Page 52 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

the window of his old room from his time Simon Burns (83) visited Ratcliffe on Wil Phillips (94) returned to the School
as a boarder, which overlooks the new 9th July, accompanied by Caroline and on 27th September 2019, after 25 years.
garden. Whilst on his tour, he was greeted David Edwards, who were dear friends of He was passing the College, having been
by Association Manager Sarah Gretton deceased Old Ratcliffian Andrew Ramen on a training course relating to his work
OR NEWS (88), who were making use of the newly year, after being diagnosed 10 years ago role until he recently became based
in counter-terrorism, which was a global
and Association President Ben Jackson
(83). Andrew passed away in January this
permanently in Northern Ireland. Wil was
refurbished Association Bar to have a
with an incurable brain tumour. Caroline
planning meeting. Lee kindly shared his
this time, were keen to visit Ratcliffe,
Sarah Gretton, and he remarked at how
thoughts with them on what would inspire and David, who cared for him throughout shown around by Association Manager
him and his fellow classmates to return to having heard so many stories about it little had changed since his schooldays. As
Ratcliffe to reunite; he also suggested that from Andrew. David said: “I was delighted a boarder from 1990 to 1994, he had many
a northern reunion might be appropriate, to be welcomed to the College and to see stories of the mischief that he and other
since he is in touch with many former the places that Andrew had mentioned students had made, including pouring
pupils who live within the North East. Now so fondly in our conversations; it was concentrated soap into the filter of the
living in Manchester and running his own of great comfort to myself and my wife, swimming pool, leaving it six feet high in
business, Lee has a wife and two children. Caroline.” As a lasting memory to Andrew, bubbles, and moving the Head of Music’s
two Refectory chairs have been donated, Mini all the way from the car park to the
with his name engraved on them. (You can archway outside the Music Hall, much to
read more about Andrew on page 59 of everyone’s amusement. Wil admitted that
this magazine.) they were a particularly naughty bunch!

Philip Barry (62): “I visited Ratcliffe on
23rd September 2019, on my way home
to the Lake District after a few enjoyable On 30th October 2019, sisters Hiu (88)
days with my son and his family, who live Former Head Girl Stephanie Castell and Hoi Ho (88) joined us for a tour of
in Rutland. This was about my sixth visit (06) visited the College in June, having the College, accompanied by their mother
since leaving in 1962, but by far the best travelled all the way to England from her and aunt. Although Hiu had been back to
and most special one, and one that will home in Australia for Louise Bird’s (06) Ratcliffe on several occasions, this was
remain the most memorable to me for wedding. Stephanie was joined on the visit Hoi’s first visit since leaving 31 years ago.
the rest of my life. I would sum it up by by her husband, Ibbe, her baby son, Harry, It was also a very significant visit for their
saying that Ratcliffe has changed (but and her parents, and from the moment she mother, who, having been a single parent
not hugely) with some new buildings, but arrived, it was clear to see just how much in Hong Kong, had worked tirelessly and
in all essentials and in spirit, it is exactly love she had for the College. Walking the selflessly to pay for the girls to study
the same and has not changed at all. I was corridors, she proudly pointed out the abroad at Ratcliffe, but never actually
made most welcome, and found my visit rooms which she studied in, the room came to the College during their time here.
both nostalgic and inspirational. I could that she had boarded in, found herself Having boarded from 1986 to 1988, Hui
feel the spirit of Fr Leetham (15) with me and her classmates in the whole-school and Hoi enjoyed visiting their rooms in the
throughout! The visit brought home to me photographs, and posed for a picture with Girls’ Boarding Wing, and they also enjoyed
all that my time at Ratcliffe had meant to Harry in front of the Head Girl and Boy recreating old school photographs. Hoi
me, and how pervading and important its plaque. Bumping into her former teachers, recalled being quite the entrepreneur at
influence has been to me from that time Mr Dziemianko, Mr Walsh and Mrs Cushing, Ratcliffe, describing how she would get
to the present day, generally without me whilst walking outside, Stephanie chatted knocks on her boarding room door at all
being aware of it! It has taken this visit to with real passion about the subjects that hours from fellow students wanting to buy
bring it back to me in a most wonderful she was taught, reminiscing about her packets of instant noodles that she would
way. I will be back!” schooldays and updating them about the bring back in bulk from Hong Kong! It was
life she has lived since leaving Ratcliffe. wonderful to welcome the group back to
Ratcliffe and to hear their fond stories and
memories – no doubt they took home many
new ones following their visit.

52 The Old Ratcliffian 2019