Page 38 - The Old Ratcliffian 2011

The Old Ratcliffan 2011 | marriages Yana Groves-Ford (88) marries Alison Mason (98) & Ben Court Catherine Burns (95) & Don Campbell in Norway Alison Mason (98) was married to Ben Catherine Burns (95) was married to Yana Groves-Ford (88): “We got Court by Fr Joe Mullen at Ratcliffe Don Campbell at Ratcliffe College on married on July 4th 2009 in my College on 27th August 2011. “We the 16th July 2011. Sisters, Charlotte husband’s home town of Breim in had a brilliant day, surrounded by (99) and Maria (02) were bridesmaids, West Norway. We had our celebration all our family and friends, including along with Nuala Barrett’s (née at the family hotel. lots of Old Ratcliffians. My Maid of Espinasse) (95), daughter Caitlyn, Honour was Charlotte Hull (née Berry) who was a flower girl. Nuala and her When I left Ratcliffe and finished my (98), Maxine Creighton (98) was a husband, Paul had interrupted their Drama/Media degree in Liverpool, bridesmaid, Dom Brucciani (98) was round-the-world trip to be there. I worked for the BBC, travelled the world, worked on some infamous TV one of Ben’s ushers (as they are old Georgette Oni (95) was also over from and radio shows and then hit London. school friends from primary school) the States. Maria De Rienzo (95) and he also provided some kind words (Maria got engaged this year and is I pranced ‘around the Big Smoke’ for a during his ‘Master of Ceremonies’ role. planning to feature in this column next few years until I made a life-changing We also had Annabelle Hull, Eimear year!) and Emma Tracey (née Scott) move ‘down under’. After two years of missing good cheese and cosy Murphy (Michael and Sarah Murphy’s (96) also attended. Christmases, we moved back to Europe eldest daughter) and Tomas and Lucie Mason as our flower girls and page “It was such a brilliant day - we loved to sunny Brussels, but my husband boy. Sam Bird (98) kindly loaned us every second of it, and it felt really (‘The Viking’) and I soon craved the his vintage Rolls Royce and drove us special to be back at school. Shaun Aussie heat and moved back for a second time five months ago. We are Walker was especially amazing – he to and from the church. Old Ratcliffian went above and beyond helping us to now living in wedded bliss at the beach! guests included: Sam and Giuliana Bird (98), Charlotte and Rob Hull (both sort everything out.” Yes, we’ve thrown another shrimp on 98), Ginny (née Gamble) (98) and Mike the ‘barbie’ and plunged into a pretty O’Keeffe, Emily Pring (98) and Chris awesome life! Still, today, my very best memories and some of my best friends Thursfield (joined us from Australia), were made at Ratcliffe. It truly has Andrew Espinasse (98), Maxine Creighton (98) (joined us from Ireland), played a massive part in who I Dom Brucciani (joined us from Italy) am today.” Alex and Kyla Brucciani, Laura (née Watson) and Matt Ruiz (joined us from Spain), Georgina (née Brittain) and Dan Spencer (helping to provide us with some wheels of steel to dance to, AKA Vern Hill (97) & Pollyanna Lucy Willis-Croft DJ-ing on the decks!), John and Laura Yates (95), Maria (95) and Roberto Vern (Elliott) Hill (97) married De Rienzo (00) and their respective Pollyanna Lucy Willis-Croft on 30th July partners Carl and Jenny, as well as my 2011 at St Cross Church in Winchester. brother Andrew (95) and Aimee Mason, “It was truly an amazing day. Polly and and cousin, Michael Murphy (95) and I had been engaged for just over a year Sarah Murphy. Amy Clear (98) and and as I write this we are currently Hannah Derbyshire (03) & Owen Stokes Jordan (98) and Michelle Price also in Drakes Bay on the southern tip of Hannah Derbyshire (03): “On 29th joined us in the evening. We were also Costa Rica enjoying our honeymoon. January 2011, I married Owen Stokes thrilled to have Neal and Catherine at Our Lady and St Nicholas Church, Murphy with us from Australia too! Old Ratcliffian guests at the wedding Wanlip, Leicester. We were fortunate included: Warren Birchall, Greame that one of our bridesmaids was able Ferguson (who both acted as my to attend as she lives in Tokyo, Japan. ushers), Mark Snutch and his wife, Lisa Yamashita (03) (bridesmaid), Emma, Lee Buckby and his partner, Rika and their mother joined us in our Gemma, and James Bramwell (all 97). celebrations. Both bridesmaids are Old Will Ventham (97) and his wife Alice Ratcliffians; Lisa Yamashita and Robyn were sadly unable to attend due to the Derbyshire (04). happy arrival in mid-July of their third Owen and I have just purchased our L-R: Charlotte Hull, Ginny O’Keefe, the child, Lydia Marie Ventham, weighing own house and currently I am Head of bride, Lucy Bird & Emily Pring (all 98) 7lb 2oz.” Humanities at a local school.” 38