Page 44 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

OLD RATCLIFFIAN NEWS

Although spending four weeks by himself
was strange, Tim admitted that it made
him feel extremely secure. He quite
enjoyed the time alone, recounting the
Rosminian principle that he learnt whilst at
Ratcliffe: “Just be still. Wait. Listen. Don’t
act too quickly.” Within The Circle, Tim also
had to face many tough decisions alone,
maintaining his own principles whilst
also being mindful of ‘the game’. He said
that his time at Ratcliffe certainly helped
him with this, having been taught to be
independent, to set his own path, and not
to follow the crowd.
So, what’s next for Tim? When asked what
he took from The Circle, he explained
how, first and foremost, the show had
opened his eyes, not only to the huge
opportunities that social media presents
to young people, but also to the massive
TIM WILSON (79) WINS PUBLIC VOTE ON THE CIRCLE pitfalls and dangers of this faceless form
of communication. He said: “It’s worrying
Old Ratcliffian Tim Wilson (79) captured Despite the popularity contest being how easily you can be manipulated. I just
the hearts of the nation this year, when fought within The Circle, throughout want to tell people to be careful!” As well
he won the public vote on Channel his time on the show, Tim was an early as speaking about this serious message
4’s The Circle in the autumn of 2019. favourite to win in the public domain. behind the fun, Theology professor and
The reality TV show is based around a Having been described as “a legend” and former monk Tim said that he would like to
specially designed social media platform, “one of the nation’s new favourite people” pursue a career in television following his
and it sees contestants enter a block of by his huge fan base, he certainly seemed appearance on the show, and he added
flats in London, either as themselves or to have a good proportion of the nation’s that he would love to keep in touch with all
‘catfishing’ under a fictitious name and votes! Those who watched the show will be of the other contestants: “We had a unique
character. Having been handed the keys familiar with Tim’s many hilarious moments; experience, and very little is going to drive
to their own individual apartments, these these include, most notably, his fine Morris a wedge between us. We’re like a family.”
become their homes for the duration of dancing (if you haven’t seen it, Google it –
the show. In an interview with The Daily it’s a must!), and his respectable attempt
Express after he won the public vote and to play the alpine horn, for which he gives Vic Meynell (née Illingworth) (00): “Life is
the prize fund of £30,000, Tim said: “I credit to Fr Monaghan (53), who taught generally busy, with my full-time work for
didn’t expect it at all. Most people don’t him to play the clarinet during his time at the British Heart Foundation and family
get me, and I’m just amazed. I feel so warm Ratcliffe College. commitments. Our three children attend
and supported. I hope that, now, I can live These highlights, and many more like the local Catholic schools and occasionally
up to their expectations.”
them, testified to Tim’s bubbly, eccentric
During the show, none of the participants personality – a fact confirmed by his
meet in person, and they communicate many friends amongst the Class of 1979,
only via ‘The Circle’, which is a voice- who followed his progress closely and, no
activated app. In fact, they only get to see doubt, made up some of the final public
their fellow contestants once they have votes! Before entering The Circle, Tim
been knocked out of the game by being designed a badge to commemorate his
‘blocked’. The aim is to be the most popular late fellow classmate Mark Bunce (79),
player, by accruing the most ‘likes’ by the which was worn by the Class of 1979 at this
end of the series. Tim, who was previously year’s annual Reunion Luncheon in June
a social media novice, described this as one (see pages 34-35 for more details). Tim
of the hardest parts of being on the show: remarked that he pinned his badge to his
“Having no idea who you’re talking to, and dressing gown on the first day of the show
being chosen as an ‘influencer’ and having and, subsequently, “took Mark through
to decide who to block – well, it’s easy for The Circle” with him, stating that Mark’s
paranoia and anxiety to set in.” “friendly face” was of great comfort to him
during his time in isolation.

44 The Old Ratcliffian 2019