Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.
| 20 May 2026 | |
| Written by Katie Green-Armytage | |
| Bradfield Society News |
We were thrilled to welcome alumni to our inaugural Alumni London Drinks event at the Oriental Club just off Oxford Street on Tuesday 19 May. It was wonderful to see groups from across the ages of Bradfieldians congregate at this brilliant central London venue, keen to catch up with Bradfield friends. The event attracted a range of attendees from the class of 2022 all the way to 1962, with some alumni with children or siblings currently at the College and some with children joining soon. Several groups took the opportunity to host 'mini reunions' within the wider event which gave attendees the opportunity not only to catch up with existing friends but also make new contacts within the community. Such reunions included Hugo Norman (B 79-84) organising a group of 1984 B House OBs and Timothy Walton (F 82-87) with a group of 1987 leavers. There was a strong turnout for male and female alumni from the class of 1998 as well as 2019/2020. We also had multiple families of Bradfieldians attending, be that alumni siblings such as Paul (B 66-70) and Tim (B 69-74) Arnold, uncle and nephew like Chris Bake (F 77-82) and Oli Lemstra Bake (C 13-17) or father and daughter like John Gill (D 58-62) and Harriet Price (Gill) (I 89-91).
Our Guest Speaker, Chris Bake (F 77-82) also attracted a crowd interested to learn about his journey with Emirates GBR Sail GP that led to his 2025 series win. In an additional boost Chris was joined by Olympic medallist Sir Ben Ainslie with whom he co-owns the Sail GP team. The pair delivered a fascinating insight through the high and the lows of their shared experience as well as into the sport of sailing and its forward trajectory... from the history of mono-hulls and long races with poor spectator opportunities to the advent of multi-hulled vessels that foil and races designed around the spectator. It would appear that now is the time to take up sailing, so it was brilliant that current pupils and College sailors Oscar (E) and Bella (J) were able to catch up with Sir Ben and learn about the youth sail training outreach work that he does and the opportunities available to them through the Athena pathway programme. Many thanks to Chris for speaking and bringing Sir Ben with you, that was a real treat.
Thank you so much to all those who were able to join us, we loved hosting you and we look forward to seeing you all again soon. Visit the Bradfield Ticket Source to book to see one our summer events performed in the Greek Theatre including Bradfield The Voice, Jazz on a Summers Evening or this year's Greek play Medea. Also, if you would like to host a reunion do get in touch, we are always happy to help Bradfieldians getting together :)
To view this News Article