Page 53 - The Old Ratcliffian 2013
P. 53
The Old Ratclifan 2013 | IntroductionThe Old Ratclifan 2013 | Obituaries
Monopoly. At the dinner table, he never shied away from a lovely man.
challenging discussion and never once forgot an anniversary Chris Baxter (younger brother of Anthony (86) & Mary
or significant occasion. For a man who lived what some Jane Baxter)
could argue was a ‘sheltered’ life, he was also very
interested in world affairs, and often surprised me when his
opinion on a subject would take an unconventional stance. Memories of Fr Tony Baxter
In other words, he was more worldly-wise than I would I have two vivid memories of Fr Tony Baxter and these are
sometimes give him credit for. as follows:
Other happy memories spring to mind. I remember him Our Circle Meeting was only just over when Peter
hiding a torch in the undergrowth outside a holiday cottage, Tickle mentioned with concern to Mark Gamble (71)
pretending he’d found a giant glow-worm. I remember us and I that Ratcliffe was on fire! So we motored over
sliding down a wet hillside in Brecon Beacons, travelling from Loughborough using the back drive, where all the
home sitting on plastic bags in the car in sodden, muddy boys were outside, lining the fences and gates. Walking
clothes. I also remember playing squash with him during towards the archway, smelling the smoke and seeing the
the summer holidays in the Ratcliffe College Sports Hall, burning debris ahead, we suddenly stopped as we saw the
me in shorts, him in dark trousers and a shirt, complete immaculate figure of Fr President, neatly dressed in his
with dog-collar! When he was Headmaster at Ratcliffe, cassock and with one hand cupped under his chin, giving
we’d love nothing more than weekend visits as children, his complete attention to a boy from the Lower School. This
sitting in his office and playing with the traffic light system was an example of his priorities, if ever there was one.
that used to appear outside his door. I recall him saying
Mass in our dining room at home whilst our pet cat padded It soon followed that the Ratcliffian Weekend had to be
over freshly gloss-painted shelves during a solemn moment, cancelled. However, the AGM was saved, being moved
resulting in spontaneous giggles. He was a wonderful tease, to the Rothley Court Hotel, where a small group of ORs
and always had a glint of humour in his eye. elected the new President on time. The local vicar had
secured permission for us Catholics to hold Benediction in
When we came to sort through his personal items following the adjoining Crusader Chapel. Fr Tony reverently carried
his death, I realised how little he’d collected over the years. the Blessed Sacrament over from Ratcliffe, so that we
He was still using a battered old family suitcase for his together were able to worship and dared to sing in Latin.
travels to and from hospital. He lived a simple life, true to This became the first time since the Reformation!
his vows and dedicated as a priest. He also led a full life,
touching the lives of many. We miss him terribly; he was a Clifford Della Porta (43) (RIP)
Michael Edgar
Old Ratcliffian 1973-78
September 11th 1960-March 9th 2013
Michael Edgar passed away on All his prospects of a brilliant future
Saturday 9th March, surrounded by were to be cruelly curtailed with the
his devoted parents and family. onset of multiple sclerosis (MS). It was
first evident in his music; he could no
Michael joined Grace Dieu in 1970,
where he made an immediate impact longer find the keys, his fingers having
with his ability to speak Italian; his lost their sensation. He became angry
parents then lived in Rome. He was a with himself when he caught a crab
gregarious boy, intelligent and always whilst rowing and when he could no
very active. After Common Entrance, longer outpace the rest of us on bike
he went to Ratcliffe, where he rides. This was in 1976 and, from
excelled. He was a great sportsman, then until his recent death, he fought
joining the Boat Club and competing stoically against his illness, which
in many regattas. He was also a great was to become more aggressive. He
cyclist; both sports were perfect for graduated from Manchester University
him, as he was very tall and had long with a degree in English, but his lack memory and would recall stories and
legs. His bike was state-of-the-art of mobility made it difficult for him to nicknames long forgotten by others.
and so big that only he could get on work. His parents, John and Kay, dedicated
it without falling off. In music, he was I will always remember him for his their lives to his care, and their
a renowned oboist and performed in humour, his competitiveness and his devotion to him was humbling.
many school and county concerts. love of music. He was one of those May he rest in peace in a much better
Being in the top set, he was also people whom it was easy to admire place.
intellectually gifted and shone in all because he had so much going for
subjects. him. He also had a phenomenal Andrew Coker (78)
53
Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk
Register o 53
Monopoly. At the dinner table, he never shied away from a lovely man.
challenging discussion and never once forgot an anniversary Chris Baxter (younger brother of Anthony (86) & Mary
or significant occasion. For a man who lived what some Jane Baxter)
could argue was a ‘sheltered’ life, he was also very
interested in world affairs, and often surprised me when his
opinion on a subject would take an unconventional stance. Memories of Fr Tony Baxter
In other words, he was more worldly-wise than I would I have two vivid memories of Fr Tony Baxter and these are
sometimes give him credit for. as follows:
Other happy memories spring to mind. I remember him Our Circle Meeting was only just over when Peter
hiding a torch in the undergrowth outside a holiday cottage, Tickle mentioned with concern to Mark Gamble (71)
pretending he’d found a giant glow-worm. I remember us and I that Ratcliffe was on fire! So we motored over
sliding down a wet hillside in Brecon Beacons, travelling from Loughborough using the back drive, where all the
home sitting on plastic bags in the car in sodden, muddy boys were outside, lining the fences and gates. Walking
clothes. I also remember playing squash with him during towards the archway, smelling the smoke and seeing the
the summer holidays in the Ratcliffe College Sports Hall, burning debris ahead, we suddenly stopped as we saw the
me in shorts, him in dark trousers and a shirt, complete immaculate figure of Fr President, neatly dressed in his
with dog-collar! When he was Headmaster at Ratcliffe, cassock and with one hand cupped under his chin, giving
we’d love nothing more than weekend visits as children, his complete attention to a boy from the Lower School. This
sitting in his office and playing with the traffic light system was an example of his priorities, if ever there was one.
that used to appear outside his door. I recall him saying
Mass in our dining room at home whilst our pet cat padded It soon followed that the Ratcliffian Weekend had to be
over freshly gloss-painted shelves during a solemn moment, cancelled. However, the AGM was saved, being moved
resulting in spontaneous giggles. He was a wonderful tease, to the Rothley Court Hotel, where a small group of ORs
and always had a glint of humour in his eye. elected the new President on time. The local vicar had
secured permission for us Catholics to hold Benediction in
When we came to sort through his personal items following the adjoining Crusader Chapel. Fr Tony reverently carried
his death, I realised how little he’d collected over the years. the Blessed Sacrament over from Ratcliffe, so that we
He was still using a battered old family suitcase for his together were able to worship and dared to sing in Latin.
travels to and from hospital. He lived a simple life, true to This became the first time since the Reformation!
his vows and dedicated as a priest. He also led a full life,
touching the lives of many. We miss him terribly; he was a Clifford Della Porta (43) (RIP)
Michael Edgar
Old Ratcliffian 1973-78
September 11th 1960-March 9th 2013
Michael Edgar passed away on All his prospects of a brilliant future
Saturday 9th March, surrounded by were to be cruelly curtailed with the
his devoted parents and family. onset of multiple sclerosis (MS). It was
first evident in his music; he could no
Michael joined Grace Dieu in 1970,
where he made an immediate impact longer find the keys, his fingers having
with his ability to speak Italian; his lost their sensation. He became angry
parents then lived in Rome. He was a with himself when he caught a crab
gregarious boy, intelligent and always whilst rowing and when he could no
very active. After Common Entrance, longer outpace the rest of us on bike
he went to Ratcliffe, where he rides. This was in 1976 and, from
excelled. He was a great sportsman, then until his recent death, he fought
joining the Boat Club and competing stoically against his illness, which
in many regattas. He was also a great was to become more aggressive. He
cyclist; both sports were perfect for graduated from Manchester University
him, as he was very tall and had long with a degree in English, but his lack memory and would recall stories and
legs. His bike was state-of-the-art of mobility made it difficult for him to nicknames long forgotten by others.
and so big that only he could get on work. His parents, John and Kay, dedicated
it without falling off. In music, he was I will always remember him for his their lives to his care, and their
a renowned oboist and performed in humour, his competitiveness and his devotion to him was humbling.
many school and county concerts. love of music. He was one of those May he rest in peace in a much better
Being in the top set, he was also people whom it was easy to admire place.
intellectually gifted and shone in all because he had so much going for
subjects. him. He also had a phenomenal Andrew Coker (78)
53
Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk
Register o 53
