Charlie is standing on a plinth – I am much taller than him!
The OBE is a bit old-hat now! I got it for services to microbiology in the 2008/09 New Year’s List. This was somewhat strange as I was a medical microbiologist – working primarily as a hospital Consultant at University College London Hospital*, and not as an academic microbiologist.
I also did a stretch at the Department of Health. I retired to The New Forest when I left the D. of H.
The reason for the extended undergraduate period – 3 years BSc and 5 years Medicine, was a result of spectacularly poor A-level results and a third year 6th form to retake two of them (see my entry on Friends Reunited for details!).
I was advised by David Woosley not to consider a University course as I was unsuited for the discipline required! This may explain the difficulty I had getting into Medical School originally! I was able to meet him many years later, by which time I had 3 Bachelor degrees and a higher doctorate – I also taught at UCL for almost 35 years. I like to think he gave me the stimulus to apply myself better!
Geoff Ridgway, OBE, MD, FRCP, FRCPath
* You know that tall, green-glass tower that has recently materialised on the south side of Euston Road, near Euston Station - Geoff considers that project to be his 'swan song’. He was one of the design team... Inside, it is appropriately palacial. - CP