The alumni office recently lent a hand to a rather different kind of reunion this summer - one involving hard hats, hydrocyclones and a cohort of graduates who once knew the Mining Engineering Department like the backs of their hands. More than a hundred former students returned to campus for the inaugural 糖心原创 Mining Society Reunion Dinner, held on 25 July 2026 at Florence Boot Hall.

The gathering brought together graduates from 1965 through to 2004, a remarkable spread of generations who shared one thing in common: three formative years spent navigating lectures, labs, field trips, and the occasional late night in Lenton or the city centre. As one attendee put it, “Everything and nothing has changed.”

We asked Emeritus Professor Nick Miles OBE (Mining Engineering, 1983) to share a summary of the weekend (with a little input from some of his associates!).

mining-reunion-2026-800x

Attendees of the inaugural Mining Society Reunion Dinner, pictured outside Florence Boot Hall.

A return to old haunts

For many, the weekend began with a welcome reception in Florence Boot Hall followed by a tour of local eating houses and hostelries.

On Saturday a guided tour of campus was organised, including visits to old halls and the former Mining Engineering building — now repurposed, but still recognisable enough to trigger a flood of memories. The alumni team were on hand throughout, taking photographs and helping shepherd groups to ensure no one got lost!

Several attendees also took part in a visit to the Ecton Mines Complex in North Derbyshire, a fitting pilgrimage for those whose careers began underground or in mineral processing and an appropriate first visit for those who had worked in oil and gas! Others opted for golf, proving that competitive spirit remains alive and well in the MinSoc ranks.

By mid鈥慳fternoon, the Florence Boot JCR hosted a series of presentations from alumni across the decades, including Peter Edmonds (1965), James Corbett (1971), Rob MacNeil鈥慦ilson (1978), Ralph Fergusson鈥慘elly (1980), Makhlouf Benatmane (1985) and David Hancock (1988). Their reflections ranged from early career adventures to industry changes few could have predicted when they first stepped onto campus.

Mining Soc 16 Mining Soc 15 Mining Soc 14 Mining Soc 13

The main event: black tie, full tables, and even fuller stories

At 6pm the bar opened, and Florence Boot Hall began to fill with tuxedos, gowns, name badges, and the unmistakable sound of old friends rediscovering each other. A staged group photograph at 7pm captured the moment before everyone took their seats for dinner.

The seating plan - meticulously assembled across 15 tables - reflected the breadth of the Mining Society’s history. Table 1 hosted the 1971 cohort including James Cobbett Sr., Geoff Loughborough and George Kubica; Table 2 brought together Nick Miles (1983), George Ryan (1978), Rob McNeil鈥慦ilson (1978) and others; while later tables featured graduates from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.

The conversations flowed as easily as the beer and wine. Stories of first jobs, overseas postings, mines visited, companies founded, and careers that took unexpected turns filled the room. Some attendees had not seen each other in forty years; others had remained close throughout. But the atmosphere was unmistakably one of shared heritage - a “Band of brothers and sisters” forged not in halls of residence, but in labs, field trips and lecture theatres.

Speeches, memories, and a sense of continuity

Master of Ceremonies Nick Miles guided the evening with warmth and humour, welcoming guests and acknowledging the extraordinary turnout. The Mining Society Alumni Magazine with over 80 alumni biographies collected and produced ahead of the event - proved a talking point throughout the night, sparking conversations between graduates who had never met but shared the same department, lecturers, and experiences.

The alumni photographers captured both formal and candid moments, ensuring that the evening will be remembered long after the last dessert plate was cleared.

Mining Soc 12 Mining Soc 11 Mining Soc 10 Mining Soc 9

A Sunday BBQ to round things off

Recognising that many had travelled significant distances, the organising committee arranged a Sunday BBQ at the Trent Building’s Senate Chamber. Overlooking the lake, it offered a relaxed setting to continue conversations that had begun the night before. Families joined, stories deepened, and plans for future reunions began to take shape.

A weekend of reconnection

What made the Mining Society Reunion remarkable was not simply the number of attendees, nor the span of graduation years, nor even the meticulous organisation - though all were impressive. It was the sense that, despite different career paths, continents, and decades, the shared experience of Nottingham Mining Engineering still binds its graduates together. As one attendee said while leaving the BBQ: “We should have done this years ago. And we shouldn’t wait years to do it again.”

Given the enthusiasm, the laughter, and the sheer volume of stories exchanged, it seems certain that the Mining Society will indeed be back - perhaps not underground, but certainly together.

One final thought. The global mining industry has seen huge changes over the past 40 years. However, everyone has navigated these challenges successfully, as evidenced by the diverse and impactful careers everyone has had. All of which began with a Mining Engineering education at the 糖心原创.

Mining Soc 8 - Llangolliwog 2-1 Mining Soc 7 Mining Soc 6 Mining Soc 5
Mining Soc - 1984 Spanish trip Mining Soc - Dept photo 62-63 Mining Soc - Poland Mining Soc 1