Saturday and Sunday 26th & 27th June at Ratcliffe
This year's Reunion Dinner was attended by over 90 Old Ratcliffians with the classes of 2000, 71, 60 and 72 being particularly well represented. The champagne reception was held on the front lawn in front of the beautiful Pugin building with a piano accompaniment by two of Ratcliffe's talented pianists.
Father Michael Hill was over from New Zealand and joined the dinner. There were guests from Ireland, Germany and Austria as well as many who had travelled from all over the UK.
Gareth Lloyd and Paul Carter sang the Old Ratcliffians' song, accompanied by Katharine Lloyd on the piano. The speeches were lively and interesting, and much appreciated by the guests.
The class of 2000 were shown their Leavers Video immediately after the dinner before leaving in the School Minibus to party the night away in Loughborough's best night club. Thanks go to Shaun Walker for acting as taxi driver! The rest adjourned to the Old Ratcliffians Bar to enjoy more lively conversation. The Bar was promptly closed at 1 pm.
On Sunday, after the Mass for Deceased Old Ratcliffians, the Council met for their meeting followed by the Annual General Meeting which was attended by new members Antonia Flockton and Abe Mee. It was announced tha Bishop John Arnold, Auxilliary Bishop of Westminister, had agreed to take on the Vice Presidency of the Council this year and would be President in 2011 in line with the 40th anniversary of his departure from Ratcliffe.
It was a lovely sunny day and the Grand Match was uninterupted by the weather for the second year running. Thanks again to Martin Foulds for organsing the Old Ratcliffians' team, which he has been doing for the past 40 years! Unfortunately the College X1 hung onto the Trophy again this year as the match was declared a draw for the second year in succession.(Full report in the Old Ratcliffian.)
A hog roast was laid on for those wishing to partake and many others enjoyed picnics around the cricket pitch enjoying the sunny weather. Bro Nigel Cave did a tour of the College for those interested ( his knowlege of the history of the College and its buildings is unsurpassed) and at 3 pm the England v Germany football match was played on the big screen. The result was not disappointing for all those watching - Bob Forstner (72) and his wife, Gerhild, who had travelled over from Stuttgart, were delighted with the result.
