Celebrating 175 years since the founding of Bedford College.
2024 marks the 175th Anniversary of the founding of Bedford College. To celebrate events are taking place in three places of significance for the college: Bedford Square, Regent’s Park and Egham. The details of the events are below. The events will also be live streamed and recorded so that as many Bedfordians as possible can be involved in the celebrations.
If you studied or worked at Bedford College and do not currently receive emails from the Bedford Society, please update your details and communication preferences.
During the year there will also be opportunities to share memories of studying or working at Bedford College, to help to create a digital archive and keep alive the experience of being a part of Bedford College.
You might also want to bear in mind the opportunity – especially in 2024 - of using the Bedford Room at 11 Bedford Square to meet up informally with friends from your year or subject. Or you might want to organise your own celebration/gathering, if you're planning on doing this please get in touch.
Tickets for the following events are available on a first-come, first-served basis as spaces are limited.
175th anniversary events
An Afternoon at Bedford Square
Saturday 20 April
From 2.30pm the Bedford Room at 11 Bedford Square will be open for tea and a chat and at 4pm, at 48 Bedford Square, Ed Maggs, of the Antiquarian Booksellers, Maggs Brothers, is kindly hosting talks by Caroline Barron (former member of Bedford College History staff) and Claire Gobbi Daunton (BA History, 1974) on the early days of Bedford College in that building. The talks will be followed by a wine reception kindly provided by Maggs Brothers.
Please note that the talks and reception will be on the first floor and although there is a lift, some half dozen steps are also involved.
The recording of this event will be available here soon.
'First Principles' - talk and afternoon tea at Regent's University, London
Saturday 6 July
An opportunity to celebrate by returning to the former Bedford College site in Regent’s Park. There’ll be short talks, involving current and former staff and students, on the founding principles of the college and how they remain relevant to today, then afternoon tea and tours of the building, once so familiar to us. There’ll be plenty of time to meet and talk to each other.
This event is sold out, and the waiting list has closed. We will contact guests registered on the waiting list shortly.
Heritage Open Day at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College's Egham campus
Sunday 15 September 2024
Join us at the annual Heritage Open Day on the Royal Holloway campus, Egham, where in 2024 there will be additional focus on the academic work and life of Bedford College, through talks and displays alongside the regular heritage day activities and tours. There will be a reception for Bedfordians, giving an opportunity to meet up with fellow alumni and former staff.
Accommodation will be available in Egham for anyone wanting to stay the night before or after Heritage Open Day.
There will be no charge for tickets. Please complete this expression of interest form to let us know you would like to attend.
