OUS GLOUCESTERSHIRE

 

Welcome to OUS Gloucestershire. We are one of the largest OUS groups - with nearly 4,000 members. We typically organise at least one event a month. These are extremely varied, from the annual Boat Race party to musical events, lectures, visits and purely social opportunities.

Many events are initiated by members themselves, which we strongly encourage. Membership is not limited to those living in the county - if you have Gloucestershire connections but live elsewhere please feel free to join - and our events often take place in the neighbouring counties and in London.

If you'd like to join and receive information about forthcoming events, or if you have any suggestions for future events please email Group Secretary Sam Tolley. We'd love to hear from you. 

The committee:

The most recent Annual General Meeting took place at Dr Jenner’s House in Berkeley on 4th September 2022. All existing committee members were re-elected for a period of two years, and two new committee members were welcomed in addition. Anyone else interested in helping the committee is encouraged to make contact at any time. Please use the address: gloucestershire@ousoc.oxon.org.

Name

Role

College

Matriculation

Sam Tolley

Chairman

St Hugh's

1987

Julian Sternberg

Secretary

Pembroke

1965

Andrew Mitchell

Treasurer

St Catherine's

1985

Frank Smith

Honorary President

University

1956

Robert Dibley

Committee Member

New

1985

Aidan Rose

Committee Member

Keble

1976

Katharine Prynne Committee Member St Hugh's 1984
Katie Poole Committee Member Keble 2001

 

 

 

Currently planned events of the society during 2023:

  • Tuesday September 19th – social drink in Gloucester for new Oxford students (Freshers), details should be sent by the Alumni Office to all those in Gloucestershire.
     
  • Wednesday September 20th – Admissions Event for Gloucestershire Schools. This annual event for students potentially interested in applying to Oxford will be in All Saints Academy, Cheltenham. More details will be forwarded to the interested schools.
     
  • Monday September 25th – Philosophy lecture for Gloucestershire Schools and Alumni. It will take place in Cheltenham College. More details will be forwarded to schools, and tickets can also be booked using TicketSource.
     
  • Saturday September 30th – Annual General Meeting at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, with various options for backstage tour, lunch, and a matinee performance.
     
  • Saturday October 14th  – Majestic Wine Tasting (Stroud).
     
  • Friday November 3rd – Gin Tasting (Sibling Distillery in Charlton Kings).
     
  • Saturday December 2nd – concert in All Saints Church, Cheltenham, music by Zelenka performed by the alumni choir “Standish Consort”.
     

For all the above events, please book place(s) as explained in our email newsletters. If you are not receiving e-communications from the group, but would still like to attend an event, please email the secretary so that we can verify your correct contact details. We don't want you to miss out! A number of events are being considered for 2024 too, which will be added here when exact dates are known. 

 

1 July 2023 – Come and Sing, in Dursley

Alumni and guests were invited to a morning and afternoon in St James the Great Church, Dursley, studying Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, culminating in a quality performance, also including Samuel Barber’s well-known Agnus Dei.

20 May 2023 – Tour of Hellens Manor (Much Marcle)

A group of 21 people were treated to an excellent tour round this historical site, including a delicious lunch.

5 May 2023 – Opera at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

A small group watched the English Touring Opera’s performance of Lucrezia Borgia, preceded by dinner.

1 April 2023 – Choral Concert in St Matthew’s Church, Stroud

On exactly the first anniversary of the inaugural concert of the Standish Consort, the alumni choir performed some well-known pieces by Fauré, Allegri, Byrd, and Schütz to a packed-full church. A highlight was the specially commissioned work by Gemma Cartmell: O Saving Sacrifice. Eleven choir members contributed solos within these pieces, and Edward Byrne (Organ Scholar at Magdalen) provided organ accompaniment.

26 March 2023 – Boat Race Viewing with Refreshments

A group of about 20 Oxford and Cambridge alumni gathered in Standish Village Hall to watch the races on TV while enjoying prosecco, sandwiches, cakes etc. An enjoyable get-together, despite the disappointing outcomes of the races.

23 March 2023 – Severn Bore Viewing with Breakfast

It was an early morning start for a group of OUS Gloucestershire alumni to see a unique Gloucestershire spectacle – the Severn Bore.  We met at the home of one of our members, then walked to the river, where a group of surfers had entered the water to try and catch the wave. The downstream flow of the river gradually slowed and then we heard the Bore coming before we could see it. The wave swamped the river bank, the river level suddenly rose, and the flow reversed to a fast upstream direction. It was all over in 10 seconds but well worth seeing. We then returned to our host for a delicious late breakfast of pastries and croissants.

a group of OUS Gloucestershire alumni to see a unique Gloucestershire spectacle – the Severn Bor