The City N'Ions Association
The history of The City N'Ions Association, City's first alumni group.
Northampton Institute
City University London was first known as the Northampton Institute. This is because The Lord Mayor of London, in March 1898, opened its first building, the College Building, on land donated by the Marquess of Northampton.
The Institute was primarily for the teaching of technical subjects, i.e. engineering, together with optics and horology.
The Institute evolved steadily, creating more space as required. By 1939 there were full-time day courses under the auspices of the Northampton Engineering College for Engineering and Optics with about 500 students. There were many more students taking City and Guilds courses on day release and through evening classes. The engineering subjects were first Mechanical, followed by Civil and Electrical and then Aeronautical introduced in 1909. Later the Institute became a College of Advanced Technology (CAT) and then the City University in 1966, having broken away from London University.
The Northampton Past Day Student Association
The Northampton Past Day Student Association was founded in 1909 and known as the "Old N'Ions" (short for Northamptonions). The Old N'Ions became the N'Ions in 1966 and then the City N'Ions in 1992, as it was considered that latter day students would not fully appreciate the relevance of the original title.
The Old N'Ions continued through two world wars. In 1949, the Old N'Ions War Memorial Travelling Bursary was set up, with the first award given in 1951. It commemorates past students who were killed during the wars and is funded by subscriptions and donations from Old N'Ions.
Each year students are asked to apply to the fund, through the University, for financial support to help them carry out a short-term project which involves travel overseas. The scheme has been popular from its start and continues to attract many students.
Activities
The N'Ions run a programme of social activities to suit the wishes of its members. This includes theatre visits, lunches around the UK, weekends in places of interest and barbecues. The main event is the Annual Dinner, held in the University. It is an opportunity for the N'Ions to get together to chat about old times and hear the Vice Chancellor's Annual Report on the University. The silver candelabrum, presented to the university when it was first formed as part of its regalia , is also put on show and lit. Standing by it at 10pm, the chosen appointee proposes the toast of "Absent Friends", preceded by a minutes silence.
The N'Ions have also hosted open lectures at the University on subjects such as 'Design and Construction of the London Eye', 'The Future of the UK Rail Industry in the 21st Century 'and 'The successful remedial work to the leaning tower of Pisa'.
Committee
The group has always had an active formal committee structure to run its affairs and this continues to look after the City N'Ions Association and further its aims and objectives.
Minutes from the N'Ions AGM 2008
Joining the N'Ions
If you would be interested in joining the City N'Ions Association or would like more information, please contact Mike Ryan, Executive Vice Chairman of the City N'Ions - Telephone: 020 8567 9630 E-mail: mike@36culmington.com
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