Page 38 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

and far too many Gambles to list here! Ed
booked the ‘Samosa Wallah’ to serve his
delicious samosas to everyone, and Alistair
Richardson (00), the pub proprietor,
OR NEWS beers and sandwiches. Everyone was
managed to keep everyone plied with
delighted to get together in memory of a
very special young man, and to brighten up
a dull Friday night in January in a famous
haunt for Old Ratcliffians.

Adrian Toothe (71): “I arranged a small
Christmas lunch with Nick Briant, Joe
Manero, Sean Wallace, and Michael
Clem Maginniss (74) travelled widely in Stephens (all from the Class of 1971, like
Europe on rail project work during 2019, me) on December 2nd 2019. We raised
but since COVID, he has mainly been a glass (or two!) to old friendships which
working from home, which has required were forged at Ratcliffe College.”
Felicity Norris (12): “John Baird (12) and I some adjustment. In the meantime, he
got engaged over the summer, and we’re is still serving in the Army Reserve in a
looking forward to getting married next railway technical post, which requires
year! Having met at Ratcliffe, we didn’t get plenty of time outdoors! He still keeps in
together until a few years later.” touch with fellow ORs Paul Morris (74) and
David Simmons (74).

Ed Gamble (95) and Alex Slack
(née Gamble) (03) held an event to
commemorate what would have been
the 40th birthday of their brother,
Patch Gamble (96). They hosted it at The
Star Inn in Thrussington – a regular haunt
of Patch and his friends during his short
lifetime. There was a big turnout; among
those who attended were Myles Halley
(75), Pierre Bouvet (71), Andrew Espinasse
(98), Robert Hull (97), Sam Clemons (98),
Mark Snutch (97), Hollie Stone (07), James
Fagence-Browne (07), Bernard Murphy
(67), Sam Spillane (née Murphy) (91),

In memory of Paul Murphy (67), his wife Former Ratcliffian Association Secretary
and family have sponsored a chair in the Jackie Bennett (pictured with her husband,
Refectory, which now features his name Stephen) turned 70 this year, but it wasn’t
and the years he spent at Ratcliffe. His quite the birthday she was expecting.
daughter, Association Secretary Katherine She said: “Now that I have finally arrived
Lang, said: “I can vividly recall Dad’s stories at this momentous milestone age, it feels
about his time at Ratcliffe as a boarder much the same as any other birthday, and
when he was very young. Back then, the I certainly don’t feel ready to be put out to
school was very different. He loved playing pasture! I managed to celebrate, in spite
rugby, and he shared many hilarious stories of coronavirus, with a number of small
about the tricks that the boys (never him!) gatherings, both here and in Portugal. My
played on the teaching fathers. Having his son, Edward Gamble (95), very kindly flew
chair in the Refectory will keep his name his sister, Alex Slack (née Gamble) (03),
alive for many generations to come.” His over to Portugal as a surprise birthday
granddaughters (Katherine’s children) are present for me. By coincidence, Angela
pictured here on his chair in the Refectory. and Bernard Murphy (67) were on holiday
They are both at Ratcliffe; Ruby is in Year in their villa nearby, and they were able to
10, and Daphne is now in the Swans class. join us, too. On a much sadder note, this
April marked 20 years since my son, Patch
38 The Old Ratcliffian 2020