Page 29 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2017

28 RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION EVENTS RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION EVENTS 29

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION LONDON DINNER THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION RETREAT

FRIDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2017 FRIDAY 21ST - SATURDAY 22ND APRIL 2017

Although the numbers were down on the 2016 Retreat, those
Along an unassuming gated road in Holborn sits the impressive that came on the Friday – Paul Rudd (60), Nicholas Tomlinson
Church of St Etheldreda’s. Both the Church and the Crypt are (56), Peter Rowan (68) and Alasdair Macmillan (58) – all enjoyed
truly unique Rosminian assets. As you step through the doors a good meal that night and were joined on Saturday by Mike
of the Crypt, you are transported back, both to school and Reynolds (64). This year, all were Old Boys who had attended
yesteryear. With the candlelit alcoves, champagne flowing (soft the Retreat before.
drinks also available) and the buzz of ORs sharing tales of their
time at Ratcliffe, the event is truly something to behold.
The theme for this year was ‘Transfiguration: A Foretaste of
The evening began, for many, with Mass in the Church, above, Easter Experience’. Fr Binu, who led the group, summarised
led by Fr Ted Mullen (60) and Fr Simon Giles (60). Other clergy the event: “We took the relevant passages from the Gospels
attending the event were Fr Anthony Meredith (57), Fr Tom (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8 and Luke 9:28–36) and had a silent
Deidun (62), Bishop John Arnold (71) and Fr Louis Beasley- reflection on them. At the end, all were invited to share the
Suffolk (60). fascinating and varied insights that they had from allowing the
Holy Spirit to reveal the hidden mysteries of the Word of God. It
This year, there was a wide distribution of ORs, ranging from was an enriching experience. This led us to reflect on the words
the current Year 13 Association Prefects to some who left in the ‘transfiguration’, ‘transubstantiation’ and ‘transformation’. On
1940s. The expertly-mapped table plan, thanks to Alex Slack the mount, Jesus’ figure changed; in the Eucharist, the bread and
(née Gamble) (03), allowed a comfortable mix of ORs and their wine change their substance, and they, in turn, ask us to have a
partners. The Bleeding Heart Restaurant, yet again, excelled transformation in our lives. A Christian life is a transformed life;
itself with its catering and expert waiting. Grace was led by Fr a Christian needs to act as an agent of transformation in the
Ted Mullen (60), and Paul Carter (60) was a great Master of world, and this happens only by encountering the risen Lord,
Ceremonies. both in and through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, which lives
within us, is the real agent of transformation.”
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 Many thanks to Alexandra Slack (née Gamble) (03) for making
previous Association President, stepped down. Jon Reddin, the our stay at the Rosmini Centre so enjoyable. Hopefully, next year,
new Headmaster, and Sam Bird (98), the 2016-2017 Association ensure that raffle tickets were made available to everyone; I more will attend; enjoyable as it is for the Old Boys to meet again
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 and catch up, we all hope to see some new faces in 2018!
no doubt that they will excel. this event, as it highlights the existence of the Association and
emphasises its significance to them. Peter Rowan (68) The altar at the Rosmini Centre
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 DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
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 Next year’s Retreat, led by Fr David Tobin (59), will run from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th April 2018. It will be
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 hosted back at the School instead of the Rosmini Centre. We hope that you can join us.
connected the past and present in real time. The Year 13 Georgina Meredith (96)
Association Prefects, Holly Blount (17) and Olivia Latham (17)
TWENTY YEARS OF OPERA BY CANDLELIGHT
were also in attendance, and they adeptly worked the room to The next London Dinner will be held on Friday 9th February 2018.

SATURDAY 1ST APRIL 2017

At this year’s event, the Headmaster, Jon Reddin, announced
that the Opera by Candlelight had raised over £65,000 during
the last twenty years for the Henry Goldstraw-Gerald Yell Choral
Scholarship. This scholarship fund has supported thirty-five
talented music scholars over the last twenty years, since the
event first started.

Mary Goldstraw and Marlene Yell, both past parents, organise this
well-known event each year. The wonderful people who support
Donal Heffernan (75), Sam Bird (98) & Holly Blount (17) Guests enjoying the London Dinner it, including many Old Ratcliffians, feel that they are celebrating
and helping to support the School’s talented students. Bella Voce in the Old Library

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

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