DEAR FELLOW WINTONIAN I am sure that you will join me in thanking Howard Horstead for his exceptional service and loyal guardianship of the Winton Club in his role as Honorary Secretary for the last thirty-three years. I am delighted that Howard, although retiring from his Honorary Secretary role, will still be engaged with the Winton Club.
items following feedback to a survey sent to those who attended last year. For example, a Sunday Brunch has been added to give us an opportunity to meet up one last time before we leave. The weekend programme and menus can be found in this leaflet and full joining instructions will be sent out prior to arrival.
As the Winton Club looks to the future with an eye to sustaining and developing our activities, I want to give you an update on Winton Club executive arrangements. The Winton Club dates back to 1874, served by a Committee of elected members. At the 2001 AGM the Club amalgamated with the College Alumni Association to facilitate mutual support and strength in partnership. The Winton Club Committee has continued to hold the annual Winton Club Reunion, traditionally focusing very successfully on the ’40 years on’ and beyond groups.
The main event of the weekend – providing the best opportunity to meet up with friends – is the Saturday Luncheon. This takes place in the Food Hall and is a traditional, seated and served three-course meal with sung Grace and followed by toasts and a roll call of alumni attending.
The Winton Club membership now includes over 30,000 alumni across 90 different countries. Given the University’s growth as well as the changing context of higher education – including increased tuition fees and stricter rules regarding data protection, over the past year – the elected members of the Committee were invited to review the structure and focus of the Winton Club to ensure continued pride in and participation with the alumni activities of the University by all of its alumni. To this end, a new Alumni Association Strategy Group has been established, governed by the University with representation from several alumni working groups, including the Winton Club Working Group which will continue to enhance and develop the current focus of the Winton Club Committee around reunions and heritage. Terms of reference for this group will be brought to the AGM on 30 June and papers will be circulated to all who wish to attend in advance. Other working groups, for example around professional networks and the Alumni Mentoring and Ambassador programmes will be formed in the near future. I am pleased to have been invited to serve as the General Secretary to the Winton Club Working Group. I do hope that you will be joining me at Reunion in the summer. There are some new
Other events not on the programme may be planned by year groups, on campus or at venues around the City. You will be notified about these by the University or by your year group organiser before the weekend. The weekend coincides with Winchester’s Hat Fair this year so there will be plenty going on in the City! Accommodation is in the Burma Road Student Village, close to all Reunion venues. The single en suite rooms are arranged in flats of eight with a communal kitchen and lounge area. Alternatively, there are many hotels and B&Bs in Winchester; please enquire about these with the Winchester Tourism Centre – see www.visitwinchester.co.uk or phone 01962 840500. Parking permits are required for all University car parks; please advise vehicle registration number when booking to ensure you receive your permit. Reunion dates for next year have now been agreed as the weekend around Saturday 29 June 2019. I look forward to seeing you in June.
Liz Broughton (Liz Richards 1974-77) General Secretary, Winton Club Working Group
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