Page 51 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

was available to show him around the visited Ratcliffe from Washington DC. boarded from 1993 to 1998. On their tour
College. Andy said: “It was interesting Andrew said: “It was my absolute pleasure of the School, the Lockhart Garden was a
and nostalgic to visit Ratcliffe again. I to show Ben around. He works for FEMA (a big surprise to both ORs, as they recalled
have only been back two or three times US government agency), and what he has playing basketball and hockey in it when it
in the past 25 years, and probably not for experienced through his working life could was ‘The Square’. They were also both very
over 10 years. Some things didn’t seem to fill a book!” Ben said: “It was sensational impressed by the new Fitness Suite and
have changed at all – Pugin’s front facade to be back in England and to be taken Ratcliffian Association Bar, remarking on OR NEWS
and the cricket pavilion were as I always around the beautiful grounds of Ratcliffe. what fantastic additions they were to the
remember them. The Ref seemed totally It was my first time back at the College College’s facilities. The group left in very
unchanged, too, but the food tasted a lot since completing my A Levels in 1976 and high spirits, having enjoyed their private
nicer than I remember! There were also heading off to Georgetown University tour and time together immensely. Jason
lots of interesting additions – the Prep in Washington DC – my hometown. With said: “Although much has changed within
School and a proper Sixth Form building my 10-year-old son, Matiwos, with me, the buildings, what has not changed is the
to replace the Union, to name a few! The all sorts of funny stories came back to warm, family welcome and the all-round
sports facilities looked excellent, and the mind, including meeting many ‘colourful’ personal development of what a true
classrooms seemed as well-resourced as local residents in East Goscote and Sileby, Ratcliffian should be. I am very proud to
ever. I hope to be back again soon.” and learning what an ‘off-licence’ was! be an Old Ratcliffian.” Dan added: “It was
I also remembered the trips to Rome fantastic to reminisce with Jason about
with Fr Michael Waters (53), supporting our childhood memories and the time we
Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. spent together at Ratcliffe. It was even
This volunteer work started me off in my more special to be able to share it with his
life-long career in the field of relief and family as part of their trip to the UK over
development. Hats off to all the staff at 20 years on!”
Ratcliffe for the great work they continue
to do to help youngsters get off to a good
start in life, and a shout-out to all those
I went to school with. Come and visit
Washington DC…maybe after the next
election!” The fourth US visitor to Ratcliffe
was Morgan Falconer (92), who arrived
Earlier in the year, Development Director
Andrew Yell welcomed four Old Ratcliffian
visitors to Ratcliffe from the United States
within four weeks! Eugene McCarthy (61) Brothers Robert (60) and Peter
Reichenbach (54) returned to Ratcliffe
on 30th October 2019 after many years.
Robert arranged their visit to the School
whilst he was in Leicestershire visiting
Peter from Winchester. Robert said:
with his son on 25th April. Morgan used to “We thought it appropriate to take a trip
write for The Times in London; he now lives down memory lane and see how the old
in the USA and works as an art critic and place was faring. Very well indeed, as its
journalist, writing about contemporary art reputation is widely held. The academic
for numerous publications. Andrew said:
visited on 9th May, receiving a tour of the “It’s so great when Old Ratcliffians just achievements are recognised and the new
Fitness Suite, which he had generously pop by to see their old school. Morgan was buildings, with the impressive facilities,
contributed to. He also met up with his not in contact with us and had not been on are there for all to see.” Peter, who ran the
fellow classmate, Fr Ted Mullen (60), and our mailing list, hence he missed the US Ratcliffian Association Golf Society, along
found time to visit the Refectory to locate Old Ratcliffian Dinner. However, we have with Bernard Murphy (67), inaugurally
his school chair, which is inscribed with his contact info now. Perhaps he could be presented the Reynard Golf Trophy in
his name and his Ratcliffe dates. Eugene another OR for our mentor and careers 1977. This well-known silver fox trophy is
also met up with fellow American OR Peter programme – we could definitely host him presented to the champion golfer each
Daley (56), who arrived in Leicestershire via video link!” year, usually played for in the Summer term
a couple of days later for the Ratcliffian before the OR Reunion.
Association and Cunningham Trust Fund
meeting. On 24th April, Ben Curran (76) On 29th September 2019, Dan Saunders Lee Wojtkiw (96) returned to the School
(98) returned to Ratcliffe with his wife, on 29th August after 23 years, dropping
Laura, and his old classmate, Jason Liang in on the way to visit an old school friend
(98), who was visiting the UK from his in Leicester. He was met by Louise Liston,
home in China with five family members. Foundation Manager, who took him on a
Whilst Dan lives locally to Ratcliffe and tour of the School, starting in the newly
had recently been back to the School, this designed Lockhart Garden, formerly
was Jason’s first return to the College known as ‘The Quad’. His memories soon
in 21 years, and he very much enjoyed came flooding back when he spotted
showing his family the place where he
The Old Ratcliffian 2019 51