I was a D.Phil student in Ron’s lab in the late 80s, so only there for 3 years, but am so lucky to have had that experience and remember it as if it was only yesterday. An evening at Ron’s home in Crayke stands out, particularly being taught how to pay croquet by Robin Perutz whose research group members were also invited. I was always aware that I wasn’t the brightest student compared to the people around me but Ron was so encouraging and something he said to me really helped- he said ‘Dawn you will muddle through just like the rest of us do’ It was only then that I realised that we all have insecurities, whatever our background and even those people that I held in such high esteem. Loved my time in the Chemistry Department at York.