Page 45 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

pop up to Ratcliffe for sporting events, David Gallagher (94): “My wife, Jayne Stala Mike Ogilvie (72): “Last year, I travelled
which is nice. Last year, I took up running, Gallagher, and I celebrated the christening on holiday to Australia and met up in
starting the ‘Couch to 5K’ programme with of our twins, Sebastian and Florence Sydney with my old friend from the Class
my local beginners’ running group, and Stala Gallagher, with our eldest son, of 1972, Jonathan Chapman (72), who,
this year, I ran the Virgin London Marathon Otto, on Sunday 15th September in the unfortunately, now considers himself an
in 4 hours and 44 minutes! I raised £900 Ratcliffe College Chapel. Fr Sainter (69) Australian! I am very concerned about
for the British Heart Foundation. One of presided over the service with several Old the messages I will get if England don’t OR NEWS
my sons has a heart condition, as do my Ratcliffians, including my parents, Deirdre sharpen up their act in the Ashes!”
two nephews, and having been a cardiac and David Gallagher (65). My sister, Tara,
nurse for over 15 years, I have both a her husband, Andy, and their son, Olly,
personal and professional interest.” joined us from their home in Scotland.
My brother, Christian Gallagher (92), his
Roisin Sheehy (14): “Having graduated wife, Lucy Gallagher (née MacDonald-
from the University of Leicester in 2017, I Pearce) (92), and their children also
followed my interests in policy and public attended, along with my parents-in-law,
affairs, and I now work for a policy, research Wes and Chris Stala. It was a great family
and development organisation with celebration, and we were all delighted to
bases in Leicester, London and Cardiff, be back at Ratcliffe.”
focussing on social inclusion, employment
and adult education.”
Paul Mensley (97): “I received an early
Clem Maginniss (74): “I am still living in
Norfolk and serving in the Army Reserve, Christmas present last year, when my
and I keep in touch with David Simmons daughter, Connie, won the Mistletoe Mini
(74) in Coventry. In 2018, Helion published Stakes at London’s Olympia on her pony,
my first book, An Unappreciated Field of Madonna, on Christmas Eve. Words cannot
Endeavour, on the subject of Great War begin to explain how proud I am of her for
logistics, and my second book will be on winning the 128cm final at Olympia – it
the shelves in late 2020. In May 2019, was truly amazing to watch. This particular
I attended the Last Post Ceremony at class of showjumping is for riders aged 12
the Menin Gate during the Dunkirk 79th and under, riding ponies that are 128cm
Anniversary commemorations with the and under. Connie was the youngest in
Royal Norfolk Le Paradis Commemoration the group of 12 riders that entered. This is
Group, and I had the privilege of reading an incredible achievement – her hard work
the Exhortation. I am pictured (below, left, and dedication have definitely paid off.”
with wreath) with Dennis O’Callaghan, the
son of Private William O’Callaghan of 2nd
Norfolks, one of only two survivors of the
Le Paradis Massacre of May 27th 1940.”
Colin White (82): “Stephen Murphy (82)
and I commemorated the scuttling of the
German High Seas Fleet in 1919 by diving
down to some of the remaining battleships
and cruisers, including the Cöln, Markgraf,
König and Kronprinz Wilhelm. It was
amazing to see these vast ships on the
seabed at between 20 and 40 metres. It
was remarkable to think that some were
veterans of the Battle of Jutland and had
been lying on the seabed for 100 years,
having only spent 18 months afloat.”

Sam Spillane (née Murphy) (91): “The
Class of 1991 have had a fantastic time
reacquainting themselves this year.
Friendships have always remained strong
over the decades, but with the added
benefit of social media, over 50 ORs from
the year have now reconnected from all
over the world via a WhatsApp group. Who
knew, when we left Ratcliffe 28 years ago,
The Old Ratcliffian 2019 45