College bulletin: 5 May
This week in the Comms Office we have mostly been having FOMO about not being invited to the Coronation of King Charles III tomorrow.
Fortunately, a spectacular Coronation Service will take place in College on Sunday followed by a drinks reception and a Coronation-themed Hall so we can mark the occasion the St John’s way – don’t miss your chance to feature in the group photograph after Chapel to be part of this moment in history (more info to come during Sunday’s sell-out service).
We also got a preview of a newly created dessert devised by one of our postgraduate students and whipped up by the College chefs to mark the occasion (recipe attached and read on for the full story).
Strangely, the Master’s invitation to the Coronation did not go astray and I took this surreptitious photo of it earlier – it is so pretty.
College news
King Charles I’s personal Order of Service from his Coronation in 1626 to go on display
An elaborate Royal spectacle including centuries-old traditions will be on show to the world when King Charles III’s Coronation takes place in London tomorrow.
King Charles I’s Order of Service, which is nearly 400 years old, will go on display in The Upper Library at St John’s on Wednesday 10 May.
St John’s academics and postgraduates reach finals of student-led awards
Five members of the St John’s community have been shortlisted for awards after being nominated by Cambridge University students for their outstanding teaching and pastoral support.
Students win prizes for outstanding sportsmanship
St John’s students Bilal Qureshi and Jenny Dunstan have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to College sport at this year’s Annual General Athletics Club Colours Dinner.
The Colours Dinner recognises exceptional achievements and good character in the sports men and women of St John’s.
Submit your photographs for The Eagle
The Development Office is seeking photographs to feature in the 2023 edition of The Eagle, the College’s annual record. Students, staff and Fellows are invited to submit photos from all aspects of College life, but particularly of the grounds and shots of people enjoying the collegiate environment.
See examples of the kinds of images used previously.
Images need to be high resolution (preferably 1MB+) and please include any relevant credits and permission from those featured in the photos.
Please email your photos to Ellie Collingwood, Alumni Relations Officer.
New cyber-security courses
College staff will soon be receiving knowledge and tips on how to lead a safer digital life.
St John’s has partnered with Boxphish, a UK-based Cyber Security Awareness Training company that will provide five-minute training modules on a regular basis. Staff will start to receive these emails from Tuesday 9May.
IT will also be running tests throughout the year as part of the Boxphish platform. If you have any questions please email Dan, IT Support Team Leader.
Aquila
Aquila, the College’s all-female a cappella choir, would be delighted to welcome anyone who’s interested in singing – no audition required.
No experience or ability to read sheet music is needed, just enthusiasm. Aquila rehearses every Tuesday from 5.15pm-6.45pm: email George to find out more. Open to all women involved in College life.
Chapel
Student Communion – Sunday 7 May, 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.
Coronation Service – Sunday 7 May, 5pm
A service of music and readings to celebrate the Coronation of HM King Charles III and The Queen Consort. This special service will feature the four Coronation Anthems by Handel, which include Zadok the Priest, accompanied by the Academy of Ancient Music.
Applications for tickets have now closed.
Festal Evensong sung by St John’s Voices – Monday 15 May, 6.30pm
One of the College’s two choirs, St John’s Voices, will be launching their second album with a drinks reception afterwards. The service will feature music from the disc, by the Russian master Pavel Chesnokov. All are very welcome.
For all other regular services, see the Chapel webpage. 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
Varsity Archery – Sunday 7 May, noon
The Backs, St John’s College.
This year’s archery match against Oxford will run from noon until 5pm. To ensure the safety of all, strict safety protocols will be in place, which includes safety stewards, clear signage and roped off firing range areas.
The Captain of the Cambridge University Bowmen, Basia Kraus, a Johnian, welcomes spectators to the event, but requests that those present comply with any safety instructions given by stewards, and not to cross into the roped off firing ranges.
Open to all, admission free, no booking required.
Coronation-themed Hall – Sunday 7 May, 7.45pm
Hall.
Special post-Coronation Service Hall to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.
Student Art and Photography Exhibition 2023 – Monday 8 May to Thursday 15 June
Library Exhibition Area.
View all the entries in this year’s St John’s College Student Art and Photography Exhibition.
Pub quiz – Monday 8 May, 8.30pm
College Bar.
Open to all, admission free. Follow the St John’s College Catering Instagram page for updates.
Live lunchtime meditation – Tuesdays to Thursdays, 1pm-1.15pm
Via Teams.
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.
Full details and Mindfulness Programme
Palaeography for beginners – Tuesday 9 May, 3pm
Zoom.
Weekly ‘have-a-go’ sessions for anyone interested in reading handwriting 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. 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.
Spring Awakening – Tuesday 9 May to Saturday 13 May, 7.45pm
ADC Theatre.
St John’s student Isabella Bottle has designed the set and an original series of projections for Spring Awakening, a musical with an electrifying rock soundtrack that explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood in a poignant story of teenage curiosity.
Open to all (recommended for ages 16+). Tickets: Tue-Thu £11-£14; Fri-Sat £13-£16. Further information and to purchase tickets
Read a preview of the show and an interview with Isabella
Johnian Entrepreneurs Club coffee and chat – Wednesday 10 May, 2pm
College Café.
Meeting weekly, the Johnian Entrepreneurs Club is for College members who are interested in business or entrepreneurship. This could be people who are wanting to start their own business of any kind or network with those who already have startups etc.
The club will have some speakers this term and aims to help people get started on their entrepreneurial journey. There is a WhatsApp group for those who would like to get involved.
Open to all College members. Admission free, no booking required.
Upper Library opening – Wednesday 10 May, 2pm-4pm
Enter via E staircase, Second Court.
Open every Wednesday afternoon during term time, manuscripts and rare printed books from the collections are on display in the 17th-century Upper Library. Next week’s exhibition will feature Coronation manuscripts and related items.
Requests for material to be exhibited can be emailed to Special Collections and they will do their best to accommodate these over the course of the term.
Open to College members and their guests. Admission free, no booking required.
St John’s Book Group for postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff – Wednesday 10 May, 5.45pm
Merton Hall Cottage.
Postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff are invited to join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, for their first book group meeting of Easter Term. This month’s book is Sarah Moss's 2018 novel, Ghost Wall, described by the Guardian as ‘a burnished gem of a book’, and by the New Yorker as, ‘a short, sharp tale of suspense’.
If you are interested in joining this or the book group for undergraduates, email Vona.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 10 May, 7.30pm
Hall.
Open to College postgraduates. Free of charge, limited places, register via Upay.
Women’s tennis sessions – Thursday 11 May, 11am
St John’s tennis courts, behind the College playing fields.
Hour-long sessions for women of all ages and abilities with some experience of the sport, this should be a fantastic break from revision to get some fresh air and play some tennis.
There is no need to come with a partner, racquet or tennis balls. Email Emilia Murray if you’re interested in joining or if you need a racquet.
Open to all St John’s female members. Free, no booking required.
The Newell Classical Event 2023, in conversation with Natalie Haynes – Thursday 11 May, 7.15pm
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
The Newell Classical Event 2023, celebrating the classical world, stars Natalie Haynes, who will discuss her career as a novelist, radio presenter, comedian and classicist in conversation with Professor Tim Whitmarsh.
Free event. All are very welcome, and no knowledge of ancient literature or history will be required. No need to book.
Social tennis sessions – Friday 12 May, 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 afternoon 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. Please contact Jonny Fox for more information and if you need a racquet.
Open to all St John’s students. Free, no booking required.
Notes from the Jury: Reflections on the Chopin Competition – Wednesday 17 May, 9pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
Professor John Rink, St John’s Fellow and Director of Studies in Music, shares some of his experiences as a member of the jury of the Chopin Competition in 2015 and 2021.
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 College Music Society (SJCMS) lunchtime recital – Thursday 18 May, 1.15pm
New Music Room.
Leon Sturdee on violin and Sohan Kalirai on piano.
Open to all, admission free, booking is not required.
The history and development of Cambridge University – Tuesday 23 May, 8pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
Richard Partington, St John’s Fellow and Senior Tutor, presents a talk on the history and development of the University.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Admission free.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 7 June, 7.30pm
Hall.
Open to College postgraduates. Free of charge, limited places, register via Upay after Wednesday 10 May.
Tour of the College gardens – Wednesday 14 June, details TBC
With a focus on sustainability, members of the Gardening Department will give a tour of the beautiful and varied grounds of St John’s. No more than 15 in a group.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Free event.
St John’s College May Ball 2023 – Tuesday 20 June
The College’s spectacular annual May Ball will span the length and breadth of the historic courts of St John’s. This lavish event features live music, all-you-can-eat food and drink and a world-class fireworks display, with the theme famously kept secret until the night itself.
Only single external tickets with breakfast now remain and these can be booked via the St John’s College May Ball website.
Andrew Chamblin Memorial Concert 2023 – Thursday 22 June, 8pm
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and online.
The 17th annual Andrew Chamblin Memorial Concert will be given by Thierry Escaich, who will play an hour-long programme of organ works by Bach, Franck, Vierne, Brahms and Widor. The performance will also be livestreamed.
Open to all, admission free, no booking required.
And finally
St John’s student Will Yates got a taste of things to come when he came face-to-face with the prize-winning dessert he devised to mark HM King Charles III’s Coronation.
Will, who is studying for an MPhil in Education, won a College catering challenge last week and will see his pudding – rhubarb burnt cream served with orange and ginger shortbread crowns – on the menu at this Sunday’s Coronation-themed Hall.
“I always like to cook for my friends and the Coronation competition was an excuse to make them something nice,” explained Will, who will be tucking into his dessert with his guest – dad Robert – at the special dinner.
Earlier today Will was able to try his pudding made by Pastry Chef Tim Robinson with Executive Chef Tom Stewart, who was on the judging panel.
Tom said: “We had a great selection of recipes to choose from, there were some really interesting ideas. Will’s rhubarb dessert is nice and seasonal and a special pudding for the Coronation.”
