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.
Use the links below to view our 2026 events:
Lent term
Easter term
Long vacation
Michaelmas term
- Evensongs will begin at 6pm in Chapel unless otherwise stated. Booking not required, seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Evensongs will be live streamed on YouTube.
- 700th anniversary lectures will be in the Gillespie Centre. Booking essential, please click on the lecture to reserve your seat. Please arrive between 4:45-5pm, as we will need all guests to be registered and seated by 5:20pm, for a prompt 5:30pm start.
- Booking details for the alumni garden party and additional concerts will be open soon.
- The Events Officer will be in touch with the relevant cohorts for booking onto Reunion Dinners.
Lent Term
Sunday 25th January - Choral Evensong
Theme: Lady Clare; Music: 14th century
Wednesday 28th January - 700th Anniversary Lecture Fully booked
Matthew Parris, 'The Future of Journalism'
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
Wednesday 25th February - 700th Anniversary Lecture
Professor Sir Mark Walport, 'The Future of Medicine'
Sunday 1st March - Choral Evensong
Theme: Agnes & Margaret Smith; Music: 19th century
Sunday 8th March - Choral Evensong
Theme: Siegfried Sassoon; Music: 20th century
Tuesday 10th March - Concert
Hall Concert
Saturday 14th March - Reunion Lunch
1960 65th Reunion, 1965 60th Reunion
Sunday 15th March - Choral Evensong
Theme: Forward looking; Music: 21st century
Premiere of new 700th Anniversary commission by Nico Muhly
Wednesday 18th March - 700th Anniversary Lecture
Professor Susan Alcock, 'The Future of Archaeology'
Easter term
Saturday 25th April - Relics' Regatta
Rowing and Dinner
Wednesday 29th April - 700th Anniversary Lecture
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton: 'The Future of Defence'
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 14th June - Choral Evensong
Premiere of new 700th Anniversary commission by Héloïse Werner (Clare 2010)
Long vacation
Sunday 21st June - Concert
CCMS May Week Concert
Friday 3rd July - Reunion Dinner
2000 25th Reunion
Saturday 4th July - Alumni Anniversary Garden Party
For all Alumni
Saturday 4th July - Reunion Dinner
1975 50th Reunion
Friday 25th September - Reunion Dinner
2016 10th Reunion, 2006 20th Reunion
Saturday 26th September - Reunion Dinner
1996 30th Reunion. 1986 40th Reunion
Michaelmas term
Wednesday 28th October - 700th Anniversary Lecture
Professor Henry Louis ('Skip') Gates Jr: 'The Future of Race'
Tuesday 3rd November - Concert
Hall Concert
Wednesday 11th November - 700th Anniversary Lecture
The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull: ‘The Future of Faith’
Wednesday 25th November - 700th Anniversary Lecture
The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Lord (Rowan) Williams of Oystermouth: 'The Future of Humanity'
Sunday 29th November - Advent Carol Service
Premiere of new 700th Anniversary commission by Cheryl Frances-Hoad
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