Collection OMA - Old Members Association

The first recorded account of a meeting of old members of the Polytechnic was published in January 1885. As is the case today 'Old members' were those who had been associated with the Polytechnic Institute for at least five years, so that the OMA is far from being an Association consisting exclusively of senior citizens. The establishment of a formal Association dates from 1899, the aim of the Association being then defined as follows: 'To bring together and keep together the members of the late Hanover Street and Long Acre Institutes, the pioneers of the Polytechnic Institute.' Quintin Hogg, the founder of the Polytechnic, succeeded in creating a unique spirit of cameraderie known colloquially down the years as the Poly spirit, and it can be said that the OMA's endeavour today is to keep that spirit alive through an Association open equally to Poly staff, students and Institute members with the necessary five years membership in one capacity or another. The OMA welcomes young and old, and most of its functions are arranged to enable members to bring their wives, children and/or friends if they wish. The annual subscription is a nominal 25p, payable 1st August.

In the eighty-five years since its foundation the Men's OMA has done many things, a regular yearly event being an annual supper and entertainment, giving an opportunity for old friends to meet one another and perhaps talk over old times. Another regular feature has been visits to places of historic interest, in earlier times arranged through coach outings but now organised for those with cars. Conducted walks around the City of London and other interesting places in the metropolis also feature from time to time in our programme.

The Men's OMA has been for many years responsible for the organisation of the Poly's Annual Children's Party and some members of the OMA's Concert Party active in earlier years still contribute to the entertainment of the children on this occasion. For many years in the post-War period, the OMA, in conjunction with its sister organisation, ran an Old Time Sequence Dance Club in the Poly, and although the original Club no longer exists, Old Time Sequence Dances feature regularly in the OMA programme, with the alternative attraction of Square Dances.

A very popular event is the OMA's Christmas Party, conducted in the old time style, with games, competitions, dancing and entertainment for all the family. Theatre outings to the London Palladium at Christmastime have also been arranged. Indoor functions are held on Saturdays monthly at 309 Regent Street, and outdoor fixtures are normally on Saturdays also.

Source: Exhibition of Clubs and Societies, Regent Street, October 1984.