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T The Old Ratclifan 2014 | Introductionatclifan Association Events The Old Ratclifan 2014 | Introductionhe Old Ratclifan 2014 | Ratclifan Association Events The Old Ratclifan 2014 | R was up to all Old Ratcliffians to ensure RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION EVENTS that the Association would continue well into the future by encouraging The London Christmas Drinks Party fellow ORs to sign up to the website, to attend events, and younger ORs to Tuesday 3rd December 2013 support the Association. Peter Casartelli (56) was given a warm Bob Forstner (72) kindly hosted the round of applause for all his assistance popular London Christmas Drinks in the organisation of this flagship Party for the third consecutive year. event. It was attended by 43 Old Ratcliffians L to R: Paul Rudd (60) & Valda Rudd, Georgina Meredith (96), Matthew Allen The date for next year’s dinner is and their guests. Our thanks to Paul Carter (60) & Brian Coe (60) & Kate Moir (96) Friday 6th February. Further details Bob for his generous hospitality at accompany this magazine. the prestigious Bob Forstner Car Philip Jones (59) gave a rousing They recounted stories of Louise during Showroom on Park Lane. speech proposing a toast to the her short time at Ratcliffe, much to her Jackie Bennett College, and its Headmaster. Gareth embarrassment! Louise responded with Editor Lloyd responded by outlining recent a rousing call to arms, saying that it developments at Ratcliffe, including the brand new Preparatory School, due to open in September. Uniquely, the toast to the Ratcliffian Association and its President was made by two ladies, Sam Spillane (née Murphy) (91) and Sebako Siame (91). James Della Porta (82) Getting into the Christmas spirit! Mr John T Curran (60) L to R: Andrew Duffeld, Robert Affeck, Michael Evers, Michael Shipster & Mark Leslie & Mr John D Curran (58) (all from the Class of ‘68) The Ratcliffan Association Retreat L to R: Philippa Gamble (06), Francesca Gamble (04) Friday 25th – Sunday 27th April 2014 & Ginny O’Keeffe (née Gamble) (98) Peter Doran (73) & Tom Redfearn (73) This year the Retreat was given by he joined the novitiate at Wadhurst Fr John Doman IC. Fr John was an in 1968 and then went to St John’s The Ratcliffan Association inspiration to all those who attended. Seminary at Wonersh. He revisited London Dinner Sadly, Fr John died on 30th September Tanzania for three years to work on the this year, following a long battle with missions before returning to England Friday 7th February 2014 cancer. for ordination in 1982. He was an His journey to priesthood is an assistant priest in St Peter’s, Cardiff, This year’s London Dinner was attended by 118 Old interesting one and one which is worth before going to South India to establish Ratcliffians and their guests, some of whom had not mentioning. He was born in Amritsar, Rosminian formation houses in 1990. attended an OR event since leaving school. India in 1946, but the family moved to Fr John returned to the UK to be parish Fr Ted Mullen (60) said Mass in the Church before the East Africa following partition. He grew priest at St Albans, Cardiff, and then dinner and then all the guests congregated in the Crypt up in Tanga, Tanzania, where he went at Our Lady and St Peter’s in March, Fr John Doman IC RIP for drinks and canapés before sitting down to a dinner of to a Rosminian school. He decided whilst finishing his MSc in Psychology. Rosmini Centre, where he finally died. salmon, lamb, and macaroons and raspberries. to convert to Catholicism for political He took over as parish priest at and family reasons. In 1965, he left The Retreat was attended by a small The outgoing Head Boy, Robert Bourne (14), and Head Tanzania for England, where he was Our Lady and St Charles Borromeo, group of Old Ratcliffians and other Girl, Alice Gilbert (14), joined Gareth Lloyd and his wife, baptised by the late Fr Denis Cleary Wisbech, in 2004. He returned to St members of the Ratcliffe family, many Katharine, and the Senior Deputy Head, Jon Reddin, as IC and, after a brief spell working as Mary’s, Derryswood, in 2011. His final of whom had asked if Fr John could representatives of the College and guests of the Association. Ella Delargy (13), Shona Traynor (13) & Jon Reddin, Senior Deputy Head a lab technician at Ratcliffe College, home was amongst his brethren at the give the Retreat again next year. 18 Register o 19 19 Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk 18