EVENTS | WHA

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WHA Events

The Wills Hall Association arranges a variety of annual occasions as well as numerous individual events. Members have advance notice, and all events are also advertised to current residents. Lectures are free of charge, but catered occasions attract a small fee. Most events are subsidised for current students.

Recurring events

Reunion Weekend

The WHA organizes an annual reunion weekend each summer. The emphasis is on re-connecting with contemporaries and other friends. There is a choice of excursions or visits and a formal dinner on Saturday, a Chapel service and organ recital on Sunday morning, before lunch in the dining hall.

Graves Lecture

In memory of the late Colonel Arthur Graves, fifth Warden of Wills Hall, the WHA arranges an annual lecture. The topic is usually one linked to Graves's own interests (he was a geographer, a dedicated teacher, and closely involved with the OTC).

arthur graves.jpg

London Reception

As autumn begins to turn towards winter, we usually meet in London at one of the clubs (most recently the RAC) for a drinks reception with canapés and a few updates on the activities of the WHA and the Hall.

The new JCR President is always invited to address the guests and report on life in Hall.

Spring Showcase

Partly because of the pandemic, Hall alumni associations cooperated in spring 2021 on a series of online events, including lectures, a recital, subject-specific gatherings, and a hugely successful University-Challenge-style student/alumni quiz. More such events are planned.

Bristol Reception

In years past, the Warden invited members of the WHA to a drinks reception in Downside House in the spring of each year. We continue the tradition, but in different surroundings, often linked with the Graves Lecture and held in the Dame Monica Wills Chapel or other venues in Bristol.

WHA/JCR

Whenever the WHA Committee meets in Hall, they invite the JCR Committee to join them for lunch in the former Senior Common Room to discuss the JCR's activities, its needs, and how the WHA can help financially and with members' time and expertise.

WHA JCR Committee 2019.jpg

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