Posted on Around Campus, Member Benefits, News

Eastside Bar Welcomes RCSA Members

The closure of the Alumni Visitor Centre, which was situated in the Exhibition Road entrance hall, has left our members without a base on the South Kensington campus. It has been much missed as a welcoming space on campus where visiting Imperial alumni and their guests can relax, work, meet friends and colleagues, and catch up with the latest developments at the College.

Various catering outlets and the library have been offered as alternatives, so your RCSA conducted a survey on your behalf. In a detailed ‘mystery shopping’ exercise, we found several problems with the proposed catering outlets. Some had access controls making them unreachable without an appropriate swipe card. Others were accessible, but their nearby washroom facilities were not, the way being barred by access controls.

Whilst the RCSA work with the Alumni Office to address the short-comings of the various outlets, we are pleased to announce that one location in particular ticked all the boxes.… Read more...

Posted on Events, News, Sport

ORCS Pipped at the Post

It took the final game of the season to wrestle the league top spot away from our Old Royal College of Science (ORCS) team. Sadly, it was “Dutch Archers D” who claimed first place in the South Kensington Academic Darts League (SKADL), level on points with ORCS, but with superior game difference.

In the photo you see “Dutch Archers D” captain, Matt Loffman, being congratulated by league organiser and captain of ORCS, Duncan Robertson, who is handing over the “RCSA Purse” – £100 of prize money.

It is now two successive season in which ORCS, the “Old Royal College of Science” darts team have come a close second in the league.

The Arrows team, born from an amalgam of the Union Bar team, the Southside Bar team, and the Holland Club team, and captained by Gerry Donohoe, came in at sixth place.

Our ‘RCSA Double Elevens‘ team came in at eighth place, their traditional position.… Read more...

Posted on Careers, Jezebel, Member Benefits, News, Outreach, Projects & Campaigns, RCSA Trust

RCSA booklet launch in time for new academic year!

The RCSA exec team are delighted to announce the launch of their first booklet for over twenty-five years! The New Record is hitting the streets now and continues the fine RCS tradition of regularly publishing a booklet updating RCS students and alumni on the recent activities of the Association.

RCSA President Mike Munroe explained,

“we wanted to get the booklet back into circulation since its last publication in 1999 and its first publication over a century ago! The RCSA has been very busy over the past few years so we wished to capture some of that activity while at the same time communicating our mission, values and what we hope to achieve. It is an opportunity to reconnect with our existing membership whilst reaching out to new members. New membership is the life blood of the Association and we had suffered a downturn after covid….. thankfully that is changing for the better now but we do want to accelerate new membership and reach out to current students explaining the value in being a member.

… Read more...
Posted on News

More H. G. Wells….

Last month we were all reminded of the eightieth anniversary of the death of our founder and first president, Herbert George Wells. Today, the 21st of September, is a related landmark date. It marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of our founder and first president.

Yes, Herbert George Wells was born in 1866 and would have been one hundred and sixty years old today.

But it does afford us a wonderful opportunity to contemplate, once more, the RCSA’s most wonderful H.G. Wells Cup…..

Click here to revisit last month’s post and read all about it …….. A Newish Tradition – The H.G. Wells Cup

(If you approve of the support we offer to our students and to the traditions of Imperial College, why not help us do more? Consider making a donation to the RCSA Trust here….. With no paid staff and no building costs you can be assured that every penny of your donation will be gratefully received and faithfully applied to assist the students of the Royal College of Science).… Read more...

Posted on News, Projects & Campaigns

More Heirlooms and traditions saved…..

There is a recuring theme whereby your RCS Association saves heirlooms and traditions that relate to the Royal College of Science. A little lower down this page, we’ve put together a rather impressive list. And the list isn’t even exhaustive!

Today, we announce the addition of three new items to this list – the reinstatement of three Union-Bar-centric heirlooms:

Brass coat hooks

The brass coat hooks by the side door of the bar were removed in 1989 in a misguided attempt to install a gambling machine in that space. Widespread opprobrium meant the machine was soon removed, but the hooks were never replaced and have been sorely missed ever since. Well….. being forced to dump your coats on the floor of the bar is a thing of the past. We have reinstated the coat hooks to bring back a little of pre-1990’s luxury. (But remember, there were thieves about in the 80s and there are still thieves today, so take care with any valuables).… Read more...

Posted on Annual Dinner, News, Projects & Campaigns

A Newish Tradition – The H.G. Wells Cup

Eighty years ago, on 13th August 1946, our founder and first president, Herbert George Wells, died peacefully at his home overlooking Regents Park. So today would seem an appropriate point to remind ourselves about the RCSA’s H.G. Wells Cup…..

Distinctive in appearance and designed to resemble an hourglass, the H.G. Wells Cup was commissioned by then president Rob Park, to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Royal College of Science Association. Unveiled at the ‘Eleventieth’ Annual Dinner at the House of Lords in 2018, and inaugurated with the after-dinner port, it bears the name of Herbert George Wells, famous alumnus of the RCS and founder and first president of the RCS Association.

The form of an egg-timer is well chosen. The hourglass shape has been imbued with mystical meaning since the time of the alchemists with the upper bulb representing the heavens or the future, and the lower bulb the Earth or the past.… Read more...

Posted on Events, Jezebel, News, Sport

Sparkes Cup 2026 and Semmence Cup 2026: results

The day saw round robin fixtures between the RCS, C&G & RSM, alternating between rugby & netball matches, with some of the rugby lads exchanging the egg-shaped ball for the round one and trying their hand at Netball. Ultimately the victories went to the Royal College of Science for both rugby and netball. With the Sparkes Cup and the Semmence Cup both coming home to the RCS.

We would wish to thank student Louis Beucher for his organisational input and to our captains, Sami Brown (rugby) & Charlotte Hawley (netball) for helping organise the event and ensuring a strong showing from the teams. Our very own Stephen Davies deserves our thanks for organising everything on behalf of the Associations who funded the event. And, of course, so do our match officials Olly Tatlow, who brilliantly refereed the rugby matches, and Julia Mark and Lisa Huse who similarly umpired the netball matches.… Read more...

Posted on Around Campus, Events, News, Outreach

Science Challenge Awards 2026

On Saturday, 20th June, the RCSU held the Awards Ceremony for its annual Science Challenge. The RCSA was there to support.

The RCSU Science Challenge is an annual competition, designed to give young scientists the opportunity to develop the skills to talk about science in a way that is engaging and fun to people who don’t necessarily have a science background.

Originally founded and funded by the RCSA, the Science Challenge asks entrants to produce a short piece of science communication in answer to a question set by one of the four guest judges, and serves as a cornerstone of outreach and engagement with both current and prospective students of Imperial College.

This year’s theme was The Butterfly Effect – Exploring how small changes can lead to big impacts in science
and society.

Our very own Jenni Munroe, lept at the chance to represent the RCSA as our judge for this year’s competition.… Read more...

Posted on News, Projects & Campaigns

Two helpful actions

Two Easy-Peasy ways to be really helpful and become an Alumnus Hero….

1. For all of us – any type of Imperial alumnus.

Whether you graduated recently or have been an alumnus for a long time, the College wants to hear from you through their survey. Your feedback will inform the alumni experience for you and future generations. Complete the College’s survey here….. by Friday 26th June.

2. Just for physicists – alumni AND students.

Might you have suitable photographs? We have a request from the Physics dept: Might you have images of yourselves in the Physics department, working in labs or socialising in the department?

The department is gathering historical pictures of the inside of the building, lab work and its past members.

Please address any questions or any photographs to Anne Barrett, College Archivist, in the first instance and she will pass them on.

(If you approve of the support we offer to our students and to the traditions of Imperial College, why not help us do more?… Read more...

Posted on Around Campus, Events, Sport

Transport: Sparkes & Semmence Cups 2026

Sparkes and Semmence Cups will be contested this coming weekend, on Sunday June 14th, from 14:00 at Harlington (Sipson Lane, Harlington, Hayes UB3 5EH).

Most of you will make your own way there, but there are other options.

There is the Sparks & Semmence ONE WAY Coach Ticket from Prince Consort Road departing at 13:00

Here is the link to book coach tickets (at £3, which us the lowest amount the booking system would allow) should anyone want them:
https://www-s.imperialcollegeunion.org/shop/product/1497-/
Additionally, Jez and Clem are making the trip from campus to Harlington. It’s a slower gentler journey and plenty of spaces are available. Check availability with with Jack Swires, the RSM Motor Club Captain, and book your place with him. Departure is 11:00 from the Motor Club garages.

To quickly recap the event: The RCS, C&G and RSM rugby teams will go head-to-head in the Sparkes Cup’s 2026 match!

Interleaved between those matches, the RCS, C&G and RSM netball teams will also compete head-to-head (for only the third time) for the recently founded Semmence Cup.… Read more...