membership of girton college friends groups All memberships of Friends’ groups are now renewed in December/January. All existing and past members will be invited to renew in December 2011. If you are taking out a new membership it will be valid until December 2012.
FRIENDS OF THE CHAPEL The College Chapel is a community and a haven available to all. Some are first drawn to it by the quality of music or preaching. Others take refuge at times of emotion or stress. Our Chapel is there for use by all members – those of any faith or none. The Friends and Patrons of the Chapel are vital in maintaining this important aspect of College life. Funds raised by the Friends are used to improve the building fabric and to purchase new books. They also provide for the popular teas for Choir and congregation that follow each Sunday service. As a Friend you will receive an annual newsletter and you are, of course, most welcome to join us in Chapel. In addition to this, Patrons will also be given the opportunity to have a personalised book plate in one of the Chapel library’s books. Karen Lee, President
FRIENDS OF THE CHOIR Girton College Choir has a reputation as one of Cambridge’s most highly regarded choirs. As well as singing services in the College Chapel, the Choir frequently performs outside Cambridge. Termly visits are made to major British cathedrals and the Choir also travels overseas at least once a year. Recently the Choir won third prize out of 90 international entries in the 2007 Spittal International Choir Competition in Austria. The Choir has also recorded five CDs since 1995, and the sixth, now on sale, was recorded in New York at the end of the 2009 tour of the USA. It is the Choir’s Friends and Patrons whose support makes its overseas tours possible. Friends receive notification of and free admittance to the annual Friends’ Concert. Patrons may also, if they wish, have their contributions acknowledged in concert programmes. Dr Martin Ennis, Director of Music and President
FRIENDS OF THE GARDENS Girton College prides itself on its beautiful grounds, exceptional in their variety from formal courts and lawns to extensive meadow and woodland and a famous orchard. Unusually for college grounds, no area is ‘private’ so that all members of the College, local residents and any other visitors are always welcome to enjoy the gardens and grounds. The twin policies of open access and ecological management of habitat demand and require a wide range of skills from a small staff whose work has to range from maintaining our formal spaces to stewardship of rare varieties of fruit and acting as foresters in the perimeter woodland. Friends of the College Gardens are essential in supporting both day-to-day activities and special projects. Friends are invited to an event. Patrons of the Gardens additionally receive a ‘gardener’s tip’ from Girton’s Head Gardener. Dr Ruth Williams, President
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY Girton is justifiably proud of its Library, which holds a series of outstanding collections, including our Special Collections of rare books, our unique Archive, and, of course, our undergraduate collections, which are acclaimed as among the best in the University.