College bulletin: 13 October
A message from Heather Hancock, Master of St John’s
I’m sure that, like me, you have been profoundly distressed by Hamas’s horrendous terrorist attack upon Israel. The loss of life and devastation as events have unfolded is heart-breaking. Tutors and the welfare team have been closely supporting our students, especially those worried about family and friends and others particularly affected by the attack and its aftermath.
Amid the fear and grief, it appears inevitable that more suffering is to come. Within College, please continue to support each other, keeping the victims and all those living with fear and anxiety in our hearts and minds.
College news
Honorary Fellow of St John’s named as next Master of Churchill College
Making the impossible possible – the latest Souvient podcast
St John’s has launched the fifth episode of its podcast series Souvient, featuring a conversation between host Heather Hancock, Master of John’s, and a trio of experts from the College who all work at the forefront of their fields of research focusing on cutting edge technological advances around energy.
The episode features Professor Sir Richard Friend, Cavendish Professor of Physics, Professor Erwin Reisner, Professor of Energy and Sustainability, and Professor Andy Woods, Director of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows and Chair of the College’s Energy Transition Working Group.
Students, share your views on new College garden project
Students are invited to share their ideas on plans to create a new outdoor space at St John’s.
A theme in the College’s strategic masterplan is to make better use of some of the outdoor areas on the main College site for work, relaxation, socialising, and to improve biodiversity.
One project is focusing on River Court and Upper River Court, between New Court, Cripps A-D and the river, led by internationally-renowned landscape gardener Arne Maynard and the St John’s Gardening team. Students are warmly invited to go along to the Fisher Building Foyer at 6pm on Monday 30 October to learn more. Drinks will be served.
Whether you live in Cripps or have done, or are interested in architecture and landscape, biodiversity or just how we can continue to create the best living and working environment at St John’s, please do go along to have your say.
There’s plenty of room, but it would help to know who is coming so please sign up by 25 October. Opportunities for Fellows and staff to comment will be provided in due course.
Tim joins the march for dementia charity
Tim Waters, the College’s Head of Capital Projects, has taken part in a 10k charity walk around Cambridge in aid of Dementia UK.
The event on Thursday 5 October was organised by CB3 Consulting Limited, which is based at St John’s Innovation Centre and provides cost consultancy advice for a number of the College’s Major Capital Projects. The fundraising target was £2,500 but, at the time of writing, Tim and his fellow walkers had together raised £4,101. The JustGiving page is still open.
Tim said: “My mother-in-law is in the early stages of dementia and it’s an illness we all seem to know someone who is suffering from. All donations still gratefully received, and all go towards the amazing work Dementia UK does. A huge thank you to those who have already donated.”
Parents to officially start 10k in memory of late son and student
The parents of St John’s PhD student Jonathan Gilmour, who died in April 2022, will be starting Cambridge Town and Gown 10k run on Sunday in memory of their son.
Angela and Brian Gilmour, from Hampshire, were due to officially open the race last year but Angela was hospitalised with pneumonia.
Cambridge Town and Gown attracts thousands of runners and spectators and raises funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Jonathan was diagnosed with the muscle-wasting condition as a child and was an avid supporter of the charity.
Roads shutting for Town and Gown race
Road closures will be in place in and around St John’s for the Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown 10k on Sunday.
Affected roads will be shut from 8am until noon, including Northampton Street (westbound to Queens’ Lane), Queen’s Road (southbound to Silver Street), Trinity Street, St John’s Street and Bridge Street.
Good luck to all College members taking part
Get a pizza the action
The Catering team is holding an Italian-themed event all day on Monday in the Buttery, Bar and Café, with Italian food and drinks and an ‘all things Italian’ quiz in the Bar in the evening.
All are welcome.
What’s on
Chapel
Student Communion – Sunday 15 October, 8.30am
Gather in the small chapel in the Ante-chapel for a half-hour service of Holy Communion (aka the Eucharist) with Sermon, and then go to Hall for cooked breakfast (which is subsidised) This appeals to a real cross-section of the student community.
Organ recital – Sunday 15 October, 6pm
Carolyn Craig (Westminster Abbey) will be performing works by Demessieux, Byrd, Parker and Alain.
Open to all, admission free.
Sunday Evensong with Sermon – Sunday 15 October, 6.30pm
Critical Mass – Tuesday 17 October, 10pm
Based on a very simple ‘mass’ (Holy Communion), this happens in the centre of Chapel, sitting on the floor, with candlelight, incense, projections and soul music. At the heart of it is a talk by the Chaplain aimed at the lifeworld of students. Wine and cheese are served afterwards.
Open to College members and their guests.
Evensong for the birthday of St John Fisher – Thursday 19 October, 6.30pm
Attended by the Papal Nuncio to Great Britain, His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía.
Advent Carol services – Saturday 25 November, 6pm & Sunday 26 November, 3pm
The Sunday service will be recorded live for broadcast by BBC Radio 3 the following Sunday, 3 December (Advent Sunday).
College members are given priority, admission free. As these services are usually heavily oversubscribed, tickets will be restricted to three per application.
The closing date for applications is Monday, 30 October 2023. Tickets will be distributed to applicants during the week commencing Monday, 6 November.
For all other regular services, see the Chapel webpage
The Chapel team is always keen to hear from more volunteers to read in services or assist in other ways: please contact Andrew.
Other events
Historical walk 1: Medieval Cambridge (450-1350) – Sunday 15 October, 2pm
Meet at Cripps Porters’ Lodge.
Prof Tim Bayliss-Smith, St John’s Fellow, will lead a two-hour walking tour of key medieval locations including Castle Hill and St Peter’s Church.
A free event open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. All places are now taken.
St John's College Open Orchestra come and play day – Monday 16 October, 7.30pm
New Music Room.
A relaxed orchestra for players of all standards, rehearsals take place every two weeks on Monday evenings in the New Music Room.
Open to all members of the University, admission free. Register using this form
College Bar quiz – Monday 16 October, 8.30pm
Bar.
Open to all, admission free.
SBR yoga – Tuesday 17 October, 8.30am
Palmerston Room.
Hour-long class every Tuesday and Thursday, suitable for all abilities. Please bring your own mat and arrive promptly. Last class of the term will be on 2 November.
Open to SBR members plus their guests. Members will be charged £3 to their College bill per session. No booking required. Email Dommy with any queries.
Careers Fairs – Tuesday 17 October and throughout term
University Student Services Centre, Bene’t Street, New Museums Site.
Further details and to register
Visit the Careers Service website for more information.
Palaeography for beginners – Tuesday 17 October, 3pm
Via Zoom.
Weekly sessions for anyone interested in reading handwriting from c1500-c1700, using documents from the College’s institutional archives. Sessions are informal and aimed at beginners, or those with a little experience who wish to practise their skills.
Sessions are held on Tuesdays at 3pm and take place online using photographs of the documents. If you would like to join the first session, or have any queries, please email the archivist, Dr Lynsey Darby. If you aren’t sure until the last minute, please join anyway.
Open to all, admission free. Link for the first session
Aquila a cappella singing group rehearsal – Tuesday 17 October, 5.15pm
New Music Room.
Aquila is a friendly all-female group for people who enjoy singing for fun. It is welcoming new members – no audition is necessary, simply drop in to a rehearsal and try it before joining.
For more information, visit Aquila’s Facebook or Instagram @johnsaquila
Open to all female College members.
Pre-Dinner Lecture Series talk: a showcase of research by the new College Research Associates – Tuesday 17 October, 6.15pm
Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School.
Dr Jordan Miller (Egyptology), Dr Preethi Rajendram Soundararajan (Engineering) and Miss Stephanie Monty (Astronomy) will introduce their research.
The lecture will last 20-30 minutes and be followed by audience questions and drinks.
Open to Fellows, affiliates and postgraduate students. Admission free.
Upper Library opening – Wednesday 18 October, 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 17th-century Upper Library. Requests for material to be exhibited can be emailed to Special Collections and they will do their best to accommodate these during the term.
This is also still the chance to see Improbabilities: A Douglas Adams Exhibition, held recently as part of the Open Cambridge heritage events.
Open to College members and their guests. Admission free, no booking required.
Discussion: Decolonisation in Cambridge College and Museum Collections – Wednesday 18 October, 4-6pm
Old Divinity School, Main Lecture Theatre.
As part of Black History Month, the Fitzwilliam Museum Society, St John’s College Library, Cambridge AntiRacism Forum, the Decolonise Art Group and the CUSU BME Campaign are marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Anti-Slavery Society by William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, both alumni of St John’s.
The four panellists, including St John’s Special Collections Assistant Dr Adam Crothers, will discuss their research regarding the links between histories of colonialism and slavery and collections within Cambridge, both in relation to individual Colleges and to the Fitzwilliam Museum. The event seeks to critically examine the institution of Cambridge University as well as much of the material heritage that has survived today and to understand what this tells us about the legacy of colonialism and slavery.
Doors open at 3.45pm. Discussion followed by a free drinks reception.
Open to all, admission free, no booking required.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 18 October, 7.30pm
Hall.
Open to College postgraduates. Attendance at Postgraduates Dine with Fellows events is restricted to one event per academic year.
Free of charge, limited places, register via Upay.
An Evening with Ulinka Rublack in Cambridge: a discussion of Dürer’s Lost Masterpiece – Thursday 19 October, 6pm
Heffers Bookshop, 20 Trinity Street.
Prof Ulinka Rublak, historian and Fellow of St John’s, will discuss her book Dürer’s Lost Masterpiece: Art and Society at the Dawn of a Global Age, which considers the celebrated German artist Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), his time and his legacy.
She will be in conversation with Dr Victoria Avery, the Keeper of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts at the Fitzwilliam Museum. The event includes a wine reception.
Open to all, *tickets £8-£35. Further information and to book tickets
Scratch Night – Friday 20 October, 6-7pm
Lightfoot Room.
St John’s drama society, The Lady Margaret Players, is hosting a Scratch Night – an evening of comedy sketches, each lasting about five minutes.
The Players is open to St John’s students interested in the performing arts, regardless of experience. If you would like to perform, please email the Players.
The Scratch Night is open to all College members.
Meet the brewer – Monday 23 October, 6pm
Wordsworth Room.
Local award-winning Ivo Brewery will be holding a tasting of its local ales and lagers, hosted by brewery founder Charlie Abbott.
Open to all College members. Tickets £6, limited places, register via Upay.
Cambridge citizens: Wintercomfort visit – Monday 23 October, 7pm
Meeting place to be confirmed.
This term The Rev’d Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Chapel, will be leading two short evening visits in town to help students get to know Cambridge beyond the University. The first visit is to Wintercomfort for the homeless, next to St John’s College boathouse.
Wintercomfort provides meals for those who have no home, three times a day, and is also an information, advice, training and support centre for homeless men and women. You will hear about their work, and have the opportunity to learn more about homelessness in Cambridge and what might be done in response. If you’d like to go along, please email Dr Oakley.
Open to students, no charge.
The Really Popular Book Club – Tuesday 24 October, 7.30pm
Via Zoom.
The Really Popular Book Club is Cambridge University Libraries' book group and is an opportunity to discuss a really popular book with the group, library staff, and an expert on the novel. Join St John’s research scientist, social entrepreneur, cultural heritage preservationist and oral historian Darold Cuba to discuss the novel The Sellout, by Paul Beatty.
The Sellout won the Booker prize in 2014 and is a satire on racism in America, relayed in a series of bizarre flashbacks. The novel is a timely look at the fragility of legal systems and the effects of Western colonialism's legacy of racism in America.
Open to all, admission free. Further details and to register
Tour of the College wine cellars – Wednesday 25 October, 11.30am
Meet in the passage between the kitchens and Hall.
A 30-minute tour led by Jim Wocha, Wine and Provisions Manager at St John’s. Please note that no large bags or coats are permitted in the cellars.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free. Restricted numbers; the first 10 to email the Postgraduate Administrator will be able to attend.
St John’s Book Group for postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff – Wednesday 25 October, 5.45pm
Merton Hall Cottage (behind the School of Pythagoras).
Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, will host her first book group meeting of Michaelmas Term. This month’s read is Roy Jacobsen’s The Unseen (2016). Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2017, it was described in the Financial Times as ‘a blunt, brilliant book’; in the Guardian as ‘a profound interrogation of freedom and fate’; and by Eileen Battersby in the Irish Times as ‘easily among the best books I have ever read’.
Newcomers welcome. If you are interested in joining this, or the book group for undergraduate students, email Vona.
Big Band Roulette: A Night at the Movies – Thursday 26 October, 7-8.30pm
Palmerston Room.
Big Band Roulette is an 18-piece jazz ensemble that has a brand-new, randomly selected band consisting of student musicians for every gig. The first gig this academic year is A Night at the Movies and is formed of epic themes and songs from famous Hollywood hits. Tonight’s band features several St John’s students, including one of the Big Band’s permanent MDs, rhythm section specialist Tim Hargreaves.
Open to all, tickets from £4. Further information and to book tickets
Tour of the Fitzwilliam Museum – Saturday 28 October, 2pm
Meeting place to be confirmed.
Led by Prof Patrick Boyde, St John’s Fellow and Emeritus Professor of Italian.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free.
St John’s Book Group for undergraduates – Thursday 30 October, 7pm
Merton Hall Cottage (behind the School of Pythagoras).
Like to read? Interested in discussing short, good, recently-published books in an informal, friendly setting? Join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, for the first undergraduate book group meeting of this term.
This month’s book is Saba Sams’s 2022 short story collection, Send Nudes, winner of the 2023 Edge Hill Prize. In 2022, Sams was the youngest ever winner of the BBC National Short Story Award and, in 2023, she was named as a Granta Best of Young British Novelist. A review in the Guardian noted the ‘earthy resilience and joie de vivre that make Send Nudes so rare and uplifting’.
Newcomers welcome – you don’t have to be studying English and you don’t need to bring anything along except the book. Just read the book in advance and go along to share responses to it with other undergraduates. If you are interested in joining, email Vona.
Tour of the Chapel windows – Wednesday 1 November, 2pm
Meeting place to be confirmed.
The story of St John in the College’s stained glass, presented by Prof Patrick Boyde, Fellow of St John’s.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free.
Poetry reading – Friday 3 November, 6pm
Boys Smith Room, Fisher Building.
Three leading Irish poets will be reading from their work at this event hosted by St John’s. Nick Laird, Tara Bergin and Colette Bryce are among the most acclaimed, innovative and intriguing contemporary poets, with work regularly appearing in publications such as The LRB, Poetry Review and the New Yorker.
The reading will be followed by a wine reception and a chance to meet the poets.
Open to all, admission free, no booking required.
Beer tasting – Wednesday 8 November, 6pm
Wordsworth Room, First Court.
With Prof Michael de Volder, Fellow of St John’s.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme.
Booking and payment details to be confirmed.
Tour of the Scott Polar Research Institute Museum – Friday 10 November, 2pm
Meeting place to be confirmed.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free.
Andrew Chamblin Memorial Lecture 2023 – Tuesday, 14 November, 5pm
Meeting Room 2, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA.
The 17th Andrew Chamblin Memorial Lecture, entitled Illuminating the Dark Universe with Gravitational Waves, will be given by Professor Alessandra Buonanno, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics.
The lecture will also be livestreamed on YouTube.
Admission free, booking required via the Faculty of Mathematics Events page.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 15 November, 7.30pm
Hall.
Open to College postgraduates. Attendance at Postgraduates Dine with Fellows events is restricted to one event per academic year.
Free of charge, limited places, registration details to be confirmed.
‘Swish’ clothes swap event – Saturday 18 November, 10.30am, then 11am-noon
Hall.
St John’s College is holding its second ‘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.
Open to all College members and their guests. Admission free.
Dramatisation – Tuesday 21 November and Wednesday 22 November, 7.30pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
With Prof Patrick Boyde, Emeritus Professor of Italian and Fellow of St John’s. Details to be confirmed.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free.
Ghost walk – Thursday 23 November, 5.45pm
Meeting place to be confirmed.
With Dr Mark Nicholls, Fellow of St John’s.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free.
Ghost stories – Wednesday 6 December, 8.30pm
Combination Room.
With Prof Patrick Boyde, Fellow of St John’s. Details to be confirmed.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free.
And finally
Identical twins get identical results
Identical twins Alice and Zoe Abrams have just found out that they both got identical first-class results in their degrees.
Alice, who graduated from St John’s this year, studied Social Anthropology and Politics and came top in her tripos and Zoe, who read Sociology and Politics at Jesus College, scored an identical final score to her younger sister – the pair both got 70.5%.
Alice, pictured left, is now taking a TEFL qualification so that she can teach during her gap year and plans to go on to do a Master’s. Zoe, pictured right, is now doing a Master’s at The Other Place.
Congratulations!
