Page 38 - The Old Ratcliffian 2015 Magazine
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38 OLD RATCLIFFIAN NEWS
to attend the Old Ratcliffian reunion next James Northover (06): “I attended and concluding as the Defence Attaché
June. It would be terrific to meet up with Ratcliffe for seven years as a boarding in our embassy in Santiago, Chile.
as many contemporaries as possible from student under the tenure of Nigel Taylor, Then followed a second career in the
the Class of ‘76, and Fifth Form leavers Head of Boys’ Boarding. I then studied Magistrates’ Courts Service as Justices’
of 1974. Special thanks must go to Jackie Aviation Technology at the University Chief Executive, first in Hertfordshire,
Bennett for all the work that she does on of Leeds from 2006 until 2009, and then in Gloucestershire. I am now
behalf of the Old Ratcliffians.” joined the RAF and flew the Grob Tutor ‘retired’, but helping the family to run the
from 2007 to 2009. Following that, I am very large property in Herefordshire that
Chris Siddall (11) now in the Irish Air Corps. I completed we are privileged to live in as a wedding
officer training, ground school and flying venue.”
Chris Siddall (11): “I’ve been working as training, and won the ARCO Sword for
a presenter for Sky Sports News Radio achieving the best results in all three. I Martine Warmann (née George) (02):
in Leeds since October 2011. Sadly, the currently fly in a maritime role, mainly in “My brother, Zack (08) and I both went
station was closed last August due to the North Atlantic, operating in counter- to Ratcliffe. We now own a gym together,
budget cuts from Sky (most likely to help narcotics, counter-smuggling, search and the Be-Fitter Gym, which has been
fund the Premier League bid!). This meant rescue, and air ambulance. I live in Dublin, selected by the National Fitness Awards
that I had to apply for a new job in London and in the future, I would like to return for their ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award.
at HQ. Thankfully, I was successful, and I to the flying training school to train the I recently started powerlifting training
was given the opportunity to join the future pilots of the Irish Air Corps. I am to prove a point to our gym members;
television channel Sky Sports News HQ. I very grateful for the seven years I spent being quite petite myself, I wanted
ended up living in a hotel for over a month at Ratcliffe, particularly to Nigel Taylor, to show other women that you don’t
before I found living accommodation, who provided excellent support. I wish have to be big, bulky and masculine to
which was quite an experience! I’m very all the best to those who have attended be strong and confident when lifting
fortunate to be working alongside Kirsty Ratcliffe.” heavy weights. In less than six months,
Gallacher, Jim White and many more I won two gold medals, making me
presenting talents as a TV producer. James Northover (06), left British Champion. I was also selected to
It’s a challenging job, but equally, very represent Great Britain as part of Team
rewarding, and I’m loving every minute of Johan ten Houten (00): “I am currently GB, and I won a bronze medal at the
it. I’ve also been given several presenting employed by Libertine, an advertising WPC World Championships in Prague,
opportunities, and I recently hosted a agency, working with Matalan and British where I was very honoured to be able to
preview show ahead of The Open.” Airways as a Business Director.” represent my country. Of all the nations
competing at the World Championships,
Ian Potts (62): “I stood down as a Simon Mace (04): “I am working as a Team GB came second, with Russia taking
local councillor here in Ealing last year Research and Development scientist for first place, having double the amount of
and ended up acting as agent for the Mars Petcare and am looking forward athletes. England did an amazing job, and
Conservative parliamentary candidate to marrying Claire Oxley in September I hope that, with more publicity, this will
in Ealing Southall in this year’s General 2016.” become an Olympic sport. These past few
Election. I am now a volunteer guide at months have been a whirlwind and a truly
Osterley House, a National Trust property, Simon Mace (04) & his fiancée, Claire amazing journey.”
amongst much other volunteering.
Although it’s almost a year off, it will John Finnigan (57): “After Ratcliffe, I Manuel Herder (85): “This year was our
be our Golden Wedding Anniversary undertook a full career in the Royal Navy, 30th Anniversary OR reunion, which
on September 3rd next year. I am now embracing a wide range of disciplines, we very much enjoyed. I am a publisher
in Ealing Abbey Parish and see Terry including logistics, law and intelligence, at Herder Publishing House, a German
O’Neil (61) on most Sundays (we usually company which is more than two hundred
go to different masses and he’s arriving years old. One focus of our work is religion
as I depart). I also meet Chris Sutton and theology. We are also the publisher
(62) at Lourdes, where I help with the of the Pope.”
Westminster sick and he goes with Oxford
and Cambridge and helps at the baths.” Manuel Herder (85) with the Pope
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