Events

Emmanuel Society Culture Club - A visit to the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge

4:45pm – Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HA

We are delighted to once again offer members the opportunity to visit Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy for a special guided tour and talk with Paul Fellows (1979), Chair of the Cambridge Astronomical Association.

The guided visit will comprise a tour of the historic buildings and telescope observatory, and a talk by Paul on the discovery of planets beyond the solar system.

If the evening is clear, you'll have the opportunity to look up at the night's sky through the telescopes and learn to navigate the constellations. If the weather is not conducive to stargazing, you'll enjoy a planetarium-style show indoors. An event not to be missed!

This is event is free of charge to members of the college.

This event is now fully booked. Please click here to join the waiting list. 

Ely Book Talk and Tea with Charles Moseley

12:00pm – Ely Museum, The Old Gaol, Market Street, Ely, CB7 4LS

Join us for an afternoon of stories, history and tea in the city of Ely with Charles Moseley.

After Charles Moseley's popular talk about his book on St Etheldreda a few years ago, he's back with a new book on Hereward the Wake, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman and leader of local resistance to the Norman Conquest of England.

Spend the afternoon with Charles and members of the college, discovering the story of Hereward in the city that was his base of resistance. Starting at midday, Charles will speak on the mayhem and myth that surrounds Hereward at Ely Museum from 12.00pm.

We’ll convene again at 2.30pm at the 13th-century Almonry Kitchen, in the cathedral grounds, where we’ll continue the conversation over a sumptuous afternoon tea.

For those that wish to join, we’ll close the afternoon with evensong in the cathedral, one of the architectural wonders of the medieval world.

Between the talk and afternoon tea, you’ll have some time to explore the museum’s collections or the delights of the city, including the cathedral, Toppings bookshop or the riverside antiques emporium.

Here's what Charles says about the book:

'We know virtually nothing for certain about Hereward, later surnamed 'the Wake'. But for a couple of years after William the Bastard won at Hastings - and nearly did not - Hereward gave him a good few sleepless nights. The resistance he helped lead, based on the almost impregnable Isle of Ely, might even have succeeded had the Danes not been bought off by a bribe from William. Hereward escaped and nobody knows what happened to him.

But of such a man stories can be made, and many were, from (probably) an Old English heroic poem to a hugely influential nineteenth century novel, and many modern iterations in various media down to our own day - and he gives his name to pubs, schools, a long-distance footpath and care homes.'

Join us for a fascinating exploration of Hereward: Mayhem, Man, Myth.

About Charles

Dr Charles Moseley FSA FEA taught medieval and renaissance literature at the University of Cambridge for many years, as College Lecturer at Magdalene College, Director of Studies and Fellow at Wolfson College, and Senior Tutor and Director of Studies at Hughes Hall. He is an accomplished lecturer and public speaker, and is the author of books including To the Eel Island: An Evening Journey, Etheldreda’s World: Princess Abbess Saint and To Everything a Season: A View from the Fen.

Charles is the husband of Rosanna Moseley Gore (1979), Emmanuel Society committee member, and a friend of the college, having given talks for members on a range of subject over several years.

How to book 

The cost for the full day, including afternoon tea, is £33 per person. If you are able to join only for the talk, the cost is £8, which includes a year of return entry to the Ely Museum*.

Book now.

Copies of Charles's book will be available to purchase. 

*The cost includes a booking fee.

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Emma in Brussels: Christmas Drinks

6:00pm – 13 Degrees, Pl. Jourdan 49, 1040 Etterbeek, Brussels, Belgium

Members of Emmanuel are invited to a get-together for pre-Christmas drinks on Wednesday 9 December. Nigel Cameron (1971) and his wife Anna will kindly host this drinks party, for those in and around Brussels, at the 13 Degrees wine bar.

Partners, friends and families are welcome. The event starts from 6.00pm onwards, though members can feel free to drop in later. Nigel and Anna have very generously offered to buy the first bottles.

Those who have attended Nigel's Christmas drinks before will know what lovely occasions these are. We hope you'll make it this year!

This event is free to attend but please do click here to book your place. 

College and Emmanuel Society Advent Carol Service

6:30pm – St Pancras Church, 165 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BH

Please note this service will be held in a new venue for 2026.

Members of Emmanuel, families and friends are invited to the annual College and Emmanuel Society Advent Carol Service at London's St Pancras Church. Welcome the festive season with the chapel choir and a service of lessons, followed by mince pies and refreshments.

This event is free-of-charge to members of the college and their families and friends. If you would like to contribute towards the cost of the refreshments, which helps us keep this event free to all, there is an option to do so when you book.

Book to attend.

Booking closes on Wednesday 2 December or when the event is fully booked.

By attending this event, you agree to our terms and conditions.

The Scottish Colourists: Art and Life, a talk by Alice Strang (1992)

6:00pm – Online

Alice Strang (matric 1992) read History and History of Art at Emmanuel. Upon graduating she joined Christie's where she worked as a Specialist across Impressionist, Modern, 20th century and Contemporary art. She then spent 22 years at the National Galleries of Scotland, becoming a Senior Specialist in Modern & Contemporary Art. Since 2021 she has been an Associate Director of Lyon & Turnbull auctioneers. Alice has been described as 'one of the most cultured minds on Scotland's art scene.' (Scottish Field, 2026).

Alice will talk about her new book for the National Galleries of Scotland, The Scottish Colourists: Art and Life. This is the story of the interwoven lives of

Samuel John Peploe, John Duncan Fergusson, George Leslie Hunter and Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell who are Scotland's most celebrated artists of the twentieth-century. They were bound together by friendship and an immersion in progressive French art, which resulted in their use of bold design, beautiful brushwork and, above all, brilliant colour. Individually and collectively the four artists were the torch bearers of modern art in Scotland. In 1937 the artist David Foggie described Peploe as 'the creator of a new beauty, entirely of this century and unique'. This description can be applied to all the members of the quartet now celebrated as the 'Scottish Colourists'. Alice Strang re-examines the Colourists' lives, work and international legacy, revealing why their art continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

This talk will be hosted by Rosanna Moseley Gore (1979). There will be time for questions and discussion after Alice's talk.

Book your place here. 

Copies of the book can be ordered here.

Emmanuel Society London Drinks (9 March 2027)

6:00pm – Bunghole Cellars, 57 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6DT

You are warmly invited to our next London Drinks event. This is a great opportunity for networking and a chance to catch up with fellow Emma members from across the subjects and years. As is tradition, there'll be the chance for all attendees to win a bottle of Emmanuel College port.

You don't need to book a place for this event but, to give us an idea of expected numbers, please do register.

Book your place

Members may choose to sponsor this event, which helps us keep it free for all to attend and provide some drinks. There is an option to sponsor the event on registration. Any funds received will go towards this event and subsequent events for members.

Emmanuel Society Lawyers' Dinner

7:00pm – Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London, EC4M 7DD

You are warmly invited to a special evening hosted by the Emmanuel Society at London's Stationers' Hall

This special dinner brings together members who read Law at Emmanuel and members who have since pursued a career in law.

The Master, Doug Chalmers, will be in attendance and will welcome you to dinner. We are also delighted to be joined by our speaker for the evening, Síofra O'Leary (1995) former President of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Held only once every three years, the Emmanuel Society Lawyers' Dinner offers a special opportunity to reconnect with friends and contemporaries, meet fellow members working in law and renew your connection with the college, all whilst enjoying a delicious three-course meal with wine.

The dress code is lounge-suit or equivalent. Numbers are limited and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Members are welcome to bring guests, subject to availability.

Booking

The cost is £155 per person, which includes a three courses and wine.

A limited number of subsidised places, at £80 per person, are available to Emmanuel graduates from 2020–2026 who are still studying or undertaking a training contract or pupillage. Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Book your place. 

Bookings must be received by Monday 1 March 2027. Please email the Development Office if you have any questions about this event.

Participation in this event is subject to our Member Events Terms and Conditions.