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RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION EVENTS 21

Rob Hull (97), Giuliana Bird (98), Rob Williams (95) & Sam Bird (98) at the event Sophie Riley (15) & Phoebe Allen (15)

THE RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION LONDON DINNER

FRIDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2016

Eighty Old Ratcliffians and friends attended the annual London
Dinner, which took place in the historical Crypt of the Rosminian-
owned Church of St Etheldreda’s in Ely Place, London. The
Headmaster, Gareth Lloyd, and his wife, Katharine, represented
the School, along with Development Director, Andrew Yell (82),
his wife Lizzy, and Head Girl, Lolade Mosaku (16).
The evening commenced with Mass, conducted by Fr Louis
Beasley-Suffolk (60), assisted by Fr Simon Giles (60) and Fr
David Myers (59). Guests were then welcomed into the Crypt
below for a drinks reception. For those that have never been to
the Crypt, one guest this year described it as ‘wonderful, lending
an ambiance to the occasion that really evoked memories of the
cloisters and corridors of Ratcliffe - well, with a bit of imagination
helping things along!’

In the absence of Paul Carter (60), guests were seated and Lolade Mosaku (16) with the Class of 1979
welcomed by Alexandra Slack (née Gamble) (03), who was the
Master of Ceremonies for one night only. This was a perfect way for the event for many years. A very big thank you goes to him,
for fellow ORs to get to know the new Executive Manager of the from all of us at the Association.
Association.
We were very fortunate to see Alex Beason (15) performing
All guests were treated to a beautiful meal, with smoked salmon ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ from the musical Les Miserables, while
and crab to start, followed by rare fillet of beef with confit Gareth Lloyd accompanied her on the piano. The room fell quiet
shallots and a red wine jus. John Hearson (58) said that ‘the food and people were in awe of her voice.
and catering was generally excellent’, and this was down to the
great Jean Louis at The Bleeding Heart Restaurant, who looked While guests were treated to port and brandy, which had
after all the guests so well. We bade him farewell on the evening, been kindly sponsored by the London Club, the toasts began.
as this was his last OR London Dinner. He has been responsible Dick Cunningham (59) proposed a toast to Ratcliffe and its

Register online at www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk