More than 250 Old Radleians, current and former staff returned to the College on Saturday 12 September for Old Radleian Day 2026, with ORs spanning years from 2016 all the way back to 1950.
Once again, the weather was remarkably obliging, allowing much of the day to unfold outside in warm September sunshine. The morning belonged to our 40- and 50-year reunion groups and ORs aged over 75, who began with tours of the campus led by current boys. These offered a chance to revisit familiar territory while taking in some of the College’s more recent developments, including the new Music School.
“It was great to be able to catch up with some of my peers, most of whom I had not seen since leaving in 1986, and also to have a tour of C Social.” – Thomas Garnier (1981, C)
After their stroll, guests returned to Mansion for a drinks reception and an opportunity to explore a selection from the Radley Archives. There was much spotting of younger selves in old photographs, along with some rather less dignified discoveries in the historic ‘naughty book’.
The gathering then moved outside as the College Beagles made their way down from the Countryside Centre for their traditional parade. The pack was much admired and the beaglers fielded plenty of questions before the Chaplain performed the annual blessing of the Beagles.
From there, guests headed to Shop for a three-course lunch. The Warden and Senior Academic Prefect provided an update on life at the College, including welcome news of strong Radley rugby performances away at Epsom that afternoon. They also reflected on some of the things that have changed rather less over the generations: the generosity, comradeship and quiet sense of duty that continue to characterise the Radley community. Lunch evidently sharpened rather than dulled the collective intellect, and the Warden subsequently fielded a thoughtful series of questions about the College’s future strategy.
After lunch, the generations converged as the 10-, 20- and 30-year reunion groups arrived to join the morning’s guests in Chapel. Despite the very considerable numbers, there were remarkably few latecomers this year. In fact, the greater challenge proved to be persuading everyone already inside to stop talking. Such was the energy of the assembled ORs that the Chaplain was obliged, good-naturedly, to call the congregation to order before the service could begin, something believed to be a first in recent institutional memory. The service concluded with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem.
As the older generations began to take their leave, celebrations for the younger reunion groups were gathering pace. Turnout was exceptional: almost half of both the 10- and 20-year cohorts returned to Radley, a striking testament to friendships that have endured well beyond their school days.
Numbers were further bolstered by a reunion of the unbeaten 1995 XV, back in force to mark 30 years since their remarkable season. They regrouped with their former coaches Niall Murphy, now Sub-Warden, and Richard Greed, former Tutor and Undermaster and current President of both the Radleian Society and the Radley Serpents.
After Chapel, current boys led the reunion groups off on tours of their own. There was particular enthusiasm for inspecting old Socials, where in several cases former Tutors were waiting to greet them. After roaming the campus and assessing what had and, importantly, had not changed, the groups returned to Mansion for a drinks reception.
An impressive quantity of fizz disappeared as old friendships were revived, favourite stories became incrementally more embellished and guests caught up on the intervening years. There were group photographs aplenty and, for a select few, the opportunity to pose with one of the inhabitants of the Radley Zoo: Holly the boa constrictor draped rather splendidly around their shoulders.
More than 200 guests then filed into Hall for dinner. The wine flowed, the BBQ picanha of beef was enthusiastically received, and the Warden once again addressed the assembled crowd. References to past high jinks, notorious contemporaries and some particularly long-serving dons, including Garry Wiseman, Richard Greed and Niall Murphy, prompted roof-raising cheers and enthusiastic drumming on the tables. The Senior Prefect received an equally warm reception before Alex Hay (1991, H), himself a former Senior Prefect, took to a bench at the end of the meal to offer thanks for the day, celebrate the continued strength of the College and raise a glass to absent friends.
“It had a fabulous atmosphere and dinner, drinks and the welcome were all terrific.” – John Beasley, former don.
Those still possessing both the spirit and the wherewithal to continue descended to the JCR, accompanied by a contingent of current and former Radley staff. They had only a couple of hours in which to enjoy those salubrious surroundings but nevertheless managed to consume 428 beers before carriages were sought. (If festivities subsequently continued elsewhere, the Radleian Society is content to remain officially uninformed.)
Meanwhile, there had also been plenty of activity on Bigside. The Radley Serpents, the OR rugby team, took on Oxford Brookes University in their annual fixture at the College. After last year’s defeat, the Serpents returned to winning ways in an exceptionally close contest, emerging 21–17 victors after strong performances from both sides.
But the victory was not entirely without cost. Two Serpents (including a member of the Unbeaten 1995 team) sustained injuries requiring a joint excursion to the local Minor Injuries Unit. They returned, suitably bandaged, in time to resume the evening’s festivities, demonstrating admirable commitment.
Thank you to everyone – ORs, former staff and friends, current boys and current staff – who returned to the College, showed up on the day, and helped to make it such a memorable occasion.
Floreat Radley!
