Page 63 - The Old Ratcliffian 2013
P. 63
The Old Ratclifan 2013 | IntroductionThe Old Ratclifan 2013 | Obituaries
spare time as possible developing and became known by us all as quite an Michael leaves three sons and
creating a beautiful garden. His wife, amazing photographer. a daughter - Michael, Richard,
too, was a knowledgeable gardener Caroline and Stephen - a son-
and many happy hours were spent In 1999 his wife, Maureen, died in-law, daughters-in-law and six
together planning and planting for the after a long illness and, in 2007, grandchildren. He also leaves a sister,
future. Michael moved to Earls Barton, Judith.
Northamptonshire, to be nearer to his
Michael’s other great hobby was daughter and family. His friend, Kay, Michael will be greatly missed by us
photography, which began during who had been a tremendous support all. May he rest in peace.
his teenage years. He photographed, to him following Maureen’s death, Judith Banks
printed and developed all his own moved with him. Sister
work and, right through his life,
Denis Haines
Teacher
September 15th 1929-December 2nd 2012
Denis died in December last year and
he was carried into Loughborough
Crematorium by men whom he had
taught at Ratcliffe over forty years
before. What was it about him that
made us fight for a position under his
coffin? The answer to that question for
me comes, like a game of rugby, in
two halves.
Denis came to Ratcliffe College in the
mid-1960s, inheriting a 1st XV Rugby
side that, in preceding years, had lost
far more than it had won. Within a
few years, he coached a side which
went unbeaten for a full season. He
also had narrow misses for a clean
sweep in following seasons, where
his teams were beaten only once or
twice a year and scored lots of tries,
reflecting his love of a free-flowing
game. It is not easy to put a finger on
the secret of this remarkable success, (67), who boasts the legend of having Denis developed teams that would
coaching, as he was, a school which kicked a conversion for Leicestershire do anything for each other and
had a potential selection panel of Under 19s with a broken leg; and his everything to avoid defeat. On those
just one hundred and twenty Sixth brother Patrick (69), a Lancashire full rare occasions when defeat did come,
Formers, whilst most of the schools county triallist until he was laid low it was accepted with good grace and
in the fixture list had at least twice as by a late tackle whilst playing against lessons were learned to avoid its
many from which to choose. Waterloo for Liverpool University unwelcome reappearance.
Soccer supporters of a certain age 1st XV - an injury which nearly He also coached the 1st XI cricket
will remember Brian Clough’s ability killed him. There was Peter Stanton and was a skilful performer himself,
to find a role within a team for those (68) too, an England School’s final with an annoying ability (speaking
whom ‘wiser’ judges had cast aside. triallist with a ‘Sharpe-like’ break (for as an unsuccessful bowler) to avoid
Denis shared that talent of seeing those who don’t remember Richard dismissal and score runs fluently. As
what an individual was capable of. Sharpe, a trip to YouTube will show Captain, I still treasure many long
When he knew what talent he had at you what I mean). His successor at conversations on summer evenings in
his disposal, he moulded the style of fly half, Michael Shevlin (71), could the pavilion with Denis, which covered
play to suit the resources available to accelerate out of a sidestep off either much wider topics than just cricket.
him. Whilst at Ratcliffe, he had some foot. Tony Gallagher (70), his School As C L R James rightly said, ‘What do
fine, individual talent at his disposal: Captain in 1969 also captained they know of cricket who only cricket
Patrick Gordon (67), a man amongst Leicestershire schoolboys and was know?’
boys who earned an Oxford Blue; proficient in the dark arts of lifting
Mick Bramall (66), who played centre second rows long before it became There were many fine teachers at
for British Universities; Michael Clarke legal. Ratcliffe in those days. Jack Morris
63
Register o 63
Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk
spare time as possible developing and became known by us all as quite an Michael leaves three sons and
creating a beautiful garden. His wife, amazing photographer. a daughter - Michael, Richard,
too, was a knowledgeable gardener Caroline and Stephen - a son-
and many happy hours were spent In 1999 his wife, Maureen, died in-law, daughters-in-law and six
together planning and planting for the after a long illness and, in 2007, grandchildren. He also leaves a sister,
future. Michael moved to Earls Barton, Judith.
Northamptonshire, to be nearer to his
Michael’s other great hobby was daughter and family. His friend, Kay, Michael will be greatly missed by us
photography, which began during who had been a tremendous support all. May he rest in peace.
his teenage years. He photographed, to him following Maureen’s death, Judith Banks
printed and developed all his own moved with him. Sister
work and, right through his life,
Denis Haines
Teacher
September 15th 1929-December 2nd 2012
Denis died in December last year and
he was carried into Loughborough
Crematorium by men whom he had
taught at Ratcliffe over forty years
before. What was it about him that
made us fight for a position under his
coffin? The answer to that question for
me comes, like a game of rugby, in
two halves.
Denis came to Ratcliffe College in the
mid-1960s, inheriting a 1st XV Rugby
side that, in preceding years, had lost
far more than it had won. Within a
few years, he coached a side which
went unbeaten for a full season. He
also had narrow misses for a clean
sweep in following seasons, where
his teams were beaten only once or
twice a year and scored lots of tries,
reflecting his love of a free-flowing
game. It is not easy to put a finger on
the secret of this remarkable success, (67), who boasts the legend of having Denis developed teams that would
coaching, as he was, a school which kicked a conversion for Leicestershire do anything for each other and
had a potential selection panel of Under 19s with a broken leg; and his everything to avoid defeat. On those
just one hundred and twenty Sixth brother Patrick (69), a Lancashire full rare occasions when defeat did come,
Formers, whilst most of the schools county triallist until he was laid low it was accepted with good grace and
in the fixture list had at least twice as by a late tackle whilst playing against lessons were learned to avoid its
many from which to choose. Waterloo for Liverpool University unwelcome reappearance.
Soccer supporters of a certain age 1st XV - an injury which nearly He also coached the 1st XI cricket
will remember Brian Clough’s ability killed him. There was Peter Stanton and was a skilful performer himself,
to find a role within a team for those (68) too, an England School’s final with an annoying ability (speaking
whom ‘wiser’ judges had cast aside. triallist with a ‘Sharpe-like’ break (for as an unsuccessful bowler) to avoid
Denis shared that talent of seeing those who don’t remember Richard dismissal and score runs fluently. As
what an individual was capable of. Sharpe, a trip to YouTube will show Captain, I still treasure many long
When he knew what talent he had at you what I mean). His successor at conversations on summer evenings in
his disposal, he moulded the style of fly half, Michael Shevlin (71), could the pavilion with Denis, which covered
play to suit the resources available to accelerate out of a sidestep off either much wider topics than just cricket.
him. Whilst at Ratcliffe, he had some foot. Tony Gallagher (70), his School As C L R James rightly said, ‘What do
fine, individual talent at his disposal: Captain in 1969 also captained they know of cricket who only cricket
Patrick Gordon (67), a man amongst Leicestershire schoolboys and was know?’
boys who earned an Oxford Blue; proficient in the dark arts of lifting
Mick Bramall (66), who played centre second rows long before it became There were many fine teachers at
for British Universities; Michael Clarke legal. Ratcliffe in those days. Jack Morris
63
Register o 63
Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk
