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44 OLD RATCLIFFIAN NEWS

our old friends and contemporaries from birthday, was a lifelong member of the continent.” Having completed the Grand
Ratcliffe, John T Curran (60) and John Church of England, and my mother, Slam, John has since turned his attention
D Curran (58)! Also staying was Ken who predeceased him at 98, three years to IronMan Switzerland, the North Face
Hurley’s (59) parish priest from Ross- previously, always had a strong desire Cappadocia race in Turkey, and the Yukon
on-Wye. I had caught up with Ken and for the unity of Christians; they would 1000 mile sea kayaking race in 2017 or
Gerard Price (58), both of whom I had not have been heartened by the warmth of 2018. We wish him luck in these future
seen for over fifty years, at Pat and Peter friendship pervading during those ten challenges!
Deely’s (59) Golden Wedding celebration days. This was the first event of its kind,
in the summer - a wonderful occasion, and there are hopefully more to come.”
shared also with David McCarthy (61)
and David Tobin (59). More recently, I John Moorhouse (74) has become the
have returned from an unprecedented 9th British person and 35th in the world
Ecumenical Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, ever to complete the Explorers Grand
led by two old friends - Archbishop Slam - a challenge to reach both the
Bernard Longley (Roman Catholic North and South Pole and to climb the
Archbishop of Birmingham) and Bishop Seven Summits, the highest mountains
John Inge (Anglican Bishop of Worcester). in each continent. Now in his 60s, he may
There were 25 Roman Catholics and 25 have also created a new Guinness World
from the Church of England, and we Record for being the oldest person in the
shared each other’s worship, alternating world to achieve this. What an incredible
Holy Mass with the Eucharist service. feat! John, who still works part-time as
The spirit of integration, friendship and a dentist for three days a week, talked
shared experience was amazing - this about his decision to attempt the Grand
joint visit and co-operation would have Slam: “Having skied the last degree to
been unthinkable twenty years ago, and both Poles and climbed Vinson, the most
it demonstrated what real ecumenical remote of the Seven Summits, in 2006
dialogue can achieve. My father, who and 2009, it seemed a logical progression John Moorhouse (74) completing part of the
died just one month short of his 101st to climb the highest mountain in each Grand Slam at the South Pole

COLONEL MIKE REYNOLDS (64)
AWARDED PRIME MINISTER’S POINT OF LIGHT AWARD

hygiene education. Mike has seen how these simple, sustainable
solutions make a huge difference to people’s lives. By developing
‘low-tech’ projects owned by the community, local people can
sustain their water supply for years, benefiting generations
to come.

Former Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: “Colonel Mike
Reynolds has made a huge difference by using the skills that
he developed in the Royal Engineers to support the work of
‘Just a Drop’. The projects that he has led in Uganda over the
last decade have helped over 100,000 people to have access to
clean, safe water. I am delighted to be able to recognise him as
Mike Reynolds (64) with his Point of Light Award
the UK’s 477th Point of Light.”
Mike Reynolds (64) saw, first-hand, the poverty that comes
from a lack of basic amenities. In 1980, he was serving in Nepal Mike responded: “Words cannot describe how honoured I am to
in the Brigade of Gurkhas and planning water supply schemes receive the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award. I am inspired
in Himalayan villages. He saw the difference that these projects every day by the communities that we work with. In this line
made to the remote communities that he was based in, and it of work, I am able to meet some of the kindest, most resilient
inspired him to continue working on water projects across people, and I am thrilled that we succeed in helping them to live
the world. a better, safer, cleaner life. Working with Fiona, the Trustees,
and the rest of the ‘Just a Drop’ team, helping to give the gift
Mike now serves as a Trustee and has been involved with ‘Just of water, has been, and continues to be, an absolute pleasure.”
a Drop’, an international water development charity, for eleven
years. He has worked on projects in Mongolia, Chile, Bolivia, Although he has been working abroad for 47 years, spanning
Niger and Kenya. As the charity expanded, he was made a Project seven different continents, Mike shows no signs of slowing
Engineer, focusing particularly on Uganda. Since 2011, Mike has down. He continues to play a key role in the work of ‘Just a Drop’,
been responsible for projects reaching over 100,000 people in delivering life-changing projects to hundreds of thousands of
Uganda, who now have access to clean water, sanitation and people every year.

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