College bulletin: 3 February
It is week one of the new spaces being fully open and I’m already a strong contender for being named as the Café’s number one customer for how many extra hot lattes I’ve bought, although someone in Student Services is hot on my tail as is the Head Gardener so watch this space.
The Catering team tell me the launch has been extremely successful with people flocking to the Buttery, Bar and Café throughout the day and using the facilities long into the evening. They also tell me that crockery and even salt and pepper pots have already been pilfered – stop that please. We know they look great - that’s why they were chosen - but none of us can enjoy the pretty things if they keep going walkabout.
Also, by the time I queue up for my Fitzbillies focaccia in the Café I’m usually dangerously peckish, so kindly vacate the tables if you aren’t eating or drinking during peak periods. It is a truth universally acknowledged that Communications people must have somewhere to sit until fed and watered otherwise they become hangry. Other than that, go and try the Portuguese tarts if you haven’t already and I’ve heard great reviews of the vegan sausage rolls too.
Do check out the ‘And Finally’ section of the Bulletin for evidence that spring is on the way at St John’s and it is clearly thanks to the caffeine powered gardens team who plant all the bulbs.
College news
Opening of new social spaces transforms 500-year-old tradition of community dining at St John’s
A spectacular new Buttery, Café and Bar have opened at St John’s College to meet the demands of 21st century studying and eating.
The contemporary social spaces set within historic buildings, featuring stylish interiors blending the traditional and contemporary, represent one of the most significant projects so far as the College fulfils its estate masterplan, a 20-year development framework with a 100-year lifespan.
Lattes, laptops and listed buildings: College’s new social spaces combine ancient and modern
How do you move with the times at a Cambridge College, responding to the changing needs of a modern-day community while respecting the fabric and history of a 500-year-old institution?
That was the challenge facing St John’s as the College embarked on a landmark project to update the dining spaces to ensure they were fit for the 21st century and beyond.
2023 Student-Led Teaching Awards
Celebrate the staff who have made an exceptional contribution to your time at Cambridge by nominating them for a Student-Led Teaching Award. The awards encourage students to recognise and nominate an academic or member of staff (such as the Head of Communications) in their College, faculty or department that has made an impact on their educational experience.
Link to nominate your favourite Head of Comms
Aquila
Aquila, the College’s all-female a cappella choir, is inviting new members to join the group. No experience or ability to read sheet music is needed, just enthusiasm. Aquila rehearse in the New Music Room on Tuesdays between 5.15pm and 6.45pm, their repertoire is non-classical and learnt by ear, and they perform a concert each term.
Open to all female members of College. For further information email George Herbert or just pop along to a rehearsal and see what it’s like for yourself.
Student art and photography competition
The St John’s College Student Art and Photography Competition 2023 is coming up and will be accepting entries from undergraduates and postgraduates who would like to showcase their artistic skills. There is no theme; categories include sculpture, black and white prints, ceramics and painting. Winning entries receive prizes of up to £200.
Entries must be handed in at the Library Issue Desk, Monday 24 April - Friday 28 April, between 9am and 5pm. They will subsequently be displayed in the Library Exhibition Area, or elsewhere in the Library from Monday 8 May - Thursday 15 June.
What’s on
Chapel
Student communion – Sunday 5 February, 8.30am
Student Communion takes place every Sunday at 8.30am, followed by a subsidised cooked breakfast in Hall.
Sung Eucharist – Sunday 5 February, 10.30am
Open to all, admission free.
Organ recital – Sunday 5 February, 6pm
George Herbert, Assistant Organist, will be performing works by Farrington, Parry and Howells.
Open to all, admission free.
Sunday Evensong with Sermon – Sunday 5 February, 6.30pm
This term’s sermon series invites the preachers to help our faith learn from the past. The preachers have chosen figures from the 16th and 17th centuries in order to suggest ways in which our faith might deepen through a closer encounter with their life and work.
The preacher this evening, who draws his subject from the title ‘Past tense, future perfect? Learning from the history of faith’, is The Chaplain, Rev’d Andrew Hammond, who will be preaching on Elizabeth I.
Open to all, admission free.
Evensong – Monday 6 February, 6.30pm
Sung by St John’s Voices.
Morning prayer – weekdays, 8.30am
Taking place in Ante-Chapel every weekday morning, lasting about 15 minutes.
Organ recital – Sunday 12 February, 6pm
Drew Sellis, Jesus College, will be performing.
Open to all, admission free.
The Meditation on the Passion of Christ – Saturday 4 March, 6.00pm
A Service of readings and music for Passiontide.
Deadline for applications is Monday 13 February. Book here
Follow the Facebook page, SJC Chaplain, for Chapel service updates; and Andrew is on TikTok @thedetoxpriest. 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
Clothes swap – Saturday 4 February, 11am
Fisher Building Foyer.
Recycle and refresh your wardrobe, while taking steps to protect the planet.
Women’s and men’s clothes and fabric accessories, in good, clean condition can all be donated from 10.30am, when the doors open. Alternatively leave your donations in the Swish container that will be located in the Forecourt Porters’ Lodge from 17 January.
If anyone would like to volunteer to help organise the event please contact Clara Manco.
Admission free. Open to College members, their friends and family.
Prof Andrew Wylie memorial service – Saturday 4 February, 12 noon
St John’s College Chapel.
A memorial service is being held for Professor of Pathology and St John’s Fellow, Prof Andrew Wylie, who died in May.
All welcome to attend.
Mathematics and Mathematicians at St John's – weekdays, 9am-5pm
St John’s College Library.
Exhibition which is open to all, admission free, no booking required.
Live lunchtime meditation – Monday to Thursday, 1.15-1.30pm
Via Zoom.
Spend 15 mindful minutes relaxing or meditating with the University’s mindfulness practitioner, Dr Elizabeth English, in these weekday sessions, free to students and staff.
Open Orchestra – Monday 6 February, 7.30pm
New Music Room.
The St Johns College Open Orchestra (SJCOO) meets, usually fortnightly, on a Monday evening during term time. The orchestra is always happy to have more musicians who want to meet for relaxed and fun rehearsals, and sight read through some fun numbers from a wide variety of genres from classical to film. Brass and string players are particularly needed.
Open to all University members (Grade 4/5 minimum, no auditions required).
Further details and to register or email the SJCOO Director, Daniel Livermore.
Palaeography for beginners – Tuesday 7 February, 3pm
Zoom.
Weekly ‘have-a-go’ sessions for anyone interested in reading handwriting c. 1500 – c. 1700, 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. Meetings are held online, using photographs of the documents which will be emailed out in advance along with the Zoom link.
Open to all, attendance free. If you would like to join in, please contact the archivist, Dr Lynsey Darby.
Special collection display – Wednesday 8 February, 2pm-4pm
Old Library.
The Old Library will be open on a drop-in basis for people to view a display of items from the special collections. Every Wednesday during full term with the exception of 15 February.
Open to College members and their guests, admission free, no booking required.
UniVox rehearsals – every Wednesday during term, 5.15-6.30pm
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
UniVox is a non-auditioned contemporary choir for students across the University run by the new Centre for Music Performance (CMP) and hosted by St John’s.
Places are limited so must be booked via the UniVox page of the CMP website.
The chemistry of wine and wine tasting – Wednesday 8 February, 6pm
The Wordsworth Room.
As part of Dr Tomaselli's Sans Frontierès programme for Fellows and Postgraduates, Dr Wood, St John’s Fellow and Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry, will be giving a 'chemistry of wine' tasting.
£10 admission charge. Students who wish to attend will be able to book via Upay from 8.30am on Monday 6 February. Others who would like to come are asked to email Dr Wood to reserve a place.
St John's College Music Society (SJCMS) lunchtime recital – Thursday 9 February, 1.15pm
New Music Room.
Alma Vink (violin), Seth Collin (cello) and Greg May (piano) perform piano trios by Fauré and Schumann.
Open to all, admission free, booking is not required.
Drop-in dissertation support group – Thursday 9 February, 2pm-5pm
Via Zoom.
Weekly online group run during term time by the Library, offering a structured study space, support and encouragement for any undergraduate student who is currently working on a dissertation.
Email Rebecca for the Zoom link or if you have any questions.
Linacre Lecture 2023 – Thursday 9 February, 5.30pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
This year’s Linacre Lecture is entitled Dyslexia, Rhythm, Language and the Developing Brain and will be given by Professor Usha Goswami, Director at the Centre for Neuroscience in Education, Professor of Cognitive Developmental Neuroscience at Cambridge University and Fellow of St John’s. The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.
Register for the lecture by Friday 3 February.
Pink Week Formal Hall – Thursday 9 February, 6.45pm
A Super Hall to raise awareness for breast cancer, with a drinks reception at 6.45pm followed by dinner at 7.30pm.
Open to St John’s students, two guests per student. £21.90 for College students, £26.25 for guests. Tickets available via Upay until Wednesday 8 February, 9am.
St John's College Music Society (SJCMS) orchestral concert – Thursday 9 February, 8pm
St John’s College Chapel.
The Society will be performing Mozart's symphony no. 40, Carwithen's piano concerto and Sibelius' Andante Festivo. They will be joined by the amazing pianist Patrick Pan for Carwithen's piano concerto.
Open to all. Tickets available on the door. Free for members of College community, £5 for other students, £10 for others.
Social tennis sessions – Friday 10 February, 3.30pm
St John’s tennis courts, behind the College playing fields.
Hour long social tennis sessions run by St John’s Tennis Club, every Friday during term time. No prior experience is needed, the games are intended for all students of all ages and all abilities. There is no need to come with a partner or tennis balls. If you need a racket or have any queries please contact Jonny Fox.
Open to all St John’s students, admission free, no booking required.
A tour of the Chapel windows – Saturday 11 February, 2pm
Meet in the Ante-Chapel.
The story of St John in the College’s stained glass, presented by College Fellow Professor Patrick Boyde.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme.
Attendance free, booking not required.
Valentine’s Superhall – Tuesday 14 February, 6.45pm
With a drinks reception at 6.45pm followed by dinner at 7.30pm.
Open to St John’s students, two guests per student. £21.90 for College students, £26.25 for guests. Tickets available via Upay until Monday 13 February, 9am.
A tour of the Old Library – Wednesday 15 February, 2pm
Meet in the Upper Library entrance on E staircase, Second Court.
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.
Attendance free, booking not required.
Pre-Dinner Lecture Series talk: Bishop Colenso, Proudly Johnian – Tuesday 21 February, 6.15pm
Boys Smith Room, Fisher Building.
Dr Paul Murray, Diocesan College, and Colenso Visiting Fellow at St John’s, will examine aspects of the Bishop Colenso’s life relative to his time at St John’s, drawing on archival sources at the Special Collections at St John’s College to show the links Colenso had with the College and how these experiences here were processed in aspects of his life.
The Bishop came to St John’s in 1833, and remained directly associated with the College until 1853 when he went as the inaugural Bishop of Natal, to South Africa. He is known for his controversial approach to the religious doctrine of the time in mid-C19 England and elsewhere, as well as a campaigner for human rights in South Africa until his death in 1883.
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 Book Group for postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff – Wednesday 22 February, 5.45pm
Merton Hall Cottage.
Postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff are invited to join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, for the second book group meeting of Lent Term. This month’s book is Julian Barnes' 2011 novel, The Sense of an Ending.
If you are interested in joining this or the book group for undergraduate students, email Vona.
Rainbow Superhall – Wednesday 22 February, 6.45pm
Celebrating LGBTQIA+, with a drinks reception at 6.45pm followed by dinner at 7.30pm.
Open to St John’s students, two guests per student. £21.90 for College students, £26.25 for guests. Tickets available via Upay until Tuesday 21 February, 9am.
David and Absalom – Wednesday 22 February, 7.30pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
Directed by St John’s Fellow Professor Patrick Boyde this is a semi-staged performance in the original Hebrew, dramatised from the Second Book of Samuel. Watch unfold a 3000 year old story of adultery and ambition, rape, rebellion and retribution, love and loyalty. With images and original music. Surtitles translating the Hebrew into English will be projected on to a screen during the performance.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Attendance free.
Please note that this event replaces the previously advertised dramatisation from Isaiah.
St John’s Book Group for undergraduates – Monday 27 February, 7pm
Merton Hall Cottage.
Undergraduates are invited to join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, for the second undergraduate book group meeting of Lent term. This month’s book is Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter.
If you are interested in joining this or the book group for postgraduates, English Faculty and staff, email Vona.
Pre-Dinner Lecture Series talk – Tuesday 28 February, 6.15pm
Castlereagh Room, Fisher Building.
Presented by Dr Anna Florin, Research Fellow at St John’s. Details to be confirmed.
The lecture will last 20-30 minutes and be followed by audience questions and drinks.
Open to Fellows, affiliates and postgraduate students. Admission free.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 1 March, 7.30pm
Hall.
Open to College postgraduates. Postgraduates can attend one Dine with Fellows dinner per academic year.
Free of charge, limited places, register via Upay after 1 February. Booking closes at 9am on 28 February.
Pre-Dinner Lecture Series talk – Tuesday 7 March, 6.15pm
Boys Smith Room, Fisher Building.
Presented by Dr Ann Benson, Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship, and Beaufort Visiting Fellow at St John’s. Details to be confirmed.
The lecture will last 20-30 minutes and be followed by audience questions and drinks.
Open to Fellows, affiliates and postgraduate students. Admission free.
How Cambridge works – Wednesday 8 March, 8pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
A talk by Richard Partington, Senior Tutor.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme.
Attendance free, booking not required.
Precarious lives: inequalities in health through the lens of the film maker – Thursday 9 March, 1.15pm for 1.45pm start
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
Director Ken Loach is due to appear at a workshop and screening of his acclaimed 2019 film Sorry We Missed You.
St John’s Reading Group on Health Inequalities has organised the event, which comes at a time of deep concern about the impact of rising poverty on child health and development, in association with the University’s Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH).
Free of charge. Donations will be collected at the event for Cambridge City Foodbank and Cambridge Aid.
Book your place via the CRASSH events page
Botanic Gardens tour – Sunday 19 March, 2pm
Join Professor Tim Bayliss-Smith for a tour of the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens to see the spring flowers.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Students should bring their University cards for free entry.
Further details to be confirmed.
And finally
The aconites and snowdrops are blooming in the wilderness. This photo was snapped today by Paul Everest, Biographical Assistant, they won’t be out for long so do go and admire them while you can.
