and Studio. Donors

and those who generously assisted with the appeal video were

invited to the opening event of this superb new fitness complex

on Thursday 27th June 2019, which was opened by Olympic

triathlete and current Ratcliffe parent Tim Don, and blessed by

Fr Philip Sainter (69).

We continue to receive support for the Sports Appeal through

ongoing, regular donations, such as monthly standing orders,

and through our annual Golf Days (see page 43 for more

details). Sport and Fitness will be an ongoing area for support,

as we endeavour to build upon our sporting facilities and

nurture our home-grown, talented sporting students.

Old Ratcliffian Tim Livesey (81) visited Ratcliffe recently, with a view to finding a suitable way to remember his late uncle, Joe Massarella

(54), who played a big role in Tim’s life. Joe also played a significant role at Ratcliffe, being part of the 1st XV Rugby Team whilst at the

School. In the late ‘70s and ‘80s, he also refereed many 1st XV matches at the College, always retaining his neutrality (if sometimes with

a wry smile!). Later, he served as President of the Ratcliffian Association, from 1982 to 1983.

After some consideration, Tim chose to have an original Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson chair made and inscribed with Joe’s name and

the dates he was at Ratcliffe. Most importantly, he wanted to donate the chair as a lasting legacy to the rugby captain each year. The new

chair was received by the College in the Autumn term, and it was then announced to the whole school in the Headmaster’s Assembly, in

the presence of the current rugby captain, Alex Bown (Year 13).

The chair will have its place in the Refectory amongst the original ‘Mouseman’ chairs and tables. These were purchased back in 1936,

thanks to an appeal to Old Ratcliffians by Fr Emery (04), who was Father President at the time. Donors were given the opportunity

to have their initials and dates inscribed into the chair backs, and the appeal raised £600 – the equivalent of nearly £39,000

in today’s money.

Tim was delighted with the end product, and he hopes that he can start a trend for other Old Ratcliffians with sporting captaincy history

to do the same for their chosen sports. He said: “I am very grateful to the School for allowing me to donate this chair in memory

of Joe. He was very, very fond of Ratcliffe, and I know that he would be honoured to be

associated with the captain of rugby in the way that he is now. Thank you.”

If you would like more information on this, or any other ways to donate, please

contact Andrew Yell, at ayell@ratcliffecollege.com.

CELEBRATE YOUR PAST AND BE PART

OF OUR FUTURE

APPEAL DEADLINE EXTENDED!

Our latest donor appeal, ‘Make Your Mark’, invites you as an Old Ratcliffian

to make your memories of Ratcliffe last by having your name appear

within the new Fitness Suite complex. The appeal has now been

extended to the end of January 2020, to enable readers of the

Old Ratcliffian magazine to have the chance to be involved.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS THROUGH

BURSARIES

We are now a good way into the second phase of our fundraising

appeal, which aims to provide increased focus and support for our

Bursary Fund.

Ratcliffe has always had a great sense of community, believing

that, where possible, we should help and support those who are

less fortunate than ourselves. This area of funding is at the heart

of our ethos, and we will continue our bursary fundraising as an

ongoing appeal, past 2020 and well into the future, with the aim

of increasing the number of students that we can support in years

to come.

MAKE YOUR MARK APPEAL

For Old Ratcliffians like you who studied here, during that time,

friendships were formed, matches were played, skills were

developed and grades were achieved. But most of all, there were

lifelong memories made.

LEAVING YOUR MARK

Luke Gyesi-Appiah (17), former captain of the 1st XV Rugby Team

As we celebrate the opening of our brand-new Fitness Suite and

the significantly refurbished Ratcliffian Association Bar, we have a

unique opportunity for you to have your name added to our donor

wall, situated inside the new complex, as a permanent reminder of

your time here at Ratcliffe. For a donation of £25, your name will

be included on our large donor wall, alongside other donors who

support Ratcliffe. For a donation of £500, your family name will

be inscribed on a larger individual tile, which will be placed on the

donor wall within the complex.

HELPING FUTURE GENERATIONS

Supporting Ratcliffe College now not only gives you the

opportunity to leave your mark at the School, but it also allows

you to give back to future generations and enable more bright,

enthusiastic young minds to learn and grow at Ratcliffe, with the

help of our Bursary Fund.

MAKING A DONATION

To donate, please visit www.ratcliffecollegefoundation.

com/ratcliffe2020/donorwall, send an email to us at

foundation@ratcliffecollege.com, or telephone Louise Liston,

Foundation Manager, on 01509 817091.

The deadline for this appeal has now been extended, so please

make your donation by the end of January 2020, in order to get

your name inscribed in time.

For more information on this, or any other aspects of

our fundraising, please visit the Foundation website at

www.ratcliffecollegefoundation.com.

Andrew Yell (82)

Development Director

COLLEGE NEWS



COLLEGE NEWS

THERE IS

NO GREATER

GIFT

THAN THE

GIFT OF

FITNESS SUITE OPENING

Olympic triathlete and Ratcliffe parent Tim Don was the special guest at the grand opening of our new state-of-the-art Fitness Suite,

as part of the College’s ongoing investment in sports facilities. Headmaster Jon Reddin, donors, governors, parents and staff were all

present for the blessing of the suite by Fr Philip Sainter (69) (pictured, below, right) and the cutting of the ribbon to declare open the

outstanding £1.1 million facility.

This new facility houses an air-conditioned suite on the ground floor, complete with a range of cardiovascular equipment, alongside

resistance training stations. The suite is complemented by a large fitness studio on the first floor, with access directly through it to the

newly refurbished Ratcliffian Association Bar.

Headmaster Jon Reddin (pictured with Tim Don, below) said: “We are incredibly proud of our new facility, which has been built with the

kind support of our alumni and other generous benefactors, supporting our ongoing vision for sport at Ratcliffe College. The Fitness

Suite will enable students of all abilities to realise their greatest potential, whether that be on the sports field or by achieving their own

individual training goals. The equipment is industry-standard performance kit, and it will ensure that our students enjoy the very best

opportunities to improve their fitness levels. It underlines our commitment and continued investment in sport.”

Ratcliffe College has recently seen a number of students excel in their chosen sports, many of whom have competed at a national level.

The College also offers sports scholarships and bursaries to candidates with outstanding achievement and potential in the major games

played at Ratcliffe.

EDUCATION

Legacy

Giving

Ratcliffe College has been shaping the lives of its students since 1847.

With the help of generous benefactors, we continue to improve our buildings and

teaching environment, as well as giving students extra support when they need it,

through much-needed bursaries. By remembering Ratcliffe College in your will, you

can help to give the gift of education to many more deserving students in the future.

Legacies of all sizes play a signifi cant role in the future of our College; with your

help, we can continue to empower our pupils to learn and grow, as you once did, at

Ratcliffe College.

If you would like to leave a gift in your will, please contact Mr Andrew

Yell, Foundation Director, at ayell@ratcliffecollege.com or visit our

website, www.ratcliffecollegefoundation.com, for more information.


The Ratcliffe College Foundation is a registered charity, No. 1144450

RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION

COUNCIL

COUNCIL MEMBERS 2019-2020

YEAR GROUP REPRESENTATIVES

COUNCIL

10 YEARS OR LESS: 10 YEARS OR LESS:

DAN AMIES (10)

SOPHIE RILEY (15)

PRESIDENT:

BEN JACKSON (88)

VICE PRESIDENT:

JON REDDIN (HEADMASTER)

VICE PRESIDENT:

EMMA WRIGHT (94)

10 - 20 YEARS: 20 - 30 YEARS: 30 - 40 YEARS:

ELISABETH

BENEDICT HEATH (87)

STEVE CLARK (79)

CARLEY-LEONARD (10)

ASSOCIATION MANAGER:

SARAH GRETTON

ASSOCIATION SECRETARY

& MEMBERSHIP OFFICER:

KATHERINE LANG

HONORARY TREASURER:

SIMON BURNS (83)


CHAPLAIN:

FR PHILIP SAINTER (69)

RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION &

CUNNINGHAM FUND CLERK:

CHRIS BELLAMY

40 - 50 YEARS: 40 - 50 YEARS: 50 - 60 YEARS: 50 - 60 YEARS:

MARK GAMBLE (71)

PETER ASTILL (71) RICHARD GAMBLE (64)

DICK CUNNINGHAM (59)

PAST PRESIDENTS’

DINNER COORDINATOR:

MICHAEL HEATH (56)

SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER:

JAMES NEVILLE

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER:

ANDREW YELL (82)

60 - 70 YEARS: PAST PRESIDENT: PAST PRESIDENT:

MICHAEL COKER (52)

SEBAKO SIAME (91)

SAM BIRD (98)



25

COUNCIL

RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION ACCOUNTS

YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2018

PROFIT & LOSS 2018 2017

£ £

Revenue

Subscriptions

School 39,615 31,755

Direct 5,037 5,232

44,652 36,987

Other Income

Advertising & Donations 2,450 2,715

School Contribution 2,000 2,000

Events Profit/(Loss) (389) (95)

Merchandise Profit 241 170

Donations 0 185

4,302 4,975

Total Revenue 48,954 41,962

Expenses

Secretarial & Temp Labour (23,112) (21,942)

Old Ratcliffian - Printing (7,549) (6,113)

Old Ratcliffian - Post & Packing (2,973) (2,600)

Website & Computer (1,984) (2,339)

Leavers’ Presentation Gifts (1,683) (1,239)

Postage, Stationery & Phone (1,135) (1,620)

Professional Fees (700) (640)

Maintenance & Bar (575) (45)

Bank & Miscellaneous Charges (443) (408)

Subscriptions (425) (115)

Gifts & Trophies (389) (413)

Donations (336) (750)

Travel & Subsistence (279) (459)

Event Clothing (209) 0

Advertising (76) (35)

Printing & Copying 0 (229)

Depreciation 0 (350)

Chain of Office 0 (762)

Total Expenses (41,868) (40,059)

Profit for Year 7,086 1,903

BALANCE SHEET 2018 2017

£ £

Non-Current Assets

Computer Equipment (Undepreciated) 543 543

Current Assets

Bank Balance 32,767 31,334

Merchandise Stock 3,536 2,158

Debtors & Prepayments 2,383 1,594

Bar Stock 100 225

Cash 2,068 328

40,854 35,639

Total Assets 41,397 36,182

Current Liabilities

Accruals

Creditors & Prepaid Income

(912)

(793)

(2,211)

(1,365)

(1,705) (3,576)

Net Assets/Worth 39,692 32,606

Accumulated Fund of the Ratcliffian Association

Balance Brought Forward 32,606 30,703

Profit For Year 7,086 1,903

Increased Balance Carried Forward 39,692 32,606

NEWS FROM THE ASSOCIATION OFFICE

ALEX SLACK LEAVES THE ASSOCIATION

Sarah Gretton was appointed Ratcliffian Association Manager on 14th May 2019,

having been chosen from a very strong field of candidates. She has 20 years’

experience in marketing, including event management, and following a whirlwind

induction, she took over the reins from Alex Slack (née Gamble) (03), with the

annual Reunion being her first event.

Sarah said: “During these early days, I have been supported immensely, not only

by my colleagues in the Association Office, but also by Ratcliffe staff, students

and ORs. The most striking thing for me has been the sense of community and

positive environment that the College offers to its staff, as well as its students,

and this extends to the OR community, too. Despite having no previous ties to

Ratcliffe, I feel that I have been welcomed into the family wholeheartedly, and I am

very much looking forward to what the future will bring as I begin my journey with

the Association.”

Katherine Lang continues in her role as Association Secretary. As a team, Sarah and

Katherine (pictured, left) now provide the office with four days of cover each week.

Alex Slack left her role as Executive Manager of the Ratcliffian Association after three years of service, to focus on running her own

business. As a very proud and loyal OR, Alex injected an enormous amount of passion into her work, making a significant impact on the

Association. She has been integral, not only to the many successful OR events held during that time, but also to the development of

the new Ratcliffian Association website, the beautifully refurbished Ratcliffian Association Bar, and the planning behind the INSPIRE

careers convention, to name but of few of her successes. Alex was also the driving force behind building engagement with the College,

introducing the Year 13 Ratcliffian Association Ambassador scheme, which allows the Association to forge closer links with the College

and with those students who will soon become its youngest members.

MEET THE NEW PRESIDENT

SARAH GRETTON JOINS THE ASSOCIATION

At the 2019 AGM, former Ratcliffian Association President Emma Wright (94) handed over her chain

of office to newly instated President Ben Jackson (88). Ben is not only an OR, but also a current

Ratcliffe parent, with sons in Years 9 and 13. He has been a dedicated member of the Association

Council since 2018, working alongside Emma in the role of vice president. He now takes on the

presidency for 2019-21, having agreed to a two-year term, in order to support the new Association

Manager, Sarah Gretton, by ensuring that any new initiatives are up and running before handing

over his role.

NEW RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION AMBASSADORS

This year, the Ratcliffian Association has been lucky enough to appoint six of the

College’s Year 13 students as its Association Ambassadors for 2019-20. These

Ambassadors are very important to the Association for a number of reasons,

not least because, on leaving the College, they and their contemporaries will

become the youngest members of the Ratcliffian Association. As such,

they can offer valuable advice and insight into what young, soon-to-be

alumni want from the Association.

Ben Cook, Charlotte Newberry, George Linnett, James Harris, Joanna

Chan (not pictured) and Tess Duffin all gladly accepted the role,

which, in turn, will provide them with important life skills and valuable

opportunities to get involved with the planning and running of

Association events. They will also meet Association members with the

networking potential to support them after they leave the College, whilst

providing an important link between the Association and Sixth Form

regarding joint initiatives, such as careers and mentoring.



COUNCIL

COUNCIL

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION BAR:

FIT FOR THE FUTURE

The development of Ratcliffe’s state-of-the-art Fitness Suite started in

July 2018, after the students left the College for their summer holidays.

Alongside it, work began on the refurbishment of the Ratcliffian

Association Bar, to update the facility and make it fit for the future. Due

to its location, it was necessary to strip out the existing bar area and

totally rebuild it, adding a new electrical and heating system, insulated

roof and solar double-glazed windows. These alterations would provide

a bar, a fitness studio, and a

panoramic balcony overlooking

the cricket pitch, bringing the

College totally up to date with

superb new facilities.

When plans for the rebuild of the

bar first began, former Ratcliffian

Association Manager Alex Slack

(née Gamble) (03) put out a

call on social media, asking ORs

who wanted to get involved with

the redesign of this space to

get in touch. She said: “We had

such a wealth of Old Ratcliffian

talent which I wanted to draw upon, and I knew someone would step forward to help with this

project.” Louise Jackson (91), of Louise Jackson Interiors, accepted the challenge to breathe

new life into the tired bar and bring it into the 21st century, creating a space that was both welcoming and functional. Louise said: “I was

delighted that, as an OR, I could be a part of what would be a whole redesign. It was an exciting project for me to be involved in. After

viewing the room (or, should I say, building site, as it was at that point!), I worked on creating a scheme that was adaptable for all types

of social occasion.”

Louise wanted to create a space that was contemporary and sophisticated - a great place to meet up with old friends and reflect back

on memories, as well as to watch the cricket from the comfort of a cool bar! She added: “I wanted to bring the bar up to date and give

it a strong, luxurious, yet industrial, feel, so I chose colours that would reflect this. With this new, edgy look, I needed to ground it

with subtle, but important, detailing. The wooden cladding gives a pared-back feel to soften the luxury of the plush button-backed

banquette seating, which sits at the centre of the whole design. I also used dark brown leather

seats with visible stitching, the design of which is a direct reflection of the stitching on a cricket

ball - this is, after all, a sports bar! I also designed the armchairs to have a heavy weave on the

inside of the seats and then a soft velvet on the backs with a marble design. These were then

studded for an extra drop of detailing - a seat to suit everyone! To carry on the industrial feel, I

brought in crankshaft iron-based tables and black iron wall lights.”

space in the past were consulted on the new proposals, going forward.

The Council members then viewed the finished space (without

its furniture) at their March meeting, and they were extremely

pleased with the transformation that had taken place, knowing

that it would be of great benefit to both the College and the

Association. The members voted that they were happy with

the interior scheme

of the bar and that

the new space was

a vast improvement

on the old one.”

Louise added: “It was

my absolute pleasure

to be involved in

this project, and it

was thrilling for me,

as a designer, to see the

Association Bar in full swing

in June at the annual Reunion

event. I have worked on a number

of commercial projects, including bars, in the past, as well as spending many

years in the residential interior design world. However, this

project was very close to my heart, and as an Old Ratcliffian,

I created this space with my friends and family very much in

the forefront of my mind.”

We would like to thank Louise for her time and commitment

to the project, as well as her vision in creating such a wonderful social

space for the Association and its members. The newly refurbished bar will

be used as a shared space for both Ratcliffian Association and College

events. If any ORs are in the area and would like to pop in for a tour of

the College, including the new Fitness Suite, please do get in touch with

us at alumni@ratcliffecollege.com – we would love to show you round!

COUNCIL

Once mood boards and specification drawings had been created, Alex took the designs to the

Ratcliffian Association Council, to gain approval in this area. She said: “Much discussion and

lengthy debates had been had about this space. Alterations and changes were put forward by

Council members, and opinions were taken on board, to ensure that those who had invested in this



COUNCIL

CAREERS & MENTORING

With the appointment of a new Head of Careers, Kate Grace, at the beginning of the academic

year, the College is keen to strengthen its careers programme by increasing opportunities for

students to undertake work experience, as well as giving them access to information about a

wide range of career paths and the necessary skills that today’s employers value in the workplace.

Ratcliffe College is fortunate to have a wealth of professions represented amongst its alumni,

and the Ratcliffian Association is working closely with Kate to revive its database of ORs who are

willing to support current students in a variety of forms, including:

»»

Offering a work experience opportunity that could be advertised to students.

»»

Providing a contact that could be approached regarding work experience opportunities.

»»

Delivering an industry or careers-based talk within our INSPIRE programme.

»»

Taking part in student mock interviews.

»»

Meeting with a focused group of Sixth Form students to offer guidance on their chosen

career pathways.

»»

Mentoring a young OR in their chosen career path.

Similarly, the Association would like to develop its bank of mentors, to easily identify those ORs that can be called upon to offer advice or

support to young ORs requiring careers guidance. We are, therefore, keen to hear from any ORs who would like to get involved – simply

email us at alumni@ratcliffecollege.com. Alternatively, you can update your profile on the Ratcliffian Association website by ticking the

‘Careers Mentor’ and/or ‘Gives Talks to Students’ boxes. We already have a number of volunteers, and with your support, we hope that

this initiative will form a key part of a valuable careers programme for students and young ORs alike.

YEAR 11 MOCK INTERVIEWS

Old Ratcliffians, parents and staff members gathered in the Theatre on 3rd April 2019

to deliver mock interviews, in a session run for Year 11 students as part of their PSHCE

programme. Among the interviewers were ORs Gemma Thomas (née Rumbold) (01) and

Victoria Meynell (née Illingworth) (00), along with Association Secretary Katherine Lang.

Each volunteer interviewed three or four students, sticking to a scripted set of questions

and giving the students feedback afterwards on how they performed. Katherine said:

“All three of the students I interviewed were such different characters, and it was great

to help them in this process, with the knowledge that they may soon be in a real interview

situation. It’s a great skill to have to be confident at interviews, so I’m glad I was able to

volunteer for this session.”

Careers Advisor Tiffany Spencer added: “This programme provides our young people with

real interview experience, receiving valuable, honest feedback from their interviewers

to complete their learning. The students really benefit from having the opportunity to

experience at first hand an interview with a representative from the world of work; it was

great to have so many volunteers from our parent and Old Ratcliffian body.”

Following the success of the April event, a subsequent session of mock interviews was

held for the new Year 11 students on 5th November 2019. On this occasion, ORs Gemma

Thomas and Lara Addison (18) offered their time to support the initiative, along with

Ratcliffian Association Manager Sarah Gretton. The feedback from this event was, once

again, extremely positive.


EVENTS

THE LOURDES PILGRIMAGE

FRIDAY 19TH – FRIDAY 26TH JULY 2019

A record number of Old Ratcliffians attended this year’s pilgrimage to Lourdes’ Hosanna

House as part of HCPT Group 512, led by Ratcliffe parent and governor Teresa Gamble.

Two outgoing Year 13 students, Mollie Page (19) and Jenna Pole (19), also joined the

group for this spiritual and worthwhile trip, where the volunteers provided help and

support to those less able than themselves.

The ORs who attended this year were Alex Beason (15), Harry Brooks (18), Danni

Fairbrother (02), Richard Gamble (64), Tim Gamble (62), Katie Gerighty (11), Fr Anthony

Meredith (57), Tom Mulligan (11), Ines Munoz Torre (18), Emily Newberry (18), Fr Philip

Sainter (69), Peter Tetlow (78), Charlotte Warburton (18) and Matthew Ward (18). The

group was also joined by Bishop John Arnold (71), who visited Hosanna House for lunch

and to take part in the annual group photograph (below). The following are some of the

ORs’ accounts of the pilgrimage:

Katie Gerighty: “Lourdes is always a special week that I look forward to in the year. I love

to see all of the returning faces, as well as welcoming and introducing new people to the

unique experience. This year was no different, and my highlights included going up to

the mountains in Gavarnie, spending quiet reflection time in the Domain, and the view

from Hosanna House. I would encourage anyone to come to Lourdes for the week – the

spirit and the people you meet are things that will never leave you.”

Alex Beason: “This was my second trip to Lourdes with the group, and this time, I cared for a girl called Laura, who has autism. As the

week went on, it was lovely to see her coming out of her shell and being more socially involved, as I felt she trusted me as a carer. Climbing

up to the waterfalls in Gavarnie, the Torchlight Procession, Mass in the Underground Basilica, and being washed in the Baths were all

unique experiences to Lourdes that have reinforced my faith. I am very grateful to have made this trip, and I look forward to returning. I

would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone – old or young, Catholic or not.”

Charlotte Warburton: “The number of ORs that keep coming back to Lourdes sums it up. It’s a busy, worthwhile and brilliant week, spent

with not just people, but family. Thank you so much for the opportunity to come and for organising another year. I had such an amazing

time (as usual), and I hope to be back soon.”

Peter Tetlow: “I particularly enjoyed being part of the Lourdes Marian (Torchlight) Procession and the International Mass in the Basilica of

St Pius X. We were all pleased to find that this Mass was led in English by the Rt Rev Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury. Both spectacles

were very special and gave a great feeling of the universality of the Church in the international sphere.”

Fr Anthony Meredith: “Each year, our Ratcliffian and Rosminian pilgrimage goes from strength to strength. We have a strong and

dedicated group, which is greatly thanks to the excellent all-year-round work and leadership of Teresa and Richard Gamble. We are also

blessed to have current Ratcliffe students with us who add to the wonderful experience of the pilgrimage. We have a full quota every

year. Well done all.”



31

EVENTS

THE RETREAT: ‘IN THE FOOTSTEPS

OF BLESSED ANTONIO ROSMINI’

THURSDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER - TUESDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2019

This year’s Ratcliffian Association Retreat was held at Sacro Monte Calvario in Domodossola,

the founding and mother house of the Rosminian Institute of Charity. Our small group of guests

(pictured, right) consisted of Tony Holland (56), Paul Holmes (74) and Br Nigel Cave (72),

guided by Fr David Tobin (59).

Blessed by beautiful autumn sunshine, the grandeur of the Italian Alps and the depth of

culture of the pre-17th-century Sanctuary of Calvario gave a unique backdrop to the story and

inspirational holiness of Blessed Rosmini. The richness of the continuing Rosminian tradition

was enjoyed, being welcomed on the first evening to supper by Don Pierluigi Giroli and his

community of novices and students. On the Sunday, we attended a rare Catholic event in

Europe these days, witnessing the joyful and moving celebration of Solemn High Mass for the

first profession of vows by Michelle Collo, after two years of novitiate in Calvario.

The other Rosminian heritage site was in Stresa; we spent the morning there, at the

International Centre of Rosminian Studies in Villa Bolongaro, on the shore of Lake Maggiore,

where Rosmini spent his last years before he died in 1855. There, we met Fr Michael Hill (49),

who was researching the story of Fr Rinolfi, an early president of Ratcliffe College and unsung

missioner of 19th-century England, Wales and Ireland. In the afternoon, after a wonderful

lunch, we conquered the hill behind Stresa, climbing up to the Collegio Rosmini, where we

enjoyed the million-dollar view over Lake Maggiore. This was the second major boarding school

built by Rosmini, with the first being Collegio Mellerio-Rosmini in the town of Domodossola. In

the College Church at Stresa, we visited and prayed at the Tomb of Blessed Rosmini.

Other than our pilgrimage time, we spent two-and-a-half days in focussed retreat time, which

included Mass, morning and evening prayer, being guided into a contemplative relationship

with God. Our little band went home feeling content and enriched by their time spent in

Rosmini’s heartland.

Paul Holmes added: “The house at Calvario offered every facility for our retreat. There was time

set aside for sacred texts, and Fr David made himself available to us for spiritual advice. But,

arguably, the house itself was the best spiritual advice. Waking up in the morning, one threw

open the shutters to be greeted by views over the Toce valley, towards the thickly forested

mountainsides, whose aspects changed haphazardly according to the sun’s position. Before

one’s window spread out the extensive and pleasant gardens, replete with pergola walks and

Romanesque castle ruins. We all had a very informative, and indeed salutary, long weekend.”

Fr David Tobin (59)

THE LONDON DINNER

FRIDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2019

The London Dinner was, once again, held in the magical

and medieval Crypt, adjoining the Bleeding Heart Yard at

St Etheldreda’s Ely Place, on a very cold Friday in February.

With a few guests unable to attend at the last minute due to

‘snow on the lines’ and -3 on the temperature gauge, the 80

guests that were in attendance were delighted with the warm

welcome they received from the Ratcliffian Association.

With Association President Emma Wright (94) and Vice

President Ben Jackson (88) both attending, it was a great

opportunity for ORs to dine together, reminisce about their

days spent at Ratcliffe, and to hear from the Headmaster, Jon

Reddin, directly during his after-dinner speech.

To begin the evening, Mass was held in St Etheldreda’s (the

oldest Roman Catholic church in England), concelebrated by Fr Philip Sainter (69), Fr David Myers (59) and Fr Tom Deidun (62). The

guests then enjoyed a prosecco reception and canapés in the Crypt before taking their seats for dinner. Master of Ceremonies for

the evening was Past President Paul Carter (60). Georgina Meredith (96) then introduced Emma Wright, speaking of her work with

the Association at the INSPIRE careers event and the current refurbishment of the Association Bar. She also thanked Alex Slack (née

Gamble) (03) for her work as the Association Manager, as she had announced her resignation to the Council prior to the event.

After dessert was served, a raffle took place, with the proceeds being put towards the production costs of the Old Ratcliffian magazine.

A total of £445 was raised, with prizes being donated by generous OR attendees, including Charlie Easmon (79), Tony Sweeney (56), Ian

Potts (62), Jon Rigby (80), Bob Woodwards (72), Nick Plumb (79) and Frank Nieuwenhuys (68). Port and brandy were served, courtesy

of the London Club, after coffee. Then, as is tradition at this event, a full rendition of ‘The Old Ratcliffian Song’ was performed, led by

Paul Carter, with many of the guests joining in for a verse or two.

Past President Mike Meredith (89) reflected on the event: “It was the usual awesome setting in the Crypt at St Etheldreda’s, made all

the more amazing by meeting up with an old friend who I’d not seen since I left Ratcliffe 30 years ago. Such is the inestimable value of

an event like the London Dinner. Thank you, again, to the London Club for sponsoring the event and to the Association for organising

it.” Frank Nieuwenhuys added: “Well done on yet another resounding success! The occasion was, once again, memorable, embodying all

that is the best of Ratcliffe and the Ratcliffian Association. It was a terrific night - great venue, superb food and excellent conversation

from start to finish. Well done!”

THE SIXTH FORM SOCIAL

WEDNESDAY 9TH JANUARY 2019

The Ratcliffian Association hosted another successful Sixth Form Social, welcoming

back a number of Old Ratcliffians from the Class of 1998, as well as our current

Year 12 and 13 students and several members of staff. The event also saw the

return of retired teachers Nigel and Anne Taylor and Graham Sharpe. The evening

provided a great opportunity for the current students to talk to ORs about the

various paths they had taken after leaving Ratcliffe, as well as hearing their stories

and memories of their time at school.

At the start of the evening, a local fish and chip van provided us with a delicious

supper, which proved hugely popular all round. Soon afterwards, Mike Sleath took

to the floor to deliver his now widely renowned quiz. The competitive nature of

Ratcliffe’s students and staff, both past and present, really showed as the quiz

went on. Finally, the Year 13 boys’ team nudged their way to victory, scoring an

impressive 39 points out of a possible 40!

It was such a fun evening, and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. In

particular, it was really inspiring and motivating to meet ORs who had returned

as such successful and happy individuals, and hearing their fond memories of

the College. Their experiences made me excited to see what opportunities and

adventures await me after leaving Ratcliffe. Having seen the success of events

like this one, I will be sure to come back as an OR and keep closely in touch with the

Association to see what they’re planning throughout the year.

Isobel Coombs (19)

Ratcliffian Ambassador 2018-19

The 2020 London Dinner will be held on

Friday 7th February. Buy your tickets now

at www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk

Register for the 2020 Sixth Form Social

at www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk

EVENTS



33

EVENTS

THE REUNION LUNCHEON

SUNDAY 30TH JUNE 2019

With almost 120 Old Ratcliffians being eager to return to the School with their families and friends, tickets

for this year’s Reunion event sold out completely! After Mass in the College Chapel and the Ratcliffian

Association Council’s AGM, OR leavers from 1954 to 2009 attended a barbecue and buffet luncheon,

held in a marquee on the Front Lawn at Ratcliffe.

As always, a raffle was held at this event to support the production of The Old Ratcliffian magazine.

ORs donated many of the prizes, and they are thanked enormously for their generosity. They

include John Plumb (53), Eric Ciambra (79), Louise Jackson (91), Hollie Stone (07) and George

Mount (99). The Association would also like to thank Leicester City Football Club, Leicestershire

County Cricket Club, Rothley Park Golf Club and Lanza Hair Design in Sileby for their generous

prize donations.

EVENTS

Hosting the event was newly ‘chained’ Association President Ben Jackson (88), having taken over the

presidency from Emma Wright (94) at the AGM earlier that day. Ben welcomed the guests and thanked

the Association team for their hard work in putting the event together. He then handed over to Fr Philip

Sainter (69), who said grace, before everyone was invited up to the barbecue and buffet to choose their

meals. During the luncheon, guests were treated to performances by some of the College’s talented

musicians, with pupils from Years 9 to 11 ably demonstrating their skills.

The annual Grand Match, which saw the OR cricket team take on the College’s 1st XI, was played on

the cricket pitch, with guests invited to spectate in between courses and, afterwards, from the newly

refurbished Ratcliffian Association Bar and balcony of the state-of-the-art Fitness Suite.

With the Reunion marking the Class of 1979’s 40th anniversary, a large contingent attended,

organised by Steve Clark (79). They not only wished to mark this significant anniversary of leaving the School, but also

to remember their classmate Mark Bunce (79), who was killed in a motorbike accident whilst studying for his

A Levels at the College 40 years ago. Gathering together on the night before the

Reunion for a curry in Leamington Spa, the group were in good spirits. Wearing their

Mark Bunce pin badges (designed by Tim Wilson (79), who also features on page 44 of

this magazine) and donning brown curly wigs in remembrance of Mark’s mop of curly

brown hair, the group gathered around the piano, played by Brian Deady (79), for a

singalong to ‘Rocket Man’ and other favourites. Steve Clark said: “Thank you to the

Association for organising such a wonderful event, which I know all of the 1979 gang

really enjoyed. It really was 40 years since some of us had seen each other, and it was a

memorable occasion indeed.”

Following the luncheon, the younger guests moved outside to the bouncy castle and garden games,

whilst the older guests continued to enjoy the cricket. At 3pm, organised tours of the College

began, with around 70 guests wandering the corridors that they once walked, sharing stories and

reminiscing about old times. The Refectory, Chapel, Headmaster’s Corridor and Lockhart Garden

were all visited, before the tour ended with a complimentary drink in the recently refurbished

Ratcliffian Association Bar. Guests were delighted and visibly stunned by this new space, which had

been created with the expertise and guidance of Louise Jackson (91). She was thrilled to see it in

full use, with so many ORs enjoying the new comfy chairs, stylish interior and spectacular views of

the cricket pitch.

Following a break for afternoon tea, the cricket played on until 6.30pm, when the School’s 1st XI

claimed the win against Ed Gamble’s (95) OR team. Two new school records were also made, namely

‘Highest Opening Stand’ and ‘Highest Individual Score’ (see the full match report on page 38 for

more details). Headmaster Jon Reddin presented the Grand Match trophy to the School’s 2019

Head Boy and team captain, Toby Snell (19), for a tremendous win over the OR team. Toby was also

awarded the Martin Foulds ‘Man of the Match’

trophy by Martin himself (right), who was

captain of the OR cricket team for 39 years,

until his retirement in 2018. The Headmaster

then made a closing speech, congratulating the

Ratcliffe team and thanking the ORs for their

sportsmanship. Final drinks were enjoyed in

the marquee, with further songs being sung

and stories being told by members of the

Class of 1979, before time was called at the bar

and taxis were arranged to deliver the happy

guests home.

Tickets for the 2020 Reunion will go on sale

shortly at www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk



EVENTS

THE BIRMINGHAM DINNER

FRIDAY 17TH MAY 2019

This year, 18 Old Ratcliffians and their guests attended the biennial Birmingham Dinner. The event was

held at the lively, brasserie-style Bank Restaurant in Brindley Place, where guests enjoyed a welcome

drink in the bar on arrival, followed by a wonderful three-course meal. Lots of laughter, stories and

memories were shared throughout the evening, interspersed with speeches by host Ed Gamble (95), Headmaster

Jon Reddin, and former Ratcliffian Association President Emma Wright (94).

One of the guests, Stephen Moorhouse (68), said: “Once again, the Association excelled

itself with the choice of venue, and it was fantastic to see so many ‘veterans’ in good

spirits. The Headmaster gave another very rousing speech, too. Thanks to the brilliant

organisers who, as usual, pulled out all the stops to make sure we all had good evening.”

2020 will see the return of the Yorkshire Dinner, which alternates with the

Birmingham Dinner each year. We hope to see lots of you there for another enjoyable

evening of good food, good wine and good company! To register, please visit

www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk.

THE PAST PRESIDENTS’ DINNER

FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2019

This year, 23 guests, including Past Presidents of the Ratcliffian Association

and College staff, attended the 21st annual Past Presidents’ Dinner, held at

Ratcliffe College.

The evening began with Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, celebrated

by Fr Philip Sainter (69), followed by a drinks reception in the Old Library.

Master of Ceremonies and Past President Michael Heath (56) welcomed the

guests, before grace was said by Fr Philip. Everyone was then treated to a

fine four-course meal, prepared and served by the College’s catering team.

Following dinner, Michael introduced current President of the Association

Ben Jackson (88), who gave a heartfelt speech about his Ratcliffe journey

and subsequent nomination for presidency, explaining what he wished to

achieve during his period in office. Ben then toasted the Headmaster, Jon

Reddin, and the College, thanking Jon for his support of the Association. Jon

replied to Ben’s speech with a toast to the Association, thanking the current

and Past Presidents for their support, as well as offering a brief update on

College affairs. The formalities were concluded with a hearty rendition of ‘Ad

Multos Annos’.

An extremely enjoyable evening was had by all. The Ratcliffian Association

would like to thank Headmaster Jon Reddin, Deputy Headmasters Clement

Donegan and Kevin Ryce, Father President Philip Sainter, and all of the Past

Presidents in attendance for returning to Ratcliffe, and for their kind words

in appreciation of the event.

Michael Heath (56)

EVENTS

FIVE YEAR REUNION COCKTAIL PARTY

SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2019

The Class of 2014’s Five Year Reunion was held at Ratcliffe College, hosted by Tom Park (14) and Roisin Sheehy (14). Over 50 past

students and their guests were welcomed into the newly refurbished Ratcliffian Association Bar to enjoy cocktails and canapés. They

were greeted at the bar by OR and former bar manager Jon Glover (95), who had created a cocktail especially for the occasion. Named

‘Prefection’, it was inspired by his days at Ratcliffe, with gin, elderflower cordial, lemon juice and pressed apple juice blended together

to create perfection in a glass!

Once the ORs had finished sipping their welcome cocktails, they were whisked off on a whistle-stop tour of the School, exploring the

new areas and facilities that current students at Ratcliffe are lucky enough to enjoy, including the new state-of-the-art Fitness Suite.

Reunited back in the Association Bar, the former classmates gathered together to share memories and catch up on life since leaving

Ratcliffe. While not many of the students had changed in five years, it was a great opportunity for friends to reconnect and celebrate

their achievements since leaving the College – there really was a lot to catch up on!

When time was called at the bar, minibuses arrived to collect those wishing to continue the party in Loughborough, and the night was

thoroughly enjoyed by all. We look forward to reuniting again for our 10-year anniversary in 2024!

Roisin Sheehy (14)



37


SPORTS EVENTS

THE GRAND MATCH

SUNDAY 30TH JUNE 2019

SPORTS EVENTS

The Old Ratcliffians arrived in glorious sunshine for the annual

Grand Match, held as part of the Ratcliffian Association’s Reunion

event, needing a win to wrestle back the trophy from the School

team’s grasp. An excellent batting performance from the ORs,

led by 106* from Ben Shaw (14) and 82* from Sam Nightingale

(16), meant that they were able to declare on what would have

been a formidable total of 268 for 6, if normal circumstances were

to prevail. However, the College’s 1st XI had other ideas, and a

remarkable batting display saw them produce what are believed

to be two school records, namely ‘Highest Opening Stand’ and

‘Highest Individual Score’. Ratcliffe’s captain, Toby Snell, and

youngster Tom Page combined to score 269 for no wickets, with

Toby scoring 176* and Tom 74*. It seems highly unlikely that

such scores will be bettered, or a game of a similar nature will

be played out again in the near future. Well done to the College

team, and thank you to all the Old Ratcliffians who came back

to play.

This year’s Old Ratcliffian team: Ed Gamble (95), Ben Shaw (14),

Darrell Abeysundera (96), Matt Hilton (90), Sam Nightingale

(16), Olly Wright (07), Krishna Naidu (99), Jonty Wright (87),

Joey Higham (16), Alec Mann (79) and Ben Ashford.

Ed Woodcock

Head of Cricket

THE TAYLOR MIXED HOCKEY CUP

SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2019

This year’s match took place on a pleasantly warm and sunny Sunday, with two very youthful and talented teams excited to face the

annual clash between the College and the Old Ratcliffians. A good number of spectators also turned out to cheer on the two teams,

adding to the atmosphere and camaraderie of the day.

Following a defeat in 2018, the stakes were particularly high for the OR team, and this was reflected in the energy and determination

of the players. This was, undoubtedly, one of the most end-to-end games in recent years. The School put out a superb side who had

a strong formation and impressive skills. However, this was matched by the strength of the OR side, meaning that both teams tried in

earnest to score against their opponents in an extremely close first quarter.

The game saw plenty of goal shots and saves, with the School creating numerous chances on the counter-attack which were broken

down by the OR defence. Only during the second quarter were the ORs able to chalk up their first goal, scored by Fin Back (19).

The next two quarters were hard fought, with the ORs conceding three goals to the School before coming back with a vengeance, thanks

to some fast counter-attacks, clever play and short-corner routines. Another goal from Fin Back, as well as three from Finlay Butler (15)

and one from James Waddington (11), put the ORs ahead at full time, leaving the final match score at 6 – 3 to the Old Ratcliffians.

Thank you to all the players and spectators for supporting the event and making the occasion so enjoyable. I would like to encourage any

hockey players out there to join us for future events.

This year’s OR squad was: Charlotte Dickinson (12), Emily Harrison (11), Fin Back (19), Finlay Butler (15), Harry Antill (17), Imogen

Power (17), James Waddington (11), Jenna Pole (19), Joe Kainth (17), Joe Spillane (11), Katherine Threadgold (13), Krishna Naidu (99),

Olivia Back (18), Philip Lawton (08) and Sarah Kerridge (12).

Finlay Butler (15)



39

SPORTS EVENTS

THE HALLEY FOOTBALL CUP

Playing on the green astroturf pitch, the School team had an ace up their sleeve, as their players included a handful of Thai football

scholars, ready to take on the Old Ratcliffians. Despite the poor weather, a pleasing 7-a-side game was enjoyed, with the ORs winning

the match 2 – 1.

In total, 42 ORs and their families returned to Ratcliffe to take part in these events, support the teams and catch up with one another.

After the matches, they all gathered in the Sixth Form Centre café for refreshments and the prize-giving ceremony, hosted by Headmaster

Jon Reddin and Association Manager Alex Slack (née Gamble) (03). There was a real buzz within the room and great rivalry between

the teams and players. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day for both players and supporters, topped off by some well-deserved

refreshments.

SPORTS EVENTS

THE OLD RATCLIFFIAN SPORTS DAY

SUNDAY 10TH MARCH 2019

THE THISTLETHWAITE HOCKEY CUP

The Old Ratcliffian team and Ratcliffe’s current 1st XI battled against the relentless hail and wind to play a fantastic game of hockey. The

School’s team started off strongly, but the ORs did not give in, making it a brilliantly fought match. Despite the ORs’ best efforts, the

game ended in a 5 – 3 win for the School team.

THE SUE ROBERTS NETBALL CUP

The Old Ratcliffians fielded a strong and cohesive team against the School’s 1st VII in a thrilling netball match. Despite a very strong start

from the School team, the ORs fought back, clinching two excellent goals in the last two minutes. History was made as, despite some

close tussles in previous years, this was the first time that the School had lost to the ORs. Celebrations after the game were extremely

well deserved!

Sue Roberts, who sponsors this match, wrote: “Having left Ratcliffe in 2012 after 20 years of teaching, I realised that, most of all, I would

miss the time that I had spent training and umpiring the girls’ sports teams, particularly in netball. It was so rewarding to see the players

progress through the ranks as they grew up, and meeting up with old friends at the annual OR netball match was always a pleasure. That

prompted me to provide the trophy that is now fought for every March, and it gives me the perfect excuse to keep coming back to visit

the School.”

GRACE DIEU & RATCLIFFE DADS’ FOOTBALL MATCH

SATURDAY 22ND JUNE 2019

Back in June, the Ratcliffe Dads took on the Grace Dieu Dads in a friendly 7-a-side football match, held at Rawlins Academy in Quorn.

Organiser of the event, Old Ratcliffian Adrian Farnham (95), said: “It was a spirited match, won by Grace Dieu 4 – 3, despite a late

comeback by Ratcliffe. Hopefully, we can get more parents involved next time, and maybe do some home and away fixtures.”

The Ratcliffe Dads meet up on Wednesday nights and play for an hour on the pitch inside the School’s running track. Those in the

Ratcliffe team were Adrian Farnham, Rob Hull (97), Sam Bird (98), Mark Tuckwell, Chris Shields, Kenny Webster, Amardeep Sidhu and

Clement Donegan.

Adrian added: “The match was a bit of light-hearted fun that we’ve been trying to organise for a while. We’re hoping that this is the start

of an annual event, and we even have an inaugural trophy, called ‘The Papa Cup’!”



SPORTS EVENTS

THE RATCLIFFIAN GOLF SHIELD:

OLD RATCLIFFIANS VS STAFF & STUDENTS

THURSDAY 16TH MAY 2019

This year, 12 players took part in this very pleasant golfing competition, enjoying 12 holes in good weather. The Ratcliffe staff and

students took the shield back from the ORs this year, thanks to the talents of a Year 7 student and a Year 8 student, who paired with the

Ratcliffe staff to claim victory. Thank you to everyone who attended this event.

THE CENTENARY SALVER

FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2019

In a departure from precedent, Luffenham Heath Golf Club hosted this year’s

Centenary Salver (Public Schools’ Alumni Team Event) as an 18-hole Stableford

competition. This format is more accessible than the usual 36 holes for less fit and

older golfers, and so it proved to be a popular, well-attended day.

The Centenary Salver is an annual competition played between the past pupils of East

Midlands public schools. This year, the Old Ratcliffians entered the fray with the Old

Oundelians, Oakhamians, Loughburians and Stamfordians. As returning winners, the

ORs weren’t intimidated by the lofty company, and there was a spring in the step and a

fair bit of early fighting talk from some of the golfers.

Each school entered three pairs into the better ball Stableford competition. Ratcliffe’s

paired teams consisted of Ed Gamble (95) and Bernard Murphy (67), Chris Merriman

(83) and Andrew Yell (82), and Abe Mee (92) and Lindsay Buckenham (00).

The best two scores from three counted. The ORs managed 77 points, with

Chris and Andrew scoring 39 points, and Abe and Lindsay scoring 38. The

Old Ratcliffians finished second in the competition, closely pipped by the Old

Oakhamians with 81 points.

Thanks to everyone for making the effort to play in a very enjoyable

day. Next year’s event will be on Friday 24th April 2020. Preference

will be given to golfers who have reliably supported the event in the

past, but anyone else interested should contact me via the Association

(alumni@ratcliffecollege.com).

Next year’s Grafton Morrish qualifiers will be held on Sunday 17th May at

Gog Magog. The qualifier is played in scratch pairs foursomes format. The

finals, for those who qualify, are in Norfolk (at Hunstanton and Royal West

Norfolk Golf Clubs) from 9th to 11th October 2020 and are match play.

The Old Ratcliffians will enter a team into the qualifiers if they can get

six single-figure handicap golfers who wish to represent the ORs. Such

golfers should contact me in the first instance if interested in taking part.

Abe Mee (92)

Golf Secretary

THE RATCLIFFE GOLF DAY

THURSDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2019

This year’s Ratcliffe Golf Day was held at Rothley Park Golf Club for the

third year running. The event attracted 16 teams, comprised of 64 golfers,

and raised £3,000 towards the Ratcliffe 2020 Sports Appeal.

As usual, Rothley Park’s greens were in splendid condition, and the

weather was warm and sunny as the golfers set off on a shotgun start at

1.30pm in teams of four. We would like to extend our thanks to all parents,

staff and Old Ratcliffians who took part in the day, and to those who kindly

sponsored the event.

Old Ratcliffians who were present included Dom North (85), Abe Mee (92),

James Belderbos (89), Adrian Farnham (95), Mir Patel (14), Tom Mulligan

(11), Andrew Yell (82), Sean Kelly (81), Gus Kelly (10) and Cameron

Gilchrist (13).

Andrew Yell (82)

Development Director

THE REYNARD GOLF TROPHY

SATURDAY 8TH JUNE 2019

The Reynard Trophy was played at Rothley Park Golf Club in June this year. We were met on arrival by a smiling team, armed with huge

silver platters of luxuriously filled sandwiches and buckets of French fries, which were enjoyed and washed down with a fine selection

of beers and lagers. With such refreshments on board, and conversation mainly concentrated on trips that morning to local sporting

clothiers to buy umbrellas, waterproofs, gloves, hats and hand warmers, this hardy crew of golfers set out into the rain to compete for

the trophy.

Keith Edgar (01) returned, having made his Reynard debut in the two-man shootout of 2018 with Dom Russell (78), playing with

brothers Paul (06) and Chris Morris (08), who were making their debut. They clearly had an enjoyable afternoon. The final group was

made up of James Fagence-Browne (07), James Perry (08) and David Morris (07). Andrew Yell (82) and Andy Bullock (83) were unable

to commit to the whole afternoon, and so took part in a nine-hole competition, which was won by Yell. The final grouping consisted of

Donal Heffernan (75) and myself. Throughout the competition, we enjoyed the unique Great Central Railway experience, with regular

‘toot toots’ and geysers of steam gushing out of the steam engines during the rainy afternoon.

The ‘Nearest the Pin’ competition was held on the fourth hole. Donal Heffernan cracked a beauty of a shot to five feet from the hole, and

even though good shots ensued, this stroke could not be bettered. Paul Morris then hit a marauding drive up the 16th fairway to take

home the prize for ‘Longest Drive’.

Though he was just eclipsed by Morris, some folks are born naturals at driving, and so it proved for seasoned Reynarder James Perry; he

navigated his way around Rothley Park, confidently taking on the ridge and furrow, flying over bunkers and bridges, and eagerly diving

down steep embankments. His playing partner, James Fagence-Browne, was maybe a little intimidated and, at times, shaken by this

driving performance, but there were no accidents, and James got the buggy round unscathed.

Some fine golf was played, and with a score of 34 Stableford points playing off 90% of his 21 handicap, Keith Edgar claimed his virgin

Reynard Trophy victory. I am most grateful to Danny Spillane of Rothley Park and his team for working hard to make sure we had a

really good day, in spite of the weather. Thanks also to those who supported the day. After about eight holes, the rain stopped, and we

managed to finish the round in good weather. The golf and the company were just how they should be – committed and great fun. See

you all next year.

Abe Mee (92)

Golf Secretary

SPORTS EVENTS



OLD RATCLIFFIAN NEWS

TIM WILSON (79) WINS PUBLIC VOTE ON THE CIRCLE

Old Ratcliffian Tim Wilson (79) captured

the hearts of the nation this year, when

he won the public vote on Channel

4’s The Circle in the autumn of 2019.

The reality TV show is based around a

specially designed social media platform,

and it sees contestants enter a block of

flats in London, either as themselves or

‘catfishing’ under a fictitious name and

character. Having been handed the keys

to their own individual apartments, these

become their homes for the duration of

the show. In an interview with The Daily

Express after he won the public vote and

the prize fund of £30,000, Tim said: “I

didn’t expect it at all. Most people don’t

get me, and I’m just amazed. I feel so warm

and supported. I hope that, now, I can live

up to their expectations.”

During the show, none of the participants

meet in person, and they communicate

only via ‘The Circle’, which is a voiceactivated

app. In fact, they only get to see

their fellow contestants once they have

been knocked out of the game by being

‘blocked’. The aim is to be the most popular

player, by accruing the most ‘likes’ by the

end of the series. Tim, who was previously

a social media novice, described this as one

of the hardest parts of being on the show:

“Having no idea who you’re talking to, and

being chosen as an ‘influencer’ and having

to decide who to block – well, it’s easy for

paranoia and anxiety to set in.”

Despite the popularity contest being

fought within The Circle, throughout

his time on the show, Tim was an early

favourite to win in the public domain.

Having been described as “a legend” and

“one of the nation’s new favourite people”

by his huge fan base, he certainly seemed

to have a good proportion of the nation’s

votes! Those who watched the show will be

familiar with Tim’s many hilarious moments;

these include, most notably, his fine Morris

dancing (if you haven’t seen it, Google it –

it’s a must!), and his respectable attempt

to play the alpine horn, for which he gives

credit to Fr Monaghan (53), who taught

him to play the clarinet during his time at

Ratcliffe College.

These highlights, and many more like

them, testified to Tim’s bubbly, eccentric

personality – a fact confirmed by his

many friends amongst the Class of 1979,

who followed his progress closely and, no

doubt, made up some of the final public

votes! Before entering The Circle, Tim

designed a badge to commemorate his

late fellow classmate Mark Bunce (79),

which was worn by the Class of 1979 at this

year’s annual Reunion Luncheon in June

(see pages 34-35 for more details). Tim

remarked that he pinned his badge to his

dressing gown on the first day of the show

and, subsequently, “took Mark through

The Circle” with him, stating that Mark’s

“friendly face” was of great comfort to him

during his time in isolation.

Although spending four weeks by himself

was strange, Tim admitted that it made

him feel extremely secure. He quite

enjoyed the time alone, recounting the

Rosminian principle that he learnt whilst at

Ratcliffe: “Just be still. Wait. Listen. Don’t

act too quickly.” Within The Circle, Tim also

had to face many tough decisions alone,

maintaining his own principles whilst

also being mindful of ‘the game’. He said

that his time at Ratcliffe certainly helped

him with this, having been taught to be

independent, to set his own path, and not

to follow the crowd.

So, what’s next for Tim? When asked what

he took from The Circle, he explained

how, first and foremost, the show had

opened his eyes, not only to the huge

opportunities that social media presents

to young people, but also to the massive

pitfalls and dangers of this faceless form

of communication. He said: “It’s worrying

how easily you can be manipulated. I just

want to tell people to be careful!” As well

as speaking about this serious message

behind the fun, Theology professor and

former monk Tim said that he would like to

pursue a career in television following his

appearance on the show, and he added

that he would love to keep in touch with all

of the other contestants: “We had a unique

experience, and very little is going to drive

a wedge between us. We’re like a family.”

Vic Meynell (née Illingworth) (00): “Life is

generally busy, with my full-time work for

the British Heart Foundation and family

commitments. Our three children attend

the local Catholic schools and occasionally

pop up to Ratcliffe for sporting events,

which is nice. Last year, I took up running,

starting the ‘Couch to 5K’ programme with

my local beginners’ running group, and

this year, I ran the Virgin London Marathon

in 4 hours and 44 minutes! I raised £900

for the British Heart Foundation. One of

my sons has a heart condition, as do my

two nephews, and having been a cardiac

nurse for over 15 years, I have both a

personal and professional interest.”

Roisin Sheehy (14): “Having graduated

from the University of Leicester in 2017, I

followed my interests in policy and public

affairs, and I now work for a policy, research

and development organisation with

bases in Leicester, London and Cardiff,

focussing on social inclusion, employment

and adult education.”

Clem Maginniss (74): “I am still living in

Norfolk and serving in the Army Reserve,

and I keep in touch with David Simmons

(74) in Coventry. In 2018, Helion published

my first book, An Unappreciated Field of

Endeavour, on the subject of Great War

logistics, and my second book will be on

the shelves in late 2020. In May 2019,

I attended the Last Post Ceremony at

the Menin Gate during the Dunkirk 79th

Anniversary commemorations with the

Royal Norfolk Le Paradis Commemoration

Group, and I had the privilege of reading

the Exhortation. I am pictured (below, left,

with wreath) with Dennis O’Callaghan, the

son of Private William O’Callaghan of 2nd

Norfolks, one of only two survivors of the

Le Paradis Massacre of May 27th 1940.”

David Gallagher (94): “My wife, Jayne Stala

Gallagher, and I celebrated the christening

of our twins, Sebastian and Florence

Stala Gallagher, with our eldest son,

Otto, on Sunday 15th September in the

Ratcliffe College Chapel. Fr Sainter (69)

presided over the service with several Old

Ratcliffians, including my parents, Deirdre

and David Gallagher (65). My sister, Tara,

her husband, Andy, and their son, Olly,

joined us from their home in Scotland.

My brother, Christian Gallagher (92), his

wife, Lucy Gallagher (née MacDonald-

Pearce) (92), and their children also

attended, along with my parents-in-law,

Wes and Chris Stala. It was a great family

celebration, and we were all delighted to

be back at Ratcliffe.”

Colin White (82): “Stephen Murphy (82)

and I commemorated the scuttling of the

German High Seas Fleet in 1919 by diving

down to some of the remaining battleships

and cruisers, including the Cöln, Markgraf,

König and Kronprinz Wilhelm. It was

amazing to see these vast ships on the

seabed at between 20 and 40 metres. It

was remarkable to think that some were

veterans of the Battle of Jutland and had

been lying on the seabed for 100 years,

having only spent 18 months afloat.”

Mike Ogilvie (72): “Last year, I travelled

on holiday to Australia and met up in

Sydney with my old friend from the Class

of 1972, Jonathan Chapman (72), who,

unfortunately, now considers himself an

Australian! I am very concerned about

the messages I will get if England don’t

sharpen up their act in the Ashes!”

Paul Mensley (97): “I received an early

Christmas present last year, when my

daughter, Connie, won the Mistletoe Mini

Stakes at London’s Olympia on her pony,

Madonna, on Christmas Eve. Words cannot

begin to explain how proud I am of her for

winning the 128cm final at Olympia – it

was truly amazing to watch. This particular

class of showjumping is for riders aged 12

and under, riding ponies that are 128cm

and under. Connie was the youngest in

the group of 12 riders that entered. This is

an incredible achievement – her hard work

and dedication have definitely paid off.”

Sam Spillane (née Murphy) (91): “The

Class of 1991 have had a fantastic time

reacquainting themselves this year.

Friendships have always remained strong

over the decades, but with the added

benefit of social media, over 50 ORs from

the year have now reconnected from all

over the world via a WhatsApp group. Who

knew, when we left Ratcliffe 28 years ago,

OR NEWS



45

OR NEWS

that we would all be able to share stories,

photos and anecdotes when we were

literally spread across the globe?! This

September, 20 of us gathered in London

for a long-overdue catch-up (above),

and the excellent turnout reflected the

strength of the bond and the spirit born

at Ratcliffe all those years ago. Those

that attended were: Sam Spillane (née

Murphy), Louise Marsden (née Bullen),

Sebako Siame, Natasha Bilinski, Louise

Jackson, Jo Linnett (née O’Connor),

Natasha Faulknall (née Worth), Melanie

Abeysundera, Genevieve Clegg (née

Furey), Dan Bunnag, Terence Chan, Teddy

Markham, Paul Ferguson, Alex Astwood,

Paul Whitmore, Samuel Jesné, Christos

Michaloudis, Simon Attewell, Ken Wong

and Sam Salia-Bao. Thanks go to Dan

Bunnag and Louise Marsden for making

it happen (ably assisted by SJ Events!).

Given that 2021 marks our 30-year

anniversary, our mission is to gather again

to celebrate our milestone – although it is

fair to say that, with the rekindling that has

taken place, there will be other gatherings

prior to that!”

Dominic Russell (79): “In October, Matt

Lomas (79), who is an Aldeburgh Golf Club

member, was invited to enter a team for a

public schools’ golf competition at the

club. The Dick Watson Trophy was played

for over two days and included the likes of

Eton, Oundle, Uppingham, Framlingham,

Gresham’s, Wellington and Ampleforth,

with a total of 15 schools represented. The

Ratcliffian team consisted of Jim West (77),

Matt, myself, and Jac Hicks (guest). There

was a 36-hole competition on Saturday,

played as foursomes (Stableford scoring),

with match play on Sunday to decide the

final placings. Saturday’s scores led to

a third-place playoff between Ratcliffe

and Ampleforth, and I am pleased to

report that the OR’s pairings prevailed in

both matches, securing a creditable third

place in our first year in the competition.

Framlingham were the overall winners,

beating Eton with the final putt of the

day.”

Victoria Jordan (07): “It’s been a very

hectic few months for me. I got engaged

on July 24th this year, and I’ve ended up

moving away from Birmingham, where I’ve

been living since I left Ratcliffe in 2007. I’m

now living with my fiancé in our new house

in Cosby, Leicestershire, and we’re hoping

to get married next year.”

Nick Jelley (01): “It’s been a good year,

both personally and professionally. We’ve

celebrated the arrival of Harper, our first

baby girl, and my gym in East Goscote has

been extended, with the addition of new

high-intensity class facilities.”

Paul Sander (72): “In August 2012, I moved

to Mexico, but this year, I moved back to

the UK to take up a lecturing position

at Teesside University. Shortly before

leaving, Alexandra Mondragón Bravo and

I were married (see page 57 for more

details). I met her in August 2014, quite

by chance, as she was visiting a neighbour

of mine in the small condominium of eight

houses where I lived. An instant friendship

around British, classic, female writers

was formed – a friendship that came to

marriage via Chile and Germany, but that

is another story. There were many reasons

for us deciding to return to the UK, but

perhaps the most acute was opportunity.

To contrast the cultures of Mexico and the

UK would be an interesting, but lengthy,

exercise, suffice it to say that, here in the

UK, we will have a freedom from fear. Don’t

be misled, though – there is a Mexico that

is wonderful, fascinating, and culturally

and historically very rich. We are excited

to be starting this new phase in our lives,

and our first impressions of Teesside are

very good.”

Caitlin Sheehy (12) graduated from the

University of Manchester in July 2019,

after completing her degree in Medicine

with European Studies. After six years

of study, including spending her final

semester working in a hospital in Lyon and

gaining a Master’s degree in Public Health,

she is now working at Southmead Hospital

in Bristol. In the summer of 2019, having

helped to organise a health outreach

project in Northern Uganda in 2016 and

as a former member of the student Global

Health Society committee, Caitlin led a

team of doctors and medical students

from the University of Manchester to

study, educate and treat children living

with schistosomiasis (a parasitic disease)

in Madagascar.

Fr Charles Sormany (48) recently

celebrated his 90th birthday. He was a

teacher of Chemistry at Ratcliffe in the

1950s, after studying there from 1945 to

1948. Members of the Parish of St Mary’s

Church in Loughborough created and

presented him with a special card at his

birthday Mass, and a party was held for

him at the Gentili House in Rugby.

Jack Harvey (08): “Recently, Peter Batty

(08), James Perry (08) and I took on

the Mongol Rally and completed it in

53 days. The rally has been described

as ‘the greatest motoring adventure

on the planet’, travelling ‘a third of the

way around the world in a vehicle only

fit for the scrapheap!’. We started our

epic journey in Prague and finished it in

Ulan-Ude in Russia, taking the southern

route and travelling through Iran, ‘The

Stans’, Mongolia, and ending in Siberia.

We travelled over 12,000 miles in a 1997

1-litre Volkswagen Polo. We camped

when it was remote, but stayed in hotels

and hostels when we could. When we left

Ratcliffe after the Sixth Form, we went

on a road trip around Germany in an old

Volvo, and we always had our hopes set on

something bigger. We’d been discussing

the Mongol Rally for years as something we

all wanted to take part in, so we decided

that we should get on with it while we

still had the chance! With the help of local

sponsors, we’ve raised over £3,800 so far

for charity.”

Geoff Orrill (58): “I am still happy working

part-time, which keeps me and my brain

quite active! I also still enjoy singing and

performing at our highly rated amateur

theatre in Hinckley (they won’t let me

retire), where, last year, our group were

voted ‘Best Amateur Show’ in the whole

of the Midlands and the North for our

production of Made in Dagenham. This

followed on from our success in 2017,

winning a trophy for Sister Act, in which I

played the Pope – a cracking cameo role!”

Ratcliffian Association Secretary Katherine

Lang completed the London Landmarks

Half Marathon in March, in memory of her

dad, Paul Murphy (67), raising £1,400 for

Prostate Cancer UK.

François Grosjean (64): “My autobiography

has just come out, and there is a whole

chapter on my time at Ratcliffe. Here is

how Oxford University Press, my publisher,

describes it: ‘This book explores the life

and experiences of one of the world’s most

renowned and well-respected experts

in bilingualism. François Grosjean takes

us through his life, from his monolingual

childhood in a small village outside Paris

to the long periods of time he spent in

Switzerland, England, France, and the

United States, becoming bilingual and

bicultural in the process. During his life,

his dominant language has changed many

times between English and French, and

he has also acquired, and subsequently

lost, other languages, including American

Sign Language. Throughout the book,

he combines his personal accounts

and anecdotes with insights from, and

reflections on, his extensive scholarly

research in bilingualism and biculturalism,

which has, in turn, been heavily influenced

by his own experiences. Written in an

engaging and accessible style, the book

will appeal to general readers interested

in bilingualism and language contact,

educators and parents of bilingual children,

researchers working on bilingualism, and

to bilinguals themselves.’”

Each year, friends from the Class of

1998 get together for a sailing weekend.

Adrian Fidler is pictured at the helm with

Ben Court, husband of Alison Court (née

Mason). Sam Bird, Dom Brucciani, Andrew

Espinasse, Hemal Patel, Rob Hull and Carl

Pastars, husband of Maria Pastars (née De

Rienzo) were all part of the on-board crew.



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Peter Robinson (97): “It’s been an

exciting four years since completing my

PhD, ‘Prosuming Visuality, Authenticity

and Urban Exploration within Tourist

Experiences’, with the birth of my second

son, Elijah (now 3), a move to a new

job as Head of the Centre for Tourism

and Hospitality Management at Leeds

Beckett University, and becoming Chair

of the Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust.

During this time, I have written a further

four books and also become a director of

the Institute of Travel and Tourism. I have

bought a small business for my partner,

Faye, and we are now engaged. Our

existing businesses, The Britain Experts (a

UK DMC) and consultancy firm Robinson

Moore & Associates, continue to go from

strength to strength, with an increasing

number of UK and international clients.

My photography hobby is also evolving

into a small business, whilst I hope that

our extensive collection of tools and

engineering machinery (bought mainly for

restoring various project cars) will help my

older son, Dominic, to develop his career as

an engineer. He is now 14 and is currently

restoring a 1952 Ferguson TEA-20.”

Richard Palmer (83), along with thousands

of other runners, was unable to complete

this year’s Leicester Marathon, after it

was cancelled due to severe flooding.

Richard had undergone weeks of training

for the event, running in memory of his

dear friend Andrew Ramen (83), who

passed away in January this year. Andrew

was diagnosed with a brain tumour in

2009. He underwent surgery, and his

treatment enabled him to live for another

10 years. Fittingly, Richard chose to run

his race for the Brain Tumour Research

charity. Unable to complete the Leicester

Marathon, he ran around Rutland Water

on October 5th instead, raising £2,100

in the process, and he has since secured

a place in the 2020 London Marathon on

behalf of Brain Tumour Research. Richard

said: “Andrew was a great friend. He was

a thoroughly talented, modest and lovely

person who will be remembered by all

who had the good fortune to know him.”

(You can read more about Andrew on

page 59 of this magazine.) Melanie Claire

Smith, Fundraising Administrator for Brain

Tumour Research, said: “It’s so fantastic to

have this support from Richard, but it is

also so sad to hear that he has lost a friend

to this awful disease. It’s so humbling that

he has decided to fight back in this way

and fundraise for a cure. We’re thrilled to

have his support.”

Ciaran Sheehy (11) continues to pursue his

knowledge and passion for golf, working

throughout the South East with a range of

golf clubs and resorts.

Laura Sides, daughter of late Old

Ratcliffian Jeremy Sides (67), planned on

running the London Marathon in memory

of her father and for the charity Dementia

Revolution. Laura carries the Alzheimer’s

gene which led to Jeremy’s early death at

the age of 60, in 2009. She said: “Last year,

I was diagnosed with a rare gene, meaning

that I will develop early-onset Alzheimer’s.

I am currently healthy and well; nothing

about me has changed, but everything is

different. I may start to develop symptoms

as early as my mid-forties, meaning that my

future no longer looks as I had imagined it

to be. So, this means that I need to live my

life a little differently. The first challenge

I’ve set myself is the London Marathon;

through training and running it, I want to

raise awareness that dementia isn’t solely

an elderly illness. I also want to raise a lot

of money to aid medical research, which

will hopefully, one day, lead to a cure.”

Sadly, due to injury just two weeks before,

Laura had to pull out of the marathon. She

was extremely disappointed, but she is so

grateful for the support given to Dementia

Revolution, with funds still coming in for

the charity.

It was a big year for the Class of 1998,

with many of them celebrating their 40th

birthdays. Past President Sam Bird (98)

was one of them, and he enjoyed a party at

his home in September, surrounded by the

Class of 1998, his family and friends.

George Wells (46): “This gathering

(pictured over the page) was held at The

Fox and Hounds in Exton with three sons

and two daughters, with one travelling all

the way from New Zealand to celebrate.

Later in the year, we enjoyed a wholefamily

get-together, including most of

our 10 grandchildren, at our daughter’s

home near Princethorpe. Sadly, our eldest

son died unexpectedly from a heart attack

two years earlier, aged 55. Now nearing

my 89th year, I still remember many happy

times as a lad at Ratcliffe.”

Robert Ippaso (73): “I’ve now been living in

Naples, Florida for 10 years, and it’s idyllic.

The poem, below, that I wrote may bring

some of you a smile and prompt you into

thinking how beautiful the world really is.”

A Summer’s Day in Florida

The lake shimmers in the early breeze,

Dancing rivulets of light kissed by

the rising sun,

Reflecting passing clouds, hopscotching

with such ease,

It heralds a new day just now begun.

Observing its environs with majestic grace,

An ibis meanders daintily along water’s edge,

Confident in its prowess to outpace,

Its curved bill nature’s dancing dredge.

A ripple breaks the perfect glass,

A little beak emerges from the deep,

Imbued with curiosity and sass,

The snapping turtle juts its head to peep.

All the while, majestic palms sway to and fro,

Their fronds fanning summer’s air,

From high they watch the morning’s show,

Shielding those below from radiant glare.

A perfect harmony of sights and sounds,

It bathes the soul, lightens the heart,

Nature’s beauty truly knows no bounds,

Of which we’re blessed to form a tiny part.

Anthony Holland (56): “I have no real

news, apart from enjoying, as always, the

Past Presidents’ Dinner at the College

each autumn. I was in Rome recently on

a pilgrimage organised by the Newman

Association, to learn more about Judeo-

Christian relationships in the 1st century

AD. It was quite an eye-opener – for me,

anyway. I am in contact with John Sharp

Alex Slack (née Gamble) (03): “It was with

a very heavy heart that I left the Ratcliffian

Association in May this year. Ratcliffe

has been, and will always be, a big part

of my life. Having been christened in the

Religious Studies room, confirmed and

married in the Chapel and, subsequently,

having baptised both my own children

there, it’s fair to say that I miss the place.

Not only was I educated at the College, but

also my grandfather, Gerard Gamble (31),

my four uncles, Tim (62), Richard (64),

Mark (71), and Charles (75), my father,

Andrew (68), my brothers, Ed (95) and

Patrick (96), and many of my cousins. We

all had an amazing time, and Ratcliffe has

shaped us into who we are today. As I sit

and write this, I wonder how bricks and

mortar from one place can have such a

huge impact on my life.

I recall the saddest day of my existence, of

which Ratcliffe was a part: the day I was

told that my brother had been killed in a

car accident. The first place I wanted to

be (aged 14 and not a proactive Catholic

at the time) was at Ratcliffe. In the

Chapel, I met Fr Meredith (57) and Teresa

Gamble, and we sat and prayed in silence.

The following weeks were a blur; however,

I clearly remember receiving Patrick’s

body into the Chapel the night before his

funeral, and knowing that he would be in

safe hands.

Another memory etched in my mind for a

lifetime was Patrick’s funeral, where 700

people lined the route to the graveyard

as his body was laid to rest in the school

grounds. Working at Ratcliffe years later

made me feel at peace, knowing that

he was so close by, not only because his

physical being was buried in the graveyard,

(57), who now lives in Colchester, and I

also attended a retreat organised by Fr

David Tobin (59) at Sacro Monte Calvario

in Domodossola, which I have wanted to

visit for years. On most Sundays, I go to St

Etheldreda’s in London, where I listen to

the sermons of Fr Tom Deidun (62), which,

in my view, are worthy of publication on

most weeks.”

but also because I felt his presence around

the School.

I have so many emotional, but very

happy, memories of Ratcliffe College, and

I would like this to continue with my own

children, and to be able to offer them

what I was lucky enough to have. In order

to pursue this dream and make it a reality,

I have had to make some drastic changes

in my work life to be able to financially

support it. The House of Lifestyle

Management was born last year; it was a

big risk, but one I was willing to pursue to

enable my children to have the fantastic

education that Ratcliffe has to offer.

Charlie is registered to come to the School

in 2022, so I’d better knuckle down if I’m

going to reach this target!

My new company, The House of LM, has

one mission: to enrich people’s lives, by

giving them more time and helping them

to take control of their work-life balance.

I would like to take this opportunity to

thank Ratcliffe for giving me the chance to

work at the School. I will dearly miss all the

friendly people that make up the Ratcliffe

College community.



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RATCLIFFE REVISITED

We have been very pleased to welcome

the following Old Ratcliffians back to the

School this year:

Adam Rudd (88) returned to Ratcliffe

on 12th March 2019, having not been

back for 30 years. Association Secretary

Katherine Lang gave him a tour, and he

shared some memories of his time spent as

a boarder, the CCF, and several members

of staff. Adam’s father, Paul Rudd (60),

had previously sponsored a chair in the

Refectory, which Adam and Katherine took

the time to find. Adam said: “It was great

to see a little of the School, and I hope to

come back again with my children. I know

that they would love to see all the places

that they’ve heard about in my tales of

schooldays past.”

Two Old Ratcliffian brothers, Fr John (53)

and Tony Bland (54), returned to Ratcliffe

to view the newly completed Lockhart

Garden, combining their visit with a spot

of lunch with Fr Ted Mullen (60) and Fr

David Tobin (59). John and Tony took a

stroll around the garden, and they were

both extremely impressed with the layout

of the space, noting how much it had

changed since their time at Ratcliffe. John

said: “I was delighted to hear that the

Lockhart name had been restored, and

I was very impressed by the garden. The

space has been transformed – I remember

when we used to pour water on the hard

ground in the winter and slide on the ice!”

The brothers also met the newly appointed

bursar, Chris Bellamy. Having held the

position of bursar himself from 1961 to

1964, John was keen to meet Chris, and

they discussed how much the role must

have changed, with there only being

240 boys at Ratcliffe during John’s time.

John added: “It was fascinating to see the

College after so many years.”

Francisco Sardi (66), accompanied by his

wife, Victoria, and older brother, Jorge

Sardi (59), visited the College on 27th

June, after spending the morning at Grace

Dieu Manor, where both men were also

students. Development Director Andrew

Yell (82) gave them a tour of the College,

and Jorge was thrilled to see the relief map

of Leicestershire which he helped to make

when he was at Ratcliffe, which still hangs

in the Geography Department today. In

October, Francisco and Jorge’s brother,

Andres Sardi (65), also visited the College,

with his partner, son and daughter-in-law.

During his visit, he told countless stories of

his student days, many of which involved

some mischief on his part, much to

everyone’s amusement. He recounted how,

on year group photo day, he had taken his

place on the far right-hand side of the

group, and, whilst the photographer had

panned his camera along the assembled

students, Andres had run around the

back to the far left-hand side of the

group, therefore appearing in the photo

twice! Andres and his family thoroughly

enjoyed their visit. He and his partner

were particularly interested to hear about

the College’s development since Andres’

schooldays and the opportunities that

Ratcliffe offers to its students.

Eric Ho (92) visited Ratcliffe with his

family in August this year, during their trip

to the UK from Hong Kong. Andrew Yell,

Ratcliffe’s Development Director, took him

on a tour of the School. Eric said: “It felt

so wonderful to be back at Ratcliffe after

almost 30 years, bringing back so many

happy memories from my schooldays. I

was very grateful to Andrew for his warm

welcome and for showing us around. The

School has expanded a lot, with many new

blocks of buildings, a new indoor swimming

pool and a gym centre. It’s great to see

how well Ratcliffe has turned out. I would

love to see both of my daughters become

Ratcliffe students in the near future. I will

definitely come back to visit…again, again

and again!”

On 2nd March 2019, Andy Magee (90)

tied in a return visit to Ratcliffe with a trip

up to Leicestershire for his son’s rugby

fixture. Mike Sleath, a current teacher,

was available to show him around the

College. Andy said: “It was interesting

and nostalgic to visit Ratcliffe again. I

have only been back two or three times

in the past 25 years, and probably not for

over 10 years. Some things didn’t seem to

have changed at all – Pugin’s front facade

and the cricket pavilion were as I always

remember them. The Ref seemed totally

unchanged, too, but the food tasted a lot

nicer than I remember! There were also

lots of interesting additions – the Prep

School and a proper Sixth Form building

to replace the Union, to name a few! The

sports facilities looked excellent, and the

classrooms seemed as well-resourced as

ever. I hope to be back again soon.”

Earlier in the year, Development Director

Andrew Yell welcomed four Old Ratcliffian

visitors to Ratcliffe from the United States

within four weeks! Eugene McCarthy (61)

visited on 9th May, receiving a tour of the

Fitness Suite, which he had generously

contributed to. He also met up with his

fellow classmate, Fr Ted Mullen (60), and

found time to visit the Refectory to locate

his school chair, which is inscribed with

his name and his Ratcliffe dates. Eugene

also met up with fellow American OR Peter

Daley (56), who arrived in Leicestershire

a couple of days later for the Ratcliffian

Association and Cunningham Trust Fund

meeting. On 24th April, Ben Curran (76)

visited Ratcliffe from Washington DC.

Andrew said: “It was my absolute pleasure

to show Ben around. He works for FEMA (a

US government agency), and what he has

experienced through his working life could

fill a book!” Ben said: “It was sensational

to be back in England and to be taken

around the beautiful grounds of Ratcliffe.

It was my first time back at the College

since completing my A Levels in 1976 and

heading off to Georgetown University

in Washington DC – my hometown. With

my 10-year-old son, Matiwos, with me,

all sorts of funny stories came back to

mind, including meeting many ‘colourful’

local residents in East Goscote and Sileby,

and learning what an ‘off-licence’ was!

I also remembered the trips to Rome

with Fr Michael Waters (53), supporting

Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity.

This volunteer work started me off in my

life-long career in the field of relief and

development. Hats off to all the staff at

Ratcliffe for the great work they continue

to do to help youngsters get off to a good

start in life, and a shout-out to all those

I went to school with. Come and visit

Washington DC…maybe after the next

election!” The fourth US visitor to Ratcliffe

was Morgan Falconer (92), who arrived

with his son on 25th April. Morgan used to

write for The Times in London; he now lives

in the USA and works as an art critic and

journalist, writing about contemporary art

for numerous publications. Andrew said:

“It’s so great when Old Ratcliffians just

pop by to see their old school. Morgan was

not in contact with us and had not been on

our mailing list, hence he missed the US

Old Ratcliffian Dinner. However, we have

his contact info now. Perhaps he could be

another OR for our mentor and careers

programme – we could definitely host him

via video link!”

On 29th September 2019, Dan Saunders

(98) returned to Ratcliffe with his wife,

Laura, and his old classmate, Jason Liang

(98), who was visiting the UK from his

home in China with five family members.

Whilst Dan lives locally to Ratcliffe and

had recently been back to the School, this

was Jason’s first return to the College

in 21 years, and he very much enjoyed

showing his family the place where he

boarded from 1993 to 1998. On their tour

of the School, the Lockhart Garden was a

big surprise to both ORs, as they recalled

playing basketball and hockey in it when it

was ‘The Square’. They were also both very

impressed by the new Fitness Suite and

Ratcliffian Association Bar, remarking on

what fantastic additions they were to the

College’s facilities. The group left in very

high spirits, having enjoyed their private

tour and time together immensely. Jason

said: “Although much has changed within

the buildings, what has not changed is the

warm, family welcome and the all-round

personal development of what a true

Ratcliffian should be. I am very proud to

be an Old Ratcliffian.” Dan added: “It was

fantastic to reminisce with Jason about

our childhood memories and the time we

spent together at Ratcliffe. It was even

more special to be able to share it with his

family as part of their trip to the UK over

20 years on!”

Brothers Robert (60) and Peter

Reichenbach (54) returned to Ratcliffe

on 30th October 2019 after many years.

Robert arranged their visit to the School

whilst he was in Leicestershire visiting

Peter from Winchester. Robert said:

“We thought it appropriate to take a trip

down memory lane and see how the old

place was faring. Very well indeed, as its

reputation is widely held. The academic

achievements are recognised and the new

buildings, with the impressive facilities,

are there for all to see.” Peter, who ran the

Ratcliffian Association Golf Society, along

with Bernard Murphy (67), inaugurally

presented the Reynard Golf Trophy in

1977. This well-known silver fox trophy is

presented to the champion golfer each

year, usually played for in the Summer term

before the OR Reunion.

Lee Wojtkiw (96) returned to the School

on 29th August after 23 years, dropping

in on the way to visit an old school friend

in Leicester. He was met by Louise Liston,

Foundation Manager, who took him on a

tour of the School, starting in the newly

designed Lockhart Garden, formerly

known as ‘The Quad’. His memories soon

came flooding back when he spotted



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the window of his old room from his time

as a boarder, which overlooks the new

garden. Whilst on his tour, he was greeted

by Association Manager Sarah Gretton

and Association President Ben Jackson

(88), who were making use of the newly

refurbished Association Bar to have a

planning meeting. Lee kindly shared his

thoughts with them on what would inspire

him and his fellow classmates to return to

Ratcliffe to reunite; he also suggested that

a northern reunion might be appropriate,

since he is in touch with many former

pupils who live within the North East. Now

living in Manchester and running his own

business, Lee has a wife and two children.

Simon Burns (83) visited Ratcliffe on

9th July, accompanied by Caroline and

David Edwards, who were dear friends of

deceased Old Ratcliffian Andrew Ramen

(83). Andrew passed away in January this

year, after being diagnosed 10 years ago

with an incurable brain tumour. Caroline

and David, who cared for him throughout

this time, were keen to visit Ratcliffe,

having heard so many stories about it

from Andrew. David said: “I was delighted

to be welcomed to the College and to see

the places that Andrew had mentioned

so fondly in our conversations; it was

of great comfort to myself and my wife,

Caroline.” As a lasting memory to Andrew,

two Refectory chairs have been donated,

with his name engraved on them. (You can

read more about Andrew on page 59 of

this magazine.)

Wil Phillips (94) returned to the School

on 27th September 2019, after 25 years.

He was passing the College, having been

on a training course relating to his work

in counter-terrorism, which was a global

role until he recently became based

permanently in Northern Ireland. Wil was

shown around by Association Manager

Sarah Gretton, and he remarked at how

little had changed since his schooldays. As

a boarder from 1990 to 1994, he had many

stories of the mischief that he and other

students had made, including pouring

concentrated soap into the filter of the

swimming pool, leaving it six feet high in

bubbles, and moving the Head of Music’s

Mini all the way from the car park to the

archway outside the Music Hall, much to

everyone’s amusement. Wil admitted that

they were a particularly naughty bunch!

OLD RATCLIFFIANS: GIVING BACK TO THE SCHOOL

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Philip Barry (62): “I visited Ratcliffe on

23rd September 2019, on my way home

to the Lake District after a few enjoyable

days with my son and his family, who live

in Rutland. This was about my sixth visit

since leaving in 1962, but by far the best

and most special one, and one that will

remain the most memorable to me for

the rest of my life. I would sum it up by

saying that Ratcliffe has changed (but

not hugely) with some new buildings, but

in all essentials and in spirit, it is exactly

the same and has not changed at all. I was

made most welcome, and found my visit

both nostalgic and inspirational. I could

feel the spirit of Fr Leetham (15) with me

throughout! The visit brought home to me

all that my time at Ratcliffe had meant to

me, and how pervading and important its

influence has been to me from that time

to the present day, generally without me

being aware of it! It has taken this visit to

bring it back to me in a most wonderful

way. I will be back!”

Former Head Girl Stephanie Castell

(06) visited the College in June, having

travelled all the way to England from her

home in Australia for Louise Bird’s (06)

wedding. Stephanie was joined on the visit

by her husband, Ibbe, her baby son, Harry,

and her parents, and from the moment she

arrived, it was clear to see just how much

love she had for the College. Walking the

corridors, she proudly pointed out the

rooms which she studied in, the room

that she had boarded in, found herself

and her classmates in the whole-school

photographs, and posed for a picture with

Harry in front of the Head Girl and Boy

plaque. Bumping into her former teachers,

Mr Dziemianko, Mr Walsh and Mrs Cushing,

whilst walking outside, Stephanie chatted

with real passion about the subjects that

she was taught, reminiscing about her

schooldays and updating them about the

life she has lived since leaving Ratcliffe.

On 30th October 2019, sisters Hiu (88)

and Hoi Ho (88) joined us for a tour of

the College, accompanied by their mother

and aunt. Although Hiu had been back to

Ratcliffe on several occasions, this was

Hoi’s first visit since leaving 31 years ago.

It was also a very significant visit for their

mother, who, having been a single parent

in Hong Kong, had worked tirelessly and

selflessly to pay for the girls to study

abroad at Ratcliffe, but never actually

came to the College during their time here.

Having boarded from 1986 to 1988, Hui

and Hoi enjoyed visiting their rooms in the

Girls’ Boarding Wing, and they also enjoyed

recreating old school photographs. Hoi

recalled being quite the entrepreneur at

Ratcliffe, describing how she would get

knocks on her boarding room door at all

hours from fellow students wanting to buy

packets of instant noodles that she would

bring back in bulk from Hong Kong! It was

wonderful to welcome the group back to

Ratcliffe and to hear their fond stories and

memories – no doubt they took home many

new ones following their visit.

Charlie Easmon (79) returned to Ratcliffe on 9th May 2019 to

deliver a talk on mental health to the Year 8 and 9 students, as

part of their PSHCE programme. His talk was entitled ‘Positive

Psychology and the Science of Happiness’. Charlie is a doctor

and the owner of Your Excellent Health Service (YEHS), a private

medical practice on Harley Street in London. He said: “I was

delighted to be invited back to Ratcliffe, and it was an honour to

speak to the students – they were very engaged with what I had

to say. My time as a student at Ratcliffe was a great period of mind

development, surrounded by a fantastic group of interesting and

varied personalities.” Head of Careers, Tiffany Spencer, added:

“Charlie was a great speaker, and he really connected with the

students, talking knowledgably about mental health.” Charlie

is a keen supporter of the Ratcliffian Association and an avid

member of the Class of 1979 who, this year, celebrated 40 years

since leaving Ratcliffe, with many of them attending the Reunion

Luncheon to mark this significant anniversary (see pages 34-35).

Rob Williams (95) came to Ratcliffe to speak to the Sixth Form

students on 9th October 2019, guiding them through his

fascinating career as a technology entrepreneur, which began

with selling computers while he was still taking his A Levels at

Ratcliffe! Many sidelines, successes, and even some not-sosuccessful

business ventures later, he formed Williams Commerce,

the group that now encompasses four successful creative and

tech businesses, and continues to grow. Building on the principles

instilled at Ratcliffe, Rob was a great inspiration to the students,

encouraging them to be creative, to forge their own paths, and,

if they have an idea, to go for it! He also spoke to the students

about the importance of gaining experience within a large

company, in order to discover what they are good at, what they

enjoy, and to learn their trade. Finally, he highlighted the countless

opportunities that the tech industry presents for the younger

generation, who have grown up in a tech-savvy world and hold

more knowledge and insight than they realise, simply through

the way they communicate, shop and socialise. The students were

left with some invaluable tips and insights into what is clearly a

growing industry, as well as practical and relevant advice which

will, no doubt, provide food for thought as they make important

decisions about their futures over the coming year. In addition,

Rob’s offer of summer placements and apprenticeships within his

own group of businesses cemented his commitment to mentoring

the next generation of tech entrepreneurs. Indeed, it reaffirms

the value of the supportive network that we have between ORs

and current students. The Association and Sixth Form would like

to extend their thanks to Rob for his time and support of Ratcliffe

and its students.

Former Ratcliffian Association President Louise Marsden

(née Bullen) (91) has been appointed Chair of Governors for the

College, taking over from Louis Massarella (92) in September

2019. She said: “It is an honour and a privilege to accept this role

and to support the Rosminian Community, my fellow governors

and the Senior Leadership Team, to fulfil the strategic aims of

the College. As a former student of Ratcliffe, and now a parent of

two children in the Senior School, I am dedicated to the continued

success of this wonderful school, and I am looking forward to

working alongside the Headmaster, Jon Reddin, the Senior

Leadership Team and the Board of Governors in the coming months

to help our wonderful students achieve their greatest potential,

underpinned by the School’s vision: Strength of Mind, Strength

of Values, Strength of Purpose.” Sam Bird (98), Sam Spillane (née

Murphy) (91), Jo Linnett (née O’Connor) (91), Simon Burns (83)

and Teresa Gamble (Associate Member) all joined Louise as new

governors in September 2019.



53

OR NEWS

Georgia Holt (16) was the guest of honour at Ratcliffe’s annual

Sports Presentation Evening, held to award and acknowledge the

hard work of students who have taken part in the various sports

teams at the College. Georgia’s story is awe-inspiring. She is

currently part of the ‘Discover Your Gold’ programme and has been

selected for Team GB in cycling. In her address to the students,

Georgia spoke passionately about her journey. She said: “I believe

that, in order to realise your greatest potential, you must focus on

your dream, your big idea. Always try to keep the bigger picture in

mind and be prepared to take a risk. The story of how I ended up

being a cyclist with the Great Britain team is an example of this.

Inspired by the achievements of Lizzie Yarnold and Laura Deas

(who won gold and bronze medals in the skeleton at the Winter

Olympics in South Korea), I started looking online at skeleton

taster sessions. There, I stumbled across a talent identification

programme called ‘Discover Your Gold’, who were looking for

athletes to go into skeleton, rugby sevens, rowing, speed skating

and cycling. At the time, I was recovering from a heart operation

and definitely wasn’t feeling or looking particularly athletic, so

hurtling head-first on a tea tray at 70mph was, perhaps, not the

obvious choice of sport! Despite it all, I signed up, took a risk, and

in the months that followed, I committed everything to becoming

a professional athlete. A normal week for me now consists of

a minimum of two track sessions (lasting three hours), two gym

sessions lifting weights, at least one roller session and a road ride,

plus all my university work! Discipline is crucial, as are commitment

and resilience. By far, the best part of my sporting journey is the

people I have met. I’m achieving my dream in a sport that I love.”

BIRTHS

On 23rd January 2019, as part of Ratcliffe’s INSPIRE talks, Tom

Parker (99) gave a fascinating and engaging presentation

to the Ratcliffe students about his time at the Birmingham

University Officer Training Corps (BUOTC), describing the various

adventurous training opportunities that he has been lucky

enough to experience. From scuba diving in Egypt to skiing in Vald’Isère,

Tom has certainly had an interesting university experience

since leaving the College. He told the students that Ratcliffe

had really prepared him for university, most notably giving him

the confidence and ability to talk to, and interact with, people

of all ages. This really pushed him into joining the BUOTC, and

from there, he joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, taking on a

management role of 30 soldiers at the age of 23. He highlighted

the vast range of opportunities that there are for students,

including the jobs for doctors, nurses and vets that are available

in the Army. He also talked about the strong sense of camaraderie

in the BUOTC, describing how close-knit the Fusiliers are, being

a real family unit in often high-pressured environments. Looking

back, Tom said that his time as Head of CCF at Ratcliffe really

prepared him for later life, as the frequent adventurous training

opportunities available at the College were just like the BUOTC

(although, at university, they were free trips, while also earning

around £30 per day for joining the BUOTC, such as tunnel

warfare training in Gibraltar). Looking to the future, Tom hopes

to continue in his management role in the Fusiliers and is looking

forward to a two-month trip to Australia with his regiment. The

Association would like to thank Tom for coming into Ratcliffe and

giving such an interesting talk about his role and about the career

opportunities available in the Army. As Tom said, “Getting paid to

travel the world – you can’t argue with that!”

Hugh and Kate Adlington (née

Rumbold) (97) were thrilled

to welcome Anna Elizabeth

Adlington, who was born

on 3rd December 2018 at

University Hospital Coventry and

Warwickshire, weighing 7lbs 7oz.

Her big brother Michael, now 3, is

smitten!

Adrian Smith (03): “On 3rd

February 2019, my partner,

Victoria, gave birth to our first

child, Frederick John Smith, at

Leicester Royal Infirmary. On

29th June, we moved to Rearsby,

and we couldn't be happier in our

new family home.”

Emma Hardman (née Whittaker)

(05) and her husband, Rob, are

delighted to announce the safe

arrival of their baby boy, Luke

Jacob Hardman. He was born at

Leicester Royal Infirmary at 1.37am

on 30th May 2019, weighing 8lbs

5oz. He is their first child.

Emile Shaffu (97): “Following

on from getting married to

Lindsay last September, our

son, Zack, was born on 22nd

July this year! Lindsay is

recovering well, and Zack is

growing fast!”

Nick Jelley’s (01) first baby girl,

Harper, was born on 11th June

and is doing well.

Megan Macmillan (née Stephens)

(01): “Emily Veronica Clare

Macmillan was born on 14th

December 2018, weighing 9lbs

5½oz. She joins big brother

Daniel, aged 3, and is certainly

keeping us on our toes, as she’s

starting to walk already!”

Rachael McMillan (09): “In April this year, my fiancé, Charles,

and I welcomed our baby girl, Connie Patricia Kindleysides, into

the world. We are very much enjoying throwing ourselves into the

role of new parents, with Connie already crawling and causing

chaos! We are lucky to have Sophie Mulligan (09) as a wonderful

godmother to Connie – she spoils her rotten!”



55

MARRIAGES

Louise Bird (06): “Oliver Wilson

and I got married on 29th June

2019 at my parents’ home in

Queniborough. I met Oliver at

work in London five years ago, and

we now live together in Leigh-on-

Sea in Essex. Old Ratcliffians at

our wedding included my sister,

Harriet Bird (10), my brothers,

Paul (97) and Tom Mensley (01),

my sister-in-law, Victoria Mensley

(née Lancaster) (04), and my

niece, Connie Mensley, as well as

Steph Castell (06), Tara Bishop

(née Noss) (04), Harriet Oliphant

(06) and Luke Featherstone (06).”

Jessica Sharpe (07) married Oliver Mankowski at Ratcliffe College on 6th July

2019. Jessica’s father, former Ratcliffe teacher Graham Sharpe, gave her away.

Gary Titterton (95) and Joana Borges

were married on 13th September 2019 at St

Mary’s Catholic Church in Loughborough.

The couple first met on 13th February 2016

and celebrated their engagement on 6th

December 2018.

MARRIAGES

Richard Draycott (90) married Ana Bolaños Fernandez

on 13th July 2019 in Madrid. He said: “It was a wonderful

celebration weekend, with many Old Ratcliffians present,

including representatives from the Draycott, Lynch,

Magee, Gallagher and Mee families.”

Ratcliffe College’s Director of Sport, Amanda

Stafford, became Mrs Michael Turns on 2nd August

2019, as she was married at Stratford Park Hotel and

Golf Club.

Dominic North (85) married Julie

Lowe on 25th May 2019 at St

Leonard’s Church in Swithland,

followed by a marquee reception

at their home in Rothley. Julie

said: “We enjoyed a wonderful

sunny day spent with our friends

and family, finally tying the

knot after 16-and-a-half years

together.” Patrick Atkinson

(85) was Dominic’s best man,

with Matthew Hilton (90) taking

up a role as usher. Several Old

Ratcliffians attended, including

Lucy Atkinson (96), Katey

Tebbutt (94), John Atkinson (87),

Sam Spillane (née Murphy) (91),

Ollie Gent (12), Laura Hunt (née

Birtwistle) (09), Justin Hunt (08)

and Joe Birtwistle (10).

Paul Mensley (97): “Cassie Dee Pike and I were married on

26th October 2018, on the beach in Salema, Portugal. We

had the most amazing time away with the best group of

friends and family that we could wish for. My wife looked

stunning, and I truly am so happy - we’re now looking

forward to our life together.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you would like us to publish your

news, please send your item, along

with a relevant photo, to us at

alumni@ratcliffecollege.com before

November 1st 2020

Paul Sander (72): “On 17th

August, Alexandra Mondragón

Bravo married me in a not

uneventful ceremony in Mexico

City. Eventful because we

arrived without all the required

documentation, which we had

left in the hotel! Fortunately,

the judge was even later than

us on our return trip with

the documents – sometimes

Mexico’s acutely different sense

of time works in my favour!”



57

OBITUARIES

Tony Daly (47)

Eric Meade (40)

Andrew Ramen (83)

Michael Hobday (61)

Rolf Riha (64)

Bernard Sherratt (52)

Peter Meade (47)

IN MEMORIAM

Notifications of the deaths of the following Old Ratcliffians and associates have been

received since the last edition of The Old Ratcliffian:

Ion Paul Dyson (52)

Brian Bernard Collins (40)

Andrew Power (60)

Christopher Clarke (63)

Christopher Browne (63)

John Reynolds (50)

Patrick Simmonds (51)

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

Michel de Dadelsen (67)

Paul Helm (57)

Paul Spencer (98)

John Edward Moore (72)

Arthur Michael Porter (56)

Andrew Nutter (Bursar)

Marilyn Bannen (Associate Member)

Friends and relatives are invited to write an obituary for the next edition of this magazine if it is not included in this one.

JOHN EDWARD MOORE

25TH JANUARY 1955 - 15TH AUGUST 2019

OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1968 - 1972

John Edward Moore, the only son of Margaret and Henry Moore’s

five children, was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, on 25th

January 1955. As a child, he had a real sense of adventure, from

gathering wild blackberries and making jam with his youngest

sister to swimming solo across a lake in Austria when he was only

nine years old. The family home in Sheffield became a nursing home

to many wild animals. John looked after and helped injured birds,

a duckling abandoned by its mother, and even a small hedgehog,

feeding them back to health.

John’s love of food became the driving force of his life. After leaving

Ratcliffe, he took a course in Catering and Hotel Management in

Manchester. After working abroad in catering for many years, he

found his feet in the USA, where he met and married his American

wife, Sondra. They were happily married for 25 years. On retiring

from the catering industry, he enjoyed working on his late fatherin-law’s

ranch, near Ione in California. Their Texas Longhorn cattle

were famous, winning awards in many shows.

John died in a tragic accident at the ranch on Our Lady’s Feast

Day on 15th August 2019. He leaves behind his broken-hearted

wife, two sons, a stepdaughter, his 103-year-old mother, and four

sisters. His care for the ranch and for the environment will live on

ION PAUL DYSON

8TH MARCH 1934 - 25TH FEBRUARY 2019


Ion Paul Dyson (Paul) died in his sleep on 25th

February 2019, having lived with Parkinson’s

for nine years and spending his last year

living in a small group home. He cherished

his memories of his years at Ratcliffe College.

He and I lived in McLean in America, and we


in our memories. John and his wife certainly put Pope Francis’

encyclical, Laudato Si’, into practice, caring for our planet. He was

a wonderful brother, unique in many ways. Rest in peace, John.

Gerry Johnson

Sister

visited Ratcliffe a number of years ago

during one of our family visits to England.

May he rest in peace.

Mary Tobin

Wife

ANDREW RAMEN


Andrew relished the summer for his adored country walks. He

would declare daily after midwinter how many minutes earlier

the sun would rise and later it would set, until sufficient daylight

enabled ventures into the North Downs or Chilterns. My wife,

Caroline, and I knew Andrew for over 30 years, from him dropping

by when hungry or with his dressing gown when poorly, until he

finally shared our home with us on being diagnosed in 2008 with

an incurable brain tumour.

I first met Andrew on 28th July 1986; he was 21 and had graduated

in Middle Eastern History and Politics at SOAS. Sharing similar

interests – walking, travel, history, archaeology, architecture,

music, books, London – we became inseparable, though, in all

respects, Andrew’s formidable knowledge and fervour left me in

the shade. He introduced me to opera; we were invariably up in

‘the gods’, with Andrew’s 6’4” frame folded haphazardly into a

tiny seat, and his budget stretching to interval hot chocolate. An

accomplished polymath, he was an avid attendee of exhibitions

and a keen patron of the Royal College of Music. His Cinema Club

viewed what its committee – consisting of Andrew – considered

to be each season’s best 20 films, and for 20 years, Andrew was

one of the British Museum’s most respected volunteer guides in its

Ancient Greek, Egyptian and Meso-American galleries.

Born in Caxton, Cambridgeshire, to Sarah and Ray Ramen, Andrew

attended Carre’s Grammar School, before boarding at Ratcliffe

College from 1978 to 1983, where his position as librarian sated his

thirst for knowledge and, through wily machinations, secured his

absence from Games.

From the outset, Andrew, Caroline and I were dedicated walking

companions. We eventually completed most of Britain’s longdistance

footpaths, culminating in 2017 with a stretch of Andrew’s

favourite South West Coast Path, after which he was, sadly, too

ill to continue. His interests took us to Continental Europe, Crete,

Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, the US and Mesoamerica, Iran,

Uzbekistan, and Cambodia; his modus operandi was to travel

independently, to explore, and to discover.

After two years of stockbroking in the late 1980s, Andrew was (to

the surprise of his equally unfortunate colleagues) delighted to

be made redundant; the pay-off funded an adventurous Eastern

European tour, during which time he secured a coveted position

at Mayfair’s Heywood Hill bookshop, overseeing travel and history.

Staying there for 18 years, he made many lifelong friends.

His excursions became more adventurous. A lesser-known Cretan

river gorge between vertical cliff faces presented no exit other

than where it spewed into the sea. Too late, Andrew discovered

its tendency to flood, finally emerging at the coast, rucksack aloft,

chest-deep in water that was tapioca-thick with frogspawn. At

first, he was horrified by the ordeal, but soon he was elated at

his Indiana Jones near-death experience. Andrew’s joy at natural

phenomena took us up a Turkish mountain to witness 1999’s total

eclipse; our backpacks were laden with mosquito nets, Imodium,

and maps so detailed that amazed Turks willingly accepted them

in lieu of currency. Later, in Istanbul, we were caught in one of

Europe’s worst earthquakes, in which 17,000 people died. We fled

our hotel with our most precious possessions – for us, passports,

and for Andrew, his radio. In the subsequent communications

blackout, Andrew acquired hero status, as he triumphantly relayed

to the enthralled locals hourly earthquake updates, as provided by

his beloved World Service.

In Syria, months before civil war began, we visited Homs, Hama, the

Krak des Chevaliers, and Aleppo’s legendary Great Mosque and

souq, which are all now largely or completely destroyed. Near the

Iraqi border, our driver threatened to trade us in to the insurgents.

A long silence followed, finally broken by our driver’s hysterical

laughter. In Iran, Andrew was lionised, due to a knowledge of the

country’s politics, history and culture that far exceeded that of the

locals. His ability to speak Farsi and his good looks also helped; if I

lost sight of him, the nearest huddle of giggling girls would reveal

him holding court. Here, with prescience, Andrew insisted that we

visit the World Heritage city of Bam, which was later destroyed in

an earthquake.

Andrew relished his adventures, writing in July 2017: “I know I’m

lucky to be able to go on these holidays. I heard that US Republican

Senator John McCain has been diagnosed with a brain tumour of

the same type as mine, and like mine – diagnosed almost eight

years ago – it is aggressive and his life expectancy is low. Like me,

he has been given just eighteen months, though he is 80 and I

was 44. Whenever I have to give something up, I think back to

that time, and how I am now having the time of my life on our

wonderful planet.”

Andrew’s consideration for others was humbling. Suffering

avascular necrosis himself, he would give up his tube seat to elderly

travellers and stand in pain for the remainder of his journey. In

December 2017, he wrote: “I know I go on about ancient buildings,

Roman emperors and clifftop viewpoints, but none of these is as

important to me as the people that I am honoured enough to know

as friends.”

In his last summer, Andrew sailed through the qualifying rounds

of television’s Mastermind, only to have to relinquish his place

in the 2018 filming at Salford when his health failed. This was a

tremendous blow, but Andrew never complained as his illness

became ever more debilitating. While he had many lifetimes of

journeys and adventures planned, he was cruelly denied the

timespan that many of us take for granted. But if one is to be

judged by their achievements, the friends they have made, the

help they have given to others, then, Andrew, you will be held

in the highest regard. A delightful, mild-mannered whirlwind of

originality, eccentricity, curiosity and goodwill, you taught us how

to live, and we are hugely indebted.

David Edwards

Friend


OBITUARIES

59

OBITUARIES

BRIAN BERNARD COLLINS


Brian’s time at the College was short,

but despite this, he always held Ratcliffe

in his heart. After serving in the RAF

during the war, he studied Medicine, and

he went on to join a general practice in

Harwich, Essex, in 1959, where he worked

as a much-loved and respected GP until

his retirement in 1989. Brian enjoyed

30 years of retirement with his beloved

Marie-Louise, until she sadly passed away

last year. He died after a short illness on

25th February 2019, aged 94. He will be

very much missed by his children, Martin

and Philippa, and his grandchildren.

Martin Collins (83)

Son

MICHAEL DESMOND HOBDAY

5TH FEBRUARY 1942 - 11TH JANUARY 2019


Dad was born at the American Missionary Hospital in Madurai,

Tamil Nadu, in India, on 5th February 1942. His mother and father

had gone to India in 1933. Prior to that, his father had worked in

Lloyds of London. His boss at the time had explained that there

were two international assignments that needed undertaking; one

was in Rio de Janeiro and the other in India. Understandably, both

of them wanted to go to Rio, so they tossed a coin. His father lost,

and so the family went to India.

Dad’s first school was in Kodaikanal, and he was then sent to

boarding school in England at the age of six. Initially, he went to

Grace Dieu Manor, and then he followed his two older brothers to

Ratcliffe College. There, he excelled, ultimately becoming Head

Boy. In particular, he was influenced by his Headmaster, Fr Claude

Leetham (15), to push himself in sport. He did so, and he soon

became captain of the 1st XV Rugby Team. He was also a national

athletics champion, which culminated in him winning the Schools’

Championships 110m high hurdles at the stadium at White City

in London. He was inspired at Ratcliffe by Peter Hildreth (46),

who was his sporting idol, although he was a few years older than

Dad. Peter had equalled the British record for the 110m hurdles

on five occasions and reached the semi-finals of the 1952 Olympic

Games in Helsinki. This might have been an early inspiration for the

amount of time that Dad subsequently spent in Finland.

However, as Dad’s spare time transitioned from sports practice

to family and business life, these sporting achievements became

harder to maintain. Although mentally, his sporting prowess lasted

with him forever, physically, this wasn’t always the case. When I

subsequently went to Grace Dieu, and Mum and Dad came to see

me winning the high jump, Dad decided at the end to “show us

all how it was done”. This transpired to be very amusing, as doing

this in his suit trousers meant that not only did he knock down the

bar as he jumped, but he also split his trousers in doing so! One of

his most memorable moments later in life was when my brother,

Charles, took him to see the 2012 London Olympics. He loved

seeing Usain Bolt running the 200m, but the real highlight for

him was watching his event, the men’s 110m hurdles final, which

brought back many of his treasured White City memories, and, of

course, telling Charles how good he had been at it.

In his working life, Dad started out at Price & Pierce, which was

later acquired by a Finnish company called Finncell. Finland played

a big part in Dad’s working life. He spent nine months living there

in the early 1960s, and he learnt to speak Finnish and travelled

extensively throughout his career. In fact, he was in Finland when

President Kennedy was assassinated. Dad resigned from Finncell in

1987 to join Central National Gottesman as their UK CEO. When he

joined Central National, they had only sold 500 tonnes of pulp in

the previous year. Within his first year, he had grown sales volumes

of pulp to over 150,000 tonnes, as well as a further 100,000

tonnes of newsprint from Canada and South Africa. He stayed at

Central National until he retired in 2006, and he maintained an

active interest in the pulp industry as Chair of the British Wood

Pulp Association for many years.

Dad met Mum at a mutual friend’s party in London in 1965. He fell

in love with her immediately and told me that, as soon as he set

eyes on her, he knew she was the person that he wanted to marry.

Their first date was a drink at The Windsor Castle pub in Notting

Hill Gate, followed by dinner at an Italian restaurant nearby called

Verbanella. He adored her for every day of his life.

Mum and Dad got married in Chiswick on 1st April 1967, and he took

a week off work, which he called their honeymoon! He worked hard,

as did Mum, and they bought their first home, an ultra-modern

Scandinavian-style house, in Manygate Lane in Shepperton. Their

next-door neighbour was Tom Jones, whom Dad had several pints

with during the time that they lived there, in their local pub, The

Square. With a growing family looming, Dad was driving through

Woking one day and noticed an advertisement in an estate agent’s

window for a new development that was being built. He and Mum

bought the house off-plan for £2,500 (they were very different

prices in those days), and we spent many happy years there.

In his final days, I talked extensively to Dad about the people who

had inspired him in his life. There are too many to mention specific

names, but I want to share one statement that he made to me. He

said: “Everything good in my life has been influenced by Mum.” In

character, Dad was very traditional, and he lived by the “my word is

my bond” philosophy. He was trustworthy, reliable, and he always

had an opinion; it wasn’t necessarily politically correct, yet he

was endearing to so many people. This has been so dramatically

apparent in people’s words and comments to us in cards, letters

and conversations over the past few weeks. He had lots of stories,

some of which were absolutely preposterous. As several people

have said to me, they always got better and better as he repeated

them and embellished them over the years.

The last week of his life was spent at the wonderful Princess Alice

Hospice in Esher. It’s an amazing place and, although he was

critically ill, he spent a few days surrounded by lovely views of their

gardens from his room, whilst listening to music and hearing Mum,

Charles and I talking. I was with Dad in the evening before he died,

and one of the lovely nurses came into the room and said, “Michael,

it’s time for you to have a drink.” He said, “I’d like a gin and tonic,

please.” To my surprise, she brought him one. He then asked her

JOHN REYNOLDS

1933 - 2019


John, who died on 21st March 2019, was one of six children born

to Dr Leo and Eileen Reynolds, who had come to Manchester from

Ireland in the 1930s. They had five boys, Hubert (41), Leo (43),

Arthur (47), John (50) and Peter (53), who all attended Ratcliffe

College, and one girl, Sheila. The first four children followed their

father into medical vocations, whilst John became a teacher and

Peter joined the Rosminians, becoming a much-loved priest.

John was born in Ancoats in Manchester, but his roots lay in

Ireland, in Ballinamore, County Leitrim. He was immensely proud

of his Irish heritage, having spent some of the war years as an

evacuee there. He was also proud of his link with the Rosminian

family, both through Ratcliffe and through his brother, Peter. John

himself became a Rosminian novice after he left Ratcliffe, until he

felt that God was calling him to a different path. It was because of

his time in the Order that John started his national service later

than usual. On arrival, he was presented with a form to complete to

explain this discrepancy, and John though that one word, “cleric”,

would be explanation enough. The army thought that the word was

“clerk”, and, as a result, John spent his national service in the Pay

Corps at Kidderminster, which was a source of great amusement

to him.

After national service, John decided to go into teaching, unlike

most of his family, who were doctors. He was a good teacher and,

after spending time at both St Lawrence’s School and St James’

Primary School, he moved to St Charles’ Primary School as Deputy

Headteacher. In 1973, John was appointed as Headteacher at St

Joseph’s Junior School in Ordsall, and he remained there until his

retirement in 1988. He was extremely good at his job, and he was

as proud of his school as he was of his family.

The Catholic faith played a huge part in John’s life. He read during

Mass at St Mary’s on a regular basis, and he was a committed and

for more ice and enjoyed at least half of it. A very fitting memory,

since, as many of you may know, it was his favourite drink.

Dad, Grandpa, Michael…we will miss you. Thanks for the memories.

God bless.

Justin Hobday

Son

Throughout his years at Grace Dieu and Ratcliffe, Michael

personified the calibre of student that any college would be proud

to produce. Both in the classroom and on the sporting field, he

acted with distinction. In his senior years at Ratcliffe, he was

applauded by Fr Claude Leetham as being one of his best Head

Prefects. He also established himself as a fine leader in sports,

captaining the 1st XV and athletics teams. One major feat of

Michael’s was winning the 110m hurdles at the Public Schools’

Championships at the White City in London.

Michael leaves behind his wonderful wife, Eva, his two sons, Justin

and Charles, and their children, as well as two brothers, John (56)

and Reginald (63). His eldest brother, Howard (52), preceded

him in death. Michael will be sorely missed by his family and many

friends. Rest in peace.

John Hobday (56)

Brother

long-standing member of the Catenians, living out their ideal

of ‘Family, Faith and Service to Others’. In addition to attending

the Salford Circle, he was a visitor at a number of other circles, an

honorary member of the Rochdale Circle, and he regularly went on

trips and pilgrimages organised by the Catenians. (Cont. overleaf)



OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES

Throughout his life, John was an active visitor to sick and

housebound Catenians. One story illustrates his commitment to

this practical aspect of his faith. He was visiting his father, who

was being nursed in his last illness at the Alexian Brothers’ nursing

home in Manchester. On his way out of the building, John heard

a voice calling, and he went to investigate. It was a gentleman

who was paralysed from the neck down, and the book that he was

reading had fallen out of the machine that turned the pages for

him. John replaced the book and then began to chat to this lonely

man, who turned out to have been a senior scientist at the nuclear

plant in Cumbria. In spite of his incredibly busy life, John made

time to visit this man each week for a chat. The impact this had

is illustrated by the fact that, when the man died, the company

fulfilled his wishes and sent a car to take John up to Cumbria for

the funeral.

It was when John was a young teacher that, thanks to his brother

PATRICK SIMMONDS


Bernard (pictured, centre, with a striped tie) was a talented man,

an excellent, well-liked teacher, and an accomplished carpenter.

He built the bar in the Staffroom – it was a work of art! He also

had a mischievous, almost childlike, innocence, which I found very

endearing. He didn’t suffer fools gladly, however, and was a bit of

a rebel. What I can say, with conviction, is that he was totally loyal

to his religion, his family and his students. Rest in peace, Bernard.

Peter Banks

Colleague

I remember Bernard telling me that he had originally trained to

be a Biology teacher, though he never let Fr Lance Hurdidge (40)

know, as he much preferred teaching Maths! He was an extremely

good teacher who helped the weaker students. His carpentry skills

were manifested when he completely revamped the Sixth Form

Union; he made all of the furniture, including the benches and the

Tuck Shop and Bar.

Fr Philip Sainter (69)

Colleague

After studying at Ratcliffe, Bernard joined the Rosminian order,

and he was always very much part of the Rosminian family.

Sometime after his novitiate, he was appointed as a brother to

the community at Grace Dieu, where he was a popular teacher.

He was very proficient, particularly in carpentry. After he left the

Rosminians, he married and had three daughters. Eventually, he

Arthur, he met his future wife, Margaret. They fell in love, and the

rest is history! John was immensely proud of his family, and his

daughters and grandchildren were a regular topic of conversation

with him. Margaret died in 2005, but she remained a constant

presence in his heart.

John had cancer for many years, and he was in hospital for the last

months of his life. When he told his daughters that it was terminal,

he said: “Don’t cry, girls. I have been working all my life for this – to

go to heaven.” His funeral at St Mary’s in Eccles was a magnificent

tribute to a great man. The church was packed, with 27 nieces

and nephews, along with many other relatives, parishioners and

Catenians attending. They were joined by past pupils of Ratcliffe

College, including Patrick Jolliffe (53), who drove up from London,

and Fr David Myers (59), who preached.

Paul Baker & Fr David Myers (59)

Friends

Patrick arrived at Ratcliffe in 1949, the year his elder brother, Leo (49), left. A gifted musician and linguist, Patrick emigrated to New

Zealand, marrying an Irish girl whose love for him led her to emigrate there. They had five children.

Patrick was a fluent Maori speaker and top-class centre three-quarter rugby player, having been a member of the Jarasaki team when it

won the Interprovincial Rugby Cup for the first time.

Patrick died at his home in New Zealand on 5th April 2019, aged 85. May he rest in peace.

Leo Simmonds (49)

Brother

BERNARD SHERRATT


TEACHER AT RATCLIFFE 1975 - 1992

came to teach for a number of years at Ratcliffe. Again, he was

a popular teacher and member of staff. He held various positions

in the College, including Sixth Form Master in charge of boarding.

After leaving Ratcliffe, he took up carpentry professionally, living

and working in Sileby, Leicestershire. Later, he and his wife went

to live in France, not far from Lourdes. Two years ago, Bernard and

his wife drove down to Lourdes and visited our Ratcliffe Rosminian

pilgrimage in Hosanna House in Bartrès and enjoyed a meal with

us. May he rest in peace.

Fr Anthony Meredith (57)

Colleague

The following messages were sent by some of Bernard’s former

pupils from Ratcliffe College and Grace Dieu:

Jenny Ardley-Oakden (91): “Mr Sherratt was a lovely man. He was

kind, gentle, funny, caring, and wonderfully irreverent. I have very

happy memories of him. Such a sad loss of a great man.”

Leo Biles (79): “Dear Mr Sherratt taught me woodwork at Grace

Dieu, and he was also my Maths teacher at Ratcliffe. He was always

there to help and guide us. Rest in peace, Mr Sherratt. God bless.”

Joanne Linnett (née O’Connor) (91): “Mr Sherratt was my tutor,

and a fantastic one, too! He was warm, easy to talk to, and very

Born of Irish descent in Pontypridd in 1930, Tony was brought up

in Leicester, after his family moved there in 1933. During the war

years, he was a pupil at Ratcliffe College, and he often talked fondly

of his time there. For a number of years after leaving, he helped

to run the tombola stall at the Leicester Old Ratcliffian Dinner

Dance, and he kept an association with the School throughout his

life. After taking his School Certificate, Tony worked at St Martin’s

Bank, before doing two years of national service. Following this,

he enrolled at Loughborough Technical College, later moving to

London as a trainee with the National Cash Register Company.

Retaining contact with Leicester through the Knighton Catholic

Club, a Catenian dinner dance was responsible for Tony meeting

Maria, and they married a few years later, in 1955. Soon after that,

his father, a founding member of Leicester 53, encouraged Tony

to join. He later became secretary for a number of years, and his

involvement with the Catenian Association developed further,

with him joining Leicester South 245, being a joint member of the

newly formed Kirby Muxloe 329, and finally, as a member of the

Loughborough 173 Circle.

As a salesman by nature and training, Tony identified an

opportunity for a new market in telecoms in 1986, and he

successfully developed a communications company that remains

a family business today. For three years, he was a Leicester City

Councillor, before moving to the County, and he served for many

years as the Bishop’s representative on the Local Education

Committee. For his services to Catholic education, he was awarded

a Knighthood of St Gregory (KSG). In retirement, Tony became a

great traveller, visiting all of the continents, except Antarctica and

South America. His last adventure was a luxury cruise from Dubai

to Singapore, via India, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Tony died peacefully in his sleep, after a period of deteriorating

health, in November 2018. He leaves behind a large family,

including six sons, two of whom attended Ratcliffe, and four

understanding. I’m so sorry to hear that he has passed away.

Thinking of his wife and Tonia, Isabel and Maddy.”

Matt Lomas (79): “Forty-two years ago, Bernard Sherratt found a

way of getting me ‘over the line’ in my Maths O Level – not an easy

task, I assure you, and one for which I have been forever thankful!

He came across as a bit of a maverick with a keen sense of humour,

and his eyes sometimes betrayed his need to be strict with the

Catholic pupils before him. I also remember him in the metalwork

class, in the shed behind the Sixth Form Union, always being busy

in his approach to the task in hand, with a cheroot on the go. My

condolences to his family and friends.”

Joe Della-Porta (81): “Mr Sherratt was a beautiful man; he was

stern, fun, supportive, and had an aura. It was always a joy to see

his quirky smile before he stepped back into his role as a Master!

I’m so grateful for his kindness, enthusiasm, support, humour and

teaching.”

Gen Clegg (née Furey) (91): “I was so upset to hear about Mr

Sherratt. He taught me A Level Maths and gave me the confidence

to pull my grades up. I loved his sense of humour and the way he

spoke to us as adults. My condolences to Tonia, Isabel and Mad.”

WILLIAM JOSEPH ANTHONY (TONY) DALY

1930 - 2018


daughters. Two of his 14 grandchildren are currently pupils at the

School. He also had three great-grandchildren. Tony will always be

remembered as someone who was never short of a cheerful word

and a cheeky grin.




Maria Daly

Wife

OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES

CHRISTOPHER HENRY CLARKE

4TH MARCH 1945 - 26TH DECEMBER 2018


After leaving Ratcliffe in 1963, Chris went to Leeds University,

obtaining a degree in Metallurgy. In 1996, he was employed by

British Steel Swinden Laboratories in Rotherham, working in

research metallurgy. Being unable to see any progression, in 1974,

Chris got a job at Flather Bright Steels in Leicester as a salesman

in a stockholding warehouse. He was thrilled, as it gave him sales

office experience, as well as a company car.

Two years later, Chris moved to Foseco Ltd Burmah Castrol Group,

where he worked as an area salesman, despite knowing very little

about foundries. He enjoyed the job and was very successful,

increasing business by 74%. He graduated to Product Group

Manager, and then to Northern Region Sales Manager, to National

Sales, and then to National Sales Manager, and finally to Divisional

Manager of Ferrous Foundries in 1993. In 1996, Chris’ final career

move was to Hüttenes-Albertus GmbH, a German-based company,

as their UK National Sales Marketing Manager, instigating a small

sales team. This move also proved to be successful, and he retired

in 2006. Chris described his strengths as a determination to

succeed, an ability to motivate people, resilience, enthusiasm,

commercial awareness, honesty and reliability. He admitted to one

weakness: paying too much attention to detail, being a “belt and

braces” man.

Chris’ passion for the violin was shattered after an accident in

1979, leaving him unable to play left-handed. However, his love of

cars and antique-hunting filled the void. A heart attack in 1984 left

PAUL EDWARD SPENCER

22ND SEPTEMBER 1979 - 2ND AUGUST 2019


Paul was born in Peterborough Hospital on 22nd September 1979.

Soon afterwards, his family moved to Leicestershire, where his love

of, and talent for, music quickly started to flourish, and he became

a chorister at Leicester Cathedral.

Paul began his life as a Ratcliffian in September 1993, where he

soon came to value the camaraderie and sense of family that came

from being a boarder, as did I. Our free time during evenings and

weekends, which was often plentiful, allowed our minds to concoct

numerous ways of getting ourselves into mischief. Although most

of these schemes never made it past the conceptual stage, every

now and again, the lure of downtown Loughborough proved

to be too great, and taxis were summoned. On one occasion in

particular, breaking out of school proved to be significantly easier

than getting back in, after one of our would-be co-conspirators

(who will remain nameless for now) not only got cold feet at the

last minute, but also decided to drop the latch on the door that was

to take us back to the safety of our rooms in the early hours of the

following morning.

Throughout his time at Ratcliffe, Paul’s passions of music, the

outdoors and, in particular, history, continued to thrive. He enjoyed

most aspects of Ratcliffe life; however, he was never the biggest

fan of team sports, as, despite his enthusiasm for keeping fit and

for the outdoors in general, his co-ordination would frequently

let him down. On one occasion, during a cross-country run,

he managed to trip over what he described at the time as “an

him with a weakened heart and, following a further heart attack

in 2017, which was treated with a cardiac intervention, he died on

26th December 2018. Chris leaves behind a wife, three children

and four grandchildren.

Catherine Clarke

Wife

enormous branch”, sending him crashing to the ground. No one

else around him seemed to struggle with, or even see, this obstacle,

and although he managed to walk away from the incident, a quick

trip to the Leicester Royal Infirmary confirmed that he had actually

managed to break his arm, and he spent several months wearing a

plaster cast.

On the musical front, Paul was an active choir member throughout

his time at Ratcliffe, and this passion for music crossed into his

academics, as he was one of only two students to study Music at A

Level in his year. Another of his passions that crossed over heavily

into academia was his love of war films, planes, and generally

anything historical. He not only studied History, but also had a

genuine passion for the subject, and he was intrigued to be able to

learn more about it from the many Battlefield trips that featured as

part of the course. He continued this passion throughout his life,

only recently visiting the Battle of Britain bunker in Uxbridge and

Churchill’s bunker in London.

After leaving Ratcliffe, Paul went on to read History at Kingston

University in London. He very much enjoyed life there and made

several close friends, with whom he was still in regular touch until

his death. On graduating, he was able to combine employment

with another of his great passions: the aviation industry. He

started his working life at British Airways, running customer

service teams, before moving into sales roles on the commercial

ARTHUR MICHAEL PORTER

FEBRUARY 1938 - SEPTEMBER 2019


Arthur “Mike” Porter was born in Dayton, Ohio, in February 1938

to parents Arthur and Norma Porter, and raised in Miamisburg. He

spent his teen years overseas, living in France and England while his

father was an executive at General Motors. After graduating from

Ratcliffe College, Mike returned to the US, earning a bachelor’s

degree in Business from the University of Southern California.

After leaving university, Mike became an officer in the US Navy

and was stationed in San Diego. One fateful night, he attended a

dance at the University of San Diego, where he ended up meeting

the love of his life, Ginny. What followed was over 50 years of

love and marriage. Mike and Ginny raised their family in Fullerton,

California, bringing up two daughters, Julie and Susan, and their

nephew, David Thompson. A close-knit family was most important

to Mike, as was being a devoted Catholic.

Mike was a superior athlete and an avid sports fan. He excelled in

all sports, especially rugby and golf. As a scratch golfer, you could

always find him near a golf course. Mike’s greatest joy, however,

was his family. He loved coaching and watching his daughters and

grandchildren play sports and perform, and he never missed one

of their events. In his later years, “Papa” was a devoted grandpa to

his grandchildren, Caroline, Jackson and Avery.

Mike passed away peacefully in late September 2019, aged 81,

surrounded by his family. Predeceased by his wife, Ginny, Mike is

survived by his daughters, Julie and Susan, his nephew, David, his

brothers-in-law, George and Doug, his sister-in-law, Karen, and

his son-in-law, Charlie, as well as numerous nieces and nephews

who will dearly miss their “favorite uncle”.

Susan Fargo

Daughter

Mike was the first American student at Ratcliffe, entering the

College in 1953. He was a member of the 1st XV Rugby Team,

which accomplished a record of being unbeaten in all 10 of its

school matches, scoring 147 points with only 40 points against

it. Playing in the position of fly half, Mike won his sports colours

under the coaching of Fr Philip (Pip) Catcheside (37). Pip said

in his summary of the team: “Mike Porter at fly half was the key

side for both Lufthansa and Air Canada. He moved from there to

become Managing Director for Aviareps, a marketing company

setting up flight paths, and latterly, he was General Manager for

Brussels Airlines, serving the UK, Ireland and Eurowings.

Paul always had a relaxed outlook on life and possessed a very welldeveloped

sense of humour, but he should also be remembered as

a talented musician, a highly skilled professional who was excelling

in his chosen field of work, and a loving and committed father.

Despite his lifelong physical fitness, a previously undiagnosed

heart condition struck Paul on 2nd August 2019, just a month

before his 40th birthday. His faith was always something that he

felt strongly about, and I know that he would appreciate all of our

thoughts and prayers for his two children, Isabella and Edward, as

they go through this most testing time.

Ed Thompson (98)

Friend

man of the side. A shade slow in defence at the beginning, he

soon remedied that, and fulfilled the rash prophesies made of him

last year. His handling was incredible. It is so easy to make such

statements, but almost everywhere we played, it was commented

on with enthusiasm. And the point is, not only did he make the

incredible pass, above, below, behind, but he took it at speed, so

that when our scrum half was frankly bad, what little did come his

way was turned to the fullest advantage. Mike was very unselfish

and fed his threes unstintingly, backed up on the outside, covered

in defence, learnt some of the arts of fly half kicking, and found

his way in to score five tries. None of the three quarters ever quite

understood what he owed to Porter’s hands and pace.” Mike also

received his colours in swimming, and he was a member of the 1st

XI Hockey and Athletics Teams.

After leaving Ratcliffe, Mike attended university in America, and

from there, he entered the US Navy, serving his time on aircraft

carriers. He returned to Fullerton in California, where he went

into business in the golf arena. He loved golf and played it with

a passion. Mike was married to Ginny, his wife of many years, who

also passed away this year. He leaves behind two daughters, Susan

and Julie, together with their children. He will be sadly missed.


John Hobday (56)

Friend



OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES

ANDREW POWER

25TH JUNE 1943 - 25TH MAY 2017


Andrew was born in Coventry in 1943 to Barbara and Dr John Hale Power (32). He

came to Ratcliffe as a boarder in 1956, and he always spoke fondly of the School.

However, he much preferred to work on the land, where the brothers taught him

to drive the tractor, than to be in the classroom!

Andrew spent his working life in the motor trade and ran a small car repair

workshop for 30 years. We were married in 1972 and have two children, Helen

and David, and two grandchildren, Jamie and Sam. Andrew sadly passed away in

hospital on 25th May 2017 from problems with his chest and lungs.

Laura Power

Wife

MICHEL DE DADELSEN


Michel de Dadelsen was a civil servant and linguist. He was born in

Paris to an Irish actress, Ann Heffernan, and a French avant-garde

poet and author, Jean-Paul de Dadelsen, who was also adviser

to Jean Monnet and his European Coal and Steel Community,

precursor to the European Common Market or EEC.

Michel’s parents split up when he was a child, and he and his

mother settled in London, so that she could pursue her acting

career. He was educated at the Lycée Français in London, Ratcliffe

College in Leicestershire, and at Queen’s University in Belfast.

Michel first worked for the Prices and Incomes Commission as a

number cruncher, and after five years, he moved to the Netherlands

to work for the EEC’s assistance programme for Africa in a similar

role, rising to become Deputy Head of Finance and Personnel. He

left in 1998, remaining in the Netherlands for a year as a freelance

consultant before returning to the UK. In London, he spent almost

15 years working for Precise Media Monitoring, responsible for

translating French, Dutch and German news stories for clients

until he reached retirement age in 2014.

In his 20s and 30s, Michel had served as a reservist with the

British Army. A gentleman with old-fashioned good manners,

after retiring, he worked part-time as a language exam invigilator.

ANDREW NUTTER

RATCLIFFE BURSAR 2001 - 2006

Not everyone can claim to have fallen at the feet

of actress and singer Olivia Newton-John or

been given the Freedom of the City of London,

but Andrew delighted in having both accolades!

The first happened when he was walking on

Hampstead Heath in London. Olivia Newton-

John was walking her dog when it got loose

and ran away. Andrew rugby tackled it to catch

it and found himself on the floor, gazing up at

the Australian film star. It was a story he greatly

enjoyed telling. The Freedom of the City of

London (which, amongst other things, gave him

the right to drive sheep and cattle over London

He was also a volunteer and fundraiser for a number of charities,

was involved with several amateur dramatic societies, including

the Carlton Theatre Group of Wimbledon, and sang in the Morley

College Choir in South East London.

Michel died at the age of 69, after suffering a bleed on the brain.

He is survived by two half-sisters from his father’s earlier marriage,

Alice and Anne.

Adapted from a Guardian Online article written by Ann Kutek

Bridge) was bestowed on him for his work

inspecting the bridges over the River Thames.

This included an annual inspection and involved

abseiling down the sides of the bridges to check

the state of them underneath!

Andrew was born in Holloway, North London,

moving to Harringay when he was two years

old. He lived there for many years, becoming a

qualified chartered quantity surveyor working

for the City of London, and his eldest son, Toby,

now lives there. Andrew went on to work for the

Girls’ Day School Trust, the UK’s leading network

of independent girls’ schools, in London. After

a number of years, he then had a change of career, becoming a

bursar, firstly at St Francis’ College in Letchworth, and then at

Ratcliffe College near Leicester, which prompted a move to Melton

Mowbray in July 2001. After having a number of consultancy jobs,

Andrew joined the Leicester Diocese as Director of Parish Funding

and Fundraising. He became the project manager for two building

conversions in the centre of Leicester: St Martins Lodge and the

Community of the Tree of Life House. He and his wife, Trisha,

became Companions of the Tree of Life project in Leicester.

Andrew had a lifetime love of Scouting, leading camps at an early

age, mostly in Scotland, where he had hoped to retire to in the

future. He was also heavily involved with Great Ormond Street

Hospital Scouts. He met Trisha at a camp for Scouts with special

needs and, unbeknown to the couple, the two Scout leaders, Kim

and Mike, spent the whole camp trying to bring them together.

It obviously worked, because, on 5th November 1988, they were

married in Uckfield, East Sussex. The couple stayed in touch with

the camp, and their son, Toby, who first went along when he was

six months old, still goes on it every year.

PAUL HELM

17TH JUNE 1939 - 5TH SEPTEMBER 2018


Paul and I became friends at Ratcliffe in 1952. It was far more than

a superficial friendship, and eventually Paul had the ‘audacity’ to

marry my wife’s sister. What a blessing this turned out to be.

After his A Levels, Paul went to Derryswood, the Rosminian

seminary near Wonersh in Surrey, to test his vocation. We remained

in touch, and I visited him there; Paul was very much loved as part

of the community. However, fate soon interrupted our lives forever,

when Fr Ronnie Catcheside (26) gave me first refusal to travel to

Legnago, near Verona, to teach English to a young Law student.

Paul had given his all to deciding about his vocation. In 1963, after

completing teacher training at Hopwood Hall, followed by a period

of teaching at Ratcliffe College, he decided to leave the Rosminian

path to priesthood. I invited Paul to come to Italy with me as a

witness to my forthcoming marriage to Milena (Lazzari). After the

wedding, Paul stayed in Italy, managing to find work within a very

short time; he learnt Italian quickly, interpreted for the Americans,

and taught English privately. By this time, Paul and Annalisa

(Lazzari) had decided to get married. For Milena and me, this was

wonderful news.

In November 1966, Paul joined the prestigious Mondadori

publishing company. As always, he worked hard and was very

successful, and in 1970, he became head of the Mondadori London

office. Incredibly, therefore, Paul and Annalisa came to buy a house

near us in Wimbledon, where, as one family, we shared our lives

– Paul with three (bilingual) children, and my family consisting of

four children.

In 1979, Paul changed his job, leaving Mondadori for Tompla, a

Spanish envelope manufacturing firm. Again, his entrepreneurial

skills helped him to become an integral part of the company’s

operations in England, but unfortunately, he felt the firm became

too large, and he opted for another change.

Paul was always an artist. He attended a course in picture-framing,

and he and Annalisa opened a lovely shop in central Wimbledon.

Appropriately, it was called Frames and Faces. Paul loved printing,

and he experimented with various methods. He worked using

When Andrew and Trisha moved to Melton, they became involved

in the life of St Mary’s Church, and they were told that there were

plans for a re-ordering project for the beautiful Grade I listed

building. There were subsequent revised versions of this until

the church closed in 2017 for re-ordering work to take place.

Alongside a team, Andrew was instrumental in seeing the work

completed on time and to budget. As part of the congregation, he

also served on the Christmas Tree Festival Committee for 16 years,

was a deputy churchwarden, a trustee of the CIO (Charitable

Incorporated Organisation) which was set up to oversee the recent

re-ordering project at St Mary’s, a member of the Fabric Express

group and the church Men’s Group, as well as being a church

reader and intercessor.

Andrew’s biggest love was his family – his wife, Trisha, his sons,

Toby (08) and Matt (14), and his daughter, Hannah (10). He was

a much-loved and respected member of the congregation at St

Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray, and he will be greatly missed.

Adapted from St Mary’s Church of England Parish Newsletter,

with permission of Andrew’s daughter, Hannah Nutter (10)

a computer and a method called collagraphy, together with

painting, drawing, and other techniques. One of his artistic goals

was to draw or paint more than 52 composers, and in the end, he

managed to reach over 100. At Christmas, he cleverly put together

prints for various cards each year, with amusing faces and stories

of the family.

We miss Paul enormously. He never lost his faith, and at his funeral,

alongside our local priest, Fr Ted, there were three Ratcliffian

priests concelebrating: Fr Anthony Meredith (57), Fr David Tobin

(59), and Monsignor Anthony Wilcox (56).

Paul was dedicated to his family, and he loved them deeply; when

asked, he would say “they’re marvellous”. In his last illness of

many months, the children were, indeed, marvellous. Paul loved,

and we loved him. He leaves a wife, Annalisa, three children, four

grandchildren, and a younger brother in Canada, Michael. May he

rest in peace.

John Reynolds (57)

Brother-in-Law



OBITUARIES

RATCLIFFE LINKS

GRACE DIEU MANOR SCHOOL 2019

THE ROSMINIAN ORDER & ROSMINI CENTRE:

AN UPDATE

The Rosmini Centre at Ratcliffe, based at the Old Farm House on the aerodrome, is now our English Irish Province novitiate, as well as

the Rosmini Prayer Centre. I am the novice master, and I am in charge overall at the Centre. Also in the community is Fr Ted Mullen (60),

who goes out daily to care for the local parish at Birstall’s St Theresa’s and Rothley’s Sacred Heart. Fr David Tobin (59) looks after and

arranges the programme and speakers for the Rosmini Prayer Centre. Fr Tony Furlong has retired for health reasons, but he formerly

taught at Ratcliffe before becoming involved with his parish work. Though retired, he is an important member of our community.

Fr Philip Sainter (69) is Father President of the College, and he efficiently looks after the administration of our Rosmini Centre and the

care of the grounds. Br Nigel Cave (72), too, is a member of our community, and he lives in one of the cottages belonging to the trustees,

on the side of the Fosse by the College. Br Nigel does great work editing books on the First World War battlefields, leads tours there, and

has responsibility for our Province archives.

Br William Rees received the clerical cassock on 19th September, marking the completion of his first year in the novitiate of the Institute

of Charity. He is a graduate from Dulwich College and a Classics scholar; he later qualified in Law and, for some years, practised as a

barrister. In his second year with us, he will remain based at the Rosmini Centre, whilst going out on various pastoral placements to live

and grow in his vocation.

We have an Institute and Province project in the planning stage to convert what was formerly the Officers’ Mess and then milking

parlour of the aerodrome farm. Our plan is to house there our Rosmini Publications Centre, currently in Mansfield, as well as to provide

accommodation for our novitiate. This will release the present novitiate building for guest accommodation.

Frequent Rosminian visitors to the Centre are our brethren from Loughborough, Fr Paul Gilham and Fr Simon Giles (60); from Grace

Dieu, Fr Denis Labartette; and from Rugby, Fr Tom, Fr Shinto and Fr Jose (three of our Indian Rosminians working in Rugby), Fr John

Bland (53), Fr Charles Sormany (48), Fr John Buckner and Br Joseph Gardner.

Also resident in the parish in Rugby is our Father Provincial, Chris Fuse. Many of the brethren from Rugby come to the Rosmini Centre

on Monday evenings for fish and chips. Arrangements are also currently being made for Fr Denis Labartette to leave the Lodge at Grace

Dieu and take up residence in a semi-detached house at the College, which is the property of the trustees.

For more information about the Rosmini Prayer Centre, please visit our website, www.rosminicentre.co.uk.

Fr Anthony Meredith (57)

Given that so many of you attended Grace Dieu before joining Ratcliffe, we wanted to give you an update on some of the School’s news

and developments over the past year.

SENIOR SCHOOL OFFERS FOR GRACE DIEU PUPILS

We were absolutely delighted this year, as all 18 of our Year 6 pupils who took entrance exams for independent schools were offered

places, and 95% were awarded their first-choice senior school. This is a testament to the benefits of a Grace Dieu education, where

pupils are given an outstanding grounding across all areas of the curriculum, well beyond excellence in Maths and English. It was also

wonderful to see the news that a former Grace Dieu pupil is now currently Head Boy at Ratcliffe – congratulations, Carter Walker!

NATIONAL SWIMMING SUCCESS

Eight pupils from Grace Dieu are now ranked fourth in the country, following their success at

the IAPS National Swimming Finals, which took place in the London Aquatics Centre at the

Olympic Park in June. This was a fantastic achievement, as our pupils have now won a place

in these swimming finals for two years running. They knocked an impressive 14 seconds off

their qualifying time, and their performance on the day was truly outstanding. Showing great

focus, determination and teamwork, their prize was very well deserved!

PRIZE GIVING 2019 GUEST OF HONOUR

We were delighted to welcome back former Grace Dieu and Ratcliffe pupil, BBC Radio

Leicester’s mid-morning presenter, Ben Jackson (88), as our guest of honour for Prize Giving

2019. Prize Giving is the pinnacle of the year; it is a day of celebration, and a wonderful

opportunity to reflect upon our pupils’ unique and individual achievements. It was an occasion

of joy for all of the Grace Dieu community, made even more special by our guest of honour,

who joined us to represent our alumni.

MORE AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS LAUNCHED

Grace Dieu has always offered a full range of free after-school clubs, but the start of this

academic year saw even more opportunities for pupils from Reception through to Year 6. Ballet

is now on offer, run by a professional dance teacher. Spanish is also new to the line-up of

after-school clubs, run by our new Languages teacher, who also teaches our children their

French lessons. This adds to the range of academic clubs, including STEM Club, Active Learn,

and Construction Club. There continue to be a variety of sports clubs, including tennis and

ball games for the youngest pupils, as well as rugby, hockey, multi-sports, cross-country and

elite swimming for the older pupils, not forgetting the creative arts clubs, including choirs,

ensembles and singing groups, as well as art and drama, and the ever-popular Cookery Club!

FAMILY FUN DAY

Grace Dieu’s first ever Family Fun Day was an enormous success, with an incredible turnout of

families joining in the fun! Organised by our wonderful Grace Dieu Parents’ Association, the

event raised over £2,000. Guests enjoyed a delicious barbecue and the odd glass of Pimm’s

while the children had great fun on an impressive range of inflatables, funfair games and

plenty of stalls!

If you would like to come and visit us, please do get in touch. There is always an open door at

Grace Dieu for our past pupils and for all Old Ratcliffians.

Margaret Kewell

Headteacher

RATCLIFFE LINKS



69

RATCLIFFE’S PAST

REMEMBERING MARK BUNCE (79)

40 YEARS SINCE THE SOUTH WING FIRE

It is an incredible 40 years since a devastating fire broke out, on 14th May 1979, in the South

Wing of the College, with lessons just finished for the day, but all boarders still present on

site. With this year’s Reunion Luncheon being made up of many of those who were present,

conversations were had about this dreadful day and how those residing at the College at the

time dealt with the situation.

In October 1979’s Ratcliffian magazine, Fr Baxter (38) (Father President at that time)

wrote that the blaze was first seen a few minutes after 5pm. He recalls how successful the

evacuation was, with the staff able to say that everyone was accounted for by 5.10pm. He

recalled how Br Belt’s Fire Team valiantly operated their pumps, although the hoses were not

strong enough to reach the heights required. He wrote: “It was an anguishing time, because

5.15pm was the most difficult moment for the fire engines to reach us through the rush hour

traffic, and we could only stand and watch the fire grow in size.” He added: “By 7pm, news

of the fire had spread through local radio, and many members of the domestic, catering

and linen room staff came in from Sileby and other places to help until late into the night.

We were inundated with offers of help from friends, parents, Old Ratcliffians and senior

citizens living nearby; indeed, the amount of goodness and helpfulness shown by so many

people was one of the outstanding and moving features of the fire period.”

Eric Ciambra (79) recalled: “We were all very fortunate that the fire took place during the

day. If it had been at night, it could have easily resulted in fatalities or injuries. From my

memory, the fire spread very quickly. The fire trucks could not get up the driveway, as the

cement bollards on there were too narrow for them to get through. The firemen had to

destroy them before addressing the fire. I remember going back inside, up to the dorms,

to make sure that no students were asleep or unconscious. Smoke was already very

present, and you could hear the fire. It was a long time ago, but I do remember a student

being up there, unaware of the danger that he was in.”

Nick Wright (79) recalls the fire taking place whilst he and a group of his classmates

stood on the cricket pitch (over where the scoreboard is now), watching the flames. He

said: “We were teenage boys – we watched, but I don’t think we realised the dangers that

were present.”

Steve Clark (79) had a more amusing story to tell. He said: “I probably have one of the

most embarrassing stories, because I was actually in the shower block down by the Music

Hall entrance to the main school. When the fire alarm sounded, it meant that I was forced

outside by the cricket pavilion with the rest of the school, wearing only my dressing gown

and a towel! As the fire raged in front of us, I heard that my room had also been burnt out.

Due to my attire, or lack of it, a local reporter from the Leicester Mercury was drawn to

me like the proverbial moth to a flame, whereupon I bemoaned my lot at having only the

possessions that I stood up in! I have been ribbed about this ever since by my classmates!”

Teresa Flower (79) said: “We were all present during the fire. A group of us stood on the

lawn and watched it. I think it may have been Jonny Anwyl (79) and a couple of others

who alerted the boys in that wing and told them to get out, as they hadn’t seen the

fire. The story at the time was that the area was being redecorated – someone had left a blowtorch on a

window frame, and the wood had smouldered, catching fire. We watched the fire even before the trucks arrived. We all went home for

about three weeks. My A Level results weren’t good, but I had my books to revise with, so I can’t really blame the fire specifically!”

By 9pm, the fire was largely under control, but St Joseph’s, St Michael’s, and half of Our Lady’s dormitories had been gutted by the blaze.

St Anthony’s dormitory, the art rooms, all of the rooms on the priests’ corridor facing the cricket field, and the Fourth and Fifth Form

recreation areas were quite unusable for a long time, as the water had caused havoc there. The following morning, Fr Baxter announced

that half-term would begin immediately, with all pupils being sent home, or to stay with friends or relatives, until the previously stated

half-term period came to an end.

Architecturally, the 1979 fire was undoubtedly the most devastating event in Ratcliffe’s history, due to the extent of the damage, both

physically and in the disruption it caused to the College and its residents. Still to this day, it is a regular topic of discussion for those

visiting Ratcliffe, particularly when touring the Lockhart Garden, where the effects of the rebuild are clear to see.

Tragically, 40 years ago, the Ratcliffian magazine reported that a member of the Upper Sixth, Mark Bunce, had died on 21st April

1979, following a road accident near his home. The article read: “His funeral took place at the Roman Catholic Church of St Francis in

Halstead on Thursday 26th April. The parish priest, Fr President, Fr Waters and Fr Tobin, Headmaster at Grace Dieu where Mark had

been Head Boy, concelebrated with Mark’s uncle, John the Abbot of the Cistercian

Monastery of Mount St Bernard in Charnwood Forest. After the very moving ceremony,

Mark was laid to rest in the churchyard of Sible Hedingham, onto which looks the

garden of his home. Members of the Upper Sixth were present at the funeral and acted

as bearers to the cemetery.”

The article went on to say: “These simple facts hide the profound shock and sadness

which was felt throughout the School at the news of Mark’s death, and especially in

the Sixth Form, of which he was a lively and extremely popular member; one who was

recognised as a personality in his own right, a member of the Sixth Form Council, and

an able organiser of social events which contributed much to Sixth Form life. He enjoyed

company, and others enjoyed being with him; they found him also a deep-thinking and

sensitive young man who cared about them. He was ready always to speak his mind,

especially if he felt an injustice might possibly be done. He is very deeply missed by many

of his contemporaries and friends who knew him best.”

In the obituary to Mark, an Upper Sixth Form student wrote: “It is hard to know what to write

about an 18-year old friend who was so tragically killed. The task is made all the more difficult

because of the person Mark was. All the members of the form will remember him as someone

who often had a smile on his face. He had a great sense of humour, but he also knew how

to be serious when he felt it was called for. Mark had a lot of time for people – he would not

turn anyone away from his room. We will all remember him for different reasons, but he was

probably best known for his hair, which gave him his commonly used nickname, ‘Fuzz’. Had

Fuzz lived, I’m sure he would have been a really fine person in all that he did. His tragic death

came as a great shock, and he is missed by us all.”

Mark’s classmate, Steve Clark (79), added: “Although I was not a close friend of Mark’s, I regarded myself

as a friend, as did so many other members of our year group; this goes such a way to explaining why his death

affected us all so deeply, and why we decided to mark his passing on our 40th anniversary of leaving Ratcliffe, as a

commemoration to him. Tim Wilson (79) drew a portrait of Mark (right), and this was made into a pin badge, which

we all wore with pride at our reunion, along with our curly wigs.”

Eric Ciambra (79) was one of Mark’s very close friends. He said: “As my parents lived abroad, Mark was kind

enough to invite me to his home for half-term on several occasions. He had a wonderful family, and that time we

spent together remains fondly in my memories and my heart. We had so much fun. Mark was a gentle giant. I don’t

think I ever heard him say anything negative or judgemental about anybody. He was a kind soul with a brilliant

sense of humour. Mark was also a very naturally gifted tennis player and golfer. I remember watching, in awe,

the grace of his golf swing, the distance he could hit the ball, and the obvious talent he had. I also noticed how

very humble he was when someone complimented his skills. I saw Mark pursuing a career as a professional golfer,

as he was so talented, but sadly, that was not meant to be. I still miss Mark today. He was a born optimist. I went, with the

other boys, to his funeral, which was very sad, and I have returned a couple of times to visit his grave and say hello to an old friend.”

Mark’s sister, Penelope Smith, is a Religious Studies teacher at Ratcliffe, and she joined Mark’s peers at the 2019 Reunion to celebrate

his life. You can read more about this event on pages 34 and 35.

RATCLIFFE’S PAST



71

RATCLIFFE’S PAST

RATCLIFFE’S PUGIN WINDOWS

Architectural photographer Alastair Carew-Cox visited the College to add Ratcliffe’s stained

glass to the book The Stained Glass of AWN Pugin by Stanley Shepherd. Alastair was most

impressed with the window in the Old Library, and he spent quite some time photographing

the different sections of the glass. The new edition of this book will be published in October

2020, featuring all of Pugin’s windows in a gazetteer listing, as well as a history of Pugin.

The front cover of this magazine shows the famous Pugin window within the Old Library,

along with this year’s festive lights.

RATCLIFFE’S PAST

RATCLIFFE COLLEGE: THE START

This year marks the 175th anniversary of the formal opening of the building at Ratcliffe, on

the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when it was given the name of

Calvary House, in honour of the Mother House of Calvario, in Domodossola, Italy (pictured,

right). But why did the Rosminians decide to build Ratcliffe in the first place?

The Order arrived in England in 1835, being one of two new congregations to come to England

at that time – the first since the Reformation era, almost 300 years earlier. Until 1844, it did not

have a house that it could call its own, and it had nowhere to train new vocations. The solution was

to build something. The location chosen was the result of practicality; they found a Protestant

who would sell some land (not as easy as one might think) to the Rosminians, represented by Fr

Luigi Gentili. The plot, comprising three fields on what was known as Mount Pleasant, ran from

the Fosse (more or less along the outer limits of the present frontage of the main building) and

ended at the back drive, in the area of the community cemetery. Local Catholic benefactors

helped with the finances – notably Lady Mary Arundel and Ambrose March Phillipps de Lisle,

along with a £1,000 contribution from Fr Lockhart’s mother.

The man selected to plan the build was Augustus Welby Pugin, a notable architect of the

period and a Catholic convert; his best-known work today is the interiors of the Houses of

Parliament. He had a plan ready to hand, which was his failed scheme for the rebuilding of

Balliol College, Oxford, with suitable amendments. In the best traditions of Pugin, it was very

grandiose, and he accepted that the project would have to be accomplished in stages.

Work began in May 1843, and the whole thing was completed in just under 18 months. It

was dedicated to Our Lady Immaculate – the first building in England to be dedicated under

that title. It was a very modest construction. Essentially, it comprised a front of about 90 feet,

that is from the end of the 1st XI cricket pitch to the end of what is now the administration

office. It was also very shallow – the outside wall on the west (Square) side ran where the arches

outside the Headmaster’s office are now (pictured above, right). The back door can still be seen

from the Lockhart Garden, now inside the ladies’ toilets, opposite the present administration

office (right). It was there that the local impoverished were fed – a tradition that continued

well into the 1990s, until ‘health and safety’ brought an end to that. The chapel was upstairs –

recognisable from the terrace by its arched windows, with a smaller oratory in the tower.

When it opened, it was not clear whether the building would be for novices only, or would also

act as a Catholic college. The first President of the College was to be Fr Moses Furlong, whilst the

head of the religious community was Fr Peter Hutton. However, as there were no lay students,

only novices, the idea of it being a college was shelved, at least for that time.

Of the original building’s interiors, only a limited amount remains. The two staircases at the

front, by the Headmaster’s and Bursar’s offices, are originals. The interior windowsills are also

original, albeit moved. They are distinctly Pugin, as they are sloped; he did not like people putting

things on them! There is one very interesting survival, which is the top half of the stained-glass

window in the east end of what is now the Old Library, the College’s second chapel, opened

in 1847. Originally, it was at the north end of the chapel upstairs. There were also a number of

outbuildings and a kitchen garden, which were behind the College and at the tower end. These were demolished and moved within

several years of their construction. That is where matters rested, but it was only a couple of years before the College underwent the first

of many expansions.

Br Nigel Cave (72)



73

RATCLIFFE’S PAST

RATCLIFFE’S FIRST GIRLS REUNITE 40 YEARS ON

It has now been 40 years since the first ever cohort of girls graduated from Ratcliffe College

in the Class of 1979, having joined the all-boys boarding school in September 1977 as

part of the Sixth Form. With Joan Beaver (née Crook) being the first housemistress

for the girls, the nine ‘originals’, according to the 1978 Ratcliffian magazine, were

Teresa Flower, Francesca Della-Porta, Antonia Hollingsworth, Moira Roche, Mary-Anne

Pilkington, Anne De Graeve, Catherine Dodson, Henrietta van Heesewijk and Jane

Hayes (pictured, right). Bernadette Buhl-Nielsen joined the group after Christmas, so

the group then became 10.

Joan said: “I was the first girls’ housemistress, from 1977 to 1980. Those three years were

quite a challenge, not only for me, but also for the girls in my charge, of whom I have

very fond memories.” Joan originally joined Ratcliffe as a French teacher, but she soon

became fully involved in the life of the School. Her talents seemed endless, from her love

of music and singing in the choir to her ability to create curtains – everywhere – where there

had previously been none! Joan married John Beaver (pictured together, right) in 1980 and

went on to be the first in charge of the brand-new Junior Department in 1984. She continued

as the night supervisor for the girls in boarding – something she enjoyed very much.

Fr Baxter’s (38) report, taken from the 1978 Ratcliffian magazine, read: “Undoubtedly, the

biggest change this past year has been the arrival of the girls. Although the Leicester Mercury

announced last September the ‘downfall of another male bastion’, the capitulation was, in

fact, extremely peaceful, thanks to the quiet confidence of Mrs Crook and the good sense of

the girls. We are extremely fortunate in having such a pleasant and mature group of girls this first

year, which could have been a difficult one. I am sure they must have faced some moments of discouragement, but they have never

shown it, and their presence has certainly added a different quality to the Sixth Form.” Fr Baxter was asked by several parents at the

time how long this “experiment” would last, with him always making it clear that it was never an experiment, but a matter of “firm policy”.

In the 2017 edition of The Old Ratcliffian, Anne De Graeve recalled how all of the girls underwent an interview, with 12 in total making the

grade (two of which did not take up their places). She said: “It was a shock for many of us, as we’d mostly been at all-girl convent schools

around the country, where some of us had been classmates. Many of the boys hadn’t had girls in their classes since junior school, and

the staff, too, were predominantly Rosminian priests and brothers, or male lay staff, who were not used to teaching girls.” Teresa Flower

added: “As the first girls, we lived by the Latin motto, ‘veni, vidi, vici’, which translates as ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’. It wasn’t the easiest

of times, that’s for sure.” Steve Clark (79) said: “From a boy’s perspective at that time, my own reflections are that the girls were a very

positive addition to the School, and this has been borne out by time. It has also reinforced the explanation for the Class of 1979 being

regarded as a strong OR year group at reunions since then.”

With it being the 40th anniversary of their graduation, eight out of the original ten girls met up for dinner in London in June, during

which, Bernadette Buhl-Nielsen “dialled in” from Denmark, so that she could join the celebrations. The only person who was missing was

Jane Hayes, who has moved to New Zealand and is not in contact with the Association. Anne said: “For some of us, it was the first time

that we had seen each other since 1979. Seven were confirmed for supper, but during the evening, Francesca Della-Porta joined us in

time for a drink and a catch up, and we managed a brief conversation with Bernadette, so nine out of ten of the originals were there!”

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ROTHLEY PARK GOLF CLUB

parkland courses in the Midlands, host to the English Seniors

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Course Facilies

Membership

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Visitors

0116 230 2809

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DIARY DATES 2020

THE SIXTH FORM SOCIAL JAN

RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION BAR, 6.30PM 22

ASSOCIATION COUNCIL MEETING

RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION BAR, 10.30AM

OR SPORTS DAY

THE THISTLETHWAITE HOCKEY CUP,

THE HALLEY FOOTBALL CUP & THE SUE ROBERTS

NETBALL CUP, RATCLIFFE COLLEGE, 2PM

MAR

15

THE PATCH MATCH

APR

TOUCH RUGBY FESTIVAL

RATCLIFFE COLLEGE, 11AM 18

2019 LEAVERS’ MASS

MAY

THE CHAPEL, RATCLIFFE COLLEGE

7

FEB

7

APR

16

24

APR

THE LONDON DINNER

THE CRYPT, ST ETHELDREDA’S

MASS 6.50PM, CHAMPAGNE

RECEPTION 7.15PM, DINNER 8PM

THE RETREAT

RATCLIFFE COLLEGE, 16TH - 18TH APRIL

THE CENTENARY SALVER

PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ ALUMNI TEAM EVENT

LUFFENHAM HEATH GOLF CLUB

THE REUNION WEEKEND

RATCLIFFE COLLEGE

SATURDAY 27TH JUNE

REUNION BAR NIGHT

RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION BAR, 7PM

SUNDAY 28TH JUNE

MASS FOR DECEASED ORS, THE CHAPEL, 10.30AM

ASSOCIATION AGM,THE OLD LIBRARY, 11.30AM

THE GRAND MATCH 11.30AM

REUNION LUNCH, THE MARQUEE, 12.30PM

TOURS OF THE SCHOOL 3PM

AFTERNOON TEA 4PM

JUNE

27

THE RATCLIFFE GOLF DAY & DINNER SEP

ROTHLEY PARK GOLF CLUB, 1.30PM

17

THE PAST PRESIDENTS’ DINNER

THE OLD LIBRARY, RATCLIFFE COLLEGE, 7PM

30

OCT

ASSOCIATION COUNCIL MEETING NOV

CONFERENCE ROOM, RATCLIFFE COLLEGE, 10.30AM 15

LEICESTER CHRISTMAS DRINKS DEC

RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION BAR, 7.30PM

4

FAMILY CANDLELIGHT

CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL MASS

RATCLIFFE COLLEGE, 5PM

JUNE

28

24

DEC

Editor-in-Chief: Sarah Gretton

Editor: Katherine Lang

Sub-Editor: Louise Liston

Copy Editor: Gemma Thomas (née Rumbold) (01)

Designer: David Ricks (07) at Light Up Creative Ltd

MAY

21

24

JUL

SEP

13

OCT

10

NOV

6

DEC

2

DEC

6

THE REYNARD GOLF TROPHY

(OLD RATCLIFFIANS) 2.30PM

THE RATCLIFFIAN GOLF SHIELD

(OLD RATCLIFFIANS VS STAFF & STUDENTS) 5PM

DINNER 7.30PM

ROTHLEY PARK GOLF CLUB

THE HCPT LOURDES PILGRIMAGE

24TH - 31ST JULY

THE TAYLOR MIXED HOCKEY CUP


THE 5 YEAR REUNION (CLASS OF 2015)

RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION BAR, 7PM

THE YORKSHIRE DINNER

VENUE TBC, 7.30PM

LONDON CHRISTMAS DRINKS

VENUE TBC, 6PM

THE RATCLIFFE COMMUNITY

CAROL SERVICE


YOU CAN REGISTER FOR ALL EVENTS AT

WWW.RATCLIFFIANASSOCIATION.CO.UK. ALTERNATIVELY,

YOU CAN CONTACT US ON 01509 817054 OR AT

ALUMNI@RATCLIFFECOLLEGE.COM TO REQUEST

A POSTAL REGISTRATION FORM

The Ratcliffian Association, Ratcliffe College, Fosse Way, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Leicestershire, LE7 4SG

Tel: 01509 817054 Email: alumni@ratcliffecollege.com Website: www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk

The Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

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