St John's College News
The Cripps Building
21/07/2011The Cripps BuildingThe two courts which make up the Cripps Building (1966-67) face the back of New Court.This side of New Court was not originally intended to be seen, and the land behind it was used for structures such as the 1921 bathhouse which, when it was proposed, prompted one Fellow, Sir Joseph Larmor, to ask, "What do they want baths for? They're only here for eight weeks" (at a time!) The urgent need for…read moreThe Bridge of Sighs
21/07/2011The Bridge of SighsThe Bridge of Sighs is an iconic feature of St John’s College, and one of the most recognisable pieces of architecture in Cambridge. Built nearly 200 years ago, it is the only covered bridge to cross the River Cam, and the only College bridge built in the Victorian Gothic style. Since its construction in 1831 it has featured in thousands of photographs and artistic projects, as well as…read moreThird Court
21/07/2011Third CourtThe Third Court was built in two stages. The old College Library, which forms the north range, was built in 1624. The west and south ranges followed in 1669-72 when the College had recovered from the Civil War, during which it had suffered at first from being a Royalist institution in a largely Parliamentary city. Features to notice:the Library was the gift of John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln.…read moreSecond Court
21/07/2011Second CourtSecond Court was built in the years immediately after 1599, to the designs of Ralph Symons of Westminster and Gilbert Wigg of Cambridge. Their drawings are still in the College's possession. Features to notice: the harmonious proportions and local brickwork of the Court in general; it is the finest example of this style of architecture in Cambridge. the Shrewsbury Tower in the west range. It…read moreThe Chapel
21/07/2011The ChapelThe Chapel was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, who was evidently influenced by the thirteenth-century Sainte Chapelle in Paris, apart from the tower, which was an afterthought made possible by the promise of a former member of the College to pay for it - a promise unfulfilled because of his early death in a railway accident.Features to notice:the stained glass windows by the nineteenth…read moreFirst Court
21/07/2011First CourtYou are in the oldest part of the College. The College started here and over the years gradually spread westward. This court is mainly given over to accommodation, but also contains the Samuel Butler Room, a common room for graduate students. Alongside the Porters’ Lodge is a room containing pigeonholes where post is delivered. This gate is the main exit for those studying subjects who have…read moreThe Great Gate
21/07/2011The Great GateThe Front Gate was completed in 1516.The carving is of the coat of arms of the Foundress, Lady Margaret Beaufort. The curious beasts on either side are yales, mythical animals having elephants' tails, antelopes' bodies and goats' heads, with horns which can supposedly swivel from back to front!Above is a statue of St. John the Evangelist: at his feet is an eagle, the traditional symbol of the…read moreVenues
20/07/2011VenuesFisher BuildingA modern purpose-built faciltiy ideally suited for conferences, meetings and corporate events.Auditorium with seating for up to 2503 seminar rooms for up to 50 peopleA selection of smaller meeting roomsConference office with IT and communications facilities, plus tea/coffeeReception desk and foyer area The HallA magnificent, 16th century building with a hammerbeam roof and fine…read morePrivate Dining
20/07/2011Private DiningDinners, wedding receptions and breakfasts, canapé parties, buffets, lunches and private dinners - whatever the occasion, be it Corporate or Family occasion, the magnificent dining rooms and grounds of St John's can provide the perfect setting.You can host an intimate dinner for up to 16 people in the Parsons room – or an impressive Dinner for up to 300 in the 16th century Hall. For receptions we…read moreListen Online
19/07/2011Listen OnlineThe Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge was the first Choir of its kind to broadcast weekly webcasts of its services and is the only British choir to do so throughout the year.read moreBoost for legacy giving in the 2011 Budget
19/07/2011Boost for legacy giving in the 2011 BudgetIn the Budget speech in March the Government announced a significant change to the taxation of bequests, designed to encourage legacy giving. A reduced rate of inheritance tax (IHT) will apply where 10 per cent or more of an estate (after deducting IHT exemptions, reliefs and the nil rate band) is left to charity. In those cases the current 40 per cent rate will be reduced to 36 per cent.…read moreStudent Unions
19/07/2011Student UnionsJCR (Student Union)All junior members of College, including the Graduates, are members of the Junior Combination Room or JCR.'JCR' also refers to the common room in 2nd Court, and is also a colloquial name for the JCRC, the committee that represents the JCR. The committe is elected in February and any undergraduates can stand for any position.The JCR Committee are an elected body of students who…read moreThe Wordsworth Society
18/07/2011The Wordsworth SocietyA group dedicated to philology, etymology and above all the appreciation of the English language with all its idiosyncrasies.Committee 2012-13President: James Browning (jb817)Junior Treasurer: Jenny Buckley (jrb79)Senior Treasurer: Dr Ruth Abbott (rha23)Other officers:Josh Hinton (jjh58)Cara Atkinson (cma45)Ed Kendall (ek393)read moreThe Punt Society
18/07/2011The Punt SocietyThe 10 punts run by the Punt Society are available to all members of College, including College staff, from around March to the end of October. Punts cannot normally be booked in advance, and are on a strictly first-come first-serve basis. Bookings from college or large groups may be considered by the President. Please note that there are a few days when punts are not available (e.g. during the…read moreMusic Society Committee
18/07/2011Music Society Committee2017-18 CommitteeSenior MembersChairman - Mr A Nethsingha (an323)Senior Treasurer - Dr R Glasscock ([3]38695)Administrator - Mrs S Kirk (s.a.n.kirk@cam.ac.uk)Webmaster - Dr H Martin (hm570)Junior MembersPresident and Junior Treasurer - Stephanie Childress (sec87)Secretary - Hugh Cutting (hc460)Membership Secretary - Matthew Gibson (mlg44)Publicity OfficersInternal College Representatives -…read moreMusic Society
18/07/2011Music SocietyIn common with all other activities, the various music groups within the College are organised by undergraduates. There is a wide range of student-run musical activities at St John's. The Music Society Committee is responsible for many of the musical events and opportunities open to members of the college.Sign up here!FacilitiesThe Music Society issues cards at the beginning of each year allowing…read moreLBGT Society
18/07/2011LBGT Society(Gay @ John's)LBGT stands for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay or Transgendered, but in reality the acronym is an umbrella term for all minority sexualities, orientations and genders, including those people who are confused or questioning of these aspects of their identities. The society functions both as a society and a welfare organisation for LBGT Johnians. Students of all orientations are welcome and…read moreLady Margaret Players
18/07/2011Lady Margaret PlayersThe Lady Margaret Players is the St John's College performing arts society. After a quiet few years, the society is currently being re-launched. The Lady Margaret Players aims to encourage all Johnians to take part in performing arts; whether that participation be acting, singing, dancing, helping backstage, designing sets, operating lighting or simply coming to watch our performances.This year,…read moreChristian Union
18/07/2011Christian UnionChristian Union is a group of students in St John's who love Jesus, follow him, and want to tell others about his amazing love for us! We meet once a week on Wednesday evenings, usually 7-8pm in the JCR, to have fun and food together and to look at a bit of the bible, to see what it says about Jesus, and find out why he's so important! We also run events in college, such as text-a-toastie and hot…read moreWinfield Society (Law)
18/07/2011Winfield Society (Law)The Winfield Society is the law society at St John's College. It is one of the largest College law societies in Cambridge. All undergraduate and graduate law students are automatic members. Every year we have a busy calendar of events including career workshops from leading Chambers and top commercial law firms, as well as social events and talks on both legal and non-legal topics. If you wish…read moreVeterinary Society
18/07/2011Veterinary SocietyThe Veterinary Society exists to allow veterinary students from the pre-clinical and clinical years to meet together for discussions on veterinary topics with invited speakers and to hear from previous students now working in veterinary practice.Contact: Dr Williams (dlw33)read moreTheological Society
18/07/2011Theological SocietyTheology is possibly the most inter-disciplinary field studied in Cambridge. History, politics, and the sciences – literature and films – philosophy – there is scarcely an area of life which theology does not address. In regular meetings held throughout the academic year, the St John’s College Theology Society explores some of the connections between theology and other fields. It’s a chance for…read morePurchas Society (Geography and Land Economy)
18/07/2011Purchas Society (Geography and Land Economy)The Purchas society is a society for Geographers and Land Economists in St John's College. It is named after the Rev Samuel Purchas who famously attempted to summarise the nature of the entire globe in 20 volumes without ever straying from his armchair. His works are situated on the second floor of the St John's College Library. As part of the programme, members attend Hall 2-3 times a term which…read moreParsons Society (Engineering)
18/07/2011Parsons Society (Engineering)The Engineering Society at St John's offers opportunities for St Johns' Engineers to socialise and further their understanding of the subject through organised events. The society currently has over 90 members. All Engineering undergraduates and graduates studying at St Johns are granted automatic membership. Various events are organised throughout the year by the Parsons Committee to allow…read moreThe Palmerston Society (HSPS)
18/07/2011The Palmerston Society (HSPS)The Palmerston Society is the college's society for students of the Human, Social and Political Sciences tripos. It is named after the last of the four prime ministers St John's College gave Great Britain, Lord Palmerston. Our society is St John’s College’s only active political association, encompassing all those who study HSPS within John’s, while giving the opportunity for all students of the…read more