SOUNDBITES
OP NEWS AND UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
PRE - 1980
Mike Brett ( 56-64 ) completed his sociology degree from Reading University in 1967 , where he particularly enjoyed participating in the University ’ s 1st VIII rowing team . His professional career was spent in various roles in social work and senior management . Seizing the opportunity , Mike retired at the age of 50 and enjoyed having more time to immerse himself in his numerous hobbies and interests . These include Morris Dancing , providing care for rescue dogs , engaging in gardening , travelling , focusing on railway modelling , and developing knowledge in antiques , particularly silver and silver plate . Since 2021 , he has become involved in local U3A groups and various charities . He has travelled to new destinations in the UK and found considerable joy in becoming involved in some school events which he plans to continue .
Steve Candler ( 66-74 ) spent his working career of almost 38 years as a nurse . He trained in both psychiatry and the general side of nursing – specifically surgical nursing . This was in Nottingham , Birmingham , Hartlepool , and Oxfordshire . In clinical nursing , he achieved deputy Chief Nurse at the Oxford University hospitals . He was fortunate to take part in a Nurse Directors Leadership programme at the Kings Fund in London . The latter part of his career was at a regional level , including being Cancer Nurse Director across Thames Valley . He took early retirement at 60 and has thoroughly enjoyed it so far , settling in Evesham in Worcestershire .
Chris Corbett ( 67-74 ) has published a series of crime adventure books , the Lucy Ferrars Detective Novels , based around Jane Austen ’ s character Lucy Steele . He has recently launched a website lucyferrarsdetective . co . uk with information about the books and his background as an author .
Christopher Dent ( 61-65 ) worked for six months on leaving school for the Ministry of Public Building and Works in London and intended eventually to become an Inspector of Ancient Monuments . He read history at King ’ s College London , where his career intentions changed rather radically . After a year in Strasbourg , he went up to Cambridge to read theology and train for the ministry of the Church of England . He was ordained in 1972 and served in Chelsea , as a university chaplain in Oxford , in rural Kent and in Bedford . He married Vanessa in 1984 and they have two children and four grandchildren . He retired to the Kent coast in 2012 and is still active in ‘ locum ’ ministry and as a chaplain at Canterbury Cathedral .
Richard Emms ( 54-64 ) completed a sandwich course with AEI ( Associated Engineering Industry ) to become a metallurgist . During his first year he was employed at Trafford Park , focusing on substantial generator projects and gaining experience in the workshop and drawing office . Following this , he completed a three-year degree course in metallurgy at the University of Nottingham , before returning to Trafford Park to complete his apprenticeship . Once fully qualified , Richard began his career as a metallurgist with ICI . His role required him to relocate to Teesside to contribute to the operation of a plant dedicated to Nylon production . After successfully passing further professional exams , he was awarded membership in the Institute of Mechanical Engineers , which significantly broadened his career prospects . Richard remained with ICI , dedicating his professional life there until his retirement .
Tony Fisher ( 66-74 ) began his academic journey at St Andrews University , studying Biochemistry . However , he soon changed subject , preferring Astronomy . Upon graduating , he pursued a PGCE at The University of York with the intention of returning to St Andrews for a PhD . Tony ’ s plan was disrupted when he was offered a teaching position at Huntington School in York , initially for only one year . He accepted the job , with the idea that it would fund his PhD . Tony quickly grew fond of the job and the school , and when offered the chance to stay on after his year-long contract , he jumped at the opportunity . He remained at Huntington School until his retirement in 2011 , and as a result , the PhD was never completed .
Tony was also a District Councillor in Ryedale for nine years and currently holds a seat on the City of York Council , representing Strensall ward , having been re-elected in 2023 . Additionally , he has served as Chair of Strensall Parish Council since 2016 .
Outside of his professional life , Tony has several hobbies , including driving his 2 TVR sports cars , collecting rare Victorian British postage stamps and planting trees . He also cares for nine parrots , most of which were rescued . Tony enjoyed playing club cricket for 30 years but retired from the game in 2017 .
Rupert Hinde ( 71-79 ) retired in April 2024 after dedicating 34 years to JTI as a Key Multiple Grocer Director .
David ( Daffyd ) Johnston ( 67-74 ), graduated from Cambridge and completed a PhD at Aberystwyth University . He went on to an academic career in Welsh literature , as a lecturer at Cardiff University , Professor of Welsh at Swansea , and Director of the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies in Aberystwyth until his retirement in 2020 . He has published several books in both Welsh and English and was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2023 . He played chess for England at U21 level and for Wales at senior level . He now lives in Lampeter and has three children and two grandchildren .
Ian Leckenby ( 56-64 ) embarked on his career at the RAF College Cranwell immediately after completing his Pocklington School education , joining the 92nd Entry in March 1965 . By August 1967 , he graduated as a pilot and went on to complete advanced flying training at RAF Oakington , Cambridge . His subsequent posting was with the Hercules transport conversion unit at RAF Thorney Island , from where he transitioned to serve as a copilot at RAF Fairford . His career continued with tours in Cyprus and later at Lyneham , taking roles as both a captain and an instructor within the Hercules Training unit . In June 1978 , Ian made the decision to leave the RAF . Ian ’ s career then took him to Monarch Airlines , but shortly afterward , he joined Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong , where he piloted Tristars , B747s , A340s , and A330s . His tenure in Hong Kong from 1980 to 1998 a very enjoyable one , although the impending transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997 was a looming concern . Choosing to retire early in 1998 , Ian and his wife , Sally , relocated to their holiday home in France . Here , Ian kept himself occupied with parttime farming , growing hay for his wife ’ s horses . This period was marked by happiness and the joy of hosting international friends . Additionally , Ian started assembling an aircraft kit he had brought from Hong Kong , which remains to be completed in a hanger in France . However , in 2012 , they made the decision to move back to the UK . Ian and Sally are the proud parents of three children , and they have recently welcomed the joy of becoming grandparents .
Andrew MacKay ( 66-74 ) worked in several technical , professional and managerial roles in local government from 1978 to 2013 . In the latter part of his career , he served the City of Edinburgh Council in a variety of corporate policy and research positions , focusing predominantly on project management aimed at facilitating organisational change .
David Martin ( 69-74 ) completed a four-year course in Urban and Regional Planning at Oxford Polytechnic ( now Oxford Brookes University ). Initially , his work centred around town planning policy for borough and district councils , but overtime , he specialised in economic development . Prior to retirement in 2010 , David was the Director of Partnerships within a local authority , overseeing a diverse range of services including planning , building control , environmental health , economic development and parks and leisure services .
Donald McGregor ( 58-64 ) left Pocklington in summer 1964 and following a detour via Wimbledon School of Art , joined Mons Officer Cadet School . He was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Transport on a Short Service Commission serving in Germany and in the UK . After that , he did a degree in the History of European Art and Architecture at the University of East Anglia . After his degree , he travelled to Colombia and secured part-time jobs teaching English including - thanks to having a private pilot ’ s licence - to trainee pilots at the air force academy in Cali . On returning to England , he became for a brief period , a London bus driver on route 137 – Crystal Palace to Highgate . After that , he joined the Ministry of Defence on the staff of the RAF Museum , Hendon . His next move was to the International Division of the Royal Institute of Public Administration ( RIPA ). He worked in many parts of the world on public administration development projects including in Nigeria , Liberia , Tanzania , Turkmenistan , and Indonesia . He met his wife Geraldine at the RIPA . Following the closure of the RIPA as a not-for-profit organisation in 1992 , he became Managing Director of two Capita PLC subsidiaries , RIPA International Ltd and Capita Training Ltd . After that , he was appointed Chief
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