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ABOUT

About the Wills Hall Association

The Wills Hall Association is the oldest and largest of the hall alumni associations in Bristol. We are an important channel for the voices of past and present members of Wills Hall, articulating the unique character of the Hall, and helping past and present members to enhance the experiences of future residents.​

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Our aims are to help keep our several hundred members in touch with their friends and contemporaries, and to maintain productive and supportive liaisons with new generations of residents as Wills Hall grows and develops in the contemporary University of Bristol.

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We work closely with the University’s Residential Life teams to help support the needs and wellbeing of current residents of Wills Hall. We sponsor travel and educational grants. For many decades we have provided funds for equipment and resources in Wills.​

 

Membership can be a way of making contacts across a wide range of work sectors. We keep members up to date with current developments affecting the Hall. A strong membership provides a strong advocacy for the benefits of Hall life within the university and wider afield.

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Reunion Weekend

The WHA organizes several events every year for members and guests. These include the annual summer reunion in Wills Hall (with a distinguished guest speaker), a London Reception in the autumn, and the Arthur Graves Lecture. Other less formal events will also be advertised here. Lectures are always free of charge. Dinners and receptions are competitively priced and subsidized for current students where possible.

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Donations

Wills Hall has been shaped by generosity and philanthropy, from the founding donation by the Wills brothers in the 1920s to the ongoing gifts of members in the 21st century.

Click here to find out how you can donate to improve the wellbeing of Wills residents.

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Travel Awards

The WHA advertises awards for travel and educational development to current residents annually. These may reach up to £1000 per applicant. Terms and conditions apply!

These awards are possible because of the generosity of generations of Wills students who have donated to the Wills Hall Trusts managed by the University and the WHA.

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A History of Wills

The official History of Wills Hall (new edition 2018) is also available for purchase at £12. A fine hardback book, with 112 pages and many illustrations, this tells you all you need to know about your Hall's history.

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101 Scholarship

Thanks to the huge generosity of a number of former residents of Wills Hall and members of the WHA, we are able to offer a series of 10 scholarships of £4000 each + £400 for books/equipment between 2021 and the Association's 101st anniversary in 2030.

The scholarships are  managed in conjunction with the University's student funding office.

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Wills Gin

For the 90th anniversary of the Hall's foundation in 1929 the WHA commissioned a bespoke gin from a local Bristol microdistillery based on plants and aromatics familiar from the Downside Estate.

It is available for purchase at £33 (collection or £3 delivery per [multi-bottle] order).

Image by Jez Timms

Events

  • Remembrance Day Service
    Remembrance Day Service
    Sun, 10 Nov
    Bristol
    10 Nov 2024, 10:45 – 11:15
    Bristol, Bristol BS9 1AE, UK
  • London Reception 2024
    London Reception 2024
    Thu, 17 Oct
    London
    17 Oct 2024, 18:30 – 20:30
    London, Guildhall Clubroom, accessed via the Guildhall West Wing entrance on Gresham St, London EC2V 7HH, UK
    Join us for our first event at this excellent venue, organised with the help of WHA member and former Lord Mayor of the City of London Sir Peter Estlin Guildhall Clubroom, accessed via the Guildhall West Wing entrance on Gresham Street, EC2V 7HH.
  • Bristol Alumni Network | Reunion Weekend 2024
    Bristol Alumni Network | Reunion Weekend 2024
    Fri, 30 Aug
    Bristol
    30 Aug 2024, 19:00 – 01 Sept 2024, 14:00
    Bristol, Bristol, UK
    The Wills Hall Association invite you to the annual Bristol Alumni Network Reunion Weekend from Friday 30 August to Sunday 1 September 2024
  • Manchester Reception
    Manchester Reception
    Thu, 18 Apr
    Greater
    18 Apr 2024, 19:00 – 22:30
    Greater, 4 Cathedral Gates, Greater, Manchester M3 1SW, UK
    We are delighted to be hosting our first Manchester event.
  • Summer 2023 Reunion Weekend
    Summer 2023 Reunion Weekend
    Fri, 14 Jul
    Bristol
    14 Jul 2023, 19:00 – 16 Jul 2023, 19:00
    Bristol, Bristol, UK
    The Bristol Alumni Network are delighted that the annual Reunion Weekend is back in its former time slot, Friday 14 to Sunday 16 July 2023.
  • Bristol Alumni Network: University Challenge 2023
    Bristol Alumni Network: University Challenge 2023
    Sat, 18 Mar
    Zoom
    18 Mar 2023, 19:00
    Zoom
    The Bristol Alumni Network is delighted to announce its 3rd annual University Challenge competition returns on Saturday 18 March 2023 with host Robert Vilain.
  • Charity Rugby Match - Wills XV v Churchill XV
    Charity Rugby Match - Wills XV v Churchill XV
    Fri, 03 Mar
    Coombe Dingle
    03 Mar 2023, 19:45
    Coombe Dingle, Coombe Dingle, Bristol BS9, UK
    Come and support the Wills team against current trophy holders Churchill at Coombe Dingle in a charity rugby match in aid of the Ted Senior Foundation. The WHA and CHA are proud supporters of this event organised by current students.
  • London Reception 2022
    London Reception 2022
    Thu, 20 Oct
    London
    20 Oct 2022, 18:30 – 20:30
    London, One Bishops Square, London E1 6AD, UK
    The WHA is delighted to invite you to our annual London Reception at our new venue!
  • Summer 2022 Reunion Weekend
    Summer 2022 Reunion Weekend
    Fri, 02 Sept
    Clifton
    02 Sept 2022, 19:00 – 05 Sept 2022, 14:00
    Clifton, Clifton, Bristol, UK
    The Wills Hall Association and the Bristol Alumni Network* are delighted to announce the return of the alumni reunion weekend.

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