2026 Gaudy

We are delighted to welcome all Senior Members and friends to join us for the 2026 St Hilda’s Gaudy Weekend. We especially look forward to celebrating the 30th, 40th, 50th, and 55th reunions with those who matriculated in 1971, 1976, 1986 and 1996.

We have put together an exciting programme on Saturday, which includes:

• Arrival from noon onwards: Sandwich lunch available and Harry’s Bar will be open for drinks on the riverside terrace.

• 1.00 pm Alumnae Conversations in the JdP with:

Catherine Ostler (English, 1987)
Author and historian Catherine Ostler will be in conversation about her career in publishing and journalism, and specifically the recent publication of her second book, The Renoir Girls (Simon & Schuster, 2026), described as ‘an astonishing true story of splendour, scandal and tragedy in Golden Age Paris’ and by The Times as 'an enthralling family saga...and essential reading for our times.' Her previous book, The Duchess Countess, was a Times, Telegraph, Spectator and Vogue book of the year. It is currently in the works as a television series. Catherine has previously been Editor of Tatler, Editor of ES Magazine at the Evening Standard, and Editor of Times Weekend.

Philippa Lowthorpe (Classics, 1980)
Philippa will be in conversation about her outstanding career as a three-time Bafta-winning TV and Film Director, including showing several trailers and examples of her work. She became the first woman to win a Bafta for Best Director at the Bafta Television Awards in 2013. She was the lead director of the first series of Call The Midwife, and, more recently, she was the director of another BBC drama series, Prisoner 951, telling the remarkable story of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. H is for Hawk is her latest BAFTA-nominated cinematic release.

• ASM Afternoon Tea in the Pavilion, featuring the Principal’s welcome and annual meeting of the Association of Senior Members.

• 4.45 pm JdP Concert performed by Violetta Suvini (Modern Languages, 2017) and Salome Jordania 
Described as ‘an artist of great originality and vision’, Irish-Italian violinist Violetta Suvini is a City Music Foundation Artist and recipient of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Emily Anderson Prize 2024. She recently made recital debuts at Cheltenham Festival, St Martin in the Fields, and in the Barbican Main Hall, with performances described praised for their ‘exquisite delivery’ (The Arts Desk), ‘powerful body of sound’ (The Strad) and ‘compelling playing’ (The Arts Desk).

Georgian pianist Salome Jordania has performed as a soloist and chamber musician across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In 2025, she was named a winner of Forbes 30 Under 30 Georgia, and made her debut recitals at Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw, and Cadogan Hall. She has appeared at major festivals including Piano aux Jacobins, Les Grands Interprètes, Palazzetto Bru Zane, Yamaha Rising Stars, IKIF Rising Stars, the Grachtenfestival, and L'Esprit du Piano, among others.

• 6.00 pm Chapel Service

• 6.30 pm Drinks Reception on South Lawn, including year group photographs

• 7.30 pm Celebratory Dinner in the Dining Hall

On Sunday, you can enjoy a St Hilda’s breakfast (if staying in College accommodation) and a relaxing morning with coffee, newspapers and your friends. We also hope to be able to offer a tour of our wonderful gardens – more news to follow!

Please book your Gaudy ticket using the booking form below, or email us if you have any questions.

If you would like to stay over in College and avoid the journey home on Saturday night, you're welcome to book a room in College and stay the night! Sign in or create a profile on the College Portal, select 'Bedroom Bookings', and then enter the code Gaudy2026 to book.

Alongside the reunion programme, the weekend will include a brief update on the College's future priorities and charitable work. Accordingly, this event includes a fundraising element.