The group of 23 travelled from all parts of the UK with their partners and some travelled internationally, including from South Africa, Pakistan and the USA.
The block five guys have held various reunions over the years with friends from block six – some of whom were the first women to live in the block. The last in person reunion was ten years ago, but regular Zoom calls are held to keep in touch. For some of the party it was the first time they had seen each other since gathering for weddings.
With their base in Burleigh Court, the friends spent time touring campus. They held a dinner with current Royce Warden Dr Mark King and his wife Norma and even had lunch in the Royce Hall dining room with Mark where they met current hall students and committee members including hall chair, Jack Haddock.
Naturally there were many stories told and much reminiscing.
Pat Naylor met her husband Nick at Loughborough and the pair were part of the reunion group. The couple have kindly donated for the University archive a range of posters advertising bands playing and Rag week activities from the time they were on campus. Bands playing included Traffic, Roy Wood’s Wizard and Steeleye Span.
Loughborough clearly had a long-lasting impact on the group as children have subsequently studied on campus too.
Dave King organised the trip from his home in South Africa and says the group all studied different subjects, but it was through Royce that that the friendships were forged.
We hope to see you all again on campus soon.