A splendid lunch was organised at Balliol College, Oxford, on Saturday 10 October 2016 by Sylvia Hillier, née Winsnes.
The venue was the Old Common Room, which dates from the 15th century and is now used for College entertainment. After reception drinks, we were treated to a superb three course menu with excellent wine from the cellars and were waited on by two charming young ladies, a member of staff and a philosophy student.
There were sixteen in all, a good number despite some organisational obstacles including torrential rain on the morning but all who attended were unanimous in finding it a thoroughly enjoyable event.
Tony Hillier, a graduate of the College, gave an entertaining talk on the history of the College which was founded in 1263, the second oldest of the Colleges, by John de Balliol as a penance for supposedly kidnapping the Bishop of Durham over a land dispute.
After lunch we were able to tour several of the college oldest buildings and also the gardens with their superb plantings.