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Robbie would never have contemplated going into business with me! But we often wonder how many non-sibling OOs are in business together?” Good question, chaps!
Finally, in terms of ‘hatches’, we are sending nearly 10 new entrants to Oundle from various corners of our region, not least Mowden Hall, where clever girls are a regular
Well, many thanks to all those who responded to the ‘call to arms’ when I realised that the ‘drop dead’ date for the OO magazine regional news submission was looming! There then ensued the normal mad scramble to send out a suitably pleading but convincing email to North-West OOs, only to find that the technology defeated me and I had to resort to Jane Fenton at the OO Club headquarters to send out the required missive (thank you, Jane). Notwithstanding my appalling planning – please find the news that I have been sent below, plus a small contribution from me.
First – a typically modest Oundelian entry from Peter Healey (G 71), whose elder brother, Mike (G 70), was clearly a bit of a star in the military. Mike died on 29th June after a long and brave fight against cancer. He had retired from the Army in 2011, following a distinguished career as a Lieutenant Colonel with the Royal Artillery. He was 67. Mike spent many years abroad, most notably in the first Gulf War in Kuwait and Iraq, in Germany and then at Fort Sill in the USA. As President of the Thirsk branch of the Royal British Legion, Mike's funeral was attended by a military guard of honour at St Mary's Church in Thirsk, as well as by over 150 friends and family. A tribute to Mike was read out to the US Senate on 11th July 2019 and the flag of the USA was presented to Mike's wife, Mo, by Lieutenant General (Retired) David Valcourt (US Army) at his funeral in Thirsk on 19th July. At Oundle he was
feature on the Peterborough trains. The Dickinson, Gibson and Charlton clans are extensive in Northumberland. With regard to the Dickinsons, expect to see more mentions in years to come as we replenish OOs with relatives of a branch that included Luke (B 82) and Harry Dickinson (B 85), rather than the branch of Simon Dickinson (St A
North-West
By Peter Pentecost (St A 73)
Grafton's Head of House in 1970, but unfortunately his name has never been included on the Heads of House board in Grafton – as Mike revealed to his brother shortly before his death. This omission has been mentioned to Bill Gough (Grafton's Housemaster) and hopefully the error can be rectified for the Healey family. Puts things into perspective!
While we are on the subject of matters of distinction, an entry from Edwin Booth (Sn 73) – never a man to blow his own trumpet, but on this occasion it is certainly justified. Earlier in the year, Edwin attended Buckingham Palace with his family to be invested as a Commander of the British Empire for services to business and charity – a great achievement indeed. Well done! Edwin continues to transform his North-West grocery business into a thoroughly modern interpretation of the founder’s idea, with the help and support of his brother, Graham Booth (Sn 80), who is now a director of the
87). I’m suspecting child protection rules these days preclude me from naming names without permission – but there was a fantastically feisty gang of gals heading to Kirkeby and Wyatt this September, a trio of whom have been pals since NCT group. We may even add a Hoult or two to the OO Club by 2022, as my twins head to Fisher and Grafton for Sixth Form.
Cumbria LEP. It is clearly in the blood, as one of Edwin’s daughters, Emma (N 12), is still working for Amazon and moving thousands of parcels to happy customers!
David Gattie (B 65) was recently on Dragons’ Den with his son, Max. The
product in question was an air vent, suitable for wood-burning stove installations (apparently it has other
uses too), which while allowing air to
be drawn through it by the appliance,
stops air being pushed through from
the outside, causing a cold draught. It
was an invention David came up with
a couple of years ago. Sadly, the
Gatties were unsuccessful in
attracting any investment from the Dragons, as the amount to be made
from the invention, while being more
than enough for the Gattie family, was insufficient for the Dragons to be
interested. David termed the
experience “interesting” and even
“fun”, but not one he would ever wish
to repeat, as he was out of his
comfort zone. Nevertheless, David
heaped praise on the BBC for the way
they looked after everyone and set
them at their ease. Notwithstanding
the outcome of the ‘Den’, the product
was launched on 9th September
2018, right at the start of their busy
selling season. The effect on sales
was spectacular! Furthermore, the
product won the award for the Best
Flueing & Ventilation Product of the
Year, given by the Stove Industry
Alliance. Unsurprisingly, the Gatties
are pretty pleased about that,
although David reflects: “Starting a
new business in one’s 70s isn’t that
easy!” Well done! See www.dr-21.com www
NEWS FROM HOME
THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2018 –2019
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