What Social Events and Traditions Does ULSCR Organise?

ULSCR (the University of London Society of Change Ringers) runs a year-round social calendar alongside its weekly ringing practices. According to the society's own site, the line-up includes a fresher's tour, a pancake party, a treasure hunt and "many pub trips," plus a formal annual dinner in November that brings together past and present members. The society is also marking its 80th birthday this year, and it keeps a mailing list for updates on events.

The regular social calendar

The society describes its social side as a core part of membership, not an add-on to ringing. The events it names explicitly are:

• Fresher's tour – an early-year event aimed at new students joining the society.
• Pancake party – a recurring social tied to the society's calendar.
• Treasure hunt – a group activity run during the year.
• Pub trips – described as "many," so these are frequent rather than one-off.

These sit alongside the weekly practice, which runs on Thursday evenings during term time, 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm, at St Olave's, Hart Street, EC3R 7NA (nearest tube: Tower Hill, District or Circle line). If you are deciding whether to join, the practical point is that a typical week combines one ringing session with an informal social event or pub visit.

The annual dinner: the society's main tradition

The formal annual dinner is the society's flagship tradition. It is held in November and is explicitly designed for both past and present members, which makes it the main point in the year when current students, staff and alumni mix.

The site's news archive shows how this tradition has run in recent years:

The 80th anniversary dinner is a good example of how the society layers a milestone celebration on top of the standard annual dinner. If you join, the November dinner is the event to plan around — it is the one that reaches alumni as well as current members.

Meetings, AGMs and how decisions get made

Beyond purely social events, ULSCR holds formal society meetings that members can attend:

• AGM (Annual General Meeting) – the site records an AGM on Saturday 9th May (2026), with elections including the President, and an earlier AGM on Sunday 12th May 2024 at 14:00.
• AuGM (Autumn General Meeting) – announced for after ringing in November 2023.
• Extraordinary General Meeting – held Monday 31st March at 8pm (announced March 2025).

These are the moments when the society elects its officers and makes decisions. For a new member, the AGM is the clearest way to see how the society is run and to volunteer for a role.

Milestones and staying informed

The society is celebrating its 80th birthday this year, having been formed in 1945. It asks people to sign up to its mailing list for more information on celebrations and general updates, and notes that any issues can be raised with the webmaster by email.

If you want to attend an event or join, the site's stated route is to email [email protected] in advance "so we are ready for your arrival." That applies whether you have never touched a bell rope or have been ringing for years — the society says anyone is welcome.

What this means if you are deciding

• If you want low-commitment social contact: the pub trips and one-off events (pancake party, treasure hunt) are the easiest entry point, and they run alongside the Thursday practice.
• If you want the full society experience: plan for the November annual dinner, which connects you to alumni as well as current members.
• If you care about how the society is run: the AGM and general meetings are open to members and include officer elections.
• If you just want updates: the mailing list is the society's own recommended channel, and [email protected] is the contact for joining.