Queen's Now

Viewing archives for Old Members & Friends

Plans are coming together for this summer’s family-friendly Old Members’ Garden Party, taking place in the College grounds on Saturday 4 July from 2 till 5pm.

You can look forward to…

Bouncy Castle – Face Painting – Circus Skills – Afternoon Tea – Live Music – Giant Connect Four – Glitter Tattoos – Croquet – Pimm’s – Giant Jenga – Garden Tours – Queen’s Society Reception – Scavenger Hunt – Teddy Bear Zipline – Football World Cup

In case of bad weather, the Hall, Cloisters, Shulman Auditorium and some gazebos will be available for shelter.

There is no strict dress code: we suggest smart casual but being comfortable at this outdoor event is most important!

Tickets will go on sale in mid-May.

The annual Taberdars’ Society Luncheon will take place on Saturday 16 May 2026.

Invitations by email and letter will be sent out to members of the Society shortly. Members are very welcome to bring a guest.

The Taberdars’ Society

The Taberdars’ Society recognises the enormous contribution that legacy gifts have made to The Queen’s College, building academic excellence and nurturing generations of students. We are always pleased to welcome new members and anyone who lets us know that they have included a gift to Queen’s in their will is invited to join the Society.

Event programme

11:00           Tea and coffee in the Shulman Auditorium
11:45           Welcome from the Provost 
12:30           Drinks reception in the Provost’s Garden
13:00           Lunch in Hall

Afternoon programme (optional)

14:30           Musical recital (TBC)
15:15           End of event

Dress code: Smart casual or lounge suits

Contact

If you would like to know more about the Taberdars’ Society and leaving a gift to Queen’s in your will, please contact the Old Members’ Office. You can also find more information at: Your Queen’s legacy – supporting the future in memory of the past.

This year’s London Reception will take place on Tuesday 5 May from 6.00 till 9.30pm. By kind permission of the Dean & Chapter of Westminster, we will be in the Cloisters of the world-renowned Westminster Abbey (map)!

Famous as the site of coronations of the British (formerly English) monarchy since William the Conqueror in 1066, and long established as a traditional site for royal weddings and state funerals, Westminster Abbey is one of the most significant buildings in the history of the United Kingdom. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Abbey also has a unique connection to Queen’s: the College’s namesake, Queen Philippa of Hainault, wife of King Edward III, is buried there. The College’s founder, Robert de Eglesfield, served as a chaplain in her household. 

Special thanks to Old Member Dr Matthew Payne (Literae Humaniores, 1989), Keeper of the Muniments at Westminster Abbey, for helping us secure this venue. 

We are sorry to say that unprecedentedly, all 200 places for this event sold out in less than 24 hours.
You can join the waiting list here.


Please note that this event is for Old Members only.

Programme

17:00  Evensong (optional) – please arrive by 4.30pm
18:00  Doors open to Reception via Dean’s Yard entrance (map)
19:00  Welcome:
Paul Johnson, Provost.
Dr Matthew Payne, Keeper of the Muniments, Westminster Abbey and Queen’s Old Member.
19:20  Further drinks and bowl food service.
21:30  Close

Please note:

The Queen’s London Reception will take place in the Cloisters of the Abbey.
If you want to visit and experience the main Abbey, you have the opportunity to attend Evensong beforehand, starting at 5pm. Please indicate your wish to do so at the time of booking (no charge) to secure a seat. If you would like to attend Evensong, you must arrive before 4:30pm at the Great West Door to be seated; a later arrival will result in experiencing the service on the wrong side of the Quire screen.

Come and join the Provost, Paul Johnson, as he makes his first visit to Singapore to meet with Old Members.

We are looking forward to meeting with Queen’s Old Members and Friends at the Cygnet Bar & Grill Restaurant in Singapore (map).

In addition to drinks and dinner, Paul is looking forward to sharing some updates about Queen’s and answering any questions you might have about life in Oxford today.

The Provost will also be joined on the evening by Dr Justin Jacobs and Heather Weightman from the Old Members’ Office.

Please note that the New Old Members ticket price is for Old Members who joined Queen’s in or after 2016.

Booking closes on 27 March 2026.

Photo of the Cygnet Bar & Grill Restaurant in Singapore

Come and join the Provost, Paul Johnson, as he makes his first visit to Hong Kong to meet with Old Members.

We are looking forward to meeting with Queen’s Old Members and Friends at the Carlyle & Co. Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, Kowloon (map), where we are kindly being hosted by Rory McAlpine (Jurisprudence, 1976).

In addition to drinks and dinner, Paul is looking forward to sharing some updates about Queen’s and answering any questions you might have about life in Oxford today.

The Provost will also be joined on the evening by Dr Justin Jacobs and Heather Weightman from the Old Members’ Office.

Please note that the New Old Members ticket price is for Old Members who joined Queen’s in or after 2016.

Guests are welcome.

Booking closes on 27 March 2026.

Photo of the East Terrace at Carlyle & Co. Hong Kong