The 16' Club
Encyclopedia
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
, and though some would agree with that definition, more reputable authors would not.
With origins in the early 19th century, it is now the only remaining dining club at the College, and the only verifiable collegiate dining club in Wales. The Club's colour is pale blue.
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. It is this tradition which the Club has made itself known for following.
The clandestine nature of these meetings, and the reticence of its members, means that little is known about the club and this in turn fuels wild rumours.
Dining club
A dining club is a social group, usually requiring membership , which meets for dinners and discussion on a regular basis. They may also often have guest speakers...
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
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
, and though some would agree with that definition, more reputable authors would not.
With origins in the early 19th century, it is now the only remaining dining club at the College, and the only verifiable collegiate dining club in Wales. The Club's colour is pale blue.
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..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. 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 and the nominal requirement that members be bachelors.The clandestine nature of these meetings, and the reticence of its members, means that little is known about the club and this in turn fuels wild rumours.