Alumni: Who graduated between 1960 and 1969

1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969

How does it Work?

We collect What Happened To's from about May to about February each year and publish synposes of these in the annual forever: keele magazine.
When forever: keele is ready to be published (usually about April), we replace the WHTs on the website with those received since February of that year and start all over again, adding them as they come in.... The current series of WHTs was begun in March 2013.

You can read past What Happened To's in our online versions of the forever: keele magazine 

1960

John Dixon: Pat (1962) and I continue to enjoy retirement. We go on the occasional cruise – the last one was to the Cape Verde Islands.

John Knight: I claim to be Keele’s first Chartered Accountant as I qualified in 1963. I obtained an MBA at Cass Business School in 1983. Outside work I am an active member of the Croquet Association.

1961

Brian Betts: My wife Anna Thomas Betts gained her PhD from Keele in 1966, in Physics, and we got married in college chapel shortly afterwards.

Stephen & Gillian Biggins: Married 1961 on graduating and both worked in the Computer Industry. Lived in Congleton for 45 years. Family of 3 girls all graduates and married with youngest a US citizen. Now enjoying comfortable retirement and reasonably good health. Steve on interview panels for Keele Medical School entrants and active member of Rotary and local U3A.

Anthony Black: Captain, Keele Soccer Club 1960-61. Drummer in “Keele Hi-Five” and “Jazz Chameleons” (M/C) “Band-Age!” (rock group). Now married 51 years and counting to Mary. Two children, two grandchildren.

Christopher Nuttall: The Keele experience influenced all my life. After Keele went to Uni of California, Biology, then a great career in Criminology finishing at Director of Research and Stats in the Home Office. Worked for Canadian Govt for 20 years. Post retirement from H. O. did 3 years as crime advisor to A. G. of Barbados. Wonderful!

Aleksandra Podhorodecka (Giertych): I am retired, still busy, still promoting Polish supplementary Saturday schools. I regularly visit daughter in Warsaw and Son in Poznan in Poland. Awarded MBE in New Year’s Honours list for services to education!

 

1962

Karin Didcott (Griffith): Married fellow student Peter Johnnie Didcott in 1963. Taught in harden for 4 years and then moved with our two children (Cathy and Tallis) to Edinburgh, where 1 subsequently trained as a Social worker. We separated in 1976 and in 1981 the children and I emigrated to join family in Australia. Here we all did well and love this country. I return at 2-3 year intervals maintaining links with family and friends but never made it back to Keele – too many changes!

Robin Soldan: After Keele graduated from 2 London colleges of music and worked for 2 education authorities. Since then orchestrated plays, chamber musician and specialist tutor teacher (Wells Cathedral School, Southampton University, Birmingham Conservative, Colchester Institute etc).

Margaret Stevens (Edwards): I really enjoyed Allie Ford’s Keelite of the Month. Thank you! She expressed beautifully what we all feel about the changelessness of Keele and our loyalty to it, not to mention how it grabbed us in the first place. I also like what she is now doing to help others with the necessary study skills. Meanwhile I’ve set my German to one side and am learning Spanish.

Jack Telling: Married Pamela Armstrong (1963) in 1964. Have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. Retired in 1997 after teaching in Essex for 34 years (17 years as Headmaster). Moved to Gloucestershire on retiring. Narrow boat owner and interested in canal restoration. Recently retired as Treasurer of the Cotswold canals trust after 12 years voluntary service.

Joe Batt: I retired in 2004 from being Vicar of the village of Ottershaw in north Surrey to live near my daughter and her family in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Now I help at my local church of St. Peter, Shipley and through a voluntary body that supports asylum seekers. I enjoy the multi ethnic city, walking in the Dales and watching local football and cricket.

David Winter: After 40 years in teaching including 16 years as Deputy Principal of The Trinity School in Leamington Spa, I retired in 2000. I then trained to become a magistrate in Oxfordshire including work in Youth Courts. I married Gillian in 1964; we have 4 children and 8 grandchildren.

1963

Bob Crockford: Apart from celebrating 50+ years at Keele, I have celebrated 50 years with the French family I stayed with 50 years ago for my study year. I have known 5 generations of the family since then. I have also made geriatric gap year trips to visit Keele friends in Australia and Canada.

Susan Fraser (Patten): Sixteen  years ago we retired to beautiful, peaceful, Herefordshire; I’ve been a member of two rambling groups exploring the county over that time, and we are involved in a variety of voluntary and community activities as well as assisting with grandchildren (5, 7, 9) as necessary. I also love trips abroad (Italian lakes this last year) and visiting Art exhibitions and historic sites.

Wynne Gifford: Sadly, Tony died on 15 March 2013 after a brave battle against myeloma for 9 years. I am continuing with some of his bridge activities, as well as playing as much as I can between games of tennis and squash!

Martin Madders: Retired to France, remarried and not yet dead. I took early retirment from Leeds Metro University after 16 years as lecturer in ecology. I then bought an abandoned farmhouse in tranquil French Limousin countryside and I rented this out as a family gite. Any spare time was spent going berserk with a chainsaw but following a carefully controlled system of coppicing. For some years I ran the village bar supplying beer from a clandestine brewery under the Mayor's Office, surviving an impromptu visit by les Douanes. I was elected unopposed as village councillor and was involved with subjects like the poaching of wild boar and deer and the Great Village Agricultural Show. Meetings are mostly in French but stray into Occitan when historic boundary dispoutes arise. I was promoted swiftly to village firework master and Guy Fawkes Night has eben added to the village calendar. Local support for Agincourt, Trafalgar and Waterloo anniversaries has been tepid. I have helped organise sprints and special-stage events for the UK Lotus 7 Club, a notorious bunch of loonies who enjoy our less-regulated open roads... I do a little translation work, sing bass badly in two local choirs and met my wife Mireille who is still valiantly trying to teach me the rudiments of civilised life in French soicety. So you see, it's pretty obvious how a Keele Foundation Year and Bio-Geo degree can prepare you for life in one of the more expensive corners of the Eurozone.

Barbara Newby (Jackson): Although now officially retired, I still do some indexing and editing occasionally. I changed career mid-stream to become freelance. I had been a secondary school teacher for 15 years plus and a GCE examiner for two boards (English and French) for almost 20 years before I hung up my red pen and took up the blue and red pens instead.

Jim Whitaker: After a career as a teacher and manager in further education I retired in 1997. I spend as much time as I can in wild places, but have given up climbing after trapping a nerve in an arm. My son and daughter are both in the medical profession and my wife is still teaching.

1964

Chris Chuter: So what did my Keele University degree and experience prepare me for? I was on a Shell scholarship while at Keele, but when it came to the crunch and I was about to graduate, Shell decided they couldn’t (wouldn’t?) fit me in. So happily – and with some relief -  I joined The Wellcome Foundation and remained with them for the rest of my working life – and my pensionable life thereafter. And what a good decision that was! I served in senior roles around the world with Welcome and international subsidiaries in Singapore, Philippines, Turkey and beyond. I married Valerie Pollard, who graduated from Keele in 1966 but regrettably she died in 2004. In 1995 the Wellcome Group of companies was taken over by Glaxo and the majority of Wellcome employees were dispensed with, and I was retired early. Retired to the Turkish Republic of North Cyrus in Girne a.k.a. Kyrenia, where I have been ever since. I married Karen England in 2001. My son David is with Futuris Automotive Thailand, Michael is Managing Partner at Cubed Communications Melbourne Australia and Graham is an Orthopaedic Consultant Surgeon in the UK.

Gill Cox: To be nearer to own sons and grandchildren, Tim (1963) and I have now finally reached Surrey! I continue voluntary work with young offenders and strong lucks with two refugees, now part of own family, through the organisation ‘Freedom from Torture.’ Very much enjoy U3A classes, especially literary ones.

Christine Francis: I have had the joy of becoming a Christian recently, and hope to make a small pilgrimage. I taught myself to play recorders, and now play at about Grade 5 level (Trinity College of Music). I am glad to have been at Keele in my formative years and I’d like to do it all over again now I’m 71.

Jehanne Mehta (Sylvia Mathews): I married fellow Keele student Rob Mehta, after completing a PGCE at Goldsmiths in Primary Education. I taught for 2 years until family (3) came along. Since have been singer-songwriter (recorded) and poet (published) still perform with Rob and our threesome group ‘Earthwards.’ We live in the lively, cultural hub of Stroud, and offer short-term accommodation for people looking to move here, or attending the numerous courses and cultural events.

Sylvia Woods: I went from Keele to UCL and gained a postgrad diploma in Palaeography and Archive Administration (I had to study Medieval Latin and Anglo-Norman French)! I worked at Worcester and Bedford Record offices and (for a year) at the Jamaica Archives.

1965

Tessa Harding: Now retired and living in Suffolk with regular visits to America.

Jennifer Harrower (Johnson): My “Selected Poems: Revised and New,” will be published by Brimstone Press later in 2013. On 2nd November this year- my 68th birthday- I shall be teaching my own circle dances in Cardigan, West Wales. Contact me about either of these ventures via, www.jennyjohnsondancerpoet.co.uk

Christine Johansson: Still living in Spain where I moved to in 2002. Belong to the U2A and one of its book circles. Belong to a writers’ circle. Otherwise live a very relaxed life on the Costa Blanca in Pilar, a small town south of Torrvieja. Climate generally better than other areas of Spain.

Neil Kenyon: Trying to write a book on a subject I am not an expert in. It’s all the fault of the ‘foundation year.’

Eddie Lawler: Taught German (thank you Keele) at various universities and went on beyond 70 at Open University. Continue working (and earning v.little) as writer, song writer, performer and actor.

Rob Mehta: After Keele PGCE at Goldsmiths college London uni. Married Keele student Sylvia Mathews. 3 children. Taught 13 years state primary schools in “progressive” Oxfordshire. 11 years private Steiner School Gloucestershire. 21 years violin teaching. Concerned about government attacks on out health and freedom e.g. fluoridation: chemtrails: GM food etc.

John and Diane Simmonds (Steele): We are travelling, walking and busy with friends across the country. Diane is governor of a small village primary school nearby and John golfs and paints.

Rosalind Vernon (Cameron): Now retired – for 10 yrs now. Meet up with 4 Keele friends for reunions and significant birthdays and Keele anniversaries! My daughter also went to Keele – loved it too.

Viviane Wyatt: My husband and I were both accepted as mature students in the 1960s. I was the first to graduate in early 60s – a woman with seven children – 3 of my own and 4 adopted. My husband followed after me. He did Economics/Sociology. I ‘did’ French, English & Education. It was courageous of Prof. North and Prof. Lawler to accept me. I even got to meet Princess Margaret – she asked me how I managed!! I taught French and English in England, France, and Japan (for 5 years) and even taught in New Zealand for 6 months! My husband John died eleven years ago – he taught in colleges of F.E. (Sociology & Economics). We had 9 years of University at Keele.

1966

Clarissa Dorner: I retired from a career in social services ten years ago. I am now an enthusiastic potter – which I started as an evening class In the potteries as a Keele student: yet another aspect of my life with roots in the Keele experience.

Nick Tindall: Retired in 2008 after 42 years with IBM. But still working there more or less full-time, as a retiree. Married 38 years (2013); kids, one of each kind, in California.

Helen Walker (Lewis): After graduation I worked in operational research for British Steel. I then spent 6 years in Canada (Montreal) followed by years in England bringing up a family of four girls. Later I managed a charity shop and then ran a day centre before retiring. I have lived in my family home in Essex for 18 years.

Sue Ward (Wright): Taught English in UK (on & off), Bahamas ’69-’78, married twice, 2nd for 35yrs, one daughter, one son 32. Lived in New Zealand ’87-’88, St Helena, ’90-’92. VSO in Pakistan ’04-’06. Now live in Southsea, still married, still singing, still involved in church and charity.

1967

Stephen Carter: Gave up Russian studies after early retirement (2003) and did an MA in Linguistics at Manchester Uni (2004) part-time, was widowed in 2005 and taught EAP since.

Susan David (Herd): After a very rewarding career in NHS management, training and development, I trained and worked as a psychodynamic counsellor and supervisor. A benign brain tumour in 2012 has caused me to rethink my life activities. I have maintained a warm fellowship of good friends at Keele.

Roger Fellows: I retired for the second time in 2011 from the Essex registration service having constructed some 1,000 wedding ceremonies and welcomed several thousand new citizens at Citizenship ceremonies. My partner and I are now dividing our time between our new home, our apartment in Gran Canaria and travel at home and abroad.

Andrew Fletcher: OBE for Philanthropy/Charitable services in the Bath area (2012).

Elizabeth Morgan: I retired in 2003 from my post as Head of Modern Languages at Durham High School for girls. Since then I have served as a parish councillor and more recently I have become a guide in Durham Cathedral – keeping my languages going!

Jenny Robertson: Taught sciences in Shetland and at Tauro High School. Lived in Western Isles after marriage, involved in Gial Guiding – became Western Isles County Commissioner and a Scottish trainer. Now re-married and work (voluntarily) at youth church work, Baptist church.

1968

David Allen: PhD 1965-8 in the Shelton Lab, with Professor Ian Millar. After a post-doc at Cambridge, appointed to leadership at the Sheffield Polytechnic, later to become Reader to the Professor at Sheffield Hallam University. Awarded Keele DSc (1981). Retired 2002, still active as Emeritus Prof at Sheffield Hallam.

Maurice Hindle: At the time of writing I still live in north London, but hope to move to Brighton within the next 2 or 3 years, As well as my work on Shakespearean London theatres (see www.shalt.org.uk) I continue to write and publish: currently 2nd edition of studying Shakespeare on film.

Judy Hollingsworth (Fletcher): Daughter is now studying for PGCE at Keele. I have one granddaughter aged 4.

Terry Martin: I am still alive!

Dianne Moyes (Fazakerley): Retired from geography teaching. I still love cycling and am involved with a local club and the charity Sustrans. John Moyes (1969) and I spend a lot of time near our twin town in central France.

Sue Parkin (Eldridge): I got my PhD from Lancaster University on the same day that I got my Bus Pass and I went on to co-write and co-edit a book about applied linguistics. I still work part-time for Lancaster and for a local Sixth Form College and have been studying with the Open University. The threat of shale gas extraction in the Blackpool area and the two related earthquakes that took place made me join the anti-fracking movement and we are still fighting. As a Parish Councillor I’m also involved in the regeneration of both out village library and park. I have opened a small home for street boys in Kenya and am always looking for funding and advice about that. I would appreciate any help from Keele alumni. I try to visit one a year to check all is well. Best of all, though, is the safe arrival of my first grandson in October 2011.

Jim Thompson: Like many a Keelie I went into public service, in my case as a psychologist research assistant in the NHS/Guy’s Medical School. I am well and life has been good. I am now a working pensioner, still doing some medico-legal work for the NHS, and blogging in my spare time (15,200 readers since October).

Josie Wheeler: I retired from teaching Maths at an FE college five years ago. Since then I have acquired three gorgeous grandchildren. I am also the coordinator of Spanish language teaching by volunteers in the Portsmouth Hispanic Society and a committee member thus connecting with my roots as an “ex-pat” child in Gibraltar.

1969

Colin Argent: Pursued a career in pipeline engineering research & development. Founded Macaw Engineering Ltd in 1996, now a world leader in pipeline integrity and plant integrity consultancy.

Christine Bull (Knight): Having spent much of 2007-2009 wilt VSO in Namibia my feet became itchy again by 2010, despite having become a delighted Grandma! I spent 6 months on the remote S. Atlantic island of St. Helena as a DFID volunteer. I’m now looking forward to a short spell with VSO in Tanzania, and then probably more work in Namibia, now despite having another beautiful granddaughter!

Michael Buneman: In August 2010, I retired after 25 years career with the international rating agency, Moody’s Investors Service, during which time I opened and managed the company’s offices in Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid and Milan. In retirement, I dedicated my time to organising cycling tours in Spain – see www.bravobike.com

Malcolm Clarke: I chair the Football Supporters Federation and am the (first ever) Supporter Representative on the FA council. I am a member of the Information Tribunal and have sat on several public bodies. Most of my career was spent in public sector management, local government and the NHS. Even after all these years I still feel a strong affinity with Keele.

Christine Hill (Leeson): I became a Christian at Keele, a joy and experience that remains with me to the present day. Currently, I am, with my husband, a member of the Ministry Leadership Team of St John’s Church in Selkirk, a Scottish Borders charge of the Scottish Episcopal Church. See www.stjohnselkirk.org.uk

John Tattersall: I retired from the NHS in 2008.

Joan Taylor (Burnell): After my husband died two years ago, I worked past-time in the local Post Office-great for meeting people! I have now retired for the 3rd time and enjoy visits to my local sports centre, rambling and singing. I have now sung twice in ‘the Really Big Chorus’ at the Royal Albert Hall. In the autumn will be meeting up with some fellow Horwood friends.

Stephen Wheatcroft: After retirment from Melbourse (where I retain a Professional fellowship) I have taken a job as Professor in Soviet History at the Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, and visiting professor teaching in Famine History at the High School for Economics in Moscow. After almost 30 years in Australia, this feels like a return to Europe.