Chancellor’s visit 2014, Saint Hilda’s College
The Chancellor of Glasgow University, Sir Kenneth Calman, gave a talk at Saint Hilda’s College in October, followed by lunch. It was both entertaining and informative. He showed us a lot about the plans for the development of the enlarged Gilmorehill campus taking over the existing Western Infirmary and development of the Kelvin Hall to include the Hunterian Museum and Gallery with the nearby Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, creating a museum hub in the West End. There is obviously scope for big changes to the university environment although these will take many years work. The audience particularly liked his ambition for a zipwire from the top of Gilmorehill Tower to the Kelvingrove Museum.
John Garvey
This interesting talk by member John Garvey on a tour of Skye and Raasay in 1815 by the painter and engraver Willam Daniell RA was well received. John compared many of the prints with contemporary views and showed the great detail of the prints and the variety of techniques used in engraving, as well as giving some background information on the scenes shown. There were many questions from the audience continuing over tea and cakes. We all had a good afternoon, John sold a few books and we made a profit for OSGUG funds. Our thanks to John for the talk, and to Margaret, Cathy, and Grace for the spread.
Annual General Meeting 2014
Held at The Vine in Cumnor. The AGM in March at Cumnor, 11 members and 4 others were present and Margaret, Alistair, and John were confirmed as the committee for another year. Alistair gave notice that he plans to stand down as Treasurer so it would be good if one of you could volunteer to fill this post. The society’s accounts are straightforward and it is not an onerous task.
Burns Supper 2014 in Coseners House, Abingdon
We held our Burns Supper in Abingdon. There were 47 present to hear Ken McClements propose the Immortal Memory, Alistair Mills Toast the Lassies and Margaret Hancox reply On Behalf of the Lassies. The evening ended with traditional music from Sandra, Hilary, Brian and Irvine.
Visit to Sheepdrove Farm and Ecology Centre, Lambourn
The lunch and visit to the Sheepdrove Organic Centre was a success. We had a tour on tractor and trailer around the farm set high in the Wessex Downs. Some interesting farming methods and great views in sunny weather. After that there was an excellent lunch of their organic lamb and local vegetables. Unfortunately after all his organisation, Alistair was away that week and so didn’t get to enjoy the lunch. I know he has eaten there before though. The restaurant isn’t open to the public generally so if you ever get the chance to attend an event there which includes a meal, jump at the chance and I’ll come too.
Annual General Meeting 2013
Held at The Vine in Cumnor. A healthy attendance ensured a very useful debate among members and a number of very useful suggestions were put forward on the future of the Society. Members enjoyed an excellent bar lunch afterwards.
Burns Supper 2013 in Coseners House, Abingdon
We held our Burns Supper in Abingdon. There were 47 present to hear Ken McClements propose the Immortal Memory, Alistair Mills Toast the Lassies and Margaret Hancox reply On Behalf of the Lassies. The evening ended with traditional music from Sandra, Hilary, Brian and Irvine.
Annual General Meeting 2012
Held at The Vine in Cumnor. A healthy attendance ensured a very useful debate among members and a number of very useful suggestions were put forward on the future of the Society. Members enjoyed an excellent bar lunch afterwards.
Burns Supper 2012 in Coseners House, Abingdon
We held our Burns Supper in Abingdon. There were 45 present to hear Iain Duff propose the Immortal Memory. The evening ended with traditional music from Sandra, Hilary, Brian and Irvine.
Annual General Meeting 2012
Held at The Vine in Cumnor. A healthy attendance ensured a very useful debate among members and a number of very useful suggestions were put forward on the future of the Society. Members enjoyed an excellent bar lunch afterwards.
Principal’s Lunch – 2011
On 14th May 2011 we had a Members’ Lunch in the distinguished Dining Hall of Exeter College, Oxford attended by the Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Anton Muscatelli. The Principal spoke warmly of OSGUG’s achievements which mark it as one of the University’s leading alumni groups. He expressed his personal appreciation and the gratitude of the University for the immense generosity shown by the Society and its members with aggregate donations of £90,000 as we neared our target of £10,000 for the 2011 Appeal on behalf of the Chancellor’s Fund.
The Principal also spoke of his vision for the future of Glasgow University. It already enjoys a world class reputation for first class teaching and research but ever increasing global competition demands a constant commitment to improve so that its reputation and success is maintained. This will be achieved through an increased number of international collaborative ventures. By improving the overall student experience, the University will be better placed to attract high achieving undergraduate and postgraduate students, teaching and research staff.
Burns Supper 2011 in Appleton Village Hall
An entertaining evening with traditional food, music, recitation, lively speeches and singing of Burns’ songs – Always a popular event in its biennial sequence.
Twentieth anniversary lunch 2010 in Exeter College
To celebrate the anniversary of the society we had lunch in Exeter College. More than sixty members attended and the visitors included our patron Sir William Kerr Fraser and his wife Lady Marion Fraser. Click here for photographs of the event.
Ceilidh 2009
Held in the North Hinksey Parish Hall in Botley, Oxford. Same format as before and Stuart Forbes once again got the ‘party’ mood going with lively dance music.
Bar Lunch at The Old Fisherman – September 2009
About 30 members and guests enjoyed an informal lunch at ‘The Old Fisherman’ at Shabbington in Buckinghamshire. Fine autumnal sunshine, an idyllic rural location and a wonderful garden set a perfect scene for members to relax and chat over lunch. Conversation flowed in the convivial atmosphere.
“Medicine in Glasgow and Oxford – Spot the Difference” – March 2009
Professor David Barlow, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Glasgow delivered a fascinating talk on the above topic followed by a stimulating question and answer discussion with the large number of members who attended. David was a member of OSGUG when he was Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the University of Oxford.
Annual General Meeting 2009
Held at The Vine in Cumnor. A healthy attendance ensured a very useful debate among members and a number of very useful suggestions were put forward on the future of the Society. Members enjoyed an excellent bar lunch afterwards.
Burns Supper 2009 in Appleton Village Hall
In celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the Bard we held a special Burns Supper again in Appleton. Another very successful and entertaining evening.
Burns Supper 2008 in Appleton Village Hall
An entertaining evening with traditional food (Cock-a-leekie. Haggis) pipe music, recitation, lively speeches and singing of Burns’ songs – Always a popular event in its biennial sequence.
Annual General Meeting 2008
Held in St Anne’s College, Oxford. After the formal business of the AGM we were entertained to a special violin recital by Elspeth Hanson. Elspeth played several virtuoso classical pieces accompanied by Lynette Stulting on piano, before taking us on a musical tour of Scottish fiddling styles. Little did we realise that four months later Elspeth would be playing solo violin at the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic games in Beijing. After the Recital we adjourned for afternoon tea in the College.
Ceilidh 2007
Held in the Old School Hall in Cumnor this was the first time we had held an informal ceilidh. Members and their guests enjoyed dancing to the music of Stuart Forbes and the Craigievar Band. At the interval sandwiches, shortbread, tea and coffee were served while those members who couldn’t wait till then for liquid refreshment brought along their own supplies!
