Page 36 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

OLD RATCLIFFIAN NEWS

good sense of humour, and, thankfully,
were in good health. Firstly, I met up with
Tim Palmer (69) and Bernard Murphy
(67), before travelling to Yorkshire with
Tim to meet up with John Bransfi eld (70),
Mick Conway (71), and Sean Dooley (70).
Next, I returned to Leicester and caught
up with Hugh Murphy (66), his wife, his
son, and his daughter, Mary Middleton
(99), and with Brian Beeby (69). I then
went on to Cheltenham, where I met John
Costelloe (67), and down to Devon to see
Neil Conway (70). We then both drove
down to Weymouth to meet up with Victor
(67) and Michael Marques (68), and our
mutual good friend, Patrick Howie (70).
I also saw Penny and Tony Doyle (70)
in Buckinghamshire, and Rita and Tony
Gallagher (70). All were magnifi cent in
their generosity and hospitality. In between
Charlotte Perfect (15): “Having left these visits, I fl ew to Ireland to catch up
Ratcliffe fi ve years ago, I can’t believe John Plumb (53): “My wife, Jean, and I with Jerry Cahill (70) and his wife, and I
how quickly the time has gone! I’ve always were delighted to celebrate our Diamond enjoyed their company immensely. We all
been eager to move to the capital, and Wedding Anniversary on May 28th 2020. met at Ratcliffe in the very early 1960s,
I was lucky enough to gain a place in the We held a virtual family garden gathering, and it refl ects very much on the school
School of Law at Queen Mary University courtesy of Zoom, at our ‘Tudor Cottage’ that we are still good friends.”
of London. I really enjoyed my studies, home, which we have occupied for 51 years
alongside the several jobs that I had as a and shared with our children, Nicholas
student, including working for J P Morgan, (79), David (80), Michael (82), Anne- François Grosjean (64): “Living in
The Economist, and for the university Marie, and their subsequent spouses and Switzerland, I stay in touch with the UK
as a student ambassador. After three families! We were also honoured to receive via Radio 4 and its PM programme, and
challenging years, I graduated with a fi rst- a papal blessing from the Holy Father Pope I see that the UK has had a rollercoaster
class honours degree in Law, having made Francis. Ad multos annos.” ride since March. I’m sorry for all of you.
some great memories. I then pursued Here, things are calm, people keep their
my legal studies at Queen Mary and distances, there are no big crowds, and
completed an LLM in Competition Law and
Legal Theory, obtaining another fi rst-class
honours degree. Whilst studying the LLM,
I worked for a new model law fi rm, where I
quickly gained exposure to all elements of
the company in a role that included being
a paralegal and a business development
and marketing assistant. I was quickly
promoted to business development and
marketing manager, deciding that maybe
a career as a lawyer wasn’t for me! I have Colin Conway (70): “In October 2019, I
since landed my dream job in the pitch had a very memorable trip back to the UK
team at Slaughter and May, which has been from my home in Australia, where I’ve lived
very interesting throughout coronavirus. since 1974, although it took me ages to
Five years on, I still look back fondly on recover from the jet lag! During my visit,
my Ratcliffe days, and the friends for life it was my good fortune to meet Ratcliffe
I made during that time. They’re pictured Headmaster Jon Reddin, and it was great
above, celebrating my 24th birthday with to learn that he came from my home town
me in London (from left to right, Phoebe of Bedford. After seeing him, I then set
Allen, Emily Hollis, myself, Alex Beason, off on a 10-day odyssey around England
Sarah Daniel, Sav Fishel, and Sophie Riley and caught up with a number of ORs, all
– all from the Class of 15).” of whom were very welcoming, shared a
36 The Old Ratcliffi an 2020