Clare College
700th Anniversary
The anniversary year begins in Lent Term 2026 with a series of special Sunday services charting the past seven centuries in words and music. The focus of each sermon will be a notable Clare figure who has made a significant contribution to the spiritual life of this country.
Three new choral works have been commissioned for the 700th anniversary and will be performed for the first time at the final evensong of each term.
Throughout 2026 Honorary Fellows of the College will give a series of 700th anniversary distinguished lectures . Each lecture will look forward to what the future may hold in a different aspect of society.
The anniversary year will also feature a number of celebratory events for alumni. We hope that as many members of Clare as possible, from every generation, will be able to visit the College to join in the celebrations.
Booking details will follow but please bookmark the dates of your favourite events now!
Lecture Series
Riley Auditorium, 5pm
Wednesday 28th January
Matthew Parris, 'The Future of Journalism'
Wednesday 25th February
Professor Sir Mark Walport, 'The Future of Medicine'
Wednesday 18th March
Professor Susan Alcock, 'The Future of Archaeology'
Wednesday 29th April
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton: 'The Future of Defence'
Wednesday 28th October
Professor Henry Louis ('Skip') Gates Jr: 'The Future of Race'
Wednesday 11th November
The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull: ‘The Future of Faith’
Wednesday 25th November
The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Lord (Rowan) Williams of Oystermouth: 'The Future of Humanity'
Chapel Services
Clare College Chapel, 6pm
Sunday 25th January - Choral Evensong
Theme: Lady Clare; Music: 14th century
Sunday 1st February - Choral Evensong
Theme: Hugh Latimer; Music: 15th century
Sunday 8th February - Choral Eucharist
Theme: William Butler; Music: 16th century
Sunday 15th February - Choral Evensong
Theme: Nicholas Ferrar; Music: 17th century
Sunday 22nd February - Choral Evensong
Theme: Richard Terrick; Music: 18th century
Sunday 1st March - Choral Evensong
Theme: Agnes & Margaret Smith; Music: 19th century
Sunday 8th March - Choral Evensong
Theme: Siegfried Sassoon; Music: 20th century
Sunday 15th March - Choral Evensong
Theme: Forward looking; Music: 21st century
Premiere of new 700th Anniversary commission by Nico Muhly
Sunday 14th June - Choral Evensong
Premiere of new 700th Anniversary commission by Héloïse Werner (Clare 2010)
Sunday 29th November - Advent Carol Service
Premiere of new 700th Anniversary commission by Cheryl Frances-Hoad
700th Anniversary Events
Tuesday 10th March - Concert
Hall Concert
Saturday 25th April - Relics' Regatta
Rowing and Dinner
Saturday 9th May - Clare Choir Alumni Association Dinner
For alumni participating in West Road Concert
Sunday 10th May - Clare Choir Alumni Association Concert
Haydn Creation, West Road Concert Hall
Sunday 21st June - Concert
CCMS May Week Concert
Monday 22nd June - May Ball
Clare May event for students and alumni
Thursday 2nd July - 700th Anniversary Revels
Staff, Fellows and Alumni who matriculated in 2019 and 2020
Saturday 4th July - Alumni Garden Party
For all Alumni
Tuesday 3rd November - Concert
Hall Concert
Built with Shorthand