Page 20 - The Old Ratcliffian 2010

The Old Ratcliffan 2010 | Old Ratcliffan news travel to Europe monthly and I am not parties for Rupert Murdoch. married (but still chasing Russian girls off the catwalks!).” Ben Stephens (96) has finally settled down with his partner Clare Walsh Amy Lang (08): “I only left Ratcliffe in in Quorn and they are expecting 2008 but since then I’ve done heaps! their first child in March. His design In 2010, I went to France to make business and the bar/restaurant have wine for a boutique vineyard and both been doing very well. worked my way up to Third Winemaker Michael Stephens is completing there, taking tourists around and his languages degree at Newcastle making eight different types of wine. After four months, I came back and University, having just returned had Christmas at home. On a very from a placement year working in drunken Christmas Day, I asked my Paris for a number of leading fashion magazines.” mum for her credit card and booked Miles Latham (03) & Tim Cabrelli a flight to New Zealand! Nobody Katjana Cleasby (09): “After leaving (03), of Affixxius believed me, but here I am, almost a Ratcliffe, I spent a summer working year later, teaching Early Childhood on as a riding instructor and councillor Alix Farquhar (99): “I’m now in Hong the other side of the world!” at a Camp America before going Kong, having moved out here in to King’s College London to study June 2010 to work for Australia New John Ward (00) wrote: “Having taken my leave of AIB, I now work for History and Portuguese. Last Zealand Bank. The best bit about National Australia Bank in Sydney. I January, after receiving the Duke of my job is that I get to travel all over am living in Manly and loving every Edinburgh Gold Award at St. James’ Asia: Shanghai, Cambodia, Vietnam, Palace, I auditioned for the London second. I have taken to the lifestyle Philippines and more. I’ve had a lot down under with ease! The weather is Philharmonic Choir and was recruited of help getting to know Hong Kong helping (30 degrees in December is as a second soprano, now performing from our very own Eric Tang (01) certainly agreeable!) and being next to in a wide variety of concerts at the - he’s shown me all the best places the beach makes it feel like being on Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert to eat, including Daniel’s Restaurant Hall. Having successfully obtained a holiday 24/7!” in Lamma Island. Daniel’s place is 2:1 in my first year, I am continuing undoubtedly the best seafood in Matthew McMahon (98): “I’m now my studies with the hope of attending Hong Kong. Billy Yung (01) also back out in Thailand working as a the University of Lisbon next year dropped by a couple of months ago primary teacher in an international and finally obtaining my Grade 8 for the National Day fireworks. As school in Bangkok and as a Voice certificate.” Christmas approaches, it’s the usual divemaster in Koh Tao! Life is good!” Christmas parties and decorations News of the Stephens family (courtesy are up everywhere. Hong Kong’s not of Mark, the eldest): that much different to the UK! There are some great jazz bars here too and Mark Stephens (88) wrote: “I am next week I have my first Hong Kong still living in Derbyshire with my gig, so I’m very excited about that. partner Jacqui and two kids. This After that, we’re off to the Philippines year has been another tough working for Christmas on the beach.” year, especially in our recruitment businesses, but also a year for restructure and starting some new projects. I have mostly been developing a Social Media platform Katyana Cleasby (09) this year called ‘Ask The Experts’, which is a professional social media Miles Latham (03): “Despite the platform for the technology sector. continued economic challenges for Richard Stephens (90) is living in small business, especially in the Copenhagen with his wife Christal creative industries, Tim Cabrelli and three kids. Business is doing very (03) and I are continuing to grow well and he has expanded his design Affixxius Productions in number and Alix Farquhar (99) enjoying life in company into major retail market stature. In the last year we’ve added Hong Kong sectors for brands such as Hugo Boss. four more members to our team and are continuing to produce video Nick Jelley (01) wrote about his Angus Stephens (93) finished building and design work for customers like recent fundraising efforts: “Starting his house in the Costa Rican Amazon The Leicester Tigers, Caterpillar, out from Old Newts Rugby Ground, we jungle this year. He came back to Royal Mail and The Guardian. We’ve had great enthusiasm for the journey the UK for four months this year to recently launched our new website ahead. Each day provided different get treatment on a back problem - www.affixxius.com - and are looking distances, routes, weather and caused by a rugby incident last year forward to more growth for our Sileby inclines to make a challenging ride, in Copenhagen. He is still running a base in 2011, after a bit of a rest but there was fantastic camaraderie kitchen/restaurant in Costa Rica six over Christmas!” throughout. As we were riding, AJ months a year and also spends a few Smith (03) and his parents in the months in New York cooking at private support vehicle did a fantastic job 20