In pictures: alumni return to college for 700th anniversary celebrations

The weekend of events, organised as a celebration of Oriel College’s 700th anniversary, included a classical concert, alumni ball and garden party.

“I was heartened to witness the affection and nostalgia that alumni feel towards Oriel,” said Lord Mendoza, Provost of Oriel College.

Mendoza himself studied Geography at Oriel in 1978.

“It’s clear that we’re all in some way shaped by our experience here,” he added.

The alumni ball featured music across two stages until after midnight and a silent disco.

One of the highlights of the night was a set by Gary and the Greasers, a Beach Boys tribute band formed by Oriel students in the 1970s.

The band reunited for one night only, with new members, including Graham Booth (1978), joining original Greasers Rick Stevenson (1979) and Andy Paterson (1977) on stage in Second Quad.

Bass player Paterson said: “I got to be part of the team that made my first film by persuading Gary [lead singer Rick] at an Oriel revue that his band needed a bass player, so it felt very good to be making music again in the place where my film producing career began.”

King Edward II confirmed the College’s foundation by royal charter on 21 January 1326, making it the oldest college of royal foundation in Oxford.

“The longevity and continuity of this college and its work is astonishing,” Mendoza said in a statement shared on 21 January 2026.

“Few institutions have endured for so long, and even fewer have remained devoted to the same cause.”

Celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary of this foundation began in January 2026 and have continued throughout the year.

The events have included a visit from His Majesty The King to Oriel College in July.

A number of events have also been held outside of Oxford, including at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and the historic British Ambassador’s Residence in Washington DC.

The day before the ball, a small group from Oriel met Pope Leo XIV in a private audience at the Vatican.

Addressing the delegation, the Pope spoke of the college’s “long and illustrious” history.

All alumni were also invited to attend reunion dinners during the year.

In November 2026, a special concert will be held at Oxford’s University Church of St Mary the Virgin, with Zane Dalal (1983) conducting the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra.

There are also upcoming alumni gatherings in Bogotá and Frankfurt.