Page 47 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2017

46 OLD RATCLIFFIAN NEWS OLD RATCLIFFIAN NEWS 47

Ed Gamble (95) founded ACRE Capital really to play golf, but to get out of doing enjoy freelancing as a drummer, with my Philip Jones (59): “I retired from my together, and as we are all now mums, we books, he talks about his fascinating
Real Estate in February 2017, having French! Two years later, my handicap most recent gig taking me to the 2017 practice after 57 years in the estate brought along our little ones. For once, childhood, spent in several countries, and
worked previously as an Executive was one. When I left Ratcliffe in 1960, I Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where I played business as a chartered surveyor, with no alcohol was consumed! We all had a explains the reasons behind his initial
Director at CBRE. ACRE specialises in should have gone to university to study the drums in the band for the University my work and clients having taken me to great time catching up, and we’re looking interest in bilingualism. If you would like
the buying and selling of commercial Engineering, as my father wanted me of Manchester Musical Theatre Society’s most cities and towns of the UK, as well as forward to doing it again in the new year.” to find out more about Francois’ work,
investment properties on behalf of a to join him in his company, but instead, production of Godspell.” Europe and the United States. I now have please contact the Association Office.
number of property companies and UK I said that I would like to be a golf pro. a landscape and garden design business,
institutions. Ed said, “If you’d told me that After he picked himself up off the floor, based in Cheltenham and Worcester,
I would have my own office in the West he told me that I was allowed to try it for together with two non-executive
End after my GCSE results at Ratcliffe, one year, and if it didn’t go well, I had to directorships in London and Cheltenham,
I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s the best go to university. I’m happy to say that it to occupy my time. I also completed my
decision that I’ve ever made. We are now went well, and that’s all I’ve done since I term of office as High Master of the
up to six people in the office and growing. left Ratcliffe! In September 1960, I was Worshipful Company of Clothiers, which
I’m happy to help any younger ORs who the assistant pro to Freddie George (our was a most enjoyable appointment. It is
would like a career in property, so please pro at Ratcliffe) at Birstall Golf Club. always good to keep in touch with friends An Old Ratcliffian reunion of mums!
do get in touch!” During my year at Birstall, I won every James Waymont (12) in the Association.” Francois Grosjean (64)
tournament in Leicestershire, and then Rachael Mackenzie (née Jones) (96):
moved to Stratford-upon-Avon Golf Louisa Cooper (15): “Back in April, I “In the last year, I became British boxing Nicole Parry (00): “A year ago, my sister,
Club as the assistant pro to Len Leach, ran a marathon for Leukaemia Care, in champion and was selected to represent Lesley Parry (98), and I took over a closed
followed by Leslie Ball when Len retired. memory of a great friend of mine who England. In my first competition for pub in Boughton Monchelsea, Kent,
My first tournament in Warwickshire was died suddenly. I was not particularly fit England, I won gold at the Tri-Nations. and renovated it. We turned it into a
at Streetly, where I shot 68, tying with or healthy, and I hated long-distance I’ve just had my England contract restaurant called ‘Curious Eatery’, and it’s
two Ryder Cup players - Ralph Moffitt and running, but I thought that I should go extended for another year.” been a great success. We were recently
Peter Butler! Later, I moved to Coventry out and do something that she would named as the best restaurant in Kent on
Golf Club (Finham) as the assistant to be proud of me for. I ran the marathon the popular blog, ‘Muddy Stilettos’. We
Norman Roffe, and in 1965, I became the in five-and-a-half hours. Just to impart cook fun, fresh and homely food, made
head pro at Reading Golf Club, where some wisdom on anyone that may be Philip Jones (59) with love. It’s been a year since we started,
I stayed for 22 years. Finally, I moved to thinking about running the marathon and we haven’t looked back since.”
Kitzbühel in Austria, where I have been – do it! I’m not the fittest person, but I Philippa Gee (née Gamble) (06): “In
Ed Gamble (95) for 30 years. I have also taught from time pushed through to complete it for an November this year, I launched ‘Fatty’s
to time at the Royal Household Golf Club amazing cause. Although long-distance Organic Gin’, created from a passion to
Alice Foulds (11): “A group of us from the in Windsor Castle. I could go on and on, running isn’t something that I love to make my own truly organic gin. I secured
Class of 2011 recently spent a weekend but I would just like to thank Ratcliffe for do in my free time, I can honestly say Soil Association certification, which only Rachael Mackenzie (née Jones) (96) in the
together in a cottage near Carsington introducing me to the wonderful game of that this was the best experience of a small handful of gins have, and earlier boxing ring for England
Water in Derbyshire. We did quite a bit of golf!” my life. The variety of people that do it in the year, I won a Silver Award at the
walking each day – this generally involved is astonishing, and it proves what the International Wine and Spirits Awards, Nick Heywood (17): “I’m working until
walking to pubs, if we’re honest! We were human body can do, no matter what your which was an amazing surprise! Created the end of 2017, and afterwards, I’m
very lucky with the weather, and it was shape or size. It’s painful, so don’t be at home in Dulwich in South East London, planning to go to South America to Nicole Parry (00) & Lesley Parry (98)
great to catch up with each other.” under any illusion that it won’t hurt, and it’s the true definition of small batch help in a children’s orphanage. I’ll then
it tests every inch of your determination, and artisan! You can check it out on my travel around the continent for a while.
but overall, it’s the best feeling. Nearly six website, www.fattysorganicspirits.com.” Afterwards, I’m going to apply to several Charlie Gamble (75) was surprised with
a sixtieth birthday party in Gretton
months later, it still reminds me every day media companies to get on a Sports
of how resilient I am. To all those people Journalism course for next year, and earlier this year, organised by his wife
and children. It was a great event, with
who made a donation, thank you so much then I’ll be off to Asia to do some more over 140 people attending. Even his old
John Larrad (60) (far right) taking a swing for your support; I raised over £1200 volunteering.” classmates had travelled from around the
against Ryder Cup players, aged 23 for Leukaemia Care, and I can honestly
say that I would jump at the chance to globe to have a drink and celebrate with
James Waymont (12): “After leaving experience running the marathon again.” him. Charlie is now tired out! He currently
Ratcliffe, I studied Music at the University runs a project management business
based in the hospitality industry, focusing
of Manchester, graduating in 2015
with a First. Following on from a year largely on restaurant fit-outs.
L to R: Gee Thorne (11), Kaz Bhojani (11), Toby
Howard (11), Alice Foulds (11), Sophie King (11), of freelance musician work, I moved to
Katie Gerighty (11) & Thomas Rigby (11) Bristol to study for an MA in Composition
of Music for Film and Television. Having Philippa Gee (née Gamble) (06) with her gin!
John Larrad (60): “In 1958, Ratcliffe completed the degree earlier this year, I Nick Heywood (17)
introduced golf to the School, but at am now beginning to further establish Holly Devereaux (née Dolan) (04):
sixteen years old, we all thought that myself as a professional music composer, “Myself, Louise Alton (née Ardron) (05), Francois Grosjean (64) is celebrating fifty
it was a game for old men! However, we producer, orchestrator and arranger for Katie Clay (née Coltman) (05), Luanne years working in the field of bilingualism.
noticed that the only time that the pro, audio-visual productions, in addition to Muldoon (née Fairbrother) (05) and Over the years, he has published a number
Freddie George, could teach us was on a setting up a music production business Gabi Beeby (née Needham) (05) have all of thought-provoking and insightful L to R: Myles Halley (75), Ben Mennem (75),
Friday afternoon, when we had a French with a fellow composer from Bristol. stayed in close contact since our Ratcliffe books, and he has become an established Mark Proudler (75), Charlie Gamble (75) &
class. So we all put our names down, not Alongside my composition work, I still Louisa Cooper (15) running the marathon days. In October, we had a small get- specialist in this area. In one of his latest Steve Martin (75)

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