Page 28 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2017

28 RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION EVENTS

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION LONDON DINNER

FRIDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2017

Along an unassuming gated road in Holborn sits the impressive
Church of St Etheldreda’s. Both the Church and the Crypt are
truly unique Rosminian assets. As you step through the doors
of the Crypt, you are transported back, both to school and
yesteryear. With the candlelit alcoves, champagne flowing (soft
drinks also available) and the buzz of ORs sharing tales of their
time at Ratcliffe, the event is truly something to behold.

The evening began, for many, with Mass in the Church, above,
led by Fr Ted Mullen (60) and Fr Simon Giles (60). Other clergy
attending the event were Fr Anthony Meredith (57), Fr Tom
Deidun (62), Bishop John Arnold (71) and Fr Louis Beasley-
Suffolk (60).

This year, there was a wide distribution of ORs, ranging from
the current Year 13 Association Prefects to some who left in the
1940s. The expertly-mapped table plan, thanks to Alex Slack
(née Gamble) (03), allowed a comfortable mix of ORs and their
partners. The Bleeding Heart Restaurant, yet again, excelled
itself with its catering and expert waiting. Grace was led by Fr
Ted Mullen (60), and Paul Carter (60) was a great Master of
Ceremonies.
There was a changing of the guard this year, as both Gareth Sam Bird (98) giving a rousing speech!
Lloyd, the former Headmaster, and Mike Meredith (89), the
previous Association President, stepped down. Jon Reddin, the
new Headmaster, and Sam Bird (98), the 2016-2017 Association ensure that raffle tickets were made available to everyone; I
President, took up their roles; I wish them both well, and I have think that it is very important for current school leavers to attend
no doubt that they will excel. this event, as it highlights the existence of the Association and
emphasises its significance to them.
Sam Bird (98) delivered an after-dinner speech outlining the
vision and direction of the Association. He said that, looking to Following a truly lovely meal, people again moved around,
the future, it was going to be a packed and productive tenure, meeting, chatting and catching up, weaving the threads of
which was very well received by all those in attendance. The the School and Association ever more together. If you haven’t
Headmaster, Jon, who attended with his wife, Joanne, took attended this annual event, then you are really missing out, and I
the time and opportunity to update the ORs on the past year’s would encourage as many of you as possible to attend.
achievements and future plans. This combination of speeches
connected the past and present in real time. The Year 13 Georgina Meredith (96)
Association Prefects, Holly Blount (17) and Olivia Latham (17)
were also in attendance, and they adeptly worked the room to The next London Dinner will be held on Friday 9th February 2018.

Donal Heffernan (75), Sam Bird (98) & Holly Blount (17) Guests enjoying the London Dinner

Register online for our new website: www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk

The Old Ratcliffian 2017.indd 28 07/12/2017 11:14