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About The Event
Reception from noon with lunch starting at 1.00 p.m.
Once again, we will be holding the traditional summer lunch in Oxford at St Hilda’s College, the first women’s college at the University of Oxford, established in 1893. It is a lovely college, with gardens onto the river, and we enjoyed our traditional Pimms reception followed by a delicious lunch in their riverside pavilion overlooking the dreaming spires.
Magdalen College is located just the other side of the bridge to St Hilda’s, so guests can visit the college (subject to whether it is closed for a private event) following the luncheon if they would like to see Oscar’s college as well.
St Hilda’s is located on Cowley Place, which is off to the right if approaching the roundabout at the end of the high street from the high street itself. If coming from London by Oxford tube, if you alight at St Clements’ it is a five-minute walk from the stop. If arriving by train, you can catch any of the following buses to ‘the Plain’ roundabout: 400 (stop r1), 1, 5 (stop r2), x7, x8 (stop r5).
Regular Wildean contributor Rob Marland will be speaking about his new book Oscar Wilde’s First Tragedy, which tells the complete and fascinating story of Vera; or, the Nihilists, Wilde’s first and worst play, from its inception to its fateful premiere (the night that Wilde described as ‘the sharpest agony’ of his life), its withdrawal a week later, and beyond. Rob will be selling copies of Oscar Wilde’s First Tragedy (£26), and of his new critical edition of the play (£12), at the event. At this event only, attendees may purchase both books for the reduced price of £30. Members who have confirmed their attendance should email Rob (r.p.marland@gmail.com) with the subject line ‘Oxford Vera’ to reserve copies. Stock will be extremely limited, and only reserved copies are likely to be available on the day. Please reserve your copies by 15 May. Please also bring cash, as Rob will not be able to accept electronic payments. For more information about the books, see https://robmarland.co.uk/vera
Tickets cost £80 per person, which includes a Pimms reception, three-course lunch, and after-meal tea/coffee. Wine with the meal is not included but can be bought on the day from their wine list, which features bottles from Brightwell’s, a local Oxford vineyard.
Please let us know when booking if you have any special dietary requirements. We will do our best to accommodate these within the confines of a banqueting menu. If this is not possible, your payment will be refunded.
Booking closes on Friday 22 May. Members may bring one guest.
How to Pay
- By PayPal to membership@oscarwildesociety.co.uk
- By bank-to-bank transfer. If you want to pay in this way please email the treasurer: johnstratford10@hotmail.com
- By cheque drawn on a UK bank, made payable to The Oscar Wilde Society.
If you want to pay in this way please email the treasurer: johnstratford10@hotmail.com
IMPORTANT: Your booking is not complete until you have received an email confirming receipt of payment. if you have heard nothing after seven days, please contact the treasurer: johnstratford10@hotmail.com