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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 The Ratcliffian Association Past Presidents’ Dinner Friday 17th October 2014 The annual Past Presidents’ Dinner was held at the College on Friday 17th October 2014. As is customary, the evening started with Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, concelebrated by Fr Simon Giles (60) and Fr Ted Mullen (60). Following a champagne reception in the Old Library, sixteen Past Presidents sat down with our current President, Michael Meredith (89), and Association Secretary, Jackie Bennett, for an excellent meal provided by the College. Michael Meredith proposed The Ratcliffan Association Past Presidents a toast to Ratcliffe and the Ratcliffian Association and Richard Gamble David Tobin (59) and Past Presidents Gamble (64), Peter Astill (71), Cathy (64), Chairman of Governors, spoke Michael Coker (52), Patrick Jolliffe Ross (née Dodson) (79) and Abe Mee briefly on current developments at the (53), Anthony Jewell (54), Sir (92). Headmaster, Gareth Lloyd, was College and the successful opening of Anthony Holland (56), Michael Heath returning from the Hong Kong Dinner the new Preparatory School. (56), Fr Anthony Meredith (57), and was unable to attend. Dick Cunningham (59), Philip Jones Michael Heath (56) Those in attendance were: Michael (59), Fr Ted Mullen (60), Paul Carter Meredith (89), Jackie Bennett, Fr (60), Fr Simon Giles (60), Richard The Class of 84 with Fr Ted Mullen (60) centre enjoying the atmosphere on the Sunday after the dinner. The Old Ratcliffan Hong Kong Dinner the Tour de France in Yorkshire. Lt of champagne was presented to Dawn Col Nick Keable (84) also gave an Grundy on behalf of the Class of ‘84 Wednesday 15th October 2014 inspirational speech, not only directed as a token of appreciation for all On Wednesday 15th October, a group of and then, latterly, as a teacher, and Halfway through the banquet there was at his own peer group, but also to her hard work in gathering so many Old Ratcliffians, along with some invited was keen for any excuse to revisit the a short break, when the Headmaster, the 2014 leavers present. He was together for the dinner. Jackie Bennett guests, gathered at the Golden Bauhinia country that he likes so much. Our most Mr Gareth Lloyd, took the opportunity keen for them to understand that was also presented with a bouquet by Restaurant in Hong Kong for the second recent leaver was Pete Griffin (10), who to update the assembled ORs on the they, too, would want to come back President, Louise Marsden. OR Dinner in as many years. The venue, left Ratcliffe just four years ago and, current health of Ratcliffe and to share to Ratcliffe to revisit their memories, Master of Ceremonies, Paul Carter situated close to the renowned Hong this summer, has successfully won a the exciting news about the opening even though this is the last thing they (60) then called everyone to order Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, converted graduate position with KPMG in September of our new Preparatory will be interested in for the first few for a rousing rendition of the Old provided us with a private room and in Hong Kong. School building. Mr Lloyd also then years after leaving school. A magnum Ratcliffians’ Song, accompanied on Dawn Grundy (née Bayley) (84), Paul a ten-course banquet menu and was presented Mr Henry Cheong with a Jackson (84) & James Thompson (84) kindly organised by our local host, Mr Also in the OR group this year was commemorative medal by way of a Stephen Shum (78), who had travelled the piano by Gareth Lloyd. Henry Cheong (66). back to Hong Kong from Ghana, where ‘thank you’ for all his efforts in arranging the dinner and hosting the event. After dinner, the disco started and Our most senior OR was Lt Col Nicholas he works. Stephen was joined by fellow everyone enjoyed reminiscing about Tomlinson (56), who flew out from his classmate Markus Shaw (78), who had It was agreed that the two youngest ORs happy days at Ratcliffe until the early home in Rutland in order to attend the also previously supported the 2012 present, Pete Griffin (10) and Jacky hours of Sunday morning, when dinner. Nicholas had lived in China and Hong Kong Dinner. Cheung (98), would attempt to arrange Ratcliffe’s ‘Mr Fix It’, Shaun Walker, Hong Kong during his military career an informal drinks event two to three ferried everyone back to their various times per year, with the aim of attracting hotels in the School’s minibus. some of the other local ORs based in Hong Kong, of which there are currently On Sunday, a large group attended the at least seventy. Mass for Deceased Old Ratcliffians, which was concelebrated by Fr Ted Attendees: John Marray (76), Jacky Mullen (60) and Fr Simon Giles (60). Cheung (98), Michael Chung (69), After Mass, the AGM of the Ratcliffian Stanley Mak (67), Paul Jackson (84), Association took place, followed by Pete Griffin (10), John McGuire, Robert the Richard Hughes T20 Cup and Gazzi (70), Andrew Yell (82), Mrs lunch in the marquee. Andrew Yell Patsy Cheong, Stephen Shum (78), also took a group of ORs around the Gareth Lloyd (Headmaster), Nicholas School after lunch. A great weekend Tomlinson (56), Henry Cheong (66), was had by all. Back Row, L to R: John Marray (76), Jacky Cheung (98), Michael Chung (69), Stanley Thomas Tang, Markus Shaw (78), Mak (67), Paul Jackson (84), Pete Griffn (10), John McGuire, Robert Gazzi (70) & L to R: Fiona Hughes (née Taylor), Harriet Wyatt (née Cookson), Cathy Nash Jackie Bennett Andrew Yell (82). Front Row, L to R: Mrs Patsy Cheong, Stephen Shum (78), Gareth Byron Tang and Paul Cheung. (née Homer) & Dawn Grundy (née Bayley) (all from the Class of ‘84) Editor Lloyd (Headmaster), Lt Col Nicholas Tomlinson (56), Henry Cheong (66) & Thomas Tang Andrew Yell (82) 22 Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk 23 23 Register o 22