Page 39 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

Gamble (96), was tragically killed in a car Front during 1914-1919. The UK fell silent and I’m so proud to have represented
accident. We had planned a touch rugby for the 101st Armistice Day since World my university so well.” Next for Georgia
festival at Ratcliffe in memory of Patch, War I, to commemorate those who died in are the National Track Championships in
but, as with so many other events, this had conflict. It is the centenary of the first two- Manchester in January. She added: “I’ll be
to be postponed. I was looking forward to minute silence, held on the 11th hour of competing in the individual sprint, keirin,
this event for many reasons, none more the 11th day of the 11th month. The Royal and 500m time trial over those three days,
so than having the chance to exchange British Legion called on the nation to put so it will be a really good chance to see how OR NEWS
stories and memories of Patch with lots their busy lives on pause, set aside their I’ve progressed since BUCS!”
of his friends (many of them ORs) over differences, and remember those who
a few drinks. Sadly, due to coronavirus, risked their lives.
this did not happen. I would like to take
this opportunity to wish all ORs and their
families whom I have befriended over
the years in my various roles at Ratcliffe
College a very safe and happy Christmas,
and I look forward to seeing you in the not-
too-distant future.”

Richard Palmer (83) (pictured, below
right): “I recently ran the Virtual London
Marathon at Rutland Water to raise money
for my friend, Andrew Ramen (83), who
passed away in 2019 in his early 50s.
Diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour
in 2009, Andrew’s chosen charity was
Brain Tumour Research. On the day, the
marathon route around the peninsula at
Rutland Water was quite tough, so there
were some slower miles. The last six were
tougher, but the push to complete the
route was driven by thinking of Andrew
Fr Anthony Meredith (57) celebrated and the way that his life was taken so
his 80th birthday this year with a trip Georgia Holt (16) competed in the British early. I now have a few months off, as I also
to Seahouses in Northumberland, University and College Sport’s (BUCS) have a place in London in October 2021
accompanied by his sister, Monica, Fr Denis Track Cycling Championships, claiming (COVID-19 permitting), so the Virtual
Labartette, and Fr Paul Nellikulam. He also gold and the championship title in her London Marathon was really a preparation
celebrated with a garden party, hosted by individual events. She was one of more than run! Andrew would be proud of the efforts
Teresa and Richard Gamble (64) before 190 riders from 33 universities to compete made to support this great charity, and to
lockdown restrictions were put into place. over three days, taking part in the 200m help save lives in the future.”
individual sprint, 500m individual sprint,
and the 500m team sprint with another
Manchester Metropolitan University Sports
Scholar, also named Georgia. In the 500m
team sprint, a very close final left ‘the
Georgias’ with a silver medal. Then, after
qualifying fastest in both of her individual
sprint events, Georgia Holt raced hard
through the stages to become the 2019
BUCS Champion. She said: “Winning
wasn’t on the cards in my head; a back
injury just a couple of months beforehand
had stunted my training, so to go and race
over two days without any ‘niggles’ was
relieving, to say the least! The standard of
Br Nigel Cave (72), once again, led the riding had improved from last year, and in
memorial service on Remembrance Day the last race of the individual sprint finals,
in November, hosted by the Western my opponent and I ended up sprinting for
Front Association at the Cenotaph, with the entire three laps at full capacity. It was
honoured guests from the Royal Star and probably the worst race I have ever had to
Garter Homes close by. The WFA promotes ride; I was lying on the floor for a fair while
an interest in the people, campaigns, afterwards, trying to recover! Despite
events, and aftermath on the Western that, it was such an enjoyable weekend,
The Old Ratcliffian 2020 39