PRESIDENT METHODY COLLEGIANS
Judith Cochrane (Reynolds)
Judith attended Methody from 1987-1994 and fully participated in College life.
Secretary of Sixth Form Committee, Prefect, Hockey, Badminton, Chapel Choir, Senior Girls Choir, Duke of Edinburgh and won the Yearbook Award for 'Most Dedicated to MCB'
Judith is married to a Coleraine Inst boy and has 2 daughters - one at university, and the other in sixth form.
A former MLA and Local Councillor, Judith leads a global finance team in A&O Shearman, but still finds the time io organise Class of 1994 school reunions and other #TeamMCB get togethers and is a member of Belfast Harlequins Ladies Hockey Club.
Judith is always happy to receive feedback on what Methody Collegians are doing right/wrong and also to hear ideas on how we can engage more Collegians. She can be contacted on [email protected] or 07971 155975.
VICE PRESIDENT METHODY COLLEGIANS
Peter Wilson
Peter attended Methody from 1966 (Fullerton House School) until 1980 and was preceded at the College by his mother and uncle and succeeded by his son.
Friendships formed during his years at Methody continue to this day with some dating back to Fullerton House. Though his school years were not marked by great academic or sporting success he counts those friendships as the most important successes of his schooldays.
An active member of the Class of ’80 he has been involved in organising 2 reunions (20 years and 30 years) attracting attendees from across the globe and along with a few chums runs the Class of ’80 Facebook Group.
Peter is semi-retired after a successful career in public procurement where he ran the procurement and logistics services for Health and Social Care Northern Ireland for 12 years leading them through Brexit and Covid-19. Prior to his retirement in March 2022 Peter was the Executive Director of Operations at HSC Business Services Organisation, the shared services provider to Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. In this role he was responsible for the HSC Procurement and Logistics Service, the HSC Family Practitioner Service, the HSC Pension Service, the HSC Counter Fraud and Probity Service and the HSC Small Business Research Initiative.
Enjoying his retirement, he is active in a number of groups and activities and is currently enjoying reliving his 6th Form years with a renaissance in playing table tennis though he admits at a much slower pace!
Peter is married with 3 children, 6 grandchildren and a Border Collie so nowadays if he’s not walking the dog or playing table tennis he’s probably to be found doing the school run.
HONORARY SECRETARY
Gerry Beamish
Gerry has been Honorary Secretary since the amalgamation of the Old Boys and Old Girls Associations, having previously served as President and Function Secretary for the Old Boys. He finished at Methody in 1963.
He views his time at Methody as the most important influence in his early life and development. He had a fantastic time at Methody serving as Prefect, Captain of Swimming, Captain of Fencing, playing for the first ever volleyball team, representing the school at the lower levels in rowing, rugby, athletics, cricket and most importantly meeting his future wife, Elizabeth Seay when they played together in the school drama. Their children and three grandsons have also attended Methody. His daughter also met her future husband at the College ensuring a strong flow of Collegian blood in the family tree!
After school his sporting career continued as Captain of the Northen Ireland Fencing Team, coach to College Fencing and Chairman of the Northern Ireland Fencing Association.
His passion for the availability of a grammar style education for everyone saw him become Chairman of the Confederation of Grammar Schools Former Pupils Associations which merged with Parental Choice to found the Association for Quality Education (AQE) in the battle to prevent the introduction of comprehensive education after the eleven plus was abolished.
After a career in public service Gerry founded his own management consultancy Company, Beamish Associates and ran it for thirty-two years before retiring in 2017.
HONORARY TREASURER
Cheryl Trigg (Magookin)
Cheryl attended Methody from 1980 to 1994, enjoying her time at both Downey House and the senior school.
She was a member of the Senior Girls’ Choir, Chapel Choir and Band and was an enthusiastic spectator (rather than active participant) at various school sporting events.
Cheryl is married with two children, both of whom attend Methody. Thankfully, her children have inherited their hand/eye coordination from their father and are therefore able to contribute to the college’s sporting activities!
A chartered accountant by profession, Cheryl began her career in London, spending a few years in Australia before returning to Belfast. Since moving home, she has enjoyed re-connecting with friends from her Methody days.
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Joanne Mehaffy (Blayney)
Joanne joined the college in P1 attending Fullerton House, and then Methody and left in June1991.
Was she an exceptional student? Far from it, BUT she loved her time at school, enjoying all the opportunities she was given and her teachers spent a lot of time asking her to 'not talk so much'. She made life long friends at school (many from P1) and met her husband Gareth (another class of 1991 alumna), although he was more academic and sporty (athletics and 1st XV) than her. She is passionate and enthusiastic about the school, and hopes to see Methody Collegians flourish into a vibrant alumni network.
She organised her 'Class of '91' 25 year reunion along with 2 classmates and is likely going to be doing the 35th reunion (we missed our 30th as it was a Covid year!).
Her daughter Megan followed her in footsteps, attending both Fullerton and Methody. She has since graduated with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a postgraduate PGDE in Primary Education from Dundee University. In August 2025, she will be starting her probationary primary teaching year in Glasgow.
All her working life has been spent in the voluntary/charity sector, much of it in business education work and she is passionate about developing young people and preparing them for the world of work. In September 2024, after over 17 years of working for Business in the Community as the Work Inspiration Programme Manager, she left the organisation and is very proud of supporting 60,000 school students to have an experience of work during that time.
Joanne, is membership secretary, supports the social media and communications and is involved in event management and database management for the Association. She can be contacted on [email protected] or on [email protected]
COUNCIL MEMBER
Emma Cochrane
Emma attended Methody from 2021 to 2023 and made the most of her two years at the College.
She played hockey throughout her time at school and fully engaged in College life.
Currently, Emma is studying Marketing in Edinburgh while working in hospitality. She enjoys playing hockey in her spare time and has a passion for travelling.
Emma looks forward to contributing to the Council and staying connected with the Collegians community.
Emma is keen to support the Council in engaging our younger alumni and support our social media and communications. She hopes to assist in developing our links in Edinburgh and Scotland.
She can be contacted at [email protected]
COUNCIL MEMBER
Fiona Doherty (McClelland)
Fiona was part of the class of 1989 and sang in the Chapel Choir in the 1980s under the direction of Billy McCay.
Fiona moved to New York in 1999 during the era of the dot com boom working in PR for both start-ups and
enterprise players. She has spent the last 13 years working in global internal communications for IBM.
Fiona lives in Bronxville with her husband and son. She gets home to Belfast quite frequently to visit her folks.
Her family has connections with the College with her brother also a past pupil and her niece and nephews both past and current pupils.
Fiona is keen to support alumni development in New York and the US for the Council and the school.
COUNCIL MEMBER
Richard Finlay
Richard attended the College between 1959 and 1965. He was one of seven, all of whom went to Methody and this was followed with 12 of the next generation also attending.
Richard's career spanned 50 years and focused on growing a family men's & boy's clothing company to become the largest organisation of it’s type in Ireland. His brother Donald and nephews, Adam and Michael (all fellow Methody Collegians), have continued running the company which celebrated it’s centenary in 2024.
Richard has previously served as both President and jointly shared the Presidency with Karen McCrea.
COUNCIL MEMBER
June Jordan (McCorry)
June attended Methody from 1955 (Fullerton House) to 1969, following in the footsteps of her older brother, father, and his older siblings. Her grandfather taught for 17 years at Methody, before entering the Church of Ireland Ministry.
Prefect, Netball, Senior Choir
June is married, with one son who is a University Lecturer
As a retired Northern Ireland Civil Service professional specialist, June's portfolio life now includes both ongoing voluntary and casual paid work in a variety of areas, putting her work and life experiences to positive use in new arenas.
Initially supported by work, she continues to deliver Primary Young Enterprise (the business charity) sessions in schools, not only because it is useful, practical learning for children presented in a fun way, but because she enjoys it.
COUNCIL MEMBER
Brian Kennedy
Brian comes from a strong Methody family. He attended Downey House and subsequently Methody and left in 1980. Most of his relatives attended the College with his uncle serving as Head of History for many years and his Mum was in the very first class of Downey House in 1933.
After a short and unfulfilling career in banking and retail management, Brian went to work for the Government of Northern Ireland for 31 years, retiring in 2014. He then set up a small one man video marketing business, creating video assets for organisations and entrepreneurs, an arena in which he still dabbles from time to time, when he can be bothered.
Apart from thoroughly enjoying the freedom of choice that retirement brings, Brian also works part time for Life Like Media Marketing Ltd., founded by his 2 sons, Paul and Jack. Brian also has a daughter, Sarah, and two grandchildren,
Brian is passionate about fitness, biohacking, online marketing and content creation. He’s also deep down the rabbit hole of AI and stays on the cutting edge of all things ‘new tech’. Additionally Brian is an avid ‘tinkerer’, ‘fixer upper’ and auction goer.
COUNCIL MEMBER
Dr Felicity Lamrock
Felicity left Methody in 2009 to study Mathematics at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). She went on to complete a PhD in Medical Statistics at QUB in 2016. Following time spent living and working in Chicago, Galway and Dublin, Felicity returned to Belfast in 2019. She is now a Senior Lecturer in Data Analytics at QUB, where she leads a team of PhD and postdoctoral researchers and is the Programme Director of the MSc Data Analytics. Felicity also acts as a statistical advisor to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics in Dublin and is on the Board of Trustees at Relate NI.
During her time at Methody, Felicity was very involved in school life. An enthusiastic musician, she participated in possibly all the music groups - jazz band, Irish traditional group, orchestras, recorder group, and the Chapel Choir, with whom she performed evensong at Westminster Abbey. Beyond music, she embraced every opportunity – from the Sixth Form Forum and Executive, School Council, and Young Enterprise, to playing on the team that won the Ulster School’s Tennis Championship. She even founded a Ginger Society, created solely for a yearbook photo!
Felicity helped produce the leavers’ yearbook, organised the leavers’ hoodies, and planned the class of 2009’s 10-year reunion at Harlequins Rugby Club. She remains passionate about keeping the Collegians network connected.
COUNCIL MEMBER
Stephen Lindsay
Stephen left Methody in 2001 and went to Loughborough University to study Sports Science & Mathematics. He returned to Methody as a Mathematics Teacher in 2009.
As a part of a Methody Schools' Cup winning squad in 2001 he has continued his enjoyment of rugby by assisting Nick Wells in coaching the 1st XV.
Alongside teaching Maths and coaching rugby he is responsible for building relationships with past, present and future Collegians & showcasing all that the College has to offer.
Married to Emma, whose first date was the MCB Formal in 2001, with 3 children Miriam, Charlie & Norah
COUNCIL MEMBER
Karen McCrea (Robb)
Karen left Methody in 1983, having followed in her father’s footsteps. She spent her time as a boarder in McArthur Hall, and still maintains the close friendships she made there.
She has worked since graduating as a physiotherapist, mainly in the area of musculoskeletal and sports medicine within the NHS.
She is proud to have been former president of Methody Collegians from 2018 to 2021, being especially honoured to share joint presidentship during the 150th year celebrations of the College in 2018.
COUNCIL MEMBER
Anna Pim
Anna attended Methody from 2017- 2023.
Former Deputy Head Girl and 1XI Hockey Captain, she currently studies Business Economics at Queen’s University Belfast.
Alongside her studies, Anna plays hockey for the Irish U21s.
Combining her love for business and sport, she set up her own business, "at the Heart of the Game,” which educates the community through CPR and AED training.
Anna can be contacted through LinkedIn or through the website www.attheheartofthegame.co.uk
Anna is keen to support the Council in engaging our younger alumni and support our social media and communications.
COUNCIL MEMBER
Verena Wallace-Grzymek
Verena boarded at Methody for nine years arriving from Sierra Leone where her parents were Methodist missionaries.
In 1971, despite the Troubles, which added restrictions to school life and boarding, various relatives had been to Methody and there were much loved grandparents (guardians) in Bloomfield and Bangor, so it was off to Methody with a head full of tales of Malory Towers and the Chalet School.
Verena started in P6 in Downey before moving to the ‘big school’. She possibly enjoyed school a bit too much as the less said about her A’ levels the better! She was a prefect, member of the Sixth Form Committee, dabbled in various sports (including for some reason, the javelin), and managed a bit of piano, singing, Venture Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh.
An enthusiasm for adventuring took her on Operation Raleigh after school and subsequent jaunts around the world. She’d say that exploring spark was nurtured in the then unheated school cottage, stomping about in the beauty of the Mournes trying to use a compass and a map.
A lifetime later, Verena is married to Brian and is delighted to have three great step-children and so far, two step-grandchildren. None went to Methody, but there’s still time!
Verena’s a former President of what is now Methody Collegians and one of three ‘Class of ’80’ members of this current council (with Peter and Brian). She serves on the Board of Governors of MCB, again one of three ‘Class of ’80’ members (with Niall and Richard). Along with Anne Millar, Verena’s on the Board of Governors for McArthur Nursery in East Belfast, where the historical link is that the school was founded a group of young women who had been boarders at MCB. She was part of the small team that coordinated Class of ‘80s first reunion held in the Long Gallery in Stormont.
As Chair of the organising committee (aka working group) for the College’s 150thcelebrations over the school year 2018/19, she spent several years planning with a small, enthusiastic, hard-working and generous team. Highlights were the gala dinners in Belfast City Hall and Titanic Belfast, the celebratory service in St Anne’s Cathedral and the Principal’s epic walk from Malin to Methody, commemorating Sir William McArthur whose drive and substantial gifts laid the foundation for Methodist College Belfast.
After Methody, Verena’s career has involved working as a midwife in three of the four UK countries and doing lots of study as a mature student. After senior clinical, managerial and leadership roles in England and Northern Ireland, she now works as Senior Midwifery Adviser (Policy) for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the independent regulator for >825,000 professionals in the UK.
COUNCIL MEMBER
Roisin Walsh
Roisin attended Methody from 1973 until 1980 from Forth River Primary School in the north of the city. Her canny mother had sussed that the then no. 71 would take her from home, through town, meaning she always had a seat, even when she carried her hockey stick bag as well as her books!
She threw herself at everything MCB had to offer: drama society, chapel choir, 6th Form Committee, sport (athletics and hockey) and spent a bit of time studying and gaining a love for languages, ancient and modern. She spent a year in Switzerland before attending Loughborough University and then came home (eventually!).
She has enjoyed a varied career life mainly in medical sales and product training before semi retirement where she works as a telephone befriender for a local charity, and most recently, a tour guide! It’s all about communication!
Roisin has had a life-long involvement with hockey. She has played at Belfast Harlequins (formerly Collegians) since returning from Loughborough in 1984 and has often continued her association with the College in her capacity as Junior Hockey Coach, encouraging many Methody hockey players through the ranks of Harlequins.
Her Methody links were strengthened as both her daughter and son attended in recent years (class of 2016 and 2019 respectively).
