Alumni Weekend 2025
September 26 @ 3:00 pm
All alumni and current members of Churchill and their guests are invited to join us for this year’s Alumni Weekend programme, including our annual Association Dinner.
Programme
Click on the days below to view the programme on each.
Friday 26 September
From 3pm: Rooms available for check-in at the Porters’ Lodge and name badges available for collection from the registration desk on the main concourse.
4.30pm: ‘The changing world of philanthropy and legacy giving‘. Having met a number of Churchillians, Richard Radcliffe of Radcliffe Consulting (who has advised over 60 universities around the globe), will give both a serious and light hearted view on the future of philanthropy and legacies and surprise you with some fascinating statistics and intriguing stories. An opportunity for you to ask any questions you have on legacy giving in this informal setting.
5.30pm: ‘Life and Legacy of Sir Bob Edwards’: Panel discussion chaired by Dr Roger Highfield (Director of the Science Museum Group).
The panel will feature Emma Barnett (British Broadcaster and Journalist with a young IVF child), Fiona Bennett (former Executive Editor of Reproductive BioMedicine Online journal which Bob started), Louise Brown (the first IVF baby), Professor Sir Richard Gardner (Bob’s PhD student and Oxford University Lecturer), Dr Jenny Joy (Bob’s daughter and creator of his archive), and Dr Mike Macnamee (former CEO of Bourn Hall Clinic who knew Bob well).
From 7pm: those dining at High Table in Hall gather in the Buttery for a pre-dinner drink, ready for dinner at 7.30. Please note you must book for this High Table using the Association Weekend booking form (choosing from a wine or non-wine ticket) at the bottom of the page and NOT the standard High Table booking form. We cannot accommodate diners who have not booked in ahead of the day. Max. 2 bookings per person.
9.15pm: Wine Tasting, places strictly limited. Please note you must book for this event using the Association Weekend booking form at the bottom of the page. Max. 2 bookings per person at £20 each. As last year, this event will not include a meal, but will include a selection of cheeses.
12am: Buttery closes.
Saturday 27 September
7.30am–9.30am: Breakfast in Hall
12.15–12.45pm: Churchill College Association AGM in the Club Room. All welcome to this event at an earlier time and in a different location to previous years.
12.15–1.45pm: Lunch can be purchased in the Dining Hall.
2.00pm: ‘The Tapestry of Human Prenatal Immunity‘ by Professor Muzlifah Haniffa.
The human immune system is extremely complex, comprising multiple cell types and states interacting in myriad ways to produce diverse cellular ecosystems. Muzlifah Haniffa will demonstrate the application of spatially resolved single-cell genomics to decode the human immune system in health and disease. In particular, she will discuss how prenatal immunity is formed and its relevance to understanding neonatal, paediatric and adult diseases.
4pm: Explore the Bill Brown Creative Workshops. Unleash your creative side and see what might inspire you in our exciting new maker-space!
6.45pm: Drinks reception on the Jock Colville Lawn (or main concourse if cold/wet).
7.30pm: Annual Association Dinner in Hall with after-dinner speech by Churchill Fellow, Dr Graham Farmelo. Standard tickets cost £60 each, or £50 for those graduating in or after 2016, or £35 for current students.
12:30am: Buttery closes.
Sunday 28 September
7.30am–9.30am: Breakfast in Hall
10am: Room check-out time (left-luggage room will be available at owner’s risk).
10–11am: Ecumenical Chapel service led by Canon Nigel Bacon (U74). All welcome.
11am: An opportunity to remember Canon Noel Duckworth and to hear what the College Boat Club is up to with coffee and pastries.
Dress Code
- Daytime events: casual.
- High Table: smart/businesswear (gowns not required).
- Association Dinner: black tie or equivalent is welcomed but if you wish to dress less formally, please do so.
Further Information
EV charging is available at College during your stay in the car park at the top of the site (past the Sheppard Flats). You will need to collect a key from the Lodge and please move your vehicle once charged to a non-charging space so others can use the service.
Guest List
Many alumni have told us that they like to see a list of people who have booked to attend events such as this one, as it can influence whether they choose to come. If you do not wish to have your name visible on this list, please email us to let us know (only alumni will be listed, not their guests). Please note also that the list will be updated manually in batches, so your name may take some time to appear, and this does not imply that your booking has not been received.
Keep in Touch
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Booking Info
Accommodation
Bed and breakfast accommodation in College can be booked through Speedybooker only at our alumni rates. To see availability and book at these prices, please enter the code KX55923 in the top left box before entering dates. Please note, once a different rate is booked without the code, we cannot change it back to the discounted rate. Do book in advance as no rooms can be booked on site during the weekend. If you wish to amend your booking, you will need to do so via Speedybooker.
If you are looking for earlier dates to check in or later dates to check out, please contact [email protected] and they will be happy to check further availability for you.
No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than 24h prior to your stay.
B
Dinner and other events
Booking for all events (High Table, Wine Tasting, talks and Association Dinner) can all be made and paid for through the form below. Booking closes at midnight on Sunday 14 September. After that date we are unlikely to be able to accommodate late dinner bookings as the catering team will have made the food order. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Donations
Any gifts made through the additional donations option on the booking form enables us to subsidise the cost of the dinner for recent graduates and current students who might otherwise struggle to afford the ticket price.