College bulletin: 19 January
While IT race around trying to diagnose and fix it the network problems many of us are experiencing, we’ve been consoling ourselves with the fact that at least the café’s coffee machine hasn’t been on the blink – we’ve got good priorities in Comms.
This week we bring news of the peregrine falcons who have flown into residence in College, important info about reconnecting devices to Eduroam, and a packed schedule of What’s On events including a countdown to free birthday cake to mark the first birthday of the new dining areas and bar.
Do contact us if you’d like any news or events to be considered for inclusion in the weekly Bulletin and we are sending courage to everyone intending to join the hectic queue for the first Buttery brunch of term tomorrow.
College news
Air pollution and cancer link explored at 2024 Linacre Lecture
Professor Charles Swanton, Deputy Clinical Director at The Francis Crick Institute, will give the 2024 St John’s College Linacre Lecture on 15 February.
Moving choral music by award-winning composer to premiere at Epiphany Carol Service
To mark the liturgical season of Epiphany, the Choir of St John’s will premiere the second of three powerful new choral pieces by British composer Joanna Marsh. Specially commissioned for the Choir, Refugee is a compelling piece based on a poem by Malcolm Guite.
The Epiphany Carol Services this Saturday and Sunday are fully booked but you can read the full story about Refugee on the Choir website.
Old Library celebrates 400 years
Rare books and documents covering four centuries since the construction of the Old Library have gone on display.
Academics, students, staff and guests can visit the exhibition, St John's College Old Library 1624-2024: A Celebration of 400 Years, in the Library exhibition area from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, until 19 April.
Peregrine falcons make themselves at home on the Chapel Tower
A pair of peregrine falcons have been spotted making regular stops at St John’s as they take up residence in the city.
The female – believed to be from Wakefield – was seen with the city’s resident male making ‘impressive flights’ on Monday before perching on the Chapel Tower before heading off to collect from books from the UL.
The photos were tweeted by @camperegrines on X (formerly Twitter).
Eduroam updates required to retain internet access
All College members who use the University’s Eduroam wifi service must update the set-up on their devices before 31 January 2024 to maintain access to the internet.
University Information Services (UIS) is replacing the certificate that verifies a secure connection to Eduroam and the old one will expire at the end of January.
Follow the instructions for specific devices and read the email circulated by James Hargrave, the College’s IT Director, on Monday 15 January for handy tips.
If you need assistance, visit the IT Helpdesk in the Library between 1-3pm Monday to Friday or email IT Support.
How to prevent mould and damp in College rooms
When the historic buildings at St John’s were built life was very different – baths were a termly event (if that) and there were open fires. Old buildings are designed to breathe otherwise condensation, which can lead to mould, can become a problem during the winter months.
Read the following tips to reduce the risk in your room and remember that ventilation is the main weapon against condensation and mould.
Housekeeping tips
Do:
- Open your window whenever possible to encourage airflow – experts actually say a cool room is optimum for a good night’s sleep.
- Wipe the condensation off the window with a cloth.
- Make sure to open a window or use an extractor fan when cooking, showering or using any appliance that produces moisture.
- Open your curtains during the day to allow the air to circulate near the windows.
- Leave your window open a little overnight to reduce inevitable condensation from breathing.
- If that is too cold to contemplate, leave your curtains open a little with the window closed as this also helps air circulation.
- Leave your room on a regular basis to allow moisture to dissipate.
Don't:
- Keep your window closed all day, every day, as moisture will have nowhere to go other than into the fabric of the building. Also don’t leave your window open when you aren’t in your room, particularly during high winds.
- Turn your radiator off all the time as this encourages condensation to collect on cold surfaces.
- Keep items (especially dirty or damp ones) close to the wall edge for long periods of time as this prevents air circulating and encourages mould.
- Don’t air dry wet clothes in your room if it can be avoided. If you are using a clothes airer place it near an open window to aid drying and to give the moisture somewhere to escape.
- Spend long periods in your room without breaks and/or ventilation.
What’s on
Chapel
Student Communion – Sunday 21 January, 8.30am
Gather in the small chapel in the Ante-Chapel for a half-hour service of Holy Communion (aka the Eucharist) with sermon, then go to Hall for cooked breakfast (which is subsidised). This appeals to a real cross-section of the student community.
Epiphany Carol Services – Saturday 20 January & Sunday 21 January 2024, 6pm
A candlelit service of readings and music for the season. Music by Dove, Joubert, Kirbye, McGlade, Mendelssohn, Poulenc, Sweelinck, Tallis, Tavener and Victoria, with a new composition by Joanna Marsh.
Applications for tickets are now closed. More details
Evensong Unwrapped – Friday 26 January, 6.30pm
The Rev’d Andrew Hammond, College Chaplain, explains the centuries-old tradition of Evensong and The Choir of St John’s College will sing world-class choral music under the direction of Christopher Gray.
If you've ever been curious about what happens during a service, this is the perfect opportunity to experience Evensong at a slower pace with brief explanations throughout the service.
Evensong provides a moment of calm and quiet reflection at the day's end in the beautiful setting of the College Chapel. All are welcome – no need to participate, just go along to listen.
College members are invited to remain after the service for a drink in the Ante-Chapel.
Watch a video introduction with Andrew. Chris and Choir
Bach Cantata Evensong with St John’s Sinfonia – Saturday 27 January, 6.30pm
This special Evensong will see St John’s Sinfonia team up with The Choir of St John’s College, featuring brilliant baroque music by J.S Bach, Telemann, and Durante.
Bach’s festive cantata, Nun danket alle Gott (Now thank ye all our God) is a cheerful and lively piece that provides a wonderful opportunity to hear the Choir performing with a small orchestra of specialist period instruments led by Musician in Residence Margaret Faultless.
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 the Chaplain, Andrew.
Other events
St John's College Old Library 1624-2024: A Celebration of 400 Years – now open, 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 22 January, 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 other pieces of coursework alongside other students going through the same thing.
There is support, encouragement and the opportunity to ask questions about study skills such as researching, referencing and time management. 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.
Short Book Club for postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff – Monday 22 January, 5.45pm
Merton Hall Cottage (behind the School of Pythagoras).
Join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, to discuss January’s book, Baba Dunja's Last Love (2015) by Alina Bronsky. It's a romance set in post-nuclear accident Chernobyl. In a novel about families, risk, resilience and what it means to love a home, Baba Dunja is an unforgettable character.
Newcomers always welcome. If you are interested in attending, email Vona.
College Bar quiz – Monday 22 January, 8.30pm
Bar.
Open to all, admission free.
Charity book sale – Tuesday 23 January, 10am-4.30pm
Central Hall, Old Divinity School.
A charity book sale from the library of former Master, Professor Sir Chris Dobson. Donations to charitable projects organised by the JCR. Open to all.
Aquila rehearsal – Tuesday 23 January, 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.
For more information and events, visit Aquila’s Facebook or Instagram @johnsaquila
Pre-Dinner Lecture Series talk: Converting the ancient novel: Galaction and Episteme between erotic fiction and hagiography – Tuesday 23 January, 6.15pm
Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School.
Presented by Dr Ben Kruchió, Fellow at St John’s. In the 2nd century CE, Achilles Tatius published a playful novel featuring extravagant adventures and transgressive eroticism. Half a millennium later, somebody wrote Galaction and Episteme, arguably the first sequel in literary history.
This unique text continues Achilles’s narrative, turning it into a story about spiritualised love, otherworldly yearning, and gory martyrdom. Dr Kruchió’s talk explores the ideological undercurrents of this ‘novelistic conversion’: what might the hagiographer be trying to tell us about the relationship between Christianity – the dominant culture of his time – and the pagan heritage?
The lecture will last 20-30 minutes and be followed by audience questions and drinks.
Open to Fellows, affiliates and postgraduate students. Admission free.
St John's Poetry Society discussion – Tuesday 23 January, 7pm
Arthur Quiller-Couch Room, Old Divinity School.
A relaxed discussion about your favourite poems.
Open to all, admission free, no booking required.
Skylines – Tuesday 23 January to Saturday 27 January, 7pm
Corpus Playroom. St Edward’s Passage.
Written and directed by St John’s student Isabella Bottle. It is London between the wars and Archie and Lily live in one of the city’s first ‘skyscrapers’. Among the changing skyline, the two navigate an existence which places them increasingly further into the sky and deeper into the ground.
Skylines maps the attempts of ordinary people to come to terms with both the distance and closeness of their newly vertical lives and what it means to confront the future in a world where everything seems suspended.
Suitable for all ages. Tickets: Tuesday £6.50-£8.50; Wednesday and Thursday £7.50-£9.50; Friday and Saturday £9.50-£11.50. Buy tickets
Tour of College wine cellars – Wednesday 24 January, 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 events programme. No large bags or coats permitted.
There are now four places available. Open to College members plus guest; to register email the Postgraduate Administrator by the end of the working day on Monday 22 January.
Upper Library opening – Wednesday 24 January, 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 and they will do their best to accommodate these during the term.
Open to College members and their guests. Admission free, no booking required.
Short Book Club for undergraduates – Wednesday 24 January, 7pm
Merton Hall Cottage (behind the School of Pythagoras).
Join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, to discuss January’s book, My Phantoms (2021) by Gwendoline Riley. It's a crisp, unsentimental and surprisingly tender examination of a complex mother-daughter relationship.
Newcomers always welcome. If you are interested in attending, email Vona.
Burns Night – Thursday 25 January
Buttery and Bar.
For Burns Night, an annual day honouring Scottish poet Robert Burns, the Buttery will be serving a special dinner menu and the Bar will be offering whisky flights.
Paleography for beginners – Friday 26 January, 3pm
Via Zoom (link below).
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. To join, or to make an enquiry, email the archivist, Dr Lynsey Darby. If you aren’t sure until the last minute, join anyway.
Open to all, admission free.
What’s On in the coming weeks
Master’s Concert Series – Saturday 27 January, 8.45pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
Two rising stars of opera, soprano Licia Piermatteo and baritone Gulio Ricco, will give a recital of arias and duets, including music by Mozart and Rossini. To be followed by a drinks reception.
Open to College members and their friends, admission free, no booking required.
Buttery, Bar and Café first birthday events – Monday 29 January, 8.30pm, and Tuesday 30 January, 11am
Bar and Café.
Join in the celebrations with a Birthday Bar Quiz on Monday 29th and cake cutting ceremony in the Café on Tuesday 30th.
Open to all College members, admission free, no booking required.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 31 January, 7.30pm
Hall.
Open to College postgraduates. Attendance at Postgraduates Dine with Fellows events is restricted to one event per academic year.
Free, limited places, register via Upay.
Lecture: The Life and Work of Paul Dirac – Tuesday 6 February, 6pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
With Dr Peter Goddard, Emeritus Professor, IAS, Princeton, and Fellow of St John’s. In his PhD thesis, alumnus Paul Dirac established the fundamentals of quantum mechanics. Soon after he predicted the existence of antimatter, winning a Nobel Prize when he was just 31. Although famously taciturn, he was a life-long friend of Kapitsa, Heisenberg and Oppenheimer. The talk will give a non-technical account of the life and work of the man whom Niels Bohr described as having the greatest scientific mind since Newton. The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception in Central Hall.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free, no booking required.
The chemistry of wine and wine tasting – Wednesday 7 February, 6pm
Wordsworth Room, First Court.
A 45-minute talk by Dr Paul Wood, College and University Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry, Director of Studies in Natural Sciences (Physical), and 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.
Maximum 30 people. Booking and payment details to be confirmed.
Visit to the Old Library – Wednesday 14 February, 2pm
Meeting place to be confirmed.
With Dr Adam Crothers, Special Collections Assistant.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Maximum 30 people. Admission free, no booking required.
Linacre Lecture 2024 – Thursday 15 February, 5.30pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
This year’s Linacre Lecture, TRACERx – insights into cancer evolution, immune evasion and metastases, will be given by Professor Charles Swanton, Deputy Clinical Director of The Francis Crick Institute. The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.
Open to all University members. Register your place by Friday 9 February (early registration is advised). More details
Dramatisation: David and Absalom – Wednesday 21 February and Thursday 22 February, 7.30pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
With Professor Patrick Boyde, Emeritus Professor of Italian and Fellow of St John’s. Subtitles will be projected onto a screen to translate the Hebrew into English.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free, booking required. Details to be confirmed.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 28 February, 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.
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 postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme. Admission free.
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 postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme. Admission free.
Graduate Symposium – Saturday 9 March, time tbc
Lightfoot Room and Central Hall, Old Divinity School.
Details to be confirmed.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of the Sans Frontières programme.
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
Meeting place to be confirmed.
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 Gardens.
Open to College postgraduate students, 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.
And finally
A bird’s eye view of abseilers at work removing the Boston Ivy from the College’s Warehouse building this week.
The building, which is predominantly student accommodation, is going to be refurbished from 2025 as part of work towards St John’s achieving net zero. The ivy may be causing damage to the structure of the building and removing it will allow the team to understand what work needs to be done so that the rooms are ready for students for the academic year 2026/27. A safety punt was stationed nearby to keep an eye on the workers as they abseiled and pruned.
