College bulletin: 19 April
Welcome to the first bulletin of Easter Term – the season of punting, exams, and garden parties.
Please use the Bulletin Submission form to send us your College events for What’s On. The deadline is midday on Thursdays for inclusion in the following day’s Bulletin.
College news items can still be submitted by emailing the Communications Office.
College news
Tributes paid to late Law Fellow also known for his love of bicycles and photography
Academic welcomes £9.2m boost for next generation of Cambridge cancer experts
‘Visionaries’ receive £2.5m awards to develop technologies to benefit UK
Professor Charles Swanton gives the Linacre Lecture 2024
Senior Tutor’s new book tells remarkable story of the Plantagenets
A new book written by Cambridge historians Richard Partington, Senior Tutor of St John’s, and Caroline Burt, charts the lively history of the Plantagenet kings, who ruled England for 300 blood-soaked years during the Middle Ages.
Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of the English State (Faber & Faber) has received a five-star review in The Telegraph and featured on BBC Radio Four’s Today programme.
Interview with Dr Caroline Burt on BBC Sounds (from 2.22:10)
St John’s rowers in winning Boat Race crews
Five St John’s rowers took part in the historic Boat Races on the Tideway in London over the Easter vacation, with three competing in the triumphant Blue Boats.
The 169th Men’s Boat Race was contested on Easter Saturday, on the same day as the 78th Women’s Boat Race. Two St John’s students were in the women’s Blue Boat after rowing for Blondie previously: Jo Matthews, final-year medic, was in seat two, and Gemma King, PhD student in stem cell biology, was in the bow position.
The pair were part of the Cambridge crew that resoundingly won the ‘race for the ages’ for the seventh successive year with a clear victory over Oxford. Cambridge finished seven lengths ahead of Oxford. Gemma said: “We knew our strongest feature was our base pace. We were really confident in it. We knew that was our power that could bring us back through. I’m really proud of us.”
In the men’s race, Cambridge led from start to finish to make it six wins out of the past nine races. Thomas Marsh, PhD student in physics at St John’s, rowed in seat three and there was clear water between the boats by the halfway point.
The Men’s Lightweight crew included Harry Fieldhouse, PhD student in Engineering at St John’s, who rowed in seat four of the Cambridge vessel in the Lightweight Boat Races with Cambridge emerging victorious. Cambridge’s Women’s Lightweight crew also won their race.
Rowan Saltmarsh, St John’s engineer, competed in the Blondie crew in the Reserve Races. She and her teammates were beaten by Osiris while Goldie won the Men’s Reserve Race.
All six races can be watched on The Boat Races YouTube Channel
St John’s student leads Cambridge Blues to sailing victory
Engineer Lucius (Luke) Bligh has led the University Sailing Blues team to victory in the BUCS-BUSA (British Universities & Colleges Sport / Sailing Association) Team Racing Championship 2024.
The fourth-year undergraduate has captained the squad since August last year, having been on the committee since his first year, and was a member of the Blue team that won the championship trophy at Grafham Water on 4 April, ahead of his final term at St John’s.
Luke said: “It was an unreal feeling when we won; we had been sailing well all through the event so when we held the top of the league into the quarters we knew we had a chance. I was just so proud of the whole squad for the progress they made throughout the year, and gratified that all the hard work paid off.”
More than 60 teams took part in qualifying races earlier in the year, with the top 28 heading to the three-day championships hosted by Cambridge University Cruising Club. Cambridge had two qualifying teams, Blue (first) and Purple (second), with teams of three boats competing. Cambridge Blue was the team with the best combined-finish position.
The team was second overnight on the first day, first overnight on day two, and first going into the quarters, which it won 2-0 against Imperial. It won the semi 2-1 against Strathclyde, and then the final 3-0 against Exeter, who had only taken BUCS gold in the UK National Champions a week earlier.
“We weren’t the favourite to win, so it was great that we didn't drop a race to them in the final,” said Luke.
Read a report of the competition and find out the full results
Domestic Bursar’s team muck in at community farm
Heads of Department and colleagues in the Domestic Bursar’s Office swapped their computer screens for spades during an afternoon of volunteering at a community farm.
Along with Domestic Bursar Alison Cox, the team took part in planting, fencing and animal husbandry at Dream Care Farm CIC, a non-profit community interest company near Bury St Edmunds that works to help improve mental health of children, families and individuals and educates people regarding animals and farming. The volunteers are pictured below with farm manager Sue Smith (second left).
Multi-Faith Room entry now keyless
The Multi-Faith Room in F2 Third Court is now accessible using the College’s keyless card entrance system.
Users will need to refresh their College card on an online reader before their first visit to gain access. These are available in Forecourt Lodge or at the Buttery till.
The do’s and don’ts for safe barbecuing
As we enter the warmer months, all students are reminded of the rules set out in Section 9.11 of the Student Handbook regarding holding barbecues in the gardens of College-owned properties.
Latest issue of Johnian out now
The spring 2024 issue of Johnian, the College’s alumni magazine, is now available online.
Staff will also find copies in departmental pigeonholes and there are copies in Forecourt Lodge post room.
Discounted tickets at ADC Theatre
Fellows and staff are reminded that, along with students, they can get discounted tickets to shows at the ADC Theatre, the oldest University playhouse in the country. Buy tickets via the ADC website and take your College card as proof of employment.
What’s on
Chapel
Student Communion – Sunday 21 April, 8.30am
Students are warmly invited to attend Holy Communion on the first Chapel Sunday for Easter Term. Stick around after this half-hour service for a subsidised cooked breakfast in Hall.
First Evensong of Term – Tuesday 23 April, 6.30pm
Evensong is held every day in term time, we start services on Tuesday evening – when we will be celebrating St George, as patron Saint of England.
Critical Mass – Tuesday 23 April, 10pm
Unlike the ancient traditional feel of Compline, this is an alternative, ‘affective’, meditative experience. Based on a very simple ‘mass’ (Holy Communion), it happens in the centre of Chapel, sitting on the floor, with candlelight, incense, projections and soul music. At the heart of the Critical Mass is a talk by the Chaplain aimed at the life world of students.
Wine and cheese are served afterwards. Open to College members and their guests. This is the first of just two ‘Tuesdays after Dark’ this term: there will be Compline a week later.
Sung Eucharist with the licensing and welcome of The Rev'd Dr Victoria Johnson as Dean – Sunday 28 April, 10.30am
On the Fifth Sunday of Easter, the Sung Eucharist includes the formal welcome and admission of The Rev'd Canon Dr Victoria Johnson as Dean of Chapel at St John's College. The music includes This Joyful Eastertide by Wood, Missa Brevis by Dove, and an organ voluntary by Demessieux.
Joint Evensong service with the Choir of St John's College and The Gesualdo Six – Friday 3 May, 6.30pm
Music includes Byrd's Fauxbourdons and Vaughan Williams' Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge.
The Choir of St John's College and The Gesualdo Six in concert – Saturday 4 May, 7.30pm
The Choir partners with The Gesualdo Six for a concert in Chapel. Led by Owain Park, The Gesualdo Six is an award-winning British vocal ensemble, featuring St John's alumni Alasdair Austin and Joseph Wicks. St John’s Director of Music Christopher Gray and Owain Park will lead a programme featuring works by Byrd, Forbes L’Estrange, Gombert, Marsh, Vaughan Williams and more as the ensembles unite.
Please note there will be no Evensong service on 4 May. The concert will last approximately 75 minutes and there will be no interval. Open to all, £5-£18: book your tickets
For all other regular services, see the Chapel webpage
Other events
Student Art and Photography Competition 2024 – open for entries 22-26 April
Library.
Open to undergraduates and postgraduates, with the chance to win £100 and £200. Hand your entries in at the Library Issue Desk.
Aquila rehearsal – Tuesday 23 April, 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 Tuesday evening rehearsals to try before joining. This term the group is rehearsing for the May Concert on 17 June.
Old Library opening – Wednesday 24 April, 2-4pm
Enter via E staircase, Second Court.
Every Wednesday afternoon in term time (except for 15 May; that week's opening will be on Tuesday 14th), 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.
Wellness walk – Thursday 25 April, 3pm
Meet at the Great Gate.
A weekly opportunity to get outside and appreciate nature and city sights, and enjoy companionship. 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.
Palaeography for beginners – Friday 26 April, 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 practice their skills.
Sessions are held on Fridays at 3pm and take place online using photographs of the documents. If you are interested in joining, please email the archivist, Dr Lynsey Darby
Open to all, admission free.
Save the date
‘Swish’ clothes swap party – Saturday 27 April, 10.30am, then 11am-noon
Fisher Building Foyer.
Refresh your wardrobe while going easy on the planet. Doors open at 10.30am for participants to bring clothes to swap before ‘swishing’ starts at 11am.
Clothes can also be dropped off at Forecourt Porters’ Lodge from Friday 19 April.
Open to all students, Fellows, staff, College Teaching and Research Associates, and their family and friends. Admission free.
St John’s men’s rugby Cuppers – Saturday 27 April, 2pm
St John’s playing fields.
Head along to the Cuppers’ semi-final and support St John’s Redboys in their match against Jesus. Free, all welcome.
St John’s ladies netball Cuppers – Saturday 27 April, from 3.30pm
University Sports Centre.
All College members are invited along to the Cuppers to support the ladies’ netball team. Matches start at 3.30pm with the quarter-finals and the team hopes to make it to the finals to defend their title. Free, all welcome.
Master’s concert series: A string through time – Saturday 27 April, 8.45pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
With countertenor and alumnus Hugh Cutting, alumnus Leo Appel on viola, Danny Murphy on guitar and lute, and Tara Viscardi on the harp. Includes music by Dowland, Debussy and Muhly, focusing on the theme of time, and our experience of it. To be followed by a drinks reception hosted by the Sans Frontières events programme.
Open to College members and their friends, admission free, no booking required.
Tour of College wine cellars – Wednesday 1 May, 11.30am
Meet in the passage between the kitchens and Hall.
A free 30-minute tour led by Jim Wocha, Wine and Provisions Manager at St John’s, for College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests. Part of the Sans Frontières programme.
All 12 places are now taken; the Postgraduate Administrator will advise if any become available.
Public talk, Being Dead Otherwise – Wednesday 1 May, 5-7pm
Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
Talk by Professor Anne Allison, Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Duke University in North Carolina, United States, and author of the book, Being Dead Otherwise.
This talk examines a surge in end-of-life planning (shūkatsu) in Japan since the early 2000s, of seeking alternatives to the family grave and of others (other than kin) being caregivers of the dead.
Organised by College Research Associate Dr Sally Raudon, ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Social Anthropology. Open to all, free entry. For more details, email Dr Rauden
Public reading, An Explosion of Words: Writing the Troubles after the Troubles – Thursday 2 May, 5-7pm
Old Divinity School.
Twenty-six years after the Good Friday Agreement, there is a new wave of writing about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Alongside Oscar-winning film Belfast; TV sensation Derry Girls, and Broadway hit The Ferryman, several recent books address the legacy and memory of the violence.
Leading Irish writers Louise Kennedy (novelist, Trespasses), Martin Doyle (non-fiction, Dirty Linen) and Scott McKendry (poet, Gub) will read from their own works set during the Troubles. A Q&A will follow.
Hosted by Cambridge Group for Irish Studies and St John's Writer in Residence Vona Groarke, the event will be chaired by Susan McKay, writer, journalist and Irish Press Ombudsman.
All welcome, free entry, reception to follow.
Short Book Club – Wednesday 8 May, 6.15pm
Merton Hall Cottage (behind the School of Pythagoras).
Paul Yoon’s short 2013 novel Snow Hunters will be discussed at this first club of the Easter Term, led by Vona Groarke, the College’s Writer in Residence.
The novel is about a Korean War prisoner of war who starts a new life in Brazil. Described as ‘a beautiful and moving meditation on a solitary life’, it's a quiet and thoughtful book about the capacity of kindness.
Open to all students, College and English Faculty staff. Free to attend, refreshments available. Email Vona if you wish to attend.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 8 May, 7.30pm
Hall.
Open to College postgraduates. Attendance at Postgraduates Dine with Fellows events is restricted to one per academic year. Free, limited places, register via Upay.
Real tennis event – Wednesday 17 May, 5-7pm
The Cambridge University Real Tennis Club, Grange Road.
Starting at 5pm with a 45-minute ‘have a go’ session. Players should wear sportswear and trainers and can turn up at any point during the session. All equipment will be provided. The session will be followed by a short introduction to the courts and the game by Dr Victoria Harvey, Tutor for Undergraduate Admissions, with authentic refreshments.
At 6.15pm an exhibition match will be played by Cambridge alumni and recent UK amateur champions Jamie Giddins (St John’s, Economics) vs Ed Kay (Emmanuel, Engineering).
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme. To participate, email the Postgraduate Administrator by 8 May, indicating how many sessions you wish to attend.
Talk: The History and Development of Cambridge University – Tuesday 21 May, 6pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
A presentation by the Senior Tutor, Richard Partington, for College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests. Part of the Sans Frontières programme.
Admission free, no booking required.
Cheese and wine tasting – Wednesday 29 May
Wordsworth Room.
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests. Part of the Sans Frontières programme. Further details to be confirmed.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 5 June, 7.30pm
Hall.
Open to College postgraduates. Attendance at Postgraduates Dine with Fellows events is restricted to one per academic year.
Free, limited places, register via Upay.
Tour of the College gardens – Wednesday 12 June
A tour of the College gardens by members of staff from the Gardening Department. The tour will focus on sustainability.
Open to College postgraduates, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests. Part of the Sans Frontières programme. Maximum 15 people. Further details to be confirmed.
May Concert – Monday 17 June
May Ball – Tuesday 18 June
And finally
