CONTENTS

EDITORIAL

This issue of the Magazine contains an increased number of fascinating articles on a wide variety of topics. I am grateful to the Fellows who, for the most part, volunteered willingly to provide the material in good time.

Magdalene has many traditions. One of the most endearing is to fête Fellows who have either been in post for fifty years or have reached the age of eighty (not both). Recently a surprisingly young Professor Boyle celebrated five decades as a Fellow. He entertained the other guests with a fine speech part of which is published on pp 20-23.

Unusually this year we are not able to know how well our students have performed in comparison with other colleges. This is not because of protection of the sensibilities of the colleges or the students but because of the new Data Protection Act. No longer are nervous students to be seen at the Senate House notice boards anxiously searching for their results, as to display them would be a breach of the new rules. The unavailability of the data makes the calculation of Tompkins or Baxter tables impossible. Some might argue that this is a relief and a couple of decades ago Magdalene could have welcomed lack of comparison. However, the tables provided a yardstick whereby we could have an idea how well we were doing and this, though sometimes painful, is now lost.

We have been aware for many years that we have a duty of care to protect personal data. We will continue to be responsible and compliant. The Development Office keeps the master list of Members and supplies names and addresses of non-residents to our printer so that copies of the Magazine can be posted. We have been assured by the printer that this data is not used for any other purpose.

The FUTURE foundations campaign continues to be hugely successful and is, of course, inextricably entwined with the building of our new, modern library. Importantly it will support student bursaries and other beneficial funds within the College. Work is due to start on the library very soon and will be both disruptive and extensive but when it is finished, and the grass has grown back, we will have a magnificent workspace that will stand comfortably between the Master’s Lodge and the Pepys Library; it is designed to last for centuries.

The generosity of the donors to the College never ceases to amaze. Both the value of the gifts and the diversity of the donors indicate the fondness that exists for Magdalene. The contributions made by Members in taking on time consuming roles are essential and greatly appreciated.

It would not be possible for me to complete this work without the dedicated help of Aude Valluy-Fitzsimons (Deputy Editor). Jo Hornsby and Louise Foster have laboured to obtain items of news from the whole College in a polite, cheerful yet determined fashion. N R