Old Princethorpians

Courtney Gilbert (Class of 2008) established her own business ‘Cosy Chic Pet Boutique’ last year and has recently received a business boost from retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis!

Courtney explains, “After leaving Princethorpe in Year 11, I went on to college to study Theatre Costume and Fashion Design.  I excelled at college and gained a Triple Distinction Star grade, the equivalent to 3 A*s at A-Level. I initially began studying Fashion Design at Coventry University but after a term, decided I wanted to move to London. So, after finishing my first year at Coventry, I relocated to London and secured a place at a top University for fashion, Ravensbourne.”  

“It was during my University summer holidays that I first had the idea for the distinctive style of bed that makes Cosy Chic Pet Boutique unique. Having owned family pets for as long as I can remember, my Mum and I were chatting about the perils of cat fluff and unsightly dog beds, which, to add insult to injury, looked even more terrible once washed!  After getting my own kitten in London and finding out what I already knew, I decided that there was a gap in the market and having always aspired to have my own business, this was going to be it!”

Courtney spent the last year concentrating on raising the profile of Cosy Chic Pet Boutique, selling though her website and social media, and at some well-known events, including charity events in London, such as PupAid (started by TV vet and animal welfare campaigner, Marc the Vet).  In September 2016, Courtney decided it was time to move out of the busy city and back up to the Midlands where she has a large studio at her family home.  

In late 2016, Courtney tweeted Theo Paphitis about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’ and was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet by Theo to his 500,000 Twitter followers. The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010, now has 1700 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK.

Having won the Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday Award last year, Courtney recently attended a whole day event of workshops and talks, including a question time with Deborah Meaden and John Mills at the ICC in Birmingham.

Courtney continues, “Being handpicked by Theo as a winner after only being in business for 9 months gave me an incredible sense of achievement and recognition for all my hard work and ideas. The Small Business Sunday Awards and event at the ICC in Birmingham was a really amazing experience. I feel very fortunate to have been part of it.” 

Cosy Chic Pet Boutique is heading into its second year and expanding rapidly. Having just been approved for a stand at Crufts: The World’s Largest Dog Show in March this year (Stand No 5-40) and a new website on the horizon, there are some exciting times ahead for Courtney and Cosy Chic Pet Boutique. 

Check out www.cosychicpetboutique.com to find out more. 

We are very pleased to share news that OP Emilio Doorgasingh (class of 1993) is currently performing in Kite Runner at the Wyndham Theatre, London. Billed as the “best ‘page-to-stage’ since War Horse” (The Stage), the show has welcomed many sell-out performances since its opening night in January this year. 

Since leaving Princethorpe, Emilio moved to London to study Drama and English at Goldsmiths University. After graduating, he has spent much of his time in the West End Producing and Acting and first became involved with the Kite Runner in 2013, initially launching at the Nottingham Playhouse. Emilio went on to tour with Kite Runner in 2014 before it took up residence in the West End late in 2016.

Emilio has kindly said that if anyone would like to see Kite Runner, he is able to get cast rate (£30 for the best available seats) so please contact him at edoorgasingh@btinternet.com for more information. 

Image: Emilio Doorgasingh (L) and Ben Turner (R) in The Kite Runner. Photo: Robert Workman.

Emma joined Princethorpe back in 2011, proving in the first few months that her mind was focused firmly on Hockey - and some cricket in the summer term. Taxiing backwards and forwards from club hockey matches and Princethorpe matches Emma amazingly still found time to coach the younger generation. Since leaving Princethorpe in 2014, she has continued her passion and developed it into a career which has taken her up north. 

Emma continues… 

After leaving Princethorpe I attended Rugby College for two years and obtained a Level 3 BTEC in Sport Development, Coaching & Fitness.  I have been coaching hockey since the age of 13 and was fortunate enough to obtain a Sports Coach position at Stonyhurst College, St Marys Hall in Clitheroe, Lancashire in October 2016.  I am now taking my hockey and cricket coaching qualifications and enjoying my new life in Lancashire.

We wish Emma continued success.

The Estates team welcomes George Wright as a Groundsman. George studied a National Diploma in Countryside Management and was even voted as class representative on his course. As an Old Princethorpian, he is very keen to help make Princethorpe a beautiful and wildlife rich area for us all to enjoy. He is enjoying seeing new and old faces and looking after the place that looked after him growing up!

In his spare time, he likes to travel, having spent some time in New Zealand, knitting, rock and roll music and reading.

This February brings some exciting developments for OP and Princethorpe Foundation staff member Jodie Fisher. Jodie, who left Princethorpe as a pupil in 2013, returned to the Foundation to teach Brass and coach sport at Princethorpe and Crackley Hall. More recently, she has set up a business with her mum, Di. Their company MULTIMANIA specialises in Music and Sport camps, which run three times a year at the Foundation’s other Junior School, the Crescent.

Jodie shared news that she has recently stepped on to the housing ladder and purchased her first home with boyfriend Richard whom she met in 2014 through his musical dad. Comments, Jodie, “We’ll be moving to Cawston and living on the new estate, Cawston Chase. We received our keys at the start of February and if all goes to plan, we hope to move in later this month – it’s all very exciting!” 

Old Princethorpian Carmen Simpson (Class of 2013) is on the brink of finishing her Physiotherapy degree at York St John University. Following three intense years of study, which saw her undertake six different placements, she is soon to complete her dissertation. If that wasn’t enough, she has also just landed her first job as a physiotherapist at Coventry University Trust!   

Since finishing her A-levels at Princethorpe, Camren decided to take a year out and spent some time in Spain playing hockey and building up some funds for University by working for her Dad. In September 2014, she made the big move to York to begin her studies. By studying so many different aspects of Physiotherapy throughout her degree, Carmen has decided that she is most interested in Orthopaedic Physiotherapy. She explains, “It’s fascinating, you see so many different things. It can be such a challenge to get people up and get people home who have broken many bones. Trying to get them A) walking and B) home, it’s a really interesting process.”  

Carmen’s dissertation focusses on Dementia Care. She hopes in the future to work more with the elderly and dementia patients because of how rewarding it can be and how much she has learnt about the topic whilst writing her dissertation.  

Like any other student coming to the end of their degree, Carmen recently started her job hunt. She secured her first interview at Coventry University Hospital Trust and testament to her hard work and determination, came away from it with a job, which starts in July!  When asked how she felt about officially becoming a Physiotherapist in the not so distant future, Carmen remarked, “…it’s all happened quite quickly, it’s very scary!”.

Using her local knowledge to her advantage, Carmen will live at home and commute into work via bus (avoiding the Coventry rush hour traffic!). Working with four other newly qualified Physios, she will start her career helping to re-habilitate people with major injuries to the musculoskeletal system back to full health. 

Good luck Carmen!

Whether it is by sea, land or air, nothing stands in the way of a Royal Marine Commando. But what makes them the world’s best elite fighting force? It’s right under their famous green beret: it’s a state of mind.  

News has reached the OPs that Harry McKenna (class of 2015) successfully passed out from training at CTCRM Lympstone on 3 February 2017. After 70 gruelling weeks of training (rather than 32 due to an injury), Harry now finds himself being posted to 43 Commando, Fleet Protection at Faslane, Scotland.

Harry, who joined Princethorpe Sixth Form in September 2014, comments, “I always wanted a career in the military and had set my sights on being a Royal Marines Commando, initially as an officer. However, I gradually came to the decision that I would prefer not to enter the Marines on the Young Officers programme but with time and maturity could go for a commission later.”

On that basis, and with the support of Mr Hester, Harry started his application and left Princethorpe in the Summer of 2015, joining CTCRM Lympstone in October 2015. He continues, “During my time at Princethorpe I met some amazing people, staff and pupils, many of whom I am still friends with now.”

A team of three young Old Princethorpians, and one brother, have joined forces to create their own unique clothing business. OPs Peter Hitchman (class of 2016), Alex Hopkins (class of 2012), Elliot Bates (class of 2013) and Elliot’s brother Chris, have been working hard alongside their day jobs to create their new business venture - Magari Clothing Co.

Only three-months ago they came up with the idea and have been working non-stop ever since to reach today’s exciting milestone. Magari Clothing Co. business venture will see them selling a range of apparel with a different design every month depending on seasons and trends.

Becoming businesses magnates has always been attractive to the team ever since they found themselves in Princethorpe’s Business and Economics lessons. Understanding the basic qualities that make a successful entrepreneur and how to meet the needs of their consumers, it sparked a desire to make dreams a reality. So putting their studies into practice, their first port of call was to undertake some initial marketing steps. Reaching out to friends and family to create a vital word of mouth teaser campaign, Magari Clothing Co. (Italian for I Desire) began flooding Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds with their branding.

The team explain…

“Magari Clothing Co. is a limited edition clothing company that supplies high quality garments to the refined young person. Once one design is gone, they never come back. Magari was set up by four best friends who have a passion for business and good clothes! We have been working so hard and are ecstatic that we can finally share with everyone what we have been working on. Launching this Friday at 7.00pm. Our vision for Magari is for it to become a brand known for its high quality products and limited edition ranges. We want people to be fighting to get their hands on our clothes!”

Don’t forget to visit magariclothing.co.uk to be one of the first to purchase high quality Magari garments. Help spread the word - share your purchases on social media with #MyMagari.

Good luck boys!

At Princethorpe from 2008-2012, I was actively involved with many sports and I particularly enjoyed and excelled at Rugby and Sprinting (100M). During my time at Princethorpe, not only did I play Rugby for the College and my hometown team in Hinckley, I was fortunate to be selected to be part of the EPDG at Leicester Tigers and the Worcester Warriors Academy. In addition, I also represented Leicester and Warwickshire County – it was a busy time!   

I decided to leave Princethorpe after GCSEs to attend Loughborough College to continue my education in Sports and Exercise Science. Due to my love for training, I focussed on bodybuilding and at the age of 18, I became the Junior British Champion!

I am now in my second year at St Mary’s University, Twickenham studying for a BSc in Strength and Conditioning Science. At University, I continued to play Rugby and started sprint training again to develop my sprinting technique. This led me to attend a trial for the GB Bobsleigh Talent squad in July 2016. Impressing the selectors, the trial was successful and my first training camp was in Germany, October 2016. After mid-season testing in December, I was then selected to compete for Team GB! 

Our first race was in Switzerland for the Europa Cup where we finished 10th overall and we then headed to Germany for the World Junior Championships, finishing 7th. The experience was amazing.

My moto is train hard, work hard and you will achieve so look out for me in the Winter Olympics 2022 – I plan to be there.

Former OP Lillie Bleasdale (class of 2014) and her sister Victoria are setting out on an epic fundraising mission to raise £5,000 this year.  This will be equally split between Cancer Research UK and the Central England Rehabilitation Unit at Leamington Spa Hospital.   

The pair will be arranging many events throughout the year in the local community and their places of work, alongside their family and friends. However, they hope to raise the majority of their target by doing something that (in their words!!) “doesn’t come all that naturally to us Bleasdales”… running! 

With that in mind, they have booked in to run almost 190km worth of races between them at present (with more to come):

1st April 2017 - London Supernova 5km (Lillie only)

30th April 2017 - Great Birmingham 10km

29th May 2017 – Vitality London 10,000

11th June 2017 - 2 Castles Run 10km (subject to ballot entry)

2nd July 2017 - Great Newham London 10km

24th September 2017 - Windsor Half Marathon

8th October 2017 – Bournemouth Half Marathon

11th November 2017 - Stratford Autumn Shakespeare 10k 

Comments Lillie, “The two charities are very close to our hearts. We have grown up with our Mum working in, and now running, the Central England Rehabilitation Unit. It’s a fantastic facility that helps care for people suffering from an acquired brain injury, stroke or a brain tumour. My sister Victoria worked at the unit as a Health Care Assistant for several years during her time at University and I volunteered at the unit throughout my time at school. It makes such a difference to the local community.”

She continues, “We’re also raising money for Cancer Research UK as late last year, our amazing Grandpa sadly passed away from cancer. We hope that the money we raise for them will ensure that one day, everyone diagnosed with cancer can beat it. Whether it be 5p, £5 or £50 - all race entry fees have already been paid for on our part so any donation, no matter how big or small, will go to these two incredible causes.”

The pair have set up a fundraising team on Just Giving where you can donate towards their challenge; http://bit.ly/2lqyg7w

Unfortunately, Just Giving doesn't allow for Fundraisers to equally split their target between two charities, so instead they have created a page for each charity. As soon as they hit the goal for one, they will pause it until the other page reaches their goal:

CERU Just Giving page; http://bit.ly/2k3gpBS

Cancer Research UK Just Giving Page; http://bit.ly/2kHPmhi

You can also keep up with their endeavours and progress at www.bleasdalechallenge2017.co.uk

This month marks the start of nine-month sabbatical in Australia for rugby player extraordinaire Chris Easton. OP Chris, who left in 2014, has worked his way up from playing for Old Leamingtonians (minis) all the way to Cottesloe RFC in Western Australia, via Rugby Lions, Bedford Blue, Ampthill & District and Stourton along the way

After keeping in contact with former coach Alex Stajka, Chris got the opportunity of a lifetime to spend nine months in Perth Australia playing rugby for Cottesloe RFC without even being seen in action. Before he knew it he was boarding a plane on 29 January from Heathrow at 7.00am and starting his 24-hour trip to Australia. As soon as Chris landed he was picked up by the club and sent straight to training, there was no time for jet lag when there was training to be done.

Chris comments, “It’s my first trip to Australia so as you can imagine, I can’t wait to experience something new both on and off the pitch.”

Alongside the rugby Chris has gained valuable knowledge and experience as a personal trainer which he was studying at Nottingham Trent University before taking the 9-month sabbatical. 

In the future Chris hopes to return to the UK and continue playing rugby semi-professionally or professionally, whilst keeping the hope of becoming a personal trainer in mind.

We’re sending Chris the best of luck and looking forward to hearing updates from his time in Oz. 

Huge congratulations to Old Princethorpian and writer Ciaran Murtagh who picked up a BAFTA Children's Award in November for his work on the children's TV series The Amazing World of Gumball. The series fought off close competition from children's favourites, The Clangers, Hetty Feather and Horrible Histories.

Ciaran takes up the story...

The Amazing World of Gumball is an 11 minute cartoon, currently shown in over 126 countries around the world. In the UK it is on Cartoon Network every day. I started writing for the show on series 3 and we're now working on series 6. I won the Bafta for my work on an episode called The Origins. The show is about a cartoon cat called Gumball and his family, it's a surreal, funny take on modern family life, and according to The Times it's 'the kids show that parents love to watch.'  

Ciaran is pictured with his writing partner, Andrew Jones.