Alumni: Who graduated between 1980 and 1989

1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989

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 

1980

Richard Devonshire: I am currently serving in the British Army involved in developing the indigenous logistics for local Forces - a highly challenging but interesting role. The political science foundation I received from Keele University in the late 1970s from the likes of Martin Dent and Richard Kimber is something that I still draw on. It has done much to aid me in shaping my understanding of the challenges I face  here and I will always be indebted to Keele University for helping me to develop the skills to understand the social and cultural  issues that form a key part of the problems that are faced here. 

Ronald Fleming: Married Liz Sutton (also 1980 graduate) and had 2 children – Jess and Matt. Liz died of malignant melanoma in 1999. Ronnie has fortunately met Sue and married in 2005, and in October 2012 they moved to Bangor, Ronnie’s old home town.

Mike Jackson: Working with ex-offenders and others faces challenges in gaining employment. Horticulturist (gained Kew Diploma prior to Keele) steward and LGBT activist. Remain close friends to this day with Maggie Whiteley who was my general tutor.

Gillian Philpotts (Hopgood): A Keele degree, a PGCE (so that I could still be at Keele when friends reading languages graduated) and then 32 years  teaching: from state  comprehension (27 Years) to small, rural boarding school. Son, Harry, spending time after graduation at Waitrose and daughter, Cordella, studying AS Levels. Married to John, Barrister/Recorder on Welsh circuit.

William Sterling: Since taking early retirement at 50 from the Civil Service I completed my PhD and now lecture part-time at the city library and on cruise ships. I also conduct guided tpurs of the British Museum. My wife (Joanna graduated 1980) also retired early at 46 and is now a writer – her latest venture “Tube-Flash” is run in cooperation with T&L.

Vicki Taylor: I taught Biology, Maths and Science, and then joined the NHS as a public health adviser which I did in various guises for a number of years. Moved to Milton Keynes from London in 2002. Have a ten year old daughter, had a number of books published and was course director for Masters in Public Health at London South Bank University. Now I have my own business – The Roundhouse Consultancy MK Ltd.

Philip Wain: I graduated in 1980 and am back working for Lloyds Register having wound up my consultancy business last year. I have found several old Keelites on Facebook but love to hear from others out there.

Annette White: I passed through Keele 3 times: BA (1980), MA (1985) and PGCE (1993). I’ve taught Latin and Classical Civilisation for 10 years and now work as a peripatetic private tutor. Still married with a grown up daughter, still living locally.

1981

Eileen Bolton: After 2 years in Zimbabwe, still teaching in North London since 1984.

Winifred Kind: I travelled to Australia to visit my sister in Sydney; spent several weeks with my 12 year old son visiting different places of interest. After this I went to stay with Alan Brown and his family in LA; he was an engineer who designed the stealth bomber. He took me and my young son to the top of a big hill which gave you a fantastic view of the whole city below, when he asked my son what he thought of this fantastic midnight view, my son said ‘it was alright I suppose’! My stay at Keele made a big change in my life. For the first time I was being told that I was working satisfactory and that I would get a decent degree at the end of my time there. I will be 80 in December and over the past few years I have had the energy and nerve to live in Germany; Spain and Saudi Arabia; where I was very fussed over by my then husband’s students. One of them was 30 and had two wives already; but his little group always turned up at our flat and one occasion he actually asked me to marry him. Of course I said no; because he already has two; but he said his father was very rich and would build me a house and its contents like his other two much younger wives.

Helen Lightfoot (Farres): I taught maths in local schools for 15 years starting in 1987, during this time I trained as a McTimoney chiropractor obtaining my PG Diploma in 2000. I have been in full-time private practice since then with my husband Tony, who took a similar route to becoming a chartered physiotherapist. My practice is 50% human patients and 50% canine, equine and feline patients.

Kevin Pattison: Grandfather-hood is imminent. Now self-employed, management consulting and interim project management in retail banks, also investing in property and company stocks. Newly single and still in touch with at least 20 ‘old’ friends from Keele days – Parkinson, Mclean, Barnes, Campion, Heselden, Dupont, Evans,… Swim and cycle when not at work.

Steve Razzetti: Himalayan seasons now sporadic on account of three young kids – Jonty is 16 months old. Enjoying being daddy daycare!

Michael Summers: Time for a change of scenery! Best Wishes to all of you who were with me in 1981. I'm told we are due for an 80's revival...!

1982

Nicole Belchere (Laming): I work from home as a writer and I am an intercessor for England and to President Bill Clinton.

Liz Hignett (Moorhouse): Alongside brining up our 3 children, organising relocations and participating in church activities, I have done “ad hoc” paid work (mainly exam invigilation). Currently I write for proofread the church magazine and along with my husband, Jim am studying theology by correspondence course.

1983

Stephen Herbert: I became a professional clown and children’s entertainer. Life’s been good to me so far…

Helen Hope: Seventeen years after my husband Adnan Hope Class of 83) died, I remarried on 1st September 2013. We had a wonderful day with my son being witness and usher. I have started a new business so am very busy.

Ben Sinclair: Stained glass artist/artisan. New glass and restoring historic building. Timber (traditional) building. Writing for English heritage. Fighting – white collar (unlicensed) boxing, amateur based, Bee keeping – (natural), shooting and cricket. Dogs, gypsy, folk and non-mainstream acoustic music.

Pui Yong: I retired 3 years ago after a career in human resource management consulting with Coopers and Lybrand Malaysia and then starting my own partnership with a colleague. I am now travelling 4 months of out a year to all over the world. Taking a real break!

1984

Mary Chapman (Theodore): Having worked for a variety of employers in a variety of roles, I completed a Masters in occupational Psychology at Surrey University a couple of years ago and now working freelance as a career psychologist and coach. Somehow I’m still married (!) and have three lovely daughters.

Stephen Field: Financial operations director for westlands motor group, multi franchise motor retailers with sites across the west midlands Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. Happily remarried and living in Hartlebury, a village between Worcester and Kidderminster.

Fiona Gillam (McMinn): Went to Chester Law College and after qualifying as a solicitor in 1988, specialised in property work until 2007 when she discovered the joys of being self-employed. She now runs her own risk consultancy, is married to Lawrence and has three red headed teenage children.

Bridget Hutchings (Atkinson): I worked at Josiah Wedgwood & Sons before coming back to Keele in 1988 to do a PGCE and taught in Staffordshire (Leek, Newcastle and Abbots Bromley). I moved to Exeter in 2000, but am now working mid-week in Birmingham. I have 2 children, 21 and 17 respectively.

Joanne Lee: Dan Gardner – Dan and I met at Keele in 1981 – we have been together ever since. We are also getting married this year. Dan is an actuary. I studied English and Philosophy and Dan Maths and Economics. Keele has played a big part in our lives.

Elizabeth Romaine (Dodds): Live in Fareham, Harts. Have an undergraduate son and daughter doing GCSE’s. Run several children’s art clubs.

Anthony Shock: PhD and post-doctoral work in Immunology and now more than 20 years developing drugs for immune-based chronic diseases. Married a fellow ‘Keelie’, Dee Weerasekeraas – 25 years of bliss and two fine young men as sons – one of whom just graduated from Keele!

1985

Malcolm Ashton: Married to Helen ne Thorogood, two sons, one graduated the other well on the way – happy and enjoying the trip.

Jessica Bone (Gardner): I have had 15 years of teaching in Adult Ed and still love it. Now employed to deliver courses in libraries, daytime, across Hampshire. I also observe tutors as part of the common inspection framework. Still acting in amateur theatre! Two wonderful children.

Jon Powner: At the age of 50 and after many years of trying I finally have a little boy!

Susan Ralph: I work for natural resources Wales as a water resources business planner. I am married to Nick and we have two children, Georgia and Sam.

Amanda Seddon: After graduating in 1985, I worked as a civil servant for 9 years, marrying Peter in 1993. I have 2 sons: 19 and 16. The eldest is at Lancaster University studying history.

1986

Jane Grenfell (Bush): Married with 2 children and finally finished my first novel “Loyalty”. Waiting for an agent to pick it up, but will put in on Amazon if all else fails! Still living in Somerset and dreaming of living in Sicily.

Simon Miller: It is now 30 years since I started at Keele, where I had a great time, met my wife (Kate Jenkins 1988) and made many friends, who I still see a lot.

Richard Russell: I have recently been appointed Director Policy and Research at the Arts Council England, and am living with my partner in Brighton.

Jonathan Wong: Jonathan and Judy (Leung) (1987) returned to the UK from Hong Kong in Aug 2013. We are now settled in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. Love to hear from our friends.

1987

Alan Longley: After 20 years as an accountant, I decided on a career change! I now teach adults ICT and Maths in prison. 

Duncan Maggs: I left Royal Mail after 22 years in July 2011 to complete an MA in British Second World War studies at the University of Birmingham. I was awarded my degree in December 2012 and began work as a Data Analyst in January.

1988

Sarah Forteath (Bartlett): Moved to Edinburgh 1991. Travelled extensively in between employment from 1992-2002. Now doing business development for an award winning public library service!  

Philip Gillingham: I have been given a major Discovery Early Career Researcher Award by the Australian Research Council. I am a qualified social worker and practiced for 16 years in the fields of children and families, mental health and disability, in England and Australia. Since 2004, I have been an academic and my research has focussed on the impacts of initiatives, strategies and tools that have been implemented in human services organisations to assist practitioners. I bring to this project a passion for excellence in both social work practice and research.        

Philip Lucas: Is still an inveterate role-player and Dr. Who fan. Currently working on his first novel.

Jennifer Robinson: Living in Banbury with my 13 year old daughter and partner working as project coordinator for volunteer connect project run by the CAB.

Neil Rose: I have recently been diagnsoed with a tumour in the upper part of my right lung and i would like to try and cotnact some old and lost friends.

1989

Paul Browning: Presently the head teacher of a challenging inner city primary school, I’m married and have two teenage sons. Apart from doing the Dad’s taxi service bit, I’m a keen swimmer and cyclist. I’ve not returned to Keele since graduating in 1989, but like to keep abreast of what’s happening there still.

Adam Konowe: (Study Abroad): My article has been published in PRNews' Media Training Guidebook entitled "Media Training as a PR Catalyst: It's about Bucks, Not Just Buzz."

Richard O’Hagan: Still married to Cord, with a son born in 2007. Somehow combining a career in Law with one in Sports Journalism. My first children’s book, “Eddie” was published in 2012 – see www.eddiethesheep.com

Andy McDermott: After a 14 year career in magazine design and journalism, Andy took a gamble and quit hus job in the hope of making a living as a novelist. To his relief it paid off! Andy is now New York Times best selling author of nine thrillers, with more books in the works.

Juliet Smith: I set up my own publishing consultancy ten years ago and am still going strong. I also write children’s books having had my first book published by Moqzilla: Book is ‘The Krow Twins.