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01st July 2016

Grand Gaudy 1975-1979 Saturday 25th June 2016

On Saturday, the Rector and Fellows were delighted to welcome back over 100 alumni and their guests to celebrate the 1975-1979 Grand Gaudy. The day started with a presentation from the Deputy Bursar, Gez Wells, and Project Architect, Hannah Constantine, who spoke about the College’s vision for Cohen Quad and how that has been realised. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go on site as the crane was being removed – a significant milestone in the completion and delivery of the site which students will occupy from Thursday 6th October 2016.

After an informal lunch in hall, alumni chose from a series of sessions including hearing from John Maddicott on the history of the College, a lecture on the new vocabulary of sovereignty and the Islamic empires of the early modern world, and an opportunity to sample College wines. By 6.45pm all were assembled in College for a group photograph in the drizzle before the Gaudy Banquet in hall. To view and order the photograph taken by Gillman & Soame see here, please contact the Development Office for log-in details.

After dinner, the Rector spoke about the warmth among those assembled and their ongoing affection and support for the College while noting the College had changed in some aspects with the arrival of women. During his speech, and in the wake of the outcome of the referendum, he lead the Loyal Toast, and reminded everyone of the College’s, and University’s, commitment to ensuring that we continue to flourish by employing and attracting the best staff, fellows, and students – regardless of their nationality.

He was followed soon after by Tim Score (1979, Modern History) whose candour and warm humour had all of those assembled laughing and enjoying reminiscences of College life in the 1970s. He led the toasts for absent friends and the College toast, Floreat Exon.

It was an enjoyable occasion and photographs of the day can be viewed here. The next Gaudy for this cohort will be in September 2021 but there will be many other events between then and now to which all alumni are warmly welcome.

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