Page 49 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

family get-together, including most of
our 10 grandchildren, at our daughter’s
home near Princethorpe. Sadly, our eldest
son died unexpectedly from a heart attack
two years earlier, aged 55. Now nearing
my 89th year, I still remember many happy OR NEWS
times as a lad at Ratcliffe.”

Anthony Holland (56): “I have no real (57), who now lives in Colchester, and I
news, apart from enjoying, as always, the also attended a retreat organised by Fr
Past Presidents’ Dinner at the College David Tobin (59) at Sacro Monte Calvario
each autumn. I was in Rome recently on in Domodossola, which I have wanted to
a pilgrimage organised by the Newman visit for years. On most Sundays, I go to St
Association, to learn more about Judeo- Etheldreda’s in London, where I listen to
Christian relationships in the 1st century the sermons of Fr Tom Deidun (62), which,
AD. It was quite an eye-opener – for me, in my view, are worthy of publication on
Robert Ippaso (73): “I’ve now been living in anyway. I am in contact with John Sharp most weeks.”
Naples, Florida for 10 years, and it’s idyllic.
The poem, below, that I wrote may bring Alex Slack (née Gamble) (03): “It was with but also because I felt his presence around
some of you a smile and prompt you into a very heavy heart that I left the Ratcliffian the School.
thinking how beautiful the world really is.” Association in May this year. Ratcliffe
has been, and will always be, a big part I have so many emotional, but very
happy, memories of Ratcliffe College, and
A Summer’s Day in Florida of my life. Having been christened in the I would like this to continue with my own
Religious Studies room, confirmed and
The lake shimmers in the early breeze, married in the Chapel and, subsequently, children, and to be able to offer them
Dancing rivulets of light kissed by having baptised both my own children what I was lucky enough to have. In order
the rising sun, to pursue this dream and make it a reality,
Reflecting passing clouds, hopscotching there, it’s fair to say that I miss the place. I have had to make some drastic changes
with such ease, Not only was I educated at the College, but in my work life to be able to financially
It heralds a new day just now begun.
also my grandfather, Gerard Gamble (31), support it. The House of Lifestyle
Observing its environs with majestic grace, my four uncles, Tim (62), Richard (64), Management was born last year; it was a
An ibis meanders daintily along water’s edge, Mark (71), and Charles (75), my father, big risk, but one I was willing to pursue to
Confident in its prowess to outpace, Andrew (68), my brothers, Ed (95) and enable my children to have the fantastic
Its curved bill nature’s dancing dredge. Patrick (96), and many of my cousins. We education that Ratcliffe has to offer.
all had an amazing time, and Ratcliffe has Charlie is registered to come to the School
A ripple breaks the perfect glass,
A little beak emerges from the deep, shaped us into who we are today. As I sit in 2022, so I’d better knuckle down if I’m
Imbued with curiosity and sass, and write this, I wonder how bricks and going to reach this target!
The snapping turtle juts its head to peep. mortar from one place can have such a My new company, The House of LM, has
huge impact on my life.
All the while, majestic palms sway to and fro, one mission: to enrich people’s lives, by
Their fronds fanning summer’s air, I recall the saddest day of my existence, of giving them more time and helping them
From high they watch the morning’s show, which Ratcliffe was a part: the day I was to take control of their work-life balance.
Shielding those below from radiant glare. told that my brother had been killed in a
car accident. The first place I wanted to I would like to take this opportunity to
A perfect harmony of sights and sounds, be (aged 14 and not a proactive Catholic thank Ratcliffe for giving me the chance to
It bathes the soul, lightens the heart, work at the School. I will dearly miss all the
Nature’s beauty truly knows no bounds, at the time) was at Ratcliffe. In the friendly people that make up the Ratcliffe
Of which we’re blessed to form a tiny part. Chapel, I met Fr Meredith (57) and Teresa College community.
Gamble, and we sat and prayed in silence.
The following weeks were a blur; however,
I clearly remember receiving Patrick’s
body into the Chapel the night before his
funeral, and knowing that he would be in
safe hands.

Another memory etched in my mind for a
lifetime was Patrick’s funeral, where 700
people lined the route to the graveyard
as his body was laid to rest in the school
grounds. Working at Ratcliffe years later
made me feel at peace, knowing that
he was so close by, not only because his
physical being was buried in the graveyard,

The Old Ratcliffian 2019 49