Class of 82 Reunion

Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne

For photos of the reunion click here

2002 Yearbook

Lilias Alison

At the last reunion, I had just returned from working in New Zealand. After being a senior registrar in Leeds for a couple of years, I became a paediatric consultant in Sheffield. I specialise in child protection, and do a lot of medicolegal work, which I find challenging and enjoyable.

I still ride my bike - the last trip was from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean via the Pyrenees! I also developed a passion for mountaineering, and in the last few years have climbed Himalayan peaks in the Langtang, Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya, several 4000m peaks in the Alps, and enjoy bagging the Scottish Munro’s.

I got married late in life to Max (a mountaineer and a scientist) and became Mrs Huxham. In the Millenium we were thrilled to be expecting twins, and it was the best moment of my life having beautiful twin girls Helena and Saskia. Tragically when Helena was around 3 months she began to develop the signs of type 1 spinal muscular atrophy, which for those of you who don’t know, is a relentlessly progressive disease of the anterior horn cells (see www.jtsma.org.uk/). We are currently facing every parent's worst nightmare. I am taking an extended period of time away from work so that I can care for Helena. We still (using a lot of ingenuity) manage to get Helena out and about in the local peak district in a backpack, as she and her sister love to be out and about. We have recently been involved media interviews for the Jeans 4 Genes campaign which this year is sponsoring the Jennifer Trust for SMA. You too can be involved and wear your jeans to work on October 4th! Despite being 'kinetically challenged', Helena is enormous fun and has her own way of being the centre of attention - much like any almost 2 yr old!

I will eventually return to work, perhaps after a trip to the Antipodees again. Luckily our wonderful daughter Saskia keeps us smiling. Because of what is happening, we won’t be able to join for the reunion this time, but I wish you all well, and hope to see you next time.


Los Atkinson

Still married to Liz Vaughan-Williams, still a GP in Kings Lynn, still got 2 children - Megan age 14, Luke age 12, still climbing hills, still playing hockey and cricket (just), still playing guitar badly (one of the many on the web site - how about a reunion band?).

Highlights - climbed Huascaran, the highest mountain in Peru at 6768 metres on a sabbatical in 1998. Falling ALL the way down a black run in Switzerland and surviving. Borrowing Liz's new car ("Over my dead body!") . Finishing the Great North Run last year. Only having 3 points on my licence.

What's new? Discovered skiing and sailing, managed to give up NHS management by resigning from local PCT, going to be a GP tutor for the new medical school at the University of East Anglia, Norwich.

Main ambitions - Retirement whilst still young enough to enjoy it, finish the Great North Run in under 6 hours this year (training not going too well), climb some more mountains, learn to sail boats properly.


Stephen & Fiona Badcock

S and F getting ready for another day in deepest Suffolk!

Stephen and Fiona are still living in Ipswich, trying to bring up their three children. Stephen is still in General Practice, and still drives a Volvo.....at least some things never change!

We have just returned from a holiday in the Canadian Rockies -where we experienced the life of the pioneer in a wild and primitive environment. in fact, just like General Practice in deepest Suffolk! We are unable to make the reunion, but we will be with you in 'spirit'. Best wishes to all you 'old' Docs.


David Barker

After completing the Northumbria VTS in 1986, I went into General Practice as a principal in Widdrington (between Morpeth and Amble, near Druridge Bay), and worked there from 1986 until 2001. I had become increasingly demoralised with life as a principal in the NHS following a visit to Alison and Nick smith in Perth, Australia in 1997. I was fed up of being controlled and manipulated by recent governments, with increasing bureaucracy and interference with clinical practice. So Jill and I thought “there has to be something better”. We left our details, and CV, with an antipodean recruitment agency, and to our great shock and surprise (after being sent details of several “naff” jobs), in early 2001 we were offered the opportunity of a job on the south east coast of New South Wales, only 120km (1.5 hours drive) from central Sydney, in a rapidly expanding part of New South Wales called Shellharbour. Who would turn down 40 hours a week of pure general practice consulting, with very little home visiting, no evening or night work, and only 10 hours weekend work every third weekend. So in November 2001, we packed our bags and sold most of our worldly goods to emigrate to Australia. We are currently building a new house with a swimming pool at the bottom of the garden, and enjoying a quality of life we could not achieve in the UK. The biggest gain for me has been the increased free / social time I now have to spend with my family, Jill and our three children, Jenny 12, Emily 11, and Andrew 6.

I hope the re-union goes very well for all who attend. It was just a little too soon for me to get back to the UK, having just left. I will definitely make every effort to attend the next one - at 25 years? In the meantime, if any of you ever decide to travel to Australia, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we would be happy to accommodate you and show you around. My e-mail address is dcbarker@hotkey.net.au, and my contact address is “Lake Side Medical Practice, 101 Shellharbour Road, Warilla, NSW 2528, Australia”.


Alison (Mayo) & Richard Barnsley

Appeared at the reunion, but failed to submit a yearbook entry.


Tali & Doug Barrett

Greetings from sun-dried Bendigo- a beautiful old gold mining city in mid Victoria, Australia.

We both still work in an almost fully computerised and accredited private general practice with 3 others. Along with many GP's in Australia we are frustrated with the health system as it relates to GP's - we hope this is of comfort to you UK GP's...... Tali is chair of the fledgling regional GP Registrar training program ( Victoria Felix ), a development aimed at encouraging more GP's into rural/regional areas - decentralising the training program. She also does some forensic medicine and a session of aboriginal health - bit of this and that to keep life interesting.

Doug works a 4 day week, allowing time to attend to his young olive grove - 349 trees and if the first crop is anything to go by ....... they are going to be good. He has also taken up the violin again - which the dog really appreciates. Our biggest baby - Maria is at Melbourne Uni doing Arts and the two boys are bronzed swimmers and tap dancers etc. For some reason none of them want to be doctors.........

Sorry we missed the reunion - pretty hard for us to extract two from the practice etc..... if anyone is travelling through central Victoria please feel free to contact us and come and say hello.

Cheers Tali & Doug


Maggie Blott (nee Appleton)

I left Newcastle immediately upon graduating to do my house jobs and be with my then husband in London. Unfortunately the marriage did not survive the transition from student life to the real world and we separated and subsequently divorced very shortly after my move to London.

By then I had the "big city" in my blood and decided to stay put in London. I successfully applied for a SHO post at King's College hospital in Obstetric and Gynaecology.

I have been at King's pretty much ever since, with only very few occasional excursions to other units.

Appointed as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist to King's in 1994 I quickly decided that Gynaecology was not going to be a part of my future and since 1998 have been working solely as a Consultant Obstetrician with a special interest in HIV in pregnancy.

I met David in 1986 and married him in 1999 after the birth of our third baby. (I have always been a little unconventional.)

We are the proud parents of Polly 12, Jessica 9 and Eddie 4 and Tilly our border terrier.


Julian Bromly

I am a G.P. at the Saville Medical Group in the city centre of Newcastle. It is the biggest practice in Britain we are told! I believe in the concept of the extended primary health care team providing as extensive and comprehensive a range of services and support to patients as close to their homes as possible. Saville has been at the forefront of piloting medical and social care partnership in primary care as part of the ongoing reform of the NHS. My clinical interests include the improvement of mental health services for users in the community through system redesign, I am the mental health lead for the Newcastle PCT, and sports medicine (though most of the injuries I deal with are to myself from either falling off my bike or down mountains skiing!)

I raised over 4k earlier this year for MENCAP cycling up and down the banks of the Nile in Egypt and am due to do the same in the Spanish Sierra Nevada mountains later this year (somewhat steeper).

I appreciate fine art and progressive rock and dance music. I am in addition a keen father, husband, Newcastle United supporter (I have been crowd Doc at St James for the last 8 years) and action man (semi-retired). Indeed the archetypal Geordie renaissance man!


Alan Brook

I live in Elland, West Yorkshire, with wife Jacky and three children Nigel, Tommy and Lizzie. The boys are computer geeks, as evidenced by their contributions to this site and the message board. Lizzie is the sports model.

I work and play hard. I am a GP in a two-partner practice in Brighouse and PEC Chair of Calderdale PCT. My hobbies range from gardening, beekeeping, woodturning, through computing including video editing and a love for the latest high-tech toys, to skiing and sailing. The whole family are season-ticket holders at Huddersfield Town (a sleeping football giant).


Gary Brown

by Ann McEvoy (long term and long suffering partner)

Gary still practises medicine, reluctantly, as a part-time consultant gas-man in Durham. His anti-establishment tendencies have increased with age, so his career path has been erratic. He was surprised to become the father of Frances 7 years ago but recognises that her personality identifies her as his daughter. Following her birth he gave up rock-climbing (E5) and sex, and adopted cycling. He indulges in cycle road racing with other ageing fitness fanatics, but still enjoys the odd glass of Tim Taylor's Landlord (beer) if he can find anyone who still goes to the pub.

His nostalgia "wheels" occupy the garage; Ducati and TR6.

He regrets having studied medicine but has not yet found an alternative to part time gas-man, part-time domestic goddess. His ambition is to give up work and devote his time to extreme skiing.


Lynda Brown (nee Earth)

After 11 years in Anaesthetics, I changed course and became a GP. I am now working as a part-time partner in Raunds Northants. I have 2 children, Fizz aged 13 and Edward aged 10, 2 dogs and 2 ponies but only one husband.


Andrew Carmichael

Appeared at the reunion, but still has not posted an official entry. He is still a Consultant Dermatologist in Teeside. Generously bought some wine (or did he want contributions from others at the table...?)


Barbara Chandler (nee Castree)

Colin and I now have four children aged between 12 and 7 years. I work part time as a consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine with a particular interest in community rehabilitation which gives me an excuse to drive around Northumberland. I also have a special interest in psychosexual medicine. I have not managed to move very far from Newcastle although we did go to South India last year to visit the rehabilitation Unit at the Christian Medical College in Vellore and had a wonderful couple of months. It was like a student elective except we also took our four children and a nanny!!

We are getting involved in an increasing number of outdoor activities as the children get older - riding, sailing to say nothing of the camping and walking. We also have an increasing commitment within our local church particularly with the children's work.

I have to confess that we do tow a caravan when going on holiday, so next time you are stuck behind one, do wave as it might be us!!


Bruce Charlton

At the time of the 1992 reunion I was an Anatomy lecturer in Glasgow University, without wife, children or even a car. Life wasn't really very different from when I was a student. But things began to change very quickly and radically just shortly afterwards.

First, I returned to Newcastle to become a lecturer in Epidemiology and Public Health. While house-hunting, I arranged to meet-up with Gill Rye (having carried-a-torch for her at least since we danced at the Graduation Ball, and having noticed from the Reunion Year Book that she was still single). We clicked almost immediately, and got married within a few months. Ten years on I have a wife, two children, and half a car. Progress, for sure.

Aside from teaching and academic work, in the mid nineties I did a lot of journalism - at peak I was writing regularly for the Times, more recently I had a column in the British Journal of General Practice. And for a few years I founded and co-edited a journal called Northern Review, which was about regional culture. I still write a fair bit, but now spend more time with the children. I have also made some radio and TV appearances - favourite highlights include meeting Kirsty Wark on Newsnight, and featuring in the BBC1 John Cleese series The Human Face.

After E & PH, I moved to the Department of Psychology (where I am now a Reader) in order to pursue a new found interest in Evolutionary matters, and to transact some unfinished business with Psychiatry. I wrote a book called Psychiatry and the Human Condition that I'm very fond of, but which has attracted some spectacularly vitriolic reviews. My current work is concerned with something called Systems Theory - which seems to explain just about everything...

Being such a late parent, I am rather pleased to set aside high jinks and adventures for the time being. Outside of work, writing and family stuff - my main activity is singing and acting in Gilbert and Sullivan-type shows directed by my brother Fraser (RVI consultant histopathologist). I recently bought a melodeon (folky squeeze-box thing), but I hardly think that this counts as evidence of a mid-life crisis. Presumably I will be late with that, as with everything else.


Rosie Cooper

Still working full-time as a GP in Durham city.

Getting married (for the second time) at the end of October.

Still love cats and gardening.

Aim is to work less (soon!) and travel more than ever.


Alan Coulthard

It really doesn't seem 10 years since the last reunion.....

After house jobs I did surgery in Newcastle up to FRCS then wandered down to the radiology department in the RVI and they gave me a job. I've been there ever since......

At the time of the last reunion I was just about to go off to the US for a Fellowship. I really thought I would finally be able to make the break from Newcastle at that stage, but not long after I got back I got a consultant job at the RVI setting up the new MRI service, so I metamorphosed into MagnetMan. Nine years on, and another reunion. I have decided that for each reunion I should be on the point of going someplace else. For this reunion, I am about to leave and go to Oz. I was appointed to a post in Oz last autumn but haven't actually got round to going yet. It has been a bumpy red tape ride, as others in this year group who have gone the same way might verify. Maybe by September 21 I will be able to say for definite whether I am going or not.

On the personal side, I have been married to Fiona since 1985, and have three kids, Liam (14) Hannah (12) and Christian (5). For some strange reason our family pregnancies have been in perfect synchrony with Ian and Barbara Laidlaw's. Windsurfing is on hold at the moment but may be revived as number 1 son takes an interest (already a surf fanatic - in Tynemouth - where are you, Chris Gray??!) The trumpet is gathering dust as the collection of (badly played) guitars gets bigger. Enjoyed taking a motley selection of classmates across the pennines on the C2C for my 40th and in doing so introduced Steve Robson to the bicycle and created a monster.

Looking forward to seeing some old faces


Paul Cross

Still running, still getting balder (if that is physically possible), still married (naturally), still with two children - Becs 16 (well, 14 ten days off at time of writing) and Rob 13ish. Still enjoying my Pathology, and what with life and all we're kept busy. Since the last re-union? Now fully re-integrated in the North East after our 7 year stay in Manchester, and very glad that we moved back. Life IS better in the North East - but keep it quiet. I am still hoping that Newcastle will win something (a game at the moment would be good), and that one day I will beat my son at squash. Anyone else still doing the North Run - see you October 6th? Is this the most use of the word "still" in a single entry?


Rob Cruickshank

I have been a Consultant Anaesthetist at St. James's Hospital Leeds for eleven years or so. I occasionally anaesthetize for Brian Scott's lists. (!)

I have various grandiose regional titles to do with training. If you had told me that's where I would end up twenty years ago I would have laughed.

I live in north Leeds and still occasionally cycle to work on the same old battered bike that did so many miles around the North east. Married to Allison (I forget, but it must be fifteen years or so) and three daughters, 15, 12 and 10. Imagine the pain I felt in my wallet one Saturday when I saw all four Cruickshank women pouring out of a taxi each bearing Harvey Nichols bags!

Still scruffy, cynical and still a part time country gentleman (Central heating in the mansion at Coniston now, so the next generation of College parties should be a bit warmer.)

Like many of my vintage I am putting on weight. I tried jogging, but no matter how much I did, I still got to 40. Tried the gym once, but was the only person there who needed to be there so I left, ashamed.

Hundreds of new trains arrived after rail privatisation, which all need seeing before they all crash into each other, so have been very busy on the train front, especially now the kids are a bit older. The internet and text alerts have made it all much easier. No need to hang around on draughty platforms nowadays.


Heather Currie (nee Lumley)

Did house-jobs (probably called something else now) in Ayrshire, GP training in Dumfries then side-tracked into Obs. & Gynae. Did the unconventional route of Registrar, Staff Grade and now Associate Specialist, all at Dumfries, bonny Scotland. I have specialised in Menopause and PMS. As a result of the interest in menopause, developed the website www.menopausematters.co.uk which provides information for women and Health Professionals.

Personally, still happily married to Matt, (an ex-Newcastle Agric)-married for 19 years. We live on a small farm near Dumfries and have 2 fantastic children-Victoria,14 and James,11. We are kept busy with keeping up with the children's various sporting activities, hobby farming, generally living life to the full and fitting in our jobs and website business. Life is good!! Looking forward to the reunion, Best wishes to you all.


Jon D’Arcy

Married (Angie, since 1987), 2 kids (13yo son, Robin; 7yo daughter, Jessica), currently no pets (atopic wife & kids limit choice somewhat!).

Did medical house job in Ashington, surgical in Middlesbrough, failed to get on the Northumbria GP VTS, left the region, and did jobs in the North West, before joining Angie's father's practice in St Helens as 4th partner.

He retired; I am now senior partner, with Angie's sister, her husband, and "A.N.Other" as partners, third-wave PMS, money for a fifth doctor, but no doctor - yet! (Any offers?). Angie, meanwhile, is one of our practice nurses.

Was active in local medical society until it folded July this year, and am in residue of a former young principals group, but keep out of medical politics; interests in mental health, and the social context of health & disease.

As you see from my photo, I am now rather fat, despite losing some weight. Last year, I finally decided to do something about it, and eventually started in January: in February, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, the weight loss has continued better than I could have hoped, as I aim to prove everyone wrong - even diabetics can lose weight!

Looking forward to the Reunion in September - the only person I have met since leaving the North East was Satwant Birdi, for 10 minutes back in 1985: he did a 1-weekend ophthalmology locum where I was a cas. officer - while correspondence and messages this year are the first I heard about the 10-year Reunion!


Christine Davison

I am now happily settled in Cheshire. I have been a Consultant Physician with an interest in Elderly Care in Macclesfield since 1995 and am currently struggling with the delights of working in a small district general hospital - increasing numbers of emergency admissions, junior doctor hours, national service framework targets etc, etc! Outside of work I live in Altrincham with a large ginger cat called Donald (it's a long story..). I keep sane singing in the choir and playing the organ at my local church and escaping to the Caribbean at 6 monthly intervals where the man in my life has been working as a teacher and cathedral organist.

I am unable to attend the reunion - I shall be en route to a family wedding in Italy but I will be thinking of you all and wish you all the best.


Maggie Deytrikh (nee Saunders)

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After a year in Paris, tied the knot with a francophobe called Nick in 1984. Moved to rural Stanhope, Weardale. Finished GP training, produced two boys, Peter 14 and William 13. Emerged from running toddler groups in the village to become a part-time GP in Co. Durham, then Edward arrived, now 8 years. Career seems to be going into more academic fields.

Although we haven't emigrated to the antipodes, we live in a wooden dwelling and drink their wine frequently! Dream on!

This year seems to have been spent at reunions, planned and unplanned. First a sedate girls school reunion in London, then meeting up with K and Mark Walker and Liz and Loz Atkinson in Banff. Finally over the summer a chance meeting with Tim Kenny on a canal boat and two other grads of 1982 at the Baltic.

That's all folks, see you at the reunion.


Surinder Dhanoa

Although I qualified, I got fed up with for ever waiting for the number 41 bus so moved south to Kent, bought my first car (sod the buses) and first house (sod Ethel Williams) and did my house jobs at The William Harvey in Ashford Kent.

Married Harvey in 1985 whom I met at Uni. Together now for 17 years and still laughing all the way. While doing VTS dabbled in Ophthalmology and really enjoyed it. Followed husband to Milton Keynes and really like it here - YES REALLY REALLY!

Now working full time in Ophthalmology, have 3 kids, have studied hard with daughters and can easily pass all primary school exams, currently studying hard for GCSEs with eldest daughter. Dad as usual refusing to study so will have another round of primary school studies with Son. Can spot a good wine at hundred yards but still don’t know what a hundred yards looks like. Entered the computer age in the breech position 144 months overdue - having been forced to accept email and other desk-top utilities.

Life very busy but fun.

Hope to meet you all at the next reunion.


Martin Duerden

Ten years ago found me working as a GP in Whickham, Tyneside, where I expected to stay for a lifetime. In 1994 I moved to Norfolk to work as Medical Adviser for the new Health Authority. After several years I realised that NHS structures reformed faster than people could establish their job titles and settled for a reflective year studying public health at Cambridge University. Being unable to determine what public health doctors do I then worked for three years as Medical Director for the National Prescribing Centre, until it was invaded by pharmacists. For the last two years I have led a peripatetic life working as a lecturer in medicines policy at UCL, part-time GP in Conwy, North Wales and as an author for PRODIGY guidance for GPs. I am in the process of settling down to be an academic GP at Keele University, which is closer to home. My wife Teresa maintains sanity and structure at our home in West Kirby on the Wirral. We have two children, Laura aged 15, and Matthew aged 12.


Krysia Ellenger (nee Klocek)

Three children, two guinea pigs, two goldfish, one hamster, no affairs. Only one disappointment there then. Despite early post-grad exam success, her exam technique has taken a dive. When asked 4 questions by the AA - her name, car model, registration, and whereabouts, she managed only to splutter one correct answer. " But it was raining" was her excuse !? After much persuasion the 4th emergency service came to the rescue but failed to leave the scene, both vehicles now becoming entrenched in mud. Where was Paul? Krysia has enjoyed her general practice career working in Eaglescliffe, close to trendy Yarm in Teesside. Parenthood is beginning to bear fruit. She can borrow and steal her daughters' shoes, clothes etc. What of her future? Krysia has wondered about a strategic career change after achieving distinction Grade 1 piano last year but may need to settle for a grand piano in her waiting room - or not. Has Krysia changed? She claims now to be an Estee Lauder girl, she reads OK magazine, but stills retains spasmodic weakness of the knees at the sight of Gavin the postman, and blows kisses at colleagues to lighten those dull moments in medical meetings.


Paul Ellenger

Still no fame, still no fortune, though has successfully been cloned (son Richard). 1 wife (see Klocek, previous yearbooks) 3 kids - Why? Declares his hair is good, considering his age. Maturity has driven Paul to vain attempts at keeping fit, though he has never quite forgiven his wife for beating him in Great North Run. This year she's been barred. Private schools, staff, mortgage, wife's spending, prohibit all notion of fun (even the nanny saw sense and ran off with the gardener). Got his Porsche but now prefers to drive his Mini. Why the slim down? Was he dreaming of youth and rebellion - no - it's cheaper to run. Paul has sadly given up supporting Darlington but has a new quote " M'bro have lost again". He remains a GP partner in his original training practice in Middlesbrough. Still toying with the thought of part-time work but not quite managing it.


Jane Elphick (nee Brown)

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I have always hated having my photograph taken so have contributed pictures of my offspring instead! (Clem 13 and Rupert 11) (Ed: so we publish the 1982 photo - other shy people beware!)

Married Richard (architect) in 1985 and spent a few years in London. However missed the countryside and great standard of life up North and returned to settle in Newcastle. Part-time GP in Morpeth since 1988.

Escape every weekend to Newton-by-the-Sea to recharge batteries and sail. Life is good.

Sorry not to be at the reunion. Have a great time.

"Social climber of the year even before 1977. When a mutual friend realised she was in our year the former exclaimed: "I didn't think Janey would mix with riff-raff like you"."


Karen Emms (nee Hall)

Following the recent research finding that the most content GPs are females working part-time, I have to confess that I am happy still being a half-time GP in Harrogate, soon to approach the heady heights of senior partner.

Still married to Richard after 20 years with three children, Jonathan 13, David 11, and Jessica 9, (a happy consequence of the 10 year reunion!)

Have finally achieved my life-time ambition of Saturday afternoons to myself as the rest of the family trip off with their season tickets to the Riverside Stadium to support the 'Boro'.

Any spare time is spent renovating our Victorian house (a seemingly endless task) and singing in a Ladies Choir.


Jon % Kate Fawcett (nee Sykes)

Jon & I plus three kids moved to Brisbane in 1996 - an accidental migration when Jon was offered a job with the Queensland liver transplant service. It’s not difficult to enjoy the sunshine & easy day to day living Queensland offers.

Our two boys; Dominic(10) & Daniel(8) love the Aussie sporting lifestyle. Emma(16) can still remember all the good bits of the old country, though, and is rather more torn between the benefits of GB & here (like us).

I encountered the AMC & RACGP exams in 1998 (and Jon the FRACS). Mastering that challenge increased my clinical confidence 100%. I work part time in an inner city general practice where the clinical material is extremely varied & mostly interesting. We see many recent immigrants & consultation via interpreter is the norm.

Producing the photo caused great hilarity in the family with screams of "act normal" & about 20 takes to get something reasonable(?). Hope you have a brilliant reunion in Northumberland. How about a down under reunion for ex-novocastrians - there’s plenty of us?


Terry Featherstone

The last decade for Terry has seen a momentous move from Darlington to Sunderland radiology department to feel the vibes from the Stadium of Light and Sunderland AFC. Pictured above with his girls Kirsty and Sally. I think you'll agree he hasn't aged a bit!


Caroline Field (nee Linfoot)

Married Graham at the tender age of 21, in September 1980 (ie before we had finished our course) and still married 22 years later. In February 1983 I decided that medicine and I were not suited and decided to try something completely different, so I trained as an accountant! I qualified in 1987 with a small local firm and then in 1988 moved to one of the Big Eight firms to specialise in taxation.

Our daughter Rosalind was born in 1989 and I continued working part-time until our son Andrew was born in 1992. Unfortunately soon after Andrew's birth we realised that he was severely disabled. I decided not to return to work, so that I could give him the input he needed. Andrew is ten now and has made a lot of progress. He can be delightful company (on a good day) but at times his behaviour is very challenging and he does not sleep well. Recently he was diagnosed with autism.

I returned to work after Andrew started school in 1997 but gave up the unequal struggle after about 18 months. Since having Andrew our priorities have changed and family life very much revolves around him.


Adam Fraise

I am a consultant Medical Microbiologist in Birmingham. I am the director of the Hospital Infection Research Laboratory and am virtually a Civil Servant (i.e I get lots of sleep on government committees). I am married to a GP and have 3 children aged 7, 8 and 10 and a dog aged 13. All seems very boring when you write it down.

Sorry I can't make the reunion but am at a conference in San Diego (that sounds better).


Heather Galloway

Ian & I have now been married for 21 years. We live in Low Fell. We have five children aged between 9-18 years, who keep us poor but happy! Ian Galloway is lead elder of City Church Newcastle, which has grown to a congregation of approx. 250 over the last eight years. No he doesn't regret leaving medicine before you ask!

I worked in General Practice as a clinical assistant whilst the children were younger and have just finished a spell back on the NVTS to satisfy the JCPTGP! I start as a part-time partner at Birtley in January 2003.

Sorry we don't have any recent photos of ourselves. Above is one of our two youngest children Joel 9 and Sarah 11 years, who are not yet camera shy. They are much better looking than us too!


Alex Glen (nee Miles)

I gave up a post as a full-time GP principal to have a family - twin boys, Alastair and Edward, now 5 years old (non-identical, indeed not even similar!). We have moved to Benwick, a small village in Cambridgeshire. I am now working part-time as a GP locum. I'm still married to Rod (20 years in July!) who is an analytical chemist for Anglian Water.

It all sounds very boring and mundane when written like this, but the last 10 years has had enough "excitement" for me. I have a happy, contented life at present.

See you all soon


Gillian Graves (nee Pringle)

After finishing my GP training I joined a 4 partner practice in Writtle, near Chelmsford, in 1998 and stayed there for five years until after the birth of our two sons, now aged 12 and almost 10.

I then did locum work for seven months prior to joining a 6 partner practice in Great Dunmow and I still work there on a half time basis. This practice is fully computerised and is growing fast due to the expansion of Stansted airport. The practice is part of a co-op based in Bishops Stortford and the members can opt in to shifts, if they so choose.

We now have a daughter who has just turned four and starts school this September. My husband Chris has switched careers and now teaches in a comprehensive school in Chelmsford.


Alan Gummery

Sixteen years in the same North Warwickshire practice could sound fairly dull-and believe me at times it has been. There have been some events however since the last reunion worthy of mention. Some friends and I built and opened sixty-five bedrooms nursing home back in 1990.The first of what we hoped would be a large and highly profitable chain. Leading to an early and prosperous retirement and a gross reduction in my golf handicap. Market conditions have not been as favourable as we hoped -nevertheless we have recently doubled the size of our chain -to two.

Even if things had gone as planned other events have intervened to put my plans of a leisurely life on hold-probably for the next twenty-five years. Divorce new girlfriend, re marriage and the arrival of what are now two years old triplet boys [not necessary in that order] have added somewhat to the financial burden. As you may imagine life is now fairly hectic but never dull. Rachel is also a medic, working as a part time GP. She is a tower of help and strength-not least since she seems to have attended all of her pre grad lectures, hence her medical knowledge is far superior to mine. She is also a sight more attractive. We had both hoped the boys would keep us young, but if my hair follicles are anything to go by they are having the opposite effect. Rachel thinks the rest of me should be OK as it's been preserved by pickling. Luckily I still have lots of contact with my twelve year old daughter who is growing into a lovely young woman. Look forward to seeing everyone in September.


Christine Gutteridge(nee Banton)

I'm currently very happy, living in a sleepy coastal town in NE Scotland, just S of Aberdeen. I'm a full time GP, well nearly,( 8 sessions), having been a principal in a place called Portlethen for 2 years. Prior to that I was on the GP retainer scheme and also worked for the DSS. Before I moved to Scotland in 1994, I was a GP in Jarrow, and before that I was doing Obs and Gynae in Newcastle. Lots of changes but I'm settled now.

I have 2 lovely but lively boys, aged 11 and 9, who fill my life with joy, I left my husband in 1997. Since then I have been happily single. ...well, most of the time. ..and enjoy my independence. Not that I'm impartial to a lover now and again.

I have a very full life, my main hobby being exercise. I became a successful long distance runner in 1995, my claim to fame was running in the elite ladies race of the Great North Run and coming 19th. ...I didn't aspire to beating Liz McColgan. I have more recently taken up road cycling, which is less stressful on the knees. ...getting old! The countryside up here is wonderful, despite being hilly, and going out on my bike is great for relieving the stresses of life. I don't get time for much else, but still enjoy a good bop and a pint at the local flea pit/night club with my mates. I'm also a keen gardener, which fulfils my creative side, along with a bit of painting and poetry writing.

I do miss Newcastle and return once or twice a year to see friends. I was very disappointed to find I couldn't come to the reunion, but will be away trekking in Peru. ..lucky me.

I send my love to you all.


Rod Harvey

Professionally I have moved through jobs by chance and opportunity. After spending time initially in Hexham and Newcastle I moved to Aberdeen University as a lecturer in Medicine where I trained in Endocrinology and Diabetes and remained for eight years. After a two year spell as a consultant diabetologist at the other end of the UK in Truro I returned to the North of Scotland to take up a post as consultant physician / diabetes & endocrinology at Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin where I stayed for five years. I have recently embarked on my third consultant post which is in Remote & Rural Medicine based at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, where I have a remit to develop acute medical services in the Orkney Islands. I maintain an interest in medical informatics.

On the personal front I married Francesca in 1983, having met her as my SHO in Hexham whilst doing my PRHO job, and we are now approaching our 19th wedding anniversary. We have two teenage girls Emma (16) and Catriona (14) both going on about 20 who assure me that I am the most embarrassing dad in the world, and one son Mark (almost 10) who is still loyal having not yet hit the pubertal rebellious phase.

I have to admit that I will not be at the reunion - not least because I am receiving that weekend - though I know its a bit of a lame excuse!


Andrew Heald

Since qualifying I have remained in the UK. First there was the three years as a PRHO and SHO in Newcastle. Three years in Cambridge - a bit of Neurosurgery followed by Neurology. Back to Tyneside for a year of General Medicine, followed by three years of Neurology research and finally four years as a Neurology SR in Newcastle. The last seven years has been spent thoroughly content as a jobbing Neurologist in York with no medical students or research to worry about. Just when I thought I had got away from academia someone decided to plonk a Medical School in York. No escape, so in the thick of it again.

Home is a quiet village retreat on the Southern edge of the N.Yorks Moors in a crumbly Old Rectory with bats in the attic. Janet is still my "other half" after twenty years of marriage plus quite a few additional years since Sixth Form and at Medical School. Took a while to get the hang of procreation hence while many of the Year of 82' have kids heading off for University we have Alex age 10 and James age 5 years. Janet has retired as a dentist in order to be a full-time mum and organiser.

Where am I in life? Very happy as a father. Very happy with Janet. Just - very happy. (Apart from the mortgage and the NHS).


Kim Hinshaw

Suddenly realised I needed to choose a career when more than halfway through my second house-job in Bishop Auckland! Tried O&G at Newcastle General for a year and never turned back!! Stayed in the NE for registrar training, then moved to the far North (Aberdeen) as Lecturer (...note spelling!) in O&G. Spent two of the four years in Inverness being lead astray by the medical students on rotation from Aberdeen. Still haven't worked out how I got an academic SR job with a single case report in a pathology journal (and second named author at that!!). I always wanted to get back to the NE and started my consultant post in Sunderland in January 1994. There I remain, keeping quiet about previous football allegiances.....

Met Karen Devlin when I arrived in Sunderland, secretary to Keith Godfrey one of my consultant colleagues. Never one for convention, Karen (and daughter Abbie)moved in a year later, I proposed in 1997, we had a second daughter Lauren in 2000 and married (.."at last!" my mother said) on May 25th 2002. So you can become a father at 40, get married at 43 and still survive, .......but bang goes early retirement. Attached are a few pictures of Karen and our two beautiful daughters. Abbie's 10 and Lauren 2. We live in the middle of Sunderland...... call in or ring if you're passing: 8 Beresford Park, Sunderland, SR2 7JU. Tel 0191 5672256. e-mail: kim.hinshaw@lineone.net

PS - Wild West dress is not essential when visiting!!!


Stephen Hogg

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I am now a Radiologist in Lincoln and have a wife Christine and two children Rebecca (age13) and William (age 10). Life is good. This year I provided backing vocals ( with a good crowd of fans who should know better) for John Otway's 'House of the Rising Sun' recorded at Abbey Road Studios. This is to be released as B side to his new hit 'Bunsen Burner' out soon (30 September). Order your copy now for a small piece of history!

Unfortunately I won't be attending the reunion but I'll leave contact details on the web site for anyone who hasn't contacted me in the last 20 yrs who may wish to do so now if only to send abuse. I don't recall attending the previous reunion but I'd love to attend the next.

The clash with the operation is unfortunate but I'm looking forward to my new life as Shirley living with Nigel in rural Lincolnshire.

Best wishes to you all and I hope the reunion is successful.


Harold Hosker

After doing House jobs and a medical SHO/registrar rotation in Newcastle, Harold went on to do research in lung cancer at Freeman hospital as part of an MD. He then moved to Yorkshire, got an SR job in Leeds and Hull, and spent 3 months in Hong Kong doing research into tuberculosis before returning to the UK and getting a consultant post in general / respiratory medicine in Burnley (Lancashire). He committed the cardinal sin of living in Blackburn and supporting Blackburn rovers whilst working in Burnley. Devastated by the departure of Alan Shearer to Newcastle, he moved backed to Yorkshire in 1997 as consultant at Airedale hospital, near Skipton where he still works. His main interests are lung cancer, COPD and respiratory infection.

Remarried in 1995, he now has 5 daughters. He still enjoys football (although he suspects his presence in the team is due to consultant status rather than ability or fitness), skiing and walking in the Dales.

Sorry I won't be at the reunion - I'm away that weekend (my wife's 40th birthday) and didn't get to hear about the reunion until late (airedale hospital changed its e-mail address!) Hope it all goes well.


John Howarth

I was always a little odd. I took a year off medical school to travel around the world between the second and third years. After qualifying a year later than the rest of you I trained as a GP on the Newcastle GP training scheme and became a partner in a practice in Cockermouth in the Northern Lakes. After 4 years I became so bored I bought a Paris Dakar motorbike and resigned from the practice. At about the same time I started going out with my wife Vicky Jay (Class of 84) and to impress her I took her to a restaurant on the back of the bike. Unfortunately we fell off in the car park and she said "I'm not going on that bloody thing again" so I had to sell it! We then sold two houses, the bike and two cars, got married on the Saturday and flew to India for a months honeymoon on the Sunday (via Aeroflot). The day after we got back we started the diploma in tropical medicine in Liverpool and were recruited off the course by Medecins Sans Frontieres. For 18 months I was programme co-ordinator in Mozambique where our first child Sophie was conceived in a tent in the middle of a cholera epidemic. Following that I worked in Angola, and was regional co-ordinator in Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire. I became medical director of the charity Merlin (Medical Emergency Relief International) and worked in Chechnya, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Yemen and Afghanistan with the Taliban. After six years of working in disaster medicine and with two children I thought it was time to get a proper job again and I am back in General Practice in Cockermouth. I am medical director of CueDoc the GP Co-operative, medical adviser to the charity hospice at home and I remain a board member of the charity Merlin. I suppose it could be called a portfolio career.


Alan Hunt

I would like to let everyone know what a fine example of the class of 1982 my dad is.

As a GP in suburban Gateshead living in a semi with a wife, 3 children and a golden retriever (with a really pretentious name) and with a Land Rover in the driveway, he certainly epitomises the classic 1982 graduate. Many a Saturday he goes “sailing” (I use the term loosely my mum often refers to it as “sinking”) On the Derwent reservoir. In the evenings he strums on his guitar, often takes my younger brother (a budding Alan Shearer/David Beckham) to football training, fiddles around in the garage doing something very useful (I’m yet to discover what it is) and occasionally goes jogging sometimes causing the dog Treasure Hunt (cue waves of uncontrollable laughter) to come back and collapse in the kitchen for hours and drink about 6 pints of water non-stop.

In the 20 long years since leaving medical school my dad has no doubt achieved a lot: Producing three wonderful children of course (although considering its my 20th birthday the day after the reunion that probably started before then!!!) dressing up as a gorilla to “surprise” my mum at work on her 40th birthday (including driving there in the costume) and taking my brother on various death defying rides at Alton Towers that no one else would go on have been high points. He’s also done lots of exciting things like ran lots of marathons and overtaken the man with one leg in the Great North Run.

Also as this photo shows he’s been to space and is actually there at the moment so that’s why I’m writing this (please humour him)

I myself (fingers crossed) am due to graduate in 2004 and I have no clue what I’ll be like or be doing in 2024. I’ll try my best not be sailing/guitar playing/suburban-semi –owning but I’m only sure of one thing…I’m not going to be a doctor.

"When asked if he had an e-mail address, replied: "Oh, computers, my kids mention those sometimes"."

By Kate Hunt (born 1982)


Maggie Ireland

Currently pursuing a career change into Public Health, Maggie has started her family late and had hoped her four-year-old would have won her the "oldest primigravida in the year award" only to be beaten by Gill Charlton (Rye).

Appeared at the BBQ, but yet to submit a proper entry to the Yearbook!


Tim Kenny

Stayed around the Newcastle area after graduating. Became a GP and jobshared for a while with my wife (Beverley - Class of 83) in Wallsend. Then spent 9 years in a practice in Newcastle. Became interested in computers and patient information and for the last few years have spent much of my time working on a database of patient information for EMIS (a GP clinical computer system) and on my website www.patient.co.uk. Still try and do some clinical work to justify my claim to be a GP!

Family and church life take up much of my spare time. Have two girls - Hannah (16) and Rosie (11). Still try and sing from time to time, Gilbert and Sullivan, choirs etc. Got an alto saxophone for my birthday this year, which according to the man in the shop has something to do with age "We sell a lot of these to men of your age......". Despite cynicism from family - am still practising.


Brian Kent

Works with Julian Bromly in a GP practice in central Newcastle.


Ian Laidlaw

Left Newcastle and started a Southwards drift to Farnham, Surrey bumping down here 8 years ago. Barbara and I managed to get on honeymoon after some of you held our Taxi up for a while! Three great kids Tom 14, Katie 13, Alex 5 - New House, New Job, New Baby - along with 2 dogs fish cats horse cycles boat beer and work keep us fat and fit. Hardly been time to blink since we qualified. Looking forward to the Reunion when no doubt we'll all try and repeat Friday MedSoc feats of endurance and prove we're not twenty one any more !!


Duncan Leith

Duncan has now taken over a two partner practice in Cramlington from a retiring husband and wife team. He is a Macmillan facilitator for Northumberland and a specialist G.P. in substance misuse. He and Claire enjoy family life with their four kids, Philippa, Jennifer, Edward and Jonathan. All adorable but everso demanding in their 'needs' including a newly acquired Electric guitar. Duncan's love of football has drawn him and his practice into sponsoring two football teams one of which is due to go on tour of the United States and California. In his spare time Duncan has also created a website for general practice http://www.generalpractice.co.uk - his pension! First serious offer in excess of 1,000,000(pounds) secures it!


Jonathan Mackay

Still married to Helen (1984 year). Believe we’ve made a better job bringing up our two children William (1989) and Katherine (1991) than we have Milly (2000).

Spent 1993-4 working in Anesthesiology at UTMB in Galveston (remember Glen Campbell) on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. It was the only way I could get to be a Professor. Interestingly, virility of doctors at UTMB was measured by how early you went to the gym before starting work at 06:30! Returned to the stimulating working environment of Papworth in 1994. This small specialist hospital in a village is one of the better NHS Trusts for both staff and patients. I don't think any other UK village has 25 ICU beds. I still enjoy work and have the occasional lucid interval despite 8 years of full-time cardiothoracic anaesthesia and intensive care.


Chris Marr

Ten years further on and now a father of three (Rebecca 13, Daniel 10 and Amy 6). They’re all getting older and so am I. I still manage to climb the odd mountain but the motorcycles have gone and I’ve even sold my MG (after almost 20yrs!).

Swapped the Trombone and Northumbrian pipes for a Trumpet, which amuses everyone except the neighbours!

I’m still a partner in the Practice in Morpeth, where I’ve been for almost 13years now and I still love it. Still teaching and training GPR’s. PRHO’s and medical students, and became an examiner for the RCGP two years ago after slogging through Fellowship by Assessment.

Keep promising to slow down and drink less, but I think neither are likely. Still see a lot of the gang, especially Pete Olley – old habits die hard!

"Has become President-for-life of "The Volvo Appreciation Society"."


Stuart Marsden

Well I am still in Durham but we do have a new Hospital which is nice.

I have had a busy decade or rather last 5 years and I have had to give up sweeping chimneys. I had a 40th birthday, a stag night and a wedding within 7 days of each other. Since then its been a case of "it's life Stuart.. but not as you know it!!". This has been due to my late entry into the baby stakes. We now have 3 of the little devils aged 5, 2 and 8 months. We named the last one Nicholas (after a famous Australian Pathologist). My wife, Morag, can change 2 nappies at once whilst cooking tea and pushing the oldest on the swing. I escape to darkened Radiology rooms and rest.

Hobbies? oh yes I think I can remember them. I have walked the coast to coast and other long distance routes with several of our year which isn't exactly easy when you're pushing a bike!

I also seem to spend a lot of time not catching salmon with Bob Spain.

Things will change I am sure all you parents of teenage computer geeks will tell me.


Alistair Martin

Old rockers never die, they just get sent out to pasture! Now where has my pipe gone? As you can see, hitting his forties has had rather a serious effect on Alistair, a Consultant Anaesthetist in Crewe, he is now Director of Critical Care Services at the Trust and an ALS instructor. Still married to Elaine, after 7 years worth of IVF (At least he got to do something he was good at!) they have been blessed with non-identical twin boys, The lads are now nearly eight years old, but with teenage attitudes, and Alistair has a lot in common with them. They all support Crewe Alexandra, and interestingly Dario Gradi is celebrating twenty years at the Alex this year as well. When given the chance Alistair will still imbibe considerable quantities of beer, and after many years research has decided that Tim Taylor's Landlord is the bees knees. His ambition is still to learn to play the guitar on more than one string.


Chris May

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I fell off the Vocational training scheme Aug 86 into GP at Wideopen. One day soon I will wake up somewhere exotic. For some strange reason I am still in the best job in the world despite the best attempt of successive governments to make life increasingly difficult. Just to make my life even busier I also do occupational health sessions and have been a police surgeon in Newcastle for a few years now. We live in Darras Hall and Ailsa (13) and Alex(10) tell me they enjoy life at the local schools. Main hobbies - DIY, sailing and taking crap photos.


Chris McDonald

After qualification, we joined the early exodus of Newcastle graduates to the antipodes and enjoyed two years working in Auckland. Following our return to the UK, we landed in Cambridge where, despite having missed the pharmacology lecture at Medical School, I have now been working in clinical research within the pharmaceutical industry for over ten years.

Married to Anne, we have three daughters Kate (11), Emily (9) and Jessica (7), and enjoy cycling, walking and sailing. To reduce the risk of becoming soft southerners we take every opportunity to travel north to sample decent beer and teach the girls how to climb hills. In the meantime the girls are developing an interest in football, despite supporting a combination of Cambridge United, Carlisle United and Sheffield Wednesday. We remain hopelessly optimistic of a breakthrough into the Champions league, but in reality accept that Saturday afternoon at 16:40 is generally not our "happy-hour" ! Last year we caught up with old friends when we returned to New Zealand for a three week tour of the North Island in a mobile camper van.


Angela Montgomery (nee Todd)

Just a note to update you on what I've been doing since Medical School. I married Richard in 1982. Started GP training the following year.1986 was spent in Rochester, Minnesota, USA, where Richard was an Orthopaedic Research Fellow (yes these creatures actually exist). Finished GP scheme on return. Part time GP work until 1991.Clare born 1987, Duncan born 1991, Esme born 1993, Eleanor born 1995. Work from home in medico-legal practice. Live on the edge of a village near Darlington, County Durham. Look forward to seeing you all next month.


Gillian Noble

I'm married to Charlie, a Scotsman, have three children: Charlie 10, Cameron 8 & Robert, and work as a GP in Northumberland. My main interest is gardening, with which I am absolutely obsessed. I grow my own vegetables, love growing plants from seed, and am a shopaholic when it comes to plants. This year I flew down to the Hampton Court Show, bringing plants back on the plane and I also went to Gardeners World Live at the NEC. My ambition is to get a slot on Gardeners World, giving gardening medical advice!!

"Still heard to announce that she is a changed person doing lots of worthwhile things...like gardening.... A fine example of "Reunion Syndrome", ie. not psychologically changed at all."


Andrew Oakenfull

GP scheme N East Edinburgh and finally in practice W Cumbria and Cockermouth. Predictable 16 years in practice in Ferryhill Co Durham, 13 years senior partner. LMC chair 4 years.

Married 17 years, with three children: Rachael 15, Becky 14, Richard 8,(The eldest two have just been admiring all the photos "dont they look old"). Still have bicycle.


Ndu Okwonkwo

Anaesthetist in Nottingham, Ndu promises to send more details about himself soon.


Peter Olley

After 8-9 years pursuing a career in O & G, mainly in Scotland, I finally realised there were just too many "strange" people in that speciality. So I returned to the NE to lead a far more rewarding and companionable life in General Practice. I am now a partner in a Wallsend practice enjoying my days thwarting Primary Care Trust directives and NSF guidelines. Furthermore,I look forward to influencing many more GP's in attempts to buck the system and maintain healthy anarchy around me.

I rescued Trine from a life in Edinburgh where she was a refugee from Norway's paternalistic alcohol laws. She foolishly agreed to marry me and so moved to her third European country where we live with a neurotic and spoilt Terrier/Alsatian/Labrador/Whippet mongrel, Dylan. I must have caught her off-guard, whilst temporarily confused by the altitude, on top of The Empire State Building where we got engaged on the 14th February. No Tom Hanks nor Meg Ryan in sight. Two and a half years later we had a 3 day wedding on the inner hebridean island of Rum in a former hunting lodge, now castle. Chris Marr was my best man, but he didn't have to sleep with me this time, but get all the guests onto a boat delayed by the Skye-Mallaig post.

As for "leisure" pursuits, I started rock climbing 3 years ago, mainly with Dave "I'm-sure-the-rope's-long-enough-for-this-abseil" Talbot. Skye has become a regular training ground, where we finally struggled along The Main Cuillin Ridge this May in 14.5 hours at our 4th-5th attempt. That is just one of my many trips to Scotland each year, during which my never-ending attempts to persuade the Scots to leave Britain are at last bearing fruit. SNP official opposition !! Any year now and they'll be gone and we can get some mutual normality (like with Ireland !!?).

I still crash cars, at which pursuit Trine has joined me by taking out a sheep and a deer in the last 2 years. Sadly, I won't be able to kiss Diana Spencer's hand now, but my "Lists" do spread to 4 sides of A4, regularly re-written, one of the tasks being to put the "Lists" onto a list in a spreadsheet.


Paddy O'Neill

After house jobs I worked in a Leprosy control station in Ethiopia for a year, with a three month spell in Kenya. Then returned to the UK, married Jan, and started GP VTS training in Cleveland for three years. Returned to Tanzania for two years in a mission hospital, and then returned to Norton and General Practice where I have remained since. We have four children, Daniel (just started College after GCSE's) Sinead (GCSE's this year) Naomi (GCSE's next year) and Deaglan who doesn't care about GCSE's at all. Jan is working as an Educational Psychologist in Sunderland. Incidentally bumped into Jane Peutrell whilst on holiday in a campsite in Arco (Italy, not the workwear suppliers) three weeks ago - how weird is that? She isn't coming to the reunion but sends her best wishes to everybody she knew, at least I think that's what she said.


Nigel Perks

Nigel climbed the slippery pole and was appointed Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to Greenwich Hospital and St Bartholomews' Hospital in 1995. On the way he worked with such well known characters as Wendy Savage and Professor Lord Winston and had a lot of fun. It will come as no surprise that although he is happy with a long term partner, children will not result from the union. They do however have a cat called Carmela, two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels called Port and Starboard, 6 Koi in the garden pond, a Georgian townhouse and an open top Jag.

It will also come as no surprise that Nigel continues to smoke and drink to excess and with great pleasure. His Mayfair Wine Syndicate is a splendid resource and his Campaign for Real Gin an effective charity fund raiser.

He is sorry to have lost touch with most of the year but wishes all well and hopes for some e-mail contact at least in the future.


Saman Perera

I live in Southend-On-Sea, not too far from London, on the north bank of the Thames estuary. I have been a consultant radiologist at Southend General Hospital for 10 years.

After qualifying I did my house jobs in Newcastle and Middlesborough. I thought I give general surgery a try but soon switched to radiology. I did my training in Aberdeen and Sheffield with a fellowship year in Chicago, USA. My main professional interest is ultrasound, though I do quite a bit of general radiology as well.

My wife Irie and I were married in 1987. She is a botanist by training but now works as a part time primary school teacher at a local school. We have three children. My eldest is a daughter age 13. We have two sons of age 9 and 2. The children keep us both busy, quite apart form our jobs. We have just returned from a holiday in Sri Lanka which we enjoyed immensely.

Unfortunately I missed out on the previous reunions. Now that I have established contact, I would like to try and catch up with you all.


Saw Koon Pui

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GP VTS, then Hong Kong for 11 yrs, 8 of those as an airline doctor with Cathay Pacific Airways, experienced travel in first class several times, alas no more of that. Now married with 4 yr old son, very happy, and learning how to work in the NHS all over again as a GP retainer. On reflection, wish I was less serious as an undergrad and had socialised more.

Have a great time catching up at the reunion, unfortunately, I can't make it. All the best, Saw Koon.


Jonathan Rees

This scrambled photo is the only contribution Jonathan has so far submitted


Sally Richardson

Same job – Whitley Bay Health Centre

Same husband – Chris

Same house – In Morpeth

Same kids – Rebecca (13) and Daniel (10) – plus one extra, Amy (6)

Same mates – Sally, Cath, Judy and Karen

It’s been great fun helping to organise this reunion and we hope that everyone enjoys it. I apologise to everyone I have “nagged” for forms and money – someone had to do it!

How about the next one at 25yrs?

"Has produced a daughter who exclaims on receiving another tasteful birthday card from a family friend of 25 yrs standing, "Which card is from Peter...oh, I might have guessed, disgusting as usual". Where does she get such disdain from ??"


Mick Robertson

After housejobs I did a years medicine in Darlington, then went south to Bristol, hoping to confirm my prejudices about the south of England, and whilst it is overcrowded, flat and overpriced I haven't yet managed to leave. I met my wife Julie in Bristol, moved to Oxford to do a years GP training, had a great year in Australia and New Zealand , and on returning accidentally became a partner in Abingdon where I still am. I work with Peter Tate, an even older Newcastle graduate and a name that GPs at least will recognise.

Now with 3 children our eldest Joe started secondary school last week, Ellen is 9 and Harry 6. I am a full time GP and trainer but got out of the PCG / PCT when their debts mounted into millions. I am working my way through the Munros of Scotland and get north whenever possible, we saw the Gateshead millennium bridge at Easter and had a great day at the NUFC vs Everton game. I play the Northumberland pipes and improve slowly....


Donna Robinson

Donna has been a resident of Thailand for over 12 years, speaks Thai and is a fully qualified Thai Medical Practitioner having passed the Thai Medical Examination in 1998. In addition to her primary role as Regional Medical Director for Kimberly Clark Asia Pacific Region, she practices general medicine at Bumrungrad Hospital, the largest private hospital in Thailand, and is a consultant for the BNH Hospital Travel Clinic, the British Embassy and the Bangkok Patana International School. She is an English editor for the Journal of Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Agents, Journal of Thailand and Western Pacific Society of Chemotherapy and was a contributor to "Guide to Healthy Living in Thailand and South East Asia" produced by the Thai Red Cross Society and which is in general release in bookshops throughout the country.

After graduating from Newcastle University in 1982, she worked in the Sunderland Hospital Group and obtained the MRCP in 1986. She then went to New Zealand for overseas experience and worked in hospitals in both Auckland and Christchurch, returning via Hong Kong where she worked at Kwung Wah Hospital, a major hospital in Kowloon, and at the British Military Hospital.

Running on the Hash House Harriers in Hong Kong, she met her husband, Ian, in 1987. Asking him if the seat was free on the Lamma Island Ferry, he replied "No, certainly not" but she sat down and pestered him anyway. On her return to UK in Oct 1987, Donna worked for 6 months in obs/gynae at Lewisham Hospital in London and obtained the DRCOG. She then completed general practice, working in the Elephant and Castle. Ian came back to London for a year in 1988 and in 1989 returned to Bangkok and, having convinced Donna of the pleasures (or rather the professional advantages) of work in the Far East, she joined him soon after.

In Thailand, foreign doctors are not free to practice unless they first pass the Thai Medical Exam which, since it is conducted in the Thai written language, virtually guarantees almost zero pass rate by foreigners. As a result, Donna started work with ASIN, a local Thai non-governmental organisation involved in family planning and AIDS projects before joining UNICEF in 1993. After 3 years as an AIDS project officer for UNICEF, she joined Chulalongkorn University Hospital as an advisor in medicine and undertook a 2 year attachment in clinical medicine. In 1998, after some two years of intensive study into Thai medical practice (not to mention a lot of Thai language study) she passed the Thai Medical Examination which is presented as multiple choice in Thai language. Soon after this, Donna opportunistically met her present employer at a party and, not long after, she was offered a position as Regional Medical Director for Kimberly-Clark Asia Pacific Region. The regional headquarters are in Bangkok and from there she directs the occupational health programme for Australia, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Philippines.

In Bangkok, Donna has got involved in many activities such as the Rotary Club of Bangkok, squash, weekly 10 km road races (very early on Sunday mornings).

Donna and Ian got married in 1992 and have 2 children. Sandy(Alexander) is 7 years and Helena is 5 years. They both enjoy life in Bangkok and speak fluent Thai.

Altogether, life is wonderful. I try not to make assumptions and if I don't know about some activity I try to join or find out. It's been great to work for a private company and serve our clients with a customer service oriented approach. It's also been enlightening to see poor people treated in an equal manner to the rich and well-spoken in a private hospital.


Steve Robson

I am Professor of Foetal Medicine at NU (appointed 1993) and now Deputy Head of School of Surgical & Reproductive Sciences (we don’t have departments any more). Main clinical interests are prenatal diagnosis & foetal therapy. More time now spent in research / admin than clinical (marvellous). However still deliver the odd baby!

Still obsessed with sport (swimming, running, mountain biking) and keeping fit

Married (to Sue) 2 kids - Jamie 9, Simon 7


Karen Rogstad

Hi everyone.

I am living the Geordie ex-pat lifestyle in Bakewell as I never made it back up the M1. I have 2 children, Luke (11) and Annabelle (9). Very settled here apart from the deplorable football - however we have remained true to Newcastle United with Luke's room a shrine to the Toon army.

Since the last reunion I have been appointed as Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield. My special interests are HIV, and Adolescent sexual health. I spend a lot of time on Midland Mainline trains to London as a result of work I do for the GUM Specialist Society and for the RCP (Hon Sec of RCP GUM committee). Currently organising the RCP conference on Sex and Health for next September so expect to see the Class of 82 there!

The highlights of my media career are a Panorama episode on Adolescents and having my research quoted in the News of the World with the headlines "Randy Wrinklies at Risk of AIDS". Still not achieved my ambition of a ridiculous paper in the BMJ Christmas edition - does anyone want to collaborate?

I work part-time so Fridays are spent on my Mountain bike in the peak district followed by a quick change into being one of the "ladies that lunch". I love spending time at the weekends with my children who are young enough (just) to think I am wonderful although I don't think it will last much longer.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.


Gill Rye

At the time of the 1992 reunion I was a full-time Jesmond GP, single, and pursuing an Open University degree in arts - secure in my future as a serious career woman. But less than a year later I was married in Durham Castle to Bruce Charlton - the thirteenth couple in our year, we estimate.

So, ten years later than the rest of you lot, we embarked on a self-indulgent married life: meals out; long walking weekends in Northumberland; holidays in Iceland, La Gomera, the White Mountains of New England - and so on. Bruce introduced me to the joy of. cricket, and I have become an addict - even taking a day off work to see the Australians beat the minor counties at Jesmond. Take it from me, girls, the Aussies are even hunkier in the flesh than on TV, particularly Brendon Julian.

As forty approached, we eventually got round to procreating, and produced Billy nearly 3 years ago, weighing barely 4 lbs. And for the next 18 months he kept us awake. In contrast Nancy, born this spring, is approaching the 91st percentile and virtually sleeps through the night already. I hereby throw down the gauntlet to claim the prize of oldest mother in the year.

The career? Well I'm now a half time job share in the same Osborne Avenue practice - enjoying the patient contact and my colleagues, but pleased to relinquish some of the paperwork that seems to be driving half the year to emigrate.

And the OU degree? - watch this space.


Catherine Shire

Having finally married David Wilmore in 1990, he subsequently got a new job and moved to Harrogate! 2 years and 1 baby later I decided to join him and we now live in the Yorkshire Dales and have 3 little Wilmores.

For the first 7 years here we rented an house on a farm in Nidderdale and spent our spare time breeding (children), trying to understand the locals and house-hunting. 3 years ago we bought an old property also in Nidderdale which we are slowly renovating. Consequently we are now entirely broke and completely exhausted.

After 7 years as a part-time partner in Stocksfield I joined Bob Spain's practice when we moved to Nidderdale, initially as an assistant and latterly as a retainee. I can honestly say there's never been a dull moment since! It just goes to show that it's not what you know that counts.


Glen Simblett

Another 10 years. Another biography. Despite valiantly trying to retain a taciturn bitterness to life, medicine and reunions I have to reluctantly acknowledge that it has begun to crumble. Perhaps its the dawning hope of a new millennium. More likely its just me becoming a sentimental old fart. I couldn't make it to the reunion because of health problems (don't get too hopeful - it's not fatal), but I actually would have if I could. There I've admitted it. After Medical school and Housedogdom I moved to Nottingham and did Psychiatric training. The aim was to become a Consultant by age 30. Made it two years behind schedule before it dawned on me that I would have to stay like that for the next 35 years. Aaaaaaaggggghhhhhhhhh. The horror! THE HORROR!

During my training I spent a year here in New Zealand working in a rural "bin" and six months travelling the world with my wife Bernadette. We returned to England planning on me finishing Child Psychiatry training and relocating to NZ for good. Fortunately we were so unhappy that we emigrated earlier than planned. Training incomplete. England just seemed too cold, crowded, dirty and violent. We have lived here now coming up on 12 years.

I think I am a much nicer Kiwi than I was a Brit.

Fell deeply out of love with Psychiatry after a few years of being a Consultant and dabbled for a while in Private Practice, consoling my bruised Socialist ideals with sliding scale fees and some free appointments. It took us 8 years and some serious technological intervention to produce a child who graced us with his physical presence 5 1/2 years ago now. Old friends who have seen us together have pointed out the illegality of human cloning. My son rapidly taught me that money isn't everything and time is the only currency worth having. So I took the plunge and decided to work part time giving up any ambitions of BMWs, Tudor-style mansions and holidays on exclusive tropical isles.

I vowed not to miss another summer because I was working.

Life of course demonstrated its typical sense of irony and I became sick shortly after I adopted a work 3 days a week for 3 weeks, 5 days a week for one week practice. Thank god for income protection insurance. After mulitiple scans, tests, opinions and psychic readings I am assured that the illness is not fatal or even all that impressive. No-one is even willing to stick their neck out and give it a name. How ignominous. But it leaves me chronically imbalanced. How ironic is that? I have moved from being chronically mentally imbalanced to chronically physically imbalanced. I guess there is a lesson in there somewhere...

BUT, and here is the rub. I am not remotely bitter about any of it. I can only echo Kath & Chris Wright's sentiment:

LIFE IS GOOD.


Judy Simpson

Despite a prolonged eight month honeymoon travelling around the world after GP training, I failed to end up very far and have settled in South Tyneside where I am a part-time GP and full-time mum (adept at multi-tasking).

The kids - John 45,Tom 12 and Genevieve 5years, keep me on my toes and I spend countless hours running around with and after them. Any spare time I have I run around on the tennis and squash courts and we have another family holiday planned next year to once again attack the black(!) and red runs in France. As for the Great North Run....I have so far succeeded in my ambition never to take part!


Nick & Alison Smith

Dear reunioners

After 5 years in Edinburgh the itchy feet struck again and we came to Perth, Western Australia, arriving in late November 1996. I work as a paediatric and perinatal pathologist in the public system. We live in a recently ie currently renovated California bungalow a 10 minute walk to the Swan river, a ten minute drive to the Indian Ocean (complete with hungry sharks) and a thirty minute drive to the Swan Valley vineyards. The kids are now 14, 13, 11 and 10, sport mad (soccer, netball, Aussie rules, tennis and swimming) and think my accent is strange. We love the outdoor lifestyle and the climate, having adapted to the point where trousers and jumpers are worn if the temperature falls below 20 degrees Celsius. We would have loved to have been at the reunion to compare girth, greyness and follicle survival. Maybe in another 10 years…. Nick Smith

G'Day!

At the last reunion we had child no. 4 one month old; Steve Robson comented that child no.3 ( who was then 17 months old) was his idea of perpetual motion & he had never seen Nick move so fast as he tried to keep up. Nothing has changed, & now they are just as fast as us, eat twice as much & are growing so quickly in this climate that I have the smallest feet in the family & can share everyone else's wardrobe. We came to Perth almost 6 years ago. Being a GP I had to do the requalifying business, so worked as an intern P/T for 2 years while I made very heavy weather of flogging the few neurones to do the AMC exam; then spent a year back at Uni doing a post grad diploma in Drug & Alcohol Abuse prior to starting full time work for 2 years in adult psychiatry as SHO equivalent.Blew the psych rotation exam, saw the light , & now also see much more of the family as I work P/T in psycho-geriatrics. Nick could now sprint further than The New Darnell as he & I run on a regular basis, the weather here is lovely & getting up in the sunshine somehow makes jogging fun. My year book quote would now have to be "Chardonnay, Chardonnay" as you can't get Muscadet here. Really sorry we can't make it, would have loved to catch up with everyone.

Cheers!

Alison Smith (nee Mackay for those who shared the M to N anatomy body)


Cath Snape (nee MacKellar)

I am still a part time GP but had a midlife crisis a few years ago and decided I had to do something more. I left the practice in Ripon and worked as a locum whilst completing a master’s degree. Good move – I am now research lead in a practice in York. Still enjoy practice but research and teaching keep me sane(ish).

Despite declaring myself cured of committees I have to confess to occasional relapses – fortunately currently in low input phase- not even on the PTA.

Still married to Ian- one 12 yr old son- who encourages me to relive my childhood. – not much persuasion needed. I have grown up enough not to want to bungee jump anymore. But still struggle to resist a challenge, hence the red hair (£20 bet –raised £500) and the rather injury ridden training for the Great North Run after Sheila Young threw down the gauntlet.


Bob Spain

Have just completed 15th year as partner in rural Yorkshire Dales Practice close to Harrogate. Also PEC member of local PCT. Still trying to preserve a modicum of fitness playing squash. Also spend a lot of time fishing often with Stuart Marsden though never catch anything when he comes. Still enjoy life and live it to the full.


Bob Spychal

Bob returned from Sydney to make sure he didn't miss this reunion. Consultant surgeon in sunny Birmingham for the last 9 years and continues to 'stir it' whenever possible. Would prefer to be Sunderland's club doctor or a rock star. Still married to the long suffering, adorable Cath. Four kids now, eldest son approaching his 18th, a fellow guitarist with a much more pleasant demeanour.


Teresa Storr (nee Strong)

Just as 1982 had its moments, so 1986 was noted for its life events: my marriage to Kenneth, a dairy farmer in the wilds of Cumbria, completion of my vocational training in general practice and my first pregnancy, in that order but only just! Paul our first son was followed by Richard three years later. Between nappy changes and trips to the vet ( Not for me of course!) for dry cow penicillin I managed to pursue a germinal career. Initially on the doctor's retainer scheme I was lured back into hospital medicine and undertook clinical assistant sessions in haematology, ENT, diabetes, cardiology and latterly oncology. Although this may sound like the meanderings of a confused and greedy medic who wants to get her hands on as many branches of medicine as possible I can assure you I have finally satisfied my hunger and have now settled on palliative care( well for the time being!). I am currently Medical Officer at Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle, a post I took up in August of this year.

I continue to hold sessions in haematology and oncology( not quite cured !) which link in well with my work at the hospice. And on my way home I still call in at that vet for scour formula and worming boluses!

As my family continue to grow my social life too is beginning to blossom once more. Not that I'm getting too excited about it because after all I do live in a very rural part of Britain. However Kenneth and I have a very wide and eclectic circle of friends who keep us well entertained. Turning forty was not the major trauma I expected and there are still not too many grey hairs, although, as the mother of two teenage boys, I await these any day now!


David Talbot

Married, two children (Emma 10 and Ben 7). Living in Gosforth. Walk to work at Freeman Hospital. Mixed views on the development of Newcastle. Quite impressive building programme but the place seems to be loosing its identity which is rather sad. A bit of DIY is mixed in with other bits of research and work. Hobbies of walking, camping and climbing shared with Pete Olley together increasingly with children. The 40 something syndrome drove me into an ice climbing course which was great fun and I would strongly recommend it. A slight temptation this spring for another post in Australia but I couldnt bring myself to leave! So God willing I'll probably be writing another one of these from the same place at the next reunion!

"Has made a quantum leap in TV acquistion. Until 2000 had a portable B&W ("I like old established things, it's a pity to change all the time, colour can be too stimulating"). Then went out and bought an Widescreen Integrated Digital TV before his kids were put on the Deprivation At-Risk Register."


Julian Thomas

I am back in Newcastle again, and will be here for at least 3 more years as Clinical Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Gastroenterology. Most of my current job is research, looking at Helicobacter pylori in children. I have strong links with the MRC unit in The Gambia, West Africa, and go there quite frequently, setting up and running projects.

I've been married to Janet for 18 years now, and we have two girls - Kate, who is 14, and Beth aged 11. They were both actually born in Newcastle (at the Princess Mary) and both girls firmly consider themselves to be Geordies. I've taken over a wild and weedy allotment in Gosforth, and I've also started mountaineering again. I'll be in the Alps the week before the re-union!


Sally Thompson (nee Wilson)

I am a part time GP in Northamptonshire, married to Rob (ex-Newcastle Agric). We have four boys: Charlie(14), Richard(12), Andrew(11) and Harry(8). We live on the farm and so have lots of room for 4 noisy boys (and spend plenty of time in local A+E Departments!). We spent 6 weeks in Australia last year and 4 weeks touring Italy at Easter (sabbatical). This is a photo of us in Florence.


Jonny Thow

After spending too long in Newcastle I finally moved away to Manchester for a while before ending up in York as an Endocrinologist. Happily shacked up with Fiona here for the past 8 years. We have 2 children Eleanor aged 4 (going on 13) and Oliver aged 2 (going on 3). Domestic 'bliss' has ended a promising career in windsurfing (rash now resolved) but have taken up cycling (in exotic places) to escape the joys of family life and to torture Stu Marsden now and again. I can't help feeling that my rapid scalp hair loss in the past couple of years is some kind of act of revenge. Lands End to John O'Groats last year - 1000 miles in 10 days and I have the pudendal nerve palsy to prove it! Look forward to seeing you all in a couple of weeks (yes I was late getting this done).


Julian Turner

Remains happily married to Jane (and various dogs) with two teenage daughters, Jemma and Jessica. Consequently always skint and can't remember what the bathroom looks like!

Have discovered that girth size and acusis inversely linked but not sure where the dodgy knees fit in.

Sorry to miss out on reunion but hope you all have a great night.

PS- still a GP in Blyth!


K van den Brul (Walker)

I am still living in Newcastle and still married to Mark Walker (Class of 83). We have three lovely children, Alice (13), James (11) and Adam (8). I am a part-time partner in a training practice in Spennymoor, South-West Durham. No real change over ten years I'm afraid, except that I am a bit more wrinkly and grey!


Liz Vaughan-Williams

I am now the proud mother of two gorgeous kids, Luke 12 and Megan 14 and becoming an expert on teenage behaviour and strategies for coping with it (tips gratefully accepted). I work half time as a GP in King's Lynn and sit on the LMC and the PCT clinical governance committee. I'm still married to Los (18 yrs this year - I deserve a long service medal!).

Recent achievements include joining a gym and buying a sports car. I'll soon be a "lady who lunches" at this rate. Favourite hobbies remain shopping, eating chocolate, drinking wine (preferably New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc) and keeping up to date with the latest teenage orientated sit-coms.

Main ambitions in life are stopping Los from driving my car and a hope that one day I'll go on a non activity holiday to a hot sunny tropical beach instead of sailing, skiing or mountaineering etc.


John Waldron

Another who appeared at the BBQ but has yet to submit a proper biography.


Mark Walker

Appeared at the reunion, but failed to submit a yearbook entry.


Richard Stephen Walker

Medical Since leaving medical school I did Anaesthetics as an SHO in Newcastle for 3 years, Anaesthetics in Nottingham as a Registrar for 3 years, Anaesthetics in Birmingham as a Senior Registrar for 3 years, and a year in Houston, USA as a Visiting Assistant Professor in a Pain Clinic. I have been a consultant in Coventry since 1993 doing mixed Pain / Anaesthetics to start with, but now do full-time pain work for my sins. In 1997 I qualified as a medical osteopath, and did a Diploma in Musculo-skeletal Medicine. Working towards a Diploma in Acupuncture at the moment. Aims: Open a Sports Medicine Clinic in Coventry and leave the NHS !!

Personal Married Maureen in 1984, daughter Rachel born in 1987, son James born in 1988. Separated in 1996, lived with Sue and son Oliver since then. Taken to the cleaners by Maureen, divorced in 2002 - feeling very poor at the moment. Mid-life crisis in my 40's. Ride a very nice motorbike (Honda Blackbird CBR 1100 XX) - don't worry plenty of life insurance. Joined the Sky Blue Army and have been a Coventry City Football Club Season ticket holder since 1996. - sob, sob !!

Aims: Get back into the premiership. Stay alive on my bike. Feel richer.


Richard W Walker

I have been a consultant geriatrician at North Tyneside General Hospital for 7 years with a special interest in Parkinson's disease and stroke. Just prior to taking up my consultant post I had the opportunity to carry out research in Tanzania with Adult Mortality and Morbidity Project which was a very rewarding experience in more ways than one. Rosie (known locally as Miss Kilimanjaro) was born soon after our return. I continue to maintain a research interest in stroke in sub-Saharan Africa and am the UK link co-ordinator for a British Council sponsored 3 year higher education link between Northumbria Trust and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in northern Tanzania. This includes links related to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, specialist nursing, clinical coding and postgraduate medical education.

My wife Carrie is a health visitor. We have 3 children, Rosie aged 6, Jessica aged 3 and Benjamin aged 8 months and already too big for his Newcastle United babygrow. They have maternal grandparents known as Bibi and Babu (Swahili for old man and old woman but they don't know this). I am still driving around in an elderly soft top car though, as this is not a behavioural change, hopefully it does not constitute a mid life crisis. I still manage to play tennis, run and cycle but have retired from dragon boating and (temporarily I hope) sailing and windsurfing. Suffering the after effects of playing 5-a-side football 2 nights ago for the first time for 2 years I think I might retire from that again as well.

My ambitions for the future - NOT to organise the 30 year reunion.


Geraldine Wiselka (nee McHugh)

I am presently living outside Leicester with my husband Martin who is a Consultant Physician. We will have been married for 13 years on 23rd September and we have four adorable (on a good day) and active children. Mark (10), David (8), Laura (6) and Katie (3). Mark loves football and is a keen Newcastle supporter.

After graduating, as a change from Newcastle I did my house jobs as far away as possible in Timaru, New Zealand. I enjoyed my time there but then returned to do my GP training near home in Lancashire. I became a partner in a GP Practice in Leicester but when the children came along I decided to scale down my working commitments, initially doing a job-share and then giving up the partnership.

I now have a portfolio of jobs. I am presently doing rheumatology and chemical pathology sessions (sounds boring but fills a Monday morning!) at The Leicester Royal Infirmary. I enjoy spending time at home with the children, going to the gym coffee mornings (and afternoons) and family holidays. I go to work for a rest from my hectic family life. Will I ever return to General Practice? Who knows!

I am unable to come to Newcastle for the Reunion but hope that you all have a great time.


Alison Woodmansey (nee Groves)

Like a good football game my life, since qualifying has been a game of 2 halves. For the first 10 years I was an active single: working and playing hard. After a year working in Kenya I settled into full time General Practice in Gateshead and enjoyed the freedom to travel to many parts of the world, including trecking in Nepal.

The subsequent ten years have been very different. Life changed with a chance encounter with Mick on a watersports holiday in Corfu. We married soon after (causing us to miss the last reunion) and I moved South to Essex. Three children followed at 2 year intervals (Stephen 8, Andrew 6 and Sarah 4) with a fourth expected early next year! Between producing children I worked as a locum Medical Director of a hospice and a part time GP. I had an enforced break from work and saw medicine from the other side when Sarah developed Neuroblastoma stage iv. I became very proficient at using Hickman lines and gastrostomy's etc. The staff at Great Ormond Street were very tolerant of my involvement/interference medically - I hope they were joking when they said they swapped their off duties when they knew we were coming in!! The treatment that Sarah received was superb, often at the forefront of research. She is now a cheeky and vivacious girl and having reached the milestone of 2 years off treatment has an excellent prognosis.

We moved to York a year ago and love it. We already feel very much at home, have all made good friends and are very glad to be back in the friendly North. Working part time in a nearby practice gives me time to enjoy our new life.


Cath Worth (nee Procter)

I now live on the edge of the North York Moors and work as a part-time GP in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees with Paddy O'Neil and six others. I also work as a part-time A&E doctor in Northallerton.

I met my husband Bob in Nepal in 1993 doing the Everest Marathon. We now have a daughter, Molly who has just started school. Most of our spare time is spent in the mountains hill-running, the latest exploit being a 100km race in Mongolia this June. Happily Mol is more photogenic than me and I enclose her photo!


Chris Wright and Kath (nee Mannix)

Joint holders (with Nick Smith) of the Class of 82 Cheerful Career Choices Award, we are still married, still trying to explain away our jobs to our children, and one of us is still hoping that NUFC will win something before we retire. Three years ago we made the arduous migration from Gosforth to Ponteland (Ponteland village - we don't meet the blonde wife, 4 wheel drive and jetski criteria for a residential permit in Darras Hall).

Becoming a perinatal pathologist seemed like a good idea to Chris in 1993. After Bristol and Alder Hay it didn't seem quite so brilliant, and certainly Mr Milburn's statement grouping paediatric pathologists with such characters as Pol Pot and Saddam Hussein did dampen his enthusiasm…. It also seems to have brought on his mid-life crisis, so now he's one of those sad old blokes who goes out running. Still, it's not all bad. He's now talking in whole sentences again, and no longer carries pins and an effigy of Mr Milburn. Also, Kath thinks the running has restored his youthful vigour and pert buttocks.

Kath was a job-share consultant in Palliative Medicine, after hatching a cunning plan with a friend on her SR rotation to capture a full-time post between them. This was a lot of fun, but eventually somebody added up all the sessions they were working and pointed out (as their husbands had been whining for 3 years) that they couldn't continue pretending they only shared 1 job. So now she has sessions at a hospice, sessions at the RVI, and pretends that she works part time. She quite fancies having her own mid-life crisis, but can't get it into her diary yet. In the meanwhile she'll keep taking the patches.

We have two children, Tom (12) and Josie (8 going on 18). They are agog at the prospect of hearing information about their parents' youth at the reunion barbeque. But whatever you tell them, remember the Reunion database - we know where you live!!

Life is good.


Sheila Young

I am still a GP in York but after 6 years of not so gentle persuasion my partners relented and allowed me to work part-time. To prove my brain still works I have recently completed the Diploma in Practical Dermatology and learnt how to use a computer in the process! When not at work I can be found in the gym, or on the streets (!), training for the Great North Run, which I have been persuaded to enter (after a few glasses of wine and against my better .judgement) by Cath Snape. Regular training sessions with Cath are followed by copious amounts of alcohol and 'low fat' Delia Smith meals. I'm too busy to knit or sew these days but can now afford to buy clothes I only wear once!