Pride, Nostalgia and Camaraderie - Winton Club Reunion 2018

‘There may still be untold stories you wish to tell, stories you wish to tell again or stories that over the years have become so embroidered that they have gone into the realms of fantasy and are still worth telling,’ suggests alumnus Allan Kettle (BEd, 1972-75). The perfect outlet, he suggests, for these tales of hijinks, heartbreak or hilarity is the upcoming Winton Club Reunion.

From 29 June – 1 July, nostalgia, loyalty and camaraderie will infuse the University of Winchester campus. Hundreds of alumni will reassemble at their alma mater for a weekend of events. The headline event of the annual event is Saturday luncheon (and yes, thanks to toasts, a sung Grace and the inspiring roll call of attending alumni it is very much a luncheon not just a lunch, thank you very much).

The rest of the weekend has something for everyone. Topping up current knowledge of the University through campus tours and information sessions is popular, since as David Gent (1967-70) explains, ‘many of the buildings that we knew have been totally renovated, up-dated and even put to other uses. In addition, several new buildings have sprung up using the very latest buildings technology available’. Topping up on drink and food is of equal importance across the weekend, with meals galore. Sporty types can take part in the social John Shannon Tennis Tournament, named for our oldest alumnus and all-round legend John Shannon (1935-37), Music lovers and boogie dancers will have live music from Te Deum (a band formed at the then-King Alfred’s College in the 1960s) and then a 70s disco, on Saturday night. Derek and the Dominoes, The Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart will no doubt be rocking all night long…

For over 140 years, alumni of King Alfred’s College, and then University College Winchester, and now the University of Winchester have been honouring the tradition of reconvening annually for reunion. In 1874, the Re-union Club was first established. Renamed the Winton Club in 1881, our alumni association is one of the oldest in the country, with now over 30,000 members in 90 countries worldwide.  

All Winchester alumni are welcome to Winton Club Reunion 2018 with those who left 40 years ago particularly encouraged to make an appearance. Beyond this traditional focus on the 40 years on group, graduates who have left 30 years ago would be especially welcome as well.

Dee Sayers (1974-78) sums up Winton Club Reunion:  it ‘gives us the opportunity to meet up with old friends. With the best will in the world we can lose touch over the years. New friendships can be forged too, drawn together through our common experiences of life in Winchester.’

To explore the full programme for Winton Club Reunion, visit here book onto Winton Club Reunion, book here.

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