College bulletin: 23 February
The route of the Cambridge Half Marathon is going to take runners through St John’s for the first time on Sunday 3 March – don’t miss the full details below of how the event will affect College and how to support participants.
The popular College ‘swish’ is coming back next term and there’s a whole host of events lined up over the next week or so.
College news
Scientists discuss life in Antarctica
In a new University live-streaming event – Life at the Extremes: Antarctica – Professor Eric Miska, Herchel Smith Professor of Molecular Genetics and Fellow of St John’s, joins Polar scientists from the British Antarctic Survey to discuss how life adapts to extremes.
Watch the live-stream recording (on LinkedIn)
Fellow reveals history of botanical gardens
Professor Ulinka Rublack, Professor of Early Modern European History and Fellow at St John’s, examines Hortus Eystettensis (1613), a lavishly illustrated botanical book, for a German History Society online series.
Watch Glimpses of German History: The Eichstätt Garden Book
Fall down seven times, stand up eight
The Master of St John’s is one of seven women featured in a compelling new UK-wide digital art exhibition.
Women and Power is a series of seven billboard artworks created by public artist Martin Firrell in conversation with seven women who have experience of holding power in arts, literature, finance, education and culture.
The series explores the way woman regard and exercise power, and is supported by the artist's 2023/4 residency with leading Out of Home media company Clear Channel UK.
Artwork inspired by Heather Hancock and the other women featured, which include author Joanne Harris, artist Maggi Hambling, and CEO and campaigner Ngozi Fulani, are now appearing on digital billboards around the UK.
The artist was drawn to the Master’s pride in her Lancastrian roots and her explanation that women from the region had to make themselves heard above the noise of the cotton looms and so ‘speaking up’ is not something Lancastrian women generally find difficult.
St John’s on Cambridge Half Marathon route for first time
More than 12,000 runners, including 100 members of the St John’s community, will be making their way through College in the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday 3 March.
Road closures will mean there is no vehicular access to the Bridge Street (Forecourt) side of College until around 5pm. Access to College for duty staff is available via Northampton Street eastbound (i.e. towards Chesterton Road). Staff or Fellows who require parking can use the Cripps car park but are advised to arrive well in advance of the race start time at 9.30am.
Full details on the intranet (login required)
Call for half marathon cheerleaders
Even if you won’t be donning trainers to run around Cambridge during the half marathon, you can still get involved by heading to the St John’s cheer point.
A team from Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) will be bringing air horns, wigs and whistles on the day and they have issued an open invitation to all members of St John’s to pop along from 9am to 11.30am, or any time in between, to cheer on the people taking part.
Meet at New Court.
Buttery, Café and Bar opening times during the half marathon
On Sunday 4 March, lunch will be served from 11-2pm in the Buttery, the Bar will open at 12pm and the Café will be open from 8.30-4.30pm.
Sustainable fashion party swishes back to St John’s
Start sorting your unwanted clothes ready for the College’s next ‘Swish’ event on Saturday 27 April.
Refresh your wardrobe by donating good quality clothing you never wear and picking up other people’s unwanted items for free.
Doors will open in the Fisher Building Foyer at 10.30am for clothes donations and swishing starts at 11am. Clothing can also be dropped off at Forecourt Porters’ Lodge from Friday 19 April. It’s free to take part and open to all College members and their guests. You do not need to donate clothing to attend.
Latest College sport fixtures and results
St John’s men’s first football team had an 8-1 win over Pembroke while the men’s second team drew 1-1 in its league game against Christ’s 1s. The College’s mixed lacrosse team had a 4-3 win over Clare/Homerton while the women’s first netball team narrowly lost their match against Selwyn.
This weekend’s fixtures include football, hockey and netball league games, and the men’s first team footballers taking on Fitz in the Cuppers semi-finals. The famous Lent Bumps rowing races will start on Wednesday 27 February.
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.
What’s on
Chapel
Student Communion – Sunday 25 February, 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 25 February, 10.30am
Chaplain Andrew Hammond preaches, and the service features music by John Sheppard and Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli. The organ voluntary by Scheidt will be played by Junior Organ Scholar Tingshuo Yang.
Organ recital – Sunday 25 February, 6pm
Christopher Gray, Director of Music at St John’s College, plays Buxtehude, MacMillan, Howells and JS Bach. Organ recitals are open to all and admission is free.
Evensong with sermon – Sunday 25 February, 6.30pm
The sermon this week is titled, ‘In the favelas of Brazil,’ and will be delivered by Sr Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ, from the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology. The music includes canticles by Daniel Purcell, Identity (Cantos Sagrados) by James MacMillan, and the organ voluntary Deuxième Fantaisie by Alain will be played by Herbert Howells Organ Scholar Alex Robson.
Compline by Candlelight – Tuesday 27 February, 10pm
Come and enjoy one of the most popular services among Cambridge students – Compline. Based on the late evening service in monasteries, it is sung by members of St John’s Voices and the Chaplain. A peaceful and relaxing service, it lasts about 35 minutes and is followed by port and hot chocolate. Open to College members and friends only.
Chapel book group – Wednesdays 28 February and 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.
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.
Other events
Recital: Songs of the Wars and Pandemic – Friday 23 February, 8pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
American soprano Claire Fedoruk and British pianist Ian Pace perform a recital of songs by Ukrainian composers, Villa-Lobos, and new cycles by Sarah Wallin Huff and Tim Watts, a Fellow at St John’s.
Tickets on the door: £10 (£5 student concs) but free to all members of St John’s College.
Cheesy anthems – College Bar, from 9.30pm
If you like Kylie, Grease, and the Macarena then don’t miss tonight’s music night in the College Bar.
Composers’ workshop – Saturday 24 February, 2-4pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
Claire Fedoruk (soprano) and Ian Pace (piano) rehearse and discuss works by student composers including St John’s undergraduates Caleb Richards, Tingshuo Yang and Sohan Kalirai.
Admission free, all welcome.
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 26 February, 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.
Fruity Films: Paris is Burning – Monday 26February, 7.30pm
SBR.
Enjoy free snacks and the documentary film, Paris is Burning – a chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s. An LGBT History Month event.
Open to postgraduates. Free entry and snacks, no need to book.
Quiz – Monday 26 February, 8.30pm
Bar.
Open to all, admission free.
Lent Bumps – Wednesday 27 February to Saturday 2 March
St John’s has four men’s boats, M1, M2, M3 and M4, and three women’s boats, W1, W2 and W3, 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
Wellness walk – Tuesday 27 February, 3pm
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.
Aquila rehearsal – Tuesday 27 February, 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.
Pre-Dinner Lecture Series: Finding Meaning in the History of Suicide – Tuesday 27 February, 6.15pm
Boys Smith Room, Fisher Building.
Talk given by St John’s Fellow Dr Ella Sbaraini. The talk will be followed by drinks.
Open to Fellows, affiliates and postgraduate students. Admission free, booking not required.
Old Library opening – Wednesday 28 February, 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.
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. The dress code for the Fellows’ Table is a jacket and tie or a smart dress, both with gowns.
Free of charge, limited places, register via Upay. When registering please enter the subject you are reading into the ‘Special Requirements’ section.
LGBTQIA+ panel discussion – Wednesday 28 February, 7.30pm
Boys Smith Room, Fisher Building.
To conclude LGBT History Month, the SBR is hosting a panel and discussion event to bring together College members to share experiences and ideas of ways to support further inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people.
For more information email Rhiannon, SBR Treasurer, and SBR Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer.
St John's College Music Society lunchtime recital – Thursday 29 February, 1.30pm
New Music Room.
Hannah Brooks-Hughes (violin), Flora Clapham (violin), Sam Travis (viola), Harry Scott-Burt (cello) and Calvin Leung (piano).
Open to all, admission free, booking not required.
Save the date
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.
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)
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. He is Professor Emeritus of History at Utah State University and the author of many works on Elizabethan England.
Open to Fellows, College affiliates, and postgraduate students. Places are limited and registration is required by 9am on Friday 1 March.
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.
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 postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff – Thursday 14 March, 5.45pm
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
We discovered him first but now Leo Woodall has become Netflix and TikTok famous thanks to his starring role in One Day.
Apple TV+ has now revealed details of the eight-part series partially filmed at St John’s and Cambridge last summer.
The new conspiracy thriller features the White Lotus star, pictured below cycling around the Backs in one of the scenes filmed at St John’s in August. Prime Target – previously known as Varsity – stars the 27-year-old actor as mathematical genius Edward Brook who hopes to crack the code that will allow him to access every computer in the world. We didn’t like to tell him that only Fellows are allowed their bikes this far into College.
View more photos from the film shoot along with the synopsis from Apple TV+
