Author Archives: Norman Wright

Abergavenny Event – Friday 15 July 2016

As heralded in earlier Newsletters, a plaque in honour of the first Principal of Jesus, Dr David Lewis, is to be erected in St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny. The unveiling ceremony, including an address by the current Principal and singing by the Henry VIII School Choir, will be at 3.00pm on 15 July 2016. The day will also include a tour of the Priory Church (at one time a candidate for Cathedral of the diocese). The full programme is outlined below, and it should be a splendid day of significant local and even national interest. A booking form for this event is below: if you cannot manage the whole programme, you can simply attend specific events.
The unveiling is an opportunity to boost the region’s interest in Jesus College, and to this end we shall link with the SEREN Network, which aims to increase applications to Oxbridge by able students from the whole of Wales. Lord Murphy of Torfaen, the former Welsh Secretary, who initiated this movement while still an MP, will address us (parliamentary business permitting) at dinner.
Whilst substantial donations have already covered the cost of the plaque itself, we are appealing for further funds to provide an annual incentive to prospective students. We hope you will feel pleased to contribute with donations of £25, £50, £100 or more.
If you are willing to donate, could you please send your cheque, made out to Clive Jenkins, to: Clive Jenkins, 39 Kennett Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7BH.

The timetable for the day is:
12.00 Meet at the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny, 15 Cross Street, NP7 5EN
12.30 Buffet Lunch
2.00 St Mary’s Priory – The treasure and history: tour with Sir Trefor Morris
3.00 St Mary’s Priory – David Lewis Plaque Unveiling Ceremony
4.00 Tea at the Priory
6.15 Reception and Dinner at the Angel Hotel
9.00 End of the formal programme

Golf Day At Whiteleaf Golf Club – (Cancelled 2016)

Whiteleaf Golf Club is a 9 hole course near Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire with an 18 hole yardage of 5,391 and a par of 66. Paul Seward is a member and invites you to join him for an afternoon’s golf.

The intention is to meet for a snack lunch and then play in the afternoon. The cost of the round of golf will be £15. There would be an option of playing 9 holes in the morning at an additional cost of £10. There are 4 possible dates – all on a Thursday in July or August.

Visit To Shrewsbury – May 5 & 6 2016

Shrewsbury
Chris Hicks and Byron Grainger Jones have joined forces to arrange a two-day visit to Shrewsbury on May 5th and 6th, 2016.

The programme begins at lunchtime on Thursday 5th May and ends on Friday 6th May at about 4 pm. A 6-page brochure containing full details of the event – together with information regarding overnight accommodation and a Booking form – can be downloaded by clicking here, but briefly the key points are:-

Thursday 5 May 2016
Today’s lunch and tour of facilities are provided by the University Centre.
12noon onwards : Meet for light lunch at Rowley’s House, courtesy of the University Centre, followed by tour of the building and of the nearby Guildhall
3 until 5pm Free time for shopping or maybe a visit to our award winning Museum in the Square.
5pm. assemble at Sabrina Boat, adjacent to the Welsh Bridge, for river trip of approx. 45 minutes*
7pm Prince Rupert Hotel, Butcher Row for evening meal*
*Special bargain price for combined boat trip and meal, of £20.00

Friday 6 May
Todays’ programme is provided by Shrewsbury Civic Society
10.30am Assemble at entrance to Shrewsbury Abbey for guided tour of this handsome building constructed in 1083
12.30pm Light lunch at The Bear Steps, St Alkmonds Square.
2pm Guided tour of Town Centre, including visit to Darwin’s former school
4pm End of Programme

Jesus College Old Members’ Day – June 27th, 2015

There will be an Old Members’ Day on June 27th this year to mark the XL Network Group’s 25th anniversary.

Old members Day

The timetable is:
10.30   Coffee and Tea in the Ship Street Centre
11.00   The programme of talks led by the Principal
12.00   The First Principal – Prof. Diarmaid MacCulloch.
13.00   Lunch in Hall

All members of the the XL Network Group are cordially invited to attend, and the charge for the whole event, including wine with the meal, is just £10 each!

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Visit to Tyntesfield (NT) – 15 May 2015

Tyntesfield

Tyntesfield’s story is the rise, decline and rediscovery of an outstanding Victorian country estate. It was created by Richard Gibbs, the richest commoner in England in the mid-1800s. The Gibbs family business, built on overseas trade, expanded dramatically when it started importing guano. William Gibbs spent his resulting fortune on funding churches (including Keble College Chapel) and charitable work and on improving his family home. Tyntesfield was acquired by the National Trust in 2002 following the death of bachelor Richard Gibbs (2nd Lord Wraxall).

There will also be an opportunity for those who can arrive earlier to visit nearby Barrow Gurney Church. It was rebuilt for William Gibbs’ son in the 1880s and contains the Gibbs Chapel. (Those visiting might like to make a donation to church funds.)

The proposed timetable for the day is:
  * 11:00 Visit to Barrow Gurney Church
  * 12:00 Lunch at Failand Inn (at own expense)
  * 1.30 Assemble at the Tyntesfield Visitor Centre (NB: National Trust members MUST show their membership cards to gain free admission)
  * From 2.00 House Entry by Ticket (NB: the house is 10 minutes walk from the Visitor Centre)
  * 4.30 Tea / coffee at the  home of George Reah in Flax Bourton (3 miles by road from Tyntesfield)

George has been able to obtain a group booking for 30 people. A booking form, and a fuller description of the event, can be downloaded here.

Information on how to find each of Barrow Gurney Church, the Failand Inn, Tyntesfield and The Grange will be sent by email at the end of April to those reserving places.