What I'm doing now:
Rosemary
After graduating in Economics from Lancaster and initially doing a year’s VSO in West Cameroon, I have had a career in Market Research in various companies and sectors in the UK as well as working for the British Council teaching English whilst living with my husband overseas in Curacao (Netherlands Antilles) and Oman. Before retiring my last position was for 15 years as Head of Retail Market Research and Insight at BAA (British Airports Authority.) I have three sons and, I am soon to have, 7 grandchildren. I currently select candidates for VSO and reupholster antique chairs!
Dave
With an Environmental Sciences degree I worked in seismic exploration in Libya and Saudi Arabia loving the challenges of the deep desert environment and remote living. Feeling the need for a career change after eight years I completed an MSc in Business Admin and spent most of the rest of my career in finance and management. An early retirement was reasonably brief and I am now Company Secretary and Accountant for my son Alex’s company AKS Tuning Ltd. It has been rewarding to use all the skills developed during my career to help to grow a small start-up company to almost a one million pound annual turnover. I also chair the London Branch of Midland Ancestors and encourage and help as many as I can in my love of family history. Watching Warwickshire cricket is a relaxing hobby as well as walking and travelling – as well as spending time with granddaughters.
Den
Having been one of the first students at Lancaster, I became one of the first graduates to join United Biscuits, starting my career in their Liverpool factory. Having faced reality running their production lines making ‘Bandit’ biscuits, I found my passion working on a team introducing job enrichment practices into the various manufacturing sites. After five years, I was sponsored for a full time Master's degree in Organisational Psychology at Leeds University. A spell as a Personnel Manager of their IT division was followed by a move to London as an HR Director of a newly formed business. I then decided, after 20 years in the food business, to start my own consultancy and I worked happily across many different business and education sectors for another 20 years! Since retiring at 66, I’ve spent time travelling, time with our children and grandchildren, and time caring for my wife who has had a degenerative illness. My wife Pat and I married a year after I left Lancaster and we celebrated our 50th anniversary last year. We have two sons, one a Head Teacher and one with a dream job in TV.
Why I volunteer:
Rosemary
I helped to organise the Grand Reunion held at the Royal Geographic Society in London in 2017 attended by over 80 former students who studied at Lancaster from 1964-67. The reunion was to celebrate 50 years post-graduation of these the first students at university. I was keen to see, after the event, if we could find a way to continue to allow students from 1964-67, now mainly retired, to reconnect with their friends. As a result Dave Kerr, Den Winterburn, John Lucas and I have, over the last three years, organised a number of weekday lunches so far mainly in London, but also one in Manchester. These have proved very popular and not only allowed people to reconnect with friends, but often to also get to know better people they only knew slightly before. In addition, following a suggestion by Asif Fancy, we have established a Lancaster ‘64-67 WhatsApp group which now has almost 50 members. If you would like to join our group please do contact us.
Dave
I have a lot to thank Lancaster for! Apart from the academic side – much of which I remain fascinated with – it gave me many long lasting memories and friendships. I enjoy keeping in contact with as many former colleagues as possible. I learned just as much from being a “pioneer” – taking responsibility and making things happen – which have been useful throughout my life and career, so I am happy to give any support I can give to Lancaster and its graduates.
Den
I was inspired by the 50th anniversary celebration that was held in London in 2017 when I met many friends who had been with me in those first three years at Lancaster. Dave and Rosemary had done a lot of hard work to make that happen, so I connected with them and we decided to keep it going by other means. We now have a large WhatsApp group where memories and photos are being shared, and lunches organised for those who want to meet up. Lancaster was a special time and it’s fulfilling to see the memories being sparked and connections made.
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