Summer Reunion 2025

On the 5th of July, beneath the city's homely grey sky, alumni and other friends of the Hall once again convened in Manchester for the Summer reunion. 

Delightfully, many attending this year's festivities were visiting the Hall for the first time since their tenure as a student. While the Hall has changed much in recent years (and this formed a major point of discussion during the Annual General Meeting), the reunion continues to be a wonderful chance for Old Anselmians to reconnect and exchange memories of their time in Hall. To this end, the open JCR was decorated with photographs of Slems and its denizens from years gone by. Thankfully, those featuring this author were some of the kinder examples from his time as a student.

The AGM saw Ralph Clementson welcomed to the Association Committee as its newest member, and ratified the newly updated Constitution by unanimous vote.

Esperanza Hughes-Salinas, Association Co-Chair, chaired the AGM

Annual General Meeting attendees approve through the updated Constitution.

The AGM was followed with a service in the Chapel led by Revd. Andrew Wickens.

This author with other Old Anselmians and guests outside the Chapel after Evensong.

This year's keynote speaker was Andrew Cooper MP, who was elected as the member of parliament for Mid Cheshire in 2024. Andrew gave an enlightening and often humourous walkabout through the world of Westminster. Listeners were treated to a first hand insight into the life of the Commons, in its all storied process and pageantry.

Old Anselmian Andrew Cooper, Member of Parliament for Mid-Cheshire, speaking at the dinner

It is one of the great privileges of the Hall reunions that we get to hear of the marvellous and multifarious ways in which Anselmians have made their mark on the world, in the very place of their first embarkation.

Even so, it is no secret that this reunion fell against the backdrop of persistent challenges toward the Hall's institutions. Where an amenity of the Hall or a pillar of support for its current residents has been lost, the sharing of memories felt often bittersweet. You can read more here about the Hall's recent challenges.

Nonetheless, this author can claim without embellishment that the resilience of the Anselmian identity was on full display at this year's reunion. The reunion was fortunate enough to receive several attendees from among the current student residents, who deserve deep credit for the fortitude they have shown in keeping the spirit of the Hall alive. See below this blog for select photos of the event.

May all Anselmians and friends have a very pleasant Summer. If we weren't fortunate enough to see you this time, remember that the Hall and Chapel will be hosting events throughout the Autumn, and that the London Dinner is just around the corner.

Floreat Aula Sancti Anselmi