Latest News

Welcome to the Old Cryptians’ Club website

The Club was founded in 1901 (see history) to support the historic Crypt Grammar School which began life in the heart of Gloucester in 1539. The original schoolroom still exists today in St. Mary de Crypt in Southgate Street, Gloucester which has, in recent years, been part of a huge redevelopment and is well worth a visit.

Throughout the year we organise a programme of events to attract former pupils of all ages. The main focus is our annual dinner which is usually held in March. The London Old Cryptians’ Club is affiliated to the main Club and their principal event is a dinner in or near the City in mid-November.

A highlight of the school year is Founders’ Day, held in the magnificent Gloucester Cathedral. Old Cryptians and their families are honoured guests at the service. The day concludes with a supper at which the incoming President is installed in the historic Parliament Rooms next to the Cathedral.

The Club encourages members worldwide to maintain contact with one another through this site and through social media. We provide a members’ register which contains summary contact details allowing members to look up former School friends.

Club members are very proud of the education that they received at the Crypt School and many choose to contribute to the Bursary Fund. This has charitable status and helps to bind the present School and Old Cryptians with bursaries awarded each year to current students.

Our President

Steve Knibbs (1982-1989) – President 2025-26

Firstly I’d like to thank Matt and the committee for the work they’ve done over the last year for the club. It’s once again an honour to take on the Presidency and I’m
looking forward to getting stuck in over the next 12 months.
However I have to admit we’re probably at a crossroads for the club. I’m taking on the Presidency again as no one else came forward. Our membership is slowly decreasing and despite it being a great night, numbers were down at the annual dinner. Along with other members of the committee we’ll be looking at the future
of the club and asking some tough questions to try and ensure it has a stable future and stays relevant. Life has changed immeasurably since the club was in its heyday
but we haven’t really moved on and kept up with that change. So we’ll be asking how we can secure the future of the club, ensure it’s value for the membership and maintains strong links with the school and the alumni.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions then please drop me a line at president@oldcryptians.org My desire is to make sure the club has a new, strong foundation to build on in 12 months time and with a committee that is driven to make it a success.

I was also sad to learn that the London branch of the OCC had decided to fold. We thank them for their work and support over many years and donation to the bursary fund (see more below). Talking of the fund, Adam Ashby has now taken over the as Chair of the fund from Richard Browning who has dedicated many years. I’d like to place on record mine and the committee’s thanks to Richard for building and shaping the bursary into what it is today. So many students have benefitted from the generous donations of the fund and with Richard remaining as a trustee his guidance and knowledge will be invaluable.