The 16' Club

The Club Crest

The 16' Club is a dining club established for male members of St David's College (now St David's College, Trinity Saint David); also known as "The Sixteens", the "College Sixteen" or simply "16", it has been accused of being a secret society. Some authors agree with that definition,[1] however others do not.[2]

With probable origins in the early 19th century, it is now the only remaining dining club at the University College, and the sole remaining collegiate dining club in Wales. The Club's colour is gray / pale blue.

Dining in the 19th century

Dining clubs in men's colleges have a very long history and St David's College in Lampeter (founded 1822) has always had a close affinity with Jesus College Oxford (founded 1571) and therefore shared experiences in the practice of dining. One view is that the conception of the 16 dining club in Lampeter probably owes its origins to a body of students in the 1830s to 1850s who banded together in secrecy. They determined to flout the strict rules which forbade students from appearing in the town without their gowns, 'communicating' with local woman and frequenting the local ale houses.[3]

Foundation and origins

The precise foundation of the club is impossible to place accurately, as so much documentation from the pre-war era has been lost, however a volume recently published by HarperCollins places the approximate foundation of the club at 1874-6.[4]

There existed a body of students in the 1830 to 1850s who banded together in secrecy to flout the strict rules which forbade students from appearing in the town without their gown, "communicating" with local women and frequenting the local alehouses.[5] It is this tradition which the Club has made itself known for following.

The Club today

Today, The 16' Club is solely a dining club, though vestiges of the Club's clerical origin remain in the retention of the College Prayer [6] and the nominal requirement that members be bachelors.

The clandestine nature of their meetings, and the reticence of their members, means that little is known about the club.

In the spring of 1971 the Club was founded in the form we see today, when gentlemen made records of some events to begin a history. Four first year men were taking their ale in The Railway Tavern, Lampeter when a proposition was made to ensure the longevity of legend and reinvigorate adining club in The College. A sort of dining club, called The Boar's Head, already existed but membership to this club was limited to staff and final year students. The Boar's Head unfortunately would not last, having long periods of closure during the 80's, 90's, 00's.

The proposal was that the 16 Club was open to all men at Lampeter and would draw from those who had distinguished themselves in a wide range of fields and who were particularly noted for their flair and wit and would be regarded as true heirs of Harvey. There would be no more than sixteen persons present for that first dinner but one place would be set aside for Harvey in the hope that he would fulfill the legend and return to Lampeter to take his rightful place. The original four were to be known as 'The Executive' and would take it in turn to act as chairman.

The legend of Harvey

The other great influence on the formation of the modern 16 Club is a particular student known as Harvey. Harvey was from Monmouth and was an undergraduate at Lampeter in the Edwardian era. He distinguished himself in a number of ways and is the only man ever credited with the feat of taking a running leap across The Tank (later a fountain was added to deter future undergraduates from attempting to rival this feat). Harvey had a wonderfully melodious tenor voice, which was much appreciated by the Chapel Choir. His rendering of 'Gaudeamus', sung from the College Tower, entranced all listeners. He could also inspire his fellow students with his rendering of the College Yell that made it irresistible. He was an outstanding rugby player and scored a brilliant solo try against Llanelli which caught the eye of the Welsh selectors and he would have certainly won a cap for Wales in the following season had not an unfortunate incident required him to leave College.

The story of the trout

It so happened that the Principal of St David's was a keen angler and had set his heart on a particular trout which was often seen on a pool in the Dulas. However, no matter what flies the Principal used, dry or wet, he was unable to catch the trout and the fish became an outstanding challenge to all. Harvey was not to be so easily defeated.

He was never daunted by the rule of Gates and enjoyed many a nocturnal visit to the town. Sam, the night porter, who had collared many a lad, wasted two years in fruitless attempts to trap him.

So, before dawn one morning Harvey stole down to the Dulas and caught the wily trout. He then took the fish to the kitchens and invited them to prepare it for The Principal's dinner in Hall. This was done and when the fish appeared on the Principal's plate he demanded to know who had caught it. When he realised he was filled with rage and ordered Harvey to appear before him.

As a consequence of this action Harvey was sent down for the offences of not keeping Gates and fishing with a worm. He left Lampeter without a murmur of discontent, but robust representations were made on his behalf by The JCR and even the academic community regretted the loss of an outstanding scholar. However, all this counted as nought with the Principal until a tearful and moving representation for his reinstatement was made by a group of young ladies from Lampeter town.

As a consequence the Principal yielded and duly recalled Harvey to the College to resume his studies. But he could not be found and to this day his whereabouts remain a mystery. It is thought that he was with Douglas Mawson on his Antarctic expedition and it is rumoured that he was able to provide great service to T E Lawrence in the Arab Revolt but legend has it that one day he will return to Lampeter and complete his studies.

Purpose

The purpose of the College 16 is officially defined as, "... to maintain the traditions of Saint David's College, and to provide and maintain a fraternity of gentlemen of calibre for mutual support whilst at University and in post graduate life."[7]

Membership

Admission to the Club is by invitation only. The requirements and procedure are not known.

Notable Events

The 1st recorded Dinner of The 16 Club

This was held in the Private Dining Room of St David's University College in the summer of 1971.Certain fundamental rules were laid down by The Executive that have remained ever since and these rules are now established under the wondrous Codex. Broadly they can be summarised as follows:

1. One person to act as Chairman who will wear a St David's gown

2. The gentlemen present should wear jackets and ties. On attending their first dinner they shall be awarded a 16 Club tie with its distinctive gold logo on a silver background.

3. The traditional St David's College Grace will be said

4. After dinner port will be past and during the passing of the port the chairman will invite members of The 16 Club to relate stories of a witty and amusing nature. The chairman will select the best story and will award the fortunate winner with 'The Jokemaster Trophy.'

A true record of this dinner is given in The Minutes Book of The 16 Club which is held in the Founders Library at Lampeter University.

The 16 Club in the 1970s and 80s

Over the many years since its foundation the 16 Club has developed and grown in the affections of university life in Lampeter and members of the club, known as 'Sixteens' have played major roles in the academic, sporting and social areas of student life. Singing has had a strong part in the life of The Sixteens and on May Morning they would sing from The College Tower (known as 'Franky's) to the delight of all onlookers. This was followed by black velvet and croquet on the college lawns. (Due to concerns regarding the safety of the tower this singing tradition has been relocated to old Lampeter Castle Motte, commonly referred to as 'The Mound')

The Jokemaster Trophy has always been an important part of dinners. The outrageous original award has had many reincarnations but the first award is celebrated in an 'Ode To The Raid,' written by The Poet Boreat.

In the 1980s The College Yell was revised by The Sixteens and for a short time duly delighted fellow students and the denizens of Lampeter town.

16th Dinner of The 16 Club

By the time of the Sixteenth Dinner it was realised that the Club had become established as the premier dining club. Other dining clubs, for men and women, had come and gone but the 16 Club endured. It was also realised that former members enjoyed returning for dinners. Known as 'Returners,' they were made particularly welcome at the Sixteenth Dinner. These gentlemen marked the occasion by making up the number of goblets to a full sixteen. This period saw The Returners develop as a brother group and the post of Returning Members' Officer (RMO) was established.

The 1st 16 - 16 Club Dinner

This was held in the Falcondale Hotel in the summer of 1986 and celebrated the sixteenth annual dinner. To mark the occasion a hard wood bench was donated by The Club and is located on the front lawn. The Club also took the opportunity to bury a 'Time Capsule' in the vicinity of The Hill Fort. The exact location and nature of The Time Capsule has fascinated generations of Lampeter students but despite great efforts it remains undiscovered.

The Double 16 - 16 Club Dinner

This was held in the St David's Dining Hall and was a truly splendid occasion. To mark the occasion The Club donated to the university an original picture of Canterbury Building. This building was recalled with great affection by many of the older Returners and it was also noted that Canterbury Building was standing and used in 1971 when the Club was founded.

The Returners

The strength and depth of The Returners' commitment to The 16 Club was also recognised at the millennium by finally establishing guiding principles for The Returners organisation. It is stated that The Returners exists to support both The 16 Club at Lampeter and to render what help and support that it can provide to the university institution in Lampeter. It is a society of mutual assistance and friendship, which dines together in the time- honoured customs of The 16 Club. The Returners continue to dine with The Sixteens and also arrange dinners in their own right, including the Banbury Luncheon and dinners in London.

The Treble 16 - 16 Club Dinner and The future

The Treble 16 Dinner will take place in the summer of 2019 and is already the subject of much discussion and eager anticipation.

Over the intervening years many events and changes have occurred. Study itself at Lampeter has changed as has the very name of the university. There has also been some innovation in terms of the way that the 16 Club runs itself but none of these have altered the joys of 16 Club membership.

The great spirit of Harvey can still be felt in the generations of young men who have attended our much loved alma mater and continues to inspire the 16 Club.

The Treble 16 is sure to be a wonderful occasion and it is to be hoped that at that dinner a place will be set, once again, should Harvey return.

References

  1. ↑ The International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, by Alan Axelrod, ISBN 978-0-8160-3871-8
  2. ↑ Secret Societies: From the Ancient and Arcane to the Modern and Clandestine, by David V. Barrett, ISBN 978-0-7137-2772-2
  3. ↑ UWTSD, Web Development Team -. "History and Timeline - University of Wales Trinity Saint David". www.uwtsd.ac.uk. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  4. ↑ University of Wales Lampeter: Glimpses of an Unfolding Vision: 1827–2002, ed. Robbins, Morgan-Guy, Thomas ISBN 978-0-905285-80-1
  5. ↑ Secret Societies: From the Ancient and Arcane to the Modern and Clandestine, by David V. Barrett, ISBN 978-0-7137-2772-2
  6. ↑ University of Wales Lampeter: Glimpses of an Unfolding Vision: 1827–2002, ed. Robbins, Morgan-Guy, Thomas ISBN 978-0-905285-80-1
  7. ↑ The 16' Club Codex, independently published: 1971
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