It is an unbelievable 40 years since I entered Newcastle Medical School and met all of you! How time flies!

I am still consultant at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, working in general paediatric and child protection clinics, acute sexual assault and am Sheffield’s Designated Doctor for child death. Fun job eh? Actually, it is very interesting, and working to provide a decent acute forensic service for children, and with others to reduce our child deaths in the city is rewarding. I am ambivalent about retiring – I will miss the little patients and the teenagers - but NHS pressures and managers take their toll, and retirement begins to seem attractive. And there are so many other exciting things to do.

Max and I are soon to celebrate our 21st anniversary. My daughter Saskia is now 16, and apart from doing very well at school, is a high-level athlete, competing nationally at 800m and hurdles. Weekends for me are often spent in various parts of the country cheering on from the side-lines of athletics stadia.

I still enjoy the great outdoors. I have done that really middle-aged thing of taking up running and have completed the London 10k and the local Sheffield “Percy Pud”, albeit at a slow plod. Earlier this year, I persuaded my great friend Jane Peutrell to stop running her smallholding in Scarborough and come snowshoeing and peak ticking in Austria with me, which was a great reminder of many previous adventurous holidays together.

I am looking forward to catching up with some of you on Sunday, and send my best wishes to all those who can’t be there.

We are really looking forward to the reunion. Its always good to have an excuse to come to Newcastle and catch up with old friends and the latest gossip. Liz will definitely want a bop so dancing shoes on…..

Like many others we both retired at the beginning of 2017 and haven’t looked back since. Although we both enjoyed our GP careers the daily strain and pressure of firefighting in a collapsing NHS was grinding us down and it’s a relief to be out of it.

What now?

Our really big news was the birth of Joseph, our first grandchild in August this year (see pictures). We suspect we’ll be spending a lot of time to-ing and fro-ing from Kings Lynn to Leeds to see him and help out Megan and Matt.

Since retirement we’ve travelled a fair bit. The highlight was a trip to New Zealand to follow the British and Irish Lions tour. An incredible experience enlivened by an amazing win in Wellington and the final draw in Auckland. We toured North Island between games in a slightly rickety camper van nicknamed “Beauden” (rugby reference). We met up with David and Jill Barker in Auckland so had an early mini reunion there.

We’ve had other SKI (Spending the Kids Inheritance) trips skiing in Italy, sightseeing in Amsterdam touring the West Coast of the USA and a family get together in Spain. Soon be nothing left of the lump sums!

We are incredibly proud of both of our children who have turned out to be bright sensible well motivated individuals (mostly).

Megan (our eldest) is currently on maternity leave from her Specialist Training in Geriatrics in West Yorkshire. She had the pleasure of working as Med Reg with Harold Hosker at Airedale hospital for a while. Her husband works at York University and occasionally drags Los out rock climbing or cycling.

Luke (our youngest) is a software engineer working for a company who produce sporting websites. He’s worked on the Premier League, ICC, ECB and World Rugby sites amongst others. He lives in the commuter wasteland that is Basingstoke. He has interesting political views (anarchy - communism fusion really) and will happily debate them with anyone who’ll listen.

Los has embraced the lifestyle of a MAMIL since retirement, cycling 3 times a week with various local groups. He’s also trying to learn how to service and repair his own bikes – currently a work in progress (or bits depending on how you look at it). He’s looking forward to a “boys” trip to Majorca the week before the reunion with Harold Hosker, Mark Walker and Stephen Tate (year of ’83).

Liz has joined a (small) bookclub and tries to exercise regularly – indoor cycling and outdoor yoga being the main activities. She enjoys baking and has become very good at changing nappies again.

As we write its almost 40 years to the day since we first arrived on Tyneside and met many of you for the first time. It’ll be great to renew friendships and if previous reunions are anything to go by see how little we’ve all changed.

I've finally been allowed to write my own entry this time, with Jill's assistance (she says). Another five years has passed, and retirement draws closer, although many friends seem to be there already thanks to the UK tax laws!

As of now - its one year, six months, 7 days and 4 hours before I retire - not that anyone is counting!! However, until then I will be continuing to work my 3.5 days a week at the same general practice I have been at since moving to Aus in 2001. I now take 1.5 "mental health days" off each week to enjoy my golf and have managed to achieve a single figure handicap after 45 years of trying. In addition to this I enjoy watching the Wallabies & NSW Waratahs lose at rugby, appreciate good red wine and travel with Jill as much as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to make the reunion this year, as we are celebrating 30 years of marriage by spending the whole of September in New England, USA, but have booked our seats for 2022. We enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Auckland, New Zealand recently with Liz and Los watching the British Lions achieve their "winning draw" against the All Blacks.

The kids have (we think) grown up and so far we have managed to kick out 1/3 of them. Jenni (27) (the 1 of 3 who moved out) now a paramedic in South West Sydney where the lure of shootings, stabbings and drug overdoses called to her. Emily (26) managing a tailoring business and saving frantically for world travel, (as she still believes she will find a rich Texan with an equestrian centre, to marry :)). Andrew (21) currently working in sales and I.T. No sign of anyone marrying or producing grandchildren yet. Jill (still living at home) continues to run her manic interior design business and care for her ailing 91 year old father.

We wish you all the best and hope to catch up at some time in the future.

Having just read the yearbook entries so far I dont feel so guilty about retiring early (31st May 2017) as I find myself in good company !

I have been very lucky as I enjoyed my job right up to the day I finished, when I found myself reflecting on just how special the doctor/patient relationship is and what a privilidged position to have been in. I thought I would miss it but life since has been like a lovely long holiday. I set myself the challenge of walking an "Ultimate Tour de Mont Blanc" in July which was amazing - I was definately "in my element". Rich came out to join me for more walking in Switzerland, then it's been trips to London to see the kids and finally sailing in Croatia with all the family. After the reunion I guess I will have to "settle down" and attend to the house and garden..... but there's always the temptation of the lakeland fells close by and I'm now ticking off the Wainwrights for the second time but by different routes and with our younger black lab Meg - the 13 year old Millie having done them with me the first time !

Richard has retired from his GP partnership but is having a second part time career as a GPSI in Opthalmology in the community, which he set up with a colleague. He is enjoying the new challenge but has his sights firmly set on retiring at 60 which will be great. He is looking forward to a third career in Archaeology, living the "good life" with a bigger veg patch, greenhouse and chickens ( and maybe a pig or two!) and becomming a "mad inventor" !

We have supplied two replacement Drs Barnsley to the NHS. Our eldest Hannah is a registrar in Public health in Birmingham/Worcester and our younger daughter Claire has just started as an F1 at Kings College Hospital, London. Our son Jonnie completed a Masters in Cosmology at Cambridge and is now helping to run a small tutoring company in London while he decides what to do next !

Life has been good to us, we still enjoy skiing, walking, gardening and travelling. We love meeting up with our dear uni friends and had a great New Year together in Scotland then 6 Nations get-together in Edinburgh.
None of us have changed of course !

We look forward to meeting up with other old friends at the reunion, well done to the organisers yet again !

Well! Where did that go! Retired 6 months now after working in GP in North Shields for thirty years. It was grand and enjoyed the clinical work until the last day (come to think of it, last day was OK too). Worked with some really good people and always felt privileged that people would put so much trust in me and did my best not to let them down. I never really got to grips with all the local management stuff – seemed a distraction and ultimately my feeling is that it was just a smokescreen for continued restructuring which was centrally contrived. Still that's no longer my concern. Happily married still – 35 years – and Jill retired 2 years before I did. Children doing more or less what they want. Daughter Abigail is a teacher and son Robin about to start a PhD at Cambridge. I go out walking and birdwatching two or three times a week and have a couple of nights out at the local ale house with pals. I've got a season ticket for St James Park and go along with Rob – Jill to keep his seat warm when he goes back to University. I like gardening and reading crime novels and enjoy sun in Italy from time to time. If this all sounds pretty humdrum then I'd be inclined to agree but I sleep well, eat well, we don't have many health problems between us and look forward to the next phases of our lives. Admitting to being a retired GP still feels a bit strange but getting used to it with many good memories.... Like the old lady I turned up to visit once who opened the door and greeted me – 'Thank goodness it's you, I thought it was going to be somebody worse!' The same old lady confided on another occasion that she doubted my suggestion that her D+V was due to food poisoning as she had given some of the suspect meat pie to her husband to see if he developed the same symptoms (thankfully Tommy was OK). Perhaps the most bizarre thing to happen to me was only a few months before I 'went'. Whilst conducting a 'personal' examination on a hefty, elderly man I thought he was about to slip off the couch. I changed position and was off balance when his flailing arm sent me right over and I ended up flat on my back with my head under the desk. He slid gently onto his feet. Derrick later said 'I wondered where you'd gone'. So, as you do, we enquired after each other, sat back down and carried on the consultation. We shook hands and he left. Susan, my receptionist came in before the next patient to see if I was alright. He'd told her that at first he thought he'd killed me! Derrick and I had a smile about that once or twice more before I left. Medical school seems both a lifetime away and like yesterday. Never regretted coming to the North East.

Like many of you I have retired in the last year. I initially stepped down from Chairing North Durham CCG and left my partnership but remained doing GP locum work. I no longer have a licence to practice and I am enjoying myself doing all those things I never had time for whilst I was working. I am working on my fear of heights by climbing indoor walls and planning what I do with 20 acres of land that still allows me to go away somewhere hot for the winter. Both children have left home. Carol married her Frenchman in Alsace just over a year ago and is still a free-lance translator (specialising in medical translations). Chris qualified at Newcastle in the summer and is now an F1 at Sunderland. He is considering psychiatry having spent his elective in Broadmoor.​

Julian lives happily with his wife Carol and his N.U.F.C season tickets at Greenside House, Ryton upon Tyne.

We bought the house five years ago in a rather run-down state and have been renovating it since; it is nearly finished.

Since finishing as a full time G.P. I have pursued interests in Orthopaedic medicine and Expedition medicine. I enjoy working regular sessions as a G.P.W.S.I. in M.S.K. medicine. Over the last five years I have volunteered as the 'doc' ​on many charity challenge events both here in the U.K. and abroad all over the world; this has been rewarding for me helping participants raise a lot of funds for various charities.

I am chair of the trustees of the charity 'Fenham Swimming project ' which has run Fenham Community pool since it was closed by the council 12 years ago; we have taught over 10,000 local children to swim over that time. Some of you may remember swimming there when you were here as students.

Daughter, Sophie, works as a theatre nurse now at the Spire Washington and previously at the Freeman. She has scrubbed for some of you surgeons in the year and your flirting apparently stopped when you found out who her dad was (you know who you are!)

Son, Tom, lives amongst the hipsters in Hackney and since getting his politics degree at S.O.A.S. last year he now runs an open water swimming company called Swim-Open. He is going up to Cambridge next month for a M.Phil in Latin American studies

Carol and I love skiing. I am keen on cycling. We have a holiday house in Italy; a 'trullo' in Puglia which we visit often. We love it there. I am fluent enough to be able to order a meal and local primitivo wine.

We look forward to seeing many of you at the reunion

I remain happily married to Jacky, the three children have almost flown the nest and we are both still working full-time. As well as being a GP in Brighouse, I spend the other half of the week as Calderdale CCG Chair, a challenging job as I am having to front up contraversial changes to local hospitals. I even made it onto the "One Show", explaining our consultation. The beard was a good disguise and came off the day after we made our decision to proceed.

I continue to keep bees and persue many hobbies. I make proper home videos, now featuring aerial shots from my drone(s).

In 2002 I wrote of supporting a sleeping giant - HUddersfield Town. Much to everyone's surprise, the giant suddenly woke up and we are now promoted to the Premier League! I am missing the home fixture against Spurs on the day of the reunion, but will be seeking a suitable pub to watch it on SKY. The season tickets will not go to waste of course, there are plenty of scavengers who are suddently excited about their local team.

We both hit 60 in the next 12 months and are starting to contemplate the previously unthinkable - retirement.....

Life remarkably unchanged – can’t compete with other’s heroics/honesty – Tweaked 2012 entry but new more wrinkled images. Couch potato existence persists with skin and joints still preserved. The neuronal decay and greying hair progress. Despite full-time practise, remain imperfect Dermatologist in Middlesbrough. Teaching, examining and pseudo-research being squeezed, which is ever more uncomfortable. Annual stimulating sorties to Ghana continue to grow experience of Dermatology in the dark, with an occasional police detention!

Still on first marriage, with no more children – grand or otherwise - just acquired a son-in-law. Daughters sorting out pharmacy in the RVI and the economics of Spain.

Sadly Hilary Bugler's (Freddie) 60th in Cardiff trumps a mere 35-year reunion. Until the 40th, Cheers!

Its 15 years since I have last been able to attend the Class of 1982 Reunion. in my 2012 entry I promised to try extra hard to get to the next one, and so here I am! Very much looking forward to catching up.

We are coming up to almost 15 years in Australia, and luckily we have enjoyed it! Both Fiona and I are still working (remember that word?!) and spending non call weekends at the beach. As an interventional neuroradiologist my life has become busier rather than quieter of late, thanks to the huge success of endovascular clot retrieval in recent clinical trials. Ah well, its all fun stuff, and very satisfying to do.

Two of our three children have now flown the nest (I think for good this time!). Liam is a year 2 junior doctor in Brisbane, showing a disturbing interest in neurosurgery as a career. He lives with his long term partner Miranda, who is a dancer and a physio, and Pedro, a gorgeous kelpie collie cross with a brain the size of a planet. Pedro is Fiona’s grand dog, in the absence of a human substitute to date. Since our 2012 yearbook entry Hannah went back to uni, and has been working in North Queensland as a primary school teacher for three years now. She loves the outback life and has just got engaged to a country boy, James, so we can probably rent out her bedroom now. They are in Longreach, which is about as far from Brisbane as Prague is from Newcastle. Christian is still a home boy, dividing time between uni and working for the Blue Room Cinema in Brisbane, which is not at all what you might think. He has a fledgling band so he may yet become a rock star.

Since the last reunion I have rediscovered the trumpet, which now takes up a fair bit of the time I don’t have. We have a medical orchestra in Queensland, and I also play regularly in two Big Bands. The other big hobby is photography, and the last few years have seen photo trips to Cambodia and Vietnam. One day I will have time to sort out all of these pictures. Fiona still holds the dream of doing more painting, but unfortunately it has been more doors and windows than canvas in the last few years.

I have been lucky enough to be able to visit the UK fairly frequently since leaving (there is always a conference somewhere!) and have managed to keep up with some of the class of 82, but often the family visits are very short, so in recent years it has been harder to keep in touch. We will make up for it at the reunion weekend though.

If I am visibly twitching by the end of the weekend from hearing so many stories about how great retirement is, please forgive me. Nobody retires here in Australia (except pommie incomers like Nick Smith and Dave Barker apparently) because every day is like a wonderful holiday…

Well must sign off now and get back to my on call weekend, see you in September!

As far as I can tell I am well, albeit with an ageing pancreas. Quite remarkably, reading some of the other entries, I am still cycling to work in one or other hospitals in Leeds, don't worry folks, its mostly off major roads, to anaesthetise folk in the war against cancer/cholecystitis/blindness/self harm/dental caries and a host of other diseases. I still love my job. And who wouldn't, surrounded by drugs that work, people that generally work and systems that generally don't. In the last few years I rose to the lofty heights of Head of School of Anaesthesia for Yorkshire and Humber, but have now weaned myself off that heavy responsibility, preferring the current role of departmental Gandalf. (Giving advice, casting the odd spell and vanishing just when the hobbits are in trouble). This year, said hobbits successfully recommended me for a trainer award, which, in the spirit of NHS productivity carries no pay enhancement. Dammit.

The three girls are grown and mostly flown, doing variously teaching, optometry research and midwifery. I have sold my share of the mansion in Coniston in the Lakes, scene of the 1980s parties, but if you have deep pockets, its currently on the market. We still live in Leeds, but eyeing up property in Northumberland (near a station please) for when I hang up my syringes. Still train spotting , because they keep producing new ones. The internet can tell you where they all are, so its a bit like shooting fish in a barrel.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to join you for the fun.

After the last reunion, my mobility declined steadily, I eventually went to my GP in March 2015; neurologist & diagnosis (Motor Neurone Disease) June 2015; now under full sub-specialist care - as much social as medical care.

• I took tier 2 ill-health retirement January 2016.
• Tube fed [RiG] partially June, fully September 2016
• NIV. Overnight from October 2015, 24/7 from September 2016
• Almost bed bound from end September 2016
• Settling well to having carers all day and all night
• Still keeping going - latest issue I face is dysphonia. Also, I cannot travel more than about 30 miles from home; overnight stays are now impossible and I depend a lot on the weather.

On a much less gloomy note, my daughter, Jess, has met, courted, engaged and married Patrick; at the church, I was able to lead her up the aisle, and then deliver my speech properly. Angie and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in June this year. Our new dog is settling in well a ‘Sproodle’ called Heidi. By the way, my mobility issues seem to date to 2008-7 and in retrospect be MND.

Not a lot happened in the last 5 years - still a Consultant in Macclesfield but have been allowed to drop on call in deference to my great age and work load. Hoping to reduce my hours and work part-time but very short staffed with two consultant vacancies in geriatrics which no one wants to apply for. (I'm not difficult to work with - honest....).

I continue to live in Altrincham but now have a new Ginger cat (Rusty). No longer a church warden or regular organist as unfortunately my church closed at the end of last year due to falling numbers. Instead I am now a regular member of the choir at a neighbouring church, playing the organ as a locum where needed.

Richard has retired from his job in the Caribbean so get to spend more time with him - but having fewer trips to more sunny climes!

Tis the season for retirement and reunions!

Nick has just had his 40th Newcastle Medical School reunion with a sedate dinner boat trip down the Tyne. And I am really looking forward to seeing some of you again in a few short weeks’ time, with many thanks to the organising crew once again.

Both Nick and I have hung up our stethoscopes to make way for the next generation, more later. My last 2 years of work were as medical director of a small hospice in South Lakes, which I really enjoyed; Yes, even the on-call, giving me the opportunity to stop all the drugs which GPs love so much and keeping many patients out of the acute units. My weekend duties extended to herding sheep out of the grounds and managing power cuts, but I could sort much out from the top of a nearby hill!

Deytrikh boys all well and have flown our Stanhope nest. Peter has a degree in Disaster Management but now works as a tree surgeon in ‘windy Wellie’, New Zealand. The prime use of his degree has been to gain an international network of friends to snowboard new routes (on Mount Dreadful and Mount Awful, near Queenstown, as I write this) and contribute valuable points towards his application for New Zealand residency!

William graduated from Sheffield Medical school and together with his girlfriend, another medic, Amy, they are also working in the antipodes, initially in Auckland, New Zealand and currently in Melbourne, Australia. They are finding the working, living and ‘playing’ conditions most user friendly (Defence fees and study leave paid, meals when on call, ability to have 3 months off to hike the Great Walks or climb Mount Fuji etc….envious Mum!).

And Ed is working as an engineer outside Cambridge and looks like spending a few more years in Blighty. He may live in the deep south, but his engineering projects of a BSA motorbike and Fergie tractor remain in Stanhope! Like father, like son.

Nick and I are having our gap years now! Nick is playing trains, running steam trains on our garden railway, and editing the 7 ¼” gauge Society magazine (Rob Cruikshank will understand the importance of gauge!).

My OU B. Sc. Hons (Geosciences) has opened up a new circle of like-minded friends who enjoy looking at road cuts and quarries! Exploring the geological background gives a wonderful dimension to any trip and also gives me the excuse to visit places such as Hawaii, Iceland and Colorado. It keeps me out of mischief, at least some of the time! And interested to hear of others studying OU courses too.

And I hope to be back from a geological trip to Pisa, in time for the dinner on Saturday, if not the drinks reception, please keep some for me, those years in France have not been wasted!

Teresa and I are still together after 35 years of marriage, numerous job changes and many house moves! We moved again in July this year. We are now in Bristol to be nearer our daughter Laura, who is training to be a radiologist and has settled down here. She gets married to Hugh in March. Matthew, our son, is in the Royal Army Medical Corps and hangs around in Preston where he is based; he does get to travel as well – Iraq last Christmas!

I finally gave up my job as Medical Director in North Wales and have also now retired from general practice. I got retirement through ill health in February 2015 as my vision is poor. I’m still keeping busy writing things and helping with the Diploma in Therapeutics at Cardiff University. My main hobbies are photography, gardening and walking. We do a fair amount of travelling. We are now looking forward to exploring the wilds of Devon and Cornwall – new territory for us.

This reunion seems to be about retirements. Doesn’t sound as if anyone who’s done it yet has regretted it!

Paul has had a 6 month rehearsal, having fallen 6 metres from a roof, sustaining pneumothorax, fractured rib and complicated wrist fracture, all now healed. Now part time at same practice in Middlesbrough, the only one he’s every worked in, as a registrar and partner, and planning to stop entirely in spring 2018. With some new blood and an imminent merger, it is time to retire. Still in good health, with a goal to walk, not sit, and change fat to muscle.

Krysia is going to continue to 60 (misguidedly?). Still also in her original practice, and feels cutting back not currently an option. Delighted though that they got Outstanding in CQC. Loves shopping and generally spending Paul’s money! Has discovered the joy of manicures so has terminated her gym membership to fund this! ‘Much better for me’, she declares.

Richard, our eldest, is a GP in Hebburn, and Middlesbrough FC crowd doctor. Just got married to the lovely Anna (AKA Dr Ellenger).

Kitty is in Leeds doing Core Medicine, now engaged to John, a budding anaesthetist. Working long hours and currently working to do PACES for MRCP. It makes you realize the sacrifices you have to make working in the NHS.

Claire our youngest is a teacher in Bromsgrove, but hankering to relocate back north if Matt her boyfriend can move with his job.

We’re just following their itineraries, and will be getting moving with our travel plans when circumstances permit, probably starting with the solar eclipse in Chile in July 2019 which will be our 36th Wedding Anniversary (hope that’s not tempting fate!). Currently our aim is to do some serious walking in various places Britain, but so far the current theme is that they’re all accompanied by rain.

Love that we are still in touch so many lovely friends. The reunion is an opportunity to catch up, reminisce a little and look forward to the next phase of our lives. Hope it is long, healthy and happy for all.

I am now in my 29th year as a GP in Morpeth and plan to keep going for a few more years. In 2015 we moved to the house of my dreams at Brinkburn in Northumberland;​ it is a massive restoration project inside and out but being married to a conservation architect is a great help. Our sons are both settled in Bristol and we have filled our empty nest is with working cocker spaniels who are also loving their new home in the country.

Well, I made the dream (to retire from General Practice at 55) just before I hit 56 and I love it! However, I now have three part-time jobs, which keeps me fairly busy.

From next year I will be senior circuit steward in Ripon and Lower Dales Methodist circuit. This involves being a trustee for the buildings (churches and manses), and replacement of staff (which will be an annual occurrence for the next few years) amongst other things.

I still work at Leeds University as personal tutor for medical students and I also work in the local Oxfam shop (in charge of Menswear as no one else wanted this department). Life is certainly not dull., and I have certainly learned new skills. Richard too is retired from clinical dental work but is still Vice Chair of the General Dental Practice Committee commuting to London about once a week for meetings. I take the opportunity to go with him fairly often, though we still have plans to travel further afield.

Jonny is now a fully-fledged GP in Croydon and we celebrated our first family wedding when he married Lu in June.

Dave is now an FY3, locuming prior to travelling in South America next year. He played for the GB team in the Medics World Cup this year. Any keen footballers please let me know, as they are always looking for more over 40’s!

Not content with a psychology degree, Jess is now about to complete her Midwifery degree and has a job at St Mary’s, Manchester from October. (Which should mean all 3 self-sufficient)

Otherwise things are much the same, currently working my way devising things to do with a glut of Victoria plums!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Reunion.

Where have all the years gone?

Reading the recent submissions to the 2017 yearbook I am amazed at the diversity and eclectic mix of careers, families and life experiences documented…..well done everyone!

Having taken early retirement in 2012 my medical career is now a fading memory but my reinvention as a sheep farmer is more resonant!

4 years ago my Dad developed Alzheimer’s disease and subsequently my Mum became increasingly burdened with his care and running the family farm.

As a result my parents relocated to a smaller property so that Mum could care properly for Dad and they gifted the farm to me (my younger sister Kathryn having died from a sudden cardiac event aged 34 in 2002).

The farmhouse and outbuildings were trapped in a 1970’s-1980’s time warp and so Tracy and I then spent 2 years renovating them with a Green Energy theme. We moved onto the farm in 2015 after installing a ground source heat pump, underfloor heating, solar panels and a 10KW wind turbine. We now generate our own electricity and once storage battery technology improves will leave the National Grid.

We have 40 acres of grassland (10 fields) which are populated with our own flock of sheep and a neighbours’ herd of cattle. We also have 3 feral cats, chickens and an obligatory border collie – Milo , the best dog ever!

Tracy has recently developed a catering business in one of the converted barns and a further barn is currently being converted into a holiday let cottage.

We live on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland on a hill 200m above sea level. There we have fantastic panoramic views 25 miles westwards across Weardale and upper Teesdale and part of the North Pennine Way.

I admit to having faced a steep learning curve with regard to lambing and sheep husbandry but the experience has been immensely rewarding and enjoyable. My early experience as a truculent teenager and reluctant assistant to my father on a cattle farm should have helped me (if I had bothered to listen all those years ago). A 1955 Fordson Major tractor and a 1960 Land Rover now help me live the dream. Naturally we also have an electric car and an electric van to plug into our supply. Our 5 children are all presently in their 20’s and living in London (the younger 2 are still at Uni) and the eldest, Kirsty has delightfully surprised us with 2 lovely Granddaughters – Lena aged 3 and Zoya aged 2.

I still keep in touch with Alistair Martin in Crewe and Bob Spychal in Melbourne. We indulge in an annual “drinkathon” usually in the UK as long as Spike can be rested from BMA POWAR duties and Bob can attend a northern hemisphere surgical meeting and remove himself from his Professorial duties in Oz!

Unfortunately Tracy and I will not be with you at this reunion since we have a major family Birthday celebration in London the same weekend.

Hope you all have a great time !

I feel a bit of a fraud submitting this, not having been a proper medic - but Chris kept sending the emails, so I felt I should make the effort!

The photo shows us at Andrew’s College graduation in 2014 (Percy Hedley College, part of Percy Hedley Foundation). We were having trouble getting Andrew to look at the camera, as you can see.

Family life has, of necessity, very much revolved around Andrew for the last 25 years. We had some challenging times when he was small, searching for a diagnosis which we didn’t get. He was diagnosed with ASD in 2002, but there’s obviously more to it than that. As he got older and bigger we had some very difficult behaviour to deal with, and of course the inevitable worries about the future.

However - Andrew has matured into a cheerful and sociable young man who enjoys life and is fun to be with. He is now happily settled in residential care at Percy Hedley in Jesmond and visits home twice a week. He loves music, swimming, riding his trike, public transport and eating out. Friends often tell me they’ve seen him out and about with his support staff.

Andrew has influenced Rosalind’s choice of career - after university at Durham and Northumbria she is now a Special Educational Needs teacher, teaching children with profound and complex needs, and gets to deal with the occasional medical emergency.

Having qualified as an accountant, I have spent over 20 years working in the voluntary sector on charitable projects supporting families with disabled children. Not financially rewarding but I have found it very fulfilling. Money is tight in the charity sector at present, so our small charity has recently merged with a larger one.

Graham works for a German owned engineering company, so does a lot of foreign business travel (less fun than it sounds). I keep hoping to join him when he goes somewhere interesting but no luck so far. Starting to think about retirement but not quite yet!

The reunion reminds me that it is nearly 40 years since I met Graham at EPH. Wrong career choice but right choice of husband! We celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary in September.

Unfortunately Tracy and I will not be with you at this reunion since we have a major family Birthday celebration in London the same weekend.

Hope you all have a great time !

Looking forward to the 35 year reunion as its a while since I've managed to attend. Still married to Rod (35 years) working part time as salaried GP on Cambridgeshire Fens. Mostly enjoying the work but not the admin and restrictions. Looking forward to retirement but will have to wait a few more years until the boys have left uni. Ed is in his final year of computer science in Bangor and Al is in 2nd year of electrical and electronic engineering at Hull. Neither had the urge to follow mum into medicine. I try to spend time on my various craft activities but never seem to have enough time to do them justice, and never seem to get on top of the gardening but hoping that will change when I manage to retire.

Unfortunately Tracy and I will not be with you at this reunion since we have a major family Birthday celebration in London the same weekend.

Hope you all have a great time !

This summer my husband Chris was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's lymphoma aged 60.

We are now halfway through the chemotherapy but it meant that I was unable to come to the Reunion as he had to go to Barts for some high dose methotrexate as well, just at the time of the Reunion. He seems to be responding well though , so fingers crossed all will be well. Also my parents are quite elderly now and my father has also had NHL this year.

Other than that I am still working three days a week in General Practice in Great Dunmow. None of my children are following me into Medicine.

Oldest son Seb is married to Hannah and doing a PhD in Economics at New York University and is living in Brooklyn.

Second son Anthony is doing a Masters in Iranian Studies at Teheran University and is learning Farsi, having also studied Arabic. He enjoys camping in the desert and would love to show us the country.

We compromised and had a holiday in Oman instead in March where it was useful to have an Arabic speaker with us. We did a self drive holiday and walked the Iconic Balcony walk in Arabia's Grand Canyon which was spectacular.

Pippa is just 19 and started Spanish and Portuguese at Robinson College Cambridge this Autumn. She had a lovely Gap Year as a teaching assistant in a school in Bogota in Colombia and travelling.

We also went to India last year (I was on a medical study course called Conference Plus) and did some sightseeing there, I even acquired a beautiful green sari.

I had no plans to retire before now but am now reconsidering!

Best wishes to you all and hope I will be able to come to the next one!

The Last Five years has been a bit of a mixed bag for the Gummery family.

Daughter Samantha married Mike 2years ago and they are expecting their first child and our first Grandchild in December. All of our three boys did well in their GCSEs and despite my best advise Robert is hoping to get into Medical school. Ben has taken some notice and intends to do a degree in economics and find some way of earning vast amounts before he retires to full time partying at forty! Jack seems to have decided to just see where life takes him.

I retired earlier this year after being off for several months with illness. I'm well now but decided I preferred playing Golf and generally messing around in my workshop than sitting in a surgery.

I still have an interest in the Nursing home company I started 27 years ago. We are just in the early stages of opening our fourth.

Rachel is still working part time, though the hours she puts in as senior partner would be considered full time by most people. I've persuaded her to retire next year so that we can travel more as the boys will probably all leave home for University together in 12 months time.

We are looking forward to catching up with everyone soon.

Unfortunately Tracy and I will not be with you at this reunion since we have a major family Birthday celebration in London the same weekend.

Hope you all have a great time !

It's 10 years since the last reunion I managed to get to. It's been quite a journey. I didn't make the last reunion because of active alcoholism resulting in losing my job, driving licence, and nearly my family. Happily, 3 years ago I managed to go back into rehab for another 5 months, and I haven't needed or touched alcohol since. Phew, what a relief and what freedom.

My life now is stress free and simple. In the last 3 years I have moved house, got a second dog, started work in a charity shop 3 days a week, and become involved in work with the recovery community.

My 2 boys are thriving, Ben is a high flyer for Shell, and Sam is a sofa surfer in British Columbia. Both are equally happy! Thank God for WhatsApp as at least I can call Canada for free.

Unfortunately, although I was planning to be there, I won't make the reunion this year. The weekend clashes with a big recovery walk in Dundee, organised by the Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, (I'm secretary and treasurer for my sins), and attracts people from all of Scotland.

I hope to see you next time, and wish everyone good health and happiness.

Wow…. another 5 years ‘under the belt’ and looking forward to getting together in September!! I’ve no doubt several will have retired (or are about to) and well-deserved too. Funny how the conversation turns to that subject more and more! I’m aiming for April 2019 at 60 (with my added years) but may well go back for a couple of years as my youngest Lauren is planning to be a dentist!

I’m still at Sunderland Royal as an obstetrician & gynaecologist (started 1994) and now Director of Research & Innovation and Visiting Prof at University of Sunderland. Working fulltime NHS and also enjoying working for the Clinical Research Network as a Clinical Strategic Lead (with Steve Robson as Director).

I’ve been happily engaged to Lesley (one of our midwives) for the last 6 years and hopefully we will get to ‘tie the knot’ when the x3 remaining teenagers move out. We’re running two houses, but look forward to having a small place in South of France or Tuscany (… assuming the lump sum isn’t taxed by then!). I’m a grandad!! Abbie my eldest has Lewis who is 3 years old; she’s also working 16 hours a week while doing a fulltime Uni degree … that’s what I call hard work! Lauren is 17 and doing her A levels in Durham. Enjoy the pics and I’m planning to join you on the Sunday lunchtime in September…. all the best till then.

Hey I’ve just retired!!

I’m absolutely delighted as you can see; the time seems just right for me.

My son Will is now a Doctor in Foundation Year in Yorkshire and may be following my footsteps into Radiology - we’ve actually been on a conference together which was fun.

My daughter Rebecca lives very close to us with her family including my two grandchildren Elijah and Fabian and lots of animals.

Chris and I plan to continue our travels in retirement, when not helping out on the alpaca farm.

We’ll be in the Cape Winelands at the time of re-union so won’t make it, but many thanks to yourself et al for continuing to organise events and update all - it’s been interesting to read.

I have very fond memories of my time in Newcastle and please do pass on my best wishes to any old old friends who may enquire after me!

It’s great to catch up with everyone else’s news.

Life has been quite settled for me over the past 5 years. I’ve been at Airedale hospital in Yorkshire for 20 years as a consultant in respiratory and general medicine (and deputy medical director / responsible officer). I took a sabbatical last year to work in New Zealand for 4 months which I enjoyed immensely. Since returning to the UK I’ve dropped to working 3 days a week (with no on call) which is great, and allows me to do more cycling in the Dales. Full retirement is not far off…

My wife, Gail, has now retired from general practice and we spend quite a bit of time at our cottage in Brittany. Our 2 daughters are at University. We’ve had some lovely family holidays (in New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and India). My older 3 girls are settled in York (Elspeth) and London (Imogen & Naomi); I now have 3 grandsons and we are expecting a granddaughter shortly.

My second mid-life crisis was less severe than the first, resulting in a few triathlons and a marathon over the past 3 years (without any noteworthy times). I’ve now settled into more gentle road biking and hope to enjoy some longer cycling trips in various parts of Europe over the coming years, health permitting. The first one, with Los Atkinson, Mark Walker and Stephen Tate, is pencilled in for September…

Skiing, travel and reading also add to my enjoyment of life. Mastery of the French language continues to elude me.

Well strangely enough I’m still a GP in sunniside though now half time and planning to retire completely in March. Sarah retired 3 years ago to devote more time to look after me (I wish) and now spends her time doing appraisals, teaching medical students and looking after our grandchildren. I too, much to my surprise, have been enlisted in this child care regime and alas because of this haven’t been able to get fit enough to get a place on the uk team competing in the Santa clause world championships. Though you do still have to be quite fit to catch up with a toddler if they decide to make a run for it and to hold onto a child and a zip wire at the same time.

Reunion time has an added poignancy now for Sarah and me, the day after the last one Kate, who was 24 weeks pregnant with twins, went into prem labour and was blue lighted from Gateshead to Middlesbrough where our grandsons were born. They developed NEC a week later and were sent to the rvi for surgery where they unfortunately died. The care Kate and the boys received at James Cook Hospital and the rvi was absolutely first class. In the following months, we busied ourselves fundraising for the 2 neonatal units and surprised ourselves at how much we raised. Sarah arranged a ceilidh at our local church hall and I ran the London marathon (as one does in these situations). On a brighter note Kate became pregnant- again with twins -and with the help of the obstetricians at the rvi managed to hang on till 36 weeks, when 2 granddaughters arrived on the scene.

James our older son is now a chemistry teacher in Leeds and has a boy and a girl, Ben (the arty one) did a masters in theatre directing at an acting school in London and then pursued a free-lance career for a while. Amongst other thing he works for role play north east and frequently plays psychotic young men at the medical school. This year he has become a student again!!!! (though not living at home…. yet) and is doing teacher training. We are on the lookout for an attractive very rich young lady to take him on….so if any of you know such a person PLEASE let us know.

Been on some nice holidays now we have slightly more time on our hands (ha ha ) One highlight was being charged by a bear in the blue ridge mountains. Put a different slant on subsequent walks.

Like everyone else it is a bit of a surprise to find that I started Medical school 40 years ago!

I often walk past the “old medical school” on my way in or out of the RVI. Despite all medical predictions to the contrary, I am still alive 9 years after being diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the lung. The side effects of my treatment keep me under the care of numerous consultants and my medicines are delivered in a very large carrier bag every month.

It is amazing the number of doctors who assume I am an ex-smoker or can’t possible have lung cancer because I look so well! You can get lung cancer without smoking a single cigarette and you can also defy a non-existent prognosis!

I am still married to my first husband Richard. Our daughter Alicia is starting her final year in Leeds studying Mathematics and Economics. Dominic has just received his GCSE results with numerous A*s. He wants to go to Cambridge to study Maths or Computer Science. He is good at solving any IT problems I have.

I don’t have the energy any more for 10K runs or trips to the Himalayas. Instead I have started playing the Saxophone and can be found on Monday afternoons playing in the basement of the Gateshead Sage in the Silver Sax group.

I also make glass jewelry with beads I buy on trips to Venice. I recently bought a new Expresso machine and am pleased to say that a double espresso is the best cure for lethargy I have found yet.

Have a great weekend.

Since last reunion we have moved from Newcastle, way out west to Wylam. I gave up work for EMIS and medical writing about 5 years ago and went back to uni at Liverpool to do a diploma in tropical medicine. I am now semi-retired, but keep some kind of hold of medical stuff by helping out with a couple of medical projects in Kenya and Ghana which involves trips out there now and then.

My wife Beverley (year below us) gave up GP work a couple of years ago but works part time at the Med School teaching on the accelerated medical course.

My two daughters remain close - one in Wylam and one in Heaton, both junior doctors, but Hannah (the eldest) is on a career break having recently had her third child. So, grandparent duties feature quite prominently now in my portfolio of activities.

Other things that keep me busy are responsibilities at the local church, and being a trustee on a local initiative to help out with asylum seekers and refugees. And, I still keep on with the saxophone!

They say better late than never - but I guess writing this in the car on the way to Newcastle and the Reunion 17 may be taking the ...

Alan's threat that someone else would write something on my behalf swung it. I have lots to look back on but am really lucky in that me and the family, Tom fitness instructor nearly 30, Katie 28 working for Bobby Brown and Alex 20 in third year of chemistry studies are well and in our different ways and have loads to look forward to separately and together. Barbara and I cross the 60 barrier this year and are celebrating in BALI if the Volcano allows us..

We are looking forward to a great weekend - see you all soon

Still working as a GP after 31years but now part-time and in the lovely rural location of Eden Valley. Jane and I (35yrs married) moved here last year living in a lovely barn conversion in a tiny village in the hills outside Appleby with our two Border Collies. Our daughter Kate now lectures in Fine Art at Newcastle after completing her PhD and son Jonathan still in Melbourne working in transport planning. I still enjoy work as a GP and also have a role helping to develop the integration process locally which will result in us all soon working in the same organisation and being one big happy NHS family (at which point I will retire--or when aged 60yrs)

Running less and cycling more (knees prefer it). We now have a VW campervan which is giving us great pleasure exploring the UK. No grandchildren yet. Loving growing veg and spending time in the garden. Jane is fully retired from NHS work but fully employed in local community life which she loves. Health remains good although hernia repair after New Zealand bungee jump. Recently completed London to Paris cycle ride justifying purchase of yet another bike

Looking forward to seeing you all and catching up on the Saturday although slightly concerned I will be missing Strictly Come Dancing

I am still working as a GP in Northumberland. My main passion, apart from my musician husband, is openwater long distance swimming.

See you at the reunion.

It doesn’t seem 35 years since we were all allowed loose on the wards. Life has been generally very good to us in rural Cambridgeshire. Generally managed to avoid doctors over past three decades. My one visit to my GP with a painful red toe ended with a provisional diagnosis of gout. Delighted to report that my serum urate was normal - much to the surprise of my colleagues, family and GP. Ended up under the knife of a foot surgeon who gleefully told me that overweight middle aged runners kept him in business.

As senior cardiothoracic anaesthetist at Papworth, I’m fortunate to still have my own teeth and hair –albeit somewhat grey. I’m extremely grateful to my younger colleagues for allowing me to escape the brutal first on call night rota in return for covering one in three elective Saturdays lists. It probably reduces the risk of an emergency night operation with 200% mortality and seems a fair solution to the problem of the ageing consultant in an acute specialty.

Helen (Class of 84) is senior partner in a Fen Practice and also a keen photographer. We both hope to work until autumn 2018 before taking a somewhat belated ‘gap year’ with her tripod.

Will is now working as a Reservoir Engineer in Aberdeen. He still features at the sharp end of 10k to 42.2k races including the Great North Run.

Katherine is embarking on Core Medical Training in North West London. Her unenviable shift patterns have sadly brought her promising hockey career to a temporary halt.

Missed the last reunion due to pre-arranged vacation in New England. Look forward to catching up in Newcastle next month.

The last 5 years have flown by and the 35th reunion is almost here. We are delighted that even more people than last time are coming - from as near as Jesmond to as far as Australia (and Donna, as always, from Thailand) Thank you to everyone for making the effort to attend, write in the year book (Sorry I’m late Alan!!) or drop us a note to say they’re sorry they can’t come as it makes all the hard work worthwhile. I think we are lucky to have such an exceptionally close and supportive year group.

The Marr family highlights have been a wonderful wedding and 2 graduations. Becky got married in Mitford, last year, to Max who is an A and E doctor at the RVI. His surname is Richardson!! The Class of ’82 was well represented at the wedding. Becky is still working for Westways vets in Newcastle and now runs her own branch surgery at Wide Open. They were in the news recently as their patient, Nutmeg, the world’s oldest cat finally died aged 32.

Daniel managed to graduate from Edinburgh Medical school last year so there is now a much younger and slimmer Dr Marr working in Durham He is loving every minute of being a junior doctor, getting paid and living in a ‘penthouse’ with the lads on Baltic Quays just next to the Millennium Bridge. Amy graduated this year from Leeds University with her Art and Design degree and has just started a PGCE in primary education in Leeds.

I am still working in Whitley Bay Health Centre and despite all the changes continue to thoroughly enjoy General Practice and have no plans to retire. I realise after reading the other entries that this is actually quite unusual! (I haven’t taken up extreme cycling either) Chris is still working in Morpeth, doing ‘Doctor First ‘ and has just merged with 2 other surgeries to make a ‘super practice’ of 48,000 patients. He continues to teach trainees and runs courses for the CSA, RCGP exam.

We still enjoy fell walking, especially in the Lakes .I play lots of badminton and Chris does loads of gardening. He is now chairman of Longhirst garden association and won first prize for his Dahlias in the village show (I had to throw my sponge cake entry in the bin!)

We had a fab holiday for our silver wedding on the Orient express from Venice to Prague then on to London. It was an amazing journey and the train was magnificent (Rob Cruickshank might even be impressed) and no one was murdered!

Looking forward to the reunion weekend and we hope everyone has a wonderful time.

Really good to hear from the overseas crowd and their exploits. Also good to hear from the retired members of the year and how they are filling in their time. You may remember one of the photos I previously posted to the year book which probably explains why I am still working!! My brood are still only 15, 17 and 19.

At least the eldest, Charlotte, has just finished her first year away from home. Nick and Bill are still studying for GCSEs and A levels.

I did retire early but only because I thought the chancellor was about to change the rules on lump sums! I had a sumptuous break of 24 hours before returning to work. I have recently after 37 years given up on call!

We still live in Chester le Street and I still work in Durham watching the NHS slowly crumble.

Still play regular Bridge with Steve Robson and fish as often as I can with Bob Spain.

Recent events in the Football calendar have led to a severe conundrum in that when Huddersfield played Newcastle a couple of weeks ago I found myself siding with Alan Brook. I actually watched Huddersfield’s last game in the top flight 45 years ago!

'South Cheshire is wonderful....' so starts a little football ditty and do you know what? It ain't half bad.

Work/Life balance pretty good as a critical care consultant anaesthetist in Crewe. I'm now the senior full time gas-person in the department.(How did that happen!) Still enjoying clinical work, been Lead Consultant, College Tutor and all that, disliked hospital management so much that I'm now the BMA POWAR. I do wonder at what time during our careers, hospital management stopped facilitating clinical work and started obstructing it? Some time before nurses stopped nursing I suppose! Highlight of the last year was giving Rob Cruickshank a lift to the station after he was external assessor at one of our consultant appointments, and having a quick tour around his old railway haunts.

I suppose I'm an honorary Railwayman, (in the same way most of us are honorary Geordies) having supported Crewe Alexandra for almost 20 years. Have suffered for most of the 20 years, except for a brief period between 2012 & 2013 when we had successful consecutive trips to Wembley.

Can't believe that it's been 15 years since the 20 year reunion in 2002, the last time I made it, so there would be a certain symmetry in leaving it to the 40th reunion, but I might well be dead by then....and besides who could miss the Smiths coming over? I've known my game is up since a year ago when I bumped into a guy walking the other way at a Trivium concert ( yea I'm still a rocker...cut me and I bleed uranium) and he said ' sorry Pops' . Not as bad as being offered a seat on the train back from a meeting in Liverpool recently (Very grateful but remained standing anyway!)

Not all that boring though, as in the time since the 20th reunion I have written off, not one, not two, but three cars, walking away from all three...that takes a certain amount of skill. Now carefully driving an Audi S1.

Long suffering Elaine has now put up with me for over thirty years, and our alliterate twenty two year old (test tube) twins, Andrew and David are doing well. Dave has just obtained a First in his Masters in Chemistry from the University of Leicester. His brother Andy is about to start final year in Medicine, also at Leicester. They have surpassed their Father in so many ways, better academically, can play real musical instruments and are in their own bands, better at football, cricket and rugby, but they don't earn as much as me (yet!) so I still command a little respect.

Very much looking forward to the end of September to catch up in person with the rest of you geriatrics.

We are still based in Cambridge and enjoying our jobs in Pharmacovigilance, General Practice and on the Neonatal unit at Addenbrookes. Time seems to be passing ever faster but retirement not yet scheduled.

Kate qualified a couple of years ago and her early introduction to working life was punctuated by the junior doctor strikes. After recently completing Part I she has now embarked on Core Medical Training. It has been very interesting to compare the current Foundation jobs with our own House Officer roles.

Emily qualified as a Pharmacist last year from Cardiff and is now working at Addenbrookes Hospital, whilst Jessica is studying Partying Pharmacy at University of Bath, and just about to enter her final year. Jessica was lucky to have been selected to spend half of her final year in Auckland, New Zealand …. just over 30 years after we worked in the same hospitals in Auckland.

We still race regularly at our local sailing club at Grafham Water, and continue to try to learn how to ski properly. An annual event in the calendar over the last six years has been as the skipper of a crew of nine in the Round the Island Race, and despite some challenging conditions in recent years, we’ve scraped some reasonable results.

Sexagenarians, statins and rock and roll ………..not quite there yet, but getting close!

I'm still living near Darlington, running a medico-legal business with Richard (married 35 yrs now). At least working for yourself means you can schedule in a daytime upholstery course mid week. I've done all sorts of chairs and even a chaise longue and find it incredibly fulfilling starting with a wreck and finishing with a splendid piece of antique furniture. I also enjoy walking and travel. Our 4 children (who have all done Arts degrees! ) are getting their acts together to provide holiday destinations for us- New Zealand and New York, wonder if New Caledonia will be next? When they were little we had a camper van, and after a 10 year gap we've just bought another. This time it has only 4 beds so if they all want to come we have a tent for them.

Although Richard retired from paid NHS work he took on 2 unpaid jobs which more than fill his time. He is always up and down to Edinburgh and occasionally I go too for a meal in RCSEd. The other job is running the FRCS T&O exam and if that's held somewhere good I can go and sightsee! Payback for all the years when I couldn't leave home in May/June as someone was always doing GCSE's, As or A2's.

Still working as a part time GP in Rural Northumberland (27 years) although now senior partner which just seems to mean you sign loads of forms and if anything goes wrong it’s your name in the press. Recently with the loss of a partner and the appointment of a young forward-thinking charismatic partner we are all much happier at work. So even though I am by far the oldest doctor working in Ponteland I`m not planning retirement yet I want to enjoy this new-found pleasure in General Practice while it lasts.

Outside work I very stupidly pushed myself too far while competing against a 30 something year old and managed to rupture my ACL and tear my cartilage in 3 places in March. Of course, being a typical doctor, I tried to just ignore the injury until I could no longer walk and a scan in May revealed the true extent of my injury. I had reconstruction surgery in June and the young male physio says my recovery is excellent especially considering my age …….Im taking that as a compliment . Prior to the injury I know I was doing far too much aerobic exercise it is very addictive and Im addicted. But, working with the physio in recovery I am developing an all-round programme of endurance, strength, balance and flexibility so every cloud has a silver lining.

In addition, I am still enjoying gardening, socialising and since our youngest was in sixth form travelling with my husband. We have recently been on 3 cruises (goodness how old am I) the latest just b 4 my op was to Iceland hence the photo of me with a troll look alike.

My wonderful husband has down sized his business to be a sole trader with a lovely office overlooking the Tyne where I think he spends most of his time playing the guitar and ignoring my phone calls.

My eldest son has an MMaths (Warwick) and has spent the last year studying Japanese hoping to travel soon. My Middle son is staying with his beautiful South Korean girlfriend in Seoul at the moment 50k from the NK border scary for me hopefully he will be back to do his final year of Pharmacy in Liverpool. My youngest son like his dad spends most of his time playing the piano while supposedly studying actuarial science in Edinburgh. Oh well if all else fails he might get a job as a pianist on a cruise ship.

Hello all you beautiful people !! Or should I say “Kia ora” !! (still have to suppress a giggle each time I hear this, as I picture that particularly tasteless orange drink I had at my local “Essoldo” cinema back in the sixties) as I’m writing this from New Zealand, beside of a “quiescent” volcano that is overdue a major eruption, so apologies if I don’t finish my entry. Started work here as a GP just a month ago, so sadly can’t make it for the weekend.

The idea was to take me out of my comfort zone for a few months, then return to General Practice in Wallsend, rejuvenated (ha ha....) to see if the nhs is still there. Been interesting so far. Two springs in one year making 2017 already light years better than the shit fest that was 2016......Brexit, Trump, Carrie Fisher......ffs..... But what is it about about the New Zealanders and what they do with an “e” in the middle of a word ??

I’ve been reading the Yearbook's entries & been keeping a running score of retirees vs workers. Shit, just read Ashley still working, that’s 16-15 to the workers.....

Been irritating Dave Talbot as much as ever, eg. specialising in climbing gynaecological or gastrointestinal routes such as Agag's Groove, Savage Slit & The Devil's Arsehole or similar....., Also tried to assist him mooring what was probably one of Onassis's big Greek boats, but merely succeeded scraping the rudder on the rocks & totalling one of those cute white church’s pontoons.

Oh bugger, Chris & Sally have started to put clear water between them & the retirees......

So, onto more important stuff.......Scotland & its independence. Almost pulled it off in 2014, but despite detesting the English 55% opted for the handouts from London to keep them a bit richer. Brexit served them right, but it might still swing 5-10% of them to “Yes” in a few years time. We’ll see by the time of the 40th Reunion.

Joined SNP after referendum. Seemed the least I could do......... Still not had an invitation to tea with Wee Nicola.

Fuck me, I’ve just read Donna has gone back to doing medical SHO jobs in Grimsby....you can’t make this stuff up......

I'm afraid I have no stories about children called Ophelia, Severus, Scrotum or Chardonnay doing Underwater Papier-mâché at Cambridge & gap years in Antarctica running a Needle Bank for penguins that have lost their way in life after too much abuse from David Attenborough.......

But, I was given an over 60s entry concession without being asked my age at a Nat Trust Garden recently. My wife, Trine, a year older than me, dined out on this one for weeks.

And what’s this I’ve just seen, Karen, you got a fractured sternum from a “masseuse”. You’ve gone up even higher in my estimation.

My “List of Lists” have, of course, got even longer & are now totally virtual on a cloud somewhere......it’s getting almost biblical.

Well, final score 39-24 to the workers. Nil desperandum, it’ll be revenge for the retirees in 5 years, 60-1 I reckon, with just Dave Talbot still doing a 1 in 4 at the Freeman, with 8 hour operations through the night & unable to string a sentence together for the next 3 days !!

Back to work for me, I think, as still not sure what bloody time it is down here. Hope I get all the lost hours back on my return.

I have reached my 60th. Had a wonderful party with family and friends to celebrate last weekend. I have also just retired from by full time job as a Consultyant Radiologist at Southend University Hospital. I am on a month break and will return to the same place on a part time contract. I don’t want to leave completely yet as I feel that I still enjoy what I do. It nice to have a little more time off to pursue other interests. We certainly want to travel more and spend more time in Sri Lanka where we both hail from.

My wife Irie and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this year too. It’s a cliché but where has the time gone!! The chlidren are grown up now. My eldest, Priyanjalee is 29. She got married to Rob, an echonomist, last autumn. Although she qualified as a medic, she is now persuing a career in marketing. A lot of medics seem to be persuing other interests these days! My middle son Sachi, qualified as a medic from Cambridge this year. He has started as an F1 in Guildford. So far he seems to be doing fine much to our relief. He doesn’t know what he wants to do long term yet.

My youngest is doing his A2 next year . He doesn’t want anything to do with medicine and wants to persue a career aeronautical engineering. He had a great time learing about aircraft during our recent holiday to Sri Lanka when got the opportunity to shadow aeronautical engineers/pilots and navigators.

Sorry I can’t be with you at the reunion. Hope those of you who attend have a great weekend !

Well, I finished reading the first offerings for the yearbook so thanks to you first writers…… Kath, Harold, Nick and Alison…….. for giving me inspiration.

So sitting here on this Sunday evening in Bangkok, “kids” gone and only Ian and me at home …..no booze since it’s a Buddhist holiday - hard to believe in this party city.

Sandy (son) has been working in New York City for the last 6 months as part of his Edinburgh University course. He’ll leave in September for one final year in Edinburgh to complete his Masters in Mechanical Engineering. Helena (daughter) is also now in Edinburgh, has just completed first year Medical School, now doing a summer job and raking in the cash for a holiday seeing her brother in USA.

It was a shock being alone in Bangkok without kids, especially with Ian spending some time in Edinburgh this year refurbishing a flat. Although I joined lots of meet-ups, and texted all my friends here, I discovered I missed Newcastle so much and wrote one evening in desperation to all my mates included Kath Mannix. They all wrote back telling me all the pluses. It’s amazing to have such roots in a place where I’ve hardly spent more than 10 weeks in the last 30 years.

I have no plans to retire and but then I hate to plan ….. even booking a holiday is a major event. Luckily Ian does that. If I planned I would never do anything. Of course it’s wonderful to be busy at work seeing patients. Mostly they come in through Google for general practice and we seem to provide a lot of care for STDs (also providing PEP and PREP), Botox fillers, house calls and I still work at Bumrungrad Hospital twice a week for 2 hour sessions. It’s great to have all the back up. I am getting more tired and bad tempered. I have to step back more. I couldn’t do anything without my support staff.

I think work keeps people young! My own study of a few 85 year olds shows they just want to get up every day and work and they don’t particularly look after their health. Of course people like me have a choice, unlike a factory worker.

I finally got back into the NHS, doing my appraisals. I would advise no-one to leave the NHS…… it’s easy to get back on the GMC GP register and is easy to work with agencies but after 3 years the Performer’s List is still not on. But then of course there’s always been wonderful opportunities since every cloud has a silver lining and in last 12 months I have worked at Grimsby Hospital doing 2 SHO medicine shifts. It’s a terrific place………… amazing nurses and other doctors from all over the world. I did 4 nights in row, went to my local Indian restaurant each night and slept. I was knackered but didn’t realize it so spent the following 4 days arguing with everyone around me! So I can’t be an SHO in medicine when I am 70 years old!

I miss the family in Newcastle, my brother in the USA, and the kids in UK……hopefully cheap flights will continue for a bit longer so I can get a few more days in Newcastle each year.

Still working at Royal Victoria Infirmary as Professor of Fetal Medicine and living in Jesmond. No plans to retire. Life a bit different now two sons left home – Sue has taken up golf (and the odd triathalon to keep me company). We have a house up the Northumberland coast and spend a lot of time there. Still have a mad dog (Bob) but, like me, he is starting to slow down with worn out joints! Jamie (eldest son) got a law degree and then, much to his mother’s concern, opted to be an officer in the Paratroop regiment and is now the proud owner of an extremely large motorbike. Simon (youngest son) doing medicine at Edinburgh – also cause of maternal consternation having returned to the rugby pitch after numerous surgical interventions on his lower limbs – at least it put him off being an Orthopaedic Surgeon! Looking forward to seeing everyone.

I am still working in HIV and Sexual Health as Academic Lead for Communicable Diseases and Associate Director of Student Affairs at the Medical School. I nearly did something exciting and moved to a job in a Malaysia Medical School but my pension adviser persuaded me otherwise with some last minute calculations, so here I remain.

Both my elder two have left the beauty of the Peak District for the rather more exciting life of Londoners. Luke has graduated from Cambridge with a degree in Natural Sciences and is working in the City for a management consultancy company via stints with a popcorn and then ice-cream company, making him the coolest big brother ever until his latest move.

Annabelle has a Sports Degree from Oxford Brooke and now works in the Charity Sector and gets to hob-nob with politicians of whom she has no idea who they are. After 26 years of children at home, I now have 2 of every 3 weekends to myself as the twins now 13 couldn’t wait to go to University and have opted for boarding school as an interim measure. They have kept me in touch with youth culture attending music festivals, wearing onsies and perfecting the art of the selfie.

Spare time spent attending A and E with exercise realted injuries with 2 more knee ops (gym), fractured hand (running up stairs), fractured ribs (skiiing) and the latest a fractured sternum (a massage – you couldn’t make it up). So no dancing for me at the Reunion Ball. I will be sitting wrapped in a duvet with an exclusion zone around me, drinking champagne out of a polystyrene cup and using plastic cutlery. Or I may just stay in bed and not risk stepping outside my front door.

Rest of spare time spent being nerdy acquiring additional qualifications (MBA and PGCert ED), reading new translations of Russian Literature and business books and writing childrens stories. I continue to try and perfect the art of cake making which some of you may remember – locally know as Karen’s c… cakes.

Planning a gap year when I retire so anyone living abroad may wish to be careful about saying such a careless phrase as “pop in if you are ever this way” as it might really happen.

Looking forward to seeing everyone and all best wishes to and fond memories of those of you who can’t make this reunion.

Short Story - A visit to a London Emergency department

Triage nurse: “whats wrong with you?”

Me: “ I think I have a fractured sternum”

Triage nurse disparagingly: “I think not, if you did you would be ill”

A &E GP: “it says you think you have a fractured sternum”

Me: “yes”

GP: “there’s nothing wrong with you, go home”

Me: “I want an Xray”

A & E Registrar: “You have a fractured sternum”.

Last week the Wilmore home officially became child free for the first time in 26 years. Our youngest, Robert, started at Leeds Beckett Uni studying Music Production. He is hoping to become a famous DJ, and has just spent 2 weeks in Ibiza practising! Katie (our drama queen) has just graduated from Royal Holloway University of London in Drama and Theatre Studies. We recently had a great weekend at Edinburgh Fringe watching her perform in Little Shop of Horrors. (Definitely her father’s daughter!). She is hoping to become a Casting Director and is living in London getting some work experience. Anna defected from Newcastle after she graduated in Psychology, and is now an Events Organiser in Liverpool. (So none of them seem to want to follow in my footsteps!)

David, however, manages to find every excuse possible to return to Newcastle – usually to restore some theatre or other. We have now been together for 40 years, having met in Freshers week 1977 at the G&S Society table. Earlier this year we went on a ‘Theatrical Adventure’ on the River Danube. (Not that we need to travel anywhere for that). Lots of singing was done in the bar....just like 40 years ago! Dave and I won the Czardas competition (it’s a dance). We had a fabulous holiday in Cuba to celebrate Dave’s 60th birthday. An amazing country with fantastic architecture, music and dancing. We have spent the past 18 years restoring our pile in North Yorkshire. It’s almost done.......ready to start again now.

In 2014 I travelled to Malawi with Katie to volunteer in an orphanage. This was founded and run by a great friend of Bob Spain’s. It is a very special place in a beautiful country. Unlike Bob we had no problems with elephants, but were very worried when the motor of our small boat broke in the middle of a croc infested river!

I have now been a ‘Sex Doctor’ (as my children call me) for 9 years and have no regrets other than the ridiculous commissioning carry on. I have no plans to retire, as working 3 days a week doing a job I enjoy is ideal. The thought of having more time to travel, visit old friends and make new ones does however sound very appealing.......

Well, five years down the line and not a lot of change. Still in the same job , same house, same husband, same kids , same Christmas dinner with old friends. Still not done the Great North Run .

Following what appears to be the offspring trend , Tom is working in finance in London and Genevieve is a third year medical student in Leeds.

John and I spent much of the last 2 years renovating and decorating flats for the 2 kids so I've become a dab hand at sanding / prepping and painting. With John now retired we can get away much more easily and this year has seen us travelling abroad half a dozen times ...hopefully this will continue in the next few years.

I'm continuing to play tennis and hoping eventually to perfect a Roger Federer backhand [ who am I kidding]. I think my skiing is about as good [or not good] as it's going to get but its wonderful family holiday - I can just about keep up with the youngsters!

The one new addition to the family is our very amiable but somewhat disobedient border terrier Alfie who takes us on long walks whatever the weather.

I fit a bit of half time general practice into the week , unfortunately that 'bit' gets longer and more trying. But at present the half time non- GP bit keeps me sane ...for now.

Much has changed in 5 years…..

Nick has retired to avoid the traumas of moving to a new hospital, among others. Currently studying Horticulture at TAFE (=Poly) and volunteering at a not-for-profit native plant nursery. Enjoying transferring his music collection into iTunes and growing his hair.

Alison still plugging away trying to keep dotty old people out of hospital and in their homes, (yes, ho ho), no plans to retire. Somehow making to keep all her hair despite all the above.

Oldest child Chris a lawyer in Barcelona, after working in Perth, Sydney, London, Madrid and Riyadh. Older daughter Laura a corporate lawyer in Perth CBD. Younger son Patrick a qualified vet studying to be a specialist veterinary oncologist at Glasgow Uni. Younger daughter Kirsten studying in Fremantle to be a nurse.

2 cats, 3 chooks, 3 goldfish but no children still at home.

The reunion fits in well with our holiday this year so we hope to see many people in person in Sept/Oct.

Still married to Ian, living on a smallholding in Yorkshire and enjoying life. Left partnership 2yr ago to travel, garden, and create (havoc? I hear you ask)

Keep my hand in by working as a GP locum when in the country

Son Paul is a junior doctor with travel lust - just returned from year in Namibia.

I took a 3 month sabbatical 2 years ago and spent a lot of it travelling in Southern Africa. I drove an old Land Rover with a friend from Namibia to Malawi via Botswana Zimbabwe and Mozambique. We camped for a lot of the trip and had some very interesting experiences (including a near death experience with elephants and getting 2 speeding tickets on 2 consecutive days). I enjoyed the 3 months so much that I decided to retire as a GP earlier this year. This was with some trepidation having been a partner in a fantastic rural practice in the Yorkshire Dales for 30 years. However I have to say that I have not missed work and seem to have slipped very happily in to retirement. Thelma, my wife, is still working part time as an optician in Ripon. The children have now all graduated and left home. Between them we have two engineers, one optician and one accountant. Two live locally and two in the South.

No longer doing much in the way of sport. I packed in squash 3 years ago but still do a little cycling but a lot of walking both in the Yorkshire Dales and abroad and still go skiing every year.

For the future I have crossed to the dark side and accepted a part time role as a specialist advisor for the CQC which I hope to start in September. I hope to spend a lot more time fishing (recently returned from 2 weeks fishing in Scotland) and get a lot more involved in country pursuits. See Stuart Marsden fairly regularly fishing.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion in September

After my portfolio career spanning general practice, haematology and oncology, to palliative medicine, I finally accessed the Palliative Specialist Register in 2013 and now combine an NHS consultant post in North Cumbria with Medical Director of Eden Valley Hospice, Carlisle. I enjoy the variety the posts bring, including some of the politics!

No thought of retirement, as I feel I am just beginning my career, and have two sons struggling to make a living from farming who occasionally need to call upon the bank of mother. Neither are settled with partners. Working longer hours than medics, with little disposable income and living with mother reduces your pulling power. Though personally, I think the Cumbrian lasses are making a big mistake! Living in rural Cumbria has many challenges including distances to travel to see patients, attend meetings etc, and the dangers of working with livestock ( my son, Richard, was tackled by a bull last week fortunately suffering soft tissue injury only).

But as I write this I am listening to the robin's autumn anthem and gaze along a hedgerow red with hawthorn. Life is sweet and there is much to be thankful for. This yearbook' s entries are a reminder of this.

I'm looking forward to meeting many of you at the reunion.

Another old man but eating Herring in Netherlands!

Life much the same! Kids have gone. Emma working in Sydney, Ben at medical school in Sheffield. Still married to Jo who is nervous of the whole Brexit thing though now has retired from speech therapy. She fills her time with gardening and socialising.

I am still doing the transplant thing. I don’t do so much research now but more time is spent with daft DIY projects, broken cars and chain saws.

No complaints!

We are still in Newcastle, still living in the same house. At work, I’ve been a Paediatric Gastroenterologist, specialising in Nutrition and setting up the Children’s home PN service in the North East. I also did a fair bit of research, particularly in West Africa at the MRC overseas research unit in The Gambia. Due to a combination of MRC and NHS pensions, I was able to retire in March 2016, but was asked to spend some time at Great Ormond Street in London from April 2016, so spent 9 months commuting 2 days a week to London, finishing last December. The intention was to retire from clinical work at that point, but I’ve been asked back to RVI to do 2 days a week of Paediatric Nutrition whilst we re-structure the Department. I’ve still got a PhD student, and am still involved in 3 research projects, but probably won’t start anything new.

Outside of work, I’m now a Grandad! Best role ever. Little Alex and his Mum and Dad live just around the corner from us in Newcastle, so we see a lot of him, which is brilliant, and we will look after him one day a week when his Mum goes back to part time work. Both daughters are now grown up, working and financially independent. My Dad passed away a few years ago, and my Mum, who has Altzheimer’s, agreed to move up to the North East, and now lives in assisted accommodation in Ponteland, where she is extremely happy and loves seeing her great grandson, which she does most weeks.

I had planned to spend more time writing once I retired (first novel published a few years ago, second on the way), but as my wife keeps pointing out, I haven’t really managed the “full” retirement yet, so the writing has come on more slowly than intended. I have a long-standing group of non-medical friends with whom I go climbing; we have decided to stop going up 4000m peaks now, but still go ice climbing in the winter, and have started new challenges. We tried the GR20 in Corsica this summer. I don’t know if any of you have tried it, but it’s really tough. Huge effort required each day, and you really have to carry a tent with you as well. Very testing for old knees. I have had more time to get involved in natural history, particularly geology. I’ve been on a few courses over the past year that are mainly populated by retired doctors.

So, life is good. I might even manage to retire properly over the next year (I won’t go for my next re-validation which is 2 years off, so that is the “final” cut off). It will be good to catch up with you all at the end of September, and many thanks to Sally, Judy Alan and Chris for all of the hard work they have put into this.

Can't believe 5 years have gone by since last reunion

I am still enjoying part time general practice in Long Buckby , having been there for 32 years!

Although times have changed hugely I enjoy being part of a small team and will continue for another couple of years , although am looking for some new adventures in retirement if anyone has any good ideas?

One of the best things I have been involved in since the last reunion was a volunteering trip to Tanzania in 2016 , with a small charity based in Edinburgh , called the Vine Trust. They have a boat based in Lake Victoria which visits the small islands delivering medical aid . It was a great experience , very humbling and a treat to get back to medical basics , using consulting and diagnostic skills via an interpreter . All was going well until I slipped on deck and broke my ankle 8 hrs away from any hospital! Having it pulled and set with no sedation and no painkillers was quite an experience but I was able to carry on with some crutches made by local boat builder!

Can't have been too awful as am planning a return trip next year and would be very happy to recommend if anyone else interested

We are still farming in Long Buckby , wet weather not helping harvest as I write , can be very frustrating at times

Boys are all grown up and busy , 2 in Newcastle , Andrew now f2 in RVI and engaged to lovely Catherine another f2 , Harry is about to start his Masters part of Architecture degree , our Northern branch of the family!

Charlie is a vet , he and his girlfriend have just bought a house about 6 miles away from us , he hopes to become involved in the farm next year .Richie is working as a design engineer in Daventry .

We are lucky to see lots of them all although increasingly difficult to get all 4 together at once!

Rob and I have had some fab trips , South Africa , New Zealand , Kerala and hope to do more as time and funds allow .

We manage to see lots of the old crowd , Sally and Chris , Cath and Dave , Judy and John , Karen and Andrew, Pete and Trine and my sister Sue and Steve of course

Looking forward to seeing you all at the reunion

I am looking forward to seeing lots of old faces from our year at the reunion. In terms of myself and my news I continue to work as a GP in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, where I have worked for the last 17 years since returning from our sojourn in North Queensland and Tasmania. Our 3 boys have fled the nest, so we are over the Uni. Bills etc. and have recently acquired a VW Campervan, in which Kate and I plan to tour UK and Europe, along with our plans to continue to tick off places on our ‘Bucket List’ which are slightly further afield.

I no longer justify the nickname of ”The Bush” it’s now more tame and very white!!Although 2 of my 3 sons now carry on the Bush tradition.

Living in North Yorks. on the edge of the Moors has been a great place to live and work and play and a steady stream of mountain biking injuries-I should know better at my age!

I'm still a season ticket holder at Middlesbrough FC and even managed to be on the bench for the team-the pinnacle of my footballing career -unfortunately only as crowd doctor.

K

Having always intended to work until I was 60, I decided to take early retirement in August 2015 after a prolonged period of ill health. Having survived emergency surgery, chemotherapy and multiple hospital admissions, my appreciation of the NHS has increased hugely. The support of my husband Mark, friends (many from the class of 82), neighbours and family greatly helped my recovery.

In retirement I enjoy visiting the ‘kids’ in London ( Alice- working in Brand Management, James- a computer software developer and Adam - about to start a physics PhD at UCL) and having time to spend with my friends and very elderly parents. I spend hours in my greenhouse and kitchen garden growing wonky carrots and mountains of kale. I have no regrets about swopping the stresses of general practice for the pleasures of being a ‘lady who lunches’ and look forward to seeing you all in September.

Mark

In the 2012 yearbook, K commented that she told her patients “If you take your tablets, you do get better”. Well not if you’ve got Crohns-if you take the tablets you get non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Anyway, K pulled through despite some ups and downs. We had fantastic support from friends-it was a real boost to find a stew or cake left on the doorstep for me and Adam after returning from evening visiting. As K frequently developed chemo related septicaemia we quickly appreciated the benefits of living 15mins drive away from an excellent regional cancer centre. Those of you living in rural retreats-get yourself a bolt hole next to the best local services.

As for me, I reached 207 Parkruns before my knees disintegrated so I now cycle. Over the years I’ve supervised quite a few overseas PhD students. They always ask if I would visit them, but it’s only until now that I’ve been able to accept the invitations. So I recently visited old friends in India and South America, giving talks at their national meetings and seeing how their endocrine services are organised. The yearbook enteries reveal a divergence of fortunes. We look forward to catching up with those who can make the reunion and best wishes to those who cannot.

I am still working at North Tyneside General Hospital with no prospects of retiring any time soon as Will is only 13. I was on the recent Parkinson’s disease NICE guidelines development group which was an interesting experience. I have just taken on a role with the Royal College of Physicians in London as Associate International Director for sub-Saharan Africa with current exciting initiatives in west Africa, and also east and central Africa. I am still research active in Tanzania and we run a very popular Masters of Research in global health for intercalating students. Global health has recently become much more mainstream, with funding opportunities to go with it. It is just a shame this hadn’t happened 10 years ago.

My twin brother Andrew died in 2013 which has been a huge loss to us all. Rosie is now 21 and just completing her occupational therapy degree at York. Jess has just gone to Leeds to study medicine, 40 years after we all started. Ben (15), Will and I endure/enjoy being season ticket holders at St James Park. Carrie is still working and we have 2 dogs, Sam, a working cocker spaniel and Monty, a very miniature wire haired Dachshund.

Really looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Ten years since I wrote one of these. My career has continued with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) medical schools. I spent 8 years establishing a new medical school in Bahrain. First job in Bahrain was to establish the community based teaching (and then keep it going). Quite a delight as primary care in Bahrain is a government salaried service, free at the point of contact, and organised through well-equipped geographically located health centres serving a local population. Why couldn’t Llloyd-George have thought of that? I stayed on to head the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, returning to Dublin as Professor of General Practice in 2014.

I have recently moved to Malaysia to take up a post as Vice President (Academic Affairs) and Registrar of Penang Medical College (jointly owned by RCSI and UCD). Thus I am now living on a tropical island with jungle, beaches, good walking, great weather, decent social life and amazing food. Please feel free to pop in! Plan for the next few years is to explore the Far East.

Still happily married to Mimi. My three offspring are now all totally independent. Ruth is pursuing a career in paediatrics on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, having escaped the NHS. Peter is still chasing fame and fortune in music. Daniel has been working with the government as Clerk to the International Development Committee, but is returning to Chambers this year to continue pupillage. His plan is to return to government to help implement the major changes in legislation needed to facilitate the disaster of Brexit.

Retirement not yet on the horizon – but will certainly be considering it in five years time.

Life has been dominated by work and family for the last 5 years but everything is about to change.

Until a few months ago the biggest change in my work had been joining the Medical Team at Martin House Children’s Hospice, alongside part time General Practice. I fancied a new challenge –it took me well out of my comfort zone, but it was a great experience working alongside a fantastic team. I had planned to continue with this combination until I reached 60 but the increasing pressure and stress of the GP work was affecting my health so I decided to retire this summer. So onto pastures new…. Not sure what yet but I’m looking forward to having time for old and new interests

There will be changes at home too – only 1 of 4 children left at home! Sarah, our third is about to go up the road to study English and History at York Uni. She loves acting and directing and in her gap year has worked in various local theatres so wanted to study in York enabling her to keep these jobs going. Her two older brothers are also no strangers to the stage. Andrew is at Trinity Laban Music College training to be a Tenor and hoping to be a professional singer. Stephen, the eldest is a fifth year medic at Cambridge and is one of the writers/performers in the annual medics review.(Stephen and Andrew seen in the photos with their partners of 7 years) Peter (14, seen in the photo sharing the FA trophy glory with York city football club where we ares season ticket holders) is only too ready to remind me that I am the oldest Mum at school!. He is kept company by Milly, our somewhat crazy Border collie.

I am really disappointed to miss the Friday/Saturday of the reunion weekend as it coincides with my step-dads 90th birthday celebrations in the South, which I would not be forgiven for missing. I will however join those of you attending on the Sunday and look forward to catching up then.

I recently retired from General Practice in Norton, a year early, at 59. It was such a good decision. DO IT!

Still living on the edge of the North York Moors with husband Bob, daft dog Skye ( border collie) and exercising furiously on a road bike. When I bought this it was worth 3x as much as my car, which tells you about my priorities.

Daughter Molly has just finished her first year at Manchester doing Biomedical sciences and French and has sadly inherited my endorphin addiction and is heavily involved with university climbing and mountaineering clubs.

Won't be at the Reunion, but hope it goes well.

We are both retired and busy with new ventures, and the pace is so much more enjoyable.

Chris is pursuing his interest in nature; he is a licenced bird ringer for the BTO and has several surveys running, including monitoring bullfinches that are caught and ringed in our garden. He’s doing a degree in Environmental Science with the OU, part-time so that he can keep pace with his running, birding and the handyman roles that go with children setting up their own homes.

Kath is campaigning for better public understanding of dying; this has involved a variety of unexpected opportunities culminating in a book deal. Her book will be published in late December (because a book about dying isn’t going to be a stocking filler) and she’s looking forward to getting back to normal, whatever that is, once all the fuss dies down. No pun intended.

I retired from General Practice in September 2016 after over 28 years in the same practice in York. I now have a slower pace of life, allowing time to enjoy various hobbies. I play saxophone in four different bands and have recently joined a U3A ukulele group. Since retiring I’ve done a bread making course and a sewing course. I still don’t get to the gym as often as I should, despite no longer having ‘too busy at work’ as an excuse! I had intended to do the Jane Tomlinson York 10k run recently but my training didn’t go according to plan (I didn’t do any!) so was a volunteer marshal instead.