Queen's Now

Viewing archives for Old Members & Friends

Come and join the Provost, Paul Johnson, and his wife Nicola for an Old Members’ reunion in Zurich, Switzerland this November.

We are looking forward to meeting Queen’s Old Members and Friends at the Club Baur au Lac (map), Zurich on Friday 13 November at 6.30pm for 7pm, where we are kindly being hosted by Old Members Chris and Julia Eskdale (1987).

Booking is now open until 11 October.

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.

Guests are welcome, but spaces are limited and priority will be given to Old Member bookings.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide overnight accommodation but rooms should be available in Zurich or the surrounding area.

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

We look forward to seeing you in Switzerland!

We will celebrate the Ten Years Later-ish Lunch on Saturday 21 November 2026 for Old Members who matriculated in the 2015 and 2016.

Please save the date. Booking will open in autumn.

The lunch marks the passing of ten years (ish!) since matriculation and is an excellent opportunity for Old Members to return to College and meet up with friends. 

If you have any further questions, please contact the Old Members’ Office.

SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER
12.30pm  Drinks in the Upper Library
1.00pm   Lunch (Dress code: Business casual)
2.30pm Beer Cellar open until 4.30pm

We will celebrate our traditional Needle and Thread Gaudy on Saturday 9 January 2027 for Old Members who matriculated in the years 1980 or 1981.

Please save the date. Booking will open in autumn.

Traditionally held at the beginning of the New Year, this dinner involves the College’s Bursar threading a needle into each guest’s jacket and advising them to be thrifty in the coming year. Needles were historically popular as Christmas gifts but it is thought that this Gaudy’s customs are a pun on the College founder’s name, Eglesfield – the French words ‘aiguilles et fils’ meaning needles and threads.

The Gaudy dinner is free of charge. B&B is available for Saturday 9 January at £60pppn.

Please note that due to space restrictions in Hall, this is an Old Member only event (for matriculation years 1980 and 1981).

SATURDAY 9 JANUARY

  4.00pm   Tea & cake in the Shulman Auditorium
  4.30pm   Welcome
  6.30pm   Drinks in the Upper Library
  7.00pm   Dinner (Black Tie)

SUNDAY 10 JANUARY

  8.15–9.45am   Breakfast in Hall
  8.45am    Holy Communion

We will celebrate our traditional Boar’s Head Gaudy on Saturday 19 December 2026 for Old Members who matriculated in the years 1990 or 1991.

Invitations to join the ballot for places will be sent in September.

The programme will begin with tea and Christmas cake in the Shulman Auditorium, followed by a recital of seasonal music in Chapel with the College Choir.

The Gaudy is combined with the Boar’s Head Ceremony, which takes place before dinner. Guests are asked to assemble in Hall by 6.25pm when the Boar’s Head will make its ceremonial entrance.

After the Ceremony, champagne will be served in the Upper Library, followed by dinner at 7.15pm. Holy Communion will be celebrated in Chapel on Sunday morning.

The Gaudy dinner is free of charge. B&B is available for Saturday 19 December at £60pppn.

Please note that due to space restrictions in Hall, this is an Old Member only event (for matriculation years 1990 and 1991).

Programme

SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER

  3.30pm   Tea & cake in the Shulman Auditorium
  4.00pm   Welcome
  5.45pm   Recital of Seasonal Music in Chapel
  6.30pm   Boar’s Head Ceremony
  6.45pm   Drinks in the Upper Library
  7.15pm   Dinner (Black Tie)

SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER

  8.15 – 9.45am   Breakfast in the Hall
  8.45am    Holy Communion

We will celebrate the Jubilee Matriculation Lunch on Saturday 17 October 2026 for Old Members who matriculated in the years 1956, 1966, 1976.

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

The event commences at 12pm noon for the commemorative photograph, but refreshments will be available from 11.30am for guests arriving early.

12:00 Commemorative photograph
12:30  Drinks in the Upper Library
13:00  Lunch (Dress code: Lounge suits)
14:30  Beer Cellar opens (please note payment in the Beer Cellar is by card only)
16:00  Close

Lunch is free of charge for Old Members.
If you would like to bring a guest, please register their details when booking. Tickets for guests are £30.