Keble in Manchester
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On 9 October, alumni in the north of England made Keble history with the College’s first official gathering in Manchester. Set against the backdrop of the Dakota Hotel’s rooftop terrace, the evening brought together a group of 40 enthusiastic attendees spanning several decades of former Keble students and their guests. The atmosphere was warm, lively and unmistakably Keble.
Attendees enjoyed a selection of drinks and canapés while the conversation flowed easily. For some, it was their first Keble event since graduation; for others, it was an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and meet members of the regional community.
Alumna Olivia Cooley-Dawes (2009 English Language and Literature) shared: "The Keble in Manchester drinks gave me the rare opportunity to find another alumnus who, it turns out, not only went to the same (now demolished) secondary school as me but also grew up just down the road in a little village outside Burnley, years apart. In Manchester, the chances of two individuals meeting with the same exact background at any alumni event would be slim, but I like to think that hosting the event up north made it possible."
Travelling up from Oxford for the occasion, the Warden, Dr Sir Michael Jacobs, and the Director of Development, Jenny Tudge, brought greetings from College, saying how pleased they were to see the strength of the Keble network stretching beyond the capital. In their informal remarks, they reflected on recent developments at Keble and conveyed the College’s enthusiasm for continuing to build and support regional alumni groups.
The success of this inaugural Manchester gathering highlights keenness among alumni to stay connected both with Keble and with one another. We at the Alumni and Development Office are already hopeful to visit cities further afield in the coming years, strengthening ties and offering more opportunities for Keble alumni to meet, network and reminisce.
For those who attended, the evening was a memorable reminder that the Keble spirit travels well. And for those who couldn’t make it, we hope to see you at another occasion soon.
