Author Archives: richard

Old Members Day 28th June 2025

Jesus College Oxford Saturday 28 June 2025 from 10:15 to 15:00

£30 for 3 talks & Hall lunch; add £15 for Cellar wine tour/tasting

***Closing date forTicket payment is Saturday 14 June 2025***

Our annual OMD is open to all Jesus Old Members and guests. This year’s outline is:

Our College Archivist Dr. Robin Darwall-Smith will speak on Ernest Hardy, Principal of Jesus College Oxford who died a century ago. An eminent historian of ancient Rome, he guided the College through the difficult days of the First World War and its recovery, and yet he achieved all this having lost his eyesight in earlier life.

Then two speakers from Wales will chime with current significant efforts by the College to raise the number of applicants from Wales. The speakers will talk about their experience in significantly raising the aspirations and success of able students in Wales in terms of exam outcomes and top university entrance.

Elisabeth Jones (Somerville, 1978) is former Chief Legal Adviser to Senedd Cymru, the Welsh Parliament, and served as interim Counsel General for Wales. In retirement, Elisabeth runs a Summer Scheme in Cardiff for Year 12 students interested in a legal career.

Leo Ball (Wadham, 1988) is a Cardiff freelance physics educator who works closely with the Welsh Government’s Seren programme for gifted state school students. As well as workshops and interview preparation, Leo’s physics Olympiad programme has dramatically increased successful Oxbridge applications. JOM has supported some of this work.

We will have lunch in Hall, with an opportunity to chat and catch up with friends.

After lunch, Philip Burrows, Senior Research Fellow in Physics at Jesus and Steward of the Senior Common Room will talk on wine at the College with a tasting of several wines from the cellar and a rare chance to go down into the cellar! There is an additional charge of

£15.00 for this item on our agenda.

Our schedule for Saturday 28th June 2025:

10.15              Coffee and tea in Ship Street

10.40              Robin Darwall-Smith ‘Ernest Hardy: Jesus’s Blind Principal’

11.35              Leo Ball and Elisabeth Jones ‘Turning Up the Aspirational Wick’

12.35              Pre-lunch drink in the Bastion in Ship Street

13.00              Lunch in Hall

It’s £30.00 per person up to this point, and if you would like to stay on for the extra special wine item, please add £15.00 for a total of £45.00 per person.

14.15              Wine tasting and College Cellar Tour with Philip Burrows

Please book as soon as possible using the Booking Form below.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday 28 June 2025 for a most enjoyable day!

Peter May (Chair JOM)

 

Jesus Curry Recusants (JCR) – 8th July 2025 TBC

 

Zin Restaurant has been booked for the next gathering on 8th July.  The general concensus at our last gathering was that Zin has improved during our absence and being closer to El Vino is once again our favourite diner

                  5:30pm: El Vino for pre-prandial libations

                   7:00pm: Zin (formerly India India) for a spicy dish of Indian origin

Good wine and food, and excellent company, guaranteed

Invites and reminders go out a few weeks before that date.

Polite reminder::

 a) It is not a requirement to attend both events. It is perfectly fine if you wish to join us just for drinks at El Vino or just for the meal at Zin (8 Crane Court)

b) If you are intending to  join us for drinks only, or for the meal only, or for both drinks and meal, then it would be extremely helpful if you would let me know so that everyone can be accommodated. Payment in cash please.

Future dates: Sometime in September

Chris Hicks

ev****@**mg.org

 

Jesus Curry Recusants (JCR) – 8th April 2025

The time has come (the Walrus said) to talk of many things…. but first I need to know who is going to turn up on 8th April. RSVP to Chris Hicks

Zin Restaurant has been booked for the next gathering on 8th April.  The general concensus at our last gathering was that Zin has improved during our absence and being closer to El Vino is once again our favourite diner

                  5:30pm: El Vino for pre-prandial libations

                   7:00pm: Zin (formerly India India) for a spicy dish of Indian origin

Good wine and food, and excellent company, guaranteed

Invites and reminders go out a few weeks before that date.

Polite reminder::

 a) It is not a requirement to attend both events. It is perfectly fine if you wish to join us just for drinks at El Vino or just for the meal at Zin (8 Crane Court)

b) If you are intending to  join us for drinks only, or for the meal only, or for both drinks and meal, then it would be extremely helpful if you would let me know so that everyone can be accommodated. Payment in cash please.

Future dates: Tuesday 8th July and then sometime in September

Chris Hicks

ev****@**mg.org

 

‘Medieval Women: In Their Own Words’: An expert talk then British Library Exhibition 28th February 2025

The British Library’s ‘Medieval Women: In Their Own Words’ exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the thoughts of women in Europe during the Middle Ages.  Previous visitors have expressed great enthusiasm for this Exhibition!

Professor Susan Doran (Jesus College History tutor who supported our British Library visit to Elizabeth and Mary), has kindly introduced us to Professor Hannah Skoda of St John’s College.  Prof. Skoda has generously agreed to join us and speak on this topic: her work and knowledge of this period guarantee us a lively and informative introductory talk over lunch!

You are cordially invited to join our party of 18 for lunch—come and hear our special speaker at an Italian restaurant not far from the British Library on Friday 28 February 2025.  After lunch we will walk to the British Library for the exhibition.

Our schedule for Friday 28 February 2025:
12.30pm  Lunch at Albertini, 16 Chalton Street, LONDON, NW1 1JH
12.45pm  Address by Professor Hannah Skoda
14.15pm  Walk to the British Library, 96 Euston Road, LONDON, NW1 2DB
14.45pm  Enter ‘Medieval Women: In Their Own Words’ Exhibition
16.00pm  Tea (optional) in one of the British Library cafés, if you so choose

Please note: Our JOM party is limited to 18 people and £30.00 per person includes the cost of our special lunchtime talk and ticketed-entry to the BL exhibition.
Lunch (/tea) is NOT included: please pay-as-you-go on the day at the restaurant(/café).

To join us download and complete the booking form here and email to ev****@**mg.org

We look forward to seeing you for a great afternoon!

Jesus Curry Recusants (JCR) – 11th February 2025

It’s time to find out who can attend the first JCR meeting of the new year: 2025.  A number which is the first perfect square and sum of cubes since the thirteenth century when the Magna Carta was signed – I think.

After a full turn out at our last encounter in November, we go from strength to strength.

Zin Restaurant has been booked for the next gathering on 11th February.  The general concensus at our last gathering was that Zin has improved during our absence and being closer to El Vino is now our favourite diner

                  5:30pm: El Vino for pre-prandial libations

                   7:00pm: Zin (formerly India India) for a spicy dish of Indian origin

Good wine and food, and excellent company, guaranteed

Invites and reminders go out a few weeks before that date.

Polite reminder::

 a) It is not a requirement to attend both events. It is perfectly fine if you wish to join us just for drinks at El Vino or just for the meal at Zin (8 Crane Court)

b) If you are intending to  join us for drinks only, or for the meal only, or for both drinks and meal, then it would be extremely helpful if you would let me know so that everyone can be accommodated. Payment in cash please.

Future dates: Tuesday 8th April and Tuesday 8th July

Chris Hicks

ev****@**mg.org

 

A Private Guided Evening Tour of Windsor Castle 10th October 2024

Thursday 10 October 2024 from 17:45 to 20:30
A Private Guided Evening Tour for our Group!

We invite you to join us for a private guided evening tour of Windsor Castle on Thursday 10 October 2024.  Amble in awe through magnificent royal rooms with our expert guide.

Plan for Thursday 10 October 2024:
Meet first with other group members at The Castle Hotel for food, drink and to collect your pre-paid ticket from 16:00.
Pay-as-you-go for your choice of meals and/or drinks in their LEAF restaurant or bar.
Walk to Windsor Castle Visitor Entrance for our Private Guided Evening Tour.

Be sure to arrive no later than 17:45 for this timed-entry tour which is exclusive to our group.

During the evening tour an expert from the Royal Collection Trust will guide us around the:

Ceremonial Rooms: the main State Apartments used by the Royal Family. Here HM King Charles III hosts investitures and official visits by Heads of State.

Historic Rooms: built for Charles II and Catherine of Braganza, these rooms illustrate the centuries-old design of English palaces intended to control courtiers’ access to the monarch.

At the end of the tour enjoy a glass of English sparkling wine and a 20% shop discount.

 Then we will leave the Castle via Henry VIII Gate and stroll straight down Peascod Street to dine at: Meimo, 69-70 Peascod Street, Windsor SL4 1DE for a convivial meal (Moroccan Mediterranean Mezze).

 Other highlights of Windsor Castle—*not on our evening tour but may interest you*—include:
Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House in its centenary year (until December).
The Semi-State rooms (open October to March).
St George’s Chapel (open for services all year).
Wonderful walks in Windsor Great Park may also be enjoyed, time and weather-permitting.

Group size: we have provisionally reserved 30 places.
Duration of guided tour: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Price: £80.00 per person, includes professional guided tour, official guidebook, glass of English sparkling wine and a 20% shop discount.
The tour route is wheelchair accessible and Access Companion tickets are free.
Convert your ticket to a 1-YEAR PASS for 12 months’ complimentary Castle admission.

 If you are a Jesus College alum, please request a Booking Form from our Events Coordinator at ev****@**mg.org.

 ***Closing date for ticket payment is Saturday 31 August 2024***

Jesus Curry Recusants (JCR) – 26 November 2024: Now at Zin

It was great to see so many old (and new) faces again at our last encounter in September. We go from strength to strengh.

Zin Restaurant has been booked for the next gathering on 26th November.  The general concensus at our last gathering was that Zin has improved during our absence and being closer to El Vino is now our favourite diner

                  5:30pm: El Vino for pre-prandial libations

                   7:00pm: Zin (formerly India India) for a spicy dish of Indian origin

Good wine and food, and excellent company, guaranteed

Invites and reminders go out a few weeks before that date.

Polite reminder::

 a) It is not a requirement to attend both events. It is perfectly fine if you wish to join us just for drinks at El Vino or just for the meal at Zin (8 Crane Court)

b) If you are intending to  join us for drinks only, or for the meal only, or for both drinks and meal, then it would be extremely helpful if you would let me know so that everyone can be accommodated. Payment in cash please.

Chris Hicks

Gazing into the future, the first meeting in the new year will be on 11th February 2025

Norman we*******@**mg.org

Jesus Curry Recusants (JCR) – 10th September 2024: Back to Zin

It was great to see so many old (and new) faces at our last encounter in July.

Zin Restaurant has been booked for the next gathering on 10th September.  While there was general approval for Indian City as a replacement it was thought that, on account of proximity (it’s just across the road) and space (it’s bigger), Zin would suit us better in the long run

                  5:30pm: El Vino for pre-prandial libations

                   7:00pm: Zin (formerly India India) for a spicy dish of Indian origin

Good wine and food, and excellent company, guaranteed

Polite reminder::

 a) It is not a requirement to attend both events. It is perfectly fine if you wish to join us just for drinks at El Vino or just for the meal at Zin (8 Crane Court)

b) If you are intending to  join us for drinks only, or for the meal only, or for both drinks and meal, then it would be extremely helpful if you would let me know so that everyone can be accommodated. Payment in cash please.

Chris Hicks

 

Norman we*******@**mg.org

Jesus Curry Recusants (JCR) – 2nd July 2024

It was pleasing to see so many new (and old) faces last night, 16th April.  I hope the Camino from El Vino to Indian City was not too arduous for you.

The next date is 2nd July 2024

5.30pm El Vino, Fleet Street

7.00pm Indian City, 4 New Bridge St, Blackfriars, EC4V 6AA

Good wine and food, and excellent company, guaranteed

Polite reminder:

 a) It is not a requirement to attend both events. It is perfectly fine if you wish to join us just for drinks at El Vino or just for the meal at Indian City (4 New Bridge St, Blackfriars, EC4V 6AA)

b) If you are intending to  join us for drinks only, or for the meal only, or for both drinks and meal, then it would be extremely helpful if you would let me know so that everyone can be accommodated. Payment in cash please.

A formal invitation will be sent out closer to the date

Chris Hicks

Norman

Will India India / Zin be repiared in time?

Future dates for your diaries: JCR 10th September