forever:keele - Keele University

keele:PEOPLE
what happened to…?
what
happened to…?
1955
June Baker (Flux): I retired many
years ago, having taught Biology.
I often wonder what my life would have been
like when I had my interview in Guildford for a
teaching post – Biology or Chemistry. I decided
on Biology and three years later married the
Chemist. We’ve now been married 52 years.
Maurice Knights: I was a Labour member on
Southborough Town Council for 12 years. I
served for 16 years as a school governor.
Enid Nussbaum (Felix-Williams): Banana boat to the
West Indies in 2005 and round the world on three
container ships in 2006; round the coast of Wales on
a Trinity House vessel in 2007. Now happily settled in
a new development in Newcastle, three miles from
Keele, after 56 years living on the University campus.
Maurice Spiers: Married with three children and one
grandson. Ran 100 yards for English Universities in 1952.
Taught Politics at Bradford University. Retired early
in the 1980s to run a business. Just self-published ‘My
Philosophical Investigations. A Personal Enquiry’.
1956
Pat Parfitt (Dawson): After a
lifetime in teaching at all levels I
returned to Keele to teach the PGCE course!
Retired in 2000 and moved to West Sussex.
Married to Clive, who was also at Keele, for 53
years with two children and five grandchildren.
Philip Marchand: I count as a
1957 retiree, living in the south of
France, dividing my time between writing,
painting and keeping up with friends.
John “Jos” O’Sullivan and Pamela O’Sullivan
(Claridge): We have put the rural idyll behind us and
retreated to a snug little burrow inside the ancient
walls of Ludlow. Pam tends a courtyard garden,
works tapestry, listens to Schubert, and tries to stop
Jos drinking too much wine. Jos, published “Long
Ago and Far Away” in 2007 and has now published
“The Artful Tax Dodgers (It’s Your Pocket They’re
Picking)”: a “partial, prejudiced and jaundiced
overview of a working life in the Inland Revenue”.
John Thomas: In the early 1970s I
1958 was lining up for the 3000m walk in
the Inter-Counties Championships. As the starters’
marksman came along the line to check our positions
I recognised him. When he reached me I said, “I
was at Keele with you.” He looked at me and said,
“So you were”. It was Dickie Float (1955). He was a
good sprinter at Keele. I became a senior Athletic
official and we have met at Athletics since.
David Wilson: I played cricket for Staffordshire
between 1959 and 1966 and lectured in Manchester
from 1963 to 1979 and in Archaeology at Keele
1979 to 1991. Married Vicky (ex-professor’s
secretary) 1990. Now in Gloucestershire, writing up
excavation reports and watching sport on Sky.
Jeremy Rivers: Still working part-time at
1959 Glencoe Outdoor Centre, as a freelance
IBM instructor in project management, and as a reader
in the Scottish Episcopal Church. I celebrated my 50th
wedding anniversary to Maureen in August 2009.
1960
John Dixon: I am still commuting to and
from Compiègne where Pat Pattison
(1962) mainly lives. We are now married and keeping
active – mostly cruises and archaeological visits to
France, Germany, Italy, Canada, USA, Syria and Norway.
1961
Barry Carter: Retired from teaching
(secondary, TEFL, further and higher
education), I am enjoying explorations of children’s
fiction of the 1920s to 1960s. I correspond and meet
with Basil Cooil (1961) since his emigration to the USA
in the 1960s.
of education, particularly the recent politics of
education in England. Now retired with many Keele
friendships still intact, six grandchildren and a large
garden. I am married to Kathy (Baily) (1966).
David Wiseman: I have just wound up my
maths tutoring business. I was a maths teacher
for 42 years in Letchworth. From 1972 to 1974 I
researched Mathematical Learning and Concept
Formation for an MEd. I was a ski instructor for
many years and although I shall be 70 next month
I am still a very keen skier and continue to train
and holiday with other British ski instructors.
1965
Jennifer Harrower (Johnson): I compose
and choreograph dances, illustrated
poems etc. I have now completed four volumes of
Circle Dances and Volume 5 is in progress. I work
voluntarily as a Reiki practitioner in Exmouth.
Chris Johansson (Robinson): I am into my ninth
year on the Costa Blanca of Spain. Still enjoying
life here despite the rigours the credit crunch
has brought. Occasionally I do a bit of TEFL
but mostly I idle about or go to U3A activities.
I am in a book group, a calligraphy group, and a
Spanish history group. I also belong to a writers’
group, which is a great interest. I write a blog
about my life in Spain, “Chris on the Costa”.
1966
Colin Ball: My novel “Dupuytren’s
Contracture: A tale of distortion
and deception” was published in October 2010.
Keith Ovenden: Written various books – The
Politics of Steel (1978), Ratatui (1984), O.E. (1986),
Apartheid and International Finance 1989), A Fighting
Withdrawal: the Life of Dan Davin (1996), The Greatest
Sorrow (1998) and Quick Bright Things (2000).
1967
Gillian Emery (Butt): I am now
married to Jack Emery (1967).
Clive Sims: I’m about to retire as a Consultant
Forensic Psychologist in the NHS. With the current
changes in the NHS it is not a moment too soon.
Malcolm Steven: I finally retired a couple of years ago
after a working career spent almost entirely in HR.
I worked with companies as diverse as Rolls-Royce,
OCL, Deloitte, BT, Simon and Schuster/IBD, Viacom
and a greatly under-rated bijou little consultancy
called Malcolm Steven Associates Ltd. Mostly I was in
London but there were spells in the Home Counties,
the East Midlands and the Middle East. I enjoyed
pretty much all of it and I would happily do most of
it again, especially my four years at Keele. I have never
regretted my decision to retire to the gym, pub, bridge
club and golf course (more or less in that order!).
1968
Wendy Bonk (Coughlan): I live
close to Hamburg and still teach
part-time at the University of Hamburg.
John Howkins: I’m a writer and consultant, Chairman
of BOP Consulting and a Board Director of HandMade
plc and HotBed Media Ltd. Also a Director of Screen
East, the UK regional screen agency. I have a small
consulting business in China and have a joint venture
with Info-Space in Beijing, am an investor in the
Shanghai Creative Industries Investment Company
and am Chief Advisor to the Old Canal Development
Zone, Wuxi. I’ve advised numerous multinational
companies, businesses, government organisations and
cultural agencies and worked in over 30 countries. I
was the Founder and Director of the Adelphi Charter
on Creativity, Innovation and Intellectual Property
(2006) and Copyright 1710-2010) (2010) and devised
the London Intellectual Property Advisory Service
(“Own It”). I worked with Time Warner Inc and
HBO Inc from 1982 to 1996. I am Deputy Chairman
of the British Screen Advisory Council, Member of
the United Nations Advisory Committee on the
Creative Economy and a Council Member of the
Arts and Humanities Research Council. I am a former
Chairman of the London Film School. Books include
“Communications in China”, “Four Global Scenarios
for Information”, “The Creative Economy”, “CODE”,
“Dutty’s Dare” (with Zhao Li) and “Creative Ecologies”.
Susan Owens (Gough): I moved to Torquay in July
2006 after 24 years in Chislehurst. Was it the right
thing to do? I feel I am only just beginning after three
years to break down established barriers. As for the
rain, well, you have never seen anything like it!
Hugh Thompson: Spent 35 years as a freelance
business journalist writing for the Times, Telegraph,
Guardian etc as well as editing trade papers and
working as a press consultant. I became effectively
self unemployed three years ago and decided
to call it retirement. I spent a year going round
the world with my wife Vivien – which included
working as a volunteer teacher in Sri Lanka. This
year I have spent two months teaching in Nepal
at a school for orphaned Sherpa children.
1969
Lynda Antill (Allan): I am currently
President of Project Linus UK, a
volunteer network of needlewomen making comfort
blankets and quilts for sick and distressed children.
David Henderson: I left Keele in 1969, six years
after having started in 1963. I graduated from
the Open University in 1983. I served in the
army from 1970 until 1992 and am currently
a Basic Skills tutor for the Royal Navy.
1970
Jo Beverley (Dunn): Ken Dunn
(1970) and I spent over 30 years
in Canada and we are now back in England.
Jeremy Cooper: Retired 1999 from being a
Producer/Director – social science TV, radio,
video, audio at BBC Open University Production
Centre. Now freelancing for fun as a web designer,
video editor, video cameraperson, etc.
Marylin Dixon (Cox): After a few years of flirtation
with teaching, I moved into the gas industry where I
worked for nearly 20 years firstly within IT and then
as a business analyst. I took voluntary redundancy in
2002, re-trained to teach TEFL and travelled round
the world, coming to rest in Cambodia where I
remained for nearly four years. Now teaching full
time in the UK in Leamington Spa, which I love.
Stephen Everett: Now living in northern
Cyprus, having retired in 2009 as a senior
solicitor. I worked at United Co-operatives and
Co-operative Group for six years after a career
in private practice in Bradford and Leeds.
Simon Glynn: After Keele I hitched overland through
Europe and Asia to India, where I stayed for a while,
before returning the same way. I then worked as a
Research Assistant at The Open University, before
doing an MA in Philosophy at McMaster University in
Canada. I met my now ex-wife and we went back to
India, again overland and hitchhiking. Eventually
returned to England, and did a PhD in Philosophy at
Manchester University, where I then taught as a
Lecturer. From there to Liverpool University and then
with my ex-wife and two young sons, I came to the
USA, where I taught in Michigan, then at University of
Georgia. My wife and I divorced, and 20 years ago I
came to teach at Florida Atlantic University, Life is
good, and when I am not teaching philosophy, often
to functionally illiterate students, working on my
research, or going to the recent Keele USA reunion
with Rick Lewak (1970), Mark Hill (1974) and others in
Southern California (which was a blast!) I travel in Asia,
Europe and South America, sometimes alone but
often with my sons.
Julia Ibbotson (Adams): I am still senior lecturer
at the School of Education, University of Derby,
teaching postgraduates on our MA, EdD and
PhD programmes. I am also a researcher and
writer, and am setting up my own consultancy
as an educational adviser with the intention of
working fully from home in the near future.
Daniel Joseph: I went on to study at Keele under
Prof RG Swinburne for an MA in Philosophy of
Religion. It might look as though I have retired from
the church, but I remain an Archpriest in the Russian
Orthodox Church, as well as a Chaplain and Lecturer
at the University of Derby. My grandson George is
now 13 months old and I am very proud of him.
Martyn Truman: I spent seven fantastic years at
Keele and made some wonderful friends. I first came
in 1967 and enjoyed it so much I came back to do
research with Dr Lainé in Physics until 1976. I then got
a job as a Mathematics teacher in Cornwall. I retired
from the same school in 2009. My son Paul started
work in 2010 as a Teaching Fellow in Mathematics
at Keele so it seems as if he has completed a loop.
It must be fairly rare for a son to be teaching in the
same university department that (tried) to teach his
father! We recently visited (first time in 34 years) and
I nearly drove him mad by saying “It wasn’t like this
when I was here!” I realise there is a lot that has stayed
the same; it still looks like a wonderful place to live
and learn in the widest sense of those words. Keele
(both the place and the people) had a hugely positive
effect on me and I constantly think back to the
wonderful time I spent there and the people I met.
Neil Alldred: I went to Cameroon
as a volunteer and stayed for five
1972
years, marrying a Cameroonian. After a Master’s at
Manchester, I taught at the University of Malawi for
two years before joining Oxfam as Field Director
for Zaire and then a raft of NGO management
positions (ActionAid in Burundi-Rwanda, ALERT in
Ethiopia, ALIN in Senegal) completing 23 years in
Africa before settling in Northern Ireland where I
now run the International Development Programme
for the University of Ulster. I am fortunate in seeing
no difference between my day job and the issues I
see as important in my life – no alienation here!
John Bowers: Still working but part time as a
volunteer with the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
Jane James (Aldworth): I am involved in
bringing systemic approaches to education and
schools including the use of constellations. I
believe we were the first married couple to
live on campus in student accommodation.
Will Montgomery: Retired from secondary headship
in 2005 and done a variety of part-time teaching since,
currently some adult literacy and numeracy. Retired
from veterans’ rugby in 2009 after a final game for
Macclesfield Veterans XV on tour at my home town
club of Ballymena. Currently keeping fit by walking.
keele:PEOPLE
what happened to…?
2010
Miranda Phillips: I live in St Albans and was very sad Linda Petty (Payne): I was a head teacher of a primary
Find out what your fellow Keelites got up to after leaving the Bubble.
to miss the last reunion. I still work part-time but very school for 15 years and retired in 2009. I enjoy having
Colin Barnes: I have MAs from Reading
much looking forward to retirement and more time the time to concentrate on music. I’m still playing the
1962 and East Anglia and a PhD from
for contact with old friends. My life is incredibly full flute and have taken up the saxophone. I am learning
Manchester University. I have been a visiting lecturer
with three grandchildren and two god-daughters Spanish, designing and knitting garments for my six
at Leeds University Business School and Swansea
in Uganda. I enjoy living so close to London for the step-grandchildren and reading – a real luxury!
University and I am a Visiting Fellow in Environmental
cultural feasts! Our local towns are pretty good too! Eva Zissimides: I have moved to Greece. I
Economics at Cranfield University. I also work as
Jamie Roper: Still working in the Business School at was formerly married to the present Prime
economist in the UK and Europe and have worked
Staffordshire University, but now lecturing parttime.
Abroad quite a lot with external examining and we have a son aged 27 years.
Minister of Greece – George Papandreou
in Africa, Asia, North Africa and South America.
Tony Barrand: I have retired from my position
and teaching taking me to countries like Singapore,
Ian Moncrieff: I have been in the
at Boston University but I am maintaining
Germany and Spain. Managing to drink real ale, 1977 Royal Navy since 1976 and now
my singing and writing activities.
fell-walk and scuba dive despite encroaching
retiring from active Service after 34 years. I had
decrepitude. Might even get the cross-country skis
Roy Lowe: Taught in schools and
three commands – HMS Nottingham, Endurance
1963 universities and published on aspects
out again, given the unseasonably early snow. and Commander of British Forces in the
Steve Plant: I stayed in North Staffs and got a Falklands. I am now a Rear Admiral and my final
job with Stoke City Council. I was a Planner then appointment was as The National Hydrographer.
manager of a Planning team, then an IT person and I was appointed CBE in 2010. I live in Exmoor
manager of an IT team. After 33 years I took early National Park; married to Marion with two sons.
retirement and I love every minute of it. Very busy,
Michael de Vertueil: I worked in London
currently converting a white van into a campervan, 1978 for two years then Switzerland with
so will be touring the UK and abroad soon.
1973
Cherry “Chiz” Judge (Aston): I’ve
lived in South Africa since 1982 and
remarried in 1991 to Steve Judge. My artistic leanings
won in the end and I’ve been working as a graphic
designer and Apple computer systems manager for
Standard Bank for 17 years. I still enjoy the creativity
as much as ever. I spend many of my weekends
showing my beautiful young Boxer dog, no kids just
the dogs! We intend to retire to the Kwazulu-Natal
coast to an old property which we rent out... be an
exciting renovation project for our retirement.
Stuart McLeod; I wrote a novel “Enjoy the
Dance”, published as “Gutman” in 2001: Before
returning to work as a librarian I enjoyed
writing five books on the history of local
Northampton businesses and organisation.
1974
James Acheson: I took up a lectureship
at the University of Canterbury, in
Christchurch, New Zealand. I completed a PhD and
worked for 30 years, teaching English literature.
My thesis on Samuel Beckett was published in
1997, and a second book, on John Fowles, in 1998.
My wife and I have two adopted children.
Roger Errington: Retired as Head of Adoptions. Now
a bookseller and parish secretary. My wife Veronica
(Jacquier) (1975 ) is National Secretary of the Third
Order Carmelites. Two grown-up sons and a daughter.
David Frost and Patsy Frost (Anderson): We retired
in 2008 after long careers in teaching. Patsy retired
as Advanced Skills Teacher in Mathematics and
me as Head of Year. We spent the last two years
renovating an outbuilding on our property in France
and begun operating as a B & B under the Gîtes de
France label. We have also established a company
dedicated to intensive mathematics revision, offering
residential courses during school holiday periods.
1975
Bob Hawkes: Now sold the villa in
Spain and back in UK permanently.
Elected to serve on District Council and busy with
DIY to fix the years of neglect while in Spain!
Andrew “Bill” Barton: After working
1976 on audit and accounting projects in the
UK and in Brussels I am now heading an internal audit
function in Dubai. It is very hot here in the summer.
René Kostka: Works in his own practice for bodyoriented
psychotherapy in Zurich. He has two adult
sons, lives with his wife Verena in an old house and
loves to hear what old friends are up to these days.
Paul McLoughlin: Albert the ref is now living
in Wales with his wife and four daughters.
the World Economic Forum; for the last 20 years I
have been building a financial technology software
company in Paris. Married with one daughter.
Julian Mahy: Working in North Wales, Keele is not so
far away and I have visited the campus several times
recently as my son is now in his final year at Keele.
Rick Potter: I have kept an interesting balance
between engineering recruitment and music – the
former paying the bills, the latter still very much
a daily involvement. Having not become rich and
famous as a rock star in London, I moved to Newcastle
and took MMus in Composition, then returned to
recruitment whilst playing semi-pro. Business moved
me to Glasgow in 1991. I married Fiona five years ago
and we have a seven-year-old son and a 21-year-old
stepson. We now live in a little Argyll village, where we
both work from home with a wonderful view across
Jura. I stopped playing rugby five years ago, but still
motorcycle (wonderful roads) and play regularly in
the local hotel’s music nights. I discovered an interest
in gardening and a passion for rhododendrons, and
am involved in the local National Trust garden.
1979
Sheena Brook (Ward) and Richard
Brook: We live part-time in Somerset
and part-time in London. Richard is Chief Executive
of SENSE, the charity for the deaf blind. Sheena
has retired from special needs teaching and is
enjoying village life. We are grateful for the gift
of two lovely daughters and two grandsons.
Paul Burgess: Solicitor and Board Member at
Emerson Group for 23 years. Married to Elaine
for 25 years, with two children at University.
Renovated an old building into a home on Lleyn
peninsula and just acquired a boat – so lots of
time spent in Abersoch Bay. Still actively involved
in sport; rugby, cricket, tennis, swimming.
Ashley Howells: Just re-elected to Newcastleunder-Lyme
Borough Council as Tory
Councillor for Loggerheads and Whitmore.
Michael O’Connor: I left the Olympic Lottery
Distributor in January 2010 and I am now CEO
of Consumer Focus – a public body which
campaigns for a fair deal for consumers.
Charles Stewart: I am still gainfully employed as
a policy manager in property law at the Ministry
of Justice. This followed a move three years ago
from Education, where I had spent about 20 years
in national curriculum, teacher supply, school
organisation and student loan debt sale. I am still
in touch with former Keele staff from the Russian
Studies Department. I still enjoy my Russian and I
look forward to all the alumni events I can make.
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forever:keele | issue : six : April 2011
issue : six : April 2011 | forever:keele 19