The Queen's College Record 2023

Old Members’ Activities
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE
OLD MEMBERS’ ASSOCIATION
Gradually recovering from the disruptions caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic, the Old Members’ activities have
evolved into a thriving and stable state. Over the past year
more than 2,000 Old Members and guests participated in
15 distinctive events.
Paul Newton
President of
The Queen’s College
Association
In the past, many of our gatherings revolved primarily
around social interaction, marked by good wine and
stimulating conversations. However, our recent events
have taken on a more engaging and enriching character.
For instance, preceding last year’s dinner, the film “The
Changeling” was screened in the Shulman Auditorium,
setting the stage for thoughtful discussions.
The Jubilee Matriculation Gaudy Lunch ventured beyond the College’s walls to explore
the Tutankhamun exhibition at the Weston Library, a treasure trove of the Bodleian
Libraries’ special collections. This enlightening exhibition was thoughtfully curated by
Professor Richard Parkinson, a distinguished undergraduate and Fellow of the College.
At the London Reception, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio was
celebrated. Old Member Tim Connell (Modern Languages, 1968) led an engaging
panel discussion on teaching and performing Shakespeare today, enriched by the
unique perspective of Old Member Alfie Enoch, drawing from his experience as an
actor. Notably, the College’s very own copy of the First Folio was available for viewing.
An event of particular significance was the Taberdars’ Society gathering, held outside
Oxford, at the Oxford and Cambridge Club, for the first time. Emeritus Fellow in
History, Dr John Davis, presented his book Waterloo Sunset – London from the Sixties
to Thatcher, resulting in a sold-out event. Another event that garnered considerable
attention was the Provost’s Lecture. Old Member and Honorary Fellow Sir Tim
Berners-Lee (Physics, 1973) and his wife, Lady Rosemary Leith Berners-Lee, engaged
in a captivating ‘fireside chat’ with the Provost, delving into the origins and future of
the internet, with a special emphasis on data sovereignty and equitable access. The
lecture, held in the Shulman Auditorium, attracted an in-person audience of 100 from
the College community, including students, Fellows, and staff, complemented by 350
Old Members from around the world who joined online.
The Boar’s Head and the Needle and Thread Gaudies, along with a PPE Dinner
commemorating the centenary of PPE as a subject at Oxford, brought nearly 300
Old Members back to dine within the hallowed hall of the College.
66 The Queen’s College | College Record 2023