College bulletin: 1 March
Five crews from Lady Margaret Boat Club are putting in a fierce performance on the river in the Lent Bumps – W1 is currently in the highest position it has secured for 30 years with two races still to go and M1 is looking set to retain headship. Read on for all of this week’s College’s sporting results and fixtures to diary.
We’ve got nearly 100 runners from St John’s competing in this year’s Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday which will come through the College for the first time this year. Workers have been busy constructing a new bridge in the grounds between us and Trinity, pictured, which will be dismantled after the 12,500 half marathon participants have made their way over it.
Good luck to everyone talking part.
College news
W1’s stellar performance in Lent Bumps is best for 30 years
Five Lady Margaret Boat Club crews are battling for victory in the Lent Bumps with M1 looking set to retain headship - a position they’ve held and successfully defended since 2020.
W1 have bumped twice putting them in second place on the river with two days still to go - a position they have not held since the early 1990s. They are now challenging Jesus College for headship.
M2 are in the first division with M1 and have been bumped by St Catharine’s and Peterhouse. W2 have rowed over twice and been bumped by Wolfson W1.
M3 are competing in the third division and are described as a ‘fun crew’ by Lance Badman, Boat House Manager. They have rowed over and been bumped by Lucy Cavendish and Selwyn M2.
Races are currently ongoing and the final day of the Lent Bumps takes place from 1.20pm tomorrow with M3 being first to race for St John’s at 2pm. Support from the riverbank makes a huge difference to the crews so do go and cheer them on. Yeah Maggie!
Further times of the Lent Bumps
Twin sisters to compete in Oxford and Cambridge boat race on opposing teams
St John’s student Gemma King and her identical twin sister Catherine are both studying for PhDs at Cambridge and Oxford respectively.
Gemma, who is 51 minutes younger than Catherine, is hoping to be named in Cambridge’s Blue Boat for The 2024 Gemini Boat Race will take place on Saturday 30 March.
Gunpowder, treason and plot: the 1,000-year history of traitors and faithfuls
From the Bible to smash-hit BBC television how The Traitors, being accused of betrayal is a sure-fire way to become notorious.
Full story in the Cambridge Independent
Get sett for badgers
The night-time activities of nocturnal residents of St John’s have been caught on camera by the Gardens team who have set up a trail camera in College.
The footage features a pair of badgers who seem, frankly, riddled with fleas as they emerge from their luxury home in the wilderness.
Latest College sport fixtures and results
Highlights this week include St John’s men’s first football team getting through to the Cuppers finals - the furthest they have got in 10 years. The mixed first hockey team have won the league for the fourth year in a row.
This weekend’s fixtures include the women’s football team taking on Queens’ in the Cuppers quarter-finals, and the women’s first team’s netball league match against Sidney Sussex.
Supporters are welcome for all sports by the pitch or riverside.
For full results and fixtures, visit College sport – fixtures and results 2024 (login required), compiled by The Eagles’ and Flamingos’ Clubs.
Applications invited for Reinstein Prize for jazz
Outstanding musicians are invited to enter a competition to be in with a chance of winning a £500 prize.
The Reinstein Prize for Jazz is open to all University of Cambridge students.
Further information (login required)
What’s on
Chapel
St David’s Day Evensong – Friday 1 March, 6.30pm
The St David’s Day Evensong will feature Bible readings in Welsh, translated by members of St John’s. William Morgan (1541–1604), Bishop of St. Asaph, translated the Bible from the original languages into Welsh, while Edmwnd Prys (1541–1623), Archdeacon of Meirionydd, translated the Hebrew psalms into Welsh verse. The canticles are composed by Purcell, and the anthem is by Tomkins.
Student Communion – Sunday 3 March, 8.30am
Students are warmly invited to attend Holy Communion. Stick around after this half-hour service for a subsidised cooked breakfast in Hall.
Sung Eucharist – Sunday 3 March, 10.30am
Chaplain Andrew Hammond preaches, and the service features music by Tomkins and Byrd’s Mass for four voices. The organ voluntary by J.S. Bach will be played by Junior Organ Scholar Tingshuo Yang.
Organ recital – Sunday 3 March, 6pm
Alex Robson, student at St John’s College, plays Alain, Demessieux, Dupré and J.S. Bach. Organ recitals are open to all and admission is free.
Evensong with sermon – Sunday 3 March, 6.30pm
The sermon this week is titled, ‘Rekindling hope,’ and will be delivered by David Griffiths, Associate Fellow of Chatham House. The music includes canticles by Robin Orr (Director of Music from 1938–1951), Virgin of Guadalupe (Cantos Sagrados) by James MacMillan, and the organ voluntary Gaudeamus in loci pace by MacMillan will be played by Herbert Howells Organ Scholar Alex Robson.
Chapel book group – Wednesdays 6 March, 8pm
Chaplain’s house, Flat 1 Merton Cottage, Queen’s Road.
It isn’t too late to join the Chapel book group reading Quarantine by Jim Crace, a novel that offers a powerful and witty re-imagining of Jesus’s temptations in the wilderness. All are welcome to join for discussions over pizza as the themes and ideas presented in the book are explored.
To register and receive a copy of the book, contact Andrew.
Bach’s St John’s Passion – Thursday 7 March, 8pm
St John’s Musician in Residence, Margaret Faultless, is joined by tenor Nicholas Mulroy to lead a performance of Bach’s St John Passion. The Cambridge University Chamber Choir and Collegium Musicum unite for this oratorio, intertwining the agony of Jesus' trial and crucifixion, the disciples' confusion, and vivid narratives from the Gospel of John. One of Bach’s most beloved works, the St John Passion premiered 300 years ago on Good Friday in 1724.
From the Desert to the Cross: A Lenten Meditation – Saturday 9 March, 6pm
A popular service of readings, poetry and music for Lent and Passiontide. Booking is now closed.
Choral Evensong with St John’s Voices and College members – Monday 11 March, 6.30pm
All members of the College community are invited to sing with St John’s Voices at this Choral Evensong. No previous singing experience is required and materials and performance recordings will be provided in advance.
Sign up for more information, email Graham with any queries.
Stainer’s The Crucifixion – Wednesday 13 March, 9pm
This devotional performance of John Stainer’s masterful oratorio The Crucifixion is directed by St John’s College Choir member, Matthew Monaghan. SJCC choir members, Carlos Rodriguez Otero (tenor) and Henry Montgomery (bass) are soloists, and Director of Music Chris Gray plays the organ. Admission free, no tickets required.
For all other regular services, see the Chapel webpage.
Other events
Lent Bumps – Saturday 2 March
St John’s has three men’s boats, M1, M2, M3, and two women’s boats, W1, W2, competing in this year’s Lent Bumps.
The best places to watch is Ditton Meadows and from The Plough in Fen Ditton. All welcome.
Lent Bumps division times
Final round of the annual Winfield Moot – Saturday 2 March, 1pm
Boys Smith Room, Fisher Building.
Watch the final round of the St John's Winfield Society annual moot; a mock court hearing, where participants analyse a given legal problem, research the relevant law, prepare written submissions, and present an oral argument.
Open to all University members, admission free, no booking required.
Tour of the Chapel windows – Saturday 2 March, 2pm
Meet in the Ante-Chapel.
The story of St John in the College’s stained glass, presented by Professor Patrick Boyde, Emeritus Professor of Italian and Fellow of St John’s.
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme. Admission free.
TTP Cambridge Half Marathon – Sunday 3 March, 9.30am
Victoria Avenue.
The event is running through College for the first time. Members of St John’s who are not donning their running shoes to take part are welcome to spectate.
Exhibition, St John's College Old Library 1624-2024: A Celebration of 400 Years – Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Library Exhibition Area.
View rare archives on display to mark four centuries since the Old Library was built. Runs until 19 April.
Drop-in dissertation support group – Monday 4 March, 2.30-4pm
Library Seminar Room.
Weekly group run during term by Harriet Edwards, Library Graduate Trainee, offering an informal setting for students to work on their dissertations and coursework alongside fellow students going through the same thing.
The group is mostly for undergraduate students but postgraduates are also welcome if they think it would be helpful.
Email Harriet if you have any questions.
Quiz – Monday 4 March, 8.30pm
Bar.
Open to all, admission free.
Aquila rehearsal – Tuesday 5 March, 5.15-6.45pm
New Music Room.
Aquila is a friendly a cappella singing group for female students, Fellows and staff, led by Music Director Dr Chloe Allison. It welcomes new members – no audition is necessary, simply drop in to one of its weekly Tuesday evening rehearsals to try before joining.
Talk: How Cambridge works – Tuesday 5 March, 6pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
A talk by Richard Partington, Senior Tutor at St John’s.
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme. Admission free.
Memorial event: John Pocock's Life, Legacy, and Languages of Historical and Political Thought – Tuesday 5 March, 8-10.15pm GMT
Live-streamed online from John Hopkins University, USA.
Featuring talks and discussions with speakers from US and UK universities – and family members – in memory of the late Professor John GA Pocock, Harry C Black Emeritus Professor of History at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Honorary Fellow of St John’s and ‘giant of the historical profession’, who died in December 2023 aged 99.
Watch on Zoom (meeting ID: 958 9042 6281)
St John’s Picturehouse: Wonka – Tuesday 5 March, 9.15pm
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
Join St John’s Picturehouse for the prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
All films are shown with a cinema-grade DCP projector and events are open to all University students and staff.
Old Library opening – Wednesday 6 March, 2-4pm
Enter via E staircase, Second Court.
Open every Wednesday afternoon in term time, view manuscripts and rare printed books from the collections in the Upper Library. Requests for material to be exhibited can be emailed to Special Collections
Open to College members and their guests. Admission free, no booking required.
Burghley Lecture: Chancellor Lord Burghley and the Management of Cambridge University, 1559-1598 – Wednesday 6 March, 5.30pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
Professor Norman Jones, the 2023 Lord Burghley Visiting Fellow at St John’s, is presenting this year’s lecture. Registration now closed.
St John's College Music Society lunchtime recital – Thursday 7 March, 1.15pm
New Music Room.
Tamara Redmond (violin), Priya Berkes (violin), Polly Almond (viola) and Anna Sanderson (cello).
Open to all, admission free, booking not required.
Wellness walk – Thursday 7 March, 2pm
Meet at the Great Gate.
A weekly opportunity to get outside and appreciate nature, the city sights, and enjoy companionship. The walks go to Stourbridge Common, along Queen’s Road and around Lammas Land at a steady pace for about one hour.
The day of the walk alternates between Tuesdays and Thursdays. If it is raining heavily, it will be cancelled. For queries email Karen, Health & Wellbeing Nurse.
Open to College members and their guests, free to attend, no booking required.
Dissertation and research fair – Friday 8 March, 11am-4pm
Elena Hall, Jesus College.
Staff from a variety of archives, libraries and museums in Cambridge, including St John’s Archives and Special Collections, come together to showcase their collections in one space. Come along to learn more about using primary sources in your research and ask archive staff any questions you might have.
Open to University members, free to attend, no booking required. Further information
Save the date
Graduate Research Symposium – Saturday 9 March, from 10.30am
Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School.
This SBR’s all-day symposium will see presentations from 22 postgraduate students on a wide range of topics, from tiger conservation and solar energy to eating disorders in children. Research posters will be displayed in Central Hall and the event will be followed by a drinks reception in the SBR.
Email Ross Shepherd, SBR Academic Officer, for more details.
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme.
Jazz Workshop 2024 – Sunday 10 March 3-6pm
A jazz workshop will take place from in the Main Lecture Theatre of the Old Divinity School featuring Tim Lapthorn and Steve Rose.
Audience members are also welcome to attend.
Further details (login required)
POSTPONED: St John’s Picturehouse: The Old Oak – Sunday 10 March, 6pm
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
The St John’s Reading Group in collaboration with the St John’s Picturehouse presents a screening of The Old Oak (2023). Followed by a discussion - led by guest speakers - on the change to mining towns and the status of refugees in this context, and the relevance to inequalities in health and the north/south divide.
All films are shown with a cinema-grade DCP projector and events are open to all University students and staff.
Open to all University members, tickets from £4. Further information and tickets
Aquila concert – Tuesday 12 March, 6-6.30pm
New Music Room.
Aquila, the College's female a cappella ensemble, will sing arrangements of popular film, pop, and folk music.
Open to all, free admission.
Poetry reading – Wednesday 13 March, 5pm
Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School.
An evening of poetry presented by St John’s Writer-in-Residence Vona Groarke and students of English. There will be a reading by Momtaza Mehri, Poet in Residence at Homerton College, and Padraig Regan, Fellow Commoner in the Creative Arts at Trinity College. Momtaza and Padraig will read from their prize-winning first collections. Reception to follow.
Open to all, admission free, no booking required.
Short Book Club for undergraduates, postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff – Thursday 14 March, 6.15pm
Merton Hall Cottage (behind the School of Pythagoras).
Join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, to discuss the 2020 debut novel by Elisa Shua Dusapin, Winter in Sokcho, originally written in French and set in a resort town on the border of North and South Korea.
Newcomers always welcome. If you are interested in attending, email Vona.
Capturing sunlight for a sustainable future: A chemistry lecture by Professor Erwin Reisner – Saturday 16 March, 12.15-1.15pm and 2.45-3.45pm
Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Lensfield Road.
Professor Erwin Reisner, Professor of Energy and Sustainability and Fellow of St John’s, will talk about emerging technologies in a solar-powered economy, making a case for solar energy and the need to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals for energy storage, transportation and the chemical industry.
Suitable for a general audience, no chemistry background is required.
Free event as part of Cambridge Festival, booking is required via email.
Master’s concert series – Saturday 16 March, 8.45pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
With Annemarie Federle on the horn and Marie-Noelle Kendall on piano. To be followed by a drinks reception.
Open to College members and their friends, admission free, no booking required.
Tour of the University Botanic Garden and spring flowers – Sunday 17 March, 2pm
Botanic Garden.
Professor Tim Bayliss-Smith, St John’s Fellow and University Emeritus Professor of Pacific Geography, will lead a two-hour walking tour of the Botanic Garden.
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme. Students should bring their University cards for free entry. Maximum 25 people. Further details to be confirmed.
Exhibition, ‘To Make Much of Time’: Calendars, chronicles, coyness and clocks – Saturday 23 March, 10am-4pm
Old Library.
Poet and St John’s alumnus Robert Herrick, best known for his To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time (‘Gather ye rose-buds while ye may…’), died 350 years ago. The Old Library is marking this anniversary with an exhibition on about time, and how humans have for centuries measured, recorded, used and wasted it.
Free drop-in event as part of Cambridge Festival, no booking required.
Talk, Last call: how different cultures deal with death – Thursday 28 March, 6pm
Old Divinity School.
Social anthropologist Dr Sally Raudon, an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow, speaks about what happens to the dead in New York City – where she spent her fieldwork while doing her PhD at St John’s – and in other different cultures. Part of the Cambridge Festival.
‘Swish’ clothes swap party – Saturday 27 April, 10.30am, then 11am-noon
Fisher Building Foyer.
St John’s College is holding another ‘swish’, a clothes swap party that helps you to refresh your wardrobe while going easy on the planet. Doors open at 10.30am for participants to bring their clothes to swap before the ‘swish’ starts at 11am.
Clothes can also be dropped off at Forecourt Porters’ Lodge from Friday 19 April.
Open to all College members and their guests. Admission free.
And finally
The early bird catches the worm and takes the best photographs – this shot of the sunrise was captured by Betty Rueda, gardener, as she arrived for work.
